Ultralow-input single-tube linked-read library method enables short-read second-generation sequencing systems to routinely generate highly accurate and economical long-range sequencing information.

Long-range sequencing information is required for haplotype phasing, de novo assembly, and structural variation detection. Current long-read sequencing technologies can provide valuable long-range information but at a high cost with low accuracy and high DNA input requirements. We have developed a single-tube Transposase Enzyme Linked Long-read Sequencing (TELL-seq) technology, which enables a low-cost, high-accuracy, and high-throughput short-read second-generation sequencer to generate over 100 kb of long-range sequencing information with as little as 0.1 ng input material. In a PCR tube, millions of clonally barcoded beads are used to uniquely barcode long DNA molecules in an open bulk reaction without dilution and compartmentation. The barcoded linked-reads are used to successfully assemble genomes ranging from microbes to human. These linked-reads also generate megabase-long phased blocks and provide a cost-effective tool for detecting structural variants in a genome, which are important to identify compound heterozygosity in recessive Mendelian diseases and discover genetic drivers and diagnostic biomarkers in cancers.

Gambierdiscus (Gonyaulacales, Dinophyceae) diversity in Vietnamese waters with description of G. vietnamensis sp. nov.

Viet Nam has a coastline of 3200 km with thousands of islands providing diverse habitats for benthic harmful algal species including species of Gambierdiscus. Some of these species produce ciguatera toxins, which may accumulate in large carnivore fish potentially posing major threats to public health. This study reports five species of Gambierdiscus from Vietnamese waters, notably G. australes, G. caribaeus, G. carpenteri, G. pacificus, and G. vietnamensis sp. nov. All species are identified morphologically by LM and SEM, and identifications are supported by molecular analyses of nuclear rDNA (D1-D3 and D8-D10 domains of LSU, SSU, and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region) based on cultured material collected during 2010-2021. Statistical analyses of morphometric measurements may be used to differentiate some species if a sufficiently large number of cells are examined. Gambierdiscus vietnamensis sp. nov. is morphologically similar to other strongly reticulated species, such as G. belizeanus and possibly G. pacificus; the latter species is morphologically indistinguishable from G. vietnamensis sp. nov., but they are genetically distinct, and molecular analysis is deemed necessary for proper identification of the new species. This study also revealed that strains denoted G. pacificus from Hainan Island (China) should be included in G. vietnamensis sp. nov.

Benzotriazole-Based Nonfused Ring Acceptors for Efficient and Thermally Stable Organic Solar Cells.

Nonfused ring acceptors (NFRAs) have attracted significant attention for nonfullerene organic solar cells (OSCs) owing to their chemical tunability and facile synthesis. In this study, a benzotriazole-based NFRA with chlorinated end groups (Triazole-4Cl) is developed to realize highly efficient and thermally stable NFRA-based OSCs; an analogous NFRA with nonchlorinated end groups (Triazole-H) is synthesized for comparison. Triazole-4Cl film exhibits the high-order packing structure and the near-infrared absorption capability, which are advantageous in charge transport and light harvesting of the resulting OSCs. In particular, the strong crystalline behavior of Triazole-4Cl results in enhanced self-aggregation, leading to high charge carrier mobility. Owing to these properties, a PBDB-T (polymer donor):Triazole-4Cl OSC demonstrates a high short-circuit current, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency (PCE = 10.46%), outperforming a PBDB-T:Triazole-H OSC (PCE = 7.65%). In addition, the thermal stability of a PBDB-T:Triazole-4Cl OSC at an elevated temperature of 120 °C exceeds that of a PBDB-T:Triazole-H OSC. This is mainly attributed to the significantly higher cold crystallization temperature of Triazole-4Cl (205.9 °C). This work provides useful guidelines for the design of NFRAs to achieve efficient and thermally stable NFRA-based OSCs.

Morphological and genetic analyses of Ostreopsis (Dinophyceae, Gonyaulacales, Ostreopsidaceae) species from Vietnamese waters with a re-description of the type species, O. siamensis.

Identification of species of the dinoflagellate genus Ostreopsis is difficult because several species have been poorly described, others misidentified in the literature, and the type species, O. siamensis, has not been described by contemporary taxonomic methods. In the present study, it is argued that Ostreopsis sp. 6 as described by previous authors is similar to the type species, and we offer an emended description of O. siamensis by LM, SEM, and molecular analyses of nuclear LSU and ITS rDNA based on material collected a few hundred kilometers from the type locality in the Gulf of Thailand and along the Vietnamese east coast. Ostreopsis siamensis is genetically different from the species reported as O. cf. siamensis in the literature and the latter should be described as a separate species. It is also concluded that with the poor knowledge of the morphological variability of many species of Ostreopsis, O. siamensis may not be distinguished from other similar-sized species by its morphological features, and hence molecular data are needed for reliable identification. The species Ostreopsis lenticularis and Ostreopsis cf. ovata were also found and described.

Improved genome assembly of American alligator genome reveals conserved architecture of estrogen signaling.

The American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, like all crocodilians, has temperature-dependent sex determination, in which the sex of an embryo is determined by the incubation temperature of the egg during a critical period of development. The lack of genetic differences between male and female alligators leaves open the question of how the genes responsible for sex determination and differentiation are regulated. Insight into this question comes from the fact that exposing an embryo incubated at male-producing temperature to estrogen causes it to develop ovaries. Because estrogen response elements are known to regulate genes over long distances, a contiguous genome assembly is crucial for predicting and understanding their impact. We present an improved assembly of the American alligator genome, scaffolded with in vitro proximity ligation (Chicago) data. We use this assembly to scaffold two other crocodilian genomes based on synteny. We perform RNA sequencing of tissues from American alligator embryos to find genes that are differentially expressed between embryos incubated at male- versus female-producing temperature. Finally, we use the improved contiguity of our assembly along with the current model of CTCF-mediated chromatin looping to predict regions of the genome likely to contain estrogen-responsive genes. We find that these regions are significantly enriched for genes with female-biased expression in developing gonads after the critical period during which sex is determined by incubation temperature. We thus conclude that estrogen signaling is a major driver of female-biased gene expression in the post-temperature sensitive period gonads.

Changes over time in attitudes towards the management of older patients with heart failure by general practitioners: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Underdiagnosis and undertreatment of chronic heart failure (CHF) are common in older patients, who are usually treated by general practitioners (GPs). In 2007, the French ICAGE study explored GPs' attitudes to the management of this condition in older patients. OBJECTIVES: To explore changes over time in GPs' attitudes towards the management of CHF in patients aged ≥75 and to identify barriers to optimal management. METHODS: In 2015, we performed a qualitative study of 20 French GPs via semi-structured interviews and a thematic content analysis. The results were compared with the findings of a 2007 study. RESULTS: In 2015, the perceived barriers to diagnosis were the same as in 2007. Echocardiography was still the preferred diagnostic method but the GPs relied on the cardiologist to confirm the diagnosis. Many GPs were still unaware of the different types of CHF. In contrast, they reported greater knowledge of decompensation factors and the ultrasound criteria for CHF. They also prescribed a brain natriuretic peptide assay more frequently. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta blockers were more strongly perceived to be core treatments. Few GPs initiated drug treatments and optimized dosages. Although patient education was never mentioned, the importance of multidisciplinary care was emphasized. CONCLUSION: Our results evidenced a small recent improvement in the management of older patients with CHF. Appropriate guidelines and training for GPs, patient education and multidisciplinary collaboration might further improve the care given to this population.

Optimal placement and operation of soft open points, capacitors, and renewable distributed generators in distribution power networks to reduce total one-year energy loss.

The paper optimizes the placement of soft open points (SOPs) devices, shunt capacitor banks (SCBs), and distributed generators (DGs) in the IEEE 69-node distribution power grid for reducing the power loss of a single hour and total energy losses of one year. EO is proven to be more effective than previous methods and three other applied algorithms, including the Coot optimization algorithm (COOT), Modified weight inertia factor and modified acceleration coefficients-based particle swarm optimization (CFPSO), and Tunicate swarm algorithm (TSA). So, EO is applied for the last case considering one SOPs, one wind turbine (WT), two solar photovoltaic systems (PVs), and two SCBs over one year with twelve months and 24 h each month. The study reaches the smallest power loss compared to previous studies in the first case with one SOPs device. The results from the second to the fourth cases indicate that the power grid needs the placement of SCBs and DGs first and SOPs devices to reach the lowest power loss. Case 5 indicates that the hybrid system with one WT and two PVs suffers higher power losses than the base system at hours with high generation from renewable sources; however, integrating the SOPs and SCBs into the hybrid system can reach smaller losses than the base system at these hours. Thus, using SOPs and SCBs in integrated distribution power grids with renewable energies can greatly benefit energy loss reduction.

Jellyfish search algorithm for optimization operation of hybrid pumped storage-wind-thermal-solar photovoltaic systems.

This study applies Jellyfish Search Algorithm and five other algorithms to minimize the electricity generation cost of two hybrid systems for one operating day. The first system comprises one pumped storage hydroelectric plant and two thermal power plants. The second system is expanded by integrating one wind and one solar photovoltaic power plant into the first system. For each system during one operating day, the pumped storage hydroelectric plant with only generation mode acts as a conventional hydroelectric plant in the first scenario. Still, it can run pumps to store water and produce electricity in the second scenario. As a result, JSA can reach smaller costs than all compared algorithms, from about 1 % to higher than 10 % for two scenarios in the two systems. The comparisons of generation cost indicate the second scenario with the pumped storage hydroelectric plant can reach a smaller cost than the first scenario with the conventional hydroelectric power plant by $53,359.7, corresponding to 7.4 % in the first system and $39,472.8, corresponding to 6.95 % in the second system. Therefore, the water storage function of the pumped storage hydroelectric plant is very effective in reducing the electricity generation costs for hybrid power systems.

COVID-19 profiles in general practice: a latent class analysis.

BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) were on the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak. Identifying clinical profiles in COVID-19 might improve patient care and enable closer monitoring of at-risk profiles. OBJECTIVES: To identify COVID-19 profiles in a population of adult primary care patients, and to determine whether the profiles were associated with negative outcomes and persistent symptoms. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: In a prospective multicentre study, 44 GPs from multiprofessional primary care practices in the Paris area of France recruited 340 consecutive adult patients (median age: 47 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 during the first two waves of the epidemic. METHOD AND OUTCOME: A latent class (LC) analysis with 11 indicators (clinical signs and symptoms) was performed. The resulting profiles were characterised by a 3-month composite outcome (COVID-19-related hospital admission and/or death) and persistent symptoms three and 6 months after inclusion. RESULTS: We identified six profiles: 'paucisymptomatic' (LC1, 9%), 'anosmia and/or ageusia' (LC2, 12.9%), 'influenza-like syndrome with anosmia and ageusia' (LC3, 15.5%), 'influenza-like syndrome without anosmia or ageusia' (LC4, 24.5%), 'influenza-like syndrome with respiratory impairment' (LC5) and a 'complete form' (LC6, 17.7%). At 3 months, 7.4% of the patients were hospitalised (with higher rates in LC5), and 18% had persistent symptoms (with higher rates in LC5 and LC6). At 6 months, 6.4% of the patients had persistent symptoms, with no differences between LCs. CONCLUSION: Our findings might help GPs to identify patients at risk of persistent COVID-19 symptoms and hospital admission and then set up procedures for closer monitoring.

Predicting Blood Pressures for Pregnant Women by PPG and Personalized Deep Learning.

Blood pressure (BP) is predicted by this effort based on photoplethysmography (PPG) data to provide effective pre-warning of possible preeclampsia of pregnant women. Towards frequent BP measurement, a PPG sensor device is utilized in this study as a solution to offer continuous, cuffless blood pressure monitoring frequently for pregnant women. PPG data were collected using a flexible sensor patch from the wrist arteries of 194 subjects, which included 154 normal individuals and 40 pregnant women. Deep-learning models in 3 stages were built and trained to predict BP. The first stage involves developing a baseline deep-learning BP model using a dataset from common subjects. In the 2nd stage, this model was fine-tuned with data from pregnant women, using a 1-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (1D-CNN) with Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAMs), followed by bi-directional Gated Recurrent Units (GRUs) layers and attention layers. The fine-tuned model results in a mean error (ME) of -1.40 ± 7.15 (standard deviation, SD) for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and -0.44 (ME) ± 5.06 (SD) for diastolic blood pressure (DBP). At the final stage is the personalization for individual pregnant women using transfer learning again, enhancing further the model accuracy to -0.17 (ME) ± 1.45 (SD) for SBP and 0.27 (ME) ± 0.64 (SD) for DBP showing a promising solution for continuous, non-invasive BP monitoring in precision by the proposed 3-stage of modeling, fine-tuning and personalization.

Ferrite Shield to Enhance the Performance of Optically Pumped Magnetometers for Fetal Magnetocardiography.

Fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) has proven to be an important tool for the prenatal monitoring of electrical cardiac activity; however, the high cost of superconducting quantum instrumentation (SQUID) poses a limitation for the dissemination of fMCG as a routine clinical technique. Recently, optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) operating within person-sized, cylindrical shields have made fMCG more practical, but environmental magnetic interference entering through the shield opening substantially degrades the quality of fMCG signals. The goal of this study was to further attenuate these interferences by placing the OPM array within a small ferrite shield. FMCG recordings were made with and without the ferrite shield in ten subjects inside a person-sized, three-layer mu-metal cylindrical shield. Although the fetal signal was slightly attenuated, the environmental interference was reduced substantially, and maternal interference was also diminished. This increased the signal-to-noise ratio significantly and improved the resolution of the smaller waveform components. The performance improvement was highest in the axial direction and compensated for a major weakness of open-ended, person-sized shields. The ferrite shield is especially beneficial for the deployment of triaxial OPM sensors, which require effective shielding in all directions.

Initial characteristics and course of disease in patients with suspected COVID-19 managed in general practice: a prospective, multicentre cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare the initial clinical characteristics of a cohort of patients with suspected COVID-19 managed by general practitioners (GPs); to assess whether 3-month persistent symptoms were more frequent among confirmed cases than among no-COVID cases; and to identify factors predictive of persistent symptoms and adverse outcomes among confirmed cases. DESIGN AND SETTING: A comparative, prospective, multicentre cohort study in primary care in the Paris region of France. PARTICIPANTS: 521 patients aged ≥18 with suspected COVID-19 were enrolled between March and May 2020. OUTCOME MEASURES: Initial symptoms, COVID-19 status, persistent symptoms 3 months after inclusion and a composite criterion for potentially COVID-19-related events (hospitalisation, death, emergency department visits). The final COVID-19 status ('confirmed', 'no-COVID' and 'uncertain' cases) was determined by the GP after the receipt of the laboratory test results. RESULTS: 516 patients were analysed; 166 (32.2%) were classified into the 'confirmed COVID' group, 180 (34.9%) into the 'no-COVID' group and 170 (32.9%) in the 'uncertain COVID' group. Confirmed cases were more likely to have persistent symptoms than no-COVID cases (p=0.09); initial fever/feeling feverish and anosmia were independently associated with persistent symptoms. At 3 months, we observed 16 (9.8%) COVID-19-related hospital admissions, 3 (1.8%) intensive care unit admissions, 13 (37.1%) referrals to an emergency department and no death. Age >70 and/or at least one comorbidity (OR 6.53; 95% CI 1.13-37.84; p=0.036), abnormalities in a lung examination (15.39; 95% CI 1.61-146.77; p=0.057) and two or more systemic symptoms (38.61; 95% CI 2.30-647.40; p=0.011) were associated with the composite criterion. CONCLUSIONS: Although most patients with COVID-19 in primary care had mild disease with a benign course, almost one in six had persistent symptoms at 3 months. These symptoms were more frequent in the 'confirmed COVID' group. Our findings need to be confirmed in a prospective study with longer follow-up.

Impact of the Molecular Structure of Oligo(ethylene glycol)-Incorporated Y-Series Acceptors on the Formation of Alloy-like Acceptors and Performance of Non-Halogenated Solvent-Processable Organic Solar Cells.

To realize efficient, green solvent-processable organic solar cells (OSCs), considerable effort has been expended on the development of conjugated materials with both superior optoelectrical properties and processability. However, molecular design strategies that enhance solubility often reduce crystalline/electrical properties of the materials. In this study, we develop three new guest small-molecule acceptors (SMAs) (Y-4C-4O, Y-6C-4O, and Y-12C-4O) featuring inner side chains consisting of terminal oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) groups and alkyl spacers of different lengths. When a host SMA (Y6) and guest SMA (Y-nC-4O) are mixed, favorable interactions between these materials lead to the formation of "alloy-like" composites. The alloy-like SMA composites enable sufficient processing in o-xylene to afford suitable blend-film morphologies. It is also found that the lengths of the alkyl spacers in guest SMAs have a significant impact on the performance of the o-xylene-processed OSCs. The PM6:Y6:Y-4C-4O blend achieves a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.03%, outperforming PM6:Y6:Y-6C-4O (PCE = 15.85%) and PM6:Y6:Y-12C-4O (PCE = 12.12%) OSCs. The high PCE of the PM6:Y6:Y-4C-4O device is mainly attributed to the well-intermixed morphology and superior crystalline/electrical properties, which result from the high compatibility of the Y6:Y-4C-4O composites with PM6. Thus, we demonstrate that an alloy-like SMA composite based on well-designed OEG-incorporated Y-series SMAs can afford green solvent-processable, high-performance OSCs.

