Aqueous electrolytes were once the rule for the battery industry.Until the advent of lithium ion batteries,a majority of commercially relevant batteries utilized water as the solvent for ion exchange.The development o...Aqueous electrolytes were once the rule for the battery industry.Until the advent of lithium ion batteries,a majority of commercially relevant batteries utilized water as the solvent for ion exchange.The development of the intercalation-based lithium ion battery upended the industrial aqueous electrolyte paradigm:the high energy density of the lithium-ion battery was revolutionary but required the use of organic electrolytes capable of passivating strongly redox active electrodes.With the safety of organic electrolytes becoming an issue in the early 1990s,a small community re-examined aqueous electrolytes for lithium ion batteries.The first such audacious attempt was by Dahn et al.,who conceptualized an aqueous lithium-ion battery chemistry based on electrode materials suitable for the narrow electrochemical stability window of water,sacrificing energy density and cycle life for safety and low cost.The concept of an aqueous lithium-ion battery was revived in the mid-2010s with“highly concentrated”electrolytes,expanding the electrochemical stability window of water to regions comparable with nonaqueous electrolytes.Since then,significant efforts have been made around the world,aiming to understand the nature of the interfacial stability in those highconcentration electrolytes as well as to further make the system viable for practical batteries.This review summarizes these efforts in this emerging frontier of new battery chemistries.展开更多
In this paper,we propose an approach for diagnostics and prognostics of damaged aircraft structures,by combing high-performance fatigue mechanics with filtering theories.Fast&accurate deterministic analyses of fat...In this paper,we propose an approach for diagnostics and prognostics of damaged aircraft structures,by combing high-performance fatigue mechanics with filtering theories.Fast&accurate deterministic analyses of fatigue crack propagations are carried out,by using the Finite Element Alternating Method(FEAM)for computing SIFs,and by using the newly developed Moving Least Squares(MLS)law for computing fatigue crack growth rates.Such algorithms for simulating fatigue crack propagations are embedded in the computer program Safe-Flaw,which is called upon as a subroutine within the probabilistic framework of filter theories.Both the extended Kalman as well as particle filters are applied in this study,to obtain the statistically optimal and semi-optimal estimates of crack lengths,from a series of noisy measurements of crack-lengths over time.For the specific problem,a simple modification to the particle filter,which can drastically reduce the computational burden,is also proposed.Based on the results of such diagnostic analyses,the prognostics of aerospace structures are thereafter achieved,to estimate the probabilistic distribution of the remaining useful life.By using a simple example of a single-crack near a fastener hole,we demonstrate the concept and effectiveness of the proposed framework.This paper thus forms the scientific foundation for the recently proposed concepts of VRAMS(Virtual Risk-Informed Agile Maneuver Sustainment)and Digital Twins of aerospace vehicles.展开更多
2,4-Dinitroanisole(DNAN)is an important component of insensitive munitions that is anticipated to replace 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene(TNT)in munitions formulations.Photocatalyzed hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)oxidation experiments...2,4-Dinitroanisole(DNAN)is an important component of insensitive munitions that is anticipated to replace 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene(TNT)in munitions formulations.Photocatalyzed hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)oxidation experiments and chemical analyses were conducted to study the effect of initial pH and H2O2 dosage on the kinetics of DNAN decomposition and the reaction pathways.The results show that DNAN degradation followed zero-order kinetics when a 250 ppm DNAN solution was treated with ultraviolet(UV)light and 1500–4500 ppm H2O2 in an initial pH range of 4–7.However,when the H2O2 concentration was 750 ppm,DNAN degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics.The results indicate that DNAN can easily be oxidized by UV/H2O2 treatment.When the H2O2 dosage was 1500 ppm and the initial pH was 7,DNAN was reduced from 250 ppm to less than 1 ppm in 3 h.However,the total organic carbon(TOC)and total carbon(TC)concentrations were reduced slowly from 100 to less than 70 ppm carbon(C)in 3 h,and decreased to about 5 ppm after 9 h of treatment,suggesting the formation of other organic compounds.Those reaction intermediates were oxidized to carbon dioxide(CO2)at a slower rate than the oxidation of DNAN.CO2 was emitted from the solution because the solution pH decreased rapidly to about 3 during the UV/H2O2 oxidation.Most of the nitrogen in DNAN was converted to nitrate by UV/H2O2 oxidation after 9 h of treatment.The research results indicate that UV/H2O2 oxidation is a promising technique for the treatment of DNAN in wastewater.展开更多
Filoviruses are hemorrhagic fever viruses endemic to parts of Africa and the Philippines. Infection carries with it a mortality rate of up to 90% and currently there are no effective vaccines or therapeutics available...Filoviruses are hemorrhagic fever viruses endemic to parts of Africa and the Philippines. Infection carries with it a mortality rate of up to 90% and currently there are no effective vaccines or therapeutics available to combat infection. However, the filovirus virus-like particles (VLP), which are currently under development, have been shown to be a promising vaccine candidate. They provide protection from infection in the mouse, guinea pig, and nonhuman primate models of infection, eliciting high anti-glycoprotein antibody titers and T cell responses to viral proteins. In this review, we will highlight the development of the filovirus VLP and describe the current understanding of VLP immunogenicity and correlates of protection.展开更多
