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Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used in portable energy storage. The capacity of commercial graphite is difficult to improve due to the stoichiometry limit of LiC6 of graphite, thus new anodes need to be developed to meet the demand of high-energy–density LIB. The growing interest in graphitized carbon nitride (g-C3N4) stems from its structural resemblance to graphite and its capacity to offer abundant adsorption and intercalation sites. However, g-C3N4, as a semiconductor, has a low lithium transfer rate due to its poor conductivity and high diffusion resistance. Improving the electron transport rate of g-C3N4 and reducing the adsorption energy barrier of Li+ in g-C3N4 are the keys to improving the electrochemical performances of g-C3N4. In this study, lignin and melamine were homogeneously mixed using the spray drying method, followed by the preparation of covalently bonded C3N4/LC material through a one-step carbonization process. The uniform dispersion of g-C3N4 in amorphous carbon can improve the conductivity and reduce the diffusion energy barrier of Li+. As a result, the C3N4/LC-x anode has better electrochemical behavior, including higher reversible capacity, better rate performance, and cycle stability. Highlights: • The covalently bonded C3N4/LC-x material was prepared through a one-step carbonization method. • The uniform dispersion of g-C3N4 in amorphous carbon could improve the electronic conductivity and reduce the diffusion energy barrier of Li+ ions. • C3N4/LC-2 showed high reversible capacity, ideal rate performance, and cycle life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food quality assessment is an important part of the food industry. The traditional food quality assessment technologies have the limitations of inconsistent and different technical defects for each method. Data mining technology has significant advantages in dealing with the problems of uncertainty and fuzziness. Therefore, this study proposes a food quality assessment model based on data mining, which aims to realize the standardization and consistency of food quality assessment, and can achieve or exceed the accuracy of existing technologies, so as to solve the obvious problems existing in traditional assessment methods. The core of the proposed model is to design a deep learning framework based on double layer rough-refinement optimization. The first layer is rough optimization, which introduces the thought of multi-objective optimization to optimize the topological structure of neural networks with various candidate types and candidate depths. The second layer is refinement adjustment, which uses meta heuristic algorithm to globally optimize the weight parameters of the network model. The combination of rough and refinement optimization can greatly reduce the computation of overall simultaneous optimization and globally optimize the neural network model with the highest accuracy from the neural network type, topology, and network parameters. Two kinds of food quality assessment problems are used to simulate and verify the proposed deep learning framework. The results prove that the framework is effective, feasible, and adaptability, and the proposed assessment model can well solve different types of food quality assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purposes: This study aimed to describe a new localization technique developed using an anchor with a scaled suture (AWSS) system and to characterize the localization results and post-operative outcomes to evaluate its safety and effectiveness. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at our centre from October 2020 to December 2021. In total, 328 small pulmonary nodules (sPNs) who underwent pre-operative computed tomography (CT)-guided AWSS system localization followed by wedge resection by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) were enrolled in this study. Results: CT-guided AWSS system implantations targeting 328 sPNs were successfully performed. The time spent performing localization was 12.4 ± 4.9 min. After puncture localization, the incidences of pneumothorax, pulmonary haemorrhage, and chest pain were 19.2% (63/328), 25.9% (85/328), and 0.9% (3/328), respectively. The incidence of overall complications was 42.7%. According to the CIRSE classification, there were no major complications. The median localization–VATS interval time was 7 h (range, 1–75 h). In 328 cases (100%), the location of the lesion was determined by palpation of the four-paw anchor in the lung and was successfully resected by VATS, and the correct diagnosis was obtained. Conclusion: In this series, CT-guided pre-operative localization of pulmonary nodules with the AWSS system was safe and had a high positioning accuracy and success rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding ion transport kinetics and electrolyte-electrode interactions at electrode surfaces of batteries in operation is essential to determine their performance and state of health. However, it remains a challenging task to capture in real time the details of surface-localized and rapid ion transport at the microscale. To