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We have previously shown that total knockout of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) results in prolonged survival and improved motor performance in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1G93A ) mutant mice, the most widely used animal model of the fatal adult onset motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Moreover, we found differential expression of growth factors in SOD1G93A mice, with distinct regulation patterns of FGF-2 in spinal cord and muscle tissue. Within the present study we aimed to characterize FGF-2-isoform specific effects on survival, motor performance as well as gene expression patterns predominantly in muscle tissue by generating double mutant SOD1G93A FGF-2 high molecular weight- and SOD1G93A FGF-2 low molecular weight-knockout mice. While isoform specific depletion was not beneficial regarding survival or motor performance of double mutant mice, we found isoform-dependent differential gene expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the muscle of SOD1G93A FGF-2 low molecular weight knockout mice compared to single mutant SOD1G93A mice. This significant downregulation of EGF in the muscle tissue of double mutant SOD1G93A FGF-2 low molecular weight knockout mice implies that FGF-2 low molecular weight knockout (or the presence of the FGF-2 high molecular weight isoform) selectively impacts EGF gene expression in ALS muscle tissue.

We demonstrate the impact of a disrupted molecular clock in Bmal1-deficient (Bmal1−/−) mice on migration of neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Proliferation of NPCs in rostral migratory stream (RMS) was reduced in Bmal1−/− mice, consistent with our earlier studies on adult neurogenesis in hippocampus. However, a significantly higher number of NPCs from Bmal1−/− mice reached the olfactory bulb as compared to wild-type littermates (Bmal1+/+ mice), indicating a higher migration velocity in Bmal1−/− mice. In isolated NPCs from Bmal1−/− mice, not only migration velocity and expression pattern of genes involved in detoxification of reactive oxygen species were affected, but also RNA oxidation of catalase was increased and catalase protein levels were decreased. Bmal1+/+ migration phenotype could be restored by treatment with catalase, while treatment of NPCs from Bmal1+/+ mice with hydrogen peroxide mimicked Bmal1−/− migration phenotype. Thus, we conclude that Bmal1 deficiency affects NPC migration as a consequence of dysregulated detoxification of reactive oxygen species. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00429-018-1775-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Chemical perturbation of the temporal or spatial aspects of axonal or dendritic growth is associated with neurobehavioral deficits in animal models, and structural changes in axons and dendrites are thought to contribute to clinical symptoms associated with diverse neurologic diseases. Consequently, axonal and dendritic morphology are often quantified as functionally relevant endpoints of neurotoxicity. Here, we discuss methods for visualizing and quantifying axonal and dendritic morphology of neurons from the peripheral or central nervous systems in in vitro and ex vivo preparations. These methods include visualization of neuronal cytoarchitecture by immunostaining axon- or dendrite-selective antigens, transfecting cells with cDNA encoding fluorescent proteins, or labeling cells using membrane permeable small molecules that distribute throughout the cytoplasm, Golgi staining or Diolistics, as well as quantifying axonal and dendritic morphology using semi-automated or fully automated image analysis.

We have previously shown that knockout of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and potential compensatory effects of other growth factors result in amelioration of disease symptoms in a transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a rapidly progressive neurological disorder leading to degeneration of cortical, brain stem, and spinal motor neurons followed by subsequent denervation and muscle wasting. Mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene are responsible for approximately 20% of familial ALS cases and SOD1 mutant mice still are among the models best mimicking clinical and neuropathological characteristics of ALS. The aim of the present study was a thorough characterization of FGF-2 and other growth factors and signaling effectors in vivo in the SOD1G93A mouse model. We observed tissue-specific opposing gene regulation of FGF-2 and overall dysregulation of other growth factors, which in the gastrocnemius muscle was associated with reduced downstream extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and protein kinase B (AKT) activation. To further investigate whether the effects of FGF-2 on motor neuron death are mediated by glial cells, astrocytes lacking FGF-2 were cocultured together with mutant SOD1 G93A motor neurons. FGF-2 had an impact on motor neuron maturation indicating that astrocytic FGF-2 affects motor neurons at a developmental stage. Moreover, neuronal gene expression patterns showed FGF-2- and SOD1 G93A -dependent changes in ciliary neurotrophic factor, glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor, and ERK2, implying a potential involvement in ALS pathogenesis before the onset of clinical symptoms.

