batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Exposure to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) was associated with various adverse health effects including lung cancer. Particle size distribution and profiles of organic compounds in both particle and gas phases of DEE that could provide valuable insights into related health effects were measured in a diesel engine testing workshop. Concentrations of urinary 6 mono-hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) in 137 DEE-exposed workers and 127 non-DEE-exposed workers were determined. Benchmark dose method was applied to estimate lower limit of benchmark dose (BMDL) of urinary OH-PAHs most specific to DEE exposure for previously reported cancer biomarkers. We found that 84.3% of diesel exhaust particles were ultrafine particles. Indeno[123-cd]pyrene and phenanthrene were the most abundant carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic PAHs in the particle phase of DEE, respectively. Principal component analysis demonstrated that urinary hydroxyphenanthrene (OHPhe) had highest loading value on principal component (PC) representative of DEE exposure and lowest loading value on PC representative of smoking status. BMDLs of urinary OHPhe from best-fitting models for cancer biomarkers including micronucleus and 1,N6-ethenodeoxyadenosine were 1.08 μg/g creatinine and 2.82 μg/g creatinine, respectively. These results provided basis for understanding DEE exposure induced health effects and potential threshold for regulating DEE levels in an occupational setting.
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of three dimensions of Transformative Teaching on Iranian EFL Students as a macro study on teaching professionalism. The participants were 81 female and male Intermediate students enrolled in Jahad Language Institute. The study employed a Quasi-experimental design involving administering PET test as pre-test in order to determine language proficiency and homogeneity of the learners and post-test in which speaking was scored by two rates, the Gardner Attitude/Motivation Test Battery (2004) both in Persian at the beginning of the term and in English at the end of the term, to measure motivation, and a researcher- developed catalogue introducing Transformative Teaching to teachers, and a teacher-made journal of what happened in classrooms. The results of this study revealed, at the P < .05 alpha level, that, the treatment implied in this research had a significant effect on learners’ motivation and speaking ability. Furthermore, the results showed that Transformative teaching happens through being actively engaged in the learning process, co-creating or constructing what it is they are learning as they learn rather than taking in content passively. Thus transformative learning is essentially a way of understanding adult learning as a meaning-making process. The findings also revealed that the most frequently used strategies evoked integrated motivation of the learners.
Heavy metals are ubiquitous contaminants of the marine environment and can accumulate and persist in sediments. The toxicity of metal contaminants in sediments to organisms is dependent on the bioavailability of the metals in both the water and sediment phases and the sensitivity of the organism to the metal exposure. This study investigated the effects of two metal contaminants of concern (CdCl2 and CuCl2) on a battery of marine bioassays employed for sediment assessment. Cadmium, a known carcinogen and widespread marine pollutant, was found to be the least toxic of the two assayed metals in all in vivo tests. However, CdCl2 was found to be more toxic to the fish cell lines PLHC-1 and RTG-2 than CuCl2. Tisbe battagliai was the most sensitive species to both metals and the Microtox® and cell lines were the least sensitive (cadmium was found to be three orders of magnitude less toxic to Vibrio fischeri than to T. battagliai). The sensitivity of Tetraselmis suecica to the two metals varied greatly. Marine microalgae are among the organisms that can tolerate higher levels of cadmium. This hypothesis is demonstrated in this study where it was not possible to derive an EC50 value for CdCl2 and the marine prasinophyte, T. suecica. Conversely, CuCl2 was observed to be highly toxic to the marine alga, EC50 of 1.19 mg l−1. The genotoxic effect of Cu on the marine phytoplankton was evaluated using the Comet assay. Copper concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 2.50 mg l−1 were used to evaluate the effects. DNA damage was measured as percent number of comets and normal cells. There was no significant DNA damage observed at any concentration of CuCl2 tested and no correlation with growth inhibition and genetic damage was found.
Metal dichalcogenides are promising electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution, but more active and stable materials are desired. Here the authors demonstrate that H-TaS2 and H-NbS2 possess high basal-plane activity that increases with cycling through changes in the morphology of the catalysts.
