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The germanium (Ge) anode attains wide attention in lithium‐ion batteries because of its high theoretical volumetric capacity (8646 mAh cm−3). However, the huge volume expansion (≈230%) results in its poor electrochemical performances. The strategies reported in the literature to solve the issue often cause a low packing density, lowering the volumetric capacity. Here, a pressure‐induced route is proposed to fabricate a Ge architecture, in which nano‐sized Ge (≈15 nm) is encapsulated by robust TiO2 and highly conductive carbon, which offer the advantages of a low stress–strain characteristic, low volume expansion in thickness change, high electrical conductivity (463.2 S m−1), high Li‐ion diffusion coefficient (9.55 × 10−9–8.51 × 10−12 cm2 s−1), and high tapping density (1.79 g cm−3). As a result, the dense architecture obtains outstanding volumetric capacities of 3559.8 mAh cm−3 at 0.1 A g−1 and 2628.2 mAh cm−3 at 20 A g−1, along with excellent cycling life over 5000 cycles at 10 A g−1. Remarkably, the full cell achieves a high volumetric energy density of 1760.1 Wh L−1, along with impressive fast‐charging performances and long cycling life. This work provides a new synthesis strategy and deep insight into the design of high‐volumetric capacity alloy‐based lithium‐ion‐battery anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron sulfide (FeS) has been extensively studied as sodium‐ion battery anodes due to its high theoretical capacity (609 mAh g−1), but its large volume expansion and low electrical conductivity result in unsatisfactory cycling life and poor rate performance. Moreover, the sodium ion storage mechanism of FeS at a voltage range of 0.01–1 V involving conversion reactions and subsequent ion storage process is unclear yet. Here, the study proposes a vapor‐pressure induced synthesis route to fabricate FeS/C yolk‐shell structure that ultrathin carbon layers coat on the surface of FeS nanosheets, which can accommodate volume expansion of FeS during sodiation observed via in situ transmission electron microscope and improve its electrical conductivity. Remarkably, an in situ magnetometry reveals that vast spin‐polarized electrons can be injected into superparamagnetic Fe nanoparticles (≈3 nm) formed during conversion reaction to induce evolution of electrode magnetization between 0.01 and 1 V, during which spin‐polarized surface capacitance effect occurs at Fe/Na2S interfaces to increase extra ion storage and boost ion transport stably. Consequently, the FeS/C yolk‐shell nanosheets deliver a high reversible capacity of 664.9 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, and 300.4 mAh g−1 after 10 000 cycles at 10 A g−1 with a capacity retention of 81.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive carbon emissions will lead to catastrophic consequences such as global warming and rising oceans and will also have a serious negative impact on the human food supply and living environment. The steel industry is characterized by high pollution, and about 18% of China's carbon emissions come from the steel industry. The 'double carbon' strategy has brought important tasks and severe challenges to China's steel industry. With a view to evaluating the achievements of carbon emission control, carbon emission monitoring systems at home and abroad have been continuously established and improved. For the steel industry, accurate and efficient carbon monitoring technology has a guiding role in guiding energy conservation and carbon reduction. Traditional carbon emission accounting methods have some problems, such as long cycles and poor data quality, which restrict the improvement of the lean level of carbon emission monitoring management. Firstly, this paper investigates and analyzes the productive process and carbon emission process of the steel industry and constructs an entropy weight-grey correlation -TOPSIS analysis method for the correlation between carbon emissions and influencing factors. Based on the above content, a carbon emission monitoring method based on multiple influencing factors is put forward, and the high monitoring accuracy of the model is proved by taking the Tianjin steel industry as an example. The results show that information mining of relevant data can strikingly increase the accuracy of carbon emission monitoring in the steel industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of high‐value fuels and plastics starting from small hydrocarbon molecules plays a central role in the current transition towards renewable energy. However, the detailed mechanisms driving the growth of hydrocarbon chains remain to a large extent unknown. Here we investigated the formation of hydrocarbon chains resulting from acetylene polymerization on a Ni(111) model catalyst surface. Exploiting X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy up to near‐ambient pressures, the intermediate species and reaction products have been identified. Complementary in situ scanning tunneling microscopy observations shed light onto the C−C coupling mechanism. While the step edges of the metal catalyst are commonly assumed to be the active sites for the C−C coupling, we showed that the polymerization occurs instead on the flat terraces of the metallic surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shared bikes as a public transport provide convenience for short-distance travel. Whilst they also act as a potential vector for antimicrobial resistant (AR) bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). However, the understanding of the whole genome sequence of AR strains and ARGs-carrying plasmids collected from shared bikes is still lacking. Here, we used the HiSeq platform to sequence and analyze 24 Escherichia coli isolated from shared bikes around Metro Stations in Beijing. The isolates from shared bikes showed 14 STs and various genotypes. Two blaNDM-5 and blaCTX-M-199-producing ST167 E. coli have 16 resistance