In Vivo Electrophysiology of Peptidergic Neurons in Deep Layers of the Lumbar Spinal Cord after Optogenetic Stimulation of Hypothalamic Paraventricular Oxytocin Neurons in Rats

The spinal ejaculation generator (SEG) is located in the central gray (lamina X) of the rat lumbar spinal cord and plays a pivotal role in the ejaculatory reflex. We recently reported that SEG neurons express the oxytocin receptor and are activated by oxytocin projections from the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVH). However, it is unknown whether the SEG responds to oxytocin in vivo. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of the brain–spinal cord neural circuit that controls male sexual function using a newly developed in vivo electrophysiological technique. Optogenetic stimulation of the PVH of rats expressing channel rhodopsin under the oxytocin receptor promoter increased the spontaneous firing of most lamina X SEG neurons. This is the first demonstration of the in vivo electrical response from the deeper (lamina X) neurons in the spinal cord. Furthermore, we succeeded in the in vivo whole-cell recordings of lamina X neurons. In vivo whole-cell recordings may reveal the features of lamina X SEG neurons, including differences in neurotransmitters and response to stimulation. Taken together, these results suggest that in vivo electrophysiological stimulation can elucidate the neurophysiological response of a variety of spinal neurons during male sexual behavior.     

一起发电机定子接地故障的分析与处理

文章介绍了海外某大型火力发电厂发生的一起发电机定子接地故障的分析和处理过程,对发电厂类似故障的处理和海外发电厂的运行和维护提供了参考。     

An optimal configuration for hybrid SOFC,gas turbine,and Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer using a developed Aquila Optimizer

In this research, a technical, economic and environmental analysis has been proposed to a Hybrid Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system-based hybrid system including biomass, gas turbine, and Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer. A multi-objective optimization technique has been utilized to improve the overall product cost and the exergy effectiveness based on a developed version of Aquila Optimizer (DAO). The main idea of using the developed version is to improve the accuracy and the precision of the original Aquila optimizer. The system is then authenticated in terms of energy/exergy effectiveness, and energy-economic efficiency. The achievements indicate that employing the optimization algorithm for different configurations provided satisfying results for the system.     

温度对核电站传热管阵列声透射特性的影响

为了研究温度分布对于管阵列结构中的声透射特性的影响，以核电站的实际工况为背景，构建了不同的温度场以及周期性变化的非均匀温度场，利用有限元方法进行数值模拟。结果表明：（1）温度分布会改变管阵列声透射频谱的“禁带”宽度以及中心频率位置。在同一介质中，温度变化对频率较高位置的影响大于频率较低的位置。（2）在同样为10℃的温度差下，当水的平均声速为1 653 m·s^-1、饱和水蒸气的平均声速为522.5 m·s^-1时，介质为水时的禁带宽度及中心频率位置变化较大，即声速大的介质的频谱对于温度的变化更敏感。（3）当温度差在10℃以内，在周期性变化的非均匀温度场和与均匀温度场中管阵列声透射特性在第一中心频率23 996.1 Hz之前，两频谱差别很小，在第一禁带之后会出现明显区别。该研究成果对完善核电站应用的声学检测提供了理论基础。     

Study on ice-melting performance of gradient gas diffusion layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cell

In this study, a three-dimensional model was established using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) to study the internal ice melting process of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The single-point second-order curved boundary condition was adopted. The effects of GDL carbon fiber number, growth slope of the number of carbon fibers and carbon fiber diameter on ice melting were studied. The results were revealed that the temperature in the middle and lower part of the gradient distribution GDL is significantly higher than that of the no-gradient GDL. With the increase of the growth slope of the number of carbon fiber, the temperature and melting rate gradually increase, and the position of the solid-liquid interface gradually decreases. The decrease in the number of carbon fibers has a similar effect as the increase in the growth slope of the number of carbon fibers. In addition, as the diameter of the carbon fiber increases, the position of the solid-liquid interface gradually decreases first and then increases.     

One-step to prepare high-performance gas diffusion layer (GDL) with three different functional layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs)

Gas diffusion layer (GDL) is one of the most important components of fuel cells. In order to improve the fuel cell performance, GDL has developed from single layer to dual layers, and then to multiple layers. However, dual or multi layers in GDL are usually prepared by layer-by-layer methods, which cost too much time, energy, and resources. In this work, we successfully developed a facile one-step method to prepare a GDL with three functional layers by utilizing the different sedimentation rates and filtration rates of short carbon fiber (CF) and carbon nanotube (CNT). The treatment temperature for this GDL is much lower than that of traditional method. The thickness of the GDL can be effectively controlled from as thin as 50 μm to more than 200 μm by simply adjusting the content of CF. The GDL with high flexibility is suitable to develop high performance flexible electronics. The fuel cell with the GDL has the maximum power density 1021 mW cm^?2, which shows 19% improvement comparing to the conventional one. Therefore, this work breaks the traditional concept that GDL for fuel cells only can be prepared by very complex and high-cost procedure.     

