bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of Late Ordovician volcanism on the marine environment based on high-resolution mercury data from South China
Authors: Wang Yong , Tan Jingqiang , Wang Wenhui , Zhou Lian , Tang Peng , Kang Xun , Xie Wenquan , Wang Zhanghu , Dick Jeffrey
Published: July 2022

Volcanic ash interbeds in the Late Ordovician strata in South China record highfrequency volcanic activity. To assess the impact of these volcanic events on the climate and marine biological evolutionary crisis during the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction (LOME), we present high-resolution measurements of mercury (Hg) concentrations and organic carbon isotope ratios (δ13Corg) in an Ordovician–Silurian sedimentary succession (Muchanggou section). The results show that high-frequency volcanic ash layers and Hg enrichments developed synchronously in the Katian graptolite P. pacificus (Lower Subzone) and T. typicus biozones and are coupled with a negative shift of ~1‰ in δ13Corg, which reflects the perturbation of the surface carbon and mercury cycles by intense volcanic activity. Based on volcanic Hg fluxes, it is estimated that more than 1.1 × 1013 tons of CO2 were emitted by the Katian volcanic activities in South China, which interrupted the growth of the polar ice sheet and the rapid cooling of tropical oceans in the mid-Boda event. As volcanism weakened, increased weathering led to the growth of the polar ice sheet and cooling in the Hirnantian. Both regional and global biodiversity declined rapidly with the end of volcanism, which suggests that the marine ecological crisis was related to a series of disruptions in biogeochemical cycles in the post-volcanic period.
Supplemental Material: A Rosetta stone linking melt trajectories in the mantle to the stress field and lithological heterogeneities (Trinity ophiolite, California)
Authors: Ceuleneer Georges , al. et
Published: July 2022

Figure S1 of outcrop site 1, and data tables. 
On Coverings of Tori with Cubes
Authors: Bogdanov I. I. , Grigoryan O. R. , Zhukovskii M. E.
Published: July 2022

We obtain new bounds and exact values of the minimum number of cubes with side length $$\varepsilon \in (0,\;1)$$ covering the torus $${{[\mathbb{R}{\text{/}}\mathbb{Z}]}^{3}}$$.
Management of appendicitis in a De Garengeot hernia: Lockwood approach
Authors: Julien Benjamin , Huang Yeqian , Ooi Wei Ling , Beck Matthew
Published: July 2022

A De Garengeot hernia is a femoral hernia containing the vermiform appendix. This extremely rare hernia is associated with appendicitis and the risk of perforation and abscess formation. Given limited data, it poses both diagnostic and management difficulties. While management is generally surgical, questions remain about the best operative approach, indications for appendicectomy and optimum hernia repair technique. We describe a case of acute appendicitis within a De Garengeot hernia that was managed with an open appendicectomy via a Lockwood incision. This case helps to illustrate the management considerations present for this rare clinical pathology and describes a method to effectively identify the hernia and resect the appendix.
IgG4-positive Hashimoto thyroiditis and its association with IgG4-related sclerosing disease
Authors: Sharma Khatiwada Aagat , Choudhury Natasha
Published: July 2022

A woman in her 50s was referred with suspected thyroid malignancy and underwent total thyroidectomy. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed IgG4-positive Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. IgG4-related thyroid disease is poorly understood, and thought to encompass various entities including IgG4-positive Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Fibrosing Variant of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Reidel’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease with elevated IgG4 levels. Furthermore, it may be associated with a systemic fibrosing condition called ‘IgG4-related sclerosing disease’. The clinical significance of IgG4-positive thyroid disease, however, remains unclear.
Aggressive angiomyxoma of the stomach: a novel site of a rare neoplasm
Authors: Narang Mohak , Das Prasenjit , Singh Anand Narayan , Madhusudhan Kumble Seetharama
Published: July 2022

Aggressive angiomyxoma (AA) is a rare neoplasm of mesenchymal origin. It most commonly occurs in young women, predominantly in the pelvi-perineal region. We describe a case of AA arising from the lesser curvature of the stomach in a young woman who presented with a lump in the abdomen for 6 months. The patient subsequently underwent en bloc resection of the tumour and the diagnosis was confirmed on histology. This is the first reported case of gastric origin of AA to the best of our knowledge.
Unusual coexistence of Stewart-Treves syndrome and sickle cell anaemia: a case of dual pathology
Authors: Walke Vaishali A , Datar Sonali , Kowe Balwant , Chaurasia Jai Kumar
Published: July 2022

Chronic lymphoedema can rarely be complicated by an angiosarcoma. This combination called Stewart-Treves syndrome usually observed in upper limb in patients of post-mastectomy with axillary lymph node resection. Here, we report a male patient who had a 10-year history of right leg elephantiasis. Later on, he developed two large ulceronodular masses in the same leg with few satellite nodules in the surrounding skin. With the clinical suspicion of malignancy, a wedge biopsy was performed which revealed histological features of angiosarcoma with sickled red cells. The above knee amputation specimen received further confirmed the histological diagnosis. The investigation for haemoglobinopathy also suggested the presence of sickle cell trait. This report describes a multifocal tumour as a rare manifestation of Stewart-Treves syndrome in a post-filariasis case with sickle cell trait, which is an extremely uncommon combination.
Minimally invasive treatment of left main coronary artery thrombosis in a young patient with COVID-19
Authors: Johnsen Jacob , Kristensen Steen Dalby , Støttrup Nicolaj Brejnholt
Published: July 2022

