Synthesis and Characterization of LiFePO-PANI Hybrid Material as Cathode for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

This work focuses on the synthesis of LiFePO-PANI hybrid materials and studies their electrochemical properties (capacity, cyclability and rate capability) for use in lithium ion batteries. PANI synthesis and optimization was carried out by chemical oxidation (self-assembly process), using ammonium persulfate (APS) and HPO, obtaining a material with a high degree of crystallinity. For the synthesis of the LiFePO-PANI hybrid, a thermal treatment of LiFePO particles was carried out in a furnace with polyaniline (PANI) and lithium acetate (AcOLi)-coated particles, using Ar/H atmosphere.

Regulation of MEF2 transcriptional activity by calcineurin/mAKAP complexes.

The calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin is required for the induction of transcriptional events that initiate and promote myogenic differentiation. An important effector for calcineurin in striated muscle is the transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2). The targeting of the enzyme and substrate to specific intracellular compartments by scaffold proteins often confers specificity in phosphatase activity.

Myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) tethering to muscle selective A-kinase anchoring protein (mAKAP) is necessary for myogenic differentiation.

Differentiation of skeletal myoblast cells to functional myotubes involves highly regulated transcriptional dynamics. The myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factors are critical to this process, synergizing with the master regulator MyoD to promote muscle specific gene transcription. MEF2 is extensively regulated by myogenic stimuli, both transcriptionally and post-translationally, but to date there has been little progress in understanding how signals upstream of MEF2 are coordinated to produce a coherent response.