Review on the Fabrication of Surface Functional Structures for Enhancing Bioactivity of Titanium and Titanium Alloy Implants

Titanium and its alloys have been widely applied in many biomedical fields because of its excellent mechanical properties,corrosion resistance and good biocompatibility.However,problems such as rejection,shedding and infection will occur after titanium alloy implantation due to the low biological activity of titanium alloy surface.The structures with specific functions,which can enhance osseointegration and antibacterial properties,are fabricated on the surface of titanium implants to improve the biological activity between the titanium implants and human tissues.This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent developments and applications of surface functional structure in titanium and titanium alloy implants.The applications of surface functional structure on different titanium and titanium alloy implants are introduced,and their manufacturing technologies are summarized and compared.Furthermore,the fabrication of various surface functional structures used for titanium and titanium alloy implants is reviewed and analyzed in detail.Finally,the challenges affecting the development of surface functional structures applied in titanium and titanium alloy implants are outlined,and recommendations for future research are presented.

A Hybrid Level Set Optimization Design Method of Functionally Graded Cellular Structures Considering Connectivity

With the continuous advancement in topology optimization and additive manufacturing(AM)technology,the capability to fabricate functionally graded materials and intricate cellular structures with spatially varying microstructures has grown significantly.However,a critical challenge is encountered in the design of these structures–the absence of robust interface connections between adjacent microstructures,potentially resulting in diminished efficiency or macroscopic failure.A Hybrid Level Set Method(HLSM)is proposed,specifically designed to enhance connectivity among non-uniform microstructures,contributing to the design of functionally graded cellular structures.The HLSM introduces a pioneering algorithm for effectively blending heterogeneous microstructure interfaces.Initially,an interpolation algorithm is presented to construct transition microstructures seamlessly connected on both sides.Subsequently,the algorithm enables the morphing of non-uniform unit cells to seamlessly adapt to interconnected adjacent microstructures.The method,seamlessly integrated into a multi-scale topology optimization framework using the level set method,exhibits its efficacy through numerical examples,showcasing its prowess in optimizing 2D and 3D functionally graded materials(FGM)and multi-scale topology optimization.In essence,the pressing issue of interface connections in complex structure design is not only addressed but also a robust methodology is introduced,substantiated by numerical evidence,advancing optimization capabilities in the realm of functionally graded materials and cellular structures.

Functionally graded structure of a nitride-strengthened Mg_(2)Si-based hybrid composite

The ex-situ incorporation of the secondary SiC reinforcement,along with the in-situ incorporation of the tertiary and quaternary Mg_(3)N_(2) and Si_(3)N_(4) phases,in the primary matrix of Mg_(2)Si is employed in order to provide ultimate wear resistance based on the laser-irradiation-induced inclusion of N_(2) gas during laser powder bed fusion.This is substantialized based on both the thermal diffusion-and chemical reactionbased metallurgy of the Mg_(2)Si–SiC/nitride hybrid composite.This study also proposes a functional platform for systematically modulating a functionally graded structure and modeling build-direction-dependent architectonics during additive manufacturing.This strategy enables the development of a compositional gradient from the center to the edge of each melt pool of the Mg_(2)Si–SiC/nitride hybrid composite.Consequently,the coefficient of friction of the hybrid composite exhibits a 309.3%decrease to–1.67 compared to–0.54 for the conventional nonreinforced Mg_(2)Si structure,while the tensile strength exhibits a 171.3%increase to 831.5 MPa compared to 485.3 MPa for the conventional structure.This outstanding mechanical behavior is due to the(1)the complementary and synergistic reinforcement effects of the SiC and nitride compounds,each of which possesses an intrinsically high hardness,and(2)the strong adhesion of these compounds to the Mg_(2)Si matrix despite their small sizes and low concentrations.

