Glycerol tributylate (Triacylglycerol tributanoate) promoted the liver lipid metabolism by cultivating the intestinal flora of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus).

To investigate the effects of glycerol tributyrin (TB) (Triacylglycerol tributanoate) on the regulation of liver lipid metabolism by intestinal flora of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus). The compound feed with soybean oil 2.8% + fish oil 1.8%, soybean oil 6.3% + fish oil 1.8%, and soybean oil 6.2% + fish oil 1.8% + TB 0.1% was added to the basal diet as a fat source and fed to the basal (control) group, high lipid (HL) group, and tributyrin (TB) group for 12 weeks. We tested the growth performance, fat content, diversity, and abundance of gut flora and other related indexes of grass carp by Soxhlet extraction, liver tissue enzyme activity, oil red O staining, and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that the liver fat number and liver fat content of grass carp in the TB group were lower than those in the HL group, while the fattening degree was significantly higher than those in the other two groups; according to the indices such as Shannon, Ace, and Coverage, it was found that the grass carp in the TB group had the highest abundance and diversity of intestinal microflora; at the portal level, Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria were the main dominant flora in the TB group, with the number of unique OUTs accounting for about 59. 9% of the total number measured; at the genus level, the relative abundance of lipase-producing, short-chain fatty acid-associated bacteria, such as Bacillus-Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, was significantly lower (p < 0.05). Thus, we conclude that the addition of TB to high-fat diets can alter the structure of the intestinal microbial community and promote hepatic lipid metabolism in grass carp. TB can alleviate fatty liver in grass carp by increasing the relative abundance of short-chain fatty acids in the intestine. Meanwhile, TB inhibits the conversion of primary bile acids to secondary bile acids in the host, which can block intestinal FXR signaling and the hepatic FXR-SHP pathway, thus slowing down fat synthesis and alleviating the accumulation of liver lipids in grass carp.

Endothelial ether lipids link the vasculature to blood pressure, behavior, and neurodegeneration.

Vascular disease contributes to neurodegeneration, which is associated with decreased blood pressure in older humans. Plasmalogens, ether phospholipids produced by peroxisomes, are decreased in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders. However, the mechanistic links between ether phospholipids, blood pressure, and neurodegeneration are not fully understood. Here, we show that endothelium-derived ether phospholipids affect blood pressure, behavior, and neurodegeneration in mice. In young adult mice, inducible endothelial-specific disruption of PexRAP, a peroxisomal enzyme required for ether lipid synthesis, unexpectedly decreased circulating plasmalogens. PexRAP endothelial knockout (PEKO) mice responded normally to hindlimb ischemia but had lower blood pressure and increased plasma renin activity. In PEKO as compared with control mice, tyrosine hydroxylase was decreased in the locus coeruleus, which maintains blood pressure and arousal. PEKO mice moved less, slept more, and had impaired attention to and recall of environmental events as well as mild spatial memory deficits. In PEKO hippocampus, gliosis was increased, and a plasmalogen associated with memory was decreased. Despite lower blood pressure, PEKO mice had generally normal homotopic functional connectivity by optical neuroimaging of the cerebral cortex. Decreased glycogen synthase kinase-3 phosphorylation, a marker of neurodegeneration, was detected in PEKO cerebral cortex. In a co-culture system, PexRAP knockdown in brain endothelial cells decreased glycogen synthase kinase-3 phosphorylation in co-cultured astrocytes that was rescued by incubation with the ether lipid alkylglycerol. Taken together, our findings suggest that endothelium-derived ether lipids mediate several biological processes and may also confer neuroprotection in mice.

