Crystal Phase Ionic Liquids for Energy Applications: Heat Capacity Prediction via a Hybrid Group Contribution Approach.

In the selection and design of ionic liquids (ILs) for various applications, including heat transfer fluids, thermal energy storage materials, fuel cells, and solvents for chemical processes, heat capacity is a key thermodynamic property. While several attempts have been made to develop predictive models for the estimation of the heat capacity of ILs in their liquid phase, none so far have been reported for the ILs' solid crystal phase. This is particularly important for applications where ILs will be used for thermal energy storage in the solid phase.

High-performance p-type VO films by spray pyrolysis for transparent conducting oxide applications.

High-quality epitaxial p-type VO thin films have been synthesized by spray pyrolysis. The films exhibited excellent electrical performance, with measurable mobility and high carrier concentration. The conductivity of the films varied between 115 and 1079 Scm while the optical transparency of the films ranged from 32 to 65% in the visible region.

Protein with negative surface charge distribution, Bnr1, shows characteristics of a DNA-mimic protein and may be involved in the adaptation of Burkholderia cenocepacia.

Adaptation of opportunistic pathogens to their host environment requires reprogramming of a vast array of genes to facilitate survival in the host. Burkholderia cenocepacia, a Gram-negative bacterium with a large genome of ∼8 Mb that colonizes environmental niches, is exquisitely adaptable to the hypoxic environment of the cystic fibrosis lung and survives in macrophages. We previously identified an immunoreactive acidic protein encoded on replicon 3, BCAS0292.

Small and large scale plasmonically enhanced luminescent solar concentrator for photovoltaic applications: modelling, optimisation and sensitivity analysis.

Hybrid 3D Finite difference time domain-Monte Carlo ray tracing (FDTD-MCRT) algorithm has been developed to model and optimise small and large scale plasmonically-enhanced luminescent solar concentrator (pLSC) devices for photovoltaic (PV) applications. The configuration parameters (for example, dimensions, shape, and optical properties of metal nanoparticles, luminescent species, and host material) were used to characterise the probability of optical energy transfer and loss processes, as well as reflection, refraction, absorption, emission enhancement, and total internal reflection (TIR) in the pLSC. The algorithm was validated through modelling of various doping concentrations of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QD) and gold nano spheres (Au NS) where ∼50% enhancement in optical conversion efficiency (OCE) was observed for a plasmonic composite of 2 ppm Au NS and 0.

Polarization-sensitive anisotropic plasmonic properties of quantum dots and Au nanorod composites.

Polarization-sensitive anisotropic plasmonic interaction between gold nanorods (AuNRs) and quantum dots (QDs) encapsulated in an epoxy resin polymer has been experimentally investigated. The anisotropic plasmonic interaction utilized the polarization-dependent plasmonic properties of aligned AuNR in AuNR-QD composite. AuNRs were aligned by an external AC electric field of 3.

Nanofluid Development Using Silver Nanoparticles and Organic-Luminescent Molecules for Solar-Thermal and Hybrid Photovoltaic-Thermal Applications.

Exploiting solar energy using photo-thermal (PT) and/or hybridised photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) systems can represent a viable alternative to the growing demand for renewable energy. For large-scale implementation, such systems require thermal fluids able to enhance the combined conversion efficiency achievable by controlling the 'thermal' and 'electrical' components of the solar spectrum. Nanofluids are typically employed for these purposes and they should exhibit high heat-transfer capabilities and optical properties tuned towards the peak performance spectral window of the photovoltaic (PV) component.

Unified Methodology for Fabrication and Quantification of Gold Nanorods, Gold Core Silver Shell Nanocuboids, and Their Polymer Nanocomposites.

A multitude of applications is related to the unique properties of absorption, scattering, and plasmon-enhanced phenomena of metal nanoparticles (MNPs). The aqueous colloidal-based synthesis of MNPs is used more widely as it allows precise shape and size control. However, for various applications, it is required to have the MNPs in an organic solvent or polymer that is compatible with the MNPs.

Beyond CAR T Cells: Other Cell-Based Immunotherapeutic Strategies Against Cancer.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells have successfully harnessed T cell immunity against malignancies, but they are by no means the only cell therapies in development for cancer. Systemic immunity is thought to play a key role in combatting neoplastic disease; in this vein, genetic modifications meant to explore other components of T cell immunity are being evaluated. In addition, other immune cells-from both the innate and adaptive compartments-are in various stages of clinical application.

