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Based on the IEEE 802.16e standard's (672,336) LDPC code and the normalized Min-Sum decoding algorithm, this paper designs and implements an LDPC decoder that optimizes the channel information. The correction factor for check nodes is converted into a correction factor for the initial channel information, replacing the optimization of check node information with that of initial channel information. This achieves decoding performance equivalent to the traditional normalized Min-Sum decoding algorithm. Different correction factor values vary in complexity during FPGA implementation, as they involve different amounts of shift-add operations. For NMS decoding requiring a high number of shift-add operations to achieve optimal correction values, this can be converted into an LDPC decoding algorithm optimized for channel information, reducing computational overhead without sacrificing performance. A partially parallel improved decoder was designed and implemented on an FPGA, and its feasibility was verified using the Vivado simulation platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To analyse the trend of COPD patients' inpatient costs and its influencing factors in the context of the reform of DRG, and to provide reference for the reasonable control of COPD inpatient costs. Methods ITSA were used to analyse the trend of COPD patients' inpatient costs in a tertiary general hospital from 2018 to 2022, and univariate analysis, stepwise regression analysis and RFM were used to analyse the factors influencing the inpatient costs and the degree of significance of COPD patients' inpatient costs after the official operation of the DRG. Results The results of ITSA showed that the overall inpatient costs of COPD patients decreased significantly and by an average of 1.82% per month during the DRG operation stage; the integrated medical service fee, drug fee, and consumable fee all showed a decreasing trend during the DRG operation stage, by an average of 1.06%, 1.67%, and 4. 98% per month, respectively, but the proportion of the integrated medical service fee increased compared with that before the DRG reform by 7.18%; The stepwise regression results showed that the number of hospital days (β = 0.584), admission status (β = 0.294), whether surgery (β = 0.125), whether traditional Chinese medicine (β = 0.084), and drug share ratio (β = 0.099) had a statistically significant impact on COPD hospitalisation costs (P < 0.05); and the results of the Random Forest model analysis showed that hospital days, admission status, drug share ratio were the most important factors influencing COPD hospitalisation costs, status, and medication ratio were the key factors affecting COPD hospitalisation costs. Conclusion DRG can effectively promote medical institutions to strengthen cost management and reduce the economic burden of disease. Hospitals should further reduce the cost of COPD and the economic burden of patients by reducing the number of inpatient days, strengthening the management of critically ill patients, and promoting the rational use of drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of CO2 into fuels and valuable chemicals presents a viable path toward carbon neutrality. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of metal-doped graphene catalysts in the reduction of CO2 to C1 products. 20 typical M-graphene (M = metal) catalysts were established based on DFT calculations. Six candidate catalysts, i.e., V-, Cr-, Mn-, Ni-, Mo-, and Ta-graphene catalysts, were selected by combining the hydrogen dissociation ability and the energy band gap of the catalysts. Subsequently, the adsorption characteristics and hydrogenation reactions of CO2 over the six candidates were explored. CO2 tends to adsorb at the M site through vertical adsorption and carbon–oxygen co-adsorption. V- and Cr-graphene catalysts promote the production of intermediate COOH, whereas Mn-, Ni-, Mo-, and Ta-doped surfaces are more favorable for HCOO formation. Concerning the hydrogenation to CO and HCOOH, V-, Cr-, Ni- and Mo-graphene catalysts preferentially yield CO from COOH, whereas Ta-doped graphene favors the formation of HCOOH. In total, the competitive hydrogenation of CO2 reveals the selectivity of the C1 products. Cr- and Ni-graphene favor the production of HCOOH and CH3OH, whereas V-, Mn-, Mo-, and Ta-graphene primarily yield CH3OH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and utilization of electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices can maximize intermittent renewable energy and balance environmental issues. Aqueous metal‐redox bicatalyst batteries, incorporating value‐added electro‐reduction reactions during discharge process at the cathode, are considered a particularly attractive alternative for simultaneous electricity generation and valuable chemical production. In this review, for the first time, a holistic and subtle description of value‐added metal‐redox bicatalyst batteries is made, focusing on recent efforts to optimize the energy conversion/chemical production‐involved cathodic discharging reactions, including CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR), nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), nitric oxide reduction reaction (NORR), nitrate reduction reaction (NO3−RR), nitrite reduction reaction (NO2−RR), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and acetylene reduction reaction (ARR). A macroscopic understanding of design principles in terms of anodes, cathodes, and reaction parameters is provided. Some mechanism explorations, feasibility analyses, technoeconomic assessments, device combinations, and associated comparisons are involved to deepen the understanding of different systems and evaluate their application prospects. Perspectives on and opportunities for future research directions are also outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) comprising five or more elements in near-equiatomic proportions have attracted ever increasing attention for their distinctive properties, such as exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, high hardness, and excellent ductility. The presence of multiple adjacent elements in HEAs provides unique opportunities for novel and adaptable active sites. By carefully selecting the element configuration and composition, these active sites can be optimized for specific purposes. Recently, HEAs have been shown to exhibit remarkable performance in electrocatalytic reactions. Further activity improvement of HEAs is necessary to determine their active sites, investigate the interactions between constituent elements, and understand the reaction mechanisms. Accordingly, a comprehensive review is imperative to capture the advancements in this burgeoning field. In this review, we provide a detailed account of the recent advances in synthetic methods, design principles, and characterization technologies for HEA-based electrocatalysts. Moreover, we discuss the diverse applications of HEAs in electrocatalytic energy conversion reactions, including the hydrogen evolution reaction, hydrogen oxidation reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, carbon dioxide reduction reaction, nitrogen reduction reaction, and alcohol oxidation reaction. By comprehensively covering these topics, we aim to elucidate the intricacies of active sites, constituent element interactions, and reaction mechanisms associated with HEAs. Finally, we underscore the imminent challenges and emphasize the significance of both experimental and theoretical perspectives, as well as the potential applications of HEAs in catalysis. We anticipate that this review will encourage further exploration and development of HEAs in electrochemistry-related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bentonites are widely distributed and developed in several layers in the Ordovician-Silurian boundary, which is of great significance for the study of stratigraphic chronology, stratigraphic correlation, event stratigraphy and mass extinction in the penod. The zircon U-Pb dating of bentonites in the bottom of Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Yongshan area on the western margin of Yangtze Plate yields the weighted average age of 443.5± 1.7 Ma, which defines the sedimentary age of the strata and provides a reliable basis for the study of Ordovician-Silurian volcanic eruption event and stratigraphic chronology on the western margin of Yangtze Plate, as well as basic information for the establishment of Ordovician-Silurian high-resolution stratigraphic framework on the periphery of Yangtze Plate. The trace element characteristics of zircon show the features of I-type granite formed in magmatic arc or organic belt. The multi-stage and high-frequency volcanic activity in the Late Ordovician-Early Silurian is possibly the dominant factor causing the mass extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]