A Dynamic High-Order Equivalent Modeling of Lithium-Ion Batteries for the State-of-Charge Prediction Based on Reduced-Order Extended Kalman Filtering Algorithm

Detection of battery power has always been the core of the battery management system of electric vehicles, and the fast and accurate estimation of charged state can guarantee the safe operation of electric vehicles. The key to improving accurate state-of-charge estimation is an appropriate model establishment coupled with a suitable estimation algorithm. This research seeks to adopt and accomplish a lithium-ion battery state-of-charge estimation based on the Gaussian function to build up the open-circuit voltage algorithm. A reduced-order extended Kalman filtering algorithm is proposed with hybrid pulse power characterization parameter identification to estimate the battery characterization state-of-charge. The model’s parameters in different state-of-charge points are calculated through the lithium-ion battery’s charge and discharge process; the 2RC modeling correction method and Reduced-order extended Kalman filter method are used separately based on the High-order equivalent 2RC modeling. The Experimental results show that the above method can achieve state-of-charge estimation more accurately and conveniently, providing a certain reference value for the rational management and distribution of power lithium-ion batteries. The maximum error of state-of-charge estimation based on the established high-order equivalent 2RC model using the Reduced-order extended Kalman filtering algorithm is less than 1.85%. The REKF algorithm achieved a maximum voltage error of 0.0409V and an average error of 0.0299V and therefore can satisfy the accuracy of the battery management system application needs. Keywords: Lithium-ion battery; state-of-charge; high-order equivalent 2RC modeling; open-circuit voltage; parameter identification; reduced-order extended Kalman filtering algorithm DOI: 10.7176/JETP/11-3-03 Publication date:June 30th 202

The direct and mediating effects of cognitive impairment on the occurrence of falls: a cohort study based on community-dwelling old adults

BackgroundCognitive impairment has been reported to be associated with falls in older adults. However, the complex relationship among falls, cognitive impairment and its associated factors, which could be targeted with specific interventions, remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to examine the direct effects of cognitive impairment on falls, to identify the factors associated with cognitive impairment and to explore the mediation role of cognitive impairment in the association of fall with cognition related factors.MethodsThis 1-year follow-up cohort study enrolled old adults aged 60  years or over. Information about demographic and anthropometric characteristics, fall outcomes, function and nutritional status were collected through face-to-face interview. Cognitive function was evaluated by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Multivariable regression analyses were used to test the association between cognitive impairment and falls and to identify the factors related to cognitive impairment. Additionally, we conduct causal mediation analyses to estimate the mediation effects of cognitive impairment in the pathways of fall occurrence.ResultsOf the 569 participants included in this study, 366 (64.32%) had cognitive impairment, 96 (16.87%) had fall history in the past 1  year, 81 (14.24%) experienced fall and 47 (8.26%) received treatment because of falling during the 1-year follow-up. The association between cognitive impairment and 1-year fall risk was confirmed after adjusting for multiple covariates [odds ratio (OR):2.03, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–3.80]. IADL disability, depression and low grip strength were associated with a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment. While overweight, higher education and higher income level were found to be related to a lower risk of cognitive impairment. Among these associated factors, cognitive impairment mediated the positive association of falling with IADL ability and depression, and a negative relationship with education and income level.ConclusionOur study not only confirmed the direct influence of cognitive impairment on fall risk in older adults, but also suggested a mediating role that cognitive impairment played in the pathways of fall occurrence. Our finding could help develop more specific interventions for fall prevention

Hormonal regulation of ovarian bursa fluid in mice and involvement of aquaporins.

