Advice for using RAISEonline 2012

The potential of Raman diagnostics for spatially-resolved and in situ diagnostics of lithium-ion batteries is demonstrated. Focus is put on LiCoO2 electrode materials, which were investigated in detail as composites of LiCoO2 with binder (PVdF) and conductive (carbon) additives. Besides the LiCoO2 active mass, Raman spectroscopy allows to detect carbon and PVdF-related bands as well as electrolyte bands [1].Detailed wavelength-dependent analysis reveals the first observation of a resonance Raman effect for LiCoO2-based materials for green (514 nm, 532 nm) laser excitation. The resonance effect is confirmed by a dependence of the A1g and Eg phonon band intensity ratio on excitation wavelength and the occurrence of an overtone of the A1g band for green excitation.The resulting signal enhancement strongly facilitates the spatially-resolved and in situ analysis of LiCoO2 composite electrodes. Spatially resolved analysis, i.e. Raman mapping of LiCoO2 composite electrodes, shows a significant variation of chemical composition across the electrode surface and the presence of individual active mass particles, which are ~10-20 µm in size [2].Raman spectra recorded under electrochemical conditions are largely invariant regarding the degree of lithium de-/intercalation indicating no significant structural changes on the surface of the active mass particles. To this end, Raman experiments are complementary to X-Ray diffraction experiments. Interestingly, spatially resolved Raman analysis (Raman mapping) of LiCoO2 composite electrodes demonstrates the redistribution of active mass and carbon components during electrochemical cycling. To this end, Fig. 1 shows the results of an in situ Raman mapping of a LiCoO2 composite electrode (85% LiCoO2, 10% PVDF, 5% carbon black) before and after four cycles at C/12 rate. Interestingly, our results reveal that the chemical redistribution is correlated with changes in the LiCoO2 phonon band intensities. In particular, within areas small chemical redistribution only small variations in the A1g/Eg intensity ratios before and after cycling are observed, whereas areas of large chemical redistribution show significant changes of A1g/Eg intensity ratios from typically 2.0 (before cycling) to 1.5 (after cycling). This behavior strongly suggests that the chemical redistribution is accompanied by changes in the electronic structure of the active mass particles.Current mapping experiments focus on changes in the behavior between the first and subsequent cycles to gain insight into the processes occurring during SEI formation. Additional information is expected from the evaluation of the Raman background showing systematic intensity variations during lithium de-/intercalation.Our results highlight the potential of Raman diagnostics to contribute to the ongoing discussion on the mode of operation and degradation of lithium-ion batteries due to its ability to deliver spatially resolved and in situ information.

The Effects of Integrating Advertising and Negative Word-of-Mouth Communications on Message Processing and Response

We recently developed a nutritional model of steatohepatitis and metabolic syndrome in Ossabaw pigs. Here we describe changes in the serum proteome of pigs fed standard chow (control group; n = 7), atherogenic diet (n = 5), or modified atherogenic diet (M-ath diet group; n = 6). Pigs fed atherogenic diet developed metabolic syndrome and mildly abnormal liver histology, whereas pigs fed M-ath diet exhibited severe metabolic syndrome and liver injury closely resembling human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Using a label-free mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach, we identified 1,096 serum proteins, 162 of which changed significantly between any two diet groups (false discovery rate <5%). Biological classification of proteins with significant changes revealed functions previously implicated in development of NASH in humans, including immune system regulation and inflammation (orosomucoid 1, serum amyloid P component, paraoxonase 1, protein similar to alpha-2-macroglobulin precursor, beta-2-microglobulin, p101 protein, and complement components 2 and C8G), lipid metabolism (apolipoproteins C-III, E, E precursor, B, and N), structural and extracellular matrix proteins (transthyretin and endopeptidase 24.16 type M2), and coagulation [carboxypeptidase B2 (plasma)]. Several proteins with significant differential expression in pigs were also identified in our recent human proteomics study as changing significantly in serum from patients across the spectrum of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, including apolipoproteins C-III and B, orosomucoid 1, serum amyloid P component, transthyretin, paraoxonase 1, and a protein similar to alpha-2-macroglobulin precursor. This serum proteomic analysis provides additional information about the pathogenesis of NASH and further characterizes our large animal model of diet-induced steatohepatitis and metabolic syndrome in Ossabaw pigs.

