A Novel Structured Si-Based Composite with 2D Structured Graphite for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Silicon is a promising alternative to graphite anodes for achieving high-energy-density in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high theoretical capacity (3579 mAh g). However, silicon anode must be developed to address its disadvantages, such as volume expansion and low electronic conductivity. Therefore, the use of silicon as composed with graphite and carbon anode materials is investigated, which requires properties such as a spherical morphology for high density and encapsulation of silicon particles in the composite.

Scalable Dry Process for Fabricating a Na Superionic Conductor-Type Solid Electrolyte Sheet.

The cost reduction and mass production of oxide-based solid electrolytes are critical for the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries. In this study, an environmentally friendly, low-cost, and high-density oxide-based Na superionic conductor-type solid electrolyte sheet was fabricated via a dry process without the use of any solvent. The polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), used as a binder, was transformed into thin thread-like structures via shear force, resulting in a flexible solid electrolyte sheet.

Achieving Cycling Stability in Anode of Lithium-Ion Batteries with Silicon-Embedded Titanium Oxynitride Microsphere.

Surface coating approaches for silicon (Si) have demonstrated potential for use as anodes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) to address the large volume change and low conductivity of Si. However, the practical application of these approaches remains a challenge because they do not effectively accommodate the pulverization of Si during cycling or require complex processes. Herein, Si-embedded titanium oxynitride (Si-TiON) was proposed and successfully fabricated using a spray-drying process.

A Novel High-Performance TiO /TiO N Coating Material for Silicon Anode in Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Protective surface coatings on Si anodes are promising for improving the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Nevertheless, most coating materials have severe issues, including low initial coulombic efficiency, structural fracture, morphology control, and complicated synthetic processing. In this study, a multifunctional TiO /TiO N (TTN) formed via a facile and scalable synthetic process is applied as a coating material for Si anodes.

A Strategic Approach to Use Upcycled Si Nanomaterials for Stable Operation of Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Silicon, as a promising next-generation anode material, has drawn special attention from industries due to its high theoretical capacity (around 3600 mAh g) in comparison with conventional electrodes, e.g., graphite.

Microalgae-Templated Spray Drying for Hierarchical and Porous FeO/C Composite Microspheres as Li-ion Battery Anode Materials.

A method of microalgae-templated spray drying to develop hierarchical porous FeO/C composite microspheres as anode materials for Li-ion batteries was developed. During the spray-drying process, individual microalgae serve as building blocks of raspberry-like hollow microspheres via self-assembly. In the present study, microalgae-derived carbon matrices, naturally doped heteroatoms, and hierarchical porous structural features synergistically contributed to the high electrochemical performance of the FeO/C composite microspheres, enabling a discharge capacity of 1375 mA·h·g after 700 cycles at a current density of 1 A/g.

Hierarchically Well-Developed Porous Graphene Nanofibers Comprising N-Doped Graphitic C-Coated Cobalt Oxide Hollow Nanospheres As Anodes for High-Rate Li-Ion Batteries.

Hierarchically well-developed porous graphene nanofibers comprising N-doped graphitic C (NGC)-coated cobalt oxide hollow nanospheres are introduced as anodes for high-rate Li-ion batteries. For this, three strategies, comprising the Kirkendall effect, metal-organic frameworks, and compositing with highly conductive C, are applied to the 1D architecture. In particular, NGC layers are coated on cobalt oxide hollow nanospheres as a primary transport path of electrons followed by graphene-nanonetwork-constituting nanofibers as a continuous and secondary electron transport path.

Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in narcolepsy: a systematic review.

Objective: Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. However, despite their differences, both narcolepsy and ADHD share the symptoms of sleep disturbance and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Pattern formation of metal-oxide hybrid nanostructures via the self-assembly of di-block copolymer blends.

The templated self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) with a high Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (χ) can effectively create ultrafine, well-ordered nanostructures in the range of 5-30 nm. However, the self-assembled BCP patterns remain limited to possible morphological geometries and materials. Here, we introduce a novel and useful self-assembly method of di-BCP blends capable of generating diverse hybrid nanostructures consisting of oxide and metal materials through the rapid microphase separation of A-B/B-C BCP blends.

Clinical Implications of Basilar Artery Plaques in the Pontine Infarction with Normal Basilar Angiogram: A High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Background: Using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI), we investigated the impact of basilar artery plaques that were not detected by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) on the functional outcomes of patients with acute pontine infarction.

Methods: A total of 40 patients with acute pontine infarction and normal basilar findings on MRA prospectively underwent HR-MRI for detection of basilar artery plaques. A relevant plaque was defined as one on the dorsal side of basilar artery, the same side of the ischemic lesion, and the same axial slices of the ischemic lesion.

Brand name to generic substitution of levetiracetam in patients with epilepsy.

Purpose: Levetiracetam is one of the most widely used antiepileptic drugs, but the evidence related to the safety of substitution from brand name to generic levetiracetam is scarce. The present study evaluated the risk of increased frequency of seizures after replacement of a brand-name levetiracetam with a generic product.

Methods: We enrolled patients with epilepsy who were treated with branded levetiracetam for at least 6 months of sustained use.

Lithium-Sulfur Capacitors.

