Visible Light–Driven Hydrogen Production by Carbon based Polymeric Materials

Converting solar energy into storable solar fuels such as H2 from earth abundant source—water—is a nice approach to find the solution of energy crisis and environmental protection. There are two half reactions; first, water oxidation into oxygen and proton and followed by proton reduction led to H2 evolution from water. After two decades of continuous attempts, there have been several efficient water oxidation photocatalysts introduced, whereas the proton reduction photocatalyst were relatively less explored. Major portion of reported photocatalysts for proton reduction are mainly derived from either noble metals or precious metals. Carbon-based organic photocatalysts have become attractive recently. These organic materials have several advantages like light weight, cheap, well-defined structure-property relationship and the most attractive one is better batch to batch reproducibility. Here, the reported organic photocatalysts and their performance are summarized which in fact help others to get an idea about ongoing progress in this area of research and to understand the basic designing principle for efficient photocatalysts for fuel production

Combination of single-cell and bulk RNA seq reveals the immune infiltration landscape and targeted therapeutic drugs in spinal cord injury

BackgroundIn secondary spinal cord injury (SCI), the immune microenvironment of the injured spinal cord plays an important role in spinal regeneration. Among the immune microenvironment components, macrophages/microglia play a dual role of pro-inflammation and anti-inflammation in the subacute stage of SCI. Therefore, discovering the immune hub genes and targeted therapeutic drugs of macrophages/microglia after SCI has crucial implications in neuroregeneration. This study aimed to identify immune hub genes and targeted therapeutic drugs for the subacute phase of SCI.MethodsBulk RNA sequencing (bulk-RNA seq) datasets (GSE5296 and GSE47681) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset (GSE189070) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. In the bulk RNA-seq, the R package ‘limma,’ ‘WGCNA,’ and ‘CIBERSORT’ were used to jointly screen key immune genes. Subsequently, the R package ‘Seurat’ and the R package ‘celldex’ were used to divide and annotate the cell clusters, respectively. After using the Autodock software to dock immune hub genes and drugs that may be combined, the effectiveness of the drug was verified using an in vivo experiment with the T9 SCI mouse model.ResultsIn the bulk-RNA seq, B2m, Itgb5, and Vav1 were identified as immune hub genes. Ten cell clusters were identified in scRNA-seq, and B2m and Itgb5 were mainly located in the microglia, while Vav1 was mainly located in macrophages. Molecular docking results showed that the proteins corresponding to these immune genes could accurately bind to decitabine. In decitabine-treated mice, the pro-inflammatory factor (TNF-α, IL-1β) levels were decreased while anti-inflammatory factor (IL-4, IL-10) levels were increased at 2 weeks post-SCI, and macrophages/microglia transformed from M1 to M2. At 6 weeks post-SCI, the neurological function score and electromyography of the decitabine treatment group were also improved.ConclusionIn the subacute phase of SCI, B2m, Itgb5, and Vav1 in macrophages/microglia may be key therapeutic targets to promote nerve regeneration. In addition, low-dose decitabine may promote spinal cord regeneration by regulating the polarization state of macrophages/microglia

Effect of the chromophores structures on the performance of solid-state dye sensitized solar cells

The effect of metal-free chromophores on dye-sensitized solar cell performance is investigated. Solid state dye-sensitized solar cells (ssDSCs) using different molecular sensitizers based on triphenylamine (TPA) with thiophene linkers and different alkyl chain in the donor unit have been characterized using impedance spectroscopy (IS). We show that different molecular structures play a fundamental role on solar cell performance, by the effect produced on TiO2 conduction band position and in the recombination rate. Dye structure and its electronic properties are the main factors that control the recombination, the capacitance and the efficiency of the cells. A clear trend between the performance of the cell and the optimization level of the blocking effect of the dye structure has been identified in the solid state solar cells with Spiro-OMeTAD hole conductor.This work was ̄nancially supported by the Swedish Energy Agency, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, National Natural Science Foundation of China (21120102036, 91233201), National Basic Research Program of China (2009CB220009) and China Scholarship Council (CSC). We acknowledge support by a project from Generalitat Valenciana (ISIC/2012/008). H. Tian would like to thank Sill en scholarship for supporting his visiting research in UJI and also thank Rafael S anchez, Victoria Gonz alez and others from GDFO for their kind help with this research work

