bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the Prospects of Solid-State-Batteries with Lithium Metal
Authors: Richter Felix H. , Randau Simon , Janek Jürgen
Published: February 2020

With every new announcement of solid-state-batteries (SSBs) shortly becoming a commercial reality, the idea of an electrochemical storage device outperforming lithium-ion-batteries is nearing realization. SSBs with polymer electrolyte and lithium metal were the first type of solid energy store to power electric vehicles, but showed inferior performance to lithium-ion-batteries. Since then, commercialization of SSBs with superior performance to lithium-ion-batteries has been announced for the coming years, but details on the underlying technology are scarce. Ceramic electrolytes with high ionic conductivity promise to form part of the solution. Analysis of published results highlights current research and indicates what may be feasible over the coming years.

The increase in specific energy, energy density, specific power, energy conversion efficiency and cycle efficiency of electrochemical storage devices are important incentives for the development of solid-state batteries. However, a general assessment of SSB performance is often difficult to extract from reports. This is partly due to the complex interplay of performance indicators, but also due to the lack of a basic reference system. In the Ragone diagram, the specific energy and specific power of cells is presented. As the focus here lies on cell chemistry, current collectors and cell casing are omitted in this comparison. Thiophosphate, oxide, and polymer based SSBs are compared.

Analysis of an SSB that is reduced to a minimum of compounds and contains only a lithium metal anode, β-Li3PS4 solid electrolyte and NCM cathode active material gives a minimalistic reference to which to relate cell performance. Even without using conductive carbon or protective coating, the obtained specific energy compares well with previous reports and cycling over at least 200 cycles is feasible. We use this system as an example to demonstrate a general method for evaluating battery performance.

One method of increasing the specific energy of cells is by increasing the cathode active material loading, but this increases cell weight. In order to maintain high specific power, energy conversion efficiency and C-rate, the current density needs to be high. This in turn puts constraints on the internal resistance of the cell, which is fundamental in limiting cell performance. The components making up internal resistance are lithium transport through the solid electrolyte, charge transfer at anode and cathode interfaces, and the electronic conductivity in the cathode composite. Hence, detailed investigations with electrochemical impedance measurements that determine the contributions making up internal resistance are required. In conclusion, we quantify target parameters with which to guide ongoing research efforts towards improving specific energy, energy density, specific power, energy conversion efficiency, and cycling efficiency of SSBs.
(Keynote) Revisiting Protection Matrices for Bioelectrochemical Systems
Authors: Plumeré Nicolas
Published: February 2020

Redox hydrogel films are among the most practical approaches for protecting O2-sensitive biocatalysts such as hydrogenases from O2 inactivation in bioelectrochemical devices (1). Their protection mechanism relies on the viologen catalyzed reduction of O2 with electrons diverted from the hydrogenase catalyzed H2 oxidation. Despite multiple example of the versatility and universal applicability of the concept (1-3), numerous key question related to their practical use remain open. The lecture will cover unresolved points related to (i) the generation of reactive oxygen species, (ii) the use of excessive thicknesses to ensure protection as well as (iii) the elusive direct evidence for the protection mechanism. Recent progress in the ability to form films with controlled thicknesses (4) and the use of confocal fluorescence microscopy led to new exciting insights in these systems.

(1) N. Plumeré, O. Rüdiger, A. Alsheikh Oughli, R. Williams, J. Vivekananthan, S. Pöller, W. Schuhmann, W. Lubitz, Nature Chemistry, 2014, 6, 822–827.

(2) V. Fourmond, S. Stapf, H. Li, D. Buesen, J. Birrell, O. Rüdiger, W. Lubitz, W. Schuhmann, N. Plumeré, C. Léger, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2015, 137, 5494-5505.

(3) A. Alsheikh Oughli, F. Conzuelo, M. Winkler, T. Happe, W. Lubitz, W. Schuhmann, O. Rüdiger, N. Plumeré, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2015, 54, 12329 –12333.

(4) H. Li, D. Buesen, R Williams, J. Henig, S. Stapf, K. Mukherjee, E. Freier, W. Lubitz, M. Winkler, T. Happe, N. Plumeré, Chemical Science, 2018, 9, 7596-7605.

Financial support by the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV (EXC 1069), by the ERC starting grant 715900 and by the ANR-DFG project SHIELDS (PL 746/2-1) is gratefully acknowledged.
(Invited) The Photoelectrochemistry of Photosynthetic Machineries: From Isolated Proteins to Living Cells
Authors: Zhang Jenny Z
Published: February 2020

The photoelectrochemistry of natural photosynthetic machineries forms the foundations of many upcoming biotechnologies, whilst also providing valuable insights into the bioenergetics of the complex biological systems. Here, I will show recent developments in the integration of cyanobacterial components, including isolated photosystems, thylakoids and live biofilms into inverse opal mesoporous electrodes for photoelectrochemical studies. The systematic comparison of the different components, each being one step removed in metabolic complexity, allows the electron transfer processes at each level to be more effectively teased out.

