Electrochemical Na-insertion/extraction properties of Sn-P anodes

Thick-film electrodes of tin phosphides, Sn4P3 and SnP3, were prepared using a mechanical alloying method followed by a gas-deposition method, and were evaluated as Na-ion battery anodes in an organic electrolyte and ionic liquid electrolytes. The Sn4P3 electrode showed a better cycling performance in the organic electrolyte compared with the SnP3 electrode and an Sn electrode. The performance of the Sn4P3 electrode was further improved by using ionic liquid electrolytes because of a uniformly formed surface layer and resulting uniform sodiation/desodiation reactions on the electrode

Ikääntyneiden ravitsemuksen oppimateriaalin tuottaminen Eksoten henkilöstölle Moodleen

Tämän toiminnallisen opinnäytetyön aiheena oli ikääntyvien ravitsemus. Työn tavoitteena oli suunnitella ja toteuttaa ikääntyvien ravitsemuksen oppimateriaali Moodle verkko-oppimisalustalle Etelä-Karjalan sosiaali- ja terveyspiirin henkilöstön käyttöön. Lisäksi suunniteltiin ja valmistettiin intro-video, joka johdatteli ja herätti kiinnostuksen aiheeseen. Lisäksi tuotettiin tietovisa-tyyppinen kolmen vaihtoehdon kysymyssarja diojen aiheista. Kurssin sisältö koostui PowerPoint-esityksistä, joiden aiheet olivat: ravitsemus ja ikääntyminen, kuidut, D- vitamiinisuositukset, vitamiinit, muistisairaan ravitsemus,ikääntyneen ravitsemusongelmat, juominen ja nestetasapaino sekä Milloin syödään? – käytännönläheisiä vinkkejä muistisairaan kotihoitoon. Jatkossa voisi tutkia, kuinka sähköisen oppimisalustan saisi juurrutettua paremmin henkilöstön käyttöön sekä selvittää kurssin käytön esteet, jotta ne voitaisiin poistaaThe topic of this functional study was elderly nutrition. The objective of the thesis was to design and implement study material about nutrition for the elderly via Moodle eLearning environment for the use of the South Karelia Social and Health Care District staff. In addition an introductory video was designed and produced to spark interest in the topic. Also, a quiz consisting of three option questions based on topics presented in slides was produced. The course content consisted of powerPoint presentations with the following topics: nutrition and aging, fiber, vitamin D recommendations, vitamins,nutrition recommented for a person suffering from a memory disorder, problems with nutrition among the elderly, drinking and fluid balance, as well as When do we eat? - Practical tips for the home care of people suffering from a memory disorder. For further, study it could be recommented to examine how the e-learning platform could be anchored in better use for the staff, as well as to identify the obstacles to the use of the course, so that they could be removed

Electrochemical Na-Insertion/Extraction Properties of Phosphorus Electrodes in Ionic Liquid Electrolytes

The electrochemical Na-insertion/extraction properties of phosphorus as a Na-ion battery anode in ionic liquid electrolytes were investigated by using a thick film without any binder or conductive additive. The ionic liquid with more electrochemically-stable cation structure, 1-((2-methoxyethoxy)methyl)-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide (Py1MEM-FSA), delivered a high reversible capacity of 310 mA h g−1 at the 100th cycle, whereas the phosphorus electrode in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide (EMI-FSA) showed a low capacity of only 110 mA h g−1. It was revealed that disintegration of the electrode after cycling was effectively suppressed by applying Py1MEM-FSA instead of an organic electrolyte including propylene carbonate (PC), and that a surface layer induced by the decomposition of EMI-FSA hindered Na-insertion into the active material layer. The performance obtained in Py1MEM-FSA was very superior to that in PC. We applied for the first time a closed-system fire-resistance test to the ionic liquid electrolyte for quantitatively evaluating its non-flammability. The Py1MEM-FSA-based electrolyte exhibited an excellent fire resistance in comparison with the PC-based organic electrolyte, which can be an advantage for realizing a Na-ion battery with a high-energy density and a high safety

Definition of target antigens for naturally occurring CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells

The antigenic targets recognized by naturally occurring CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (T reg cells) have been elusive. We have serologically defined a series of broadly expressed self-antigens derived from chemically induced mouse sarcomas by serological identification of antigens by recombinant expression cloning (SEREX). CD4+ CD25+ T cells from mice immunized with SEREX-defined self-antigens had strong suppressive activity on peptide-specific proliferation of CD4+ CD25− T cells and CD8+ T cells. The suppressive effect was observed without in vitro T cell stimulation. Foxp3 expression in these CD4+ CD25+ T cells from immunized mice was 5–10 times greater than CD4+ CD25+ T cells derived from naive mice. The suppressive effect required cellular contact and was blocked by anti-glucocorticoid–induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family–related gene antibody. In vitro suppressive activity essentially disappeared 8 wk after the last immunization. However, it was regained by in vitro restimulation with cognate self-antigen protein but not with control protein. We propose that SEREX-defined self-antigens such as those used in this study represent self-antigens that elicit naturally occurring CD4+ CD25+ T reg cells

