Using photonic cooling systems to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic cells and their means of electricity production

Photovoltaic (PV) systems generate electricity from the abundance of solar energy provided by the sun, making them a significant technology in utilising clean, renewable energy. It is in our best interest to achieve the maximum possible electrical output from these systems. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are a effective technology to resource clean energy, it is in our best interest to achieve the maximum possible electrical output from these cells. Through this meta-study we discuss how the efficiency of photovoltaic systems can be optimised using photonic cooling systems (PCS). The use of laser and doppler cooling upon photovoltaic (solar) cells combat the thermodynamic property of semiconductors where increases in temperature result in a decrease in electroconductive efficiency. PCS’ ability to bring materials to the mK range theoretically improves PV systems efficiency by more than double the current practical results. However, we show the inability for semiconductors to function at such low temperatures resulting in such cells acting as insulators in the mK range. Through this meta-study we have researched efficiency of PV cells and PCS through multiple paper analysis. Using databases such as Scopus and Nature where we recognise highly cited journals/papers while focusing upon PV and PCS as search parameters. Linking between their temperature, efficiency and success during practical testing

To fail at scale! Minimalism and maximalism in humanitarian entrepreneurship

Humanitarian entrepreneurs seek to do well and do good by developing goods and services that directly address the world's most intractable problems. In this article we explore the expectations built into two of their products: a point-of-care diagnostic device and a solar-powered lantern. We show how these objects materialise both a minimalist ethic of care and a maximalist commitment to universal access for health and energy. Such maximalist commitments, we propose, are fundamentally utopian. The developers of these humanitarian goods do not envision their objects as stop-gap solutions or ‘band-aids’ for entrenched systemic failures but rather as the building blocks for new kinds of universal infrastructures that are delivered through the market. We trace the work involved in scaling-up the humanitarian effects of these devices through processes of design, manufacturing and distribution. For humanitarian entrepreneurs, we argue, to fail at delivering expectations is to fail at scale

The Welsh dark bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) is not extinct

Due to past and present imports of Apis mellifera ligustica (Italian bees), Apis mellifera carnica (Carniolan bees) and the English Buckfast bee (a hybrid strain) across its entire natural range, Apis mellifera mellifera is now threatened with extinction by genetic pollution through hybridization. Whilst the status of remnant A. m. mellifera populations is well documented on the European mainland, few studies have been undertaken to identify surviving populations on the British Isles. A few A. m. mellifera stocks are thought to persist in Scotland and the southwest of England and recently, Ireland might appear to contain multiple non-hybridized A. m. mellifera populations. 163 young worker bees, representing 121 colonies from across Wales, were genetically screened in an attempt to identify remnant A. m. mellifera stocks, as part of a conservation breeding program. Recent studies have demonstrated that honey bees of local origin have significantly higher survival chances than honey bees of non-local origin due to their adaptation to their local environment, suggesting that conservation of locally adapted honey bees is a logistical and practical possibility to develop sustainable apiculture. Within this survey, we made use of a custom-tailored SNP genotype assay to estimate the extent of C lineage introgression in the ncDNA as well as sequencing of the tRNAleucox2 intergenic region of the mtDNA to check for the ancestry of the tested coloniesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

O-Antigen Biosynthesis: Hitting the Sweet Spot for a Q Fever Vaccine

Poster presented at the 2017 Defence and Security Doctoral Symposium.Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is a pathogen with a worldwide distribution. Biological material shed from ruminant infections contaminates dirt and dust, which can cause infection on inhalation. Humans generally present with flu-like symptoms, however, patients can develop life-changing maladies such as hepatitis, chronic fatigue, and endocarditis. Q fever was initially identified as a military problem when thousands were affected during WWI. More recently, Q fever has been recognised as a problem in UK troops returning from Afghanistan. C. burnetii is classified as a CDC category B bioterrorism agent, the second highest category, yet there is no Q fever vaccine licensed in the UK/EU/US. For C. burnetii, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the main determinant of virulence, and many of the most effective modern vaccines target such sugar structures. Furthermore, the sugars that comprise the C. burnetii LPS are highly unusual, making this the primary target for vaccine development. In order to facilitate production of a subunit vaccine, focus is on elucidating the pathways for biosynthesis of two very rare sugars, virenose and dihydrohydroxystreptose (DHHS). Therefore in addition to providing the basis for a novel Q fever vaccine, for livestock and humans, this project will highlight novel biochemistry

Interleukin-4 activated macrophages mediate immunity to filarial helminth infection by sustaining CCR3-dependent eosinophilia

