batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Objective Patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) frequently experience sleep disturbance, however, the role of sleep quality in the course of BPD is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cross-sectional association between sleep quality and recovery status (symptomatic remission plus good concurrent psychosocial functioning) in a well-characterized cohort of patients with BPD to examine the role of sleep disturbance in the course of the disorder. Methods 223 patients with BPD participating in the McLean Study of Adult Development (MSAD) were administered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) as part of the 16-year follow-up wave. Sleep quality was compared between recovered (n =105) and non-recovered (n =118) BPD participants, including adjustment for age, sex, depression, anxiety, and primary sleep disorders. Results Non-recovered BPD patients had significantly worse sleep quality than recovered BPD participants as measured by the global PSQI score (adjusted means 12.01 vs. 10.73, p =0.03). In addition, non-recovered BPD participants had longer sleep onset latency (adjusted means 39.20 vs. 28.11minutes, p =0.04), as well as increased odds of using sleeping medication (adjusted OR 1.49, p =0.009) and experiencing daytime dysfunction as a result of their sleep disturbance (adjusted OR 1.48, p =0.008). Conclusion These results demonstrate an association between subjective sleep disturbance and recovery status among BPD patients. Further research is indicated to evaluate the mechanisms underlying sleep disturbance in BPD, and whether treatment of sleep complaints improves the symptomatic and psychosocial course of the disorder.
In 2013, Malawi with its development partners introduced a Results-Based Financing for Maternal and Newborn Health (RBF4MNH) intervention to improve the quality of maternal and newborn health-care services. Financial incentives are awarded to health facilities conditional on their performance and to women for delivering in the health facility. We assessed the effect of the RBF4MNH on quality of care from women’s perspectives.
Given the recent improvements in valve-regulated batteries, lead-acid technology is nowadays considered to be well-suited for stationary power applications. Gel and absorptive glass mat (AGM) valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries are complementary technologies and provide reliability and efficiency due to progressive optimization of the design and components. Special attention has been paid to the separation system, as its influence on the battery performance has been fully demonstrated. Polymeric calendered ribbed separators are traditionally used in gel VRLA batteries. For this technology, the separator is required to have high pore volume, optimized pore size, low acid displacement and low electrical resistance. It must also support efficient and controlled oxygen transfer. Glass–microfibre separators are presently the preferred material for AGM batteries. In addition to the properties listed for the polymeric type, glass–microfibre separators must not allow any drainage or stratification of the liquid electrolyte, and be able to retain their initial thickness after filling and during the battery life in order to sustain the initial compression in each cell. The Amersorb separator is well adapted to both technologies, for example: (i) the ribbed and corrugated patterns provide improved porosity (pore volume and pore-size distribution); (ii) the flat membrane is not only able to wick and retain the acid, but has also optimal compression properties (low compressibility and excellent springiness).
In this paper, flexible carbon nanofiber embedded with TiO2 (CNF/TiO2) was prepared by electrospinning technique, and used as negative electrode for vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). CNF/TiO2 composites were synthesized from solution consisting of Ti(OC4H9)4 as TiO2 precursor and polyacrilonitrile (PAN) as carbon precursor. High-purity rutile TiO2 can be dispersed evenly in CNF with the diameter of 100–200 nm. CNF/TiO2 composites exhibited superior electrochemical activity towards V2+/V3+ redox reaction compared with pristine CNF. The excellent energy storage performances of VRFB were achieved via using CNF/TiO2 as negative electrode, with larger capacity and efficiency. At a current density of 90 mA cm−2, the discharge capacity of the cell using CNF/TiO2 electrode reached 84.0 mA h, 48.5 mA h higher than that of pristine cell. The energy efficiency of the cell based on CNF/TiO2 increased by 8.7% compared with pristine cell. The excellent electrochemical performance of CNF/TiO2 composite towards V2+/V3+ redox reaction was attributed to the synergistic effect between carbon nanofiber networks with high conductivity and rutile TiO2 with high electrocatalytic properties.
