AptaDB: a comprehensive database integrating aptamer-target interactions.

Aptamers have emerged as research hotspots of the next generation due to excellent performance benefits and application potentials in pharmacology, medicine, and analytical chemistry. Despite the numerous aptamer investigations, the lack of comprehensive data integration has hindered the development of computational methods for aptamers and the reuse of aptamers. A public access database named AptaDB, derived from experimentally validated data manually collected from the literature, was hence developed, integrating comprehensive aptamer-related data, which include six key components: (i) experimentally validated aptamer-target interaction information, (ii) aptamer property information, (iii) structure information of aptamer, (iv) target information, (v) experimental activity information, and (vi) algorithmically calculated similar aptamers. AptaDB currently contains 1350 experimentally validated aptamer-target interactions, 1230 binding affinity constants, 1293 aptamer sequences, and more. Compared to other aptamer databases, it contains twice the number of entries found in available databases. The collection and integration of the above information categories is unique among available aptamer databases and provides a user-friendly interface. AptaDB will also be continuously updated as aptamer research evolves. We expect that AptaDB will become a powerful source for aptamer rational design and a valuable tool for aptamer screening in the future. For access to AptaDB, please visit http://lmmd.ecust.edu.cn/aptadb/.

Photo-Stimulated Zn-based Batteries: Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives.

Solar energy, as a renewable energy source, dominates the vast majority of human energy, which can be harvested and converted by photovoltaic solar cells. However, the intermittent availability of solar energy restricts the actual utilization circumstances of solar cells. Integrating photo-responsive electrodes into an energy storage device emerges as a dependable and executable strategy, fostering the creation of photo-stimulated batteries that seamlessly amalgamate the process of solar energy collection, conversion, and storage in one system. Endowed by virtues such as cost-effectiveness, facile manufacturing, safety, and environmental friendliness, photo-stimulated Zn-based batteries have attracted considerable attention. The progress report furnishes a brief overview, summarizing various photo-stimulated Zn-based batteries. Their configurations, operational principles, advancements, and the intricate engineering of photoelectrode designs are introduced, respectively. Through rigorous architectural design, photo-stimulated Zn-based batteries exhibit the ability to initiate charging by saving electricity usage, and in certain instances, even without the need for external electrical grids under illumination. Furthermore, the compensation of solar energy can be explored to improve the output electric energy. At last, opportunities and challenges toward photo-stimulated Zn-based batteries in the process of development are proposed and discussed in the hope of expanding their application scenarios and accelerating the commercialization progress.

Strong and tough polysaccharide organohydrogels for strain, humidity and temperature sensors.

To avoid the potential toxicity of monomer residues in synthetic polymer based organohydrogels, natural polysaccharide-based organohydrogels are expected to be used in multi-functional wearable sensory systems, but most of them have unsatisfactory stiffness, strength and fracture toughness. Herein, a cooking and soaking strategy is proposed to prepare novel natural polysaccharide-based organohydrogels possessing outstanding stiffness, strength, toughness, freezing resistance, heating resistance and long-term durability. The agar organohydrogel exhibits a fracture stress of 3.3 MPa, a Young's modulus of 2.26 MPa and a fracture toughness of 14.8 kJ m-2, the κ-carrageenan organohydrogel exhibits a fracture stress of 3.3 MPa, a Young's modulus of 4.34 MPa and a fracture toughness of 11.0 kJ m-2, and the gellan organohydrogel exhibits a fracture stress of 1.2 MPa, a Young's modulus of 2.81 MPa and a fracture toughness of 5.4 kJ m-2. Furthermore, the agar organohydrogels are assembled into multi-functional wearable sensors by introducing NaCl as a conducting agent exhibiting responses to strain (5-150%), temperature (-15 to 60 °C) and humidity (11-97%), and possessing exceptional multi-sensory capabilities. Therefore, the developed strategy has shown a new pathway towards strengthening polysaccharide-based organohydrogels with potential for application in wearable sensory systems.

In silico prediction of ocular toxicity of compounds using explainable machine learning and deep learning approaches.

The accurate identification of chemicals with ocular toxicity is of paramount importance in health hazard assessment. In contemporary chemical toxicology, there is a growing emphasis on refining, reducing, and replacing animal testing in safety evaluations. Therefore, the development of robust computational tools is crucial for regulatory applications. The performance of predictive models is heavily reliant on the quality and quantity of data. In this investigation, we amalgamated the most extensive dataset (4901 compounds) sourced from governmental GHS-compliant databases and literature to develop binary classification models of chemical ocular toxicity. We employed 12 molecular representations in conjunction with six machine learning algorithms and two deep learning algorithms to create a series of binary classification models. The findings indicated that the deep learning method GCN outperformed the machine learning models in cross-validation, achieving an impressive AUC of 0.915. However, the top-performing machine learning model (RF-Descriptor) demonstrated excellent performance with an AUC of 0.869 on the test set and was therefore selected as the best model. To enhance model interpretability, we conducted the SHAP method and attention weights analysis. The two approaches offered visual depictions of the relevance of key descriptors and substructures in predicting ocular toxicity of chemicals. Thus, we successfully struck a delicate balance between data quality and model interpretability, rendering our model valuable for predicting and comprehending potential ocular-toxic compounds in the early stages of drug discovery.

Glucagon blockade restores functional ß-cell mass in type 1 diabetic mice and enhances function of human islets.

We evaluated the potential for a monoclonal antibody antagonist of the glucagon receptor (Ab-4) to maintain glucose homeostasis in type 1 diabetic rodents. We noted durable and sustained improvements in glycemia which persist long after treatment withdrawal. Ab-4 promoted ß-cell survival and enhanced the recovery of insulin+ islet mass with concomitant increases in circulating insulin and C peptide. In PANIC-ATTAC mice, an inducible model of ß-cell apoptosis which allows for robust assessment of ß-cell regeneration following caspase-8-induced diabetes, Ab-4 drove a 6.7-fold increase in ß-cell mass. Lineage tracing suggests that this restoration of functional insulin-producing cells was at least partially driven by α-cell-to-ß-cell conversion. Following hyperglycemic onset in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, Ab-4 treatment promoted improvements in C-peptide levels and insulin+ islet mass was dramatically increased. Lastly, diabetic mice receiving human islet xenografts showed stable improvements in glycemic control and increased human insulin secretion.

Defining multistep cell fate decision pathways during pancreatic development at single-cell resolution.

The generation of terminally differentiated cell lineages during organogenesis requires multiple, coordinated cell fate choice steps. However, this process has not been clearly delineated, especially in complex solid organs such as the pancreas. Here, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing in pancreatic cells sorted from multiple genetically modified reporter mouse strains at embryonic stages E9.5-E17.5. We deciphered the developmental trajectories and regulatory strategies of the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic lineages as well as intermediate progenitor populations along the developmental pathways. Notably, we discovered previously undefined programs representing the earliest events in islet α- and ß-cell lineage allocation as well as the developmental pathway of the "first wave" of α-cell generation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that repressing ERK pathway activity is essential for inducing both α- and ß-lineage differentiation. This study provides key insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying cell fate choice and stepwise cell fate commitment and can be used as a resource to guide the induction of functional islet lineage cells from stem cells in vitro.

Understanding generation and regeneration of pancreatic ß cells from a single-cell perspective.

Understanding the mechanisms that underlie the generation and regeneration of ß cells is crucial for developing treatments for diabetes. However, traditional research methods, which are based on populations of cells, have limitations for defining the precise processes of ß-cell differentiation and trans-differentiation, and the associated regulatory mechanisms. The recent development of single-cell technologies has enabled re-examination of these processes at a single-cell resolution to uncover intermediate cell states, cellular heterogeneity and molecular trajectories of cell fate specification. Here, we review recent advances in understanding ß-cell generation and regeneration, in vivo and in vitro, from single-cell technologies, which could provide insights for optimization of diabetes therapy strategies.

Enhanced light output from deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes enabled by high-order modes on a photonic crystal surface.

The authors demonstrate the enhanced light output from 275-nm AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet (DUV) light-emitting diode (LED) structures via the in-plane modulation of shallow photonic crystal (PC) patterns that were fabricated on the p-AlGaN contact layer surface. The employed PC lattice constants are in the range of 270-780 nm, much larger than the fundamental Bragg order lattice constant (∼95 nm). As compared to the unpatterned sample, the intensity of the top (or bottom) emission can be enhanced by up to 331% (or 246%), attributed to the high-order coherent diffraction of the internal trapped light and also the Purcell enhancement of spontaneous emission. The findings in this Letter suggest an easier way for the realization of more energy-efficient DUV LEDs which offer the advantage of high emission for various applications in disinfection and sterilization.

High-throughput RNA-sequencing reveals novel targets of tofacitinib in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Although tofacitinib has been confirmed to have good efficacy and safety in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the relevant mechanism at the whole transcriptome level has not yet been revealed. In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with active RA before and after tofacitinib treatment were analysed using whole transcriptome sequencing technology. METHODS: Fourteen patients with active RA were selected to detect the alterations of mRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs, and miRNAs in PBMCs before and after tofacitinib treatment using whole transcriptome sequencing. Through bioinformatics analysis, differentially expressed RNAs and their functions were identified. Then the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network and the protein interaction network were constructed. And qRT-PCR validation was performed for RNAs in the ceRNA network. RESULTS: Based on 69 DEmRNAs, 1743 DElncRNAs, 41 DEcircRNAs, and 4 DEmiRNAs obtained from whole transcriptome sequencing, an RNA interaction network including mRNA DEPDC1, lncRNA ENSG00000272574, circRNA hsa_circ_0034415, miR-190a-5p, and miR-1298-5p was constructed according to ceRNA theory. The qRT-PCR validation results of DEPDC1, hsa_circ_0034415 and miR-1298-5p involved in the network were consistent with the sequencing results, which provided important research evidence for further study of these RNAs. CONCLUSIONS: The new discovered circRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in RA patients relevant to tofacitinib therapy will provide new enlightenment for the role of tofacitinib in the treatment of RA and shed light on a new direction for further exploring the deep-seated mechanism of this drug.

Nomogram Using CT Radiomics Features for Differentiation of Pneumonia-Type Invasive Mucinous Adenocarcinoma and Pneumonia: Multicenter Development and External Validation Study.

BACKGROUND. Pneumonia-type invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) and pneumonia show overlapping chest CT features as well as overlapping clinical characteristics. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to develop and validate a nomogram combining clinical and CT-based radiomics features to differentiate pneumonia-type IMA and pneumonia. METHODS. This retrospective study included 314 patients (172 men, 142 women; mean age, 60.3 ± 14.5 [SD] years) from six hospitals who underwent noncontrast chest CT showing consolidation and were diagnosed with pneumonia-type IMA (n = 106) or pneumonia (n = 208). Patients from three hospitals formed a training set (n = 195) and a validation set (n = 50), and patients from the other three hospitals formed the external test set (n = 69). A model for predicting pneumonia-type IMA was built using clinical characteristics that were significant independent predictors of this diagnosis. Radiomics features were extracted from CT images by placing ROIs on areas of consolidation, and a radiomics signature of pneumonia-type IMA was constructed. A nomogram for predicting pneumonia-type IMA was constructed that combined features in the clinical model and the radiomics signature. Two cardiothoracic radiologists independently reviewed CT images in the external test set to diagnose pneumonia-type IMA. Diagnostic performance was compared among models and radiologists. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was performed. RESULTS. The clinical model included fever and family history of lung cancer. The radiomics signature included 15 radiomics features. DCA showed higher overall net benefit from the nomogram than from the clinical model. In the external test set, AUC was higher for the nomogram (0.85) than for the clinical model (0.71, p = .01), radiologist 1 (0.70, p = .04), and radiologist 2 (0.67, p = .01). In the external test set, the nomogram had sensitivity of 46.9%, specificity of 94.6%, and accuracy of 72.5%. CONCLUSION. The nomogram combining clinical variables and CT-based radiomics features outperformed the clinical model and two cardiothoracic radiologists in differentiating pneumonia-type IMA from pneumonia. CLINICAL IMPACT. The findings support potential clinical use of the nomogram for diagnosing pneumonia-type IMA in patients with consolidation on chest CT.

MRI-based radiomics nomogram for differentiation of solitary metastasis and solitary primary tumor in the spine.

BACKGROUND: Differentiating between solitary spinal metastasis (SSM) and solitary primary spinal tumor (SPST) is essential for treatment decisions and prognosis. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an MRI-based radiomics nomogram for discriminating SSM from SPST. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five patients with solitary spinal tumors were retrospectively studied and the data set was divided into two groups: a training set (n = 98) and a validation set (n = 37). Demographics and MRI characteristic features were evaluated to build a clinical factors model. Radiomics features were extracted from sagittal T1-weighted and fat-saturated T2-weighted images, and a radiomics signature model was constructed. A radiomics nomogram was established by combining radiomics features and significant clinical factors. The diagnostic performance of the three models was evaluated using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves on the training and validation sets. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was performed to assess the calibration capability of radiomics nomogram, and we used decision curve analysis (DCA) to estimate the clinical usefulness. RESULTS: The age, signal, and boundaries were used to construct the clinical factors model. Twenty-six features from MR images were used to build the radiomics signature. The radiomics nomogram achieved good performance for differentiating SSM from SPST with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.980 in the training set and an AUC of 0.924 in the validation set. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test and decision curve analysis demonstrated the radiomics nomogram outperformed the clinical factors model. CONCLUSIONS: A radiomics nomogram as a noninvasive diagnostic method, which combines radiomics features and clinical factors, is helpful in distinguishing between SSM and SPST.

OPN N-glycosylation promoted bone destruction.

OBJECTIVES: Exploring the role of OPN N-glycosylation in osteoblasts and osteoclasts. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of OPN in mice with apical periodontitis. The asparagine at position 79 of the OPN protein was mutated to glutamine, and the above plasmids were transfected into osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The effect of OPN N-glycosylation on proliferation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts was detected by CCK8 assays. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of OPN N-glycosylation on osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Detection of N-glycosylation of OPN activated the NF-κB signaling pathway to regulate osteoblasts and osteoclasts. RESULTS: OPN increased the expression in a mice model of apical periodontitis. The expression curve of OPN resembled a reverse V shape. The OPN N-glycosylation site was identified as 79 by MS. N-glycosylation of OPN promoted the proliferation of osteoclasts. But the N79 glycosylation site of mutant OPN could not increase the proliferation of osteoblasts. OPN N-glycosylation modulated the expression of osteoclast- and osteoblast-associated factors through the NF-κB signaling pathway. N-glycosylation of OPN promoted nuclear translocation of NF-κB in osteoclasts and osteoblasts. CONCLUSIONS: The N-glycosylation site of OPN is 79. N-glycosylation of OPN played an important role in the biological function of OPN protein.

In silico prediction of hERG blockers using machine learning and deep learning approaches.

The human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) is associated with drug cardiotoxicity. If the hERG channel is blocked, it will lead to prolonged QT interval and cause sudden death in severe cases. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the hERG-blocking property of compounds in early drug discovery. In this study, a dataset containing 4556 compounds with IC50 values determined by patch clamp techniques on mammalian lineage cells was collected, and hERG blockers and non-blockers were distinguished according to three single thresholds and two binary thresholds. Four machine learning (ML) algorithms combining four molecular fingerprints and molecular descriptors as well as graph convolutional neural networks (GCNs) were used to construct a series of binary classification models. The results showed that the best models varied for different thresholds. The ML models implemented by support vector machine and random forest performed well based on Morgan fingerprints and molecular descriptors, with AUCs ranging from 0.884 to 0.950. GCN showed superior prediction performance with AUCs above 0.952, which might be related to its direct extraction of molecular features from the original input. Meanwhile, the classification of binary threshold was better than that of single threshold, which could provide us with a more accurate prediction of hERG blockers. At last, the applicability domain for the model was defined, and seven structural alerts that might generate hERG blockage were identified by information gain and substructure frequency analysis. Our work would be beneficial for identifying hERG blockers in chemicals.

Effects of hypoxia on the gill morphological structure, apoptosis and hypoxia-related gene expression in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala).

The blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) is a typical hypoxia-sensitive fish, and hypoxia stress leads to reduced vitality and yield during aquaculture. To explore the specific adaptation mechanism under hypoxia, the blunt snout bream was treated with hypoxia (DO = 2.0 ± 0.1 mg/L) for 24 h, followed by 3 h of recovery. Our results depicted that the gill filament structure of blunt snout bream changed after hypoxia. During hypoxia for 24 h, the gill filament structure was altered, including a more than 80% expansion of the lamellar respiratory surface area and a proportionate apoptosis decrease in interlamellar cell mass (ILCM) volume. Thus, the water-blood diffusion distance was shortened to less than 46%. During hypoxia for 24 h, the activity of ROS in gill tissue increased significantly (p < 0.05), while the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased significantly (p < 0.05). During hypoxia, mRNA expression level of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 in the gills of blunt snout bream decreased significantly (p < 0.05), while the expression of pro-apoptotic gene Bax mRNA increased significantly (p < 0.05). Thus, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA increased in the gills of blunt snout bream to promote the activity of Caspase-3. Together, our results indicated hypoxia-induced apoptosis in the gills of blunt snout bream through the mitochondrial pathway. In addition, a decreased expression of Phd1 and an increased expression of Hif-1α in gills under hypoxia stress indicates that blunt snout bream may cope with hypoxia-induced apoptosis by enhancing the HIF pathway. These results provide new insights into fish's adaptation strategies and mechanisms of hypoxia.

Milk-derived small extracellular vesicles: nanomaterials to promote bone formation.

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are an important component in the paracrine pathway. They can be used as a substitute for seed cells and have shown good application prospects in promoting bone regeneration. Cow's milk could be used as a source of sEVs with good biocompatibility and cost-effectiveness, with easy availability, low cost and low toxicity. This study focused on the role and mechanism of small extracellular vesicles derived from milk in bone repair. In order to explore the mechanism via which Milk-sEVs promote bone repair, we screened the differential gene GJA1 in Milk-sEV-treated osteoblasts through transcriptome chips, and verified the transcript AP3B1 of GJA1 through chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP). We have proved by in vivo and in vitro experiments that milk-derived sEVs (Milk-sEVs) increase the repair ability of bone tissue, and promote expression of the osteogenic gene GJA1 through the transcript AP3B1.

Pneumonic-type invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma and infectious pneumonia: clinical and CT imaging analysis from multiple centers.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonic-type invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) was often misdiagnosed as pneumonia in clinic. However, the treatment of these two diseases is different. METHODS: A total of 341 patients with pneumonic-type IMA (n = 134) and infectious pneumonia (n = 207) were retrospectively enrolled from January 2017 to January 2022 at six centers. Detailed clinical and CT imaging characteristics of two groups were analyzed and the characteristics between the two groups were compared by χ2 test and Student's t test. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the diagnostic performance of different variables. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in age, fever, no symptoms, elevation of white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level, family history of cancer, air bronchogram, interlobular fissure bulging, satellite lesions, and CT attenuation value (all p < 0.05). Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.034; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.008-1.061, p = 0.010), elevation of C-reactive protein level (OR, 0.439; 95% CI 0.217-0.890, p = 0.022), fever (OR, 0.104; 95% CI 0.048-0.229, p < 0.001), family history of cancer (OR, 5.123; 95% CI 1.981-13.245, p = 0.001), air space (OR, 6.587; 95% CI 3.319-13.073, p < 0.001), and CT attenuation value (OR, 0.840; 95% CI 0.796-0.886, p < 0.001) were the independent predictors of pneumonic-type IMA, with an area under the curve of 0.893 (95% CI 0.856-0.924, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Detailed evaluation of clinical and CT imaging characteristics is useful for differentiating pneumonic-type IMA and infectious pneumonia.

How can urban administrative boundary expansion affect air pollution? Mechanism analysis and empirical test.

As a momentous policy tool for spatial management, urban administrative boundary expansion (UABE) significantly impacts resource reorganization and development modes. However, the environmental effects of UABE are easily ignored. Whether UABE can also impove the environmental quality in addition to its economic effects remains to be answered. To fill this gap, we took the city-county merger policy (CCMP) in China as quasi-experimental evidence and empirically investigated the impacts of CCMP on air pollution based on the difference-in-difference method. The impact mechanisms were also analyzed from a whole-process perspective. The results demonstrate that, apart from expanding the urban scale, UABE can improve urban air quality as well. Further analysis shows that the positive effect is mainly realized by source control and process management, rather than end-of-pipe treatment. Besides, the impacts of UABE on air pollution exhibit obvious spatial heterogeneous characteristics. We also reported that the environmental effects of UABE are largely dependent on governmental control, rather than market factors. According to the results above, flexible administrative boundary adjustment, strict government regulations, and effective market systems are required to realize the dual goals of environmental improvement and space optimization.

Dynamics of chromatin marks and the role of JMJD3 during pancreatic endocrine cell fate commitment.

Pancreatic endocrine lineages are derived from pancreatic progenitors that undergo a cell fate transition requiring a switch from low to high Ngn3 expression. However, the underlying chromatin regulatory mechanisms are unclear. Here, we performed epigenomic analysis of gene regulatory loci featuring histone marks in cells with low or high level of Ngn3 expression. In combination with transcriptomic analysis, we discovered that in Ngn3-high cells, the removal of H3K27me3 was associated with the activation of key transcription factors and the establishment of primed and active enhancers. Deletion of Jmjd3, a histone demethylase for H3K27me3, at the pancreatic progenitor stage impaired the efficiency of endocrine cell fate transition and thereafter islet formation. Curiously, single-cell RNA-seq revealed that the transcriptome and developmental pathway of Ngn3-high cells were not affected by the deletion of Jmjd3 Our study indicates sequential chromatin events and identifies a crucial role for Jmjd3 in regulating the efficiency of the transition from Ngn3-low to Ngn3-high cells.

Pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: CT findings and pathological basis.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALToma) is the most frequent subset of primary pulmonary lymphoma. This study aimed to identify radiologic characteristics of pulmonary MALToma based on computed tomography (CT) observations and pathologic features, and further investigate its prognosis. METHODS: Sixty-six patients (55.4 ± 10.9 years; 51.5% male) diagnosed as pulmonary MALToma by pathology were retrospectively enrolled. According to distributions and features of lesions shown on CT, patients were divided into three patterns, including single nodular/mass, multiple nodular/mass, and pneumonia-like consolidative. RESULTS: Variety of the location and extent of the lymphomatous infiltration accounted for different characteristics demonstrated at CT. The pneumonia-like consolidative pattern was the most frequent pattern observed in 42 patients (63.6%), followed by single nodular/mass (21.2%) and multiple nodular/mass (15.2%). CT features included air bronchogram (72.7%), well-marginated halo sign (53.0%), coarse spiculate with different lengths (72.7%), angiogram sign (77.1% of 35 patients), peribronchovascular thickening (48.5%), irregular cavitation (16.7%) and pulmonary cyst (7.6%). The estimated 5-year cumulative overall survival rate of pulmonary MALToma was 100.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary MALToma demonstrates several characteristics at CT. Identification of the significant pulmonary abnormalities of this indolent disease entity might be helpful for early diagnosis and optimal treatment.

Interface modification effect on the performance of CsxFA1-xPbIyBr3-y perovskite solar cells fabricated by evaporation/spray-coating method.

In this study, high quality CsxFA1-xPbIyBr3-y perovskite thin films were successfully fabricated by an evaporation/spray-coating hybrid deposition method. In this method, CsI and PbI2 were first deposited via thermal evaporation, and then FAI/FABr mixed solution was sprayed on the CsI/PbI2 substrate to form the CsxFA1-xPbIyBr3-y film. As confirmed by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, a perovskite film with full surface coverage and small surface roughness was obtained. Then, the effect of interface modification materials on the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) was investigated: the devices with the [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) interlayer incorporated via vacuum evaporation deposition between SnO2 and perovskite showed remarkably higher performance than those with the C60 interlayer, which was attributed to enhanced charge extraction and reduced recombination at the SnO2/PCBM/perovskite interface. As a result, a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.21% was obtained for the 0.16 cm2 device. To the best of our knowledge, it is the highest efficiency of CsxFA1-xPbIyBr3-y based PSCs fabricated by the spray technique. Furthermore, we fabricated mini-modules with the size of 5 × 5 cm2 and achieved a PCE of 14.7%.