To screen the tens of thousands of chemicals for which no toxicity data currently exists, it is necessary to move from in vivo rodent models to alternative models, such as zebrafish. Here, we used dechorionated Tropical 5D wild-type zebrafish embryos to screen a 91-compound library provided by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) for developmental toxicity. This library contained 86 unique chemicals that included negative controls, flame retardants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), drugs, industrial chemicals, and pesticides. Fish were exposed to 5 concentrations of each chemical or an equal amount of vehicle (0.5% DMSO) in embryo medium from 6 h post-fertilization (hpf) to 5 days post-fertilization (dpf). Fish were examined daily for mortality and teratogenic effects and photomotor behavior was assessed at 4 and 5 dpf. Of the 5 negative control compounds in the library, none caused mortality/teratogenesis, but two altered behavior. Chemicals provided in duplicate produced similar outcomes. Overall, 13 compounds caused mortality/teratology but not behavioral abnormalities, 24 only affected behavior, and 18 altered both endpoints, with behavior affected at concentrations that did not cause mortality/teratology (55/86 hits). Of the compounds that affected behavior, 52% caused behavioral abnormalities at either 4 or 5 dpf. Compounds within the same functional group caused different behavioral abnormalities, while similar behavioral patterns were caused by compounds from different groups. Our data suggest that behavior is a sensitive endpoint for developmental toxicity screening that integrates multiple modes of toxic action and is influenced by the age of the larval fish at the time of testing.

Use of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) for automated characterisation of plants in a high-throughput plant phenotyping setup (HTPPS) is a challenging task. A challenge arises when the same plant is being monitored automatically during the experiment as it might not be in the same orientation as it was imaged last time. Such changes in orientation result in variations in illumination, which affects the signals recorded by the HSI setup. In addition, there are challenges with the use of threshold-based segmentation approaches such as normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) for distinguishing between old and dead leaves, which might be observed in the later stages of experiments, from the soil background. Therefore, the potential of spectral normalisation for homogenising HS images and the use of supervised spectral set for plant segmentation is presented. Further, the effects of testing chemicals on plants were visualised using PCA of the HS images.

Developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) testing performed in rats is resource-intensive (costs, time, animals) and bears the issue of species extrapolation. Thus, reliable alternative human-based approaches are needed for predicting neurodevelopmental toxicity. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) represent a basis for an alternative method possibly being part of an alternative DNT testing strategy. Here, we compared two hiPSC neural induction protocols resulting in 3D neurospheres: one using noggin and one cultivating cells in neural induction medium (NIM protocol). Performance of Nestin(+)/SOX2(+) hiPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) was compared to primary human NPCs. Generally, primary hNPCs first differentiate into Nestin(+) and/or GFAP(+) radial glia-like cells, while the hiPSC-derived NPCs (hiPSC-NPC) first differentiate into betaIII-Tubulin(+) neurons suggesting an earlier developmental stage of hiPSC-NPC. In the 'Neurosphere Assay', NIM generated hiPSC-NPC produced neurons with higher performance than with the noggin protocol. After long-term differentiation, hiPSC-NPC form neuronal networks, which become electrically active on microelectrode arrays after 85days. Finally, methylmercury chloride inhibits hiPSC-NPC and hNPC migration with similar potencies. hiPSC-NPCs-derived neurospheres seem to be useful for DNT evaluation representing early neural development in vitro. More system characterization by compound testing is needed to gain higher confidence in this method.

Close-range hyperspectral imaging (HSI) of plants is now a potential tool for non-destructive extraction of plant functional traits. A major motivation is the plant phenotyping related applications where different plant genotypes are explored for different environmental conditions. HSI of Arabidopsis thaliana is of particular importance as it is a model organism in plant biology. In the present work, a portable HSI setup has been used for the monitoring of a set of 6 Arabidopsis thaliana plants. The plants were monitored under controlled watering conditions where 3 plants were watered as normal and the other 3 plants were given 50% of the normal volume of water. The images were pre-processed utilising the standard normal variate (SNV) and changes over time were evaluated using unsupervised clustering over the time series. The results showed an early detection of stress from day 4 onwards compared to the commonly used normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), which provided detection from day 9.

