CREBB repression of protein synthesis in mushroom body gates long-term memory formation in Drosophila.

Learned experiences are not necessarily consolidated into long-term memory (LTM) unless they are periodic and meaningful. LTM depends on de novo protein synthesis mediated by cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) activity. In Drosophila, two creb genes (crebA, crebB) and multiple CREB isoforms have reported influences on aversive olfactory LTM in response to multiple cycles of spaced conditioning. How CREB isoforms regulate LTM effector genes in various neural elements of the memory circuit is unclear, especially in the mushroom body (MB), a prominent associative center in the fly brain that has been shown to participate in LTM formation. Here, we report that i) spaced training induces crebB expression in MB α-lobe neurons and ii) elevating specific CREBB isoform levels in the early α/ß subpopulation of MB neurons enhances LTM formation. By contrast, learning from weak training iii) induces 5-HT1A serotonin receptor synthesis, iv) activates 5-HT1A in early α/ß neurons, and v) inhibits LTM formation. vi) LTM is enhanced when this inhibitory effect is relieved by down-regulating 5-HT1A or overexpressing CREBB. Our findings show that spaced training-induced CREBB antagonizes learning-induced 5-HT1A in early α/ß MB neurons to modulate LTM consolidation.

Infiltrated 2D/3D Heterojunction with Tunable Electric Field Landscape for Robust Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells with over 24% Efficiency.

In inverted perovskite solar cells, conventional planar 2D/3D perovskite heterojunctions typically exhibit a type-II band alignment, where the electric field tends to drive the electron motion in the opposite direction to the direction of electron transfer. Here, a 2D/3D gradient heterojunction is developed by allowing the 2D perovskite to infiltrate the 3D perovskite surface along the grain boundaries using the interaction between the organic cation of the 2D perovskite and the pseudohalogen thiocyanate ion (SCN-), which has the ability to diffuse downward. The infiltrated 2D perovskite not only fills the gaps of grain boundaries with improved structural stability, but it also reconstructs the original landscape of the electric field toward the n-doped surface to enable more rapid electron transfer and weaken the adverse type-II band alignment effect. Since 2D perovskite seals the GBs, the nonvolatile SCN- can accumulate at the top and bottom dual interfaces, releasing residual stress and significantly inhibiting nonradiative recombination. The device exhibits an excellent efficiency of 24.76% (certified 24.29%) and long-term stability that is >90% of the original PCE value after 800 h of heating at 85 °C or in high humidity (≈65%).

CREBA and CREBB in two identified neurons gate long-term memory formation in Drosophila.

Episodic events are frequently consolidated into labile memory but are not necessarily transferred to persistent long-term memory (LTM). Regulatory mechanisms leading to LTM formation are poorly understood, however, especially at the resolution of identified neurons. Here, we demonstrate enhanced LTM following aversive olfactory conditioning in Drosophila when the transcription factor cyclic AMP response element binding protein A (CREBA) is induced in just two dorsal-anterior-lateral (DAL) neurons. Our experiments show that this process is regulated by protein-gene interactions in DAL neurons: (1) crebA transcription is induced by training and repressed by crebB overexpression, (2) CREBA bidirectionally modulates LTM formation, (3) crebA overexpression enhances training-induced gene transcription, and (4) increasing membrane excitability enhances LTM formation and gene expression. These findings suggest that activity-dependent gene expression in DAL neurons during LTM formation is regulated by CREB proteins.

Inhibiting Interfacial Diffusion in Heterojunction Perovskite Solar Cells by Replacing Low-Dimensional Perovskite with Uniformly Anchored Quaternized Polystyrene.