The action mechanisms and structures designs of F-containing functional materials for high performance oxygen electrocatalysis

Non-renewable fossil fuels have led to serious problems such as global warming,environmental pollution,etc.Oxygen electrocatalysis including oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER)plays a central role in clean energy conversion,enabling a number of sustainable processes for future air battery technologies.Fluorine,as the most electronegative element(4.0)not only can induce more efficient regulation for the electronic structure,but also can bring more abundant defects and other novel effects in materials selection and preparation for favorable catalysis with respect to the other nonmetal elements.However,an individual and comprehensive overview of fluorine-containing functional materials for oxygen electrocatalysis field is still blank.Therefore,it is very meaningful to review the recent progresses of fluorine-containing oxygen electrocatalysts.In this review,we first systematically summarize the controllable preparation methods and their possible development directions based on fluorine-containing materials from four preparation methods.Due to the strong electron-withdrawing properties of fluorine,its control of the electronic structure can effectively enhance the oxygen electrocatalytic activity of the materials.In addition,the catalytic enhancement effect of fluorine on carbonbased materials also includes the prevent oxidation and the layer peeling,and realizes the precise atomic control.And the catalytic improvement mechanism of fluorine containing metal-based compounds also includes the hydration of metal site,the crystal transformation,and the oxygen vacancy induction.Then,based on their various dimensions(0D–3D),we also have summarized the advantages of different morphologies on oxygen electrocatalytic performances.Finally,the prospects and possible future researching direction of F-containing oxygen electrocatalysts are presented(e.g.,novel pathways,advanced methods for measurement and simulation,field assistance and multi-functions).The review is considered valuable and helpful in exploring the novel designs and mechanism analyses of advanced fluorine-containing electrocatalysts.

Analysis of Emergy Structure,Function and Efficiency of Agro-ecosystem in Hunan Province

[Objective] The aim was to explore function and efficiency of emergy input/ output of Hunan agricultural ecosystem to reveal relationship of human being with natural resources and environment. [Method] Emergy structure, function and efficien- cy of Hunan agricultural ecosystem were analyzed based on input/output data in Hunan Province in 2009 as per emergy theory. [Result] The structure characters of agricultural ecosystem were as follows： Hunan is characterized with traditional agri- culture, depending greatly on both human and animal labor. For industrial accessory emergy, chemical fertilizers make most contribution to the system, and agricultural mechanization is not satisfied. Furthermore, renewable ratio of industrial accessory emergy is lower, and development and potential of green energy is promising. In addition, prices of the products are lower, without consideration of contribution made by natural resources and environment. It also suggested that Hunan agricultural chain is short and added value of products is not high. In general, emergy output of farming and animal husbandry dominates and the prices are lower than those of forestry and fishery. The function of the system was as follows： With lower environ- mental load ratio, the system is overloaded by population and the index of sustain- able development was 5.96, suggesting that the system enjoys vitality and potential, but the economy is undeveloped and the pressure from natural resources and envi- ronment is not high. The emergy output ratio was a little lower than national level in 2009, suggesting Hunan agricultural production is extensive. [Conclusion] The re- search indicated that rapid increase of population should be controlled; surplus labor should be transferred; agricultural structure and products structure should be further adjusted; agricultural technology should be further developed; agdcultural mechaniza- tion and modernization should be improved.

Changes of structure and functional properties of rice protein in the fresh edible rice during the seed development

It has been reported that fresh edible rice has more bioactive compounds and its protein is easier to digest and has lower hypoallergenic than mature rice. In this paper, the changes in structure and functional properties of proteins at five different stages, including early milky stage(EMS), middle milky stage(MMS), late milky stage(LMS), waxy ripe stage(WS)and ripening stage(RS), during the seed development were investigated. It was found that with the seed developing, the molecular weight of fresh rice protein gradually become larger while the secondary structure changed from the highest content of disordered structure at MMS to the highest content of ordered structure at RS, which affect the surface hydrophobicity and then the functional properties of proteins, including foaming properties, emulsifying properties and oil holding capacity. Fresh rice protein at MMS has the strongest surface hydrophobicity while fresh edible rice protein at RS has the strongest oil holding capability. The results of our study can provide a theoretical basis for the application of fresh rice protein in the food industry and help to develop new fresh edible rice food.

