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To establish a risk prediction model and make individualized assessment for the susceptible diabetic retinopathy (DR) population in type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) patients. According to the retrieval strategy, inclusion and exclusion criteria, the relevant meta-analyses on DR risk factors were searched and evaluated. The pooled odds ratio (OR) or relative risk (RR) of each risk factor was obtained and calculated for β coefficients using logistic regression (LR) model. Besides, an electronic patient-reported outcome questionnaire was developed and 60 cases of DR and non-DR T2DM patients were investigated to validate the developed model. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn to verify the prediction accuracy of the model. After retrieving, eight meta-analyses with a total of 15,654 cases and 12 risk factors associated with the onset of DR in T2DM, including weight loss surgery, myopia, lipid-lowing drugs, intensive glucose control, course of T2DM, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose, hypertension, gender, insulin treatment, residence, and smoking were included for LR modeling. These factors, followed by the respective β coefficient was bariatric surgery (− 0.942), myopia (− 0.357), lipid-lowering drug follow-up < 3y (− 0.994), lipid-lowering drug follow-up > 3y (− 0.223), course of T2DM (0.174), HbA1c (0.372), fasting plasma glucose (0.223), insulin therapy (0.688), rural residence (0.199), smoking (− 0.083), hypertension (0.405), male (0.548), intensive glycemic control (− 0.400) with constant term α (− 0.949) in the constructed model. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the model in the external validation was 0.912. An application was presented as an example of use. In conclusion, the risk prediction model of DR is developed, which makes individualized assessment for the susceptible DR population feasible and needs to be further verified with large sample size application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study investigates the association between circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and breast cancer metastasis. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University during the period of August 2017–October 2020. We used adjusted logistic regression, the random forest algorithm, and sensitivity analysis to study the association between CTC enumeration and tumor metastasis. Further, we performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) on the CTCs obtained from two patients with breast cancer brain metastasis. Results: A total of 41 out of 116 enrolled patients were identified with tumor metastasis. CTC enumeration was significantly higher in patients with liver metastasis than in those without liver metastasis. Patients with CTCs ≥ 5 exhibited a higher risk of tumor metastasis than those with CTCs < 5 in the adjusted model (odds ratios (OR) = 6.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.63–15.58). The random forest model identified CTC enumeration as a significant metastasis-related variable with the highest mean decrease accuracy and mean decrease Gini score. No significant association was found between CTCs and visceral metastasis with an OR of 1.29 (95% CI = 0.98–2.05, p = 0.232). Upon further investigating organ-specific metastasis, we found that patients with high CTC levels were more likely to develop liver metastasis (OR = 4.87, 95% CI = 1.34–20.17, p = 0.021). The NGS study of CTCs identified a total of 120 indel mutations (e.g., CNGB1, NTSR1, ZG16). The enriched biological processes were mechanoreceptor differentiation and macrophage activation involved in the immune response. The enriched KEGG pathways included focal adhesion, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and microRNAs involved in cancer. Conclusions: Our study revealed that CTCs ≥ 5 are a risk factor for tumor metastasis in breast cancer patients. In addition, we reported that CTCs ≥ 5 might be associated with a higher risk of liver metastasis in patients with metastatic breast cancer. We have provided the mutational profiles of CTCs based on next-generation sequencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on SnO2 have reached a power conversion efficiency (PCE) over 25%, large-scale fabrication remains the main obstacle to the commercialization of PSCs. Therefore, considering the process compatibility, low-temperature processing and large-area fabrication technologies have received widespread attention as those are ideal for upscaling of single and tandem devices. Herein, we demonstrated an effective atomic layer deposition (ALD) process by using H2O2 as an oxygen source and the deposition temperatures can be lowered up to 50 °C due to the high activity of H2O2. The low temperature deposition enables conformal coverage of the substrate and results in a pinhole-free film with high optical transmittance, excellent electron extraction properties, and large area uniformity. Notably, a high PCE of 20.70% is achieved for single junction PSCs based on ALD-SnO2 (50 °C). When the ALD-SnO2 applied to p-i-n structure perovskite/silicon heterojunction tandem solar cell, an efficiency of 26.67% was obtained. The results demonstrate the potential of the low-temperature ALD processed metal oxide for large-scale manufacturing of optoelectronic devices with competitive performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) precursor films were deposited using a water-based solution approach. Subsequently, selenization was performed at different temperatures in the range of 480–610 °C to prepare Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) absorber-layer films. The effects of the selenization temperature on the crystallinity, structure, morphology, and photoelectric properties of CZTSSe thin films, as well as the performance of solar cells constructed using these films, were systematically studied. The absorber-layer films selenized at different temperatures all formed pure-phase CZTSSe and had basically the same film thickness. It was found that application of an optimal selenization temperature can enhance the crystallinity, crystal grain size, and mobility and reduce the resistivity of CZTSSe films. Selenization at 550 °C resulted in the largest grain size (∼μm), the highest crystallinity, the highest mobility (4.29 cm2 V−1 s−1), the lowest resistivity (3.13 × 102 Ω cm), the thinner fine-grained layer, a bandgap value of 1.21 eV, and a Cu-poor, Zn-rich elemental composition [Cu/(Zn + Sn) = 0.85 and Zn/Sn = 1.16]. The power-conversion efficiency was improved from 3.04% in a CZTSSe cell device with an absorber layer selenized at 480 °C to 4.69% in a film selenized at 550 °C. This was mainly due to the improvement of the crystallinity, crystal grain growth, and reduction of the fine-grained layer of the CZTSSe film. These results show that optimizing the selenization temperature is essential for enhancing the performance and the ultimate device efficiency of CZTSSe absorber layers prepared using a water-based solution approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, Cu 2 ZnSn 1- x Ge x S 4 (CZTGS) precursor thin films with varied Ge composition (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1) were prepared by using a water-based solution approach. After selenizing at 550 °C for 10 min in a graphite box containing selenium powder, the as-fabricated kesterite Cu 2 ZnSn 1- x Ge x (S,Se) 4 (CZTGSSe) thin films were systematically investigated for phase structure, morphology, valence states of elements, optical properties, and electrical properties. The results showed that the Ge element was successfully incorporated into the host lattice of Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 (CZTSSe), and kesterite CZTGSSe films were formed. As the Ge content increased, the crystal grains in the films grew larger and showed uniform morphology on the sample surfaces. The band gap in the CZTGS(Se) thin films could be engineered in the range of 1.21 eV–2.00 eV by tuning the relative compositions of the Ge elements. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the doping of Ge improved the mobility, resistivity, and photoelectric performance of the films. Finally, the Cu 2 ZnSn 0.8 Ge 0.2 (S,Se) 4 solar cell device with an efficiency of 5.39% was prepared. The results indicate that non-toxic water solution-based CZTGSSe films showed potential for application in solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) have been made by using lysine‐reactive chemistries. Few aminophiles possessing balanced reactivity/stability for the development of cell‐active TCIs are however available. We report herein lysine‐reactive activity‐based probes (ABPs; 2–14) based on the chemistry of aryl fluorosulfates (ArOSO2F) capable of global reactivity profiling of the catalytic lysine in human kinome from mammalian cells. We concurrently developed reversible covalent ABPs (15/16) by installing salicylaldehydes (SA) onto a promiscuous kinase‐binding scaffold. The stability and amine reactivity of these probes exhibited a broad range of tunability. X‐ray crystallography and mass spectrometry (MS) confirmed the successful covalent engagement between ArOSO2F on 9 and the catalytic lysine of SRC kinase. Chemoproteomic studies enabled the profiling of >300 endogenous kinases, thus providing a global landscape of ligandable catalytic lysines of the kinome. By further introducing these aminophiles into VX‐680 (a noncovalent inhibitor of AURKA kinase), we generated novel lysine‐reactive TCIs that exhibited excellent in vitro potency and reasonable cellular activities with prolonged residence time. Our work serves as a general guide for the development of lysine‐reactive ArOSO2F‐based TCIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) have been made by using lysine‐reactive chemistries. Few aminophiles possessing balanced reactivity/stability for the development of cell‐active TCIs are however available. We report herein lysine‐reactive activity‐based probes (ABPs; 2–14) based on the chemistry of aryl fluorosulfates (ArOSO2F) capable of global reactivity profiling of the catalytic lysine in human kinome from mammalian cells. We concurrently developed reversible covalent ABPs (15/16) by installing salicylaldehydes (SA) onto a promiscuous kinase‐binding scaffold. The stability and amine reactivity of these probes exhibited a broad range of tunability. X‐ray crystallography and mass spectrometry (MS) confirmed the successful covalent engagement between ArOSO2F on 9 and the catalytic lysine of SRC kinase. Chemoproteomic studies enabled the profiling of >300 endogenous kinases, thus providing a global landscape of ligandable catalytic lysines of the kinome. By further introducing these aminophiles into VX‐680 (a noncovalent inhibitor of AURKA kinase), we generated novel lysine‐reactive TCIs that exhibited excellent in vitro potency and reasonable cellular activities with prolonged residence time. Our work serves as a general guide for the development of lysine‐reactive ArOSO2F‐based TCIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the isothermal and continuous cooling transformation mechanisms of prior austenite and its relationship to fracture behavior of high‐strength medium‐Mn steel are studied. Furthermore, the precipitation behavior of cementite is also analyzed. The results indicate that the short rod‐like cementite forms in the martensite matrix during the air‐cooling process, the solubility difference of supersaturated elements provides a driving force for the element diffusion. Accordingly, it is proved that no isothermal transformation of prior austenite occurs during the 360 °C × 7 days isothermal treatment. The lath‐like microstructure is the martensite, which is produced during the subsequent continuous cooling process. The prior austenite is "divided" by the preferential martensite (transformed via heterogeneous nucleation), and the interfaces between preferential martensite and untransformed austenite provide nucleation sites for the subsequent martensite. The introduction of initial martensite before the isothermal treatment leads to the reversible brittleness of medium‐Mn steel. The fracture strength decreases with the increase of the initial martensitic fraction and isothermal time. The grain boundary binding force of prior austenite grains (PAGs) increases in the experimental steels subjected to annealing, and the plastic deformation of the martensite matrix is prior to grain boundary cracking, which inhibits the intergranular brittle fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) has been regarded as a risk factor for thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Since it has been shown that PAI-1 can activate macrophages through Toll-like receptor-4, we sought to investigate the role of PAI-1 in the tumor microenvironment. Methods: The expression and distribution patterns of PAI-1 and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) were measured in 60 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors. A statistical correlation analysis was performed between PAI-1 and TGF-β expression and distribution in each tumor. The distribution of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) was also measured and its correlation to PAI-1 levels was analyzed. Levels of secreted CCL-17, CCL-22, IL-6 and TGF-β were measured in cell cultures of human macrophage cell lines THP-1 and U937 treated with PAI-1. Levels of secreted PAI-1 were monitored in cell cultures of human NSCLCs cell lines 95D and A549 treated with TGF-β. Secreted proteins were measured in cell culture supernatants using ELISA. Changes in downstream signaling pathways were investigated using western blot. Results: PAI-1 and TGF-β were found to be overexpressed in human NSCLCs. PAI-1 expression was tightly correlated to TGF-β expression as well as the percentage of TAMs. PAI-1 treatment increased the expression of TAM-associated cytokines and chemokines, including CCL-17, CCL-22, and IL-6. PAI-1 treatment was also observed to enhance TGF-β expression in macrophage cell lines through an IL-6 autocrine/paracrine manner. The effects on TGF-β expression were blocked by NF-κB and STAT3 inhibition. Interestingly, TGF-β also increased levels of secreted PAI-1 in NSCLC cells through SMAD3-dependent signaling, therefore resulting in a feed-forward loop. However, this loop could be blocked by NF-κB, STAT3 and SMAD3 signaling inhibition, as well as treatment with a high concentration of TGF-β. Conclusion: PAI-1 and TGF-β promote NSCLC tumor cells and TAMs and might be valuable targets for cancer immunosuppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus licheniformis WX-02 is a well-studied strain to produce poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) with numerous applications. This study is to improve WX-02 strain's capability of assimilating glycerol, a major byproduct of biofuels industries, through metabolic manipulation. Through gene knockout, the GlpK pathway was identified as the sole functional glycerol catabolism pathway, while the DhaK pathway was inactive for this strain under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions. The enhancement of glycerol utilization was attempted by substituting the native glpFK promoter with the constitutive promoter (P43), ytzE promoter (PytzE), and bacABC operon promoter (PbacA), respectively. The glycerol consumptions of the corresponding mutant strains WX02-P43glpFK, WX02-PytzEglpFK, and WX02-PbacAglpFK were 30.9, 26.42, and 18.8% higher than that of the WX-02 strain, respectively. The γ-PGA concentrations produced by the three mutant strains were 33.71, 23.39, and 30.05% higher than that of WX-02 strain, respectively. When biodiesel-derived crude glycerol was used as the carbon source, the mutant WX02-P43glpFK produced 16.63 g L of γ-PGA, with a productivity of 0.35 g L h. Collectively, this study demonstrated that glycerol can be used as an effective substrate for producing γ-PGA by metabolic engineering B. licheniformis strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lichenysin is categorized into the family of lipopeptide biosurfactants and has a variety of applications in the petroleum industry, bioremediation, pharmaceuticals, and the food industry. Currently, large-scale production is limited due to the low yield. This study found that lichenysin production was repressed by supplementation of extracellular amino acids. The global transcriptional factor CodY was hypothesized to prevent lichenysin biosynthesis under an amino acid-rich condition in Bacillus licheniformis. Thus, the codY null strain was constructed, and lichenysin production was increased by 31.0% to 2356 mg/L with the addition of precursor amino acids, and the lichenysin production efficiency was improved by 42.8% to 98.2 mg/L• h. Correspondingly, the transcription levels of the lichenysin synthetase gene lchAA, and its corresponding regulator genes comA, degQ, and degU, were upregulated. Also, the codY deletion enhanced biosynthesis of lichenysin precursor amino acids (Gln, Ile, Leu, and Val) and reduced the formation of byproducts, acetate, acetoin, and 2,3-butanediol. This study firstly reported that lichenysin biosynthesis was negatively regulated by CodY and lichenysin production could be further improved with the precursor amino acid amendment in the codY null strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nattokinase (EC 3.4.21.62) is a profibrinolytic serine protease with a potent fibrin-degrading activity, and it has been produced by many host strains. Compared to other fibrinolytic enzymes (urokinase, t-PA and streprokinase), nattokinase shows the advantages of having no side effects, low cost and long life-time, and it has the potential to be used as a drug for treating cardiovascular disease and served as a functional food additive. In this review, we focused on screening of producing strains, genetic engineering, fermentation process optimization for microbial nattokinase production, and the extraction and purification of nattokinase were also discussed in this particular chapter. The selection of optimal nattokinase producing strain was the crucial starting element for improvement of nattokinase production. Genetic engineering, protein engineering, fermentation optimization and process control have been proved to be the effective strategies for enhancement of nattokinase production. Also, extraction and purification of nattokinase are critical for the quality evaluation of nattokinase. Finally, the prospect of microbial nattokinase production was also discussed regarding the recent progress, challenge, and trends in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite (PVK) devices have attracted widespread attention with their high absorption coefficient and low-cost fabrication process. Formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been reported to obtain high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) due to the narrow bandgap. Zinc oxide (ZnO) has better electrical conductivity and high transmittance than tin (IV) dioxide (SnO2). However, the deprotonation behavior of ZnO limits its use in formamidinium (FA) or methylammonium (MA) devices, so it is mostly used in all-inorganic PSCs. In this work, to avoid the deprotonation behavior of ZnO, we prepared FAPbI3 PSCs using ZnO/SnO2 as bilayer electron transporting layers (ETLs), which improved the conductivity of the ETLs and promoted electron extraction and transfer. In addition, the decrease in the oxygen vacancy (Ov) on the bilayer ETLs contributed to the suppression of the non-radiative recombination of the device, thus enabling the achievement of a higher fill factor. As a result, the modified ETLs increased the PCE of FAPbI3 PSCs from 20.24% to 21.42% and improved the stability of the devices. The PCE of unpackaged devices increased steadily to 21.91% when stored in an N2 atmosphere for 183 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to fabricate nickel oxide (NiOX)-based perovskite solar cells with high efficiency and stability, adverse reaction and lattice mismatch are two urgent problems to be overcome. In this respect, interface engineering was carried out by multi-layer passivation NiOX HTLs (NiOX/2PACz/Poly-TPD/PEAI) to provide optimized interface contact between NiOX and perovskite, ameliorate band alignment, and saturate the defect states. Application of 2PACz avoids direct contact of the hydroxyl groups (which causes degeneration of a device), improves conductivity, and reduces interfacial defects. The poly-TPD modification can provide an appropriate band alignment at the interface of NiOX/perovskite. PEAI was used to modify the Poly-TPD surface, and its −NH3 group can passivate unbonded Pb ions of perovskite. Thus, compared with previously reported single-function passivation materials, the multilayer passivation proposed in this paper integrates multiple functions. As a result, the NiOX/2PACz/Poly-TPD/PEAI-based wide bandgap PSCs obtain a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.21% and maintain over 95% of their initial PCE values after storage in a nitrogen atmosphere for 1000 h. This finding provides a practical approach for fabricating high-performance regular PSCs with NiOX-based HTLs and supports their commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the bacterium Myxococcus xanthus, starvation triggers the formation of multicellular fruiting bodies containing thousands of stress-resistant spores. Recent work showed that fruiting body development is regulated by a cascade of transcriptional activators called enhancer binding proteins (EBPs). The EBP Nla6 is a key component of this cascade; it regulates the promoters of other EBP genes, including a downstream-functioning EBP gene that is crucial for sporulation. In recent expression studies, hundreds of Nla6-dependent genes were identified, suggesting that the EBP gene targets of Nla6 may be part of a much larger regulon. The goal of this study was to identify and characterize genes that belong to the Nla6 regulon. Accordingly, a direct repeat [consensus, C(C/A)ACGNNGNC] binding site for Nla6 was identified using in vitro and in vivo mutational analyses, and the sequence was subsequently used to find 40 potential developmental promoter (88 gene) targets. We showed that Nla6 binds to the promoter region of four new targets (asgE, exo, MXAN2688, and MXAN3259) in vitro and that Nla6 is important for their normal expression in vivo. Phenotypic studies indicate that all of the experimentally confirmed targets of Nla6 are primarily involved in sporulation. These targets include genes involved in transcriptional regulation, cell-cell signal production, and spore differentiation and maturation. Although sporulation occurs late in development, all of the developmental loci analyzed here show an Nla6-dependent burst in expression soon after starvation is induced. This finding suggests that Nla6 starts preparing cells for sporulation very early in the developmental process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu(In,Al)(S,Se) 2 (CIASSe) films were prepared on soda lime glass substrates by sulfuring and selenizing co-sputtered Cu-In-Al metal precursors. CIASSe film preparation was optimized and the film properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Films that were annealed for 20 min formed a single-phase chalcopyrite structure, and those films annealed at 500 °C and 540 °C exhibited a smooth and dense surface topography. After being annealed at 450–540 °C, films contained reduced amounts of copper and close to ideal stoichiometric compositions. Their absorption coefficients were over 10 4 cm −1 , and the obtained optical band gap values were 1.37 eV, 1.42 eV, and 1.44 eV, respectively, which were close to the ideal optical band gaps for photovoltaic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: CuIn(S,Se)2(CISSe) thin films have been prepared onto soda-lime-glass (SLG) substrates by selenization and sulfurization of magnetron sputtered Cu–In precursors. The results indicate that the properties of the CISSe films are strongly dependent on the post-annealing treatment. After annealing at 400 °C for 20 min, the CISSe films have formed tetragonal (chalcopyrite) crystal structure and the diffraction peaks of the films shift systematically to the left with the temperature varying from 400 °C to 500 °C. EDAX study reveals that the compositions of CISSe films are Cu0.83In1.17S1.67Se0.3, Cu0.86In1.13S1.61Se0.4 and Cu0.82In1.15S1.54Se0.49 after annealing at 400 °C, 450 °C and 500 °C, respectively. The direct optical band gaps of the films slightly decrease from 1.44 ev to 1.32 ev with the increase of the temperature from 400 °C to 500 °C, and the optical absorption coefficient is over 105 cm−1. The films annealed at 400 °C–500 °C are all found to be p-type and the resistivity is almost 10−2–10−3 Ω cm. The carrier mobility of the film at 500 °C is almost as high as 1.701 cm2/V S. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the absence of nucleating agents, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) generally exhibit slow crystallization rates which make them less favorable for injection molding purposes. The copolymer, PHB-co-HV (poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), exhibited increased Tc as compared to the homopolymer PHB (poly-3-hydroxybutyrate). Increasing the mol fraction of HV monomer in the PHB-co-HV initially led to a decrease in the Tm of the copolymer from 175.4 °C to a minimum of 168.5 °C, at 20 mol% of HV and, subsequently, increased in PHB-co-HV copolymers with higher fractions of HV, indicating a typical isodimorphic relationship. Two nucleating agents, heptane dicarboxylic derivative HPN-68L and ULTRATALC®609, were tested to increase the Tc and reduce the time for crystallization necessary for injection molding. HPN-68L decreased the Tdecomp of the homopolymer and all copolymers by almost 50 °C. However, the use of ULTRATALC®609 as a nucleating agent slightly enhanced the Tdecomp and had negligible effect on the Tms of all polymers. Also, PHB and PHB-co-HV with 5% (w/w) talc exhibited higher Tc than polymers without ULTRATALC®609. A careful comparison of Tc, Tm and Tdecomp, for PHB-co-HV with 20 mol% of HV indicated that this copolymer is the best option for injection molding, with both a high Tdecomp and more rapid crystallization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ruddlesden-Popper (R–P) structure oxide has been widely used as the electrode material in low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) because of its high catalytic activity and excellent oxygen transport performance, while the studies on this material served as the electrolyte of LT-SOFCs is rarely reported. Herein, the R–P P-type semiconductor Sm 1.2 Sr 0·8 Ni 0·6 Fe 0·4 O 4+δ (SSNF) oxide material was prepared and then used as electrolyte by constructing P–N heterostructure with the N-type semiconductor Sm 0.075 Nd 0.075 Ce 0·85 O 2-δ (SNDC) oxide material. Experimental results showed that the developed 5SSNF-5SNDC composite electrolyte exhibited a high ionic conductivity of 0.201 S·cm−1 along with remarkable fuel cell power density of 1056 mW·cm−2 at 550·°C. The constructed P–N heterostructure helps to improve the oxygen ion conductivity and thus the electrochemical properties. These results demonstrate that P–N heterojunctions constructed from oxide materials with highly catalytically active R–P structures exhibit excellent electrolyte performance. This work provides a new perspective for developing advanced electrolytes of LT-SOFCs. [Display omitted] • The composite electrolyte has a high oxygen vacancy. • The fuel cell device produces a maximum power density of 1056 mW cm−2 at 550 °C. • The composite electrolyte has a significant ionic conductivity of 0.201 S cm−1. • Ion migration was enhanced by constructing P–N heterojunctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: PrBaCo2O5+δ –Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (PBCO–SDC) composite material are prepared and characterized as cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The powder X-ray diffraction result proves that there are no obvious reaction between the PBCO and SDC after calcination at 1100°C for 3h. AC impedance spectra based on SDC electrolyte measured at intermediate temperatures shows that the addition of SDC to PBCO improved remarkably the electrochemical performance of a PBCO cathode, and that a PBCO–30SDC cathode exhibits the best electrochemical performance in the PBCO–xSDC system. The total interfacial resistances R p is the smallest when the content of SDC is 30wt%, where the value is 0.035Ωcm2 at 750°C, 0.072Ωcm2 at 700°C, and 0.148Ωcm2 at 650°C, much lower than the corresponding interfacial resistance for pure PBCO. The maximum power density of an anode-supported single cell with PBCO–30SDC cathode, Ni–SDC anode, and dense thin SDC/LSGM (La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3−δ )/SDC tri-layer electrolyte are 364, 521 and 741mWcm−2 at 700, 750 and 800°C, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The BaCo0.7Fe0.3− y Nb y O3− δ oxides (BCFNy, y =0.00–0.12) were synthesized by the conventional solid state reaction process and investigated as a novel cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells(IT-SOFCs). Cubic perovskite, with enhanced phase stability at higher Nb concentration, was obtained at y ⩾0.04. The unit cell volumes increased with y, reached a maximum at y =0.10, and then decreased. The niobium doping concentration also had a significant effect on the electrochemical performance of BCFNy materials. Among the various BCFNy oxides tested, BCFN0.10 possessed the smallest interfacial polarization resistance (R p). The R p was as low as 0.9406, 0.1300, 0.0211, and 0.0082Ωcm2 at 500, 600, 700, and 800°C, respectively. With a 220μm-thick Sm0.2Ce0.1O1.9 (SDC) as electrolyte and BCFN0.10 as the cathode, a fuel cell provides maximum power densities of 202, 350, 569, 820, and 1006mWcm−2 at 600, 650, 700, 750, and 800°C, respectively. The encouraging results suggested that BCFN0.10 was a very promising cathode material for IT-SOFCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: PrBaCo2O5+δ (PBCO) powder was prepared by a combined EDTA and citrate complexing method. The electrochemical performance of PBCO as a cathode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) was evaluated. A porous layer of PBCO was deposited on a 42μm thick electrolyte consisting of Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC), prepared by a dry-pressing process. A fuel cell with a structure PBCO/SDC/Ni-SDC provides a maximum power density of 866, 583, 313 and 115mWcm−2 at 650, 600, 550 and 500°C, respectively, using hydrogen as the fuel and stationary air as the oxidant. The total resistance of the cell was about 0.41, 0.51, 0.57 and 0.77Ωcm2, respectively. This encouraging data identifies PBCO as a potential cathode material for IT-SOFCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The electrochemical performance of Pr0.7Sr0.3Co0.9Cu0.1O3−δ –xCe0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (PSCC–xSDC, x =0–40wt%) composite cathodes has been investigated for their potential utilization in intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The results showed that the addition of SDC to PSCC improved remarkably the electrochemical performance of a PSCC cathode, and that a PSCC–35SDC cathode exhibited the best electrochemical performance in the PSCC–xSDC system. When SDC was used as the electrolyte, the interfacial resistance was smallest for 35wt% SDC, where the value was 0.137Ωcm2 at 700°C and 0.062Ωcm2 at 750°C, much lower than the corresponding interfacial resistance for pure PSCC. At 700°C, the cathodic overpotential of the PSCC–35SDC cathode in the SDC electrolyte was 70mV at a current density of 0.5Acm−2. This is a factor of two lower than that for a pure PSCC cathode (152mV at 700°C) under the same current conditions. The maximum power density of a single-cell using PSCC–35SDC as the cathode was 388 and 615mWcm−2 at 650 and 700°C, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Cu 2 Zn 1-x Cd x Sn(S,Se) 4 (CZCTSSe) films were fabricated by a water-based solution method. • Doping Cd in Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 (CZTSSe) films could promote its grain growth, improve conductivity and photoconductivity. • Doping of Cd is an effective way to improve short-circuit current and efficiency of CZTSSe solar cell device. Kesterite Cu 2 Zn 1- x Cd x Sn(S,Se) 4 (CZCTSSe) alloy thin films were fabricated by the water-based solution approach. The influence of Cd doping on the morphology, phase structure, element valence states, optical, electrical, and device performance were comprehensively examined. Cd was clearly alloyed into the Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 (CZTSSe) absorber layer to form the CZCTSSe compound. By controlling the relative Cd content, band gap values (E g) of the CZCTSSe thin films were engineered between 1.10 eV and 1.21 eV. In addition, doping with Cd led to the enhancement of grain growth as well as improvement of the conductivity and photoelectric property of the absorber layer. In particular, the CZCTSSe (x = 0.4) absorber layer exhibited a pure phase, larger grain size, compact and uniform topography, suitable band gap, Cu-poor and (Cd+Zn)-rich composition, higher conductivity and better photoelectric response. Power conversion efficiency (PCE) is improved from 4.37% of the CZCTSSe (x = 0.0) device to 5.16% of CZCTSSe (x = 0.4) device, and the increases of short-circuit current (J sc) achieved to 8.94 mA/cm2. The encouraging results suggest that doping of Cd is an effective way to improve CZTSSe film properties and promote device efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceria based electrolyte materials have shown potential application in low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs). In this paper, Sm3+ and Nd3+ co-doped CeO2 (SNDC) and pure CeO2 are synthesized via glycine-nitrate process (GNP) and the electro-chemical properties of the nanocrystalline structure electrolyte are investigated using complementary techniques. The result shows that Sm3+ and Nd3+ have been successfully doped into CeO2 lattice, and has the same cubic fluorite structure before, and after, doping. Sm3+ and Nd3+ co-doped causes the lattice distortion of CeO2 and generates more oxygen vacancies, which results in high ionic conductivity. The fuel cells with the nanocrystalline structure SNDC and CeO2 electrolytes have exhibited excellent electrochemical performances. At 450, 500 and 550 °C, the fuel cell for SNDC can achieve an extraordinary peak power densities of 406.25, 634.38, and 1070.31 mW·cm−2, which is, on average, about 1.26 times higher than those (309.38, 562.50 and 804.69 mW·cm−2) for pure CeO2 