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LiMn2O4 thin films with nano-crystals less than 100nm were successfully grown on polished stainless steel substrates at 400°C and 200mTorr of oxygen by pulsed laser deposition. A maximum discharge capacity of 62.4μAhcm−2 μm−1 cycled between 3.0 and 4.5V with a current density of 20μAhcm−2 was achieved. The effect of several overdischarge cycles was negligible, and both the effect of Jahn–Teller distortion at low potentials on capacity loss and structure instability at high potentials were effectively inhibited in this nano-crystalline film, resulting in an excellent cycling stability with a very low fading rate of capacity up to 500 cycles at 55°C.
The design of electrodes for unitised regenerative polymer electrolyte fuel cells (URFC) requires a delicate balancing of transport media. Gas transport, electrons and protons must be carefully optimised to provide efficient transport to and from the electrochemical reaction sites. This review is a survey of recent literature with the objective to identify common components and design and assembly methods for URFC electrodes, focusing primarily on the development of a better performing bifunctional electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction and water oxidation. Advances in unitised regenerative fuel cells research have yielded better performing oxygen electrocatalysts capable of improving energy efficiency with longer endurance and less performance degradation over time. Fuel cells using these electrocatalyst have a possible future as a source of energy.
A low molecular weight gel electrolyte was formed by the self-assembly of a low molecular weight gelator in KOH aqueous solution and first used as electrolyte in the supercapacitor. When the temperature was below 70°C, the gel electrolyte was solid-like. The electrochemical characteristics were investigated by impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and charge–discharge cycle tests. As a result, the activated carbon supercapacitor with the low molecular weight gel electrolyte was found to exhibit higher specific capacitance (158.8mAhg−1) than that with the 6M KOH aqueous solution (156.6mAhg−1) after 150 cycles. Therefore, the low molecular weight gel electrolyte had good electrochemical properties while solving the problem of solution leakage. It was indicated that the low molecular weight gel electrolyte was a novel electrolyte for supercapacitors.
Aside from APOE, the genetic factors that influence the progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remain largely unknown. We assessed whether a genetic risk score (GRS), based on eight non-APOE genetic variants previously associated with AD risk in genome-wide association studies, is associated with either risk of conversion or with rapid progression from MCI to AD. Among 288 subjects with MCI, follow-up (mean 26.3 months) identified 118 MCI-converters to AD and 170 MCI-nonconverters. We genotyped ABCA7 rs3764650, BIN1 rs744373, CD2AP rs9296559, CLU rs1113600, CR1 rs1408077, MS4A4E rs670139, MS4A6A rs610932, and PICALM rs3851179. For each subject we calculated a cumulative GRS, defined as the number of risk alleles (range 0–16) with each allele weighted by the AD risk odds ratio. GRS was not associated with risk of conversion from MCI to AD. However, MCI-converters to AD harboring six or more risk alleles (second and third GRS tertiles) progressed twofold more rapidly to AD when compared with those with less than six risk alleles (first GRS tertile). Our GRS is a first step toward development of prediction models for conversion from MCI to AD that incorporate aggregate genetic factors.
Most physiological behaviors such as food intake are controlled by the hypothalamus and its nuclei. It has been demonstrated that injection of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus with nitric oxide (NO) donors elicited changes in the concentration of some amino acids, including GABA. Also, central nitrergic and GABAergic systems are known to provide inputs to the paraventricular nucleus and are involved in food intake control. Therefore, the present study examines the probable interaction of central nitrergic and GABAergic systems on food intake in neonatal layer-type chicks. The results of this study showed that intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of l-arginine (400 and 800 nmol), as a NO donor, significantly decreased food intake (P < 0.001), but ICV injection of Nω-Nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (200 and 400 nmol), a NO synthesis inhibitor, increased food intake (P < 0.001). In addition, the orexigenic effect of gaboxadol (0.2 µg), a GABAA agonist, was significantly attenuated in ICV co-injection of l-arginine (200 nmol) and gaboxadol (0.2 µg) (P < 0.001), but it was significantly amplified in ICV co-injection of L-NAME (100 nmol) and gaboxadol (0.2 µg) (P < 0.001). On the other hand, the orexigenic effect of baclofen (0.2 µg), a GABAB agonist, did not change in ICV co-injection of l-arginine (200 nmol) or L-NAME (100 nmol) with baclofen (0.2 µg) (P > 0.05). Also, the hypophagic effect of l-arginine (800 nmol) was significantly amplified in ICV co-injection of picrotoxin (0.5 µg), a GABAA antagonist, or CGP54626 (21 ng), a GABAB antagonist, with l-arginine (800 nmol) (P < 0.001). These results probably suggest an interaction of central nitrergic and GABAergic systems on food intake in neonatal layer-type chicks and GABAA receptors play a major role in this interaction.