Structures and Functions of Cuticular Wax in Postharvest Fruit and Its Regulation:A Comprehensive Review with Future Perspectives

Cuticular wax plays a major role in the growth and storage of plant fruits.The cuticular wax coating,which covers the outermost layer of a fruit’s epidermal cells,is insoluble in water.Cuticular wax is mainly composed of very long-chain fatty acids(VLCFAs);their derivatives,including esters,primary alcohols,secondary alcohols,aldehydes,and ketones;and triterpenoids.This complex mixture of lipids is probably biosynthesized in the epidermal cells of most plants and exuded onto the surface.Cuticular wax not only makes the fruit less susceptible to microbial infection but also reduces mechanical damage to the fruit,thereby maintaining the fruit’s commodity value.To date,research has mostly focused on the changes,function,and regulation of fruit wax before harvest,while ignoring the changes and functions of wax in fruit storage.This paper reviews on the composition,structure,and metabolic regulation of cuticular wax in fruits.It also focuses on postharvest factors affecting wax composition,such as storage temperature,relative humidity(RH),gas atmosphere,and as exogenous hormones;and the effects of wax on fruit postharvest quality,including water dispersion,fruit softening,physiological disorders,and disease resistance.These summaries may be of assistance in better understanding the changes in cuticular wax in postharvest fruit and the resulting effects on fruit quality.

Systematic analysis of corporate environmental responsibility:elements,structure,function,and principles

Corporate Environmental Responsibility(CER) is the subsystem of Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR),which continues to increase prominence in the global economy.Nowadays,CER becomes more important in corporate sustainable development.Based on Carroll's pyramid mode of CSR,this article explores the systematic feature of CER.From a systematic perspective,it sorts out its elements,structure,function,and principles of CER.And the four levels of economic,legal,ethical,and charitable structure are emphasized.With these considerations interpreted into practice,success will be achieved in potential cost savings,technological innovation,increased public acceptance,and better relations with governments.

Characteristic Functional Structure of Infinitesimal Symmetry Transformations for Nonholonomic System

It was proved that velocity-dependent infinitesima l symmetry transformations of nonholonomic systems have a characteristic functio nal structure, which could be formulated by means of an auxiliary symmetry tra nsformation function and is manifestly dependent upon constants of motion of th e system. An example was given to illustrate the applicability of the results.

Photon Structure and Wave Function from the Vector Potential Quantization

A photon structure is advanced based on the experimental evidence and the vector potential quantization at a single photon level. It is shown that the photon is neither a point particle nor an infinite wave but behaves rather like a local “wave-corpuscle” extended over a wavelength, occupying a minimum quantization volume and guided by a non-local vector potential real wave function. The quantized vector potential oscillates over a wavelength with circular left or right polarization giving birth to orthogonal magnetic and electric fields whose amplitudes are proportional to the square of the frequency. The energy and momentum are carried by the local wave-corpuscle guided by the non-local vector potential wave function suitably normalized.

Structure and functions of Pinus sylvestris var. Sylvestriformis plantation ecosystem

Changbai pine (Pinus sylvestris var.Sylvestriformis) is an endemic and important tree species in Changbai Mountain. There were only 63 plant species in Changbai pine plantation, where hemicryptophyte was dominant(39.68%). Simpson diversity index was 0.87, Shannon-Wiener diversity index was 2.96, and evenness index was 0.82. Community structure were divided into three layers: tree layer, shrub layer and herb layer. The total biomass and net production were 111.982 t/hm2 and 8942.80 kg/(hm2 a) respectively. The total biomass for tree, shrub and herb layers were 106.150, 2.230, 2.264 t/hm2, accounting for 94.79%, 1.99%, and 2.02%, respectively, and net production for those were 7465, 223, and 1182 kg/(hm2 a), accounting for 83.47%, 2.49%, and 13.22% of the total respectively. The nutrient content in various organs is in the order of needle> branch> root> bark> trunk, For the assimilated organ, the nutrient content is in the order of N> K> Ca> P> Mg, and that in absorption organ is in the order of Ca> N> K> P> Mg. For the whole plantation ecosystem, nutrient content is in the order of soil> litter> herb layer> shrub layer> tree layer. Nutrient storage and its accumulation rate in tree layer take up 88.79% and 76.43% of the total, respectively.

