Household energy demand data are essential for designing load-shifting strategies, storage solutions and demand response programs. This is the first publicly available dataset that integrates multiple household-level energy and mobility metrics. These include grid imports and exports (30-minute intervals), rooftop photovoltaic (PV) production (30-minute intervals), EV charging sessions, and detailed journey logs (start time, end time, distance, and duration) from the same households of a pilot energy community located on the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland. The dataset includes four volunteer households, each equipped with a 2.1 kWp rooftop PV system, 5 kWh Sonnen battery, a Hyundai Kona Electric (64 kWh), a Pulsar Plus EV charger (7.4 kW AC), and a Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan air-source heat pump.While grid and PV data span three years, EV mobility logs cover February 2021 to January 2022. Battery telemetry and heat pump demand data are available for the final six to eight months of the observation period (mid-2021 to early 2022), enabling detailed whole-home analysis for that specific window.
At the present time, the increasing use of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles has created unprecedented pressure for end-of-life management and resource recovery. This article reports on a direct recycling approach to regenerate spent cathode active materials, in particular Ni-rich NMC622, via a hydrothermal re-lithiation strategy and thermal annealing. An initial screening process was established to separate high purity spent cathode active materials from disassembled LG Chem pouch cells from Hyundai KONA battery packs. A full factorial design was applied to provide a meaningful statistical analysis of the influence of hydrothermal variables - LiOH concentration, temperature and reaction time. The results indicate that lithium concentration and temperature have a strong main effect on regeneration efficiency, while interaction effects with time are more influential for lithium incorporation. The regenerated cathode active materials exhibited structural, morphological and electrochemical performance comparable to commercial NMC622, especially for samples treated at 160 °C, 4 M LiOH and 1 h reaction time. This process demonstrates the feasibility of regenerating degraded cathode active materials for reuse in new batteries, contributing to circular economy strategies and critical raw material independence in Europe. On the other hand, detailed material characterization validated the recovery of layered crystalline structure and localized cation mixing, conditions required for best battery performance. Regenerated electrodes retained high specific capacity during electrochemical testing and displayed good stability over 50 cycles under the conditions tested. Interactions were quantitatively significant and through the statistical analysis approach, optimal synthesis conditions were directed based on interaction limits. Against this background, the proposed method circumvents the high energy consumption and material losses of the pyrometallurgical route and the secondary pollution and reagents needed in the hydrometallurgical leaching process. In summary, direct recycling appears to be a more resource-efficient and sustainable route for the recovery of cathode materials in future battery supply chains.
Electrochemical CO2 and CO reduction reactions (CO(2)RRs) have attracted growing interest for sustainable carbon conversion. Characterizing catalyst dynamics and reaction intermediates under operating conditions is important, but gas-electrolyte dynamics make in situ measurements more challenging and can complicate mechanistic interpretation. This review starts from electrochemical cell configurations and classifies them according to their gas-liquid configuration, including H-type cells, flow cells, and membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) devices that represent no gas-liquid separation, gas-liquid separation, and membrane-confined reaction, respectively. We then summarize representative in situ cell designs under this classification and discuss their applications across different characterization techniques, as well as how the gas-liquid environment affects the observed results and mechanistic interpretation. Finally, we provide perspectives on bridging the gap between in situ characterization and practical device conditions to establish reliable structure-activity relationships in future CO(2)RR studies.
Metal cluster structures composed of tens of atoms represent a new class of catalysts with potentially superior catalytic activity and durability compared with those of other conventional catalysts. However, controlling the number of constituent atoms in clusters and achieving high-density loading on supports remain challenging. We reduce PtCl42- with methanol to create platinum atoms forming strongly anchored platinum clusters with controlled atom counts on selected surfaces of alumina. We resolved the atomic structures of the platinum clusters and could correlate the degree of cluster-support interaction, catalytic activity, and durability with atom counts. We demonstrate the promise of this approach by developing platinum clusters that exhibit the highest catalytic performance per platinum usage reported to date for hydrogen production from the dehydrogenation of cyclic hydrocarbon hydrogen carriers.
Lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) are considered promising next-generation energy storage systems due to their extremely high theoretical capacity and low electrochemical potential. However, their practical application is limited by the formation of lithium dendrites and poor interfacial stability during cycling. In this study, we propose a scalable CuZn bimetallic co-electrodeposition strategy for modification of current collector surfaces that effectively suppress dendritic growth and enhance cyclic reversibility. Zinc, a lithiophilic metal, was selected as a surface modifier owing to its favorable alloying characteristics with lithium. Substantial differences in standard reduction potentials exist between Cu and Zn, yet we successfully deposited Cu and Zn simultaneously by introducing potassium pyrophosphate into the electrolyte, which modulates the ion activity through complexation. The CuZn morphology was further tuned from flat films to branched nanostructures by controlling the electrolyte composition and deposition voltage. Post-deposition annealing facilitated interdiffusion at the Cu/CuZn interface, resulting in the formation of a recrystallized Cu0.75Zn0.25 alloy and improved mechanical bonding. Compared to bare Cu foils, the heat-treated CuZn current collectors extended the cell lifespan by 44.3% and the nanostructured CuZn further improved it by 87.2%. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and lithium nucleation overpotential analysis confirmed reduced interfacial resistance and improved uniformity in Li plating behavior. This work offers a practical and scalable approach for surface modification of anode current collectors for stable and long-life LMBs.
INAFM2, the human homolog of the Drosophila inaF, is a predicted membrane protein with no known function in vertebrates. Through an in vivo genome-wide transcriptional activation screen, we uncovered INAFM2 as a potent driver of metastasis, leading us to propose naming the vertebrate gene and its protein product ROME (regulator of metastasis). We discovered ROME's subcellular localization, posttranslational modifications, and transcriptional profiles related to its expression. ROME negatively regulates the canonical Wnt pathway by directly binding to β-catenin. Blocking rome expression in zebrafish embryos results in severe developmental defects and early mortality, which can be reversed by inhibiting the canonical Wnt pathway. Notably, we demonstrate that ROME expression regulates human cancer cell motility and invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo in both zebrafish and immunodeficient mice via tail vein and orthotopic injection models. ROME-mediated increase in cancer cell intravasation is dependent on its direct interaction with vimentin. Furthermore, we show that elevated ROME expression correlates with poorer patient survival in multiple human cancers. Taken together, this is the first report of the vertebrate ROME gene producing a biologically active plasma membrane glycoprotein that is critical for normal development and metastasis. This is the first report of a detailed characterization of the molecular features of ROME (INAFM2) protein in mammalian cells and its biochemical and biological functions related to vertebrate development and cancer metastasis.
CBFA2T3::GLIS2-positive pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains one of the worst prognostic AML subgroups. To uncover innovative targeted therapy approaches in this disease subtype we performed genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screening that highlighted a strong, selective dependency on JAK2 compared to other types of cancer. Using a doxycycline-inducible JAK2 knockout (KO) system, we validated JAK2 dependency in CBFA2T3::GLIS2 cell lines, observing impaired proliferation in vitro and in vivo and apoptosis induction in vitro. Both type I (ruxolitinib) and type II (CHZ868) JAK2 inhibitors showed selective in vitro activity in CBFA2T3::GLIS2-positive AML models. To identify resistance and sensitizer mechanisms to JAK2 inhibitors, we used CRISPR-Cas9 ruxolitinib anchor screening in CBFA2T3::GLIS2 AML. sgRNAs targeting negative regulators of the MAPK pathway were enriched in the ruxolitinib-treated cells. Similarly, CBFA2T3::GLIS2 AML sublines grown to resistance under chronic ruxolitinib treatment expressed pathogenic NRAS mutations. Both approaches converged on MAPK pathway activation as a resistance mechanism to ruxolitinib treatment. Combining ruxolitinib with MEK inhibitors showed a synergistic effect in cell lines and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cells expressing the fusion and in vivo activity in a CBFA2T3::GLIS2 AML PDX, suggesting a potential approach to target this signaling circuitry in this poor outcome AML subtype.
Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is an efficient operando technique that offers deep insight into the electrode-electrolyte interfacial process occurring during electrochemical reactions. This approach helps to identify the complexities of the reactions associated with the electrochemical steps and intermediates in various reaction conditions. This article focuses on employing SECM as a tool to study anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water splitting. Using this technique, the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of catalytic activity can be mapped on catalyst surface. This work critically investigates SECM's strengths in probing key catalytic parameters involved in OER, such as charge transfer kinetics, oxygen flux evaluation, and catalyst-substrate interactions. In addition to that, SECM's ability to detect reactive oxygen species, active site analysis, and determination of catalyst oxidation state are also emphasized, using various operational modes. Finally, the challenges of SECM are highlighted elaborately, which can pave the path for further innovation in related fields.
Tinnitus is a common condition that can severely impact patients' quality of life. However, little is known about how individuals with chronic tinnitus evaluate and prioritize available treatment options. This study aimed to explore the preferences, values and expectations of patients with chronic tinnitus to inform more patient-centered strategies in clinical care. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May 8 to June 19, 2025, involving 45 patients with chronic tinnitus. A structured 36-item questionnaire assessed demographic information, tinnitus severity using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), treatment preferences across 16 key questions, perceived information needs, and impact on daily functioning. Participants (mean age 50.7 ± 14.8 years, 62.2% male, median tinnitus duration 12 months) showed strong preferences for non-invasive treatments: sound therapy (73.4%), tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT; 55.6%), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT; 44.4%). Pharmaceutical interventions had lower acceptance, with hearing aids showing highest rejection (33.3%). Key concerns included drug dependency (48.9%) and psychiatric medication stigma (28.9%). 51.1% of respondents expected complete symptom resolution despite limited evidence. Information needs were high across all modalities (40-50%). Sleep disorders (THI difference: 12.9 points) and anxiety (6.5 points) significantly associated with increased tinnitus severity. Tinnitus patients strongly prefer non-invasive treatments while harboring unrealistic expectations for cure. These findings underscore the importance of structured education and shared decision-making to align clinical care with patient values and promote more effective tinnitus management.
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The shift toward a carbon-neutral society hinges on efficient green hydrogen production through proton exchange membrane water electrolysis. While noble metal (especially platinum (Pt))-coated titanium (Ti)-based porous transport layers (PTLs) offer superior robustness, the Pt coating remains unstable under harsh operating conditions. We established a three-electrode evaluation platform that enables precise control over potential, temperature, and pH, allowing a systematic investigation on PTL. Electrochemical and surface analyses reveal that degradation behavior varies with temperature and pH following three mechanisms: (i) defect-induced physical detachment, (ii) Pt particle agglomeration, and (iii) Pt surface passivation. Degradation proceeds most rapidly when passivation and corrosion occur in a balanced manner, with potential pulses of 5 s duration inducing the most severe deterioration. Furthermore, we highlight that short- and long-term degradation follow distinct mechanisms. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of noble metal-coated Ti PTL degradation, presenting essential design principles for developing highly durable electrolyzer components.
All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) employing lithium (Li) metal anodes or an anode-less configuration, despite their superior energy density, suffer from performance degradation under low stack pressure, hindering their practical application. To address this, we design a mechanically adaptive anode interface that leverages an elastic polymer incorporating mechanically interlocked polyrotaxane (PR). This interface synergistically combines the elastic resilience-derived from the unique ring-sliding motion of PR-with indium fluoride (InF3), which undergoes spontaneous conversion to form a chemically stable interface. This approach enables robust cycling stability and reliable operation under commercially relevant conditions (25°C, 0.8 MPa), even in an anode-less configuration (N/P = 0), thus demonstrating the potential of mechanically interlocked molecular architectures for maintaining void-free interfaces in low-pressure ASSBs with high energy densities.
