PbTe is recognized as one of the best intermediate-temperature thermoelectric materials; however, its commercial applications are largely restricted by the comparatively lower performance of its n-type counterpart. Here we show that Peierls-Nabarro stress is manipulated through solute-induced lattice softening, which generates high density helical dislocations, dislocation loops, and subgrain boundaries to block heat transport phonons. Concurrently, in-situ formation of Sb6O13 nanoinclusions resulting from a displacement reaction between Sb and TeO2 further suppresses thermal transport, leading to an ultra-low lattice thermal conductivity (κL ≈ 0.21 W m−1 K−1 at 773 K). Moreover, Sb doping can simultaneously enhance electronic density of states, leading to the improvement of power factor (16 μW cm−1 K−2 at 563 K). As a result, a remarkably high figure of merit (ZT ≈ 2.2) is obtained at 723 K in n-type PbTe-1.5 wt%TeO2-1.8 wt%Sb sample. Our findings provide an effective approach to synergistically improve the thermal and electrical properties in advanced thermoelectric materials. The authors manipulated Peierls-Nabarro stress via solute-induced lattice softening to generate dense dislocations in n-type PbTe. Combined with Sb6O13 nanoinclusions, this sharply reduces thermal conductivity, yielding a peak ZT of 2.2 at 723 K.

Tungsten diselenide (WSe2) emerges as a promising thermoelectric (TE) candidate due to its high thermopower (S), cost-effectiveness, and environmentally friendly characteristics. However, the pristine WSe2 exhibits limited electrical conductivity (sigma), a low power factor (PF), and high lattice thermal conductivity (& kcy;(L)), which restrict its overall TE performance. Here, we show that via co-doping of Nb for W and Te for Se in WSe2, its power factor (PF) undergoes 17-fold increase, reaching 8.91 mu W cm(-1) K-2 at 850 K. Simultaneously, its lattice thermal conductivity (& kcy;(L)) decreases from 1.70 W m(-1) K-1 to 0.48 W m(-1) K-1. Experiments and DFT analysis demonstrate that the enhancement of the PF is linked to enhanced density of state, effective mass (m(d)(& lowast;)), improved mobility (mu) and elevated electrical conductivity (sigma) owing to replacing Se2- with Te2-; while the observed 72 % reduction in kappa L results primarily from phonon scattering at defects TeSe and NbW. As a result, a remarkable ZT(max) similar to 1 is obtained at 850 K for the sample W0.95Nb0.05Se2-yTey with y = 0.3, which is similar to 30-fold increase than that of WSe2, proving that Nb and Te co-doping in WSe2 can significantly boost its TE performance.

N-type Bi2Te2.7Se0.3(BTS) is a state-of-the-art thermoelectric material owing to its excellent thermoelectric properties near room temperatures for commercial applications. However, its performance is restricted by its comparatively low figure of merit ZT. Here, it is shown that a 14% increase in power factor (PF) (at 300 K) can be reached through incorporation of inorganic GaAs nanoparticles due to enhanced thermopower originating from the energy-dependent carrier scattering. Besides, further incorporation of organic nanophase PEDOT: PSS can reduce its lattice thermal conductivity by 59% due to the strong scattering of middle- and low-frequency phonons. As a result, a peak ZT value of ZTmax ≈ 1.31 (at 373 K) and an average ZTave ≈ 1.10 (300-473 K) are achieved for the BTS/(0.4 wt.% GaAs + 0.5 wt.% PEDOT: PSS) sample. The present work demonstrates that incorporation of organic-inorganic nanophase is an effective way to improve the performance of BTS.

Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric (TE) materials are the state-of-the-art compounds for commercial applications near room temperature. Nevertheless, the application of the n-type Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 (BTS) is restricted by the comparatively low figure of merit (ZT) and intrinsic embrittlement. Here, we show that through dispersion of amorphous Si3N4 (a-Si3N4) nanoparticles both 14% increase in power factor (at 300 K) and 48% decrease in lattice thermal conductivity are simultaneously realized. The increased power factor comes from enhanced thermopower and reduced electrical resistivity while the reduced lattice thermal conductivity originates mainly from scattering of middle- and low-frequency phonons at the incorporated a-Si3N4 nanoparticles. As a result, a large ZTmax = 1.19 (at 373 K) and an average ZTave ∼ 1.12 (300-473 K) with better mechanical properties are achieved for the BTS/0.25 wt % Si3N4 sample. Present results demonstrate that the incorporation of a-Si3N4 is a promising way to improve TE performance.