address this, a promising approach based on an optical fiber plasmonic sensor capable of being inserted near the electrode surface of a working battery to monitor its electrochemical kinetics without disturbing its operation is demonstrated using aqueous Zn-ion batteries as an example. The miniature and chemically inert sensor detects perturbations of surface plasmon waves propagating on its surface to rapidly screen localized electrochemical events on a sub-μm-scale thickness adjacent to the electrode interface. A stable and reproducible correlation between the real-time ion insertions over charge-discharge cycles and the optical plasmon response has been observed and quantified. This new operando measurement tool will provide crucial additional capabilities to battery monitoring methods and help guide the design of better batteries with improved electro-chemistries. Operando tracking the ion dynamics/states of battery is critical to understanding of electrolyte-electrode interactions. Here the authors propose to use the surface plasmon waves to rapidly screen localized electrochemical events on a sub-μm-scale thickness adjacent to the electrode interface, without perturbing battery operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saccharification of cellulose into glucose is a key step for the utilization of lignocellulose. Molten salt hydrate (MSH) is unique in selective hydrolysis of cellulose into glucose but the separation of formed glucose from MSH is challenging due to the high solubility of glucose in MSH. To address this issue, this work developed a method where a small dosage of MSH was applied to impregnate cellulose and convert it into water-soluble sugar with the degree of polymerization (DP) lower than 6, which can be readily hydrolyzed into glucose under mild conditions without sacrificing selectivity. Under the optimized impregnation condition at 110 °C for 2 h, cellulose was selectively converted into water-soluble sugar with a yield of 87.5%. Then the MSH can be efficiently dissolved and removed by anti-solvent isolation with n-butanol, resulting in a sugar recovery of 84.3%. We showed that the separation efficiency was influenced by anti-solvent polarity and oligosaccharides chain-length. Moreover, the production and separation of water-soluble sugar from corn stover was also investigated. 88.9% yield of water-soluble sugar was obtained from the impregnation of corn stover under the optimized reaction conditions. With the addition of n-butanol as an anti-solvent, the water-soluble sugar can be recovered from MSH with a selectivity of 86.7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous alkaline batteries see bright future in renewable energy storage and utilization, but their practical application is greatly challenged by the unsatisfactory performance of anode materials. Herein, we demonstrate a latent Sb stripping/plating chemistry by constructing an oxygen-rich interface on carbon substrate, thus providing a decent anode candidate. The functional interface effectively lowers the nucleation overpotential of Sb and strengthens the absorption capability of the charge carriers (SbO2− ions). These two advantageous properties inhibit the occurrence of side reactions and thus enable highly reversible Sb stripping/plating. Consequently, the Sb anode delivers theoretical-value-close specific capacity (627.1 mA h g−1), high depth of discharge (95.0%) and maintains 92.4% coulombic efficiency over 1000 cycles. A robust aqueous NiCo2O4//Sb device with high energy density and prominent durability is also demonstrated. This work provides a train of thoughts for the development of aqueous alkaline batteries based on Sb chemistry. The practical application of aqueous alkaline battery is confined by limited choice of anode. Here, the authors demonstrate an oxygen-rich interface induced reversible Sb stripping/plating chemistry that provides a promising Sb metal anode with fast reaction kinetics and favourable stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A carbonaceous solid acid catalyst with high strong-acid density was synthesized by facile functionalization of a biomass-derived mesoporous carbon with benzenesulfonic acid. The catalyst was characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption-desorption. The carbonaceous solid catalyst containing Brønsted acid sites was used for the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from hexoses such as fructose, glucose, and cellulose in γ-valerolactone (GVL)-H2O mixture. By reaction at 130 °C for 20 min using fructose as a feedstock, an HMF yield 78.1% was achieved. The catalytic performance of the catalyst in conversion of fructose into HMF hardly changed over seven cycles, demonstrating that the catalyst had excellent recyclability. The yields of HMF derived from glucose and cellulose reached 33.2 and 22.5%, respectively, whereas those of total furans were 42.1 and 33.7%, respectively. The proposed reaction system was promising in transforming biomass-based carbohydrates into fine chemicals, given the use of green functionalization methods, the utilization of sustainable biomass-derived carbon precursor and solvents, catalyst with high acid