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In this work, flexible Cu2−xS films on nylon membranes are prepared by combining a simple hydrothermal synthesis and vacuum filtration followed by hot pressing. The films consist of Cu2S and Cu1.96S two phases with grain sizes from nano to submicron. Doping Se on the S site not only increases the Cu1.96S content in the Cu2−xS to increase carrier concentration but also modifies electronic structure, thereby greatly improves the electrical properties of the Cu2−xS. Specifically, an optimal composite film with a nominal composition of Cu2−xS0.98Se0.02 exhibits a high power factor of ~150.1 μW m−1 K−2 at 300 K, which increases by ~138% compared to that of the pristine Cu2−xS film. Meanwhile, the composite film shows outstanding flexibility (~97.2% of the original electrical conductivity is maintained after 1500 bending cycles with a bending radius of 4 mm). A four-leg flexible thermoelectric (TE) generator assembled with the optimal film generates a maximum power of 329.6 nW (corresponding power density of 1.70 W m−2) at a temperature difference of 31.1 K. This work provides a simple route to the preparation of high TE performance Cu2−xS-based films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advent of cancer immunotherapy, some special features including delayed treatment effect, cure rate, diminishing treatment effect and crossing survival are often observed in survival analysis. They violate the proportional hazard model assumption and pose a unique challenge for the conventional trial design and analysis strategies. Many methods like cure rate model have been developed based on mixture model to incorporate some of these features. In this work, we extend the mixture model to deal with multiple non‐proportional patterns and develop its geometric average hazard ratio (gAHR) to quantify the treatment effect. We further derive a sample size and power formula based on the non‐centrality parameter of the log‐rank test and conduct a thorough analysis of the impact of each parameter on performance. Simulation studies showed a clear advantage of our new method over the proportional hazard based calculation across different non‐proportional hazard scenarios. Moreover, the mixture modeling of two real trials demonstrates how to use the prior information on the survival distribution among patients with different biomarker and early efficacy results in practice. By comparison with a simulation‐based design, the new method provided a more efficient way to compute the power and sample size with high accuracy of estimation. Overall, both theoretical derivation and empirical studies demonstrate the promise of the proposed method in powering future innovative trial designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To estimate the long-term effect of the changing demography in China on blood supply and demand. Methods We developed a predictive model to estimate blood supply and demand during 2017-2036 in mainland China and in 31 province-level regions. Model parameters were obtained from World Population Prospects, China statistical yearbook 2016, China's report on blood safety and records from a large tertiary hospital. Our main assumptions were stable age-specific per capita blood supply and demand over time. Findings We estimated that the change in demographic structure between 2016 (baseline year) and 2036 would result in a 16.0% decrease in blood supply (from 43.2 million units of 200 mL to 36.3 million units) and a 33.1% increase in demand (from 43.2 million units to 57.5 million units). In 2036, there would be an estimated shortage of 21.2 million units. An annual increase in supply between 0.9% and 1.8% is required to maintain a balance in blood supply and demand. This increase is not enough for every region as regional differences will increase, e.g. a blood demand/supply ratio > 1.45 by 2036 is predicted in regions with large populations older than 65 years. Sensitivity analyses showed that increasing donations by 4.0% annually by people aged 18-34 years or decreasing the overall blood discard rate from 5.0% to 2.0% would not offset but help reduce the blood shortage. Conclusion Multidimensional strategies and tailored, coordinated actions are needed to deal with growing pressures on blood services because of China's ageing population. Objectif Estimer I'effet a long terme de revolution demographique en Chine sur l'approvisionnement et la demande en produits sanguins. Methodes Nous avons elabore un modele de prevision pour estimer l'approvisionnement et la demande en produits sanguins en Chine continentale et dans 31 provinces entre 2017 et 2036. Les parametres du modele ont ete definis a partir des Perspectives de la population mondiale, de l'Annuaire statistique 2016 de la Chine, du Rapport de la Chine sur la securite transfusionnelle et des dossiers d'un important hopital de soins tertiaires. Nous sommes partis de l'hypothese que l'approvisionnement et la demande en produits sanguins par habitant et par groupe d'age etaient stables dans le