The involvement of the low-oxygen-activated locus of Burkholderia cenocepacia in adaptation during cystic fibrosis infection.

Chronic infection with opportunistic pathogens including Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF). We investigated the adaptive mechanisms facilitating chronic lung infection in sequential Bcc isolates from two siblings with CF (P1 and P2), one of whom also experienced intermittent blood-stream infections (P2). We previously showed increased lung cell attachment with colonisation time in both P1 and P2.

Antiviral T Cells for Adenovirus in the Pretransplant Period: A Bridge Therapy for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency.

Viral infections can be life threatening in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and other forms of profound primary immunodeficiency disorders both before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Adoptive immunotherapy with virus-specific T cells (VSTs) has been utilized in many patients in the setting of HSCT, but has very rarely been attempted for treatment of viral infections before HSCT. Here we describe the use of VSTs in an infant with RAG1 SCID who had developed disseminated adenovirus which failed to improve on cidofovir.

Human papilloma virus-specific T cells can be generated from naïve T cells for use as an immunotherapeutic strategy for immunocompromised patients.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a known cause of cervical cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and laryngeal cancer. Although treatments exist for HPV-associated malignancies, patients unresponsive to these therapies have a poor prognosis. Recent findings from vaccine studies suggest that T-cell immunity is essential for disease control.

The insulin receptor substrate Chico regulates antibacterial immune function in Drosophila.

Background: Molecular and genetic studies in model organisms have recently revealed a dynamic interplay between immunity and ageing mechanisms. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, inhibition of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway prolongs lifespan, and mutations in the insulin receptor substrate Chico extend the survival of mutant flies against certain bacterial pathogens. Here we investigated the immune phenotypes, immune signaling activation and immune function of chico mutant adult flies against the virulent insect pathogen Photorhabdus luminescens as well as to non-pathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria.

Land-cover effects on soil organic carbon stocks in a European city.

Soil is the vital foundation of terrestrial ecosystems storing water, nutrients, and almost three-quarters of the organic carbon stocks of the Earth's biomes. Soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks vary with land-cover and land-use change, with significant losses occurring through disturbance and cultivation. Although urbanisation is a growing contributor to land-use change globally, the effects of urban land-cover types on SOC stocks have not been studied for densely built cities.

Are soils in urban ecosystems compacted? A citywide analysis.

Soil compaction adversely influences most terrestrial ecosystem services on which humans depend. This global problem, affecting over 68 million ha of agricultural land alone, is a major driver of soil erosion, increases flood frequency and reduces groundwater recharge. Agricultural soil compaction has been intensively studied, but there are no systematic studies investigating the extent of compaction in urban ecosystems, despite the repercussions for ecosystem function.

Luminescent Solar Concentrators--a review of recent results.

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) generally consist of transparent polymer sheets doped with luminescent species. Incident sunlight is absorbed by the luminescent species and emitted with high quantum efficiency, such that emitted light is trapped in the sheet and travels to the edges where it can be collected by solar cells. LSCs offer potentially lower cost per Wp.

Running promotes wakefulness and increases cataplexy in orexin knockout mice.

Study Objective: People with narcolepsy and mice lacking orexin/hypocretin have disrupted sleep/wake behavior and reduced physical activity. Our objective was to identify physiologic mechanisms through which orexin deficiency reduces locomotor activity.

Design: We examined spontaneous wheel running activity and its relationship to sleep/wake behavior in wild type (WT) and orexin knockout (KO) mice.

Afferents to the orexin neurons of the rat brain.

Emotions, stress, hunger, and circadian rhythms all promote wakefulness and behavioral arousal. Little is known about the pathways mediating these influences, but the orexin-producing neurons of the hypothalamus may play an essential role. These cells heavily innervate many wake-promoting brain regions, and mice lacking the orexin neurons have narcolepsy and fail to rouse in response to hunger (Yamanaka et al.

Behavioral state instability in orexin knock-out mice.

Narcolepsy is caused by a lack of orexin (hypocretin), but the physiologic process that underlies the sleepiness of narcolepsy is unknown. Using orexin knock-out (KO) mice as a model of narcolepsy, we critically tested the three leading hypotheses: poor circadian control of sleep and wakefulness, inadequate activation of arousal regions, or abnormal sleep homeostasis. Compared with wild-type (WT) littermates, orexin KO mice had essentially normal amounts of sleep and wake, but wake and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) bouts were very brief, with many more transitions between all behavioral states.