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Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive type of cancer in the brain and has an inferior prognosis because of the lack of suitable medicine, largely due to its tremendous invasion. GBM has selfish metabolic pathways to promote migration, invasion, and proliferation compared to normal cells. Among various metabolic pathways, NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is essential in generating ATP and is used as a resource for cancer cells. LbNOX (Lactobacillus brevis NADH oxidase) is an enzyme that can directly manipulate the NAD+/NADH ratio. In this study, we found that an increased NAD+/NADH ratio by LbNOX or mitoLbNOX reduced intracellular glutamate and calcium responses and reduced invasion capacity in GBM. However, the invasion was not affected in GBM by rotenone, an ETC (Electron Transport Chain) complex I inhibitor, or nicotinamide riboside, a NAD+ precursor, suggesting that the crucial factor is the NAD+/NADH ratio rather than the absolute quantity of ATP or NAD+ for the invasion of GBM. To develop a more accurate and effective GBM treatment, our findings highlight the importance of developing a new medicine that targets the regulation of the NAD+/NADH ratio, given the current lack of effective treatment options for this brain cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clothianidin (CL) is a neonicotinoid insecticide widely used in crop protection against insect pests. However, its effects on photosynthesis remain largely unknown. Here, by investigating the influence of CL at the concentrations of 22 and 110 μg/L on the primary processes of photosynthesis, membrane fluidity and structural changes of pea chloroplasts, we located several primary binding sites of this pesticide. Similar dynamics were observed for both concentrations. However, statistically significant differences were only found at 110 μg/L for all methods used. The light saturated rate of linear electron flow decreased mainly due to the disturbance of electron flow on the acceptor side of photosystem II (PSII) associated with the appearance of QB‐nonreducing centers and empty QB binding sites of PSII. The functioning of the donor side of PSII, the activity of photosystem I (PSI) and the maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm) were not found to be significantly altered. Increased membrane fluidity and structural alterations of the thylakoid membrane led to a decrease in the development of the proton gradient ΔрН and membrane energization processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garnet solid‐state electrolyte Li6.5La3Zr1.5Ta0.5O12 (LLZTO) holds significant promise. However, the practical utilization has been seriously impeded by the poor contact of Li|garnet and electron leakage. Herein, one new type of garnet‐based solid‐state battery is proposed with high performance through the disparity in interfacial energy, induced by the reaction between trace fluorinated carbon dots (FCDs) and Li. The work of adhesion of Li|garnet is increased by the acquired Li‐FCD composite, which facilitates an intimate Li|garnet interface with the promoted uniform Li+ deposition, revealed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It is further validated that a concentrated C−Li2O−LiF component at the Li|garnet interface is spontaneously constructed, due to the significant disparity in interfacial energy between C−Li2O−LiF|LLZTO and C−Li2O−LiF|Li. Furthermore, The electron transport and Li dendrites penetration are effectively hindered by the formed Li2O and LiF. The Li‐FCD|LLZTO|Li‐FCD symmetrical cells demonstrate stable cycling performance for over 3000 hours at 0.3 mA cm−2 and 800 hours at 0.5 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the LFP|garnet|Li‐FCD full cell exhibits remarkable cycling performance (91.6 % capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1 C). Our research has revealed a novel approach to establish a dendrite‐free Li|garnet interface, laying the groundwork for future advancements in garnet‐based solid‐state batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo fiber has attracted attention due to its high strength and flexibility, but it shows poor electron mobility and functionalities. In this research, phosphorus-doped flexible electrodes were constructed using bamboo fiber as the substrate, which was pretreated using sodium borohydride, followed by chemical nickel plating, and then used for urea electrocatalytic oxidation. The results showed that the bamboo fiber film provided a flexible support for nickel metal loading and a uniform and dense metal coating. Along with phosphorus self-doping, this conferred significant electrocatalytic activity to the nickel-phosphorus/bamboo fiber film (Ni–P/BFF). Notably, the electrode demonstrated an initial oxidation potential of 436.4 mV during urea oxidation. Phosphorus doping induced charge density redistribution and changed the electronic states during chemical plating, making the area around nickel atoms effective electron-trapping centers. This lowered the free energy of OH− adsorption on the surface of the conductive network in the electrolyte, which in turn lowered the onset potential and Tafel slope. These findings present a novel perspective for using biomass materials to create flexible electrodes. [Display omitted] • Eco-friendly, high-performance and low-cost flexible electrode material based on natural bamboo fiber was created. • The conductive network on bamboo fibers constitutes electron transport channels and provide electrocatalytic active sites. • Self-doping with phosphorus significantly enhanced the electrocatalytic activity, particularly for urea oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of ocean acidification (OA) and nitrogen limitation on macroalgae growth and photophysiological responses, Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis was cultured under two main conditions: ambient (Low CO2, LC, 390 matm) and CO2 enriched (High CO2, HC, 1000 matm), with low (LN, 7 mmol L-1) and high (HN, 56 mmol L-1) nitrate. High CO2 levels decreased growth under both LN and HN treatments. HC reduced Chl a, carotenoids, phycoerythrin (PE), and phycocyanin (PC) under HN conditions, while only Chl a decreased under LN conditions. NO3 - uptake rate was restricted under LN compared to HN, while HC enhanced it under HN. Net photosynthetic O2 evolution rates did not differ between CO2 and nitrate treatments. Dark respiration rates were higher under HN, further boosted by HC. The stimulated effective quantum yield (Y(II)) corresponded to decreased non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) under HN conditions. Nitrate, not CO2, showed significant effects on the relative electron transport rate (rETRmax), light use efficiency (a) and saturation light intensity (Ik) that with lowered rETRmax and a under LN culture. Our results indicate that OA may negatively affect Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis growth and alter its photophysiological performance under different nutrient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is recognized globally as the most significant non‐cereal staple crop. Leaf senescence, which significantly impacts tuber yield, serves as a critical indicator of potato maturity. Despite its importance, the molecular mechanisms regulating this process remain largely unknown. In a previous study, we grafted the early‐maturing variety 'Zhongshu 5' (Z5) onto the late‐maturing variety 'Zhongshu 18' (Z18), and demonstrated that the rootstock's leaves displayed physiological characteristics suggestive of early senescence. Here, we analyzed the transcriptome data of the Z5 and Z18 grafts to conduct weighted gene co‐expression network and gene expression clustering analysis. Differentially expressed genes in cluster 9, as well as the floralwhite module, exhibited markedly elevated expression levels during the onset of leaf senescence. These genes were found to be enriched in several senescence related processes, such as chloroplast organization, electron transport chain, and chlorophyll metabolic process. Furthermore, we constructed transcription factor correlation networks and hub gene co‐expression networks. By monitoring the expression patterns of these genes throughout the whole growth period, we identified two candidate genes, StWRKY70 and StNAP, which may play pivotal roles in leaf senescence. This study contributes valuable genetic resources for further investigations into the regulatory mechanism governing potato leaf senescence, with implications for genetic improvements, particularly in terms of maturity and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green stem photosynthesis has been shown to be relatively inefficient but can occasionally contribute significantly to the carbon budget of desert plants. Although the possession of green photosynthetic stems is a common trait, little is known about their photosynthetic characteristics in non‐desert species. Dianthus caryophyllus is a semi‐woody species with prominent green stems, which show similar photosynthetic anatomy with leaves. In the present study, we used a combination of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, some of which were taken under varying O2 and CO2 partial pressures, to investigate whether the apparent anatomical similarities between the species' leaves and stems translate into similar photosynthetic physiology and capacity for CO2 assimilation. Both organs displayed high photosynthetic electron transport rates (ETR) and similar values of steady‐state non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ), albeit leaves could attain them faster. The analysis of OJIP transients showed that the