Optimal Insurance with Background Risk under the Ambiguity and Belief Heterogeneity Structure

In this paper, we discuss the optimal insurance in the presence of background risk while the insured is ambiguity averse and there exists belief heterogeneity between the insured and the insurer. We give the optimal insurance contract when maxing the insured’s expected utility of his/her remaining wealth under the smooth ambiguity model and the heterogeneous belief form satisfying the MHR condition. We calculate the insurance premium by using generalized Wang’s premium and also introduce a series of stochastic orders proposed by [1] to describe the relationships among the insurable risk, background risk and ambiguity parameter. We obtain the deductible insurance is the optimal insurance while they meet specific dependence structures.

Structure Heterogeneity in Metallic Glass: Modeling and Experiment

Despite the great efforts dedicated to metallic glasses （MGs）, their structure still remains a mystery to be understood. With comparison to the existing mJciomechanical models, such as the free-volume and shear transformation zone （STZ） models, we first discuss in this article our recently proposed ＇core-shell＇ model, which contains a solid-like matrix and liquid-like inclusions. This serves as the theoretical basis to understand the structural heterogeneity in MGs in our analytical framework. After that, a scanning ultrafast nanoindentation technique is used to map out the structure heterogeneity in a Zr-based bulk metallic glass （BMG）. With these ongoing research efforts, we hope that more research work could be stimulated in the pursuit of the structure-property relation in MGs.

Simultaneous multi-material embedded printing for 3D heterogeneous structures

In order to mimic the natural heterogeneity of native tissue and provide a better microenvironment for cell culturing,multi-material bioprinting has become a common solution to construct tissue models in vitro.With the embedded printing method,complex 3D structure can be printed using soft biomaterials with reasonable shape fidelity.However,the current sequential multi-material embedded printing method faces a major challenge,which is the inevitable trade-off between the printed structural integrity and printing precision.Here,we propose a simultaneous multi-material embedded printing method.With this method,we can easily print firmly attached and high-precision multilayer structures.With multiple individually controlled nozzles,different biomaterials can be precisely deposited into a single crevasse,minimizing uncontrolled squeezing and guarantees no contamination of embedding medium within the structure.We analyse the dynamics of the extruded bioink in the embedding medium both analytically and experimentally,and quantitatively evaluate the effects of printing parameters including printing speed and rheology of embedding medium,on the 3D morphology of the printed filament.We demonstrate the printing of double-layer thin-walled structures,each layer less than 200μm,as well as intestine and liver models with 5%gelatin methacryloyl that are crosslinked and extracted from the embedding medium without significant impairment or delamination.The peeling test further proves that the proposed method offers better structural integrity than conventional sequential printing methods.The proposed simultaneous multi-material embedded printing method can serve as a powerful tool to support the complex heterogeneous structure fabrication and open unique prospects for personalized medicine.

Secondary relaxation and dynamic heterogeneity in metallic glasses：A brief review

Understanding mechanical relaxation, such as primary（α） and secondary（β） relaxation, is key to unravel the intertwined relation between the atomic dynamics and non-equilibrium thermodynamics in metallic glasses. At a fundamental level, relaxation, plastic deformation, glass transition, and crystallization of metallic glasses are intimately linked to each other, which can be related to atomic packing, inter-atomic diffusion, and cooperative atom movement. Conceptually, βrelaxation is usually associated with structural heterogeneities intrinsic to metallic glasses. However, the details of such structural heterogeneities, being masked by the meta-stable disordered long-range structure, are yet to be understood. In this paper, we briefly review the recent experimental and simulation results that were attempted to elucidate structural heterogeneities in metallic glasses within the framework of β relaxation. In particular, we will discuss the correlation amongβ relaxation, structural heterogeneity, and mechanical properties of metallic glasses.

Effects of amygdale heterogeneity and sample size on the mechanical properties of basalt

Due to the complex diagenesis process,basalt usually contains defects in the form of amygdales formed by diagenetic bubbles,which affect its mechanical properties.In this study,a synthetic rock mass method(SRM)based on the combination of discrete fracture network(DFN)and finite-discrete element method(FDEM)is applied to characterizing the amygdaloidal basalt,and to systematically exploring the effects of the development characteristics of amygdales and sample sizes on the mechanical properties of basalt.The results show that with increasing amygdale content,the elastic modulus(E)increases linearly,while the uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)shows an exponential or logarithmic decay.When the orientation of amygdales is between 0°and 90°,basalt shows a relatively pronounced strength and stiffness anisotropy.Based on the analysis of the geometric and mechanical properties,the representative element volume(REV)size of amygdaloidal basalt blocks is determined to be 200 mm,and the mechanical properties obtained on this scale can be regarded as the properties of the equivalent continuum.The results of this research are of value to the understanding of the mechanical properties of amygdaloidal basalt,so as to guide the formulation of engineering design schemes more accurately.

