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COSINUS is a new cryogenic observatory for rare event searches located in the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. COSINUS's first goal is to clarify whether the signal detected by the DAMA/LIBRA experiment originates from dark matter particle interactions or has a different nature. To this aim, sodium iodide (NaI) cryogenic scintillating calorimeters read out by transition edge sensors (TESs) are developed. To preserve the NaI crystal from the TES fabrication process, COSINUS implemented a novel design, the remoTES, where the TES is deposited on a separate wafer and coupled to the absorber through a Au-bonding wire and a Au-phonon collector. This design has reached baseline resolutions below 100 eV for Si, 200 eV for TeO 2 and 400 eV for NaI absorbers. These results show that the remoTES not only brings COSINUS close to its performance goal of 1 keV energy threshold, but also offers the possibility to employ delicate crystals previously excluded for cryogenic applications as absorbers and to avoid the exposure of the absorbers to the TES fabrication process. It therefore extends the choice of target materials of the rare event searches using TES. In this work, we will provide a detailed description of the remoTES design and present the results of the latest prototypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, new plasticized solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are developed using MC (methylcellulose) as a polymer host, and sodium iodide (NaI) as a dopant via the solution casting method. Ethyl carbonate (EC) is used as a plasticizing agent to improve the properties of the SPEs. Polarized optical microscopy analysis reveals that the surface morphology of the MC‐NaI‐EC films contained porous amorphous regions owing to the presence of EC. The complex formation between MC, NaI, and EC is confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectra. The addition of EC in the MC‐NaI polymer salt matrix enhances the electrochemical properties of the prepared films. The highest ionic conductivity of 5.06×10−3 S/cm is achieved for the composition: MC+50 wt. % NaI +10 wt. % EC. The linear sweep voltammetry test reveals that the optimal plasticized‐SPE can withstand up to 2.5 V. The ionic transference number analysis reveals that 99% of ions contribute to the total conductivity. The optimized SPE film and graphene oxide‐based electrodes are used to manufacture a solid‐state electrical double‐layer capacitor. The coulomb efficiency of the supercapacitor cell is 100%, and the specific capacitance of the supercapacitor is found to be 18.56 F/g utilizing impedance data at low frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The copper‐catalyzed Chan–Evans–Lam (CEL) coupling reaction advances carbon–heteroatom cross‐coupling and has facilitated the development of radiohalogenation methodologies in radiochemistry. This study investigated the mechanisms and side reactions of CEL iodination under conditions relevant to radiosynthesis and typical organic synthesis, focusing on the effects of sodium iodide. The concentrations of copper and iodide, as well as the copper‐to‐iodide ratio, were identified as significant factors for successful copper‐mediated CEL iodination, influencing the reaction mechanisms and side reactions. Excess iodide relative to the copper salt led to the formation of poorly soluble iodinated copper(I) complexes that competed with that of the desired aryl iodide. Additionally, the predominant copper complex involved in the catalytic cycle differed between the early and late stages of the reaction, depending on the copper‐to‐iodide ratio. The results of this study indicate that the specialized radiosynthesis conditions meet the requirements for efficient CEL iodination. In particular, an extremely low concentration of iodide is optimal for CEL iodination. These in‐depth mechanistic insights not only provide a detailed comparison of CEL iodination across radiochemistry and synthetic organic chemistry but can also inspire the development of novel (radio)iodination methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purposes: Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) is widely used to characterize molecular size variants of antibody drugs. However, SEC analysis is hindered by secondary interactions (or nonspecific interactions) between proteins and stationary phase packing, which result in poor column efficiency. Previous studies have reported that chaotropic salt can inhibit these interactions, but the corresponding applications of this aspect are relatively rare. Therefore, this study introduces a novel approach using sodium iodide (NaI) as a mobile-phase component in SEC and investigates the influence of the mobile-phase composition on secondary interactions. Methods: SEC analysis was performed on one antibody–drug conjugate and four monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using three different mobile-phase systems (i.e., sodium chloride/L-arginine hydrochloride/NaI mobile phases system) to compare the column efficiency. Subsequently, mAb-1 was used as a model to investigate the effects of these factors on secondary interactions by adjusting the ionic strength (salt concentration) and pH of the NaI mobile-phase system. Results: NaI exhibits superior column efficiency performance in the SEC analysis of most products. The ionic strength will affect nonideal electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction. An appropriate ionic strength can inhibit electrostatic interactions, while an excessive ionic strength increases hydrophobic interactions. pH primarily influences electrostatic interactions. Determining the appropriate pH necessitates consideration of the isoelectric point of the protein and the pH tolerance of the column. Conclusions: In SEC analysis, using NaI as the salt component in the mobile phase reduces secondary interactions and improves column efficiency. This approach is advantageous for samples with intense secondary interactions and is a suitable alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both of sulfone compounds and isoqunoline derivatives are important compounds. In this paper, Isoquinoline C1 and C3 Sulfone compounds have been synthesized by electrochemical means using isoquinoline N‐Oxides and some sodium benzenesulfinate as reactants, inexpensive and easily available sodium iodide as electrolytes, and a mixture of acetonitrile, water and acetic acid as reaction solvents. By using the method, a series of isoquinoline sulfone compounds have been synthesized in high yields. The reaction does not need oxidants and catalysts, and the reaction conditions are mild, environmentally friendly, efficient and suitable. In addition, we also carried out ALS enzyme inhibition experiments on the synthesized isoquinoline sulfone compounds, six of the isoquinoline sulfone compounds synthesized herein were found to inhibit ALS enzyme at a high rate, four of them inhibited ALS enzyme at a rate comparable to that of the commercialized herbicides Halosulfuron and Broadstrike, and the other two compounds also inhibited ALS enzyme at a rate higher than that of Halosulfuron and Broadstrike. Therefore, it is possible to find lead compounds with good herbicidal activity potential from these 6 compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well water quality has been characterized with