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Early detection of plant leaf diseases is a major necessity for controlling the spread of infections and enhancing the quality of food crops. Recently, plant disease detection based on deep learning approaches has achieved better performance than current state-of-the-art methods. Hence, this paper utilized a convolutional neural network (CNN) to improve rice leaf disease detection efficiency. We present a modified YOLOv8, which replaces the original Box Loss function by our proposed combination of EIoU loss and α -IoU loss in order to improve the performance of the rice leaf disease detection system. A two-stage approach is proposed to achieve a high accuracy of rice leaf disease identification based on AI (artificial intelligence) algorithms. In the first stage, the images of rice leaf diseases in the field are automatically collected. Afterward, these image data are separated into blast leaf, leaf folder, and brown spot sets, respectively. In the second stage, after training the YOLOv8 model on our proposed image dataset, the trained model is deployed on IoT devices to detect and identify rice leaf diseases. In order to assess the performance of the proposed approach, a comparative study between our proposed method and the methods using YOLOv7 and YOLOv5 is conducted. The experimental results demonstrate that the accuracy of our proposed model in this research has reached up to 89.9% on the dataset of 3175 images with 2608 images for training, 326 images for validation, and 241 images for testing. It demonstrates that our proposed approach achieves a higher accuracy rate than existing approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People's research on nanocrystals is getting more in-depth with the development of science and technology, and the patterned arrangement of nanocrystals can greatly improve the performance of our equipment in related fields, allowing people to control the patterning of nanocrystals. Research on thermal transfer is also increasing. Glass materials doped with patterned metal nanocrystals have great application potential, and the search for a simple and efficient patterned preparation method has attracted great attention of many researchers. Using the directional induced migration effect of the high temperature and high voltage DC electric field, combined with the subsequent heat treatment process, the distribution of silver nanocrystals corresponding to the surface silver film pattern can be formed in the silicate glass substrate, to realize the electric field-induced thermal transfer of the nanocrystal pattern print. This article aims to study the patterned thermal transfer of silver ions and nanocrystals on the glass substrate by applying an electric field to induce and analyze the ink absorption layer structure and printing performance. On this basis, an electron beam-induced thermal transfer method and Maxwell's equation are proposed to investigate and calculate the structure of the ink absorption layer. The experimental structure shows that using this method increases the success rate of the preparation of silver ions and nanocrystal patterns on the glass substrate by 30%, which improves the ink absorption layer and printing performance to different degrees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the changes in patellar morphology following soft tissue surgical correction of recurrent patellar dislocation in children with low‐grade trochlear dysplasia. Methods: The prospective cohort study was performed between November 2007 and December 2012. Finally, 25 cases, with the mean age of 8.4 years (range from 7 to 10 years), were admitted to the study. All patients were diagnosed as bilateral recurrent patellar dislocation associated with femoral trochlear dysplasia. The knee that suffered injury or was dislocated was treated with medial patellar retinacular plasty (surgery group). The contralateral knee, which served as a control, was treated conservatively (conservative group). Axial CT scans were undertaken in all patients to assess the patellar morphological characteristics. Results: The mean follow‐up time was 60.8 months (range 48 to 75 months). Preoperatively, there were no statistically significant differences between the patellar morphology in the two groups (P > 0.05). Many radiological parameters of patellar morphology were significantly different between the two groups at the final follow‐up, including well‐known parameters, such as the mean patellar width (surgery group, 40.58 mm [SD 1.26]; conservative group, 36.41 mm [SD 1.17]; P < 0.05), the mean patellar thickness (surgery group, 11.59 mm [SD 0.74]; conservative group, 9.38 mm [SD 0.56]; P < 0.05) and the mean Wiberg index (surgery group, 0.54 [SD 0.06]; conservative group, 0.72 [SD 0.08]; P < 0.05). There are also little‐known parameters, such as the ratio of length of lateral patella to medial patella (surgery group, 1.26 [SD 0.17]; conservative group, 1.69 [SD 0.21]; P < 0.05), which was a measurement of facet asymmetry. However, the Wiberg angle was not significantly different between the two groups (surgery group, 128.63° [SD 9.05]; conservative group, 125.47° [SD 13.96°]; P > 0.05) at the final follow‐up. No complications were found. Conclusions: The patellar morphology can be significantly improved by early soft tissue surgical correction in children with patellar instability associated with low‐grade femoral trochlear dysplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulmonary arterial venous malformation (PAVM) is an abnormal vascular malformation between pulmonary arteries and veins characterized by varying degrees of right-to-left shunts (RLS). Cryptogenic stroke (CS) due to paradoxical embolism (PE) caused by PAVM is relatively rare in the clinic. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 54-year-old right-handed woman who presented with sudden-onset left-sided limb weakness for 2 h. A physical examination revealed normal vital signs but weakness in her left upper and lower limbs, graded as 1/5 using the Medical Research Council scale. Her National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 8, and her modified Rankin scale (mRS) was 4. Brain diffusion-weighted imaging showed acute infarction in the right basal ganglia and the radiation crown but brain magnetic resonance angiography found no obvious abnormality. A transcranial Doppler ultrasound with bubble study (TCD-b) found the rain curtain sign of microbubbles in the left middle cerebral artery, reflecting significant RLS. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were conducted to distinguish between intra- and extracardiac shunts. A pulmonary computerized tomography angiogram (CTA) demonstrated a PAVM. We considered the patient had CS due to PE caused by PAVM. Thrombolytic therapy within the time window was performed. Then, transcatheter device occlusion of the arteriovenous fistula was successfully undertaken, and the patient carried on with rehabilitation training. At a 15-month follow-up, there were no catheter-related complications or recurrent stroke, and her NIHSS and mRS scores were both 0. Conclusions: PAVM is an important risk factor for PE and CS and should not be ignored as a possible etiology in stroke patients without any other risk factors. CTA of the pulmonary artery is the recommended gold standard for diagnosing and locating a PAVM. Thrombolytic therapy within the time window combined with transcatheter device occlusion of arteriovenous malformation and rehabilitation training may benefit the recovery of patients with CS caused by PE resulting from PAVM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The complexity of the phenotypic characteristics and molecular bases of many rare human genetic diseases makes the diagnosis of such diseases a challenge for clinicians. A map for visualizing, locating and navigating rare diseases based on similarity will help clinicians and researchers understand and easily explore these diseases.Methods: A distance matrix of rare diseases included in Orphanet was measured by calculating the quantitative distance among phenotypes and pathogenic genes based on Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) and Gene Ontology (GO), and each disease was mapped into Euclidean space. A rare disease map, enhanced by clustering classes and disease information, was developed based on ECharts.Results: A rare disease map called RDmap was published at http://rdmap.nbscn.org . Total 3287 rare diseases are included in the phenotype-based map, and 3789 rare genetic diseases are included in the gene-based map; 1718 overlapping diseases are connected between two maps. RDmap works similarly to the widely used Google Map service and supports zooming and panning. The phenotype similarity base disease location function performed better than traditional keyword searches in an in silico evaluation, and 20 published cases of rare diseases also demonstrated that RDmap can assist clinicians in seeking the rare disease diagnosis.Conclusion: RDmap is the first user-interactive map-style rare disease knowledgebase. It will help clinicians and researchers explore the increasingly complicated realm of rare genetic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species concept and delimitation are fundamental to taxonomic and evolutionary studies. Both inadequate