batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
In this paper, we report the results and analysis of a recent field campaign in August 2007 investigating the impacts of emissions from transportation on air quality and community concentrations in Beijing, China. We conducted measurements in three different environments, on-road, roadside and ambient. The carbon monoxide, black carbon and ultrafine particle number emission factors for on-road light-duty vehicles are derived to be 95gkg−1-fuel, 0.3gkg−1-fuel and 1.8×1015 particleskg−1-fuel, respectively. The emission factors for on-road heavy-duty vehicles are 50gkg−1-fuel, 1.3gkg−1-fuel and 1.1×1016 particleskg−1-fuel, respectively. The carbon monoxide emission factors from this study agree with those derived from remote sensing and on-board vehicle emission testing systems in China. The on-road black carbon and particle number emission factors for Chinese vehicles are reported for the first time in the literature. Strong traffic impacts can be observed from the concentrations measured in these different environments. Most clear is a reflection of diesel truck traffic activity in black carbon concentrations. The comparison of the particle size distributions measured at the three environments suggests that the traffic is a major source of ultrafine particles. A four-day traffic control experiment conducted by the Beijing Government as a pilot to test the effectiveness of proposed controls was found to be effective in reducing extreme concentrations that occurred at both on-road and ambient environments.
Epigallocathechin gallate (EGCG) possesses many beneficial properties, such as anticarcinogenicity, antiatherogenicity, as well as antioxidant and antibacterial activities. However, the bacterial response to sublethal concentrations of EGCG has not been studied. Here we investigated whether short exposure of staphylococci strains to sublethal doses of EGCG can lead to adaptation and cross-resistance. Two-hour exposure of five strains to 20µg/ml of EGCG did not affect the growth rate but significantly elevated the resistance towards antibiotics targeting the bacterial cell wall. The magnitude of cross-resistance towards such antibiotics varied with the staphylococci strain, with Staphylococcus aureus Newman exhibiting the highest magnitude of cross-resistance, showing a 2, 4 and 8-fold increase in resistance towards vancomycin, oxacillin and ampicillin respectively. All EGCG-adapted strains were also more heat tolerant than their control counterparts as derived from the Weibull model. Adaptation to EGCG led to a moderate increase in heat resistance of the adapted strains S. epidermis ATCC 12228, S. aureus Newman, and S. aureus ATCC 29213, and an extremely pronounced increase for S. aureus ATCC 6538 and S. aureus RN4220. The shape of the survival curve also varied with the staphylococci strain. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed suppressed separation of daughter cells in cultures exposed to EGCG, as evidenced by the pseudomulticellular appearance and by more than 2-fold increase in cell wall thickness. These observations raise concerns over the potential of EGCG utilization in therapy in that it may contribute to the development and enhancement of microbial resistance mechanisms.
Objectives This study examined the stability of motor coordination and the relationship between motor coordination and organized sports participation over time. Design Longitudinal design. Methods A total of 371 children between six and nine years of age at initial testing completed a test battery measuring motor coordination in three consecutive years and a questionnaire on their club sports participation in year 1 and year 3 of testing. Results Correlation coefficients revealed the motor coordination of children to be a highly stable factor, ranging from 0.662 (6–8 years) to 0.873 (7–9 years). Results of the Repeated Measures ANOVA indicated that children who consistently practiced sports in a club environment over the three years of testing displayed better coordination levels than children who only partially participated or did not participate in a club environment at all. Moreover, stability was further indicated as consistent sports participation over time and changes or lack thereof did not substantially influence the development of motor coordination over time. In addition, the basic level of motor coordination and the amount of club sports participation significantly predicted sports participation two years later. Conclusion The importance of the stability of motor coordination levels in childhood and its role in determining organized sports participation may have implications for talent identification purposes as well as potential health-related benefits in childhood and throughout the lifespan.
For the first time, a green lignin/silica nanocomposite (LSC) is introduced to the rechargeable hybrid aqueous Zn/LiMn2O4 battery (ReHAB) as additive in the cathode formulation. Lignin acts as a key role to regulate and control the structure of LSC, intending to enhance the stability of the ReHAB by improving the float charge performance while maintaining other electrochemical performances of the battery. The lignin/silica nanocomposites (LSCs) are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, surface area and porosimetry analyzer, and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that amorphous, uniform and mesoporous LSC-1 is prepared at the mass ratio of 1:2 of lignin to silica. LSC-1 used as the cathode additive improves the float charge performance of ReHAB via decreasing the float charge capacity by 57%. To compensate the loss of conductivity caused by LSC-1 and increase the capacity of the battery, graphene (G) is added. Compared to the reference battery, battery using the cathode containing 3 wt% combined additive of LSC-1 and G at mass ratio of 1:1, has 50% lower float charge capacity, higher rate performance and better cyclability. Up to a discharge capacity of 95 mAh g−1 is still obtained after 300 cycles of 100% depth-of-discharge.
