Ionic and Optical Properties of Methylammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite across the Tetragonal-Cubic Structural Phase Transition.
Practical hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) must endure temperatures above the tetragonal-cubic structural phase transition of methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3 ). However, the ionic and optical properties of MAPbI3 in such a temperature range, and particularly, dramatic changes in these properties resulting from a structural phase transition, are not well studied. Herein, we report a striking contrast at approximately 45 °C in the ionic/electrical properties of MAPbI3 owing to a change of the ion activation energy from 0.7 to 0.5 eV, whereas the optical properties exhibit no particular transition except for the steady increase of the bandgap with temperature. These observations can be explained by the "continuous" nature of perovskite phase transition. We speculate that the critical temperature at which the ionic/electrical properties change, although related to crystal symmetry variation, is not necessarily the same temperature as when tetragonal-cubic structural phase transition occurs.


The cuprizone model: regional heterogeneity of pathology.
The cuprizone model is a model of de- and remyelination secondary to oligodendrocyte death, likely to be mediated by an inhibition of mitochondrial function. The aim of this study was to characterize histopathological changes associated with de/remyelination in grey and white matter at different disease stages in C57Bl/6 mice after per oral administration of cuprizone. Oligodendrocyte loss, astrocytosis and complement activation was detected in areas of demyelination. Demyelination, astrocytosis and complement activation occurred earlier in the cerebral cortex than in the corpus callosum. There was no perivascular lymphocyte infiltration. Microglia- and macrophage activation was observed in the corpus callosum, but not in the cerebral cortex. After cuprizone exposure was stopped, remyelination was extensive in the corpus callosum, but scarce in the cortex. In conclusion, cortical demyelination and oligodendrocyte loss in the cuprizone model may be due to a direct effect on oligodendrocyte mitochondrial function, as it occurs in the absence of microglial activation. The histopathology of de/remyelination in the cuprizone treated mice show regional heterogeneities which suggest differences in the underlying pathophysiology. Cuprizone-induced demyelination is a relevant model for the study of regional heterogeneity of demyelination and lesion pathology in multiple sclerosis.


Prostacyclin (epoprostenol): its effect on canine splanchnic blood flow during hemorrhagic shock.
Prostacyclin (epoprostenol, prostaglandin I2) is a vasodilator of the splanchnic circulation during normotensive states. To confirm the persistence of its effects after hemorrhagic shock, six anesthetized, previously splenectomized, adult mongrel dogs were subjected to hemorrhagic shock using a modified Wigger's technique in which a mean arterial pressure of 30 mm Hg was maintained until 25% of the shed blood spontaneously returned. The animals were randomly resuscitated with normal saline solution or a similar volume of saline solution containing prostacyclin. Organ blood flow was calculated by measuring the distribution of radioactively tagged microspheres. During shock, blood flows to the liver, small intestine, pancreas, and carcass were reduced. During a 60-minute infusion, prostacyclin selectively caused a significant increase in hepatic arterial blood flow. This improvement in arterial blood flow may prove beneficial in the clinical management of hemorrhagic shock.


Regaining power lost by non-compliance via full probability modelling.
Non-compliance, or non-receipt of randomized intervention, is a common problem in randomized controlled trials. An intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, which compares individuals as randomized, under-estimates the efficacy of the intervention and leads to a loss of power. We explore the possibility of regaining some of this power in a setting with all-or-nothing compliance, without making any assumptions about the comparability of compliers and non-compliers. Efficacy may be specified as the complier average causal effect (CACE), which is the difference in mean outcome among compliers. Compliance is only partially observed, but under an exclusion restriction assumption, the CACE may be estimated using maximum likelihood. In order to quantify the possible gain in power, we derive an expression for the asymptotic relative efficiency (ARE) of the CACE relative to the ITT effect with a Normally distributed outcome. Under the assumption of a common CACE across covariate strata, the CACE estimate is at least as powerful as ITT analysis. The inclusion of covariates that predict compliance enables an additional gain in power, which is investigated algebraically. Using data from three clinical trials, we obtain values of the ARE ranging up to 1.05 due to covariates alone, and 1.13 due to CACE modelling alone, corresponding to gains in power of up to 5 per cent. This implies that a large gain in power obtained using as-treated or per-protocol analyses is likely to be due to the strong and often implausible assumptions such analyses require to be valid.


