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While extensive investigations have been devoted to the study of genetic pathways related to fatty liver diseases, much less is known about epigenetic mechanisms underlying these disorders. DNA methylation is an epigenetic link between environmental factors (e.g., diets) and complex diseases (e.g., non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease). Here, it is aimed to study the role of DNA methylation in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism. A dynamic change in the DNA methylome in the liver of high‐fat diet (HFD)‐fed mice is discovered, including a marked increase in DNA methylation at the promoter of Beta‐klotho (Klb), a co‐receptor for the biological functions of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)15/19 and FGF21. DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) 1 and 3A mediate HFD‐induced methylation at the Klb promoter. Notably, HFD enhances DNMT1 protein stability via a ubiquitination‐mediated mechanism. Liver‐specific deletion of Dnmt1 or 3a increases Klb expression and ameliorates HFD‐induced hepatic steatosis. Single‐nucleus RNA sequencing analysis reveals pathways involved in fatty acid oxidation in Dnmt1‐deficient hepatocytes. Targeted demethylation at the Klb promoter increases Klb expression and fatty acid oxidation, resulting in decreased hepatic lipid accumulation. Up‐regulation of methyltransferases by HFD may induce hypermethylation of the Klb promoter and subsequent down‐regulation of Klb expression, resulting in the development of hepatic steatosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: A mixed GAI and MAI (MGM) treatment modulating the bulk and interfacial defects simultaneously is reported. The devices' performance is enhanced to ~24.5% in 0.12 cm2 and ~18.7% in 64 cm2 with improved stability. The MGM treatment can be applied to a wide range of perovskite compositions. Here, we report a mixed GAI and MAI (MGM) treatment method by forming a 2D alternating-cation-interlayer (ACI) phase (n = 2) perovskite layer on the 3D perovskite, modulating the bulk and interfacial defects in the perovskite films simultaneously, leading to the suppressed nonradiative recombination, longer lifetime, higher mobility, and reduced trap density. Consequently, the devices' performance is enhanced to 24.5% and 18.7% for 0.12 and 64 cm2, respectively. In addition, the MGM treatment can be applied to a wide range of perovskite compositions, including MA-, FA-, MAFA-, and CsFAMA-based lead halide perovskites, making it a general method for preparing efficient perovskite solar cells. Without encapsulation, the treated devices show improved stabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the main function of white adipose tissue (WAT) is to store surplus of energy as triacylglycerol, that of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is to burn energy as heat. Epigenetic mechanisms participate prominently in both WAT and BAT energy metabolism. We previously reported that the histone demethylase ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide (Utx) is a positive regulator of brown adipocyte thermogenesis. Here, we aimed to investigate whether Utx also regulates WAT metabolism in vivo. We generated a mouse model with Utx deficiency in adipocytes (AUTXKO). AUTXKO animals fed a chow diet had higher body weight, more fat mass and impaired glucose tolerance. AUTXKO mice also exhibited cold intolerance with an impaired brown fat thermogenic program. When challenged with high-fat diet (HFD), AUTXKO mice displayed adipose dysfunction featured by suppressed lipogenic pathways, exacerbated inflammation and fibrosis with less fat storage in adipose tissues and more lipid storage in the liver; as a result, AUTXKO mice showed a disturbance in whole body glucose homeostasis and hepatic steatosis. Our data demonstrate that Utx deficiency in adipocytes limits adipose tissue expansion under HFD challenge and induces metabolic dysfunction via adipose tissue remodeling. We conclude that adipocyte Utx is a key regulator of systemic metabolic homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nematodes, the ETS-family transcription factor ast-1 regulates multiple genes comprising the dopamine (DA) neuron phenotype, including biosynthetic enzymes and transporters. ETS transcription factors are hypothesized to play a similar role in vertebrates, and based on its expression in the adult mouse midbrain, Etv5/ERM has been proposed as a regulator of DA gene expression in the substantia nigra (SN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). Here we show that Etv5 expression is not detectable until postnatal stages in the midbrain, well after development of the DA system, and that Etv5 knock-out and control mice show comparable tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter expression in the embryonic and adult midbrain. Other known members of the ETS family do not have expression patterns that are consistent with a role in DA gene regulation in the SN/VTA. These findings suggest that the ETS factors, while required for the generation of the DA phenotype in nematodes, do not play such a role in the mouse midbrain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The habenula is a dorsal diencephalic structure consisting of medial and lateral subnuclei and a principal output tract, the fasciculus retroflexus, which together form a link between the limbic forebrain and ventral midbrain. Here, we have used microarray and bioinformatic approaches in the mouse to show that the habenula is a distinctive molecular territory of the CNS, with a unique profile of neurotransmitter, ion channel, and regulatory factor expression. Neurons of the medial habenula and part of the lateral habenula express the transcription factor Brn3a/Pou4f1, and Brn3a-expressing habenular neurons project exclusively to the interpeduncular nucleus in the ventral midbrain. In Brn3a mutant embryos, the fasciculus retroflexus is directed appropriately, but habenular neurons fail to innervate their targets. Microarray analysis of Brn3a null embryos shows that this factor regulates an extensive program of habenula-enriched genes, but not generic neural properties. The orphan nuclear receptorNurr1/Nr4a2is coexpressed with Brn3ainthe developing habenula, is downstream of Brn3a, and mediates expression of a subset of Brn3a-regulated transcripts. Together, these findings begin to define a gene regulatory pathway for habenula development in mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) innervation into brown adipose tissue (BAT) has been viewed as an impetus for brown fat thermogenesis. However, we surprisingly discovered that BAT SNS innervation is dispensable for mice to maintain proper body temperature during a prolonged cold exposure. Here we aimed to uncover the physiological factors compensating for maintaining brown fat thermogenesis in the absence of BAT innervation. After an initial decline of body temperature during cold exposure, mice with SNS surgical denervation in interscapular BAT gradually recovered their temperature comparable to that of sham-operated mice. The surgically denervated BAT also maintained a sizable uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) protein along with basal norepinephrine (NE) at a similar level to that of sham controls, which were associated with increased circulating NE. Furthermore, the denervated mice exhibited increased free fatty acid levels in circulation. Indeed, surgical denervation of mice with CGI-58 deletion in adipocytes, a model lacking lipolytic capacity to release fatty acids from WAT, dramatically reduced BAT UCP1 protein and rendered the mice susceptible to cold. We conclude that circulating fatty acids and NE may serve as key factors for maintaining BAT thermogenic function and body