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Autophagy refers to a set of catabolic pathways that together facilitate degradation of superfluous, damaged and toxic cellular components. The most studied type of autophagy, called macroautophagy, involves membrane mobilisation, cargo engulfment and trafficking of the newly formed autophagic vesicle to the recycling organelle, the lysosome. Macroautophagy responds to a variety of intra- and extra-cellular stress conditions including, but not limited to, pathogen intrusion, oxygen or nutrient starvation, proteotoxic and organelle stress, and elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are highly reactive oxygen molecules that can interact with cellular macromolecules (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids) to either modify their activity or, when released in excess, inflict irreversible damage. Although increased ROS release has long been recognised for its involvement in macroautophagy activation, the underlying mechanisms and the wider impact of ROS-mediated macroautophagy stimulation remain incompletely understood. We therefore discuss the growing body of evidence that describes the variety of mechanisms modulated by ROS that trigger cytoprotective detoxification via macroautophagy. We outline the role of ROS in signalling upstream of autophagy initiation, by increased gene expression and post-translational modifications of transcription factors, and in the formation and nucleation of autophagic vesicles by cysteine modification of conserved autophagy proteins including ATG4B, ATG7 and ATG3. Furthermore, we review the effect of ROS on selective forms of macroautophagy, specifically on cargo recognition by autophagy receptor proteins p62 and NBR1 (neighbour of BRCA1) and the recycling of mitochondria (mitophagy), and peroxisomes (pexophagy). Finally, we highlight both, the standalone and mutual contributions of abnormal ROS signalling and macroautophagy to the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • ROS are messengers that modify protein activity by PTMs. • ROS-mediated PTMs regulate activity and specificity of autophagy proteins. • Increase in autophagy mediates rapid clearance of oxidised cargo and ROS sources. • The importance of ROS-mediated autophagy is highlighted in neurodegeneration.

Autophagy is an essential catabolic process that promotes the clearance of surplus or damaged intracellular components. Loss of autophagy in age-related human pathologies contributes to tissue degeneration through a poorly understood mechanism. Here, we identify an evolutionarily conserved role of autophagy from yeast to humans in the preservation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels, which are critical for cell survival. In respiring mouse fibroblasts with autophagy deficiency, loss of mitochondrial quality control was found to trigger hyperactivation of stress responses mediated by NADases of PARP and Sirtuin families. Uncontrolled depletion of the NAD(H) pool by these enzymes ultimately contributed to mitochondrial membrane depolarization and cell death. Pharmacological and genetic interventions targeting several key elements of this cascade improved the survival of autophagy-deficient yeast, mouse fibroblasts, and human neurons. Our study provides a mechanistic link between autophagy and NAD metabolism and identifies targets for interventions in human diseases associated with autophagic, lysosomal, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Cancer survivors suffer from progressive frailty, multimorbidity, and premature morbidity. We hypothesise that therapy-induced senescence and senescence progression via bystander effects are significant causes of this premature ageing phenotype. Accordingly, the study addresses the question whether a short anti-senescence intervention is able to block progression of radiation-induced frailty and disability in a pre-clinical setting. Male mice were sublethally irradiated at 5 months of age and treated (or not) with either a senolytic drug (Navitoclax or dasatinib + quercetin) for 10 days or with the senostatic metformin for 10 weeks. Follow-up was for 1 year. Treatments commencing within a month after irradiation effectively reduced frailty progression (p0.05) and improved muscle (p0.01) and liver (p0.05) function as well as short-term memory (p0.05) until advanced age with no need for repeated interventions. Senolytic interventions that started late, after radiation-induced premature frailty was manifest, still had beneficial effects on frailty (p0.05) and short-term memory (p0.05). Metformin was similarly effective as senolytics. At therapeutically achievable concentrations, metformin acted as a senostatic neither via inhibition of mitochondrial complex I, nor via improvement of mitophagy or mitochondrial function, but by reducing non-mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production via NADPH oxidase 4 inhibition in senescent cells. Our study suggests that the progression of adverse long-term health and quality-of-life effects of radiation exposure, as experienced by cancer survivors, might be rescued by short-term adjuvant anti-senescence interventions.Cancer treatments save lives, but they can also be associated with long-term side effects which greatly reduce quality of life; former patients often face fatigue, memory loss, frailty, higher likelihood of developing other cancers, and overall accelerated aging. Senescence is a change in a cell’s state that follows damage and is associated with aging. When a cell becomes senescent it stops dividing, can promote inflammation and may damage other cells. Research has shown that cancer treatment increases the numbers of cells entering senescence, potentially explaining the associated long-term side effects. A new class of drugs known as senolytics can kill senescent cells, but whether they could help to counteract the damaging effects of cancer treatments remain unclear. To explore this question, Fielder et al. focused on mice having received radiation therapy, which also exhibit the long-term health defects observed in human patients. In these animals, a single, short senolytic treatment after irradiation nearly erased premature aging; frailty did not increase faster than normal, new cancers were less prevalent, and the rodents retained good memory and muscle function for at least one year after irradiation. Even mice treated later in life, after frailty was already established, showed some improvement. In addition, multiple tissues, including the brain and the liver, hosted fewer senescent cells in the animals treated with senolytics, even up to old age. Research should now explore whether these remarkable effects could also be true for humans.