In rodent species, the ovary and the end of oviduct are encapsulated by a thin membrane called ovarian bursa. The biological functions of ovarian bursa remain unexplored despite its structural arrangement in facilitating oocytes transport into oviduct. In the present study, we observed a rapid fluid accumulation and reabsorption within the ovarian bursa after ovarian stimulation (PMSG-primed hCG injection), suggesting that the ovarian bursa might play an active role in regulating local fluid homeostasis around the timing of ovulation. We hypothesized that the aquaporin proteins, which are specialized channels for water transport, might be involved in this process. By screening the expression of aquaporin family members (Aqp1-9) in the ovarian tissue and isolated ovarian bursa (0, 1, 2 and 5 h after hCG injection), we found that AQP2 and AQP5 mRNA showed dynamic changes after hCG treatment, showing upregulation at 1-2 h followed by gradually decrease at 5 h, which is closely related with the intra-bursa fluid dynamics. Further immunofluorescence examinations of AQP2 and AQP5 in the ovarian bursa revealed that AQP2 is specifically localized in the outer layer (peritoneal side) while AQP5 localized in the inner layer (ovarian side) of the bursa, such cell type specific and spatial-temporal expressions of AQP2 and 5 support our hypothesis that they might be involved in efficient water transport through ovarian bursa under ovulation related hormonal regulation. The physiological significance of aquaporin-mediated water transport in the context of ovarian bursa still awaits further clarification

Application of the strip clear-cutting system in a running bamboo (Phyllostachys glauca McClure) forest: feasibility and sustainability assessments

IntroductionAs a renewable forest resource, bamboo plays a role in sustainable forest development. However, traditional cutting systems, selection cutting (SeC) and clear-cutting (ClC), result in an unsustainable production of bamboo forests due to labor-consuming or bamboo degradation. Recently, a strip clear-cutting (StC) was theoretically proposed to promote the sustainability of bamboo production, while little is known about its application consequence.MethodsBased on a 6-year experiment, we applied the strip clear-cutting system in a typical running bamboo (Phyllostachys glauca McClure) forest to assess its feasibility and sustainability. Using SeC and ClC as controls, we set three treatments with different strip widths (5 m, 10 m, and 20 m) for strip clear-cutting, simplified as StC-5, StC-10, and StC-20, respectively. Then, we investigated leaf physiological traits, bamboo size and productivity, population features, and economic benefits for all treatments.ResultsThe stands managed by StC had high eco-physiological activities, such as net photosynthetic rate (Pn), photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE), and photosynthetic phosphorus use efficiency (PPUE), and thus grew well, achieved a large diameter at breast height (DBH), and were tall. The stand biomass of StC (8.78 t hm-2 year-1) was 1.19-fold and 1.49-fold greater than that of SeC and ClC, respectively, and StC-10 and StC-20 were significantly higher than SeC or ClC (p< 0.05). The income and profit increased with the increase in stand density and biomass, and StC-20 and StC-10 were significantly higher than SeC or ClC (p< 0.05). Using principal components analysis and subordinate function analysis, we constructed a composite index to indicate the sustainability of bamboo forests. For the sustainability assessment, StC-10 had the highest productive sustainability (0.59 ± 0.06) and the second highest economic sustainability (0.59 ± 0.11) in all cutting treatments. StC-10 had the maximum overall sustainability, with a value of 0.53 ± 0.02, which was significantly higher than that of ClC (p< 0.05).ConclusionThe results verified that StC for Phyllostachys glauca forests is feasible and sustainable as its sustainability index outweighs those of traditional cutting systems (SeC and ClC), and 10 m is the optimum distance for the strip width of StC. Our findings provide a new cutting system for managing other running bamboo forests sustainably

miR-155-5p is Negatively Associated with Acute Pancreatitis and Inversely Regulates Pancreatic Acinar Cell Progression by Targeting Rela and Traf3

