University of California, Santa Barbara

About: University of California, Santa Barbara is a education organization based out in Santa Barbara, California, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 30281 authors who have published 80852 publications receiving 4626827 citations. The organization is also known as: UC Santa Barbara & UCSB.

Sensory ecology, receiver biases and sexual selection

Abstract: During courtship, signals are sent between the sexes, and received signals contain information that forms the basis of decision making. Much is known about signal content, but less is known about signal design-what makes signals work efficiently? A consideration of design not only gives new insights into the evolution of signals (including novelty), but also allows the development of specific and testable predictions about the direction of evolution. Recently there has been increased interest in signal design, but this has resulted in some apparently divergent views in the literature.

The power of thiol-ene chemistry

Abstract: As a tribute to Professor Charlie Hoyle, we take the opportunity to review the impact of thiol-ene chemistry on polymer and materials science over the past 5 years. During this time, a renaissance in thiol-ene chemistry has occurred with recent progress demonstrating its unique advantages when compared with traditional coupling and functionalization strategies. Additionally, the robust nature of thiol-ene chemistry allows for the preparation of well-defined materials with few structural limitations and synthetic requirements. To illustrate these features, the utility of thiol-ene reactions for network formation, polymer functionalization, dendrimer synthesis, and the decoration of three-dimensional objects is discussed. Also, the development of the closely related thiol-yne chemistry is described. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 743–750, 2010

Mitotic Block Induced in HeLa Cells by Low Concentrations of Paclitaxel (Taxol) Results in Abnormal Mitotic Exit and Apoptotic Cell Death

Abstract: Paclitaxel at low concentrations (10 nm for 20 h) induces ∼90% mitotic block at the metaphase/anaphase transition in HeLa cells, apparently by suppressing dynamics of spindle microtubules (M. A. Jordan et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90: 9552–9556, 1993). It is not known, however, whether inhibition of mitosis by such low paclitaxel concentrations results in cell death. In the present work, we found that after removal of pacli-taxel (10 nm-1 µm), blocked cells did not resume proliferation. Instead, cells exited mitosis abnormally within 24 h. They did not progress through anaphase or cytokinesis but entered an interphase-like state (chromatin decondensed, and an interphase-like microtubule array and nuclear membranes reformed). Many cells (≥55%) contained multiple nuclei. Additional DNA synthesis and polyploidy did not occur. DNA degradation into nucleosome-sized fragments characteristic of apoptosis began during drug incubation and increased after drug removal. Cells died within 48–72 h. Incubation with paclitaxel (10 nm for 20 h) resulted in high intracellular drug accumulation (8.3 µm) and little efflux after paclitaxel removal; intracellular retention of paclitaxel may contribute to its efficacy. The results support the hypothesis that the most potent chemotherapeutic mechanism of paclitaxel is kinetic stabilization of spindle microtubule dynamics.

Intensity Dependence of Current–Voltage Characteristics and Recombination in High-Efficiency Solution-Processed Small-Molecule Solar Cells

Abstract: Solution-processed small-molecule p-DTS(FBTTh2)2:PC71BM bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells with power conversion efficiency of 8.01% are demonstrated. The fill factor (FF) is sensitive to the thickness of a calcium layer between the BHJ layer and the Al cathode; for 20 nm Ca thickness, the FF is 73%, the highest value reported for an organic solar cell. The maximum external quantum efficiency exceeds 80%. After correcting for the total absorption in the cell through normal incidence reflectance measurements, the internal quantum efficiency approaches 100% in the spectral range of 600–650 nm and well over 80% across the entire spectral range from 400 to 700 nm. Analysis of the current–voltage (J–V) characteristics at various light intensities provides information on the different recombination mechanisms in the BHJ solar cells with different thicknesses of the Ca layer. Our analysis reveals that the J–V curves are dominated by first-order recombination from the short-circuit condition to the maximum pow...