batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and chemosensory dysfunction are non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), but their association is unclear. We explored if MCI and the involvement of single cognitive domains influence olfaction and taste in PD. The role of demographic, clinical and neuropsychiatric variables was tested. We recruited 50 PD patients without dementia, no other reasons for cognitive impairment, no condition that could influence evaluation of cognition, olfaction and taste. They underwent a full neuropsychological and chemosensory (i.e., olfaction and taste) test with the Sniffin’ Sticks Extended test (SSET), Whole Mouth test (WMT) and Taste Strips test (TST). Fifty age- and sex-matched healthy subjects served as controls. Olfactory function and sweet identification were worse in PD than controls. MCI negatively influenced odor identification. Factors associated with poor olfactory function were age, overall cognition, apathy, and visuospatial dysfunction. Sour identification was affected by MCI and executive dysfunction, and salty identification by executive dysfunction. MCI, age and executive dysfunction worsened TST score. Awareness of olfactory dysfunction was impaired in PD with MCI. Education positively influenced SSET and TST scores. Our data confirmed that olfaction is abnormal in PD, while taste was only slightly impaired. Olfaction was worse in PD patients with visuospatial dysfunction, while sour and salty identification was worse in those with MCI and executive dysfunction, suggesting different underlying anatomical abnormalities. Future studies should incorporate neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid data to confirm this hypothesis. SSET odor identification and TST sour identification could be explored as quick screening tests for PD-MCI.
In this paper, we have established that poly(neutral red), PNR, functions as an electrocatalyst for the reduction and oxidation of NAD+/NADH in a rechargeable biobattery environment. The reversibility of this catalyst was possible only with the addition of Zn2+ for complexation to the redox polymer. The zinc ion complexation with the polymer facilitates electron and proton transfer to/from the substrate and the NAD+/NADH coenzyme without forming covalent bonds between the nicotinamide and the substrate surface. This research presents use of this reversible catalyst in a rechargeable biobattery. The rechargeable battery includes a Prussian blue cathode and a bioanode including NAD+-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase and zinc complexed PNR. This bioanode was coupled to the cathode with Nafion® 212 acting as the ion exchange membrane separator between the two compartments. The biobattery has an open circuit potential of 0.545(±0.009)V when first assembled and 0.053(±0.005)V when fully discharged. However, when fully charged, the biobattery has an open circuit potential of 1.263(±0.051)V, a maximum power density of 16.3(±4.03) μWcm−3 and a maximum current density of 221(±13.2)μAcm−3. The efficiency and stability of the biobattery were studied by cycling continuously at a discharging rate of 1C and the results obtained showed reasonable stability over 50 cycles.
An effective strategy by combination of alcoholysis, solid-state reaction and coating techniques is employed to prepare Au@Li4Ti5O12 nanorod aggregates as anode materials for Li-ion batteries. The lithium diffusion coefficient of resulting Au@Li4Ti5O12 is 7.32 × 10−10 cm2 s−1, and its stable reversible capacity is 169 mAh g−1 with the retention of 91.1% after 100 cycles at 5 C. Moreover, it also exhibits excellent rate-capability performance. The superior cycling performance can be attributed to the unique nanorod characteristics, structural stability, and the improved ionic and electronic conduction in the electrode due to the uniform nano coating of Au.
The endocrine-disrupting equivalents in effluents from three chemical industry wastewater treatment systems in the vicinity of Yangtze River were determined by several transactivation reporter gene assays. Transient transfections of African green monkey kidney cell line (CV-1) were used to determine the estrogenic, anti-androgenic and anti-thyroid equivalents in the effluents. Organic extracts of the effluents contained compounds that were potent anti-androgens and the activities measured as an equivalent concentration of flutamide were 45.53, 34.65 and 91.61 nM, respectively. The extracts also contained detectable concentrations of thyroid antagonists. Estrogenic activities, measured with the reporter gene assay, were near or below the method detection limit (0.58 pM as E2). Concentrations of some of the major constituents such as di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, 2,6-dinitrotoluene and nitrobenzene were quantified. The data suggest that the reporter gene assay is useful to predication of endocrine disrupting effects in polluted aquatic body.