Evaluating plastic anisotropy in two aluminum alloys processed by equal-channel angular pressing

This study aimed to compare the clinical target volumes (CTV) delineated by computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT using fluoro-deoxy-glucose to assess the impact of using PET information for radiotherapy (RT) planning. We retrospectively reviewed data on patients with tumors from different sites who had indications for RT and had undergone RT treatment planning with PET/CT at our institution between July 2003 and July 2009. Statistical analysis included the comparison of CTV planned for treatment only by CT (CTV(CT)) with that by PET/CT (CTV(PET)) using the Wilcoxon test for paired samples. Of 105 patients eligible for analysis, 56.2% were men. The most common diagnoses were head and neck cancer (28.6%), lung cancer (21.9%), lymphoma (11.4%), upper gastrointestinal (10.5%), and others (14.3%). Comparison of CTV(CT) and CTV(PET) revealed that RT planning has changed in 77% of cases because of PET/CT additional information, with impact on treatment volume varying according to diagnosis. Despite the absolute difference observed between median CTVs, there was no significant difference between CTV(CT) and CTV(PET) (114 vs. 90.4 ml, respectively; P=0.1266), considering all patients. Nonetheless, a significant difference between CTVs delineated by CT and PET/CT was found when only head and neck, lung and lymphoma cases--representing more than 60% of the sample--were examined (112.5 and 80.7 ml, respectively; P=0.0053). We have shown that PET/CT use promotes significant changes in the CTV delineated for treatment of different tumors, modifying RT planning. Our data suggest that PET/CT has a good potential for optimizing RT treatment planning, especially in head and neck, lung, and lymphoma tumors.

BackgroundGait kinematics measured during equine gait analysis are typically evaluated by analysing (asymmetry‐based) discrete variables (eg, peak values) obtained from continuous kinematic signals (eg, timeseries of datapoints). However, when used for the assessment of complex cases of lameness, such as bilateral lameness, discrete variable analysis might overlook relevant functional adaptations.ObjectivesThe overall aim of this paper is to compare continuous and discrete data analysis techniques to evaluate kinematic gait adaptations to lameness.Study designMethod comparison.MethodsSixteen healthy Shetland ponies, enrolled in a research programme in which osteochondral defects were created on the medial trochlear ridges of both femurs, were used in this study. Kinematic data were collected at trot on a treadmill before and at 3 and 6 months after surgical intervention. Statistical parametric mapping and linear mixed models were used to compare kinematic variables between and within timepoints.ResultsBoth continuous and discrete data analyses identified changes in pelvis and forelimb kinematics. Discrete data analyses showed significant changes in hindlimb and back kinematics, where such differences were not found to be significant by continuous data analysis. In contrast, continuous data analysis provided additional information on the timing and duration of the differences found.Main limitationsA limited number of ponies were included.ConclusionsThe use of continuous data provides additional information regarding gait adaptations to bilateral lameness that is complementary to the analysis of discrete variables. The main advantage lies in the additional information regarding time dependence and duration of adaptations, which offers the opportunity to identify functional adaptations during all phases of the stride cycle, not just the events related to peak values.

