Soybean Lecithin as a Passivator and Compatibilizer in Perovskite Solar Cells.

The low affinity caused by the mismatched surface energies between the perovskite precursor solution and the underlayer is the main reason for the poor coverage of perovskite films, which is also accountable for the pinholes in the perovskite films. To solve this problem, amphiphilic soybean lecithin (denoted as SL), which has two long aliphatic chains, is incorporated into the PbI precursor solution. The amphiphilic nature of SL improves the coverage of perovskite films on hydrophobic PTAA, which is conducive to the fabrication of large-scale devices.

Association Between Educational Inequality and Income Inequality With Metabolic Diseases and Cause-Specific Mortality.

Background: Educational attainment and economic status are important socioeconomic characteristics and are associated with metabolic diseases and premature death risk. However, their relative importance and contributions to premature death remain unclear.

Methods: Data were collected from ten survey waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2018.

Halogenated and Dopant-free Hole Transport Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells.

Hole-transport materials (HTMs) are essential for the efficient extraction and transport of holes from the perovskite layer to the electrodes, thus playing a crucial role in enhancing the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The introduction of halogens into the polymer-based HTMs contributes to the excellent charge transport and photovoltaic properties of the devices, which provides a promising avenue for improving PSC performance. In this study, three polymer-based HTMs, PM-2F (PM6), PM-4F, and PM-4Cl, were synthesized by strategically incorporating different numbers and types of halogen atoms.

Synergistic Optimization of WP/WS Electrocatalyst by P/S Dual Vacancies and Heterojunctions for Hydrogen Evolution and Zn-HO Batteries.

Vacancy engineering is widely used to boost the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. However, dual-vacancy systems are more complex than mono-vacancy structures and remain underexplored. Key challenges involve developing emerging dual-vacancy catalysts, understanding their synergistic effects, and expanding their applications.

Effects of fructooligosaccharides and on the composition and metabolism of gut microbiota in students.

Fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) and have shown great potential in treating gastrointestinal diseases by regulating gut microbiota and metabolites. However, the synergistic effect between these two remains unclear. In this study, an fermentation model was constructed to investigate the regulatory effects of FOSs and on the gut microbiota of healthy student populations.

Enhancing the Humidity Stability of Perovskite Films through Interfacial Modification with Differentiated Hydrophilic Organics.

Preparing high-quality perovskite films is a decisive step toward realizing highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (Pero-SCs). Water is a key factor affecting the stability of the Pero-SCs. Here, the widely used water adsorbents chitosan, sorbitol, and sodium hyaluronate (NaHA) were used as hydrophilic layers on the upper interface of the perovskite to form a barrier against water.

The Spatial Shifts and Vulnerability Assessment of Ecological Niches under Climate Change Scenarios for , a Fast-Growing Precious Tree in China.

The spatial shifts and vulnerability assessments of ecological niches for trees will offer fresh perspectives for sustainable development and preservation of forests, particularly within the framework of rapid climate change. is a fast-growing native timber plantation species in China, but the natural resources have been severely damaged. Here, a comprehensive habitat suitability model (including ten niche-based GIS modeling algorithms) was developed that integrates three types of environmental factors, namely, climatic, soil, and ultraviolet variables, to assess the species contemporary and future distribution of suitable habitats across China.

The Association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Venous Thromboembolism: A Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background:  Despite previous observational studies linking obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to venous thromboembolism (VTE), these findings remain controversial. This study aimed to explore the association between OSA and VTE, including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), at a genetic level using a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods:  Utilizing summary-level data from large-scale genome-wide association studies in European individuals, we designed a bidirectional two-sample MR analysis to comprehensively assess the genetic association between OSA and VTE.

Chirality-Induced Crystallization and Defect Passivation of Perovskites: Toward High-Performance Solar Cells.

