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Despite recent progress of numerical air quality models, accurate prediction of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is still challenging because of uncertainties in physical and chemical parameterizations, meteorological data, and emission inventory databases. Recent advances in artificial neural networks can be used to overcome limitations in numerical air quality models. In this study, a deep neural network (DNN) model was developed for a 3 d forecasting of 6 h average PM2.5 concentrations: the day of prediction (D+0), 1 d after prediction (D+1), and 2 d after prediction (D+2). The DNN model was evaluated against the currently operational Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system in South Korea. Our study demonstrated that the DNN model outperformed the CMAQ modeling results. The DNN model provided better forecasting skills by reducing the root-mean-squared error (RMSE) by 4.1, 2.2, and 3.0 µg m−3 for the 3 consecutive days, respectively, compared with the CMAQ. Also, the false-alarm rate (FAR) decreased by 16.9 %p (D+0), 7.5 %p (D+1), and 7.6 %p (D+2), indicating that the DNN model substantially mitigated the overprediction of the CMAQ in high PM2.5 concentrations. These results showed that the DNN model outperformed the CMAQ model when it was simultaneously trained by using the observation and forecasting data from the numerical air quality models. Notably, the forecasting data provided more benefits to the DNN modeling results as the forecasting days increased. Our results suggest that our data-driven machine learning approach can be a useful tool for air quality forecasting when it is implemented with air quality models together by reducing model-oriented systematic biases.

When exposed to moisture, Li6PS5Cl undergoes both hydrolysis and hydration reactions. It can be partially recovered by heat treatment, but hydrolysis causes the formation of LiCl, Li2S, Li3PO4, and oxysulfides due to the irreversible sulfur loss.

Irisin is a myokine caused by exercise that improves insulin resistance and weight loss. However, under unfavorable conditions such as air pollution, and during the pandemic, outdoor activities are uncomfortable. Therefore, in this study, the effect of heat therapy (half bath 42 ± 0.5°C for 30 min) on irisin circulation levels as an exercise alternative for middle-aged obese women after menopause was investigated. Subjects were 33 women aged 49.54 ± 6.04 years, with parameters of height, 160.12 ± 4.33 cm, weight, 69.71 ± 7.52 kg, body surface area 1.73 ± 0.13 m

The electrochemical performance of 5.0 V class full cells comprising LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-graphite is improved by applying metal scavenging coats on the negative electrode surface. To achieve this transi...

BackgroundThe objective of this study was conducted to determine the effect of music therapy as an alternative treatment on depression in children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by activating serotonin (5-HT) and improving stress coping ability. Methods A total of 43 subjects participated in the experiment, consisting of an ADHD group (n = 18, age of 12.15 ± 2.43 years; height of 142.57 ± 9.98 cm; weight of 41.45 ± 13.87 kg) and a control group (n = 25, with age, height, and weight similar to those with ADHD). Music therapy was regularly performed for all subjects twice a week for three months, 50 minutes each, for a total of 24 times. From a neurophysiological perspective, changes in depression and stress were tracked by measuring 5-HT secretion, cortisol expression, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and psychological scales. Results As a result of the measurement, in both ADHD group and control groups, 5-HT secretion was increased (p < 0.001), whereas cortisol expression (p < 0.001), BP (p < 0.05), and HR (p < 0.001) were decreased after music therapy. The psychological scale also showed positive changes (p < 0.01). ConclusionsIn conclusion, the application of music therapy as an alternative treatment for ADHD children and adolescents showed positive neurophysiological and psychological effects. Therefore, this study would like to propose a new alternative of medicine for preventing and treating depression through various uses of music therapy.

