Search

Lycopene β-cyclases, essential enzymes at the branch point of the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway, critically regulate the composition and balance of carotenoids in plants. This study investigates the role of the SlLCYB2 gene, a novel chloroplast-specific lycopene β-cyclase, in the carotenoid biosynthesis of tomato fruits. The molecular cloning and functional characterization of SlLCYB2 were conducted to evaluate its effects on carotenoid accumulation. Overexpression of SlLCYB2 resulted in a significant redirection of the carotenoid metabolic flux towards β-carotene at the expense of lycopene, leading to a marked decrease in total carotenoid content and a characteristic orange hue in transgenic tomato fruits. This metabolic shift was accompanied by alterations in the expression of genes related to cell wall modification and Abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, which delayed fruit softening and improved postharvest shelf life. Our results highlight the potential of SlLCYB2 as a genetic target for enhancing the nutritional value and postharvest quality of tomatoes. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms governing carotenoid biosynthesis, fruit ripening, and the interplay between these processes and ABA signaling, offering a foundation for targeted genetic manipulations to develop tomatoes with improved nutritional content and storage characteristics. • Identified SlLCYB2 as a novel chloroplast-specific lycopene β-cyclase. • Overexpression of SlLCYB2 redirected carotenoid metabolic flux towards β-carotene in tomato fruits. • Reduced lycopene content and altered carotenoid balance led to a distinctive orange hue in transgenic tomato fruits. • SlLCYB2 alters the expression of genes related to cell wall modification and ABA signaling in tomato fruits. • SlLCYB2 overexpression enhances postharvest fruit quality by delaying tomato softening and extending shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies demonstrated reproductive damage in men residing in plains who are exposed to hypoxia at high altitudes. However, little is known about mechanisms between male reproductive impairment and hypobaric hypoxia. Hypoxia is one of the reasons for the imbalance of cellular redox system. Ferroptosis, involved in many pathophysiological progresses, is an oxidative damage-related, iron-dependent regulated cell death, which needs exogenous inducer. In our study, we explored the mechanism between hypoxia and male reproductive dysfunction. Here, we established animal model simulating hypobaric hypoxia at an altitude of 5000 m and used ELISA, WB, qPCR, flow cytometry and etc. to obtain different results. The results demonstrated decrease of plasma testosterone (T) and free testosterone (FT) levels under hypoxia, meanwhile there's decline in sperm counts and sperm motility, coupled with increase in sperm malformation rates. Flow cytometry confirmed significant reduction in Leydig cell numbers. Prussian blue staining showed iron depositions in interstitial testis. Features of ferroptosis such as increased MDA (malondialdehyde) levels, reduced solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11, xCT) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression were observed in testis after hypoxic exposure. Further in vitro experiments, we observed that hypoxia suppressed xCT-GPX4 pathway and enhanced cellular ROS accumulation to lead Leydig cell proliferation activity decline. Our findings firstly indicated that hypoxia leads to male reproductive dysfunction via inducing Leydig cell ferroptosis. This discovery may offer a potential intervention target for addressing male reproductive injuries under hypoxic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel thermal fatigue test method of pistons is proposed. • Different thermal expansion coefficient between Al and Si is the main reason of micro-crack initiation. • The life prediction error of tensile strain energy density method is less than 10 %. This study proposed a new test method to take the piston instead of the internal combustion engine as the experimental object and use electromagnetic induction heating and auxiliary cooling to simulate the actual operating conditions of the piston during engine start-stop, to achieve accurate control of the temperature of the heating and cooling cycles. The experimental process can be accelerated by worsening the service conditions. In order to prove the feasibility of this scheme, the temperature field distribution, fatigue life, and failure mode of the piston are compared and analyzed using finite element simulation, theoretical calculation, and surface topography observation. The results show that the error between the simulated temperature value of the key point of the piston and the experimental value of the actual operating condition is less than 5%, the position and value of the maximum temperature of the piston under the thermal fatigue test condition are consistent with the actual engine operating condition, the error between the fatigue life test results and the theoretical calculation results is less than 10%, and the location and cracking mode of the main crack is consistent with the actual working condition. It is proved that the test method is reasonable and feasible, which can provide an important guarantee for the fast and