batterydata/paper-abstracts huggingface dataset:
Aim This study aimed to ascertain if performance on the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is associated with indicators of brain volume and cognitive functions among community-dwelling older adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment. Methods Participants were 80 community-dwelling older adults aged 65–89years (44 men, 36 women), including 20 with mild cognitive impairment. Participants completed the TUG and a battery of cognitive assessments, including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Logical Memory I and II (LM-I, LM-II) subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised; and the Trail Making Test A and B (TMT-A, TMT-B). Bilateral, right- and left-side medial temporal area atrophy as well as whole gray and white matter indices were determined with the Voxel-based Specific Regional Analysis System for Alzheimer's Disease. We divided participants into three groups based on TUG performance: “better” (≤6.9s); “normal” (7–10s); and “poor” (≥10.1s). Results Worse TMT-A and TMT-B performance showed significant independent associations with worse TUG performance (P<0.05, P<0.01 for trend, respectively). After adjusting for covariates, severe atrophy of bilateral, right-, and left-side medial temporal areas were significantly independently associated with worse TUG performance (P<0.05 for trend). However, no significant associations were found between MMSE, LM-I, LM-II, whole gray and white matter indices, and TUG performance. Conclusions Worse TUG performance is related to poor performance on TMT-A and TMT-B, and is independently associated with severe medial temporal area atrophy in community-dwelling older adults.
The development of innovative proton-conducting membranes exhibiting an improved [H+/VO2+] ion selectivity in comparison with baseline perfluorinated ionomers (e.g., Nafion) is critical to prompt the large-scale implementation of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) characterized by a performance and cyclability compatible with the applications. This paper pursues this objective by reporting the preparation and characterization of a new family of hybrid inorganic-organic membranes, that are labeled “[SPEEK/(WO 3 ) x ]”, consisting of a sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) matrix hosting between 0 and 23.6 wt% of WO3 nanoparticles (NPs). The physicochemical characterization of the [SPEEK/(WO3)x] membranes elucidates the impact of the introduction of WO3 NPs on the thermal, structural and transport properties of the SPEEK host. It is found that the [SPEEK/(WO3)0.20] membrane presents the highest [H+/VO2+] ion selectivity (2.1 × 104 S min cm−3), that is more than three times higher than that of recast Nafion (6.5 × 103 S min cm−3). [SPEEK/(WO3)0.20] is then mounted in a single cell VRFB, that is tested extensively under realistic operating conditions and demonstrates a coulombic efficiency and cyclabilty that are improved with respect to the corresponding figures of a VRFB incorporating a Nafion 212 membrane to provide the basis for a comparison. This outcome is in compliance with the result of the “ex-situ” investigations, and allows for the proposal of a structural model correlating the physicochemical properties of the [SPEEK/(WO3)x] membranes with the transport properties and the proton conductivity.
Triethylborate (TEB) is used as an electrolyte additive to improve the electrochemical performances of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (LNCM) upon cycling at 4.5 V vs. Li/Li+. Charge/discharge tests demonstrate that the cyclic stability of LNCM at room and elevated temperature can be improved effectively by TEB. With addition of 10 wt. % TEB into STD electrolyte (1.0 M LiPF6/EC:EMC:DEC), LNCM achieves a capacity retention of 99.8% after 150 cycles and 94.7% after 120 cycles at room and elevated temperature, respectively, comparing to that of 68.9% and 68.8% of STD electrolyte. In addition, 10 wt. % TEB also improves the rate capability of LNCM at room temperature. Physical and electrochemical characterizations from XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, ICP-MS, LSV, CA, and EIS reveal that the preferential oxidative reaction of TEB generates a thin, uniform and low interfacial resistance film on the LNCM surface. This film not only suppresses the subsequent decomposition of STD electrolyte, but also prevents the dissolution of transition metal ions from LNCM, resulting in improved cyclic stability and rate capability of LNCM.