temperature in the absence of BAT sympathetic innervation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that motor recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI) is task-specific. However, most consequential conclusions about locomotor functional recovery from SCI have been derived from quadrupedal locomotion paradigms. In this study, two monkeys were trained to perform a bipedal walking task, mimicking human walking, before and after T8 spinal cord hemisection. Importantly, there is no pharmacological therapy with nerve growth factor for monkeys after SCI; thus, in this study, the changes that occurred in the brain were spontaneous. The impairment of locomotion on the ipsilateral side was more severe than that on the contralateral side. We used information theory to analyze single-cell activity from the left primary motor cortex (M1), and results show that neuronal populations in the unilateral primary motor cortex gradually conveyed more information about the bilateral hindlimb muscle activities during the training of bipedal walking after SCI. We further demonstrated that, after SCI, progressively expanded information from the neuronal population reconstructed more accurate control of muscle activity. These results suggest that, after SCI, the unilateral primary motor cortex could gradually regain control of bilateral coordination and motor recovery and in turn enhance the performance of brain–machine interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing energy expenditure through activation of brown fat thermogenesis is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of obesity. Epigenetic regulation has emerged as a key player in regulating brown fat development and thermogenic program. Here, we aimed to study the role of DNA methyltransferase 3b (Dnmt3b), a DNA methyltransferase involved in de novo DNA methylation, in the regulation of brown fat function and energy homeostasis. We generated a genetic model with Dnmt3b deletion in brown fat-skeletal lineage precursor cells (3bKO mice) by crossing Dnmt3b-floxed (fl/fl) mice with Myf5-Cre mice. Female 3bKO mice are prone to diet-induced obesity, which is associated with decreased energy expenditure. Dnmt3b deficiency also impairs cold-induced thermogenic program in brown fat. Surprisingly, further RNA-seq analysis reveals a profound up-regulation of myogenic markers in brown fat of 3bKO mice, suggesting a myocyte-like remodeling in brown fat. Further motif enrichment and pyrosequencing analysis suggests myocyte enhancer factor 2C (Mef2c) as a mediator for the myogenic alteration in Dnmt3b-deficient brown fat, as indicated by decreased methylation at its promoter. Our data demonstrate that brown fat Dnmt3b is a key regulator of brown fat development, energy metabolism and obesity in female mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries are considered to have the best development prospect for electric vehicles. But enhancing the cycling performance of Li–S batteries is necessary and urgent. Mesoporous MgO particles (MMgO) are prepared by surfactant templating method and used to prepare cathode materials for the first time. The prepared MMgO has a hexagonal flake-like structure with a thickness of 50–80 nm, a transverse length of 150–350 nm, a processing area of 181.56 m2/g, an average pore diameter of 3.11 nm and a pore volume of 0.26 cc/g. MMgO shows low intensity and slightly broader diffraction peaks in the XRD pattern, indicating the presence of lattice distortion, defects, dislocations or unsaturated valence bonds. MMgO particles are uniformly distributed on the sulfur surface to provide high surface area, many active sites and interconnected channel structure, which makes more sulfur contact with MMgO to be adsorbed, activated and participated in charge and discharge reaction. The Li–S battery containing sulfur/MMgO composite at weight ratio 90:10 shows the best cyclic stability with capacity retention rate 84.7% after 100 cycles at 0.2 C. The initial specific capacity of a Li–S battery with sulfur/MMgO composite at weight ratio 70:30 can reach 1062 mAh/g at 0.2 C, which is much higher than sulfur/commercial MgO at the same weight ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The new materials of T-6TPA with high hole mobility of 2.06 × 10−3 cm2V−1s−1 was synthesized for dopant‐free HTL. • The infiltration strategies can further improve the interface hole extraction and transport between HTL and perovskite. • Anti-solvent drip strategy can construct a more effective charge transport channel in the perovskite. • The PCE of PSC with dopant-free T-6TPA HTL has increased from 18.5% to 20.3% with the assistance of antisolvent dripping. • The PSCs with T-6TPA dopant-free HTL presents good long-term stability in both humid air and high temperature of 60 °C. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with dopant‐free hole transporting layers (HTLs) deserved extensive research by merits of their outstanding hydrophobicity and stability. However, the low carrier mobility and poor interfacial hole extraction lead to the inferior power conversion efficiency (PCE) than that of conventional Li+ doped Spiro-OMeTAD. Here, a design of triphenylamine groups grafted triphenylene derivative (T-6TPA) as dopant-free HTLs has been presented. The larger π-conjugation in T-6TPA give rise to high hole mobility of 2.06 × 10−3 cm2V−1s−1. Moreover, the interfacial hole extraction of T-6TPA was significantly promoted when the molecules were infiltrated into perovskite before HTL deposition. The infiltration method of anti-solvent dripping (An) strategy increased PCE from 18.5% up to 20.3%, which is superior to another additive doping strategy (Ad-strategy, 19.3%). The effectiveness of An-strategy can be attributed to the construction of a coherent and homogeneous hole transport channel. The hydrophobicity and high glass transition temperature of T-6TPA also granted excellent moisture and thermal stabilities that the initial PCE could remain 80% for 60 days in air or 600 h at 60 °C. This work highlights the synergistical optimization by design of highly hole-mobile materials as well as the interfacial network construction for charge transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inadequate hole injection limits the efficiency and lifetime of the blue quantum dot light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs), which severely hampers their commercial applications. Here a new discotic molecule of 3,6,10,11‐tetrakis(pentyloxy)triphenylene‐2,7‐diyl bis(2,2‐dimethylpropanoate) (T5DP‐2,7) is introduced, in which the hole transport channels with superior hole mobility (2.6 × 10–2 cm2 V–1 s–1) is formed by stacking. The composite hole transport material (HTM) is prepared by blending T5DP‐2,7 with the cross‐linked 4,4′‐ bis(3‐vinyl‐9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)‐1,1′biphenyl (CBP‐V) which shows the deep highest occupied molecular orbital energy level. The increased hole mobility of the target composite HTM from 10–4 to 10–3 cm2 V–1 s–1 as well as the stepwise energy levels facilitates the hole transport, which would be beneficial for more balanced carrier injection. This composite hole transport layer (HTL) has improved the deep‐blue‐emission performances of Commission International de I'Eclairage of (0.14, 0.04), luminance of 44080 cd m−2, and external quantum efficiency of 18.59%. Furthermore, when L0 is 100 cd m−2, the device lifetime T50 is extended from 139 to 502 h. The state‐of‐the‐art performance shows the successful promotion of the high‐efficiency for deep blue QLEDs, and indicates that the optimizing HTL by discotic molecule stacking can serve as an excellent alternative for the development of HTL in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The strategy of FAECDIP simultaneously realizes mixed-halide and doping