batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a term describing a symptom complex characterized by urinary urgency, with or without urgency-associated urinary incontinence and usually with associated urinary frequency and nocturia. Studies report OAB prevalence rates of around 17% in women with a detrimental impact on quality of life. The NICE guideline on urinary incontinence (UI) outlines recommendations on the assessment and investigation of OAB. It highlights the importance of conservative measures namely lifestyle changes, bladder training and pelvic floor exercises before the prescription of antimuscarinic drugs. Drug use is limited by the side effects of dry eyes, dry mouth and constipation. Symptoms remain refractory in 20% of women. Second line management previously involved surgery either bladder augmentation (such as cystoplasty) or urinary diversion. Modern management however involves, ß3 agonists, posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), botulinum toxin or sacral neuromodulation before surgery and it is these therapies that will be the focus of this review.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an increasingly used clinical treatment for various neurological disorders, particularly movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease. However, the mechanism by which these high frequency electrical pulses act on neuronal activity is unclear. Once the stimulating electrode is placed in situ, an electrode–brain interface (EBI) is created. To compensate for the lack of studies on the effects of this generic depth EBI on therapeutic DBS, we constructed a three-dimensional computational model of the EBI using the finite element method, in which the structural details and biophysical properties of the EBI are preserved. Our investigations focus on the peri-electrode space as a significant element of the EBI, and its physiological and pathological modulation, in particular by brain pulsation and giant cell formation. We also consider the difference between the current fields induced by different configurations of the quadripolar electrode contacts. These results quantitatively demonstrated that the peri-electrode space is a significant element of the EBI and its biophysical properties are modulated by brain pulsation and giant cell formation, as well as by the choice of electrode contact configuration. This study leads to a fuller understanding of the EBI and its effects on the crossing electric currents, and will ultimately lead to optimisation of the therapeutic effects of DBS.
The effects of Cu substrate morphology and ageing on the cycle performance of a Sn-anode electroplated on a smooth, a pyramid and a nodule-type Cu substrate and aged at 200°C for 0, 1, 5, 20h in a vacuum were examined. The Sn-anode electroplated on the nodule-type Cu substrate and aged for 1h exhibited the highest reversible capacity (up to ∼600mAhg−1) and a stable cycle performance, which resulted from the enhancement in adhesion and electrical contact properties between the Sn layer and the Cu substrate by the mechanical interlocking effect of the nodule-type Cu substrate and also by the buffering effects of an intermetallic compound formed by the ageing process. However, when aged for longer than 1h at 200°C, the reversible capacity of the Sn-anode decreased significantly due to the formation of an inactive Cu3Sn phase, irrespective of the morphology of the Cu substrate.
The dramatic rise in mobile applications has greatly increased threats to the security and privacy of users. Security mechanisms on mobile devices are currently limited, so users need more expressive ways to ensure that downloaded mobile applications do not act maliciously. Policy-specification languages were created for this purpose; they allow the enforcement of user-defined policies on third-party applications. We have implemented LoPSiL, a location-based policy-specification language for mobile devices. This article describes LoPSiL’s design and implementation, several example policies, and experiments that demonstrate LoPSiL’s viability for enforcing policies on mobile devices.
Binary room temperature complex electrolytes based on lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfone) imide (LiN(SO2CF3)2, LiTFSI) and organic molecules with acylamino (amide) groups, such as ethyleneurea, acetamide, etc., have been synthesized and evaluated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and ac impedance spectroscopy. Most of the complex systems with proper molar ratio have excellent thermal stability and electrochemical performance. Infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopic studies have been carried out to understand the formation these electrolytes. It is shown that the organic compounds with amide group can coordinate with the Li+ cation and the TFSI− anion via their polar groups (the CO and NH groups). Such strong interactions lead to the dissociation of LiTFSI and the breaking of the hydrogen bonds among the organic molecules, resulting in the formation of the complex systems. In order to have a comprehensive understanding of the above interactions and the structure–activity relationship of these complex systems, the Mulliken charges on the O and N atoms, the equilibrium configuration and the bonding energy of the systems have been determined by quantum chemistry calculations with non-local density function theory (DFT). The calculations indicate that the structure and the substitution group of organic molecules influence the charge density and coordination strength of the carbonyl oxygen of these molecules. In addition, the strength of hydrogen bonding between the organic molecules influences the physico-chemical properties of the complex electrolyte.
