Modelling technique and analysis of porous anti-reflective coatings for reducing wide angle reflectance of thin-film solar cells

Bio-inspired anti-reflective (AR) coatings with porous graded refractive index structures are known to considerably reduce the reflectance of light at optical interfaces, however, research is lacking for thin-film cell application. Ray Tracing software coupled with the Effective Medium Theory were used to simulate the reflectance of nanostructured coatings placed above a thin-film system. The most optimal coating was paraboloid-shaped, with 300 nm nipple heights and spacings of 15%. The non-zero refractive index 'step' aids light trapping and energy absorption. This coating reduced reflectance in the λ = 300–800 nm range by an average of 2.665% and 11.36% at 0∘ and 80∘ incident light, respectively, whilst increasing annual energy output by 4.39% and 5.39% for standard UK roof and vertical window tilts, respectively. Significant wide angle reflectance capabilities are demonstrated at specifically λ = 300 nm and 80∘ incident light, with a reflectance reduction of 19.192%. There are now many promising manufacturing techniques for these porous nanostructures, such as AR or wavelength filtering coatings for photovoltaics. Further understanding of the exact parameters needed to replicate these nanostructures must be explored to proceed

In situ X‐ray scattering of the crystallisation of basic magnesium chlorides using a laboratory instrument

A method for in situ monitoring of the crystallisation of basic magnesium chlorides using a laboratory-based SAXS (small angle X-ray scattering)/ WAXS (wide angle X-ray scattering) instrument is demonstrated. By simultaneous acquisition of SAXS/WAXS, time-resolved particle size and phase evolution information was obtained for crystallisation of Mg3Cl(OH)5 ⋅ 4 H2O. Comparison of SAXS and WAXS data provides new mechanistic insights into the formation of this material, from long-range crystallographic order to nanoscale particle size, highlighting the information laboratory instruments can provide

Soft novel form of white-etching matter and ductile failure of carbide-free bainitic steels under rolling contact stresses

There has been a great deal of work on the formation of hard white-etching regions in conventional bearing steels such as 1C-1.5Cr wt% when subjected repeatedly to rolling contact stresses. The regions are a consequence of localised mechanical attrition across microcrack faces and mixing, which refine the local structure and force cementite to dissolve. This white-etching matter is often associated with brittle phenomena because the hardness can exceed 1100 HV. In contrast, carbide-free mixtures of bainitic ferrite and retained austenite when subjected to the same loading have been unexpectedly found not to develop the characteristic patches of hard material and to show instead signs of ductility in the attrited regions. The work presented here shows that the white-etching areas that develop in carbide-free bainite are $\textit{softer}$ than their surroundings, whether they are in hard nanostructured bainite destined for bearing applications or when the steel is designed for the manufacture of rails. Advanced characterisation tools were used for the first time to understand carbon redistribution during its formation. The deep interest about soft white-etching matter originates from the idea that it could lead to the reduction in premature failure of wind turbine gearbox bearings and white-etching layer grinding of rails.W. Solano-Alvarez appreciates and acknowledges funding by CONACYT, the Cambridge Overseas Trust, and the Roberto Rocca Education Programme. Part of this research was financed under EPSRC grant EP/M023303/1 “Designing steel composition and microstructure to better resist degradation during wheel-rail contact” in collaboration with the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), the Department of Transport, the University of Leeds, and Cranfield University for which we are thankful.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2016.09.01

Hyperfunctional complement C3 promotes C5-dependent atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in mice

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is frequently associated in humans with loss-of-function mutations in complement-regulating proteins or gain-of-function mutations in complement-activating proteins. Thus, aHUS provides an archetypal complement-mediated disease with which to model new therapeutic strategies and treatments. Herein, we show that, when transferred to mice, an aHUS-associated gain-of-function change (D1115N) to the complement-activation protein C3 results in aHUS. Homozygous C3 p.D1115N (C3KI) mice developed spontaneous chronic thrombotic microangiopathy together with hematuria, thrombocytopenia, elevated creatinine, and evidence of hemolysis. Mice with active disease had reduced plasma C3 with C3 fragment and C9 deposition within the kidney. Therapeutic blockade or genetic deletion of C5, a protein downstream of C3 in the complement cascade, protected homozygous C3KI mice from thrombotic microangiopathy and aHUS. Thus, our data provide in vivo modeling evidence that gain-of-function changes in complement C3 drive aHUS. They also show that long-term C5 deficiency is not accompanied by development of other renal complications (such as C3 glomerulopathy) despite sustained dysregulation of C3. Our results suggest that this preclinical model will allow testing of novel complement inhibitors with the aim of developing precisely targeted therapeutics that could have application in many complement-mediated diseases