constant and continuous changes via the interaction of rock, soil and natural nano-filters which terminates at the aquiferous layer for clean well-water collection. The continuous exploration and production of crude oil has resulted significant increase of unwanted elements such as naturally occurring radionuclides in the water-bed which necessitates this study. The study determines the radionuclides based health impact or hazards associated with drinking water from crude oil exploration/production release in Ughievwen and Udu communities of Delta State, Nigeria. Sixty well water samples (three samples from each community) were collected and analyzed using sodium iodide (Nal (Tl)) detector. The obtained mean values of 238U, 232Th and 40K are 6.91 ± 1.62BqL-1, 4.39 ± 1.47 BqL-1 and 24.54 ± 1.59 BqL-1 respectively. The 238U, 232Th and 40K results showed that the measured values are higher than the world standard (UNSCEAR; WHO) and the control values The mean values of total annual effective dose of different age groups are: 11.08 mSvy-1, 2.54 mSvy-1, 1.93 mSvy-1, 2.52 mSvy-1, 7.03 mSvy-1 and 1.12 mSvy-1 respectively. While the mean committed effective dose of adult is 55.94 mSvy-1. The total annual effective dose, committed effective dose, cancer risks and hereditary effects are all lower than recommended limit (WHO; ICRP; USEPA) and reported scientific values except 11.08 mSvy-1 and 7.03 mSvy-1 that are higher than limit. It is evident from obtained results that the drinking water may not be radiologically safe for use by the public, which necessitates routine monitoring and caution to circumvent increase in radiation and the radiological of the studied communities' drinking water. This is to avoid long term radiological risk arising from accumulation of such release in the studied communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premature loss of root canal-treated primary teeth has long been a concern in dentistry. To address this, researchers developed a sodium iodide-based root canal-filling material as an alternative to traditional iodoform-based materials. The goal of this study was to improve the physicochemical properties of the sodium iodide-based material to meet clinical use standards. To resolve high solubility issues in the initial formulation, researchers adjusted component ratios and added new ingredients, resulting in a new paste called L5. This study compared L5 with L0 (identical composition minus lanolin) and Vitapex as controls, conducting physicochemical and antibacterial tests. Results showed that L5 met all ISO 6876 standards, demonstrated easier injection and irrigation properties than Vitapex, and exhibited comparable antibacterial efficacy to Vitapex, which is currently used clinically. The researchers conclude that if biological stability is further verified, L5 could potentially be presented as a new option for root canal-filling materials in primary teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon neutralization has promoted the identification of new types of energy storage devices. Aqueous iodine batteries (AIBs) with reversible iodine redox activity are considered a viable candidate for stationary energy storage units and thus have recently drawn extensive research interest. Herein, we introduce an aqueous manganese iodine battery (AMIB), utilizing sodium iodide (NaI) as a redox‐active additive in the Mn(ClO4)2 (NMC) electrolyte, activated carbon (AC) as a redox host and Mn ions as the charge carrier. Taking advantage of enhanced kinetics facilitated by I2/2I− redox activity, our suggested AMIBs can be electrochemically charged/discharged with only a 6 % loss in capacity after 2,000 cycles at a low current density of 0.3 A g−1 in an AC||AC coin cell configuration. Moreover, the AC||Zn−Mn hybrid full‐cell configuration is also established with AC and a Zn−Mn anode involving the NMC electrolyte, which retains a high energy of 185 Wh kg−1 at a specific power of 2,600 W kg−1. Overall, the AMIBs in this study preferred I2/I− conversion chemistry, yielding stable cycle stability, rate performance, and low capacity loss per cycle when compared to Manganese Ion Batteries (MIBs) which are based on Mn2+ intercalation chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Inorganic Analytical Chemistry / Zhongguo Wuji Fenxi Huaxue is the property of Beijing Research Institute of Mining & Metallurgy Technology Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The radio nuclear quality radio activity (40K,232Th, and 238U) was measured. by (Iodide Sodium standard system activated with Thallium 3x3, NaI(Tl) Detector). Four samples of soils were collected at a depth (5cm-20cm) from the various locations in University of Karbala in the city of Karbala. to calibrate detector (137Cs,60Co and 22Na) were used. Through the comparing between The results in this search and the international standards for soil pollution showed that the activity concentrations values of 238U.232Th, and 40K are lower than international recommended limits. Radium equivalent activity as well as the annual dosage that works values are lower than the maximum permissible levels recommended by world health organization, In both stations, the values of the internal and external hazard indexes as well as gamma activity concentration were less than unity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to estimate the level of radioactivity and its risks as a result of eating some food additives collected from the Iraqi market due to their frequent use in Iraqis' food. The study of these materials together was the first locally. Sodium Iodide NaI (Tl) detector was used to measure the concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K. The average value of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in processed products were 5.230, 3.294 and 246.395 Bq.kg-1, while for additives products were 4.287, 2.541 and 118.307 Bq.kg-1, respectively. For all age groups (y < 3, 3 < y < 10, y ≥ 10), annual committed effective dose μSv with an average values 0.023, 0.012 and 0.014 respectively, equivalent dose for stomach with an average 119, 146 and 170 *10-5 ms.y-1 respectively, also equivalent dose ms.y-1 for large intestine with an average 8.312, 4.266 and 4.985*10-5 ms.y-1 respectively . Over life cancer risk, the International Commission on Radiation Protection's recommended detriment adjusted nominal risk coefficients and estimated committed effective dose were multiplied to calculate the estimated lifetime cancer risks of 8.312*10-5, 4.266*10-5, and 4.985*10-5 respectively .These estimated values are significantly lower than the 2.5 x 10-3 ICRP cancer risk based on an annual dose limit of 1mSv for the general public, which results in an annual death probability of 10-5, or 1 in 100,000. The estimated values are less than the global permissible value ICRP and NCRP reports, which means that the materials studied and consumed in abundance are safe for health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the activity and concentration of natural radionuclides were determined for 40K, 232Th, and 238U in from the ancient city Nippur (Nefer), located in Al-Qadisiyah Governorate. study the activity concentrations by using a scintillation detector (3" x 3") and measure radionuclides' qualitative effectiveness for these items. The sodium iodide activated by Thallium NaI (Tl) has been used to perform the activity measurements. 