This paper presents an analysis of the cost of utilizing battery electric vehicle (BEV) batteries as energy storage in power grids also known as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) associated with lessening ...battery cycle life due to more frequent charging and discharging activities and utilization in elevated ambient temperature. Comparison is made between V2G in the U.K., where annual electricity peak demand is reached in winter, and in China, where peak demand is reached in summer due to the air conditioning load. This paper presents mathematical correlations between charging-discharging, ambient temperature, depth of discharge (DoD), and the degradation of electric vehicle batteries based on manufacturer's data. Simulation studies were carried out for V2G in both the U.K. and China. Numerical results show that ambient temperature and DoD of a BEV battery play a crucial role in the cost of battery wear. Lead-acid and NiMH battery powered BEVs are not cost effective in V2G use due to the present electricity tariff. Under the present electricity tariff structure, no vehicles would be cost effective for the peak power sources in China. However, lithium-ion battery powered BEVs are cost effective in the U.K. due to a much longer cycle life.
From basic research to industry process, battery energy storage systems have played a great role in the informatization, mobility, and intellectualization of modern human society. Some potential ...systems such as Li, Na, K, Mg, Zn, and Al secondary batteries have attracted much attention to maintain social progress and sustainable development. As one of the components in batteries, electrolytes play an important role in the upgrade and breakthrough of battery technology. Since room‐temperature ionic liquids (ILs) feature high conductivity, nonflammability, nonvolatility, high thermal stability, and wide electrochemical window, they have been widely applied in various battery systems and show great potential in improving battery stability, kinetics performance, energy density, service life, and safety. Thus, it is a right time to summarize these progresses. In this review, the composition and classification of various ILs and their recent applications as electrolytes in diverse metal‐ion batteries (Li, Na, K, Mg, Zn, Al) are outlined to enhance the battery performances.
This manuscript reviews the classification of ionic liquids, and their potential application as electrolytes in metal‐ion batteries (Li, Na, K, Mg, Zn, Al). Their merits of nonflammable property, thermal stability, and high safety suggest that they could be a promising solution to realize high safety and high energy density for next generational battery systems.
The influence of environmental attitudes on environmental behaviors has long been discussed. However, few studies have addressed the foundation of such attitudes. In the present study, we explored ...primitive belief underlying environmental attitudes, i.e., connections with nature, and its relationship with pro-environmental behaviors. Specifically, we used scales, a computerized Implicit Association Test, and a situational simulation experiment to examine both explicit and implicit connections with nature, both deliberate and spontaneous environmental behaviors, and to find correlations between environmental connectedness and environmental behaviors. Results showed that explicit connectedness was positively correlated with deliberate environmental behaviors, while implicit connectedness was positively correlated with spontaneous environmental behaviors. Additionally, explicit and implicit connectedness was independent of each other. In conclusion, the current study confirms the positive role played by connections with nature in promoting environmental behavior, and accordingly suggests means to encourage pro-environmental behavior by enhancing people's connectedness to nature.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
As the predominant type of chronic liver disease, the growing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a concern worldwide. Although obesity plays the most pivotal role in ...NAFLD, approximately 10–20% of individuals with NAFLD who are not overweight or obese (BMI < 25 kg/m2, or BMI < 23 kg/m2 in Asians) have “lean NAFLD.” Lean individuals with NAFLD have a lower prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, central obesity, and metabolic syndrome than nonlean individuals with NAFLD, but higher fibrosis scores and rates of cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality in advanced stages. The pathophysiological mechanisms of lean NAFLD remain poorly understood. Studies have shown that lean NAFLD is more correlated with factors such as environmental, genetic susceptibility, and epigenetic regulation. This review will examine the way in which the research progress and characteristic of lean NAFLD, and explore the function of epigenetic modification to provide the basis for the clinical treatment and diagnosis of lean NAFLD.
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•Approximately 10–20% of individuals with NAFLD have “lean NAFLD.”•Lean individuals with NAFLD have a lower prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, but higher fibrosis scores and rates of cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality in advanced stages.•Lean NAFLD is categorized into two broad subtypes based on epidemiology, natural history, and prognosis.•The progression of lean NAFLD is affected by multiple epigenetic mechanisms.•The development of an improved non-invasive assessment and animal models of lean NAFLD are urgent.
