246 research outputs found
Scalable Synthesis of Microsized, Nanocrystalline ZnFeO-C Secondary Particles and Their Use in ZnFe O-C/LiNiMnO Lithium-Ion Full Cells
Conversion/alloying materials (CAMs) are a potential alternative to graphite as Liâion anodes, especially for highâpower performance. The so far most investigated CAM is carbonâcoated ZnFeO, which provides very high specific capacity of more than 900 mAhâg and good rate capability. Especially for the latter the optimal particle size is in the nanometer regime. However, this leads to limited electrode packing densities and safety issues in largeâscale handling and processing. Herein, a new synthesis route including three sprayâdrying steps that results in the formation of microsized, spherical secondary particles is reported. The resulting particles with sizes of 10â15 ÎŒm are composed of carbonâcoated ZnFeO nanocrystals with an average diameter of approximately 30â40 nm. The carbon coating ensures fast electron transport in the secondary particles and, thus, high rate capability of the resulting electrodes. Coupling partially prelithiated, carbonâcoated ZnFeO anodes with LiNiMnO cathodes results in cobaltâfree Liâion cells delivering a specific energy of up to 284 Whâkg (at 1âC rate) and power of 1105 Wâkgâ1 (at 3âC) with remarkable energy efficiency (>93â% at 1âC and 91.8â% at 3âC)
Reducing Capacity and Voltage Decay of Co-Free Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 as Positive Electrode Material for Lithium Batteries Employing an Ionic Liquid-Based Electrolyte
Lithiumârich layered oxides (LRLOs) exhibit specific capacities above 250 mAh g, i.e., higher than any of the commercially employed lithiumâionâpositive electrode materials. Such high capacities result in high specific energies, meeting the tough requirements for electric vehicle applications. However, LRLOs generally suffer from severe capacity and voltage fading, originating from undesired structural transformations during cycling. Herein, the ecoâfriendly, cobaltâfree LiNiMnO (LRNM), offering a specific energy above 800 Wh kg at 0.1 C, is investigated in combination with a lithium metal anode and a room temperature ionic liquidâbased electrolyte, i.e., lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and NâbutylâNâmethylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide. As evidenced by electrochemical performance and highâresolution transmission electron microscopy, Xâray photoelectron spectroscopy, and online differential electrochemical mass spectrometry characterization, this electrolyte is capable of suppressing the structural transformation of the positive electrode material, resulting in enhanced cycling stability compared to conventional carbonateâbased electrolytes. Practically, the capacity and voltage fading are significantly limited to only 19% and 3% (i.e., lower than 0.2 mV per cycle), respectively, after 500 cycles. Finally, the beneficial effect of the ionic liquidâbased electrolyte is validated in lithiumâion cells employing LRNM and LiTiO. These cells achieve a promising capacity retention of 80% after 500 cycles at 1 C
The mechanism of hydration of MgO-hydromagnesite blends
The hydration of reactive periclase (MgO) in the presence of hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O) was investigated by a variety of physical and chemical techniques. Hydration of pure MgO-water mixtures gave very weak pastes of brucite (Mg(OH)2), but hydration of MgO-hydromagnesite blends gave pastes which set quickly and gave compressive strengths of potential interest for construction applications. The strengths of the blends increased with hydration time at least up to 28 days, and were not significantly decreased by increasing the hydromagnesite content up to 30%. Raman spectroscopy suggests that an amorphous phase, of composition between that of brucite, hydromagnesite and water, may form. Small amounts of calcite also form due to CaO in the MgO source. Thermodynamic calculations imply that the crystalline phase artinite (MgCO3·Mg(OH)2·3H2O) should be the stable product in this system, but it is not observed by either XRD or FTIR techniques, which suggests that its growth may be kinetically hindered
Assimilation of healthy and indulgent impressions from labelling influences fullness but not intake or sensory experience
Background: Recent evidence suggests that products believed to be healthy may be over-consumed relative to believed indulgent or highly caloric products. The extent to which these effects relate to expectations from labelling, oral experience or assimilation of expectations is unclear. Over two experiments, we tested the hypotheses that healthy and indulgent information could be assimilated by oral experience of beverages and influence sensory evaluation, expected satiety, satiation and subsequent appetite. Additionally, we explored how expectation-experience congruency influenced these factors.
Results: Results supported some assimilation of healthiness and indulgent ratingsâstudy 1 showed that indulgent ratings enhanced by the indulgent label persisted post-tasting, and this resulted in increased fullness ratings.
