The association between grey matter microstructural MRI biomarkers, mid‐life blood pressure, and late‐life Alzheimer’s disease pathology.

Background: With an aging population, it is essential to identify subtle features of brain pathology – both neurodegenerative and vascular – at an early stage, which may predict risk of future decline. We used diffusion MRI (dMRI) to assess grey matter cortical microstructure and investigate associations with 1) Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology and 2) mid/late‐life vascular risk (as measured by blood pressure (BP)).

Method: 151 asymptomatic individuals from the British 1946 birth cohort underwent combined PET/MR with [18F]florbetapir Aβ‐PET at ∼73yrs, and [18F]MK‐6240 tau‐PET at ∼76yrs.

Updating the study protocol: Insight 46 - a longitudinal neuroscience sub-study of the MRC National Survey of Health and Development - phases 2 and 3.

Background: Although age is the biggest known risk factor for dementia, there remains uncertainty about other factors over the life course that contribute to a person's risk for cognitive decline later in life. Furthermore, the pathological processes leading to dementia are not fully understood. The main goals of Insight 46-a multi-phase longitudinal observational study-are to collect detailed cognitive, neurological, physical, cardiovascular, and sensory data; to combine those data with genetic and life-course information collected from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD; 1946 British birth cohort); and thereby contribute to a better understanding of healthy ageing and dementia.

Green solvents, materials, and lead-free semiconductors for sustainable fabrication of perovskite solar cells.

Perovskite materials research has received unprecedented recognition due to its applications in photovoltaics, LEDs, and other large area low-cost electronics. The exceptional improvement in the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) achieved over the last decade has prompted efforts to develop and optimize device fabrication technologies for the industrial and commercial space. However, unstable operation in outdoor environments and toxicity of the employed materials and solvents have hindered this proposition.

Biological/metal oxide composite transport layers cast from green solvents for boosting light harvesting response of organic photovoltaic cells indoors.

Organic solar cells with biological/metal-oxide electron transport layers (ETLs), consisting of a ZnO compact layer covered by a thin DNA layer, both of which deposited with green solvents (water or water/alcohols mixtures) are presented for application under low intensity indoor lighting. Under white LED lamp (200, 400 lx), photovoltaic cells with P3HT:PCBM polymer semiconductor blends delivered an average maximum power density (MPD) of 8.7W cm, corresponding to a power conversion efficiency, PCE, of = 8.

Attributes of High-Performance Electron Transport Layers for Perovskite Solar Cells on Flexible PET versus on Glass.

Electron transport layers (ETLs) play a fundamental role in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) through charge extraction. Here, we developed flexible PSCs on 12 different kinds of ETLs based on SnO. We show that ETLs need to be specifically developed for plastic substrates in order to attain 15% efficient flexible cells.

Simple and effective deposition method for solar cell perovskite films using a sheet of paper.

Most laboratories employ spin coating with application of antisolvent to achieve high efficiency in perovskite solar cells. However, this method wastes a lot of material and is not industrially usable. Conversely, large area coating techniques such as blade and slot-die require high precision engineering both for deposition of ink and for gas or for electromagnetic drying procedures that replace, out of necessity, anti-solvent engineering.

Laser-Scribing Optimization for Sprayed SnO-Based Perovskite Solar Modules on Flexible Plastic Substrates.

Flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs) are prime candidates for applications requiring a highly efficient, low-cost, lightweight, thin, and even foldable power source. Despite record efficiencies of lab-scale flexible devices (19.5% on a 0.

Colour-sensitive conjugated polymer inkjet-printed pixelated artificial retina model studied via a bio-hybrid photovoltaic device.

In recent years, organic electronic materials have been shown to be a promising tool, even transplanted in vivo, for transducing light stimuli to non-functioning retinas. Here we developed a bio-hybrid optoelectronic device consisting of patterned organic polymer semiconductors interfaced with an electrolyte solution in a closed sandwich architecture in order to study the photo-response of photosensitive semiconducting layers or patterns in an environment imitating biological extracellular fluids. We demonstrate an artificial retina model composed of on an array of 42,100 pixels made of three different conjugated polymers via inkjet printing with 110 pixels/mm packing density.

Thermosetting Polyurethane Resins as Low-Cost, Easily Scalable, and Effective Oxygen and Moisture Barriers for Perovskite Solar Cells.

