Prospects of Coupled Organic–Inorganic Nanostructures for Charge and Energy Transfer Applications

We review the field of organic–inorganic nanocomposites with a focus on materials that exhibit a significant degree of electronic coupling across the hybrid interface. These nanocomposites undergo a variety of charge and energy transfer processes, enabling optoelectronic applications in devices which exploit singlet fission, triplet energy harvesting, photon upconversion or hot charge carrier transfer. We discuss the physical chemistry of the most common organic and inorganic components. Based on those we derive synthesis and assembly strategies and design criteria on material and device level with a focus on photovoltaics, spin memories or optical upconverters. We conclude that future research in the field should be directed towards an improved understanding of the binding motif and molecular orientation at the hybrid interface. © 2020 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH Gmb

Poly(3-hexylthiophene)s Functionalized with N-Heterocyclic Carbenes as Robust and Conductive Ligands for the Stabilization of Gold Nanoparticles

Recently, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are explored as anchor groups to bind organic ligands to colloidal gold (i.e. gold nanoparticles, Au NPs), yet these efforts are confined to non-conjugated ligands so far—that is, focused solely on exploiting the stability aspect. Using NHCs to link Au NPs and electronically active organic components, for example, conjugated polymers (CPs), will allow capitalizing on both the stability as well as the inherent conductivity of the NHC anchors. Here, we report three types of Br-NHC-Au-X (X=Cl, Br) complexes, which, when used as starting points for Kumada polymerizations, yield regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophenes)-NHC-Au (P3HTs-NHC-Au) with narrow molecular weight distributions. The corresponding NPs are obtained via direct reduction and show excellent thermal as well as redox stability. The NHC anchors enable electron delocalization over the gold/CP interface, resulting in an improved electrochromic response behavior in comparison with P3HT-NHC-Au. © 2020 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH Gmb

Autoimmunity-Related Risk Variants in PTPN22 and CTLA4 Are Associated With ME/CFS With Infectious Onset

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in various genes have been described to be associated with susceptibility to autoimmune disease. In this study, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients and controls were genotyped for five immune gene SNPs in tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22, rs2476601), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4, rs3087243), tumor necrosis factor (TNF, rs1800629 and rs1799724), and interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5, rs3807306), which are among the most important risk variants for autoimmune diseases. Analysis of 305 ME/CFS patients and 201 healthy controls showed significant associations of the PTPN22 rs2476601 and CTLA4 rs3087243 autoimmunity-risk alleles with ME/CFS. The associations were only found in ME/CFS patients, who reported an acute onset of disease with an infection (PTPN22 rs2476601: OR 1.63, CI 1.04-2.55, p = 0.016; CTLA4 rs3087243: OR 1.53, CI 1.17-2.03, p = 0.001), but not in ME/CFS patients without infection-triggered onset (PTPN22 rs2476601: OR 1.09, CI 0.56-2.14, p = 0.398; CTLA4 rs3087243: OR 0.89, CI 0.61-1.30, p = 0.268). This finding provides evidence that autoimmunity might play a role in ME/CFS with an infection-triggered onset. Both genes play a key role in regulating B and T cell activation

Local growth of CuInSe2 micro solar cells for concentrator application

A procedure to fabricate CuInSe2 (CISe) micro-absorbers and solar cells for concentrator applications is presented. The micro-absorbers are developed from indium precursor islands, which are deposited on a molybdenum coated glass substrate (back contact), followed by deposition of copper on top and subsequent selenization as well as selective etching of copper selenides. In order to compare the properties of the locally grown absorbers to those of conventional large area CISe films, we systematically examine the compositional and morphological homogeneity of the micro absorbers and carry out photoluminescence measurements. Preliminary devices for micro-concentrator solar cell applications are fabricated by optimizing the copper to indium ratio and the size of the indium precursor islands. The resulting micro solar cells provide a characteristic I–V curve under standard illumination conditions (1 sun)

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – evidence for an autoimmune disease