Haenyeo is a woman who has the job of collecting seafood in the Jeju Sea at an average temperature of 13°C-14°C. The purpose of this study was to examine the cold acclimatization and occupational characteristics of Haenyeo through biomarkers such as orexin and irisin related to heat generation in the body.Twenty-one Haenyeo and 25 people with similar age, body type, and body mass index were selected as the control group (Control G). In the cold exposure experiment, a climate chamber was set to 5°C and both feet were immersed in a 15°C water tank for 30 minutes. Tympanic temperature (TOrexin levels were elevated after cold stimulation from 12.17 ± 4.44 to 12.95 ± 4.53 ng/mL (Haenyeo group [Haenyeo G],Our experimental results suggest that Haenyeo G were relatively superior in cold tolerance to Control G under cold exposure conditions. Haenyeo's cold acclimatization is due to the basic differences in pyrogens regarding body temperature control such as orexin and irisin. This means that Haenyeo are advantageous for cold survival.

Caffeine and orexin can affect awakening, neuroendocrine, and sympathetic nerve function. Our previous study has reported that caffeine intake can increase human body temperature. However, little is known about the combined effects of thermotherapy and caffeine intake on human serum orexin concentrations. Forty-two healthy male subjects with age of 26.72 ± 5.05 years, height of 174.10 ± 7.09 cm, and body weight of 74.68 ± 8.91 kg participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to a control (CON) group (n = 21) and a caffeine (CAFF) group (n = 21). After thermotherapy (half-body immersion in a hot water bath at 42 ± 0.5 °C, circulating orexin level increased more (

Journal of materials chemistry / A 10(7), 3485 - 3494 (2022). doi:10.1039/D1TA08853J, A critical bottleneck for developing successful solid-state batteries is minimizing the interfacial impedances between the solid electrolyte and the active electrode materials. Advancing our understanding of the chemically and electro-chemically induced reactions of the cathode–electrolyte interface is important to achieve stable interfaces with desired charge transfer properties. The perovskite Li-solid electrolyte with the general formula Li$_{3x}$La$_{2/3−x}$□$_{1/3−2x}$TiO$_3$ (LLTO) is an interesting candidate for solid-state Li-ion cells due to its superionic Li-ion conductivity. However, the chemical compatibility of LLTO with potential cathode materials is not sufficiently understood, and here we examine the LLTO interface with thin-film LiCoO$_2$ (LCO) cathode layers. We show that elemental mixing, in particular Co diffusion into LLTO, and increased structural ordering of the LCO occurs at moderate temperatures, on-setting around 300 °C in air, even in the absence of any secondary phases. This reaction decreases the LCO|LLTO interface charge transfer resistance by almost 50% after annealing to 500 °C relative to the as-deposited state. Reduction of the interface charge transfer resistance can be attributed to the formation of a mixed electronic and ionic conducting zone near the interface upon Co diffusion into LLTO. This finding can guide the engineering of cathode–solid electrolyte interfaces with fast charge transfer kinetics., Published by RSC, London ˜[u.a.]œ

