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Clean and efficient recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has become an urgent need to promote sustainable and rapid development of human society. Therefore, we provide a critical and comprehensive overview of the various technologies for recycling spent LIBs, starting with lithium-ion power batteries. Recent research on raw material collection, metallurgical recovery, separation and purification is highlighted, particularly in terms of all aspects of economic efficiency, energy consumption, technology transformation and policy management. Mechanisms and pathways for transformative full-component recovery of spent LIBs are explored, revealing a clean and efficient closed-loop recovery mechanism. Optimization methods are proposed for future recycling technologies, with a focus on how future research directions can be industrialized. Ultimately, based on life-cycle assessment, the challenges of future recycling are revealed from the LIBs supply chain and stability of the supply chain of the new energy battery industry to provide an outlook on clean and efficient short process recycling technologies. This work is designed to support the sustainable development of the new energy power industry, to help meet the needs of global decarbonization strategies and to respond to the major needs of industrialized recycling.

Airway complications following lung transplantation remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify the incidence, risk factors and outcomes associated with clinically significant airway ischemia (CSAI) in our center. We reviewed 217 lung transplants (386 airway anastomoses) performed at our institution between February 2016 and December 2020. Airway images were graded using the 2018 ISHLT grading guidelines modified slightly for retrospective analysis. Airways were considered to have CSAI if they developed ischemia severity >B2, stenosis >50%, and/or any degree of dehiscence within 6-months of transplant. Regression analyses were used to evaluate outcomes and risk factors for CSAI. Eighty-two patients (37.8%) met criteria for CSAI. Of these, twenty-six (32%) developed stenosis and/or dehiscence, and 17 (21%) required interventions. Patients with CSAI had lower one-year (80.5% vs. 91.9%, p = 0.05) and three-year (67.1% vs. 77.8%, p = 0.08) survival than patients without CSAI. Factors associated with CSAI included younger recipient age, recipient diabetes, single running suture technique, performance of the left anastomosis first, lower venous oxygen saturation within 48-h, and takeback for major bleeding. Our single-center analysis suggests that airway ischemia remains a major obstacle in contemporary lung transplantation. Improving the local healing milieu of the airway anastomosis could potentially mitigate this risk.

With the rapid development of sensors and other devices, precise control for the generation of new energy, especially in the context of highly stochastic wind power generation, has been strongly supported. However, large-scale wind farm grid connection can cause the power system to enter a low inertia state, leading to frequency instability. Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) have the advantages of a fast response speed and high flexibility, and can be applied to wind farm systems to improve the frequency fluctuation problem in the process of grid connection. To address the frequency fluctuation problem caused by the parameter error of the fuzzy membership function in the fuzzy control of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) and a BESS, this paper proposes an improved Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm based on multi-source sensor data for optimizing the fuzzy controller to improve the frequency control ability of BESSs and DFIGs. A Gaussian wandering mechanism was introduced to improve the ABC algorithm and enhance the convergence speed of the algorithm, and the improved ABC algorithm was optimized for the selection of fuzzy control affiliation function parameters to improve the frequency response performance. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy was verified on the MATLAB/Simulink simulation platform. After optimization using the proposed control strategy, the oscillation amplitude was reduced by 0.15 Hz, the precision was increased by 40%, and the steady-state frequency deviation was reduced by 26%. The results show that the method proposed in this paper provides a great improvement in the frequency stability of coordinated systems of wind farms and BESSs.

The increasing proportion of new energy in the power system leads to a decrease in system inertia and weakens the frequency stability of the system. The use of grid-forming (GFM) control for inverters is an effective method to improve frequency stability in new energy generation systems. Due to uncertain disturbances in microgrids, it can cause changes in system frequency. A control strategy for linear active disturbance rejection control combined with model information (LADRC-MI) is proposed in this manuscript. In this method, the inertia level and damping of the system are improved by using virtual synchronous generator (VSG)-based GFM control. Then, the obtained part of the model information is written into the coefficient matrix of the linear extended state observer. The LADRC-MI is constructed to improve the immunity of the controller. Finally, the effectiveness of the strategy in improving the immunity and frequency stability of the converter is analyzed and verified.

