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Abstract Selenium (Se), the world's oldest optoelectronic material, has been widely applied in various optoelectronic devices such as commercial X‐ray flat‐panel detectors and photovoltaics. However, despite the rare and widely‐dispersed nature of Se element, a sustainable recycling of Se and other valuable materials from spent Se‐based devices has not been developed so far. Here a sustainable strategy is reported that makes use of the significantly higher vapor pressure of volatile Se compared to other functional layers to recycle all of them from end‐of‐life Se‐based devices through a closed‐space evaporation process, utilizing Se photovoltaic devices as a case study. This strategy results in high recycling yields of ≈ 98% for Se and 100% for other functional materials including valuable gold electrodes and glass/FTO/TiO2 substrates. The refabricated photovoltaic devices based on these recycled materials achieve an efficiency of 12.33% under 1000‐lux indoor illumination, comparable to devices fabricated using commercially sourced materials and surpassing the current indoor photovoltaic industry standard of amorphous silicon cells.

The peroxisomal matrix oxidase, catalase and peroxidase are imported peroxisomes through the shuttling receptors, which regulates the cellular oxidative homeostasis and function. Here, we report that PTS1 shuttling receptor FvPex5 is involved in the localization of PTS1, utilization of carbon sources and lipids, elimination ROS, cell wall stress, conidiation, fumonisin B1 (FB1) production, and virulence in maize pathogen Fusarium verticillioides. Significantly, differential expression of PTS1-, PTS2-, PEX- and FB1 toxin-related genes in wild type and ΔFvpex5 mutant were examined by RNA-Seq analyses and confirmed by RT-PCR assay. In addition, different expression of PTS1 and PTS2 genes of the ΔFvpex5 mutant were enriched in diverse biochemical pathways, such as carbon metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, lipid metabolism and the oxidation balance by combining GO and KEGG annotations. Overall, we showed that FvPex5 is involved in the regulation of genes associated with PTS, thereby affecting the oxidation balance, FB1 and virulence in F. verticillioides. The results help to clarify the functional divergence of Pex5 orthologs, and may provide a possible target for controlling F. verticillioides infections and FB1 biosynthesis.

MoS2 is a highly promising anode material for lithium ion batteries. Here, aided by atomic force microscopy, the authors reveal the formation of an ultra-thin solid electrolyte interphase between MoS2 and electrolyte, providing fresh insight into the structural evolution and reaction mechanism at the interface.

Comprehensive investigation of gut microbiota composition is important for understanding digestive physiology in mammals. The hog deer (Axis porcinus) is a small mammal at high risk of extinction in the wild. In the present study, we sequenced the V4 region of 16S rRNA gene and compared the gut microbiota composition among three ages of captive hog deer, including one infant (Z1, six months old), three young (Z2, ten months old) and 12 adult (Z3, 4-5 years old). A total of 26 phyla (15, 22 and 25 in Z1, Z2 and Z3) and 310 genera (153, 254 and 304 in Z1, Z2 and Z3) were identified. In Z1, Z2 and Z3, Firmicutes (63.65%, 62.07% and 61.96%) was the predominant phylum, followed by Bacteroidetes (29.08%, 29.62% and 30.02%) and Tenericutes (3.08%, 3.24% and 2.78%). The alpha diversity (Shannon Index and observed species) of Z2 was significantly higher than that of Z3 (P < 0.05). The Shannon Index of Z1 was higher than that of Z2. At the genus level, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Ruminiclostridium_5 had higher abundance in Z2 compared with Z3, whereas other genera, such as Fibrobacter, Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group and Oscillibacter were enriched in Z3. In conclusion, our results reveal significant microbiota composition changes that occur with age in captive hog deer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) assemblies of tricarboxylic acid derivatives, 1,3,5-tris(carboxymethoxy) benzene (TCMB) and 1,3,5-tris(3-carboxypropoxy) benzene (TCPB), are investigated on an Au(111) surface by electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in HClO4 solution. The results revealed that the adlayer structure TCMB form self-assembled hexagonal network monolayer, while TCPB form self-organized close-packed pattern due to increased length of alkyl moiety in TCPB.