Study on Independent Supervision Function of Design Assurance System

The effective operation of a design assurance system cannot be achieved without the effective performance of the independent supervision function.As one of the core functions of the design assurance system,the purpose of the independent supervision function is to ensure that the system operates within the scope of procedures and manuals.At present,the function of independent supervision is a difficult and confusing issue for various original equipment manufacturers as well as suppliers,and there is an urgent requirement to put forward relevant requirements and form relevant methods.Based on the above mentioned objective,the basic requirements of the independent supervision function of design assurance system were studied,the problems and deficiencies in the organization,staffing,and methods existing in the current independent supervision function were analyzed,the improvement suggestions and measures for the performance of the independent supervision function from the aspects of the organization,staffing,procedures,and suppliers were put forward.The present work and conclusions provide guidance and direction for the effective operation of the design assurance system.

Studies on structure and function of digestive system of Cymatium pileare

The digestive system of Cymatium pileare consists of buccal cavity, oesophagus, stom- ach, intestine, anus, salivary glands and liver. There is a contractible 'Argobuccinum' form proboscis in the anterior extremity of its body, and the buccal cavity lies in the anterior part of the proboscis, with a pair of jaws and a piece of radular ribbon. The jaws have many neatly arraned sickle- shaped sharpen denticles. Its dentition formula of radula is 2- (7) 1' (5-6) I (5-6) .1 (7) .2. In the middle of oesophagus, there is an expanded crop, which has the function of temporary food stor- age and preliminarily digesting food. The stomach is U-shaped and there are 2 entrances for liver ducts in its ventral side. The intestine is short and can be divided into 2 parts based on the structure of epithelia of their inner walls. The inner wall of foreintestine is stratified columnar epithelium, but the inner wall of hindintestine is pesudostratified columnar epithelium. The salivary gland of C. pileare is toxic gland and the toxin extracted from it plays a great role on its predation. The liver of C. pileare is compound tubuloacinar gland with mitochondrion, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi comples and lysosome in its glandular cells.

The Lithospheric Structure in the South China Block from Receiver Function: Implications for the Source of Mineral System

The South China block(SC),composed of Cathaysia(CA),Jiangnan Orogenic belt(JNB),and Yangtze block(YB),is one of the most important poly-metallic metallogenic provinces in the world(Zhang et al.,2013),containing of four famous major Mesozoic metallogenic belts,involving the Middle-Lower Yangtze Fe-Cu-Au metallogenic belt(MYMB).

Quasi-Periodic Structures Based on Symmetrical Lucas Function of (2+1)-Dimensional Modified Dispersive Water-Wave System

By introducing the Lucas-Riccati method and a linear variable separation method, new variable separation solutions with arbitrary functions are derived for a （2＋1）-dimensional modified dispersive water-wave system. The main idea of this method is to express the solutions of this system as polynomials in the solution of the Riecati equation that the symmetrical Lucas functions satisfy. From the variable separation sohition and by selecting appropriate functions, some novel Jacobian elliptic wave structure with variable modulus and their interactions with dromions and peakons are investigated.

Functional Equilibrium Between Photosynthetic and Above-ground Nonphotosynthetic Structures of Plants: Evidence from a Pruning Experiment with Three Subtropical Tree Species

It is well known that plants have functional equilibrium between their above-ground parts (shoots) and below-ground parts (roots), but whether the above-ground parts of plants have functional equilibrium between their photosynthetic structures (leaves) and non-photosynthetic structures (branches and stem) is unknown. The purpose of this study is to test the hypotheses that: (1) the above-ground parts of plants have functional equilibriums between their photosynthetic structures and non-photosynthetic structures; (2) the maintenance of the equilibriums is guaranteed by the alteration of biomass partitioning to photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic structures. To test these hypotheses, a pruning experiment with four pruning intensities (0%, 20%, 50%, and 70%) were carried out with three subtropical Chinese tree species ( Ficus microcarpa, Ficus virens, Cinnamomum camphora). Pruning treatments were conducted in two successive years. The results were in conformity with the hypothesis, i.e. above-ground parts of trees had functional equilibriums between photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic structures. Pruning decreased instantaneously the mass ratios of photosynthetic structures to non-photosynthetic structures (P/NP) of all three tree species, the reduction in P/NP was strengthened with pruning intensity. However, one year after pruning, the P/NP of all pruned trees increased and were not smaller than those of unpruned trees. In agreement with the expectation, the biomass partitioning of pruned trees was altered, more newly produced above-ground biomass was partitioned to leaf growth and less to branch and stem growth, thus enabled the damaged trees to restore their functional equilibrium between photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic structures. It is clear that the maintenance of functional equilibrium between photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic structures guaranteed by the alteration of biomass partitioning provides plants a good strategy to resist external disturbance and damage.