The heterodimeric structure of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C1/C2 dictates 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-directed transcriptional events in osteoblasts

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein （hnRNP） C plays a key role in RNA processing but also exerts a dominant negative effect on responses to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D （1,25（OH）2D） by functioning as a vitamin D response element-binding protein （VDRE-BP）. hnRNPC acts a tetramer of hnRNPC1 （huC1） and hnRNPC2 （huC2）, and organization of these subunits is critical to in vivo nucleic acid-binding. Overexpression of either huC1 or huC2 in human osteoblasts is sufficient to confer VDRE-BP suppression of 1,25（OH）2D-mediated transcription. However, huC1 or huC2 alone did not suppress 1,25（OH）2D-induced transcription in mouse osteoblastic cells. By contrast, overexpression of huC1 and huC2 in combination or transfection with a bone-specific polycistronic vector using a ＂self-cleaving＂ 2A peptide to co-express huC1/C2 suppressed 1,25D-mediated induction of osteoblast target gene expression. Structural diversity of hnRNPC between human/NWPs and mouse/rat/rabbit/dog was investigated by analysis of sequence variations within the hnRNP CLZ domain. The predicted loss of distal helical function in hnRNPC from lower species provides an explanation for the altered interaction between huC1/C2 and their mouse counterparts. These data provide new evidence of a role for hnRNPC1/C2 in 1,25（OH）2D-driven gene expression, and further suggest that species-specific tetramerization is a crucial determinant of its actions as a regulator of VDR-directed transactivation.

Effects of water on the structure and transport properties of room temperature ionic liquids and concentrated electrolyte solutions

Transport properties and the associated structural heterogeneity of room temperature aqueous ionic liquids and especially of super-concentrated electrolyte aqueous solutions have received increasing attention,due to their potential application in ionic battery.This paper briefly reviews the results reported mainly since 2010 about the liquid-liquid separation,aggregation of polar and apolar domains in neat RTILs,and solvent clusters and 3D networks chiefly constructed by anions in super-concentrated electrolyte solutions.At the same time,the dominating effect of desolvation process of metal ions at electrode/electrolyte interface upon the transport of metal ions is stressed.This paper also presents the current understanding of how water affects the anion-cation interaction,structural heterogeneities,the structure of primary coordination sheath of metal ions and consequently their transport properties in free water-poor electrolytes.

An Al–Al interpenetrating-phase composite by 3D printing and hot extrusion

We report a process route to fabricate an Al–Al interpenetrating-phase composite by combining the Al–Mg–Mn–Sc–Zr lattice structure and Al_(84)Ni_(7)Gd_(6)Co_(3)nanostructured structure. The lattice structure was produced by the selective laser melting and subsequently filled with the Al_(84)Ni_(7)Gd_(6)Co_(3)amorphous powder, and finally the mixture was used for hot extrusion to produce bulk samples. The results show that the composites achieve a high densification and good interface bonding due to the element diffusion and plastic deformation during hot extrusion.The bulk samples show a heterogeneous structure with a combination of honeycomb lattice structure with an average grain size of less than1 μm and nanostructured area with a high volume fraction of nanometric intermetallics and nanograin α-Al. The heterogeneous structure leads to a bimodal mechanical zone with hard area and soft area giving rise to high strength and acceptable plasticity, where the compressive yield strength and the compressive plasticity can reach ~745 MPa and ~30%, respectively. The high strength can be explained by the rule of mixture,the grain boundary strengthening, and the back stress, while the acceptable plasticity is mainly owing to the confinement effect of the nanostructured area retarding the brittle fracture behavior.