Hierarchically porous hematite (Fe2O3) nanostructures composed of aligned nanorods with diameters of about 12 nm have been synthesized via a one step thermal decomposition method of the commercial FeC2O4·2H2O powders. The porous structures and sizes of Fe2O3 nanostructures can be controlled by adjusting the calcination temperatures. This method is facile, high-yield and cost-effective for the large-scale mass production. When evaluated for lithium storage capacity, the hierarchically porous Fe2O3 nanostructures obtained from the calcination temperature of 400 °C exhibits high reversible discharge capacity (901.3 mAh g−1 at the initial lower rate of 0.2 C), superior rate performance (221.3 mAh g−1 at 10 C) and excellent cycling stability (416.4 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 5 C). The reasons are explored in terms of the reduced diameters of nanorods and the finely constructed porous structures, which facilitate the fast and effective transfer of Li+ ions, and accommodate the large volume expansion during the charge and discharge cyclings. The facile one-step thermal decomposition method can be expected to open up opportunities in designing high-performance electrode materials with hierarchically porous features for lithium ion batteries.
A novel electrochemical sensor was fabricated by electrodeposition of silver nanoparticles on pre-synthesized polypyrrole (PPy), to form a PPy/Ag composite matrix on a glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical sensor exhibited strong catalytic activity with regards to nitrate reduction. Scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used for the characterization of the composite. The detection limit of nitrate was found to be 5 μM. Moreover, the sensor showed excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and stability.
Based on the context of a rural area contaminated by mining waste in Guangxi, China, the health risks of seven heavy metals (HM) to local children were evaluated. Risk assessments of soil HMs to individuals exposed through non-dietary routes and consuming locally grown sugarcane (juice) were conducted. Results indicated that the ranking for risks of HM exposures was juice drinking > non-dietary oral intake > dermal contact > inhalation. For non-carcinogenic risks, Cr and Cd in sugarcane juice posed the most significant risks, whereas As and Pb posed the highest risks through non-dietary exposure routes. A newly established assessment model using a regression equation of hazard index of HMs to ratios of soil HM concentrations/total reference doses, showed that the non-dietary HM risk was closely correlated to the environmental HM levels and human sensitivities, which can be measured by HM total daily reference doses.
Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was investigated using polycrystalline gold (Au (poly)) electrode modified with chemisorbed iodine (I(ads)) submonolayer (sub I(ads)) in O2-saturated 0.1M KOH solution. The sub I(ads) was tailored by potential-dependent partial reductive desorption of I(ads) from its full monolayer. The Au (111) facet of the Au (poly) electrode was considered to remain bared at the sub I(ads)/Au (poly) electrode. The interesting finding of the present study is that (unlike the bare Au (poly) electrode) the sub I(ads)/Au (poly) electrode exhibited a quasi-reversible two-electron reduction of O2 in alkaline media. The probable origin of the observed quasi-reversible behavior of the ORR is discussed. Experimental investigations were performed using cyclic and steady-state voltammetric, amperometric and coulometric techniques.
Three-dimensional Li2O–NiO–CoO composite thin-film electrodes deposited on stainless steel substrates were synthesized by the electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) technique at 240 and 295°C. The morphology of the composite was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction indicated that the as-deposited films are composites of Li2O, NiO and CoO. The effects of the solvent used to dissolve the starting materials on the morphology and electrochemical performance of the thin-film electrodes were also investigated. It was found that the as-deposited thin-film electrodes exhibited a high reversible capacity (>800mAhg−1 when cycled between 0.01 and 3V at a cycling rate of 0.5C), good capacity retention, and outstanding rate capability. The superior electrochemical performance may have resulted from the combination of the very porous structure and the three-dimensional network of the as-deposited thin-film electrodes, which contributed to a high surface area, favoured lithium-ion diffusion, and formed a stable integral structure. The thin-film electrodes could be promising anodes for use in high power and high energy density lithium-ion batteries.
