Rapid Discharge Research Articles

Study on the effect of valve openings and multi-stage throttling structures on the pressure and temperature during CO2 pipeline venting processes

The venting operation is an important measure for rapidly eliminating the risk of overpressure in CO2 transportation pipelines. However, the low-temperature phenomenon and vibration generated by the rapid discharge can affect structural reliability. Multi-stage throttle structures have been proven to effectively alleviate vibration phenomena, but their impact on low temperatures remains unclear. In this study, venting tests were conducted on eight groups of single-stage and two-stage throttle structures based on a large-scale pipeline. The results indicate that the nonlinear variation of the valve resistance coefficient when the valve opening changes is the fundamental reason affecting the downstream temperature. Two-stage throttle structures can effectively mitigate the low-temperature conditions in certain spaces within the pipeline. For the remaining low-temperature sections, three-stage throttle structures can provide effective compensation. However, this significantly reduces the pressure drop rate in the main pipeline, contradicting the original purpose of the venting operation. Additionally, considering the temperature of the throttle structure and the pressure within the main pipeline, this study recommends increasing the valve openings for the two-stage throttle structure. The results of this study provide important references for the design of throttle structures and the formulation of on-site venting schemes, with strong prospects for engineering applications.

The streamgauging ruler: A low-cost, low-tech, alternative discharge measurement technique

The streamgauging ruler, a.k.a. transparent velocity-head rod, is an inexpensive, easy, and quick tool for conducting wading discharge measurements in open-channel flows. It provides reliable velocity and discharge measurements when the right measuring conditions, especially minimum flow velocity, are met. The principle is simple: depth-averaged velocity can be computed from the water level difference between the upstream and downstream sides of a plastic board placed into the flow perpendicular to the flow direction. The model developed by INRAE (commercially available for €210) is a little more expensive than previously published models but it significantly improves the ease-of-use and measurement quality. Comparison experiments with reference measurements performed in a laboratory flume and at various field sites confirm the accuracy of the semi-empirical velocity rating established by Pike et al. (2016). Over most of the investigated cross-sections, the discharge measurements are generally within 10% of the reference discharge, when the velocity is greater than 0.2 m/s. However, operator-related effects (site selection, number and distribution of verticals, adjustment and reading of the sliding rulers) can lead to larger errors, hence operator training and care are essential.A first evaluation of the velocity uncertainty related to the velocity-head reading is proposed in the form of an equation that can be used in existing methods for calculating discharge measurement uncertainty. As the method is extremely simple and quick, it is well suited for rapid discharge estimates, training or demonstration, citizen science programmes, or cooperation with services with limited resources and/or lacking specialized expertise in hydrometry. As of July 2024, 304 instruments had been built and released to diverse users around the world, along with a simple discharge computing spreadsheet, a video tutorial, and a field memo.

Comparative electrochemical properties of MO (ZrO2, V2O5) based polyaniline nanocomposites for high-performance supercapacitor applications

Due to its distinctive qualities, such as its moderate energy density, extended service life, rapid discharge–charge rates, and superior safety, supercapacitors (SCs) are gaining more and more attention. A zirconium oxide ZrO2 (Zr) and vanadium oxide V2O5 (VO) based PANI nanocomposites, denoted as (ZrP for ZrO2/PANI, and VOP for V2O5/PANI) are fabricated using hydrothermal technique in this research work. Morphological and phase investigations validated the random particle shapes with good crystallinity and purity of the samples. The N2 sorption/desorption isotherm reveals a mesoporous feature of the electrodes and the highest BET surface area (36.5 m2/g) with large electroactive sites, which offers abundant faradaic reactions for charge storage. The I-V characteristics confirm their excellent conduction capabilities as well. When utilized as electrodes for SCs in the three-electrode setup, the VOP composite electrode attains the highest capacitance of 1372 F g−1 at a scan rate of 5 mV s−1 compared with other active electrodes. Besides that, the VOP electrodes offer superior cyclic stability, with a retention rate of 94.28% even after 7000 consecutive charge/discharge cycles. It has been discovered that the in two electrode VOP asymmetric device exhibited remarkable specific capacitance of 651.36 Fg−1 at 5 mV s−1 demonstrating a significant capacitance retention of 87.6% over 6000 cycles. The results suggest that the material could be a good contender for electrode materials in supercapacitors.