Surface heterojunction has been regarded as an effective method to improve the device efficiency of perovskite solar cells. Nevertheless, the durability of different heterojunction under thermal stress is rarely investigated and compared. In this work, benzylammonium chloride and benzyltrimethylammonium chloride are utilized to construct 3D/2D and 3D/1D heterojunctions, respectively. A quaternized polystyrene is synthesized to construct a three-dimensional perovskite/amorphous ionic polymer (3D/AIP) heterojunction. Due to the migration and volatility of organic cations, severe interfacial diffusion is found among 3D/2D and 3D/1D heterojunctions, in which the quaternary ammonium cations in the 1D structure are less volatile and mobile than the primary ammonium cations in the 2D structure. 3D/AIP heterojunction remains intact under thermal stress due to the strong ionic bond anchoring at the interface and the ultra-high molecular weight of AIP. Furthermore, the dipole layer formed by AIP can further reduce the voltage loss caused by nonradiative recombination at the interface by 0.088 V. Therefore, the devices based on the 3D/AIP heterojunction achieve a champion power conversion efficiency of 24.27% and maintain 90% of its initial efficiency after either thermal aging for 400 h or wet aging for 3000 h, showing a great promise for polymer/perovskite heterojunction towards real applications.

Organizing Uniform Phase Distribution in Methylammonium-Free 1.77 eV Wide-Bandgap Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

Disordered crystallization and poor phase stability of mixed halide perovskite films are still the main factors that compromise the performance of inverted wide bandgap (WBG; 1.77 eV) perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Great difficulties are evidenced due to the very different crystallization rates between I- and Br-based perovskite components through DMSO-alone assisted anti-solvent process. Here, a zwitterionic additive strategy is reported for finely regulating the crystal growth of Cs0.2 FA0.8 Pb(I0.6 Br0.4 )3 , thereby obtaining high-performance PSCs. The aminoethanesulfonic acid (AESA) is introduced to form hydrogen bonds and strong PbO bonds with perovskite precursors, realizing the complete coordination with both the organic (FAI) and inorganic (CsI, PbI2 , PbBr2 ) components, balancing their complexation effects, and realizing AESA-guided fast nucleation and retarded crystallization processes. This treatment substantially promotes homogeneous crystal growth of I- and Br-based perovskite components. Besides, this uniformly distributed AESA passivates the defects and inhibits the photo-induced halide segregation effectively. This strategy generates a record efficiency of 19.66%, with a Voc of 1.25 V and FF of 83.7% for an MA-free WBG p-i-n device at 1.77 eV. The unencapsulated devices display impressive humidity stability at 30 ± 5% RH for 1000 h and much improved continuous operation stability at MPP for 300 h.

Single-junction organic solar cells with over 19% efficiency enabled by a refined double-fibril network morphology.

In organic photovoltaics, morphological control of donor and acceptor domains on the nanoscale is the key for enabling efficient exciton diffusion and dissociation, carrier transport and suppression of recombination losses. To realize this, here, we demonstrated a double-fibril network based on a ternary donor-acceptor morphology with multi-length scales constructed by combining ancillary conjugated polymer crystallizers and a non-fullerene acceptor filament assembly. Using this approach, we achieved an average power conversion efficiency of 19.3% (certified 19.2%). The success lies in the good match between the photoelectric parameters and the morphological characteristic lengths, which utilizes the excitons and free charges efficiently. This strategy leads to an enhanced exciton diffusion length and a reduced recombination rate, hence minimizing photon-to-electron losses in the ternary devices as compared to their binary counterparts. The double-fibril network morphology strategy minimizes losses and maximizes the power output, offering the possibility of 20% power conversion efficiencies in single-junction organic photovoltaics.

Comparison of efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation between cryoballoon ablation and high-power short-duration ablation.

BACKGROUND: High-power short-duration (HPSD) and cryoballoon ablation (CBA) has been used for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the efficacy of PVI between CBA and HPSD ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 251 consecutive PAF patients from January 2018 to July 2020. Of them, 124 patients (mean age 57.2 ± 10.1 year) received HPSD and 127 patients (mean age 59.6 ± 9.4 year) received CBA. In HPSD group, the radiofrequency energy was set as 50 W/10 s at anterior wall and 40 W/10 s at posterior wall. In CBA group, 28 mm s generation cryoballoon was used for PVI according the guidelines. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between these 2 groups. The time to achieve PVI was significantly shorter in cryoballoon ablation group than in HPSD group (20.6 ± 1.7 min vs 51.8 ± 36.3, P = 0.001). The 6-month overall recurrence for atrial tachyarrhythmias was not significantly different between the two groups (HPSD:14.50% vs CBA:11.0%, P = 0.40). There were different types of recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia between these 2 groups. Recurrence as atrial flutter was significantly more common in CBA group compared to HPSD group (57.1% vs 12.5%, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: In PAF patients, CBA and HPSD had a favourable and comparable outcome. The recurrence pattern was different between CBA and HPSD groups.

