Synthesis, characterization and comparative study of thiophene- benzothiadiazole based donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) materials

The synthesis and characterization of solution processable donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) based conjugated molecules with varying ratios of thiophene as donor (D) and benzothiadiazole as acceptor (A) are reported. Optical, electrochemical, thermal, morphological and organic thin film transistor (OTFT) device properties of these materials were investigated. The thermal and polarized optical microscope analysis indicates that the materials having higher D/A ratios exhibit both liquid crystalline (LC) and OTFT behavior. AFM analysis of the materials having D/A ratios of 3 and 4 (3T1B and 4T1B) show well ordered structures, resulting from strong π-π interchain interactions compared to the other molecules in this study. A XRD patterns for 3T1B and 4T1B thin films also shows high crystalline ordering. Solution processed OTFTs of 3T1B and 4T1B have shown un-optimized charge carrier mobilities of 2 × 10 -2 cm 2 V -1 s -1 and 4 × 10 -3 cm 2 V -1 s -1, respectively on bare Si/SiO 2 substrate.

Furan containing diketopyrrolopyrrole copolymers : synthesis, characterization, organic field effect transistor performance and photovoltaic properties

In this work, we report design, synthesis and characterization of solution processable low band gap polymer semiconductors, poly{3,6-difuran-2-yl-2,5-di(2- octyldodecyl)-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-dione-alt-phenylene} (PDPP-FPF), poly{3,6-difuran-2-yl-2,5-di(2-octyldodecyl)-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1, 4-dione-alt-naphthalene} (PDPP-FNF) and poly{3,6-difuran-2-yl-2,5-di(2- octyldodecyl)-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-dione-alt-anthracene} (PDPP-FAF) using the furan-containing 3,6-di(furan-2-yl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4(2H,5H)-dione (DBF) building block. As DBF acts as an acceptor moiety, a series of donor-acceptor (D-A) copolymers can be generated when it is attached alternatively with phenylene, naphthalene or anthracene donor comonomer blocks. Optical and electrochemical characterization of thin films of these polymers reveals band gaps in the range of 1.55-1.64 eV. These polymers exhibit excellent hole mobility when used as the active layer in organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) devices. Among the series, the highest hole mobility of 0.11 cm 2 V -1 s -1 is achieved in bottom gate and top-contact OTFT devices using PDPP-FNF. When these polymers are used as a donor and [70]PCBM as the acceptor in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices, power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 2.5 and 2.6% are obtained for PDPP-FAF and PDPP-FNF polymers, respectively. Such mobility values in OTFTs and performance in OPV make furan-containing DBF a very promising block for designing new polymer semiconductors for a wide range of organic electronic applications.

Rodlike bimetallic ruthenium and osmium complexes bridged by phenylene spacers. Synthesis, electrochemistry, and photophysics

In the search for light-addressable nanosized compounds we have synthesized 10 dinuclear homometallic trisbipyridyl complexes of linear structure with the general formula [M(bpy)3-BL-M(bpy)3]4+ [M = Ru(II) or Os(II); BL = polyphenylenes (2, 3, 4, or 5 units) or indenofluorene; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine]. By using a "chemistry on the complex" approach, different sizes of rodlike systems have been obtained with a length of 19.8 and 32.5 Å for the shortest and longest complex, respectively. For one of the ruthenium precursors, [RUbpy-ph2-Si(CH3) 3][PF6]2, single crystals were obtained by recrystallization from methanol. Their photophysical and electrochemical properties are reported. All the compounds are luminescent both at room and low temperature with long excited-state lifetimes due to an extended delocalization. Nanosecond transient absorption showed that the lowest excited state involves the chelating unit attached to the bridging ligand. Electrochemical data indicated that the first reduction is at a slightly more positive potential than for the reference complexes [M(bpy)3]2+ (M = Ru, Os). This result confirms that the best acceptor is the bipyridine moiety connected to the conjugated spacers. The role of the tilt angle between the phenylene units, in the two series of complexes, for the ground and excited states is discussed.

A population-specific HTR2B stop codon predisposes to severe impulsivity

Impulsivity, describing action without foresight, is an important feature of several psychiatric diseases, suicidality and violent behaviour. The complex origins of impulsivity hinder identification of the genes influencing it and the diseases with which it is associated. Here we perform exon-focused sequencing of impulsive individuals in a founder population, targeting fourteen genes belonging to the serotonin and dopamine domain. A stop codon in HTR2B was identified that is common (minor allele frequency > 1%) but exclusive to Finnish people. Expression of the gene in the human brain was assessed, as well as the molecular functionality of the stop codon, which was associated with psychiatric diseases marked by impulsivity in both population and family-based analyses. Knockout of Htr2b increased impulsive behaviours in mice, indicative of predictive validity. Our study shows the potential for identifying and tracing effects of rare alleles in complex behavioural phenotypes using founder populations, and indicates a role for HTR2B in impulsivity.

Stature estimation of a contemporary Australian sub-population: An evaluation of the Trotter and Gleser method using computed tomography of the femur

Utilising computed tomography scans to allow a virtual analysis of three-dimensional reconstructions of the femur, this project confirms that the traditional 1952 Trotter and Gleser stature estimation equations are inapplicable for a contemporary Queensland population. Therefore, this study introduces modern stature estimation equations for femoral length and fragmentary femoral remains using Bayesian statistics for application in forensic anthropological casework. In addition, it was found that caution needs to be applied when comparing estimated stature to reported stature on the missing persons database due to inaccuracy in Queensland drivers' licences.