informative sites in the molecular data and limited taxon sampling have often led to poor phylogenetic resolution and incorrect species delineation. Recently, the whole chloroplast genome sequences from extensive herbarium specimen samples have been shown to be effective to amend the problem. Stachyuraceae are a small family consisting of only one genus Stachyurus of six to 16 species. However, species delimitation in Stachyurus has been highly controversial because of few and generally unstable morphological characters used for classification. In this study, we sampled 69 individuals of seven species (each with at least three individuals) covering the entire taxonomic diversity, geographic range, and morphological variation of Stachyurus from herbarium specimens for genome‐wide plastid gene sequencing to address species delineation in the genus. We obtained high‐quality DNAs from specimens using a recently developed DNA reconstruction technique. We first assembled four whole chloroplast genome sequences. Based on the chloroplast genome and one nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence of Stachyurus, we designed primers for multiplex polymerase chain reaction and high throughput sequencing of 44 plastid loci for species of Stachyurus. Data of these chloroplast DNA and nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer sequences were used for phylogenetic analyses. The phylogenetic results showed that the Japanese species Stachyurus praecox Siebold & Zucc. was sister to the rest in mainland China, which indicated a typical Sino‐Japanese distribution pattern. Based on diagnostic morphological characters, distinct distributional range, and monophyly of each clade, we redefined seven species for Stachyurus following an integrative species concept, and revised the taxonomy of the family based on previous reports and specimens, in particular the type specimens. Furthermore, our divergence time estimation results suggested that Stachyuraceae split from its sister group Crossosomataceae from the New World at ca. 54.29 Mya, but extant species of Stachyuraceae started their diversification only recently at ca. 6.85 Mya. Diversification time of Stachyurus in mainland China was estimated to be ca. 4.45 Mya. This research has provided an example of using the herbarium specimen‐based phylogenomic approach in resolving species boundaries in a taxonomically difficult genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Amine-based CO 2 capture (ACC) has become one cost-effective method for reducing carbon emissions in order to mitigate climate changes. The amine-rich wastewater (ARWW) generated from ACC may contain a series of degradation products of amine-based solvents (ABSs). These products are harmful for ecological environment and human health. Effective and reliable ARWW treatment methods are highly required for mitigating the harmfulness. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive review of the existing limited methods that can guide ARWW-related technological advancements and treatment practices. To fill this gap, the review is achieved in this study. All available technologies for treating the ARWW from washwater, condenser, and reclaimer units in ACC are examined based on clarification of degradation mechanisms and ARWW compounds. A series of significant findings and recommendations are revealed through this review. For instance, ARWW treatment methods should be selected according to degradation conditions and pollution concentrations. UV light can be only used for treating wastewater from washwater and condenser units in ACC. Biological activated carbon is feasible for removing nitrosamines from washwater and condenser units. Sequence batch reactors, microbial fuel cells, and the other techniques for removing amines and similar degradation products are applicable for treating ARWW. This review provides scientific support for the selection and improvement of ARWW treatment techniques, the mitigation of ACC's consequences in environment, health and other aspects, and the extensive development and applications of ACC systems. Highlights • Investigation of degradation mechanisms and hazardousness of amine-rich wastewater. • Analyzing techniques for treating wastewater generated from washwater, condenser, and reclaimer units. • Providing support for the selection and improvement of wastewater treatment techniques. • Mitigation of wastewater has consequences in the environment and health during CO 2 capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The direct arylation of aromatic and aliphatic ketones was carried out via palladium‐catalyzed inert C−H bond functionalization with 2‐amino‐N‐isopropyl‐acetamide as a new catalytic transient directing group. The reaction showed excellent functional group compatibility and site selectivity. We demonstrated that α‐amino amide forming N,N‐bidentate coordination with Pd catalyst is more favorable for the β‐arylation of ketones than α‐amino acid forming N,O‐bidentate coordination with Pd catalyst under relatively mild conditions. This elegant approach provides straightforward access to important structural motifs in organic and medicinal chemistry and is demonstrated here in the efficient synthesis of phenanthridinone alkaloids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wave power is essential to carbon neutrality and other energy strategies. Its estimation and analyses at macroscales are enabled by extensive satellite altimetric data, but several challenges or questions exist. Thus, this study develops an advanced macroscale altimetry-based wave-power estimation and analysis (WPEA) method through integrating regionalized ensemble estimates of wave heights, wind speeds and wave periods, models of wave energy flux, indices of flux variabilities and wave power potentials, and statistical analyses of associations between wave power and selected externalities (e.g., offshore distances, water depths, ice-free days, and wind speeds). The method is applied to all Canadian waters, which reveals a series of findings. For instance, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, St. Lawrence, and Davis Strait in Canada are suitable for harvesting wave energy, because of considerable fluxes and low variabilities of wave energy at various timescales. Annual total wave power (approximately 2.04 PWh) largely exceeds national electricity consumption (249 TWh in 2021). The regionalized ensemble estimation helps WPEA enhance wave-power estimation accuracy under significant effects of data uncertainty. At the national scale, high wave power tends to be produced over remote, deep, windy, eastern waters and, without the consideration of technological applicability, over ice-free, southern waters. Potential associations of wave power with the externalities present seasonalities and heterogeneities under intensification effects of power-externality covariations and tech-applicability restrictions. Besides advancing wave-power estimation, analyses and modeling at macroscales (including the globe), this study provides data and scientific supports for studies and practices of local, regional and national wave energy development over Canada. • Develop a macroscale altimetry-based wave-power estimation & analysis method. • Total wave power (2.04 PWh) largely exceeds electricity consumption of Canada. • High wave power tends to be produced over remote, deep, windy, eastern waters. • Associations of wave power with externalities are seasonal & heterogeneous. • Provide data & scientific supports for wave energy development over Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting encrypted malware traffic promptly to halt the further propagation of an attack is critical. Currently, machine learning becomes a key technique for extracting encrypted malware traffic patterns. However, due to the dynamic nature of network environments and the frequent updates of malware, current methods face the challenges of detecting unknown malware traffic in open-world environment. To address the issue, we introduce MVDet, a novel method that employs machine learning to mine the behavioral features of malware traffic based on multi-view analysis. Unlike traditional methods, MVDet innovatively characterizes the behavioral features of malware traffic at 4-tuple flows from four views: statistical view, DNS view, TLS view, and business view, which is a more stable feature representation capable of handling complex network environments and malware updates. Additionally, we achieve a short-time behavioral features construction, significantly reducing the time cost for feature extraction and malware detection. As a result, we can detect malware behavior at an early stage promptly. Our evaluation demonstrates that MVDet can detect a wide variety of known malware traffic and exhibits efficient and robust detection in both open-world and unknown malware scenarios. MVDet outperforms state-of-the-art methods in closed-world known malware detection, open-world known malware detection, and open-world unknown malware detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study predicts the probabilities of achieving the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emission targets set by the Paris Agreement and the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) of the top ten CO 2 emitters (TTCE). The TTCE are