batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Latino Americans are more likely than non-Hispanic whites to contract COVID-19 and to face disproportionately high mortality rates when they contract the virus. What has not been well understood is the impact COVID-19 is having on the economic well-being of Latino families. Using the Abriendo Puertas/Latino Decisions National Parent Survey (1195), we asked Latino respondents how the pandemic has impacted their employment, savings, and finances and we also asked them how they have been coping to make ends meet. Using descriptive analysis and ordinal least squares regression, we find that Latinos are experiencing high job loss and business closures. We also find that young parents (18–29-year olds) and those with income levels of $25,000 or lower are experiencing the most economic stress. We also find that Latinos are having difficulty making housing payments and postponing educational and health-related services to make ends meet. We also find that just over half of Latinos have emergency savings under $1000 which is important given that unemployment benefits expired on July 31, 2020. In conclusion, this research finds that Latinos are experiencing economic stressors and are engaging in coping strategies that are deeply concerning and which require explicit attention from policymakers. Given that Latinos took the longest to recover from the Great Recession, policymakers should keep this in mind as we continue to monitor the implications of the recession, ideally looking at mechanisms to reduce the stress for Latino families and encourage policies which target low-income working class Americans and small business owners.
The current work presents a feasibility study of stand-alone hybrid systems. Such renewable energy systems contain photovoltaic, wind and fuel cells. This system is used for supplying electrical energy to certain load demand in remote areas. Six different configurations were investigated and evaluated, namely, photovoltaic (PV)/battery storage (BS), PV/fuel cell (FC), wind turbine generator (WTG)/BS, PV/WTG, WTG/FC and PV/FC/BS. A detailed description and expected performance of the different configurations were established to be installed at Minya Governate (Egypt), which represents a remote agricultural area. Results are compared to find out the optimal configuration. Comparisons are based on minimum total net present cost and cost of energy. HOMER software has been used to simulate and optimize system performance. Optimization results showed that PV/FC hybrid renewable system attains the best choice among all studied configurations.
Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, especially those related to prefrontal cortex (PFC) functions, influence functional outcome. There is evidence for sex differences in cognition in schizophrenia, but the results in the literature are still controversial. Objective This study evaluated different modalities of working memory (WM) and executive control (EC), functions that are both associated with the PFC, between sexes in schizophrenic patients and controls. Methods We used a battery of neuropsychological tests for assessing auditory, spatial, and visual-matching WM and used a dual task for assessing EC. The study included 50 inpatients (25 female) partially remitted and taking atypical neuroleptics, as well as 40 controls (20 female) matched for age and education. Results Significant sex differences were found in the dual task; female patients detected fewer correct trials than male patients and controls did. Moreover, female patients performed significantly worse in the single visual subtest of the dual task. For the controls, no sex differences were found. Males showed higher positive symptoms than females, but no other differences in psychopathology, disease characteristics, or extrapyramidal symptoms were found between sexes. Conclusion The present study shows an absence of sex differences in WM in healthy subjects and in patients with schizophrenia. However, in the dual task and in the single visual subtest, female patients performed worse than males. This finding suggests that in contrast to males, nonacute female inpatients show an underlying attentional deficit that may contribute to impairment in higher-order functions such as EC.
Patients with schizophrenia often exhibit structural brain abnormalities, as well as neurological soft signs (NSS), consistent with its conceptualization as a neurodevelopmental disorder. NSS are mild, presumably nonlocalizing, neurological impairments that are inferred from performance deficits in domains such as sensory integration, motor coordination, and motor sequencing. The vulnerability for schizophrenia is presumed to be expressed across a broad continuum of impairment referred to as schizotypy. It is hypothesized that nondisordered people along the schizotypy continuum should exhibit elevated rates of NSS. The present study examined the relation of psychometrically identified positive and negative schizotypy with NSS using the Neurological Evaluation Scale in a nonclinically ascertained sample of young adults (n =177). As hypothesized, negative, but not positive, schizotypy was related to increased NSS in tasks that assessed fine and gross motor coordination, motor sequencing, eye movement abnormalities, and memory recall. However, positive schizotypy was associated with increased NSS in tasks related to sensory integration dysfunction. In general, the positive×negative schizotypy interaction term was unrelated to individual NSS tasks. The findings support: a) the theory that the vulnerability for schizophrenia is expressed across a broad continuum of subclinical and clinical impairment referred to as schizotypy; b) the multidimensional structure of schizotypy; and c) the notion that schizotypy is an appropriate construct for understanding the etiology and development of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.