COVID-19 has been associated with cardiovascular events. This case demonstrates severe left main coronary artery thrombosis with distal embolisation in a young male patient admitted with COVID-19 who developed ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The patient was treated with thrombus aspiration combined with aggressive anticoagulant treatment, which yielded complete resolution of the thrombus. Left main thrombus represents a life-threatening coronary event and is most often associated with atherosclerotic plaque rupture. In this case, however, we suspect that COVID-19-related intimal inflammation and hypercoagulopathy might be the causal mechanism of thrombus formation. Revascularisation with coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention is the standard treatment of left main thrombosis. However, due to the patient’s young age and lack of significant atherosclerotic disease burden, we used a conservative medical treatment strategy using potent antithrombotic therapy.
Emergency imaging of a rare cause of inguinal swelling: Amyand’s hernia with perforated appendicitis and abscess–cutaneous fistula – a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Marzocchi Guido , Borlandelli Elena , Branchini Mauro , Lovato Luigi
Published: July 2022

Inguinal hernias containing the appendix are rare, but even more exceptional is the occurrence of complicated appendicitis within the hernial sac with a cutaneous fistula. We report the case of a man in his 50s presenting to the emergency department with a right-sided erythematous and painful inguinal swelling secreting seropurulent material. A perforated appendix within an inguinal hernia complicated by an appendico-cutaneous fistula was diagnosed.
Management of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction in a neutropenic patient
Authors: Xu Suzanne , Sharma Shreyak , Jadbabaie Farid
Published: July 2022

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, also known as Ogilvie’s syndrome, is a rare condition involving acute large bowel dilatation without mechanical obstruction. Management begins with conservative treatment and may include pharmacological therapy, colonoscopic decompression and surgery. Timely resolution is important due to the increased risk of bowel perforation and ischaemia associated with colonic dilatation. However, conditions such as neutropenia that place patients at an elevated risk of infection may limit treatment options. We report a case of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction in a neutropenic elderly man resistant to conservative measures and neostigmine and discuss the additional management considerations in an immunocompromised patient.
Breast metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Worapongpaiboon Rinrada , Vongsaisuwon Mawin
Published: July 2022

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer, and regional neck metastasis is more common than distant metastasis. If present, metastasis most frequently occurs in lungs and bones. Follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) is a mixture of the classic and follicular thyroid carcinoma and metastasizes in the same fashion as the PTC with cervical lymph nodes as the most common site. A case of atypical presentation of FVPTC with rib metastasis is reported. We present a case of an old man with a left-sided palpable breast mass for 2 months in duration without breast pain. Initially, the breast mass was categorised as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 4a via ultrasonography. Subsequent immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the mass was metastatic thyroid cancer. Consequently, a CT scan revealed a tumour originating from the rib. The patient was finally diagnosed with metastatic FVPTC.
The impact of institutional delivery on neonatal and maternal health outcomes: evidence from a road upgrade programme in India
Authors: Shajarizadeh Ali , Grépin Karen Ann
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Persistently high rates of neonatal and maternal mortality have been associated with home births in many low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, causal evidence of the effect of institutional deliveries on neonatal and maternal health outcomes is limited in these settings.

Methods

We investigate the effect of institutional deliveries on neonatal mortality and maternal postpartum complications in rural India using data from the 2015–2016 Indian Demographic and Health Survey and an instrumental variable methodology to overcome selection bias issues inherent in observational studies. Specifically, we exploit plausibly exogenous variation in exposure to a road upgrade programme that quasi-randomly upgraded roads to villages across India.

Results

We find large effects of the road construction programme on the probability that a woman delivered in a health facility: moving from an unconnected village to a connected village increased the probability of an institutional delivery by 13 percentage points, with the biggest increases in institutional delivery observed in public hospitals and among women with lower levels of education and from poorer households. However, we find no evidence that increased institutional delivery rates improved rates of neonatal mortality or postpartum complications, regardless of whether the delivery occurred in a public or private facility, or if it was with a skilled birth attendant.

Conclusion

Policies that encourage institutional delivery do not always translate into increased health outcomes and should thus be complemented with efforts to improve the quality of care to improve neonatal and maternal health outcomes in LMICs.
Neurodevelopmental, cognitive, behavioural and mental health impairments following childhood malnutrition: a systematic review
Authors: Kirolos Amir , Goyheneix Magdalena , Kalmus Eliasz Mike , Chisala Mphatso , Lissauer Samantha , Gladstone Melissa , Kerac Marko
Published: July 2022

Background

Severe childhood malnutrition impairs growth and development short-term, but current understanding of long-term outcomes is limited. We aimed to identify studies assessing neurodevelopmental, cognitive, behavioural and mental health outcomes following childhood malnutrition.

