Exploring the Origin of the Temperature‐Dependent Behavior of PbS Nanocrystal Thin Films and Solar Cells

Temperature‐dependent studies of the electrical and optical properties of cross‐linked PbS nanocrystal (NC) solar cells can provide deeper insight into their working mechanisms. It is demonstrated that the overall effect of temperature on the device efficiency originates from the temperature dependence of the open‐circuit voltage and the short‐circuit current, while the fill factor remains approximately constant. Extensive modeling provides signs of band‐like transport in the inhomogeneously coupled NC active layer and shows that the charge transport is dominated by diffusion. Moreover, via low temperature absorption and photoluminescence (PL) measurements, it is shown that the optical properties of PbS thin films before and after benzenedithiol (BDT) treatment exhibit very distinct behavior. After BDT treatment, both the optical density (OD) and PL are shifted to lower energies, indicating the occurrence of electronic wave function overlap between adjacent NCs. Decrease of the temperature leads to additional red‐shift of the OD and PL spectra, which is explained by the well‐known temperature dependence of the PbS NCs' bandgap. Moreover, BDT treated PbS NCs show unusual properties, such as decrease of the PL signal and broadening of the spectra at low temperatures. These features can be attributed to the partial relaxation of the quantum confinement and the opening of new radiative and nonradiative pathways for recombination at lower temperatures due to the presence of trap states.     

Structural development of sucrose-sweetened and sucrose-free sponge cakes during baking

The influence of sucrose, wheat starch and sorbitol upon the heat- and mass-exchanging processes forming the structure of sponge cake was studied. Under the influence of wheat starch and sorbitol the structure of the sucrose-free sponge cake was formed at more uniform total moisture release. This process was done at lower temperatures and smoother change of the sponge cake height with respect to the sucrose-sweetened sponge cake. The porous and steady structure of both cakes was finally formed at identical time--between 18th and 19th minute, at the applied conditions for baking of each batter (metal pan with diameter 15.4 cm and depth 6.2 cm containing 300 g of batter and placed in an electric oven "Rahovetz-02", Bulgaria for 30 min at 180 degrees C). The water-losses at the end of baking (10.30% and 10.40% for the sucrose-sweetened cake and sucrose-free cake, respectively) and the final temperatures reached in the crumb central layers (96.6 degrees C and 96.3 degrees C for the sucrose-sweetened cake and sucrose-free cake, respectively) during baking of both samples were not statistically different. The addition of wheat starch and sorbitol in sucrose-free sponge cake lead to the statistically different values for the porosity (76.15% and 72.98%) and the volume (1014.17 cm3 and 984.25 cm3) of the sucrose-sweetened and sucrose-free sponge cakes, respectively. As a result, the sucrose-free sponge cake formed during baking had a more homogeneous and finer microstructure with respect to that ofthe sucrose-sweetened one.     

The role of non-covalent interactions and matrix viscosity on the dispersion and properties of LLDPE/MWCNT nanocomposites

Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites were prepared by melt compounding, following two different compatibilization strategies that involved non-covalent interactions between the matrix and the filler. The first approach involved grafting pyridine aromatic moieties on the maleated polyolefin backbone, which are able to interact by π–π stacking with the surface of the nanotubes. The second method implemented non-covalent/non-specific surface functionalization of the MWCNTs with a hyperbranched polyethylene (HBPE). The enhanced interfacial interactions established in the composites containing LLDPE functionalized with pyridine grafts improved the dispersion of the nanotubes within the polymer matrix. Dispersion was also favoured by higher matrix viscosity. Composites containing finely dispersed MWCNTs exhibited an increase in the rheological and electrical percolation thresholds, and a significant improvement in mechanical properties. On the contrary the composites based on the low viscosity matrix contained large amounts of aggregates, which promoted lower percolation thresholds. Manipulation of matrix viscosity and compatibilization resulted in composites with good mechanical properties, and low percolation thresholds.     

