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• Coal ash and AAEMs have a significant promoting effect on the NH 3 oxidation. • AAEMs promote the decomposition of N 2 O at 800 °C. • Alkali metals (K and Na) only promote the reduction of NO at 600–800 °C. • AAEMs enhance the adsorption capacity of NH 3 on the active site of the coal ash. • A appropriate O 2 concentration should be selected for the power plant. Ammonia as an eco-friendly and carbon-free energy has been greatly concerned at home and abroad. It has been utilized in the ammonia and coal co-firing process, demonstrating robust market viability. Nonetheless, due to the element N within ammonia causing the production of NO x , the catalytic effect and reaction mechanics of AAEMs in coal ash on the NH 3 oxidation remain elusive. In this study, the catalytic effects of AAEMs (K, Ca, Na and Mg) on NH 3 oxidation were investigated through experiments, and the reaction mechanism was elucidated from a microscopic perspective by density functional theory (DFT). The experimental results show that the addition of AAEMs does enhance the oxidation potential of NH 3 during coal and ammonia co-firing process, and promote the transformation of NH 3 to NO, N 2 O and N 2. However, the promotion effect of different AAEMs is different, consequently influencing the selectivity of NH 3 oxidation pathway. At 600–800 °C, alkaline earth metals (Ca and Mg) facilitate the oxidation of NH 3 while alkali metals (K and Na) have the opposite effect. Mg has the highest promoting effect on the conversion of NH 3 to NO at 600–800 °C, but the catalytic effect of K and Na is more dominant from 800 °C to 900 °C. The transformation from NH 3 to N 2 O remains the same, but the catalytic impact of Ca is mostly pronounced. AAEMs can reduce thermal decomposition activation energy of N 2 O, and the decomposition of N 2 O can be promoted at 800 °C. The DFT results indicate that AAEMs can enhance the adsorption capacity of NH 3 on the active site of the coal ash surface, and reduce the activation energy of NH 3 oxidation, thereby accelerating the transformation of NH 3 to other nitrogen-containing species. This study provides new insight into the evidence for the enhanced catalytic effect of AAEMs on NH 3 oxidation during ammonia and coal co-firing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The co-agglomeration accentuates haze pollution. • Co-agglomeration has obvious spatial effects on haze pollution. • The pollution effect of co-agglomeration is weakened with the improvement of the economic level. • Technological innovation has an inhibitory effect on the pollution effect of co-agglomeration. The issue of haze in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River urban agglomeration has significant implications for China. Concurrently, co-agglomeration and technological innovation are key factors influencing haze pollution. Using the panel data composed of PM2.5 concentration and other data from 27cities in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River urban agglomeration between 2010 and 2020, this paper empirically investigates the impact of co-agglomeration and technological innovation on haze pollution. From this rigorous analysis, several conclusions crystallize: (1)the co-agglomeration of productive services and manufacturing accentuates haze pollution, showcasing notable regional variances;(2)the haze pollution has a significant positive correlation with the co-agglomeration levels in local and neighboring regions;(3)the negative consequences of co-agglomeration on environments reduce as the agglomeration of productive services and economic development increases;(4)technological innovation significantly moderates the pollution effects of co-agglomeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: It is clinically challenging to infer the phylogenetic relationship between different tumor lesions of patients with multiple synchronous lung cancers (MSLC), whether these lesions are the result of independently evolved tumor or intrapulmonary metastases. Methods: We used the Illumina X10 platform to sequence 128 stage I lung cancer samples collected from 64 patients with MSLC. All samples were analyzed for mutation spectra and phylogenetic inference. Results: We detected genetic aberrations within genes previously reported to be recurrently altered in lung adenocarcinoma including, EGFR, ERBB2, TP53, BRAF, and KRAS. Other putative driver mutations identified were enriched in RTK‐RAS signaling, TP53 signaling, and cell cycle. Also, we found some interesting cases, two cases that carried EGFR L858R and T790M co‐mutation in one tumor and another tumor with only EGFR 19del, and 1 case with two KRAS hotspots in the same tumor. Due to the short follow‐up time and early stage, further investigation is needed to determine whether this unique mutation profile will affect their progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Regarding genetic evolution analysis among 64 tumor samples, 50 of them display distinct mutational profiles, suggesting these are independently evolved tumors, which is consistent with histopathological assessment. On the other hand, six patients were identified to be intrapulmonary metastasis as the mutations harbored in different lesions are clonally related. Conclusion: In summary, unlike intrapulmonary metastases, patients with MSLC harbor distinct genomic profiles in different tumor lesions, and we could distinguish MSLC from intrapulmonary metastases via clonality estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients exhibit significant heterogeneity in tumor burden, physical condition, and responses to initial treatment. This diversity in treatment responses can result in varying treatment