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Range-extended electric vehicles combine the benefits of electric propulsion with the convenience and range flexibility of conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. In the energy management system, an equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) ensures balanced utilization of various energy sources to meet driving demand in real time, thereby enhancing energy efficiency. This paper proposes a driving pattern personalized reconstruction (DPPR) method to maximizes the accuracy of velocity prediction and to serve a predictive ECMS (P-ECMS) with high adaptability to uncertain scenarios. In this context, open-source driving cycles are segmented, and features of each driving pattern are extracted for cluster analysis. Utilizing the results from clustering, new driving cycles are reconstructed for the purpose of training adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) models. Personalized velocity prediction is achieved through bias fusion in the multi-ANFIS model, adapting to various driving conditions. The performance of the proposed P-ECMS is validated across various driving conditions and compared with conventional ECMS (C-ECMS), adaptive ECMS (A-ECMS), dynamic programming (DP), and fuzzy logic (FL) strategy. The results indicate that using the proposed P-ECMS is strongly robust in terms of battery pack SoC stabilization under various driving conditions, whose SoC difference achieves 97.02% of using the DP strategy. Compared to using other strategies, using P-ECMS achieves better SoC's stability and lower fuel consumption than using the FL strategy (11.1%), using A-ECMS (1.7%), and using C-ECMS (26.6%). • A method of driving pattern personalized reconstruction is proposed. • Adaptability of the equivalent factor for uncertain scenarios is improved. • A multi-ANFIS model is designed to capture the diversity of driving conditions. • A co-simulation platform is established for algorithm validation. • Better charge-sustaining performance and fuel economy are achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Isotropic and anisotropic elastomers with tunable responses were investigated. • Magnetic fillings are homologous nanosheets with different magnetic properties. • The internal chain structures of the magnetic elastomers can be controlled. • Magnetic alignment makes composites behave better than isotropic elastomers. Magnetic elastomer composites with tunable magnetic responses from soft to hard magnetization have been synthesized. Co-Ti co-doped barium hexaferrite (BaCo x Ti x Fe 12–2x O 19) nanopowders were used as the filling and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the matrix. The effects of magnetic field-induced alignment of BaM magnetic particles in the matrix on the properties of the prepared composites have been investigated. For anisotropic magnetic elastomers, the formed chain structure plays a positive role in the enhancement of the shear energy storage modulus of the elastomers. The enhanced energy storage modulus is increased by about 190 % compared with that of the isotropic magnetic elastomers. Due to the magnetic chain structure of the magnetic particles and its effect on the rubber molecular chain, the anisotropic magnetic elastomers can obtain higher magnetic deformation response capability in the direction of the parallel magnetic field. Their research lays a foundation for further designing tunable magnetic flexible sensors. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bucket foundations are widely used in offshore fixed platforms, wind turbines, and floating structures. They are subjected to complex loads from the superstructure, among which the torsional load has a significant impact on foundation performance. Therefore, this study focuses on the bucket foundation under torsional load to address inaccurate calculations owing to the partial bearing phenomenon. First, the torsional bearing mechanisms of bucket foundations in normally consolidated and homogeneous soils are revealed through numerical simulations, and the limitations of the general equations for calculating the ultimate torsional capacity of bucket foundations are elaborated. Next, the torsional bearing characteristics under diversified conditions are determined considering the soil–bucket friction coefficient, bucket aspect ratio, and soil strength–heterogeneity ratio. A theoretical bucket foundation model under torsional loads is subsequently developed by summarising the observed torsional failure modes, and novel equations are derived to compute the ultimate torsional capacity of the bucket foundation accordingly. Finally, the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed theoretical model are verified against the results of numerical simulations and its improved efficacy is demonstrated through comparison with the general equations. • The torsional failure mechanisms of bucket foundations are revealed through numerical simulations. • Key factors are investigated to reflect the torsional bearing characteristics of bucket foundations. • A novel theoretical method is proposed