Superior Stability Secured by a Four-Phase Cathode Electrolyte Interface on a Ni-Rich Cathode for Lithium Ion Batteries.

A multifunctional coating with high ionic and electronic conductivity is constructed on the surface of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM) to boost the battery stability upon cycling and during storage as well. Phosphoric acid reacts with residual lithium species on the pristine NCM to form a Li3PO4 coating with extra carbon nanotubes (CNTs) penetrating through, which shows high ionic and electronic conductivity. NCM, Li3PO4, CNTs, and the electrolyte jointly form a four-phase cathode electrolyte interface, which plays a key role in the great enhancement of capacity retention, from 50.3% for pristine NCM to 84.8% for the modified one after 500 cycles at 0.5C at room temperature. The modified NCM also delivers superior electrochemical performances at a high cut-off voltage (4.5 V), high temperature (55 °C), and high rate (10C). Furthermore, it can deliver 154.2 mA h g-1 at the 500th cycle after exposed to air with high humidity for 2 weeks. These results demonstrate that the well-constructed multifunctional coating can remarkably enhance the chemical and electrochemical performances of NCM. The improved cycling, storage, and rate performance are attributed to the four-phase cathode electrolyte interface delivering high electron and ionic conductivity and securing the cathode against attack. This work broadens the horizon for constructing effective electrode/electrolyte interfaces for electrochemical energy storage and conversion

Comparison between the retropubic and transobturator approaches in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness and complications

Objective This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and complications between the retropubic and transobturator approaches for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) by conducting a systematic review. Materials and Methods We selected all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared retropubic and transobturator sling placements for treatment of SUI. We estimated pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for intraoperative and postoperative outcomes and complications. Results Six hundred twelve studies that compared retropubic and transobturator approaches to midurethral sling placement were identified, of which 16 were included in our research. Our study was based on results from 2646 women. We performed a subgroup analysis to compare outcomes and complications between the two approaches. The evidence to support the superior approach that leads to better objective/subjective cure rate was insufficient. The transobturator approach was associated with lower risks of bladder perforation (odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09-0.32), retropubic/vaginal hematoma (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16-0.63), and long-term voiding dysfunction (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.17-0.61). However, the risk of thigh/groin pain seemed higher in the transobturator group (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.72-3.72). We found no statistically significant differences in the risks of other complications between the two approaches. Conclusions This meta-analysis shows analogical objective and subjective cure rates between the retropubic and transobturator approaches to midurethral sling placement. The transobturator approach was associated with lower risks of several complications. However, good-quality studies with long-term follow-ups are warranted for further research

Robust Locally Weighted Regression for Profile Measurement of Magnesium Alloy Tube in Hot Bending Process

Section flattening often occurs in the hot bending process of magnesium alloy tube with large curvature. In order to control the forming quality of the tube, it is necessary to measure the section profile of the magnesium alloy pipe online. In this paper, the laser vision system is used to measure the profile of magnesium alloy tube. Due to the influence of the environment and the surface quality of the pipe, there are obviously isolated outliers in the profile data, which seriously affects the accuracy and precision of the tube measurement. An outlier identification algorithm based on robust locally weighted regression and PaйTa criterion is proposed. This algorithm is used to identify the typically isolated outliers in the measurement process and discuss its identification ability. Meanwhile, it is compared with the moving mean identifier and the Hampel identifier. Subsequently, the ellipse fitting of profile data was carried out, and the fitting ellipse parameters and fitting precision of the curved section were obtained. At the same time, the fitting results were compared before and after the outliers are eliminated. The experiment proves that the outlier identification method based on robust locally weighted regression and PaйTa criterion can effectively identify outliers in profile data, especially for spot outliers. This algorithm is a robust, accurate, and efficient outlier identification method, which can effectively improve the laser profile measurement accuracy of the pipe section and has great significance for the quality control of magnesium alloy tube

Dynamic Response of a Casting Crane Rigid-Flexible Coupling System to High Temperature

To determine the influence of temperature on the mechanical properties of crane metal structures, three Q355 alloy steel samples were processed and their elastic moduli were tested at different temperatures using a metal tension test bed. The constitutive equation for the elastic modulus of Q355 alloy steel at different temperatures was predicted using test data and a neural network algorithm. Based on crane structural characteristics and the principle of system dynamics, a coupling vibration model was established that included the crane flexible girder, cabin, trolley, crane, and temperature. System motion equations were established according to the Lagrange equation, and the approximate solution of nonlinear system vibration was solved by the direct integration method (the Newmark method). The dynamic characteristics of the main beam and cabin were analyzed at different temperatures, as well as safety during service. The results show that, with increasing temperature, the maximum midspan displacement of the main beam increases gradually, by 14.3%, 21.4%, and 57.1% at temperatures of 300°C, 400°C, and 600°C, respectively. The cabin vibration displacement increases with temperature, by up to 32.5% at 600°C, but the influence of temperature on cabin vibration acceleration is not obvious. It was concluded that the influence of temperature on the dynamic characteristics of the main beam must be considered during the design stage of cranes. The proposed model and analysis method provide a theoretical basis for the design of casting cranes according to temperature

OPTIMIZATION OF HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR WORKING DEVICE (MT)

Excavators are the main construction machinery for earth and stone engine. Due to the uncertainties of the work object, load, and operation, the force of the working device of the excavators becomes more complicated. The working device is mainly composed of bucket, arm and boom. Based on different optimization parts, optimization objectives and optimization algorithms, the optimization design of excavators working device has diversity and complexity. An optimization method of working device of hydraulic excavator is introduced in detail, respectively from three aspects of local and overall optimization, new structure application of simulation and modern optimization algorithm. The optimization methods and future development trend of hydraulic excavator working device are summarized, which provides a reference for optimal design of hydraulic excavator working device

Tri-functional coating to enhance the capacity retention of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 for high power lithium ion battery

LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 is a promising cathode material for high power lithium ion batteries (LIBs) for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). For the first time we design a tri-functional coating to improve the cycling performance of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4. With the designed BiPO4 coating, the capacity retentions of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 are largely improved from 84.3% to 93.6% at 0.5 C after 50 cycles and from 80.6% to 96.2% at 10 C after 100 cycles. The tri-functional coating reduces the charge transfer resistance of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode and plays a critical role in enhancing the electrochemical performance and lifetime. This strategy provides a new way to modify electrode materials to elevate the performance of LIBs

Fine Mapping of qWCR4, a Rice Chalkiness QTL Affecting Yield and Quality

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) chalkiness greatly reduces the rice quality and the commercial value. In this study, qWCR4, a previously reported quantitative trait locus (QTL) of white-core rate (WCR), was confirmed by a BC5F2 segregation population and further fine mapped to a 35.26 kb region. In the qWCR4 region, LOC_Os04g50060 and LOC_Os04g50070 showed significant differences in expression level in endosperm between two NILs, whereas four other genes had no expression. Starch granules in the central endosperm of chalky grains from NIL(J23B) with higher WCR exhibited a typically round and loosely packed morphology. NIL(J23B) with higher WCR accompanied a higher seed filling speed. Moreover, qWCR4J23B (qWCR4 allele in J23B) increased WCR, grain numbers per plant, seed setting rate, grain width, and thousand-grain weight, contributing to a superior yield per plant. All in all, our research results not only lay a foundation for map-based cloning of qWCR4 but also provide new genetic resources for rice yield and quality breeding