Strong Magnetic Exchange Interactions and Delocalized Mn-O States Enable High-Voltage Capacity in the Na-Ion Cathode P2-Na[MgMn]O.

The increased capacity offered by oxygen-redox active cathode materials for rechargeable lithium- and sodium-ion batteries (LIBs and NIBs, respectively) offers a pathway to the next generation of high-gravimetric-capacity cathodes for use in devices, transportation and on the grid. Many of these materials, however, are plagued with voltage fade, voltage hysteresis and O loss, the origins of which can be traced back to changes in their electronic and chemical structures on cycling. Developing a detailed understanding of these changes is critical to mitigating these cathodes' poor performance.

Operando electron spin probes for the study of battery processes.

Operando electron spin probes, namely magnetometry and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), provide real-time insights into the electrochemical processes occurring in battery materials and devices. In this work, we describe the design criteria and outline the development of operando magnetometry and EPR electrochemical cells. Notably, we show that a clamping mechanism, or springs, are needed to achieve sufficient compression of the battery stack and an electrochemical performance on par with that of a standard Swagelok-type cell.

Structural Evolution in Disordered Rock Salt Cathodes.

Li-excess Mn-based disordered rock salt oxides (DRX) are promising Li-ion cathode materials owing to their cost-effectiveness and high theoretical capacities. It has recently been shown that Mn-rich DRX LiMnMO ( ≥ 0.5, M are hypervalent ions such as Ti and Nb) exhibit a gradual capacity increase during the first few charge-discharge cycles, which coincides with the emergence of spinel-like domains within the long-range DRX structure coined as "δ phase".

Isolation of a Marker Olean-12-en-28-butanol Derivative from E. Mey. Ex Sprague and the Evaluation of Its Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials.

E. Mey. Ex Sprague (Mistletoe) is a semi-parasitic plant that grows on the branches of other trees with reported numerous biological activities.

The role of membrane trafficking and retromer complex in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Membrane trafficking is a physiological process encompassing different pathways involved in transporting cellular products across cell membranes to specific cell locations via encapsulated vesicles. This process is required for cells to mature and function properly, allowing them to adapt to their surroundings. The retromer complex is a complex composed of nexin proteins and peptides that play a vital role in the endosomal pathway of membrane trafficking.

Superstructure and Correlated Na Hopping in a Layered Mg-Substituted Sodium Manganate Battery Cathode are Driven by Local Electroneutrality.

In this work, we present a variable-temperature Na NMR and variable-temperature and variable-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis of the local structure of a layered P2 Na-ion battery cathode material, Na[MgMn]O (NMMO). For the first time, we elucidate the superstructure in this material by using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and total neutron scattering and show that this superstructure is consistent with NMR and EPR spectra. To complement our experimental data, we carry out calculations of the quadrupolar and hyperfine Na NMR shifts, the Na ion hopping energy barriers, and the EPR -tensors.

Phytochemical Profiling, and Antioxidant Potentials of South African and Nigerian Linn.: The African Mistletoe Exposé.

Linn. (Loranthaceae) is a botanically significant hemiparasite that grows on tree branches or trunks and is used in traditional medicine. This study compares the antioxidant activity and qualitative phytochemical screening of Nigerian and South Africa Linn.

Nutritional and physicochemical changes in two varieties of fonio ( and ) during germination.

Germination is a cheap and effective bioprocessing technique used for improvement of the nutritional, physicochemical and health-promoting properties of seeds. The benefits of germination on two fonio varieties ( and ) have not been studied. This study investigated the nutritional and physicochemical changes in two varieties of fonio germinated for 24, 48 and 72 h at 28 °C.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Evaluations of Lam Leaves Extract and Isolated Compounds.

, native to India, grows in tropical and subtropical regions around the world and has valuable pharmacological properties such as anti-asthmatic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-infertility, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, antioxidant, and many more. The purpose of this study was to assess the free radical scavenging ability of two extracts and two pure compounds of Lam (hexane, ethanol, compound E3, and compound Ra) against reactive oxygen species, as well as their reducing power and antimicrobial activities. Bioautography antioxidant assay, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (HO) free radical scavenging, and iron (iii) (Fe to Fe) chloride reducing power assays were used to assess the extracts' qualitative and quantitative free radical scavenging activities.

O NMR Spectroscopy in Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode Materials: Challenges and Interpretation.

Modern studies of lithium-ion battery (LIB) cathode materials employ a large range of experimental and theoretical techniques to understand the changes in bulk and local chemical and electronic structures during electrochemical cycling (charge and discharge). Despite its being rich in useful chemical information, few studies to date have used O NMR spectroscopy. Many LIB cathode materials contain paramagnetic ions, and their NMR spectra are dominated by hyperfine and quadrupolar interactions, giving rise to broad resonances with extensive spinning sideband manifolds.

Polio eradication in a chronic conflict setting lessons from the Republic of South Sudan, 2010-2020.

Introduction: in 1988 the World Health Assembly set an ambitious target to eradicate Wild Polio Virus (WPV) by 2000, following the successful eradication of the smallpox virus in 1980. South Sudan and the entire African region were certified WPV free on August 25, 2020. South Sudan has maintained its WPV free status since 2010, and this paper reviewed the country's progress, outlined lessons learned, and describes the remaining challenges in polio eradication.

Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Extracts of , a South African Mistletoe.

is a woody evergreen semi-parasitic shrub that grows on the branches of other trees. It is used by African traditional healers for post-stroke management. This study reports on the qualitative phytochemical screening and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of acetone, methanol, hexane and dichloromethane extracts.

In vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity and chemical profiling of sugarcane leaves.

Saccharum officinarum Linn. (sugarcane, Family-Poaceae) is employed in Ibibio traditional medicine for the treatment of various infections and diseases such as malaria. We This study aims to assess the antiplasmodial effect of the leaf extract and fractions on human malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) in vitro, and rodent malaria parasite (P.

Predictors of outcome of chest tube drainage of nonpurulent exudative pleural effusions.

Background: Although chest tube drainage is the primary management method for many pleural effusions, it has a failure rate of 9.4-48%. In this study, we examined the factors that predict the outcome of management of nonpurulent exudative effusions.

Structural Origins of Voltage Hysteresis in the Na-Ion Cathode P2-Na[MgMn]O: A Combined Spectroscopic and Density Functional Theory Study.

P2-layered sodium-ion battery (NIB) cathodes are a promising class of Na-ion electrode materials with high Na mobility and relatively high capacities. In this work, we report the structural changes that take place in P2-Na[MgMn]O. Using X-ray diffraction, Mn -edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure, and Na NMR spectroscopy, we identify the bulk phase changes along the first electrochemical charge-discharge cycle-including the formation of a high-voltage " phase", an intergrowth of the OP4 and O2 phases.

Assessment of quality characteristics and bacterial community of modified atmosphere packaged chilled pork loins using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing analysis.

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is widely applied in packaging meat and meat products. While most studies had employed culture-dependent microbiological analyses or polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), the recent application of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) has been effective and reliable in detecting the microbial consortium associated with food spoilage. Since MAP application is limited in China, applying HTS in assessing the microbial consortium of meat and meat products in the country becomes imperative.

Biotransformation and oxidative stress responses in relation to tissue contaminant burden in Clarias gariepinus exposed to simulated leachate from a solid waste dumpsite in Calabar, Nigeria.

In this study, we have investigated biotransformation and oxidative stress responses in relation to tissue contaminant burden in the African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) exposed to simulated leachate from a solid waste dumpsite in Calabar, Nigeria. Fish were exposed to simulated leachate, diluted to 0:0 (negative control), 1:10, 1:50, 1:100 and phenanthrene (a PAH: 50 μg/L used as a positive control) for 3, 7 and 14 days. Hepatic transcripts for cat, sod1, gpx1, gr, gst, cyp1a, cyp2d3, and cyp27 were analyzed by real-time PCR, while enzymatic assays for ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), buthoxyresorufin O-deethylase (BROD), methoxyresorufin O-deethylase (MROD), pentoxyresorufin O-deethylase (PROD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), uridine diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) and lipid peroxidase (LPO) were measured using standard methods.

Management of extra-capsular temporo-mandibular joint ankylosis: does conservative approach to treatment have a role?

Background: The conventional management of fibrous extracapsular temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, a debilitating disease, is associated with surgical complications and financial burden on the patients.

Objective: To assess the outcome of conservative approach to the management of fibrous extracapsular TMJ ankylosis.

Patients And Methods: This is a prospective study of patients who presented at the Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, during the period from January 1999 to December 2012 with a history of inability to open the mouth diagnosed as fibrous extracapsular TMJ ankylosis.

Elevation of serum pancreatic amylase and distortion of pancreatic cyto-architecture in type 1 diabetes mellitus rats treated with Ocimum gratissimum.

Background: Diabetes mellitus has been shown to cause severe impairment in exocrine pancreatic function and cyto-architecture. Ocimum grattissimum has been reported to lower blood glucose levels in experimental diabetic animals. This study, therefore, aims to investigate if treatment with O.

Maxillofacial tumors and tumor-like lesions in a Nigerian teaching hospital: an eleven year retrospective analysis.

Background: This paper reviews the types, prevalence and demographic distribution of maxillofacial tumors, cysts and tumor-like lesions in a Nigerian population.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the medical records and histological reports of patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors and cystic lesions who presented to the Maxillofacial Unit of our institution over an eleven year period was undertaken. Information on demographics, histological diagnosis and clinical presentation were obtained and analyzed.

The trend of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients seen at DOTS clinics in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria.

We evaluated the pattern of sputum smear positivity and assessed the effects of directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) among tuberculosis (TB) patients at the DOTS clinics in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. In total, 1391 patients were seen at six microscopy and treatment centres across the FCT between January and December 2003. Their sputa were screened microscopically for the presence of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) using the Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique.

The use of P.O.P. integrated transfixation pins as an improvisation on the Hoffmann's apparatus: contribution to open fracture management in the tropics.

With consideration to the relatively high complication rate of internal fixation methods in the management of open fractures, 16-36% (17), the use of 'fixateur externe' or Hoffmann's apparatus is widely accepted as the best method of management. We do not have this valuable apparatus in our hospital due to the socioeconomic constraints typical of developing countries. We found a valuable improvisation in the use of Bohler's transfixation methods and even to the extent of achieving osteotaxis and ambulation.

Comparative antimicrobial activity of enoxacin, ciprofloxacin, amifloxacin, norfloxacin and ofloxacin against 177 bacterial isolates.

The in-vitro antimicrobial activity of five new quinolones, enoxacin (CI-919, AT-2266), ciprofloxacin (Bay o 9867), amifloxacin (WIN 49375) norfloxacin (MK 0366), and ofloxacin (ORF 18489), was compared against 104 strains of Enterobacteriaceae, 51 Pseudomonas species, 7 Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var. anitratus, and 15 enterococci. In general the quinolones tested were active against most bacterial strains.