Lattice-contraction triggered synchronous electrochromic actuator.

Materials with synchronous capabilities of color change and actuation have prospects for application in biomimetic dual-stealth camouflage and artificial intelligence. However, color/shape dual-responsive devices involve stimuli that are difficult to control such as gas, light or magnetism, and the devices show poor coordination. Here, a flexible composite film with electrochromic/actuating (238° bending angle) dual-responsive phenomena, excellent reversibility, high synchronization, and fast response speed (< 5 s) utilizes a single active component, W18O49 nanowires. From in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction, first principles calculations/numerical simulations, and a series of control experiments, the actuating mechanism for macroscopic deformation is elucidated as pseudocapacitance-based reversible lattice contraction/recovery of W18O49 nanowires (i.e. nanostructure change at the atomic level) during lithium ion intercalation/de-intercalation. In addition, we demonstrate the W18O49 nanowires in a solid-state ionic polymer-metal composite actuator that operates stably in air with a significant pseudocapacitive actuation

Difficult diagnosis and genetic analysis of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: a case report

Abstract Background Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), an ultra-rare and disabling genetic disorder of skeletal malformations and progressive heterotopic ossification, is caused by heterozygous activating mutations in activin A receptor, type I/activin-like kinase 2 (ACVR1/ALK2). The rarity of the disease makes it common to make a misdiagnosis and cause mismanagement. Case presentation We reported a case of a sixteen-year-old male patient who had suffered from pain and swelling in the biopsy site for two months. His physical examination presented serious stiffness and multiple bony masses in the body, with his bilateral halluces characterized by hallux valgus deformity and macrodactyly. Imaging examinations showed widespread heterotopic ossification. All laboratory blood tests were normal except for the one on alkaline phosphatase. A de novo heterozygous mutation (c.617G > A; p.R206H) were found in the ACVR1/ALK2 using gene sequencing. Conclusion Even though FOP is a rare disorder of genetic origin, which is generally misdiagnosed, the genetic analysis could provide definitive confirmation of the disease. Awareness of such an important approach can help clinicians to avoid the commonly practiced misdiagnosis and mismanagement of the rare disease

Damping Property of Cement Mortar Incorporating Damping Aggregate

This study proposes a new cement mortar incorporating damping aggregate (DA) and investigates the mechanical properties and damping property of the cement mortar. Four types of DA were prepared, lightweight aggregate presaturated water and three types of polymer emulsion. Further, the effects of polypropylene fiber and rubber powder on the performance of the cement mortar were studied. The experimental results showed that the damping ratio of specimens containing 70% DA was approximately three times higher than that of the reference mortar, with a slight decrease in the mechanical properties. Adding fiber was more effective than rubber powder in improving the damping ratio of the cement mortar, and the optimal dosage of fiber was 0.5%

Numerical and Experimental Research on Non-Reference Damage Localization Based on the Improved Two-Arrival-Time Difference Method

The identification of damage based on Lamb waves can hardly avoid obtaining the reference signal under healthy conditions. A non-reference damage localization (NRDL) method is proposed in this paper. The NRDL method is established by the improved two-arrival-time difference method (2/ATDM) and BFGS method. The layout principles of the piezoelectric ceramic lead zirconate titanate (PZT) transducer array in the specimen are proposed. In contrast to existing methods, the damage outside the array in the specimen is identified based on the NRDL. The full-area damage location in the specimen is realized. Furthermore, the optimization of the excitation signal center frequency and transducer array layout is carried out. The damage location accuracy is greatly improved

Associations between Recreational Screen Time and Brain Health in Middle-Aged and Older Adults:A Large Prospective Cohort Study

Objectives: To investigate the associations of recreational screen time with risks of brain-related disorders (dementia, stroke, and Parkinson's disease) and neuroimaging features. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting and Participants: A total of 407,792 participants from the UK Biobank who were free of dementia, stroke, or Parkinson's disease at enrollment (2006–2010). Methods: TV viewing and time spent using the computer were self-reported at baseline. Among a subsample of 40,692 participants, neuroimaging features were measured by magnetic resonance imaging in 2014. Data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models, restricted cubic spline models, and general linear regression models. Results: During a median follow-up of 12.6 years, 5227 incident dementia, 6822 stroke, and 2308 Parkinson's disease cases were identified. Compared with TV viewing &gt;0–1 h/day, watching TV ≥5 h/day was associated with higher risks of dementia [hazard ratio (HR), 1.44; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.28–1.62], stroke (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01–1.25), and Parkinson's disease (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.06–1.54). Moreover, we observed inverse associations between TV viewing time and both gray matter volume and hippocampus volume (Ptrend &lt;.001). However, we did not observe the significant associations between discretional computer use and brain-related disorders or neuroimaging features. Conclusions and Implications: Our findings suggest that high TV viewing time is associated with increased risk of various brain-related disorders, highlighting recreational TV viewing could have an important impact on brain-related health.</p