The influence of the vanadium substituted LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (LNCM-532) cathode materials on the structure and electrochemical properties were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, Rietveld refinement, scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests. XRD, EDS, XPS results show that vanadium is successfully substituted for the transitional metal in LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 crystal lattice. Rietveld refinement results show that suitable vanadium substitution leads to low cation mixing. Electrochemical tests show that the discharge capacity of Li[Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3]0.97V0.03O2 at 5C remains 72.2% of that at 0.1C, while the capacity retention is only 58.9% for LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2. LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 exhibits the capacity retention of 93.9% at 1C after 50 cycles. After substituting, the capacity retention of Li[Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3]0.97V0.03O2 is increased to 96.3% at 1C. EIS measurement indicates that vanadium substitution contributes to the better lithium ion diffusion and the lower charge transfer resistance.
Nickel-substituted double-perovskites, LnBaCo1.6Ni0.4O5+δ (LnBCN, Ln=Pr, Nd and Sm), are investigated as potential cathode materials for intermediate-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells based on the Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC) electrolyte. The LnBCN materials exhibit high chemical compatibility with the SDC electrolyte at 950°C for 2h. Substitution of Ni for Co decreases the thermal expansion coefficient and the electrical conductivity, as compared with the nickel-free samples while retaining desirable electrochemical performance. The area-specific resistances of the LnBCN samples on the SDC electrolyte where Ln=Pr, Nd, and Sm at 700°C are 0.056, 0.077, and 0.11Ωcm2, respectively. For Ln=Pr, Nd, and Sm cathodes, the maximum power densities of the electrolyte-supported Ni-SDC/SDC/LnBCN single cells with a 0.3 mm thick SDC electrolyte reach 732, 714, and 572mWcm−2 at 800°C, respectively. These results show that nickel-substituted LnBCN double-perovskites are potential cathode candidates for use in IT-SOFCs.
Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries with high specific capacity are expected to be a new generation of energy storage devices. However, the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfide makes it difficult to commercialize stable Li-S batteries. In this work, we designed a gelatin-polyethylenimine composite (GPC) as functional binder for Li-S batteries to improve the stability of electrode during discharge-charge process. GPC binder combines the dispersion and adhesion ability of gelatin, which keeps cathode homogeneous and stable during electrochemical reaction, and adsorption capability of PEI for polysulfide, which suppresses the “shuttling effect”. The result shows that GPC used as a binder remarkably enhanced cyclic performance of Li-S battery with good capacity retention of about 100% at current density of 1C (sulfur loading 1.5 mg cm−2) after 100 cycles. We believe that GPC would be a promising binder for highly stable Li-S batteries.
Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), which converts the ambient mechanical energy to electricity by friction, is one of the most promising methods for powering up portable devices. Despite of the successful development so far, there still remain some issues to be improved. Here, we focus on the generation and maintenance of high output-power under harsh environments, and the noise cancellation of the device to keep a stable operation for a long period of time. The TENG, fabricated using a 3D printer, is a fully-packaged, cylinder-shaped device with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) bumpy balls inside and linearly patterned Al film on the inner surface. The new design and optimization remarkably increases the output power up to 45mW, operable under harsh environments such as water, providing enough DC power for charging a battery of smart watch. The noise occurring during the operation is canceled to the noise level (~50dB) of a normal conversation, by approximately 20dB, with no degradation of the output power by using highly compressible, conductive Ag nanowires-embedded polyurethane sponge instead of Al. This helps people around the device feel comfortable during the operation. Finally, as a large-scale power supply, windmill composed of three TENGs, are also developed.
Big Jemsa Bay is one of the indentations dissecting the continuity of the Red Sea north-western shoreline. The data was collected from bathymetric survey, current meters and sediment samples. Analyses have been undertaken of coastal processes, seabed morphology, grain size characteristics and the effect of current circulation on the distribution of sediment characteristics. The sediment pattern varies from coarse sand in the southern part to silt and fine sand in the northern part. The central part of the study area is mainly composed of terrigenous isometric-medium sand facies. The sorting distribution of sediments varies from moderately well sorted to poorly sort. The significant factors that control the sediment transport process are downslope gravity and wave-induced currents that are affected by the seafloor configuration and the shoreline orientation. According to the circulation effect on the sediment transport of the study area where deposition of fine sand and silt was observed in the northern part. Because sediment transport mitigates the occurrence of pollutant deposition in this part of the bay, we recommend that future constructions along the bay should be in the southern part.
