Structural Aspects of P2-Type Na0.67Mn0.6Ni0.2Li0.2O2 (MNL) Stabilization by Lithium Defects as a Cathode Material for Sodium-Ion Batteries

A known strategy for improving the properties of layered oxide electrodes in sodium-ion batteries is the partial substitution of transition metals by Li. Herein, the role of Li as a defect and its impact on sodium storage in P2-Na_0.67Mn_0.6Ni_0.2Li_0.2O₂ is discussed. In tandem with electrochemical studies, the electronic and atomic structure are studied using solid-state NMR, operando XRD, and density functional theory (DFT). For the as-synthesized material, Li is located in comparable amounts within the sodium and the transition metal oxide (TMO) layers. Desodiation leads to a redistribution of Li ions within the crystal lattice. During charging, Li ions from the Na layer first migrate to the TMO layer before reversing their course at low Na contents. There is little change in the lattice parameters during charging/discharging, indicating stabilization of the P2 structure. This leads to a solid-solution type storage mechanism (sloping voltage profile) and hence excellent cycle life with a capacity of 110 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles. In contrast, the Li-free compositions Na_0.67Mn_0.6Ni_0.4O₂ and Na_0.67Mn_0.8Ni_0.2O₂ show phase transitions and a stair-case voltage profile. The capacity is found to originate from mainly Ni³⁺/Ni⁴⁺ and O^2-/O^2-δ redox processes by DFT, although a small contribution from Mn⁴⁺/Mn⁵⁺ to the capacity cannot be excluded.     

Analyse von Lkw-Überholmanövern auf Autobahnen für die Entwicklung kooperativer Fahrerassistenzsysteme

Forschung im Ingenieurwesen - Lkw-Überholmanöver auf Autobahnen können Konfliktsituationen provozieren. Das lange Blockieren der Überholspur und plötzliche Ausscheren kann...     

Supramolecular Assembly of Aminoethylene‐Lipopeptide PMO Conjugates into RNA Splice‐Switching Nanomicelles

Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) are oligonucleotide analogs that can be used for therapeutic modulation of pre‐mRNA splicing. Similar to other classes of nucleic acid‐based therapeutics, PMOs require delivery systems for efficient transport to the intracellular target sites. Here, artificial peptides based on the oligo(ethylenamino) acid succinyl‐tetraethylenpentamine (Stp), hydrophobic modifications, and an azide group are presented, which are used for strain‐promoted azide‐alkyne cycloaddition conjugation with splice‐switching PMOs. By systematically varying the lead structure and formulation, it is determined that the type of contained fatty acid and supramolecular assembly have a critical impact on the delivery efficacy. A compound containing linolenic acid with three cis double bonds exhibits the highest splice‐switching activity and significantly increases functional protein expression in pLuc/705 reporter cells in vitro and after local administration in vivo. Structural and mechanistic studies reveal that the lipopeptide PMO conjugates form nanoparticles, which accelerate cellular uptake and that the content of unsaturated fatty acids enhances endosomal escape. In an in vitro Duchenne muscular dystrophy exon skipping model using H2K‐mdx52 dystrophic skeletal myotubes, the highly potent PMO conjugates mediate significant splice‐switching at very low nanomolar concentrations. The presented aminoethylene‐lipopeptides are thus a promising platform for the generation of PMO‐therapeutics with a favorable activity/toxicity profile.     

电容式触摸传感器提升应用设计

好像在突然之间，电容式传感器就无处不在了。它被安装在汽车座位里以控制气囊配置和安全带预紧装置，在洗碗机和干燥机中以校正旋转桶的状态，甚至冰箱也使用其来控制自动去冰过程。但是直到现在，它最大的潜在应用领域还是触摸开关，触摸开关已越来越多地出现在消费电子产品中。     

欧洲和德国的钢铁工业的环保现状和发展(二)

(上接2004年第3期) 3环境保护的组织 在环境保护的领域中,已经达到了完成给定的一个很复杂的任务的水平,只有通过综合的技术和复杂手段来取得进一步的成功.Rio and约翰内斯堡会议的觉醒,特别是可持续发展的要求,及组织的工具的快速发展.环境保护领域中的技术可以通过以下手段日益完善:     

Inflammation and bone metabolism in rheumatoid arthritis. Pathogenetic viewpoints and therapeutic possibilities

BACKGROUND: Systemic osteoporosis is a common and pathogenetically heterogenous complication in rheumatoid arthritis. Various factors such as disease activity, dosage and duration of glucocorticoid treatment and immobilization are involved in pathogenesis of osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis. INFLAMMATION AND BONE METABOLISM: Proinflammatory cytokines secreted by immunocompetent cells have a role in the regulation of the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The effects of these proinflammatory cytokines include the inhibition of bone formation and an increase in bone resorption. Interleukin-6 and nitric oxide induced in osteoblasts by proinflammatory cytokines are likely to be important mediators between these cytokines and the function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Furthermore, disease activity dependent changes in the secretion of glucocorticoids and in vitamin D metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in this disease. Alteration of bone remodeling associated with immobilization is an important factor of systemic bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSION: The inflammatory process in rheumatoid arthritis may cause penarticular and systemic bone loss by various cytokine and hormone mediated mechanisms. Concluding from these pathogenetic mechanisms, bisphosphonates and active vitamin D metabolites are likely to be effective therapeutic options in osteoporosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis.     

Has risk associated with smoking increased? Results from the Copenhagen Center for Prospective Population Studies

BACKGROUND: Two recent much cited publications have raised the concern that risk associated with cigarette smoking has so far been underestimated. In this study we wish to determine whether excess all-cause mortality associated with smoking has increased during the last 20-30 years in a study population representative of the general Danish population and whether any such changes relate to changes in smoking behaviour. METHODS: Pooled data from three prospective population studies conducted in Copenhagen with detailed information on smoking habits. A total of 31,194 subjects, 17,669 males and 13,525 females, initially examined between 1964 and 1992 with examinations repeated at intervals from 1-10 years, were followed until 1995 for all-cause mortality. Relative mortality risk in smokers versus never-smokers was calculated within periods of five calendar years and compared throughout the study period. RESULTS: Male smokers' exposure did not change during the study period whereas female smokers' exposure to tobacco increased in terms of age at smoking onset, quantity smoked and depth of inhalation. During follow-up 5744 males and 2900 females died. In males, death rate ratios (comparing continuous smokers with never-smokers) did not change in the study period. In females, ratios increased from 1964-1978 to 1979-1994 by a factor of 1.3 (95% confidence interval 1.0-1.8). CONCLUSIONS: In agreement with the observed changes in smoking habits, excess mortality in male smokers did not increase whereas excess mortality in female smokers increased slightly.     

EU-Weißbuch Erneuerbare Energien und die Ergebnisse von Kyoto

The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nationsl Framework Convention on Climate Change gives a target for the reduction of greenhouse gases in the EU and most associated states of 8% from 1990 levels to 2010. The European Commissions Whitebook on Renewable Energy is setting a target of doubling the share of Renewable Energy from 6% now to 12% in 2010 for the European Union. There is no contradiction between these targets.