Increased Moisture Uptake of NCM622 Cathodes after Calendering due to Particle Breakage

As moisture presents a critical contamination in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), electrodes and separators need to be post-dried before cell assembly. The moisture adsorption, desorption and re-adsorption of electrodes during processing is strongly dependent on their material system, manufacturing route and microstructure. The microstructure, in turn, is significantly defined by the coating density, which is adjusted by calendering. As a consequence, the calendering step is expected to directly influence the moisture sorption behavior of electrodes. This is why the influence of different coating densities and structural properties on the moisture content of NCM622 cathodes was investigated in this study. For increasing density, an increasing moisture content was detected by Karl Fischer Titration and sorption measurements. SEM and BET analyses showed an increasing amount of NCM622 particle breakage, accompanied by a rising surface area. Hence, the increased moisture uptake of cathodes with higher density is mainly caused by a higher surface area, which results from particle cracking and breakage during calendering. Electrochemical analysis showed that the increased active surface area of cathodes with higher densities leads to a good performance during formation and at low C-rates. However, the reduced porosity impairs the ionic conductivity and causes capacity loss at higher C-rates

Root system markup language: toward an unified root architecture description language

The number of image analysis tools supporting the extraction of architectural features of root systems has increased over the last years. These tools offer a handy set of complementary facilities, yet it is widely accepted that none of these software tool is able to extract in an efficient way growing array of static and dynamic features for different types of images and species. We describe the Root System Markup Language (RSML) that has been designed to overcome two major challenges: (i) to enable portability of root architecture data between different software tools in an easy and interoperable manner allowing seamless collaborative work, and (ii) to provide a standard format upon which to base central repositories which will soon arise following the expanding worldwide root phenotyping effort. RSML follows the XML standard to store 2D or 3D image metadata, plant and root properties and geometries, continuous functions along individual root paths and a suite of annotations at the image, plant or root scales, at one or several time points. Plant ontologies are used to describe botanical entities that are relevant at the scale of root system architecture. An xml-schema describes the features and constraints of RSML and open-source packages have been developed in several languages (R, Excel, Java, Python, C#) to enable researchers to integrate RSML files into popular research workflow

Cloud observations in Switzerland using hemispherical sky cameras

We present observations of total cloud cover and cloud type classification results from a sky camera network comprising four stations in Switzerland. In a comprehensive intercomparison study, records of total cloud cover from the sky camera, long-wave radiation observations, Meteosat, ceilometer, and visual observations were compared. Total cloud cover from the sky camera was in 65–85% of cases within ±1 okta with respect to the other methods. The sky camera overestimates cloudiness with respect to the other automatic techniques on average by up to 1.1 ± 2.8 oktas but underestimates it by 0.8 ± 1.9 oktas compared to the human observer. However, the bias depends on the cloudiness and therefore needs to be considered when records from various observational techniques are being homogenized. Cloud type classification was conducted using the k-Nearest Neighbor classifier in combination with a set of color and textural features. In addition, a radiative feature was introduced which improved the discrimination by up to 10%. The performance of the algorithm mainly depends on the atmospheric conditions, site-specific characteristics, the randomness of the selected images, and possible visual misclassifications: The mean success rate was 80–90% when the image only contained a single cloud class but dropped to 50–70% if the test images were completely randomly selected and multiple cloud classes occurred in the images

Protocol for the IDEAL-2 longitudinal study: Following the experiences of people with dementia and their primary carers to understand what contributes to living well with dementia and enhances active life

