batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Background Skeletal myoblast transplantation has been proposed as a therapy for ischemic cardiomyopathy owing to its possible role in myogenesis. The relative safety and efficacy based on location within scar is not known. We hypothesized that skeletal myoblasts transplanted into peripheral scar (compared with central scar) would more effectively attenuate negative left ventricular (LV) remodeling but at the risk of arrhythmia. Methods New Zealand White rabbits (n = 34) underwent mid-left anterior descending artery (LAD) ligation to produce a transmural LV infarction. One month after LAD ligation, skeletal myoblasts were injected either in the scar center (n = 13) or scar periphery (n = 10) and compared with saline injection (n = 11). Holter monitoring and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed pre-injection; Holter monitoring was continued until 2 weeks after injection, with follow-up MRI at 1 month. Results The centrally treated animals demonstrated increased LV end-systolic volume, end-diastolic volume, and mass that correlated with the number of injected cells. There was a trend toward attenuation of negative LV remodeling in peripherally treated animals compared with vehicle. Significant late ectopy was seen in several centrally injected animals, with no late ectopy seen in peripherally injected animals. Conclusions We noted untoward effects with respect to negative LV remodeling after central injection, suggesting that transplanted cell location with respect to scar may be a key factor in the safety and efficacy of skeletal myoblast cardiac transplantation. Administration of skeletal myoblasts into peripheral scar appears safe, with a trend toward improved function in comparison with sham injection.
As one of the most important staple food crops, rice produces huge agronomic biomass residues that contain lots of secondary cell walls (SCWs) comprising cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. The transcriptional regulation mechanism underlying SCWs biosynthesis remains elusive.
The advancement in mobile technology and the introduction of cloud computing systems enable the use of educational materials on mobile devices for a location- and time-agnostic learning process. These educational materials are delivered in the form of data and compute-intensive multimedia-enabled learning objects. Given these constraints, the desired objective of mobile learning (m-learning) may not be achieved. Accordingly, a number of m-learning systems are being developed by the industry and academia to transform society into a pervasive educational institute. However, no guideline on the technical issues concerning the m-learning environment is available. In this study, we present a taxonomy of such technical issues that can impede the life cycle of multimedia-enabled m-learning applications. The taxonomy is devised based on the issues related to mobile device heterogeneity, network performance, content heterogeneity, content delivery, and user expectation. These issues are discussed, along with their causes and measures, to achieve solutions. Furthermore, we identify several trending areas through which the adaptability and acceptability of multimedia-enabled m-learning platforms can be increased. Finally, we discuss open challenges, such as low complexity encoding, data dependency, measurement and modeling, interoperability, and security as future research directions.
The energy consumption of each node in the sensor network can be effectively balanced by using mobile sinks for data gathering, thus avoiding resulting in energy hole problem. This paper proposes a virtual grid margin optimization and energy balancing (VGMEB) protocol for mobile sinks to balance zthe energy consumption in wireless sensor networks. VGMEB achieves high energy efficiency by designing a virtual grid margin method and determining a novel evaluation model for cluster head selection. In addition, an approach in multiple attribute decision making based on relative entropy is integrated for determining the weight value of each metric. The experimental results show that VGMEB outperforms these protocols and it can efficiently mitigate the energy hole problem and prolong the network lifetime.
Lithium-air batteries with an aqueous alkaline electrolyte promise a very high practical energy density and capacity. These batteries are mainly limited by high overpotentials on the bifunctional cathode during charge and discharge. To reduce overpotentials the bifunctional cathode of such batteries must be improved significantly. Nickel is relatively inexpensive and has a good catalytic activity in alkaline media. Co3O4 was found to be a promising metal oxide catalyst for oxygen evolution in alkaline media but it has a low electronic conductivity. On the other hand since nickel has a good electronic conductivity Co3O4 can be added to pure nickel electrodes to enhance performance due to a synergetic effect. Due to the poor stability of carbon materials at high anodic potentials, gas diffusion electrodes were prepared without carbon to improve especially long-term stability. Gas diffusion electrodes were electrochemically investigated in a half cell. In addition, cyclic voltammogrametry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were carried out. SEM was used for the physical and morphological investigations. Investigations showed that electrodes containing 20wt.% Co3O4 exhibited the highest performance.