To expedite the commercialization of Li metal anodes by combining them with Li transition metal oxides to achieve a high operating voltage, a carbonate-based electrolyte should be used, which is unstable at low potentials. Therefore, hybrid engineering to prevent dendritic Li growth and increase the coulombic efficiency in highly reactive electrolytes is essential. Here, three-dimensional monolithic corrugated graphene on nickel foam electrode as a Li metal storage framework in carbonate electrolytes is reported. The electrode is fabricated using a simple acid-catalyzed hydrothermal method. This involves separation of few-layer graphene sheets and formation of corrugated graphene sheets on porous Ni foam. During the initial Li deposition, Li ions are inserted into the vertical edge plane boundaries between graphene sheets. Li metal deposits then nucleate and grow further underneath the graphene sheets. The corrugated graphene sheets unfold and function as an artificial solid electrolyte interphase layer that separates the Li deposits from the reactive electrolyte. Consequently, the dendritic Li growth is effectively prevented, and the coulombic efficiency is significantly improved. Electrochemical tests demonstrate the effectiveness of this material design concept, which provides a new route to the development of a Li metal electrode for use in highly reactive electrolytes.
We report the electrochemical properties of layered lithium-rich Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 cathode materials with various degrees of stacking faults, which are prepared via a facile molten-salt method using a variety of fluxes including KCl, Li2CO3, and LiNO3. The frequency of the stacking faults is highly dependent on the temperature and molten salt type used during the synthesis. A well-crystallized Li1.18Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 nanomaterial with a larger amount of stacking faults synthesized at 800 °C for 10 h in an inactive KCl flux delivers a high reversible capacity of ∼310 mA h g−1 at room temperature, while the samples prepared in the chemically active fluxes with a smaller amount of stacking faults show poor electrochemical performance.
Shunt currents are an important factor which must be considered when designing a stack for flow batteries. They lead to a reduction of the coulombic efficiency and can cause furthermore a critical warming of the electrolyte. Shunt currents inevitably appear at bypass connections of the hydraulic system between the single cells of a stack. In this work the shunt currents of a five-celled mini stack of a vanadium flow battery with external hydraulic system and their effects are investigated directly. The external hydraulic system allows the implementation of current sensors for direct measurement of the shunt currents; moreover, the single bypass channels can be interrupted by clamping the tube couplings and with it the shunt currents between the cells when the pumps are off. Thus the shares of losses by cross contamination and by shunt currents are quantified separately by charge conservation measurements. The experimentally gained data are compared to a shunt current model based on a equivalent circuit diagram and the linear equation system derived from it. Experiments and model data are in good agreement. The effects of shunt currents for different flow frame geometries and number of cells in a stack are simulated and presented in this work.
A poly(3-methylthiophene) (PMT)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) composite is synthesized by in situ chemical polymerization. The PMT/CNT composite is used as an active cathode material in lithium metal polymer cells assembled with ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes. The IL electrolyte consists of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIBF4) and LiBF4. A small amount of vinylene carbonate is added to the IL electrolyte to prevent the reductive decomposition of the imidazolium cation in EMIBF4. A porous poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VdF-co-HFP)) film is used as a polymer membrane for assembling the cells. Electrochemical properties of the PMT/CNT composite electrode in the IL electrolyte are evaluated and the effect of vinylene carbonate on the cycling performance of the lithium metal polymer cells is investigated. The cells assembled with a non-flammable IL electrolyte and a PMT/CNT composite cathode are promising candidates for high-voltage–power sources with enhanced safety.
Tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphite (TMSPi) is reported as an effective electrolyte additive for high voltage layered lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide cathode of lithium ion battery. Charge/discharge tests demonstrate that the cyclic stability and rate capability of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 can be improved significantly by adding 0.5wt% TMSPi into a standard electrolyte, 1.0M LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate (1/2, in volume). The capacity retention of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 is improved from 75.2% to 91.2% after 100 cycles at 0.5C rate (1C=160mAg−1), while its discharge capacity at 5C is enhanced from 122.4 mAh g−1 to 134.4 mAh g−1. This improvement can be ascribed to the suppression of electrolyte decomposition and transition metal ion dissolution by TMSPi, due to the preferential oxidation of TMSPi to electrolyte and the formation of a protective solid electrolyte interphase on LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2, which are confirmed by electrochemical measurements and surface characterizations.
