Direct Current Pulse Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Treatment on Electrochemically Deposited NiFe/Carbon Paper and Its Potential Application in an Anion-Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer.

An atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) is used to process electrochemically deposited NiFe on carbon paper (NiFe/CP). The reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONs) of the APPJ modify the surface properties, chemical bonding types, and oxidation states of the material at the self-sustained temperature of the APPJ. The APPJ treatment further enhances the hydrophilicity and creates a higher disorder level in the carbon material.

[Study on methods measuring mechanical properties of arterial wall by macroscopic indentation].

Accurately evaluating the local biomechanics of arterial wall is crucial for diagnosing and treating arterial diseases. Indentation measurement can be used to evaluate the local mechanical properties of the artery. However, the effects of the indenter's geometric structure and the analysis theory on measurement results remain uncertain.

Influence of Si Addition on the Microstructures, Phase Assemblages and Properties in CoCrNi Medium-Entropy Alloy.

The effects of Si addition on the microstructures and properties of CoCrNi medium-entropy alloy (MEA) were systematically investigated. The CrCoNiSi MEA possesses a single face-centered cubic (FCC) phase when x is less than 0.3 and promotes solution strengthening, while the crystal structure shows a transition to the FCC+σ phase structure when x = 0.

Preparation and Modeling of Graphene Bubbles to Obtain Strain-Induced Pseudomagnetic Fields.

It has been both theoretically predicted and experimentally demonstrated that strain can effectively modulate the electronic states of graphene sheets through the creation of a pseudomagnetic field (PMF). Pressurizing graphene sheets into bubble-like structures has been considered a viable approach for the strain engineering of PMFs. However, the bubbling technique currently faces limitations such as long manufacturing time, low durability, and challenges in precise control over the size and shape of the pressurized bubble.

Static and dynamic analysis of cerebral blood flow in fifty-six large arterial vessel networks.

The cerebral vasculature is formed of an intricate network of blood vessels over many different length scales. Changes in their structure and connection are implicated in multiple cerebrovascular and neurological disorders. In this study, we present a novel approach to the quantitative analysis of the cerebral macrovasculature using computational and mathematical tools in a large dataset.

In Situ Study of Precipitates' Effect on Grain Deformation Behavior and Mechanical Properties of S31254 Super Austenitic Stainless Steel.

Grain boundary (GB) precipitation-induced cracking is a significant issue for S31254 super austenitic stainless steel during hot working. Investigating the deformation behavior based on precipitate morphology and distribution is essential. In this study, continuous smaller and intermittent larger precipitates were obtained through heat treatments at 950 °C and 1050 °C.

Engineering Compounds for the Recovery of Critical Elements from Slags: Melt Characteristics of LiAlO, LiAlO, and LiAlO.

Engineered artificial minerals (EnAMs) are the core of a new concept of designing scavenger compounds for the recovery of critical elements from slags. It requires a fundamental understanding of solidification from complex oxide melts. Ion diffusivity and viscosity play vital roles in this process.

Targeting TGFβ receptor-mediated snail and twist: WSG, a polysaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum, and it-based dissolvable microneedle patch suppress melanoma cells.

Cutaneous melanoma is a lethal skin cancer variant with pronounced aggressiveness and metastatic potential. However, few targeted medications inhibit the progression of melanoma. Ganoderma lucidum, which is a type of mushroom, is widely used as a non-toxic alternative adjunct therapy for cancer patients.

Site-specific thrombus formation: advancements in photothrombosis-on-a-chip technology.

Thrombosis, characterized by blood clot formation within vessels, poses a significant medical challenge. Despite extensive research, the development of effective thrombosis therapies is hindered by substantial costs, lengthy development times, and high failure rates in medication commercialization. Conventional pre-clinical models often oversimplify cardiovascular disease, leading to a disparity between experimental results and human physiological responses.

Bound states in the continuum in divided triangular hole metasurfaces.

We investigate the bound states in the continuum (BICs) in dielectric metasurfaces consisting of a two-part divided triangular hole in the unit cell of a square lattice, with emphasis on the generation, splitting, and merging of BICs. At the smallest height ratio between the upper triangular and the lower trapezoidal holes, the accidental BIC with an extremely large quality factor emerges on an isolated dispersion band at the Brillouin zone center, which is recognized as a polarization singularity (V point) with an integer topological charge. As the height ratio increases, the accidental BIC is split into a pair of circularly polarized states, which are polarization singularities (C points) with half-integer topological charges.

Deflection of sliding droplets by dielectrophoresis force on a superhydrophobic surface.

In this study, we experimentally identify the effect of liquid dielectrophoresis (LDEP) force on a superhydrophobic surface in directing the trajectory of moving water droplets across designed interdigitated electrodes and show that this method is capable of rapidly selecting droplets at a high speed (200 mm/s). As the droplets traverse down the surface by the electric field, their deflection on the edge of these electrodes is achieved successively, allowing for the selective manipulation of discrete droplets. A series of experiments were conducted to validate the relationships among droplet deflections, applied electric fields, and dynamic contact angles.

