Search

Spinel LiNi0.5 Mn1.5 O4 (LNMO) is a promising cathode candidate for the next-generation high energy-density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Unfortunately, the application of LNMO is hindered by its poor cycle stability. Now, site-selectively doped LNMO electrode is prepared with exceptional durability. In this work, Mg is selectively doped onto both tetrahedral (8a) and octahedral (16c) sites in the Fd 3 ‾ m structure. This site-selective doping not only suppresses unfavorable two-phase reactions and stabilizes the LNMO structure against structural deformation, but also mitigates the dissolution of Mn during cycling. Mg-doped LNMOs exhibit extraordinarily stable electrochemical performance in both half-cells and prototype full-batteries with novel TiNb2 O7 counter-electrodes. This work pioneers an atomic-doping engineering strategy for electrode materials that could be extended to other energy materials to create high-performance devices.

Since their commercialization in 1991, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have revolutionized our way of life, with LIB pioneers being awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Despite the widespread us...

Existing lithium-ion battery technology is struggling to meet our increasing requirements for high energy density, long lifetime, and low-cost energy storage. Here, a hybrid electrode design is developed by a straightforward reengineering of commercial electrode materials, which has revolutionized the “rocking chair” mechanism by unlocking the role of anions in the electrolyte. Our proof-of-concept hybrid LiFePO(4) (LFP)/graphite electrode works with a staged deintercalation/intercalation mechanism of Li(+) cations and PF(6)(−) anions in a broadened voltage range, which was thoroughly studied by ex situ X-ray diffraction, ex situ Raman spectroscopy, and operando neutron powder diffraction. Introducing graphite into the hybrid electrode accelerates its conductivity, facilitating the rapid extraction/insertion of Li(+) from/into the LFP phase in 2.5 to 4.0 V. This charge/discharge process, in turn, triggers the in situ formation of the cathode/electrolyte interphase (CEI) layer, reinforcing the structural integrity of the whole electrode at high voltage. Consequently, this hybrid LFP/graphite-20% electrode displays a high capacity and long-term cycling stability over 3,500 cycles at 10 C, superior to LFP and graphite cathodes. Importantly, the broadened voltage range and high capacity of the hybrid electrode enhance its energy density, which is leveraged further in a full-cell configuration.

Introduction VTE‐BLEED is a validated score for identification of patients at increased risk of major bleeding during extended anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism (VTE). It is unknown whether VTE‐BLEED high‐risk patients also have an increased risk for recurrent VTE, which would limit the potential usefulness of the score. Methods This was a post hoc analysis of the randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled PADIS‐PE trial that randomized patients with a first unprovoked pulmonary embolism (PE) initially treated during 6 months to receive an additional 18‐month of warfarin vs. placebo. The primary outcome of this analysis was recurrent VTE during 2‐year follow‐up after anticoagulant discontinuation, that is, after the initial 6‐month treatment in the placebo arm and after 24 months of anticoagulation in the active treatment arm. This rate, adjusted for study treatment allocation, was compared between patients in the high‐ vs. low‐risk VTE‐BLEED group. Results In complete case analysis (n = 308; 82.4% of total population), 89 (28.9%) patients were classified as high risk; 44 VTE events occurred after anticoagulant discontinuation during 668 patient‐years. The cumulative incidence of recurrent VTE was 16.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.0%‐26.1%; 14 events) and 14.6% (95% CI, 10.4%‐20.3%; 30 events) in the high‐risk and low‐risk VTE‐BLEED groups, respectively, for an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.16 (95% CI, 0.62‐2.19). Conclusion In this study, patients with unprovoked PE classified at high risk of major bleeding by VTE‐BLEED did not have a higher incidence of recurrent VTE after cessation of anticoagulant therapy, supporting the potential yield of the score for making management decisions on the optimal duration of anticoagulant therapy.