A vertical axis wind turbine has been designed to electrify a novel kind of telecommunication tower. This paper presents the design of a generator for this purpose. The generator is a permanent magnet generator rated at 10 kW. It has an unusually large diameter to fit on the outside of the telecommunication tower. The generator has been designed by using a two-dimensional FEM model. Simulations show that the generator has high efficiency through the whole operational interval. Furthermore, the generator has a high overload capability enabling electric control of the turbine. The generator has been built and the design shown feasible. Preliminary experimental results show that the induced voltage is lower than expected from simulations indicating insufficient modelling of three-dimensional effects, which are particularly large in a generator with these unusual dimensions.
Development of carbon electrodes with high volumetric electrochemical performance is challenging for high-performance energy storage devices. In this work, we demonstrate a novel sucrose-derived porous carbon monolith (NPC-m) constructed by holey carbon nanosheets for super-high volumetric energy storages. NPC-m, derived from sucrose via a facile yet scalable and economic “bottom-up” synthesis route, exhibits a high specific surface area of 1376m2 g−1, a narrow hole size distribution, and a high N content (∼6.65 at. %). Most importantly, a self-stacking density as high as 1.26gcm−3 can be achieved via simple drying processes. The electrodes based on NPC-m in carbon electrodes deliver super-high volumetric capacities of 1385mAhcm−3 (0.1Ag−1) for Li-ion batteries and 380Fcm−3 (0.5Ag−1) for supercapcacitors, highlighting their great potentials for high-performance energy storages.
The usage of natural gas in internal combustion engines involves various difficulties, like weak lean-burn ability, low flame speed and ignitability, which demand deep studies for its usage in IC engines. For compressed natural gas (CNG) in SI engines, there is an engine efficiency sacrifice at low loads and high levels of hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions which cannot be solved without using after-treatment equipment. This equipment, however, is very expensive. Therefore, an additional fuel can enhance the characteristics of the combustion of natural gas, which can be added in the intake charge. Hydrogen is an effective gas for enhancing the flame rate regarding combustion in an SI-CNG engine, in addition to increasing engine stability. Small amounts of hydrogen improve performance and reduce exhaust emissions. Thus, a number of investigators have carried out research studies on SI engines with different ratios of HCNG. This paper is comprehensive overview of CNG, H2 and HCNG blends. The main topics discussed consist of the combustion fundamentals of natural gas, hydrogen and hydrogen-natural gas mixture. Natural gas and hydrogen usage as fuels and their characteristics have been analysed. The storage of hydrogen and HCNG is still challenging researchers and, therefore, their storage has been taken into consideration. Moreover, a comprehensive review has been performed of HCNG blends in order to understand the effect of hydrogen enriched CNG on performance and the emissions of SI engines. The combustion characteristics of HCNG engines are strongly dependent on the conditions of the engine. The air-fuel ratio, the time of injection, the compression ratio and speed play a major role in blending HCNG in an SI engine and have been discussed in this article.
The molecules and mechanisms involved in patterning the dorsoventral axis of the developing vertebrate spinal cord have been investigated extensively and many are well known. Conversely, knowledge of mechanisms patterning cellular distributions along the rostrocaudal axis is relatively more restricted. Much is known about the rostrocaudal distribution of motoneurons and spinal cord cells derived from neural crest but there is little known about the rostrocaudal patterning of most of the other spinal cord neurons. Here we report data from our analyses of the distribution of dorsal longitudinal ascending (DoLA) interneurons in the developing zebrafish spinal cord. We show that, although apparently distributed irregularly, these cells have cryptic organisation. We present a novel cell-labelling technique that reveals that DoLA interneurons migrate rostrally along the dorsal longitudinal fasciculus of the spinal cord during development. This cell-labelling strategy may be useful for in vivo analysis of factors controlling neuron migration in the central nervous system. Additionally, we show that DoLA interneurons persist in the developing spinal cord for longer than previously reported. These findings illustrate the need to investigate factors and mechanisms that determine “irregular” patterns of cell distribution, particularly in the central nervous system but also in other tissues of developing embryos.
