batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
In stargazer mutant mice, a mutation in the gene encoding stargazin results in absence epilepsy, cerebellar ataxia, and a characteristic abnormal motor syndrome. The main goal of the current studies was to characterize the nature and source of the abnormal motor behavior. Because the stargazer motor syndrome resembles that of other rodents with vestibular dysfunction, the motor abnormalities were compared with those of normal mice treated with toxins known to damage the vestibular system. Quantitative open field assessments revealed that the stargazer mice display a motor syndrome very similar to that exhibited by mice with toxin-induced vestibulopathy. However, stargazer mice also displayed several additional behaviors, such as ataxic gait and sustained extensor movements of the neck. In addition, stargazer mice performed worse than mice with toxin-induced vestibulopathy in most standard tests of motor function. Motor function was also impaired on each of four behavioral tests sensitive to vestibular function. Because of the close associations between the vestibular and auditory systems, tests of auditory function were also employed. The stargazer mutants exhibited relatively normal auditory brainstem evoked responses but no apparent acoustic startle reflex. Histological examination of vestibular sensory epithelium at the light and electron microscopic levels confirmed the existence of abnormalities in the stargazer mutants. These results imply a previously unrecognized role for stargazin in the normal functions of the vestibular system and indicate that some, but not all, of the abnormal motor syndrome of stargazer mice can be attributed to vestibular dysfunction.
Objective To determine the relation between performance on a clinical quadriceps activation battery with (1) activation measured by doublet interpolation and (2) recovery of quadriceps strength and functional performance after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Design Planned secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Setting University research laboratory. Participants Patients (N=162; mean age, 63±7y; 89 women) undergoing TKA. Main Outcome Measures Patients were classified as high (quadriceps activation battery ≥4/6) or low (quadriceps activation battery ≤3/6) based on performance on the quadriceps activation battery measured 4 days after TKA. Differences between groups in activation and recovery at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after TKA were compared using a repeated-measures maximum likelihood model. Results The low quadriceps activation battery group demonstrated poorer quadriceps activation via doublet interpolation (P=.01), greater quadriceps strength loss (P=.01), and greater functional performance decline (all P<.001) at 1 month after TKA compared with the high quadriceps activation battery group. Differences between low and high quadriceps activation battery groups on all measures did not persist at 3 and 12 months (all P>.05). Conclusions Poor performance on the quadriceps activation battery early after TKA is related to poor quadriceps activation and poor recovery in the early postoperative period. Patients in the low quadriceps activation battery group took 3 months to recover to the same level as the high quadriceps activation battery group. The quadriceps activation battery may be useful in identifying individuals who need specific interventions to target activation deficits or different care pathways in the early postoperative period to speed recovery after TKA.
The spleen plays an important role in erythrocyte turnover, adaptive immunity, antibody production, and the mobilization of monocytes/macrophages (Mφ) following tissue injury. In response to trauma, the spleen initiates production of inflammatory cytokines, which in turn recruit immune cells to the inflamed tissue, exacerbating damage. Our previous work has shown that intravenous mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) infusion has potent immunomodulatory effects following spinal cord injury (SCI), associated with the transplanted cells homing to and persisting within the spleen. Therefore, this work aimed to characterize the relationship between the splenic inflammatory response and SCI pathophysiology, emphasizing splenic involvement in MSC-mediated effects.
Spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) provides a high working potential as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. Yet there is a phase transition from cubic to tetragonal structure in LNMO during the ~3V charge/discharge region. To suppress the large volume change and capacity fade inherent with bulk-sized LNMO particles when discharged to below 3.0V, one-dimensional nano-structured LNMO was prepared by an electrospinning method and a subsequent heat treatment. The well-separated nanofiber precursors combat the growth and aggregation of LNMO particles during the heating procedure and lead to improved capacity, better cycling stability, and improved rate capability of the final LMNO nanofibers. The as-prepared LMNO nanofibers have a diameter as thin as 50–100nm, which is the thinnest of this kind of complex compounds that contain multi-transition metal elements produced through the electrospinning method. In coin cell tests of this material at a current density of 27mAg−1, the initial discharge capacity was 130mAhg−1 over a voltage range of 3.5–4.8V and 300mAhg−1 over a voltage range of 2.0–4.8V.
