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Purpose To compare the efficacy and visual results of phacoemulsification vs manual sutureless small-incision extracapsular cataract surgery (SICS) for the treatment of cataracts in Nepal. Design Prospective, randomized comparison of 108 consecutive patients with visually significant cataracts. Methods settings: Outreach microsurgical eye clinic. patients: One hundred eight consecutive patients with cataracts were assigned randomly to receive either phacoemulsification or SICS. intervention Cataract surgery with implantation of intraocular lens. main outcome measures: Operative time, surgical complications, uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), astigmatism, and central corneal thickness (CCT). Results Both surgical techniques achieved excellent surgical outcomes with low complication rates. On postoperative day 1, the groups had comparable uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) (P = 0.185) and the SICS group had less corneal edema (P = 0.0039). At six months, 89% of the SICS patients had UCVA of 20/60 or better and 98% had a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/60 or better vs 85% of patients with UCVA of 20/60 or better and 98% of patients with BCVA of 20/60 or better at six months in the phaco group (P = 0.30). Surgical time for SICS was much shorter than that for phacoemulsification (P < .0001). Conclusion Both phacoemulsification and SICS achieved excellent visual outcomes with low complication rates. SICS is significantly faster, less expensive, and less technology dependent than phacoemulsification. SICS may be the more appropriate surgical procedure for the treatment of advanced cataracts in the developing world. | non-battery |
The entropy changes (ΔS) in various cathode and anode materials, as well as in complete Li-ion batteries, were measured using an electrochemical thermodynamic measurement system (ETMS). LiCoO2 has a much larger entropy change than electrodes based on LiNi x Co y Mn z O2 and LiFePO4, while lithium titanate based anodes have lower entropy change compared to graphite anodes. The reversible heat generation rate was found to be a significant portion of the total heat generation rate. The appropriate combinations of cathode and anode were investigated to minimize reversible heat generation rate across the 0–100% state of charge (SOC) range. In addition to screening for battery electrode materials with low reversible heat, the techniques described in this paper can be a useful engineering tool for battery thermal management in stationary and transportation applications. | battery |
This paper discusses the performance characteristics of two types of cells of configuration LiMn2O4/chitosan/C. LiMn2O4 was prepared by the sol–gel method. The precursor obtained was heated at different temperatures to form LiMn2O4. The performance of the LiMn2O4 compound prepared at different temperatures was investigated by studying the discharge characteristics of the LiMn2O4/LiClO4–EC-DMC/C cells. It was found that the cell utilising LiMn2O4 obtained by heating the precursor at 600°C, for 6h gave the best performance. The LiMn2O4 compound was then used to fabricate cells using a chitosan-based electrolyte. In one of the cells, the chitosan polymer was doped with 32% salt to represent a salt-in-polymer electrolyte and in the other, the polymer was doped with 75% salt to form a polymer-in-salt electrolyte. The room temperature conductivity for the salt-in-polymer electrolyte was 1.3×10−5 Scm−1 and that of the polymer-in-salt electrolyte was 3.9×10−3 Scm−1. The cathode of all cells consists 80% active material 10% binder and 10% carbon by weight. The characteristics of the cells were measured and analysed. | battery |
The study examines the effectiveness of a career intervention in middle schools. The intervention was organized in eight 45-minute-long group sessions. A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design was applied, with 120 students in the experimental group and 156 in the control group. Small- to medium-size effects were found in terms of reduction of lack of career information and an increase in independence in career decision-making. The observed effects were stable across gender and for high and low school achievers.
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Supercritical CO2 (SCCO2) fluid, exhibiting gas-like diffusivity, extremely low viscosity, and near-zero surface tension, is used to synthesize uniformly dispersed and tightly anchored SnO2 nanoparticles (a 3-nm diameter was achieved) on graphene nanosheets (GNSs). Usually, the conventional synthesis processes (in the absence of SCCO2) results in aggregated SnO2 clusters; whereas the technique described in this work eliminates this limitation. This study reveals the significance of two crucial factors (the SCCO2 pressure (i.e., fluid density) and the degassing step (i.e., vacuuming stage) in autoclave before injecting CO2) on the uniform distribution of the synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles on GNSs. Increasing the pressure leads to an increase in SCCO2 density (and viscosity), suppressing the transport of SnO2 precursors throughout the sample. On the other hand, vacuuming the autoclave before injecting CO2 improves the uniformity of SnO2 particle distributions. To assess the electrochemical performance of the synthesized nanoparticles, the specific capacity, rate capability, and cyclic stability were determined for various samples. A capacity of ∼787 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 was achieved for an optimal configuration of the SnO2/GNS electrodes. The capacity retention was 60% when the charge‒discharge rate increased to 6000 mA g−1. | battery |
To promote the performance of the batteries used in hybrid vehicles, an effective test profile is needed. A test profile could also improve the efficiency of battery development research efforts. This paper proposes a test profile for battery equivalence research, which can accurately simulate practical operating conditions and make inconsistency among batteries. The proposed test profile is based on practical data acquired from the hybrid Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell buses demonstrated at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. The control strategy of the demonstration buses is first explained, followed by presentation of maps of the acquired data. Using the maps, the practical conditions are discussed. Importantly, a “Three-Ridge” map style is proposed by analyzing the current density statistics. Additionally, a fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis of the battery current is adopted to find the conversion frequency of the current in practical conditions. Based on these analyses, a credible battery test profile for hybrid PEM fuel cell buses is proposed. Finally, an experiment verifies that the proposed test profile can simulate the practical operating conditions of a hybrid vehicle battery pack. | battery |
Because dopamine (DA) is one of the most critical neurotransmitters that influence a wide variety of motivated human behaviors, it is necessary to develop a facile diagnostic tool that can quantify the physiological level. In this study, core–shell magnetic silica nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2) were prepared using a modified sol–gel reaction. The Fe3O4@SiO2 were functionalized using 3-aminophenylboronic acid (APBA) via a facile and rapid synthetic route, hereafter referred to as Fe3O4@SiO2@APBA The resultant Fe3O4@SiO2@APBA not only adsorbed DA molecules, but also were easily separated from solution using a simple magnetic manipulation. The adsorbed amounts of DA by the Fe3O4@SiO2@APBA were quantified by measuring the changes in fluorescence intensity of polydopamine (at 463 nm) originated from the self-polymerized DA remained in the supernatant before and after the adsorption process. The Fe3O4@SiO2@APBA exhibited two-stage adsorption behavior for DA, and the maximal adsorption capacity was 108.46 μg/g at pH 8.5. Our particle system demonstrated the potential application for extracting compounds with cis-diols (including catechol amines) from the biological fluid.
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Perovskite-type oxide LaFeO3 powder was prepared using a stearic acid combustion method. Its phase structure, electrochemical properties and hydrogen storage mechanism as negative electrodes for nickel/metal hydride (Ni/MH) batteries have been investigated systematically. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis show that both the calcined powder and the charged/discharged samples after 10 cycles have orthorhombic structures. The discharge capacity, whose maximum value appeared at the first cycle, is 530.3mAhg−1 at 333K and increases with an increase in temperature. The discharge capacity decreases distinctly during the first three cycles and then stays steady at about 80mAhg−1, 160mAhg−1 and 350mAhg−1 at 298K, 313K and 333K, respectively. The hydrogen storage mechanism is studied by XRD, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and mass spectrometry (MS), coupled with pressure–composition–temperature (PCT) methods. Hydrogen atoms may be intercalating into the oxide lattice and forming a homogeneous solid solution during the charging process. | battery |
The increasing use of distributed generators, which are mainly based on renewable sources, can create several issues in the operation of the electric grid. The microgrid is being analysed as a solution to the integration in the grid of the renewable sources at a high penetration level in a controlled way. The storage systems play a vital role in order to keep the energy and power balance of the microgrid. Due to the technical limitations of the currently available storage systems, it is necessary to use more than one storage technology to satisfy the requirements of the microgrid application. This work validates in simulations and experimentally the use of a Three-Level Neutral Point Clamped converter to control the power flow of a hybrid storage system formed by a SuperCapacitor and a Vanadium Redox Battery. The operation of the system is validated in two case studies in the experimental platform installed in ESTIA. The experimental results prove the validity of the proposed system as well as the designed control algorithm. The good agreement among experimental and simulation results also validates the simulation model, that can therefore be used to analyse the operation of the system in different case studies. | battery |
A multi-phase project to investigate the reliability of valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries in the field has been conducted by US industry and government research organizations. The focus of the study has been to characterize the relationships between VRLA technologies, service conditions, performance, and field failures. Two surveys were conducted: one of VRLA end users, and the other of VRLA manufacturers. Data from end users were obtained for over 56,000 telecom and utility installations representing over 740,000 cells. Seven manufacturers participated in the study. Preliminary correlations between utility end-user data, manufacturer information, and battery reliability have been developed and will be reported. Data for telecommunications installations will be reported in a separate publication when completed. | battery |
Despite a large effort in catalyst research over the past decade, the benefit of electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and especially the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the aprotic Li/air battery system has not yet been clarified. Here, three nanostructured manganese oxide catalysts – namely Mn3O4, Mn5O8 and α-Mn2O3 – are investigated with regard to their activity for the ORR in a LiTFSI/DMSO electrolyte. In cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements an overall decrease of potential gaps and an increase of re-oxidation efficiencies on carbon powder-based electrodes in comparison to glassy carbon (GC) was observed, which is attributed to the presence of more active centers, e.g. edges and kinks. Increased ORR potentials and the kinetic evaluation of the rate-determining step, namely the one-electron reduction of oxygen, point to a significantly enhanced activity of α-Mn2O3/C compared to pure carbon powder, Mn3O4/C and Mn5O8/C electrodes. This is discussed in terms of the electrocatalytic effect of α-Mn2O3 for aprotic ORR processes. The ORR activity is proposed to originate from a different reaction pathway due to coordinatively unsaturated Mn3+ ions on the surface of α-Mn2O3, which act as active centers for associative adsorption and reduction of molecular O2. | battery |
