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Abstract Background The Nile rat (Avicanthis niloticus) is an important animal model because of its robust diurnal rhythm, a cone-rich retina, and a propensity to develop diet-induced diabetes without chemical or genetic modifications. A closer similarity to humans in these aspects, compared to the widely used Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus models, holds the promise of better translation of research findings to the clinic. Results We report a 2.5 Gb, chromosome-level reference genome assembly with fully resolved parental haplotypes, generated with the Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP). The assembly is highly contiguous, with contig N50 of 11.1 Mb, scaffold N50 of 83 Mb, and 95.2% of the sequence assigned to chromosomes. We used a novel workflow to identify 3613 segmental duplications and quantify duplicated genes. Comparative analyses revealed unique genomic features of the Nile rat, including some that affect genes associated with type 2 diabetes and metabolic dysfunctions. We discuss 14 genes that are heterozygous in the Nile rat or highly diverged from the house mouse. Conclusions Our findings reflect the exceptional level of genomic resolution present in this assembly, which will greatly expand the potential of the Nile rat as a model organism.

The exceptionally low reflectance of black silicon (Si) across a broad wavelength range makes it an intriguing surface texture for solar cell applications. Si heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells fabricated on black Si formed by dry reactive ion etching using inductive coupled plasma on n-type Si are explored. The study is focused on the properties of the a-Si:H/ crystalline silicon interface, being a key issue for the photovoltaic performance of SHJ. Deep-level transient spectroscopy detected no radiation defect in Si after the etching. The surface of black Si was passivated with an intrinsic a-Si:H layer, followed by the deposition of p-type and n-type a-Si:H on the front and back sides, respectively. The SHJ solar cell photovoltaic performance based on black Si is strongly influenced by defect density at the a-Si:H/Si interface. Admittance spectroscopy and effective charge carrier lifetime measurements demonstrate that interface defect density decreases with the increase of (i) a-Si:H thickness. The value of 0.75 ms effective charge carrier lifetime was reached for single (i) a-Si:H layer passivation and 0.25 ms when (p)a-Si:H was deposited over the intrinsic a-Si:H layer. The measured open circuit voltage values for the SHJ solar cells increase with the (i) a-Si:H layer thickness reaching 658 mV. However, the fill factor decreases with increasing (i) a-Si:H layer thickness, limiting the efficiency at the maximum value below 14% due to the thickness uniformity of the a-Si:H layer. The development of conformal growth of a-Si:H is a key issue for further improvement of black Si heterojunction solar cell photovoltaic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron phosphide (BP) thin films are potential selective contact layers for photovoltaic (PV) devices. However, lower deposition temperatures are preferred in the fabrication of many PV devices, such as solar cells, to reduce their cost. Here, boron phosphide layers were grown on silicon (100) substrates using the standard plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and time-modulated PECVD methods with trimethylboron [B(CH3)3, TMB] and phosphine precursors. The effect of plasma power and Ar addition on structural properties and chemical composition is investigated, while material properties are analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Chemical characterization by the electron diffraction x-ray spectroscopy method showed high carbon content in the BP layer. Electron energy loss spectroscopy demonstrated almost stoichiometric B and P (1:1) content. Raman spectroscopy of annealed samples showed an increase in carbon-related peaks, therefore indicating that annealing does not lead to the crystallization of boron phosphide. Thus, using TMB as a precursor of boron leads to carbon contamination in both standard and time-modulated modes. Optical emission spectroscopy showed that the low-temperature growth of BP without plasma (Ar or phosphine) assistance using TMB is impossible. We conclude that there is a need to investigate other boron precursors for boron phosphide low-temperature growth to avoid carbon contamination in BP films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected people's travel behavior and travel desires, particularly regarding trips to prominent destinations. This study explores the pandemic's impact on travel behavior and online search patterns for 12 landmarks across six continents, utilizing data from three online platforms, i.e., Google Trends, X, and Tripadvisor. By comparing visitation and search behavior before (2019) and during (2020/2021) the pandemic, the study uncovers varying effects on the spatial separation between user