Two experiments investigated the effectiveness of two new procedures for improving judgment by increasing sensitivity to missing information. When consumers are insensitive to important missing information, overly extreme product evaluations are formed. However, when consumers are sensitive to important missing information, they form more moderate and appropriate evaluations. Sensitivity to missing information was increased by encouraging consumers to consider their criteria for judgment before receiving product information (Experiment 1) and by asking consumers to rate presented and missing product attributes before providing overall product evaluations (Experiment 2). Both procedures were effective for improving judgment by reducing omission neglect.
Borophene, the boron atom analogue to graphene, being atomic thick have been just recently experimentally fabricated. In this work, we employ first-principles density functional theory calculations to investigate the interaction of Ca, Mg, Na or Li atoms with single-layer and free-standing borophene. We first identified the most stable binding sites and their corresponding binding energies as well and then we gradually increased the ions concentration. Our calculations predict strong binding energies of around 4.03 eV, 2.09 eV, 2.92 eV and 3.28 eV between the borophene substrate and Ca, Mg, Na or Li ions, respectively. We found that the binding energy generally decreases by increasing the ions content. Using the Bader charge analysis, we evaluate the charge transfer between the adatoms and the borophene sheet. Our investigation proposes the borophene as a 2D material with a remarkably high capacity of around 800 mA h/g, 1960 mA h/g, 1380 mA h/g and 1720 mA h/g for Ca, Mg, Na or Li ions storage, respectively. This study can be useful for the possible application of borophene for the rechargeable ion batteries.
Long-term aging of polyvanadic acid precursor solutions gives rise to dramatic effects on the structural and electrochemical characteristics of the corresponding V2O5·nH2O xerogel products. Among these, an 880 mV shift of the redox waves has been observed in the cyclic voltammograms of the modified electrodes, prepared by using 1-year-old precursor solutions. The aging effects have also been evaluated from the systematic changes in the FTIR spectra, especially for the VO and VOV vibrational peaks in the 1130–950 and 900–700 cm−1 range, respectively. Based on light scattering measurements, it has been shown that the polymerization of the polyvanadic acid precursor solutions does not stop even after 1 year. A condensation process takes place in parallel, leading to the formation of aggregates involving approximately four polymeric units. The polymerization and aggregation processes have been correlated with the changes in the X-ray diffraction and EIS patterns, as well as with the changes in the electrochemical behavior of the VXG films before and after Li+ ion intercalation.
A composite powder Li2FeSiO4/C is synthesized through a solid state reaction at 750 °C. The Rietveld crystal structure refinement is done in the monoclinic P21/n space group. It is found that the crystal structure is prone to “antisite” defect where small part of iron ion occupies exclusively Li(2) crystallographic position, of two different lithium tetrahedral positions (Li(1) and Li(2)). This finding is also confirmed by Mössbauer spectroscopy study: the sextet evidenced in the Mössbauer spectrum is assigned to the iron ions positioned at the Li(2) sites. A bond-valence energy landscape calculation is used to predict the conduction pathways of lithium ions. The calculations suggest that Li conductivity is two-dimensional in the (101) plane. Upon galvanostatic cyclings the structure starts to rearrange to inverse β II polymorph.
A FeCO3/graphene nanocomposite (FCO/GNS), in which FeCO3 nanoflakes aligned by nanowires well dispersed in graphene matrix, is successfully synthesized via a simple one-pot hydrothermal route. With the electronic conductor, buffer, dispersion and synergetic lithium storage effect of graphene, the composite exhibits significantly improved electrochemical activity and cycling stability relative to bare flower-like FeCO3 microspheres, as well as excellent rate performance and a great recovery capability, delivering a charge capacity of 934.4, 798.6, 661.4, 451.9, 403.4, 268.9 and 193.1mAhg−1 at 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 2, 3, 4 and 5C, respectively, and a recovery capacity of up to 1166mAhg−1 after 255 cycles from 0.1 to 5C. Combining the experimental data with voltage profiles and CV curves, conversion reactions of the resulted FeCO3 are inferred to be not limited to the transition between FeCO3 and Li2CO3 but involving further reduction of Li2CO3. All the results suggest that the obtained FCO/GNS nanocomposite is a very promising anode material for lithium ion batteries.