temps. Resultats Nous avons estime que Revolution de la structure demographique entre 2016 (annee de reference) et 2036 entrainerait une diminution de l'approvisionnement en produits sanguins de 16,0% (de 43,2 millions d'unites de 200 mL a 36,3 millions d'unites) et une augmentation de la demande de 33,1% (de 43,2 millions d'unites a 57,5 millions d'unites). Nous estimons qu'en 2036, il manquera 21,2 millions d'unites. Une augmentation annuelle de l'approvisionnement de 0,9% a 1,8% est necessaire pour maintenir un equilibre entre l'approvisionnement et la demande en produits sanguins. Cette augmentation n'est pas suffisante pour toutes les regions, car les differences regionales vont s'accentuer. Par exemple, un rapport demande/approvisionnement en produits sanguins [greater than or equal to] 1,45 d'ici a 2036 est prevu dans les regions qui comptent un nombre eleve d'habitants ages de plus de 65 ans. Les analyses de sensibilite ont montre qu'une augmentation des dons de 4,0% chaque annee par des individus ages de 18 a 34 ans ou une diminution du taux global de rejet de produits sanguins de 5,0% a 2,0% ne permettrait pas de reduire a neant la penurie de produits sanguins, mais aiderait a la resorber. Conclusion Des strategies multidimensionnelles et des actions adaptees et concertees sont necessaires pour faire face aux pressions croissantes qui pesent sur les services de transfusion sanguine en raison du vieillissement de la population chinoise. Conclusion Se necesitan estrategias multidimensionales y acciones coordinadas y adaptadas para hacer frente a la creciente presion sobre los servicios de transfusion de sangre debido al envejecimiento de la poblacion de China. Objetivo Estimar el efecto a largo plazo de los cambios demograficos en China sobre la oferta y la demanda de sangre. Metodos Se desarrollo un modelo predictivo para estimar la oferta y la demanda de sangre durante el periodo en China continental y en 31 provincias. Los parametros del modelo se obtuvieron de World Population Prospects (Perspectivas mundiales de poblacion), China statistical yearbook 2016 (Anuario estadistico de China 2016), China's report on blood safety (Informe de China sobre seguridad de la sangre) y de registros de un gran hospital terciario. Los supuestos principales eran la estabilidad de la oferta y la demanda de sangre per capita especifica de la edad a lo largo del tiempo. Resultados Se estimo que el cambio en la estructura demografica entre 2016 (ano inicial) y 2036 resultaria en una disminucion del 16,0% en el suministro de sangre (de 43,2 millones de unidades de 200 ml a 36,3 millones de unidades) y un aumento del 33,1% en la demanda (de 43,2 millones de unidades a 57,5 millones de unidades). En 2036, habria una escasez estimada de 21,2 millones de unidades. Se requiere un aumento anual de la oferta de entre el 0,9% y el 1,8% para mantener un equilibrio entre la oferta y la demanda de sangre. Este aumento no es suficiente para todas las regiones, ya que las diferencias regionales aumentaran, por ejemplo, se pronostica una relacion entre la demanda y la oferta de sangre [mayor que o igual a] = 1,45 para el ano 2036 en regiones con grandes poblaciones mayores de 65 anos. Los analisis de sensibilidad mostraron que el aumento de las donaciones en un 4,0% anual por parte de las personas de 18 a 34 anos o la disminucion de la tasa general de descarte de sangre del 5,0% al 2,0% no compensaria sino que ayudaria a reducir la escasez de sangre., Introduction Maintaining a safe and adequate supply of blood for health services is an important responsibility of every World Health Organization Member State. (1,2) Demographic changes are a threat to [...]

Potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs) are promising energy storage devices owing to the close redox potential of potassium (K) to lithium and rich abundance of K resource, thus promoting the exploration of efficient cathode materials for K‐ions storage. Fe‐based Prussian blue analogues (KFeHCF) are promising cathode materials for KIBs due to their combined advantages in low cost and high energy density. However, the rapid capacity decay induced by unstable cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) and dissolution of transition metal ions leads to limited lifespans (e.g., hundreds of cycles) of K∥KFeHCF batteries. Incorporating additives into electrolytes is an economical and effective way to construct robust CEI for high‐performance KIBs. Herein, a multifunctional electrolyte additive, potassium selenocyanate (KSeCN), is introduced to effectively construct stable, homogeneous and conductive CEI films, which leads to the inhibition of Fe dissolution and stabilization of KFeHCF structure during cycling. With 0.5 wt% of KSeCN in conventional carbonated electrolyte, the K∥KFeHCF battery exhibits promoted cycling performance with a capacity retention rate of 87% after 500 cycles at 4.5 V cutoff voltage. This finding provides a new paradigm for developing and designing potassium‐ion battery electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]