Methods

We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health and PsycINFO for studies assessing these outcomes in those exposed to childhood malnutrition in low-income and middle-income settings. We included studies assessing undernutrition measured by low mid-upper arm circumference, weight-for-height, weight-for-age or nutritional oedema. We used guidelines for synthesis of results without meta-analysis to analyse three outcome areas: neurodevelopment, cognition/academic achievement, behaviour/mental health.

Results

We identified 30 studies, including some long-term cohorts reporting outcomes through to adulthood. There is strong evidence that malnutrition in childhood negatively impacts neurodevelopment based on high-quality studies using validated neurodevelopmental assessment tools. There is also strong evidence that malnutrition impairs academic achievement with agreement across seven studies investigating this outcome. Eight of 11 studies showed an association between childhood malnutrition and impaired cognition. This moderate evidence is limited by some studies failing to measure important confounders such as socioeconomic status. Five of 7 studies found a difference in behavioural assessment scores in those exposed to childhood malnutrition compared with controls but this moderate evidence is similarly limited by unmeasured confounders. Mental health impacts were difficult to ascertain due to few studies with mixed results.

Conclusions

Childhood malnutrition is associated with impaired neurodevelopment, academic achievement, cognition and behavioural problems but evidence regarding possible mental health impacts is inconclusive. Future research should explore the interplay of childhood and later-life adversities on these outcomes. While evidence on improving nutritional and clinical therapies to reduce long-term risks is also needed, preventing and eliminating child malnutrition is likely to be the best way of preventing long-term neurocognitive harms.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021260498.
The banana project: a qualitative study of caregivers’ and teachers’ experiences of preschool children participating in a free banana school fruit scheme in rural Tanzania
Authors: Ebitu Anne Katrine Sandnes , Fegran Liv , Haraldstad Kristin , Johannessen Berit , Chiduo Mercy Grace , Hovland Olav Johannes
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Good nutrition is the foundation of sustainable growth and development among children. The United Nations aims to achieve food security and improve nutrition through its Sustainable Development Goal 2 - Zero Hunger. In close collaboration with local communities and authorities, the Tanga International Competence Centre, Tanzania, supports projects aimed at achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. One of their initiatives, The Banana Project, which is a free school fruit scheme, started in 2011 based on a recognised need for nutritional support among preschool children at a rural school in Tanga District. In the interest of improving nutrition, the free school fruit scheme provides one banana 5 school days a week to each child in the class. This study aimed to explore caregivers’ (parents and/or guardians) and teachers’ experiences with preschool children’s participation in the project, with a specific focus on nutrition and health.

Methods

This qualitative study was performed in 2017. A total of 16 semistructured indepth interviews with 14 caregivers and 2 teachers of the preschool children participating in the project were conducted. Data were analysed using a hermeneutic perspective.

Results

Caregivers and teachers of the preschool children participating in the intervention experienced that bananas (1) reduced children’s hunger and nutritional deficiency, (2) increased fruit intake and improved their appetite for other foods, (3) improved their physical health and provided energy, and (4) supported cognitive and socioemotional development.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that the banana intervention has several benefits to preschool children and has an impact on their families. To improve health and reduce the risk of malnutrition of children in rural Tanzania, The Banana Project can be an recommended as a simple, cost-effective and sustainable health and nutrition promotion initiatives.
A model established using marital status and other factors from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database for early stage gastric cancer
Authors: Zhang Lixiang , Zhou Baichuan , Luo Panquan , Xu Aman , Han Wenxiu , Wei Zhijian
Published: July 2022

Currently, the postoperative prognosis of early stage gastric cancer (GC) is difficult to accurately predict. In particular, social factors are not frequently used in the prognostic assessment of early stage GC. Therefore, this study aimed to combine the clinical indicators and social factors to establish a predictive model for early stage GC based on a new scoring system. A total of 3647 patients with early stage GC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database were included in this study. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare differences in prognosis between different marital status, as an innovative prognostic indicator. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to screen available prediction factors and then build a nomogram using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. The univariate analysis and multivariate analysis revealed that age at diagnosis, sex, histology, stage_T, surgery, tumor size, and marital status were independent prognostic factors of overall survival. Both the C-index and calibration curves confirmed that the nomogram had a great predictive effect on patient prognosis in training and testing sets. This nomogram based on clinical indicators and marital status can effectively help patients with early stage GC in the future.
Endothelial dysfunction and increased carotid intima–media thickness in patients with spondyloarthritis without traditional cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Ben Tekaya Aicha , Boukriba Seif , Fendri Ahmed , Rouached Leila , Saidane Olfa , Bouden Selma , Tekaya Rawdha , Ben Salem Kamel , Mahmoud Ines , Habiba Mizouni , Abdelmoula Leila
Published: July 2022

Background

The aim of our study was to assess subclinical atherosclerosis in spondyloarthritis (SpA) by combining three ultrasound methods (flow-mediated dilation (FMD), carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) and Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)) and to determine the predictive factors of theses parameters.