A surfactant-free synthetic methodology is reported for the preparation of β-Ni(OH)2-NiCo2O4 hybrid nanostructure. For comparative study, β-Ni(OH)2-NiO, β-Ni(OH)2-Co3O4, NiCo2O4, NiO, Co3O4, and β-Ni(OH)2 were also synthesized. Materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen sorption, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical oxidation of methanol is investigated at β-Ni(OH)2-NiCo2O4 modified electrode in the alkaline medium using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry methods. A detailed investigation is made for the electro-catalytic oxidation of methanol by varying several reaction parameters such as potential scan rate, methanol concentration, etc. Mechanism of methanol oxidation is proposed based on the CV and double steps chronoamperometry studies. β-Ni(OH)2-NiCo2O4 modified electrode exhibited comparatively higher electro-catalytic activity in the methanol oxidation when compared to other modified electrodes investigated in this study.
Although the hydrogel electrolytes for flexible energy-storage device have made great progress, it still remains a huge challenge to assemble a smart supercapacitor with high ionic conductivity and excellent self-healing when suffering physical damage. Herein, a novel self-healing hydrogel electrolyte (B-PVA/KCl/GO) is designed and prepared through graphite oxide (GO) doped into a diol-borate ester bonding cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) network. It is found that the moderate amount of GO-doped into hydrogel (2.3 wt% GO, 47.5 mS/cm) is obviously improved ionic conductivity compared with bare B-PVA/KCl hydrogel (32.6 mS/cm). Interestingly, the B-PVA/KCl/GO hydrogel electrolyte exhibits excellent self-healing capability that can repair its original configuration with 5 min when it is cut. Moreover, the activated carbon-based supercapacitor with B-PVA/KCl/GO hydrogel electrolyte delivers high specific capacitance of 156 F g−1 at 0.3 A g−1 and can also restore its capacitive performances via 7 times healing cycles without external stimulus. The presented work provides a new strategy to construct a flexible and self-healing hydrogel to apply for wearable electronics, smart apparels or flexible robots.
A series of micro-sized TiO2 materials with different morphologies were synthesized via pyrolysis of spray-dried precursors, which were obtained via tetrabutyl titanate (TBT) hydrolysis reaction. The pH value of the precursor sol and its TBT content significantly influenced the morphology of the synthesized TiO2 materials but showed little effect on the improvement of lithiation-delithiation capacity. The carbon coating effect on the electrochemical performance improvement depended on the morphology of the synthesized TiO2 particles. Carbon-coated TiO2 bowls with a large thickness (1.18μm) provide an initial Li+ insertion capacity of 310mAh g−1 at a cut-off voltage of 1V vs. Li+/Li, which is much higher than the carbon-coated TiO2 bowls with a small thickness (0.62μm, capacity: 22mAh g−1). Carbon-coated TiO2 bowls with a small thickness can be activated via lithiation-delithiation cycling between 0 and 3V.
The effects of precipitation pH values on the microstructural characteristics of nickel hydroxide materials synthesized by a chemical precipitation method have been studied. The relationship between structural characteristics and electrochemical activity of nickel hydroxide was also examined. The structural characteristics of the synthesized β-Ni(OH)2, such as degree of crystallinity, crystalline lattice disorders, crystallite size and crystal growth orientation were strongly related to the pH values of the chemical precipitation reaction. The amounts of SO4 2−, CO3 2− and H2O adsorbed in crystals, and the thermal stability of the β-Ni(OH)2 also depended on the pH. Under relatively high pH values, the synthesized nickel hydroxide materials possessed a reduced crystallite size and lower thermal stability, more crystalline defects and a higher Ni composition. All these characteristics were likely to improve the electrochemical activity of nickel hydroxide.