Clay minerals are the most popular adsorbents/amendments for immobilizing heavy metals in contaminated soils, but the dissolved organic matter (DOM) in soil environment would potentially affect the ...adsorption/immobilization capacity of clay minerals for heavy metals. In this study, the effects of DOM derived from chicken manure (CM) on the adsorption of cadmium (Cd2+) on two clay minerals, bentonite and zeolite, were investigated. The equilibrium data for Cd2+ sorption in the absence or presence of CM-DOM could be well-fitted to the Langmuir equation (R2 > 0.97). The presence of CM-DOM in the aqueous solution was found to greatly reduce the adsorption capacity of both minerals for Cd2+, in particular zeolite, and the percentage decreases for Cd2+ sorption increased with increasing concentrations of Cd2+ as well as CM-DOM in aqueous solutions. The adsorption of CM-DOM on zeolite was greater than that on bentonite in the absence of Cd2+, however, a sharp increase was observed for CM-DOM sorption on bentonite with increasing Cd2+ concentrations but little change for that on zeolite, which can be attributed to the different ternary structures on mineral surface. The CM-DOM modified clay minerals were utilized to investigate the effect of mineral-adsorbed CM-DOM on Cd2+ sorption. The adsorbed form was found to inhibit Cd2+ sorption, and further calculation suggested it primarily responsible for the overall decrease in Cd2+ sorption on clay minerals in the presence of CM-DOM in aqueous solutions. An investigation for the mineral surface morphology suggested that the mineral-adsorbed CM-DOM decreased Cd2+ sorption on bentonite mainly through barrier effect, while in the case of zeolite, it was the combination of active sites occupation and barrier effect. These results can serve as a guide for evaluating the performance of clay minerals in immobilizing heavy metals when animal manure is present in contaminated soils.
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•The presence of CM-DOM greatly reduces Cd2+ sorption on bentonite and zeolite.•The presence of Cd2+ significantly promotes CM-DOM sorption on bentonite.•The two clay mineral/CM-DOM/Cd2+ systems exhibit different ternary structures.•The decrease in Cd2+ sorption is mainly attributable to mineral-adsorbed CM-DOM.•Decrease mechanisms for bentonite and zeolite are discussed based on SEM study.
The dissolved organic matter from animal manure has potential negative effects on the adsorption/immobilization capacity of clay minerals for heavy metals in contaminated soils.
Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment, also known as 'chemobrain', is now widely recognized as a frequent adverse side effect of cancer treatment that often persists into survivorship. There are ...no drugs available to prevent or treat chemotherapy-induced cognitive deficits. The aim of this study was to establish a mouse model of cisplatin-induced cognitive deficits and to determine the potential preventive effects of the anti-diabetic drug metformin.
Treatment of C57/BL6J mice with cisplatin (cumulative dose 34.5 mg/kg) impaired performance in the novel object and place recognition task as well as in the social discrimination task indicating cognitive deficits. Co-administration of metformin prevented these cisplatin-induced cognitive impairments. At the structural level, we demonstrate that cisplatin reduces coherency of white matter fibers in the cingulate cortex. Moreover, the number of dendritic spines and neuronal arborizations as quantified on Golgi-stained brains was reduced after cisplatin treatment. Co-administration of metformin prevented all of these structural abnormalities in cisplatin-treated mice. In contrast to what has been reported in other models of chemobrain, we do not have evidence for persistent microglial or astrocyte activation in the brains of cisplatin-treated mice. Finally, we show that co-administration of metformin also protects against cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy.
In summary, we show here for the first time that treatment of mice with cisplatin induces cognitive deficits that are associated with structural abnormalities in the brain. Moreover, we present the first evidence that the widely used and safe anti-diabetic drug metformin protects against these deleterious effects of cancer treatment. In view of the ongoing clinical trials to examine the potential efficacy of metformin as add-on therapy in patients treated for cancer, these findings should allow rapid clinical translation.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Acoustic imaging technology has the advantages of non-contact and intuitive positioning. It is suitable for the rapid positioning of defects such as the mechanical loosening, discharge, and DC bias ...of power equipment. However, the existing research lacks the optimization design of microphone array topology. The acoustic frequency domain characteristics of typical power equipment are elaborately sorted out. After that, the cut-off frequencies of acoustic imaging instruments are determined, to meet the needs of the full bandwidth test requirements. Through a simulation calculation, the circular array is demonstrated to be the optimal shape. And the design parameters affect the imaging performance of the array to varying degrees, indicating that it is difficult to obtain the optimal array topology by an exhaustive method. Aimed at the complex working conditions of power equipment, a topology optimization design method of an acoustic imaging array for power equipment is proposed, and the global optimal solution of microphone array topology is obtained. Compared with the original array, the imaging performance of the improved LF and HF array is promoted by 54% and 49%, respectively. Combined with the simulation analysis and laboratory test, it is verified that the improved array can not only accurately locate the single sound source but also accurately identify the main sound source from the interference of the contiguous sound source.
