Coil‐Type Asymmetric Supercapacitor Electrical Cables

Cable‐shaped supercapacitors (SCs) have recently aroused significant attention due to their attractive properties such as small size, lightweight, and bendability. Current cable‐shaped SCs have symmetric device configuration. However, if an asymmetric design is used in cable‐shaped supercapacitors, they would become more attractive due to broader cell operation voltages, which results in higher energy densities. Here, a novel coil‐type asymmetric supercapacitor electrical cable (CASEC) is reported with enhanced cell operation voltage and extraordinary mechanical‐electrochemical stability. The CASECs show excellent charge–discharge profiles, extraordinary rate capability (95.4%), high energy density (0.85 mWh cm⁻³), remarkable flexibility and bendability, and superior bending cycle stability (≈93.0% after 4000 cycles at different bending states). In addition, the CASECs not only exhibit the capability to store energy but also to transmit electricity simultaneously and independently. The integrated electrical conduction and storage capability of CASECS offer many potential applications in solar energy storage and electronic gadgets.     

Long-term follow-up of a randomized post-induction therapy trial in acute myelogenous leukemia (a Southeastern Cancer Study Group trial)

A phase III clinical trial was designed to determine if more intensive induction and consolidation therapy for acute myeloblastic leukemia increases the remission rate and prolongs survival. A minor objective was to determine if the use of non-cross resistant drugs was more effective than the same drugs used for induction. Patients with untreated leukemia between the ages of 15 and 50 were given daunorubicin 45 mg/m2 for the first 3 days of a 10-day continuous infusion of cytosine arabinoside, initially at a dose of 2000 mg/m2 but reduced to 100 mg/m2 because of toxicity. Those under 36 achieving a complete remission and with an histocompatible donor were assigned to a transplant arm. The rest were randomized to receive one of three consolidation arms: A, cytosine arabinoside, 200 mg/m2 daily for 7 days and daunorubicin 45 mg/m2 daily for 3 days for three courses; B, one course as in Arm A followed by amsacrine, 120 mg/m2 daily for 5 days followed by a 5-day continuous infusion of azacytidine, 150 mg/m2/day; C, thioguanine and cytosine arabinoside, 100 mg/m2 every 12 h and daunorubicin 10 mg/m2 daily for 5 days for three courses followed by four maintenance courses of cytosine arabinoside, 100 mg/m2 daily for 5 days and daunorubicin, 45 mg/m2 for 2 days every 13 weeks. From 1981 to 1986, 398 eligible patients were enrolled and 219 achieved a complete remission. The initial induction dose of cytosine arabinoside was reduced after five of 29 patients exhibited fatal gastrointestinal toxicity. Only 11 patients were assigned to the transplant arm. There were no significant differences in the consolidation arms. The 5 year disease-free survivals were 38, 31 and 27% in arms A, B, and C respectively. Intensive consolidation therapy with the same or different drugs used in induction was as effective as lower dose consolidation followed by maintenance therapy.     

A real-time neural system for color constancy

A neural network approach to the problem of color constancy is presented. Various algorithms based on Land's retinex theory are discussed with respect to neurobiological parallels, computational efficiency, and suitability for VLSI implementation. The efficiency of one algorithm is improved by the application of resistive grids and is tested in computer simulations; the simulations make clear the strengths and weaknesses of the algorithm. A novel extension to the algorithm is developed to address its weaknesses. An electronic system that is based on the original algorithm and that operates at video rates was built using subthreshold analog CMOS VLSI resistive grids. The system displays color constancy abilities and qualitatively mimics aspects of human color perception.     

Intelligent identification and control for autonomous guided vehicles using adaptive fuzzy-based algorithms

Fuzzy logic was first suggested as the mechanism by which humans drive cars. This paper addresses the use of fuzzy logic and algorithms towards the intelligent autonomous motion control of land vehicles. To cope with vehicle complexities, internal parametric changes, and with unpredictable environmental effects, the controllers that are presented, whilst heuristic in nature, are self-organizing or self-learning in that they generate automatically by observation an experiential rule base that models the vehicle, and via an appropriate performance index an optimal control rule base that is robust to large parametric changes. The methodology presented is applicable to any complex process which is too difficult to model or control using conventional methods, or which has relied on the experience of a human operator. An overview of fuzzy logic and static fuzzy logic control (akin to expert systems) is provided, together with illustrative examples.     

