Effect of Molecular Side Groups and Local Nanoenvironment on Photodegradation and Its Reversibility

Degradation of organic semiconductors in the presence of oxygen is one of the bottlenecks preventing their wide-spread use in optoelectronic devices. The first step towards such degradation in functionalized pentacene (Pn) derivatives is formation of endoperoxide (EPO), which can either revert back to the parent molecule or proceed to molecule decomposition. We present the study of reversibility of EPO formation through probing the photophysical properties of functionalized fluorinated pentacene (Pn-R-F8) derivatives. Experiments are done in solutions and in films both at the single molecule level and in the bulk. In solutions, degradation of optical absorption and its partial recovery after thermolysis were quantified for various derivatives depending on the solvent. At the single molecule level, low concentrations of each type of molecules were imaged in a variety of polymer matrices at 633 nm excitation at room temperature in air using wide-field fluorescence microscopy. Fluorescence time trajectories were collected and statistically analyzed to quantify blinking due to reversible EPO formation depending on the host matrix. To understand the physical changes of the molecular system, a Monte Carlo method was used to create a multi-level simulation, which enabled us to relate the change in the molecular transition rates to the experimentally measured parameters. At the bulk level, photoluminescence decay due to photobleaching and recovery due to EPO reconversion were measured for the same derivatives incorporated into various matrices. These studies provide insight into the synergistic effect of the local nanoenvironment and molecular side groups on the oxygen-related degradation and subsequent recovery which is important for development of organic electronic devices

Astrocyte dystrophy in ageing brain parallels impaired synaptic plasticity

Little is known about age-dependent changes in structure and function of astrocytes and of the impact of these on the cognitive decline in the senescent brain. The prevalent view on the age-dependent increase in reactive astrogliosis and astrocytic hypertrophy requires scrutiny and detailed analysis. Using two-photon microscopy in conjunction with 3D reconstruction, Sholl and volume fraction analysis, we demonstrate a significant reduction in the number and the length of astrocytic processes, in astrocytic territorial domains andin astrocyte-to-astrocyte coupling in the aged brain. Probing physiology of astrocytes with patch clamp, and Ca2+ imaging revealed deficits in K+ and glutamate clearance and spatiotemporal reorganisation of Ca2+ events in old astrocytes. These changes paralleled impaired synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) in hippocampal CA1 in old mice. Our findings may explain the astroglial mechanisms of age-dependent decline in learning and memory.The research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation grant 20‐14‐00241

Inventions in the Area of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies. Part I

Introduction. Advanced technologies impress people’s imagination demonstrating the latest achievements (materials, methods, systems, technologies, devices etc.) that dramatically change the world. This, first of all, concerns nanotechnological inventions designed by scientists, engineers and specialists from different countries. Main part. The article provides an abstract overview of inventions of scientists, engineers and specialists from different countries: Germany, Iraq, China, Russia, USA, Ukraine, Sweden, Japan et al. The results of the creative activity of scientists, engineers and specialists, including inventions in the field of nanotechnology and nanomaterials allow, when introduced to industry, achieving a significant effect in construction, housing and communal services, and related sectors of the economy. For example, the invention «Nanomodified building mortar» refers to construction materials and can be used in masonry of ceramic stones, ceramic bricks, hollow bricks in dry and hot climate. The novelty, in respect to the existing construction mortars, is the combination of known components of Portland cement, sand for construction works, amorphous nanomodified silica dioxide, superplasticizer С-3, cure retarders of Portland cement, air-entraining resin. The given qualitative and quantitative composition of nanomodified construction mortar makes it possible to obtain the mentioned mixtures in a simple way: for example, in gravity mixer, with evenly distributed components in volume, which is characterized with specified flowability, water-retaining property, controlled hardening period and can be used in dry and hot climate with air temperature up to 40-50°С. The following inventions in the field of nanotechnology can also be interesting for specialists: a composition of self-compacting construction concrete on the basis of cement matrix, a method of producing polarization-sensitive nanocomposite film on the basis of copper selenide, a method of producing porous moulded article in the form of insulation plaster layer, a method to obtain amorphous nanostructured diamond-like coating, a method of cement surface modification, a system to produce carbon nanotubes, et al. Conclusion. One of the most challenging tasks the economy of every country faces is to increase industrial competitiveness through technological upgrade. From the side of the state and companies the principal object to control in this process are the people and enterprises dealing with introduction of inventions and new technologies