China, USA, India, Russia, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia based on their emission trends over 1991–2015 period. The methods of trend extrapolation and back propagation (BP) neural networks are used in this paper to overcome the weakness of multiple linear regression (MLR) and the assumptions of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC). The results show that the model performs well and has high predictive accuracy. The volume of the CO 2 emissions by the TTCE in 2030 is predicted to increase by 26.5–36.5%, compared with 2005. According to different trends of economic growth, energy consumption, and changes in share of renewable energy, the results show that China, India and Russia will achieve their INDC targets in some scenarios, whereas there will be a shortfall in achieving targets by USA, Japan, Germany, and South Korea. In particular, the carbon reduction situations of Saudi Arabia, Iran and Indonesia are quite severe. Moreover, the results show that there is no common trend that can be used as a suitable benchmark for every country for the implementation of carbon reductions targets of the Paris Agreement and their INDC goals. Finally, there are signs of improvement of the equality of carbon emissions based on the analysis of the Gini coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resources and environmental systems management (RESM) is challenged by the synchronic effects of interval uncertainties in the related practices. The synchronic interval uncertainties are misrepresented as random variables, fuzzy sets, or interval numbers in conventional RESM programming techniques including stochastic programming. This may lead to ineffectiveness of resources allocation, high costs of recourse measures, increased risks of unreasonable decisions, and decreased optimality of system profits. To fill the gap of few corresponding studies, a synchronic interval linear programming (SILP) method is proposed in this study. The proposition of interval sets and interval functions and coupling them with linear programming models lead to development of an SILP model for RESM. This enables incorporation of interval uncertainties in resource constraints and synchronic interval uncertainties in the programming objective into the optimization process. An analysis of the distribution-independent geometric properties of the feasible regions of SILP models results in proposition of constraint violation likelihoods. The tradeoff between system optimality and constraint violation is analyzed. The overall optimality of SILP systems under synchronic intervalness is quantified through proposition of integrally optimal solutions. Integration of these efforts leads to a violation-constrained interval integral method for optimization of RESM systems under synchronic interval uncertainties. Comparisons with selected existing methods reveal the effectiveness of SILP at eliminating negativity of synchronic intervalness, enabling risk management of and achieving overall optimality of RESM systems, and enhancing the reliability of optimization techniques for RESM problems. The exploited framework for analyzing synchronic interval uncertainties in RESM systems is helpful for addressing synchronisms of other uncertainties such as randomness or fuzziness and avoiding the resultant decision mistakes and disasters due to neglecting them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations of thermo-hydraulic performance were conducted on five trisection helical baffle heat exchangers with different inclination angles, baffle shapes, or connection patterns, and one segmental baffle heat exchanger (SEG). A comparative analysis of three sector baffle schemes with inclination angles of 10° (10°S), 15° (15°S), and 20° (20°S); an ellipse baffle scheme with an inclination angle of 15° (15°E); and an axial overlap sector baffle scheme with an inclination angle of 20° (20°D) was performed. Local images were constructed to obtain pressure loss characteristics and flow field distributions. The flow field characteristics, such as the Dean vortex secondary flow and bypass leakage between adjacent baffles, are clearly shown and discussed. The same inclination angle schemes have completely different properties because of the baffle shapes or connection patterns. The performance of the end-to-end scheme is superior to that of the axial overlap scheme, and the ellipse baffle scheme is inferior to the sector baffle scheme. The 20°S scheme has the optimum comprehensive index and lowest shell-side pressure loss. The 10°S scheme has the highest shell-side Nusselt number and shell-side pressure loss, and can be selected only when heat transfer capability is very important in an engineering application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient and low resistant circumferential overlap trisection helical baffle shell-and-tube heat exchanger with folded baffles (cothHXf) is presented. It is a modified trisection helical baffle heat exchanger with folded helical baffles for setting rods-and-spanning sleeves. It not only inherits all the merits of circumferential overlap helical baffle scheme, but also adds many additional advantages, such as supporting the inclined baffles with the least rods, simplifying the manufacturing process of spanning tubes and effectively inhibiting the reverse leakage at triangular areas between adjacent baffles. The improved flow characteristic and heat transfer enhancement mechanism of this heat exchanger were numerically investigated in comparison with conventional segmental baffles shell-and-tube heat exchanger (segHX). The flow fields within triangular area of adjacent baffles and nearby regions were depicted. The impacts of the folded baffles on shell-side helical flow, secondary vortex flow, and leakage pattern were analyzed. The distribution configurations of fields of velocity, pressure, temperature and local heat flow rate were revealed. The results show that the heat transfer performance and comprehensive performance evaluation indexes of the cothHXf are much better than those of the segHX while the pressure drop of the cothHXf is much lower than that of the segHX. The numerical simulation results of vivid distributions of flow and thermal fields of the cothHXf can provide theoretical basis for an engineering design and popularized industrial application of the new type heat exchangers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the three-dimensional (3D) modeling software Gambit, a mathematical model of a circumferential overlap trisection helical baffle shell-and-tube heat exchanger (cothSTHX) was developed with 34 tubes and three pulling rods with an equilateral triangle tube layout and a baffle incline angle of 20°. The numerical simulation of flow and thermal performances was performed with the analysis software Fluent. The temperature, pressure, and velocity nephograms are shown for different slices, including spiral, concentric hexagon longitudinal, meridian, eccentric longitudinal, and transverse slices. The nephograms of temperature, pressure, and velocity with superimposed velocity vectors vividly display the important parameters of the cothSTHX. The “Dean vortex secondary flow” is a key mechanism to enhance the heat transfer in heat exchangers, which is clearly depicted to show that the spiral fluid flows outward under the centrifugal force, then flows back to the axis under the radial differential pressure, forming a single vortex in each helix cycle. The structure of circumferential overlap baffles restricts the shortcut leakage flow, and the flow pattern in the cothSTHX is very close to “plug flow” on the unfolded hexagon slices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circumferential overlap structure is considered as one of the key factors which influence the performances of helical baffle heat exchangers by restraining the bypass stream between adjacent baffles. The flow and thermal performances of four trisection helical baffle heat exchangers with the same angle of inclination but different circumferential overlap sizes were numerically investigated. The four schemes involve an end-to-end one and three circumferential overlap ones with triangular area covering one row (20°TCO), two rows (20°T2CO), and three rows (20°T3CO) of tubes. The flow field and combined slices with pressure contours plus velocity vectors were depicted. The 20°TCO scheme proved to be superior to other schemes since its Nusselt number as well as its comprehensive index are the highest and its secondary flow is the strongest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Many reports indicated LATS2 was a component of the Hippo pathway, could phosphorylate and inactivate YAP, acted as a tumor suppressor in human cancers. But few studies investigated the role of LATS2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and clarified the mechanisms of regulation of LATS2 expression. Design The expressions of LATS2 and phosphorylated YAP were detected by Western blotting in HN6 cells treated with TNF-α in different time and different dose. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to detect whether YAP can be phosphorylated by LATS2 in HN6 cells. Cell proliferation, anchorage independent growth in soft agar, transwell cell invasion assay, and nu mice in vivo xenografts growth were performed to study the effects of overexpression of LATS2 on OSCC cells. Results In this study, we confirmed that YAP can be phosphorylated by LATS2. LATS2 can be dose- and time-dependently induced by TNF-α in HN6 cells. Overexpression of LATS2 inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, cell invasion, and in vivo xenografts growth in OSCC cells. Conclusion LATS2 could be induced by TNF-alpha and inhibited cell proliferation and invasion by phosphorylating YAP in OSCC cells. LATS2 might play a role in the tumorigenesis of OSCC and might be a potential therapeutic target in OSCC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma ( OSCC) is one of the most deadly malignant tumors with high invasive potential and frequently cervical lymph node metastasis. AP-1 plays a critical role in tumor invasion and metastasis, but there are few reports on the role of c-Fos in OSCC carcinogenesis and metastasis. Methods Investigate c-Fos expression in clinical samples from 58 primary patients with OSCC by immunohistochemistry. c-Fos knockdown stable cell lines were established by lentiviral infection and transwell cell invasion assay to detect the effects of c-Fos knockdown on tumor cell invasion. Results Nuclear and cytoplasmic c-Fos protein were both overexpression in cancerous tissues compared with adjacent non-malignant epithelia (nuclear: P < 0.001, cytoplasmic: P = 0.005). Higher level nuclear c-Fos expression was found in the tumor samples of patients with lymph node metastasis than those without lymph node metastasis (4.85 ± 1.43 vs. 3.61 ± 1.28, P = 0.002). Higher level of c-Fos expression was also found in tumor invasive front margin than tumor center and high nuclear expression of c-Fos indicated poor survival. Knockdown of c-Fos greatly suppressed tumor cell proliferation and invasion and downregulated CD44 and CyclinD1 expression in HN6 and SCC9 cells. However, CyclinD3, c-myc, and Erk1/2 were found no changes to c-Fos depletion. Conclusions c-Fos promoted cell invasion and migration via CD44 pathway in OSCC. c-Fos could be used as a potential therapeutic target gene and an additional marker for evaluation of lymph node metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical simulation of flow and heat transfer characteristics in four trisection helical baffle heat exchangers with equilateral triangle tube layouts was conducted. The heat exchangers have the same helical pitch but four different baffle shapes or connections, i.e., a circumferential overlap (CO) scheme, an end-to-end (EE) scheme, a blocked V-notches (BV) scheme, and a middle axial overlap (MO) scheme. The single vortex secondary flow in each helical cycle and the leakage flow patterns in the V-notches of the adjacent baffles of these schemes are clearly depicted on the meridian slices and unfolded hexagon slices. The results for nine tubes in a 60° sector and four tube layers reveal that the local heat transfer coefficient of the center tube is much higher than that of the other tubes for all the schemes. The results show that the CO scheme has the highest shell-side heat transfer coefficient and comprehensive indexes, the BV scheme has the highest pressure drop and the worst comprehensive indexes, and the MO scheme has the lowest values of both shell-side heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop and the second highest comprehensive indexes. The average values of comprehensive index h o /Δ p o of CO scheme in the calculated range is respectively 16.5%, 27.3% and 13.5% higher than that of the EE, BV and MO schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Thermal loads of the thermoelectric generator are studied. • Porous heat collector and traditional heat collector are compared. • Temperature nephograms are used to analyze temperature uniformity. • Influences of temperature uniformity on performance characteristics are discussed. • Thermoelectric performance is not proportional to the number of P–N junctions. The thermoelectric performance of a thermoelectric generator based on a porous heat collector, instead of the traditional heat collector, was comprehensively studied. The influence of hot side temperature uniformity on the thermoelectric performance was examined. Under various hot side temperatures, the thermal load distribution, load current, load voltage, and load power of two types of collector plates were tested using the method of control variables. In addition to the experimental tests, the temperature distribution of the collector plates as well as the performance of the thermoelectric generator were numerically simulated and tested. The results showed that the thermoelectric performance estimated by the numerical simulation was consistent with that obtained from the experimental tests. The thermoelectric performance of the thermoelectric generator having a uniform hot side load distribution was noticeable better than of that with a non–uniform hot side load distribution. The thermoelectric generator based on a porous heat collector achieved a better thermoelectric performance output and a higher comprehensive index of the thermoelectric performance than that using the traditional heat collector plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a maritime nation, Canada is the home to high-quality offshore wind resources. The assessment of Canada's offshore wind resources has a strategic significance for realizing its low-carbon future. This study focused on high-resolution and high-accuracy estimates of offshore wind resources over Canada using satellite-derived wind maps, e.g., CCMP (Cross-Calibrated Multi-Platform) images from 1988 to 2017. The CCMP derived wind speed and density were bias-corrected by ocean surface wind measurements collected from 63 stations located along the seas/lakes in Canada from 1987 to 2018. A series of consistent offshore wind resource maps were produced and analyzed. The results generated from CCMP were then compared with previous assessment (i.e., Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)'s Wind Atlas) and proved to perform better in simulating wind speeds. We estimated the technically available offshore wind area, gross power capacity and gross potential over Canada. For example, a gross potential production of 20.348, 20.441, and 20.376 PWh/year were calculated using three commercial offshore wind turbines, i.e. GE 3.6s, REpower 5 M, and V164–8.0 over the calculated total gross offshore area of 1.053 million km2. It far exceeds the Canada's electricity consumption (i.e., 0.641 PWh) in 2018. In addition, most of the potential power productions are distributed in the Canadian Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Hudson Bay and St Lawrence, with the mean wind speeds increasing from 1988 to 2017. This study can help to assess offshore wind resources and provide decision-makers with some scientific evidences for developing offshore wind in Canada. • Canada's offshore wind energy is assessed using buoy-measurement-based bias-corrected CCMP. • The assessment provides wind speed, power density, and potential at high resolution & accuracy. • Offshore wind power production far exceeds Canada's power consumption (0.64 PWh in 2018). • The production is the highest in Atlantic & Pacific Oceans, Hudson Bay, and St Lawrence. • We build one basis for Canadian energy systems planning (e.g., renewables for carbon neutrality). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Isobaric vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) data for ethanol–water systems containing ionic liquids (ILs) 1-methyl-3-methylimidazolium dimethylphosphate ([MMIM][DMP]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethylphosphate ([EMIM][DEP]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([BMIM][Br]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM][Cl]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]) at atmospheric pressure (101.32kPa) were measured with a circulation still. The results showed that the VLE of ethanol–water systems in the presence of different ILs was obviously different from that of the IL-free system. All ILs studied showed a salting-out effect, which gave rise to a change of the relative volatility of ethanol, and even to an elimination of the azeotropic point. It was found that the salting-out effect followed the order of [BMIM][Cl]>[BMIM][Br]>[BMIM][PF6] and [MMIM][DMP]>[EMIM][DEP], which was ascribed to the preferential solvation ability of the ions resulting from the dissociation of the IL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Encrypted traffic classification plays a critical role in network management, providing appropriate Quality-of-Service and Network Intrusion Detection. Conventional port-based and deep packet inspection approaches cannot classify encrypted traffic effectively. Methods based on machine learning can classify encrypted traffic by extracting statistical features of the flow. However, they require manual extraction of features. Recent studies show that the approaches based on deep learning are compelling for the task. They can automatically learn raw traffic features without manual feature extraction. However, these studies still take the payload of encrypted traffic as the model input, which may cause privacy risks. Besides, a massive encrypted payload causes great storage pressure on traffic classification. In this paper, we propose a reliable encrypted traffic classification