batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of novel bifunctional catalysts based on earth-abundant elements with high catalytic activities for both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) becomes a main strategy to promote the development of metal-air batteries and fuel cells. Herein, a novel Co2+-based mixed transition metal oxide composite, the three-dimensional (3D) nanosheet-structured NiCoO2/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite, was successfully synthesized through a facile one-pot method. The better electrocatalytic activities of NiCoO2/CNTs for both ORR and OER than those of pure NiCoO2, CNTs, physically mixed NiCoO2 and CNTs, and Co3O4/CNTs are proved. The comparison of local ORR and OER electrocatalytic activities of NiCoO2/CNTs to other catalysts are obtained by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) characterizations. The closed oxygen reduction peak and half-wave potentials, nearly four-electron dominated process, better methanol tolerance and electrochemical stability confirm the comparable electrocatalytic performance and better stability of NiCoO2/CNTs to the commercial Pt/C catalyst for ORR. The similar stability of NiCoO2/CNTs demonstrates its comparable electrocatalytic performance to the state-of-the-art RuO2 catalyst for OER. The as-prepared NiCoO2/CNTs composite presents as a promising bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst in alkaline solution for potential applications.
There is growing evidence that early nutrition affects later cognitive performance. The idea that the diet of mothers, infants, and children could affect later mental performance has major implications for public health practice and policy development and for our understanding of human biology as well as for food product development, economic progress, and future wealth creation. To date, however, much of the evidence is from animal, retrospective studies and short-term nutritional intervention studies in humans. The positive effect of micronutrients on health, especially of pregnant women eating well to maximise their child’s cognitive and behavioural outcomes, is commonly acknowledged. The current evidence of an association between gestational nutrition and brain development in healthy children is more credible for folate, n-3 fatty acids, and iron. Recent findings highlight the fact that single-nutrient supplementation is less adequate than supplementation with more complex formulae. However, the optimal content of micronutrient supplementation and whether there is a long-term impact on child’s neurodevelopment needs to be investigated further. Moreover, it is also evident that future studies should take into account genetic heterogeneity when evaluating nutritional effects and also nutritional recommendations. The objective of the present review is to provide a background and update on the current knowledge linking nutrition to cognition and behaviour in children, and to show how the large collaborative European Project NUTRIMENTHE is working towards this aim.
Tons of sludge is produced daily in sewage treatment plants of large cities, causing an enormous disposal problem. Because recycling has been proposed to mitigate the situation, the potential adverse health effects of the sludge should be verified before that policy is undertaken. The present study is a part of an assessment of oral toxicity in rats fed with sewer-treated sludge and aimed to contribute to its genotoxicity characterization. After a 2-week acclimatization period, male and female Wistar rats were fed ad libitum for 90 days a pelleted commercial diet containing 0, 5000, 10,000 and 50,000ppm of a treated sludge sample. The potential mutagenic or genotoxic effect was detected in recent animal cells by the bone marrow micronucleus test and the comet assay, respectively. For the comet assay peripheral blood samples were obtained immediately before the sacrifice from the periorbital plexus. Following sacrifices, polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) were analyzed in femoral bone marrow smears and the frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) were registered. Results of both assays indicated that exposure to any of the sludge concentrations tested did not increase the frequency of MNPCEs or the levels of DNA damage when compared to non-exposed concurrent control rats.
Layered Li-rich oxides (LLROs) have been considered as promising cathodes for next-generation Li-ion batteries due to their low cost and high reversible capacity. However, drawbacks such as voltage decay and poor cycle & rate performance hinder their commercialization. These problems are mainly related to the interface reaction and herein we fabricate nanostructured ionic and electronic bicontinuous pathways for Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2 simultaneously by modifying the cyclized-polyacrylonitrile (c-PAN) on the surface. This unique design constructs spinel structure on the surface of layered materials as the 3D pathway for Li-ions and conductive framework for electrons to transfer from the current collector through the acetylene black to the surface of every single particle as well, therefore providing both ionic and electronic pathways. Electrochemical tests shows that the cycle & rate performances of the material are significantly improved. After 80 cycles at 0.1C (1C = 250 mA g−1), the capacity retention reaches 97.7%. The results identify that the conductive modification is conducive to maintain the capacity from the spinel phase and control the amorphization of the material, thereby helping to get remarkable cycle performance. We also propose the mechanism of spinel phase formation. This bicontinuous pathways design opens up significant opportunities for the novel design of lithium-rich oxides.
Hybrid microgrids are expected to play an important role in the expansion of access to electricity in developing countries. While most of these systems are operated with dispatch strategies which do not make use of predictions about the load or about the availability of renewable energy resources, forecast-based strategies have recently gained attention as an alternative to bring down operation costs. In this work, we develop a framework to assess this potential under a range of assumptions about the quality of load and photovoltaic generation forecasts. The application of the methodology to a village of 600 households reveals cost savings ranging between 2% and 7% depending on the forecast quality and the composition of the microgrid. We also show that sizing microgrid components under the assumption of a predictive operation strategy results in a design with a higher share of intermittent generation.
Electrodes based on Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) with sodium alginate (SA) binder featuring high percentage of active material and operating in glyme-based electrolyte are here proposed for the first time. Three electrode formulations operating in ethylene carbonate: dimethyl carbonate–1M LiPF6 (LP30) and 1 m lithium bis(trifluoromethane) sulfonimide - tetraglyme were tested in half-cell vs. Li and compared to conventional 80% LTO and 10% polyvinylidene fluoride binder. Electrodes with 87% LTO and 3% SA binder show the best performance, with good rate capability and excellent cycling stability over 600 cycles at 1C in both electrolytes. The use of SA is beneficial as it allows made-in-water electrode manufacturing in absence of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, a toxic and expensive solvent required by fluorinated binders. SA also permits to decrease its amount to 3% increasing the active material percentage, and to develop a final device with higher specific energy.
In the present study, a microwave-assisted, solution-based route has been employed to obtain porous CoO nanostructures. Detailed characterization reveals that the flower-like nanostructures comprise petal-like sheets, each of which is made of an ordered, porous arrangement of crystallites of CoO measuring about 6nm. TEM analysis shows that each “petal” is an oriented aggregate of CoO nanocrystals, such aggregation promoted by the hydroxyl moieties derived from the solution. The structure provides a large specific area as well as the porosity desirable in electrodes in Li-ion batteries. Electrochemical measurements carried out on electrodes made of nanostructured CoO show excellent Li ion-storing capability. A specific capacitance of 779 mAh g−1 has been measured at a specific current of 100mAg−1. Measurements show also excellent cyclability and coulombic efficiency. Impedance spectroscopy provides evidence for charge transfer occurring in the porous networks.
Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) carbons having walls composed of mesosized spherical pores were prepared by a colloidal crystal templating method. A composite electrode consisting of bimodal porous carbon and polyaniline (PAn) was prepared by electropolymerization of aniline within the macropores of the bimodal porous carbon. It was found that the deposition of PAn decreased the porosity and specific surface area (SSA) of the electrode. The electrochemical properties of the composite electrode were characterized in a mixed solution of ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC) containing 1moldm−3 LiPF6. The discharge capacity of the carbon–PAn composite electrode was 111mAhgcarbon–PAn −1 in the potential range of 2.0–4.0V vs. Li/Li+, which corresponded to a volumetric discharge capacity of 53mAhcm−3. Both the double-layer capacity (30mAhg−1) and the redox capacity of PAn (81mAhg−1) contributed to the discharge capacity of the composite electrode. The carbon–PAn composite showed good rate capability, and the discharge capacity at a high current density of 6.0Ag−1 was as high as 81mAhg−1.
This paper seeks to close an empirical gap regarding the motivations, personal attributes and behavioral patterns among free/libre and open-source (FLOSS) developers, especially those involved in community-based production, and considers the bearing of its findings on the existing literature and the future directions for research. Respondents to an extensive web-survey’s (FLOSS-US 2003) questions about their reasons for beginning to work FLOSS are classified according to their distinct “motivational profiles” by hierarchical cluster analysis. Over half of them also are matched to projects of known membership sizes, revealing that although some members from each of the clusters are present in the small, medium and large ranges of the distribution of project sizes, the mixing fractions for the large and the very small project ranges are statistically different. Among developers who changed projects, there is a discernable flow from the bottom toward the very small towards to large projects, some of which is motivated by individuals seeking to improve their programming skills. It is found that the profile of early motivation, along with other individual attributes, significantly affects individual developers’ selections of projects from different regions of the size range.
The Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI) has developed a small AUV named ISiMI. The mission of ISiMI is to work as a test-bed AUV for the development and validation of various algorithms and instruments required to enhance the AUV's functions. The design concept of ISiMI is that of a vehicle small enough to cruise the Ocean Engineering Basin (OEB) of KORDI and to be handled by one or two people. The downsized design and the cruising ability in its tank enable fast experimental feedback on AUV technologies and a shorter development period for new technologies. This paper presents a review of our research work on the development of ISiMI, with a performance evaluation by simulation and an experimental test. After the design and implementation of ISiMI, including its positioning system in the OEB, are presented, a series of test results in the OEB and discussions of the results are presented, with comparisons of the simulation and experimental outputs.
