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Experimental evaluation of the effect of openings on the structural performance of diagonally reinforced coupling beams
Abstract In some cases, it is necessary to create openings in coupling beams to accommodate utility pipes and ducts. The presence of these openings can alter the behavior of coupling beams, making their performance differ from that of solid coupling beams (without openings). However, research on the structural performance of coupling beams with openings is limited. To address this gap, three diagonally-reinforced half-scale specimens were investigated in this study, two with openings near the span end of coupling beams and one without (solid) which served as the reference. For one sample, the use of additional diagonal bars at opening corners together with short stirrups above and below the openings were investigated as an attempt to mitigate the effect of opening. The results should help design engineers to understand the behavior of coupling beams containing openings and give solution to mitigates the negative effect of openings when necessary. Based on the conducted experiments, it is shown that the presence of openings has a pronounced effect on the overall behavior of coupling beams. Adding an opening with relative dimensions of (l o /l = 0.14 and h o /t = 0.24) near the end span of the beam increased the number and width of cracks, and reduced both the beam strength and ductility by 16.25% and 20.30%, respectively, compared to the corresponding solid coupling beam. Nevertheless, reinforcing the opening with diagonal bars as well as using short stirrups in beam parts above and below the opening mitigated the negative effects of the opening presence. Specifically, this added reinforcement controlled cracking, and increased beam strength and ductility by 10.46% and 23.60%, respectively. This brought the beam behavior closer to that of a solid one (without openings). It is also found that the ACI-318’s shear capacity equation for diagonally reinforced coupling beams is conservative and needs to be modified. The later findings agree with a number of previous studies.
Outside Front Cover: Modular Synthesis of Pyritide‐Inspired Macrocycles Featuring Bipyridine Motifs (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 51/2025)
Dynamic kernel generation through hybrid involution and convolution neural networks for leukemia and white blood cell classification
Tracing pollution in the lives of Arctic seabirds
Circadian disruption aggravates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by activating RIPK1-RIPK3-MLKL axis in mice
Chiral Discrimination of all Proteinogenic Amino Acid Enantiomers by Nanopore Sensing
Abstract D‐amino acids, the stereoisomers of the more prevalent L‐forms, are ubiquitously distributed across microorganisms, plants, and mammalian systems. Recent advances have uncovered their indispensable roles in biological processes, yet direct, single‐molecule detection of D‐amino acids has long been understudied. The simultaneous discrimination of all amino acid enantiomers remains a formidable analytical challenge. Here, we report a nickel‐ion chelated hetero‐octameric Mycobacterium smegmatis porin A (MspA) (MspA‐NTA‐Ni) nanopore sensor that achieves simultaneous identification of all 19 D‐amino acids corresponding to proteinogenic L‐isomers. By integrating supervised machine learning algorithms, this system demonstrated an overall recognition accuracy of 99.5%. The method was further validated in analyzing acid‐hydrolyzed D‐peptide products, yielding clear compositional profiles of amino acid enantiomers. Notably, the technology enables simultaneous sensing of all 39 amino acid enantiomers with an overall accuracy of 98.9%. This approach not only allows direct characterization of DL‐amino acid mixtures but also provides a critical sensor component for nanopore‐based exo‐sequencing of D‐peptides and D‐proteins.
Twentieth Century Reanalysis version 3 as a source of information on long-term trends (1806–2022) in lake surface water temperature changes in Central Europe (Poland)
Abstract Water temperature is one of the fundamental characteristics of the hydrosphere, determining the functioning of its various components. In the case of lakes, surface water temperature shows a strong correlation with air temperature, and this relationship forms the basis for reconstructing the thermal regime of lakes. The study uses the Twentieth Century Reanalysis (20CRv3) meteorological dataset to reconstruct the surface water temperature of seven lakes in Poland for the period 1806–2022. This approach significantly expands the current state of knowledge, particularly for Central Europe, and includes periods predating significant human impact on the environment. Over the course of more than 200 years, an increase in water temperature has been observed, averaging 0.081 °C per decade across all studied lakes. Considering the changes in water temperature in the studied lakes, several distinct phases can be observed, which generally reflect changes in climatic conditions. Based on the results of the Pettitt test, the characteristic points include the 1840s, the 1940s, and the late 1980s. Rapid warming has been recorded in recent decades, and current studies suggest this trend is likely to continue in the future. This situation calls for multidisciplinary consultation and subsequent action to develop strategies for mitigating the impact of global warming on lake ecosystems.
