Showing papers by "University of North Texas published in 2015"
TL;DR: In the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 (GBD 2013) as discussed by the authors, the authors used the GBD 2010 methods with some refinements to improve accuracy applied to an updated database of vital registration, survey, and census data.
5,792 citations
TL;DR: In the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 (GBD 2013) as mentioned in this paper, the authors estimated the quantities for acute and chronic diseases and injuries for 188 countries between 1990 and 2013.
4,510 citations
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation1, University of Washington2, Iran University of Medical Sciences3, King's College London4, Arabian Gulf University5, University of North Texas6, Auckland University of Technology7, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium8, Columbia University9, Wuhan University10, Imperial College London11, University of Alabama at Birmingham12, University at Albany, SUNY13, City University of New York14, University of California, San Francisco15, Griffith University16, Environment Agency17, New York University18, Southern University College19, Emory University20, University of Ottawa21, Kosin University22, University of Toronto23, University of British Columbia24, United Arab Emirates University25, Albert Einstein College of Medicine26, University of São Paulo27, Nova Southeastern University28, University of Sydney29, Heidelberg University30, Case Western Reserve University31, Cancer Treatment Centers of America32, University of Oxford33, George Mason University34, James Cook University35, University of Trieste36, University of Calgary37, Wageningen University and Research Centre38, University of the Witwatersrand39, University of Gothenburg40, Harvard University41, Jackson State University42, University of Arizona43, University of Hong Kong44, Tehran University of Medical Sciences45, University of Western Australia46, Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust47, Veterans Health Administration48, University of Colorado Denver49, Royal Children's Hospital50, University of Melbourne51, Australian National University52, University of Marburg53, Charité54, Health Canada55, College of Health Sciences, Bahrain56, Karolinska Institutet57, Northumbria University58, University of Edinburgh59, National Research University – Higher School of Economics60, Queen Mary University of London61, Addis Ababa University62, Northwestern University63, Northeastern University64, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research65, Arak University of Medical Sciences66, University of Nottingham67, University of Tokyo68, Public Health Foundation of India69, University of Groningen70, University of the Philippines Manila71, University of Bologna72, Kyung Hee University73, Brighton and Sussex Medical School74, Stavanger University Hospital75, University of Bergen76, University of Queensland77, National Centre for Disease Control78, University of Sheffield79, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana80, University College London81, Genentech82, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman83, Norwegian Institute of Public Health84
TL;DR: To estimate mortality, incidence, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life-years for 28 cancers in 188 countries by sex from 1990 to 2013, the general methodology of the Global Burden of Disease 2013 study was used.
Abstract: Importance Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide. Current estimates of cancer burden in individual countries and regions are necessary to inform local cancer control strategies. Objective To estimate mortality, incidence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 28 cancers in 188 countries by sex from 1990 to 2013. Evidence Review The general methodology of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2013 study was used. Cancer registries were the source for cancer incidence data as well as mortality incidence (MI) ratios. Sources for cause of death data include vital registration system data, verbal autopsy studies, and other sources. The MI ratios were used to transform incidence data to mortality estimates and cause of death estimates to incidence estimates. Cancer prevalence was estimated using MI ratios as surrogates for survival data; YLDs were calculated by multiplying prevalence estimates with disability weights, which were derived from population-based surveys; YLLs were computed by multiplying the number of estimated cancer deaths at each age with a reference life expectancy; and DALYs were calculated as the sum of YLDs and YLLs. Findings In 2013 there were 14.9 million incident cancer cases, 8.2 million deaths, and 196.3 million DALYs. Prostate cancer was the leading cause for cancer incidence (1.4 million) for men and breast cancer for women (1.8 million). Tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer was the leading cause for cancer death in men and women, with 1.6 million deaths. For men, TBL cancer was the leading cause of DALYs (24.9 million). For women, breast cancer was the leading cause of DALYs (13.1 million). Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) per 100 000 and age-standardized death rates (ASDRs) per 100 000 for both sexes in 2013 were higher in developing vs developed countries for stomach cancer (ASIR, 17 vs 14; ASDR, 15 vs 11), liver cancer (ASIR, 15 vs 7; ASDR, 16 vs 7), esophageal cancer (ASIR, 9 vs 4; ASDR, 9 vs 4), cervical cancer (ASIR, 8 vs 5; ASDR, 4 vs 2), lip and oral cavity cancer (ASIR, 7 vs 6; ASDR, 2 vs 2), and nasopharyngeal cancer (ASIR, 1.5 vs 0.4; ASDR, 1.2 vs 0.3). Between 1990 and 2013, ASIRs for all cancers combined (except nonmelanoma skin cancer and Kaposi sarcoma) increased by more than 10% in 113 countries and decreased by more than 10% in 12 of 188 countries. Conclusions and Relevance Cancer poses a major threat to public health worldwide, and incidence rates have increased in most countries since 1990. The trend is a particular threat to developing nations with health systems that are ill-equipped to deal with complex and expensive cancer treatments. The annual update on the Global Burden of Cancer will provide all stakeholders with timely estimates to guide policy efforts in cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and palliation.
