Initial Performance Research Articles

Practical Alloy-Based Negative Electrodes for Na-ion Batteries

The volumetric capacity of typical Na-ion battery (NIB) negative electrodes like hard carbon is limited to less than 450 mAh cm−3. Alloy-based negative electrodes such as phosphorus (P), tin (Sn), and lead (Pb) more than double the volumetric capacity of hard carbon, all having a theoretical volumetric capacity above 1,000 mAh cm−3 in the fully sodiated state. These alloy materials have massive volume expansion, with P expanding by almost 300% and both Sn and Pb expanding to about 400% of their initial volumes when fully sodiated. This work shows that despite this large volume change, Sn and Pb have excellent half-cell cycling performance, including high Coulombic efficiency. A blended P-hard carbon cell shows promising initial performance despite P having far lower electronic conductivity than either Sn or Pb. Overall, it is expected that these Na-alloying elements will be needed to increase the volumetric energy density of NIBs to compete with low-cost lithium iron phosphate-based cells. In fact, one company, UNIGRID, has recently demonstrated cylindrical Na-ion cells that use a pure tin negative electrode, dramatically increasing the volumetric energy density of Na-ion technology.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT TRIPLE CONSTRAINTS ON PERFORMANCE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL PROJECTS IN RWANDA A CASE OFNGOS IN BUGESRA DISTRICT

Background: This study aimed to examine the impact of project triple restrictions on the performance of Rwandan non-governmental initiatives. It focused on time management, cost management, and scope management on the effectiveness of these projects. The research was guided by three theories: theory of constraints, Goal Setting Theory, and Complexity Theory. The study involved 12 Local NGOs in Bugesera district, with a target population of 120 individuals. Primary data was gathered through questionnaires, while secondary data was gathered from various sources. The reliability level was determined using Cronbachs Alpha. Methods and Materials: Data analysis was conducted using SPSS (v25), and key themes related to scope management practices, project performance indicators, and contextual factors influencing NGO projects in Rwanda were identified. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, such as correlation analysis or regression modeling, to examine relationships between variables and test hypotheses. Results:The findings reveal that in the context of non-governmental projects in Bugesera District, Rwanda, effective scope management significantly influences project performance, with a standardized coefficient of .870 (p < .001), indicating a strong positive relationship. Time management also demonstrates a significant negative impact on performance (β = -.195, p = .008), highlighting the importance of efficient scheduling and timely completion of tasks. However, cost management does not exhibit a significant influence on project performance (β = .020, p = .771). The study indicates that effective scope management plays a pivotal role in enhancing the performance of non-governmental projects in Bugesera District, Rwanda, demonstrating a strong positive relationship with project outcomes. Conversely, while time management significantly affects project performance negatively, the influence of cost management appears to be non-significant in this context, suggesting that prioritizing scope alignment and efficient scheduling is crucial for project success. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is recommended that NGOs operating in Bugesera District prioritize effective scope management to optimize project performance, ensuring clear alignment with objectives and deliverables. Additionally, attention should be given to improving time management practices to minimize delays and enhance project efficiency, while maintaining a vigilant approach to cost management to prevent budget overruns and resource misallocation.

Effects of mixture initial conditions on deflagration to detonation transition enhanced by transverse jets

To explore the effects of mixture initial conditions on the deflagration to detonation transition (DDT) enhanced by transverse jets, numerical studies were conducted on the flame acceleration of H2/Air mixture under different initial conditions, including initial pressure, temperature, and equivalence ratio. The results indicate significant differences in flame acceleration processes under different initial pressures (0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 MPa). Changes in jet intensity and combustion rate induced by variations in mixture initial pressure collectively influence the flame acceleration process, but the impact of jet intensity is more significant. However, effective coupling between transverse wave propagation and flame acceleration is also crucial for the DDT process. Changes in mixture initial temperature (300, 350, 400, and 450 K) and equivalence ratio (0.8, 1.0, 1.2, and 1.4) have negligible impact on jet intensity. The variation trend of flame velocity under different initial temperatures or equivalence ratios is consistent, but the detonation initiation performance is slightly different. As the initial temperature increases, the DDT distance and DDT time are shortened. With an increasing equivalence ratio, the DDT distance and DDT time initially decrease and then increase, reaching the shortest at slightly rich fuel conditions.