As an additive for perovskites, in addition to functional groups, the steric configuration of molecules is worthy of consideration because it influences perovskite crystallization, thus determining whether defect passivation is effective without any side effects. In this work, the chiral molecules l- and d-pyroglutamic acid (l-PA and d-PA) were chosen as additives for perovskite passivators to reveal the reasons for the differences in passivation between amino acids with different steric configurations. Functional groups, such as the C═O groups and N-H groups of l-PA and d-PA, can passivate the perovskite defects.

NOS-like activity of CeO nanozymes contributes to diminishing the vascular plaques.

Ceria nanoparticles (CeONPs) exhibit great potential in cardiovascular disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease due to its excellent antioxidant capacity. However, the profitable effect of CeONPs on many diseases is almost all attributed to the regulation of ROS. Apart from the general antioxidant function, there seems to be no more distinct mechanism to reflect its unique multi-disease improvement effect.

Berberine Protects Against Dihydrotestosterone-Induced Human Ovarian Granulosa Cell Injury and Ferroptosis by Regulating the Circ_0097636/MiR-186-5p/SIRT3 Pathway.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine syndrome in women of reproductive age. Berberine (BBR) is a Chinese herbal monomer that exhibits many pharmacological properties related to PCOS treatment. This study aims to analyze the effect of BBR on a cell model of PCOS and the underlying mechanism.

Clinical Characteristics and Detection Sensitivity of Cervical Cancer Screening in Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and screening history of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN) or vaginal cancer and compare the sensitivity of cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) tests on the cervix against vaginal and cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or cancer.

Methods: This study included patients who underwent colposcopy-directed biopsy and were diagnosed with VaIN or vaginal cancer from February 2013 to November 2022. Clinical information was obtained from the medical records of the department.

Effect of different oxygen precursors on alumina deposited using a spatial atomic layer deposition system for thin-film encapsulation of perovskite solar cells.

An atmospheric-pressure spatial atomic layer deposition system operated in atmospheric-pressure spatial chemical vapor deposition conditions is employed to deposit alumina (AlO) thin films using trimethylaluminum and different oxidants, including water (HO), hydrogen peroxide (HO), and ozone (O). The impact of the oxygen precursor on the structural properties of the films and their moisture-barrier performance is investigated. The O-AlOfilms, followed by HO-AlO, exhibit higher refractive indexes, lower concentrations of OH- groups, and lower water-vapor-transmission rates compared to the films deposited using water (HO-AlO).

Zinc Aluminum Oxide Encapsulation Layers for Perovskite Solar Cells Deposited Using Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition.

An atmospheric-pressure spatial atomic layer deposition system is used to rapidly deposit 60 nm zinc-aluminum oxide (Zn-AlO ) thin-film-encapsulation layers directly on perovskite solar cells at 130 °C without damaging the temperature-sensitive perovskite and organic materials. Varying the Zn/Al ratio has a significant impact on the structural properties of the films and their moisture barrier performance. The Zn-AlO films have higher refractive indexes, lower concentrations of OH─ groups, and lower water-vapor transmission rates (WVTR) than AlO films without zinc.

New prospects of cancer therapy based on pyroptosis and pyroptosis inducers.

Pyroptosis is a gasdermin-mediated programmed cell death (PCD) pathway. It differs from apoptosis because of the secretion of inflammatory molecules. Pyroptosis is closely associated with various malignant tumors.

Identification of Pyroptosis-Relevant Signature in Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Prognosis in Skin Cutaneous Melanoma Using Network Analysis.

Background: Pyroptosis is closely related to the programmed death of cancer cells as well as the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) via the host-tumor crosstalk. However, the role of pyroptosis-related genes as prognosis and TIME-related biomarkers in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) patients remains unknown.

Methods: We evaluated the expression profiles, copy number variations, and somatic mutations (CNVs) of 27 genes obtained from MSigDB database regulating pyroptosis among TCGA-SKCM patients.

Dopant-Free Polymer Hole Transport Materials for Highly Stable and Efficient CsPbI Perovskite Solar Cells.

All-inorganic perovskite CsPbI contains no volatile organic components and is a thermally stable photoactive material for wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells (PSCs); however, CsPbI readily undergoes undesirable phase transitions due to the hygroscopic nature of the ionic dopants used in commonly used hole transport materials. In the current study, the popular donor material PM6 in organic solar cells is used as a hole transport layer (HTL). The benzodithiophene-based backbone-conjugated polymer requires no dopant and leads to a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) than 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis[N,N-di(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]-9,9'-spirobifluorene (Spiro-OMeTAD).

The influence of teacher support on vocational college students' information literacy: The mediating role of network perceived usefulness and information and communication technology self-efficacy.

This paper uses the network perceived usefulness scale, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) self-efficacy scale, teacher support questionnaire and higher vocational students' information literacy scale to explore the multiple intermediary functions of network perceived usefulness and ICT self-efficacy in teacher support and higher vocational students' information literacy from the perspective of multiple intermediary effects, and uses structural equation model for data modeling and analysis. The results show that the information literacy of higher vocational students is positively correlated with teacher support, usefulness of network perception and ICT self-efficacy. Teachers' support is positively correlated with ICT self-efficacy and network perceived usefulness, and network perceived usefulness and ICT self-efficacy play a significant mediating role between teachers' support and information literacy of higher vocational students.

The increased prevalence of depression and anxiety in T2DM patients associated with blood glucose fluctuation and sleep quality.

Background: Current evidence demonstrates that blood glucose fluctuation can be associated with depression and anxiety. The association among blood glucose fluctuation, traditional risk factors and emotional disorders in T2DM should be studied and clarified.

Methods: A total of 182 diabetic patients including 81 patients with depression or anxiety and 101 patients without emotional disorder were enrolled into this study.

Toxoplasma gondii infection as a risk factor for osteoporosis: a case-control study.

Background: More than one-third of the total world population is infected by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). T.

Exposure to polystyrene microplastics reduces regeneration and growth in planarians.

The potential adverse effects of microplastics (MPs) on ecosystems and human health have received much attention in recent years. However, only limited data are available on the mechanisms for the uptake, distribution, and effects of MPs in freshwater organisms, especially with respect to tissue repair, regeneration and impairment of stem cell functions. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted exposure experiments in which planarians (Dugesia japonica) were exposed to polystyrene (PS)-MPs mixed in liver homogenate and examined the tissue growth and regeneration, stem cell functions, and oxidative stress.

Expression characteristic of and in acute myeloid leukemia.

() and () expression characteristics in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain unknown. This study investigated mRNA and membrane protein expression of two isoforms in AML cell lines and de novo patients by using RT-PCR and flow cytometry, and analyzed the promoter methylation state by utilizing RQ-MSP. was the dominant isoform.

Fluorinating Dopant-Free Small-Molecule Hole-Transport Material to Enhance the Photovoltaic Property.

For the stability and commercial development of the perovskite solar cells (PVK-SCs), synthesizing high-efficiency dopant-free hole-transport materials (DF-HTMs) and exploring how the DF-HTM structure affects the photovoltaic performance is inevitable. Two small-molecule DF-HTMs based on 2,2'-bithiophene as a central part (denoted by BT-MTP and DFBT-MTP) were designed and synthesized. DFBT-MTP, with two more fluorine atoms substituted on the 2,2'-bithiophene group, exhibited enhanced photovoltaic property as DF-HTMs, including larger backbone planarity, declining highest occupied molecular orbit (HOMO) energy level, increasing hole transportation, more effective passivation, and efficient charge extraction.

A polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region of the matrix metallopeptidase 9 gene is associated with susceptibility to idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis in the Chinese population.

Objective: To investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the matrix metallopeptidase 9 gene () are associated with susceptibility to calcium oxalate stones.

Methods: A total of 428 patients with kidney stone disease (KSD) and 450 control individuals were enrolled. Three SNPs (rs20544, rs9509, and rs1056628) were genotyped, and mRNA and protein expression was determined in patients and controls.