An effective approach for reliability-based robust design optimization of uncertain powertrain mounting systems involving imprecise information

The uncertain parameters of automotive powertrain mounting systems (PMSs) may involve imprecise information (e.g., incomplete, different and conflicting information) in engineering practice. An effective approach is proposed for the reliability-based robust design optimization (RBRDO) of uncertain PMSs involving imprecise information. In the proposed approach, the imprecise information of uncertain parameters is firstly addressed and combined based on evidence theory, and the uncertain parameters are treated as evidence variables. Then, an uncertainty analysis method named evidence perturbation-central difference method (EPCDM) is derived to fast estimate the mean intervals, standard deviation intervals, and the belief and plausibility measures related to system inherent characteristics. A reference method named evidence-Monte Carlo method (EMCM) is developed to verify the effectiveness of EPCDM. Next, to conduct robustness design, the weighted sum of the lower bounds of means and the upper bounds of standard deviations of system inherent characteristics are taken to construct optimization objective; while to perform reliability design, the belief measures related to system inherent characteristics are used to create reliability constraints. Afterwards, a nested RBRDO model is established to explore the optimum design of the PMS, which considers both reliability and robustness simultaneously. The nested PBRDO can be effectively simplified based on EPCDM. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is finally demonstrated by the application example.

     

A General Strategy for Antimony-Based Alloy Nanocomposite Embedded in Swiss-Cheese-Like Nitrogen-Doped Porous Carbon for Energy Storage

Due to its suitable working voltage and high theoretical storage capacity, antimony is considered a promising negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and has attracted widespread attention. The volume effect during cycling, however, will cause the antimony anode to undergo a severe structural collapse and a rapid decrease in capacity. Here, a general in situ self-template-assisted strategy is proposed for the rational design and preparation of a series of M Sb (M = Ni, Co, or Fe) nanocomposites with M N C coordination, which are firmly anchored on Swiss-cheese-like nitrogen-doped porous carbon as anodes for LIBs. The large interface pore network structure, the introduction of heteroatoms, and the formation of strong metal N C bonds effectively enhance their electronic conductivity and structural integrity, and provide abundant interfacial lithium storage. The experimental results have proved the high rate performance and excellent cycling stability of antimony-based composite materials. Electrochemical kinetics studies have demonstrated that the increase in capacity during cycling is mainly controlled by the diffusion mechanism rather than the pseudocapacitance contribution. This facile strategy can provide a new pathway for low-cost and high-yield synthesis of Sb-based composites with high performance, and is expected to be applied in other energy-related fields such as sodium-/potassium-ion batteries or electrocatalysis.     

Nanocellulose-based reusable liquid metal printed electronics fabricated by evaporation-induced transfer printing

Reusable electronics have received widespread attention and are urgently needed. Here, nanocellulosebased liquid metal(NC-LM) printed circuit has been fabricated by the evaporation-induced transfer printing technology. In this way, the liquid metal pattern is embedded into the nanocellulose membrane, which is beneficial for the stability of the circuit during use. Besides, the NC-LM circuit is ultrathin with just tens of microns. In particular, the finished product is environmentally friendly because it can be completely dissolved by water, and both the liquid metal ink and the nanocellulose membrane can be easily recollected and reused, thereby reducing waste and pollution to the environment. Several examples of flexible circuits have been designed to evaluate their performance. The mechanism of evaporation-induced transfer printing technology involves the deposition, aggregation, and coverage tightly of the nanosized cellulose fibrils as the water evaporated. This study provides an economical and environmentally friendly way for the fabrication of renewable flexible electronics.     

Effect of high hydrogen enrichment on the outer-shear-layer flame of confined lean premixed CH4/H2/air swirl flames

In this study, we investigated the H₂-induced transition of confined swirl flames from the “V” to “M” shape. H₂-enriched lean premixed CH₄/H₂/air flames with H₂ fractions up to 80% were conducted. The flame structure was obtained with Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) of the OH radical. Flow fields were measured with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). It was observed that the flame tip in the outer shear layer gradually propagated upstream and finally anchored to the injector with the hydrogen fractions increase, yielding the transition from the “V” to “M” flame. We examined the flame structures and the flame flow dynamics during the transition. The shape transition was directly related to the evolution of the corner flame along the outer shear layer. With H₂ addition, the outer recirculation zone first appeared downstream where the corner flame started to propagate upstream; then, the recirculation zone expanded upward to form a stable “M” flame gradually. The flow straining was observed to influence the stabilization of the outer shear layer flame significantly. This study can be useful for the understanding of recirculation-stabilized swirling flames with strong confinement. The flame structure and the flow characteristics of flames with a high H₂ content are also valuable for model validation.     