for efficient deep-blue PQDs. • Ca2+ passivates the defects and enhances the exciton binding energy of PQDs to favor structural stability and carrier transportation. • The Ca2+-introduced deep blue PeLED enables a record EQE of 5.88 % (447 nm) with a CIE of (0.158, 0.018) up to date. Despite the impressive development of perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs), it is still challenging to achieve high-efficiency deep-blue PeLEDs using colloid perovskite quantum dots (PQDs). The efficiency of PQDs with a wavelength below 460 nm, which meets the requirements for deep-blue emission in the Telecommunication Union UHD television standard (ITU REC. 2020), lags far behind those of their sky-blue counterparts. To address this issue, a novel strategy of fast anion-exchange & cation-doping inter-promotion (FAECDIP) is proposed to achieve highly efficient deep-blue PQDs by introducing CaBr 2 into the CsPbCl 3 PQDs. Owing to the presence of Ca2+, the speed of ion exchange is increased, driven by the smaller cation, Ca2+, improving the preparation efficiency. Additionally, Ca2+ was doped on the surface of PQDs. Based on studies of fast anion-exchange and theoretical calculations, Ca2+ improves the optical performance by decreasing the number of traps and increasing the crystallinity of target PQDs, facilitating the stability of treated films and PeLEDs by enhancing the formation energy of halogen vacancies. Here, a high PLQY of 80.3 % CaBr 2 -induced CsPb(Cl/Br) 3 deep-blue PQDs (∼446 nm) was achieved. The correspondent PeLEDs (∼447 nm) achieved a superior EQE of 5.88 %, which is the state-of-the-art among the reported deep-blue PeLEDs. Our strategy provides a potential route to achieve deep-blue PeLEDs, which differs from the previous tedious-complex methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The outbreak of Lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle caused by LSD virus (LSDV) was first reported in August 2019 in China. Since then, several LSD outbreaks have been reported in seven different provinces of China. Until now, several Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) strains from China have been reported and sequenced including LSDV/Xinjiang/2019 (MN598005.1), China/GD01/2020 (MW355944.1), and LSDV/Hongkong/2021 (MW732649.1). In October 2020, more than 1,700 cattle imported from Chile arrived in Xilingol, Inner Mongolia, and were diagnosed with LSD. Currently, limited data on the origin of the virus is available. Methods: Nucleotide sequences of the ORF11, ORF36, ORF74, ORF117, ORF126 genes and the complete genome of LSDV strains and isolates were downloaded from NCBI database. MEGA7.0 was used to perform phylogenetic analysis with Neighbor-Joining (NJ). DNASTAR software is used to analyze homologous comparison analysis with related genes of reference strains included in Genbank. Results: Compared with other strains isolated from China, the results of full genome sequence analysis showed the LSDV/NMG/2020 strain belonged to the recombinant strains. The LSDV/NMG/2020 strain is different from the current LSDV field isolates in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the newly emerged LSDV Russia variants. Based on the identities of P32, RPO30, EEV, GPCR and LSDV117 genes (99.8%, 99%, 99.8%, 99% and 98.7%), the sub-cluster recombinant containing LSDV/NMG/2020 strain is phylogenetically closer to the Russia strain (Saratov/2017). Conclusions: In this study, we reported a new isolated LSDV strain named LSDV/NMG/2020. The results of genomic characterization and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the LSDV/NMG/2020 isolate was a vaccine-like recombinant strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Lewis base groups are introduced into HTMs to restrict ion migration of Li+. • Phen-TPA effectively restricts ion migration of Li+ by strong coordination effect. • PSC based on Phen-TPA achieves a PCE of 20.02% with negligible hysteresis effect. • PSC based on Phen-TPA exhibits preferable humid and thermal stability. • The performance of PSCs is promoted with enhanced coordination ability of HTMs. Li-TFSI as an indispensable dopant for hole transporting materials (HTMs) suffers from inherent hydrophilicity and ion migration, which seriously damages the stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a facile design strategy is proposed to restrict ion migration of Li+ by introducing different Lewis base groups (pyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline and pyrazine) into HTMs. Owing to the coordination effect of Lewis base groups to Li+, the doped HTMs (Pyrd-TPA, Phen-TPA and Pyra-TPA) exhibit significantly enhanced conjugation and hole mobility. Particularly, theoretical calculation and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results demonstrate that Phen-TPA forms the strongest coordination with Li+ due to the most negative electrostatic potential region existing around 1,10-phenanthroline group. The generated Li+-coordinated Phen-TPA contributes to preferable energy levels, morphology uniformity and hydrophobicity. Element mapping analysis shows that Li-ion migration in doped Phen-TPA is restricted effectively. In addition, Phen-TPA can also passivate the perovskite surface defects dramatically, which facilitates more efficient charge transfer to hole transporting layer. Consequently, PSCs based on Phen-TPA achieve promising power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.02% with negligible hysteresis effect. More importantly, it maintains over 88% of the initial PCE after 1056 h storage in ambient condition of 40–60% RH and about 81% of the original efficiency after 264 h storage at 60–70 °C. This work systematically revealed the relation between coordination ability of HTMs and the performance of PSCs for the first time, which provides new design strategies to develop efficient and stable PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Completely cross-linked film is obtained on the basis of photoinitiator markedly lowering the cross-linking temperature. • Hole mobility is enhanced by adding photoinitiator. • Energy levels become more suitable through doping photoinitiator. • Cross-linked hole transport layer improves power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells. To the best of our knowledge, poor environment stability is the main challenge for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, cross-linked hole transport layer (HTL) is built on perovskite crystal to guarantee the operation stability of mesoporous PSCs for the first time. Here, N,N' -di-p-tolyl- N,-N' -bis(4-vinylphenyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diamine (V-p-TPD) was applied as a hole-transportable polymerizable monomer with the assistance of ultraviolet photoinitiator 4-octyloxydiphenyliodonium hexafluoroantimonate (OPPI). Cross-linking process is conducted at a distinctly low temperature of only 100 °C by adjusting the V-p-TPD: OPPI ratio to 10:1, which is tolerable for the active black phase of perovskite. The resultant cross-linked V-p-TPD film is qualified with a high cross-linking degree of 99%, a high hole mobility of 3.84 × 10−4 cm2V−1s−1 and a hydrophobic surface with wetting angle of 94.6°. Mesoporous PSCs based on the obtained cross-linked HTL achieved a tremendous Power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.49%, which represents the state-of-the-art records of mesoporous PSCs with cross-linkable HTL. PCE of the unpackaged device can remain 88% of the initial value after 30 d in an atmospheric environment with a relative humidity of 60 ± 5%, and maintain 86% of the initial PCE after 200 h in 65 ± 2 °C argon atmosphere. This work presents a low-temperature processing strategy for the preparation of cross-linked HTL layer, which does favor to the stable and efficient energy harvesting application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The rostral part of the dorsal midbrain, known as the superior colliculus in mammals or the optic tectum in birds, receives a substantial retinal input and plays a diverse and important role in sensorimotor integration. However, little is known about the development of specific subtypes of neurons in the tectum, particularly those which contribute tectofugal projections to the thalamus, isthmic region, and hindbrain. Here we show that two homeodomain transcription factors, Brn3a and Pax7, are expressed in mutually exclusive patterns in the developing and mature avian midbrain. Neurons expressing these factors are generated at characteristic developmental times, and have specific laminar fates within the tectum. In mice expressing βgalactosidase targeted to the Pou4f1 (Brn3a) locus, Brn3a-expressing neurons contribute to the ipsilateral but not the contralateral tectofugal projections to the hindbrain. Using misexpression of Brn3a and Pax7 by electroporation in the chick tectum, combined with GFP reporters, we show that Brn3a determines the laminar fate of subsets of tectal neurons. Furthermore, Brn3a regulates the development of neurons contributing to specific ascending and descending tectofugal pathways, while Pax7 globally represses the development of tectofugal projections to nearly all brain structures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A self-polarization driven CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 single crystal detector is firstly realized. • The highest responsivity of self-powered photodetectors is 0.16 A/W. • The self-powered photodetectors can work steadily for more than 2 h. The self-powered photodetector (PD) with low energy-consumption is one of the main research direction of the next-generation photoelectric devices. In this paper, a PD driven by ferroelectric polarization based on the CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 single crystal (100) plane is realized for the first time. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves of the single crystal and the photocurrent of the device at different temperatures indicate that the crystal possesses a high Curie temperature of 330 K. The working mechanism of self-powered device is demonstrated by characterizing the ferroelectricity and the surface charge distribution on the CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 single crystal (100) plane. The distortion of the [PbI 6 ] octahedron in the unit cell causes crystal polarization, which provides a driving force for the directional movement of photogenerated carriers within the crystal. The influence of channel direction and channel size on device performance is further studied. The device with a simple structure of Au/CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 /Au achieves an excellent detection performance. The maximum responsivity is 0.16 A/W, the maximum on–off switching ratio is 1.41 × 104, and the photocurrent of the self-powered device has not been attenuated after continuous operation for 2 h. This provides a design strategy for exploring new self-powered 3D hybrid perovskite PD with broad photoelectricity applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• HA+ is incorporated into FAPbI 3 -based perovskite to obtain stable α -FAPbI 3. • 1D-HA-phase exists like a "rivet" passivating among the boundary of perovskite. • 1D/3D hybrid dimension structure enhances the stability of FAPbI 3 -based PSCs. • PSC based (FAMACs) 0.85 HA 0.15 achieves a PCE of 21.20%. FAPbI 3 has been greatly developed in Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) profiting from their narrow bandgap, high panchromatic absorption and long carrier diffusion length. Unfortunately, the phase instability of FAPbI 3 -based perovskite restricts its further development in PSCs. Here, hydrazinium cation (HA+: NH 2 NH 3 +) is incorporated into FAPbI 3 -based perovskite to obtain novel 1D/3D hybrid dimension structure with stable α -FAPbI 3 for the first time. The strong hydrogen bonding of HA+ increases the crystallinity and grain size of perovskite. Furthermore, SEM and TEM reveal that the new HA based 1D-phase (1D-HA-phase) exists like "rivet" passivating among the grain boundary of 3D perovskite, forming 1D/3D hybrid dimension structure contributing to the stability of FAPbI 3 -based perovskite. Confocal fluorescence microscopy, time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy and Kelvin probe force microscope measurements reveal that the trap state can be effectively restrained and the non-radiative recombination is largely suppressed in HA+ mixed FAPbI 3 -based perovskite film with 1D-HA-phase. Finally, stable α -FAPbI 3 -based perovskite and its film with high crystallinity, smooth surface morphology, excellent photovoltaic performance and few defects are obtained. PSC using (FAMACs) 0.85 HA 0.15 perovskite achieves a power conversion efficiency of 21.20% which can retain 90% at room temperature in ambient environment for 2520 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The core-shell hierarchical mesoporous titanium dioxides with situ nitrogen dopen carbon and the stable architecture are synthesized by a feasible route, basing on the sol-gel, freeze-drying and calcination process. Nitrogen doped carbon is synergistically compounded with nano-TiO 2 to fabricate the hybrid composite (C-N@MP-TiO 2), which has high surface area of 318 m2 g−1 and large average pore size of 6.8 nm. This corresponding anode consisted of the hybrid composite exhibits superior specific capacity, rate capability, and long cycling stability. Also, the initial discharge capacity is up to 360 mAh g−1 at the current density of 0.1 A g−1 with the good capacity retention of 97% after 350 circles. The excellent rate performance presents the capacity of 173.6 mAh g−1 at the current density of 5 A g−1. Moreover, the large current reversible capacity (20 A g−1) can reach 172.2 mAh g−1 with long-term cycling stability over 500 cycles. Therefore, the superior electrochemical performances are attributed to the stable core-shell mesoporous structure and in-situ nitrogen doped carbon, which is not only improve the electron transport and lithium ion diffusion, but also facilitate the immersion of electrolyte. • A hybrid composite with the stable core-shell mesoporous structure and in-situ N doped C was successfully prepared. • The high surface area and large average pore size can fast electrolyte infiltration and shorten Li+ diffusion pathway. • The preparation route firstly based on the sol-gel, freeze-drying and calcination process is feasible. • This hybrid composite displays superior electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A new strategy of developing high-performance dopant-free HTMs for PSCs is presented. • Two novel HTMs with intramolecular π-π interactions were developed for PSCs. • Crystal structures offer information on molecular configuration and interactions. • PSCs based on BFM-C6 showed a PCE of 19.06% with enhanced long-term stability. The development of hole-transporting materials (HTMs), especially dopant-free ones, is of great significance for simultaneously improving the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, two molecularly engineered HTMs (BFM-C1 and BFM-C6) featuring intramolecular π-π interactions are designed based on the well-known spiro-OMeTAD and synthesized via simple synthetic routes. Unlike the spiro-OMeTAD with orthogonal conformation, both BFM-C1 and BFM-C6 are revealed to adopt a "face-to-face" stacking orientation with evident intramolecular π-π interactions, and display about five times higher hole mobilities (≈ 10-4 cm2V-1s−1) than pristine spiro-OMeTAD. Moreover, both the HTMs exhibit high hole extraction capacity likely owing to good electronic contact with the