High‐performance cycling: Spray pyrolysis has been used to generate a new type of spheroidal nanosized carbon‐coated silicon composite (see TEM image). This nanocomposite shows superior electrochemical cycling properties as an anode material for use in lithium‐ion batteries, delivering a reversible capacity of 1489 mA h g−1 after 20 cycles.

One-dimensional (1D) nanostructured materials have received considerable attention for advanced functional systems as well as extensive applications owing to their attractive electronic, optical, and thermal properties. [1][2] In lithium-ion-battery science, recent research has focused on nanoscale electrode materials to improve electrochemical performance. The high surface-to-volume ratio and excellent surface activities of 1D nanostructured materials have stimulated great interest in their development for the next generation of power sources. [3][4] Materials based on tin oxide have been proposed as alternative anode materials with high-energy densities and stable capacity retention in lithium-ion batteries. [5][6][7] Various SnO 2 -based materials have displayed extraordinary electrochemical behavior such that the initial irreversible capacity induced by Li 2 O formation and the abrupt capacity fading caused by volume variation could be effectively reduced when in nanoscale form. [8][9][10] From this point of view, SnO 2 nanowires can also be suggested as a promising anode material because the nanowire structure is of special interest with predictions of unique electronic and structural properties. Furthermore, the nanowires can be easily synthesized by a thermal evaporation method. However, in its current form, this method of manufacture of SnO 2 nanowires has several limitations: it is inappropriate for mass production as high synthesis temperatures are required and there are difficulties in the elimination of metal catalysts that could act as impurities or defects. This results in reversible capacity loss or poor cyclic performance during electrochemical reactions. [11,12] The critical issues relating to SnO 2 nanowires as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries are how to avoid the deteriorative effects of catalysts and how to increase production.Herein, we report on the preparation and electrochemical performance of self-catalysis-grown SnO 2 nanowires to determine their potential use as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. SnO 2 nanowires have been synthesized by thermal evaporation combined with a self-catalyzed growth procedure by using a ball-milled evaporation material to increase production at lower temperature and prevent the undesirable effects of conventional catalysts on electrochemical performance. The self-catalysis-grown SnO 2 nanowires show higher initial coulombic efficiency and an improved cyclic retention compared with those of SnO 2 powder and SnO 2 nanowires produced by Au-assisted growth.[11]The self-catalysis growth method, which uses a ball-milled mixture of SnO and Sn powder as an evaporation source, is appropriate for obtaining SnO 2 nanowires with high purity. The deposited products on the Si substrates contain almost 100 % of the SnO 2 nanowires formed. Observation with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) clearly shows a general view of randomly aligned SnO 2 nanowires with diameters of 200-500 nm and lengths extending to several tens of micrometers (Figure 1 a). Sn drop...

Canagliflozin, a potent, selective sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor in development for treatment of type 2 diabetes, lowers plasma glucose (PG) by lowering the renal threshold for glucose (RT(G) ) and increasing urinary glucose excretion (UGE). An ascending single oral-dose phase 1 study investigated safety, tolerability and pharmacodynamics of canagliflozin in healthy men (N = 63) randomized to receive canagliflozin (n = 48) or placebo (n = 15). Canagliflozin (10, 30, 100, 200, 400, 600 or 800 mg q.d. or 400 mg b.i.d.) was administered to eight cohorts (six subjects/cohort: canagliflozin; two subjects/cohort: placebo). Dose dependently, canagliflozin decreased calculated 24-h mean RT(G) with maximal reduction to approximately 60 mg/dl, and increased mean 24-h UGE. At doses >200 mg administered before breakfast, canagliflozin reduced postprandial PG and serum insulin excursions at that meal. Canagliflozin was generally well tolerated; most adverse events were mild and no hypoglycaemia was reported. These results support further study of canagliflozin.

Fe(3)O(4)-graphene composites with three-dimensional laminated structures have been synthesised by a simple in situ hydrothermal method. From field-emission and transmission electron microscopy results, the Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles, around 3-15 nm in size, are highly encapsulated in a graphene nanosheet matrix. The reversible Li-cycling properties of Fe(3)O(4)-graphene have been evaluated by galvanostatic discharge-charge cycling, cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. Results show that the Fe(3)O(4)-graphene nanocomposite with a graphene content of 38.0 wt % exhibits a stable capacity of about 650 mAh  g(-1) with no noticeable fading for up to 100 cycles in the voltage range of 0.0-3.0 V. The superior performance of Fe(3)O(4)-graphene is clearly established by comparison of the results with those from bare Fe(3)O(4). The graphene nanosheets in the composite materials could act not only as lithium storage active materials, but also as an electronically conductive matrix to improve the electrochemical performance of Fe(3)O(4).

We report the synthesis of graphene oxide/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites employing an alternative and novel approach for possible application as supercapacitor materials in energy storage devices. Integrating these nanostructures resulted in a strong synergistic effect between the two materials consequently leading to a robust and superior hybrid material with higher capacitance compared to either graphene oxide or MWCNTs. Specific capacitances of 251, 85 and 60 F g À1 were obtained for graphene oxide-multi-walled carbon nanotubes, MWCNTs and graphene oxide, respectively, in a potential range from À0.1 to 0.5 V. Most importantly, a 120% increase in capacitance was observed with increasing cycle number at 20 mV s À1. The ease of synthesis and the exceptional electrochemical properties make the use of this nanostructure an attractive, alternative way of designing future supercapacitors in both conventional fields and new emerging areas.

Nanoporous cobalt oxide nanorods were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the individual Co 3 O 4 nanorods have a nanoporous structure, consisting of the textured aggregations of nanocrystals. Optical properties of Co 3 O 4 nanorods were characterized by Raman and UV-vis spectroscopy. Magnetic property measurement shows that Co 3 O 4 nanorods have a low Ne ´el transition temperature of 35 K. We observed quite significant exchange bias for nanoporous Co 3 O 4 nanorods, indicating the existence of magnetic coupling between the nanocrystals in Co 3 O 4 nanorods. When applied as electrode materials in supercapacitors, Co 3 O 4 demonstrated a high capacitance of 280 F/g.

AimsThis randomized, crossover, single-dose study evaluated the relative oral bioavailability of posaconazole suspension and coprecipitate tablet formulations. Additionally, the study determined whether systemic exposure to posaconazole was affected by prandial status or by the fat content of a meal. MethodsThis was a randomized, open-label, four-way crossover, single-dose study in 20 healthy men. Posaconazole pharmacokinetics were evaluated over 72 h following a single oral dose of posaconazole suspension (200 mg/5 ml) administered with a high-fat meal, a nonfat breakfast, or after a 10 h fast, or posaconazole tablets (2 ¥ 100 mg) administered with a high-fat meal. ResultsThe posaconazole suspension showed a significant increase in bioavailability compared with the tablet (increase in AUC(0,72 h) = 137% (90% confidence interval (CI) 119%, 156% and C max = 123% (90% CI 104%, 146%). The mean increases in AUC(0,72 h) and C max values were about 400% when administered with a high-fat meal compared with administration of the suspension in the fasting state (AUC(0,72 h) 90% CI 343%, 448%; C max 90% CI 352%, 493%). Administration of the suspension with a nonfat meal enhanced exposure, resulting in an increase in AUC(0,72 h) of 264% (90% CI 231%, 302%) and in C max of 296% (90% CI 250%, 350%) relative to the fasted state. ConclusionsThe suspension formulation of posaconazole was associated with enhanced systemic exposure and increased relative bioavailability compared with the tablet. Food substantially enhanced the rate and extent of posaconazole absorption in healthy subjects.

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