Noch gar nicht so lange ist es her, dass der Kabarettist Hagen Rether mit obigem Kommentar zum damaligen Papst begeisterte Zustimmung ernten konnte. Offenbar waren seinerzeit Auftritt und Wahrnehmung von Papst Benedikt XVI. eher geeignet, die ublichen katholizismus- und religionskritischen Assoziationen hervorzurufen, weshalb Rether im Verlauf seines Programms dem ehemaligen Vorsitzenden der Glaubenskongregation die entsprechenden Themen – von Inquisition und Exorzismus uber Fundamentalismus und Frauendiskriminierung bis hin zu Finanzgebaren und Mafiakontakten – mit Erfolg anheften konnte.

Objective The lack of effective treatments against diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy demands the search for new strategies to combat or prevent the condition. Because reduced magnesium and increased methylglyoxal levels have been implicated in the development of both type 2 diabetes and neuropathic pain, we aimed to assess the putative interplay of both molecules with diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Methods In a cross-sectional study, serum magnesium and plasma methylglyoxal levels were measured in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients with (n = 51) and without (n = 184) diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy from the German Diabetes Study baseline cohort. Peripheral nerve function was assessed using nerve conduction velocity and quantitative sensory testing. Human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) and mouse dorsal root ganglia cells were used to characterize the neurotoxic effect of methylglyoxal and/or neuroprotective effect of magnesium. Results Here, we demonstrate that serum magnesium concentration was reduced in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients with diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy and inversely associated with plasma methylglyoxal concentration. Magnesium, methylglyoxal, and, importantly, their interaction were strongly interrelated with methylglyoxal-dependent nerve dysfunction and were predictive of changes in nerve function. Magnesium supplementation prevented methylglyoxal neurotoxicity in differentiated SH-SY5Y neuron-like cells due to reduction of intracellular methylglyoxal formation, while supplementation with the divalent cations zinc and manganese had no effect on methylglyoxal neurotoxicity. Furthermore, the downregulation of mitochondrial activity in mouse dorsal root ganglia cells and consequently the enrichment of triosephosphates, the primary source of methylglyoxal, resulted in neurite degeneration, which was completely prevented through magnesium supplementation. Conclusions These multifaceted findings reveal a novel putative pathophysiological pathway of hypomagnesemia-induced carbonyl stress leading to neuronal damage and merit further investigations not only for diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy but also other neurodegenerative diseases associated with magnesium deficiency and impaired energy metabolism., Highlights • Magnesium and methylglyoxal levels were inversely associated in individuals with type 2 diabetes and distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy. • Magnesium, methylglyoxal, and their interaction were associated with methylglyoxal-dependent nerve dysfunction. • Under experimental conditions, magnesium supplementation prevented methylglyoxal-mediated neurotoxicity. • Magnesium downregulates intracellular methylglyoxal production.

Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 as anode material for high power Li + -ion batteries is very promising due to its unique electronic properties. However, the lack of electronic conductivity as well as the low Li + -ion diffusion coefficient are major drawbacks in achieving high power densities. In this work, therefore, we prepared a nano-composite consisting of vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays decorated with in-situ grown necklace type Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 nanoparticles. Owing to this structure the electrodes exhibit outstanding rate performances with specific capacities of 110 mAh g −1 up to 300C and cycling performance with high capacity retention of 97% after 500 cycles at 10C. Thus, the combination of short Li + -ion diffusion distances within Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 particles, remarkable electronic conductivity by carbon nanotubes directly grown on the current collector as well as a high contact surface area due to an open pore geometry is essential in achieving high power Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 anodes.