Applying different levels of practice variability for motor learning: More is not better.

Variable practice is a broadly used tool to improve motor learning processes. However, controversial results can be found in literature about the success of this type of practice compared to constant practice. This study explored one potential reason for this controversy: the manipulation of variable practice load applied during practice and its effects according to the initial performance level and the initial intrinsic variability of the learner. Sixty-five participants were grouped into four practice schedules to learn a serial throwing task, in which the training load of variable practice was manipulated: one constant practice group and three groups with different variable practice loads applied. After a pre-test, participants trained for 2 weeks. A post-test and three retests (96 h, 2 weeks and 1 month) were carried out after training. The participants' throwing accuracy was assessed through error parameters and their initial intrinsic motor variability was assessed by the autocorrelation coefficient of the error. The four groups improved their throwing performance. Pairwise comparisons and effect sizes showed larger error reduction in the low variability group. Different loads of variable practice seem to induce different performance improvements in a throwing task. The modulation of the variable practice load seems to be a step forward to clarify the controversy about its benefits, but it has to be guided by the individuals' features, mainly by the initial intrinsic variability of the learner.

Correlation between parameters influencing skill acquisition in cataract surgery simulation

Introduction The EyeSi (Haag-Streit, Manheim, Germany) cataract surgery simulator is the most commonly used virtual reality simulator internationally to train Ophthalmology registrars. It consists of a Cataract Challenge Course (CCC), which is a virtual reality simulation (VRS) of cataract surgery. In this study, we aimed to determine any correlation between the parameters measured on the EyeSi virtual reality cataract surgery simulator and if they can predict the progression of microsurgical skill acquisition and development amongst ophthalmology trainees. Methods Data on the performance of 56 Ophthalmology trainees (training ophthalmic surgeons) at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital were analysed from 2018 to 2022. The trainees ranged from first to fourth year of training. Analysed parameters included Initial Task Performance, Time to Gate (the time to reach a threshold score – 50% in this case), and Peak Performance. Relationships between the parameters were analysed with Pearson r, and the significance of the difference between correlations was analysed with the psych package in R. Results The strongest correlation was found between initial and peak performance (r = 0.810), which was significantly greater than the correlation between Initial Task Performance and Time-to-Gate (r = 0.553, p = 0.03). Time-to-Gate was weakly correlated with Peak Performance (r = 0.475). The average total training time was 1123 minutes, ranging from 252 to 2039, and the mean peak CCC score was 442, ranging from 166 to 496. Conclusions Time-to-Gate, Initial Task Performance and Peak Performance are interlinked, indicating that trainees with the highest initial performance remain ahead in ability and can progress through VRS training more rapidly. Data also indicated that the EyeSi platform ultimately prioritizes a wide range of skills over mastery of a few – as participants who spend longer on ‘perfecting’ each stage of the simulator are not truly rewarded points-wise in comparison to those who rush through stages, as rushing through stages grants trainees a far higher overall score for each section (with one’s score ideally being a numeric representation of one’s ‘ability’). Consequently, the authors believe that virtual reality systems play a crucial role in training surgical registrars. However, their scoring systems should focus on skill mastery to facilitate maximal acquisition of skills.

