Fiber-Optic Photoacoustic Generator Realized by Inkjet-Printing of CNT-PDMS Composites on Fiber End Faces

In recent years, photoacoustic generators based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are manufactured in a variety of ways, which influences the properties of the generators with respect to frequency bandwidth, sound wave pressure, robustness, and reproducibility. Due to the high optical absorption of MWCNTs and the high thermal expansion coefficient of PDMS, this combination is ideally suited for use as a photoacoustic generator. This study presents a novel method to produce photoacoustic generators based on long-term stable MWCNT and PDMS inks with a high reproducibility by means of inkjet-printing. The MWCNT-PDMS layers (thicknesses of 2–4 µm), printed directly onto the distal end face of a multimode glass fiber, show a good homogeneity and low optical transmission (19–21%). After the preparation of the fiber pieces, the inkjet printer performs all steps automatically in a time period of 30–60 s per layer. The generated ultrasonic pressure (0.39–0.54 MPa) and frequency bandwidth (1.5–12.7 MHz) can be measured at a distance of ≈4 mm with a laser fluency of 12.7 mJ cm⁻². These highly reproducible printed photoacoustic generators can be well used for nondestructive material testing and medical applications.     

Targeted Degradation of PARP14 Using a Heterobifunctional Small Molecule

PARP14 is an interferon-stimulated gene that is overexpressed in multiple tumor types, influencing pro-tumor macrophage polarization as well as suppressing the antitumor inflammation response by modulating IFN-γ and IL-4 signaling. PARP14 is a 203 kDa protein that possesses a catalytic domain responsible for the transfer of mono-ADP-ribose to its substrates. PARP14 also contains three macrodomains and a WWE domain which are binding modules for mono-ADP-ribose and poly-ADP-ribose, respectively, in addition to two RNA recognition motifs. Catalytic inhibitors of PARP14 have been shown to reverse IL-4 driven pro-tumor gene expression in macrophages, however it is not clear what roles the non-enzymatic biomolecular recognition motifs play in PARP14-driven immunology and inflammation. To further understand this, we have discovered a heterobifunctional small molecule designed based on a catalytic inhibitor of PARP14 that binds in the enzyme's NAD⁺-binding site and recruits cereblon to ubiquitinate it and selectively target it for degradation.     

Maternal Heat Stress Alters Expression of Genes Associated with Nutrient Transport Activity and Metabolism in Female Placentae from Mid-Gestating Pigs

Placental insufficiency is a known consequence of maternal heat stress during gestation in farm animals. The molecular regulation of placentae during the stress response is little known in pigs. This study aims to identify differential gene expression in pig placentae caused by maternal heat exposure during early to mid-gestation. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on female placental samples from pregnant pigs exposed to thermoneutral control (CON; constant 20 °C; n = 5) or cyclic heat stress (HS; cyclic 28 to 33 °C; n = 5) conditions between d40 and d60 of gestation. On d60 of gestation, placental efficiency (fetal/placental weight) was decreased (p = 0.023) by maternal HS. A total of 169 genes were differentially expressed (FDR ≤ 0.1) between CON and HS placentae of female fetuses, of which 35 genes were upregulated and 134 genes were downregulated by maternal HS. The current data revealed transport activity (FDR = 0.027), glycoprotein biosynthetic process (FDR = 0.044), and carbohydrate metabolic process (FDR = 0.049) among the terms enriched by the downregulated genes (HS vs. CON). In addition, solute carrier (SLC)-mediated transmembrane transport (FDR = 0.008) and glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis (FDR = 0.027), which modulates placental stroma synthesis, were identified among the pathways enriched by the downregulated genes. These findings provide evidence that heat-stress induced placental inefficiency may be underpinned by altered expression of genes associated with placental nutrient transport capacity and metabolism. A further understanding of the molecular mechanism contributes to the identification of placental gene signatures of summer infertility in pigs.     