Self-wrapping is a facile and highly efficient way to realize evenly coating and homogeneous distribution. Ultrasmall antimony (Sb) nanoparticles embedded in three-dimensional (3D) nitrogen-doped porous carbon matrix are fabricated by self-wrapping and controlled growth process with chitosan (CHI) as a self-wrapping precursor. As anode material for sodium-ion battery, the as-obtained Sb/CCHI nanocomposite shows an initial discharge capacity of 403mAhg−1 with Coulombic efficiency of 69.4%, and retains the capacity up to 372mAhg−1 after 100 cycles at a current of 500mAg−1. A reversible capacity of 138mAhg−1 is attained even at a very high current density of 32Ag−1. This unique Sb/CCHI nanocomposite is a potential anode material for high-performance sodium-ion batteries.
Li2O–B2O3–P2O5 glass soot was fabricated from aqueous precursor solution of a CH3CO2Li·2H2O and BCl3, POCl3 by the flame-assisted ultrasonic spray hydrolysis. The aqueous precursor solution of the lithium acetates was first atomized with an ultrasonic vibrator (1.7MHz). B2O3 and P2O5 were formed from BCl3 and POCl3 by oxy-hydrogen flame. Their properties were investigated by SEM, XRD, TGA–DSC and impedance analyzer. The formed particles in glass soot had spherical shape and the size of approximately 50–100nm. XRD analysis revealed that the amorphous phase and crystalline phases were mixed in glass soot and the crystalline phases were B(OH)3 and B2O3. The crystalline B(OH)3 and B2O3 found in glass soot completely disappeared by heat treatment. Conductivity was measured by complex impedance method using impedance analyzer and the conductivity was 10−8 S/cm.
To obtain highly reversible conversion reactions, high Coulombic efficiencies, and long lifetimes in SnO2-based anodes for lithium storage, a new ternary SnO2–Mn–graphite composite has been constructed by scalable ball-milling. It is demonstrated that nanosized Mn additives successfully inhibit Sn coarsening, and favor the formation of oxygen vacancies in SnO2, which together promote the high reversibility of conversion reactions in lithiated SnO2. The SnO2–Mn binary hybrid with 30 wt% Mn contributes a stable long-life with a capacity retention of 100% after 900 cycles at 1 A g−1. The ternary SnO2–Mn–graphite composite demonstrates high average initial Coulombic efficiencies of ∼77%, large stable capacities of 850 mA h g−1 at 0.2 A g−1, and long lifetimes of more than 1000 cycles at both high rates (2 A g−1) and narrow potential ranges (0.01–2.4 V), with Coulombic efficiencies of 99.7%, which are among the best reported so far for SnO2-based anode materials. The simple material design strategy and fabrication method, together with the excellent electrochemical performances, demonstrate that this new ternary SnO2–Mn–graphite composite could contribute a new class of Sn-based anode materials for high capacity battery applications.