Brassica carinata (carinata) has emerged as a potential biofuel source due to its high erucic acid content, making it desirable for various industrial applications. Nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) are required as primary sources of nutrition for growth and development in different oilseed crops and their utilization is interdependent. The purpose of the study was to analyze the interactive effect of N and S nutrition on the growth and other physiological activities of carinata and B. napus (napus). Four treatments, i.e., optimum NS (+N+S, 100% N and 100% S), N limited (−N+S, 0% N, 100% S), S limited (+N−S, 100% N, 0% S), and NS limited (−N−S, 0% N and 0% S) of N and S in full-strength Hoagland solution were imposed in the current study. Effect of different NS treatments was observed on vegetative traits such as number of primary and secondary branches, total leaf area, total biomass production and allocation, and physiological traits such as production of photosynthetic pigments, net photosynthesis, electron transport, and other aspects for both carinata and napus. The traits of stem elongation, number of nodes, node addition rate, internode length, number of primary and secondary branches were 60%, 36%, 50%, 35%, 56%, and 83% lower, respectively, in napus in comparison to carinata. Different NS treatments also positively influenced the production of photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll (Chl) a and b and carotenoids in carinata and napus. The concentration of Chla was 11% higher in napus in comparison to carinata. The rate of net photosynthesis, electron transport, and fluorescence was 12%, 8%, and 5% higher based on overall value, respectively, in napus compared to carinata. On the other hand, the overall value for stomatal conductance decreased by 5% in napus when compared to carinata. Different growth-related traits such as vegetative (plant height, node number, internode length, leaf area, number of primary and secondary branches), reproductive (pod number, pod length, seeds per pod), and photosynthetic capacity in oilseed brassicas are correlated with the final seed and oil yield and chemical composition which are of economic importance for the adoption of the crop. Thus, the analysis of these traits will help to determine the effect of NS interaction on crop productivity of carinata and napus.

Eutrophication is a continuously growing problem that threatens the water quality of freshwater resources. A relatively simple and effective way to treat eutrophicated waters can be achieved through the application of chemicals. Such chemicals can restore affected waters by immobilizing phosphorus (P) in water and sediments via precipitation or adsorption. However, most chemicals can be ineffective, hazardous to the environment, or costly under certain lake system conditions. Consequentially, there is a need for new alternatives. Accordingly, the authors present a comprehensive review aimed at identifying practical ways to select chemicals to better control P internal loading. Possible routes leading to the development of improved chemicals are also discussed.

