batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Avoiding disease, maintaining physical and cognitive function, and continued social engagement in long-lived individuals describe successful aging (SA). Mitochondrial lineages described by patterns of common genetic variants (“haplogroups”) have been associated with increased longevity in different populations. We investigated the influence of mitochondrial haplogroups on SA in an Amish community sample. Cognitively intact volunteers aged ≥80 years (n = 261) were enrolled in a door-to-door survey of Amish communities in Indiana and Ohio. Individuals scoring in the top third for lower extremity function, needing little assistance with self-care tasks, having no depression symptoms, and expressing high life satisfaction were considered SA (n = 74). The remainder (n = 187) were retained as controls. These individuals descend from 51 matrilines in a single 13-generation pedigree. Mitochondrial haplogroups were assigned using the ten mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphisms (mtSNPs) defining the nine most common European haplogroups. An additional 17 mtSNPs from a genome-wide association panel were also investigated. Associations between haplogroups, mtSNPs, and SA were determined by logistic regression models accounting for sex, age, body mass index, and matriline via generalized estimating equations. SA cases were more likely to carry Haplogroup X (OR = 7.56, p = 0.0015), and less likely to carry Haplogroup J (OR = 0.40, p = 0.0003). Our results represent a novel association of Haplogroup X with SA and suggest that variants in the mitochondrial genome may promote maintenance of both physical and cognitive function in older adults.
Using conjoint analysis, we estimated the willingness to pay (WTP) of households for source separation of plastic waste and the improvement of related environmental impacts, the residents’ loss of life expectancy (LLE), the landfill capacity, and the CO2 emissions. Unreliable respondents were identified and removed from the sample based on their answers to follow-up questions. It was found that the utility associated with reducing LLE and with the landfill capacity were both well expressed by logarithmic functions, but that residents were indifferent to the level of CO2 emissions even though they approved of CO2 reduction. In addition, residents derived utility from the act of separating plastic waste, irrespective of its environmental impacts; that is, they were willing to practice the separation of plastic waste at home in anticipation of its “invisible effects”, such as the improvement of citizens’ attitudes toward solid waste issues.
Herein, the influence of the carbon precursor used for the realization of carbonaceous percolating network incorporating ZnFe2O4 is investigated. Three different precursors, namely sucrose (Suc), citric acid (CA), and oleic acid (OLEA) were used for the realization of such carbonaceous matrix. The composite materials were characterized by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), gas adsorption using the BET isotherm, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrodes based on the resulting composite materials were investigated, performing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic cycling. The results showed that the homogeneity of the carbon coating rather than the absolute amount of carbon enhanced the electrochemical performance of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles. The most advantageous coating properties were obtained with sucrose as carbon precursor, obtaining a highly stable specific capacity higher than 1000 mAh g−1 for more than 60 cycles.
Objectives: To discuss the development, use, and validity of the actual reality tasks and scoring system in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Design: Measurement development; cross-sectional correlational study of neuropsychologic and functional actual reality task performance. Setting: Neuropsychology research laboratory. Of note, the actual reality task can be performed anywhere as an Internet-based task. Participants: Persons in the community with relapsing-remitting MS and age- and education-matched healthy controls between 20 and 60 years. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Actual reality scores and the MAC-FIMS (a neuropsychologic assessment battery sensitive for use in persons with MS). Interrater reliability for actual reality scoring is also reported. Results: Persons in the MS group committed significantly more errors on the actual reality task than healthy controls. Interrater reliability for the actual reality scoring system is very high (>.90) for scoring errors and classifying cognitive capacity scores, respectively. There were significant correlations between the actual reality task and measures of processing speed, working memory, and verbal learning and memory. Conclusions: Actual reality and its scoring system have support as a valid and sensitive functional assessment approach in persons with MS.
The bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test) is a biological assay used to assess the mutagenic potential of chemical compounds. In this paper approaches for the development of an in silico mutagenicity screening tool are described. Three individual in silico models, which cover both structure activity relationship methods (SARs) and quantitative structure activity relationship methods (QSARs), were built using three different modelling techniques: (1) an in-house alert model: which uses SAR approach where alerts are generated based on experts judgements; (2) a kNN approach (k-Nearest Neighbours), which is a QSAR model where a prediction is given based on outcomes of its k chemical neighbours; (3) a naive Bayesian model (NB), which is another QSAR model, where a prediction is derived using a Bayesian formula through preselected identified informative chemical features (e.g., physico-chemical, structural descriptors). These in silico models, were compared against two well-known alert models (DEREK and ToxTree) and also against three different consensus approaches (Categorical Bayesian Integration Approach (CBI), Partial Least Squares Discriminate Analysis (PLS-DA) and simple majority vote approach). By applying these integration methods on the validation sets it was shown that both integration models (PLS-DA and CBI) achieved better performance than any of the individual models or consensus obtained by simple majority rule. In conclusion, the recommendation of this paper is that when obtaining consensus predictions for Ames mutagenicity, approaches like PLS-DA or CBI should be the first choice for the integration as compared to a simple majority vote approach.
In humans, emerging infectious diseases are mostly zoonoses with ticks playing an important role as vectors. Tick-borne relapsing fever Borrelia and spotted fever Rickettsia occur in endemic foci along tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. However, both are widely neglected etiologic agents. In this study, we performed molecular analyses in order to assess the presence of Borrelia and Rickettsia DNA in ticks infesting small-mammals within a National Reserve located in the Andes Mountains, central Chile. While hard ticks were negative for the presence of both agents, sequences of four rickettsial (gltA, htrA, ompA, ompB) and two borrelial (16S rRNA and flaB) genes were obtained from larvae of an Ornithodoros sp. morphologically related with Ornithodoros atacamensis. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the detected Borrelia and Rickettsia spp. belong to the relapsing fever and spotted fever groups, respectively. Moreover, the agents formed monophyletic clades with Rickettsia amblyommatis and “Candidatus Borrelia johnsonii.” As positive ticks parasitize rodents within a highly visited National Reserve where outdoor activities are of common practice, the risk for human parasitism should not be discarded.
A 1:1 mixture of electrochemically active Li(Ni0.5Mn0.5)O2 and electrochemically inactive Li(Li1/3Mn2/3)O2, i.e. Li(Li0.17Ni0.25Mn0.58)O2, has been synthesized by a sol–gel method. The mixture was calcined at 900°C in air for 24h and cooled at three different rates: quenched into liquid nitrogen, 2°C/min, and 0.5°C/min. It was found that the crystallographic structure and electrochemical properties of Li(Li0.17Ni0.25Mn0.58)O2 highly depend on the cooling rate. The sample quenched into liquid nitrogen exhibited a long irreversible plateau at ca. 4.5V during the first charge, and the discharge capacity gradually increased from 170 to 210mAh/g after 40 cycles. The samples cooled at slower rates exhibited more monoclinic character and cubic spinel phase was observed; they showed no plateaus at 4.5V during the first charge and the discharge capacities also gradually increased from 80 and 55mAh/g to 130 and 85mAh/g for 2 and 0.5°C/min-cooled samples, respectively.