Neurotoxicity is mediated by a variety of modes-of-actions leading to disturbance of neuronal function. In order to screen larger numbers of compounds for their neurotoxic potential, in vitro functional neuronal networks (NN) might be helpful tools. We established and characterized human NN (hNN) from hiPSC-derived neural progenitor cells by comparing hNN formation with two different differentiation media: in presence (CINDA) and absence (neural differentiation medium (NDM)) of maturation-supporting factors. As a NN control we included differentiating rat NN (rNN) in the study. Gene/protein expression and electrical activity from in vitro developing NN were assessed at multiple time points. Transcriptomes of 5, 14 and 28 days in vitro CINDA-grown hNN were compared to gene expression profiles of in vivo human developing brains. Molecular expression analyses as well as measures of electrical activity indicate that NN mature into neurons of different subtypes and astrocytes over time. In contrast to rNN, hNN are less electrically active within the same period of differentiation time, yet hNN grown in CINDA medium develop higher firing rates than hNN without supplements. Challenge of NN with neuronal receptor stimulators and inhibitors demonstrate presence of inhibitory, GABAergic neurons, whereas glutamatergic responses are limited. hiPSC-derived GABAergic hNN grown in CINDA medium might be a useful tool as part of an in vitro battery for assessing neurotoxicity.

We have previously shown that total knockout of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) results in prolonged survival and improved motor performance in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1

There is evidence that chemical exposure during development can cause irreversible impairments of the human developing nervous system. Therefore, testing compounds for their developmentally neurotoxic potential has high priority for different stakeholders: academia, industry, and regulatory bodies. Due to the resource-intensity of current developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) in vivo guidelines, alternative methods that are scientifically valid and have a high predictivity for humans are especially desired by regulators. Here, we review availability of stem-/progenitor cell-based in vitro methods for DNT evaluation that is based on the concept of neurodevelopmental process assessment. These test methods are assembled into a DNT in vitro testing battery. Gaps in this testing battery addressing research needs are also pointed out.

Human brain development consists of a series of complex spatiotemporal processes that if disturbed by chemical exposure causes irreversible impairments of the nervous system. To evaluate a chemical disturbance in an alternative assay, the concept evolved that the complex procedure of brain development can be disassembled into several neurodevelopmental endpoints which can be represented by a combination of different alternative assays. In this review article, we provide a scientific rationale for the neurodevelopmental endpoints that are currently chosen to establish assays with human stem/and progenitor cells. Assays covering these major neurodevelopmental endpoints are thought to assemble as building blocks of a DNT testing battery.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and in particular non-dioxin-like (NDL) congeners, continue to pose a significant risk to the developing nervous system. PCB 95, a prevalent NDL congener in the human chemosphere, promotes dendritic growth in rodent primary neurons by activating calcium-dependent transcriptional mechanisms that normally function to link activity to dendritic growth. Activity-dependent dendritic growth is also mediated by calcium-dependent translational mechanisms involving mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), suggesting that the dendrite-promoting activity of PCB 95 may also involve mTOR signaling. Here, we test this hypothesis using primary neuron-glia co-cultures derived from the hippocampi of postnatal day 0 Sprague Dawley rats. PCB 95 (1 nM) activated mTOR in hippocampal cultures as evidenced by increased phosphorylation of mTOR at ser2448. Pharmacologic inhibition of mTOR signaling using rapamycin (20 nM), FK506 (5 nM), or 4EGI-1 (1 µM), and siRNA knockdown of mTOR, or the mTOR complex binding proteins, raptor or rictor, blocked PCB 95-induced dendritic growth. These data identify mTOR activation as a novel molecular mechanism contributing to the effects of PCB 95 on dendritic arborization. In light of clinical data linking gain-of-function mutations in mTOR signaling to neurodevelopmental disorders, our findings suggest that mTOR signaling may represent a convergence point for gene by environment interactions that confer risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

We have previously shown that knockout of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and potential compensatory effects of other growth factors result in amelioration of disease symptoms in a transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a rapidly progressive neurological disorder leading to degeneration of cortical, brain stem, and spinal motor neurons followed by subsequent denervation and muscle wasting. Mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene are responsible for approximately 20% of familial ALS cases and SOD1 mutant mice still are among the models best mimicking clinical and neuropathological characteristics of ALS. The aim of the present study was a thorough characterization of FGF-2 and other growth factors and signaling effectors in vivo in the SOD1

