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In this work g-C3N4/CuS composite film was prepared by successive ion layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method and used as the counter electrode in quantum dot sensitized solar cell (QDSSCs). To configure the cell, CdSe and CdS quantum dots acted as sensitizers on the photoanode side, polysulphide was used as the electrolyte and copper sulphide was deposited into the g-C3N4 film structure on the counter electrode side. Scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the morphology and structure of the electrode materials, respectively. The photovoltaic performance of the cell was analysed by a standard solar simulator. The results revealed that the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the cell reached 3.65% under condition of AM 1.5 and irradiation intensity of 100mW/cm2.

The effects of precursor powder uniformity on structure and electrical properties of Gd-doped CeO2 (GDC) electrolytes were studied. The as-synthesized GDCx powders (x = 5, 10 and 15 at.%) were calcined at 600 and 1200°C and combined in mass ratios of 100:0 and 95:5 to obtain two precursor powders with different particle size distributions. Sintering of the pressed pellets was performed at 1300 and 1400°C for 10 h. Crystal structure, microstructure and electrical properties of the samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and AC impedance spectroscopy, respectively. When a smaller proportion of large particles (calcined at 1200 °C) were present in the precursor powders, sinterability of the prepared samples is slowed down, which had an adverse effect on electrical conductivity. The lower the concentration of Gd, the more significant is the adverse effect. At higher sintering temperature (1400°C), the influence of Gd concentration on microstructure and ionic conductivity is more obvious. The GDC15 sample, prepared from the precursor powder calcined at 600°C, had the highest conductivity and σasGB/σBulk ratio at 300°C.

In this study, heteroatomic ferrisilicalite-1 zeolite monolith (FS-1 ZM) was developed for affinitive recognition of intracellular phosphorylated protein in Tetrahymena thermophila after exposure to organoarsenic feed additives (roxarsone, ROX; p-arsanilic acid, PASA) and their photodegradates. ROX or PASA can be photodegradated into toxic inorganic arsenicals, which has become a public concern. After T. thermophila being exposed to ROX or PASA and their photodegradates, it is of significance to address intracellular protein phosphorylation alteration. However, it is challenging for effective capture of phosphorylated protein under the interference of arsenicals uptake. Followed by ferrisilicalite-1 zeolite monolith based immobilization process, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis, in-gel enzymatic digestion, and subsequent LC-MS/MS methodology, the integrated protocol was firstly attempted for identification of arsenic-induced phosphorylated protein alteration. It was found there was little impact of ROX or PASA on intracellular phosphorylated protein distribution. Alternatively, phosphorylated 14-3-3ϵ was down-regulated after the cells were exposed to photodegradates of ROX or PASA, which were similar to those following exposure to inorganic arsenicals. Overall, inorganic arsenicals present during the degradative pathways of ROX or PASA affect the signal transduction system of T. thermophila cells. The down-regulation of phosphorylated 14-3-3ϵ would be further studied as potential biomarker for organoarsenicals released into the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression seriously affects the quality of life of breast cancer patients and even hinders treatment and recovery after diagnosis. Subthreshold depression should be worthy of attention, and the risk of subthreshold depression developing into depression increases if timely intervention is not available. However, there is limited research on interventions for subthreshold depression, especially for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients., Objective: Exploring the efficacy of a PERMA-based positive psychological intervention programme in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with subthreshold depression., Methods: Using PERMA as a framework, we constructed the intervention programme through a literature review and expert discussion approach, and revised the programme using the Delphi method. Then we selected 84 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients for a randomised controlled trial. The control group received conventional care (primary care, specialist care, psychological care, etc.), and the observation group received a PERMA-based positive psychological intervention programme. Patient data were collected before and after the intervention, and the dataset consisted of patient responses to general information, the Depression Screening Scale (CES-D), the Hamilton Depression Inventory (HAMD-17), and the Questionnaire on Psychosocial Adjustment in Breast Cancer Patients., Results: A total of 79 patients completed the study (38 patients in the observation group and 41 patients in the control group), and before the intervention, there were no statistical differences in the comparison of general information, subthreshold depression scores, and psychosocial adaptation scores between the two groups ( p > 0.05). After the intervention, the subthreshold depression (CES-D and HAMD-17 scores) scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group ( p  < 0.01), and the psychosocial adaptation scores were significantly higher than those of the control group ( p  < 0.01)., Conclusion: A positive psychological intervention programme using PERMA as a framework was more effective in reducing subthreshold depression levels and promoting levels of psychosocial adjustment in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients., Implications for Practice: Interventions for subthreshold depression are not limited to the traditional aftercare model, but rather from a positive psychology perspective. Especially for patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer, this is a new endeavour that has important implications for them. Because, instead of focusing on their negative emotions, we help them gradually adapt to their new identity and treatment process from a positive aspect during their most difficult period, thus reducing their subthreshold depression level and preventing it from developing into a more severe depression., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wang, Li, Xin, Wu and Xia.)