Tailoring mechanical heterogeneity,nanoscale creep deformation and optical properties of nanostructured Zr-based metallic glass

Metallic glasses are spatially heterogeneous at the nanometer scale.However,the effects of external excitation on their structural and mechanical heterogeneity and the correlation to their properties are still unresolved.Nanoindentation,atomic force microscopy(AFM) and high-resolution transmis sion elec tron micro scopy(HRTEM) were carried out to explore the effects of cryogenic thermal cycling(CTC) on mechanical/structural heterogeneity,nano sc ale creep deformation and optical properties of nano structured metallic glass thin films(MGTFs).The results indicate that CTC treatment alters the distribution fluctuations of hardness/modulus and energy dissipation and results in an increase-then-decrease variation in mechanical heterogeneity.By applying Maxwell-Voigt model,it can be shown that CTC treatment results in a remarkable activation of more defects with longer relaxation time in soft regions but has only a slight effect on defects in hard regions.In addition,CTC treatment increases the transition time from primary-state stage to steady-state stage during creep deformation.The enhanced optical reflectivity of the MGTFs after 15 thermal cycles can be attributed to increased aggregation of Cu and Ni elements.The results of this study shed new light on understanding mechanical/structural heterogeneity and its influence on nanoscale creep deformation and optical characteristics of nanostructured MGTFs,and facilitate the design of high-performance nanostructured MGTFs.

Instant formation of excellent oxygen evolution catalyst film via controlled spray pyrolysis for electrocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting

The retarded kinetics of oxygen evolution on electrodes is a bottleneck for electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems.NiFe-based electrocatalysts provide a cost-effective choice to confront this challenge.However,there is a lack of facile techniques for depositing compact catalytic films of high coverage and possessing a state-of-the-art performance,which is especially desired in photoelectrochemical(PEC)systems.Herein,we demonstrate a spray pyrolysis(SP)route to address this issue,featuring the kinetic selective preparation towards the desired catalytic-active material.Differing from reported SP protocols which only produce inactive oxides,this approach directly generates a unique composite film consisting of NiFe layered oxyhydroxides and amorphous oxides,exhibiting an overpotential as small as 255 mV(10 mA cm^(−2))and a turnover frequency of∼0.4 s^(−1)per metal atom.By using such a facile protocol,the surface rate-limiting issue of BiVO_(4)photoanodes can be effectively resolved,resulting in a charge injection efficiency of over 90%.Considering this deposition directly start from simple nitrates but only takes several seconds to complete,we believe it can be developed as a widely applicable and welcomed functionalization technique for diverse electrochemical devices.

Deformation and failure behavior of heterogeneous Mg/SiC nanocomposite under compression

The heterogeneous magnesium(Mg) matrix nanocomposite with dispersed soft phase exhibits high strength and toughness. Herein, the deformation behavior and failure process were investigated to reveal the unique mechanical behavior of the heterogeneous microstructure under compression. The extensive plastic deformation is accompanied by the flattening and tilting of the soft phase, inhibiting strain localization and leading to strain hardening. Moreover, a stable crack multiplication process is activated, which endows high damage tolerance to the heterogeneous Mg matrix nanocomposites. The final failure of the composite is caused by crack coalescence in the shear plane along a tortuous path. The presence of dispersed soft phases within the hard matrix induces a noticeable change in mechanical response. Especially,the malleability of the heterogeneous Mg matrix nanocomposite is two and ten times higher than that of pure Mg and the homogeneous Mg matrix nanocomposite, respectively. The current study provides a novel strategy to break the trade-off between strength and toughness in metal matrix nanocomposites.

Heterogeneous fiberous structured Mg-Zn-Zr alloy with superior strength-ductility synergy

Here we reported a heterogeneous fiberous structured Mg-5.6Zn-0.6Zr(wt%)alloy obtained by conventional extrusion method,which exhibited high yield strength of∼345 MPa,ultimate tensile strength of∼370 MPa,and high tensile strain of∼20.5%,superior to most of the Mg-Zn based alloys reported so far.The extraordinarily high mechanical properties were mainly attributed to the heterogeneous fiberous structure consisting of alternating coarse-and fine-grain layers.Grains in the different layers grew into the neighboring layers,ensuring a good layer bonding.A high Schmid factor and geometric compatibility factor for pyramidal slip led to full slip transfer between the neighboring coarse grains and fine grains,which could help to release the stress concentration and avoid early fracture.The profuse acti-vated<c+a>glide dislocations could render the unprecedented high tensile strain.The constraint by the hard fine-grain domains made the soft coarse-grain domains strong like the hard fine-grain domains,as well as the nanoscale precipitates pinning dislocations,contributed to the high strength.The hetero-geneous microstructure design was shown to have synergistic improvement in strength-ductility balance,which could be an inspiring strategy to improve mechanical properties of hexagonal close-packed(hcp)metals.