In study 2, congruency of healthy labels and oral experience promoted enhanced healthiness ratings. These healthiness and indulgent beliefs did not influence sensory analysis or intakeâthese were dictated by the products themselves. Healthy labels, but not experience, were associated with decreased expected satiety.
Conclusions: Overall labels generated expectations, and some assimilation where there were congruencies between expectation and experience, but oral experience tended to override initial expectations to determine ultimate sensory evaluations and intake. Familiarity with the sensory properties of the test beverages may have resulted in the use of prior knowledge, rather than the label information, to guide evaluations and behaviour
Stress induced polarization of immune-neuroendocrine phenotypes in Gallus gallus
Immune-neuroendocrine phenotypes (INPs) stand for population subgroups differing in immune-neuroendocrine interactions. While mammalian INPs have been characterized thoroughly in rats and humans, avian INPs were only recently described in Coturnix coturnix (quail). To assess the scope of this biological phenomenon, herein we characterized INPs in Gallus gallus (a domestic hen strain submitted to a very long history of strong selective breeding pressure) and evaluated whether a social chronic stress challenge modulates the individualsâ interplay affecting the INP subsets and distribution. Evaluating plasmatic basal corticosterone, interferon-Îł and interleukin-4 concentrations, innate/acquired leukocyte ratio, PHA-P skin-swelling and induced antibody responses, two opposite INP profiles were found: LEWIS-like (15% of the population) and FISCHER-like (16%) hens. After chronic stress, an increment of about 12% in each polarized INP frequency was found at expenses of a reduction in the number of birds with intermediate responses. Results show that polarized INPs are also a phenomenon occurring in hens. The observed inter-individual variation suggest that, even after a considerable selection process, the population is still well prepared to deal with a variety of immune-neuroendocrine challenges. Stress promoted disruptive effects, leading to a more balanced INPs distribution, which represents a new substrate for challenging situations.Fil: Nazar, Franco Nicolas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones BiolĂłgicas y TecnolĂłgicas. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, FĂsicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones BiolĂłgicas y TecnolĂłgicas; ArgentinaFil: Estevez, Inma. Centro de InvestigaciĂłn. Neiker - Tecnalia; EspañaFil: Correa, Silvia Graciela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico CĂłrdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en BioquĂmica ClĂnica e InmunologĂa; ArgentinaFil: Marin, Raul Hector. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones BiolĂłgicas y TecnolĂłgicas. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, FĂsicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones BiolĂłgicas y TecnolĂłgicas; Argentin
The role of emotions on consumersâ satisfaction within the fitness context
Previous studies have suggested that consumption-related emotions are important to understand post-purchase
reactions. This study examines the relationship between fitness consumersâ emotions and overall satisfaction. After an
initial step of free-thought listing and content validity, followed by a pre-test, a survey was conducted among consumers
of five different fitness centers (n=786). The questionnaire included measures to assess positive and negative emotions,
as well as overall satisfaction with the fitness center. The results gathered through a structural equation model provide
evidence that negative emotion experienced by consumers impacts negatively overall satisfaction, while positive emotion
have a positive effect on overall satisfaction. These findings suggest managerial implications, such as the need to collect
consumersâ perceptions of both tangible and intangible aspects of the services, listen costumersâ opinions in a regular
basis, and provide regular training to staff members, in order to identify the triggers of positive emotions and contribute
to increased levels of overall satisfaction. Guidelines for future research within the fitness context are also suggested.Estudos precedentes sugerem
que as emoçÔes relacionadas com o consumo são importantes para compreender as reaçÔes dos consumidores após a
compra. Este estudo analisa a relação entre as emoçÔes dos consumidores de fitness e satisfação global. Depois de uma
etapa inicial de listagem de pensamento-livre e validade de conteĂșdo, seguido de um prĂ©-teste, foi realizada uma pesquisa
entre os consumidores de cinco centros de fitness diferentes (n = 786). O questionĂĄrio incluiu medidas para avaliar as
emoçÔes positivas e negativas, bem como a satisfação global com o centro de fitness. Os resultados obtidos através de
um modelo de equaçÔes estruturais forneceram evidĂȘncias de que as emoçÔes negativas vivenciadas pelos consumidores
impactam negativamente a satisfação global, enquanto as emoçÔes positivas tĂȘm um efeito positivo sobre a satisfação
global. Estes resultados sugerem implicaçÔes para os gestores, tais como a necessidade de recolher informação sobre a
perceção dos consumidores dos aspetos tangĂveis e intangĂveis dos serviços, ouvir regularmente as opiniĂ”es dos consumidores