Abstract Background Dysbiosis of gut microbiota is causally linked to impaired host glucose metabolism. We aimed to study effects of the new method of fecal microbiota transplantation, washed microbiota transplantation (WMT), on reducing glycemic variability (GV) in unstable diabetes. Methods Fourteen eligible patients received three allogenic WMTs and were followed up at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Primary outcomes were daily insulin dose, glucose excursions during meal tests, and GV indices calculated from continuous monitoring or self‐monitoring glucose values. Secondary outcomes were multiomics data, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, metagenomics, and metabolomics to explore underlying mechanisms. Results Daily insulin dose and glucose excursions markedly dropped, whereas GV indices significantly improved up to 1 month. WMT increased gut microbial alpha diversity, beta diversity, and network complexity. Taxonomic changes featured lower abundance of genera Bacteroides and Escherichia‐Shigella, and higher abundance of genus Prevotella. Metagenomics functional annotations revealed enrichment of distinct microbial metabolic pathways, including methane biosynthesis, citrate cycle, amino acid degradation, and butyrate production. Derived metabolites correlated significantly with improved GV indices. WMT did not change circulating inflammatory cytokines, enteroendocrine hormones, or C‐peptide. Conclusions WMT showed strong ameliorating effect on GV, raising the possibility of targeting gut microbiota as an effective regimen to reduce GV in diabetes.

BackgroundLower extremity motor dysfunction is one of the most severe consequences after stroke, restricting functional mobility and impairing daily activities. Growing evidence suggests that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve stroke patients’ lower extremity motor function. However, there is still controversy about the optimal rTMS protocol. Therefore, we compared and analyzed the effects of different rTMS protocols on lower extremity motor function in stroke patients using network meta-analysis (NMA).MethodsWe systematically searched CNKI, WanFang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases (from origin to 31 December 2023). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or crossover RCTs on rTMS improving lower extremity motor function in stroke patients were included. Two authors independently completed article screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. RevMan (version 5.4) and Stata (version 17.0) were used to analyze the data.ResultsA total of 38 studies with 2,022 patients were eligible for the NMA. The interventions included HFrTMS-M1, LFrTMS-M1, iTBS-Cerebellum, iTBS-M1, dTMS-M1, and Placebo. The results of NMA showed that LFrTMS-M1 ranked first in FMA-LE and speed, and HFrTMS-M1 ranked first in BBS, TUGT, and MEP amplitude. The subgroup analysis of FMA-LE showed that HFrTMS-M1 was the best stimulation protocol for post-stroke time > 1 month, and LFrTMS-M1 was the best stimulation protocol for post-stroke time ≤ 1 month.ConclusionConsidering the impact of the stroke phase on the lower extremity motor function, the current research evidence shows that HFrTMS-M1 may be the preferred stimulation protocol to improve the lower extremity motor function of patients for post-stroke time > 1 month, and LFrTMS-M1 for post-stroke time ≤ 1 month. However, the above conclusion needs further analysis and validation by more high-quality RCTs.Systematic Review Registration:www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier (CRD42023474215).