Research on Cyberspace Mimic Defense Based on Dynamic Heterogeneous Redundancy Mechanism

With the rapid growth of network technology, the methods and types of cyber-attacks are increasing rapidly. Traditional static passive defense technologies focus on external security and known threats to the target system and cannot resist advanced persistent threats. To solve the situation that cyberspace security is easy to attack and difficult to defend, Chinese experts on cyberspace security proposed an innovative theory called mimic defense, it is an active defense technology that employs “Dynamic, Heterogeneous, Redundant” architecture to defense attacks. This article first briefly describes the classic network defense technology and Moving Target Defense (MTD). Next, it mainly explains in detail the principles of the mimic defense based on the DHR architecture and analyzes the attack surface of DHR architecture. This article also includes applications of mimic defense technology, such as mimic routers, and mimic web defense systems. Finally, it briefly summarizes the existing research on mimic defense, expounds the problems that need to be solved in mimic defense, and looks forward to the future development of mimic defense.

Ultrastrong and ductile(CoCrNi)_(94)Ti_(3)Al_(3)medium-entropy alloys via introducing multi-scale heterogeneous structures

The coarsening-grained single-phase face-centered cubic(fcc)medium-entropy alloys(MEAs)normally exhibit insufficient strength for some engineering applications.Here,superior mechanical properties with ultimate tensile strength of 1.6 GPa and fracture strain of 13.1%at ambient temperature have been achieved in a(CoCrNi)_(94)Ti_(3)Al_(3)MEA by carefully architecting the multi-scale heterogeneous structures.Electron microscopy characterization indicates that the superior mechanical properties mainly originated from the favorable heterogeneous fcc matrix(1-40μm)and the coherent sphericalγ’precipitates(10-100 nm),together with a high number density of crystalline defects(2-10 nm),including dislocations,small stacking faults,Lomer-Cottrell locks,and ultrafine deformation twins.

Immobilized CeO_(2)@C-N Heterogenous Structures with Enhanced Dual Modal Photodynamic/Photothermal Bacterial Inactivation Under NIR Laser Irradiation

Non-antibiotic fungicides are urgently needed due to the potential threat of drug-resistant bacteria to human health.In this research,a novel antibacterial nanoplatform based on CeO_(2)@C-N has been developed to achieve rapid near-infrared(NIR)laser-induced sterilization.The prepared CeO_(2)@C-N hybrid material exhibited a nanowire-like structure,with dispersed CeO_(2)nanoparticles averaging 5 nm in size within the heterogeneous configuration.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)and Raman spectra revealed that the heterogenous structures have a significant amount of oxygen vacancies and defects.Notably,CeO_(2)@C-N has a narrower band gap than CeO_(2),which allows for broader absorbance extending to the NIR region.With these unique physiochemical properties,CeO_(2)@C-N could inactivate E.coli and MRSA at a low concentration(20 mg/L)under 808 nm NIR laser(1 W/cm^(2))irradiation.The excellent bactericidal activity of CeO_(2)@C-N is attributed to the combination of photodynamic and photo thermal processes,based on its excellent photo-thermal conversion property,detection of reactive oxygen species(ROS)(^(1)O_(2)and·OH)under light irradiation,and scavenger quenching experiment results.This study offers a feasible and efficient way to fabricate a highly effective antibacterial candidate.

An optimization of harmonic structure nickel-saving cryogenic steel via combinatorial high-throughput experiment

A combinatorial high-throughput experiment(HTE)was used to optimize composition and process of nickel-saving cryogenic steel.A gradient temperature heat treatment method with a high linear distribution of heat treatment temperature using customized graphite sleeve direct current heating was used in the combinatorial HTE,which enhanced the richness of the sample library for the single preparation of the 10^(2) level component process variables.Cryogenic steel with excellent mechanical properties was optimized using this combinatorial HTE,and the Ni content was reduced from the traditional 9 to 5.6 wt.%by using Mn instead of Ni.The heterogeneous structure architecture strategy and strengthening and toughening mechanism of the harmonic structure induced by intrinsic heat treatment of additive manufacturing were revealed.Taking the composition process optimization of Ni-saving cryogenic steel as an example,the boosting ability of combinatorial HTE in the research and development of new metal materials was proposed.

