The Role of Higher Lying Electronic States in Charge Photogeneration in Organic Solar Cells

The role of excess photon energy on charge generation efficiency in bulk heterojunction solar cells is still an open issue for the organic photovoltaic community. Here, the spectral dependence of the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) for a poly[2,6‐(4,4‐bis‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b;3,4‐b]­dithiophene)‐alt‐4,7‐(2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole)]:6,6‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCPDTBT:PC60BM)‐based solar cell is derived combining accurate optoelectronic characterization and comprehensive optical modeling. This joint approach is shown to be essential to get reliable values of the IQE. Photons with energy higher than the bandgap of the donor material can effectively contribute to enhance the IQE of the solar cell. This holds true independently of the device architecture, reflecting an intrinsic property of the active material. Moreover, the nanomorphology of the bulk heterojunction plays a crucial role in determining the IQE spectral dependence: the coarser and more crystalline, the lesser the gain in IQE upon high energy excitation.     

Next-Generation Sequencing Workflow for NSCLC Critical Samples Using a Targeted Sequencing Approach by Ion Torrent PGM? Platform

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a cost-effective technology capable of screening several genes simultaneously; however, its application in a clinical context requires an established workflow to acquire reliable sequencing results. Here, we report an optimized NGS workflow analyzing 22 lung cancer-related genes to sequence critical samples such as DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks and circulating free DNA (cfDNA). Snap frozen and matched FFPE gDNA from 12 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, whose gDNA fragmentation status was previously evaluated using a multiplex PCR-based quality control, were successfully sequenced with Ion Torrent PGM™. The robust bioinformatic pipeline allowed us to correctly call both Single Nucleotide Variants (SNVs) and indels with a detection limit of 5%, achieving 100% specificity and 96% sensitivity. This workflow was also validated in 13 FFPE NSCLC biopsies. Furthermore, a specific protocol for low input gDNA capable of producing good sequencing data with high coverage, high uniformity, and a low error rate was also optimized. In conclusion, we demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining gDNA from FFPE samples suitable for NGS by performing appropriate quality controls. The optimized workflow, capable of screening low input gDNA, highlights NGS as a potential tool in the detection, disease monitoring, and treatment of NSCLC.     

Perceived shrinkage of motion paths.

We show that human observers strongly underestimate a linear or circular trajectory that a luminous spot follows in the dark. At slow speeds, observers are relatively accurate, but, as the speed increases, the size of the path is progressively underestimated, by up to 35%. The underestimation imposes little memory load and does not require tracking of the trajectory. Most importantly, we found that underestimation occurred only when successive motion vectors changed in direction. This suggests a perceptual rather than representational origin of the illusion, related to vector-sum integration over time of neural motion signals in different directions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Morphological and qualitative characterisation of globe artichoke head from new seed‐propagated cultivars

BACKGROUND: Three new artichoke seed‐propagated hybrids (Tempo, Opal and Madrigal) were compared with two standard cultivated varietal types [Catanese and Violet du Provence (VP)] in terms of head morphology, processing performance, nutritional or technological qualitative traits, in order to define their best use. RESULTS: Compared to the other genotypes, Opal and Madrigal had more rounded, heavier, larger heads, higher processing yield (>400 g of heart kg^?1 raw head) and lower total phenol (TP) content (2.4 g of gallic acid equivalents kg^?1 FW). VP gave a higher processing yield than Catanese and showed the highest TP content (6.5 g kg^?1 FW). Tempo hearts were more similar to those of VP in biometrical and chemical terms (P, Na, K, Ca); they had the highest dry matter content (163 g kg^?1 FW) and the waste left after peeling had the highest TP content. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid artichokes, especially Opal and Madrigal, appear more suitable for the processing industry and also for fresh‐cut production due to their highest processing yield and lowest total phenol content. Because of its high total phenol content, Tempo waste represents a possible source of natural antioxidant in the pharmaceutical field and in the food industry (as a food additive). Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Inhibition of colon adenocarcinoma cell proliferation by flavonols is linked to a G2/M cell cycle block and reduction in cyclin D1 expression

The moderate consumption of red wine has been proposed to reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer. Its anti-cancer action my in part be mediated by the actions of polyphenols on colon cancer epithelial cells. We show that a red wine phenolic (50 μg/ml) extract devoid of anthocyanins (removed to reflect polyphenol bioavailability to the large intestine) and the major red wine flavonols quercetin, myricetin, laricitrin and syringetin (50 μM) are capable of inhibiting the proliferation of colorectal epithelial adenocarcinoma cells. This anti-proliferative activity was partly mediated by the direct cytotoxic actions of flavonols and also their ability to cause a significant cell cycle blockage in G2/M. The anti-proliferative effects induced by flavonols were preceded, in most cases, by a strong and significant reduction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cyclin D1 expression. These results indicate that the observed inverse correlation between colon cancer and a moderate red wine intake may be partly mediated by the actions of red wine flavonols on the growth of cancer cells.     

Killers, fridges, and slaves: a legal journey in robotics

This paper adopts a legal perspective to counter some exaggerations of today’s debate on the social understanding of robotics. According to a long and well-established tradition, there is in fact a relative strong consensus among lawyers about some key notions as, say, agency and liability in the current use of robots. However, dealing with a field in rapid evolution, we need to rethink some basic tenets of the contemporary legal framework. In particular, time has come for lawyers to acknowledge that some acts of robots should be considered as a new source of legal responsibility for others’ behaviour.     

1923 Gleno Dam Break: Case Study and Numerical Modeling

On the morning of December 1, 1923, the Gleno Dam (located in the Central Italian Alps) suddenly collapsed a few days after the first complete reservoir filling. Nearly 4.5×106??m3 of water was released. The consequent inundation caused significant destruction along the downstream valley and a death toll of at least 356 lives. This failure is the only historical case of dam break caused by structural deficiencies that has occurred in Italy. As a result, it has deeply influenced the evolution of Italian regulations regarding dam design and hydraulic risk evaluation. However, in spite of its relevance, this event has never been characterized from a hydraulic standpoint. This paper reports the main information obtained from the analysis of a vast amount of historical documents regarding the Gleno Dam break to set up a case study useful for validating dam-break models in mountain settings. Moreover, it presents the main results of one-dimensional (1D) modeling of the dam break wave propagation accomplished with a first-order finite volume numerical scheme recently proposed in the literature for field applications. The overall effectiveness and reliability of the model are evaluated for this case characterized by very irregular topography. Finally, the practical relevance of several choices that the numerical reconstruction of this kind of event demands is tested.     

Ownership, Investment Policies and Funding Choices of Italian Water Utilities: An Empirical Analysis

Nowadays, the efficient management of water has become the focus of vast debate, both in the academic literature and in the practical and regulatory field. Due to the growing importance and scarcity of water resources, it has become crucial to better understand how to improve the organizational efficiency of water utilities. By adopting an accounting perspective and using statistical methods, this paper analyzes whether and to what extent investment and financial strategies differ among clusters of water utilities with different ownership structures. The paper focuses on the Italian water industry, a context considered particularly appropriate due to the coexistence of utilities with different ownership structures. The main results of the paper show that ownership affects the level of investment as well as the financial structure and costs of water utilities. The evidence provided by this study should encourage national governments and regulatory authorities to select water utilities with the greatest investment potential measured in terms of financial efficiency and effectiveness.