Whence CRIPTO: The Reemergence of an Oncofetal Factor in ‘Wounds’ That Fail to Heal

There exists a set of factors termed oncofetal proteins that play key roles in ontogeny before they decline or disappear as the organism’s tissues achieve homeostasis, only to then re-emerge in cancer. Although the unique therapeutic potential presented by such factors has been recognized for more than a century, their clinical utility has yet to be fully realized1. This review highlights the small signaling protein CRIPTO encoded by the tumor derived growth factor 1 (TDGF1/Tdgf1) gene, an oft cited oncofetal protein whose presence in the cancer literature as a tumor promoter, diagnostic marker and viable therapeutic target continues to grow. We touch lightly on features well established and well-reviewed since its discovery more than 30 years ago, including CRIPTO’s early developmental roles and modulation of SMAD2/3 activation by a selected set of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family ligands. We predominantly focus instead on more recent and less well understood additions to the CRIPTO signaling repertoire, on its potential upstream regulators and on new conceptual ground for understanding its mode of action in the multicellular and often stressful contexts of neoplastic transformation and progression. We ask whence it re-emerges in cancer and where it ‘hides’ between the time of its fetal activity and its oncogenic reemergence. In this regard, we examine CRIPTO’s restriction to rare cells in the adult, its potential for paracrine crosstalk, and its emerging role in inflammation and tissue regeneration—roles it may reprise in tumorigenesis, acting on subsets of tumor cells to foster cancer initiation and progression. We also consider critical gaps in knowledge and resources that stand between the recent, exciting momentum in the CRIPTO field and highly actionable CRIPTO manipulation for cancer therapy and beyond.     

Exploring the diagnostic utility of facial composites: Beliefs of guilt can bias perceived similarity between composite and suspect.

Facial composite research has generally focused on the investigative utility of composites—using composites to find suspects. However, almost no work has examined the diagnostic utility of facial composites—the extent to which composites can be used as evidence against a suspect. For example, detectives and jurors may use the perceived similarity of a suspect to a composite as evidence to determine the likelihood of a suspect's guilt. However, research in social cognition and models of cognitive coherence suggest that these similarity judgments may be biased by evaluators' preexisting beliefs of guilt. Two studies examined how preexisting beliefs of guilt influence similarity ratings between a suspect and a facial composite. Study 1 (n = 93) demonstrated that mock-investigators' beliefs in a suspect's guilt inflated their subsequent similarity ratings. Study 2 (n = 49) demonstrated that mock-jurors' beliefs in a defendant's guilt predicted their similarity ratings. These findings highlight a problem of using facial composites as evidence against a suspect, and demonstrate the malleability of similarity judgments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Next-Generation Grade and Survival Expression Biomarkers of Human Gliomas Based on Algorithmically Reconstructed Molecular Pathways

In gliomas, expression of certain marker genes is strongly associated with survival and tumor type and often exceeds histological assessments. Using a human interactome model, we algorithmically reconstructed 7494 new-type molecular pathways that are centered each on an individual protein. Each single-gene expression and gene-centric pathway activation was tested as a survival and tumor grade biomarker in gliomas and their diagnostic subgroups (IDH mutant or wild type, IDH mutant with 1p/19q co-deletion, MGMT promoter methylated or unmethylated), including the three major molecular subtypes of glioblastoma (proneural, mesenchymal, classical). We used three datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas, which in total include 527 glioblastoma and 1097 low grade glioma profiles. We identified 2724 such gene and 2418 pathway survival biomarkers out of total 17,717 genes and 7494 pathways analyzed. We then assessed tumor grade and molecular subtype biomarkers and with the threshold of AUC > 0.7 identified 1322/982 gene biomarkers and 472/537 pathway biomarkers. This suggests roughly two times greater efficacy of the reconstructed pathway approach compared to gene biomarkers. Thus, we conclude that activation levels of algorithmically reconstructed gene-centric pathways are a potent class of new-generation diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for gliomas.     

