batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Apathy and cognitive dysfunction are prominent symptoms of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). More specifically ALS patients show increased Initiation apathy-a lack of motivation for self-generation of thoughts as assessed by the Dimensional Apathy Scale. This study aimed to investigate the cognitive underpinnings of apathy subtypes in ALS. We hypothesized that increased Initiation apathy would be associated deficits on tests of intrinsic response generation, such as verbal fluency. We also explored the relationship of other apathy subtypes to cognitive processes, in particular emotional apathy with emotional and social cognition deficits and executive apathy with planning and goal management deficits. ALS patients, and their carers (N = 30), and healthy matched controls, and their informants (N = 29) were recruited. All participants completed self- and informant/carer-rated Dimensional Apathy Scale, to quantify apathy subtypes (Executive, Emotional and Initiation), along with standard apathy and depression measures. Patients and controls completed the Edinburgh Cognitive and behavioural ALS Screen, and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery including emotional recognition, social cognition, intrinsic response generation tasks (verbal fluency and random number generation) and a new ecologically valid, computerised measure of planning and goal management. The results demonstrated that increased Initiation apathy was the only significantly elevated subtype in ALS (self-rated p < .05, informant/carer-rated p < .01). Initiation apathy was found to be significantly associated with verbal fluency deficit, while Emotional apathy was significantly associated with emotional recognition deficits. No associations were found between apathy subtypes and depression or in controls. This is the first study to show specific associations between apathy subtypes (Emotional and Initiation) and executive and emotional cognitive dysfunction, indicating possible distinct underlying mechanisms to these demotivational symptoms.
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive, inherited, neurological disorder with a complicated phenotype that is characterised by movement abnormalities, cognitive impairments and psychiatric symptoms. Although HD is a neurodegenerative disease, recent evidence indicates that neurological dysfunction, rather than frank neurodegeneration contributes to, and may even cause early symptoms in the absence of neurodegeneration. One protein that may contribute to neurological dysfunction in HD is complexin II. Complexins are presynaptic proteins that are believed to modulate neurotransmitter release. Complexin II levels are reduced in human HD striatum and cortex, and a progressive depletion of complexin II mRNA and protein has also been shown in the R6/2 mouse model of HD. Interestingly, complexin II knockout mice share behavioural deficits in reversal learning in common with R6/2 mice. Further, the two strains both show abnormalities in long-term potentiation. This evidence led us to wonder whether or not loss of complexin II underlies some of the behavioural deficits seen in R6/2 mice. To investigate this, we crossbred complexin II knockout mice with R6/2 mice to generate a double mutant mouse. The behavioural phenotype of R6/2 mice on a null complexin II background was characterised and was compared to that seen in control mice. Complete knockout of complexin II did not significantly affect the phenotype of R6/2 mice. This indicates that loss of complexin II is part of the mechanism underlying the R6/2 phenotype. Whether it is causal or compensatory remains to be determined.
Stable solid electrolytes with high lithium ionic conductivity are crucial for all-solid-state lithium ion batteries. The compatibility with electrodes require a sintering temperature around 1000 °C. A perovskite-type (Li,Sr)(Zr,Nb)O3 system with A-site vacancy is designed and synthesized by a solid-state reaction route. Four compositions with different concentrations of A-site vacancy and several sintering temperatures between 1100 and 1300 °C are selected to find an optimal composition. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope are employed to analyze the crystalline phases and the microstructure of the sintered samples. The ionic conductivities of the materials are measured by AC impedance spectroscopy. For the sample with the optimal composition Li3/8Sr7/16Zr1/4Nb3/4O3 and sintered at 1200 °C, its total ionic conductivity is 2.00×10−5 and 1.65×10−4 Scm−1 at 30 and 100 °C, respectively. Its activation energy for lithium ion conduction is 0.26 eV.