Surface-Anchored Acetylcholine Regulates Band-Edge States and Suppresses Ion Migration in a 21%-Efficient Quadruple-Cation Perovskite Solar Cell.

Although incorporating multiple halogen (bromine) anions and alkali (rubidium) cations can improve the open-circuit voltage (Voc ) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), severe voltage loss and poor stability have remained pivotal limitations to their further commercialization. In this study, acetylcholine (ACh+ ) is anchored to the surface of a quadruple-cation perovskite to provide additional electron states near the valence band maximum of the perovskite surface, thereby enhancing the band alignment and minimizing the Voc loss significantly. Moreover, the quaternary ammonium and carbonyl units of ACh+ passivate the antisite and vacancy defects of the organic/inorganic hybrid perovskite. Because of strong interactions between ACh+ and the perovskite, the formation of lead clusters and the migration of halogen anions in the perovskite film are suppressed. As a result, the device prepared with ACh+ post-treatment delivers a power conversion efficiency (PCE) (21.56%) and a value of Voc (1.21 V) that are much higher than those of the pristine device, along with a twofold decrease in the hysteresis index. After storage for 720 h in humid air, the device subjected to ACh+ treatment maintained 70% of its initial PCE. Thus, post-treatment with ACh+ appears to be a useful strategy for preparing efficient and stable PSCs.

Bottom-Up Templated and Oriented Crystallization for Inverted Triple-Cation Perovskite Solar Cells with Stabilized Nickel-Oxide Interface.

Inverted-structure perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are known for their superior device stability. However, based on nickel-oxide (NiOx ) substrate, disordered crystallization and bottom interface instability of perovskite film are still the main factors that compromise the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs. Here, 2D perovskite of thiomorpholine 1,1-dioxide lead iodide (Td2 PbI4 ) is introduced as a template to prepare 3D perovskite thin film with high crystal orientation and large grain size via a bottom-up growth method. By adding TdCl to the precursor solution, pre-crystallized 2D Td2 PbI4 seeds can accumulate at the bottom interface, lowering the barrier of nucleation, and templating the growth of 3D perovskite films with improved (100) orientation and reduced defects during crystallization. In addition, 2D Td2 PbI4 at the bottom interface also hinders the interfacial redox reaction and reduces the hole extraction barrier on the buried interface. Based on this, the Td-0.5 PSC achieves a PCE of 22.09% and an open-circuit voltage of 1.16 V. Moreover, Td-0.5 PSCs show extremely high stability, which retains 84% of its initial PCE after 500 h of continuous illumination under maximum power point operating conditions in N2 atmosphere. This work paves the way for performance improvement of inverted PSCs on NiOx substrate.

Spatiotemporal differences in precordial electrocardiographic amplitude before and after flecainide provocation are associated with a history of unstable ventricular arrhythmia in Brugada syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: A drug provocation test (DPT) is important for the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome (BrS). The link, however, between dynamic changes of electrocardiography (ECG) features after DPT and unstable ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in BrS remains unknown. METHODS: Between 2014 and 2019, we assessed 27 patients with BrS (median age: 37.0 [interquartile range, IQR: 22.0-51.0] years; 25 men), including 9 (33.3%) with a history of unstable VA and 18 (66.7%) without. All patients in the study presented with Brugada-like ECG features before DPT. The ECG parameters and dynamic changes (∆) in 12-lead ECGs recorded from the second, third, and fourth intercostal spaces (ICS) before and at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after DPT (oral flecainide 400 mg) were analyzed. RESULTS: The total amplitude of V1 at the third ICS 18 and 24 h after DPT was significantly lower in patients with a history of unstable VA than in those without. Patients with BrS and unstable VAs had a significantly larger ∆ amplitude of V1 at the second ICS 12 h after DPT than in those without unstable VAs (0.28 [0.18-0.41] mV vs. 0.08 [0.01-0.15] mV, p = .01). A multivariate analysis revealed that the amplitude of V1 at the third ICS 18 and 24 h after DPT and the ∆ amplitude of V1 at the second ICS 12 h after DPT were associated with a history of unstable VA. CONCLUSION: Nonuniform changes and spatiotemporal differences in precordial ECG features after DPT were observed in patients with BrS and these may be surrogate markers for risk stratification.

