Li14Ln5[Si11N19O5]O2F2 with Ln = Ce, Nd-Representatives of a Family of Potential Lithium Ion Conductors

The isotypic layered oxonitridosilicates Li14Ln5[Si11N19O5]O2F2 (Ln = Ce, Nd) have been synthesized using Li as fluxing agent and crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pmmn (Z = 2, Li14Ce5[Si11N19O5]O2F2: a = 17.178(3), b = 7.6500(15), c = 10.116(2) Å, R1 = 0.0409, wR2 = 0.0896; Li14Nd5 Si11N19O5]O2F2: a = 17.126(2), b = 7.6155 15), c = 10.123(2) Å, R1 = 0.0419, wR2 = 0.0929). The silicate layers consist of dreier and sechser rings interconnected via common corners, yielding an unprecedented silicate substructure. A topostructural analysis indicates possible 1D ion migration pathways between five crystallographic independent Li positions. The specific Li-ionic conductivity and its temperature dependence were determined by impedance spectroscopy as well as DC polarization/depolarization measurements. The ionic conductivity is on the order of 5 × 10−5 S/cm at 300°C, while the activation energy is 0.69 eV. Further adjustments of the defect chemistry (e.g., through doping)can make these compounds interesting candidates for novel oxonitridosilicate based ion conductors

Lyra's Cosmology of Massive String in Anisotropic Bianchi-II Space-time

The paper deals with a spatially homogeneous and totally anisotropic Bianchi II cosmological models representing massive strings in normal gauge for Lyra's manifold. The modified Einstein's field equations have been solved by applying variation law for Hubble's parameter. This law generates two type of solutions for average scale factor, one is of power law type and other is of exponential law type. The power law describes the dynamics of Universe from big bang to present epoch while exponential law seems reasonable to project dynamics of future Universe. It has been found that the displacement actor $(\beta)$ is a decreasing function of time and it approaches to small positive value at late time, which is collaborated with Halford (1970) as well as recent observations of SN Ia. The study reveals that massive strings dominate in early Universe and eventually disappear from Universe for sufficiently large time, which is in agreement with the current astronomical observations.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure

Designing Products for the Circular Economy

Until recent years, apparel product design has been undertaken with very little reference to environmental sustainability. However, the legislative framework has increasingly constrained design decisions relating to the use of hazardous chemicals, especially with the advent of REACH regulations within the EU. Most companies now recognise a large number of chemical substances that are prohibited in the dyeing and finishing of textiles. This dominates thinking about design for the environment. The increasing adoption of environmental management systems has expanded the vision for initiatives promoting sustainability, including laundering and care. Principles are recognised for product design and development that lead to more sustainable goods and services. In some industries, regulations require producer to take responsibility for the disposal of products companies release to the market. This obligation has triggered thinking about design for disassembly and design for disposal. This development has accelerated the adoption of circular economy concepts. The EU has not implemented producer responsibility in apparel, although some companies have voluntarily championed circular economy initiatives. However, the business models of most apparel companies have nothing to say about end-of-life issues. This chapter is concerned with new product development processes that incorporate Design for Environment and Design for Disassembly and Disposal. As there are numerous technical issues to address, a team-based product development process has many advantages, whereby garment designers work alongside specialists from other disciplines. This process requires culture change to be embraced by most brand owners, and a departure from the practice of separating the design process from the product development process. In most cases, changes of this nature bring disruption to a globalised industrial sector. Case studies will be considered that illustrate the concepts developed in this chapter. In particular, the French experience of adopting producer responsibility for apparel goods is considered. The accredited organisation ECO TLC exhibits strength in the promotion of sustainability projects, but there is a fundamental weakness in that culture change in the design process of brand owners is hard to discern

Prognostic model to predict postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery based on a national prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Acute illness, existing co-morbidities and surgical stress response can all contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was prospectively to develop a pragmatic prognostic model to stratify patients according to risk of developing AKI after major gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study included consecutive adults undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or stoma reversal in 2-week blocks over a continuous 3-month period. The primary outcome was the rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery. Bootstrap stability was used to select clinically plausible risk factors into the model. Internal model validation was carried out by bootstrap validation. Results: A total of 4544 patients were included across 173 centres in the UK and Ireland. The overall rate of AKI was 14·2 per cent (646 of 4544) and the 30-day mortality rate was 1·8 per cent (84 of 4544). Stage 1 AKI was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio 7·61, 95 per cent c.i. 4·49 to 12·90; P < 0·001), with increasing odds of death with each AKI stage. Six variables were selected for inclusion in the prognostic model: age, sex, ASA grade, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, planned open surgery and preoperative use of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Internal validation demonstrated good model discrimination (c-statistic 0·65). Discussion: Following major gastrointestinal surgery, AKI occurred in one in seven patients. This preoperative prognostic model identified patients at high risk of postoperative AKI. Validation in an independent data set is required to ensure generalizability