A redox‐active supercooled liquid is obtained by forming a “solvate ionic liquid” from a mixture of a stabilized organic radical and a specific Li salt and stabilizing the mixture further below their ...melting points. As a catholyte, the addition of an appropriate amount of water helps to enhance the electrochemical advantage while maintaining its supercooled nature and the liquid shows a high energy density of 200 W h L−1 with reversible charge/discharge.
Background:
Work engagement (WE) is defined as a positive, fulfilling, and work-related state of mind. Enhancing WE leads to positive outcomes in both individuals and organizations. Although cultural ...factors may influence the antecedents and outcomes of WE, no reviews summarized these factors among nurses, mainly in Asia. This review aimed to identify the antecedents and outcomes of WE among nurses in Japan. This may offer novel insights into the influencing factors on WE.
Methods:
A literature search was conducted using six data sources: PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, Business Source Premier, Ichushi-Web, and CiNii. A total of 38 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies that included registered nurses and/or midwives at hospitals or facilities were included in this review. The antecedents and outcomes were classified into four themes based on the job demands–resources model (JD-R model).
Findings:
Many variables in three components of the JD-R model (i.e., job resources, personal resources, and favorable outcomes) exhibited positive relationships with WE as theorized. Many other variables in job demands demonstrated negative relationships with WE as hypothesized. Many factors that were identified in this review were consistent with the JD-R model. The model in turn was found to be applicable among nurses. The antecedents and outcomes in this review were similar to those in previous studies in Western countries, while this review also revealed teamwork nursing as a possible antecedent of WE, which has not previously been reported.
Conclusion/Application to Practice:
Improving job resources (e.g., teamwork nursing) and personal resources may effectively enhance WE among Japanese nurses.
Lithium titanium oxide LiLi1/3Ti5/3O4 (LTO) is regarded as an ideal electrode material for lithium-ion batteries because of its “zero-strain” characteristic, high thermal stability, and structural ...stability. Here, the zero-strain means that the change in cubic lattice parameter is negligibly small during charge and discharge reactions. We performed ex situ Raman spectroscopy on Li1+x Li1/3Ti5/3O4 samples with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.94 to gain information about the relationship between a zero-strain reaction scheme and structural change at the atomic scale. The x = 0 (initial) sample exhibits three major Raman bands at 671, 426, and 231 cm–1 and six minor Raman bands at 751, 510, 400, 344, 264, and 146 cm–1. According to Raman spectroscopy results on other lithium titanium oxides such as Li2TiO3 and TiO2, the Raman bands at 510, 400, and 146 cm–1 are attributed to TiO2 anatase, which is used as a starting material. As x increases from 0 to 0.94, the two major Raman bands at 426 and 231 cm–1 show a blue shift, while the major Raman band at 671 cm–1 maintains frequency. The three major Raman bands at 671, 423, and 231 cm–1 are assigned to the A 1g mode of symmetric stretching vibration νsym(Ti–O), the E g mode of asymmetric stretching vibration νasym(Li–O), and the F 2g mode of bending vibration δ(Ti–O), respectively. Thus, the change in the Raman spectrum with x indicates that the bond length between the Ti and O atoms in the TiO6 octahedron is independent of x, while that between the Li and O atoms in the LiO6 octahedron and the bond angle between the Ti and O atoms in the TiO6 octahedron change with x. Raman studies with decreasing x from 0.94 to 0.10 clarified that such local structural changes are reversible, as in the case for the electrochemical reaction. The zero-strain insertion scheme is discussed from the perspective of Raman spectroscopy.
Although LiLi1/3Ti5/3O4 (LTO) has been considered as an ideal electrode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its “zero-strain” character, initial LTO exhibits high Li conductivity ...(σLi) at high temperatures (T). In this paper, to clarify the inter-relation between LTO’s Li-diffusive nature and structural environment, we performed a systematic structural study on LTO using X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and Raman spectroscopy. The average and static information obtained by XRD measurements suggested that the bottleneck radius for Li conduction is limited to ∼0.41 even at 873 K, which is too small to explain the high σLi values in LTO. However, Raman spectroscopy demonstrated the dynamic structural changes of the LiO6 octahedron with T; the bond interaction between Li and O atoms decreases with T because of its anharmonic potential energy. Because the Raman-active modes in LTO correspond to changes in oxide ion position, oxide ions are determined to play a crucial role in obtaining high σLi values.
Background:
Microfracture (MF) is frequently performed as a first-line treatment for articular cartilage defects. Although good clinical outcomes are often obtained in the short term, poor clinical ...outcomes sometimes occur because of subchondral bone deterioration. The condition of the subchondral bone treated with MF may affect the repair of the osteochondral unit.
Purpose:
To analyze histological findings of the osteochondral unit after performing MF on subchondral bone in different states—normal, absorption, and sclerosis—in a rat model.
Study Design:
Controlled laboratory study.
Methods:
Full-thickness cartilage defects (5.0 × 3.0 mm) were created in the weightbearing area of the medial femoral condyle in both knees of 47 Sprague-Dawley rats. Five MF holes were created within the cartilage defect using a 0.55-mm needle to a depth of 1 mm at 0 weeks (normal group), 2 weeks (absorption group), and 4 weeks (sclerosis group) after the cartilage defect was created. In the left knee, MF holes were filled with β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). At 2 and 4 weeks after MF, knee joints were harvested and histologically analyzed.
