Photonic-Enhanced Perovskite Solar Cells: Tailoring Color and Light Capture.

The current exponential growth of solar electricity technologies toward consumer-oriented applications, as in building- or vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (B/VIPV), is calling for improved solar cells, not only in cost-effectiveness, but also with better adaptability and aesthetics. Here, using perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as test bed, we demonstrate an unprecedented photonic method to generate any color on a cell layout, while also increasing PV efficiency. To this end, photonic surface features were designed for PSCs, which filled the dual purpose of light-trapping (LT) and modulation of reflected light interference.

The role of sialoglycans in modulating dendritic cell function and tumour immunity.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial for initiating immune responses against tumours by presenting antigens to T cells. Glycosylation, particularly sialylation, plays a significant role in regulating cell functions, by modulating protein folding and signalling. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of how sialic acids influence key aspects of DC biology, including maturation, migration, antigen presentation, and T cell interactions.

Synthesis, Characterization, Bioavailability and Antimicrobial Studies of Cefuroxime-Based Organic Salts and Ionic Liquids.

Low oral bioavailability is a common feature in most drugs, including antibiotics, due to low solubility in physiological media and inadequate cell permeability, which may limit their efficacy or restrict their administration in a clinical setting. Cefuroxime is usually administered in its prodrug form, cefuroxime axetil. However, its preparation requires further reaction steps and additional metabolic pathways to be converted into its active form.

Assessing the Potential of 1,2,3-Triazole-Dihydropyrimidinone Hybrids Against Cholinesterases: In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Studies.

Combining the pharmacological properties of the 1,2,3-triazole and dihydropyrimidinone classes of compounds, two small families of mono- and di(1,2,3-triazole)-dihydropyrimidinone hybrids, A and B, were previously synthesized. The main objective of this work was to investigate the potential anti-Alzheimer effects of these hybrids. The inhibitory activities of cholinesterases (AChE and BuChE), antioxidant activity, and the inhibitory mechanism through in silico (molecular docking) and in solution (STD-NMR) experiments were evaluated.

A mechanistic study on the interaction effects between legacy and pollutants of emerging concern: A case study with B[a]P and diclofenac.

To study the intricate toxicological mechanisms triggered by exposure to mixed pollutants, we exposed zebrafish embryos to legacy and emerging pollutants through binary mixtures of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and diclofenac (DFC). The combination of next-generation transcriptomics and toxicopathology disclosed instances where exposure to mixtures did not attain the expected sum of acute effects of individual toxicants, indicating potential antagonism. Despite overall higher mortality in DFC treatments, the same antagonistic trend was noted in genotoxicity and molecular pathways related to RNA turnover, cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell-cycle control.

Towards harmonized laboratory methodologies in veterinary clinical bacteriology: outcomes of a European survey.

Introduction: Veterinary clinical microbiology laboratories play a key role in antimicrobial stewardship, surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and prevention of healthcare associated-infections. However, there is a shortage of international harmonized guidelines covering all steps of veterinary bacterial culture from sample receipt to reporting.

Methods: In order to gain insights, the European Network for Optimization of Veterinary Antimicrobial Treatment (ENOVAT) designed an online survey focused on the practices and interpretive criteria used for bacterial culture and identification (C&ID), and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of animal bacterial pathogens.

A community-centric model for conference co-creation: the world conference on CDG for patients, families and professionals.

Background: Patient and public co-creation and involvement in health initiatives have been witnessing great expansion in recent years. From healthcare to research settings, collaborative approaches are becoming increasingly prevalent and diverse, especially in the field of rare diseases which faces complex challenges. Conference development and implementation, however, have been primarily guided by passive, information-sharing models.

Convergent reductive evolution in bee-associated lactic acid bacteria.

Distantly related organisms may evolve similar traits when exposed to similar environments or engaging in certain lifestyles. Several members of the Lactobacillaceae [lactic acid bacteria (LAB)] family are frequently isolated from the floral niche, mostly from bees and flowers. In some floral LAB species (henceforth referred to as bee-associated LAB), distinctive genomic (e.

Understanding the Potential of Light Absorption in Dots-in-Host Semiconductors.

The outstanding physical properties of dots-in-host (QD@Host) hetero semiconductors demand detailed methods to fundamentally understand the best routes to optimize their potentialities for different applications. In this work, a 4-band k.p-based method was developed for rock-salt quantum dots (QDs) that describes the complete optical properties of arbitrary QD@Host systems, trailblazing the way for the full optoelectronic analysis of quantum-structured solar cells.

Wastewater treatment plants circular performance models evaluation: Portugal case-study.

Population growth, economic growth, and changes in societal habits have led to significant changes in resource consumption. Therefore, it's crucial to accelerate the "reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover" of resources to ensure the balance of ecosystems, and water is surely one of the most fundamental resources. The acceleration of this approach in the water cycle makes sense only if we combine a circular economy (CE) transition with a sustainable perspective.

The influence of miasmatic theory on the construction of the Hospital Geral de Santo António in Porto in the nineteenth century.