Background: Musculoskeletal injuries(MSkIs) are a leading cause of health care utilization, as well as limited duty and disability in the US military and other armed forces. MSkIs affect members of the military during...Background: Musculoskeletal injuries(MSkIs) are a leading cause of health care utilization, as well as limited duty and disability in the US military and other armed forces. MSkIs affect members of the military during initial training,operational training, and deployment and have a direct negative impact on overall troop readiness. Currently, a systematic overview of all risk factors for MSkIs in the military is not available.Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out using the PubMed, Ovid/Medline, and Web of Science databases from January 1, 2000 to September 10, 2019. Additionally, a reference list scan was performed(using the “snowball method”). Thereafter, an international, multidisciplinary expert panel scored the level of evidence per risk factor, and a classification of modifiable/non-modifiable was made.Results: In total, 176 original papers and 3 meta-analyses were included in the review. A list of 57 reported potential risk factors was formed. For 21 risk factors, the level of evidence was considered moderate or strong. Based on this literature review and an in-depth analysis, the expert panel developed a model to display the most relevant risk factors identified, introducing the idea of the “order of importance” and including concepts that are modifiable/nonmodifiable, as well as extrinsic/intrinsic risk factors.Conclusions: This is the qualitative systematic review of studies on risk factors for MSkIs in the military that has attempted to be all-inclusive. A total of 57 different potential risk factors were identified, and a new, prioritizing injury model was developed. This model may help us to understand risk factors that can be addressed, and in which order they should be prioritized when planning intervention strategies within military groups.展开更多
Background:Recognizing sport-related concussion(SRC)is challenging and relies heavily on subjective symptom reports.An objective,biological marker could improve recognition and understanding of SRC.There is emerging e...Background:Recognizing sport-related concussion(SRC)is challenging and relies heavily on subjective symptom reports.An objective,biological marker could improve recognition and understanding of SRC.There is emerging evidence that salivary micro-ribonucleic acids(miRNAs)may serve as biomarkers of concussion;however,it remains unclear whether concussion-related miRNAs are impacted by exercise.We sought to determine whether40 miRNAs previously implicated in concussion pathophysiology were affected by participation in a variety of contact and non-contact sports.Our goal was to refine a miRNA-based tool capable of identifying athletes with SRC without the confounding effects of exercise.Methods:This case-control study harmonized data from concussed and non-concussed athletes recruited across 10 sites.Levels of salivary miRNAs within 455 samples from 314 individuals were measured with RNA sequencing.Within-subjects testing was used to identify and exclude miRNAs that changed with either(a)a single episode of exercise(166 samples from 83 individuals)or(b)season-long participation in contact sports(212 samples from 106 individuals).The miRNAs that were not impacted by exercise were interrogated for SRC diagnostic utility using logistic regression(172 samples from 75 concussed and 97 non-concussed individuals).Results:Two miRNAs(miR-532-5p and miR-182-5p)decreased(adjusted p<0.05)after a single episode of exercise,and 1 miRNA(miR-4510)increased only after contact sports participation.Twenty-three miRNAs changed at the end of a contact sports season.Two of these miRNAs(miR-26b-3p and miR-29c-3p)were associated(R>0.50;adjusted p<0.05)with the number of head impacts sustained in a single football practice.Among the 15 miRNAs not confounded by exercise or season-long contact sports participation,11 demonstrated a significant difference(adjusted p<0.05)between concussed and non-concussed participants,and 6 displayed moderate ability(area under curve>0.70)to identify concussion.A single ratio(miR-27a-5p/miR-30a-3p)displayed the highest accuracy(AUC=0.810,sensitivity=82.4%,specificity=73.3%)for differentiating concussed and non-concussed participants.Accuracy did not differ between participants with SRC and non-SRC(z=0.5,p=0.60).Conclusion:Salivary miRNA levels may accurately identify SRC when not confounded by exercise.Refinement of this approach in a large cohort of athletes could eventually lead to a non-invasive,sideline adjunct for SRC assessment.展开更多
Objective:To study evolutionary relationship of the 5'untranslated regions(5'UTRs) in low passage dengue3 viruses(DEN3) isolated from hospitalized children with different clinical manifestations in Bangkok dur...Objective:To study evolutionary relationship of the 5'untranslated regions(5'UTRs) in low passage dengue3 viruses(DEN3) isolated from hospitalized children with different clinical manifestations in Bangkok during 24 year-evolution(1977-2000) comparing to the DEN3prototype(H87).Methods:The 5'UTRs of these Thai DEN3 and the H87 prototype were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced.Their multiple sequence alignments were done by Codon Code Aligner v 4.0.4 software and their RNA secondary structures were predicted by MFOLD software.Replication of five Thai DEN3 candidates comparing to the 1187 prototype were done in human(HepG2) and the mosquito(C6/36) cell lines.Results:Among these Thai DEN3,the completely identical sequences of their first 89 nucleotides,their high-order secondary structure of 5'UTRs and three SNPs including the predominant C90 T,and two minor SNPs including A109 G and A112 G were found.The C90 T of Thai DEN3.Bangkok isolates was shown predominantly before 1977.Five Thai DEN3 candidates with the predominant C90 T were shown to replicate in human(HepG2) and the mosquito(C6/36) cell lines better than the H87 prototype.However,their highly conserved sequences as well as SNPs of the 5'UTR did not appear to correlate with their disease severity in human.Conclusions:Our findings highlighted evolutionary relationship of the completely identical 89 nucleotide sequence,the high-order secondary structure and the predominant C90 T of the 5'UTR of these Thai DEN3 during 24 year-evolution further suggesting to be their genetic markers and magic targets for future research on antiviral therapy as well as vaccine approaches of Thai DEN3.展开更多
With the increasing interest in highly concentrated electrolyte systems,correct determination of the cation transference number is important.Pulsed-field gradient NMR technique,which measures self-diffusion coefficien...With the increasing interest in highly concentrated electrolyte systems,correct determination of the cation transference number is important.Pulsed-field gradient NMR technique,which measures self-diffusion coefficients,is often applied on liquid electrolytes because of the wide accessibility and simple sample preparation.However,since the assumptions of this technique,that is,complete salt dissociation,all ions participating in motion,and all of them moving independently,no longer hold true in concentrated solutions,the transference numbers,thus obtained are often over-estimated.In the present work,impedance spectroscopy at a frequency range of 1 MHz to 0.1 mHz was used to examine the concentration effect on lithium-ion transference number under anion-blocking conditions T abc Liþfor two electrolytes:lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide(LiFSI)in sulfolane(SL)and lithium bis(trifluorosulfonyl)imide(LiTFSI)in tetraglyme(G4).The T abc Liþof the former was almost an order of magnitude higher than that of the latter.It also appeared to increase with increasing concentration while the latter followed an opposite trend.The faster Li^(+)transport in the SL system is attributed to the formation of a liquid structure consisting of extended chains/bridges of SL molecules and the anions,which facilitate a cation-hopping/ligand-exchanged-typed diffusion mechanism by partially decoupling the cations from the anions and solvent molecules.The G4 system,in contrast,is dominated by the formation of long-lived,stable[Li(G4)]+solvation cages that results in a sluggish Li+transport.The difference between the two transport mechanisms is discussed via comparison of the bulk ionic conductivity,viscosity,ion self-diffusion coefficients,and the Onsager transport coefficients.展开更多
