Brief notes with reference to five S.A.A.F. Squadrons (1939-1945).

The following concise notes have been compiled by the undermentioned staff members of the Military Historical and Archival Services (M.H.A.S.) as a llpecial contribution to the golden jubilee of our Air Force and this editon of "Militaria" : a Capt. P. J. Albertse, B.A., Dip. A. and Sgt. P. J. Brink - NO.3 Squadron, S.A.A.F. b Sgt. P. J. Brink - No. 15 Squadron, S.A.A.F. c Miss C. Bergh. B.A., L.S.T.D. '~ No. 25 Squadron, S.A.A.F. d Sgt. P. J. Brink - No. 40 Squadron, S.A.A.F. e Mrs. L. Glatthaar - No. 41 Squadron, S.A.A.F. These squadrons are striking examples of the conduct that characterised all the S.A.A.F. squadrons during that time

Association between TCF7L2 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a large Human Genome Epidemiology (HuGE) review and meta-analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Transcription factor 7-like 2 (<it>TCF7L2</it>) has been shown to be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2MD) in multiple ethnic groups in the past two years, but, contradictory results were reported for Chinese and Pima Indian populations. The authors then performed a large meta-analysis of 36 studies examining the association of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with polymorphisms in the <it>TCF7L2 </it>gene in various ethnicities, containing rs7903146 C-to-T (IVS3C>T), rs7901695 T-to-C (IVS3T>C), a rs12255372 G-to-T (IVS4G>T), and rs11196205 G-to-C (IVS4G>C) polymorphisms and to evaluate the size of gene effect and the possible genetic mode of action.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Literature-based searching was conducted to collect data and three methods, that is, fixed-effects, random-effects and Bayesian multivariate mete-analysis, were performed to pool the odds ratio (<it>OR</it>). Publication bias and study-between heterogeneity were also examined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The studies included 35,843 cases of T2DM and 39,123 controls, using mainly primary data. For T2DM and IVS3C>T polymorphism, the Bayesian <it>OR </it>for TT homozygotes and TC heterozygotes versus CC homozygote was 1.968 (95% credible interval (<it>CrI</it>): 1.790, 2.157), 1.406 (95% <it>CrI</it>: 1.341, 1.476), respectively, and the population attributable risk (PAR) for the TT/TC genotypes of this variant is 16.9% for overall. For T2DM and IVS4G>T polymorphism, TT homozygotes and TG heterozygotes versus GG homozygote was 1.885 (95%<it>CrI</it>: 1.698, 2.088), 1.360 (95% <it>CrI</it>: 1.291, 1.433), respectively. Four <it>OR</it>s among these two polymorphisms all yielded significant between-study heterogeneity (P < 0.05) and the main source of heterogeneity was ethnic differences. Data also showed significant associations between T2DM and the other two polymorphisms, but with low heterogeneity (<it>P </it>> 0.10). Pooled <it>OR</it>s fit a codominant, multiplicative genetic model for all the four polymorphisms of <it>TCF7L2 </it>gene, and this model was also confirmed in different ethnic populations when stratification of IVS3C>T and IVS4G>T polymorphisms except for Africans, where a dominant, additive genetic mode is suggested for IVS3C>T polymorphism.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This meta-analysis demonstrates that four variants of <it>TCF7L2 </it>gene are all associated with T2DM, and indicates a multiplicative genetic model for all the four polymorphisms, as well as suggests the <it>TCF7L2 </it>gene involved in near 1/5 of all T2MD. Potential gene-gene and gene-environmental interactions by which common variants in the <it>TCF7L2 </it>gene influence the risk of T2MD need further exploration.</p

A model for homeopathic remedy effects: low dose nanoparticles, allostatic cross-adaptation, and time-dependent sensitization in a complex adaptive system

