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Bacterial canker is a devastating disease in kiwifruit production, primarily caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae. In this study, a strain of Bacillus velezensis named JIN4, isolated from a kiwifruit branch, showed antagonistic activity. The B. velezensis JIN4 strain was identified based on its morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, 16S rDNA, and gyrA sequences. Furthermore, the complete genome of the strain was elucidated, revealing the presence of three genes that confer resistance to antibiotics, including tetracycline, lincomycin, and streptomycin. Additionally, a cluster of nine secondary metabolite synthesis genes was identified. In the laboratory, the JIN4 strain exhibited nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) production, demonstrating plant growth-promoting and broad-spectrum inhibitory activities against pathogenic fungi and bacteria. In the field, the JIN4 strain demonstrated effective colonization of kiwifruit, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, induced resistance in kiwifruit plants, and achieved a control efficiency of 60.22% against kiwifruit bacterial canker. These results indicate that B. velezensis JIN4 is a potential biocontrol agent against kiwifruit bacterial canker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the photocatalytic activity of ZnO and four inexpensive TiO2-based pigments in the degradation of tetracyclines, beta-lactams, sulfonamides and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. TiO2-P25 (Aeroxide®) was used as the reference standard catalyst. For the photocatalytic degradation of selected drugs, kinetics were determined, and intermediates were identified. Efficient drug degradation was observed in the presence of ZnO and TiO2 pigments containing only anatase. The pigment containing a mixture of anatase and rutile was practically inactive. ZnO had the highest photocatalytic activity, higher than the standard. The other pigments were found to be less active than the standard. However, the use of these pigments for drug degradation may be economically justified due to their significantly lower price than TiO2-P25 (Aeroxide®). Seventy-two drug degradation products were identified. The photodegradation process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. It was found that the degradation products of the tested drugs are very similar regardless of the catalyst used. Only the photodegradation products of diclofenac and consequently its products were significantly different in the presence of ZnO compared to TiO2-containing photocatalysts. It was confirmed that the tested photocatalysts, with the exclusion of FS, could be useful for pharmaceutical degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The immunologic factors are the chief reason for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and induction of maternal-fetal tolerance is the main treatment for this cause of RPL, but the effect of this method is uncertainly and needs multiple doses and/or interventions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a single administration of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) can improve the pregnancy outcomes of RPL mice and whether the improvement is cause by TGF-β1 driving the expression of immune tolerance molecule indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 RPL model mice were equally divided into a control group, that received 0.01 M phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and a treatment group, that received PBS containing 2, 20, and 200 ng/ml TGF-β1 via tail vein injection. The mice were sacrificed at 13.5 days of pregnancy and the embryo resorption rate was determined. The expression of IDO, TGF-β1, and TGF-β3 were detected in the placenta using western blotting and immunohistochemistry techniques. Results: The expression of IDO was positively correlated with TGF-β1 in the placental tissue of RPL mice (r=0.591, P<0.001). In all treatment groups, the embryo resorption rates were significantly lower than the control group and the expression of IDO in the placental tissue of all treatment groups was significantly higher than the control group. The expression of TGF-β1 increased gradually from, 2, 20 to 200 ng/ml in treatment groups, and the concentration of exogenous TGF-β1 positively correlated with the expression of TGF-β1, in placental tissues in treatment groups (r=0.372, P=0.018). Conclusion: Exogenous TGF-β1 improves pregnancy outcomes in RPL mice, and the possible therapeutic mechanism is that exogenous TGF-β1 induces the persistent expression of endogenous TGF-β1 and IDO due to mutually induced expression of the other. This experiment may provide a new direction and idea for the future treatment of RPL patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in the frequency of extreme precipitation in different parts of the world is well documented and a cause for concern in terms of global climate change. Although clouds are the only source of precipitation, there is a lack of knowledge about the type of clouds involved in extreme precipitation events. Satellite- and ground-based observations show that over the central Indian region (19°–26°N, 75°–85°E), about 60% of the extreme precipitation comes from deep convective clouds (DCCs), which have a cloud-top pressure (CTP) of less than 440 hPa and a cloud optical thickness (COT) of over 23. It was