This paper presents various applications of carbon nanotubes as components of electrode materials for such electrochemical use as electrochemical capacitors, fuel cells, hydrogen electrosorption and accumulators. Generally, carbon nanotubes give exceptional improvement of electrode performance due to their mesoporous and well conducting networks. The cell resistance is drastically reduced and the transport of ions is greatly enhanced. In addition to their good conductivity, carbon nanotubes can be flexible and stretchable which is crucial for cyclability of electrodes, especially if volumetric changes of electrode material occur during operation. Consequently, they serve as excellent support for conducting polymers (e.g. polyaniline, polypyrrole) and metal oxides (e.g. MnO2) giving attractive capacitor electrodes. The presence of nanotubes in carbon precursor rich in heteroatoms, e.g. nitrogen from melamine or oxygen, also supplies an interesting carbonized composite with a good charge propagation for supercapacitor use. Furthermore, carbon nanotubes have been tested for hydrogen electrosorption giving a very moderate hydrogen capacity (0.27 wt.%). However, modification of nanotubes can enhance hydrogen storage. On the other hand, carbon nanotubes can serve as an excellent additive to many electrode materials for improvement of conductivity and cell performance. They could be a good support of the catalytic particles for fuel cell application as well.
Agricultural waste is an abundant and cheap source of carbonaceous materials. In this work we showed that, using this source, it is possible to realize activated carbon (AC) suitable for electrochemical double capacitors (EDLCs). The AC obtained from agricultural waste is microporous and displays high specific capacitance in both, conventional and innovative electrolytes.
In this paper, we report an ionic liquid derived Co3O4/Carbon (Co3O4/C) material synthesized by a carbothermic reduction followed by a low-temperature oxidation, which is certified by XRD and TEM. The as-synthesized Co3O4/C composite has a uniform structure with well-crystalized Co3O4 embedded in carbon matrix (onion-like carbon materials). The carbon held tightly on the Co3O4 particles can prevent the disintegration of Co3O4/C composite during cycling and, therefore, improve the integrity of the composite. Moreover, the carbon component of the composite can enhance the dynamic characteristic of the Co3O4/C composite, which can accelerate the electronic conductivity. The composite delivers excellent lithium storage performances with outstanding cycling performance (868 and 877mAhg−1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 89mAhg−1) and admirable rate capability (660 and 669mAhg−1 at a rate of 2C) in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), showing great prospect as electrode material for LIBs.
Photovoltaic (PV) systems can exhibit rapid variances in their power output due to irradiance changes which can destabilise an electricity grid. This paper presents a quantitative comparison of the suitability of different electrochemical energy storage system (ESS) technologies to provide ramp-rate control of power in PV systems. Our investigations show that, for PV systems ranging from residential rooftop systems to megawatt power systems, lithium-ion batteries with high energy densities (up to 600 Wh L−1) require the smallest power-normalised volumes to achieve the ramp rate limit of 10% min−1 with 100% compliance. As the system size increases, the ESS power-normalised volume requirements are significantly reduced due to aggregated power smoothing, with high power lithium-ion batteries becoming increasingly more favourable with increased PV system size. The possibility of module-level ramp-rate control is also introduced, and results show that achievement of a ramp rate of 10% min−1 with 100% compliance with typical junction box sizes will require ESS energy and power densities of 400 Wh L−1 and 2300 W L−1, respectively. While module-level ramp-rate control can reduce the impact of solar intermittence, the requirement is challenging, especially given the need for low cost and long cycle life.
Sb/acetylene black (Sb/AB) composite was firstly applied as anode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). A great electrochemical performance of the composite was obtained when utilizing this composite for SIBs. It was found that the charge capacity can reach 473mAhg−1 in the 70th cycle at a current density of 100mAg−1, and we also note that the capacity contributed by Sb was about 624mAhg−1, which is very close to its theoretical sodium storage capacity (660mAhg−1 corresponding to a formula of Na3Sb), demonstrating the full utilization of Sb. It is interesting to see that even at a high current density of 1600mAg−1, the capacity can still reach 281mAhg−1.