quantum efficiencies and energy fluxes along the photosynthetic electron transport chain are largely similar between leaves and stems. Stems displayed higher total conductance to CO2 diffusion, similar biochemical properties, significantly higher photosynthetic rates and lower water use efficiency than leaves. Leaf ETR was more sensitive to sub‐ambient O2 and super‐ambient CO2 partial pressures, while leaves also displayed a higher relative rate of Rubisco oxygenation. We conclude that the highly responsive NPQ and the enhanced photorespiration and WUE in leaves represent photoprotective and water‐conserving adaptations to the high incident light intensities they experience naturally, at the expense of higher CO2 assimilation rates, which the vertically orientated stems can readily attain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferredoxins (Fds) are crucial in various essential plant metabolic processes, including photosynthesis, fermentation and aerobic nitrogen fixation, due to their role in electron transport rate (ETR). However, the full scope of ferredoxin's function across prokaryotes and eukaryotic plants remains less understood. This study investigated the effect of MtFd from Methanothermobacter thermoautotrophicus on rice photosynthetic efficiency. We found that MtFd was localized in the chloroplasts of rice protoplasts. Transgenic analysis showed that MtFd significantly enhanced the photosynthetic capacity compared to the wild‐type plants. This enhancement was evident through increased ETR, NADPH content and net photosynthetic rates, as well as decreased non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ). Despite similar biomass to wild type plants, MtFd transgenic plants exhibited a marked increase in grain size and the 1000‐grian weight. The elevated ETR and surplus free electrons in transgenic plants result in a considerable rise in cellular ROS content, which in turn enhances the enzymatic activity of the antioxidant system. In summary, our findings suggest that introducing the Fd protein from M. thermoautotrophicus into transgenic rice improves photosynthetic efficiency by accelerating ETR, which triggers the cellular oxidative stress response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we elucidate the interaction between IAA and melatonin (MT) in response to chilling in cucumber. The results showed that chilling stress induced the increase of endogenous MT and IAA, and the application of MT promoted the synthesis of IAA, while IAA could not affect endogenous MT content under chilling stress. Moreover, MT and IAA application both remarkably increased the chilling tolerance of cucumber seedlings in terms of lower contents of MDA and ROS, higher mRNA abundance of cold response genes, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), maximum regeneration rate of ribulose‐1,5‐diphosphate (Jmax), Rubisco maximum carboxylation efficiency (Vcmax), the activities and gene expression of RCA and Rubisco, as well as the content of active P700 (I/I0) and photosynthetic electron transport, compared with the plants in H2O treatment. Further analysis revealed that the inhibition of IAA transportation significantly reduced the chilling tolerance induced by MT, whereas the inhibition of endogenous MT did not affect the chilling tolerance induced by IAA. Meanwhile, we found that overexpression of the MT biosynthesis gene CsASMT increased the chilling tolerance, which was blocked by inhibition of endogenous IAA, and the silence of IAA biosynthesis gene CsYUCCA10 decreased the chilling tolerance of cucumber, which could not be alleviated by MT. These data implied IAA acted as a downstream signal to participate in the MT‐induced chilling tolerance of cucumber seedlings. The study has implications for the production of greenhouse cucumber in winter seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon quantum dots‐based memristors (CQDMs) have emerged as a rising star in data storage and computing. The key constraint to their commercialization is memristance variability, which mainly arises from the disordered conductive paths. Doping methodology can optimize electron and ion transport to help construct a stable conductive mode. Herein, based on boron (B)‐doped engineering strategy, three kinds of comparable quantum dots are synthesized, including carbon quantum dots (CQDs), a series of boron‐doped CQDs (BCQDs) with different B contents, and boron quantum dots. The corresponding device performances highlight the superiority of BCQDs‐based memristors, exhibiting a ternary flash‐type memory behavior with longer retention time and more controllable memristance stability. The comprehensive analysis results, including device performance, functional layer morphology, and material simulated calculation, illustrate that the doped B elements can directionally guide the migration of aluminum ions by enhancing the capture of free electrons, resulting in ordered conductive filaments and stable ternary memory behavior. Finally, the conceptual applications of logic display and logic gate are discussed, indicating a bright prospect for BCQDs‐based memristors. This work proves that modest B doping can optimize memristance property, establishing a theoretical foundation and template scheme for developing effective and stable CQDMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells are increasingly acknowledged for their unique characteristics. This study focuses on simulating the impact of methylammonium lead bromide‐based perovskites, as the absorber in perovskite solar cells using the SCAPS‐1D simulator. The research delves into how the performance of these solar cells is affected by the choice of Electron Transport Layers (TiO2, PCBM, SnO2, and ZnO) and Hole Transport Layer (Cu2O) with Ni and Al as the back and front contact. This investigation marks the first comprehensive exploration of CH3NH3PbBr3. The performance of these device architectures is significantly influenced by factors such as defect density, absorber thickness, ETL thickness, and the combination of different ETLs. The power conversion efficiencies of devices optimized with TiO2, PCBM, SnO2, and ZnO are found to be 15.46%, 15.33%, 15.01%, and 14.99%, respectively. Furthermore, this study elucidates the impact of absorber and HTL thickness. Also, they have discussed the VBO, CBO for different ETLs. Additionally, the effects of series resistance, shunt resistance are examined, operating temperature, quantum efficiency (QE), capacitance‐voltage characteristics, generation and recombination rates, current density‐voltage (J‐V), and impedance analysis of the devices. Through this extensive simulation study, researchers are equipped to develop cost‐effective and highly efficient PSCs, thereby advancing solar technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead‐free Perovskite‐inspired materials (PIM) have become the most promising candidate for indoor photovoltaics (IPV) because of their low toxicity and high performance. In this study, the potential of one of the lead‐free PIMs, Cesium antimony chloride iodide (Cs3Sb2ClxI9‐x), is explored for IPV devices. Recent experimental research work on a Cs3Sb2ClxI9‐x− based solar cell with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.7% is considered for the baseline model development. The device performance is further optimized by investigating 1) absorber thickness and defect density, 2) band alignment of Electron Transport Layer (ETL)/Absorber, ETL Doping concentration and absorber/ETL interface defect density, 3) band alignment of Hole Transport Layer (HTL)/Absorber, HTL Doping concentration, and absorber/HTL interface defect density, 4) work function of metal contacts, 5) series and shunt resistances. After device optimization, the simulated device under 1000 lux WLED is able to achieve Jsc, Voc, FF, and PCE of 1.8 mA cm−2, 1.46 V, 89.3%, and 45.05%, respectively. Further, an evaluation of the performance of the optimized device under various indoor light sources, including White Light Emitting Diode (WLED), halogen, and Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL), is conducted in order to assess its performance under widely utilized lighting conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect offers promising prospects for spintronics, yet designing chiral materials that enable efficient spin-polarized electron transport remains challenging. Here, we report the utility of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) in manipulating electron spin for spin-dependent catalysis via CISS. This enables us to design and synthesize three three-dimensional chiral COFs (CCOFs) with tunable electroactivity and spin-electron conductivity through imine condensations of enantiopure 1,1′-binaphthol-derived tetraaldehyde and tetraamines derived from 1,4-benzenediamine, pyrene, or tetrathiafulvalene skeletons. The CISS effect of CCOFs is verified by magnetic conductive atomic force microscopy. Compared with their achiral analogs, these CCOFs serve as efficient spin filters, reducing the overpotential of oxygen evolution and improving the Tafel slope. Particularly, the diarylamine-based CCOF showed a low overpotential of 430 mV (vs reversible hydrogen electrode) at 10 mA cm−2 with long-term stability comparable to the commercial RuO2. This enhanced spin-dependent OER activity stems from its excellent redox-activity, good electron conductivity and effective suppression effect on the formation of H2O2 byproducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphatic dysfunction is an underlying component of multiple metabolic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. We investigated the roles of KATP channels in lymphatic contractile dysfunction in response to acute metabolic