to calculate the ultimate torsional capacity of bucket foundations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial fabrication is eco-friendly for nobel-metal catalysts typically used in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). In our study, nano-Pd electrocatalysts were successfully prepared by using three Shewanella s as precursors through hydrogen reduction (200 °C) and carbonization (800 °C). The analysis revealed that the catalysts showed outstanding ORR electrocatalytic performance via a predominant four-electron oxygen reduction pathway in alkaline medium. The best performance was obtained for Pd/HNC-32, which showed a mass activity at 0.526 A mg−1, 3.78 times higher than that of commercial Pd/C. Shewanella putrefaciens CN-32 was a more effective Pd-adsorbent. The enhanced performance can be ascribed to the small Pd-particle size and uniform dispersion on microbial support, which results from stronger hydrophilicity of Shewanella putrefaciens CN-32. The content of nitrogen is another key to the performance of Pd/HNC-32. This study developed a promising strategy for screening microbial strains for electrocatalyst fabrication. • Carboxyl is a key surface functional group, which determines the positive ability of Shewanella s to adsobing Pd2+. • Good wetting performances of cells would effectively avoid the agglomeration of Pd particles supported on Shewanella s. • Pd/HNC-32 has best catalytic performances due to smaller size of monodispersed Pd and high content of Pd and nitrogen. • CN-32 is optimal precursor of three Shewanella s for Pd electrocatalyst prepared via our convenient and environmental method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible piezoelectric ceramic composites (FPCCs) hold promising applications in fields such as flexible sensing and energy harvesting. However, the previous methods are difficult to achieve high-precision preparation of the FPCCs with complex structures, as well as the synergistic enhancement of piezoelectric performance and flexibility. In this study, by configuring a flexible resin matrix and employing a surface functionalization treatment on the piezoelectric ceramic particles, the flexibility and piezoelectric performance of the FPCCs are synergistically improved. Moreover, the addition of a light absorber, TiO 2 , significantly improves the 3D printing precision. The mechanical properties, piezoelectric performance, and printing precision of the FPCCs are analyzed. It is found that the printing error is less than 2 μm, the tensile fracture strength is 4.07 MPa, the elongation at break is 350 %, and the piezoelectric constant d 33 can reach 7.7 pC/N. In addition, the cyclic loading tests show that FPCCs with high-precision 3D complex microstructure have good recovery performance. This study not only enriches the formulation of FPCCs slurry for 3D printing, but also provides a research foundation for the multifunctional applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Pd catalysts supported on novel composite carbon supports were synthesized by the carbonization and hydrogen reduction of Pd2+-doped bacteria containing Ketjen EC600JD, CNT and rGO, respectively. The analysis results show that the prepared catalysts exhibit excellent ORR electrocatalytic performance in acid medium. The best ORR electrocatalytic performance was obtained for Pd/carbonized-bacteria-rGO, which exbibits a mass activity at 0.345 A mg−1 that is 9.58 times higher than commercial Pd/C, and meanwhile displays a better stability than that of Pd/C. The enhanced performance can be attributed to nitrogen doping and flexible carbon-coating microstructure. Herein, we elaborate an efficient and ecofriendly method for the synthesis of electrocatalysts used for oxygen reduction reaction. • Preparation of Pd/bacteria-rGO(CNT, Ketjen) catalysts is facile and eco-friendly. • rGO(CNT, Ketjen) can enhance conductivity of carbonized-bacteria composite. • The flexible carbon-coating microstructure can improve Pd catalyst performance. • Pd/bacteria-rGO catalysts show outstanding performance than standard Pd/C. • Nitrogen and phosphorus doping can enhance the catalyst performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submerged plates are widely used as breakwater device and wave energy convertor in costal and ocean engineering. It is of practical importance to account for the effects of plate on wave transformation and nonlinear wave loads on the plate. In this paper, a 2D fully nonlinear numerical wave flume is developed to investigate the nonlinear interactions between a regular wave and a submerged horizontal plate by use of a higher-order boundary element method (HOBEM) based on potential theory. An acceleration potential method is adopted to calculate the transient wave loads on the plate. The proposed model is verified against the published experimental and numerical data for nonlinear wave scattering by a submerged plate. Then numerical tests are performed to investigate the high free harmonics induced by the submerged plate and nonlinear wave loads on it. The second-order analysis shows a resonant behavior which is