Photoexcitation-Assisted Molecular Doping for High-Performance Polymeric Thermoelectric Materials.

Molecular doping plays a crucial role in modulating the performance of polymeric semiconductor (PSC) materials and devices. Despite the development of numerous molecular dopants and doping methods over the past few decades, achieving highly efficient doping of PSCs remains challenging, primarily because of the inadequate matching of frontier energy levels between the host polymers and the dopants, which is critical for facilitating charge transfer. In this work, we introduce a novel doping method termed photoexcitation-assisted molecular doping (PE-MD), capable of transcending limitations imposed by energy level disparities through the mediation of efficient photoinduced electron transfer between polymers and dopants. This approach significantly amplifies the electrical conductivity of the PDPP4T polymer, increasing it by more than 4 orders of magnitude to a maximum value of 349.67 S cm-1. Given that only the irradiated region experiences a substantial increase in doping level, the PE-MD process facilitates the photoresist-free and precise patterning of doped polymers at a resolution down to 1 µm. Furthermore, the enhanced electrical conductivity of the photoexcitation-assisted molecularly doped PDPP4T film promotes efficient thermoelectric conversion, yielding an impressive initial power factor of 226.1 µW m-1 K-2 and a figure-of-merit (ZT) of 0.18, accompanied by improved thermal and ambient stability. The PE-MD strategy not only remarkably elevates the doping level of PSCs toward efficient thermoelectric conversion but also preserves the easy processability of flexible and integrated devices.

miRNASNP-v4: a comprehensive database for miRNA-related SNPs across 17 species.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target binding sites can influence miRNA biogenesis and target regulation, thereby participating in a variety of diseases and biological processes. Current miRNA-related SNP databases are often species-limited or based on outdated data. Therefore, we updated our miRNASNP database to version 4 by updating data, expanding the species from Homo sapiens to 17 species, and introducing several new features. In miRNASNP-v4, 82 580 SNPs in miRNAs and 24 836 179 SNPs in 3'UTRs of genes across 17 species were identified and their potential effects on miRNA secondary structure and target binding were characterized. In addition, compared to the last release, miRNASNP-v4 includes the following improvements: (i) gene enrichment analysis for gained or lost miRNA target genes; (ii) identification of miRNA-related SNPs associated with drug response and immune infiltration in human cancers; (iii) inclusion of experimentally supported immune-related miRNAs and (iv) online prediction tools for 17 animal species. With the extensive data and user-friendly web interface, miRNASNP-v4 will serve as an invaluable resource for functional studies of SNPs and miRNAs in multiple species. The database is freely accessible at http://gong_lab.hzau.edu.cn/miRNASNP/.

High Performance and Colorful Polymer Thermoelectrics with Imprinted Porous Film.

The rapid development of the Internet of Things and wearable electronics has generated growing interest in creating high-performance and visually striking polymer thermoelectric (TE) devices. However, existing polymer TE materials have yet to fully meet these diverse demands. In this study, imprinted porous polymer films are introduced that exhibit both high TE performance and a spectrum of structural colors. The porous architecture not only preserves excellent charge transport properties but also significantly enhances phonon-like scattering, resulting in a more than 50% reduction in thermal conductivity for the PDPPSe-12 film. This leads to a 170% increase in the figure of merit (ZT), achieving a peak value of 0.52 at 363 K. Furthermore, the highly ordered porous structure imparts the PDPPSe-12 films with both a wide range of structural colors and remarkable stretchability, making them ideal for wearable TE generators. This approach is widely applicable to various polymeric systems, offering a novel strategy for advancing state-of-the-art plastic TE materials through microstructural engineering.

A Gene Cluster of Mitochondrial Complexes Contributes to the Cognitive Decline of COVID-19 Infection.

"Brain fog," a persistent cognitive impairment syndrome, stands out as a significant neurological aftermath of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Yet, the underlying mechanisms by which COVID-19 induces cognitive deficits remain elusive. In our study, we observed an upregulation in the expression of genes linked to the inflammatory response and oxidative stress, whereas genes associated with cognitive function were downregulated in the brains of patients infected with COVID-19. Through single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) analysis, we found that COVID-19 infection triggers the immune responses in microglia and astrocytes and exacerbates oxidative stress in oligodendrocytes, oligodendrocyte progenitors (OPCs), and neurons. Further investigations revealed that COVID-19 infection elevates LUC7L2 expression, which inhibits mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and suppresses the expression of mitochondrial complex genes such as MT-ND1, MT-ND2, MT-ND3, MT-ND4L, MT-CYB, MT-CO3, and MT-ATP6. A holistic approach to protect mitochondrial complex function, rather than targeting a single molecular, should be an effective therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat the long-term consequences of "long COVID."

Atg16l2 augments Nlrc4 inflammasome activation by facilitating NAIPs-NLRC4 association.

As cytoplasmic protein complexes that are pivotal for innate immunity, inflammasomes act primarily through the detection of pathogen- or danger-associated molecular patterns. Nucleotide oligomerisation domain-like receptor family and caspase activation recruitment domain-containing protein 4 (NLRC4) inflammasomes identify and eliminate intracellular pathogens, a process contingent on the ligand-recognition capabilities of neuronal apoptosis inhibitory proteins (NAIPs). Upon detection of specific molecules indicative of intracellular infection, NAIPs discern distinct pathogenic components and subsequently transmit signals to NLRC4, thus initiating their activation and triggering an inflammatory response. However, the mechanisms underlying NLRC4 inflammasome remain unclear. In this study, we elucidated the critical role of ATG16L2 in activating the NLRC4 inflammasome. ATG16L2-deficient macrophages exhibited reduced NLRC4 inflammasome activation, characterised by decreased oligomerisation of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD and attenuated cleavage of Pro-caspase-1, Pro-IL-1ß and gasdermin D. Co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed an interaction between ATG16L2 and NAIPs. Furthermore, ATG16L2 enhanced the association between NAIPs and NLRC4 by binding to NAIPs. For ATG16L2-knockout mice infected with Salmonella typhimurium, pathogen clearance and survival rates markedly decreased. Collectively, our findings suggest that ATG16L2 is a significant modulator of the innate immune system, influencing the activity of the NLRC4 inflammasome and the host's defensive response to intracellular pathogens.

Illness uncertainty, resilience, and perceived social support among patients with moyamoya disease: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The present study aims to investigate the levels of illness uncertainty in patients with moyamoya disease and to determine the association of socio-demographic characteristics, perceived social support and resilience with illness uncertainty in patients with moyamoya disease. Method: A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was conducted in two hospitals in China from August to December 2023. A socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Chinese versions of Mishel's Unsurety in Disease Scale (MUIS), the Chinese version of Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and the Chinese version of Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used to perform this research. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 statistical software. The t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), pearson correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were used to identify associated factors. Result: A total of 263 patients with moyamoya disease were recruited in this survey. The score of illness uncertainty was at a moderate level of (100.03 ± 18.59). The present study identified a negative correlation between illness uncertainty with resilience perceived social support. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that gender, occupation, education level, resilience and perceived social support were the related factors of illness uncertainty. Conclusion: Patients with moyamoya disease experienced moderate disease uncertainty on average, which was related to gender, occupation, education level, resilience and perceived social support. Future research is needed to better explore the complex relationships between illness uncertainty, resilience, and perceived social support with different types of moyamoya disease using longitudinal research.

Organoids for Cancer Research: Advances and Challenges.

As 3D culture technology advances, new avenues have opened for the development of physiological human cancer models. These preclinical models provide efficient ways to translate basic cancer research into clinical tumor therapies. Recently, cancer organoids have emerged as a model to dissect the more complex tumor microenvironment. Incorporating cancer organoids into preclinical programs have the potential to increase the success rate of oncology drug development and recapitulate the most efficacious treatment regimens for cancer patients. In this review, four main types of cancer organoids are introduced, their applications, advantages, limitations, and prospects are discussed, as well as the recent application of single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) in exploring cancer organoids to advance this field.

Do inexperienced nurses in the lactation period experience workplace violence? A qualitative study.

Introduction: Among clinical healthcare personnel, nurses face the highest proportion of workplace violence, which has a significant impact on their physical and mental well-being as well as their personal and professional lives. However, little is known about the effects of workplace violence on inexperienced breastfeeding nurses and their experiences during and after breastfeeding when they return to work. This study aimed to explore the experiences of inexperienced breastfeeding nurses who encountered workplace violence and its resulting impacts. Methods: This study employed a descriptive qualitative design. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 nurses working in various positions and departments at three tertiary hospitals. Purposive and maximum variation sampling techniques were employed. The interview data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method, and the research findings were reported according to Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ)standards. Results: Inferences regarding workplace violence and risks for inexperienced breastfeeding nurses included physical labor (such as lifting heavy objects and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation), conflicts, inadequate job skills, role confusion, occupational exposure risks, patient violence, and pressure from older adults. An inductive thematic investigation revealed the "Challenges faced during breastfeeding," "Conflicting professional and family roles," "Out of balance," and "Coping strategies." Conclusion: Inexperienced breastfeeding nurses experience several negative consequences due to workplace violence. Therefore, it is essential to plan and implement preventive strategies and management programs that specifically target workplace violence among inexperienced breastfeeding nurses.

FoxO1-modulated macrophage polarization regulates osteogenesis via PPAR-γ signaling.

Periodontitis, a common chronic inflammatory disease, epitomizes a significant impairment in the host immune system and an imbalance of bone metabolism. Macrophage polarization, a dynamic process dictated by the microenvironment, intricately contributes to the interplay between the immune system and bone remodeling, namely the osteoimmune system. Forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) has been shown to play a dramatic role in mediating oxidative stress, bone mass, as well as cellular metabolism. Nevertheless, the function and underlying mechanisms of FoxO1 in regulating macrophage polarization-mediated osteogenesis in periodontitis remain to be further elucidated. Here, we found that FoxO1 expression was closely linked to periodontitis, accompanied by aggravated inflammation. Notably, FoxO1 knockdown skewed macrophage polarization from M1 to the antiinflammatory M2 phenotype under inflammatory conditions, which rescued the impaired osteogenic potential. Mechanistically, we revealed that the enhancement of the transcription of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling in FoxO1-knockdown macrophages. In agreement with this contention, GW9662, a specific inhibitor of PPAR-γ signaling, greatly aggravated macrophage polarization from M2 to the M1 phenotype and attenuated osteogenic potential under inflammatory conditions. Additionally, PPAR-γ signaling agonist rosiglitazone (RSG) was applied to address ligature-induced periodontitis with attenuated inflammation. Our data lend conceptual credence to the function of FoxO1 in mediating macrophage polarization-regulated osteogenesis which serves as a novel therapeutic target for periodontitis.

Multi-heterojunctioned plastics with high thermoelectric figure of merit.

Conjugated polymers promise inherently flexible and low-cost thermoelectrics for powering the Internet of Things from waste heat1,2. Their valuable applications, however, have been hitherto hindered by the low dimensionless figure of merit (ZT)3-6. Here we report high-ZT thermoelectric plastics, which were achieved by creating a polymeric multi-heterojunction with periodic dual-heterojunction features, where each period is composed of two polymers with a sub-ten-nanometre layered heterojunction structure and an interpenetrating bulk-heterojunction interface. This geometry produces significantly enhanced interfacial phonon-like scattering while maintaining efficient charge transport. We observed a significant suppression of thermal conductivity by over 60 per cent and an enhanced power factor when compared with individual polymers, resulting in a ZT of up to 1.28 at 368 kelvin. This polymeric thermoelectric performance surpasses that of commercial thermoelectric materials and existing flexible thermoelectric candidates. Importantly, we demonstrated the compatibility of the polymeric multi-heterojunction structure with solution coating techniques for satisfying the demand for large-area plastic thermoelectrics, which paves the way for polymeric multi-heterojunctions towards cost-effective wearable thermoelectric technologies.

Simultaneous targeting and monitoring of free antigen and in-situ membrane antigen in prostate cancer cells via an aggregation-induced emission-based bifunctional probe.

The precise clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer still presents inherent challenges, and usually a monitoring of multiple biomarkers is required. In this study, a new aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-based bifunctional strategy was developed for the simultaneous detection of prostate cancer-specific in situ membrane antigens (PSMA) and free antigens (PSA). First, a bifunctional fluorescent probe with double sensing sites (a PSA-specific sensing site and a PSMA-targeted ligand) was constructed. In the presence of PSA, it specifically binds to the PSA-specific sensing site of the probe, resulting in the restoration of the fluorescence signal, enabling linear sensing of PSA. For the detection of PSMA, the PSMA-targeted ligand modified on the probe can specifically recognize PSMA, inducing the aggregation of the AIE material and resulting in an enhanced fluorescence signal. Moreover, a liposome-based artificial cell was developed to simulate the real prostate cancer cell, and it was used to investigate the feasibility of monitoring the two types of antigens. Utilizing this bifunctional fluorescent strategy, a dual-analysis of free serum antigen biomarker of PSA and in-situ membrane antigen of PSMA was achieved. The assay exhibited a wide linearity range for PSA detection from 0.0001 to 0.1 µg/mL, with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 6.18 pg/mL. For PSMA, the obtained LOD is 8.79 pg/mL, with a linearity range from 0.0001 to 0.1 µg/mL. This strategy allows us to simultaneously assess the levels of two types of biomarkers in living human prostatic cancer cells, providing a highly accurate and selective tool for early screening and monitoring of prostatic cancer.

Altering the CO2 Electroreduction Pathways Towards C1 or C2+ Products via Engineering the Strength of Interfacial Cu-O Bond.

Copper (Cu)-based catalysts have established their unique capability for yielding wide value-added products from CO2. Herein, we demonstrate that the pathways of the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) can be rationally altered toward C1 or C2+ products by simply optimizing the coordination of Cu with O-containing organic species (squaric acid (H2C4O4) and cyclohexanehexaone (C6O6)). It is revealed that the strength of Cu-O bonds can significantly affect the morphologies and electronic structures of derived Cu catalysts, resulting in the distinct behaviors during CO2RR. Specifically, the C6O6-Cu catalysts made up from organized nanodomains shows a dominant C1 pathway with a total Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 63.7 % at -0.6 V (versus reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE). In comparison, the C4O4-Cu with an about perfect crystalline structure results in uniformly dispersed Cu-atoms, showing a notable FE of 65.8 % for C2+ products with enhanced capability of C-C coupling. The latter system also shows stable operation over at least 10 h with a high current density of 205.1 mA cm-2 at -1.0 VRHE, i.e., is already at the boarder of practical relevance. This study sheds light on the rational design of Cu-based catalysts for directing the CO2RR reaction pathway.

Bazi Bushen capsule attenuates cardiac systolic injury via SIRT3/SOD2 pathway in high-fat diet-fed ovariectomized mice.

Background: Bazi Bushen capsule (BZBS) is a Chinese herbal compound that is clinically used to treat fatigue and forgetfulness. However, it is still unclear whether and how BZBS affects heart function decline in menopausal women. This study aimed to examine the effect of BZBS on cardiac function in a high-fat diet-fed ovariectomy (HFD-fed OVX) mouse model and elucidate the underlying mechanism of this effect. Methods: The experimental animals were divided into five groups: sham group, HFD-fed OVX group, and BZBS (0.7, 1.4, 2.8 g/kg) intervention groups. Senescence ß-galactosidase staining and echocardiography were used to evaluate cardiac function. SwissTargetPrediction, KEGG and GO enrichment analyses were used to screen the underlying mechanism of BZBS. The morphological and functional changes in cardiac mitochondria and the underlying molecular mechanism were assessed by transmission electron microscopy, western blotting and biochemical assays. STRING database was used to analysis protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Molecular docking studies were employed to predict the interactions of specific BZBS compounds with their protein targets. Results: BZBS treatment ameliorated cardiac senescence and cardiac systole injury in HFD-fed OVX mice. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the 530 targets of the 14 main components of BZBS were enriched mainly in the oxidative stress-associated pathway, which was confirmed by the finding that BZBS treatment prevented abnormal morphological changes and oxidative stress damage to cardiac mitochondria in HFD-fed OVX mice. Furthermore, the STRING database showed that the targets of BZBS were broadly related to the Sirtuins family. And BZBS upregulated the SIRT3 and elevated the activity of SOD2 in the hearts of HFD-fed OVX mice, which was also verified in vitro. Additionally, we revealed that imperatorin and osthole from the BZBS upregulated the expression of SIRT3 by directly docking with the transcription factors HDAC1, HDAC2, and BRD4, which regulate the expression of SIRT3. Conclusion: This research shows that the antioxidative effect and cardioprotective role of BZBS on HFD-fed OVX mice involves an increase in the activity of the SIRT3/SOD2 pathway, and the imperatorin and osthole of BZBS may play central roles in this process.

Enhancing the Thermoelectric and Mechanical Properties of p-Type PbS through Band Convergence and Microstructure Regulation.

While lead sulfide shows notable thermoelectric properties, its production costs remain high, and its mechanical hardness is low, which constrains its commercial viability. Herein, we demonstrate a straightforward and cost-effective method to produce PbS nanocrystals at ambient temperature. By introducing controlled amounts of silver, we achieve p-type conductivity and fine-tune the energy band structure and lattice configuration. Computational results show that silver shifts the Fermi level into the valence band, facilitating band convergence and thereby enhancing the power factor. Besides, excess silver is present as silver sulfide, which effectively diminishes the interface barrier and enhances the Seebeck coefficient. Defects caused by doping, along with dislocations and interfaces, reduce thermal conductivity to 0.49 W m-1 K-1 at 690 K. Moreover, the alterations in crystal structure and chemical composition enhance the PbS mechanical properties. Overall, optimized materials show thermoelectric figures of merit approximately 10-fold higher than that of pristine PbS, alongside an average hardness of 1.08 GPa.

Case report: Isolated immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis misdiagnosed as hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) is frequently accompanied with type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). Isolated IgG4-SC which is not accompanied with AIP is uncommon in clinical practice, and its manifestations are similar to those of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Case presentation: A 55-year-old male presented with persistent aggravation of icteric sclera and skin. He was initially diagnosed with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and underwent surgery. However, positive IgG4 plasma cells were found in the surgical specimens. Thus, a pathological diagnosis of IgG4-SC was established. After that, steroid therapy was given and initially effective. But he was steroid dependent, and then received rituximab therapy twice. Unfortunately, the response to rituximab therapy was poor. Conclusion: It is crucial to differentiate isolated IgG4-SC from hilar cholangiocarcinoma to avoid unnecessary surgery. Future studies should further explore effective treatment strategy in patients who do not respond to steroids therapy. It is also required to develop novel and accurate diagnostic approaches to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures.

Effects of elastic band resistance training on the physical and mental health of elderly individuals: A mixed methods systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Elastic band resistance training in elderly individuals can improve physical fitness and promote mental health in addition to other benefits. This systematic review aimed to review, summarize, and evaluate quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodological studies on the use of elastic band resistance training in elderly individuals, and to investigate the influence of elastic band resistance training on the physical and mental health of elderly individuals, as well as their preferences and obstacles in training. METHODS: A convergent separation approach was used to synthesize and integrate the results, specifically the mixed systematic review approach recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The extensive search strategy included electronic database searches in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, and CINAHL. The researchers rigorously screened the literature, extracted and analyzed the data, and evaluated the quality of the included studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). RESULTS: Twenty-eight studies were included, of which 25 were quantitative studies, 2 were qualitative studies, and 1 was a mixed-methods study. A total of 1,697 subjects were investigated across all studies. Quantitative evidence supports the notion that elastic band resistance training can improve upper and lower limb flexibility, endurance, upper strength, physical balance, and cardiopulmonary function and enhance the mental health of elderly individuals. Participants in the qualitative study reported some preferences and obstacles with band resistance training, but most participants reported physical benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the heterogeneity between studies, this review is the first systematic review to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of elastic band resistance training in older adults. It not only shows the influence of elastic band resistance training on the physical and mental health of the elderly, but also emphasizes the preference and obstacles of elderly individuals face.

Does growth hormone supplementation of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection improve cumulative live birth rates in women with poor embryonic development in the previous cycle?