We previously detected that ~50% of kidney transplant patients (KTPs) present sarcopenia using the first European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP1) consensus. Our aim was to evaluate the agreement between the sarcopenia diagnosis using EWGSOP1 and the new consensus (EWGSOP2) in KTPs. A cross-sectional study was performed evaluating 127 KTPs. Total and appendicular muscle mass were estimated by bioelectrical impedance. Strength was evaluated by handgrip strength (HGS) and five times sit to stand (5STS). Functional capacity was evaluated by 4-m walk test and short physical performance battery. Sarcopenia was diagnosed by EWGSOP1 and EWGSOP2. The agreement between EWGSOP1 and EWGSOP2 (using HGS criteria for muscle strength) was fair (k = 0.341–0.402). Slight agreement was observed between EWGSOP1 and EWGSOP2 using 5STS criteria for muscle strength (k = 0.031–0.046). We conclude that EWGSOP2 definitions have a low agreement with EWGSOP1 in KTPs.
Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine cerebellar areas related to conditioning of the nociceptive leg withdrawal reflex using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Because of the aversive nature of the unconditioned stimulus effects of accompanying fear conditioning were expected. Methods: In 20 healthy adult subjects leg withdrawal reflex conditioning was performed using a standard delay protocol during MR-scanning. Electromyographic recordings from the anterior tibial and biceps femoris muscles were used to quantify conditioned responses. Fear-related changes of heart rate were assessed. Results: In the group of all subjects a significant increase of cerebellar activation was found in the anterior and posterior vermis. In the group of subjects (n=9) who showed conditioned leg withdrawal responses cerebellar activation was more pronounced in parts of the anterior vermis, which correspond to the known leg representation. In the group of subjects (n=11) who did not develop conditioned responses cerebellar activation was more pronounced in the posterolateral hemispheres. Changes of heart rate, however, did not significantly differ between groups. Conclusions: Results suggest that areas within the anterior vermis are involved in conditioning of the leg withdrawal response. The present results, however, do not allow to differentiate between motor performance, learning or timing-related processes. Areas in the posterior vermis and cerebellar hemispheres may be related to concomitant fear conditioning. Significance: Results of the present event-related fMRI study suggest involvement of the human cerebellum in conditioning of the nociceptive leg withdrawal response.
The current study explored whether oxytocin can improve social cognition and social skills in individuals with schizophrenia using a six-week, double-blind design. Fourteen participants with schizophrenia were randomized to receive either intranasal oxytocin or a placebo solution and completed a battery of social cognitive, social skills and clinical psychiatric symptom measures. Results showed within group improvements in fear recognition, perspective taking, and a reduction in negative symptoms in the oxytocin group. These preliminary findings indicate oxytocin treatment may help improve certain components of functioning in schizophrenia. Implications for the treatment of social functioning in schizophrenia are discussed.
Cognition has been well characterized in the various stages of Huntington disease (HD) as well as in the prodrome before the motor diagnosis is given. Although the clinical diagnosis of HD relies on the manifestation of motor abnormalities, the associated impairments have been growing in prominence for several reasons. First, research to understand the most debilitating aspects of HD has suggested that cognitive and behavioral changes place the greatest burden on families, are most highly associated with functional decline, and can be predictive of institutionalization. Second, cognitive impairments are evident at least 15 years prior to the time at which motor diagnosis is given. Finally, cognitive decline is associated with biological markers such as brain atrophy, circulating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factors, and insulin-like growth factor 1. Efforts are now underway to develop valid and reliable measures of cognition in the prodrome as well as in all stages of HD so that clinical trials can be conducted using cognitive outcomes.