An aqueous gel electrolyte has for the first time been successfully applied to the MnO2·nH2O-based pseudocapacitive electrochemical capacitors (ECs). The gel electrolyte is made of potassium poly(acrylate) (PAAK) polymer and aqueous solution of KCl. With the selected composition, PAAK:KCl:H2O=9.0%:6.7%:84.3% by weight, the gel shows no fluidity, possessing an ionic conductivity in the order of 10−1 Scm−1. The gel electrolyte has been found to give substantially higher specific capacitances than those in the liquid electrolyte with the same salt (KCl) composition (1M) and high power capability (>10kW/kg).
Reductions in physical performance, cognitive impairment (CI) and decline (CD), are common in older age, but few prospective cohort studies have considered the relationship between these domains. In this study we investigated whether reduced physical performance and low handgrip/lower limbs strength, could predict a higher incidence of CI/CD during a 4-year follow-up among a cohort of elderly individuals. From 3099 older community-dwelling individuals initially enrolled in the Progetto Veneto Anziani (PRO.V.A.) study, 1249 participants without CI at the baseline were included (mean age 72.2years, 59.5% females). Physical performance measures included the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 4m gait speed, chair stands time, leg extension and flexion, handgrip strength, and 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), categorized in gender-specific tertiles. CI was defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score below 24; CD a decline of 3 or more points in the MMSE without CI. At baseline, participants developing CI during follow-up scored significantly worse across all physical performance measures compared to those that retained normal cognitive status. After adjusting for potential confounders, a significant trend for MMSE changes was noted for all physical performance tests, except for the SPPB and chair stands time. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that slow gait speed at baseline significantly predicted CD at follow up. Poor SPPB performance and slower gait speed predicted the onset of CI at the follow-up. In conclusion, slow walking speed appears to be the best independent predictor of poor cognitive status over a 4.4-year follow-up, while other items of SPPB were also significantly associated with CI.
Lithium metal is a highly desirable anode for lithium rechargeable batteries, having the highest theoretical specific capacity and lowest electrochemical potential of all material candidates. Its most notable problem is dendritic growth upon Li plating, which is a major safety concern and exacerbates reactivity with the electrolyte. Here we report that Li-rich composite alloy films synthesized in situ on lithium by a simple and low-cost methodology effectively prevent dendrite growth. This is attributed to the synergy of fast lithium ion migration through Li-rich ion conductive alloys coupled with an electronically insulating surface component. The protected lithium is stabilized to sustain electrodeposition over 700 cycles (1,400 h) of repeated plating/stripping at a practical current density of 2 mA cm−2 and a 1,500 cycle-life is realized for a cell paired with a Li4Ti5O12 positive electrode. These findings open up a promising avenue to stabilize lithium metal with surface layers having targeted properties.
We examined the relations among phonological awareness, music perception skills, and early reading skills in a population of 100 4- and 5-year-old children. Music skills were found to correlate significantly with both phonological awareness and reading development. Regression analyses indicated that music perception skills contributed unique variance in predicting reading ability, even when variance due to phonological awareness and other cognitive abilities (math, digit span, and vocabulary) had been accounted for. Thus, music perception appears to tap auditory mechanisms related to reading that only partially overlap with those related to phonological awareness, suggesting that both linguistic and nonlinguistic general auditory mechanisms are involved in reading.
Activation of the prefrontal cortex improves general prefrontal functions. We found from our fMRI experiments that bilateral prefrontal cortices as well as many parts of cerebral hemispheres were significantly activated during reading sentences, writing Kanji characters, counting numbers, or solving arithmetic problems. We, then, measured the effect of reading aloud and arithmetic calculation, by elderly people who were clinically diagnosed of dementia Alzheimer type, on their brain functions and daily life activities. Sixteen experimental and 16 age and MMSE-matched control subjects participated. The subjects of the experimental group were asked to perform a training program using learning tasks in reading and arithmetic for 2–6 days a week. The function of the frontal cortex of the subjects was assessed by FAB (frontal assessment battery at bedside). After six months of training, the FAB score of the experimental group showed a statistically significant improvement. The FAB score of the control group decreased slightly over the 6 month period, and the difference between the experimental and control groups was statistically significant. We also observed the restoration of communication and independence in the experimental group. The results indicate that learning tasks of reading aloud and arithmetic calculation can be used for cognitive rehabilitation of dementia patients.
