Lithium-ion battery degradation: how to model it.

Predicting lithium-ion battery degradation is worth billions to the global automotive, aviation and energy storage industries, to improve performance and safety and reduce warranty liabilities. However, very few published models of battery degradation explicitly consider the interactions between more than two degradation mechanisms, and none do so within a single electrode. In this paper, the first published attempt to directly couple more than two degradation mechanisms in the negative electrode is reported. The results are used to map different pathways through the complicated path dependent and non-linear degradation space. Four degradation mechanisms are coupled in PyBaMM, an open source modelling environment uniquely developed to allow new physics to be implemented and explored quickly and easily. Crucially it is possible to see 'inside the model and observe the consequences of the different patterns of degradation, such as loss of lithium inventory and loss of active material. For the same cell, five different pathways that can result in end-of-life have already been found, depending on how the cell is used. Such information would enable a product designer to either extend life or predict life based upon the usage pattern. However, parameterization of the degradation models remains as a major challenge, and requires the attention of the international battery community.

Financial viability of electric vehicle lithium-ion battery recycling.

Economically viable electric vehicle lithium-ion battery recycling is increasingly needed; however routes to profitability are still unclear. We present a comprehensive, holistic techno-economic model as a framework to directly compare recycling locations and processes, providing a key tool for recycling cost optimization in an international battery recycling economy. We show that recycling can be economically viable, with cost/profit ranging from (-21.43 - +21.91) $·kWh-1 but strongly depends on transport distances, wages, pack design and recycling method. Comparing commercial battery packs, the Tesla Model S emerges as the most profitable, having low disassembly costs and high revenues for its cobalt. In-country recycling is suggested, to lower emissions and transportation costs and secure the materials supply chain. Our model thus enables identification of strategies for recycling profitability.

Assessment of implicit language and theory of mind in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggests that social cognition, especially theory of mind (ToM), is impaired in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). ToM appears to be a determining factor for social functioning, but research has shown a connection between ToM and pragmatic language disorders among people with neurological or psychiatric disorders. Yet, pragmatic language remains a domain rarely referenced in MS. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of MS in terms of the ability for making inferences via pragmatic understanding and ToM. METHODS: We included 21 individuals with MS and 21 healthy controls matched for age, education and linguistic skills who performed verbal tasks involving pragmatic language (Implicit Information Management Test, Narrative Discourse Task), ToM (Test of Social Faux Pas) and a visual task of making inferences (Visual Inferences Test). RESULTS: Performance was significantly lower for individuals with MS than controls in the Test of Social Faux Pas (total score), but performance in pragmatic tasks did not differ. Performance was significantly lower for MS individuals for logical inference on the Implicit Information Management Test and pragmatic inference on the Visual Inferences Test. Additionally, for the MS group, the total score on the Implicit Information Management Test was correlated with the faux pas test total score and hits. CONCLUSION: Even with lack of marked cognitive decline and disability in individuals with MS and lack of differences between groups in pragmatic tasks, the MS group showed lower performance in making inferences and interpreting implicit and social situations. This study highlights the link between pragmatic language and ToM difficulties in MS.

[Forensic analysis in tribal art and scientific integrity]. / Analyse médico-légale dans les arts premiers et intégrité scientifique.

TITLE: Analyse médico-légale dans les arts premiers et intégrité scientifique. ABSTRACT: La communauté scientifique, dans son ensemble, se préoccupe de plus en plus des questions de déontologie et d'intégrité de la recherche. Au cours de notre travail de thèse portant sur les intérêts et les limites de l'étude des œuvres d'art premier, nous avons été amenés à réfléchir sur la place de l'intégrité scientifique dans nos recherches. Nous avons observé que celle-ci ainsi que ses manquements pouvaient impliquer différents acteurs : la communauté scientifique, mais également les communautés autochtones desquelles provenaient les œuvres que nous étudions, et la communauté du marché de l'art. Nous avons donc voulu comprendre comment un manquement à l'intégrité de la recherche pouvait être préjudiciable pour la science, mais également en affecter les différents acteurs. Pour cela, nous nous sommes intéressés à la circulation des œuvres d'art premier★, et plus particulièrement à leur restitution, cette dernière faisant intervenir les différents acteurs que nous avons évoqués. Nous présentons ici une courte analyse de nos observations et quelques visées prospectives.

Re-emerging infectious diseases from the past: Hysteria or real risk?