This study aims to develop a deep neural network (DNN) model as an artificial neural network (ANN) for the prediction of 6-hour average fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations for a three-day period—the day of prediction (D+0), one day after prediction (D+1) and two days after prediction (D+2)—using observation data and forecast data obtained via numerical models. The performance of the DNN model was comparatively evaluated against that of the currently operational Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modelling system for air quality forecasting in South Korea. In addition, the effect on predictive performance of the DNN model on using different training data was analyzed. For the D+0 forecast, the DNN model performance was superior to that of the CMAQ model, and there was no significant dependence on the training data. For the D+1 and D+2 forecasts, the DNN model that used the observation and forecast data (DNN-ALL) outperformed the CMAQ model. The root-mean-squared error (RMSE) of DNN-ALL was lower than that of the CMAQ model by 2.2 μgm−3, and 3.0 μgm−3 for the D+1 and D+2 forecasts, respectively, because the overprediction of higher concentrations was curtailed. An IOA increase of 0.46 for D+1 prediction and 0.59 for the D+2 prediction was observed in case of the DNN-ALL model compared to the IOA of the DNN model that used only observation data (DNN-OBS). In additionally, An RMSE decrease of 7.2 μgm−3 for the D+1 prediction and 6.3 μgm−3 for the D+2 prediction was observed in case of the DNN-ALL model, compared to the RMSE of DNN-OBS, indicating that the inclusion of forecast data in the training data greatly affected the DNN model performance. Considering the prediction of the 6-hour average PM2.5 concentration, the 8.8 μgm−3 RMSE of the DNN-ALL model was 2.7 μgm−3 lower than that of the CMAQ model, indicating the superior prediction performance of the former. These results suggest that the DNN model could be utilized as a better-performing air quality forecasting model than the CMAQ, and that observation data plays an important role in determining the prediction performance of the DNN model for D+0 forecasting, while prediction data does the same for D+1 and D+2 forecasting. The use of the proposed DNN model as a forecasting model may result in a reduction in the economic losses caused by pollution-mitigation policies and aid better protection of public health.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) derived protein supplementation on skeletal muscle atrophy of hindlimb casted immobilized rats. Twenty-four six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control sedentary group (CD, n = 8), control diet casting group (CDC, n = 8), and the mealworm-derived protein supplemented casting group (MDC, n = 8). CD and CDC group was supplemented AIN-76G diet and mealworm-derived protein supplemented diet for MDC group was substituted as 5% casein protein to 5% mealworm protein for 5 weeks and left hindlimb casting immobilization using casting tape for CDC and MDC group was done 1 week before sacrifice. After 5 weeks of mealworm supplementation, the soleus muscle weight of the MDC group was significantly higher compared to the CDC group. In addition, the level of muscle protein synthesis factors p-Akt/Akt, p-4EBP1/4EBP1, and p-S6K/S6K significantly increased in the MDC group compared to the CDC group. On contrary, the level of muscle protein degradation factors (MuRF1 and atrogin-1) was significantly lower in the MDC group than that of the CDC group. These results suggest that mealworm-derived protein supplementation may have a significant role in the prevention of skeletal muscle atrophy via stimulation of muscle protein synthesis factors and inhibition of muscle protein degradation factors, and therefore a promising intervention in sarcopenia.

The development of silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries has been largely impeded by poor interfacial stability against liquid electrolytes. Here, we enabled the stable operation of a 99.9 weight % microsilicon anode by using the interface passivating properties of sulfide solid electrolytes. Bulk and surface characterization, and quantification of interfacial components, showed that such an approach eliminates continuous interfacial growth and irreversible lithium losses. Microsilicon full cells were assembled and found to achieve high areal current density, wide operating temperature range, and high areal loadings for the different cells. The promising performance can be attributed to both the desirable interfacial property between microsilicon and sulfide electrolytes and the distinctive chemomechanical behavior of the lithium-silicon alloy.

We investigated the inhibitory effect of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) on muscle atrophy in hindlimb-suspended rats. Twenty-four six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: the control sedentary group (CS, n = 8), the hindlimb-suspended group (HS, n = 8), and the hindlimb-suspended and AHCC-supplemented group (HSA, n = 8). Hindlimb suspension and AHCC supplementation were performed for two weeks. The HSA group was treated with AHCC (1 g/1 kg of body weight (BW)) orally in 0.3 mL of PBS solution, while the HS group received the vehicle (PBS solution) only. After two weeks, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the HS and HSA groups decreased by approximately 36% (p < 0.05) and 19%, respectively, compared to the CS group. In addition, myonuclear numbers of the HS and HSA groups and the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle weight of the HS group decreased 30% (p < 0.05) and 18%, respectively, compared to the CS group. AHCC supplementation increased the phosphorylation of pAkt/Akt in the HSA group compared to the HS group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Fbx32 and MuRF1 protein expression in the HSA group recovered to the level of the CS group. Based on these results, AHCC supplementation may have a positive role in the prevention of muscle atrophy via Akt activation in hindlimb-suspended rats.