Precisely Prelithiated Polyacrylic Acid Binder Improving Electrochemical Performance of Micron‐Sized Silicon Anodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

AbstractSilicon, serving as an anode material of Li‐ion batteries, offers a theoretical capacity significantly higher than graphite, but its practical application is hindered by poor conductivity, low lithium ion diffusivity, and severe volumetric expansion. Here, a simple and eco‐friendly methodology is proposed to synthesize precisely prelithiated polyacrylic acid binder, optimizing the interface between the binder and micron Si particles. The incorporation of these binders not only mitigates the detrimental effects of volumetric expansion but also enhances mechanical strength, and ionic conductivity of the anode, significantly improving the initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE), cycling stability, and rate performance of micron‐sized Si anodes. This study not only highlights the potential of prelithiated binders in overcoming the limitations of micron‐sized Si anodes but also sets a new benchmark for the development of high‐capacity, eco‐friendly Li‐ion batteries.

A novel hybrid Artificial Gorilla Troops Optimizer with Honey Badger Algorithm for solving cloud scheduling problem

Cloud computing has revolutionized the way a variety of ubiquitous computing resources are provided to users with ease and on a pay-per-usage basis. Task scheduling problem is an important challenge, which involves assigning resources to users’ Bag-of-Tasks applications in a way that maximizes either system provider or user performance or both. With the increase in system size and the number of applications, the Bag-of-Tasks scheduling (BoTS) problem becomes more complex due to the expansion of search space. Such a problem falls in the category of NP-hard optimization challenges, which are often effectively tackled by metaheuristics. However, standalone metaheuristics generally suffer from certain deficiencies which affect their searching efficiency resulting in deteriorated final performance. This paper aims to introduce an optimal hybrid metaheuristic algorithm by leveraging the strengths of both the Artificial Gorilla Troops Optimizer (GTO) and the Honey Badger Algorithm (HBA) to find an approximate scheduling solution for the BoTS problem. While the original GTO has demonstrated effectiveness since its inception, it possesses limitations, particularly in addressing composite and high-dimensional problems. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a novel approach by introducing a new updating equation inspired by the HBA, specifically designed to enhance the exploitation phase of the algorithm. Through this integration, the goal is to overcome the drawbacks of the GTO and improve its performance in solving complex optimization problems. The initial performance of the GTOHBA algorithm tested on standard CEC2017 and CEC2022 benchmarks shows significant performance improvement over the baseline metaheuristics. Later on, we applied the proposed GTOHBA on the BoTS problem using standard parallel workloads (CEA-Curie and HPC2N) to optimize makespan and energy objectives. The obtained outcomes of the proposed GTOHBA are compared to the scheduling techniques based on well-known metaheuristics under the same experimental conditions using standard statistical measures and box plots. In the case of CEA-Curie workloads, the GTOHBA produced makespan and energy consumption reduction in the range of 8.12–22.76% and 6.2–18.00%, respectively over the compared metaheuristics. Whereas for the HPC2N workloads, GTOHBA achieved 8.46–30.97% makespan reduction and 8.51–33.41% energy consumption reduction against the tested metaheuristics. In conclusion, the proposed hybrid metaheuristic algorithm provides a promising solution to the BoTS problem, that can enhance the performance and efficiency of cloud computing systems.

Synergetic Optimization of Upper and Lower Surfaces of the SnO2 Electron Transport Layer for High-Performance n-i-p Perovskite Solar Cells.

The SnO2 electron transport layer (ETL) has been recognized as one of the most effective protocols for achieving high-efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs). To date, most research has primarily focused on the modification of the upper surface of SnO2 ETL films. The lower surface of the SnO2 film, which directly influences the film formation of solution-processed SnO2, is equally important but receives relatively less attention. Herein, we present a synergetic optimization approach involving the deposition of aluminum oxide (AlOx) via atomic layer deposition (ALD) as a buffer layer and the incorporation of rubidium acetate (RbAc) as an upper surface passivation additive. This process leads to a conformal coating of SnO2 nanoparticles, improved electrical performance, and higher-quality perovskite crystals. As a result, with this composite ETL film, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) reached 22.41 from 20.77%. Further modification with p-butyl iodide (BAI) on the perovskite upper surface increased the champion PCE to 23.32%, with a voltage loss of 0.41 V, ranking among the lowest values for the triple-cation mixed-halide perovskite absorber (1.58 eV). Importantly, the perovskite solar cells remained 87.30% of its initial performance after 14 days of aging and exhibited photostability under long-term UV (254 nm) illumination.