Peptide biosensor reagents are emerging as an alternative to typical antibody-based detection methods. Peptides can be rapidly isolated using bacterial display methods for new and emerging biothreats and can be chemic...Peptide biosensor reagents are emerging as an alternative to typical antibody-based detection methods. Peptides can be rapidly isolated using bacterial display methods for new and emerging biothreats and can be chemically synthesized for rapid, large-scale production. With the emergence of peptide biosensor reagents, there is a growing need to develop methods for characterizing binding interactions. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a free-solution separation method that is able to determine target and analyte binding association (Kb) and dissociation constants (Kd). In this study, the Kb, Kd, and peptide specificity of an isolated peptide binding reagent to protective antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracis were evaluated using capillary electrophoresis at 10 and 20 kV. The relative binding specificity was rapidly assessed by measuring the peptide relative mobility shift at 20 kV at nonequilibrium using bovine serum albumin (BSA), horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and an anti-PA monoclonal antibody (mAb). The αPA peptide was shown to be highly specific for PA, with a Kd = 177 nM measured at 20 kV and Kd = 312 nM measured at 10 kV. These results show that peptides from bacterial display libraries can be rapidly tested for specificity and binding affinity, in solution, for use as a potential biosensor reagent against new and emerging biothreats.展开更多
Continuous delivery of local anesthetics might be useful for management of localized and chronic pain. Controlled release injectable anesthetics have been developed but they can deliver the drug for only few days and ...Continuous delivery of local anesthetics might be useful for management of localized and chronic pain. Controlled release injectable anesthetics have been developed but they can deliver the drug for only few days and the release is not zero-order. A drug delivery system (DDS) consisting of a perforated reservoir for drug containment and release and its potential for management of chronic pain is described. Proof of principle is detailed for long-term zero order delivery of butamben. In this study, the DDS was a polyimide tube with a 0.20 mm hole and butamben release was evaluated in vitro. It is envisioned that the DDS could be implanted in proximity to a nerve, enervating the pain source, for long-term control of chronic pain.展开更多
The 2016 Olympic Games happened at the time of heightened fears of Zika virus (ZIKV) that was causing microcephaly in newborns in Brazil. To avert or track introduction of ZIKV in Kenya, the Ministry of Health develop...The 2016 Olympic Games happened at the time of heightened fears of Zika virus (ZIKV) that was causing microcephaly in newborns in Brazil. To avert or track introduction of ZIKV in Kenya, the Ministry of Health developed a public health response that involved screening of the Kenyan contingent before and after traveling to Brazil. Of the 92 team members that were screened, all but one tested negative for ZIKV IgM and IgG. The sero-positive individual had high IgM serum titers before and after travel to Brazil. When tested for potential antibody cross-reactivity to other flaviviruses that have been reported in Kenya, the sample showed high IgM cross-reactivity to West Nile, Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Yellow Fever Virus. Our data support the low risk predictions of acquiring ZIKV that were made before the Games and will help inform risk assessments for personnel traveling to endemic regions under similar circumstances in the future.展开更多
<span style="font-family:Verdana;">In work reported here, the dynamic properties and low-velocity impact response of woven carbon/epoxy laminates incorporating a novel 3D interlaminar reinforcement con...<span style="font-family:Verdana;">In work reported here, the dynamic properties and low-velocity impact response of woven carbon/epoxy laminates incorporating a novel 3D interlaminar reinforcement concept with dense layers of Z-axis oriented milled carbon fiber Supercomposite</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">TM</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> prepregs, are presented. Impulse-frequency response vibration technique is used for non-destructive evaluation of the dynamic flexural modulus (stiffness) and loss factor (intrinsic damping) of woven carbon/epoxy control and Supercomposite</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">TM</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> laminates. Low-velocity punch-shear tests were performed on control and Supercomposite</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">TM</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> laminates according to ASTM D3763 Standard using a drop-weight impact test system. Control panels had all layers of 3K plain woven carbon/epoxy prepregs, with a dense interlaminar reinforcement of milled carbon fibers in Z-</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">direction used in designing the Supercomposite</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">TM</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> laminate—both having same areal density. Impulse-frequency response vibration experiments show that with a 50% replacement of woven carbon fabric in control panel with milled carbon fibers in Z direction dynamic flexural modulus reduced 25%</span></span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">30% (loss in stiffness) and damping increased by about the same 25%</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">30%. Low-velocity punch-shear tests demonstrated about</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">25% reduction in energy absorption for Supercomposite</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">TM</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> laminates with the replacement of 50% woven carbon fabric in control panel.</span></span>展开更多
