Efficient Functional Compensation Layer Integrated with HTL for Improved Stability and Performance in Perovskite Solar Cells.

Improving the interface characteristics between the hole-transport layer (HTL) and perovskite absorber layer is crucial for achieving maximum efficiency in inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This paper presents an effective functional compensation layer (FCL) composed of benzothiophene derivatives, particularly 5-(trifluoromethyl)-1-benzothiophene-2-carboxylic acid (TFMBTA); this layer is introduced between the MeO-2PACz HTL and perovskite absorber layer to improve the interfacial characteristics between them. This FCL improves charge transfer, hole extraction, and perovskite deposition by improving the surface morphology of the HTL and optimizing the energy level alignment.

Fine-Tuning Intra/Inter-Molecular Interaction via Ternary Copolymerization Strategy to Obtain Efficient Polymer Donors.

Incorporating a third component through ternary copolymerization strategy has proven to be a promising and effective approach for further improving the device performance of polymer donors. However, terpolymer donors typically exhibit negative effects on molecular stacking and weaken charge transport due to the irregular distribution of the polymer skeleton. Herein, two terpolymers PBBQ-5 (5% ff-Qx) and PBBQ-10 (10% ff-Qx) are developed by introducing the difluoro-2-(3-hexyldecyloxy) quinoxaline (ff-Qx) to the main chain of PM6.

Cocktail Effect of 4d/5d Band Twisted High-Entropy Alloys on Carbon Nanotube for Hydrazine Splitting.

Herein, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) embedded with RuPdIrPtAu-high entropy alloys (HEA) via pulsed laser irradiation in liquids are successfully fabricated. The resultant composite synergistically enhances hydrazine oxidation reaction (HzOR)-boosted water electrolysis. Notably, HEA with ≈2-5 nm size, are uniformly distributed across the surface of the CNTs.

Evaluation of the Safety and Impact of Heat-Treated KM2 Fermentation on Gut Microbiome Architecture.

Postbiotics, bioactive compounds from the fermentation process by probiotics, are gaining attention for their potential health benefits as safer alternatives to live probiotic microbes. is a well-studied probiotic species known for promoting gut health and immune modulation. However, the safety and effects of its postbiotic formulations on the gut microbiome structure remain less explored.

NIR Light-Triggered Structural Modulation of Self-Assembled Prion Protein Aggregates.

The self-replication of misfolded prion protein (PrP) aggregates is the major pathological event of different prion diseases, affecting mammal brains by cross-species transmission. Here, the structural modulation of PrP aggregates are reported by activated carbon materials upon near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. Activated carbon cobalt (ACC) nanosheets are synthesized using glycerol and metal salts to utilize the charge carriers released under NIR light exposure.

3D-Printing of Freestanding Pure MXene Microarchitectures.

Since their discovery, titanium-based MXenes (TiCT) have attracted significant attention. Several studies have presented versatile, cost-effective, and scalable approaches for fabricating TiCT-based functional components. However, most previous studies only allowed the realization of 2D patterns or required diverse additives to produce 3D architectures.

Family-Professional Collaborative Physical Therapy Intervention via Telehealth for Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Mixed-Method Feasibility Study.

Aims: To evaluate attendance rates, daily therapy engagement, parents' perceptions regarding feasibility, acceptability, family-centeredness, and individualized outcomes of a collaborative telehealth-based physical therapy intervention for children with disabilities.

Method: Mixed-method design involving 15 families and 17 children with disabilities (range age 4-90 months). Parents recorded time spent on home activities.

Videoconferencing Delivery of the Seoul Premarital Education Program During COVID-19: A Quasi-experimental Study Using Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting.

This study examined whether the Seoul Premarital Education Program (S-PEP) was effective when it was delivered via videoconferencing (VC) during the early COVID-19 period. S-PEP is a city-wide educational program designed to prevent marital distress by enhancing premarital readiness and relationship quality for couples. Because a randomized controlled trial was not realistic due to the pandemic, we recruited an intervention group and a no-intervention comparison group independently, who completed both the pre- and posttests.

Significantly improving the solubility and anti-inflammatory activity of fenofibric acid with native and methyl-substituted beta-cyclodextrins via complexation.

The solubility of commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs has become a significant concern in contemporary medicine. Furthermore, inflammatory arthritis stands out as the most prevalent chronic inflammatory disease globally. The disease's pathology is characterized by heightened inflammation and oxidative stress, culminating in chronic pain and the loss of joint functionality.

Efficacy of brain-computer interface training with motor imagery-contingent feedback in improving upper limb function and neuroplasticity among persons with chronic stroke: a double-blinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology can enhance neural plasticity and motor recovery in persons with stroke. However, the effects of BCI training with motor imagery (MI)-contingent feedback versus MI-independent feedback remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether the contingent connection between MI-induced brain activity and feedback influences functional and neural plasticity outcomes.

Dynamics of Nucleosomes and Chromatin Fibers Revealed by Single-Molecule Measurements.

The nucleosome is the fundamental structural unit of chromosome fibers. A DNA wraps around a histone octamer to form a nucleosome, while neighboring nucleosomes interact to form higher-order structures and fit gigabase-long DNAs into a small volume of the nucleus. Nucleosomes interrupt the access of transcription factors to a genomic region, and provide regulatory controls of gene expression.

Adult congenital aortic coarctation complicated by acute type a aortic intramural hematoma treated with a staged hybrid technique: a case report.

Background: Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) in adults is rare. usually combined with dilatation of the ascending aorta. Further disease progression complicated by hematoma or dissection of the ascending aorta is even more complicated and dangerous.

