Effect of dye complex structure on performance in DSSCs; An experimental and theoretical study.

Use of cobalt-complexes as dye in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has been a viable contender in the field of photovoltaics due to their low cost, easy production, and wide availability of sources. In this study, we investigated the effect of succinic acid (suc), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (BTC) as ligand in metals complex sensitizers with these general formulas: (1) [Co(suc)]n, (2) [Co2(suc)2(phen)2], (3) [Co3(BTC)2(H2O)n]n, and (4) [Co(HBTC) (phen) (H2O)2]; for DSSCs. The bandgap, and energy levels have an important role in photoelectron emission during photovoltaic processes. The bandgap, and energy levels of these dyes (1-4) were estimated by Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis), spectroscopies, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Delocalized π-electron of phenanthroline in two compounds (2, 4) by effectively reducing band gap energies leads to power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.511%, and 1.006%, respectively. Their PCEs to compounds (1, 3) showed an approximate increase of 60%, and 31%, respectively. Furthermore, BTC ligands by more coordinated carboxylate groups in contrast with succinic molecules due to binding sites with TiO2 cause further enhancement in the efficiency for compounds (3, 4) in contrast with compounds (1, 2). Reasonable agreement is found between experimental and theoretical values calculated using density functional theory (DFT) for the bandgaps and energy levels.

A systems medicine approach reveals disordered immune system and lipid metabolism in multiple sclerosis patients.

Identification of autoimmune processes and introduction of new autoantigens involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be helpful in the design of new drugs to prevent unresponsiveness and side effects in patients. To find significant changes, we evaluated the autoantibody repertoires in newly diagnosed relapsing-remitting MS patients (NDP) and those receiving disease-modifying therapy (RP). Through a random peptide phage library, a panel of NDP- and RP-specific peptides was identified, producing two protein data sets visualized using Gephi, based on protein--protein interactions in the STRING database. The top modules of NDP and RP networks were assessed using Enrichr. Based on the findings, a set of proteins, including ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 1 (ABCC1), neurogenic locus notch homologue protein 1 (NOTCH1), hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET), RAF proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase (RAF1) and proto-oncogene vav (VAV1) was found in NDP and was involved in over-represented terms correlated with cell-mediated immunity and cancer. In contrast, transcription factor RelB (RELB), histone acetyltransferase p300 (EP300), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 (ACACB), adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 mitochondrial (PCK2) had major contributions to viral infections and lipid metabolism as significant events in RP. According to these findings, further research is required to demonstrate the pathogenic roles of such proteins and autoantibodies targeting them in MS and to develop therapeutic agents which can ameliorate disease severity.

Open versus closed kinetic chain exercises for patellar chondromalacia.

SUBJECT: Conservative treatment of patellar chondromalacia has been the subject of several studies. One recommended treatment is a strengthening exercise of the quadriceps muscle, which may be performed in closed or open kinetic chains. This study was designed to compare the effect of straight leg raise (SLR) and semi-squat exercises on the treatment of patellar chondromalacia, which has not been done to date. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 32 female university students with a diagnosis of patellar chondromalacia were randomly assigned to two experimental groups: SLR and semi-squat exercise. Before starting exercise protocols, Q angle, maximal isometric voluntary contraction force (MIVCF) of quadriceps, crepitation, circumference of thigh 5 and 10 cm above the patella and patellofemoral pain according to the visual analogue scale (VAS) were assessed. Both groups then followed a 3-week programme of quadriceps muscle strengthening exercises (SLR or semi-squat) starting with 20 exercises twice a day and increasing each session by 5 exercises every 2 days. All measurements were repeated at the end of each week and then again 2 weeks after the 3-week exercise programme. RESULTS: Reduced Q angle (mean differences (SD) 0.8 (0.3), p = 0.016) and crepitation (19.9 (8.5), p = 0.04), and an increase in the MIVCF of the quadriceps (15.8 (5.6), p = 0.01) and thigh circumference (1.5 (0.3), p = 0.001) were found in semi-squat group compared with SLR group. However, patellofemoral pain was decreased significantly in both groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that semi-squat exercises (closed kinetic chain) are more effective than SLR exercise (open kinetic chain) in the treatment of patellar chondromalacia. More studies are needed to investigate the long-term effect of these types of exercise.