Lithium–sulfur batteries are highly attractive energy storage systems, but suffer from structural anode and cathode degradation, capacity fade and fast cell failure (dry out). To address these issues, a carbide-derived carbon (DUT-107) featuring a high surface area (2088 m2 g−1), high total pore volume (3.17 cm3 g−1) and hierarchical micro-, meso- and macropore structure is applied as a rigid scaffold for sulfur infiltration. The DUT-107/S cathodes combine excellent mechanical stability and high initial capacities (1098–1208 mA h gS−1) with high sulfur content (69.7 wt% per total electrode) and loading (2.3–2.9 mgS cm−2). Derived from the effect of the electrolyte-to-sulfur ratio on capacity retention and cyclability, conducting salt is substituted by polysulfide additive for reduced polysulfide leakage and capacity stabilization. Moreover, in a full cell model system using a prelithiated hard carbon anode, the performance of DUT-107/S cathodes is demonstrated over 4100 cycles (final capacity of 422 mA h gS−1) with a very low capacity decay of 0.0118% per cycle. Application of PS additive further boosts the performance (final capacity of 554 mA h gS−1), although a slightly higher decay of 0.0125% per cycle is observed.

Thermal degradation products in lithium-ion batteries result mainly from hydrolysis sensitivity of lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF 6 ). As organic carbonate solvents contain traces of protic impurities, the thermal decomposition of electrolytes is enhanced. Therefore, resulting degradation products are studied with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The electrolyte contains 1 M LiPF 6 in a binary mixture of ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethylene carbonate (DEC) in a ratio of 1:2 (v/v) and is aged at ambient and elevated temperature. The impact of protic impurities, either added as deionized water or incorporated in positive electrode material, upon aging is investigated. Further, the influence of different housing materials on the electrolyte degradation is shown. Difluorophosphoric acid is identified as main decomposition product by NMR-spectroscopy. Traces of other decomposition products are determined by headspace GC–MS. Acid–base and coulometric titration are used to determine the total amount of acid and water content upon aging, respectively. The aim of this investigation is to achieve profound understanding about the thermal decomposition of one most common used electrolyte in a battery-like housing material.

In this work we describe the synthesis and electrochemical evaluation of a novel imidazole based magnesium-Huckel salt as electrolyte system for rechargeable magnesium-ion batteries. This conductive salt, when applied in organic, aprotic solvents, enables both, the use of metallic magnesium as well as insertion materials as negative electrodes for rechargeable magnesium-ion batteries.

DOI: 10.1007/s00204-016-1709-8 URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00204-016-1709-8 Filiació URV: SI Memòria Food supplements based on herbal products are widely used during pregnancy as part of a self-care approach. The idea that such supplements are safe and healthy is deeply seated in the general population, although they do not underlie the same strict safety regulations than medical drugs. We aimed to characterize the neurodevelopmental effects of the green tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is now commercialized as high-dose food supplement. We used the “Neurosphere Assay” to study the effects and unravel underlying molecular mechanisms of EGCG treatment on human and rat neural progenitor cells (NPCs) development in vitro. EGCG alters human and rat NPC development in vitro. It disturbs migration distance, migration pattern, and nuclear density of NPCs growing as neurospheres. These functional impairments are initiated by EGCG binding to the extracellular matrix glycoprotein laminin, preventing its binding to β1-integrin subunits, thereby prohibiting cell adhesion and resulting in altered glia alignment and decreased number of migrating young neurons. Our data raise a concern on the intake of high-dose EGCG food supplements during pregnancy and highlight the need of an in vivo characterization of the effects of high-dose EGCG exposure during neurodevelopment.

Current developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) testing in animals faces major limitations, such as high cost and time demands as well as uncertainties in their methodology, evaluation and regulation. Therefore, the use of human-based 3D in vitro systems in combination with high-content image analysis (HCA) might contribute to DNT testing with lower costs, increased throughput and enhanced predictivity for human hazard identification. Human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) grown as 3D neurospheres mimic basic processes of brain development including hNPC migration and differentiation and are therefore useful for DNT hazard identification. HCA of migrated neurospheres creates new challenges for automated evaluations because it encompasses variable cell densities, inconsistent z-layers and heterogeneous cell populations. We tackle those challenges with our Omnisphero software, which assesses multiple endpoints of the ‘Neurosphere Assay.’ For neuronal identification, Omnisphero reaches a true positive rate (TPR) of 83.8 % and a false discovery rate (FDR) of 11.4 %, thus being comparable to the interindividual difference among two researchers (TPR = 94.3, FDR = 11.0 %) and largely improving the results obtained by an existing HCA approach, whose TPR does not exceed 50 % at a FDR above 50 %. The high FDR of existing methods results in incorrect measurements of neuronal morphological features accompanied by an overestimation of compound effects. Omnisphero additionally includes novel algorithms to assess ‘neurosphere-specific’ endpoints like radial migration and neuronal density distribution within the migration area. Furthermore, a user-assisted parameter optimization procedure makes Omnisphero accessible to non-expert end users.

