Synergistic Use of Pyridine and Selenophene in a Diketopyrrolopyrrole‐Based Conjugated Polymer Enhances the Electron Mobility in Organic Transistors

To achieve semiconducting materials with high electron mobility in organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs), low‐lying energy levels (the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO)) and favorable molecular packing and ordering are two crucial factors. Here, it is reported that the incorporation of pyridine and selenophene into the backbone of a diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)‐based copolymer produces a high‐electron‐mobility semiconductor, PDPPy‐Se. Compared with analogous polymers based on other DPP derivatives and selenophene, PDPPy‐Se features a lower LUMO that can decrease the electron transfer barrier for more effective electron injection, and simultaneously a lower HOMO that, however, can increase the hole transfer barrier to suppress the hole injection. Combined with thermal annealing at 240 °C for thin film morphology optimization to achieve large‐scale crystallite domains with tight molecular packing for effective charge transport along the conducting channel, OFET devices fabricated with PDPPy‐Se exhibit an n‐type‐dominant performance with an electron mobility (μ_e) as high as 2.22 cm² V^?1 s^?1 and a hole/electron mobility ratio (μ_h/μ_e) of 0.26. Overall, this study demonstrates a simple yet effective approach to boost the electron mobility in organic transistors by synergistic use of pyridine and selenophene in the backbone of a DPP‐based copolymer.     

Backscattered electron imaging by scanning electron microscopy of regenerating peripheral nerve axons immunostained with antineurofilament antibody.

To demonstrate three-dimensional architecture of regenerating axons growing through basal lamina tubes in cryoinjured nerve graft, backscattered electron (BSE) imaging in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to visualize immunostained axons. Regenerating axons immunostained with an antibody against the 200 kD neurofilament protein (RT97) were clearly visualized in BSE images as bright components pursuing an irregular, often spiral course within the basal lamina tubes, and commonly branching within the tubes. The morphology of these structures corresponded closely to that of putative regenerating axons in SEM preparations following application of the potassium hydroxide-collagenase digestion method. The present approach, however, is a considerable improvement on the latter, providing three-dimensional information together with the identification of regenerating axons.     

100 Å-thick tunnel junction by double impurity doping liquid phase epitaxy for V-band TUNNETT oscillation

The tunnel injection transit time (TUNNETT) diodes with p⁺p⁺n⁺n⁻n⁺ structure were fabricated by liquid phase epitaxy (LPE). About 100 Å tunnel junction (p⁺n⁺) was successfully prepared by the double impurity diffusion of Ge and S during LPE growth. Continuous wave (CW) oscillation was realized at 51.520 GHz in the V-band cavity with the phase noise of −60 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz bandwidth.     

High-performance C60 and picene thin film field-effect transistors with conducting polymer electrodes in bottom contact structure

C₆₀ and picene thin film field-effect transistors (FETs) in bottom contact structure have been fabricated with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) electrodes for a realization of mechanical flexible organic FETs. The C₆₀ thin film FETs showed n-channel enhancement-type characteristics with the field-effect mobility μ value of 0.41 cm² V^?1 s^?1, while the picene thin film FET showed p-channel enhancement-type characteristics with the μ of 0.61 cm² V^?1 s^?1. The μ values recorded for C₆₀ and picene thin film FETs are comparable to those for C₆₀ and picene thin film FETs with Au electrodes.     

Studies on Effective Utilization of SOFC Exhaust Heat Using Thermoelectric Power Generation Technology

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are being researched around the world. In Japan, a compact SOFC system with rated alternative current (AC) power of 700 W has become available on the market, since the base load electricity demand for a standard home is said to be less than 700 W AC. To improve the generating efficiency of SOFC systems in the 700-W class, we focused on thermoelectric generation (TEG) technology, since there are a lot of temperature gradients in the system. Analysis based on simulations indicated the possibility of introducing thermoelectric generation at the air preheater, steam generator, and exhaust outlet. Among these options, incorporating a TEG heat exchanger comprising multiple CoSb₃/SiGe-based TEG modules into the air preheater had potential to produce additional output of 37.5 W and an improvement in generating efficiency from 46% to 48.5%. Furthermore, by introducing thermoelectric generation at the other two locations, an increase in maximum output of more than 50 W and generating efficiency of 50% can be anticipated.     

