Minimized Metal Dissolution from High-Energy Nickel Cobalt Manganese Oxide Cathodes with Al2O3 Coating and Its Effects on Electrolyte Decomposition on Graphite Anodes

High-energy nickel cobalt manganese oxides have been studied intensively as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. However, several hurdles need to be overcome to adopt these cathodes in commercial lithium-ion batteries. Herein, aluminum oxide (Al2O3) coating was applied to high-energy nickel cobalt manganese oxides (HE-NCM, Li1.33Ni0.27Co0.13Mn0.60O2+d) by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and its effects on HE-NCM/graphite full cells were investigated. HE-NCM/graphite full cells have better cycling performance and efficiency when HE-NCM is coated with Al2O3. ICP-MS measurements show that the Al2O3 coating can effectively prevent transition metal dissolution from HE-NCM. XPS and FT-IR analysis suggests that the surface film on HE-NCM cathodes does not change significantly with the Al2O3 coating even after 50 cycles, however the surface film on graphite anodes shows a significant change. The resistance of graphite electrodes cycled with the uncoated HE-NCM is higher than that of graphite electrodes cycled with the Al2O3-coated HE-NCM due to the increased SEI thickness. The improved cycling performance of HE-NCM/graphite cells with Al2O3 coating can be attributed to the minimized resistance increase on graphite as well as the suppression of cathode active material loss

Alleviating poverty through Islamic microfinance: factors and measures of financial performance, and roles of Islamic values and financial policies

Indonesia has a strong presence of microfinance sector with the number of Islamic Microfinance Institutions (IMFIs) estimated to be around 5,000 currently. Microfinance is an effective tool in alleviating poverty in Indonesia due to the limited access to financial services by the poor who accounted for approximately 96 million Indonesians (or 37% of the total population), living on less than USD 1.90 a day. In the absence of collateral and steady income, the poor are considered too risky to be given credit facilities by the formal financial services providers and living in remote areas has also limited their access to formal financial services. This study aims to examine the poverty alleviation efforts from the perspective of the IMFIs in view of their direct involvement in the process and having rich information about financial issues facing the borrowers. The managers also understand about financial inclusion agenda as well as financial guidelines and regulations issued by the relevant authorities. A total of 34 managers of Baitulmaal Wa Tamwil (BMTs), which registered under the Sharia Cooperative Centre (INKOPSYAH) are taken as respondents from the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (JABODETABEK) areas. The first instrument was a survey questionnaire, and the second one was an in-depth interview to outline data related to the model design. The findings of this research are expected to contribute to better decision-making for the BMTs to further enhance its role in alleviating poverty. The findings also elaborate several dimensions to improving financial inclusion among the poor including providing financial services, implementing Islamic principles, significant policies, community-based framework concept and training financial education. This research highlights the need for a variety of strategies to warrant success of poverty alleviation efforts by BMT

Low intensity harvesting of natural rubber: A financial perspective

Cultivation of rubber is a long term investment with about 30 years of rotational age. Harvesting is considered to be the most important operation in rubber plantations since it determines not only the productivity but also economic life of the tree. It requires high level of skill and also contributes to ca. 45% of the cost of production (COP) in Sri Lanka.Economical lifespan of the tree ends when the consumable bark of the tree is over by tapping. Therefore, any increase in bark consumption rate shortens the economical lifespan. There are records on 16 year lifespan in some estates. Previous studies revealed that in plantations, ca. 38% of the total harvesters are unskilled and in some estates, it has been as high as 89%. On average this results in a yield loss of ca. 118 kg per hectare per year. This situation aggravated with poor daily outturn of harvesters and increased COP. The nature of this profession does not attract young people for latex harvesting. With that only about 17% of the harvesters have been below 30 years of age. Low intensity harvesting systems facilitate to reduce the COP through the reduction of the cost of tapping and also reduce the harvester requirement in rubber plantations. In addition, LIH systems with shorter tapping cuts may eliminate the skill factor of harvesters to some extent. Hence, LIH system would be a practical solution to the problems associated with skilled worker shortage in latex harvesting. Moreover, considerable financial benefits are expected with reducing of bark consumption and associated increase in economic lifespan of trees. For base panel harvesting, two extended LIH systems (i.e. harvesting a half spiral of the tree in once four days and harvesting a quarter spiral of the tree once in three days) are available. Those were reviewed in this study on monetary terms.In the application of S/2 d4 and S/4 d3, the overall production cost (COP) has been reduced by Rs. 17.40 and Rs. 16.24, respectively from the value of the traditional S/2 d2 system. Increased daily wage of harvesters were observed in LIH systems with that the highest income, Rs. 833.99 was recorded in S/2 d4 system showing 36.30% increase over S/2 d2 system. Harvester‟s income under S/4 d3 system was Rs. 719.00 per day and Rs. 107.13 higher than that of S/2 d2 system. With the lowest COP observed, highest net income (i.e. Rs. 367,022.37) per hectare per year was recorded in S/2 d4 and it was shown to be 12.49% increase over the net income of S/2 d2 system. Net annual income observed per hectare in S/4 d3 system was Rs. 355,861.95 with 9.07% increase over the traditional S/2 d2 system.With the observed bark consumption in three harvesting systems (i.e. S/2 d2, S/2 d4 and S/4 d3) tested base panels of rubber trees could be harvested for 24, 40 and 54 years; hence the trees could be kept for 30, 46 and 60 years, respectively with initial six year immature phase. Extension of tree lifespan results in improved mature:immature ratio providing higher level of revenue area in an estate