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid modulates morphology, selective immune parameters, and gene expressions in the intestine of grass carp.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties in the intestine in mammals. However, the effect of CLA on intestinal immune response in fish is still unknown. Therefore, a 65-day growth trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on morphology, selective immune parameters, and gene expressions in the intestine of grass carp. Seven isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated as follows: 0 (control), 0.5 (CLA0.5), 1 (CLA1), 1.5 (CLA1.5), 2 (CLA2), 2.5 (CLA2.5), and 3 (CLA3) g CLA per 100g of feed. RESULTS: showed that dietary supplementation of 1.5-3% CLA significantly (P < 0.05) increased the fold and enterocyte heights in the PI and MI of grass carp. Complement 3 (C3) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) contents in three intestinal segments were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in fish fed with CLA1.5 to CLA2.5 diets compared to fish fed the control diet. CLA1.5 to CLA2.5 diets significantly (P < 0.05) increased the mRNA expression levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGFß1) and significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-8, and TNF-α) in the PI, MI, and DI. This improved expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and the inhibited expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the intestine of grass carp, might be mediated via TLR4/NF-κB-signaling pathway. Our results suggested that CLA1.5 to CLA2 diets improved intestinal morphology, increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the intestine of grass carp. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 1.5%-2% CLA show the anti-inflammatory therapeutic potential in the intestine of grass carp. The anti-inflammatory therapeutic potential of CLA might be mediated via TLR4/NF-κB-signaling pathway.

Cs2PbI2Cl2, All-Inorganic Two-Dimensional Ruddlesden-Popper Mixed Halide Perovskite with Optoelectronic Response.

The two-dimensional Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) phases are an important class of halide perovskites with versatile optoelectronic properties. So far, only organic-inorganic hybrid RP phases involving long organic spacers were reported in this class. Here, we report an all-inorganic RP phase lead halide perovskite, Cs2PbI2Cl2 (1, I4/ mmm space group; a = 5.6385(8) Å, c = 18.879(4) Å), synthesized by a solid-state method. The compound exhibits a band gap of Eg ∼ 3.04 eV and photoconductivity. We find an anomalous band gap evolution in Cs2Pb1- xSn xI2Cl2 solid solutions. Our combined density functional theory and experimental study supports the thermodynamically stable nature of 1 as a unique ordered phase in the Cs2PbX4 (X = Cl, Br, I) system. The calculations suggest that 1 is a direct bandgap semiconductor with relatively small effective carrier mass along the in-plane direction, consistent with the experimentally observed in-plane UV-light photoresponse. We also demonstrate that 1 is promising for radiation detection capable of α-particle counting. Moreover, 1 shows markedly ambient and thermal stability.

Replacement of fish oil with soybean oil in diets for juvenile Chinese sucker (Myxocyprinus asiaticus): effects on liver lipid peroxidation and biochemical composition.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the replacement of fish oil (FO) by soybean oil (SO) on growth performance, liver lipid peroxidation, and biochemical composition in juvenile Chinese sucker, Myxocyprinus asiaticus. Fish (13.7 ± 0.2 g) in triplicate were fed five experimental diets in which 0% (FO as control), 40% (SO40), 60% (SO60), 80% (SO40), and 100% (SO100) FO were replaced by SO. The body weight gain of fish fed SO40, SO60, or SO80 diet was similar to FO group, but diets that have 100% soybean oil as dietary lipid significantly reduced fish growth (P < 0.05). Although the level of SO resulted in increasing crude lipid content of the liver, the level of SO did not significantly alter the hepatosomatic index (HSI). Indicators of peroxidation, such as vitamin E (VE) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) contents, were changed as increasing dietary SO. It was shown that the inclusion of SO in the diets increased VE concentrations, but reduced TBARS in the liver and total cholesterol (T-CHO) in the plasma. Linoleic acid (LA) and linolenic acid (LNA) significantly increased in fish liver fed diets that contained SO, but eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and the ratio n-3/n-6 were significantly reduced by the inclusion of dietary SO (P < 0.05). Our results indicated that the inclusion of SO increased the hepatic VE content and reduced lipid peroxidation in fish. However, diet containing 100% SO as dietary lipid could reduce growth performance. Thus, we recommended that 40-80% SO can be used as dietary lipid to replace FO for juvenile Chinese sucker.

