Ni‐rich layered LiNixCoyMn1−x−yO2 (LNCM) with Ni content over >90% is considered as a promising lithium ion battery (LIB) cathode, attributed by its low cost and high practical capacity. However, ...Ni‐rich LNCM inevitably suffers rapid capacity fading at a high state of charge due to the mechanochemical breakdown; in particular, the microcrack formation has been regarded as one of the main culprits for Ni‐rich layered cathode failure. To address these issues, Ni‐rich layered cathodes with a textured microstructure are developed by phosphorous and boron doping. Attributed by the textured morphology, both phosphorous‐ and boron‐doped cathodes suppress microcrack formation and show enhanced cycle stability compared to the undoped cathode. However, there exists a meaningful capacity retention difference between the doped cathodes. By adapting the various analysis techniques, it is shown that the boron‐doped Ni‐rich layered cathode displays better cycle stability not only by its ability to suppress microcracks during cycling but also by its primary particle morphology that is reluctant to oxygen evolution. The present work reveals that not only restraint of particle cracks but also suppression of oxygen release by developing the oxygen stable facets is important for further improvements in state‐of‐the‐art Li ion battery Ni‐rich layered cathode materials.
Herein, the effect of boron doping on oxygen stability in LiNi0.92Co0.04Mn0.04O2 (LNCM) lithium ion battery cathodes is systematically investigated using various measurements. The boron‐doped LNCM produces the textured microstructure with more oxygen stabilized facets, thus not only aiding in restraining the particle cracks but also effectively suppressing the oxygen evolution to improve the cycle stability.
Optimization and analysis of conjugated polymer side chains for high‐performance organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) reveal a critical relationship between the chemical structure of the side chains and ...photovoltaic properties of polymer‐based bulk heterojunction OPVs. In particular, the impact of the alkyl side chain length on the π‐bridging (thienothiophene, TT) unit is considered by designing and synthesizing a series of benzodithiophene derivatives (BDT(T)) and thieno3,2‐bthiophene‐π‐bridged thieno3,4‐cpyrrole‐4,6(5H)‐dione (ttTPD) alternating copolymers, PBDT(T)‐(R2)ttTPD, with alkyl chains of varying length on the TT unit. Using a combination of 2D X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and electrical device characterization, it is elucidated in detail how these subtle changes to the chemical structure affect the molecular conformation, thin film molecular packing, blend film morphology, optoelectronic properties, and hence overall photovoltaic performance. For copolymers employing both the alkoxy or alkylthienyl‐substituted BDT motifs, it is found that octyl side chains on TT unit yield the maximum degree of molecular backbone coplanarity and result in the highest quality of molecular packing and optimized hole mobility. Inverted devices fabricated using this PBDTT‐8ttTPD: polymer/6,6‐phenyl‐C71‐butylic acid methyl ester active layer show a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.7% with large area cells (0.64 cm2) maintaining a PCE of 7.5%.
Optimization and analysis of conjugated polymer side chains for high‐performance organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) reveals a critical relationship between the chemical structure of the side chains and the photovoltaic properties of bulk heterojunction OPVs. In particular, the impact of the alkyl side chain length on the π‐bridging thienothiophene (TT) unit is considered, by designing and synthesizing a series of copolymers, PBDT(T)‐(R2)ttTPD.
•The ship operators’ onboard career, license rating, and age were studied.•Mean perceived collision risk (PCR) at 090° is higher for ships <2 NM apart.•Boarding career and license rating negatively ...influence PCR; age has no effect.•The risk factors that influence the ship officer's PCR were identified.
More than 80% of marine accidents occur due to errors incurred by navigators. This study investigates the situation wherein a ship operator (SO) is embarrassed by the fear of collision in LMCE, thereby failing to perform prescribed collision-avoidance measures. Increased perceived collision risks (PCRs) due to beginner-SOs' fear of collision threatens navigation safety in LMCE scenarios. This study investigates the influences of on-board career (OC), license rating (LR), and the SO's age on PCR in LMCEs. To quantify the PCR, head-on and crossing situations were simulated. SO heart-rate variability was measured onboard his own ship when it approached the target ship at 10-kn speed until they collide within a distance of 2 nautical miles. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the SO's OC and LR negatively influenced the PCR; however, age had no effect on the PCR. The SOs with OCs ≤ 4 years had a higher PCR than those with OCs ≥ 5 years. SOs with LRs in the 4–6 class group had a higher PCR than those with LRs in the 2–3 class group.