High temperatures lead to oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to determine whether heat stimulation-induced hyperthermia can increase the level of circulating irisin. Twenty-one healthy female subjects (age, 26.3 ± 2.71 years; height, 162.1 ± 3.15 cm; weight, 54.2 ± 3.86 kg; and body surface area, 1.57 ± 0.11 m2) not taking contraceptives participated in this study. All experiments were performed individually for each participant when they were in the early proliferative menstrual phase. In an automated climate chamber (25 ± 0.5°C), the heat load was applied via half-body immersion into a hot water bath (42 ± 0.5°C). Five-minutes break was provided every after 5 min of immersion and the total passive heating time was 30 min. Tympanic temperature (Tty) and skin temperature (Ts) were measured. Mean body temperature (mTb) was calculated. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after immersion. Levels of irisin, cortisol, creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were analyzed. Tty, mTb and serum irisin levels increased after hot water immersion. The blood levels of cortisol, CK, and LDH were also elevated after hot water immersion. Heat stimulation might increase the levels of circulating irisin in humans in response to oxidative stress.

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess the difference in sudomotor function between healthy males and females in their early twenties by measuring skin surface area and activated sweat gland density (ASGD). The quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART), a method for evaluating autonomic nervous system activity, was used for quantification. In QSART, the sweat glands are activated directly or indirectly by the subcutaneous application of neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, through iontophoresis. This series of mechanisms is called the sudomotor axon reflex. After recording age, height, weight, and several measurements of the forearm, QSART was performed on 101 healthy controls aged 21–26 years to measure ASGD. The mean temperature and humidity on the measurement days were 11.4°C and 58.1% on May 3, 2018, and 14.7°C and 70.3% on May 10, 2018. The result of independent sample t-test showed higher ASGD in women (P < 0.05). The body surface area and the surface area of the forearms were higher in men (P < 0.001), but the number of activated sweat glands was not significantly different according to sex. The activated sweat gland counts of the body and forearms were analyzed through linear regression by age for males and females. Except for the activated sweat gland count of the male body, the analysis showed a tendency to decrease with increasing age but was not statistically significant in any case (P > 0.05). Showing insufficient coefficient of determination (R2), multiple regression analyses with sex and ages did not correct this insignificance between age and activated sweat gland count.

A highly fluorinated carbonate molecule-based electrolyte is introduced to enhance the electrochemical performance of lithium metal batteries. The applied bis(2, 2, 2-trifluoroethyl) carbonate (DFDEC) demonstrates impressive performance enhancement by stable oligomeric/LiF-based bi-layered surface modification of Li metal. Li symmetric cell cycling shows prolonged stable electroplating/stripping of Li metal because of the formation of a stable protective bilayer on the Li surface. Furthermore, the negatively shifted HOMO energy level of DFDEC enhances the anodic stability in the high-voltage region on the high-nickel-containing positive electrode surface. Both sophisticated electrochemical characteristics of the DFDEC lead to the enhanced cycle performance of the lithium metal cell.

We investigated the effects of humidity on regional sweating secretion and active sweat gland density on the scalp during passive heating in hot environments. Eight male subjects shaved their heads prior to expose to dry (30%RH; H30%) and humid (85%RH; H85%) conditions at an air temperature of 32 °C. Total sweat rate, local sweat rates (frontal, vertex, temporal, and occipital regions), active sweat glands on the scalp (2 frontal, 2 parietal, 2 temporal, 1 occipital, and 1 vertex), and rectal and skin temperatures were measured during leg immersion in 42 °C water for 60 min. (1) Total sweat rates were greater for H30% (179.4 ± 35.6 g h−1) than for H85% (148.1 ± 27.2 g h−1) (P

Various studies are conducted with an aim to increase the capacity and reduce of the lithium diffusion resistance during the charge/discharge of titanium oxide (TiO2), which is used as anode material in lithium-ion batteries. However, it is difficult to overcome the limited storage capacity and high diffusion resistance because of the intrinsic crystalline features of TiO2. This study demonstrates that the lithium storage limit and high lithium diffusion resistance of crystalline titanium oxide (c-TiO2) can be overcome by using amorphous titanium oxide (a-TiO2). The results of X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and galvanostatic intermittent titration show that a-TiO2 can store more Li-ions and has a reduced lithium diffusion resistance than c-TiO2. In contrast, the lithium storage of the crystalline structure is limited and its lithium diffusion resistance is high. The better performance of a-TiO2 can be ascribed to anomalous amorphous lithium storage sites, which provide additional lithium storage and open lithium diffusion paths.

