Lithia formation mechanism in tin oxide anodes for lithium–ion rechargeable batteries

The lithia formation mechanism in tin oxide anode is investigated using electrochemical measurements and Auger spectroscopy. Based on the charge/discharge capacities for SnO electrode, the atomic ratio of Li to O in lithia is less than 2 at the discharge capacity of 400 mAh/g (～0.9 V). The derivative capacity plots show that the irreversible reaction occurs throughout the entire discharge to 0 V, and the atomic ratio of Li to O is about 1 at ～0.8 V and 2 at 0 V. Auger spectroscopy analysis also confirms that the atomic ratio of Li to O approaches to 2 only when discharged to 0 V. Thus, Li₂O appears to have formed at 0 V in the first discharge, not ～0.8 V as reported previously, such that the initial lithia composition is more like Li₂O₂.     

Nanostructured Sn/TiO2/C composite as a high-performance anode for Li-ion batteries

A nanostructured Sn/TiO₂/C composite was prepared from SnO, Ti, and carbon powders using a mechanochemical reduction method and evaluated as an anode material in rechargeable Li-ion batteries. The Sn/TiO₂/C nanocomposite was composed of uniformly dispersed nanocrystalline Sn and rutile TiO₂ in amorphous carbon matrix. In addition, electrochemical Li insertion/extraction in rutile TiO₂ was examined by ex situ XRD and extended X-ray absorption fine structure. The Sn/TiO₂/C nanocomposite exhibited excellent electrochemical performance, which highlights its potential as a new alternative anode material in Li-ion batteries.     

Lithium barium silicate,Li2BaSiO4, from synchrotron powder data

The structure of lithium barium silicate, Li₂BaSiO₄, has been determined from synchrotron radiation powder data. The title compound was synthesized by high‐temperature solid‐state reaction and crystallizes in the hexagonal space group P6₃cm. It contains two Li atoms, one Ba atom (both site symmetry ..m on special position 6c), two Si atoms [on special positions 4b (site symmetry 3..) and 2a (site symmetry 3.m)] and four O atoms (one on general position 12d, and three on special positions 6c, 4b and 2a). The basic units of the structure are (Li₆SiO₁₃)⁵⁻ units, each comprising seven tetrahedra sharing edges and vertices. These basic units are connected by sharing corners parallel to [001] and through sharing (SiO₄)⁴⁻ tetrahedra in (001). The relationship between the structures and luminescence properties of Li₂SrSiO₄, Li₂CaSiO₄ and the title compound is discussed.     

Surfaces of fluorinated pyridinium block copolymers with enhanced antibacterial activity

Polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) copolymers were quaternized with 1-bromohexane and 6-perfluorooctyl-1-bromohexane. Surfaces prepared from these polymers were characterized by contact angle measurements, near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The fluorinated pyridinium surfaces showed enhanced antibacterial activity compared to their nonfluorinated counterparts. Even a polymer with a relatively low molecular weight pyridinium block showed high antimicrobial activity. The bactericidal effect was found to be related to the molecular composition and organization in the top 2-3 nm of the surface and increased with increasing hydrophilicity and pyridinium concentration of the surface.     

Synthesis of C-15 vindoline analogues by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions

Described are general protocols for the rapid construction of various C-15-substituted analogues of vindoline using palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. The required bromo- and iodovindolines were prepared in high yield by the reaction of vindoline with N-bromosuccinimide or N-iodosuccinimide, respectively. The study not only led to the preparation of a number of structurally novel vindoline analogues but also opens the door to new strategies for the synthesis of vinblastine, vincristine, and related anticancer agents. Also described is the conversion of ent-tabersonine to ent-vindoline.     

Dynamic preventive maintenance scheduling of the modules of fighter aircraft based on random effects regression model

Proper maintenance of fighter aircraft is an important issue to control theairpower. Typical maintenance policy applied is based on the constant schedulefor a given module. This kind of maintenance does not take into account varyingcharacteristics of the module over time. In this paper, we utilize the randomeffects Weibull regression model for non-constant MTBF (mean time betweenfailure) and MTTR (mean time to repair) in order to provide a dynamic preventivemaintenance schedule reflecting the module's varying characteristics in atimely manner. Our study is expected to contribute to ROKA (Republic of KoreaAirforce) in terms of improving the level of combat readiness of fighteraircraft.     

The role of sample collection method and the bias between different standard matrices in the determination of volatile organic compounds in air

This study was undertaken to assess the relative bias between two types of sampling methods for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), i.e., sorbent tube vs. bag sampling methods and between different standard phases. For the purpose of this comparative study, gaseous standards containing three major aromatic VOCs (benzene, toluene, and xylene—commonly called BTX) were analyzed by thermo-desorption gas chromatography (TD-GC) with flame ionization detector. According to our findings, the relative response of target compounds can be smaller in the bag method than in the tube method. Although the relative bias varies with the sample transfer conditions for the TD, the mean slope values of the former are smaller by up to 20% relative to the latter, possibly due to sorptive loss on the bag sampler. In addition, the effects of different standard matrices (i.e. liquid and gas phases) were also examined using the sorbent tube method. The results indicated that the slope values of the gas-phase standard were smaller by half (about 43–56%) than the liquid-phase standard. Consequently, information concerning the extent of relative bias between sampling methods (e.g., bag and tube) or standard matrices (e.g., gas and liquid) should be considered as one of the key factors in TD applications.     

Explicit bounds of polynomial coefficients and counting points on Picard curves over finite fields

In this paper, we describe an algorithm for computing the order of the Jacobian varieties of Picard curves over finite fields. This is an extension of the algorithm of Matsuo, Chao and Tsujii (MCT) [K. Matsuo, J. Chao, S. Tsujii, An improved baby step algorithm for point counting of hyperelliptic curves over finite fields, in: LNCS vol. 2369, Springer-Verlag, 2005, pp. 461–474] for hyperelliptic curves. We study the characteristic polynomials and the Jacobian varieties of algebraic curves of genus three over finite fields. Based on this, we investigate the explicit computable bounds for coefficients of the characteristic polynomial and improve a part of the baby-step giant-step of the counting points algorithm. Usefulness of the proposed method is illustrated and verified by the simple examples.     

Time of acquisition and high spatial resolution mass spectrometry imaging

The field of mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is constantly evolving to analyze a diverse array of biological systems. A common goal is the need to resolve cellular and subcellular heterogeneity with high spatial resolution. As the field continues to progress towards high spatial resolution, other parameters must be considered when developing a practical method. Here, we discuss the impacts of high spatial resolution on the time of acquisition and the associated implications they have on an MSI analysis (e.g., area of the region of interest). This work presents a brief tutorial serving to evaluate high spatial resolution MSI relative to time of acquisition and data file size.