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Abstract Two-dimensional nanofluidics based on naturally abundant clay are good candidates for harvesting osmotic energy between the sea and river from the perspective of commercialization and environmental sustainability. However, clay-based nanofluidics outputting long-term considerable osmotic power remains extremely challenging to achieve due to the lack of surface charge and mechanical strength. Here, a two-dimensional all-natural nanofluidic (2D-NNF) is developed as a robust and highly efficient osmotic energy generator based on an interlocking configuration of stacked montmorillonite nanosheets (from natural clay) and their intercalated cellulose nanofibers (from natural wood). The generated nano-confined interlamellar channels with abundant surface and space negative charges facilitate selective and fast hopping transport of cations in the 2D-NNF. This contributes to an osmotic power output of ~8.61 W m−2 by mixing artificial seawater and river water, higher than other reported state-of-the-art 2D nanofluidics. According to detailed life cycle assessments (LCA), the 2D-NNF demonstrates great advantages in resource consumption (1/14), greenhouse gas emissions (1/9), and production costs (1/13) compared with the mainstream 2D nanofluidics, promising good sustainability for large-scale and highly-efficient osmotic power generation.

DC microgrid systems are increasingly utilized in power systems, and the significance of solid-state circuit breakers (SSCB) is paramount due to the absence of zero-crossing current in DC systems. However, one of the concerns in a DC microgrid is proposing and implementing a new algorithm due to safety concerns and system stability. Properly coordinating a DC microgrid is one of these challenges. Moreover, protecting the system from unpredictable transient overshoot plays a significant role in system stability and SSCB performance. Consequently, the design of a virtual test platform for monitoring the system's behavior in challenging situations holds significant importance. To address these matters, this paper presents an examination of a DC microgrid using a novel, easy-to-implement, and cost-effective controller hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) test platform. This platform utilizes MATLAB/Simulink software as a simulator and proposes a new communication path between the simulator and real-world controllers. Additionally, a new method to control the system in overshoot situations is proposed. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed CHIL platform, three short-circuit CHIL tests are performed for load#1 to load#3 at 430 A, 300 A, and 180 A fault currents, respectively. To investigate the designed algorithm protection, a complex protection experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of the designed algorithm under multiple transient overshoot conditions in the current. The extracted CHIL results are also presented as the validation of proposed algorithm.

Objective A high number of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastasis who have not had surgery often have a negative outlook. Radiotherapy remains a most common and effective method. Nomograms were developed to forecast the cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) in NSCLC individuals with nonoperative brain metastases who underwent radiotherapy. Methods Information was gathered from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database about patients diagnosed with NSCLC who had brain metastases not suitable for surgery. Nomograms were created and tested using multivariate Cox regression models to forecast CSS and OS at intervals of 1, 2, and 3 years. Results The research involved 3413 individuals diagnosed with NSCLC brain metastases who had undergone radiotherapy but had not experienced surgery. These participants were randomly divided into two categories. The analysis revealed that gender, age, ethnicity, marital status, tumor location, tumor laterality, tumor grade, histology, T stage, N stage, chemotherapy, tumor size, lung metastasis, bone metastasis, and liver metastasis were significant independent predictors for OS and CSS. The C-index for the training set for predicting OS was .709 (95% CI, .697-.721), and for the validation set, it was .705 (95% CI, .686-.723), respectively. The C-index for predicting CSS was .710 (95% CI, .697-.722) in the training set and .703 (95% CI, .684-.722) in the validation set, respectively. The nomograms model, as suggested by the impressive C-index, exhibits outstanding differentiation ability. Moreover, the ROC and calibration curves reveal its commendable precision and distinguishing potential. Conclusions For the first time, highly accurate and reliable nomograms were developed to predict OS and CSS in NSCLC patients with non-surgical brain metastases, who have undergone radiotherapy treatment. The nomograms may assist in tailoring counseling strategies and choosing the most effective treatment method.

Abstract The interfacial morphology of crystalline silicon/hydrogenated amorphous silicon (c-Si/a-Si:H) is a key success factor to approach the theoretical efficiency of Si-based solar cells, especially Si heterojunction technology. The unexpected crystalline silicon epitaxial growth and interfacial nanotwins formation remain a challenging issue for silicon heterojunction technology. Here, we design a hybrid interface by tuning pyramid apex-angle to improve c-Si/a-Si:H interfacial morphology in silicon solar cells. The pyramid apex-angle (slightly smaller than 70.53°) consists of hybrid (111)0.9/(011)0.1 c-Si planes, rather than pure (111) planes in conventional texture pyramid. Employing microsecond-long low-temperature (500 K) molecular dynamic simulations, the hybrid (111)/(011) plane prevents from both c-Si epitaxial growth and nanotwin formation. More importantly, given there is not any additional industrial preparation process, the hybrid c-Si plane could improve c-Si/a-Si:H interfacial morphology for a-Si passivated contacts technique, and wide-applied for all silicon-based solar cells as well.

