Capacity fading on cycling nano size grains of Li1.1V3O8, electrochemical investigation

The electrochemical characterization related to the capacity fading of Li_1.1V₃O₈ nano grains has been investigated. It reveals that capacity loss is associated to the use of liquid electrolyte and that it mainly stems from the active material irrespective of the nature of the liquid electrolyte, the water content, synthesis routes and the positive electrode chemistry. SEM and in operando XRD experiments allow elucidating undergoing physical processes. A film forms from electrolyte decomposition on the surface of the electrode and progressively propagates on cycling through the electrode thickness. Embedded grains become either less or none electrochemically reactive. In the former case, embedded grains give rise to strongly polarized and energetically less favored processes. In the latter case the capacity is not accessible anymore within the potential range resulting in capacity fading.     

Nucleation and crystallization of Ba2Si3O8 spherulites in a barium aluminum silicate glass,and mechanical properties of the obtained glass-ceramics

The effect of spherulitic crystallization on the elastic moduli and fracture toughness of a barium aluminum silicate glass was investigated. The crystallization process results in Ba₂Si₃O₈ phase and is initiated from Ba rich nuclei. Nucleation is optimal in the 690-720 °C interval. Young’s modulus is increased by 12.5% when the glass-ceramic conversion is nearly complete. Nevertheless, as the size and the volume fraction of crystals are increased, some microcracking shows up upon cooling from the crystallization temperature. An optimal improvement of the fracture toughness (SEPB method) by 27 % is observed for a 49 % volume fraction of 5 to 10 μm large spherulites.     

On the hydrodynamics characterization of the straight Maxblend impeller with Newtonian fluids

The hydrodynamics generated by the straight version of the Maxblend^® impeller with Newtonian fluids in a baffled stirred vessel under the transitional and turbulent regime has been experimentally characterized by means of the particle image velocimetry technique. The flow fields obtained with the Maxblend were compared with those obtained with a double stage classical pitched blade turbine (PBT) and a double Ekato Intermig^® impellers under the same specific power draw. It is shown that these open impellers induce complex local flows in the radial and axial direction, with an intensity decreasing away from the blades. By contrast, the Maxblend impeller generates a more regular circulation pattern, with efficient top-to-bottom pumping.     

Preliminary validation of the MMPI-A for a male delinquent sample: an investigation of clinical correlates and discriminant validity

Bacterial strains of Aeromonas salmonicida included in the recognized subsp. acromogenes, subsp. masoucida, and subsp. smithia in addition to the large number of strains not included in any of the described subspecies are referred to as atypical A. salmonicida. The atypical strains form a very heterogeneous group with respect to biochemical characteristics, growth conditions, and production of extracellular proteasess. Consequently, the present taxonomy of the species A. salmonicida is rather ambiguous. Atypical A. salmonicida has been isolated from a wide range of cultivated and wild fish species, non-salmonids as well as salmonids, inhabiting fresh water, brackish water and marine environments in northern and central Europe, South Africa, North America, Japan and Australia. In non-salmonid fish species, infections with atypical strains often manifest themselves as superficial skin ulcerations. The best known diseases associated with atypical A. salmonicida are carp Cyprinus carpio erythrodermatitis, goldfish Carassius auratus ulcer disease, and ulcer disease of flounder Platichthys flesus, but atypical strains are apparently involved in more disease outbreaks than previously suspected. Macroscopical and microscopical studies of ulcerated fish indicate internal organs are infrequently invaded by atypical A. salmonicida. This view is supported by the fact that atypical strains are irregularly isolated from visceral organs of ulcerated fish. High mortality caused by atypical A. salmonicida has been observed in populations of wild non-salmonids and farmed salmonids, although the association between the mortality in the wild fish stocks and atypical A. salmonicida has not always been properly assessed. In injection experiments the pathogenicity of the atypical strains examined showed large variation. An extacellular A-layer has been detected in different atypical strains, but virulence mechanisms different from those described for (typical) A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, for example an extracellular metallo-protease and a different iron utilization mechanism, have been described. Limited information is available about the ecology, spread and survival of atypical strains in water. The commonly used therapeutic methods for the control of diseases in farmed fish caused by atypical A. salmonicida are generally effective against the atypical strains. Resistance to different antibiotics and transferable plasmid encoding multiple drug resistance have been observed in atpical A. salmonicida. Studies aimed at producing a vaccine against atypical strains are in progress.     

Translumbar placement of inferior vena caval catheters: a solution for challenging hemodialysis access

Access to the central venous circulation for hemodialysis has traditionally been achieved via the subclavian or jugular venous routes. With ongoing improvements in medical management, many hemodialysis recipients develop exhaustion of these routes and require alternative means of central venous access. Inferior vena caval (IVC) catheters have been placed with a percutaneous translumbar approach to allow central venous access for chemotherapy, harvesting of stem cells, and total parenteral nutrition. Translumbar placement of IVC catheters has become accepted by some as a useful and reliable alternative in patients who require long-term hemodialysis but have exhausted traditional access sites. IVC catheters have been placed in patients with IVC filters, and IVC filters have been placed in patients with IVC catheters. Complications include those associated with central venous catheters, for example, sepsis, fibrin sheaths, and thrombosis. A complication specific to placement of IVC hemodialysis catheters is migration of the catheter into the subcutaneous soft tissues, retroperitoneum, or iliac veins. Translumbar placement of IVC catheters is performed only in patients considered to have few or no other medical options and is not intended as a primary means of central venous access.     

Pediatric emergency medicine fellow clinical work requirements

A wide range of clinical requirements exists among PEM fellowship programs. Programs are equally split concerning the question of whether fellows should work with supervision or independently in the first year; a significant number of fellowship programs require continued supervision of fellows in subsequent years. Orientation for first year fellows and requirements for completion of PALS, advanced pediatric life support (APLS), ACLS, or ATLS courses prior to their first independent shift varied greatly. In particular, a minority of programs required ATLS completion even though a majority of overall fellowship programs operate in a hospital designated as a Level 1 Trauma Center. Programs in which first-year fellows worked independently had fewer attendings and were less likely to provide 24-hour coverage. Fellows appear to work a similar or less demanding schedule than PEM attendings in most fellowship programs, and most fellowship directors feel that their fellows should continue with their current schedule.