Electrochemically synthesized polyaniline (PANI) and lead dioxide have been investigated as electrode materials for PANI/1.1 M H2SO4; 0.5 M (NH4)2SO4/PbO2 rechargeable cell. At constant current charge/discharge of the cell, the average discharge potential of 1.1 V, specific capacity of 50 mA h g−1, specific energy of 55 W h kg−1, and self discharge rate of 2.2% per day have been obtained. | battery |
Quaternized adamantane-containing poly(aryl ether ketone) anion exchange membranes (QADMPEK) are prepared and investigated for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB) application. The bulky, rigid and highly hydrophobic adamantane segment incorporated into the backbone of membrane material makes QADMPEK membranes have low water uptake and swelling ratio, and the as-prepared membranes display significantly lower permeability of vanadium ions than that of Nafion117 membrane. As a consequence, the VRFB cell with QADMPEK-3 membrane shows higher coulombic efficiency (99.4%) and energy efficiency (84.0%) than those for Nafion117 membrane (95.2% and 80.5%, respectively) at the current density of 80 mA cm−2. Furthermore, at a much higher current density of 140 mA cm−2, QADMPEK membrane still exhibits better coulombic efficiency and energy efficiency than Nafion117 membrane (coulombic efficiency 99.2% vs 96.5% and energy efficiency 76.0% vs 74.0%). Moreover, QADMPEK membranes show high stability in in-situ VRFB cycle test and ex-situ oxidation stability test. These results indicate that QADMPEK membranes are good candidates for VRFB applications. | battery |
Uneconomical extension of the grid has led to generation of electric power at the end user facility and has been proved to be cost effective and to an extent efficient. With augmented significance on eco-friendly technologies the use of renewable energy sources such as micro-hydro, wind, solar, biomass and biogas is being explored. This paper presents an extensive review on various issues related to Integrated Renewable Energy System (IRES) based power generation. Issues related to integration configurations, storage options, sizing methodologies and system control for energy flow management are discussed in detail. For stand-alone applications integration of renewable energy sources, performed through DC coupled, AC coupled or hybrid DC–AC coupled configurations, are studied in detail. Based on the requirement of storage duration in isolated areas, storage technology options can be selected for integrated systems. Uncertainties involved in designing an effective IRES based power generation system for isolated areas is accounted due to highly dynamic nature of availability of sources and the demand at site. Different methodologies adopted and reported in literature for sizing of the system components are presented. Distributed control, centralized and hybrid control schemes for energy flow management in IRES have also been discussed. | battery |
The effect of cathode structure on the performance of planar free-breathing fuel cell is studied. Three different types of gas diffusion backings and current collector plates on the cathode were used. The gas diffusion backings used were thick carbon sheet, titanium sinter, and carbon paper. Difference between current collector plates was the size of the openings between current collecting ribs. Results showed that with thicker gas diffusion backings the structure of the current collector had only some effect on the cell performance but with thin carbon paper the effect was significant. Very high power densities for free-breathing fuel cell were achieved with thin gas diffusion backing with the record of approximately 360mWcm−2. However, the cell was also vulnerable for flooding as there was liquid water observed on the cathode surface. Despite the liquid water saturation it seems that this kind of cell design may be suitable especially for portable applications. | battery |
Due to the depletion of traditional energy resources, such as crude oil, coal, and natural gas, many initiatives all over the world have addressed the efficient use or replacement of these resources. Several renewable energy sources have been introduced as alternatives to traditional sources to protect environmental resources and to improve the quality of life. This study assesses renewable energy sources from a supply chain perspective and presents an investigation of renewable energies focusing on four main components: renewable energy supply chain, renewable energy performance, and barriers and strategies to its development. The study provides managerial insights to governments, researchers, and stakeholders for the initiation of renewable energy use, and suggestions for overcoming the barriers to its development. | battery |
We have recently reported our success in identifying a family of new polyanion cathode materials, namely L i 2 M ′ 2 ( Mo O 4 ) 3 [M′=Ni, Co and Mn] and synthesized these polyanion derivatives using soft-combustion based solution synthesize technique. It is known that the polyanion cathode materials reported hither to suffer invariably from intrinsic lattice electronic conductivities regardless of their structure. The new polyanion materials reported by us also suffer from low lattice electronic conductivity. Considering its lithium rich phase to be useful for battery application, we attempted to improvise the electronic conductivity of Li2Ni2(MoO4)3 by adding mesoporous (nano-sized) non-graphitized carbon black (NCB) particles as an additional conductive additive together with acetylene black and compared its electrochemical performance with the conventional composite electrode having acetylene black as a conductive additive. The test electrode fabricated with NCB as conductive additive has profound effect on the discharge properties by enhancing the grain–grain contact much more effectively and establishing much better intimacy between the electrode-active grains and thus improving the overall electronic conductivity of the composite electrode. As a result, we found that the conventional composite positive electrode yielded a first discharge capacity of 26mAhg−1 between 4.9 and 2.0V, whereas the nano-composite electrode yielded a discharge capacity of 86mAhg−1 which is approximately a four-fold increase. It was also observed that NCB addition facilitated the extended cycling performance in terms of lithium insertion and structural stability retention of the host cathode material. | battery |
We report a facile strategy to synthesize of polypyrrole/molybdenum disulfide (PPy/MoS2) nanocomposite as an advanced electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors applications. Flowerlike MoS2 with graphene-like subunits structure is prepared using a hydrothermal method, and the nanocomposite PPy are embedded in MoS2 nanosheets is prepared by in situ oxidation polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of MoS2 suspension. Structural and morphological characterizations of the nanocomposite are investigated by XRD, FE-SEM and TEM measurements. Their electrochemical properties are also investigated using cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge/discharge. The PPy/MoS2 nanocomposite exhibit high specific capacitance of 553.7 F g−1 and its capacitance can still remain 90% after 500 cycles at a current density of 1 A g−1. | battery |
This paper introduces a novel fuzzy model based structure for the characterisation of discharge processes in lead-acid batteries. This structure is based on a fuzzy model that characterises the relationship between the battery open-circuit voltage (Voc), the state of charge (SoC), and the discharge current. The model is identified and validated using experimental data that is obtained from an experimental system designed to test battery banks with several charge/discharge profiles. For model identification purposes, two standard experimental tests are implemented; one of these tests is used to identify the Voc–SoC curve, while the other helps to identify additional parameters of the model. The estimation of SoC is performed using an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) with a state transition equation that is based on the proposed fuzzy model. Performance of the proposed estimation framework is compared with other parametric approaches that are inspired on electrical equivalents; e.g., Thevenin, Plett, and Copetti. | battery |
Deficits in perception and production of vocal pitch are often observed in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the neural basis of these deficits is unknown. In magnetoencephalogram (MEG), spectrally complex periodic sounds trigger two continuous neural responses—the auditory steady state response (ASSR) and the sustained field (SF). It has been shown that the SF in neurotypical individuals is associated with low-level analysis of pitch in the ‘pitch processing center’ of the Heschl’s gyrus. Therefore, alternations in this auditory response may reflect atypical processing of vocal pitch. The SF, however, has never been studied in people with ASD. | non-battery |
A lithium-ion positive electrode is proposed that contains both high energy density and efficient pulse power capability, even at low state-of-charge (SOC). The pulse power capability at low SOC is attractive for applications, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which require pulse power operation over the entire useable SOC window. A lithium- and manganese-rich transition-metal layered-oxide (LMR-NMC), also classified as a layered–layered oxide material, is blended with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) to achieve a potentially low-cost, high-performance electrode. The LMR-NMC material provides high energy by delivering cathode material gravimetric energy densities greater than 890Whkg−1. The pulse power capability of this material at low SOC is greatly improved by incorporating a modest quantity of LFP. The LFP serves as an internal redox couple to charge and discharge the more rate-limited LMR-NMC material at moderate to low SOCs. | battery |
A nano-Si/TiO2 core–shell nanostructured electrode was synthesized using sol–gel method. The TiO2 shells were made with 10-nm thickness, and were structurally stable upon the intercalation/deintercalation of Li+, improve the cyclability of the Si electrode during cycling. The nano-Si/TiO2 core–shell nanostructured electrode showed a reversible capacity of ca. 1250mA hg−1 over 50 cycles. The reaction mechanism between the nano-Si/TiO2 core–shell nanostructured electrode and Li was investigated by ex situ analyses. | battery |
The nano-sized columned β-FeOOH was prepared by the hydrolysis process and its electrochemical capacitance performance was evaluated for the first time in Li2SO4 solution. A hybrid supercapacitor based on MnO2 positive electrode and FeOOH negative electrode in Li2SO4 electrolyte solution was designed. The electrochemical tests demonstrated that the hybrid supercapacitor has a energy density of 12Whkg−1 and a power density of 3700Wkg−1 based on the total weight of the electrode active materials with a voltage range 0–1.85V. This hybrid supercapacitor also exhibits a good cycling performance and keeps 85% of initial capacity over 2000 cycles. | battery |
The hybridization of highly porous carbon materials and battery-type materials is an effective method for achieving supercapacitors with both high energy density and good rate capability. The structure of the carbon substrate should be carefully designed to meet the requirement of good conductivity and good accessibility to electrolyte and ions. In this work, graphene nanoribbon crosslinked polyimide-derived carbon aerogels (a-GCA) with hierarchical porous structures and large specific surface area of 2413.0 m2 g−1 have been first constructed, and then applied as a conductive template for the uniform growth of ultrathin Ni(OH)2 nanosheets. In the obtained Ni(OH)2/a-GCA hybrids, a-GCA can provide open and interconnected channels for rapid diffusion of ions and electrons to access Ni(OH)2 nanosheets for fast Faradaic redox reactions, as well as enhance the stability of Ni(OH)2 nanosheets. Consequently, the optimized Ni(OH)2/a-GCA hybrid exhibits a high specific capacitance of 537.0 C g−1 at a charge/discharge current density of 1 A g−1, excellent rate capacitance retention of 78.4% at 10 A g−1. Moreover, the assembled Ni(OH)2/a-GCA//a-GCA hybrid supercapacitor device delivers a high energy density of 54.8 Wh kg−1 at a powder density of 816 W kg−1. Therefore, the Ni(OH)2/a-GCA hybrid shows great potential as high-performance electrode materials in applications in energy storage device. | battery |