15 samples had their natural radioactivity levels assessed at three different depths: 5cm, 50cm, and 1m . 40K, Th232, and 238U had average specific activities of (143.446±1.024, 13.848±0.305, and 10.779±0.418) Bq/kg in depth (5)cm, (133.498±1.016, 13.48±0.331 and 10.701±0.416) Bq/kg in depth (50) cm, and( 100) m. 40K, 232Th, and 238U had average specific activities of (53.527±1.067, 15.305±0.348, and 10.849±0.417) Bq/kg. correspondingly for each of the three depths, the average radium equivalent activity was(41.545±0.965, 40.130±0.828,44.430±0.995) Bq/kg. For each of the three depths, the corresponding internal and external risk factors were (0.106±0.000258,0.142±0.00038),(0.105±0.000227,0.136±0.000347), (0.118±0.000256, 0.129±0.00038). For each of the three depths, the representative levels index's average values were (0.323±0.000727, 0.294±0.000581, 0.329±0.00129). The average internal and exterior absorbed dose levels for each of the three depths were expressed in (nGy/h) (17.681 ±0.436, 18.882±0.384, 20.586±0.449). Values of the internal and exterior annual effective dosage equivalents for the same three depths, respectively (0.09±0.0000175, 0.0194±0.0000949) mSv/y, (0.09±0.0000175, ±0.0000476) mSv/y, (0.098±0.000258, 0.024±0.0000554) mSv/y. average value of lifetime risk of cancer from the three consecutive depths were (0.300±000818 x10-3), (0.398±0.0720 x10-3), (0.364±0.000941 x10-3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to examine the environmental reality by calculating the concentrations of lead and Bismuth Pb^214,Pb^212& Bi^212,Bi^214 from Al- Nasiriyah and Al-Hartha thermoelectrically power plants and the extent of pollution resulting from the use of oil from oil wells or stations in southern Iraq. In this research, fifteen samples were collected from Al-Nasiriya and Al-Hartha thermoelectrically power plants from different locations within the mentioned plants, seven from the Nasiriyah thermoelectrically power plant and eight from the Al-Hartha thermoelectrically power plant The presence of the elements lead and bismuth, which are not good in all respects, They were found through a curve energy by using a sodium iodide detector system doped with thallium NaI(Tl) with dimensions of 3 x 3 and a measurement time of three hour. The focus on these two components in this piece of writing exactly concentrations it is higher than the world wide limit by UNSCEAR (30 Bq /kg) for Lead & (2.5 Bq/kg) for Bismuth in fly ash, Note that there is a sample within the permissible limit or less than it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on modulation of iodine uptake by thyroid cells could help improve radioiodine treatment of dogs with thyroid tumors. The aim of this study was to characterize the immunohistochemical expression of thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), thyroglobulin, thyrotropin receptor (TSHR), sodium iodide symporter (NIS), pendrin, thyroid peroxidase (TPO), vimentin, and Ki-67 in follicular cell thyroid carcinomas (FTCs) and medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs), and to compare protein expression between FTC causing hyperthyroidism and FTC of euthyroid dogs. Immunohistochemistry was performed in 25 FTCs (9 follicular, 8 follicular-compact, and 8 compact) and 8 MTCs. FTCs and MTCs were positive for TTF-1, and expression was higher in FTCs of euthyroid dogs compared with FTCs of hyperthyroid dogs (P =.041). Immunolabeling for thyroglobulin was higher in follicular and follicular-compact FTCs compared with compact FTCs (P =.001), while vimentin expression was higher in follicular-compact FTCs compared with follicular FTCs (P =.011). The expression of TSHR, NIS, pendrin, and TPO was not significantly different among the different subtypes of FTCs or between FTCs causing hyperthyroidism and FTCs in euthyroid dogs. TSHR, NIS, pendrin, and TPO were also expressed in MTCs. Ki-67 labeling index was comparable between FTCs and MTCs, and between FTCs causing hyperthyroidism and FTCs in euthyroid dogs. Proteins of iodine transport were also expressed in canine MTCs, which could have implications for diagnosis and treatment. The different expression of thyroglobulin and vimentin between FTC histological subtypes could reflect variations in tumor differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Sunyatseni / Zhongshan Daxue Xuebao is the property of Sun-Yat-Sen University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: To characterize the influence of female-specific hormones on women's thyroid function, the study investigated the influence of extra progestin from oral contraceptives on inducing thyroid dysfunction. Methods: Sixty female Wistar rats were divided into six groups based on levonorgestrel or desogestrel administration as the main active agents: control, low (0.0039 mg*20-fold), medium (0.0039 mg*100-fold), high (0.0318 mg*100-fold) levonorgestrel (pure product); and low (0.0083 mg*20-fold) and high (0.0083 mg*100-fold) desogestrel (pure product). Progestin was administered by gavage every 4 days for 1 month. Statistical analysis was performed using oneway analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Following levonorgestrel gavage, serum free T4 and thyroidstimulating hormone levels were significantly lower in the experimental group than that in the control group (p=0.013 and 0.043). After desogestrel gavage, the serum free T4 and free T3 levels were lower in the experimental group than that in the control group (p=0.019 and 0.030). Thyroid hormone antibody concentrations were lower in rats administered levonorgestrel and desogestrel than that in control rats. Moreover, exposure to progestin upregulated the expression of the thyroidstimulating hormone receptor and sodium iodide symporter in thyroid. Discussion: Progestin stimulation enhanced the proliferation of follicular epithelial cells in rat thyroid tissues. Progestin exposure could cause thyroid dysfunction by upregulating the transcription of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor and sodium iodide symporter in thyroid, thus inducing pathomorphological changes in rats' thyroid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study measured the naturally occurring radionuclides (238U, 232Th, and 40K) in sixteen selected soils samples of Irele local government area in Ondo state, southwestern Nigeria using a thallium-doped sodium iodide gamma-ray spectrometry detector. The values of concentration of natural radionuclides in the soils ranged from 16.18–32.16 with a mean value of 27.58 Bq.kg−1, 10.38–24.15 with a mean value of 16.92 Bq.kg−1, and 321.13–528.18 with a mean value of 423.05 Bq.kg−1 for 238U, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. The values of the assessed radiological parameters (absorbed gamma dose rate in air, annual effective dose rate, radium equivalent activity, and the external hazard index) are found to range from 30.81–47.11 with a mean value of 40.60 nGy.h−1, 0.19–0.29 with a mean value of 0.25 mSv.y−1, 62.53–98.25 with a mean value of 84.35 Bq.kg−1 and 0.17–0.27 with a mean value of 0.23, respectively. The obtained values are lower than the recommended world average of 33, 45, and 450 Bq.kg−1 for 238U, 232Th, and 40K published by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid follicular tumours may take up iodide via the sodium‐iodide symporter. Knowledge of iodide uptake could then allow treatment with I‐131 in dogs with high‐risk tumours. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between clinically detectable iodide uptake (as determined by scintigraphy and/or thyroxine concentrations) and sodium iodide symporter immunohistochemical labelling on histologically fixed thyroid tumours. Nineteen dogs were identified who were diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma and underwent surgery from November 2017 to July 2021. All had recorded thyroid hormone concentrations and were hyperthyroid and/or underwent preoperative nuclear imaging using planar scintigraphy (technetium‐99m or I‐123), or I‐124 PET‐CT. All dogs subsequently underwent surgery to remove the thyroid mass. Twenty‐two tumours were submitted for histopathologic analysis immediately following surgery, which confirmed a diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma for each tumour. Images and/or thyroid hormone concentrations were reviewed for the included cases, and tumours were sorted into an avid/functional group (group 1) and a non‐avid/functional group (group 2). The tumour tissues were re‐examined histologically using sodium iodide symporter (NIS) immunohistochemistry (IHC). Group 1 contained 15 avid/functional tumours. Twelve of these tumours had membranous NIS IHC labelling. Group 2 contained 7 non‐avid tumours. One of these tumours had membranous NIS IHC labelling. This resulted in an overall sensitivity and specificity for identification of avid/functional tumours with membranous NIS of 80.0% and 85.7%, respectively. NIS IHC may predict ion trapping in canine follicular thyroid tumours. Further studies using iodide‐based imaging are warranted to better determine the clinical utility of this diagnostic modality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital pulse processing unit is the main part of a digital gamma spectrometer. There has been recent interest in implementing this unit using microcontroller chips rather than FPGA chips. In this paper, we aim to implement a digital pulse processing unit using a Cortex-M4-based microcontroller. The Cortex-M4 microprocessor features DSP capabilities. The proposed design is tested using a sodium iodide detector. It achieves acceptable energy resolution at moderate input count rates. The proposed design in this paper achieves a four times higher throughput than the throughput achieved by our previously proposed Cortex-M3-based design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a conceptually novel polynomial encoding algorithm for simulating potential energy operators encoded in diagonal unitary forms in a quantum computing machine. The current trend in quantum computational chemistry is effective experimentation to achieve high-precision quantum computational advantage. However, high computational gate complexity and fidelity loss are some of the impediments to the realization of this advantage in a real quantum hardware. In this study, we address the challenges of building a diagonal Hamiltonian operator having exponential functional form, and its implementation in the context of the time evolution problem (Hamiltonian simulation and encoding). Potential energy operators when represented in the first quantization form is an example of such types of operators. Through systematic decomposition and construction, we demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed polynomial encoding method in reducing gate complexity from O (2 n) to O ∑ i = 1 r n C r (for some r ≪ n ). This offers a solution with lower complexity in comparison to the conventional Hadamard basis encoding approach. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm was validated with its implementation in the IBM quantum simulator and IBM quantum hardware. This study demonstrates the proposed approach by taking the example of the potential energy operator of the sodium iodide molecule (NaI) in the first quantization form. The numerical results demonstrate the potential applicability of the proposed method in quantum chemistry problems, while the analytical bound for error analysis and computational gate complexity discussed, throw light on issues regarding its implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying iodine fertilizers to cultivate iodine-rich crops for daily intake is an effective approach for iodine supplementation, especially for aromatic rice. Field experiments were conducted during the early growing seasons of 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the impacts of foliar application of iodine fertilizer on aromatic rice and to explore the optimal iodine fertilizer concentration. At the full heading stage, six different concentrations of sodium iodide solutions of 0% (CK), 0.010% (T1), 0.025% (T2), 0.050% (T3), 0.075% (T4), and 0.100% (T5) were applied to indica aromatic rice cultivars Meixiangzhan 2 and Xiangyaxiangzhan. The results showed that sodium iodide treatments significantly increased the iodine and sodium contents in both leaves and grains. Compared with the CK, the T1 and T2 treatments increased the 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) content in mature grains by 8.41%‒101.66% and 13.58%‒ 74.60%, respectively. Improvements in the contents of 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid, proline, 1-pyrroline, and methylglyoxal, as well as the activity of proline dehydrogenase were also detected. Additionally, sodium iodide treatments remarkably decreased the chalky grain rate, chalkiness area, and chalkiness degree of aromatic rice, with the T2 treatment exhibiting a 17.79%‒47.42% decrease in chalkiness degree compared with the CK. Meanwhile, T1 and T2 treatments showed beneficial impacts on chlorophyll content, photosynthetic characteristics, and yield components, while T3, T4, and T5 treatments exhibited adverse effects on leaf and grain yields. The linear discriminant analysis revealed significant differences between treatments. The correlation analysis and piecewise structural equation modeling showed that the iodine and sodium influenced the photosynthetic characteristics and chlorophyll content of the leaves, thereby regulating the 2-AP biosynthesis and yield components, ultimately affecting the 2-AP content and yield. Overall, this study suggests that foliar application of 0.025% sodium iodide is an effective method to enrich the iodine content in rice grains, improve the grain aroma and appearance quality of aromatic rice, without detrimental effects on grain yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascularized composite allografts (VCA) face ischemic challenges due to their limited availability. Reperfusion following ischemia triggers oxidative stress and immune reactions, and scavenger molecules could mitigate ischemia–reperfusion injuries and, therefore, immune rejection. We compared two scavengers in a myocutaneous flap VCA model. In total, 18 myocutaneous flap transplants were performed in Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-defined miniature swine. In the MATCH group (n = 9), donors and recipients had minor antigen mismatch, while the animals were fully mismatched in the MISMATCH group (n = 9). Grafts were pretreated with saline, sodium iodide (NaI), or hydrogen sulfide (H2S), stored at 4 °C for 3 h, and then transplanted. Flaps were monitored until clinical rejection without immunosuppression. In the MATCH group, flap survival did not significantly differ between the saline and hydrogen sulfide treatments (p = 0.483) but was reduced with the