The effects of ball-milling on Li insertion into multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are presented. The MWNTs are synthesized on supported catalysts by thermal chemical vapour deposition, purified, and mechanically ball-milled by the high energy ball-milling. The purified MWNTs and the ball-milled MWNTs were electrochemically inserted with Li. Structural and chemical modifications in the ball-milled MWNTs change the insertion–extraction properties of Li ions into/from the ball-milled MWNTs. The reversible capacity (C rev) increases with increasing ball-milling time, namely, from 351mAhg−1 (Li0.9C6) for the purified MWNTs to 641mAhg−1 (Li1.7C6) for the ball-milled MWNTs. The undesirable irreversible capacity (C irr) decreases continuously with increase in the ball-milling time, namely, from 1012mAhg−1 (Li2.7C6) for the purified MWNTs to 518mAhg−1 (Li1.4C6) for the ball-milled MWNTs. The decrease in C irr of the ball-milled samples results in an increase in the coulombic efficiency from 25% for the purified samples to 50% for the ball-milled samples. In addition, the ball-milled samples maintain a more stable capacity than the purified samples during charge–discharge cycling.
The green fluorescent protein has revolutionized many areas of cell biology and biotechnology since it is widely used in determining gene expression and for localization of protein expression. Expression of recombinant GFP in E. coli K12 host from pBAD24M-GFP construct upon arabinose induction was significantly lower than that seen in E. coli B cells with higher expression at 30°C as compared to 37°C in E. coli K12 hosts. Since OmpT levels are higher at 37°C than at 30°C, it prompted us to modify the OmpT proteolytic sites of GFP and examine such an effect on GFP expression and fluorescence. Upon modification of one of the two putative OmpT cleavage sites of GFP, we observed several folds enhanced fluorescence of GFP as compared to unmodified GFPuv (Wild Type-WT). The western blot studies of the WT and the SDM II GFP mutant using anti-GFP antibody showed prominent degradation of GFP with negligible degradation in case of SDM II GFP mutant while no such degradation of GFP was seen for both the clones when expressed in BL21 cells. The SDM II GFP mutant also showed enhanced GFP fluorescence in other E. coli K12 OmpT hosts like E. coli JM109 and LE 392 in comparison to WT GFPuv. Inclusion of an OmpT inhibitor, like zinc with WT GFP lysate expressed from an E. coli K12 host was found to reduce degradation of GFP fluorescence by two fold.
This paper explores the synergistic and catalytic properties of a newly developed lithium ion battery (LIB) composite cathode of LiMn2O4 modified with bimetallic (Au–Fe) nanoparticle. Spinel phase LiMn2O4 was doped with bimetallic nanoparticles, LiM x Mn2−x O4 (M=FeAu), with concomitant oxidation of the Mn3+ ions (responsible for LIB capacity loss) to Mn4+. This nano-composite architecture accommodates the structural transformation that occurs during Li+ ion charge and discharge. Ultra-low scan rate (0.01mVs−1) cyclic voltammetry of the pure LiMn2O4 cathode material in 1M LiPF6/electrolyte solution, showed two sets of redox peaks with a third observed at lower potentials for LiM x Mn2−x O4. The FeAu incorporation increased the reaction rate upon reduction of LiMn2O4 as indicated by the enhanced reduction peak seen by cyclic voltammetry. Nyquist plots of the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results showed LiFeAu x Mn2−x O4 having increased conductivity with lower resistance of charge. X-ray diffraction studies showed the LiM x Mn2−x O4 material retained well-developed octahedral structures bounded by (111) planes. The material crystallite size was ∼10nm with clear lattice fringes having a separation value of 0.48nm which concurrently improved the diffusion rate of Li+ . Solid-state NMR results showed the progressive increase in average nominal manganese oxidation state from +3.5 to +4 resulted in an increase in the super-transferred hyperfine field at the 7Li nucleus of the FeAu doped cathode material. The LiFeAu x Mn2−x O4 material also showed improved cycleability, especially at high C rate. This improvement was due to the enhanced physical stability of LiMn2O4 and its improved electrical conductivity ascribed to the incorporated FeAu nanoparticles.