2,375 citations
Mohammad H. Forouzanfar1, Lily Alexander1, H. Ross Anderson2, Victoria F Bachman1 +718 more•Institutions (295)
TL;DR: The Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor study 2013 (GBD 2013) as mentioned in this paper provides a timely opportunity to update the comparative risk assessment with new data for exposure, relative risks, and evidence on the appropriate counterfactual risk distribution.
1,656 citations
TL;DR: This work proposes the Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene cluster (MIBiG) data standard, to facilitate consistent and systematic deposition and retrieval of data on biosynthetic gene clusters.
Abstract: A wide variety of enzymatic pathways that produce specialized metabolites in bacteria, fungi and plants are known to be encoded in biosynthetic gene clusters. Information about these clusters, pathways and metabolites is currently dispersed throughout the literature, making it difficult to exploit. To facilitate consistent and systematic deposition and retrieval of data on biosynthetic gene clusters, we propose the Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene cluster (MIBiG) data standard.
633 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that a secondary conduction band with 12 conducting carrier pockets (which converges with the primary band at high temperatures) is responsible for the extraordinary thermoelectric performance of n-type CoSb3 skutterudites.
Abstract: Filled skutterudites R_xCo_4Sb_(12) are excellent n-type thermoelectric materials owing to their high electronic mobility and high effective mass, combined with low thermal conductivity associated with the addition of filler atoms into the void site. The favourable electronic band structure in n-type CoSb3 is typically attributed to threefold degeneracy at the conduction band minimum accompanied by linear band behaviour at higher carrier concentrations, which is thought to be related to the increase in effective mass as the doping level increases. Using combined experimental and computational studies, we show instead that a secondary conduction band with 12 conducting carrier pockets (which converges with the primary band at high temperatures) is responsible for the extraordinary thermoelectric performance of n-type CoSb_3 skutterudites. A theoretical explanation is also provided as to why the linear (or Kane-type) band feature is not beneficial for thermoelectrics.
555 citations
TL;DR: A critical review on the recent advances in carbon-based metal-free catalysts for fuel cells and metal-air batteries, and discusses the perspectives and challenges in this rapidly developing field of practical significance.
Abstract: Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) play curial roles in electrochemical energy conversion and storage, including fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Having rich multidimensional nanoarchitectures [for example, zero-dimensional (0D) fullerenes, 1D carbon nanotubes, 2D graphene, and 3D graphite] with tunable electronic and surface characteristics, various carbon nanomaterials have been demonstrated to act as efficient metal-free electrocatalysts for ORR and OER in fuel cells and batteries. We present a critical review on the recent advances in carbon-based metal-free catalysts for fuel cells and metal-air batteries, and discuss the perspectives and challenges in this rapidly developing field of practical significance.
535 citations
TL;DR: This paper systematically introduces research progress of the Intrinsic self-sensing concrete, with attentions to its compositions, fabrication methods, sensing signal testing methods, sensed properties and generation mechanism, and structural applications.
477 citations
TL;DR: Oxygen reduction reaction/oxygen evolution reaction (ORR/OER) catalytic activities of p-orbital heteroatom-doped carbon nanomaterials are demonstrated to correlate to the combination of the electron affinity and electronegativity of doping elements, which serves as an activity descriptor for the entire family ofp-block element dopants.
Abstract: Oxygen reduction reaction/oxygen evolution reaction (ORR/OER) catalytic activities of p-orbital heteroatom-doped carbon nanomaterials are demonstrated to correlate to the combination of the electron affinity and electronegativity of doping elements, which serves as an activity descriptor for the entire family of p-block element dopants. Such a descriptor has predictive power and enables effective design of new bifunctional catalysts with enhanced ORR/OER activities.