Isogeometric Analysis-Based Topological Optimization for Heterogeneous Parametric Porous Structures

Porous structures widely exist in nature and artifacts,which can be exploited to reduce structural weight and material usage or improve damage tolerance and energy absorption.In this study,the authors develop an approach to design optimized porous structures with Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces(TPMSs)in the framework of isogeometric analysis(IGA)-based topological optimization.In the developed method,by controlling the density distribution,the designed porous structures can achieve the optimal mechanical performance without increasing the usage of materials.First,the implicit functions of the TPMSs are adopted to design several types of porous elements parametrically.Second,to reduce the cost of computation,the authors propose an equivalent method to forecast the elastic modulus of these porous elements with different densities.Subsequently,the relationships of different porous elements between the elastic modulus and the relative density are constructed.Third,the IGA-based porous topological optimization is developed to obtain an optimal density distribution,which solves a volume constrained compliance minimization problem based on IGA.Finally,an optimum heterogeneous porous structure is generated based on the optimized density distribution.Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method.

Heterogeneous layered structure in thermal barrier coatings by plasma spray-physical vapor deposition

The unique columnar structure endows thermal barrier coatings(TBCs)prepared by plasma spray-physical vapor deposition(PS-PVD)with high thermal insulation and long lifetime.However,the coating delamination failure resulting from an intra-column fracture(within a column rather than between columns)is a bottleneck in the solid dust particle impact environment for aero-engine.To clarify the intra-column fracture mechanism,a basic layer deposition model is developed to explore a heterogeneous weak-to-strong layered structure formed by a local transient in-situ deposit temperature.During the PS-PVD,an in-situ deposit surface is continuously updated due to constantly being covered by vapor condensation,showing a transient temperature,which means that the in-situ deposit surface temperature rises sharply in short period of 0.2 s of depositing a thin layer during a single pass.Meanwhile,the increasing temperature of the in-situ deposit surface results in an experimentally observed heterogeneous weak-to-strong structure,showing a continuous transition from a porous weak structure at the bottom region to a dense strong structure at the top region.This structure easily makes the intra-column fracture at the porous weak region.The results shed light on improving TBC lifetime by restraining the intra-column fracture.

中程尺度类晶体结构决定非晶合金慢二次弛豫

二次弛豫特别是慢β弛豫和结构不均匀性是非晶合金悬而未决的关键问题.尽管经历了几十年的深入研究,慢β弛豫与结构不均匀性之间的本征关联及其成分依赖性尚未建立.本文以镝基块体非晶合金为载体,通过微量掺杂不同类金属元素包括硼、碳、氮和硅,实现了β弛豫的有效调控,并且揭示了其原子尺度结构起源.通过对比研究混合焓、弹性不均匀度、相互作用强度和不完美序结构(或类晶体结构)对β弛豫的影响,发现β弛豫强度与中程类晶体结构的含量密切相关(与混合焓没有显著的对应关系),这表明原子的链状协同运动发生在含有类晶体结构的中程序软区.此外,镝元素和类金属元素之间的相互作用强度对于类晶体结构的形成至关重要.本工作对于理解β弛豫的原子结构起源和调控非晶合金性能具有重要意义.

Effects of casting current on structure and properties of a nanostructured Zr-Cu-Fe-Al bulk metallic glass

The effects of casting currents on the thermophysical behaviors, atomic and nanoscale structure, and mechanical properties of two Zr-based-bulk metallic glasses, i.e., Zr59Cu33A18 and Zr59（Cuo.55Feo.45）33A18, were studied by using differential scanning calorimetry, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and small-angle X-ray scattering, as well as compression tests. The casting currents can be tuned to change the casting initiative temperature. Results revealed that there is no anomalous structural change for the Zr59Cu33A18 molten liquid before crystallization during cooling with different casting currents. In contrast, liquid-state phase separation was suggested to occur in the Zr59（Cuo.55Feo.45）33A18 molten liquid prepared using lower casting current before crystallization during cooling. The position shift of the first sharp diffraction peak for the diffraction pattern of Zr59（Cuo.55Feo.45）33A18 shows that the density of the molten liquid may decrease upon cooling at different casting currents. The small-angle X-ray scattering results indicate that the heterogeneity of the Zr59（Cuo.55- Feo.gs）33A18 metallic glasses increases with decreasing the casting temperature. As a result, the metallic glasses with a liquid-state phase separation possess better mechanical properties, including higher-yielding stress and more significant compressive ductility. The increase in degree of heterogeneity formed by nanoscale liquid-state phase separation and their interactions with the shear bands for the Zr-Cu-Fe-Al bulk metallic glasses were suggested to be responsible for the enhanced mechanical properties.