An algorithm of calculating transport parameters of thermoelectric materials using single Kane band model with Riemann integral methods.

We develop an algorithm called SKBcal to conveniently calculate within minutes the thermoelectric transport parameters such as reduced Fermi level (η), electronic thermal conductivity (κ), lattice thermal conductivity (κ), Hall factor (A), effective mass (m), quality factor (β) and theoretical zT within the framework of single Kane band (SKB) model. The generalized Fermi-Dirac integral for SKB model is integrated by left Riemann integral method. A concept of significant digits of relative error is involved to determine the accuracy of calculation.

Energy-Efficient Synthesis and High Thermoelectric Performance of α-Cu Se Te.

The high-temperature phase of β-Cu Se always appears as the major phase for the reaction carried out using chemical solution methods. Here, a procedure was developed that could fabricate a single phase of α-Cu Se Te (x=0.02 and 0.

Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG immunopathologic changes in chronic mouse asthma model.

Background: Asthma is a heterogeneous inflammatory disorder of the airway. A Th2 response usually contributes to high levels of allergen-specific IgE and eosinophilic airway inflammation. Several findings have demonstrated that neutrophils, not eosinophils, are the major inflammatory cells in chronic asthma patients with steroid-resistance.

A facile energy-saving route of fabricating thermoelectric SbTe-Te nanocomposites and nanosized Te.

A facile energy-saving route is developed for fabricating SbTe-Te nanocomposites and nanosized Te powders. The fabrication route not only avoids using organic chemicals, but also keeps the energy consumption to a minimum. The fabrication procedure involves two steps.

Enhanced ZT of InCoSb-InSb Nanocomposites Fabricated by Hydrothermal Synthesis Combined with Solid-Vapor Reaction: A Signature of Phonon-Glass and Electron-Crystal Materials.

A rapid route of synthesizing pristine CoSb at relatively low temperature was previously developed. However, filling the voids using the same procedure is not successful. We develop a new route to fabricate In-filled cobalt skutterudites with InSb nanoinclusions InCoSb-(InSb) via solid-vapor reaction between hydrothermally synthesized CoSb powder and the indium chunk.

An Initial Attack of Urinary Stone Disease Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Developing New-Onset Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Background: The neurotransmitter pathways in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and urinary stone attacks are both related to serotonin, and each disease may be influenced by viscero-visceral hyperalgesia. However, the relationship between urinary tract stone disease and IBS has never been addressed. We aimed to investigate the risk of suffering new-onset IBS after an initial urinary stone attack using a nationwide database.

Optimization and Analysis of Thermoelectric Properties of Unfilled Co(1-x-y)Ni(x)Fe(y)Sb3 Synthesized via a Rapid Hydrothermal Procedure.

A series of nanostructured co-doped Co(1-x-y)Ni(x)Fe(y)Sb3 were fabricated using a rapid hydrothermal method at 170 °C for a duration of 12 h, followed by evacuated-and-encapsulated heating at 580 °C for a short period of 5 h. The resulting samples were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, bulk density, electronic and thermal transport measurements. The power factor of Co(1-x-y)Ni(x)Fe(y)Sb3 is significantly enhanced in the high-temperature region due to significant enhancement of the electrical conductivity and absolute value of thermopower.