Abstract Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a frequent and severe chronic disease drastically impairing life quality. The underlying pathomechanism is incompletely understood yet but there is convincing evidence that in at least a subset of patients ME/CFS has an autoimmune etiology. In this review, we will discuss current autoimmune aspects for ME/CFS. Immune dysregulation in ME/CFS has been frequently described including changes in cytokine profiles and immunoglobulin levels, T- and B-cell phenotype and a decrease of natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Moreover, autoantibodies against various antigens including neurotransmitter receptors have been recently identified in ME/CFS individuals by several groups. Consistently, clinical trials from Norway have shown that B-cell depletion with rituximab results in clinical benefits in about half of ME/CFS patients. Furthermore, recent studies have provided evidence for severe metabolic disturbances presumably mediated by serum autoantibodies in ME/CFS. Therefore, further efforts are required to delineate the role of autoantibodies in the onset and pathomechanisms of ME/CFS in order to better understand and properly treat this disease

HCoV- and SARS-CoV-2 Cross-Reactive T Cells in CVID Patients

The inability of patients with CVID to mount specific antibody responses to pathogens has raised concerns on the risk and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but there might be a role for protective T cells in these patients. SARS-CoV-2 reactive T cells have been reported for SARS-CoV-2 unexposed healthy individuals. Until now, there is no data on T cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection in CVID. This study aimed to evaluate reactive T cells to human endemic corona viruses (HCoV) and to study pre-existing SARS-CoV-2 reactive T cells in unexposed CVID patients. We evaluated SARS-CoV-2- and HCoV-229E and -OC43 reactive T cells in response to seven peptide pools, including spike and nucleocapsid (NCAP) proteins, in 11 unexposed CVID, 12 unexposed and 11 post COVID-19 healthy controls (HC). We further characterized reactive T cells by IFNγ, TNFα and IL-2 profiles. SARS-CoV-2 spike-reactive CD4+ T cells were detected in 7 of 11 unexposed CVID patients, albeit with fewer multifunctional (IFNγ/TNFα/IL-2) cells than unexposed HC. CVID patients had no SARS-CoV-2 NCAP reactive CD4+ T cells and less reactive CD8+ cells compared to unexposed HC. We observed a correlation between T cell reactivity against spike of SARS-CoV-2 and HCoVs in unexposed, but not post COVID-19 HC, suggesting cross-reactivity. T cell responses in post COVID-19 HC could be distinguished from unexposed HC by higher frequencies of triple-positive NCAP reactive CD4+ T cells. Taken together, SARS-CoV-2 reactive T cells are detectable in unexposed CVID patients albeit with lower recognition frequencies and polyfunctional potential. Frequencies of triple-functional reactive CD4+ cells might provide a marker to distinguish HCoV cross-reactive from SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell responses. Our data provides evidence, that anti-viral T cell immunity is not relevantly impaired in most CVID patients