Seawater submersion for cylindrical lithium-ion batteries thermal runaway prevention

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are currently used in various electric vehicles, including electric boats. To assess the risk of fire due to thermal runaway of the LIB during the operation of ferries, seawater can be used as a cooling fluid for the LIB to prevent thermal runaway as it is abundant. However, the seawater could corrode the electrodes of the battery, which would lead to toxic wastewater. Prevention of thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries by submersion in seawater needs to be investigated to clarify the corrosion that could lead to toxic wastewater. In this study, fully charged, pristine 18650 NMC Li-ion cells were submerged in synthetic seawater (SSW) to investigate the corrosion effect compared to deionized (DI) water. The results showed that SSW induced rapid voltage discharge, leading to corrosion on the electrodes and toxic effluents, while DI water maintained the stability of the cells and did not cause any corrosion effect. In addition, the prevention of thermal runaway was investigated by exposing fully charged LIB to extreme overheating conditions. The liquid submersion system was activated by rapid voltage drop monitoring to evaluate its effectiveness in preventing thermal runaway (TR). The investigation of TR prevention by SSW submersion showed that the TR process can be effectively prevented. In addition, no corrosion effect was observed during submersion in SSW as the battery voltage was not applied. This study shows that seawater can be used to prevent TR in LIB and does not cause environmental problems comparable to water.

Experimental study on overtopping failure of concrete face rockfill dam

With the frequent occurrence of natural disasters, the problem of dam failure with low probability and high risk has gradually attracted people's attention. This paper uses flume model tests to systematically analyze the overtopping failure mechanisms of concrete face rockfill dam (CFRD) and identify its failure modes. The tests reveal that the longitudinal erosion of the CFRD breach progress through stages of soil erosion, panel failures, and water flow stabilization. Meanwhile, the cross-section breach process involves the evolution of breach size in rockfill materials, including traceable erosion, lateral broadening, and breach morphology stabilization. The fracture characteristics of the water-blocking panel are primarily evident in the flow-time curve. By analyzing the breach morphology evolution processes in longitudinal and cross sections, the flow-time curve can be subdivided into stages of burst flow formation, breach expansion with flow increase, rapid increase of breach flow discharge due to panel failures, and stabilization of breach flow and size. The primary damage process of the CFRD occurs in a cyclical stage of breach expansion, flow increase, panel failure, and rapid discharge. The rigid face plate and granular body structure contribute to partial dam failure, showing a tendency for gradual expansion of the breach. The longitudinal section illustrates dam failure resulting from panel fracture and rockfill erosion interaction, while downstream slopes exhibit failure due to lateral intrusion of rockfill and cyclic instability. These research results can serve as a reference for constructing a concrete CFRD failure prediction model and conducting disaster risk assessments.

Safety and feasibility of triage and rapid discharge of patients with chest pain from emergency room: A pragmatic, randomized noninferiority control trial of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 0 to 1 hour pathway vs conventional 0 to 3 hour accelerated diagnostic protocol

Patients presenting with chest pain represent a significant proportion of Emergency Department (ED) attendances but only a minority, typically 10%, have a final diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). Prompt discharge of patients without MI will alleviate ED overcrowding as well as improve patient satisfaction and reduce exposure to risk of hospital acquired infections such as Covid 19.The measurement of cardiac troponin (cTn) by a high sensitivity method is recommended by the National Institute for health and Care Excellence (NICE) for rapid categorisation of patients presenting with chest pain. Strategies proposed include measurement on admission and one hour from admission (ESC 0–1-hour pathway, the recent guideline approved pathway which has not been implemented widely), and measurement on admission and three hours from admission (0–3-hour pathway, which is conventional and widely adopted).The primary objective of this study is twofold: firstly, to assess the safety, feasibility, and impact of implementing the ESC (European Society of Cardiology) 0–1-hour pathway in clinical practice by reference to the more established ESC 0–3-hour protocol. The principal outcome measure will be the safety of the ESC 0–1-hour protocol. However, there are concerns that the time from sample draw to result availability (typically around 60 minutes) will impact on the feasibility of the ESC 0–1-hour pathway. Secondly, therefore, our goal is to evaluate whether measurement of high sensitivity troponin by a bedside analyser (point of care testing, POCT), which will produce results in 15 minutes is a feasible alternative to laboratory testing. We will compare the results produced by POCT with the laboratory results in the context of the ESC 0-1 hour and 0–3-hour pathway, as a nested controlled study in the context of a randomised controlled trial. (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05322395)

