MOLECULAR AND SUPRAMOLECULAR ORDERING IN CONFINED ENVIRONMENTS

Crystal and phase morphologies and structures determined by self-organization of crystalline-amorphous diblockcopolymers, crystallization of the crystallizable blocks, and vitrification of the amorphous blocks are reviewed through asystematic study on a series of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polystyrene (PEO-b-PS) diblock copolymers. On the base ofcompetitions among these three processes, molecular and supramolecular ordering in confined environments can beinvestigated. In a concentration-fluctuation-induced disordered (D_(CF)) diblock copolymer, the competition between crystalli-zation of the PEO blocks and vitrification of the PS blocks is momtored by time-resolved simultaneous small angle X-rayscattering (SAXS) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) techniques. In the case of T_c<T_g^(PS-rich), the crystallization of thePEO blocks is observed to be confined within the bicontinuous D_(CF) phase due to the rapid vitrification of the PS-rich phase.Overall crystallization rate, crystal melting behavior, and crystallinity results further confirm the competition betweencrystallization and vitrification at different temperatures. In an ordered lamellar PEO-b-PS diblock copolymer, the crystalli-zation of the PEO blocks is completely confined within the ordered lamellae due to rapid vitrification of the PS layers asobserved by time-resolved SAXS and WAXD experiments. From the combined two-dimensional SAXS and WAXDmeasurements, the crystal orientation within the confined lamellar geometry is found parallel to the lamellar surface normalwhen it is isothermally crystallized at 35℃. In an ordered cylindrical PEO-b-PS sample, the crystallization of the PEO blocksis also observed to be confined within the ordered cylinders because of rapid vitrification of the PS matrix. The crystalorientation within the confined cylinders is found perpendicular to the cylinder axis as it is crystallized at 35℃.

SUNDER:Self-organized grouping and entrapping method for swarms in multitarget environments

For swarm robots moving in a harsh or uncharted outdoor environment without GPS guidance and global communication,algorithms that rely on global-based information are infeasible.Typically,traditional gene regulatory networks(GRNs)that achieve superior performance in forming trapping pattern towards targets require accurate global positional information to guide swarm robots.This article presents a gene regulatory network with Self-organized grouping and entrapping method for swarms(SUNDER-GRN)to achieve adequate trapping performance with a large-scale swarm in a confined multitarget environment with access to only local information.A hierarchical self-organized grouping method(HSG)is proposed to structure subswarms in a distributed way.In addition,a modified distributed controller,with a relative coordinate system that is established to relieve the need for global information,is leveraged to facilitate subswarms entrapment toward different targets,thus improving the global multi-target entrapping performance.The results demonstrate the superiority of SUNDERGRN in the performance of structuring subswarms and entrapping 10 targets with 200 robots in an environment confined by obstacles and with only local information accessible.

长期航天任务中的心理变化:来自中国乘组的启示

Inspired by the mysteries of the universe,humans have been exploring outer space since the 1950s.Proceeding from I-day(Shenzhou 5)to 6-month(Shenzhou 15)missions,one of the perspectives of Chinese space exploration has shifted from not just how to safely survive but to how to healthily live in outer space.In current review,we introduce some common psychological stressors during space missions and how researchers simulate these stressors on the ground firstly.Then,we briefly introduce classic and state-of-the-art measurements and tools used in measuring the mental state of crew members.Self-reporting questionnaires,behavioral observations,and computerized tests are widely used as measurement strategies in this field.We discuss,respectively,how challenging missions negatively and positively affect crew members.As psychological issues are sensitive to individual and cultural backgrounds,we focus on Chinese crew members and potential cultural differences.Finally,we propose some potential future directions this research could evolve based on previous findings.

Can XunTian Tai Chi intervention improve the level of emotional regulation of crew members in the Controlled Ecological Life Support System?

To explore the appropriate exercise methods and means for astronauts in confined and small isolation conditions,a set of XunTian Tai Chi suitable for the spaceflight workforce was created,with the aim of discovering the practical effects of XunTian Tai Chi and providing a scientific basis for the subsequent development of new astronaut health maintenance techniques with Chinese characteristics.Using the Controlled Ecological Life Support System(CELSS)as a research platform,we observed the changes in a crew member’s emotion regulationrelated indexes during 180 days of working and living in a confined isolation chamber through periodic interventions of the XunTian Tai Chi and conducted statistical analyses.During the 180-day cabin mission,expression suppression,cognitive reappraisal,attention index,and relaxation index were all lower than those before entering the cabin,suggesting that the crew member’s emotion regulation ability decreased during the incabin mission.A single Tai Chi exercise could cause favorable changes in the indicators,positively affecting the crew member's emotional regulation.The attention and relaxation indices of the occupants were improved significantly by both single and periodic Tai Chi exercises.After the Tai Chi exercise cycle,the results of each index showed a certain degree of effect.The 180-day ground-based simulation of Tai Chi in the confinement of a space capsule positively affects the occupant’s emotional regulation.