High-modulus solid electrolyte interphase layer with gradient composition enables long-cycle all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries

All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries(ASSLSBs) have become one of the most potential candidates for the next-generation high-energy systems due to their intrinsic safety and high theoretical energy density.However, PEO-based ASSLSBs face the dilemma of insufficient Coulombic efficiency and long-term stability caused by the coupling problems of dendrite growth of anode and polysulfide shuttle of cathode. In this work, 1,3,5-trioxane(TOX) is used as a functional additive to design a PEO-based composite solidstate electrolyte(denoted as TOX-CSE), which realizes the stable long-term cycle of an ASSLSB. The results show that TOX can in-situ decompose on the anode to form a composite solid electrolyte interphase(SEI) layer with rich-organic component. It yields a high average modulus of 5.0 GPa, greatly improving the mechanical stability of the SEI layer and thus inhibiting the growth of dendrites. Also,the robust SEI layer can act as a barrier to block the side reaction between polysulfides and lithium metal.As a result, a Li-Li symmetric cell assembled with a TOX-CSE exhibits prolonged cycling stability over 2000 h at 0.2 m A cm^(-2). The ASSLSB also shows a stable cycling performance of 500 cycles at 0.5 C.This work reveals the structure–activity relationship between the mechanical property of interface layer and the battery's cycling stability.

Design and Preparation of High Elastic Modulus Self-compacting Concrete for Pre-stressed Mass Concrete Structures

Requirements of self-compacting concrete （SCC） applied in pre-stressed mass concrete structures include high fluidity, high elastic modulus, low adiabatic temperature rise and low drying shrinkage, which cannot be satisfied by ordinary SCC. In this study, in order to solve the problem, a few principles of SCC design were proposed and the effects of binder amount, fly ash （FA） substitution, aggregate content and gradation on the workability, temperature rise, drying shrinkage and elastic modulus of SCC were investigated. The results and analysis indicate that the primary factor influencing the fluidity was paste content, and the main methods improving the elastic modulusof SCC were a lower sand ratio and an optimized coarse aggregate gradation. Lower adiabatic temperature rise and drying shrinkage were beneficial for decreasing the cement content. Further, based on the optimization of mixture, a C50 grade SCC （with binder amount of only 480 kg/ m3, fly ash substitution of 40%, sand ratio of 51% and proper coarse aggregate gradation （Vs.~0 mm： V10-16 ram： V16.20 mm= 30%： 30%：40%）） with superior workability was successfully prepared. The temperature rise and drying shrinkage of the prepared SCC were significantly reduced, and the elastic modulus reached 37.6 GPa at 28 d.

Determination and Temperature Dependence of Plateau Modulus for Polymerization of Propylene to Isotactic Polypropylene with Ultra-high Molecular Weight under Catalysis of Ziegler-Natta Catalyst

The viscoelastic behavior of isotactic polypropylene with ultra-high molecular weight(UHPPH) and broad molecular weight distribution(MWD), produced in the presence of Ziegler-Natta catalyst, was investigated by means of oscillatory rheometry at 180 and 200 ℃, whose loss modulus(G″) plots at 180 and 200 ℃ versus the natural logarithm of angular frequency(ω) present a pronounced maximum at 34.35 and 69.21 rad/s, respectively, and do not show a maximum peak at 0.01-100 rad/s for Ziegler-Natta catalyzing ethylene-propylene random copolymerization(PPR) with a conventional molecular weight and broad MWD. The fact indicates that the high molecular weight is responsible for a maximum peak of G″(ω) vs. lnω curves for UHPPH. This makes it possible to determine the plateau modulus(G 0_N) of UHPPH from a certain experimental temperature G″(ω) curve directly. For UHPPH, the G 0_N determined to be 4.28×10 5 and 3.62×10 5 Pa at 180 and 200 ℃, respectively, decreases with the increase of temperature and is independent of the molecular weight, which directly confirms reputation theoretical prediction that the G 0_N has no relation to the molecular weight.

