A novel method for preparing α-LiFeO2 nanorods for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

One-dimensional (1D) α-LiFeO2 nanorods are successfully prepared via a low-temperature solid-state reaction from α-FeOOH nanorods synthesized by hydrothermal process and used as cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries. As cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, the nanorods can achieve a high initial specific capacity of 165.85 mAh/g at 0.1 C for which a high capacity retention of 81.65% can still be obtained after 50 cycles. The excellent performance and cycling stability are attributed to the unique 1D nanostructure, which facilitates the rapid electron exchange and fast lithium-ion diffusion between electrolyte and cathode materials

Landslide Surface Displacement Prediction Based on VSXC-LSTM Algorithm

Landslide is a natural disaster that can easily threaten local ecology, people's lives and property. In this paper, we conduct modelling research on real unidirectional surface displacement data of recent landslides in the research area and propose a time series prediction framework named VMD-SegSigmoid-XGBoost-ClusterLSTM (VSXC-LSTM) based on variational mode decomposition, which can predict the landslide surface displacement more accurately. The model performs well on the test set. Except for the random item subsequence that is hard to fit, the root mean square error (RMSE) and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the trend item subsequence and the periodic item subsequence are both less than 0.1, and the RMSE is as low as 0.006 for the periodic item prediction module based on XGBoost\footnote{Accepted in ICANN2023}

Dynamic reconfiguration of distribution network considering the uncertainty of distributed generation and loads

This study presents a new methodology to perform the distribution network dynamic reconfiguration (DNDR), taking into consideration the stochastic variations of loads and distributed generation (DG) of power. To solve the heavy computational burden that exists in traditional algorithms of the DNDR, this study first establishes the nodal sensitivity models to calculate the nodal variations caused by nodal power variations. Then, the DNDR is executed utilizing a co-evolutionary algorithm with the goal of loss minimization. The stochastic power flow calculations (PFCs) based on the nodal sensitivity are performed in the DNDR to handle the power fluctuations of the DGs and loads. Finally, the modified IEEE 33-bus test system and a practical distribution system are used for simulations. The simulation results validate the quickness and effectiveness of the proposed DNDR method

Is there a correlation between socioeconomic disparity and functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke?

Background To investigate the impact of low socioeconomic status (SES), indicated by low level of education, occupation and income, on 3 months functional outcome after ischemic stroke. Methods We analyzed data from the China National Stroke Registry (CNSR), a multicenter and prospective registry of consecutive patients with acute cerebrovascular events occurred between September 2007 and August 2008. 11226 patients with ischemic stroke had SES and clinical characteristics data collected at baseline and mRS measured as indicator of functional outcome in 3 months follow up. Multinomial and ordinal logistic regression models were performed to examine associations between SES and the functional outcome. Results At 3 months after stroke, 5.3% of total patients had mRS scored at 5, 11.3% at score 4, 11.1% at score 3, 14.4% at score 2, 34.2% at score 1 and 23.7% at score 0. Compared to patients with educational level of ≥ 6 years and non-manual laboring, those < 6 years and manual laboring tended to have higher mRS score (P<0.001). Multinomial adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of outcome in manual workers were significantly increased (ORs from1.38 to 1.87), but OR in patients with less income was not significant. There were similar patterns of association The impact may be stronger in patients aged <65 years (P = 0.003, P<0.001 respectively) and being male (P = 0.001, P<0.001 respectively). Conclusions Our study provides evidence that people who are relatively more deprived in socioeconomic status suffer poorer outcome after ischemic stroke. The influence of low educational level and manual laboring can be more intensive than low income level on 3-month outcome. Health policy and service should target the deprived populations to reduce the public health burden in the society.This study is supported by grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China (2006BAI01A11, 2011BAI08B01, 2011BAI08B02, 2012ZX09303-005-001, and 2013BAI09B03), a grant from the Beijing Biobank of Cerebral Vascular Disease (D131100005313003) and a grant from Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders (BIBD-PXM2013_014226_07_000084

Homocysteine and Carotid Plaque Stability: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chinese Adults

Background and Purpose This study aimed to explore the possible association of plasma total homocysteine with carotid plaque stability. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2010 to 2011. A stratified random sample of 2,919 Chinese participants aged 40 years or older was enrolled. Plasma total homocysteine levels were measured and carotid plaques were evaluated by ultrasonography. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association of homocysteine levels to the progression of carotid plaque development, while adjusting for demographics and vascular risk factors. Results: The mean level of plasma homocysteine in the subjects was 14.9 µmol/l. Along with increase in homocysteine level, the risk of advanced carotid plaque elevated (odds ratio = 1.28; 95% confidence interval = 1.09–1.51) after adjusting for age, sex, and other potential confounders. Stratified by sex, higher homocysteine level was strongly associated with advanced carotid plaque in men (OR = 1.41; 95% confidence interval = 1.17–1.70), but not in women. Conclusion: The findings suggest that plasma level of homocysteine may be associated with advanced carotid plaque, which constitutes high risks of stroke, in male Chinese adults

Tuning the detection wavelength of quantum-well infrared photodetectors by single high-energy implantation

Single high-energy (0.9 MeV) proton implantation and rapid thermal annealing was used to tune the spectral response of the quantum-well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs). In addition to the large redshift of the QWIPs’ response wavelength after implantation, either narrowed or broadened spectrum was obtained at different interdiffusion extent. In general, the overall device performance for the low-dose implantation was not significantly degraded. In comparison with the other implantation schemes, this single high-energy implantation is the most effective and simple technique in tuning the wavelength of QWIPs, thus, to achieve the fabrication of multicolor detectors.Partial financial support from Australian Research Council, Hong Kong Research Grants Council, and the Australian Agency for International Development ~AusAID! through IDP Education Australia under Australia–China Institutional Links Program (ACILP) is acknowledged