Vegetable ‘mandi’ (road-side vegetable market) waste was converted to a suitable fermentation medium for cultivation of oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides by steaming under pressure. This cultivation medium derived from waste was found to be a comparatively better source of nutrients than standard culture media because it provided more than one type of usable carbon source(s) to yeast.
In this paper, an energy management strategy is proposed for a series plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. A number of quadratic equations are employed to determine the engine fuel-rate with respect to battery power. The problem is solved by using quadratic programming and simulated annealing method together to find the optimal battery power commands and the engine-on power. The influences induced by the inertias of the engine and generators are analyzed to improve the calculation precision. In addition, the state of health of the battery is taken into account to extend the application of the proposed method. Simulations were performed to verify that the proposed algorithm can decrease fuel consumption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
In this work, the scalable ceramic-polymer composite electrolytes composed of Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12, poly (ethylene oxide), lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide, and solid plasticizer succinonitrile are prepared in the form of flexible membranes. The ionic transport properties, electrochemical stability, and interfacial behaviors against lithium electrode of this electrolyte are systematically investigated. Among these electrolytes, the sample containing 60 wt.% Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 and 10 wt.% succinonitrile presents a maximum conductivity of 1.22 × 10−4 S cm-1 at 30 °C, and exhibits a broadened electrochemical stability window of 5.5 V vs. Li/Li+. Moreover, the ionic transference number of this electrolyte is improved to 0.41, and the interfacial compatibility against lithium electrode is excellent under both static and dynamic conditions. Excellent cycling and rate performance of the Li/LiFePO4 cells are resulted from the enhanced ionic transport properties and improved interfacial contact between electrolyte and electrodes. The cell run at 0.5C delivers a discharge specific capacity of 151.1 mAh·g−1 after 200 cycles under 60 °C, and retains 98% of the maximum specific capacity. Notably, this cell also can be successfully charged and discharged at 45 °C and still delivers a discharge capacity of 124.1 mAh·g−1 after 70 cycles at 0.5 C.
Hydrogen is a major industrial chemical whose manufacture is responsible for ∼3% of global carbon dioxide emissions. >95% of hydrogen is made via reforming fossil fuels which typically co-produces hydrogen and waste carbon dioxide. Nearly all other hydrogen is co-produced with other commodity chemicals. Unfortunately, many alternative, clean hydrogen production processes are small-scale because they require major reductions in capital cost or energy prices to be economical enough for industry. Because the climate problem is urgent, and the economics of future energy is uncertain, this paper seeks to expand the options for producing industrial-scale, clean hydrogen under common, present-day economic conditions. First, we build a model to understand the economic and carbon dioxide emissions constraints of sulfur electrolysis which is an emerging process that cogenerates hydrogen and co-salable sulfuric acid and has the potential to produce up to 36% of the world's current hydrogen demand under present-day, average US economic conditions. We also use our model to evaluate water electrolysis, which cogenerates hydrogen and waste oxygen, but is not economical under present-day average US economic conditions. We then propose criteria for identifying clean hydrogen production chemistries. Using these criteria, we find enough reactions to have the combined potential to make over 150% of the world's industrial hydrogen needs under present-day, average US economic conditions while reducing cost and reducing or eliminating CO2 emissions. Given the urgency of the climate problem, we believe that an economic analysis, such as this is crucial to near-term CO2 emissions reductions.
This study has developed a radial error measuring device for miniature ultra-high-speed spindles because it is very difficult to measure the radial error motion of miniature ultra-high-speed spindles by the conventional measurement method using capacitive-type displacement sensors. The authors have proposed an optical measurement method based on auto-collimation, which evaluates the radial error motion according to the movements of a laser beam reflected from a target sphere attached to the spindle end. This optical measurement method is suitable for radial error measurements of miniature ultra-high-speed spindles because of its applicability to a small target sphere, high-speed response and minor susceptibility to electric noise. In this paper, the measurement principle, and basic characteristics of the optical measurement method in addition to an approximate analysis are shown. The radial error motion of a miniature ultra-high-speed spindle with a steel ball 1mm in diameter are measured by an optical measuring device designed and manufactured to implement the proposed method. The measurement results show that the optical measuring device is able to measure the radial error motion of ultra-high-speed spindles with a maximum rotational speed of 200krpm.
Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the juvenile hormones (JHs) chemistry, biological action. JHs together with ecdysteroids orchestrate the expression of larval-specific genes each time the insect molts to a new stage. These morphogenetic effects include determination of an immature body form and internal organs, hardness and color of the cuticle, and accompanying physiology and behaviors. At the conclusion of larval development, JH levels drop at critical times, allowing ecdysteroids to program expression of pupal and adult characteristics. JHs return in the adult stage, in which they have gonadotropic functions in connection with reproduction. In addition to their morphogenetic and gonadotropic actions, JHs are involved in dormancy and various types of polyphenisms, including caste determination in social insects. The JHs are lipophilic sesquiterpenoid derivatives of farnesoic acid. Their chemical nature came into focus in the early 1960s, beginning with observations that farnesoid components of beetle excreta had JH-like activity in bioassays. The presence of JHs in the blood promotes expression of juvenile characters, chief among these being an immature body form or morphology. For insects such as grasshoppers, which undergo incomplete metamorphosis, the effects are not so visible outwardly. The early stages look like miniature adults except for the absence of wings, but they also lack functional reproductive organs.
A1 Predictive and prognostic biomarker panel for targeted application of radioembolisation improving individual outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma
Conventional cigarette (CC) smoking is one of the most preventable causes of adverse birth outcomes. Although electronic cigarettes (ECs) are considered to be safer than CCs during pregnancy, the evidence is yet to be presented. This study examines the effects of prenatal EC use on neonatal birth outcomes compared to those of CC smokers and complete tobacco abstainers.
Spinel LiMn2O4 particles were successfully synthesized by an ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method from the precursor solutions; various combinations of nitrate, acetates or formats of lithium and manganese were stoichiometrically dissolved in distilled water. The product characteristics, such as crystallinity, specific surface area, particle morphology and interior structure of particles, were examined with X-ray diffraction (XRD), the Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) method, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All the samples exhibited a pure cubic spinel structure without any impurities in the XRD patterns, while the surface morphology of as-prepared powders was classified into four patterns and the interior structure three patterns. The as-prepared samples were then used as cathode active materials for lithium-ion battery, and electrochemical studies were carried out on the charge/discharge characteristics of the Li/LiMn2O4 cells. The effect of LiMn2O4 particle properties such as crystallite size, specific surface area and particle morphology on the electrochemical properties were also discussed in details.
A novel tremella-like graphene/polyaniline composite was achieved from self-assembly of graphene nanosheets during polymerization of aniline in H2O/N, N-dimethylformamide solution, and was further employed as an electrode for supercapacitors. This graphene/polyaniline composite demonstrates a spherical tremella-like structure and a large specific capacity of 497Fg−1 at a current density of 0.5Ag−1. Particularly, an outstanding rate capability of 456Fg−1 under 5Ag−1 after 1000 cycles was obtained. Scanning electron microscopy showed that polyaniline nanoparticles were uniformly deposited on free-standing graphene nanosheets, and self-assembled to a spherical tremella-like structure. Therefore, this unique nanostructure is promising for high-performance electrochemical applications.
In recent years, mobile devices are becoming popular and high-speed wireless communication is uproaring. In a wireless network environment, a mobile ad hoc network (MANET) has the characteristics of being infrastructure-free and self-organizing. Although the topology of MANET can be deployed easily with few restrictions, the maintenance faces great challenges. Furthermore, all nodes transmit packets by multi-hop in MANET. If transmission is by traditional broadcasting, it has a broadcasting storm problem and it can significantly reduce the wireless network throughput. The CDS (Connected Dominating Set) scheme is a well-known solution to the broadcasting storm problem. In a MANET, a virtual backbone network can be constructed by using CDS. All nodes can transmit data effectively through the virtual backbone network. In previous research on the subject, most algorithms are only suitable for a static MANET environment, with all nodes being stationary. This is contrary to the desirable characteristics of MANET. In this paper, we present an algorithm which is suitable for both static and dynamic MANET environments.