In the present work an investigation of the effects of the electropolymerization mode on the optical properties associated to the doping/dedoping processes of nanometric films of polypyrrole (PPy) is reported, monitoring in situ and in real time using simultaneously surface plasmon resonance and electrochemical techniques (ESPR). The electropolymerization of pyrrole was performed by potentiostatic, potentiodynamic and galvanostatic methods and the use of the ESPR technique showed that the electropolymerization mode is essential to the stability of polymer and the reversibility of its optical properties during the doping and dedoping processes. Thus, the optical properties of oxidized and reduced film were obtained by nonlinear least square fitting using Fresnel equations for a four-layer system. Then, the values of the real and imaginary parts of the complex dielectric constant for PPy fims were correlated with the polymer doping level. Finally, quartz crystal microbalance measurements were also applied to obtain correlation between doping/dedoping processes and the changes in the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant of the polypyrrole film, showing that the doping and dedoping processes in the polypyrrole film can act directly on its optical properties while the ESPR technique can give the same information indirectly. | battery |
Memantine, a moderate-affinity NMDA receptor antagonist, is clinically used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both clinical and preclinical studies have shown that memantine, at doses producing a steady-state plasma level of 0.5–1μM, is well tolerated and improves cognition. Here we tested the effects of chronic oral administration of memantine (10, 30 and 100mg/kg per day) producing steady state plasma drug levels ranging between ∼0.5and 6μM on motor, social, emotional and cognitive behavior in normal C57BL/6J mice. Memantine dose-dependently reduced escape latency (hidden platform) and decreased wall swimming tendency in the Morris water maze test, increased time spent in open arms in the elevated plus-maze test, and reduced the number of isolation-induced aggressive attacks, but did not affect exploratory activity in the open field. These data indicate that high, stable doses of memantine improved cognition and exhibited a potential anxiolytic response in normal mice. | non-battery |
Memory impairment is a prominent defining feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet the degree to which the profile of memory impairment is uniform across patients is not fully resolved. The study examined patterns of memory impairment in a large cohort of AD patients, with particular attention to the relationship between working and long-term declarative memory. Tests of working memory, visual and verbal recall and recognition, and recent personal memory were administered to 67 AD patients in the early to moderate stages of disease and to 30 age-matched controls. Performance on all measures was significantly poorer in patients than in controls. Factor analysis of test scores delineated five factors representing the domains of working memory, visual recall, verbal recall, recognition, and personal memory, indicating that these aspects of memory can break down separately. Cluster analysis revealed distinct memory profiles. Some patients showed predominant problems in working memory, with relatively superior long term retention, whereas other patients showed the reverse pattern. Qualitatively distinct profiles arose at comparable levels of severity. Problems in working memory, but not long term memory were associated with the presence of language and perceptuospatial deficits. The results reinforce previous findings that both working and long term memory failure contribute to the memory symptoms of AD patients, and demonstrate dissociations in memory breakdown across the cohort. The link between working memory and language performance, together with findings of posterior hemisphere abnormalities on neuroimaging, lead us to reassess the nature of working memory deficits in AD. | non-battery |
This paper reports on the performance of the supercapacitor operating in aqueous acetic acid salts. Lithium, sodium and magnesium acetate aqueous solutions at various concentrations have been selected as electrolytes. Maximum operational voltage and the overall capacitor performance have been determined by several electrochemical techniques. Floating and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests proved the promising performance at high voltages (1.5V); the capacitance values have been retained at more than 80% of initial value for all tested electrolytes. Additionally, due to the the ability to operate at high voltages, the maximum energy obtained in the system with 0.5molL−1 CH3COONa is more than two times higher than with 6molL−1 KOH, i.e., conventional aqueous capacitor. Taking into account a mild character of the electrolytes used, a novel concept of eco-friendly energy storage device has been proposed. | battery |
Fatigue is a frequent and disabling symptom in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but it is difficult to define and measure. Today, MS-related fatigue is not fully understood, and evidence related to explanatory pathophysiological factors are conflicting. Here, we evaluate the contribution of psychological factors to MS-related fatigue. Insight into the possible underlying psychological mechanisms might help us to develop adequate psychological interventions and to improve the overall management of fatigue. Conceptual issues and the relationships between MS-related fatigue and mood, anxiety, cognition, personality, and cognitive–behavioral factors are discussed, and the implications for clinical practice and research are presented. | non-battery |
A comparative study on the sodium-ion insertion and extraction of commercially-available multi-wall and single-wall carbon nanotubes is reported. Single-wall carbon nanotubes exhibit charge/discharge capacities of 126 mA h g−1 and multi-wall carbon nanotubes produce a lower capacity of 28 mA h g−1 after 50 cycles at 25 mA g−1. To understand these differences, a combination of X-ray diffraction and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance measurements were performed at various states of sodium insertion and extraction.23Na nuclear magnetic resonance studies, a technique previously rarely used for characterising electrodes from sodium-ion batteries, shows differences in the sodium chemical environment near multi-wall compared to single-wall carbon nanotubes with distinct sodium sites found to be active during sodium insertion and extraction for the carbon nanotubes. Both types of carbon nanotubes show a similar amount of reversible sodium available for insertion/extraction reactions, but multi-wall carbon nanotubes feature half the initial insertion capacity relative to single-wall carbon nanotubes. The electrochemical performance of the carbon nanotube electrodes are discussed in relation to the observed mechanism of sodium insertion. | battery |
Background The clinical features of patients with upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) have previously been compared to patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). No data regarding differences between patients with primarysnoring (PS) or patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea without daytime sleepiness (OSAH) are available. We conducted a study to investigate clinical features of UARS, comparing them to those in patients with PS, OSAH, and OSAHS. Methods Retrospective chart analysis of 157 patients with PS, 424 patients with UARS, 562 patients with OSAH, and 1610 patients with OSAHS seen in two sleep disorders clinics between 1996 and 2006. All patients had a diagnostic polysomnography (PSG) and a comprehensive clinical history taken by board-certified sleep specialists. Results PS and UARS patients were significantly younger, less overweight and had lower weight gain during the past 5years. The female-to-male ratio was highest in the UARS group. UARS patients had significantly less stage non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) 1 and NREM 2 and significantly more NREM 3 and NREM 4 sleep than OSAH and OSAHS patients. Arousal indices between PS/UARS and OSAH/OSAHS patients were significantly lower, with no significant difference within these diagnostic categories. Patients with UARS presented the highest degree of subjective impairment. Conclusions UARS patients share some clinical features of patients with OSAHS and PS, although these two groups differ in their presentation of clinical sleepiness. Patients with UARS were most impaired in terms of their daily functioning and perception of sleep quality. This finding could not be corroborated by objective measures. | non-battery |
Herein, we report preparation of a novel ordered mesoporous carbon/reduced tungsten oxide nanocomposite by post-addition into the ordered mesoporous carbon prepared by triconstituent co-assembly method. The as-prepared composite material is characterized using various analysis methods and nitrogen sorption isotherms, which reveal that small mesopores located within pore wall are selectively filled by tungsten oxide and also reduced tungsten oxide crystals with size of 6 nm are uniformly dispersed in the carbon matrix. Hence, our prepared nanocomposite possesses an ordered pore structure optimized for fast electrolyte transport and highly accessible charge storage sites. When applied as supercapacitor electrode, it exhibits a high volumetric capacity (125Fcm−3), an excellent rate capability (79%) and capacitance increase after long-term cycles (113%). | battery |
With the integrating sphere device, in situ UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra were obtained for the deintercalation process of a lithiated petroleum coke electrode. In the lowest frequency region studied the reflectance was found to increase with increasing lithium content, whereas little change was seen in the π–π* transition region. According to a simplified simulation, the spectral changes are thought to be associated mainly with the change of the number of free charge carrier electrons. | battery |
In this paper we reported for the first time the electrochemical behavior of thiolate-based solutions (RSMgCl)n-AlCl3/THF (R=4-methyl-benzene, p-isopropylbenzene, 4-methoxybenzene, n=1-2), formed from the reaction between RSMgCl and AlCl3 in THF, as electrolyte for rechargeable magnesium batteries. The solutions were characterized in term of conductivity, anodic stability, and reversibility of magnesium deposition and dissolution. Furthermore, the compatibility of the solutions with Mo6S8 cathode material was verified. Simple preparation, high cycling reversibility, moderate anodic stability, air insensitive character and the reversible electrochemical process of Mg intercalation into Mo6S8 cathode indicate the feasible application as the electrolyte for rechargeable magnesium batteries. | battery |
Producing low–cost non–precious metal catalysts in large scales to be used as air–cathodes for efficient oxygen reduction and evolution reactions in Li–O2 batteries is a demanding task. Herein, we report a simple technique for the synthesis of a carbide composite comprising molybdenum and tungsten with a robust nanowire structure. When applied as an air–cathode electrocatalyst in Li–O2 batteries, the nanowire composite delivered high specific discharge capacity with reversibility and cyclability. This work provides a novel approach for tailoring nano–architectures and thereby achieving high–power Li–air batteries. | battery |
Many biotelemetry studies seek to detect movement of organisms across reserve boundaries or between adjacent habitat areas. Our objective was to enhance this capability in studies of aquatic organisms that are tagged with acoustic transmitters and tracked by passive data loggers. We installed an experimental shroud on a commercially available telemetry receiver. The shroud was designed to baffle incoming signals from transmitters along one hemisphere of the receiver and therefore more conclusively determine which side of a boundary line that a tagged organism occupies. | non-battery |
Dye-sensitized solar cells are an increasingly promising alternative to conventional silicon solar cells as a method of converting solar energy to electricity and thus providing an effectively inexhaustible energy source. However, the most efficient of these devices currently utilize liquid electrolytes, which suffer from the associated problems of leakage and evaporation. Hence, significant research is currently focused on the development of solid state alternatives. Here we report a new class of solid state electrolyte for these devices, organic ionic plastic crystal electrolytes, that allow relatively rapid diffusion of the redox couple through the matrix, which is critical to the cell performance. A range of different organic ionic plastic crystal materials, utilizing different cation and anion structures, have been investigated and the conductivities, diffusion rates and photovoltaic performance of the electrolytes are reported. The best material, utilizing the dicyanamide anion, achieves efficiencies of more than 5%.
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We propose optimization strategies for cooperating households equipped with renewable energy assets and storage devices. We consider two system configurations: In the first configuration, households share access to an energy farm, where electricity is generated from renewable sources and stored in battery banks. In the second configuration, households are equipped with their own renewable energy sources and storage devices, and are allowed to share energy through the grid. The developed optimization model takes into account location and time-varying energy prices as well as energy transfer fees. To design our strategies, we first establish performance bounds, and compare the two configurations in terms of achievable savings and usability of renewable energy. Then, we devise real-time energy management algorithms by incorporating forecasting techniques in the proposed framework. Simulation results show that the proposed strategies outperform existing solutions by up to 10%. It is also shown that cooperative strategies outperform greedy approaches by up to 6.8%. | battery |
Supercapacitors (SCs) have high power density and exceptional durability. Progress has been made in their materials and chemistries, while extensive research has been carried out to address challenges of SC management. The potential engineering applications of SCs are being continually explored. This paper presents a review of SC modeling, state estimation, and industrial applications reported in the literature, with the overarching goal to summarize recent research progress and stimulate innovative thoughts for SC control/management. For SC modeling, the state-of-the-art models for electrical, self-discharge, and thermal behaviors are systematically reviewed, where electrochemical, equivalent circuit, intelligent, and fractional-order models for electrical behavior simulation are highlighted. For SC state estimation, methods for State-of-Charge (SOC) estimation and State-of-Health (SOH) monitoring are covered, together with an underlying analysis of aging mechanism and its influencing factors. Finally, a wide range of potential SC applications is summarized. Particularly, co-working with high energy-density devices constitutes hybrid energy storage for renewable energy systems and electric vehicles (EVs), sufficiently reaping synergistic benefits of multiple energy-storage units. | battery |
Thin film solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, especially installations based on cadmium-telluride PV cells (CdTe) are expected to play a major role in future expansion of the global installed base of solar power. India's National Solar Mission (JNNSM) is an ambitious program to bootstrap the Indian solar sector. JNNSM seeks to use solar energy to supply India's growing energy needs, help reduce India's reliance on imported fossil fuels, address social issues such as the need to provide access to basic electricity to India's rural population, and jump-start an indigenous solar manufacturing industry. Using a Monte Carlo approach to simulate combinations of future technology, policy, and market scenarios, we estimate the amount of Cd and Te needed for indigenous manufacture of CdTe solar modules using JNNSM targets as a benchmark for new capacity addition. We show that complete indigenous production of CdTe cells using Te recovered from Indian copper refining process is not feasible even if JNNSM were to succeed in its objective of developing indigenous capacity for advanced PV manufacturing technology. | battery |
This paper presents the stability evaluation of a Simulation–Stimulation (Sim–Stim) interface that integrates hardware to software to perform Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) studies for testing and developing electrical equipment. Modeling issues of such an interface are discussed and a practical Sim–Stim interface model whose parameters are sampling rate and time delay is developed for the theoretical evaluation of the stability. The developed Sim–Stim interface model is applied to a low power DC system and closed-loop stability of the resulting HIL system is studied analytically in terms of time delay and sampling rate. A prototype of Sim–Stim interface is designed and realized to validate theoretical stability results using HIL simulation. | non-battery |
The inherent chemical stability of NaTi2(PO4)3 in aqueous solutions with higher pH values, and resulting implications for using this material as an anode are explored. Scanning electron microscopy, x-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to investigate morphological, structural, and chemical changes for samples exposed to varying basic pHs at 25°C and 70°C. Significant structural degradation and precipitation of a secondary phase were observed in all samples prepared at 70°C along with 25°C samples exposed to more extreme pH solutions. Infrared spectroscopy results indicated a loss of phosphate from the precipitated material, while x-ray diffraction shows that the secondary phases were from the layered sodium titanate family. Cyclic voltammetry of the samples indicated some degree of capacity loss for all of the samples, while some showing features related to the observed secondary phase that has some electrochemical functionality. The implications of these results on the stability of NaTi2(PO4)3 in various electrolyte environments is discussed. | battery |
At present, the propulsion system of majority of vehicles on the road still depends upon the combustion of fuels to extract the energy. Combustion is a high-temperature exothermic reaction in which oxygen reacts with the fuel and produces gaseous bi product. The expansion of high-temperature, high-pressure gas inside the engine produces useful work to propel the automobile. Once useful mechanical work is done, harmful gases such as COx and NOx are released into the atmosphere. The major concern bothering the governments globally is climate change and greenhouse effect primarily caused by the emissions of CO2. As a result, the transportation sector is constantly looking for alternative sources of energy to replace the fossil fuel-based engines. At this point of time, Electric Vehicles (EV)/Hybrid EV (HEV) becomes the life savior, since they mainly run or conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy. The power source of the EV is the energy stored as chemical energy in Li-ion battery due to their inherent advantages such as lighter in weight, smaller in size, and low maintenance. Speaking about the Li-ion battery, battery management system (BMS) is an internal part of the battery pack. Therefore, this paper mainly focuses on the development of Simulink models of various battery technology and compare against each other. Also, to estimate the SOC as accurately as possible to balance the cells more efficiently, thereby storing significant amount of energy in the battery pack. This paper initially reviews the different battery packs for the Electric Vehicles (EV)/Hybrid EV (HEV), and later, a battery management system is proposed where the state-of-charge (SoC) is estimated accurately for different battery packs. | non-battery |
In this paper, we propose a novel fabrication for manganese monoxide and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (MnO/rGO), in which microemulsion is introduced to form a 3D architecture consisting of MnO nanoparticles embedded in reduced graphene oxide network. Physical characterizations from SEM, TEM, HRTEM, XPS, Raman, and XRD, indicate that MnO particles of about 230nm are formed and uniformly embedded in rGO. Charge and discharge tests demonstrate that the resulting MnO/rGO exhibits excellent performances as anode of lithium ion battery, delivering a reversible capacity of as high as 776mAhg−1 at 1000mAg−1 after 155 cycles and rate capacity of 306mAhg−1 at 6000mAg−1 when it is evaluated in a half cell with lithium as the counter electrode. | battery |
The electrochemical behaviour of a polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based composite polymer electrolyte are studied. The crystallinity of the PEO is suppressed by using a comb-shaped polymer to improve polymer chain mobility. An amorphous comb-shaped polymer, ‘TEC-24’, with a side-chain content of 24mol%, is designed and fine silica powder is dispersed within it to enhance the mechanical properties above the melting point. The composite polymer electrolyte has an ionic conductivity of 1.6×10−4 and 1.6×10−3 Scm−1 at 30 and 90°C, respectively, with an electrochemical stability window close to 5.0V, even at 80°C (versus Li/Li+). The polymer electrolyte is evaluated using CuS as a cathode material and shows better cycle performance than that obtained with a liquid electrolyte. | battery |
The synthesis of Si nanoparticles by ultrasonication processing of porous Si powder and a novel method for preparing a high-capacity Si/C composite using this technique is reported. The porous Si powder is prepared by selectively etching the silicide phase of a Ti24Si76 alloy consisting of Si and silicide phases. The particle size of the nanocrystalline Si is determined by the crystallite size of the Si and silicide phases in the alloy powder. Ultrasonication of the porous Si obtained from the mechanically alloyed Ti24Si76 alloy generates nanocrystalline Si particles of size about 5nm. Growth of the Si and silicide phases in the alloy is induced by annealing of the mechanically alloyed sample, with a consequent increase in the size of the Si particles obtained after ultrasonication. Application of the ultrasonication process to the fabrication of Si/C composite anode materials generates nanometer-scale Si particles in situ that are distributed in the matrix. Analysis of the phases obtained and evaluation of the distribution of the nanometer-scale Si particles in the composites via XRD/TEM measurements show that the nanometer-scale Si particles are effectively synthesized and uniformly distributed in the carbon matrix, leading to enhanced electrochemical performance of the Si/C composites. | battery |
Most inorganic solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) suffer from incompatibility with oxide cathode materials and instability in ambient air, presenting major barriers for their application in high performance all-solid-state batteries (ASSLBs). Herein, we report a rationally designed halide-based Li3InCl6 SSE with a high ionic conductivity of 1.49 × 10−3 S cm−1 (25 °C). The Li3InCl6 SSE is stable towards oxide cathode materials (e.g., LiCoO2) without any interfacial treatment. By applying the Li3InCl6 SSEs, significantly enhanced electrochemical performances are achieved in terms of capacity and durability. Experimental investigations reveal that the Li3InCl6 can avoid side reactions between the SSEs and the oxide cathode materials and thus effectively improve the Li+ migration across the interface. Moreover, Li3InCl6 is highly stable in ambient air and possesses good ionic conductivity retention after a reheating process, further making it an attractive electrolyte for next-generation ASSLBs.
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Traditional air conditioning (AC) faces low energy efficiency and thermal comfort challenges. This study explores the integration of thermal energy storage (TES) containing a phase change material (PCM) with a conventional AC unit (PCM-AC) to meet the challenge. A PCM based TES device was designed and fabricated and an experimental system was established. Comparisons are made between AC and PCM-AC scenarios in terms of spatial temperature changes at the initial transient stage, spatial temperature fluctuations at the steady-state operations, relative humidity, coefficient of performance (COP), energy savings, and emergency ventilation/cooling. A developed model was used to simulate the room temperature fluctuations with and without PCM under the Matlab Simulink environment. The experimental results showed that, compared with the AC, the testing space temperature fluctuation of the PCM-AC was reduced significantly to ∼2.56 °C (compared with 4.31 °C for the AC case); the ON-OFF frequency of the compressor of the PCM-AC was reduced by 27%; the overall COP was increased by 19.05%; and the emergency ventilation/cooling time was prolonged by almost 9 times. The results also showed the potential of the use of PCM-AC to significantly narrow down the relative humidity fluctuations and hence the potential for enhancing the thermal comfort. The simulation results agree well with the experimental data. The economic analysis showed that the electrical cost of the PCM-AC could be reduced by ∼17.82%, leading to a payback period between 1.83 and 3.3 depending on the grade the PCM used and the scale of operations. | battery |
A Sn–Co–C composite is prepared by mechanochemical synthesis using tin powder and a cobalt–carbon composite through the pyrolysis of Co (III)-acetylacetonate. The composite is studied as an anode material for Li secondary batteries. The reaction mechanism is investigated using various analytical techniques. Although the composite is initially composed of Co3Sn2 as the major phase and CoSn2 as the minor one, the Co3Sn2 transformed into CoSn2 during the second cycle and remained in this form throughout the following cycles. The Sn–Co–C composite shows an excellent capacity retention of 435mAhg−1 over 100 cycles. | battery |
This year's World Filtration Congress (WFC) — The eighth in the series to be held so far — took place in Brighton, UK on 3–7 April 2000. It devoted more than four sessions to membrane technology, covering all major areas of research and development. In last month's issue of Membrane Technology we grouped together three presentations which looked at the way in which membrane technology can be used to treat drinking water, highly contaminated industrial waste-water, and liquid agricultural residues. This article ties together a further three presentations from the conference, which cover nanofiltration and reverse osmosis research. | non-battery |
Metal containing wastes/byproducts of various industries, used consumer goods, and municipal waste are potential pollutants, if not treated properly. They may also be important secondary resources if processed in eco-friendly manner for secured supply of contained metals/materials. Bio-extraction of metals from such resources with microbes such as bacteria, fungi and archaea is being increasingly explored to meet the twin objectives of resource recycling and pollution mitigation. This review focuses on the bio-processing of solid wastes/byproducts of metallurgical and manufacturing industries, chemical/petrochemical plants, electroplating and tanning units, besides sewage sludge and fly ash of municipal incinerators, electronic wastes (e-wastes/PCBs), used batteries, etc. An assessment has been made to quantify the wastes generated and its compositions, microbes used, metal leaching efficiency etc. Processing of certain effluents and wastewaters comprising of metals is also included in brief. Future directions of research are highlighted. | non-battery |
Tracking devices and bio-loggers provide crucial information on the ecology and behaviour of birds in their natural environment. An optimal tracking system should be lightweight, measure three-dimensional locations, enable flexible measurement schemes, transmit data remotely and measure environmental variables and biological parameters of the individual. Giving full consideration to the traits of birds and the constraints of technology, we have developed a GPS tracking system that attempts to achieve most of the aspirations of an optimal tracking system for free ranging birds without the need to recapture them. Here, we describe the design, performance and limitations of the system. We also present measurements on the tracked Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus to show how such a system can generate new opportunities for research at multiple scales. The GPS tracker weighs 12 g and includes a GPS receiver, micro-processor, 4 MB of memory for data storage, solar panel and battery. It has a tri-axial accelerometer to monitor behaviour. To maximize flexibility, it is equipped with a radio transceiver for bi-directional communication with a ground-based antenna network, which enables data to be downloaded and new measurement schemes to be uploaded remotely. The system facilitates a multi-scale approach to studying bird movement, from fine-scale movements (3-s measurement intervals) to long-distance migratory movements (intervals of 20–30 min) of the same individual. We anticipate that flexible tracking systems that enable researchers to optimize their measurement protocols will contribute to revolutionizing research on animal behaviour and ecology in the next decade.
