In Vivo Electrophysiology of Peptidergic Neurons in Deep Layers of the Lumbar Spinal Cord after Optogenetic Stimulation of Hypothalamic Paraventricular Oxytocin Neurons in Rats

The spinal ejaculation generator (SEG) is located in the central gray (lamina X) of the rat lumbar spinal cord and plays a pivotal role in the ejaculatory reflex. We recently reported that SEG neurons express the oxytocin receptor and are activated by oxytocin projections from the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVH). However, it is unknown whether the SEG responds to oxytocin in vivo. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of the brain–spinal cord neural circuit that controls male sexual function using a newly developed in vivo electrophysiological technique. Optogenetic stimulation of the PVH of rats expressing channel rhodopsin under the oxytocin receptor promoter increased the spontaneous firing of most lamina X SEG neurons. This is the first demonstration of the in vivo electrical response from the deeper (lamina X) neurons in the spinal cord. Furthermore, we succeeded in the in vivo whole-cell recordings of lamina X neurons. In vivo whole-cell recordings may reveal the features of lamina X SEG neurons, including differences in neurotransmitters and response to stimulation. Taken together, these results suggest that in vivo electrophysiological stimulation can elucidate the neurophysiological response of a variety of spinal neurons during male sexual behavior.     

一起发电机定子接地故障的分析与处理

文章介绍了海外某大型火力发电厂发生的一起发电机定子接地故障的分析和处理过程,对发电厂类似故障的处理和海外发电厂的运行和维护提供了参考。     

温度对核电站传热管阵列声透射特性的影响

为了研究温度分布对于管阵列结构中的声透射特性的影响，以核电站的实际工况为背景，构建了不同的温度场以及周期性变化的非均匀温度场，利用有限元方法进行数值模拟。结果表明：（1）温度分布会改变管阵列声透射频谱的“禁带”宽度以及中心频率位置。在同一介质中，温度变化对频率较高位置的影响大于频率较低的位置。（2）在同样为10℃的温度差下，当水的平均声速为1 653 m·s^-1、饱和水蒸气的平均声速为522.5 m·s^-1时，介质为水时的禁带宽度及中心频率位置变化较大，即声速大的介质的频谱对于温度的变化更敏感。（3）当温度差在10℃以内，在周期性变化的非均匀温度场和与均匀温度场中管阵列声透射特性在第一中心频率23 996.1 Hz之前，两频谱差别很小，在第一禁带之后会出现明显区别。该研究成果对完善核电站应用的声学检测提供了理论基础。     

Hydrogen production performance of a photovoltaic thermal system coupled with a proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell

As one of the cleanest energies, hydrogen has attracted much attention over the past decade. Hydrogen can be produced using water electrolysis in a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis Cell (PEMEC). In the present study, the performance of the PEMEC, powered by the Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT) system, is scrutinized. It is considered that the PVT system provides the required electrical power of the PEMEC and preheats the feedwater. A comprehensive numerical model of the coupled PVT-PEMEC system is developed. The model is used to investigate the effect of various operating parameters, including solar radiation intensity, inlet feedwater temperature, and feedwater mass flow rate, on the hydrogen production and operating voltage of the PEMEC at various Exchange Current Densities (ECDs). Furthermore, the effect of integration of Phase Change Material (PCM) and Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) on the hydrogen production of the system is evaluated. According to the obtained results, the PVT-TEG-PEMEC system outperforms other systems in hydrogen production. However, integration of the PVT-PEMEC system with PCM has a negligible effect on its hydrogen production.     

Pattern design and optimization of yarn-dyed plaid fabric using isolation niche genetic algorithm and rough set theory

Under the circumstance of perceptual consumption, it is still challenging to grasp consumer's emotions and demands due to the large search space, diversified preferences, and easy fatigue of consumers. To reduce user fatigue and enlarge search space, a novel method was presented to design and optimize the pattern of yarn-dyed plaid fabric using the isolation niche genetic algorithm and rough set theory. Each pattern was encoded as a chromosome based on the real number code. The population was initialized and evolved using INGA to maintain the diversity. The rough set theory was adopted as the fitness function of isolation niche genetic algorithm to extract the consumer's demands. After multiple evolutions, a large set of practical patterns of the yarn-dyed plaid fabric are obtained. Experiments were carried out by 24 testers of different ages and genders. The results prove that the proposed method based on the isolation niche genetic algorithm and rough set theory is feasible and effective, supplying references to the designer.     

A thermoelectric generator comprising selenium-doped bismuth telluride on flexible carbon cloth with n-type thermoelectric properties

Carbon cloth was used as a flexible substrate for bismuth telluride (Bi₂Te₃) particles to provide flexibility and improve the overall thermoelectric performance. Bi₂Te₃ on carbon cloth (Bi₂Te₃/CC) was synthesized via a hydrothermal reaction with various reaction times. After over 12 h, the Bi₂Te₃ particles showed a clear hexagonal shape and were evenly adhered to the carbon cloth. Selenium (Se) atoms were doped into the Bi₂Te₃ structure to improve its thermoelectric performance. The electrical conductivity increased with increasing Se-dopant content until 40% Se was added. Moreover, the maximum power factor was 1300 μW/mK² at 473 K for the 30% Se-doped sample. The carbon cloth substrate maintained its electrical resistivity and flexibility after 2000 bending cycles. A flexible thermoelectric generator (TEG) fabricated using the five pairs of 30% Se-doped sample showed an open-circuit voltage of 17.4 mV and maximum power output of 850 nW at temperature difference ΔT = 30 K. This work offers a promising approach for providing flexibility and improving the thermoelectric performance of inorganic thermoelectric materials for wearable device applications using flexible carbon cloth substrate for low temperature range application.     

Economic competitiveness of compact steam methane reforming technology for on-site hydrogen supply: A Foshan case study

On-site hydrogen production through steam-methane reforming (SMR) from city gas or natural gas is believed to be a cost-effective way for hydrogen-based infrastructure due to high cost of hydrogen transportation. In recent years, there have been a lot of on-site hydrogen fueling stations under design or construction in China. This study introduces current developments and technology prospects of skid-mounted SMR hydrogen generator. Also, technical solutions and economic analysis are discussed based on China's first on-site hydrogen fueling station project in Foshan. The cost of hydrogen product from skid-mounted SMR hydrogen generator is about 23 CNY/kg with 3.24 CNY/Nm³ natural gas. If hydrogen price is 60 CNY/kg, IRR of on-site hydrogen fueling station project reaches to 10.8%. While natural gas price fall to 2.3 CNY/Nm³, the hydrogen cost can be reduced to 18 CNY/kg, and IRR can be raised to 13.1%. The conclusion is that skid-mounted SMR technology has matured and is developing towards more compact and intelligent design, and will be a promising way for hydrogen fueling infrastructures in near future.     

犹豫模糊环境下准则具有偏好关系的TODIM方法

针对智慧制造评估时专家的决策信息具有犹豫模糊不确定性问题，提出了一种关于准则具有犹豫模糊偏好关系的改进交互式多准则决策（TODIM）方法。首先提出了准则间的犹豫模糊偏好关系概念，并证明了其基本性质。在TODIM方法优势度的计算过程中，将准则权重犹豫模糊偏好关系替代原有的精确值权重，使信息的准确性最大化。将该方法用于智能制造的评估上，实例分析结果表明所提方法是可行和有效的。