Bimetallic and Trimetallic Nanoparticles for Fuel Cell Electrocatalysis

Theoretical, high level ab initio investigations on representative clusters as well as on extended systems are conducted to determine the electronic, geometric, and thermodynamic factors that determine catalytic and electrocatalytic behavior, focusing in the reduction of oxygen in acid medium. The study of adsorption and reaction processes generates the information needed for force field development to be used in the analysis of nanocatalyst particles, their support, and their environment through large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, which include collective effects at the nanosecond time scale. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations are used to explore reaction mechanisms, and this technique along with transition state theory calculations allows us to obtain the information needed about activation energies and estimates of the rate constants. Dynamic Monte Carlo simulations combine the results of the first three sets of studies yielding kinetics information within a time scale in the range of seconds and length scales of the order of hundreds of nanometers, including nanocatalyst/support/environment

PMMA-Assisted Plasma Patterning of Graphene

Microelectronic fabrication of Si typically involves high-temperature or high-energy processes. For instance, wafer fabrication, transistor fabrication, and silicidation are all above 500°C. Contrary to that tradition, we believe low-energy processes constitute a better alternative to enable the industrial application of single-molecule devices based on 2D materials. The present work addresses the postsynthesis processing of graphene at unconventional low temperature, low energy, and low pressure in the poly methyl-methacrylate- (PMMA-) assisted transfer of graphene to oxide wafer, in the electron-beam lithography with PMMA, and in the plasma patterning of graphene with a PMMA ribbon mask. During the exposure to the oxygen plasma, unprotected areas of graphene are converted to graphene oxide. The exposure time required to produce the ribbon patterns on graphene is 2 minutes. We produce graphene ribbon patterns with ∼50 nm width and integrate them into solid state and liquid gated transistor devices.)e submitted manuscript has been created by UChicago Argonne, LLC, Operator of Argonne National Laboratory (“Argonne”). Argonne, a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science laboratory, is operated under Contract DE-AC02-06CH11357. )e U.S. Government retains for itself, and others acting on its behalf, a paid-up nonexclusive, irrevocable worldwide license in said article to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, by or on behalf of the government. Funding text #2 )e Center for Nanoscale Materials was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Contract DE-AC02-06CH11357. )e authors also acknowledge financial support from Argonne National Laboratory’s Laboratory-Directed Research and Development Strategic Initiative.Revisión por pare

Spatial coherence measurement of a high average power table-top soft X-ray laser

Includes bibliographical references (page 126).An extraordinarily high degree of spatial coherence from a high average power tabletop 46.9 nm laser was observed in two-pinhole interference experiments. Refractive anti-guiding and gain guiding along a capillary discharge-produced plasma column causes a rapid increase of the spatial coherence with amplifier length. Full spatial coherence was approached with a 36 cm long plasma of very high axial uniformity and a length to diameter ratio exceeding 1000: 1

Prospects of reflectometry and ellipsometry with Colorado State University tabletop XUV laser, The

Includes bibliographical references (page 457).The capillary discharge ArIX laser (wavelength 46.9nm) is a new device attractive for various applications due to its unique for XUV lasers properties: high average power and compactness. Reflectometry and ellipsometry are among them. The first is capable to provide fundamental data on optical constants of solids, which are still rather limited. Reflection coefficient in this spectral range is highly sensitive to the presence of an over layer at the surface of a sample. This hinders bulk optical constants determination, but offers the possibility to study chemical contamination by ambience. The theory of reflection from a surface with a thin overlayer is developed. It enables to rigorously include overlayer into reflectometry data processing and derive separately the parameters of bulk and overlayer. Ellipsometry in general is more powerful than reflectometry method to measure optical constants. In addition it offers the accurate methods to measure film thickness and properties of magnetic materials. Unfortunately high quality analyzers and polarizers are not available in this spectral range, which requires specific approach to ellipsometric measurements. We discuss and use for this purpose Sc/Si multilayer structures

Enrichment of guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) meat with omega-3 fatty acids by diets with fish oil and sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) seeds

El objetivo del estudio fue enriquecer la carne de cuy (Cavia porcellus) con ácidos grasos omega-3 mediante el uso de dietas con fuentes de omega-3. Se utilizaron 48 cuyes machos de 42 días de edad y peso inicial de 615 g. Los cuyes se asignaron al azar a cuatro tratamientos con tres repeticiones (pozas) de cuatro cuyes cada una. Los tratamientos fueron: 1) Dieta control; 2) Dieta suplementada con 1.0% de aceite de pescado; 3) Dieta suplementada con 4.0% de semilla de sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis); y 4) Dieta suplementada con 1.0% de aceite de pescado + 4.0% de semilla de sacha inchi. La fase experimental tuvo una duración de 28 días. La carne de cuyes alimentados con la dieta con aceite de pescado presentó 1.36% de omega-3 de cadena larga (0.63% ácido eicosapentaenoico [EPA] + 0.73% ácido docosahexaenoico [DHA]) y aquella con dieta con aceite de pescado más sacha inchi alcanzó 0.99% de omega-3 (0.44% EPA + 0.55% DHA). Las carnes de cuyes alimentados con la dieta control o con semillas de sacha inchi no presentaron omega-3 de cadena larga EPA/DHA, pero si omega-3 de cadena corta α-linolénico (ALA). Asimismo, la carne de cuyes alimentados con la dieta con sacha inchi exhibió el más alto contenido de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (51.35%) y el menor de ácidos grasos monoinsaturados (21.97%) y de ácidos grasos saturados (25.49%). Se concluye que la dieta con aceite de pescado produjo en la carne de cuy una retención de ácidos grasos omega-3 EPA y DHA, mientras que la dieta con semillas de sacha inchi solo hubo retención de omega-3 ALA.The aim of this study was to enrich guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) meat with omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by diets with omega-3 sources. A total of 48 male guinea pigs, 42 day old and 615 g body weight were used. The guinea pigs were randomly assigned to four treatments with three replicates (pens) with four individuals each. The dietary treatments were: 1) Control diet; 2) 1.0% fish oil supplemented diet; 3) 4.0% sacha inchi seeds (Plukenetia volubilis) supplemented diet; and 4) 1.0% fish oil + 4.0% sacha inchi seeds supplemented diet. The experiment lasted 28 days. The meat of guinea pig supplemented with fish oil contained 1.36% large chain omega-3 fatty acids (0.63% eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] + 0.73% docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) and those supplemented with the fish oil + sacha inchi had 0.99% large chain omega-3 fatty acids (0.44% EPA + 0.55% DHA). Guinea pigs on the control diet and those supplemented with sacha inchi seeds contained no large chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) but short chain omega-3 fatty acid α-linolenic acid (ALA). Furthermore, meat of guinea pig fed on the sacha inchi diet showed the highest level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (51.35%), the lowest content of monounsaturated fatty acids (21.97%) and the lowest concentration of saturated fatty acids (25.49%). It is concluded that the diet with fish oil produced retention of omega-3 EPA and DHA in guinea pig meat, while the diet with sacha inchi seeds only retained omega-3 ALA

Applications of high repetition rate tabletop soft X-ray lasers become a reality in several fields

Includes bibliographical references (page 468).For many years researchers have envisioned the development of compact high repetition rate tabletop soft x-ray laser, that could be routinely used in application in numerous disciplines. With demonstrated average powers of several mW and millijoule-level pulse energy at 46.9nm, the Ne-like Ar capillary discharge-pumped laser is the first compact laser to reach this goal. In this paper we summarize the development status of high repetition rate tabletop soft x-ray lasers based on capillary discharge excitation, and give examples of their successful use in several applications. Results of the use of a caprllary discharge pumped 46.9nm laser m dense plasma interferometry, soft x-ray reflectometry for the determination of optical constants, characterization of diffraction gratings, laser ablation of materials, and plasma generation are described. The observation of lasing at 52.9nm line in Ne-like Cl with output pulse energy up to 10 μJ is also reported

Strategies towards enabling lithium metal in batteries: interphases and electrodes

Despite the continuous increase in capacity, lithium-ion intercalation batteries are approaching their performance limits. As a result, research is intensifying on next-generation battery technologies. The use of a lithium metal anode promises the highest theoretical energy density and enables use of lithium-free or novel high-energy cathodes. However, the lithium metal anode suffers from poor morphological stability and Coulombic efficiency during cycling, especially in liquid electrolytes. In contrast to solid electrolytes, liquid electrolytes have the advantage of high ionic conductivity and good wetting of the anode, despite the lithium metal volume change during cycling. Rapid capacity fade due to inhomogeneous deposition and dissolution of lithium is the main hindrance to the successful utilization of the lithium metal anode in combination with liquid electrolytes. In this perspective, we discuss how experimental and theoretical insights can provide possible pathways for reversible cycling of twodimensional lithium metal. Therefore, we discuss improvements in the understanding of lithium metal nucleation, deposition, and stripping on the nanoscale. As the solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) plays a key role in the lithium morphology, we discuss how the proper SEI design might allow stable cycling. We highlight recent advances in conventional and (localized) highly concentrated electrolytes in view of their respective SEIs. We also discuss artificial interphases and three-dimensional host frameworks, which show prospects of mitigating morphological instabilities and suppressing large shape change on the electrode level

Acupuncture and rehabilitation of the painful shoulder: study protocol of an ongoing multicentre randomised controlled clinical trial [ISRCTN28687220]

BACKGROUND: Although the painful shoulder is one of the most common dysfunctions of the locomotor apparatus, and is frequently treated both at primary healthcare centres and by specialists, little evidence has been reported to support or refute the effectiveness of the treatments most commonly applied. According to the bibliography reviewed, physiotherapy, which is the most common action taken to alleviate this problem, has not yet been proven to be effective, because of the small size of sample groups and the lack of methodological rigor in the papers published on the subject. No reviews have been made to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating this complaint, but in recent years controlled randomised studies have been made and these demonstrate an increasing use of acupuncture to treat pathologies of the soft tissues of the shoulder. In this study, we seek to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy applied jointly with acupuncture, compared with physiotherapy applied with a TENS-placebo, in the treatment of painful shoulder caused by subacromial syndrome (rotator cuff tendinitis and subacromial bursitis). METHODS/DESIGN: Randomised controlled multicentre study with blind evaluation by an independent observer and blind, independent analysis. A study will be made of 465 patients referred to the rehabilitation services at participating healthcare centres, belonging to the regional public health systems of Andalusia and Murcia, these patients presenting symptoms of painful shoulder and a diagnosis of subacromial syndrome (rotator cuff tendinitis and subacromial bursitis). The patients will be randomised into two groups: 1) experimental (acupuncture + physiotherapy); 2) control (TENS-placebo + physiotherapy); the administration of rescue medication will also be allowed. The treatment period will have a duration of three weeks. The main result variable will be the change produced on Constant's Shoulder Function Assessment (SFA) Scale; as secondary variables, we will record the changes in diurnal pain intensity on a visual analogue scale (VAS), nocturnal pain intensity on the VAS, doses of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken during the study period, credibility scale for the treatment, degree of improvement perceived by the patient and degree of improvement perceived by the evaluator. A follow up examination will be made at 3, 6 and 12 months after the study period has ended. Two types of population will be considered for analysis: per protocol and per intention to treat. DISCUSSION: The discussion will take into account the limitations of the study, together with considerations such as the choice of a simple, safe method to treat this shoulder complaint, the choice of the control group, and the blinding of the patients, evaluators and those responsible for carrying out the final analysis

Immunoglobulin, glucocorticoid, or combination therapy for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a propensity-weighted cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a hyperinflammatory condition associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, has emerged as a serious illness in children worldwide. Immunoglobulin or glucocorticoids, or both, are currently recommended treatments. METHODS: The Best Available Treatment Study evaluated immunomodulatory treatments for MIS-C in an international observational cohort. Analysis of the first 614 patients was previously reported. In this propensity-weighted cohort study, clinical and outcome data from children with suspected or proven MIS-C were collected onto a web-based Research Electronic Data Capture database. After excluding neonates and incomplete or duplicate records, inverse probability weighting was used to compare primary treatments with intravenous immunoglobulin, intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, or glucocorticoids alone, using intravenous immunoglobulin as the reference treatment. Primary outcomes were a composite of inotropic or ventilator support from the second day after treatment initiation, or death, and time to improvement on an ordinal clinical severity scale. Secondary outcomes included treatment escalation, clinical deterioration, fever, and coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN69546370. FINDINGS: We enrolled 2101 children (aged 0 months to 19 years) with clinically diagnosed MIS-C from 39 countries between June 14, 2020, and April 25, 2022, and, following exclusions, 2009 patients were included for analysis (median age 8·0 years [IQR 4·2-11·4], 1191 [59·3%] male and 818 [40·7%] female, and 825 [41·1%] White). 680 (33·8%) patients received primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, 698 (34·7%) with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, 487 (24·2%) with glucocorticoids alone; 59 (2·9%) patients received other combinations, including biologicals, and 85 (4·2%) patients received no immunomodulators. There were no significant differences between treatments for primary outcomes for the 1586 patients with complete baseline and outcome data that were considered for primary analysis. Adjusted odds ratios for ventilation, inotropic support, or death were 1·09 (95% CI 0·75-1·58; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids and 0·93 (0·58-1·47; corrected p value=1·00) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Adjusted average hazard ratios for time to improvement were 1·04 (95% CI 0·91-1·20; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, and 0·84 (0·70-1·00; corrected p value=0·22) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Treatment escalation was less frequent for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids (OR 0·15 [95% CI 0·11-0·20]; p<0·0001) and glucocorticoids alone (0·68 [0·50-0·93]; p=0·014) versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Persistent fever (from day 2 onward) was less common with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids compared with either intravenous immunoglobulin alone (OR 0·50 [95% CI 0·38-0·67]; p<0·0001) or glucocorticoids alone (0·63 [0·45-0·88]; p=0·0058). Coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution did not differ significantly between treatment groups. INTERPRETATION: Recovery rates, including occurrence and resolution of coronary artery aneurysms, were similar for primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin when compared to glucocorticoids or intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids. Initial treatment with glucocorticoids appears to be a safe alternative to immunoglobulin or combined therapy, and might be advantageous in view of the cost and limited availability of intravenous immunoglobulin in many countries. FUNDING: Imperial College London, the European Union's Horizon 2020, Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Foundation, UK National Institute for Health and Care Research, and National Institutes of Health

Demonstration of a 10-μJ tabletop laser at 52.9 nm in neon-like chlorine

Includes bibliographical references (page 1024).We report the demonstration of laser amplification at 52.9 nm in Ne-like Cl with a compact capillary discharge. Laser output pulses with energies of as much as 10 μJ have been obtained. The beam divergence was approximately 4 mrad. This new 23.4-eV tabletop laser is of particular interest for applications that require high peak fluxes of photons with energy slightly below the He photoionization threshold