genes, four plasmid types and show >95% of similarities in core genomes compared with the ST167 E. coli strains from different origins. The blaNDM-5- or blaCTX-M-199-carrying plasmids sequencing by Nanopore were compared to plasmids with blaNDM-5- or blaCTX-M-199 originated from humans and animals. These two ST167 E. coli show high similarities in core genomes and the plasmid profiles with strains from hospital inpatients and farm animals. Our study indicated that ST167 E. coli is retained in diverse environments and carried with various plasmids. The analysis of strains such as ST167 can provide useful information for preventing or controlling the spread of AR bacteria between animals, humans and environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lateral quantum confinement is of great interest in tuning the electronic properties of graphene‐based nanostructures, making them suitable for technological applications. In principle, these properties might be controlled through the edge topology: for example, zigzag nanoribbons are predicted to have spin‐polarized edge states. The practical realization of these structures is of utmost importance in fully harnessing the electronic properties of graphene. Here, the formation of regular, 1.4 nm wide ribbon‐like graphene structures with zigzag edges are reported, showing 1D electronic states. It is found that these "pseudo‐ribbons" embedded in single‐layer graphene supported on Ni(100) can spontaneously form upon carbon segregation underneath 1D graphene moiré domains, extending hundreds of nanometers in length. On the basis of both microscopy/spectroscopy/diffraction experiments and theoretical simulations, it is shown that these structures, even though seamlessly incorporated in a matrix of strongly interacting graphene, exhibit electronic properties closely resembling those of zigzag nanoribbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe7S8 as a conversion‐type anode shows high capacity in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Nevertheless, the sluggish ion transport rate, low electron conduction behavior, and large volume change upon cycling limit its applications in fast‐charging wide‐temperature‐range LIBs. Here, a simple hydrothermal and subsequent solid‐phase high‐pressure sulfidation route is proposed to synthesize a hollow Fe7S8/N‐doped C microsphere structure. The hollow space is enveloped by the spheres’ shell consisting of ultrafine Fe7S8 nanocrystals (≈8 nm) embedded into N‐doped C matrix, which enhances ion transport and electrical conduction, and accommodates the volume expansion of Fe7S8. Remarkably, in situ magnetometry reveals that spin‐polarized surface capacitance occurs during the stage of conversion reaction, in which the formed Fe and Li2S act as electrons and ions acceptor, respectively, to construct space charge zone at their interfaces, thus enhancing lithium transport and storage. Accordingly, the hollow microspheres show high gravimetric energy density and outstanding fast‐charging capability along with excellent cycling stability in Ah‐level pouch cells operating from ‐40 to 60 °C. For the first time, this work confirms the effectiveness of spin‐polarized surface capacitance effect on enhancing ion storage and transport in fast‐charging wide‐temperature‐range LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon (Si) anodes offer excellent lithium storage capacity for lithium‐ion batteries but face practical limitations due to significant volume expansion and low intrinsic electrical conductivity. These issues lead to side reactions that consume the electrolyte and impede ion‐electron transport, resulting in low areal loading (<2 mg cm⁻²) and restricted energy density. To address this, a scalable method is developed using spray drying of commercial graphite flakes (s‐Gr) and nanosilicon particles (n‐Si), followed by chemical vapor deposition to create microscale Si/C anodes (s‐Gr/n‐Si/VGs). Thin vertical graphene nanosheets (VGs) are grown on the surfaces and within the internal pores, forming a robust, micron‐sized Si/C spherical composite material. The VGs construct the conductive network, allowing the electrodes to operate at high areal loadings without pulverization and promoting LiF‐enriched solid electrolyte interphase for improved cycling stability. The s‐Gr/n‐Si/VGs maintain a capacity of 641.9 mAh g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles at 11.0 mg cm⁻², retaining 95.9% capacity. In pouch cells with NCM811 cathodes, the 5.0 Ah‐level cells achieved 80.0% capacity retention after 510 cycles at 1.0 C. This research provides a feasible pathway for manufacturing high‐performance, low‐cost, and scalable Si/C anodes suitable for high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Despite no carbapenem use in food animals, carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) perseveres within food animals, rising significant concerns regarding public health risks originating from these non-clinical reservoirs. To investigate the potential link between CRKP in food animals and its infections in humans, we conducted a cross-sectional study encompassing human clinical, meat products, and farm animals, in Qingdao city, Shandong province, China. We observed a relatively higher presence of CRKP among hospital inpatients (7.3%) compared to that in the meat products (2.7%) and farm animals (pig, 4.6%; chicken, 0.63%). Multilocus sequence typing and core-genome phylogenetic analyses confirm there is no evidence of farm animals and meat products in the clinical acquisition of K. pneumoniae isolates and carbapenem-resistant genes. However, potential transmission of K. pneumoniae of ST659 and IncX3 plasmid harbouring bla NDM-5 gene from pigs to pork and farm workers was observed. Our findings suggest a limited role of farm animals and meat products in the human clinical acquisition of K. pneumoniae , and the transmission of K. pneumoniae is more common within settings, than between them.