In the digital economy era, leveraging digital media to foster tourists’ pro-environmental behavioral intention (TPEBI) has become crucial in the field of sustainable tourism. While existing studies have mainly focused on the driving mechanism of TPEBI within physical tourism contexts, the correlation between digital media information sharing and TPEBI remains unclear. Our study employs the cognitive-affective-conative framework to construct a theoretical model, considering eco-guilt and empathy with nature as mediating variables. It aims to explore the influencing mechanism of destination environmental information sharing through digital media on TPEBI from a presence perspective. Thereby, two scenario experiments were designed: Study 1 examined the impact of different formats of destination environmental threat information presentation on digital media on the sense of presence, while Study 2 explored the influencing mechanism of presence on TPEBI based on the conclusions of Study 1. Results indicate that (1) vivid and visible presentation formats of destination environmental threat information on digital media enhance individuals’ sense of presence; (2) sense of presence positively influences TPEBI; and (3) eco-guilt and empathy with nature mediate between presence and TPEBI. These findings not only contribute to theoretical and empirical research on digital media information sharing in sustainable tourism but also offer guidance for governments and tourism destinations to effectively stimulate TPEBI through digital media, achieve the sustainable development of destinations.

Fruit development and ripening is a complex procedure (Malus×domestica Borkh.) and can be caused by various factors such as cell structure, cell wall components, and cell wall hydrolytic enzymes. In our study, we focused on the variations in fruit firmness, cell wall morphology and components, the activity of cell wall hydrolytic enzymes and the expression patterns of associated genes during fruit development in two different types of apple cultivars, the hard-crisp cultivar and the loose-crisp cultivar. In this paper, the aim was to find out the causes of the texture variations between the different type cultivars. Cell wall materials (CWMs), hemicellulose and cellulose content were strongly associated with variations in fruit firmness during the fruit development. The content of water soluble pectin (WSP) and chelator soluble pectin (CSP) gradually increased, while the content of ionic soluble pectin (ISP) showed inconsistent trends in the four cultivars. The activities of polygalacturonase (PG), β-galactosidase (β-gal), cellulase (CEL), and pectate lyase (PL) gradually increased in four cultivars. And the activities of PG, β-gal, and CEL were higher in ‘Fuji’ and ‘Honeycrisp’ fruit with the fruit development, while the activity of PL of ‘Fuji’ and ‘Honeycrisp’ was lower than that of ‘ENVY’ and ‘Modi’. Both four cultivars of fruit cells progressively became bigger as the fruit expanded, with looser cell arrangements and larger cell gaps. According to the qRT-PCR, the relative expression levels of MdACO and Mdβ-gal were notably enhanced. Our study showed that there were large differences in the content of ISP and hemicellulose, the activity of PL and the relative expression of Mdβ-gal between two different types of apple cultivars, and these differences might be responsible for the variations in the texture of the four cultivars.

In this study, the mitochondrial genome of Eulaelaps silvestris, which parasitizes Apodemus chevrieri, was sequenced and assembled to fill the gap in understanding the molecular evolution of the genus Eulaelaps. The E. silvestris mitochondrial genome is a double-stranded DNA molecule with a length of 14 882 bp, with a distinct AT preference for base composition and a notably higher AT content than GC content. The arrangement between genes is relatively compact, with a total of 10 gene intergenic regions and 12 gene overlap regions. All protein-coding genes had a typical ATN initiation codon, and only 2 protein-coding genes had an incomplete termination codon T. Out of the 13 protein-coding genes, the 5 most frequently used codons ended in A/U, with only 1 codon ending in G/C had an relative synonymous codon usage value >1. Except for trnS1 and trnS2, which lacked the D arm, all other tRNAs were able to form a typical cloverleaf structure; and there were a total of 38 mismatches in the folding process of tRNA genes. Unlike the gene arrangement order of the arthropod hypothetical ancestor, the E. silvestris mitochondrial genome underwent fewer rearrangements, mainly near tRNA genes and control regions. Both the maximum likelihood tree and the Bayesian tree showed that the family Haemogamasidae is most closely related to the family Dermanyssidae. The results not only provide a theoretical basis for studying the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Eulaelaps, but also provide molecular evidence that the family Haemogamasidae does not belong to the subfamily Laelapidae.

