Maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) need to be sufficiently safe to gain commercial acceptance. Collision avoidance strategies in such MASS should comply with the International Regulations for ...Preventing Collision at the Sea (COLREGs). According to the COLREGs, collision risk assessment, which determines the optimal positioning and timing via all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions, is crucial to preventing collisions. However, existing collision risk assessment methods do not consider all vital factors in the COLREGs rules compliant collision avoidance. We propose a collision risk inference system for MASS that complies with COLREGs vital rules for collision avoidance as follows: (i) actions to avoid collision are defined according to the degree of danger, and a suitable response distance is determined; (ii) a collision risk index (CRI) according to the enlarged ship domain based on the designated response distance by each level is set; (iii) all vital factors of the COLREGs rules compliant collision avoidance are extracted as the data when the ship domain enlarged by each level is overlapped; (iv) the collision risk inference system is developed by learning extracted data via the adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). In contrast to existing research, the proposed system considers all vital variables in the COLREGs rules compliant collision avoidance guidelines, thereby improving the timings and positionings of the potential collision warning. Consequently, it could secure more time for decision making to take necessary collision prevention action.
Co-intercalation reactions make graphite as promising anodes for sodium ion batteries, however, the high redox potentials significantly lower the energy density. Herein, we investigate the factors ...that influence the co-intercalation potential of graphite and find that the tuning of the voltage as large as 0.38 V is achievable by adjusting the relative stability of ternary graphite intercalation compounds and the solvent activity in electrolytes. The feasibility of graphite anode in sodium ion batteries is confirmed in conjunction with Na
VPO
F
cathodes by using the optimal electrolyte. The sodium ion battery delivers an improved voltage of 3.1 V, a high power density of 3863 W kg
, negligible temperature dependency of energy/power densities and an extremely low capacity fading rate of 0.007% per cycle over 1000 cycles, which are among the best thus far reported for sodium ion full cells, making it a competitive choice in large-scale energy storage systems.
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Recent discovery of high-concentration electrolyte systems has opened a new avenue toward the high-voltage, safe, and low-cost aqueous rechargeable batteries. However, the need for ...generally high-cost organic solutes in the high-concentration electrolyte has become another major obstacle. Herein, we revisited all the commonly used low-cost solutes for high-concentration system and discovered that the use of NaClO4 solute effectively results in a wide electrochemical stability window by suppressing water decomposition and induces stable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer formation without involving the reduction of salt anions. The SEI layer, composed of Na2CO3 and NaO compounds including NaOH, guarantees the excellent electrochemical storage stability of the full-cell composed of Na4Fe3(PO4)2(P2O7) cathode and NaTi2(PO4)3 anode for the extended period of time. This new class of electrolyte systems provides remarkable cycle stability and a coulombic efficiency of ∼99% at 1C for over 200 cycles, which outperforms the state-of-the-art super-concentrated systems based on NaCF3SO3.
Map space composition is the first step in ship route planning. In this study, a map modeling method for path planning is proposed. This method incorporates the safety margin based on the theory of ...geographic space existing in coastal waters, maneuvering space according to ship characteristics, and the psychological buffer space of a ship navigator. First, the obstacle area was segmented using the binary method-a segmentation method-based on the international standard electronic chart image. Next, the margin space was incorporated through the morphological algorithm for the obstacle area. Finally, to minimize the space lost during the route search, the boundary simplification of the obstacle area was performed through the concave hull method. The experimental results of the proposed method resulted in a map that minimized the area lost due to obstacles. In addition, it was found that the distance and path-finding time were reduced compared to the conventional convex hull method. The study shows that the map modeling method is feasible, and that it can be applied to path planning.
A mechanosensitive, visco‐poroelastic polymer ion pump that can rapidly establish a dense electrical double layer via mechanical pressure, thereby significantly enhancing output performance of an ...ionic triboelectric nanogenerator (iTENG), is described. A working mechanism of an iTENG using a highly mechanosensitive, visco‐poroelastic ion pump is suggested and the optimal characteristics of the polymer ion pump are reported by investigating optical, mechanical, electrical, and electrochemical properties. Surprisingly, the pressure sensitivity of the iTENG reaches 23.3 V kPa−1, which is tens of times the record value. To achieve controlled high‐frequency pulses from an iTENG, kinematic systems using a gear train and a cam are integrated with a single grounded iTENG, which produces a maximum of 600 V and 22 mA (≈2.2 W cm−2) at an input frequency of 1.67 Hz; after power transforming, those values are converted to 1.42 V and 225 mA. A capacitor of 1 mF can be fully charged to 2 V in only 60 s, making it possible to continuously operate a wireless‐communicating self‐powered humidity sensor. Also, due to the high transparency and deformability of the polymer ion pump, a self‐powered transparent tactile sensor is successfully assembled using a 5 × 5 iTENG array.
An ultra‐mechanosensitive polymer ion pump and a kinematic architecture are presented for an innovative system design of ionic triboelectric nanogenerators (iTENGs). A visco‐poroelastic ion pump dramatically enhances output of iTENGs via establishing an electrical double layer. Furthermore, a kinematic architecture is integrated using a gear and a cam with iTENGs, which regulates a low frequency into a high working frequency.