Materials with low intrinsic lattice thermal conductivity are crucial in the pursuit of high-performance thermoelectric (TE) materials. Here, the TE properties of PbBi2Te4-xSex (0 <= x <= 0.6) samples are systematically investigated for the first time. Doping with Se in PbBi2Te4 can simultaneously reduce carrier concentration and increase carrier mobility. The Seebeck coefficient is significantly increased by doping with Se, based on the density functional theory calculation, it is shown to be due to the increased bandgap and electronic density of states. In addition, the lattice strain is enhanced due to the difference in the size of Se and Te atoms, and the multidimensional defects formed by Se doping, such as vacancies, dislocations, and grain boundaries, enhance the phonon scattering and reduce the lattice thermal conductivity by about 37%. Finally, by using Se doping to reduce carrier concentration and thermal conductivity, a large ZT(max) = 0.56 (at 574K) is achieved for PbBi2Te3.5Se0.5, which is around 64% larger than those of the PbBi2Te4 pristine sample. This work not only demonstrates that PbBi2Te4 is a potential medium temperature thermoelectric material, but also provides a reference for enhancing thermoelectric properties through defect and energy band engineering.

The incidence rate of pyogenic liver abscess caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria has increased in recent years. This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics and risk factors for pyogenic liver abscess caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical features, laboratory test results, and causes of pyogenic liver abscesses in 239 patients admitted to a tertiary hospital. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for multidrug resistance. Among patients with pyogenic liver abscesses, the rate of infection caused by multidrug-resistant organisms was observed to be 23.0% (55/239), with a polymicrobial infection rate of 14.6% (35/239). Additionally, 71 cases (29.7%) were associated with biliary tract disease. Patients with pyogenic liver abscesses caused by multidrug-resistant organisms had a significantly higher likelihood of polymicrobial infection and increased mortality (7/44 [15.9%] vs. 3/131 [2.3%]; p = .003). The Charlson Comorbidity Index (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.68), hospitalization (aOR: 10.34, 95% CI: 1.86-60.3) or an invasive procedure (aOR: 9.62; 95% CI: 1.66-71.7) within the past 6 months, and gas in the liver on imaging (aOR: 26.0; 95% CI: 3.29-261.3) were independent risk factors for pyogenic liver abscess caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. A nomogram was constructed based on the risk factors identified. The nomogram showed high diagnostic accuracy (specificity, 0.878; sensitivity 0.940). Multidrug-resistant organisms causing pyogenic liver abscesses have specific characteristics. Early identification of patients at high risk of infection with multidrug-resistant organisms could help improve their management and enable personalized treatment.

N-type Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 (BTS) alloy has relatively low thermoelectric performance as compared to its p-type counterpart, which restricts its widespread applications. Herein, we designed and prepared a novel composite system, which consists of an n-type BTS matrix incorporated with both inorganic and organic nanoinclusions. The results indicate that the thermopower of the composite samples can be enhanced by more than 19% upon incorporating inorganic nanophase AgBi3S5 (ABS) due to the energy-dependent carrier scattering, which ensures a high power factor. On the other hand, further incorporation of organic nanophase polypyrrole (PPy) can drastically reduce its lattice thermal conductivity owing to the strong scattering of mid- and low-frequency phonons at these nanoinclusions. As a result, high figures of merit ZTmax = 1.3 at 348 K and ZTave = 1.17 (300-500 K) are achieved with improved mechanical properties in BTS-based composites incorporated with 1.5 wt % ABS and 0.5 wt % PPy, demonstrating that the incorporation of both inorganic and organic nanoinclusions is an effective way to improve its thermoelectric performance.

Lead chalcogenide-based compounds (SnTe) are state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials. However, the performance of environmentally friendly p-type SnTe is inferior due to its high hole concentration and high thermal conductivity. However, a high-pressure strategy is a beneficial method for property improvement through structural modification and defect engineering. Herein, we investigated the behaviors of different defects upon the different pressures and found that the formation energy of V-Sn(2-) is gradually increased with the increased pressure, which suggests that the high hole concentration can be reduced to some extent. Meanwhile, the thermoelectric performance of SnTe synthesized under high pressure (HP) is investigated and compared with that of samples prepared by conventional spark plasma sintering (SPS). Importantly, the thermal conductivity has a huge decrease from 4.27 to 1.67 Wm(-1) K-1 due to the stronger phonon scattering originating from formed nanoparticles under HP. As a result, a large ZT(max) similar to 0.40 (at 773 K) is achieved for the pure SnTe sample at 2 GPa pressure, which is similar to 40% larger than that SnTe sample obtained by SPS. Present results demonstrate that the high-pressure synthesis is an effective way to improve the thermoelectric performance of SnTe, suggesting that HP is an alternative measure for designing thermoelectric materials.

