Two-dimensional perovskitoids enhance stability in perovskite solar cells.

Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) perovskite heterostructures have played a key role in advancing the performance of perovskite solar cells. However, the migration of cations between 2D and 3D layers results in the disruption of octahedral networks, leading to degradation in performance over time. We hypothesized that perovskitoids, with robust organic-inorganic networks enabled by edge- and face-sharing, could impede ion migration.

Arabidopsis class II TPS controls root development and confers salt stress tolerance through enhanced hydrophobic barrier deposition.

The mechanism of conferring salt tolerance by AtTPS9 involves enhanced deposition of suberin lamellae in the Arabidopsis root endodermis, resulting in reduction of Na transported to the leaves. Members of the class I trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) enzymes are known to play an important role in plant growth and development in Arabidopsis. However, class II TPSs and their functions in salinity stress tolerance are not well studied.

Double-side 2D/3D heterojunctions for inverted perovskite solar cells.

Defects at the top and bottom interfaces of three-dimensional (3D) perovskite photoabsorbers diminish the performance and operational stability of perovskite solar cells owing to charge recombination, ion migration and electric-field inhomogeneities. Here we demonstrate that long alkyl amine ligands can generate near-phase-pure 2D perovskites at the top and bottom 3D perovskite interfaces and effectively resolve these issues. At the rear-contact side, we find that the alkyl amine ligand strengthens the interactions with the substrate through acid-base reactions with the phosphonic acid group from the organic hole-transporting self-assembled monolayer molecule, thus regulating the 2D perovskite formation.

Fungal coexistence in the skin mycobiome: a study involving Malassezia, Candida, and Rhodotorula.

Evidence of fungal coexistence in humans points towards fungal adaptation to the host environment, like the skin. The human commensal Malassezia has evolved, especially residing in sebum-rich areas of the mammalian body where it can get the necessary nutrition for its survival. This fungus is primarily responsible for skin diseases like Pityriasis versicolor (PV), characterized by hypo or hyperpigmented skin discoloration and erythematous macules.

Sublimed C for efficient and repeatable perovskite-based solar cells.

Thermally evaporated C is a near-ubiquitous electron transport layer in state-of-the-art p-i-n perovskite-based solar cells. As perovskite photovoltaic technologies are moving toward industrialization, batch-to-batch reproducibility of device performances becomes crucial. Here, we show that commercial as-received (99.

Graphene nanowalls formation investigated by Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy.

The properties of layered materials are significantly dependent on their lattice orientations. Thus, the growth of graphene nanowalls (GNWs) on Cu through PECVD has been increasingly studied, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we examined the GNWs/Cu interface and investigated the evolution of their microstructure using advanced Scanning transmission electron microscopy and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (STEM-EELS).

Enhanced optoelectronic coupling for perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells.

Monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells are of great appeal as they promise high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) at affordable cost. In state-of-the-art tandems, the perovskite top cell is electrically coupled to a silicon heterojunction bottom cell by means of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), anchored on a transparent conductive oxide (TCO), which enables efficient charge transfer between the subcells. Yet reproducible, high-performance tandem solar cells require energetically homogeneous SAM coverage, which remains challenging, especially on textured silicon bottom cells.

Deciphering the Nexus Between Oxidative Stress and Spermatogenesis: A Compendious Overview.

Oxidative stress (OS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are one of the main reasons for the multifactorial concern - male infertility. ROS are active components of cellular metabolism that are intrinsic to cellular functioning and are present at minimal and unreactive levels in normal cells. They are an integral component of the sperm developmental physiology, capacitation, and function.

Systems-based rice improvement approaches for sustainable food and nutritional security.

An integrated research approach to ensure sustainable rice yield increase of a crop grown by 25% of the world's farmers in 10% of cropland is essential for global food security. Rice, being a global staple crop, feeds about 56% of the world population and sustains 40% of the world's poor. At ~ $200 billion, it also accounts for 13% of the annual crop value.

Particle-stabilized oil foams.

The area of oil foams although important industrially has received little academic attention until the last decade. The early work using molecular surfactants for stabilisation was limited and as such it is difficult to obtain general rules of thumb. Recently however, interest has grown in the area partly fuelled by the understanding gained in the general area of colloidal particles at fluid interfaces.

WRKY9 transcription factor regulates cytochrome P450 genes CYP94B3 and CYP86B1, leading to increased root suberin and salt tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Salinity affects crop productivity worldwide and mangroves growing under high salinity exhibit adaptations such as enhanced root apoplastic barrier to survive under such conditions. We have identified two cytochrome P450 family genes, AoCYP94B3 and AoCYP86B1 from the mangrove tree Avicennia officinalis and characterized them using atcyp94b3 and atcyp86b1, which are mutants of their putative Arabidopsis orthologs and the corresponding complemented lines with A. officinalis genes.

Role of Tinea Unguium and Other Factors in Chronic and Recurrent Dermatophytosis: A Case Control Study.

Context: There is an alarming rise in the incidence of chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis (CRD) in India. Many factors including tinea unguium may be responsible for it.

Aims: To evaluate various epidemiological and clinical factors including the presence of tinea unguium as a risk factor for CRD.

Regulation of a Cytochrome P450 Gene by WRKY33 Transcription Factor Controls Apoplastic Barrier Formation in Roots to Confer Salt Tolerance.

Salinity is an environmental stress that causes decline in crop yield. and other mangroves have adaptations such as ultrafiltration at the roots aided by apoplastic cell wall barriers to thrive in saline conditions. We studied a cytochrome P450 gene from , , and its putative ortholog in Arabidopsis (), , which are involved in apoplastic barrier formation.

Expression of AoNHX1 increases salt tolerance of rice and Arabidopsis, and bHLH transcription factors regulate AtNHX1 and AtNHX6 in Arabidopsis.

Expression of AoNHX1 from the mangrove Avicennia increases salt tolerance of rice and Arabidopsis, and specific bHLH transcription factors regulate AtNHX1 and AtNHX6 in Arabidopsis to mediate the salinity response. Improving crop plants to better tolerate soil salinity is a challenging task. Mangrove trees such as Avicennia officinalis have special adaptations to thrive in high salt conditions, which include subcellular compartmentalization of ions facilitated by specialized ion transporters.

OsTPS8 controls yield-related traits and confers salt stress tolerance in rice by enhancing suberin deposition.

Class I TREHALOSE-PHOSPHATE-SYNTHASE (TPS) genes affect salinity tolerance and plant development. However, the function of class IITPS genes and their underlying mechanisms of action are unknown. We report the identification and functional analysis of a rice class IITPS gene (OsTPS8).

Regulation of Seed Germination and Abiotic Stresses by Gibberellins and Abscisic Acid.

Overall growth and development of a plant is regulated by complex interactions among various hormones, which is critical at different developmental stages. Some of the key aspects of plant growth include seed development, germination and plant survival under unfavorable conditions. Two of the key phytohormones regulating the associated physiological processes are gibberellins (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA).

The OsPS1-F gene regulates growth and development in rice by modulating photosynthetic electron transport rate.

Ds insertion in rice OsPS1-F gene results in semi-dwarf plants with reduced tiller number and grain yield, while genetic complementation with OsPS1-F rescued the mutant phenotype. Photosynthetic electron transport is regulated in the chloroplast thylakoid membrane by multi-protein complexes. Studies about photosynthetic machinery and its subunits in crop plants are necessary, because they could be crucial for yield enhancement in the long term.

Diffuse leprosy with "deck-chair" sign.

A 55-year-old male presented with asymptomatic extensive skin lesions since one year. He was found to have diffuse lesions involving the face, trunk, arms, and thighs along with symmetric peripheral nerve thickening. Bacteriological and histopathological examination confirmed lepromatous leprosy.