Background With the emergence of coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography, anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (ANOCOR) is more frequently diagnosed. Fractional flow reserve derived from CT (FFRCT) is a noninvasive functional test providing anatomical and functional evaluation of the overall coronary tree. These unique features of anatomical and functional evaluation derived from CT could help for the management of patients with ANOCOR. We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the physiological and clinical impact of FFRCT analysis in the ANOCOR registry population. Methods and Results The ANOCOR registry included patients with ANOCOR detected during invasive coronary angiography or coronary CT angiography between January 2010 and January 2013, with a planned 5‐year follow‐up. We retrospectively performed FFRCT analysis in patients with coronary CT angiography of adequate quality. Follow‐up was performed with a clinical composite end point (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and unplanned revascularization). We obtained successful FFRCT analyses and 5‐year clinical follow‐up in 54 patients (average age, 60±13 years). Thirty‐eight (70%) patients had conservative treatment, and 16 (30%) patients had coronary revascularization after coronary CT angiography. The presence of an ANOCOR course was associated with a moderate reduction of FFRCT value from 1.0 at the ostium to 0.90±0.10 downstream the ectopic course and 0.82±0.11 distally. No significant difference in FFRCT values was identified between at‐risk and not at‐risk ANOCOR. After a 5‐year follow‐up, only one unplanned percutaneous revascularization was reported. Conclusions The presence of ANOCOR was associated with a moderate hemodynamic decrease of FFRCT values and associated with a low risk of cardiovascular events after a 5‐year follow‐up in this middle‐aged population.

We synthesize the phosphor Na3HTi1–xMnxF8 (Na3HTiF8:Mn4+) material series using a coprecipitation method. We determine the complete phase and crystallographic structure of the Na3HTiF8 series end-member, including the determination of the H atoms at the 4b (0, 1/2, 0) crystallographic site within the Cmcm space group symmetry structure, resulting in a quantum efficiency of ∼44%, which is comparative to the Na2SiF6:Mn4+ phosphor materials. We successfully model the luminescent properties of the Na3HTi1–xMnxF8 material series, including temperature and time-dependent photoluminescence, providing a good prediction of the decay properties at low and high temperature and revealing the existence of Mn5+ during the ionization process. Notably, LED package data indicates that the Na3HTi1–xMnxF8 material series could be a promising candidate for high-level and back-lighting devices. This research reveals the role that hydrogen plays in determining fluoride phosphor structure and properties, revealing a new path fo...

The P3-type layered oxide Na0.5Ni0.25Mn0.75O2 is a promising manganese-rich positive electrode (cathode) material for sodium ion batteries, with a high working voltage of 4.2–2.5 V vs. Na+/Na and a high capacity of over 130 mA h g−1 when cycled at 10 mA g−1. However, its structural evolution during battery cycling – specifically, the nature of the high-voltage phase above 4 V – has never been fully understood, which has hindered efforts to rationally modify and improve its performance. In this work we use in situ neutron diffraction to show that the phase above 4 V is a modification of the intermediate O3 phase from which all sodium has been removed, and which consequently has a dramatically shorter interlayer distance. We label this fully Na-depleted phase O3s, such that the phase evolution with increasing voltage is P3 → O3 → O3s. Having elucidated its structure, we used first-principles calculations of the electronic structure as a function of sodium content to show that reversible oxygen redox plays a key role in the electrochemical activity of this O3s phase above 4 V. We also calculated the energies of oxygen/transition metal vacancies and found that the O3s phase should be relatively stable against their formation. The results will guide future research aimed at understanding and stabilizing the O3s phase, in order to improve the performance and cycling stability of this material in sodium ion batteries.

The management of patients with resistant hypertension remains a major challenge in daily clinical practice in order to limit macro and microvascular impact. However, lack of compliance often remains one of the main etiologies of resistant hypertension. Through a clinical case of complex therapeutic non-compliance, we will detail the frequency, the screening and the management of therapeutic non-compliance. Finally, we will specify the contribution of drug dosages and psychological expertise in screening non-observant patients with presumed resistant hypertension.

The performance of rechargeable batteries is influenced by the structural and phase changes of components during cycling. Neutron powder diffraction (NPD) provides unique and useful information concerning the structure-function relation of battery components and can be used to study the changes to component phase and structure during battery cycling, known as in operando measurement studies. The development and use of NPD for in operando measurements of batteries is summarized along with detailed experimental approaches that impact the insights gained by these. A summary of the information gained concerning battery function using in operando NPD measurements is provided, including the structural and phase evolution of electrode materials and charge-carrying ion diffusion pathways through these, which are critical to the development of battery technology.