Olivine (LiCo1/3Mn1/3Ni1/3PO4) powders were synthesized at 550–600°C for 6h in air by a sol–gel method using multiple chelating agents and used as a cathode material for rechargeable batteries. Range of chelating agents like a weak organic acid (citric acid – CA), emulsifier (triethanolamine – TEA) and non-ionic surfactant (polyvinylpyrrolidone – PVP) in sol–gel wet chemical synthesis were used. The dependence of the physicochemical properties of the olivine powders such as particle size, morphology, structural bonding and crystallinity on the chelating agent was extensively investigated. Among the chelating agents used, unique cycling behavior (75mAh/g after 25 cycles) is observed for the PVP assisted olivine. This is due to volumetric change in trapped organic layer for first few cycles. The trapped organic species in the electrode–electrolyte interface enhances the rate of lithium ion diffusion with better capacity retention. In contrast, CA and TEA showed a gradual capacity fade of 30 and 38mAh/g respectively after multiple cycles. The combination of all the three mixed chelating agents showed an excellent electrochemical behavior of 100mAh/g after multiple cycles and the synergistic effect of these agents are discussed.
Commercial TiO2 usually exhibits poor electrochemical performance for Li-ion batteries. In this work, we fabricated the carbon-coated commercial TiO2 with soft carbon at 750°C using pitch as the carbon source. The carbon-coated products reveal markedly enhanced capacity, excellent cyclability at a current density of 500mAg−1. The enhanced performance associates with the improved electronic and ionic conductivities results from the pitch-derived carbon with high graphitization degree as well as interfacial Li-ion storage.
We propose a new model to estimate daily global radiation from daily temperature range measurements. This model combines that of Majumdar et al. (Sol Energy 13(4):383–394, 1972) to estimate clear sky radiation with a Gompertz function to estimate the relation between temperature range and cloud transmittance. Model parameters are estimated from historical weather data: maximum and minimum temperatures and, if available, relative humidity; no other calibration is required. The model was parametrized and validated using 788 weather stations in Mexico. When calibrated using historical humidity data, daily global radiation was estimated with a mean root mean square error of 3.06 MJ m−2 day−1. The model performed well in all situations, except for a few stations around the Gulf of Mexico and in mountain areas. When using estimated humidity, the root mean square error of prediction was only slightly degraded (3.07 MJ m−2 day−1). Possible theoretical basis and applicability of this model to other environments are discussed.
Pristine, equivalently and non-equivalently Al substituted LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 materials were prepared by a combination of co-precipitation and solid-state reaction. As shown by XRD and XPS, lattice volume shrinkage of LiNi0.5(Mn0.45Al0.05)O2 was attributed to the presence of Ni in both 2+ and 3+, while the lattice volume expansion of Li(Ni0.45Al0.05)Mn0.5O2 was caused by lowering the average oxidation state of Mn. Electrochemical performance of LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 materials can be greatly affected by the change of oxidation states of the transition metals by Al substitution. Non-equivalent substitution of Al for Ni leads to deteriorated discharge performance and cyclic stability due to the reduction of the electrochemical active Ni2+ and structure supported Mn4+, while an increase in the amount of Ni2+ in LiNi0.5(Mn0.45Al0.05)O2 brings obvious improvement of the electrochemical properties. EIS analyses of the electrode materials at pristine and charged states indicate that the poor electrochemical performance of Li(Ni0.45Al0.05)Mn0.5O2 material can be ascribed to the higher charge transfer resistance and surface film resistance, and the observed higher current rate capability of LiNi0.5(Mn0.45Al0.05)O2 can be understood due to the better charge transfer kinetics.
