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Electroluminescence allows rapid characterization of an entire photovoltaic solar cell and visualization of defects at the micrometer scale. Here we focus on the optoelectronic properties of silicon interdigitated back contact cells characterized by electroluminescence. The spatially resolved electroluminescence helps us control the quality of interdigitated back contact structures used in silicon bottom subcells in a three-terminal tandem perovskite on silicon solar cell. Local variations in minority carrier diffusion length, surface recombination velocity and, the impact of resistive and optical losses were analyzed by electroluminescence mapping. In addition, we quantify the radiative saturation current density and the radiative open circuit voltage using the electroluminescence spectrum of the cell. This step allows us to accurately assess the performance limits induced in the device due to the non-radiative recombination.

Abstract This exploratory study offers an analysis of Abu Dhabi’s living heritage ecosystem. It borrows from approaches predominantly used in the healthcare field and develops a value-based framework that provides a broader understanding of heritage and its integration into innovation, economic development, and societal change in Abu Dhabi. This framework includes three steps: (1) identification of the individual heritage values (‘heritage drivers’) through ethnographic interviews; (2) aggregation of the dynamics impacting the practical realization of these values and relative identification of value-based policymaking areas; and (3) suggestion of an approach that builds indicators to assess the impact of living heritage policies contributing to the achievement of the UN SDGs and their relevance to grassroots ‘heritage drivers’. This study also addresses the existing methodological gap in qualitative surveys focusing on Abu Dhabi’s cultural landscape, which is characterized by ongoing transformations. The UAE’s current social, economic, and political conditions continuously shape Abu Dhabi’s approach to using its rich tangible and intangible heritage as a catalyst for new articulations between the ‘local’ and the ‘global’. Even if the epistemological approach suggested in this paper is far from exhaustive, the interdisciplinary aspect of this research has practical implications that may be useful for international researchers and policymakers working in a variety of fields.

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Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) care has improved considerably, particularly since the implementation of a quality of care program centered on national evidence-based guidelines. Formal quality assessment is however still needed. The aim of this research was to identify factors associated with practice variation in CRC patient care. Methods CRC patients identified from all cancer centers in South-West France were included. We investigated variations in practices (from diagnosis to surgery), and compliance with recommended guidelines for colon and rectal cancer. We identified factors associated with three colon cancer practice variations potentially linked to better survival: examination of ≥12 lymph nodes (LN), non-use and use of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II and stage III patients, respectively. Results We included 1,206 patients, 825 (68%) with colon and 381 (32%) with rectal cancer, from 53 hospitals. Compliance was high for resection, pathology report, LN examination, and chemotherapy use for stage III patients. In colon cancer, 26% of stage II patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and 71% of stage III patients. 84% of stage US T3T4 rectal cancer patients received pre-operative radiotherapy. In colon cancer, factors associated with examination of ≥12 LNs were: lower ECOG score, advanced stage and larger hospital volume; factors negatively associated were: left sided tumor location and one hospital district. Use of chemotherapy in stage II patients was associated with younger age, advanced stage, emergency setting and care structure (private and location); whereas under-use in stage III patients was associated with advanced age, presence of comorbidities and private hospitals. Conclusions Although some changes in practices may have occurred since this observational study, these findings represent the most recent report on practices in CRC in this region, and offer a useful methodological approach for assessing quality of care. Guideline compliance was high, although some organizational factors such as hospital size or location influence practice variation. These factors should be the focus of any future guideline implementation.

