From Defects to Degradation: A Mechanistic Understanding of Degradation in Perovskite Solar Cell Devices and Modules

Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have risen in efficiency from just 3.81% in 2009 to over 25.2% today. While metal halide perovskites have excelled in efficiency, advances in stability are significantly more complex and have progressed more slowly. The advance of efficiency, which is readily measured, over stability, which can require literally thousands of hours to demonstrate, is to be expected given the rapid rate of innovation in the field. In the face of changing absorber composition, synthetic approaches, and device stack components it is necessary to understand basic material properties to rationalize how to enable stability in devices. In this article the aim is to present an in‐depth review of the current understanding of metal halide perovskite devices and module stability by focusing on what is known retarding intrinsic and extrinsic degradation mechanisms at the material, device, and module level. Once these considerations are presented the discussion then moves to connecting different degradation mechanisms to stresses anticipated in operation and how they can impact efficiency of cells and ultimately modules over time.     

Defects in mitochondrial DNA replication and human disease

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is replicated by the DNA polymerase g in concert with accessory proteins such as the mtDNA helicase, single stranded DNA binding protein, topoisomerase, and initiating factors. Nucleotide precursors for mtDNA replication arise from the mitochondrial salvage pathway originating from transport of nucleosides, or alternatively from cytoplasmic reduction of ribonucleotides. Defects in mtDNA replication or nucleotide metabolism can cause mitochondrial genetic diseases due to mtDNA deletions, point mutations, or depletion which ultimately cause loss of oxidative phosphorylation. These genetic diseases include mtDNA depletion syndromes such as Alpers or early infantile hepatocerebral syndromes, and mtDNA deletion disorders, such as progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO), ataxia-neuropathy, or mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE). This review focuses on our current knowledge of genetic defects of mtDNA replication (POLG, POLG2, C10orf2) and nucleotide metabolism (TYMP, TK2, DGOUK, and RRM2B) that cause instability of mtDNA and mitochondrial disease.     

Defects in mitochondrial DNA replication and human disease

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is replicated by the DNA polymerase g in concert with accessory proteins such as the mtDNA helicase, single stranded DNA binding protein, topoisomerase, and initiating factors. Nucleotide precursors for mtDNA replication arise from the mitochondrial salvage pathway originating from transport of nucleosides, or alternatively from cytoplasmic reduction of ribonucleotides. Defects in mtDNA replication or nucleotide metabolism can cause mitochondrial genetic diseases due to mtDNA deletions, point mutations, or depletion which ultimately cause loss of oxidative phosphorylation. These genetic diseases include mtDNA depletion syndromes such as Alpers or early infantile hepatocerebral syndromes, and mtDNA deletion disorders, such as progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO), ataxia-neuropathy, or mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE). This review focuses on our current knowledge of genetic defects of mtDNA replication (POLG, POLG2, C10orf2) and nucleotide metabolism (TYMP, TK2, DGOUK, and RRM2B) that cause instability of mtDNA and mitochondrial disease.     

高效苯酚降解菌的选育及降酚特性

以苯酚为惟一碳源,采用逐量分批驯化筛选法筛选高效降酚菌并研究其降酚特性.结果筛选出1株可降解高浓度苯酚的菌株,经鉴定为假单孢菌属(Pityrosporum sp.).该菌株可降解 1 800 mg/L的高浓度苯酚,其降酚性能受许多因素影响:降解苯酚的最适环境条件为温度 30 ℃,pH 6～7,振荡速率大于 150 r/min.     

Urea Facilitates Quantitative Estimation of DNA Damage in Situ by Preventing Its Degradation

A buffer containing 7 M urea was used to successfully prevent DNA degradation of in situ damaged fish skin and resulted in reproducible high molecular weight DNA. This treatment in combination with a quantitative gel electrophoresis technique permitted estimation of small changes induced in unlabeled DNA per unit molecular weight after treatment with a DNA damaging agent (e.g., ultraviolet irradiation).     

Degradation of DNA by silicic acid

S1 nuclease hydrolysis and hydroxyapatite chromatography were used to study the effect of silicic acid on DNA. Native calf thymus DNA was incubated with increasing concentrations of silicic acid (DNA nucleotide/silicic acid molar ratios of 1:0.25, 1:0.5 and 1:1) and subjected to S1 nuclease hydrolysis. An increasing degree of DNA degradation was seen suggesting a destabilization of the secondary structure. A decrease in melting temperature was also observed. Hydroxyapatite chromatography indicated that incubation at the molar ratio of 1:1 resulted in denaturation and degradation of DNA.     

Degradation and transformability of DNA from transgenic leaves

The fate of transplastomic (chloroplast genome contains the transgene) tobacco plant DNA in planta was studied when the plant leaves were subjected to decay conditions simulating those encountered naturally, including grinding, incubation with cellulase or enzymes produced by Erwinia chrysanthemi, and attack by the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum. Direct visualization of DNA on agarose gels, gene extraction yield (the number of amplifiable aadA sequences in extracted plant DNA), and the frequency that recipient bacteria can be transformed by plant DNA were used to evaluate the quality and quantity of plant DNA and the transgene. These measurements were used to monitor the physical and biological degradation of DNA inside decaying plant tissues. Our results indicate that while most of the DNA will be degraded inside plant cells, sufficient DNA persists to be released into the soil.     