I will also showcase the coupling of photoelectrochemistry with additional biophysical techniques, including quartz crystal microbalance and dissipation, ATR-IR spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and rotating ring disk electrode, for providing complemental insights into the bio-material interface.
(Invited) Biosupercapacitor-Triboelectric Nanogenerator Interface for Powering Implanted Biomedical Devices
Authors: Rusling James F. , Mosa Islam , Ahmed Abdelsalam , Elsanadidy Esraa
Published: February 2020

Power supplies for implantable medical devices are often health limiting factors. For example, cardiac pacemakers control abnormal heart rhythms of millions of cardiac arrhythmia patients worldwide, but still suffer from power source limitations. Commercial cardiac pacemakers are battery powered and must be replaced when the battery is low (after 5-8 years). This exposes the patient to pain, serious risk of infection, and the cost of surgery. In addition, battery materials and electrolytes are toxic and raise safety concerns related to possible leakage due to accident or manufacturing flaws. Moreover, batteries represent 50-75% of pacemaker size and limit further miniaturization of the device. We are developing a miniaturized power source called BioSuperCap-Harvest based on technology that provides a smaller, safer, and much longer life-span power to cardiac pacemakers compared to currently existing batteries. The device consists of two stacked ultrathin parts. The first is a flexible bio-triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that harvests mechanical energy from a patient’s heart beats and converts it into electrical current. The bioSuperCapacitor will rapidly store the TENG-harvested electrical energy to power devices such as cardiac pacemakers potentially for a patient’s full life-time. The ultrathin 1 cm2 device features graphene layers intercalated with heme proteins in layer-by-layer assembled films. Symmetric supercapacitors using this configuration give outstanding volumetric capacitance up to 849 F cm-3. The supercapacitors also functioned effectively in calf serum, physiological buffered saline and artificial urine as electrolytes with almost no degradation in capacitance after 5000 cycles. They were no toxic effects to cell cultures exposed to over 90,000 charge-discharge cycles while using the cell growth medium as electrolyte. We are currently interfacing this supercapacitor with the triboelectric nanogenerator and will discuss electrical characteristics of the interfaced system.
(Invited) Enzymatic Biofuel Cells Toward the Development of Wearable and Edible Bioelectronic Technologies
Authors: Jeerapan Itthipon , Wang Joseph
Published: February 2020

Enzymatic biofuel cell (BFC) devices —‘green’ energy converters— can be used as new biomedical devices, self-powered biosensors, and energy sources. State-of-the-art wearable sensors can noninvasively monitor biomarkers (such as in sweat), while ingestible devices can detect biomarkers and monitor in vivo physiology with unique capabilities to directly access the gut environment during the passage of swallowable devices along the gastrointestinal tract. However, irrespective of applications, all bioelectronics mandate viable energy sources. Therefore, our efforts have been devoted to expanding the spectrum of applied aspects of BFCs for biomedical technology. BFCs used as self-powered biosensors can simplify sensing systems by minimizing power-consuming units. Such a unique feature allows two‐electrode BFC-based electrochemical sensors to operate without externally applied voltage, which enables the miniaturization and convenient design of biosensors that traditional biosensors cannot offer. We have pioneered textile-based BFCs as highly stretchable self-powered sensors for wearable systems; these can autonomously extract the electrical power from perspiration to probe the sensing of metabolites (i.e., glucose and lactate). Such BFCs with judicious serpentine designs are fabricated using screen-printing of stress-enduring inks. Successful applicability to sock-based self-powered lactate biosensors with real-time wireless communication was also demonstrated, for the first time, on the human subject. These devices will step further the development of skin-worn energy harvesting systems, non-invasive sensors, and smart textiles. Furthermore, in order to expand a new spectrum of bioelectronics, we have demonstrated the first example of an edible ethanol BFC, based solely on highly biocompatible mushroom/plant extracts and food-based materials without any additional external mediators. The BFC anode and cathode materials consist of biocatalyst-rich mushroom and plant tissues, along with dietary charcoal and vegetable oils. These edible energy-harvesting BFCs provide great opportunities for revolutionizing ingestible bioelectronics and self-powered sensors for monitoring health and the digestive system.
Engineering Functional Enzyme Bioelectrodes with Conductive Polymeric Films for Sensing Applications
Authors: Gonzalez-Solino Carla , Jolly Pawan , Di Lorenzo Mirella
Published: February 2020

Immobilization of enzymes is a key strategy for the development of point-of care diagnostics such as biosensors and biofuel cells. Conductive polymeric films have been proposed as excellent signal transducers for biomedical applications due to their high electrical conductivity and biocompatibility. In this context, we report a highly innovative, while simple and robust, surface chemistry approach for the covalent immobilization of enzymes onto conductive polymeric nanostructures. In particular, an electrochemical grafting approach is proposed, according to which, polypyrrole (PPy) films on gold surfaces on-chip are modified with b-alanine (Ala) as a linker, bearing free carboxylate groups, for further probe immobilization. As a case study and considering its clinical relevance for glucose monitoring systems, the enzyme Glucose Oxidase (GOx) is used. The fabricated GOx/Ala/PPy/Au electrode exhibited excellent performance for glucose detection, with a linear response within the range of 0.1 mM - 10 mM, and a sensitivity of 3.75 µA mM-1 cm-2. The observed low limit of detection is 0.1 mM; a value that lies below the normal glucose concentration in blood and non-conventional physiological fluids, such as interstitial fluid or saliva. The fabricated glucose sensor also demonstrates an excellent reproducibility with a relative standard deviation of 4 %. The methodology proposed paves the way for rapid manufacturing of effective enzyme-based polymeric electrodes, which, contrary to other PPy-based sensors previously suggested, does not involve any chemical pre-treatments of the monomer used.