A thermodynamically stable rechargeable battery has a voltage limited by the window of the electrolyte. An aqueous electrolyte has a window of 1.2eV, which prevents achieving the high energy density desired for many applications. A non-aqueous electrolyte with a window of 5eV requires Li+ rather than H+ as the working ion. Early experiments with Li x TiS2 cathodes showed competitive capacity and rate capability, but problems with a lithium anode made the voltage of a safe cell based on a sulfide cathode too low to be competitive with a nickel/metal-hydride battery. Transition-metal oxides can give voltages of 4.5V versus Li+/Li0. However, the challenge with oxides has been to obtain a competitive capacity and rate capability while retaining a high voltage with low-cost, environmentally friendly cathode materials. Comparisons will be made between layered Li1−x MO2, spinels Li1−x [M2]O4, and olivines Li1−x MPO4 having 0< x <1. Although higher capacities can be obtained with layered Li1−x MO2 compounds, which have enabled the wireless revolution, their metastability makes them unlikely to be used in power applications. The spinel and olivine framework structures have been shown to be capable of charge/discharge rates of over 10C with a suitable temperature range for plug-in hybrid vehicles.
In this article, we show that succinonitrile-based lithium metal batteries (SN-LMB) can cycle over 1000 times at 1 C and at room temperature with a coulombic efficiency (CE) of ~99.8% when low amounts of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) are added into SN. FEC loadings as low as 5 and 10 wt% (of SN and Li salt) are sufficient to overcome the polymerization of SN with the lithium metal (LM) because FEC facilitates the formation of a protective LiF layer. We also show that the separator type significantly influences the SN-LMB cycle life. Using relatively thick separators with wide pores, SN-LMB have experienced an early failure due to the growth of lithium dendrites. Conversily, thinner separators with narrower pores have enabled SN-LMB to cycle 1000 times with an average CE of ~99.8% and a capacity drop of 0.03 mAh g−1 cycle−1, due to the slow growth of an inactive Li layer on the LM surface. Our results highlight the important role that the separators play on the lifetime of SN-LMB and elucidate the role of inactive lithium formation on the capacity decay of SN-LMB. In light of the long cycle life of the developed batteries, this work motivates future development of SN-LMBs.
In this paper, we demonstrate that a novel silicon electrode with a large amount of nanopores can be fabricated by an in-situ thermal generating approach using triethanolamine as a sacrificing template. The fabrication process is simple, green, low cost, and easy to be scaled up. This electrode achieves high reversible capacities (2500 mAh g−1) with excellent cycling stability (∼90% capacity retention after 100 charge–discharge cycles), showing great potential as a high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries. It is revealed that the high void volume with pore size of <200 nm can both enlarge the interface between active silicon particles and the electrolyte, and accommodate the severe volume change of silicon, thus leading to remarkably improved reversible capacity and cycling stability. The design concept and the fabrication approach used in the nanoporous silicon electrode may also be extended to other electrodes for electrochemical applications.
In almost all European Union countries, the gender wage gap is increasing across the wage distribution. In this 2008 presidential lecture I briefly survey some recent studies aiming to explain why apparently identical women and men receive such different returns and focus especially on those incorporating psychological factors as an explanation of the gender gap. Research areas with high potential returns to further analysis are identified. Several examples from my own recent experimental work with Patrick Nolen are also presented. These try to distinguish between the role of nature and nurture in affecting behavioural differences between men and women that might lead to gender wage gaps.