The recruitment challenges for MCI and AD subjects into clinical trials are well known, and this is particularly true for early phase studies. Currently, only 10-20% of all patients who are referred for research from the community are trial eligible (Grill and Karlawish, 2011). Due to the limited and specific study objectives in early phase study designs, these rates drop to approximately one patient every two months. Barriers to research recruitment are multi-factorial, involving patient centered factors, issues related to caregiver/study partner participation, and aspects related to the involvement of their treating physicians. To address this challenge, we implemented a Memory Clinic within PAREXEL’s Early Phase Clinical Pharmacology Unit. Our objective was to significantly facilitate recruitment into AD clinical trials by providing resources and education to patients, their treating physicians, and caregivers in the community.
Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide despite recent treatment breakthroughs. A primary event in stroke pathogenesis is the development of a potent and deleterious local and peripheral inflammatory response regulated by the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1). While the role of IL-1β (main released isoform) has been well studied in stroke, the role of the IL-1α isoform remains largely unknown. With increasing utilization of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) or thrombectomy to pharmacologically or mechanically remove ischemic stroke causing blood clots, respectively, there is interest in pairing successful cerebrovascular recanalization with neurotherapeutic pharmacological interventions (Fraser et al., J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 37:3531–3543, 2017; Hill et al., Lancet Neurol 11:942–950, 2012; Amaro et al., Stroke 47:2874–2876, 2016).
The authors regret that the printed version of the above article contained an error in author's name of Hyunhyub Ko. The correct and final version follows. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
In order to meet the growing need for energy, much effort has been devoted to develop the powerful electrodes for electrical energy storage devices. Herein, we offer a facile and effective strategy to synthesize a versatile binder-free electrode for both supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries, which are regarded as two major electrical energy storage devices. Using a one-step hydrothermal strategy followed by calcination treatment, the porous ZnCo2O4 nanoribbon arrays are successfully synthesized on nickel foam. With the favorable composition and three dimensional porous nanostructure, this advanced electrode demonstrates excellent cycling stability and rate capability. Moreover, a high specific capacitance of 1957.7 F g−1 (3 mA cm−2) is obtained for supercapacitors and a large reversible capacity of 1422 mA h g−1 is retained after 80 cycles at 200 mA g−1 for lithium-ion batteries. Our results suggest that the versatile ZnCo2O4 nanoribbon arrays/nickel foam electrode possesses great electrochemical performance and shows promising potential for large-scale application.
In this article, we report on the comparative study of the optical properties of different graphitic structures such as stacked graphite (GR), graphene oxide (GO) and few-layers of graphene (FLG). Plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition technique employing acetylene (C2H2) as precursor gas used to deposit the different graphitic nanosheets on copper substrates. The influence of mixture gas ratio (C2H2/H2) on the structure of nanosheet was examined. Investigation of detailed structure of nanosheets was performed by different characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, attenuated total reflectance-Föurier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Optical properties of stacked graphite, graphene oxide and few layers of graphene sheets were studied. The present results reveal that how the optical properties change due to the variations in structure parameters of sheets. The refractive index results indicate the anomalous dispersion due to strong absorption featured for graphitic structures. The real dielectric constant of GR and FLG sheets reveals independent frequency behavior and approach to zero but GO sheet shows a broadband peak from 1.75 to 4.75 eV which attributed to oxygen functional group behavior.
Porous poly(arylene ether ketone) (PAEK) membranes are prepared by selective removal of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) molecules from self-assembled PAEK-PLA block copolymers. The pore size and porosity of the membranes are precisely controlled by adjusting PLA concentration. The synthesis of the PAEK-PLA copolymer is confirmed by FTIR and NMR spectroscopies and the morphology of the membrane is examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Several important properties such as liquid electrolyte uptake, contact angle, thermal and mechanical stability, and lithium ion conductivity are measured and compared with those of commercial poly(propylene) (PP) membranes to investigate their application feasibility as a separator. The porous PAEK membrane shows improved thermal and dimensional stability compared to the PP membrane. The EC/DEC/EMC (1:1:1, v/v/v) soaked PAEK membrane with a pore diameter of 50 nm shows the highest lithium ion conductivity, higher than that of PP membrane. More importantly, the porous PAEK membranes show superior liquid electrolyte holding capacity to the PP membrane.
Past research has shown that Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) compares favorably with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the treatment of chronic pain among different populations. However, practice-based evidence comparing ACT and CBT to treat chronic, non-cancer pain solely among a Veteran population is lacking. The current pilot study used a quasi-experimental, single-site, pre-/post-test design. A sample of 96 Veterans participated in the study at a Midwestern Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center between November 3, 2009–November 4, 2010. Veterans self-selected to participate in either a manualized ACT or CBT for chronic pain group. All participants completed a standard pre- and post-intervention assessment battery. A 2×2 RM MANOVA did not find a significant interaction effect nor a significant main effect for type of intervention. The ACT intervention was not significantly different from the CBT intervention on the standard outcome measures. Findings did suggest that both groups decreased illness-focused coping strategies, catastrophizing behaviors, and global distress levels over time. Further research is needed to help identify a tailoring variable that can provide guidance in developing adaptive and/or sequential treatment strategies.