Electroosmotic water vapor transport (WVT) across very thin, flexible, functionalized conducting polymer (CP) microporous (μP) membranes at a very high rate is reported. Both passive and active (6 VDC applied) WVT ar...Electroosmotic water vapor transport (WVT) across very thin, flexible, functionalized conducting polymer (CP) microporous (μP) membranes at a very high rate is reported. Both passive and active (6 VDC applied) WVT are reported, the latter for the first time ever. WVT occurs with concomitant, effective blocking of chemical warfare (CW) agents, again demonstrated for the first time ever. Initial active liquid||membrane||liquid interface studies demonstrated WVT rates of >1.7 × 10-5g .mm-2s-1, >3 × the highest prior reported values of 5 × 10-6g.mm-2s-1. Subsequent vapor||membrane|| vapor interface studies using industry-standard methods (including ASTM E96B Upright Cup (“WVT”), ASTM F2298 (“Dynamic Moisture Permeation Cell”) and ASTM F1868 (“Sweating Guard Hotplate”) were done at independent, external labs for independent corroboration. These yielded, e.g., WVT values of2564.4 g.m2.d-1 (passive) and3706.7 g.m2d-1 (active), to be compared with the highest (passive) value ever reported previously,984.8 g.m2.d-1 for a μP-Nylon membrane. More than 15 different membrane configurations, porosities and types were studied, including membranes with CP + organophosphate hydrolase (OPH), an enzyme reactive to CW agents. Efficient blocking of the actual CW agents GB, HD, VX is also reported, using the TOP-8-2-501standard. Membranes also passed all Industry-standard durability tests, e.g. ASTM D2261 (Tearing), ASTM D5034 (Breaking), ASTM D3886 (Abrasion), ASTM F392 (Gelbo Flex). Incorporation into smart soldiers’ garments was demonstrated;power consumption was -2. Mechanisms of enhanced WVT and CW agent blocking in the membranes are discussed.展开更多
New advanced numerical computer model enabling accurate simulation of fragmentation parameters of large Length over Diameter(L/D)explosively driven metal shells has been developed and validated.The newly developed lar...New advanced numerical computer model enabling accurate simulation of fragmentation parameters of large Length over Diameter(L/D)explosively driven metal shells has been developed and validated.The newly developed large L/D multi-region model links three-dimensional axisymmetric high strain high strain-rate hydrocode analyses with the conventional set of Picatinny Arsenal FRAGmentation(PAFRAG)simulation routines.The standard PAFRAG modeling technique is based on the Mott's theory of break-up of idealized cylindrical"ring-bombs",in which the length of the average fragment is a function of the radius and velocity of the shell at the moment of break-up,and the mechanical properties of the metal.In the newly developed multi-region model,each of the shell region,the break-up is assumed to occur instantaneously,whereas the entire shell is modeled to fragment at multiple times,according to the number of the regions considered.According to PAFRAG methodology,the required input for both the natural and the controlled fragmentation models including the geometry and the velocity of the shell at moment of break-up had been provided from the hydrocode analyses and validated with available experimental data.The newly developed large L/D multi-region PAFRAG model has been shown to accurately reproduce available experimental fragmentation data.展开更多
Surface coating of granular propellants is widely used in a multiplicity of propellants for small, medium and large caliber ammunition. All small caliber ball propellants exhibit burning progressivity due to applicati...Surface coating of granular propellants is widely used in a multiplicity of propellants for small, medium and large caliber ammunition. All small caliber ball propellants exhibit burning progressivity due to application of effective deterrent coatings. Large perforated propellant grains have also begun utilizing plasticizing and impregnated deterrent coatings with the purpose of increasing charge weights for greater energy and velocity for the projectile. The deterrent coating and impregnation process utilizes volatile organic compounds(VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants(HAPs) which results in propellants that need to be forced air dried which impacts air quality. Propellants undergo temperature fluctuations during their life. Diffusion coefficients vary exponentially with variations in temperature. A small temperature increase can induce a faster migration, even over a short period of time, which can lead to large deviations in the concentration. This large concentration change in the ammunition becomes a safety or performance liability. The presence of both polymeric deterrents and nitroglycerin(NG) in the nitrocellulose matrix and organic solvents leads to higher diffusion rates. This results in continued emissions of VOCs and HAPs. Conventional polymers tend to partition within the propellant matrix. In other words,localized mixing can occur between the polymer and underlying propellant. This is due to solvent induced softening of the polymer vehicle over the propellant grain. In effect this creates a path where migration can occur. Since nitrate esters, like NG, are relatively small, it can exude to the surface and create a highly unstable and dangerous situation for the warfighter. Curable polymers do not suffer from this partitioning due to "melting" because no VOC solvents are present. They remain surface coated. The small scale characterization testing, such as closed bomb testing, small scale sensitivity, thermal stability,and chemical compatibility, will be presented. The 30 mm gun demonstration firing data at hot, cold, and ambient temperatures will also be presented.展开更多
This article presents an up-to-date tutorial review of nonlinear Bayesian estimation. State estimation for nonlinear systems has been a challenge encountered in a wide range of engineering fields, attracting decades o...This article presents an up-to-date tutorial review of nonlinear Bayesian estimation. State estimation for nonlinear systems has been a challenge encountered in a wide range of engineering fields, attracting decades of research effort. To date,one of the most promising and popular approaches is to view and address the problem from a Bayesian probabilistic perspective,which enables estimation of the unknown state variables by tracking their probabilistic distribution or statistics(e.g., mean and covariance) conditioned on a system's measurement data.This article offers a systematic introduction to the Bayesian state estimation framework and reviews various Kalman filtering(KF)techniques, progressively from the standard KF for linear systems to extended KF, unscented KF and ensemble KF for nonlinear systems. It also overviews other prominent or emerging Bayesian estimation methods including Gaussian filtering, Gaussian-sum filtering, particle filtering and moving horizon estimation and extends the discussion of state estimation to more complicated problems such as simultaneous state and parameter/input estimation.展开更多