Highlights The zeolitic imidazolate framework functionalized modified layered double hydroxide (ZIF-8@MLDH) composite membranes with superior structural stability and Li+ permeability are prepared by selectively growing ZIF-8 nanoparticles in the framework defects of the MLDH membrane. The tailor-made ZIF-8@MLDH membrane has a large Li+ permeability of up to 1.73 mol m-2 h-1 and a high Li+/Mg2+ selectivity of 31.9, which exceed most of the current 2D lamellar membranes.

High-definition near-eye display technology has extremely close sight distance, placing a higher demand on the size, performance, and array of light-emitting pixel devices. Based on the excellent photoelectric performance of metal halide perovskite materials, perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have high photoelectric conversion efficiency, adjustable emission spectra, and excellent charge transfer characteristics, demonstrating great prospects as next-generation light sources. Despite their potential, the solubility of perovskite in photoresist presents a hurdle for conventional micro/nano processing techniques, resulting in device sizes typically exceeding 50 μm. This limitation impedes the further downsizing of perovskite-based components. Herein, we propose a plane-structured PeLED device that can achieve microscale light-emitting diodes with a single pixel device size < 2 μm and a luminescence lifetime of approximately 3 s. This is accomplished by fabricating a patterned substrate and regulating ion distribution in the perovskite through self-doping effects to form a PN junction. This breakthrough overcomes the technical challenge of perovskite–photoresist incompatibility, which has hindered the development of perovskite materials in micro/nano optoelectronic devices. The strides made in this study open up promising avenues for the advancement of PeLEDs within the realm of micro/nano optoelectronic devices.

Bridges are fundamental facilities in the transportation system, and their operational performance is crucial for economic and social development. Many large bridges are now equipped with structural health monitoring (SHM) systems that collect various types of real-time data. However, our user study found that despite the accumulation of massive amounts of monitoring data, current analysis methods cannot efficiently process large-scale, high-dimensional data. To address this, we have developed BOPVis, a visualization system for bridge monitoring data. BOPVis allows users to intuitively locate sensors and extract corresponding data from a 3D digital model of a bridge. It also provides convenient and flexible interactions for examining trends over time and correlations across hundreds of monitoring channels. A real-world long-span suspension bridge in China is used as a case study to demonstrate the advantages of the BOPVis system for operational performance mining. Through BOPVis, the global temperature deformation behaviors of the bridge are explored and found to align with the physical mechanism documented in the SHM literature. The BOPVis system, with its interactive visualization analysis capabilities, offers a new method for analyzing bridge monitoring data.

With the growing energy crisis and environmental problems, distributed photovoltaic (PV), as a clean and renewable form of energy, is receiving more and more attention. However, the large-scale access to distributed PV brings a series of challenges to the distribution network, such as voltage fluctuation, frequency deviation, protection coordination, and other problems. In order to solve these problems, this paper provides a research overview of distribution network consumption strategies containing distributed PV. Firstly, this paper introduces the characteristics of distributed PV and its impact on the distribution grid. Then, the difficulties and challenges of distributed PV consumption are analyzed from the technical and economic levels. On this basis, a comprehensive consumption strategy is proposed, including the following aspects: firstly, it is mentioned to optimize the access method of distributed PV and to reduce the impact on the distribution grid by reasonably choosing the access point and access capacity of distributed PV. Secondly, it summarizes the ways to improve the regulation capacity of distribution networks and improve the consumption capacity of distribution networks for distributed PV through the introduction of energy storage equipment, flexible loads, and other means. Finally, advanced control strategies are summarized to improve the stability and reliability of the distribution network by implementing measures such as power prediction, voltage control, and protection coordination for distributed PV. Overall, this paper synthesizes the research on distribution network consumption strategies containing distributed PV from various aspects, which provides certain theoretical guidance and practical reference for solving distributed PV consumption problems.