Beneficial metabolic effects of M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor deficiency

SummaryMost animal models of obesity and hyperinsulinemia are associated with increased vagal cholinergic activity. The M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtype is widely expressed in the brain and peripheral tissues and plays a key role in mediating the physiological effects of vagal activation. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the absence of M3 receptors in mice might protect against various forms of experimentally or genetically induced obesity and obesity-associated metabolic deficits. In all cases, the lack of M3 receptors greatly ameliorated impairments in glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity but had less robust effects on overall adiposity. Under all experimental conditions tested, M3 receptor-deficient mice showed a significant elevation in basal and total energy expenditure, most likely due to enhanced central sympathetic outflow and increased rate of fatty-acid oxidation. These findings suggest that the M3 receptor may represent a potential pharmacologic target for the treatment of obesity and associated metabolic disorders

Argon 1s(-2) Auger hypersatellites

The 1s(-2) Auger hypersatellite spectrum of argon is studied experimentally and theoretically. In total, three transitions to the final states 1s(-1)2p(-2)(S-2(e),D-2(e)) and 1s(-1)2s(-1)(S-1)2p(-1)(P-2(o)) are experimentally observed. The lifetime broadening of the 1s(-2) -> 1s(-1)2p(-2)(S-2(e),D-2(e)) states is determined to be 2.1(4) eV. For the used photon energy of h nu = 7500 eV a KK/K ionisation ratio of 2.5(3) x 10(-4) is derived. Generally, a good agreement between the experimental and present theoretical energy positions, linewidths, and intensities is obtained

Effects of processing parameters on the morphology, structure, and magnetic properties of Cu1−xFexCr2Se4 nanoparticles synthesized with chemical methods

Cu1−xFexCr2Se4 nanoparticles with x = 0, 0.2, and 0.4 were synthesized via thermal decomposition of metal nitrate or chloride salts and selenium powder using different precursor compositions and processing details. Single crystalline nano-belts or nano-rods coexist in the synthesized powder samples with hexagon-shaped plates in dependence on the precursor composition. The belts gathered into conglomerates forming “hierarchical” particles. Visible magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) of Cu1−xFexCr2Se4 nanoparticles embedded into a transparent matrix was investigated for the first time. The similarity of the MCD spectra of all samples showed the similarity of the nanoparticles electronic structure independent of their morphology. Basing on the MCD spectral maxima characteristics, electron transitions from the ground to the excited states were identified with the help of the conventional band theory and the multi-electron approach

Approximation of fractional Brownian motion by martingales

We study the problem of optimal approximation of a fractional Brownian motion by martingales. We prove that there exist a unique martingale closest to fractional Brownian motion in a specific sense. It shown that this martingale has a specific form. Numerical results concerning the approximation problem are given

A Novel Small Molecule Supports the Survival of Cultured Dopamine Neurons and May Restore the Dopaminergic Innervation of the Brain in the MPTP Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease

We previously showed that monoterpenoid (1R,2R,6S)-3-methyl-6-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-3-ene-1,2-diol 1 alleviates motor manifestations of Parkinson's disease in animal models. In the present study, we designed and synthesized monoepoxides of (1R,2R,6S)-3-methyl-6-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-3-ene-1,2-diol 1 and evaluated their biological activity in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease. We also assessed the ability of these compounds to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). According to these data, we chose epoxide 4, which potently restored the locomotor activity in MPTP-treated mice and efficiently penetrated the BBB, to further explore its potential mechanism of action. Epoxide 4 was found to robustly promote the survival of cultured dopamine neurons, protect dopamine neurons against toxin-induced degeneration, and trigger the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade in cells of neuronal origin. Meanwhile, neither the survival-promoting effect nor MAPK activation was observed in non-neuronal cells treated with epoxide 4. In the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease, compound 4 increased the density of dopamine neuron fibers in the striatum, which can highlight its potential to stimulate striatal reinnervation and thus halt disease progression. Taken together, these data indicate that epoxide 4 can be a promising compound for further development, not only as a symptomatic but also as a neuroprotective and neurorestorative drug for Parkinson's disease.Peer reviewe

Vitellogenin Underwent Subfunctionalization to Acquire Caste and Behavioral Specific Expression in the Harvester Ant Pogonomyrmex barbatus

PMCID: PMC3744404This is an open-access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication