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The electrode materials are traditionally loaded on the surface of the metal current collector by using of roll coating methods in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, with the increase of the mass loading, the sodium storage performance of the cathodes deteriorates dramatically in the traditional casting process. In this work, we propose a novel strategy by applying electrospinning and airbrush-spraying technique to fabricate Na0.44MnO2-based paper (NMO-BP) electrodes. The results indicate that the NMO-BP electrodes show good electrochemical performance in terms of high areal capacities and good cycling stability with the loaded Na0.44MnO2 active material increasing from 2.6 to 10.4 mg cm−2. A high areal capacities of 1.10 mAh cm−2 is obtained in the NMO-BP electrodes with high areal loading (> 10 mg cm−2) for SIBs. This research provides a new method to explore cathode materials for sodium-ion battery with higher areal capacities.

Timely and accurate fault diagnosis for a lithium-ion battery pack is critical to ensure its safety. However, the early fault of a battery pack is difficult to detect because of its unobvious fault effect and nonlinear time-varying characteristics. In this paper, a fault diagnosis method based on relative entropy and state of charge (SOC) estimation is proposed to detect fault in lithium-ion batteries. First, the relative entropies of the voltage, temperature and SOC of battery cells are calculated by using a sliding window, and the cumulative sum (CUSUM) test is adopted to achieve fault diagnosis and isolation. Second, the SOC estimation of the short-circuit cell is obtained, and the short-circuit resistance is estimated for a quantitative analysis of the short-circuit fault. Furthermore, the effectiveness of our method is validated by multiple fault tests in a thermally coupled electrochemical battery model. The results show that the proposed method can accurately detect different types of faults and evaluate the short-circuit fault degree by resistance estimation. The voltage/temperature sensor fault is detected at 71 s/58 s after faults have occurred, and a short-circuit fault is diagnosed at 111 s after the fault. In addition, the standard error deviation of short-circuit resistance estimation is less than 0.12 Ω/0.33 Ω for a 5 Ω/10 Ω short-circuit resistor.

Trimetallic nanoparticles have received enormous attention due to their multifunctional catalytic activities. Their surface structures strongly determine their catalytic performances, therefore an investigation on their stable structures is of great importance for understanding the catalytic activity. In this article, we have employed an improved discrete particle swarm optimization algorithm to systematically explore the structural stability and segregation behavior of tetrahexahedral Pt–Pd–Au trimetallic nanoparticles. The exchange probability was introduced to decrease computational cost and to avoid falling into local optima. The simulation results reveal that Pt atoms tend to occupy the interior, while both Pd and Au atoms preferentially segregate to the surface. Furthermore, Au atoms exhibit stronger surface segregation than Pd ones, and the segregative behavior is less pronounced in larger nanoparticles. Besides, the distribution of surface atoms has been further examined by the analyses of coordination number. This study provides a fundamental perspective on structural features and segregation behavior of trimetallic nanoparticles.

Highlights SnO 2 -Co-carbon nanocomposites were in-situ prepared from Co-based metal–organic frameworks and showed a remarkably high initial Coulombic efficiency (82.2%) and a capacity of ~ 800 mAh g −1 at a high current density of 5 A g −1 . Facile approach for designing highly reversible and stable electrodes for next-generation high-performance lithium-ion batteries. The two major limitations in the application of SnO 2 for lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes are the large volume variations of SnO 2 during repeated lithiation/delithiation processes and a large irreversible capacity loss during the first cycle, which can lead to a rapid capacity fade and unsatisfactory initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE). To overcome these limitations, we developed composites of ultrafine SnO 2 nanoparticles and in situ formed Co(CoSn) nanocrystals embedded in an N-doped carbon matrix using a Co-based metal–organic framework (ZIF-67). The formed Co additives and structural advantages of the carbon-confined SnO 2 /Co nanocomposite effectively inhibited Sn coarsening in the lithiated SnO 2 and mitigated its structural degradation while facilitating fast electronic transport and facile ionic diffusion. As a result, the electrodes demonstrated high ICE (82.2%), outstanding rate capability (~ 800 mAh g −1 at a high current density of 5 A g −1 ), and long-term cycling stability (~ 760 mAh g −1 after 400 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g −1 ). This study will be helpful in developing high-performance Si (Sn)-based oxide, Sn/Sb-based sulfide, or selenide electrodes for LIBs. In addition, some metal organic frameworks similar to ZIF-67 can also be used as composite templates.