We study the quantum gravitational collapse of spherically symmetric pressureless dust. Using an effective equation derived from a polymer quantization in the connection-triad phase space variables of general relativity, we find numerically, for a variety of initial dust configurations, that (i) trapped surfaces form and disappear as an initially collapsing density profile evolves into an outgoing shockwave; (ii) black hole lifetime is proportional to the square of its mass; and (iii) there is no mass inflation at inner apparent horizons. These results provide a substantially different view of black hole formation and subsequent evolution than found from semiclassical analyses., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. v2: Conformal diagram added, minor clarifications, references added

Autophagy is an essential catabolic process that promotes clearance of surplus or damaged intracellular components1. As a recycling process, autophagy is also important for the maintenance of cellular metabolites during periods of starvation2. Loss of autophagy is sufficient to cause cell death in animal models and is likely to contribute to tissue degeneration in a number of human diseases including neurodegenerative and lysosomal storage disorders3–7. However, it remains unclear which of the many cellular functions of autophagy primarily underlies its role in cell survival. Here we have identified a critical role of autophagy in the maintenance of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+/NADH) levels. In respiring cells, loss of autophagy caused NAD(H) depletion resulting in mitochondrial membrane depolarisation and cell death. We also found that maintenance of NAD(H) is an evolutionary conserved function of autophagy from yeast to human cells. Importantly, cell death and reduced viability of autophagy-deficient animal models can be partially reversed by supplementation with an NAD(H) precursor. Our study provides a mechanistic link between autophagy and NAD(H) metabolism and suggests that boosting NAD(H) levels may be an effective intervention strategy to prevent cell death and tissue degeneration in human diseases associated with autophagy dysfunction.

The standardization of VIPV (Vehicle-integrated photovoltaic) has been driven by the international discussion among scientists and engineers, from photovoltaic research, photovoltaic industries, automobile and other industries, and testing laboratories. Since the VIPV is not flat and fixed installation, as well as a wide variety of designs, the knowledge of CPV (Concentrator Photovoltaic) technology, has been useful for developing testing technologies. This paper took two examples in the performance testing and the test for the tolerance for the partial/dynamic shading, utilizing various techniques exclusively used in CPV technologies.

A car-roof photovoltaic (PV) has significant potential. The activities of international standardization through a series of web meetings have been done by 51 volunteer scientists and engineers from 15 different countries with a good mixture of scientists, manufacturers, and testing laboratories. Specifically, it covered (1) Irradiance modeling onto the car-roof; (2) Curve correction of the PV output; (3) Quantification of partial shading loss; (4)Performance testing conditions; (5) Effective solar resource on the car-roof impacted by shadows of surrounding buildings; (6) Environmental testing conditions.

We develop an effective framework for the $\bar\mu$ scheme of holonomy corrections motivated by loop quantum gravity for vacuum spherically symmetric space-times. This is done by imposing the areal gauge in the classical theory, and then expressing the remaining components of the Ashtekar-Barbero connection in the Hamiltonian constraint in terms of holonomies of physical length $\ell_{\rm Pl}$. The stationary solutions to the effective Hamiltonian constraint can be found exactly, and we give the explicit form of the effective metric in Painlev\'e-Gullstrand coordinates. This solution has the correct classical limit, the quantum gravity corrections decay rapidly at large distances, and curvature scalars are bounded by the Planck scale, independently of the black hole mass $M$. In addition, the solution is valid for radii $x \ge x_{\rm min} \sim (\ell_{\rm Pl}^2 M)^{1/3}$ indicating the need for a matter field, with an energy density bounded by the Planck scale, to provide a source for the curvature in the space-time. Finally, for $M \gg m_{\rm Pl}$, the space-time has an outer and also an inner horizon, within which the expansion for outgoing radial null geodesics becomes positive again. On the other hand, for sufficiently small $M \sim m_{\rm Pl}$, there are no horizons at all in the effective metric., Comment: 24 pages, 5 figures. v2: Minor changes; v3: typos corrected

Photovoltaic (PV) modules typically operate at approximately 30 °C above ambient temperature on clear sunny days, irrespective of their location. Since the average annual daytime temperature is typically higher than 20 °C in most locations, where PV modules are installed, operating temperatures can exceed 50 °C on clear sunny days. This translates to a 12% reduction in nameplate power for crystalline silicon modules. In addition, thermally induced degradation mechanisms have a higher probability of occurrence when operating temperatures increase, thereby reducing the module lifetime. The operating temperatures are impacted by the selection of packaging materials, e.g., backsheets and encapsulants. This paper demonstrates a significant reduction in the operating temperature of single-cell modules with innovative thermally conductive backsheet (TCB) materials vis-a-vis a baseline Tedlar/polyester/Tedlar (TPT) backsheet. Field results demonstrate that the nominal operating cell temperature of the TCB coupons is approximately 1 °C lower than those of conventional TPT coupons. The daily average module operating temperature of TCB coupons was as much as 3 °C cooler compared with the TPT coupons in summer months. Reducing the module temperature by 3 °C results in a 1.5% relative efficiency increase. Finally, an empirical thermal model to predict the cell temperature for each backsheet type and a physical thermal model using ANSYS were developed and presented in this paper.

