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Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is the most economically important disease to the swine industry, and effective prevention strategy for this disease is still required. Guanylate-binding protein 1 (GBP1) and myxovirus resistance protein 1 (Mx1) are two important proteins belonging to the GTPase superfamily that have been previously described to show antiviral effects. CD163 is considered the most important receptor for PRRSV attachment and internalization. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of these genes on host resistance against PRRSV infection in conjunction with the host immune response following PRRSV challenge. The results showed that pigs with AG genotype for the GBP1 exon2 exhibited a significantly higher average daily weight gain (ADWG) and lower average viremia than AA or GG genotype. Furthermore, pigs harbouring the AG genotype for the GBP1 gene presented greater CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD8(+)CD25(+) T cell populations at 4 and 18 days post challenge (dpc), respectively, as compared with other genotypes whereas pigs with CC genotype for the CD163 gene displayed significantly higher nucleocapsid-specific antibody titers at 11dpc. However, pigs with a single 11-bp deletion or insertion in the Mx1 gene did not show significant differences in either weight gain or viremia. Based on these results, we concluded that GBP1 is most significantly associated with resistance against PRRSV infection and efficient T cell activation in pigs.

The electrochemical properties of LiNi 0.8 Co 0.2 O 2 coated with ZrO 2 by three different coating processes (ball-milling, sol-gel method, simple grinding) were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Results showed that the ZrO 2 coating significantly improved the capacity retention of the cathode by suppressing the impedance growth at the interface between electrodes and electrolyte and the best cyclability was obtained in the case of employing the simple grinding for the ZrO 2 coating. On the other hand, the initial capacities of the ZrO 2 -coated LiNi 0.8 Co 0.2 O 2 cathode were slightly decreased.

The effect of a ZrO2 coating on the structure and electrochemical properties of the cathode material LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 was investigated using EPMA, TEM, XRD, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In particular, we focused on the distribution of the ZrO2 on the particle surface to study the relationship between electrochemical properties of the coated cathode and the distribution of the coating materials in the particle. Based on the results from composition analysis and electrochemical tests, it was found that the coating layer consisted of nano-sized ZrO2 particles attached nonuniformly to the particle surface and the ZrO2 layer significantly improved the electrochemical properties of the cathode by suppressing the impedance growth at the interface between the electrodes and the electrolyte.

The effects of gallium doping on the structure and electrochemical properties of LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 were investigated by X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry and charge-discharge tests. LiNi0.8Co0.2−xGaxO2 (x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05) was synthesized using a sol–gel method and it showed the average particle size less than 1 μm in diameter. Results showed that gallium-doping had no effect on the crystal structure (α-NaFeO2) of the cathode material in the range x ≤ 0.05. On the other hand, two transitions at 3.7–3.9 and 4.2–4.7 V observed during the cycle test were merged into one when the amount of gallium doping increases to 0.05, implying that the enhanced capacity retention with gallium doping is attributed to the suppression of the phase transition of the cathode. However, the increase of gallium content in LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 slightly decreases the initial discharge capacity.