One of the key challenges of Li‐ion electrodes is enhancement of (dis)charge rates. This is severely hindered by the absence of a technique that allows direct and nondestructive observation of lithium ions in operating batteries. Direct observation of the Li‐ion concentration profiles using operando neutron depth profiling reveals that the rate‐limiting step is depended not only on the electrode morphology but also on the cycling rate itself. In the LiFePO4 electrodes phase nucleation limits the charge transport at the lowest cycling rates, whereas electronic conductivity is rate limiting at intermediate rates, and only at the highest rates ionic transport through the electrode is rate limiting. These novel insights into electrode kinetics are imperative for the improvement of Li‐ion batteries and show the large value of in situ NDP in Li‐ion battery research and development. 相似文献
Oxygen delivery and metabolism represent key factors for organ function in health and disease. We describe the optical key characteristics of a technique to comprehensively measure oxygen tension (PO2) in myocardium, using oxygen‐dependent quenching of phosphorescence and delayed fluorescence of porphyrins, by means of Monte Carlo simulations and ex vivo experiments. Oxyphor G2 (microvascular PO2) was excited at 442 nm and 632 nm and protoporphyrin IX (mitochondrial PO2) at 510 nm. This resulted in catchment depths of 161 (86) µm, 350 (307) µm and 262 (255) µm respectively, as estimated by Monte Carlo simulations and ex vivo experiments (brackets). The feasibility to detect changes in oxygenation within separate anatomical compartments is demonstrated in rat heart in vivo.
Increasing crop productivity to meet rising demands for food and energy, but doing so in an environmentally sustainable manner, is one of the greatest challenges for agriculture to date. In Ireland, Miscanthus × giganteus has the potential to become a major feedstock for bioenergy production, but the economic feasibility of its cultivation depends on high yields. Miscanthus fields can have a large number of gaps in crop cover, adversely impacting yield and hence economic viability. Predominantly positive effects of Miscanthus on biodiversity reported from previous research might be attributable to high crop patchiness, particularly during the establishment phase. The aim of this research was to assess crop patchiness on a field scale and to analyse the relationship between Miscanthus yield and species richness and abundance of selected taxa of farmland wildlife. For 14 Miscanthus fields at the end of their establishment phase (4–5 years after planting), which had been planted either on improved grassland (MG) or tilled arable land (MT), we determined patchiness of the crop cover, percentage light penetration (LP) to the lower canopy, Miscanthus shoot density and height, vascular plants and epigeic arthropods. Plant species richness and noncrop vegetation cover in Miscanthus fields increased with increasing patchiness, due to higher levels of LP to the lower canopy. The species richness of ground beetles and the activity density of spiders followed the increase in vegetation cover. Plant species richness and activity density of spiders on both MT and MG fields, as well as vegetation cover and activity density of ground beetles on MG fields, were negatively associated with Miscanthus yield. In conclusion, positive effects of Miscanthus on biodiversity can diminish with increasing productivity. This matter needs to be considered when assessing the relative ecological impacts of developing biomass crops in comparison with other land use. 相似文献
Accurate determination of the depth of membrane penetration of a fluorescent probe, attached to a lipid, protein, or other macromolecule of interest, using depth-dependent quenching methodology is complicated by thermal motion in the lipid bilayer. Here, we suggest that a combination of steady-state and time-resolved measurements can be used to generate a static quenching profile that reduces the contribution from transverse diffusion occurring during the excited-state lifetime. This procedure results in narrower quenching profiles, compared with those obtained by traditional measurements, and thus improves precision in determination of the underlying depth distribution of the probe. 相似文献
Entanglement of marine mammals in fishing gear is a global issue. It is considered a significant threat to minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the East Sea of Korea. A total of 214 entanglements of minke whales in this area between 2004 and 2007 were used to investigate types and parts of fishing gears involved in entanglements. The majority of entanglements were mainly caused by three types of fishing gears: set nets, pots, and gill nets (n= 207, 96.7%). Other entanglements were associated with bottom trawls, purse seines, and trawls. A total of 65 entanglements were attributed to the main and branch lines of fishing gears. The most common body part of minke whales which attached to fishing gears was the mouth (n= 63, 30.4%). Most entanglements