Effect of pre-intercalation on Li-ion diffusion mapped by topochemical single-crystal transformation and operando investigation.

Limitations in electrochemical performance as well as supply chain challenges have rendered positive electrode materials a critical bottleneck for Li-ion batteries. State-of-the-art Li-ion batteries fall short of accessing theoretical capacities. As such, there is intense interest in the design of strategies that enable the more effective utilization of active intercalation materials. Pre-intercalation with alkali-metal ions has attracted interest as a means of accessing higher reversible capacity and improved rate performance. However, the structural basis for improvements in electrochemical performance remains mostly unexplored. Here we use topochemical single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations in a tunnel-structured ζ-V2O5 positive electrode to illustrate the effect of pre-intercalation in modifying the host lattice and altering diffusion pathways. Furthermore, operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction is used to map Li-ion site preferences and occupancies as a function of the depth of discharge in pre-intercalated materials. Na- and K-ion intercalation 'props open' the one-dimensional tunnel, reduces electrostatic repulsions between inserted Li ions and entirely modifies diffusion pathways, enabling orders of magnitude higher Li-ion diffusivities and accessing higher capacities. Deciphering the atomistic origins of improved performance in pre-intercalated materials on the basis of single-crystal-to-single-crystal topochemical transformation and operando diffraction studies paves the way to site-selective modification approaches for positive electrode design.

Use of remote patient monitoring kits to reduce hospitalization and mortality rates for patients with heart failure.

PURPOSE: Patients with heart failure (HF) are at an increased risk of volume overload, which can lead to hospital admission. Use of noninvasive remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices utilizing biometric sensors and weighing scales to track vital signs and body weight has uncertain benefits. At the Baptist Health Louisville (BHLOU) HF Clinic, high-risk patients were given RPM kits. The purpose of this study was to determine whether RPM led to reductions in HF hospitalizations and mortality. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective chart review evaluated adult patients presenting to the BHLOU HF Clinic after a recent hospitalization for HF or need for intravenous diuretics within the past 60 days. The study evaluated patients before and after implementation of RPM kits. The primary endpoints were differences in the rates of 30-day HF hospitalization and 30-day mortality. Secondary endpoints included differences in the number of interventions in 90 days, the 90-day rate of HF hospitalization, and the 90-day rate of mortality. RESULTS: The final analysis included 58 patients in the preimplementation group and 34 patients in the postimplementation group. The rate of 30-day HF hospitalization was 10.3% in the preimplementation group and 0% in the postimplementation group. The rate of 30-day mortality was 3.4% in the preimplementation group and 0% in the postimplementation group. For the secondary endpoints, the number of interventions in 90 days was 3 vs 4, the 90-day rate of HF hospitalization was 22.4% vs 11.8%, and the rate of 90-day mortality was 6.9% vs 5.9% in the preimplementation vs postimplementation group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Implementation of RPM in patients with acutely decompensated HF led to numerically lower 30-day and 90-day rates of HF hospitalization.

Effect of High-Dose Ergocalciferol on Rate of Falls in a Community-Dwelling, Home-Based Primary Care Veteran Population: A Case-Crossover Study.

There was no difference identified in the rate of falls immediately prior to and following initiation of ergocalciferol 50,000 IU self-administered once weekly.