Method for studying the light-induced degradation of α-Si:H/μc-Si:H tandem photovoltaic converters under increased illuminance

An experimental installation and the procedure for its use in accelerated tests of thin-film α-Si:H/μc-Si:H photovoltaic converters with dimensions of up to 100 × 100 mm on light-induced degradation under an increased illumination level (up to 10 kW/m²) are described. Estimates of the levels of photoinduced degradation of photovoltaic converters, obtained by conventional and developed procedures, are compared and it is demonstrated that the procedure for studying the photoinduced degradation at an increased illumination level can make the test duration 100 times shorter while providing fully adequate assessment of the stability of photovoltaic converters based on amorphous and microcrystalline silicon.     

Single-Crystal Rhenium-Bearing Nickel Alloys for Turbine Blades of GTE

The compositions of high-temperature single-crystal nickel alloys with rhenium additives (more than 6% Re), which have strength characteristics corresponding to foreign single-crystal alloys of the third generation, are determined. The attained level of properties justifies the use of the scarce and expensive element. An alloy with 9% Re belongs to the fourth generation of single-crystal high-temperature alloys where high-temperature strength and rhenium content are concerned.     

Rapid Biophysical Characterization and NMR Spectroscopy Structural Analysis of Small Proteins from Bacteria and Archaea

Proteins encoded by small open reading frames (sORFs) have a widespread occurrence in diverse microorganisms and can be of high functional importance. However, due to annotation biases and their technically challenging direct detection, these small proteins have been overlooked for a long time and were only recently rediscovered. The currently rapidly growing number of such proteins requires efficient methods to investigate their structure–function relationship. Herein, a method is presented for fast determination of the conformational properties of small proteins. Their small size makes them perfectly amenable for solution-state NMR spectroscopy. NMR spectroscopy can provide detailed information about their conformational states (folded, partially folded, and unstructured). In the context of the priority program on small proteins funded by the German research foundation (SPP2002), 27 small proteins from 9 different bacterial and archaeal organisms have been investigated. It is found that most of these small proteins are unstructured or partially folded. Bioinformatics tools predict that some of these unstructured proteins can potentially fold upon complex formation. A protocol for fast NMR spectroscopy structure elucidation is described for the small proteins that adopt a persistently folded structure by implementation of new NMR technologies, including automated resonance assignment and nonuniform sampling in combination with targeted acquisition.     

Heat Shock Protein 90 as Therapeutic Target for CVDs and Heart Ageing

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, representing approximately 32% of all deaths worldwide. Molecular chaperones are involved in heart protection against stresses and age-mediated accumulation of toxic misfolded proteins by regulation of the protein synthesis/degradation balance and refolding of misfolded proteins, thus supporting the high metabolic demand of the heart cells. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is one of the main cardioprotective chaperones, represented by cytosolic HSP90a and HSP90b, mitochondrial TRAP1 and ER-localised Grp94 isoforms. Currently, the main way to study the functional role of HSPs is the application of HSP inhibitors, which could have a different way of action. In this review, we discussed the recently investigated role of HSP90 proteins in cardioprotection, atherosclerosis, CVDs development and the involvements of HSP90 clients in the activation of different molecular pathways and signalling mechanisms, related to heart ageing.     

The Role of the VEGF Family in Atherosclerosis Development and Its Potential as Treatment Targets

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, the crucial regulator of angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, lipid metabolism and inflammation, is involved in the development of atherosclerosis and further CVDs (cardiovascular diseases). This review discusses the general regulation and functions of VEGFs, their role in lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis development and progression. These functions present the great potential of applying the VEGF family as a target in the treatment of atherosclerosis and related CVDs. In addition, we discuss several modern anti-atherosclerosis VEGFs-targeted experimental procedures, drugs and natural compounds, which could significantly improve the efficiency of atherosclerosis and related CVDs’ treatment.