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness with a strong genetic predisposition. Accumulating evidence from human genetics and animal studies suggest v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1 (Akt1) might contribute to susceptibility for schizophrenia. In contrast to inconclusive findings in human genetic studies, a mutant mouse model is a simplified and alternative approach to determining the biological functions of AKT1 and its possible role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In study 1, a comprehensive battery of behavioral tests was performed on both male and female mice. The results of behavioral phenotyping did not reveal significant differences between genotypes or sexes, except increased time of immobility in the tail suspension test and acoustic prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits in Akt1-knockout females. On the basis of the observed PPI deficit, in study 2a, neuromorphological alterations were examined with morphometric analysis of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled pyramidal neurons in the auditory cortex of female mice. The results indicated abnormalities in the architecture and complexity of the neurons of mutant females compared with those of the controls. In study 2b, potentially effective pharmacological treatments were explored to mitigate the observed PPI deficits in females. Antipsychotics (either raclopride (3 mg/kg) or clozapine (3 mg/kg)) did not alleviate observed PPI deficits in Akt1-knockout females but it was partially normalized by 8-hydroxy-N,N-dipropyl-2-aminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 5 mg/kg) and SB216763 (2.5 mg/kg). These findings imply the importance of AKT1 in some behavioral phenotypes and dendritic morphology in the auditory cortex of female mice, and they also suggest that subjects with Akt1 deficiency are insensitive to antipsychotic drugs, whereas glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) inhibitors could have therapeutic potential for the treatment of acoustic PPI deficits.
Data from experiments with both rotating disc electrodes (RDEs) and gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) are used to investigate the properties of the spinels, Co3O4 and NiCo2O4, as bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts. Emphasis is placed on catalyst compositions and electrode structures free of carbon. Oxygen evolution and reduction occur at surfaces where the transition metals are in different oxidation states but the surface can be repeatedly cycled between these two states without significant change. It is shown that carbon-free, NiCo2O4 catalysed GDEs can be fabricated using structures based on stainless steel cloth or nickel foam. Those based on nickel foam can be cycled extensively and allow both O2 evolution and reduction at current densities up to 100mA cm−2.
The iron oxide embedded reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites were synthesized by a facile and cost-effective graphenothermal synthesis route. Initially, Fe2O3 was synthesized by thermal heating and used as a Fe source (in addition to GO) to prepare the Fe3O4/rGO composite. During reduction process, GO was reduced to rGO with three dimensional architecture and the micron/sub-micron Fe2O3 particles to nano-sized Fe3O4 particles. As a LIB anode, the Fe3O4/rGO composites displayed an initial discharge capacity of 1405mAhg−1 at 0.1Ag−1 and maintained a capacity of 812mAhg−1 at 0.5Ag−1 for 250 consecutive cycles. Furthermore, FeO/rGO electrodes exhibited better cycling stability for several cycles even at 0.5Ag−1. So the composite materials developed here hold high potential for energy storage applications.
Accurate three-dimensional representations of cultural heritage sites are highly valuable for scientific study, conservation, and educational purposes. In addition to their use for archival purposes, 3D models enable efficient and precise measurement of relevant natural and architectural features. Many cultural heritage sites are large and complex, consisting of multiple structures spatially distributed over tens of thousands of square metres. The process of effectively digitising such geometrically complex locations requires measurements to be acquired from a variety of viewpoints. While several technologies exist for capturing the 3D structure of objects and environments, none are ideally suited to complex, large-scale sites, mainly due to their limited coverage or acquisition efficiency. We explore the use of a recently developed handheld mobile mapping system called Zebedee in cultural heritage applications. The Zebedee system is capable of efficiently mapping an environment in three dimensions by continually acquiring data as an operator holding the device traverses through the site. The system was deployed at the former Peel Island Lazaret, a culturally significant site in Queensland, Australia, consisting of dozens of buildings of various sizes spread across an area of approximately 400×250m. With the Zebedee system, the site was scanned in half a day, and a detailed 3D point cloud model (with over 520 million points) was generated from the 3.6hours of acquired data in 2.6hours. We present results demonstrating that Zebedee was able to accurately capture both site context and building detail comparable in accuracy to manual measurement techniques, and at a greatly increased level of efficiency and scope. The scan allowed us to record derelict buildings that previously could not be measured because of the scale and complexity of the site. The resulting 3D model captures both interior and exterior features of buildings, including structure, materials, and the contents of rooms.