Vinylene carbonate (VC) is attached in a ring-opened form on a graphite surface by molecular layer deposition (MLD) method, and its role as a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) former is studied. When VC is added into the electrolyte solution of a graphite/LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) full-cell, it is reductively decomposed to form an effective SEI on the graphite electrode. However, VC in the electrolyte solution has serious adverse effects due to its poor stability against electrochemical oxidation on the LNMO positive electrode. A excessive acid generation as a result of VC oxidation is observed, causing metal dissolution from the LNMO electrode. The dissolved metal ions are plated on the graphite electrode to destroy the SEI layer, eventually causing serious capacity fading and poor Coulombic efficiency. The VC derivative on the graphite surface also forms an effective SEI layer on the graphite negative electrode via reductive decomposition. The detrimental effects on the LNMO positive electrode, however, can be avoided because the bonded VC derivative on the graphite surface cannot move to the LNMO electrode. Consequently, the graphite/LNMO full-cell fabricated with the VC-attached graphite outperforms the cells without VC or with VC in the electrolyte, in terms of Coulombic efficiency and capacity retention.

The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma dopamine and serum serotonin levels in humans with and without caffeine (CAFF) ingestion during treadmill running exercise. Thirty male volunteers participated in the randomized experiment involving two groups: CON (n = 15, 200 mL of tap water) versus CAFF (n = 15, 3 mg/kg CAFF and 200 mL tap water). After treadmill running, the dopamine level was significantly increased in the CAFF group (P < 0.01) and was significantly higher than in the CON group (P < 0.01). Serotonin was significantly increased in both groups after treadmill running (P < 0.05). However, serotonin levels showed no significant statistical difference between the groups. Prolactin and cortisol were significantly increased in both groups after treadmill running (P < 0.01). However, there was no significant statistical difference between groups. β-endorphin level was significantly increased in the CAFF group at after treadmill running (P < 0.01) and was significantly higher than in CON after treadmill running (P < 0.01). In conclusion, 3 mg/kg CAFF ingestion before treadmill running stimulated dopamine release without inhibiting serotonin, which may reduce central fatigue.

The aim of this study was to investigate the serum serotonin, prolactin, and plasma dopamine levels in humans with and without caffeine ingestion during and after passive heat loading (half immersion in 42°C hot water). Thirty male volunteers participated in the randomized experiment (control group, n=15 vs. caffeine ingestion group, n=15, 3 mg/kg). After 60 min, passive heat loading was conducted for 30 min. Blood samples were collected and assessed for serum serotonin, dopamine and prolactin with and without caffeine during and after passive heat loading. Serum serotonin was significantly lower in the caffeine ingestion group compared to the control group after passive heat loading for 30 min (Post) (P

This study aimed to investigate the effect of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) derived protein supplementation on skeletal muscle atrophy of hindlimb casted immobilized rats. Twenty-four six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control sedentary group (CD, n = 8), control diet casting group (CDC, n = 8), and the mealworm-derived protein supplemented casting group (MDC, n = 8). CD and CDC group was supplemented AIN-76G diet and mealworm-derived protein supplemented diet for MDC group was substituted as 5% casein protein to 5% mealworm protein for 5 weeks and left hindlimb casting immobilization using casting tape for CDC and MDC group was done 1 week before sacrifice. After 5 weeks of mealworm supplementation, the soleus muscle weight of the MDC group was significantly higher compared to the CDC group. In addition, the level of muscle protein synthesis factors p-Akt/Akt, p-4EBP1/4EBP1, and p-S6K/S6K significantly increased in the MDC group compared to the CDC group. On contrary, the level of muscle protein degradation factors (MuRF1 and atrogin-1) was significantly lower in the MDC group than that of the CDC group. These results suggest that mealworm-derived protein supplementation may have a significant role in the prevention of skeletal muscle atrophy via stimulation of muscle protein synthesis factors and inhibition of muscle protein degradation factors, and therefore a promising intervention in sarcopenia.