Electropolymerization of brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) in ethaline deep eutectic solvent (DES) has been carried out. Poly(brilliant cresyl blue) (PBCB) films were formed by electrodeposition on carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrodes by potential cycling in ethaline (choline chloride + ethylene glycol) with the addition of different ionic species i.e. NO3 −, SO4 2−, Cl−, ClO4 −. The novel nanocomposite films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The composition of the polymerization solution had a large influence on the morphology as well as on the electrochemical behaviour of the electrodeposited films. The effect of scan rate on BCB polymerization was also investigated and the PBCB film synthesized at 150 mV s−1 in ethaline + NO3 − presented a superior electrochemical performance. The PBCBEthaline-HNO3/MWCNT and PBCBaqueous/MWCNT nanocomposite films were used as electrode support for the enzymes glucose oxidase and tyrosinase for the biosensing of glucose and catechol, respectively and were more sensitive than the PBCB based electrodes prepared in aqueous solution.
A macroscope is proposed and tested here for the discovery of the unique argumentative footprint that characterizes how a collective (e.g., group, online community) manages differences and pursues disagreement through argument in a polylogue. The macroscope addresses broader analytic problems posed by various conceptualizations of large-scale argument, such as fields, spheres, communities, and institutions. The design incorporates a two-tier methodology for detecting argument patterns of the arguments performed in arguing by an interactive collective that produces views, or topographies, of the ways that issues are generated in the making and defending of standpoints. The design premises for the macroscope build on insights about argument patterns from pragma-dialectical theory by incorporating research and theory on disagreement management and the Argumentum Model of Topics. The design reconceptualizes prototypical and stereotypical argument patterns for characterizing large-scale argumentation. A prototype of the macroscope is tested on data drawn from six threads about oil-drilling and fracking from the subreddit Changemyview. The implementation suggests the efficacy of the macroscope’s design and potential for identifying what communities make controversial and how the disagreement space in a polylogue is managed through stereotypical argument patterns in terms of claims/premises, inferential relations, and presentational devices.
The increased use of Residual Hardware Devices (RHDs) in medicine combined with antimicrobial resistant-bacteria make it critical to reduce the number of RHD associated osteomyelitic infections. This paper proposes a surface treatment based on ionic emission to create an antibiotic environment that can significantly reduce RHD associated infections. The Kirby-Bauer agar gel diffusion technique was adopted to examine the antimicrobial efficacy of eight metals and their ionic forms against seven microbes commonly associated with osteomyelitis. Silver ions (Ag+) showed the most significant bactericidal efficacy. A second set of experiments, designed to identify the best configuration and operational parameters for Ag+ based RHDs addressed current and ionic concentrations by identifying and optimizing parameters including amperage, cathode and anode length, separation between anode and cathode, and surface charge density. The system demonstrated an unparalleled efficacy. The concept was then implemented during in vitro testing of an antimicrobial hip implant, RHD.
It has been a puzzle that transition metals can unexpectedly react with lithium-based matrixes of LiF and Li2O in the potential versus Li/Li+ range from 0.01 to 3.5V at room temperature. The electrochemical and theoretical investigations on the reactions of transition metals M (M=Co, Fe and Ni) with LiF and Li2O were carried out. The electrochemical reactivity of metal cobalt with LiF and Li2O has been examined by the discharge and charge, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. Density functional theoretical calculation results suggested that the stable compounds MLiF and MLi2O could be formed by the insertion of transition metal (M) in lithium-based matrixes with exothermic as an intermediate. The theoretical calculations provide an understanding in chemical reaction of M with LiF and Li2O. The small molecular or clusters reaction may play an important role in the electrochemical reaction of metal with transition Li2O or LiF, which could be used to explain for the unexpectedly reaction of transition metal with LiF and Li2O.