The aim of this work is to ascertain the relevance of the miasmatic theory for the construction and spatial organization of the Hospital Geral de Santo António in Porto, Portugal, in the 19th century, from then recent graduate physicians' viewpoint. The methodology consists of analyzing the inaugural dissertations presented to the Escola Médico-Cirúrgica do Porto in order to assess the physicians' perceptions of the Santo António Hospital building, with emphasis on the relationship between health, medicine and environment. This work intends to contribute to better understand the relationship between the theoretical referential approach to disease and medical practice, at the interface of health, medicine, and environment by analyzing interspecies encounters.

Hospitals and medical specialization in Lisbon, 1880-1933.

This study analyzes the influence of hospitals on medical specialization and resulting implications for the history of public health from 1880 to 1933, with a focus on Lisbon as a case study. After the 1755 earthquake, a shift occurred from Renaissance-style hospitals to a network of hospitals that strategically occupied diverse urban spaces, significantly shaping the modernization of medicine and governmental healthcare policies. Employing the framework of the history of science, technology and medicine studies, this research enriches the historiography of hospitals, offering comprehensive insight into their societal significance during the study period.

Harnessing Lignocellulosic Crops for Phytomanagement of Contaminated Soils: A Multi-Country Study.

The dwindling availability of agricultural land, caused by factors such as rapid population growth, urban expansion, and soil contamination, has significantly increased the pressure on food production. To address this challenge, cultivating non-food crops on contaminated land has emerged as a promising solution. This approach not only frees up fertile soil for food production but also mitigates human exposure to contaminants.

The Role of Formulations in the Ageing Process of Vinyl Acetate Based Emulsion Films: A Multivariate Approach.

Vinyl acetate (VAc)-based emulsions represent one of the main media used by modern and contemporary artists. Their long-term behaviour is still not completely understood, especially due to the scarce knowledge on the influence of other compounds in the formulation, which may impact ageing over time. Besides the polymer backbone based on vinyl acetate, other co-monomers and additives can be added to the emulsion to alter the final film's physical, chemical, and optical properties.

Red Grape By-Products from the Demarcated Douro Region: Chemical Analysis, Antioxidant Potential and Antimicrobial Activity against Food-Borne Pathogens.

Wine production is one of the most important agricultural activities. The winemaking process generates a considerable volume of different residues characterized as by-products, such as pomace, seeds, stems, and skins. By-products are rich in polyphenols with antioxidant and antibacterial properties and may act as bacteriostatic or bactericidal agents against food-borne pathogens, improving food safety by enhancing antibiotic efficacy and reducing bacterial resistance.

Fluorescent polymers for environmental monitoring: Targeting pathogens and metal contaminants with naphthalimide derivatives.

Monitoring Hg levels in aqueous environments is crucial to assess the potential methylmercury contamination via bacterial conversion, however, existing methods often require extensive sample treatment and expensive equipment. To mitigate this issue, this study examines the synthesis and application of three naphthalimide-based compounds, with significant fluorescent and solvatochromic behavior (C1, C2, and C3). Compounds C1 and C2 demonstrated a strong affinity for Hg metal ions, with C2 showing selectivity and a strong antibacterial profile, particularly against S.

Flexographic printed microwave-assisted grown zinc oxide nanostructures for sensing applications.

The development of flexible electronics has increased the demand for wearable pressure sensors that can be used to monitor various biomedical signals. In this context, pressure sensors based on zinc oxide (ZnO) have great potential since, besides the biocompatibility and biodegradability of this metal oxide, it also has piezoelectric properties. The common feature of these sensors is the alignment of the ZnO nanostructures in the strain direction.

Lipophilic marine toxins in sediments from Arrábida marine protected area, Portugal (NE Atlantic).

During the development and senescence of harmful algal blooms (HAB), most of the algae cells not ingested by grazers or filter-feeding organisms sink to the bottom, making sediments important reservoirs of algae toxins. In this study, lipophilic marine toxins were determined in the sediments collected from depths ranging from 5 to 145 m depth in the marine protected area of Arrábida (southwest Portuguese coast). Sediments were characterized in terms of granulometry, water and organic matter content.

Robust prediction of colorectal cancer via gut microbiome 16S rRNA sequencing data.

The study addresses the challenge of utilizing human gut microbiome data for the early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC). The research emphasizes the potential of using machine learning techniques to analyze complex microbiome datasets, providing a non-invasive approach to identifying CRC-related microbial markers. The primary hypothesis is that a robust machine learning-based analysis of 16S rRNA microbiome data can identify specific microbial features that serve as effective biomarkers for CRC detection, overcoming the limitations of classical statistical models in high-dimensional settings.

Carbohydrate composition of cow milk and plant-based milk alternatives.

The prevalence of lactose intolerance is one of the factors driving consumers toward plant-based milk alternatives (PBMA). This study aimed to analyze the carbohydrate profile of cows' milk (regular and lactose-free from both pasteurized and UHT milks; n = 80) and PBMA (n = 60) by HPLC. The study revealed that no significant difference was present in the energy content and total carbohydrate content between regular milk and lactose-free milk.