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The buried interface between the electron transport layer (ETL) and the perovskite layer plays a crucial role in enhancing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of n–i–p type perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, the interface between the chemical bath deposited (CBD) titanium oxide (TiO2) ETL and the perovskite layer using multi‐functional potassium trifluoromethyl sulfonate (SK) is modified. Structural and elemental analyses reveal that the trifluoromethyl sulfonate serves as a crosslinker between the TiO2 and the perovskite layer, thus improving the adhesion of the perovskite to the TiO2 ETL through strong bonding of the ─CF3 and ─SO3− terminal groups. Furthermore, the multi‐functional modifiers reduced interface defects and suppressed carrier recombination in the PSCs. Consequently, devices with a champion PCE of 25.22% and a fill factor (FF) close to 85% is achieved, marking the highest PCE and FF observed for PSCs based on CBD TiO2. The unencapsulated device maintained 81.3% of its initial PCE after operating for 1000 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recent advances in extrusion bioprinting of cell‐laden hydrogels, using naturally derived bioinks to biofabricate complex elastic tissues with both satisfying biological functionalities and superior mechanical properties is hitherto an unmet challenge. Here, we address this challenge with precisely designed biological tough hydrogel bioinks featuring a double‐network structure. The tough hydrogels consisted of energy‐dissipative dynamically crosslinked glycosaminoglycan hyaluronic acid (o‐nitrobenzyl‐grafted hyaluronic acid) and elastin through Schiff's base reaction, and free‐radically polymerized gelatin methacryloyl. The incorporation of elastin further improved the elasticity, stretchability (∼170% strain), and toughness (∼45 kJ m−3) of the hydrogels due to the random coiling structure. We used this novel class of hydrogel bioinks to bioprint several complex elastic tissues with good shape retention. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo experiments also demonstrated that the existence of elastin in the biocompatible bioinks facilitated improved cell behaviors and biological functions of bioprinted tissues, such as cell spreading and phenotype maintenance as well as tissue regeneration. The results confirmed the potential of the elastin‐containing tough hydrogel bioinks for bioprinting of 3D complex elastic tissues with biological functionalities, which may find widespread applications in elastic tissue regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the precise placement of hydrological stations on a simulated digital river network is crucial for constructing hydrological models applicable to process simulation, water resource management, and flood forecasting endeavors. To solve this problem, we categorized and scrutinized deviations between the simulated and their actual station locations, and proposed a novel automatic hydrological station relocation algorithm (ASRA). The algorithm was first validated in the Amazon Basin using Global Runoff Data Centre (GRDC) hydrological stations and 90 m × 90 m Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data, successfully correcting the spatial position and corresponding catchment area (CCA) of each station. Findings revealed that CCA inaccuracies were notably decreased, transitioning from an initial 7.62% when employing a conventional 5‐km search radius to 5.43% after adopting an iteratively optimized, objective, and rational 8‐km search radius. The ASRA method was subsequently applied to GRDC stations within the HDMA and HydroSHEDS data sets, successfully repositioning 8,339 and 8,026 stations respectively, all with catchment area deviations of less than 5%, thus either exceeding or at least equaling the precision of prior research efforts. A Python program was developed and incorporated into an ArcGIS toolbox that features user‐friendly attributes, enabling swift computation and accurate rectification, as a result of building upon our method. In short, our study presents a fresh approach and a robust tool for tackling the inconsistencies of hydrological station locations. The updated global GRDC hydrological station locations specifically tailored for both HDMA and HydroSHEDS data sets, together with the toolbox developed, were accessible for download on the figshare platform. Plain Language Summary: As a result of the inherent limitations posed by DEM resolution, hydrological stations' actual positions frequently diverge from their corresponding simulated locations on the digital river network derived from DEM data. These discrepancies can vary across different DEM data sets. While traditional manual methods have been reliable in terms of accuracy, they