Solution‐Processed TiO2 Nanoparticles as the Window Layer for CuIn(S,Se)2 Devices

As a wide‐bandgap semiconductor, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) with a porous structure has proven useful in dye‐sensitized solar cells, but its application in low‐cost, high‐efficiency inorganic photovoltaic devices based on materials such as Cu(InGa)Se₂ or Cu₂ZnSnS₄ is limited. Here, a thin film made from solution‐processed TiO₂ nanocrystals is demonstrated as an alternative to intrinsic zinc oxide (i‐ZnO) as the window layer of CuInS_xSe_1?x solar cells. The as‐synthesized, well‐dispersed, 6 nm TiO₂ nanocrystals are assembled into thin films with controllable thicknesses of 40, 80, and 160 nm. The TiO₂ nanocrystal films with thicknesses of 40 and 80 nm exhibit conversion efficiencies (6.2% and 6.33%, respectively) that are comparable to that of a layer of the typical sputtered i‐ZnO (6.42%). The conversion efficiency of the devices with a TiO₂ thickness of 160 nm decreases to 2.2%, owing to the large series resistance. A 9‐hour reaction time leads to aggregated nanoparticles with a much‐lower efficiency (2%) than that of the well‐dispersed TiO₂ nanoparticles prepared using a 15‐hour reaction time. Under optimized conditions, the champion TiO₂ nanocrystal‐film‐based device shows even higher efficiency (9.2%) than a control device employing a typical i‐ZnO film (8.6%).     

Efficient and Stable TiO2:Pt–Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Composite Photoelectrodes for Visible Light Driven Hydrogen Evolution

Novel thin film composite photocathodes based on device‐grade Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ chalcopyrite thin film absorbers and transparent conductive oxide Pt‐implemented TiO₂ layers on top are presented for an efficient and stable solar‐driven hydrogen evolution. Thin films of phase‐pure anatase TiO₂ are implemented with varying Pt‐concentrations in order to optimize simultaneously i) conductivity of the films, ii) electrocatalytic activity, and iii) light‐guidance toward the chalcopyrite. Thereby, high incident‐photon‐to‐current‐efficiencies of more than 80% can be achieved over the full visible light range. In acidic electrolyte (pH 0.3), the most efficient Pt‐implemented TiO₂–Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ composite electrodes reveal i) photocurrent densities up to 38 mA cm^?2 in the saturation region (?0.4 V RHE, reversible hydrogen electrode), ii) 15 mA cm^?2 at the thermodynamic potential for H₂‐evolution (0 V RHE), and iii) an anodic onset potential shift for the hydrogen evolution (+0.23 V RHE). It is shown that the gradual increase of the Pt‐concentration within the TiO₂ layers passes through an efficiency‐ and stability‐maximum of the device (5 vol% of Pt precursor solution). At this maximum, optimized light‐incoupling into the device‐grade chalcopyrite light‐absorber as well as electron conductance properties within the surface layer are achieved while no degradation are observed over more than 24 h of operation.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in total parenteral nutrition and in plasma

A simple, rapid and sensitive reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detection was developed for the quantification of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in parenteral nutrition admixtures containing fat emulsion and in plasma samples of children daily treated by total parenteral nutrition. The analyte and the internal standard, di-n-heptyl phthalate, were extracted twice using hexane and the organic layer separated and dried under nitrogen. The residues were reconstituted with acetonitrile and 20 μl was injected into a Waters Spherisorb C₁₈ column, the UV detector was set at 202 nm. The mobile phase was acetonitrile–aqueous buffer (triethylamine 0.08% adjusted to pH 2.8 with 1 M phosphoric acid) mixture (88:12, v/v) and it was pumped at 1 ml/min. Average recoveries were 97% or greater. This method was successfully used to investigate the amounts of DEHP which can leach from bags and tubing into fat emulsion and which could contaminate children under long-term parenteral nutrition. On the other hand, the circulating DEHP concentrations were estimated in four children under regular long-term parenteral nutrition.     

