batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
This work presents an efficient surface coating layer, a polyacrylic acid (PAA) layer doped with silica nanoparticles, providing highly enhanced cyclic stability of silicon anodes, without any loss in rate capability. Electrochemical characterizations show that the modified electrode retains 81% of the original capacity after 100 cycles, compared with 47% for the pristine electrode. The improved cyclic stability is ascribed to the porous and robust surface coating layer that makes the active material in intimate contact with both current collector and conductive additive while inhibits continuous parasitic reaction between silicon and electrolyte. In addition, the porosity of this coating layer provides the diffusion pathway for Li+ and thus ensures good rate capability.
After being heated with iodine at certain temperatures in nitrogen, natural graphite shows superior electrochemical performance compared to the original one as the anode material in lithium-ion batteries. The electrochemical behavior of iodine-treated natural graphite was studied and the improvement for the electrochemical performance of natural graphite after iodine treatment was mainly ascribed to the chemically bonded iodine on the surface of natural graphite.
Coaxial carbon nanotube-nickel hydroxide (CNT/Ni(OH)2) composites are prepared by a simple, one step and inexpensive chemical coprecipitation method. The coaxial coating of nickel hydroxide provides a three dimensional (3D) structure for easy access of electrolyte. Asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) are fabricated using coaxial CNT/Ni(OH)2 composites as positive electrode and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as negative electrode. The operation voltage is expanded to 1.8V in spite of the use of aqueous electrolyte, revealing a high energy density of 35W·h·kg−1 at a power density of 1.8kW·kg−1. This strategy for choice of coaxial metal hydroxide CNT composites provides a promising route for next generation supercapacitors with high energy as well as power densities.
Heavy metals accumulation by Tillandsia capillaris was measured to identify their main emission sources in the province of Córdoba, Argentina. Samples of T. capillaris collected over three years at different sites were analysed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry to determine the amounts of Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn. The sampling sites were categorized according to land use, anthropic activities and/or distance from the potential heavy metal emission sources. We found that the concentration of heavy metals in the study area is mainly driven by industrial activity while traffic contributed only to the levels of Zn. In addition, we observed a strong relationship between a diffuse emission source and the content of Pb accumulated on the biomonitors which could be attributed to dove hunting activities. Future studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
An electrochemical cell comprising molten sodium and molten sulphur as the anode and cathode, respectively, with beta alumina electrolyte has never found extensive use. An approach to develop large energy storage device based on aqueous sodium electrolyte at low temperature is described. An electrochemical cell with low cost, safe and utilizing sustainable manganese dioxide (MnO2) cathode coupled with zinc (Zn) anode in aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) electrolyte is reported. The cyclic voltammetric (CV) profiles are found to be quite different in terms of peak position and current response depending on concentration of NaOH electrolyte. Among the concentrations of NaOH studied (2, 5, 7 and 10M) the best performance was found to be between 5 and 7M. The CV curves exhibits a pair of reversible redox peaks (within 1e− region) corresponding to sodium ion insertion and extraction but while extending the potential window to second electron reduction resulted in irreversible nature. This is explained to the formation of inhomogeneous reduction reaction due to slow electron diffusion. CV experiments at various scan rates revealed that the MnO2 material may not be suitable enough for higher scan rates indicating a sluggish kinetics occurring in the bulk material. Our study highlights the MnO2 cathode in NaOH electrolyte features a flat discharge voltage of 1.3V vs. Zn with discharge capacity of 220mAh/g.
This study characterized cerebellar connectivity with executive intrinsic functional connectivity networks. Using seed regions at the right and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (dlPFC) and right orbital frontoinsula, we measured resting-state brain connectivity in healthy college-aged participants. Based on the previous research demonstrating a relationship between the cerebellum and self-report measures of behavioral inhibition, we assessed individual differences in connectivity between groups. Overall, intrinsic activity in cerebellar lobule VIII was significantly correlated with the executive network and cerebellar Crus I with the salience network. Between-group comparisons indicated stronger cerebellar connectivity with the executive network in behaviorally inhibited individuals. Intrinsic activity in Crus I, a region previously implicated in non-motor cerebellar functions, significantly correlated with intrinsic activity in the right dlPFC seed region. These findings support a growing number of studies demonstrating cerebellar influence on higher cognitive processes, extending this relationship to individual differences in anxiety vulnerability.