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is used for studying chiral supramolecular trigonal prisms on an Au(111) surface. The results have provided a facile method for preparing two-dimensional chiral structures on a bare, nonchiral metal surface by using nanoscale 3D self-assembled supramolecular metallacages.

Nanocopper particles can be used as catalysts for the stereospecific polymerization of phenylacetylene (PA) to produce cis-specific and highly crystalline polyphenylacetylene (PPA). Well-aligned PPA nanobelt arrays are obtained via a mild and template-free route and have shown semiconductor features, which can be used in nanodevice applications.

A molecular template can be easily used to control the self-assembly and monodispersion of a well-ordered array of supramolecular rectangles on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surfaces. The method has been found to be extremely useful for the fabrication of such two-dimensional assemblies.

An oligomer network that can function as a molecular template for controlled distribution and dispersion of organic molecules and peptides is reported. The geometrical, spatial and intermolecular reactions of the oligomer network are expected to play important roles in the controllable distribution and dispersion.

Cell apoptosis plays an important role in early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), a member of the small heat shock protein (HSP) family, is induced by various stress factors and exerts protective role on cells. However, the role of HSP27 in brain injury after SAH needs to be further clarified. Here, we reported that HSP27 level of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is increased obviously at day 1 in patients with aneurysmal SAH (aSAH) and related to the grades of Hunt and Hess (HH), World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS), and Fisher score. In rat SAH model, HSP27 of CSF is first increased and then obviously declined; overexpression of HSP27, not knockdown of HSP27, attenuates SAH-induced neurological deficit and cell apoptosis in the basal cortex; and overexpression of HSP27 effectively suppresses SAH-elevated activation of mitogen-activated protein Kinase Kinase 4 (MKK4), the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), c-Jun, and caspase-3. In an in vitro hemolysate-damaged cortical neuron model, HSP2765−90 peptide effectively inhibits hemolysate-induced neuron death. Furthermore, TAT-HSP2765−90 peptide, a fusion peptide consisting of trans-activating regulatory protein (TAT) of HIV and HSP2765−90 peptide, effectively attenuates SAH-induced neurological deficit and cell apoptosis in the basal cortex of rats. Altogether, our results suggest that TAT-HSP27 peptide improves neurologic deficits via reducing apoptosis.

In view of the geological environment, in which the upper part is the “soft” layer of completely weathered siliceous rock and the lower part is the “hard” layer of weakly weathered limestone, the rail surface line is designed to pass through the interface between the upper “soft” layer and lower “hard” layer. First, the MIDAS/GTS software was used to comprehensively simulate the stress and deformation law of surrounded rock under three excavation methods, which are the positive benching and retaining core soil method, CRD method, and double side drift method, for selecting the appropriate excavation method. After the excavation method was determined, the rule of change in the stress and deformation of the surrounded rock with time in the actual excavation process was analyzed by field monitoring means. Finally, on the basis of the findings in the numerical analysis as well as the field monitoring, the engineering characteristics, such as the stress and deformation of the surrounded rock during the excavation of deep buried tunnels in the upper-soft lower-hard ground, were analyzed. The results revealed the following: (1) Under all three excavation methods, the tunnel deformation was small and met the requirements for tunnel deformation control. (2) Due to the different excavation support sequence, the distribution of lining bending moment of the three excavation methods was widely different. The bending moment of the lining produced by the positive benching method was far less than that of the other two methods. (3) Due to the difference in lithology, the stress of the tunnel lining in the thick upper “soft” and “hard” strata was mainly concentrated on the upper soft rock area, while the stress in the lower hard rock area was relatively small, and the lining stress value generated using the three excavation methods was relatively large. In general, the deformation and stress in the positive benching method construction were less than those in the other two methods. In addition, the positive benching method was convenient for mechanized operation, the construction progress was fast, and the cost was relatively low. Therefore, the positive benching and retaining core soil method is adoptable for this kind of tunnel. (4) The measured stress and deformation at the rail surface line exhibited a change law of first increase, and subsequently, this tended to be stable. The change in stress-time can be expressed by the Boltzmann function, and the change in deformation with time can be well expressed by exponential functions. (5) The stress value and deformation value detected in the actual excavation were greater than the results of the theoretical numerical analysis. However, the findings in the theoretical numerical analysis still have certain guiding significance for actual excavation.