perovskite. Notably, the incorporated long alkyl chains endow BFM-C6 with better film morphology and superior hydrophobicity, as compared with BFM-C1 , thereby resulting in enhanced charge extraction at the perovskite/HTM interface as well as the moisture stability of the perovskite underneath. Consequently, the PSCs employing BFM-C6 as HTM without dopants achieve a power conversion efficiency of 19.06%, along with preferable durability. Furthermore, BFM-C6 -based PSCs also exhibit improved thermal stability as compared to the devices based on doped spiro-OMeTAD. This work not only enriches the variety of dopant-free HTMs for PSCs, but also provide a new strategy for developing high-performance dopant-free HTMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A green anti-solvent EA method for MA-free quasi-2D DJ phase perovskite films with was reported. • The films presented a more homogeneous phase distribution with reduced defect density, higher mobility and conductivity. • A PCE of 18.86% was obtained, which is the highest for MA-free DJ phase 2D perovskite-based devices. • The devices maintained impressive stabilities under damp heat and continuous illumination at MPP tracking, respectively. The phase distribution of two-dimensional (2D) perovskites is critical for solar cell power conversion efficiency (PCE). Here, we report a simple green anti-solvent (ethyl acetate, EA) method for obtaining uniform phase dispersion of methylamine (MA)-free quasi-2D Dion-Jacobson (DJ) phase perovskite films (DMePDA)FA 3 Pb 4 I 13 (n = 4). The films present a more homogeneous phase distribution for their rapid extraction of solvents and the interaction between Pb2+ and the carbonyl group in EA, resulting in a more shining surface, reduced surface-defect density, higher out-plane mobility, and higher conductivity. We obtain a PCE of 18.86 %, which is the highest for MA-free DJ phase 2D perovskite-based devices. In addition, the target devices maintain 85 % and 90 % of their initial values after 1008 h under 85 % relative humidity at 85 ℃ (ISOS-D-3) and continuous illumination at maximum power point (MPP) tracking at ∼ 45 ℃ (ISOS-L-1), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • T5DP36 with one-dimensional transport channel deserved super carrier mobility. • One-dimensional transport channel was firstly constructed in CHTL (T5DP36:V-CBP). • One-dimensional transport channels in CHTL are formed by π-π interaction of T5DP36. • The carrier mobility of CHTL was boosted from 6.6 × 10−5 to 2.16 × 10−3 cm2V−1s−1. • The EQE of blue QLED has increased from 10.03% to 18.16%, which is the cutting edge. Quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) emerged as very competitive candidates for next generation display and lighting applications. Cross-linked hole transport materials (HTMs) permit the flourish of solution-processed QLEDs. Whereas, unbalanced charge injection and energy level mismatch happened to cross-linked HTMs severely suppress the efficiency of blue QLEDs, which limits the full-color display application. Here, discoid molecules with self-assembly behavior were firstly proposed to construct one-dimensional transport channels in cross-linked hole transport layer (HTL) to advance the carrier transport property of the target composite HTL (CHTL). Compared with CHTLs prepared from amorphous and disordered crystalline discoid molecules, the carrier mobility of CHTL (T5DP36: V-CBP) with one-dimensional transport channels was signally boosted by two orders of magnitude from 6.6 × 10−5 to 2.16 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1. The relevant blue QLED was qualified with notably enhanced external quantum efficiency of 18.16 %, deep blue emission with Commission International de I'Eclaiiage of (0.14, 0.04) and extended T 50 lifetime from 177 to 417 h under 100 cd m−2. This is at a cutting edge of deep blue light and eligible for high-end display applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) recipients often require substantial but variable transfusion support. Few studies have quantified their transfusion burden, or identified prognostic factors for increased transfusions to guide patient counseling or inventory management. Data on haploidentical HCT (Haplo-HCT) patients are especially scarce. Objectives To identify factors associated with increased RBC and platelet (PLT) transfusions, and provide for the first time data on a large cohort of Haplo-HCT patients. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 1803 consecutive first time adult allo-HCT patients transplanted at our center in 2011-17. Multivariate linear regression and Fine-Gray subdistribution hazards models were used to examine the associations between baseline characteristics (age, sex, disease stage, graft type, donor type, ABO compatibility and conditioning regimen) and log-transformed transfusion units in the first 30 days after HCT and time to reach transfusion independence respectively. Results The median age of the cohort was 53(18-78); 56.2% were male. Most common diagnoses were AML (38.8%), ALL (19.6%), and lymphoma (14.8%); 50.2% had advanced disease. Patients received nonmyeloablative/reduced intensity (58.9%) or myeloablative conditioning regimens (MAC, 41.1%), followed by peripheral blood stem cell (88.4%), bone marrow (6.9%) or umbilical (UC, 4.7%) HCT. Most grafts were from matched related (MRD, 38.7%) or unrelated (MUD, 49.1%) donors, and 7.6% were haploidentical. ABO incompatibility (Major 15.8%, minor 18.6%, bi-directional 8.5%) was present in 42.9% of the cases (Table 1). Most of the 1764 patients who survived 30+ days received RBC (88.2%) or PLT (97.2%) transfusions during the first 30 days, with a median of 3 (0-37) RBC and 5(0-144) apheresis PLT units. RBC and PLT transfusion independence was reached in 28 (95%CI: 26-31) and 12 (95%CI: 12-13) days respectively. Multivariate analyses showed that Haplo-HCT and UC graft were independently associated with more RBC and PLT transfusions, as were advanced disease, ABO incompatibility, older age, and MAC (P<0.001 for all variables). Prolonged PLT or RBC transfusion dependence was independently associated with Haplo-HCT, UC graft and advanced disease (P<0.001 for all three), older age (P=0.003) and ABO incompatibility (P<0.001 for RBC, P=0.008 for PLT), but not sex or conditioning regimen. Haplo-HCT patients needed fewer transfusions than UC, but more than MRD/MUD recipients; they also became transfusion-independent faster than UC, but slower than MRD/MUD recipients regardless of graft type (Table 2 & 3). Conclusions We identified patient and transplant factors strongly associated with increased transfusions in the first 30 days after allo-HCT, and quantified the transfusion burden of Haplo-HCT relative to other types of HCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Striatal dopamine (DA) is critically involved in major brain functions such as motor control and deficits such as Parkinson's disease. DA is released following stimulation by two pathways: the nigrostriatal pathway and the cholinergic interneuron (ChI) pathway. The timing of synaptic transmission is critical in striatal circuits, because millisecond latency changes can reverse synaptic plasticity from long-term potentiation to long-term depression in a DA-dependent manner. Here, we determined the temporal components of ChI-driven DA release in striatal slices from optogenetic ChAT-ChR2-EYFP mice. After a light stimulus at room temperature, ChIs fired an action potential with a delay of 2.8 ms. The subsequent DA release mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors had a total latency of 17.8 ms, comprising 7.0 ms for cholinergic transmission and 10.8 ms for the downstream terminal DA release. Similar latencies of DA release were also found in striatal slices from wild-typemice. The latency of ChI-driven DA release