Heterogeneous Effects on Chemo-Mechanical Coupling Behaviors at the Single-Particle Level

Understanding and alleviating the chemo-mechanical degradation of silicon anodes is a formidable challenge due to the large volume change during operations. Here, for a comprehensive understanding of heterogeneous effects on chemo-mechanical behaviors at the single-particle level, in-situ observation of single-crystalline silicon micropillar electrodes under the inhomogeneous extrinsic conditions, taken as an example, was made. The observation shows that the anisotropic deformation patterns and fracture starting sites are reshaped with the combination of the inhomogeneous electrochemical driving force for charge transfer at the interface between the silicon micropillar and the electrolyte, and crystal orientation-dependent lithiation dynamics. Also, the numerical simulation unravels the underlying mechanisms of deformation and fracture behaviors, and well predicts the relative depth of lithiation at the time of crack initiation under heterogeneous conditions. The results show that heterogeneities arising from extrinsic conditions may induce inhomogeneous mechanical damage and tailor lithiation degree at an active particle level, offering insights into designing large-volume-change battery particles with good mechanical integrity and electrochemical performance under heterogeneous impacts.

The inter-individual anatomical variation of the trochlear notch as a predisposition for simple elbow dislocation

Purpose Besides the multi-layered capsule–ligamentous complex of the elbow joint the high bony congruence in the ulnohumeral joint contributes to elbow stability. Therefore, we assume that specific anatomical configurations of the trochlear notch predispose to dislocation. In case of ligamentous elbow dislocation both conservative and surgical treatment is possible without a clear treatment algorithm. Findings of constitutional bony configurations could help deciding for the best treatment option. Methods In this retrospective matched-pair analysis we compared MRI imaging from patients sustaining a primary traumatic elbow dislocation (instability group) with patients suffering from chronic lateral epicondylitis (control group), treated between 2009 and 2019. Two independent observers measured different anatomical landmarks of the trochlear notch in a multiplanar reconstructed standardized sagittal trochlear plane (SSTP). Primarily, opening angle and relative depth of the trochlear notch were determined. After adjustment to the proximal ulnar rim in the SSTP, coronoid and olecranon angle, the articular angle as well as the ratio of the tip heights of the trochlear notch were measured. Results We compared 34 patients in the instability group (age 48 ± 14 years, f/m 19/15) with 34 patients in the control group (age 47 ± 16 years, f/m 19/15). Instability group showed a significantly larger opening angle (94.1° ± 6.9° vs. 88.5° ± 6.9°, p = 0.0002), olecranon angle (60.9° ± 5.3° vs. 56.1° ± 5.1°, p < 0.0001) and articular angle (24.7° ± 6.4° vs. 22.3° ± 5.8°, p = 0.02) compared to the control group. Measuring the height from the coronoid (ch) and olecranon (oh) tip also revealed a significantly larger tip ratio (tr = ch/oh) in the instability group (2.7 ± 0.8 vs. 2.2 ± 0.5, p < 0.0001). The relative depth (61.0% ± 8.3% vs. 62.7% ± 6.0%, p = 0.21) of the trochlear notch as well as the coronoid angle (32.8° ± 4.5° vs. 31.7° ± 5.2°, p = 0.30) showed no significant difference in the instability group compared to the control group. The interrater reliability of all measurements was between 0.83 and 0.94. Conclusion MRI of patients with elbow dislocation show that there seems to be a bony anatomical predisposition. According to the results, it seems reasonable to include predisposing bony factors in the decision-making process when surgical stabilization and conservative treatment is possible. Further biomechanical studies should prove these assumptions to generate critical bony values helping surgeons with decision making. Level of evidence III.

