Chemically-delithiated Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 is regarded as a potential candidate of cathode active materials for magnesium rechargeable batteries owing to its large deliverable capacity and high ...operation voltage compared to conventional layered transition metal oxides. Our previous study suggested its chemical composition as Li0.13Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2−δ by X-ray diffraction combined with XAFS analysis. We herein re-analyzed the substantial composition and crystal structure by employing titration technique and combination of neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffractions. Two topotactic phases both belonging to the space group of R 3 m were strongly suggested by Rietveld analysis, and the chemical formula was subsequently re-defined as Li0.17Mn0.72Ni0.18Co0.18O2 where oxygen defects were filled by a rearrangement from C2/m structure. Although the battery performance of that active material was poor in the previous study, the discharge capacity greater than 400 mAh g−1, ca. 95 % of the theoretical capacity, was achieved by using certain anodically stable electrolytes and specific cell configuration. This result strongly implies that the R 3 m structure is particularly suitable as a host material for Mg2+ intercalation.
Regulation of foreclosure in a financial crisis has been a centuries-long conundrum to authorities. Japan in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries had free financial, land and coercive labor markets. ...It raised the growth but resulted in recurrent financial crises. Therefore, the Edo shogunate, 1600–1868, banned coercive labor, protected peasants’ property right and regulated the farmland-collateral loans. Seeking an appropriate degree of regulation, the shogunate first banned foreclosure and invited a credit shrink. Then the shogunate introduced legislation to legalize foreclosure of pledged farmland as clarifying the rights of borrowers. The regulation asymmetrically lowered interest rates for timely repayment.
Mechanism of magnesium ion alloying reaction into bismuth electrode in magnesium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide (Mg(TFSA)2)/acetonitrile (AN) and Mg(TFSA)2/2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) ...electrolyte was examined by a combination of operando soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), Raman spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In 0.5 M Mg(TFSA)2/AN, the magnesium ions alloying reaction occurred, whereas the alloying reaction did not occur in 0.5 M Mg(TFSA)2/2-MeTHF. Raman spectroscopy showed that less than 15% of TFSA− coordinates with magnesium ions in 0.5 M Mg(TFSA)2/AN, while more than 90% of TFSA− coordinates with magnesium ions in Mg(TFSA)2/2-MeTHF. Using operando XAS measurements, we observed that electronic and local structure of magnesium ion changed similarly upon cathodic polarization in both electrolytes. These results indicate that the difference of the behavior of alloy formation should be affected by the difference of coordinate structure of TFSA− in both electrolytes. Our DFT calculation results indicates TFSA− coordinated to magnesium ions undergoes reduction decomposition more easily than TFSA− uncoordinated to magnesium ions. In 0.5 M Mg(TFSA)2/2-MeTHF, the TFSA− coordinating to magnesium ions undergoes reduction decomposition, which inhibits the alloying reaction into the bismuth electrode. On the other hand, in 0.5 M Mg(TFSA)2/AN, the TFSA− reduction decomposition occurs relatively slowly because of the weak coordination between TFSA− and magnesium ions, which allows the magnesium ions alloying into the bismuth electrode in the electrolyte.
Immune attacks are key issues for cell transplantation. To assess the safety and the immune reactions after iPS cells-derived retinal pigment epithelium (iPS-RPE) transplantation, we transplanted HLA ...homozygote iPS-RPE cells established at an iPS bank in HLA-matched patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration. In addition, local steroids without immunosuppressive medications were administered. We monitored immune rejections by routine ocular examinations as well as by lymphocytes-graft cells immune reaction (LGIR) tests using graft RPE and the patient’s blood cells. In all five of the cases that underwent iPS-RPE transplantation, the presence of graft cells was indicated by clumps or an area of increased pigmentation at 6 months, which became stable with no further abnormal growth in the graft during the 1-year observation period. Adverse events observed included corneal erosion, epiretinal membrane, retinal edema due to epiretinal membrane, elevated intraocular pressure, endophthalmitis, and mild immune rejection in the eye. In the one case exhibiting positive LGIR tests along with a slight fluid recurrence, we administrated local steroid therapy that subsequently resolved the suspected immune attacks. Although the cell delivery strategy must be further optimized, the present results suggest that it is possible to achieve stable survival and safety of iPS-RPE cell transplantation for a year.