Figure 1
Interaction between Enzymes and Carbon Nanomaterialsfor Nanobiocatalysis
Authors: Kim Jungbae
Published: February 2020

Carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene oxides (GROs) have gathered great attention due to their unique physical, chemical and electrical properties. However, the poor dispersion of hydrophobic carbon nanomaterials in hydrophilic aqueous solution makes their versatile uses difficult. As a solution, CNTs are usually treated with strong acids to be dispersed in aqueous solution, but the acid treatment of CNTs is not only tedious and time-consuming but also causes structural defects that can seriously impair the electrical conductivity of CNTs. This presentation will introduce the simple dispersion of CNTs into an enzyme solution, which enables a new nanobiocatalytic approach for the immobilization and stabilization of enzymes. The good dispersion of CNTs in the enzyme solution can be explained by the amphiphilic nature of enzyme’s surface, where hydrophobic moieties interact with the hydrophobic carbon surface while hydrophilic moieties interact with the aqueous solution. Based on effective dispersion of CNTs without acid treatment, we have developed stable form of nanobiocatalyst using glucose oxidase, which was successfully employed for electrochemical biosensors and biofuel cells, respectively. It is anticipated that this newly-developed protocol of nanobiocatalysis based on the simple dispersion of CNTs in aqueous enzyme solution can be easily employed for many other combinations of enzymes and carbon nanomaterials in order to achieve successes in various electrochemical enzyme applications.

Keywords:

Nanobiocatalysis, Carbon nanotubes, Glucose oxidase, Biosensors, Biofuel cells
(Keynote) Application of Electrochemical Surface Plasmon Resonance (ESPR) to the Study of Electroactive Microbial Biofilms
Authors: Tender Leonard M
Published: February 2020

Electrochemical surface plasmon resonance (ESPR) monitors faradaic processes optically by the change in refractive index that occurs with a change in redox state at the electrode surface. Here we apply ESPR to investigate the anode-grown Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilm (GSB), a model system used to study electroactive microbial biofilms (EABFs) which perform electrochemical reactions using electrodes as metabolic electron acceptors or donors. A substantial body of evidence indicates that electron transfer reactions among hemes of c-type cytochromes (c-Cyt) play major roles in the extracellular electron transfer (EET) pathways that connect intracellular metabolic processes of cells in an EABF to the electrode surface. The results reported here reveal that when the potential of the electrode is changed from relatively oxidizing (0.40 V vs. SHE) to reducing (-0.55 V vs. SHE) and then back to oxidizing, 70% of c-Cyt residing closest to the biofilm/electrode interface (within hundreds of nm from the electrode surface) appear to remain trapped in the reduced state, requiring as long as 12 hours to be re-oxidized. c-Cyt storing electrons cannot contribute to EET, yet turnover current resulting from cellular oxidation of acetate coupled with EET to the electrode surface is unaffected. This suggests that a relatively small fraction of c-Cyt residing closest to the biofilm/electrode interface is involved in EET while the majority store electrons. The results also reveal that biomass density at the biofilm/electrode interface increases rapidly during lag phase, reaching its maximum value at the onset of exponential biofilm growth when turnover current begins to rapidly increase.
Increased Electron Transport Inside Microbial Fuel Cell through Interfacing Graphene with Geobacter Sulfurreducens
Authors: Cotts Sheldon , Keisham Bijentimala , Berry Vikas
Published: February 2020

With the increased interest in developing cost-effective and readily available energy sources, the research in the microbial fuel cell (MFC) field has gained increased attention. Here, we report the use of graphene’s high electron mobility coupled with Geobacter sulfurreducens’ biocatalyst nature to increase the current response of a MFC. It is well-accepted that one of the limiting factors of current generation of a Geobacter based MFC is the electron transport process in the anodic chamber. We attempt to address this limitation by utilizing the enhanced electrical conductivity of graphene. To study the interface of graphene- Geobacter, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed. The Raman characterization studies of the interface revealed an n-doping effect on graphene, with an approximate shift of 5 cm-1. These results demonstrate that the graphene- Geobacter interface provides an approach to overcoming the challenges of conventional MFCs.
Construction of Efficient Bio-Electrochemical Devices; An Improved Electricity Production from Cyanobacterium (Leptolyngbia sp.) Based on π-Conjugated Conducting Polymers/Gold Nanoparticles Composite Interfaces
Authors: Buyukharman Mustafa , Cevik Emre , Yildiz Huseyin Bekir
Published: February 2020