Abstract Background Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PMVT) is a rare genetic disease associated with structurally normal hearts which in 8% of cases can lead to sudden cardiac death, typically exercise-induced. We previously showed a link between the RyR2-H29D mutation and a clinical phenotype of short-coupled PMVT at rest using patient-specific hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). In the present study, we evaluated the effects of clinical and experimental anti-arrhythmic drugs on the intracellular Ca2+ handling, contractile and molecular properties in PMVT hiPSC-CMs in order to model a personalized medicine approach in vitro. Methods Previously, a blood sample from a patient carrying the RyR2-H29D mutation was collected and reprogrammed into several clones of RyR2-H29D hiPSCs, and in addition we generated an isogenic control by reverting the RyR2-H29D mutation using CRIPSR/Cas9 technology. Here, we tested 4 drugs with anti-arrhythmic properties: propranolol, verapamil, flecainide, and the Rycal S107. We performed fluorescence confocal microscopy, video-image-based analyses and biochemical analyses to investigate the impact of these drugs on the functional and molecular features of the PMVT RyR2-H29D hiPSC-CMs. Results The voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel inhibitor verapamil did not prevent the aberrant release of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ in the RyR2-H29D hiPSC-CMs, whereas it was prevented by S107, flecainide or propranolol. Cardiac tissue comprised of RyR2-H29D hiPSC-CMs exhibited aberrant contractile properties that were largely prevented by S107, flecainide and propranolol. These 3 drugs also recovered synchronous contraction in RyR2-H29D cardiac tissue, while verapamil did not. At the biochemical level, S107 was the only drug able to restore calstabin2 binding to RyR2 as observed in the isogenic control. Conclusions By testing 4 drugs on patient-specific PMVT hiPSC-CMs, we concluded that S107 and flecainide are the most potent molecules in terms of preventing the abnormal SR Ca2+ release and contractile properties in RyR2-H29D hiPSC-CMs, whereas the effect of propranolol is partial, and verapamil appears ineffective. In contrast with the 3 other drugs, S107 was able to prevent a major post-translational modification of RyR2-H29D mutant channels, the loss of calstabin2 binding to RyR2. Using patient-specific hiPSC and CRISPR/Cas9 technologies, we showed that S107 is the most efficient in vitro candidate for treating the short-coupled PMVT at rest.

This work presents and discusses the extraction of the active dopants density of GaAs layers from the modeling of the bandgap temperature dependence derived from photoluminescence measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flora of New Caledonia is renowned as one of the world's most significant biodiversity hotpots. The contrasting soil conditions that characterize this small archipelago profoundly influence species local diversity and distribution. Because the difference between soil chemistry is likely to cause variation in leaf elemental composition, we wanted to test how different soil properties affect plant community and leaf elemental concentration. We focused on two adjacent forests, of similar physiognomy, growing on serpentinite (ultramafic rock), and on volcano‐sedimentary rock. Both soils strongly differed in their pH, cation exchange capacity, and element concentration (Al, Mn, and Ni). The two adjacent forests have a diverse endemic flora and share a relatively high proportion of species (35%–42%). The tree composition differs more than the total vascular flora. Leaf element concentrations of 30 tree species that grow on both soil types, as well as the corresponding soil–plant‐available nutrients, were analyzed. Leaf element concentrations indicated N, P, K, and Ca deficiency. Despite higher plant‐available Mn concentration in ultramafic soil than volcano‐sedimentary soil, leaf Mn concentrations were significantly higher for plants growing on volcano‐sedimentary soil. Leaf Ni concentrations were higher on ultramafic soil and Al concentration was higher on volcano‐sedimentary soil. Major differences in leaf elemental concentration were for micronutrients (metals) while macronutrients varied in much lower proportion between the two soil types, suggesting a tight regulation of macronutrients compared to micronutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory study offers an analysis of Abu Dhabi's living heritage ecosystem. It borrows from approaches predominantly used in the healthcare field and develops a value-based framework that provides a broader understanding of heritage and its integration into innovation, economic development, and societal change in Abu Dhabi. This framework includes three steps: (1) identification of the individual heritage values ('heritage drivers') through ethnographic interviews; (2) aggregation of the dynamics impacting the practical realization of these values and relative identification of value-based policymaking areas; and (3) suggestion of an approach that builds indicators to assess the impact of living heritage policies contributing to the achievement of the UN SDGs and their relevance to grassroots 'heritage drivers'. This study also addresses the existing methodological gap in qualitative surveys focusing on Abu Dhabi's cultural landscape, which is characterized by ongoing transformations. The UAE's current social, economic, and political conditions continuously shape Abu Dhabi's approach to using its rich tangible and intangible heritage as a catalyst for new articulations between the 'local' and the 'global'. Even if the epistemological approach suggested in this paper is far from exhaustive, the interdisciplinary aspect of this research has practical implications that may be useful for international researchers and policymakers working in a variety of fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]