A preliminary design for a satellite power system

Outlined here is a preliminary design for a Solar Power Satellite (SPS) system. The SPS will provide a clean, reliable source of energy for mass consumption. The system will use satellites in geostationary orbits around the Earth to capture the sun's energy. The intercepted sunlight will be converted to laser beam energy which can be transmitted to the Earth's surface. Ground systems on the Earth will convert the transmissions from space into electric power. The preliminary design for the SPS consists of one satellite in orbit around the Earth transmitting to one ground station. The SPs technology uses multi-layer solar cell technology arranged on a 20 sq km planar array to intercept sunlight and convert it to an electric voltage. Power conditioning devices then send the electricity to a laser, which transmits the power to the surface of the Earth. A ground station will convert the beam into electricity. Construction will take place in low Earth orbit and array sections, 20 in total, will be sailed on the solar wind out to the GEO location in 150 days. These individual transportation sections are referred to as solar sailing panels (SSAPs). The primary truss elements used to support the arrays are composed on composite tubular members in a pentahedral arrangement. Smart segments consisting of passive and active damping devices will increase the control of dynamic SPS modes

A Double Taboo? An Exploratory Study of Mental Health Perceptions amongst Black Aerospace Professionals

This exploratory study delves into the often-overlooked realm of mental health perceptions among Black aerospace professionals, shedding light on a double taboo within a historically stigmatized industry and community. In response to the escalating mental health crisis in the U.S. and scarcity of research focusing exclusively on the mental health experiences of Black aerospace professionals, this research endeavors to uncover their unique perspectives. The findings from the study indicate that Black aerospace professionals navigate not only the universal challenges of mental health but also complex socio-cultural and workplace factors, such as discrimination, underrepresentation, and the historic reluctance to discuss mental health. Through a robust survey comprised of multiple choice and open-ended questions that garnered over 150 responses, the study revealed a pressing demand for more inclusive mental health support and resources. Despite facing increased risks, these professionals are less likely to seek treatment primarily due to deeply ingrained stigma, socioeconomic barriers, and a lack of representation in mental health discourse. Their silence perpetuates the existing taboo and hinders the development of effective mental health initiatives within the aviation/aerospace industry. By addressing these issues head-on, this study underscores the necessity of fostering a more supportive work environment and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) practices in the aviation/aerospace sector while also providing access to pivotal resources. The study underscores the importance of breaking the double taboo—mental health within the aerospace community and within the Black community—which requires targeted efforts to destigmatize and promote open conversations about mental health

Chemical composition and structural features of cellolignin from steam explosion followed by enzymatic hydrolysis of Eucalyptus globulus bark

ABSTRACT: Bark is one of the main wastes of the chemical and mechanical processing of Eucalyptus globulus wood. The proposed biochemical processing of bark via saccharification pathway involves steam explosion (SE) pretreatment (severity factor log R0 of 4.22) followed by enzymatic hydrolysis using an enzymatic cocktail composed of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes. Almost 70% cellulose saccharification was achieved. The remaining cellolignin residue (CLEZ) was analysed for its chemical composition and structural features by conventional wet chemistry methods and a series of spectroscopic tools (FTIR-ATR, solid-state CP/MAS C-13 NMR spectroscopy and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS)). The main CLEZ component (about 51%) is acid-insoluble lignin, the chemical composition of which in terms of the ratio of syringyl (S), guaiacyl (G) and p-hydroxyphenyl (H) units (70:28:2) is very close to that in the initial bark. This lignin is highly condensed and structurally associated with condensed tannins, which makes CLEZ recalcitrant to delignification by common methods. About one third of cellulose in eucalyptus bark after SE was inaccessible to enzymatic hydrolysis and remained in the CLEZ. This cellulose, structurally similar to microcrystalline cellulose, is imbedded into the lignin-tannins condensed matrix and extremely difficult to purify. In contrast to cellulose, bark hemicelluloses were effectively removed in enzymatic hydrolysis, with only small amounts (<2%) remaining in CLEZ. Among other CLEZ ingredients, proteins and inorganic/organic salts were the most abundant. The latter includes noticeable amounts of calcium oxalate phytoliths (up to 9%), Fe and Si salts. The eventual application areas of CLEZ are discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Enhancement of physical and reaction to fire properties of crude glycerol polyurethane foams filled with expanded graphite