Improving the job engagement of health professionals can effectively enhance the quality of their medical services. However, few studies have investigated whether and how perceived professional ...benefits affect job engagement. Based on resource conservation theory, this study explored the effect of the influence of perceived professional benefits on job engagement, and also examined the mediating role of psychological availability and the moderating role of future perceived professional benefits.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in six tertiary hospitals and seven secondary hospitals in Liu Panshui, a city in western China. A total of 1,406 valid questionnaires were obtained and analysed by using correlation analysis, hierarchical regression analysis, and bootstrap tests.
The study found a significant positive association between health professionals' perceived professional benefits and their job engagement. Additionally, psychological availability was found to mediate this relationship. Future perceived professional benefits not only positively moderate this relationship between perceived professional benefits on health professionals' psychological availability but also positively moderate the mediating role of psychological availability between perceived professional benefits and job engagement.
Improving health professionals' perceived professional benefits can enhance their job engagement by increasing their psychological availability. However, for health professionals with low future perceived professional benefits, this improvement may disappear. Therefore, it is important to enhance both their current and future perceived professional benefits to improve their job engagement.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
CEKLJ, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In this work, a compact fiber-optic 3D shape sensor consisting of two serially connected 2° tilted fiber Bragg gratings (TFBGs) is proposed, where the orientations of the grating planes of the two ...TFBGs are orthogonal. The measurement of the reflective transmission spectrum from the pair of TFBGs was implemented by Fresnel reflection of the cleaved fiber end. The two groups of cladding mode resonances in the reflection spectrum respond differentially to bending, which allows for the unique determination of the magnitude and orientation of the bend plane (i.e. with a ± 180 degree uncertainty). Bending responses ranging from -0.33 to + 0.21 dB/m(-1) (depending on orientation) are experimentally demonstrated with bending from 0 to 3.03 m(-1). In the third (axial) direction, the strain is obtained directly by the shift of the TFBG Bragg wavelengths with a sensitivity of 1.06 pm/με.
Biochars produced from wheat straw at 400 °C (BC400) and 700 °C (BC700) were treated with three typical soil minerals to examine the effects of soil minerals on biochar properties and adsorption ...capacity for sulfamethoxazole (SMX). Mineral treatment enlarged the surface area and pore size of biochar, and the electron donating capacity (EDC) of the mineral-treated biochars also increased due to the increased phenolic group in BC400 and the enhanced conjugated π-electron system in BC700, respectively, which in turn affected the adsorption capacity of biochars for SMX. The adsorption of SMX on BC700 was increased after mineral treatment due to the facilitating effect of π–π electron donor-acceptor interaction as indicated by the positive correlation of surface adsorption amount (QA) of SMX with EDC of biochars (R2 = 0.92–0.96). In contrast, mineral treatment decreased SMX adsorption on BC400, which could be attributed to the potential association of organic matter with minerals via coprecipitation and adsorption, in addition to the weak adsorption capacities of soil minerals for SMX. These results can provide a new insight for better understanding the interaction between biochar and soil minerals and its effect on adsorption capacity of biochar for organic pollutants.
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•Phenolic group and conjugated π-electron system was the electron donating moieties of biochars.•Soil minerals increased the electron donating capacity of selected biochars.•Relation of organic matter with minerals decreased sulfamethoxazole (SMX) adsorption on WS400.•Enhanced π–π electron donor-acceptor interaction increased SMX adsorption on WS700.•Biochar-soil mineral interaction was the main factor contributing to changed adsorption of SMX.
The interaction between biochar and soil minerals exerts a significant effect on the properties of biochar and adsorption capacities for sulfamethoxazole.
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