batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s dementia develop difficulties in social functioning. This has led to an interest in the study of “theory of mind” in this population. However, difficulty has arisen because the associated cognitive demands of traditional short story theory of mind assessments result in failure per se in this population, making it challenging to test pure theory of mind ability.
Ocean acidification is thought to benefit seagrasses because of increased carbon dioxide (CO2) availability for photosynthesis. However, in order to truly assess ecological responses, effects of ocean acidification need to be investigated in a variety of coastal environments. We tested the hypothesis that ocean acidification would benefit seagrasses in the northern Gulf of Mexico, where the seagrasses Halodule wrightii and Ruppia maritima coexist in a fluctuating environment. To evaluate if benefits of ocean acidification could alter seagrass bed composition, cores of H. wrightii and R. maritima were placed alone or in combination into aquaria and maintained in an outdoor mesocosm. Half of the aquaria were exposed to either ambient (mean pH of 8.1 ± 0.04 SD on total scale) or high CO2 (mean pH 7.7 ± 0.05 SD on total scale) conditions. After 54 days of experimental exposure, the δ13C values were significantly lower in seagrass tissue in the high CO2 condition. This integration of a different carbon source (either: preferential use of CO2, gas from cylinder, or both) indicates that plants were not solely relying on stored energy reserves for growth. Yet, after 41 to 54 days, seagrass morphology, biomass, photo-physiology, metabolism, and carbon and nitrogen content in the high CO2 condition did not differ from those at ambient. There was also no indication of differences in traits between the homospecific or heterospecific beds. Findings support two plausible conclusions: (1) these seagrasses rely heavily on bicarbonate use and growth will not be stimulated by near future acidification conditions or (2) the mesohaline environment limited the beneficial impacts of increased CO2 availability.
During extended testing at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Air Force Research Laboratory, it has been found that maximum power output of the PX-3A AMTEC cell decreases with time. Starting with a peak maximum power output of 2.45W it decreases almost continuously to 1.27W at the end of 18000h. In this paper, the factors contributing to this power loss have been investigated. The cell uses a β″-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE) whose material degrades with time due to changes in the chemical and thermal conditions within the cell during operation. The analysis shows that the β″-alumina degradation manifests itself as an increase in its ionic resistance which reduces power output. The β″-alumina is responsible most of the power degradation in the first 7000h of operation. Thereafter, though β″-alumina degradation continues to cause power loss, other components and their materials in the cell also contribute to power loss. Some suggestions are made that will help reduce the rate of power degradation and extend the useful and functional time of the cell which primarily deal with reducing the chemical contamination of the BASE, use of β-alumina instead of β″-alumina and keeping the electrode current density below a certain critical value.
The complex pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder encompasses interactions between genetic and environmental factors. On the one hand, hundreds of genes, converging at the functional level on selective biological domains such as epigenetic regulation and synaptic function, have been identified to be either causative or risk factors of autism. On the other hand, exposure to chemicals that are widespread in the environment, such as endocrine disruptors, has been associated with adverse effects on human health, including neurodevelopmental disorders. Interestingly, experimental results suggest an overlap in the regulatory pathways perturbed by genetic mutations and environmental factors, depicting convergences and complex interplays between genetic susceptibility and toxic insults. The pervasive nature of chemical exposure poses pivotal challenges for neurotoxicological studies, regulatory agencies, and policy makers. This highlights an emerging need of developing new integrative models, including biomonitoring, epidemiology, experimental, and computational tools, able to capture real-life scenarios encompassing the interaction between chronic exposure to mixture of substances and individuals’ genetic backgrounds. In this review, we address the intertwined roles of genetic lesions and environmental insults. Specifically, we outline the transformative potential of stem cell models, coupled with omics analytical approaches at increasingly single cell resolution, as converging tools to experimentally dissect the pathogenic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as to improve developmental neurotoxicology risk assessment.
Denmark spends the most on hydrogen research (in Gross Domestic Product terms) than any other country in the world, which has led to an immense amount of activity related to hydrogen fuel cells within the past decade. However, not all stakeholders in the Danish hydrogen network share the same vision for the technology. This study therefore uses critical stakeholder analysis to first identify the most influential actors involved in hydrogen research before it documents a set of stakeholder conflicts. The study has a threefold conclusion that urges analysts to rethink how they view stakeholder contention within the Danish hydrogen research network. First, the study concludes that hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are still open for interpretation and the application is thus a conflict area between stakeholders. Second, stakeholder conflict can contribute to technical development according to an evolutionary economics perspective. Third, consensus regarding energy system transitions is by nature temporary and, at times, can be counterproductive to the advancement of hydrogen technologies.
