Bright-red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with a narrow emission line width that emit between 620 and 635 nm are needed to meet the latest industry color standard for wide color gamut displays, Rec. 2020. CsPbI 3 perovskite quantum dots (QDs) are one of the few known materials that are ideally suited to meet these criteria. Unfortunately, CsPbI 3 perovskite QDs are prone to transform into a non-redemitting phase and are subject to further degradation mechanisms when their luminescence wavelength is tuned to match that of the Rec. 2020 standard. Here, we show that zwitterionic lecithin ligands can stabilize the perovskite phase of CsPbI 3 QDs for long periods in air for at least 6 months compared to a few days for control samples. LEDs fabricated with our ultrastable lecithin-capped CsPbI 3 QDs exhibit an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 7.1% for electroluminescence centered at 634 nm�a record for all-inorganic perovskite nanocrystals in Rec. 2020 red. Our devices achieve a maximum luminance of 1391 cd/m 2 at 7.5 V, and their operational half-life is 33 min (T 50 ) at 200 cd/m 2 �a 10-fold enhancement compared to control samples. Density functional theory results suggest that the surface strain in CsPbI 3 QDs capped with the conventional ligands, oleic acid and oleylamine, contributes to the instability of the perovskite structural phase. On the other hand, lecithin binding induces virtually no surface strain and shows a stronger binding tendency for the CsPbI 3 surface. Our study highlights the tremendous potential of zwitterionic ligands in stabilizing the perovskite phase and particle size of CsPbI 3 QDs for various optoelectronic applications.

Mutations in the Family with sequence similarity (FAM) 20 gene family are associated with mineralized tissue phenotypes in humans. Among these genes, FAM20A mutations are associated with Amelogenesis Imperfecta (AI) with gingival hyperplasia and nephrocalcinosis, while FAM20C mutations cause Raine syndrome, exhibiting bone and craniofacial/dental abnormalities. Although it has been demonstrated that Raine syndrome associated-FAM20C mutants prevented FAM20C kinase activity and secretion, overexpression of the catalytically inactive D478A FAM20C mutant was detected in both cell extracts and the media. This suggests that FAM20C secretion doesn’t require its kinase activity, and that another molecule(s) may control the secretion. In this study, we found that extracellular FAM20C localization was increased when wild-type (WT), but not AI-forms of FAM20A was co-transfected. On the other hand, extracellular FAM20C was absent in the conditioned media of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from Fam20a knock-out (KO) mouse, while it was detected in the media from WT MEFs. We also showed that cells with the conditioned media of Fam20a WT MEFs mineralized, but those with the conditioned media of KO MEFs failed to mineralize in vitro. Our data thus demonstrate that FAM20A controls FAM20C localization that may assist in the extracellular function of FAM20C in mineralized tissues.

Saudi Arabia has developed Saudi Vision 2030, an ambitious plan to reduce the country's dependence on oil by supporting promising private energy organizations and by developing opportunities that contributes to the national economy. In the manufacturing sector, the government is encouraging technology transfers in the renewable energy industries. It is expected to result in the localization of significant parts of the renewable energy value chain in Saudi Arabia. Solar energy systems are proven renewable energy source globally and domestically, it has its long and vast share of experience, from operations and maintenance, to solar data monitoring and gathering. Wide areas had been identified, where this technology can be highly installed and integrated. Components can be manufactured from locally available raw materials to achieve the final products. This study analyzed the key elements of the value chain for producing crystalline silicon solar photovoltaic systems. This paper presents recommendations for localizing this industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Although these recommendations are based on the environmental conditions of Saudi Arabia, such are also highly relevant for further application to other countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, where widespread energy transitions from fossil fuels to renewable resources are already taking place.

Nanotechnology in modern material science is a research hot spot due to its ability to provide novel applications in the field of dentistry. Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are metal oxide nanoparticles that open new opportunities for biomedical applications that range from diagnosis to treatment. The domains of these nanoparticles are wide and diverse and include the effects brought about due to the anti-microbial, regenerative, and mechanical properties. The applications include enhancing the anti-bacterial properties of existing restorative materials, as an anti-sensitivity agent in toothpastes, as an anti-microbial and anti-fungal agent against pathogenic oral microflora, as a dental implant coating, to improve the anti-fungal effect of denture bases in rehabilitative dentistry, remineralizing cervical dentinal lesions, increasing the stability of local drug delivery agents and other applications.

Objective Our objectives were to determine the expression of EVC2 in craniofacial tissues and investigate the effect of Evc2 deficiency on craniofacial bones using Evc2 knockout (KO) mouse model. Design Evc2 KO mice were generated by introducing a premature stop codon followed by the Internal Ribosomal Entry Site fused to β-galactosidase (LacZ). Samples from wild-type (WT), heterozygous (Het) and homozygous Evc2 KO mice were prepared. LacZ staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) with anti-β-galactosidase, anti-EVC2 and anti-SOX9 antibodies were performed. The craniofacial bones were stained with alcian blue and alizarin red. Results The LacZ activity in KO was mainly observed in the anterior parts of viscerocranium. The Evc2-expressing cells were identified in many cartilageous regions by IHC with anti-β-galactosidase antibody in KO and Het embryos. The endogenous EVC2 protein was observed in these areas in WT embryos. Double labeling with anti-SOX9 antibody showed that these cells were mainly chondrocytes. At adult stages, the expression of EVC2 was found in chondrocytes of nasal bones and spheno-occipital synchondrosis, and osteocytes and endothelial-like cells of the premaxilla and mandible. The skeletal double staining demonstrated that craniofacial bones, where the expression of EVC2 was observed, in KO had the morphological defects as compared to WT. Conclusion To our knowledge, our study was the first to identify the types of Evc2-expressing cells in craniofacial tissues. Consistent with the expression pattern, abnormal craniofacial bone morphology was found in the Evc2 KO mice, suggesting that EVC2 may be important during craniofacial growth and development.