Conversion-type transition-metal sulfides (CT-TMSs) have been extensively studied as the anode of Li/Na/K-ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacity. An issue with the use of the material in the battery is that a large capacity difference is commonly observed. However, the underlying mechanism leading to the problem is still unknown. Here, the large capacity difference mechanisms of CT-TMSs anodes in the Li/Na/K-ion storage are elucidated, which arises from the difference in conversion degree and size of conversion products. Specifically, the increase in ionic radius will cause the increase in insertion-reaction ion diffuse energy barrier and conversion-reaction Gibbs free energies of phase transformation to decrease reaction kinetics, which causes a decrease in conversion degree and an increase in size of conversion products, thus leading to reduction in capacity. The increase in size and the decrease in the amount of conversion products inevitably reduce the amount of spin-polarized electrons injection into Fe and corresponding ions storage amount into sulfides during the ion-electron decoupling storage, thus reducing the capacity. The research clarifies the capacity difference mechanisms of CT-TMSs anodes in Li/Na/K storage, providing valuable insights for designing Li/Na/K storage high-capacity anodes., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Anatase TiO 2 as sodium-ion-battery anode has attracted increased attention because of its low volume change and good safety. However, low capacity and poor rate performance caused by low electrical conductivity and slow ion diffusion greatly impede its practical applications. Here, a bi-solvent enhanced pressure strategy that induces defects (oxygen vacancies) into TiO 2 via N doping and reduces its size by using mutual-solvent ethanol and dopant dimethylformamide as pressure-increased reagent of tetrabutyl orthotitanate tetramer is proposed to fabricate N-doped TiO 2 /C nanocomposites. The induced defects can increase ion storage sites, improve electrical conductivity, and decrease bandgap and ion diffuse energy barrier of TiO 2 . The size reduction increases contact interfaces between TiO 2 and C and shortens ion diffuse distance, thus increasing extra ion storage sites and boosting ion diffusion rate of TiO 2 . The N-doped TiO 2 possesses highly stable crystal structure with a slightly increase of 0.86% in crystal lattice spacing and 3.2% in particle size after fully sodiation. Consequently, as a sodium-ion battery anode, the nanocomposite delivers high capacity and superior rate capability along with ultralong cycling life. This work proposes a novel pressure-induced synthesis strategy that provides unique guidance for designing TiO 2 -based anode materials with high capacity and excellent fast-charging capability., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

"Industry 4.0" aims to build a highly versatile, individualized digital production model for goods and services. The carbon emission (CE) issue needs to be addressed by changing from centralized control to decentralized and enhanced control. Based on a solid CE monitoring, reporting, and verification system, it is necessary to study future power system CE dynamics simulation technology. In this article, a data-driven approach is proposed to analyzing the trajectory of urban electricity CEs based on empirical mode decomposition, which suggests combining macro-energy thinking and big data thinking by removing the barriers among power systems and related technological, economic, and environmental domains. Based on multisource heterogeneous mass data acquisition, effective secondary data can be extracted through the integration of statistical analysis, causal analysis, and behavior analysis, which can help construct a simulation environment supporting the dynamic interaction among mathematical models, multi-agents, and human participants.

The widespread of tigecycline resistance gene tet (X4) has a serious impact on the clinical efficacy of tigecycline. The development of effective antibiotic adjuvants to combat the looming tigecycline resistance is needed. The synergistic activity between the natural compound β-thujaplicin and tigecycline in vitro was determined by the checkerboard broth microdilution assay and time-dependent killing curve. The mechanism underlining the synergistic effect between β-thujaplicin and tigecycline against tet (X4)-positive Escherichia coli was investigated by determining cell membrane permeability, bacterial intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, iron content, and tigecycline content. β-thujaplicin exhibited potentiation effect on tigecycline against tet (X4)-positive E . coli in vitro , and presented no significant hemolysis and cytotoxicity within the range of antibacterial concentrations. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that β-thujaplicin significantly increased the permeability of bacterial cell membranes, chelated bacterial intracellular iron, disrupted the iron homeostasis and significantly increased intracellular ROS level. The synergistic effect of β-thujaplicin and tigecycline was identified to be related to interfere with bacterial iron metabolism and facilitate bacterial cell membrane permeability. Our studies provided theoretical and practical data for the application of combined β-thujaplicin with tigecycline in the treatment of tet (X4)-positive E . coli infection.