Phase change material properties identification for the design of efficient thermal management system for cylindrical Lithium-ion battery module

Performance and life of Lithium-ion battery packs in EVs and energy storage applications are limited by the thermal profile of cells during its life. Passive cooling technique based on Phase Change Material (PCM) is employed for mitigating thermal issues associated with Lithium-ion cells. The challenge with PCM materials is the trade-off between its latent heat of fusion, thermal conductivity and specific heat. Detailed CFD analysis is carried out to study the impact of PCM thermal properties on battery pack thermal profile and provide guidelines for PCM properties selection and usage of existing PCM materials. Impact of critical PCM properties such as latent heat (100–250 kJkg−1), thermal conductivity (0.2–23 Wm−1K−1), melting temperature and thickness of PCM material on thermal performance of a battery module during rapid discharge rate of 25 A (3.2C) is investigated. Battery module maximum temperature (Tmax) reaches 54°C and temperature difference (∆T) to 5.5°C while operating at 35°C with 124 kJkg−1and 0.2 Wm−1K−1. It is found that, PCM with higher latent heat (≥ 175 kJkg−1), thermal conductivity (≥ 3 Wm−1K−1), PCM thickness (≥ 3 mm) and appropriate phase change temperature 41-44°C exhibit improved heat dissipation for high discharge rates by effectively reducing the Tmax to 44.4°C and ∆T to 2.4°C (25 A and 35°C ambient). Further, ways to mitigate low latent heat capacity and thermal conductivity of PCM through increasing PCM material usage (i.e. inter cell distance) is emphasized. Results of the present study can be considered as a design tool for PCM development engineers which could be cost effective both in-terms of development time and effort.

(Invited) Operando Nanoimaging of Phase Transformations in Energy Storage Materials

We applied operando Bragg Coherent Diffractive Imaging (BCDI) to study the discontinuous phase transformation in LixNi0.5Mn1.5O4 embedded in a fully operational battery. During Li-intercalation, we observed nucleation and growth of the Li-rich phase in a 500 nm particle embedded in the multicomponent positive electrode. The data captures the evolution from a curved coherent to planar semi-coherent interface, driven by dislocation dynamics. These dislocations travel with the interface and are expelled upon the completion of the phase transformation, resulting in a crystal devoid of defects. We hypothesize that these defects move via glissile motion without diffusion of host ions. Our data indicate the absence of significant kinetic limitations affecting the transformation kinetics, even under rapid discharge within 2 hours. This study underscores the capability of BCDI as a powerful tool for operando analysis of nanoscale phase transformations, offering guidance for the design and optimization of electrochemical materials.

Excellent energy storage performance in BSFCZ/AGO/BNTN double-heterojunction capacitors via the synergistic effect of interface and dead-layer engineering

Dielectric films with ultra-high energy storage density and efficiency are urgently needed due to the energy crisis. Here, we construct novel ferroelectric/dead-layer/superparaelectric (FE/DL/SPE) double-heterojunction capacitors, utilizing interface and dead-layer engineering to achieve outstanding energy storage performance. Bi0.9Sm0.1Fe0.9Co0.05Zn0.05O3 (BSFCZ) with large polarization, Ba0.985Na0.015Ti0.95Ni0.05O3 (BNTN) with low hysteresis and high breakdown strength (Eb), and artificial Al0.9Ga0.1O3 (AGO) with wide band-gap were chosen as the FE, SPE, and DL phases, respectively. Interface engineering enables the BSFCZ/AGO/BNTN films to maintain a high polarization of 55 μC cm−2, while the linear dielectric AGO and SPE BNTN substantially suppresses the remnant polarization. This can be clarified by the evolution of domains in the BSFCZ layer: nanodomains are scaled down to polar clusters, reducing polarization hysteresis while maintaining relatively high polarization. Simultaneously, two opposing intrinsic electric fields are formed to offset a portion of the external electric field, and the low dielectric constant AGO layer bears a significant part of the applied electric field due to electromagnetic boundary conditions. Consequently, the Eb is significantly increased from 4.4 MV cm−1 of BSFCZ/BNTN to 5.5 MV cm−1 of BSFCZ/AGO/BNTN, resulting in a giant recoverable energy density of 132 J cm−3 and a high efficiency of 84 % in BSFCZ/AGO/BNTN films. Moreover, the BSFCZ/AGO/BNTN films excel in temperature stability (RT∼200 °C), fatigue resistance (up to 107 cycles), and frequency stability (200 Hz to 20 kHz), alongside an exceptionally rapid discharge rate of 2.6 μs. This innovative approach suggests new possibilities for producing environmentally friendly, large-area, high-performance dielectric capacitors.