Atypical antipsychotic medications are commonly used in large-scale residential care facilities for adults with developmental disabilities. While the benefits of this class of psychotropics are noted, debate exists whether the side effect profile of these medications outweigh their therapeutic benefit, especially in those who use them long-term. Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a movement disorder often caused by a history of neuroleptic use which can cause deleterious effects. Due to the seriousness of TD and the impact on an individual's quality of life, it is necessary to identify predisposing factors for this condition in a population of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The current study seeks to expand the literature related to TD and atypical antipsychotic medication utilizing a measure of medication side effects, the Matson Evaluation of Drug Side Effects (MEDS). Results and implications for assessment and practice are discussed.
LiFeBO3 cathode material has been synthesized successfully by solid-state reaction using Li2CO3, H3BO3 and FeC2O4·2H2O as starting materials. The crystal structure has been determined by the X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical tests show that an initial discharge capacity of about 125.8mAh/g can be obtained at the discharge current density of 5mA/g. When the discharge current density is increased to 50mA/g, the specific capacity of 88.6mAh/g can still be held. In order to further improve the electrochemical properties, the carbon-coated LiFeBO3, C-LiFeBO3, are also prepared. The amount of carbon coated on LiFeBO3 particles was determined to be around 5% by TG analysis. In comparison with the pure LiFeBO3, a higher discharge capacity, 158.3mAh/g at 5mA/g and 122.9mAh/g at 50mA/g, was obtained for C-LiFeBO3. Based on its low cost and reasonable electrochemical properties obtained in this work, LiFeBO3 may be an attractive cathode for lithium-ion batteries.
LiFe1-x (Ni0.98Co0.01Mn0.01) x PO4/C (x =0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07) is prepared by using spent electroless nickel plating solution as a raw material. The mechanism of the reaction is investigated by the analyses of thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimeter (TG/DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It is found that the formation of LiFe1-x (Ni0.98Co0.01Mn0.01) x PO4/C starts at 300°C, and above 500°C, the product can be ascribed to LiFe1-x (Ni0.98Co0.01Mn0.01) x PO4/C. The structure, morphology and electrochemical properties of the samples are characterized by XRD, scanning electron microscope (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) and charge/discharge tests. The results show that the Ni, Co and Mn multi-doping does not destroy the olivine structure of LiFePO4 and is beneficial to the uniform distribution of particles, which improves the electrochemical properties of the samples. Especially, LiFe0.97(Ni0.98Co0.01Mn0.01)0.03PO4/C exhibits the best cycling stability and rate capability among all the samples. Its initial discharge capacity is 150.6mAhg−1 with the capacity retention of 98.8% after 100 cycles at 1C. Even at 10C, it still shows a high discharge capacity of 116.5mAhg−1.
Rechargeable Zn ion battery is a promising alternative for the current portable and mobile energy storage technologies because of its good safety, low cost, and material abundance. Poor deposition reversibility with dendrite formation of Zn metal anode in aqueous electrolytes, which brings the risk of short-circuit and capacity loss (dead Zn), is one of the critical issues that plague its practical applications. To improve the performances of Zn ion batteries, a crystalline single-ion Zn2+ solid-state electrolyte (SSE) is designed based on a post-synthetic modified metal–organic framework. The SSE possesses many advantages such as high ionic conductivity of 2.1 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 30 °C, minor activation energy of 0.12 eV, high Zn2+ transference number of 0.93, along with the good mechanical and electrochemical stability. Due to the restricted and guided Zn deposition through the nanowetted Zn/SSE interface at which Zn(H2O)6 2+ ions are confined, excellent compatibility between Zn metal anode and the SSE is revealed, which is confirmed firmly by the stable Zn plating/stripping performance, giving rise to a homogeneous, compact, and smooth Zn deposition layer. The good properties of the SSE are further verified in VS2/Zn batteries, which deliver a reversible capacity of 125 mAh g−1 over 250 cycles at 0.2 A g−1 and a reasonable rate capability with ~40% capacity retention (vs. 0.1 A g−1) at 2 A g−1.