This study investigated the effect of listening to self-music therapy training (SMT) music, which was specially developed using musical expectancy violations, on improving brain concentration and activation. It was performed with a sample of 12 adults. Electroencephalograms (EEG) were obtained and analyzed after allowing the participants to listen to SMT music. An EEG device with eight channels was used to measure the brain waves. The changes in the EEGs were recorded when listening to SMT music in three states (stable, basic, and stimulated) after attaching the electrodes to the prefrontal cortex (Fp1 and Fp2), and the frontal (F3 and F4), temporal (T3 and T4), and parietal lobes (P3 and P4) according to the International 10/20 system. The EEG data were analyzed to determine the m-β wave appearance rate and absolute total power (ATP) for the three conditions, and a t-test was performed. The results showed that the rate of m-β wave appearance was higher in the stimulated and basic states than in the stable state (Fp1, Fp2, F4, T3, T4, P3, and P4) and higher in the stimulated state than in the basic state (Fp1, Fp2, T3, T4, and P4). The ATP was lower in the basic state than in the stable state (Fp2, F3, F4, and T3), but the ATP in the stimulated state was higher than in the basic or stable state in all areas excluding the left and right parietal lobes (Fp1, Fp2, F3, F4, T3, and T4). These results demonstrated that listening to SMT music by normal adults could increase brain concentration and activation.

This work demonstrates that the mechanical damage of surface passivation films plays an underlying role in the failure of nano-sized Si electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. The surface film derived from the standard electrolyte (1.3 M LiPF6 dissolved in ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate) during the first lithiation step is damaged by the mechanical stress caused by the volume contraction of Si particles during the subsequent de-lithiation period. The electrolyte decomposes on the newly exposed Si surface and film deposition occurs, which is then mechanically damaged again owing to volume change of the Si particles. Such film deposition/damage cycles are repeated until the mechanical stress becomes insignificant as a result of capacity decay. Continued electrolyte decomposition, which prevails in the early cycling period, produces electronically insulating films located between Si particles, which cause Li trapping within the Si matrix. Li trapping is found to be responsible for the rapid decrease in capacity and Coulombic efficiency in the intermediate period of cycling. When fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) is added to the electrolyte, a surface film that is robust against mechanical stress is produced. As a result, the FEC-derived surface film maintains its passivating ability and suppresses the irreversible reactions, resulting in a better cycling performance.

In order to construct flexible lithium-ion batteries, stainless steel (SUS) fabric is used as a current collector for the negative electrode of lithium-ion batteries. TiO 2 is coated onto the SUS fabric by liquid-phase deposition to construct an electrode consisting of an SUS wire core and a TiO 2 shell. A folding test is then conducted to assess the robustness of TiO 2 -coated SUS fabric, during which no detachment of TiO 2 particles from the SUS current collector is observed; the negative electrode shows a consistent electrochemical cycle performance even under severe physical duress. The TiO 2 -SUS fabric integration shows excellent flexibility without loss of electrochemical efficacy under mechanical stress, which occurs owing to three main factors. First, the mechanical stress imposed by folding is effectively dissipated by the 3-dimensional structure of the SUS fabric. Secondly, the TiO 2 electrode itself is free from mechanical stress owing to negligible volume change during electrochemical cycling. Thirdly, the high interfacial adhesion strength between TiO 2 and SUS fabric due to covalent bond formation during liquid-phase deposition prevents the loss of active material from the negative electrode during the folding tests.

In order to improve performances of submicrometer-sized Si negative electrode which shows larger volumetric change than nano-sized Si, composite binders are introduced by blending between poly(phenanthrenequinone) (PPQ) conductive polymer binder and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) having good adhesion strength due to its carboxyl functional group. Blending between PPQ and PAA shows an effect that the adhesion strength of the Si electrode with the composite conductive binder is greatly improved after blending and this makes its better stable cycle performance. Blending ratios between PPQ and PAA in this work are 2:1, 1:1, 1:2 (by weight) and the best capacity retention at 50th cycle is observed in the electrode with the blending ratio 2:1 (named QA21). This is because that PPQ plays a role of conductive carbon among the Si particles or between Si particles and Cu current collector and PAA binds effectively the particles and the current collector. According to this synergetic effect, the internal resistance of the Si electrode with the blending ratio 2:1 is the smallest value. In addition, the Si electrode with PPQ-PAA composite binder shows the better stable cycle performance than the electrode with conventional super-P conductive carbon (20 wt.%).

