Understanding Rechargeable Battery Function Using In Operando Neutron Powder Diffraction

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.     

Depicting communities of Romani studies: on the who,when and where of Roma related scientific publications

Scientometrics - Contemporary research on Roma from diverse disciplines has grown strongly during the last years. This is the first bibliometric study on the field of Romani studies considering the...     

Artificial Neural Network and Fuzzy Inference System Models for Forecasting Suspended Sediment and Turbidity in Basins at Different Scales

Water Resources Management - The monitoring of hydro-sedimentological processes is important for environmental control but depends on resources that are not always available. The estimation of...     

A Proof of Concept Study for the Parameters of Corn Grains Using Digital Images and a Multivariate Regression Model

In this method, a numerical matrix comprised of ten color scales (RGB, HSV, L, and rgb) as independent variables from digitalized images was used as a proof of concept for the prediction of the mass, apparent volume, and bulk density parameters of grains for quality control considering post-harvest purposes. The goal was to develop a high throughput multivariate regression model using partial least squares (PLS) combined with the information from color images to assess the raw product. The data set of external samples was successfully evaluated with standard error of cross-validation (SECV) values of 1.23 g (16.4–28.9), 2.03 cm³ (20.5–40.5), and 0.018 g cm^?3 (0.68–0.85) for the mass, apparent volume, and bulk density, respectively.     

Environmental Flows Under the WFD Implementation

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is the first piece of European environmental legislation addressing hydromorphological modifications and impacts on water bodies. Accordingly, in those water bodies where the hydromorphological pressures are having an impact on the ecological status, action is needed to achieve WFD objectives. Environmental flows appeared as one of the answers to this challenge. Due to their importance, Member States (MSs) have been looking to integrate ecological flows in the River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) and Programmes of Measures (PoMs). More than seventeen years after the WFD adoption, this study aims to provide a systematic review of the use of environmental flows within the process of WFD implementation and their contribution to the achievement of environmental objectives. In order to achieve the goals of the study, a special analysis was done using: i) the WFD official documentation reporting the progress of WFD and environmental flows definition and implementation (such as the CIS Guidance n° 31), as well as, ii) the answers to key questions addressed to EU MSs representatives involved in the implementation of environmental flows. These enabled us to perceive how this topic has been addressed in MSs. Based on the gathered information the authors assessed whether a change in the environmental flows’ situation, between the 1st and 2nd RBMPs, has occurred by each MS, or whether progress on environmental flows assessments has been made. Furthermore, this study also highlights some MSs representatives comments related with the role of the Guidance n°31 and some relevant information related with the 3rd RBMPs. Even though an evolution on environmental flows assessments can be perceived, with an increase in MSs defining and incorporating environmental flows within the 2nd RBMPs and in the complexity of the conducted approaches, there is still a long way to go. Namely, it could be highlighted that more efforts are required for the: i) implementation of environmental flows and the monitoring of its effects in the water bodies status, ii) development of a verifiable link between environmental flows and biological indicators.