framework by only using the flow header called Only Header, which avoids privacy risks and achieves lightweight storage. Firstly, we introduce a twice segmentation mechanism to dilute the interference traffic and increase the weight of effective traffic. Then, we use capsule neural networks (CapsNet) to learn spatial and byte features of the flow header. The Only Header's effectiveness is compared with other methods using two public datasets, including ISCX VPN-nonVPN and ISCX Tor-nonTor datasets. The experimental results demonstrate that the Only Header outperforms the state-of-the-art encrypted traffic classification methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building a multifunctional Li/Na-B-Mg-Si-O-F-rich hybrid ion/electron interface network on 4.65 V LCO enables reversible Co/O redox, excellent interface stability, and fast-charging Cyclability. [Display omitted] High-voltage and fast-charging LiCoO 2 (LCO) is key to high-energy/power-density Li-ion batteries. However, unstable surface structure and unfavorable electronic/ionic conductivity severely hinder its high-voltage fast-charging cyclability. Here, we construct a Li/Na-B-Mg-Si-O-F-rich mixed ion/electron interface network on the 4.65 V LCO electrode to enhance its rate capability and long-term cycling stability. Specifically, the resulting artificial hybrid conductive network enhances the reversible conversion of Co3+/4+/O2−/n− redox by the interfacial ion–electron cooperation and suppresses interface side reactions, inducing an ultrathin yet compact cathode electrolyte interphase. Simultaneously, the derived near-surface Na+/Mg2+/Si4+-pillared local intercalation structure greatly promotes the Li+ diffusion around the 4.55 V phase transition and stabilizes the cathode interface. Finally, excellent 3 C (1 C = 274 mA g−1) fast charging performance is demonstrated with 73.8% capacity retention over 1000 cycles. Our findings shed new insights to the fundamental mechanism of interfacial ion/electron synergy in stabilizing and enhancing fast-charging cathode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A homogeneous mixture cavitation model is proposed and validated by acoustic cavitation. • The bounded Rayleigh–Plesset equation is modified due to the homogeneous treatment. • The compressibility of liquid should be considered but not gas. A homogeneous mixture cavitation model is proposed in this study. The bounded Rayleigh–Plesset equation is modified due to the homogeneous treatment and the compressibility of liquid is considered. The acoustic cavitation in stationary liquid is simulated to validate the improvements in proposed model: firstly, cavitation with up to 3 bubbles is simulated, the predicted bubble dynamics agree well with the predictions by the VOF method; then two experiments of shock-wave-induced cavitation are simulated and good agreements are obtained. More factors need to be considered to extend the application range of the proposed model in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Hierarchically structured Nb2O5 microflowers consiste of porous and ultrathin nanosheets. Nb2O5 microflowers exhibit enhanced capacity and rate performance boosting Na ion storage. Planar NIMSCs with charge and kinetics matching show superior areal capacitance and lifespan. Planar Na ion micro-supercapacitors (NIMSCs) that offer both high energy density and power density are deemed to a promising class of miniaturized power sources for wearable and portable microelectronics. Nevertheless, the development of NIMSCs are hugely impeded by the low capacity and sluggish Na ion kinetics in the negative electrode. Herein, we demonstrate a novel carbon-coated Nb2O5 microflower with a hierarchical structure composed of vertically intercrossed and porous nanosheets, boosting Na ion storage performance. The unique structural merits, including uniform carbon coating, ultrathin nanosheets and abundant pores, endow the Nb2O5 microflower with highly reversible Na ion storage capacity of 245 mAh g−1 at 0.25 C and excellent rate capability. Benefiting from high capacity and fast charging of Nb2O5 microflower, the planar NIMSCs consisted of Nb2O5 negative electrode and activated carbon positive electrode deliver high areal energy density of 60.7 μWh cm−2, considerable voltage window of 3.5 V and extraordinary cyclability. Therefore, this work exploits a structural design strategy towards electrode materials for application in NIMSCs, holding great promise for flexible microelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interface capturing methods are effective means to analyze the micromechanism of cavitation. It is complex to handle the phase change for interface capturing methods since it occurs at the narrow gas–liquid interface. This study proposes a new method to handle the phase change: treating it as the source of vapor inside the bubble. The phase change rate is calculated by the constant-transfer model, and the gas phase is an ideal mixture of non-condensable gas and vapor. In the validation part, the cavitation of a spherical bubble is trigged by the Gaussian pulses and harmonic forcing pressure is simulated, which shows good agreements between the proposed model and the constant-transfer model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological knowledge of pediatric diseases may improve professionals' understanding of the pathophysiology of and risk factors for diseases and is also crucial for decision making related to workforce and resource planning in pediatric departments. In this study, a pediatric disease epidemiology knowledgebase called PedMap (http://pedmap.nbscn.org) was constructed from the clinical data from 5 447 202 outpatient visits of 2 189 868 unique patients at a children's hospital (Hangzhou, China) from 2013 to 2016. The top 100 most-reported pediatric diseases were identified and visualized. These common pediatric diseases were clustered into 4 age groups and 4 seasons. The prevalence, age distribution and co-occurrence diseases for each disease were also visualized. Furthermore, an online prediction tool based on Gaussian regression models was developed to predict pediatric disease incidence based on weather information. PedMap is the first comprehensive epidemiological resource to show the full view of age-related, seasonal, climate-related variations in and co-occurrence patterns of pediatric diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective To investigate the correlations between multiple meteorological variables and the frequency of epistaxis in the pediatric population. Methods Children diagnosed with epistaxis in 2016 and 2017 were selected from the Outpatient Department of the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. The correlations between multiple meteorological factors and the incidence of pediatric epistaxis each month, were analyzed. A Poisson regression model was generated to predict the cases of pediatric epistaxis using both the 2-year study data and the 4-month new data. Results There were 6805 cases of pediatric epistaxis (mean age 4.99 years). Contrary to previously reported inverse associations between ambient temperature and presentation rates for patients with epistaxis, a significant strong positive correlation was found between temperature and pediatric epistaxis rates (Pearson's r = 0.801 p < 0.001). A weak negative correlation between humidity and pediatric epistaxis was found, but it was not significant (Pearson's r = −0.225 p = 0.29). A very strong positive correlation between high air visibility and pediatric epistaxis was identified (Pearson's r = 0.909 p < 0.001). The predictions from the Poisson regression model have a mean error rate of 5.70% ± 22.71%. Conclusion A positive correlation between the frequency of pediatric epistaxis existed for both temperature and air visibility. No significant correlation was found for humidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beijing has been the fastest-growing megacity in China, however it faced severe air pollution in recent years, particularly the notorious fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ). In response, Beijing increased the use of natural gas since 2008; therefore, natural gas consumption (NGC) soared rapidly, accounting for over 30% of total energy need in 2016. This study explores the long- and short-run effects of NGC on PM 2.5 emissions within the framework of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) in Beijing by employing the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach. To do this, the long-term and monthly PM 2.5 data based on ground monitoring are used for the period of April 2008 through December 2016 (2008 M04-2016 M12). The empirical results suggest, in the long run, an inverted U-shaped EKC link exists between PM 2.5 emissions and per capita gross domestic product (GDP); with 16,973 yuan for per capita monthly GDP, the EKC will reach its peak. Although the NGC in Beijing can mitigate PM 2.5 emissions in both the long run and short run, its mitigation effect would be weakened over time. Furthermore, increasing vehicle quantity would lead to higher concentrations of PM 2.5 , whereas the proportion of tertiary industry exerts a negative effect on PM 2.5 in Beijing. At the end of the article, several key policy implications are highlighted both for mitigating PM 2.5 and for