Methods

This was a case control study conducted over 12 months including 47 patients with SpA-free-cardiovascular (CV) disease in comparison with age and sex matched 47 healthy controls. Sociodemographic, clinical and biological features as well as therapeutic modalities were recorded in our patients. All subjects had Doppler ultrasound with measurement of cIMT, FMD and ABI. Ultrasound measurements were compared between patients and controls. Linear regression was performed and assessed by machine learning to determine the predictive models of markers of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Results

We found higher cIMT (p<0.0001), lower FMD (p=0.008) and higher left ABI (0.048) in patients with SpA compared with controls. cIMT was positively correlated to patient-related parameters (age, systolic blood pressure) and disease parameters (age at onset of SpA, disease duration and renal involvement). Biologically, cIMT was positively correlated with creatinine, blood-glocose, total cholesterol (CT) and CT/cholesterol-high density lipoprotein ratio. FMD was negatively correlated with male gender, age, systolic blood pressure, creatinine, blood glucose and Left Lequesne Index. ABI was significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure. Multiple regression analysis identified age, CT and creatinine as independents predictive factors for increased cIMT. Regarding endothelial dysfunction, blood glucose and Left Lequesne Index were the independents predictive factors of decreased FMD.

Conclusion

Our study supported the accelerated subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with SpA. This subclinical atherosclerosis was mainly mediated by traditional CV risk factors.
Operative rates in acute diverticulitis with concurrent small bowel obstruction
Authors: Glaser Jeffrey , Farrell Michael Steven , Caplan Richard , Rubino Matthew
Published: July 2022

Background

The prevalence of diverticulitis has steadily increased during the past century. One possible complication of large bowel diverticulitis (LBD) is the concurrent development of a small bowel obstruction (SBO). The literature regarding these joint diagnoses is primarily limited to small case series from the 1950s. Consequently, no official recommendations or recent literature exists to guide decision making.

Methods

This is a retrospective case–control study with 5:1 matching by demographics, comorbidities, and Hinchey classification of patients presenting with concomitant LBD and SBO and patients with LBD alone. The primary outcome assessed was the need for same admission surgical intervention.

Results

Patients with concurrent LBD and SBO were more likely to require surgical intervention (OR 4.2, p<0.001) and more likely to receive an open operation than patients with only LBD (p<0.001). The length of stay (LOS) was longer for LBD with SBO (mean LOS +3.2 days, p=0.003).

Discussion

Patients with concurrent LBD and SBO are more likely to fail non-operative management. Given this, along with their longer LOS and higher rate of open surgery, earlier surgical intervention may improve outcomes and reduce hospital LOS.

Level of evidence

4.
The Process of Gravity
Authors: Flomenbom Ophir
Published: July 2022

Fascinated people from the dawn of history, gravity is not understood, still. Here, we suggest that gravity is a result of a process in the material: (1) Gravitational photons are produced by all atoms that exist in nonzero temperature and or interact with radiation, similar to black body radiation. (2) Then, these photons move in the material. The electromagnetic properties of the gravitational photons and the structure of the object cause the photons’ trajectories to bend. (3) Such trajectories generate a force pointing to the center of mass of the object, due to the circular motion and the electromagnetic properties of the gravitational photons. These trajectories are radiated outwards, as in antennae, although at a much slower rate, due to that force. So basically gravity is a simple process (as black body radiation), just a sort of generalized radiation pressure due to the process of gravity in the material, resulting in antenna like radiation emission, of these unique electromagnetic waves that are pressed towards the radiating object center of mass during their circular motion in the object. Going beyond the dynamical model, we identify various possible forms of the gravitational photons, and their general invariant properties. With this theory, we (1) explain various unexplained phenomena that are related to gravity, yet also suggest (2) method and apparatus for gravity shielding, and (3) gravitational radiation energy cultivation. This theory can form the missing part for the “theory of everything”.
Seismic investigations around an aseismic Comorin ridge, Indian Ocean
Authors: Pandey Dhananjai K. , Ningthoujam Lachit S. , Yadav Rahul , Nair Nisha , Negi Sanjay Singh , Kumar Amit , Khogenkumar Shoraisam
Published: July 2022

Aseismic ridges and oceanic plateaux, typically buried under thick post-rift sediments, are isolated entities of enigmatic crustal character. Limited availability of deep seismic soundings hinders their precise characterization. Here, we present new crustal images from the Comorin ridge and adjoining basins in the Central Indian Ocean. Further, we seismically characterize the oldest oceanic crust south of Sri Lanka. We observe that the NW–SE-trending Comorin ridge, having distinct topography, is bounded by crustal blocks of contrasting ages and characters. Using seismic interpretation and potential field modelling, we propose its genesis as a transverse ridge with an anomalously thick (
c.
14 km) oceanic crust including considerable magmatic underplating. Additional constraints from plate reconstruction modelling suggest that a linear oceanic transform developed between India and Madagascar during their separation while the Marion hotspot remained in their close proximity. Based on several lines of evidence, we infer that shearing motion along the transform and coeval hotspot interactions are the likely emplacement mechanism for the ridge. The high-resolution seismic images demonstrate widespread crustal deformation in the form of high-angle faulting and long-wavelength folding. New findings have important implications for an improved understanding of the early Gondwana break-up, seafloor creation and subsequent compressional tectonics in the Indian Ocean.

