batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Environmental factors which influence the distributions of malaria vectors in northern Australia (Anopheles farauti ss, A. farauti 2 and A. farauti 3) were investigated by ecological niche modelling and data mining using an extensive data set of species presence and absence records obtained by systematic field surveys. Models were generated with GARP (the genetic algorithm for rule-set prediction) using geographical coverages of 41 climatic and topographic parameters for the north of the continent. Environmental variables associated with species records were identified with the ranking procedures of the decision tree software packages CART and KnowledgeSeeker. There was consistent agreement in the variables ranked by both methods. This permitted the selection of reduced sets of environmental variables to develop GARP models for the three target species with equivalent predictive accuracy to those which used all of the environmental information. The environmental parameters which define the realised distributions of A. farauti ss and A. farauti 3 were well described by this approach but the results were less satisfactory for A. farauti 2. Atmospheric moisture was shown to be a critical variable for each species which accords with many field and laboratory observations concerning the influence of humidity on adult mosquito survival.
Nitrogen and sulfur containing carbon, derived from human hair (HHC) has been exploited for the first time as a multifunctional electrode material for use in sodium batteries and for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline medium. Human hair acts as the source of carbon containing nitrogen and sulfur, due to the presence of α-keratin, thus eliminating the need for the addition of multiple hazardous chemicals such as organic precursors and the requirement of conventionally adopted energy intensive methods. Such a dual hetero atom containing human hair derived carbon, when examined as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) displays a high specific capacity of ∼ 210mAhg−1 at 50mAg−1 and a high rate capability of ∼ 50mAhg−1 at 1.5Ag−1, thereby providing newer perspective towards the construction of low-cost SIBs. Further, HHC upon exploration as a metal free electrocatalyst for ORR applications exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic performance in terms of superior stability and resistance towards methanol cross over along with long term stability. Our cost-effective approach against the disposal of human hair opens up newer avenues for the conversion of filthy human hair waste as value added electrode material in energy storage and electrocatalytic applications.
LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2–carbon composite positive electrodes were prepared by the spark-plasma-sintering (SPS) treatment. The SPS treated acetylene black (AB) powder (HDAB) was used as carbon sources, and it showed an effect to improve the electrical connections between the carbon particles. By the SPS treatment of the LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 +HDAB blended powder, the strong bindings between the active materials and the carbon powders were formed. Both contact effects, particularly the active material–carbon contact effect, improved the electrochemical performances of the cells. The improvement effects were more evident when the cells were cycled at higher current density, which indicates that the present method is effective to improve the rate capability of the positive electrodes without lowering electrode density.
Sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial metabolic brain disorder characterized by progressive neurodegeneration. Decreased brain energy and glucose metabolism occurs before the appearance of AD symptoms and worsens while the disease progresses. Deregulated brain insulin signaling has also been found in AD recently. To restore brain insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, two insulin sensitizers commonly used for treating type 2 diabetes, have been studied and shown to have some beneficial effects in AD mouse models. However, the molecular mechanisms of the beneficial effects remain elusive. In the present study, we treated the 3xTg-AD mice, a widely used mouse model of AD, with pioglitazone and rosiglitazone for 4 months and studied the effects of the treatments on cognitive performance and AD-related brain alterations. We found that the chronic treatment improved spatial learning, enhanced AKT signaling, and attenuated tau hyperphosphorylation and neuroinflammation. These findings shed new light on the possible mechanisms by which these two insulin sensitizers might be useful for treating AD and support further clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of these drugs.
Li[Mn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3]O2 cathode material for lithium ion batteries was coated by CaF2 via wet coating strategy. The CaF2-coated Li[Mn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3]O2 were analyzed by X-ray diffraction spectra (XRD), the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) to confirm the structure and morphology of cathode material. Cyclic voltammetry and cycling charge–discharge measurements were carried out to study the electrochemical performance of bare and coated samples, as well as the optimal coating dosage. Comparison tests have found that the capacity retention is 67.9% for bare sample and 93.5% for 1.0wt.% CaF2-coated sample. In summary, the CaF2 coating strategy benefits the cycling performance of Li[Mn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3]O2 cathode material, and the optimal dosage of coating agent is 1.0wt.%.