suffer from inefficiency, while automatic approaches, conversely, have offered speed but at the cost of precision. Hence, this study introduces an automated method and ArcGIS‐based toolbox that combines both high accuracy and efficiency, exemplifying its application in the Amazon basin as well as globally. Key Points: The deviation of hydrological station locations on a digital river network were categorized into three types according to the catchment area and locationA new ASRA was developed to deal with all deviation types with the advantages of convenience, efficiency, and easy integration with ArcGISThis method provides an objective and reasonable search radius to decrease the catchment area deviation based on an empirical search radius [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The angular gyrus (AG), given its rich connectivity and its location where multisensory information converges, is a functionally and anatomically heterogeneous structure. Using the state‐of‐the‐art functional gradient approach and transcription‐neuroimaging association analysis, we sought to determine whether there is an overarching hierarchical organization of the AG and if so, how it is modulated by the underlying genetic architecture. Resting‐state functional MRI data of 793 healthy subjects were obtained from discovery and validation datasets. Functional gradients of the AG were calculated based on the voxel‐wise AG‐to‐cerebrum functional connectivity patterns. Combined with the Allen Human Brain Atlas, we examined the spatial correlations between the AG functional gradient and gene expression. The dominant gradient topography showed a dorsoanterior–ventroposterior hierarchical organization of the AG, which was related to its intrinsic geometry. Concurrently, AG functional subdivisions corresponding to canonical functional networks (behavioral domains) were distributed along the dominant gradient in a hierarchical manner, that is, from the default mode network (abstract cognition) at one extreme to the visual and sensorimotor networks (perception and action) at the other extreme. Remarkably, we established a link between the AG dominant gradient and gene expression, with two gene sets strongly contributing to this link but diverging on their functional annotation and specific expression. Our findings represent a significant conceptual advance in AG functional organization, and may introduce novel approaches and testable questions to the investigation of AG function and anatomy in health and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mapping forests with satellite images at local to global scale is done on a routine basis, but to go beyond the mapping of forest cover and towards characterizing forests according to their types, species and use, requires a dense time‐series of images. This knowledge is important, because ecological and economic values differ between forests. A new generation of low cost very high spatial resolution satellite images and the advent of deep learning enables improved abilities for distinguishing objects based on their structure, which could potentially also be applied to map different forest classes related to type, species and use. Here we use GF‐1 images at 2 m resolution and map six forest classes including different planted species for the karst region in southwest China, covering 806,900 km2. We compare the results with field data and show that accuracies range between 78% and 90%. We show a dominance of plantations (15%) and secondary forests (70%), and only remnants of natural forests (6%). The possibility to map forest classes based on their crown structure derived from low cost very high‐resolution satellite imagery paves the road towards sustainable forest management and restoration activities, supporting the creation of connected habitats, increasing biodiversity and improved carbon storage. No temporal information is needed for our approach, which saves costs and leads to rapid results that can be updated at a high temporal frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Network neuroscience has broadly conceptualized the functions of the brain as complex communication within and between large‐scale neural networks. Nevertheless, whether and how the gut microbiota influence functional network connectivity that in turn impact human behaviors has yet to be determined. We collected fecal samples from 157 healthy young adults and used 16S sequencing to assess gut microbial diversity and enterotypes. Large‐scale inter‐ and intranetwork functional connectivity was measured using a combination of resting‐state functional MRI data and independent component analysis. Sleep quality and core executive functions were also evaluated. Then, we tested for potential associations between gut microbiota, functional network connectivity and behaviors. We found