Long-term stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is one of the main issues to be solved for forthcoming commercialization of this technology. In this work, thermosetting polyurethane (PU)-based resins are proposed as effective encapsulants for perovskite solar cells to prevent degradation caused by both moisture and oxygen. Application consists of drop-casting the precursor mixture directly over the devices followed by polymerization, avoiding the use of other adhesives.

Coating ZnO nanoparticle films with DNA nanolayers for enhancing the electron extracting properties and performance of polymer solar cells.

Here we present for the first time polymer solar cells that incorporate biological material that show state of the art efficiencies in excess of 8%. The performance of inverted polymer solar cells was improved significantly after deposition of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) together with a thin deoxyribonucleic acid nanolayer and used as an electron extraction layer (EEL). The ZnO-NPs/DNA double layer improved the rectifying ratio, shunt resistance of the cells as well as lowering the work function of the electron-collecting contact.

Parkinsonism and Vitamin C Deficiency.

Patients with vitamin C deficiencies and parkinsonism can show rapid improvement with vitamin C replacement therapy.

Relativistic deflection of background starlight measures the mass of a nearby white dwarf star.

Gravitational deflection of starlight around the Sun during the 1919 total solar eclipse provided measurements that confirmed Einstein's general theory of relativity. We have used the Hubble Space Telescope to measure the analogous process of astrometric microlensing caused by a nearby star, the white dwarf Stein 2051 B. As Stein 2051 B passed closely in front of a background star, the background star's position was deflected.

Solid state perovskite solar modules by vacuum-vapor assisted sequential deposition on Nd:YVO₄ laser patterned rutile TiO₂ nanorods.

The past few years have witnessed remarkable progress in solution-processed methylammonium lead halide (CH3NH3PbX3, X = halide) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with reported photoconversion efficiency (η) exceeding 20% in laboratory-scale devices and reaching up to 13% in their large area perovskite solar modules (PSMs). These devices mostly employ mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) as an electron transport layer (ETL) which provides a scaffold on which the perovskite semiconductor can grow. However, limitations exist which are due to trap-limited electron transport and non-complete pore filling.

Vertical TiO2 Nanorods as a Medium for Stable and High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Modules.

Perovskite solar cells employing CH3NH3PbI3-xClx active layers show power conversion efficiency (PCE) as high as 20% in single cells and 13% in large area modules. However, their operational stability has often been limited due to degradation of the CH3NH3PbI3-xClx active layer. Here, we report a perovskite solar module (PSM, best and av.

Luminescent Mechanochromism in a Gold(I)-Copper(I) N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complex.

The silver(I) species [Ag(benzim(CH2py)2)2]PF6 (1) was prepared by refluxing the ligand precursor [H(benzim(CH2py)2)2]PF6 with Ag2O and aqueous sodium hydroxide in dichloromethane. Simple transmetalation of 1 with tetrahydrothiophenegold(I) chloride forms the gold(I) analogue [Au(benzim(CH2py)2)2]PF6 (2). The addition of 2 equiv of [Cu(NCCH3)4]PF6 to 2 in acetonitrile produces a blue-luminescent, trimetallic complex, [AuCu2(benzim(CH2py)2)2(NCCH3)4](PF6)3·2CH3CN (3·2CH3CN).

Combined deficiencies of vitamins b1 and C in well-nourished patients.

Vitamin deficiencies such as scurvy and Wernicke's encephalopathy are poorly recognized in Western populations. Inadequate intake of these micronutrients and low levels when measured are more frequent than expected. Cases of combined vitamin deficiencies such as that of ascorbic acid and thiamine are seldom reported.

Neuropsychiatric scurvy.

Background: Scurvy is a disease with well-known peripheral symptoms, such as bleeding and pain.

Methods: The clinical and historical evidence for a distinct form of scurvy affecting the central nervous system, called neuropsychiatric scurvy, is reviewed. Pathophysiologic factors are described, as well as its diagnosis and management.

Ascorbate- and zinc-responsive parkinsonism.

Objective: To report a case of Parkinsonism rapidly responsive to intravenous replacement of vitamin C and zinc.

Case Summary: A 66-year-old man with Parkinsonism, pleural effusion, and bipolar disorder was found to have low serum vitamin C and zinc levels. Intravenous replacement of these micronutrients led to resolution of the movement disorder in less than 24 hours.