location and landmarks. Google Trends data indicated a decline in online searches for nearby landmarks during the pandemic, while data from X showed an increased interest in more distant sites. Conversely, Tripadvisor reviews reflected a decrease in the distance between users' typical review areas and visited landmarks, underscoring the effects of international travel restrictions on long distance travel. Although the primary focus of this study concerns the years most affected by COVID-19, it will also analyze Tripadvisor data from 2022 to provide valuable insights into the travel recovery beyond the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible greenspace biodiversity is a crucial element for human wellbeing. In this study, we explore the connection between social vulnerability, accessibility to greenspaces, and biodiversity in urban areas. To achieve this, we utilize citizen science data on public greenspace and species identification. Our findings reveal that areas with high population vulnerability generally have shorter distances to greenspaces. This unexpected result can be attributed to the inclusion of informal greenspaces in our analysis. However, the biodiversity of greenspaces accessible to vulnerable communities tends to be lower. This relationship varies across regions, with some areas showing improved access to high biodiversity spaces for vulnerable populations. This positive outcome can be attributed to revegetation efforts. Our study emphasizes the significance of considering biodiversity when assessing greenspace accessibility. The utilization of grassroots citizen science data enhances our understanding of greenspace quality. These findings hold significant implications for addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities in greenspace accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural polyphenolic compounds play a pivotal role in biological processes and exhibit notable antioxidant activity. Among these compounds, chlorogenic acid stands out as one of the most widespread and important polyphenols. The accurate detection of chlorogenic acid is crucial for ensuring the quality and classification of the raw materials used in its extraction, as well as the final products in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries that contain this bioactive compound. Raman spectroscopy emerges as a powerful analytical tool, particularly in field applications, due to its versatility and sensitivity, offering both qualitative and quantitative analyses. By using the self-assembly of gold nanoparticles at liquid–liquid interfaces and the developed "aqua-print" process, we propose a facile and inexpensive route to fabricate enhanced substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with high reproducibility. To ensure substrate reliability and accurate molecule detection in SERS experiments, a benchmarking procedure was developed. This process involved the use of non-resonant rhodamine 6G dye in the absence of charge transfer and was applied to all synthesized nanoparticles and fabricated substrates. The latter revealed the highest enhancement factor of 4 × 104 for 72 nm gold nanoparticles among nanoparticle diameters ranging from 14 to 99 nm. Furthermore, the enhanced substrate was implemented in the detection of chlorogenic acid with a concentration range from 10 μM to 350 μM, demonstrating high accuracy (R2 > 99%). Raman mapping was employed to validate the good uniformity of the signal (the standard deviation was below 15%). The findings of this study were also supported by DFT calculations of the theoretical Raman spectra, demonstrating the formation of the chlorogenic acid dimer. The proposed method is strategically important for the development of the class of in-field methods to detect polyphenolic compounds in raw materials such as plants, extracted plant proteins, and polyphenolic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater, a complex ecosystem abundant with diverse microorganisms, plays a crucial role in effective treatment and safeguarding public health. This paper provides an overview of wastewater microbiology, examining microbial diversity, activity, factors influencing microbial communities, health implications, and emerging trends in wastewater management. Bacteria, the most abundant group, are pivotal in decomposing organic matter, removing pollutants, and preventing eutrophication. Protozoa regulate bacterial populations, while viruses present challenges due to their microscopic size. Factors such as temperature, pH, nutrients, and toxic compounds shape microbial dynamics. Untreated wastewater may harbor pathogenic microorganisms, posing health risks. Advancements in molecular techniques enable comprehensive analysis of microbial communities, while innovative approaches like microbial fuel cells and bioaugmentation show promise for sustainable wastewater management. Understanding wastewater microbiology is vital for refining treatment processes, upholding public health standards, and innovating resource management practices.

