strategy for optimizing chemical and structural properties of carbon felt electrodes for vanadium redox flow batteries.

Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) have received significant attention for use in large-scale energy storage systems (ESSs) because of their long cycle life, flexible capacity, power design, and safety. However, the poor electrochemical activity of the conventionally used carbon felt electrode results in low energy efficiency of the VRFBs and consequently impedes their commercialization. In this study, a carbon felt (CF) electrode with numerous nanopores and robust oxygen-containing functional groups at its edge sites is designed to improve the electrochemical activity of a carbon felt electrode.

[Structural relationship of burnout and related variables among family caregivers of cancer patients].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to construct a structural equational model to explain and predict burnout in family caregivers of patients with cancer. The study was based on the Stress-Appraisal-Coping Model of Lazarus and Folkman (1984) and Family Stress Theory (Hill, 1958).

Methods: Data were collected from July 10 to September 30, 2012 through direct interviews and a self-report questionnaire survey.