Cannabis is the most widely consumed illicit drug and its consumption is currently associated with tobacco, which contains another psychoactive compound, namely nicotine. Interactions between cannabinoids and other drugs of abuse, such as opioids, have been previously reported. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible role of CB1 cannabinoid receptor in responses induced by acute and repeated nicotine administration by using knockout mice lacking the CB1 cannabinoid receptor and their wild-type littermates. Acute nicotine (0.5, 1, 3 and 6 mg/kg, sc) administration decreased locomotor activity and induced antinociceptive responses in the tail-immersion and the hot-plate test, in wild-type animals. The antinociceptive effects in the tail-immersion test were significantly enhanced in CB1 knockout mice. In wild-type mice nicotine (0.5 mg/kg, sc) produced a significant rewarding effect, as measured by a conditioned place preference paradigm. This response was absent in CB1 knockout mice. Finally, a model of mecamylamine-induced abstinence in chronic nicotine-treated mice (10 mg/kg/day, sc) was developed. Mecamylamine (1 and 2 mg/kg, sc) precipitated several somatic signs of nicotine withdrawal in wild-type dependent mice. However, no difference in the severity of nicotine withdrawal was observed in CB1 knockout mice. These results demonstrate that some acute effects and motivational responses elicited by nicotine can be modulated by the endogenous cannabinoid system and support the existence of a physiological interaction between these two systems.
In this work, we have prepared undoped and vanadium doped ZnO nanopowders by sol–gel method. The treated powder at 500 °C has an average particle size of 25 nm. Pellets have been prepared at sintered temperature of 900 °C in atmospheric furnace. The characterization of the obtained pellets has been made by the X-ray diffraction, the UV–visible spectrophotometer, and cathodoluminescence (CL). The XRD analysis shows that ZnO has hexagonal wurtzite structure with a preferential direction along (101). It has also revealed that grain size and lattice parameters have increased after vanadium doping. The optical band gap has been found to increase from 3.15 to 3.27 eV as the V content varied from 0 to 10 %. CL spectra have shown a broad yellow emission at 2.2 eV and UV emission band around 3.16 eV. Doping with vanadium has enhanced the CL intensity of near band emission.
Autism is characterised by atypical social-communicative behaviour and restricted range of interests and repetitive behaviours. These features exist in a continuum in the general population. Behavioural measures validated across cultures and languages are required to quantify the dimensional traits of autism in these social and non-social domains. Bengali is the seventh most spoken language in the world. However, there is a serious dearth of data on standard measures of autism-related social and visual cognition in Bengali.
GPR88 is an orphan G-protein coupled receptor originally characterized as a striatal-enriched transcript and is a potential target for neuropsychiatric disorders. At present, gene knockout studies in the mouse have essentially focused on striatal-related functions and a comprehensive knowledge of GPR88 protein distribution and function in the brain is still lacking. Here, we first created Gpr88-Venus knock-in mice expressing a functional fluorescent receptor to fine-map GPR88 localization in the brain. The receptor protein was detected in neuronal soma, fibers and primary cilia depending on the brain region, and remarkably, whole-brain mapping revealed a yet unreported layer-4 cortical lamination pattern specifically in sensory processing areas. The unique GPR88 barrel pattern in L4 of the somatosensory cortex appeared 3 days after birth and persisted into adulthood, suggesting a potential function for GPR88 in sensory integration. We next examined Gpr88 knockout mice for cortical structure and behavioral responses in sensory tasks. Magnetic resonance imaging of live mice revealed abnormally high fractional anisotropy, predominant in somatosensory cortex and caudate putamen, indicating significant microstructural alterations in these GPR88-enriched areas. Further, behavioral analysis showed delayed responses in somatosensory-, visual- and olfactory-dependent tasks, demonstrating a role for GPR88 in the integration rather than perception of sensory stimuli. In conclusion, our data show for the first time a prominent role for GPR88 in multisensory processing. Because sensory integration is disrupted in many psychiatric diseases, our study definitely positions GPR88 as a target to treat mental disorders perhaps via activity on cortical sensory networks.
Si nanoparticles prepared by ball-milling (BM-Si) are expected as practical negative-electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, but their performance is much lower than those of more expensive Si nanomaterials, such as chemical-vapor-deposition derived Si nanoparticles (CVD-Si) having a tight network structure. It is found that carbon-coating of aggregations of BM-Si forms a quasi-network structure, thereby making the performance comparable to that of CVD-Si under capacity restriction (to 1500 mAh g−1). In this case, the structural transition of BM-Si during charge/discharge cycling is characterized by the formation of a specific ‘wrinkled structure’, which is very similar to that formed in CVD-Si.
