Asymmetric Imides as Electrolyte Additive for Lithium‐Ion Batteries with NCM111 Cathode

The synthesis, spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of Li[N(SiMe3)(SO2RF)] (RF=CF3, n‐C4F9) as well their behavior as electrolyte additive in lithium ion batteries (LIBs) is reported. The lithium salts were obtained by deprotonation of the corresponding acids HN(SiMe3)(SO2RF) with n‐butyllithium in n‐pentane. The electrochemical investigations suggested potential as additives for LIBs. Thus, NCM111/graphite cells (NCM111=Li[Ni0.33Co0.33Mn0.33]O2) with LP57 as electrolyte (LP57=1.0 M LiPF6 in EC/EMC 3 : 7) were built to test the performance. Cells with Li[N(SiMe3)(SO2RF)] as additives show coulombic efficiencies of over 99.6 %, less capacity fading over 55 cycles and a significantly lower cell impedance built up

Socio-economic status is inversely related to bed net use in Gabon

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

Relative Undernourishment and Food Insecurity Associations with Plasmodium falciparum Among Batwa Pygmies in Uganda: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Survey

Although malnutrition and malaria co-occur among individuals and populations globally, effects of nutritional status on risk for parasitemia and clinical illness remain poorly understood. We investigated associations between Plasmodium falciparum infection, nutrition, and food security in a cross-sectional survey of 365 Batwa pygmies in Kanungu District, Uganda in January of 2013. We identified 4.1% parasite prevalence among individuals over 5 years old. Severe food insecurity was associated with increased risk for positive rapid immunochromatographic test outcome (adjusted relative risk [ARR] = 13.09; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 2.23–76.79). High age/sex-adjusted mid-upper arm circumference was associated with decreased risk for positive test among individuals who were not severely food-insecure (ARR = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.19–0.69). Within Batwa pygmy communities, where malnutrition and food insecurity are common, individuals who are particularly undernourished or severely food-insecure may have elevated risk for P. falciparum parasitemia. This finding may motivate integrated control of malaria and malnutrition in low-transmission settings

Preparation of BF3 Carbonates and their Electrochemical Investigation as Additives in Lithium Ion Batteries

This study reports the behavior of the compounds BF3•D (with D = dimethyl carbonate, ethylene carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, propylene carbonate) as electrolyte additives in Li[Ni0.33Co0.33Mn0.33O2]/graphite cells with LiPF6 (1 M) in EC:EMC (3:7 wt%) as electrolyte. The adducts were prepared from gaseous BF3 with the corresponding carbonates in a simple Lewis acid base reaction and fully characterized (FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction). The electrochemical behavior of the additives was examined at concentrations of 1 wt% and 0.25 wt% added to the electrolyte. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of cells with 1 wt% additive, display a significantly lower cell impedance than cells without additive, but also a slightly decreased capacity. To combine the high capacity retention with a low cell impedance the concentration of the additive was reduced. Thus, cell testing with 0.25 wt% additive incorporated with the electrolyte showed no difference in capacity retention after 55 cycles at 25 °C, but had lower cell impedance. The rate-performance test shows a higher capacity retention for cells with additive at high C-rates. The surface chemistry of the electrodes was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and suggests that the additives react on both electrodes (Li[Ni0.33Co0.33Mn0.33O2] and graphite) and improve the electrode interphases

Investigation of Mixtures of BF3 Carbonates and LiX (X = OCH2CF3, OC(H)(CF3)2, CO2CF3) as Novel Electrolyte Systems for Lithium Ion Batteries

The stoichiometric 1:1 combination of LiX (X = OCH2CF3, OC(H)(CF3)2, CO2CF3) with BF3•D (D = dimethyl carbonate, ethylene carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, propylene carbonate and diethyl ether) yields an electrolyte with a significantly increased conductivity in comparison to pure LiX in EC:EMC (3:7 wt%). The combination of Li[CO2CF3] and BF3•EC displays with 5.8 mS•cm-1 (1.5 mol•L-1) the highest conductivity of all investigated systems, which is also higher than that of LiBF4 in the same solvent. NMR studies of all composite electrolytes show the presence of various boron species like BX3, Li[BF3X], Li[BF2X2] and Li[BFX3], which distribute characteristically for each LiX. The investigation of the electrochemical behavior of the composite electrolytes in Li[Ni0.33Mn0.33Co0.33O2]/graphite cells showed a direct relation between cycling behavior, impedance and boron content on CEI/SEI. In the differential plots of the first cycle, an irreversible oxidation was observed in all cells, which is attributed to the formation of the SEI of the composite electrolyte. Ex situ analysis of the electrodes with XPS showed an increase of the boron content on the surface of both electrodes in the order of Li[OC(H)(CF3)2] \u3c Li[OCH2CF3] \u3c Li[CO2CF3]. This ordering was also found for the growth of the impedance of the cells