Pyroelectric effect in high detectivity self-powered photodetector based on Cs2AgBiBr6

The ferroelectric perovskite material Cs2AgBiBr6 has received much attention because of its low poisonous nature and environmental stability. In this paper, we prepared high-quality Cs2AgBiBr6 thin films for self-powered photodetectors using a low-pressure-assisted method, investigated their optical, electrical, and pyroelectric properties, and characterized the film morphology and crystallization. The device modulates the photoelectric process without an external power supply, and has a maximum switching ratio of 1.72 × 106, a response rate of 0.158 A/W, a specific detectivity of 1.39 × 1011 Jones, an external quantum efficiency of 52.8 %, and a fast response time of 15.4/16.8 μs when irradiated with 532 nm light, which is much better than that of previous self-powered devices with the same material on/off ratio and specific detectivity. It is worth mentioning that the pyroelectric effect was observed in the infrared band. In addition, the devices exhibited high stability to water and oxygen in an air environment (25 °C, 60 % humidity), retaining more than 95 % of the initial performance after one month of placement. Our study demonstrates that the lead-free perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6 is a promising and environmentally friendly alternative for the preparation of highly stable self-powered photodetectors and is also of great research value in the field of pyroelectric detection.

Surface active sites enriched CoNiFe-Manganite: An effective electrode for high-performance supercapacitors

The electrochemical performance of ternary metal oxide electrodes exhibiting faradic battery-type characteristics, represents a promising and desirable solution for addressing the ongoing energy crisis. In the current investigation, we present the optimized solution-combustion synthesis of Co0.03Ni0.97FeγMn2-γO4 nanoparticles, with varying Fe concentrations (γ=0.01, 0.05, 0.10 %), specifically tailored for application in supercapacitors. The Styrofoam-natured (CNMFO:1) exhibited outstanding specific capacitance, reaching 489.12 Fg−1 at a scan rate of 50 mVs−1. Moreover, validation through galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) investigations substantiated a notable specific capacitance of 391.41 Fg−1, achieved at a current density of 1Ag−1. In addition, the CNMFO:1 electrode demonstrated remarkable cyclic stability, retaining 83.87 % of its initial performance over 6000 cycles. Similarly, the fabricated asymmetric device of (CNMFO:1||AC) also demonstrated a maximum specific capacitance of 33.86 Fg−1 under a current density of 1Ag−1, which exhibits good energy and power density of 10.52 Wh Kg−1 and 749.34 W Kg−1 respectively. From the overall observation, the CNMFO:1 electrode exhibited notable cyclic stability and electrochemical reversibility. This research recommends that CNMFO:1 nanocomposite have an extraordinary potential for evolution of active electrode materials forthcoming supercapacitors in energy storage system.

A demand-based three-stage seismic resilience assessment and multi-objective optimization method of community water distribution networks

This paper proposes a three-stage resilience concept that takes into account reliability, vulnerability and recovery resilience of water distribution networks (WDNs) from three phases, namely, pre-disaster preparation (PDP) phase, disaster response (DR) phase and the post-disaster recovery (PDR) phase. Based on the three-stage resilience concept, the initial performance, robustness and multi-objective optimization recovery method are proposed. In PDP phase, based on the reliability concept and the user demand, the initial performance of WDNs is defined, and the method is proposed based on Monte Carlo simulation method combined with seismic fragility of pipelines. In DR phase, a comprehensive quantitative index is proposed to quantify the robustness of WDNs by integrating the structural attributes, topological attributes and operational characteristics of WDNs. Finally, on the basis of the previous two stages, the disaster recovery process of failed pipelines of WDNs is further analyzed, and a multi-objective recovery optimization model of failed pipelines with consideration of users’ demands under the resources constraints is proposed to achieve the resilience enhancement. Through a case, the three-stage resilience assessment optimization enhancement of WDNs is implemented using the improved NSGA-II. The proposed method can be used as a basis for disaster prevention planning and seismic measures.