Supplementary material
: Supplementary figures and tables are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6073139
The Influence of Human Aspects on Requirements Engineering-related Activities: Software Practitioners’ Perspective
Authors: Hidellaarachchi Dulaji , Grundy John , Hoda Rashina , Mueller Ingo
Published: July 2022

Requirements Engineering (RE)-related activities require high collaboration between various roles in software engineering (SE), such as requirements engineers, stakeholders, developers, and so on. Their demographics, views, understanding of technologies, working styles, communication and collaboration capabilities make RE highly human-dependent. Identifying how
“human aspects”
—such as motivation, domain knowledge, communication skills, personality, emotions, culture, and so on—might impact RE-related activities would help us improve RE and SE in general. This study aims at better understanding current industry perspectives on the influence of human aspects on RE-related activities, specifically focusing on motivation and personality, by targeting software practitioners involved in RE-related activities. Our findings indicate that software practitioners consider motivation, domain knowledge, attitude, communication skills and personality as highly important human aspects when involved in RE-related activities. A set of factors were identified as software practitioners’ key motivational factors when involved in RE-related activities, along with important personality characteristics to have when involved in RE. We also identified factors that made individuals less effective when involved in RE-related activities and obtained some feedback on measuring individuals’ performance when involved in RE. The findings from our study suggest various areas needing more investigation, and we summarise a set of key recommendations for further research.
Concurrent Synthesis of Functional SnO2/SnO Composite for Proton Conductive Sensor and Photo-Catalytic Treatment
Authors: Rawat Ravindra Kumar , Tripathi Divya , Singh Anshika , Yadav Jyoti , Dwivedi Pooja , Chauhan Pratima
Published: July 2022

The hybrid materials have great significance in gas detection, photocatalysis and humidity sensing. In this paper, the SnO2/SnO material was successfully obtained by annealing Sn6O4(OH)4 at 350°C. The Sn6O4(OH)4 sample was synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The XRD analysis confirmed the formation of SnO2 and SnO phases and XPS analysis validated the results of XRD analysis (presence of the Sn2+ and Sn4+ states). The N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm revealed the mesoporous characteristic of the material along with 41.386 m2 g−1 BET surface area and 3.794 nm average pore diameter. As a sensing application, a sensor based on SnO2/SnO material was fabricated on the interdigitated electrodes and investigated under combined atmospheres of humidity levels (11%RH—33%–95%RH—11%RH) and ammonia (200–1200 ppm). The response and recovery times for the maximum response (under 11%RH–95%RH—11%RH and 1200ppm NH3) were 7 s and 26 s, respectively. The experimental observations confirmed that the resistance of the sensor depends on the concentration of H2O and NH3, both form the conjugate acid-base pair and which is responsible for the response of the sensor. Moreover, SnO2/SnO material as a catalyst possessed the good results for the degradation of MB (96%) and MO (84%) under visible light source.
Communication—Determination of the Formation Potential of Solid-Electrolyte Interphase in Amide-Type Ionic Liquids Containing Lithium Salts
Authors: Kato Shodai , Serizawa Nobuyuki , Katayama Yasushi
Published: July 2022

The formation potentials of solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) were investigated in 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide (BMPFSA) and 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide (BMPTFSA) containing LiFSA and LiTFSA, respectively, by monitoring the redox reaction of ferrocene with high sensitivity. The SEI was found to affect the electrode kinetics of the outersphere electron transfer reaction. The SEIs with the thickness of less than a few nm formed in LiFSA/BMPFSA and LiTFSA/BMPTFSA at 2.4 and 2.5 V vs Li∣Li(I), respectively. The cathodic decomposition of FSA– and TFSA– was considered to be promoted by the interaction with Li+ based on the ab-initio calculation.
Surface-stabilization of LMR-NCM by Washing with Aqueous Buffers to Reduce Gassing and Improve Cycle-Life
Authors: Hartmann Louis , Ching Cheuck Hin , Kipfer Tim , Koch Max , Gasteiger Hubert A.
Published: July 2022

Li- and Mn-rich battery active materials like Li1.14(Ni0.26Co0.14Mn0.60)0.86O2 (LMR-NCM) are promising cathode active materials (CAMs) for next-generation Li-Ion batteries, as they combine a higher energy density than state-of-the-art materials at lower materials cost. However, they suffer from high gassing, particularly during formation, and from voltage and capacity fading over their cycle life. While electrolyte additives are known to alleviate these issues, it will be shown that a surface modification of LMR-NCM CAMs can also reduce their gassing during formation and improve their long-term stability. Here, we present a detailed analysis of a water-based post-treatment for LMR-NCMs, which not only lowers their initial gassing by more than 90%, but also avoids the issue of transition metal dissolution observed with conventionally used washing procedures at low ph. We thus utilized a buffered solution to increase the pH into the stability window of LMR-NCM materials (near/above pH 7), while also providing a controlled Li+/H+-exchange that is not possible with unbuffered aqueous solutions like pure H2O, H2O/alcohol mixtures, or acids. TGA-MS experiment showed that heating of Li+/H+-exchanged LMR-NCM leads to the formation of a protective (near-)surface spinel layer, and full-cell cycling displayed a drastic improvement of the capacity retention.
Effects of Pore Structure and Carbon Loading on Solid Capacitive Devices at Low Temperatures
Authors: Virya Alvin , Bagchi Raunaq , Lian Keryn
Published: July 2022