Age-related changes in the microstructural organization of the corpus callosum (CC) may explain declines in bimanual motor performance associated with normal aging. We used diffusion tensor imaging in young (n = 33) and older (n = 33) adults to investigate the microstructural organization of seven specific CC subregions (prefrontal, premotor, primary motor, primary sensory, parietal, temporal and occipital). A set of bimanual tasks was used to assess various aspects of bimanual motor functioning: the Purdue Pegboard test, simultaneous and alternating finger tapping, a choice reaction time test and a complex visuomotor tracking task. The older adults showed age-related deficits on all measures of bimanual motor performance. Correlation analyses within the older group showed that white matter fractional anisotropy of the CC occipital region was associated with bimanual fine manipulation skills (Purdue Pegboard test), whereas better performance on the other bimanual tasks was related to higher fractional anisotropy in the more anterior premotor, primary motor and primary sensory CC subregions. Such associations were less prominent in the younger group. Our findings suggest that structural alterations of subregional callosal fibers may account for bimanual motor declines in normal aging.
We report the fabrication of monolithic quasi-graphene film with porous carbon frameworks (GPF), both nitrogen-doped, by a one-step pyrolysis of commercial filter membrane, and demonstrate its improved performance in Li-ion storage compared to commercial graphite. Several advantageous features (porous framework and its integrity with the quasi-graphene, N doping) of this new electrode are manifested by its high-rate and long-cycling rechargeable Li-ion storage. A high reversible capacity of 493mAhg−1 is achieved at a rate of 0.1C. And at a fast charge/discharge rate of 30C, the GPF electrode delivers a capacity of 220mAhg−1, which can last for up to 5000 cycles with nearly no capacity fading. We also demonstrate the GPF as a new type of current collector for active materials with improved mass loading and rate performance. The fabrication is cost effective, highly efficient, and scalable, and thus may pave way to new carbonaceous materials for high-performance energy storage.
Infantile spasms are the typical seizures of West syndrome, an infantile epileptic encephalopathy with poor outcomes. There is an increasing need to identify more effective and better tolerated treatments for infantile spasms. We have optimized the rat model of infantile spasms due to structural etiology, the multiple-hit rat model, for therapy discovery. Here, we test three compounds administered after spasms induction in the multiple hit model for efficacy and tolerability. Specifically, postnatal day 3 (PN3) male Sprague-Dawley rats were induced by right intracerebral injections of doxorubicin and lipopolysaccharide. On PN5 p-chlorophenylalanine was given intraperitoneally (i.p.). Daily monitoring of weights and developmental milestones was done and rats were intermittently video monitored. A blinded, randomized, vehicle-controlled study design was followed. The caspase 1 inhibitor VX-765 (50–200 mg/kg i.p.) and the GABAB receptor inhibitor CGP35348 (12.5–100 mg/kg i.p.) each was administered in different cohorts as single intraperitoneal injections on PN4, using a dose- and time-response design with intermittent monitoring till PN5. 17β-estradiol (40 ng/g/day subcutaneously) was given daily between PN3-10 and intermittent monitoring was done till PN12. None of the treatments demonstrated acute or delayed effects on spasms, yet all were well tolerated. We discuss the implications for therapy discovery and challenges of replication trials.
Measurement of platelet adhesion in vitro is a good indicator of its reactivity to implant devices in vivo. Platelets were labeled with I-125 without affecting its normal morphology and function and the labeled platelets were suspended in platelet poor plasma and exposed to Ti and diamond like carbon-coated (DLC) Ti discs, under dynamic conditions, using a parallel plate flow chamber. The test materials were washed, dried, exposed to a phosphor screen and scanned to get the images. The number of platelets that adhered to Ti was found to be higher than those that adhered to DLC coated Ti sample, irrespective of the shear stress which was varied between 2 and 16 dynes/cm2.
20(S)-hydroxycholesterol binds to Smo at a site distinct from cyclopamine and activates signaling via an allosteric mechanism. A new alkyne oxysterol analog selectively captures Smo from membrane extracts and provides a new method for detecting protein-sterol interactions.
A solid-state polymer lithium metal battery having a LiFePO4/C composite cathode and a poly(ethylene oxide) PEO-based solid polymer electrolyte was assembled and characterized in terms of specific energy and power according to the protocol for electric vehicle (EV) application set by the USABC-DOE. The results of these tests show that this polymer battery surpasses the goals stated by USABC-DOE and, hence, may be suitable for application in the evolving EV market.