Synergistic effects of water addition and step heating on the formation of solution-processed zinc tin oxide thin films: towards high-mobility polycrystalline transistors.

Thin-film transistors (TFTs) with high mobility and good uniformity are attractive for next-generation flat panel displays. In this work, solution-processed polycrystalline zinc tin oxide (ZTO) thin film with well-ordered microstructure is prepared, thanks to the synergistic effect of water addition and step heating. The step heating treatment other than direct annealing induces crystallization, while adequate water added to precursor solution further facilitates alloying and densification process. The optimal polycrystalline ZTO film is free of hierarchical sublayers, and featured with an increased amount of ternary phases, as well as a decreased fraction of oxygen vacancies and hydroxides. TFT devices based on such an active layer exhibit a remarkable field-effect mobility of 52.5 cm2 V-1 s-1, a current on/off ratio of 2 × 105, a threshold voltage of 2.32 V, and a subthreshold swing of 0.36 V dec-1. Our work offers a facile method towards high-performance solution-processed polycrystalline metal oxide TFTs.

Fabrication of highly oriented large-scale TIPS pentacene crystals and transistors by the Marangoni effect-controlled growth method.

We demonstrate a solution method of Marangoni effect-controlled oriented growth (MOG) to fabricate highly oriented crystals of 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (TIPS pentacene) on the Si/SiO2 substrate. Based on the Marangoni effect induced by mixed solvent systems, large area aligned ribbon crystals can be achieved, covering over 60% on 4 cm × 1 cm Si/SiO2 substrates. We investigated the growth mechanism of the MOG method and found that the correct choice of solvents and appropriate solvent ratios are in favor of aligned crystal growth. With the ribbon crystals of TIPS pentacene, top-contact organic field-effect transistors are fabricated. The optimal device exhibits a field-effect mobility of 0.70 ± 0.22 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and an on/off ratio of 10(5). The MOG method, which has potential to be used in batch production and features easy control of crystal growth using non-contact forces, will benefit the development of low-cost, high-performance, organic semiconductor devices.

Conjugated linoleic acid alters growth performance, tissue lipid deposition, and fatty acid composition of darkbarbel catfish (Pelteobagrus vachelli).

Fatty liver syndrome is a prevalent problem of farmed fish. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has received increased attention recently as a fat-reducing fatty acid to control fat deposition in mammals. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine whether dietary CLA can reduce tissue lipid content of darkbarbel catfish (Pelteobagrus vachelli) and whether decreased lipid content is partially due to alterations in lipid metabolism enzyme activities and fatty acid profiles. A 76-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary CLA on the growth, tissue lipid deposition, and fatty acid composition of darkbarbel catfish. Five diets containing 0 % (control), 0.5 % (CLA0.5), 1 % (CLA1), 2 % (CLA2), and 3 % (CLA3) CLA levels were evaluated. Results showed that fish fed with 2-3 % CLA diets showed a significantly lower specific growth rate and feed conversion efficiency than those fed with the control diet. Dietary CLA decreased the lipid contents in the liver and intraperitoneal fat with the CLA levels from 1 to 3 %. Fish fed with 2-3 % CLA diets showed significantly higher lipoprotein lipase and hepatic triacylglycerol lipase activities in liver than those of fish fed with the control, and fish fed with 1-3 % CLA diets had significantly higher pancreatic triacylglycerol lipase activities in liver than those of fish fed with the control. Dietary CLA was incorporated into liver, intraperitoneal fat, and muscle lipids, with higher percentages observed in liver compared with other tissues. Liver CLA deposition was at the expense of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). In contrast, CLA deposition appeared to be primarily at the expense of MUFA and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the intraperitoneal fat, whereas in muscle it was at the expense of n-3 PUFA. Our results suggested that CLA at a 1 % dose can reduce liver lipid content without eliciting any negative effect on growth rate in darkbarbel catfish. This lipid-lowering effect could be in part due to an increment in the activity of lipid metabolism enzymes and an extensive interconversion of fatty acids. Although CLA deposition in muscle (0.66-3.19 % of total fatty acids) are higher than presented in natural sources of CLA, EPA (C20:5n-3) in fish muscle appears simultaneously expendable, when the fish fed with 2-3 % CLA.

