Optimization of Key Parameters Towards High Performance Perovskite Solar Cells

Here, we report important findings regarding underestimated parameters for the synthesis and fabrication of high-performance perovskite solar cells. These parameters include the effect of Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO) etching, FTO cleaning, the number of compact TiO 2 (c-TiO 2 ) layer, the number of mesoporous TiO 2 (m-TiO 2 ) layers and the aging time before Ag deposition. Our results demonstrated that etching of FTO substrate with Zn/HCl is an essential step and has a major effect on the solar cell's open circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF) and power conversion efficiency (PCE). Furthermore, we demonstrate new and improved protocols for the complete cleaning of FTO substrates. Despite the use of sonication and plasma etching in previous cleaning techniques, SEM images clearly show black clouds in the samples, which may be due to residual Zn particles in the FTO grooves. Thus, a soft toothbrush was used with detergent before sonication to detach the remaining Zn particles. In addition, the optimum number of spin coated layers of compact and mesoporous TiO 2 precursors was investigated. We found that one mesoporous and two compact TiO 2 layers were required to obtain a homogenous pinhole-free compact layer. Consequently, we demonstrate that using these optimized device fabrication procedures, a high efficiency of 17.96% for 6 mol% Co 3+ -doped TiO 2 solar cells can be obtained in comparison to 16.98% for pristine TiO 2 -based cells. Such cells are particularly important for wearable applications that require a small area and a high energy

Gynogenesis in Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) and beluga (Huso huso)

The objective of the present study was to determine the possible production of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) and Beluga (Huso huso) gynogen/triploids and also to determine the most appropriate type of thermal shock and the duration of induced shock after fertilization. Persian sturgeon and Beluga spawners were collected from Guilan's sturgeon catch stations and transported to the Shahid Beheshti sturgeon hatchery for artificial breeding and restocking programs. Ovulated eggs and sperms were collected based on common procedures in hatcheries. In order to separate the seminal fluids and dilute the milts, sperms were centrifuged at 6000 rpm for 20 min. and seminal fluids stored in refrigerator for further use. Sperm motility was investigated. In order to determine the best duration for radiation, the milt was diluted (1:9) with immobilizing solution. Samples of diluted milt were placed for UV irradiation (UV lamp model UVG-54, 254 nm, made by UVP America) for 0.5, 1, 1.5, 1.45, 2, to 5 min. The motility of radiated sperms and controls were examined under the light microscope and the motility curve was drawn. For application of thermal shock two types of heat shock (32, 34 and 37°C) and cold shock (0±1°C) were used for duration of 2.5 and 60 min respectively. Both thermal shock were applied at 12, 15, 18 min after fertilization. Four experimental groups were designed including; normal eggs as control group and sperms without UV thermal shock), gynogenesis (Sperm irradiated with UV and thermal shock were applied), triploid (thermal shock without radiation by UV on sperm) and haploid group (without thermal shock but using irradiated sperm for fertilization). Verification of the success of treatments was assessed using genetic analysis on sturgeon larvae and fingerlings. In triploids the total surface area, volume of cells and nucleus as well as chromosome number were determined. To identify a gynogenetic larva, microsatellite markers were used to analysis specific loci by using primers designed for lake sturgeon. The results were analyzed using SPSS, Excell software. To determine the significant levels between various parameters and comparison between controls and various treatments, one way of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used. Whenever the significant level was observed to determine its level a Duncan test were examined. Results of present study showed that the best duration for UV radiation on sperms of Beluga was 105-110 seconds. Average fertilization rate for control Beluga was 51%, while in heat shock group it was 2-5 % and in cold shock it was 44.6%. There was a significant difference in fertilization rate in cold shock group compared to heat shock group (P<0.05), however no difference was observed between 32 and 34°C treatments. The average survival rate of larvae in control group was 51%, while in heat shock treatment (32 and 34°C) it was very low close to zero. However in cold shock treatment the results was better and hatching percentage of larvae was between 30 -35%. Triploid treatment showed better results than gynogenesis group. A minimum triploid larvae obtained from heat shock was zero but using cold shock, the maximum number of 170 specimen was harvested. There was no significant difference in the number of larvae obtained between 32 and 34° C treatments (P<0.05). Although some difference was observed on large and small axes, surface areas and volume of red blood cells but no significant differences were observed between control and triploid groups (P 0.05). In the meantime, the chromosome number in triploid beluga was (3N=177±3) as compared to diploid 2N= 118±3, which indicated an extra set of chromosome (n=60) in triploid fish. Totally 26.6% of investigated fish was triploids. Microsatellite molecular markers clearly differentiate gynogenetic fish on the bases of allele inheritance of male and female parents, and were proven that this technique can clearly identify allelic inheritance of parents to offspring. In Persian sturgeon in compare to beluga a different results were observed. Heat shock (37°C) not present any positive results therefore has no application in induce gynogenesis on this species, also no significant difference was observed between 32 and 34°C treatment. Cold shock showed better results, especially when duration of UV radiation was adjusted to 105 seconds. Molecular analysis using microsatellite marker positively proved the gynogenetic offspring by counting the allelic inheritance. However Persian sturgeon as a tetraploid species (2N=240) has its difficulty on scoring the banding patterns. We highly recommend disomic primers application for allelic inheritance on gynogene Persian sturgeon

