Scientific Community Research Articles

Humidity Effects on Cs0.17FA0.83Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3 Thin Films for Carbon-based Perovskite Solar Cells

Org anic-inorganic hybrid perovskites have captivated the attention of researchers worldwide due to their remarkable potential for low-cost, high-efficiency solar cells. However, the reliance on controlled environments, such as dry boxes, poses a significant barrier for smaller laboratories wishing to participate in perovskite research. In this study, we investigate the influence of ambient humidity of Cs0.17FA0.83Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3 during the film formation process. Our experiments involved the fabrication of perovskite films using spin-coating techniques under different controlled humidity conditions with identical precursor preparation. The results revealed a significant decrease in film thickness under higher humidity, accompanied by a noticeable alteration in perovskite grain morphology, suggesting a complex interplay between humidity and grain formation. Furthermore, the photovoltaic performance of device with perovskite film formed in different humidity was measured. Surprisingly, despite the challenges posed by high humidity during fabrication, the solar cell efficiency only moderately decreased from 13.17% to 9.55% in average, indicating a remarkable potential of the Cs0.17FA0.83Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3 perovskite formula under adverse ambient conditions. These findings hint at the feasibility of their application in real-world, ambient air conditions, paving the way for their integration into diverse environmental settings, enabling a wider research community to engage in the exciting realm of perovskite solar cell technology.

Humidity Effects on Cs0.17FA0.83Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3 Thin Films for Carbon-based Perovskite Solar Cells

Org anic-inorganic hybrid perovskites have captivated the attention of researchers worldwide due to their remarkable potential for low-cost, high-efficiency solar cells. However, the reliance on controlled environments, such as dry boxes, poses a significant barrier for smaller laboratories wishing to participate in perovskite research. In this study, we investigate the influence of ambient humidity of Cs0.17FA0.83Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3 during the film formation process. Our experiments involved the fabrication of perovskite films using spin-coating techniques under different controlled humidity conditions with identical precursor preparation. The results revealed a significant decrease in film thickness under higher humidity, accompanied by a noticeable alteration in perovskite grain morphology, suggesting a complex interplay between humidity and grain formation. Furthermore, the photovoltaic performance of device with perovskite film formed in different humidity was measured. Surprisingly, despite the challenges posed by high humidity during fabrication, the solar cell efficiency only moderately decreased from 13.17% to 9.55% in average, indicating a remarkable potential of the Cs0.17FA0.83Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3 perovskite formula under adverse ambient conditions. These findings hint at the feasibility of their application in real-world, ambient air conditions, paving the way for their integration into diverse environmental settings, enabling a wider research community to engage in the exciting realm of perovskite solar cell technology.

Accessibility in Human Computer Interaction and Human Robot Interaction: A brief review on definitions, developers guidelines, laws and regulations

This paper presents an exploratory study of accessibility in both Human Computer Interaction and Human Robot Interaction focusing on its intersection with interrelated concepts such as usability and inclusive design. It underscores the overreaching goal of these concepts in improving the user experience and provide equal access to all user interfaces, albeit with different targeted user groups. Furthermore, the study presents a short review on main accessibility laws and developers guidelines for both Human Computer Interaction and Human Robot Interaction. The review reveals a remarkable gap in accessibility laws and guidelines for Human Robot Interaction, hence, there is an urgent need to broader initiatives and efforts from authorities, researchers community, and industry stakeholders to formulate and create accessibility laws and developers guidelines pertaining to Human Robot Interaction products, where no such laws or guidelines were found in this study, except an individual initiative by the author, which includes a proposal dedicated to help developer in creating accessible interfaces for Socially Assistive Robots. This paper also discusses some practical challenges in implementing accessibility guidelines in HCI and HRI interfaces.

Diversity and phage sensitivity to phages of porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a diverse and poorly characterized E. coli pathotype that causes diarrhea in humans and animals. Phages have been proposed for the veterinary biocontrol of ETEC, but effective solutions require understanding of porcine ETEC diversity that affects phage infection. Here, we sequenced and analyzed the genomes of the PHAGEBio ETEC collection, gathering 79 diverse ETEC strains isolated from European pigs with post-weaning diarrhea (PWD). We identified the virulence factors characterizing the pathotype and several antibiotic resistance genes on plasmids, while phage resistance genes and other virulence factors were mostly chromosome encoded. We experienced that ETEC strains were highly resistant to Enterobacteriaceae phage infection. It was only by enrichment of numerous diverse samples with different media and conditions, using the 41 ETEC strains of our collection as hosts, that we could isolate two lytic phages that could infect a large part of our diverse ETEC collection: vB_EcoP_ETEP21B and vB_EcoS_ETEP102. Based on genome and host range analyses, we discussed the infection strategies of the two phages and identified components of lipopolysaccharides ( LPS) as receptors for the two phages. Our detailed computational structural analysis highlights several loops and pockets in the tail fibers that may allow recognition and binding of ETEC strains, also in the presence of O-antigens. Despite the importance of receptor recognition, the diversity of the ETEC strains remains a significant challenge for isolating ETEC phages and developing sustainable phage-based products to address ETEC-induced PWD.IMPORTANCEEnterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)-induced post-weaning diarrhea is a severe disease in piglets that leads to weight loss and potentially death, with high economic and animal welfare costs worldwide. Phage-based approaches have been proposed, but available data are insufficient to ensure efficacy. Genome analysis of an extensive collection of ETEC strains revealed that phage defense mechanisms were mostly chromosome encoded, suggesting a lower chance of spread and selection by phage exposure. The difficulty in isolating lytic phages and the molecular and structural analyses of two ETEC phages point toward a multifactorial resistance of ETEC to phage infection and the importance of extensive phage screenings specifically against clinically relevant strains. The PHAGEBio ETEC collection and these two phages are valuable tools for the scientific community to expand our knowledge on the most studied, but still enigmatic, bacterial species-E. coli.

Norway’s research policy for Svalbard: intentions and perceptions

ABSTRACT Scholars of critical geography and geopolitics have long noted the intersection between research and strategic interest in the polar areas. This article focuses on how this link is displayed in the case of Svalbard, an Arctic archipelago under Norwegian sovereignty. While Norway’ research policy in Svalbard has traditionally been welcoming and supportive of international research activity with little interference in the organization of research, the Norwegian government recently introduced a new policy for the research community Ny-Ålesund. The article reviews the changes introduced as well as the response from involved research organizations. It shows interdependence between political ambitions and research priorities and, given the status of Svalbard, a more complex relationship than is the case for research in polar areas outside national jurisdiction.

Sustainability pathways for perovskite photovoltaics.

Solar energy is the fastest-growing source of electricity generation globally. As deployment increases, photovoltaic (PV) panels need to be produced sustainably. Therefore, the resource utilization rate and the rate at which those resources become available in the environment must be in equilibrium while maintaining the well-being of people and nature. Metal halide perovskite (MHP) semiconductors could revolutionize PV technology due to high efficiency, readily available/accessible materials and low-cost production. Here we outline how MHP-PV panels could scale a sustainable supply chain while appreciably contributing to a global renewable energy transition. We evaluate the critical material concerns, embodied energy, carbon impacts and circular supply chain processes of MHP-PVs. The research community is in an influential position to prioritize research efforts in reliability, recycling and remanufacturing to make MHP-PVs one of the most sustainable energy sources on the market.

Assessment of moth diversity in the Zealandia ecosanctuary through a community science initiative

ABSTRACT A collaborative project involving researchers and citizen scientists was conducted in the Zealandia ecosanctuary (Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand) during 2019–2022 to investigate Lepidoptera biodiversity. Here we present the first results of that project, reporting on the success of the citizen science approach and presenting a checklist of moth species in Zealandia. Sampling efforts took place roughly monthly during the night, and relied heavily on the participation of keen volunteers. Moths were primarily attracted using a mercury vapour light trap, but sweep-netting was also applied. On each trip, a selection of representative specimens was collected, humanely euthanised, prepared, photographed, and deposited as voucher specimens in the entomological collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Photos were uploaded to the community science online platform iNaturalist, where experts could help in identifying the species. We report a total of 262 species in Zealandia, belonging to 29 families; of those species, 22 are exotic. Notably, 217 species were found via our sampling, and the remaining 45 were recorded by citizen scientists and posted on iNaturalist. While this is likely an underestimate of the true species count in Zealandia, we consider the project a successful citizen science initiative that has generated valuable data, a fine collection of voucher specimens for the future, considerable public engagement, and positive media attention.

Cells and the city: The rise and fall of urban biopolitics in San Francisco, 1970-2020.

STS theories of biocapital conceptualize how biomedical knowledge and capital form together. Though these formations of biocapital often are located in large urban centers, few scholars have attended to how they are transforming urban spaces and places. In this paper we argue that the twinned technological development of cells and cities concentrates economic and symbolic capital and sets in motion contentious practices we name urban biopolitics. We draw on archival research and a nearly decade-long ethnography of the expansion of biomedical campuses in a major American city to show how the speculative logics of land development and biomedical innovation become bound together in a process we describe as speculative revitalization. We examine how the logics of speculative revitalization imagine a future in which cities and biomedicine produce wealth and health harmoniously together. However, in practice-as buildings of new biomedical urban campuses get built-the dreams of billionaire philanthrocapitalists to create global cities clash with the plans of biomedical researchers to create global health. We document the reproduction of stratified and racialized biomedical exclusions that result while also highlighting the unlikely opportunities for creating alliances committed to creating equitable biomedical research and healthcare in urban communities.

Empowering emerging adults with type 1 diabetes: crafting a financial and health insurance toolkit through community-based participatory action research

BackgroundEmerging adults aged 18–30 years face challenges during life transitions, with an added burden of navigating the health care system and additional costs associated with diabetes. This stress is compounded by overall low levels of health insurance literacy in this population, as people may not know about available financial and health care resources to minimize suboptimal diabetes outcomes. This study aimed to tailor a financial and health insurance toolkit to emerging adults with type 1 diabetes, including racially, ethnically diverse, and Medicaid-insured individuals, through community-based participatory action research.MethodsAn academic research team and community members from a national organization held six online community advisory board (CAB) content-creation meetings to understand how to tailor a financial and health insurance Toolkit. The CAB was comprised of six racially and insurance-diverse emerging adults with type 1 diabetes and four content experts (clinical, financial, and insurance). Six 60-minute online CAB meetings were held via University Hospitals (UH)-encrypted Zoom over five months. Pre-reading materials were emailed to CAB members before the meetings. A moderator established the purpose of each meeting and briefly discussed meeting rules before each meeting commenced. During the meetings, the moderator guided the discussions and provided the CAB members opportunities to respond and build on one another’s feedback. A deductive thematic qualitative analysis was utilized. Three researchers independently coded the cross-referenced and de-identified CAB meeting transcripts and then convened to reach a group consensus. Two CAB members performed member-checking.ResultsThe following key themes emerged to tailor the Toolkit: ensuring that content covers empowerment and self-advocacy, including genuine stories and multimedia visuals for aesthetics, addressing clinician bias, acknowledging racial and ethnic disparities in care, incorporating cultural representation, and demystifying Medicaid stigma.ConclusionsBy successfully partnering with the CAB and a community organization through a community-based participatory action research approach, we will develop a financial and health insurance Toolkit tailored to the needs of racially and ethnically diverse and Medicaid-insured emerging adults with type 1 diabetes.

Novel mycophenolic acid precursor-based fluorescent probe for intracellular H2O2 detection in living cells and Daphnia magna and Zebrafish model systems.

Innovative for the scientific community and attracting attention in the extensive biomedical field are novel compact organic chemosensing systems built upon unique core molecular frameworks. These systems may demonstrate customized responses and may be adaptable to analytes, showing promise for potential in vivo applications. Our recent investigation focuses on a precursor of Mycophenolic acid, resulting in the development of LBM (LOD = 13 nM) - a specialized probe selective for H2O2. This paper details the synthesis, characterization, and thorough biological assessments of LBM. Notably, we conducted experiments involving living cells, daphnia, and zebrafish models, utilizing microscopy techniques to determine probe nontoxicity and discern distinct patterns of probe localization. Localization involved the distribution of the probe in the Zebrafish model within the gut, esophagus, and muscles of the antennae.

Automated Search Strategy for Novel Ordered Structures of Block Copolymers.

