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A key feature of prostate cancer progression is the induction and activation of survival proteins, including the Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) family member survivin. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox effector factor 1 (APE1/Ref-1) is a multifunctional protein that is essential in activating oncogenic transcription factors. Because APE1/Ref-1 is expressed and elevated in prostate cancer, we sought to characterize APE1/Ref-1 expression and activity in human prostate cancer cell lines and determine the effect of selective reduction-oxidation (redox) function inhibition on prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Due to the role of oncogenic transcriptional activators NFĸB and STAT3 in survivin protein expression, and APE1/Ref-1 redox activity regulating their transcriptional activity, we assessed selective inhibition of APE1/Ref-1's redox function as a novel method to halt prostate cancer cell growth and survival. Our study demonstrates that survivin and APE1/Ref-1 are significantly higher in human prostate cancer specimens compared to noncancerous controls and that APE1/Ref-1 redox-specific inhibition with small molecule inhibitor, APX3330 and a second-generation inhibitor, APX2009, decreases prostate cancer cell proliferation and induces cell cycle arrest. Inhibition of APE1/Ref-1 redox function significantly reduced NFĸB transcriptional activity, survivin mRNA and survivin protein levels. These data indicate that APE1/Ref-1 is a key regulator of survivin and a potentially viable target in prostate cancer.

In this work CPV modules based on Fresnel lenses and using refractive secondary optical elements (SOEs) are investigated. Pure silicone as well as glass SOEs glued on top of the solar cells are explored in prototype modules. They are differently manufactured in respect to how the secondary optics was assembled. For example, units with secondary silicone optics directly casted to solar cells are manufactured. For a design of glued glass optics and Fresnel lenses, the optical design is analyzed experimentally. Moreover, the long term stability has been intensively tested by accelerated aging tests and outdoor experiments. Here, the focus was on the used silicone material and the adhesion of the silicone to the glass interface.

CPV systems using 3-junction solar cells have proven good performance and reliability. As the performance of 3-junction cells is saturating [1], the logical next step is the introduction of 4-junction (4-J) solar cells into CPV modules. The current world record for cell efficiency under concentrated light of 46.0% was achieved using a wafer bonded Soitec 4-J cell (SmartCell™) [1-4]. This paper discusses a new module design, optimized for harvesting the full potential provided by this high cell efficiency. Prototype modules have been built in order to explore the design space. A module efficiency of 38.9% under concentrator standard test conditions has been achieved.

In concentrating photovoltaic and thermal (CPVT) systems, direct sunlight is focused on a combined central receiver in order to generate heat and electricity at the same time. For a thorough scientific analysis and characterization of CPVT systems, an outdoor test setup has been installed at Fraunhofer ISE. The setup allows temperature dependent measurements of IV characteristics as well as MPP tracking for maximum electric energy output in continuous operation. A thermal cycle enables measurement of the thermal efficiency curve for temperatures up to 120 °C. In order to access an overall energetic assessment of CPVT systems, the energetic losses have been modeled. In this paper the test setup and its measurement equipment is presented. In addition results of a characterization of the used paraboloidal solar dish using the fringe reflection method are shown. First electric and thermal measurements have been performed. The results show good agreement with the efficiency model, which is presented as well.