Critical Review of Theoretical Models for Anomalous Effects (Cold Fusion) in Deuterated Metals

We briefly summarize the reported anomalous effects in deuterated metals at ambient temperature, commonly known as "Cold Fusion" (CF), with an emphasis on important experiments as well as the theoretical basis for the opposition to interpreting them as cold fusion. Then we critically examine more than 25 theoretical models for CF, including unusual nuclear and exotic chemical hypotheses. We conclude that they do not explain the data.Comment: 51 pages, 4 Figure

Evidence based methods in tobacco dependence treatment

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. Every year, more than 71600 of Poles and 36600 Romanians are killed by tobacco-caused disease. In whole European Union 1 400 000 people die due to tobacco smoking. Tobacco smoking causes many diseases like cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases, cancer and others, however tobacco dependence is a disease itself. Tobacco dependence syndrome (F 17.2.- ICD X revision) is a chronic disease caused by nicotine dependence. The criteria to diagnose tobacco dependence are very similar to those recognized in drug and alcohol addiction. Tobacco dependence is a chronic condition that is treatable, however due to its nature often requires repeated intervention for success and good plan for treatment provided by specialist (doctor, nurse, health counsellor, therapist etc). The effective treatment exists and include pharmacotherapy and behavioural support. Both methods are effective itself but according to Cochrane library reviews the most effective is combing both medicines and psychological support. Evidence-based guidelines recommend nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion SR, and varenicline as effective in smoking cessation therapy, especially when combined with behavioral interventions. There is as well effective and safe herbal drug - cytisine, however not available in all European countries. The success rate is at least doubled by using evidence based methods in tobacco dependence treatment. The effects of alternative methods like hypnotherapy in smoking cessation in uncontrolled studies were not confirmed by analysis of randomized controlled trials. Electrostimulation is not effective for smoking cessation. Well‐designed research of acupuncture, acupressure and laser stimulation could be needed since these are very popular among smokers, though these interventions alone are likely to be less effective than evidence‐based interventions. There is an evidence from few trials that electronic cigarettes effectiveness in smoking cessation may be equal to nicotine patches or higher, when both products were accompanied by behavioral support

LiAsF6 in propylene carbonate—acetonitrile for primary lithium batteries

1M LiAsF6 in 50% v/v propylene carbonate—acetonitrile (PC-AN) is an electrolyte solution which offers improved cathode utilization, improved energy efficiency and more stable discharge voltages when used in primary lithium batteries with MnO2, TiS2, Cu2S, CuS, MoO3, V2O5, V6O13 and NbSe3 cathodes. Incorporation of solvated Li+ into the cathodic material may be part of the cathodic process, and the lower viscosity and lower molar volume of acetonitrile, which is a solvator of Li+ in PC/AN mixtures, are thought to be responsible for the major improvement over LiAsF6 in PC as electrolyte solution for these cells

Biological treatment of transformer oil using commercial mixtures of microorganisms

The biodegradation of six PCB congeners (IUPAC nos. 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 168) present in transformer oil using different commercial mixtures of microorganisms (Sybron 1000, Biozyn 301, Biozyn 300, DBC 5, ChZR, NS 20-10, NS 20-20, NS 20) under anoxic, oxygen or anoxic/ oxygen treatments was investigated at laboratory scale. Overall, PCB congener’s biodegradation was observed in all treatments in the ranges of 0-99%, 2-97% and 40-94% under anoxic, oxygen or anoxic/ oxygen treatments, respectively. Highest biodegradation of total PCB congeners occurred using Sybron under oxygen and anoxic conditions (340.30 mg l-1 and 123.03 mg l-1, respectively). Also, the highest biodegradation extent of the PCB congeners occurred when the commercially available mixture of microorganisms Sybron was used (216.94 mg l-1) under combined anoxic/ oxygen conditions. Demonstration that biodegradation of most of the individual PCB congeners was achieved by the commercial mixtures of microorganisms in this study suggests that PCB-impacted environments can sustain populations of these PCB-metabolizing organisms. This is particularly relevant for the development of biostimulation or bioaugmentation strategies for the bioremediation of PCBs-contaminated wastes.JRC.H.1-Water Resource