Boosting the Power of Na0.44MnO2: Unlocking Its Potential for Aqueous Sodium-Ion Storage through Nanostructuring and Hybridization

We report an effective processing route, combining nanostructure formation and hybridization, to improve the rate performance of the tunnel-structure sodium manganese oxide Na0.44MnO2 (NMO) as a cathode material for aqueous sodium ion storage. We use hydrothermal synthesis to prepare an NMO/CNF (Carbon NanoFiber) hybrid, consisting of uniform oxide nanowires with an average width of 70 nm and length in the range of several tenths of µm. The highly dispersed CNFs impart high conductivity to the NMO/CNF electrode, allowing high-rate performance at a C-rate of up to 20 C, with a delivered capacity of more than half the theoretical value in a 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. Moreover, the NMO/CNF hybrid shows good electrochemical stability under several hundred cycles at a high C-rate. However, the NMO nanowire electrodes reveal a lower-than-expected capacity, probably as a result of the tendency of nanowires to form bundles, which prevents direct contact with conductive fibers and induce the under-utilization of active material. With this study, we demonstrate a strong improvement of the otherwise inherently low-rate performance of NMO through oxide nanostructuring and hybridization with carbon fibers, paving the way for further research on NMO-based materials for aqueous sodium ion storage

Professionals' use of ICT in hospitals: the interplay between institutional and rational factors

This study gathers novel evidence on the interplay between the organisational and the individual mechanisms that affect the continued use of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) in hospitals. Our model integrates mechanisms inspired by both Institutional Theory (i.e., organisational expectations, change culture and alignment of meaning systems) and Technology Acceptance Models (i.e., perceived usefulness and ease of use). Tested on hospital professionals, our results point out the predominant role played by rational, individual-level mechanisms and the interplay with organisational expectations, as the only institutional factor that affects the continued use through both direct and mediate relationships

Boosting the Power of Na_0.44MnO₂: Unlocking Its Potential for Aqueous Sodium-Ion Storage through Nanostructuring and Hybridization

We report an effective processing route, combining nanostructure formation and hybridization, to improve the rate performance of the tunnel-structure sodium manganese oxide Na0.44MnO2 (NMO) as a cathode material for aqueous sodium ion storage. We use hydrothermal synthesis to prepare an NMO/CNF (Carbon NanoFiber) hybrid, consisting of uniform oxide nanowires with an average width of 70 nm and length in the range of several tenths of µm. The highly dispersed CNFs impart high conductivity to the NMO/CNF electrode, allowing high-rate performance at a C-rate of up to 20 C, with a delivered capacity of more than half the theoretical value in a 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. Moreover, the NMO/CNF hybrid shows good electrochemical stability under several hundred cycles at a high C-rate. However, the NMO nanowire electrodes reveal a lower-than-expected capacity, probably as a result of the tendency of nanowires to form bundles, which prevents direct contact with conductive fibers and induce the under-utilization of active material. With this study, we demonstrate a strong improvement of the otherwise inherently low-rate performance of NMO through oxide nanostructuring and hybridization with carbon fibers, paving the way for further research on NMO-based materials for aqueous sodium ion storage

Corrosion rate of high CO2 pressure pipeline steel for carbon capture transport and storage

The paper deals with the effect of pressure, temperature and time on corrosion rate of pipeline steels in CO2 saturated water and in humid saturated CO2 gas in the range from 25 to 60° C and pressure from 20 to 145 bar, up to 400 hours of exposure. The results of weight loss tests show very high rates in the aqueous phase, one or two order of magnitude higher than the values obtained in CO2 saturated with water, but remaining in any case much lower than values extrapolated by De Waard and Milliams model at high partial pressure. Depending on temperature and rpessure, cementite and iron carbonate scales can grow on metallic surface reducing corrosion rate. SEM and metallographic analysis evidenced the evolution of scale from defective cementite-based layer to protective compact carbonate scale

Alcune immagini legate all'acqua in Filone Alessandrino

The paper explores the most frequent metaphors, allegories, and figures of thought Philo of Alexandria associates with the biblical water. The investigation sheds light on strongly connotated meanings which Philo tends to relate with water, and which can be classified in ‘positive’, ‘negative’ and ‘neuter’. In images related to water the spheres both of corporeity and of spirituality are reflected. It is also put forward that in many cases the images are related to or share similarities with Philo’s conception of λόγος

White Paper of Italian Gastroenterology: Delivery of services for digestive diseases in Italy: Weaknesses and strengths

In 2011 the three major Italian gastroenterological scientific societies (AIGO, the Italian Society of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists; SIED, the Italian Society of Endoscopy; SIGE, the Italian Society of Gastroenterology) prepared their official document aimed at analysing medical care for digestive diseases in Italy, on the basis of national and regional data (Health Ministry and Lombardia, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna databases) and to make proposals for planning of care. Digestive diseases were the first or second cause of hospitalizations in Italy in 1999-2009, with more than 1,500,000 admissions/year; however only 5-9% of these admissions was in specialized Gastroenterology units. Reported data show a better outcome in Gastroenterology Units than in non-specialized units: shorter average length of stay, in particular for admissions with ICD-9-CM codes proxying for emergency conditions (6.7 days versus 8.4 days); better case mix (higher average diagnosis-related groups weight in Gastroenterology Units: 1 vs 0.97 in Internal Medicine units and 0.76 in Surgery units); lower inappropriateness of admissions (16-25% versus 29-87%); lower in-hospital mortality in urgent admissions (2.2% versus 5.1%); for patients with urgent admissions due to gastrointestinnal haemorrhage, in-hospital mortality was 2.3% in Gastroenterology units versus 4.0% in others. The present document summarizes the scientific societies' official report, which constitutes the "White paper of Italian Gastroenterology". © 2014 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l