The synthesis of spinel-type lithium titanate, Li4Ti5O12, a promising anode material of secondary lithium-ion battery, from “inert” rutile TiO2, is investigated. On the purpose of increasing the reactivity of rutile TiO2, it is treated by concentrated HNO3. By applying such activated rutile TiO2 as the titanium source in combination with the cellulose-assisted combustion synthesis, phase-pure Li4Ti5O12 is successfully synthesized at 800°C, at least 150°C lower than that based on solid-state reaction. The resulted oxide shows a reversible discharge capacity of ∼175mAhg−1 at 1C rate, near the theoretical value. The resulted oxide also shows promising high rate performance with a discharge capacity of ∼100mAhg−1 at 10C rate and high cycling stability.
Ultrathin and lightweight MoS2/carbon nanotube (CNT) interlayers are developed to effectively trap polysulfides in high-performance lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. The MoS2/CNT interlayer is constructed by loading MoS2 nanosheets onto a cross-stacked CNT film. The CNT film with excellent conductivity and superior mechanical properties provides the Li–S batteries with a uniform conductive network, a supporting skeleton for the MoS2 nanosheets, as well as a physical barrier for the polysulfides. Moreover, chemical interactions and bonding between the MoS2 nanosheets and the polysulfides are evident. The electrode with the MoS2/CNT interlayer delivers an attractive specific capacity of 784 mA h g−1 at a high capacity rate of 10 C. In addition, the electrode demonstrates a high initial capacity of 1237 mA h g−1 and a capacity fade as low as −0.061% per cycle over 500 charge/discharge cycles at 0.2 C. The problem of self-discharge can also be suppressed with the introduction of the MoS2/CNT interlayer. The simple fabrication procedure, which is suitable for commercialization, and the outstanding electrochemical performance of the cells with the MoS2/CNT interlayer demonstrate a great potential for the development of high-performance Li–S batteries.
The Mn doped spherical Li2FeSiO4/C cathode materials are successfully synthesized through a citric acid-assisted sol-gel method. The effects of Mn doping on the chemical composition, structure characteristics, morphology and elemental distribution of the as-prepared polyanionic cathode materials are investigated by the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDX). The results indicate that the alien atom Mn can effectively and equably dope into the samples as well as maintain the original spherical morphology. Besides, the electrochemical measurements reveal that the sample doped with 5% Mn delivers the highest initial discharge capacity of 248.5mAhg−1 at 0.1C under ambient temperature in a voltage range of 1.5–4.8V, the retention of the capacity is as high as 91.9% after 200 cycles. Additionally, the sample doped with 5% Mn also exhibits a good rate capability with a discharge capacity of 105.6mAhg−1 even at a high rate of 10C. The excellent electrochemical performances can be ascribed to the appropriate Mn doping, which can effectively optimize the crystal structure of Li2FeSiO4/C and facilitate the diffusion coefficient of lithium-ion during cycling process.
This paper seeks to consolidate the experiences gained from a group of projects carried out by the Advanced Lead-Acid Battery Consortium (ALABC) and aimed at achieving increases in the specific energy and the specific power of lead-acid batteries by developing grid designs of low weight. The use of corrosion-resistant alloys allows significant reductions in weight, but if this approach is taken too far problems arise with obtaining good adhesion of the active material to the grid. Some success has been achieved in the production of cells with improved specific energy and long life.
The glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, which can be regarded as an endotoxin, plays a role in the induced pathology associated with severe malaria in humans. However, it is unclear whether the main mosquito vector, Anopheles gambiae, can specifically recognize, and respond to GPI from the malaria parasite. Recent data suggests that the malaria vector does mount a specific response against malaria GPI. In addition, following the strong immune response, mosquito fecundity is severely affected, resulting in a significant reduction in viable eggs produced. In this mini-review we look at the increased interest in understanding the way that malaria antigens are recognized in the mosquito, and how this relates to a better understanding of the interactions between the malaria parasite and both human and vector.