451 citations
TL;DR: This work addresses the interactions between ROS and ABA at the local and systemic tissues of plants subjected to abiotic stress and attempts to propose a model for the involvement of ROS, ABA, and stomata in systemic signaling leading to systemic acquired acclimation.
Abstract: Systemic responses to environmental stimuli are essential for the survival of multicellular organisms. In plants, they are initiated in response to many different signals including pathogens, wounding, and abiotic stresses. Recent studies highlighted the importance of systemic acquired acclimation to abiotic stresses in plants and identified several different signals involved in this response. These included reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium waves, hydraulic waves, electric signals, and abscisic acid (ABA). Here, we address the interactions between ROS and ABA at the local and systemic tissues of plants subjected to abiotic stress and attempt to propose a model for the involvement of ROS, ABA, and stomata in systemic signaling leading to systemic acquired acclimation.
417 citations
TL;DR: The present review highlights the potential of virtual reality environments for enhanced ecological validity in the clinical, affective, and social neurosciences with growing interest in contextually embedded stimuli that can constrain participant interpretations of cues about a target’s internal states.
Abstract: An essential tension can be found between researchers interested in ecological validity and those concerned with maintaining experimental control. Research in the human neurosciences often involves the use of simple and static stimuli lacking many of the potentially important aspects of real world activities and interactions. While this research is valuable, there is a growing interest in the human neurosciences to use cues about target states in the real world via multimodal scenarios that involve visual, semantic, and prosodic information. These scenarios should include dynamic stimuli presented concurrently or serially in a manner that allows researchers to assess the integrative processes carried out by perceivers over time. Furthermore, there is growing interest in contextually embedded stimuli that can constrain participant interpretations of cues about a target’s internal states. Virtual reality environments proffer assessment paradigms that combine the experimental control of laboratory measures with emotionally engaging background narratives to enhance affective experience and social interactions. The present review highlights the potential of virtual reality environments for enhanced ecological validity in the clinical, affective, and social neurosciences.
University of Colorado Boulder1, University of Victoria2, University of Maryland, College Park3, University of North Texas4, National University of Tierra del Fuego5, University of Maryland, Baltimore County6, Southern Oregon University7, University of Waterloo8, Ohio State University9, University of Sydney10, Vanderbilt University11, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars12
TL;DR: The New York Declaration on Forests underscored restoration of degraded ecosystems as an auspicious solution to climate change and parties committed to restore a staggering 350 million hectares by 2030.
Abstract: At the September 2014 United Nations Climate Summit, governments rallied around an international agreement—the New York Declaration on Forests—that underscored restoration of degraded ecosystems as an auspicious solution to climate change. Ethiopia committed to restore more than one-sixth of its land. Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, and Colombia pledged to restore huge areas within their borders. In total, parties committed to restore a staggering 350 million hectares by 2030.
TL;DR: The SBSM Guide to Actigraphy Monitoring: Clinical and Research Applications is a guide to actigraphy monitoring for clinical and research applications that helps clinicians and researchers better understand the role ofigraphy in health and disease.
Abstract: Actigraphs are compact, lightweight, computerized accelerometer-based devices that have been used to evaluate sleep and wake in humans for nearly four decades.1 While polysomnography (PSG) continue...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide state-of-the-art knowledge about environmental issues associated with wind energy development as well as strategies to mitigate environmental impacts to wind energy planners and developers.
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the recent progress of fabrication, properties, and structural applications of high-performance and multifunctional cementitious composites with carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes and nano graphite platelets is presented.
Abstract: As structural materials, cementitious materials are quasi-brittle and susceptible to cracking, and have no functional properties. Nanotechnology is introduced into cementitious materials to address these issues. Nano materials, especially nano carbon materials (NCMs) were found to be able to improve/modify the mechanical property, durability and functional properties of cementitious materials due to their excellent intrinsic properties and composite effects. Here, this review focuses on the recent progress of fabrication, properties, and structural applications of high-performance and multifunctional cementitious composites with NCMs including carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes and nano graphite platelets. The improvement/modification mechanisms of these NCMs to composites are also discussed.
TL;DR: An integrated model by examining how utilitarian factors, the hedonic factor, and social/psychological factors directly or indirectly influenced consumers' continuance intention in the context of online shopping provides statistically significant explanations of the variation in consumers' online repurchase intention.