significant associations of gut microbial diversity with internetwork functional connectivity between the executive control, default mode and sensorimotor systems, and intranetwork connectivity of the executive control system. Moreover, some internetwork functional connectivity mediated the relations of microbial diversity with sleep quality, working memory, and attention. In addition, there was a significant effect of enterotypes on intranetwork connectivity of the executive control system, which could mediate the link between enterotypes and executive function. Our findings not only may expand existing biological knowledge of the gut microbiota‐brain‐behavior relationships from the perspective of large‐scale functional network organization, but also may ultimately inform a translational conceptualization of how to improve sleep quality and executive functions through the regulation of gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) are known to be major facilitators of the movement of a number of substrates across cell membranes. From a drought‐resistant cultivar of Oryza sativa (rice), we isolated an OsPIP1;3 gene single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that is mostly expressed in rice roots and is strongly responsive to drought stress. Immunocytochemistry showed that OsPIP1;3 majorly accumulated on the proximal end of the endodermis and the cell surface around the xylem. Expression of GFP‐OsPIP1;3 alone in Xenopus oocytes or rice protoplasts showed OsPIP1;3 mislocalization in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐like neighborhood, whereas co‐expression of OsPIP2;2 recruited OsPIP1;3 to the plasma membrane and led to a significant enhancement of water permeability in oocytes. Moreover, reconstitution of 10×His‐OsPIP1;3 in liposomes demonstrated water channel activity, as revealed by stopped‐flow light scattering. Intriguingly, by patch‐clamp technique, we detected significant NO3− conductance of OsPIP1;3 in mammalian cells. To investigate the physiological functions of OsPIP1;3, we ectopically expressed the OsPIP1;3 gene in Nicotiana benthamiana (tobacco). The transgenic tobacco plants exhibited higher photosynthesis rates, root hydraulic conductivity (Lpr) and water‐use efficiency, resulting in a greater biomass and a higher resistance to water deficit than the wild‐type did. Further experiments suggested that heterologous expression of OsPIP1;3 in cyanobacterium altered bacterial growth under different conditions of CO2 gas supply. Overall, besides shedding light on the multiple functions played by OsPIP1;3, this work provides insights into the translational value of plant AQPs. Significance Statement: We detected water, CO2 and nitrate transport abilities of rice OsPIP1;3 using different technical approaches. Ectopic expression of the OsPIP1;3 gene in tobacco substantially enhanced plant growth and resistance to water deficit by increasing the photosynthesis rate and root hydraulic conductivity in transgenic plants. This study provides important clues for uncovering the multiple functions played by plant PIP proteins and the related translational value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nanogap engineering of low‐dimensional nanomaterials has received considerable interest in a variety of fields, ranging from molecular electronics to memories. Creating nanogaps at a certain position is of vital importance for the repeatable fabrication of the devices. Here, a rational design of nonvolatile memories based on sub‐5 nm nanogaped single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) via the electromechanical motion is reported. The nanogaps are readily realized by electroburning in a partially suspended SWNT device with nanoscale region. The SWNT memory devices are applicable for both metallic and semiconducting SWNTs, resolving the challenge of separation of semiconducting SWNTs from metallic ones. Meanwhile, the memory devices exhibit excellent performance: ultralow writing energy (4.1 × 10−19 J bit−1), ON/OFF ratio of 105, stable switching ON operations, and over 30 h retention time in ambient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction Our previous study found that dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance ( IR) was involved in 5-hydroxytryptamine (5- HT) synthesis and 5-hydroxytryptamine 2 receptor (5- HT2R) in the periphery. The present study examined the effects of inhibitions of both peripheral 5- HT synthesis and 5- HT2R on dexamethasone-induced IR. Materials and Methods Male rats were exposed to dexamethasone for 10 days, then treated with or without a 5- HT2R antagonist, sarpogrelate, a 5- HT synthetic inhibitor, carbidopa, alone or in combination for 20 days. Results Dexamethasone-induced whole-body IR, with glucose intolerance, decreased insulin