Investigation of possibility of identification sex marker in beluga (Huso huso) and Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) by using of molecular techniques

Due to high maturation age in sturgeons and lack of morphologic differences between male and female even in brood stocks, sex determination is difficult in these species. In this research with using of AFLP approach and 100 primer combinations, male and female genomic DNA of 20 individuals in Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) and beluga (Huso huso) were investigated. Ligation was carried out with using of MseI and EcoRI, and then adapters were ligated with using of T4 DNA Ligase. Fragments amplification was done through two steps PCR and electrophoresis on denature poly acrylamid and stained by silver staining. Data derived from banding patterns were scored as o (absence) and 1 (Presence). A set of 100 (Eco+3 and Mse+4) primer combinations in A. persicus and H. huso yielded approximately a total of 3771 and 3779 scorable bands, respectively of which 30% in A. persicus and 29.6% in H. huso were polymorphic. The fragments ranged from 50 to 600 bp without revealing any sex specific markers. So we used cDNA-AFLP approach in order to analysis of gene expression in 8 female and 8 male Persian sturgeon gonads. Results revealed two cDNA markers in female gonad (TDF1, TDF2) and they verified with RT-PCR in male and female gonads cDNA. But unfortunately they didn’t verify in genomic DNA. According to this research results and previous researches, it seems that sturgeons may have not sex chromosomes or the methods were used couldn’t determine them

Study on genetic structure of Caspian Sea sturgeons in the stock assessment of sturgeon in Iranian coastline of the south Caspian Sea

The population genetic structure of the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) in the 2, 3, 4 fisheries regions and Sefidrud River was investigated based on the DNA sequencing method during 2010–2013 sturgeon stock assessment in the south Caspian Sea . DNA samples were extracted using ammonium acetate, the quantity of DNA was measured at 260 and 280 nm using spectrophotometry by Nanodrop (ND 1000 model), and the quality was checked by 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. Two sets of mitochondrial gene (D-loop and cytochrom b) after synthesis were used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A Neighbor-Joining (NJ) tree was constructed for all haplotypes according to Kimura 2-parameter model using Mega Version 4.0.1, number of haplotypes, haplotype diversity (Hd) and nucleotide diversity and their corresponding variances, genetic divergence overall and between paired populations (Fst) by 10,000 permutations and exact test, the gamma distribution shape parameter for the rate heterogeneity among sites and nucleotide sequence, the historical demographic pattern of A.persicus using neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analysis (D test of Tajima and Fs test of Fu), also the concordance of the observed with the expected distribution under the sudden population model using the Harpending, s raggedness index (Hri) were analysed. All calculations were conducted using ARLEQUIN version 3.11 and DnaSP 4.0. The aligned mtDNA sequences of D-loop and cytochrom b genes were consisted of 500 and 700 base pairs (bp) respectively. 13 and 4 haplotypes were defined, the average haplotype diversity were 0.961 and 0.419, average nucleotide diversity were 0.038 and 0.002, The gamma distribution shape parameter were 0.19 and 0.20 indicating moderate mutation rate heterogeneity among sites in A.persicus. The lowest value of Fst for D-loop gene was calculated between Sefidrud and four fisheries region (-0.002) and the Fst values observed for cytochrom b gene was 0.04 with Nm=5.37 and not statistically significant. The exact test of population differentiation (non-differentiation exact P values) showed significant differences between Sefidrud and other areas (P ≤0.05) for D-loop gene and for cytochrom b gene was nonsignificant (P ≥0.05). The mismatch analysis produced a unimodal distribution of pairwise differences for both genes which was consistent with the sudden population expansion model. Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs statistics were significantly negative (D= -0.84 and - 0.99, P>0.01; Fs=-0.220 and -0.079, >0.01). ARLEQUIN calculated the value of t as 13.65 and the time since population expansion was estimated to be approximately 1501 years before present based on the mutation rates for the control region and this value for cytochrom b gene t= 0.98 which population expansion time was 7.84 years before present. The results of this study based on D-loop gene showed that population of A.persicus in the Sefidrud River is differ from other studied areas. Therefore fisheries managements of this unique and valuable stock for restocking and conservation of gene pools is strongly recommended