BackgroundAlthough some studies have shown that exercise has a good effect on improving the cardiopulmonary function of stroke patients, it still needs to be determined which exercise method does this more effectively. We, therefore, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different exercise methods in improving cardiovascular function in stroke patients through a network meta-analysis (NMA), providing a basis to select the best treatment plan for stroke patients.MethodsWe systematically searched CNKI, WanFang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library databases from establishment to 30 April 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTS) on exercise improving cardiopulmonary function in stroke patients were included, and we screened the included articles and extracted the relevant data. RevMan (version 5.4) and Stata (version 17.0) were used for data analysis.ResultsWe included 35 RCTs and a total of 2,008 subjects. Intervention measures included high-intensity interval training (HIIT), aerobic training (AT), resistance training (RT), combined aerobic and resistance exercise (CE), and conventional therapy (CT). In the network meta-analysis, the surface under the cumulative ranking area (SUCRA) ranking result indicated that HIIT improved peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and 6 mins walking distance (6MWD) optimally, with rankings of HIIT (100.0%) > CE (70.5%) > AT (50.2%) > RT (27.7%) > CT (1.6%), and HIIT (90.9%) > RT (60.6%) > AT (48.9%) > RT (48.1%) > CT (1.5%), respectively. The SUCRA ranking result showed that CE improved systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) optimally, with rankings of CE (82.1%) > HIIT (49.8%) > AT (35.3%) > CT (32.8%), and CE (86.7%) > AT (45.0%) > HIIT (39.5%) > CT (28.8%), respectively.ConclusionWe showed that exercise can effectively improve the cardiopulmonary function of stroke patients. HIIT was the most effective in improving VO2peak and 6MWD in stroke patients. CE was the most effective in improving SBP and DBP in stroke patients. However, due to the limitations of existing clinical studies and evidence, larger sample size, multi-center, and high-quality RCTs are needed to verify the above conclusions in the future.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier [CRD42023436773].

Abstract Coal is the one of foundations of energy and economic structure in China, while the unsealing of coal mine fires would cause a great risk of coal re-ignition. In order to explore the influence of pressure-bearing state on the re-ignition characteristics for residual coal, the uniaxial compression equipped with a temperature-programmed device was built. The scanning electron microscope, synchronous thermal analyzer and Fourier transform infrared absorption spectrometer was applied to investigate the microscopic structure and thermal effect of the coal samples. Moreover, the microscopic effect of uniaxial stress on coal re-ignition is revealed, and the re-ignition mechanism is also obtained. As the uniaxial stress increasing, the number, depth and length of the fractures of the pre-treated coal increases. The application of uniaxial stress causes the thermal conductivity to change periodically, enhances the inhibition of injecting nitrogen on heat transfer and prolonges the duration of oxidation exothermic. The content of oxygen-containing functional groups has a high correlation with apparent activation energy, and coal samples at 6 MPa is more probability to re-ignite while the fire zone is unsealed. Uniaxial stress could control the re-ignition mechanism by changing the structure of fractures and pores. The side chains and functional groups of coal structure are easier to be broken by thermal-stress coupling. The higher the ·OH content, the more difficult coal samples would be re-ignited. The research results would lay a solid theoretical foundation for the safe unsealing of closed fire-areas underground, tighten the common bond between the actual industry and the experimental theory in closed fire-areas underground, and provide the theoretical guidance for coal re-ignition preventing.

Abstract Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of AKI has not been fully elucidated, with a lack of effective treatment. Renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) play an important role in AKI, and their damage and repair largely determine the progression and prognosis of AKI. In recent decades, it has been found that the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lysosomes, and other organelles in TECs are damaged to varying degrees in AKI, and that they can influence each other through various signaling mechanisms that affect the recovery of TECs. However, the association between these multifaceted signaling platforms, particularly between mitochondria and lysosomes during AKI remains unclear. This review summarizes the specific pathophysiological mechanisms of the main TECs organelles in the context of AKI, particularly the potential interactions among them, in order to provide insights into possible novel treatment strategies.