The mechanisms of seismically-induced liquefaction of granular soils underhigh confining stresses are still not fully understood.Evaluation of these mechanisms is generallybased on extrapolation of observed behavior a...The mechanisms of seismically-induced liquefaction of granular soils underhigh confining stresses are still not fully understood.Evaluation of these mechanisms is generallybased on extrapolation of observed behavior at shallow depths.Three centrifuge model tests wereconducted at RPI's experimental facility to investigate the effects of confining stresses on thedynamic response of a deep horizontal deposit of saturated sand.Liquefaction was observed at highconfining stresses in each of the tests.A system identification procedure was used to estimate theassociated shear strain and stress time histories.These histories revealed a response marked byshear strength degradation and dilative patterns.The recorded accelerations and pore pressures wereemployed to generate visual animations of the models.These visualizations revealed a liquefactionfront traveling downward and leading to large shear strains and isolation of upper soil layers.展开更多
KEY POINTS Heat illnesses range in severity from mild(heat rash,heat syncope, cramps) to serious(heat exhaustion,heat injury,heat stroke).Although heat illness can occur in anyone,an increased risk is associated with ...KEY POINTS Heat illnesses range in severity from mild(heat rash,heat syncope, cramps) to serious(heat exhaustion,heat injury,heat stroke).Although heat illness can occur in anyone,an increased risk is associated with a variety of environmental factors,personal characteristics,health conditions,and medications.The risk of serious heat illness can be markedly reduced by implementing a variety of countermeasures,including becoming acclimated to the heat,managing heat stress exposure,and maintaining hydration.Athletes,coaches,training staff,and medical personnel should be vigilant for signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses.If warning signs are acted upon and body cooling rapidly administered,serious heat illness can be avoided.If heat stroke is suspected,rapid body cooling by immersion or soaking in cold water or ice water should be initiated.展开更多
文摘Aqueous electrolytes were once the rule for the battery industry.Until the advent of lithium ion batteries,a majority of commercially relevant batteries utilized water as the solvent for ion exchange.The development of the intercalation-based lithium ion battery upended the industrial aqueous electrolyte paradigm:the high energy density of the lithium-ion battery was revolutionary but required the use of organic electrolytes capable of passivating strongly redox active electrodes.With the safety of organic electrolytes becoming an issue in the early 1990s,a small community re-examined aqueous electrolytes for lithium ion batteries.The first such audacious attempt was by Dahn et al.,who conceptualized an aqueous lithium-ion battery chemistry based on electrode materials suitable for the narrow electrochemical stability window of water,sacrificing energy density and cycle life for safety and low cost.The concept of an aqueous lithium-ion battery was revived in the mid-2010s with“highly concentrated”electrolytes,expanding the electrochemical stability window of water to regions comparable with nonaqueous electrolytes.Since then,significant efforts have been made around the world,aiming to understand the nature of the interfacial stability in those highconcentration electrolytes as well as to further make the system viable for practical batteries.This review summarizes these efforts in this emerging frontier of new battery chemistries.
文摘In this paper,we propose an approach for diagnostics and prognostics of damaged aircraft structures,by combing high-performance fatigue mechanics with filtering theories.Fast&accurate deterministic analyses of fatigue crack propagations are carried out,by using the Finite Element Alternating Method(FEAM)for computing SIFs,and by using the newly developed Moving Least Squares(MLS)law for computing fatigue crack growth rates.Such algorithms for simulating fatigue crack propagations are embedded in the computer program Safe-Flaw,which is called upon as a subroutine within the probabilistic framework of filter theories.Both the extended Kalman as well as particle filters are applied in this study,to obtain the statistically optimal and semi-optimal estimates of crack lengths,from a series of noisy measurements of crack-lengths over time.For the specific problem,a simple modification to the particle filter,which can drastically reduce the computational burden,is also proposed.Based on the results of such diagnostic analyses,the prognostics of aerospace structures are thereafter achieved,to estimate the probabilistic distribution of the remaining useful life.By using a simple example of a single-crack near a fastener hole,we demonstrate the concept and effectiveness of the proposed framework.This paper thus forms the scientific foundation for the recently proposed concepts of VRAMS(Virtual Risk-Informed Agile Maneuver Sustainment)and Digital Twins of aerospace vehicles.
文摘2,4-Dinitroanisole(DNAN)is an important component of insensitive munitions that is anticipated to replace 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene(TNT)in munitions formulations.Photocatalyzed hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)oxidation experiments and chemical analyses were conducted to study the effect of initial pH and H2O2 dosage on the kinetics of DNAN decomposition and the reaction pathways.The results show that DNAN degradation followed zero-order kinetics when a 250 ppm DNAN solution was treated with ultraviolet(UV)light and 1500–4500 ppm H2O2 in an initial pH range of 4–7.However,when the H2O2 concentration was 750 ppm,DNAN degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics.The results indicate that DNAN can easily be oxidized by UV/H2O2 treatment.When the H2O2 dosage was 1500 ppm and the initial pH was 7,DNAN was reduced from 250 ppm to less than 1 ppm in 3 h.However,the total organic carbon(TOC)and total carbon(TC)concentrations were reduced slowly from 100 to less than 70 ppm carbon(C)in 3 h,and decreased to about 5 ppm after 9 h of treatment,suggesting the formation of other organic compounds.Those reaction intermediates were oxidized to carbon dioxide(CO2)at a slower rate than the oxidation of DNAN.CO2 was emitted from the solution because the solution pH decreased rapidly to about 3 during the UV/H2O2 oxidation.Most of the nitrogen in DNAN was converted to nitrate by UV/H2O2 oxidation after 9 h of treatment.The research results indicate that UV/H2O2 oxidation is a promising technique for the treatment of DNAN in wastewater.
基金funded by the Chemical-Biological Medical System-Joint Vaccine Acquisition Program (CBMS-JVAP) as well as the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) (CBM.VAXV.03.11.RD.009 and A151 A.41)
文摘Filoviruses are hemorrhagic fever viruses endemic to parts of Africa and the Philippines. Infection carries with it a mortality rate of up to 90% and currently there are no effective vaccines or therapeutics available to combat infection. However, the filovirus virus-like particles (VLP), which are currently under development, have been shown to be a promising vaccine candidate. They provide protection from infection in the mouse, guinea pig, and nonhuman primate models of infection, eliciting high anti-glycoprotein antibody titers and T cell responses to viral proteins. In this review, we will highlight the development of the filovirus VLP and describe the current understanding of VLP immunogenicity and correlates of protection.