To mitigate harmful algae blooms, chemicals are applied to the water that immobilize phosphate through adsorption. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently emerged as a promising class of solid adsorbents for a wide variety of water pollutants, including phosphate. In the context of algae blooms however, limited knowledge exists regarding the performance of low-cost MOFs, their chemical stability in dilute phosphate concentrations and how they compare to other types of commonly used adsorbents. In this study, three iron based and low-cost MOFs were compared against commercial adsorbents in a relevant context. Overall, the MOFs exhibited a superior performance in terms of kinetics and adsorption capacity over a wide range of concentrations. The examination of the pore structure data revealed direct correlations with the adsorption kinetics. The comparison of the material cost and the adsorption capacity at ultra-low concentrations places these MOFs in a position to compete against commercial adsorbents. The exposure of the MOFs to dilute phosphate solutions resulted in negligible linker losses.

Several approaches to quantum gravity suggest that Lorentz invariance will be broken at high energy. This can lead to modified dispersion relations for wave propagation, which can be concretely realized in effective field theories where the equation of motion involves higher order spatial derivatives in a preferred frame. We consider such a model in the presence of a finite cavity whose walls follow parallel inertial trajectories of speed $v$ with respect to the preferred frame. We find evidence that when the cavity wall speed exceeds the phase velocity, the system becomes classically unstable. For dispersion relations that do not lead to an instability, the energy levels of the cavity are non-trivial functions of $v$. In other words, an observer could in principle measure their velocity with respect to the preferred frame by studying the energy spectra of a quantum cavity, which is a stark violation of the principle of relativity. We also find that the energy levels of the cavity become infinitely large as its velocity approaches light speed., 17 pages, many references added, introduction expanded, discussion on instabilities expanded. Matches version published in PRD

Photovoltaic (PV) packaging materials impact the module operating temperatures. This paper compares the thermal performance of thermally conductive backsheets (TCB) with the benchmark tedlar-polyester-tedlar (TPT) backsheet. In this work, the nine-cell modules with TCB_A and TCB_B typically operate at lower cell temperatures under desert climatic conditions with low wind speed whereas TCB_C and TCB_D modules operate at lower backsheet temperatures but at almost similar cell temperatures under temperate climatic conditions. The Nominal Operating Cell Temperature (NOCT) of modules with thermally conductive backsheet is lower than TPT with a temperature difference as high as 2 °C. All TCBs have higher thermal conductivity values as compared to TPT. TCBs can perform better, worse or equal compared to TPT depending on the dynamic site conditions. This paper presents only the thermal performance of backsheets and does not present any data on reliability and durability of these backsheets.

Various improved backsheet materials have been developed and used by the industry to reduce the module operating temperatures. The focus of this paper is to evaluate the thermal characteristics of modules having thermally conductive backsheets (TCB) exposed in three different climatic conditions over two years. In this work, 30 one-cell PV modules with glass/EVA/cell/EVA/backsheet were fabricated using 2 different thermally conductive backsheets (TCB_A and TCB_B) and their backsheet temperatures were compared with conventional tedlar-polyester-tedlar (TPT) under different climatic conditions. The results clearly show that TCB_A operates at lower temperatures compared to TPT under hot climatic conditions with higher ambient temperatures and wind blowing from west direction at speeds 1-2 m/s. On the other hand, TCB_B operates at lower temperature than TPT under temperate climatic conditions with ambient temperatures between 25 and 35 °C and wind blowing from east direction at speeds 2-3 m/s.

CPV incorporates a wide variety of technologies and options. The application of these technologies, however, is not limited to CPV only. The basic approach of the standardization for CPV is thus expanding the scope to a broader range of technologies. The knowledge gained through our activities is contributing to standardizations in PV technologies like, e.g. standards for trackers. In this regard, the standardization activities for CPV is also moving to new fields of applications.