Tropospheric O(3) compromises net primary production in young stands of trembling aspen, paper birch and sugar maple in response to elevated atmospheric CO(2)

Concentrations of atmospheric CO(2) and tropospheric ozone (O(3)) are rising concurrently in the atmosphere, with potentially antagonistic effects on forest net primary production (NPP) and implications for terrestrial carbon sequestration. Using free-air CO(2) enrichment (FACE) technology, we exposed north-temperate forest communities to concentrations of CO(2) and O(3) predicted for the year 2050 for the first 7 yr of stand development. Site-specific allometric equations were applied to annual nondestructive growth measurements to estimate above- and below-ground biomass and NPP for each year of the experiment. Relative to the control, elevated CO(2) increased total biomass 25, 45 and 60% in the aspen, aspen-birch and aspen-maple communities, respectively. Tropospheric O(3) caused 23, 13 and 14% reductions in total biomass relative to the control in the respective communities. Combined fumigation resulted in total biomass response of -7.8, +8.4 and +24.3% relative to the control in the aspen, aspen-birch and aspen-sugar maple communities, respectively. These results indicate that exposure to even moderate levels of O(3) significantly reduce the capacity of NPP to respond to elevated CO(2) in some forests.     

(E)-2-(2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)hydrazono)-1-phenylbutane-1,3-dione: Tautomery and coordination to copper(II)

(E)-2-(2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)hydrazono)-1-phenylbutane-1,3-dione (H₂L) was synthesized by azocoupling of diazonium salt of 2-hydroxyaniline with 1-phenylbutane-1,3-dione and characterized by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies and X-ray diffraction analysis. In solution, H₂L exists as a mixture of the enol-azo and hydrazone tautomeric forms and a decrease of temperature and of solvent polarity shifts the tautomeric balance to the hydrazone form. In the solid state, H₂L crystallizes from ethanol-water in the monohydrate hydrazone form, as shown by X-ray analysis. The dissociation constants of H₂L (pK₁ = 5.98 ± 0.04, pK₂ = 9.72 ± 0.03) and the stability constants of its copper(II) complex (log β₁ = 11.01 ± 0.07, log β₂ = 20.19 ± 0.08) were determined by the potentiometric method in aqueous-ethanol solution. The copper(II) complex [Cu₂(μ-L)₂]_n was isolated in the solid state and found by X-rays to be a coordination polymer of a binuclear core with a distorted square pyramidal metal coordination geometry.     

Ruthenium(II/III) mediated transformation of 1,2-bis(2′-pyridylmethyleneimino)benzene (L) to 2-(2′-benzimidazolyl)pyridine (L′H) and its in situ formed complexes with Ru(II): X-ray structure of trans-[Ru(PPh3)2(L′H)2](ClO4)2

A series of ruthenium (II) complexes of formulae trans-[Ru(PPh₃)₂(L′H)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1), [Ru(bpy)(L′H)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Ru(bpy)₂(L′H)](ClO₄)₂ (3), cis-[Ru(DMSO)₂(L′H)₂]Cl₂ (4), and [Ru(L′H)₃](PF₆)₂ (5) (where L′H = 2-(2′-benzimidazolyl)pyridine) have been synthesized by reaction of the appropriate ruthenium precursor with 1,2-bis(2′-pyridylmethyleneimino)benzene (L). The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, spectroscopic and electrochemical data. All the complexes were found to be diamagnetic and hence metal is in +2 oxidation state. The molecular structure of trans-[Ru(PPh₃)₂(L′H)₂](ClO₄)₂ has been determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The molecular structure shows that Ru(II) is at the center of inversion of an octahedron with N₄P₂ coordination sphere. The ligand acts as a bidentate N,N′donor. The electronic spectra of the complexes display intense MLCT bands in the visible region.Cyclic voltammetric studies show quasi-reversible oxidative response at 0.99-1.32 V (vs Ag/AgCl reference electrode) due to Ru(III)/Ru(II) couple.     