Observation and Analysis of Water Temperature in Ice-Covered Shallow Lake: Case Study in Qinghuahu Lake

Water temperature serves as a key environmental factor of lakes and the most basic parameter for analyzing the thermal conditions of a water body. Based on the observation and analysis of the water temperature of Qinghuahu Lake in the Heilongjiang Province of China, this paper analyzed the variation trend of the heat flux, effective thermal diffusivity of the icebound water, and revealed the temporal and spatial variation law of the water temperature and the transfer law beneath the ice on a shallow lake in a cold region. The results suggested a noticeable difference existing in the distribution of water temperature beneath the ice during different periods of ice coverage. During the third period, the water temperature vertically comprised three discrete layers, each of which remained unchanged in thickness despite the alternation of day and night. Sediment–water heat flux and water–ice heat flux both remained positive values throughout the freezing duration, averaging about 3.8–4.1 W/m2 and 9.8–10.3 W/m2, respectively. The calculated thermal diffusivity in late winter was larger than molecular, and the time-averaged values increased first and then decreased with water depth, reaching a maximum at a relative depth of 0.5. This research is expected to provide a reference for studies on the water environment of icebound shallow lakes or ponds in cold regions.

Depth Estimation of Single Defocused Images Based on Multi-Feature Fusion

Based on multi-feature fusion, this paper introduces a novel depth estimation method to suppress defocus and motion blurs, as well as focal plane ambiguity. Firstly, the node features formed by occlusion were fused to optimize image segmentation, and obtain the position relations between image objects. Next, the Gaussian gradient ratio between the defocused input image and the quadratic Gaussian blur was calculated to derive the edge sparse blur. After that, the fast guided filter was adopted to diffuse the sparse blur globally, and estimate the relative depth of the scene. Experimental results demonstrate that our method excellently resolves the ambiguity of depth estimation, and accurately overcomes the noise problem in real-time.

On Riemannian Geometries of Visual Space

This is a study of the phenomenal geometries constructed in the Riemannian geometry framework from simulated iso-disparity conics in the horizontal visual plane of the binocular system with the asymmetric eyes (AEs). The iso-disparity conic's arcs in the Cyclopean direction are the frontal visual geodesics. For the eyes' resting vergence posture, which depends on parameters of the AE, the iso-disparity conics are frontal straight lines in physical space. For all other fixations, the iso-disparity conics consist of families of the ellipses or hyperbolas depending on both the AE's parameters and the bifoveal fixation. An assumption underlying the relevant architecture of the human visual system is combined with results from simulated iso-disparity straight lines, giving the relative depth as a function of the distance. This establishes the metric tensor in binocular space of fixations for the eyes' resting vergence posture. The resulting geodesics in the gaze direction, give the distance to the horizon and zero curvature. For all other fixations, only the sign of the curvature can be inferred from the global behavior of the simulated iso-disparity conics.

Determination of nonlinear second-order diffraction forces acting on a ship in shallow water conditions based on the use of three-dimensional potential theory

В статье рассматривается метод определения нелинейных дифракционных сил, действующих на судно в условиях мелководья на основании трехмерной потенциальной теории. Производится оценка влияния относительной глубины водоема Н/Т на данные нелинейные силы. Для нахождения нелинейных сил, требуется определение потенциалов второго порядка малости. Решение основано на методах малого параметра, интегральных уравнений Фредгольма и функции Грина для случая мелководья. Данное решение является новым для отечественной практики. При определении потенциалов второго порядка учитываются нелинейные граничные условия на свободной поверхности жидкости и на смоченной поверхности судна. На основании изложенного метода разработана программа расчета нелинейных сил при различных Н/Т. Приводятся результаты расчетов сил и моментов для трех различных типов судов. Приведено сравнение с расчетами, основанными на двумерной теории. Особое внимание уделяется учету потенциала набегающего волнения второго порядка. Учитывается его вклад в образовании нелинейных дифракционных сил. Приводится сравнение расчетов с учетом влияния данного потенциала и без него. The article discusses a method for determining nonlinear diffraction forces acting on a ship in shallow water conditions on the basis of a three-dimensional potential theory. The influence of the relative depth of the fluid Н/Т on these nonlinear forces is assessed. To determine them, it is necessary to calculate the potentials of the second order of smallness. The solution of the problem is carried out on the basis of small parameter methods, Fredholm’s integral equations and Green’s function for a fluid of limited depth. The presented solution in national practice is new. During the determination of the second order potentials, nonlinear boundary conditions on the free surface of the liquid and on the wetted surface of the ship are taken into account on the basis of methods program was developed, considering various Н/Т. The results of calculations of the forces and moments for three types of different ships are presented. Comparison with calculations based on two-dimensional theory is given. Special attention is paid to taking into account the potential of the second-order of incoming wave. Its contribution to the formation of nonlinear diffraction forces is taken into account. A comparison of calculations with and without the influence of this potential is given