Nanocrystalline oxides with either spinel (s.g. Fd3m) or layered (s.g. R3m) structures suitable as cathodic materials for lithium cells were prepared by using a simple, rapid method based on the thermal decomposition of mixed nanocrystalline oxalates formed by grinding hydrated salts and oxalic acid. Their structural and textural properties were determined by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and N2 adsorption measurements. Well-crystallized spinels of formulae viz. LiMn2O4 and LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 with a thin sheet-like morphology and average particle size at ca. 30nm were obtained by heating at temperatures as low as 400°C for a short time. On the other hand, pure layered oxides (LiCoO2 and LiNi0.5Co0.5O2) required higher temperatures (800°C), which resulted in greater particle sizes (average size ca. 100nm). The electrochemical properties of these materials in lithium cells were studied from cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic measurements. Cells made from the spinels exhibited good rate performance and the delivered capacities changed little over the charge–discharge rate range from C/4 to 4C (C is defined as the theoretical capacity delivered in 1h). By contrast, the capacity values for the cells made from the layered oxides are strongly affected by the charge–discharge rates. Their increased particle size may be the origin of the poorer cell performance observed.
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) fibrous membranes for use as lithium-ion battery separators were prepared by electrospinning technique. Heat treatment was introduced to improve the tensile strength and elongation-at-break as well as the tensile modulus of PVDF fibrous membranes, with the best mechanical properties achieved after treatment at 160 °C for 2 h. After heat treatment at 160 °C for 2 h, the ionic conductivity of the liquid electrolyte-soaked PVDF fibrous membranes was 1.35 × 10−3 S cm−1 at room temperature. Moreover, compared with commercial Celgard 2400 separator, heat-treated PVDF fibrous membranes exhibited higher electrochemical stability window and lower interfacial resistance with lithium electrode. In addition, at a 0.2C rate, Li/LiFePO4 cells using heat-treated PVDF fibrous membrane separator showed high charge/discharge capacities and stable cycle performance.
The composite of manganese monoxide and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MnO/MWNTs) is prepared hydrothermally by MWNTs and KMnO4 followed with a sintering process. After reducing KMnO4 as the reductant, the leftover MWNTs are found randomly distributed in the final MnO rods forming a conducting network. More importantly, they can buffer the volume change of MnO during lithium incorporation/extraction. As a result, the rate capability and cycling performance of MnO as an anode material for lithium ion batteries are significantly improved. The MnO/MWNTs composite shows a reversible capacity as high as 770.6 mA h g−1 and 455.3 mA h g−1 at the current density of 7.21 mA g−1 and 310.23 mA g−1 respectively between 0.01 and 3.5 V (vs. Li/Li+ hereafter). Furthermore, the capacity retention is over 92.4% after 200 cycles at 216.14 mA g−1 between 0.01 and 3.0 V.
Plasticity of white matter tracts is thought to be essential for cognitive development and academic skill acquisition in children. However, a dearth of high-quality diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data measuring longitudinal changes with learning, as well as methodological difficulties in multi-time point tract identification have limited our ability to investigate plasticity of specific white matter tracts. Here, we examine learning-related changes of white matter tracts innervating inferior parietal, prefrontal and temporal regions following an intense 2-month math tutoring program. DTI data were acquired from 18 third grade children, both before and after tutoring. A novel fiber tracking algorithm based on a White Matter Query Language (WMQL) was used to identify three sections of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) linking frontal and parietal (SLF-FP), parietal and temporal (SLF-PT) and frontal and temporal (SLF-FT) cortices, from which we created child-specific probabilistic maps. The SLF-FP, SLF-FT, and SLF-PT tracts identified with the WMQL method were highly reliable across the two time points and showed close correspondence to tracts previously described in adults. Notably, individual differences in behavioral gains after 2 months of tutoring were specifically correlated with plasticity in the left SLF-FT tract. Our results extend previous findings of individual differences in white matter integrity, and provide important new insights into white matter plasticity related to math learning in childhood. More generally, our quantitative approach will be useful for future studies examining longitudinal changes in white matter integrity associated with cognitive skill development.