Abstract: The explosion of e-commerce activities required industry and academia to understand the key determinants of consumers' online repurchase intention. We developed an integrated model by examining how...
TL;DR: This article investigated the political economy of public attitudes toward prevailing political and social arrangements in eight Western European countries and found that the effects of economic conditions extend beyond their impact on governing party support to influence feelings of life and democracy satisfaction and demands for radical and reformist social change.
Abstract: This article employs 1976-1986 Euro-Barometer data to investigate the political economy of public attitudes toward prevailing political and social arrangements in eight Western European countries. Pooled cross-sectional time series analyses reveal that the effects of economic conditions extend beyond their impact on governing party support to influence feelings of life and democracy satisfaction and demands for radical and reformist social change. Attitudes toward democracy and social change also respond to important political events such as the occurrence and outcomes of national elections. We conclude by arguing that the political economy of attitudes toward polity and society in contemporary Western democracies is real, but limited by widely shared beliefs that have become key elements in the political cultures of these countries.
TL;DR: The Automatic Flow (AFLOW) standard for the high-throughput construction of materials science electronic structure databases is described in this paper, where standard parameter values for k-point grid density, basis set plane wave kinetic energy cut-off, exchange-correlation functionals, pseudopotentials, DFT+U parameters, and convergence criteria used in AFLOW calculations are described.
01 Nov 2015
TL;DR: It is found that intention to recommend is a strong predictor of app recommendation behavior and the identification of the knowledge of alternative quality factor examines users' IT behaviors with consideration of the effects of alternatives.
Abstract: Although both anecdotal and academic sources have suggested that interpersonal recommendation is an important means to promote mobile applications (apps), little to no research has investigated this topic To fill the void, we develop a research model based on the Customer Value, Satisfaction, and Loyalty Framework (VSL) While prior VSL studies treated customer value as a black box and examined its effects as a whole, this research breaks down customer value to utilitarian benefits (consisting of app utility and app quality), hedonic benefits (consisting of app aesthetics and enjoyment), monetary sacrifices and non-monetary sacrifices (consisting of technicality, knowledge of alternative quality and privacy risk) This research extends VSL to the mobile app context and discerns factors that influence app recommendation Based on the data analysis of 347 app users, we found that intention to recommend is a strong predictor of app recommendation behavior Satisfaction with apps, users' app continuance intention, and hedonic benefits obtained from using apps are the direct antecedents of intention to recommend Moreover, non-monetary sacrifices and utilitarian benefits have indirect effects on intention to recommend through satisfaction and app continuance intention Contrary to our hypotheses, we did not find the significant effects of monetary sacrifices in the refined VSL We also provide a detailed discussion about these findings, and the theoretical and practical implications of the research This paper initially examines why people recommend apps to others, an IT behavior that is critical to the success of mobile appsThe present paper develops a research model based on the customer value, satisfaction, and loyalty framework (VSL) and identifies specific benefits and sacrifices associated with app usage to refine the VSL modelThe identification of the knowledge of alternative quality factor examines users' IT behaviors with consideration of the effects of alternativesThis paper contributes to the electronic word-of-mouth research by looking into (1) how individuals' perceive the value of mobile applications and (2) why individuals are willing to make the recommendation
University of North Texas Health Science Center1, Edith Cowan University2, University of North Texas3, AXA4, King's College London5, Bristol-Myers Squibb6, ICM Partners7, Pierre-and-Marie-Curie University8, University of Washington9, Sahlgrenska University Hospital10, Indiana University11, Alzheimer's Association12, Mayo Clinic13, University of Tübingen14, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases15, University of Pennsylvania16, Columbia University17, University of California, San Diego18, Washington University in St. Louis19, University of California, San Francisco20, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center21, Pfizer22
TL;DR: The lack of readily available biomarkers is a significant hindrance toward progress to effective therapeutic and preventative strategies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) as discussed by the authors, and the current international working group provides the initial starting point for such guidelines for standardized operating procedures.
Abstract: The lack of readily available biomarkers is a significant hindrance toward progressing to effective therapeutic and preventative strategies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Blood-based biomarkers have potential to overcome access and cost barriers and greatly facilitate advanced neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid biomarker approaches. Despite the fact that preanalytical processing is the largest source of variability in laboratory testing, there are no currently available standardized preanalytical guidelines. The current international working group provides the initial starting point for such guidelines for standardized operating procedures (SOPs). It is anticipated that these guidelines will be updated as additional research findings become available. The statement provides (1) a synopsis of selected preanalytical methods utilized in many international AD cohort studies, (2) initial draft guidelines/SOPs for preanalytical methods, and (3) a list of required methodological information and protocols to be made available for publications in the field to foster cross-validation across cohorts and laboratories.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors detect extended ionised outflows in luminous quasars, where they expect the highest activity both in star formation and in black-hole accretion.