took place within 10 nmi from land (n= 179, 86.5%), and between 10 and 220 m of water depth. The mean length of entangled minke whales in set nets was significantly smaller than that of whales in pots and gill nets samples (P < 0.001). Also, the mean body length of minke whales that entangled in the coastal area and shallow waters was significantly shorter than that of whales in the offshore area and deep waters (P < 0.001). This information can be used as fundamental data to conserve and manage this population of minke whales in the East Sea of Korea, and also to modify fishing gear to reduce entanglements. Future studies should focus on investigating the impact of these entanglements on the population and the effectiveness of mitigation measures to reduce entanglements of minke whales in this area. 相似文献
Quantum dots (QDs) are rapidly emerging as an important class of nanoparticles (NPs) with potential applications in medicine. However, little is known about penetration of QDs through human skin. This study investigated skin penetration of QDs in both in vivo and in vitro human skin. Using the tape stripping method, this study demonstrates for the first time that QDs can actually penetrate through the stratum corneum (SC) of human skin. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy diverse X-ray (EDX) analysis showed accumulation of QDs in the SC of a human skin equivalent model (HSEM) after dermal exposure to QDs. These findings suggest possible transdermal absorption of QDs after dermal exposure over a relatively long period of time. 相似文献
The growth of pikeperch Sander lucioperca was studied in 41 lakes in central Finland. The backcalculated average total length of 3 year‐old pikeperch was used as an indicator of growth. The growth correlated positively with total phosphorus and water colour and negatively with lake area and depth. The reason for differences in growth may be differences in the amount of suitable food, foraging success or temperature dynamics in different lakes. 相似文献
The response of clonal growth and ramet morphology to water depth (from 60 to 260 cm) and sediment type (sand versus organic
clay) was investigated for the stoloniferous submersed macrophyte Vallisneria natans in an outdoor pond experiment. Results showed that water depth significantly affected clonal growth of V. natans in terms of clone weight, number of ramets, number of generations, clonal radius and stolon length. V. natans showed an optimal clonal growth at water depths of 110–160 cm, but at greater depths clonal growth was severely retarded.
A high allometric effect was exhibited in ramet morphology. Along the sequentially produced ramet generations, ramet weight
and plant height decreased while stolon length and the root:leaf weight ratio increased. When using ramet generations as covariate,
sediment type rather than water depth more strongly affected the ramet characteristics. For plants grown in clay, ramet weight,
ramet height and stolon length were greater, and plants exhibited lower root:leaf weight ratio. These data suggest that water
depth and sediment type have differential effects on clonal growth of V. natans: Water depth appears primarily to affect numerical increase in ramets and spatial spread, whereas sediment type mainly affects
biomass accumulation and biomass allocation.
Handling editor: S. M. Thomaz 相似文献
We addressed potential sources of error in estimating the water clarity of mountain lakes by investigating the use of beam
transmissometer measurements to estimate Secchi disk depth. The optical properties Secchi disk depth (SD) and beam transmissometer
attenuation (BA) were measured in Crater Lake (Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, USA) at a designated sampling station near
the maximum depth of the lake. A standard 20 cm black and white disk was used to measure SD. The transmissometer light source
had a nearly monochromatic wavelength of 660 nm and a path length of 25 cm. We created a SD prediction model by regression
of the inverse SD of 13 measurements recorded on days when environmental conditions were acceptable for disk deployment with
BA averaged over the same depth range as the measured SD. The relationship between inverse SD and averaged BA was significant
and the average 95% confidence interval for predicted SD relative to the measured SD was ±1.6 m (range = −4.6 to 5.5 m) or ±5.0%.
Eleven additional sample dates tested the accuracy of the predictive model. The average 95% confidence interval for these
sample dates was ±0.7 m (range = −3.5 to 3.8 m) or ±2.2%. The 1996–2000 time-series means for measured and predicted SD varied
by 0.1 m, and the medians varied by 0.5 m. The time-series mean annual measured and predicted SD’s also varied little, with
intra-annual differences between measured and predicted mean annual SD ranging from −2.1 to 0.1 m. The results demonstrated
that this prediction model reliably estimated Secchi disk depths and can be used to significantly expand optical observations
in an environment where the conditions for standardized SD deployments are limited. 相似文献