US and British forces used depleted uranium (DU) in armor-piercing rounds to disable enemy tanks during the Gulf and Balkan Wars. Uranium particulate is generated by DU shell impact and particulate entrained in air may be inhaled or ingested by troops and nearby civilian populations. As uranium is slightly radioactive and chemically toxic, a number of critics have asserted that DU exposure has resulted in a variety of adverse health effects for exposed veterans and nearby civilian populations. The study described in this paper used mathematical modeling to estimate health risks from exposure to DU during the 1991 Gulf War for both US troops and nearby Iraqi civilians. The analysis found that the risks of DU-induced leukemia or birth defects are far too small to result in an observable increase in these health effects among exposed veterans or Iraqi civilians. The analysis indicated that only a few (∼5) US veterans in vehicles accidentally targeted by US tanks received significant exposure levels, resulting in about a 1.4% lifetime risk of DU radiation-induced fatal cancer (compared with about a 24% risk of a fatal cancer from all other causes). These veterans may have also experienced temporary kidney damage. Iraqi children playing for 500 h in DU-destroyed vehicles are predicted to incur a cancer risk of about 0.4%. In vitro and animal tests suggest the possibility of chemically induced health effects from DU internalization, such as immune system impairment. Further study is needed to determine the applicability of these findings for Gulf War exposure to DU. Veterans and civilians who did not occupy DU-contaminated vehicles are unlikely to have internalized quantities of DU significantly in excess of normal internalization of natural uranium from the environment.
The aim of this paper is the recovery of manganese and zinc from a mixture of zinc–carbon and alkaline spent batteries, containing 40.9% of Mn and 30.1% of Zn, after preliminary physical treatment followed by removal of mercury. Separation of the metals has been carried out on the basis of their different boiling points, being 357°C and 906°C the boiling point of mercury and zinc and 1564°C the melting point of Mn2O3. Characterization by chemical analysis, TGA/DTA and X-ray powder diffraction of the mixture has been carried out after comminution sieving and shaking table treatment to remove the anodic collectors and most of chlorides contained in the mixture. The mixture has been roasted at various temperatures and resident times in a flow of air to set the best conditions to remove mercury that were 400°C and 10min. After that, the flow of air has been turned into a nitrogen one (inert atmosphere) and the temperatures raised, thus permitting the zinc oxide to be reduced to metallic zinc by the carbon present in the original mixture and recovered after volatilization as a high grade concentrate, while manganese was left in the residue. The recovery and the grade of the two metals, at 1000°C and 30min residence time, were 84% and 100% for zinc and 85% and 63% for manganese, respectively. The recovery of zinc increased to 99% with a grade of 97% at 1200°C and 30min residence time, while the recovery and grade of manganese were 86% and 87%, respectively, at that temperature. Moreover, the chlorinated compounds that could form by the combustion of the plastics contained in the spent batteries, are destroyed at the temperature required by the process.
One of the difficulties for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is low catalyst utilization efficiency because a certain amount of Pt loading is inactive as the catalyst. Sputter-deposited Pt electrodes are expected to improve mass activities for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) compared with those prepared by a conventional method. Meanwhile, mass activities of sputter-deposited Pt cathodes for the ORR decreased with an increase in amount of Pt loading. In this study, the loading of protonic and electronic conductors to improve mass activities of sputter-deposited Pt electrode were investigated as cathodes for DMFCs. Cathodes prepared by spreading the mixture of Nafion, carbon and butyl acetate (NCB) solution on sputter-deposited Pt showed an increase in current densities and mass activities for the ORR. These may suggest an increase in catalyst active sites. Moreover, results of AC impedance analysis showed a decrease in charge transfer resistance and an increase in double layer capacitance for a sputter-deposited Pt cathode with NCB spread. Consequently, effects of NCB on cathodic polarization were explained by supplying protonic and electronic conduction paths to electrochemically inactive Pt with the oxygen diffusion path maintained. Mass activities were found about fifteen times higher than a Pt/C cathode prepared by a conventional method.
A recently developed new experimental setup for the three-phase voltammetry was used to detect the follow-up reaction products. Decamethylferrocene was dissolved in a nitrobenzene drop while inorganic salts with various anions were present in the aqueous phase. The third phase was represented by a Pt microcylindrical electrode. The drop was punctured by this electrode to various depths. The reported experiments show how the contribution of migration to the anion transport in the organic phase increases while the puncture depth grows. The use of the new three-phase electrode allowed easy removal of the microcylinder from the cell and optical inspection of its surface. It appeared that the oxidation of decamethylferrocene may be followed by the precipitation of its salts with the corresponding anions. The precipitate was identified by voltammetry and Raman spectroscopy. The length of the wire covered by the precipitate is relatively big in the case of perchlorate and very small (practically the deposit is located at the three-phase boundary) for the nitrate anion, which confirms that ClO4 − easily enters nitrobenzene while NO3 − does not. In the presence of chloride the situation was entirely different: the precipitation appeared on the part of microelectrode present in the aqueous phase. This proves that the electrooxidation of decamethylferrocene in the nitrobenzene drop leads rather to the transfer of the decamethylferrocenium cation to the aqueous phase and not to penetration of nitrobenzene by the chloride anion.
