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Semi‐transparent solar cells represent an exciting opportunity for sustainable energy production, thanks to the possibility of being integrated into buildings and urban environments, effectively exploiting the already existing space. Perovskite solar cells (PCSs) are ideal candidates, offering high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) combined with a tuneable band gap and adjustable thickness, which allow a convenient modulation of the average visible transmittance (AVT). However, balancing high PCE and high AVT is a challenging target. This study uncovers that depositing the perovskite layer based on Formamidinium Lead Iodide (FAPbI3) thin films in ambient air, rather than in a nitrogen‐controlled atmosphere, allows an increase in the AVT value of up to > 40% while also enhancing the photovoltaic performance and stability. The optoelectronic quality of the as‐obtained perovskite layer is substantially enhanced, showing fewer defects and a superior morphology. As a result, the air‐deposited devices exhibit higher efficiency, which, combines with the enhanced AVT, results in a champion device with a light use efficiency (LUE) of 4.2%, having a PCE of 13.8% and AVT of 30.4%. The record LUE value and the possibility of being deposited in ambient air conditions pave the avenue toward the real‐world application of semi‐transparent PSCs.

In order to move towards large-scale fabrication, perovskite solar cells need to detach themselves from strictly controlled environmental conditions and, to this end, fabrication in ambient air is highly desirable. Formamidinium iodide perovskite (FAPI) is one of the most promising perovskites but is also unstable at room temperature, which may make the ambient air deposition more difficult. Herein, we investigated different formulations of pure FAPI for the fabrication of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) in air. We found that formulations using a mixture of N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF): N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and only dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) are suitable for the deposition in air. To fabricate inverted p-i-n solar cells, we tested different hole transporting layers (HTLs) and observed the effects on the wettability of the perovskite solution and on the performance. A self-assembly monolayer of 2PACz (2-(9H-Carbazol-9-yl)ethyl]phosphonic acid) was found to be the best option as a HTL, allowing us to achieve efficiencies >15% on both FTO and ITO.

Whereas there is an increasing amount of reports on the second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) and luminescence properties of tetradentate [N2O2] Schiff base–zinc complexes, the study of zinc complexes having two bidentate [NO] Schiff-base ligands is relatively unexplored from an NLO point of view. This work puts in evidence that the known chiral bis2-[(R)-(+)-1-phenylethyliminomethyl]phenolato-N,Ozinc(II) complex is a fascinating multifunctional molecular inorganic–organic hybrid material characterized by interesting second-order NLO and luminescent properties in solution. The emissive properties of the organic 2-(R)-(+)-1-phenylethyliminomethyl]phenol proligand are greatly enhanced upon coordination to the inorganic Zn(II) center.

The Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction plays a fundamental role in modern synthetic organic chemistry, both in academia and industry. For this reason, scientists continue to search for new, more effective, cheaper and environmentally friendly procedures. Recently, micellar synthetic chemistry has been demonstrated to be an excellent strategy for achieving chemical transformations in a more efficient way, thanks to the creation of nanoreactors in aqueous environments using selected surfactants. In particular, the cheap and commercially available surfactant Kolliphor EL (a polyethoxylated castor oil derivative) has been used with success to achieve metal-catalyzed transformations in water with high yields and short reaction times, with the advantage of using air-sensitive catalysts without the need for inert atmosphere. In this work, the Kolliphor EL methodology was applied to the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction between thiophene and aniline, using the highly effective catalyst Pd(dtbpf)Cl2. The cross-coupling products were achieved at up to 98% yield, with reaction times of up to only 15 min, working at room temperature and without the need for inert atmosphere.