Earth‐Abundant and Durable Nanoporous Catalyst for Exhaust‐Gas Conversion

Precious metals (Pt and Pd) and rare earth elements (Ce in the form of CeO₂) are typical materials for heterogeneous exhaust‐gas catalysts in automotive systems. However, their limited resources and high market‐driven prices are principal issues in realizing the path toward a more sustainable society. In this regard, herein, a nanoporous NiCuMnO catalyst, which is both abundant and durable, is synthesized by one‐step free dealloying. The catalyst thus developed exhibits catalytic activity and durability for NO reduction and CO oxidation. Microstructure characterization indicates a distinct structural feature: catalytically active Cu/CuO regions are tangled with a stable nanoporous NiMnO network after activation. The results obtained by in situ transmission electron microscopy during NO reduction clearly capture the unique reaction‐induced self‐transformation of the nanostructure. This finding can possibly pave the way for the design of new catalysts for the conversion of exhaust gas based on the element strategy.     

Significant prognostic factors in breast cancer of Japanese women: special reference to nuclear grade and sinus histiocytosis

Progress of psychotherapy and of related behaviour sciences makes evident the importance of a better understanding of human relations. But psychoanalysis finds it hard to describe interpersonal processes without transference. In order to remain within the conceptional frame of metapsychology it has to see interaction between individuals as the oral, aggressive or sexual cathexis of an object or as satisfaction or denial of the subject by the object. The structure of the "ego", which--in analogy to medical thinking--is conceived as an organ with its functions, is considered to have no interpersonal activities. The "ego" of the classic psychoanalytic theory is chiefly occupied with itself. It has to care for its egoistical interests and to guarantee its self-preservation. As an auxiliary and meanwhile popular concept the "self" has been introduced to describe object-relations. This concept is not sharply defined. Due to its metapsychological implications it produces additional theoretical difficulties. Linguistic studies show that every inventory of words implies a certain insight into reality. For this reason the metapsychological machine-like concept of psychic structures does not permit new ideas about interpersonal relations. If we leave metapsychology and base on colloquial speech we see that the experience of "I" is much more related to persons than the rather autistic concept of the "ego" shows. Further we learn that self-preservation cannot be an egoistical interest; it depends on the attachment to others. All feelings of self-esteem depend much more on interpersonal relations than on "narcissistic regulations". From these experiences three conclusions are derived: a) One of the main qualities of the ego is the relatedness to persons. b) The concept of narcissistic regulation as a successor of primary narcissism is no longer useful. Narcissistic traits develop as the secundary compensations if the individual failed to build up satisfactory interpersonal relations. c) The revision of (a) ego-psychology and (b) theory of narcissism asks for modifications of the therapeutic technique, where now the interest is especially concentrated on interpersonal problems instead on the pathology of the ego.     

Penicillium camemberti and Penicillium roqueforti enhance the growth and survival of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 under mild acidic conditions

The effects of secondary starter molds of common mold-ripened cheeses on the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 were assessed in 3 model systems. In the 1st model, 8 STEC O157 strains were incubated in the spent culture of Penicillium camemberti or Penicillium roqueforti under mild acidic conditions at 25 °C. In the spent cultures of the mold at pH 4.8 to 5.0, the lag times of STEC O157 growth were significantly shorter than those observed in fresh medium. Analyses of the spent culture of P. camemberti showed that the causative agents of the growth enhancement were produced by the mold in response to an acidic environment and were not fully inactivated in heat treatment. In the 2nd model, P. camemberti and STEC O157 were cocultured in acidified milk at 25 °C. The population of STEC O157 reached 10(8) CFU/mL in the presence of the mold, whereas the population steadily declined in the absence of the mold. Although this growth enhancement was partially attributable to alkalization by the mold, it was observed even when the pH of this model was stabilized. In the 3rd model, 2 STEC O157 strains were incubated in the spent cultures of molds at pH 4.5 at 10 °C. In the spent culture, proportions of injured cells were significantly lower and D values were significantly higher than those in control, except one STEC O157 strain in the spent culture of P. camemberti. These results showed that the molds could enhance the growth and survival of STEC O157 by changing the environment. Practical Application: This study demonstrated that molds in foods can improve the growth and survival of the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157. Because microbial interactions are ubiquitous in food, our results provide an important insight for understanding the behavior of microorganisms in food.