bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Closer Theoretical and Experimental Look at Iodine in Li-Air Chemistry
Authors: Jónsson Erlendur , Kerber Rachel Nathaniel , Liu Tao , Kim Gunwoo , Grey Clare P. 
Published: February 2020

Increased scientific interest in lithium-air (Li-air) batteries has emerged from recent developments in materials science and technology. Li-air batteries are considered as “state-of-the-art” battery technology due to their theoretical energy density, which is ten times that of traditional lithium-ion.
Recent work [1] showed the effect of using LiI and H2O as additives for a lithium-oxygen battery. Reversible LiOH formation and removal was shown. One intriguing question is why LiOH rather than the typical Li2O2 discharge product forms under these experimental conditions. The work presented here discusses the nature of the complexes formed in the wet organic electrolytes, which is critical for understanding the synergistic effect of water and LiI at fundamental level. Our current work utilises the solvent diglyme/dimethoxyethane [2].
First, electrolytes with various water concentrations were investigated using molecular dynamics (MD), to reveal the corresponding Li+ coordination, water clustering, etc. Density functional theory (DFT) was then used to calculate the cluster models extracted from MD simulations and to benchmark with experimental results (for example, NMR chemical shifts) obtained from various electrolytes.
Secondly, DFT was also used to calculate the standard Gibbs free energy change (∆G) of relevant discharge reactions in both gas phase and as molecular complexes predicted from the MD simulations. These results reveal the local coordination environment of the Li-I pair and how water pushes dimethoxyethane out of the coordination shell, and shed light on how a four-electron oxygen reduction reaction to form LiOH is realized in an ether-based nonaqueous electrolyte via LiI.

Reference
s
:

[1] T. Liu, et al., Science, 350 (2015), 530-533
[2] T. Liu, et al., ACS Catal., 9 (2019), 66-77
Array of Single Nanocavity Electrodes for Lab-on-a-Chip
Authors: Hong Seong Jun , Kim Yang-Rae 
Published: February 2020

Electrochemical methods have been frequently employed in lab-on-a-chip systems for biosensing and biomedical analysis of analytes. For this goal, fabrication of electrode is one of important steps because material and structure of electrode have significant effects on performance of electrochemical detection. In these days, various nano-sized electrodes were prepared by several methods because they have some advantages compared to macro/micro-sized electrodes such as enhanced mass transport, improved signal to noise ratio, and minimal iR drop.
In this study, to get higher current and to keep the advantages of nano-sized electrode, the array of a nanocavity electrode with controlled diameter and structure was fabricated by photolithography and focused ion beam. Each electrode in the array is designed to work individually, which indicates that simultaneous and multiplex detection of several biomarkers is enabled for efficient lab-on-a-chip system. First of all, it is necessary to investigate the electrochemical behavior of single nanocavity electrodes. The redox behavior was intensively studied according to scan rates, kinds of redox species, concentrations of redox species, kinds of supporting electrolyte, and concentrations of supporting electrolytes.
(Invited) Redox Polymer-Based Gas Breathing H2-Oxidation Anodes Equipped with Highly Active [Nife] and [Nifese] Hydrogenases for Biofuel Cell Applications
Authors: Ruff Adrian , Szczesny Julian , Markovic Nikola , Conzuelo Felipe , Zacarias Sonia , Plumeré Nicolas , Pereira Ines A. C. , Lubitz Wolfgang , Schuhmann Wolfgang 
Published: February 2020

