The Influence of Plant Diversity and Functional Composition on Ecosystem Stability of Four Stipa Communities in the Inner Mongolia Plateau

The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of plant species diversity and functional composition (the identity of the plant functional groups) on ecosystem stability of Stipa, communities in the Inner Mongolia Plateau. The research work was based on a 12-year study (from 1984 to 1995) of species abundance, diversity, and primary productivity of four Stipa communities, i.e. S. baicalensis Roshev., S. grandis P. Smirn., S, krylovii Roshev., and S. klemenzii Roshev. respectively. The Shnnon-Wiener index was used as a measurement of plant diversity, while functional composition was used to differentiate the functional groups that were included in the communities. The plant species of four Stipa communities were classified into functional groups based on the differences in life forms and ecological groups, which influence their performance in resource requirements, seasonality of growth, tolerance to water stress, and life history. Plant species were classified into five functional groups based on their differences in life form, shrubs and half shrubs, perennial bunch grasses, perennial rhizome grasses, forbs, annuals and biennials. Based on their differences in water requirement these species were classified into four functional groups: xerads, intermediate xerads, intermediate mesophytes, and mesophytes. The results showed: 1) Plant species diversity stabilized ecosystem processes. Shannon-Wiener index were 2.401 4, 2.172 0, 1.624 8, 0.354 3 from S. baicalensis community to S. grandis, S. krylovii and S. klemenzii community, respectively. The dynamics of the aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) for a 12-year's period showed a reverse pattern, the coefficients of variation of the four communities were 21.94%, 20.63%, 29.21% and 39.72% respectively. 2) The Life form functional group component of diversity was a greater determinant of the ecosystem processes than the species component of diversity. The effects of perennial bunch grasses, perennial rhizome grasses and forbs on community stability were highly significant. 3) The ecological group component of diversity was also a great determinant of the ecosystem processes. The effects of xerads, intermediate xerads, and mesophytes on community stability were also very strong.

Plant functional trait diversity and structural diversity co-underpin ecosystem multifunctionality in subtropical forests

Tree species diversity is assumed to be an important component in managing forest ecosystems because of effects on multiple functions or ecosystem multifunctionality.However,the importance of tree diversity in determining multifunctionality in structurally complex subtropical forests relative to other regulators(e.g.,soil microbial diversity,stand structure,and environmental conditions)remains uncertain.In this study,effects of aboveground(species richness and functional and structural diversity)and belowground(bacterial and fungal diversity)biodiversity,functional composition(community-weighted means of species traits),stand structure(diameter at breast height and stand density),and soil factors(pH and bulk density)on multifunctionality(including biomass production,carbon stock,and nutrient cycling)were examined along a tree diversity gradient in subtropical forests.The community-weighted mean of tree maximum height was the best predictor of ecosystem multifunctionality.Functional diversity explained a higher proportion of the variation in multifunctionality than that of species richness and fungal diversity.Stand structure-played an important role in modulating the effects of tree diversity on multifunctionality.The work highlights that species composition and maximizing forest structural complexity are effective strategies to increase forest multifunctionality while also conserving biodiversity in the management of multifunctional forests under global environmental changes.

Centrifugal casting processes of manufacturing in situ functionally gradient composite materials of Al-19Si-5Mg alloy

Cylindrical components of in situ functionally gradient composite materials of Al-19Si-5Mg alloy were manufactured by centrifugal casting. Microstructure characteristics of the manufactured components were observed and the effects of the used process factors on these characteristics were analyzed. The results of observations shows that, in thickness, the components possess microstructures accumulating lots of Mg2Si particles and a portion of primary silicon particles in the inner layer, a little MgzSi and primary silicon particles in the outer layer, and without any Mg2Si and primary silicon particle in the middle layer. The results of the analysis indicate that the rotation rate of centrifugal casting, mould temperature, and melt pouring temperature have evidently affected the accumulation of the second phase particles. Also, the higher the centrifugal rotation rate, mould temperature, and melt pouring temperature are, the more evident in the inner layer the degree of accumulation of Mg2Si and primary silicon particles is.