The effects of electrode material loading and operating temperature on solid-state electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) with Na2SO4-polyacrylamide-DMSO electrolyte were studied. Two types of solid EDLC cells, using carbon nanotube (CNT) or activated carbon (AC), with very different surface areas and pore structures were compared to reveal the limitations in designing solid capacitive devices. Based on the gravimetric capacitance values, the utilizable portion of the electrode for EDLC can be estimated. Although increasing carbon loading leads to higher capacitance, there are two possible adverse effects especially at low temperatures. A high loading and thick electrode may reduce the penetration of viscous polymer electrolyte precursor solutions and may increase diffusion limitation leading to lower material utilization. These phenomena are more aggravated at faster rates and on micropore-rich materials. The results from this work can be used to quantify the effective utilization of the materials at different temperatures and the insights can be added to the guiding principles for designing and developing solid EDLCs.
Molecular Structure Evaluation and Image-Guided Atomistic Representation of Hard Carbon Electrodes
Authors: Li Jiaqi , Li Tianshuang , Peng Chen , Li Jie , Zhang Hongliang
Published: July 2022

Construction of large-scale atomistic representations of hard carbon electrodes aids exploration of structure-property relationships. These representations of practical value need to agree with experimental data, specifically the distribution of structural features. The molecular structure of a commercial hard carbon was evaluated by HRTEM image analysis in combination with LDIMS, FT-IR, XPS, XRD, SAXS, and gas sorption. In particular, an improved algorithm was applied to automatically calculate the interlayer spacing by finding LCS (longest common subsequence), which can extract more high fidelity data of fringe pairs from the HRTEM image analysis. Hard carbon is a partially ordered system, with order varying over length scales. Thus, a large-scale atomistic representastion (C48025H1857O811N198S127) in a 100 × 100 × 100 Å cubic cell was generated using an image-guided construction approach, better capturing the structural diversity, micropore distribution, and spatial arrangement necessary to represent carbon electrode behavior. A wide variety of chemical and physical parameters were consistent with experimental data. Such structural model that depicts experimentally-determined characteristics will provide valuable strategies for the development of high-performance carbon electrodes.
Versatile Electrochemical Platform Developed By Pyrophosphatase-Guided Triggered-Release System Based on Cu(II) Coordination
Authors: Zhang Qingqing , Qin Lingxia , Hu Kaiyue , Ren Xinxin , Guo Zhiyong , Wang Sui , Hu Yufang
Published: July 2022

Herein, a versatile electrochemical platform is constructed based on Cu(II) coordination by pyrophosphatase (PPase)-guided triggered-release system. The unique design of “homogeneous bio-enzyme catalytic reaction, but simple electrochemical interface modification” is involved. Firstly, we prepare a nucleic acid-like coenzyme A-Cu(II) coordination polymer (CoA-Cu(II) CP), which displays unique electrocatalytic oxidation to o-phenylenediamine (OPD). Secondly, the complex of pyrophosphate (PPi) and Cu(II) (PPi-Cu(II) complex) is formed well, which has a huge influence on the formation of CoA-Cu(II) CP. Next, PPi-Cu(II) complex can be broken along with the addition of PPase, which can catalyze the hydrolysis of PPi into Pi to release Cu(II), but NaF can also reverse the result. Under optimal conditions, the SWV response is virtually proportional to the content of PPi and the activity of the PPase, and the detection of limit is 30 nM and 0.65 mU/L, respectively (S/N = 3). Furthermore, the biosensor is successfully applied for the quantitative detection of PPase in complex samples with recoveries ranging from 98.8% to 102.0% with acceptable RSDs. This proposed method is sensitive, selective, stable and convenient without any labels or complicated operations, which provides a significant reference for PPi/PPase-based biological process and clinical determination.
In Situ Surface PtCu Alloying on Delafossite-type CuAlO2 as Electrocatalyst for Enhanced Methanol Oxidation
Authors: Kong Lingwei , He Rong , Yang Hailong , Xing Wanpei , Zhang Xulei , Zhang Yan , Wang Zi , Yang Jianhua , Zhou Chao , Sun Limin , Liu Hai , Bo Maolin , Zhu Wenhuan , Wei Hao
Published: July 2022

