Modification of Ni-Rich FCG NMC and NCA Cathodes by Atomic Layer Deposition: Preventing Surface Phase Transitions for High-Voltage Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The energy density of current lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) based on layered LiMO2 cathodes (M = Ni, Mn, Co: NMC; M = Ni, Co, Al: NCA) needs to be improved significantly in order to compete with internal combustion engines and allow for widespread implementation of electric vehicles (EVs). In this report, we show that atomic layer deposition (ALD) of titania (TiO2) and alumina (Al2O3) on Ni-rich FCG NMC and NCA active material particles could substantially improve LIB performance and allow for increased upper cutoff voltage (UCV) during charging, which delivers significantly increased specific energy utilization. Our results show that Al2O3 coating improved the NMC cycling performance by 40% and the NCA cycling performance by 34% at 1 C/-1 C with respectively 4.

Cow's milk and rice fermented with Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 prevent infectious diseases in children: A randomized controlled trial.

Background & Aim: Fermented foods have been proposed for the prevention of infectious diseases. We evaluated the efficacy of fermented foods in reducing common infectious diseases (CIDs) in children attending daycare.

Methods: Prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (registered under Clinical Trials.

Flu and pneumococcal immunisations in HIV-infected children: methodological quality of current recommendations.

Objective: To assess the quality of guidelines, consensus statements and systematic reviews on flu and pneumococcal immunisations in HIV-infected children.

Method: The authors screened PubMed and Embase databases until the year 2009 for guidelines, consensus statements and systematic reviews on flu and pneumococcal immunisations in HIV-infected patients. The authors also explored relevant websites of agencies/institutions involved with HIV infection, immunisation or guidelines.

The changing pattern of adherence to antiretroviral therapy assessed at two time points, 12 months apart, in a cohort of HIV-infected children.

Objective: In a previous multicentre study including 129 HIV-infected children, non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy was detected in 16% of patients and was mainly related to psychosocial rather than clinical or demographic features. The aim of this study was to explore the evolving pattern of adherence and its determinants in the same population of children.

Methods: An observational, cross-sectional multicentre study was done through a structured interview to the caregivers of HIV-infected children.

The applicability and efficacy of guidelines for the management of acute gastroenteritis in outpatient children: a field-randomized trial on primary care pediatricians.

Objective: To evaluate the applicability and efficacy of guidelines for the management of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) as used by pediatricians.

Study Design: This was a national, open, randomized, controlled intervention trial. The intervention consisted of a 2-hour course based on the guidelines for management of AGE.

Antiemetics for children with gastroenteritis: off-label but still on in clinical practice.

Antiemetics are not included for treatment of vomiting associated with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children by standard guidelines. We performed a survey to determine antiemetic prescribing rates by Italian pediatricians. A structured questionnaire was distributed at a pediatric national conference.

Rotavirus and not age determines gastroenteritis severity in children: a hospital-based study.

Background: The severity of childhood gastroenteritis is generally believed to be age-related rather than aetiology-related. Rotavirus-induced gastroenteritis is more severe than gastroenteritis caused by other enteric pathogens and is also age-related. We thus addressed the question of whether the increased severity of rotavirus-induced gastroenteritis is related to age or to features intrinsic to the agent.

Shear softening and structure in a simulated three-dimensional binary glass.

Three-dimensional model binary glasses produced by quenching from a range of liquid temperatures were tested in shear over a range of strain rates using molecular-dynamics techniques. Tests were performed under constant volume and constant pressure constraints. The simulations revealed a systematic change in short-range order as a function of the thermal and strain history of the glass.

Guanylin and E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin induce chloride secretion through direct interaction with basolateral compartment of rat and human colonic cells.

We previously detected specific binding activity of Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), the guanylin exogenous ligand, in rat colonic basolateral membranes. Because guanylin circulates in the bloodstream, we tested the hypothesis that it modulates intestinal ion transport by acting on the serosal side of intestinal cells. The effects of the mucosal and serosal addition of ST and guanylin on ion transport were investigated in the rat proximal colon and in Caco-2 cells in Ussing chambers, by monitoring short-circuit current (Isc).

Effects of HIV-1 Tat protein on ion secretion and on cell proliferation in human intestinal epithelial cells.

Background & Aims: Severe diarrhea and enteropathy of unknown origin are frequent in patients infected with human immunodeficiency type 1 virus (HIV-1). The HIV-1 transactivating factor protein (Tat) is a key factor in the pathogenesis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We investigated whether Tat could directly induce ion secretion and cell damage in enterocytes.