efficient design of high-performance pistons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past 10 years since its introduction, phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS) have uncovered novel genotype–phenotype relationships. Along the way, PheWAS have evolved in many aspects as a study design with the expanded availability of large data repositories with genome-wide data linked to detailed phenotypic data. Advancement in methods, including algorithms, software, and publicly available integrated resources, makes it feasible to more fully realize the potential of PheWAS, overcoming the previous computational and analytical limitations. We review here the most recent improvements and notable applications of PheWAS since the second half of the decade from its inception. We also note the challenges that remain embedded along the entire PheWAS analytical pipeline that necessitate further development of tools and resources to further advance the understanding of the complex genetic architecture underlying human diseases and traits. Pleiotropy, the concept that a gene or genetic variant affects more than one phenotype or trait, is at least a century old. By contrast, phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS), an approach used to identify cross-phenotype associations, were introduced only in the past decade. Still relatively young, PheWAS has rapidly matured into a widely used study design and analytical approach that can still benefit from improvements in its pipeline as genome-wide datasets expand in their breadth and depth, challenging the computational and statistical limits of today's PheWAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we explored the role of the intrinsic defects on the tuning thermoelectric (TE) performance of Al-doped ZnO (ZnO:Al) films. The intrinsic defects of the Zn interstitial (Zn i) and the oxygen vacancy (V O) were controlled by varying the Zn content by using the radio frequency atomic source vacuum evaporation method. In the Zn-rich case, the excessive Zn formed Zn i to provide most of the carriers. V O became the main origin of the carriers with a decreasing Zn content. When the Zn content was 55.2% and 52.5%, the segregation of Zn i decreased the carrier concentration and subsequently, enhanced the resistivity and the Seebeck coefficient. The ZnO:Al film with a Zn content of 52.5% had the highest power factor of 274.03 μW·m−1·K−2 at 819 K. In addition, the higher Zn i concentration had a more prominent effect on thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity increased to 1.756 W·m−1·K−1 from 0.608 W·m−1·K−1 with the Zn content decreasing from 55.2% to 50.6%. The ZT value reached the highest of 0.121 when the film had the optimum Zn concentration of 51.5%. This study concluded that the tuning of the intrinsic defects was an effective method to enhance the TE performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unstable nanosheet morphology of polycrystalline SnSe film becomes a limitation for its application in the field of waste heat recovery. This study dopes Co into the evaporated SnSe film to smooth the surface and to improve power factor. The results show that Co dopant makes the rough nanosheet change to surface densely packed structure. The dopant Co forms Co particles distributing around SnSe grain boundary, which suppress SnSe (011) plane growth and subsequent reduce nanosheet formation. In addition, Co dopant increases electric conductivity through increasing the carrier concentration, but the magnetism of Co particles decreases carrier mobility due to spin-charge coupling and also affects the Seebeck coefficient. The power factor thus is improved after doped Co. This study presents a method to fabricate polycrystalline SnSe film with smooth surface morphology and high power factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nighttime driving safety is a key focus in transportation research due to accidents caused by drivers' inability to clearly see road obstacles, leading to delayed or incorrect decisions. To address this, the use of mechanoluminescent materials on surfaces like roads and buildings offers a potential solution for better object contour detection in poor visibility. This study investigates the use of SrAl 2 O 4 as a phosphor matrix, exploring its luminescence characteristics and the effects of doping with Eu2+ and Dy3+. The optimal doping ratios were determined to be 2 % Eu and 1 % Dy by trap modulation, producing phosphors with significant mechanical luminescence and a prolonged afterglow. Spectroscopic analysis and image assessment demonstrated a visible afterglow lasting up to 60 min, along with impressive mechanical luminescence performance. By combining the developed SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor-based coating with polydimethylsiloxane, a real-time surface stress sensing system was devised utilizing digital camera and other optical sensors. This advancement facilitates the visualization of stresses in complex or confined environments, potentially improving nighttime driving safety through enhanced object contour detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilayer is an effective structure to enhance magnetic properties of films. This study employs high magnetic field (HMF) and amorphous Fe–Sm under-layer to tune the magnetic properties of evaporated Co–Sm/Fe–Sm bilayer films. Various analysis methods are used to explore the relation of microstructure evolution under above conditions with magnetic performance. The results show that both the amorphous Fe–Sm under-layer and the HMF can decrease surface roughness. Further, the HMF exhibits other effects that reduces column size, increases interplanar spacing and affects interface at atomic scale. The structural variation has effect on magnetic properties of bilayer films. The amorphous Fe–Sm under-layer increases magnetization, coercivity and squareness through changing the amount of non-magnetic structure at atomic scale. Meanwhile, the HMF decreases coercivity by changing pinning via the interface variation. Both the HMF and amorphous under-layer have no influence on the anisotropy of bilayer films. These results present an effective method to tune the magnetic properties of films through amorphous under-layer and HMF. • Amorphous FeSm under-layer has effect on microstructure and magnetic performance. • High magnetic field improves magnetization by affecting non-magnetic structure. • High magnetic field decreases coercivity by changing interface pinning. • Effect of high magnetic field on squareness is smaller than that of amorphous layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All human beings contribute to climate change; however, their contributions are not equal. Using China as an example, the core objective of this study is to explore the city-level carbon inequality of residential buildings from 2015 to 2020 combined Theil index and Gini coefficient. The outcomes indicate that: (1) Total residential buildings' carbon emissions in 321 Chinese cities increased from 987.81 million tons (Mt) in 2015 to 1161.70 Mt. in 2020; the leading five cities that own the largest carbon emissions are Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenyang, and Harbin in 2020. (2) Among eight major economic zones of China, the highest residential buildings' carbon emission per capita and residents' disposable income per capita are the Northeast Economic Zone and Eastern Coastal Economic Zone, respectively. (3) Both the Theil index and Gini coefficient show that the overall carbon inequality is higher than income inequality; the Theil index decomposition indicates that city-level carbon inequality has declined; the key forces of carbon emission per capita and disposable income per capita inequality are inter-regional inequality (contribution rate: 55%–63%) and intra-regional inequality (contribution rate: 59%–63%), respectively. (4) Moreover, regarding income earners during 2015–2020 period, the top 10% of 321 cities occupy about 33% in the total national residential buildings' carbon emissions; the medium 40% of cities account for about 42% in total carbon emissions; in contrast, the bottom 50% of cities represent only about 25% of the total carbon emissions. These discoveries emphasize the necessity for the Chinese government to pay more attention to city-level residential building carbon emissions to track advances toward residents' sustainable lifestyles. • The city-level features of carbon emissions and resident incomes were analyzed. • Carbon and income inequality via Theil index and Gini coefficient were compared. • Carbon emission per capita inequality's core force via Theil index was identified. • Carbon inequality's disparities in economic zones and climate zones were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Joint improvement of the Seebeck coefficient S and conductivity σ is a pressing issue to overcome the limit of the figure of merit ( ZT ) enhancement of thermoelectric materials. This study presents a joint improvement in the ZnO:Al films by tuning the diffusion of Au layer via substrate temperature, using a radio frequency-assisted molecular beam vapor deposition method. The phenomenon occurs in the ZnO:Al films at the room temperature (RT) substrate deposited on a 10 nm Au layer (RT-ZnO:AuAl). The films have a hexagonal wurtzite structure with an in-plane (002) preferred orientation and smooth surface. The resistivity values of the films are at the same magnitude of the transparent conducting oxide (~10 −6  Ω·m). The carrier concentration reaches 2.60 × 10 21  cm −3 for the RT-ZnO:AuAl film. The S is about 29.5 μV/K at 240 °C. Joint improvement of conductivity and Seebeck coefficient makes the PF of the RT-ZnO:AuAl film reaches 3.58 × 10 −5  Wm −1  K −2 , which is two orders of magnitude larger than that of the RT-ZnO:Au film without joint improvement. The results indicate that the higher conductivity originates from the Au layer, in-plane (002) preferred orientation, and the easily excited carriers in the ZnO:Al due to the low binding energy of the Zn 2p electrons. The large S in the film is related to the high effective masses due to the impact of the diffusion of the Au layer on electronic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO 2) mitigation in the residential building sector has become critical for China in achieving its carbon peak and neutrality goals. This study is the first to retrospect the historical carbon reduction potential in China's 30 provinces by establishing an equity and efficiency coupling model and comparing the differences in carbon reduction potential under three scenarios: equity priority, efficiency priority scenario, and balance equity with efficiency. The core findings of this study reveal that: (1) China's total CO 2 emissions in residential buildings increased from 975.67 Mt to 1328.47 Mt during 2010–2020, where the provinces with the highest CO 2 emissions are Shandong, Hebei, and Henan; energy intensity and energy carbon emission coefficient are the most critical driving factors affecting the CO 2 emission, followed by floor area per capita and population size. (2) The carbon reduction potential index of residential buildings in eastern provinces is generally higher than that in western provinces; the growth rate of carbon reduction potential is the fastest under the equity priority scenario, and Beijing, Shanghai, and Inner Mongolia have the highest carbon reduction potential. (3) The provinces gradually enter a strong coupling status associated with the climate zones of residential buildings, while the coupling status of the urban area is higher than that of the rural area. Overall, this study adopts a new coupling perspective of equity and efficiency, where the proposed assessment model serves as a reference for measuring the retrospective CO 2 mitigation effect in residential buildings in other countries. • An evaluation approach for the carbon reduction potential of residential buildings was developed. • The core driving factors for carbon emissions from residential buildings were identified. • Three scenarios with distinct preferences for equity and efficiency were determined. • The provincial ranking of carbon reduction potential in urban and rural areas was analyzed. • The causes that promote a strong coupling between equity and efficiency were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the thermoelectric (TE) properties of typical p-type Bi 0.5 Sb 1.5 Te 3 film is crucial for power generation in film-based thermoelectric devices. The shape of the hexagonal structure in the Bi 0.5 Sb 1.5 Te 3 film can be controlled by adjusting the magnetron sputtering parameters. The results indicate that a high nucleation rate under high sputtering power promotes island growth with a preferred orientation of (015). Thermal energy influences the growth in the in-plane direction along the (00 l) orientation and induces the c-axis orientation in the out-of-plane direction. Consequently, a dense layered hexagonal structure with a high grain boundary density is formed, leading to increased defect density, carrier concentration, and phonon scattering. In this case, the power factor reaches 3149.01 μW·m-1·K-2 at 480 K and the ZT value is 1.14 at 480 K. These results indicate that the film with a dense layered hexagonal structure enhances the TE properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Low-molecular-weight oyster peptides enhanced immune cell differentiation and immunoglobulin expression. • Low-molecular-weight oyster peptides increased the beneficial bacteria in the intestine. • Hydrophobic amino acids and glutamic acid may be main components effects of low-molecular-weight oyster peptides. Low-molecular-weight oyster peptides (LOPs) are typical bioactive peptides with ameliorated immunomodulatory properties. However, the mechanism underlying its effect on immune functions and intestinal flora after chemotherapy has not been reported. In this study, Lewis lung cancer mice were used along with cytotoxic chemotherapy to establish model to investigate the ameliorative effects of LOPs on immunomodulatory function and intestinal flora structure. Our results showed that administration of LOPs alleviated weight loss, reduced spleen tissue damage, increased splenic T -lymphocytes, and markedly increased secretion of serum immunoglobulins and decreased inflammatory factors. Additionally, LOPs significantly increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus and Coriobacteriaceae_UCG) and decreased pathogenic bacteria (Clostridium) present in intestine. Hydrophobic amino acids and glutamate may be the underlying components to mitigate negative effects of chemotherapy. This study provides a theoretical basis for the use of LOPs as a nutritional base for the development of formula foods for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Thymidylate synthase (TS) is a critical enzyme for DNA biosynthesis and many nonclassical lipophilic antifolates targeting this enzyme are quite efficient and encouraging as antitumor drug. In this paper, the binding model of 14 antifolates of 4(3H)-quinazolinone derivatives with dithiocarbamate side chains was examined using molecular simulation methods—FlexiDock and SCORE2.0. The resulted conformation and orientation of these antifolates were directly applied to CoMFA study. A good correlation between the calculated binding energies of these antifolates complexed with TS and their inhibitory activities was derived. The robust QSAR model, its three-dimensional contour map, and binding score for these antifolates derived from SCORE2.0 provided guidelines for structural optimization of current antifolates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Excessive secretion of glucagon is a major contributor to the development of diabetic hyperglycemia. Secretion of glucagon is regulated by various nutrients, with glucose being a primary determinant of the rate of α cell glucagon secretion. The intra-islet action of insulin is essential