This study investigated the effect of a specific adsorption ion, copper (II) ion, on the kinetics of the charge transfer reaction at a LiMn2O4 thin film electrode/aqueous solution (1moldm−3 LiNO3) interface. The zeta potential of LiMn2O4 particles showed a negative value in 1×10−2 moldm−3 LiNO3 aqueous solution, while it was measured as positive in the presence of 1×10−2 moldm−3 Cu(NO3)2 in the solution. The presence of copper (II) ions in the solution increased the charge transfer resistance, and CV measurement revealed that the lithium insertion/extraction reaction was retarded by the presence of small amount of copper (II) ions. The activation energy for the charge transfer reaction in the solution with Cu(NO3)2 was estimated to be 35kJmol−1, which was ca. 10kJmol−1 larger than that observed in the solution without Cu(NO3)2. These results suggest that the interaction between the lithium ion and electrode surface is a factor in the kinetics of charge transfer reaction.
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is part of the great ocean “conveyor belt” that circulates heat around the globe. Since the early 2000s, ocean sensors have started to monitor the AMOC, but the measurements are still far from accurate and the time window does not permit the separation of short term variability from a longer term trend. Other works have claimed that global warming is slowing down the AMOC, based on models and proxies of temperatures. Some other observations demonstrate a stable circulation of the oceans. By using tide gauge data complementing recent satellite and ocean sensor observations, the stability of the AMOC is shown to go back to 1860. It is concluded that no available information has the due accuracy and time coverage to show a clear trend outside the inter-annual and multi-decadal variability in the direction of increasing or decreasing strength over the last decades.
The cleavage of the aliphatic chain or ether bond connecting the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in coal can be achieved by not only hydrogenation reduction but also oxidative acid treatment. In this paper, coal samples from Wucaiwan in Xinjiang were pretreated with HNO3 followed by mixed acids/ultrasound treatment. The depolymerized coal samples obtained under different pH conditions were then separated by fractional washing. The structures and properties of the resulting coal samples were studied by elemental analysis, FT-IR, XRD, TG–DTA, TEM, UV–Vis, and PL. The results showed that when pH = 0.012, the obtained coal samples were fragments stripped off from the raw coal samples by ultrasound in strong acid conditions, aliphatic hydrocarbons linked with oxygen-containing groups such as nitro group, a small amount of small aromatic molecules and mineral salts; when pH = 1.99–4.09, the obtained coal samples were polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons linked with oxygen-containing groups such as nitro group,possessing the annulus wall of multilayer graphene fragment structures built up by sp2 carbons, and they are typical fluorescent substances of carbon nanoparticle structure. The former has no solubility in organic solvents, while the latter can be well dissolved in polar solvents such as acetone. All the depolymerized coal samples obtained under different pH conditions exhibited good absorption and ability of fluorescence emission.
Airfield lighting differs from the other lighting systems described in this book in that, typically, the lights are not used to illiminate surfaces but are used as signals; that is, the luminaires are viewed directly. Perhaps the nearest case to this so far described is in road lighting where the road lighting luminaires are used to give visual guidance, but even here there main function is to provide a bright road surface. The main reason for not lighting the surface of the runway is that no part of the luminaires is allowed to protrude more than 150 mm from the runway, so as not to obstruct the aircraft. As a consequence of this low mounting height, the light would be incident at grazing angles. This would tend to exaggerate the appearance of small irregularities in the runway and, in any case, would give a very patchy appearance. Moreover, the lit surface would not have the high luminance needed for the airfield to stand out a distance from other lit surfaces, such as roads.
Atypical lateralization of language-related functions has been repeatedly found in individuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC). Few studies have, however, investigated deviations from typically occurring asymmetry of other lateralized cognitive and behavioural domains. Motor deficits are among the earliest and most prominent symptoms in individuals with ASC and precede core social and communicative symptoms.
This work presents the first application of three-dimensional digital image correlation for real-time displacement and strain analysis of a pouch type lithium-ion battery. During the electrochemical charge–discharge processes, displacements in the x-, y- and z-directions vary at different states-of-charge (SOCs) attributed to the expansion and the contraction of the interior structure. The z-displacement is observed to develop and concentrate at the vicinity of the openings of the jelly-roll structure. By resolving the displacement components, the progression and distribution of the surface strains, including principal and von-Mises strains, are computed in the charge–discharge processes. It is shown that the dominant strains are up to 0.12% in the rolling direction of the jelly-roll structure and distribute uniformly on the x–y plane over the surface.