Nothing to regret: Reconciling renewable energies with human wellbeing and nature in the German Energy Transition

Although the transition to energy supply through renewables (RE) is, in general, politically accepted in Germany, its progress is slowed by conflicting interests, primarily nature conservation and protesting residents. This study aims to find ways to solve these conflicts in Germany. To this end, the researchers developed a geospatial model that calculates RE potentials and vulnerabilities of nature and humans. Both data input and some evaluation standards are variables in the model. The outcomes are compared to an estimated total energy demand in 2050. Two ambitious scenarios (“no regret” and “compromise”) show that a maximum of 4% of the German territory is available to meet the energy demand. This demand can be met using PV in urban areas and wind in rural landscapes without significantly impairing nature's and people's wellbeing. Solar parks and other potentials not considered in the model are treated as a reserve, which can be included if the energy targets are not met under the assumed scenario conditions. Such reserves also provide flexibility for co‐determination in public participation.     

P-graph approach to criticality analysis in integrated bioenergy systems

The use of integrated bioenergy systems (IBS) is a prospective solution to address the emergent global demand for clean energy. The sustainability of IBS compared to stand-alone biomass processing facilities is achieved through integration of process units or component plants via their bioenergy products, by-products, wastes, and common utilities. However, such increased component interdependency makes the resulting integrated energy system vulnerable to capacity disruptions. IBS in particular are vulnerable to climate change-induced events (e.g., drought) that reduce the availability of biomass feedstocks in bioenergy production. Cascading failure due to such supply-side disruptive event is an inherent risk in IBS and may pose a barrier to the commercial-scale adoption of such systems. A previous study developed a risk-based criticality index to quantify the effect of a component’s disruption within integrated energy systems. This index is used to rank the component’s relative risk in the network based on the ripple effects of its disruption. In this work, a novel P-graph approach is proposed as an alternative methodology for criticality analysis of component units or plants in an IBS. This risk-based metric can be used for developing risk management polices to protect critical facilities, thereby increasing the robustness of IBS against disruptions. Two case studies on determining the criticality index of process units in an integrated biorefinery and component plants in a bioenergy park are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method.     

Neuroergonomic analysis of perihand space: effects of hand proximity on eye-tracking measures and performance in a visual search task

According to recent studies, cognitive processes are modulated by the proximity of the hands to a stimulus. Specifically, hand proximity (also known as nearby-hand or hand-presence effects) induces a bias to process information near the hands more precisely and this effect can be facilitative or debilitative depending on the task context. Two different distances of the hands in reference to the screen were studied as independent variables: hands placed on the screen and hands placed on the lap. The dependent variables were search times and different eye-tracking parameters. Given the age-related decline in the perception of peripersonal space, the results were analysed for two different age groups. Overall, we found a more detailed evaluation of information near the hands depending on age. In conclusion, the study presents a cognitive behavioural evaluation of human–computer interaction which can be used for touchscreen interface and interaction design as well as modelling human–system interaction.     

Youth sport participation—a view of the issues: Introduction to the special section.

Sport participation among children and youth is ubiquitous in U.S. society. As such, it is imperative to understand how and under what conditions youth engagement in organized sport promotes or interferes with development. Each article in this special section has a unique lens on sport programs and advances our understanding about the contributions of individual characteristics, features of the context, and the process between the two that leads to different developmental trajectories for youth. In combination, the perspectives and findings provided in these articles can help guide future research and the development of programs and interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fullerenes and Nanotubes from Coal

Graphite has normally been used to synthesise fullerenes and nanotubes. However, coal is a cheaper and more suitable industrial material. Because coal is a molecular solid, unlike graphite, the mechanism by which fullerene and nanotubes are formed is different. Moreover, other products such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and microfibres are also formed. In this review, the mechanism of formation of fullerene and nanotubes from coal is discussed. It is shown that the pathway involved is other than through the C₁ intermediate route. The influence of other elements in coal such as hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur and iron is also discussed. It appears that, hydrogen, oxygen, iron and sulfur affect the yield and type of fullerenes and nanotubes formed.