Reconfigured single- and double-diode models for improved modelling of solar cells/modules.

Proper modeling of PV cells/modules through parameter identification based on the real current-voltage (I-V) data is important for the efficiency of PV systems. Most related works have concentrated on the classical single-diode model (SDM) and double-diode model (DDM) and their parameter extraction by various metaheuristic algorithms. In order to render more accurate and representative modeling, this paper adds a small resistance in series with the diodes in SDM and DDM.

HiQ-FPAR: A High-Quality and Value-added MODIS Global FPAR Product from 2000 to 2023.

The Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR) is essential for assessing vegetation's photosynthetic efficiency and ecosystem energy balance. While the MODIS FPAR product provides valuable global data, its reliability is compromised by noise, particularly under poor observation conditions like cloud cover. To solve this problem, we developed the Spatio-Temporal Information Composition Algorithm (STICA), which enhances MODIS FPAR by integrating quality control, spatio-temporal correlations, and original FPAR values, resulting in the High-Quality FPAR (HiQ-FPAR) product.

Deep eutectic solvent enhances antibacterial activity of a modular lytic enzyme against Acinetobacter baumannii.

In this study, we evaluated the combined effect between MLE-15, a modular lytic enzyme composed of four building blocks, and reline, a natural deep eutectic solvent. The bioinformatic analysis allowed us to determine the spatial architecture of MLE-15, whose components were bactericidal peptide cecropin A connected via a flexible linker to the cell wall binding domain (CBD) of mesophilic 201ϕ2 - 1 endolysin and catalytic domain (EAD) of highly thermostable Ph2119 endolysin. The modular enzyme showed high thermostability with the melting temperature of 93.

multistrap: boosting phylogenetic analyses with structural information.

In a phylogeny, trustworthy reliability branch support estimates are as important as the tree itself. We show that reliability support values based on bootstrapping can be improved by combining sequence and structural information from proteins. Our approach relies on the systematic comparison of homologous intra-molecular structural distances.

Atlantic overturning inferred from air-sea heat fluxes indicates no decline since the 1960s.

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is crucial for global ocean carbon and heat uptake, and controls the climate around the North Atlantic. Despite its importance, quantifying the AMOC's past changes and assessing its vulnerability to climate change remains highly uncertain. Understanding past AMOC changes has relied on proxies, most notably sea surface temperature anomalies over the subpolar North Atlantic.

The Toxoplasma rhoptry protein ROP55 is a major virulence factor that prevents lytic host cell death.

Programmed-cell death is an antimicrobial defense mechanism that promotes clearance of intracellular pathogens. Toxoplasma counteracts host immune defenses by secreting effector proteins into host cells; however, how the parasite evades lytic cell death and the effectors involved remain poorly characterized. We identified ROP55, a rhoptry protein that promotes parasite survival by preventing lytic cell death in absence of IFN-γ stimulation.

Structural basis of phosphate export by human XPR1.

Phosphorus in crucial for all living organisms. In vertebrate, cellular phosphate homeostasis is partly controlled by XPR1, a poorly characterized inositol pyrophosphate-dependent phosphate exporter. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of human XPR1, which forms a loose dimer with 10 transmembrane helices (TM) in each protomer.

Structural basis of Spliced Leader RNA recognition by the Trypanosoma brucei cap-binding complex.

Kinetoplastids are a clade of eukaryotic protozoans that include human parasitic pathogens like trypanosomes and Leishmania species. In these organisms, protein-coding genes are transcribed as polycistronic pre-mRNAs, which need to be processed by the coupled action of trans-splicing and polyadenylation to yield monogenic mature mRNAs. During trans-splicing, a universal RNA sequence, the spliced leader RNA (SL RNA) mini-exon, is added to the 5'-end of each mRNA.

Morphological and functional convergence of visual projection neurons from diverse neurogenic origins in Drosophila.

The Drosophila visual system is a powerful model to study the development of neural circuits. Lobula columnar neurons-LCNs are visual output neurons that encode visual features relevant to natural behavior. There are ~20 classes of LCNs forming non-overlapping synaptic optic glomeruli in the brain.

NEMS generated electromechanical frequency combs.

This paper presents a novel technique for low-power generation of frequency combs (FC) over a wide frequency range. It leverages modal interactions between electrical and mechanical resonators in electrostatic NEMS operating in air to provide a simple architecture for FC generators. A biased voltage signal drives the electrical resonator at resonance which is set to match an integer submultiple of twice the mechanical resonator's resonance.

Cutting through the noise: A narrative review of Alzheimer's disease plasma biomarkers for routine clinical use.