Modelling midline shift and ventricle collapse in cerebral oedema following acute ischaemic stroke.

In ischaemic stroke, a large reduction in blood supply can lead to the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier and to cerebral oedema after reperfusion therapy. The resulting fluid accumulation in the brain may contribute to a significant rise in intracranial pressure (ICP) and tissue deformation. Changes in the level of ICP are essential for clinical decision-making and therapeutic strategies.

Evaluation of the Surface Topography of Microfinishing Abrasive Films in Relation to Their Machining Capability of Nimonic 80A Superalloy.

This study investigates the surface topography of microfinishing abrasive films and their machining capability on the Nimonic 80A superalloy, a high-performance nickel-based alloy commonly used in aerospace and gas turbine engine applications. Surface analysis was conducted on three abrasive films with nominal grain sizes of 30, 15, and 9 μm, exploring wear patterns, contact frequency, and distribution. To assess the distribution of grain apexes, Voronoi cells were employed.

Experimental Verification of Geometric Changes Caused by the Release of Residual Stresses for Large-Scale Welded Frames.

This paper presents geometric analyses of welded frames after free relaxing and vibratory stress relief (VSR). The tested frames were components of a prototype packaging machine. Two types of relaxation were carried out to remove stresses introduced as a result of the welding process.

Evaluation of Pm2.5 Influence on Human Lung Cancer Cells Using a Microfluidic Platform.

In this study, we developed a microfluidic device that is able to monitor cell biology under continuous PM2.5 treatment. The effects of PM2.

Photoluminescence-based biosensor for the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 virus proteins by ZnO tetrapod structure integrated within microfluidic system.

This paper reports on development of an optical biosensor for the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 virus proteins in blood serum. ZnO nanotetrapods with high surface area and stable room temperature photoluminescence (PL) were selected as transducers. Structure and optical properties of the ZnO tetrapods have been studied by XRD, SEM and Raman spectroscopy.

Modelling Drug Delivery to the Small Airways: Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology.

Aim: The aim of this in silico study was to investigate the effect of particle size, flow rate, and tidal volume on drug targeting to small airways in patients with mild COPD.

Method: Design of Experiments (DoE) was used with an in silico whole lung particle deposition model for bolus administration to investigate whether controlling inhalation can improve drug delivery to the small conducting airways. The range of particle aerodynamic diameters studied was 0.

Hofmeister-Effect-Driven Hybrid Glycerogels for Perfect Wide-Temperature Shape Fixity and Shape Recovery in Soft Robotics Applications.

Shape memory gels have emerged as crucial elements in soft robotics, actuators, and biomedical devices; however, several problems persist, like the trade-off between shape fixity and shape recovery, and the limited temperature range for their application. This article introduces a new class of shape memory hybrid glycerogels (GGs) designed to address these limitations. The well-modulated internal structure of the GGs, facilitated by the Hofmeister salting-out effect, strategically incorporates a higher crystallite content, abundant crosslinking points, and a high elastic modulus.

Effects of Pressure Rollers with Variable Compliance in the Microfinishing Process Utilizing Abrasive Films.

This article presents a comprehensive investigation into pressure rollers utilized in the microfinishing process, covering aspects such as design, experimental properties, compliance, and finite element simulation. Prototype pressure rollers with unconventional elastomer configurations were designed and analyzed to explore their effectiveness in achieving superior surface finishes. Experimental analysis and finite element simulations were conducted to gain insights into the performance and behavior of these pressure rollers under various loading conditions.

Development of stochastically reconstructed 3D porous media micromodels using additive manufacturing: numerical and experimental validation.

We propose an integrated methodology for the design and fabrication of 3D micromodels that are suitable for the pore-scale study of transport processes in macroporous materials. The micromodels, that bear the pore-scale characteristics of sandstone, such as porosity, mean pore size, etc, are designed following a stochastic reconstruction algorithm that allows for fine-tuning the porosity and the correlation length of the spatial distribution of the solid material. We then construct a series of 3D micromodels at very fine resolution (i.

Dynamic cerebral autoregulation is governed by two time constants: Arterial transit time and feedback time constant.

Dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) is the mechanism that describes how the brain maintains cerebral blood flow approximately constant in response to short-term changes in arterial blood pressure. This is known to be impaired in many different pathological conditions, including ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke, dementia and traumatic brain injury. Many different approaches have thus been used both to analyse and to quantify this mechanism in a range of healthy and diseased subjects, including data-driven models (in both the time and the frequency domain) and biophysical models.

Superfinishing with Abrasive Films Featuring Discontinuous Surfaces.

This study introduces innovative designs for abrasive tools aimed at enhancing surface finishing processes. Prototypes consisting of non-continuous abrasive films with discontinuous surface carriers and abrasive layers were developed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the smoothing process. Four distinct abrasive films with varying nominal grain sizes were fabricated to explore the versatility and efficacy of the prototypes.