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Based on filamentous particles, aphid transmission, and symptoms of distorted, size-reduced, woody fruits, the major potyvirus associated with passionfruit woodiness disease (PWD) in Taiwan has been regarded as Passionfruit woodiness virus (PWV) for decades. In this study, the genomes of four potyvirus isolates, originally collected from orchards with PWD in Taiwan and re-designated as Poty-TW, Poty-0920-6, Poty-dpd and Poty-pt, were sequenced for molecular characterization. Our results revealed that the CP genes of Poty-TW and Poty-0920-6 share nucleotide (nt) identities/amino acid (aa) identities of 97.7/95.9 and 98.5/97.2%, respectively, with that of East Asian passiflora virus (EAPV) isolate AO of Japan, and the CP genes of Poty-dpd and Poty-pt share nt/aa identities of 95.3/96.2 and 94.9/97.6% respectively, with that of EAPV isolate IB of Japan. The genomic sequences of PWD-associate viruses in Taiwan also share high degrees of homology with that of EAPV-AO (TW and 0920-6 isolates > 98%) and EAPV-IB (dpd and pt isolates > 88%). However, the CP genes of four PWD-associated viruses from Taiwan share only 67.6-69.4% nt identities with that of PWV Australia MU isolate, does not satisfy the ICTV criteria (> 76%) to be regarded as a strain of PWV. A field survey with 175 samples from different areas of Taiwan demonstrated that the PWD-associated potyvirus is mainly caused by EAPV. Hence, our results indicate that the major potyvirus causing PWD in Taiwan should be reclassified as EAPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a critical effector in the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), which modulates cardiovascular homeostasis, and the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) related metabolism of extracellular matrix (ECM). Angiotensin(1–7) [Ang(1–7)] is another bioactive peptide in the RAS and is considered to have opposite effects to Ang II. However, the modulation of MMPs and TIMPs by Ang(1–7) is largely unclear in cardiocytes, and the antagonistic effects of Ang(1–7) on Ang II-mediated expression of MMPs and TIMPs have yet to be identified. In the present study, we examined the transcript expression of MMPs and TIMPs in human cardiac fibroblasts (HCF) and myocytes (HCM) after Ang II or Ang(1–7) stimulation, and analysed the antagonistic effects of Ang(1–7) to Ang II. The results show that Ang II decreased transcript expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3, but upregulated MMP-9 expression in the HCF cells. Transcript expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-2 was downregulated by Ang(1–7) in the same cells. In the HCM cells, Ang II induced MMP-1 and MMP-9 overexpression but MMP-2 was downregulated. All of the examined MMPs and TIMPs, except MMP-9, were markedly decreased by Ang(1–7). In the studies of antagonistic effects of Ang(1–7) to Ang II, Ang(1–7) counteracted the effects of Ang II-mediated regulation on MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the HCF cells compared with the control group. The regulations of all examined MMPs by Ang II were reversed to basal expression by Ang(1–7) in the HCM cells. Our results suggest that Ang(1–7) and Ang II have opposite and antagonistic effects on regulation of transcription of MMPs and TIMPs in primary cultures of human cardiocytes. These effects lead to increased ratios of MMPs to TIMPs after Ang II stimulation and decreased ratios of MMPs to TIMPs after Ang(1–7) stimulation; effects which may partly depend of the type of cardiac cells. These results suggest a potential role for Ang(1–7) in attenuatating cardiac damage in Ang II-induced ECM remodelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Combination of CHD (chromo-helicase-DNA binding protein)-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with electrophoresis (PCR/electrophoresis) is the most common avian molecular sexing technique but it is lab-intensive and gel-required. Gender determination often fails when the difference in length between the PCR products of CHD-Z and CHD-W genes is too short to be resolved. Results: Here, we are the first to introduce a PCR-melting curve