Substrates are normally required in the chemical synthesis of graphene to enhance its formation. However, removing substrates in the post purification stage is difficult, during which harsh reagents are used and the substrates are usually consumed undesirably. In this paper, we report that universal sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) particles can effectively promote the construction of well-structured graphene frameworks based on a quick thermal decomposition of fumaric acids. Notably, the Na2CO3 particles are easily separated from graphene through a simple and green method, namely, washing with water at room temperature. Together with the reused characteristic of the recovered Na2CO3 particles, this approach is undoubtedly beneficial to the low-cost and clean synthesis of graphene. Benefiting from the framework structure, the as-synthesized graphene exhibits excellent performance in the supercapacitor. The specific capacitance of the GFs-modified electrode was calculated to be 242 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, which was almost twice that of the RGO-modified electrode (134 F g−1). More importantly, the GFs-modified electrode maintained 92.6% retention of its initial specific capacitance (from current density of 0.5 to 16 A g−1), which was much higher than that of 2D graphene-modified electrode.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, and a large proportion of the patients receive adjuvant oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. Most of these experience chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), affecting quality of life. Evidence to advise exercise to reduce CIPN is limited. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an exercise intervention and data collection among CRC patients during adjuvant chemotherapy.
Persons with drug refractory TLE have the option of being managed by surgery. They may develop memory impairment with specific etiology of mesial temporal sclerosis and anterior temporal lobe resection (ATLR). The study evaluated the semantic verbal memory outcomes in pre- and post-surgery temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients using functional MRI and voxel morphometric methods. Twenty consecutive persons with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) and 20 healthy controls were recruited after obtaining the institute ethics approval. The fMRI scans were performed on a 1.5 T MR Scanner using standardized semantic verbal memory tasks using a native Hindi paradigm, before and after an anterior temporal lobectomy (in cases). A task-based functional connectivity (FC) was estimated using a conn toolbox. Data analysis was carried out using the statistical parametric imaging (SPM12) and CAT12 toolbox. Post-surgery TLE group showed increased robust FC in the right middle and posterior temporal regions as compared to pre-surgery session. A significant reduction in grey matter volume was observed in the left temporal lobe post-operatively as compared to pre-surgery and healthy control groups. In the post-surgery TLE group, neuropsychological scores were reduced in specific PGI domains such as visuospatial, working memory, and executive functioning. Our results may help in understanding of memory reorganization in TLE post-operatively.
V(III) was substituted in place of Fe(III) in the calcite FeBO3 matrix to reduce the charge/discharge voltage and increase the theoretical capacity. The mean charge/discharge voltage of the calcite VBO3 was 1V lower than that of FeBO3, and the reversible capacity was 420mAh/g. To investigate the characteristics of borate anodes, the X-ray Rietveld, XPS and XAFS profiles were measured. To further improve the anode performance of VBO3, a carbon coating using a naphthalene-based isotropic pitch with a low-temperature softening point was applied.
Phase pure spinel LiMn2O4 nanoparticles can be directly synthesized by one-step hydrothermal reaction of γ-MnO2 with LiOH in an initial Li/Mn ratio of 1 at 200°C. The reaction might involve a redox reaction between Mn4+ and OH−, and the formation of LiMn2O4 at the same time under the proposed hydrothermal conditions. This hydrothermal process is simple since only γ-MnO2 powders are used as the Mn source, whereas without use of any oxidants, reductants, or low valence Mn source. The electrochemical performance of the as-synthesized LiMn2O4 nanoparticles towards Li+ insertion/extraction was examined. Rather good capacity and cycle performance, and an especially excellent high rate capability, were observed for the sample that was hydrothermally reacted for 3 days.