This paper presents a hybrid Galerkin/perturbation approach based on Radial Basis Functions for the dynamic analysis of mechanical systems affected by randomness both in their parameters and loads. In specialized literature various procedures are nowadays available to evaluate the response statistics of such systems, but sometimes a choice has to be made between simpler methods (that could provide unreliable solutions) and more complex methods (where accurate solutions are provided by means of a heavy computational effort). The proposed method combines a Radial Basis Functions (RBF) based Galerkin method with a perturbation approach for the approximation of the system response. In order to keep the number of differential equations to be solved as low as possible, a Karhunen-Loève (KL) expansion for the excitation is used. As case study a non-linear single degree of freedom (SDOF) system with random parameters subjected to a stochastic windtype load is analyzed and discussed in detail; obtained numerical solutions are compared with the results given by Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) to provide a validation of the proposed approach. The proposed method could be a valid alternative to the classical procedures as it is able to provide satisfactory approximations of the system response.

The industrialization of perovskite solar cells relies on solving intrinsic‐to‐material issues. To reach record efficiencies perovskite deposition needs to be finely adjusted by multi‐step processes, in a humidity free glove‐box environment and by means of hardly scalable techniques often associated with toxic solvents and anti‐solvent dripping/bath. Herein, the use of polymeric material is proposed to deposit perovskite layers with easy processability. To the scope, a starch‐polymer/perovskite composite is developed to suit slot‐die coating technique requirement, allowing the deposition of hybrid halide perovskite material in a single straightforward step without the use of toxic solvents, and in uncontrolled humid environment (RH up to 70 %). The starch‐polymer increases the viscosity of the perovskite precursor solutions and delays the perovskite crystallization that results in the formation of perovskite films at mild temperature (60 °C) with good morphology. These innovative inks enables the fabrication of flexible solar cells with p‐i‐n configuration featured by a power conversion efficiency higher than 3 %. . Overall, this approach can be exploited in the future to massively reduce perovskite manufacturing costs related to keeping the entire fabrication line at high‐temperature and under nitrogen or dry conditions. The slot‐die coating deposition of perovskite in an uncontrolled humid environment (RH up to 70 %), following an accurate characterisation of the perovskite material, is reported in this work. By the addition of a templating polymeric agent, it was possible to avoid the use of the toxic and hardly scalable antisolvent bath. Furthermore, a proof‐of‐concept flexible device with slot die coated hole‐ and electron‐transporter materials was also realised.

Semi‐transparent solar cells represent an exciting opportunity for sustainable energy production, thanks to the possibility of being integrated into buildings and urban environments, effectively exploiting the already existing space. Perovskite solar cells (PCSs) are ideal candidates, offering high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) combined with a tuneable band gap and adjustable thickness, which allow a convenient modulation of the average visible transmittance (AVT). However, balancing high PCE and high AVT is a challenging target. This study uncovers that depositing the perovskite layer based on Formamidinium Lead Iodide (FAPbI 3 ) thin films in ambient air, rather than in a nitrogen‐controlled atmosphere, allows an increase in the AVT value of up to > 40% while also enhancing the photovoltaic performance and stability. The optoelectronic quality of the as‐obtained perovskite layer is substantially enhanced, showing fewer defects and a superior morphology. As a result, the air‐deposited devices exhibit higher efficiency, which, combines with the enhanced AVT, results in a champion device with a light use efficiency (LUE) of 4.2%, having a PCE of 13.8% and AVT of 30.4%. The record LUE value and the possibility of being deposited in ambient air conditions pave the avenue toward the real‐world application of semi‐transparent PSCs.

This paper presents a hybrid Galerkin/perturbation approach based on Radial Basis Functions for the dynamic analysis of mechanical systems affected by randomness both in their parameters and loads. In specialized literature various procedures are nowadays available to evaluate the response statistics of such systems, but sometimes a choice has to be made between simpler methods (that could provide unreliable solutions) and more complex methods (where accurate solutions are provided by means of a heavy computational effort). The proposed method combines a Radial Basis Functions (RBF) based Galerkin method with a perturbation approach for the approximation of the system response. In order to keep the number of differential equations to be solved as low as possible, a Karhunen-Loève (KL) expansion for the excitation is used. As case study a non-linear single degree of freedom (SDOF) system with random parameters subjected to a stochastic windtype load is analyzed and discussed in detail; obtained numerical solutions are compared with the results given by Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) to provide a validation of the proposed approach. The proposed method could be a valid alternative to the classical procedures as it is able to provide satisfactory approximations of the system response.

