Highly Stabilized Quantum Dot Ink for Efficient Infrared Light Absorbing Solar Cells

Liquid‐state ligand exchange provides an efficient approach to passivate a quantum dot (QD) surface with small binding species and achieve a QD ink toward scalable QD solar cell (QDSC) production. Herein, experimental studies and theoretical simulations are combined to establish the physical principles of QD surface properties induced charge carrier recombination and collection in QDSCs. Ammonium iodide (AI) is used to thoroughly replace the native oleic acid ligand on the PbS QD surface forming a concentrated QD ink, which has high stability of more than 30 d. The ink can be directly applied for the preparation of a thick QD solid film using a single deposition step method and the QD solid film shows better characteristics compared with that of the film prepared with the traditional PbX₂ (X = I or Br) post‐treated QD ink. Infrared light‐absorbing QDSC devices are fabricated using the PbS‐AI QD ink and the devices give a higher photovoltaic performance compared with the devices fabricated with the traditional PbS‐PbX₂ QD ink. The improved photovoltaic performance in PbS‐AI‐based QDSC is attributed to diminished charge carrier recombination induced by the sub‐bandgap traps in QDs. A theoretical simulation is carried out to atomically link the relationship of QDSC device function with the QD surface properties.     

Molecular mechanisms in DM1 — a focus on foci

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is caused by abnormal expansion of a CTG-trinucleotide repeat in the gene encoding Dystrophia Myotonica Protein Kinase (DMPK), which in turn leads to global deregulation of gene expression in affected individuals. The transcribed mRNA contains a massive CUG-expansion in the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) facilitating nucleation of several regulatory RNA-binding proteins, which are thus unable to perform their normal cellular function. These CUG-expanded mRNA–protein aggregates form distinct, primarily nuclear foci. In differentiated muscle cells, most of the CUG-expanded RNA remains in the nuclear compartment, while in dividing cells such as fibroblasts a considerable fraction of the mutant RNA reaches the cytoplasm, consistent with findings that both nuclear and cytoplasmic events are mis-regulated in DM1. Recent evidence suggests that the nuclear aggregates, or ribonuclear foci, are more dynamic than previously anticipated and regulated by several proteins, including RNA helicases. In this review, we focus on the homeostasis of DMPK mRNA foci and discuss how their dynamic regulation may affect disease-causing mechanisms in DM1.     

Bacterial and firefly luciferase genes in transgenic plants: Advantages and disadvantages of a reporter gene

Genes encoding light-emitting luciferase were recently isolated from luminous marine bacteria and fireflies. Expression of luciferase genes in diverse organisms is a unique way for studying gene expression by simple and sensitive measurement of light. Recent advances in application of luciferase reporter genes are reviewed and documented by examples of in vivo visualization of their expression in transgenic plants.     

Oxidative stress decreases antioxidant enzyme activities in reaggregation cultures of rat brain cells

The brain has been suggested to be especially sensitive to damage by reactive oxygen species. In this study, we examined the effects of hyperoxic conditions on the activities and mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes in reaggregation cultures of rat forebrain cells. Cultures were exposed to 80% oxygen for 12–60 h starting on Days 17 and 33 in culture. Superoxide dismutase activities and mRNA levels were not affected by hyperoxia, whereas catalase activity was slightly decreased after 24 h in 80% oxygen at Day 17. Glutathione peroxidase activity was markedly decreased already after 12 h of hyperoxia, and decreased activities of glutathione reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were also noted. The glutathione peroxidase mRNA levels were increased in hyperoxic cultures at Day 17 but not at Day 33. These results suggest that the enzymatic defense mechanisms against reactive oxygen species in the brain are rather weak and deteriorate during oxidative stress but that a potential for compensatory upregulation exists at least during the first postnatal weeks.     

Recording,processing and analysis of grass root images from a rhizotron

To develop and test a system for computer-assisted image analysis, repeated video recordings of reed canary-grass roots (Phalaris arundinacea L.) were made in an 18-window rhizotron. The images were digitized and processed using a Unix computer and the Khoros software development environment.Two image sizes, 126×95 mm and 61×46 mm, both comprising 650 × 490 pixels, were compared. Among image processing techniques used were median filtering, segmentation and skeletonization. Root area and length in both the topsoil and subsoil were estimated using the two image sizes. The resolution (image size) strongly affected the calculated root lengths. The results were compared with root length measurements obtained manually.Statistically significant differences in root length and area in the topsoil were detected between the sampling dates using the computer-assisted methods. Possible sources of error and methods for reducing them are discussed.