also observed that cloud liquid water (CLW) and COT show the highest correlation with extreme precipitation. Furthermore, CLW and COT show the highest contrast between extreme and nonextreme precipitation events. Simulations by a 12-km Global Forecast System (GFS, spectral) model show that the model underestimates the extreme precipitation threshold with increased forecast lead time. The simulation of associated cloud optical parameters is also poor at all lead times in different parts of India. The model also fails to capture the observed relationship between the frequency of extreme precipitation and deep convective clouds without showing any correlation between them at all lead times. This is possibly because the model simulates the observed vertical structure of the apparent heat source poorly at all lead times which leads to poor simulation of the observed relationship between cloud optical properties and extreme rainfall. Significance Statement: The occurrence of extreme rainfall events is on the rise across the globe, and India is no exception. Clouds are the only source of rainfall; however, there is a lack of understanding about what type of clouds is causing them. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the relationship between cloud, convection, and extreme rainfall events during the Indian summer monsoon months. Furthermore, it is also important to investigate the skill of the current-generation global models to simulate them. This study highlights how cloud optical properties, convection, and extreme rainfall events are related to each other and also finds that a 12-km GFS model simulates these observed relationships poorly at all lead times leading to the poor simulation of extreme rainfall events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, a stack of heavily doped polysilicon (poly‐Si) and tunnel oxide (SiOx) is widely employed to improve the passivation performance in n‐type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) silicon solar cells. In this case, it is critical to develop an in‐line advanced fabrication process capable of producing high‐quality tunnel SiOx. Herein, an in‐line ozone‐gas oxidation (OGO) process to prepare the tunnel SiOx is proposed to be applied in n‐type TOPCon solar cell fabrication, which has obtained better performance compared with previously reported in‐line plasma‐assisted N2O oxidation (PANO) process. In order to explore the underlying mechanism, the electrical properties of the OGO and PANO tunnel SiOx are analyzed by deep‐level transient spectroscopy technology. Notably, continuous interface states in the band gap are detected for OGO tunnel SiOx, with the interface state densities (Dit) of 1.2 × 1012–3.6 × 1012 cm−2 eV−1 distributed in Ev + (0.15–0.40) eV, which is significantly lower than PANO tunnel SiOx. Furthermore, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicate that the percentage of SiO2 (Si4+) in OGO tunnel SiOx is higher than which in PANO tunnel SiOx. Therefore, we ascribe the lower Dit to the good inhibitory effects on the formation of low‐valent silicon oxides during the OGO process. In a nutshell, OGO tunnel SiOx has a great potential to be applied in n‐type TOPCon silicon solar cell, which may be available for global photovoltaics industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esophageal cancer is a common and lethal digestive system malignancy, and both treatment efficacy and patient survival rates face significant challenges. In recent years, exosomes have emerged as crucial mediators of intercellular communication, demonstrating tremendous clinical potential, particularly in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation of esophageal cancer. These exosomes not only serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis but also modulate tumor growth, metastasis, and drug resistance by delivering bioactive molecules. Importantly, exosomes can act as carriers for esophageal cancer-related therapeutic agents, optimizing gene therapy strategies to enhance efficacy while reducing toxicity and side effects. Despite facing challenges in clinical applications such as purification, enrichment, and standardization of analytical methods, exosomes maintain broad prospects for application in esophageal cancer treatment, with the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life. This review focuses on the innovative role of exosomes in the early diagnosis of esophageal cancer, exploring their application value and safety in disease monitoring and assessment of treatment response. Furthermore, this study outlines the challenges and limitations of transitioning exosome research from basic studies to clinical applications, as well as potential solutions and future research directions to address these obstacles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lincomycin belongs to the antibiotics commonly used in veterinary medicine. Its residues are easily spread in the environment because of its physicochemical properties, including resistance to biodegradation and good solubility in water. One of the effective methods for the removal of lincomycin from wastewater is the photocatalytic process, but it is not widely used due to the price of photocatalysts. The aim of this work was to compare the photocatalytic efficiency and the mechanism of lincomycin degradation initiated by UVa radiation in the presence of TiO2-P25 and ZnO, as well as in the presence of industrial