Impact of the Electron Acceptor Nature on the Durability and Nanomorphological Stability of Bulk Heterojunction Active Layers for Organic Solar Cells.

A systematic study is conducted to compare the performances and stability of active layers employing a high performance electron donor (PBDB-T) combined with state-of-the-art fullerene (PC BM), nonfullerene (ITIC), and polymer (N2200) electron acceptors. The impact of the chemical nature of the acceptor on the durability of organic solar cells (OSCs) is elucidated by monitoring their photovoltaic performances under light exposure or dark conditions in the presence of oxygen. PC BM molecules exhibit a higher resistance toward oxidation compared to nonfullerene acceptors.

Tethered Magnets Are the Key to Magnetotaxis: Direct Observations of AMB-1 Show that MamK Distributes Magnetosome Organelles Equally to Daughter Cells.

Magnetotactic bacteria are a unique group of bacteria that synthesize a magnetic organelle termed the magnetosome, which they use to assist with their magnetic navigation in a specific type of bacterial motility called magneto-aerotaxis. Cytoskeletal filaments consisting of the actin-like protein MamK are associated with the magnetosome chain. Previously, the function of MamK was thought to be in positioning magnetosome organelles; this was proposed based on observations via electron microscopy still images.

[Osteoclastogenesis Inhibitory Factor (OCIF) /Osteoprotegerin (OPG) as a new therapeutic agent for osteoporosis].

Osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) is a novel member of the Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor superfamily and identical with Osteoprotegerin (OPG) discovered by Amgen researchers. OCIF/OPG is a decoy receptor (a soluble receptor that acts as an antagonist) that binds to osteoblast cells via Receptor Activator of NF-kappa B Ligand (RANKL) involved in the signal transduction between osteoblast cells and osteoclastic progenitor cells, eventually suppressing differentiation of the progenitor cells into osteoclasts. The balance between the OCIF/OPG and RANKL is regulated by cytokines and hormones.