Selecting Subpopulations of High-Quality Protein Conformers among Conformational Mixtures of Recombinant Bovine MMP-9 Solubilized from Inclusion Bodies

A detailed workflow to analyze the physicochemical characteristics of mammalian matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) protein species obtained from protein aggregates (inclusion bodies—IBs) was followed. MMP-9 was recombinantly produced in the prokaryotic microbial cell factories Clearcoli (an engineered form of Escherichia coli) and Lactococcus lactis, mainly forming part of IBs and partially recovered under non-denaturing conditions. After the purification by affinity chromatography of solubilized MMP-9, four protein peaks were obtained. However, so far, the different conformational protein species forming part of IBs have not been isolated and characterized. Therefore, with the aim to link the physicochemical characteristics of the isolated peaks with their biological activity, we set up a methodological approach that included dynamic light scattering (DLS), circular dichroism (CD), and spectrofluorometric analysis confirming the separation of subpopulations of conformers with specific characteristics. In protein purification procedures, the detailed analysis of the individual physicochemical properties and the biological activity of protein peaks separated by chromatographic techniques is a reliable source of information to select the best-fitted protein populations.     

Estimating the industrial waste heat recovery potential based on CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> emissions in the European non-metallic mineral industry

Industrial waste heat (IWH) is a key strategy to improve energy efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions in the industry. But its potential for different countries remains unclear due to a non-existent or inconsistent data basis. The objective of this paper is to assess the IWH potential of the European non-metallic mineral industry, using databases which comprise CO₂ emissions of more than 400 industrial sites as well as country- and sector-specific parameters. This sector is selected because of its homogenous nature, meaning that most sites carry out similar or the same processes, which facilitates site-level modelling with subsector-level assumptions. The bottom-up approach is employed to derive the IWH potential for this industry over the period 2007–2012. Average results in this period show an IWH potential per site of 0.33 PJ/a and a potential for the whole sector of 134 PJ/a. The countries with the largest IWH potentials are Germany, Italy, France and Spain with yearly average potentials of 23, 19, 17 and 16 PJ, respectively. The subsector with the most IWH potential is cement. Further work should focus on the improvement of methodologies to assess the IWH potential, in particular through a techno-economic assessment of links between IWH sources and potential sinks.     

IZO deposition by RF and DC sputtering on paper and application on flexible electrochromic devices

The present work describes indium-zinc oxide (IZO) sputtering depositions onto several types of papers, using radio-frequency (RF) and direct current (DC) sputtering with a ceramic IZO target. The electrical and optical properties of the resulting materials were optimized; by studying the argon and oxygen gas flow rates and the sputtering power effects. At optimal deposition conditions, thin films of IZO were achieved with a low sheet resistance (about 20 Ω/sq) and an optical transmittance of ca. 80% in the visible spectrum range. These materials retained these properties for more than 8 months. Electrochromic devices (ECDs) with several configurations were built with those conductive papers and life cycling and contrast were measured for the ECDs. These devices exhibited a very good color contrast (as defined using L^*a^*b^* color coordinates, = 32) and electrochromic cyclability up to 30,000 redox cycles.     

汽车应用中的继电器驱动器

大多数面板安装的继电器由微处理器或其他敏感的电子设备驱动。一个良好的线图驱动电路要求在继电器和微处理器电路之间进行隔离。有效的驱动电路必须考虑到驱动电流和驱动电压的要求，以及有效的抑制L di/dt的瞬态过程，谈瞬态会损坏微处理器电路。虽然现在很容易就可以设计一个复杂、有效的驱动电路，但是今天的设计必须突出成本效益。在继电器中装入单片的IC驱动器可以为系统设计师提供显著的价值。本文描述安森美半导体的集成式继电器驱动器产品的工作原理，它可以使敏感的电子设备和机械继电器连接，以获得不同的控制／功率功能。本文还介绍了该器件的一些优点，如节约印刷电路板面积和减少元件数量。     

Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure Is Associated with High Levels of Circulating microRNA-199a-5p and 22–5p and a Defective Regulation of Intracellular Calcium and Cell-to-Cell Communication

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation (AF) promotion. We determined the circulating miRNA profile in patients with AF and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and its potential role in promoting the arrhythmia. In plasma of 98 patients with HFrEF (49 with AF and 49 in sinus rhythm, SR), differential miRNA expression was determined by high-throughput microarray analysis followed by replication of selected candidates. Validated miRNAs were determined in human atrial samples, and potential arrhythmogenic mechanisms studied in HL-1 cells. Circulating miR-199a-5p and miR-22-5p were significantly increased in HFrEF patients with AF versus those with HFrEF in SR. Both miRNAs, but particularly miR-199a-5p, were increased in atrial samples of patients with AF. Overexpression of both miRNAs in HL-1 cells resulted in decreased protein levels of L-type Ca²⁺ channel, NCX and connexin-40, leading to lower basal intracellular Ca²⁺ levels, fewer inward currents, a moderate reduction in Ca²⁺ buffering post-caffeine exposure, and a deficient cell-to-cell communication. In conclusion, circulating miR-199a-5p and miR-22-5p are higher in HFrEF patients with AF, with similar findings in human atrial samples of AF patients. Cells exposed to both miRNAs exhibited altered Ca²⁺ handling and defective cell-to-cell communication, both findings being potential arrhythmogenic mechanisms.     