This article examines the current issues in the development of modern international environmental law and explores ways the global community can address them. It considers the main strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of environmental protection legislation. Environmental protection and preservation are typically achieved through the implementation of laws and regulations designed to maintain ecological balance. These standards and rules aim to prevent and reduce environmental pollutants and improve the overall environment. The goal is to identify challenges and opportunities related to compliance with environmental legislation in various countries, offering practical suggestions for more sustainable methods of environmental protection and preservation.

We have grown high-crystallinity InGaN layers on ScAlMgO4 (SAM) substrates using metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy. We have prepared atomically flat SAM substrates by cleaving them along the c-plane and have utilized direct InGaN growth without any low-temperature buffer layer. The resulting InGaN layer has a distinct hexagonal hillock morphology and remarkable crystalline quality. The x-ray rocking curve measurements showed that (0002̄) and (10–1–2) peaks full widths at half-maximum are as good as 384 and 481 arcsec, respectively. The calculated threading dislocations densities are as low as 2.9 × 108 and 1.6 × 109 cm−2 in the case of screw-type and edge-type dislocations, respectively.

Objectives. To compare the survival rate of «bone chip» cells and native transplant automixture by evaluating the architectonics of cell membranes. Material and methods. Autograft in the form of a native graft automixture obtained using a «bone dust filtering device» and «bone chips» obtained using Kerrison rongeurs in 6 patients operated for degenerative diseases of the spine. The study was carried out using a flow cytometer by assessing the architectonics of cell membranes during the first three days. Results. The study of native transplant automixture and «bone chips» determined the dispersed state of the first graft and the latter, similar in its structure to the whole bone. The spectrograms analysis showed a heterogeneous composition of grafts, and in the case of native transplant automixture, the scatter was more pronounced. The increase in the number of cells during the first three days of the native transplant automixture is probably associated with the elimination of contact inhibition of their proliferation and the release of osteoinductive factors from the bone matrix. The number of necrotic cells was higher in the native transplant automixture, which is due to the rough method of its preparation, however, this number was not statistically significant compared to the number of necrotic cells in the «bone chips». Despite the combined thermal and mechanical impact, the survival of the cell component in both cases made up more than 98.0% without any statistical significance in comparison between the two types of transplants (p>0.05). Conclusions. The high survival rate of the cellular component of both types of autografts indicates that the osteogenic potential does not depend on the method of their preparation.

We present the results of a temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy study on CuInS2 quantum dots (QDs). In order to elucidate the influence of QD size on PL temperature dependence, size-selective precipitation was used to obtain several nanoparticle fractions. Additionally, the nanoparticles’ morphology and chemical composition were studied using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The obtained QDs showed luminescence in the visible–near infrared range. The PL energy, linewidth, and intensity were studied within an 11–300 K interval. For all fractions, a temperature decrease led to a shift in the emission maximum to higher energies and pronounced growth of the PL intensity down to 75–100 K. It was found that for large particle fractions, the PL intensity started to decrease, with temperature decreasing below 75 K, while the PL intensity of small nanoparticles remained stable.

Objective. To present a virtual three-dimensional model of pathologically altered segments of the patient’s spine and to analyze the results of its application when planning a surgical intervention in the smartphone-assisted augmented reality. Material and Methods. A three-dimensional modeling of the target area of the intended surgical site was performed based on computed tomography data of five patients with various spinal deformities. A smartphone application has been developed that allows displaying a three-dimensional object of the intended surgical site in the form of augmented reality. Results. The created virtual three-dimensional models were successfully used in five cases for preoperative planning and simulation train- ing before surgery, which allowed to see in detail the anatomical features of the spine, the location of vascular structures when contrasting them, and to plan the direction of the screws. The potential of using augmented reality in clinical practice was demonstrated. Conclusion. The advantages of the smartphone-assisted augmented reality technology for preoperative planning in spine surgery are the simplicity of creating a computer model, the possibility for a surgeon to use a three-dimensional model for orientation in complex anatomi- cal zone at any time of surgery, and the reduction in the risk of technical errors.