Relation between Modulus of Elasticity and Compressive Strength of Ultrahigh-Strength Mortar with Mixed Silicon Carbide as Fine Aggregate

Ultrahigh-strength mortar mixed surface-oxidized silicon carbide as a fine aggregate was prepared by means of press-casting followed by curing in an autoclave. The relation between modulus of elssticity up to 111 GPa and compressive strength up to 360 MPa of mortar mixed silicon carbide was discussed and it was revealed that the contributions of the aggregate hardness and of the interfacial strength between the aggregate and the cement paste on the elasticity of mortar were imporant.

Numerical investigation of seismic performance of high modulus columns under earthquake loading

This paper presents the result of two-dimensional fi nite element modeling studies in order to investigate the seismic behavior of high modulus columns in liquefi able soil. Particular attention was paid to the shear stress reduction mechanism of the high modulus columns and the shear strain distribution between soil and columns during earthquake motion. Numerical analyses were performed using a nonlinear elasto-plastic model in Plaxis 2016. The reliability of the numerical simulations was verifi ed through the results of a centrifuge test model designed to investigate the contribution of high modulus columns in liquefaction mitigation. The capability of numerical simulations was assessed primarily through comparison of predicted acceleration-time histories, pore water pressures, and displacements with the measured counterparts. The results of the numerical analysis showed that the presence of the columns did not reduce seismic shear stresses in the soil when compared to the unimproved soil condition and pure shear behavior between soil and column did not develop as expected in the current design methodology.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomeloaded miR-129-5p targets high-mobility group box 1 attenuates neurological-impairment after diabetic cerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND Diabetic intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH)is a serious complication of diabetes.The role and mechanism of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell(BMSC)-derived exosomes(BMSC-exo)in neuroinflammation post-ICH in patients with diabetes are unknown.In this study,we investigated the regulation of BMSC-exo on hyperglycemia-induced neuroinflammation.AIM To study the mechanism of BMSC-exo on nerve function damage after diabetes complicated with cerebral hemorrhage.METHODS BMSC-exo were isolated from mouse BMSC media.This was followed by transfection with microRNA-129-5p(miR-129-5p).BMSC-exo or miR-129-5poverexpressing BMSC-exo were intravitreally injected into a diabetes mouse model with ICH for in vivo analyses and were cocultured with high glucoseaffected BV2 cells for in vitro analyses.The dual luciferase test and RNA immunoprecipitation test verified the targeted binding relationship between miR-129-5p and high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1).Quantitative polymerase chain reaction,western blotting,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were conducted to assess the levels of some inflammation factors,such as HMGB1,interleukin 6,interleukin 1β,toll-like receptor 4,and tumor necrosis factorα.Brain water content,neural function deficit score,and Evans blue were used to measure the neural function of mice.RESULTS Our findings indicated that BMSC-exo can promote neuroinflammation and functional recovery.MicroRNA chip analysis of BMSC-exo identified miR-129-5p as the specific microRNA with a protective role in neuroinflammation.Overexpression of miR-129-5p in BMSC-exo reduced the inflammatory response and neurological impairment in comorbid diabetes and ICH cases.Furthermore,we found that miR-129-5p had a targeted binding relationship with HMGB1 mRNA.CONCLUSION We demonstrated that BMSC-exo can reduce the inflammatory response after ICH with diabetes,thereby improving the neurological function of the brain.