This paper examines the effects of the playworld educational practice on the development of narrative competence in 5- to 7-year-old children. The playworld educational practice is derived from play pedagogy and the theory of narrative learning, both developed and implemented in Scandinavia. The playworld practice consists of joint adult–child pretense based in a work of children's literature, discussion, free play, and visual art production. When compared to children under a control intervention (conventional school practices without pretend play), children who participated in the playworld practice show significant improvements in narrative length, coherence, and comprehension, although not in linguistic complexity. These findings provide further evidence concerning the role of pretense in the narrative development of young children.
Extensive cycling of the soluble lead flow battery has revealed unexpected problems with the reduction of lead dioxide at the positive electrode during discharge. This has led to a more detailed study of the PbO2/Pb2+ couple in methanesulfonic acid. The variation of the phase composition (XRD) and deposit structure (SEM) have been defined as a function of current density, Pb2+ and H+ concentrations, deposition charge and temperature as well as the consequences of charge cycling. Pure α-PbO2, pure β-PbO2 and their mixtures can be deposited from methanesulfonic acid media. The α-phase deposits as a more compact, smoother layer, which is well suited to charge cycling. While the anodic deposition of thick layers of PbO2 is straightforward, their reduction is not; the complexities are explained by an increase in pH within the pores of the deposit. The results suggest that operating the battery at lead(II) concentrations <0.3M and elevated temperatures should be avoided.
Neuroinflammation and central sensitization from cancer and its therapy may result in chronic systemic symptoms (CSS) such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, chronic widespread pain, mood disorders, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and temperature dysregulation. We undertook a cross-sectional study of CSS in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors to determine their frequency, severity, and impact.
A hybrid of silica decorated on porous activated carbon nanofibers (ACNFs) is fabricated in the form of a web via electrospinning and an activation process as an electrode material for electrochemical capacitors in an organic electrolyte. The introduction of PhSiH3 (PS) into the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solution induces a porous ACNF structure containing silica nanoparticles (NPs) via the spontaneous sol-gel process of PS by steam in the subsequent physical activation process. These inorganic-organic hybrid composites of porous ACNF containing silica NPs show superior specific capacitance and energy density in electrochemical tests, along with good rate capability and excellent cycle life in an organic electrolyte, which is attributed to the combination of ACNF's high surface area and silica's hydrophilicity. The electrochemical performance decreases with increasing PS concentration, and this trend is consistent with the specific surface area results, which reveal the rapid formation of a double layer.
A generalized framework is presented for the electromechanical modeling of base-excited piezoelectric energy harvesters with symmetric and unsymmetric laminates. The electromechanical derivations are given using the assumed-modes method under the Euler–Bernoulli, Rayleigh, and Timoshenko beam assumptions in three sections. The formulations account for an independent axial displacement variable and its electromechanical coupling in all cases. Comparisons are provided against the analytical solution for symmetric laminates and convergence of the assumed-modes solution to the analytical solution with increasing number of modes is shown. Model validations are also presented by comparing the electromechanical frequency response functions derived herein with the experimentally obtained ones in the absence and presence of a tip mass attachment. A discussion is provided for combination of the assumed-modes solution with nonlinear energy harvesting and storage circuitry. The electromechanical assumed-modes formulations can be used for modeling of piezoelectric energy harvesters with moderate thickness as well as those with unsymmetric laminates and varying geometry in the axial direction.
We derive thermodynamically an expression for the theoretical open circuit voltage of a rectenna device that converts high frequency ac radiation into dc power output. In addition, we obtain the conversion efficiency of an electron emission rectenna, which consists of a nano-antenna collector and a geometrically asymmetric rectifying MVM tunnel junction. This quantity plays an analogous role to the fill factor for conventional n–p semiconducting PV devices in limiting the overall efficiency. Thus, in effect, we develop a theory analogous to the Shockley–Queisser theory or limit (SHQL) for rectennas. The predicted limitations on the efficiency of the electron emission device, as in the case of the SHQL for n–p junction devices, are useful for guiding the development of practical devices based on rectennas[1]. These are useful benchmarks for evaluating different electron emission-based schemes for energy conversion.