We study the problem of localizing and tracking multiple moving targets in wireless sensor networks, from a network design perspective i.e. towards estimating the least possible number of sensors to be deployed, their positions and operation characteristics needed to perform the tracking task. To avoid an expensive massive deployment, we try to take advantage of possible coverage overlaps over space and time, by introducing a novel combinatorial model that captures such overlaps. Under this model, we abstract the tracking network design problem by a combinatorial problem of covering a universe of elements by at least three sets (to ensure that each point in the network area is covered at any time by at least three sensors, and thus being localized). We then design and analyze an efficient approximate method for sensor placement and operation, that with high probability and in polynomial expected time achieves a Θ ( log n ) approximation ratio to the optimal solution. Our network design solution can be combined with alternative collaborative processing methods, to suitably fit different tracking scenarios.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ecotoxicological effects of olive mill waste (OMW) on soil habitat function. To this end, soil samples from OMW evaporating ponds (S1–S5) located at Agareb (Sfax, Tunisia) and a reference soil (R) were collected. The effects of OMW on the springtails Folsomia candida (F.c.), the earthworm species Eisenia fetida (E.f.), Enchytraeus crypticus (E.c.) reproduction and on the soil living microbial communities were investigated. E.f. reproduction and tomato growth assays were performed in the reference soil amended with 0.43 to 7.60 % (wOMW/wref-soil) mass ratios of dried OMW. Changes in microbial function diversity were explored using sole-carbon-source utilization profiles (BiologEcoPlates®). E.f. absolutely avoided (100 %) the most polluted soil (S4) while the F.c. moderately avoided (37.5 ± 7.5 %) the same soil. E.c. reproduction in S4 was significantly lower than in S1, S2, S3 and S5, and was the highest in R soil. Estimated effect concentration EC50 for juveniles’ production by E.f., and for tomato fresh weight and chlorophyll content were 0.138, 0.6 and 1.13 %, respectively. Community level physiological profiles (CLPPs) were remarkably different in R and S4 and a higher similarity was observed between soils S1, S2, S3 and S5. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that differences between soil microbial functional diversity were mainly due to high polyphenol concentrations, while the salinity negatively affected E.c. reproduction in OMW contaminated soils. These results clearly reflect the high toxicity of dried OMW when added to agricultural soils, causing severe threats to terrestrial ecosystem functions and services provided by invertebrates and microbial communities.
An important component in lithium–air batteries is the oxygen electrode, which facilitates the oxygen reduction reaction during the discharge process and the oxidation reaction of Li2O2 during the charge process. The performance of the oxygen electrode strongly depends upon the activity of the materials employed. Herein, we report the catalytic activity of the graphene/zirconium doped ceria (ZDC) nano-blend prepared by mixing graphene, which is prepared using the modified Hummers method followed by H2 reduction, and ZDC, chemically prepared. With merely 10% loading of ZDC on the graphene, Li-O2 cells showed a threefold increase in their discharge capacities. The well exfoliated layered structure of graphene and the mesoporous structure of ZDC facilitated the diffusion of the electrolyte and oxygen in the inner electrode to enhance the catalytic efficiency and also offered ample volume for the accumulation of discharge product. The synergistic effect of the fast kinetics of electron transport provided by the graphene support and the high electro-catalytic activity provided by the ZDC resulted in the excellent performance of the oxygen electrode in the Li-O2 batteries.
Classroom behavior management strategies are effective in reducing impairment and improving functioning in children with or at risk of ADHD. Although these interventions are well established, there is significant concern about the integrity with which teachers implement these strategies. Possible barriers to integrity include limitations in teachers’ knowledge of ADHD and classroom management strategies, limitations in classroom management skills, and beliefs that may interfere with intervention implementation. We hypothesize that these barriers are malleable and can be targeted in school-based consultation programs. In this paper, we describe the development of a multi-component consultation package designed to address teacher knowledge, skills, and beliefs as a mechanism for enhancing intervention implementation integrity and student outcomes. Using a case study design, we examined the hypothesized relationships between the consultation strategies, intervention integrity, and student outcomes. Results provide initial support for the multi-component package and our theory of change. Limitations that will inform continued development of the package are discussed.