BACKGROUND: Work on human remains and old biological samples is a potential source of contamination by conventional or atypical infectious agents. Similarly, current and future environmental changes are a source of resurgence of ancient epidemic diseases. To what extent are anthropologists sorcerer apprentices (especially those working on ancient samples, i.e. paleo-anthropologists)? Are ancient skeletons, palaeosols and museum objects with a biological component at risk for current populations? Unless there are unfounded fears and undue risk… What can be learned from the recent scientific literature and the common sense of the researchers? METHODS: We have attempted to compile data from the literature and from our personal experience in the fields of anthropology, clinical medicine and epidemiology, in order to grasp the reality of the risk to the human population. RESULTS: It appears that the risk is real, but extremely limited. Specific and simple protective measures must be taken in terms of overall and individual health, both in the field and in the laboratory. CONCLUSION: These data are important for the internist, due to the possibility of atypical infections, both in specialized workers and in populations at risk (environmental context).

One-Year Evolution of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Patients Initially Hospitalized in Cognitive Behavioral Units: The EVITAL Prospective Cohort.

BACKGROUND: The 2008-2012 French Alzheimer's Plan has provided hospital Cognitive and Behavioral Units (CBU) to improve the management of patients with productive behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Little is known concerning the behavioral outcome of these patients after discharge. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the long-term evolution of BPSD over one year after CBU discharge. METHODS: The EVITAL cohort included 221 participants admitted to the CBUs of 3 French hospitals. BPSD were collected using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) at admission and 3, 6, and 12 months after hospitalization. The global NPI score evolution was assessed using a linear mixed-effect model. A four-factor model of the NPI including behavioral dyscontrol, psychosis, mood, and agitation subscores was also analyzed. RESULTS: Our analysis focused on 148 patients followed up during 12 months and evaluated at each visit. The global NPI score was 48.5 (SD 21.7) at baseline, 28.8 (SD 18.7) at 3-month, 23.2 (SD 16.4) at 6-month and 20.9 (SD 15.9) at 12-month follow-up. The score significantly decreased from baseline to follow-up (F = 109.3 p < 0.0001). Moreover, the decrease was observed for each NPI subscores. The Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale score was significantly linked to the baseline NPI score (t = 2.76, p = 0.009). Conversely, the NPI decline was observed whatever the CDR level. CONCLUSION: The present study showed a decrease in the global NPI score and all its subscores during the year following the CBU hospitalization, regardless of the initial CDR score.

[Not Available]. / Les produits d'embaumement égyptiens : nouvelles données pharmacologiques.

Today, the development of analytic methods brings new scientific insights into the research on the mummification process used by embalmers in ancient Egypt. The application of these techniques of molecular analysis, elementary analysis, botanical analysis and bibliographic analysis of ancient texts allows us to know the composition of mummification balms and material involved in the conservation of the body. Such substances, which are mineral, animal or plant material, played a practical and a symbolic part in the composition of balms used for the preservation of mummified bodies and therefore in the passage to the eternal life after the death. The comparison of analysis results can inform us about changes in embalming techniques depending of the time, the place of mummification, the deceased's social status. However the number of mummies studied is very small compared to the number of bodies that were mummified. Finally the techniques of mummification and making balms were very variable according to practitioners and their modus operandi. Today, using these technic of chemical analysis and medical imaging techniques, we can authenticate and reconstruct the history of museum pieces, as we have done in the unpublished studies conducted in support of literature data previously collected.

Initial and long-term evaluation of patients with Alzheimer's after hospitalization in cognitive and behavioural units: the EVITAL study design.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease and related disorders are characterized by cognitive impairment associated with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. These symptoms have significant consequences for both the patient and his family environment. While risk factors for behavioral disorders have been identified in several studies, few studies have focused on the evolution of these disorders. Moreover, it is important to identify factors linked to the long-term evolution of behavioral disorders, as well as patients' and caregivers' quality of life. Our purpose is to present the methodology of the EVITAL study, which primary objective is to determine the factors associated with the evolution of behavioral disorders among patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders during the year following their hospitalization in cognitive and behavioral units. Secondary objectives were 1) to assess the factors related to the evolution of behavioral disorders during hospitalization in cognitive and behavioral units; 2) to identify the factors linked to patients' and caregivers' quality of life, as well as caregivers' burden; 3) to assess the factors associated with rehospitalization of the patients for behavioral disorders in the year following their hospitalization in cognitive and behavioral units. METHOD/DESIGN: A multicenter, prospective cohort of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders as well as behavioral disorders who are hospitalized in cognitive and behavioral units. The patients will be included in the study for a period of 24 months and followed-up for 12 months. Socio-demographic and environmental data, behavioral disorders, medications, patients and caregivers quality of life as well as caregivers burden will be assessed throughout hospitalization in cognitive and behavioral units. Follow-up will be performed at months 3, 6 and 12 after hospitalization. Socio-demographic and environmental data, behavioral disorders, medications, patients and caregivers quality of life, unplanned rehospitalization as well as caregivers burden will also be assessed at each follow-up interview. DISCUSSION: The present study should help better identify the factors associated with reduction or stabilization of the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in patients with Alzheimer's disease. It could therefore help clinicians to better manage these symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials NCT01901263. Registered July 9, 2013.