Nitrogen-doped carbon coated nanocrystalline Li2FeSiO4@N-C cathode materials are rationally synthesized via tartaric acid assisted sol-gel method by using urea as the nitrogen source. The addition of urea not only successfully dopes N into the carbon coating but also decreases the average particle size by heat induced ammonium molecular releasing that affects the agglomeration process of the precursor sol. The optimized sample of Li2FeSiO4@N-C1 is composed of uniformly distributed Li2FeSiO4 nanocrystals with a diameter of ∼10 nm coating by N-doped carbon layer (about 1 nm). N-doping on the carbon layer significantly increases the electronic conductivity of Li2FeSiO4, and results in ultrahigh rate performance and excellent cycling stability for lithium storage. Li2FeSiO4@N-C1 delivers a high capacity of 246.1 mAhg−1 at 0.1 C that corresponds to reversible 1.48 Li+ storage capacity. Charge/discharge cycling at 0.5 C shows a steady capacity of 220 mAhg−1 without obvious capacity fading within 100 cycles. Thus, we believe that the nirogen-doped carbon coated nanocrystalline-Li2FeSiO4@N-C composites, possessing high-capacity and excellent cyclic performance, is a promising next-generation cathode material for high-power lithium-ion batteries.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an accepted therapy for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. A new VNS system (“FitNeS”; manufactured by BioControl Medical (B.C.M.) Ltd., Yehud, Israel) was implanted in 5 patients with refractory focal epilepsy. The system is composed of a programmable pulse generator and a cuff electrode that is able to provide unidirectional stimulation, both of which are implanted in the left chest and in the neck, respectively. FitNeS is based on the CardioFit vagus nerve stimulation system, which is intended for the treatment of heart failure and which is currently in a randomized controlled phase III clinical trial. Long-term stimulation in the 5 patients resulted in a 50% seizure reduction in 2 patients, 25% in 2 patients, and no effect in one patient, with few reports concerning side effects. There were no complaints of hoarseness at levels of stimulation below 2mA nor were there any reports of dysphagia or cough. The lack of perceived stimulation effects might finally allow for the design of a truly blinded randomized controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of VNS compared to placebo.
Health services research aimed at understanding service use and improving resource allocation often relies on collecting subjectively reported or proxy-reported healthcare service utilization (HSU) data. It is important to know the discrepancies in such self or proxy reports, as they have significant financial and policy implications. In high-dependency populations, such as stroke survivors, with varying levels of cognitive impairment and dysphasia, caregivers are often potential sources of stroke survivors’ HSU information. Most of the work conducted on agreement analysis to date has focused on validating different sources of self-reported data, with few studies exploring the validity of caregiver-reported data. Addressing this gap, our study aimed to quantify the agreement across the caregiver-reported and national claims-based HSU of stroke patients.
Anatase titania nanorods/nanowires, and TiO2(B) are synthesized via a hydrothermal reaction of commercial TiO2 (P-25) in strong alkaline environment. Surfaces of these products are modified by carbon to improve the electrical conductivity through carbonization of pitch as the carbon source at 700 °C for 2 h in an Ar atmosphere. Even after carbon coating, the resultants exhibit the same crystal structure and morphology as confirmed by Rietveld refinement of x-ray diffraction data and transmission electron microscopic observation that the images display thin carbon coating layers on the surfaces of anatase nanorods and nanowires. Although the bare and carbon-coated anatase TiO2 nanorods exhibit stable cycling performance, the high rate performance is highly dependent on the presence of carbon because of high electrical conductivity, ∼10−1 S cm−1, enabling Li+ ion storage even at 30°C (9.9 A g−1) approximately 100 mAh (g-TiO2)−1 for the carbon-coated anatase TiO2 nanorods. Besides, the bare and carbon-coated anatase TiO2 nanowires show poor electrode performances due to their large particle size and high crystallinity causing Li+ insertion into the host structure difficult. It is believed that the conducting carbon coating layers greatly improves the electrochemical property through the improved electrical conductivity and shortened diffusion path.