Big bester production probability study

Aquaculture of sturgeon species and their hybrids is being considered as an important substitution for sturgeon catch due to highly decrease of natural populations, artificial propagation and fingerling release in the sea. In this study, big bester, a new hybrid sturgeon (female beluga × male bester) was produced for the first time in IRAN. Sperm of 7350 ± 1682 kg male bester was used to fertilize the eggs of one 54 kg female Huso huso. The fries of big bester and control treatment of beluga were fed by artificial concentrated food (48-50% protein and 15-17% fat) after egg yolk absorbance, a period of feeding on Artemia and Daphnia. Results showed that rearing and feeding of bester broods was efficient to reach the fish to maturation stage and there is an opportunity to collect qualified ova and sperm from F1 generation. Meanwhile sex determination and maturity assessment of gonads were successfully done via laparoscopy method. The comparison of produced big bester fingerlings with control beluga fingerling showed that the weight of big bester fingerlings has not significant difference with beluga's (p0.05), but there are faster growth rate in big bester fingerlings from 3 months of age up to 5 months (p>0.05) in comparison with belugas fingerlings. Meanwhile no statistically significant difference was found between length of big bester and beluga fingerlings among any age. The results of current study showed the potential of rearing male bester to produce matured broods and collection of their sperm for big bester production

Risk classification at diagnosis predicts post-HCT outcomes in intermediate-, adverse-risk, and KMT2A-rearranged AML

Little is known about whether risk classification at diagnosis predicts post-hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We evaluated 8709 patients with AML from the CIBMTR database, and after selection and manual curation of the cytogenetics data, 3779 patients in first complete remission were included in the final analysis: 2384 with intermediate-risk, 969 with adverse-risk, and 426 with KMT2A-rearranged disease. An adjusted multivariable analysis detected an increased risk of relapse for patients with KMT2A-rearranged or adverse-risk AML as compared to those with intermediate-risk disease (hazards ratio [HR], 1.27; P 5.01; HR, 1.71; P,.001, respectively). Leukemia-free survival was similar for patients with KMT2A rearrangement or adverse risk (HR, 1.26; P 5.002, and HR, 1.47; P,.001), as was overall survival (HR, 1.32; P,.001, and HR, 1.45; P,.001). No differences in outcome were detected when patients were stratified by KMT2A fusion partner. This study is the largest conducted to date on post-HCT outcomes in AML, with manually curated cytogenetics used for risk stratification. Our work demonstrates that risk classification at diagnosis remains predictive of post-HCT outcomes in AML. It also highlights the critical need to develop novel treatment strategies for patients with KMT2A-rearranged and adverse-risk disease

Call to Action: SARS-CoV-2 and CerebrovAscular DisordErs (CASCADE)

Background and purpose: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2), now named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), may change the risk of stroke through an enhanced systemic inflammatory response, hypercoagulable state, and endothelial damage in the cerebrovascular system. Moreover, due to the current pandemic, some countries have prioritized health resources towards COVID-19 management, making it more challenging to appropriately care for other potentially disabling and fatal diseases such as stroke. The aim of this study is to identify and describe changes in stroke epidemiological trends before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is an international, multicenter, hospital-based study on stroke incidence and outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will describe patterns in stroke management, stroke hospitalization rate, and stroke severity, subtype (ischemic/hemorrhagic), and outcomes (including in-hospital mortality) in 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic, comparing them with the corresponding data from 2018 and 2019, and subsequently 2021. We will also use an interrupted time series (ITS) analysis to assess the change in stroke hospitalization rates before, during, and after COVID-19, in each participating center. Conclusion: The proposed study will potentially enable us to better understand the changes in stroke care protocols, differential hospitalization rate, and severity of stroke, as it pertains to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, this will help guide clinical-based policies surrounding COVID-19 and other similar global pandemics to ensure that management of cerebrovascular comorbidity is appropriately prioritized during the global crisis. It will also guide public health guidelines for at-risk populations to reduce risks of complications from such comorbidities. © 202