pigments commonly used in construction and containing TiO2. Lincomycin was found to undergo efficient photocatalytic degradation in the presence of a commercial TiO2-P25 photocatalyst, industrial pigments containing only anatase, and in the presence of ZnO. On the contrary, industrial pigments containing only rutile or a mixture of rutile and anatase practically did not show any photocatalytic activity. The composition of the solutions after the degradation of lincomycin in the presence of TiO2-P25 and ZnO differed significantly. Most of the identified organic degradation products contained conserved pharmacophores, and some of them could have been highly ecotoxic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is committed to the synthesis and characterization of a series of bi-, tri- and tetranuclear coordination compounds. These compounds are produced through the reactions of zinc(II) or cadmium(II) ions as coordination centers with flexible bis(quinolyl) ligands HL1 (N,N′-bis-quinolin-2-ylmethylene-carbohydrazide) or HL2 (N,N′-bis-quinolin-2-ylmethylene-carbonothioic dihydrazide), in conjunction with chloride, thiocyanate, iodide or hydroxyl anions serving as the coordinated counterions. These compounds are denoted as [Zn3(L1)2Cl(NCS)3]·2DMF·H2O (1), [Zn4(L1)2Cl3.8I0.2(OH)2]·8H2O (2), [Cd2(L1)I3(H2O)(DMF)]·DMF·0.25H2O (3), [Zn3(L2)2Cl4]·3DMF·2H2O (4), [Zn3(L2)2Cl(NCS)3]·3DMF (5), [Zn4(L2)2Cl4(OH)2]·3DMF·2H2O (6), and [Cd4(L2)2I6]·2DMF (7). An array of analytical techniques including elemental analyses, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and comprehensive single crystal structure analyses have been utilized to elucidate the nature of these compounds. The crystal structures of compounds 1 to 7 exhibit complex supramolecular networks, arranged in zero, one, two, or three dimensions, primarily mediated by various interactions such as intermolecular π⋯π, C–H⋯π, C–H⋯Cl, and C–H⋯S weak interactions, in addition to hydrogen bonding. The structural diversity highlights the key roles of the variable coordinating counterions and the coordination modes of the iodide anions in shaping the architectures of the coordination compounds. Furthermore, the luminescence characteristics of compounds 1 to 7 have been assessed in the solid state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid perovskites stand out as one of the leading materials in the new generation of photovoltaics. Their stability under operating conditions, however, remains an ongoing challenge. In particular, aging at the interface with the charge transport materials contributes to the degradation during operation. To address this, functionalized triarylamine‐based modulators are employed, which are known to form hole‐transporting supramolecular stacks, at the interface between the perovskite active layer and the hole‐transporting material in conventional perovskite solar cells. As a result, the improvements of the operational stabilities are demonstrated without compromising device performances, providing a promising strategy for advancing photovoltaics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severity of COVID-19 is affected by multiple factors; however, it is not understood how the inflammatory milieu of the lung at the time of SARS-CoV-2 exposure affects the control of viral replication. Here, we demonstrate that immune events in the mouse lung closely preceding SARS-CoV-2 infection affect viral control and identify innate immune pathways that limit viral replication. Pulmonary inflammatory stimuli including resolved, antecedent respiratory infections with Staphylococcus aureus or influenza, ongoing pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, ovalbumin/alum-induced asthma, or airway administration of TLR ligands and recombinant cytokines all establish an antiviral state in the lung that restricts SARS-CoV-2 replication. In addition to antiviral type I interferons, TNFα and IL-1 potently precondition the lung for enhanced viral control. Our work shows that SARS-CoV-2 may benefit from an immunologically quiescent lung microenvironment and suggests that heterogeneity in pulmonary inflammation preceding SARS-CoV-2 exposure may contribute to variability in disease outcomes. Editor's summary: Clinical outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection can be influenced by many factors. Baker et al. investigated whether the inflammatory status of the lung at the time of infection modulates antiviral responses. In a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, recent infection or lung inflammation limited SARS-CoV-2 replication by preactivating innate immune pathways and promoting an antiviral state in the lung. These findings demonstrate that recent or ongoing respiratory inflammation modulates antiviral immune responses to SARS-CoV-2. This may be a major factor contributing to diverse clinical outcomes seen in patients with COVID-19. —Hannah Isles [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CT-guided transthoracic core-needle biopsy (CT-TTNB) is a minimally invasive procedure that plays a crucial role in diagnosing pulmonary nodules. With high diagnostic yield and low complication rates, CT-TTNB is favored over traditional surgical biopsies, providing accuracy in detecting both malignant and benign conditions. This literature review aims to present a comprehensive overview of CT-TTNB, focusing on its indications, procedural techniques, diagnostic yield, and safety