Cutaneous Melanoma (CM) is a malignant tumour, and is one of the most rapidly growing cancers. Discovering a melanoma in the early stages of the disease is extremely difficult and, as such, only an invasive disease stage can be identified easily with the naked eye. Dermatoscopy is a diagnostic method intended to maximise early detection of CM performed by the dermatoscopy system. To address the limitations of existing systems a novel, wireless digital dermatoscopy system is presented for providing high-resolution images. It integrates a wire-free camera operation and offers a safe transfer of captured images to the computer. The working process of available dermatoscopy systems was studied, which are the most commonly used in everyday dermatology practice. Some findings, like operability, image quality, scalability, user-friendliness, and safeness, were used for the development of an e-Derma dermatoscopy system. An assessment method was performed by a group of dermatoscopy trained dermatologists to evaluate the quality of the testing images. Finally, a laboratory evaluation of images in regard to different parameters like sharpness, colour representation and illumination was performed with the side-by-side comparison of images of available dermatoscopy systems. e-Derma is a novel dermatoscopy system, which eliminates some limitations of existing systems and provides high-quality images. A novel low-budget highly capable dermatoscopy system is presented. The integrated wireless image transfer technology eliminates the movement limitations of a therapist. The image resolution is not limited by the integrated camera; it is easily upgradable with a wide range of on market alternative or improved camera models.
The phosphides InP and GaP with a zinc blende structure are examined as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. During discharge, X-ray diffraction phase analysis reveals the formation of Li–In/Li–Ga alloy and amorphous Li3P. On charge, lithium is extracted from both Li x M (M=In, Ga) alloy and Li3P. InP shows a reversible capacity of ∼475mAhg−1 in the voltage range between 0.2 and 1.5V, whereas GaP exhibits poor capacity retention compared with that of InP.
Spink MJ, Fotoohabadi MR, Wee E, Hill KD, Lord SR, Menz HB. Foot and ankle strength, range of motion, posture, and deformity are associated with balance and functional ability in older adults. Objective To determine the extent to which measures of foot and ankle strength, range of motion, posture, and deformity are associated with performance in a battery of balance and functional ability tests in older adults. Design Cross-sectional study of people over 65 years. Setting Community. Participants Participants (N=305; age range, 65–93y) recruited for a randomized trial investigating the efficacy of a podiatry intervention to prevent falls. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Clinical measures of foot and ankle strength (using hand-held dynamometry), range of motion, posture, and deformity, and a battery of balance tests (postural sway, maximum balance range, lateral stability, coordinated stability) and functional ability tests (alternate step test, sit-to-stand, timed 6-m walk). Results Most (67/88) of the correlations between the foot and ankle tests and performance on the balance and functional tests were statistically significant. Hierarchic linear regression analysis identified hallux plantar flexion strength and ankle inversion-eversion range of motion to be the most consistent significant and independent predictors of balance and functional test performance, explaining up to 25% of the variance in the test scores. Conclusions Foot and ankle characteristics, particularly plantar flexor strength of the hallux and ankle inversion-eversion range of motion, are important determinants of balance and functional ability in older people. Further research is required to establish whether intervention programs that include strengthening and stretching exercises for the foot and ankle may achieve improvements in balance and functional ability and reduce the risk of falls in older people.