Delafossite type oxide CuAlO2 as a highly efficient methanol oxidation reaction catalyst support has been investigated in this work. Utilizing the sustained release of copper from CuAlO2 layered structure, we developed a composite catalyst that was in situ formed PtCu alloy upon oxide via solvothermal method. Owing to the metal-support interaction between PtCu alloy and CuAlO2, abundant oxygen defects and adsorbed hydroxyl groups were generated on the surface of composite catalyst, which were verified by structural characterizations and surface analysis. Density functional theory simulation further revealed that the in situ formation of PtCu alloy accompanied with superficial defects dramatically changed the geometry and electronic structures of the composite catalyst, resulting in a higher mass activity (990 mA/mgPt), specific activity (3.30 mA cm−2
ECSA), and a superior reaction kinetics of MOR performance. This work proves delafossite type oxide CuAlO2 as a potential support to facilitate the anti-CO poisoning ability of Pt-based catalysts.
Feasibility and Limitations of High-Voltage Lithium-Iron-Manganese Spinels
Authors: Windmüller Anna , Renzi Tatiana , Kungl Hans , Taranenko Svitlana , Suard Emmanuelle , Fauth François , Duttine Mathieu , Tsai Chih-Long , Sun Ruoheng , Durmus Yasin Emre , Tempel Hermann , Jakes Peter , Masquelier Christian , Eichel Rüdiger-A. , Croguennec Laurence , Ehrenberg Helmut
Published: July 2022

Positive electrodes with high energy densities for Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) almost exclusively rely on toxic and costly transition metals. Iron based high voltage spinels can be feasible alternatives, but the phase stabilities and optimal chemistries for LIB applications are not fully understood yet. In this study, LiFexMn2-xO4 spinels with x = 0.2 to 0.9 were synthesized by solid-state reaction at 800 °C. High-resolution diffraction methods reveal gradual increasing partial spinel inversion as a function of x and early secondary phase formation. Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to identify the Fe valences, spin states and coordination. The unexpected increasing lattice parameters with Fe substitution for Mn was explained considering the anion-cation average bond lengths determined by Rietveld analysis and Mn3+ overstoichiometries revealed by cyclic voltammetry. Finally, galvanostatic cycling of Li-Fe-Mn-spinels shows that the capacity fading is correlated to increased cell polarization for higher upper charging cut-off voltage, Fe-content and C-rate. The electrolyte may also contribute significantly to the cycling limitations.
Carbon-Binder Weight Loading Optimization for Improved Lithium-Ion Battery Rate Capability
Authors: Usseglio-Viretta Francois L. E. , Colclasure Andrew M. , Dunlop Alison R. , Trask Stephen E. , Jansen Andrew N. , Abraham Daniel P. , Rodrigues Marco-Tulio F. , Dufek Eric J. , Tanim Tanvir R. , Chinnam Parameswara R. , Ha Yeyoung , Smith Kandler
Published: July 2022

Battery performance is strongly correlated with electrode microstructure and weight loading of the electrode components. Among them are the carbon-black and binder additives that enhance effective conductivity and provide mechanical integrity. However, these both reduce effective ionic transport in the electrolyte phase and reduce energy density. Therefore, an optimal additive loading is required to maximize performance, especially for fast charging where ionic transport is essential. Such optimization analysis is however challenging due to the nanoscale imaging limitations that prevent characterizing this additive phase and thus quantifying its impact on performance. Herein, an additive-phase generation algorithm has been developed to remedy this limitation and identify percolation threshold used to define a minimal additive loading. Improved ionic transport coefficients from reducing additive loading has been then quantified through homogenization calculation, macroscale model fitting, and experimental symmetric cell measurement, with good agreement between the methods. Rate capability test demonstrates capacity improvement at fast charge at the beginning of life, from 37% to 55%, respectively for high and low additive loading during 6C CC charging, in agreement with macroscale model, and attributed to a combination of lower cathode impedance, reduced electrode tortuosity and cathode thickness.
Passivation and Chemical Conversion Combined Multi-Elements Coating on Low Sn-Coated Steel for Corrosion Protection
Authors: Zhao Yinghai , Yin Xiandong , Shen Pengjie , Li Ning , Xu Yanling
Published: July 2022

In this work, the tinplate with 0.5 g·m−2tin coating mass was prepared in order to improve the economic benefit for food packaging field. We studied this low Sn-coated steel surface state and developed a process combined Mo-Mn-Al-P coating based on its special structure. By Taguchi techniques optimization, this chromium-free multi-elements coating has excellent corrosion resistance and adhesion with organic coatings, would be a hopefully replacing traditional chromate passivation treatment on tinplate with low tin coating mass.
Acute binge alcohol alters whole body metabolism and the time-dependent expression of skeletal muscle-specific metabolic markers for multiple days in mice
Authors: Tice Abigail L. , Laudato Joseph A. , Fadool Debra A. , Gordon Bradley S. , Steiner Jennifer L.
Published: July 2022

Herein, we demonstrate that acute alcohol intoxication immediately alters whole body metabolism coinciding with rapid changes in the skeletal muscle macronutrient gene signature for at least 48 h postbinge and that this response diverges from hepatic effects and those of a fasted animal.
Differences in memory for what, where, and when components of recently formed episodes
Authors: Sakon John J. , Kiani Roozbeh
Published: July 2022

