batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
During a pilot study of indoor air quality in restaurants, a survey was performed in 34 medium-priced restaurants in six countries in Asia, Europe, and North America using a uniform protocol. The concentration of selected constituents of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) present in occupied areas was determined during lunch and dinner periods by measuring the levels of four particulate-phase markers and two gas-phase markers. The particulate-phase markers determined were respirable suspended particles, ultraviolet particulate matter, fluorescing particulate matter, and solanesol particulate matter. The gas-phase markers were nicotine and 3-ethenylpyridine (3-EP). Correlation between the markers was investigated to explore an improved monitoring approach. It was concluded that at least one marker in each phase was necessary to describe adequately the ETS load. An assessment was made of the ventilation system in each restaurant, and effective ventilation rates were determined based on CO2 measurements. Smoking activity was also monitored. These data were used to model nicotine and 3-EP concentrations that resulted in a satisfactory prediction of their levels, especially at the higher concentrations. A total number of 1370 questionnaires were returned by the restaurant patrons in five countries. In some countries, dissatisfaction rates above 20% were observed for draft, freshness of air, and noise. The dissatisfaction rates related to tobacco smoke were less than 20%, which is lower than would be predicted based on measured ETS levels. Based on the results of this international pilot study, recommendations are given for future studies of this type.
New reflections appear in the powder X-ray diffraction patterns of Ni–Al–Cl LDH films that have been subjected to repeated voltammetric scans in basic electrolytes (pH⩾12). They are attributed to the formation of new phases, one of which is β-Ni(OH)2. The intensities of the d 003 and d 006 reflections of the LDH layer were also reduced. This was not observed for Ni–Al–Cl LDH films that were simply soaked in basic solutions or cycled in pH 8 buffer electrolyte solutions. The XRD pattern of Ni–Al–CO3 LDH films was not affected by voltammetric scanning in basic electrolyte.
The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal abilities of children treated by surgery for a malignant tumor in the cerebellum, both in the perception and the production of rhythm. Children with a diagnosed medulloblastoma and age-matched control children were tested in a rhythm discrimination task and a sensorimotor synchronization task. Their motor and cognitive capabilities were also assessed through a battery of age-adapted neuropsychological tests. The results did not show any significant difference in performance between groups for the discrimination task. On the contrary, children with cerebellar lesions produced longer and more variable inter-tap intervals (ITI) in their spontaneous motor tempo (SMT) than did the control children. However, the length and, to a lesser extent, the variability of their SMT decreased after a synchronization phase, when they had been instructed to tap in synchrony with a beep. During the synchronization task, the children with medulloblastoma succeeded to modify the length of their ITI in response to an auditory rhythm, although with better success when the inter-stimuli intervals (ISI) were shorter than when they were longer than the ITIs of their own SMT. Correlational analyses revealed that children's poorer synchronization performance was related to lower scores in neuropsychological tests assessing motor dexterity and processing speed.
MnO2-pillared layered manganese oxide has been first fabricated by a delamination/reassembling process followed by oxidation reaction and then by heat treatment. The structural evolution of MnO2-pillared layered manganese oxide has been characterized by XRD, SEM, DSC-GTA, IR and N2 adsorption-desorption. MnO2-pillared layered manganese oxide shows a relative high thermal stability and mesoporous characteristic. The layered structure with a basal spacing of 0.66nm could be maintained up to 400°C. The electrochemical properties of the synthesized MnO2-pillared layered manganese oxide have been studied using cyclic voltammetry in a mild aqueous electrolyte. Sample MnO2–BirMO (300°C) shows good capacitive behavior and cycling stability, and the specific capacitance value is 206Fg−1.
Szuts et al. have developed a wireless neural recording system that outperforms existing rodent telemetry systems in either channel count, weight or transmission range. They show that it can be used to record brain signals in animals outdoors and in tunnels.