Objectives The efficacy of cognitive remediation interventions in schizophrenia has been demonstrated in several experimental studies. However, the effectiveness of such treatments in the usual setting of care of schizophrenia and a direct comparison of different modalities of interventions have not been systematically analyzed. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the cognitive subprograms of Integrated Psychological Therapy (IPT-cog) and of a computer-assisted cognitive remediation (CACR) method on symptomatological, neuropsychological and functional outcome measures in schizophrenia. Methods Ninety patients with schizophrenia were assigned to IPT-cog, CACR or usual rehabilitative interventions (REHAB) in a naturalistic setting of care. Clinical, neuropsychological, and functional outcome variables were assessed at baseline and after 24weeks of treatment. Results Both the IPT-cog and CACR groups improved more than the comparison group with respect to all outcome variables. The more responsive cognitive domains were speed of processing and working memory. The effectiveness of the 2 remediation methods on the outcome dimensions considered was comparable. However, IPT-cog, but not CACR, was more effective than REHAB on speed of processing, and the CACR group had better outcome than both the REHAB and the IPT-cog groups when the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale was considered. Few correlations between neurocognitive and functional outcome changes were found. Conclusions The study demonstrates the effectiveness, although nongeneralized, of IPT-cog and CACR in schizophrenia when applied within a psychiatric and psychosocial treatment regimen representative of the usual setting and modality of care, with no evident superiority of any of the methods, and indicates that the changes in functional outcome during treatment are modestly mediated by improvement in specific cognitive domains.
Quantifying water exchange between a coastal wetland and the underlying groundwater is important for closing water, energy and chemical budgets. The coastal wetlands of the Florida Everglades (USA) are at the forefront of a large hydrologic restoration project, and understanding of groundwater/surface-water interactions is needed to comprehend the effects of the project. Four independent techniques were used to identify water exchange at varying spatial and temporal scales in Taylor Slough, Everglades National Park. The techniques included a water-budget study and measurements of hydraulic head gradients, geochemical tracers, and temperature. During the 18-month study, the four methods converged as to the timing of groundwater discharge, typically between June and September, contemporaneous with the wet season and increasing surface-water levels. These results were unexpected, as groundwater discharge was predicted to be greatest when surface-water levels were low, typically during the dry season. Either a time lag of 1–5 months in the response of groundwater discharge to low surface-water levels or precipitation-induced groundwater discharge may explain the results. Groundwater discharge was a significant contributor (27 %) to the surface water in Taylor Slough with greater rates of discharge observed towards the coastline in response to seawater intrusion.
In this article we report a facile method to create a polyaniline (PANI) nanorod/carbon nanoparticle (CNP) composite structure that is suitable for supercapacitor use. A network of CNPs was conveniently produced on the surface of a nickel foam by collecting candle soot above a burning candle. The PANI nanorods were then electrochemically deposited on the CNP network, forming a star-like interconnected 3D structure. As a comparison, MnO2 particles were also deposited on the CNP network to produce a broccoli-like structure. The electrochemical properties of these two composites were examined using cyclic voltammetry, cyclic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The two electrodes exhibited different electrochemical behaviors: high capacitance at low current densities and marked deterioration at high ones for CNPs/PANI and relatively low but stable capacitance for CNPs/MnO2. The reasons for this distinction were discussed based on the structures and material properties of the electrodes.
Most of the metal oxides (e.g., SnO2) are developed as promising anode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacities. However, the irreversible conversion of Sn to SnO2 during cycling highly reduces the lithium storage capacity of SnO2. Herein Pd-doped graphene-SnO2 nanocomposite is prepared by a modified electroless plating method and exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance including high reversible capacity, excellent cycling stability and rate capability. We believe that Pd doping can prevent the aggregation of SnO2 nanoparticles (∼2.5nm) on the graphene, improve the electronic conductivity of graphene-SnO2 and importantly, promote the conversion reaction between SnO2 and Sn during cycling. Catalyst doping in metal oxides may offer a new approach to realize high-performance electrodes for next-generation lithium ion batteries.