Background There is a major need for longitudinal research examining the experiences of people with dementia and their primary carers, as relatively little is known about how the factors associated with capability to ‘live well’ vary over time. The main aim of the IDEAL-2 study is to investigate how and why, over time, people with dementia and their primary carers might vary in their capability to live well with dementia, whilst exploring both their use of health and care services and their unmet needs. Methods IDEAL-2 will build on the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) cohort of 1547 people (who, at recruitment between July 2014 and July 2016, had mild-to-moderate dementia), and their 1283 primary carers in Great Britain. The existing cohort will be enriched with additional participants with mild-to-moderate dementia (and their primary carers where available and willing) from the following groups: people with rarer forms of dementia, and/or those who are ≥90 years or < 65 years of age at time of recruitment. We will assess the primary outcome, capability to live well with dementia, and the factors influencing it using questionnaires at yearly intervals for 3 years. Additionally, we will seek to link the cohort data with administrative data to obtain information about health service use. Some participants will be invited for in-depth face-to-face interviews. The cohort study will be supplemented by linked research focusing on: the co-production of new measures of living well; including the perspectives of people with advanced dementia living in residential care settings; including people with dementia from black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups; and understanding the experience of people living with undiagnosed dementia. Discussion IDEAL-2 will provide evidence about the key indicators of, and factors associated with, living well over the course of dementia and how these differ for particular subgroups. It will tell us which combinations of services and support are most beneficial and cost-effective. Moreover, the IDEAL-2 study will gather evidence from under-researched groups of people with dementia, who are likely to have their own distinct perceptions of living well.Alzheimer’s Society & The University of Exete

Who is Overeducated and Why? Probit and Dynamic Mixed Multinomial Logit Analyses of Vertical Mismatch in East and West Germany

Overeducation is an often overlooked facet of untapped human resources. But who is overeducated and why? Relying on SOEP data 1984-2011, we use probit models for estimating the likelihood of entering overeducation and dynamic mixed multinomial logit models with random effects addressing state dependence and unobserved heterogeneity. As further robustness checks we use three specifications of the target variable, i.e. realized matches, self-assessment and twofold overeducation. We run separate analyses for men and women, East and West Germans and medium and highly educated persons. We find that overeducation is mainly state dependent. Nonetheless, even in the dynamic context staying employed proves to be risk-decreasing. By contrast, scars of past unemployment show up in a higher mismatch risk. Moreover, an employer change does not serve as a suitable exit strategy, and a dual qualification does not show up as a valid insurance against graduates' job mismatch. Overall, effects largely depend on the operationalization of overeducation. We conclude that to combat overeducation, focusing on continuous employment careers and circumventing unintentional withdrawals from the current job is crucial. Moreover, institutional impediments that restrain job match quality for certain groups (migrants, mothers) have to be tackled.Überqualifikation ist ein zuweilen übersehener Aspekt in der Debatte um ungenutzte Fachkräftepotenziale. Aber wer ist überqualifiziert, und warum? Basierend auf Daten des Sozio-oekonomischen Panels (SOEP) der Wellen 1984-2011 schätzen wir mit Probitmodellen die Wahrscheinlichkeit für neue Überqualifikation sowie mit dynamischen Multinomialen Mixed Logit-Modellen mit zufälligen Effekten die Wahrscheinlichkeit für Überqualifikation unter Berücksichtigung von Pfadabhängigkeit und unbeobachteter Populationsheterogenität. Das Messfehlerproblem kontrollieren wir durch drei verschiedene Spezifikationen der abhängigen Variable, die selbsteingeschätzte Überqualifikation, die statistische Überqualifikation (Realized Matches) sowie eine Kombination aus beidem. Wir führen die Schätzungen getrennt für Männer und Frauen, Ost- und Westdeutsche sowie Personen mittlerer und hoher Bildung durch. Unsere Analysen zeigen, dass Überqualifikation ein hohes Beharrungsvermögen hat. Allerdings vermindert Erwerbserfahrung das Risiko der Überqualifikation auch im dynamischen Modell unter Kontrolle unbeobachteter Heterogenität. Narbeneffekte früherer Arbeitslosigkeit hingegen zeigen sich in einem höheren Überqualifikationsrisiko. Weder ein Arbeitgeberwechsel noch (bei Akademiker/innen) eine Doppelqualifikation in Form von Lehre plus Studium taugen als wirksame Ausweichstrategien. Um Überqualifikation im Job zu vermindern, scheinen Strategien, die konti-nuierliche Erwerbskarrieren fördern, vielversprechend zu sein. Für bestimmte Gruppen am Arbeitsmarkt (Migranten, Mütter) erschweren zudem institutionelle Barrieren ein gutes Jobmatch, die es gezielt anzugehen gilt

Influence of Cilioretinal Arteries on Flow Density in Glaucoma Patients Measured Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

