Fabrication of Si3N4@Si@Cu Thin Films by RF Sputtering as High Energy Anode Material for Li-Ion Batteries.

Silicon and silicon nitride (Si3N4) are some of the most appealing candidates as anode materials for LIBs (Li-ion battery) due to their favorable characteristics: low cost, abundance of Si, and high theoretical capacity. However, these materials have their own set of challenges that need to be addressed for practical applications. A thin film consisting of silicon nitride-coated silicon on a copper current collector (Si3N4@Si@Cu) has been prepared in this work via RF magnetron sputtering (Radio Frequency magnetron sputtering). The anode material was characterized before and after cycling to assess the difference in appearance and composition using XRD (X-ray Powder Diffraction), XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), SEM/EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy/ Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis), and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy). The effect of the silicon nitride coating on the electrochemical performance of the anode material for LIBs was evaluated against Si@Cu film. It has been found that the Si3N4@Si@Cu anode achieved a higher capacity retention (90%) compared to Si@Cu (20%) after 50 cycles in a half-cell versus Li+/Li, indicating a significant improvement in electrochemical performance. In a full cell, the Si3N4@Si@Cu anode achieved excellent efficiency and acceptable specific capacities, which can be enhanced with further research.

Role of Serum Apelin in the Diagnosis of Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: Apelin is a proinflammatory adipocyte-derived factor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role and significance of serum apelin as a new sepsis marker in the identification of full-term and preterm new-born infants with early-onset sepsis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a case-control study. We included 80 neonates. The cases were divided into 2 groups; neonates with early-onset sepsis and control group with neonates non-sepsis. Apelin was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: There was a significant elevation in the mean values of serum apelin in the early-onset sepsis group (1214.7 ± 273.06 pg/mmol) than in the non-septic neonates 116.27 ± 21.96 pg/mmol (P < .0001). Apelin values were correlated to clinical sepsis and hematological scores as well as C-reactive protein. Serum apelin concentration was significantly higher among culturepositive cases than the culture-negative cases (mean ± SD was 1239.52 ± 268.47 and 929.42 ± 136.97 pg/mmol, respectively, P < .0001). Moreover, the apelin level was higher in non-survivor neonates than in the survivors in the early-onset sepsis group. No significant difference was found between preterm and full-term new-born infants with regard to the apelin values. The best cut-off estimate of apelin to diagnose early sepsis was >178.33 pg/mmol. CONCLUSION: Apelin may be useful in the diagnosis and prognostic prediction of neonates with early-onset sepsis.