Optimal substrate modification strategies using catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: 3-year follow-up outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the comparative efficacy of four ablation strategies on the incidence rates of freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial tachycardia (AT) through a 3-year follow-up in patients with persistent AF. BACKGROUND: The optimal substrate modification strategies using catheter ablation for patients with persistent AF remain unclear. METHODS: Patients with persistent AF were enrolled consecutively to undergo each of four ablation strategies: (a) Group 1 (Gp 1, n = 69), pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) plus rotor ablation assisted by similarity index and phase mapping; (b) Gp 2 (n = 75), PVI plus linear ablations at the left atrium; (c) Gp 3 (n = 42), PVI plus the elimination of complex fractionated atrial electrograms; (d) Gp 4 (n = 67), PVI only. Potential confounders were adjusted via a multivariate survival parametric model. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar across the four groups. At a follow-up period of 34.9 ± 38.6 months, patients in Gp 1 showed the highest rate of freedom from AF compared with the other three groups (p = .002), while patients in Gp 3 and 4 showed lower rates of freedom from AT than those of the other two groups (p = .006). Independent predictors of recurrence of AF were the ablation strategy (p = .002) and left atrial diameter (LAD) (p = .01). CONCLUSION: In patients with persistent AF, a substrate modification strategy using rotor ablation assisted by similarity index and phase mapping provided a benefit for maintaining sinus rhythm compared with the other strategies. Both ablation strategy and baseline LAD predicted the 3-year outcomes of freedom from AT/AF.

Comparison of lesion characteristics between conventional and high-power short-duration ablation using contact force-sensing catheter in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Transmural lesion creation is essential for effective atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Lesion characteristics between conventional energy and high-power short-duration (HPSD) setting in contact force-guided (CF) ablation for AF remained unclear. METHODS: Eighty consecutive AF patients who received CF with conventional energy setting (power control: 25-30 W, force-time integral = 400 g s, n = 40) or with HPSD (power control: 40-50 W, 10 s, n = 40) ablation were analyzed. Of them, 15 patients in each conventional and HPSD group were matched by age and gender respectively for ablation lesions analysis. Type A and B lesions were defined as a lesion with and without significant voltage reduction after ablation, respectively. The anatomical distribution of these lesions and ablation outcomes among the 2 groups were analyzed. RESULTS: 1615 and 1724 ablation lesions were analyzed in the conventional and HPSD groups, respectively. HPSD group had a higher proportion of type A lesion compared to conventional group (P < 0.01). In the conventional group, most type A lesions were at the right pulmonary vein (RPV) posterior wall (50.2%) whereas in the HPSD group, most type A lesions were at the RPV anterior wall (44.0%) (P = 0.04). The procedure time and ablation time were significantly shorter in the HPSD group than that in the conventional group (91.0 ± 12.1 vs. 124 ± 14.2 min, P = 0.03; 30.7 ± 19.2 vs. 57.8 ± 21 min, P = 0.02, respectively). At a mean follow-up period of 11 ± 1.4 months, there were 13 and 7 patients with recurrence in conventional and HPSD group respectively (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Optimal ablation lesion characteristics and distribution after conventional and HPSD ablation differed significantly. HPSD ablation had shorter ablation time and lower recurrence rate than did conventional ablation.

Intramolecular Electric Field Construction in Metal Phthalocyanine as Dopant-Free Hole Transporting Material for Stable Perovskite Solar Cells with >21 % Efficiency.

Low conductivity and hole mobility in the pristine metal phthalocyanines greatly limit their application in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as the hole-transporting materials (HTMs). Here, we prepare a Ni phthalocyanine (NiPc) decorated by four methoxyethoxy units as HTMs. In NiPc, the two oxygen atoms in peripheral substituent have a modified effect on the dipole direction, while the central Ni atom contributes more electron to phthalocyanine ring, thus efficiently increasing the intramolecular dipole. Calculation analyses reveal the extracted holes within NiPc are mainly concentrated on the phthalocyanine core induced by the intramolecular electric field, and further to be transferred by π-π stacking space channel between NiPc molecules. Finally, the best efficiency of PSCs with NiPc as dopant-free HTMs realizes a record value of 21.23 % (certified 21.03 %). The PSCs also exhibit the good moisture, heating and light stabilities. This work provides a novel way to improve the performance of PSCs with free-doped metal phthalocyanines as HTMs.

Identification of critical isthmus using coherent mapping in patients with scar-related atrial tachycardia.

INTRODUCTION: Accurate identification of slow conducting regions in patients with scar-related atrial tachycardia (AT) is difficult using conventional electrogram annotation for cardiac electroanatomic mapping (EAM). Estimating delays between neighboring mapping sites is a potential option for activation map computation. We describe our initial experience with CARTO 3 Coherent Mapping (Biosense Webster Inc,) in the ablation of complex ATs. METHODS: Twenty patients (58 ± 10 y/o, 15 males) with complex ATs were included. We created three-dimensional EAMs using CARTO 3 system with CONFIDENSE and a high-resolution mapping catheter (Biosense Webster Inc). Local activation time and coherent maps were used to aid in the identification of conduction isthmus (CI) and focal origin sites. System-defined slow or nonconducting zones and CI, defined by concealed entrainment (postpacing interval < 20 ms), CV < 0.3 m/s and local fractionated electrograms were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-six complex ATs were mapped (mean: 1.3 ± 0.7 maps/pt; 4 focal, 22 isthmus-dependent). Coherent mapping was better in identifying CI/breakout sites where ablation terminated the tachycardia (96.2% vs 69.2%; P = .010) and identified significantly more CI (mean/chamber 2.0 ± 1.1 vs 1.0 ± 0.7; P < .001) with narrower width (19.8 ± 10.5 vs 43.0 ± 23.9 mm; P < .001) than conventional mapping. Ablation at origin and CI sites was successful in 25 (96.2%) with long-term recurrence in 25%. CONCLUSIONS: Coherent mapping with conduction velocity vectors derived from adjacent mapping sites significantly improved the identification of CI sites in scar-related ATs with isthmus-dependent re-entry better than conventional mapping. It may be used in conjunction with conventional mapping strategies to facilitate recognition of slow conduction areas and critical sites that are important targets of ablation.

Clinical efficacy of open-irrigated electrode cooled with half-normal saline for initially failed radiofrequency ablation of idiopathic outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND: Acute failure of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) occur in 10%-20% of patients and is partly attributed to inadequate lesion depth acquired with standard ablation protocols. Half-normal saline (HNS)-irrigation is a promising strategy to improve the success rate of VA ablation. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the efficacy of HNS-irrigated ablation after a failed standard plain normal saline solution (PNSS)-irrigated ablation on idiopathic outflow tract ventricular arrhythmia (OT-VA). METHOD: This is a prospective observational study of consecutive patients undergoing RFA of idiopathic OT-VA comparing the efficacy of additional HNS-irrigated ablation for failed standard PNSS-irrigated ablation. Acute failure was defined as persistence of spontaneous VA or persistent inducibility of the clinical VA. RESULTS: Out of 160 OT-VA cases (51 ± 15-year-old, 62 males), 31 underwent HNS irrigation after a failed standard PNSS-irrigated ablation. The HNS group had a significantly longer procedure time (60.06 ± 43.83 vs 37.51 ± 33.40 minutes; P = .013) and higher radiation exposure (31.45 ± 20.24 vs 17.22 ± 15.25 minutes; P = .001) than the PNSS group but provided an additional acute success in 21 of 31 (67.7%) patients. Over a follow-up duration of 7.8 ± 4.6 months, 24 recurrences were identified, including 8 (25.8%) in the HNS and 16 (12.4%) in the PNSS group, with lower freedom from recurrence in the HNS group (log rank P = .009). No major complication was observed. CONCLUSION: HNS-irrigated ablation after failed standard PNSS-irrigated ablation is safe and additionally improves acute ablation success by 67.7% for idiopathic OT-VA but with a higher rate of recurrence on follow-up. Whether the application of HNS as initial irrigant could result in better outcome requires further investigation.