When we store and subsequently retrieve episodes, does the brain encode them holistically or in separate parts that are later reconstructed? Using a task where participants study abstract episodes and on any given trial are probed on the what, where, and when components, we find mnemonic differences between them. Accuracy for “when” memory is the lowest, as it is most influenced by primacy, recency, and interference, suggesting that episodes are not treated holistically by the brain.
Artificial Intelligence-Based Prediction of Individual Differences in Psychological Occupational Therapy Intervention Guided by the Realization of Occupational Values
Authors: Jin Hongmei , Pang Yu , Du Xiaohui , Shi Leilei
Published: July 2022

As the competition between enterprises intensifies, employees have witnessed a decline of psychological health year by year and severe anxiety and depression. To ensure the normal work of employees, it is important to implement psychological occupational therapy intervention (POTI). The previous studies on corporate occupational values focus on the behavioral variables and attitude variables related to occupations. The research paradigm does not suit a specific group of employees. Therefore, this paper explores the individual differences in POTI guided by the realization of occupational values. For a specific group of employees, the correlations of the psychological problems with job attitude, job involvement, and psychological health level were reasoned logically, a theoretical model was established, and the full-model map was plotted to illustrate the influence of the realization of occupational values over POTI. Then, the evaluation data on the psychological intervention effect of 2,800 employees were explored based on multikernel learning, and an individual difference prediction model was constructed through multikernel learning. Finally, the predicted results of different groups of employees were compared, revealing the effectiveness of our algorithm.
Physico‐Chemical Characterization of Amylose and Amylopectin Using Revan Topological Indices
Authors: Kamran Muhammad , Delen Sadik , Hussain Khan Riaz , Salamat Nadeem , Baig A. Q. , Cangul Ismail Naci , Ashraful Alam Md.
Published: July 2022

Polysaccharides are biomaterial with great biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity. There are long chains of monosaccharide units linked together by glycosidic bonds. They have a wide spectrum of functional properties and are essential to life’s survival. These are a makeup of storage polysaccharides (such as starch and glycogen). Starch is found in plants; the condensation of amylose and amylopectin produces starch. The main contribution of this paper is to compute Revan topological indices of Amylose and Amylopectin that can study their physicochemical characterization. Furthermore, an analysis was being carried out among topological indices to find out compatibility. These indices will be applicable in various useful research aspects.
Automatic Recognition Method of Fall Movement of Sports Fitness Human Body Based on Posture Data Sequence
Authors: Hui Zhao , Jun Bi Wen , Na Zhao Yun
Published: July 2022

In order to improve the recognition accuracy of human falling actions, the impact of randomness of actions is reduced. To this end, this paper proposes an automatic recognition method for physical fitness human fall based on pose data sequence. The color camera is used to collect the fall motion images of the physical fitness personnel, and the motion image preprocessing is completed by extracting the fall motion features of the human body, tracking and adjusting the fall motion of the human body. A model of human body fall movement displacement feature extraction from posture data sequence is constructed. By tracking the displacement feature points, the automatic recognition of physical fitness human body fall movement based on posture data sequence is realized. The experimental results confirm that the proposed method can effectively obtain the details of the fall motion images of physical fitness. When the number of human falling actions reaches 500, the accuracy of action recognition is also as high as 77%, improving the recognition effect of human fall action.
Dynamic Characteristics of the Helical Planetary Transmission System considering the Installation Error of Shaft
Authors: Zhai Hongfei , Hou Junjian , Fang Zhanpeng , Xiao Yanqiu , Yao Lei , Wang Liangwen
Published: July 2022

The helical planetary transmission system (HPTS) is widely used in wind power, hydropower, and shield machine, which operating conditions are extremely complicated, and the existence of component installation errors will result in response deviations to the theoretical design. A dynamic model for slice type bending-torsional-pendulum of the HPTS is established in the lumped parameter method considering the installation error of shaft (IEOS) for the 1st planet gear, helical meshing characteristics, and bearing support characteristics. The vibration response characteristics of the HPTS under the IEOS for the 1st planet gear are studied. The results have shown that the FFT amplitudes for the horizontal vibration acceleration of the sun gear increased by 8.3%, and the axial vibration acceleration of the ring gear increased by 11.5%, respectively. The maximum magnitude increase of FFT amplitude for the vibration acceleration under a positive 0.13 mm IEOS for the 1st planet gear is the axial direction of the ring gear. The results indicate that the IEOS needs to be thoroughly introduced into the HPTS to simulate the actual operating conditions of the system.
Classical and Bayesian Inference under Burr‐X Distribution Based on New Unified Progressive Hybrid Censoring Scheme with Engineering Applications
Authors: Ateya Saieed F. , Alharbi Randa , Kilai Mutua , Aldallal Ramy
Published: July 2022

In this paper, a new unified progressive hybrid censoring scheme (UPHCS) has been constructed. This unified censoring scheme covers eleven famous censoring schemes. The estimation problem of Burr‐X distribution parameters has been studied using the maximum likelihood and Bayes approaches based on the suggested unified progressive hybrid censored samples. Two real data sets have been used as illustrative engineering examples.