Novel mouse model of Alzheimer's disease exhibits pathology through synergistic interactions among amyloid-β, tau, and reactive astrogliosis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive impairment and distinct neuropathological features, including amyloid-β plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and reactive astrogliosis. Developing effective diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic strategies for AD necessitates the establishment of animal models that accurately recapitulate the pathophysiological processes of the disease. Existing transgenic mouse models have significantly contributed to understanding AD pathology but often fail to replicate the complexity of human AD.

Study Protocol of the Korean EGFR Registry: A Multicenter Prospective and Retrospective Cohort Study in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Patients With EGFR Mutation.

Introduction: The provision of treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients has increased in Korea. However, multicenter studies on the clinicopathologic dataset and treatment outcomes, using a large-scale dataset, have not been conducted. The current study is a prospective and retrospective multicenter observational cohort study that registers all stages of EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients.

Cold-active enzymes from deep marine psychrophiles: harnessing their potential in enhanced food production and sustainability.

Exploring the untapped potential of deep-sea microorganisms, particularly their cold-active enzymes, or psychrozymes, offers exciting possibilities for revolutionizing various aspects of the food processing industry. This review focuses on these enzymes, derived from the largely unexplored depths of the deep ocean, where microorganisms have developed unique adaptations to extreme conditions. Psychrozymes, as bioactive molecules, hold significant promise for food industry applications.

A Potential Indicator Gene, tetM, to Assess Contamination by Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Greenhouses in South Korea.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been emerging as a concerning threat to both environment and public health. The continuous input of manure, irrigation water, and fertilizers increases the abundance of ARGs in agricultural environments. However, current risk assessments have focused on clinical settings, which are not applicable to environmental settings.

Enhancement of polycaprolactone nanofiber film performance by hydrogen bonding interactions with chitosan for food packaging.

Hybrid environmentally friendly nanocomposite films were synthesized via electrospinning using polycaprolactone (PCL) and chitosan (CH). The resulting nanofiber films displayed a homogeneous fibrous microstructure with average diameters between 250-270 nm. Molecular simulation experiments revealed a progressive increase in hydrogen bonding over time.

Exploring the Complex Interplay Between Alcohol Consumption and Cardiovascular Health: Mechanisms, Evidence, and Future Directions.

This review article explores the intricate relationship between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular health, underscoring on both clinical outcomes and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. It examines the complex dose-response relationships for various cardiovascular disease (CVD) subtypes, including coronary heart disease, stroke, and atrial fibrillation, while categorizing pathophysiological mechanisms into three conceptual areas: primary initiating factors, secondary transmission pathways, and end-organ effects. Although mild-to-moderate alcohol consumption may confer some benefits for cardiovascular health and certain CVD subtypes, growing evidence highlights the importance of lifestyle modifications to reduce alcohol intake, particularly among heavy drinkers.

Modern insights of nanotheranostics in the glioblastoma: An updated review.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly malignant subtype of glioma, originating from the glial cells that provide support to other neurons in the brain. GBM predominantly impacts the cerebral hemisphere of the brain, with minimal effects on the cerebellum, brain stem, or spinal cord. Individuals diagnosed with GBM commonly encounter a range of symptoms, starting from auditory abnormalities to seizures.

Acute and chronic detrimental effects induced by short-chain chlorinated paraffins in the marine mysid Neomysis awatschensis.

To determine the potentially detrimental impacts of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), we conducted assessments of acute effects on 96-h survival rate and biochemical markers, as well as chronic and multigenerational impacts on growth and reproduction over three generations in the marine mysid, Neomysis awatschensis. Dose-dependent increase of mortality was measured in both juvenile and adult mysids for 96 h. Exposure to the LC10 value (derived from the 96-h acute toxicity value) significantly reduced feeding activity in juveniles, accompanied by a significant elevation in oxidative stress and a reduction in acetylcholinesterase activity.

Occurrence and distribution of brominated and fluorinated persistent organic pollutants in surface sediments focusing on industrially affected rivers.

This study investigated legacy persistent organic pollutants, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as well as their alternatives, in sediments from five major rivers, to assess their contamination status and usage patterns. The concentration levels of ΣPBDEs (median 9.98 ng/g dry weight (dw), mean 190 ng/g dw), ΣHBCDs (median 9.

Discovery of the therapeutic potential of naltriben against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity.

Glutamate-induced neuronal death is associated with neurodegeneration including cerebral ischemia. Several μ-opioid receptor antagonists exhibit a neuroprotective activity and have been considered as a potential therapeutic option for neurodegenerative disorders. For the first time, our current study unveiled the neuroprotective activity of selective δ-opioid receptor antagonists.

Do individual or organizational factors influence cultural competency of maternal newborn nurses?: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Cultural competency is a very important ability of nurses in women's hospitals in providing nursing care during pregnancy and childbirth. This study explored how multicultural attitudes, multicultural efficacy, intercultural communicative competency, and hospital support for cultural competency influence the cultural competency of nurses in women's hospitals.

Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study design was used.

The impact of reproductive health knowledge, reproductive health-promoting behavior, and sexual communication on intention to visit obstetrics and gynecology in unmarried women: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Women are experiencing reproductive health abnormalities at younger ages, and the incidence of cervical cancer in women in their 20s and 30s is increasing. Various factors hinder visits to obstetrics and gynecology. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore how health knowledge, reproductive health-promoting behavior, and sexual communication influenced the degree of intention to visit obstetrics and gynecology in unmarried women.

Are the effects of stress on antenatal depression mediated by self-esteem and moderated by social support?: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Social support and self-esteem play crucial roles in influencing the mental health of pregnant women. This study explored the moderating role of social support and the mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between pregnancy-related stress and antenatal depression among pregnant women.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 180 pregnant women who visited the obstetrics outpatient clinic at a hospital in Changwon, Korea, between November 22 and December 30, 2022.