The galvanostatic lithiation/sodiation voltage profiles of hard carbon anodes are simple, with a sloping drop followed by a plateau. However, a precise understanding of the corresponding redox sites ...and storage mechanisms is still elusive, which hinders further development in commercial applications. Here, a comprehensive comparison of the lithium‐ and sodium‐ion storage behaviors of hard carbon is conducted, yielding the following key findings: 1) the sloping voltage section is presented by the lithium‐ion intercalation in the graphitic lattices of hard carbons, whereas it mainly arises from the chemisorption of sodium ions on their inner surfaces constituting closed pores, even if the graphitic lattices are unoccupied; 2) the redox sites for the plateau capacities are the same as those for the closed pores regardless of the alkali ions; 3) the sodiation plateau capacities are mostly determined by the volume of the available closed pore, whereas the lithiation plateau capacities are primarily affected by the intercalation propensity; and 4) the intercalation preference and the plateau capacity have an inverse correlation. These findings from extensive characterizations and theoretical investigations provide a relatively clear elucidation of the electrochemical footprint of hard carbon anodes in relation to the redox mechanisms and storage sites for lithium and sodium ions, thereby providing a more rational design strategy for constructing better hard carbon anodes.
A comprehensive comparison of the lithium‐ and sodium‐ion storage behaviors of hard carbon is conducted, yielding the key findings: the sloping voltage section is presented by the lithium‐ion intercalation in the graphitic lattices of hard carbons, whereas it mainly arises from the chemisorption of sodium ions. The intercalation preference and the plateau capacity have an inverse correlation.
Abstract
Sodium metal (Na) anodes are considered the most promising anode for high‐energy‐density sodium batteries because of their high capacity and low electrochemical potential. However, Na metal ...anode undergoes uncontrolled Na dendrite growth, and unstable solid electrolyte interphase layer (SEI) formation during cycling, leading to poor coulombic efficiency, and shorter lifespan. Herein, a series of Na‐ion conductive alloy‐type protective interface (Na‐In, Na‐Bi, Na‐Zn, Na‐Sn) is studied as an artificial SEI layer to address the issues. The hybrid Na‐ion conducting SEI components over the Na‐alloy can facilitate uniform Na deposition by regulating Na‐ion flux with low overpotential. Furthermore, density functional study reveals that the lower surface energy of protective alloys relative to bare Na is the key factor for facilitating facile ion diffusion across the interface. Na metal with interface layer facilitates a highly reversible Na plating/stripping for ≈790 h, higher than pristine Na metal (100 h). The hybrid self‐regulating protective layers exhibit a high mechanical flexibility to promote dendrite free Na plating even at high current density (5 mA cm
−2
), high capacity (10 mAh cm
−2
), and good performance with Na
3
V
2
(PO
4
)
3
cathode. The current study opens a new insight for designing dendrite Na metal anode for next generation energy storage devices.
Moutan Cortex,
root, has long been used as a medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the modulative properties of Moutan Cortex water extract (CP) ...on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related macrophage activation via the calcium-CHOP pathway. RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages were activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the levels of various inflammatory mediators from RAW 264.7 were evaluated. The multiplex cytokine assay was used to investigate both cytokines and growth factors, and RT-PCR was used to investigate the expressions of inflammation-related genes, such as CHOP. Data represent the levels of NO and cytosolic calcium in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 were significantly inhibited by CP as well as hydrogen peroxide (
< 0.05). Minutely, NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 incubated with CP at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL for 24 h was 97.32 ± 1.55%, 95.86 ± 2.26%, 94.64 ± 1.83%, and 92.69 ± 2.31% of the control value (LPS only), respectively (
< 0.05). Calcium release in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 incubated with CP at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL for 18 h was 95.78 ± 1.64%, 95.41 ± 1.14%, 94.54 ± 2.76%, and 90.89 ± 3.34% of the control value, respectively (
< 0.05). Hydrogen peroxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 incubated with CP at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL for 24 h was 79.15 ± 7.16%, 63.83 ± 4.03%, 46.27 ± 4.38%, and 40.66 ± 4.03% of the control value, respectively (
< 0.05). It is interesting that the production of IL-6, TNF-α, G-CSF, MIP-1α, MIP-2, and M-CSF in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 were significantly inhibited by CP (
< 0.05), while the production of LIX, LIF, RANTES, and MIP-1β showed a meaningful decrease. CP at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL significantly reduced the transcription of
,
α,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
, and
in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 (
< 0.05). CP at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL significantly reduced the phosphorylation of STAT3, p38 MAPK, and IκB-α in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 (
< 0.05). These results suggest that CP might modulate macrophage activation via LPS-induced calcium signaling and the ER stress-CHOP pathway.
