Abstract: This invention provides an IFN inducer comprising, as an active ingredient, lactic acid bacteria and capable of inducing IFN production, an immunopotentiating agent or prophylactic agent against virus infection comprising such inducer, and a food or drink product comprising such IFN inducer and having IFN-inducing activity, immunopotentiating activity, or prophylactic activity against virus infection. The agent for inducing IFN production comprises, as active ingredients, lactic acid bacteria that can activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and promote IFN production, such as Lactococcus garvieae NBRC100934, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris JCM16167, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris NBRC100676, Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae JCM1180, Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae JCM11040, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NBRC12007, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NRIC1150, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis JCM5805, Lactococcus lactis subsp.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte battery that exhibits high energy density and excellent cycle characteristics, as well as a cathode for use in such a battery, and a cathode active material for use in such a cathode. The cathode active material of the present invention has a composition represented by the formula (1) and a crystallite size in the (110) plane of not smaller than 85 nm: LixCo1-y-zNbyMzO2??(1) wherein M stands for at least one element selected from Mg, Y, rare earth elements, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, B, Al, Ga, C, Si, Sn, N, S, F, and Cl; and 0.9?x?1.1, 0.0002?y?0.01, and 0?z?0.05.

Abstract: Provided is a cathode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable batteries which allows production of batteries having improved load characteristics with stable quality, and also allows production of batteries having high capacity. Also provided are a cathode for nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable batteries and a nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery. The cathode active material includes secondary particles each composed of a plurality of primary particles, and/or single crystal grains, and has a specific surface area of not smaller than 20 m2/g and smaller than 0.50 m2/g, wherein average number A represented by formula (1) is not less than 1 and not more than 10: A=(m+p)/(m+s) (m: the number of single crystal grains; p: the number of primary particles composing the secondary particles; s: the number of secondary particles).

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte battery that exhibits high energy density and excellent cycle characteristics, as well as a cathode for use in such a battery, and a cathode active material for use in such a cathode. The cathode active material of the present invention has a composition represented by the formula (1) and a crystallite size in the (110) plane of not smaller than 85 nm: LixCo1-y-zNbyMzO2 ??(1) wherein M stands for at least one element selected from Mg, Y, rare earth elements, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, B, Al, Ga, C, Si, Sn, N, S, F, and Cl; and 0.9?x?1.1, 0.0002?y?0.01, and 0?z?0.05.

Abstract: There is provided an all-solid lithium battery having excellent output characteristics. The battery has a cathode, an electrolyte layer, and an anode. The cathode contains a cathode active material represented by formula (1) and a sulfide solid electrolyte, and the electrolyte layer contains a sulfide solid electrolyte: LiaNibCocMndMeOf+???(1) (1.01?a?1.05; f: 2 or 4; ?: not less than ?0.2 and not more than 0.2; M: Mg, Ca, Y, rare earth elements, etc.; provided that when f=2, 0?b?1, 0?c?1, 0?d?1, 0?e?0.5, and b+c+d+e=1; when f=4, 0?b?2, 0?c?2, 0?d?2, 0?e?1, and b+c+d+e=2).

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte battery that exhibits high energy density and excellent cycle characteristics, as well as a cathode for use in such a battery, and a cathode active material for use in such a cathode. The cathode active material of the present invention has a composition represented by the formula (1) and a crystallite size in the (110) plane of not smaller than 85 nm: LixCo1-y-zNbyMzO2??(1) wherein M stands for at least one element selected from Mg, Y, rare earth elements, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, B, Al, Ga, C, Si, Sn, N, S, F, and Cl; and 0.9?x?1.1, 0.0002?y?0.01, and 0?z?0.05.

Abstract: Provided is a cathode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable batteries which allows production of batteries having improved load characteristics with stable quality, and also allows production of batteries having high capacity. Also provided are a cathode for nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable batteries and a nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery. The cathode active material includes secondary particles each composed of a plurality of primary particles, and/or single crystal grains, and has a specific surface area of not smaller than 20 m2/g and smaller than 0.50 m2/g, wherein average number A represented by formula (1) is not less than 1 and not more than 10: A=(m+p)/(m+s) (m: the number of single crystal grains; p: the number of primary particles composing the secondary particles; s: the number of secondary particles).