Construction of nitrite electrochemical sensor by in-situ deposition of FeOOH nanomaterials on carbon cloth modified with green DBD technology

The treatment of carbon cloth with concentrated or dilute acid to produce hydrophilic carbon-based flexible electrodes raises environmental pollution concerns. This study utilized a green, rapid, and cost-effective dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) technique was utilized for the hydrophilic modification of conductive hydrophobic carbon cloth. A nitrite electrochemical sensor was constructed by depositing high specific surface area pom-pom FeOOH on modified carbon cloth through a constant potential electrochemical in-situ deposition method. The FeOOH/CC binder-free self-supporting electrode demonstrates nitrite detection capabilities within linear ranges of 0.5–900 µM and 1 mM–10 mM, boasting a detection limit of 0.154 µM (S/N = 3). This sensor exhibits excellent interference immunity, stability, and reproducibility. Its application in detecting nitrite in ham sausage and tap water samples yields 97.00 % to 101.33 % recovery rates, respectively, comparable to UV spectrophotometry results, affirming the sensor’s accuracy and practical feasibility. This straightforward and swift carbon material modification technique presents a novel approach for crafting carbon cloth electrochemical sensors.

Meltwater Orientations Modify Seismic Anisotropy in Temperate Ice

AbstractSeismology is increasingly used to infer the magnitude and direction of glacial ice flow. However, the effects of interstitial meltwater on seismic properties remain poorly constrained. Here, we extend previous studies on seismic anisotropy in temperate ices to consider the role of melt preferred orientation (MPO). We used the ELLE numerical toolbox to simulate microstructural shear deformation of temperate ice with variable MPO strength and orientation, and calculated the effective seismic properties of these numerical ice‐melt aggregates. Our models demonstrate that even 3.5% melt volume is sufficient to rotate fast directions by up to 90°, to increase Vp anisotropy by up to +110%, and to modify Vs anisotropy by −9 to +36%. These effects are especially prominent at strain rates ≥3.17 × 10−12 s−1. MPO may thus obscure the geophysical signatures of temperate ice flow in regions of rapid ice discharge, and is therefore pivotal for understanding ice mass loss.

Outstanding energy density and charge-discharge performances in Sr2KNb5O15-based tungsten bronze ceramics for dielectric capacitor applications

Relaxor ferroelectric ceramics are extremely encouraging materials for energy storage capacitor applications in pulse equipment. As the second largest ferroelectric ceramic system, tungsten bronze structure relaxor ferroelectric ceramics have emerged as a significant contender and garnered significant attention in the pulse capacitor research field. In this work, an Sb-modified Sr2KNb5O15-based tungsten bronze relaxor ferroelectric ceramic system is designed to explore its energy storage potential. XRD refinement reveals the declines in the oxygen octahedra tilting and distortion after the introduction of Sb, which significantly augments the relaxation behavior. Additionally, refined grain size and reduced oxygen vacancy concentration are observed, greatly improving the breakdown strength. Consequently, a superior energy storage density (∼4.57 J/cm3) accompanied by wonderful energy storage efficiency (∼89.3 %) is received at 540 kV/cm, with wide frequency stability and great thermal stability. Moreover, amazing discharging performances are also achieved with rapid discharge speed (τ0.9 < 70 ns), towering discharge current density (815.2 A/cm2) and surprising power density (130.4 MW/cm3). All these performances indicate that the designed Sr2KNb5O15-based tungsten bronze relaxor ferroelectric ceramic can be one encouraging option in the dielectric energy storage field.

