Morphological Requirements for Nanoscale Electric Field Buildup in a Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cell.

The morphology of organic semiconductors is critical to their function in optoelectronic devices and is particularly crucial in the donor-acceptor mixture that comprises the bulk heterojunction of organic solar cells. Here, energy landscapes can play integral roles in charge photogeneration, and recently have been shown to drive the accumulation of charge carriers away from the interface, resulting in the buildup of large nanoscale electric fields, much like a capacitor. In this work we combine morphological and spectroscopic data to outline the requirements for this interdomain charge accumulation, finding that this effect is driven by a three-phase morphology that creates an energetic cascade for charge carriers.

Resolving the Geometry/Charge Puzzle of the c(2 × 2)-Cl Cu(100) Electrode.

Potential-induced changes in charge and surface structure are significant drivers of the reactivity of electrochemical interfaces but are frequently difficult to decouple from the effects of surface solvation. Here, we consider the Cu(100) surface with a c(2 × 2)-Cl adlayer, a model surface with multiple geometry measurements under both ultrahigh vacuum and electrochemical conditions. Under aqueous electrochemical conditions, the measured Cu-Cl interplanar separation () increases by at least 0.

Thermoelectrically-Cooled InAs/GaSb Type-II Superlattice Detectors as an Alternative to HgCdTe in a Real-Time Mid-Infrared Backscattering Spectroscopy System.

We report on the development of thermoelectrically cooled (TE-cooled) InAs/GaSb type-II superlattice (T2SL) single element infrared (IR) photodetectors and exemplify their applicability for real-time IR spectroscopy in the mid-infrared in a possible application. As the European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) threatens the usage of the state-of-the-art detector material mercury cadmium telluride (MCT), RoHS-compatible alternatives to MCT have to be established for IR detection. We use bandgap engineered InAs/GaSb T2SLs to tailor the temperature-dependent bandgap energy for detection throughout the required spectral range.

Maize Silage Pretreatment via Steam Refining and Subsequent Enzymatic Hydrolysis for the Production of Fermentable Carbohydrates.

Maize, also called corn, is one of the most available feedstocks worldwide for lignocellulosic biorefineries. However, a permanent biomass supply over the year is essential for industrial biorefinery application. In that context, ensiling is a well-known agricultural application to produce durable animal feed for the whole year.

Precision Nutrition in Chronic Inflammation.

The molecular foundation of chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs) can differ markedly between individuals. As our understanding of the biochemical mechanisms underlying individual disease manifestations and progressions expands, new strategies to adjust treatments to the patient's characteristics will continue to profoundly transform clinical practice. Nutrition has long been recognized as an important determinant of inflammatory disease phenotypes and treatment response.

Short-Term Outcomes of Surgery for Graves' Disease in Germany.

Background: Surgical treatment of Graves' disease (GD) has a potentially increased incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP) and bleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current extent of surgery for the treatment of GD and its safety as a short-term outcome.

Methods: Patients who underwent thyroid resection for GD were identified from the prospective StuDoQ/Thyroid registry.

Inhibition of Brainstem Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Rescues Cardiorespiratory Dysfunction in High Output Heart Failure.

Recent evidence shows that chronic activation of catecholaminergic neurons of the rostral ventrolateral medulla is crucial in promoting autonomic imbalance and cardiorespiratory dysfunction in high output heart failure (HF). Brainstem endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is known to promote cardiovascular dysfunction; however, no studies have addressed the potential role of brainstem ERS in cardiorespiratory dysfunction in high output HF. In this study, we assessed the presence of brainstem ERS and its potential role in cardiorespiratory dysfunction in an experimental model of HF induced by volume overload.

Disturbed Presynaptic Ca Signaling in Photoreceptors in the EAE Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease caused by an auto-reactive immune system. Recent studies also demonstrated synapse dysfunctions in MS patients and MS mouse models. We previously observed decreased synaptic vesicle exocytosis in photoreceptor synapses in the EAE mouse model of MS at an early, preclinical stage.

To prevent means to know: Explicit but no implicit agency for prevention behavior.

Human agents draw on a variety of explicit and implicit cues to construct a sense of agency for their actions and the effects of these actions on the outside world. Associative mechanisms binding actions to their immediate effects support the evolution of agency for operant actions. However, human agents often also act to prevent a certain event from occurring.

Prenatal developmental toxicity studies on fumes from bitumen in the rat.

The prenatal developmental toxicity of bitumen fume was tested by nose-only inhalation in the rat. The fumes for exposure were collected from the headspace of a storage tank filled with a bitumen corresponding in composition to an anticipated worst-case occupational exposure. The composition of these fumes was compared to actual paving site fumes to ensure its representativeness for workplace exposures.

Cerebellar and hepatic alterations in ACBD5-deficient mice are associated with unexpected, distinct alterations in cellular lipid homeostasis.

ACBD5 deficiency is a novel peroxisome disorder with a largely uncharacterized pathology. ACBD5 was recently identified in a tethering complex mediating membrane contacts between peroxisomes and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). An ACBD5-deficient mouse was analyzed to correlate ACBD5 tethering functions with the disease phenotype.

Photoexcitation of Grubbs' Second-Generation Catalyst Initiates Frontal Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization.

In this work, a simple method is reported for control over initiation in frontal ring-opening metathesis polymerization (FROMP). This noncontact approach uses 375 nm light to excite Grubbs' second-generation catalyst in the presence of a phosphite inhibitor. Photoinitiated FROMP of dicylcopentadiene (DCPD) displays a similar cure profile to that of its thermally initiated counterpart, yielding a robust polymer with high glass transition temperature.

A distinct CD38+CD45RA+ population of CD4+, CD8+, and double-negative T cells is controlled by FAS.

The identification and characterization of rare immune cell populations in humans can be facilitated by their growth advantage in the context of specific genetic diseases. Here, we use autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome to identify a population of FAS-controlled TCRαβ+ T cells. They include CD4+, CD8+, and double-negative T cells and can be defined by a CD38+CD45RA+T-BET- expression pattern.

Generative network models of altered structural brain connectivity in schizophrenia.

Alterations in the structural connectome of schizophrenia patients have been widely characterized, but the mechanisms remain largely unknown. Generative network models have recently been introduced as a tool to test the biological underpinnings of altered brain network formation. We evaluated different generative network models in healthy controls (n=152), schizophrenia patients (n=66), and their unaffected first-degree relatives (n=32), and we identified spatial and topological factors contributing to network formation.

Measurement of the Low-Energy Antideuteron Inelastic Cross Section.

In this Letter, we report the first measurement of the inelastic cross section for antideuteron-nucleus interactions at low particle momenta, covering a range of 0.3≤p<4  GeV/c. The measurement is carried out using p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.

Early-onset autoimmunity associated with SOCS1 haploinsufficiency.

Autoimmunity can occur when a checkpoint of self-tolerance fails. The study of familial autoimmune diseases can reveal pathophysiological mechanisms involved in more common autoimmune diseases. Here, by whole-exome/genome sequencing we identify heterozygous, autosomal-dominant, germline loss-of-function mutations in the SOCS1 gene in ten patients from five unrelated families with early onset autoimmune manifestations.

Toxic Metamorphosis-How Changes from Lysosomal to Cytosolic pH Modify the Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation Pattern.

Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) is a cytosolic, aggregation-prone protein that is associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease. Interestingly, the protein can appear in different conformations, including monomeric and oligomeric forms as well as amyloid fibrils. Its individual structural constituents seem to be dependent on various factors and the composition of the respective cellular surroundings.

Potentials of using milk performance data and FAMACHA score as indicators for Targeted Selective Treatment in Lacaune dairy sheep in Switzerland.

Targeted Selective Treatment (TST) is one approach to slow down the development of anthelmintic resistance. Its success is closely linked to the correct identification of animals in need of treatment. In dairy goats it has been proposed to use milk yield as TST indicator and to focus treatments on high yielding dairy goats.

Matched versus Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation as Treatment Options for Primary Immunodeficiencies in Children.

Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) are inherited disorders of the immune system with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as the only curative treatment in some of them. In case an HLA-matched donor is not available, HSCT from a haploidentical family donor may be considered. We compared the outcomes of HSCT from HLA-matched unrelated or related donors (MUDs or MRDs) and mismatched related haploidentical donors (MMRDs) in patients with a variety of PIDs in 2 centers.

Oral Vancomycin, Ursodeoxycholic Acid, or No Therapy for Pediatric Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A Matched Analysis.

Background And Aims: Many children with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) receive oral vancomycin therapy (OVT) or ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). There is a paucity of data on whether these medications improve outcomes.

Approach And Results: We analyzed retrospective data from the Pediatric PSC Consortium.

Changes in Protein Fluorescence in a Lipid-Protein Co-oxidizing Oleogel.

High and low levels of lipid-induced protein oxidation (tuned by the addition of 0%-8.4% water) were investigated in oleogels, using excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy, coupled with a partial least-squares (PLS) regression and lipid hydroperoxide data. In high-level oxidation models, the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence decreased and the emission maxima increased from 352.

Ribosome-mediated polymerization of long chain carbon and cyclic amino acids into peptides in vitro.

Ribosome-mediated polymerization of backbone-extended monomers into polypeptides is challenging due to their poor compatibility with the translation apparatus, which evolved to use α-L-amino acids. Moreover, mechanisms to acylate (or charge) these monomers to transfer RNAs (tRNAs) to make aminoacyl-tRNA substrates is a bottleneck. Here, we rationally design non-canonical amino acid analogs with extended carbon chains (γ-, δ-, ε-, and ζ-) or cyclic structures (cyclobutane, cyclopentane, and cyclohexane) to improve tRNA charging.

A Single-Center Retrospective Evaluation of the Use of Oral Factor Xa Inhibitors in Patients With Cerebral Venous Thrombosis.

Background: Clinical practice guidelines recommend that cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) be managed with long-term anticoagulant therapy using warfarin or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for 3 to 12 months. However, oral factor Xa inhibitors may offer preferable alternative treatment options for these patients.

Objective: The primary objective was to determine the effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban or apixaban compared with warfarin or enoxaparin as long-term anticoagulation therapy for patients with a new diagnosis of CVT.

Long-term robustness of a T-cell system emerging from somatic rescue of a genetic block in T-cell development.

Backgound: The potential of a single progenitor cell to establish and maintain long-term protective T-cell immunity in humans is unknown. For genetic disorders disabling T-cell immunity, somatic reversion was shown to support limited T-cell development attenuating the clinical phenotype. However, the cases reported so far deteriorated over time leaving unanswered the important question of long-term activity of revertant precursors and the robustness of the resulting T-cell system.