Although many existing hybrid energy storage systems demonstrate promising electrochemical performances, imbalances between the energies and kinetics of the two electrodes must be resolved to allow their widespread commercialization. As such, the development of a new class of energy storage systems is a particular challenge, since future systems will require a single device to provide both a high gravimetric energy and a high power density. In this context, we herein report the design of novel lithium-sulfur capacitors.

Clinical predictors for favorable outcomes from endovascular recanalization in wake-up stroke.

Background And Purpose: Patients who have acute stroke symptoms present on awakening are ineligible for standard intravenous thrombolysis due to the unclear onset time of symptoms. Some of these wake-up stroke (WUS) patients may benefit from endovascular recanalization. This study aimed to evaluate clinical predictors of outcomes from endovascular recanalization in WUS patients.

Delicate Structural Control of Si-SiO-C Composite via High-Speed Spray Pyrolysis for Li-Ion Battery Anodes.

Despite the high theoretical capacity, silicon (Si) anodes in lithium-ion batteries have difficulty in meeting the commercial standards in various aspects. In particular, the huge volume change of Si makes it very challenging to simultaneously achieve high initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and long-term cycle life. Herein, we report spray pyrolysis to prepare Si-SiO composite using an aqueous precursor solution containing Si nanoparticles, citric acid, and sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

Thyroid Autoantibody Positive Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis.

Background: Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE) and anti N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis have clinical overlaps.

Case Report: A 70-year-old woman presented with acutely developed confusion, disorientations and psychosis. HE was suspected based on goiter, markedly elevated anti-thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody.

Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging for Detection of Thrombus in Acute Cardioembolic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) can show an intravascular thrombus as a hypointense susceptibility vessel sign (SVS). In this study, we investigated the usefulness of SWI in the detection of an intravascular thrombus in acute cardioembolic stroke by comparing the SVS on SWI to the vessel status on time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).

Methods: We consecutively enrolled patients with cardioembolic stroke in the anterior circulation within 3 days from stroke onset.

Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis in a Pregnant Woman.

Anti N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is one of the most common types of autoimmune synaptic encephalitis. Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis commonly occurs in young women with ovarian teratoma. It has variable clinical manifestations and treatment responses.

Can an exercise bicycle be safely used in the epilepsy monitoring unit?: An exercise method to provoke epileptic seizures and the related safety issues.

Background And Purpose: Long-term videoelectroencephalogram (video-EEG) monitoring is performed to diagnose an epileptic seizure and to investigate the differential diagnosis of paroxysmal events. To provoke an epileptic seizure, an exercise method is performed in some cases during long-term video-EEG recording in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU). The purpose of this study was two-fold: to assess the frequency and severity of adverse events associated with the use of an exercise bicycle and to find a way to safely use it in the EMU.

A half millimeter thick coplanar flexible battery with wireless recharging capability.

Most of the existing flexible lithium ion batteries (LIBs) adopt the conventional cofacial cell configuration where anode, separator, and cathode are sequentially stacked and so have difficulty in the integration with emerging thin LIB applications, such as smart cards and medical patches. In order to overcome this shortcoming, herein, we report a coplanar cell structure in which anodes and cathodes are interdigitatedly positioned on the same plane. The coplanar electrode design brings advantages of enhanced bending tolerance and capability of increasing the cell voltage by in series-connection of multiple single-cells in addition to its suitability for the thickness reduction.

Functional outcome after recanalization for acute pure M1 occlusion of the middle cerebral artery as assessed by collateral CTA flow.

Objective: Collateral flow is important for ischemic brain tissue after an acute occlusion of the cerebral artery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate baseline collateral flow, on CT angiography (CTA), as a predictor of functional outcome in patients who had endovascular recanalization, after acute pure first segment (M1) occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA).

Methods: Thirty patients with acute pure M1 occlusion treated by endovascular recanalization, who were ineligible for intravenous thrombolysis or resistant to intravenous thrombolysis, were reviewed.

Mild Clinical Features and Histopathologically Atypical Cores in Two Korean Families with Central Core Disease Harboring RYR1 Mutations at the C-Terminal Region.

Background: Central core disease (CCD) is a congenital myopathy characterized by distinctive cores in muscle fibers. Mutations in the gene encoding ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) have been identified in most CCD patients.

Case Report: Two unrelated patients presented with slowly progressive or nonprogressive proximal muscle weakness since childhood.

Neuroanatomical correlation of urinary retention in lateral medullary infarction.

We prospectively recruited 10 patients who presented with urinary retention as a neurological deficit that was attributable to lateral medullary infarction. Of these, 9 patients underwent a urodynamic study, which demonstrated detrusor underactivity of the bladder in 7 patients. Urinary retention developed mainly when the lesions involved the lateral tegmentum of the middle or caudal medulla.

Adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia linked CSF1R mutation: Report of four Korean cases.

We describe detailed clinical, biochemical, neuroimaging and neuropathological features in adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP), encompassing hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids (HDLS) and pigmentary orthochromatic leukodystrophy (POLD), linked to colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) mutations in four Korean cases. Clinical, biochemical, neuroimaging and neuropathological findings were obtained by direct evaluation and from previous medical records. The genetic analysis of the CSF1R gene was done in two autopsy-confirmed ALSP cases and two cases where ALSP was suspected based on the clinical and neuroimaging characteristics.