Long COVID: Association of Functional Autoantibodies against G-Protein-Coupled Receptors with an Impaired Retinal Microcirculation

Long COVID (LC) describes the clinical phenotype of symptoms after infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Diagnostic and therapeutic options are limited, as the pathomechanism of LC is elusive. As the number of acute SARS-CoV-2 infections was and is large, LC will be a challenge for the healthcare system. Previous studies revealed an impaired blood flow, the formation of microclots, and autoimmune mechanisms as potential factors in this complex interplay. Since functionally active autoantibodies against G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR-AAbs) were observed in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection, this study aimed to correlate the appearance of GPCR-AAbs with capillary microcirculation. The seropositivity of GPCR-AAbs was measured by an established cardiomyocyte bioassay in 42 patients with LC and 6 controls. Retinal microcirculation was measured by OCT–angiography and quantified as macula and peripapillary vessel density (VD) by the Erlangen-Angio Tool. A statistical analysis yielded impaired VD in patients with LC compared to the controls, which was accentuated in female persons. A significant decrease in macula and peripapillary VD for AAbs targeting adrenergic β2-receptor, MAS-receptor angiotensin-II-type-1 receptor, and adrenergic α1-receptor were observed. The present study might suggest that a seropositivity of GPCR-AAbs can be linked to an impaired retinal capillary microcirculation, potentially mirroring the systemic microcirculation with consecutive clinical symptoms.     

Detection of endogenous Snf1 and its activation state: application to Saccharomyces and Candida species

The stress-response Snf1 protein kinase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae serves as a powerful model for studies of the eukaryotic Snf1/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) family. Central to studies of Snf1 are methods that determine its activation state under various physiological and genetic conditions. Here, we have developed a convenient and sensitive method for immunoblot analysis of endogenous yeast Snf1 and its activation-loop threonine (Thr210) phosphorylation. The method employs readily obtainable reagents and yields results that faithfully reflect the environmental and genetic conditions tested. Using our method, we have obtained evidence that Snf1 remains stress-regulated in reg1 Delta cells, revealing the existence of a Snf1 signalling mechanism(s) that is independent of Reg1-PP1 phosphatase. In addition to strains of common laboratory S. cerevisiae backgrounds, we have applied the method to two pathogenic Candida species, C. glabrata and C. albicans. We have detected proteins whose gel mobilities, immune properties and regulation patterns are consistent with those expected for the corresponding Snf1 homologues. Because Snf1 activation is a sensitive marker of several types of stress, including artifactual stresses associated with common cell harvesting and protein extraction procedures, the convenient and efficient protein extraction method described here should be advantageous for SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analyses of stress-regulated and other proteins from various yeast species.     

Eco-Sustainable Silk Fibroin/Pomegranate Peel Extract Film as an Innovative Green Material for Skin Repair

Skin disorders are widespread around the world, affecting people of all ages, and oxidative stress represents one of the main causes of alteration in the normal physiological parameters of skin cells. In this work, we combined a natural protein, fibroin, with antioxidant compounds extracted in water from pomegranate waste. We demonstrate the effective and facile fabrication of bioactive and eco-sustainable films of potential interest for skin repair. The blended films are visually transparent (around 90%); flexible; stable in physiological conditions and in the presence of trypsin for 12 days; able to release the bioactive compounds in a controlled manner; based on Fickian diffusion; and biocompatible towards the main skin cells, keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production tests demonstrated the high capacity of our films to reduce the oxidative stress induced in cells, which is responsible for various skin diseases.     

Challenges in Metabolomics-Based Tests,Biomarkers Revealed by Metabolomic Analysis,and the Promise of the Application of Metabolomics in Precision Medicine

Metabolomics helps identify metabolites to characterize/refine perturbations of biological pathways in living organisms. Pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical limitations that have hampered a wide implementation of metabolomics have been addressed. Several potential biomarkers originating from current targeted metabolomics-based approaches have been discovered. Precision medicine argues for algorithms to classify individuals based on susceptibility to disease, and/or by response to specific treatments. It also argues for a prevention-based health system. Because of its ability to explore gene–environment interactions, metabolomics is expected to be critical to personalize diagnosis and treatment. Stringent guidelines have been applied from the very beginning to design studies to acquire the information currently employed in precision medicine and precision prevention approaches. Large, prospective, expensive and time-consuming studies are now mandatory to validate old, and discover new, metabolomics-based biomarkers with high chances of translation into precision medicine. Metabolites from studies on saliva, sweat, breath, semen, feces, amniotic, cerebrospinal, and broncho-alveolar fluid are predicted to be needed to refine information from plasma and serum metabolome. In addition, a multi-omics data analysis system is predicted to be needed for omics-based precision medicine approaches. Omics-based approaches for the progress of precision medicine and prevention are expected to raise ethical issues.