Enhancing the Photovoltaic Performance of Ladder-Type Heteroheptacene-based Nonfullerene Acceptors by Incorporating Halogen Atoms on Their Ending Groups

Ending group halogenation is an effective strategy for modulating the energy levels, bandgaps, and intermolecular interactions of nonfullerene acceptors. Understanding the influence of different halogen atoms on the acceptor properties is of great importance for designing high-performance nonfullerene acceptors. Here, three acceptor–donor–acceptor (A-D-A) type nonfullerene acceptors (M5, M6, and M7), which are constructed by using a ladder-type heteroheptacene core without the traditional sp³ carbon-bonded side chains as the electron-rich core, and 2-(3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ylidene)malononitrile without or with halogen atoms as the ending groups. The nonfullerene acceptors with chlorinated (M6) and brominated (M7) ending groups exhibit broadened absorption spectra, down-shifted energy levels, and enhanced molecular ordering compared to the counterpart without any halogenated ending groups (M5). Among the nonfullerene acceptors, M6 has the strongest intermolecular π π interaction with its shortest π π interaction distance and the longest coherent length which are beneficial for enhancing the charge transport and therefore boosting the photovoltaic performance. An excellent power conversion efficiency of 15.45% is achieved for the best-performing polymer solar cell based on M6. These results suggest that the halogenated ending groups are essential for high-performance heteroheptacene-based nonfullerene acceptors considering their simultaneous enhancements in both the light-harvesting and the charge transport.     

Statistical hierarchical clustering algorithm for outlier detection in evolving data streams

Machine Learning - Anomaly detection is a hard data analysis process that requires constant creation and improvement of data analysis algorithms. Using traditional clustering algorithms to analyse...     

Matrix Manipulation of Directly-Synthesized PbS Quantum Dot Inks Enabled by Coordination Engineering

The direct-synthesis of conductive PbS quantum dot (QD) ink is facile, scalable, and low-cost, boosting the future commercialization of optoelectronics based on colloidal QDs. However, manipulating the QD matrix structures still is a challenge, which limits the corresponding QD solar cell performance. Here, for the first time a coordination-engineering strategy to finely adjust the matrix thickness around the QDs is presented, in which halogen salts are introduced into the reaction to convert the excessive insulating lead iodide into soluble iodoplumbate species. As a result, the obtained QD film exhibits shrunk insulating shells, leading to higher charge carrier transport and superior surface passivation compared to the control devices. A significantly improved power-conversion efficiency from 10.52% to 12.12% can be achieved after the matrix engineering. Therefore, the work shows high significance in promoting the practical application of directly synthesized PbS QD inks in large-area low-cost optoelectronic devices.     

Amyloid-Beta Induces Different Expression Pattern of Tissue Transglutaminase and Its Isoforms on Olfactory Ensheathing Cells: Modulatory Effect of Indicaxanthin

Herein, we assessed the effect of full native peptide of amyloid-beta (Aβ) (1-42) and its fragments (25-35 and 35-25) on tissue transglutaminase (TG2) and its isoforms (TG2-Long and TG2-Short) expression levels on olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs). Vimentin and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) were also studied. The effect of the pre-treatment with indicaxanthin from Opuntia ficus-indica fruit on TG2 expression levels and its isoforms, cell viability, total reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide anion (O₂⁻), and apoptotic pathway activation was assessed. The levels of Nestin and cyclin D1 were also evaluated. Our findings highlight that OECs exposure to Aβ(1-42) and its fragments induced an increase in TG2 expression levels and a different expression pattern of its isoforms. Indicaxanthin pre-treatment reduced TG2 overexpression, modulating the expression of TG2 isoforms. It reduced total ROS and O₂⁻ production, GFAP and Vimentin levels, inhibiting apoptotic pathway activation. It also induced an increase in the Nestin and cyclin D1 expression levels. Our data demonstrated that indicaxanthin pre-treatment stimulated OECs self-renewal through the reparative activity played by TG2. They also suggest that Aβ might modify TG2 conformation in OECs and that indicaxanthin pre-treatment might modulate TG2 conformation, stimulating neural regeneration in Alzheimer’s disease.     

Effect of microstructural features on the corrosion behavior of severely deformed Al–Mg–Si alloy

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of severe plastic deformation processing and the changes in microstructure resulting therefrom on the corrosion resistance of an Al–Mg–Si alloy. The alloy was processed using incremental equal channel angular pressing, which caused a reduction in grain size from 15 to 0.9 µm. The grain refinement was accompanied by an increase in the number of grain boundaries and dislocations, and by changes in grain orientation. However, there was no change in the size and number of intermetallic particles, which presumably resulted in a constant number of galvanic couplings. Electrochemical experiments revealed only slight differences between the samples before and after processing. Higher potential transients/oscillations upon immersion and increased corrosion currents in the vicinity of corrosion potential point to slightly higher reactivity of the most refined material. This indicates that intermetallic particles are the most crucial microstructural elements in terms of corrosion resistance. Their impact exceeds that of grain boundaries, in particular, at the stage of corrosion initiation. The development of corrosion attack is controlled more by the microstructure of the matrix as the grain refinement resulted in a less pronounced corrosion attack in comparison with the coarse-grained sample.     

Effects of the joining process on the microstructure and properties of liquid-phase-sintered SiC-SiC joints formed with Ti foil

The joining of liquid-phase sintered SiC (LPS-SiC) ceramics was conducted using spark plasma sintering (SPS), through solid state diffusion bonding, with Ti-metal foil as a joining interlayer. Samples were joined at 1400 °C, under applied pressures of either 10 or 30 MPa, and with different atmospheres (argon, Ar, vs. vacuum). It was demonstrated that the shear strength of the joints increased with an increase in the applied joining pressure. The joining atmosphere also affected on both the microstructure and shear strength of the SiC joints. The composition and microstructure of the interlayer were examined to understand the mechanism. As a result, a SiC-SiC joining with a good mechanical performance could be achieved under an Ar environment, which in turn could provide a cost-effective approach and greatly widen the applications of SiC ceramic components with complex shape.     

Improvement of mechanical property and corrosion resistance of Mg-Zn-Nd alloy by bi-direction drawing

Mg-Zn-Nd alloy is a promising biodegradable metal material for surgical staples during the reconstruc-tion of digestive tract due to its good biocompatibility and suitable mechanical properties.However,its deformation property and corrosion resistance should be improved to make better safety and effective-ness of staples.In the present study,bi-direction drawing was adopted to maintain the initial texture characteristics,and improve mechanical property and corrosion resistance of Mg-2Zn-0.5Nd alloy.The results showed that the microstructure after bi-direction did not change too much,but the texture could maintain its initial characteristics.The ductility of the alloy with 60 ％ accumulative area reduction after bi-direction drawing was increased by 70 ％,indicating that an outstanding deformation property of Mg-Zn-Nd alloy can be obtained by bi-direction drawing.The corrosion resistance was also improved after bi-direction drawing compared with that under single direction drawing.     

Experimental study on prediction model of wet gas pressure drop across single-orifice plate in horizontal pipes in the low gas phase Froude number region

The pressure drop prediction of wet gas across single-orifice plate in horizontal pipes had been solved satisfactorily under an annular-mist flow in the upstream of orifice plates. However, this pressure drop prediction is still not clearly determined when the upstream is in an intermittent flow or stratified flow, which is corresponding to a region of low Fr_G (gas phase Froude number) in the flow pattern map of wet gases. In this study, the wet gas pressure drop across a single-orifice plate was experimentally investigated in the low Fr_G region. By the experiment, the flow pattern transition in the downstream of single-orifice plates, as well as the effects of Fr_G and Fr_L (liquid phase Froude number) on Φ_G (gas phase multiplier), were determined and compared when the upstream is in the flow pattern transition and the stratified flow region, respectively. Prediction performances were examined on the available pressure drop models. It was found that no model could be capable of jointly predicting the wet gas pressure drop in the low Fr_G region with an acceptable accuracy. With a new method of correlating Fr_G and Fr_L simultaneously, new correlations were proposed for the low Fr_G region. Among which the modified Chisholm model shows the best prediction accuracies, with the prediction deviations of Φ_G being within 7% and 3% when the upstream is in flow pattern transition and stratified flow region, respectively.     

Effect of thermal treatment on the antioxidant activity of egg white hydrolysate and the preparation of novel antioxidant peptides

Heat treatment will affect the nutritional properties and potential bioactivity of food materials. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different thermal treatment (4, 56, 65 and 100 ℃) and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the antioxidant activity of egg white hydrolysate. The results demonstrated that egg white hydrolysate treated at 65 ℃ exhibited the highest antioxidant. Remarkably, the simulated digestion significantly increased antioxidant activity of egg white hydrolysate. Furthermore, we identified twenty-four potential antioxidant peptides by performing mass spectrometry and bioinformatic analysis. Six peptides were selected based on the activity prediction score of the online tool. The results showed that P6 (ACPECPK) possessed the most outstanding antioxidant properties and had low cytotoxicity and allergenicity. Bioinformatics technology combined with biochemical assays may offer a way for discovering novel antioxidant peptides from different kinds of food under various heat treatment conditions.     

综合设计性实验在药物分析学实验中对学生综合能力的培养

《药物分析学实验》是药学专业的一门独立必修课程,是药学科学领域中的一个重要组成部分,具有较强的实践性和综合性,旨在培养学生综合运用所学知识分析药品质量的能力.综合设计性实验作为《药物分析学实验》的重要组成部分,对学生实践操作能力,发现问题、分析问题、解决问题的能力,创新能力,应用能力,团结协作能力,劳动素养等综合能力的培养具有极其重要的意义.