In this study, the electrochemical communication of Lyptolyngbia sp. (CYN82) were accomplished using two different DtP type conducting polymers 4-(4H-Dithieno[3,2-b:2’,3’-d]pyrrole-4-yl)aniline, P(DtP-Py-NH2) and 5-(4H-dithieno [3,2-b:2’,3’-d]pyrol-4-yl) naphtalene-1-amine, P(DtP-Nptyl-NH2) via electropolymerization. After that, p-aminothiophenol and 2-mercaptoethane functionalized AuNPs were cross-linked to DtP polymers modified GE as a result of electropolymerization. Bioelectrodes were obtained by attaching of Leptolyngbia sp. onto the conducting polymer/AuNP modified GEs and stabilized on the electrode surface by using a dialysis membrane. These electrode structures were generated enhanced photocurrent due to high wiring capacity and high electron transfer ability. Electrons are formed as a result of oxidation in CYN82 by photosynthesis in water under visible light is easily transferred to the GE by DtP/AuNP structure (Figure 1). Photocurrent experiments were proved the transfer of electrons were achieved and the effect of P(DtP-Py-NH2) and P(DtP-Nptyl-NH2) polymers reveal that the photocurrent obtained from the electrode using polymer is almost eight-fold greater than the electrode without using polymer. This result indicates that the polymer is highly effective in electron transfer. Another important point in obtaining the enhanced photocurrent is the use of gold nanoparticles in the electrode structure. Results clearly show that the photocurrent measured from the electrodes with AuNP is higher than the other electrodes (without AuNP). Conductivity of AuNP and oligoaniline bridges serves a very suitable surface for fast electron transfer from CYN82 to the gold electrode. A 25 nA cm-2 photocurrent was observed by GE/Leptolyngbia sp.. After the electrode modifications, a significant improvement in the photocurrent up to 630 nA cm-2 was achieved. Bioelectrodes P(DtP-Py-NH2)/AuNP/CYN82 and P(DtP-Nptyl-NH2)/AuNP/CYN82 were tested with diuron, clorpyrifos and atrazine which are the important pesticides as by the decrease in photocurrent which is resulted from inhibition of photosynthesis by pesticides [1].

References

[1] E.Cevik, M. Buyukharman, H.B. Yildiz, "Construction of Efficient Bio-Electrochemical Devices; An Improved Electricity Production from Cyanobacterium (Leptolyngbia sp.) Based on π-Conjugated Conducting Polymers/Gold Nanoparticles Composite Interfaces",
Biotechnology and Bioengineering

2018 (In Press) Doi: 10.1002/bit.26885.

Figure 1
Effect of Applied Voltage of Bes on Anaerobic Digestion Cycle of Excess Sludge
Authors: Wang Xue-Ting , Chen Chuan , Xu Xi-Jun , Zhang Ruo-Chen , Chen Ke-Yang , Lee Duu-Jong
Published: February 2020

Bioelectrochemical is a potential measure for treating waste activated sludge(WAS) and recovering energy by improving methane production efficiency of anaerobic digestion(AD). A lab-scale digester, which equipped with a MEC bioanode and cathode(MEC-AD), was operated under three voltages (0V, 0.6V, 0.8V) at 35 ± 1℃ in order to examine the effects of the microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) reactions on anaerobic digestion of WAS . The concentration of acetic acid, propionic acid, n-butyric acid, iso-butyric acid, n-valeric acid and iso-valeric acid increased with the increasing of voltage due to the direct oxidation of the short-chain fatty acids at the bioanode as well as the indirect contribution of low acetic acid concentration on beta-oxidation. The time required for COD and protein degradation of the MEC-AD at 0.6V and 0.8V were shortened more than 7 days compared to 0V. At the end of the reaction, the concentration of sugar and protein in the MEC-AD at both 0.6V and 0.8V were 300 mg/L and 200 mg/L lower than that at 0V, respectively. Compared to 0V, The methane production cycle at 0.6V of MEC-AD was shortened about 7 days as well, indicating that the applied voltage was a very effective way to achieve high-efficiency anaerobic digestion of WAS.
Biowaste-Carbon Materials for Microbial Fuel Cell Applications
Authors: Hung Yu-Hsuan , Liu Tzu-Yin , Chen Han-Yi
Published: February 2020

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs), an unique type of fuel cell, have deeply attracted scientists’ attention as new sustainable energy devises in the past several years. They can transform chemical energy into bioelectricity by utilizing active microorganisms as biocatalyst in the anode compartment. Carbon materials including carbon paper, graphite plates, carbon cloth, and carbon nanotubes are the most commonly used electrodes because of their high surface area, good electric conductivity, and well biocompatibility.

In this study, biowaste-derived activated carbon was fabricated with different activating agent ratios and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The MFCs with biowaste derived activated carbon electrodes exhibited well cell performance with a power density more than 1600 mW/cm2. It demonstrates that the biowaste-derived activated carbon is a promising MFC electrode for sustainable bioelectricity generation.

Keywords: Microbial fuel cells, biowaste derived activated carbon, nitrogen-doped carbon
Self-Powered Photosynthetic Biosensor for Pesticide Detection in Water
Authors: Gonzalez Dolores , Di Lorenzo Mirella
Published: February 2020

The excessive and uncontrolled use of pesticides seriously compromises the ecological status of water bodies worldwide. The fate and impact of these compounds in the environment is uncertain, due to the lack of appropriate sensing technologies for in situ and real time monitoring of the water quality. Such devices would allow a better assessment of the impact of pesticides on the biodiversity and human health in alternative to lab-based analytical techniques. To this end, algae-based sensors hold great potential, due to the sensitivity and rapid response to environmental changes of algae. Yet, practical applications of this type of biosensors are limited by the long-term stability of the biological sensing element and the actual portability of the device. Photosynthetic biological fuel cells (pBFC) could solve some of the issues associated with traditional algae-based electrochemical biosensors. pBFCs are a specific type of fuel cells, in which the electrochemical reactions are catalysed by photosynthetic microorganisms. In this context, we propose a simple, cost-effective photosynthetic biological fuel cell as a biosensor, for in situ monitoring of water quality.

The aim of this study is to assess the ability of an algae biocathode to detect pesticides in water. The biosensor, based on a double chamber biological fuel cell design, was inoculated on the algae Scenedesmus obliquus at the cathode and anaerobic sludge at the anode. Two cathode materials were tested, graphite felt and ITO/PET, to assess relevance of the electrode morphology and transparency on the system performance. In both cases, the current output generated by the system exhibited a characteristic photosynthetic cyclic pattern, with current increasing during the day and decreasing during the night. The best performance was, however, observed with the graphite felt cathode, with a maximum value of 80 mA m-2 during the day and minimum value of 27 mA m-2, observed during the night. A linear relationship was observed between the dissolved oxygen in the catholyte and the current output, suggesting that this system can be used as dissolved oxygen sensor.

When the catholyte was exposed to a herbicide, such as atrazine, the output current was reduced. Yet, the high porosity of the carbon felt was detrimental for the sensitivity and response time of the sensor, in the sub ppm range.

Overall, our results suggest that the system could be used as an early warning sensor for water contamination.

Keywords: biosensor, biological fuel cell, atrazine, water quality.

Figure 1
Development of a Urine Recycling Chemostat System Coupled to an Ammonia Fuel Cell Using Urease-Positive P. vulgaris Bacteria for Urea Removal
Authors: Barreto-Vázquez Delmaliz , Toranzos Gary , Cabrera Carlos R
Published: February 2020

Current urine recycling treatments are unable to completely recover clean water free of toxic metabolic products such as urea. Urea is a small and uncharged molecule, diffulting its removal from wastewater. Previous publications from our research group reported the use of immobilized urease enzyme on carbon matrix as a urea bioreactor to convert urea to ammonia. The stability of the enzyme was limitation for long time use. For this, a microbial system has been selected. An ureolysis system in a microbial chemostat using robust Proteus vulgaris bacteria that can transform urea to ammonia is being proposed. The chemostat will be coupled to an ammonia fuel cell to further oxidize ammonia to nitrogen and generate energy. The first goal of this work is to establish the growth parameters for P. vulgaris in synthetic human urine (SHU) by testing different formulations of synthetic urine similar to real urine. Our preliminary results indicate that P. vulgaris achieve exponential growth in Enriched Synthetic Human Urine during a 12 h Growth Assay using Genesys UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, and the Colony-forming Units counting technique. Future bacterial growth experiments will be done with a more chemically consistent synthetic human urine with normal human urine components such as amino acids.
(Invited) From Manipulated Enzymes to Solid State Electrodes –Towards the Reduction of Protons and CO2
Authors: junge Puring Kai , Smialkowski Mathias , Tetzlaff David , Siegmund Daniel , Apfel Ulf-Peter
Published: February 2020

The efficient reduction of protons and CO2 under mild conditions is a current challenge for modern society. Nature utilizes enzymatic machineries that comprise iron- and nickel- containing active sites to perform these transformations.1 Recently, we reported on the formidable HER activity of bulk Fe4.5Ni4.5S8 electrodes as a bio-inspired material revealing similar structural and functional properties of [FeNi] hydrogenases.2,3,4 We herein set out to explore the influence of the Fe : Ni ratio on the performance of the electrocatalyst.5 Using linear sweep voltammetry, we show that the increase in the Fe or Ni content, respectively, lowers the activity of the bulk electrocatalyst towards HER. Comparable to the enzymes, specific Fe-Ni interactions seem to be the key for the observed HER activity. Furthermore, due to the resemblance of such sulfides with CO2 converting enzymes, we likewise investigated Fe4.5Ni4.5S8 electrodes to perform the reduction of CO2. In non-aqueous conditions, this material is indeed a potential catalyst affording CO as main product with high Faradaic yields.

1F. Möller, S. Piontek, R. G. Miller, U.-P. Apfel, Chem. Eur. J.
2017, DOI: 10.1002/chem.201703451.

2B. Konkena, K. junge Puring, O. Khavryuchenko, I. Sinev, S. Piontek, M. Muhler, W. Schuhmann, U.-P. Apfel, Nature Commun.
2016, 7:12269, DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12269.

3K. junge Puring, S. Piontek, M. Smialkowski, J. Burfeind, S. Kaluza, C. Doetsch, U.-P. Apfel, J. vis. Exp.
2017, 124, DOI:10.3791/56087.

