Structure-directing effects in (110)-layered hybrid perovskites containing two distinct organic moieties

We acknowledge support from the University of St Andrews, the China Scholarship Council (studentship to YYG) and the Leverhulme trust (RPG-2018-065).The hybrid perovskites (ImH)(GuH)PbBr4 and (TzH)(GuH)PbBr4 (ImH+ = imidazolium, GuH+ = guanidinium, TzH+ = 1,2,4-triazolium) both adopt (110)-oriented layer structures. However, the GuH+ cation adopts differing crystallographic sites in the two structures (intra-layer versus inter-layer); this is discussed in terms of the sizes of the organic cations and their hydrogen-bonding preferences.PostprintPeer reviewe

OSCA: a comprehensive open-access system of analysis of posterior capsular opacification

BACKGROUND: This paper presents and tests a comprehensive computerised system of analysis of digital images of posterior capsule opacification (PCO). It updates and expands significantly on a previous presentation to include facilities for selecting user defined central areas and for registering and subsequent merging of images for artefact removal. Also, the program is compiled and thus eliminates the need for specialised additional software. The system is referred to in this paper as the open-access systematic capsule assessment (OSCA). The system is designed to be evidence based, objective and openly available, improving on current systems of analysis. METHODS: Principal features of the OSCA system of analysis are discussed. Flash artefacts are automatically located in two PCO images and the images merged to produce a composite free from these artefacts. For this to be possible the second image has to be manipulated with a registration technique to bring it into alignment with the first. Further image processing and analysis steps use a location-sensitive entropy based texture analysis of PCO. Validity of measuring PCO progression of the whole new system is assessed along with visual significance of scores. Reliability of the system is assessed. RESULTS: Analysis of PCO by the system shows ability to detect early progression of PCO, as well as detection of more visually significant PCO. Images with no clinical PCO produce very low scores in the analysis. Reliability of the system of analysis is demonstrated. CONCLUSION: This system of PCO analysis is evidence-based, objective and clinically useful. It incorporates flash detection and removal as well as location sensitive texture analysis. It provides features and benefits not previously available to most researchers or clinicians. Substantial evidence is provided for this system's validity and reliability

Genome, Functional Gene Annotation, and Nuclear Transformation of the Heterokont Oleaginous Alga \u3ci\u3eNannochloropsis oceanica\u3c/i\u3e CCMP1779

Unicellular marine algae have promise for providing sustainable and scalable biofuel feedstocks, although no single species has emerged as a preferred organism. Moreover, adequate molecular and genetic resources prerequisite for the rational engineering of marine algal feedstocks are lacking for most candidate species. Heterokonts of the genus Nannochloropsis naturally have high cellular oil content and are already in use for industrial production of high-value lipid products. First success in applying reverse genetics by targeted gene replacement makes Nannochloropsis oceanica an attractive model to investigate the cell and molecular biology and biochemistry of this fascinating organism group. Here we present the assembly of the 28.7 Mb genome of N. oceanica CCMP1779. RNA sequencing data from nitrogen-replete and nitrogendepleted growth conditions support a total of 11,973 genes, of which in addition to automatic annotation some were manually inspected to predict the biochemical repertoire for this organism. Among others, more than 100 genes putatively related to lipid metabolism, 114 predicted transcription factors, and 109 transcriptional regulators were annotated. Comparison of the N. oceanica CCMP1779 gene repertoire with the recently published N. gaditana genome identified 2,649 genes likely specific to N. oceanica CCMP1779. Many of these N. oceanica–specific genes have putative orthologs in other species or are supported by transcriptional evidence. However, because similarity-based annotations are limited, functions of most of these species-specific genes remain unknown. Aside from the genome sequence and its analysis, protocols for the transformation of N. oceanica CCMP1779 are provided. The availability of genomic and transcriptomic data for Nannochloropsis oceanica CCMP1779, along with efficient transformation protocols, provides a blueprint for future detailed gene functional analysis and genetic engineering of Nannochloropsis species by a growing academic community focused on this genus

Probing interactions through space using spin-spin coupling

The work in this project was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).The series of eight 5-(TeY)-6-(SePh)acenaphthenes (Y = Fp (2), Tol (3), An-p (4), An-o (5), Tp (6), Mes (7), Tip (8), Nap (9)) were prepared and structurally characterised by X-ray crystallography, solution and solid-state NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) calculations. All members of the series, except 5, adopt a BA type configuration comparable to the parent compound 1 (Y = Ph), aligning the Te-CY bond along the mean acenaphthene plane and promoting a nonbonded Se...Te-CY 3c-4e type interaction to form to stabilise the molecule (G-dependence). 5 (Y = An-o) adopts a BC type conformation in the solid but DFT calculations show this optimises to BA. Indication of strong through-space peri-interactions between Te and Se are observed in the Se-77 and Te-125 NMR spectra, with J(Te, Se) spin-spin coupling constants (SSCCs) in the range -688 to -748 Hz. Evidence supporting the presence of this interaction was also found in solid-state NMR spectra of some of the compounds which exhibit an indirect spin-spin coupling on the same order of magnitude as observed in solution. In order to quantify the steric bulk of the aryl groups (Y), we introduce the crystallographic steric parameter (theta), the cone angle measured from the furthest H atoms lying on the edges of the cone to the Te atom located at its vertex. Modification to Y has no apparent influence over the conformation of the molecule, the degree of molecular distortion occurring in the acenaphthene backbone or the extent of 3c-4e interaction; peri-distances for all eight compounds are within 0.08 angstrom and no apparent correlation is observed between the steric bulk of Y (theta) and the Se-77 chemical shifts or J(Te, Se) SSCCs. In contrast, a good correlation is found between theta and Te-125 chemical shifts. DFT calculations performed on all members of the series confirm the comparable covalent bonding between Te and Se in the series, with WBIs of ca. 0.1 obtained. Natural bond orbital analysis shows a noticeable donor-acceptor interaction between a p-type lone pair on Se and a sigma*(Te-C) antibonding orbital, confirming the onset of 3c-4e type bonding.PostprintPostprintPeer reviewe

Two distinct long-range synaptic complexes promote different aspects of end processing prior to repair of DNA breaks by non-homologous end joining

Non-homologous end joining is the major double-strand break repair (DSBR) pathway in mammals. DNA-PK is the hub and organizer of multiple steps in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Recent high-resolution structures show how two distinct NHEJ complexes “synapse” two DNA ends. One complex includes a DNA-PK dimer mediated by XLF, whereas a distinct DNA-PK dimer forms via a domain-swap mechanism where the C terminus of Ku80 from one DNA-PK protomer interacts with another DNA-PK protomer in trans. Remarkably, the distance between the two synapsed DNA ends in both dimers is the same (∼115 Å), which matches the distance observed in the initial description of an NHEJ long-range synaptic complex. Here, a mutational strategy is used to demonstrate distinct cellular function(s) of the two dimers: one promoting fill-in end processing, while the other promotes DNA end resection. Thus, the specific DNA-PK dimer formed (which may be impacted by DNA end structure) dictates the mechanism by which ends will be made ligatable.</p