An infrequent change to an otherwise repetitive sequence of stimuli leads to the generation of mismatch negativity (MMN), even in the absence of attention. This evoked negative response occurs in the scalp-recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) over the temporal and frontal cortices, 100–250 ms after onset of the deviant stimulus. The MMN is used to detect sensory information processing. The aim of our study was to investigate whether MMN can be recorded in the subthalamic nuclei (STN) as evidence of auditory information processing on an unconscious level within this structure. To our knowledge, MMN has never been recorded in the human STN. We recorded intracerebral EEG using a MMN paradigm in five patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) who were implanted with depth electrodes in the subthalamic nuclei (STN). We found far-field MMN when intracerebral contacts were connected to an extracranial reference electrode. In all five PD patients (and nine of ten intracerebral electrodes), we also found near-field MMN-like potentials when intracerebral contacts were referenced to one another, and in some electrodes, we observed phase reversals in these potentials. The mean time-to-peak latency of the intracerebral MMN-like potentials was 214 ± 38 ms (median 219 ms). We reveal MMN-like potentials in bilateral STN. This finding provides evidence that STN receives sensory (auditory) information from other structures. The question for further research is whether STN receives such signals through a previously described hyperdirect pathway between STN and frontal cortex (a known generator of the MMN potential) and if the STN contributes to sensorimotor integration.
Water use and plant growth and quality were compared across different nursery stock beds, different methods of applying irrigation, and different methods of scheduling irrigation. With overhead irrigation, scheduling of irrigation according to plant demand, along with an irrigation system designed to maximise irrigation uniformity, resulted in substantial water savings, without reducing plant quality. This was the case in both wet and dry years. In the dry year, plant quality was particularly good when grown on a sub-irrigated sand bed; this system also used less water than any of the overhead irrigation systems. Two different systems were effective in scheduling overhead irrigation, one based on the volumetric moisture in the growing substrate, and the other based on plant evapotranspiration. The latter was determined with a small sensor with wet and dry artificial “leaves”, the output of which correlated with that obtained following the Penman–Monteith method based on a full set of meteorological data.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) capable of drawing tractive energy from the electric grid represent an energy efficient alternative to conventional vehicles. After several thousand charge depleting cycles, PHEV traction batteries can be subject to energy and power degradation which has the potential to affect vehicle performance and efficiency. This study seeks to understand the effect of battery degradation and the need for battery replacement in PHEVs through the experimental measurement of lithium ion battery lifetime under PHEV-type driving and charging conditions. The dynamic characteristics of the battery performance over its lifetime are then input into a vehicle performance and fuel consumption simulation to understand these effects as a function of battery degradation state, and as a function of vehicle control strategy. The results of this study show that active management of PHEV battery degradation by the vehicle control system can improve PHEV performance and fuel consumption relative to a more passive baseline. Simulation of the performance of the PHEV throughout its battery lifetime shows that battery replacement will be neither economically incentivized nor necessary to maintain performance in PHEVs. These results have important implications for techno-economic evaluations of PHEVs which have treated battery replacement and its costs with inconsistency.
Using waste Zn–Mn dry batteries, waste scrap iron and pyrolusite as raw materials, Mn–Zn soft magnetic ferrite powders were prepared through the process of simultaneous leaching, purification and co-precipitation. The experimental results indicated that the leached yields of Fe, Mn and Zn were 92.02%, 96.14% and 98.34%, respectively. The leached liquor was purified through these processes of sulfuration precipitation, fluorination precipitation and double salt precipitation deep purification process. Therefore, high removal yields of impurities could be achieved. Removal yields were as follows: Ca 99.7%, Mg 92.33%, Al 96.48%, Si 63.64%, Cu 99.86%, Pb 98.51%, Cd 53.0% and Ni 78.72%. Among these co-precipitation powders, the average mass content of the main components were Fe 41.41%, Mn 13.92% and Zn 4.49%, and the mass ratio of Fe:Zn:Mn was 69.2:23.3:7.5. Compared with the theoretical prescription (Fe:Mn:Zn=67.3:24.4:8.3), the absolute errors of main components were Fe +1.9%, Mn −1.1% and Zn −0.8%. Because of content impurities in co-precipitation powders (Ca<0.0028%, Mg<0.0053%, Al<0.0084%, SiO2 <0.0023%, Pb<0.0031% and Cu<0.0010%), the qualities of these gained co-precipitation powders could compete with the demand for the preparation of soft magnetic ferrite. The magnetic properties also demonstrated that the soft magnetic ferrite samples, which were made from the co-precipitation powders prepared by used batteries, had the same qualities as PC30 made by the TDK Company.