to exert the effect of glucose on the α cells since, in the absence of insulin, glucose is not able to suppress glucagon release in vivo. However, the precise mechanism by which insulin suppresses glucagon secretion from α cells is unknown. In this study, we show that insulin induces activation of GABAA receptors in the α cells by receptor translocation via an Akt kinase-dependent pathway. This leads to membrane hyperpolarization in the α cells and, ultimately, suppression of glucagon secretion. We propose that defects in this pathway(s) contribute to diabetic hyperglycemia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Very-low-frequency oscillations in microvascular diameter cause fluctuations in oxygen delivery that are important for fueling the brain and for functional imaging. However, little is known about how the brain regulates ongoing oscillations in cerebral blood flow. In mouse and rat cortical brain slice arterioles, we find that selectively enhancing tone is sufficient to recruit a TRPV4-mediated Ca2+ elevation in adjacent astrocyte endfeet. This endfoot Ca2+ signal triggers COX-1-mediated "feedback vasodilators" that limit the extent of evoked vasoconstriction, as well as constrain fictive vasomotion in slices. Astrocyte- Ptgs1 knockdown in vivo increases the power of arteriole oscillations across a broad range of very low frequencies (0.01–0.3 Hz), including ultra-slow vasomotion (∼0.1 Hz). Conversely, clamping astrocyte Ca2+ in vivo reduces the power of vasomotion. These data demonstrate bidirectional communication between arterioles and astrocyte endfeet to regulate oscillatory microvasculature activity. [Display omitted] • Arteriole tone increases astrocyte endfoot Ca2+ via TRPV4 channels to engage COX-1 • COX-1 generates feedback dilators to limit the extent of constriction • Astrocytic COX-1 constrains ultra-slow arteriole oscillations in slice and in vivo • Clamping astrocyte Ca2+ in vivo decreases cerebral vasomotion Haidey et al. find that arteriole constriction increases astrocyte endfoot Ca2+ via TRPV4 channels to engage a COX-1 negative feedback signal that limits the degree of vasoconstriction. In vivo , astrocyte COX-1 constrains very-low-frequency oscillations (0.01–0.3 Hz) in arteriole diameter, while rhythmic fluctuations are reduced by clamping astrocyte Ca2+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-nanocomposite is an effective method to achieve high thermoelectric (TE) performance by breaking the tradeoff among three TE parameters. This paper presents a comparative study of incorporated carbon nanotube (CNT)/Au in evaporated porous Al-doped ZnO (AZO) films. The effect of the nanocomposite interface on scattering of carriers and phonons is used to independently tune thermal conductivity and power factor in the multi-nanocomposite AZO films. This breaks the tradeoff and improves the figure of merit (ZT) of the film. Moreover, the temperature gradient retains in the out-of-plane of the films. These make the AZO film composited CNT and porosity have higher output power than that of the non-porous films. This provides a simple method for the low-dimension film to increase the TE properties through breaking the tradeoff and makes the TE materials suitable for efficient harvesting in low-grade waste heat. [Display omitted] • This study presents a simple method to prepare multi-nanocomposite film. • Multi-nanocomposite breaks the tradeoff among thermoelectric parameters. • Film with CNT and porosity has higher ZT value and output power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bi 2 Te 3 is a successful and commercial thermoelectric material. However, Bi 2 Te 3 is easily generates point defects, which limits its thermoelectric (TE) properties. This study presents a novel method to tune point defects by using short-range atomic diffusion via pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment in C-doped Bi 2 Te 3 films. The C atoms migrate from the interstitial position in the Bi layer (C i) and the Van der Waals gap (C vdw) to the Bi vacancy after the PEF treatment. For this case, it increases the content of the Te–C bonds for the PEF films, resulting in increased electron concentration. And the PEF can eliminate amorphous regions of the C-doped Bi 2 Te 3 films. In addition, the shorter bond length of the Te–C improves the compressive stress of the film and increases the effective mass of carriers. Thus, the conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient are improved simultaneously. In this study, the power factor was 2450.32 μW m−1·K−2 at 513 K after the PEF treatment. Therefore, the PEF is an effective method to improve TE properties by short-range atomic diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the competitive relationship between the double amorphous phases is systematically investigated to increase the high-temperature wear resistance of the self-lubricating TiAlSiCN coating. These double amorphous phases combine the SiN x phase with high-temperature resistance and the C-related phase with a low friction coefficient. An increase in the Si content facilitates the change in the phase composition. The resultant coating exhibits an adhesion strength of 153 N, a friction coefficient of 0.24 and a hardness of 25.24 GPa upon generation of the TiAlN(C), the SiN x and the C-related phase. In this case, the TiAlSiCN