The reation to fire of polyurethane foams (PUFs) has been a subject of increasing relevance, so in this study the reaction to fire performance of PUFs derived from crude glycerol (CG) has been improved using expanded graphite (EG). The influence of different loadings of EG on the physical–mechanical properties of composite foams has been assessed and the results obtained show that it has significant positive impact. Moreover, the reaction to fire of the PUF and EG/PUF composites has been investigated and the results obtained showed that the fire behavior of composite foams containing as little as 5 wt% of EG are significantly improved. Indeed a dramatic reduction of the rate of heat release, mass loss rate, effective heat of combustion and specific extinction area, has been observed even for a relative low amount of EG. Likewise, the use of Infrared Thermography as a function of time has proven that, when EG is used, the combustion stops suddenly and the temperature drops sharply compared with the behavior of the unfilled PUF sample, which suggests that EG acts like a flame extinguisher. The results obtained have proven the suitability of CG for the production of PUFs and that the addition of EG considerably improves the reaction to fire of composite foams.publishe

Approaches to co-production of research in care homes: a scoping review

Background: Using the technique of co-production to develop research is considered good practice. Co-production involves the public, practitioners and academics working together as equals throughout a research project. Co-production may help develop alternative ways of delivering care for older adults that are acceptable to those who live and work in care homes. However, guidance about applying co-production approaches in this context is lacking. This scoping review aims to map co-production approaches used in care homes for older adults in previous research to support the inclusion of residents and care staff as equal collaborators in future studies. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology. Seven electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed primary studies using co-production approaches in care home settings for older adults. Studies were independently screened against eligibility criteria by two reviewers. Citation searching was completed. Data relating to study characteristics, co-production approaches used, including any barriers and facilitators, was charted by one reviewer and checked by another. Data was summarised using tables and diagrams with an accompanying narrative description. A collaborator group of care home and health service representatives were involved in the interpretation of the findings from their perspectives. Results: 19 studies were selected for inclusion. A diverse range of approaches to co-production and engaging key stakeholders in care home settings were identified. 11 studies reported barriers and 13 reported facilitators affecting the co-production process. Barriers and facilitators to building relationships and achieving inclusive, equitable and reciprocal co-production were identified in alignment with the five NIHR principles. Practical considerations were also identified as potential barriers and facilitators. Conclusion: The components of co-production approaches, barriers and facilitators identified should inform the design of future research using co-production approaches in care homes. Future studies should be explicit in reporting what is meant by co-production, the methods used to support co-production, and steps taken to enact the principles of co-production. Sharing of key learning is required to support this field to develop. Evaluation of co-production approaches, including participants’ experiences of taking part in co-production processes, are areas for future research in care home settings

Actual and ideal roles of school staff to support students with special needs: Current needs and strategies for improvement

To optimise school-based service delivery for students with disabilities, it is important to understand roles and needs of school staff. This study aimed to clarify ideal and actual roles of school staff (teachers, special educators, administrators) working with students with special needs, and to identify potential strategies to support actual roles. Ninety-five school personnel (64% teachers) from 3 different elementary schools and school boards in Quebec completed a 14-question survey. Open-ended responses were coded and analysed thematically. Common actual roles included task adaptation, offering individualized support, being available, and teamwork. Respondents felt roles could improve through in-context professional support, continuing education, teamwork opportunities extending to partnerships with families, and access to resources. Clarifying roles and expectations within a tiered-model to best support students also emerged, emphasizing the importance of sharing responsibilities across all service providers. Findings can guide implementation strategies and processes for providing effective services, enabling inclusion for students

Cross-sectional associations between sleep duration, sedentary time, physical activity, and adiposity indicators among Canadian preschool-aged children using compositional analyses