Rapid Fabrication of Defective CuInP <sub>2</sub> S <sub>6</sub> Nanosheets for Efficient CO <sub>2</sub> ‐to‐Formate Conversion over Wide Current Densities
Abstract Electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) to produce value‐added chemicals offers a promising approach to mitigate global warming and address the energy crisis. However, the development of highly selective and durable catalysts that perform reliably across varying operational conditions remains challenging. In this work, we report the synthesis of lithium‐intercalated CuInP 2 S 6 (Li‐CIPS) with a layered structure via a one‐step chemical vapor transport method. Compared to pristine CuInP 2 S 6 , lithium intercalation in Li‐CIPS facilitates the rapid production of ultrathin CuInP 2 S 6 nanosheets through simple soaking in water. Experimental and theoretical investigations reveal that these ultrathin Li‐CIPS nanosheets contain abundant sulfur vacancies (Vs), which can substantially enhance the CO 2 RR activity while suppressing the competing hydrogen evolution reaction. As a result, the Li‐CIPS catalyst achieves over 90% Faradaic efficiency (FE) for formate production across wide current densities ranging from 100 to 800 mA cm −2 , and it maintains stable operation over 100 h at 200 mA cm −2 . This study highlights a promising and selective AMP 2 X 6 ‐based electrocatalyst for efficient CO 2 ‐to‐formate conversion in practical applications.
Impact of thyroid dysfunction and diabetes on fibrosis and steatosis stages in metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease
Abstract Metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a common metabolic disorder intricately linked to diabetes and thyroid dysfunction. Hypothyroidism, characterized by elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), may disrupt lipid metabolism and exacerbate insulin resistance, contributing to MAFLD progression. Investigating the combined impact of diabetes and thyroid dysfunction on fibrosis and steatosis stages in MAFLD is essential for optimizing disease management. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Suez General Hospital from March to September 2024 and included 400 patients with MAFLD . Participants were stratified into four groups: Group A: 100 diabetic patients without thyroid dysfunction; Group B: 100 non-diabetic patients without thyroid dysfunction; Group C: 100 diabetic patients with thyroid dysfunction; and Group D: 100 non-diabetic patients with thyroid dysfunction. Clinical assessment, laboratory investigations, fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) scores, and abdominal ultrasonography were performed for all participants, and transient elastography (FibroScan ® ) for those with FIB-4 scores > 3.25. Significant differences were observed in the distribution of body mass index (BMI), liver enzymes, and fibrosis stages across the groups ( P < 0.001, for all). Group C exhibited the highest prevalence of advanced fibrosis (F2–F3), while severe steatosis (S3) was predominant in Group D. Hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism were associated with elevated FIB-4 scores and advanced steatosis ( p = 0.033), highlighting the impact of thyroid dysfunction on MAFLD progression. Diabetes and thyroid dysfunction can exacerbate MAFLD severity, emphasizing the need for integrated management strategies targeting these comorbidities to mitigate fibrosis and steatosis progression.
The quality and reliability of short videos about amblyopia on TikTok and bilibili: cross-sectional study
Post‐Selenium‐Leaching Induced Fast Micro‐Bubble Detachment on Nickel‐Iron‐Based OER Catalyst for Efficient AEM‐WE
Abstract Developing efficient and durable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts is critical for advancing anion exchange membrane water electrolysers (AEM‐WE) for green hydrogen production driven by solar or wind power. This study explored the impact of the selenium (Se) modification on the OER performance of nickel‐iron layered double hydroxide‐based catalysts (i.e., NiFeSe), focusing on micro‐bubble formation/detachment and its role in optimizing mass transport. The introduction of Se influenced the surface and interface properties of the NiFeSe, including enhanced surface roughness, facilitated rapid nucleation and detachment of smaller oxygen bubbles, and reduced bubble‐induced diffusion limitations. As a result, the NiFeSe catalyst achieved a low overpotential of 190 mV at 1000 mA cm −2 and demonstrated a high durability beyond 2000 h in 1 M KOH. In the practical AEM‐WE device, it reached 8800 mA cm −2 at 2.0 V and worked continuously for over 3000 h at 1000 mA cm −2 . These findings highlight the crucial role of selenium‐induced micro‐bubble formation/detachment in improving mass transport and catalytic efficiency, providing new insights for next‐generation OER catalysts in industrial water electrolysis.
Strut and tie model for predicting shear behavior of interior RC beam column joints under seismic loading
Film cooling performance analysis of different multi-row cooling hole configurations
Research on the mechanism of walking error in large-span sludge scraper
Abstract To address walking errors such as rail-biting and derailment in large-span sludge scrapers, this study establishes a kinematic theoretical model to describe the geometric motion relationship between the scraper’s wheels and rails. Based on this model, the constraint conditions for rail-biting and derailment are derived, including the critical deviation angle and the permissible wheel–rail clearance. To better match real engineering conditions, a Δ correction factor is introduced to account for chamfers, transition arcs, and structural deviations of the wheel–rail system.An experimental platform was built to validate the model, using high-precision laser ranging sensors and rainfall sensors to monitor wheel–rail distance variations under both normal and critical states. The results show that the Δ correction reduces the prediction error of the critical deviation angle by about 91%, confirming the model’s reliability. This study clarifies the geometric mechanism of scraper walking errors and provides a theoretical basis for the synchronous control and safety optimization of large-span sludge scrapers.
