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A novel sequential approach is developed in this work to identify alternative heat-integrated WUNs with four mathematical programming models. The proposed synthesis method can be implemented in two stages. In the first stage, the objective is to identify all alternative optimal configurations featuring the minimum freshwater usage, the minimum energy consumption and the minimum total interconnection number respectively. These structures can be determined by solving two distinct models in sequence. The possible WUN designs are identified exhaustively by adopting the ‘solution pool’ technique provided by Solver CPLEX in GAMS. The HEN designs are then generated in the second stage. From each candidate obtained in the first stage, the stream data can be readily extracted and utilized in the transshipment models for determining the minimum utility usage and the minimum number of heat transfer units. The advantages of this approach are twofold: (1) more than one alternative designs can be found, and (2) all model scales can be kept to manageable levels. A case study is provided in this paper to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Identification of gene variants plays an important role in research on and diagnosis of genetic diseases. A combination of enrichment of targeted genes and next-generation sequencing (targeted DNA-HiSeq) results in both high efficiency and low cost for targeted sequencing of genes of interest.To identify mutations associated with genetic diseases, we designed an array-based gene chip to capture all of the exons of 193 genes involved in 103 genetic diseases. To evaluate this technology, we selected 7 samples from seven patients with six different genetic diseases resulting from six disease-causing genes and 100 samples from normal human adults as controls. The data obtained showed that on average, 99.14% of 3,382 exons with more than 30-fold coverage were successfully detected using Targeted DNA-HiSeq technology, and we found six known variants in four disease-causing genes and two novel mutations in two other disease-causing genes (the STS gene for XLI and the FBN1 gene for MFS) as well as one exon deletion mutation in the DMD gene. These results were confirmed in their entirety using either the Sanger sequencing method or real-time PCR.Targeted DNA-HiSeq combines next-generation sequencing with the capture of sequences from a relevant subset of high-interest genes. This method was tested by capturing sequences from a DNA library through hybridization to oligonucleotide probes specific for genetic disorder-related genes and was found to show high selectivity, improve the detection of mutations, enabling the discovery of novel variants, and provide additional indel data. Thus, targeted DNA-HiSeq can be used to analyze the gene variant profiles of monogenic diseases with high sensitivity, fidelity, throughput and speed.

Aim: This study aimed to conduct a retrospective observational study in China to investigate the real-world utilization of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1RA) in China. Methods: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients were retrieved from the electronic medical records of 18 hospitals from 2016 to 2020. A descriptive analysis detailed patient characteristics and clinical outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysed the factors associated with daily and weekly GLP-1RA. Results: Fifteen thousand one hundred and seventy-six individuals were included. At the 6-month follow-up, the overall estimated mean change from baseline in HbA1c was − 1.26± 1.91% (p < 0.001), the "Weekly GLP-1RA" group was − 1.58± 2.03% (p < 0.001), and the "Daily GLP-1RA" group was − 1.25± 1.90% (p < 0.001). At the 12-month follow-up, the overall estimated mean change from baseline in HbA1c was − 0.95± 1.80% (p < 0.001), the "Weekly GLP-1RA" group was − 1.05± 1.93% (p < 0.001), and the "Daily GLP-1RA" group was − 0.95± 1.80% (p < 0.001). At 6 months following GLP-1RA initiation, there were statistically significant improvements in the mean TC, LDL-C, and TG at 6 months or 12 months separately following GLP-1RA initiation. Statistically significant improvements were observed in the mean HDL-C after 6 months. Compared with the baseline (11.92%), the proportion of patients who had an incidence of all hypoglycemia was lower at the 6-month follow-up (9.73%). Patients with dyslipidemia were more likely to use weekly GLP-1RA (OR =1.61, 95% CI: 1.27– 2.06, p < 0.001). Conclusion: In China, weekly GLP-1RA demonstrated better effectiveness compared to the daily GLP-1RA. The results confirmed the efficacy of GLP-1RA in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, Sn-loaded α-Fe2O3 nanosheets were made using a straightforward solvothermal technique and utilized for acetone detection. The materials’ structural and chemical characteristics were evaluated using XRD, SEM, BET, and XPS. By varying the quantity of Sn, various constitutions could be created, and the associated sensing mechanism was addressed. The sample containing the 3 at.% Sn has good sensing performance. Acetone responds at a lower working temperature (225 °C), reaching 6.7–100 ppm. It has a splendid response time (5 s) and a sensor with better repeatability and stability. All of these phenomena suggest that Sn improves both the surface’s ability to adsorb sensitive materials and its sensitivity to the target gas. Sn will enhance the surface area specifically and promote the adsorption and redox reaction of the gas. As a result, the sensor offers significant possibilities for acetone detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to solve the problems of limited capacity and difficult recovery of lignite to adsort Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ in acid mine wastewater (AMD). Magnetically modified lignite (MML) was prepared by the chemical co-precipitation method. Static beaker experiments and dynamic continuous column experiments were set up to explore the adsorption properties of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ by lignite and MML. Lignite and MML before and after the adsorption of heavy metal ions were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). Meanwhile, the adsorption mechanisms of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ by lignite and MML were revealed by combining the adsorption isotherm model and the adsorption kinetics model. The results showed that the pH, adsorbent dosage, temperature, initial concentration of heavy metal ions, and contact time had an influence on the adsorption of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ by lignite and MML, and the adsorption processes were more in line with the Langmuir model. The adsorption kinetics experiments showed that the adsorption processes were jointly controlled by multiple adsorption stages. The adsorption of heavy metal ions by lignite obeyed the Quasi first-order kinetic model, while the adsorption of MML was chemisorption that obeyed the Quasi second-order kinetic model. The negative ΔG and positive ΔH of Cu2+ and Zn2+ indicated the spontaneous and endothermic nature reaction, while the negative ΔH of Pb2+ indicated the exothermic nature reaction. The dynamic continuous column experiments showed that the average removal rates of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ by lignite were 78.00, 76.97 and 78.65%, respectively, and those of heavy metal ions by MML were 82.83, 81.57 and 83.50%, respectively. Compared with lignite, the adsorption effect of MML was better. As shown by SEM, XRD and FTIR tests, Fe3O4 was successfully loaded on the surface of lignite during the magnetic modification, which made the surface morphology of lignite coarser. Lignite and MML removed Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ from AMD in different forms. In addition, the adsorption process of MML is related to the O–H stretching vibration of carboxylic acid ions and the Fe–O stretching vibration of Fe3O4 particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection in Wuhan City, China, pediatric cases have gradually increased. It is very important to prevent cross-infection in pediatric fever clinics, to identify children with fever in pediatric fever clinics, and to strengthen the management of pediatric fever clinics. According to prevention and control programs, we propose the guidance on the management of pediatric fever clinics during the nCoV pneumonia epidemic period, which outlines in detail how to optimize processes, prevent cross-infection, provide health protection, and prevent disinfection of medical staff. The present consideration statement summarizes current strategies on the pre-diagnosis, triage, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of 2019-nCoV infection, which provides practical suggestions on strengthening the management of pediatric fever clinics during the nCoV pneumonia epidemic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]