Unifying Charge Generation,Recombination, and Extraction in Low‐Offset Non‐Fullerene Acceptor Organic Solar Cells

Even though significant breakthroughs with over 18% power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) in polymer:non‐fullerene acceptor (NFA) bulk heterojunction organic solar cells (OSCs) have been achieved, not many studies have focused on acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms governing these systems. This is because it can be challenging to delineate device photophysics in polymer:NFA blends comprehensively, and even more complicated to trace the origins of the differences in device photophysics to the subtle differences in energetics and morphology. Here, a systematic study of a series of polymer:NFA blends is conducted to unify and correlate the cumulative effects of i) voltage losses, ii) charge generation efficiencies, iii) non‐geminate recombination and extraction dynamics, and iv) nuanced morphological differences with device performances. Most importantly, a deconvolution of the major loss processes in polymer:NFA blends and their connections to the complex BHJ morphology and energetics are established. An extension to advanced morphological techniques, such as solid‐state NMR (for atomic level insights on the local ordering and donor:acceptor π? π interactions) and resonant soft X‐ray scattering (for donor and acceptor interfacial area and domain spacings), provide detailed insights on how efficient charge generation, transport, and extraction processes can outweigh increased voltage losses to yield high PCEs.     

Superior Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Phosphorus‐Doped Carbon Dot/Graphene Aerogel for All‐Solid‐State Flexible Al–Air Batteries

Carbon dots have been recognized as one of the most promising candidates for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media. However, the desired ORR performance in metal–air batteries is often limited by the moderate electrocatalytic activity and the lack of a method to realize good dispersion. To address these issues, herein a biomass‐deriving method is reported to achieve the in situ phosphorus doping (P‐doping) of carbon dots and their simultaneous decoration onto graphene matrix. The resultant product, namely P‐doped carbon dot/graphene (P‐CD/G) nanocomposites, can reach an ultrahigh P‐doping level for carbon nanomaterials. The P‐CD/G nanocomposites are found to exhibit excellent ORR activity, which is highly comparable to the commercial Pt/C catalysts. When used as the cathode materials for a primary liquid Al–air battery, the device shows an impressive power density of 157.3 mW cm^?2 (comparing to 151.5 mW cm^?2 of a similar Pt/C battery). Finally, an all‐solid‐state flexible Al–air battery is designed and fabricated based on our new nanocomposites. The device exhibits a stable discharge voltage of ≈1.2 V upon different bending states. This study introduces a unique biomass‐derived material system to replace the noble metal catalysts for future portable and wearable electronic devices.     

IGF-1 concentration patterns and their relationship with follicle development after weaning in young sows fed different pre-mating diets

Piglet birth weight and within-litter birth weight variation are important for piglet survival and growth. Pre-mating diets may improve IGF-1 and follicle development during the weaning-to-oestrus interval (WEI) and subsequent piglet birth weight. The objective of this study was to modulate IGF-1 concentration during late lactation and the WEI of young sows by using specific pre-mating diets supplemented with microfibrillated cellulose (MF), l-carnitine (LC) or l-arginine (AR). A further objective was to investigate the relationship between IGF-1 and subsequent follicle development and oestrus and ovulation characteristics. In total, 56 first-parity and 20 second-parity sows in three consecutive batches were used for this experiment. Sows received daily either wheat (CON) or wheat plus MF, LC or AR at one of two supplementation levels (low and high) during last week of lactation and WEI. From weaning onwards, follicle and corpus luteum (CL) diameters were repeatedly measured with ultrasound. Blood samples were collected during the WEI for IGF-1 and on day 21 of pregnancy for progesterone analyses, respectively. Insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration, follicle diameter, oestrus and ovulation characteristics and CL diameter were not affected by pre-mating diets. Low IGF-1 class (≤156 ng/ml, N = 22) sows had smaller follicles at weaning (3.5 v. 3.8 mm, P < 0.05) and a longer weaning-to-ovulation interval (147.2 v. 129.8 h, P < 0.05) than high IGF-1 class sows. In first-parity sows, high loin muscle depth (LM) loss sows (≥8%, N = 28) had lower IGF-1 concentrations at weaning (167 v. 214 ng/ml, P < 0.05) compared to low LM loss sows (<8%, N = 28). However, after weaning, IGF-1 concentrations increased and did not differ between high LM loss and low LM loss sows. In conclusion, the different supplemented compounds in pre-mating diets did not improve IGF-1 concentrations around weaning in young sows. Furthermore, high body condition loss caused lower IGF-1 concentrations at weaning, but these levels rapidly recovered after weaning and were related to follicle development and the interval from weaning to ovulation.     