Standardized test methods providing wheelchair cushion performance characteristics can aid cushion design and selection. Assessment of the changes in performance that occur with aging provides additional information. Test methods published by the International Organization for Standardization were applied to a cohort of 21 cushions of varying design and construct to assess changes in performance due to simulated aging. Performance tests measured immersion, envelopment, stiffness, impact response, and pressure distribution properties. Means of test outcome metrics pre- and post-aging are presented, and changes in the metrics due to aging are analyzed using linear mixed models. Statistically significant changes were found for outcome measures for each performance test. The minimum aging method simulating 18–24 months use had a significant effect on cushion performance. Changes to loaded contour depth, envelopment, pressure mapping, hysteresis, horizontal stiffness, and 10% force deflection characterization test metrics indicated decreased cushion performance. The simulated aging method resulted in cushion stiffening and reduced immersion, pressure distribution, and stability performance. Together, these changes may increase a user’s risk for pressure injuries.

Results of a Pilot Trial of a Lifestyle Intervention for Stroke Survivors: Healthy Eating and Lifestyle after Stroke

Purpose: To modify the single-threshold parametric response map (ST-PRM) method for predicting treatment outcomes in order to facilitate its use for guidance of adaptive dose painting in intensity-modulated radiotherapy.Methods: Multiple graded thresholds were used to extend the ST-PRM method (Nat. Med. 2009;15(5):572-576) such that the full functional change distribution within tumours could be represented with respect to multiple confidence interval estimates for functional changes in similar healthy tissue. The ST-PRM and graded-threshold PRM (GT-PRM) methods were applied to functional imaging scans of 5 patients treated for hepatocellular carcinoma. Pre and post-radiotherapy arterial blood flow maps (ABF) were generated from CT-perfusion scans of each patient. ABF maps were rigidly registered based on aligning tumour centres of mass. ST-PRM and GT-PRM analyses were then performed on overlapping tumour regions within the registered ABF maps.Main findings: The ST-PRMs contained many disconnected clusters of voxels classified as having a significant change in function. While this may be useful to predict treatment response, it may pose challenges for identifying boost volumes or for informing dose-painting by numbers strategies. The GT-PRMs included all of the same information as ST-PRMs but also visualized the full tumour functional change distribution. Heterogeneous clusters in the ST-PRMs often became more connected in the GT-PRMs by voxels with similar functional changes.Conclusions: GT-PRMs provided additional information which helped to visualize relationships between significant functional changes identified by ST-PRMs. This may enhance ST-PRM utility for guiding adaptive dose painting.

Land degradation is widespread in South Africa but few long-term data sets are available to help identify the timing of this degradation and its impact on catchment sediment yields. We report a case study reconstructing the erosion history of a small upland catchment in the Sneeuberg mountains of South Africa based on the dating of reservoir sediments using 210Pb and 137Cs. Sediment sources have been identified using mineral magnetic measurements. Additional information has been derived from the analysis of aerial photographs and satellite images and the measurement of badland erosion using erosion pins. Results suggest that sediment yields increased dramatically from < 30 t km-2 yr-1 in the early part of the 20th Century to ∼1600 t km-2 yr-1 in the 1970s, subsequently falling to ∼850 t km-2 yr-1 in the last decade. Contemporary erosion pin measurements suggest that badlands are still extremely active and help maintain current high yields. Analysis of aerial photographs and satellite images indicate that badlands and extensive gullies existed in the catchment before 1945. An analysis of mineral magnetic signatures suggested that badlands made some contribution to the reservoir sediment in the 1930s, but did not significantly increase sediment yields. Photographic evidence suggests that a major badland became connected to the main channel network (and to the reservoir) from the early 1960s onwards. This interpretation was confirmed by significant and sustained changes in the mineral magnetic signatures of the reservoir sediments. The results indicated that a delayed increase in sediment yield, despite extensive badland development much earlier, appears to have been caused by changes in catchment connectivity rather than being a direct response to contemporary changes in land degradation within the catchment. These results add additional complications to our understanding of the relationship between the response to, and recovery from, periods of overgrazing in the 1930s that probably initiated the badland development.