dolls/puppets like mensch – dolls/puppets as artificial beings. Part 1.2

Die dritte Ausgabe der Zeitschrift denkste: puppe / just a bit of: doll (de:do), ein multi-disziplinäres Online-Journal für Mensch-Puppen-Diskurse, erscheint als Doppelheft, dessen gemeinsamer Themenschwerpunkt lautet: puppen/dolls like mensch – puppen als künstliche meschen. Mit diesem Fokus wird ein Thema aufgegriffen, das Menschen seit der Antike berührt und bis heute ihren Verstand und ihre Imagination, ihre Bedürfnisse und ihre Gefühle in Unruhe versetzt. In Mythologien, literarischen Fiktionen und Narrativen für Erwachsene und Kinder, in Werken der bildenden Künste, im Film, in mechanisch-technischen Anwendungen und Utopien, in den performativen Künsten, in der (Spiel-)Pädagogik und in den verschiedenen Bereichen der Popkultur wirft das Motiv der Puppe mit seinen unterschiedlichsten Ausdrucksformen immer auch existenzielle Fragen auf: Wer und was ist der Mensch? Die Puppe als künstlicher Mensch ist in gewisser Weise wie mensch, ohne Mensch zu sein. Als von Menschen geschaffene Abbilder, Vorbilder, Nachahmungen und Entwürfe des Menschen spiegeln und bestätigen Puppen vorhandene Lebenswelten und loten gleichzeitig Potenziale und Abgründe des Mensch-Seins zwischen Utopie und Dystopie, zwischen Neugier und Hingabe, zwischen Horror und Glückseligkeit, zwischen Macht und Ohnmacht aus. Puppen/dolls like mensch – der doppelte Wortsinn betont die gegebene Ambiguität der Puppen und die spannenden, ihnen innewohnenden Ambivalenzen. Im ersten Teilband (1.1) wird den Spuren und Erscheinungsformen des Puppenmotivs und der Puppe(n) – als literarisches Narrativ, als künstlerisches Motiv, als materialisiertes Objekt – vor allem im Kontext von bildender Kunst, Literatur, Fotografie, Theater und Androidentechnologien nachgegangen. Im zweiten Teilband (1.2) werden zum einen kinderliterarische und (spiel-)didaktische Texte akzentuiert, zum anderen sind hier verschiedene mediale und popkulturelle Formate aus den Bereichen Computerspiel, Comic-Film-Adaptation, Film (unterschiedlicher Genres) und dem Figurentheater versammelt sowie Thematisierungen der Verknüpfung von materiellen Artefakten und literarischen Narrativen. Rezensionen in Form von Essays über literarische Puppen-Narrative, eine Foto-Ausstellung und ein Ballett runden beide Ausgaben ab. Die zeitliche Spanne reicht vom Mittelalter bis in die Gegenwart und Zukunft und zeigt einmal mehr, wie über das Narrativ der Puppe uralte Menschheitsfragen in Traditionslinien eingebunden werden und sie auf faszinierende Weisen fortschreiben.The third edition of the journal denkste: puppe / just a bit of: doll (de: do), a multidisciplinary online journal for human-doll discourses, is a double issue whose shared thematic focus is: puppen/dolls like mensch – dolls/puppets as artificial beings. With this focus, we take up a topic that has concerned mankind since ancient times and has always upset their 'minds' and 'hearts’, their needs and feelings. In mythologies, literary fictions and narratives for adults as well as for children, in works of the visual arts, in film, in mechanical-technical applications and utopias, in the performative arts, in (play-)pedagogy and in the various fields of pop culture, the motif of the doll with its various forms of expression always raises existential questions: Who is man, what is human? The doll as an artificial human being is in a certain way like mensch without being human. As man-made images, as models, imitations and designs of humans, dolls/puppets reflect and confirm existing worlds and at the same time sound out the potentials and abysses of being human between utopia and dystopia, between curiosity and devotion, between horror and bliss, between power and powerlessness. Dolls/puppets like mensch – the double meaning of these words emphasizes the given ambiguity of the dolls/puppets and the intriguing ambivalences inherent in them. In the first part of volume (1.1) the traces and manifestations of the doll motif and of doll(s) – as literary narrative, as artistic motif, as materialized object – will be explored primarily in the context of the fine arts, of literature, photography, theater and android technologies. In the second part of the volume (1.2), on the one hand, children's literature and (play)didactic texts are accentuated; on the other hand, various media and pop-cultural formats from the fields of computer games, comic-film adaptations, films (of different genres) and puppet theater performances are gathered here, as well as issues that link material artifacts and literary narratives. Reviews in the form of essays on literary doll narratives, a photo exhibition and a ballet round off both editions. The time span extends from the Middle Ages to the present and future and shows once again how age-old questions regarding mankind and humanity are integrated into traditional lines and are carried on continuously in fascinating ways