The paper describes two ways for increasing the specific energy of Li-ion batteries in order to extend the EV driving range. The first way is the development of a Si/graphite anode. This anode consists of n-Si/graphite composite particles, a special cellulose based binder and a 3D-collector (POLYMET®). With this anode a specific capacity of ∼1,200 mAh/g is obtained. More than 500 cycles with this anode and prelithiation is reachable. As a second way, for higher specific energy, Mg-ion systems are addressed. The main problem of Mg-ion cells is the anode. Mg and also graphite are forming together with the electrolyte (except Grignard type electrolytes) surface layers, which have no Mg2+ conductivity. By changing the electrolyte, however, an intercalation/deintercalation into graphite can be shown for the first time. Based on this innovation Mg-ion cells with MgxV2O5 as cathode are possible having a cell voltage of ∼3.7 V.

This manuscript presents the work carried out within the European project ILLIBATT, which was dedicated to the development of green, safe and high performance ionic liquids-based lithium batteries. Different types of ionic liquids-based electrolytes were developed in the project, based on different ionic liquids and polymers. Using these electrolytes, the performance of several anodic and cathodic materials has been tested and promising results have been obtained. Also, electrodes were formulated using water soluble binders. Using these innovative components, lithium-ion and lithium-metal battery prototypes (0.7–0.8 Ah) have been assembled and cycled between 100% and 0% SOC. The results of these tests showed that such ionic liquids-based prototypes are able to display high capacity, high coulombic efficiency and high cycle life. Moreover, safety tests showed that the introduction of these alternative electrolytes positively contribute to the safety of the batteries.

The substrate scope of the gold-catalyzed cyclization of nonterminal propargylic amides to oxazolines and oxazines was investigated. Sixteen alkyl-substituted and 35 aryl-substited substrates were prepared by a very variable route from trimethylsilyl-(TMS-)protected, nonterminal propargylamines. Steric and electronic influences of the substituents on product selectivity were studied. A chloromethyl substituent on the alkyne shows an efficient 1,4-elimination to deliver vinyloxazoles. A second alkynyl group, tethered to the alkyl group at the alkyne, in some cases led to a gold catalysis/Alder–ene domino reaction. With Barluenga's reagent the iodoalkylideneoxazoline can be formed in excellent yield. In contrast to the palladium-catalyzed protocols, the gold-catalyzed conditions for the cyclization of nonterminal propargylic amides are much milder, thus, for example, no special precautions are needed to prevent isomerization of the oxazolines to the aromatic oxazoles.

Luminescent organoplatinum complexes featuring 8-quinolinolates as chelating ligands have been synthesized and characterized. Substitution of the quinolinolate ligand has been achieved in the 5 position, where benzoyl substituents were introduced by reacting 8-hydroxyquinoline and the corresponding benzoyl chloride in a Friedel–Crafts acylation. The resulting complexes, κ2(N,C2)-(2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)pyridine)-κ2(N,O)-(5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)(8-quinolinolato-5-yl)methanone)platinum(II) and κ2(N,C2)-(3-hexyloxy-2-phenylpyridine)-κ2(N,O)-((8-quinolinolato-5-yl)phenylmethanone)platinum(II), have been investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, X-ray analysis, thermal analysis, cyclic voltammetry, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, and luminescence measurements in solution and in the solid state. The solid-state structures of the complexes were found to be dominated by π–π intermolecular interactions. Organic light-emitting devices based on the complexes and a matching host material gave red to near-infrared electroluminescence with low-onset voltages (4–5 V) and continuous wave luminance intensities exceeding 500 cd/m2.