considerations. Studies published between 2013 and 2024 were systematically reviewed from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library using the SANRA methodology. The results highlight that CT-TTNB has a diagnostic yield of 85–95% and sensitivity rates for detecting malignancies between 92 and 97%. Several factors, including nodule size, lesion depth, needle passes, and imaging techniques, influence diagnostic success. Complications such as pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage were noted, with incidence rates varying from 12 to 45% for pneumothorax and 4 to 27% for hemorrhage. Preventative strategies and management algorithms are essential for minimizing and addressing these risks. In conclusion, CT-TTNB remains a reliable and effective method for diagnosing pulmonary nodules, particularly in peripheral lung lesions. Advancements such as PET/CT fusion imaging, AI-assisted biopsy planning, and robotic systems further enhance precision and safety. This review emphasizes the importance of careful patient selection and procedural planning to maximize outcomes while minimizing risks, ensuring that CT-TTNB continues to be an indispensable tool in pulmonary diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) has recently been considered a class of endogenous RNAs that form a continuous closed loop with an ability to cancer development. Due to its properties, circRNAs has promising potential to be considered as non-invasive cancer biomarkers. The present review comprehensively and systematically assessed the role of circRNAs as diagnostic markers in blood or tissue samples of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Articles published until September 2022 were searched across Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and PubMed databases to screen and find suitable circRNAs as diagnostic markers in CRC, Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 55 articles were selected as the final included articles. The sample size of the patients group ranged from 12 to 212. Among the circRNAs investigated in this study, 47 circRNAs were increased in patients and probably act as oncogenes and activate the downstream pathways in the initiation and exacerbation of cancer; 28 circRNAs were decreased, which probably acted as tumor suppressors and their decrease played a role in the progression of CRC, indicating that the aberrant expression of circRNAs are involved in the promotion of CRC and may associated with its clinicopathological features. Many pathological processes of cancer are regulated by the altered expression of circRNAs through the regulation of different signaling pathways. According to the results of this study, while circRNAs demonstrates promise as a biomarker for CRC diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct evaluative studies on a larger scale in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document provides a comprehensive list of individuals who reviewed papers for The American Journal of Psychiatry during a specific period, showcasing a diverse group of professionals with expertise in psychiatry. It expresses gratitude for their valuable contributions to the journal. Additionally, the document includes corrections to two articles published in the journal, highlighting the significance of accurately presenting research findings and scientific viewpoints. [Extracted from the article]

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2) pandemic has caused more than 7 million deaths globally. Despite the presence of infection- and vaccine-induced immunity, SARS-CoV-2 infections remain a major global health concern because of the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants that can cause severe acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or enhance Long Covid disease phenotypes. About 5 to 10% of SARS-CoV-2–infected individuals develop Long Covid, which, similar to acute COVID 19, often affects the lung. However, Long Covid can also affect other peripheral organs, especially the brain. The causal relationships between acute disease phenotypes, long-term symptoms, and involvement of multiple organ systems remain elusive, and animal model systems mimicking both acute and post-acute phases are imperative. Here, we review the current state of Long Covid animal models, including current and possible future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coordinated development of ecological protection and socioeconomics in the Tibetan Plateau is of great significance. This study examines the coupling coordination of urban ecosystems and economic development across 15 municipal administrative units in Qinghai Province and the Tibet Autonomous Region, the core areas of the Tibetan Plateau. The findings reveal that a larger proportion of the Qinghai and Tibet ecosystems are classified above the medium vulnerability level, primarily due to inherent natural geographic conditions. Additionally, the area of the two provinces and regions below the medium development level is larger, which is mainly influenced by indicators of economic strength and industrial structure. The degree of coupling coordination between the ecosystem and economic system in Qinghai and Tibet is predominantly driven by economic factors. Given the existing natural environmental conditions, the eastern regions of Qinghai and Tibet still possess certain development potential, while the economic development in the western areas is somewhat constrained by the natural environment. Based on this, further policy recommendations have been proposed to adjust and upgrade the industrial structure, aligning ecological protection with economic development in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. These recommendations aim to facilitate the formulation of strategies and policies for sustainable urban construction and social development in such high-ecological-value regions as the Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Press-hardened steels (PHS), as an alternative to traditional steels and aluminum alloys, combine great mechanical performance with low manufacturing costs. PHS are martensitic steels with ultimate tensile strength (UTS) up to 2000 MPa. These steels are commonly coated with zinc-based coatings (PHS GI) consisting of multiple Zn–Fe phases to enhance corrosion resistance. However, similar to all high-strength steels, PHS are known for their elevated susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement (HE). Absorption of atomic hydrogen into the steel lattice can lead to a transition from a ductile to a brittle fracture mechanism and decrease the stress necessary for fracture initiation. This review examines the microstructure of PHS GI with a focus on how the manufacturing process influences key parameters of the coating. The material's susceptibility to HE is discussed in the following sections, along with the potential for hydrogen introduction through corrosion in atmospheric environments. The relationship between the content of hydrogen and its effects on fracture behavior is discussed, along with the corrosion behavior of PHS GI. The potential areas for future research and development of PHS GI with increased HE resistance are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural and magnetic properties of Ni2 MnIn films deposited onto glass substrates were investigated. Two sets of films with distinct structural orders were prepared. The films deposited at an elevated temperature (730 K) have an ordered structure and are ferromagnetic, while those deposited at a low temperature (∼ 150 K) are quite disordered (or almost amorphous) and exhibit a nonmagnetic behavior down to 5 K. However, the disordered films can restore the ordered structure as well as the ferro-magnetic behavior by annealing. The results of magnetization measurements are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-phase gallium oxide (Ga2O3) is an emerging ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductor with a bandgap energy of ∼ 4.8 eV and a predicted high critical electric field strength of ∼8 MV/cm, enabling promising applications in next generation high power electronics and deep ultraviolet optoelectronics. The advantages of Ga2O3 also stem from its availability of single crystal bulk native substrates synthesized from melt, and its well-controllable n-type doping from both bulk growth and thin film epitaxy. Among several thin film growth methods, metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) has been demonstrated as an enabling technology for developing high-quality epitaxy of Ga2O3 thin films, (AlxGa1−x)2O3 alloys, and heterostructures along various crystal orientations and with different phases. This tutorial summarizes the recent progresses in the epitaxial growth of β-Ga2O3 thin films via different growth methods, with a focus on the growth of Ga2O3 and its compositional alloys by MOCVD. The challenges for the epitaxial development of β-Ga2O3 are discussed, along with the opportunities of future works to enhance the state-of-the-art device performance based on this emerging UWBG semiconductor material system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial (transfer) hydrogenases have been developed for organic synthesis, but they rely on precious metals. Native hydrogenases use Earth-abundant metals, but these cannot be applied for organic synthesis due, in part, to their substrate specificity. Herein, we report the design and development of manganese transfer hydrogenases based on the biotin-streptavidin technology. By incorporating bio-mimetic Mn(I) complexes into the binding cavity of streptavidin, and through chemo-genetic optimization, we have obtained artificial enzymes that hydrogenate ketones with nearly quantitative yield and up to 98 % enantiomeric excess (ee). These enzymes exhibit broad substrate scope and high functional-group tolerance. According to QM/MM calculations and X-ray crystallography, the S112Y mutation, combined with the appropriate chemical structure of the Mn cofactor plays a critical role in the reactivity and enantioselectivity of the artificial metalloenzyme (ArMs). Our work highlights the potential of ArMs incorporating base-meal cofactors for enantioselective organic synthesis., (© 2023 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

[Fe]-hydrogenase catalyzes the heterolytic cleavage of H 2 and reversible hydride transfer to methenyl-tetrahydromethanopterin. The iron-guanylylpyridinol (FeGP) cofactor is the prosthetic group of this enzyme, in which mononuclear Fe(II) is ligated with a pyridinol and two CO ligands. The pyridinol ligand fixes the iron by an acyl carbon and a pyridinol nitrogen. Biosynthetic proteins for this cofactor are encoded in the hmd co-occurring (hcg) genes. The function of HcgB, HcgC, HcgD, HcgE, and HcgF was studied by using structure-to-function analysis, which is based on the crystal structure of the proteins and subsequent enzyme assays. Recently, we reported the catalytic properties of HcgA and HcgG, novel radical S-adenosyl methionine enzymes, by using an in vitro biosynthesis assay. Here, we review the properties of [Fe]-hydrogenase and the FeGP cofactor, and the biosynthesis of the FeGP cofactor. Finally, we discuss the expected engineering of [Fe]-hydrogenase and the FeGP cofactor., (© 2023 The Authors. ChemBioChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