e facultar formação regular aos colaboradores. Isto permitirå identificar os aspetos que desencadeiam emoçÔes
positivas e contribuir para o aumento dos nĂveis de satisfação global. OrientaçÔes para futuras pesquisas no contexto de
fitness também são sugeridas.Sin financiación0.185 SJR (2015) Q3, 1090/1779 Medicine (miscellaneous); Q4, 177/229 Health (social science), 112/128 Sports scienceUE
A Visual Pathway Links Brain Structures Active during Magnetic Compass Orientation in Migratory Birds
The magnetic compass of migratory birds has been suggested to be light-dependent. Retinal cryptochrome-expressing neurons and a forebrain region, âCluster Nâ, show high neuronal activity when night-migratory songbirds perform magnetic compass orientation. By combining neuronal tracing with behavioral experiments leading to sensory-driven gene expression of the neuronal activity marker ZENK during magnetic compass orientation, we demonstrate a functional neuronal connection between the retinal neurons and Cluster N via the visual thalamus. Thus, the two areas of the central nervous system being most active during magnetic compass orientation are part of an ascending visual processing stream, the thalamofugal pathway. Furthermore, Cluster N seems to be a specialized part of the visual wulst. These findings strongly support the hypothesis that migratory birds use their visual system to perceive the reference compass direction of the geomagnetic field and that migratory birds âseeâ the reference compass direction provided by the geomagnetic field
The management and outcome for patients with chronic subdural hematoma: a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study in the United Kingdom
Symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) will become an increasingly common presentation in neurosurgical practice as the population ages, but quality evidence is still lacking to guide the optimal management for these patients. The British Neurosurgical Trainee Research Collaborative (BNTRC) was established by neurosurgical trainees in 2012 to improve research by combining the efforts of trainees in each of the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland's neurosurgical units (NSUs). The authors present the first study by the BNTRC that describes current management and outcomes for patients with CSDH throughout the UK and Ireland. This provides a resource both for current clinical practice and future clinical research on CSDH
Consumerâbrand identification revisited: An integrative framework of brand identification, customer satisfaction, and price image and their role for brand loyalty and word of mouth
Consumerâbrand identification has received considerable attraction among scholars and practitioners in recent years. We contribute to previous research by proposing an integrative model that includes consumerâbrand identification, customer satisfaction, and price image to investigate the interrelationships among these constructs as well as their effects on brand loyalty and positive word of mouth. To provide general results, we empirically test the model using a sample of 1443 respondents from a representative consumer panel and 10 service/product brands. The results demonstrate that identification, satisfaction, and price image significantly influence both loyalty and word of mouth. Moreover, we find significant interrelationships among the constructs: Identification positively influences both satisfaction and price image, which also increases satisfaction. By disclosing the relative importance of three separate ways of gaining and retaining customers, this study helps managers more appropriately choose the right mix of branding, pricing, and relationship marketing. From an academic point of view, our research is the first to explicitly examine the effects of the concept of identification for price management and to integrate variables from the fields of branding, relationship marketing, and behavioral pricing, which have separately been identified as particularly important determinants of marketing outcomes
The 2018 Lake Louise Acute Mountain Sickness Score.
Roach, Robert C., Peter H. Hackett, Oswald Oelz, Peter BĂ€rtsch, Andrew M. Luks, Martin J. MacInnis, J. Kenneth Baillie, and The Lake Louise AMS Score Consensus Committee. The 2018 Lake Louise Acute Mountain Sickness Score. High Alt Med Biol 19:1-4, 2018.- The Lake Louise Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) scoring system has been a useful research tool since first published in 1991. Recent studies have shown that disturbed sleep at altitude, one of the five symptoms scored for AMS, is more likely due to altitude hypoxia per se, and is not closely related to AMS. To address this issue, and also to evaluate the Lake Louise AMS score in light of decades of experience, experts in high altitude research undertook to revise the score. We here present an international consensus statement resulting from online discussions and meetings at the International Society of Mountain Medicine World Congress in Bolzano, Italy, in May 2014 and at the International Hypoxia Symposium in Lake Louise, Canada, in February 2015. The consensus group has revised the score to eliminate disturbed sleep as a questionnaire item, and has updated instructions for use of the score
- âŠ