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Introduction A total of 30 to 50% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients suffer from cognitive disorders. The aim of the study is to characterize these disorders and to assess semantic memory in non-demented ALS patients. The secondary aim is to look for a link between disease type and neuropsychological characteristics. Method Patients were followed in an ALS center in Dijon. The following neuropsychological tests were used in this study: Folstein test, BREF test, verbal fluency, Isaac test, GRESEM test and TOP 30 test. Results Fifteen ALS patients were included. Nine of them (60%) were suffering from a semantic memory disorder. There was no correlation between ALS characteristics and the semantic memory disorder. Discussion This is the first study to reveal a semantic memory disorder in ALS. This result accentuates the hypothesis that ALS and semantic dementia are two phenotypes of the same degenerative process linked to TDP 43 proteinopathy. | non-battery |
This paper reviews the development of first-principles based mathematical models for batteries developed on a framework parallel to computation fluid dynamics (CFD), herein termed computational battery dynamics (CBD). This general-purpose framework makes use of the similarity in the equations governing different battery systems, and has resulted in the development of robust models in a relatively short time. Here we review this framework, in the context of applications to the coupled modeling of the thermal and electrochemical behavior of cells, and to the modeling at three different scales, namely pore-level, cell-level and stack-level. The similarity and differences of our approach with other research groups are exemplified. Significant results from each of these advanced applications of modeling are highlighted with emphasis on the insights that can be gained from a first-principles model. In addition, we also demonstrate the usefulness of a combined experimental-modeling approach in describing cells. The models reviewed here are expected to be useful in predicting the behavior of advanced batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). | battery |
As a paradigm of dynamic data-driven application systems (DDDAS), this paper addresses real-time identification of the State of Health (SOH) parameter over the life span of a battery that is subjected to approximately repeated cycles of discharging/recharging current. In the proposed method, finite-length data of interest are selected via wavelet-based segmentation from the time series of synchronized input–output (i.e., current–voltage) pairs in the respective two-dimensional space. Then, symbol strings are generated by partitioning the selected segments of the input–output time series to construct a special class of probabilistic finite state automata (PFSA), called D-Markov machines. Pertinent features of the statistics of battery dynamics are extracted as the state emission matrices of these PFSA. This real-time method of SOH parameter identification relies on the divergence between extracted features. The underlying concept has been validated on (approximately periodic) experimental data, generated from a commercial-scale lead-acid battery. It is demonstrated by real-time analysis of the acquired current–voltage data on in-situ computational platforms that the proposed method is capable of distinguishing battery current–voltage dynamics at different aging stages, as an alternative to computation-intensive and electrochemistry-dependent analysis via physics-based modeling. | battery |
A relationship between molecular structures of three thiosemicarbazone derivatives and their inhibition capability was studied using electrochemical measurements (potentiodynamic polarization and EIS), molecular dynamics method and quantum chemical calculations. Electrochemical measurements results revealed that the inhibition efficiencies increased with the concentration of inhibitors. The molecular dynamic method results showed that the higher binding energy between the inhibitor and metal surface, the higher the adsorption energy and the higher the inhibition efficiency. Thiosemicarbazone derivatives have been simulated as adsorbate on Ni(111) substrate and the adsorption density, adsorption energy and binding energy have been identified on nickel surface.
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Developments of high efficient materials for electrocatalyst are significant topics of numerous researches since a few decades. Recent global interests related with energy conversion and storage lead to the expansion of efforts to find cost-effective catalysts that can substitute conventional catalytic materials. Especially, in the field of fuel cell, novel materials for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) have been noticed to overcome disadvantages of conventional platinum-based catalysts. Various approaching methods have been attempted to achieve low cost and high electrochemical activity comparable with Pt-based catalysts, including reducing Pt consumption by the formation of hybrid materials, Pt-based alloys, and not-Pt metal or carbon based materials. To enhance catalytic performance and stability, numerous methods such as structural modifications and complex formations with other functional materials are proposed, and they are basically based on well-defined and well-ordered catalytic active sites by exquisite control at nanoscale. In this review, we highlight the development of nano-structured catalytic materials for ORR based on recent findings, and discuss about an outlook for the direction of future researches. | non-battery |
Cell signaling relies extensively on dynamic pools of redox-inactive metal ions such as sodium, potassium, calcium and zinc, but their redox-active transition metal counterparts such as copper and iron have been studied primarily as static enzyme cofactors. Here we report that copper is an endogenous regulator of lipolysis, the breakdown of fat, which is an essential process in maintaining body weight and energy stores. Using a mouse model of genetic copper misregulation, in combination with pharmacological alterations in copper status and imaging studies in a 3T3-L1 white adipocyte model, we found that copper regulates lipolysis at the level of the second messenger, cyclic AMP (cAMP), by altering the activity of the cAMP-degrading phosphodiesterase PDE3B. Biochemical studies of the copper-PDE3B interaction establish copper-dependent inhibition of enzyme activity and identify a key conserved cysteine residue in a PDE3-specific loop that is essential for the observed copper-dependent lipolytic phenotype.
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Hollow hierarchical spheres self-organized from the ultrathin nanosheets of α-Fe2O3 were prepared by a simple process. These ultrathin nanosheet subunits possess an average thickness of around 3.5 nm and show preferential exposure of (110) facets. Their Li ion storage and visible-light photocatalytic water oxidation performance are tested. Such hierarchical nanostructures show high Li storage properties with good cycling stability and excellent rate capabilities. The water oxidation catalytic activity is 70 μmol h−1 g−1 for O2 evolution under visible light irradiation and can be maintained for 15 hours. The structural features of these α-Fe2O3 nanocrystals are considered to be important to lead to the attractive properties in both Li storage and photocatalytic water oxidation, e.g. hollow interior, ultrathin thickness and largely exposed active facets.
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Fault detection in industrial plants plays an important role for ensuring the product quality, safety, and reliability of plant equipment. The purpose of this work is to propose a fault detection technique with a black-box modeling and a statistical module based on Neyman–Pearson test (NPT). In fact, Nonlinear Auto-Regressive Moving Average with eXogenous input (NARMAX) model is used to obtain a model for the normal condition operation. To detect a fault, The NPT has been applied to the residual of NARMAX model. The efficiency of the technique is illustrated through its application to monitor product quality in a distillation unit.
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A charge–discharge cycling test of a Li/LiCoO2 cell containing ionic liquids based on bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide ([FSI]−) as the electrolyte media, revealed significantly better rate properties compared to those of cells using conventional ionic liquids. The use of an 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium (EMI+) salt permitted the retention of 70% of the discharge capacity at a 4C current rate. In contrast, similar performance of cells containing N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium (Py13 +) and N-methyl-N-propylpiperidinium (PP13 +) salts of [FSI]− was limited to operation at 2 and 1C current rates, respectively. However, the charge/discharge cycling stability of the cell with Py13[FSI] was much better than that of the cell using EMI[FSI]. | battery |
We demonstrate an aqueous mixing technique to synthesize nano-micron Li4Ti5O12 by spray drying followed by solid-state calcination. The as-prepared materials are characterized by XRD, TG–DTA, SEM, TEM and electrochemical measurements. Well-crystallized Li4Ti5O12 with no impurity can be obtained at a relatively low calcined temperature (650°C) owing to the effect of nanoscale and uniform particles. Because of the rough and porous nano-micron spherical particles, the obtained Li4Ti5O12 shows excellent rate capability and cycle ability. The initial discharge capacities are 174.8, 170.5, 167.5, 165.3, 158.2, 152.1, 130.9 and 111.9mAhg−1 at the 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 C rates, respectively. After 100 cycles, the as-prepared Li4Ti5O12 retains 99.6%, 96.9%, 98.8%, 89.3%, 90.4% and 89.0% of its initial discharge capacities at the 1, 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 C rates, respectively. | battery |
The experimental charge and discharge profiles of a LiCoO2 electrode show that the overpotential of the electrode does not change much during galvanostatic charge, but changes significantly during galvanostatic discharge. Semi-empirical porous electrode models are presented to simulate the charge and discharge profiles of the LiCoO2 electrode. The symmetry factor is empirically assumed to decrease with the state of discharge of the electrode to enable the model predictions to agree well with the experimental discharge profiles. | battery |
Nanoporous nickel hydroxide Ni(OH)2 coated on nickel foam by using a chemical bath deposition method shows a high specific capacitance of 2200Fg−1 at a discharging current density of 1Ag−1. After 500 charge–discharge cycles, the specific capacitance is stabilized at 1470Fg−1, and there is only a 5% fall in specific capacitance during the following 1500 cycles. The relationship between the capacitance decay and changes in the microstructure and morphology of nanoporous Ni(OH)2 is investigated. The results show that phase transformation and the growth of particle/crystal size, rather than the formerly proposed flaking off of Ni(OH)2, are the major factors contributing to the capacitance decay. | battery |
Approximately 20% of patients report persistent and disabling pain following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) despite an apparently normally functioning prosthesis. One potential risk factor for unexplained persistent pain is high levels of pain catastrophizing. We designed a three-arm trial to determine if a pain coping skills training program, delivered prior to TKA, effectively reduces function-limiting pain following the procedure in patients with high levels of pain catastrophizing. | non-battery |
The role of energy services in social and economical developments is well recognized. However, rural populations in developing countries are deprived of affordable and reliable energy services. Batteries are considered as potential and relatively cheap source of power for home lighting in remote rural areas. These can be charged at affordable fee at Battery Charging Stations (BCSs) with a diesel generator and/or solar BCSs. Diesel generators are emitting CO2 green house gas and contributing to environmental pollution. While, the Solar Battery Charging Stations (SBCSs) with battery backup (i) address the issue of environmental pollution, (ii) reduce the production and use of fossil fuels, and (iii) also prevent the energy intermittency in rainy or cloudy days. In Mekong region countries, most of the existing BCSs are powered by diesel generators. Diesel power generators for battery charging are very popular and affordable options for the low income populations. However, the solar BCS systems for battery charging are also introduced during the last decade. In the present review paper, the BCS stations providing electricity services to remote rural households in Mekong region countries, in particular Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar, are discussed. It is argued that the BCS systems (pre grid electrification schemes) to power remote houses are relevant for the rural electrification where either grid or mini-grid sites are far away or take decades to reach the grid electricity. | battery |