To develop high-performance anion exchange membranes (AEMs), the effect of the length of semi-fluoroalkyl pendants on physical and electrochemical properties of the resulting AEMs was investigated. A series of 2,5-dichlorobenzene monomers differing in semi-fluoroalkyl pendant length were synthesized and copolymerized with 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)hexafluoropropane and piperidine functionalized 2,7-dichlorofluorene. The terpolymers provided bendable membranes by solution casting. The membranes with comparable ion exchange capacity (IEC = ca. 1.85 meq g−1) showed similar water uptake, while the hydroxide ion conductivity increased by 24% on increasing the pendant chain from 7 to 11 carbons. The maximum ion conductivity of 112 mS cm−1 (at 80 °C) was achieved for the membrane formulated with the C11 pendant. Cx-QPip-n membranes showed good alkaline stability; in particular, C11-QPip-1.86 retained 75% of the original conductivity after 1056 h under harsh alkaline conditions (8 M KOH at 80 °C). An alkaline water electrolysis cell assembled with the C11-QPip-1.86 membrane and with a PGM-free anode catalyst (Ni0.8Co0.2O) showed good performance (1.0 A cm−2 at 1.64 V) with high voltage efficiency (75%). The cell was durable for 1000 h with minor voltage change (28 μV h−1) under constant current density (1.0 A cm−2) operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ga2O3 has an ultra-wide bandgap of 4.9 eV and is a suitable semiconductor for solar-blind photodetectors (SBPDs). However, the present study shows that the dark current of the Ga2O3-based SBPDs is high due to the defects on the surface and inside the crystal, and the specific detectivity of the devices is also limited to some extent. In this work, we combine post-annealing with plasma treatment, proposing a method for plasma treatment at a high temperature, which yields outstanding device performance. It is demonstrated that the SBPD based on Ga2O3 thin films treated with oxygen plasma at 700 °C possesses excellent overall performance, including an ultralow dark current of 44 fA, a high specific detectivity of 1.45 × 1016 Jones, a decay time of 58 ms and a responsivity of 264.1 A W−1 at a bias of 20 V. Furthermore, we fabricate a 10 × 10 photodetector array based on 1-inch Ga2O3 thin films treated with oxygen plasma at 700 °C, with excellent uniformity of photocurrent and dark current distribution across all pixels as well as an excellent imaging capability. Finally, in combination with the analysis of photoluminescence spectra and valence band spectra, the underlying physical mechanism based on the energy band diagram has been proposed to interpret the obtained experimental result. This work has advanced the development of high-performance Ga2O3-based SBPDs and promoted their application in high-precision solar-blind ultraviolet imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung diseases are one of the leading causes of global mortality. Advances in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) differentiation have enabled the creation of bronchiolar and alveolar lung organoids, advancing research on lung conditions. Traditional Matrigel encapsulation, reliant on the spontaneous assembly and propagation of cells with limited external intervention, often results in variability and low reproducibility. The absence of hyaluronic acid (HA) in Matrigel, a key lung extracellular matrix component, limits bronchiolar and alveolar cell differentiation, reducing the efficacy and reproducibility of iPSC‐derived organoid generation. To address this, a novel hybrid hydrogel combining HA and 23% Matrigel, inspired by the natural lung environment, is developed. This hydrogel offers improved biochemical support and viscoelastic properties, significantly accelerating organoid development. Within eight days, the hydrogel produces uniformly sized organoids containing both bronchiolar and alveolar epithelial cells. Increased levels of active mechanosensors and transducers, including PIEZO1, Integrin, and Myosin, suggest that the hydrogel's altered viscoelasticity triggers a mechanotransduction cascade. This bioinspired hydrogel provides a robust, fast model for biomedical research, facilitating rapid drug screening, respiratory disease treatment studies, and surfactant trafficking investigations. Furthermore, it enables the exploration of underlying biomechanical mechanisms to enhance the controllability of organoid generation and maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ionizing radiation low-cost and portable sensors based on nanostructured materials are in demand in many fields such as safety, medicine, space, and scientific research. Graphene field-effect transistors (FETs) have high potential for radiation detection. In this study, the graphene FETs were created by depositing a film-forming suspension of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanoparticles on the sili- con substrate with a SiO2 or thermally