4I. Zegkinoglou, A. Zendegani, I. Sinev, S. Kunze, H. Mistry, J. Zhao, M. Y. Hu, E. E. Alp, S. Piontek, M. Smialkowski, U.-P. Apfel, T. Hickel, J. Neugebauer, B. Roldan Cuenya, J. Am. Chem. Soc.
2017, 139, 14360.

5S. Piontek, C. Andronescu, A. Zaichenko, B. Konkena, K. junge Puring, B. Marler, H. Antoni, I. Sinev, M. Muhler, D. Mollenhauer, B. Roldan Cuenya, W. Schuhmann, U.-P. Apfel, ACS Catalysis, 2018, 8, 987.

Figure 1
We have emotions but can’t show them! Authoritarian leadership, emotion suppression climate, and team performance
Authors: Chiang Jack Ting-Ju , Chen Xiao-Ping , Liu Haiyang , Akutsu Satoshi , Wang Zheng
Published: February 2020

How do authoritarian leaders in modern organizations influence work team emotional climate and performance? Defining authoritarian leadership as an ambient, demanding, and controlling leadership style, we conducted a survey study of 252 leaders and 765 subordinates matched in 227 work teams in three large public Japanese organizations. The results indicate that authoritarian leaders are more likely to create a team climate of emotion suppression, which induces a higher level of team emotional exhaustion that negatively impacts team performance. Furthermore, we found that authoritarian leaders’ own emotion suppression enhances the above sequential mediation effects, i.e. the more emotion suppression the authoritarian leader him/herself exercises, the stronger the team climate of emotion suppression, the higher the level of team emotional exhaustion, and the lower the team performance. These findings suggest that leadership effectiveness may be improved if leaders can reduce their authoritarian behaviors and identify appropriate channels for employees to release emotions in the workplace.
Rhythm in translation, with two accounts of Leconte de Lisle’s ‘Midi’
Authors: Scott Clive
Published: February 2020

This article explores the translation of poetic rhythm: not the rhythm of the source text, but the rhythm of the translational act itself. This re-conception of translation’s rhythmic task is enabled by a translation designed for the polyglot, rather than for the monoglot, reader. In this new understanding of translational process, rhythm not only embodies the perceptual and cognitive experience of the translating subject, it also makes more intimate the relationship between language and voice, the linguistic and the paralinguistic. Furthermore, it has as much to do with the space of translation, its distribution on the page, as with its changing temporal modes. The translator, then, does not translate the rhythm of a text so much as a text’s capacity for rhythm, and that capacity includes both espousing the perspective of a translating ‘I’ and releasing what is not linguistically manifest in the source text. These propositions are tested in two translations of Leconte de Lisle’s ‘Midi’.
Presidents and Generals: Systems of Government and the Selection of Defense Ministers
Authors: Amorim Neto Octavio , Accorsi Pedro
Published: February 2020

Defense ministers are among the most central players in democracies’ civil–military relations. This article aims to identify the determinants of the selection criteria of defense ministers in democracies and semi-democracies. More specifically, it attempts to measure the effects of systems of government on decisions to appoint civilians or military officers to head the defense ministry. We argue that some characteristics of presidentialized regimes lead to the appointment of military defense ministers. This is a novel contribution, one that connects the literature on civil–military relations and that on systems of government. To assess our hypothesis and its mechanisms, we use comprehensive cross-national data in 1975–2015. Our tests indicate a robust association between presidentialized systems of government and the appointment of military ministers. We also show that military defense ministers are associated with some relevant outcomes. These findings have important implications for the study of civil–military relations, defense policy, and democracy.
How to Measure Intangible Cultural Heritage Value? The Case of Flamenco in Spain
Authors: Heredia-Carroza Jesús , Palma Martos Luis , Aguado Luis F.
Published: February 2020

This article designs an empirical methodology to measure the perceived value of intangible cultural heritage, specifically using the significant example of flamenco. Such methodology is divided into three stages: interviews with experts, to lay out the flamenco creation process and to identify the aspects, which influenced its value; a double system survey for spectators and experts, which determines the perceived valuation of stated aspects; and finally, a correlation and exploratory factor analysis whose results identified three influencing factors on the valuation of flamenco: feelings, virtuosity, and composition elements. The conclusions show how feelings are the key element in its valuation, representing the highest proportion of the accumulated total variance. Due to its findings, this methodology creates a precedent for intangible cultural heritage valuation, which applies to those music genres characterized by local idiosyncratic elements in their creation, such as vallenato (Colombia), and doina (Romania), among others.
Temperature-Based Criteria for Opening Newly Laid Repaired Asphalt Pavement Sections to Traffic
Authors: He L. , Chu L. , Fwa T. F.
Published: February 2020