Population genomics of transposable element activation in the highly repressive genome of an agricultural pathogen.
The activity of transposable elements (TEs) can be an important driver of genetic diversity with TE-mediated mutations having a wide range of fitness consequences. To avoid deleterious effects of TE activity, some fungi have evolved highly sophisticated genomic defences to reduce TE proliferation across the genome. Repeat-induced point mutation (RIP) is a fungal-specific TE defence mechanism efficiently targeting duplicated sequences. The rapid accumulation of RIPs is expected to deactivate TEs over the course of a few generations. The evolutionary dynamics of TEs at the population level in a species with highly repressive genome defences is poorly understood. Here, we analyse 366 whole-genome sequences of Parastagonospora nodorum, a fungal pathogen of wheat with efficient RIP. A global population genomics analysis revealed high levels of genetic diversity and signs of frequent sexual recombination. Contrary to expectations for a species with RIP, we identified recent TE activity in multiple populations. The TE composition and copy numbers showed little divergence among global populations regardless of the demographic history. Miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) and terminal repeat retrotransposons in miniature (TRIMs) were largely underlying recent intra-species TE expansions. We inferred RIP footprints in individual TE families and found that recently active, high-copy TEs have possibly evaded genomic defences. We find no evidence that recent positive selection acted on TE-mediated mutations rather that purifying selection maintained new TE insertions at low insertion frequencies in populations. Our findings highlight the complex evolutionary equilibria established by the joint action of TE activity, selection and genomic repression.


[Therapeutic strategy against multiple sclerosis].
The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains to be elucidated and there is no curative therapy against MS, though we have several disease modifying drugs. In this symposium. I introduce several new strategies against development of autoimmune processes and axonal degeneration in MS. Several mechanisms regulate immune system not to attack self components. One of the most potent regulatory cells is CD4 + CD25 + FoxP + regulatory T cells (Treg), which suppress development of both T helper 1 and 2. Thus, to increase the number and function of Treg is an approach to suppress autoimmune diseases. We have found recently that midkine suppresses the development of Treg. and that suppression of midkine by RNA aptamer alleviates symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyetitis, an animal model of MS. by expanding Treg. Another important strategy against MS is to suppress axonal degeneration which reportedly occurs from an early stage of MS. We have found that the most toxic agent from activated macrophages and microglia is glutamate that was produced by glutaminase and released through gap-junction. Thus, inhibitor for glutaminase and gap-junction may be other candidates to treat MS. Interferon-beta also effectively suppress glutamate production by these cells and subsequently suppress development of axonal degeneration.


Parentage, Surrogacy and the Perplexing State of Australian Law: A Missed Opportunity.
Following the decision of Bernieres v Dhopal (2017) 324 FLR 21; [2017] FamCAFC 180 it seems that intended parents of children born via overseas compensated surrogacy arrangements will not be recognised as legal parents in Australia. This decision results in harmful outcomes for children and represents a missed opportunity for the Full Court of the Australian Family Court to resolve this issue. Therefore, this article is intended to act as a plea for a review of the approach. Acknowledging the difficulties faced by the Family Court in attempting to resolve issues of parentage in compensated surrogacy cases within the parameters of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), the authors suggest two possible alternative approaches. These approaches would enable the Court to stay true to the existing legislative framework while at the same time achieving what is clearly the desirable outcome for the children; that is: having their intended and functional parents recognised as their legal parents.


70th Anniversary Collection for the Microbiology Society: Microbial Genomics.
In the context of the Microbiology Society's 70th anniversary celebration, Microbial Genomics (MGen) is the new baby of the Society's publishing family. Born on 15 July 2015, it is still in its infancy but already showing promising signs, and we have great hopes and expectations for the future. The journal captures a new and expanding area of research, one which is already having a major impact on research in microbiology, and has and continues to accelerate discoveries in the field.


Visualizing graphene based sheets by fluorescence quenching microscopy.
Graphene based sheets have stimulated great interest due to their superior mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. A general visualization method that allows quick observation of these single atomic layers would be highly desirable as it can greatly facilitate sample evaluation and manipulation, and provide immediate feedback to improve synthesis and processing strategies. Here we report that graphene based sheets can be made highly visible under a fluorescence microscope by quenching the emission from a dye coating, which can be conveniently removed afterward by rinsing without disrupting the sheets. Current imaging techniques for graphene based sheets rely on the use of special substrates. In contrast, the fluorescence quenching mechanism is no longer limited by the type of substrate. Graphene, reduced graphene oxide, or even graphene oxide sheets deposited on arbitrary substrates can now be readily visualized with good contrast for layer counting. Direct observation of suspended sheets in solution was also demonstrated. The fluorescence quenching microscopy offers unprecedented imaging flexibility and could become a general tool for characterizing graphene based materials.