ORR and OER on Ni-modified Co3O4(111) Cathodes for Zn-Air Batteries - A Combined Surface Science and Electrochemical Model Study

The performance of structurally and chemically well‐defined Ni‐free and Ni‐modified single‐crystalline Co$_{3}$O$_{4}$(1 1 1) thin‐film electrodes in the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR and OER) was investigated in a combined surface science and electrochemistry approach. Pure and Ni‐modified Co$_{3}$O$_{4}$(1 1 1) film electrodes were prepared and characterized under ultrahigh‐vacuum conditions by scanning tunneling microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Both Ni decoration (by post‐deposition of Ni) and Ni doping (by simultaneous vapor deposition of Ni, Co, and O$_{2}$) induced distinct differences in the base cyclic voltammograms in 0.5 m KOH at potentials higher than 0.7 V compared with Co$_{3}$O$_{4}$ (1 1 1) electrodes. Also, all oxide film electrodes showed a higher overpotential for the ORR but a lower one for the OER than polycrystalline Pt. Ni modification significantly improved the ORR current densities by increasing the electrical conductivity, whereas the OER onset of approximately 1.47 V$_{RHE}$ (RHE: reversible hydrogen electrode) at 0.1 mA cm$^{-2}$ was almost unchanged

The role of neuronavigation in intracranial endoscopic procedures

In occlusive hydrocephalus, cysts and some ventricular tumours, neuroendoscopy has replaced shunt operations and microsurgery. There is an ongoing discussion if neuronavigation should routinely accompany neuroendoscopy or if its use should be limited to selected cases. In this prospective clinical series, the role of neuronavigation during intracranial endoscopic procedures was investigated. In 126 consecutive endoscopic procedures (endoscopic third ventriculostomy, ETV, n = 65; tumour biopsy/resection, n = 36; non-tumourous cyst fenestration, n = 23; abscess aspiration and hematoma removal, n = 1 each), performed in 121 patients, neuronavigation was made available. After operation and videotape review, the surgeon had to categorize the role of neuronavigation: not beneficial; beneficial, but not essential; essential. Overall, neuronavigation was of value in more than 50% of the operations, but its value depended on the type of the procedure. Neuronavigation was beneficial, but not essential in 16 ETVs (24.6%), 19 tumour biopsies/resections (52.7%) and 14 cyst fenestrations (60.9%). Neuronavigation was essential in 1 ETV (2%), 11 tumour biopsies/resections (30.6%) and 8 cyst fenestrations (34.8%). Neuronavigation was not needed/not used in 48 ETVs (73.9%), 6 endoscopic tumour operations (16.7%) and 1 cyst fenestration (4.3%). For ETV, neuronavigation mostly is not required. In the majority of the remaining endoscopic procedures, however, neuronavigation is at least beneficial. This finding suggests integrating neuronavigation into the operative routine in endoscopic tumour operations and cyst fenestrations

The Moho depth map of the European Plate

The European Plate has a 4.5 Gy long and complex tectonic history. This is reflected in the present-day large-scale crustal structures. A new digital Moho depth map is compiled from more than 250 data sets of individual seismic profiles, 3-D models obtained by body and surface waves, receiver function results and maps of seismic and/or gravity data compilations. We have compiled the first digital, high-resolution map of the Moho depth for the whole European Plate, extending from the mid-Atlantic ridge in the west to the Ural Mountains in the east, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the south to the Barents Sea and Spitsbergen in the Arctic in the north. In general, three large domains within the European Plate crust are visible. The oldest Archean and Proterozoic crust has a thickness of 40–60 km, the continental Variscan and Alpine crust has a thickness of 20–40 km, and the youngest oceanic Atlantic crust has a thickness of 10–20 km