The quantitative sudomotor axon reflex testing (QSART) is a classic test of routine postganglionic sudomotor function. We investigated sudomotor function by QSART after summer (July 2012) and winter (January 2013) seasonal acclimation (SA) in the Republic of Korea. QSART with acetylcholine (ACh) iontophoresis were performed to determine directly activated (DIR) and axon reflex-mediated (AXR1, 2) sweating rate. Onset time of axon reflex, activated sweat gland density (ASGD), activated sweat gland output (ASGO), tympanic and skin temperatures (Tty, Tsk), basal metabolic rate (BMR), and evaporative loss volume changes were measured. Tympanic and mean body temperature (Tb; calculated from Tty, Tsk) were significantly lower after summer-SA than that of winter-SA. Sweat onset time was delayed during winter-SA compared to that after summer-SA. BMR, AXR(1), AXR(2), and DIR sweat rates, ASGD and ASGO, and evaporative loss volume were significantly diminished after winter-SA relative to after summer-SA. In conclusion, changes in sweating activity measured by QSART confirmed the involvement of the peripheral nervous system in variation of sudomotor activity in seasonal acclimation.

This work finds that LiVO3 is lithiated by a conversion reaction at 25 °C, which is unusual for the family of vanadium oxides. The spectroscopic studies and first-principle calculations performed on the lithiation mechanism of LiVO3 consistently propose that a two-phase insertion-type lithiation proceeds in the early stage of lithiation; LiVO3 transforms into a rock-salt structured Li2VO3. The continuing single-phase Li+ insertion into the tetrahedral sites in the rock-salt Li2VO3 produces a more Li-rich phase (Li2.5VO3), which is highly distorted because of the unfavorable Li+ insertion into the tetrahedral sites such as to be vulnerable to lattice breakdown. Hence, a two-phase (nucleation/growth type) conversion reaction is followed along with a structural disintegration; the Li2.5VO3 phase decomposes into metallic vanadium and Li2O. To determine the factors facilitating the conversion reaction of LiVO3, galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EI...

Although p-benzoquinone (BQ) is electrochemically reversible in non-aqueous media, the physicochemical properties of BQ are insufficient for its practical use as a negative redox couple for flow batteries. The voltage and solubility drawbacks of BQ can be resolved by using an aliphatic chain, which introduces electron-donating and melting-point-decreasing functional groups. The former negatively shifted the redox potential of BQ and the latter increased the solubility of BQ 1.5-fold. Furthermore, the reversibility of the redox couple is retained even after tert-butyl substitution with increased energy density. Finally, the designed tert-butyl-p-benzoquinone molecule exhibits a stable voltage profile during the flow battery cycling.

Transformer-coupled toroidal plasma (TCTP) has found applications in versatile fields as a high-power-density plasma source. However, most research on TCTP has focused on plasma states in the TCTP, without any change in reactor structures. Therefore, in this paper, we present a study on the effects of inner-surface modification of a TCTP reactor on plasma conditions. Using two types of reactors with different inner surfaces, the silicon-wafer etch rate by fluorine atoms from dissociated NF3 gas molecules is compared. Then a computer simulation, which derives various plasma parameters, is carried out. As a result, the TCTP reactor with a grooved inner surface shows a higher etch rate than the reactor with a normal inner surface. The computer simulation suggests the reason for this etch rate difference is that the reactor with the grooved inner surface structure has a higher neutral gas temperature than the reactor with the normal inner surface so that more pyrolytic dissociation, resulting in a higher fluorine atom density, is achieved. Our results may be useful for those fields that require a higher neutral temperature or a higher degree of pyrolysis.