Electrophysiological and clinical characteristics of catheter ablation for isolated left side atrial tachycardia over a 10-year period.

AIMS: Most left atrial tachycardia (LAT) is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). The clinical and electrophysiological characteristics and outcomes of LAT without AF have not been investigated. This study sought to determine the long-term ablation outcomes and predictors of recurrence of isolated LAT. METHODS: This is a single-center study of consecutive patients with isolated LAT. Atrial arrhythmia recurrence was determined from follow-up records of patients who underwent LAT ablation from 2008 to 2017. Clinical and electrophysiologic characteristics associated with atrial arrhythmia recurrence were identified. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients (53 ± 19 years, 46% male) with 59 LAT (1.16 ± 0.47 per patient) were enrolled. Over a mean follow-up of 37 ± 33 months, atrial arrhythmia recurrence occurred in 22 (44%) patients, 11 with atrial tachycardia (AT) only, five with AF only, and six with concurrent AT and AF. The incidence of pulmonary vein (PV) origins increased significantly in the repeat procedure (P = 0.036). Multivariate analysis identified left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as the only predictor of any atrial arrhythmia recurrence and LAT recurrence, while smoking and identified macroreentrant LAT in the index procedure predicted AF recurrence. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a higher rate of atrial arrhythmia recurrence, including AF, among patients with initially isolated LAT. A lower LVEF predicted any atrial arrhythmia and LAT recurrence, whereas smoking and index macroreentrant AT mechanism predicted long-term AF. PV ATs were frequently observed in recurrent patients irrespective of index procedure origin.

Drosophila ORB protein in two mushroom body output neurons is necessary for long-term memory formation.

Memory is initially labile and gradually consolidated over time through new protein synthesis into a long-lasting stable form. Studies of odor-shock associative learning in Drosophila have established the mushroom body (MB) as a key brain structure involved in olfactory long-term memory (LTM) formation. Exactly how early neural activity encoded in thousands of MB neurons is consolidated into protein-synthesis-dependent LTM remains unclear. Here, several independent lines of evidence indicate that changes in two MB vertical lobe V3 (MB-V3) extrinsic neurons are required and contribute to an extended neural network involved in olfactory LTM: (i) inhibiting protein synthesis in MB-V3 neurons impairs LTM; (ii) MB-V3 neurons show enhanced neural activity after spaced but not massed training; (iii) MB-V3 dendrites, synapsing with hundreds of MB α/ß neurons, exhibit dramatic structural plasticity after removal of olfactory inputs; (iv) neurotransmission from MB-V3 neurons is necessary for LTM retrieval; and (v) RNAi-mediated down-regulation of oo18 RNA-binding protein (involved in local regulation of protein translation) in MB-V3 neurons impairs LTM. Our results suggest a model of long-term memory formation that includes a systems-level consolidation process, wherein an early, labile olfactory memory represented by neural activity in a sparse subset of MB neurons is converted into a stable LTM through protein synthesis in dendrites of MB-V3 neurons synapsed onto MB α lobes.

Enhancing the Efficiency and Stability of Inverted Formamidinium-Cesium Lead-Triiodide Perovskite Solar Cells through Lewis Base Pretreatment of Buried Interfaces.