We derive effective equations with loop quantum gravity corrections for the Lema\^itre-Tolman-Bondi family of space-times, and use these to study quantum gravity effects in the Oppenheimer-Snyder collapse model. For this model, after the formation of a black hole with an apparent horizon, quantum gravity effects become important in the space-time region where the energy density and space-time curvature scalars become comparable to the Planck scale. These quantum gravity effects first stop the collapse of the dust matter field when its energy density reaches the Planck scale, and then cause the dust field to begin slowly expanding. Due to this continued expansion, the matter field will eventually extend beyond the apparent horizon, at which point the horizon disappears and there is no longer a black hole. There are no singularities anywhere in this space-time. In addition, in the limit that edge effects are neglected, we show that the dynamics for the interior of the star of uniform energy density follow the loop quantum cosmology effective Friedman equation for the spatially flat Friedman-Lema\^itre-Robertson-Walker space-time. Finally, we estimate the lifetime of the black hole, as measured by a distant observer, to be $\sim (GM)^2/\ell_{\rm Pl}$., Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure. v2: Discussion extended, appendix added, v3: figure added, clarifications added, v4: typos corrected

A car-roof photovoltaic has enormous potential to change our society. With this technology, 70% of a car can run on the solar energy collected by the solar panel on its roof. Unfortunately, it is not a simple extension of conventional photovoltaic technology. This paper lists what we need to do to achieve the goal of running a majority of cars on renewable solar energy, after clarification of the difference to conventional photovoltaic technology. In addition to technological development, standardization will be important and this list was made highlighting standardization.

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) established a new conformity assessment system for renewable energy (IECRE) to address the industry’s need to assure investors of the value of their PV power plants. There has been significant activity in the past three years devoted to defining the requirements for several types of PV system certificates, and publication of the international standards upon which these certifications are based. Now the IECRE system faces the challenge of defining the value proposition for certification and convincing stakeholders that it should be a standard requirement in the marketplace. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the present situation and the plan for promotion of IECRE certifications to help achieve wider market penetration of PV power generation.

With the progress of the automotive technology, it will be possible that the most of the personal cars will be able to run by the solar energy equipped with high-efficiency and 3-D curved solar panels. The issue is the conventional IEC60904 international standard is based on a 2-D plane, and it is needed to expand to 3-D. Our attempt is trying to define 3-D sunshine irradiation and rating to the 3-D curved solar panels, using a newly introduced curve correction factor. This approach can be applied to the rating of the flexible PV modules. Another issue is the environmental test needed as a car-component. The required tests were compared to the typical testing conditions of PV.

The module temperature increase from ambient can be decreased by using optimal packaging materials. The focus of this paper is to reduce module temperature using innovative backsheet materials available in the industry. In this work, number of single-cell PV modules with glass-EVA-cell-EVAsubstrate structure were fabricated by varying the substrate material (different backsheets and glass) and their field operating temperatures were directly compared with conventional backsheet material of Tedlar-Polyester-Tedlar (TPT). The results showed that the Nominal Operating Cell Temperature (NOCT) of thermally conductive backsheet (TCB) modules was about 1 °C lower than the conventional TPT modules. The TCBs clearly show higher thermal conductivities and lower operating temperatures than TPT while glass modules show higher NOCT than TPT modules.

To help address the industry's needs for assuring the value and reducing the risk of investments in PV power plants; the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has established a new conformity assessment system for renewable energy (IECRE). There are presently important efforts underway to define the requirements for various types of PV system certificates, the rules for mutual acceptance of these certificates, and publication of the international standards upon which these certifications will be based. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the interrelationship of these activities for initiation of IECRE PV system certifications.

Investors would like to be confident that a PV plant will work as promised before investing large sums of money. Data showing that PV modules can withstand thousands of hours of accelerated testing are a comfort, but are not sufficient to characterize the economic useful life (EUL) of the whole PV system. An inability to be confident of every aspect of the system can motivate less favorable contract terms. In the end, a winning partnership is obtained when a carefully engineered, durable design is married with a robust quality management system and the marriage is extended across all parts of the value chain. However, this marriage is challenging because of the conventional cultural divide between design engineers and quality management specialists. International standards are being developed to facilitate this partnership and include technology-specific requirements in the quality management systems used for component manufacture and system design, construction and operation.