oxidized porous silicon (por-Si) layer and air-drying at room temperature. The electrical characteristics of the rGO-based FETs were studied in DC and AC modes. The dependencies of the drain current on the gate voltage have linear sections, the position of which depends on the sign of the drain-source voltage. It was found that the position of the Dirac point in the FETs based on the rGO-SiO2-Si and rGO-por-Si-Si structures was near the 0.8 V gate voltage. The possibility of using the obtained FETs as ionizing radiation detectors was investigated. A linear increase in the internal resistance of the rGO film in AC mode was established with increasing duration of irradiation with ẞ-particles and y-quanta formed as a result of the decay of the 226 Ra radium isotope. The radiation detector based on the rGO-por-Si-Si structure is characterized by a higher sensitivity to ionizing radiation, which is probably due to the greater thickness of the por-Si compared to the SiO2 layer. The radiation-induced change in electrical resistance of the studied FETs was greater in the low- frequency range. We explored possible mechanisms of the ionizing radiation influence on the rGO-based FETs conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Understanding the intricacies of pollen tube growth in cereal crops, such as rice, is crucial for understanding crossbreeding, seed formation, and crop productivity. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying pollen tube germination and elongation in rice, focusing on the interaction between OsPUB14 and OsMTD2 and its impact on reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation. Expression studies revealed that OsPUB14 was highly expressed in pollen and anther tissues, indicating its involvement in pollen function. We demonstrated that OsPUB14 belonging to group II U-box domain proteins, interacts with the kinase domain of OsMTD2 (a pollen-specific CrRLK1L member) and degrades it. This interaction subsequently reduces OsMTD2-mediated ROS generation. Moreover, the overexpression of OsPUB14 resulted in decreased ROS levels and reduced fertility in rice plants, emphasizing its role in reproductive processes. Yeast two-hybrid screening identified OsCRK10P and OsNET2D as potential interactors of OsPUB14, further expanding our understanding of the regulatory networks associated with pollen development. This study provides insight into the intricate interplay between pollen-specific plant U-box domain proteins (PUBs), demonstrating their roles in regulating ROS levels and ultimately influencing plant fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Further improving the performance of wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells has attracted significant attention due to its crucial role in further lifting the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite-based tandem solar cells. The majority of the efforts have focused on reducing the loss of open-circuit voltage (Voc), while little attention has been paid to improving the fill factor (FF). Herein, we employ a crown ether to manipulate the crystallization process of wide-bandgap perovskites. The strong affinity of crown ether with the metal cations suppresses the fast precipitation of cesium salts and delays the crystallization process during the deposition of the perovskite, leading to large grains and elimination of lateral grain boundaries. Moreover, the perovskite film treated with the crown ether exhibits a pronounced orientation of (110), leading to high conductivity and mobility. The improved charge transport properties within the perovskite significantly increase the FF of the as-prepared perovskite solar cell by an absolute value of 3%. In combination with the passivation of uncoordinated Pb2+ defects, the champion wide-bandgap (1.68 eV) solar cell with an n–i–p architecture shows a high FF of 83%, a Voc of 1.21 V, and a PCE of 20.6%. Meanwhile, the long-term stability of the devices is enhanced, with the unencapsulated devices retaining 99.6% of their initial PCE after 1080 hours of storage in air. This work presents a new strategy to further improve the performance of wide-bandgap perovskites and perovskite-based tandem devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the measurement of tooth quality is necessary for precise prediction of caries formation, typical measurement methods include tooth-hardness measurements and absorption spectroscopy, which generally use infrared light irradiation. These methods are destructive or invasive, and obtaining two-dimensional information in the oral cavity is difficult. Mid-infrared emissions from the surface of an object reflect intrinsic vibrations of molecules in the object. In this study, a mid-infrared passive spectroscopic imaging system was developed using an inexpensive uncooled microbolometer array sensor with an optimized multi-slit, which eliminated the cancellation of interference intensities between two adjacent emission points, to obtain two-dimensional information from an object without external infrared light irradiation. First, the feasibility of obtaining two-dimensional information on tooth quality using the proposed system was examined, and emission spectra attributed to phosphate ions in hydroxyapatite (HAp), the main component of enamel, were successfully obtained from bovine teeth. Further, the hardness of bovine teeth was measured, and a correlation (R2 = 0.8067) between the Vickers hardness and