LR characterization of chirotopes of finite planar families of pairwise disjoint convex bodies

We extend the classical LR characterization of chirotopes of finite planar families of points to chirotopes of finite planar families of pairwise disjoint convex bodies: a map \c{hi} on the set of 3-subsets of a finite set I is a chirotope of finite planar families of pairwise disjoint convex bodies if and only if for every 3-, 4-, and 5-subset J of I the restriction of \c{hi} to the set of 3-subsets of J is a chirotope of finite planar families of pairwise disjoint convex bodies. Our main tool is the polarity map, i.e., the map that assigns to a convex body the set of lines missing its interior, from which we derive the key notion of arrangements of double pseudolines, introduced for the first time in this paper.Comment: 100 pages, 73 figures; accepted manuscript versio

safety assessment of ionic liquid based lithium ion battery prototypes

In this paper we report the results of combined cycle- and life-aging and abuse tests carried out under severe conditions on Li4Ti5O12/LiFePO4 lithium-ion stacked prototypes using a PYR14 FSI-LiTFSI ionic liquid electrolyte. No relevant degradation phenomena took place within ionic liquid electrolyte during prolonged inactivity period or overcharging. No fire/explosion or venting event as well as no gas development occurred during abuse tests, which led only to modest raise in temperature. Therefore, electrodes based on Li4Ti5O12 and LiFePO4 active materials can be favorably combined with non-volatile and non-flammable pyrrolidinium FSI ionic liquid electrolytes to realize highly safe lithium-ion battery systems

Prevention and treatment of renal osteodystrophy in children on chronic renal failure: European guidelines

Childhood renal osteodystrophy (ROD) is the consequence of disturbances of the calcium-regulating hormones vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) as well as of the somatotroph hormone axis associated with local modulation of bone and growth cartilage function. The resulting growth retardation and the potentially rapid onset of ROD in children are different from ROD in adults. The biochemical changes of ROD as well as its prevention and treatment affect calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and are directly associated with the development of cardiovascular disease in pediatric renal patients. The aims of the clinical and biochemical surveillance of pediatric patients with CRF or on dialysis are prevention of hyperphosphatemia, avoidance of hypercalcemia and keeping the calcium phosphorus product below 5 mmol(2)/l(2). The PTH levels should be within the normal range in chronic renal failure (CRF) and up to 2–3 times the upper limit of normal levels in dialysed children. Prevention of ROD is expected to result in improved growth and less vascular calcification