Study on the influence of design parameters of porous asphalt pavement on drainage performance

To investigate the design factors influencing the drainage performance of porous asphalt pavement and its performance degradation, a three-dimensional infiltration model of porous asphalt pavement was established. The influence of permeability coefficient, drainage layer thickness, drainage path length, and pavement cross slope for drainage performance was analyzed. The drainage performance was evaluated with the multiple influence factors, and the drainage performance degradation was explored with the porosity decay. The results showed that the design parameters including permeability coefficient, drainage layer thickness, drainage path length, and pavement cross slope exhibit strong correlations with pavement drainage performance, with correlations greater than 0.6. The increase in the permeability coefficient, drainage layer thickness, pavement cross slope, and the reduction in drainage path length are all benefits to improved drainage performance. It is effective to enhance drainage performance by increasing the permeability coefficient combined with a higher pavement cross slope in high drainage requirement areas. The porosity decay caused by road load and porosity reduction leads to a 20%-45% degradation in drainage performance. Therefore, during the road surface design process, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the synergistic effects of design parameters, while also evaluating both the initial and residual drainage performance with the combined influence of load and dust.

Combined membrane separation and photocatalysis process for the recovery and decomposition of micro/nanoplastics from polyester fabrics

The mismanagement of plastic waste has had a disastrous impact on the aquatic and terrestrial environment This study aims to develop and evaluate an innovative system for treating polyester-polluted water by combining membrane separation and photocatalytic processes. The research objective is to concentrate polyester fibers using membrane technologies and subsequently decompose them through a photocatalytic process using different oxidants, such as hydrogen peroxide and sodium peroxodisulfate.The results, compared in terms of permeate flux, water permeability, fouling index (FI %) and cleaning efficiency (CE %), indicated nanofiltration as the membrane process that allowed not only the complete recovery of fibers from water as with all processes used, but also the almost complete recovery of the initial performance of the membrane used (CA 2 kDa NF) with a cleaning efficiency of 98 % and a low fouling index (16 %).Preliminary photocatalytic tests on some recovered polyester fibers by membrane process showed a decrease in their length and thickness with a weight loss of 13.52 % in 48 h, highlighting the potential of the photocatalytic process to degrade polyester fibers. Furthermore, these results indicated that the photocatalytic process can be tuned to allow the decomposition of polyester avoiding the use of dangerous and costly methods such as the thermal process that can produce toxic by-products. The proposed system, which combines the membrane separation process and the photocatalysis process, could lead to an effective integrated process for the treatment of MPs/NPs from polluted water.

Core–Shell catalyst particles for tandem catalysis: An experimental/numerical approach towards optimal design

Tandem catalysis is a promising approach to intensify chemical processes and increase their efficiency. On the other hand, the design of efficient, optimal and targeted tailored tandem catalysts is yet so challenging as the optimal catalyst loading is difficult to assess a priori. In this article, we present a concise route towards the design of optimal core–shell tandem catalyst particles on the example of coupled RWGS and FTS reactions for any specific spherical morphology. The route features five consecutive steps including: tandem system identification, catalyst synthesis, i.e. mono- and tandem-functional, catalyst characterization and initial performance test, kinetic modeling with parameter estimation if necessary, and optimal design of catalysts. The initial step features thermodynamic equilibrium calculations for RWGS and FTS showing a common operational window. Then, Pt and Co are selected as active metals and the formulation of the tandem catalyst is designed. For the second step, the synthesis route for the tandem catalyst Pt,CeO2@SiO2-Co, and the mono-functional catalysts, Pt@SiO2 and CeO2@SiO2-Co are presented. For the third step, all catalysts were tested for CO2 hydrogenation as an exemplary tandem process. A reduced transport model from literature was adjusted for RWGS and FTS reactions with kinetic expression from literature to enable numerical optimization. The kinetic parameters are estimated based on the performance tests of the mono-functional reference materials, i.e. Pt@SiO2 for RWGS and CeO2@SiO2-Co for FTS. The model is validated by cross comparison to the data from the tandem reaction setup. In the fifth step, the model was used for the numerical optimization of the catalyst loading on core and shell leading to the identification of the optimal design, resulting in a significant increase of C2+ Yield.