Simple synthesis of honeysuckle-like CuCo2O4/CuO composites as a battery type electrode material for high-performance hybrid supercapacitors

In this paper, porous CuCo₂O₄/CuO composites with novel honeysuckle-like shape (CuCo₂O₄/CuO HCs) have been prepared for the first time by a simple hydrothermal method and followed with an additional annealing process in air. The unique CuCo₂O₄/CuO HCs consisted of dense and slender petals with length of 1.3–1.5 μm and width of about 50 nm, and possessed a specific surface area of 36.09 m² g^?1 with main pore size distribution at 10.63 nm. When used as the electrode materials for supercapacitors, the CuCo₂O₄/CuO HCs exhibited excellent electrochemical performances with a high specific capacity of 350.69 C g^?1 at 1 A g^?1, a rate capability of 78.6% at 10 A g^?1, and 96.2% capacity retention after 5000 cycles at a current density of 5 A g^?1. In addition, a hybrid supercapacitor (CuCo₂O₄/CuO HCs//AC HSC) was assembled using the CuCo₂O₄/CuO HCs as positive electrode and activated carbon (AC) as negative electrode. The HSC device delivered a specific capacity of 187.85 C g^?1 at 1 A g^?1 and a superior cycling stability with 104.7% capacity retention after 5000 cycles at 5 A g^?1, and possessed a high energy density of 41.76 W h kg^?1 at a power density of 800.27 W kg^?1. These outstanding electrochemical performances manifested the great potential of CuCo₂O₄/CuO HCs as a promising battery-type electrode material for the next-generation advanced supercapacitors with high-performance.     

Role of Nucleotide Excision Repair in Cisplatin Resistance

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug used for the treatment of a number of cancers. The efficacy of cisplatin relies on its binding to DNA and the induction of cytotoxic DNA damage to kill cancer cells. Cisplatin-based therapy is best known for curing testicular cancer; however, treatment of other solid tumors with cisplatin has not been as successful. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have revealed nucleotide excision repair (NER) as a major resistance mechanism against cisplatin in tumor cells. NER is a versatile DNA repair system targeting a wide range of helix-distorting DNA damage. The NER pathway consists of multiple steps, including damage recognition, pre-incision complex assembly, dual incision, and repair synthesis. NER proteins can recognize cisplatin-induced DNA damage and remove the damage from the genome, thereby neutralizing the cytotoxicity of cisplatin and causing drug resistance. Here, we review the molecular mechanism by which NER repairs cisplatin damage, focusing on the recent development of genome-wide cisplatin damage mapping methods. We also discuss how the expression and somatic mutations of key NER genes affect the response of cancer cells to cisplatin. Finally, small molecules targeting NER factors provide important tools to manipulate NER capacity in cancer cells. The status of research on these inhibitors and their implications in cancer treatment will be discussed.     

Characteristic of filamentous fungal diversity and dynamics associated with wheat Qu and the traditional fermentation of Chinese rice wine

Chinese rice wine, a traditional alcoholic beverage, is fermented from steamed rice with a starter culture of wheat Qu which is either inoculated spontaneously with various microorganisms in natural environment or inoculated artificially with certain microorganisms. The diversity of filamentous fungi in wheat Qu and the fermentation mashes of Chinese rice wine was studied by high‐throughput sequencing. The results indicated that filamentous fungi varied in wheat Qu and fermentation periods. Moreover, Aspergillus was the dominant filamentous fungi at genus levels. On that basis, quantitative real‐time PCR was used to quantify some dominant Aspergillus species. It was found that Aspergillus species in wheat Qu were more abundant than that in various fermentation mashes and continually decreased until the end of rice wine fermentation. Furthermore, it was found that different organic acids were produced by microorganisms at different fermentation stages might due to the changes of oxygen and nutrient content.     

A Parametric Study on the Inception and Evolution of Underground Coal Fires Based on a Lab-Scale Experimental Setup

Fire Technology - The tendency of self-ignition of coal is the root cause of underground coal fires (UCFs). A parametric study is carried out on a lab-scale experimental setup developed based on...     

川北某黑色页岩型铼矿工艺矿物学研究

通过矿相显微镜、扫描电镜、电子探针、X射线能谱元素面分析等多种手段综合研究了川北某黑色页岩型铼矿中铼的赋存状态。样品为黑色页岩,有机碳含量较高。粘土矿物总量为14.6%,黄铁矿含量16.2%,石英含量37.7%。样品具典型的粘土结构,矿物粒度微细。铼有两种赋存状态,一种呈类质同象形式赋存于黄铁矿内,另一种则以分散形式存在。典型黄铁矿测点Re平均含量为0.024%。黄铁矿是Re的重要载体矿物。建议通过浮选分离黄铁矿,从而实现Re的富集。      

Prevention of breast cancer by dietary polyphenols—role of cancer stem cells

Abstract

Breast cancer is a common malignancy with poor prognosis. Cancer cells are heterogeneous and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are primarily responsible for tumor relapse, treatment-resistance and metastasis, so for breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Diets are known to be associated with carcinogenesis. Food-derived polyphenols are able to attenuate the formation and virulence of BCSCs, implying that these compounds and their analogs might be promising agents for preventing breast cancer. In the present review, we summarized the origin and surface markers of BCSCs and possible mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory effects of polyphenols on BCSCs. The suppressive effects of common dietary polyphenols against BCSCs, such as curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and related polyphenolic compounds were further discussed.