Qing Zhang, Christophe Didier, Wei Kong Pang, Yajie Liu, Zhijie Wang, Sean Li, Vanessa K. Peterson, Jianfeng Mao, and Zaiping Guo

Black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and mountain chickadees (P. gambeli) are ecologically segregated due to differences in habitat preference. However, forestry practices in northwestern Canada have created a mosaic of coniferous (mountain chickadee habitat) and deciduous forest patches (black-capped habitat), which might explain cases of observed regional sympatry between these 2 closely related species. In Poecile species, social hierarchies amongst conspecific individuals influence lifehistory parameters such as mate choice. As a result, interspecific social hierarchies might drive hybridization between these 2 closely related species. By conducting field observations and aviary experiments, we demonstrated that black-capped chickadees are dominant over mountain chickadees. Using a combination of species-specific phenotypes (plumage), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to assess maternal genotype, and microsatellite markers, we confirmed that genetic mixing occurs within our contact zone but that the pattern of parentage appears directional. All but one of the adult hybrids was phenotypically identified as mountain chickadee and had mountain chickadee mtDNA. Furthermore, all nestlings where microsatellites detected mixedspecies ancestry were from mountain chickadee nests with both attending parents having mountain chickadee phenotypes. All mtDNA from these nestlings was mountain chickadee except for one individual, and in all cases, these nestlings showed genetic patterns of having arisen through extrapair copulations between female mountain and male black-capped chickadees. Our results suggest that hybridization may result from males of the mountain chickadees having lower expression of a preferred trait (dominance) than the black-capped chickadees. Key words: black-capped and mountain chickadees, dominance hierarchies, extrapair paternity, hybridization. [Behav Ecol]

In June 1996, 16 UV-visible sensors from 11 institutes measured spectra of the zenith sky for more than 10 days. Spectra were analysed in real-time to determine slant column amounts of O3 and NO2. Spectra of Hg lamps and lasers were measured, and the amount of NO2 in a cell was determined by each spectrometer. Some spectra were re-analysed after obvious errors were found. Slant columns were compared in two ways: by examining regression analyses against comparison instruments over the whole range of solar zenith angles; and by taking fractional differences from a comparison instrument at solar zenith angles between 85° and 91°. Regression identified which pairs of instruments were most consistent, and so which could be used as universal comparison instruments. For O3, regression slopes for the whole campaign agreed within 5% for most instruments despite the use of different cross-sections and wavelength intervals, whereas similar agreement was only achieved for NO2 when the same cross-sections and wavelength intervals were used and only one half-day's data was analysed. Mean fractional differences in NO2 from a comparison instrument fall within ±7% (1-sigma) for most instruments, with standard deviations of the mean differences averaging 4.5%. Mean differences in O3 fall within ±2.5% (1- sigma) for most instruments, with standard deviations of the mean differences averaging 2%. Measurements of NO2 in the cell had similar agreement to measurements of NO2 in the atmosphere, but for some instruments measurements with cell and atmosphere relative to a comparison instrument disagreed by more than the error bars.

The subcommissural organ (SCO) is a cerebral gland that releases into the cerebrospinal fluid a carbohydrate-rich glycoprotein which condenses to form Reissner's fiber (RF). Western blots from two-dimensional gel electrophoresis were stained with lectins (Concanavalin-A, wheat germ agglutinin) and anti-bovine RF serum to identify the secretory products of the chick embryo SCO. Immunohistochemical investigations showed that the anti-bovine RF serum reacted exclusively with the secretion of the SCO. Comparative protein patterns of SCO, pineal organ and cerebral hemisphere extracts allowed us to characterize a specific polypeptide in the SCO electrophoretic profiles. The polypeptide was a highly acid compound (isoelectric point of 4.7) with a high molecular weight (390 kDa). On Western blots only this component was immunoreactive with the RF antiserum and it exhibited an affinity for the two lectins. On the basis of these results, this polypeptide may be considered as a specific component of the secretory material synthesized by the SCO cells of the chick embryo.

spectively), (p

The electrical conductivity of solid lithium hydride was measured. The electromotive forces of cells (Li)/LiH/H2p were determined at pressurep equal tol or to the equilibrium pressure of lithium hydride at the resp. temperatures. From the results it seems that lithium hydride, under the conditions where its conductivity is essentially ionic, may be used as a solid electrolyte for measurements of thermodynamic data of other less stable hydrides.