Résumé Introduction Nombre d’enfants nés prématurément ont des difficultés attentionnelles et des comportements d’hyperactivité qui sembleraient liés aux déficits des fonctions exécutives. Objectif Examiner si le suivi proposé au niveau national en Suisse aux enfants nés prématurément permet la détection des problèmes exécutifs. Méthodes Quarante-neuf enfants nés avant 29 semaines de gestation et examinés entre 5 et 6ans dans le cadre du suivi neurodéveloppemental standard comprenant l’évaluation cognitive avec les trois échelles du K-ABC (Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children), les processus mentaux composites (PMC), séquentiels et simultanés, et l’évaluation du comportement (SDQ pour Strenghts and Difficulties Questionnaire). Les fonctions exécutives ont été évaluées par des épreuves neuropsychologiques supplémentaires testant l’attention, l’inhibition, la mémoire de travail et par un questionnaire parental (BRIEF pour Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function). La valeur discriminative des épreuves standard (K-ABC et SDQ) pour les troubles exécutifs a été examinée. Résultats Si l’échelle PMC discriminait peu les résultats obtenus aux tests neuropsychologiques, un score inférieur à 85 aux processus séquentiels était associé à une diminution significative des capacités attentionnelles. Le questionnaire SDQ permettait également une bonne discrimination des enfants présentant des difficultés explorées par le BRIEF. Conclusion Une analyse fine des résultats obtenus lors du suivi standard permet de cerner les difficultés des enfants nés prématurément : un résultat faible au niveau des processus séquentiels semble prédicteur de performances attentionnelles déficitaires. Les difficultés comportementales en lien avec les troubles exécutifs semblent bien dépistées par le SDQ. Il est important de détecter ces enfants, de les suivre avec des épreuves spécifiques si nécessaire et de favoriser des mesures de soutien. | non-battery |
Boron or nitrogen mono-doped carbon nanofiber (CNF), and boron, nitrogen co-doped CNF are intentionally prepared as positive electrodes in a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). The structures and electrochemical properties of the materials are investigated by Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impendence spectroscopy. The experimental results indicate that either B or N mono-doped CNF shown better electrochemical performance than untreated one. Interestingly, for the B and N co-doped CNF, the separated case exhibited an outstanding electrochemical activity better than either B or N mono-doped case, while the bonded case leading to a sharp drop in conductivity and shown poor electrochemical performances. These results demonstrated that not the total amount of incorporated B and N but how the B and N are incorporated into carbon nanostructures determines the catalytic activity toward VO2+/VO2 + reaction. Moreover, the individual mechanism of the nitrogen and boron containing functional groups act as active sites have been analyzed. | battery |
Battery systems coupled to photovoltaic (PV) modules for example fulfill one major function: they locally decouple PV generation and consumption of electrical power leading to two major effects. First, they reduce the grid load, especially at peak times and therewith reduce the necessity of a network expansion. And second, they increase the self-consumption in households and therewith help to reduce energy expenses. For the management of PV batteries charge control strategies need to be developed to reach the goals of both the distribution system operators and the local power producer. In this work optimal control strategies regarding various optimization goals are developed on the basis of the predicted household loads and PV generation profiles using the method of dynamic programming. The resulting charge curves are compared and essential differences discussed. Finally, a multi-objective optimization shows that charge control strategies can be derived that take all optimization goals into account. | battery |
This study investigates how the quadruple helix (QH) innovation model functions in a regional renewable energy initiative in Uppsala, Sweden. The focus is on the collaboration between regional office representatives, researchers, consultants and civil society, and their involvement in the attempt to implement and commercialize an innovation within renewable energy for the renovation of an old bridge. The empirical material gathered for this study was based on interviews, conversations, and participant observation during workshops and meetings with different stakeholders. By applying a processual approach, this article illustrates how the QH configuration (university-industry-government and civil society) emerges and evolves, unfortunately into a failed collaboration and thus a closing down of a commercialization attempt. By analyzing interactions and events of the process, we discuss the coordination problems between the actors to better understand how the dynamics affect local governments’ attempts to spur a more innovative climate in the region. In our conclusion, we discuss how the processual approach, when applied, can offer a better understanding of the uncertain development of QH projects in knowledge-based societies and economies.
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Gouttebarge V, Wind H, Kuijer PP, Sluiter JK, Frings-Dresen MH. Reliability and agreement of 5 Ergo-Kit functional capacity evaluation lifting tests in subjects with low back pain. Objective To assess interrater reliability and agreement of 5 Ergo-Kit functional capacity evaluation lifting tests in subjects with low back pain (LBP). Design Within-subjects design, with 2 repeated measurements. Setting Academic medical center in The Netherlands. Participants Twenty-four subjects (10 men, 14 women) with LBP. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Five Ergo-Kit lifting tests (2 isometric, 3 dynamic) were assessed on 2 occasions (t1, t2), by 2 different raters (R1, R2). The interval between the test sessions was 3 days. Interrater reliability level was expressed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and the level of agreement between raters with the standard error (SE) of measurement. Results ICCs means (reliability) of isometric and dynamic Ergo-Kit lifting tests ranged from .94 to .97, and SE of measurement values (agreement) ranged from 1.9 to 8.6kg. Conclusions There was good reliability and agreement between raters of the isometric and dynamic Ergo-Kit lifting tests in subjects with LBP, which supports the use of these tests to assess functional lifting capacity. | non-battery |
The use of intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) like polythiophene (PTh), polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PANI) in devices and systems for electrochemical energy storage and conversion is briefly reviewed with a focus on an overview distinguishing between already established uses and potential applications. Basic principles in these three major fields are highlighted: • ICPs as active masses. • ICPs as conductance-enhancing additives. • ICPs as auxiliary materials beyond conductance. | battery |
Homogenous hexangular starfruit-like vanadium oxide was prepared for the first time by a one-step hydrothermal method. The assembly process of hexangular starfruit-like structure was observed from TEM images. The electrochemical performance of starfruit-like vanadium oxide was examined by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge. The obtained starfruit-like vanadium oxide exhibits a high power capability (19 Wh kg−1 at the specific power of 3.4 kW kg−1) and good cycling stability for supercapacitors application. | battery |
Sepia apama were tagged with acoustic transmitters and monitored on their native House Reef, Boston Bay, South Australia, with a radio acoustic positioning telemetry (RAPT) system. Cuttlefish were tagged with position-only and intra-mantle jet pressure transmitters. New data analyses were developed to handle problem data that arise with an uneven reef environment. Maximum range for the cuttlefish varied from 90 m to 550 m. Cuttlefish home range was between 5300 m2 and 23,700 m2. S. apama were found to be diurnal as average distance travelled was higher in the day than at night, and cuttlefish were active for 32 days, but only 18 nights. After the cuttlefish settled into reef crevices, activity spectrum and positioning analysis showed foraging behaviour at only 3.7% per day and 2.1% per night. Cuttlefish were found to spend more than 95% of the day resting, which suggests that their bioenergetics are more akin to those of octopus than of squid. The cuttlefish combination of predator avoidance, efficient foraging and quiescent lifestyle allows energy to be channelled into growth and fulfillment of the live-fast-die-young cephalopod philosophy. | non-battery |
This study examined the effects of a yearlong Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers (MISC; Klein, 1992) on: (a) the quality of interactions between rehabilitation day center paraprofessional staff (n =10) and their adult consumers (n =19) with severe intellectual disability (ID) and (b) the consumers’ cognition, autonomy, and behavioral functioning, versus a consumers’ control group (n =13). Regarding the staff–consumer interactions, more mediation of meaning (choice-making), expansion, and competence with explanation and less mediation of physical assistance were observed in the intervention group than in the control group following intervention. On a battery of cognitive measures (n =17), consumers in the MISC group improved their arithmetic skills, temporal concepts, and sequential memory of two digits. Behavioral observations indicated that the MISC group revealed increased positive behaviors, autonomy, and duration of work and decreased verbal and maladaptive behaviors. | non-battery |
The thermal stability of the neat lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) salt and of 1molal (m) solutions of LiPF6 in prototypical Li-ion battery solvents was studied with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and on-line Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Pure LiPF6 salt is thermally stable up to 107°C in a dry inert atmosphere, and its decomposition path is a simple dissociation producing lithium fluoride (LiF) as solid and PF5 as gaseous products. In the presence of water (300ppm) in the carrier gas, its decomposition onset temperature is lowered as a result of direct thermal reaction between LiPF6 and water vapor to form phosphorous oxyfluoride (POF3) and hydrofluoric acid (HF). No new products were observed in 1m solutions of LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) by on-line TGA–FTIR analysis. The storage of the same solutions in sealed containers at 85°C for 300–420h did not produce any significant quantity of new products as well. In particular, no alkylflurophosphates were found in the solutions after storage at elevated temperature. In the absence of either an impurity like alcohol or cathode active material that may (or may not) act as a catalyst, there is no evidence of thermally induced reaction between LiPF6 and the prototypical Li-ion battery solvents EC, PC, DMC or EMC. | battery |
Objectives. To undertake a comparative analysis of the behavioral patterns of rats with experimental chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute cerebral ischemia (ACI), and the combination of these pathologies. Materials and methods. The study was performed on 70 male Wistar laboratory rats weighing 250–300 g, divided into five groups. The results of comparative evaluation of the neurological and behavioral status of the rats is presented. Experimental COPD was modeled using combined inducers (purified papain and bacterial lipopolysaccharide) and ACI by simultaneous bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries. Neurological status was evaluated using the NSS scale and behavioral status using a battery of tests: the open field test, the eight-arm radial maze, and the elevated O maze. Results and conclusions. Animals with combined pathologies showed the lowest level (20%) of survival and the greatest severity of neurological and behavioral disorders. These animals were characterized by sharp restriction to locomotor and exploratory activity, high anxiety, and increasing autonomic imbalance. Survival in rats with ACI only was 35%, while abnormalities in their neurological and behavioral status were of moderate severity. Rats with experimental COPD only had mild neurological deficit. Behavioral abnormalities consisted of moderate restriction to locomotor function and minor increases in anxiety on the background of retained exploratory activity and spatial memory. The results provide evidence of the relevance of the model of respiratory and cerebrovascular comorbidity for assessment of changes in physiological functions and their subsequent treatment.