Protein ingestion increases myofibrillar protein synthesis after concurrent exercise

PURPOSE: We determined the effect of protein supplementation on anabolic signaling and rates of myofibrillar and mitochondrial protein synthesis after a single bout of concurrent training. METHODS: Using a randomized cross-over design, 8 healthy males were assigned to experimental trials consisting of resistance exercise (8 × 5 leg extension, 80% 1-RM) followed by cycling (30 min at ~70% VO2peak) with either post-exercise protein (PRO: 25 g whey protein) or placebo (PLA) ingestion. Muscle biopsies were obtained at rest, 1 and 4 h post-exercise. RESULTS: Akt and mTOR phosphorylation increased 1 h after exercise with PRO (175-400%, P<0.01) and was different from PLA (150-300%, P<0.001). MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 mRNA were elevated post-exercise but were higher with PLA compared to PRO at 1 h (50-315%, P<0.05), while PGC-1α mRNA increased 4 h post-exercise (620-730%, P<0.001) with no difference between treatments. Post-exercise rates of myofibrillar protein synthesis increased above rest in both trials (75-145%, P <0.05) but were higher with PRO (67%, P<0.05) while mitochondrial protein synthesis did not change from baseline. CONCLUSION: Our results show that a concurrent training session promotes anabolic adaptive responses and increases metabolic/oxidative mRNA expression in skeletal muscle. Protein ingestion after combined resistance and endurance exercise enhances myofibrillar protein synthesis and attenuates markers of muscle catabolism and thus is likely an important nutritional strategy to enhance adaptation responses with concurrent training.

Reduced resting skeletal muscle protein synthesis is rescued by resistance exercise and protein ingestion following short-term energy deficit

The myofibrillar protein synthesis (MPS) response to resistance exercise (REX) and protein ingestion during energy deficit (ED) is unknown. We determined, in young men (n=8) and women (n=7), protein signaling, resting post-absorptive MPS during energy balance [EB: 45 kcal∙(kg FFM∙d)-1] and after 5d of ED [30 kcal∙(kg FFM∙d)-1] as well as MPS while in ED after acute REX in the fasted state and with the ingestion of whey protein (15 and 30 g). Post-absorptive rates of MPS were 27% lower in ED than EB (P<0.001), but REX stimulated MPS to rates equal to EB. Ingestion of 15 and 30 g of protein after REX in ED increased MPS ~16 and ~34% above resting EB, (P<0.02). p70 S6Kthr389 phosphorylation increased above EB only with combined exercise and protein intake (~2-7 fold; P<0.05). In conclusion, short-term ED reduces post-absorptive MPS, however, a bout of REX in ED restores MPS to values observed at rest in EB. The ingestion of protein after REX further increases MPS above resting EB in a dose-dependent manner. We conclude that combining REX with increased protein availability after exercise enhances rates of skeletal muscle protein synthesis during short term ED and could, in the long term, preserve muscle mass.

Advance Care Planning in palliative care : a systematic literature review of the contextual factors influencing its uptake 2008-2012

Background: Advance Care Planning is an iterative process of discussion, decision-making and documentation about end-of-life care. Advance Care Planning is highly relevant in palliative care due to intersecting clinical needs. To enhance the implementation of Advance Care Planning, the contextual factors influencing its uptake need to be better understood. Aim: To identify the contextual factors influencing the uptake of Advance Care Planning in palliative care as published between January 2008 and December 2012. Methods: Databases were systematically searched for studies about Advance Care Planning in palliative care published between January 2008 and December 2012. This yielded 27 eligible studies, which were appraised using National Institute of Health and Care Excellence Quality Appraisal Checklists. Iterative thematic synthesis was used to group results. Results: Factors associated with greater uptake included older age, a college degree, a diagnosis of cancer, greater functional impairment, being white, greater understanding of poor prognosis and receiving or working in specialist palliative care. Barriers included having non-malignant diagnoses, having dependent children, being African American, and uncertainty about Advance Care Planning and its legal status. Individuals’ previous illness experiences, preferences and attitudes also influenced their participation. Conclusion: Factors influencing the uptake of Advance Care Planning in palliative care are complex and multifaceted reflecting the diverse and often competing needs of patients, health professionals, legislature and health systems. Large population-based studies of palliative care patients are required to develop the sound theoretical and empirical foundation needed to improve uptake of Advance Care Planning in this setting.

A non-aqueous solution synthesis of boron carbide by control of in-situ carbon

Synthesis of high quality boron carbide (B4C) powder is achieved by carbothermal reduction of boron oxide (B2O3) from a condensed boric acid (H3BO3) / polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) product. Precursor solutions are prepared via polymerisation of vinyl acetate (VA) in methanol in the presence of dissolved H3BO3. With excess VA monomer being removed during evaporation of the solvent, the polymerisation time is then used to manage availability of carbon for reaction.

Proactive safety assessment in roadwork zones : a synthesis of surrogate measures of safety

Work zone safety studies have traditionally relied on historical crash records—an approach which is reactive in nature as it requires crashes to accumulate first before taking any preventive actions. However, detailed and accurate data on work zone crashes are often not available, as is the case for Australian road work zones. The lack of reliable safety records and the reactive nature of the crash-based safety analysis approach motivated this research to seek alternative and proactive measures of safety. Various surrogate measures of safety have been developed in the traffic safety literature including time to collision, time to accident, gap time, post encroachment time, required deceleration rate, proportion of stopping distances, lateral distance to departure, and time to departure. These measures express how close road-user(s) are from a potential crash by analysing their movement trajectories. A review of this fast-growing literature is presented in this paper from the viewpoint of applying the measures to untangle work zone safety issues. The review revealed that the use of the surrogate measures is very limited for analysing work zone safety, although numerous studies have used these measures for analysing safety in other parts of the road network, such as intersections and motorway ramps. There exist great opportunities for adopting this proactive safety assessment approach to transform work zone safety for both roadworkers and motorists.