Improving the overall energy efficiency by reducing pumping power and improving flow distribution of electrolyte, is a major challenge for developers of flow batteries. The use of suitable channels can improve flow distribution through the electrodes and reduce flow resistance, hence reducing the energy consumption of the pumps. Although several studies of vanadium redox flow battery have proposed the use of bipolar plates with flow channels, similar to fuel cell designs, this paper presents the use of flow channels in the porous electrode as an alternative approach. Four types of electrodes with channels: rectangular open channel, interdigitated open cut channel, interdigitated circular poked channel and cross poked circular channels, are studied and compared with a conventional electrode without channels. Our study shows that interdigitated open channels can improve the overall energy efficiency up to 2.7% due to improvement in flow distribution and pump power reduction while interdigitated poked channel can improve up to 2.5% due to improvement in flow distribution.
The effect of mechanical grinding on the electrochemical properties of P100 and P75 fibers and natural graphite UF4 was studied. The electrochemical experiments were conducted in the NaClO4–ethylene carbonate (EC) electrolyte. Graphite did not allow significant sodium intercalation intrinsically but P100 and P75 fibers, which display lower graphitization level lead to richer compounds. A moderate mechanical grinding of P75 fibers resulted in the appearance of an extra reversible capacity corresponding to sodium insertion in the amorphous and porous parts of the material. Such a treatment allowed to change the composition from Na0.22C8 to Na0.31C8. With graphite, efficient grinding allowed this material to accommodate large amounts of sodium. Thus, the composition Na0.06C8 obtained with as-received graphite was changed to Na0.67C8 after grinding.
Huntington disease (HD) can be seen as a model neurodegenerative disorder, in that it is caused by a single genetic mutation and is amenable to predictive genetic testing, with estimation of years to predicted onset, enabling the entire range of disease natural history to be studied. Structural neuroimaging biomarkers show that progressive regional brain atrophy begins many years before the emergence of diagnosable signs and symptoms of HD, and continues steadily during the symptomatic or 'manifest' period. The continued development of functional, neurochemical and other biomarkers raises hopes that these biomarkers might be useful for future trials of disease-modifying therapeutics to delay the onset and slow the progression of HD. Such advances could herald a new era of personalized preventive therapeutics. We describe the natural history of HD, including the timing of emergence of motor, cognitive and emotional impairments, and the techniques that are used to assess these features. Building on this information, we review recent progress in the development of biomarkers for HD, and potential future roles of these biomarkers in clinical trials.
The global attention has always been focussed on the adverse environmental impacts of conventional energy sources. In contrast nonconventional energy sources, particularly the renewable ones, have enjoyed a ‘clean’ image vis a vis environmental impacts. The only major exception to this general trend has been large hydropower projects; experience has taught us that they can be disastrous for the environment. The belief now is that minihydel and microhydel projects are harmless alternatives. But are renewable energy sources really as benign as is widely believed? The present essay addresses this question in the background of Lovin's classical paradigm, which had postulated the hard (malignant) and soft (benign) energy concepts in the first place. It critically evaluates the environmental impacts of major renewable energy sources. It then comes up with the broad conclusion that renewable energy sources are not the panacea they are popularly perceived to be; indeed in some cases their adverse environmental impacts can be as strongly negative as the impacts of conventional energy sources. The paper also dwells on the steps we need to take so that we can utilize renewable energy sources without facing environmental backlashes of the type we got from hydropower projects.
Research indicates reduced knee function and stability decades after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Assessment requires reliable functional tests that discriminate such outcomes from asymptomatic knees, while providing suitable loading for different populations. The One-leg rise (OLR) test is common in clinics and research but lacks scientific evidence for its implementation. Our cross-sectional study compared performance including knee kinematics of the OLR between ACL-injured persons in the very long term to controls and between legs within these groups, and assessed the within-session reliability of the kinematics.
The effects of different assemblies of Super P, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene as hybrid conductive additives on the rate performance and cyclic stability of LiCoO2 (LCO) cathode material were systematically investigated. The results indicated that adding graphene, CNTs or mixture of them into the conventional Super P conductive agent was effective to reduce the overall mass ratio of the carbonaceous conductive additive in the LCO electrode while significantly improving the rate performance and cycle stability. The best electrochemical performance was achieved on the electrode with 1 wt% (G + SP) and 1 wt% CNTs. Microstructural investigations indicated that a multidimensional conducting network had been constructed within this cathode, which provided efficient electronic and ionic transportation pathways, as evidenced by the reduced transport resistance and improved Li-ion diffusion dynamics. With this composition, a high discharge capacity of 118 mA h g−1 was obtained at a current density of 10 C (1400 mA g−1), and a high capacity retention of 92.3% was maintained after 100 cycles at 1 C.