Shear modulus and damping ratio of sand-granulated rubber mixtures

Recycled waste tires when mixed with soil can play an important role as lightweight materials in retaining walls and embankments, machine foundations and railroad track beds in seismic zones. Having high damping characteristic, rubbers can be used as either soil alternative or mixed with soil to reduce vibration when seismic loads are of great concern. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the dynamic properties of such mixtures prior to practical applications. To this reason, torsional resonant column and dynamic triaxial experiments were carried out and the effect of the important parameters like rubber content and ratio of mean grain size of rubber solids versus soil solids(D50,r/D50,s) on dynamic response of mixtures in a range of low to high shearing strain amplitude from about 4×10-4% to 2.7% were investigated. Considering engineering applications, specimens were prepared almost at the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content to model a mixture layer above the ground water table and in low precipitation region. The results show that tire inclusion significantly reduces the shear modulus and increases the damping ratio of the mixtures. Also decrease in D50,r/D50,s causes the mixture to exhibit more rubber-like behavior. Finally, normalized shear modulus versus shearing strain amplitude curve was proposed for engineering practice.

Bending Modulus Measurement of Single High Performance Fiber

The bending modulus property of high performance fiber is an important property for both polymer science and engineering. The measurement of the bending performance is, however, difficult because of the thin size of the fiber. We have measured this property by the axial compression bending method where single fiber with suitable slenderness is compressed in the fiber axial direction to obtain the peak point of the force-displacement curve. Then the bending modulus and the flexural rigidity can be calculated by measuring the protruding length and diameter of fiber needles and the critical force, Pcr. The measured data show that the bending characteristics of all kinds of high performance fiber are dissimilar evidently.

Isothermal bulk modulus and its first pressure derivative of NaCl at high pressure and high temperature

The isothermal bulk modulus and its first pressure derivative of NaCl are investigated using the classical molecular dynamics method and the quasi-harmonic Debye model. To ensure faithful molecular dynamics simulations, two types of potentials, the shell-model （SM） potential and the two-body rigid-ion Born-Mayer-Huggins-FumiqTosi （BMHFT） potential, are fully tested. Compared with the SM potential based simulation, the molecular dynamics simulation with the BMHFT potential is very successful in reproducing accurately the measured bulk modulus of NaCl. Particular attention is paid to the prediction of the isothermal bulk modulus and its first pressure derivative using the reliable potential and to the comparison of the SM and the BMHFT potentials based molecular dynamics simulations with the quasi-harmonic Debye model. The properties of NaCl in the pressure range of 0-30 GPa at temperatures up to the melting temperature of 1050 K are investigated.

Integrated Computational Materials Engineering for the Development and Design of High Modulus Al Alloys

Integrated computational materials engineering(ICME)is to integrate multi-scale computational simulations and key experimental methods such as macroscopic,mesoscopic,and microscopic into the whole process of Al alloys design and development,which enables the design and development of Al alloys to upgrade from traditional empirical to the integration of compositionprocess-structure-mechanical property,thus greatly accelerating its development speed and reducing its development cost.This study combines calculation of phase diagram(CALPHAD),Finite element calculations,first principle calculations,and microstructure characterization methods to predict and regulate the formation and structure of composite precipitates from the design of highmodulus Al alloy compositions and optimize the casting process parameters to inhibit the formation of micropore defects in the casting process,and the final tensile strength of Al alloys reaches420 MPa and Young's modulus reaches more than 88 GPa,which achieves the design goal of the high strength and modulus Al alloys,and establishes a new mode of the design and development of the strength/modulus Al alloys.

Analysis on the Bonding Failure Mechanism of High Modulus Carbon Fiber Composites

In order to explore the bonding failure mechanism of high modulus carbon fiber composite materials,the tensile experiment and finite element numerical simulation for single-lap and bevel-lap joints of unidirectional laminates are carried out,and the stress distributions,the failure modes,and the damage contours are analyzed. The analysis shows that the main reason for the failure of the single-lap joint is that the stress concentration of the ply adjacent to the adhesive layer is serious owing to the modulus difference,and the stress cannot be effectively transmitted along the thickness direction of the laminate. When the tensile stress of the ply exceeds its ultimate strength in the loading process,the surface fiber will fail. Compared with the single-lap joint,the bevel-lap joint optimizes the stress transfer path along the thickness direction,allows each layer of the laminate to share the load,avoids the stress concentration of the surface layer,and improves the bearing capacity of the bevel-lap joint. The improved bearing capacity of the bevellap joint is twice as much as that of the single-lap joint. The research in this paper provides a new idea for the subsequent study of mechanical properties of adhesively bonded composite materials.

