Loss Mechanisms in Thick‐Film Low‐Bandgap Polymer Solar Cells

Polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells based on low bandgap polymer:fullerene blends are promising for next generation low‐cost photovoltaics. While these solution‐processed solar cells are compatible with large‐scale roll‐to‐roll processing, active layers used for typical laboratory‐scale devices are too thin to ensure high manufacturing yields. Furthermore, due to the limited light absorption and optical interference within the thin active layer, the external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells are severely limited. In order to produce polymer solar cells with high yields, efficient solar cells with a thick active layer must be demonstrated. In this work, the performance of thick‐film solar cells employing the low‐bandgap polymer poly(dithienogermole‐thienopyrrolodione) (PDTG‐TPD) was demonstrated. Power conversion efficiencies over 8.0% were obtained for devices with an active layer thickness of 200 nm, illustrating the potential of this polymer for large‐scale manufacturing. Although an average EQE > 65% was obtained for devices with active layer thicknesses > 200 nm, the cell performance could not be maintained due to a reduction in fill factor. By comparing our results for PDTG‐TPD solar cells with similar P3HT‐based devices, we investigated the loss mechanisms associated with the limited device performance observed for thick‐film low‐bandgap polymer solar cells.     

Fully Plastic Dye Solar Cell Devices by Low‐Temperature UV‐Irradiation of both the Mesoporous TiO2 Photo‐ and Platinized Counter‐Electrodes

The application of UV irradiation processes are successfully proposed for the first time in the fabrication of both of the two plastic electrodes in flexible dye solar cells (DSCs) and modules. For the realization of the photo‐electrode, a customized TiO₂ paste formulation and UV processing method was developed which yields 134% (48%) performance enhancement with respect to the same (binder‐free) paste treated at 120 °C. UV treatment induces both complete removal of organic media and more efficient charge collection. Significantly, highly catalytic platinized flexible counter‐electrodes are also obtained via UV photo‐induced reduction of screen‐printed platinum precursor pastes based on hexachloroplatinic acid. Using both UV‐processed electrodes, a fully plastic DSC is fabricated with a conversion efficiency of 4.3% under 1 Sun (semitransparent) and 5.3% under 0.2 Sun (opaque). Performance is within 10% of the efficiency of a glass‐based DSC prepared with the same materials but with conventional high temperature processes. The material formulations and processes are simple, and easily up‐scaled over large areas, even directly and simultaneously applicable to the preparation of both the photo‐and counter‐electrode on the same substrate which enabled us to demonstrate the first module on plastic realized with a W series interconnection.     

Sodium Storage and Transport Properties in Layered Na2Ti3O7 for Room‐Temperature Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Layered sodium titanium oxide, Na₂Ti₃O₇, is synthesized by a solid‐state reaction method as a potential anode for sodium‐ion batteries. Through optimization of the electrolyte and binder, the microsized Na₂Ti₃O₇ electrode delivers a reversible capacity of 188 mA h g^?1 in 1 M NaFSI/PC electrolyte at a current rate of 0.1C in a voltage range of 0.0–3.0 V, with sodium alginate as binder. The average Na storage voltage plateau is found at ca. 0.3 V vs. Na⁺/Na, in good agreement with a first‐principles prediction of 0.35 V. The Na storage properties in Na₂Ti₃O₇ are investigated from thermodynamic and kinetic aspects. By reducing particle size, the nanosized Na₂Ti₃O₇ exhibits much higher capacity, but still with unsatisfied cyclic properties. The solid‐state interphase layer on Na₂Ti₃O₇ electrode is analyzed. A zero‐current overpotential related to thermodynamic factors is observed for both nano‐ and microsized Na₂Ti₃O₇. The electronic structure, Na⁺ ion transport and conductivity are investigated by the combination of first‐principles calculation and electrochemical characterizations. On the basis of the vacancy‐hopping mechanism, a quasi‐3D energy favorable trajectory is proposed for Na₂Ti₃O₇. The Na⁺ ions diffuse between the TiO₆ octahedron layers with pretty low activation energy of 0.186 eV.     

On‐target ultrasonic digestion of proteins

In the present work, we report a novel on‐target protein cleavage method. The method utilizes ultrasonic energy and allows up to 20 samples to be cleaved in 5 min for protein identification and one sample in 30 s for on‐tissue digestion. The standard proteins were spotted on a conductive glass slide in a volume of 0.5 μL followed by 5 min of ultrasonication after trypsin addition. Controls (5 min, 37°C no ultrasonication) were also assayed. After trypsin addition, digestion of the tissues was enhanced by 30 s of ultrasonication. The samples were analyzed and compared to those obtained by using conventional 3 h heating proteolysis. The low sample volume needed for the digestion and reduction in sample‐handling steps and time are the features that make this method appealing to the many laboratories working with high‐throughput sample treatment.     

Identification and characterization of proteins isolated from microvesicles derived from human lung cancer pleural effusions

Microvesicles (MVs, also known as exosomes, ectosomes, microparticles) are released by various cancer cells, including lung, colorectal, and prostate carcinoma cells. MVs released from tumor cells and other sources accumulate in the circulation and in pleural effusion. Although recent studies have shown that MVs play multiple roles in tumor progression, the potential pathological roles of MV in pleural effusion, and their protein composition, are still unknown. In this study, we report the first global proteomic analysis of highly purified MVs derived from human nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) pleural effusion. Using nano‐LC–MS/MS following 1D SDS‐PAGE separation, we identified a total of 912 MV proteins with high confidence. Three independent experiments on three patients showed that MV proteins from PE were distinct from MV obtained from other malignancies. Bioinformatics analyses of the MS data identified pathologically relevant proteins and potential diagnostic makers for NSCLC, including lung‐enriched surface antigens and proteins related to epidermal growth factor receptor signaling. These findings provide new insight into the diverse functions of MVs in cancer progression and will aid in the development of novel diagnostic tools for NSCLC.     

