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Understanding neuronal function at the local and circuit level requires understanding astrocyte function. We have provided a detailed analysis of astrocyte morphology and territory in the Drosophila third-instar ventral nerve cord where there already exists considerable understanding of the neuronal network. Astrocyte shape varies more than previously reported; many have bilaterally symmetrical partners, many have a high percentage of their arborization in adjacent segments, and many have branches that follow structural features. Taken together, our data are consistent with, but not fully explained by, a model of a developmental growth process dominated by competitive or repulsive interactions between astrocytes. Our data suggest that the model should also include cell-autonomous aspects, as well as the use of structural features for growth. Variation in location of arborization territory for identified astrocytes was great enough that a standardized scheme of neuropil division among the six astrocytes that populate each hemi-segment is not possible at the third instar. The arborizations of the astrocytes can extend across neuronal functional domains. The ventral astrocyte in particular, whose territory can extend well into the proprioceptive region of the neuropil, has no obvious branching pattern that correlates with domains of particular sensory modalities, suggesting that the astrocyte would respond to neuronal activity in any of the sensory modalities, perhaps integrating across them. This study sets the stage for future studies that will generate a robust, functionally oriented connectome that includes both partners in neuronal circuits-the neurons and the glial cells, providing the foundation necessary for studies to elucidate neuron-glia interactions in this neuropil.

Organic light-emitting diodes with external quantum efficiency of 38.8% are realized using a Pt-based thin-film emitting layer with photoluminescence quantum yield of 96% and transition dipole ratio of 93%. The emitting dipole orientation of the thin films fabricated using Pt complexes is investigated and the structural relationship between X-ray structural analysis and the structures in thin films are discussed based on quantum chemical calculations.

Tunable and selective areal polymer chain alignment method is developed for spin-cast blend films of poly(3-hexylthiophene)(P3HT):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butlyric methyl ester (PCBM) system by a femtosecond laser process. The chain alignment, phase separation, and molecular structure of the laser exposed P3HT:PCBM films are investigated by grazing incidence wide angle X-ray scattering and micro-Raman analysis. The alkyl chains of P3HT polymer become highly ordered along the polarization axis of the laser. Thus, the amount of desirable face-on configuration for solar cell application is largely enhanced with a subsequent postannealing process. Vertically expanded morphology up to 200 nm on P3HT:PCBM films is also prompted by the laser irradiation without deteriorating intramolecular structure and changing chemical composition. Simultaneously, vertical phase separation of PCBM toward surface is induced at exposed region.

UNLABELLED The structure of P3HT in P3HT:PCBM films is examined on a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate ( PEDOT PSS) substrate subjected to cryo-cooling to low temperature (-143 °C) followed by gradual heating to 50 °C. The behavior of these systems is examined in the absence and presence of an Al electrode on top of the P3HT:PCBM film. At temperatures below -10 °C, only the type-I phase of P3HT is observed. However, the type-II phase of P3HT starts to form near -10 °C, in both the presence and absence of the Al layer. In the system without an Al layer, the type-II phase disappears at 30 °C, but this phase persists to 50 °C in the presence of the Al layer. Concomitant with the formation of the type-II phase, a 1:3 ordered P3HT type-II (1/3,0,0) superlattice peak emerged. The type-II domains tend to form near the Al electrode layer and show a higher degree of alignment than the type-I crystals.

A field colony of the Two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch), resistant to fenpyroximate was further selected with fenpyroximate 5SC for 20 generations at a selection pressure of 30-50% mortality (designated as FR-20 strain). Resistance and cross-resistance levels of the FR-20 strain to 18 acaricides were determined using a spray method. The FR-20 strain was extremely resistant to fenpyroximate [resistance ratio (RR) 252]. The strain exhibited extremely strong positive cross-resistance to acrinathrin (RR 196), and high levels of resistance to benzoximate (RR 55) and propargite (RR 64). Moderate levels of cross-resistance (RR 11-40) to abamectin, fenbutatin oxide, fenpropathrin, pyridaben, pyridaben + bifenthrin and tebufenpyrad were observed. The FR-20 strain showed low levels of resistance (RR < 10) to azocyclotin, bromopropylate, chlorfenapyr, chlorfenapyr + bifenthrin, chlorfenapyr + pyridaben, dicofol, fenazaquin and milbemectin. Synergist experiments with different metabolic inhibitors revealed that piperonyl butoxide had the greatest effect on the efficacy of fenpyroximate, followed by iprobenfos and triphenyl phosphate. In a comparative assay with detoxifying enzymes, the FR-20 strain showed 2.5-fold higher activity in p-nitroanisole-O-demethylation, and 2.5- and 2.2-fold higher activities in alpha- and beta-naphthyl acetate hydrolysis, respectively. These results suggested that enhanced activities of both mixed-function oxidases and esterases likely contribute to the fenpyroximate resistance of the FR-20 strain of T urticae.