A battery management system (BMS) ensures performance, safety and longevity of a battery energy storage system in an embedded environment. One important task for a BMS is to estimate the state of charge (SoC) and state of health (SoH) of a battery. The correlation between battery open circuit voltage (OCV) and SoC is an important reference for state estimation. The OCV-SoC correlation changes with respect to battery degradation. To improve the accuracy of state estimation, it is important to have the OCV-SoC correlation updated periodically. This work presents a solution by proposing a novel SoH(SoC) correlation as part of the battery equivalent circuit model (ECM). On-line optimization of SoH(SoC) correlation implicitly optimizes the OCV(SoC) correlation, as well as the capacity of a battery. An associated state and parameter dual estimator is proposed incorporating an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) as a state observer, Recursive Least Square (RLS) algorithm as an internal resistance identifier, and Parameter Varying Approach as the SoH(SoC) correlation identifier. Battery experiment and simulation results validate that updating the SoH–SoC correlation effectively tracks battery SoH on-line. Furthermore, it implicitly updates OCV(SoC) function, further improving SoC estimation accuracy by 0.5%∼3%.
A small, highly portable data-logging system, including a palm-mounted adapter containing an accelerometer and a force sensor, was developed to record user-specific tool-operating times, hand-transmitted vibration, and palm forces throughout all, or a representative part, of an 8-h workday. The microprocessor-based device has proved to be cost-effective, robust, and flexible and can be applied across a wide range of occupations and occupational settings involving exposures to vibration. Relevance to Industry When considering past research, there still remains a clear need for a methodology that accurately measures day-long vibration exposures over the course of the entire working day regardless of work cycle times and work patterns. The Vibration Exposure Monitor (VEM) system enables hand–arm vibrations to be more accurately characterized and so can assist in modeling exposure–response relationships in vibration-intensive work environments.
In this work the characterization and application of a prototype solid-state lithium metal battery for an electric vehicle application is addressed. This mid-temperature battery is operated at a temperature of 80 °C. In an innovative approach, this high energy technology is integrated into a hybrid battery system, where it is supported by a highest power lithium-titanate technology. Three hybrid battery system configurations are systematically derived for a high class vehicle with different performance requirements. On the basis of an overall vehicle simulation model, comprising a thermal model of the lithium metal polymer battery pack, the performance of the system is evaluated under regular and extreme driving conditions. The results indicate that battery hybridization makes a reasonable utilization of the lithium metal polymer battery in an electric vehicle possible. The power capability of the overall battery system in discharge as well as charge direction is significantly increased. Moreover, the system allows for a wider utilization of overall battery system's energy, resulting in an increase of drivable distance. Furthermore, additional functionalities of the hybrid battery system are discussed, such as warm-up procedure, low temperature performance enhancement and redundancy.
Background Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can affect episodic memory, one of the main cognitive hallmarks of aging, but the mechanisms of action remain unclear. Objectives To evaluate the behavioral and functional impact of excitatory TMS in a group of healthy elders. Methods We applied a paradigm of repetitive TMS – intermittent theta-burst stimulation – over left inferior frontal gyrus in healthy elders (n = 24) and evaluated its impact on the performance of an episodic memory task with two levels of processing and the associated brain activity as captured by a pre and post fMRI scans. Results In the post-TMS fMRI we found TMS-related activity increases in left prefrontal and cerebellum-occipital areas specifically during deep encoding but not during shallow encoding or at rest. Furthermore, we found a task-dependent change in connectivity during the encoding task between cerebellum-occipital areas and the TMS-targeted left inferior frontal region. This connectivity change correlated with the TMS effects over brain networks. Conclusions The results suggest that the aged brain responds to brain stimulation in a state-dependent manner as engaged by different tasks components and that TMS effect is related to inter-individual connectivity changes measures. These findings reveal fundamental insights into brain network dynamics in aging and the capacity to probe them with combined behavioral and stimulation approaches.