Knowledge elicitation using more than one expert to cover the same domain

Knowledge elicitation is accepted as being one of the most problematic areas in the creation of a knowledge-based system.A large amount of research has already concentrated on finding more efficient and effective techniques for eliciting knowledge from an individual expert. However, little attention has been given to the involvement of more than one source of expertise in knowledge-based system development.This paper is based on the authors' practical experience gained when developing a knowledge-based system for the conceptual design of bridges. It shows that the use of more than one expert throughout the knowledge elicitation process can improve both the efficiency of the approach and the quality of the knowledge acquired.     

Effect of crosslinking agent content, monomer functionality, and repeat unit chemistry on properties of unfilled resins

Seven mechanical/physical properties were used to evaluate 10 unfilled resins: eight aromatic dimethacrylates and two urethane dimethacrylates. Physical property tests included compressive strength, Young's modulus in compression, uniaxial tensile strength, intrinsic yield point, toothbrush abrasion, Knoop hardness, and water sorption. Controlled changes were made in the following four material parameters: amount of crosslinking diluent present in the uncured monomer, functionality of the monomer, repeat unit chemistry of the monomer (urethane vs. aromatic structure) and mode of activation (chemical vs. visible light). Polymers containing a high concentration of crosslinking agent (50 wt%) were found to be tougher and to possess lower hardness than materials containing lesser amounts of crosslinking agent. This was attributed to the flexible nature of the triethylene glycol dimethacrylate crosslinking molecule. Exposure to water plasticized the highly crosslinked materials to the degree that the yield point and elastic modulus were effectively lowered. Most of the tested properties were unaffected by differences in functionality except resistance to toothbrush abrasion, which was enhanced for polymers derived from high functionality monomers. The urethane-based polymers sorbed substantially more water than the aromatic-based materials, which presumably resulted in lower values for surface hardness. However, the urethane resins were very tough, and excellent resistance to toothbrush abrasion was observed. Property differences caused by differences in activation mode were small, although the visible light materials did sorb more water.     

Protein kinase A activators inhibit agonist induced prostaglandin production in human amnion

Prostaglandin (PG) production by human amnion has been postulated to have a role in the onset of labor. Previous work by ourselves and others has demonstrated that oxytocin, phorbol esters and epidermal growth factor (EGF) increase PGE2 production in human amnion cells by activation of the Phospholipase C/Protein Kinase C (PKC) cascade system. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of prior activation of the Adenylate Cyclase cascade system upon subsequent stimulation of PGE2 production by oxytocin, phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) or EGF in amnion cells and membrane discs. Isoproterenol, forskolin and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) were utilized to activate the Adenylate Cyclase system at the receptor, enzyme and second messenger level. In control amnion cells, oxytocin, PMA and EGF each provoked dose dependent increases in PGE2 production. In cells preincubated with dbcAMP, forskolin or isoproterenol, agonist stimulated PGE2 production was markedly (50-90%) inhibited (p < 0.01). Inhibition was dose dependent upon preincubator concentrations. Maximal inhibition by adenylate cyclase activators occurred with 2-4 h of preincubation. In membrane discs, forskolin preincubation also inhibited oxytocin, PMA and EGF stimulation of PGE2 production. Activation of the Adenylate Cyclase system in human amnion cells or membrane discs inhibits the subsequent action of potent stimulators of PGE2 production in human amnion.     

Quasi-static and dynamic crushing behaviors of aluminum and steel tubes with a cutout

Tubular members are commonly used as an energy absorber in engineering structures and many such members have a cutout. In this study, the crushing behaviors of tubes with a cutout are characterized and the effects of cutout on the energy absorption capabilities of these tubes are quantified. Systematic parametric studies were carried out to study the effect of material properties, including yield and ultimate strength of material, strain rate effect, location of cutout, tube length and impact speed on the crushing behaviors and energy absorption capacity of aluminum and steel tubes. First, a numerical model was constructed with a commercial explicit finite element code. It will be first proven that the numerical simulation can produce sufficiently accurate results in an economic manner. Subsequently, the crushing behavior of aluminum and steel tubes with a cutout was experimentally characterized and their energy absorption capacity was evaluated in terms of mean crushing force, peak crushing force and specific energy absorption (SEA). Tubes of various lengths with a cutout located at different locations, subject to both quasi-static and dynamic impact loadings were considered. For steel tubes, the numerical simulation investigated the influence of the strain rate effect and variation in strain hardening ratio of the material. Empirical equations describing the mean and peak crushing forces of aluminum and steel tubes with a cutout were developed using linear and nonlinear regression methods applied to the results obtained from the numerical and experimental studies.