Working memory is one of several putative core neurocognitive processes in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present work seeks to determine whether visual–spatial working memory is sensitive to motivational incentives, a laboratory analogue of behavioral treatment. Participants were 21 children (ages 7–10) with a diagnosis of ADHD-combined type. Participants completed a computerized spatial span task designed to assess storage of visual–spatial information (forward span) and manipulation of the stored information (backward span). The spatial span task was completed twice on the same day, once with a performance-based incentive (trial-wise feedback and points redeemable for prizes) and once without incentives. Participants performed significantly better on the backward span when rewarded for correct responses, compared to the no incentive condition. However, incentives had no effect on performance during the forward span. These findings may suggest the use of motivational incentives improved manipulation, but not storage, of visual–spatial information among children with ADHD. Possible explanations for the differential incentive effects are discussed, including the possibility that incentives prevented a vigilance decrement as task difficulty and time on task increased.
The use of diesel-driven traction is an intrinsic part of the functioning of railway systems and it is expected to continue being so for the foreseeable future. The recent introduction of more restrictive greenhouse gas emission levels and other legislation aiming at the improvement of the environmental performance of railway systems has led to the need of exploring alternatives for cleaner diesel rolling stock. This paper focuses on assessing energy storage systems and the design of hybrid system architectures to determine their potential use in specific diesel-driven rail duty cycles. Hydrostatic accumulators, flywheels, Lithium-ion batteries and double-layer capacitors have been assessed and used to design hybrid system architectures. The potential of the different technology combinations has been analyzed using standardized duty cycles enhanced with gradient profiles related to suburban, regional and shunting operations. The results show that double-layer capacitors and Lithium-ion batteries have the highest potential to be successfully integrated into the system architecture of diesel-driven rail vehicles. Furthermore, the results also suggest that combining these two energy storage technologies into a single hybridisation package is a highly promising design that draws on their strengthens without any significant drawbacks.
Highly ordered TiO2@α-Fe2O3 core/shell arrays on carbon textiles (TFAs) have been fabricated by a stepwise, seed-assisted, hydrothermal approach and further investigated as the anode materials for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). This composite TFA anode exhibits superior high-rate capability and outstanding cycling performance. The specific capacity of the TFAs is much higher than that of pristine carbon textiles (CTs) and TiO2 nanorod arrays on carbon textiles (TRAs), indicating a positive synergistic effect of the material and structural hybridization on the enhancement of the electrochemical properties. This composite nanostructure not only provides large interfacial area for lithium insertion/extraction but should also be beneficial in reducing the diffusion pathways for electronic and ionic transport, leading to the improved capacity retention on cycling even at high discharge–charge rates. It is worth emphasizing that the CT substrates also present many potential virtues for LIBs as flexible electronic devices owing to the stretchable, lightweight and biodegradable properties. The fabrication strategy presented here is facile, cost-effective, and scalable, which opens new avenues for the design of optimal composite electrode materials for high performance LIBs.
Umicore has received a €125 million loan from European Investment Bank (EIB) to help finance its investment into its cathode materials plant in Nysa, Poland. Once completed, the plant will supply the European operations of Umicore’s global battery cell and automotive customers, the company said. ‘Through its integrated European battery materials supply chain, Umicore will significantly contribute to the European Union’s plans to create a competitive and sustainable battery ecosystem in Europe,’ a press release said. ‘Umicore is proud to have obtained the support of the EIB for this strategic project.’. Umicore; www.umicore.com
Compared with thermally exfoliated graphene oxide (TEGO) prepared at high temperature of 800°C and a long time of 12h, microwave exfoliated graphene oxide (MEGO) is successfully synthesized at 800W for 2min benefiting from “inert and instant heating” of microwave irradiation and employed to optimize electrochemical performance of LiFePO4. The as-obtained LiFePO4/MEGO exhibits overwhelming superiorities to LiFePO4/TEGO, particularly in high-rate performance. Although LiFePO4/MEGO delivers the similar specific capacity of 158.1 mAh·g−1 as well as the LiFePO4/TEGO at the rate of 0.1C, the LiFePO4/MEGO performs smaller polarization of 53.3mV resulting in better specific energy of 518.1 Wh·kg−1 and energy efficiency of 89.8%. Even at the high rate of 10C and 20C, the LiFePO4/MEGO delivers excellent specific energy of 300.3 Wh·kg−1 and 229.7 Wh·kg−1 (with corresponding specific capacity of 104.3 mAh·g−1 and 87.3 mAh·g−1 respectively), much better than those of the LiFePO4/TEGO. After 2000 cycles, the LiFePO4/MEGO still performs excellent rate capabilities with 91.2% and 83.8% retention respectively.