The Astropy Problem

The Astropy Project (http://astropy.org) is, in its own words, "a community effort to develop a single core package for Astronomy in Python and foster interoperability between Python astronomy packages." For five years this project has been managed, written, and operated as a grassroots, self-organized, almost entirely volunteer effort while the software is used by the majority of the astronomical community. Despite this, the project has always been and remains to this day effectively unfunded. Further, contributors receive little or no formal recognition for creating and supporting what is now critical software. This paper explores the problem in detail, outlines possible solutions to correct this, and presents a few suggestions on how to address the sustainability of general purpose astronomical software

Interventions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in severe mental ill health: How effective are they?’- A systematic review.

Background People with severe mental ill health experience a mortality gap of 15–20 years and one of the main reasons for this is due to preventable physical health conditions. Physical activity can reduce the risk of developing physical health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease yet people with severe mental ill health are less physically active and more sedentary than the general population. Methods A systematic review was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour in people with severe mental ill health. The protocol was published with PROSPERO (CRD42021277579). Randomised controlled trials conducted in any country in any setting and published in English with an aim of increasing physical activity or reducing sedentary behaviour were included. Results Eleven unique studies were identified for inclusion. Due to the variability between interventions, outcome measures, and time points, it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis. Effect estimates suggested that three of the interventions were effective at increasing physical activity. However, the certainty of the evidence was rated as low using the GRADE approach. Conclusions The evidence on interventions to increase activity shows promise but is insufficiently robust for an intervention to be recommended in clinical guidelines. More high-quality and statistically powered trials are needed to guide best practice and policy

Neutralization potency of monoclonal antibodies recognizing dominant and subdominant epitopes on SARS-CoV-2 Spike is impacted by the B.1.1.7 variant

Interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike receptor binding domain (RBD) with the receptor ACE2 on host cells is essential for viral entry. RBD is the dominant target for neutralizing antibodies, and several neutralizing epitopes on RBD have been molecularly characterized. Analysis of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants has revealed mutations arising in the RBD, N-terminal domain (NTD) and S2 subunits of Spike. To understand how these mutations affect Spike antigenicity, we isolated and characterized >100 monoclonal antibodies targeting epitopes on RBD, NTD, and S2 from SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. Approximately 45% showed neutralizing activity, of which ∼20% were NTD specific. NTD-specific antibodies formed two distinct groups: the first was highly potent against infectious virus, whereas the second was less potent and displayed glycan-dependant neutralization activity. Mutations present in B.1.1.7 Spike frequently conferred neutralization resistance to NTD-specific antibodies. This work demonstrates that neutralizing antibodies targeting subdominant epitopes should be considered when investigating antigenic drift in emerging variants

The Development of a Multi-Modal Cancer Rehabilitation (Including Prehabilitation) Service in Sheffield, UK: Designing the Active Together Service

Cancer patients undergoing major interventions face numerous challenges, including the adverse effects of cancer and the side effects of treatment. Cancer rehabilitation is vital in ensuring cancer patients have the support they need to maximise treatment outcomes and minimise treatment-related side effects and symptoms. The Active Together service is a multi-modal rehabilitation service designed to address critical support gaps for cancer patients. The service is located and provided in Sheffield, UK, an area with higher cancer incidence and mortality rates than the national average. The service aligns with local and regional cancer care objectives and aims to improve the clinical and quality-of-life outcomes of cancer patients by using lifestyle behaviour-change techniques to address their physical, nutritional, and psychological needs. This paper describes the design and initial implementation of the Active Together service, highlighting its potential to support and benefit cancer patients