To avoid premature damage, a newly laid asphalt pavement repair must be allowed to cool sufficiently before opening to air traffic. This study examines the variations of temperature within different repaired asphalt layers during cooling, and makes recommendations with regard to the choice of temperature-based criteria for determining the earliest time to open a newly laid asphalt pavement section to air traffic in a busy airport. Using finite element simulation analysis, the cooling patterns of asphalt layers under the following conditions were studied: three different weather conditions (sunny daytime, cloudy daytime, and nighttime) with three different wind speeds. It is shown that the common practice of relying on surface temperature to determine the time for opening to traffic is unsatisfactory. This is because under most paving conditions, a large proportion of the newly laid asphalt layer would still have temperatures higher than the surface temperature. From finite element analysis for different paving and environmental conditions, it is recommended that the temperatures at an interior point be measured at either 1/2, 2/3, or 3/4 depth, and that nighttime paving be preferred. This study shows that for common asphalt pavement repairs of thicknesses up to 150 mm, taking the temperature at either 2/3 or 3/4 depth as the guide, a repaired asphalt layer, when opened to air traffic, would have its internal maximum temperature kept within 2°C of the preset maximum allowable temperature. If the 1/2 depth temperature is selected as a guide, a margin of within 4°C of the preset maximum allowable temperature can be achieved.
What is the decentered state?
Authors: Bevir Mark
Published: February 2020

This article provides an introduction to discussions and empirical studies of the decentered state. The first section traces the historical origins of the concept of the decentered state. Group theory and interorganizational theory drew attention to the role of diverse actors in policymaking. The study of policy networks explored these actors and their relationships. The concept of the hollow state arose to describe a state made up of proliferating networks. Finally, postfoundationalists amended these earlier ideas by insisting that the state should not be reified. There are, then, at least three different versions of the decentered state—the pluralist state, the hollow state, and the stateless state. The second section shows how the postfoundationalism of decentered theory transforms the earlier debates about network governance and pluralist democracy. The final section suggests that decentered theory privileges empirical studies of the stateless state and in particular of narratives, rationalities, and resistance.
Decreasing Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections Acquired in the Home Setting Among Pediatric Oncology Patients
Authors: Altounji Diane , McClanahan Rachel , O’Brien Roxanne , Murray Paula
Published: February 2020

Most children receiving cancer treatment require a central venous catheter (CVC), putting them at risk for central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). As patients are discharged home with a CVC in place, caregivers are expected to maintain the CVC following an in-hospital education session before their first discharge home. Following a review of the literature, the education process was modified to improve the quality of education for caregivers. While the existing step-by-step handbook was reviewed and deemed aligned with best practices, other materials were added for this project: a caregiver skills competency checklist, a handout reviewing oral care and hygiene in the home, and a guide for nurses on what materials to provide families at the time of diagnosis. Additionally, caregivers were required to receive two additional CVC care reinforcement sessions during subsequent admissions to the inpatient units, which involved redemonstrations of skills using the competency checklist. Home-acquired CLABSI in pre- and postintervention groups were compared, and compliance of reinforcement education was measured. Though no statistical significance was found, the odds of experiencing a CLABSI were found to be higher in the preintervention group for mucosal-barrier injury (odds ratio = 2.23; 95% confidence interval [0.43, 22.10]) and laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infections (odds ratio = 4.53; 95% confidence interval [0.59, 203.71]). The clinical significance of reducing home-acquired CLABSI has a positive impact on patient outcomes by decreasing morbidity and mortality, inpatient lengths of stay, and overall health care costs.
A Partnership Approach to Paternity Establishment: Child Welfare Research and Training Project Ecological Model and Preliminary Data
Authors: Weems Carl F. , Rouse Heather L. , Melby Janet N. , Jeon Sesong , Goudy Kate , McCurdy Bethany H. , Stanek Abigail R.
Published: February 2020

This article provides an ecological model of child support facilitation through broad efforts to maintain high rates of paternity establishment via agency–university collaboration. The study utilized administrative data (2,208 electronic records from the Bureau of Health Statistics) on voluntary paternity affidavits (VPA) rejected by the Iowa Department of Public Health. These records represented all rejected VPAs from 70 hospitals in Iowa for 6 months in 2017. Results indicated that the majority of VPAs were not accepted for minor errors (78%) such as missing information rather than incorrect information. Results also indicated variation among hospitals and hospital regions in the reasons for rejection. Outreach to hospitals targeting affidavit completion is a potential step for increasing paternity establishment.
Effect of Neck Botulinum Neurotoxin Injection on Proprioception and Somatosensory-Motor Cortical Processing in Cervical Dystonia
Authors: Khosravani Sanaz , Buchanan Jeffrey , Johnson Matthew D. , Konczak Jürgen
Published: February 2020

Background. Cervical dystonia (CD) is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary contractions of the cervical musculature and is known to be associated with proprioceptive dysfunction in dystonic/nondystonic limbs. Objectives. We examined how neck botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection affects wrist proprioception and the corresponding sensorimotor cortical activity in CD. Method. Wrist position sense acuity of the dominant (right) hand was evaluated in 15 CD and 15 control participants. Acuity measures were a psychophysical position sense discrimination threshold (DT; based on passive joint displacement) and joint position matching error (based on active movement). Cortical activity during the motor preparation period of the active joint position matching was examined using electroencephalography. Results. In their symptomatic state, patients demonstrated a significantly higher wrist proprioceptive DT, indicating an abnormal passive wrist position sense. Yet BoNT injections had no significant effect on this threshold. During active joint position matching, errors were significantly larger in patients, but this difference vanished after the administration of BoNT. Motor preparation of active wrist position matching was associated with a significantly higher rise of β-band (13-30 Hz) power over contralateral somatosensory-motor cortical areas in patients. This excessive cortical activity significantly declined post-BoNT. Conclusion. Wrist proprioceptive perception during passive/active movements is abnormal in CD. An excessive rise of premotor/motor cortical β-oscillations during motor planning is associated with this proprioceptive dysfunction. Neck BoNT injections normalized the cortical processing of proprioceptive information from nonsymptomatic limbs, indicating that local injections may affect the central mechanisms of proprioceptive function in CD.
Using Chromatin-Nuclear Receptor Interactions to Quantitate Endocrine, Paracrine, and Autocrine Signaling
Authors: Taves Matthew D. , Ashwell Jonathan D.
Published: February 2020

