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Mixed transition metal oxides have attracted great attention due to their improved properties over simple oxides in energy storage applications. Herein, we report facile hydrothermal synthesis of novel porous NiCoMn ternary metal oxide flakes with reduced graphene oxide (NCMO_rGO) and their application in high performance aqueous-based energy storage devices. The effect of reaction time on composition and morphology was studied by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and N2 ad/de-sorption measurements. Accordingly, a high specific surface area of 200 m2 g−1 was achieved for the optimized sample. The sample was electrochemically investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Porous NCMO_rGO hybrid exhibited a high capacity of 115 mAh·g−1 at 1 A g−1. Subsequent integration of the hybrid material as a positive electrode with rGO negative electrodes resulted in asymmetric aqueous devices having a specific energy as high as 27 Wh·kg−1. Moreover, this NCMO_rGO//rGO hybrid device showed an excellent cycling stability of 96% over 2000 cycles. This work not only reports for the first time the rational design and fabrication of porous NCMO_rGO nanoflakes as high performance electrodes for energy storage but also paves the path towards facile synthesis of mixed metal oxide nanocomposites for other applications.
In the domain of Li-ion batteries, Mössbauer spectroscopy is mainly used for the characterization of electrode materials and the analysis of electrochemical reactions. Depending on the properties under investigation, different approaches are often considered, which are based on ex situ, in situ and operando measurements. The specific electrochemical cells and sample preparations used for such measurements are described in this paper. Applications to selected examples of cathode and anode materials are presented in order to show how Mössbauer spectroscopy, when associated with other techniques, provides essential information to understand the mechanisms and improves the performances of Li-ion batteries.
We have built TiO2 Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) that combined flexible TiO2 photoanodes coated on ITO/PET substrates with a gel electrolyte based on PVDF–HFP–SiO2 films. Titanium isopropoxide (TiP4) was used as additive to TiO2 nanoparticles for increasing power conversion efficiency in Dye sensitized solar cell electrodes prepared at low-temperature (130°C). An efficiency η AM1.5G =3.55% on ITO/PET substrates is obtained at 48mW/cm2 illumination with a standard liquid electrolyte based on methoxypropionitrile. Among several solvents forming gels with PVDF–HFP–SiO2, N-methyl (pyrrolidone) (NMP) was found to enable the most stable devices. A power conversion efficiency η AM1.5G =2% was obtained under 10mW/cm2 with flexible TiO2–ITO–PET photoanodes and the PVDF–HFP–SiO2 +NMP gel electrolyte.
The results of an investigation of the electrowinning of lead employing a fluoboric acid bath are reported. The electrodeposition lead reaction was studied by voltammetric methods and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microphotographs of the electrodeposited lead were taken. The effects of current density, temperature, catholyte flow and H+ concentration were investigated on a laboratory scale to optimise operating conditions. Finally, the substitution of the traditionally used Dimensionally Stable Anode (DSA) by a Hydrogen Diffusion Electrode (HDE) was made in order to decrease the energy consumption (EC) of the overall process.
This paper addresses the problem of estimating in situ the force output of fluid dampers when installed in structures for vibration reduction due to seismic and wind excitations. The paper first presents results from a comprehensive experimental program on medium and large-size fluid dampers in an effort to extract their force output during cyclic loading by simply measuring strains on the damper housing and the end-spacer of the damper. Subsequently, the paper discusses various practical issues associated with the proposed technology, including the use of weldable strain gauges, temperature effects, and the efficiency of commercially available velocity transducers. The experimental program concludes that the proposed technology is promising for monitoring in situ the force output of fluid dampers and detecting possible loss of their energy dissipation capability.