Hydrogen is one of the most promising alternative energy supplies for future technologies to overcome the problems arising from the use of fossil fuels. However, scarce and costly materials, like noble metals, are required as electrocatalysts to build high performance fuel cells in which the energy that is stored in H2 is converted into electricity. An alternative for such catalysts is provided by nature in form of the highly active hydrogenases (H2ases) that catalyze the reversible interconversion of hydrogen with active centers solely based on earth abundant metals (Ni and/or Fe). However, so far, their intrinsic sensitivity towards O2 and high potentials and the low solubility of the gaseous substrate H2 in conventional electrochemical cells hampers the use of H2ases in technological applications.
Based on previous work conducted in our group that describes the protection of these sensitive biocatalysts by incorporation of the enzyme into an O2 reducing viologen modified polymer matrix [1,2] we developed high current density gas breathing redox polymer/H2ase based H2 bioanodes with current densities of up to 8 mW cm-2 that overcome limitations arising from limited H2 mass transport and still show the desired protection of the sensitive biocatalyst in the presence of O2 and at high potentials. [3] Moreover, the immobilization of bienzymatic O2 scavenging systems that are fully decoupled from H2 oxidation on top of the active H2 oxidation layer ensured a complete protection of the sensitive biocatalyst without any losses in current output in the presence of O2. [4] Integration of the bioanodes into H2/air and H2/glucose powered biofuel cells show remarkable open circuit voltages of 1.13 V to 1.15 V, respectively, and power densities of up to 3.6 mW cm-2 at 0.7 V. [3]
[1] N. Plumeré, O. Rüdiger, A. A. Oughli, R. Williams, J. Vivekananthan, S. Pöller, W. Schuhmann, W. Lubitz, Nat. Chem.
2014, 6, 822. [2] A. Ruff, J. Szczesny, S. Zacarias, I. A. C. Pereira, N. Plumeré, W. Schuhmann, ACS Energy Lett.
2017, 2, 964. [3] J. Szczesny, N. Marković, F. Conzuelo, S. Zacarias, I. A. C. Pereira, W. Lubitz, N. Plumeré, W. Schuhmann, A. Ruff, Nat. Commun.
2018, 9, 4715. [4] A. Ruff, J. Szczesny, N. Marković, F. Conzuelo, S. Zacarias, I. A. C. Pereira, W. Lubitz, W. Schuhmann, Nat. Commun. 2018, 9, 3675.
A Whole Cell Bioelectrochemical Sensor for the Monitoring of Benzene in Water
Authors: Espinoza-Tofalos Anna , Formicola Francesca , Cristiani Pierangela , Papacchini Maddalena , Franzetti Andrea 
Published: February 2020

Bioelectrochemical Systems (BES) are a novel technology in which microorganisms degrade the organic matter in anaerobic conditions by using an electrode (anode) as final electron acceptor. Therefore, BES can be used as an effective strategy in environments where the absence of suitable electron acceptors limits classic bioremediation. Researches in progress demonstrated the possibility of apply innovative microbial electrochemical technologies for the monitoring and recovering of low concentration of organics, metals and micronutrients from polluted water environments, out of the electric grid. Recently BES have been also studied to stimulate the anaerobic degradation of hydrocarbons [1,2]. Although bioremediation is often inexpensive compared to physical-chemical methods, it typically requires more time and it is currently applied to a limited variety of pollutants. Benzene is a very toxic hydrocarbon and the pollution of this compound in fresh and groundwater causes many health and environmental problems. By monitoring the current produced by a BES, the rate of specific metabolic processes and the substrate concentration can be quantified in real time. The aim of this work is to study the correlation between the current produced in a BES and the concentration of benzene, in the rage of 10–60 mg/L. Tests were performed in single cell membraneless bioelectrochemical systems. The first run consisted in the inoculation of a BES with a refinery waste water in order to colonize the anode with an electroactive benzene-degrading bacterial community. Benzene was periodically supplemented to select a community able to degrade benzene. Current and benzene concentration were monitored, in order to correlate these parameters with the development of an electroactive biofilm. The application of this technology as biosensor for the monitoring of toxic compounds in water presents several advantages: low operational cost, versatility and the possibility to monitor in real time the concentration of pollutants from the environment.
[1] M. Daghio, A. Espinoza Tofalos, B. Leoni, P. Cristiani, M. Papacchini, E. Jalilnejad, G. Bestetti, A. Franzetti. Bioelectrochemical BTEX removal at different voltages: assessment of the degradation and characterization of the microbial communities. Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 341, 5 November 2018, Pages 120-127
[2] S. Zhanga, J.Youa, C. Kennes, Z. Cheng, J. Ye, D. Chen, J. Chen, L. Wang. Current advances of VOCs degradation by bioelectrochemical systems: A review. Chemical Engineering Journal, Volume 334, 15 February 2018, Pages 2625-2637
Strategies to Boost MFC Power By Supercapacitive Materials and Components
Authors: Poli Federico , Morigi Matteo , Seri Jacopo , Malaie Keyvan , Mashkour Mehrdad , Soavi Francesca 
Published: February 2020

