Stochastic finite-fault simulation of the 2017 Jiuzhaigou earthquake in China

Abstract In this study, the strong ground motion of the Jiuzhaigou Ms7.0 earthquake, which occurred in northern Sichuan, China, was simulated based on the stochastic finite-fault method. The earthquake event was recorded by 66 strong ground-motion stations operated by the China Strong Motion Networks Center. We simulated 11 records selected within 200 km source-to-site distance. According to previous studies and empirical relationships, we estimated the region-specific input parameters. The zero-distance kappa filter obtained had a value of 0.0206 s. Two different source models were applied in this study: the random slip model and specified slip model. Using the stochastic finite-fault method, we simulated the PGA, Fourier spectrum and response spectrum at all stations. The stochastic simulated result based on the specified slip distribution models had no significant bias at most stations. Using a model with a random slip distribution, the simulated response spectra also matched the observed result, which indicated that the stochastic finite-fault method is not very sensitive to the input slip distributions and fault dimensions. We divided the study area into 1116 sites to simulate the spatial distribution of PGA based on the two models. The simulated maximum intensity of the epicentral area reached level IX, which was similar to the observed maximum intensity and indicated that the simulated result could be used in prediction of an imminent earthquake disaster. For future earthquake prediction, seismic hazards could even be estimated quickly without obtaining detailed information about the fault plane

Thermal analyses of LiFePO4/graphite battery discharge processes

An electrochemical-thermal coupling model is developed to describe the LiFePO4/graphite battery discharge and charge processes. Various heat generations/consumptions including Joule heat, reversible entropy heat, contact resistance heat, irreversible electrochemical reaction heat, ionic migration heat, and convective heat release to the ambient during charge or discharge processes are calculated in detail. The developed model is first validated by experimental data. Then systematic and comprehensive thermal analyses with respect to various discharge processes are performed based on the simulated results. For the specific cell considered, the irreversible electrochemical reaction heat and contact resistance heat are found to be the two main heat generation sources; for discharge processes of higher C-rate, the contact resistance heat take more proportion of the total heat generation as it is directly proportional to the squared discharge current density; the ionic migration heat is a sink with magnitude being about 1/3 of the Joule heat. The reversible entropy heat changes its sign from a negative heat sink to a positive heat source during a discharge process and its changing magnitude may be comparable to the irreversible electrochemical reaction heat for all the discharge processes of different C-rates. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V

Thermal analyses of LiCoO2 lithium-ion battery during oven tests

A three dimensional thermal abuse model for graphite/LiPF6/LiCoO2 batteries is established particularly for oven tests. To investigate the influence of heat release condition and oven temperature on battery thermal behaviors, we perform a series of simulations with respect to a unit cell during oven thermal abuses of various oven temperatures and under various heat release conditions. Simulation results enable detailed analyses to thermal behaviors of batteries. It is found that during oven thermal abuse processes that do not get into thermal runaway, the negative electrode is the maximum heat generation rate zone; during oven thermal abuse processes that do get into thermal runaway, the positive electrode is the maximum heat generation rate zone. The positive-solvent reaction is found to be the major heat generation source causing thermal runaway. It is also found that the heat release condition and the oven temperature are combined to dictate thermal behaviors of the battery. The critical oven temperature that causes thermal runaway rises if the heat release condition is better and the critical heat release coefficient that can effectively restrain the occurrence of thermal runaway increases with the increase of oven temperature

Analysis of characteristics related to interstitial lung disease or pulmonary hypertension in patients with dermatomyositis

Abstract Introduction Dermatomyositis (DM) is often associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pulmonary hypertension (PH). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of DM patients with ILD or PH. Methods This study retrospectively analysed the clinical characteristics of 372 patients with DM, including cytokines, lymphocyte subsets, immunoglobulin and complement. The DM patients were divided into different groups according to whether complicated with ILD, PH or anti‐melanoma differentiation‐associated gene 5 antibodies (MDA5). A qualitative and quantitative data analysis was performed. Results IgG, IgA and IgM in the DM‐associated ILD (ILD‐DM) were higher than that of the DM non‐complicating ILD (Non‐ILD‐DM) (p = 0.022, 0.002 and 0.029, respectively). Meanwhile, IL‐6 (p = 0.008) and IL‐10 (p = 0.001) were increased in the DM‐associated PH (PH‐DM) than in the DM non‐complicating PH (Non‐PH‐DM), while IL‐17 (p = 0.004), double positive (DP) cell ratio and B lymphocyte ratio were reduced in the PH‐DM. Moreover, the incidence of ILD and levels of C4 were higher in the DM with MDA5 (MDA5+ DM) than that of the DM without MDA5. Conclusion ILD‐DM has higher IgG, IgA and IgM than that of Non‐ILD‐DM. PH‐DM has higher IL‐6, IL‐10 and lower IL‐17, DP cell ratio and B lymphocyte ratio than that of Non‐PH‐DM

MST1/2 in inflammation and immunity

ABSTRACTThe mammalian Sterile 20-like kinase 1/2 (MST1/2) belongs to the serine/threonine (GC) protein kinase superfamily. Collective studies confirm the vital role MST1/2 in inflammation and immunity. MST1/2 is closely related to the progress of inflammation. Generally, MST1/2 aggravates the inflammatory injury through MST1-JNK, MST1-mROS, MST1-Foxo3, and NF-κB pathways, as well as several regulatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), mitochondrial extension factor 1 (MIEF1), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Moreover, MST1/2 is also involved in the regulation of immunity to balance immune activation and tolerance by regulating MST1/2-Rac, MST1-Akt1/c-myc, MST1-Foxos, MST1-STAT, Btk pathways, and lymphocyte function-related antigen 1 (LFA-1), which subsequently prevents immunodeficiency syndrome and autoimmune diseases. This article reviews the effects of MST1/2 on inflammation and immunity

Effects of Four Extraction Methods on Structure and In Vitro Fermentation Characteristics of Soluble Dietary Fiber from Rape Bee Pollen

In this study, soluble dietary fibers (SDFs) were extracted from rape bee pollen using four methods including acid extraction (AC), alkali extraction (AL), cellulase extraction (CL) and complex enzyme extraction (CE). The effects of different extraction methods on the structure of SDFs and in vitro fermentation characteristics were further investigated. The results showed that the four extraction methods significantly affected the monosaccharide composition molar ratio, molecular weight, surface microstructure and phenolic compounds content, but showed little effect on the typical functional groups and crystal structure. In addition, all SDFs decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio, promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroides, Parabacteroides and Phascolarctobacterium, inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia-Shigella, and increased the total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations by 1.63–2.45 times, suggesting that the bee pollen SDFs had a positive regulation on gut microbiota. Notably, the SDF obtained by CE exhibited the largest molecular weight, a relatively loose structure, higher extraction yield and phenolic compounds content and the highest SCFA concentration. Overall, our results indicated that CE was an appropriate extraction method of high-quality bee pollen SDF