was regulated by inhibiting the presynaptic vesicular ACh release. Moreover, we describe the time course of recovery ofDA release via the two pathways and that of vesicle replenishment in DA terminals. Our work provides an example of unravelling the temporal building blocks during fundamental synaptic terminal-terminal transmission in motor regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Two novel spiro-type HTMs with a low symmetry feature were developed for PSCs. • The SFHc-S-based PSC achieved a high PCE of 21.52% with improved stability. • Thiocarbonyl groups could efficiently passivate the perovskite surface defects. • Two facilely synthesized spiro cores are reported for designing functional materials. Hole-transporting materials (HTMs) play crucial roles in protecting the perovskite layer, promoting charge extraction, as well as controlling the cost of Perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In order to reduce PSCs cost and simplify PSCs preparation process, more and more attention has been paid to develop multifunctional HTMs. In this work, two novel spiro-fluorene/heterocycle cored bifunctional HTMs, denoted as SFHc-O and SFHc-S respectively, are designed and facilely synthesized. The two HTMs have similar molecular structures, energy levels and thermal properties, but show quite different PSCs performance. Significantly, the heteroatoms in freshly developed spiro cores are demonstrated to have large contributions to device performance. In particular, the sulfur atoms in SFHc-S display a positive impact on both the hole extraction/transport and the defect passivation, which ultimately endow corresponding device with much better performance. The PSC based on SFHc-S obtains a high efficiency excess 21.5% with negligible hysteresis. Moreover, the device with SFHc-S displays enhanced stability, compared to the reference device incorporating spiro-OMeTAD. This work paves a way to develop multifunctional spiro-HTMs for highly efficient and stable PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Highly stable Cs 3 Cu 2 X 5 (X = Cl, Br, I) NCs with near-unity PLQY (X = Cl and I) were prepared by a facile one-pot method. • Crystal phase transformation was observed in water post-treatment of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 NCs and a plausible mechanism was proposed. • W-LED constructed by mixing Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 and CsCu 2 I 3 possessed CIE coordinates of (0.32, 0.34). Cu-based perovskite Nanocrystals (NCs) have a bright future in the field of optoelectronics due to their low toxicity, remarkable optical properties and good environmental stability. However, the industrial application is hindered by complex preparation methods. Herein, a facile one-pot method for synthesizing Cs 3 Cu 2 X 5 NCs is proposed. The target Cu-based perovskite NCs were qualified with preferable optical performance, including near-unity PLQY (X = Cl and I), adjustable spectrum from 441 to 556 nm and remarkable environmental stability (retained more than 50% Photoluminescence (PL) intensity for 2 months in air). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations, Time-resolved PL (TRPL) and temperature-dependent PL spectrum were implemented to explore the Self-trapped excitons (STEs) luminescence mechanism and the roots for remarkable optical performance. In addition, crystal phase transformation was observed in water post-treatment from blue light-emitting Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 NCs to yellow light-emitting CsCu 2 I 3 NCs, relative characterizations were implemented and a plausible reaction mechanism was proposed. Resultantly, a White light-emitting diode (W-LED) constructed by mixing these two phases was endowed with pure white light, which possessed the Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinate of (0.32, 0.34), color temperature of 6053 K, color Rendering index (Ra) 0f 91 and maximum luminance of 1558 cd/m2. The contribution indicates that Cu-based perovskite NCs prepared by one-pot method have great potential for luminescent applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Indium tin oxide was hybrid modified with MoO 3 and self-assembled monolayer. • Self-assembled monolayer was used to adjust oxygen vacancies in MoO 3. • Solution-processed hole transport layer-free OLED achieved EQE max of 18.18% Compared with current vacuum-deposited multilayer organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), solution-processed simplified-structured OLEDs are more appealing by merits of low costs and promising potentials in large-area OLEDs. Nevertheless, it remains challenging due to intermixing between adjacent organic layers. Herein, indium tin oxide (ITO) surface was deposited with molybdenum trioxide (MoO 3) and then modified with self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of pentafluorobenzyl phosphonic acid. The SAM modification process made the MoO x film rich in oxygen vacancies, which ensured effective hole injection from the hybrid modified ITO directly to the emitting layer. This strategy facilitates HTL-free OLEDs and then completely avoids interlayer intermixing. Using the hybrid modified ITO as anode, HTL-free solution-processed green phosphorescent OLED was prepared and achieved a maximum current efficiency of 63.24 cd A−1 and a maximum external quantum efficiency of 18.18%. Meanwhile, preferable operational stability than standard multilayer OLEDs was obtained. For red phosphorescent OLED, a maximum external quantum efficiency of 17.49% was achieved. This work proposed a new way of adjusting cation valence to improve hole injection, contributing to solution-processed OLED fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity results from a chronic energy imbalance due to energy intake exceeding energy expenditure. Activation of brown fat thermogenesis has been shown to combat obesity. Epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation, has emerged as a key regulator of brown fat thermogenic function. Here we aimed to study the role of Dnmt3b, a DNA methyltransferase involved in de novo DNA methylation, in the regulation of brown fat thermogenesis and obesity. We found that the specific deletion of Dnmt3b in brown fat promotes the thermogenic and mitochondrial program in brown fat, enhances energy expenditure, and decreases adiposity in female mice fed a regular chow diet. With a lean phenotype, the female knockout mice also exhibit increased insulin sensitivity. In addition, Dnmt3b deficiency in brown fat also prevents diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in female mice. Interestingly, our RNA-seq analysis revealed an upregulation of the PI3K-Akt pathway in the brown fat of female Dnmt3b knockout mice. However, male Dnmt3b knockout mice have no change in their body weight, suggesting the existence of sexual dimorphism in the brown fat Dnmt3b knockout model. Our data demonstrate that Dnmt3b plays an important role in the regulation of brown fat function, energy metabolism and obesity in female mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• DMF and DMSO induced the termination of perovskite crystals from Pb-X to A-X. • Perovskite crystals with A-X termination have shallower VBM and CBM. • DMSO and DMF induce the regrowth of perovskite crystals with reduced defects. The optimal alignment of semiconductor's electronic energy level with respect to hole-transporting materials (HTMs and ETMs) determines the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The energy level of perovskite can be greatly affected by the crystal surface termination state formed in the perovskite polycrystalline film preparation process. Perovskite featured with Pb-X termination always bears deep energy level which cannot match well HTM. Herein, to regulate the surface termination state of the perovskite crystals, a controlled solvent atmosphere dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) was employed to induce the regrowth of perovskite crystals. Results prove that the mixed solvent of DMSO and DMF can induce perovskite crystals from Pb-X termination to A-X termination. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the terminated conversion moves the valence and conduction band edge (VBE and CBE) of perovskite crystal to a shallower energy level, which does great favor to match the energy level of HTM, and then contributes to extracting charges. In addition, the defect density of the optimized perovskite polycrystalline film decreased from 1.258 × 1016 to 1.022 × 1016 cm -3, and the depletion width of PSCs increased from 48.9 to 56.1 nm. Profiting from the effective charge extraction and reduced non-radiative recombination, the open circuit voltage of the PSC increased from 0.99 to 1.09 V, and the conversion efficiency boosted from 17.8% to 20.3%.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular reprogramming of somatic cells to patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) enables in vitro modelling of human genetic disorders for pathogenic investigations and therapeutic screens. However, using iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) to model an adult-onset heart disease remains challenging owing to the uncertainty regarding the ability of relatively immature iPSC-CMs to fully recapitulate adult disease phenotypes. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) is an inherited heart disease characterized by pathological fatty infiltration and cardiomyocyte loss predominantly in the right ventricle, which is associated with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Over 50% of affected individuals have desmosome gene mutations, most commonly in PKP2, encoding plakophilin-2 (ref. 9). The median age at presentation of ARVD/C is 26?years. We used previously published methods to generate iPSC lines from fibroblasts of two patients with ARVD/C and PKP2 mutations. Mutant PKP2 iPSC-CMs demonstrate abnormal plakoglobin nuclear translocation and decreased ?-catenin activity in cardiogenic conditions; yet, these abnormal features are insufficient to reproduce the pathological phenotypes of ARVD/C in standard cardiogenic conditions. Here we show that induction of adult-like metabolic energetics from an embryonic/glycolytic state and abnormal peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-?) activation underlie the pathogenesis of ARVD/C. By co-activating normal PPAR-alpha-dependent metabolism and abnormal PPAR-? pathway in beating embryoid bodies (EBs) with defined media, we established an efficient ARVD/C in vitro model within 2?months. This model manifests exaggerated lipogenesis and apoptosis in mutant PKP2 iPSC-CMs. iPSC-CMs with a homozygous PKP2 mutation also had calcium-handling deficits. Our study is the first to demonstrate that induction of adult-like metabolism has a critical role in establishing an adult-onset disease model using patient-specific iPSCs. Using this model, we revealed crucial pathogenic insights that metabolic derangement in adult-like metabolic milieu underlies ARVD/C pathologies, enabling us to propose novel disease-modifying therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Therapy-related myelodysplasia or acute myeloid leukemia (t-MDS/AML) is a major complication of cancer treatment. We compared gene expression in CD34+ cells from patients who developed t-MDS/AML after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (aHCT) for lymphoma with controls who did not develop t-MDS/AML. We observed altered gene expression related to mitochondrial function, metabolism, and hematopoietic regulation in pre-aHCT samples from patients who subsequently developed t-MDS/AML. Progression to overt t-MDS/AML was associated with additional alterations in cell-cycle regulatory genes. An optimal 38-gene PBSC classifier accurately distinguished patients who did or did not develop t-MDS/AML in an independent group of patients. We conclude that genetic programs associated with t-MDS/AML are perturbed long before disease onset, and accurately identify patients at risk for this complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) have been increasingly used in the matched unrelated donor (MUD) transplant setting, but the impact of CD34+ cell dose on outcomes in this setting have not been well characterized. We analyzed 181 consecutive patients who underwent MUD-PBSC transplantation at the City of Hope between August 2000 to December 2004. Patients were conditioned with either full-intensity regimen or reduced-intensity regimen. There was a significant inverse relationship between higher CD34+ cell dose and faster neutrophil engraftment (r = −0.16, P = .035). By univariate analysis, a CD34+ cell dose ≥4.2 × 106/kg (above the lowest quartile) was associated with significantly lower relapse risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.67, P = .0126), with a trend for corresponding improvement for disease-free survival (HR = 0.84, P = .12) but not overall survival (HR = 0.91, P = .46). The impact of the CD34+ cell dose remained significant in multivariate analysis. The higher CD34+ cell dose was significantly associated with faster recovery of absolute lymphocyte counts on day +30 posttransplant. Subset analysis demonstrated that the higher CD34+ cell dose was associated with (1) greater reduction in relapse in myeloid malignancies than that in lymphoid malignancies, (2) greater reduction in reduced-intensity conditioning than in full-intensity conditioning, (3) greater reduction in relapse when there is a inhibitory killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor ligand (iKIRL)-mismatch in the gravft-versus-host (GVH) direction, and (4) greater reduction in relapse when there is a lack of iKIRL, suggesting that the protective effect of CD34+ cell dose against relapse may be immune-mediated, possibly through NK cell recovery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hollow TiO 2 spheres were synthesized by template method, with the diameters was 200 nm and the thickness of shell about 30 nm. The high-quality perovskite films fabricated on the hollow TiO 2 mesoporous layer demonstrate smooth surface and large grain size, resulting in the better scattering light ability and fewer defects. The efficiency of the perovskite solar cells prepared on hollow mesoporous layer can reach 17.60%, which is an approximately 14% higher than the PCE of conventional mesoporous layer devices under the same condition. Importantly, the solar cells with hollow TiO 2 can exhibit better stability than the cells with mesoporous TiO 2 after aging 30 days in 65% relative humidity under dark conditions. The results indicate that the hollow TiO 2 mesoporous layer will be a candidate for better efficient and stable CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 perovskite solar cells, and this structure provides a direction for the design of novel mesoporous layers for perovskite solar cells in future. [Display omitted] • Hollow TiO 2 synthesized by template method shows diameters about 200 nm, along with shell thickness about 30 nm. • The perovskite films fabricated on the hollow TiO 2 demonstrate good morphology and crystallinity, resulting in better scattering light ability and fewer defects. • PCE of cells based on hollow TiO 2 can reach 17.60%, which is 14% higher than that based on conventional TiO 2. • The PSCs based on hollow TiO 2 demonstrate better stability under ambient atmosphere with a relative humidity of 65 ± 5% for 30 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• QD films based on modified Poly-TPD exhibited higher PL intensity and lower fluorescence quenching properties. • Reduced defects density at the interface