Power output optimization OF DSSC with Fe-Ni cocopant, TiO2 photoanode and carbon nanotubes as counter electrode

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are seen to be as the promising alternative to silicon solar cell due to its simple and low-cost fabrication. The study made use of Fe-Ni doped TiO2 nanopowder using sol-gel method to form the anode and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as the counter electrode. The experiment studied on the optimization of the performance of DSSC subjected to different factors such as TiO2 photoanode thickness, concentration of MWCNT counter electrode and incorporation of dopants such as Iron and Nickel to the photoanode component. In fabricating the DSSC, iodide/triiodide under acetonitrile solvent was prepared as electrolyte solution and cis-bis(isothiocyanato)bis(2,2-bipyridyl-4,4-dicarboxylato)-ruthenium(II) dye (N3) was used as sensitizer. Three factors were studied using RSM (Box-behnken method). Three different TiO2 photoanode film thicknesses with dopant ratio of Pure Fe, 1:1 Fe-Ni and Pure Ni were combined with three different amounts of MWCNT counter electrodes. The samples were characterized by SEM and UV-Vis spectroscopy to investigate the microstructure of the TiO2 film while XRD was done to investigate the crystalline property and particle size of the doped TiO2. The solar cells were tested under artificial light and sunlight. The optimum setup that gives the maximum power was the TiO2 thickness of 105.44 µm, 625.37 mg of CNT/10 mL solvent counter electrode concentration and dopant ratio of 2.175:1 Fe-Ni doped TiO2 (68.5% Fe, 31.5% Ni). It yielded a maximum efficiency of 3.77% . Doping by sol-gel method for the TiO2 photoanode of DSSC gave a good result for minimizing the cracks developed in its microstructure which resulted into higher efficiency compared to undoped TiO2

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Laboratory: Strategies to Enhance Inclusive Laboratory Culture

Building a diverse laboratory that is equitable is critical for the retention of talent and the growth of trainees professionally and personally. Here, we outline several strategies including enhancing understanding of cultural competency and humility, establishing laboratory values, and developing equitable laboratory structures to create an inclusive laboratory environment to enable trainees to achieve their highest success

Cardiovascular hemodynamics in mice with tumor necrosis factor receptor—associated factor 2 mediated cytoprotection in the heart

IntroductionMany studies in mice have demonstrated that cardiac-specific innate immune signaling pathways can be reprogrammed to modulate inflammation in response to myocardial injury and improve outcomes. While the echocardiography standard parameters of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, fractional shortening, end-diastolic diameter, and others are used to assess cardiac function, their dependency on loading conditions somewhat limits their utility in completely reflecting the contractile function and global cardiovascular efficiency of the heart. A true measure of global cardiovascular efficiency should include the interaction between the ventricle and the aorta (ventricular-vascular coupling, VVC) as well as measures of aortic impedance and pulse wave velocity.MethodsWe measured cardiac Doppler velocities, blood pressures, along with VVC, aortic impedance, and pulse wave velocity to evaluate global cardiac function in a mouse model of cardiac-restricted low levels of TRAF2 overexpression that conferred cytoprotection in the heart.ResultsWhile previous studies reported that response to myocardial infarction and reperfusion was improved in the TRAF2 overexpressed mice, we found that TRAF2 mice had significantly lower cardiac systolic velocities and accelerations, diastolic atrial velocity, aortic pressures, rate-pressure product, LV contractility and relaxation, and stroke work when compared to littermate control mice. Also, we found significantly longer aortic ejection time, isovolumic contraction and relaxation times, and significantly higher mitral early/atrial ratio, myocardial performance index, and ventricular vascular coupling in the TRAF2 overexpression mice compared to their littermate controls. We found no significant differences in the aortic impedance and pulse wave velocity.DiscussionWhile the reported tolerance to ischemic insults in TRAF2 overexpression mice may suggest enhanced cardiac reserve, our results indicate diminished cardiac function in these mice

A pilot study on our non-traditional, varied writing accountability group for historically excluded and underrepresented persons in STEMM

Underrepresented faculty have higher burnout rates and lower grant attainment rates when compared with their non-minority counterparts. Many in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) disciplines, including underrepresented individuals, often have difficulty dedicating time to the writing process, with trainees often being relegated to laboratory tasks in their training years, resulting in a lack of practice in academic writing. Notably, past studies have shown that grant attainment rates of underrepresented individuals are lower than their majority counterparts. Here, we sought to consider a mechanism targeted to underrepresented individuals, although applicable to everyone, to help overcome traditional barriers to writing in STEMM. The authors have hosted a writing accountability group (WAG) that uniquely provides a format focused on physical activity and different forms of writing to strengthen both career development and award/funding attainment. Our objectives were to evaluate this unique format, thus creating a resource for individuals and institutions to learn about WAGs and expand upon the framework to formulate their own WAG. To do this, we performed a small pilot study (n = 21) to investigate attitudes towards the WAG. We present the results of a survey conducted among underrepresented WAG participants, which spanned different career stages and was highly diverse demographically. Our results show that following attendance of our WAG, individuals did not note a significant change in scales pertaining to John Henryism (high-effort coping), resilience, sense of belonging, or grit. However, significant increases were noted in the self-perceived ability to handle stress, confidence in applying for awards, appreciation for mentoring, and satisfaction of WAGs. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that our unique WAG format can have some positive results as a career and writing development opportunity and may be able to support underrepresented individuals in attaining funding at higher education institutions

Project Strengthen: An STEMM-focused career development workshop to prepare underrepresented minority students for graduate school

Summary: Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) programs are aimed to increase diversity in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM) fields. However, limited programs and eligibility requirements limit the students who may apply to similar programs. At Winston-Salem State University, we piloted a series of workshops, collectively termed Project Strengthen, to emulate some of the key aspects of MARC programs. Following the workshop, Project Strengthen students showed a significant increase in their understanding of essential educational development skills, such as writing personal statements, applying to graduate school, studying for the GRE, and seeking summer internships. This suggests Project Strengthen may be a potential lower cost comparable option than MARC to make up for current deficiencies in preparedness for graduate school. We also provide educational materials from Project Strengthen, including a clear framework for this seminar series, six ready-made PowerPoints to share with trainees that have been demonstrated to be effective