Characteristics of two Al based functionally gradient composites reinforced by primary Si particles and Si/in situ Mg_2Si particles in centrifugal casting

Two kinds of Al based functionally gradient composite tubes reinforced by primary Si particles alone and primary Si/in situ Mg2Si particles jointly were successfully prepared by centrifugal casting,and their structural and mechanical characters were compared.It is found that the composite reinforced with primary Si particles takes a characteristic of particles distribution both in the inner and outer layers.However,composite reinforced with primary Si/Mg2Si particles jointly takes a characteristic of particles distribution only in the inner layer and shows a sudden change of particles distribution across the section of inner and outer layers.The hardness and wear resistance of Al-19Si-5Mg tube in the inner layer are greatly higher than that in the other layers of Al-19Si-5Mg tube and Al-19Si tube.Theoretical analysis reveals that the existence of Mg2Si particles is the key factor to form this sudden change of gradient distribution of two kinds of particles.Because Mg2Si particles with a lower density have a higher centripetal moving velocity than primary Si particles,in a field of centrifugal force,they would collide with primary Si particles and then impel the later to move together forward to the inner layer of the tube.

ON MEROMORPHIC SOLUTIONS OF A TYPE OF SYSTEM OF COMPOSITE FUNCTIONAL EQUATIONS

In this article, we mainly investigate the growth and existence of meromorphic solutions of a type of systems of composite functional equations, and obtain some interesting results. It extends some results concerning functional equations to the systems of functional equations.

Effects of Composted and Thermally Dried Sewage Sludges on Soil and Soil Humic Acid Properties

The effect of annual additions of composted sewage sludge (CS) and thermally dried sewage sludge (TS) at 80 t ha-1 on soil chemical properties was investigated for three years in a field experiment under semiarid conditions. Humic acids (HAs) isolated by conventional procedures from CS, TS, and unamended (SO) and sludge amended soils were analysed for elemental (C, H, N, S and O) and acidic functional groups (carboxylic and phenolic) and by ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transform infrared and fluorescence spectroscopies. With respect to CS, TS had similar pH and total P and K contents, larger dry matter, total organic C, total N and C/N ratio and smaller ash content and electrical conductivity. Amendment with both CS and TS induced a number of modifications in soil properties, including an increase of pH, electrical conductivity, total organic C, total N, and available P. The CS-HA had greater O, total acidity, carboxyl, and phenolic OH group contents and smaller C and H contents than TS-HA. The CS-HA and TS-HA had larger N and S contents, smaller C, O and acidic functional group contents, and lower aromatic polycondensation and humification degrees than SO-HA. Amended soil-HAs showed C, H, N and S contents larger than SO-HA, suggesting that sludge HAs were partially incorporated into soil HAs. These effects were more evident with increasing number of sludge applications.

Development of functionally graded aluminium composites using centrifugal casting and influence of reinforcements on mechanical and wear properties

Functionally graded Al/B_4C, Al/Si C, Al/Al_2O_3 and Al/TiB_2 composites with constant 12%(mass fraction) of reinforcement were fabricated by centrifugal casting and hollow cylindrical components were obtained. Microstructural characteristics were investigated at outer surface of all composites and segregation of reinforcement particles was observed. Graded property of the composites with different reinforcements was investigated through hardness and tensile measurements. Results revealed that the outer peripheries of all composites exhibit higher hardness except in Al/B_4C composite and the outer zones of all composites show higher tensile strength. Abrasive wear test was conducted on the outer peripheries of all composites and Al/TiB_2 composite exhibits less wear rate.

Observer-based Adaptive Iterative Learning Control for Nonlinear Systems with Time-varying Delays

An observer-based adaptive iterative learning control （AILC） scheme is developed for a class of nonlinear systems with unknown time-varying parameters and unknown time-varying delays. The linear matrix inequality （LMI） method is employed to design the nonlinear observer. The designed controller contains a proportional-integral-derivative （PID） feedback term in time domain. The learning law of unknown constant parameter is differential-difference-type, and the learning law of unknown time-varying parameter is difference-type. It is assumed that the unknown delay-dependent uncertainty is nonlinearly parameterized. By constructing a Lyapunov-Krasovskii-like composite energy function （CEF）, we prove the boundedness of all closed-loop signals and the convergence of tracking error. A simulation example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the control algorithm proposed in this paper.