Poly(dimethylsiloxane)-block-PM6 Polymer Donors for High-Performance and Mechanically Robust Polymer Solar Cells.

High power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stretchability are the dual requirements for the wearable application of polymer solar cells (PSCs). However, most efficient photoactive films are mechanically brittle. In this work, highly efficient (PCE = 18%) and mechanically robust (crack-onset strain (COS) = 18%) PSCs are acheived by designing block copolymer (BCP) donors, PM6-b-PDMSx (x = 5k, 12k, and 19k). In these BCP donors, stretchable poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) blocks are covalently linked with the PM6 blocks to effectively increase the stretchability. The stretchability of the BCP donors increases with a longer PDMS block, and PM6-b-PDMS19k :L8-BO PSC exhibits a high PCE (18%) and 9-times higher COS value (18%) compared to that (COS = 2%) of the PM6:L8-BO-based PSC. However, the PM6:L8-BO:PDMS12k ternary blend shows inferior PCE (5%) and COS (1%) due to the macrophase separation between PDMS and active components. In the intrinsically stretchable PSC, the PM6-b-PDMS19k :L8-BO blend exhibits significantly greater mechanical stability PCE80% ((80% of the initial PCE) at 36% strain) than those of the PM6:L8-BO blend (PCE80% at 12% strain) and the PM6:L8-BO:PDMS ternary blend (PCE80% at 4% strain). This study suggests an effective design strategy of BCP PD to achieve stretchable and efficient PSCs.

Digital health literacy and well-being among university students: Mediating roles of fear of COVID-19, information satisfaction, and internet information search.

Background: Digital health literacy (DHL) enables healthy decisions, improves protective behaviors and adherence to COVID-19 measures, especially during the era of the "infodemic", and enhances psychological well-being. Objective: We aimed to explore the mediating roles of fear of COVID-19, information satisfaction, and the importance of online information searching on the association between DHL and well-being. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among 1631 Taiwanese university students, aged 18 years and above, from June 2021 to March 2022. The collected data include sociodemographic characteristics (sex, age, social status, and financial satisfaction), the importance of online information searching, information satisfaction, fear of COVID-19, DHL, and well-being. A linear regression model was utilized to investigate factors associated with well-being, followed by a pathway analysis to assess the direct and indirect relationship between DHL and well-being. Results: The scores of DHL and overall well-being were 3.1 ± 0.4 and 74.4 ± 19.7, respectively. Social status (B = 2.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.73-3.07, p < 0.001), DHL (B 0.29, 95% CI 0.10-0.49, p < 0.001), importance of online information searching (B = 0.78, 95% CI 0.38-1.17, p < 0.001), and information satisfaction (B = 3.59, 95% CI 2.22-4.94, p < 0.001) were positively associated with well-being, whereas higher fear of COVID-19 scores (B = -0.38, 95% CI -0.55-(-0.21), p < 0.001) and female (B = -2.99, 95% CI -5.02-0.6, p = 0.004) were associated with lower well-being, when compared with lower fear scores and male, respectively. Fear of COVID-19 (B = 0.03, 95% CI 0.016-0.04, p < 0.001), importance of online information searching (B = 0.03, 95% CI 0.01-0.05, p = 0.005), and information satisfaction (B = 0.05, 95% CI 0.023-0.067, p < 0.001) were significantly mediated the relationship between DHL and well-being. Conclusion: Higher DHL scores show direct and indirect associations with higher well-being scores. Fear, importance of online information searching, and information satisfaction significantly contributed to the association.

Efficient and Nonhalogenated Solvent-Processed Organic Solar Cells Enabled by Conjugated Donor-Acceptor Block Copolymers Containing the Same Benzodithiophene Unit.

Organic solar cells (OSCs) based on conjugated block copolymers (CBCs) have gained considerable attention owing to their simple one-pot solution process. However, their power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) require significant improvement. Furthermore, the majority of efficient CBC-based OSCs are processed using environmentally toxic halogenated solvents. Herein, we develop a new CBC (PBDB-T-b-PY5BDT) and demonstrate efficient and stable OSCs achieved by a halogen-free solution process. We design a (D1-A1)-b-(D1-A2)-type CBC (PBDB-T-b-PY5BDT) that shares the same benzodithiophene (BDT) units in donor and acceptor blocks. This alleviates unfavorable molecular interactions between the blocks at their interfaces. The PBDB-T-b-PY5BDT-based devices exhibit a high PCE (10.55%), and they show good mechanical, thermal, and storage stabilities. Importantly, we discuss the potential of our OSCs by preparing two different control systems: one based on a binary polymer blend (PBDB-T:PY5BDT) and another based on a conjugated random copolymer (CRC, PBDB-T-r-PY5BDT). We demonstrate that the photovoltaic performance, device stability, and mechanical robustness of the CBC-based OSCs exceed those of the binary all-polymer solar cells and CRC-based OSCs.

Association of Digital Health Literacy with Future Anxiety as Mediated by Information Satisfaction and Fear of COVID-19: A Pathway Analysis among Taiwanese Students.

Digital Health Literacy (DHL) helps online users with navigating the infodemic and co-existing conspiracy beliefs to avoid mental distress and maintain well-being. We aimed to investigate the association between DHL and future anxiety (FA); and examine the potential mediation roles of information satisfaction and fear of COVID-19 (F-CoV). A web-based cross-sectional survey was carried out among 1631 Taiwanese university students aged 18 years and above from June 2021 to March 2022. Data collected were socio-demographic characteristics (sex, age, social status, university location), information satisfaction, F-CoV, DHL and FA (using Future Dark scale). The linear regression model was used to explore factors associated with FA. The pathway analysis was further used to evaluate the direct and indirect relationship between DHL and FA. A higher score of DHL (B = -0.21; 95% CI, -0.37, -0.06; p = 0.006), and information satisfaction (B = -0.16; 95% CI, -0.24, -0.08; p < 0.001) were associated with a lower FA score, whereas a higher F-CoV score was associated with a higher FA score (B = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.36, 0.50; p < 0.001). DHL showed the direct impact (B = -0.1; 95% CI, -0.17, -0.04; p = 0.002) and indirect impact on FA as mediated by information satisfaction (B = -0.04; 95% CI, -0.06, -0.01; p = 0.002) and F-CoV (B = -0.06, 95% CI, -0.08, -0.04; p < 0.001). Strategic approaches to promote DHL, information satisfaction, lower F-CoV are suggested to reduce FA among students.

Intrinsically Stretchable, Highly Efficient Organic Solar Cells Enabled by Polymer Donors Featuring Hydrogen-Bonding Spacers.

Intrinsically stretchable organic solar cells (IS-OSCs), consisting of all stretchable layers, are attracting significant attention as a future power source for wearable electronics. However, most of the efficient active layers for OSCs are mechanically brittle due to their rigid molecular structures designed for high electrical and optical properties. Here, a series of new polymer donors (PD s, PhAmX) featuring phenyl amide (N1 ,N3 -bis((5-bromothiophen-2-yl)methyl)isophthalamide, PhAm)-based flexible spacer (FS) inducing hydrogen-bonding (H-bonding) interactions is developed. These PD s enable IS-OSCs with a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.73% and excellent stretchability (PCE retention of >80% of the initial value at 32% strain), representing the best performances among the reported IS-OSCs to date. The incorporation of PhAm-based FS enhances the molecular ordering of PD s as well as their interactions with a Y7 acceptor, enhancing the mechanical stretchability and electrical properties simultaneously. It is also found that in rigid OSCs, the PhAm5:Y7 blend achieves a much higher PCE of 17.5% compared to that of the reference PM6:Y7 blend. The impact of the PhAm-FS linker on the mechanical and photovoltaic properties of OSCs is thoroughly investigated.

In vivo direct imaging of neuronal activity at high temporospatial resolution.

There has been a long-standing demand for noninvasive neuroimaging methods that can detect neuronal activity at both high temporal and high spatial resolution. We present a two-dimensional fast line-scan approach that enables direct imaging of neuronal activity with millisecond precision while retaining the high spatial resolution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This approach was demonstrated through in vivo mouse brain imaging at 9.4 tesla during electrical whisker-pad stimulation. In vivo spike recording and optogenetics confirmed the high correlation of the observed MRI signal with neural activity. It also captured the sequential and laminar-specific propagation of neuronal activity along the thalamocortical pathway. This high-resolution, direct imaging of neuronal activity will open up new avenues in brain science by providing a deeper understanding of the brain's functional organization, including the temporospatial dynamics of neural networks.