In this paper we report the results about the use of ternary room temperature ionic liquid–lithium salt mixtures as electrolytes for lithium-ion battery systems. Mixtures of N -methyl- N -propyl pyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl) imide, PYR 13 FSI, and N -butyl- N -methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl) imide, PYR 14 TFSI, with lithium hexafluorophosphate, LiPF 6 and lithium bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl) imide, LiTFSI, containing 5 wt.% of vinylene carbonate (VC) as additive, have been used in combination with a commercial graphite, KS6 TIMCAL. The performance of the graphite electrodes has been considered in term of specific capacity, cycling efficiency and cycling stability. The results clearly show the advantage of the use of ternary mixtures on the performance of the graphite electrode.

In this paper we report on the use of the ionic liquid N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl)imide, PYR14TFSI, in combination with a graphite and silicon electrodes at room temperature. The performance of the investigated electrodes has been considered in terms of specific capacity, cycling efficiency and cycling stability. The influence of two different binders on the performance of graphite electrode has also been considered. The results show that in electrolytic solutions based on PYR14TFSI the addition of an electrolyte additive is necessary for the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). The reported results show also that the selection of the binder is important for the increase of the performance in graphite electrodes. Finally, the comparison of the performance of the investigated electrodes showed that silicon electrodes display higher compatibility with PYR14TFSI with respect to graphite electrodes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Presently, commercially available lithium-ion batteries use graphite based anodes in combination with organic carbonate (e.g. Propylene Carbonate, PC, Ethylene Carbonate, EC) electrolytes. In this kind of Li-ion batteries the solid electrolyte intephase (SEI) formation process on the surface of graphite is crucial since it strongly influence the performances of the batteries systems [1]. It is known that the use of electrolyte additives (e.g. containing vinylene groups) improves the design of the resulting SEI on the graphite and leads to more efficient cycling of the material [2]. For that, several types of additives have been already studied and tested and intense research is now focused on the optimization of their design for a more effective film-forming efficiency. Ionic Liquids (ILs), room temperature molten salts typically showing a very low vapor pressure, high thermal stability, wide electrochemical windows and good conductivity at room and sub-room temperatures [3-4]. These properties make them very attractive candidates for the use as electrolytes in electrochemical devices such as batteries, particularly to increase the safety and the operative temperature range. So far, different types of ILs have been already used in combination with graphite electrodes with promising results [5-7]. However, only few reports studied the SEI formation process on graphite electrodes when ILs are used in the electrolytes as well as the contribution of additives to the SEI formation in such electrlytes [8]. Recently, we investigated the role of the additive Vinylene Carbonate (VC) in ILs-based electrolyte. The results of our studies indicated that when ultrapure ILs are used as electrolytes in combination with graphite electrodes, the need of additives in the electrolyte solution is strictly related to the film-forming ability of the ILs [9] themselves. For instance, in electrolyte solution based on the ultrapure ionic liquid N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl)imide (PYR14TFSI) the use of VC appears to be indispensable because such IL does not display film-forming ability. To the contrary, in electrolyte solution based on the ultrapure N-methyl-Npropylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (PYR13FSI) the presence of VC was not strictly required because this IL displays film-forming ability. In order to investigate the film-forming ability of PYR13FSI and the possibility of using this IL as additive or co-solvent in pure IL-based solutions, we prepare different mixture of PYR13FSI -PYR14TFSI with and without VC. These solutions have been used in combination with the graphite electrode and their influence on the specific capacity, the cycling efficiency and the cycling stability of the electrodes have been investigated. As example, Fig. 1 shows the cyclic voltammetry at 50 μV sec of graphite electrode in 0.3 M LiTFSI + PYR14TFSI + 5%wt. VC (A); 0.3 M LiTFSI + PYR14TFSI [50%] PYR13FSI [50%] + 5%wt. VC (B) and 0.3 M LiTFSI + PYR13FSI + 5%wt. VC (C). Also the influence of two different Lithium salt (Lithium bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl)imide, LiTFSI and Lithium exafluophosphate, LiPF6) on the performance of graphite electrode in the mixtures of PYR13FSI PYR14TFSI has been investigated. These studies clearly evidence that the Li-salt strongly influence the performance of graphite electrode in combination with ILs-based solutions.

New platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes with fluorinated benzoporphyrins are prepared and characterized. The photo-physical and electrochemical properties, as well as quenching by oxygen are investigated. The complexes possess highly efficient room-temperature NIR phosphorescence and are excitable with blue- and red-light. The fluorinated derivatives show improved photo-physical properties and photo-stability. The new dyes are particularly suitable as indicators for the use in optical oxygen sensors.

The possibility to electrodeposit silicon directly on a copper current collector out of organic electrolyte and ionic liquid was investigated with the aim to alloy the deposited silicon with lithium to prove the possible use as negative electrode in lithium ion batteries. Cyclovoltammetric analyses have shown in comparison to electrodes containing high crystalline silicon similar behaviour during the electrochemical alloying and dealloying process. SEM analyses have shown a particle size of the deposited silicon in submicron range.

Polymer/ionic liquid composites were investigated as solvent-free electrolytes for lithium batteries. Ternary electrolytes based upon poly(ethylene oxide), an ionic liquid and a conducting salt were UV crosslinked with benzophenone as the photoinitiator. Crosslinking leads to an increase in mechanical stability of the PEO composites. This straight-forward process provides a way to increase the content of ionic liquid and thus to raise ionic conductivity without loss of mechanical stability. Impedance measurements showed that the ionic conductivity of the composites is not affected by the UV curing process. Moreover, the UV curing process causes a decrease in the degree of crystallinity in the PEO composites which contributes to an increase in ionic conductivity. The present work is related to safety issues of lithium batteries.

The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation on commercial graphite, KS6 TIMCAL, in two different ionic liquids, N-methyl-N-butyl pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl)imide (PYR14TFSI) and N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (PYR13FSI) has been investigated. The role of the Vinylene Carbonate (VC) addition to the ionic liquid-based electrolyte has also been studied. To monitor the change at the electrode/electrolyte (IL) interface during the SEI formation, we took advantage of the in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS). The results of the investigation performed at room temperature are presented in this manuscript.

Um Bauprojekte erfolgreich abwickeln zu konnen, sind zahlreiche Planungsaufgaben zu erfullen. Im Rahmen der Projektentwicklung werden in einer Machbarkeitsanalyse erste konzeptionelle Planungen durchgefuhrt. In der Analyse werden auch erste Terminuberlegungen angestellt, um dem kunftigen Bauherrn erste zeitliche Vorstellungen fur eine Projektrealisierung zu geben.

10.1016/j.neuro.2014.02.005 5-Bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) staining is often used to evaluate cortical layer formation during mammalian brain development. This method allows the quantification of newly generated cells and therefore the study of the effects of xenobiotics or genetic factors on proliferation, cell death and migration behavior in a quantitative manner. However, these endpoints are generally assessed by time-consuming manual evaluation. In the present work, we introduce a novel procedure to identify and quantify BrdU+ cells within cortical layers, using the commercially available vHCS-Scan V.6.3.1 software to identify BrdU+ cell coordinates and the novel program 'BrdeLuxe' to define cortical layers and quantitatively assign BrdU+ cells to them. This procedure is compared to BrdU+ cell counting with the freeware 'ImageJ' in respect to the manual evaluation, all by two different researchers. BrdeLuxe shows high accuracy and precision for the determination of total number of BrdU+ cells compared to the manual counting, while ImageJ does not reach such results. Accuracy and precision are also higher for employing the BrdeLuxe program to evaluate the percentage of BrdU+ cells per brain layer compared to ImageJ. In terms of running time, BrdeLuxe is the fastest method of the three making it more suitable for multiple brain slices analyses.

This part establishes the theoretical basis for the later empirical analysis. First, because the wording in the existing literature is seldom unambiguous, the terms ‘financial distress’, ‘corporate turnaround’ and ‘corporate restructuring’ are defined in CHAPTER 3.1. CHAPTER 3.2 integrates existing theory and empirical findings into the theoretical framework of corporate turnaround among financially distressed automotive suppliers.