Degradation of chromosomal DNA during apoptosis

Apoptosis is often accompanied by degradation of chromosomal DNA. CAD, caspase-activated DNase, was identified in 1998 as a DNase that is responsible for this process. In the last several years, mice deficient in the CAD system have been generated. Studies with these mice indicated that apoptotic DNA degradation occurs in two different systems. In one, the DNA fragmentation is carried out by CAD in the dying cells and in the other, by lysosomal DNase II after the dying cells are phagocytosed. Several other endonucleases have also been suggested as candidate effectors for the apoptotic degradation of chromosomal DNA. In this review, we will discuss the mechanism and role of DNA degradation during apoptosis.     

Degradation of DNA by bisulfite treatment

A significant level of target degradation was caused by bisulfite treatment for methylcytosine-selective hydrolysis. The depyrimidination proceeded via addition of bisulfite to pyrimidines in DNA. The quantification with real-time PCR after conventional bisulfite treatment showed a large decrease in the amount of full-length DNA.     

Degradation and Transformability of DNA from Transgenic Leaves

The fate of transplastomic (chloroplast genome contains the transgene) tobacco plant DNA in planta was studied when the plant leaves were subjected to decay conditions simulating those encountered naturally, including grinding, incubation with cellulase or enzymes produced by Erwinia chrysanthemi, and attack by the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum. Direct visualization of DNA on agarose gels, gene extraction yield (the number of amplifiable aadA sequences in extracted plant DNA), and the frequency that recipient bacteria can be transformed by plant DNA were used to evaluate the quality and quantity of plant DNA and the transgene. These measurements were used to monitor the physical and biological degradation of DNA inside decaying plant tissues. Our results indicate that while most of the DNA will be degraded inside plant cells, sufficient DNA persists to be released into the soil.     

氯苯降解菌的筛选及降解条件研究

从活性污泥中筛选到一株具有降解氯苯功能的菌株JH02,依据菌落特征形态和生理生化反应鉴定该菌株属于链球菌属(Streptococcus)。分别考察培养温度、培养时间、氯苯浓度、pH值、菌悬液接种量及摇床转速等因素对菌株降解性能的影响。确定菌株StreptococcusJH02的对氯苯的最适降解条件为:培养温度为37℃,培养时间24 h,菌悬液接种量体积分数为4%,pH8.0,摇床转速140 r.min-1,此条件下氯苯的降解率可达94.7%。     

The Structure of Picfeltarraegenin IV and Its Degradation Product

A series of new triterpenoid aglycones has been isolated from fraction B of Picria fel-tarrae Lour extract. The structure of picfeltarraegenin Ⅳ was assigned as 4 by means of spectroscopic data (UV, IR,¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and MS) and some chemical reactions. The structure of degradation product (8) obtained from 1 and 4 was also determined.     

甲胺磷降解菌的筛选及降解特性研究

从长期受有机磷农药污染的土壤中分离到1株能降解甲胺磷的菌株B15,经生理生化鉴定为巨大芽孢杆菌(Bacillus megaterium)。在甲胺磷无机盐培养基(甲胺磷浓度为0.5%)生长时,最适生长温度为28℃,最适pH为7.0,摇床培养(28℃190 r/min)48 h降解率达到83%。菌株在甲胺磷浓度为1%的无机盐培养基上能生长,但是在甲胺磷浓度为0.5%的无机盐培养基上生长最好,降解率最高。外加碳氮源对菌株的降解率有所提高,但是超过某一浓度降解率随着浓度的增加反而下降。     

植物叶绿素降解途径及其分子调控

文章介绍了近年来在叶绿素降解产物结构解析和关键酶基因克隆方面的最新成果,以及在此基础上的叶绿素降解途径修正及其分子调控机理研究。     

Termite-Microbe Symbiotic System and Its Efficient Degradation of Lignocellulose

Termites thrive in the tropics and play an important role in lignocellulose degradation. This ability depends mainly on intestine microbes in the gut, but most of them are so-called unculturable microbes, which can not be cultivated by traditional culture methods. The recent development of molecular approaches such as the PCR method has made it possible to access the enormous numbers of unculturable microbes in the gut of termites.

This review explains our research on the ecological role of the termite, the termite-microbe symbiotic system, and the functions of lignocellulose degradation using various molecular methods. In the future, new technologies such as genomics should make it possible to analyze and utilize unculturable microbial resources in natural environments.     

Degradation of Escherichia coli chromosomal and plasmid DNA in serum

Incubation of serum-sensitive [3H]thymidine labelled Escherichia coli PC2166 (RSF1030) and E. coli AM1281 (pBR322) harbouring small plasmids (mol. wt 5.5 X 10(6) and 2.6 X 10(6] in serum resulted in killing of 99.9% of the bacteria within 15 min and in the release of 85% of the radioactivity into the medium after 1 h incubation. The fate of chromosomal and plasmid DNA during incubation of the bacteria in serum was analysed by measurement of the amount of DNA-associated radioactivity, by TCA precipitation, by agarose gel electrophoresis and by the capacity of DNA to transform competent acceptor bacteria. Chromosomal DNA and high molecular weight plasmid DNA were rapidly degraded after 1 h incubation of bacteria in serum. However, low molecular weight plasmid DNA was virtually unaffected and remained physicochemically as well as biologically intact during up to 4 h of incubation of bacteria in serum.