As novel, anti-amyloid therapies have become more widely available, access to timely and accurate diagnosis has become integral to ensuring optimal treatment of patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD). Plasma biomarkers are a promising tool for identifying AD pathology; however, several technical and clinical factors need to be considered prior to their implementation in routine clinical use. Given the rapid pace of advancements in the field and the wide array of available biomarkers and tests, this review aims to summarize these considerations, evaluate available platforms, and discuss the steps needed to bring plasma biomarker testing to the clinic.

Health data: Regionalised access is a priority challenge for building a secure, transparent and innovative national health data repository.

France has been engaged in a legal and organisational transition for many years. It has had to adapt its national framework to the legal requirements of personal data protection, European ambitions and international competition. From the Data Protection Act of 1978 to the Healthcare System Transformation Act of 2019, reforms have strengthened requirements in terms of personal data protection, while opening the way to innovative uses.

Artificial intelligence-based biomarkers for treatment decisions in oncology.

The development of new therapeutic strategies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and targeted therapies has increased the complexity of the treatment landscape for solid tumors. At the current rate of annual FDA approvals, the potential treatment options could increase by tenfold over the next 5 years. The cost of personalized medicine technologies limits its accessibility, thus increasing socioeconomic disparities in the treated population.

Lifestyle and Health Behavior Changes in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Role for Mental Health Symptoms and Diagnosis and Daily Life Difficulties During Lockdown in Lebanon.

Several studies report significant changes in lifestyle habits during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet results are largely heterogeneous across populations. We examined changes in lifestyle and health behaviors during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Lebanon and assessed whether mental and physical health indicators and outbreak- and lockdown-related factors are related to these changes. Data come from a cross-sectional online survey (May-June 2020) which assessed changes in smoking, alcohol, diet, eating behavior, physical activity, sleep hours, sleep satisfaction, social media use, self-rated health, and life satisfaction ( = 494).

Associations between potential risk factors and blood-brain barrier water permeability in middle-aged and older adults.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is suggested to be a potential mediator between vascular risk factors and cognitive impairment, leading to vascular cognitive impairment. To investigate the relationships between age, sex, and vascular risk factors and BBB water permeability as well as their relationship with cognition. To measure BBB permeability, a novel arterial spin labelling MRI technique (ME-ASL) was applied to derive the time of exchange (Tex), arterial time transit (ATT), and cerebral blood flow (CBF).

Separation of polar and neutral lipids from mammalian cell lines by high-performance thin-layer chromatography.

The introduction of high-performance TLC (HPTLC) instrumentation that allows precise control of critical parameters has transformed the technique into an efficient and rapid tool for analyzing various metabolites, namely lipids. Although mass spectrometry (MS) has largely replaced lipid analysis techniques over recent decades due to its comprehensive lipidome profiling capabilities, it typically lacks the rapidity and simplicity of TLC. HPTLC remains advantageous due to its ease of use, simpler data interpretation, and compatibility with complementary techniques.

Surgical Bailout in Patients Undergoing Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Incidence, Trends, and Clinical Outcomes.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) harbors the risk of periprocedural complications that require emergent cardiac surgery, or "surgical bailout." Surgical bailout intends to be lifesaving but is associated with high mortality. This has given rise to discussion on the necessity of surgical backup during TAVR.

Initial Decline in Glomerular Filtration Rate With Finerenone in HFmrEF/HFpEF: A Prespecified Analysis of FINEARTS-HF.

Background: An initial decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) often leads to reluctance to continue life-saving therapies in patients with heart failure (HF).

Objectives: The goal of this study was to describe the association between initial decline in eGFR and subsequent clinical outcomes in patients randomized to placebo or finerenone.

Methods: In this prespecified analysis of FINEARTS-HF (Finerenone Trial to Investigate Efficacy and Safety Superior to Placebo in Patients with Heart Failure), we examined the association between initial decline in eGFR (≥15%) from randomization to 1 month and subsequent outcomes in patients assigned to finerenone or placebo.

Association between patient perception of disease status and different components of the Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) criteria in psoriatic arthritis.

Objective: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the relationship between the criteria met of the Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) score for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and patient-perceived disease status.

Methods: We analysed data from the ReFlaP study (NCT03119805), a cross-sectional international study of adult patients with PsA. Patients self-reported if they felt their PsA was in remission (REM), low disease activity (LDA) or neither.

Baricitinib dose reduction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis achieving sustained disease control: Final results from the RA-BEYOND study.

Objective: This study examines the impact of dose step-down in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who achieved sustained disease control with baricitinib 4-mg once-daily up to 96-weeks.

Methods: Patients who completed a baricitinib phase 3 study could enter a long-term extension (LTE). In the LTE, patients who received baricitinib 4-mg for ≥15 months and maintained clinical disease activity index (CDAI) low disease activity (LDA) or remission (REM) were blindly randomized to continue 4-mg or taper to 2-mg.