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are often viewed as solution to mitigate the intermittency of renewable energies in electric grids. However, battery degradation associated with grid-tied BESS usage has never been investigated in detail. This work was aimed at understanding the impact of a BESS representative usage profile on the degradation of commercial Li-ion cells. It was found that the cell temperature history had the strongest impact on battery degradation followed by the C-rate and the state of charge (SOC). Also, batteries lost capacity faster at low SOCs during calendar aging and under small SOC swings while cycling.
New fluorinated sulfones were synthesized and evaluated in high voltage lithium-ion batteries using a LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2 (NMC532) cathode. Fluorinated sulfones with an α-trifluoromethyl group exhibit enhanced oxidation stability, reduced viscosity and superior separator wettability as compared to their non-fluorinated counterparts. Their improved performance in high voltage NMC532/graphite cells makes them promising high voltage electrolytes for next generation high voltage high energy lithium-ion batteries.
SnO2 was synthesized by precipitation from an aqueous solution of SnCl4 and NH4OH, followed by a heat treatment. The product was characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR spectroscopy, DSC and TG. The XRD patterns suggest the formation of phase-pure cassiterite form of SnO2. SEM imaging indicates that the particles obtained are of sub-micron size with good morphology and size control (around ∼300 nm). Electrodes were fabricated by a slurry-coating procedure and the electrochemical performances of these electrodes were evaluated using galvanostatic cycling tests. The results suggest that the heat treated SnO2 samples deliver higher capacities when cycled between 1.0 and 0.1 V vs. Li+/Li and showed coulombic efficiencies of more than 98% in the tenth cycle.
Q-interactive is a digital system built to support and enhance a clinician’s use of individually administered tests such as the WISC-V. This type of computer-assisted testing is distinct from the more familiar computer-administered testing in which the examinee sees test items on a computer screen and answers using a keyboard, mouse, or touchscreen. This chapter describes the Q-interactive system, explains how it was conceived and developed, gives an overview of its research base including findings for the WISC-V, and explores some of the implications of the system for the science and practice of clinical assessment.
Aiming at improving the capacity retention abilities of LiMn2O4/graphite based Li-ion batteries (LIBs) at high temperatures, we report on 2-(triphenylphosphoranylidene) succinic anhydride (TPSA) as a new electrolyte additive. The unit cells with 0.1wt.% of TPSA achieved a 43% capacity retention increase at high temperature operation (55°C, 100 cycles, C/2 rate) compared to a control group without the additive. To understand the underlying principle on the enhanced capacity retention ability of the unit cells, the effect of TPSA was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, auger electron spectroscopy, and galvanostatic measurements. The results suggest that the electrochemical decomposition of TPSA takes place on both surfaces of the LiMn2O4 and graphite during precycling, thereby reducing the decomposition reaction of the electrolyte during subsequent cycles.
Metal sulfides have a highly promising potential as anode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their environmental friendliness, abundant resources, and low-cost. Unfortunately, the implementation of such novel anodes is severely hindered by their low electronic conductivity and large volume expansion during the repetitive lithiation/delithiation process. Herein, we report a specifically designed anode structure to overcome these obstacles, that is, to incorporate MxSy (M = Ni, Zn, and Fe) with graphene nanosheets (GNS) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to form three-dimensional interconnected MxSy-graphene nanosheets-carbon nanotubes aerogels. Morphology and structure results confirm that MxSy particles were uniformly and closely attached on the 3D complex network structure of GNS-CNT. As a result, when used as anode materials for half and full LIBs, the MxSy-GNS-CNT aerogels exhibit remarkable high reversible capacities, ultra-long cycle life, and super high rate performance (For example, the NiS-GNS-CNT, ZnS-GNS-CNT, and FeS2-GNS-CNT aerogels could deliver high capacities of 735, 800, and 850 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, respectively). Our results indicate that 3D interconnected MxSy-GNS-CNT aerogels are promising anode materials for the next generation LIBs with high-performance.