Electrochemical stability and superior capacitance of bismuth cobalt metal-organic framework incorporated with vanadium disulfide nanosheet for supercapacitor application

The development of a novel supercapacitor electrode material consisting of bismuth and cobalt-based metal-organic framework (MOF) intercalated on vanadium disulfide (VS2) nanosheets (BiCo-MOF@VS2). The composite combines the high porosity and tunable functionality of MOFs with excellent conductivity and high theoretical capacitance of VS2. The MOF structure is designed to incorporate bismuth and cobalt, which enhance electrochemical performance. The VS2 nanosheets provide a conductive support matrix for the MOF, facilitating electron transport and promoting fast charge-discharge rates. Researchers used a suite of techniques to characterize the fabricated electrodes to understand the relationship between material properties and performance. These techniques analyzed the morphology, crystal structure, and electrochemical properties of the materials. The electrochemical performance of BiCo-MOF@VS2 electrodes for supercapacitor applications is investigated using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The research shows that these composite electrodes are highly promising for use in supercapacitors needing top performance. They deliver impressive capacitance, handle rapid charge and discharge cycles well, and maintain stability over time. We found that the electrochemical behavior is optimum when BiCo-MOF@VS2 is used, which is a result of the synergistic effects of VS2 dispersion and the BiCo-MOF. BiCo-MOF and VS2 have shown specific capacitance values of 282 and 199 F g−1, compared to the two electrode materials, BiCo-MOF@VS2 demonstrated an impressive specific capacitance of 472 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, and cyclic stability with 85 % retention even after 3000 cycles at 9 A g−1 current density tested in 1 M KOH solution. This novel material holds promise for developing next-generation supercapacitors with exceptional energy storage capabilities.

Application of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles to Mitigate Cadmium Toxicity: Mechanisms and Future Prospects.

Cadmium (Cd), as the most prevalent heavy metal contaminant poses serious risks to plants, humans, and the environment. The ubiquity of this toxic metal is continuously increasing due to the rapid discharge of industrial and mining effluents and the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a novel strategy to alleviate Cd toxicity. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have become the most important NPs used to mitigate the toxicity of abiotic stresses and improve crop productivity. The plants quickly absorb Cd, which subsequently disrupts plant physiological and biochemical processes and increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes the oxidation of cellular structures and significant growth losses. Besides this, Cd toxicity also disrupts leaf osmotic pressure, nutrient uptake, membrane stability, chlorophyll synthesis, and enzyme activities, leading to a serious reduction in growth and biomass productivity. Though plants possess an excellent defense mechanism to counteract Cd toxicity, this is not enough to counter higher concentrations of Cd toxicity. Applying Zn-NPs has proven to have significant potential in mitigating the toxic effects of Cd. ZnO-NPs improve chlorophyll synthesis, photosynthetic efficiency, membrane stability, nutrient uptake, and gene expression, which can help to counter toxic effects of Cd stress. Additionally, ZnO-NPs also help to reduce Cd absorption and accumulation in plants, and the complex relationship between ZnO-NPs, osmolytes, hormones, and secondary metabolites plays an important role in Cd tolerance. Thus, this review concentrates on exploring the diverse mechanisms by which ZnO nanoparticles can alleviate Cd toxicity in plants. In the end, this review has identified various research gaps that need addressing to ensure the promising future of ZnO-NPs in mitigating Cd toxicity. The findings of this review contribute to gaining a deeper understanding of the role of ZnO-NPs in combating Cd toxicity to promote safer and sustainable crop production by remediating Cd-polluted soils. This also allows for the development of eco-friendly approaches to remediate Cd-polluted soils to improve soil fertility and environmental quality.

Enhancing capacitance performance of functional group assisted carbon quantum dots derived from turmeric plant waste

Supercapacitors have attracted significant attention in modern devices as a promising solution for electrical energy storage due to their remarkable capability to undergo rapid charge and discharge cycles. While various materials are employed in the construction of supercapacitors, carbon-based materials emerge as a predominant choice within the commercial realm. In present report, our intention is to develop an effective supercapacitor device derived from natural biomass. Therefore, we have synthesized water soluble, monodisperse and fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from turmeric leaves (Curcuma caesia) via a single step hydrothermal carbonization. Further, the doctor blade technique was employed to coat a layer of CQDs on stainless steel substrate using PVA as a binder. We observed the functional groups associated with QDs triggers the fast diffusion of ions and transmission of electrons with conducting substrate and electrolyte and thereby effectively charge and discharge mechanism. The supercapacitor based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) based electrode exhibits exceptional performance characteristics with a remarkable specific capacitance of 468 F/g and highest energy density of 78.6 Wh/kg, superior to the values reported for most carbon-based supercapacitors. Further, we demonstrated the light dependent capacitive enhancement by depositing a thin P3HT layer over CQDs. Moreover, CQDs-based supercapacitor achieves a maximum power density of 733.2 W/kg when operated in a 1 M KOH electrolyte solution and an excellent capacitive retention of about 80 % even after 5000 cycles.