文摘Background: Musculoskeletal injuries(MSkIs) are a leading cause of health care utilization, as well as limited duty and disability in the US military and other armed forces. MSkIs affect members of the military during initial training,operational training, and deployment and have a direct negative impact on overall troop readiness. Currently, a systematic overview of all risk factors for MSkIs in the military is not available.Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out using the PubMed, Ovid/Medline, and Web of Science databases from January 1, 2000 to September 10, 2019. Additionally, a reference list scan was performed(using the “snowball method”). Thereafter, an international, multidisciplinary expert panel scored the level of evidence per risk factor, and a classification of modifiable/non-modifiable was made.Results: In total, 176 original papers and 3 meta-analyses were included in the review. A list of 57 reported potential risk factors was formed. For 21 risk factors, the level of evidence was considered moderate or strong. Based on this literature review and an in-depth analysis, the expert panel developed a model to display the most relevant risk factors identified, introducing the idea of the “order of importance” and including concepts that are modifiable/nonmodifiable, as well as extrinsic/intrinsic risk factors.Conclusions: This is the qualitative systematic review of studies on risk factors for MSkIs in the military that has attempted to be all-inclusive. A total of 57 different potential risk factors were identified, and a new, prioritizing injury model was developed. This model may help us to understand risk factors that can be addressed, and in which order they should be prioritized when planning intervention strategies within military groups.
基金supported by a sponsored research agreement between Quadrant Biosciences and the Penn State College of Medicine to ACLsupported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences(Grant KL2 TR002015,Grant UL1 TR002014)。
文摘Background:Recognizing sport-related concussion(SRC)is challenging and relies heavily on subjective symptom reports.An objective,biological marker could improve recognition and understanding of SRC.There is emerging evidence that salivary micro-ribonucleic acids(miRNAs)may serve as biomarkers of concussion;however,it remains unclear whether concussion-related miRNAs are impacted by exercise.We sought to determine whether40 miRNAs previously implicated in concussion pathophysiology were affected by participation in a variety of contact and non-contact sports.Our goal was to refine a miRNA-based tool capable of identifying athletes with SRC without the confounding effects of exercise.Methods:This case-control study harmonized data from concussed and non-concussed athletes recruited across 10 sites.Levels of salivary miRNAs within 455 samples from 314 individuals were measured with RNA sequencing.Within-subjects testing was used to identify and exclude miRNAs that changed with either(a)a single episode of exercise(166 samples from 83 individuals)or(b)season-long participation in contact sports(212 samples from 106 individuals).The miRNAs that were not impacted by exercise were interrogated for SRC diagnostic utility using logistic regression(172 samples from 75 concussed and 97 non-concussed individuals).Results:Two miRNAs(miR-532-5p and miR-182-5p)decreased(adjusted p<0.05)after a single episode of exercise,and 1 miRNA(miR-4510)increased only after contact sports participation.Twenty-three miRNAs changed at the end of a contact sports season.Two of these miRNAs(miR-26b-3p and miR-29c-3p)were associated(R>0.50;adjusted p<0.05)with the number of head impacts sustained in a single football practice.Among the 15 miRNAs not confounded by exercise or season-long contact sports participation,11 demonstrated a significant difference(adjusted p<0.05)between concussed and non-concussed participants,and 6 displayed moderate ability(area under curve>0.70)to identify concussion.A single ratio(miR-27a-5p/miR-30a-3p)displayed the highest accuracy(AUC=0.810,sensitivity=82.4%,specificity=73.3%)for differentiating concussed and non-concussed participants.Accuracy did not differ between participants with SRC and non-SRC(z=0.5,p=0.60).Conclusion:Salivary miRNA levels may accurately identify SRC when not confounded by exercise.Refinement of this approach in a large cohort of athletes could eventually lead to a non-invasive,sideline adjunct for SRC assessment.
基金supported by two research grants of Associate Professor Dr.W.Attatippaholkun:Grant No.493-5600-G-00-3461,Program in Science and Technology Cooperation,Human Capacity Development,Bureau for Global Programs,Field Support and Research,US Agency for International Development,Washington,DCThe Royal Golden Jubilee-Ph.D Program,Thailand Research Fund,Thailand
文摘Objective:To study evolutionary relationship of the 5'untranslated regions(5'UTRs) in low passage dengue3 viruses(DEN3) isolated from hospitalized children with different clinical manifestations in Bangkok during 24 year-evolution(1977-2000) comparing to the DEN3prototype(H87).Methods:The 5'UTRs of these Thai DEN3 and the H87 prototype were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced.Their multiple sequence alignments were done by Codon Code Aligner v 4.0.4 software and their RNA secondary structures were predicted by MFOLD software.Replication of five Thai DEN3 candidates comparing to the 1187 prototype were done in human(HepG2) and the mosquito(C6/36) cell lines.Results:Among these Thai DEN3,the completely identical sequences of their first 89 nucleotides,their high-order secondary structure of 5'UTRs and three SNPs including the predominant C90 T,and two minor SNPs including A109 G and A112 G were found.The C90 T of Thai DEN3.Bangkok isolates was shown predominantly before 1977.Five Thai DEN3 candidates with the predominant C90 T were shown to replicate in human(HepG2) and the mosquito(C6/36) cell lines better than the H87 prototype.However,their highly conserved sequences as well as SNPs of the 5'UTR did not appear to correlate with their disease severity in human.Conclusions:Our findings highlighted evolutionary relationship of the completely identical 89 nucleotide sequence,the high-order secondary structure and the predominant C90 T of the 5'UTR of these Thai DEN3 during 24 year-evolution further suggesting to be their genetic markers and magic targets for future research on antiviral therapy as well as vaccine approaches of Thai DEN3.
基金This work was supported by US Department of Army and the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research(JCESR),an Energy Innovation Hub funded by Depart-ment of Energy,Basic Energy Science,under an Interagency Agreement No.IAA SN202095.