analysis (PCR/MCA) to identify the gender of birds by genomic DNA, which is gel-free, quick, and inexpensive. Spilornis cheela hoya (S. c. hoya) and Pycnonotus sinensis (P. sinensis) were used to illustrate this novel molecular sexing technique. The difference in the length of CHD genes in S. c. hoya and P. sinensis is 13-, and 52-bp, respectively. Using Griffiths' P2/P8 primers, molecular sexing failed both in PCR/electrophoresis of S. c. hoya and in PCR/MCA of S. c. hoya and P. sinensis. In contrast, we redesigned sex-specific primers to yield 185- and 112-bp PCR products for the CHD-Z and CHD-W genes of S. c. hoya, respectively, using PCR/MCA. Using this specific primer set, at least 13 samples of S. c. hoya were examined simultaneously and the Tm peaks of CHD-Z and CHD-W PCR products were distinguished. Conclusion: In this study, we introduced a high-throughput avian molecular sexing technique and successfully applied it to two species. This new method holds a great potential for use in high throughput sexing of other avian species, as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NSs protein and the nucleocapsid protein (NP) of orthotospoviruses are the major targets for serological detection and diagnosis. A common epitope of KFTMHNQIF in the NSs proteins of Asia orthotospoviruses has been applied as an epitope tag (nss-tag) for monitoring recombinant proteins. In this study, a monoclonal antibody TNP MAb against the tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) NP that reacts with TSWV-serogroup members of Euro-America orthotospoviruses was produced. By truncation and deletion analyses of TSWV NP, the common epitope of KGKEYA was identified and designated as the np sequence. The np sequence was successfully utilized as an epitope tag (np-tag) to monitor various proteins, including the green fluorescence protein, the coat protein of the zucchini yellow mosaic virus, and the dust mite chimeric allergen Dp25, in a bacterial expression system. The np-tag was also applied to investigate the protein–protein interaction in immunoprecipitation. In addition, when the np-tag and the nss-tag were simultaneously attached at different termini of the expressed recombinant proteins, they reacted with the corresponding MAbs with high sensitivity. Here, we demonstrated that the np sequence and TNP MAb can be effectively applied for tagging and detecting proteins and can be coupled with the nss-tag to form a novel epitope-tagging system for investigating protein–protein interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we synthesized new 0.01–2 μm graphene nanosheet/MnO 2 /WO 3 (G/MnO 2 /WO 3) architectures through an electrochemically induced cathodic plasma process in a single batch at a lower temperature (70 °C) and for a shorter time (2 h) than those required for the syntheses of similar structures when using a hydrothermal method. We first obtained 0.01–1 μm leaf-like graphene (G) nanosheets, then 0.1–0.3 μm long and approximately 10 nm diameter petiole-like MnO 2 nanowires on the G nanosheets, and finally 0.20–2.0 μm petal-like WO 3 on MnO 2 /G — thereby forming the G/MnO 2 /WO 3 architectures — as evidenced using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. We deciphered the step-wise reaction mechanism behind the formation of the G/MnO 2 /WO 3 architectures during the plasma process. The high surface area of 291 m2 g−1 in the G/MnO 2 /WO 3 architecture was contributed mainly by the G nanosheets, providing a suitable surface area for diffusion of the charge carriers during the charging and discharging process. As a result, an electrode incorporating the G/MnO 2 /WO 3 architectures exhibited an excellent specific capacitance of 620 F g−1 — 45 and 200% higher than those of G/MnO 2 (421 F g−1) and G (189 F g−1) electrodes, respectively — at a current density of 0.5 A g−1. Moreover, the G/MnO 2 /WO 3 –incorporated electrode exhibited good electrochemical cycling stability, with 90% capacitance retention over 5000 cycles at 1 A g−1. Such new G/MnO 2 /WO 3 heterojunction structures, not only provide high-performance electrode applications, but also suggest a potential approach toward fabricating other heterojunction