Effect of Recycled Aggregate Carrying Sulfate Corrosion Media on Drying and Autogenous Shrinkage of Mortar

In this study, the effects of recycled sand (RS) carrying sulfate corrosion media on mortar drying and autogenous shrinkages were investigated. Four variables were considered, the replacement percentage of RS, water to cement (W/C) ratio, secondary cementitious material, and the corrosion concentration of RS. The test results indicated that the replacement percentage of RS was positively related to the drying and autogenous shrinkages of the mortar. The drying shrinkage of the mortar increased with an increase in the W/C ratio, while the autogenous shrinkage showed an opposite trend. The addition of fly ash (FA) had a significant inhibitory effect on the drying and autogenous shrinkages of the mortar. The drying shrinkage of the mortar was reduced, while the autogenous shrinkage was increased by adding granulated blast-furnace slag (GBFS). The addition of both FA and GBFS caused an increase in the autogenous shrinkage. As the corrosion concentration of RS increased, the drying and autogenous shrinkage values decreased slightly. The scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis results showed that the corrosion products formed by the reaction of sulfate ions carried by RS and cement hydration products filled the internal pores of the mortar and slowed down the shrinkage of the mortar

Effects of Combined Usage of Supplementary Cementitious Materials on the Thermal Properties and Microstructure of High-Performance Concrete at High Temperatures

Concrete has low porosity and compact microstructure, and thus can be vulnerable to high temperature, and the increasing application of various types of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in concrete makes its high-temperature resistant behavior more complex. In this study, we investigate the effects of four formulations with typical SCMs combinations of fly ash (FA), ultra-fine fly ash (UFFA) and metakaolin (MK), and study the effects of SCMs combinations on the thermal performance, microstructure, and the crystalline and amorphous phases evolution of concrete subjected to high temperatures. The experimental results showed that at 400 &deg;C, with the addition of 20% FA (wt %), the thermal conductivity of the sample slightly increased to 1.5 W/(m&middot;K). Replacing FA with UFFA can further increase the thermal conductivity to 1.7 W/(m&middot;K). Thermal conductivity of concrete slightly increased at 400 &deg;C and significantly reduced at 800 &deg;C. Further, combined usage of SCMs delayed and reduced micro-cracks of concrete subjected to high temperatures. This study demonstrates the potential of combining the usage of SCMs to promote the high-temperature performance of concrete and explains the micro-mechanism of concrete containing SCMs at high temperatures

Effects of Quality Enhancement of Frozen Tuna Fillets Using Ultrasound-Assisted Salting: Physicochemical Properties, Histology, and Proteomics

Salting pretreatment is an effective method to improve the quality of frozen fish. This study investigated the quality changes and proteomic profile differences of frozen yellowfin tuna fillets pretreated with ultrasound-assisted salting (UAS) and static salting (SS). This study was centered on three aspects: physicochemical indicators’ determination, histological observation, and proteomic analysis. The results showed that UAS significantly increased yield, salt content, and water-holding capacity (WHC), decreased total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN) compared to SS (p < 0.05), and significantly increased water in the protein matrix within myofibrils. Histological observations showed that the tissue cells in the UAS group were less affected by frozen damage, with a more swollen structure and rougher surface of myofibrils observed. Furthermore, 4D label-free proteomics revealed 56 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in UAS vs. NT comparison, mainly structural proteins, metabolic enzymes, proteasomes, and their subunits, which are associated with metabolic pathways such as calcium signaling pathway, gap junction, actin cytoskeletal regulation, and necroptosis, which are intimately associated with quality changes in freeze-stored tuna fillets. In brief, UAS enhances the potential for the application of salting pretreatment to improve frozen meat quality, and 4D label-free proteomics provides knowledge to reveal the potential links between quality and molecular changes in processed frozen meat to optimize future UAS meat processing