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Summary: Background: Microplastics are environmental pollutants detected in various human organs and tissues. These particles originate from multiple sources including the degradation of larger plastic items and the intentional inclusion in consumer goods. Potential risks for human health resulting from microplastics exposure have also been reported. However, the distribution in the male reproductive system and its effect remains largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the presence of multiple microplastics in human semen and urine and their association with sperm quality in a multi-site study across China. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 113 male participants from three regions in China. Semen and urine samples were collected and analysed using Raman microscopy to detect eight types of microplastics: polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Semen quality parameters, including total sperm count, concentration, motility, and morphology, were assessed. Statistical analyses, including single and multi-variable models, were used to evaluate the relationship between microplastic exposure and semen quality, with a focus on PTFE, after adjusting confounding factors of age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol drinking, and sites. Findings: Microplastics were detected in all semen and urine samples, with participants typically exposed to 3–5 different types. The detection rates of PS, PP and PE were the highest. Notably, PTFE exposure was significantly associated with decreased semen quality. Participants exposed to PTFE showed reductions in total sperm count [188.90 ± 163.71 vs. 207.67 ± 132.36 million, p = 0.091], sperm concentration [52.13 ± 47.47 vs. 58.32 ± 37.26 million/mL, p = 0.041], and progressive motility [40.29% ± 19.06 vs. 34.11% ± 17.02, p = 0.083]. The multi-linear regression analysis indicated that each additional type of microplastic exposure was associated with a significant decrease in total sperm number [β = −15.4 (95% CI: −25.6, −5.2)], sperm concentration [β = −7.2 (95% CI: −12.4, −2.0)], and progressive motility [β = −8.3 (95% CI: −13.5, −3.1)]. Latent category analysis further refined these groups by types of microplastic exposure, highlighting specific types more strongly associated with decreased semen quality (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.8, 6.9, p

Polyaniline (PANI) is a commonly used electrochromic material due to its tunable optical properties under an applied potential. In order to fabricate large-area electrochromic devices, PANI has to be deposited uniformly in large scale. Unfortunately, the existing deposition techniques can hardly meet the requirement. In this work, sequential solution polymerization (SSP) technique is introduced for in-situ deposition of large-area PANI films. This process involves synthesis of hydrated vanadium pentoxide (HVO), formation of V2O5 precursor film and in-situ polymerization in an aniline monomer solution. PANI films with a size of 16 × 10 cm2 are realized using bar coating in ambient. This method is facile and efficient, compatible with roll-to-roll printing technology. Electrochromic devices based on SSP PANI films exhibit high optical contract in the vis-NIR region and good cyclability. This study demonstrates that SSP shows great potential in in-situ deposition of large-area PANI films for the development of optoelectronic modules.

Summary: Various in situ synthesis methods have been developed for the polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomers, such as electropolymerization, oxidative chemical vapor deposition, and vapor phase polymerization. Meeting industrial requirements through these techniques has, however, proven challenging. Here, we introduce an alternative method to fabricate highly conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) films in situ by solution means. The process involves sequential deposition of oxidants (V2O5 in this case) and monomers. Excess reactants and by-products can be completely removed from the PEDOT film by MeOH rinsing. The obtained PEDOT films possess good crystallinity and high doping level, with carrier concentration three orders of magnitude higher than that of the commercial product (PH1000, Heraeus GmbH). The electrical conductivity of the as-cast PEDOT film reaches up to 1,420 S/cm. In addition, this method is fully compatible with large-scale printing techniques. These PEDOT conducting films enable the realization of flexible touch sensors, which demonstrate superior flexibility and sensitivity. : Chemistry; Polymer Chemistry; Electronic Materials Subject Areas: Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Electronic Materials

Summary: Here we introduce a σ-hole-containing volatile solid additive, 1, 4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (A3), in PM6:Y6-based OSCs. Aside from the appropriate volatility of A3 additive, the synergetic halogen interactions between A3 and photoactive matrix contribute to more condensed and ordered molecular arrangement in the favorable interpenetrating donor/acceptor domains. As a result, greatly accelerated charge transport process with suppressed charge recombination possibility is observed and ultimately a champion PCE value of 16.5% is achieved. Notably, the A3 treated OSCs can maintain a high efficiency of over 16.0% in a wide concentration range of A3 additive between 10 and 35 mg/mL. The A3-treated device shows excellent stability with an efficiency of 15.9% after 360-h storage. This work demonstrates that the σ-hole interaction can be applied to enhance the OSC performance and highlights the importance of non-covalent interactions in the optoelectronic materials. : Energy Materials; Organic Chemistry; Supramolecular Chemistry Subject Areas: Energy Materials, Organic Chemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry

China is home to a small but expanding population of wild Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Both research interest and conservation efforts have increased in recent years, but these have been fragmented. Here we present the results from a collaborative, multi-sectorial, multi-stakeholder exercise to identify priorities for Chinese elephant research and conservation. We first compiled a comprehensive list of issues, categorized under nine research and nine conservation themes, through an on-line survey of stakeholders. These issues were subsequently consolidated, timelined (as short-, mid-, or long-term issues), and ranked by their perceived priority in a two-day workshop attended by 44 people representing 28 organizations. The initial list of 656 issues (337 research and 319 conservation) was consolidated into a list of 251 (121 research and 130 conservation) issues. After priority ranking, we retained the top-three issues within each theme (making a total of 55 priority issues, due to a tie), which are then discussed in detail in this paper. Most (87%, n = 55) priority issues were classified as short-term, suggesting that the exercise might have succeeded in identifying the current priorities, but not emerging issues that might require attention in future. Some issues appeared in various forms in different themes. Among research questions, participants highlighted the importance of understanding the carrying capacity of the current elephant range habitats, elephant movement patterns and expected range changes, the drivers of human-elephant conflict (HEC), improvements to the current HEC financial compensation mechanism, and ways of engaging local communities in HEC mitigation. Regarding elephant conservation, recurrent issues included effectively engaging communities, improving HEC early-warning systems and financial compensation mechanisms, establishing a new national park within elephant range, and creating mechanisms for communication and collaboration among elephant research and conservation stakeholders in China. Our exercise was effective in engaging experts from a diversity of different sectors and organizations in discussions about Asian elephants in China, and generated a list of priorities that can help guide elephant research and conservation efforts.