The DIII-D tokamak has elucidated crucial physics and developed projectable solutions for ITER and fusion power plants in the key areas of core performance, boundary heat and particle transport, and integrated scenario operation, with closing the core-edge integration knowledge gap being the overarching mission. New experimental validation of high-fidelity, multi-channel, non-linear gyrokinetic turbulent transport models for ITER provides strong confidence it will achieve Q 10 operation. Experiments identify options for easing H-mode access in hydrogen, and give new insight into the isotopic dependence of transport and confinement. Analysis of 2,1 islands in unoptimized low-torque IBS demonstration discharges suggests their onset time occurs randomly in the constant beta phase, most often triggered by non-linear 3-wave coupling, thus identifying an NTM seeding mechanism to avoid. Pure deuterium SPI for disruption mitigation is shown to provide favorable slow cooling, but poor core assimilation, suggesting paths for improved SPI on ITER. At the boundary, measured neutral density and ionization source fluxes are strongly poloidally asymmetric, implying a 2D treatment is needed to model pedestal fuelling. Detailed measurements of pedestal and SOL quantities and impurity charge state radiation in detached divertors has validated edge fluid modelling and new self-consistent 'pedestal-to-divertor' integrated modeling that can be used to optimize reactors. New feedback adaptive ELM control minimizes confinement reduction, and RMP ELM suppression with sustained high core performance was obtained for the first time with the outer strike point in a W-coated, compact and unpumped small-angle slot divertor. Advances have been made in integrated operational scenarios for ITER and power plants. Wide pedestal intrinsically ELM-free QH-modes are produced with more reactor-relevant conditions, Low torque IBS with W-equivalent radiators can exhibit predator-prey oscillations in T-e and radiation which need control. High-beta(P) scenarios with q(min) > 2, q(95)-7.9, beta(N) > 4, beta(T)-3.3% and H-98y2 > 1.5 are sustained with high density ((n) over bar = 7E19 m(-3), f(G)-1) for 6 tau(E), improving confidence in steady-state tokamak reactors. Diverted NT plasmas achieve high core performance with a non-ELMing edge, offering a possible highly attractive core-edge integration solution for reactors.

Many studies indicated that the thermoelectric performance of n-type Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 (BTS) was much more difficult to be elevated as compared to its p-type counterpart due to the frangible electron mobility of BTS. Here, the BTS based composites were designed and prepared by introducing the nanophase poly (3, 4-ethylidene dioxythiophene): Polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS). As a result, due to the adjustment of the transport properties and strengthened energy filtering effect, the decreased electrical resistivity and enhanced thermopower were obtained, thus leading to the significant improvement of power factor in the whole investigated temperature range. Meanwhile, the lattice thermal conductivity of the composites was sharply reduced by enhanced phonon scattering, reaching a minimum of 0.33 W m(-1) K-1 (at 300 K). As a result, the larger ZT(max) = 1.23 @415 K and higher ZTave =1.15 (300-500 K) are achieved for the composite sample xPEDOT: PSS/BTS with x = 0.5 wt%. Moreover, our fabricated single-leg device made of composites shows an energy conversion efficiency of 3.03% (at Delta T = 225 K) that is similar to 53% higher than that of the same device made of a commercial BTS ingot, demonstrating that incorporation of nanophase PEDOT: PSS in BTS is effective way in improving its thermoelectric performance.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the prevalence of Echinococcus infections in small rodents around human residential areas in Yushu City, Qinghai Province in 2023, so as to provide insights into precision echinococcosis control.METHODS:One or two quadrats, each measuring 50 m × 50 m, were randomly assigned in Shanglaxiu Township and Longbao Township, Yushu City, Qinghai Province on June 2023, respectively, and 300 plate-type mouse traps, each measuring 12.0 cm × 6.5 cm, were assigned in each quadrat. Small rodents were captured during the period between 10 : 00 and 18 : 00 each day for 4 days. Then, all captured small rodents were identified and dissected, and liver specimens with suspected Echinococcus infections were subjected to pathological examinations. The Echinococcus cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) gene was amplified using PCR assay, and the sequence of the amplified product was aligned to that was recorded in the GenBank to characterize the parasite species. In addition, a phylogenetic tree of Echinococcus was generated based on the cox1 gene sequence using the neighbor-joining method.RESULTS:A total of 236 small rodents were captured in Shanglaxiu and Longbao townships, Yushu City, including 65 Qinghai voles and 51 plateau pikas in Shanglaxiu Township, and 62 Qinghai voles and 58 plateau pikas in Longbao Township, and there was no significant difference in the constituent ratio of small rodents between the two townships (χ2 = 0.294, P > 0.05). Seven plateau pikas and 12 Qinghai voles were suspected to be infected with Echinococcus by dissection, and pathological examinations showed unclear structure of hepatic lobules and disordered hepatocyte arrangement in livers of small rodents suspected of Echinococcus infections. PCR assay identified E. shiquicus DNA in 7 Qinghai voles, which were all captured from Shanglaxiu Township. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the cox1 gene sequence of Echinococcus in small rodents was highly homologous to the E. shiquicus cox1 gene sequence reported previously.CONCLUSIONS:Plateau pika and Qinghai vole were predominant small rodents around human residential areas in Yushu City, Qinghai Province in 2023, and E. shiquicus infection was detected in Qinghai voles.