文摘With the increasing interest in highly concentrated electrolyte systems,correct determination of the cation transference number is important.Pulsed-field gradient NMR technique,which measures self-diffusion coefficients,is often applied on liquid electrolytes because of the wide accessibility and simple sample preparation.However,since the assumptions of this technique,that is,complete salt dissociation,all ions participating in motion,and all of them moving independently,no longer hold true in concentrated solutions,the transference numbers,thus obtained are often over-estimated.In the present work,impedance spectroscopy at a frequency range of 1 MHz to 0.1 mHz was used to examine the concentration effect on lithium-ion transference number under anion-blocking conditions T abc Liþfor two electrolytes:lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide(LiFSI)in sulfolane(SL)and lithium bis(trifluorosulfonyl)imide(LiTFSI)in tetraglyme(G4).The T abc Liþof the former was almost an order of magnitude higher than that of the latter.It also appeared to increase with increasing concentration while the latter followed an opposite trend.The faster Li^(+)transport in the SL system is attributed to the formation of a liquid structure consisting of extended chains/bridges of SL molecules and the anions,which facilitate a cation-hopping/ligand-exchanged-typed diffusion mechanism by partially decoupling the cations from the anions and solvent molecules.The G4 system,in contrast,is dominated by the formation of long-lived,stable[Li(G4)]+solvation cages that results in a sluggish Li+transport.The difference between the two transport mechanisms is discussed via comparison of the bulk ionic conductivity,viscosity,ion self-diffusion coefficients,and the Onsager transport coefficients.
文摘Peptide biosensor reagents are emerging as an alternative to typical antibody-based detection methods. Peptides can be rapidly isolated using bacterial display methods for new and emerging biothreats and can be chemically synthesized for rapid, large-scale production. With the emergence of peptide biosensor reagents, there is a growing need to develop methods for characterizing binding interactions. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a free-solution separation method that is able to determine target and analyte binding association (Kb) and dissociation constants (Kd). In this study, the Kb, Kd, and peptide specificity of an isolated peptide binding reagent to protective antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracis were evaluated using capillary electrophoresis at 10 and 20 kV. The relative binding specificity was rapidly assessed by measuring the peptide relative mobility shift at 20 kV at nonequilibrium using bovine serum albumin (BSA), horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and an anti-PA monoclonal antibody (mAb). The αPA peptide was shown to be highly specific for PA, with a Kd = 177 nM measured at 20 kV and Kd = 312 nM measured at 10 kV. These results show that peptides from bacterial display libraries can be rapidly tested for specificity and binding affinity, in solution, for use as a potential biosensor reagent against new and emerging biothreats.
文摘Continuous delivery of local anesthetics might be useful for management of localized and chronic pain. Controlled release injectable anesthetics have been developed but they can deliver the drug for only few days and the release is not zero-order. A drug delivery system (DDS) consisting of a perforated reservoir for drug containment and release and its potential for management of chronic pain is described. Proof of principle is detailed for long-term zero order delivery of butamben. In this study, the DDS was a polyimide tube with a 0.20 mm hole and butamben release was evaluated in vitro. It is envisioned that the DDS could be implanted in proximity to a nerve, enervating the pain source, for long-term control of chronic pain.
文摘The 2016 Olympic Games happened at the time of heightened fears of Zika virus (ZIKV) that was causing microcephaly in newborns in Brazil. To avert or track introduction of ZIKV in Kenya, the Ministry of Health developed a public health response that involved screening of the Kenyan contingent before and after traveling to Brazil. Of the 92 team members that were screened, all but one tested negative for ZIKV IgM and IgG. The sero-positive individual had high IgM serum titers before and after travel to Brazil. When tested for potential antibody cross-reactivity to other flaviviruses that have been reported in Kenya, the sample showed high IgM cross-reactivity to West Nile, Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Yellow Fever Virus. Our data support the low risk predictions of acquiring ZIKV that were made before the Games and will help inform risk assessments for personnel traveling to endemic regions under similar circumstances in the future.
文摘<span style="font-family:Verdana;">In work reported here, the dynamic properties and low-velocity impact response of woven carbon/epoxy laminates incorporating a novel 3D interlaminar reinforcement concept with dense layers of Z-axis oriented milled carbon fiber Supercomposite</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">TM</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> prepregs, are presented. Impulse-frequency response vibration technique is used for non-destructive evaluation of the dynamic flexural modulus (stiffness) and loss factor (intrinsic damping) of woven carbon/epoxy control and Supercomposite</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">TM</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> laminates. Low-velocity punch-shear tests were performed on control and Supercomposite</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">TM</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> laminates according to ASTM D3763 Standard using a drop-weight impact test system. Control panels had all layers of 3K plain woven carbon/epoxy prepregs, with a dense interlaminar reinforcement of milled carbon fibers in Z-</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">direction used in designing the Supercomposite</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">TM</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> laminate—both having same areal density. Impulse-frequency response vibration experiments show that with a 50% replacement of woven carbon fabric in control panel with milled carbon fibers in Z direction dynamic flexural modulus reduced 25%</span></span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">30% (loss in stiffness) and damping increased by about the same 25%</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">30%. Low-velocity punch-shear tests demonstrated about</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">25% reduction in energy absorption for Supercomposite</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">TM</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> laminates with the replacement of 50% woven carbon fabric in control panel.</span></span>
文摘Electroosmotic water vapor transport (WVT) across very thin, flexible, functionalized conducting polymer (CP) microporous (μP) membranes at a very high rate is reported. Both passive and active (6 VDC applied) WVT are reported, the latter for the first time ever. WVT occurs with concomitant, effective blocking of chemical warfare (CW) agents, again demonstrated for the first time ever. Initial active liquid||membrane||liquid interface studies demonstrated WVT rates of >1.7 × 10-5g .mm-2s-1, >3 × the highest prior reported values of 5 × 10-6g.mm-2s-1. Subsequent vapor||membrane|| vapor interface studies using industry-standard methods (including ASTM E96B Upright Cup (“WVT”), ASTM F2298 (“Dynamic Moisture Permeation Cell”) and ASTM F1868 (“Sweating Guard Hotplate”) were done at independent, external labs for independent corroboration. These yielded, e.g., WVT values of2564.4 g.m2.d-1 (passive) and3706.7 g.m2d-1 (active), to be compared with the highest (passive) value ever reported previously,984.8 g.m2.d-1 for a μP-Nylon membrane. More than 15 different membrane configurations, porosities and types were studied, including membranes with CP + organophosphate hydrolase (OPH), an enzyme reactive to CW agents. Efficient blocking of the actual CW agents GB, HD, VX is also reported, using the TOP-8-2-501standard. Membranes also passed all Industry-standard durability tests, e.g. ASTM D2261 (Tearing), ASTM D5034 (Breaking), ASTM D3886 (Abrasion), ASTM F392 (Gelbo Flex). Incorporation into smart soldiers’ garments was demonstrated;power consumption was -2. Mechanisms of enhanced WVT and CW agent blocking in the membranes are discussed.