sodium iodide treatment (p = 0.007). In the MISMATCH group, survival was similar between the saline and hydrogen sulfide treatments (p = 0.483) but decreased with the sodium iodide treatment (p = 0.007). Rhabdomyolysis markers showed lower but non-significant levels in the experimental subgroups for both the MATCH and MISMATCH animals. This study provides insightful data for the field of antioxidant-based approaches in VCA and transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to apply the principles of analytical quality by design (AQbD) to the analytical method for determining the radiochemical purity (PQR) of the radiopharmaceutical sodium iodide 131I oral solution, utilizing thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with a radio–TLC scanner, which also enables the evaluation of product quality. For AQbD, the analytical target profile (ATP), critical quality attributes (CQA), risk management, and the method operable design region (MODR) were defined through response surface methodology to optimize the method using MINITAB® 19 software. This study encompassed the establishment of a control strategy and the validation of the method, including the assessment of selectivity, linearity, precision, robustness, detection limit, quantification limit, range, and the stability of the sample solution. Under the experimental conditions, the method parameters of the TLC scanner were experimentally demonstrated and optimized with an injection volume of 3 µL, a radioactive concentration of 10 mCi/mL, and a carrier volume of 40 µL. Statistical analysis confirmed the method's selectivity for the 131I iodide band Rf of 0.8, a radiochemical impurity IO3− Rf of 0.6, a linearity from 6.0 to 22.0 mCi/mL, and an intermediate precision with a global relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.624%. The method also exhibited robustness, with a global RSD of 0.101%, a detection limit of 0.09 mCi/mL, and a quantification limit of 0.53 Ci/mL, meeting the prescribed range and displaying stability over time (at 0, 2, and 20 h) with a global RSD of 0.362%, resulting in consistent outcomes. The development of a method based on AQbD facilitated the creation of a design space and an operational space, with comprehensive knowledge of the method's characteristics and limitations. Additionally, throughout all operations, compliance with the acceptance criteria was verified. The method's validity was confirmed under the established conditions, making it suitable for use in the manufacturing process of sodium iodide 131I and application in nuclear medicine services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adjuvant systemic therapies effectively reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence and metastasis, but therapy resistance can develop in some patients due to breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Oncolytic adenovirus (OAd) represents a promising therapeutic approach as it can specifically target cancer cells. However, its potential to target BCSCs remains unclear. Here, we evaluated a Cox-2 promoter-controlled, Ad5/3 fiber-modified OAd designed to encode the human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) in breast cancer models. To confirm the potential of OAds to target BCSCs, we employed BCSC-enriched estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) paclitaxel-resistant (TaxR) cells and tumorsphere assays. OAd-hNIS demonstrated significantly enhanced binding and superior oncolysis in breast cancer cells, including ER+ cells, while exhibiting no activity in normal mammary epithelial cells. We observed improved NIS expression as the result of adenovirus death protein deletion. OAd-hNIS demonstrated efficacy in targeting TaxR BCSCs, exhibiting superior killing and hNIS expression compared to the parental cells. Our vector was capable of inhibiting tumorsphere formation upon early infection and reversing paclitaxel resistance in TaxR cells. Importantly, OAd-hNIS also destroyed already formed tumorspheres seven days after their initiation. Overall, our findings highlight the promise of OAd-hNIS as a potential tool for studying and targeting ER+ breast cancer recurrence and metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the excellent stability, researchers have shown great interest in quasi two–dimensional (2D) perovskite in recent years. However, the poor film quality and low photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2D perovskite solar cells are still a major issue that restricts them from catching up with three–dimensional (3D) perovskite. Herein, we introduce sodium iodide as an additive to improve the surface coverage of 2D perovskite ((BA)2(MA)3Pb4I13) films and reduce the number of grain boundaries. Steady–state photoluminescence (PL) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) indicate that non–radiative defects are suppressed and the band alignment is regulated. After modified by NaI, the film surface coverage enhances and the number of holes decreases. As a result, the PCE of device with NaI increases from 13.63 % to 16.40 % at optimal concentration, and the hysteresis effect is also suppressed. Besides, the humidity and thermal stability of perovskite are enhanced. The device with NaI modification can keep 80 % of initial efficiency, compared to 30 % for reference device after stored 30 days under ambient air condition. This work provides a simple method to improve the quality of quasi 2D perovskite films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of natural radionuclides in soil samples from artisanal gold mine sites in Iperindo, Nigeria was conducted using different analysis methods. Soil samples collected across three locations and within a control area were analyzed using well-calibrated gamma spectroscopy fitted with a sodium iodide detector. The average activity concentrations (ranges) of 238U, 232Th, and 40 K were found to be 61.55 ± 13.97 (33.40–87.00) Bqkg−1, 72.65 ± 16.83 (41.90–105.10) Bqkg−1, and 1134.99 ± 142.24 (720.50–1722.10) Bqkg−1, respectively for the mining areas and 15.26 ± 6.96 (10.90–20.10) Bqkg−1, 21.46 ± 9.35 (17.40–25.30) Bqkg−1, and 381.04 ± 51.27 (280.30–511.70) Bqkg−1, respectively for the control locations. The average activity concentrations of the radionuclides assessed were above the worldwide permissible limits for the Iperindo mining areas and below the worldwide average for the control areas. The investigation also assessed various radiological parameters, encompassing the radium equivalent, dose rate, annual effective dose rate, internal and external hazard indices, alpha and gamma indices, annual gonadal equivalent, and excess lifetime cancer risk. The recorded values for mine locations were 252.83 Bqkg−1, 119.98 nGyh−1, 0.15 mSvy−1, 0.85 Bqkg−1, 0.68 Bqkg−1, 0.31 Bqkg−1, 1.89 Bqkg−1, 850.23 μSvy−1, and 0.52 × 10−3, respectively. Except for the radium equivalent, external and internal hazard risks, and the alpha index, which were notably below the recommended threshold, all the other radiological parameters exceeded the globally advised limits. All the radiological parameters from the control areas were below the worldwide average values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of sodium metal batteries (SMBs) is known for their low cost and high energy density. However, a major concern in SMBs is the formation of dendrites on the Na metal anode, which can potentially cause short circuits and