coating achieves long-term self-lubrication at high temperatures with the titanium alloy friction pair. This mechanism stems from the SiN x phase replacing the portion of the easily oxidized amorphous C-related phase, which yields an enhanced high-temperature wear resistance. The cutting distance of this TiAlSiCN is 120% higher than that of the TiAlCN during the high-speed cutting of the titanium alloy. This outcome provides an effective solution for high-temperature applications of self-lubricating coatings. • Long-term self-lubricating is remained in TiAlSiCN coating by optimal Si content. • Synergistic effect of amorphous SiN x and C-related phase is solved in TiAlSiCN. • Tool life of TiAlSiCN improved 225% by comparing with that of TiAlN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The order-disorder transition (ODT) of RE zirconate (RE 2 Zr 2 O 7) has received much attention due to its potential applications in the design of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). A series of high entropy RE zirconates (RE = La, Sm, Gd, Er and Lu) were designed and synthesized in order to regulate the fluorite-pyrochlore phases, and to investigate the effect of phase composition on the microstructures and performances. The results showed that the sintering temperature, as well as equivalent ion radius, played an important role in regulating the phase transformation of fluorite-pyrochlore. The coexistence of pyrochlore-fluorite phases not only can result in the decrease in grain size but also increased the lattice strain of each phase, thereby enhancing the phonon scattering and contributing to the reduction in the thermal conductivity. The CMAS corrosion resistance was mainly related to phase compositions, and the thicknesses of reaction layer decreased gradually with the increasing fluorite phase content. The results will provide theoretical guidance for the microstructural design of high entropy RE zirconates as next generation TBC materials in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Al-doped ZnO films (Zn 0.94 Al 0.06 O x) can be fabricated by thermal oxidation of evaporated metallic Zn-Al film. Oxygen defects were strongly related to oxygen pressure at a given temperature (500 °C) and duration (3 h). Under oxygen pressure of 0.021 MPa (O 2 -0.021 MPa), the main component was the Zn phase. Zn 0.94 Al 0.06 O x films were formed under oxygen pressure of 0.1 MPa and 0.12 MPa, with the conductivity and Seebeck coefficient improving simultaneously with increased oxygen pressure. The flat particles of the O 2 -0.12 MPa film weakened the electron scattering, leading to increased conductivity. Furthermore, the decrease in oxygen vacancies caused by the higher oxygen pressure increased the Seebeck coefficient. As a result, the power factor of the O 2 -0.12 MPa film was about 30 times greater than that of the O 2 -0.1 MPa film, characterized by an increasing content of singly ionised oxygen. Highlights • Carrier concentration was changed by oxygen pressure in thermal oxidation. • Power factor was affected by content of single ionised oxygen. • Conductivity and Seebeck coefficient increased simultaneously with oxygen pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microstructures and native defects are very important for the optical, electrical and magnetic properties of ZnO-based materials. In this study, microstructures of the Cu-doped ZnO (ZnO:Cu) films were changed by applying high magnetic field (HMF) during different growth processes of the as-deposited Zn-Cu films and the subsequent thermal oxidation treatment. The effects of the microstructure evolutions on the defects formation and photoluminescence performance are examined. The results show that the interaction between magnetization and thermal motion promotes (002) preferred orientation of the as-deposited Zn-Cu films. Meanwhile, the variation of the atomic deposition sites due to the HMF leads to the significant differences of surface morphology of the as-deposited films. The application of the HMF during the oxidation affects the adsorption sites of O 2− and leads the surface spherical particles change to rod-like particles. Moreover, the HMF shows more significant effects during the deposition of the Zn-Cu films in enhancing on the amount of the oxygen vacancy, which improves green emission of the ZnO:Cu films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sb-doped ZnO thermoelectric films with microporous structures are fabricated by oxidizing evaporated Zn-Sb thin films in a leaf-like surface. High magnetic field (HMF) and Sb are employed to tune the formation of nanowires and nanorods in the microporous films and conduction type. Nanowire is formed in the film with Sb content of 3.0% and nanorod is formed with 4.6% Sb with the absence of HMF. P-type ZnO films with a wuterzite are formed. The resistivity of the films decreases by two orders of magnitude by increasing Sb content. The resistivity of films decreases 45% and 80% by forming nanowires and nanorods, respectively. The power factor of the nanorod structures increases by two orders of magnitude by comparison with others and reaches to 52.6 μW/m K 2 . This indicates that the nanorod structures with a higher Sb content are easy to obtain stable p -type semiconductor with a higher power factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]