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Nowadays the biggest challenge for most organizations is a real and substantial application of sustainability through the measurement and comparability of results in order to satisfy the principles of sustainability of all the stakeholders. Definitively, it is necessary to pursue sustainability through the measurements of specific indicators and control the variables that influence the state of the economic, social and environmental issues. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the development of a comprehensive, yet practical and reliable tool for a systematic sustainability assessment, based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to support decision makers in complex decision problems in the field of environmental sustainability. The results are applied to a novel compressed air energy storage system proposed as a suitable technology for the energy storage in a small scale stand-alone renewable energy power plant (photovoltaic power plant) that is designed to satisfy the energy demand of a radio base station for mobile telecommunications. The outcome is a dynamic analysis and iterative integrated sustainability assessment of corporate performance. | battery |
The moisture/air sensitive properties of electrode materials for Na ion batteries (NIBs) increase their storage cost and prohibit their practical applications. We herein report an ambient stable Na0.76Mn0.48Ti0.44O2 as anode of NIBs. It has been synthesized by sol-gel method and characterized by SEM and TEM, which displays irregular sheet-like morphology. The XRD result demonstrates that it is composed by tunnel type NaMnTiO4 and layered structured Na0.91MnO2. Evaluated as anode in NIB, it demonstrates an initial charge capacity of 103.4 mAh g−1. This is among one of the best result compared with other Ti-based insertion-type anode. The capacity retention is as high as 74.9% after 600 cycles, and a high rate performance is obtained. Ti serves as active center redox between Ti4+/Ti3+ during the discharge/charge process. Meanwhile, the introduction of Mn to the framework stabilize the electrode structure. Importantly, the ambient storage properties have been examined, and no obvious performance fading is observed even after exposing the materials to ambient air for more than 100 days. The combination of Mn and Ti in the composite contribute to the improved storage performance. The present study provides a new insight into electrode material design with improved ambient storage and electrochemical performance for NIBs. | battery |
Lithium transition metal fluorides (Li3MF6; M = Fe, V) with cryolite structure are investigated as positive electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries. A novel sol–gel process with trifluoroacetic acid as fluorine source was used to synthesize monoclinic and orthorhombic Li3CrF6. A ball milling process with Li3CrF6, binder, and conductive agent was applied to form a Li3CrF6 composite, which was electrochemically characterized against lithium metal for the first time. The electrochemical properties of two different modifications are quite similar, with a reversible specific capacity of 111 mAhg−1 for monoclinic Li3CrF6 and 106 mAhg−1 for orthorhombic Li3CrF6 (1 eq. Li ≙ 143 mAhg−1). The electrochemically active redox couple CrIII/CrII was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. | battery |
We show that a CP-violating interaction induced by a derivative coupling between the running vacuum and a non-conserving baryon current may dynamically break CPT and trigger baryogenesis through an effective chemical potential. By assuming a non-singular class of running vacuum cosmologies which provides a complete cosmic history (from an early inflationary de Sitter stage to the present day quasi-de Sitter acceleration), it is found that an acceptable baryon asymmetry is generated for many different choices of the model parameters. It is interesting that the same ingredient (running vacuum energy density) addresses several open cosmological questions/problems: avoids the initial singularity, provides a smooth exit for primordial inflation, alleviates both the coincidence and the cosmological constant problems, and, finally, is also capable of explaining the generation of matter-antimatter asymmetry in the very early Universe.
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Distributed power systems in the U.S. and globally are evolving to provide reliable and clean energy to consumers. In California, existing regulations require significant increases in renewable generation, as well as identification of customer-side Distributed Energy Resources (DER) controls, communication technologies, and standards for interconnection with the electric grid systems. As DER deployment expands, customer-side DER control and optimization will be critical for system flexibility and demand response (DR) participation, which improves the economic viability of DER systems. Current DER systems integration and communication challenges include leveraging the existing DER and DR technology and systems infrastructure, and enabling optimized cost, energy and carbon choices for customers to deploy interoperable grid transactions and renewable energy systems at scale. This paper presents a cost-effective solution to these challenges by exploring communication technologies and information models for DER system integration and interoperability. This system uses open standards and optimization models for resource planning based on dynamic-pricing notifications and autonomous operations within various domains of the smart grid energy system. It identifies architectures and customer engagement strategies in dynamic DR pricing transactions to generate feedback information models for load flexibility, load profiles, and participation schedules. The models are tested at a real site in California—Fort Hunter Liggett (FHL). The results for FHL show that the model fits within the existing and new DR business models and networked systems for transactive energy concepts. Integrated energy systems, communication networks, and modeling tools that coordinate supply-side networks and DER will enable electric grid system operators to use DER for grid transactions in an integrated system. | battery |
LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4, a lithium-ion battery cathode material, is prepared using co-precipitation via a two-step drying method with Ni–Mn mixed hydroxide as the precursor. This study examines the effects of precursor pretreatment with hydrazine (a reductant) or with H2O2 (an oxidant) in solutions of NiSO4 and MnSO4. The results indicate substantial differences in the structure and electrochemical properties of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 depending on whether the precursor is pretreated with reductant or oxidant. For the hydrazine-treated precursor, the synthesized LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 has a very pure spinel phase and an ordered, octahedral crystal morphology (ca. 100–300nm). In contrast, the material synthesized using the H2O2-treated precursor shows numerous impurity phases (Na0.7MnO2.05) with a layer-by-layer crystal structure. The control sample (prepared without precursor pretreatment) maintains an octahedral structure but still retains a few impurity phases of Na0.7MnO2.05. The electrochemical results show that LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 synthesized using a hydrazine-treated precursor has a higher specific capacity (especially under high discharge current) and a higher cyclic life than the control sample, whereas the sample using H2O2-treated precursor shows almost no special capacity due to changes in crystal structure. | battery |
Over the last decade, the prognostics and health management literature has introduced many conceptual frameworks for remaining useful life predictions. However, estimating the future behavior of critical machinery systems is a challenging task due to the uncertainties and complexity involved in the multi-dimensional condition monitoring data. Even though many studies have reported promising methods in data processing and dimensionality reduction, the prognostics applications require integration of these methods with remaining useful life estimations. This paper describes a multiple linear regression process that reduces the number of data regimes under consideration by obtaining a set of principal degradation variables. The process also extracts health indicators and useful features. Finally, a state-space model based on frequency-domain data is used to estimate remaining useful life. The presented approach is assessed with a case study on turbofan engine degradation simulation dataset, and the prediction performance is validated by error-based prognostic metrics.
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After a short description of problems, the development of electrochemical materials science in ISE is reviewed. Principles of electrochemical experiments are described for high and low speed processes and the correspondent current densities. Coating technologies are characterized by the thickness/overpotential dependence for processes of conducting and insulating films. Surface treatment and characterization are briefly reviewed. Resistances must be analysed for surface and bulk properties and ionic and electronic processes, respectively. Values vary in a wide range due to local electric fields. The opposite dependency of capacities on film thickness and conductivity is described for condensors, semiconductors, and active electrodes. Processes can be controlled during nucleation, growth, limitation and post-treatment. Main topics of the symposium in Pavia are briefly discussed. | battery |
Hydroacoustic research conducted on chokka squid (Loligo reynaudi d’Orbigny, 1845), off the east coast of South Africa from 1994–2005, has led to the development of an innovative stock assessment technique, perhaps applicable to all loliginids that migrate inshore to spawn. This technique combines hydroacoustic biomass estimates made on the spawning concentrations inshore, and minimum biomass estimates made both inshore and offshore using demersal surveys employing the swept-area method. The hydroacoustic estimate uses an improved method to obtain target strength measurements, and squid concentrations are individually mapped from a small boat with a towed transducer. This method may be used even during intense fishing operations because of the manoeuvrability of the small boat inside a tight cluster of fishing vessels. Biomasses of the individual concentrations are then summed. The inshore biomass, also includes dispersed, mature squid migrating between concentrations, this is assessed using a concentration stability factor. The biomass of dispersed squid offshore is again calculated using the swept-area method, a well known demersal survey methodology. The biomass of concentrated (spawning) squid offshore is calculated using the same proportions between concentrated and dispersed squid which were found inshore. All four components are then summed to calculate the total biomass. The result obtained is subject to the effect of complex temporal dynamics, as new animals are recruited to the adult pool and those recently assessed migrate to other sectors of the distribution area.
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The combined impact of global climate change and increasing human activities has led to the severe deterioration of grasslands in China. Using the solar irrigation systems is an effective way for sustaining pasture lands in arid regions. A solar irrigation system is the device that uses the solar cell from the sun’s radiation to generate electricity for driving the pump. And photovoltaic pump consists of an array of photovoltaic cells and pumps water from a well or reservoir for irrigation. Although ecologists and organizations constantly work and find ways to conserve grasslands through irrigation systems that use solar energy, issues on water resources are not yet thoroughly discussed. This paper takes into account the main factors in the study of water resources, including precipitation and groundwater, to analyze the feasibility of using a photovoltaic (PV) pumping irrigation. The appropriate area for such a PV pumping irrigation in Qinghai Province is also presented. The results show that the grasslands appropriate for PV pumping cover about 8.145millionha, accounting for 22.3% of the grasslands in the entire province. Finally, the problems and countermeasures of PV pumping irrigation, including the impact on regional water balance, groundwater level and highland permafrost, are also considered. | battery |
With the depletion of fossil fuels and the pollution of environment, it is urgent to develop renewable energy technologies to replace the traditional fossil fuels and satisfy the environmental needs. Nanofiberous materials (NFMs) have been widely used in electrochemical energy storage devices in recent years and considered to be promising candidates to address these critical issues because of their excellent properties, such as extremely large surface area, high length/diameter ratio, good flexibility, high porosity, and multiple functionalities. Electrospinning is a particularly low cost, simple, and versatile method to produce nanofibers from various kinds of materials, and the improved coaxial electrospinning can fabricate nanotubes and core/shell structural nanofibers. This review highlights research into the use of electrospinning to create nanofibers for the applications in energy-related devices, mainly including dye-sensitized solar cells, fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors. Additionally, the application of NFMs derived from electrospinning in other areas, such as hydrogen storage and lithium-air batteries, are also discussed. At last, the limitations and future prospects for large-scale applications of NFMs by electrospinning are proposed. | battery |
Polyaniline/polyimide (PANI/PI) composites with hierarchical 3D micro/nano-architecture have been prepared via electrospinning and in-situ polymerization. The PANI/PI composite prepared from 0.2 M aniline (PANI/PI-2) exhibited a small average pore size (1.730 μm) and a narrow pore size distribution (1.552–1.882 μm). Compared to the commercial polyolefin separators, the PANI/PI composite separator possesses a much better thermal stability up to 180 °C, a higher porosity (84%), a larger liquid electrolyte uptake (619%) and a higher ionic conductivity (2.33 mS cm−1). The cell with PANI/PI-2 composite separator showed a low interfacial resistance, an enhanced capacity (133 mAh g−1 at 0.2C), a better rate capability (41.4% at 10C) and cyclability (89.3% retention after 500 charge/discharge cycles at 0.2C). The PANI/PI composite with a superior thermal stability and high electrochemical performances is a promising candidate for uses in high perform LIBs. | battery |
