Publications by authors named "Laura A Huff"

Organisms allocate energetic resources between essential cellular processes to maintain homeostasis and, in turn, maximize fitness. The nutritional regulators of energy homeostasis have been studied in detail; however, how developmental signals might impinge on these pathways to govern metabolism is poorly understood. Here, we identify a non-canonical role for Hedgehog (Hh), a classic regulator of development, in maintaining intestinal lipid homeostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans.

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Organisms must appropriately allocate energetic resources between essential cellular processes to maintain homeostasis and in turn, maximize fitness. The nutritional and homeostatic regulators of energy homeostasis have been studied in detail; however, how developmental signals might impinge on these pathways to govern cellular metabolism is poorly understood. Here, we identify a non-canonical role for Hedgehog (Hh), a classic regulator of development, in maintaining intestinal lipid homeostasis in .

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Cells have evolved extensive signaling mechanisms to maintain redox homeostasis. While basal levels of oxidants are critical for normal signaling, a tipping point is reached when the level of oxidant species exceed cellular antioxidant capabilities. Myriad pathological conditions are characterized by elevated oxidative stress, which can cause alterations in cellular operations and damage to cellular components including nucleic acids.

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Solid-state (7)Li and (13)C MAS NMR spectra of cycled graphitic Li-ion anodes demonstrate SEI compound formation upon lithiation that is followed by changes in the SEI upon delithiation. Solid-state (13)C DPMAS NMR shows changes in peaks associated with organic solvent compounds (ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate, EC/DMC) upon electrochemical cycling due to the formation of and subsequent changes in the SEI compounds. Solid-state (13)C NMR spin-lattice (T1) relaxation time measurements of lithiated Li-ion anodes and reference poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) powders, along with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry results, indicate that large-molecular-weight polymers are formed in the SEI layers of the discharged anodes.

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Article Synopsis
  • In situ EQCM experiments revealed that a sulfur-carbon cathode in a Li-S battery gains mass during the first discharge due to the formation of long chain polysulfides.
  • As discharge continues below 2.4 V, the cathode's crystal resistance increases, indicating it becomes rougher.
  • During charging, the cathode's roughness decreases, but it shows an overall trend of increasing roughness with deeper discharges over repeated cycles.
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Article Synopsis
  • In situ Raman spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were utilized to study how sulfur is reduced in lithium-sulfur battery slurries with specific chemicals (LiTFSI and TEGDME/DIOX).
  • The research showed that during the first stage of discharge, long-chain polysulfides like S8(2-) are formed from S8, while shorter polysulfides appear in the second stage of discharge.
  • An additive, CS2, was found to inhibit this reduction mechanism, promoting only the formation of long-chain polysulfides and stabilizing the S8(2-) product throughout discharge.
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