The electrochemical features of the sol–gel birnessite MnO1.84·0.6H2O are reported here in terms of OCV data, cycling behavior kinetics of Li transport in the oxide. We have confirmed that the sol–gel birnessite remains one of the best manganese oxides as rechargeable cathodic materials with an initial specific capacity of 270mAhg−1 due to the high amount of Mn(IV). However, from a practical viewpoint, this hydrated compound has been proved to exhibit an important and constant capacity fading in the potential window 4.2–2V associated with a strong disordering process. The ac impedance measurements have proved this behavior was mainly due to an increase of the cathode impedance and a strong decrease in kinetics of Li transport in the oxide. Such a phenomenon can be overcome when the Co-doped form Co0.15Mn0.85O1.84·0.6H2O is used. In that case, a constant capacity as high as 170mAhg−1 can be maintained over more than 50 cycles with no change in the electrochemical behavior of the Co-doped sample. This clearly shows that stable capacity can be expected even from a hydrated oxide network.
In this work, wet powder spraying is presented as an alternative method for the fabrication of sulfur/carbon composite cathodes. The high dispersion and homogeneity of the cathode layer result in high capacity Li/S batteries. Additional use of LiNO3 as additive improved the discharge capacity to 800AhkgS −1, 400Ahkgcathode −1 (at 0.18C) and 410AhkgS −1, 205Ahkgcathode −1 (at 2C) after 50 cycles. The shuttle mechanism is reduced and a coulombic efficiency of around 100% is reached and maintained constant until 1000 cycles. To understand more the degradation mechanisms of the battery, Thermogravimetry combined with gas analysis (TG/MS) as well X-ray diffraction (operando and mappings) were applied. The formation of an amorphous phase during cycling that remains nearly stable in the later cycles is considered to be one of the main factors affecting capacity decay. Moreover, others processes are identified as contributors of battery degradation like PVDF decomposition, structural changes of carbon black, and reduction of sulfur content on the bulk of the electrode. These new insights on the degradation processes may contribute to the further understanding, selection of materials, and improvement of this battery.
Background A history of childhood trauma is reportedly more prevalent in people suffering from psychosis than in the general population. Childhood trauma has also been linked to cognitive abnormalities in adulthood, and cognitive abnormalities, in turn, are one of the key clinical features of psychosis. Therefore, this study investigated whether there was a relationship between childhood trauma and cognitive function in patients with first-episode psychosis. The potential impact of diagnosis (schizophrenia or affective psychosis) and gender on this association was also examined. Methods Data were available for 138 first-episode psychosis patients and 138 geographically-matched controls recruited from a catchment area based organisation. History of childhood trauma was obtained using the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire. Cognitive function was assessed through a comprehensive and standardised neuropsychological test battery. Results A history of childhood trauma was associated with worse cognitive performances, predominantly in affective psychoses, and in male patients. No association between a history of childhood trauma and cognition was found amongst female patients, or female controls. Conclusions The results need replication, but underline the necessity of investigating biological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying these subjects' sensitivity to the negative effect of childhood stress.
X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been used to characterize the structural and electronic changes induced by cycling in a CoV2O6/Li battery. The XANES and EXAFS spectra recorded at both vanadium and cobalt K-edges show that a demixion of the starting compound occurs during cycling leading to a cobalt oxide domains embedded in a lithiated vanadium oxide matrix.
Proton therapy (PT), frequently utilised to treat paediatric brain tumour (PBT) patients, eliminates exit dose and minimises dose to healthy tissues that theoretically can mitigate treatment-related effects including cognitive deficits. As clinical outcome data are emerging, we aimed to systematically review current evidence of cognitive changes following PT of PBT.
Integrated on-chip energy storage is increasingly important in the fields of internet of things, energy harvesting, sensing, and wearables; capacitors being ideal for devices requiring higher powers or many thousands of cycles. This work demonstrates electrochemical capacitors fabricated using an electrolyte and porous silicon nanostructures with very high surface-to-volume ratios. Nanopore morphologies and passivation coatings for maximizing energy and power densities of porous-silicon based electrochemical capacitors are studied. Stability is achieved through atomic layer deposition (ALD) titanium nitride or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) carbon coatings. The use of silicon processing methods creates the potential for on-chip energy storage.