The low cost, the intrinsic robustness, the low environmental impact combined with the potential integration with the current production processes are some of the strength points that are pushing the research on Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) since the last thirty years.
Still, to become a technology capable of incisively change the water and energetic landscape critical issues, MFCs needs to be improved for power output and quality.
Here we report about three main strategies to address this challenge: i) the enhancement of the oxygen redox reaction at the cathode in the circum-neutral pH environment of MFCs by PGM-free catalysts based on Manganese and/or Iron oxides prepared by fast autocombustion from nitrates and glycols; ii) the exploitation of the inherent capacitive behaviour of the metal (Fe, Mn) oxides cathodes, iii) the smart integration of MFCs with commercial supercapacitors properly sized and connected in order to match short recharge time and high power output.

Acknowledgments

The research has been carried out under the Italy-South Africa joint Research Programme 2018-2020 Italian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of the Environment.

References

Malaie, Keyvan, et al. "Simple preparation of carbon–bimetal oxide nanospinels for high-performance bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts." New Journal of Chemistry 42.24 (2018): 20156-20162.

Francesca Soavi, Keyvan Malaie and Mohammad Reza Ganjal, “Towards low-cost and sustainable supercapacitor electrode processing simultaneous carbon grafting and coating of mixed-valence metal oxides by fast annealing
”, Frontiers, Accepted manuscript
Microbial Fuel Cell: A Solution for Greenery Waste Treatment
Authors: Joshi Jarina , Maharjan Rocky 
Published: February 2020

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are devices that can use microbial metabolism to degrade greenary waste from a wide range organic substrates. Alternatively, they produce electricity from microbial metabolism. Agricultural waste is a great problem in the low income country like Nepal. There are different techniques which is used for agriculture waste management. However, these techniques are time consuming and costly. Use of an efficiently designed microbial fuel cell is beneficial for proper management of organic waste of different composition. If there is production of value added products like electricity, will be the additional benefit. A significant amount of reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD) was observed using MFC when 35% diluted solid greenery waste was used. Further, a maximum open circuit voltage of 222.7 mV was observed when MFC was operated with graphite felt electrode in anode. Vast enhancement in open circuit voltage was found when graphite felt electrode was coated with multiwalled carbon nano tubules/ polyaniline (MWCNT/PANI) was used as anode.

Keyword: Microbial Fuel cell (MFC); cathode; graphite felt; Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD).

References

Rabaey, K., & Verstraete, W. (2005). Microbial fuel cells: Novel biotechnology for energy generation. Trends in Biotechnology,
23(6): 291–298.
Hy Chiu, Ty Pai, MH Liu, CA Chang, FC Lo, TC Chang, HM Lo, CF Chiang, KP Chao, WY Lo, SW Lo and YL Chu (2016). Electricity Production from Municipal Solid Waste using Microbial Fuel Cells. Waste Management and Research. Pp 1-11.
Uio-Type Metal-Organic Framework Thin Film with Redox-Active Linkers: Development and Charge Transport Behavior
Authors: Johnson Ben A , Bhunia Asamanjoy , Fei Honghan , Cohen Seth M , Ott Sascha 
Published: February 2020

Designing redox-active metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that can be synthesized as thin films is a key challenge toward their application in electrocatalysis.1 In addition, highly stable MOFs are often electronically insulating in nature, resulting in poor charge transport to redox-catalysts incorporated within the MOF. To overcome these obstacles, we have developed a novel MOF-based thin film platform, which provides electron transport pathways for molecular electrocatalysis.2 The material was rationally designed utilizing the robust Zr-based UiO/PIZOF topology3 and redox-active naphthalene diimide-based linkers (dcphOH-NDI). In addition, hydroxyl groups were included on the dcphOH-NDI linker to facilitate proton transport through the material.
When grown on conducting substrates, this material forms thin films (Zr(dcphOH-NDI)@FTO) that display reversible electrochromic behavior. Importantly, nearly all (97%) of the NDI sites are electrochemically active at applied potential. The method of charge propagation through the film was found to proceed via an electron hopping mechanism that is accompanied by counter ion transport. Finally, the MOF thin films were found to function efficiently in aqueous solutions, adding to their potential usefulness in electrocatalytic applications.
The fabrication of a UiO/PIZOF-type MOF thin film with linkers having a well-defined electrochemical response, confers unprecedented versatility to utilize postsynthetic methods to introduce catalytic units into a robust and widely studied framework that is now redox-active. In the future, this will allow for the roles of charge propagation and catalysis to be carried out by separate linkers within the MOF film, enabling the individual optimization of each process.

