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Finite-control-set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) of multiphase (n-phase, n is assumed to be an odd number for simplicity) drives is challenging because of the large number of actual/virtual voltage vectors and the need for current control in (n-1)/2 sub-spaces (or planes; multi-plane current control). Any sub-optimal design (poor or no current control in some of the (n-1)/2 planes) may result in high individual plane current ripples, due to the low reactance. This work therefore investigates continuouscontrol-set (CCS) MPC for constant switching frequency multiphase motor drives as another alternative. The highbandwidth CCS-MPC is designed to accurately account for system non-idealities, namely digital control and pulse width modulation delays, inverter dead time, and measurement noise. It will be shown that the CCS-MPC has the advantages of full voltage vector space access, regular switching characteristic, and improved cycle-by-cycle tracking control, while maintaining some of the known advantages of the FCS-MPC, e.g., intuitive cost function design, model-based control, and fast dynamics. The proposed control scheme is benchmarked experimentally against the classical, proportional-integral-based, fieldoriented control in conjunction with an asymmetrical sixphase induction motor drive.

Introduction: Lifestyle modifications can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension. Our study investigated whether domain-specific physical activity (such as work, transport and leisure) and sedentary behaviour were associated with T2DM and hypertension, and whether these associations were moderated by sex and age. Method: For this cross-sectional study, data were obtained from a population survey in Singapore (n=2,867) conducted from February 2019 to March 2020. T2DM and hypertension were self-reported. Global physical activity questionnaire was used to assess domain-specific physical activity (in metabolic equivalent of task [MET]-minutes) and sedentary time (in hours). Logistic regression models were generated to examine the abovementioned associations, and adjusted for age, sex, education, ethnicity, personal income, body mass index, diet and hypertension/diabetes. Interaction terms were included individually to investigate whether age and sex moderated the associations. Results: Individuals with >826 MET-minutes of leisure-related physical activity had lower odds of having T2DM (odds ratio [OR] 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24–0.86) and hypertension (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.37–0.94) than those with no leisure-related physical activity. Individuals with >8 hours of sedentary time had higher odds of having hypertension (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.06–2.69) than those with 0–5 hours of sedentary time. Logistic regression models including interaction terms showed that the association between leisure-related physical activity and hypertension was significant for those aged 18–34 (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03–0.66) and 50–64 years (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21–0.91). The association between sedentary time and hypertension was significant for those aged 18–34 years (OR 15.07, 95% CI 1.69–133.92). Conclusion: Our results support the widespread promotion of an active lifestyle to lower the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in Singapore. Keywords: Active lifestyle, domain-specific physical activity, global physical activity questionnaire

Introduction: Studies of concordance between patients’ self-report of diseases and a criterion standard (e.g. chart review) are usually conducted in epidemiological studies to evaluate the agreement of self-reported data for use in public health research. To our knowledge, there are no published studies on concordance for highly prevalent chronic diseases such as diabetes and pre-diabetes. The aims of this study were to evaluate the concordance between patients’ self-report and their medical records of diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnoses, and to identify factors associated with diabetes concordance. Method: A cross-sectional, interviewer-administered survey was conducted on patients with chronic diseases after obtaining written consent to assess their medical notes. Interviewers were blinded to the participants’ profiles. Concordance was evaluated using Cohen’s kappa (κ). A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with diabetes concordance. Results: There was substantial agreement between self-reported and medical records of diabetes diagnoses (κ=0.76) and fair agreement for pre-diabetes diagnoses (κ=0.36). The logistic regression model suggested that non-Chinese patients had higher odds of diabetes concordance than Chinese patients (odds ratio [OR]=4.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–14.13, P=0.03). Patients with 3 or more chronic diseases (i.e. multimorbidity) had lower odds of diabetes concordance than patients without multimorbidity (OR=0.21, 95% CI 0.09–0.48, P

Simultaneously realizing improved carrier mobility and good photoluminescence (PL) efficiency in red thermally activated delayed-fluorescence (TADF) emitters remains challenging but important. Herein, two isomeric orange-red TADF emitters

Li-S batteries present great potential to realize high-energy-density storage, but their practical implementation is severely hampered by the notorious polysulfide shuttling and the sluggish redox kinetics. While rationally designed redox mediators can optimize polysulfide conversion, the efficiency and stability of such a mediation process still remain formidable challenges. Herein, a strategy of constructing a "dual mediator system" is proposed for achieving efficient and durable modulation of polysulfide conversion kinetics by coupling well-selected solid and electrolyte-soluble mediators. Theoretical prediction and detailed electrochemical analysis reveal the structure-activity relationships of the two mediators in synergistically optimizing the redox conversions of sulfur species, thus achieving a deeper mechanistic understanding of a function-supporting mediator system design toward sulfur electrochemistry promotion. Specifically, such a dual mediator system realizes the bridging of full-range "electrochemical catalysis" and strengthened "chemical reduction" processes of sulfur species as well as greatly suppressed mediator deactivation/loss due to the beneficial interactions between each mediator component. Attributed to these advantageous features, the Li-S batteries enable a slow capacity decay of 0.026% per cycle over 1200 cycles and a desirable capacity of 8.8 mAh cm