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-iodine (Zn-I2) batteries are generally in the form of redox flow battery that uses an ion-selective membrane to separate two different electrolytes. The reversible redox reactions of iodine species in the electrolyte play a key role in charge and discharge. If without the ion-selective membrane, the Zn anode would suffer from severe corrosion, and the interaction between Zn and I3– in the cycling process gradually reduces the cell capacity, Coulombic efficiency, and cycle life. Here, a simple and scalable chemical bath deposition method is developed to form an amorphous Se overlayer on the Zn foil, thus remarkably improving its anode performance in aqueous Zn-I2 battery and ruling out the use of ion-selective membrane. Effects of Se deposition time on the anti-corrosion performance, rate performance, capacity, and cycle life are investigated in detail. As a result, the button-type full cell using optimized Zn@Se anode delivers high Coulombic efficiency of 99.4%, high specific capacity of 180 mAh g–1, and ultra-long lifespan over 50,000 cycles with a capacity retention of 82.6%. Pouch type cells are made to demonstrate the efficient suppression of hydrogen gas evolution. To manifest the potential for practical applications, high-capacity cells using plastic boxes are made to drive an electric fan and a robot toy. Mechanism of this amorphous Se overlayer on Zn anode in enhancing the battery performance is discussed.

Endocarditis, a life-threatening inflammation of the endocardium, is incited by bacteria, fungi, or other pathogenic microorganisms. Fungal endocarditis closely mirrors bacterial endocarditis in clinical signs and symptoms, leading to potential misdiagnoses. Here, we unveil the inaugural confirmed instance of native left-sided valve endocarditis attributed to Candida guilliermondii. Diagnosis was substantiated through valvular biopsies, blood and vegetative cultures. Treatment encompassed surgical excision of vegetations along with a six-week regimen of fluconazole administration (12 mg/kg/day), followed by 4 years of meticulous monitoring, resulting in sustained patient recovery.

This letter presents the first ever trial of machine learning enabled cluster grouping of varistors for DC circuit breakers (DCCBs). It reveals that the manufacturing discrepancy of varistors is a main challenge in their parallel connection. The proposed cluster grouping concept is introduced to classify varistors according to the interruption characteristic, in which the K-means algorithm is adopted to learn the clamping voltage curves. 70 420 V/50 A V420LA20 varistors are measured in a 120 A transient current interruption platform individually to acquire 70 sets of testing data to train the machine learning engine. Then, 28 new varistors are further tested to verify the trained algorithm, which are classified into 7 clusters using the proposed machine learning method. A 500 V/520 A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) is implemented with four parallel varistors in the same cluster. Experiments validate that the current is evenly distributed in varistors, and the difference is limited to 3.1%, which improves parallel varistors lifetime significantly.

BackgroundTuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a hereditary condition that leads to the development of non-malignant neoplasms in various organs, including cardiac rhabdomyomas, which can cause significant complications.Case presentationThis report describes the case of a 15-day-old male neonate who was hospitalized due to intracardiac masses and brain lesions, despite the absence of TSC gene mutations. The patient's mother exhibited facial angiofibromas, a common feature of TSC. Over a 2-year follow-up period, spontaneous regression of the cardiac tumor was observed.ConclusionsThis case illustrates that not all TSC cases exhibit detectable TSC gene mutations. Current treatment strategies, such as mTOR inhibitors, offer potential effectiveness in managing associated cardiac rhabdomyomas. Further research should focus on evaluating the therapeutic potential of these inhibitors.

Miniaturized infrared spectrometers are required for imaging and remote sensing applications, but they are usually characterized by a cm-scale footprint. Here, the authors report the realization of near-infrared spectrometers based on Au-atom-intercalated ReS2/WSe2 heterostructures with an active footprint < 10 μm and electrically tunable photoresponse.

Autoimmune diabetes, well-known as type 1 insulin-dependent diabetic mellitus (T1D). T1D is a prolonged condition marked by an inadequate supply of insulin. The lack is brought on by pancreatic cell death and results in hyperglycemia. The immune system, genetic predisposition, and environmental variables are just a few of the many elements that contribute significantly to the pathogenicity of T1D disease. In this study, we test flavonoids against Coxsackie virus protein to cope the type 1 diabetes. After protein target identification we perform molecular docking of flavonoids and selected target (1z8r). then performed the ADMET analysis and select the top compound the base of the docking score and the ADMET test analysis. Following that molecular dynamics simulation was performed up to 300 ns. Root means square deviation, root mean square fluctuation, secondary structure elements, and protein-ligand contacts were calculated as post-analysis of simulation. We further check the binding of the ligand with protein by performing MM-GBSA every 10 ns. Lead compound CID_5280445 was chosen as a possible medication based on analysis. The substance is non-toxic, meets the ADMET and BBB likeness requirements, and has the best interaction energy. This work will assist researchers in developing medicine and testing it as a treatment for Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 brought on by Coxsackie B4 viruses by giving them an understanding of chemicals against these viruses.