The widespread use of tiny electrical devices, from microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to portable personal electronics, provides a new challenge in the miniaturization and integration of power supply systems. Towards this goal, we have recently demonstrated a bio-inspired nanofluidic energy harvesting system that converts salinity gradient energy from the ambient environment into sustainable electricity with single ion-selective nanopores (Adv. Funct. Mater. 2010, 20, 1339). The nanofluidic reverse electrodialysis system (NREDS) significantly improves the performance of conventional membrane-based reverse electrodialysis systems due to a higher ionic flux and a lower fluidic resistance. However, the fundamental working mechanism of the NREDS has been largely unexplored in the literature. In this work we have systematically investigated the performance of the NREDS in relation to the electrolyte type and the charge selectivity of the nanofluidic channel using both experimental and theoretical approaches. Experimental results show that the short-circuit current, the open-circuit voltage, and the resulting electric power of the NREDS are very sensitive to the ionic composition of the electrolyte solution. Through an in-depth theoretical analysis, two dominant factors that govern the charge separation and ion selectivity of the nanochannels were identified. The results prove that, with well-matched electrolyte types and nanopore charge selectivity, the harvested electric power and energy conversion efficiency can be improved by nearly two orders of magnitude.
Estimates of atmospheric emissions of mercury from anthropogenic sources in Europe in 1995 are presented with the information on emissions of both total mercury and its major chemical and physical forms. The 1995 anthropogenic emissions of total emissions were estimated to be about 342 tonnes , a decrease of 45% compared to these emissions in 1990. Combustion of fuels, particularly coal has been the major source of anthropogenic emissions contributing to more than half to the total emissions. The emissions from coal combustion have not changed significantly over the past decade. Major decrease has been estimated for emissions from industrial processes, particularly the chlor-alkali production using the Hg cell process. In 1995 the European emissions of anthropogenic mercury contributed about 13% to the global emissions of this element from anthropogenic sources. The anthropogenic Hg emissions in Europe were still higher than the natural emissions in the region, estimated to be about 250–300 tonnes per year. The accuracy of estimates of anthropogenic emissions of Hg in Europe in 1995 is considered to be between 25 and 50%. The most accurate seem to be the estimates for combustion sources, while the most incomplete data were collected and/or estimated for waste disposal. The emissions of gaseous elemental mercury contributed about 61% to the emissions of the total mercury, while the contribution of gaseous bivalent mercury and particulate mercury was 32 and 7%, respectively.
To overcome the dendrite formation of metallic lithium anodes, polycrystalline Li3N films are coated on Li foil by an ex-situ nitridation method. The electrochemical performances of the Li3N-modified Li electrodes are investigated by galvanostatic charge/discharge tests, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to determine the optimized nitridation condition. The morphologies and structures for the pure Li and the Li3N-modified Li electrodes, both before and after cycling, are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The Li3N films on Li surface can efficiently prevent the contact between Li and the electrolyte, and reduce the side reaction, thus suppressing the formation of dendritic lithium effectively.
Carbothermal reduction using sucrose was applied to Fe- and/or Ti-substituted Li2MnO3 positive electrode materials to improve their poor initial cycle efficiency (<60%) of 2.0–4.8 V. The initial cycle efficiency was improved from 53% to 68% for Li1+x (Ti0.5Mn0.5)1−x O2, 63%–72% for Li1+x (Fe0.3Mn0.7)1−x O2, or 62%–78% for Li1+x (Fe0.2Ti0.2Mn0.6)1−x O2 by application of the carbothermal reduction process. All samples belong to 3.2 V class positive electrode material with high initial discharge capacity higher than 220 mAh g−1. The shape change of discharge curve with cycle progression was suppressed for all reduced samples. The compositional, transition metal valence state, and structural and powder property changes occurring before and after carbothermal reduction processing were examined to construct the material design concept of attractive Li2MnO3-based positive electrode candidates using only naturally abundant and cheap elements (Ti and Fe) as constituent metals.
LiAl0.1Mn1.9O4 is synthesized using three different Mn-precursors through solid-state sintering. Although the powder structures of LiAl0.1Mn1.9O4 appear to be identical when examined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the reversible capacity ranges from 50 to 120mAhg−1, depending on the Mn-precursor, when cycled from 2.2 to 3.6V. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) structural analysis shows that there are subtle differences among the microstructures of the as-prepared powders. Although all three powders exhibit capacity fade, typical of the spinel material at 3V, it is found that the particle size and morphology, as well as the structural difference, play an important role in improving or further degrading the cycling behavior of the spinel material.
Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of ternary polymer electrolyte – ionic liquid mixtures are conducted using an all-atom model. N-alkyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([CnMPy][TFSI], n = 1, 3, 6, 9) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) are used. Microscopic structure, energetics and dynamics of ionic liquid (IL) in these ternary mixtures are studied. Properties of these four pure IL are also calculated and compared to that in ternary mixtures. Interaction between pyrrolidinium cation and TFSI is stronger and there is larger propensity of ion-pair formation in ternary mixtures. Unlike the case in imidazolium IL, near neighbor structural correlation between TFSI reduces with increase in chain length on cation in both pure IL and ternary mixtures. Using spatial density maps, regions where PEO and TFSI interact with pyrrolidinium cation are identified. Oxygens of PEO are above and below the pyrrolidinium ring and away from the bulky alkyl groups whereas TFSI is present close to nitrogen atom of CnMPy. In pure IL, diffusion coefficient (D) of C3MPy is larger than of TFSI but D of C9MPy and C6MPy are larger than that of TFSI. The reasons for alkyl chain dependent phenomena are explored.
Anodic oxidation of cerous ions and cathodic reduction of ceric ions, in aqueous acidic solutions, play an important role in electrochemical processes at laboratory and industrial scale. Ceric ions, which have been used for oxidation of organic wastes and off-gases in environmental treatment, are a well-established oxidant for indirect organic synthesis and specialised cleaning processes, including oxide film removal from tanks and process pipework in nuclear decontamination. They also provide a classical reagent for chemical analysis in the laboratory. The reversible oxidation of cerous ions is an important reaction in the positive compartment of various redox flow batteries during charge and discharge cycling. A knowledge of the thermodynamics and kinetics of the redox reaction is critical to an understanding of the role of cerium redox species in these applications. Suitable choices of electrode material (metal or ceramic; coated or uncoated), geometry/structure (2-or 3-dimensional) and electrolyte flow conditions (hence an acceptable mass transport rate) are critical to achieving effective electrocatalysis, a high performance and a long lifetime. This review considers the electrochemistry of soluble cerium species and their diverse uses in electrochemical technology, especially for redox flow batteries and mediated electrochemical oxidation.
Australian company Intec Copper Pty Ltd has developed a unique process that yields high purity dendritic copper by the chloride leaching of copper sulphide concentrates. The process offers environmental and economic benefits compared with smelting and other competing processes. Productiion at the 1 t/day level has been successfully shown at Intec's demonstration plant in southern Sydney, and the process now awaits commercialization.
A novel branched side-chain-type sulfonated polyimide (6F-s-bSPI) membrane with accessible branching agents of melamine, hydrophobic trifluoromethyl groups (CF3), and flexible sulfoalkyl pendants is prepared by a high-temperature polycondensation and post-sulfonation method for use in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). The chemical structure of the 6F-s-bSPI membrane is confirmed by ATR-FTIR and 1H NMR spectra. The physico-chemical properties of the as-prepared 6F-s-bSPI membrane are systematically investigated and found to be strongly related to the specially designed structure. The 6F-s-bSPI membrane offers a reduced cost and possesses a significantly lowered vanadium ion permeability (1.18 × 10−7 cm2 min−1) compared to the linear SPI (2.25 × 10−7 cm2 min−1) and commercial Nafion 115 (1.36 × 10−6 cm2 min−1) membranes, prolonging the self-discharge duration of the VRFBs. In addition, the VRFB assembled with a 6F-s-bSPI membrane shows higher coulombic (98.3%–99.7%) and energy efficiencies (88.4%–66.12%) than that with a SPI or Nafion 115 membrane under current densities ranging from 20 to 100 mA cm−2. Moreover, the VRFB with a 6F-s-bSPI membrane delivers a stable cycling performance over 100 cycles with no decline in coulombic and energy efficiencies. These results show that the branched side-chain-type structure is a promising design to prepare excellent proton conductive membranes.