stress induced by inhibition of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Ex vivo popliteal lymphatic vessels from mice were exposed to the electron transport chain inhibitors antimycin A and rotenone, or the oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor/protonophore, CCCP. Each inhibitor led to a significant reduction in the frequency of spontaneous lymphatic contractions and calculated pump flow, without a significant change in contraction amplitude. Contraction frequency was restored by the KATP channel inhibitor, glibenclamide. Lymphatic vessels from mice with global Kir6.1 deficiency or expressing a smooth muscle-specific dominant negative Kir6.1 channel were resistant to inhibition. Antimycin A inhibited the spontaneous action potentials generated in lymphatic muscle and this effect was reversed by glibenclamide, confirming the role of KATP channels. Antimycin A, but not rotenone or CCCP, increased dihydrorhodamine fluorescence in lymphatic muscle, indicating ROS production. Pretreatment with tiron or catalase prevented the effect of antimycin A on wild-type lymphatic vessels, consistent with its action being mediated by ROS. Our results support the conclusion that KATP channels in lymphatic muscle can be directly activated by reduced mitochondrial ATP production or ROS generation, consequent to acute metabolic stress, leading to contractile dysfunction through inhibition of the ionic pacemaker controlling spontaneous lymphatic contractions. We propose that a similar activation of KATP channels contributes to lymphatic dysfunction in metabolic disease. Graphical Abstract Depiction of events by which metabolic stress associated with multiple diseases/conditions of metabolic dysfunction results in ROS production and reduced ATP/ADP following inhibition of the mitochondrial electron transport complex, activating KATP channels in lymphatic muscle cells to inhibit the frequency of spontaneous action potentials generated and impair active lymph transport. For context, other pathways are shown that similarly modulate lymphatic muscle KATP channels, including Gain-of-Function (GoF) KATP channels expressed in patients with Cantu syndrome and the phosphorylation of KATP channels subsequent to PKA/PKG activation by nitric oxide/prostanoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has traditionally been considered an environmental toxin for animal lineages; yet, it plays a signaling role in various processes at low concentrations. Mechanisms controlling H2S in animals, especially in sulfide-rich environments, are not fully understood. The main detoxification pathway involves the conversion of H2S into less harmful forms, through a mitochondrial oxidation pathway. The first step of this pathway oxidizes sulfide and reduces ubiquinone (UQ) through sulfide-quinone oxidoreductase (SQRD/SQOR). Because H2S inhibits cytochrome oxidase and hence UQ regeneration, this pathway becomes compromised at high H2S concentrations. The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans feeds on bacteria and can face high sulfide concentrations in its natural environment. This organism has an alternative ETC that uses rhodoquinone (RQ) as the lipidic electron transporter and fumarate as the final electron acceptor. In this study, we demonstrate that RQ is essential for survival in sulfide. RQ-less animals (kynu-1 and coq-2e KO) cannot survive high H2S concentrations, while UQ-less animals (clk-1 and coq-2a KO) exhibit recovery, even when provided with a UQ-deficient diet. Our findings highlight that sqrd-1 uses both benzoquinones and that RQ-dependent ETC confers a key advantage (RQ regeneration) over UQ in sulfide-rich conditions. C. elegans also faces cyanide, another cytochrome oxidase inhibitor, whose detoxification leads to H2S production, via cysl-2. Our study reveals that RQ delays killing by the HCN-producing bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. These results underscore the fundamental role that RQ-dependent ETC serves as a biochemical adaptation to H2S environments, and to pathogenic bacteria producing cyanide and H2S toxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chloroplast ATP synthase (CFoCF1) synthesizes ATP by using a proton electrochemical gradient across the thylakoid membrane, termed ΔμH+, as an energy source. This gradient is necessary not only for ATP synthesis but also for reductive activation of CFoCF1 by thioredoxin, using reducing equivalents produced by the photosynthetic electron transport chain. ΔμH+ comprises two thermodynamic components: pH differences across the membrane (ΔpH) and the transmembrane electrical potential (ΔΨ). In chloroplasts, the ratio of these two components in ΔμH+ is crucial for efficient solar energy utilization. However, the specific contribution of each component to the reductive activation of CFoCF1 remains unclear. In this study, an in vitro assay system for evaluating thioredoxin-mediated CFoCF1 reduction is established, allowing manipulation of ΔμH+ components in isolated thylakoid membranes using specific chemicals. Our biochemical analyses revealed that ΔpH formation is essential for thioredoxin-mediated CFoCF1 reduction on the thylakoid membrane, whereas ΔΨ formation is nonessential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the negative environmental impact, the usage of lead in perovskite solar cells has been a matter of concern. Moreover, a suitable replacement of Pb with similar optoelectrical properties is hard to find. MAPbI3 is the most common material that has been studied for solar PV applications. Compared to MAPbI3, Cs2TiBr6 and MASnI3 have been less studied. In this study, their potential in solar cell applications has been investigated. Titanium and tin are two materials that have been used in numerous studies as an alternative to Pb-based perovskite. However, the lack of optimization and combinations of electron transport layer (ETL) and hole transport layer (HTL) material choices leave a lot to be desired. In this study, two different perovskite absorber layers, Cs2TiBr6 and MASnI3, have been simulated, optimized, and compared with Pb-based MAPbI3, where La-doped BaSnO3 is used as ETL and CuSbS2 as HTL in identical cell architectures. La-doped BaSnO3 is well known for its high electron mobility and excellent optical properties, which makes it an ideal candidate for ETL. On the other hand, CuSbS2 has appropriate band alignment with perovskite materials and has a high absorption profile to be used as HTL. The simulations were analyzed by optimizing key parameters like absorber layer thickness, defect density, and temperature. The optimized device architecture reached the power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 29.45% for MASnI3, followed by MAPbI3 (22.47%) and Cs2TiBr6 (21.96%). The result indicates that high performance lead-free perovskite cells are very much possible through proper material selection and optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beneficial microbes are crucial for improving crop adaptation and growth under various stresses. They enhance nutrient uptake, improve plant immune responses, and help plants tolerate stresses like drought, salinity, and heat. The yield potential of any crop is significantly influenced by its associated microbiomes and their potential to improve growth under different stressful environments. Therefore, it is crucial and exciting to understand the mechanisms of plant–microbe interactions. Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the primary staple foods worldwide, in addition to wheat and rice. Maize is also an industrial crop globally, contributing 83% of its production for use in feed, starch, and biofuel industries. Maize requires significant nitrogen fertilization to achieve optimal growth and yield. Maize plants are highly susceptible to heat, salinity, and drought stresses and require innovative methods to mitigate the harmful effects of environmental stresses and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. This review summarizes our current understanding of the beneficial interactions between maize plants and specific microbes. These beneficial microbes improve plant resilience to stress and increase productivity. For example, they regulate electron transport, downregulate catalase, and upregulate antioxidants. We also review the roles of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in enhancing stress tolerance in maize. Additionally, we explore the application of these microbes in maize production and identify major knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to utilize the potential of beneficial microbes fully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A homogenous and well-packed electron transport layer (ETL) is crucial in attaining high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Two vital tasks are carried out by ETL: excellent electron collection, and proficiently prevents the recombination of charge carriers. Hole transport layer (HTL) free screen-printed carbon-based perovskite solar cells (SP-C-PSCs) are particularly favored within the realm of PSCs due to their exceptional scalability, durability, and affordability. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely used as the ETL in these SP-C-PSCs due to its suitable band energy structure, ease of production, and low cost; nevertheless, it must be of high quality and uniformly deposited. Here experimental analytical study of PSCs was conducted, employed surface passivation to compact titania (c-TiO2) ETL using TiCl4 passivation agent through two different deposition techniques. This passivation is applied to lower its surface roughness, improve electron transport capability, increase crystallinity, reduce micro pores, exhibit better energy level alignment, and to reduce the recombination sites. Consequently, the device with surface passivation enhances the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term ambient stability of PSCs by maximizing the c-TiO2 ETL electrical characteristics. It is also discovered that the passivated c-TiO2 layer has increased hydrophobicity and reduced the RMS surface roughness from 28.8 to 27.3 nm. The PCE of the fabricated SP-C-PSCs is improved by 32.34% through applying spin-coating TiCl4 passivation, and 21.74% enhancement is recorded by applying dip-coating TiCl4 passivation. Furthermore, after 1344 h of storage under ambient conditions without encapsulation, the device passivated with spin-coating retained 84.27%, the device passivated with dip-coating maintained 85.50%, while the reference device reserved just 75.84% PCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by incorporating nickel chloride hexahydrate (NiCl2·6H2O) into poly(vinylidene fluoride hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-HFP)) nanofiber mats. The addition of NiCl2·6H2O significantly improves the nanofiber morphology, leading to smoother, bead-free fibers with reduced diameters. Enhanced hydrophobicity is achieved through increased water contact angles and lower surface energy. Crystallinity and mechanical properties, including tensile stress and Young's modulus, are also improved, though ductility is reduced. Optical properties benefit from additional absorbance features due to Ni2+ ions, while electrical conductivity increases, forming conductive pathways that facilitate electron transport. These modifications collectively suggest that NiCl2·6H2O/P(VDF-HFP) composite nanofibers can substantially improve DSSC performance by offering superior mechanical strength, hydrophobicity, and electrical conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ohm's law for electrical conduction in metals is one of the first concepts taught in any physics curriculum. It is perfectly adequate in almost all practical circumstances, but breaks down in some special, interesting cases. To observe such breakdowns, one requires extremely pure materials, which are rare and often difficult to produce. Excitingly, forefront materials research is leading to the discovery of more and more examples in which one can break the 'purity barrier' and explore non‐Ohmic transport. The rapid development of the field is seeing equally rapid developments in the understanding of exotic non‐Ohmic regimes, but this is not always a smooth progression. New layers of insight often involve reversing what have previously been regarded as established facts. Indeed, the interpretations given of experimental data in many papers published less than a decade ago would (or should!) be different today. The goal of this article is to give an entry‐level guide to some of the pertinent issues that have emerged from this intense decade of research, attempting to keep the style of the presentation as informal and non‐mathematical as is practical. Although source literature will be cited, no attempt will be made at comprehensive citation, so the paper should not be regarded as a review. Rather, an effort will be made to identify and explain some issues that the authors believe are important but not sufficiently emphasized in the literature to date. In that sense the paper should be regarded as a kind of opinion piece, with, hopefully, some didactic value to a reader with a solid grounding in traditional condensed matter physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are regarded as clean and sustainable energy sources and exhibit minimal pollution during their lifetime. The production of hazardous contaminants contaminating water resources, emissions of air pollutants during the manufacturing process, and the impact of PV installations on land use are important environmental factors to consider. The present study aimed to synthesise the F-doped Titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films on a glass substrate employing spin coating followed by the sol-gel process ETL application purpose. Fluorine-doped TiO2 thin films were prepared using the sol-gel spin coating technique. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed that the most intense peak was observed at 25.37° corresponding to the crystallographic plane (101) for anatase TiO2. The average transparency of TiO2 was increased by adding the doping level of fluorine and increment in the optical bandgap. The thickness of the thin film was kept at about 300 nm. The resistance of nanocrystalline thin films of different F doped TiO2 was decreased from 1.322×1012 O, 9.728×1011 O, as the F doping concentration was increased from pristine to 7 at. %. Based on electrical measurements, it was observed that a suitable electron transport layer (ETL) of F-doped TiO2 can be synthesized for photovoltaic applications. The present study offers a synthesis and analysis of F-doped TiO2 that can be used to improve the sustainability of PV manufacturing processes, improve its economic value, and mitigate its negative impact on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims As the interactions of alcohol and HIV/SIV infection and their impact on liver metabolic homeostasis remain to be fully elucidated, this study aimed to determine alcohol-mediated hepatic adaptations of metabolic pathways in SIV/ART-treated female rhesus macaques fed a nutritionally balanced diet. Methods Macaques were administered chronic binge alcohol (CBA; 13–14 g ethanol/kg/week for 14.5 months; n = 7) or vehicle (VEH; n = 8) for 14.5 months. Livers were excised following an overnight fast. Gene and protein expression, enzymatic activity, and lipid content were determined using frozen tissue and histological staining was performed using paraffin-embedded tissue. Results CBA/SIV macaques showed increased hepatic protein expression of electron transport Complex III and increased gene expression of glycolytic (phosphofructokinase and aldolase) and gluconeogenic (pyruvate carboxylase) enzymes and of genes involved in lipid turnover homeostasis (perilipin 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, carbohydrate responsive binding protein, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase B) as compared to that of livers from the VEH/SIV group. Plasma triglyceride concentration had a significant positive association with liver triglyceride content in the CBA/SIV group. Conclusions These results reflect CBA-associated alterations in expression of proteins and genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism homeostasis without significant evidence of steatosis or dysglycemia. Whether these changes predispose to greater liver pathology upon consumption of a high fat/high sugar diet that is more aligned with dietary intake of PWH and/or exposure to additional environmental factors warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proper control of perovskite crystal morphology is a fundamental aspect of achieving efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by ensuring better film coverage on an electron transport layer (ETL). In this study, three distinct approaches to depositing perovskite were thoroughly examined using different measurement techniques such as X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence spectra, UV-visible spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The impact of these perovskite deposition methods performed in an air-processed condition on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs was thoroughly investigated. The results highlight that the infiltration of a mesoporous TiO2 ETL scaffold with perovskite solution yields much better coverage when employing sequential deposition processing, as opposed to single-step deposition processing. Moreover, the performance of perovskite-based photovoltaics is significantly improved to 6.8% by employing the two-step deposition dipping approach, which actively prevents the development of disorganized capping layers. This surpasses the 5.2% efficiency achieved through the one-step deposition method. Additionally, by optimizing the thickness of the mesoporous TiO2 film and using the spin coating method for the organic precursors in the process of perovskite formation, a significant enhancement in PCE is accomplished, surpassing 13.6%. Moreover, the best performing devices without encapsulation can retain 97% of the initial PCE over 40 days, under dark, 35% relative humidity, and room temperature. Hence, in this study the ambient air fabrication capability of the sequential deposition approach is demonstrated for the efficient and stable PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-doped hollow carbon spheres (NHCSs) with different shell thicknesses are constructed using various amounts of SiO2 precursor. An interconnected framework with diminished wall thickness ensures an efficient and continuous electron transport which helps to enhance the performance of NHCS. Improvement of the electrocatalytic performance was shown in the determination of antibiotic drug chloramphenicol (CAP) due to the unique hollow thin shell morphology, ample defect sites, accessible surface area, higher surface-to-volume ratio and an synergistic effect. Boosted electrocatalytic activity of 1.5 N-doped HCS (1.5 NHCS) was applied to detect CAP with a linear range and detection limit of 1–1150 µM and 0.098 µM (n = 3), respectively, with superior storage stability and considerable sensitivity. These results suggest that the proposed work can be successfully applied to the determination of CAP in milk and water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electrochemical platform for signal amplification probing chloride