electrolyte. The outstanding performance of SNDC cell is closely related to the high ionic conductivity of SNDC electrolyte. Moreover, the encouraging findings suggest that the SNDC can be as potential candidate in LT-SOFCs application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Pr0.7Sr0.3Co1− y Cu y O3− δ (y =0.05–0.4) were synthesized by a sol–gel method. Crystal structure, electrical conductivity and electrochemical performance of these samples as cathode material for IT-SOFCs have been investigated. X-ray diffraction indicated that the samples with y ≤0.2 were single phase orthorhombic perovskite structure, but in the case of y ≥0.3, traces of a second phase were observed. The electrical conductivity decreased gradually with increasing Cu addition. Compared with Pr0.7Sr0.3CoO3− δ , all prepared Pr0.7Sr0.3Co1− y Cu y O3− δ compositions with y =0.05–0.3 show lower overpotential and the sample with y =0.1 exhibits the lowest overpotential. With Pr0.7Sr0.3Co0.9Cu0.1O3− δ cathode and porous NiO/Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 anode, the single cell based on SDC electrolyte was obtained by a dry pressing process. Maximum power density of the cell was 481 mW cm−2 at 750 °C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The classical limit of the quantum theory of ultralocal scalar fields is approached with the help of coherent state techniques. In the limit h→0, it is demonstrated that the coherent state expectation value of the Heisenberg field operators coincide with the solutions of the corresponding classical canonical equations of motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illustrates Schroedinger's rules of quantization. Qualitatively different outcomes arising from the conversion of a Hermitian Hamiltonian operator into a Hamiltonian operator; Examples of model classical Hamiltonians exhibiting singularity in their solutions; One-dimensional and three-dimensional Hamiltonians; Basic concepts of operator theory.

Despite recent interests in developing lysine‐targeting covalent inhibitors, no general approach is available to create such compounds. We report herein a general approach to develop cell‐active covalent inhibitors of protein kinases by targeting the conserved catalytic lysine residue using key SuFEx and salicylaldehyde‐based imine chemistries. We validated the strategy by successfully developing (irreversible and reversible) covalent inhibitors against BCR‐ABL kinase. Our lead compounds showed high levels of selectivity in biochemical assays, exhibited nanomolar potency against endogenous ABL kinase in cellular assays, and were active against most drug‐resistant ABL mutations. Among them, the salicylaldehyde‐containing A5 is the first‐ever reversible covalent ABL inhibitor that possessed time‐dependent ABL inhibition with prolonged residence time and few cellular off‐targets in K562 cells. Bioinformatics further suggested the generality of our strategy against the human kinome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recent interests in developing lysine‐targeting covalent inhibitors, no general approach is available to create such compounds. We report herein a general approach to develop cell‐active covalent inhibitors of protein kinases by targeting the conserved catalytic lysine residue using key SuFEx and salicylaldehyde‐based imine chemistries. We validated the strategy by successfully developing (irreversible and reversible) covalent inhibitors against BCR‐ABL kinase. Our lead compounds showed high levels of selectivity in biochemical assays, exhibited nanomolar potency against endogenous ABL kinase in cellular assays, and were active against most drug‐resistant ABL mutations. Among them, the salicylaldehyde‐containing A5 is the first‐ever reversible covalent ABL inhibitor that possessed time‐dependent ABL inhibition with prolonged residence time and few cellular off‐targets in K562 cells. Bioinformatics further suggested the generality of our strategy against the human kinome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) thin films were successfully prepared by selenization and sulfurization of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanocrystals synthesized by a single-step process with a new oleamide-based solution. The structure and properties of the CZTSSe thin films were characterized. The results indicated that the CZTSSe films had formed a single-phase structure at 450°C, and showed rich Cu, Sn and poor Zn compositions, and the Se element in CZTSSe increased with the increase of the annealing temperature. The films were all p-type, and that annealed at 500°C owned lower resistivity. In the visible light region, the films had strong optical absorption and the observed band gaps are 1.36eV and 1.32eV at 450°C and 500°C, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu 3 V(S, Se) 4 material is considered as a novel potential absorber of thin film solar cells due to its excellent properties. In this work, it is the first time that Cu 3 V(S, Se) 4 thin film solar cells are prepared by solution method, and the preparation process of fine absorbers is explored. The combination of air-baking and selenization processes boosts the excellent Cu 3 V(S, Se) 4 absorber. The optimal air-baking and selenization condition is confirmed as 360 °C for 20 min and 560 °C for 30 min, respectively. And the highest photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of Cu 3 V(S, Se) 4 solar cells is 1.68 %. This is the first report on the solution preparation of Cu 3 V(S, Se) 4 thin film solar cells, and it is believed that performance of Cu 3 V(S, Se) 4 solar cells will be optimized by improving the preparation process in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) system is closely related to the occurrence and progression of cancer in many aspects. Previous studies demonstrated that the conclusions about the prognosis value of uPA, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 2 (PAI-2) in lung cancer are controversial, so this study was performed for the exploration of the predictive effect of uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 on the overall survival (OS) of resectable pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients. UPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 expression levels were assayed by immunohistochemical staining based on tissue microarray (TMA) that is composed of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens from 84 resectable lung adenocarcinoma patients from July 2004 to June 2009. The relationship of IHC, mRNA expression levels of three molecules were investigated respectively. The three molecules' relationship with clinicopathologic parameters and OS was explored by Chi-square, Kaplan-Meier, and Cox regression analyses. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to analyze differential gene expressions of RNA-sequencing data of pulmonary adenocarcinoma and normal tissues, and Kaplan-Meier methods were adopted to confirm the prognostic value of uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 in resectable lung adenocarcinoma in TCGA database and the R package MethylMix was used to conduct an analysis integrating methylation data and gene expression of RNA-sequencing data based on TCGA. UPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 had much higher IHC expression levels in tumor than those in the normal tissues (uPA, Z = -10.511; PAI-1, Z = -4.836; PAI-2, Z = -6.794; all P < 0.0001). High DNA methylation level of gene uPA resulted in the decrease of its expression. In addition, expression level of PAI-2 was positively associated with tumor size (χ2 = 8.372, P = 0.004). Multivariate analyses showed TNM stage III was an independent adverse prognostic factor (hazard ratio = 3.736, 95 % confidence interval = 1.097–12.72, P = 0.035). Kaplan-Meier method revealed that uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 expression levels were not related to the OS for 84 resectable lung adenocarcinoma patients. According to TCGA data, PAI-1 expression level was identified as a potential adverse predictor for prognosis of resectable lung adenocarcinoma (Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon test, P = 0.025). Our data show that, the expression levels of uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 are significantly up-regulated in resectable lung adenocarcinoma. Besides, this study highlights PAI-1 as a latent adverse prognostic factor in resectable adenocarcinoma of lung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The industrial bacterium Bacillus licheniformis has long been used as a microbial factory for the production of enzymes due to its ability to secrete copious amounts of native extracellular proteins