Transition-metal dichalcogenide WSe2 has attracted increasing interest due to its large thermopower (S), low-cost, and environment-friendly constituents. However, its thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, of WSe2 is limited due to its large lattice thermal conductivity (kappa L) and low electrical conductivity. In view of WSe2 and MoS2 having the same crystal structure, here we designed and prepared Nb-doped quarternary mixed crystal (MC) Nb0.05W0.95-xMox (Se1-xSx)(2) (0 <= x <= 0.095). The results indicate that the kappa L of the MC can reach as low as 0.12 W m K-1 at 850 K, being 93% smaller than that of WSe2. Our analysis reveals that its low kappa L originates chiefly from intense scattering of both high-frequency phonons from point defects (mainly alloying elements) and mid/low-frequency phonons from MoS2 inclusions residual within MC. In addition, the alloying of WSe2 with MoS2 causes a 5-fold increase in cation vacancies (V-W ''''), leading to a large increase in hole concentration and electrical conductivity, which gives rise to a similar to 7.5 times increase in power factor (reaching 4.2 mu W cm(-1) K-2 at 850 K). As a result, a record high ZT(max) = 0.63 is achieved at 850 K for the MC sample with x = 0.076, which is 20 times larger than that of WSe2, demonstrating that MC Nb0.05W0.95-x Mo-x (Se1-xSx)(2) is a promising thermoelectric material.

耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯菌腹透相关性腹膜炎较为少见,病死率可高达50％,关于泛耐药肺炎克雷伯菌的治疗尚未达成共识.本文报道1例腹膜透析相关性腹膜炎,以产肺炎克雷伯菌碳青霉烯酶(Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases,KPC)肺炎克雷伯菌感染为主,并通过文献梳理相关病例,回顾泛耐药肺炎克雷伯菌导致腹膜炎的临床特征和转归,总结其治疗经验.

Bi2Te3-based alloys are the best thermoelectric materials near room temperature.

Transition-metal dichalcogenide WSe2 is a potentially good thermoelectric (TE) material due to its high thermopower (S). However, the low electrical conductivity (σ), power factor (PF), and relatively large lattice thermal conductivity (κL) of pristine WSe2 degenerate its TE performance. Here, we show that through proper substitution of Nb for W in WSe2, its PF can be increased by ∼10 times, reaching 5.44 μW cm-1 K-2 (at 850 K); simultaneously, κL lowers from 1.70 to 0.80 W m-1 K-1. Experiments reveal that the increase of PF originates from both increased hole concentration due to the replacement of W4+ by Nb3+ and elevated thermopower (S) caused by the enhanced density of states effective mass, while the reduced κL comes mainly from phonon scattering at point defects NbW. As a result, a record high figure of merit ZTmax ∼0.42 is achieved at 850 K for the doped sample W0.95Nb0.05Se2, which is ∼13 times larger than that of pristine WSe2, demonstrating that Nb doping at the W site is an effective approach to improve the TE performance of WSe2.

Bi2Te3 based alloys are the state-of-art thermoelectric materials at/near room temperatures. However, the per-formance of n-type Bi2Te3 is much difficult to improve as compared to p-type Bi2Te3. Here, we show that via incorporation of 1.5 wt% conductive polyaniline nanoparticles in Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 the lattice thermal conductivity of the composite system reduces by 49 % at 300 K mainly due to enhanced phonon scattering by the polymer inclusions. Moreover, energy-dependent carrier scattering occurs owing to the interfacial potentials formed at the inorganic/organic boundaries, leading to 8 % elevation of thermopower in the sample, which counteracts the decrease of electron mobility to a large degree. As a result, both a maximum figure of merit Zmax = 3.57 x 10-3 K-1 (300 K) and a maximum dimensionless figure of merit ZTmax = 1.22 (345 K) are achieved for the composite sample with 1.5 wt% PANI inclusions, which are respectively -42 % and -46 % larger than those of pristine Bi2Te2.7Se0.3, demonstrating that incorporation of nanophase polyaniline in Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 is an effective strategy to enhance its thermoelectric performance.

A 2D-CNN structure based on channel and spatial attention mechanisms (CS-CNN) is proposed for Φ-OTDR vibration recognition in optical transport networks. Field experiments show that our scheme can achieve 2x faster convergence and 11% higher accuracy than traditional 2D-CNN, suggesting promise for improving online monitoring.