To prevent potential hazards posed by fast-evolving drones, it is of importance to develop a radar system for drone detection. Frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radars are widely used for ...that purpose. Heterodyne architectures are preferred for them to mitigate dc offset errors. Having said that, FMCW radars suffer from permanent leakage from the transmitter into the receiver. The leakage phase noise raises the total noise floor and limits the radar sensitivity. Here, we propose a stationary point concentration (SPC) technique in order to overcome the challenges. The SPC technique concentrates the leakage phase noise on a stationary point to alleviate the impact of the noise. The technique can be realized using digital signal processing without additional hardware. The results show that the proposed technique significantly lowers the noise floor.
The impact of human activities on the environmental resistome has been documented in many studies, but there remains the controversial question of whether the increased antibiotic resistance observed ...in anthropogenically impacted environments is just a result of contamination by resistant fecal microbes or is mediated by indigenous environmental organisms. Here, to determine exactly how anthropogenic influences shape the environmental resistome, we resolved the microbiome, resistome, and mobilome of the planktonic microbial communities along a single river, the Han, which spans a gradient of human activities.
The bloom of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) was evident in the downstream regions and distinct successional dynamics of the river resistome occurred across the spatial continuum. We identified a number of widespread ARG sequences shared between the river, human gut, and pathogenic bacteria. These human-related ARGs were largely associated with mobile genetic elements rather than particular gut taxa and mainly responsible for anthropogenically driven bloom of the downstream river resistome. Furthermore, both sequence- and phenotype-based analyses revealed environmental relatives of clinically important proteobacteria as major carriers of these ARGs.
Our results demonstrate a more nuanced view of the impact of anthropogenic activities on the river resistome: fecal contamination is present and allows the transmission of ARGs to the environmental resistome, but these mobile genes rather than resistant fecal bacteria proliferate in environmental relatives of their original hosts. Video abstract.
Depression, one of the most costly and common mental disorders, is reported to be associated with lower quality of life (QoL) in several studies. Improved understanding of the associated factors with ...QoL is necessary to optimize long-term outcomes and reduce disability in patients with depression. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify factors that are associated with lower QoL among patients with depression.
The study was based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a cross-sectional health examination, years 2008 to 2014. The final analyzed sample consisted of a total of 1,502 study subjects who had been diagnosed by clinicians as having depression. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to exam the association between the clinical characteristics (age, sex, demographic and health-related characteristics) and QoL. Analysis of covariance was also used to analyze EQ-5D according to mental health.
Older age, lower level of education, lower income, worse subjective perception of health, unemployment, obesity and mental health struggles were found to be significantly associated with low QoL in depressive individuals after adjustment for multiple covariates.
This study has outlined grounding data in identifying patients who are at risk of QoL impairment. Policy makers should direct their interests to these individuals and provide appropriate management.
Despite growing interest and a recent surge in papers, the role of autophagy in glucose and lipid metabolism is unclear. We produced mice with skeletal muscle-specific deletion of Atg7 (encoding ...autophagy-related 7). Unexpectedly, these mice showed decreased fat mass and were protected from diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance; this phenotype was accompanied by increased fatty acid oxidation and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) owing to induction of fibroblast growth factor 21 (Fgf21). Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by autophagy deficiency increased Fgf21 expression through induction of Atf4, a master regulator of the integrated stress response. Mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitors also induced Fgf21 in an Atf4-dependent manner. We also observed induction of Fgf21, resistance to diet-induced obesity and amelioration of insulin resistance in mice with autophagy deficiency in the liver, another insulin target tissue. These findings suggest that autophagy deficiency and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction promote Fgf21 expression, a hormone we consequently term a 'mitokine', and together these processes promote protection from diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance.
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