Magnesium Borohydride: From Hydrogen Storage to Magnesium Battery

Beyond hydrogen storage: The first example of reversible magnesium deposition/stripping onto/from an inorganic salt was seen for a magnesium borohydride electrolyte. High coulombic efficiency of up to 94 % was achieved in dimethoxyethane solvent. This Mg(BH_4)_2 electrolyte was utilized in a rechargeable magnesium battery

Semi-Permanent Vacuum Closure with Multiple Retubulation Capability

A vacuum system (20) includes an enclosure (22) having a vacuum-tight wall (26) and an internally threaded aperture (66) through the wall (26). A tip-off fitting (24) has a base (50) with a bore (52) therethrough, a hollow tube (62) fixed to the base (50) with a vacuum-tight seal, such that an interior (64) of the tube (62) is in communication with the bore (52) in the base (50), and an external thread (58) on the exterior of the base (50). The external thread (58) on the exterior of the base (50) is dimensioned to threadably engage the internal thread (68) on the aperture (66). There is a disengageable vacuum sealant (70) such as a layer of indium metal between the external thread (58) of the base (50) and the internal thread (68) of the aperture (66). The vacuum system (20) is evacuated through the tip-off fitting (24) and sealed by closing off the hollow tube (62). At a later time, the vacuum system can be brought to atmospheric pressure and then reseated by replacing the tip-off fitting with another tip-off fitting and repeating the evacuation and sealing

An Efficient Halogen‐Free Electrolyte for Use in Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries

Unlocking the full potential of rechargeable magnesium batteries has been partially hindered by the reliance on chloride‐based complex systems. Despite the high anodic stability of these electrolytes, they are corrosive toward metallic battery components, which reduce their practical electrochemical window. Following on our new design concept involving boron cluster anions, monocarborane CB11H12− produced the first halogen‐free, simple‐type Mg salt that is compatible with Mg metal and displays an oxidative stability surpassing that of ether solvents. Owing to its inertness and non‐corrosive nature, the Mg(CB11H12)2/tetraglyme (MMC/G4) electrolyte system permits standardized methods of high‐voltage cathode testing that uses a typical coin cell. This achievement is a turning point in the research and development of Mg electrolytes that has deep implications on realizing practical rechargeable Mg batteries.Ein einfacher und doch vielfältiger Magnesiummonocarboran(MMC)‐basierter Elektrolyt als bemerkenswertes halogenfreies und umweltschonendes System ist mit Mg‐Metall kompatibel und weist die bislang höchste anodische Stabilität auf. Wegen seiner nichtkorrodierenden Art ermöglicht der MMC‐Elektrolyt die Untersuchung von Hochspannungskathoden in einer Knopfzelle – ein wichtiger Schritt hin zu praktisch einsetzbaren wiederaufladbaren Mg‐Batterien.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111952/1/8011_ftp.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111952/2/ange_201412202_sm_miscellaneous_information.pd

An Efficient Halogen‐Free Electrolyte for Use in Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries

Unlocking the full potential of rechargeable magnesium batteries has been partially hindered by the reliance on chloride‐based complex systems. Despite the high anodic stability of these electrolytes, they are corrosive toward metallic battery components, which reduce their practical electrochemical window. Following on our new design concept involving boron cluster anions, monocarborane CB11H12− produced the first halogen‐free, simple‐type Mg salt that is compatible with Mg metal and displays an oxidative stability surpassing that of ether solvents. Owing to its inertness and non‐corrosive nature, the Mg(CB11H12)2/tetraglyme (MMC/G4) electrolyte system permits standardized methods of high‐voltage cathode testing that uses a typical coin cell. This achievement is a turning point in the research and development of Mg electrolytes that has deep implications on realizing practical rechargeable Mg batteries.A simple yet multifaceted magnesium monocarborane (MMC) based electrolyte was prepared. This remarkable halogen‐free and benign system is compatible with Mg metal and displays the highest anodic stability reported to date. The non‐corrosive nature of the MMC electrolyte enabled the examination of high‐voltage cathodes in a coin cell, which is a critical step forward in realizing practical rechargeable Mg batteries.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111923/1/anie_201412202_sm_miscellaneous_information.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111923/2/7900_ftp.pd

Microtubule-associated protein 1B: a neuronal binding partner for gigaxonin

Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN), an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in GAN, is characterized cytopathologically by cytoskeletal abnormality. Based on its sequence, gigaxonin contains an NH2-terminal BTB domain followed by six kelch repeats, which are believed to be important for protein–protein interactions (Adams, J., R. Kelso, and L. Cooley. 2000. Trends Cell Biol. 10:17–24.). Here, we report the identification of a neuronal binding partner of gigaxonin. Results obtained from yeast two-hybrid screening, cotransfections, and coimmunoprecipitations demonstrate that gigaxonin binds directly to microtubule-associated protein (MAP)1B light chain (LC; MAP1B-LC), a protein involved in maintaining the integrity of cytoskeletal structures and promoting neuronal stability. Studies using double immunofluorescent microscopy and ultrastructural analysis revealed physiological colocalization of gigaxonin with MAP1B in neurons. Furthermore, in transfected cells the specific interaction of gigaxonin with MAP1B is shown to enhance the microtubule stability required for axonal transport over long distance. At least two different mutations identified in GAN patients (Bomont, P., L. Cavalier, F. Blondeau, C. Ben Hamida, S. Belal, M. Tazir, E. Demir, H. Topaloglu, R. Korinthenberg, B. Tuysuz, et al. 2000. Nat. Genet. 26:370–374.) lead to loss of gigaxonin–MAP1B-LC interaction. The devastating axonal degeneration and neuronal death found in GAN patients point to the importance of gigaxonin for neuronal survival. Our findings may provide important insights into the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders related to cytoskeletal abnormalities

The interaction of factor VIIa with rehydrated, lyophilized platelets

The experiments presented here were undertaken to determine if factor VIIa (rFVIIa, the Novo Nordisk product NovoSeven™) will directly bind to rehydrated, lyophilized (RL) platelets for the formation of a catalytic surface with an enhanced ability to generate thrombin. The interaction between rFVIIa and the RL platelet surface was examined by measuring equilibrium and non-equilibrium binding of the coagulation factor to the cells and by following the effects of the surface modification on the kinetics of thrombin generation. The association of rFVIIa with RL platelets was rapid with saturation occurring within minutes. Disassociation was slow, with over half of the coagulation factor remaining bound after two hours. Densities of over one million molecules of rFVIIa per RL platelet were obtained when high concentrations of rFVIIa were incubated with RL platelets. Thrombin generation measurements showed that RL platelet-bound rFVIIa was catalytically active. Thus we can expect that RL platelets, which have been shown to effectively bind to sites of vascular injury, will localize rFVIIa to wounds for an increase in therapeutic index. These studies indicate that rFVIIa-RL platelets are worthy of preclinical and clinical development as an infusion agent for severe bleeding

Standard Definitions and Common Data Elements for Clinical Trials in Patients With Alcoholic Hepatitis: Recommendation From the NIAAA Alcoholic Hepatitis Consortia

Heavy drinkers are at risk for a spectrum of histologic alcohol-related liver injury: steatosis, alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH), alcohol-related fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Alcoholic hepatitis (AH), the clinical entity associated with severe ASH, has high short-term mortality. The standard-of-care therapy, prednisolone, has limited efficacy and many side effects; no other treatment has consistently shown survival benefit. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)-funded Alcoholic Hepatitis Consortia carry out translational research on pathophysiologic mechanisms, genetic and environmental risk factors, phase II clinical trials, and development of biomarkers. The consortia members were convened by the National Institutes of Health to address diagnostic criteria and practical issues related to clinical AH research, and to develop a set of common data elements to harmonize ongoing and future trials. This was accomplished through 3 face-to-face meetings of the investigators and representatives of the National Institutes of Health, and subsequent electronic communications over the course of 6 months. Evidence for the recommendations was based on published trials and observational data from several of the consortia members. A draft manuscript was iteratively reviewed by members of the consortia. The goal was to reach agreements on recommendations and definitions that could facilitate trial design, and simultaneously be tested by research groups pooling their data. The recommendations made here are specifically directed to achieve better uniformity in clinical trials, rather than serving as clinical practice guidelines