BACKGROUND: This paper proposes a novel model for homeopathic remedy action on living systems. Research indicates that homeopathic remedies (a) contain measurable source and silica nanoparticles heterogeneously dispersed in colloidal solution; (b) act by modulating biological function of the allostatic stress response network (c) evoke biphasic actions on living systems via organism-dependent adaptive and endogenously amplified effects; (d) improve systemic resilience. DISCUSSION: The proposed active components of homeopathic remedies are nanoparticles of source substance in water-based colloidal solution, not bulk-form drugs. Nanoparticles have unique biological and physico-chemical properties, including increased catalytic reactivity, protein and DNA adsorption, bioavailability, dose-sparing, electromagnetic, and quantum effects different from bulk-form materials. Trituration and/or liquid succussions during classical remedy preparation create “top-down” nanostructures. Plants can biosynthesize remedy-templated silica nanostructures. Nanoparticles stimulate hormesis, a beneficial low-dose adaptive response. Homeopathic remedies prescribed in low doses spaced intermittently over time act as biological signals that stimulate the organism’s allostatic biological stress response network, evoking nonlinear modulatory, self-organizing change. Potential mechanisms include time-dependent sensitization (TDS), a type of adaptive plasticity/metaplasticity involving progressive amplification of host responses, which reverse direction and oscillate at physiological limits. To mobilize hormesis and TDS, the remedy must be appraised as a salient, but low level, novel threat, stressor, or homeostatic disruption for the whole organism. Silica nanoparticles adsorb remedy source and amplify effects. Properly-timed remedy dosing elicits disease-primed compensatory reversal in direction of maladaptive dynamics of the allostatic network, thus promoting resilience and recovery from disease. SUMMARY: Homeopathic remedies are proposed as source nanoparticles that mobilize hormesis and time-dependent sensitization via non-pharmacological effects on specific biological adaptive and amplification mechanisms. The nanoparticle nature of remedies would distinguish them from conventional bulk drugs in structure, morphology, and functional properties. Outcomes would depend upon the ability of the organism to respond to the remedy as a novel stressor or heterotypic biological threat, initiating reversals of cumulative, cross-adapted biological maladaptations underlying disease in the allostatic stress response network. Systemic resilience would improve. This model provides a foundation for theory-driven research on the role of nanomaterials in living systems, mechanisms of homeopathic remedy actions and translational uses in nanomedicine

Alloying from screen-printed aluminum pastes containing boron additives

We present a detailed study on alloying from screen-printed aluminum pastes containing boron additives (Al-B pastes) to further enhance the efficiency of p-and n-type silicon solar cells with an Al-alloyed back-surface field and rear emitter, respectively. Due to the high B solubility in Si, the additional incorporation of B atoms as acceptors into the Al-alloyed p+ region-referred to as Al-B codoping of Si-provides improved shielding of electrons from the recombination-active surface. Thus, alloying from Al-B pastes allows for significantly thinner p + regions and leads to a considerable reduction of the p + saturation current densities. By comparing surface-passivated p+ regions alloyed from Al-B pastes or conventional Al pastes with each other, we show that a highly recombination-active defect limits the minority carrier lifetime in these p + regions. We demonstrate that the acceptor concentration profiles of the p+ regions can easily be modified by adding different amounts of aluminum diboride or boron trioxide as B sources to the Al pastes

Development of rear passivated laser grooved buried contact (LGBC) laser fired contact (LFC) silicon solar cells using thin wafers

The cost per watt peak of solar modules must be reduced to ensure long term commercial viability. Manufacturing costs can be reduced by using thinner silicon wafers. Thin wafers are also advantageous in that they have lower bulk recombination. However, as wafer thickness is reduced, surface recombination becomes a limiting factor for cell efficiency. The advantages of thin cells can be exploited by incorporating a good rear passivation. The FP7 funded project 20Pl s , aims to produce well passivated 20% efficiency solar cells on 100 m Cz monocrystalline wafers.In this paper we describe the integration of a AlOx/SiOx rear passivating layer into a high efficiency LGBC solar cell structure fabricated using 100 m and 160 m thick industry standard Cz Si. These cells have significantly higher open circuit voltages (Voc) and short-circuit current densities (Jsc) than standard LGBC cells and hence show potential for higher cell efficiencies