Early breast cancer screening using iron/iron oxide-based nanoplatforms with sub-femtomolar limits of detection

Citation: Udukala, D. N., Wang, H. W., Wendel, S. O., Malalasekera, A. P., Samarakoon, T. N., Yapa, A. S., . . . Bossmann, S. H. (2016). Early breast cancer screening using iron/iron oxide-based nanoplatforms with sub-femtomolar limits of detection. Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology, 7, 364-373. doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.33Additional Authors: Ortega, R.;Toledo, Y.;Bossmann, L.;Robinson, C.;Janik, K. E.;Koper, O. B.;Motamedi, M.;Zhu, G. H.Proteases, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue serine proteases, and cathepsins (CTS) exhibit numerous functions in tumor biology. Solid tumors are characterized by changes in protease expression levels by tumor and surrounding tissue. Therefore, monitoring protease levels in tissue samples and liquid biopsies is a vital strategy for early cancer detection. Water-dispersable Fe/Fe3O4-core/shell based nanoplatforms for protease detection are capable of detecting protease activity down to sub-femtomolar limits of detection. They feature one dye (tetrakis(carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP)) that is tethered to the central nanoparticle by means of a protease-cleavable consensus sequence and a second dye (Cy 5.5) that is directly linked. Based on the protease activities of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), MMPs 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, and 13, as well as CTS B and L, human breast cancer can be detected at stage I by means of a simple serum test. By monitoring CTS B and L stage 0 detection may be achieved. This initial study, comprised of 46 breast cancer patients and 20 apparently healthy human subjects, demonstrates the feasibility of protease-activity-based liquid biopsies for early cancer diagnosis

Genome sequence of an Australian kangaroo, Macropus eugenii, provides insight into the evolution of mammalian reproduction and development.

BACKGROUND: We present the genome sequence of the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, which is a member of the kangaroo family and the first representative of the iconic hopping mammals that symbolize Australia to be sequenced. The tammar has many unusual biological characteristics, including the longest period of embryonic diapause of any mammal, extremely synchronized seasonal breeding and prolonged and sophisticated lactation within a well-defined pouch. Like other marsupials, it gives birth to highly altricial young, and has a small number of very large chromosomes, making it a valuable model for genomics, reproduction and development. RESULTS: The genome has been sequenced to 2 × coverage using Sanger sequencing, enhanced with additional next generation sequencing and the integration of extensive physical and linkage maps to build the genome assembly. We also sequenced the tammar transcriptome across many tissues and developmental time points. Our analyses of these data shed light on mammalian reproduction, development and genome evolution: there is innovation in reproductive and lactational genes, rapid evolution of germ cell genes, and incomplete, locus-specific X inactivation. We also observe novel retrotransposons and a highly rearranged major histocompatibility complex, with many class I genes located outside the complex. Novel microRNAs in the tammar HOX clusters uncover new potential mammalian HOX regulatory elements. CONCLUSIONS: Analyses of these resources enhance our understanding of marsupial gene evolution, identify marsupial-specific conserved non-coding elements and critical genes across a range of biological systems, including reproduction, development and immunity, and provide new insight into marsupial and mammalian biology and genome evolution