promoting growth in natural gas industry in Beijing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium‐rich layered oxides (LROs) are one class of the most competitive high‐capacity cathode materials due to their anion/cation synergistic redox activity. However, excessive oxidation of the oxygen sublattices can induce serious oxygen loss and structural imbalance. Hence, a near‐surface reconfiguration strategy by fluorinating graphene is proposed to precisely regulate Mn3+/Mn4+ and O2−/(O2)n− redox couples for remarkably stabilizing high‐capacity LROs and realizing the simultaneous reduction of the lattice stress, regulation of the Mn metal at a lower charge state, and construction of 3D Li+ diffusion channels. Combining with a highly conductive graphene‐coating layer, the surface oxygen loss, transition metal dissolution, and electrolyte catalytic decomposition are suppressed. Benefiting from this synergy, the modified LROs disclose higher initial Coulombic efficiency and discharge‐specific capacity and improve cyclability compared with pristine LROs. Further, it is revealed that the F− impact becomes easier for the O sites at the lattice interface of C2/m and R3¯$\bar{3}$m to sufficiently buffer lattice stress. Moreover, lithium ions coupled to the doped F atoms at the lattice interface migrate to the Ni‐rich R3¯$\bar{3}$m lattice sites with lower migration energies. This consolidated understanding will open new avenues to regulate reversible oxygen redox of LROs for high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recursive multivariate principal-monotonicity inferential downscaling approach ( ReMPMID) is proposed for climate downscaling under complexities of data uncertainties, nonlinear predictor-predictand correspondences, predictand dependencies, non-normal distributions, spatial homogeneities, and temporal non-stationarities. This approach is applied to the Athabasca River Basin ( ARB) to verify methodological effectiveness. Many findings are revealed. For instance, ReMPMID may enable improvement of statistical downscaling reliability in comparison with selected existing approaches under these complexities at least for the ARB. The overall accuracies of ReMPMID are relatively high for temperature, while being acceptable for precipitation at the multi-year scale. This approach may overestimate temperature in spring and winter and precipitation in summer and autumn while underestimating temperature in summer and autumn and precipitation in spring and winter to a relatively small extent. The modelling accuracies are not sensitive to one parameter (i.e. the statistical significance level) and significantly vary with another parameter (i.e. the minimum partition row number, Nmin). The calibration accuracies decrease with the climbing of Nmin and there is not a significant monotonic relationship between Nmin and the verification accuracies. The optimal value of Nmin varies with grids and predictands and shows higher uncertainty for temperature compared with precipitation. The uncertainties in ReMPMID simulations increase from summer, autumn, spring to winter for temperature and from winter, spring, autumn to summer for precipitation. These findings are helpful for gaining insights into ReMPMID and the regional climate in the ARB or neighbouring regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this study, a recursive dissimilarity and similarity inferential climate classification ( ReDSICC) approach is developed to provide an alternative tool for climate classification. Based on incorporation of a discrete distribution transformation ( DDT) method and integration of advanced statistical inferential methods, a recursive framework of dissimilarity and similarity inferences is proposed for stepwise grouping multi-dimensional climate-variable observations. ReDSICC is capable of eliminating the restriction of samples being normally distributed, enabling classification of regional climates under data uncertainties and multivariate dependencies, identifying the most desired climate classification result, and avoiding subjective judgments in the classification process. To verify methodological effectiveness and facilitate related studies, ReDSICC is applied to climate classification in the Athabasca River Basin ( ARB), Canada. It is revealed that the complicated dissimilarities and similarities of climatic conditions among all grids over the ARB are effectively reflected in the results of ReDSICC. A reversible transformation between an abnormal distribution and a normal distribution is achieved by DDT. The effectiveness of climate classification which is represented as the Nash coefficient for climatic features over any grid and the corresponding climate class is decreased if DDT is not employed. In comparison with daily minimum temperature, the spatial heterogeneity of daily maximum temperature is higher while that of daily cumulative precipitation is lower over the ARB. The classification result of ReDSICC varies with changes of representative climate variables and parameter values. These advantages and revelations are helpful for enhancing the reliability of climate classification results, improving the effectiveness of existing climate classification methods, and providing scientific support for the related studies in the ARB or neighbouring regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is likely that the most reliable estimation of system uncertainty in resources and environmental systems management ( RESM) is a value range with an unknown distribution. Stochastic programming would be challenged by distortion of the original uncertain information through fabricating an inexistent probabilistic distribution function. Instead, interval linear programming ( ILP), i.e. a synthesis of interval-set coefficients and the conventional linear programming, has been employed to identify the desired schemes for a number of RESM problems under interval uncertainty. However, its effectiveness is disabled by constraint violation which may lead to severe penalties on socio-economic or eco-environmental development. To mitigate such a challenge, a convex contractive interval linear programming ( CCILP) approach is proposed in this study. It mainly consists of six modules: parameterizing an RESM problem as an ILP model, initializing a hyperrectangle decision space by two linear programming sub-models, revealing causes of constraint violation given a criterion, inferring feasibilities of potential solutions, finalizing a feasible hyperrectangle decision space by another linear programming sub-model, and supporting RESM of various complexities through alternative variants. A simple ILP model for RESM is introduced to demonstrate the procedures of CCILP and verify its advantages over existing ILP methods. The result indicates that CCILP is capable of robustly incorporating interval uncertainties into the optimization process, avoiding heavy computation burdens on complicated sub-models, eliminating occurrence of constraint violation, enabling provision of a hyperrectangle decision space, adapting to diverse system requirements, and increasing reliability of decision support for interval linear RESM problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermoelectric characteristics of a thermoelectric generator with cold-side micro heat pipe arrays are studied owing to their excellent heat dissipation performances. The influence of bending angle and vertical height of micro heat pipe arrays on the cold-side of a thermoelectric generator is examined. The bending angle influence factor is defined to analyze the changing law of thermoelectric characteristics. Three bending angles, five vertical heights, and nine temperature operating points are experimentally estimated with coupling parameters. The temperature difference, output power, and output current increase with increasing heat source temperature. Moreover, the growth trend of output characteristics does not show a significant slowdown over a period of time, indicating its reliability. The thermoelectric characteristics at a 130° bending angle are higher than those at other bending angles owing to the optimum capillary flow, condensation liquid backflow, and small evaporation thermal resistance of micro heat pipe arrays. The optimum vertical height changes as bending angle changes. Furthermore, the output power increases with increasing vertical height at a high heat source temperature. The innovative application of the micro heat pipe arrays in the cold-side heat dissipation of a thermoelectric module has great engineering significance for the optimal design of thermoelectric generators. • Thermoelectric characteristics based on micro heat pipe arrays are discussed. • Coupling influences of bending angle and vertical height are examined. • Coincidence value and bending angle influence factor are proposed. • 3D temperature difference contours versus heat source temperature are studied. • Micro heat pipe arrays have an impact on the cold side of a thermoelectric generator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Innovate a BaPMI method for macro-scale distributed hydrologic modeling. • Apply it to a typical large cold-region watershed, Athabasca River Basin in Canada. • Verify feasibility & advantages in characterizing macro-scale cold-region hydrology. • Quantify parametric & hyperparametric sensitivities