Velocardiofacial/DiGeorge syndrome (VCFS/DGS) is a developmental disorder caused by a 1.5 to 3-Mb hemizygous 22q11.2 deletion. VCFS/DGS patients display malformations in multiple systems, as well as an increased frequency of neuropsychiatric defects including schizophrenia. Haploinsufficiency of TBX1 appears to be responsible for these physical malformations in humans and mice, but the genes responsible for the neuropsychiatric defects are unknown. In this study, two mouse models of VCFS/DGS, a deletion mouse model (Lgdel/+) and a single gene model (Tbx1 +/−), as well as a third mouse mutant (Gscl −/−) for a gene within the Lgdel deletion, were tested in a large behavioral battery designed to assess gross physical features, sensorimotor reflexes, motor activity nociception, acoustic startle, sensorimotor gating, and learning and memory. Lgdel/+ mice contain a 1.5-Mb hemizygous deletion of 27 genes in the orthologous region on MMU 16 and present with impairment in sensorimotor gating, grip strength, and nociception. Tbx1+/− mice were impaired in grip strength similar to Lgdel/+ mice and movement initiation. Gscl−/− mice were not impaired in any of the administered tests, suggesting that redundant function of other Gsc family members may compensate for the loss of Gscl. Thus, although deletion of the genes in the Lgdel region in mice may recapitulate some of the behavioral phenotypes seen in humans with VCFS/DGS, these phenotypes are not found in mice with complete loss of Gscl or in mice with heterozygous loss of Tbx1, suggesting that the neuropsychiatric and physical malformations of VCFS/DGS may act by different genetic mechanisms.
An innovative Towed Trawl Simulator Sledge (TTSS) which has been tested in the field is described. The new instrument, which incorporates six water sampling bottles and video observation equipment, is designed to simulate the effects of the passage of otter trawl groundropes over seafloor sediments. The TTSS is towed from a surface vessel at speeds similar to those of commercial trawls and the water bottles, triggered simultaneously by electrical or acoustic signals, collect water samples in the plume of disturbed sediment behind the groundrope. The TTSS has been tested in the continental shelf fishing grounds of Heraklion Bay (Eastern Mediterranean) where quantitative measurements of the physical (sediment resuspension) and chemical (nutrient release) effects on surface sediments caused by the passage of otter trawl groundrope typical of that used in the Cretan fishery trawling were performed. The performance of the TTSS is also validated against an instrumented full-scale trawl. It is suggested that the TTSS should be used for the study and modelling of the effects of otter trawling and similar fishing processes on nutrient supply from seafloor sediments and the resulting ecosystem responses.
Lithium manganese oxide nanopowders doped with Ce ions are synthesized using modified sol-gel method and the effect of annealing atmosphere (air vs. nitrogen) on the structure, morphology, and phase composition is studied thoroughly. Electrochemical testing is conducted to evaluate the effect of annealing atmosphere on electrochemical performance. The X-ray diffraction indicates the cubic spinel structure for all the obtained samples. The lattice parameter is observed to slightly decrease with increasing concentration of Ce3+ ions substituting Mn3+ ions from 8.230 to 8.228 Ẵ and from 8.227 to 8.224 Ẵ for air annealing and for nitrogen-air annealing, respectively. A limited solubility of cerium in LiMn2O4 is also observed, as small amounts of cerium dioxide is detected on the surface of LiMn2-xCexO4 grains and confirmed by XPS analysis of cerium which shows only the spectrum of Ce4+ ions. Electrochemical testing is conducted to evaluate the effect of annealing atmosphere on electrochemical performance. It is shown that annealing in nitrogen and then in air results in excellent capacity retention with minimal, 4–8% capacity loss after 150 cycles. LiMn1.99Ce0.01O4 samples prepared that way display better high rate performance in comparison with pristine LiMn2O4.
Intercalation-induced dimensional changes of composite battery electrodes containing either a stiff or a soft polymeric binder is one of the many factors determining the cycling performance and ageing. Herein, we report dimensional changes in bulk composite electrodes by in situ electrochemical dilatometry (eD) combined with electrochemical quartz-crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (EQCM-D). The latter tracks the mechanical properties on the level of the electrode particle size. Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, LFP) electrodes with a stiff binder (PVdF) and a soft binder (NaCMC) were investigated by cycling in lithium sulfate (Li2SO4) aqueous solution. The electrochemical and mechanical electrode performances depend on the electrode cycling history. Based on combined eD and EQCM-D measurements we provide evidence which properties are preferred for a binder used for a composite Li-ion battery electrode.