Sequential Passivation for Lead-Free Tin Perovskite Solar Cells with High Efficiency.

Lead-free tin perovskite solar cells (PKSCs) have attracted tremendous interest as a replacement for toxic lead-based PKSCs. Nevertheless, the efficiency is significantly low due to the rough surface morphology and high number of defects, which are caused by the fast crystallization and easy oxidization. In this study, a facile and universal posttreatment strategy of sequential passivation with acetylacetone (ACAC) and ethylenediamine (EDA) is proposed.

Indent-Free Vapor-Assisted Surface Passivation Strategy toward Tin Halide Perovskite Solar Cells.

Sn halide perovskite solar cells (PKSCs) are the most promising competitors to conventional lead PKSCs. Nevertheless, defects at the surfaces and grain boundaries hinder the improvement of the PKSCs' performance. Liquid surface passivation on the perovskite layer is commonly used to decrease these defects.

Changes in physical activity patterns of students from primary to secondary school: a 5-year longitudinal study.

This study aimed to annually examine anthropometric characteristics and physical activity (PA) among children transitioning from fourth grade (9-10 years of age) to eighth grade (13-14 years of age) in Japan. The participants' (n = 63) age, grade, sex, weight, height, and weight status were recorded at baseline. Accelerometry assessments were performed annually following established protocols.

Lanthanide induced variability in localised Co geometries of four triangular LCo Ln complexes.

Four tetranuclear heterobimetallic triangle complexes [LCoDy(NO)(HO)(MeOH)](NO) (C1), [LCoGd(NO)(MeOH)] (C2), [LCoLa(NO)(HO)](NO)(HO) (C3), and [LCoTbCl(NO)(HO)(MeOH)] (C4), where HL = 1,4-bisformylnaphthalene-2,3-diol, have been synthesised and structurally characterised. Each complex crystallises with a complete molecule in the asymmetric unit (' = 1) and displays near perfect octahedrality in two out of three Co centres. The third Co ion assumes a different coordination geometry in each complex: six-coordinate octahedral in C1, six-coordinate with a distortion towards trigonal prismatic in C2, five-coordinate trigonal bipyramidal in C3, and five-coordinate square pyramidal in C4; which has been attributed to increasing lanthanide cation size, coupled with a non-macrocyclic coordination environment.

Effects of electrical muscle stimulation on cerebral blood flow.

Background: Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) induces involuntary muscle contraction. Several studies have suggested that EMS has the potential to be an alternative method of voluntary exercise; however, its effects on cerebral blood flow (CBF) when applied to large lower limb muscles are poorly understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of EMS on CBF, focusing on whether the effects differ between the internal carotid (ICA) and vertebral (VA) arteries.

Effect of COVID-19-restrictive measures on ambient particulate matter pollution in Yangon, Myanmar.

Background: Particulate matter (PM) is recognized as the most harmful air pollutant to the human health. The Yangon city indeed suffers much from PM-related air pollution. Recent research has interestingly been focused on the novel subject of changes in the air quality associated with the restrictive measures in place during the current coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Superconductivity in LaRhGa with Noncentrosymmetric Structure.

We report here on the discovery of the superconductivity of a new ternary compound LaRhGa, which possesses a CaBeGe-type structure. Electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that LaRhGa undergoes a superconducting transition at 3.7 K and exhibits type-II superconductivity.

Accuracy of 12 Wearable Devices for Estimating Physical Activity Energy Expenditure Using a Metabolic Chamber and the Doubly Labeled Water Method: Validation Study.

Background: Self-monitoring using certain types of pedometers and accelerometers has been reported to be effective for promoting and maintaining physical activity (PA). However, the validity of estimating the level of PA or PA energy expenditure (PAEE) for general consumers using wearable devices has not been sufficiently established.

Objective: We examined the validity of 12 wearable devices for determining PAEE during 1 standardized day in a metabolic chamber and 15 free-living days using the doubly labeled water (DLW) method.

