Efficient Li-Ion-Conductive Layer for the Realization of Highly Stable High-Voltage and High-Capacity Lithium Metal Batteries

Recently, a consensus has been reached that using lithium metal as an anode in rechargeable Li-ion batteries is the best way to obtain the high energy density necessary to power electronic devices. Challenges remain, however, with respect to controlling dendritic Li growth on these electrodes, enhancing compatibility with carbonate-based electrolytes, and forming a stable solid???electrolyte interface layer. Herein, a groundbreaking solution to these challenges consisting in the preparation of a Li 2 TiO 3 (LT) layer that can be used to cover Li electrodes via a simple and scalable fabrication method, is suggested. Not only does this LT layer impede direct contact between electrode and electrolyte, thus avoiding side reactions, but it assists and expedites Li-ion flux in batteries, thus suppressing Li dendrite growth. Other effects of the LT layer on electrochemical performance are investigated by scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic intermittent titration technique analyses. Notably, LT layer-incorporating Li cells comprising high-capacity/voltage cathodes with reasonably high mass loading (LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 , LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 , and LiMn 2 O 4 ) show highly stable cycling performance in a carbonate-based electrolyte. Therefore, it is believed that the approach based on the LT layer can boost the realization of high energy density lithium metal batteries and next-generation batteries

Analysis of Radar Cross Section of a Battleship Equipped with an Integrated Mast Module Based on PO and PTD

In this paper, we analyze the radar cross section (RCS) of a battleship equipped with an integrated mast module (IMM). The RCS of a battleship equipped with an IMM is calculated based on physical optics (PO) and the physical theory of diffraction (PTD), and is analyzed in terms of the mast shape, incident angles, and polarization

Modeling, processing, and characterization of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelet-nylon 6 composite fibers

We present theoretical and experimental studies on the effects of platelet-like filler orientation on the mechanical properties of melt-spun exfoliated graphite nanoplatelet(xGnP)-nylon 6(PA6) composite fibers. In numerical studies, the Mori-Tanaka micromechanics model was employed to formulate analytical models to predict the mechanical properties of xGnP-PA6 composite fibers with varying xGnP orientations in a three-dimensional spatial domain. Simulation results showed that the predicted properties of xGnP-PA6 composite fibers were highly affected by xGnP orientation and were correlated with the measured properties of composite fibers treated with varying draw ratios. The tensile moduli of composite fibers at varying xGnP contents showed significant improvements, which is attributed to the drawing-induced alignment of PA6 molecular chains as well as the alignment of xGnPs. Both as-received and acid-treated xGnPs were incorporated in PA6, and mechanical test results suggested that acid-treated xGnPs provide stronger interfacial bonding with PA6.close0

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Original Article Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for transient lymphedema (TLE) and persistent lymphedema (PLE) following treatment for breast cancer. Materials and Methods A total of 1,073 patients who underwent curative breast surgery were analyzed. TLE was defined as one episode of arm swelling that had resolved spontaneously by the next followup; arm swelling that persisted over two consecutive examinations was considered PLE. Results At a median follow-up period of 5.1 years, 370 cases of lymphedema were reported, including 120 TLE (11.2%) and 250 PLE (23.3%). Initial grade 1 swelling was observed in 351 patients, of which 120 were limited to TLE (34%), while the other 231 progressed to PLE (66%). All initial swelling observed in TLE patients was classified as grade 1. In multivariate analysis, chemotherapy with taxane and supraclavicular radiation therapy (SCRT) were associated with development of TLE, whereas SCRT, stage III cancer and chemotherapy with taxane were identified as risk factors for PLE (p < 0.05). The estimated incidence of TLE among initial grade 1 patients was calculated using up to three treatment-related risk factors (number of dissected axillary lymph nodes, SCRT, and taxane chemotherapy). The approximate ratios of TLE and PLE based on the number of risk factors were 7:1 (no factor), 1:1 (one factor), 1:2 (two factors), and 1:3 (three factors). Conclusion One-third of initial swelling events were transient, whereas the other two-thirds of patients experienced PLE. Estimation of TLE and PLE based on known treatment factors could facilitate prediction of this life-long complication. Key words Breast neoplasms, Transient lymphedema, Persistent lymphedema, Risk factors Introduction Lymphedema (LE) is a common and debilitating condition in breast cancer survivors characterized by regional swelling, typically in one or both arms Despite the frequency of this condition, there are no uniform criteria for defining LE. Symptom duration is generally not stated as part of the definition of LE, with a diagnosis of LE made primarily on the presence of swelling alon

Effect of Postoperative Radiotherapy after Primary Tumor Resection in De Novo Stage IV Breast Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Study (KROG 19-02)

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the impact of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in de novo metastatic breast cancer (dnMBC) patients undergoing planned primary tumor resection (PTR) and to identify the subgroup of patients who would most benefit Materials and Methods This study enrolled 426 patients with dnMBC administered PTR alone or with PORT. The primary and secondary outcomes were overall and progression-free survival (OS and PFS), respectively. Results The median follow-up time was 53.7 months (range, 3.1 to 194.4). The 5-year OS and PFS rates were 73.2% and 32.0%, respectively. For OS, clinical T3/4 category, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), postoperative chemotherapy alone were significantly poor prognostic factors, and administration of PORT failed to show its significance. Regarding PFS, PORT was a favorable prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.50 to 0.82; p < 0.001), in addition to T1/2 category, <= 5 metastases, and nonTNBC. According to the multivariate analyses of OS in the PORT group, we divided the patients into three groups (group 1, T1/2 and non-TNBC [n=193]; group 2, T3/4 and non-TNBC [n=171]; and group 3, TNBC [n=49]), and evaluated the effect of PORT. Although PORT had no significance for OS in all subgroups, it was a significant factor for good prognosis regarding PFS in groups 1 and 2, not in group 3. Conclusion PORT was associated with a significantly better PFS in patients with dnMBC who underwent PTR. Patients with clinical T1/2 category and non-TNBC benefited most from PORT, while those with TNBC showed little benefit.N

Assessment of deep learning-based auto-contouring on interobserver consistency in target volume and organs-at-risk delineation for breast cancer: Implications for RTQA program in a multi-institutional study

Purpose: To quantify interobserver variation (IOV) in target volume and organs-at-risk (OAR) contouring across 31 institutions in breast cancer cases and to explore the clinical utility of deep learning (DL)-based auto-contouring in reducing potential IOV. Methods and materials: In phase 1, two breast cancer cases were randomly selected and distributed to multiple institutions for contouring six clinical target volumes (CTVs) and eight OAR. In Phase 2, auto-contour sets were generated using a previously published DL Breast segmentation model and were made available for all participants. The difference in IOV of submitted contours in phases 1 and 2 was investigated quantitatively using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and Hausdorff distance (HD). The qualitative analysis involved using contour heat maps to visualize the extent and location of these variations and the required modification. Results: Over 800 pairwise comparisons were analysed for each structure in each case. Quantitative phase 2 metrics showed significant improvement in the mean DSC (from 0.69 to 0.77) and HD (from 34.9 to 17.9 mm). Quantitative analysis showed increased interobserver agreement in phase 2, specifically for CTV structures (5–19 %), leading to fewer manual adjustments. Underlying IOV differences causes were reported using a questionnaire and hierarchical clustering analysis based on the volume of CTVs. Conclusion: DL-based auto-contours improved the contour agreement for OARs and CTVs significantly, both qualitatively and quantitatively, suggesting its potential role in minimizing radiation therapy protocol deviation