Contrary to previous reports, we show that the conventional GW (the so-called G⁰W⁰) approximation can be used to calculate accurately the experimental band gap (∼3.6  eV) of ZnO. The widely discussed underestimate of the quasiparticle gap of ZnO within the GW method is a result of an inadequate treatment of the semicore electrons and the slow and nonuniform convergence in the calculation of the Coulomb-hole self-energy in previous studies. In addition, an assumed small kinetic energy cutoff for the dielectric matrix may result in a false convergence behavior for the quasiparticle self-energy.

Adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) have become popular for gene therapy, given their many advantages, including their reduced inflammatory profile compared with that of other viruses. However, even in areas of immune privilege such as the eye, AAV vectors are capable of eliciting host-cell responses. To investigate the effects of such responses on several ocular cell types, we tested multiple AAV genome structures and capsid types using subretinal injections in mice. Assays of morphology, inflammation, and physiology were performed. Pathological effects on photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were observed. Müller glia and microglia were activated, and the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β were up-regulated. There was a strong correlation betweencis-regulatory sequences and toxicity. AAVs with any one of three broadly active promoters, or an RPE-specific promoter, were toxic, while AAVs with four different photoreceptor-specific promoters were not toxic at the highest doses tested. There was little correlation between toxicity and transgene, capsid type, preparation method, or cellular contaminants within a preparation. The toxic effect was dose-dependent, with the RPE being more sensitive than photoreceptors. Our results suggest that ocular AAV toxicity is associated with certain AAVcis-regulatory sequences and/or their activity and that retinal damage occurs due to responses by the RPE and/or microglia. By applying multiple, sensitive assays of toxicity, AAV vectors can be designed so that they can be used safely at high dose, potentially providing greater therapeutic efficacy.

a b s t r a c tThe newest homologous series of superconducting Fe-pnictides, LiFeAs (Li111) and NaFeAs (Na111) have been synthesized and investigated. Both crystallize with the layered tetragonal anti-PbFCl-type structure in P4/nmm space group. Polycrystalline samples and single crystals of Li111 and Na111 display superconducting transitions at $18 K and 12-25 K, respectively. No magnetic order has been found in either compound, although a weak magnetic background is clearly in evidence. The origin of the carriers and the stoichiometric compositions of Li111 and Na111 were explored.

versity of South Carolina for the 11-cis retinal; and Michael Casey of the Transgenic Core of the Department of Ophthalmology at Washington University for genotyping our mice for the rd8 mutation. We also thank Alexander Kolesnikov and Frans Vinberg of the Kefalov Laboratory, Carter Cornwall of Boston University, and Huixin Xu of Harvard University for comments on the manuscript.

We report the detection of unusual superconductivity up to 49 K in single crystalline CaFe 2 As 2 via electron-doping by partial replacement of Ca by rare-earth. The superconducting transition observed suggests the possible existence of two phases: one starting at 49 K, which has a low critical field < 4 Oe, and the other at 21 K, with a much higher critical field > 5 T. Our observations are in strong contrast to previous reports of doping or pressurizing layered compounds AeFe 2 As 2 (or Ae122), where Ae = Ca, Sr, or Ba. In Ae122, hole-doping has been previously observed to generate superconductivity with a transition temperature ( T c ) only up to 38 K and pressurization has been reported to produce superconductivity with a T c up to 30 K. The unusual 49 K phase detected will be discussed.

The intermetallic compounds AAl 2-x Si x , where A = Ca, Sr or Ba, crystallize in the C32 structure, same as the recently discovered MgB 2 with a high superconducting transition temperature of 39 K. For x = 1, superconductivity has been observed in AAlSi with A = Ca and Sr, but not with A = Ba. The transition temperatures are 7.8 and 5.1 K, respectively for CaAlSi and SrAlSi. The CaAl 2-x Si x compound system display a T c -peak at x = 1, a possible x-induced electronic transition at x ~ 0.75 and a possible miscibility gap near x ~ 1.1 which results in a very broad superconducting transition. The Seebeck coefficients of AAlSi indicate that their carriers are predominantly electrons in nature, in contrast to the holes in MgB 2 .