Results:
MF holes were enlarged at 2 weeks and further enlarged at 4 weeks in all groups. In the absorption group, osteoclast accumulation around the MF holes and cyst formation were observed. The trabecular bone surrounding the MF holes was thickened in the sclerosis group. The diameter of the MF hole was largest in the absorption group at 2 and 4 weeks after MF compared with the other groups. No subchondral bone cysts were observed after β-TCP implantation. Pineda scores in all groups were significantly better with β-TCP implantation than without β-TCP implantation at 2 and 4 weeks.
Conclusion:
MF for subchondral bone with bone absorption induced enlargement of the MF holes, cyst formation, and delay of cartilage defect coverage. Implantation of β-TCP into the MF holes enhanced remodeling of the MF holes and improved repair of the osteochondral unit compared with MF only. Therefore, the condition of the subchondral bone treated with MF affects repair of the osteochondral unit in a cartilage defect.
In the past few years, lead halide perovskite solar cell power conversion efficiencies have risen by using a wide variety of fabrication methods and just passed 20%. Perovskite solar cells are ...typically fabricated in a glovebox to strictly avoid any water exposure. A dry atmosphere significantly increases equipment and operational costs for industrial processes, so ambient perovskite fabrication will be less expensive and more attractive. In this work it is demonstrated that ambient annealing is comparable to annealing in dry N2. Perovskite films annealed in a standard dry N2 environment are compared with those annealed in ambient environment with 50% relative humidity. Solar cell devices were prepared with a planar structure configuration and annealed at one of three different temperatures (105, 115, or 125 °C) in either N2 or ambient air. For all temperatures, the average efficiencies for the devices annealed in air are higher than those annealed in dry N2. The highest efficiency achieved for air-annealed devices is 12.7%. Thus, good efficiency cells can be fabricated in an ambient environment, which facilitates mass production.
Public displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), are often used in urban green spaces. However, these display devices often tarnish the green landscape of urban green spaces due to their ...artificial materials. We previously proposed a green landscape-friendly grass animation display that dynamically controls the grass color pixel by pixel. The grass color is changed by moving a green grass length in yellow grass, and the grass animation display runs simple animations using grayscale images. In our previous study, the color scale is subjectively mapped to the green grass length. However, this method fails to display the grass colors corresponding to the color scale based on objective evaluations. Herein, we introduce a dynamic grass color scale display technique based on the grass length. We develop a grass color scale setting procedure to map the grass length to the five-level color scale through image processing. In the outdoor experiment of the grass color scale setting procedure, the color scale corresponds to the green grass length based on a viewpoint. Finally, we demonstrate a grass animation display to show the animations with the color scale using experimental results.
ObjectivesWork engagement is an essential factor in improving employee performance. However, no reviews on the work engagement of psychiatric nurses have been conducted to date. This study aimed to ...examine the current status of research on the work engagement of psychiatric nurses and identify salient factors.DesignA scoping review.MethodsThis review adhered to the established scoping review methodological guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews checklist. The inclusion criteria were based on nurses, work engagement and psychiatric settings without language or date restrictions. Regardless of the methodology or study design, research studies related to the work engagement of psychiatric nurses have been included. A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO from the inception of each database, with the search strategies being set by an information specialist. The deadline for the search was 15 February 2023.ResultsThe study included 12 studies. All studies have been published since 2013. The study designs included cross-sectional (n=10), longitudinal (n=1) and intervention (n=1) studies. The impacts of work engagement were classified into (1) attitudes towards patients, (2) attitudes towards work, (3) mental health and (4) quality of care. Factors influencing work engagement were classified into (1) demographics, (2) workplace factors, (3) individual factors and (4) patient factors.ConclusionWork engagement of psychiatric nurses has lately gained attention, although data are limited because most studies used a cross-sectional design. Psychiatric nurses with higher work engagement showed positive outcomes. Workplace and individual factors can potentially improve their work engagement. The findings can assist nursing managers in enhancing psychiatric nurses’ work engagement and, consequently, their performance.
Two solid polymer electrolytes, composed of a polyether-segmented polyurethaneurea (PEUU) and either a lithium salt (lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide: LiNTf2) or a nonvolatile ionic liquid ...(1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide: C2mimNTf2), were prepared in order to utilize them as ionic polymer actuators. These salts were preferentially dissolved in the polyether phases. The ionic transport mechanism of the polyethers was discussed in terms of the diffusion coefficients and ionic transference numbers of the incorporated ions, which were estimated by means of pulsed-field gradient spin–echo (PGSE) NMR. There was a distinct difference in the ionic transport properties of each polymer electrolyte owing to the difference in the magnitude of interactions between the cations and the polyether. The anionic diffusion coefficient was much faster than that of the cation in the polyether/LiNTf2 electrolyte, whereas the cation diffused faster than the anion in the polyether/C2mimNTf2 electrolyte. Ionic polymer actuators, which have a solid-state electric-double-layer-capacitor (EDLC) structure, were prepared using these polymer electrolyte membranes and ubiquitous carbon materials such as activated carbon and acetylene black. On the basis of the difference in the motional direction of each actuator against applied voltages, a simple model of the actuation mechanisms was proposed by taking the difference in ionic transport properties into consideration. This model discriminated the behavior of the actuators in terms of the products of transference numbers and ionic volumes. The experimentally observed behavior of the actuators was successfully explained by this model.
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