This paper describes the scope and challenges for the development of residential microgrid (MG), formation of its architecture, load sharing possibilities between residential consumers, load sharing between MG and utility grid during excess power generation and also deficit demand conditions. This paper also describes how best the regional renewable resources can effectively be utilized for powering the MG to supply fixed and deferrable loads. Communication between residential consumers during energy transfer through MG and communication between MG to utility grid is also emphasized. A case study is presented to show the demand and load patterns of selective residential consumers. The outcome of the study shows that the considered site has abundant wind and solar resource and it also has additional resources to increase the capacity addition of the MG. The study also recommends potential opportunities to develop solar photovoltaic (SPV), wind, hybrid models and their suitability to power the residential consumers in India which helps the nation to reduce the dependency on fossil fuel based power generation. The results of the study emphasize the key constraints and their possible solutions in the design, development and implementation of MG projects in India.
Phaffia rhodozyma has many desirable properties for astaxanthin production, including rapid heterotrophic metabolism and high cell densities in fermenter culture. The low optimal temperature range (17–21 °C) for cell growth and astaxanthin synthesis in this species presents an obstacle to efficient industrial-scale astaxanthin production. The inhibition mechanism of cell growth at > 21 °C in P. rhodozyma have not been investigated.
Sodium-ion batteries are a more sustainable alternative to the existing lithium-ion technology and could alleviate some of the stress on the global lithium market as a result of the growing electric car and portable electronics industries. Fundamental research focused on understanding the structural and electronic processes occurring on electrochemical cycling is key to devising rechargeable batteries with improved performance. We present an in-depth investigation of the effect of Mg doping on the electrochemical performance and structural stability of Na2/3MnO2 with a P2 layer stacking by comparing three compositions: Na2/3Mn1−yMgyO2 (y = 0.0, 0.05, 0.1). We show that Mg substitution leads to smoother electrochemistry, with fewer distinct electrochemical processes, improved rate performance and better capacity retention. These observations are attributed to the more gradual structural changes upon charge and discharge, as observed with synchrotron, powder X-ray, and neutron diffraction. Mg doping reduces the number of Mn3+ Jahn–Teller centers and delays the high voltage phase transition occurring in P2-Na2/3MnO2. The local structure is investigated using 23Na solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy. The ssNMR data provide direct evidence for fewer oxygen layer shearing events, leading to a stabilized P2 phase, and an enhanced Na-ion mobility up to 3.8 V vs. Na+/Na upon Mg doping. The 5% Mg-doped phase exhibits one of the best rate performances reported to date for sodium-ion cathodes with a P2 structure, with a reversible capacity of 106 mA h g−1 at the very high discharge rate of 5000 mA g−1. In addition, its structure is highly reversible and stable cycling is obtained between 1.5 and 4.0 V vs. Na+/Na, with a capacity of approximately 140 mA h g−1 retained after 50 cycles at a rate of 1000 mA g−1.
Verbal and visuospatial working memory (WM) impairment is a well-documented finding in psychiatric patients suffering from major psychoses such as schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder. However, in major depression (MDD) the literature on the presence and the extent of WM deficits is inconsistent. The use of a multitude of different WM tasks most of which lack process-specificity may have contributed to these inconsistencies. Eighteen MDD patients and 18 healthy controls matched with regard to age, gender and education were tested using process- and circuit-specific WM tasks for which clear brain-behaviour relationships had been established in prior functional neuroimaging studies. Patients suffering from acute MDD showed a selective impairment in articulatory rehearsal of verbal information in working memory. By contrast, visuospatial WM was unimpaired in this sample. There were no significant correlations between symptom severity and WM performance. These data indicate a dysfunction of a specific verbal WM system in acutely ill patients with MDD. As the observed functional deficit did not correlate with different symptom scores, further, longitudinal studies are required to clarify whether and how this deficit is related to illness acuity and clinical state of MDD patients.