Effects of reduced muscle glycogen on excitation-contraction coupling in rat fast-twitch muscle: a glycogen removal study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an enzymatic removal of glycogen on excitation-contraction coupling in mechanically skinned fibres of rat fast-twitch muscles, with a focus on the changes in the function of Na-K-pump and ryanodine receptor (RyR). Glycogen present in the skinned fibres and binding to microsomes was removed using glucoamylase (GA). Exposure of whole muscle to 20 U mL GA for 6 min resulted in a 72% decrease in the glycogen content.

Treatment with EUK-134 improves sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca release but not myofibrillar Ca sensitivity after fatiguing contraction of rat fast-twitch muscle.

Skeletal muscles undergoing vigorous activity can enter a state of prolonged low-frequency force depression (PLFFD). This study was conducted to examine whether antioxidant treatment is capable of accelerating the recovery from PLFFD, with a focus on the function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and myofibril. One hour before fatiguing stimulation (FS) was administered, rats received an intraperitoneal injection of Eukarion (EUK-134), which mimics the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase.

Highly Efficient 17.6% Tin-Lead Mixed Perovskite Solar Cells Realized through Spike Structure.

Frequently observed high V loss in tin-lead mixed perovskite solar cells is considered to be one of the serious bottle-necks in spite of the high attainable Jsc due to wide wavelength photon harvesting. An amicable solution to minimize the V loss up to 0.50 V has been demonstrated by introducing an n-type interface with spike structure between the absorber and electron transport layer inspired by highly efficient Cu(In,Ga)Se solar cells.

Topological graph description of multicellular dynamics based on vertex model.

Vertex models are generally powerful tools for exploring biological insights into multicellular dynamics. In these models, a multicellular structure is represented by a network, which is dynamically rearranged using topological operations. Remarkably, the topological dynamics of the network are important in guaranteeing the results from the models and their biological implications.

Finger forces in fastball baseball pitching.

Forces imparted by the fingers onto a baseball are the final, critical aspects for pitching, however these forces have not been quantified previously as no biomechanical technology was available. In this study, an instrumented baseball was developed for direct measurement of ball reaction force by individual fingers and used to provide fundamental information on the forces during a fastball pitch. A tri-axial force transducer with a cable having an easily-detachable connector were installed in an official baseball.

Chemical labelling for visualizing native AMPA receptors in live neurons.

The location and number of neurotransmitter receptors are dynamically regulated at postsynaptic sites. However, currently available methods for visualizing receptor trafficking require the introduction of genetically engineered receptors into neurons, which can disrupt the normal functioning and processing of the original receptor. Here we report a powerful method for visualizing native α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) which are essential for cognitive functions without any genetic manipulation.

Cavity Optomagnonics with Spin-Orbit Coupled Photons.

We experimentally implement a system of cavity optomagnonics, where a sphere of ferromagnetic material supports whispering gallery modes (WGMs) for photons and the magnetostatic mode for magnons. We observe pronounced nonreciprocity and asymmetry in the sideband signals generated by the magnon-induced Brillouin scattering of light. The spin-orbit coupled nature of the WGM photons, their geometrical birefringence, and the time-reversal symmetry breaking in the magnon dynamics impose the angular-momentum selection rules in the scattering process and account for the observed phenomena.

Fast, externally triggered, digital phase controller for an optical lattice.

We present a method to control the phase of an optical lattice according to an external trigger signal. The method has a latency of less than 30 μs. Two phase locked digital synthesizers provide the driving signal for two acousto-optic modulators which control the frequency and phase of the counter-propagating beams which form a standing wave (optical lattice).

First-principles study on the origin of large thermopower in hole-doped LaRhO(3) and CuRhO(2).

Based on first-principles calculations, we study the origin of the large thermopower in Ni-doped LaRhO(3) and Mg-doped CuRhO(2). We calculate the band structure and construct the maximally localized Wannier functions from which a tight binding Hamiltonian is obtained. The Seebeck coefficient is calculated within the Boltzmann's equation approach using this effective Hamiltonian.