Barrier Designs in Perovskite Solar Cells for Long‐Term Stability

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted much attention in the past decade and their power conversion efficiency has been rapidly increasing to 25.2%, which is comparable with commercialized solar cells. Currently, the long‐term stability of PSCs remains as a major bottleneck impeding their future commercial applications. Beyond strengthening the perovskite layer itself and developing robust external device encapsulation/packaging technology, integration of effective barriers into PSCs has been recognized to be of equal importance to improve the whole device’s long‐term stability. These barriers can not only shield the critical perovskite layer and other functional layers from external detrimental factors such as heat, light, and H₂O/O₂, but also prevent the undesired ion/molecular diffusion/volatilization from perovskite. In addition, some delicate barrier designs can simultaneously improve the efficiency and stability. In this review article, the research progress on barrier designs in PSCs for improving their long‐term stability is reviewed in terms of the barrier functions, locations in PSCs, and material characteristics. Regarding specific barriers, their preparation methods, chemical/photoelectronic/mechanical properties, and their role in device stability, are further discussed. On the basis of these accumulative efforts, predictions for the further development of effective barriers in PSCs are provided at the end of this review.     

Small coastal streams—Critical reservoirs of genetic diversity for trout (Salmo trutta L.) in the face of increasing anthropogenic stressors

We used microsatellite markers to investigate levels and structuring of genetic diversity in trout (Salmo trutta L.) sampled from 16 rivers along the south coast of Cornwall in southwest England. This region is characterized by many small coastal streams with a few larger catchments. At a regional level, genetic structuring of contemporary populations has been influenced by a combination of events, including the last Ice Age and also more recent human activities over the last millennium. All populations are shown to have gone through strong genetic bottlenecks, coinciding with increased exploitation of mineral resources within catchments, beginning during the Medieval period. At more local levels, contemporary human‐induced habitat fragmentation, such as weir and culvert construction, has disproportionally affected trout populations in the smaller catchments within the study area. However, where small catchments are relatively unaffected by such activities, they can host trout populations with diversity levels comparable to those found in larger rivers in the region. We also predict significant future loses of diversity and heterozygosity in the trout populations inhabiting small, isolated catchments. Our study highlights how multiple factors, especially the activity of humans, have and continue to affect the levels and structuring of genetic diversity in trout over long timescales.     

Divergent selection on flowering phenology but not on floral morphology between two closely related orchids

Closely related species often differ in traits that influence reproductive success, suggesting that divergent selection on such traits contribute to the maintenance of species boundaries. Gymnadenia conopsea ss. and Gymnadenia densiflora are two closely related, perennial orchid species that differ in (a) floral traits important for pollination, including flowering phenology, floral display, and spur length, and (b) dominant pollinators. If plant–pollinator interactions contribute to the maintenance of trait differences between these two taxa, we expect current divergent selection on flowering phenology and floral morphology between the two species. We quantified phenotypic selection via female fitness in one year on flowering start, three floral display traits (plant height, number of flowers, and corolla size) and spur length, in six populations of G. conopsea s.s. and in four populations of G. densiflora. There was indication of divergent selection on flowering start in the expected direction, with selection for earlier flowering in two populations of the early‐flowering G. conopsea s.s. and for later flowering in one population of the late‐flowering G. densiflora. No divergent selection on floral morphology was detected, and there was no significant stabilizing selection on any trait in the two species. The results suggest ongoing adaptive differentiation of flowering phenology, strengthening this premating reproductive barrier between the two species. Synthesis: This study is among the first to test whether divergent selection on floral traits contribute to the maintenance of species differences between closely related plants. Phenological isolation confers a substantial potential for reproductive isolation, and divergent selection on flowering time can thus greatly influence reproductive isolation and adaptive differentiation.     

Enzymatic and Hybridization Properties of Oligonucleotide Analogs Containing Novel Phosphoramidate Internucleotide Linkages

In line with the paradigm, that antisense oligonucleotides should contain minimal structural modifications, in order to minimize the risk of toxicity and antigenicity, we describe here the preparation and the properties of oligonucleotides modified to contain, in addition to phosphodiester bonds, a small number of phosphoramidate internucleotide linkages substituted with aminoethoxyethyl groups in order to convey protection against exo‐ and endonucleases. Prolonged stability was, in fact, found in model experiments with respective enzymes, as well as in studies done in human blood serum. Regardless of number and position of phosphoramidate linkages, the modified oligonucleotides showed only a slight decrease of T_m in hybridization studies with complementary oligonucleotides.     

Synthesis and Application of Negatively Charged PNA Analogues

Negatively charged DNA mimics containing phosphonate analogues of peptide nucleic acids were designed, and their physicochemical and biological properties were evaluated in the comparison with natural oligonucleotides, classical peptide nucleic acids, and morpholino phosphorodiamidate oligonucleotide analogues. The results obtained revealed a high potential of phosphonate-containing PNA derivatives for a number of biological applications, such as diagnostic, nucleic acids analysis, and inhibition of gene expression.     

Species-specific impact of introduced largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides in the Groot Marico Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Area,South Africa

Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides are among the world's 100 worst invaders and negatively affect aquatic biodiversity in many regions worldwide. In South Africa there is a paucity of empirical studies describing their impacts. The impact of M. salmoides on the fish community in the Groot Marico River catchment, an otherwise near-pristine river ecosystem and a freshwater ecosystem priority area, was assessed from surveys conducted in 2012. Fish presence and abundance were enumerated using multiple survey techniques, and their association with key habitat variables and the presence or absence of M. salmoides were assessed. A total of 14 native fish species were recorded, besides introduced M. salmoides, which occupied the majority of the mainstem and several tributaries downstream of barriers to upstream movement. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that only one native species, the Marico barb Barbus motebensis, had a negative spatial association with M. salmoides. Assessment of relative distributions showed this species to be excluded from M. salmoides-invaded river reaches, whereas the other native species were not visibly affected by the invader. This species-specificity of the impact of M. salmoides indicates that their impacts in South African streams may be dependent on predator-naiveté of prey.     

植物根中质外体屏障结构和生理功能研究进展

综述了近10年来植物根中质外体屏障结构和功能的研究进展。质外体屏障指根中内、外皮层初生壁的凯氏带,或次生壁栓质化和木质化,以及植物体表角质层组成的保护组织,能隔绝水、离子和氧气不能自由进出植物体的屏障结构,具有保护植物体的生理功能。根中凯氏带的分子发育机理研究表明根内皮层类似哺乳动物上皮组织的保护作用。植物根中质外体保证内部各种生理代谢在稳定的内部环境中进行,是植物适应各种逆境的重要屏障结构。根中质外体屏障在植物适应干旱、洪涝灾害、离子胁迫和病虫害的侵袭等方面具有重要作用,在探索适应并修复极端生态环境的植物资源中有广阔的应用前景。