First X-ray structures and metal oxidation state dependence on cage isomerism for U-EMFs.

Two cove-edge graphene nanoribbons hPDI2-Pyr-hPDI2 (1) and hPDI3-Pyr-hPDI3 (2) are used as efficient electron-transporting materials (ETMs) in inverted planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Devices based on the new graphene nanoribbons exhibit maximum power-conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 15.6 % and 16.5 % for 1 and 2, respectively, while a maximum PCE of 14.9 % is achieved with devices based on [6,6]-phenyl-C -butyric acid methyl ester (PC BM). The interfacial effects induced by these new materials are studied using photoluminescence (PL), and we find that 1 and 2 act as efficient electron-extraction materials. Additionally, compared with PC BM, these new materials are more hydrophobic and have slightly higher LUMO energy levels, thus providing better device performance and higher device stability.

Although mast cell secretion has been intensively studied because of its pivotal role in allergic reactions and its advantages as a physiologic model, the molecular composition of the secretory machine is virtually unknown. In view of the guanine-nucleotide dependency of mast cell exocytosis and the participation of Rab3 proteins in synaptic vesicle release, we hypothesized that a Rab3 isoform regulates mast cell secretion. Fragments of Rab3A, 3B, and 3D were cloned from RBL-2H3 mast cells by reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Northern blot analysis revealed Rab3D transcripts to be relatively abundant, Rab3B substantially less so, and Rab3A and 3C undetectable. By ribonuclease (RNase) protection assay, Rab3D transcripts were at least 10-fold more abundant than those of other isoforms, and by immunoblot analysis, Rab3D protein was at least 60-fold more abundant than that of Rab3B. Rab3D was more abundant in RBL cells than in brain, but the total mass of Rab3 proteins in RBL cells was 10-fold less than in brain. Rab3D only partly colocalized with secretory granules in RBL cells, but fully colocalized in mature peritoneal mast cells. There was a descending concentration gradient of Rab3D from peripheral to central granules, and no cytoplasmic pool was detectable in resting mast cells. Following exocytotic degranulation, Rab3D translocated to the plasma membrane and remained there for at least 15 min. These studies suggest that Rab3D is a component of the regulated exocytotic machine of mast cells, and identify differences between mast cells and neurons in Rab3 expression and trafficking.

No abstract

Heteroatom doping of carbon nanostructures is a convenient tool to control their physicochemical properties and to make them suitable for various applications. Carbon nano‐onions (CNOs) doped with nitrogen (N‐CNOs) have been prepared by annealing aminated‐nanodiamond particles (AM‐NDs) at different temperatures (1150, 1450 and 1650 °C) in an inert He atmosphere. Their physicochemical properties were compared with those of pristine CNOs obtained from non‐functionalized NDs under the same experimental conditions. The carbon nanostructures were characterized using transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, porosimetry, and differential‐thermogravimetric analyses (TGA‐DTG). Their physicochemical properties are systematically discussed for undoped and for the nitrogen‐doped CNO samples. The results reveal that the surface morphology and the structure of undoped and nitrogen‐doped CNOs vary with the annealing temperature. All of these materials were electrochemically tested as electrode materials for enzyme‐free catalysis of hydrogen peroxide. The nitrogen‐doped carbon nanostructures have a higher catalytic activity than undoped nanostructures obtained under the same experimental conditions.