Summary The purpose of the study was to compare the thoracic and lumbar spine posture among different sit-and-reach tests. Fifty-eight men and 47 women were asked to perform three trials of sit-and-reach test (SR), toe-touch test (TT), back-saver sit-and-reach test (BS) right and left, unilateral seated sit-and-reach test (USR) right and left, and V sit-and-reach test (VSR). Thoracic and lumbar angles were assessed with an inclinometer when subjects reached forward maximally. Women had a lower thoracic angle than men on all tests (p <0.05). No differences were found in the lumbar angle between genders. The thoracic angle was the highest in VSR (75.3° in men and 65.8° in women) and the lowest in TT (61.7° in men and 53.1° in women). No differences were found among some pairwise comparisons (SR–BS in both genders, SR–TT, SR–VSR and others in women). The VSR test presented the highest values in lumbar spine when compared to other tests (30.5° in men and 32.0° in women). Unilateral seated sit-and-reach test presented the lowest lumbar angle in men (24.2° for right leg and 23.9° for left leg) and women (23.9° in both legs) and there were significant differences with respect to the other tests. Characteristics and administration procedures of tests, such us uni- or bilateral, sitting or standing, measuring with or without box, parallel or V position, and hip position influence thoracic and lumbar postures.
La1.3− x Sm x CaMg0.7Ni9 (x =0–0.3) hydrogen storage alloys were prepared by inductive melting and the effect of the Sm content on the structure and electrochemical properties was investigated in the paper. The Sm substitution for La in La1.3− x Sm x CaMg0.7Ni9 (x =0–0.3) alloys does not change the main phase structure (the rhombohedral PuNi3-type structure), but leads to a shrinkage of unit cell and a decrease of hydrogen storage capacity. With the increase of the Sm content in the alloys, the maximum discharge capacity of electrode decreases from 400.2 (x =0) to 346.6mAhg−1 (x =0.3), but the high-rate dischargeability and cycling stability is improved. After 100 cycles, the capacity retention rate increases from 75 (x =0) to 85% (x =0.3).
High-molecular-weight comb-shaped polyethers, poly(ethylene oxide-co-2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl glycidyl ether-co-allyl glycidyl ether) (P(EO/EM/AGE)) and poly(ethylene oxide-co-2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl glycidyl ether) (P(EO/EM)), were synthesized and used for the preparation of the all solid polymer electrolyte and the composite polymer electrolyte combined with a plasticizer Star-EO-OMe, pentaerythritol tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl ether), which shows low vapor pressure, respectively. Some electrochemical properties of the polymer electrolytes and performances of the cell consisting of lithium/polymer electrolyte/LiCoO2 were studied. The addition of Star-EO-OMe to polymer electrolyte brought about a large increase in ionic conductivity. The composite electrolyte containing 50wt.% of Star-EO-OMe complexed with LiTFSI, lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, exhibited high ionic conductivity in the order of 10−4 Scm−1 at 10°C and approximately 10−5 Scm−1 at −20°C. The cell performance was also improved by the addition of Star-EO-OMe.
In many Third Wave democracies large classes of people experience diminished forms of citizenship. The systematic exclusion from mandated public goods and services significantly injures the citizenship and life chances of entire social groups. In democratic theory civil associations have a fundamental role to play in reversing this reality. One strand of theory, known as civic engagement, suggests that associations empower their members to engage in public politics, hold state officials to account, claim public services, and thereby improve the quality of democracy. Empirical demonstration of the argument is surprisingly rare, however, and limited to affluent democracies. In this article, we use original survey data for two large cities in Third Wave democracies—São Paulo and Mexico City—to explore this argument in a novel way. We focus on the extent to which participation in associations (or associationalism) increases “active citizenship”—the effort to negotiate directly with state agents access to goods and services legally mandated for public provision, such as healthcare, sanitation, and security—rather than civic engagement, which encompasses any voluntary and public spirited activity. We examine separately associationalism’s impact on the quality of citizenship, a dimension that varies independently from the level of active citizenship, by assessing differences in the types of citizenship practices individuals use to obtain access to vital goods and services. To interpret the findings, and identify possible causal pathways, the paper moves back-and-forth between two major research traditions that are rarely brought into dialogue: civic engagement and comparative historical studies of democratization.