dolls/puppets in threat scenarios

Puppen in Bedrohungsszenarien – so lautet der Themenschwerpunkt der ersten Ausgabe der interdisziplinären online-Zeitschrift "denkste: puppe / just a bit of: doll" zu Mensch-Puppen-Diskursen (Akronym: de:do). Die Bezeichnung ‚Puppe’ steht dabei für anthropomorphe ,Wesen’ und Artefakte in all ihren unterschiedlichen Erscheinungsformen und der Begriff der Bedrohung wird hier weit gefasst. Ausgangspunkt der Entscheidung für diesen Fokus war die Annahme, dass Puppen und puppenaffinen Artefakten sowohl in Zeiten existenzieller Bedrohung als auch in Phasen innerpsychischer Beunruhigung und Irritation eine besondere Bedeutung zukommt. Die hier einbezogenen Beiträge stammen aus unterschiedlichen Fachdisziplinen und eröffnen in der bewusst nicht disziplinär ausgerichteten Zusammenstellung reizvolle multiperspektivische Mensch-Puppen-Diskurse. Dabei sind nicht nur die hier angesprochenen Themenbezüge, sondern auch die jeweiligen methodischen Zugänge ausgesprochen heterogen. So werden Puppen-Narrative aufgegriffen, die beispielsweise innerhalb der Literaturwissenschaft an die lange Tradition von Puppen-Erzählungen anknüpfen, aber auch solche, die aktuell in den Diskursen über Zukunftsszenarien und neue Technologien mittels verschiedener medialer Formate und/oder künstlerischer Aktionen für Diskussionsstoff sorgen. Ein erster thematischer Fokus liegt auf der Bedeutung von Puppen im Zuge der Erfahrung von Bedrohung und Verlusten im Kontext von Krieg, Flucht und Verfolgung in politisch unsicheren Zeiten. Hier werden aus verschiedenen fachdisziplinären Perspektiven unterschiedliche Facetten von Bedrohungsszenarien angesprochen. So geht es aus theaterwissenschaftlicher Sicht um zwei Inszenierungen aus dem Bereich des Objekt- und Materialtheaters, in denen bedrohliche Kriegsdarstellungen mittels Plastikpuppen bzw. amorphen Materials aufbereitet werden. Aus psychologischer Perspektive kommen Rollen und Funktionen von Puppen als Übergangsobjekte im Kontext von Umbrüchen, Krieg und Gewalt zur Sprache. In zwei literaturwissenschaftlichen Beiträgen wird jeweils ein Roman aus der Kinder- und Jugendliteratur analysiert, in denen in einem Fall eine Puppe zur psychischen Stabilisierung der literarischen Protagonistin beiträgt und im anderen Fall das Schicksal der Puppe die Geschichte von Abschied und letztendlicher Vernichtung ihrer Besitzerin erzählt und symbolisiert. Und schließlich geht es um den Stellenwert von Puppen und Teddys in verschiedenen Kinderzeitschriften, die – in den politisch unsicheren Zeiten zwischen und nach den beiden Weltkriegen – Identifikationsfiguren und Interaktionspartner für Kinder sein können. Ein zweiter Fokus thematisiert Puppen und ihre Narrative im Kontext verschiedener aversiver Erfahrungen sowie in Zeiten psychischer Irritation. So geht es zum einen um die literaturwissenschaftliche Sicht auf die Bedeutung und Wirkung von Puppen in zwei ‚klassischen’ Puppenerzählungen: „"Nussknacker und Mausekönig" von E.T.A. Hoffmann und "Romeo und Julia auf dem Dorfe" von Gottfried Keller. Zum anderen werden in verschiedenen Beiträgen Entgrenzungs-, Transformations- und Identitätsfragen in Mensch-Puppen-Bezügen aus medien- und kunstwissenschaftlicher sowie kinderliterarischer Perspektive angesprochen, in denen Puppen in Gestalt von Androiden, Kunstwesen oder anthropomorphen Figuren agieren und dabei selber Irritationen auslösen oder Versuche darstellen, Antworten auf beunruhigende Fragen zu finden. Über den Themenschwerpunkt hinaus finden sich zudem eine Reihe weiterer Beitragsformen zu verschiedenen puppenbezogenen Themen und Praxen, die noch einmal das breite Spektrum unterschiedlicher Puppen-Narrative und Zugangsformen dokumentieren: So beschäftigt sich ein freier Beitrag mit dem Puppenspiel als strukturiertes Therapieangebot für Kinder, bei den Miszellen findet sich eine Skizze zu Marlene Dietrich und ihren Puppen sowie ein kurzer Essay zu einer biographischen Erinnerung, ein Interview mit der Begründerin des Berliner Puppentheaters bubales veranschaulicht Möglichkeiten der dramatischen und poetischen Umsetzung von Puppen-Themen, im Diskussionsforum wird ein kritischer Blick auf "Barbie als Diskursmaschine" geworfen und eine Rezension zum Ausstellungskatalog "From Her Wooden Sleep von Ydessa Hendels" lotet Chancen und Grenzen der künstlerischen Arbeit mit Puppen-Artefakten aus.Dolls / Puppets in Threat Scenarios – this is the topic focus of the first