Investigation of nonlinear static displacements during the ship’s motions in various confined waterways

В статье проводится исследование нелинейных статических перемещений, возникающих в случае качки судна на мелководье, качки судна параллельно вертикальной стенке и при совместной качке двух судов на мелководье. Определение статических перемещений осуществляется на основании определения соответствующих сил волнового дрейфа по методам, разработанным в предшествующих работах. Данные методы основаны на применении метода интегральных уравнений и зеркальных отображений для случая качки судна параллельно вертикальной стенки. Проведенное исследование в отечественной практике является новым. В статье приводятся результаты расчетов нелинейных статических перемещений, возникающих при вертикальной, бортовой и килевой качки различных типов судов. Проводится исследование влияния различных факторов на их величины, а именно: изменения относительной глубины фарватера, изменения расстояния между судном и вертикальной стенкой, изменения расстояния между судами, курсового угла. Показано увеличение значений нелинейных статических углов крена и дифферента, а также вертикальных перемещений при уменьшении относительной глубины, уменьшении расстояния между судами и расстояния между судном и стенкой. Приведено сравнение значений статических перемещений, возникающих в различных стесненных фарватерах при прочих равных условиях. The article investigates nonlinear static displacements arising in the case of a ship’s motions in shallow water, motions of a ship parallel to a vertical wall and during coupled motions of two ships in shallow water. The determination of static displacements is carried out on the basis of determining the corresponding forces of wave drift according to the methods developed in previous works. These methods are based on the application of the method of integral equations and mirror images for the case of the ship’s motions parallel to the vertical wall. The research carried out in domestic practice is new. The article presents the results of calculations of nonlinear static displacements occurring during heaving, rolling and pitching of various types of ships. A study of the influence of various factors on their values is being carried out, namely: changes in the relative depth of the waterway, changes in the distance between the ship and the vertical wall, changes in the distance between ships, heading angle. An increase in the values of nonlinear static angles of roll and trim, as well as vertical displacements with a decrease in the relative depth, a decrease in the distance between ships and the distance between the ship and the wall, is shown. A comparison of the values of static displacements arising in various confined waterways, all other things being equal, is given.

A framework for estimating relative depth in video

This dissertation proposes a novel framework for recovering relative depth maps from a video. The framework is composed of two parts: a depth estimator and a sparse label interpolator. These parts are completely separate from one another and can operate independently. Prior methods have tended to heavily couple the interpolation stage with the depth estimation, which can assist with automation at the expense of flexibility. The loss of this flexibility can in fact be worse than any advantage gained by coupling the two stages together. This dissertation shows how by treating the two stages separately, it is very easy to change the quality of the results with little effort. It also leaves room for other adjustments. The depth estimator is based upon well-established computer vision principles and only has the restriction that the camera must be moving in order to obtain depth estimates. By starting from first principles, this dissertation has developed a new approach for quickly estimating relative depth. That is, it is able to answer the question, “is this feature closer than another," with relatively little computational overhead. The estimator is designed using a pipeline-style approach so that it produces sparse depth estimates in an online fashion; i.e. a depth estimate is automatically available for each new frame presented to the estimator. Finally, the interpolator applies an existing method based upon edge-aware filtering to generate the final depth maps. When temporal filters are used, the interpolation stage is able to very easily handle frames without any depth information, such as when the camera was stationary. However, unlike the prior work, this dissertation establishes the theoretical background for this type of interpolation and addresses some of the associated numerical problems. Strategies for dealing with these issues have also been provided