outcomes. The primary objective of this study was to explore the patient demographics associated with improved survival outcomes through radiotherapy. Based on the SEER database, we identified 42,824 SCLC patients enrolled between 2004 and 2015. These patients were stratified into radiotherapy (n = 20,360) and non-radiotherapy groups (n = 22,464). We controlled for confounding factors using propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. Subsequently, Kaplan–Meier (KM) analysis was employed to evaluate the impact of radiotherapy on patients' overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Cancer-specific mortality was further analyzed using competitive risk models. Cox analysis was also conducted to examine additional variables potentially affecting the survival of SCLC patients. We identified a total of 42,824 eligible patients, and following PSM, 13,329 patients were successfully matched in both the radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy groups. The KM analysis showed that the median OS was 9 months in the radiotherapy group and 6 months in the non-radiotherapy group. The median CSS was 10 months in the radiotherapy group and 7 months in the non-radiotherapy group. The 5-year OS and 10-year OS rates were 6.2% versus 1.6% in the radiotherapy group and 2.6% versus 0.8% in the non-radiotherapy group (P < 0.001). Competitive risk analysis showed that cancer-specific mortality was significantly higher in the non-radiotherapy group than in the radiotherapy group (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that the radiotherapy group (relative non-radiotherapy group) showed a significant positive effect on survival outcomes (OS: HR 0.658 95% CI [0.642, 0.675] P < 0.001; CSS: HR 0.662 95% CI [0.645, 0.679], P < 0.001). In addition, age, gender, race, primary tumor site, T stage, N stage, M stage, chemotherapy, and surgery were also considered as important predictors of SCLC outcome. The results of the subgroup analysis showed that the radiotherapy group showed a significant survival advantage regardless of age, sex, race, primary tumor site, M stage, chemotherapy, and surgery (P < 0.001). Radiotherapy may improve both OS and CSS in SCLC patients. Patients with SCLC may benefit from radiotherapy regardless of age, sex, race, primary tumor site, M stage, chemotherapy, and surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence and removal of 38 antibiotics from nine classes in two drinking water treatment plants (WTPs) were monitored monthly over one year to evaluate the efficiency of typical treatment processes, track the source of antibiotics in tap water and assess their potential risks to ecosystem and human health. In both source waters, 18 antibiotics were detected at least once, with average total antibiotic concentrations of 538.5 ng/L in WTP1 and 569.3 ng/L in WTP2. The coagulation/flocculation and sedimentation, sand filtration and granular activated carbon processes demonstrated limited removal efficiencies. Chlorination, on the other hand, effectively eliminated antibiotics by 48.7 ± 11.9%. Interestingly, negative removal was observed along the distribution system, resulting in a significant antibiotic presence in tap water, with average concentrations of 131.5 ng/L in WTP1 and 362.8 ng/L in WTP2. Source tracking analysis indicates that most antibiotics in tap water may originate from distribution system. The presence of antibiotics in raw water and tap water posed risks to the aquatic ecosystem. Untreated or partially treated raw water could pose a medium risk to infants under six months. Water parameters, for example, temperature, total nitrogen and total organic carbon, can serve as indicators to estimate antibiotic occurrence and associated risks. Furthermore, machine learning models were developed that successfully predicted risk levels using water quality parameters. Our study provides valuable insights into the occurrence, removal and risk of antibiotics in urban WTPs, contributing to the broader understanding of antibiotic pollution in water treatment systems. [Display omitted] • 18 antibiotics were detected in raw water from two drinking water systems. • Temperature, TN and TOC could be used to estimate antibiotic occurrence. • A majority of antibiotics in tap water could originate from the distribution systems. • Antibiotics in raw water and tap water posed medium to high level of risks. • Machine learning models were developed successfully to predict the antibiotics risk levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A submerged combustion vaporizer (SCV) is a popular vaporizer that is utilized for the peak regulation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in cities or as the main vaporizer in cold regions. Due to the different genesis of reservoirs, LNGs from different production places have different components and ratios, leading to a different gasification state in the heating tube, difficultly in predicting the SCV thermal performance, and difficulty in controlling the water bath temperature and gas consumption to combust during SCV operation. Therefore, in this study, a numerical model of the heating tube in SCV is established and the flow and heat transfer features of three types of LNGs with different components are compared with those of pure methane. Moreover, the heat transfer and thermal performances of supercritical LNG in a serpentine tube are analyzed under various operating pressures and thermophysical properties. The results indicate that higher the ratio of methane, larger the heat transfer capacity, closer the comprehensive pseudo-critical temperature of LNG is to that of pure methane, and the more similar is the thermal performance. Furthermore, the SCV thermal performance decreases