We assess the psychometric properties of a revised stigma scale and report the levels of stigma in an incident population and the clinical, demographic, and quality-of-life factors associated with doing so. A total of 1566 people with new-onset epilepsy completed the revised stigma scale, as part of the Standard and New Antiepileptic Drugs (SANAD) trial. The revised scale had good internal consistency (0.85) and good concurrent validity. It also reduced the floor and ceiling effects associated with the original scale. Fifty-four percent of people reported feeling stigmatized (47.3% mild–moderate stigma, 6.1% high stigma). Reduced sense of mastery, younger age (<50), side effects of medication, poorer cognitive function, feeling socially restricted, poor global quality of life, and more than four seizures at baseline were significant factors determining scores on this revised scale. These should be the focus of interventions to try and reduce feelings of stigma in those with new-onset epilepsy.
Polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based polymer electrolytes with BaTiO3 as a filler have been examined as electrolytes in 4V class lithium polymer secondary batteries. A mixture of 90wt.% LiN(CF3SO2)2–10wt.% LiPF6 was found to be the best candidate as the salt in PEO, and showed high electrical conductivity, good corrosion resistance to the aluminum current collector and low interfacial resistance between the lithium metal anode and the polymer electrolyte. The cyclic performance of the cell, Li/[PEO10–(LiN(CF3SO2)2–10wt.% LiPF6)]–10wt.% BaTiO3/LiNi0.8Co0.2O2/Al, showed good charge–discharge cycling performance. The observed capacity fading on charging up to 4.2V at 80°C in the cell was about 0.28% per cycle in the first 30 cycles, compared to that of 0.5% for the polymer electrolyte without LiPF6 in the lithium salt.
Timing is essential for various behaviors and relative to vision, audition is considered to be specialized for temporal processing. The present study conducted a sensorimotor timing task that required tapping in synchrony with a temporally regular sequence and a perceptual timing task that required detecting a timing deviation among a temporally regular sequence. The sequence was composed of auditory tones, visual flashes, or a visual bouncing ball. In the sensorimotor task, sensorimotor timing performance (synchronization stability) of the bouncing ball was much greater than that of flashes and was comparable to that of tones. In the perceptual task, where perceptual timing performance of the bouncing ball was greater than that of flashes, it was poorer than that of tones. These results suggest the facilitation of both perceptual and sensorimotor processing of temporal information by the bouncing ball. Given such facilitation of temporal processing, however, audition is still superior over vision in perceptual detection of timing.
Titanium foil can be a type of ideal material as the substrate for bipolar lead-acid battery. However, it can't be directly used because it can be oxidized in the high voltage and strong oxidizing conditions. In this paper, we coat the titanium suboxide on the titanium foil surface by means of the high temperature carbon sintering method for the improvement of corrosion resistance of titanium metal and use it as the substrate to bipolar lead-acid battery to study its effect on the battery performances. Modified titanium foils are characterized by SEM, XRD, corrosion resistance test and electronic conductivity test. The electrochemical properties of the bipolar lead-acid battery are investigated by constant current charge/discharge method. The results demonstrate that the titanium foil carbon-sintered at 800 °C for 2 h has the most excellent chemical stability and electronic conductivity. Initial specific capacities of positive active material of bipolar lead-acid battery with modified titanium as the substrate at 0.25C, 0.5C, 1C and 2C discharge rate are 99.29 mAh g−1, 88.93 mAh g−1, 77.54 mAh g−1, and 65.41 mAh g−1. After 50 cycles, the specific capacity of positive active material at 0.5C is 81.36 mAh g−1 and after 100 cycles, the specific capacity at 1C is 61.92 mAh g−1.
Objectives The aims of this study were to (i) investigate instrumented physical capability (iCap) as a valid method during a large study and (ii) determine whether iCap can provide important additional features of postural control and gait to categorise cohorts not previously possible with manual recordings. Study design Cross-sectional analysis involving instrumented testing on 74 adults who were recruited as part of a pilot intervention study; LiveWell. Participants wore a single accelerometer-based monitor (lower back) during standardised physical capability tests so that outcomes could be compared directly with manual recordings (stopwatch and measurement tape) made concurrently. Main outcome measures Time, distance, postural control and gait characteristics. Results Agreement between manual and iCap ranged from moderate to excellent (0.649–0.983) with mean differences between methods low and deemed acceptable. Additionally, iCap successfully quantified (i) postural control characteristics which showed sensitivity to distinguish between 5 variations of the standing balance test and (ii) 14 gait characteristics known to be sensitive to age/pathology. Conclusions Our findings show that iCap can provide robust quantitative data about physical capability during standardised tests while also providing sensitive (age/pathology) postural control and gait characteristics not previously quantifiable with manual recordings. The methodology which we propose may have practical utility in a wide range of clinical and public health surveys and studies, including intervention studies, where assessment could be undertaken within diverse settings. This will need to be tested in further validation studies in a wider range of settings.