IntroductionWhile phi-agreement and concord are suggested to differ in nature during the first language (L1) acquisition, the acquisition of adverb-verb TC and SV person/number agreement by Chinese Spanish second language (L2) learners has only received limited attention. The current study examined morphosyntactic processing by advanced Chinese Spanish L2 learners (L2ers), whose L1 lacks the explicit morphological marking of tense and phi-agreement.MethodChinese Spanish L2ers and native Spanish speakers were asked to complete a self-paced grammaticality judgment task, where the grammaticality of adverb-verb TC and SV person/number agreement as well as the adverb/subject-verb distance were manipulated.ResultsFor both native Spanish speakers and L2ers, SV agreement violations are detected earlier and judged more accurately than adverb-verb TC violations. Furthermore, L2ers process SV number agreement less efficiently than SV person agreement (but as efficiently as adverb-verb TC). And there is no influence of the adverb/subject-verb distance on the processing of verbal inflection.ConclusionsThis study suggests that advanced Chinese Spanish L2ers tend to use native-like cognitive mechanisms for phi-agreement and concord computations, though their sensitivity to agreement violations may be further influenced by the morphosyntactic feature involved.

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components have been shown as risk factors for several solid cancers. However, current epidemiological evidence about the relevance of MetS and bladder cancer risk was limited.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study of 476,986 participants with undiagnosed bladder cancer based on the UK Biobank. MetS was defined as the presence of at least three of the five selected indicators: hypertension, central obesity, raised triglyceride, reduced HDL-cholesterol, and raised fasting plasma glucose. Bladder cancer has been identified through contact with the British Cancer Registry (median follow-up time: 6.6 years). We assessed hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) through Cox proportional hazard regression after adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors. Non-linear associations for individual MetS components were assessed by the restricted cubic spline method.ResultsDuring a follow-up of 3,112,566 person-years, 487 cases of bladder cancer were ascertained. MetS (HR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.08–1.61), central obesity (HR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.15–1.68), dyslipidemia for HDL cholesterol (HR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.04–1.66), and hyperglycemia (HR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.16–1.79) were associated with elevated risk of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer risk increased with the number of MetS components. In stratified analyses, MetS showed similar effects in bladder cancer independently with sex, age, cigarette and alcohol use, physical activity, and dietary factors. Higher waist circumference, BMI, fasting blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin were independently associated with increased risk of bladder cancer, with no evidence against non-linearity.ConclusionMetS might be an independent risk factor for bladder cancer. Our findings highlighted the importance of individualized management of MetS components for preventing bladder cancer.

Churn flow commonly exists in the pipe of heavy oil, and the characteristics of churn flow should be widely understood. In this paper, we carried out air and viscous oil two-phase flow experiments, and the diameter of the test section is 60 mm. The viscosity range of the oil was 100~480 mPa·s. Based on the measured liquid holdup and pressure drop data of churn flow, it can be concluded that, due to the existence of liquid film backflow, positive and negative frictional pressure drop can be found and the change of frictional pressure drop with the superficial gas velocity is related to superficial liquid velocity. With the increase of viscosity, the change rate of frictional pressure drop increases with the increase of the superficial gas velocity. Combining our previous work and the Taitel model, we proposed a new pressure drop model for viscous oil-air two-phase churn flow in vertical pipes. By comparing the predicted values of existing models with the measured pressure drop data, the proposed model has better performance in predicting the pressure drop.

In this study, CoFe2O4 is selected for the first time to synthesize CoFe2O4/Al nanothermite films via an integration of nano-Al with CoFe2O4 nanowires (NWs), which can be prepared through a facile hydrothermal-annealing route. The resulting nanothermite film demonstrates a homogeneous structure and an intense contact between the Al and CoFe2O4 NWs at the nanoscale. In addition, both thermal analysis and laser ignition test reveal the superb energetic performances of the prepared CoFe2O4/Al NWs nanothermite film. Within different thicknesses of nano-Al for the CoFe2O4/Al NWs nanothermite films investigated here, the maximum heat output has reached as great as 2100 J·g−1 at the optimal thickness of 400 nm for deposited Al. Moreover, the fabrication strategy for CoFe2O4/Al NWs is also easy and suitable for diverse thermite systems based upon other composite metal oxides, such as MnCo2O4 and NiCo2O4. Importantly, this method has the featured advantages of simple operation and compatibility with microsystems, both of which may further facilitate potential applications for functional energetic chips.