Nonlinear vibration of functionally graded graphene platelet-reinforced composite truncated conical shell using first-order shear deformation theory

In this study,the first-order shear deformation theory(FSDT)is used to establish a nonlinear dynamic model for a conical shell truncated by a functionally graded graphene platelet-reinforced composite(FG-GPLRC).The vibration analyses of the FG-GPLRC truncated conical shell are presented.Considering the graphene platelets(GPLs)of the FG-GPLRC truncated conical shell with three different distribution patterns,the modified Halpin-Tsai model is used to calculate the effective Young’s modulus.Hamilton’s principle,the FSDT,and the von-Karman type nonlinear geometric relationships are used to derive a system of partial differential governing equations of the FG-GPLRC truncated conical shell.The Galerkin method is used to obtain the ordinary differential equations of the truncated conical shell.Then,the analytical nonlinear frequencies of the FG-GPLRC truncated conical shell are solved by the harmonic balance method.The effects of the weight fraction and distribution pattern of the GPLs,the ratio of the length to the radius as well as the ratio of the radius to the thickness of the FG-GPLRC truncated conical shell on the nonlinear natural frequency characteristics are discussed.This study culminates in the discovery of the periodic motion and chaotic motion of the FG-GPLRC truncated conical shell.

Co-electrodeposition and properties evaluation of functionally gradient nickel coated ZrO_2 composite coating

For the first time,functionally electroless nickel plated ZrO2(NCZ)graded Ni-NCZ composite coating has been successfully co-electrodeposited from a bath with gradually increasing of stirring rate.Studies showed that co-electrodeposition in a bath with stirring rate of250r/min results in the maximum co-electrodeposited particle content and the best particle distribution.To produce NCZ graded Ni-NCZ composite coating,the stirring rate was continuously increased from0to250r/min.The electroplated coating had a continuous gradient increasing of co-electrodeposited NCZ content from substrate towards the surface.The results showed that with increasing the co-electrodeposited NCZ particles content in Ni matrix,microhardness increases from interface towards the surface of the coating.Little crystallite size of Ni matrix and higher co-electrodeposited hard particles content were recognized as the reasons of microhardness increasing.Bend test revealed that the functionally graded composite coating shows more excellent adhesion to the substrate compared with the ordinary distributed Ni-NCZ on the same substrate.This result is attributed to lower mechanical mismatch between coating and substrate in the functionally graded composite coating with respect to the uniformly distributed one.The results of wear resistance measurements reveal that wear resistance of functionally graded Ni-NCZ is higher than that of ordinary distributed composite coating.

Characterization of aluminum based functionally graded composites developed via friction stir processing

Al/SiC functionally graded material(FGM) was developed through a novel multi-step friction stir processing(FSP) method. Si C particles with a mean size of 27.5 μm were embedded in the groove on the 6082-Al plate. To create a graded structure over a predefined value, FSP was carried out with three tools with different pin lengths and with varying volume fractions of SiC particles. The structure was formed by passing tools with 1-3 passes with a constant rotational and traveling speeds of 900 r/min and 20 mm/min, respectively. The experiments were conducted at room temperature. Microstructural features of functionally graded(FG) samples were examined by using scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and 3D light microscopy. Mechanical properties in terms of wear resistance and microhardness were thoroughly assessed. The results indicate that the increase in FSP pass number causes more uniform SiC particle dispersion. The microhardness values were impacted by the number of passes and improved by 51.54% for Pass 3 when compared to as-received 6082-Al. Wear resistance of Al/SiC FG samples was found to increase as a result of the addition of SiC particles.

Conformal Human–Machine Integration Using Highly Bending‑Insensitive,Unpixelated,and Waterproof Epidermal Electronics Toward Metaverse

Efficient and flexible interactions require precisely converting human intentions into computer-recognizable signals,which is critical to the breakthrough development of metaverse.Interactive electronics face common dilemmas,which realize highprecision and stable touch detection but are rigid,bulky,and thick or achieve high flexibility to wear but lose precision.Here,we construct highly bending-insensitive,unpixelated,and waterproof epidermal interfaces(BUW epidermal interfaces)and demonstrate their interactive applications of conformal human–machine integration.The BUW epidermal interface based on the addressable electrical contact structure exhibits high-precision and stable touch detection,high flexibility,rapid response time,excellent stability,and versatile“cut-and-paste”character.Regardless of whether being flat or bent,the BUW epidermal interface can be conformally attached to the human skin for real-time,comfortable,and unrestrained interactions.This research provides promising insight into the functional composite and structural design strategies for developing epidermal electronics,which offers a new technology route and may further broaden human–machine interactions toward metaverse.