structures having high surface areas for energy storage applications. • Cathodic plasma–induced syntheses of G/MnO 2 /WO 3 architectures in a single batch. • Proposed reaction mechanism for the cathodic plasma process. • G/MnO 2 /WO 3 structure displaying a high specific capacitance of 620 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1. • G/MnO 2 /WO 3 architectures exhibiting good stability during electrochemical cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancements in assisted driving technologies are expected to enable future passengers to use a wide range of multimedia applications in electric vehicles (EVs). To address the bandwidth demands for high-resolution and immersive videos during peak traffic, this study introduces a bandwidth-management algorithm to support differentiated streaming services in heterogeneous vehicle-to-everything (V2X) networks. By leveraging cellular 6G base stations, along with Cell-Free (CF) Massive Multi-Input Multi-Output (mMIMO) Wi-Fi 7 access points, the algorithm aims to provide a high-coverage, high-speed, and low-interference V2X network environment. Additionally, Li-Fi technology is employed to supply extra bandwidth to vehicles with limited connectivity via V2V communication. Importantly, the study addresses the urgency and prioritization of different applications to ensure the smooth execution of emergency applications and introduces a pre-downloading mechanism specifically for non-real-time applications. Through simulations, the algorithm's effectiveness in meeting EV users' bandwidth needs for various multimedia streaming applications is demonstrated. During peak-bandwidth-demand periods, users experienced an average increase in bandwidth of 47%. Furthermore, bandwidth utilization across the V2X landscape is significantly improved.

Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest A conflict of interest occurs when an individual's objectivity is potentially compromised by a desire for financial gain, prominence, professional advancement or a successful outcome. JFMA Editors strive to ensure that what is published in the Journal is as balanced, objective and evidence-based as possible. Since it can be difficult to distinguish between an actual conflict of interest and a perceived conflict of interest, the Journal requires authors to disclose all and any potential conflicts of interest.

HC-Pro and coat protein (CP) genes of a potyvirus facilitate cell-to-cell movement and are involved in the systemic movement of the viruses. The interaction between HC-Pro and CP is mandatory for aphid transmission. Two turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) isolates, RC4 and YC5, were collected from calla lily plants in Taiwan. The virus derived from the infectious clone pYC5 cannot move systemically in Chenopodium quinoa plants and loses aphid transmissibility in Nicotiana benthamiana plants, like the initially isolated virus. Sequence analysis revealed that two amino acids, P 5 and A 206 , of YC5 CP uniquely differ from RC4 and other TuMV strains. Recombination assay and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that the fifth residue of leucine (L) at the N-terminal region of the CP (TuMV-RC4), rather than proline (P) (TuMV-YC5), is critical to permit the systemic spread in C. quinoa plants. Moreover, the single substitution mutant YC5-CP P5L became aphid transmissible, similar to RC4. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that YC5-GFP was restricted in the petioles of inoculated leaves, whereas YC5-CP P5L -GFP translocated through the petioles of inoculated leaves, the main stem, and the petioles of the upper uninoculated leaves of C. quinoa plants. In addition, YC5-GUS was blocked at the basal part of the petiole connecting to the main stem of the inoculated C. quinoa plants, whereas YC5-CP P5L -GFP translocated to the upper leaves. Thus, a single amino acid, the residue L 5 at the N-terminal region right before the 6 DAG 8 motif, is critical for the systemic translocation ability of TuMV in a local lesion host and for aphid transmissibility in a systemic host., Competing Interests: The author(s) declare no conflict of interest.

All-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) offer improved morphological and mechanical stability compared with those containing small-molecule-acceptors (SMAs). They can be processed with a broader range of conditions, making them desirable for printing techniques. In this study, we report a high-performance polymer acceptor design based on bithiazole linker (PY-BTz) that are on par with SMAs. We demonstrate that bithiazole induces a more coplanar and ordered conformation compared to bithiophene due to the synergistic effect of non-covalent backbone planarization and reduced steric encumbrances. As a result, PY-BTz shows a significantly higher efficiency of 16.4% in comparison to the polymer acceptors based on commonly used thiophene-based linkers (i.e., PY-2T, 9.8%). Detailed analyses reveal that this improvement is associated with enhanced conjugation along the backbone and closer interchain π-stacking, resulting in higher charge mobilities, suppressed charge recombination, and reduced energetic disorder. Remarkably, an efficiency of 14.7% is realized for all-PSCs that are solution-sheared in ambient conditions, which is among the highest for devices prepared under conditions relevant to scalable printing techniques. This work uncovers a strategy for promoting backbone conjugation and planarization in emerging polymer acceptors that can lead to superior all-PSCs., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) may cause severe pulmonary and neurologic injuries in affected infants after birth, leading to long-term adverse pulmonary or neurodevelopmental outcomes., Methods: This retrospective population-based cohort study enrolled 1,554,069 mother-child pairs between 2004 and 2014. A total of 8,049 infants were in the MAS-affected group, whereas 1,546,020 were in the healthy control group. Children were followed up for at least 3 years. According to respiratory support, MAS was classified as mild, moderate, and severe. With the healthy control group as the reference, the associations between MAS severity and adverse pulmonary outcomes (hospital admission, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of hospital stay, or invasive ventilator support during admission related to pulmonary problem) or adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes (cerebral palsy, needs for rehabilitation, visual impairment, or hearing impairment) were accessed., Results: MAS-affected infants had a higher risk of hospital and ICU admission and longer length of hospital stay, regardless of severity. Infants with severe MAS had a higher risk of invasive ventilator support during re-admission (odds ratio: 17.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.70-39.75, p < 0.001). Moderate (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.30-2.13, p < 0.001) and severe (HR: 4.94, 95% CI: 4.94-7.11, p < 0.001) MAS groups had a higher risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome, and the statistical significance remained remarkable in severe MAS group after adjusting for covariates (adjusted HR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.54-3.38, p < 0.001) Conclusions: Adverse pulmonary or neurodevelopmental outcomes could occur in MAS-affected infants at birth. Close monitoring and follow-up of MAS-affected infants are warranted., (© 2024 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

It is expected that interconnected networks of autonomous vehicles, especially during peak traffic, will face congestion challenges. Moreover, the existing literature lacks discussions on integrating next-generation wireless communication technologies into connected vehicular networks. Hence, this paper introduces a tailored bandwidth management algorithm for streaming applications of autonomous vehicle passengers. It leverages cutting-edge 6G wireless technology to create a network with high-speed transmission and broad coverage, ensuring smooth streaming application performance. The key features of bandwidth allocation for diverse streaming applications in this work include bandwidth relay and pre-loading of video clips assisted by vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Through simulations, this research effectively showcases the algorithm's ability to fulfill the bandwidth needs of diverse streaming applications for autonomous vehicle passengers. Specifically, during periods of peak user bandwidth demand, it notably increases the bandwidth accessible for streaming applications. On average, users experience a substantial 55% improvement in the bandwidth they can access. This validation affirms the viability and promise of the proposed approach in efficiently managing the intricate complexities of bandwidth allocation issues for streaming services within the connected autonomous vehicular networks.

The popularity of video services such as video call or video on-demand has made it impossible for people to live without them in their daily lives. It can be anticipated that the explosive growth of vehicular communication owing to the widespread use of in-vehicle video infotainment applications in the future will result in increasing fragmentation and congestion of the wireless transmission spectrum. Accordingly, effective bandwidth management algorithms are demanded to achieve efficient communication and stable scalability in next-generation vehicular networks. To the best of our current knowledge, a noticeable gap remains in the existing literature regarding the application of the latest advancements in network communication technologies. Specifically, this gap is evident in the lack of exploration regarding how cutting-edge technologies can be effectively employed to optimize bandwidth allocation, especially in the realm of video service applications within the forthcoming vehicular networks. In light of this void, this paper presents a seamless integration of cutting-edge 6G communication technologies, such as terahertz (THz) and visible light communication (VLC), with the existing 5G millimeter-wave and sub-6 GHz base stations. This integration facilitates the creation of a network environment characterized by high transmission rates and extensive coverage. Our primary aim is to ensure the uninterrupted playback of real-time video applications for vehicle users. These video applications encompass video conferencing, live video, and on-demand video services. The outcomes of our simulations convincingly indicate that the proposed strategy adeptly addresses the challenge of bandwidth competition among vehicle users. Moreover, it notably boosts the efficient utilization of bandwidth from less crowded base stations, optimizes the fulfillment of bandwidth prerequisites for various video applications, and elevates the overall video quality experienced by users. Consequently, our findings serve as a successful validation of the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed methodology.