and its generally regarded as safe (GRAS) status. However, most attempts to use B. licheniformis to produce heterologous and cytoplasmic enzymes primarily via the general secretory (Sec) pathway have had limited success. The twin-arginine transport (Tat) pathway offers a promising alternative for the extracellular export of Sec-incompatible proteins because it transports full, correctly folded proteins. However, compared to the Sec pathway, the yields of the Tat pathway have historically been too low for commercial use. To improve the export efficiency of the Tat pathway, we identified the optimal Tat-dependent signal peptides and increased the abundance of the Tat translocases, the signal peptidase (SPase), and the intracellular chaperones. These strategic modifications significantly improved the Tat-dependent secretion of the cytoplasmic enzyme arginase into the culture medium using B. licheniformis. The extracellular enzymatic activity of arginase showed a 5.2-fold increase after these modifications. Moreover, compared to the start strain B. licheniformis 0F3, the production of extracellular GFP was improved by 3.8 times using the strategic modified strain B. licheniformis 0F13, and the extracellular enzymatic activity of SOX had a 1.3-fold increase using the strain B. licheniformis 0F14. This Tat-based production chassis has the potential for enhanced production of Sec-incompatible enzymes, therefore expanding the capability of B. licheniformis as an efficient cellular factory for the production of high-value proteins. Key points: • Systematic genetic modification of Tat-pathway in B. licheniformis. • Significant enhancement of the secretion capacity of Tat pathway for delivery the cytoplasmic enzyme arginase. • A new platform for efficient extracellular production of Sec-incompatible enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The industrial bacterium Bacillus licheniformis has long been used as a microbial factory for the production of enzymes due to its ability to secrete copious amounts of native extracellular proteins and its generally regarded as safe (GRAS) status. However, most attempts to use B. licheniformis to produce heterologous and cytoplasmic enzymes primarily via the general secretory (Sec) pathway have had limited success. The twin-arginine transport (Tat) pathway offers a promising alternative for the extracellular export of Sec-incompatible proteins because it transports full, correctly folded proteins. However, compared to the Sec pathway, the yields of the Tat pathway have historically been too low for commercial use. To improve the export efficiency of the Tat pathway, we identified the optimal Tat-dependent signal peptides and increased the abundance of the Tat translocases, the signal peptidase (SPase), and the intracellular chaperones. These strategic modifications significantly improved the Tat-dependent secretion of the cytoplasmic enzyme arginase into the culture medium using B. licheniformis. The extracellular enzymatic activity of arginase showed a 5.2-fold increase after these modifications. Moreover, compared to the start strain B. licheniformis 0F3, the production of extracellular GFP was improved by 3.8 times using the strategic modified strain B. licheniformis 0F13, and the extracellular enzymatic activity of SOX had a 1.3-fold increase using the strain B. licheniformis 0F14. This Tat-based production chassis has the potential for enhanced production of Sec-incompatible enzymes, therefore expanding the capability of B. licheniformis as an efficient cellular factory for the production of high-value proteins. Key points: • Systematic genetic modification of Tat-pathway in B. licheniformis. • Significant enhancement of the secretion capacity of Tat pathway for delivery the cytoplasmic enzyme arginase. • A new platform for efficient extracellular production of Sec-incompatible enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report a salicylaldehyde-based, reversible covalent inhibitor (A2) that possesses moderate cellular activity against AURKA with a prolonged residence time and shows significant non-covalent inhibition towards LRRK2. Our results indicated that this multitarget kinase inhibitor may be used as the starting point for future development of more potent, selective and dual-targeting covalent kinase inhibitors against AURKA and LRRK2 for mitophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) is an extracellularly produced biodegradable polymer, which has been widely used as agricultural fertilizer, mineral fortifier, cosmetic moisturizer, and drug carrier. This study firstly discovered that lichenysin, as a biosurfactant, showed the capability to enhance γ-PGA production in Bacillus licheniformis. The exogenous addition of lichenysin improved the γ-PGA yield up to 17.9% and 21.9%, respectively, in the native strain B. licheniformis WX-02 and the lichenysin-deficient strain B. licheniformis WX02-ΔlchAC. The capability of intracellular biosynthesis of lichenysin was positively correlated with γ-PGA production. The yield of γ-PGA increased by 25.1% in the lichenysin-enhanced strain B. licheniformis WX02-Psrflch and decreased by 12.2% in the lichenysin-deficient strain WX02-ΔlchAC. Analysis of key enzyme activities and gene expression in the TCA cycle, precursor glutamate synthesis, and γ-PGA synthesis pathway revealed that the existence of lichenysin led to increased γ-PGA via shifting the carbon flux in the TCA cycle towards glutamate and γ-PGA biosynthetic pathways, minimizing by-product formation, and facilitating the uptake of extracellular substrates and the polymerization of glutamate to γ-PGA. Insight into the mechanisms of enhanced production of γ-PGA by lichenysin would define the essential parameters involved in γ-PGA biosynthesis and provide the basis for large-scale production of γ-PGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-crystallized maricite NaFePO4 is thermodynamically stable but electrochemically inactive toward sodium owing to the close packed framework. An efficient activation-approach is to construct amorphous composites with carbon by the complex and energy-intensive synthetic process. Here, a facile approach was proposed by the combination of low-temperature sintering and ball milling, which is environmentally friendly and suitable for scalable synthesis. Quasi-amorphous maricite NaFePO4 was first prepared via reducing the calcination temperature to 350 °C. Amorphous composite NaFePO4/C was further obtained by ball milling of NaFePO4-350 °C with super P, which delivers a reversible capacity of 134 mAh g−1, closing to its theoretical capacity. More impressively, the NaFePO4/C electrode still demonstrates decent capacity-retention of ∼75.4% over 1000 cycles, which is encouraging for future research. Pairing with hard carbon anode, the (+)NaFePO4/C//HC(−) sodium-ion full cell delivers outstanding power density (169.9 Wh kg−1 calculated based on the total mass of positive and negative electrodes) and excellent cycling stability (84.5% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 5C), exhibiting powerful competitiveness compared with previously reported NaFePO4 based sodium-ion full cells. These results demonstrate the practical potential of maricite NaFePO4 cathode through low-temperature sintering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ca 3 Co 4 O 9-δ (Ca349) cathode is prepared by sol-gel method and its performance on new Sm 0.075 Nd 0.075 Ce 0.85 O 2-δ (SNDC) electrolyte was evaluated as cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFC). The crystal structure and chemical compatibility with SNDC electrolyte are studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The micromorphology and electrochemical performance of Ca349 with SNDC electrolyte are characterized. The formation of Ca349 phase and good chemical compatibility between Ca349 and SNDC electrolyte are confirmed by XRD. The Ca349 cathode sintered at 850 °C for 5 h shows the best cathode performance, the area specific resistances (ASR) of Ca349 cathode are found to be 0.236 Ω cm 2 at 800 °C, and the ASR can be further decreased by incorporating SNDC electrolyte. The composite (Ca349-50 wt% SNDC) gives the lowest ASR values (0.093 Ω cm 2 at 800 °C). Its ASR is improved by at least 60% compare to single-phase Ca349 cathode. At 800 °C, the maximal power density of anode-supported SOFCs with Ca349 cathode reaches 410.09 mW cm −2 . The total resistance of the cell was only 0.168 Ω cm 2 . These encouraging data show that Ca349 onto SNDC with good electrochemical performance could be promising as a cathode material of IT-SOFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 (CZTSSe) films are prepared by selenizing Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) precursor