Abstract: Aims. Outflows driven by active galactic nuclei (AGN) are invoked by galaxy evolutionary models to quench star formation and to explain the origin of the relations observed locally between super-massive black holes and their host galaxies. We here aim to detect extended ionised outflows in luminous quasars, where we expect the highest activity both in star formation and in black-hole accretion. Currently, there are only a few studies based on spatially resolved observations of outflows at high redshift, z > 2.Methods. We analysed a sample of six luminous (L > 1047 erg/s) quasars at z ~ 2.4, observed in H -band using the near-IR integral field spectrometer SINFONI at the VLT. We performed a kinematic analysis of the [Oiii] emission line at λ = 5007 A.Results. We detect fast, spatially extended outflows in five out of six targets. [Oiii]λ 5007 has a complex gas kinematic, with blue-shifted velocities of a few hundreds of km s-1 and line widths up to 1500 km s-1 . Using the spectroastrometric method, we infer a size of the ionised outflows of up to ~2 kpc. The properties of the ionised outflows, mass outflow rate, momentum rate, and kinetic power, are correlated with the AGN luminosity. The increase in outflow rate with increasing AGN luminosity is consistent with the idea that a luminous AGN pushes away the surrounding gas through fast outflows that are driven by radiation pressure, which depends on the emitted luminosity.Conclusions. We derive mass outflow rates of about 6−700 M ⊙ yr-1 for our sample, which are lower than those observed in molecular outflows. The physical properties of ionised outflows show dependences on AGN luminosity that are similar to those of molecular outflows, but indicate that the mass of ionised gas is lower than that of molecular outflows. Alternatively, this discrepancy between ionised and molecular outflows could be explained with different acceleration mechanisms.
TL;DR: In this article, the deformation behavior of an Al0.1CrFeCoNi HEA at high strain-rate (HSR) was analyzed using split-Hopkinson pressure bar.
TL;DR: In this article, a new theory of electronic properties is presented consistent with findings from experiments of transition-metal oxides, which are used extensively in industry and a data-driven approach is necessary to investigate the properties of these materials.
Abstract: Insulators and semiconductors are used extensively in industry and a data-driven approach is necessary to investigate the properties of these materials. A new theory of electronic properties is consistent with findings from experiments of transition-metal oxides.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that emotional contagion is prevented, in an evolutionarily conserved manner, by the stress of a social interaction with an unfamiliar conspecific and can be evoked by blocking the endocrine stress response.
TL;DR: The overall findings indicate that the associations were moderate to strong, depending on the nature of the sample, and clearly indicate that antisociality is a core component of the psychopathy construct.
Abstract: Previous theory and research on the structural, longitudinal, and genetic nature of psychopathy have provided strong conceptual and empirical evidence that overt antisociality is a component of the psychopathy construct (Hare & Neumann, 2008, 2010; Lynam & Miller, 2012). However, determination of the strength of the association between antisociality and other psychopathic features has not been explored systematically. The current article draws on previously published large North American studies, as well as data from across the globe, to estimate the strength and pattern of the associations between overt antisociality and other psychopathic domains in a diverse set of samples. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate model parameters from samples that had data on either the Psychopathy Checklist-Instruments (PCL-R, PCL: YV, PCL: SV) or self-report assessments that have known latent structures (SRP, B-Scan 360). In addition, two relatively large samples (male offenders and young adult males), assessed with both the PCL-R and the SRP, provided an opportunity to examine the link between antisociality and the other psychopathy domains across different assessment methods. The overall findings indicate that the associations were moderate to strong, depending on the nature of the sample, and clearly indicate that antisociality is a core component of the psychopathy construct.
TL;DR: It is indicated that religiosity and moral disapproval of pornography use were robust predictors of perceived addiction to Internet pornography while being unrelated to actual levels of use among pornography consumers.