To improve the cycle performance of Mg metal batteries, a spinel-type MgMn2O4 (MMO) as the active material of the cathode was coated with a poly(styrene-4-sulfonyl trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide Mg ...salt (PSTFSI-Mg) on the MMO surface. Coating was performed by spray drying, freeze drying, simple mixing, and one-pot spray drying. Transmission electron microscopy measurements of the resulting polymer-coated MMO were undertaken to verify the surface and the inner morphology. The results of charge–discharge measurements suggest that the polymer coating on the MMO surface promotes electron transfer between the particles. These results are interested in terms of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the modified polymers obtained from density functional theory (DFT), confirming that the polymer reduces the gap between the valence band maximum of MMO and the HOMO level of the electrolyte solution, suppressing the degradation of the electrolyte.
Nivolumab is an anti-programmed cell death-1 antibody that is utilized as an immune checkpoint inhibitor for several malignancies. However, this agent is associated with immune-related adverse events ...(irAEs), mainly in the spectrum of autoimmune disease including interstitial pneumonia, colitis, type 1 diabetes, and renal impairment. We herein present the case of a 59-year-old man with renal cell carcinoma who developed worsening renal function approximately 4 months after initiation of nivolumab. Urinalysis showed proteinuria and microscopic hematuria along with increase levels of
N
-acetyl-β-
d
-glucosaminidase. Renal biopsy revealed acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and thickening of the glomerular basement membranes. Immunofluorescence showed granular IgM deposits in capillary loops. We initiated high-dose prednisolone therapy with nivolumab, which improved renal function and achieved complete remission of proteinuria. Although renal irAEs are considered to be rare and glomerulonephropathy is not typical presentation, physicians need the close monitoring of renal function and urinalysis in patients under immunotherapy with this agents. In addition, our case provides a possible link between nivolumab and immune-mediated glomerulonephropathy.
Introduction: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered a safe and minimally invasive procedure. We previously reported that the mortality and complication rates ...for RFA were 0.038% (5/13,283 patients) and 3.54% (579 complications/16,346 procedures), respectively, from 1999 to 2010 (previous period). In this study, we investigated the clinical criteria for RFA and the mortality and complication rates from 2011 to 2015 (recent period). Methods: Data were collected from 25 centers by using a questionnaire developed by the Chugoku-Shikoku Society for Local Ablation Therapy of HCC. The criteria for RFA, RFA modification, use of image-guidance modalities, mortality, and complications during the previous and recent periods were compared. Results: We evaluated 11,298 procedures for 9,411 patients, including those that involved new devices (bipolar RFA and internally adjustable electrode system). The criterion of hepatic function for RFA increased from a Child-Pugh score ≤8 during the previous period to ≤9 during the recent period. The criteria regarding the tumor location and other risk factors have been expanded recently because of the increased use of several modifications of the RFA procedure and image-guidance modalities. The mortality rate was 0.064% (6/9,411 patients), and the complication rate was 2.92% (330 complications/11,298 procedures). There was no difference in mortality rates between the 2 periods (p = 0.38), but the complication rates was significantly lower during the recent period (p = 0.038). Discussion and Conclusions: Our findings confirmed that RFA, including the use of new devices, is a low-risk procedure for HCC, despite the expansion of the criteria for RFA during the recent period.
Chemically-delithiated Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 is regarded as a potential candidate of cathode active materials for magnesium rechargeable batteries owing to its large deliverable capacity and high ...operation voltage compared to conventional layered transition metal oxides. Our previous study suggested its chemical composition as Li0.13Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2−δ by X-ray diffraction combined with XAFS analysis. We herein re-analyzed the substantial composition and crystal structure by employing titration technique and combination of neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffractions. Two topotactic phases both belonging to the space group of R 3 m were strongly suggested by Rietveld analysis, and the chemical formula was subsequently re-defined as Li0.17Mn0.72Ni0.18Co0.18O2 where oxygen defects were filled by a rearrangement from C2/m structure. Although the battery performance of that active material was poor in the previous study, the discharge capacity greater than 400 mAh g−1, ca. 95 % of the theoretical capacity, was achieved by using certain anodically stable electrolytes and specific cell configuration. This result strongly implies that the R 3 m structure is particularly suitable as a host material for Mg2+ intercalation.
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