Patients with schizophrenia demonstrate a generalized deficit across multiple cognitive domains. However, it is unknown whether this deficit is largely due to lower intelligence, or if there is an impact of schizophrenia which cannot be accounted for by measures of general intellectual ability (GIA). We created four IQ-matched strata of equal width between 89 healthy volunteers (HC) and 77 patients with schizophrenia (SZ) who had very similar IQ and reading scores within each stratum, then compared each stratum's performance on the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). We hypothesized that any patient impairment on the MCCB after matching on IQ would be evidence that GIA does not fully explain the general deficit seen in schizophrenia. We found that patients showed evidence of greater neuropsychological impairment than what would be expected based solely on their IQ and reading ability scores. Further, this deficit was stronger in some cognitive domains than others, namely, processing speed and social cognition. These results suggest the presence of a distinction between GIA and generalized neuropsychological impairment that was consistent in magnitude across all patients, regardless of IQ.
Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing pollution problems worldwide given the presence if a variety of toxic substances which can contaminate the environment and threaten human health, if disposal protocols are not meticulously managed. This paper presents an overview of toxic substances present in e-waste, their potential environmental and human health impacts together with management strategies currently being used in certain countries. Several tools including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Material Flow Analysis (MFA), Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) have been developed to manage e-wastes especially in developed countries. The key to success in terms of e-waste management is to develop eco-design devices, properly collect e-waste, recover and recycle material by safe methods, dispose of e-waste by suitable techniques, forbid the transfer of used electronic devices to developing countries, and raise awareness of the impact of e-waste. No single tool is adequate but together they can complement each other to solve this issue. A national scheme such as EPR is a good policy in solving the growing e-waste problems.
Genetic predisposition to type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been associated with a chromosome 11 locus centered on the proinsulin gene (INS) and with differential steady-state levels of INS RNA from T1D-predisposing and -protective haplotypes. Here, we show that the haplotype-specific expression is determined by INS variants that control the splicing efficiency of intron 1. The adenine allele at IVS1-6 (rs689), which rapidly expanded in modern humans, renders the 3′ splice site of this intron more dependent on the auxiliary factor of U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (U2AF). This interaction required both zinc fingers of the 35-kD U2AF subunit (U2AF35) and was associated with repression of a competing 3′ splice site in INS exon 2. Systematic mutagenesis of reporter constructs showed that intron 1 removal was facilitated by conserved guanosine-rich enhancers and identified additional splicing regulatory motifs in exon 2. Sequencing of intron 1 in primates revealed that relaxation of its 3′ splice site in Hominidae coevolved with the introduction of a short upstream open reading frame, providing a more efficient coupled splicing and translation control. Depletion of SR proteins 9G8 and transformer-2 by RNA interference was associated with exon 2 skipping whereas depletion of SRp20 with increased representation of transcripts containing a cryptic 3′ splice site in the last exon. Together, these findings reveal critical interactions underlying the allele-dependent INS expression and INS-mediated risk of T1D and suggest that the increased requirement for U2AF35 in higher primates may hinder thymic presentation of autoantigens encoded by transcripts with weak 3′ splice sites.
Objective The primary objective of this study was to characterize the association between cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) and neurocognitive performance in a group of normal subjects before and after two nights of experimentally-induced sleep fragmentation. Subjects and methods Fifteen healthy subjects underwent one night of uninterrupted and two sequential nights of experimental sleep fragmentation achieved by auditory and mechanical stimuli. Eight subjects were re-examined using a similar paradigm with three nights of uninterrupted sleep. Sleep was polygraphically recorded and CAP analysis was performed for all recordings. A battery of neurocognitive tests was performed for spatial attention, inhibition of return, mental rotation, and Stroop color word test in the afternoon following the first and third night of sleep under fragmented and non-fragmented conditions. Results With sleep fragmentation, the percentage of slow-wave sleep was dramatically reduced and there was a twofold increase in total CAP rate across all NREM sleep stages. Moreover, the number of all CAP A subtypes/hour of sleep (index) was significantly increased. Total CAP rate during the non-fragmented night correlated with reaction times. Similarly, the percentages of A1 and A3 subtypes were negatively and positively correlated with reaction times, respectively. Of the neurocognitive test battery, however, only values obtained from some subtests of the mental rotation test showed a significant improvement after sleep fragmentation. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that CAP A1 subtypes are associated with higher cognitive functioning, whereas CAP A3 subtypes are associated with lower cognitive functioning in young healthy subjects. The lack of cognitive functioning impairment after sleep fragmentation may be due to persistence and even enhancement of transient slow-wave activity contained in CAP A1 subtypes which also caused a significant enhancement of the EEG power spectrum in the lower frequencies.
