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This paper describes a new underwater pumped storage hydropower concept (U.PSH) that can store electric energy by using the high water pressure on the seabed or in deep lakes to accomplish the energy transition from fossil to renewable sources. Conventional PSH basically consists of two storage reservoirs (upper and lower lake) at different topographical heights. It needs special topographic conditions, which are only limitedly available in mountain regions. Furthermore, due to the lack of acceptance and the environmental impact, new conventional PSH projects are very unlikely to be built in larger numbers in Europe in the near future. The presented solution solves these issues by placing the storage system on the seabed, thus having other geographical requirements. It operates as follows: in contrast to well-known conventional PSH plants, which use two separated water reservoirs of different heights, the U.PSH concept uses the static pressure of the water column in deep waters by installing a hollow concrete sphere in deep water. Storage of electricity is achieved by using a reversible pump in the hollow sphere. Upon opening a valve, water flows into the sphere, driving a turbine/generator, thereby discharging the storage device. In order to re-charge, the water is pumped out of the sphere against the pressure of the surrounding water. The power and energy, respectively, are proportional to the surrounding water pressure at the seabed. The amount of energy stored depends on the water depth and the volume of the spheres. The spheres need a cable connection to the shore or to a close-by floating transformer station (e.g., an offshore wind plant). No other connections such as pipes are needed. The functional principle of this energy storage technology, its state of the art, its storage capacity and the shape and size of the required spheres are discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the author discusses the global events that happened in the first half of 2020 and their impacts on members of the Missouri Bar. Topics include the changes on their business plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic, how members do their job virtually, the task forces established by the bar to help their members in resolving their economic issues, and the need for state lawyers to help one another in the promotion of fair administration of justice.

In the article, the author discusses the pivot by lawyers amidst the coronavirus public health crisis. Topics include the Missouri Bar's continuous mission to help lawyers serve their clients and enhance law and justice administration in the state, the pivots made by the bar amidst the pandemic like working remotely, and its offering of free continuing legal education (CLE) programs to its members.

The article announces the appointment of Mischa Buford Epps as executive director of The Missouri Bar.

The author offers reflections on the joy of Christmas and holidays. Topics discussed include reasons to be thankful, the issue of balancing the demands of work commitments during the holiday season, how the stress associated with this season can add to personal struggles, and advice for financial planners.

The author reflects on his role as president of the Missouri Bar. Topics discussed include similarities of the members of the organization, percentage of lawyers in the Missouri Bar who serve their communities as members of boards and organizations, and challenges faced by lawyers. It also mentions incoming officers of the Bar including John Gunn and John Grimm.

The author shares his reflections about making New York resolutions that are manageable. Topics discussed include the Missouri Bar's creation of its own resolutions to better serve its members and the citizens of the state, different categories of New Year resolutions including professional, family/friends and health, and how lawyers can start new habits or practices to enrich their lives and profession.

Although mitochondria are usually considered as supporters of life, they are also involved in cellular death. Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) is a crucial event during apoptosis because it causes the release of proapoptotic factors from the mitochondrial intermembrane space to the cytosol. MOMP is mainly controlled by the Bcl-2 family of proteins, which consists of both proapoptotic and antiapoptotic members. We discuss the current understanding of how activating and inhibitory interactions within this family lead to the activation and oligomerization of MOMP effectors Bax and Bak, which result in membrane permeabilization. The order of events leading to MOMP is then highlighted step by step, emphasizing recent discoveries regarding the formation of Bax/Bak pores on the outer mitochondrial membrane. Besides the Bcl-2 proteins, the mitochondrial organelle contributes to and possibly regulates MOMP, because mitochondrial resident proteins and membrane lipids are prominently involved in the process.