Pre-operative carbohydrate drink in pediatric spine fusion: randomized control trial.

As rapid discharge protocols for pediatric spine fusion shorten stays, gastrointestinal (GI) complications are uncovered and cause delays in discharge. A pre-operative carbohydrate (CHO) drink has been shown to improve perioperative GI symptoms and functional return but has not been examined in pediatric spine patients. We aimed to determine if a preoperative CHO drink is safe in pediatric spine fusion patients, and if it improves their comfort scores and return of bowel function. We prospectively randomized ASA-1 and -2 pediatric spine fusion patients to either a pre-anesthesia carbohydrate drink 2h prior to surgery or to a control group (standard 8h NPO), blinded to surgical team. We documented time to return to flatus, bowel movement, GI symptoms, and comfort scores for 72h post-operatively or until discharge. 62 patients were randomized. There was no significant differences between the groups' pre-operative characteristics, surgical details, nor post-operative morphine dose equivalents, except for EBL (405cc control, 340cc CHO drink, p = 0.044). There were no perioperative complications related to ingestion of the CHO drink. CHO group had a positive trend for earlier return of flatus (21% vs. 3% return at 12h), and comfort scores for anxiety and abdominal pain, but no statistically significant differences. There was no difference in length of stay or time to first bowel movement. There were no complications related to ingestion of a CHO drink 2h prior to pediatric spinal fusion surgery. Further studies are needed to develop a study blinded to the participants with larger sample size. Level of evidenceI.

The Accelerator and Brake Modulatory System of Carotid Body Sensitivity

The carotid body (CB) is the primary sensor of arterial gases in the human body that through reflex pathways maintains cardiovascular homeostasis. It is known that CB chemosensitivity increases upon repeated stimulation as well as disease states; however, the molecular basis for this remains elusive. Objectives: To investigate the effect of excitatory and inhibitory amino acids in mediating CB afferent activity. Hypothesis: We hypothesised that glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) act to modulate CB sensitivity. Methods: Electrophysiological recordings of carotid sinus nerve (CSN) afferent discharge were made from an ex vivo arterially perfused common carotid artery bifurcation preparation. Effects of agents on CB sensitivity were assessed from responses evoked by cyanide (CN−) (1.23 μmol bolus). Results: The CSN response to CN− consisted of a rapid high amplitude discharge that was quenched abruptly, leading to a low amplitude tail. Glutamate administration augmented the CSN response to CN− by 2-fold compared to baseline ( p=0.0005). In contrast, GABA administration suppressed the CN− response by 2-fold ( p = 3.71 x 10−5). An N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist (MK801; 100 μM) increased the response amplitude resulting in one single high amplitude discharge (160% increase from baseline), abolishing the low amplitude tail. Such an effect was also observed following GABAA receptor blockade with bicuculline (500 μM), when an 80% increase was observed. The CN− response was blocked by PPADS (a P2X receptor antagonist; 100 μM) (242 ± 154 vs 4.82 ± 2.23 % change from baseline; p=0.03), suggesting it to be solely mediated by purinergic transmission. Summary of the data: We propose that CN-evoked excitation of CB chemosensory cells leads to the co-release of ATP and glutamate. ATP activates directly P2X receptors on petrosal chemosensory afferents, while glutamate acting via NMDA receptors on chemosensory cells leads to activity-induced potentiation of ATP release and co-release of GABA to quench ATP-mediated CSN discharge in a time-controlled manner. This is supported by our finding that blockade of either excitatory (NMDAR) or inhibitory (GABAA) receptors both heighten the CN− evoked CB response. A statement of the conclusions: Our results suggest an intrinsic ‘accelerator and brake’ paracrine mechanism within the CB involving glutamate and GABA controlling CB afferent sensitivity. Research was supported by the Health Research Council of New Zealand and the Sidney Taylor Trust. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Agricultural and industrial wastes applied on the high performance energy storage devices

