Alkali metal coactivators in SrS: Cu,F thin-film electroluminescent devices

A unique approach for obtaining bright and efficient saturated green phosphors for alternating-current thin-film electroluminescent (ACTFEL) device applications is presented. The approach involves color-shifting blue SrS:Cu,F ACTFEL phosphors into the green region of the spectrum via the incorporation of alkali metal ions into the SrS lattice. Alkali metals are incorporated into SrS:Cu,F phosphors by using LiF, NaF, KF, RbF, or CsF coactivators. The best result to date is obtained by using a KF coactivator and results in a saturated green brightness and efficiency of 52.7 cd/m² and 0.973 lm/W (at a frequency of 60 Hz and an overvoltage of 40 V). In addition to providing a color shift, the alkali-metal fluorides improve the overall performance of the ACTFEL device by increasing the magnitude of the electric field and its uniformity across the phosphor through suppression of positive space charge

Red electroluminescence from ZnGaS:Mn thin films

We demonstrate color shifting from the yellow to the red in the electroluminescence from (ZnGa)S:Mn films. We observe threshold voltages down to about 35 V, extremely low for such devices. We discuss the materials characteristics of the phosphor films, and the potential for improvement of the luminous intensity of the devices

Association between anxiety and non-coding genetic variants of the galanin neuropeptide

Galanin, an inhibitory neuropeptide and cotransmitter has long been known to co-localize with noradrenaline and serotonin in the central nervous system. Several human studies demonstrated altered galanin expression levels in major depressive disorder and anxiety. Pharmacological modulation of galanin signaling and transgenic strategies provide further proof for the involvement of the galanin system in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. Little is known, however, on the dynamic regulation of galanin expression at the transcriptional level. The aim of the present study was to seek genetic association of non-coding single nucleotide variations in the galanin gene with anxiety and depression.Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) occurring either in the regulatory 5' or 3' flanking regions or within intronic sequences of the galanin gene have been genotyped with a high-throughput TaqMan OpenArray qPCR system in 526 healthy students (40% males). Depression and anxiety scores were obtained by filling in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. Data were analyzed by ANCOVA and Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple testing. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis was used to map two haploblocks in the analyzed region.A single-locus and a haplotype genetic association proved to be statistically significant. In single-marker analysis, the T allele of the rs1042577 SNP within the 3' untranslated region of the galanin gene associated with greater levels of anxiety (HADS scores were 7.05±4.0 vs 6.15±.15; p = 0.000407). Haplotype analysis revealed an association of the rs948854 C_rs4432027_C allele combination with anxiety [F(1,1046) = 4.140, p = 0.042141, η2 = 0.004, power = 0.529]. Neither of these associations turned out to be gender-specific. These promoter polymorphisms are supposed to participate in epigenetic regulation of galanin expression by creating potentially methylatable CpG dinucleotides. The functional importance of the rs1042577_T allele remains to be elucidated

Fungal volatile organic compounds: emphasis on their plant growth-promoting

Fungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) commonly formed bioactive interface between plants and countless of microorganisms on the above- and below-ground plant-fungus interactions. Fungal-plant interactions symbolize intriguingly biochemical complex and challenging scenarios that are discovered by metabolomic approaches. Remarkably secondary metabolites (SMs) played a significant role in the virulence and existence with plant-fungal pathogen interaction; only 25% of the fungal gene clusters have been functionally identified, even though these numbers are too low as compared with plant secondary metabolites. The current insights on fungal VOCs are conducted under lab environments and to apply small numbers of microbes; its molecules have significant effects on growth, development, and defense system of plants. Many fungal VOCs supported dynamic processes, leading to countless interactions between plants, antagonists, and mutualistic symbionts. The fundamental role of fungal VOCs at field level is required for better understanding, so more studies will offer further constructive scientific evidences that can show the cost-effectiveness of ecofriendly and ecologically produced fungal VOCs for crop welfare