To help address the industry's needs for assuring the value and reducing the risk of investments in PV power plants; the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has established a new conformity assessment system for renewable energy (IECRE). There are presently important efforts underway to define the requirements for various types of PV system certificates, and publication of the international standards upon which these certifications will be based. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the interrelationship of these activities and the timing for initiation of IECRE PV system certifications.

In order to assess the antiinflammatory effects of mometasone furoate (CAS 83919-23-7, Sch 32088, MF) in an animal model of allergic airway disease, nasal inflammation (total cell count [TCC] in nasal lavage [NL]) and pulmonary inflammation (total and differential cell count) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and -challenged Brown Norway rat following pretreatment with MF or vehicle. Rats were sensitized twice over 14 days with OVA and placed into 1 of 4 protocols: Group 1: intranasal (i. n.) MF (0.001–100 µg/mL) or vehicle once daily for 3 days; Group 2: intratracheal (i. t.) MF (0.001 −0.3 mg/kg i. t.) or vehicle, one dose; Group 3: i. t. MF (0.1–1 mg/kg, i. t.) or vehicle, one dose; Group 4: nose-only inhalation (n. o. i.) of dry powder MF (estimated pulmonary deposition of MF, 1.4, 4.1, and 13.3 µg/kg) or vehicle, once daily for 3 days. Group 1 was challenged with i. n. OVA (1%) 2 h after last treatment dose. Groups 2–4 were challenged with aerosolized OVA (1%) 5 h after treatment. Assessments were performed 24 h post-challenge (Group 1: NL; Group 2: BAL; Group 3 and 4: FVC and PEF). Rats treated with MF demonstrated significant and dose-dependent improvements in nasal inflammation and lung function compared to those treated with vehicle; normalization of these markers to levels consistent with non-sensitized animals were noted at the highest MF doses. Improvements in lung function were similar with i. t. and n. o. i. administration. Pulmonary infiltration of total cells and eosinophils was significantly attenuated after one dose of i. t. MF (0.003–0.3 mg/kg). In this established model of allergic airway disease, MF significantly attenuated cellular infiltration in the upper and lower airways and normalized lung function following allergen provocation.

A series of C-21 mercapto derivatives of hydrocortisone have been synthesized and evaluated in cell based transrepression and transactivation assays. The benzothiazole derivative, compound 6 not only showed a dissociated profile in vitro functional assays but also a pharmacological profile in a Brown-Norway rat therapeutic index model of asthma that dissociated side effects (thymolysis) while maintaining efficacy against pulmonary inflammation and lung function.

Manual total and differential leukocyte counting in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) by visual microscopy is a standard means of evaluating airway inflammation and the anti-inflammatory properties of therapeutics in various animal models of lung disease. The manual cell counting method derives total leukocyte counts from BALF with a hemocytometer, and cell differentials (mononuclear, neutrophil, eosinophil) are calculated from the percentage of each cell type taken from a count of at least 200 cells on a stained cytocentrifuge preparation of the BALF cells. These manual methods are time-consuming and have inherent error–variability. The ADVIA 120 Hematology System is an automated analyzer designed to perform total and differential leukocyte analysis of blood. With the light scattering, cell lysis resistance, and cytochemical staining data from a BALF sample processed by the ADIVA, a BALF total leukocyte count and differential analysis is provided in approximately 30 s. In order to correlate automated BALF leukocyte counting by the ADVIA 120 Hematology System with manual counting, we developed a manual red blood cell lysing and white blood cell staining technique for BALF cells similar to the process used by the ADVIA. Significant correlations for BALF white blood cells were obtained for the manual (microscopic analysis) and the automated (ADVIA) methods. Comparison of manual and automated cell counts also generates the same conclusions about anti-inflammatory drug efficacy. Both manual and automated cell counting methods agree that 3 mg/kg orally administered dexamethasone inhibited cigarette-smoke-induced total BALF cell counts by ∼65% in mice and 42 μg/kg fluticasone propionate delivered by nose-only inhalation inhibited allergen-induced total BALF cells by 77% in rats. The use of the ADVIA to perform total and differential leukocyte counts in BALF will save time spent manually counting cells and this instrument will standardize the analysis of white blood cells across the laboratories currently using various manual counting preparations and procedures.