compromise safety. Herein, to address this issue, we propose a novel approach to create a protective layer by decorating Na surface with NaI particles. This protective layer exhibits a high Young's modulus and excellent sodium ion transference ability. As a result, the lifespan of the Na/NaI||Na/NaI cell is significantly extended to 850 h at 0.5 mA cm−2/1 mAh cm−2. Furthermore, when the Na/NaI anode is combined with a Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) cathode, the full cell retains 83 mAh g−1 (approximately 94% of its initial capacity) even after 1500 cycles at 5 C. Overall, this work presents a simple and effective method for establishing a protective layer on the Na surface, thereby enabling the realization of long lifespan and stable SMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[18F]tetrafluoroborate (TFB) has been introduced as the 18F-labeled PET imaging probe for the human sodium iodide symporter (NIS). Noninvasive NIS imaging using [18F]TFB has received much interest in recent years for evaluating various NIS-expressing tumors. Cancers are a global concern with enormous implications; therefore, improving diagnostic methods for accurate detection of cancer is extremely important. Our aim was to investigate the PET imaging capabilities of [18F]TFB in NIS-transfected lung cell line A549 and endogenous NIS-expressing tumor cells, such as thyroid cancer K1 and gastric cancer MKN45, and broaden its application in the medical field. Western blot and flow cytometry were used to assess the NIS expression level. Radioactivity counts of [18F]TFB, in vitro, in the three tumor cells were substantially higher than those in the KI inhibition group in the uptake experiment. In vivo PET imaging clearly delineated the three tumors based on the specific accumulation of [18F]TFB in a mouse model. Ex vivo biodistribution investigation showed high [18F]TFB absorption in the tumor location, which was consistent with the PET imaging results. These results support the use of NIS-transfected lung cell line A549 and NIS-expressing tumor cells MKN45 and K1, to investigate probing capabilities of [18F]TFB. We also demonstrate, for the first time, the feasibility of [18F]TFB in diagnosing stomach cancer. In conclusion, this study illustrates the promising future of [18F]TFB for tumor diagnosis and NIS reporter imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radioactive iodine therapy and posttreatment scanning are essential components of differentiated thyroid carcinoma treatment and detection of metastatic disease. False-positive results can be seen on an I-131 scan and are important for clinicians to be aware of. Here, we present a case of a 33-year-old female with follicular thyroid carcinoma who was noted to have an area of moderate uptake in the chest on a whole-body scan following remnant ablation with 30 mCi of I-131 (1.11GBq) concerning for a metastatic hilar lymph node. This was determined to be a mediastinal bronchogenic cyst on surgical pathology. It has been previously proposed that the expression of sodium iodide symporters in some bronchogenic cysts could be the mechanism by which iodine uptake is seen within them. We were able to demonstrate positive immunohistochemical staining for both sodium iodide symporter and the associated paired box gene 8 transcription factor in the cyst sample, which supports the proposed theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical findings associated with nasal, cutaneous and systemic fusariosis in a 3‐year‐old billy Boer goat are summarised. The clinical features, treatment, postmortem findings and laboratory diagnostics are reported and discussed in the context of existing knowledge on mycoses of small ruminants. The goat presented primarily for respiratory signs (inspiratory dyspnoea) with unilateral left‐sided mucopurulent nasal discharge, and multifocal variably ulcerative and necrotic cutaneous nodules. Histopathology of nasal and cutaneous biopsies revealed necrotising pyogranulomatous inflammation with intralesional septate hyphal elements that correlated with culture of Fusarium oxysporum. The patient continued to deteriorate clinically during treatment with oxytetracycline and meloxicam, with the addition of sodium iodide and potassium iodide, and was humanely euthanased. Postmortem examination revealed multifocal nodular lesions throughout the kidneys, abdominal lymph nodes and lungs. These lesions were consistent with those identified antemortem from which F. oxysporum was cultured. Although treatment was unsuccessful, to the author's knowledge, no instance of rhinofacial or systemic caprine infection with Fusarium spp. has been documented in the veterinary literature, making this the first recognised instance of this form of infection in small ruminant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a new method for synthesizing esters and carboxylic acids using copper-catalyzed carbonylative coupling reactions. The traditional methods for synthesis often involve harsh conditions and hazardous chemicals, but this new approach offers a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative. The authors optimized the reaction conditions and demonstrated the scope and limitations of the process. The document also provides detailed procedures and characterization data for specific compounds synthesized using this method. Further research is being conducted to expand the scope of this method. [Extracted from the article]

Polymer‐in‐salt‐electrolytes (PISEs) are an important class of electrolytes as they carry the promise of faster and single ion transport. Unfortunately, due to unavailability of a suitable polymer host PISE has still not reached to commercial level. In the present work, using a novel synthesis protocol developed by the group, glutaraldehyde crosslinked wheat starch has been successfully modified with sodium iodide (NaI) to synthesize a flexible PISE membrane with desired electrochemical properties. Present paper reports the effect of crosslinker and exposure to high humidity ambience on electrochemical and morphological properties. It has been established that on exposure to higher humidity atmosphere starch‐based PISEs stabilize at lower resistance value, but with higher ion relaxation time, which indicates that effect of high humidity treatment is more on salt dissociation instead of assisting the ion transport. The studied materials have conductivity ≈0.01 S cm−1 range with ESW >2.5 V, ensuring its usability in electrochemical devices. The developed synthesis protocol does not require any complicated synthesis route and/or sophisticated instrument hence the overall process is economical also, adding up to its potentiality for energy device fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvinyl alcohol‐based polymeric films with NaI and ionic liquid (1‐Butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium hexafluorophosphate) have been developed by using the solution cast method. The produced polymer electrolyte sheets were evaluated using various methods. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was utilized to measure the conductivity of the polymeric films, and the ionic liquid doped films showed an increase with a maximum at 6 wt% ionic liquid with a value for conductivity of 4.545 × 10−4 S cm−1. The morphological features of the most conductive polymer were further investigated using polarized optical microscopy and x‐ray diffraction. Ionic doping causes an increase in the amorphous nature. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, an excellent complexity between PVA, salt NaI, and ionic liquid was assessed. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to inspect the polymer films' thermal stability. The highest conducting sample was used for manufacturing an electric double‐layer capacitor. The behavior of manufactured electric double‐layer capacitor has been evaluated through EIS, CV, and GCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for the synthesis of (E)‐vinyl sulfones and alkynyl sulfones through the cleavage of thiosulfonate promoted by the formation of EDA complexes under visible light irradiation at room temperature without the need for other metal catalysts is described. The mechanism study shows that sodium iodide and thiosulfonate form EDA complexes under visible light irradiation, resulting in a single‐electron transfer cleavage to generate sulfonyl radicals, which then react with olefins or alkynes to produce (E)‐vinyl sulfones or alkynyl sulfones, respectively. This method is applicable to 44 olefin and alkyne substrates, with yields ranging from 38% to 90%, providing a radical synthesis approach for the preparation of sulfonylated compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid oxidation in food products is a crucial problem that causes undesirable changes in the food's flavor, texture, and nutritional value. It should be carefully monitored as it can lead to the formation of potentially toxic compounds and in that way reduce the shelf life of the product. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry is a powerful tool to monitor the formation of oxidized lipids. However, the presence of lipid species in both their non-oxidized and oxidized forms at distinctly different concentrations can hinder the detection and identification of the less abundant oxidized species, due to coelution. In this study, a flow injection mass spectrometry approach was used to selectively ionize oxidized triacylglycerols versus their non-oxidized precursors. Three mobile phase additives were investigated (ammonium formate, sodium acetate, and sodium iodide) at three different concentrations, and ion source settings (i.e., sheath gas temperature, capillary voltage, and nozzle voltage) were optimized. A fractional factorial design was conducted to examine not only the direct effect of the operating parameters on the selectivity of ionization for the oxidized lipid species, but also to assess their combined effect. Overall, selective ionization of oxidized versus non-oxidized lipid species was favored by the use of sodium-containing solvent additives. The application of specific ion source settings resulted in an increased ionization selectivity, with sheath gas temperature and capillary voltage having the most significant influence. A selectivity factor as high as 120 could be reached by combining 0.1 mg/mL sodium-containing additives, with 250 °C sheath gas temperature and 5000 V capillary voltage. These findings will contribute to future studies on fast detection and relative quantification of low abundant oxidized triacylglycerols and their possible impact on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fermented beetroot juice is a beverage obtained from the fermentation of beetroot, most commonly red beet (Beta vulgaris L. var. conditiva). Nowadays, this product is increasingly recognised as a functional food with potentially beneficial health properties. It has been suggested to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antihypertensive, immunomodulatory, and probiotic effects, among others. Moreover, with the increasing popularity of the drink, newer variants are appearing in the food market, obtained by modifying the traditional recipe, adding other raw materials, herbs, and spices. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antioxidant potential and phytochemical composition of the selected fermented beetroot juices in different flavour variants available in the Polish food market. The study material consisted of six fermented beetroot juices: traditional, with garlic, with horseradish, with acerola, without salt, and iodized. The obtained results showed that the addition of acerola, horseradish, garlic, salt, and iodine in the form of sodium iodide and potassium iodide influenced the composition and properties of fermented beetroot juice. The most promising product in terms of potentially beneficial health properties related to the prevention of free radical diseases was fermented beetroot juice without salt (FRAP—5663.40 µM Fe (II)/L, ABTS—96.613%, TPC—760.020 mg GAE/L, TFC—221.280 mg RE/L). Iodized fermented beetroot juice had the highest vitamin C content—51.859 mg/100 mL. However, all the products tested were characterised by a significant content of biologically active substances with antioxidant properties and showed a high antioxidant potential. Moreover, all the fermented beetroot juices were rated positively in terms of flavour intensity, sweetness, acidity, colour, and overall acceptability. They can, therefore, be a good source of antioxidants in the daily diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the use of sodium iodide (NaI), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethyl alcohol, and ethyl acetate as cone-beam CT (CBCT) contrast agents for diagnosing cracked teeth. The optimal delay time for detecting the number of crack lines beyond the dentino-enamel junction (Nd), the number of cracks extending from the occlusal surface to the pulp cavity (Np), and the depth of the crack lines was explored. Methods: 14 human extracted cracked teeth were collected, 12 were used for enhanced scanning, and 2 were used for exploring the characteristic of crack lines. The teeth were scanned in 3 CBCT enhanced scanning (ES) modes: ES1 using meglumine diatrizoate (MD); ES2 using NaI and DMSO, ES3 using NaI, DMSO, ethyl alcohol and ethyl acetate. Three delay times (15mins, 30mins, and 60mins) were set for scanning. Nd, Np, and depth of crack lines were evaluated. Results: There were totally 24 crack lines on 12 cracked teeth. Nd was 10 in ES1 at 60mins, 24 in ES2 at 60mins and 24 in ES3 at 15mins. Np was 1 in ES1 at 60mins, 10 in ES2 at 60mins and 21 in ES3 at 60mins, and there were significantly different among them (p

Premature loss of root canal-treated primary teeth has long been a concern in dentistry. To address this, researchers developed a sodium iodide-based root canal-filling material as an alternative to traditional iodoform-based materials. The goal of this study was to improve the physicochemical properties of the sodium iodide-based material to meet clinical use standards. To resolve high solubility issues in the initial formulation, researchers adjusted component ratios and added new ingredients, resulting in a new paste called L5. This study compared L5 with L0 (identical composition minus lanolin) and Vitapex as controls, conducting physicochemical and antibacterial tests. Results showed that L5 met all ISO 6876 standards, demonstrated easier injection and irrigation properties than Vitapex, and exhibited comparable antibacterial efficacy to Vitapex, which is currently used clinically. The researchers conclude that if biological stability is further verified, L5 could potentially be presented as a new option for root canal-filling materials in primary teeth.

