• Ennis Bonde posted an update 1 month, 2 weeks ago

    A series of twelve Acceptor-π-Donor-π-Acceptor (A-π-D-π-A) topology-based donor molecules, where diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) as donor core unit is connected through furan which acts as conjugated π-bridge (CB) to aromatic derivatives (Ar) as acceptor units, have been investigated by making substitutions in acceptor units by using density functional theory(DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) for organic solar cell applications. The comparative study of optoelectronic properties indicates that thiadiazole with pyridine units containing molecules (M6b) exhibit lower energy of highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels than those of oxadiazole and pyridine containing units (M6b). Among our investigated donors, the smallest Eg of 1.60 eV was observed for both M6a and M6b with distinctive broad absorption at 843 and 857 nm, respectively. Overall, smaller electron transfer (λe) values in contrast to hole transfer (λh) demonstrate that these donor compounds would be best for λe. The calculated open circuit voltage (Voc) is 2.45 and 2.17 eV, regarding bisPCBM and PC60BM (phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester) acceptors. Thus, these theoretical calculations not only endorse the deep consideration between the chemical structures and optoelectronic characteristics of the donor-acceptor systems but also suggest appropriate materials for high-performance Organic Photovoltaics (OPV). Graphical abstract.Although it is clear that nutrition affects physical and metabolic functions in humans, the importance of nutrition in mental illness has often been overlooked. Following a report by Hibbeln (Lancet 3511213, 1998) published in The Lancet, which suggested that depression rates and fish consumption were inversely correlated, the relationships between a variety of nutritional/epidemiological treatments and neuropsychiatric disorders have received increased attention. In particular, many studies have been conducted on the omega-3 fatty acid mechanism of action in pathophysiological aspects of various neuropsychiatric disorders. Furthermore, many clinical studies have also been conducted on the effects of omega-3 replacement therapy. Therefore, this article reports recent trends in, and perspectives on, the use of omega-3 fatty acids to treat the five psychiatric disorders schizophrenia (a delusion of the psychotic zone), depression and other mood disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (a developmental disorder), post-traumatic stress disorder (psychological trauma after the disaster), and Alzheimer-type dementia.Autophagy is a degradative process playing an important role in removing misfolded or aggregated proteins, clearing damaged organelles, such as mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, as well as eliminating intracellular pathogens. The autophagic process is important for balancing sources of energy at critical developmental stages and in response to nutrient stress. Recently, autophagy has been involved in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases although its beneficial (pro-survival) or detrimental (pro-death) role remains controversial. In the present review, we discuss the role of autophagy following intoxication with trimethyltin (TMT), an organotin compound that induces severe hippocampal neurodegeneration associated with astrocyte and microglia activation. TMT is considered a useful tool to study the molecular mechanisms occurring in human neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and temporal lobe epilepsy. This is also relevant in the field of environmental safety, since organotin compounds are used as heat stabilizers in polyvinyl chloride polymers, industrial and agricultural biocides, and as industrial chemical catalysts.Empirical findings predominantly support a happiness superiority effect in visual search and emotion categorization paradigms and reveal that social cues, like sex and race, moderate this advantage. A more recent study showed that the facial attribute attractiveness also influences the accuracy and speed of emotion perception. In the current study, we investigated whether the influence of attractiveness on emotion perception translates into a more general evaluation of moods when more than one emotional target is presented. In two experiments, we used the mood-of-the-crowd (MoC) task to investigate whether attractive crowds are perceived more positively compared to less attractive crowds. The task was to decide whether an array of faces included more angry or more happy faces. Furthermore, we recorded gaze movements to test the assumption that fixations on happy expressions occur more often in attractive crowds. Thirty-four participants took part in experiment 1 as well as in experiment 2. In both experiments, crowds presenting attractive faces were judged as being happy more frequently whereas the reverse pattern was found for unattractive crowds of faces. Moreover, participants were faster and more accurate when evaluating attractive crowds containing more happy faces as well as when judging unattractive crowds composed of more angry expressions. Additionally, in experiment 1, there were more fixations on happy compared to angry expressions in attractive crowds. Overall, the present findings support the assumption that attractiveness moderates emotion perception.This study aimed to explore the relationship between action execution and mental rotation modalities. To this end, pantomime gesture (i.e. check details the mime of the use of an object) was used as its execution relies on imagery processes. Specifically, we tried to clarify the role of visuo-spatial or motor and body-related mental imagery processes in pantomime gestures performed away (AB, e.g. drawing on a sheet) and towards the body (TB, e.g. brushing the teeth). We included an “actual use” condition in which participants were asked to use a toothbrush and make 3, 6, or 9 circular movements close to their mouth (as if they were brushing their teeth) or to use a pencil and make 3, 6, or 9 circular movements on a desk (as if they were drawing circles). Afterwards, participants were asked to pantomime the actual use of the same objects (“pantomime” condition). Finally, they were asked to mentally rotate three different stimuli hands, faces, and abstract lines. Results showed that participants were faster in AB than TB pantomimes.