related to the ratio of the plate length to the second beat length. The wave-load analysis shows that the pressure on the upper surface oscillates more frequently than that on the lower surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-structural (NS) proteins of dengue virus (DENV) are important for viral replication. There are four membrane proteins that are coded by viral genome. NS2B was shown to be one of the membrane proteins and its main function was confirmed to regulate viral protease activity. Its membrane topology is still not known because only few studies have been conducted to understand its structure. Here we report the determination of membrane topology of NS2B from DENV serotype 4 using NMR spectroscopy. NS2B of DENV4 was expressed and purified in detergent micelles. The secondary structure of NS2B was first defined based on backbone chemical resonance assignment. Four helices were identified in NS2B. The membrane topology of NS2B was defined based on relaxation analysis and paramagnetic relaxation enhancement experiments. The last three helices were shown to be more stable than the first helix. The NS3 protease cofactor region between α2 and α3 is highly dynamic. Our results will be useful for further structural and functional analysis of NS2B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The insulin receptor (IR) binds insulin and plays important roles in glucose homeostasis by regulating the tyrosine kinase activity at its C-terminus. Its transmembrane domain (TMD) is shown to be important for transferring conformational changes induced by insulin across the cell membrane to regulate kinase activity. In this study, a construct IR940–988 containing the TMD was expressed and purified for structural studies. Its solution structure in dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles was determined. The sequence containing residues L962 to Y976 of the TMD of the IR in micelles adopts a well-defined helical structure with a kink formed by glycine and proline residues present at its N-terminus, which might be important for its function. Paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) and relaxation experimental results suggest that residues following the TMD are flexible and expose to aqueous solution. Although purified IR940–988 in micelles existed mainly as a monomeric form verified by gel filtration and relaxation analysis, cross-linking study suggests that it may form a dimer or oligomers under micelle conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Signals between a cell and its environment are often transmitted through membrane proteins; therefore, many membrane proteins, including G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ion channels, are important drug targets. Structural information about membrane proteins remains limited owing to challenges in protein expression, purification and the selection of membrane-mimicking systems that will retain protein structure and function. This review describes recent advances in solution NMR applied to the structural study of integral membrane proteins. The examples herein demonstrate that solution NMR spectroscopy will play a unique role not only in structural analysis, but also drug discovery of membrane proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus sp. (M-12) was able to decrease the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the waste water significantly. Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) was chosen to immobilize the bacterial cells and the immobilized cells could be used for waste water treatment for many cycles with high COD removal efficiency. The efficiency of decreasing COD could be improved when a nitrogen source such as (NH4)2SO4 was added into the waste water. A continuous waste water treatment system with immobilized cells and a cinder column was developed and this continuous system had a significant effect on decreasing the COD of the waste water, which could be reduced from 2600 to 240 mg/L. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Price-makers in the generation sector can utilize offer data published by independent system operators (ISOs) for strategic bidding. Many research uses system-wide offer information for strategic bidding because individual offers are usually published with masked identifications. However, these methods are not applicable in markets with transmission congestion because the nodal information is not used. A research gap remains in using system-wide offer information and accessible nodal information for strategic bidding in markets with congestion. System-wide aggregated supply curves can be formed just with anonymous offers, and locational marginal price (LMP) is accessible nodal data containing the congestion information. This paper proposes a framework for price-makers to bid strategically by predicting LMPs with aggregated supply curves. A feature extraction method is proposed to make aggregated supply curves applicable for LMP prediction, and the maximal information coefficient is developed for feature selection. A convolutional neural network is combined with a long short-term memory