Enhancing electrochemical intermediate solvation through electrolyte anion selection to increase nonaqueous Li-O2_2 battery capacity

Among the 'beyond Li-ion' battery chemistries, nonaqueous Li-O$_2$ batteries have the highest theoretical specific energy and as a result have attracted significant research attention over the past decade. A critical scientific challenge facing nonaqueous Li-O$_2$ batteries is the electronically insulating nature of the primary discharge product, lithium peroxide, which passivates the battery cathode as it is formed, leading to low ultimate cell capacities. Recently, strategies to enhance solubility to circumvent this issue have been reported, but rely upon electrolyte formulations that further decrease the overall electrochemical stability of the system, thereby deleteriously affecting battery rechargeability. In this study, we report that a significant enhancement (greater than four-fold) in Li-O$_2$ cell capacity is possible by appropriately selecting the salt anion in the electrolyte solution. Using $^7$Li nuclear magnetic resonance and modeling, we confirm that this improvement is a result of enhanced Li$^+$ stability in solution, which in turn induces solubility of the intermediate to Li$_2$O$_2$ formation. Using this strategy, the challenging task of identifying an electrolyte solvent that possesses the anti-correlated properties of high intermediate solubility and solvent stability is alleviated, potentially providing a pathway to develop an electrolyte that affords both high capacity and rechargeability. We believe the model and strategy presented here will be generally useful to enhance Coulombic efficiency in many electrochemical systems (e.g. Li-S batteries) where improving intermediate stability in solution could induce desired mechanisms of product formation.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figures and Supporting Informatio

Cor-pulmonale: a rare presentation in a case of middle lobe syndrome

Brock’s syndrome or middle lobe syndrome (MLS) is chronic or recurrent collapse of right middle lobe due to causes which may be obstructive or non obstructive. The pathogenesis is not completely understood. An expert committee of the world health organization defined cor pulmonale as hypertrophy of the right ventricle resulting from diseases affecting the function and/or structure of the lungs.” Cor pulmonale is a common heart disease and a leading cause of disability and death. We are reporting this association in a 65y old female who presented to the emergency with acute exacerbation of COPD with SpO2=64% room air. Chest X-ray and HRCT thorax showed features suggesting MLS and ECG shows features suggesting P pulmonale /right atrial enlargement. BNP too was elevated. Patient was resuscitated and put on mechanical ventilation after ABG showed respiratory acidosis. Appropriate treatment with bronchodilators and antibiotics was given

Self-Reported Obesity Status of School Teachers Teaching In Various Schools of District Panchkula, Haryana, India

INTRODUCTION: Being overweight and obese are a major concern across the globe, as it impact one’s quality of life.AIM: To assess the self-reported Obesity status of private school teachers teaching in various schools of district Panchkula, Haryana, IndiaMATERIALS AND METHOD: A Descriptive, cross sectional study, questionnaire based study was conducted among school teachers of Panchkula District, Haryana, India using self-reported 10 item-questionnaire. The data was duly entered into Microsoft excel wherein descriptive statistics were applied and then, regression analysis to find differences if any, was applied using SPSS version 21.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk NY)RESULTS: Of a 500 questionnaires distributed, 417 were fit for data entry (response rate 83.4%) with a majority of the study subjects being females (220,52.7%), and 97.1% of the teachers taught in private schools. The overall prevalence of obesity 15.1% was reported based on self-reported BMI. A non-significant p value of .006.(Regression analysis) between males and females with respect to their self-reported BMI was observed.CONCLUSION: Efforts are required to be directed to prevent obesity among schoolteachers, who act as role-models for their students

Sugarcane Plantation with Inner Seed Sowing Machine

Agriculture is demographically the broadest economic sector and plays a significant role in the overall economy of India. Sugarcane planting and seed sawing planting is a very labour intensive job and involves considerable human drudgery. For the growth of Indian economy, mechanization is necessary. The present review provides brief information about the various types of innovations done in seed sawing equipment?s and sugarcane plantation machines. The planting, cultivation and harvesting of sugarcane is highly energy, time and labour intensive. Suitable techniques, systems and implements have therefore to be developed to minimize the above.The basic objective of this machine is to combines both machine of plant the one eye sugarcanes with equal space (i.s. 1 feet?s or 2 feet?s) and sawing operation is to put the seed and fertilizer in rows at desired depth and seed to seed spacing, cover the seeds with soil and provide proper compaction over the seed in between farrow. The recommended row to row spacing, seed rate, seed to seed spacing and depth of seed placement vary from crop to crop and for different agro-climatic conditions to achieve optimum yields. Seed sowing devices plays a wide role in agriculture field

Comparative study of echocardiography and electrocardiography criteria for detecting left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients

Background: The study aimed to compare seven different electrocardiogram (LVH) criteria for diagnosing left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with echocardiogram as diagnostic standard in hypertensive patients.Methods: This was a hospital-based, cross-sectional study conducted in out-patient department and at medical wards of a tertiary care hospital at Bangalore. The study was carried out for a total duration of 12 months. All hypertensive patients underwent examination for prevalence of LVH using echocardiogram and ECG. Seven different ECG criteria were applied to diagnose the presence of LVH. Then the specificity, sensitivity, kappa measurement value, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for all criteria was calculated subsequently.Results: Out of the 100 patients studied, 34 had LVH as diagnosed by echocardiography. Sokolow-Lyon criteria had a sensitivity of 35% and specificity of 94%. Cornell voltage had a sensitivity of 26% and specificity of 95%. Modified Cornell voltage had a sensitivity of32% and specificity of 94%. Framingham adjusted Cornell voltage, Minnesota code and Cornell product had a sensitivity of 23.5% and specificity of 98.4%. Framingham score had a sensitivity of 38% and specificity of 95.4%.Conclusions: It can be concluded that among all the different criteria used in the study, Framingham score showed better sensitivity compared to others. In the evaluation of hypertensive patients for LVH, the role of ECG with all the commonly used criteria is of limited value and echocardiography is the method of choice