issue of the interdisciplinary online magazine "denkste: puppe / just a bit of: doll" on human-doll discourses (acronym: de: do). The term ’doll’ stands for anthropomorphic ’beings’ and artifacts of all kinds and the concept of threat is broadly defined. This focus was stimulated by the assumption that dolls and doll-related artifacts are of particular importance in times of existential threat as well as in phases of inner psychic anxiety and irritation. Yet, the basically ambiguous character of the doll does not necessarily determine a clear effect, so that its usability always involves a certain blurriness and ambivalence. In threatening and adverse situations dolls can act as companions and significant (transitional) objects, thus allowing psychic stabilization, security, and attachment as well as enabling (inner) autonomy, agency, and developmental processes. But dolls can also be a crucial component of threat scenarios themselves and act frightening in this function. All this applies not only to material and real existing dolls and puppets, but also to dolls as literary and / or media figures as well as to doll narratives of any kind. The articles included here come from different disciplines and open up an appealing and deliberately non-disciplinary oriented human-doll discourse from multiple perspectives. Accordingly, the relevant themes as well as the respective methodological approaches are highly heterogeneous. Thus, some contributions follow the long tradition of doll narratives in literature while others discuss currrent topics and discourses on future scenarios and new technologies by means of various doll-related media formats and / or art performances. A first thematic focus is on the significance of dolls in experiencing threats and losses in the context of war, flight and persecution in times of political uncertainty. Here, different facets of threat scenarios are addressed from different disciplinary perspectives. From the field of object and material theater two productions are introduced in which menacing war scenes are processed by means of plastic dolls or amorphous material. From a psychological perspective, dolls are discussed in their roles and functions as transitional objects within the context of upheaval, war and violence. Furthermore, two literary contributions analyze novels from children’s and youth literature. One story deals with a doll which contributes to the psychological stabilization of the literary protagonist. The other story tells of a girl and her doll which symbolizes the final farewell and eventual annihilation of the (Jewish) girl. Finally, the role of dolls and teddy bears in various children’s magazines is exemplified, which serve as identification figures and interaction partners for children in the politically unstable times between and after the two World Wars. A second focus deals with dolls and their narratives in the context of various aversive experiences as well as in times of psychological irritation. Two contributions analyze the meaning and effect of dolls in two ’classical’ doll narratives from a literary perspective: "Nussknacker und Mausekönig" by E.T.A. Hoffmann and "Romeo und Julia auf dem Dorfe" by Gottfried Keller. Further contributions address questions of ego dissolution, transformation and identity processes in human-doll relations from various perspectives such as media, art and children’s literature. Here, dolls appear as androids, artistic or anthropomorphic figures which cause irritation themselves or attempt to find answers to disturbing human-doll questions. In addition to the main topic, there are also a number of other sections and types of contributions on various doll-related topics and practices which once again document the wide range of doll narratives and possible forms of access: For example, a free contribution deals with doll play as a structured therapy for children, the miscellaneous section includes a portrait of Marlene Dietrich and her dolls as well as a short essay on a biographical reminiscence, an interview with the founder of the Berlin Puppet Theater bubales illustrates the possibilities of dramatic and poetic realization of puppet and doll narratives, a critical view on "Barbie as a discourse machine" is presented in the discussion forum and a review of the exhibition catalog "From Her Wooden Sleep by Ydessa Hendels" explores opportunities and limits of artistic work with doll artifacts