Ether‐Anchored MOFs Enable Stable Pseudosuspension Electrolytes for High‐Energy Lithium Metal Batteries
Abstract Rational electrolyte design, capable of simultaneously accelerating bulk ion transport and stabiliz ing interfacial chemistry, is indispensable for achieving high‐energy‐density lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Here, we demonstrate that short‐chain ether‐functionalized metal–organic frameworks (S@MOFs) meet these requirements by efficiently tailoring Li⁺ coordination and reconstructing the electrode/electrolyte interphase, achieving durable interfacial ion transport kinetics. Synergistic experimental and theoretical investigations demonstrate that the S@MOF‐based electrolyte features distinctive pseudosuspension characteristics, harnessing ether chemistry that affords Li‐metal compatibility and Li‐salt coordination in concert with MOF's abundant binding sites and ordered rigid frameworks. The resultant S@MOF‐based electrolyte delivers robust thermodynamic stability across −10 to 60 °C, even in LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 (NCM811)||Li full‐cell configurations. Under lean‐electrolyte and 50 µm‐thick Li‐metal configurations, it achieves 92.40% capacity retention for LiCoO 2 ||Li after 1000 cycles. Remarkably, 90.70% for quasi‐solid‐state NCM811||Li (500 cycles), and 93.21% for Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 ||Na (3000 cycles) were obtained, confirming its broad applicability across alkali‐metal battery chemistries.
Engineering of balanites aegyptiaca-derived SrO@biochar and SrO@biomass for nitrophenol removal from wastewater
Abstract This study reports a sustainable route for the synthesis of an eco-friendly adsorbent derived from Balanites aegyptiaca (Laloub) decorated with strontium oxide nanoparticles (SrO NPs) for the removal of ortho-nitrophenol (o-NP) from water. The plant extract was used as a reducing agent for the green synthesis of SrO-NPs, while the plant branches were used to prepare biomass (BM) and biochar (BC). The obtained composites (SrO-BM and SrO-BC) were characterized by XRD, FTIR, and SEM, that revealed that SrO NPs crystallinity, and confirmed the presence of functional oxygenated groups, with a uniform distribution of SrO-NPs on the BM and BC surfaces. A comparative study has been executed to evaluate whether converting BM into BC enhances its adsorption performance or represents wasted energy. The experimental results reflected that SrO-BC exhibited higher adsorption capacity of 335.57 mg/g toward o-NP compared with 234.74 mg/g for SrO-BM at optimum conditions of pH 5, 25 °C, and 0.5 g/L dosage. Adsorption isotherm models showed that the adsorption onto SrO-BM followed the Langmuir model, while that for SrO-BC followed Freundlich model with a pseudo-second-order behavior for both. Mechanistic insights suggested electron donor–acceptor interactions, hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, and coordination bonding as governing pathways. Reusability tests confirmed adsorbent stability since they retained more than 80% of their removal efficiency after five cycles. These findings provide a green and eco-friendly route to fabricate efficient and reusable adsorbents derived from Balanites aegyptiaca with a superior adsorption potential of SrO-BC for sustainable wastewater treatment.
Unveiling interactions of spatial-temporal information in tactile motion perception
High gas-pressure apparatus for nonlinear X-ray propagation and reshaping via stimulated X-ray Raman scattering
Abstract We describe an experimental setup for non-linear interaction and propagation of ultrashort and intense x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) pulses in a dense gas. It allows one to provide high, but adjustable, target-gas pressures of up to 6 bar within a vacuum environment of 3∙10 − 3 mbar or better. The setup enables investigation of intense x-ray propagation in an optically thick medium with minimal absorption loss of the unfocused beam outside of the target. As an application, we demonstrate the amplification of spectrally-resolved stimulated x-ray Raman scattering (SXRS) in dense neon gas, where the most intense inner part of the beam is almost completely absorbed. As a result, in the inner part of the beam, the SXRS signal exceeds the residual XFEL pulse by a factor of around two. In principle, this reshaping effect allows for a spatial separation of the two spectral components, i.e., the driving pulse and the SXRS signal.
In Situ Polymerization‐Assisted Crystallization of Open‐Air Blade‐Coated Perovskite Films for Efficient Solar Cells and Mini‐Modules
Abstract Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a promising photovoltaic technology, yet their commercialization is hindered by challenges related to scalability and potential lead leakage. Here, we successfully developed an in situ polymerization strategy that constructs a functional bottom interface layer and a bulk polymer network, enabling controlled crystallization and defects passivation of air‐blade‐coated perovskite film. Specifically, 2‐aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride (2‐Amh) was employed as a monomer and deposited on the substrate, where it polymerized during thermal annealing. Upon blade‐coating the 2‐Amh‐incorporated perovskite precursor, a synergistic interaction between the bottom polymer interfacial layer and the in situ formed polymer network within the bulk during thermal annealing significantly enhanced the film uniformity and crystallinity. Moreover, the embedded polymer network effectively mitigates lead leakage from damaged devices and suppresses the oxidation of the I ‐ to I 2 by Ni 3+ . Consequently, the devices based on air‐blade‐coated perovskite films achieve a steady‐state efficiency of 20.78% for 5 × 5 cm 2 mini‐modules (10.80 cm 2 ). For comparison, spin‐coated devices utilized the same strategy also demonstrated high PCEs, though they were not the focus of this work. These findings offer a promising solution for scalable perovskite photovoltaics, addressing both performance and environmental sustainability.