The high-voltage spinel cathode material LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) with its high energy per mass and volume is widely considered as promising alternative to the cobalt-containing state-of-the-art layered cathode materials. LNMO is usually charged/discharged at high voltage to make use of Ni-redox at the 4.7 V plateau, while after insertion of additional lithium the utilization of excess Li at the low voltage region of LNMO (<3.0 V) may compensate active lithium losses upon operation. Such a Li-excess stoichiometry of the spinel cathode can be achieved for instance through chemical pre-lithiation. Besides the compensation of Li losses, the additional Li also may also lead to an increase of the specific capacity. This study aims for a better understanding of the impact of the calcination time of LNMO particles on the low voltage region and an in-depth discussion of the results in the context of previous literature reports. Therefore, LNMO is synthesized by a ball-mill assisted solid-state synthesis and the calcination time is systematically changed. The subsequent structural and electrochemical analysis of the material shows for the first time that the material properties, including particle size and lattice parameter, as well as the charge/discharge current rate in general have a strong impact on the capacity ratio of the 2.7 V/2.1 V plateaus and that discharging (=lithiating) the cathode material to 1.5 V leads to irreversible changes within the material, which are however beneficial for its specific energy. Furthermore, the cathode material is cycled in the intermediate voltage range (2.4–4.95 V), demonstrating high specific capacities and excellent long-term stability over 100 cycles (≈179.5 ± 0.1 mAh g−1 and 96.4% ± 0.3%, respectively).
Grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) are polyphenolic compounds which exert a novel spectrum of biological, pharmacological and therapeutic properties against oxidative stress. Recent findings have shown that GSP exhibit numerous antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. So, it was of special concern to investigate the protective efficacy of GSP against cadmium induced hepatic dysfunction in rats. Male Wistar rats were treated with cadmium (Cd) as cadmium chloride (CdCl2, 5 mg kg−1 bw, orally) and orally pre-administered with GSP (100 mg kg−1 bw) 90 minutes before Cd intoxication for 4 weeks to evaluate hepatic damage of Cd and antioxidant potential of GSP. Our results demonstrate a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of serum hepatic markers and hepatic oxidative stress markers and a notable (p < 0.05) decrease in hepatic enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant contents along with histopathological alterations on Cd exposure. The GSP pre-treatment regimen was beneficial in the recovery of altered serum and hepatic biochemical and histological variables by Cd. Our results clearly indicate that the free radical scavenging and antioxidant potential of GSP benefits the recovery of rats exposed to Cd. We thus recommend that diets rich in GSP help in attenuating Cd-induced oxidative hepatic dysfunction in rats.
Stray magnetic field considered as harmful noise for the human body can be a ubiquitous energy source. We are surrounded with 50/60 Hz parasitic magnetic noise arising from power delivery infrastructure, but it cannot be readily utilized by traditional electromagnetic harvesters. Here, we introduce a novel magneto-mechano-electric (MME) generator with a colossal power density that can turn on 35 LEDs and drive a wireless sensor network under a weak magnetic field of 5–7 × 10−4 T at a low frequency of 60 Hz. The MME generator is a cantilever structured magnetoelectric (ME) laminate composite in which the 〈011〉 oriented anisotropic single crystal fiber composite (SFC) is bonded to Ni plate and Nd permanent magnet proof mass. The ME laminate composite has a strong ME coupling (αME ∼ 160 V cm−1 Oe−1) even without magnetic bias due to the intrinsic property of Ni. The MME generator is also found to exhibit a colossal output power density of 46 mW cm−3 Oe−2 under a weak magnetic field of 1.6 × 10−4 T at 60 Hz. This MME generator can be a ubiquitous power source for wireless sensor networks, low power electric devices, and wireless charging systems by harvesting tiny amounts of parasitic magnetic energy from our living environment.
The explore and development of electrocatalysts have gained significant attention due to their indispensable status in energy storage and conversion systems, such as fuel cells, metal–air batteries and solar water splitting cells. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and their derivatives (e.g., transition metal alloys, oxides, sulfides, nitrides and phosphides) have been adopted as catalysts for various electrochemical reactions, such as oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, hydrogen evolution, and CO2 reduction, which show excellent activity and remarkable durability in electrocatalytic process. In this review, the synthesis strategies, structural characters and electrochemical performances for the LDHs and their derivatives are described. In addition, we also discussed the effect of electronic and geometry structures to their electrocatalytic activity. The further development of high-performance electrocatalysts based on LDHs and their derivatives is covered by both a short summary and future outlook from the viewpoint of the material design and practical application.
Abstract The different roles that ionic liquids can play in several aspects of electrochromic technology have been reviewed, from the advantageous synthesis of electrochromic polymers to their key role as substantial components of liquid, semi-solid, or solid electrolytes. The performance of resulting devices has been analyzed, showing correct optical behavior and sometimes impressive lifetimes. From this review, it can be concluded that ionic liquids are versatile compounds that can improve the current performance of electrochromic and other electrochemical devices.
Polypore International Inc, a global high-technology filtration company specialising in microporous membranes, has announced that the US District Court for the Western District of North Carolina has granted a motion by Celgard Llc, a subsidiary of Polypore, for a preliminary injunction against LG Chem Ltd and LG Chem America Inc.