Sillans Roger, Normand R.-Didier. Sur le fruit et la structure du bois de Neochevalierodendron stephanii . In: Revue internationale de botanique appliquée et d'agriculture tropicale, 33ᵉ année, bulletin n°373-374, Novembre-décembre 1953. pp. 565-570.

The effects of 2,4,5-T on the hepatic cell in the 13 day old quail embryo have been studied. When injected at the dose level of 80 or 240 mg/kg into non-incubated eggs, this herbicide induces a proliferation of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The ergastoplasmic cisternae are dilated and feature a decrease in ribosomic covering. The mitochondria are swollen showing a pale matrix and a deficiency in cristae. One also observes an increase in the amount and size of lipidic inclusions and a dilatation of bile canaliculi. Moreover, biochemical analysis reveals a significant decrease in the glycogen content indicating that 2,4,5-T disturbs the glycogenic function of the liver.

The changes in the main plasma and liver metabolites of gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis have been studied in quails during 72-hr starvation. In those conditions, glycaemia barely decreased, whereas liver glycogen and plasma and liver lactate dropped, suggesting that lactate was utilized extensively for gluconeogenesis. In contrast, plasma alanine decreased only slightly. During starvation, plasma free fatty acids and cholesterol were significantly enhanced, whereas plasma triglycerides decreased. Ketogenesis seemed very active. Hydroxybutyrate concentrations were markedly higher in the plasma than in the liver, indicating that mechanisms other than simple diffusion processes should be considered for hepatic ketone body release. The present results suggest that metabolic response to prolonged starvation in the quail does not differ markedly from that observed in other birds. However, the utilization of glucose and ketone bodies by peripheral tissue and of some substrates, such as alanine or pyruvate, for gluconeogenesis must be further investigated.

The changes in the main plasma and liver metabolites of gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis have been studied in quails during 72-hr starvation. In those conditions, glycaemia barely decreased, whereas liver glycogen and plasma and liver lactate dropped, suggesting that lactate was utilized extensively for gluconeogenesis. In contrast, plasma alanine decreased only slightly. During starvation, plasma free fatty acids and cholesterol were significantly enhanced, whereas plasma triglycerides decreased. Ketogenesis seemed very active. Hydroxybutyrate concentrations were markedly higher in the plasma than in the liver, indicating that mechanisms other than simple diffusion processes should be considered for hepatic ketone body release. The present results suggest that metabolic response to prolonged starvation in the quail does not differ markedly from that observed in other birds. However, the utilization of glucose and ketone bodies by peripheral tissue and of some substrates, such as alanine or pyruvate, for gluconeogenesis must be further investigated.

International audience

Gonadal and mesonephric protein patterns from 19 day old normal chick embryos were investigated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Under these conditions, several sex-specific polypeptides were detected. As concerns gonadal extracts, four sex-specific polypeptides, all restricted to the cytosol, were present in the testis, whereas three sex-specific polypeptides, two localized in the cytosol, the other being membrane-bound, were identified in the ovary. Among the ovary-specific polypeptides two proved to be estrogen-dependent. They appeared in the left testis of embryos after early estradiol benzoate treatment and their expression was reduced in the ovary after early exposure to the antiestrogen, tamoxifen. Mesonephros extracts of both sexes also differed in their protein composition since three additional polypeptides (one in both the cytosolic and membrane fractions, the others in the cytosol) not found in females were found to be present in males. None appeared to be affected after either estradiol or tamoxifen treatment.

At stages 16 and 18, the germ cells counts, in the quail embryos' gonads from control and 2,4,5-T treated eggs, show no significative difference. On the contrary, at stage 20, the gonocyte numbers of the treated embryos are strongly decreased. Actually, this mechanism cannot be stage precisely.

The effects of 2,4,5-T on adult japanese quail have been studied. The herbicide was administered daily in oral dosages at level of 100 mg/kg per day for two weeks (five days a week). In these experimental conditions, this compound was moderately toxic, the rate of mortality was low. However, we noticed a significant reduction in food consumption, body weight and egg production. The physiological disturbances resulting from the toxicological treatment are reversible.