Extended solid solutions and coherent transformations in nanoscale olivine cathodes.

Nanoparticle LiFePO4, the basis for an entire class of high power Li-ion batteries, has recently been shown to exist in binary lithiated/delithiated states at intermediate states of charge. The Mn-bearing version, LiMn(y)Fe(1-y)PO4, exhibits even higher rate capability as a lithium battery cathode than LiFePO4 of comparable particle size. To gain insight into the cause(s) of this desirable performance, the electrochemically driven phase transformation during battery charge and discharge of nanoscale LiMn0.4Fe0.6PO4 of three different average particle sizes, 52, 106, and 152 nm, is investigated by operando synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction. In stark contrast to the binary lithiation states of pure LiFePO4 revealed in recent investigations, the formations of metastable solid solutions covering a remarkable wide compositional range, including while in two-phase coexistence, are observed. Detailed analysis correlates this behavior with small elastic misfits between phases compared to either pure LiFePO4 or LiMnPO4. On the basis of time- and state-of-charge dependence of the olivine structure parameters, we propose a coherent transformation mechanism. These findings illustrate a second, completely different phase transformation mode for pure well-ordered nanoscale olivines compared to the well-studied case of LiFePO4.

Peripherally inserted central catheters--review and case reports.

Patients have been receiving intravenous therapies in their homes since the early 1980s. Peripherally inserted central catheters have recently played a major part in the successful transition from hospital to home. These catheters are less invasive, have a lower overall infection rate and are less costly than other central venous catheters. This review and presentation of two case studies illustrates the advantages of this type of catheter for patients receiving home intravenous therapy.

Identification of Mycoplasma felis and Mycoplasma gateae by an immunobinding assay.

An immunobinding assay capable of distinguishing between Mycoplasma felis and Mycoplasma gateae was developed. Nitrocellulose was used as the solid support. Polyclonal rabbit antiserum against M. felis or M. gateae was used in the assay. Binding of the specific rabbit antiserum was detected by alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin and an alkaline phosphatase substrate (Nitro Blue Tetrazolium-5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate). The immunobinding assay was effective in the detection of feline mycoplasmas on agar plates, on primary isolation plates, in broth cultures, and in mixed cultures. No cross-reactions were observed with other related mycoplasmal species. The assay was cheap to perform and easy to interpret, and it required little technical time.