A Systemic Functional Linguistics Approach to Knowledge Structure in Educational Discourse

This paper makes a literature review of Bernstein＇s knowledge structure theory and its influence on systemic functional linguistics. Then it explores systemic functional linguists＇ research on knowledge building and discusses Martin＇s theory of field as a powerful tool to analyze the knowledge structure in educational discourse.

Discussion on Structure Evolution and Function Expansion of Agriculture in China

According to the characteristics of agricultural development during different periods, agricultural development was basically divided into traditional period, planning system period and household contracting pedod to discuss the related laws of agricultural development in China. The agricultural function expansion during different periods was analyzed in terms of agricultural structure evolution, while structural optimization and function expansion of modem agriculture in China were also studied. The results indicated that during the traditional period, agricultural structure emphasized feeding people and grain production while agricultural function reflected the economic function beyond surviving standard. During the planning system period, a unitary structural mode of agriculture was formed in China, which showed that agriculture was dominated by planting industry and planting industry was dominated by grain, while agriculture executed the mixed economic function beyond surviving and liv- ing standard. During the household contracting period, the industrial structure of agriculture in China gradually became diversification and optimi- zation, but as the economic function of industrial standard, agricultural development was still greatly inhibited. The structural evolution of modem agriculture in China must step forward towards collectivization and scale merit, while ecological function and social function of agriculture increas- ingly become important and the function of agricultural production becomes mere and more diverse.

Pectin fractions extracted sequentially from Cerasus humilis:Their compositions,structures,functional properties and antioxidant activities

Three pectin fractions(water-soluble fraction(WSF),chelator-soluble fraction(CSF),and sodium carbonatesoluble fraction(NSF))were obtained from Chinese dwarf cherry(Cerasus humilis)fruits.All of them were branched low methoxylated pectins with an amorphous or partially nanocrystalline nature and eight neutral monosaccharides(arabinose and galactose were most abundant).WSF,CSF and NSF had a degree of methylation(DM)of 35.82%,14.85%and 7.13%,uronic acid(UA)content of 76.02%,83.71%and 69.01%,and total protein content of 2.4%,2.1%and 8.8%,respectively.Their molecular weights were 340.31,330.16 and 141.31 kg/mol,respectively(analyzed by gel permeation chromatography(GPC)).WSF,CSF and NSF exhibited good rheological,thermal,emulsifying,emulsion-stabilizing,water-adsorbing,oil-binding,cholesterol-binding and antioxidant properties.NSF had the highest emulsifying,emulsion stabilizing,water-/oil-/cholesterol-binding and antioxidant capacities,followed by CSF.NSF had the highest viscosity(406.77 m Pa·s),flowability,and resistance to heat-induced changes/damage,which may be related to its lowest polydispersity index,DM and UA content and highest protein content.The three pectin fractions with desirable characteristics can be used as food additives/ingredients and dietary supplements.

On the Total Dynamic Response of Soil-Structure Interaction System in Time Domain Using Elastodynamic Infinite Elements with Scaling Modified Bessel Shape Functions

This paper is devoted to a new approach—the dynamic response of Soil-Structure System (SSS), the far field of which is discretized by decay or mapped elastodynamic infinite elements, based on scaling modified Bessel shape functions are to be calculated. These elements are appropriate for Soil-Structure Interaction problems, solved in time or frequency domain and can be treated as a new form of the recently proposed elastodynamic infinite elements with united shape functions (EIEUSF) infinite elements. Here the time domain form of the equations of motion is demonstrated and used in the numerical example. In the paper only the formulation of 2D horizontal type infinite elements (HIE) is used, but by similar techniques 2D vertical (VIE) and 2D corner (CIE) infinite elements can also be added. Continuity along the artificial boundary (the line between finite and infinite elements) is discussed as well and the application of the proposed elastodynamical infinite elements in the Finite element method is explained in brief. A numerical example shows the computational efficiency and accuracy of the proposed infinite elements, based on scaling Bessel shape functions.