ABSTRACT:The synergistic effects of some metal oxides on novel intumescent flame retardant (IFR)-thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites were evaluated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL-94), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cone calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental data indicated that the metal oxides enhanced the LOI value and restricted the dropping of the composites. The IFR-TPU composites passed the UL-94 V-0 rating test (1.6 mm) in the presence of magnesium oxide (MgO) and ferric oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) at 35 wt % IFR loading, whereas only the MgOcontaining IFR-TPU composite reached a UL-94 V-0 rating at 30 wt % IFR loading. The TGA results show that the metal oxides had different effects on the process of thermal degradation of the IFR-TPU compositions. MgO easily reacted with polyphosphoric acid generated by the decomposition of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to produce magnesium phosphate. MgO and Fe 2 O 3 showed low flammability and smoke emission due to peak heat release rate, peak smoke production rate, total heat release, and total smoke production (TSP). However, zinc oxide brought an increase in the smoke production rate and TSP values. Among the metal oxides, MgO provided an impressive promotion on the LOI value. The alkaline metal oxide MgO more easily reacted with APP in IFRs.

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have been extensively studied as the potential alternative to lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to the abundant natural reserves and low price of sodium resources. Nevertheless, Na+ ions possess a larger radius than Li+, resulting in slow diffusion dynamics in electrode materials, and thus seeking appropriate anode materials to meet high performance standards has become a trend in the field of SIBs. In this context, owing to the advantages of high theoretical capacity and proper redox potential, metal phosphides (MPs) are considered to be the promising materials to make up for the gap of SIBs anode materials. In this review, the recent development of MPs anode materials for SIBs is reviewed and analyzed comprehensively and deeply, including the synthesis method, advanced modification strategy, electrochemical performance, and Na storage mechanism. In addition, to promote the wide application of the emerging MPs anodes for SIBs, several research emphases in the future are pointed out to overcome challenges toward the commercial application.

Clinical exome sequencing (CES) is increasingly being utilized; however, a large proportion of patients remain undiagnosed, creating a need for a systematic approach to increase the diagnostic yield. We have reanalyzed CES data for a clinically heterogeneous cohort of 102 probands with likely Mendelian conditions, including 74 negative cases and 28 cases with candidate variants, but reanalysis requested by clinicians. Reanalysis was performed by an interdisciplinary team using a validated custom-built pipeline, "Variant Explorer Pipeline" (VExP). This reanalysis approach and results were compared with existing literature. Reanalysis of candidate variants from CES in 28 cases revealed 1 interpretation that needed to be reclassified. A confirmed or potential genetic diagnosis was identified in 24 of 75 CES-negative/reclassified cases (32.0%), including variants in known disease-causing genes (n = 6) or candidate genes (n = 18). This yield was higher compared with similar studies demonstrating the utility of this approach. In summary, reanalysis of negative CES in a research setting enhances diagnostic yield by about a third. This study suggests the need for comprehensive, continued reanalysis of exome data when molecular diagnosis is elusive.