LiMn2O4 thin film (1μm thick) was prepared on a gold substrate by the PVP sol–gel method. The electrochemical properties of the thin-film electrode were studied in an electrolyte 1moldm−3 LiClO4/(ethylene carbonate+diethyl carbonate). The prepared LiMn2O4 showed a good charge–discharge performance, and the capacity fade was ca. 20% during 200 cycles. The Li+ ion diffusion in the LiMn2O4 thin film was investigated by means of potentiostatic intermittent titration technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The chemical diffusion coefficients were estimated to be 10−8 to 10−10 cm2 s−1.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been recognized as a well-established alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for symptomatic aortic stenosis with high surgical risk. With this updated systematic review and meta-analysis, we evaluated TAVR vs. SAVR in low- and intermediate-risk subjects. Studies comparing TAVR and SAVR in low-risk patients (defined as STS ≤ 8% or EuroSCORE ≤ 20%) were identified with electronic searches. The principal endpoint was all-cause mortality at short term (< 3 months), 1, and 2 years. Other outcomes of interest were cardiac mortality, neurological events, paravalvular leakage (PVL), myocardial infarction (MI), major bleeding, acute kidney injury (AKI), vascular complications, and new pacemaker (PM) implantation. Seventeen articles including 9805 (4956 TAVR and 4849 SAVR) patients were eligible. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality at short term [odds ratio (OR) 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63–1.09], 1 year (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.86–1.20) and 2 years (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.64–1.16) between treatment groups. Subgroup analyses stratified by surgical risk score (low-risk subgroup: STS < 4% or EuroSCORE < 10%, intermediate-risk subgroup: the others) did not show interaction on primary endpoints. Compared to SAVR, TAVR had similar rates of neurological events, significantly lower risk of MI and AKI, but higher risk of vascular complications, new PM implantation and moderate/severe PVL. In low- and intermediate-risk patients, TAVR and SAVR have similar short- and mid-term all-cause mortality. Compared to SAVR, TAVR carries higher rates of vascular complications, PM implantation and moderate/severe PVL, but lower risk of MI and AKI.
A novel process was attempted to prepare nano-scale Cu2Sb alloy powders as anode materials for Li-ion batteries. The preparation started with chemical reduction of Cu2Sb in an aqueous solution with sodium citrate as a complexing agent and KBH4 as a reducer. The analysis of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction showed that as-prepared nano-scale Cu2Sb powders presented tetragonal structure with particle size of 50–70nm. Cycling between 0 and 1.2V, the nano-scale Cu2Sb alloy showed good cyclability with a stable specific capacity of 200mAhg−1 within 25 cycles.
Composite electrode materials Li[Li0.13Ni0.2Mn0.47Co0.2]O2 (LNMC)–CeO2–С are obtained by the coprecipitation of Co, Ni, Mn and Ce hydroxides followed by the coating of LNMC–CeO2 composites with pyrolytic carbon. The introduction of 5% CeO2 promotes the reduction of LNMC grain size from 190–230 to 100–170 nm and the corresponding increase in the electrochemical capacity of LNMC-CeO2 composite. The pyrolytic coating consists of the network of 2–5 nm polymer-carbon particles at the surface of LNMC crystallites. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data, which was performed after the galvanostatic cycling, demonstrated considerably lower charge transfer resistance of the carbon-coated composites compared to the bare LNMC and the LNMC-CeO2 composites. The values of the discharge capacity of LNMC-CeO2-C composites are superior to the capacity of LMNC-CeO2 and LMNC-C composites at all discharge rates (C/10 – 5C). The increase of the upper boundary of potentials to 4.8 V after cycling at 5C (U – 2÷4.6 V) promotes the increase of low rate electrochemical capacity of LNMC-CeO2-C composite to 220 mAh g−1.
Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of both types of diabetes mellitus. Excessively high levels of free radicals cause damage to cellular proteins, membrane lipids and nucleic acids, and eventually cell death. The present study was designed to investigate the possible effect of Azadirachta indica leaf extract in high fat diet induced diabetic Charles Foster rats. The increased level of lipidperoxidation and altered levels of enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and non-enzymatic (glutathione) antioxidants were seen in high fructose fed animals. The treatment with A. indica leaf extract significantly normalized the altered levels of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status at 400 mg/kg b.w. dose. The A. indica leaf extract was also tested for in vitro inhibition of generation of superoxide anion and hydroxyl free radical in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems. The A. indica leaf extract was found to inhibit generation of superoxide anion and hydroxyl free radical significantly at 200 μg/ml concentration. Data of present study demonstrated that the A. indica leaf extract has both antidiabetic and antioxidant properties.
A composite polymer membrane is prepared by coating poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) on the surface of a membrane based on methyl cellulose (MC) which is environmentally friendly and cheap. Its characteristics are investigated by scanning electron microscopy, FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The outer PVDF layers are porous which results in high electrolyte uptake and the lithium ion transference number is much larger than that of the pure MC. Moreover, the cell based on Li//LiFePO4 delivers high discharge capacity and good rate behavior in the range of 4.2–2.5 V when the composite membrane is used as the separator and the host of a gel polymer electrolyte, lithium as the counter and reference electrode, and LiFePO4 as cathode. The obtained results suggest that this unique composite membrane shows great attraction in the lithium ion batteries with high safety and low cost.
We have successfully prepared nanoporous Carbon-L and -S materials by using ZIF-7 as a precursor and glucose as an additional carbon source. Results indicate that Carbon-L and -S show an appropriate nitrogen content, high surface area, robust pore structure and excellent graphitization degree. The addition of an environmentally friendly carbon source – glucose – not only improves the graphitization degree of samples, but also plays a key role in removing residual Zn metal and zinc compound impurities, which makes the resulting materials metal-free in situ nitrogen-doped porous carbons. By further investigating the electrocatalytic performance of these nitrogen-doped porous carbons for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), we find that Carbon-L, as a metal-free electrocatalyst, shows excellent electrocatalytic activity (the onset and half-wave potentials are 0.86 and 0.70 V vs. RHE, respectively) and nearly four electron selectivity (the electron transfer number is 3.68 at 0.3 V), which is close to commercial 20% Pt/C. Moreover, when methanol was added, the Pt/C catalyst would be poisoned while the Carbon-L and -S would be unaffected. By exploring the current-time chronoamperometric response in 25000 s, we found that the duration stability of Carbon-L is much better than the commercial 20% Pt/C. Thus, both Carbon-L and -S exhibit excellent ability to avoid methanol crossover effects, and long-term operation stability superior to the Pt/C catalyst. This work provides a new strategy for in situ synthesis of N-doped porous carbons as metal-free electrocatalysts for ORR in fuel cells.
The effects of the surface treatment of the hydrogen storage alloy on the activation property and cycle life of nickel/metal-hydride (Ni/MH) batteries were investigated by means of the electrochemical impedance spectra. It was found that the oxide layer on the alloy surface affected its electrochemical properties and catalysis for the oxygen combination. Therefore, Ni/MH battery employed the untreated alloy as negative electrode material exhibited bad activation property, short cycle life and high internal pressure. Because of the improvement in the metal hydride electrode electrochemical characteristics and catalysis for oxygen recombination by the surface treatment of the alloy in 0.02M KBH4+6M KOH or 6M KOH solution, the battery used the treated alloy as negative exhibited good activation, long cycle life and low internal pressure. The composition and dissolution of the alloy surface were analyzed by an electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and induced coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP). It was found that the Ni-rich surface layer was an important factor to improve the activation and cycle life of battery.