Read or listen? Effects of different kinds of instruction on the learning of a sport motor skill

The present study investigated the effects of different instruction types (verbal and written) in the motor learning of a sport skill. Methods: Twenty-three volunteers, from both sexes, 12,96 ± 1.1 years of age, were distributed in two groups: verbal instruction (GIV) and written instruction (GIE). The task was to perform the basketball layup without the ball touching the hoop. All participants performed five baseline trials on the free-throw for balancing initial group performance between groups. Then, they performed 32 practice trials and a retention test of 8 trials a week later on the basketball layup. T-tests were used to compare the groups in baseline and retention tests. Results: The results showed, in both practice and retention, superior performance for GIE compared to GIV. Conclusion: We conclude that providing written instructions benefited the performance and learning of a sport motor skill.

Semisynthetic compounds for controlling Colletotrichum lindemuthianum on bean seeds

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is one of the main diseases that affect the bean crop. The use of semisynthetic compounds for controlling anthracnose aims at providing a higher balance to the ecosystem and a lower environmental impact. Based on this context, the objective of this work was: a) to carry out the prospection of compounds such as Phenyl S Citral, Phenyl Se Citronellal, and Citral at concentrations of 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125, 0.0625, 0.0312, 0.0156, 0.0078, and 0.0039%, which were modified from the essential oil of citronella and lemongrass, for controlling C. lindemuthianum; b) to evaluate the initial performance of seedlings and treat the incidence of C. lindemuthianum in bean seeds with Phenyl S Citral and Phenyl Se Citronellal at concentrations of 0.125 and 0.0625%. Phenyl Se Citronellal at 0.5% controlled 100% of mycelial growth and Phenyl S Citral at 0.5 and 1% controlled more than 50% of mycelial growth of C. lindemuthianum. The treatment with Phenyl S Citral and Phenyl Se Citronellal did not affect the physiological quality of bean seeds while increasing seedling development when using the 0.0625% concentration of Phenyl Se Citronellal. Treatment with Phenyl Se Citronellal at both concentrations decreased the incidence of C. lindemuthianum infection.

Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Facile Synthesis of Triphenylamine‐Based Hole‐Transport Material with D–A1–A2 Structure

In perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the selection of the hole‐transport material (HTM) markedly influences both the achievement of high efficiency and overall stability. This study outlines the synthesis of a dopant‐free HTM founded on the donor–acceptor1–acceptor2 (D–A1–A2)‐conjugated structure and its integration into PSCs. The ensuing PSCs showcase a power conversion efficiency of 17.8%, comparable to NiOx inorganic HTM‐based devices and surpassing poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate polymeric HTM‐based devices. The efficiency comparable to NiOx is attributed to the efficient hole extraction and transport facilitated by the conjugated π junctions in the specifically designed structure. Furthermore, these devices exhibit enhanced stability, maintaining 95% of their initial performance for 60 d in an N2 atmosphere without encapsulation. The improved stability primarily arises from the hydrophobic nature of the HTM. The larger π‐conjugated molecules lead to a denser film by reducing intermolecular space, effectively retarding water intrusion and providing superior protection to the perovskite layer. Thus, the dopant‐free D–A1–A2 HTM with an extended conjugated π structure not only effectively enhances device efficiency but also substantially improves device stability.

