Overcoming copper-induced conversion reactions in nickel disulphide anodes for sodium-ion batteries.

Employing copper (Cu) as an anode current collector for metal sulphides is perceived as a general strategy to achieve stable cycle performance in sodium-ion batteries, despite the compatibility of the aluminium current collector with sodium at low voltages. The capacity retention is attributed to the formation of copper sulphide with the slow corrosion of the current collector during cycling which is not ideal. Conventional reports on metal sulphides demonstrate excellent electrochemical performances using excessive carbon coatings/additives, reducing the overall energy density of the cells and making it difficult to understand the underlying side reaction with Cu.

Binder-free and high-loading sulfurized polyacrylonitrile cathode for lithium/sulfur batteries.

Sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) is a promising active material for Li/S batteries owing to its high sulfur utilization and long-term cyclability. However, because SPAN electrodes are synthesized using powder, they require large amounts of electrolyte, conducting agents, and binder, which reduces the practical energy density. Herein, to improve the practical energy density, we fabricated bulk-type SPAN disk cathodes from pressed sulfur and polyacrylonitrile powders using a simple heating process.

Deflection Estimation Based on the Thermal Characteristics of Composite Deck Slabs Containing Macro-Synthetic Fibers.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the structural performance of composite deck slabs containing macro-synthetic fibers. after a fire by proposing a deflection estimation method for non-fireproof structural decks. Therefore, this study evaluated the fire resistance performance and deflection of deck slabs mixed with macro-synthetic fibers.

Ultrahigh-rate nickel monosulfide anodes for sodium/potassium-ion storage.

Transition-metal sulfides have been extensively studied as anode materials for use in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) due to their multi-electron reactions, high rate performance, and abundant available resources. However, the practical capacities of metal sulfides remain low due to conductivity issues, volume expansion, and the use of traditional carbonate electrolytes. To overcome these drawbacks, ether electrolytes can be combined with nanoparticle-based metal sulfide anodes.

Realizing High-Performance Li/Na-Ion Half/Full Batteries via the Synergistic Coupling of Nano-Iron Sulfide and S-doped Graphene.

Iron sulfide (FeS) anodes are plagued by severe irreversibility and volume changes that limit cycle performances. Here, a synergistically coupled hybrid composite, nanoengineered iron sulfide/S-doped graphene aerogel, was developed as high-capacity anode material for Li/Na-ion half/full batteries. The rational coupling of in situ generated FeS nanocrystals and the S-doped rGO aerogel matrix boosted the electronic conductivity, Li /Na diffusion kinetics, and accommodated the volume changes in FeS.

High power NaV(PO) symmetric full cell for sodium-ion batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are a viable substitute for lithium-ion batteries due to the low cost and wide availability of sodium. However, practical applications require the development of fast charging sodium-ion-based full-cells with high power densities. NaV(PO) (NVP) is a bipolar material with excellent characteristics as both a cathode and an anode material in SIBs.

Free-Standing NiS₂ Electrode as High-Rate Anode Material for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Owing to the speculated price hike and scarcity of lithium resources, sodium-ion batteries are attracting significant research interest these days. However, sodium-ion battery anodes do not deliver good electrochemical performance, particularly rate performance. Herein, we report the facile electrospinning synthesis of a free-standing nickel disulfide (NiS²) embedded on carbon nanofiber.

Fabrication and Electrochemical Characterization of Sulfurized-Polyacrylonitrile Nanofiber Electrodes for Na/S Batteries Using Various Polyacrylonitrile Solutions.

A polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber web was prepared by electrospinning PAN solutions with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or Dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent. The PAN web was heated with sulfur to synthesize a sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) nanofiber web. The shape of the SPAN web was found to depend on concentration of the PAN solution and properties of the solvent.

Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of MoS₂/rGO/S Composite as a Cathode Material for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

To develop the next-generation energy storage systems, lithium-sulfur batteries represent an attractive option due to its high theoretical capacity, and energy density. In this work, MoS₂/rGO (reduced graphene oxide) was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and sulfur added by the melt diffusion method. The as-prepared MoS₂/rGO has strong polysulfides entrapping, high conductivity, large surface area, and high catalytic activity, consequently resulting in enhanced rate performance and cycling capability of Li-S batteries.

Effect of Ordered Carbon Structures on Electrochemical Properties of Carbon/Sulfur Composites in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

In this paper, the relationship between the pore spatial structures, pore sizes, and pore types of highly ordered mesoporous CMK-based carbons (CMK-1, CMK-3, and CMK-5) and their electrochemical performance in Li-S batteries is investigated. CMK-1 has a complex spatial structure and small pores. The structure is good for limiting polysulfide in the pores, but not for rapid transfer of Li ions in the cell.

An ionic liquid incorporated in a quasi-solid-state electrolyte for high-temperature supercapacitor applications.

An ionic liquid (IL) incorporated in a quasi-solid-state electrolyte (ILQSE) is prepared using 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIBF) and poly (ethylene glycol dimethacrylayte) (PEGDMA) for high-temperature application of supercapacitors. The prepared ILQSE displays a thermal stability up to 150 °C and the supercapacitors exhibit a specific capacitance of 134 F g.