Comparative Study on Test Performance of Two Kinds of High Modulus Asphalt Concrete for the Steel Bridge Deck

Along with the popularization and application of the steel bridge in China,due to the high modulus of asphalt concrete with good waterproof,anti-fatigue,anti-aging and good performance,asphalt concrete with high modulus was widely used in steel bridge deck pavement,the test and comparative study of high modulus asphalt concrete were carried out based on two types of common high modulus asphalt concrete which include the casting type asphalt concrete and epoxy resin modified asphalt concrete,aims to further explore the performance features of the steel bridge deck with high modulus asphalt concrete,and provide help on the application of this asphalt concrete on the steel bridge deck.

Assessing dynamic modulus properties for typical asphalt mixtures in Jiangsu

To investigate the validity of two dynamic modulus predictive models（ Witczak 1-37 A viscosity-based model and Witczak 1-40 D shear modulus-based model） in the context of Jiangsu, and evaluate the effect of different mixture design variables（ aggregate gradations, binder type, and volumetric properties） on dynamic modulus E＊, asphalt mixtures commonly used in the local surface layer, including Sup-13 and AC-13, are prepared in the laboratory and their dynamic modulus E＊values are predicted based on the above mentioned models. The corresponding asphalt tests, including viscosity and dynamic shear modulus tests, are also carried out to obtain the prediction model parameters. The test results showthat binder type and asphalt content have a significant impact on dynamic modulus.There is a good correlation between the E＊values based on above two predictive models and the measured E＊, while a relatively lower bias can be expected from Witczak 1-37 A model. The test results can be used for the calibration of dynamic modulus with higher accuracy.

前列腺癌患者外周血中CD4^+CD25^(high)调节性T细胞及调节因子TGF-β1和COX-2的表达

目的:通过检测前列腺癌患者以及健康志愿者外周血中CD4+CD25high调节性T细胞、TGF-β1及COX-2的表达,初步探讨CD4+CD25high调节性T细胞在前列腺癌发病机制中的作用及其与TGF-β1和COX-2的相关性。方法:应用流式细胞术检测30例前列腺癌患者治疗前后(其中前列腺癌局限组11例,非局限组19例)及20例健康志愿者外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)中CD4+CD25high调节性T细胞占CD4+T细胞的比例;应用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测其外周血清中TGF-β1和COX-2的表达。对前列腺癌患者上述指标进行术前术后对比分析,另对CD4+CD25high调节性T细胞与TGF-β1及COX-2的相关性进行分析;并探讨上述指标在前列腺癌患者局限组和非局限组间是否存在差异性。结果:流式细胞术检测显示,前列腺癌患者治疗前PBMC中CD4+CD25high调节性T细胞占CD4+T细胞的比例为(18.32±7.49)%,高于健康志愿者对照组(7.77±1.86)%(P<0.05)。前列腺癌患者治疗后其比值为(17.34±5.87)%,较治疗前稍减低,但两者相比无显著差异(P>0.05)。ELISA检测外周血清中TGF-β1和COX-2显示,前列腺癌组分别为(215.97±55.16)ng/ml和(6.88±5.14)ng/ml,对照组分别为(149.75±47.11)ng/ml和(5.65±2.69)ng/ml;前列腺癌患者外周血清中TGF-β1的表达水平高于健康志愿者对照组(P<0.05),COX-2的表达水平与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05)。通过多重线性回归分析表明,前列腺癌患者PBMC中CD4+CD25high调节性T细胞的表达与血清中TGF-β1和COX-2的表达无显著相关。前列腺癌局限组和非局限组外周血中CD4+CD25high调节性T细胞、TGF-β1及COX-2的表达均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:前列腺癌患者PBMC中CD4+CD25high调节性T细胞可能参与前列腺癌的发生,其增殖机制与血清中TGF-β1和COX-2的表达无关,可能与肿瘤本身及肿瘤局部微环境相关。