Key Points Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare but almost invariably lethal disease The histological diagnosis of ATC requires an expert pathologist who can distinguish the anaplastic features of ATC from those of poorly differentiated thyroid cancer The molecular and genetic alterations that define ATC have been characterized by next-generation sequencing analysis and have confirmed a major role for TP53 alterations Conventional therapies are unable to prolong the survival of patients with ATC; however, in certain cases, conventional treatments might improve symptoms and quality of life New targeted therapies have been tested in the past 10 years in phase II clinical trials; however, no therapies have yet been officially approved for the treatment of ATC Additional drugs are under evaluation for the treatment of ATC in phase I and phase II clinical trials, with promising results to date Although anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare form of thyroid cancer, the limited efficacy of conventional treatment options and challenges in histological diagnosis make this an almost invariably lethal disease. In this Review, the authors describe the clinical and pathological features of ATC, highlight recent advances in uncovering the genetics and molecular biology of this disease, and discuss both conventional and future treatment modalities. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare malignancy, accounting for 1–2% of all thyroid cancers. Although rare, ATC accounts for the majority of deaths from thyroid carcinoma. ATC often originates in a pre-existing thyroid cancer lesion, as suggested by the simultaneous presence of areas of differentiated or poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma. ATC is characterized by the accumulation of several oncogenic alterations, and studies have shown that an increased number of oncogenic alterations equates to an increased level of dedifferentiation and aggressiveness. The clinical management of ATC requires a multidisciplinary approach; according to recent American Thyroid Association guidelines, surgery, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy should be considered. In addition to conventional therapies, novel molecular targeted therapies are the most promising emerging treatment modalities. These drugs are often multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, several of which have been tested in clinical trials with encouraging results so far. Accordingly, clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of these new agents. This Review describes the updated clinical and pathological features of ATC and provides insight into the molecular biology of this disease. The most recent literature regarding conventional, newly available and future therapies for ATC is also discussed.

Results of previous study showed promising but short-lived activity of sorafenib in the treatment of patients with unresectable advanced and metastatic osteosarcoma. This treatment failure has been attributed to the mTOR pathway and might therefore be overcome with the addition of mTOR inhibitors. We aimed to investigate the activity of sorafenib in combination with everolimus in patients with inoperable high-grade osteosarcoma progressing after standard treatment. We did this non-randomised phase 2 trial in three Italian Sarcoma Group centres. We enrolled adults (≥18 years) with relapsed or unresectable osteosarcoma progressing after standard treatment (methotrexate, cisplatin, and doxorubicin, with or without ifosfamide). Patients received 800 mg sorafenib plus 5 mg everolimus once a day until disease progression or unacceptable toxic effects. The primary endpoint was 6 month progression-free survival (PFS). All analyses were intention-to-treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01804374. We enrolled 38 patients between June 16, 2011, and June 4, 2013. 17 (45%; 95% CI 28–61) of 38 patients were progression free at 6 months. Toxic effects led to dose reductions, or short interruptions, or both in 25 (66%) of 38 patients and permanent discontinuation for two (5%) patients. The most common grade 3–4 adverse events were lymphopenia and hypophosphataemia each in six (16%) patients, hand and foot syndrome in five (13%), thrombocytopenia in four (11%), and fatigue, oral mucositis, diarrhoea, and anaemia each in two (5%). One patient (3%) had a grade 3 pneumothorax that required trans-thoracic drainage, and that recurred at the time of disease progression. This was reported as a serious adverse event related to the study drugs in both instances. No other serious adverse events were reported during the trial. There were no treatment-related deaths. Although the combination of sorafenib and everolimus showed activity as a further-line treatment for patients with advanced or unresectable osteosarcoma, it did not attain the prespecified target of 6 month PFS of 50% or greater. Italian Sarcoma Group.