Spinel LiMn2O4 as a cathode material for lithium rechargeable batteries is prepared at the low temperature of 250°C without any artificial mixing procedures of reactants. The phase transitions of lithium manganese oxide are found three times on heating at 250°C. The prepared material exhibits the initial discharge capacity of 85.5mAhg−1 and the discharge capacity retention of 91.5% after 50 cycles.
The microstructure and electrochemical behavior of MnOx@reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites derived from a MnO2/GO template are thoroughly investigated. An as-prepared MnO2/GO mixture is gradually converted to MnO2/rGO in a reduction process and is subsequently annealed under specific conditions to form the Mn3O4/rGO composites. The overall Li+ conversion reactions are visualized and the stability of the transformed MnOx phases is evaluated using density function theory calculations. The semispherical Mn3O4 anchored composite exhibits stable electrode performances, including both the Li+ anode and the Li+-air cathode catalyst, induced by the electrochemically favorable composite with an effective large contact area between the active materials and the electronic conductive rGO. This provides a comparative way of designing the electrode for multiphase metal oxide-based composite electrodes considering the specific electrochemical reactions in view of materials engineering.
Background To date, no therapies are available for the logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia (LPPA). Even though deep repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may improve cognitive functions in some neurodegenerative disorders, no previous studies investigated its effects in patients with LPPA. Objective Our aim was to investigate the effects on cognitive function of high frequency rTMS (hf-rTMS) delivered over the left dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) through a coil designed for deep rTMS, compared to a SHAM stimulation, in a right-handed patient with LPPA. Methods The patient presented a progressive language impairment (phonological errors in speech and naming, impaired single word retrieval and sentences repetition) and predominant left perisylvian atrophy and hypoperfusion. He received four stimulation cycles (two REAL and two SHAM) each of whom lasted 20 min for 5 consecutive days. Patient's performances in frontal, visuo-spatial and linguistic tasks were evaluated before and after each stimulation session. Test scores after REAL were compared with those obtained at baseline and after SHAM. Results We found a temporary and highly significant improvement in the linguistic skills (both oral and written tasks) but not in the other cognitive domains tested, after REAL, but not SHAM stimulations. Discussion Hf-rTMS delivered over the DLPFC could improve language in LPPA by enhancing long-term potentiation and synaptic plasticity within the stimulated and interconnected areas involved in language network. Our findings might prompt future researches into the feasibility and efficacy of deep hf-rTMS as a therapeutic tool in progressive aphasia syndromes and other neurodegenerative disorders.
The European legislation on plant protection products (Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009) and biocides (Directive 98/8/EC), as well as the regulation concerning chemicals (Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 ‘REACH’) only support the marketing and use of chemical products on the basis that they do not induce endocrine disruption in humans or non-target species. However, there is currently no agreed guidance on how to identify and evaluate endocrine activity and disruption. Consequently, an ECETOC task force was formed to provide scientific criteria that may be used within the context of these three legislative documents. Specific scientific criteria for the determination of endocrine disrupting properties that integrate information from both regulatory (eco)toxicity studies and mechanistic/screening studies are proposed. These criteria combine the nature of the adverse effects detected in studies which give concern for endocrine toxicity with an understanding of the mode of action of toxicity so that adverse effects can be explained scientifically. The criteria developed are presented in the form of flow charts for assessing relevant effects for both humans and wildlife species. In addition, since not all chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties are of equal hazard, assessment of potency is also proposed to discriminate chemicals of high concern from those of lower concern. The guidance presented in this paper includes refinements made to an initial proposal following discussion of the criteria at a workshop of invited regulatory, academic and industry scientists.