High-Porosity Foam-Based Iontronic Pressure Sensor with Superhigh Sensitivity of 9280 kPa^(-1)

Flexible pressure sensors with high sensitivity are desired in the fields of electronic skins,human-machine interfaces,and health monitoring.Employing ionic soft materials with microstructured architectures in the functional layer is an effective way that can enhance the amplitude of capacitance signal due to generated electron double layer and thus improve the sensitivity of capacitive-type pressure sensors.However,the requirement of specific apparatus and the complex fabrication process to build such microstructures lead to high cost and low productivity.Here,we report a simple strategy that uses open-cell polyurethane foams with high porosity as a continuous three-dimensional network skeleton to load with ionic liquid in a one-step soak process,serving as the ionic layer in iontronic pressure sensors.The high porosity(95.4%) of PU-IL composite foam shows a pretty low Young's modulus of 3.4 kPa and good compressibility.A superhigh maximum sensitivity of 9,280 kPa^(-1) in the pressure regime and a high pressure resolution of 0.125% are observed in this foam-based pressure sensor.The device also exhibits remarkable mechanical stability over 5,000 compression-release or bending-release cycles.Such high porosity of composite structure provides a simple,cost-effective and scalable way to fabricate super sensitive pressure sensor,which has prominent capability in applications of water wave detection,underwater vibration sensing,and mechanical fault monitoring.

Future Changes in Extreme High Temperature over China at 1.5℃-5℃ Global Warming Based on CMIP6 Simulations

Extreme high temperature(EHT)events are among the most impact-related consequences related to climate change,especially for China,a nation with a large population that is vulnerable to the climate warming.Based on the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6(CMIP6),this study assesses future EHT changes across China at five specific global warming thresholds(1.5℃-5℃).The results indicate that global mean temperature will increase by 1.5℃/2℃ before 2030/2050 relative to pre-industrial levels(1861-1900)under three future scenarios(SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,and SSP5-8.5),and warming will occur faster under SSP5-8.5 compared to SSP1-2.6 and SSP2-4.5.Under SSP5-8.5,global warming will eventually exceed 5℃ by 2100,while under SSP1-2.6,it will stabilize around 2℃ after 2050.In China,most of the areas where warming exceeds global average levels will be located in Tibet and northern China(Northwest China,North China and Northeast China),covering 50%-70%of the country.Furthermore,about 0.19-0.44 billion people(accounting for 16%-41%of the national population)will experience warming above the global average.Compared to present-day(1995-2014),the warmest day(TXx)will increase most notably in northern China,while the number of warm days(TX90p)and warm spell duration indicator(WSDI)will increase most profoundly in southern China.For example,relative to the present-day,TXx will increase by 1℃-5℃ in northern China,and TX90p(WSDI)will increase by 25-150(10-80)days in southern China at 1.5℃-5℃ global warming.Compared to 2℃-5℃,limiting global warming to 1.5℃ will help avoid about 36%-87%of the EHT increases in China.

Various admixtures to mitigate the long-term strength retrogression of Portland cement cured under high pressure and high temperature conditions

In order to investigate the problem of long-term strength retrogression in oil well cement systems exposed to high pressure and high temperature(HPHT)curing conditions,various influencing factors,including cement sources,particle sizes of silica flour,and additions of silica fume,alumina,colloidal iron oxide and nano-graphene,were investigated.To simulate the environment of cementing geothermal wells and deep wells,cement slurries were directly cured at 50 MPa and 200?C.Mineral compositions(as determined by X-ray diffraction Rietveld refinement),water permeability,compressive strength and Young’s modulus were used to evaluate the qualities of the set cement.Short-term curing(2e30 d)test results indicated that the adoption of 6 m m ultrafine crystalline silica played the most important role in stabilizing the mechanical properties of oil well cement systems,while the addition of silica fume had a detrimental effect on strength stability.Long-term curing(2e180 d)test results indicated that nano-graphene could stabilize the Young’s modulus of oil well cement systems.However,none of the ad-mixtures studied here can completely prevent the strength retrogression phenomenon due to their inability to stop the conversion of amorphous to crystalline phases.