One of the key issues facing the PV industry, and renewable energy in general, is the need to assure investors of the value of their system. As one means of accomplishing this goal, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has established a new system for conformity assessments of renewable energy projects (IECRE). An important activity supporting the new IECRE system is the development of new international or national standards to be used as the basis for conformity assessments. This paper presents a summary of IECRE activities to date, a review of gaps where new standards are needed, and the latest status of efforts to fill these gaps.

The changes in short-circuit current of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules with temperature are routinely modeled through a single parameter, the temperature coefficient (TC). This parameter is vital for the translation equations used in system sizing, yet in practice is very difficult to measure. In this paper, we discuss these inherent problems and demonstrate how they can introduce unacceptably large errors in PV ratings. A method for quantifying the spectral dependence of TCs is derived, and then used to demonstrate that databases of module parameters commonly contain values that are physically unreasonable. Possible ways to reduce measurement errors are also discussed.

This study is designed to explore the impact of peer mentoring on end-of-life decision making.A controlled randomized intervention study with 203 patients from 21 dialysis centers across Michigan explored the impact of peer mentors, dialysis patients trained to help other patients, on end-of-life planning.Communicating information on advance directives (ADs) through peer mentoring significantly influenced the completion of ADs overall compared with distributing standard printed material or no specific designed intervention. However, the influence was most prominent among African Americans, not only increasing actual completion of ADs (P0.001) and comfort discussing ADs (P0.01), but also improving subjective well-being (P0.05) and anxiety (P0.05) during the study period. These effects of peer mentoring did not appear among white patients, although printed material on ADs decreased reported suicidal ideation (P0.05).These results suggest the importance of addressing specific cultural factors in the process of AD education. Common practice assumes that printed materials are effective in educating patients about health care and decision making. However, peer mentoring, a relationship-centered person-to-person approach, may be more effective in some cultural groups because it partakes of oral, rather than written, traditions. Acknowledging cultural differences and tailoring our approach could be powerful in enhancing trust and participation and decreasing potential disparities in health care outcomes.

Drug-drug interactions involving cytochrome P(450) (CYP) are an important factor in whether a new chemical entity will survive through to the development stage. Therefore, the identification of this potential as early as possible in vitro could save considerable future unnecessary investment. In vitro CYP interaction screening data generated for CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 were initially analyzed to determine the correlation of IC(50) from 10- and 3-point determinations. A high correlation (r = 0.99) prompted the further assessment of predicting the IC(50) by a single value of percent inhibition at either 10, 3, or 1 microM. Statistical analysis of the initial proprietary compounds showed that there was a strong linear relationship between log IC(50) and percent inhibition at 3 microM, and that it was possible to predict a compound's IC(50) by the percent inhibition value obtained at 3 microM. Additional data for CYP1A2, CYP2C19, and the recombinant CYP2D6 were later obtained and used together with the initial data to demonstrate that a single statistical model could be applicable across different CYPs and different in vitro microsomal systems. Ultimately, the data for all five CYPs and the recombinant CYP2D6 were used to build a statistical model for predicting the IC(50) with a single point. The 95% prediction boundary for the region of interest was about +/- 0.37 on log(10) scale, comparable to the variability of in vitro determinations for positive control IC(50) data. The use of a single inhibitor concentration would enable determination of more IC(50) values on a 96-well plate and result in more economical use of compounds, human liver or expressed enzyme microsomes, substrates, and reagents. This approach would offer the opportunity to increase screening for CYP-mediated drug-drug interactions, which may be important given the challenges provided by the generation of orders of magnitude more new chemical entities in the field of combinatorial chemistry. In addition, the algorithmic approach we propose would obviously be applicable for other in vitro bioactivity and therapeutic target enzyme and receptor screens.