Spectroscopic investigations of Mn2+ electro-oxidation and MnO2 electro-reduction in acidic media (0.5–2M H2SO4) have been performed using optically transparent electrodes (OTE). Reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) has been used as the electrode material. Our results show that in the first step of Mn2+ ions electro-oxidation the unstable in aqueous media Mn3+ ions are formed. In the next step Mn3+ ions can hydrolyse to MnOOH and/or disproportionate to Mn2+ and Mn4+ ions. Contrary to the electro-oxidation of Mn2+ to MnO2, the electro-reduction of MnO2 proceeds in two steps. The first step is strictly connected with electro-generation of MnOOH and the next with regeneration of Mn2+ ions.
Nanostructured manganese-cobalt mixed oxide (MnCoOx) is straightforwardly prepared via one-step dealloying of the MnCoAl ternary alloy in mild alkaline solution. The as-made MnCoOx has the micro-/nano- architecture with the first order interconnected microsphere buildings and rich voids accompanied with the second order interlaced nanosheet assemblies on the microsphere. Upon leaching out the Al atoms from the MnCoAl source alloy, the residual Mn and Co atoms go though the natural oxidation at the metal/electrolyte interface to generate the MnCoOx microspheres. Electrochemical tests suggest that the as-made MnCoOx anode has the exceptional reversible capacity and rate capability at the high current rate of 1500mAg−1. Especially, the MnCoOx microspheres achieve much higher capacities and longer cycle life both at the current rates of 300 and 1000mAg−1. The MnCoOx microspheres show the prospective applications as an advanced anode in LIBs with the advantages of unusual lithium storage performance and easy preparation.
An order olivine structure LiFePO4 was synthesized with a simple rheological phase reaction (RPR) of LiOH·H2O and FePO4·4H2O in the presence of PEG as a reductive agent and carbon source. A required amount of water was added to the starting materials to form the rheological precursor and decomposed at 700°C to form the crystalline phase LiFePO4 directly, without ball-milling, preparation of intermediates, pre-sintering and post-deposition treatment. Fine particles with an average particle size about 216nm are examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical particle size analyzer. An initial discharge capacity of 157mAhg−1 was achieved for the as-prepared LiFePO4 material with a rate of 0.1C (17mAg−1), what's more, this material shows excellent specific capacity, charge–discharge efficiency and cycle efficiency at high current rates, almost no capacity loss can be observed up to 40 cycles with the rate of 1, 2 and 3C at room temperature. The simple, cheap process as well as the excellent high-rate performance makes this RPR method feasible commercially.
Sn materials offer high theoretical capacities in lithium ion batteries, but they must have good cycling stability and high rate-capability in order to be commercialized. Complex and costly material treatments of Sn have been effective in reducing capacity fade, but conventionally produced bare Sn is desired for reducing cost. One simple method is to form a high-quality solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on Sn particles with low resistance and high passivation. Fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) added to the electrolyte forms a protective and less-resistant SEI on Sn particles during the in-situ electrochemical SEI formation cycle. FEC is a good oxidizing agent that removes highly oxidized carbon compounds and makes a SEI thinner during an oxidation process (delithiation) of SEI formation cycle. The high-quality SEI greatly improves the rate-capability and capacity of nano-sized bare Sn electrodes without any treatments: minimal capacity fade (0.014% cycle−1) at 320mAhg−1 (1.3C) for 150 cycles. The mitigating effect of FEC on capacity fade is not seen with electrodes fabricated from micro-scale (0.1~0.2μm) Sn. The long lithium-ion diffusion path makes these micro-sized materials susceptible to decrepitation during repeated volume changes.
Alkaline silver–zinc cells of different capacity have been characterised by a galvanostatic non-destructive technique (GNDT). Cells with capacities between 10.6 and 58.5Ah exhibit lower internal resistance than those with capacities between 1.7 and 5.8Ah. From analysis of voltage–time transient data, it is concluded that only the cells with capacities between 10.6 and 58.5Ah can sustain high-drain applications.