Background/Aims: Acute pancreatitis contributes to high mortality in pancreatitis patients, and miRNAs play a vital role in the development of acute pancreatitis (AP), however, its precise biological role remains largely elusive. Methods: To clarify the potential mechanisms of miRNAs in AP, we built mouse models of mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) and moderate/ severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). MiRNA microarray analysis and Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to analyze the expression of miRNA in MAP/SAP. TargetScan software, dual-luciferase gene reporter assays and Western blotting were used to assess the target genes of miR-155-5p in AP. Results: miR-155-5p was significantly decreased in MAP/SAP mice compared to controls. In pancreatic acinar AR42J cells transfected with miR-155-5p mimic, the expression of Rela and Traf3 notably decreased in both the caerulein- and TLC-S-induced groups compared with the negative control (NC); however, the expression of Rela and Traf3 notably increased after transfection with miR-155-5p inhibitor. Combined analysis using the TargetScan software and dual-luciferase gene reporter assays indicated that Rela and Traf3 were both targeted by miR-155-5p. Meanwhile, the expression of Ptgs2 also decreased after transfection of the AR42J cells with miR-155-5p mimic. The opposite results were found when miR-155-5p inhibitor was transfected into the AR42J cells. In addition, we treated caerulein- and TLC-S-induced AR42J cells with the Rela inhibitor helenalin and found that the expression of Rela, Traf3 and Ptgs2 decreased compared with the NC, while the expression of miR-155-5p did not show any significant difference. Furthermore, we found that miR-155-5p was significantly down-regulated in pancreatitis patients. Conclusion: miR-155-5p inversely regulated AP development through the Rela/Traf3/Ptgs2 signaling pathway

Climate warming and decreasing total column ozone over the Tibetan Plateau during winter and spring

The long-term trends of the total column ozone (TCO) over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and factors responsible for the trends are analysed in this study using various observations and a chemistry–climate model (CCM). The results indicate that the total column ozone low (TOL) over the TP during winter and spring is deepening over the recent decade, which is opposite to the recovery signal in annual mean TCO over the TP after mid-1990s. The TOL intensity is increasing at a rate of 1.4 DU/decade and the TOL area is extending with 50,000 km2/decade during winter for the period 1979–2009. The enhanced transport of ozone-poor air into the stratosphere and elevated tropopause due to the rapid and significant warming over the TP during winter reduce ozone concentrations in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere and hence lead to the deepening of the TOL. Based on the analysis of the multiple regression model, the thermal dynamical processes associated with the TP warming accounts for more than 50% of TCO decline during winter for the period 1979–2009. The solar variations during 1995–2009 further enlarge ozone decreases over the TP in the past decade. According to the CCM simulations, the increases in NOx emissions in East Asia and global tropospheric N2O mixing ratio for the period 1979–2009 contribute to no more than 20% reductions in TCO during this period

A New Conformal Penetrating Heating Strategy for Atherosclerotic Plaque

(1) Background: A combination of radiofrequency (RF) volumetric heating and convection cooling has been proposed to realize plaque ablation while protecting the endothelial layer. However, the depth of the plaque and the thickness of the endothelial layer vary in different atherosclerotic lesions. Current techniques cannot be used to achieve penetrating heating for atherosclerosis with two targets (the specified protection depth and the ablation depth). (2) Methods: A tissue-mimicking phantom heating experiment simulating atherosclerotic plaque ablation was conducted to investigate the effects of the control parameters, the target temperature (Ttarget), the cooling water temperature (Tf), and the cooling water velocity (Vf). To further quantitatively analyze and evaluate the ablation depth and the protection depth of the control parameters, a three-dimensional model was established. In addition, a conformal penetrating heating strategy was proposed based on the numerical results. (3) Results: It was found that Ttarget and Tf were factors that regulated the ablation results, and the temperatures of the plaques varied linearly with Ttarget or Tf. The simulation results showed that the ablation depth increased with the Ttarget while the protection depth decreased correspondently. This relationship reversed with the Tf. When the two parameters Ttarget and Tfwere controlled together, the ablation depth was 0.47 mm–1.43 mm and the protection depth was 0 mm–0.26 mm within 2 min of heating. (4) Conclusions: With the proposed control algorithm, the requirements of both the ablation depth and the endothelium protection depth can be met for most plaques through the simultaneous control of Ttarget and Tf

A taxonomic study of Psyllaephagus Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) from China

Fifteen species of Psyllaephagus from China are studied. Three species, P. clavus Zou & Zhang, sp. nov., P. obliquus Zou & Zhang, sp. nov., and P. tangae Zou & Zhang, sp. nov., are described as new to science. A diagnosis or a description/redescription, figures of the characters, as well as the known distribution and hosts of each species are provided. A dichotomous key is also given to facilitate the identification of species