Sodium metal provides exceptionally high theoretical capacity but suffers from poor cycling stability due to uncontrollable sodium deposition. Alloy-type anodes with defined structural frameworks offer a promising route to stabilize Na plating. Here, we report a molten-alloy-derived Na-Sn composite anode (NaSn-10) composed of a continuous Na matrix interpenetrated by a three-dimensional Na15Sn4 network. A simple melt alloying and rolling process induces spontaneous formation of finely dispersed Na15Sn4 domains, which act as a mechanically robust and highly sodiophilic framework. Selective Na extraction reveals an interconnected Sn-rich skeleton, confirming the internal topology of the composite structure. The strong coupling between the Na matrix and the embedded Na15Sn4 network accelerates Na nucleation, increases the exchange current density by nearly 1 order of magnitude relative to pristine Na, and induces uniform Na plating. Symmetric cells with NaSn-10 exhibit stable cycling for hundreds of hours at 0.5-1.0 mA cm-2 with low polarization. In situ optical observation further demonstrates compact, laterally uniform Na deposition, in contrast to the filament-type growth observed on bare Na. Full cells paired with high-loading Na0.9Ni0.45Mn0.55O2 deliver ∼120 mAh g-1 and retain capacity over 200 cycles at 200 mA g-1. This study establishes a structurally engineered Na-Sn alloy architecture as a scalable pathway toward stable and practical sodium metal anodes.
Liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LPTEM) enables real-time visualization of nanoscale dynamics in electrochemical, biological, and catalytic reactions. However, accelerated electrons employed as probes can perturb the chemical environment through electron-liquid interactions, thereby complicating reliable data acquisition and interpretation. Although these interactions have been studied based on kinetic modeling of water radiolysis, a comprehensive understanding of the influence of interfaces and confinement within microfluidic liquid cells remains less understood. Prior γ-irradiation and electron-beam studies have shown that adsorbed water on solid-liquid interfaces can dramatically modify radical yields, yet the effect of specific interfaces in liquid cells on radiolysis has been less understood. Herein, we reveal effects at interfaces and their influence on water radiolysis by liquid-cell interface engineering using radiolysis-driven oxidative etching of palladium nanocubes as a probing system. Complementary density functional theory calculations show that graphene coatings suppress interfacial water dissociation and electron transfer, thereby modulating beam interaction pathways.
Hangovers are a set of unpleasant symptoms following excessive alcohol intake. This study evaluated the effects of Lactobacillus-fermented garlic extract (LFGE) on hangover symptoms in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial involving 25 participants. Hangover severity was assessed using the Acute Hangover Scale (AHS) at 1, 2, 4, and 15 h post-consumption, while blood alcohol and acetaldehyde levels were measured at multiple time points up to 15 h. LFGE significantly reduced total AHS scores at all-time points compared to placebo (p < 0.05), with notable improvements in thirst (15 h, p = 0.0023), headache (4 h, p = 0.026), and fatigue (4 h, p = 0.0162). Blood alcohol concentrations were also significantly lower in the LFGE group at 0.25, 0.5, and 1 h (p < 0.05). These results suggest that LFGE may enhance alcohol metabolism and has potential as a functional food ingredient for hangover relief. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-025-02026-3.
Organic sludge (OS) contains high concentration of calcium, which can inhibit anaerobic digestion (AD) by limiting mass transfer between microbes and organics. In this study, we investigated the effects of carbonate-forming additives injection on methane production in AD of OS by mitigating calcium inhibition and clarified the underlying mechanisms. CO2, urea, and sodium bicarbonate were evaluated with focus on floc structure of OS and calcium dynamic, and energy analysis considered biogas-derived CO2 recycling. CO2 injection achieved highest methane production (113.9 mL-CH4/g-VS) and net energy gain (269 MJ/tonne-OS), representing 29 vol% and 9% increase, respectively, compared to control, while urea and sodium bicarbonate showed negligible effects. These improvements with CO2 injection resulted from dissolution of internal calcium decreasing particle size by 54% and increasing specific surface area by 8%. This study demonstrates the energetic feasibility of recycling biogas-derived CO2 to enhance AD of calcium-rich sludge, supporting the sustainability of waste-to-energy systems.