Hierarchical surface morphologies form when thin films are deposited onto preexisting templates of vertically aligned wires using a line-of-sight deposition method, providing a facile path to experimental battery electrodes with high surface-to-volume ratios. To demonstrate this, we fabricate and electrochemically cycle highly textured thin film electrodes of Li x Mn2−y O4 with large surface-to-volume ratios and low impedance. The active surface area of the electrodes exceeds the area of the substrate by at least a factor of five. This factor is due in part to the textured template, and in part to the effects of local shadowing during line-of-sight film deposition, resulting in a hierarchical surface morphology. The textured electrodes maintain their structural integrity for at least 30 cycles, as shown through microstructural characterization and reversible cycling against metallic lithium over the range of 2.0–4.4V. In comparison to planar thin film electrodes of equal mass, they also offer a lasting reduction in internal impedance. Overall, textured thin film electrodes of any material are readily fabricated through this templating technique and can be used to improve three-dimensional battery architectures or to simply probe electrochemical surface effects.
Pitch cokes with abundant hollow carbon nanostructures (HCNs) and nickel nanoparticles were prepared from pitch containing nickel nanoparticles by simple heat-treatment process. The effects of nickel content and heat-treatment temperatures on the electrochemical properties were analyzed systematically. Two kinds of pitch cokes were studied in detail and both of them revealed excellent electrochemical performances, such as high reversible capacity, excellent rate capability and good cycling properties that the capacity becoming bigger with cycling. The microstructure of the samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Combined with the electrochemical performances, it was assumed that the HCNs should play an important role in the enhancing electrochemical properties as the reservoir for the lithium storage and transfer. A sample composed mainly of HCNs was fabricated to verify the hypothesis.
l-Homoarginine (hArg) may play a role in regulating the metabolism of its structural homologue l-arginine via multiple pathways (including nitric oxide synthase) in animals. Accurate measurement of hArg is essential for studying its synthesis and utilization by cells and the whole body. Here, we describe a simple, sensitive and automated method for analysis of hArg in biological samples by high-performance liquid chromatography involving precolumn derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) as the thiol. The hArg–OPA–NAC derivative was separated at 25 °C on a reversed-phase C18 material and detected by fluorescence at excitation and emission wavelengths of 340 and 450 nm, respectively. The total running time for one sample (including the time for column regeneration) was 20 min, with the retention time for hArg being 10.03 min. The limit of detection was 188 fmol hArg, which was equivalent to 12 nM hArg in the 160-µl assay mixture. The assay was linear between 1.0 and 80 pmol hArg injected into the HPLC column (equivalent to 0.0625 and 5 µM hArg in the 160-µl assay mixture, respectively). The precision (relative deviation, %) and bias (relative error, %) of the HPLC method were 0.52–1.16 and 0.42–1.12, respectively, for aqueous solutions of hArg and for various biological samples (e.g., plasma, liver, brain and kidney). This is a highly sensitive, accurate, efficient and easily automated method for analysis of hArg in biological samples and provides a useful tool for studying the biochemistry, nutrition, physiology and pharmacology of hArg and arginine in animals and humans.
Pure Si platelets and Ni or Cu layer-laminated Si platelets with difference thickness were prepared, and their charge/discharge properties were examined in 1M LiClO4/EC+DEC (1:1 by volume) as alternative negative electrode materials to graphite for Li-ion batteries. The shape of thin platelets and lamination with Ni layer are significantly effective to improve the cycleability in Li–Si alloy system by relieving the stress during the alloying/de-alloying processes, reinforcing the mechanical strength and reducing the Li+ ion diffusion length. Moreover, the first irreversible capacity is minimized by reduction of the amount of Ketjen Black (KB) in the composite electrode because of electrolyte decomposition on the surface of KB. Consequently, the Si/Ni/Si-LP30 (30/30/30nm) composite electrode with 5wt% KB also exhibits over 700mAhg−1 even after 50 cycles in 1M LiPF6/EC+DEC (1:1).
The acidic polymer hydrogel electrolyte was prepared from 1M H2SO4 aqueous solution, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and glutaraldehyde (GA). A new electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) with the polymer hydrogel electrolyte was assembled, and its electrochemical characteristics were investigated. As a result, the EDLC cell with the polymer hydrogel electrolyte exhibited almost the same discharge capacitance and high-rate dischargeability as that with a 1M H2SO4 aqueous solution as an electrolyte. It was also found that the self-discharge was remarkably suppressed by using the polymer hydrogel electrolyte.