Identification and Specification of the Mouse Skeletal Stem Cell

SummaryHow are skeletal tissues derived from skeletal stem cells? Here, we map bone, cartilage, and stromal development from a population of highly pure, postnatal skeletal stem cells (mouse skeletal stem cells, mSSCs) to their downstream progenitors of bone, cartilage, and stromal tissue. We then investigated the transcriptome of the stem/progenitor cells for unique gene-expression patterns that would indicate potential regulators of mSSC lineage commitment. We demonstrate that mSSC niche factors can be potent inducers of osteogenesis, and several specific combinations of recombinant mSSC niche factors can activate mSSC genetic programs in situ, even in nonskeletal tissues, resulting in de novo formation of cartilage or bone and bone marrow stroma. Inducing mSSC formation with soluble factors and subsequently regulating the mSSC niche to specify its differentiation toward bone, cartilage, or stromal cells could represent a paradigm shift in the therapeutic regeneration of skeletal tissues

Narrativas del donante de plasma convaleciente en EsSalud: motivaciones, miedos, expectativas y experiencias

Objectives: To know and explore from convalescent plasma donators' voices the experience in the blood donation process at a social security hospital. Material and Methods: Qualitative study with a phenomenological design. The investigation was carried out in 01 hospitals of the social security of Peru. Semi-structured interviews were carried out. Results: Eleven donors of convalescent plasma were interviewed. The main motivations for donating were being able to contribute to national research and supporting patients affected by COVID-19. Fears focus on the possible risk of contagion within the hospital. Donors emphasised the attention and support of health personnel alongside the donation procedure. The main expectations and suggestions point towards greater dissemination of donation campaigns with special emphasis on safety. Likewise, an improvement in the time of the donation procedure (from enrolment to the extraction of convalescent plasma), and the implementation of friendly spaces to encourage future blood donation campaigns were highlighted. Conclusions: The experience of the convalescent plasma donors was positive. However, improvements must be made in terms of processes and infrastructure to ensure future successful blood donation campaigns.Objetivos: Explorar, desde las narrativas de la población de donantes de plasma convaleciente en un ensayo clínico, las experiencias en el proceso de donación de sangre. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio cualitativo con diseño fenomenológico. La investigación se llevó a cabo en un hospital de la seguridad social del Perú aplicándose entrevistas semiestructuradas a profundidad. Resultados: Se entrevistó a once donantes de plasma convaleciente. Se identificó que las principales motivaciones de los donantes fueron tanto el poder contribuir a la investigación nacional como, apoyar a pacientes afectados por la COVID-19. Los principales miedos se centran en el posible riesgo de contagio dentro del hospital. Por otro lado, los donantes resaltaron la atención y acompañamiento del personal de salud en el proceso. Las principales expectativas y sugerencias apuntan hacia una mayor difusión de las campañas de donación de sangre en general, con especial énfasis en el tema de seguridad, la mejora en el tiempo del procedimiento de donación (en el caso de la donación de plasma convaleciente, desde el enrolamiento hasta la extracción de plasma convaleciente) y, la implementación de espacios amigables para incentivar las futuras campañas de donación de sangre en  general. Conclusiones: Las experiencias de los donantes de plasma convaleciente fueron positivas. Sin embargo, aún hay mejoras que realizar a nivel de procesos e infraestructuras para asegurar campañas exitosas de donación de sangre futuras

A comparative study of non-covalent encapsulation methods for organic dyes into silica nanoparticles

Numerous luminophores may be encapsulated into silica nanoparticles (< 100 nm) using the reverse microemulsion process. Nevertheless, the behaviour and effect of such luminescent molecules appear to have been much less studied and may possibly prevent the encapsulation process from occurring. Such nanospheres represent attractive nanoplatforms for the development of biotargeted biocompatible luminescent tracers. Physical and chemical properties of the encapsulated molecules may be affected by the nanomatrix. This study examines the synthesis of different types of dispersed silica nanoparticles, the ability of the selected luminophores towards incorporation into the silica matrix of those nanoobjects as well as the photophysical properties of the produced dye-doped silica nanoparticles. The nanoparticles present mean diameters between 40 and 60 nm as shown by TEM analysis. Mainly, the photophysical characteristics of the dyes are retained upon their encapsulation into the silica matrix, leading to fluorescent silica nanoparticles. This feature article surveys recent research progress on the fabrication strategies of these dye-doped silica nanoparticles