The development of three-photon fluorophores with 1700 nm excitation is pressingly desirable for

Recently, inverters with a common ac and dc ground are gaining significant interest due to their zero common-mode voltage that made them particularly attractive for the solar photovoltaic application. However, the dc source current of the existing topologies is discontinuous, and their voltage gains are limited. This article proposes a novel common-ground-type boost inverter that achieves continuous dc source current with significantly enhanced dynamic voltage gain. It consists of one boost inductor, four capacitors, nine power MOSFETs, and two power diodes. Voltage boosting and generation of nine-level ac voltage are achieved concurrently within a single-stage operation. The operation of the proposed CGT-9L-BI inverter is analyzed. Simulation and experimental results are presented for validation.

Epitaxial growth is one of the most commonly used strategies to precisely tailor heterostructures with well-defined compositions, morphologies, crystal phases, and interfaces for various applications. However, as epitaxial growth requires a small interfacial lattice mismatch between the components, it remains a challenge for the epitaxial synthesis of heterostructures constructed by materials with large lattice mismatch and/or different chemical bonding, especially the noble metal-semiconductor heterostructures. Here, we develop a noble metal-seeded epitaxial growth strategy to prepare highly symmetrical noble metal-semiconductor branched heterostructures with desired spatial configurations, i.e., twenty CdS (or CdSe) nanorods epitaxially grown on twenty exposed (111) facets of Ag icosahedral nanocrystal, albeit a large lattice mismatch (more than 40%). Importantly, a high quantum yield (QY) of plasmon-induced hot-electron transferred from Ag to CdS was observed in epitaxial Ag-CdS icosapods (18.1%). This work demonstrates that epitaxial growth can be achieved in heterostructures composed of materials with large lattice mismatches. The constructed epitaxial noble metal-semiconductor interfaces could be an ideal platform for investigating the role of interfaces in various physicochemical processes.

There has been increasing demand for high-energy density and long-cycle life rechargeable batteries to satisfy the ever-growing requirements for next-generation energy storage systems. Among all available candidates, dual-ion batteries (DIBs) have drawn tremendous attention in the past few years from both academic and industrial battery communities because of their fascinating advantages of high working voltage, excellent safety, and environmental friendliness. However, the dynamic imbalance between the electrodes and the mismatch of traditional electrolyte systems remain elusive. To fully employ the advantages of DIBs, the overall optimization of anode materials, cathode materials, and compatible electrolyte systems is urgently needed. Here, we review the development history and the reaction mechanisms involved in DIBs. Afterward, the optimization strategies toward DIB materials and electrolytes are highlighted. In addition, their energy-related applications are also provided. Lastly, the research challenges and possible development directions of DIBs are outlined.

BackgroundEven though advanced radiotherapy techniques provide a better protective effect on surrounding normal tissues, the late sequelae from radiation exposure to the heart are still considerable in breast cancer patients. The present population-based study explored the role of cox-regression-based hazard risk grouping and intended to stratify patients with post-irradiation long-term heart diseases.Materials and methodsThe present study investigated the Taiwan National Health Insurance (TNHI) database. From 2000 to 2017, we identified 158,798 breast cancer patients. Using a propensity score match of 1:1, we included 21,123 patients in each left and right breast irradiation cohort. Heart diseases, including heart failure (HF), ischemic heart disease (IHD), and other heart diseases (OHD), and anticancer agents, including epirubicin, doxorubicin, and trastuzumab, were included for analysis.ResultsPatients received left breast irradiation demonstrated increased risks on IHD (aHR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.06–1.26; p p p = 0.14), when compared with patients received right breast irradiation. In patients who received left breast irradiation dose of >6,040 cGy, subsequent epirubicin might have a trend to increase the risk of heart failure (aHR, 1.53; 95% CI, 0.98–2.39; p = 0.058), while doxorubicin (aHR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.26–1.32; p = 0.19) and trastuzumab (aHR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.33–2.62; p = 0.89) did not. Older age was the highest independent risk factor for post-irradiation long-term heart diseases.ConclusionGenerally, systemic anticancer agents are safe in conjunction with radiotherapy for managing post-operative breast cancer patients. Hazard-based risk grouping may help stratify breast cancer patients associated with post-irradiation long-term heart diseases. Notably, radiotherapy should be performed cautiously for elderly left breast cancer patients who received epirubicin. Limited irradiation dose to the heart should be critically considered. Regular monitoring of potential signs of heart failure may be conducted.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal and debilitating disease with limited therapeutic options. The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of a novel regimen comprised of metronomic oxaliplatin (O), chronomodulated capecitabine (X) and UGT1A1 genotype-guided dosing of irinotecan (IRI) [OXIRI] as well as its immunomodulatory effects. Thirty-six patients were enrolled into either dose-escalation or expansion cohorts. In the dose escalation phase, capecitabine doses (2000, 2650, 3500 and 4500 mg/day) were administered at midnight on days 1 to 14 while oxaliplatin and irinotecan were intravenously infused at fixed doses of 50 and 75 mg/m