Cross protection application of HA5-1, an attenuated mutant of papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) HA strain from Hawaii, was withdrawn from Taiwan due to the narrow geographic strain specificity of HA5-1. Here, to overcome this problem, we created attenuated mutants of PRSV YK, a dominant severe strain from Taiwan, by mutating helper component protease (HC-Pro) at F 7 , R 181 , F 206 , and D 397 residues critical for potyviral pathogenicity. PRSV YK HC-Pro R 181 I, F 206 L, and D 397 N single-mutant viruses induced mild symptoms, but their adverse effects on growth of papaya plants disqualified them as useful protective viruses. However, F 7 I single-mutant and F 7 I + F 206 L double-mutant viruses displayed mild symptoms followed by recovery, and they showed a zigzag pattern of accumulation in papaya plants, indicating their potential to trigger RNA silencing and retain partial antagonistic suppression of host defense. Although F 7 I + R 181 I and F 7 I + D 397 N double-mutant viruses caused symptomless infection, they accumulated barely above mock level and, thus, were not qualified as proper protective viruses. RNA silencing suppression (RSS) analysis by agroinfiltration in Nicotiana benthamiana plants revealed that the HC-Pro F 7 I and F 7 I + F 206 L mutant proteins were weaker in RSS ability than the wild-type protein. Under greenhouse conditions, F 7 I and F 7 I + F 206 L mutant viruses were genetically stable but not aphid transmissible. Compared with the HA5-1 mutant's low degree (10%) of protection to papaya plants, the F 7 I and F 7 I + F 206 L mutants provided complete (100%) protection to papaya and horn melon plants against strain YK. Thus, F 7 I and F 7 I + F 206 L mutants solve the problem of strain-specific protection and have great potential for control of PRSV in Taiwan., Competing Interests: The author(s) declare no conflict of interest.

Papaya ( Carica papaya ) production is seriously limited by papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) worldwide, including in Vietnam. Control of PRSV by cross protection is dependent on the availability of effective mild strains. Here, an infectious cDNA clone was constructed from PRSV isolate TG5 from South Vietnam. Site-directed mutagenesis with point mutations on the essential motifs of the helper component proteinase (HC-Pro) was performed, with or without deleting five amino acids (d5) from its N-terminal region. Mutants TG-d5, TG-d5I 7 , and TG-d5L 206 containing d5, d5 + F 7 I, and d5 + F 206 L, respectively, induced mild mottling followed by symptomless recovery on papaya and infected Chenopodium quinoa without lesion formation. Each mutant accumulated in papaya at reduced levels with a zigzag pattern and was stable beyond six monthly passages. The cross-protection effectiveness of the three mutants in papaya against TG5 was investigated, each with 60 plants from three independent trials. The results showed that each mutant provided complete protection (100%) against TG5, 1 month after the challenge inoculation, as verified by the lack of severe symptoms and lack of local lesions in C. quinoa . Further tests revealed that TG-d5I 7 also confers high levels of protection against other severe PRSV isolates from South Vietnam, including isolates DN (97%) and ST2 (50%). However, TG-d5I 7 is ineffective or less effective (0 to 33%) against seven other severe PRSV strains from different geographic origins, including the isolate HN from North Vietnam. Our results indicate that the protection by the three mutants is highly strain-specific and suitable for the control of PRSV in South Vietnam.