BACKGROUND: Growth hormone (GH) has been proposed as an adjunct in in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles, especially in women with poor ovarian response. However, it is unclear whether GH supplementation is effective in women with poor embryonic development in the previous IVF cycle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of GH supplementation in IVF/ICSI cycles in women with poor embryonic development in the previous cycle. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study from a public fertility center in China, in which we performed propensity score-matching (PSM) for female age and AFC in a ratio of 1:1. We compared the cumulative live birth rate per started cycle, as well as a series of secondary outcomes. We included 3,043 women with poor embryonic development in the previous IVF/ICSI cycle, of which 1,326 had GH as adjuvant therapy and 1,717 had not. After PSM, there were 694 women in each group. RESULTS: After PSM, multivariate analyses showed the cumulative live birth rate to be significantly higher in the GH group than the control group [N = 694, 34.7% vs. N = 694, 27.5%, risk ratio (RR): 1.4 (95%CI: 1.1-1.8)]. Endometrial thickness, number of oocytes retrieved, number of embryos available, and number of good-quality embryos were significantly higher in the GH group compared to controls. Pregnancy outcomes in terms of birth weight, gestational age, fetal sex, preterm birth rate, and type of delivery were comparable. When we evaluated the impact of GH on different categories of female age, the observed benefit in the GH group did not appear to be significant. When we assessed the effect of GH in different AFC categories, the effect of GH was strongest in women with an AFC5-6 (32.2% versus 19.5%; RR 2.0; 95% CI 1.2-3.3). CONCLUSIONS: Women with poor embryonic quality in the previous IVF/ICSI cycles have higher rates of cumulative live birth with GH supplementation.

Research progress on the functions and biosynthesis of theaflavins.

Theaflavins are beneficial to human health due to various bioactivities. Biosynthesis of theaflavins using polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is advantageous due to cost effectiveness and environmental friendliness. In this review, studies on the mechanism of theaflavins formation, the procedures to screen and prepare PPOs, optimization of reaction systems and immobilization of PPOs were described. The challenges associated with the mass biosynthesis of theaflavins, such as poor enzyme activity, undesirable subproducts and inclusion bodies of recombinant PPOs were presented. Further strategies to solve these challenges and improve theaflavins production, including enzyme engineering, immobilization enzyme technology, water-immiscible solvent-water biphasic systems and recombinant enzyme technology, were proposed.

FKF1b controls reproductive transition associated with adaptation to geographical distribution in maize.

Maize (Zea mays subspecies mays) is an important commercial crop across the world, and its flowering time is closely related to grain yield, plant cycle and latitude adaptation. FKF1 is an essential clock-regulated blue-light receptor with distinct functions on flowering time in plants, and its function in maize remains unclear. In this study, we identified two FKF1 homologs in the maize genome, named ZmFKF1a and ZmFKF1b, and indicated that ZmFKF1a and ZmFKF1b independently regulate reproductive transition through interacting with ZmCONZ1 and ZmGI1 to increase the transcription levels of ZmCONZ1 and ZCN8. We demonstrated that ZmFKF1b underwent artificial selection during modern breeding in China probably due to its role in geographical adaptation. Furthermore, our data suggested that ZmFKF1bHap_C7 may be an elite allele, which increases the abundance of ZmCONZ1 mRNA more efficiently and adapt to a wider range of temperature zone than that of ZmFKF1bHap_Z58 to promote maize floral transition. It extends our understanding of the genetic diversity of maize flowering. This allele is expected to be introduced into tropical maize germplasm to enrich breeding resources and may improve the adaptability of maize at different climate zones, especially at temperate region.

Grid-plainification enables medium-temperature PbSe thermoelectrics to cool better than Bi2Te3.

Thermoelectric cooling technology has important applications for processes such as precise temperature control in intelligent electronics. The bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3)-based coolers currently in use are limited by the scarcity of Te and less-than-ideal cooling capability. We demonstrate how removing lattice vacancies through a grid-design strategy switched PbSe from being useful as a medium-temperature power generator to a thermoelectric cooler. At room temperature, the seven-pair device based on n-type PbSe and p-type SnSe produced a maximum cooling temperature difference of ~73 kelvin, with a single-leg power generation efficiency approaching 11.2%. We attribute our results to a power factor of >52 microwatts per centimeter per square kelvin, which was achieved by boosting carrier mobility. Our demonstration suggests a path for commercial applications of thermoelectric cooling based on Earth-abundant Te-free selenide-based compounds.