ions (Cl−) is constructed by the composite integrating core–shell structured nitrogen-doped porous carbon@Ag-based metal–organic frameworks (NC@Ag-MOF) with polypyrrole (PPy). It is based on the signal of solid-state AgCl derived from Ag-MOF, since both NC and PPy have good electrical conductivity and promote the electron transport capacity of solid-state AgCl. NC@Ag-MOF was firstly synthesized with NC as the scaffold and then, PPy was anchored on NC@Ag-MOF by chemical polymerization. The composite NC@Ag-MOF-PPy was utilized to modify the electrode, which exhibited a higher peak current and lower peak potential during Ag oxidation compared with those of Ag-MOF and NC@Ag-MOF-modified electrodes. More importantly, in the coexistence of chloride (Cl−) ions in solution, the NC@Ag-MOF-PPy-modified electrode displayed a fairly stable and sharp peak of solid-state AgCl with the peak potentials gradually approaching zero, which might effectively overcome the background interference caused by electroactive substances. The oxidation peak currents of solid-state AgCl increased linearly with the concentration of Cl− ions in a broad range of 0.15 µM–40 mM and 40–250 mM, with detection limits of 0.10 µM and 40 mM, respectively. The practical applicability for Cl− ions determination was demonstrated using human serum and urine samples. The results suggest that NC@Ag-MOF-PPy composite could be a promising candidate for the construction of the electrochemical sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathophysiology of diverticular disease (DD) is not well outlined. Recent studies performed on the DD human ex vivo model have shown the presence of a predominant transmural oxidative imbalance whose origin remains unknown. Considering the central role of mitochondria in oxidative stress, the present study evaluates their involvement in the alterations of DD clinical phenotypes. Colonic surgical samples of patients with asymptomatic diverticulosis, complicated DD, and controls were analyzed. Electron microscopy, protein expression, and cytofluorimetric analyses were performed to assess the contribution of mitochondrial oxidative stress. Functional muscle activity was tested on cells in response to contractile and relaxant agents. To assess the possibility of reverting oxidative damages, N-acetylcysteine was tested on an in vitro model. Compared with the controls, DD tissues showed a marketed increase in mitochondrial number and fusion accompanied by the altered mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes. In SMCs, the mitochondrial mass increase was accompanied by altered mitochondrial metabolic activity supported by a membrane potential decrease. Ulteriorly, a decrease in antioxidant content and altered contraction–relaxation dynamics reverted by N-acetylcysteine were observed. Therefore, the oxidative stress-driven alterations resulted in mitochondrial impairment. The beneficial effects of antioxidant treatments open new possibilities for tailored therapeutic strategies that have not been tested for this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium stress can negatively impact plant growth, prompting plants to respond by mitigating this effect. However, the specific mechanisms underlying this response remain unclear. In this study, we used non-targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics to investigate the response mechanisms of Zelkova schneideriana leaves under varying degrees of calcium stress. Results revealed that calcium stress led to wilt in young leaves. When calcium stress exceeds the tolerance threshold of the leaf, it results in wilting of mature leaves, rupture of chloroplasts in palisade tissue, and extensive wrinkling and breakage of leaf cells. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that calcium stress inhibited photosynthesis by suppressing the expression of genes related to photosynthetic system II and electron transport. Leaf cells activate phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, and Vitamin B6 metabolism to resist calcium stress. When calcium accumulation gradually surpassed the tolerance threshold of the cells, this results in failure of conventional anti-calcium stress mechanisms, leading to cell death. Furthermore, excessive calcium stress inhibits the expression of CNGC and anti-pathogen genes. The results of the metabolomics study showed that five key metabolites increased in response to calcium stress, which may play an important role in countering calcium stress. This study provides insights into the response of Z. schneideriana leaves to different levels of calcium stress, which could provide a theoretical basis for cultivating Z. schneideriana in karst areas and enhance our understanding of plant responses to calcium stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing multifunctional flexible composites with high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, thermal management, and sensing capacity is urgently required but challenging for next-generation smart electronic devices. Herein, novel nacre-like aramid nanofibers (ANFs)-based composite films with an anisotropic layered microstructure were prepared via vacuum-assisted filtration and hot-pressing. The formed 3D conductive skeleton enabled fast electron and phonon transport pathways in the composite films. As a result, the composite films showed a high electrical conductivity of 71.53 S/cm and an outstanding thermal conductivity of 6.4 W/m·K when the mass ratio of ANFs to MXene/AgNWs was 10:8. The excellent electrical properties and multi-layered structure endowed the composite films with superior EMI shielding performance and remarkable Joule heating performance, with a surface temperature of 78.3 °C at a voltage of 2.5 V. Additionally, it was found that the composite films also exhibited excellent mechanical properties and outstanding flame resistance. Moreover, the composite films could be further designed as strain sensors, which show great promise in monitoring real-time signals for human motion. These satisfactory results may open up a new opportunity for EMI shielding, thermal management, and sensing applications in wearable electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MXene is a rapidly emerging group of two-dimensional (2D) multifunctional nanomaterials, drawing huge attention from researchers of a broad scientific field. Reporting the synthesis of MXene was the following breakthrough in 2D materials following the discovery of graphene. MXene is considered the most recent developments of materials, including transition metal carbonitrides, nitrides, and carbides synthesized by etching or mechanical-based exfoliation of selective MAX phases. MXene has a plethora of prodigious properties such as unique interlayer spacing, high ion and electron transport, large surface area, excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, exceptional volumetric capacitance, thermal shock, and oxidation resistance, easily machinable and inherently hydrophilic, and biocompatibility. Owing to the abundance of tailorable surface function groups, these properties can be further enhanced by surface functionalization with covalent and non-covalent modifications via numerous surface functionalization methods. Therefore, MXene finds their way to a plethora of applications in numerous fields including catalysis, membrane separation, energy storage, sensing, and biomedicine. Here, the focus is on reviewing the structure, synthesis techniques, and functionalization methods of MXene. Furthermore, MXene-based detection platforms in different sensing applications are survived. Great attention is given to reviewing the applications of MXene in the detection of biomolecules, pathogenic bacteria and viruses, cancer biomarkers food contaminants and mycotoxins, and hazardous pollutants. Lastly, the future perspective of MXene-based biosensors as a next-generation diagnostics tool is discussed. Crucial visions are introduced for materials science and sensing communities to better route while investigating the potential of MXene for creating innovative detection mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution has always been an inescapable challenge in the development of human society. Photocatalytic technology is regarded as a promising strategy for water pollution control. In this work, a novel Cu2O/TiO2@Ti3C2Tx MXene photocatalyst is constructed to create diverse electron transport pathways, thereby promoting charge separation and achieving superior photocatalytic performance. The synergistic effects of composite photocatalytic materials are instrumental in degrading organic dyes under visible light. The successful construction of a heterojunction structure between Cu2O and in situ generated TiO2 mitigates charge recombination post-separation, significantly extending the lifetime of photogenerated carriers. Additionally, the incorporation of Ti3C2Tx serves as an effective conductive medium, facilitating the separation and transfer of photogenerated charges within the material. Therefore, the Cu2O/TiO2@Ti3C2Tx MXene composites exhibit exceptional photocatalytic activity, showcasing the best performance, achieving a degradation rate of 71.5% after 3 h of visible light irradiation. These findings underscore the potential of this new compound in enhancing photocatalytic organic degradation, highlighting the promising application prospects of photocatalytic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article delves into the domain of low bandgap perovskite solar cells, driven by the quest for enhanced device performance and expanded access to various solar energy spectra. The study systematically explores the materials, device design, and optimization strategies pertinent