Abstract Background Sleep duration, sedentary behaviour, and physical activity are three co-dependent behaviours that fall on the movement/non-movement intensity continuum. Compositional data analyses provide an appropriate method for analyzing the association between co-dependent movement behaviour data and health indicators. The objectives of this study were to examine: (1) the combined associations of the composition of time spent in sleep, sedentary behaviour, light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) with adiposity indicators; and (2) the association of the time spent in sleep, sedentary behaviour, LPA, or MVPA with adiposity indicators relative to the time spent in the other behaviours in a representative sample of Canadian preschool-aged children. Methods Participants were 552 children aged 3 to 4 years from cycles 2 and 3 of the Canadian Health Measures Survey. Sedentary time, LPA, and MVPA were measured with Actical accelerometers (Philips Respironics, Bend, OR USA), and sleep duration was parental reported. Adiposity indicators included waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) z-scores based on World Health Organization growth standards. Compositional data analyses were used to examine the cross-sectional associations. Results The composition of movement behaviours was significantly associated with BMI z-scores (p = 0.006) but not with WC (p = 0.718). Further, the time spent in sleep (BMI z-score: γ sleep  = −0.72; p = 0.138; WC: γ sleep  = −1.95; p = 0.285), sedentary behaviour (BMI z-score: γ SB  = 0.19; p = 0.624; WC: γ SB  = 0.87; p = 0.614), LPA (BMI z-score: γ LPA  = 0.62; p = 0.213, WC: γ LPA  = 0.23; p = 0.902), or MVPA (BMI z-score: γ MVPA  = −0.09; p = 0.733, WC: γ MVPA  = 0.08; p = 0.288) relative to the other behaviours was not significantly associated with the adiposity indicators. Conclusions This study is the first to use compositional analyses when examining associations of co-dependent sleep duration, sedentary time, and physical activity behaviours with adiposity indicators in preschool-aged children. The overall composition of movement behaviours appears important for healthy BMI z-scores in preschool-aged children. Future research is needed to determine the optimal movement behaviour composition that should be promoted in this age group

Molecular networks of human muscle adaptation to exercise and age

Physical activity and molecular ageing presumably interact to precipitate musculoskeletal decline in humans with age. Herein, we have delineated molecular networks for these two major components of sarcopenic risk using multiple independent clinical cohorts. We generated genome-wide transcript profiles from individuals (n = 44) who then undertook 20 weeks of supervised resistance-exercise training (RET). Expectedly, our subjects exhibited a marked range of hypertrophic responses (3% to +28%), and when applying Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) up-stream analysis to ~580 genes that co-varied with gain in lean mass, we identified rapamycin (mTOR) signaling associating with growth (P = 1.4×10−30). Paradoxically, those displaying most hypertrophy exhibited an inhibited mTOR activation signature, including the striking down-regulation of 70 rRNAs. Differential analysis found networks mimicking developmental processes (activated all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA, Z-score = 4.5; P = 6×10−13) and inhibited aryl-hydrocarbon receptor signaling (AhR, Z-score = −2.3; P = 3×10−7)) with RET. Intriguingly, as ATRA and AhR gene-sets were also a feature of endurance exercise training (EET), they appear to represent “generic” physical activity responsive gene-networks. For age, we found that differential gene-expression methods do not produce consistent molecular differences between young versus old individuals. Instead, utilizing two independent cohorts (n = 45 and n = 52), with a continuum of subject ages (18–78 y), the first reproducible set of age-related transcripts in human muscle was identified. This analysis identified ~500 genes highly enriched in post-transcriptional processes (P = 1×10−6) and with negligible links to the aforementioned generic exercise regulated gene-sets and some overlap with ribosomal genes. The RNA signatures from multiple compounds all targeting serotonin, DNA topoisomerase antagonism, and RXR activation were significantly related to the muscle age-related genes. Finally, a number of specific chromosomal loci, including 1q12 and 13q21, contributed by more than chance to the age-related gene list (P = 0.01–0.005), implying possible epigenetic events. We conclude that human muscle age-related molecular processes appear distinct from the processes regulated by those of physical activity

Assay strategies for the discovery and validation of therapeutics targeting <i>Brugia pahangi</i> Hsp90

The chemotherapy of lymphatic filariasis relies upon drugs such as diethylcarbamazine and ivermectin that largely target the microfilarial stages of the parasite, necessitating continued treatment over the long reproductive life span of the adult worm. The identification of compounds that target adult worms has been a long-term goal of WHO. Here we describe a fluorescence polarization assay for the identification of compounds that target Hsp90 in adult filarial worms. The assay was originally developed to identify inhibitors of Hsp90 in tumor cells, and relies upon the ability of small molecules to inhibit the binding of fluorescently labelled geldanamycin to Hsp90. We demonstrate that the assay works well with soluble extracts of Brugia, while extracts of the free-living nematode C. elegans fail to bind the probe, in agreement with data from other experiments. The assay was validated using known inhibitors of Hsp90 that compete with geldanamycin for binding to Hsp90, including members of the synthetic purine-scaffold series of compounds. The efficacy of some of these compounds against adult worms was confirmed in vitro. Moreover, the assay is sufficiently sensitive to differentiate between binding of purine-scaffold compounds to human and Brugia Hsp90. The assay is suitable for high-throughput screening and provides the first example of a format with the potential to identify novel inhibitors of Hsp90 in filarial worms and in other parasitic species where Hsp90 may be a target