Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaic Devices: Interface/Bulk Properties and Stability Issues.

In the present work, an insight on the morpho/structural properties of semitransparent organic devices for buildings' integrated photovoltaics is presented, and issues related to interface and bulk stability are addressed. The organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells under investigation are characterized by a blend of PM6:Y6 as a photo-active layer, a ZnO ETL (electron transporting layer), a HTL (hole transporting layer) of HTL-X and a transparent electrode composed by Ag nanowires (AgNWs). The devices' active nanomaterials, processed as thin films, and their mutual nanoscale interfaces are investigated by a combination of in situ Energy Dispersive X-ray Reflectometry (EDXR) and ex situ Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and micro-Raman spectroscopy. In order to discriminate among diverse concomitant aging pathways potentially occurring upon working conditions, the effects of different stress factors were investigated: light and temperature. Evidence is gained of an essential structural stability, although an increased roughness at the ZnO/PM6:Y6 interface is deduced by EDXR measurements. On the contrary, an overall stability of the system subjected to thermal stress in the dark was observed, which is a clear indication of the photo-induced origin of the observed degradation phenomenon. Micro-Raman spectroscopy brings light on the origin of such effect, evidencing a photo-oxidation process of the active material in the device, using hygroscopic organic HTL, during continuous illumination in ambient moisture conditions. The process may be also triggered by a photocatalytic role of the ZnO layer. Therefore, an alternative configuration is proposed, where the hygroscopic HTL-X is replaced by the inorganic compound MoOx. The results show that such alternative configuration is stable under light stress (solar simulator), suggesting that the use of Molybdenum Oxide, limiting the photo-oxidation of the bulk PM6:Y6 active material, can prevent the cell from degradation.

Fine-scale spatial genetic structure of the black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) investigated with neutral microsatellites and functional mating type genes.

The genetic structure of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal populations results from both vegetative and sexual propagation. In this study, we have analysed the spatial genetic structure of Tuber melanosporum populations, a heterothallic ascomycete that produces edible fruit bodies. Ectomycorrhizas from oaks and hazels from two orchards were mapped and genotyped using simple sequence repeat markers and the mating type locus. The distribution of the two T. melanosporum mating types was also monitored in the soil. In one orchard, the genetic profiles of the ascocarps were compared with those of the underlying mycorrhizas. A pronounced spatial genetic structure was found. The maximum genet sizes were 2.35 and 4.70 m in the two orchards, with most manifesting a size < 1 m. Few genets persisted throughout two seasons. A nonrandom distribution pattern of the T. melanosporum was observed, resulting in field patches colonized by genets that shared the same mating types. Our findings suggest that competition occurs between genets and provide basic information on T. melanosporum propagation patterns that are relevant for the management of productive truffle orchards.

Human α-mannosidase produced in transgenic tobacco plants is processed in human α-mannosidosis cell lines.

Deficiency in human lysosomal α-mannosidase (MAN2B1) results in α-mannosidosis, a lysosomal storage disorder; patients present a wide range of neurological, immunological, and skeletal symptoms caused by a multisystemic accumulation of mannose-containing oligosaccharides. Here, we describe the expression of recombinant MAN2B1 both transiently in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and in the leaves and seeds of stably transformed N. tabacum plants. After purification from tobacco leaves, the recombinant enzyme was found to be N-glycosylated and localized in vacuolar compartments. In the fresh leaves of tobacco transformants, MAN2B1 was measured at 10,200 units/kg, and the purified enzyme from these leaves had a specific activity of 32-45 U/mg. Furthermore, tobacco-produced MAN2B1 was biochemically similar to the enzyme purified from human tissues, and it was internalized and processed by α-mannosidosis fibroblast cells. These results strongly indicate that plants can be considered a promising expression system for the production of recombinant MAN2B1 for use in enzyme replacement therapy.

An on line technique to detect cardiac output variations and cardiovascular performances during abdominal aortic surgery.

Cardiac output (CO) is a parameter usually requested to assess hemo dynamic status of patient and efficacy of therapy especially in critically ill patients. This paper, in line with other research activities and new market availability, intends to correlate a parameter derived from data already acquired in standard patient monitoring (systemic arterial pressure--Pas) in order to identify CO trends and, more generally, to obtain information on the efficiency of cardiovascular system of the patient in examination. Attention has been focussed on patients undergoing abdominal aneurysm aortic (AAA) surgery with combined anaesthesia (epidural and light general). Awake correlation was found between maximum value of Pas time derivative, max (dPas/dt), and CO measured with thermodilution method on 56 measurements on 10 patients. To evaluate further diagnostic capability of max (dPas/dt), we compare its trend with other parameters but no statistical significant results have been obtained. Therefore the target parameter can be profitably used in the examined patients to monitor CO trend and, in correlation with other parameters, as a sign of efficiency of the cardio circulatory system.

A hybrid mock circulatory system: testing a prototype under physiologic and pathological conditions.

Hydraulic models of circulation are used to test mechanical heart assist devices and for research and training purposes. However, when compared with numerical models, they are rather expensive and often not sufficiently flexible or accurate. Flexibility and accuracy can be improved by merging numerical models with physical models, thus obtaining a hybrid model where numerical and physical sections are connected by an electrohydraulic interface. This concept is applied here to represent left ventricular function. The resulting hybrid model is inserted into the existing closed loop model of circulation. The hybrid model reproduces ventricular function by a variable elastance numerical model. Its interaction with the hydraulic sections is governed by measuring left atrial and systemic arterial pressures and computing the left ventricular output flow by the resolution of the corresponding equations. This signal is used to control a flow generator reproduced by a gear pump driven by a DC motor. Results obtained under different circulatory conditions demonstrate the behavior of the ventricular model on the pressure-volume plane and report the trend of the main hemodynamic variables.