3-[2-Amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl]alanine (enduracididine) and 2-[2-amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl] acetic acid in seeds of Lonchocarpus sericeus

3-[2-Amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl]alanine (enduracididine) and 2-[2-amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl] acetic acid have been isolated from seeds of Lonchocarpus sericeus. The concentration of each compound was ca 0.5 % of the fresh seed weight.     

Efficiency enhancement of the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2: fac-[Re(v-bpy)(CO)3Cl] electropolymerized onto mesoporous TiO2 electrodes

As the greenhouse effect increases, the development of systems able to convert with high efficiency CO₂ to energetically rich molecules owns a crucial weight in the technological and environmental domain. As catalyst, rhenium complexes, of the type fac-[Re(L)(CO)₃Cl] (i.e. L = 2,2′-bipyridyl or 4,4′-bipyridyl), have attracted a large interest demonstrating promising catalytic properties. fac-[Re(v-bpy)(CO)₃Cl]-based polymer deposited onto a solid support has been already investigated as heterogeneous catalyst in the reduction of CO₂. Here, we deposited by electrochemical polymerization fac-[Re(v-bpy)(CO)₃Cl] onto a nanocrystalline TiO₂ film on glass and we investigated by cyclic voltammetry the properties of such heterogeneous catalyst in the electrochemical reduction of CO₂. We demonstrated that the nanoporous nature of the substrate allows to increase the two-dimensional number of redox sites per surface area and hence to get a significant enhancement of the catalytic yield.     

The beta-isoform of the BRCA2 and CDKN1A(p21)-interacting protein (BCCIP) stabilizes nuclear RPL23/uL14

BRCA2 and CDKN1A(p21,CIP1)-interacting protein (BCCIP) is an evolutionary conserved protein implicated in maintenance of genome stability and cell cycle progression. Two isoforms of BCCIP with distinct C-terminal domains exist in humans. We show that mammalian BCCIPβ, but not BCCIPα, forms a ternary complex with the ribosomal protein RPL23/uL14 and the pre-60S trans-acting factor eIF6. Complex formation is dependent on an intact C-terminal domain of BCCIPβ. Depletion of BCCIPβ reduces the pool of free RPL23, and decreases eIF6 levels in nucleoli. Overexpression of BCCIPβ leads to nucleoplasmic accumulation of extra-ribosomal RPL23 and stabilizes overexpressed RPL23, suggesting that BCCIPβ functions as nuclear chaperone for RPL23.     

Topoisomerase IIalpha gene (TOP2A) amplification and deletion in cancer--more common than anticipated.

In solid tumours the predominant genetic mechanism for oncogene activation is through amplification of genes. The HER-2 (also known as ErbB2/c-erbB2/HER-2/neu) oncogene is the most frequently amplified oncogene in breast cancer and is also commonly amplified in other forms of cancer. The HER-2 amplicon also contains other biologically relevant genes with altered copy numbers, among these genes is the topoisomerase IIalpha (TOP2A). TOP2A gene is located adjacent to the HER-2 oncogene at the chromosome location 17q12-q21 and is either amplified or deleted, with equal frequency, in almost 90% of HER-2 amplified primary breast tumours. Recent data suggest that amplification and deletion of TOP2A may account for both sensitivity and resistance to topoII-inhibitor-chemotherapy, depending on the specific genetic defect at the TOP2A locus. In this issue of the Cytopathology, Bofin et al. present preliminary evidence for high prevalance of TOP2A amplification and deletion not only in the HER-2 amplified breast tumours, but also in the primary breast tumours without the HER-2 amplification. This finding together with the concept that TOP2A gene amplification and deletion seem to account for both relative chemosensitivity and resistance to topoII-inhibitor therapy further highlights the importance of screening for TOP2A gene copy number aberrations when topoII-inhibitors are considered either alone or in combination of other chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of cancer patients.