film from co-sputtering of Cu 2 S, SnS and ZnS targets. The results reveal that the quality of CZTSSe films could be effectively promoted by the selenization temperature. The obtained CZTSSe films have formed a kesterite structure at the selenization temperatures of 500–560 °C and their compositions are all Cu-poor. With the increasing of the selenization temperature, more Se element is incorporated into the CZTSSe films. Especially after being selenized at 540 °C for 30 min, the CZTSSe film possesses a Cu-poor and Zn-rich composition, and an improved crystal quality with suitable atomic ratio (Cu/(Zn+Sn)=0.67, Zn/Sn=1.20, and metal/(S+Se)=1.03). Moreover, it shows strong optical absorption, and its optical band gap ( E g ) is found to be 1.41 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency and mechanism of heterogeneous catalytic O 3 and UV/O 3 for municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration leachate advanced treatment was systematically compared. Prior to comparison, catalyst used in heterogenous catalytic O 3 and operation parameters for each technology were optimized. The COD removal of CuO@Al 2 O 3 /O 3 under its optimal parameters was 57.2%, which failed to meet the standard (≥75%). In contrast, the COD removal by UV/O 3 could be 82.3%. The superior efficiency of UV/O 3 over CuO@Al 2 O 3 /O 3 could be summarized into three aspects: (I) Cu bounded ·OH (≡Cu–O·) preferentially attacked hydrophilic groups, while free hydroxyl radical (·OH) was non-selective, thus UV/O 3 exhibited a unique three-stage mechanism; (II) The oxidation potential of ≡Cu–O· was higher than that of ·OH, therefore was more vulnerable to the negative effect of radical self-quenching; (III) The existence of UV-induced excited states made organics in UV/O 3 more active than in CuO@Al 2 O 3 /O 3 system, thus high concentration of anions enhanced COD removal in UV/O 3 but affected that in CuO@Al 2 O 3 /O 3. The study further revealed the characteristics of heterogeneous catalytic O 3 and UV/O 3 , and UV induced excited state should be considered in UV-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). [Display omitted] • UV/O 3 was more efficient than CuO@Al 2 O 3 /O 3 for MSW incineration leachate treatment. • CuO@Al 2 O 3 /O 3 had stronger mineralization effect but suffered the problem of self-quenching. • UV induced excited state explained the absence of self-quenching in UV/O 3. • O 3 , ≡Cu–O·, ·OH had different selectivity, and UV/O 3 exhibited a unique three-stage mechanism. • High salinity enhanced the mineralization ability of UV/O 3 due to the presence of UV induced excited state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The semiconductor heterostructure 5BKFC-5SNDC electrolyte was designed and developed using BKFC and SNDC. • 5BKFC-5SNDC electrolyte possessed good electrolyte function with high ionic conductivity. • The electron transmission was blocked and the ion transferring was promoted through p-n heterostructure in the electrolyte. • Fuel cell with 5BKFC-5SNDC electrolyte achieved high power density of 911 mWcm−2 at 550° C. A semiconductor heterostructure material based on p-type cubic perovskite Ba 0.9 K 0.1 Fe 0.5 Co 0.5 O 3-δ (BKFC) and n-type fluorite Sm 0.075 Nd 0.075 Ce 0.85 O 2-δ (SNDC) forms micro p-n junctions in the low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) improving the electrochemical performance. A highly power density of 911 mW·cm−2 at 550° C was obtained with this material combination as electrolyte in a fuel cell, which is 20 % higher than that of the LT-SOFCs with pure BKFC as electrolyte. An ionic conductivity of 0.14 S·cm−1 at 550° C was achieved when equal amounts of BKFC and SNDC were employed as the electrolyte. Profound analysis of the heterostructure p-n junction shows that it blocks electron transport through mixed electronic and ionic conductor and enhances ionic transport improving the electrochemical performance of the fuel cell. The BKFC-SNDC composite electrolyte materials is a potential electrolyte material for raising the power density of fuel cells at lower temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indium tin oxide (ITO) and intrinsic ZnO (i-ZnO) are usually used as the window layer of Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 (CZTSSe) solar cells within a typical structure. The optoelectronic properties of the window layer play a crucial role in determining the efficiency of solar cells. In this work, two types of CZTSSe solar cells with and without i-ZnO layers were fabricated using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvents, respectively. The impact of the window layer on the performance of CZTSSe solar cells was investigated. The results suggest that the device without i-ZnO still exhibits a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) compared to conventional bilayer i-ZnO/ITO structures. By removing i-ZnO and optimizing the thickness of ITO, the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DMSO and DMF-based CZTSSe solar cells has been up to 10.17% and 10.27%, respectively, with an increase in open-circuit voltage (V OC) of 15 mV (in DMSO system) and 10 mV (in DMF system), as well as an enhancement in fill factor (FF) by ∼5 percentage points. These performance improvements are mainly attributed to the reduction of series resistance (R s) of the window layer due to the removal of i-ZnO layer. Further analysis shows that the generation and collection of photon-generated carriers in CZTSSe solar cells can be affected by the optimized window layer due to optical interference effects and its resistance. Our research may provide insights for the preparation of high efficient CZTSSe solar cells with new structures of the i-ZnO free window layer. • The inclusion of i-ZnO in the CZTSSe solar cell window layer is not essential. • A more streamlined, single-layer window layer of CZTSSe solar cells was developed. • Optimizing the thickness of ITO can enhance the performance of CZTSSe solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with the traditional structure, the new Cu 2 ZnSn(S, Se) 4 (CZTSSe) solar cell without ZnO window layer has a larger short-circuit current reduction. Due to the poor band matching, serious interface recombination exists at the CZTSSe/CdS heterojunction interface. We have designed a strategy for the preparation of CdS(In) buffer layers by In ion doping to increase the depletion layer width, enhance the carrier concentration in the CdS(In) buffer layer, and improve the energy band alignment problem at the interface of the CZTSSe/CdS heterojunction, which in turn reduces the J SC loss caused by the removal of the ZnO layer. The energy band alignment of the CZTSSe/CdS heterojunction was modulated by finely controlling the doping amount of In ions, which decreased the conduction band offset (CBO) from 0.32 eV to 0.28 eV. Good band alignment is more conducive to carrier separation and transport, and reducing the nonradiative charge recombination at the CZTSSe/CdS heterojunction interface can effectively improve the J SC. Based on the contribution of device electrical parameters to photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE), the contributions of J SC , open-circuit voltage, and fill factor were calculated to be 107.56%, -6.89%, and -0.67%, respectively, which indicates that the method significantly improves short-circuit currents and reduces the loss of J SC due to the absence of ZnO layer. This study provides a method to achieve high-efficiency CZTSSe solar cells by optimizing the energy band matching of CZTSSe/CdS heterojunctions from 7.07% PCE in conventional cells to 9.01% PCE in novel cells. [Display omitted] • New Cu 2 ZnSn(S, Se) 4 (CZTSSe) cell structure with ZnO removal based on DMF system. • The width of depletion layer is increased by adjusting the amount of In doping in CdS. • The CdS band gap is increased, the band arrangement is adjusted, and the conduction band offset is reduced. • The short circuit current density is effectively increased by increasing the CdS carrier concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recent interests in developing lysine‐targeting covalent inhibitors, no general approach is available to create such compounds. We report herein a general approach to develop cell‐active covalent inhibitors of protein kinases by targeting the conserved catalytic lysine residue using key SuFEx and salicylaldehyde‐based imine chemistries. We validated the strategy by successfully developing (irreversible and reversible) covalent inhibitors against BCR‐ABL kinase. Our lead compounds showed high levels of selectivity in biochemical assays, exhibited nanomolar potency against endogenous ABL kinase in cellular