Leaf-structure patterning for antireflective and self-cleaning surfaces on Si-based solar cells

Abstract As the naturally evolved sunlight harvester, plant foliage is gifted with dedicated air-leaf interfaces countering light reflections and ambient ruins, yet offering antireflective and self-cleaning prototypes for manmade photovoltaics. In this work, we report on an ecological and bio-inspired coating strategy by replicating leaf structures onto Si-based solar cells. Transparent photopolymer with leaf surface morphologies was tightly cured on Si slabs through a facile double transfer process. After bio-mimicked layer coverages, sunlight reflection drops substantially from more than 35% down to less than 20% once lotus leaf was employed as the master. Consequentially, 10.9% gain of the maximum powers of the photovoltaic is obtained. The leaf replicas inherited their masters’ hydrophobicity which is resistant to acidic and basic conditions. Physically adhered dusts are easily removed by water rolling. Lightwave guidance mechanism among air-polymer-Si interfaces is explicated through optical simulations, while wettability through the morphological impacts on hydrophobic states. Taking advantages of varieties of foliage species and surface structures, the work is hoped to boost large-scale industrial designs and realizations of the bionic antireflective and superhydrophobic coating on future solar cells

Leaf-mimicking polymers for hydrophobicity and high transmission haze

Abstract Gifted with unique optical and hydrophobic properties, the plant leaves have been recently considered as micro/nanostructure prototypes for functional surface engineering. Imprinting bio-inspired structures onto surfaces can yield in similar functional properties than in the nature. In this article, we report on a simple and effective method to copy leaf surface structures onto poly-(methyl methacrylate) sheets. The replicated surface structures reduce optical reflectance and enhance optical haze. Besides, the artificial polymer sheets exhibit good hydrophobic properties. Correlation between optical haze and hydrophobicity was studied

Development of a clinical prediction rule to identify patients with neck pain who are likely to benefit from home-based mechanical cervical traction

The objective of the study was to identify the population of patients with neck pain who improved with home-based mechanical cervical traction (HMCT). A prospective cohort study was conducted in a physical therapy clinic at a local hospital. Patients with neck pain referred to the clinic for physical therapy were included in the study. A HMCT program was given to participants for 2 weeks. The patient’s demographic data, Numerical Pain Scale (NPS) score, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire score were collected, and standard physical examination of the cervical spine was conducted before intervention. The NPS score, NDI and a global rating of perceived improvement were collected after the intervention was completed. A total of 103 patients participated in the study and 47 had a positive response to HMCT. A clinical prediction rule with four variables (Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Work Subscale score < 13, pre-intervention pain intensity ≥ 7/10, positive cervical distraction test and pain below shoulder) was identified. With satisfaction of at least three out of four variables (positive likelihood ratio = 4.77), the intervention’s success rate increased from 45.6% to over 80%. It appears that patients with neck pain who are likely to respond to HMCT may be identified

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field