Eosinophils are effectors in immunity to tissue helminths but also induce allergic immunopathology. Mechanisms of eosinophilia in non-mucosal tissues during infection remain unresolved. Here we identify a pivotal function of tissue macrophages (Mϕ) in eosinophil anti-helminth immunity using a BALB/c mouse intra-peritoneal Brugia malayi filarial infection model. Eosinophilia, via C-C motif chemokine receptor (CCR)3, was necessary for immunity as CCR3 and eosinophil impairments rendered mice susceptible to chronic filarial infection. Post-infection, peritoneal Mϕ populations proliferated and became alternatively-activated (AAMϕ). Filarial AAMϕ development required adaptive immunity and interleukin-4 receptor-alpha. Depletion of Mϕ prior to infection suppressed eosinophilia and facilitated worm survival. Add back of filarial AAMϕ in Mϕ-depleted mice recapitulated a vigorous eosinophilia. Transfer of filarial AAMϕ into Severe-Combined Immune Deficient mice mediated immunological resistance in an eosinophil-dependent manner. Exogenous IL-4 delivery recapitulated tissue AAMϕ expansions, sustained eosinophilia and mediated immunological resistance in Mϕ-intact SCID mice. Co-culturing Brugia with filarial AAMϕ and/or filarial-recruited eosinophils confirmed eosinophils as the larvicidal cell type. Our data demonstrates that IL-4/IL-4Rα activated AAMϕ orchestrate eosinophil immunity to filarial tissue helminth infection

Zoonoses under our noses.

One Health is an effective approach for the management of zoonotic disease in humans, animals and environments. Examples of the management of bacterial zoonoses in Europe and across the globe demonstrate that One Health approaches of international surveillance, information-sharing and appropriate intervention methods are required to successfully prevent and control disease outbreaks in both endemic and non-endemic regions. Additionally, a One Health approach enables effective preparation and response to bioterrorism threats

Dehydropolymerization of Amine-Boranes using Bis(imino)pyridine Rhodium Pre-Catalysis: σ-Amine-Borane Complexes, Nanoparticles, and Low Residual-Metal BN-Polymers that can be Chemically Repurposed.

The sigma amine-borane complexes [Rh(L1)(h2:h2H3B·NRH2)][OTf] (L1 = 2,6-bis-[1-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)ethyl]pyridine, R = Me, Et, nPr) are described, alongside [Rh(L1)(NMeH2)][OTf]. Using R = Me as the pre-catalyst (1 mol%) the dehydropolymerization of H3B·NMeH2 gives [H2BNMeH]n selectively. Added NMeH2, or the direct use of [Rh(L1)(NMeH2)][OTf], is required for initiation of catalysis, which is suggested to operate through formation of a neutral hydride complex, Rh(L1)H. The formation of small (1-5 nm) nanoparticles is observed during catalysis, but studies are ambiguous as to whether the catalysis is solely nanoparticle promoted or if there is a molecular homogeneous component. [Rh(L1)(NMeH2)][OTf] is shown to operate at 0.025 mol% loadings on a 2 g scale to give polyaminoborane [H2BNMeH]n [Mn = 30,900 g/mol, Ð = 1.8] that can be purified to a low residual [Rh] (6 µg/g). Addition of Na[N(SiMe3)2] to [H2BNMeH]n results in selective depolymerization to form the eee-isomer of N,N,N-trimethylborazane [H2BNMeH]3: the chemical repurposing of a main-group polymer

Extending the boundaries of non-Indigenous science to embrace the cultural curriculum by creating a living compendium of practice

BACKGROUND Embedding cultural competence (CC) into science curricula is key to the University of Sydney’s commitment to producing students with skills and knowledge to work in cross-cultural settings. Within the Faculty of Science, there are eight disciplinary schools who have, to some extent, endeavoured to introduce CC into their delivery and content to ensure students achieve this graduate outcome. Cultural competence inclusion was initiated by the Wingara Mura-Bunga Barrabugu program, with a focus on integration of Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) into non-Indigenous science. PLAN In 2018, we initiated a CC compendium to act as a bridging space between academics, to share content and explore collaborations laterally across the faculty. ACTIONS This paper documents the process of interviewing academic staff and collating the compendium by gathering teaching materials and CC teaching approaches, highlighting the points of highest resonance within each discipline. Academics are using creative and innovative ways to extend their disciplinary boundaries, are embracing personal and professional growth by taking on this challenge and are carving out new pathways in science. REFLECTION These boundary-pushing efforts are however, marginal, and are largely being introduced by non-Indigenous academics, which raises questions about IKS inclusion as a pathway for generating CC. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank the Wingara Mura-Bunga Barrabugu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Services for funds for this project

Nanocharacterization in Dentistry

About 80% of US adults have some form of dental disease. There are a variety of new dental products available, ranging from implants to oral hygiene products that rely on nanoscale properties. Here, the application of AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy) and optical interferometry to a range of dentistry issues, including characterization of dental enamel, oral bacteria, biofilms and the role of surface proteins in biochemical and nanomechanical properties of bacterial adhesins, is reviewed. We also include studies of new products blocking dentine tubules to alleviate hypersensitivity; antimicrobial effects of mouthwash and characterizing nanoparticle coated dental implants. An outlook on future “nanodentistry” developments such as saliva exosomes based diagnostics, designing biocompatible, antimicrobial dental implants and personalized dental healthcare is presented