Electric vehicles (EVs) hold promise to improve the energy efficiency and environmental impacts of transportation. However, widespread EV use can impose significant stress on electricity-distribution systems due to their added charging loads. This paper proposes a centralized EV charging-control model, which schedules the charging of EVs that have flexibility. This flexibility stems from EVs that are parked at the charging station for a longer duration of time than is needed to fully recharge the battery. The model is formulated as a two-stage stochastic optimization problem. The model captures the use of distributed energy resources and uncertainties around EV arrival times and charging demands upon arrival, non-EV loads on the distribution system, energy prices, and availability of energy from the distributed energy resources. We use a Monte Carlo-based sample-average approximation technique and an L-shaped method to solve the resulting optimization problem efficiently. We also apply a sequential sampling technique to dynamically determine the optimal size of the randomly sampled scenario tree to give a solution with a desired quality at minimal computational cost. We demonstrate the use of our model on a Central-Ohio-based case study. We show the benefits of the model in reducing charging costs, negative impacts on the distribution system, and unserved EV-charging demand compared to simpler heuristics. We also conduct sensitivity analyses, to show how the model performs and the resulting costs and load profiles when the design of the station or EV-usage parameters are changed.
The introduction of an extract of Artemia into the sea water bathing tentacles from the hydroid Cladonema triggers a burst of electrical activity that can be recorded intracellularly from cnidocytes in the capitate tentacles. These bursts, which are composed of a variety of events, including action potentials and EPSPs, are Ca2+ dependent, and are abolished by pretreatment with NiCl2, suggesting that voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are involved in their generation or transmission. Intracellular injection of Lucifer Yellow and recordings from pairs of cnidocytes reveal that the cnidocytes are electrically coupled to one another, but that they are not uncoupled by heptanol. The role of these chemosensory pathways in priming the cnidocytes for discharge is discussed.
Manganese oxide is one of the most extensively studied electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) due to its high abundance and environmental friendliness. In this work, cerium ion intercalated birnessite-type manganese oxide (δ-MnO2) dispersed on carbon (CeMnO2/C) with high-efficient oxygen reduction reaction(ORR) electrocatalytic ability in alkaline media is prepared via facile aqueous reactions for the first time. The as-prepared catalyst shows morphology like quasi special nanospheres intertwined by plenty of nanorods just like knitting wool balls. Compared with MnO2/C, the onset and half-wave potential of 4.8% CeMnO2/C shift positively 27 and 57 mV, respectively, and are close to those of Pt/C. The oxygen reduction reaction occurring on 4.8% CeMnO2/C undergoes a 4-electron transfer pathway with the HO2 − yield lee than 2%, which is much lower than that produced on Pt/C. The CeMnO2/C catalyst also exhibits excellent long-term stability with current retention of 96.4% after aging for 40000 s. The aluminum-air battery applying 4.8% CeMnO2/C as cathode catalyst gives out the peak power density of 348.8 mW cm−2 in 4 M KOH aqueous solution. After more than 300-h discharging, the voltage degradation of 4.8% CeMnO2/C is only 2% per 100 h. In all, the excellent performance of the Ce-intercalated MnO2/C demonstrates its enormous potential as ORR catalyst in metal-air batteries.
The composite film of Nafion and the conducting polymer was prepared by dropping Nafion solution containing dispersed powder of the conducting polymer on a substrate, followed by drying. The conducting polymers used in this study were polypyrrole and polyaniline. Irradiation of the film immersed in acidic solution containing chloroplatinate and ascorbate with a 500W xenon lamp (λ > 360nm) induced Pt deposition on the composite film surface. Fluorescent X-ray analysis has revealed that amount of deposited Pt increased with irradiation time and that deposition rate on the Nafion-polyaniline composite was much higher than that on the Nafion-polypyrrole composite. Electrochemical measurements of the composite film-coated glassy carbon electrodes with and without deposited Pt have been conducted to examine their activities toward O2 reduction. Voltammetry measurements showed definite cathodic currents due to O2 reduction on deposited Pt particles. The Pt-deposited polyaniline composite possessed much higher catalytic activities than Pt-deposited polypyrrole composite because of difference in Pt amount. In order to elucidate some parameters that influence the catalytic activities, O2 reduction experiments were made by using the Nafion-polyaniline composite films prepared under different conditions including total amount of the composite film and amount ratio of polyaniline to Nafion.