GPs’ views on the use of depression screening and GP-targeted feedback: a qualitative study

The first aim of this qualitative study was to identify general practitioners' (GPs') views on depression screening combined with GP-targeted feedback in primary care. The second aim was to determine the needs and preferences of GPs with respect to GP-targeted feedback to enhance the efficacy of depression screening. A semistructured qualitative interview was conducted with officially registered GPs in Hamburg (Germany). Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive approach was used to code the transcripts. Nine GPs (27 to 70 years; 5 male) from Hamburg, Germany, participated. Regarding depression screening combined with GP-targeted feedback, five thematic groups were identified: application of screening; screening and patient-physician relationships; GPs' attitudes towards screening; benefits and concerns related to screening; and GPs' needs and preferences regarding feedback. While the negative aspects of screening can be described in rather general terms (e.g., screening determines the mental health competence, screening threatens the doctor-patient relationship, revealing questions harm the patients), its advantages were very specific (e.g., promoting the identification of undetected cases, relief of the daily workload, wider communication channel to reach more patients). Standardized GP-targeted feedback of the screening results was perceived as helpful and purposeful. GPs preferred feedback materials that eased their clinical workload (e.g., short text with visuals, pictures, or images). Addressing GPs' needs is essential when implementing depression screening tools in clinical practice. To overcome prejudices and enhance the efficacy of screening, further education for GPs on the purpose and application on depression screening may be needed. Standardized GP-targeted feedback in combination with depression screening could be the missing link to improve the detection of depression in primary care

Resilienz durch Energiespeicher

Der Beitrag gibt ein Überblick über den Resilienz Beitrag von Energiespeichern und die dafür verfügbare Technologie-Optione

Depression screening using patient-targeted feedback in general practices: study protocol of the German multicentre GET.FEEDBACK.GP randomised controlled trial

Introduction Approximately one out of six patients in primary care suffers from depression, which often remains undetected. Evidence regarding the efficacy of depression screening in primary care, however, is inconsistent. A previous single-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT) in cardiac patients, the DEPSCREEN-INFO trial, provided the first evidence that written feedback to patients following a positive depression screening reduces depression severity and leads to more comprehensive patient engagement in mental healthcare. To amplify these effects, the feedback should be tailored according to patients’ needs and preferences. The GET.FEEDBACK.GP RCT will test the efficacy of this patient-targeted feedback intervention in primary care.Methods and analysis The multicentre three-arm GET.FEEDBACK.GP RCT aims to recruit a total of 1074 primary care patients from North, East and South Germany. Patients will be screened for depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). In the case of a positive depression screening result (PHQ-9 score ≥10), the participant will be randomised into one of three groups to either receive (a) patient-targeted and general practitioner (GP)-targeted feedback regarding the depression screening results, (b) only GP-targeted feedback or (c) no feedback. Patients will be followed over a period of 12 months. The primary outcome is depression severity (PHQ-9) 6 months after screening. Secondary outcomes include patient engagement in mental healthcare, professional depression care and cost-effectiveness. According to a statistical analysis plan, the primary endpoint of all randomised patients will be analysed regarding the intention-to-treat principle.Ethics and dissemination The Ethics Committee of the Hamburg Medical Association approved the study. A clinical trial company will ensure data safety, monitoring and supervision. The multicentre GET.FEEDBACK.GP RCT is the first trial in primary care that tests the efficacy of a patient-targeted feedback intervention as an adjunct to depression screening. Its results have the potential to influence future depression guidelines and will be disseminated in scientific as well as patient-friendly language.Trial registration number NCT03988985