Downes, C. A.; Marinescu, S. C. ChemSusChem, 10, 4374−4392 (2017).

Johnson, B. A.; Bhunia, A.; Fei, H.; Cohen, S. M.; Ott, S. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 140, 2985−2994 (2018).

Cavka, J. H.; Jakobsen, S.; Olsbye, U.; Guillou, N.; Lamberti, C.; Bordiga, S.; Lillerud, K. P. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 130, 13850−13851 (2008); Schaate, A.; Roy, P.; Preuße, T.; Lohmeier, S. J.; Godt, A.; Behrens, P. Chem. - Eur. J., 17, 9320−9325 (2011).

Figure 1
Morphine use for cancer pain: A strong analgesic used only at the end of life? A qualitative study on attitudes and perceptions of morphine in patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers
Authors: Ho Julia Fee Voon , Yaakup Hayati , Low Grace Sook Hoon , Wong Siew Lih , Tho Lye Mun , Tan Seng Beng 
Published: February 2020

Background: The prevalence of undertreated cancer pain remains high. Suboptimal pain control affects quality of life and results in psychological and emotional distress. Barriers to adequate pain control include fear of opioid dependence and its side effects. Aim: To investigate the attitudes and perceptions of morphine use in cancer pain in advanced cancer patients and their caregivers and to examine the influence of caregivers’ attitudes and perceptions on patients’ acceptance of morphine. Design: Qualitative study involving semi-structured individual interviews transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Setting/Participants: A total of 18 adult opioid-naïve patients with advanced cancer and 13 caregivers ( n = 31) were recruited at a private tertiary hospital via convenience sampling. Results: Attitudes and perceptions of morphine were influenced by previous experiences. Prevalent themes were similar in both groups, including perceptions that morphine was a strong analgesic that reduced suffering, but associated with end-stage illness and dependence. Most participants were open to future morphine use for comfort and effective pain control. Trust in doctors’ recommendations was also an important factor. However, many preferred morphine as a last resort because of concerns about side effects and dependence, and the perception that morphine was only used at the terminal stage. Caregivers’ attitudes toward morphine did not affect patients’ acceptance of morphine use. Conclusion: Most participants were open to future morphine use despite negative perceptions as they prioritized optimal pain control and reduction of suffering. Focused education programs addressing morphine misperceptions might increase patient and caregiver acceptance of opioid analgesics and improve cancer pain control.
Mothering in the Context of Mental Disorder: Effect of Caregiving Load on Maternal Health in a Predominantly Hispanic Sample
Authors: Matsuda Yui , McCabe Brian E. , Behar-Zusman Victoria 
Published: February 2020

Background: Mothering in the context of mental disorders presents with multiple challenges. However, this phenomenon is poorly understood: It is not known how child caregiving affects the health of their mothers. Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine associations between child caregiving load and health indicators in mothers receiving outpatient behavioral health services for mental or substance use disorders. Method: A total of 172 mothers (80% Hispanic/Latina) completed surveys on their mental and physical health, and children’s behaviors and medical problems. Child caregiving load consisted of number of children living with the mother, and presence of children’s internalizing, externalizing, or medical problems. Results: Child caregiving load had significantly positive associations with mother’s psychological distress, fatigue, pain, and body mass index. Child internalizing and medical problems were associated with mothers’ poor health status. Conclusions: Hispanics/Latinos experience health disparities, and Hispanic/Latina mothers who are already at risk due to their mental disorders experience an additional health burden associated with caring for children with emotional or health problems. Psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioners should assess child caregiving impact on mothers with mental disorders and seek to mitigate their caregiving burden and maintain their health. Further research is needed to clarify child characteristics and the mechanisms associated with maternal caregiver burden, suboptimal self-care, and adverse health outcomes. Structural Ecosystems Therapy for women in Recovery (SET-R) study/Healthy Home; Clinical Trial ID NCT02702193
Frequency and characteristics of MRI-negative myelitis associated with MOG autoantibodies
Authors: Sechi Elia , Krecke Karl N , Pittock Sean J , Dubey Divyanshu , Lopez-Chiriboga A Sebastian , Kunchok Amy , Weinshenker Brian G , Zalewski Nicholas L , Flanagan Eoin P 
Published: February 2020