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is the national authority for ensuring that the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear energy does not cause any undue risk to the health of workers, members of the public and to the environment. AERB is responsible for the stipulation and enforcement of rules and regulations pertaining to nuclear and radiological safety. This paper describes the regulatory process followed by AERB for ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants (NPPs) during their construction as well as operation. This regulatory process has been continuously evolving to cater to the new developments in reactor technology. Some of the recent initiatives taken by AERB in this direction are briefly described. Today, AERB faces new challenges like simultaneous review of a large number of new projects of diverse designs, a fast growing nuclear power program and functioning of operating plants in a competitive environment. This paper delineates how AERB is gearing up to meet these challenges in an effective manner.
Mesoporous binary metal oxides/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) two-dimensional nanostructures can provide open large surface areas for lithium ion access and storage, holding a great promise as high-performance electrode materials for next-generation energy storage. In this work, we develop an effective strategy involving a simple polyol process and a facile thermal annealing treatment, to synthesize ZnCo2O4 Quantum Dots (QDs)/rGO hybrid. Due to the large specific surface area, strongly coupled interaction and synergic effect between ZnCo2O4 QDs and rGO, the hybrid shows excellent lithium storage ability, with high reversible specific capacity, and superior rate performance, as well as ultralong cycle life. After 100 cycles, the ZnCo2O4 QDs/rGO2 delivers a capacity of 1062mAhg−1 at a current density of 500mAg−1. Even cycling at 2000mAg−1 up to 1000 cycles, the reversible capacity still preserves 682.5mAhg−1. These electrochemical results indicate the ZnCo2O4 QDs/rGO2 hybrid could be a promising candidate material as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries.
This paper describes a method to characterize the fluctuating electricity generation of renewable energy sources (RESs) in a power system and compares the different parameters for California and Germany. Based on this method describing the fluctuation and residual load, the potential contribution of grid-connected vehicles to balancing generation from renewable energy sources is analyzed for a 2030 scenario using the agent-based simulation model PowerACE. The analysis reveals that integrating fluctuating RES is possible with less effort in California because of a higher correlation between RES generation and the load curve here. In addition, RES capacity factors are higher for California and therefore the ratio of installed capacity to peak load is lower. Germany, on the other hand, faces extreme residual load changes between periods with and without supply from RES. In both power system scenarios, grid-connected vehicles play an important role in reducing residual load fluctuation if smart charging is used. Uncontrolled charging or static time-of-use tariffs do not significantly improve the grid integration of RES.
This study explored the feasibility of using the Radau pseudospectral method (RPM) to optimize the energy management strategy for a hybrid tracked vehicle. The engine–generator set and the battery pack of the serial hybrid tracked vehicle were modeled and validated through the bench test. A DC-DC converter was equipped between the battery pack and the DC bus in this hybrid powertrain, which increased the flexibility of energy distribution between the engine–generator set and the battery. It was simplified as a voltage regulator in the hybrid powertrain model. The power demand during the vehicle operation was calculated according to the vehicle dynamics and driving schedules. The optimal control problem was formulated to minimize the fuel consumption through regulating the power distribution properly between the engine–generator set and battery pack during a typical driving schedule. The RPM was applied to transform the optimal control problem to a finite-dimensional constrained nonlinear programming problem. A comparison of the solutions from RPM and dynamic programming showed that the former offers the higher computation efficiency and better fuel economy.
The lithium-sulfur cell has shown great prospects for future energy conversion and storage systems due to the high theoretical specific capacity of sulfur, 1675 mAh g−1. However, it has been hindered by rapid capacity decay and low energy efficiency. In this work, polypyrrole (PPy)/TiO2 nanotubes with coaxial heterogeneous structure as the substrate of the cathode is prepared and used to improve the electrochemical performance of sulfur electrodes. TiO2 nanotubes decorated with PPy provide a highly ordered conductive framework for Li+ ion diffusion and reaction with sulfur. This architecture also is helpful for trapping the produced polysulfides, and as a result attenuates the capacity decay. Furthermore, the heat treatment temperature used in the sulfur loading process has been confirmed to have an important impact on the overall performance of the resultant cell. The as-designed S/PPy/TiO2 nanotube cathode using an elevated heating temperature shows excellent cycling stability with a high discharge capacity of 1150 mAh g−1 and average coulombic efficiency of 96% after 100 cycles.