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010–19: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. METHODS: The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk–outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. FINDINGS: Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4·45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4·01–4·94) deaths and 105 million (95·0–116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44·4% (41·3–48·4) of all cancer deaths and 42·0% (39·1–45·6) of all DALYs. There were 2·88 million (2·60–3·18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50·6% [47·8–54·1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1·58 million (1·36–1·84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36·3% [32·5–41·3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20·4% (12·6–28·4) and DALYs by 16·8% (8·8–25·0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34·7% [27·9–42·8] and 33·3% [25·8–42·0]). INTERPRETATION: The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden

Fabrication of 3D-printed hydroxyapatite using freeze-drying method for bone regeneration: RVE and finite element simulation analysis

Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary approach that utilizes cells, scaffolds, and biofactors to develop biosynthetic bone scaffolds for bone regeneration applications. These scaffolds are three-dimensional porous structures with specific mechanical and biological properties that facilitate the attachment and proliferation of osteoinductive cells on their surfaces. In this study, bone scaffolds were 3D-printed using PLA material, and a variety of three-dimensional porous structures, including Kelvin, Octet truss, and Gibson Ashby, were employed. To improve the biological properties of the scaffolds, they were coated with alginate/hydroxyapatite using the Freeze-drying method. The Alginate/HA RVEs were analyzed under periodic boundary conditions, and the elastic modulus was found to improve from 100 MPa (pure alginate) to 149 MPa by adding 30 wt% HA particles. The mechanical properties of the scaffolds were investigated under compressive deformation using experiments and finite element simulations. The results show that the compressive strength of structures follows the order σOctettruss > σGibsonashby > σKelvin. The Freeze-drying process causes pore formation on the scaffold surface. According to the microstructural analysis, the pore size was observed for composite scaffolds approximately at 320–340 μm. After 21-day, most parts of the scaffold surface were coated by the apatite layer completely, and the surface of the pores was blocked by the apatite layer. To characterize cell viability, an MTT assay was used. The scaffolds expose high cell viability around 97% and did not show any significant toxicity

Remote sensing of evapotranspiration for irrigated crops at Yuma, Arizona, USA

A satellite-based vegetation index model that tracks daily crop growth and evapotranspiration (ETc) is developed, tested, and validated over irrigated farms in Yuma irrigation districts of Arizona and California. Model inputs are remotely sensed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) images, crop type maps, and local weather. The utility and novelty of the model is a more accurate assessment of ETc than currently provided by the US Bureau of Reclamation's evapotranspiration modeling system. The model analyzes NDVI time series data from the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites using the Google Earth Engine, constructs FAO-56 style crop growth stages from NDVI, and then estimates daily ETc using pre-defined crop coefficients (Kc) and grass reference evapotranspiration (ETos). Four crops were selected to test and evaluate model performance: short-season broccoli, mid-season cotton and wheat, and perennial alfalfa. Comparison of model results showed that Reclamation reports overestimate alfalfa and wheat ETc by 21–25%, cotton ETc by 6%, and underestimate broccoli ETc by 21%. Variability resolved by the model ranged 6–18% of median total ETc. Comparison of model results with those obtained from 13 eddy covariance sites showed validation discrepancies ranging 1–14%: average total actual ETc differences were 12, − 14, 78, and 87 mm/season, respectively, for alfalfa, broccoli, cotton, and wheat. The wide availability of Sentinel-2 data, collected every 5 days or less, and the rapid processing via Google Earth Engine make the vegetation index model implementation fast and practical. Its accuracy and ability to resolve ETc for every field would benefit the Reclamation water accounting system and provide valuable consumptive water use data for any Colorado River stakeholder. © 2023Open access articleThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]