peak area ratio of phosphate ions assigned to the crystalline and amorphous phases of a tooth was established. Additionally, tooth-hardness visualization in a non-contact manner was demonstrated as two-dimensional information using the obtained regression equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2), which also serves as an excellent C1 building block for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds. The preparation and transformation of these structures have long been a focus in organic chemistry, making the utilization of CO2 highly advantageous. This paper reviews progress in the photochemical/electrochemical construction of heterocyclic compounds using CO2, differentiating between various reaction types and elucidating their underlying mechanisms as well as potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces an innovative approach to enhancing the performance of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) for fuel cell applications by incorporating quaternized imidazolium functionalized ionic liquid (IL) into quaternized poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (QPPO). The incorporation of IL not only boosts the membrane's bound water content to enhance the hopping mechanism but also supports additional imidazolium groups to facilitate the Grotthuss mechanism, collectively improving hydroxide ion conductivity. The resulting ultimate QIL-8% (The term “QIL” signifies QPPO with an incorporated ionic liquid) composite membrane exhibits an ion-exchange capacity of 3.3 meq g−1 and remarkable hydroxide ion conductivity of 135 mS cm−1 at 90 °C. Additionally, we synthesized a NiO/IrO2 (NIF) electrocatalyst for the cathode compartment. In single-cell tests, the QIL-8% membrane achieved a peak power density of 472 mW cm−2 with Pt/C-based gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) and 416 mW cm−2 with NIF based GDE at 80 °C under conditions of 75/100% relative humidity at the anode/cathode. The alkaline stability of the pristine and composite membranes was assessed in 1 M and 5 M solutions of KOH at 60 °C, and the leaching properties of the ionic liquid were investigated through the 1 H NMR spectrum, which ensures the strong character of the membrane design for advanced durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acquisition of new RNA functions through evolutionary processes was essential for the diversification of RNA-based primordial biology and its subsequent transition to modern biology. However, the mechanisms by which RNAs access new functions remain unclear. Do RNA enzymes need completely new folds to support new but related functions, or is reoptimization of the active site sufficient? What are the roles of neutral and adaptive mutations in evolutionary innovation? Here, we address these questions experimentally by focusing on the evolution of substrate specificity in RNA-catalyzed RNA assembly. We use directed in vitro evolution to show that a ligase ribozyme that uses prebiotically relevant 5'-phosphorimidazole-activated substrates can be evolved to catalyze ligation with substrates that are 5'-activated with the biologically relevant triphosphate group. Interestingly, despite catalyzing a related reaction, the new ribozyme folds into a completely new structure and exhibits promiscuity by catalyzing RNA ligation with both triphosphate and phosphorimidazole-activated substrates. Although distinct in sequence and structure, the parent phosphorimidazolide ligase and the evolved triphosphate ligase ribozymes can be connected by a series of point mutations where the intermediate sequences retain at least some ligase activity. The existence of a quasi-neutral pathway between these distinct ligase ribozymes suggests that neutral drift is sufficient to enable the acquisition of new substrate specificity, thereby providing opportunities for subsequent adaptive optimization. The transition from RNA-catalyzed RNA assembly using phosphorimidazole-activated substrates to triphosphate-activated substrates may have foreshadowed the later evolution of the protein enzymes that use monomeric triphosphates (nucleoside triphosphates, NTPs) for RNA synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

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Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction to valuable chemical compounds is a sustainable technology with enormous potential to facilitate carbon neutrality by transforming intermittent energy sources into stable fuels. Among various electrocatalysts, metal--organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered increasing attention for the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) owing to their structural diversity, large surface area, high porosity and tunable chemical properties. Ligands play a vital role in MOFs, which can regulate the electronic structure and chemical environment of metal centers of MOFs, thereby influencing the activity and selectivity of products. This feature article discusses the strategies for the rational design of ligands and their impact on the CO2RR performance of MOFs to establish a structure--performance relationship. Finally, critical challenges and potential opportunities for MOFs with different ligand types in the CO2RR are mentioned with the aim to inspire the targeted design of advanced MOF catalysts in the future to achieve efficient electrocatalytic CO2 conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]