density, and the availability of high HMF yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the numerical approximation for the optimal supporting position and related optimal control of a catalytic reaction system with some control and state constraints, which is governed by a nonlinear partial differential equations with given initial and boundary conditions. By the Galerkin finite element method, the original problem is projected into a semi-discrete optimal control problem governed by a system of ordinary differential equations. Then the control parameterization method is applied to approximate the control and reduce the original system to an optimal parameter selection problem, in which both the position and related control are taken as decision variables to be optimized. This problem can be solved as a nonlinear optimization problem by a particle swarm optimization algorithm. The numerical simulations are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed numerical approximation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a numerical approximation method for computational optimal control of a time fractional convection-diffusion-reaction system. The proposed method involves discretizing the spatial domain by finite element method, approximating the admissible controls by control parameterization, and then obtaining an optimal parameter selection problem which can be solved by numerical optimization algorithms such as sequential quadratic programming. Specifically, an implicit finite difference method is employed to solve the time fractional system, and the sensitivity method for gradient computation in integer order optimal control problems is adjusted to the fractional order case. Simulation results demonstrate the validity and accuracy of the proposed numerical approximation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: The elite ZmCCT haplotypes which have no transposable element in the promoter could enhance maize resistance to Gibberella stalk rot and improve yield-related traits, while having no or mild impact on flowering time. Therefore, they are expected to have great value in future maize breeding programs. Abstract: A CCT domain-containing gene, ZmCCT, is involved in both photoperiod response and stalk rot resistance in maize. At least 15 haplotypes are present at the ZmCCT locus in maize germplasm, whereas only three of them are found in Chinese commercial maize hybrids. Here, we evaluated ZmCCT haplotypes for their potential application in corn breeding. Nine resistant ZmCCT haplotypes that have no CACTA-like transposable element in the promoter were introduced into seven elite maize inbred lines by marker-assisted backcrossing. The resultant 63 converted lines had 0.7-5.1 Mb of resistant ZmCCT donor segments with over 90% recovery rates. All converted lines tested exhibited enhanced resistance to maize stalk rot but varied in photoperiod sensitivity. There was a close correlation between the hybrids and their parental lines with respect to both resistance performance and photoperiod sensitivity. Furthermore, in a given hybrid A5302/83B28, resistant ZmCCT haplotype could largely improve yield-related traits, such as ear length and 100-kernel weight, resulting in enhanced grain yield. Of nine resistant ZmCCT haplotypes, haplotype H5 exhibited excellent performance for both flowering time and stalk rot resistance and is thus expected to have potential value in future maize breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although a considerable part of patients desire further improvement in penile size after hypospadias repairs, penile augmentation is only considered in patients with congenital penile hypoplasia or acquired penile retraction. Modified penile augmentation by free dermal-fat graft is introduced to satisfy these patients and improve surgical safety. Methods: From April 2012 to December 2014, a total of 15 male adults after hypospadias repairs, aged 18-24 years, underwent modified penile augmentation which involved girth enhancement by a free dermal-fat graft and penile elongation (suprapubic skin advancement-ligamentolysis). A specially designed tunneling instrument was introduced to facilitate pericavernous thickening without degloving. Outcome evaluation was mainly based on objective penile measurements and results of the Male Genital Image Scale. Results: With 6 months' follow-up, all patients had achieved excellent cosmetic results, with a significant average dimensional increase of 1.53 ± 0.23 cm in flaccid girth and 1.67 ± 0.24 cm in flaccid length. No erection deficiencies or urinary fistula occurred. Patients' perception of male genitalia improved postoperatively, with the average MGIS score rising from 31.73 ± 4.86 to 40.20 ± 4.54. Conclusions: This modified technique is safe and effective in enlarging penile size. The use of the specially designed tunneling instrument simplifies penile girth enhancement, avoiding unnecessary trauma to the neo-urethra and neurovascular bundle. It is confirmed that physical dimensional enhancement does contribute to improving their underestimation of penile size. Level of Evidence IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]