The red coloration of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) is due to the accumulation of anthocyanins in the fruit peel. Light is essential for anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple. In this study, we performed a transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of apple fruit exposed to light after unbagging. The identified differentially expressed genes included MdBBX21, which is homologous to Arabidopsis BBX21, suggesting it may be involved in light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis. Additionally, MdBBX21 was localized in the nucleus and its gene was expressed earlier than MdMYB1 in apple peel treated with light. Overexpressing MdBBX21 in Arabidopsis and apple calli under light increased anthocyanin accumulation. Dual-luciferase and yeast one-hybrid assays confirmed that MdBBX21 binds to the MdHY5, MdBBX20, and MdBBX22-1/2 promoters and induces expression. At the same time, MdHY5 can also activate the expression of MdBBX21. Furthermore, bimolecular fluorescence complementation and yeast two-hybrid assays demonstrated that MdBBX21 can interact with MdHY5. This interaction can significantly enhance MdMYB1 promoter activity. These findings clarify the molecular mechanism by which MdBBX21 positively regulates light-induced anthocyanin accumulation in apple.

A facile protocol is developed for the direct observation and characterization of a single particle electrode during the lithium ion battery operation by using in situ AFM. The SEI formation on the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 particle cathode surface is found to be highly related to the exposed planes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthocyanins are responsible for the red pigmentation in the peel of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) fruit. Relatively few studies have investigated anthocyanins at the posttranscriptional level. MicroRNAs play an important role in plant growth and development by regulating gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. In this study, mdm-miR828 showed a relatively low expression level during the rapid fruit coloration period. However, the mdm-miR828 expression level increased in the late fruit coloration stage. Overexpression of mdm-miR828 inhibited anthocyanin synthesis in apple and Arabidopsis. Dual-luciferase and yeast one-hybrid assays showed that MdMYB1 is capable of binding to the promoter of mdm-MIR828b to promote its expression. The results indicate that mdm-miR828 is involved in a feedback regulatory mechanism associated with anthocyanin accumulation in apple. In addition, mdm-miR828 is involved in the inhibition of anthocyanin accumulation in response to high temperature.

Objective: Leiomyosarcoma of the fallopian tube is a rare malignant gynecologic neoplasm with poor prognosis. It is important to share experience and to collect more cases to improve the understanding of the disease. Case report: We reported three patients with leiomyosarcoma of the fallopian tube who were treated in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (Shanghai, China) from 2012 to 2016. Although the three cases shared the same diagnosis, they varied in the presentations, treatments, and outcomes. Conclusion: Leiomyosarcoma of the fallopian tube seems to have some particularities in imaging manifestations and immunohistochemical results. It has a progressive course with limited therapeutic options such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

