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Copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs), synthesized by a one-pot synthesis method, were theoretically shown to exhibit a dipole moment and cause work function modification on a surface as observed from Kelvin probe measurement. Here, Cu NCs were used as an interfacial modifier in organic solar cells (OSCs). The effective engineering of the electron transporting layer/active layer interface using Cu NCs resulted in improved photovoltaic performance in fullerene and non-fullerene based OSCs. On insertion of Cu NCs, the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) obtained for the non-fullerene based system was 15.83% compared to 14.22% for the control device, while the PCE increased from 7.79% to 8.62% for the fullerene based system. The interface modification resulted in reduced recombination losses and charge accumulation at the interfaces. The improved performance in Cu NC interfaced devices is attributed to work function modification, enabling reduced energy barrier and enhanced charge collection.

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Biosynthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles is an emerging eco-friendly approach. Currently, researchers have been developing various nanomaterials with effective antimicrobial properties with less toxicity to humans. Here, nanostructured ceria or cerium oxide nanoparticles of average crystallite size ∼5 nm are synthesized by a chemical co-precipitation method using cerium nitrate hexa hydrate and sodium hydroxide as starting materials. The most fascinating bio-material known to man, deoxyribo nucleic acid (DNA) is used as a biological capping agent to get well dispersed nanoparticles. The structural and morphological characterization of prepared samples was conducted using X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticle showed potential antibacterial activity against both bacteria and fungi under investigation. The results also showed that the synthesized nanoceria can be used to inhibit the growth of several fungi which will be useful for a number of applications in the biomedical field.

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). However, potential complications can occur due to the propagation of thermal energy into nontarget tissues adjacent to the targeted myocardium. Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a novel ablation modality with the potential for preferential myocardial tissue ablation to minimize damage to collateral cardiac structures. A multielectrode pentaspline catheter has demonstrated safety and efficacy in treating PAF in single-arm, first-in-human studies.

The article offers information on hardware stores in North Carolina which have been in business since several years. It mentions about the family-owned business Thomas H. Briggs General Store in Raleigh which was opened in 1865 and informs about its change of location after the business of original store suffered due to lack of parking space. It also states about the Debnam's hardware store which has been thriving for three generations.