Driven by population growth, the destruction of the environment and the energy demand continue to increase dramatically. This study uses garlic skin and carbon fiber from agricultural and industrial wastes to prepare energy storage devices. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were obtained from garlic skin using high-temperature pyrolysis. The specific capacitance of the gel electrolyte could be effectively increased with a small number of CQDs doping. A methylcellulose-based carbon fiber-electrode was prepared by grinding and depositing the industrial recycled carbon fiber onto a biodegradable methylcellulose substrate. The methylcellulose-based recycled carbon fiber-electrode has the highest specific capacitance, energy density, and power density, which are 155 F/g, 10 Wh/kg, and 4047 W/kg, respectively, at a scan rate of 0.02 V/s, and demonstrates excellent performance, such like high specific capacitance, low internal resistance as well as rapid charge and discharge characteristics, which may have potential to replace the expensive carbon nanotubes and graphenes. The electrodes were made from recycled carbon fiber, the gel electrolyte with garlic CQDs, and a separator assembled into a sandwich structure to form supercapacitors. The capacity retention rate of the supercapacitor still retained 96 % of its initial value after 2000 cycles of charge and discharge testing at a constant current of 0.20 mA. This demonstrates the supercapacitor prepared in this study with competitive power density, energy density, high rate capability, and excellent life cycle stability by combining the garlic skin and carbon fiber from agricultural and industrial wastes, highlighting the enormous potential of agricultural and industrial wastes for energy storage applications.

Administration of Low-dose Hyperbaric Bupivacaine for Spinal Anesthesia in the Setting of Outpatient Arthroplasty.

With the rise of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), rapid motor and sensory recovery after anesthesia is crucial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose single-shot hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia (SA) for patients undergoing outpatient arthroplasty. Data were reviewed from a single ASC from 2018 to 2020 for two arthroplasty-trained surgeons for all patients with primary arthroplasties that had administration of low-dose hyperbaric bupivacaine. Data collected from the ASC records were then further evaluated for total spinal block time, length of blockade, time to discharge criteria, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and time to discharge. Two hundred twenty-seven patients undergoing 244 primary arthroplasties received SA with low-dose hyperbaric bupivacaine. The volume of 0.75% bupivacaine varied: 115 patients received 0.8 mL (6 mg), 111 patients received 1.0 mL (7.5 mg), and 17 patients received 1.2 mL (9 mg). Total SA time averaged 144 minutes with a mean of 30 minutes from post anesthesia care unit arrival to motor recovery. The mean time from post anesthesia care unit arrival to discharge criteria was 89 minutes. The average VAS at discharge was 1.44; the average VAS on POD1 was 3.0. No episodes of urinary retention and no reports of transient neurologic symptoms were noted in the study population. Low-dose, single-shot hyperbaric bupivacaine SA is an effective option in the ASC for arthroplasty, providing a fast return of motor function, facilitating rapid discharge, and is safe with a relatively low-risk profile.

In the footstep of the old patient from hospital to home: A qualitative field observation study.

Older people often have multiple health conditions and therefore extended care needs. The transition from the hospital back to their home requires careful planning. The fragmented healthcare system and rapid discharge from the hospital can result in limited involvement of the older patient in the discharge planning process. We aimed to explore how older hospitalised patients experienced the transition from hospital to home and how possibilities and constraints in interactions with relevant parties in the transition affected their everyday lives. An ethnographic participant observation study including interviews was conducted with 10 older hospitalised patients. The theoretical perspective in the study is critical psychology and data were analysed using the condition-, meaning- and reasoning analysis. Three themes were identified: (1) Lost in transition - the person's ability to act is limited, (2) In transition - the relatives become important, (3) At home - the home transforms into a workplace. Lack of involvement becomes a condition for older patients as some struggle to create meaning in their transition, affecting their everyday lives. The patients experienced their relatives as important as they ensured that the HCPs got to know their values and wishes. This knowledge is important for HCPs working closely with older people both at the hospital and at home ensuring active involvement of the older person with respect and acknowledgement of the older person's wishes, needs, resources and vulnerability.