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious threat to global health and diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) remains one of the most common complications of DM1 affecting around 20 million people annually.2 DFUs are complex to treat, take months or years to heal, and the recurrence rates remain high up to 40% within 1 year of healing.3 People with DFUs are at risk of prolonged healing times and hospitalisation, reduced quality of life4, 5 and higher five-year mortality rates.3 Moreover, DFU is a causal factor for up to 85% of patients with diabetes who subsequently undergo lower extremity amputation3, 6 and is a leading cause of global disability.2 Singapore has the highest rate of diabetic lower extremity amputation (DLEA) in the world7 because of DFU and the trend is increasing.8 Additionally, DFU is a substantial clinical and economic burden to health systems in Singapore with escalating healthcare costs corresponding to more proximal amputation levels and high re-admission rates.9 Thus, understanding barriers to managing DFU is vital for improving patient care. Nanyang Technological University Published version Centre for Primary Health Care Research and Innovation,a partnership between the Lee Kong Chian School ofMedicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore,and the National Healthcare Group Singapore, Grant/Award Number: Ref No. 7.1/008.

BackgroundClinicians need easy access to evidence-based information to inform their clinical practice. Point-of-care information summaries are increasingly available in the form of smartphone apps. However, the quality of information from the apps is questionable as there is currently no regulation on the content of the medical apps.ObjectivesThis study aimed to systematically assess the quality and content of the medical apps providing point-of-care information summaries that were available in two major app stores. We evaluated apps designed specifically for healthcare professionals and assessed their content development, editorial policy, coverage of medical conditions and trustworthiness.MethodsWe conducted a systematic assessment of medical apps providing point-of-care information summaries available in Google Play and Apple app stores. Apps launched or updated since January 2020 were identified through a systematic search using 42matters. Apps meeting the inclusion criteria were downloaded and assessed. The data extraction and app assessment were done in parallel and independently by at least two reviewers. Apps were evaluated against the adapted criteria: (1) general characteristics, (2) content presentation of the summaries, (3) editorial quality, (4) evidence-based methodology, (5) coverage (volume) of the medical conditions, (6) usability of apps and (7) trustworthiness of the app based on HONcode principles. HONcode principles are guidelines used to inform users about the credibility and reliability of health information online. The results were reported as a narrative review.ResultsEight medical apps met the inclusion criteria and were systematically appraised. Based on our evaluation criteria, UpToDate supported 16 languages, and all other apps were English. Bullet points and brief paragraphs were used in all apps, and only DynaMed and Micromedex and Pathway-medical knowledge provided a formal grading system for the strength of recommendations for all the medical conditions in their apps. All the other apps either lacked a formal grading system altogether or offered one for some of the medical conditions. About 30% of the editorial quality assessment and 47.5% of the evidence-based methodology assessment were unclear or missing. UpToDate contained the most point-of-care evidence-based documents with >10 500 documents. All apps except 5-Minute Clinical Consult and DynaMed and Micromedex were available for offline access. Only Medscape complied with the HONcode principles.ConclusionsFuture apps should report a more detailed evidence-based methodology, be accessible for offline use and support search in more than one language. There should be clearer information provided in future apps regarding the declaration of authorship and conflict of interest.

Efficient utilization of triplet excitons is vital in organic optoelectronics. One important strategy for harvesting triplets is thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). In most TADF materials, the first singlet (S1) and triplet (T1) excited states both show strong charge-transfer (CT) character to reduce their energetic gap (EST); however, the negative consequence is small spin-orbit coupling and broad fluorescence emission width. To overcome this trade-off, our present work developed a novel strategy, i.e., intermolecular pi-pi-packing-induced (pi3) TADF, named pi3TADF. Distinct from the previously reported TADF systems, the excited states of our intermolecular pi3TADF systems show weak CT-excitation character. Our designed coplanar molecules based on a 1,5,9-trioxo-13-azatriangulene core show low photoluminescent quantum yields (PLQYs) in dilute solutions while their PLQYs in solid films reach ~ 100%. Their face-to-face pipi packings lead to the hybridization of intermolecular CT and localized pi-pi* excitations as well as electronic delocalization in the S1 states, while their T1 states show little changes. Consequently, with a dense manifold of the triplet states, the EST is significantly reduced while the large spin-orbit couplings are induced, thus leading to efficient TADF and significantly enhanced PLQYs in films. Organic light-emitting diodes exploiting the intermolecular pi3TADF systems as emitters show simultaneously high maximum external quantum efficiencies (e.g., over 30%) and narrow emission spectral widths (e.g., 44 nm). Our present work not only develops a new strategy, i.e., pi3TADF, for efficient TADF but also provides an in-depth understanding of its photophysical mechanism, thus opening a new approach for designing novel and efficient TADF materials.