Structural optimization of Fe nanoclusters is of importance to their applications since their magnetic and catalytic properties are strongly dependent on their structures. In this article, the lowest-energy structures of Fe nanoclusters have been investigated using a multi-populations differential evolution algorithm. Finnis–Sinclair potentials and Johnson potentials have been, respectively, used to describe the interatomic interactions. The algorithm performance has been first evaluated by comparing the results of Finnis–Sinclair potentials with Cambridge Cluster Database. Two lower-energy structures of Fe n clusters ( N  = 83 and 84) have been discovered. Our results show that many of the structural configurations optimized with the two potentials are different, indicating that the potential model plays an important role in structural optimization. However, the structures of Fe clusters exhibit the similar growth patterns as the cluster increasing for the two potentials, that is, their lowest-energy structures contain many icosahedra, and the number of the icosahedral rings increases with their sizes. Furthermore, the stability analysis by investigating the finite difference and the second finite difference of energy indicates that the two potentials predict the same relative stability at the magic numbers. Graphical Abstract The comparison of optimized structures of Fe n clusters at magic numbers ( N  = 13, 19, 23, 26, 29, 55), respectively, using Finnis–Sinclair and Johnson potentials.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin B12 on palatal development by co-administration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin （TCDD） and dexamethasone （DEX）. We examined the morphological and histological features of the palatal shelf and expression levels of key signaling molecules （trans- forming growth factor-β3 （TGF-β3） and TGF-β3 type I receptor （activin receptor-like kinase 5, ALK5）） during pala- togenesis among a control group （Group A）, TCDD＋DEX exposed group （Group B）, and TCDD＋DEX＋vitamin B12 exposed group （Group C）. While we failed to find that vitamin B12 decreased the incidence of cleft palate induced by TCDD＋DEX treatment, the expression levels of key signaling molecules （TGF-~3 and ALK5） during palatogenesis were significantly modulated. In TCDD＋DEX exposed and TCDD＋DEX＋vitamin B12 exposed groups, palatal shelves could not contact in the midline due to their small sizes. Our results suggest that vitamin B12 may inhibit the expression of some cleft palate inducers such as TGF-β3 and ALK5 in DEX＋TCDD exposed mice, which may be beneficial against palatogenesis to some degree, even though we were unable to observe a protective role of vitamin B12 in morphological and histological alterations of palatal shelves induced by DEX and TCDD.

Loss-of-function variants in the human ( ) gene are the most common genetic causal factors for Phenylketonuria (PKU). Currently, a broad spectrum of variations is recognized in the human gene. However, the molecular function and clinical significance of some novel variants remain unclear. Here, we report on five PKU-affected families carrying three novel variants, including one missense variant ( : c.271C>A (p.Leu91Met)) and two deletions ( : c.206_208delCTT (p.Ser70del) and : c.541_544delGAGG (p.Glu181Lysfs*13)). These variations constitute different compound heterozygous genotypes with other known pathogenic variants such as : c.721C>T (p.Arg241Cys), : c.168+5G>C, and : c.1238G>C (p.Arg413Pro), which probably led to the patients' PKU etiopathology. qRT-PCR and immunoblotting showed that the protein levels of PAH (S70del) and PAH (E181Kfs*13) were significantly reduced compared with the wild-type control, although their transcript levels were not. Also, the enzyme activity of PAH (S70del) and PAH (E181Kfs*13) mutants was significantly decreased relative to the wild type ( < 0.001). : c.271C>A (p.Leu91Met) had no significant effect on mRNA and protein levels or enzyme activity. Collectively, our data demonstrate that the two deletions : c.206_208delCTT and : c.541_544delGAGG are clinically significant for pathogenicity. Our findings are anticipated to contribute to the advancement of prenatal diagnosis, population-based carrier screening, and genetic counseling for individuals affected by PKU, and is expected to help reduce the incidence of PKU and ameliorate the associated disease burden. See also the graphical abstract(Fig. 1).