Proteomic analysis reveals tanshinone IIA enhances apoptosis of advanced cervix carcinoma CaSki cells through mitochondria intrinsic and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways

Cervix cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide, whereas paclitaxel, the first line chemotherapeutic drug used to treat cervical cancer, shows low chemosensitivity on the advanced cervical cancer cell line. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) exhibited strong growth inhibitory effect on CaSki cells (IC₅₀ = 5.51 μM) through promoting caspase cascades with concomitant upregulating the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK signaling. Comprehensive proteomics revealed the global protein changes and the network analysis implied that Tan IIA treatment would activate ER stress pathways that finally lead to apoptotic cell death. Moreover, ER stress inhibitor could alleviate Tan IIA caused cell growth inhibition and ameliorate C/EBP‐homologous protein as well as apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1 mediated cell death. The therapeutic interventions targeting the mitochondrial‐related apoptosis and ER stress responses might be promising strategies to conquer paclitaxel resistance.     

Crop seed oil bodies: From challenges in protein identification to an emerging picture of the oil body proteome

Oleaginous seeds store lipids in specialized structures called oil bodies (OBs). These organelles consist of a core of neutral lipids bound by proteins embedded in a phospholipid monolayer. OB proteins are well conserved in plants and have long been grouped into only two categories: structural proteins or enzymes. Recent work, however, which identified other classes of proteins associated with OBs, clearly shows that this classification is obsolete. Proteomics‐mediated OB protein identification is facilitated in plants for which the genome is sequenced and annotated. However, it is not clear whether this knowledge can be dependably transposed to less well‐characterized plants, including the well‐established commercial sources of seed oil as well as the many others being proposed as novel sources for biodiesel, especially in Africa and Asia. Toward an update of the current data available on OB proteins this review discusses (i) the specific difficulties for proteomic studies of organelles; (ii) a 2012 census of the proteins found in seed OBs from various crops; (iii) the oleosin composition of OBs and their role in organelle stability; (iv) PTM of OB proteins as an emerging field of investigation; and finally we describe the emerging model of the OB proteome from oilseed crops.     

INPPO Actions and Recognition as a Driving Force for Progress in Plant Proteomics: Change of Guard,INPPO Update,and Upcoming Activities

The International Plant Proteomics Organization (INPPO) is a non‐profit organization whose members are scientists involved or interested in plant proteomics. Since the publication of the first INPPO highlights in 2012, continued progress on many of the organization's mandates/goals has been achieved. Two major events are emphasized in this second INPPO highlights. First, the change of guard at the top, passing of the baton from Dominique Job, INPPO founding President to Ganesh Kumar Agrawal as the incoming President. Ganesh K. Agrawal, along with Dominique Job and Randeep Rakwal initiated the INPPO. Second, the most recent INPPO achievements and future targets, mainly the organization of first the INPPO World Congress in 2014, tentatively planned for Hamburg (Germany), are mentioned.     

Identification and characterization of Cryptococcus neoformans protein fractions that induce protective immune responses

Cryptococcus neoformans, the main causative agent of cryptococcosis, is a fungal pathogen that causes life‐threatening meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised patients. To date, there is no vaccine or immunotherapy approved to treat cryptococcosis. Cell‐ and antibody‐mediated immune responses collaborate to mediate optimal protection against C. neoformans infections. Accordingly, we identified cryptococcal protein fractions capable of stimulating cell‐ and antibody‐mediated immune responses and determined their efficacy to elicit protection against cryptococcosis. Proteins were extracted from C. neoformans and fractionated based on molecular mass. The fractions were then evaluated by immunoblot analysis for reactivity to serum extracted from protectively immunized mice and in cytokine recall assays for their efficacy to induce pro‐inflammatory and Th1‐type cytokine responses associated with protection. MS analysis revealed a number of proteins with roles in stress response, signal transduction, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid synthesis, and protein synthesis. Immunization with select protein fractions containing immunodominant antigens induced significantly prolonged survival against experimental pulmonary cryptococcosis. Our studies support using the combination of immunological and proteomic approaches to identify proteins that elicit antigen‐specific antibody and Th1‐type cytokine responses. The immunodominant antigens that were discovered represent attractive candidates for the development of novel subunit vaccines for treatment and/or prevention of cryptococcosis.     

Vitamin D and maternal and child health: Overview and implications for dietary requirements

The essentiality of vitamin D for normal growth and development has been recognized for over 80 years, and vitamin D fortification programs have been in place in the United States for more than 70 years. Despite the above, vitamin D deficiency continues to be a common finding in certain population groups. Vitamin D deficiency has been suggested as a potential risk factor for the development of preeclampsia, and vitamin D deficiency during infancy and early childhood is associated with an increased risk for numerous skeletal disorders, as well as immunological and vascular abnormalities. Vitamin D deficiency can occur through multiple mechanisms including the consumption of diets low in this vitamin and inadequate exposure to environmental ultraviolet B rays. The potential value of vitamin D supplementation in high‐risk pregnancies and during infancy and early childhood is discussed. Currently, there is vigorous debate concerning what constitutes appropriate vitamin D intakes during early development as exemplified by differing recommendations from the Institute of Medicine Dietary Reference Intake report and recent recommendations by the Endocrine Society. As is discussed, a major issue that needs to be resolved is what key biological endpoint should be used when making vitamin D recommendations for the pregnant woman and her offspring. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 99:24–44, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.