Simultaneous dual-interface modification based on mixed cations for efficient inverted perovskite solar cells with excellent stability

The interfacial modification is crucial for achieving high efficiency and stability in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, we have developed a concise and efficient dual-interface passivation strategy by incorporating mixed cations of phenylethylammonium iodide and methylammonium iodide (PEAI and MAI, denoted as PMI) at both the interfaces of the electron and hole transport layers (HTL). The buried interface enhances HTL wettability and improves perovskite crystallinity, thereby enhancing its performance. Simultaneously, modifying the top surface of the perovskite effectively reduces defects and nonradiative recombination losses. As a result, inverted PSCs exhibit improved VOC, JSC, and FF, leading to a peak PCE of 24.20 %. Compared to the control device (PCEmax = 21.78 %), there is an ∼ 11.11 % enhancement in PCE. Importantly, the passivated PMI-based devices demonstrate exceptional stability even under harsh conditions of 60 °C and 35 % RH. After 1440 h, their PCE retains an impressive 75.3 % of the initial performance, showcasing a remarkable improvement of 21.2 % compared to the control devices (62.1 %). The observed stability exceeds previous studies on PTAA-based inverted PSCs.

Disparities in cancer outcomes: A comprehensive analysis of cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence in Europe

Cancer poses a substantial challenge in Europe’s public health landscape, contributing significantly to illness burden, diminished productivity, and escalating health-care costs. This article investigates the extent to which disparities in cancer outcomes are associated with factors influencing the performance of cancer control initiatives within the European Union (EU). The characteristics of health-care systems play a pivotal role in shaping cancer outcomes through three key mechanisms: (i) Access to screening programs; (ii) quality and efficiency of health-care services; and (iii) health education and awareness programs. A multifactorial regression analysis was employed, utilizing the GLOBOCAN 2020 projections of cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence based on the data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer. This analysis was delineated across 36 distinct cancer classifications by both gender and age categories. In countries with incomplete population coverage, patients may face limitations in accessing certain services or contend with significant financial obstacles. Furthermore, disparities in health-care service implementation, including diagnostic procedures, treatment modalities, and follow-up care, significantly affect cancer outcomes. In addition, systematic distinctions in care quality, such as early diagnosis, timely access to specialized care, and the presence of coordinated efforts, contribute significantly to diverse cancer outcomes. In conclusion, this article highlights the variations in cancer care provision across European countries, offering valuable insights for enhancing cancer patient care.

Trading Off Initial PEM Fuel Cell Performance versus Voltage Cycling Durability for Different Carbon Support Morphologies

Tailored design of carbon supports and their pore morphologies is crucial to achieve the ambitious durability and performance targets for future proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). We compared platinum catalysts supported on solid Vulcan carbon, porous Ketjenblack carbon, and accessible porous modified Ketjenblack carbon in a voltage cycling-based accelerated stress test (AST) with frequent intermittent characterizations. We derived how catalyst morphologies affect cell performance and electrochemical properties (electrode roughness factor, ORR activity, oxygen transport resistances) at beginning-of-life (BoL) and in various states of degradation up to 200,000 voltage cycles. We confirmed the enhanced Pt surface area retention of porous carbon-supported catalysts, ascribed to well-shielded Pt particles in internal pores, but find that this comes at the expense of lower initial high current density performance already at BoL. Accessible porous carbon-supported catalysts with wider pores mostly retain those durability benefits while, simultaneously, maximizing H2/air performance at all current densities due to improved oxygen transport. We also tracked changes in catalyst accessibility throughout voltage cycling by analyzing local oxygen transport resistances and relative humidity-dependent platinum utilization. We propose that catalysts with porous carbon supports undergo oxidative pore opening, followed by continuous migration of internal Pt particles to the external carbon surface.