Device Performance of Emerging Photovoltaic Materials (Version 3)

Following the 2nd release of the “Emerging PV reports,” the best achievements in the performance of emerging photovoltaic devices in diverse emerging photovoltaic research subjects are summarized, as reported in peer-reviewed articles in academic journals since August 2021. Updated graphs, tables, and analyses are provided with several performance parameters, e.g., power conversion efficiency, open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, fill factor, light utilization efficiency, and stability test energy yield. These parameters are presented as a function of the photovoltaic bandgap energy and the average visible transmittance for each technology and application, and are put into perspective using, e.g., the detailed balance efficiency limit. The 3rd installment of the “Emerging PV reports” extends the scope toward triple junction solar cells.     

Determination of volatile substances in olives and their effect on reproduction of the olive fruit fly

Females of the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae lay their eggs in olives mainly using fruit volatile stimuli. Using GC-MS analysis, we determined the chemical composition of the volatile blend emitted from field-collected olive fruit of cv. Megaritiki, at different stages of maturity. GC-MS analysis demonstrated qualitative and quantitative differences in the headspace blend emitted by the olive fruit. Certain chemicals such as toluene, n-octane, α-pinene, limonene, ethyl hexanol, nonanal n-dodecane, decanal and n-tetradecane were detected in greater amounts, irrespective of the growth stage of the fruit. The flies’ exposure to a number of these chemicals, such as n-octane and α-pinene, as well as to a mixture consisting of n-octane, α-pinene, limonene, ethyl hexanol, nonanal, n-dodecane, decanal and n–tetradecane favoured successful mating and egg production. The results may contribute to the improvement of the mass rearing of the fly, through these findings, which illustrate the positive effect that certain fruit volatile chemicals have on the fly's reproduction and offer a better understanding of the relation between the fly and the host fruit.     

Respirophasic Variations in the QRS Complex and Echocardiographic Equivalent in Pulmonary Embolism

A respirophasic variation of the QRS complex was observed in a patient with bilateral pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension. An analogous variation of the Sa systolic velocity of the tricuspid annular tissue Doppler imaging was also noticed. Both phaenomena persisted until the clinical and haemodynamic improvement of the patient. A mechanistic approach of the electric phaenomenon is proposed.     

Universal Protein Families and the Functional Content of the Last Universal Common Ancestor

The phylogenetic distribution of Methanococcus jannaschii proteins can provide, for the first time, an estimate of the genome content of the last common ancestor of the three domains of life. Relying on annotation and comparison with reference to the species distribution of sequence similarities results in 324 proteins forming the universal family set. This set is very well characterized and relatively small and nonredundant, containing 301 biochemical functions, of which 246 are unique. This universal function set contains mostly genes coding for energy metabolism or information processing. It appears that the Last Universal Common Ancestor was an organism with metabolic networks and genetic machinery similar to those of extant unicellular organisms.