Block copolymers with different architectures can possibly generate innumerable stable or metastable structures and thus provide an irreplaceable platform for theoretically exploring novel structures. Self-consistent field theory (SCFT) is a powerful tool to predict the ordered structures of block copolymers; however, it is sensitively dependent on its initial condition. Here we propose to use multiple symmetry-adapted basis functions to generate the initial conditions of SCFT and then apply Bayesian optimization to search for ordered structures by navigating the coefficient space of these basis functions. Without any prior knowledge, our scheme can automatically recover hundreds of ordered structures for two simple block copolymers, including most of the common structures and complex Frank-Kasper structures, together with many novel structures. By applying the automated scheme to various block copolymers, a huge number of novel structures can be obtained to expand the structural library, which may create new opportunities for the scientific community.

How and why eLife selects papers for peer review.

When deciding which submissions should be peer reviewed, eLife editors consider whether they will be able to find high-quality reviewers, and whether the reviews will be valuable to the scientific community.

Atmospheric bulk depositions: state-of-the-art and European legislative framework with focus on Italy.

The determination of total atmospheric deposition (bulk) is an essential tool to assess the state of environmental contamination and the consequent exposure of the population to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) through the intake of contaminated food. Over the past 20years, international authorities and the European Union through various pieces of legislation have emphasised the importance of conducting monitoring and studies on depositions to better understand their impact on the environment and human health without setting reference values. Despite the absence of such values, several European countries, through national laws, have adopted limit values and/or guideline values for the deposition fluxes of some organic (dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and inorganic persistent pollutants (metals). The aim of this review is both to summarise the present European legislation on depositions both to discuss the different legislations adopted by the various member states. Furthermore, a focus of this paper will be dedicated to the Italian legislation, where there is currently no specific guideline values for POPs in atmospheric deposition. In any case, some national authorities in Italy, such as the National Institute of Health (ISS) and the Regional Environmental Protection Agencies (ARPA), have conducted numerous monitoring activities on depositions, providing the scientific community and policymakers with numerous data on which to establish national reference values.

The biological impact of deuterium and therapeutic potential of deuterium-depleted water

Since its discovery by Harold Urey in 1932, deuterium has attracted increased amounts of attention from the scientific community, with many previous works aimed to uncover its biological effects on living organisms. Existing studies indicate that deuterium, as a relatively rare isotope, is indispensable for maintaining normal cellular function, while its enrichment and depletion can affect living systems at multiple levels, including but not limited to molecules, organelles, cells, organs, and organisms. As an important compound of deuterium, deuterium-depleted water (DDW) possess various special effects, including but not limited to altering cellular metabolism and potentially inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, demonstrating anxiolytic-like behavior, enhancing long-term memory in rats, reducing free radical oxidation, regulating lipid metabolism, harmonizing indices related to diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and alleviating toxic effects caused by cadmium, manganese, and other harmful substances, implying its tremendous potential in anticancer, neuroprotective, antiaging, antioxidant, obesity alleviation, diabetes and metabolic syndrome treatment, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification, thereby drawing extensive attention from researchers. This review comprehensively summarizes the latest progress in deuterium acting on living organisms. We start by providing a snapshot of the distribution of deuterium in nature and the tolerance of various organisms to it. Then, we discussed the impact of deuterium excess and deprivation, in the form of deuterium-enriched water (DEW) and deuterium-depleted water (DDW), on living organisms at different levels. Finally, we focused on the potential of DDW as an adjuvant therapeutic agent for various diseases and disorders.

How near-field photon momentum drives unusual optical phenomena: opinion

This Opinion article discusses the fundamental role of the near-field photon momentum in processes of light scattering from nanometer-sized clusters including an intriguing case of self-assembled nanostructures that form a long-range translational order but local disorder. Systems exhibiting the so-called crystal-liquid duality enable greatly enhanced light-matter interactions due to the electron-photon momentum matching in the visible wavelength range. This work takes a historical perspective on the exploration of this phenomenon that has been somewhat overlooked by the scientific community and discusses recent advances in the fields of nonlocal photonics and optoelectronics.

Models of care and relevance of territorial management in assisting persons with epilepsy

Epilepsy is a widespread social disease that affects people of all ages and often involves both diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. Beyond seizure control, it is necessary to ensure people with epilepsy a good quality of life and respect for human rights, seeking to increase self-management capacity and break down stigma. People with epilepsy should have privileged access to specialized epilepsy centers, where multidisciplinary care is possible. These centers, organized by different levels of complexity, should be uniformly distributed throughout the country and networked together. The scientific community and health care organizations must therefore design all necessary strategies so that knowledge about epilepsy improves among the general population and the most effective pathways of care are effectively implemented.

A full-head model to investigate intra and extracochlear electric fields in cochlear implant stimulation

Objective. Despite the widespread use and technical improvement of cochlear implant (CI) devices over past decades, further research into the bioelectric bases of CI stimulation is still needed. Various stimulation modes implemented by different CI manufacturers coexist, but their true clinical benefit remains unclear, probably due to the high inter-subject variability reported, which makes the prediction of CI outcomes and the optimal fitting of stimulation parameters challenging. A highly detailed full-head model that includes a cochlea and an electrode array is developed in this study to emulate intracochlear voltages and extracochlear current pathways through the head in CI stimulation. Approach. Simulations based on the finite element method were conducted under monopolar, bipolar, tripolar (TP), and partial TP modes, as well as for apical, medial, and basal electrodes. Variables simulated included: intracochlear voltages, electric field (EF) decay, electric potentials at the scalp and extracochlear currents through the head. To better understand CI side effects such as facial nerve stimulation, caused by spurious current leakage out from the cochlea, special emphasis is given to the analysis of the EF over the facial nerve. Main results. The model reasonably predicts EF magnitudes and trends previously reported in CI users. New relevant extracochlear current pathways through the head and brain tissues have been identified. Simulated results also show differences in the magnitude and distribution of the EF through different segments of the facial nerve upon different stimulation modes and electrodes, dependent on nerve and bone tissue conductivities. Significance. Full-head models prove useful tools to model intra and extracochlear EFs in CI stimulation. Our findings could prove useful in the design of future experimental studies to contrast FNS mechanisms upon stimulation of different electrodes and CI modes. The full-head model developed is freely available for the CI community for further research and use.

Pulmonary vascular diseases at high altitude - is it safe to live in the mountains?

This review addresses the concern of the health effects associated with high-altitude living and chronic hypoxia with a focus on pulmonary hypertension. With an increasing global population residing at high altitudes, understanding these effects is crucial for public health interventions and clinical management. Recent literature on the long-term effects of high-altitude residence and chronic hypoxia is comprehensively summarized. Key themes include the mechanisms of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, the development of pulmonary hypertension, and challenges in distinguishing altitude-related pulmonary hypertension and classical pulmonary vascular diseases, as found at a low altitude. The findings emphasize the need for research in high-altitude communities to unravel the risks of pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular diseases. Clinically, early and tailored management for symptomatic individuals residing at high altitudes are crucial, as well as access to advanced therapies as proposed by guidelines for pulmonary vascular disease. Moreover, identifying gaps in knowledge underscores the necessity for continued research to improve understanding and clinical outcomes in high-altitude pulmonary vascular diseases.

Innovate and empower: the malate dehydrogenase course-based undergraduate research experiences and community of practice.

College science programs exhibit high rates of student attrition, especially among Students of Color, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those with disabilities. Many of the reasons students choose to leave or feel pushed out of science can be mitigated through participation in faculty-mentored research. However, faculty resources are limited, and not every student has access to faculty mentoring due to systemic or structural barriers. By bringing authentic scientific research into the classroom context, course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) expand the number of students who participate in research and provide benefits similar to faculty-mentored research. Instructors also benefit from teaching CUREs. Using a systematic review of 14 manuscripts concerning the Malate Dehydrogenase CUREs Community (MCC) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) CUREs, we demonstrate that CUREs can be implemented flexibly, are authentic research experiences, generate new scientific discoveries, and improve student outcomes. Additionally, CURE communities offer substantial advantages to faculty wishing to implement CUREs.

#AISCICOMM24. Discussing the role of (generative) AI for science communication research and science communication practice

The annual conference of the Science Communication Division of the German Communication Association (DGPuK) was held in Zurich, Switzerland, from 5–7 June 2024. The conference attracted around 125 researchers and science communication practitioners from Europe and beyond. In this review, I provide an overview of the conference and discuss some of the challenges for researching AI in science communication as well as for science communication practice.