An Exploration on Adaptive Iterative Learning Control for a Class of Commensurate High-order Uncertain Nonlinear Fractional Order Systems

This paper explores the adaptive iterative learning control method in the control of fractional order systems for the first time. An adaptive iterative learning control(AILC) scheme is presented for a class of commensurate high-order uncertain nonlinear fractional order systems in the presence of disturbance.To facilitate the controller design, a sliding mode surface of tracking errors is designed by using sufficient conditions of linear fractional order systems. To relax the assumption of the identical initial condition in iterative learning control(ILC), a new boundary layer function is proposed by employing MittagLeffler function. The uncertainty in the system is compensated for by utilizing radial basis function neural network. Fractional order differential type updating laws and difference type learning law are designed to estimate unknown constant parameters and time-varying parameter, respectively. The hyperbolic tangent function and a convergent series sequence are used to design robust control term for neural network approximation error and bounded disturbance, simultaneously guaranteeing the learning convergence along iteration. The system output is proved to converge to a small neighborhood of the desired trajectory by constructing Lyapnov-like composite energy function(CEF)containing new integral type Lyapunov function, while keeping all the closed-loop signals bounded. Finally, a simulation example is presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Couple stress-based nonlinear primary resonant dynamics of FGM composite truncated conical microshells integrated with magnetostrictive layers

The size-dependent geometrically nonlinear harmonically soft excited oscillation of composite truncated conical microshells(CTCMs)made of functionally graded materials(FGMs)integrated with magnetostrictive layers is analyzed.It is supposed that the FGM CTCMs are subjected to mechanical soft excitations together with external magnetic fields.An analytical framework is created by a microstructuredependent shell model having the 3rd-order distribution of shear deformation based on the modified couple stress(MCS)continuum elasticity.With the aid of the discretized form of differential operators developed via the generalized differential quadrature technique,a numerical solution methodology is introduced for obtaining the couple stress-based amplitude and frequency responses related to the primary resonant dynamics of the FGM CTCMs.Jump phenomena due to the loss of the first stability branch and falling down to the lower stable branch can be seen in the nonlinear primary resonance of the FGM CTCMs.It is demonstrated that the hardening type of nonlinearity results in bending the frequency response to the right side,and the MCS type of size effect weakens this pattern.Moreover,for higher material gradient indexes,the hardening type of nonlinearity is enhanced,and the MCS-based frequency response bends more considerably to the right side.

“Toolbox”for the Processing of Functional Polymer Composites

Functional polymer composites(FPCs)have attracted increasing attention in recent decades due to their great potential in delivering a wide range of functionalities.These functionalities are largely determined by functional fillers and their network morphology in polymer matrix.In recent years,a large number of studies on morphology control and interfacial modification have been reported,where numerous preparation methods and exciting performance of FPCs have been reported.Despite the fact that these FPCs have many similarities because they are all consisting of functional inorganic fillers and polymer matrices,review on the overall progress of FPCs is still missing,and especially the overall processing strategy for these composites is urgently needed.Herein,a"Toolbox"for the processing of FPCs is proposed to summarize and analyze the overall processing strategies and corresponding morphology evolution for FPCs.From this perspective,the morphological control methods already utilized for various FPCs are systematically reviewed,so that guidelines or even predictions on the processing strategies of various FPCs as well as multi-functional polymer composites could be given.This review should be able to provide interesting insights for the field of FPCs and boost future intelligent design of various FPCs.

RICCATI-TYPE RESULT FOR MEROMORPHIC SOLUTIONS OF SYSTEMS OF COMPOSITE FUNCTIONAL EQUATIONS

By use of Nevanlinna value distribution theory, we will investigate the properties of meromorphic solutions of two types of systems of composite functional equations and obtain some results. One of the results we get is about both components of meromorphic solutions on the system of composite functional equations satisfying Riccati differential equation, the other one is property of meromorphic solutions of the other system of composite functional equations while restricting the growth.