The article discusses the challenges in evaluating and following up surgical intervention for congenital hydronephrosis, a condition characterized by the swelling of the kidneys due to urine buildup. The authors highlight the various methods that have been used over the years to diagnose and differentiate between obstructed and non-obstructed hydronephrosis, including perfusion tests, urography, and ultrasound. They also introduce a new ultrasound-based method for measuring the size of the hydronephrotic kidney before and after surgery. However, the authors emphasize the need for further research to determine how these morphological measurements correlate with kidney function and symptomatology. [Extracted from the article]

The handling of nitrification waste (NW) presents considerable safety risks due to its propensity for thermal runaway. This study investigates the influence of sodium bromide (NaBr) and sodium iodide (NaI) on the thermal breakdown properties of NW. The thermal stability and apparent activation energy (Ea) were examined using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyzer. The results demonstrate that the inclusion of NaBr and NaI modifies the thermal breakdown characteristics of NW. NaBr effectively decreases the Ea from 246.6 to 78.6 kJ mol−1 and enhances the onset temperature (To) from 141.0 to 107.7 °C during the initial decomposition stage. However, NaI reduces the Ea to 154.49 kJ mol−1 while having a negligible effect on the To. The findings indicate that the thermal behavior of NW can be altered by NaBr and NaI, providing valuable information for the development of safer handling and treatment methods. This study offers useful data for the advancement of enhanced safety standards in the management of NW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A feasibility study of gamma-gamma coincidence measurements in prompt gamma neutron activation analysis is carried out experimentally with a pulsed DT neutron generator, a polyethylene graphite cell and eight large NaI(Tl) scintillators. Detection limits are measured with multidimensional energy spectra created in gamma-gamma coincidence and compared to HPGe detector spectra. With a neutron emisison of 2.5 × 108 n.s−1, the detection limit for sulfur is about 15 g in 20 min, while the detection limit is larger than 200 g when using the HPGe detector spectra. Processing the summ of up to three coincident gamma-ray energies highlights useful signal for a dysprosium sample, and allows for detecting permanent magnets containing 4% mass dysprosium within a rotor mock-up composed of stainless steel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

KCTD family proteins typically assemble into cullin-RING E3 ligases. KCTD1 is an atypical member that functions instead as a transcriptional repressor. Mutations in KCTD1 cause developmental abnormalities and kidney fibrosis in scalp-ear-nipple syndrome. Here, we present unexpected mechanistic insights from the structure of human KCTD1. Disease-causing mutation P20S maps to an unrecognized extension of the BTB domain that contributes to both its pentameric structure and TFAP2A binding. The C-terminal domain (CTD) shares its fold and pentameric assembly with the GTP cyclohydrolase I feedback regulatory protein (GFRP) despite lacking discernible sequence similarity. Most surprisingly, the KCTD1 CTD establishes a central channel occupied by alternating sodium and iodide ions that restrict TFAP2A dissociation. The elucidation of the structure redefines the KCTD1 BTB domain fold and identifies an unexpected ion-binding site for future study of KCTD1's function in the ectoderm, neural crest, and kidney. [Display omitted] • Crystal structure of full-length human KCTD1 that forms a pentamer • The pre-BTB region is essential for TFAP2A binding and makes domain-swap interactions • C-terminal domain pentamer forms a central channel with bound sodium and iodide ions • The structure explains how mutations disrupt KCTD1 in scalp-ear-nipple syndrome Pinkas et al. determined the pentameric structure of full-length KCTD1 revealing a pre-BTB extension forming cyclic domain-swap interactions and a C-terminal domain forming a central channel occupied by sodium and iodide ions. Both features appear important for TFAP2A binding. The structure explains how mutations disrupt KCTD1 in scalp-ear-nipple syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• IR analysis shows the interactions/complexation between the constituents of electrolyte with SiO 2 nano-particles. • Incorporation of SiO 2 nano-particles into solid biopolymer matrix reduces degree of crystallinity. • Temperature dependent dc conductivity of NCBEs follows the Arrhenius type behavior. • The optimum ionic conductivity was found to be 4.92 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 30 °C for NCBE2 with ITN ∼ 0.99. • The photovoltaic performance of the fabricated DSSC on addition of SiO 2 has been improved with efficiency up to 5.03%. Nano-composite biopolymer electrolytes (NCBEs) based on Chitosan – Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) – Polyethylene glycol (PEG) – Sodium Iodide (NaI) – 50 wt% [BMIM][MeSO 4 ] (1-butyl-3-metylimidazolium methyl sulphate) were prepared by incorporating different amount of SiO 2 nano-particles using solution cast technique. The ionic conductivity, interaction between electrolyte constituents, structural property, surface morphology and thermal stability were demonstrated by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Xray-diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) respectively. Ionic conductivity study illustrated that sample with 0.4 wt% SiO 2 (NCBE2) has the maximum ionic conductivity value ∼4.92 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 30 °C. FTIR and XRD analysis confirmed the interaction of dopant salt, ionic liquid, and successful incorporation of SiO 2 nano-particles with the host biopolymer blend matrix. TGA analysis revealed multi-steps decomposition phenomenon of NCBEs. Ionic transference number (ITN) measurement depicted that the charge transportation in NCBEs occurred through ions mainly. The decomposition voltage at 2.05 V for NCBE-2 was evaluated by LSV measurement. To examine the effectiveness of SiO 2 nano-particles based NCBEs, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with 0.4 wt% SiO 2 and other without SiO 2 were fabricated. The highest solar conversion efficiency of 5.03 % was achieved for DSSC containing 0.4 wt% SiO 2 nano-particles. This is the first-time reporting on Chitosan based quasi-solid nano-composite bio-polymer electrolyte based DSSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]