Surface-functionalized hole-selective monolayer for high efficiency single-junction wide-bandgap and monolithic tandem perovskite solar cells

Carbazole moiety-based 2PACz([2-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethyl]phosphonic acid)self-assembled monolayers(SAMs)are excellent hole-selective contact(HSC)materials with abilities to excel the charge-transferdynamics of perovskite solar cells(PSCs).Herein,we report a facile but powerful method to functionalize the surface of 2PACz-SAM,by which reproducible,highly stable,high-efficiency wide-bandgap PSCs can be obtained.The 2PACz surface treatment with various donor number solvents improves assembly of 2PACz-SAM and leave residual surface-bound solvent molecules on 2PACz-SAM,which increases perovskite grain size,retards halide segregation,and accelerates hole extraction.The surface functionalization achieves a high power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 17.62%for a single-junction wide-bandgap(~1.77 e V)PSC.We also demonstrate a monolithic all-perovskite tandem solar cell using surfaceengineered HSC,showing high PCE of 24.66%with large open-circuit voltage of 2.008 V and high fillfactor of 81.45%.Our results suggest this simple approach can further improve the tandem device,when coupled with a high-performance narrow-bandgap sub-cell.

Numerical Study on the Effects of Contraction Ratio in a Two-Phase Flow Injection Nozzle

The Euler-Euler numerical method was used to investigate the effects of contraction ratio on twophase flow mixing with mass transfer in the flow injection nozzle. The geometric shape of the nozzle was modified to improve carbonation efficiency. A gas inlet hole was created to increase the flow mixing of CO2 with water. A nozzle throat was also introduced to increase the gas dissolution by increasing flow rates. Various contraction ratios of nozzle throat, inlet gas and liquid velocities, and gas bubble sizes were employed to determine their effects on gas hold-up, gas concentration, and mass transfer coefficient. Results revealed that the flow injection nozzle with high contraction ratios improved carbonation because of high gas hold-up. Gas concentration was directly related to contraction ratio and gas flow velocities. Carbonation reduced when high liquid velocities and large gas bubbles were employed because of inefficient flow mixing. This study indicated that flow injection nozzle with large contraction ratios were suitable for carbonation because of their ability to increase gas hold-up, gas concentration, and mass transfer coefficient.

Multidetector computed tomography features of pancreatic metastases from leiomyosarcoma: Experience at a tertiary cancer center

AIM: To describe the multidetector computed tomography features of pancreatic metastasis from leiomyosarcoma(LMS).METHODS: Between January 1995 and December 2012, 13 consecutive patients(11 women, 2 men; mean age of 57 years; range, 38-78 years) with pancreatic metastases from LMS were included in our study. Imaging features including location, number, largest dimension, tumor attenuation and enhancement characteristics, presence of necrosis, pancreatic ductal dilatation, common bile duct(CBD) dilatation, presence of pancreatitis, and atrophy were documented.RESULTS: The most common site of origin of the pancreatic metastases from LMS was uterus(38.5%), followed by retroperitoneum(30.8%) and extremity(23.1%). None of the patients in our study had pancreas as the first site of metastasis. All patients developed pancreatic metastases at a median interval of 24 mo. Pancreatic metastases from LMS were solitary in 8/13 patients and multiple in 5/13 patients, had no predilection for any part of the pancreas, were hypovascular on arterial phase in 10/13 patients and associated with pancreatic duct dilatation in 3/13 patients. None had CBD dilatation. None of the pancreatic metastases in LMS cohort caused pancreatitis, and atrophy. Median duration of follow-up was 19 mo for LMS cohort during which two patients underwent resection of metastasis(median survival 45 mo) while the remaining underwent systemic therapy(median survival 13 mo).CONCLUSION: Pancreatic metastases from LMS are often solitary and hypovascular masses and less commonly associated with pancreatic ductal dilatation, CBD dilatation, pancreatitis or pancreatic atrophy. Surgical resection of solitary LMS pancreatic metastasis can be considered due to the long survival of these patients.