Abstract Rationale Early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous meningitis saves lives, but current laboratory diagnostic tests lack sensitivity. Objectives We investigated whether the detection of intracellular bacteria by a modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain and early secretory antigen target (ESAT)-6 in cerebrospinal fluid leukocytes improves tuberculous meningitis diagnosis. Methods Cerebrospinal fluid specimens from patients with suspected tuberculous meningitis were stained by conventional Ziehl-Neelsen stain, a modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain involving cytospin slides with Triton processing, and an ESAT-6 immunocytochemical stain. Acid-fast bacteria and ESAT-6–expressing leukocytes were detected by microscopy. All tests were performed prospectively in a central laboratory by experienced technicians masked to the patients’ final diagnosis. Measurements and Main Results Two hundred and eighty patients with suspected tuberculous meningitis were enrolled. Thirty-seven had Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultured from cerebrospinal fluid; 40 had a microbiologically confirmed alternative diagnosis; the rest had probable or possible tuberculous meningitis according to published criteria. Against a clinical diagnostic gold standard the sensitivity of conventional Ziehl-Neelsen stain was 3.3% (95% confidence interval, 1.6–6.7%), compared with 82.9% (95% confidence interval, 77.4–87.3%) for modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain and 75.1% (95% confidence interval, 68.8–80.6%) for ESAT-6 immunostain. Intracellular bacteria were seen in 87.8% of the slides positive by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain. The specificity of modified Ziehl-Neelsen and ESAT-6 stain was 85.0% (95% confidence interval, 69.4–93.8%) and 90.0% (95% confidence interval, 75.4–96.7%), respectively. Conclusions Enhanced bacterial detection by simple modification of the Ziehl-Neelsen stain and an ESAT-6 intracellular stain improve the laboratory diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.

Jia-Yuan-Qing pill (JYQP) composed of Porcellio laevis Latreille, Corydalis Rhizoma and Radix Cynanchi Paniculati at a ratio of 9:7:7 has been found to be an effective analgesic agent. The present study aimed to evaluate the safety, addictive potential and anti-cancer pain activity of JYQP in a rat model. During the 6-month chronic toxicity test, no significant changes in general behavior, defecation, postural abnormalities, dietary or water intake or blood biochemical parameters were observed in male and female rats. Although a high dose of JYQP (5 g/kg) caused swelling of the liver, spleen and kidney in male and female rats, no pathological changes were observed in all organs examined via hematoxylin and eosin staining. The analgesic effect of JYQP on bone cancer pain was successfully confirmed in a rat model of Walker 256 cell-induced bone cancer. In contrast to morphine, in a physical dependence test, JYQP produced no withdrawal symptoms following chronic administration. The data from this study provide experimental evidence supporting the clinical use of JYQP as an effective, safe and non-addictive agent for the treatment of bone cancer pain.

Purpose Fibrous dysplasia of bone (FDB) reveals intense 18F-FDG uptake mimicking metastases on 18F-FDG PET/CT. We reviewed sites of FDB revealed by 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging to allow identification of this abnormality. Materials and Methods Eleven patients (7 male, 4 female, aged 16–78 years) were evaluated after 55 MBq (0.15 mCi)/kg 18F-FDG utilizing a 16-slice multiple detector CT (MDCT) whole-body PET scanner, with LOR algorithm 3D reconstruction. One- and 2-h imaging was performed in 9 patients. Standard uptake value (SUV) for each lesion, on early and delayed imaging, was calculated. Lesions were confirmed in 6 patients by biopsy. The PET images correlated with MDCT to establish the imaging characteristics. Results Solitary lesions were found in 4 patients, two lesions in 1 patient, and in 6 patients there were multiple bone lesions. The SUV early ranged from 1.23 to 9.64 with an average of 3.76 ± 2.40. The SUV delayed ranged from 1.76 to 11.42 with an average of 4.51 ± 3.07. The SUV delayed decreased or increased slightly (−31% to 5%) in 6 of our patients, and increased significantly (11% to 39%) in 3. There was a negative correlation between SUVs and age, as well as the number of affected bones. Conclusions In our study, FDB had wide skeletal distribution with variability of 18F-FDG uptake and CT appearance. SUV in the delayed stage was seen to either decrease or increase on dual-time 18F-FDG PET scanning. It is very important to recognize the characteristics of this skeletal dysplasia to allow differentiation from skeletal metastasis.