NaFex(Ni1/2Mn1/2)1-xO2 layered oxides are synthesized by a solid-state method, and their electrode properties as positive electrodes for rechargeable sodium batteries are examined. Crystallographic analysis on a series of samples reveals that NaFex(Ni1/2Mn1/2)1-xO2 samples crystallize into a solid solution between two end-members of O3-type Na(Ni1/2Mn1/2)O2 and NaFeO2. A Na/NaFe0.4(Ni1/2Mn1/2)0.6O2 cell delivers 130 mAh g−1 of reversible capacity in a voltage range of 2.0 – 3.8 V. Energy density available based on metallic sodium is estimated to be approximately 400 mWh g−1, which is considerably larger than that of NaFeO2 (∼300 mWh g−1). Moreover, the Na/NaFe0.4(Ni1/2Mn1/2)0.6O2 cell shows relatively good cyclability and rate-capability. From these results, a potential application of the NaFex(Ni1/2Mn1/2)1-xO2 solid solution for rechargeable Na-ion batteries is discussed.

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Electrocatalytic oxidation of methane over anodes in single-chamber solid oxide fuel cells, 0-10 wt % Pd-30 wt % Ce 0.8 Sm 0.2 O 1.9 (samaria-doped ceria, SDC)- Ni | SDC | Sm 0.5 Sr 0.5 CoO 3 , was studied in a mixture of methane and air between 450 and 550°C. The addition of a small amount of Pd (0.145 mg cm−2) to the anode significantly promoted the partial oxidation of methane by oxygen to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which resulted in electromotive forces of ca. 900 mV from the cell and extremely small electrode-reaction resistances of the anode. The peak power densities, when using a 0.15 mm thick SDC electrolyte, reached 644, 467, and 269 mW cm−2 at 550, 500, and 450°C, respectively. © 2002 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.

We studied the relation of perioperative blood transfusion and the outcomes in 175 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent hepatic resection from 1986 to 1994 in our hospital. Hepatectomy was performed in 23 (13.1%) patients with and 152 (86. 9%) without blood transfusions. The cumulative cancer-free survival rates for patients who had received blood transfusion was significantly lower than that for patients who had not received blood transfusions (p = 0.003). Further examinations revealed a significant difference in cancer-free survival rates for stage I-II patients (n = 75) of HCC (p = 0.02) but not for stage III-IV patients (n = 56) (p = 0.06). Cox regression analysis for recurrence revealed that blood transfusion was the most significant prognostic indicator (p = 0.001) for recurrence in stage I-II patients but not in stage III-IV patients (p = 0.99). These results suggest that a perioperative blood transfusion may be a significant prognostic indicator for patients with HCC who had underwent hepatectomy, especially in stage I-II patients of HCC.

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