Limited attention has been paid to adolescents and young adults’ (AYA's) experiences in the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis, despite this being a time when potentially life-changing decisions are made. We explored AYA’s and caregivers’ experiences of, and views about, making treatment and trial participation decisions following a cancer diagnosis, in order to understand, and help facilitate, informed treatment decision-making in this age group.
The present study used a radiotelemetric method to compare the muscle relaxant, hypothermic and locomotor depressant actions of the imidazopyridine zolpidem, with those of the benzodiazepines lorazepam and diazepam. Rats, n=7 per group, were divided into 3 dose-dependent treatment groups (highest, middle, and lowest). Each rat within a treatment group received a single dose of diazepam, lorazepam, zolpidem and vehicle. All three drugs induced dose-dependent decreases in body temperature, locomotor activity and electromyographic (EMG) activity. Administration of zolpidem (5 and 10 mg/kg) resulted in maximal decrements in locomotor activity that were comparable to those elicited by both diazepam (10 and 20 mg/kg) and lorazepam (12.5 and 25 mg/kg). Zolpidem (10 mg/kg) decreased EMG activity levels to approximately 45% of vehicle treated controls; a value similar to that induced by diazepam (2.5 mg/kg). These data suggest that the imidazopyridine zolpidem has a similar profile of acute effects in comparison to the benzodiazepines diazepam and lorazepam. However, the relative magnitude of the effects differed, with zolpidem producing less hypothermia and muscle relaxation than the two benzodiazepines.
Self-reported studies have demonstrated efficacy of hyaluronic acid (HA) therapy. Gait analysis may objectively demonstrate changes associated with HA therapy. Fifty-three consecutive patients with unilateral osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee were evaluated with a validated and sensitive gait laboratory previously used for gonarthrosis. Two 100-meter walks were performed before and after HA therapy. Nineteen parameters were measured. In addition, the subjective response to treatment was correlated with changes in gait parameters. Single-limb support time, velocity, fatigability, and swing phase were not improved. Only double-limb support time was found to be significantly different (P = .04). The remaining gait variables were not changed. Separately, the subset of patients that achieved greater than 70% subjective pain relief had no objective improvements in gait parameters. Hyaluronic acid therapy may result in a placebo effect for the treatment of gonarthrosis.
High sugar consumption is a risk factor for metabolic disturbances leading to memory impairment. Thus, rats subject to high sucrose intake (HSu) develop a metabolic syndrome and display memory deficits. We now investigated if these HSu-induced memory deficits were associated with metabolic and electrophysiological alterations in the hippocampus. Male Wistar rats were submitted for 9weeks to a sucrose-rich diet (35% sucrose solution) and subsequently to a battery of behavioral tests; after sacrifice, their hippocampi were collected for ex vivo high-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) metabolic characterization and electrophysiological extracellular recordings in slices. HSu rats displayed a decreased memory performance (object displacement and novel object recognition tasks) and helpless behavior (forced swimming test), without altered locomotion (open field). HRMAS analysis indicated a similar hippocampal metabolic profile of HSu and control rats. HSu rats also displayed no change of synaptic transmission and plasticity (long-term potentiation) in hippocampal Schaffer fibers-CA1 pyramid synapses, but had decreased amplitude of long-term depression in the temporoammonic (TA) pathway. Furthermore, HSu rats had an increased density of inhibitory adenosine A1 receptors (A1R), that translated into a greater potency of A1R in Schaffer fiber synapses, but not in the TA pathway, whereas the endogenous activation of A1R in HSu rats was preserved in the TA pathway but abolished in Schaffer fiber synapses. These results suggest that HSu triggers a hippocampal-dependent memory impairment that is not associated with altered hippocampal metabolism but is probably related to modified synaptic plasticity in hippocampal TA synapses
The gravimetric and barodynamic methods were used to investigate the effect of ratio of active masses (RAM) on efficiency of internal oxygen cycle (IOC).