A two step programmed method is developed to load mono dispersed SnO2nanoparticles onto single layer graphene sheets. The SnO2-G composite has near mono dispersion of the SnO2nanocrystals as well as a high SnO2content of over 60 wt%. These outstanding features are desirable and enable the composite material to be an excellent anode material for Li-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene molecules, hexafluorotribenzo[a,g,m]coronene with ncarbon alkyl chains (FTBC-Cn, n = 4, 6, 8. 12) and Janus-type "double-concave" conformation, are used to fabricate self-assembly on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surface. The structural dependence of the self-assemblies with molecular conformation and alkyl chain is investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculation. An interesting reverse face "up-down" way is observed in FTBC-C4 assembly due to the existence of hydrogen bonds. With the increase of the alkyl chain length and consequently stronger van der Waals interaction, the molecules no longer take alternating "up-down" orientation in their self-assembly and organize into various adlayers with lamellar, hexagonal honeycomb, and pseudohoneycomb structures based on the balance between intermolecular and molecule-substrate interactions. The results demonstrate that the featured "double-concave" molecules are available block for designing graphene nanopattern. From the results of scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurement, it is found that the electronic property of the featured graphene molecules is preserved when they are adsorbed on solid surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NMR and STM studies revealed that the hydrazide−quinolinone-based building block 5 exhibited a monomer−dimer−polymer equilibrium, while its acyclic analogue 6, due to conformational flexibility, exhibited a more complicated mode of aggregation and formed a gel in dichloromethane/hexane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adlayers formed by a series of aza- and/or oxo-bridged calix2arene2triazines on Au(111) surfaces were investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. 1,3-Alternate configurations of these molecules are preserved on gold surfaces as in their three-dimensional crystals. STM images show that the cavity sizes of these molecules are finely tuned by substituting the bridging nitrogen atom with oxygen atoms, which change the strengths and densities of the intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Hydrogen bond interaction influences the molecular orientation and conformation in the adlayers, and it plays a key role in the formation of these two-dimensional supramolecular architectures. Coadsorption of calix2arene2triazine with 1,3,5-tris(5-carboxyamyloxy)benzene (TCAB) intervenes with the intermolecular hydrogen bond formations among the calix2arene2triazine molecules and consequently causes a conformational transition of the calixarene molecules from rhombic to square. These results demonstrate the role of hydrogen bonds in molecular assembly formations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two alkyl-substituted dual oligothiophenes, quarterthiophene (4T)-trimethylene (tm)-octithiophene (8T) and 4T-tm-4T, were used to fabricate molecular structures on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and Au(111) surfaces. The resulted structures were investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. The 4T-tm-8T and 4T-tm-4T molecules self-organize into long-range ordered structures with linear and/or quasi-hexagonal patterns on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite at ambient temperature. Thermal annealing induced a phase transformation from quasi-hexagonal to linear in 4T-tm-8T adlayer. The molecules adsorbed on Au(111) surface in randomly folded and linear conformation. Based on scanning tunneling microscopy results, the structural models for different self-organizations were proposed. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurement showed the electronic property of individual molecules in the patterns. These results are significant in understanding the chemistry of molecular structure, including its formation, transformation, and electronic properties. They also help to fabricate oligothiophene assemblies with desired structures for future molecular devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enantioselective hydrogenation by heterogeneous catalysts has gained great importance in organic synthesis, chemical engineering and pharmaceutical industry. However, the mechanism of enantioselectivity is not well understood due to the absence of evidence at the molecular level. Recently, the great advance on this topic has been made by applying scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and other surface characterization techniques to get direct evidence about the enantioselective mechanism of catalysts. Here, the progress on the adsorption mode of chiral modifiers such as cinchona and tartaric acid and the related enantioselective mechanism is reviewed from the viewpoint of surface science. Particularly, some STM works on this topic are summarized. Finally, several key issues for further investigation are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemistry and adlayer structure of trinitrotoluene (TNT) on an Au(111) electrode were investigated using cyclic voltammetry and in situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (ECSTM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guiding the self-assembly of different types of functional molecules into well-defined structures on surfaces is beneficial for both fundamental surface and interface study and emerging application fields, especially molecular and organic electronics. This review focuses on understanding the two-dimensional self-assembly process of telechelic organics, which feature alkoxylene chains terminated with carboxyl groups. With the combined flexibility of alkyl chains and directionality of carboxyl groups, telechelic organics show unique assembly behaviour on two-dimensional surfaces. By increasing the length of the alkoxylene chains, the cavities in the nanoporous networks of telechelic trimesic acid (1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid) derivatives change from hexagonal cavities to irregular cavities on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surface. The nanoporous networks provide a flexible host template for host-guest supramolecular chemistry because the cavities framed by the flexible alkoxylene chains can be changed in accordance with the sizes/shapes of the guest molecules. Furthermore, the terminal carboxylic group can form a hydrogen bond with another hydrogen bond partner, leading to multi-component structural motifs and hierarchical assemblies. The unique assembly behaviour of telechelic organics makes them promising structures as important building blocks for the design and construction of complex self-assembled nanoarchitectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the long-ignored photovoltaic material with the emergence of indoor photovoltaics (IPVs); the absorption spectrum of Se perfectly matches the emission spectra of commonly used indoor light sources in the 400 to 700 nm range. It discusses about fabricating Se modules that produce 232.6 μW output power under indoor illumination, powering a radio-frequency identification–based localization tag.

The article presents information about catalytic synthesis, structural characterizations and transistor performance of aryl-substituted conjugated polymer polyphenylacetylene (PPA) nanobelts. PPA produced by using the nanocopper particles as catalyst shows single crystalline structure and owns cis-phase conformation. Single PPA nanobelts demonstrate semiconductor features that are stated to demonstrate promising potentials in nanodevice applications.