1,052 research outputs found
High capacity cathode materials for Li-S batteries
To enhance the stability of sulfur cathode for a high energy lithium-sulfur battery, sulfur-activated carbon (S-AC) composite was prepared by encapsulating sulfur into micropores of activated carbon using a solution-based processing technique. In the analysis using the prepared specimen of S-AC composite by the focused ion beam (FIB) technique, the elemental sulfur exists in a highly dispersed state inside the micropores of activated carbon, which has a large surface area and a narrow pore distribution. The S-AC composite was characterized through X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). A lithium-sulfur cell using the S-AC composite has a high first discharge capacity over 800 mA h g -1 S even at a high current density such as 2C (3200 mA g -1 S) and has good cycleability around 500 mA h g-1 S discharge capacity at the 50th cycle at the same current density. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry
Thermoelectric power of MgBBe
We investigated thermoelectric power of MgBBe (,
0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.6). decreases systematically with , suggesting
that the hole density increases. Our band calculation shows that the increase
occurs in the -band. With the hole-doping, decreases.
Implication of this phenomenon is discussed within the BCS framework. While the
Mott formula explains only the linear part of at low temperature,
incorporation of electron-phonon interaction enables us to explain over
wide temperature range including the anomalous behavior at high temperature.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
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Beyond absorptive capacity in open innovation process: the relationships between openness, capacities and firm performance
The literature has shown that open innovation (OI) can be a winning strategy in improving firm performance. However, in order to adopt and implement it, managers need to resolve practical problems, such as understanding the role played by OI capacities and openness on firm performance. In response to these needs, this study aims to investigate the hierarchical relationships between openness, OI capacities and performance using a structural equation model approach. This paper also attempts to compare the levels of openness between firms in different industries to discover similarities and differences in OI phenomena. The analysis of data obtained from a survey of Korean firms shows significant interrelations between openness, OI capacities and firm performance. Our results go further in developing understanding of the building blocks on which successful OI is built and particularly suggest that desorptive capacity which underpins the out-bound OI process, is in turn strongly supported by knowledge management capacity. It is hoped that the results of this study can enrich our understanding of the OI mechanism *and provide managerial and policy implications.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Taylor & Francis via http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2016.118173
What Does Free Space Lambda-Lambda Interaction Predict for Lambda-Lambda Hypernuclei?
Data on Lambda-Lambda hypernuclei provide a unique method to learn details on
the strangeness S =-2 sector of the baryon-baryon interaction. From the free
space Bonn-Julich potentials, determined from data on baryon-baryon scattering
in the S=0,-1 channels, we construct an interaction in the S =-2 sector to
describe the experimentally known Lambda-Lambda hypernuclei. After including
short--range (Jastrow) and RPA correlations, we find masses for these
Lambda-Lambda hypernuclei in a reasonable agreement with data, taking into
account theoretical and experimental uncertainties. Thus, we provide a natural
extension, at low energies, of the Bonn-Julich OBE potentials to the S =-2
channel.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, revtex4 style. Minor changes in conclusions.
References updated. Accepted in Phys. Rev. Let
Can Doubly Strange Dibaryon Resonances be Discovered at RHIC?
The baryon-baryon continuum invariant mass spectrum generated from
relativistic nucleus + nucleus collision data may reveal the existence of
doubly-strange dibaryons not stable against strong decay if they lie within a
few MeV of threshold. Furthermore, since the dominant component of these states
is a superposition of two color-octet clusters which can be produced
intermediately in a color-deconfined quark-gluon plasma (QGP), an enhanced
production of dibaryon resonances could be a signal of QGP formation. A total
of eight, doubly-strange dibaryon states are considered for experimental search
using the STAR detector (Solenoidal Tracker at RHIC) at the new Relativistic
Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). These states may decay to Lambda-Lambda and/or
proton-Cascade-minus, depending on the resonance energy. STAR's large
acceptance, precision tracking and vertex reconstruction capabilities, and
large data volume capacity, make it an ideal instrument to use for such a
search. Detector performance and analysis sensitivity are studied as a function
of resonance production rate and width for one particular dibaryon which can
directly strong decay to proton-Cascade-minus but not Lambda-Lambda. Results
indicate that such resonances may be discovered using STAR if the resonance
production rates are comparable to coalescence model predictions for dibaryon
bound states.Comment: 28 pages, 5 figures, revised versio
Different competing risks models applied to data from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry
Purpose: Here we describe some available statistical models and illustrate their use for analysis of arthroplasty registry data in the presence of the competing risk of death, when the influence of covariates on the revision rate may be different to the influence on the probability (that is, risk) of the occurrence of revision. Patients and methods: Records of 12,525 patients aged 75–84 years who had received hemiarthroplasty for fractured neck of femur were obtained from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry. The covariates whose effects we investigated were: age, sex, type of prosthesis, and type of fixation (cementless or cemented). Extensions of competing risk regression models were implemented, allowing the effects of some covariates to vary with time. Results: The revision rate was significantly higher for patients with unipolar than bipolar prostheses (HR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.01–1.89) or with monoblock than bipolar prostheses (HR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.08–1.94). It was significantly higher for the younger age group (75–79 years) than for the older one (80–84 years) (HR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.05–1.56) and higher for males than for females (HR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.09–1.71). The probability of revision, after correction for the competing risk of death, was only significantly higher for unipolar prostheses than for bipolar prostheses, and higher for the younger age group. The effect of fixation type varied with time; initially, there was a higher probability of revision for cementless prostheses than for cemented prostheses, which disappeared after approximately 1.5 years. Interpretation: When accounting for the competing risk of death, the covariates type of prosthesis and sex influenced the rate of revision differently to the probability of revision. We advocate the use of appropriate analysis tools in the presence of competing risks and when covariates have time-dependent effects.Marianne H Gillam, Amy Salter, Philip Ryan, and Stephen E Grave
The Epstein-Barr Virus G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Contributes to Immune Evasion by Targeting MHC Class I Molecules for Degradation
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human herpesvirus that persists as a largely subclinical infection in the vast majority of adults worldwide. Recent evidence indicates that an important component of the persistence strategy involves active interference with the MHC class I antigen processing pathway during the lytic replication cycle. We have now identified a novel role for the lytic cycle gene, BILF1, which encodes a glycoprotein with the properties of a constitutive signaling G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). BILF1 reduced the levels of MHC class I at the cell surface and inhibited CD8+ T cell recognition of
endogenous target antigens. The underlying mechanism involves physical association of BILF1 with MHC class I molecules, an increased turnover from the cell surface, and enhanced degradation via lysosomal proteases. The BILF1 protein of the closely related CeHV15 c1-herpesvirus of the Rhesus Old World primate (80% amino acid sequence identity) downregulated surface MHC class I similarly to EBV BILF1. Amongst the human herpesviruses, the GPCR encoded by the ORF74 of the KSHV c2-herpesvirus is most closely related to EBV BILF1 (15% amino acid sequence identity) but did not affect levels of surface MHC class I. An engineered mutant of BILF1 that was unable to activate G protein signaling pathways retained the ability to downregulate MHC class I, indicating that the immune-modulating and GPCR-signaling properties are two distinct functions of BILF1. These findings extend our understanding of the normal biology of an important human pathogen. The discovery of a third EBV lytic cycle gene that cooperates to interfere with MHC class I antigen processing underscores the importance of the need for EBV to be able to evade CD8+ T cell responses during the lytic replication cycle, at a time when such a large number of potential viral targets are expressed
A randomized cross over trial of tolerability and compliance of a micronutrient supplement with low iron separated from calcium vs high iron combined with calcium in pregnant women [ISRCTN56071145]
BACKGROUND: Prenatal micronutrient combinations with high iron content are associated with high rates of gastrointestinal symptoms. This coupled with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy results in women often discontinuing their multivitamins. A new prescription supplement (PregVit(®)) that separates iron from calcium in two tablets – morning and evening, has lower elemental iron content (35 mg), but results in similar extent of iron absorption when compared to another supplement containing (60 mg) of elemental iron (Materna(®)). The objectives of this study were to compare tolerability and compliance with PregVit(® )vs. a supplement with high iron content (Materna(®)), in pregnant women. METHODS: Randomized, crossover open labeled study in 135 pregnant women attending outpatient clinics in Ontario and Quebec. RESULTS: Use of PregVit(® )was associated with a 30% reduction in constipation rate as compared to Materna(®). Both products demonstrated similar compliance rates. Compliance of Materna(® )was negatively associated with the severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. No such correlation was found for PregVvit(®). CONCLUSION: PregVit(®), a supplement with lower iron content (35 mg), has significantly decreased constipation rates as compared to 60 mg iron- Materna and has similar compliance rates. High iron content in multivitamin supplements is associated with adverse effects in pregnancy
Study of Zγ events and limits on anomalous ZZγ and Zγγ couplings in pp̄ collisions at s=1.96TeV
We present a measurement of the Zγ production cross section and limits on anomalous ZZγ and Zγγ couplings for form-factor scales of Λ=750 and 1000 GeV. The measurement is based on 138 (152) candidates in the eeγ (μμγ) final state using 320(290)pb-1 of pp̄ collisions at s=1.96TeV. The 95% C.L. limits on real and imaginary parts of individual anomalous couplings are |h10,30Z|<0.23, |h20,40Z|<0.020, |h10,30γ|<0.23, and |h20,40γ|<0.019 for Λ=1000GeV. © 2005 The American Physical Society
Measuring productivity and efficiency: a Kalman filter approach
In the Kalman filter setting, one can model the inefficiency term of the standard stochastic frontier composed error as an unobserved state. In this study a panel data version of the local level model is used for estimating time-varying efficiencies of firms. We apply the Kalman filter to estimate average efficiencies of U.S. airlines and find that the technical efficiency of these carriers did not improve during the period 1999-2009. During this period the industry incurred substantial losses, and the efficiency gains from reorganized networks, code-sharing arrangements, and other best business practices apparently had already been realized
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