Structural Isomerism in Bimetallic AgCu Nanoclusters.

Structural isomers of atomically precise metal nanoclusters are highly sought after for investigating structure-property relationships in nanostructured materials. However, they are extremely rare, particularly those of alloys, primarily due to the challenges in their synthesis and structural characterization. Herein, for the first time, a pair of bimetallic isomeric AgCu nanoclusters has been controllably synthesized and structurally characterized.

Recent advances in synthesis and properties of silver nanoclusters.

Achieving atomic precision in nanostructured materials is essential for comprehending formation mechanisms and elucidating structure-property relationships. Within the realm of nanoscience and technology, atomically precise ligand-protected noble metal nanoclusters (NCs) have emerged as a rapidly expanding area of interest. These clusters manifest quantum confinement-induced optoelectronic, photophysical, and chemical properties, along with remarkable catalytic capabilities.

[AuAg(CCR)(DPPM)Cl](PPh): a four-electron cluster with a bi-decahedral twisted metal core.

The assembly of cluster units in a distinct manner can give rise to nanoclusters exhibiting unique geometrical structures and properties. Herein, we present a one-pot synthesis and structural characterization of a AuAg alloy cluster, [AuAg(CCR)(DPPM)Cl](PPh), denoted as Au9Ag6 (where HCCR is 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetylene, and DPPM is bis(diphenylphosphino)methane). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data analysis reveals that Au9Ag6 features a distinctive AuAg bi-decahedral core, formed by a twisted assembly of two AuAg decahedra sharing one vertex.

Overcoming the Interfacial Photocatalytic Degradation of Nonfullerene Acceptor-Based Organic Photovoltaics by Introducing a UV-A-Insensitive Titanium Suboxide Layer.

Although recent dramatic advances in power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) have resulted in values over 19%, the poor photostability of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) has been a serious bottleneck to their commercialization. The photocatalytic effect, which is caused by incident ultraviolet-A (UV-A, 320-400 nm) light in the most commonly used zinc oxide (ZnO) electron transport layer (ETL), significantly deteriorates the photostability of OPVs. In this work, we develop a new and facile method to enhance the photostability of nonfullerene acceptor-based OPVs by introducing UV-A-insensitive titanium suboxide (TiO) ETL.

Tailoring the subshell and electronic structure of an atomically precise AuAg alloy nanocluster.

Manipulating the atomic-level structure of the subshell of a nanocluster while preserving the inner and outer shell structure is challenging. We present the synthesis and molecular structure of an alkynyl-protected Au34Ag27 nanocluster, which exhibits distinct third shell atomic arrangement, electronic structure, and optical properties from those of the Au34Ag28 nanocluster.

In Situ Doping of the PEDOT Top Electrode for All-Solution-Processed Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells.

The development of an ideal solution-processable transparent electrode has been a challenge in the field of all-solution-processed semitransparent organic solar cells (ST-OSCs). We present a novel poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) top electrode for all-solution-processed ST-OSCs through in situ doping of PEDOT:PSS. A strongly polarized long perfluoroalkyl ( = 8) chain-anchored sulfonic acid effectively eliminates insulating PSS and spontaneously crystallizes PEDOT at room temperature, leading to outstanding electrical properties and transparency of PEDOT top electrodes.

Efficient and Stable Quasi-2D Ruddlesden-Popper Perovskite Solar Cells by Tailoring Crystal Orientation and Passivating Surface Defects.

Solar cells (PSCs) with quasi-2D Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites (RPP) exhibit greater environmental stability than 3D perovskites; however, the low power conversion efficiency (PCE) caused by anisotropic crystal orientations and defect sites in the bulk RPP materials limit future commercialization. Herein, a simple post-treatment is reported for the top surfaces of RPP thin films (RPP composition of PEA MA Pb I = 5) in which zwitterionic n-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone (PBN) is used as the passivation material. The PBN molecules passivate the surface and grain boundary defects in the RPP and simultaneously induce vertical direction crystal orientations of the RPPs, which lead to efficient charge transport in the RPP photoactive materials.

Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells with a High Open-Circuit Voltage Over 1.2 V Achieved by a Dual-Side Passivation Layer.

Suppressing nonradiative recombination at the interface between the organometal halide perovskite (PVK) and the charge-transport layer (CTL) is crucial for improving the efficiency and stability of PVK-based solar cells (PSCs). Here, a new bathocuproine (BCP)-based nonconjugated polyelectrolyte (poly-BCP) is synthesized and this is introduced as a "dual-side passivation layer" between the tin oxide (SnO ) CTL and the PVK absorber. Poly-BCP significantly suppresses both bulk and interfacial nonradiative recombination by passivating oxygen-vacancy defects from the SnO side and simultaneously scavenges ionic defects from the other (PVK) side.

Echinococcus species from red foxes, corsac foxes, and wolves in Mongolia.

The small intestines of 420 wild canids (111 corsac foxes, 191 red foxes and 118 wolves) from Mongolia, were examined for adult worms of the genus Echinococcus. The Mongolian genotype of Echinococcus multilocularis was found in fifteen red foxes and four wolves, whereas two genotypes (G6/7 and G10) of Echinococcus canadensis were found in two and three wolves, respectively. No adult Echinococcus worms were found in the corsac foxes examined.

Differential diagnosis of pancreatobiliary carcinoma from autoimmune pancreatitis-related diseases: a report of three cases.

Background: "Japanese clinical guidelines for autoimmune pancreatitis" advised to carefully differentiate between two conditions: autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and associated sclerosing cholangitis (SC), and pancreatobiliary malignancy.

Methodology: We report a series of three cases for which differential diagnosis of pancreatobiliary carcinoma from AIP and associated SC was crucial.

Result: Three patients presented with biliary stenosis secondary to pancreatic swelling or mass lesion, followed by further examinations: Case 1 was first diagnosed as having tumor-forming pancreatitis associated with AIP but eventually proven to be pancreatic head carcinoma; case 2 was operated for suspected bile duct cancer combined with AIP and associated cholangitis, and early cancer was found in the resected specimen; case 3 was operated on for presumed cholangiocarcinoma combined with AIP-associated SC, but no malignancy was found.

An evaluation of the quality of a chemotherapy administration service established by nurses in an oncology day care centre.

Traditionally, chemotherapy administration has been a medical role in Hong Kong. In 1998, two chemotherapy nurses took over part of this role within a major oncology day care centre after completing a course in chemotherapy administration and patient care. The aim of this study was to measure and evaluate the quality of care by using a self-developed audit form and the Worthing Chemotherapy Satisfaction Questionnaire (WSCQ).