The electrochemical noises obtained from pure aluminium in an alkaline solution have been analysed as a function of sulphate, nitrate or sodium sulphide concentration. A stochastic theory has been applied to the experimentally obtained electrochemical noises based upon the Weibull distribution function. From the occurrence of two linear regions on one Weibull probability plot, the present analysis method permitted us to distinguish between the dissolution of Al and the stochastic process concerning the series of nucleation, growth and detachment of hydrogen bubbles in an engineering sense. Moreover, the conditional event generation rate and the average charge in each event were quantitatively determined for the stochastic process of hydrogen bubbles as well as the dissolution of Al. Effects of sulphate, nitrate and sodium sulphide additives on the corrosion of pure aluminium in an alkaline solution have been discussed in terms of the conditional event generation rate and the average charge in each event.
The purpose of this study consists of analyzing the existing correlations between the eye-hand coordination, intersegmental coordination and sports performance. The TUD and RCMV tests, included into the PSISELTEVA battery, developed by RQ Plus, evaluates the intersegmental and the eye-hand coordination, expressed through some psychomotor-related parameters. The subjects who took part in this study are 12 elite junior tennis players. Using the Spearman correlation there have been important relations highlighted between the resistance to disruptive factors when performing intersegmental movements, the eye-hand coordination under fast speed conditions and the sports performance, expressed through the ranking position (the official ranking system).
Enterprises evaluate customers’ preferences of high-tech products to appropriately adjust product lines when the technologies are ready for commercialization. Conjoint analysis (CA) is usually applied to measure customers’ preferences while the product line design model (PLDM) is used to simulate customers’ purchase decisions based on these preferences. The optimal product line extension scheme (PLES) can then be found. For customers unfamiliar with a new technology, it is difficult to precisely appraise preferences for new products. This paper proposes fuzzy PLDM that combines fuzzy theory with CA to take preference uncertainty into consideration. To precisely apply fuzzy preferences, fuzzy rating is used to simulate customers’ purchase decisions. This paper focuses on the notebook industry in Taiwan. Optimal PLES are obtained under Fuzzy and Crisp scenarios. The results show that customers with high preference uncertainty have different purchase decisions under above scenarios, which leads to a great inconsistency between the optimal PLES obtained from Fuzzy and Crisp scenarios. The Fuzzy scenario takes preference uncertainty into consideration and uses stricter standards to judge whether customers buy products with new technology.
The production of carbonates from carbon dioxide and epoxides is an atom-economical, scalable and industrially relevant reaction, highlighting the use of carbon dioxide as a sustainable source of carbon. Following a brief introduction on cyclic carbonates and their applications, the use of ionic liquids (ILs) as organocatalysts for the cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides is analysed. Additionally, examples of one-pot processes starting from alkenes or diols that may be used to produce carbonates are described (as these reactions are less developed the scope of the catalysts is not limited to IL catalysts). These alternatives are of special interest as simple alkenes and diols may be derived from biomass, leading to products derived entirely from renewable resources.
Studies on effects of di-F-substitution sites in the main ligand (dpq) of complex [Ru(bpy)2(dpq)]2+ (dpq=dipyrido [3,2-d:2′,3′-f] quinoxaline, bpy=2,2′-bipyridyl)) are carried out by using the DFT method at the B3LYP/LanL2DZ level. The effects caused by the electron-withdrawing group (F) on different sites of the electronic structures and the related properties, e.g. the components and energies and of some frontier molecular orbitals, the spectral properties, the net charge populations of some main atoms of the complexes, and the relative stabilities of isomers, etc., have been investigated. The results show that di-F-substitution sites have some interesting effects. First, the di-F-substitution on any site of main ligand(dpq) can make the components of the LUMO of the derivative mainly distribute in the main ligand, whereas those of the LUMO in the parent complex I mainly distribute on the co-ligands, and then we can say that the di-F-substitution can activate the main ligand and passivate the co-ligands of the derivatives in the first excited states. Second, 7,7′-di-F-substitution makes the energy of LUMO greatly reduce and that of HOMO almost stay unchanged, and then the affinity of the isomer binding to DNA must be the greatest, and the wave-length of the ground band of this isomer must be the greatest too. In addition, the atomic charge populations on main ligand, the relative stabilities of isomers and coordination bond lengths are also discussed. The above theoretical results are useful references to the functional molecular designs of the complexes and the analysis of the interaction mechanism of the complexes with DNA, etc.
Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified the variants near TRIB1 gene affecting blood lipid levels. However, the association between the reported variants and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) was not confirmed.
We have investigated corrosion of aluminum current collectors in electrolytes containing LiTFSI salt by chronopotentiometry, cyclic voltammetery, chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and optical microscopy. Open-circuit potentials for cells with gel electrolytes containing silica nanoparticles are relatively stable in comparison to the corresponding baseline liquid, which suggests that the Al/electrolyte interface is more stable in presence of silica nanoparticles. Cyclic voltammetery and chronoamperometry data show that the current density for Li/electrolyte/Al cells with gel electrolytes containing fumed silica was less than that for baseline liquid electrolyte. The Nyquist plot for liquid electrolyte after chronoamperometry is semicircular-like, that is a corrosion reaction occurred. After cell disassembly, black particulates are evident and pits are observed on the aluminum foil. In comparison, no corrosion products are observed for cells containing gel electrolytes, and the Nyquist plots indicate that corrosion does not occur appreciably. Gel electrolytes produce impedance spectra with a large phase lag over a wide frequency range, which is not observed for the baseline liquid electrolyte. These phenomena may be interpreted as a good film-coating behavior associated with gel electrolytes, which results in a lower aluminum corrosion rate.
A method for the preparation of nanoporous dielectric membranes from anodically oxidized aluminium is described. Pores of an initially formed free anodic alumina film were protected with gelatin gel, and the oxide barrier layer was chemically dissolved from bottom side of the film. The method is advantageous in that it permits complete removal of the barrier layer and fabrication of large-area fine-porous membranes without introducing discontinuities in the pore network across the membrane surface. The membranes produced here were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and preliminarily examined as an electrolyte carrier/separator for Li rechargeable batteries by impedance measurements and charge–discharge cycle experiments. Repeated electrodeposition–dissolution of Li metal on Ni and Al substrates in LiPF6/propylene carbonate electrolyte was performed through the alumina membrane or through a commercially available polymeric separator, and charge–discharge coulombic efficiencies were then calculated.
A sample set of 50 AA size disposable batteries, dominantly from China and other non-U.S. sources were investigated to assess the nature of heavy metal concentrations to determine if such batteries are of environmental concern. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry investigation indicates that all batteries analyses contain Ni, Cu, As, Sr, and Ba and most of the batteries have detectable quantities of Pb (92%), Cr (88%) and Co (88%). Roughly half of the batteries analyzed contain detectable quantities of Hg (52%) and V (56%). Tl occurs in 64% of batteries but at very low concentrations (0.1–1.1ppm). Cd and Se were less common occurring in only 8% and 12% of batteries respectively. Some samples are arguably low in heavy metal content with 28% of the batteries having a sum of less than 100ppm of the analyzed metals. The origin of the heavy metal concentrations is interpreted to be largely from original geologic sources of material. Scanning electron microscopy indicates that heavy metals are largely in solid solution in the phases in the battery materials and rarely exist as discrete particulate materials and suggests that mechanical separation of heavy metals for recycling purposes is therefore not feasible. Although batteries from several sources have heavy metal concentrations of concern, batteries from China are generally characterized by having relatively high heavy metal content. These products are introduced into waste streams in countries where respective domestic manufacturers must meet a much higher environmental standard. Results of this study suggest an environmental global standard should be developed and the data presented here may serve as a reference for development of such a standard. The use of cleaner geologic source materials and manufacturing activities is suggested.