High-performance flexible perovskite solar cells exploiting Zn2SnO4 prepared in solution below 100 degrees C

Fabricating inorganic-organic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) on plastic substrates broadens their scope for implementation in real systems by imparting portability, conformability and allowing high-throughput production, which is necessary for lowering costs. Here we report a new route to prepare highly dispersed Zn2SnO4 (ZSO) nanoparticles at low-temperature (<100 degrees C) for the development of high-performance flexible PSCs. The introduction of the ZSO film significantly improves transmittance of flexible polyethylene naphthalate/indium-doped tin oxide (PEN/ITO)-coated substrate from similar to 75 to similar to 90% over the entire range of wavelengths. The best performing flexible PSC, based on the ZSO and CH3NH3PbI3 layer, exhibits steady-state power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.85% under AM 1.5G 100 mW . cm(-2) illumination. This renders ZSO a promising candidate as electron-conducting electrode for the highly efficient flexible PSC applications.ope

The AGILE Mission

AGILE is an Italian Space Agency mission dedicated to observing the gamma-ray Universe. The AGILE's very innovative instrumentation for the first time combines a gamma-ray imager (sensitive in the energy range 30 MeV-50 GeV), a hard X-ray imager (sensitive in the range 18-60 keV), a calorimeter (sensitive in the range 350 keV-100 MeV), and an anticoincidence system. AGILE was successfully launched on 2007 April 23 from the Indian base of Sriharikota and was inserted in an equatorial orbit with very low particle background. Aims. AGILE provides crucial data for the study of active galactic nuclei, gamma-ray bursts, pulsars, unidentified gamma-ray sources, galactic compact objects, supernova remnants, TeV sources, and fundamental physics by microsecond timing. Methods. An optimal sky angular positioning (reaching 0.1 degrees in gamma- rays and 1-2 arcmin in hard X-rays) and very large fields of view (2.5 sr and 1 sr, respectively) are obtained by the use of Silicon detectors integrated in a very compact instrument. Results. AGILE surveyed the gamma- ray sky and detected many Galactic and extragalactic sources during the first months of observations. Particular emphasis is given to multifrequency observation programs of extragalactic and galactic objects. Conclusions. AGILE is a successful high-energy gamma-ray mission that reached its nominal scientific performance. The AGILE Cycle-1 pointing program started on 2007 December 1, and is open to the international community through a Guest Observer Program

Project Brainstorm: Using Neuroscience to Connect College Students with Local Schools

Neuroscience can be used as a tool to inspire an interest in science in school children as well as to provide teaching experience to college students

Consensus guidelines for assessing eligibility of pathogenic DNA variants for antisense oligonucleotide treatments

Of the around 7,000 known rare diseases worldwide, disease-modifying treatments are available for fewer than 5%, leaving millions of individuals without specialized therapeutic strategies. In recent years, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) have shown promise as individualized genetic interventions for rare genetic diseases. However, there is currently no consensus on which disease-causing DNA variants are suitable candidates for this type of genetic therapy. The patient identification working group of the N=1 Collaborative (N1C), alongside an international group of volunteer assessors, has developed and piloted consensus guidelines for assessing the eligibility of pathogenic DNA variants for ASO treatments. We herein present the N1C VARIANT (variant assessments toward eligibility for antisense oligonucleotide treatment) guidelines, including the guiding scientific principles and our approach to consensus building. Pathogenic, disease-causing variants can be assessed for the three currently best-established ASO treatment approaches: splice correction, exon skipping, and downregulation of RNA transcripts. A genetic variant is classified as “eligible,” “likely eligible,” “unlikely eligible,” or “not eligible” in relation to the different approaches or as “unable to assess.” We also review key considerations related to assessing the upregulation of transcripts from the wild-type allele, an emerging ASO therapeutic strategy. We provide additional tools and training materials to enable clinicians and researchers to use these guidelines for their eligibility assessments. With this initial edition of our N1C VARIANT guidelines, we provide the rare genetic disease community with guidance on how to identify suitable candidates for variant-specific ASO-based therapies and the possibility of integrating such assessments into routine clinical practice.</p