Production kinetics of β-carotene from Planococcus sp. TRC1 with concomitant bioconversion of industrial solid waste into crystalline cellulose rich biomass

Cost effective bioprocessing of nutraceuticals in present global scenario is a matter of concern. This study explored Paper mill sludge (PMS) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as inexpensive substrate for Planococcus sp. TRC1 mediated valuable β-carotene production and residual treated biomass as value added crystalline cellulose source simultaneously. Both biomass supported significant bacterial growth reaching highest yield 38.54 ± 1.4 mg/g on PMS (36 h) and 47.13 ± 1.9 mg/g (48 h) on SCB in solid state fermentation. Luedeking-Piret model revealed growth associated production with α and much lower β values of 5.18 and 0.24 for PMS and 4.5 and 0.165 for SCB. Cost analysis exhibited decrementation of pigment cost/mg by 84 % compared to synthetic media. Optimum production conditions were 30 °C temperature, pH 7, 10 % inoculum and initial moisture content 80 % (PMS) and 85 % (SCB). TLC (R_f = 0.9), HPLC (RT = 7.646) and lambda max (465 nm) confirmed pigment’s β-carotene nature with significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. It showed stability at varied temperature, pH and light conditions along with negligible phytotoxicity on Vigna radiata. Planococcus sp. TRC1 delignified PMS (41 %) and SCB (38 %) and FT-IR, FESEM and XRD suggested crystalline nature of residual cellulose rich fraction shedding light on a biorefinery approach for valorization of industrial solid wastes.     

Photoluminescence and piezoelectric behaviour of Y2Zr2O7 pyrochlore‐based multifunctional materials and the influence of Eu3+ and Sm3+

Y₂Zr₂O₇‐doped with Eu³⁺ and Sm³⁺ phosphors were prepared for the first time as multifunctional smart materials using a solid‐state reaction method at 1400^oC. Thermal behaviour, crystal structure, surface morphology, and elemental analysis were characterized using thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal (DTA) analyses, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope equipped with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM‐EDX). Experimental results revealed that both phosphors have a pyrochlore structure with a cubic crystal system. Photoluminescence properties were also measured and red emission was observed from Y_1.90Eu_0.10Zr₂O₇ and Y_1.90Sm_0.10Zr₂O₇ phosphors. Dielectric constant, loss tangent, piezoelectric charge constant, and Curie temperature of all the samples were determined using an LCR‐meter, d₃₃‐meter, and TG/DTA. Eu doping in Y₂Zr₂O₇ resulted in a high dielectric constant (9.61) and low loss tangent (1.67%) values, whereas high piezoelectric charge constant (0.68 pC/N) and high Curie temperature (820°C) could be obtained using Sm‐doped Y₂Zr₂O₇.     

Micro‐ and nano‐scale mineralogical characterization of Fe(II)‐oxidizing bacterial stalks

Neutrophilic, microaerobic Fe(II)‐oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) from marine and freshwater environments are known to generate twisted ribbon‐like organo‐mineral stalks. These structures, which are extracellularly precipitated, are susceptible to chemical influences in the environment once synthesized. In this paper, we characterize the minerals associated with freshwater FeOB stalks in order to evaluate key organo‐mineral mechanisms involved in biomineral formation. Micro‐Raman spectroscopy and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed that FeOB isolated from drinking water wells in Sweden produced stalks with ferrihydrite, lepidocrocite and goethite as main mineral components. Based on our observations made by micro‐Raman Spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscope combined with electron energy‐loss spectroscopy, we propose a model that describes the crystal‐growth mechanism, the Fe‐oxidation state, and the mineralogical state of the stalks, as well as the biogenic contribution to these features. Our study suggests that the main crystal‐growth mechanism in stalks includes nanoparticle aggregation and dissolution/re‐precipitation reactions, which are dominant near the organic exopolymeric material produced by the microorganism and in the peripheral region of the stalk, respectively.     