文摘New advanced numerical computer model enabling accurate simulation of fragmentation parameters of large Length over Diameter(L/D)explosively driven metal shells has been developed and validated.The newly developed large L/D multi-region model links three-dimensional axisymmetric high strain high strain-rate hydrocode analyses with the conventional set of Picatinny Arsenal FRAGmentation(PAFRAG)simulation routines.The standard PAFRAG modeling technique is based on the Mott's theory of break-up of idealized cylindrical"ring-bombs",in which the length of the average fragment is a function of the radius and velocity of the shell at the moment of break-up,and the mechanical properties of the metal.In the newly developed multi-region model,each of the shell region,the break-up is assumed to occur instantaneously,whereas the entire shell is modeled to fragment at multiple times,according to the number of the regions considered.According to PAFRAG methodology,the required input for both the natural and the controlled fragmentation models including the geometry and the velocity of the shell at moment of break-up had been provided from the hydrocode analyses and validated with available experimental data.The newly developed large L/D multi-region PAFRAG model has been shown to accurately reproduce available experimental fragmentation data.
基金the FREEDOM Tech Base Programthe US Army RDECOM ARDEC for their support and the funding provided for this effort
文摘Surface coating of granular propellants is widely used in a multiplicity of propellants for small, medium and large caliber ammunition. All small caliber ball propellants exhibit burning progressivity due to application of effective deterrent coatings. Large perforated propellant grains have also begun utilizing plasticizing and impregnated deterrent coatings with the purpose of increasing charge weights for greater energy and velocity for the projectile. The deterrent coating and impregnation process utilizes volatile organic compounds(VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants(HAPs) which results in propellants that need to be forced air dried which impacts air quality. Propellants undergo temperature fluctuations during their life. Diffusion coefficients vary exponentially with variations in temperature. A small temperature increase can induce a faster migration, even over a short period of time, which can lead to large deviations in the concentration. This large concentration change in the ammunition becomes a safety or performance liability. The presence of both polymeric deterrents and nitroglycerin(NG) in the nitrocellulose matrix and organic solvents leads to higher diffusion rates. This results in continued emissions of VOCs and HAPs. Conventional polymers tend to partition within the propellant matrix. In other words,localized mixing can occur between the polymer and underlying propellant. This is due to solvent induced softening of the polymer vehicle over the propellant grain. In effect this creates a path where migration can occur. Since nitrate esters, like NG, are relatively small, it can exude to the surface and create a highly unstable and dangerous situation for the warfighter. Curable polymers do not suffer from this partitioning due to "melting" because no VOC solvents are present. They remain surface coated. The small scale characterization testing, such as closed bomb testing, small scale sensitivity, thermal stability,and chemical compatibility, will be presented. The 30 mm gun demonstration firing data at hot, cold, and ambient temperatures will also be presented.
文摘This article presents an up-to-date tutorial review of nonlinear Bayesian estimation. State estimation for nonlinear systems has been a challenge encountered in a wide range of engineering fields, attracting decades of research effort. To date,one of the most promising and popular approaches is to view and address the problem from a Bayesian probabilistic perspective,which enables estimation of the unknown state variables by tracking their probabilistic distribution or statistics(e.g., mean and covariance) conditioned on a system's measurement data.This article offers a systematic introduction to the Bayesian state estimation framework and reviews various Kalman filtering(KF)techniques, progressively from the standard KF for linear systems to extended KF, unscented KF and ensemble KF for nonlinear systems. It also overviews other prominent or emerging Bayesian estimation methods including Gaussian filtering, Gaussian-sum filtering, particle filtering and moving horizon estimation and extends the discussion of state estimation to more complicated problems such as simultaneous state and parameter/input estimation.
基金This research was supported by the National Science Foundation,Grant No.CMS-984754(Dr.C.Astill program manager)the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center.
文摘The mechanisms of seismically-induced liquefaction of granular soils underhigh confining stresses are still not fully understood.Evaluation of these mechanisms is generallybased on extrapolation of observed behavior at shallow depths.Three centrifuge model tests wereconducted at RPI's experimental facility to investigate the effects of confining stresses on thedynamic response of a deep horizontal deposit of saturated sand.Liquefaction was observed at highconfining stresses in each of the tests.A system identification procedure was used to estimate theassociated shear strain and stress time histories.These histories revealed a response marked byshear strength degradation and dilative patterns.The recorded accelerations and pore pressures wereemployed to generate visual animations of the models.These visualizations revealed a liquefactionfront traveling downward and leading to large shear strains and isolation of upper soil layers.
文摘KEY POINTS Heat illnesses range in severity from mild(heat rash,heat syncope, cramps) to serious(heat exhaustion,heat injury,heat stroke).Although heat illness can occur in anyone,an increased risk is associated with a variety of environmental factors,personal characteristics,health conditions,and medications.The risk of serious heat illness can be markedly reduced by implementing a variety of countermeasures,including becoming acclimated to the heat,managing heat stress exposure,and maintaining hydration.Athletes,coaches,training staff,and medical personnel should be vigilant for signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses.If warning signs are acted upon and body cooling rapidly administered,serious heat illness can be avoided.If heat stroke is suspected,rapid body cooling by immersion or soaking in cold water or ice water should be initiated.