Analysis of surface and interior degradation of gas diffusion layer with accelerated stress tests for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

The effects of surface and interior degradation of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) on the performance and durability of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have been investigated using three freeze-thaw accelerated stress tests (ASTs). Three ASTs (ex-situ, in-situ, and new methods) are designed from freezing ?30 °C to thawing 80 °C by immersing, supplying, and bubbling, respectively. The ex-situ method is designed for surface degradation of the GDL. Change of surface morphology from hydrophobic to hydrophilic by surface degradation of GDL causes low capillary pressure which decreased PEMFC performance. The in-situ method is designed for the interior degradation of the GDL. A decrease in the ratio of the porosity to tortuosity by interior degradation of the GDL deteriorates PEMFC performance. Moreover, the new method showed combined effects for both surface and interior degradation of the GDL. It was identified that the main factor that deteriorated the fuel cell performance was the increase in mass transport resistance by interior degradation of GDL. In conclusion, this study aims to investigate the causes of degraded GDL on the PEMFC performance into the surface and interior degradation and provide the design guideline of high-durability GDL for the PEMFC.     

内含实体对H型垂直轴风力机气动性能的影响

以H型垂直轴风力机及其内含圆柱形实体为研究对象,对NACA0018翼型的五叶片H型垂直轴风力机的气动性能进行数值模拟和实验验证。分析8种不同直径的内含圆柱体,在内含实体截面积占风轮迎风面积之比分别为21.2%、50.0%和76.9%时,风力机风能利用率的峰值分别下降8.04%、20.7%及74.3%。结果表明：随着内含实体直径的增大,风能利用率的峰值逐渐减小,开始较为缓慢,达到一定值时快速下降。小直径内含实体主要影响叶片在下风区的转矩,对风能利用率的影响较小,而大直径内含实体还会影响叶片在上风区的转矩,其风能利用率迅速减小。对于内含固定直径的实体,比如在现有建筑物外侧安装风力机时,其风轮半径的选择需综合考虑风能利用率和风力机的建造成本两方面的因素。研究结果可为建筑物与垂直轴风力机进行有效结合以提高风能的利用提供参考。     

Hydrogen production performance of a photovoltaic thermal system coupled with a proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell

As one of the cleanest energies, hydrogen has attracted much attention over the past decade. Hydrogen can be produced using water electrolysis in a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis Cell (PEMEC). In the present study, the performance of the PEMEC, powered by the Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT) system, is scrutinized. It is considered that the PVT system provides the required electrical power of the PEMEC and preheats the feedwater. A comprehensive numerical model of the coupled PVT-PEMEC system is developed. The model is used to investigate the effect of various operating parameters, including solar radiation intensity, inlet feedwater temperature, and feedwater mass flow rate, on the hydrogen production and operating voltage of the PEMEC at various Exchange Current Densities (ECDs). Furthermore, the effect of integration of Phase Change Material (PCM) and Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) on the hydrogen production of the system is evaluated. According to the obtained results, the PVT-TEG-PEMEC system outperforms other systems in hydrogen production. However, integration of the PVT-PEMEC system with PCM has a negligible effect on its hydrogen production.     

A numerical study of dynamic behaviors of a unitized regenerative fuel cell during gas purging

The gas purging states affect electricity output and energy storage capacity of unitized regenerative fuel cells. In this study, a model of unitized regenerative fuel cell is established. Cell voltages and operating temperatures influences on the dynamic distribution of thermal fluid during purging process and the discharge of residual liquid water in electrolytic cell mode are investigated. The motivation of the present study is better understanding the gas purging characteristics and its effect on reaction behaviors of unitized regenerative fuel cells. Simulation results reveal a significant influence of purging gas temperature on the water flooding and a great effect of operating voltage on the water diffusion. The operating temperature of electrolytic cell model almost has little effect on purging results at different cell temperature and the same purging gas temperature. When the purging gas temperature is changed, higher temperatures of cell and purging gas facilitate liquid water discharging out from the cell regions. In cell water flooding situation, when having large liquid content, the purging gas has little effects on the water expelling process.