It has long been speculated whether the presence of a cilioretinal artery (CRA) can influence the development of glaucomatous damage in patients with open-angle glaucoma. Studies involving healthy patients have shown a change in flow density (FD) depending on the presence of a CRA. Similarly, studies that compared the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) results of healthy controls and glaucoma cohorts identified a reduction in FD in certain retinal layers for glaucoma patients. These observations raise the question of whether FD is altered in glaucoma patients depending on the presence of CRA, with possible implications for the progression of glaucomatous damage. In this prospective study, 201 eyes of 134 primary and secondary open-angle glaucoma patients who visited the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Muenster Medical Center, Germany were included. The patients were allocated to different groups according to the presence of CRAs and the level of glaucoma severity. The FD results obtained using OCTA for the CRA and non-CRA groups were compared. While FD differed noticeably between the CRA and non-CRA cohorts in the deep macular plexus, no differences in FD were observed between the two groups when adjusted for glaucoma severity. In both the CRA and non-CRA eyes, increasing glaucoma severity correlated most strongly with a reduction in peripapillary FD. Our results suggest that the presence of CRAs does not significantly affect retinal perfusion in glaucoma patients

Results of a survey on the chronic wound among the leading vascular surgeons in Germany

The high number of patients with chronic wounds is also reflected in the German vascular surgery care landscape. In almost every third vascular surgery department, a third of the inpatients treated have a chronic wound. Despite the relevance of these diseases for vascular surgery, there is little willingness on the part of doctors to deal with the topic and to acquire the necessary competence. The reasons given for the still inadequate care, in addition to the lack of medical interest and poor competence of physicians, are interface problems and poor remuneration. The certification process of the Chronic Wounds Initiative and the German Society for Vascular Surgery and Vascular Medicine (DGG), the awareness campaign of the DGG, Your wound in our hands, and the S3 guideline on topical treatment of chronic wounds with risk factors for peripheral arterial disease, diabetes mellitus and chronic venous insufficiency are not known in many places. Far-reaching conclusions can be drawn for the DDG's agenda from the results of the survey presented here. The claim of the DDG, to be recognized as the institution for the treatment of chronic wounds, must be underlined by the acquisition of personal wound treatment competence (including attending advanced training courses), public relations work (e.g. patient information events), Wundsiegel certifications of institutions by the ICW e.V. (Initiative Chronische Wunden e.V.) and imparting excellent knowledge within the framework of vascular surgeons specialist training

Standard of Care and Outcomes of Primary Laparotomy Versus Laparotomy in Patients with Prior Open Abdominal Surgery (ReLap Study; DRKS00013001)

Background!#!Patients undergoing relaparotomy are generally underrepresented in trials, despite how common the procedure is in clinical practice. The aim of this trial was to determine standard of care and gain evidence of intra- and postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing relaparotomy compared to primary laparotomy.!##!Methods!#!In this single-center controlled clinical trial, adult patients scheduled for elective abdominal surgery via relaparotomy or primary laparotomy were consecutively screened for eligibility. The perioperative course was monitored prospectively in five study visits during hospital stay and one study visit 1 year after surgery. Intraoperative standards, short and long-term outcomes were statistically explored at a level of significance of 5%.!##!Results!#!A total of 131 patients with relaparotomy and 50 patients with primary laparotomy were analyzed. In the relaparotomy group, the access to the abdomen took longer (23.5 min vs. 8.8 min; p = &amp;lt; 0.001) and the peritoneal adhesion index was higher (10.8 vs. 0.4; p = &amp;lt; 0.001). Inadvertent enterotomies were more frequent in the relaparotomy group (relaparotomy 0.3 versus primary laparotomy: 0.0; p = 0.002). The overall comprehensive complication index and rates of surgical site infection and wound dehiscence with evisceration were not different between the two groups. At long-term follow-up, rates of incisional hernia did not differ (relaparotomy: n = 12/104 (11.5%); primary laparotomy: n = 7/35 (20.0%); p = 0.208).!##!Discussion!#!In this first prospective comparison of relaparotomy with primary laparotomy, inadvertent enterotomies were more frequent in the relaparotomy group. However, contrary to previous retrospective studies, the risk of complications and incisional hernias was not increased compared to primary laparotomy.!##!Trial registration!#!Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien ( www.germanctr.de ): DRKS00013001