Electrical energy storage for transportation has gone beyond the limit of converntional lithium ion batteries currently. New material or new battery system development is an alternative approach to achieve the goal of new high-energy storage system with energy densities 5 times or more greater. A series of SeSx-carbon (x = 0-7) composite materials has been prepared and evaluated as the positive electrodes in secondary lithium cells with ether-based electrolyte. In situ synchrotron high-energy X-ray diffraction was utilized to investigate the crystalline phase transition during cell cycling. Complementary, in situ Se K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis was used to track the evolution of the Se valence state for both crystalline and noncrystalline phases, including amorphous and electrolyte-dissolved phases in the (de)lithiation process. On the basis of these results, a mechanism for the (de)lithiation process is proposed, where Se is reduced to the polyselenides, Li2Sen (n ≥ 4), Li2Se2, and Li2Se sequentially during the lithiation and Li2Se is oxidized to Se through Li2Sen (n ≥ 4) during the delithiation. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrated the reversibility of the Li/Se system in ether-based electrolyte and the presence of side products in the carbonate-based electrolytes. For Li/SeS2 and Li/SeS7 cells, Li2Se and Li2S are the discharged products with the presence of Se only as the crystalline phase in the end of charge.

The sodium battery has the potential to be the next generation rechargeable system which utilizes cheaper and more abundant sodium material but affords nearly the same power as lithium batteries. One of the key barriers for the sodium battery is the lack of stable anode materials which can insert sodium ions reversibly at relatively low potential. This contribution reports the sodium insertion in a series of organic carboxylate based materials: (C

The lithiation mechanism of the Li-Se cell in a carbonate-based electrolyte is discussed. It is found that Se is directly reduced to Li2Se in discharge without intermediate phases detected by in situ X-ray diffraction or X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The reason is that the redox products Se and Li2Se, as well as lithium polyselenides are insoluble in the electrolyte.

Arterial stiffness (AS) is a predictor of coronary artery outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) is a commonly used method for assessing AS. This study aimed to assess the relationship between cf-PWV and clinical CVD events. Of the 786 studies identified, 19 studies were included in the final meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that participants with high cf-PWV by 1 standard deviation (SD), 1 m/s, and cutoff points have a high pooled relative risk for CVD events (1 SD: 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-1.31; 1 m/s: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07-1.18; and cutoff points: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.45-2.14) and CVD mortality (1 SD: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.15-1.31; 1 m/s: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04-1.14; and cutoff points: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.46-2.24). In addition, we found that the predictive value of increased AS was higher in patients with higher disease risk for total CVD events and CVD mortality than in other patients. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity is a useful biomarker to improve the prediction of CV risk for patients and identify high-risk populations who may benefit from aggressive CV risk factor management.

Lithium oxide (Li 2 O) is activated in the presence of a layered composite cathode material (HEM) significantly increasing the energy density of lithium-ion batteries. The degree of activation depends on the current rate, electrolyte salt, and anode type. In full-cell tests, the Li 2 O was used as a lithium source to counter the first-cycle irreversibility of high-capacity composite alloy anodes. When Li 2 O is mixed with HEM to serve as a cathode, the electrochemical performance was improved in a full cell having an SiO-SnCoC composite as an anode. The mechanism behind the Li 2 O activation could also explain the first charge plateau and the abnormal high capacity associated with these high energy cathode materials.

Engagement in social activities is relatively low in rural areas, and associations of willingness and health-related quality of life with social participation were found. Policy-makers and government workers should make appropriate types of encouragement policies around social participation for older adults in rural areas. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1593-1602.

Both UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 polymorphisms can be considered as predictors of irinotecan-induced toxicity, with effect varying by race, cancer type and irinotecan dose.

We report on synthesis and phase transition characteristics of VO2 films grown on various single crystal substrates Al2O3 (0001), TiO2 (101), TiO2 (001), and MgF2 (001). An epitaxial orientation relationship was established for films on Al2O3 and TiO2 from x-ray 2θ-ω coupled scans and φ scans. Films grown on these substrates exhibit a metal to insulator transition below that for bulk single crystals with accompanying resistance change of 3 to 4 orders of magnitude. Trends in phase transition characteristics with substrate physical properties are analyzed. Postdeposition treatment studies in oxygen and ozone at low temperatures demonstrate that epitaxial VO2 films on TiO2 can tolerate oxidation environment better than the films on Al2O3. The studies could be of relevance toward further advancing structure-functional property relations in this important material system.