Nanostructured Sb-doped SnO2 (ATO) thin films were prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering, and their electrochemical properties were evaluated versus Li metal in Li/electrolyte/ATO cells. The ATO film electrodes show high specific capacity, stable cycling performance and good rate performance. Discharge capacities were 1482, 973, 636, and 447mAhg−1 for the first, second, 100th and 200th cycles, respectively. Electrochemical reaction products of ATO films in the cell were examined by analyzing the phase evolution of the ATO electrodes electrochemically induced at various stages using high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results reveal the electrochemical reaction as follows: the decomposition of SnO2 and formation of metallic Sn and Li-Sn alloy during discharge process; reversible de-alloying of Li-Sn, reaction between Sn and Li2O, and even partial formation of SnO2 during charge process. Nano-structured characteristics were maintained during the charge-discharge processes, to which good electrochemical performance of the ATO thin films is mainly attributed.
The electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance technique has been used to monitor the mass changes that occur in acetonitrile electrolytes during electrochemically driven Li+ intercalation into V2O5 xerogel films prepared by aqueous sol–gel methods. The mass measurements made with the EQCM reveal that during reduction of the vanadium sites in the sol–gel oxide at low voltammetric scan rates (≤5 mV/s) the net compositional change corresponds to insertion of one Li+ per electron injected, with no accompanying solvent (i.e. no net mass change that can be attributed to solvent transfer into or out of the film). However, at higher scan rates (>50 mV/s), increased mass changes during reduction are attributed to simultaneous acetonitrile transport into the V2O5 film. Based on previous descriptions of solvent swelling of V2O5 thin films in acetonitrile solutions, these results suggest the following: (1) during reduction at low scan rates the intercalation of solvated Li+ takes place simultaneously with some solvent expulsion, such that the net mass change corresponds essentially exclusively to intercalation of one Li+ per electron, (2) at higher scan rates, the rapid electromigration of Li+ into the film drives simultaneous solvent insertion, such that the net compositional change corresponds to a net gain of considerable amounts of solvent during the Li+ intercalation process. This solvent swelling leads to structural changes that allow larger amounts of solvent to transfer into the films during Li+ intercalation for some time after the high scan rate perturbation. The implications of these findings for Li+ secondary battery cathode materials are discussed.
This paper investigates the role of some selected psychological and personality traits of learners of English as a foreign language in the accuracy of self- and peer-assessments. The selected traits were motivation types, self-esteem, anxiety, motivational intensity, and achievement. 78 students of English as a foreign language participated in thirteen-week oral presentation tasks, during which they were asked to assess their own performance and that of their peers. The study concludes that assessment is a multifaceted process, which is affected by various psychological and personality traits of the raters. The results of the study seem to fall in line with the general pattern that learners possessing the positive side of a trait are more accurate than those who have its negative side, with the exception of students with high classroom anxiety. In addition, high reliability indices similar to those reported in the literature are obtained. The study also shows that long periods of practice and sufficient feedback have a positive effect on the accuracy of assessment. Finally, the study demonstrates that students with low self-esteem are the most accurate in assessing their performance, whereas learners with instrumental motivation are the least accurate.
Nanocomposite based on graphite (C), silicon (Si) and poly[(o-cresyl glycidyl ether)-co-formaldehyde] resin based amorphous hard carbon (HC), denoted as Si/C/HC, have been synthesized by thermal treatment of mechanically milled graphite, silicon and resin of nominal composition C–18wt.% Si–40wt.% resin at 973K, 1073K and 1173K in ultrahigh purity argon atmosphere. The formation of the electrochemically inactive SiC is bypassed as well as the amorphization kinetics of graphite is reduced during prolonged milling of graphite and Si in the presence of the resin. Microstructural analysis has confirmed that the Si nanoparticle gets embedded, and is homogeneously dispersed and distributed on the graphite matrix after mechanical milling as well as after thermal treatment. Electrochemical studies have revealed that the Si/C/HC based nanocomposite, tested as a lithium ion anode, synthesized after thermal treatment at 1173K exhibits a stable capacity of ∼640mAhg−1 with an excellent capacity retention when cycled at a rate of ∼160mAg−1. The nanocomposite anode also shows a moderate rate capability when cycled at different discharge/charge rates. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicates that the structural integrity and the microstructural stability of the nanocomposite during the alloying/dealloying process contribute to the good cyclability observed in the above nanocomposites.