We report the fabrication of sandwich-structured MnO2/graphene (MG) nanoflowers by an in situ chemical redox reaction between mesoporous carbon and KMnO4, which was characterized by various techniques. The results demonstrate that the mesoporous carbon was corroded into interconnected graphene framework with ultrathin MnO2 nanofilms deposited simultaneously on both sides of the as-generated graphene sheets. The as-synthesized MG exhibits excellent supercapacitive behaviours in a wide potential window from −0.2 to 1.2V vs. saturated calomel electrode with a 0.5M aqueous Li2SO4 solution as the electrolyte. Specially, the MG electrode delivers a reversible gravimetric capacitance of ∼240Fg−1 at 1Ag−1 for 1000 cycles with retention rate up to 96%. The significant synergistic efforts and structure hybridization contribute to such improved electrochemical properties, indicating that the MG hybrid holds great promise in the application of high-performance supercapacitors.
Background The pathology of schizophrenia is thought to involve multiple gray and white matter regions. A number of studies have revealed impaired social cognition in schizophrenia. Some evidence suggests an association of this social cognition deficit with gray matter reductions in ‘social brain’ areas. However, no study has yet revealed the association between social cognition abilities and white matter abnormalities in schizophrenia patients. Methods Twenty-six schizophrenia patients and 27 healthy controls underwent the Perception of Affect Task (PAT), which consisted of four subtasks measuring different aspects of emotion attribution. Voxelwise group comparison of white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) was performed using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). The relation between impaired social cognition ability and FA reduction was examined in patients for each subtask, using simple regression analysis within brain areas that showed a significant FA reduction in patients compared with controls. The same correlational analysis was also performed for healthy controls in the whole brain. Results Schizophrenia patients showed reduced emotion attribution ability compared with controls in all four subtasks. The facial emotion perception subtask showed a significant correlation with FA reductions in the left occipital white matter region and left posterior callosal region. The correlational analyses in healthy controls revealed no significant correlation of FA with any of the PAT subtasks. Conclusions Our voxelwise correlational analysis of white matter provided a potential neural basis for the social cognition impairments in schizophrenia, in support of the disconnection hypothesis.
An improved sol–gel method by changing pH value is developed to synthesize high performance Li3V2(PO4)3/C cathode material. Li3V2(PO4)3/C powders are prepared by a conventional sol–gel process without special controlling pH value and the improved sol–gel process, respectively. They are characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), galvanostatic charge/discharge test, cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potential step chronoamperometry (PSCA). Not only the cycle performance for the samples prepared by the improved sol–gel method shows obvious enhancement compared with that for the sample prepared via a conventional sol–gel process, but also initial specific capacities have been improved markedly. In the voltage range of 3.0–4.8V, the sample prepared at pH value of 4 exhibits an optimum capability at low-rate. The sample prepared at pH value of 9 possesses a good performance at high-rate. The enhanced electrochemical performance can be attributed to the microstructure of the powders, which can make the lithium ion diffusion and electron transfer easier across the Li3V2(PO4)3/C interfaces, thus resulting in enhanced electrode reaction kinetics and improved electrochemical performance.
Hierarchical mesoporous CuxCo3-xO4 nanosheets have been directly grown on Ti foil by a facile hydrothermal method and a subsequent annealing treatment. The rich porosity of the sample heated at 600°C (CCO-600) shows excellent electrochemical performance when as anode for Li-ion batteries. It exhibits very high initial discharge capacity of 1300mAhg−1 at 300mAg−1 (1C=1100mAg−1) and achieves reversible charge capacity as high as 335mAhg−1 at the current density of 50C. More importantly, when altering the current density back to 0.1C, the charge capacity could be recovered to 1045mAhg−1.Such high rate capability indicates that this hierarchical mesoporous CuxCo3-xO4 nanosheets material has great potential in lithium ion batteries.
The previous works on the use of PEM Fuel Cell based power supply system for the operation of off-grid RBS (Radio Base Stations) sites showed a strong influence of system design parameters on the energy conversion performance. In this paper a perturbation of system design is studied with validated models to understand the variability of performance over a full year operation. Moreover, a multi-objective optimal sizing methodology is proposed in terms of the minimization of a functional parameter taking into account costs, RES (Renewable Energy Sources) exploitation and pollutant emission factors. The influence of different weather conditions on the HRES (Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems) performance is analyzed investigating the system behavior for three different locations in Europe. The analysis of three real case studies showed that 20% ratio of the energy produced by fossil fuels over the energy produced by renewables sources can be obtained slightly increasing the PV (PhotoVoltaic) plant size with minor effects on the RES exploitation. Moreover, a lower LCOE (Levelized Cost Of Energy) can be achieved increasing the PV size and reducing battery size with an unavoidable reduction of the RES exploitation. Results for different sites highlighted the obtainment of different optimal sizings for each site. However, similar performance parameters can be obtained in the different case studies for Tilos, Rome and Brighton with an average LCOE of 0.5 €/kWh and a variability in the order of 0.1 €/kWh.