Background: Myelitis accompanied by a negative spinal cord MRI may lead to diagnostic uncertainty. Objective and Methods: We retrospectively investigated the frequency of negative spinal cord MRI (performed <6 weeks from onset) in Mayo Clinic patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-IgG-associated myelitis (2000–2019). Results: The initial spinal cord MRI was negative in 7/73 (10%) patients, despite severe acute disability (median EDSS, 7 (range, 4.5–8)); myelitis symptoms/signs were frequent (paraparesis, neurogenic bladder, sensory level, Lhermitte’s phenomenon). Myelitis lesions became overt at follow-up MRI in three patients. Conclusions: A negative spinal cord MRI should not dissuade from MOG-IgG testing in patients with acute/subacute myelitis.
The Impact of Professional Sports Activity on GH-IGF-I Axis in Relation to Testosterone Level
Authors: Barbara Morawin , Anna Kasperska , Agnieszka Zembron-Lacny 
Published: February 2020

The study was designed to investigate whether sports-induced elevation of testosterone level impacts on the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I (GH-IGF-I) axis and body composition, especially skeletal muscle mass. The study included 12 male wrestlers aged 21.1 ± 1.7 years and 10 male nonathletes aged 21.1 ± 1.2 years. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements in the group of nonathlete men were carried out once, while for wrestlers they were carried out twice, that is, on the 1st and 14th days of the training camp. The levels of resting free testosterone (fT), cortisol (C), and human growth hormone (hGH) were significantly higher in the athletes than in nonathletes. A 2-week sports training induced a significant reduction in fT, IGF-I, and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels and a rise in C level. Increased C level and reduced fT level in the athletes’ blood caused a rise in C/fT from the level of 39.95 ± 4.97 nmol/L to 59.73 ± 10.09 nmol/L ( p < .05). A negative correlation was demonstrated between C/fT ratio and IGF-I level ( r = −0.474, p < .05), which may indicate an inhibitory impact of high C level and low fT concentration on IGF-I release in response to sports training. Sports activity induces significant changes in the C/fT ratio that can impact on the secretion of GH and IGF-I from the liver and finally on the fat-free body mass. The quantification of GH-IGF-I axis in relation to testosterone level could be a useful diagnostic tool in biochemical assessment of the regenerative ability of skeletal muscle or provide evidence of the early stages of muscle functional overload.
Traumatic fragmentation and concurrent infection of a palmar sesamoid in a cat
Authors: Hernon Tom , Langley-Hobbs Sorrel J 
Published: February 2020

Case summary A 9-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was referred for assessment of a chronic non-weightbearing left forelimb lameness that had an acute onset following a suspected cat bite to the distal limb 4 weeks previously. There was minimal improvement following conservative management. On examination there was discomfort on palpation of the left palmar metacarpal region. An orthopaedic examination performed under sedation identified a moderate effusion of the left fourth metacarpophalangeal joint. A CT scan was performed, which identified fragmentation of the medial palmar sesamoid of the fourth digit (sesamoid V). Arthrocentesis of the fourth metacarpophalangeal joint identified septic inflammation. Surgical removal of the fragmented palmar sesamoid was performed and was submitted for histopathology and bacteriology analysis. Postoperative CT confirmed the removal of all fragments. Pasteurella species were isolated from the sesamoid fragments. Histopathology revealed osteomyelitis, neutrophilic inflammation and multifocal necrosis, with evidence of fibrosis present. The cat was re-examined 3 months postoperatively, at which point there was no evidence of lameness and orthopaedic examination of the limb was unremarkable. Relevance and novel information To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of fragmentation of a palmar sesamoid in a cat. This case study describes the diagnosis and the successful management of a cat with fragmentation of a palmar sesamoid, following an altercation with another cat.