for facilitating its applications. • Reveal variabilities of climate-driven cross-scale uppermost hydro-variational effects. At macroscales (e.g., large river basins, nations, continents, or the globe), hydro-hazard mitigation under climate change requires accurate, applicable hydrologic models, especially over cold regions of complicated hydroclimatic relations. As an effort to address such a challenge, we innovate a macroscale distributed hydro-modeling method, Bayesian principal-monotonicity inference (BaPMI), based on climate classification, representative-grids selection, statistical hydrology, surrogates-based Bayesian optimization, and variance-based sensitivity analyses. The method is applied to a typical large cold-region watershed, i.e., Athabasca River Basin in Canada, and reveals a series of findings such as the following representatives. BaPMI shows promising skills in quantitatively characterizing macroscale cold-region hydrology under overall impacts of heterogeneous climates. Bayesian optimization of which hyperparameters are insensitive decreases hydro-modeling computational time by up to 96.3% and, together with climate classification, largely enhances BaPMI applicability while ensuring modeling accuracies. Individual BaPMI hydro-model parameters can explain over ¾ of the variation of hydro-modeling accuracies and, due to their interaction, joint calibration is required for avoiding underestimation of the impacts. Climatic conditions dominating cross-scale uppermost hydrologic variations consist of night temperature (40%), day temperature (38%), and precipitation (22%) for all catchments; all river flows along the mainstem are associated with upstream climatic events such as glacier melts. Climatic impacts decline from upstream to downstream and from summer, spring, winter to autumn; this may relate to tempo-spatial heterogeneity of soil, vegetation, geology, human interference and other non-climatic factors. Without this study, macroscale distributed hydrologic modeling would lack one advanced method (i.e., BaPMI) that can immunize against effects of data uncertainty, subjective judgement and climatic collinearity, adapt to complicated hydroclimatic relations and diverse hydro-variable(s) distributions, reveal cross-scale uppermost hydrologic variations and, through inexpensive computations, enhance hydro-modeling accuracies to avoid climatic-impact underestimation. The findings of this study could facilitate BaPMI applications and advance macroscale (cold-region) hydrology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, four kinds of silicon-rich biomass (rice husk, rice straw, peanut shell, corncob) were used as raw materials for SiO 2 extraction by heat treatment method. And the extracted SiO 2 was applied to prepare Ni/SiO 2 catalyst for acetic acid (AcOH) steam reforming. Various characterization methods were used to analyze the purity, structure and specific surface area characteristics of SiO 2 extracted from different sources. It was found that the silica prepared by acid washing and calcination (AWC) had larger specific surface area, abundant pore channels and larger pore volume. By water washing and calcination (WWC), K 2 O impurity would be remained in SiO 2 , which might dissolve SiO 2 during the calcination process, generating an increase in the pore size and a decrease in the specific surface area. While the CaO impurity in SiO 2 promoted the dispersion of the active components and enhanced the interaction between the active component and the carrier. A series of reforming catalysts were prepared by using the obtained SiO 2 as carriers. It was found that the lifetime of catalyst from low to high was Ni/RS-SiO 2

To reveal the synchronism of interval uncertainties, the tradeoff between system optimality and security, the discreteness of facility-expansion options, the uncertainty of pollutant dispersion processes, and the seasonality of wind features in air quality management ( AQM ) systems, a synchronic interval Gaussian mixed-integer programming ( SIGMIP ) approach is proposed in this study. A robust interval Gaussian dispersion model is developed for approaching the pollutant dispersion process under interval uncertainties and seasonal variations. The reflection of synchronic effects of interval uncertainties in the programming objective is enabled through introducing interval functions. The proposition of constraint violation degrees helps quantify the tradeoff between system optimality and constraint violation under interval uncertainties. The overall optimality of system profits of an SIGMIP model is achieved based on the definition of an integrally optimal solution. Integer variables in the SIGMIP model are resolved by the existing cutting-plane method. Combining these efforts leads to an effective algorithm for the SIGMIP model. An application to an AQM problem in a region in Shandong Province, China, reveals that the proposed SIGMIP model can facilitate identifying the desired scheme for AQM . The enhancement of the robustness of optimization exercises may be helpful for increasing the reliability of suggested schemes for AQM under these complexities. The interrelated tradeoffs among control measures, emission sources, flow processes, receptors, influencing factors, and economic and environmental goals are effectively balanced. Interests of many stakeholders are reasonably coordinated. The harmony between economic development and air quality control is enabled. Results also indicate that the constraint violation degree is effective at reflecting the compromise relationship between constraint-violation risks and system optimality under interval uncertainties. This can help decision makers mitigate potential risks, e.g. insufficiency of pollutant treatment capabilities, exceedance of air quality standards, deficiency of pollution control fund, or imbalance of economic or environmental stress, in the process of guiding AQM . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing energy efficiency is globally regarded as an effective way to reduce carbon emissions. In recent years, the energy efficiency of China has gradually improved; however, energy consumption and CO2 emissions are still increasing. To better understand the reasons for this, we evaluated the energy rebound effect (RE) of 30 provinces in China over the period 2001–2017 by employing stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and the system generalized method of moments (system-GMM) approach, and explored the extent to which the RE affects CO2 emissions. Asymmetric and regional heterogeneity analyses were also conducted. The results indicate that the national average RE was 90.47% in the short run, and 78.17% in the long run, during the sample period. Most of the provinces experienced a partial RE, with a backfire effect occurring in some provinces such as Guangxi and Henan. The RE was associated with significant increases in CO2 emissions; specifically, a 1% increase in the short-run RE led to an increase in CO2 emissions of approximately 0.818%, and a 1% increase in the long-run RE resulted in an increase in CO2 emissions of approximately 0.695%. Moreover, significant regional differences existed in the impact of the RE on CO2 emissions; in regions with high emissions and a high RE, the CO2 reduction effect from the marginal decline in the RE was much more pronounced than that in other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A homogeneous cavitation model is proposed by dividing microbubbles into groups. • The bubbles with two sizes can be well predicted by dividing them into 2 groups. • The microbubbles with numerous sizes should be divided into more than 9 groups. Homogeneous cavitation models usually use an average radius to predict the dynamics of all bubbles. However, bubbles with different sizes may have quite different dynamic characteristics. In this study, the bubbles are divided into several groups by size, and the volume-weighted average radius is used to separately calculate the dynamics of each group using a modified bubble dynamics equation. In the validation part, the oscillations of bubbles with two sizes are simulated by dividing them into 2 groups. Comparing with the predictions by the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method, the bubble dynamics of each size are precisely predicted by the proposed model. Then coated microbubbles with numerous sizes are divided into several groups in equal quantity, and the influence of the group number is analyzed. For bubble oscillations at f = 0.1 MHz and 1 MHz without ruptures, the oscillation amplitude is obviously under-estimated by the 1-group model, while they are close to each other after the group number increases to 9. For bubble ruptures triggered by Gaussian pulses, the predictions are close to each other when more than 5 groups are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phthalates are typical air pollutants in vehicular environment since numerous synthetic materials that might contain phthalates are widely used to fabricate vehicle interiors (e.g., seat cushions, floor mats and dashboards). Hitherto, the importance of phthalate pollution in vehicular environment is not well‐recognized because people spend only a small portion (around 8%) of their time in vehicles. In this study, the mass fractions of six phthalates in nine materials