Effect of prenatal antioxidant intake on infants' respiratory infection is modified by a CD14 polymorphism

Background:Prenatal maternal diet may influence disease susceptibility in offspring with specific genetic backgrounds.We hypothesized that interactions between prenatal antioxidant intake and polymorphisms in immunity genes influence respiratory tract infection (RTI) susceptibility in infants at 12 months of age.Methods:This study included 550 infants.In the Cohort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and Allergic Diseases (COCOA) birth cohort study,prenatal maternal diet was assessed by administering a food frequency questionnaire.Infants' cord blood was genotyped for CD14 (rs2569190),TLR4 (rs1927911),and GSDMB (rs4794820) polymorphisms by the TaqMan method.Results:Higher prenatal intake of total fruit and vegetables (FV) was associated with the decreased risk of RTI in offspring (P-trend=0.0430).In children with TT genotype at rs2569190,a higher prenatal intake of vitamins A and C,fruits,and total FV decreased RTI risk (P-trend <0.05),while in infants with TC+CC genotype,a higher prenatal intake of fruit increased RTI risk (P-trend <0.05).When analyzing the 3 genotypes,children with TT genotype at rs2569190 were more protected against RTIs compared with those with CC genotype with respect to vitamin C and fruits [odds ratio (OR)=5.04 and OR=10.30,respectively].In children with CC genotype at rs1927911,RTI risk showed a dose-response association with a higher prenatal intake of vitamin C (P for interaction<0.05).A higher prenatal intake of fruits and total FV reduced RTI risk in infants with GA+AA genotype of rs4794820 (P for interaction<0.05).Conclusion:Prenatal antioxidant intake may reduce RTI risk in infants and this relationship may be modified by CD14,TLR4,and GSDMB polymorphisms.

Targeted Mutagenesis of Duplicated Genes in Caenorhabditis elegans Using CRISPR-Cas9

CRISPR （clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats）-Cas9-based genome editing has revolutionized func- tional genomics in many biological research fields. The specificity and potency of CR1SPR-Cas9 genome editing make it ideal for investigating the function of genes in vivo （Hsu et al., 2014）. Gene duplication is a key driver of evolu- tionary novelty （Taylor and Raes, 2004）. However, duplicated genes with near-identical sequences and functional redun- dancy have posed challenges for genetic analysis （Woollard, 2005）. The functions of duplicated genes can be assessed by simultaneous knockdown using homology-based methods such as RNA interference （RNAi） （Tischler et al., 2006）, Generation of double or triple mutants is an alternative way to assess functional redundancy of duplicated genes, However, generation of such compound mutants by forward or reverse genetic methods is time consuming.

Preclinical Long-term Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Silymarin Liver-protective Effects

Background and Aims:Efficacy evaluations with preclini-cal magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)are uncommon,but MRI in the preclinical phase of drug development provides information that is useful for longitudinal monitoring.The study aim was to monitor the protective effectiveness of silymarin with multiparameter MRI and biomarkers in a thioacetamide(TAA)-induced model of liver injury in rats.Correlation analysis was conducted to assess compare the monitoring of liver function by MRI and biomarkers.Meth-ods:TAA was injected three times a week for 8 weeks to generate a disease model(TAA group).In the TAA and sily-marin-treated(TAA-SY)groups,silymarin was administered three times weekly from week 4.MR images were acquired at 0,2,4,6,and 8 weeks in the control,TAA,and TAA-SY groups.Results:The area under the curve to maximum time(AUCtmax)and T_(2)*values of the TAA group decreased over the study period,but the serological markers of liver abnormality increased significantly more than those in the control group.In the TAA-SY group,MRI and serological biomarkers indicated attenuation of liver function as in the TAA group.However,pattern changes were observed from week 6 to comparable levels in the control group with si-lymarin treatment.Negative correlations between either AUCtmax or T_(2)*values and the serological biomarkers were observed.Conclusions:Silymarin had hepatoprotective effects on TAA-induced liver injury and demonstrated the usefulness of multiparametric MRI to evaluate efficacy in preclinical studies of liver drug development.