This study sought to explain student success at an Early College High School. Guided by previous research on Early College High Schools as well as by the construct of educational resiliency, 28 students were interviewed in focus groups. Through the analysis, we uncovered the key role that educational resilience played in their success as the students leveraged their own individual and social assets to adapt to the challenges they faced. The school setting itself also served to cultivate their resilience. We also heard from students about their ongoing struggles with sleep and anxiety. The study has implications for research on Early College High Schools and similar school settings, as well as for research on educational resilience.
Propylene carbonate (PC) together with cyclic sulfur compounds such as tetrahydrothiophene 1-oxide (THT1oxide) as co-solvent and lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) as conducting salt are introduced as new aprotic liquid electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. Starting with the single solvent electrolyte LiPF6 in PC, by addition of THT1oxide, the ion transport properties even at temperatures down to −20 °C are improved by the different solvation behavior of Li+ ions due to the high Li+ ion affinity of the sulfinyl (-S=O) group and by the resulting decrease of the Li+ ion complex size. Electrolytes that contain Li+ ion complexes with both PC and THT1oxide molecules in the solvation shell are able to form protective interphase layers on graphite and NCM111 (LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2) electrodes that are both permeable for Li+ ions while ensuring good electronic insulation, thus enabling stable cycling in lithium-ion cells with only minor capacity fading. THT1oxide/PC-based electrolytes afford better long-term as well as low temperature cycling behavior compared to established state-of-the-art (SOTA) organic carbonate-based electrolytes. The obtained results allow for the design of new co-solvents for PC and comparable cyclic organic carbonates, and provide a non-toxic and cheap alternative to crown ethers without affecting the Li+ ion transference/transport numbers.
High ionic conductivity exceeding 10−3 S cm−1 at room temperature is achieved with lithiated perfluorinated sulfonic acid (PFSA-Li) ion exchange membranes by swelling in nonaqueous organic solvents. The dependence of ionic conductivity on the membrane equivalent weight, solvent uptake, solvent properties including viscosity and dielectric constant and temperature is investigated for PFSA-Li membranes. The high performance of Li-ion battery using the PFSA-Li membranes as both electrolyte and separator is demonstrated. This new battery shows very good thermal stability and cyclic performance as compared to conventional Li-ion battery using organic liquid electrolytes. At 55 °C, this battery shows less than 3% discharge capacity loss over 120 cycles, however battery with liquid electrolyte decreased to 76% of the initial capacity after 80 cycles.
Formation of dendrite on lithium metal anode (LMA) poses a threat to commercial prospects of rechargeable lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Electrolyte engineering, including but not limited to using new solvents, salts and additives, is an effective remedy to surmounting this vexing problem. In this work, a novel additive, trimethylsilyl(fluorosulfonyl)(n-nonafluorobutanesulfonyl)imide {(CH3)3Si-N[(FSO2)(n-C4F9SO2)], TMS-FNFSI}, is introduced to the ether-based electrolyte of LiN[(CF3SO2)2]-1,3-dioxolane/dimethoxyethane (LiTFSI-DOL/DME) for LMBs. It preferentially reduces on LMA prior to the main electrolyte components (ethers and LiTFSI), resulting in a LiF-rich, organic F- and Si-containing solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film, being validated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Thus, dendrite growth is effectively suppressed. Li|Cu cells, with 1.0 M LiTFSI-DOL/DME (1:1, v/v) containing 5 wt% TMS-FNFSI, exhibit an average coulombic efficiency up to 96.5% for ca. 100 cycles at the current density and areal capacity of 1 mA cm−2 and 2 mAh cm−2, respectively. The Li|Li symmetric cells with TMS-FNFSI can run for more than 1200 h with a stable polarization voltage (ca. 25 mV) at 0.5 mA cm−2. The Li|LiFePO4 cells with TMS-FNFSI can operate steadily for 100 cycles with capacity retention of 92% at 0.2 C. The reduction decomposition mechanism of TMS-FNFSI is tentatively proposed.