外源水杨酸对NaCl胁迫下白榆幼苗光合作用及离子分配的影响

以1年生白榆幼苗为研究对象,设置0、0.5、1.0和2.0 mmol·L^-1水杨酸(SA)与0、50、100和150 mmol·L^-1 NaCl处理组合,考察盐胁迫下白榆幼苗生物量、光合色素含量、光合作用参数及根叶离子含量、分配、运输的情况,探讨外源SA对NaCl胁迫下白榆幼苗耐盐生理特征的影响。结果表明:(1)NaCl胁迫显著抑制了白榆幼苗的生长、光合色素含量及光合能力,并破坏了白榆体内离子平衡。(2)喷施外源SA使盐胁迫下白榆幼苗的干重和根冠比均不同程度升高,0.5和2.0 mmol·L^-1 SA不同程度提高了50和100 mmol·L^-1 NaCl处理组幼苗叶片光合色素含量。(3)0.5 mmol·L^-1 SA显著提升了50 mmol·L^-1 NaCl处理组白榆幼苗的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr),1.0和2.0 mmol·L^-1 SA对150 mmol·L^-1 NaCl处理组幼苗净光合速率改善效果较好,外源SA对100 mmol·L^-1 NaCl处理组幼苗的光合作用参数无显著影响。(4)NaCl胁迫下,外源SA处理的白榆幼苗叶和根Na^+含量及Na^+/K^+、Na^+/Ca^2+和Na^+/Mg^2+显著降低,离子选择运输系数SK,Na、SCa,Na和SMg,Na升高,从而促进了幼苗K^+、Ca^2+和Mg^2+由根向叶片的转运;隶属函数分析发现对白榆幼苗叶和根中离子含量改善效果最好的SA浓度分别为1.0和2.0 mmol·L^-1。因此,适宜浓度的外源水杨酸能够有效改善NaCl胁迫下白榆幼苗的光合能力,有效调节白榆幼苗体内离子状态,从而增强白榆对NaCl胁迫的抗性。     

Development of a novel,high resolution melting analysis based genotyping method for Cryptosporidium parvum

This study employed the post-real-time PCR application, high resolution melting (HRM) analysis, in order to differentiate between characterised clinical and reference Cryptosporidium parvum samples obtained from Cork University Hospital (Cork, Ireland) and the Cryptosporidium Reference Unit (Swansea, Wales). A sample set composed of 18 distinct C. parvum gp60-subtypes of the IIa gp60-subtype family (an allele family accounting for over 80% of all cryptosporidiosis cases in Ireland) was employed. HRM analysis-based interrogation of the gp60, MM5 and MS9-Mallon tandem repeat loci was found to completely differentiate between 10 of the 18 studied gp60-subtypes. The remaining eight gp60-subtypes were differentiated into three distinct groupings, with the designations within these groupings resolved to two to three potential gp60-subtypes.The current study aimed to develop a novel, reproducible, real-time PCR based multi-locus genotyping method to distinguish between C. parvum gp60-subtypes. These preliminary results support the further expansion of the multi-locus panel in order to increase the discriminatory capabilities of this novel method.     

Repeated measures random forests (RMRF): Identifying factors associated with nocturnal hypoglycemia

Nocturnal hypoglycemia is a common phenomenon among patients with diabetes and can lead to a broad range of adverse events and complications. Identifying factors associated with hypoglycemia can improve glucose control and patient care. We propose a repeated measures random forest (RMRF) algorithm that can handle nonlinear relationships and interactions and the correlated responses from patients evaluated over several nights. Simulation results show that our proposed algorithm captures the informative variable more often than naïvely assuming independence. RMRF also outperforms standard random forest and extremely randomized trees algorithms. We demonstrate scenarios where RMRF attains greater prediction accuracy than generalized linear models. We apply the RMRF algorithm to analyze a diabetes study with 2524 nights from 127 patients with type 1 diabetes. We find that nocturnal hypoglycemia is associated with HbA1c, bedtime blood glucose (BG), insulin on board, time system activated, exercise intensity, and daytime hypoglycemia. The RMRF can accurately classify nights at high risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia.