72 research outputs found

    Rechargeable Metal–Air Proton‐Exchange Membrane Batteries for Renewable Energy Storage

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    Rechargeable proton‐exchange membrane batteries that employ organic chemical hydrides as hydrogen‐storage media have the potential to serve as next‐generation power sources; however, significant challenges remain regarding the improvement of the reversible hydrogen‐storage capacity. Here, we address this challenge through the use of metal‐ion redox couples as energy carriers for battery operation. Carbon, with a suitable degree of crystallinity and surface oxygenation, was used as an effective anode material for the metal redox reactions. A Sn0.9In0.1P2O7‐based electrolyte membrane allowed no crossover of vanadium ions through the membrane. The V4+/V3+, V3+/V2+, and Sn4+/Sn2+ redox reactions took place at a more positive potential than that for hydrogen reduction, so that undesired hydrogen production could be avoided. The resulting electrical capacity reached 306 and 258 mAh g−1 for VOSO4 and SnSO4, respectively, and remained at 76 and 91 % of their respective initial values after 50 cycles.Positive exchange: A proton‐exchange membrane fuel cell is integrated with active anode materials including vanadium and tin ions, for which redox reactions occur at more positive potentials than for hydrogen reduction. These redox couples are demonstrated to function as promising energy‐storage media with excellent reversibility and good cyclability.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137429/1/celc201500473-sup-0001-misc_information.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137429/2/celc201500473.pd

    X‐Ray Scattering Techniques Applied in the Development of Drug Delivery Systems

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    The advances in nanotechnology have found application in different fields, such as food, agriculture, materials, chemistry, and medicine. However, one of the most important approaches is the development of nanocarriers and, in order to understand their structural organization, different physicochemical techniques have been used. In particular, small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) have given important contribution to the study of organization phase of nanocarriers such as organic/inorganic nanoparticles, micelles, liposomes, cyclodextrins, polymers, and their interaction with drugs and other bioactive molecules. In this chapter, we will present theoretical aspects, experimental design, and the applications of both techniques for the development of delivery systems for bioactive molecules

    Amphidinolide H, a Potent Cytotoxic Macrolide, Covalently Binds on Actin Subdomain 4 and Stabilizes Actin Filament

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    AbstractThe actin-targeting toxins have not only proven to be invaluable tools in studies of actin cytoskeleton structure and function but they also served as a foundation for a new class of anticancer drugs. Here, we describe that amphidinolide H (AmpH) targets actin cytoskeleton. AmpH induced multinucleated cells by disrupting actin organization in the cells, and the hyperpolymerization of purified actin into filaments of apparently normal morphology in vitro. AmpH covalently binds on actin, and the AmpH binding site is determined as Tyr200 of actin subdomain 4 by mass spectrometry and halo assay using the yeast harboring site-directed mutagenized actins. Time-lapse analyses showed that AmpH stimulated the formation of small actin-patches, followed by F-actin rearrangement into aggregates via the retraction of actin fibers. These results indicate that AmpH is a novel actin inhibitor that covalently binds on actin

    Effects of a Worksite Stress Management Training Program with Six Short-hour Sessions: A Controlled Trial among Japanese Employees

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    Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-component worksite stress management training (SMT) program among employees belong to Japanese steel company. Methods: Five workplaces were assigned to an intervention group and two workplaces to a control group. SMT with monthly 30-min sessions were provided to the intervention group for 6 mo. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted among respondents of the intervention (n=96) and control groups (n=53). Results: Significant favorable intervention effects were found on knowledge (p0.05). However, in per-protocol analyses of those who attended all sessions, significant favorable effects were observed on psychological distress and job performance, as well as knowledge and professional efficacy (p<0.05). In addition, subgroup analyses revealed that those with initial low job control showed a favorable intervention effect only on knowledge (p<0.001), whereas those with initial high job control showed favorable intervention effects on knowledge (p<0.001), professional efficacy (p=0.023) and anxiety (p=0.033). Conclusions: The results suggest that the multi-component SMT program is effective at improving knowledge and professional efficacy, although job control appeared to moderate the effect of the program on professional efficacy. The program may also be effective at reducing psychological distress and increasing job performance, if participants complete all sessions
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