between QD films and Poly-TPD modified with diamine molecules. • QLEDs exhibited a distinctly enhancement in EQE from 4.93 to 8.90%. Inorganic perovskite quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as promising materials for light-emitting devices by merits of their high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), narrow full width at half-maximum and tunable emission spectrum. However, fluorescence quenching and trap-mediated nonradiative recombination between hole transport layer (HTL) and QD films are prejudicial to the performance of perovskite-QDs-based light-emitting devices (QLEDs). Here, HTL was modified with diamine molecules (1,4-butanediamine (4-DA), 1,8-octyldiamine (8-DA) and 1,11-aminoundecylamine (11-DA)) through a simple self-assembly method. QD films based on modified poly[ N , N ′-bis(4-butylphenyl)- N , N ′-bis(phenyl)-benzidine] (Poly-TPD) exhibited higher PL intensity and lower fluorescence quenching properties. Meanwhile, diamine molecules do favor to the flatness of Poly-TPD film and contribute to the smoothness of QD films. Moreover, the exciton quenching and the density of defects at the interface between HTL and QD films were effectively reduced. Particularly, QLEDs based on HTL modified with 8-DA was endowed with a maximum luminance of 78634 cd/m2, a peak current efficiency of 30.77 cd/A, a maximum external quantum efficiency of 8.90% and T 50 of 16.8 min when the initial brightness is about 1000 cd/m2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two ketal derivatives of 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (DHP) were developed as HTMs for PSCs. • The K-DHP-1 based PSCs delivered a high PCE of 20.52% with negligible hysteresis. • Improved stability was achieved in K-DHP-1 (versus spiro-OMeTAD) based PSCs. • DHP was first revealed as an effective building block for further development of HTMs. It is a very important task of searching for novel hole-transporting materials (HTMs), along with effective building blocks, on the way towards commercialization of the perovskite solar cells (PSCs). 9,10-Dihydrophenanthrene (DHP) is a rigid conjugated system, whose skeleton is closely analogous to the widely used fluorene unit in developing HTMs. Herein, for the first time, DHP employed as a promising building block in the construction of HTMs for PSCs is presented. Two readily-available DHP-cored small molecules, namely K-DHP-1 and K-DHP-2, were synthesized and characterized. An attractive bridged ketal pattern of the two molecules was revealed by the X-ray crystallography of K-DHP-2. Afterwards, the two compounds were applied as HTMs in conventional PSCs with a FA 0.9 MA 0.1 Pb(I 0.9 Br 0.1) 3 • 0.05 CsI perovskite, respectively. Thereinto, the champion device based on doped K-DHP-1 exhibits a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 20.52% with J sc of 23.96 mA/cm2, V oc of 1.09 V and FF of 78.6%, rivalling the performance of device fabricated with spiro-OMeTAD (20.97%). More encouragingly, the K-DHP-1-based PSC displays good long-term stability, remaining 88% of its original performance after storing in atmosphere (30%~50% relative humidity) for 45 d without encapsulation, which is better than the spiro-OMeTAD-based PSC. These results indicate that K-DHP-1 can be an effective HTM to realize high efficiency and stable PSCs, and furthermore DHP can serve as an excellent building block for the development of new HTMs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern Yellow Sea (SYS) is considered to be of the most prolific fishing grounds in the China Sea. In this study, the seasonal and spatial distributions of total dissolved iron (DFe) are investigated across four seasons in the SYS, from July 2013 to January 2016. This investigation showed that the DFe values of all samples exhibited seasonal variations: summer (1.7–15.8 nM), autumn (0.9–38.5 nM), winter (3.0–69.8 nM), and spring (3.0–100.2 nM). The DFe values in both surface and bottom waters also exhibited distinct temporal changes. The influence of water masses on the distribution of DFe as well as other factors, such as major nutrient concentrations of total dissolved nitrogen, total dissolved phosphate, and hydrologic factors, was investigated in this study. Based on the investigation of DFe and major nutrients in the SYS, the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass was identified as the most conservable water mass in the study area. The results of this study further indicate that in winter, DFe 0.4 μm (using a 0.4 μm filter) is considerably higher than DFe 0.2 μm (using a 0.2 μm filter) in the surface water of the SYS coastal area. Therefore, the dissolution of colloidal Fe in this area had a significant effect on DFe. • Seasonal distributions of DFe are reported in the SYS, which has the most abundant fishery resources in China Sea. • The blooms of green tides in Subei Shoal caused influence on the DFe concentration in summer. • Based on the relationship between DFe and nutrients, the YSCW is the most conservative among the water masses in the SYS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two vinyl-based cross-linkable hole transporting materials are synthesized. • Cross-linking temperature is markedly lowered by doping photoinitiator. • Hole mobility is also enhanced by doping photoinitiator. • The highest external quantum efficiencies are 15.5% (green) and 15.0% (red). Recently, developing insoluble cross-linkable functional layers plays a vital role for solution-processed organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Here, two vinyl-based cross-linkable hole transporting materials V-TPAVTPD and V-TPAVCBP are designed and synthesized. Additionally, cationic photoinitiator 4-octyloxydiphenyliodonium hexafluoroantimonate (OPPI) is first introduced to chemically induce vinyl-based photo cross-linking process, aiming at lowering cross-linking temperature and enhancing hole mobility. As a result, cross-linking can occur at expressly low temperature of 120 °C with >95% solvent resistance. Moreover, hole mobility is markedly enhanced with the value higher than 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1. When applying hole transporting layers (HTLs) to solution-processed green and red phosphorescent OLEDs, devices exhibit excellent properties. Particularly, the maximum current efficiency of 54.0 cd A−1 (green), 9.8 cd A−1 (red) and external quantum efficiency of 15.5% (green), 15.0% (red) are obtained when OPPI doped V-TPAVCBP serves as HTL. This low temperature feasible cross-linking process to prepare HTLs with preferable hole mobility promotes the development of OLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two pyrene-based hole transport materials are synthesized. • The dopant-free PYR16 using in PSC achieves a higher PCE of 17% than PYR27. • PSC based on dopant-free PYR16 obtains excellent stability at 80 ℃ and under continuous simulated AM 1.5G sunlight soaking. In this work, arylamine branches N 4-[4-[Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-amino]phenyl]- N 1, N 1-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,4-benzenediamine are introduced to the 1,6- and 2,7-positions of pyrene core to afford two novel HTMs coded PYR16 and PYR27. The influence of different positions of arylamine units on the optical and electronic properties and the performance of PSCs are investigated. The perovskite solar cells (PSCs) using dopant-free PYR16 exhibite a PCE of 17.00%, which is higher than that of PYR27 (14.67%). Furthermore, the PSCs based on PYR16 obtain better stability than those using PYR27 by maintaining 98% of the initial values after 1080 h at 80 ℃ in an ambient environment in the dark and 85% of initial values after 672 h under continuous sunlight soaking in an ambient environment at 45–50 ℃. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]