to low bandgap perovskite solar cells. The initial section focuses on the current status of low bandgap perovskite materials, scrutinizing approaches to enhance bandgap, stability, and charge transport. Novel materials such as mixed-halide perovskites, double perovskites, and perovskite quantum dots are examined to improve efficiency and broaden the spectral utilization. The investigation culminates in a comprehensive exploration of diverse device topologies aimed at enhancing the performance of low bandgap perovskite solar cells. This encompasses discussions on electron and hole transport materials, interfacial engineering techniques, various device designs, tandem configurations, and their respective merits and limitations. Additionally, the research scrutinizes methodologies to enhance the performance of low-bandgap perovskite solar cells, with a specific focus on light management, charge extraction, and mitigating recombination losses. The incorporation of passivation layers and interfacial modifications is discussed as a strategy for bolstering device stability and mitigating deterioration through interface engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Human skeletal muscle mitochondria regulate energy expenditure. Research has shown that the functionality of muscle mitochondria is altered in subjects with overweight, as well as in response to nutrient excess and calorie restriction. Two metabolic features of obesity and overweight are (1) incomplete muscular fatty acid oxidation and (2) increased circulating lactate levels. In this study, I propose that these metabolic disturbances may originate from a common source within the muscle mitochondrial electron transport system. Specifically, a reorganization of the supramolecular structure of the electron transport chain could facilitate the maintenance of readily accessible coenzyme Q pools, which are essential for metabolizing lipid substrates. This approach is expected to maintain effective electron transfer, provided that there is sufficient complex III to support the Q‐cycle. Such an adaptation could enhance fatty acid oxidation and prevent mitochondrial overload, thereby reducing lactate production. These insights advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning metabolic dysregulation in overweight states. This provides a basis for targeted interventions in the quest for metabolic health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photorespiration is an essential process related to photosynthesis that is initiated following the oxygenation reaction catalyzed by rubisco, the initial enzyme of the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle. This reaction produces an inhibitory intermediate that is recycled back into the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle by photorespiration which requires the use of energy and the release of a portion of the carbon as CO2. The energy use and CO2 release of canonical photorespiration form a foundation for biochemical models used to describe and predict leaf carbon exchange and energy use (ATP and NAPDH). The ATP and NADPH demand of canonical photorespiration is thought to be different than that of the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle, requiring increased flexibility in the ratio of ATP and NADPH from the light reactions. Photorespiration requires many reactions across the chloroplasts, mitochondria and peroxisomes and involves many intermediates. Growing evidence indicates that these intermediates do not all stay in photorespiration as typically assumed and instead feed into other aspects of metabolism and leave as glycine, serine, and methylene‐THF. Here we discuss how alternative flux through and from canonical photorespiration alters the ATP and NADPH requirements of metabolism following rubisco oxygenation using additional derivations of biochemical models of leaf photosynthesis and energetics. Using these new derivations, we determine that the ATP and NADPH demands of photorespiration are highly sensitive to alternative flux in ways that fundamentally changes how photorespiration contributes to the ratio of total ATP and NADPH demand. Specifically, alternative flows of carbon through photorespiration could reduce ATP and NADPH demand ratio to values below what is produced from linear electron transport. Summary statement: All carbon produced following rubisco‐catalyzed reaction with oxygen may not flow through textbook photorespiration. Here we review the consequences of this "noncanonical" carbon flow to the ATP and NADPH demands of this vital process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells are emerging as one of the most promising energy sources for space applications. However, the displacement damage of solar cells in the space environment has gradually deteriorated their performance. In this work, the depth distribution of primary knocked-on atoms (PKA), non-ionizing energy loss and defect concentration of CsPbI3-based perovskite solar cells irradiated by 0.1–2000 MeV protons have been simulated by the Geant4 toolkit. It is found that the PKA yield shows an obvious step behavior near the layer boundary of the solar cell, and that the electron and hole transport layers have the high defect concentration whereas the CsPbI3-based perovskite layer owns the least PKA yield. In particular, in the geostationary orbit, the radiation damage effect caused by space protons to the solar cells is approximately equivalent to that irradiated by 0.18 MeV protons, which provides a good reference for ground irradiation experiments for CsPbI3-based perovskite solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bi(III)‐based oxides are emerging as important semiconductors for future electronic applications. Through hybrid density functional theory calculations and defect analysis, we demonstrate that ABi(III)O2 (A = Na or K) is a promising wide‐band‐gap bipolar semiconductor. Our calculations predict ABiO2 to have a large band gap of 1.97 eV for NaBiO2 and 2.77 eV for KBiO2. Unlike widely‐used oxide semiconductors such as In2O3 and ZnO, the spatially extended cation states (Bi 6s) of ABiO2 significantly contribute to the valence band maximum, enhancing p‐type dopability. We indeed show that potential acceptors, such as SrBi, produce shallow levels. In addition, n‐type doping is found to be possible through the extrinsic doping of heterovalent elements such as Te and F. The band‐structure analysis reveals that ABiO2 has small effective masses for electrons and holes (< 1m0 where m0 is the electron rest mass), indicating favorable electron and hole transport properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of six novel (SPZ1–SPZ6) small molecular conjugated nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs), for organic solar cells (OSCs). The designed NFAs are characterized by various advanced quantum chemical simulations of density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent (TD-DFT) approaches. We revealed in-depth information regarding molecules' structural-property relationship charge transfer and optical absorption characteristics of designed molecules and compared them with synthetic reference molecules (R). The designed SPZ1–SPZ6 molecules exhibit red-shifted absorption, reduced bandgaps and increased extinction coefficients, indicating improved molecular phase separation during thin-film deposition during device fabrication. Moreover, the modeled SPZ1–SPZ6 molecules significantly enhance photophysical, optoelectronic and photovoltaic parameters compared to R. Among these, the designed small molecule SPZ2 exhibits superior UV–Vis absorption of 730.44 nm, surpassing R and others. SPZ2 features the smallest bandgap (2.00 eV) and has a substantial improvement over R's 2.37 eV, and this is due to our efficient molecular modeling strategy. Further investigation revealed efficient charge transfer between the SPZ2 acceptor molecule and PTB7-Th donor molecule complex, making this design capable of producing efficient OSCs in the future. This study investigates the impact of six novel (SPZ1-SPZ6) small molecular conjugated non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) for organic solar cells. The designed NFAs are characterized by various advanced quantum chemical simulations of density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent (TD-DFT) approaches. We revealed in-depth information regarding molecules' structural-property relationship charge transfer and optical absorption characteristics of designed molecules and compared them with synthetic reference molecules (R). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heme is a primordial macrocycle upon which most aerobic life on Earth depends. It is essential to the survival and health of nearly all cells, functioning as a prosthetic group for oxygen‐carrying proteins and enzymes involved in oxidation/reduction and electron transport reactions. Heme is essential for the function of numerous hemoproteins and has numerous other roles in the biochemistry of life. In mammals, heme is synthesised from glycine, succinyl‐CoA, and ferrous iron in a series of eight steps. The first and normally rate‐controlling step is catalysed by 5‐aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS), which has two forms: ALAS1 is the housekeeping form with highly variable expression, depending upon the supply of the end‐product heme, which acts to repress its activity; ALAS2 is the erythroid form, which is regulated chiefly by the adequacy of iron for erythroid haemoglobin synthesis. Abnormalities in the several enzymes of the heme synthetic pathway, most of which are inherited partial enzyme deficiencies, give rise to rare diseases called porphyrias. The existence and role of heme importers and exporters in mammals have been debated. Recent evidence established the presence of heme transporters. Such transporters are important for the transfer of heme from mitochondria, where the penultimate and ultimate steps of heme synthesis occur, and for the transfer of heme from cytoplasm to other cellular organelles. Several chaperones of heme and iron are known and important for cell health. Heme and iron, although promoters of oxidative stress and potentially toxic, are essential cofactors for cellular energy production and oxygenation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Improvement of photosynthesis requires a thorough understanding of electron partitioning under both natural and strong electron sink conditions. We applied a wide array of state‐of‐the‐art biophysical and biochemical techniques to thoroughly investigate the fate of photosynthetic electrons in the engineered cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, a blueprint for photosynthetic biotechnology, expressing the heterologous gene for ene‐reductase, YqjM. This recombinant enzyme catalyses the reduction of an exogenously added substrate into the desired product by utilising photosynthetically produced NAD(P)H, enabling whole‐cell biotransformation. Through coupling the biotransformation reaction with biophysical measurements, we demonstrated that the strong artificial electron sink, outcompetes the natural electron valves, the flavodiiron protein‐driven Mehler‐like reaction and cyclic electron transport. These results show that ferredoxin‐NAD(P)H‐oxidoreductase is the preferred route for delivering photosynthetic electrons from reduced ferredoxin and the cellular NADPH/NADP+ ratio as a key factor in orchestrating photosynthetic electron flux. These insights are crucial for understanding molecular mechanisms of photosynthetic electron transport and harnessing photosynthesis for sustainable bioproduction by engineering the cellular source/sink balance. Furthermore, we conclude that identifying the bioenergetic bottleneck of a heterologous electron sink is a crucial prerequisite for targeted engineering of photosynthetic biotransformation platforms. Significance Statement: We coupled the photosynthetic and biocatalytic (whole‐cell biotransformation) performance of model cyanobacteria. We employed a heterologous NAD(P)H utilising enzyme, as a strong artificial electron sink, allowing us to gain a comprehensive understanding of photosynthetic electron partitioning. We demonstrated that the strong electron sink outcompetes natural electron sinks and cyclic electron transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for cost–effective materials for thick film resistors has driven the exploration of alternative functional materials to replace the traditionally used ruthenium oxides. This study investigates the synthesis and properties of copper–substituted La 0.5 Sr 0.5 CoO 3 (La 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 1-x Cu x O 3 , LSCCu, x = 0.02–0.10) ceramics as a potential economical substitute. The crystal structure, electrical performance, and sintering behavior of LSCCu with varying Cu2+ contents were characterized through solid–state reactions and first–principles simulations. The results indicate that the perovskite structure is maintained with increasing Cu2+, while the densification temperature, crystallinity, and conductivity decrease. Moreover, Cu2+ substitution reduced the DOS across the Fermi level and weakened the electron transport in LSCCu. The sample with x = 0.06 exhibited a promising conductivity of 2609 S/cm after sintering at 1150 °C, comparable to commercial thick film resistor materials. The temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of LSCCu showed a metallic behavior with a low value of 1148 ppm/°C for the x = 0.06 sample. Additionally, the LSCCu ceramics possess good long–term stability and frequency stability of resistance. These findings suggest that LSCCu ceramics are a promising economical material for thick film resistor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triethylamine (TEA) is a mephitic volatile organic compound, which has huge damage to human body. Therefore, the development of gas sensitive materials for the effective detection of TEA has important application value. In this paper, In 2 O 3 , ErVO 4 and In 2 O 3 /ErVO 4 composite samples were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method. The In 2 O 3 /ErVO 4 composite of In 2 O 3 and ErVO 4 has a spherical structure with a rough surface, and forms a variety of porous structures, which effectively increases the specific surface area of the composite (58.9551m2/g), thereby improving the gas sensitivity to TEA. In 2 O 3 /ErVO 4 composites can achieve a higher response to 100 ppm TEA (S = 54.73), have a lower optimal operating temperature (250 °C) compared with In 2 O 3 pure samples, and have a faster recovery time (52 s) compared with ErVO 4 pure samples. In addition, In 2 O 3 /ErVO 4 sensors also achieve good selectivity, excellent moisture resistance, long-term stability. The microstructure of the sample was significantly changed by ErVO 4 recombination. These alterations include an increase in specific surface area, a decrease in particle size, an increase in the utilization of the sensitive body, an increase in the proportion of vacancy oxygen, a decrease in the optical band gap, and an increase in electron transport efficiency. These results show that the combination of ErVO 4 and In 2 O 3 to construct heterojunction can achieve excellent sensor for TEA gas detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary aim of this work is to investigate the use iron di‐silicide (FeSi2) as a photoactive layer in order to achieve superior performance in the solar cell architecture—ITO/TiO2/FeSi2/CuSCN/Ni. The optimum thickness of the absorber layer was found to be 1000 nm, which gave optimal properties of the proposed cell—a short‐circuit current density (Jsc) of 51.41 mAm−2, an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.93 V, a fill factor (FF) of 77.99%, and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 37.17%. The introduction of an ultrathin interfacial layer between the electron transport layer (ETL), the perovskite interface, and the hole transport layer (HTL) enhanced the electrical output of the proposed solar cell. The Jsc increased to 51.86 mAcm−2, Voc rose to 0.97 V, while FF and PCE increased to 82.86% and 41.84%, respectively. Accordingly, the proposed cell architecture is promising and can be introduced into the manufacturing workflow for commercial applications. Moreover, because of its exceptional photon absorption capabilities, FeSi2 is a potentially excellent photoactive material for solar cell fabrication. The detailed findings of this study have therefore indicated that high‐performance FeSi2‐based solar can be achieved in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cs2AgBiBr6 is a promising lead‐free double perovskite solar cells (PSCs) material. Its full potential has yet to be realized due to issues with its large band gap and the optimization of the alignment of the electron transport layer (ETL) and hole transport layer (HTL). The photovoltaic performance of Cs2AgBiBr6‐based devices has been optimized using ZnO, IGZO, TiO2, WS2, PCBM, and C60 ETLs and Cu2O, CuScN, CuSbS2, NiO, P3HT, PEDOT: PSS, Spiro MeOTAD, CuI, CuO, V2O5, CBTS, and CFTS HTLs. It has been observed by simulation study that Cs2AgBiBr6‐based devices exhibit remarkably high photoconversion efficiency when combined with certain ETLs. To better understand the performance, we examine how the best device structures are affected by the absorber and ETL thickness, ETL carrier density, series and shunt resistance, generation, and recombination rate. The findings suggest that TiO2 and ZnO ETLs, in conjunction with CBTS HTL, exhibit good potential for producing high‐efficiency (η > 13%) Cs2AgBiBr6‐based heterojunction solar cells with an ITO/ETL/Cs2AgBiBr6/CBTS/Au device structure. Optimization of the valence band offset (VBO) at the CBTS/Cs2AgBiBr6 interface reveals that reduced VBO value has a beneficial impact on the performance of the solar cell. This modeling work gives a prospective route for manufacturing lead‐free Cs2AgBiBr6 PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electron transport layer (ETL) has gained significant attention recently for its essential role in facilitating charge extraction, transportation, and reducing recombination in photovoltaic cells. Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) with ETLs have achieved remarkable efficiencies exceeding 19%, and indoor OPVs have reached a peak efficiency of 29.4% under 3000 LX illumination. Despite these accomplishments, the difficulties in choosing appropriate ETLs for contact alignment have constrained device performance. This review comprehensively overviews the latest advancements in ETL materials used in conventional and inverted OPVs. Additionally, it investigates the evolution of dopant materials, emphasizing the need for improved electron mobility, energy level alignment, and surface passivation treatment of the buffer layer and absorber layers in OPVs. Continual studies of transport materials and the potential utilization of doping or multilayer ETLs are suggested as inevitable research toward achieving higher power conversion efficiency and stability in OPV technology. Additionally, identifying optimal ETL materials capable of synergistic interactions remains crucial for sustained progress in renewable energy technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wide scale production and commercial uses of PSCs are restricted by the toxicity problems associated with the lead metal, despite the substantial benefits and power conversion efficiency that PSCs have attained over the years. Thus leadfree metal halide perovskites are the focus of modern study. Here the solid-solution perovskite (CsSn0.5Ge0.5I3), an allinorganic material devoid of lead as the light absorber layer for obtaining high efficiency PSCs is thoroughly investigated. The major objective of present work is to analyze superior combination of ETL and HTL for CsSn0.5Ge0.5I3 for getting affordable, high-efficiency and nontoxic CsSn0.5Ge0.5I3 PSCs. In this work, initially with the use of a one-dimensional solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS-1D) thirty-five, CsSn0.5Ge0.5I3 based PSCs were examined which are formed by the combination of seven HTLs and five suitable ETLs including ZnO, TiO2, WS2, PCBM and C60. Simulation results showed that among 35 different configurations the device architecture consisting of ITO/WS2/CsSn0.5Ge0.5I3/PEDOT: PSS/Au had a higher photo conversion efficiency and stability. This configuration provided PCE of 23.47%. For the different possible configurations, the impact of varying the absorber, ETL and HTL width on solar cell parameters was carefully examined. Additionally, the comparison of simulation result obtained by SCAPS-1D software is validated by another simulation software wxAMPS. Further, the effect of series resistance, temperature and shunt resistance has been studied comprehensively for the 5 superior configurations out of the 35 combinations taken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A homogenous and well-packed electron transport layer (ETL) is crucial in attaining high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Two vital tasks are carried out by ETL: excellent electron collection, and proficiently prevents the recombination of charge carriers. Hole transport layer (HTL) free screen-printed carbon-based perovskite solar cells (SP-C-PSCs) are particularly favored within the realm of PSCs due to their exceptional scalability, durability, and affordability. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely used as the ETL in these SP-C-PSCs due to its suitable band energy structure, ease of production, and low cost; nevertheless, it must be of high quality and uniformly deposited. Here experimental analytical study of PSCs was conducted, employed surface passivation to compact titania (c-TiO2) ETL using TiCl4 passivation agent through two different deposition techniques. This passivation is applied to lower its surface roughness, improve electron transport capability, increase crystallinity, reduce micro pores, exhibit better energy level alignment, and to reduce the recombination sites. Consequently, the device with surface passivation enhances the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term ambient stability of PSCs by maximizing the c-TiO2 ETL electrical characteristics. It is also discovered that the passivated c-TiO2 layer has increased hydrophobicity and reduced the RMS surface roughness from 28.8 to 27.3 nm. The PCE of the fabricated SP-C-PSCs is improved by 32.34% through applying spin-coating TiCl4 passivation, and 21.74% enhancement is recorded by applying dip-coating TiCl4 passivation. Furthermore, after 1344 h of storage under ambient conditions without encapsulation, the device passivated with spin-coating retained 84.27%, the device passivated with dip-coating maintained 85.50%, while the reference device reserved just 75.84% PCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular electron transfer (EET) by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), such as Desulfovibrio ferrophilus IS5, enables bacterial interactions with minerals, which are vital for biogeochemical cycling and environmental chemistry. Here, we explore the direct EET mechanisms through outer-membrane cytochromes (OMCs) using IS5 as a model SRB. We employed nanostructured electrodes arrayed with 0, 50, 200, and 500 nm long nanowires (NWs) coated with indium–tin–doped oxide to examine the impact of electrode morphology on the direct EET efficacy. Compared to flat electrodes, NW electrodes significantly enhanced current production in IS5 with OMCs. However, this enhancement was diminished when OMC expression was reduced. Differential pulse voltammetry revealed that NW electrodes specifically augmented redox peaks associated with OMCs without affecting those related to redox mediators, suggesting that NWs foster direct EET through OMCs. Scanning electron microscopy observations following electrochemical analyses revealed a novel vertical cell attachment and aggregation on NW electrodes, contrasting with the horizontal monolayer cell attachment on flat electrodes. This study presents the first evidence of the critical role of electrode nanoscale topography in modulating SRB cell orientation and aggregation behavior. The findings underscore the significant influence of electrode morphology on the direct EET kinetics, highlighting the potential impact of mineral morphology on mineral reduction and biogeochemical processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing indium consumption in transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layers is crucial for mass production of silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. In this contribution, optical simulation‐assisted design and optimization of SHJ solar cells featuring MoOx hole collectors with ultra‐thin TCO layers is performed. Firstly, bifacial SHJ solar cells with MoOx as the hole transport layer (HTL) and three types of n‐contact as electron transport layer (ETL) are fabricated with 50 nm thick ITO on both sides. It is found that bilayer (nc‐Si:H/a‐Si:H) and trilayer (nc‐SiOx:H/nc‐Si:H/a‐Si:H) as n‐contacts performed electronically and optically better than monolayer (a‐Si:H) in bifacial SHJ cells, respectively. Then, as suggested by optical simulations, the same stack of tungsten‐doped indium oxide (IWO) and optimized MgF2 layers are applied on both sides of front/back‐contacted SHJ solar cells. Devices endowed with 10 nm thick IWO and bilayer n‐contact exhibit a certified efficiency of 21.66% and 20.66% when measured from MoOx and n‐contact side, respectively. Specifically, when illuminating from the MoOx side, the short‐circuit current density and the fill factor remain well above 40 mA cm−2 and 77%, respectively. Compared to standard front/rear TCO thicknesses (75 nm/150 nm) deployed in monofacial SHJ solar cells, this represents over 90% TCO reduction. As for bifacial cells featuring 50 nm thick IWO layers, a champion device with a bilayer n‐contact as ETL is obtained, which exhibits certified conversion efficiency of 23.25% and 22.75% when characterized from the MoOx side and the n‐layer side, respectively, with a bifaciality factor of 0.98. In general, by utilizing a n‐type bilayer stack, bifaciality factor is above 0.96 and it can be further enhanced up to 0.99 by switching to a n‐type trilayer stack. Again, compared to the aforementioned standard front/rear TCO thicknesses, this translates to a TCO reduction of more than 67%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of micron zero-valent iron (mZVI) and microorganisms is an effective method for trichloroethylene (TCE) degradation, but electron transfer efficiency needs improvement. A new chem-bio hybrid process using a composite material (S-ZVI@biochar) was developed, consisting of sulfurized mZVI and biochar as a chemical remover, and Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 and dechlorinating bacteria (DB) as a biological agent for TCE degradation. S-ZVI@biochar showed improved stability, biocompatibility, and TCE removal compared to ZVI and S-ZVI. The hybrid system DB + MR-1 + S-ZVI@biochar exhibited the highest TCE removal efficiency at 96.5% after 30 days, which was 3.7 times higher than that of bare ZVI. The study revealed that the enhanced dechlorination performance was due to improved electron transfer efficiency, adjustment of microbial community structure, and iron recycling. S-ZVI@biochar constructed electron transport channels in the composite system, improving the overall dechlorination capacity. This system shows promise for long-term TCE removal in anaerobic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of high‐performance organic solar cells (OSCs) with high operational stability is essential to accelerate their commercialization. Unfortunately, our understanding of the origin of instabilities in state‐of‐the‐art OSCs based on bulk heterojunction (BHJ) featuring non‐fullerene acceptors (NFAs) remains limited. Herein, we developed NFA‐based OSCs using different charge extraction interlayer materials and studied their storage, thermal, and operational stabilities. Despite the high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the OSCs (17.54%), we found that cells featuring self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) as hole‐extraction interlayers exhibited poor stability. The time required for these OSCs to reach 80% of their initial performance (T80) was only 6 h under continuous thermal stress at 85 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere and 1 h under maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in a vacuum. Inserting MoOx between ITO and SAM enhanced the T80 to 50 and ~15 h after the thermal and operational stability tests, respectively, while maintaining a PCE of 16.9%. Replacing the organic PDINN electron transport layer with ZnO NPs further enhances the cells' thermal and operational stability, boosting the T80 to 1000 and 170 h, respectively. Our work reveals the synergistic roles of charge‐selective interlayers and device architecture in developing efficient and stable OSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]