Background The predictors of functional capacity in first episode schizophrenia among seven separable cognitive domains and clinical variables are unknown. Aim To investigate predictors of functional capacity in first episode schizophrenia and the associations between functional capacity and measures of real-world functioning. Methods Socio-demographic, clinical, and cognitive measures from a sample of patients with first episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders aged 18–34years (N=117) were examined at baseline, 4-month follow‐up, and 10-month follow-up and used to predict concurrent and longitudinal functional capacity. Symptoms were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, cognitive functioning with the MATRICS Cognitive Consensus Battery, and functional capacity with the brief version of the University of California San Diego Performance-based Skills Assessment. Linear and logistic regression analyses were adjusted for age, gender, and site. Results Working memory, negative symptoms, and social cognition accounted for 41% of the variance in functional capacity at baseline. Longitudinally, verbal learning, working memory, and negative symptoms predicted 4-month functional capacity. Working memory and visual learning predicted 10-month functional capacity. Functional capacity was associated to global functioning in the univariate analysis, but in multivariable analyses global functioning, financial independence, and independent living were predicted by negative symptoms or general symptoms explaining 15–23% of the variance. Conclusions The strongest single predictor of functional capacity is working memory, followed by negative symptoms. Clinical symptoms, but not functional capacity, predicted real-world functioning. The usability of the UPSA-B in first episode schizophrenia is discussed. Neurocom, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00472862, http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00472862?term=neurocom&rank=1.
Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the various types of impellers, the flow patterns generated by these agitators, correlation of the dimensionless parameters (i.e., Reynolds number, Froude number, and Power number), scale-up of mixers, heat transfer coefficients of jacketed agitated vessels, and the time required for heating or cooling these vessels. Various types of reactors are increasingly employed in the mixing of reactants to achieve the required yield at a given rate. Molecular diffusion is essential to achieve mixing between two liquids and complete the mixing process. If the fluids being mixed are gases, the rate of molecular diffusion is very high and thus the time required is extremely small. In the case of liquids where the rate of molecular diffusion is slow, knowledge of the turbulence is required so as to estimate the size of the smallest eddy and establish the time for molecular diffusion. A set of criteria provides a measure of the level of mixing. The scale of segregation measures the size of the unmixed clumps of pure components; the intensity of segregation describes the effect of molecular diffusion on the mixing process. It is defined as the difference in concentration between the neighboring clumps of fluid.
Objective Our study aimed to test in 8years old children born very prematurely whether a faulty primary motor cortex (M1) functioning could parallel visuomotor coordination difficulties. Methods Ten very preterm children (PT; gestational age ⩽32weeks; 6 boys; 8years 6months, SD 4months) were compared to seven healthy term peers (4 boys; 8years 4months, SD 4months). Clinical assessment comprised two standardized tests for motor skills and visuomotor coordination. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was applied over M1 area of the preactivated first dorsal interosseous muscle to measure the corticomotor excitability and the short intracortical inhibition (SICI). Results PT scores were significantly lower on the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (p =0.0018) and on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (p =0.038). In parallel, the dominant hemisphere worked differently with no SICI in PT (p =0.009) and more variability of corticomotor excitability (p =0.001). Conclusions These intertwined neurophysiological findings suggest that a faulty motor programming in the dominant M1 of PT could explain visuomotor coordination deficits. Significance Our study contributes to the understanding of possible mechanisms that underlie motor difficulties commonly observed in children who were born premature. In addition, the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions may be better understood by applying TMS as an outcome measure in the future.
The growth of TiO2 nanotube arrays on plastic flexible substrates is researched. The approach uses anodization of a titanium thick film for obtaining nanotubes directly on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and Kapton HN substrate. The morphological features of the tubes can be finely tuned by varying the preparation conditions, and tube morphology affects the functional properties of the nanotube array. Crystallization of the anatase phase in nanotubes on Kapton HN substrate is obtained via post growth annealing. The nanotube arrays have been dye-sensitized using the commercial Ru-based N719 dye. The system was tested as photoanode in a flexible dye sensitized solar cell. Photoconversion efficiency of 3.5% was obtained.
Objective The study examined the multivariate relationship between mental fatigue and different work-related (work load, work hours) and background/life style factors, as well as disturbed sleep. Methods A total of 5720 healthy employed men and women living in the greater Stockholm area participated in a questionnaire study on cardiovascular risk factors. The data were analysed using a multiple logistic regression analysis with self-rated fatigue as the dependent variable. Results Fatigue was predicted by disturbed sleep (4.31; 3.50–5.45, high immersion in work (4.17; 2.93–5.94), high work demands (2.39; 1.54–3.69), social support, being a female, being a supervisor and high age. Shift work, work hours (including overtime) and influence at work did not become significant predictors. With control for work demands a high number of work hours was associated with lower fatigue. Conclusion Disturbed sleep is an important predictor of fatigue, apparently stronger than previously well-established predictors such as work load, female gender, lack of exercise, etc.