Effect of Film-Forming Additive in Ionic Liquid Electrolyte on Electrochemical Performance of Si Negative-Electrode for LIBs

1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide (EMI-TFSA) is one of the promising ionic liquids as electrolyte solvent to enhance the electrochemical performance of Si electrode for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its low viscosity and high conductivity. However, it has low stability against reduction and its reductive decomposition product inhibits Li+ insertion to electrodes, leading to poor cycling stability. To exert a potential of EMI-TFSA, we employed vinylene carbonate (VC) as film-forming additive. Si electrode exhibited very high cycling stability and rate capability in 20 vol.% VC-added EMI-TFSA-based electrolyte. In addition, by replacing TFSA anion with bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide (FSA) for Li salt and ionic liquid solvent, an excellent cycling performance and outstanding rate capability was achieved. VC cannot only fabricate a good surface film but also lower the interaction between Li+ and FSA-, providing smooth desolvation of FSA- to obtain better high-rate performance. Non-flammability of the VC-added electrolytes was confirmed by fire resistance test in closed-system: no ignition was observed even at 300°C. Consequently, we found that mixture electrolyte consisted of EMI-based ionic liquid and VC, especially 1 M LiFSA/EMI-FSA with 20 vol.% VC, is a prospective candidate for simultaneously enhancing the electrochemical performance of Si electrode as well as safety of LIBs

Strain dependent differences in glucocorticoid-induced bone loss between C57BL/6J and CD-1 mice

We have investigated the effect of long-term glucocorticoid (GC) administration on bone turnover in two frequently used mouse strains; C57BL/6J and CD1, in order to assess the influence of their genetic background on GC-induced osteoporosis (GIO). GIO was induced in 12 weeks old female C57BL/6J and CD1 mice by subcutaneous insertion of long-term release prednisolone or placebo pellets. Biomechanical properties as assessed by three point bent testing revealed that femoral elasticity and strength significantly decreased in CD1 mice receiving GC, whereas C57BL/6J mice showed no differences between placebo and prednisolone treatment. Bone turnover assessed by microcomputer tomography revealed that contrary to C57BL/6J mice, prednisolone treated CD1 mice developed osteoporosis. In vitro experiments have underlined that, at a cellular level, C57BL/6J mice osteoclasts and osteoblasts were less responsive to GC treatment and tolerated higher doses than CD1 cells. Whilst administration of long-term release prednisolone pellets provided a robust GIO animal model in 12 weeks old CD1 mice, age matched C57BL/6J mice were not susceptible to the bone changes associated with GIO. This study indicates that for the induction of experimental GIO, the mouse strain choice together with other factors such as age should be carefully evaluated

Outcomes and factors influencing survival in cirrhotic cases with spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Spontaneous rupture is rare complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with high mortality rate in cirrhotic cases. The aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing prognosis in cases of spontaneously ruptured HCC and to investigate the outcomes of the treatments employed, especially transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A retrospective multicenter study was conducted in 48 cirrhotic patients with spontaneous rupture of HCC. Conservative treatment was employed in 32 patients (ConT group) and TAE was performed in 16 patients (TAE group).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median survival time (MST) in the ConT group was only 13.1 days and the survival rate was extremely poor: 59.4% at 7 days, 37.5% at 14 days, and 6.3% at 30 days. On the other hand, the MST in the TAE group was 244.8 days and the survival rate was 87.5% at 1 month, 56.3% at 3 months, 23.4% at 12 months, and 15.6% at 24 months. According to the results of univariate analyses, factors associated with poor hepatic function and poor suitability for TAE was important determinants of short-term death (less than 3 weeks) among the patients (<it>p </it>< 0.05). On the other hand, among the patients in whom initial TAE was successfully performed (<it>n </it>= 15), a multivariate analysis showed that a maximum tumor size not exceeding 7 cm was the only independent factor determining long-term survival (<it>p </it>= 0.0130).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Despite the inherent limitations of this retrospective study, TAE appears to be a useful treatment strategy for cirrhotic patients with spontaneous HCC rupture, as it yielded a longer survival period compared with conservative treatment in patients with ruptured HCC. Among the patients with ruptured HCC in whom initial TAE was successfully performed, the maximum tumor size was an important factor influencing survival.</p