Hormone-activated nuclear receptors (NRs) control myriad cellular processes. The classical paradigm for hormone delivery is secretion from endocrine organs and blood-borne distribution to responding cells. However, many hormones can also be synthesized in the same tissues in which responding cells are found (paracrine signaling). In both endocrine and paracrine signaling, numerous factors affect hormone availability to target cell NRs, including hormone access to and sequestration by carrier proteins, transport across cell membranes, metabolism, and receptor availability. These factors can differ dramatically during development, between anatomical locations, and across cell types, and may cause highly variable responses to the same hormone signal. This has been difficult to study because current approaches are unable to quantify cell-intrinsic exposure to NR hormone ligands, precluding assessment of cell-specific hormone access and signaling. We have used the ligand-dependent interaction of the endogenous glucocorticoid (GC) receptor with chromatin as a biosensor that quantifies systemic access of GCs to cells within tissues at the single cell level, showing that tissues are buffered against circulating GCs. This approach also showed highly targeted paracrine GC signaling within the thymus, where GCs promote the positive selection of thymocytes with moderate affinity for self-antigens and the development of a safe and effective T-cell repertoire. We believe that this and complementary biosensor approaches will be useful to identify endocrine and paracrine target cells in situ and quantify their exposure to hormones regardless of the mode of delivery.
“Age Is Just a Number”: Distal Radius Fractures in Patients Over 75
Authors: Tulipan Jacob E. , Lechtig Aron , Rozental Tamara D. , Harper Carl M.
Published: February 2020

Background: Management of distal radius fractures in patients over 65 is a topic of significant study, but there are variations within this group in terms of independence and activity level. This study compares the outcomes of operative distal radius fracture treatment in patients over 75 with those aged 65 to 74, to evaluate the effects of patient demand and advanced age on outcome. Methods: A retrospective review of a single-institution distal radius fracture database was performed. All patients over age 65 were evaluated for inclusion. Patient factors including activity, independence level, and quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (QuickDASH) score were recorded. Patients were selected for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) based on a discussion between the patient and the treating surgeon. Outcome measures including QuickDASH were recorded at 1-year post-injury. Patients aged 65 to 74 and 75 and over were compared to evaluate for demographic, functional, and outcome differences. Results: In all, 75 patients were included in the study. Fifty-one patients were aged 65 to 74, and 24 patients were aged over 75. The majority of patients rated themselves as “completely independent” and “active,” the highest levels of each. There was no difference in QuickDASH scores between those patients who rated themselves as completely partially independent, or active versus moderately active. There was no statistically significant difference in QuickDASH or range of motion parameters at final follow-up. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that, in a group of patients with high levels of independence and activity, outcomes are similar in patients aged 65 to 74 and over 75 at 1 year following distal radius ORIF.
A prevalence survey of patients with indwelling urinary catheters on district nursing caseloads in the United Kingdom: The Community Urinary Catheter Management (CCaMa) Study
Authors: Prieto Jacqui , Wilson Jennie , Bak Aggie , Denton Andrea , Flores Ashley , Lusardi Gail , Reid Matthew , Shepherd Lesley , Whittome Niamh , Loveday Heather
Published: February 2020

Background:

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is common in both hospitals and the community.

Aim:

To investigate the prevalence of indwelling urinary catheters on district nursing caseloads in the UK.

Methods:

Participants were recruited through the Infection Prevention Society (IPS). An electronic survey was undertaken on a single day between November 2017 and January 2018. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Findings:

A total of 49,575 patients were included in the survey, of whom 5352 had an indwelling urinary catheter. This gave a point prevalence of 10.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.53–11.07), which varied between organisations, ranging from 2.36% (95% CI = 2.05–2.73) to 22.02% (95% CI = 20.12–24.05). Of catheters, 5% were newly placed (within four weeks). Of these, most (77%) had a documented indication for insertion. Only half of patients with a newly placed catheter had a plan for its removal. This varied between organisations in the range of 20%–96%. Only 13% of patients had a patient-held management plan or ‘catheter passport’ but these patients were significantly more likely to also have an active removal plan (28/36 [78%] vs. 106/231 [46%]; P < 0.0001). Alternative bladder management strategies had been considered for 70/267 (26%) patients.

Discussion:

The management of patients with an indwelling urinary catheter represents a significant component of district nursing caseloads. Given the high proportion of newly catheterised patients without an active management plan for removal of the catheter, the establishment of an optimal management pathway should be the focus of future prevention efforts.