Objectives We evaluated the accuracy of the Accusplit AH120 pedometer (built-in memory) for recording step counts of children during treadmill walking against (1) observer counted steps and (2) concurrently measured steps using the previously validated Yamax Digiwalker SW-700 pedometer. Design This was a cross-sectional validation study performed under controlled settings. Methods Forty five 9–12-year-olds walked on treadmills at speeds of 42, 66 and 90m/min to simulate slow, moderate and fast walking wearing Accusplit and Yamax pedometers concurrently on their right hip. Observer counted steps were captured by video camera and manually counted. Absolute value of percent error was calculated for each comparison. Bland–Altman plots were constructed to show the distribution of the individual (criterion-comparison) scores around zero. Results Both pedometers under-recorded observer counted steps at all three walk speeds. Absolute value of percent error was highest at the slowest walk speed (Accusplit=46.9%; Yamax=44.1%) and lowest at the fastest walk speed (Accusplit=8.6%; Yamax=8.9%). Bland–Altman plots showed high agreement between the pedometers for all three walk speeds. Conclusions Using pedometers with built-in memory capabilities eliminates the need for children to manually log step counts daily, potentially improving data accuracy and completeness. Step counts from the Accusplit (built-in memory) and Yamax (widely used) pedometers were comparable across all speeds, but their level of accuracy was dependent on walking pace. Pedometers should be used with caution in children as they significantly undercount steps, and this error is greatest at slower walk speeds.
Lomber and colleagues find that enhanced visual localization and motion detection in deaf cats is subserved by cross-modal reorganization of cortex that is typically dedicated to auditory function. Furthermore, the authors localize the individual visual functions to discrete portions of reorganized auditory cortex.
Heavy and frequent rain, low temperatures, and strong winds may decrease adult foraging time, cause thermoregulatory stress on nestlings, and lead to nest damage or destruction, all of which can negatively affect breeding success. However, certain parental behaviours can mitigate these potentially negative effects of inclement weather. We examined how parents could mitigate these negative weather effects by adjusting three behaviours—nest attendance, prey deliveries, and nest maintenance—before, during, and after storms at 11 nests of the at-risk Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) in Canada. Female adults spent an increasing amount of time on the nest as wind speed increased. Similar numbers of prey were delivered before and after storms, suggesting that Ferruginous Hawks do not compensate for lost foraging time. They appeared to demonstrate an ability to detect approaching storms, possibly by responding to falling barometric pressure cues, and may have mitigated the risk of nest damage by increasing their nest maintenance behaviours. Our study is among the first to observe storm preparation behaviour, and indicates that some raptorial birds have the ability to alter nesting behaviour in response to approaching inclement weather.
A smart home is a residence equipped with technology that observes the residents and provides proactive services. Most recently, it has been introduced as a potential solution to support independent living of people with disabilities and older adults, as well as to relieve the workload from family caregivers and health providers. One of the key supporting features of a smart home is its ability to monitor the activities of daily living and safety of residents, and in detecting changes in their daily routines. With the availability of inexpensive low-power sensors, radios, and embedded processors, current smart homes are typically equipped with a large amount of networked sensors which collaboratively process and make deductions from the acquired data on the state of the home as well as the activities and behaviors of its residents. This article reviews sensor technology used in smart homes with a focus on direct environment sensing and infrastructure mediated sensing. The article also points out the strengths and limitations of different sensor technologies, as well as discusses challenges and opportunities from clinical, technical, and ethical perspectives. It is recommended that sensor technologies for smart homes address actual needs of all stake holders including end users, their family members and caregivers, and their doctors and therapists. More evidence on the appropriateness, usefulness, and cost benefits analysis of sensor technologies for smart homes is necessary before these sensors should be widely deployed into real-world residential settings and successfully integrated into everyday life and health care services.
Objectives. (1) Determine the predictive value of a school-based test of cardiovascular fitness (CVF) for insulin resistance (IR); (2) compare a "school-based" prediction of IR to a "laboratory-based" prediction, using various measures of fitness and body composition. Methods. Middle school children (
The nitrate-(glycine+malonic acid)-assisted gel-combustion process, followed by a heat treatment at 750°C under reductive atmosphere, was used as a fast and effective way to synthesize vanadium doped olivine incorporated in carbon matrix, of general formula LiFe(1−x)V x PO4/C. The two-phased Rietveld refinement confirmed that vanadium incorporation into olivine structure was complete. The heating under reduction atmosphere caused the formation of iron phosphide to some extent, the concentration was determined by Rietveld analysis. The capacity and rate capability of these composites were tested by both cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling. Specifically, the average discharging capacities of the composite with x =0.055, determined in an saturated aqueous LiNO3 solution equilibrated with air, at the rates of 1, 10 and 100C, amounted to 91, 73 and 35mAhg−1, respectively, with no perceivable capacity fade.
Patients with a history of a fracture have an increased risk for future fractures, even in short term. The aim of this study was to assess the number of patients with falls and to identify fall risk factors that predict the risk of falling in the first three months after a clinical fracture.