Volatilize-controlled oriented growth of the single-crystal layer for organic field-effect transistors.

We demonstrate a solution method of volatilize-controlled oriented growth (VOG) to fabricate aligned single crystals of 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS pentacene) on a Si/SiO2 substrate. Through controlling the evaporation rate of the solvent, large-area-aligned single-crystal layers can be achieved on several substrates at the same time, covering over 90% on 2 × 1 cm substrates. The method provides a low-cost, maneuverable technology, which has potential to be used in batch production. We find that the atmosphere of the solvent with high dissolving capacity is in favor of aligned single-crystal growth. Besides, the growth mechanism of the VOG method is investigated in this paper. Top-contact organic field-effect transistors based on the single crystals of TIPS pentacene are achieved on a Si/SiO2 substrate. The optimal device exhibits a field-effect mobility of 0.42 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and an on/off current ratio of 10(5). Our research indicates that the VOG method is promising in single-crystal growth on a Si/SiO2 substrate for commercial production.

Synthesis, characterization, and photophysical and electroluminescent properties of blue-emitting cationic iridium(III) complexes bearing nonconjugated ligands.

The development of pure-blue-to-deep-blue-emitting ionic phosphors is an ultimate challenge for full-color displays and white-light sources. Herein we report two series of short-wavelength light-emitting cationic iridium(III) complexes with nonconjugated ancillary and cyclometalating ligands, respectively. In the first series, nonconjugated 1-[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]-3-methylimidazolin-2-ylidene-C,C2' (dppmmi) is used as the ancillary ligand and 2-phenylpyridine (ppy), 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine (dfppy), and 1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazole (dfppz) are used as cyclometalating ligands. In the second one, nonconjugated 2,4-difluorobenzyl-N-pyrazole (dfbpz) is used as the cyclometalating ligand and 3-methyl-1-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazolin-2-ylidene-C,C(2)' (pymbi) as the ancillary ligand. The synthesis and photophysical and electrochemical properties, together with the X-ray crystal structures of these complexes, have been investigated. At room temperature, blue-emitting complexes [Ir(ppy)2(dppmmi)]PF6 (1) and [Ir(dfppy)2(dppmmi)]PF6 (2; PF6(-) is hexafluorophosphate) show much larger photoluminescence quantum yields of 24% and 46%, respectively. On the contrary, for complexes [Ir(dfppz)2(dppmmi)]PF6 (3) and [Ir(dfbpz)2(pymbi)]PF6 (4), deep-blue luminescence is only observed at low temperature (77 K). Density functional theory calculations are used to rationalize the differences in the photophysical behavior observed upon changes of the ligands. It is shown that the electronic transition dipoles of cationic iridium complexes 1 and 2 are mainly confined to cyclometalated ligands ((3)MLCT and LC (3)π-π*) and those of complex 3 are confined to all of the ligands ((3)MLCT, LC (3)π-π*, and (3)LLCT) because of the high LUMO energy level of dfppz. The emission of 4 mainly originates from the central iridium(III) ion and cyclometalated ligand to ancillary ligand charge transfer ((3)MLCT and (3)LLCT), in contrast to commonly designed cationic complexes using carbene-type ancillary ligands, where emission originates from the cyclometalated main ligands. Solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes based on complexes 1 and 2 gave blue-green (498 nm) and blue (478 nm) electroluminescence with maximum current efficiencies of 3.8 and 3.4 cd A(-1), respectively. The results indicate that introducing nonconjugated ligands into cationic iridium complexes is an effective means of achieving short-wavelength light-emitting phosphors.

High-performance transistors based on zinc tin oxides by single spin-coating process.

Films of zinc tin oxide (ZTO), grown from solutions with zinc acetate dehydrate and tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate dissolved in 2-methoxyethanol, have been used to fabricate thin-film transistors in combination with solution-processed aluminum oxide as the gate insulator. And the nonhomogeneity of the single-layer ZTO films, caused by both ZTO film-substrate interaction and surface crystallization, has been studied, which is essential to achieve high performance transistors. In the bottom-contact thin-film transistor based on a Sn-rich layer of ZTO, a high mobility of 78.9 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) in the saturation region has been obtained, with an on-to-off current ratio of 10(5) and a threshold gate voltage of 1.6 V.

Multifunctional Self-Assembled Ionic Liquid Modified Rigid and Flexible Substrates for Efficient Simple-Structured Perovskite Solar Cells.

The advancement of electron transport layer (ETL)-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is crucial for the commercialization of PSCs. At present, the slow electron extraction and significant carrier recombination, related to the energy-level alignment at the FTO/perovskite interface, restrict the performance of ETL-free PSCs. The facile modification of bottom electrodes is pivotal for tackling these issues and stimulating the photovoltaic potential of perovskite. Herein, a cost-competitive and neoteric 1-hydroxyethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [HOEtMIM]Cl, ionic liquid is employed to modify the surface of rigid and flexible electrodes, and thus enable an energetically well-aligned interface with perovskite layer via the electric dipole effects. The resulting barrier-free FTO/perovskite contact can tremendously ameliorate the electron extraction and collection, with mitigated nonradiative interfacial carrier recombination loss. Additionally, the lone pair on the nitrogen of the imidazole group passivates the surface defects of perovskite layers, and the chloride anion plays a role in the crystallinity improvement of perovskite. Leveraged by the [HOEtMIM]Cl modification, the resulting ETL-free rigid and flexible devices deliver an outstanding power conversion efficiency of 19.60 % and 15.57 %, along with the ameliorated hysteresis and long-term tenability. This finding highlights the drastic potential of the engineered [HOEtMIM]Cl in manufacturing stable and high-performance ETL-free PSCs for their scaled-up production.

2D/3D Perovskite Photodetectors with High Response Frequency and Improved Stability Based on Thiophene-2-ethylamine and Dual Additives.

Organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite materials have received great attention in recent years. However, the poor stability of these materials severely limits the commercial application of perovskite devices. Here, we used thiophene-2-ethylammonium iodide (TEAI) material as the organic spacer NH4SCN and NH4Cl as the dual additives to realize high-stability two-dimensional (2D)/three-dimensional (3D) perovskite thin films for perovskite photodetectors. Then, we investigated different effects of the dual additives on the orientation and crystallinity of the perovskite films. At room temperature, the optimized 2D/3D perovskite photodetectors exhibit good performance with high external quantum efficiency (EQE) (72%), large responsivity (0.36 A/W), high detectivity (2.46 × 1012 Jones at the bias of 0 V), high response frequency (1.7 MHz), and improved stability (retains 90% photocurrent after 2000 h storage in RT and 10% RH conditions). Based on these devices, a dual-channel optical transport system and a light-intensity adder are achieved. The results of this study indicate that, with a simple process, the TEAI and dual-additives based 2D/3D perovskite photodetectors have promising applications in light-intensity adder and optical communication systems.

Hepatic palmitoyl-proteomes and acyl-protein thioesterase protein proximity networks link lipid modification and mitochondria.

Acyl-protein thioesterases 1 and 2 (APT1 and APT2) reverse S-acylation, a potential regulator of systemic glucose metabolism in mammals. Palmitoylation proteomics in liver-specific knockout mice shows that APT1 predominates over APT2, primarily depalmitoylating mitochondrial proteins, including proteins linked to glutamine metabolism. miniTurbo-facilitated determination of the protein-protein proximity network of APT1 and APT2 in HepG2 cells reveals APT proximity networks encompassing mitochondrial proteins including the major translocases Tomm20 and Timm44. APT1 also interacts with Slc1a5 (ASCT2), the only glutamine transporter known to localize to mitochondria. High-fat-diet-fed male mice with dual (but not single) hepatic deletion of APT1 and APT2 have insulin resistance, fasting hyperglycemia, increased glutamine-driven gluconeogenesis, and decreased liver mass. These data suggest that APT1 and APT2 regulation of hepatic glucose metabolism and insulin signaling is functionally redundant. Identification of substrates and protein-protein proximity networks for APT1 and APT2 establishes a framework for defining mechanisms underlying metabolic disease.

Palmitoylation couples insulin hypersecretion with ß cell failure in diabetes.

Hyperinsulinemia often precedes type 2 diabetes. Palmitoylation, implicated in exocytosis, is reversed by acyl-protein thioesterase 1 (APT1). APT1 biology was altered in pancreatic islets from humans with type 2 diabetes, and APT1 knockdown in nondiabetic islets caused insulin hypersecretion. APT1 knockout mice had islet autonomous increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion that was associated with prolonged insulin granule fusion. Using palmitoylation proteomics, we identified Scamp1 as an APT1 substrate that localized to insulin secretory granules. Scamp1 knockdown caused insulin hypersecretion. Expression of a mutated Scamp1 incapable of being palmitoylated in APT1-deficient cells rescued insulin hypersecretion and nutrient-induced apoptosis. High-fat-fed islet-specific APT1-knockout mice and global APT1-deficient db/db mice showed increased ß cell failure. These findings suggest that APT1 is regulated in human islets and that APT1 deficiency causes insulin hypersecretion leading to ß cell failure, modeling the evolution of some forms of human type 2 diabetes.

Synthesis, structure, properties, and application of a carbazole-based diaza[7]helicene in a deep-blue-emitting OLED.

A carbazole-based diaza[7]helicene, 2,12-dihexyl-2,12-diaza[7]helicene (1), was synthesized by a photochemical synthesis and its use as a deep-blue dopant emitter in an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) was examined. Compound 1 exhibited good solubility and excellent thermal stability with a high decomposition temperature (T(d)=372.1 °C) and a high glass-transition temperature (T(g), up to 203.0 °C). Single-crystal structural analysis of the crystalline clathrate (1)(2)⋅cyclohexane along with a theoretical investigation revealed a non-planar-fused structure of compound 1, which prevented the close-packing of molecules in the solid state and kept the molecule in a good amorphous state, which allowed the optimization of the properties of the OLED. A device with a structure of ITO/NPB (50 nm)/CBP:5 % 1 (30 nm)/BCP (20 nm)/Mg:Ag (100 nm)/Ag (50 nm) showed saturated blue light with Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.15, 0.10); the maximum luminance efficiency and brightness were 0.22 cd A(-1) (0.09 Lm W(-1)) and 2365 cd m(-2), respectively. This new class of helicenes, based on carbazole frameworks, not only opens new possibilities for utilizing helicene derivatives in deep-blue-emitting OLEDs but may also have potential applications in many other fields, such as molecular recognition and organic nonlinear optical materials.

Control of intramolecular π-π stacking interaction in cationic iridium complexes via fluorination of pendant phenyl rings.

Intramolecular π-π stacking interaction in one kind of phosphorescent cationic iridium complexes has been controlled through fluorination of the pendant phenyl rings on the ancillary ligands. Two blue-green-emitting cationic iridium complexes, [Ir(ppy)(2)(F2phpzpy)]PF(6) (2) and [Ir(ppy)(2)(F5phpzpy)]PF(6) (3), with the pendant phenyl rings on the ancillary ligands substituted with two and five fluorine atoms, respectively, have been synthesized and compared to the parent complex, [Ir(ppy)(2)(phpzpy)]PF(6) (1). Here Hppy is 2-phenylpyridine, F2phpzpy is 2-(1-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine, F5phpzpy is 2-(1-pentafluorophenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-pyridine, and phpzpy is 2-(1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine. Single crystal structures reveal that the pendant phenyl rings on the ancillary ligands stack to the phenyl rings of the ppy ligands, with dihedral angles of 21°, 18°, and 5.0° between least-squares planes for complexes 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and centroid-centroid distances of 3.75, 3.65, and 3.52 Å for complexes 1, 2, and 3, respectively, indicating progressively reinforced intramolecular π-π stacking interactions from complexes 1 to 2 and 3. Compared to complex 1, complex 3 with a significantly reinforced intramolecular face-to-face π-π stacking interaction exhibits a significantly enhanced (by 1 order of magnitude) photoluminescent efficiency in solution. Theoretical calculations reveal that in complex 3 it is unfavorable in energy for the pentafluorophenyl ring to swing by a large degree and the intramolecular π-π stacking interaction remains on the lowest triplet state.

MAPbI3 Photodetectors with 4.7 MHz Bandwidth and Their Application in Organic Optocouplers.

The photodetector based on methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) is a promising device for wide wavelength range (380-780 nm) sensitivity. However, its industrial application is limited by the relatively low response speed to the light signal, which has received little attention. Only a few reports show low-bandwidth characteristics (less than 1 MHz at 0.1 cm2). Here, when a cosolvent strategy to manipulate the thickness and the crystallinity of the MAPbI3 film is adopted, photodetectors with a -3 dB bandwidth of 4.7 MHz are achieved (at 0.16 cm2 photo detecting area). The performance is significantly better than most of the organic and hybrid photodetectors reported so far. Based on this photodetector and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), an organic optocoupler system with 1 MHz response frequency is successfully set up. Our results suggest that thickness-manipulated cosolvent strategy is a promising method in high-speed MAPbI3-based photodetectors.

Response and recovery of hybrid sturgeon from subchronic oral administration of cyanobacteria.

A 90-day growth trial was conducted on hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baeri ♀ × A. gueldenstaedtii ♂) to investigate the effect of dietary inclusion of cyanobacteria on growth, feed utilization, and fish tissue microcystins (MCs) accumulation and the recovery of fish when they were free of cyanobacteria. Four diets were formualted isonitrogenous and isocaloric to contain different MCs concentrations: the control diet (free of cyanobacteria), low cyanobacteria diet (LCD, 26.60 µg MCs/g diet), medium cyanobacteria diet (MCD, 78.82 µg MCs/g diet), and high cyanobacteria diet (HCD, 201.03 µg MCs/g diet). During the first 47 days, each diet was fed to fish in five replicates and then all fish were fed the control diet during the next 43 days. The results showed that a dose-dependent decrease in feeding rate (FR) and specific growth rate (SGR) were observed in the fish fed with MCD and HCD. MCs contents in fish liver, intestine, and dorsal white muscle increased with dietary MCs and were time dependent (P < 0.05). After the 43-day recovery, there were no significant differences in FR or SGR between the fish previously fed LCD or MCD and the fish fed with the control diet (P > 0.05), while the fish previously fed HCD showed higher FR and SGR than those fed the control diet (P < 0.05). MCs clearance in fish liver and intestine showed time-dependence during the 43-day recovery.

Use of a 1H-benzoimidazole derivative as an n-type dopant and to enable air-stable solution-processed n-channel organic thin-film transistors.

We present here the development of a new solution-processable n-type dopant, N-DMBI. Our experimental results demonstrated that a well-known n-channel semiconductor, [6,6]-phenyl C(61) butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), can be effectively doped with N-DMBI by solution processing; the film conductivity is significantly increased by n-type doping. We utilized this n-type doping for the first time to improve the air-stability of n-channel organic thin-film transistors, in which the doping can compensate for the electron traps. Our successful demonstration of n-type doping using N-DMBI opens up new opportunities for the development of air-stable n-channel semiconductors. It is also potentially useful for application on solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes and organic photovoltaics.