High Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells Exceeding 22% via a Photo-Assisted Two-Step Sequential Deposition

One of the most effective methods to achieve high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is to employ additives as crystallization agents or to passivate defects. Tri-iodide ion has been known as an efficient additive to improve the crystallinity, grain size, and morphology of perovskite films. However, the generation and control of this tri-iodide ion are challenging. Herein, an efficient method to produce tri-iodide ion in a precursor solution using a photoassisted process for application in PSCs is developed. Results suggest that the tri-iodide ion can be synthesized rapidly when formamidinium iodide (FAI) dissolved isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution is exposed to LED light. Specifically, the photoassisted FAI–IPA solution facilitates the formation of fine perovskite films with high crystallinity, large grain size, and low trap density, thereby improving the device performance up to 22%. This study demonstrates that the photoassisted process in FAI dissolved IPA solution can be an alternative strategy to fabricate highly efficient PSCs with significantly reduced processing times.     

Cloning and expression of β-glucosidases from Bifidobacterium lactis AD011

For the conversion of β-glycosides, 3 genes (BLA_0039, BLA_0141, and BLA_0893) annotated as β-glucosidase (E.C 3.2.1.21) from the genome of Bifidobacterium lactis AD011 were cloned and expressed both in Escherichia coli DH5α and Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4 using previously established bifidobacterial expression system under the control of 16S rRNA promoter. Deduced amino acid sequence analysis revealed that BLA_0141 is highly similar to β-d-glucosidase from Bifidobacterium breve clb and is included in glycosyl hydrolase family 1 (GHF1) while BLA_0893 belongs to glycosyl hydrolase family 3 (GHF3). Recombinant BLA_0893 showed β-glucosidase activity and converted ginsenoside Rb1 to Rd. Recombinant BLA_0141 showed broad range of activities including β-glucosidase, β-galactosidase, β-xylosidase, cellobiosidase, and α-arabinopyranosidase and converted ginsenoside Rb1 and Rb2 to Rd. They also hydrolized cellobiose into glucose. The recombinant enzyme activities of both BLA_0141 and BLA_0893 were stable around pH 4.5–7.5 and below 50°C.     

In vivo functional effects of Weissella confusa VP30 exopolysaccharides on loperamide-induced constipation in rats

Food Science and Biotechnology - In this work, the in vivo functionalities of milk fermented with Weissella confusa VP30 (VP30-EPS) and purified exopolysaccharide (pEPS) from the milk fermented...     

Architectural Design Issues in a Clockless 32‐Bit Processor Using an Asynchronous HDL

As technology evolves into the deep submicron level, synchronous circuit designs based on a single global clock have incurred problems in such areas as timing closure and power consumption. An asynchronous circuit design methodology is one of the strong candidates to solve such problems. To verify the feasibility and efficiency of a large‐scale asynchronous circuit, we design a fully clockless 32‐bit processor. We model the processor using an asynchronous HDL and synthesize it using a tool specialized for asynchronous circuits with a top‐down design approach. In this paper, two microarchitectures, basic and enhanced, are explored. The results from a pre‐layout simulation utilizing 0.13‐μm CMOS technology show that the performance and power consumption of the enhanced microarchitecture are respectively improved by 109% and 30% with respect to the basic architecture. Furthermore, the measured power efficiency is about 238 μW/MHz and is comparable to that of a synchronous counterpart.     

Microencapsulation of Essential Oil for Insect Repellent in Food Packaging System

Microcapsules containing thyme oil were prepared by in situ polymerization, using melamine–formaldehyde prepolymer as a wall material and 3 different emulsifiers (pluronic F‐127, tween 80, and sodium lauryl sulfate [SLS]). The general characteristics and release behavior of microcapsules, and their repellent effect against insects were investigated. The morphology of microcapsules using SLS was spherical shape with smooth surface. Microcapsules began to degrade at 150 °C. The particle size ranged from 1 to 10 μm and the loading efficiency of thyme oil was clearly affected by the emulsifier type. The highest loading efficiency appeared in microcapsules using SLS, which have good thermal resistance and smooth surface. The release rate of thyme oil from microcapsules was not only dependent on the storage temperature but also emulsifier type and microcapsules showed the sustained release properties for a long time. Diets, which were mixed with encapsulated thyme oil, expressed high insect repellent efficacy over 90% for 4 wk. Practical Application : Essential oil has various pest‐control characteristics, including repellent, ovicidal, and antifeedant efficacy. This work showed the sustained release properties and long‐lasting repellency of encapsulated essential oil. The results suggest that the great potential of essential oil microcapsules can be applied in coating or printing of food packaging materials for the insects repelling effects.     

Generation and Control of Game Virtual Environment

In this paper,we present a framework for the generation and control of an Internet-based 3-dimensionai game virtual environment that allows a character to navigate through the environment.Our framework includes 3-dimensional terrain mesh data processing,a map editor,scene processing,collision processing,and waikthrough control.We also define an environment-specific semantic information editor,which can be applied using specific location obtained from the real world.Users can insert text information related to the characters real position in the real world during navigation in the game virtual environment.     

Rapid histologic diagnosis using quick fluorescence staining and tissue confocal microscopy

With the development of advanced and minimally invasive surgical techniques, and in view of the functional and cosmetic aspects, the need for rapid and accurate diagnosis during surgery is increasing. This study was conducted to develop a tissue diagnosis method using confocal microscopy after simple tissue staining that does not require freezing and slicing. At present, fluorescence staining with confocal microscopy is not generalized for real‐time diagnosis during surgery. In this paper, we propose a fluorescence staining method using Hoechst 33342 and Eosin that does not require tissue freezing and slicing. The proposed method can be used as part of a rapid tissue diagnosis method that is suitable for use in the operating room, although further research is required before it can be applied in clinical practice.     

Loss modulation effect on the second-harmonically mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser based on Sagnac loop reflector with Y-branch LiNbO/sub 3/ phase modulator

We investigated the loss modulation effect on the second-harmonically mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser based on the Sagnac loop reflector with a Y-branch LiNbO/sub 3/ phase modulator. We found that even a small loss modulation originating from the phase modulator could cause severe peak power difference between two output pulses in a modulation period. It was also found that the peak power difference was sensitively dependent on the modulation frequency. By numerical simulation, we quantitatively analyzed the relation between the peak power difference and the amount of loss modulation, which agreed well with the experimental results.