Restoring long-distance spinal cord connectivity remains a major challenge in regenerative medicine. Despite advances in stem cell therapy, biomaterial scaffolds, and neuromodulation, recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) is limited by a hostile post-injury microenvironment marked by chronic inflammation, glial scarring, and extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening. This Perspective proposes nanoengineered niclosamide, a repurposable multi-pathway modulator, as a strategy to reprogram this niche. By attenuating NF-κB/STAT3-driven inflammation, suppressing fibrotic signaling, and reducing ECM rigidity, nanoengineered niclosamide may synergize with scaffold- and stimulation-based approaches, highlighting microenvironmental modulation as a realistic path forward for SCI repair.
Elemental sulfur (S8) is a commodity-priced petroleum byproduct suitable for upcycling as a neat molten medium for sustainable polymer synthesis. Inverse vulcanization is an attractive approach for converting S8 into sulfur-rich plastics, yet scalable manufacturing remains challenging. The chemistry of molten sulfur is poorly understood, limiting progress using this unconventional medium. Herein, molten sulfur homogeneity is identified as a critical parameter for accessing sulfur-rich (70-80 wt.%) polymer glasses, termed inverse vulcanized glass (IVG). Application of ultra-high-purity sulfur melts uncovers a hidden boundary condition governing sulfur plastic manufacturing, enabling fabrication of large IVG precision optics with high refractive index and landmark broadband transparency across the visible-infrared spectrum. The inclusion of S-S bonds afford covalent adaptable networks with rheology dominated by dynamic bond reorganization. IVG functions as an affordable, broadband Vis-IR optical glass whose damaged components can be melt-reprocessed, providing a circular advantage over traditional inorganic optical materials.
Atomic structures of nanomaterials are inherently dynamic and continuously reshaped through interactions with chemical species and external stimuli. Such dynamics are further amplified as the size and dimensionality of nanomaterials decrease. Despite advances in analytical methods, it remains challenging to capture the structural dynamics of nanomaterials in reactive environments with both atomic spatial resolution and commensurate temporal resolution. Here, we directly visualize atomic-scale dynamics of gold (Au) nanocrystals in reactive liquid environments with millisecond-speed liquid-cell electron microscopy (EM) and deep-learning denoising. We uncover reversible fluctuations in the local crystallinity of Au nanocrystals dependent on the surrounding chemical environment. These transient fluctuations, driven by interactions at nanocrystal-liquid interfaces, critically influence the dissolution kinetics and grain boundary relaxation. By overcoming the spatiotemporal limitations in conventional liquid-cell EM, our findings provide insights into how transient nanoscale structures dictate the stability and reactivity of nanomaterials.
The association of long COVID with health-related quality-of-life (HrQOL) has not been well-characterized. Participants who received blinded placebo in the ACTIV-2/A5401 outpatient COVID-19 treatment trial were included in an analysis of the association of long COVID with HrQOL (both pre-specified exploratory trial endpoints) 9 months after acute COVID-19. Long COVID was defined as presence of self-assessed COVID-19 symptoms and HrQOL was assessed with EQ-5D-5L and SF-36v2 questionnaires. Associations were evaluated by Fisher's exact tests and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Of 546 participants, 13% had long COVID. Long COVID was associated with greater risk of reported problems in the EQ-5D-5L dimensions of mobility, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression (risk ratios 3.45-6.00, all p < 0.001) and worse self-reported health scores (median 80 vs. 95, p < 0.001). Participants with long COVID also had worse SF-36v2 composite physical and mental component scores (both p < 0.001) and individual SF-36 domain scores (physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional role, and mental health; all p < 0.001). Associations were similar regardless of baseline (pre-COVID-19) medical history. Long COVID is associated with impaired HrQOL across multiple domains, highlighting the need to develop preventative and therapeutic interventions for this protean condition.