Ultrafast neuronal imaging of dopamine dynamics with designed genetically encoded sensors

Neuromodulatory systems exert profound influences on brain function. Understanding how these systems modify the operating mode of target circuits requires measuring spatiotemporally precise neuromodulator release. We developed dLight1, an intensity-based genetically encoded dopamine indicator, to enable optical recording of dopamine dynamics with high spatiotemporal resolution in behaving mice. We demonstrated the utility of dLight1 by imaging dopamine dynamics simultaneously with pharmacological manipulation, electrophysiological or optogenetic stimulation, and calcium imaging of local neuronal activity. dLight1 enabled chronic tracking of learning-induced changes in millisecond dopamine transients in striatum. Further, we used dLight1 to image spatially distinct, functionally heterogeneous dopamine transients relevant to learning and motor control in cortex. We also validated our sensor design platform for developing norepinephrine, serotonin, melatonin, and opioid neuropeptide indicators

Ultrafast neuronal imaging of dopamine dynamics with designed genetically encoded sensors

Neuromodulatory systems exert profound influences on brain function. Understanding how these systems modify the operating mode of target circuits requires measuring spatiotemporally precise neuromodulator release. We developed dLight1, an intensity-based genetically encoded dopamine indicator, to enable optical recording of dopamine dynamics with high spatiotemporal resolution in behaving mice. We demonstrated the utility of dLight1 by imaging dopamine dynamics simultaneously with pharmacological manipulation, electrophysiological or optogenetic stimulation, and calcium imaging of local neuronal activity. dLight1 enabled chronic tracking of learning-induced changes in millisecond dopamine transients in striatum. Further, we used dLight1 to image spatially distinct, functionally heterogeneous dopamine transients relevant to learning and motor control in cortex. We also validated our sensor design platform for developing norepinephrine, serotonin, melatonin, and opioid neuropeptide indicators

Solid-state p-type dye-sensitized solar cells : progress, potential applications and challenges

The fabrication of solid-state p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (p-ssDSCs) using electron transport materials instead of the conventional I-/I3- redox couple in liquid devices can completely eliminate the liquid phase and enhance the photovoltage. The performance of p-ssDSCs has been improved by optimizing the dyes and electron-transport materials. Moreover, p-ssDSCs provide a possibility to fabricate solid-state tandem dye-sensitized solar cells and show promising application in dye-sensitized solar fuel devices as well. Herein, the development of p-ssDSCs has been overviewed, their potential applications have been discussed, and the challenges remaining in p-ssDSCs have been highlighted

In Situ Preparation and Immobilization of Semiconducting Polymer Dots on Microbeads for Efficient and Stable Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Organic semiconducting polymers dots (Pdots) have recently shown efficient photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution in an aqueous phase. However, colloidal Pdots face problems of aggregation and precipitation during the photocatalytic reaction due to unavoidable collisions between particles, thus resulting in a short catalytic lifetime. In this work, in situ preparation of PFBT Pdots on the surface of microbeads is reported. Results indicate that, with this facile method and support of a template, the photocatalytic properties of PFBT Pdots can be highly enhanced

Towards sustainable and efficient p-type metal oxide semiconductor materials in dye-sensitised photocathodes for solar energy conversion

In order to meet the ever-growing global energy demand for affordable and clean energy, it is essential to provide this energy by renewable resources and consider the eco-efficiency of the production and abundance of the utilised materials. While this is seldom discussed in the case of technologies still in the research stage, addressing the issue of sustainability is key to push research in the right direction. Here we provide an overview of the current p-type metal oxide semiconductor materials in dye-sensitised photocathodes, considering element abundance, synthetic methods and large scale fabrication as well as the underlying physical properties that are necessary for efficient solar harvesting devices