Aqueous Zn//MnO2 batteries are emerging as promising large-scale energy storage devices owing to their cost-effectiveness, high safety, high output voltage, and energy density. However, the MnO2 cathode suffers from intrinsically poor rate performance and rapid capacity deterioration. Here, we remove the roadblock by compositing MnO2 nanorods with highly conductive graphene, which remarkably enhances the electrochemical properties of the MnO2 cathode. Benefiting from the boosted electric conductivity and ion diffusion rate as well as the structural protection of graphene, the Zn//MnO2-graphene battery presents an admirable capacity of 301 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, corresponding to a high energy density of 411.6 Wh kg−1. Even at a high current density of 10 A g−1, a decent capacity of 95.8 mAh g−1 is still obtained, manifesting its excellent rate property. Furthermore, an impressive power density of 15 kW kg−1 is achieved by the Zn//MnO2-graphene battery. | battery |
The left ventricular assist device was originally designed to be surgically implanted as a bridge to transplantation for patients with chronic end-stage heart failure. On the basis of the REMATCH trial, the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved permanent implantation of the left ventricular assist device as a destination therapy in Medicare beneficiaries who are not candidates for heart transplantation. The use of the left ventricular assist device as a destination therapy raises certain ethical challenges. Left ventricular assist devices can prolong the survival of average recipients compared with optimal medical management of chronic end-stage heart failure. However, the overall quality of life can be adversely affected in some recipients because of serious infections, neurologic complications, and device malfunction. Left ventricular assist devices alter end-of-life trajectories. The caregivers of recipients may experience significant burden (e.g., poor physical health, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder) from destination therapy with left ventricular assist devices. There are also social and financial ramifications for recipients and their families. We advocate early utilization of a palliative care approach and outline prerequisite conditions so that consenting for the use of a left ventricular assist device as a destination therapy is a well informed process. These conditions include: (1) direct participation of a multidisciplinary care team, including palliative care specialists, (2) a concise plan of care for anticipated device-related complications, (3) careful surveillance and counseling for caregiver burden, (4) advance-care planning for anticipated end-of-life trajectories and timing of device deactivation, and (5) a plan to address the long-term financial burden on patients, families, and caregivers. | non-battery |
Assignee:NASA, USA It is desirable to provide an efficient, inexpensive, commercial small capacity solar refrigerator which can operate for several days in the absence of sunlight. As batteries are often expensive and require regular maintenance, it would further be desirable to provide such a solar refrigerator which does not require batteries. A solar powered vapour compression refrigeration system is practicable with thermal storage and novel control techniques. In one embodiment, the refrigeration system includes a photovoltaic panel, a variable speed compressor, an insulated enclosure, and a thermal reservoir. The photovoltaic (PV) panel converts sunlight into DC (direct current) electrical power. The DC electrical power drives a compressor that circulates refrigerant through a vapour compression refrigeration loop to extract heat from the insulated enclosure. The thermal reservoir is situated inside the insulated enclosure and includes a phase change material. As heat is extracted from the insulated enclosure, the phase change material is frozen, and thereafter is able to act as a heat sink to maintain the temperature of the insulated enclosure in the absence of sunlight. The conversion of solar power into stored thermal energy is optimised by a compressor control method that effectively maximises the compressor's usage of available energy. A capacitor is provided to smooth the power voltage and to provide additional current during compressor start-up. A controller monitors the rate of change of the smoothed power voltage to determine if the compressor is operating below or above the available power maximum, and adjusts the compressor speed accordingly. In this manner, the compressor operation is adjusted to convert substantially all available solar power into stored thermal energy. Patent number: US 6469487 Publication date: October 22, 2002 Inventors: Michael K Ewert, David Bergeron III | non-battery |
As Li-ion batteries (LIBs) see increasing usage for electric vehicles, the effect of transportation history on battery state-of-health remains unclear. In particular, the influence of dynamic impact on battery behavior is investigated in terms of its effect on battery aging. Standard LiCoO2 electrodes were dynamically impacted using a nano-impactor setup, and the relationship between impact cycle number (N = 0, 3, 12, and 1000) and electrochemical performance is studied. Li-ion half cells constructed from impacted electrodes display decreasing first cycle Coulombic and energy efficiency with number of impacts, with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis revealing an increase in the charge-transfer resistance. Accelerated capacity fading through long-term cycling is observed for N = 1000 impacts, with significant voltage hysteresis and decay occurring by cycle 50. Additional ex-situ material characterization of cycled electrodes reveals a negative Raman shift by ∼2–3 cm−1 for the A1g and Eg bands for the N = 1000 case as compared to pristine LiCoO2, correlating to retention of material stress and electrochemical degradation via capacity fading. These results connect mechanical and electrochemical analysis of LIB electrodes, elucidating the relationship between dynamic impact and cell aging. | battery |
Objective Translate, adapt, and validate the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) in Brazil. Method The present study followed three steps: 1) translation to Portuguese, cultural adaptation, and back translation to English; 2) completion of a pilot study (N =30) conducted with the purpose of assessing whether the general comprehension of the items was clear and all participants adequately responded to the battery; 3) completion of a Reliability and Validation Study of the Brazilian version of the MCCB with 99 individuals with schizophrenia and 99 healthy subjects. All participants were administered the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and patients were also rated on the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale and the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS). Results The results showed adequate to high levels of baseline and 4-week retest reliability, except the MSCEIT-ME; adequate internal consistency for the MSCEIT-ME for the total sample and patients group, and moderate Alpha for the health control sample; as well as evidence of convergent validity and sensitivity to differentiate performance between the groups. All the 10 MCCB measures showed the lowest learning effects. Conclusion Overall the Brazilian version of the MCCB showed similar results to the original North American version. Our findings provides reassurance that the MCCB is a reliable and valid measure of cognition across different countries and cultures, which is especially important to the ongoing work in attempting to discover cognition-enhancing drugs and the effects of cognitive interventions for the treatment of schizophrenia. | non-battery |
Activated carbon (AC) fiber cloths and hydrophobic microporous polypropylene (PP) membrane, both modified by plasma-induced graft polymerization of acrylic acid (AAc) under UV irradiation, and filled with saturated lithium hydroxide solution were used as electrodes, a separator and electrolyte in electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs). The modification process changed the hydrophobic character of AC and PP materials to hydrophilic, made them wettable and serviceable as components of an electrochemical capacitor. The presence of poly(acrylic acid) on the AC and PP surface was confirmed by SEM and XPS methods. Electrochemical characteristics of EDLCs were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge cycle tests and also by impedance spectroscopy. At the 1000th cycle of potential cycling (1Ag−1) the specific capacitance of 110Fg−1 was obtained with a specific energy of 11Whkg−1 at power density of 1kWkg−1. The above results provide valuable information which may be used when developing novel compositions of EDLCs. | battery |
Converting CO2 to valuable materials is attractive. Herein, we report using simple metallothermic reactions to reduce atmospheric CO2 to dense nanoporous graphene. By using a Zn/Mg mixture as a reductant, the resulted nanoporous graphene exhibits highly desirable properties: high specific surface area of 1900m2/g, a great conductivity of 1050S/m and a tap density of 0.63g/cm3, comparable to activated carbon. The nanoporous graphene contains a fine mesoporous structure constructed by curved few-layer graphene nanosheets. The unique property ensemble enables one of the best high-rate performances reported for electrochemical capacitors: a specific capacitance of ~170F/g obtained at 2000mV/s and 40F/g at a frequency of 120Hz. This simple fabricating strategy conceptually provides opportunities for materials scientists to design and prepare novel carbon materials with metallothermic reactions. | battery |
The growing demand for new global resources of clean and sustainable energy emerges as the greatest challenge in today's society. For numerous applications such as hybrid vehicles, electrochemical storage systems simultaneously require high energy and high power. For this reason, intensive researches focus on proposing alternative devices to conventional Li battery and supercapacitors. Here, we report a proof of concept based on non-covalent redox functionalization of composite electrodes that may occur either during the calendar life or during the device functioning. The active material, a multi-redox pyrene derivative, is initially contained in the electrolyte. No additional benchmarking step is therefore required, and it can, in principle, be readily applied to any type of composite electrode (supercapacitors, battery, semi-solid flow celletc.). Accordingly, a practical carbon fiber electrode that is 10 mg cm−2 loaded can deliver up to 130 kW kgelectrode−1 and 130 Wh kgelectrode−1 with negligible capacity loss over the first 60000 charge/discharge cycles.
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In this work, we build a composite index of European identification. We analyse the main theoretical backgrounds explaining citizens’ identification with Europe and the alternative types of identities (civic against the ethnic-cultural constructions) and the social psychology theory (based on awareness, emotional attachment and evaluation). We have found that neither of them report spatially homogeneous results over Europe. The proposed solution in this work is the use of fuzzy set techniques. This option is flexible enough to report an index of identification with Europe at the individual level. The composite index of European identity a report an alternative specification to the self-reported perception given by individuals. In this work, we have reported a brief description of the index, which report higher values in Eastern European countries and Spain, and lower average figures in the United Kingdom, France, Sweden and the Netherlands. The index is clearly increasing with education, income and city size, and does not display any first-sight association with respondent’s age and gender. The composite index is an important complement to the survey’s scores, as it captures the grounds in which social identification is built and consequently displays a more robust picture of the determinants of European identity and particularly by the role played by regional policies. | non-battery |
The positive electrodes based on nano- and micrometric carbon coated LiFePO4 (LFP) powders are prepared via aqueous slurry processing using “normal” and “intensive” mixing procedures. The XRD, XPS, and electrochemical characterization reveal that the “intensive” mixing process improves the discharge C-rate capability of the n-LFP cathode however provokes formation of an undesirable thin surface layer enriched by Fe3+ species. The waterborne graphite anodes and LiFePO4 cathodes for the energy and power cells are being developed, upscaled and manufactured on a pilot plant. Energy LiFePO4/C pouch cells demonstrate outstanding durability maintaining 80% of initial discharge capacity (IDC) after 7450 and 2400 full cycles under 1D and 4D discharge currents, respectively. Moreover, further cycling of the energy cell working under 1C/4D protocol reveals its extra-long secondary life (70% of IDC on 9200th cycle). Power LiFePO4/C pouch cell shows long lasting cycle life retaining 80% of IDC after 3350 cycles under harsh cycling conditions (3C/8D). The reported results are being achieved despite confirmed water release from lithium iron phosphate cathodes to the electrolyte. Finally, viability of aqueous processing of the electrodes without sacrificing electrochemical performance of LiFePO4/C batteries is clearly proven. | battery |
This study investigates the movements of Magellanic Penguins Spheniscus magellanicus breeding on Isla Martillo during the early chick-rearing period. Foraging paths were reconstructed using GPS loggers that registered the penguins′ geographic position, water temperature and depth at regular intervals. The relationship between penguins′ movements and search strategies, tide and tidal currents were assessed. Mean trip duration was on average 14.7 ± 6.9 h (33% overnight), and the maximum distance reached was 24 ± 10 km. All penguins studied foraged to the east of the colony. We identified three phases based on the sinuosity and speed of the trajectory: transit, central and return. Foraging effort was higher during the central phase, followed by the transit phase, and lower in the return phase. Foraging success, measured as the percentage of time at the bottom during each phase, was also highest during the central phase. In all birds studied, the central phase of the foraging trip took place during ebb tide, and birds travelled to the foraging areas with flow tide running in the same direction of displacement. Our study suggests that penguins take advantage of tidal currents to facilitate their movements to and from the main foraging area, thereby reducing the energy expended. Moreover, we suggest that piscivorous diving birds may enhance their catch rate during ebb tide when fish are more concentrated near the channel bed.
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