Novel 4H-pyranylidene organic dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells: Effect of different heteroaromatic rings on the photovoltaic properties

Eight novel Ruthenium-free dyes consisting of a 4H-pyranylidene donor, a 2-cyanoacrylic acid acceptor and several heterocyclic rings with different electronic properties are designed and synthesized. The photovoltaic performances of the related dye-sensitized solar cells are discussed and compared, obtaining the best results with the thiophene followed by the mismatched-oriented thiazole. Dyes containing a pyrrol or a matched-oriented thiazole lead to the lower efficiencies of all the series. Charge extraction (CE) and transient photovoltage (TPV) measurements were conducted in order to investigate the recombination resistance and the difference in voltage for the devices. In order to get further insight in the electronic and optical properties of the studied compounds, theoretical calculations using TD-DFT and the CPCM have been carried out.     

Efficient Transparent Thin Dye Solar Cells Based on Highly Porous 1D Photonic Crystals

A working electrode design based on a highly porous 1D photonic crystal structure that opens the path towards high photocurrents in thin, transparent, dye‐sensitized solar cells is presented. By enlarging the average pore size with respect to previous photonic crystal designs, the new working electrode not only increases the device photocurrent, as predicted by theoretical models, but also allows the observation of an unprecedented boost of the cell photovoltage, which can be attributed to structural modifications caused during the integration of the photonic crystal. These synergic effects yield conversion efficiencies of around 3.5% by using just 2 μm thick electrodes, with enhancements between 100% and 150% with respect to reference cells of the same thickness.     

A new model for public-private partnerships

In the United States, federal technology transfer programs, public-private initiatives, national centers for technology and manufacturing, research and development consortia, and university outreach centers have all been developed as public-investment-based solutions to enhancing economic competitiveness. Each of these activities has problems and shortcomings associated with it. In lieu of these traditional programs, an expanded, integrated, and self-sufficient model for public-private partnerships is proposed through which 503(c) nonprofit organizations can manage and operate technology extension programs for the state or federal government. This approach addresses small, medium, and large business in an integrated fashion in terms of nine sectors of economic competitiveness. Methods for acquiring and utilizing technology and accessing government markets are proposed. A unique method for obtaining self-sufficiency and growth is developed. The presented model leverages federal investments into an independent and self-sufficient, privately-funded partnership. This type of entrepreneurial approach to public-private initiatives has been conspicuously absent from the majority of existing federal and state funded technology programs. It is expected that this model will lead to a higher rate of return on public investment.     

Hybrid Copper‐Nanowire–Reduced‐Graphene‐Oxide Coatings: A “Green Solution” Toward Highly Transparent,Highly Conductive,and Flexible Electrodes for (Opto)Electronics

This study reports a novel green chemistry approach to assemble copper‐nanowires/reduced‐graphene‐oxide hybrid coatings onto inorganic and organic supports. Such films are robust and combine sheet resistances (<30 Ω sq^?1) and transparencies in the visible region (transmittance > 70%) that are rivalling those of indium–tin oxide. These electrodes are suitable for flexible electronic applications as they show a sheet resistance change of <4% after 10 000 bending cycles at a bending radius of 1.0 cm, when supported on polyethylene terephthalate foils. Significantly, the wet‐chemistry method involves the preparation of dispersions in environmentally friendly solvents and avoids the use of harmful reagents. Such inks are processed at room temperature on a wide variety of surfaces by spray coating. As a proof‐of‐concept, this study demonstrates the successful use of such coatings as electrodes in high‐performance electrochromic devices. The robustness of the electrodes is demonstrated by performing several tens of thousands of cycles of device operation. These unique conducting coatings hold potential for being exploited as transparent electrodes in numerous optoelectronic applications such as solar cells, light‐emitting diodes, and displays.     

Decision-making criteria and indicators for water and sanitation projects in developing countries

Water and sanitation projects for solving the needs of small communities in developing countries are complex in nature and involve complex decision-making, which must consider technical, socioeconomic and environmental dimensions. Multicriteria analysis (MCA) is a suitable decision-aid method that scores a finite number of options on the basis of a set of evaluation criteria. The main challenge in MCA is choosing the appropriate criteria and evaluation indicators to use for assessment. The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive and wide list of criteria and evaluation indicators as a guideline in MCA of water and basic sanitation projects in small rural communities of developing countries. First, the paper details the general criteria to be considered in all the projects, which are classified in to 4 main groups: technical (e.g., local resources use, appropriate management); social (e.g., local community participation, overcoming discrimination of conflict); economic (e.g., low cost, employment of local staff) and environmental criteria (e.g., atmospheric emissions, water pollution). Then, it describes technical criteria to be additionally considered in each specific type of project: water supply (e.g., water needs, independent access), water treatment (e.g., constant resource availability, flexibility of use for different types of water) and basic sanitation projects (e.g., maximum number of people per system, effluent quality).