network to model the impact of aggregated supply curves on LMPs. In this framework, price-makers can investigate the impact of their strategies on aggregated supply curves, predict LMPs with aggregated supply curves, and make the optimal bidding strategies. Numerical results based on the PJM-5 bus system and real data from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator validate the effectiveness of the proposed framework. • We propose a method to use aggregated supply curves for LMP prediction. • We design a CNN-LSTM for price-makers to bid strategically by LMP prediction. • Experiments based on the PJM 5-bus system and MISO validate the proposed framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel chloride is a promising material as cathode candidate for thermal battery, attributed to its superior electrochemical performance including high operating voltage and high specific energy. However, high polarization and structural collapse have emerged as major challenge hindering the practical application of NiCl 2 cathode. Herein we propose an engineering strategy to construct a high-specific-energy NiCl 2 -based cathode with rhombohedral structure and amorphous carbon-layer skin structure. Benefited from delicate structural characteristic and improved electrochemical activity, the cathode designed remarkably elevates the plateau voltage of a single cell to 2.5 V and achieves, for the first time, a specific energy of 266.5 Wh/kg at current density of 600 mA/cm2 in the thermal battery tests. Notably, in contrast to the lab-level methods, this engineering strategy is an industrially feasible approach to manufacture NiCl 2 -based cathode for expanded application in thermal battery. This strategy also provides new insight into the design of high-performance cathode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A joint analytical–numerical integration method is proposed to solve the time domain boundary integral equations for 2-D elastodynamics. The analytical integration method is adopted to solve the discrete boundary integral equations for elastodynamics with singular integrals, while the numerical integration method is conventionally adopted to solve the discrete boundary integral equations for elastodynamics without singular integrals. Accurate quantitative relationships for G and H matrices between elastostatics and elastodynamics are established, under certain assumptions. All the singularities in G and H matrices for 2-D elastodynamics are analytically solved in the process of the discretization in space and time. The analytical method to solve singular integrals in space and time is verified by the examples of 1-D rod and 2-D cantilever beam under sudden loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An enhanced Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) process was studied for the manufacturing and characterization of bipolar plate with textile reinforced polymer composites. Rapid qualitative evaluation and quantitative characterization were conducted respectively to achieve an optimal manufacturing process design. The influence of process variables including pre-compaction cycle, post-filling time, curing pressure, etc., on the geometrical and mechanical properties of the textile reinforced polymer composites were investigated. The empirical optimized process design was then adapted for manufacturing of bipolar plate. The electrical properties of the bipolar plate were characterized by measuring its bulk (in-plane) conductivity according to the conventional four probe method. The influence of process conditions, carbon fabric design and nanofillers on the electrical properties of the bipolar plate were considered. The results show that the bipolar plate has a flexural strength in the range of 166.6–188.3 MPa, which is a great improvement in comparison with the one based on highly filled or cut fibres reinforced polymer composites. However, the maximum bulk conductivity achieved is limited at 5902 Sm −1 in this study, suggesting that further development effort is required for bipolar plate manufactured by textile reinforced polymer composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Six new 8,9,30-phragmalin ortho esters, named xyloccensins Q–V ( 3–8 ), have been isolated from the stem bark of a Chinese mangrove Xylocarpus granatum, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical means. The absolute stereochemistry of these compounds and xyloccensins O–P ( 1–2 ), revised as enantiomeric to all the phragmalins reported so far, was determined by application of the modified MTPA Mosher ester method and circular dichroism analysis. Both xyloccensins P and Q exhibited potent antifeedant activity against the third instar larvae of Mythimna separata (Walker) at a concentration of 500ppm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The isolation and structure elucidation of xyloccensin L from the stem bark of Xylocarpus granatum is described. Xyloccensin L is a highly oxidized heptacyclic A, B, D-seco limonoid with an α-8, 30-epoxy ring and a rare 1, 29 oxygen bridge. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]