sensitivity, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia, could be effectively abolished by sarpogrelate or/and carbidopa, whereas IR-related actions of dexamethasone in tissues were accompanied by increased 5- HT synthesis in the liver and visceral adipose, and upregulated 5- HT2R (5- HT2 AR and 5- HT2 BR) expression in these two tissues as well as in skeletal muscle. Sarpogrelate or/and carbidopa treatment significantly abolished dexamethasone-caused tissue-specific IR. In the liver, increased gluconeogenesis, triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein syntheses with steatosis, and downregulated expression of plasmalemmal glucose transporter-2 were markedly reversed. In the visceral adipose and skeletal muscle, downregulated expression of plasmalemmal glucose transporter-4 was significantly reversed, and increased lipolysis was also reversed in the visceral adipose. Dexamethasone-induced activations of hepatic mammalian target of rapamycin serine2448, and S6K threonine389/412 phosphorylation were also abolished markedly by sarpogrelate or/and carbidopa. Co-treatment with sarpogrelate and carbidopa showed a synergistic effect on suppressing dexamethasone actions. Conclusion Inhibitions of both peripheral 5- HT synthesis and 5- HT2R are expected to be a dependable target for treatment of steroid-induced diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species delimitation through which infers species boundaries is emerging as a major work in modern systematics. Hop-hornbeam species in Ostrya (Betulaceae) are well known for their hard and heavy woods. Five species were described in China and their interspecific delimitations remain unclear. In this study, we firstly explored their distributions in all recorded field sites distributed in China. We then selected 110 samples from 22 natural populations of five species from this genus and one type specimen of O. yunnanensis, for molecular barcoding analyses. We sequenced four chloroplast (cp) DNA fragments ( trnH-psbA, trnL-trnF, rps16, and trnG) and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer ( ITS) region for all samples. Sequence variations of Ostrya from four cp DNA fragments identified three groups that showed no correspondence to any morphological delimitation because of the incomplete lineage sorting and/or possible interspecific introgression in the history. However, phylogenetic analyses of ITS sequence variations discerned four species, O. japonica, O. rehderiana, O. trichocarpa, and O. multinervis while O. yunnanensis nested within O. multinervis. Morphological clustering also discerned four species and showed the complete consistency with molecular evidence. Moreover, our phylogenetic analyses-based ITS sequence variations suggested that O. trichocarpa comprised an isolated lineage different from the other Eurasian ones. Based on these results, hop-hornbeams in China should be treated as four separate species. Our results further highlight the importance of ITS sequence variations in delimitating and discerning the closely related species in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) are important second messenger molecules in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Within host cells, cytosolic CDNs are detected by STING and alert the host by activating innate immunity characterized by type I interferon (IFN) responses. Extracellular bacteria and dying cells can release CDNs, but sensing of extracellular CDNs (eCDNs) by mammalian cells remains elusive. Here, we report that endocytosis facilitates internalization of eCDNs. The DNA sensor cGAS facilitates sensing of endocytosed CDNs, their perinuclear accumulation, and subsequent STING‐dependent release of type I IFN. Internalized CDNs bind cGAS directly, leading to its dimerization, and the formation of a cGAS/STING complex, which may activate downstream signaling. Thus, eCDNs comprise microbe‐ and danger‐associated molecular patterns that contribute to host–microbe crosstalk during health and disease. Synopsis: cGAS senses internalized extracellular cyclic dinucleotides, thereby promoting the formation of a cGAS/STING complex to activate innate immune responses. eCDNs thus are microbe‐ and danger‐associated molecular patterns that contribute to host‐microbe crosstalk. Clathrin‐dependent endocytosis facilitates internalization of extracellular cyclic dinucleotides.Internalized extracellular cyclic dinucleotides (eCDNs) bind cGAS directly, inducing its dimerization.eCDNs promote DNA sensing by cGAS, and the formation of the cGAS/STING complex. cGAS senses internalized extracellular cyclic dinucleotides, thereby promoting the formation of a cGAS/STING complex to activate innate immune responses. eCDNs thus are microbe‐ and danger‐associated molecular patterns that contribute to host‐microbe crosstalk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]