High fat diet dysregulates microRNA-17-5p and triggers retinal inflammation:Role of endoplasmic-reticulum-stress

AIM To elucidate how high diet-induced endoplasmic reticulum-stress upregulates thioredoxin interacting protein expression in Müller cells leading to retinal inflammation. METHODS Male C57Bl/J mice were fed either normal diet or 60% high fat diet for 4-8 wk. During the 4 wk study, mice received phenyl-butyric acid(PBA); endoplasmic reticulum-stress inhibitor; for 2 wk. Insulin resistance was assessed by oral glucose tolerance. Effects of palmitate-bovine serum albumin(BSA)(400 μmol/L) were examined in retinal Müller glial cell line and primary Müller cells isolated from wild type and thioredoxin interacting protein knock-out mice. Expression of thioredoxin interacting protein, endoplasmic reticulum-stress markers, mi R-17-5p m RNA, as well as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein(NLRP3) and IL1β protein was determined.RESULTS High fat diet for 8 wk induced obesity and insulin resistance evident by increases in body weight and impaired glucose tolerance. By performing quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, we found that high fat diet triggered the expression of retinal endoplasmic reticulum-stress markers(P < 0.05). These effects were associated with increased thioredoxin interacting protein and decreased mi R-17-5p expression, whichwere restored by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulumstress with PBA(P < 0.05). In vitro, palmitate-BSA triggered endoplasmic reticulum-stress markers, which was accompanied with reduced mi R-17-5p and induced thioredoxin interacting protein m RNA in retinal Müller glial cell line(P < 0.05). Palmitate upregulated NLRP3 and IL1β expression in primary Müller cells isolated from wild type. However, using primary Müller cells isolated from thioredoxin interacting protein knock-out mice abolished palmitate-mediated increase in NLRP3 and IL1β.CONCLUSION Our work suggests that targeting endoplasmic reticulumstress or thioredoxin interacting protein are potential therapeutic strategies for early intervention of obesityinduced retinal inflammation.

Compression behavior and phase transition of β-Si_3N_4 under high pressure

The compressibility and pressure-induced phase transition of β-Si3N4 were investigated by using an angle dispersive x-ray diffraction technique in a diamond anvil cell at room temperature. Rietveld refinements of the x-ray powder diffraction data verified that the hexagonal structure（with space group P63/m, Z = 2 formulas per unit cell） β-Si3N4 remained stable under high pressure up to 37 GPa. Upon increasing pressure, β-Si3 N4 transformed to δ-Si3N4 at about 41 GPa. The initial β-Si3N4 was recovered as the pressure was released to ambient pressure, implying that the observed pressureinduced phase transformation was reversible. The pressure–volume data of β-Si3N4 was fitted by the third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state, which yielded a bulk modulus K0= 273（2） GPa with its pressure derivative K0= 4（fixed）and K0= 278（2） GPa with K 0= 5. Furthermore, the compressibility of the unit cell axes（a and c-axes） for the β-Si3N4 demonstrated an anisotropic property with increasing pressure.

LaSrNiO_(4-λ) with K_2NiF_4 Strcture──A Highly Active Catalyst for Direct Decomposition of Nitrogen Monoxide

A series of perovskite-like mixed oxides La2-xSrxMO4±λ(M =Cu, Co,Ni; x=0,1 ) was prepared and characterized using X-ray powder diffraction. The catalytic properties of these catalysts in NO decompositiori were tested. The results showed that LaSrNiO4-λ with K2NiF4 structure is very active and stable for the decomposition of NO.