assays, and were active against most drug‐resistant ABL mutations. Among them, the salicylaldehyde‐containing A5 is the first‐ever reversible covalent ABL inhibitor that possessed time‐dependent ABL inhibition with prolonged residence time and few cellular off‐targets in K562 cells. Bioinformatics further suggested the generality of our strategy against the human kinome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ca 3 Co 2 O 6 (CCO) cathode is synthesized by sol-gel method for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFC) on a new Sm 0.075 Nd 0.075 Ce 0.85 O 2-δ (SNDC) electrolyte. The crystal structure, micromorphology and electrochemical performance of CCO cathode with SNDC electrolyte are characterized. The results show that the CCO cathode calcined at 850 °C for 10 h can form single phase hexagonal crystal structure, and have good chemical compatibility with SNDC electrolyte. The CCO cathode sintered at 850 °C for 3 h shows the best cathode performance, and the area specific resistances (ASR) of CCO cathode are found to be 0.427, 0.729 and 1.515 Ω cm 2 at 800, 750 and 700 °C, respectively, and the maximal power densities of SNDC electrolyte-supported SOFC with CCO cathode reach 394.1, 295.1 and 194.6 mW cm −2 , respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CZTSSe absorber layer prepared with DMSO exhibits extensive cavities at its bottom, and a prominent double-layer structure is frequently observed within the CZTSSe absorber synthesized using DMF, both of which have a detrimental impact on the device performance. In this paper, an alternate spin-coating process using DMSO and DMF solvent systems is proposed, which eliminates the double-layer structure of CZTSSe and reduces the number of cavities at the bottom of the absorber layer, thereby enhancing its overall quality. This method outperforms the traditional single-solution spin-coating technique by combining the advantages of two solvent systems, allowing for the preparation of an ideal CZTSSe film without disturbing the elemental ratio, ultimately resulting in a single-layer absorber composed of large grains. After three repetitions of an identical alternate spin-coating process, the average grain size of the absorber layer increased from 0.83 to 1.21 μm. This innovative process leads to a reduction in carrier recombination and an improvement in the short-circuit current density, ultimately raising the photoelectric conversion efficiency from 7.40% to 8.88%. • Modified the conventional spin-coating process in the preparation of CZTSSe absorber layers. • Presented a method combining the benefits of a dual-solution system approach. • The alternate spin-coating process using DMSO and DMF solvent systems improved the morphology of absorber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interfaces quality have always been considered the key factors in the fabrication of efficient Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 (CZTSSe) solar cells, and harmful defects at the interface can significantly reduce the performance of the device. Here, we propose a dual passivation strategy by adding Na to the surface of the absorber layer (CZTSSe) to passivate the CZTSSe/CdS interface and treating the buffer layer (CdS) using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to passivate the CdS/ZnO interface. Due to the Na doping passivation, the absorber surface conductivity increases while the roughness decreases and detrimental defects that can lead to nonradiative recombination are reduced. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the cell is improved by about 1 percentage point by Na passivation. The contributions of open-circuit voltage (V oc), short-circuit current density (J sc), and fill factor (FF) to the improvement of PCE have been quantified as 50.64%, −5.58%, and 54.94%, indicating that Na doping can significantly boost V oc and FF. UV-ozone passivation reduces residual carbon organics in the CdS buffer layer, weakens carrier recombination, allows for more light absorption, and widens the depletion region, which favors efficient carrier collection. The estimated contribution of V oc , J sc , and FF to the PCE of the device is 8.78%, 119.59%, and −28.37%, respectively, demonstrating that UV-ozone passivation can significantly improve the J sc of the device. The two passivation strategies complement each other's advantages and achieve a synergistic effect. Our prepared champion device exhibits a PCE of 10.69% and remarkable long-term stability. [Display omitted] • Innovative dual passivation strategy proposed for CZTSSe/CdS and CdS/ZnO interfaces. • Sodium passivation of the absorber surface can significantly boost the V oc and FF. • UV-ozone passivation can effectively reduce residual carbon organics in the CdS buffer layer. • Under the dual passivation strategy, the PCE of CZTSSe device is improved from 8.07% to 10.69%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new O3-type NaFe 0.5 Ti 0.5 O 2 was introduced as anode materials with extractable Na+ ions for sodium-ion batteries. • A new full battery was fabricated with sodium-extractable NaFe 0.5 Ti 0.5 O 2 anode and sodium-free cathode FeFe(CN) 6. • The redox couple of Fe2+/Fe3+ was realized in layered oxide for the first time in NaFe 0.5 Ti 0.5 O 2 anode. • NaFe 0.5 Ti 0.5 O 2 anode showed an SEI-free feature during charge and discharge process with excellent electrochemical performance. Sodium-free cathodes and sodium-deficient cathodes are candidates for high performance sodium-ion batteries, for their high capacity when coupled with Na-metal anode that could provide extra Na+ ions. However, the growth of Na dendrites and safety concerns has long hindered their application. Herein, a new O3-type anode material NaFe 0.5 Ti 0.5 O 2 was designed, which can provide extractable sodium-ions participating in electrochemical reactions mainly based on Fe2+/Fe3+ redox couple, that was realized for the first time in layered oxides. This anode possesses a reversible specific capacity of ∼90 mAh/g at 0.2 C rate, with excellent rate capability of 82.2 % at 10 C rate and a satisfactory capacity retention of 89.54 % after 650 cycles, showing a SEI-free feature. Coupled with the sodium-free cathode FeFe(CN) 6 , the full cell possesses a specific capacity of 135.9 mAh/g at 0.2 C rate with desired capacity retention of ∼90 % after 1000 cycles. Moreover, the O3-NaFe 0.5 Ti 0.5 O 2 can also be applied as anode sodium compensation for the efficient utilization of the sodium-deficient cathode. This work provides a new approach for the development of sodium-ion full batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absorbers of kesterite Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 (CZTSSe) that have undergone rapid thermal process (RTP) selenization typically exhibit a double-layer structure, with a fine crystal layer at the bottom, which degrades the performance of devices. We propose an efficient strategy for actively constructing the double-layer absorber to improve the quality of the small grains in the bottom layer. Compared to traditional methods, this method ensures uniform element distribution, particularly for Se element, and enables a more desirable Cu-poor and Zn-rich composition with a Zn/Sn ratio closer to the standard stoichiometric ratio, resulting in a reduction in harmful internal defects. This strategy eliminates small grains at the bottom and decreases grain boundary formation, resulting in a dense double-layer structure. The high-quality CZTSSe absorber not only reduces carrier recombination during back transmission, further reducing reverse saturation current (J 0) and increasing optical current density (J L), but also enhances shunt resistance (R sh) and decreases series resistance (R S). The estimated contribution percent for PCE improvement due to changes in J L , J 0 , R sh , R S , and A are 17.20 %, 120.01 %, 1.15 %, 6.50 %, and -44.86 %, respectively. Ultimately, the highest photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) increased from 8.73 % to 10.49 %, and device uniformity improved considerably. This study highlights the significance of optimizing the microstructure of CZTSSe absorber layer in enhancing the performance of CZTSSe solar cells, and will provide guidance for producing high-quality CZTSSe absorber layers. • Actively construct the double-layer CZTSSe absorber. • The uniform distribution of elements with the better ratio of Cu-poor and Zn-rich. • Eliminate the small bottom grains forming the dense double-layer structure. • Decrease the carrier recombination in the back transmission process. • Optimize the J L J 0 , R s , and R sh for improving the performance of devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]