γ-Manganese dioxide nanorods were prepared using a simple hydrothermal method based on redox reactions between S2O8 2− and Mn2+ and decoration of silver nanoparticles was performed by a wet impregnation method. The as-prepared materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Electrochemical discharging capacity of Ag/MnO2, MnO2/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), and Ag/MnO2/MWNTs electrodes were determined at 0.1C discharging rate. The results showed that utility efficiency of MnO2 was greatly enhanced when silver particles were introduced and there was strong interaction between silver nanoparticles and bulk MnO2 materials. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were performed to investigate the discharging mechanism of the Ag/MnO2/MWNTs electrodes. Silver nanoparticles not only enhanced electronic conductivity of the network, but also improved proton diffusion process.
This paper presents the results of a study of syntactically based comprehension in aphasic patients. We studied 42 patients with aphasia secondary to left hemisphere strokes and 25 control participants. We measured off-line, end-of-sentence, performance (accuracy and reaction time) in two tasks that require comprehension—enactment and sentence–picture matching—and in grammaticality judgment, with whole sentence auditory presentation. We also used sentence–picture matching and grammaticality judgment as tasks in two self-paced listening studies with the same patients to measure on-line performance. In each task and presentation format, we presented sentences that tested the ability to assign and interpret three structural contrasts chosen to examine different basic syntactic operations: actives and passives, subject and object extracted relative clauses, and reflexive pronouns and matched sentences without these elements. We examined these behavioral data to determine patterns of impairment in individual patients and in groups of patients, using correlational analyses, factor analyses, and analyses of variance. The results showed that almost no individual patients had stable deficits referable to the ability to interpret individual syntactic structures, that a variety of structural features contributed to sentence processing complexity both on-line and off-line, that correct responses were associated with normal on-line and errors with abnormal performance, and that the major determinant of performance is a factor that affected performance on all sentence types. The results indicate that the major cause of aphasic impairments of syntactically based comprehension are intermittent reductions in the processing capacity available for syntactic, interpretive, and task-related operations.
We have determined the informational value of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for predictive mapping of the content of available lithium in the arable horizon of soils of different slope positions: the first (280–310 m) and the second (240–280 m) altitudinal levels. The NDVI is not informative for the diagnostics or mapping of the content of available lithium in soils of small drainage valleys, the width of which is smaller than the resolution of the satellite image (30 m). In the regression model, the NDVI explains 28% of the variation in the content of available lithium in soils. Based on this model, a predictive map of the content of available lithium in soils has been compiled. Data on the spatial distribution pattern of the NDVI calculated based on a Landsat 8 satellite image (resolution of 30 m) were used as an indicator and the cartographical basis for digital mapping. The accuracy of the prediction of the content of available lithium in soils is good (MAPE is 16.9%). It has been revealed that the NDVI values and the content of available lithium in soils of the first altitudinal level are higher than in the second. The differences between NDVI in the drainage valley and on the first altitudinal level are not insignificant.
A facile, environmentally friendly and low-cost synthesis strategy is demonstrated to fabricate a MoO2/N-doped graphene (MoO2/N-GNS) hybrid, in which MoO2 nanoparticles (NPs) are uniformly dispersed on N-GNS sheets by Mo–N chemical bond formed between MoO2 and N-GNS. As an anode material in lithium ion batteries, the MoO2/N-GNS hybrid possesses superior rate capability, excellent cycling performance as well as high reversible capacity. A reversible capacity of 1138.5 mA h g−1 is maintained after 60 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1, and even at a high current density of 1000 mA g−1, the specific capacity of 873.7 mA h g−1 can be obtained after 60 cycles. The superior electrochemical performance of the MoO2/N-GNS hybrid can be attributed to the synergistic effects of nitrogen-doping, flexible and conductive GNS, and MoO2 NPs.
A three-dimensional cellular Sn-based anode has been prepared by electrodepositing tin onto 3D copper matrix under different current conditions and characterized by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical cycling test. The properties of tin layer, such as particle size, porosity and shape, greatly affect cycling behavior of electrodes. Beside this, two additional factors including large bonding force and three-dimensional stress-alleviated environment are also important to the dimensional stability of electrodeposited layer. In order to improve cycling performance, a composite anode configuration is designed by casting inactive carbon black into the “valley-ridge” tin-coated architecture. Capacity fading of both anodes is remarkably suppressed with the help of mechanical compression coming from stuffing. Taking advantage of the 3D electrode configuration, CTA with stuffing experiences a more uniform diffusion process to form an intermetallic layer of Cu6Sn5 when heated and shows better cyclicity than 2D annealed anode.