Abstract Lysosomes are organelles involved in cell metabolism, waste degradation, and cellular material circulation. They play a key role in the maintenance of cellular physiological homeostasis. Compared with the lysosomal content of other organs, that of the kidney is abundant, and lysosomal abnormalities are associated with the occurrence and development of certain renal diseases. Lysosomal structure and function in intrinsic renal cells are impaired in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Promoting lysosomal biosynthesis and/or restoring lysosomal function can repair damaged podocytes and proximal tubular epithelial cells, and delay the progression of DKD. Lysosomal homeostasis maintenance may be advantageous in alleviating DKD. Here, we systematically reviewed the latest advances in the relationship between lysosomal dyshomeostasis and progression of DKD based on recent literature to further elucidate the mechanism of renal injury in diabetes mellitus and to highlight the application potential of lysosomal homeostasis maintenance as a new prevention and treatment strategy for DKD. However, research on screening effective interventions for lysosomal dyshomeostasis is still in its infancy, and thus should be the focus of future research studies. The screening out of cell-specific lysosomal function regulation targets according to the different stages of DKD, so as to realize the controllable targeted regulation of cell lysosomal function during DKD, is the key to the successful clinical development of this therapeutic strategy.

A thermal energy storage–updraft gasification device is a type of reactor that should be considered for use in solid waste gasification research that can save energy. However, the operating parameters and internal flow field during its operation remain unclear. In this study, a numerical model of the thermal energy storage–solid waste gasification device based on the computational fluid dynamics dense discrete phase model (CFD-DDPM) which had almost never been used before was established, and an innovative method that causes particles to be piled to simulate the gasification process was proposed according to the updraft fixed bed gasification characteristics; meanwhile, solid waste gasification experiments were conducted on the device. This study focused on the influence of moisture content and excess air coefficient on the gasification process of solid waste particles, and the velocity, pressure, temperature, and species distribution of the internal flow field of the device were analyzed. Simulation results showed that the higher the moisture content of particles, the greater the amplitude of changes in the internal physical field of the device. The fluid pressure drop is around 25 Pa–75 Pa for different working conditions. The combustible species of the gas of moist particles raise slightly with the increase in excess air coefficient, while the dry particles have the opposite effect. Compared with other gasification devices of the same type, the hydrogen production of this device is about 2–3 times higher. Our findings could facilitate the analysis, predict the operation status, and provide a theoretical basis for the improvement of this device.

The transport of monocarboxylate fuels such as lactate, pyruvate, and ketone bodies across brain endothelial cells is mediated by monocarboxylic acid transporter 1 (MCT1). Although the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway is required for rodent blood-brain barrier development and for the expression of associated nutrient transporters, the role of this pathway in the regulation of brain endothelial MCT1 is unknown. Here we report expression of nine members of the frizzled receptor family by the RBE4 rat brain endothelial cell line. Furthermore, activation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway in RBE4 cells via nuclear β-catenin signaling with LiCl does not alter brain endothelial Mct1 mRNA but increases the amount of MCT1 transporter protein. Plasma membrane biotinylation studies and confocal microscopic examination of mCherry-tagged MCT1 indicate that increased transporter results from reduced MCT1 trafficking from the plasma membrane via the endosomal/lysosomal pathway and is facilitated by decreased MCT1 ubiquitination following LiCl treatment. Inhibition of the Notch pathway by the γ-secretase inhibitor N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]- S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester negated the up-regulation of MCT1 by LiCl, demonstrating a cross-talk between the canonical Wnt/β-catenin and Notch pathways. Our results are important because they show, for the first time, the regulation of MCT1 in cerebrovascular endothelial cells by the multifunctional canonical Wnt/β-catenin and Notch signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a detailed study on the design of carbon nanotube based microfocus x-ray tube with one electrostatic focusing electrode. Based on the electron optics simulations, such parameters as geometrical distances and applied voltages among all the electrodes are considered, respectively, in relation to the size of x-ray focal spot. The stability of the x-ray focal spot size is also examined with respect to the variation of gate and anode voltages. Experimental results that agree well with the simulated data are also provided to corroborate the design method. We also discuss the operating stability and limitations when designing a carbon nanotube based microfocus x-ray tube with only one electrostatic focusing electrode. The designed x-ray tube with an isotropic focal spot sees wide applications in in vivo medical imaging studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]