Electrochemically-Switched 2nd Order Non-Linear Optical Response in an Arylimido-Polyoxometalate with High Contrast and Cyclability

Electrochemically switched 2nd order non-linear optical responses have been demonstrated for the first time in polyoxometalates (POMs), with an arylimido-derivative showing a leading combination of high on/off contrast (94%), high visible transparency, and cyclability. Spectro-electrochemical and TD-DFT studies indicate that the switch-off results from weakened charge transfer (CT) character of the electronic transitions in the reduced state. This represents the first study of an imido-POM reduced state, and demonstrates the potential of POM hybrids as electrochemically activated molecular switches

Striated muscle activator of Rho signalling (STARS) is a PGC-1α/oestrogen-related receptor-α target gene and is upregulated in human skeletal muscle after endurance exercise

Exercise improves the ability of skeletal muscle to metabolise fats and sugars. For these improvements to occur the muscle detects a signal caused by exercise, resulting in changes in genes and proteins that control metabolism. We show that endurance exercise increases the amount of a protein called striated muscle activator of Rho signalling (STARS) as well as several other proteins influenced by STARS.We also show that the amount of STARS can be increased by signals directed from proteins called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1-&alpha; (PGC-1&alpha;) and oestrogen-related receptor-&alpha; (ERR&alpha;). We also observed that when we reduce the amount of STARS in muscle cells, we block the ability of PGC-1&alpha;/ERR&alpha; to increase a gene called carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1&beta; (CPT-1&beta;), which is important for fat metabolism. Our study has shown that the STARS pathway is regulated by endurance exercise. STARS may also play a role in fat metabolism in muscle.<br /