Control of plant viruses by cross-protection is limited by the availability of effective protective strains. Incorporation of an NIa-protease processing site in the extreme N-terminal region of the helper component protease (HC-Pro) of turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) resulted in a mutant virus TuHN D I that induced highly attenuated symptoms. Recombination analysis verified that two variations, F7I mutation and amino acid 7-upstream-deletion, in HC-Pro co-determined TuHN D I attenuation. TuHN D I provided complete protection to Nicotiana benthamiana and Brassica campestris subsp. chinensis plants against infection by the severe parental strain. Aphid transmission tests revealed that TuHN D I was not aphid-transmissible. An RNA silencing suppression (RSS) assay by agroinfiltration suggested the RSS-defective nature of the mutant HC-Pro. In the context (amino acids 3-17) encompassing the two variations of HC-Pro, we uncovered an FWKG-α-helix 1 (αH1) element that influenced the functions of aphid transmission and RSS, whose motifs were located far downstream. We further demonstrated that HC-Pro F7 was a critical residue on αH1 for HC-Pro functions and that reinstating αH1 in the RSS-defective HC-Pro of TuHN D I restored the protein's RSS function. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays indicated the FWKG-αH1 element as an integral part of the HC-Pro self-interaction domain. The possibility of regulation of the mechanistically independent functions of RSS and aphid transmission by the FWKG-αH1 element is discussed. Extension of TuMV HC-Pro FWKG-αH1 variations to another potyvirus, zucchini yellow mosaic virus, also generated nonaphid-transmissible cross-protective mutant viruses. Hence, the modification of the FWKG-αH1 element can generate effective attenuated viruses for the control of potyviruses by cross-protection., (© 2022 The Authors. Molecular Plant Pathology published by British Society for Plant Pathology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: To compare the dosimetric characteristics of helical tomotherapy (HT), volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and tangential field-in-field technique (FIF) for the treatment of synchronous bilateral breast cancer (SBBC)., Methods and Materials: Ten patients with early-stage unilateral breast cancer were selected for simulating the patients with SBBC in this retrospective analysis. Treatment plans with HT, VMAT, IMRT, and FIF were generated for each patient with a total dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions to the target. Plan quality, namely conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), dose-volume statistics of organs at risk (OARs), and beam-on time (BOT), were evaluated., Results: HT plans showed a lower mean heart dose (3.53 ± 0.31Gy) compared with the other plans (VMAT = 5.6 ± 1.36 Gy, IMRT = 3.80 ± 0.76 Gy, and FIF = 4.84 ± 2.13 Gy). Moreover, HT plans showed a significantly lower mean lung dose (p < 0.01) compared with the other plans: mean right lung doses were 6.81 ± 0.67, 10.32 ± 1.04, 9.07 ± 1.21, and 10.03 ± 1.22 Gy and mean left lung doses were 6.33 ± 0.87, 8.82 ± 0.91, 7.84 ± 1.07, and 8.64 ± 0.99 Gy for HT, VMAT, IMRT, and FIF plans, respectively. The mean dose to the left anterior descending artery was significantly lower in HT plans (p < 0.01) than in the other plans: HT = 19.41 ± 0.51 Gy, VMAT = 25.77 ± 7.23 Gy, IMRT = 27.87 ± 6.48 Gy, and FIF = 30.95 ± 10.17 Gy. FIF plans showed a worse CI and HI compared with the other plans. VMAT plans showed shorter BOT (average, 3.9 ± 0.2 minutes) than did HT (average, 11.0 ± 3.0 minutes), IMRT (average, 6.1 ± 0.5 minutes), and FIF (average, 4.6 ± 0.7 minutes) plans., Conclusions: In a dosimetric comparison for SBBC, HT provided the most favorable dose sparing of OARs. However, HT with longer BOT may increase patient discomfort and treatment uncertainty. VMAT enabled shorter BOT with acceptable doses to OARs and had a better CI than did FIF and IMRT., (Copyright © 2020 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this paper we report the effect on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of photovoltaic devices after incorporating hydrogenated two-dimensional (2D) MoSe 2 nanosheets into the active layer of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic photovoltaics (OPV). The surface properties of 2D MoSe 2 nanosheets largely affect their dispersion in the active layer blend and, thus, influence the carrier mobility, PCE, and stability of corresponding devices. We treated MoSe 2 