Mixed components of formamidinium(FA) and cesium (Cs)-based perovskite solar cells are the most hopeful for commercialization owing to their excellent operational and phase stabilities, especially for devices with inverted structure. The nonradiative recombination of carriers can be effectively suppressed through interface optimization, therefore, the performance of devices can be improved. Notably, the buried interface emerges as critical aspects such as charge transport, charge recombination kinetics, and morphology of perovskite films. This study focuses on a straightforward yet effective approach to overcome buried interface challenges between organic polymers (poly(-triarylamine) (PTAA) and FACs-based perovskite films. The PTAA substrate is pretreated with a Lewis base known as 2-butynoic acid (BA) with a C═O functional group. First, it can be an interfacial buffering layer, harmonizing stress mismatch between the perovskite and PTAA layers, consequently optimizing crystallization and improving perovskite film quality. Second, Pb2+ defect can be passivated at the buried interface of the perovskite film through binding with the C═O group of the BA molecule. This dual-function strategy leads to a substantial enhancement in both photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of devices. Finally, the PCE of the device-modified buried interface with BA reaches an impressive 23.33%. Furthermore, unencapsulated devices with BA treatment maintain approximately 94% of their initial efficiency after aging at maximum power point tracking for 1000 h.

Microstrain and Crystal Orientation Variation within Naked Triple-Cation Mixed Halide Perovskites under Heat, UV, and Visible Light Exposure.

The instability of perovskite absorbers under various environmental stressors is the most significant obstacle to widespread commercialization of perovskite solar cells. Herein, we study the evolution of crystal structure and microstrain present in naked triple-cation mixed CsMAFA-based perovskite films under heat, UV, and visible light (1 Sun) conditions by grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS). We find that the microstrain is gradient distributed along the surface normal of the films, decreasing from the upper surface to regions deeper within the film. Moreover, heat, UV, and visible light treatments do not interfere with the crystalline orientations within annealed polycrystalline films. However, when subjected to heat, the naked perovskite films exhibit a rapid component decomposition, induced by phase separation and ion migration. Conversely, under exposure to UV and 1 Sun light soaking, the naked perovskite films undergo a self-optimization structure evolution during degradation and develop into smoother films with reduced surface potential fluctuations.

Sex differences in clinical characteristics and long-term clinical outcomes in Asian hospitalized heart failure patients.

AIMS: Sex differences in long-term post-discharge clinical outcomes in Asian patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure (HF) persist despite the world-wide implementation of guideline-directed medical therapy for decades. The present study aims to elucidate the puzzling dilemma and to depict the directions of solution. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2020, a total of 12 428 patients (6518 men and 5910 women, mean age 73.50 ± 14.85) hospitalized for acute decompensated HF were retrospectively enrolled from a university HF cohort. Compared with men, women hospitalized for acute decompensated HF were older in age (76.40 ± 13.43 vs. 71.20 ± 15.67 years old, P < 0.0001) with more coexisting hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and moderate to severe chronic kidney disease, but less with ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P < 0.0001). In echocardiography measurement parameters, women had smaller left ventricular and left atrial dimensions, higher left ventricular mass index, higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and more in HF with preserved ejection fraction (EF) category (LVEF > 50%) than men (P < 0.0001). In HF therapy, women compared with men received more guideline-directed medical HF therapies including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, but similar beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (P < 0.0001). Post-discharge long-term clinical outcomes after multivariate-adjusted analysis revealed that women compared with men had lower all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.84-0.93], lower cardiovascular mortality (aHR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.80-0.99) and lower 1 year mortality (aHR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84-0.99) but similar HF rehospitalization rate (aHR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.95-1.09) over 8 years of follow-up. The superiority of women over men in all-cause mortality was shown in HF with preserved EF (>50%) and HF with mildly reduced EF (40%-50%), but not in HF with reduced EF (<40%) category. Subgroup forest plot analysis showed body mass index, coexisting hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as significant interacting factors. CONCLUSIONS: With more coronary risk factors and medical comorbidities, less cardiac remodelling and better adherence to guideline-directed HF therapy, women hospitalized for acute decompensated HF demonstrated superiority over men in long-term post-discharge clinical outcomes, including all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and 1 year mortality, and mainly in HF with preserved and mid-range EF categories, in the Asian HF cohort.