We investigated the effects of a plantar pressure–based tongue-placed electrotactile biofeedback on postural control during quiet standing under normal and altered vestibular and neck proprioceptive conditions. To achieve this goal, 14 young healthy adults were asked to stand upright as immobile as possible with their eyes closed in two Neutral and Extended head postures and two conditions of No-biofeedback and Biofeedback. The underlying principle of the biofeedback consisted of providing supplementary information related to foot sole pressure distribution through a wireless embedded tongue-placed tactile output device. Center of foot pressure (CoP) displacements were recorded using a plantar pressure data acquisition system. Results showed that (1) the Extended head posture yielded increased CoP displacements relative to the Neutral head posture in the No-biofeedback condition, with a greater effect along the anteroposterior than mediolateral axis, whereas (2) no significant difference between the two Neutral and Extended head postures was observed in the Biofeedback condition. The present findings suggested that the availability of the plantar pressure–based tongue-placed electrotactile biofeedback allowed the subjects to suppress the destabilizing effect induced by the disruption of vestibular and neck proprioceptive inputs associated with the head extended posture. These results are discussed according to the sensory re-weighting hypothesis, whereby the CNS would dynamically and selectively adjust the relative contributions of sensory inputs (i.e. the sensory weights) to maintain upright stance depending on the sensory contexts and the neuromuscular constraints acting on the subject.
Several commercial ion exchange membranes were evaluated for application in the vanadium redox battery. The polyether membrane, DF120 cationic exchange membrane, showed the highest permeability to vanadium ions and the worst chemical stability in V(V) solution, while the divinylbenzene membrane, JAM anionic exchange membrane, showed the lowest permeability to vanadium ions and the best chemical stability in V(V) solution. In order to impart some cationic exchange capacity to the JAM anionic exchange membrane, sodium 4-styrenesulfonate was used to modify the anionic membrane by in situ polymerization. Measurements by infrared spectroscopy (IR) and cationic ion exchange capacity (IEC) verified that the modification procedure imparts cationic exchange capability to the membrane. Incorporation of cationic exchange groups to the anionic exchange membrane further results in a reduction in permeability to vanadium ions. The current and energy efficiencies averaged over 8 charge/discharge cycles of the cell with the treated JAM membrane were higher than that with the untreated JAM membrane. The current and energy efficiencies of the cell with the treated JAM membrane did not change over several charge/discharge cycles, which indicates good chemical stability of the treated membrane in the vanadium redox cell. The average efficiencies of the cell with the treated JAM membrane are higher than that with Nafion 117 over 8 charge/discharge cycles.
Introduction One of the objectives of the French expert centers for Parkinson's disease (NS-Park) network was to determine a consensus procedure for assessing cognitive function in patients with Parkinson's. This article presents this procedure and briefly describes the selected tests. Methods A group of 13 experts used the Delphi method for consensus building to define the overall structure and components of the assessment procedure. For inclusion in the battery, tests had to be validated in the French language, require little motor participation, have normative data and be recognized by the international community. Experimental tasks and tests requiring specific devices were excluded. Results Two possibilities were identified, depending on whether an abbreviated or comprehensive assessment of cognitive function was necessary. For an abbreviated assessment, the experts recommended the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a screening test for cognitive impairment or dementia. For a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, the experts recommended assessing global efficiency plus the five main cognitive domains (attention and working memory, executive function, episodic memory, visuospatial function and language) that may be impaired in Parkinson's disease, using two tests for each domain. Discussion and conclusion A common procedure for assessing cognitive function is now available across the French network dedicated to Parkinson's disease, and is recommended for both research and clinical practice. It will also help to promote standardization of the neuropsychological assessment of Parkinson's disease.