commonly used in Chinese vehicles (floor mats and seat cushions) were measured. Two phthalates, di‐n‐butyl phthalate (DnBP) and di‐2‐ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), were identified in most materials (the other phthalates were not detected). The emission characteristics of DnBP and DEHP from these materials were further investigated. The measured emission parameters were used as input for a mass‐transfer model to estimate DnBP and DEHP concentrations in cabin air. Finally, the ratios between human exposures (via inhalation and dermal absorption from the gas phase) in vehicular environment and the total exposures in typical indoor environments (e.g., residences and offices) were estimated to be up to 110% and 20% for DnBP and DEHP, respectively. Based on these results, the vehicular environment might be a considerable site for human exposure to airborne phthalates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐efficiency lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries depend on an advanced electrode structure that can attain high sulfur utilization at lean‐electrolyte conditions and minimum amount of lithium. Herein, a twinborn holey Nb4N5–Nb2O5 heterostructure is designed as a dual‐functional host for both redox–kinetics–accelerated sulfur cathode and dendrite‐inhibited lithium anode simultaneously for long‐cycling and lean‐electrolyte Li–S full batteries. Benefiting from the accelerative polysulfides anchoring–diffusion–converting efficiency of Nb4N5–Nb2O5, polysulfide‐shutting is significantly alleviated. Meanwhile, the lithiophilic nature of holey Nb4N5–Nb2O5 is applied as an ion‐redistributor for homogeneous Li‐ion deposition. Taking advantage of these merits, the Li–S full batteries present excellent electrochemical properties, including a minimum capacity decay rate of 0.025% per cycle, and a high areal capacity of 5.0 mAh cm−2 at sulfur loading of 6.9 mg cm−2, corresponding to negative to positive capacity ratio of 2.4:1 and electrolyte to sulfur ratio of 5.1 µL mg−1. Therefore, this work paves a new avenue for boosting high‐performances Li–S batteries toward practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the patellar morphology of trochlear dysplasia and normal knees in different genders and in different severities of trochlear dysplasia on CT scans. Methods: A total of 75 patients with trochlear dysplasia (110 knees) treated at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from December 2013 to December 2018 were included in an experimental group, and an age‐matched and sex‐matched cohort of 46 patients with normal trochlear shape (61 knees) were randomly selected into a control group. The experimental group was divided into a female experimental group (Group FE, 47 patients, 72 knees) and a male experimental group (Group ME, 28 patients, 38 knees); the control group was divided into a female control group (Group FC, 31 knees, 24 female patients) and a male control group (Group MC, 30 knees, 22 male patients). Furthermore, according to the severity of trochlear dysplasia, Group FE was divided into a female low‐grade dysplasia group (Group FL, 20 knees) and a female high‐grade dysplasia group (Group FH, 52 knees); Group ME was divided into a male low‐grade dysplasia group (Group ML, 16 knees) and a male high‐grade dysplasia group (Group MH, 22 knees). All participants had undergone CT scans in the supine position; the patellar width and thickness, the lateral patellar facet angle, the Wiberg angle, and the Wiberg index were measured and compared. Results: In trochlear dysplasia knees, the mean patellar width and thickness and the lateral patellar facet angle were significantly smaller; the mean Wiberg index was significantly larger than in normal knees, regardless of gender (P < 0.05); and there was no statistically significant difference in the mean Wiberg angle (P > 0.05). In the female groups, the mean patellar width and thickness and the Wiberg angle were significantly smaller; the mean lateral patellar facet angle was significantly larger than those in the male groups (P < 0.05); and there was no significant difference in the mean Wiberg index (P > 0.05). In the low‐grade dysplasia group, the mean Wiberg index was smaller than that in the high‐grade dysplasia group (P < 0.05), regardless of gender; however, there was no significant difference in the mean patellar width and thickness, the lateral patellar facet angle, and the Wiberg angle in low‐grade and high‐grade dysplasia (P > 0.05). Conclusion: On CT scans, the patella in trochlear dysplasia had a smaller width, a thinner thickness, a lengthened lateral facet, and a more flattened articular facet. In addition, the patellar articular facet was more prominent in female patients. With the severity of trochlear dysplasia increased, the lateral patellar facet became longer. In addition, the abnormal stress distribution on the patella influenced the patellar morphology in trochlear dysaplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lithium sulfur (Li–S) battery is a preferential option for next‐generation energy storage technologies, but the lithium polysulfide shuttling, sluggish redox kinetics, and uncontrollable lithium dendrite growth hamper its commercial viability. Herein, well‐dispersed single atom Zn‐decorated hollow carbon spheres (Zn1‐HNC) are developed as dual‐functional nanoreactors for polysulfides‐suppressed sulfur cathodes (Zn1‐HNC‐S) and dendrite‐free lithium anodes (Zn1‐HNC‐Li) simultaneously for high‐capacity, high‐rate, and long‐cycling Li–S batteries with fast redox kinetics. Benefiting from its excellent electronic conductivity, high surface area (370 m2 g−1), highly‐effective active sites and protective carbon shell, the resultant nanoreactor possesses strong physical confinement, chemical anchoring, and exceptional electrocatalysis for polysulfides. Meanwhile, the nanoreactor with excellent lithiophilic ability realizes uniform and dendrite‐free lithium deposition. Integrating all these advantages, the assembled full battery (Zn1‐HNC‐S||Zn1‐HNC‐Li) delivers remarkable electrochemical properties including long cycle stability with an ultralow capacity fading rate of 0.015% per cycle over 700 cycles and superb rate performance of 989 mAh g−1 at 10 C. Moreover, a high areal capacity of 8.7 mAh cm−2 with high S loading of 7.8 mg cm−2 at low E/S ratio (6.4 µL mg−1) is achieved. This work provides significant insight of structure and surface catalytic chemistry regulation for promoting the actual application of Li–S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nanofluids heat transfer in a helical coil under pulsation condition was simulated. • Impact of various pulsation parameters on the heat transfer performance was studied. • h ¯ (p u l) / h (b f) got its maximum value of 1.35 at the optimum pulsation frequency. • The enhancing mechanisms of nanofluids heat transfer under pulsation were explored. Nanofluids heat transfer in a helical coil under pulsation condition was numerically simulated. The dynamic single phase model which considered Brownian motion effect was utilized to study the Al 2 O 3 nanofluids heat transfer in helical coils. The reliability test results were consistent with experimental results. Then, pulsation was further imposed. The influence of the pulsation frequency on the heat transfer performance was explored. And the changes of instantaneous h with frequency were further studied to interpret the results. The axial velocity contours, axial velocity distributions, and cross-section velocity vectors at various planes along the coil were examined. The results revealed that there was an optimum pulsation frequency for heat transfer augmentation within the scope of Re. The secondary flow generated in cross region and the counter-rotating vortex formed in the axial direction all devoted to the helical coil heat transfer augmentation under pulsation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation Microbiome analyses of clinical samples with low microbial biomass are challenging because of the very small quantities of microbial DNA relative to the human host, ubiquitous contaminating DNA in sequencing experiments and the large and rapidly growing microbial reference databases. Results We present computational subtraction-based microbiome discovery (CSMD), a bioinformatics pipeline specifically developed to generate accurate species-level microbiome profiles for clinical samples with low microbial loads. CSMD applies strategies for the maximal elimination of host sequences with minimal loss of microbial signal and effectively detects microorganisms present in the sample with minimal false positives using a stepwise convergent solution. CSMD was benchmarked in a comparative evaluation with other classic tools on previously published well-characterized datasets. It showed higher sensitivity and specificity in host sequence removal and higher specificity in microbial identification, which led to more accurate abundance estimation. All these features are integrated into a free and easy-to-use tool. Additionally, CSMD applied to cell-free plasma DNA showed that microbial diversity within these samples is substantially broader than previously believed. Availability and implementation CSMD is freely available at https://github.com/liuyu8721/csmd. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]