Microstructure and Properties of Cement Foams Prepared by Magnesium Oxychloride Cement

Microstructural features including pore size distribution, cell walls and phase compositions of magnesium oxychloride cement foams（MOCF） with various MgO powders and water mixture ratios were studied. Their infl uences on compressive strength, water absorption and resistance of MOCF were also discussed in detail. The experimental results indicated that moderate and slight excess MgO powders（MgO/MgCl2 molar ratios from 5.1 to 7） were beneficial to the formation of excellent microstructure of MOCF, but increasing water contents（H2O/MgO mass ratios from 0.9 to 1.29） might result in opposite conclusions. The microstructure of MOCF produced with moderate and slight excess MgO powders could enhance the compressive strength, while serious excess MgO powders addition（MgO/MgCl2 molar ratios = 9） would destroy the cell wall structures, and therefore decrease the strength of the system. Although MOCF produced with excess MgO powders could decrease the water absorption, its softening coefficient was lower than that of the material produced with moderate MgO powders. This might be due to the instability of phase 5, the volume expansion and cracking of cell walls as immersed the sample into water.

Isogeometric nonlocal strain gradient quasi-three-dimensional plate model for thermal postbuckling of porous functionally graded microplates with central cutout with different shapes

This study presents the size-dependent nonlinear thermal postbuckling characteristics of a porous functionally graded material(PFGM) microplate with a central cutout with various shapes using isogeometric numerical technique incorporating nonuniform rational B-splines. To construct the proposed non-classical plate model, the nonlocal strain gradient continuum elasticity is adopted on the basis of a hybrid quasithree-dimensional(3D) plate theory under through-thickness deformation conditions by only four variables. By taking a refined power-law function into account in conjunction with the Touloukian scheme, the temperature-porosity-dependent material properties are extracted. With the aid of the assembled isogeometric-based finite element formulations,nonlocal strain gradient thermal postbuckling curves are acquired for various boundary conditions as well as geometrical and material parameters. It is portrayed that for both size dependency types, by going deeper in the thermal postbuckling domain, gaps among equilibrium curves associated with various small scale parameter values get lower, which indicates that the pronounce of size effects reduces by going deeper in the thermal postbuckling regime. Moreover, we observe that the central cutout effect on the temperature rise associated with the thermal postbuckling behavior in the presence of the effect of strain gradient size and absence of nonlocality is stronger compared with the case including nonlocality in absence of the strain gradient small scale effect.

Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of Miocene pelitic sedimentary rocks from the south-western part of the Pannonian Basin System(Croatia):Implications for provenance studies

Fifty-two samples of Miocene pelitic sedimentary rock from outcrops on Medvednica,Moslavacka Gora and Psunj Mts.,and boreholes in the Sava Depression and the Pozega Sub-depression were investigated.These sediments formed in different marine（with normal and reduced salinity）,brackish,and freshwater environments,depending on the development stage of the Pannonian Basin System.Carbonate minerals,clay minerals and quartz are the main constituents of all pelitic sedimentary rocks,except in those from Moslavacka Gora Mt in which carbonate minerals are not present.Feldspars,pyrite,opal-CT,and hematite are present as minor constituents in some rocks.Besides calcite,dependent on the sedimentary environment and diagenetic changes,high-magnesium calcite,aragonite,dolomite and ankerite/Cadolomite are also present.Smectite or illite-smectite is the main clay minerals in the samples.Minor constituents,present in almost all samples,are detrital illite and kaolinite.In some samples chlorite is also present in a low amount.Major elements,trace elements and rare earth elements patterns used in provenance analysis show that all analysed samples have a composition similar to the values of the upper continental crust（UCC）.The contents of major and trace elements as well as SiO2/Al2O3,K2O/Al2O3,Na2O/K2O,Eu/Eu＊,La/Sc,Th/Sc,La/Co Th/Co,Th/Cr,Ce/Ce＊ and LREE/HREE ratios,show that the analysed pelitic sedimentary rocks were formed by weathering of different types of mostly acidic（silicic）,i.e.felsic rocks.

SOLUTION OF DIFFERENT HOLES SHAPE BORDERS OF FIBRE REINFORCED COMPOSITE PLATES BY INTEGRAL EQUATIONS

Accurate boundary conditions of composite material plates with different holes are founded to settle boundary condition problems of complex holes by conformal mapping method upon the nonhomogeneous anisotropic elastic and complex function theory. And then the two stress functions required were founded on Cauchy integral by boundary conditions. The final stress distributions of opening structure and the analytical solution on composite material plate with rectangle hole and wing manholes were achieved. The influences on hole-edge stress concentration factors are discussed under different loads and fiber direction cases, and then contrast calculates are carried through FEM.