nanosheets with hydrogen plasma and investigated their influence on the polymer packing and fullerene domain size of the active layer. For the optimized devices incorporating 37.5 wt% of untreated MoSe 2 , we obtained a champion PCE of 9.82%, compared with the champion reference PCE of approximately 9%. After incorporating the hydrogen plasma-treated MoSe 2 nanosheets, we achieved a champion PCE of 10.44%-a relative increase of 16% over that of the reference device prepared without MoSe 2 nanosheets. This PCE is the one of the highest ever reported for OPVs incorporating 2D materials. We attribute this large enhancement to the enhanced exciton generation and dissociation at the MoSe 2 -fullerene interface and, consequently, the balanced charge carrier mobility. The device incorporating the MoSe 2 nanosheets maintained 70% of its initial PCE after heat-treatment at 100 °C for 1 h; in contrast, the PCE of the reference device decreased to 60% of its initial value-a relative increase in stability of 17% after incorporating these nanosheets. We also incorporated MoSe 2 nanosheets (both with and without treatment) into a polymer donor (PBDTTBO)/small molecule (IT-4F) acceptor system. The champion PCEs reached 7.85 and 8.13% for the devices incorporating the MoSe 2 nanosheets with and without plasma treatment, respectively-relative increases of 8 and 12%, respectively, over that of the reference. These results should encourage a push toward the implementation of transition metal dichalcogenides to enhance the performances of BHJ OPVs.

Incorporating narrow-bandgap near-infrared absorbers as the third component in a donor/acceptor binary blend is a new strategy to improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic photovoltaics (OPV). However, there are two main restrictions: potential charge recombination in the narrow-gap material and miscompatibility between each component. The optimized design is to employ a third component (structurally similar to the donor or acceptor) with a lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level similar to the acceptor and a highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level similar to the donor. In this design, enhanced absorption of the active layer and enhanced charge transfer can be realized without breaking the optimized morphology of the active layer. Herein, in order to realize this design, two new narrow-bandgap nonfullerene acceptors with suitable energy levels and chemical structures are designed, synthesized, and employed as the third component in the donor/acceptor binary blend, which boosts the PCE of OPV to 11.6%., (© 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Aim: To determine whether low-dose tacrolimus (TAC) combined with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a safe approach to decrease the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in liver transplantation (LT) recipients., Methods: We analyzed the medical records of 689 patients who underwent LT between March 1999 and December 2012 in a single Chinese center. Immunosuppression was initiated with a calcineurin inhibitor (TAC or CSA) and prednisone with or without MMF. CKD is defined by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), estimated by an abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula, < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) for at least 3 consecutive months after LT. Individuals with TAC trough concentrations ≤ 8 ng/mL at 3 mo after LT were defined as the low-dose group. The incidence of CKD within 5 years was compared between the TAC group and the CSA group, as well as between four subgroups (low-dose and high-dose TAC groups with or without MMF)., Results: No difference regarding the occurrence of pre-LT renal dysfunction or that of post-LT rejection was found between the TAC and CSA groups or between the four subgroups. With a definition of GFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2), the overall incidence of CKD was significantly higher in the CSA group than in the TAC group. The incidence of CKD in the low-dose TAC + MMF group (7.7%) was significantly lower than that observed in the low-dose TAC group (15.9%), high-dose TAC group (24.6%) and high-dose TAC + MMF group (18.5%). The cumulative 1-, 3- and 5-year incidence rates of CKD were 12.7%, 14.5% and 16.7%, respectively. The cumulative 5-year survival rates were 61.7% and 82.2% in patients with or without CKD, respectively., Conclusion: In LT patients, the choice of immunosuppressive therapy appears to affect renal function and patient survival.