The Congo Basin (CB) lies over a thick (200–250 km) and cold lithosphere: we estimate the present-day surface heat-flow to 40 ± 5 mW m−2, from the BHT temperatures, lithology and porosity recorded in two oil wells and in agreement with the only measurement in this area (44 mW m−2). This value is consistent with the thickness of the lithosphere inferred from seismic tomography, assuming stationary conditions. The paleo-thermal regimes can be constrained by additional information, such as the pressures and temperatures derived from kimberlites studies, the variations of vitrinite reflectance with burial or the reconstructed subsidence history. The pressures and the temperatures derived from kimberlites xenocrysts suggest that the conditions were similar for at least 120 Myr. The long-term subsidence can be interpreted by the thermal relaxation of a thick lithosphere after a Neo-Proterozoic rifting stage (ca. 700–635 Ma) with a thinning factor β = 1.4 and a possible reactivation during the Karoo period (ca. 320 Ma). Because the magnitude of the crustal thinning is small, the past thermal conditions throughout the Phanerozoic were probably not very different from the present-day. Additional short term variations (~20–40 Myr) of the subsidence are interpreted by dynamic subsidence or uplift caused by sublithospheric mantle instabilities at the transition between litho-spheres of different thicknesses. These short term variations should not be associated with significant thermal changes. In order to explain the observed maturation of the vitrinite as well as angular uncomformities on seismic lines, one should assume one or two stages of erosion in the basin, representing at least 4 km of removed material. Heat advection by hydrothermal or volcanic fluids can conversely reduce the magnitude of this erosion.

Clinical value of obtaining sputum and cough swab samples following inhaled hypertonic saline in children with cystic fibrosis.

This study compares the effect of two interventions focussed on the promotion of Mediterranean nutrition behavior. The target groups are persons with three risk factors for development of cardiovascular disease. The study region is a socio-economically deprived area in the Netherlands. The first intervention consisted of three meetings in which the positive health effects of a Mediterranean diet were discussed in group sessions. In the additional intervention stage-matched information based on the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change was given. Both intervention groups were compared with a control group, which received only a printed leaflet with the Dutch nutritional guidelines. At baseline the three subgroups were comparable and after 16 weeks both intervention strategies resulted in significant changes in comparison with the control condition. For fish consumption, both strategies resulted in more positive attitudes, social norms, stronger intentions, more progress in stage of change and better nutritional intake. For fruit/vegetables consumption, the effects of both strategies were limited to stage of change and nutritional intake. Additional individually stage-matched tailored letters did not result in more progress on any of the dependent variables. We conclude that substantial nutritional behavior change can be achieved by interactive group education in socio-economically deprived population groups.

Sequence Stratigraphy and Depositional Controls of Nahr Umr Iron-Rich Sheet Sands in a Unique Mid Cretaceous Reservoir (Offshore Qatar)

Significant stress changes are generated when producing reservoirs compact due to large reductions in the reservoir pore‐pressure. These stress changes are not confined to the reservoir. The stress and strain is redistributed to the surrounding formations, modifying both velocity and thicknesses in these formations. These changes often manifest themselves as significant timelapse time differences on migrated 4D images. Various authors (Hatchell et al, 2003 and Barkved et al, 2005) have used geomechanical modelling to explain these 4D timeshifts, thereby gaining valuable insight into the behaviour of the whole subsurface around some compacting reservoirs. This has so far been accomplished by assuming a simple relationship between thickness and velocity changes. The modelling is presumably repeated using various updated relationships until a match is obtained with the observed 4D timeshifts. We present an approach in which the 4D time differences are measured on prestack data. Without relying on any assumed relationship between velocity and thickness changes, we use the additional non‐zero offset information combined with raytracing and linear least squares inversion techniques to derive the thickness and velocity changes. These resulting velocity and thickness changes combined with density and pore‐pressure well data can then be converted to stress and strain changes. The technique should therefore help to close the loop between seismic 4D time differences and geomechanical stress and strain changes.