Boosting High Energy Density Lithium-Ion Storage via the Rational Design of an FeS-Incorporated Sulfurized Polyacrylonitrile Fiber Hybrid Cathode.

In order to satisfy the escalating energy demands, it is inevitable to improve the energy density of current Li-ion batteries. As the development of high-capacity cathode materials is of paramount significance compared to anode materials, here we have designed for the first time a unique synergistic hybrid cathode material with enhanced specific capacity, incorporating cost-effective iron sulfide (FeS) nanoparticles in a sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) nanofiber matrix through a rational in situ synthesis strategy. Previous reports on FeS cathodes are scarce and consist of an amorphous carbon matrix to accommodate the volume changes encountered during the cycling process.

Cardiac diastolic dysfunction predicts poor prognosis in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is an early manifestation of cardiac dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). However, the effect of LVDD on survival has not been clarified, especially in decompensated LC.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 70 patients with decompensated LC, including ascites or variceal bleeding, at Daejeon St.

Diagnostic performance of CA 125, HE4, and risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm for ovarian cancer.

Objective: We evaluated the diagnostic performance of CA 125, HE4, and ROMA for ovarian cancer in Koreans and set optimal cutoffs.

Method: Serum levels of HE4 and CA 125 and the ROMA score were determined in 762 patients with benign gynecological disease and 70 with ovarian cancer. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to calculate the areas under the curve (AUC).

Laboratory and Clinical Performance of the ADVIA Centaur Anticyclic Citrullinated Peptide Assay for Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis.

Context.—: Anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies are important serologic markers for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Several kinds of test reagents for automated immunoassay systems have been developed and used in recent years.

Initial Discharge Behavior of an Ultra High Loading 3D Sulfur Cathode for a Room-Temperature Na/S Battery.

A 3D sulfur cathode for a large-scale room-temperature (RT) Na/S battery with a high sulfur loading of 14.63 mg cm-2 was fabricated. The first discharge was tested in order to understand the macroscopic changes.

Electrochemical Properties of Micron-Sized SnO Anode Using a Glyme-Based Electrolyte for Sodium-Ion Battery.

Tin monoxide (SnO) anodes are promising candidates for use in sodium-ion batteries because of their high theoretical capacities and stable cycle performance. In previous reports, electrodes with excellent performance have been prepared by using nano-sized SnO particles. However, the synthesis of nano-sized SnO particles is complex, time-consuming, and expensive.

Carbon-Coated Ordered Mesoporous SnO₂ Composite Based Anode Material for High Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Recently, tin oxide (SnO2) has received significant attention for use as an anode material for next generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to its high theoretical capacity (782 mAh g-1), which is more than twice of that of the commercialized graphite (372 mAh g-1). Several additional advantages, such as low cost, environmental friendliness, easy fabrication and natural abundance improve its promise. Although the theoretical capacity of SnO2 is high, volume expansion during cycling causes issue with cycling stability.

Efficacy and Safety of the Triple Therapy Containing Ilaprazole, Levofloxacin, and Amoxicillin as First-Line Treatment in Infections.

To establish the efficacy and safety of ilaprazole, levofloxacin, and amoxicillin as a first-line eradication treatment for . Patients with gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, or gastritis, as detected by esophagogastroduodenoscopy with confirmed infection between September 2014 and November 2015, were enrolled in the study. All participants received ilaprazole (10 mg bid), levofloxacin (500 mg bid), and amoxicillin (1000 mg bid) for 10 days.

Retrospective analysis on the diagnostic performances and signal-to-cut-off ratios of the Elecsys Anti-HCV II assay.

Background: Anti-HCV assays are widely used as a screening tool for HCV infection. However, diagnostic performances and effective signal-to-cut-off ratios (S/COs) for predicting true HCV infections would vary according to the assays used. Thus, we evaluated the diagnostic performances of the new Elecsys Anti-HCV assay.

Treatment Efficacy and Safety of Tenofovir-Based Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis B: A Real Life Cohort Study in Korea.

Background & Aims: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based therapy in naïve and treatment-experienced chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients for 96 weeks in Korean real life practice.

Methods: A total of 209 CHB patients with a prescription for TDF at the Seoul and Daejeon St. Mary's hospitals were enrolled from December 2012 to October 2014.

Long-term outcomes of palliation for unresectable colorectal cancer obstruction in patients with good performance status: endoscopic stent versus surgery.

Background: In patients with unresectable colorectal cancer (CRC) obstruction, choosing whether to perform self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) or palliative surgery is challenging, especially in those with good performance status. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of SEMS with those of palliative surgery in patients with unresectable CRC obstruction.

Methods: This retrospective study comprised 114 patients with unresectable CRC obstruction who underwent SEMS placement (n = 73) or palliative surgery (n = 41).

Helicobacter pylori in gastric carcinogenesis.

Gastric cancer still is a major concern as the third most common cancer worldwide, despite declining rates of incidence in many Western countries. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the major cause of gastric carcinogenesis, and its infection insults gastric mucosa leading to the occurrence of atrophic gastritis which progress to intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, early gastric cancer, and advanced gastric cancer consequently.