Abstract: Perceived addiction to Internet pornography is increasingly a focus of empirical attention. The present study examined the role that religious belief and moral disapproval of pornography use play in the experience of perceived addiction to Internet pornography. Results from two studies in undergraduate samples (Study 1, N = 331; Study 2, N = 97) indicated that there was a robust positive relationship between religiosity and perceived addiction to pornography and that this relationship was mediated by moral disapproval of pornography use. These results persisted even when actual use of pornography was controlled. Furthermore, although religiosity was negatively predictive of acknowledging any pornography use, among pornography users, religiosity was unrelated to actual levels of use. A structural equation model from a web-based sample of adults (Study 3, N = 208) revealed similar results. Specifically, religiosity was robustly predictive of perceived addiction, even when relevant covariates (e.g., trait self-control, socially desirable responding, neuroticism, use of pornography) were held constant. In sum, the present study indicated that religiosity and moral disapproval of pornography use were robust predictors of perceived addiction to Internet pornography while being unrelated to actual levels of use among pornography consumers.
TL;DR: Smart concretes and structures as mentioned in this paper are intelligent systems that have properties different from normal concrete, such as self-sensing and self-healing properties, or have the ability to react upon an ex
Abstract: Smart concretes and structures are intelligent systems that have properties different from normal concrete, such as self-sensing and self-healing properties, or have the ability to react upon an ex
TL;DR: In this article, a multilayered stack of an Mg-based WE43 alloy was built using FSAM at two different welding parameters, and the maximum hardness of 115 HV was obtained in as-fabricated state and increased to 135 HV after aging.
TL;DR: This work developed a strategy of creating 3D graphene-CNT hollow fibers with radially aligned CNTs (RACNTs) seamlessly sheathed by a cylindrical graphene layer through a one-step chemical vapor deposition using an anodized aluminum wire template, enabling efficient energy conversion and storage.
Abstract: One-dimensional (1D) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and 2D single-atomic layer graphene have superior thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties. However, these nanomaterials exhibit poor out-of-plane properties due to the weak van der Waals interaction in the transverse direction between graphitic layers. Recent theoretical studies indicate that rationally designed 3D architectures could have desirable out-of-plane properties while maintaining in-plane properties by growing CNTs and graphene into 3D architectures with a seamless nodal junction. However, the experimental realization of seamlessly-bonded architectures remains a challenge. We developed a strategy of creating 3D graphene-CNT hollow fibers with radially aligned CNTs (RACNTs) seamlessly sheathed by a cylindrical graphene layer through a one-step chemical vapor deposition using an anodized aluminum wire template. By controlling the aluminum wire diameter and anodization time, the length of the RACNTs and diameter of the graphene hollow fiber can be tuned, enabling efficient energy conversion and storage. These fibers, with a controllable surface area, meso-/micropores, and superior electrical properties, are excellent electrode materials for all-solid-state wire-shaped supercapacitors with poly(vinyl alcohol)/H2SO4 as the electrolyte and binder, exhibiting a surface-specific capacitance of 89.4 mF/cm2 and length-specific capacitance up to 23.9 mF/cm, — one to four times the corresponding record-high capacities reported for other fiber-like supercapacitors. Dye-sensitized solar cells, fabricated using the fiber as a counter electrode, showed a power conversion efficiency of 6.8% and outperformed their counterparts with an expensive Pt wire counter electrode by a factor of 2.5. These novel fiber-shaped graphene-RACNT energy conversion and storage devices are so flexible they can be woven into fabrics as power sources.
TL;DR: In this study, the density functional theory (DFT) method was applied to study the electronic structure and catalytic properties of graphene clusters containing various point and line defects and found that the graphene cluster with the point defect having pentagon rings at the zigzag edge shows the electrocatalytic capability for ORR.
Abstract: Defects are common but important in graphene, which could significantly tailor the electronic structures and physical and chemical properties. In this study, the density functional theory (DFT) method was applied to study the electronic structure and catalytic properties of graphene clusters containing various point and line defects. The electron transfer processes in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on perfect and defective graphene clusters in fuel cells was simulated, and the free energy and reaction energy barrier of the elementary reactions were calculated to determine the reaction pathways. It was found that the graphene cluster with the point defect having pentagon rings at the zigzag edge, or line defects (grain boundaries) consisting of pentagon-pentagon-octagon or pentagon-heptagon chains also at the edges, shows the electrocatalytic capability for ORR. Four-electron and two-electron transfer processes could occur simultaneously on graphene clusters with certain types of defects. The energy barriers of the reactions are comparable to that of platinum(111). The catalytic active sites were determined on the defective graphene.