with the ratio of pure methane. The smallest Euler number is observed for LNG from ChangYi (C.Y.) because of its smallest dynamic viscosity and highest specific heat among the observed LNGs; thus, its Nu / Eu and η are better than those of pure methane and it has a higher outlet temperature for the gasification rate. • The thermophysical properties of S-LNG from various production places are compared. • The effect of component of S-LNGs on flow and heat transfer is studied numerically. • The effect of operation pressure of S-LNGs on flow and heat transfer is explored. • The thermal performance of SCV is studied under effect of pressure and component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen blending into natural gas is a feasible approach to realize the low-carbon energy structure. The impact of the hydrogen blending ratio on the leakage characteristics of buried gas pipelines determines the safety of pipeline operations. In this study, we investigated the influence of the hydrogen blending ratio on the soil temperature field after the buried gas pipeline leak and the detection range of fiber optic sensors through a field test and numerical simulation. A critical flow model based on the Peng-Robinson (PR) equation and a soil diffusion model based on simplified throttling were established for the microleakage and diffusion stages of the buried pipeline. Furthermore, the soil temperature variation after the buried pipeline leak and the prediction model of cooling capacity caused by gas leakage were obtained. In addition, the leakage experiments were performed to evaluate the impact of hydrogen blending ratio, pipeline operation pressure, and leak direction, as well as to achieve the soil temperature field distribution near the leak point. The following conclusions can be drawn: (1) Soil temperature decreases as the hydrogen blending ratio increases; (2) The detection range of the fiber optic sensors increases as the hydrogen blending ratio increases, ensuring the applicability of the existing fiber optic detection system for detecting hydrogen blending pipeline leaks. The findings provide a valuable research topic for hydrogen pipeline leak detection. • An experiment on the leakage of hydrogen - doped natural gas from buried pipeline is carried out. • A flow model based on PR equation of state is established for leakage prediction. • Calculation method of cooling capacity caused by gas injection based on soil temperature distribution. • The distribution of soil temperature and temperature change rate near the leakage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Carbonized biomass as a self-standing electrode promotes electro-demulsification. • Carbonized biomass as self-standing electrode also promotes oil removal. • Electrode capacity reached 1180 mg g−1 (97.97 %) toluene removal at 5.0 V for 3.4 h. • The electric field compressed and ruptured emulsion droplets in porous electrodes. • Electrostatic adsorption caused small molecule adherence to graphitic pore walls. Emulsion wastewater contain substantial amounts of oil and various additives, which pose threats to the environment and human health. Demulsification is a crucial pretreatment stage for wastewater. This study aims to identify a novel electro-demulsification method with high oil removal efficiency and low energy consumption. Modified carbonized birch wood with a unique isotropic multiscale pore structure is used as a self-standing electrode to treat a toluene oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. The electrode must have a highly porous structure to facilitate efficient water diffusion and oil adsorption. It must also have high electronic conductivity to expedite polarized molecular electrophoresis to realize penetration into the pores and, subsequently, demulsification. Guided by an applied electric field force, polarized O/W droplets are drawn toward the electrode, revealing electrical characteristics distinct from those of polarized organic molecules. This electric field force augments the capture and adhesion of droplets by the electric double layer at the electrode interface. Consequently, adsorbed droplets in close proximity to the electrode rupture due to the combined influence of the electric field force and the electrostatic effects stemming from the electrode's multiscale porous structure. This synergistic action enables demulsification to occur efficiently at low energy consumption levels. This study has revealed that electro-demulsification can effectively treat toluene emulsions stabilized by various surfactants and microemulsion containing toluene. Therefore, this electro-demulsification technology can be further developed for various types of water pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morbidity and mortality rates of endometrial cancer (EC) are increasing yearly. Early-stage EC can be effectively treated through surgery or surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Advanced and recurrent EC is treated with chemotherapy and comprehensive treatment; however, the prognosis for patients at this disease stage is poor. Consequently, novel and effective treatment strategies are urgently required for these patients. Breakthrough progress has been made with the use of immunosuppressants in the treatment of EC, which have been included in treatment guidelines. In the present review, the etiology and classification of EC was outlined and the relevant scientific basis for the application of immunosuppressants in advanced and recurrent EC was discussed. The relevant published and ongoing clinical trials are also summarized. As such, the present review aimed to provide a scientific summary of immunotherapy of EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]