As the photovoltaic (PV) industry has grown, the long-term reliability of PV systems has become increasingly important. Many organizations are taking on the challenge of this multi-faceted issue. This paper describes three closely coordinated efforts that together will provide a comprehensive set of consensus standards and specifications for the technical aspects of verifying PV system quality and bankability. These three efforts are developing standards for 1) qualifying the design for the intended application (climate zone and mounting configuration), 2) quality management systems for PV module manufacturing, and 3) system-level inspections to ensure appropriate design, installation, commissioning, and operation of PV systems. A pathway has been identified for international implementation of these standards through the International Electrotechnical Commission.

One of the key issues facing the PV industry, and renewable energy in general, is the need to assure investors of the value of their system. As one means of accomplishing this goal, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has decided to establish a new system for conformity assessments of renewable energy projects (IECRE). An important requirement for the new IECRE system is to establish which international or national standards should be used as the basis for conformity assessments. This paper presents a technical analysis of the available standards, and identification of gaps where new standards are needed.

Outlines a management development programme which contributes to the development of small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) by way of a detailed linking process, whereby the experience and skills of an unemployed manager are carefully matched with the business needs of a company. Describes how the programme has been running since 1983, evolving from that time, to take cognizance of: major changes in the profiles of unemployed managers; changes in the industrial structure of Northern Ireland; and paradigmatic shifts within the field of management development. Concludes, from evaluation, that both groups have benefited significantly from the programme, noting that it has aided many SMEs to overcome some of the major obstacles to growth, efficiency and competitiveness, while concurrently raising the confidence level of the unemployed manager, developing his/her competences and increasing future employment prospects. Considers that the programme model will prove beneficial to other training providers and support agencies that are considering link programmes as part of their management development provision.

BackgroundExercise interventions are often incompletely described in reports of clinical trials, hampering evaluation of results and replication and implementation into practice.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to develop a standardized method for reporting exercise programs in clinical trials: the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT).Design and MethodsUsing the EQUATOR Network's methodological framework, 137 exercise experts were invited to participate in a Delphi consensus study. A list of 41 items was identified from a meta-epidemiologic study of 73 systematic reviews of exercise. For each item, participants indicated agreement on an 11-point rating scale. Consensus for item inclusion was defined a priori as greater than 70% agreement of respondents rating an item 7 or above. Three sequential rounds of anonymous online questionnaires and a Delphi workshop were used.ResultsThere were 57 (response rate=42%), 54 (response rate=95%), and 49 (response rate=91%) respondents to rounds 1 through 3, respectively, from 11 countries and a range of disciplines. In round 1, 2 items were excluded; 24 items reached consensus for inclusion (8 items accepted in original format), and 16 items were revised in response to participant suggestions. Of 14 items in round 2, 3 were excluded, 11 reached consensus for inclusion (4 items accepted in original format), and 7 were reworded. Sixteen items were included in round 3, and all items reached greater than 70% consensus for inclusion.LimitationsThe views of included Delphi panelists may differ from those of experts who declined participation and may not fully represent the views of all exercise experts.ConclusionsThe CERT, a 16-item checklist developed by an international panel of exercise experts, is designed to improve the reporting of exercise programs in all evaluative study designs and contains 7 categories: materials, provider, delivery, location, dosage, tailoring, and compliance. The CERT will encourage transparency, improve trial interpretation and replication, and facilitate implementation of effective exercise interventions into practice.

We examine a proposed test standard that can be used to evaluate the maximum representative change in linear dimensions of sheet encapsulation products for photovoltaic modules (resulting from their thermal processing). The proposed protocol is part of a series of material-level tests being developed within Working Group 2 of the Technical Committee 82 of the International Electrotechnical Commission. The characterization tests are being developed to aid module design (by identifying the essential characteristics that should be communicated on a datasheet), quality control (via internal material acceptance and process control), and failure analysis. Discovery and interlaboratory experiments were used to select particular parameters for the size-change test. The choice of a sand substrate and aluminum carrier is explored relative to other options. The temperature uniformity of ±5°C for the substrate was confirmed using thermography. Considerations related to the heating device (hot-plate or oven) are explored. The time duration of 5 minutes was identified from the time-series photographic characterization of material specimens (EVA, ionomer, PVB, TPO, and TPU). The test procedure was revised to account for observed effects of size and edges. The interlaboratory study identified typical size-change characteristics, and also verified the absolute reproducibility of ±5% between laboratories.