In this study, the diffusion induced stress of LiCoO2 half cell with a realistic 3D microstructure has been studied using finite element method. The electrochemical properties under various C rates were studied. The discharged curves under various C rates were simulated. Results show that the potential drops significantly with the increase of C rates. The lithium ion concentration distribution under high discharging rates shows strong inhomogeneity. At high C rates, the small LiCoO2 particles near the separator have higher lithium ion concentration because of the shorter lithium migration and diffusion paths. The diffusion induced stress inside LiCoO2 particles was calculated coupled with lithium diffusion. The results show that the stress near the concave and convex regions is the highest. The neck regions of the connected particles will break first and form several isolated particles. For isolated particles, cracks are more likely to form on the surface rather than inside the particle. Failure may occur in large grains ahead of small grains.
Visible light communication (VLC) is a novel technology especially for short-range data communication. IEEE has standardized VLC for 5G systems as a means to short-range wireless communication. In this paper, a complete state-of-the-art VLC software-defined radio is designed using NI cDAQ components tools developed in LabVIEW/MATLAB. The main objectives in designing a VLC transceiver are the suitable envelope for driving LEDs (transmitters) and a high data rate. The current work makes use of optical code division multiple access mainly to achieve the said objectives. It is shown through comparison with existing system that the proposed system is computationally less expensive and provides improved data rate. Finally, simulation programs are also developed and the proposed system is compared with the existing system in terms of bit error rate.
In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm for pseudo random number sequence generator based on the samples of Chen chaotic system. The proposed algorithm can be used to generate cryptographic keys for digital images among the cryptography applications. Moreover, our pseudo random number generator solves the problem of the non-uniform probability distribution of sequence generated directly by the Chen chaotic system. The various statistical tests such as Diehard battery test and NIST SP 800-22 randomness test verify that the sequences generated by our proposed scheme have good statistical properties. The experimental results of the security analysis validate the high capability of the proposed method to withstand various attacks.
This paper presents electrode properties of silicon nitride (SiN0.92) as a negative electrode in a lithium battery investigated in a solid electrolyte. SiN0.92 thin films formed by using pulsed laser deposition technique show redox reactions below 0.5 V vs. Li+/Li. A 200 nm thick film delivers a high capacity of 1800 mAh g−1 at the first reduction process and retains 1300 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. Although increasing the film thickness to 500 nm decreases the capacity to some extent, the capacities in the 1st and 100th are 1200 and 700 mAh g−1, respectively, which are quite higher than that of the current carbon negative electrode.
Nanocomposite materials were obtained from poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) as matrix polymer and a stable DMF suspension of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) as the reinforcing phase. Porous and dense nanocomposite membranes were prepared by non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) and film casting methods, respectively. The resulting films were characterized regarding their structuration, i.e., the content of crystalline phases, as well as their transport and thermo-mechanical properties. The presence of the fillers led to a mechanical reinforcement, associated with a lower strain at break. For dense nanocomposites, a thermal stabilization at temperatures higher than the melting temperature was highlighted and ascribed to the formation of a rigid cellulosic network within the matrix. The superior electrochemical performances together with the observed reinforcement effect render these porous nanocomposites membranes as interesting candidates for the replacement of commercial polyolefin-based microporous separators in lithium-ion batteries.
Firm conclusions about whether mid-life or long-term statin use has an impact on cognitive decline and dementia remain elusive. Here, our objective was to systematically review, synthesize and critique the epidemiological literature that examines the relationship between statin use and cognition, so as to assess the current state of knowledge, identify gaps in our understanding, and make recommendations for future research. We summarize the findings of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies, grouped according to study design. We discuss the methods for each, and consider likely sources of bias, such as reverse causation and confounding. Although observational studies that considered statin use at or near the time of dementia diagnosis suggest a protective effect of statins, these findings could be attributable to reverse causation. RCTs and well-conducted observational studies of baseline statin use and subsequent cognition over several years of follow-up do not support a causal preventative effect of late-life statin use on cognitive decline or dementia. Given that much of the human research on statins and cognition in the future will be observational, careful study design and analysis will be essential.
Fuel cells, a sustainable technology that assures a cleaner earth, once experienced disillusion due to the issue of economic viability associated with the massive usage of Pt-based catalysts. To address this issue, research on cost-effective catalysts, especially on the cathode side, has been intensively carried out where the latest achievements have made the M–Nx/C material on its verge of application. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of the fundamental chemistry of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the progress of the M–Nx/C catalysts. Efforts aimed at clarifying the nature of catalytic sites are summarized, highlighting the indispensable role of advanced characterization tools. A variety of successful attempts are exemplified to describe the synthetic methodologies, followed by close tracking of newly emerging single-atom or dual-atom sites. Future directions for this research area are believed to be the rational and/or controllable synthesis of catalysts with adequate active sites and the use of strategies to substantially alleviate catalyst degradation.