Escherichia coli O157:H7 is one of the most important pathogens worldwide. In this study, three different kinds of enzymes, DNase I, proteinase K and cellulase were evaluated for inhibitory or ...degrading activity against E. coli O157:H7 biofilm by targeting extracellular DNA, proteins, and cellulose, respectively. The cell number of biofilms formed under proteinase K resulted in a 2.43 log CFU/cm
reduction with an additional synergistic 3.72 log CFU/cm
reduction after NaClO post-treatment, while no significant reduction occurred with NaClO treatment alone. It suggests that protein degradation could be a good way to control the biofilm effectively. In preformed biofilms, all enzymes showed a significant reduction of 16.4-36.7% in biofilm matrix in 10-fold diluted media (p < 0.05). The sequential treatment with proteinase K, cellulase, and NaClO showed a significantly higher synergistic inactivation of 2.83 log CFU/cm
compared to 1.58 log CFU/cm
in the sequence of cellulase, proteinase K, and NaClO (p < 0.05). It suggests that the sequence of multiple enzymes can make a significant difference in the susceptibility of biofilms to NaClO. This study indicates that the combination of extracellular polymeric substance-degrading enzymes with NaClO could be useful for the efficient control of E. coli O157:H7 biofilms.
We have reported that autophagy is crucial for clearance of amyloidogenic human IAPP (hIAPP) oligomer, suggesting that an autophagy enhancer could be a therapeutic modality against human diabetes ...with amyloid accumulation. Here, we show that a recently identified autophagy enhancer (MSL-7) reduces hIAPP oligomer accumulation in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived β-cells (hiPSC-β-cells) and diminishes oligomer-mediated apoptosis of β-cells. Protective effects of MSL-7 against hIAPP oligomer accumulation and hIAPP oligomer-mediated β-cell death are significantly reduced in cells with knockout of MiTF/TFE family members such as Tfeb or Tfe3. MSL-7 improves glucose tolerance and β-cell function of hIAPP
mice on high-fat diet, accompanied by reduced hIAPP oligomer/amyloid accumulation and β-cell apoptosis. Protective effects of MSL-7 against hIAPP oligomer-mediated β-cell death and the development of diabetes are also significantly reduced by β-cell-specific knockout of Tfeb. These results suggest that an autophagy enhancer could have therapeutic potential against human diabetes characterized by islet amyloid accumulation.
Redox mediators (RMs) are considered an effective countermeasure to reduce the large polarization in lithium‐oxygen batteries. Nevertheless, achieving sufficient enhancement of the cyclability is ...limited by the trade‐offs of freely mobile RMs, which are beneficial for charge transport but also trigger the shuttling phenomenon. Here, we successfully decoupled the charge‐carrying redox property of RMs and shuttling phenomenon by anchoring the RMs in polymer form, where physical RM migration was replaced by charge transfer along polymer chains. Using PTMA (poly(2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy‐4‐yl methacrylate)) as a polymer model system based on the well‐known RM tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl (TEMPO), it is demonstrated that PTMA can function as stationary RM, preserving the redox activity of TEMPO. The efficiency of RM‐mediated Li2O2 decomposition remains remarkably stable without the consumption of oxidized RMs or degradation of the lithium anode, resulting in an improved performance of the lithium‐oxygen cell.
The shuttling phenomenon is the most severe drawback of redox mediators (RMs) in lithium‐oxygen batteries, caused by the freely mobile nature of RMs. The shuttle effect was eliminated by anchoring RMs on the air electrode in form of a polymer. Successful prevention of the shuttle effect results in a remarkable improvement of the lithium‐oxygen cell‐performance.
Summary Background PF-00547659 is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to human mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) to selectively reduce lymphocyte homing to the intestinal ...tract. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of PF-00547659 in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Methods This phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial recruited patients aged 18–65 years from 105 centres in 21 countries, with a history (≥3 months) of active ulcerative colitis extending more than 15 cm beyond the anal verge (with a total Mayo score ≥6 and a Mayo endoscopic subscore ≥2) who had failed or were intolerant to at least one conventional therapy. Patients were stratified by previous anti-TNFα treatment, and randomly assigned by a computer-generated randomisation schedule to receive a subcutaneous injection of 7·5 mg, 22·5 mg, 75 mg, or 225 mg PF-00547659 or placebo at baseline, then every 4 weeks. Patients, investigators, and sponsors were blinded to the treatment. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving remission (total Mayo score ≤2 with no individual subscore >1 and rectal bleeding subscore ≤1) at week 12. The efficacy analysis included all patients who received at least one dose of the randomised treatment; the safety analysis was done according to treatment received. All p values were one-sided and multiplicity-adjusted. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT01620255. Findings Between Nov 2, 2012, and Feb 4, 2016, we screened 587 patients; 357 were eligible and randomly assigned to receive placebo (n=73) or PF-00547659 at doses of 7·5 mg (n=71), 22·5 mg (n=72), 75 mg (n=71), or 225 mg (n=70). Remission rates at week 12 were significantly greater in three of four active-treatment groups than in the placebo group (2·7% two of 73): 7·5 mg (11·3% eight of 71), 22·5 mg (16·7% 12 of 72), 75 mg (15·5% 11 of 71), and 225 mg (5·7% four of 70). These rates corresponded to a stratum-adjusted (anti-TNFα-naive and anti-TNFα-experienced) risk difference versus placebo of 8·0% for 7·5 mg (90% CI 1·9 to 14, p=0·0425), 12·8% for 22·5 mg (5·6 to 19·9, p=0·0099), 11·8% for 75 mg (4·8 to 18·8, p=0·0119), and 2·6% for 225 mg (−1·2 to 6·4, p=0·1803). Four of 73 (5·5%) patients had a serious adverse event in the placebo group, ten of 71 (14·1%) in the 7·5 mg group, one of 70 (1·4%) in the 22·5 mg group, three of 73 (4·1%) in the 75 mg group, and three of 70 (4·3%) in the 225 mg group. No safety signal was observed for the study drug. Interpretation PF-00547659 was safe and well tolerated in this patient population, and better than placebo for induction of remission in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. The greatest clinical effects were observed with the 22·5 mg and 75 mg doses. Funding Pfizer.
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