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PV Backsheets Survey Protocol: A Framework for Geo-Spatial Field Surveys for Bulk Material Characterization and Reliability Analysis Applied Across 41 PV systems
Full text linkAs widespread adoption of photovoltaic (PV) technologies continues, understanding the lifetime of modules is paramount to the viability of the industry as an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional energy generation. Although power degradation can affect the total energy production of a module over its lifetime, module safety failures necessitate the removal of a module leading to a loss of not only the particular asset, but the earning potential of the device. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that the components that provide essential safety functions for PV module operate for their entire rated lifetime. PV backsheets provide necessary electrical insulation to the completed device and failure of this component is cause for a immediate removal of the module. Degradation of the PV module backsheet has led to module safety failures in large-scale installations, costing millions of dollars in damages and lost potential revenue. The spatio-temporal degradation of fielded PV modules is important to study in order to identify which modules within installations are experiencing the greatest exposure conditions and in turn have the highest chance of failure. This paper describes a comprehensive field survey protocol developed for monitoring PV module backsheet performance using solely non-destructive methods in commercial PV fields. The protocol establishes a field naming convention, sampling method, data handling requirements, and measurement procedures. By ensuring consistent data collection practices, the field survey protocol enables research groups to obtain data of uniform quality on backsheet performance over multiple years and locations. In this study, the developed protocol was implemented at forty-one PV sites. Eight different types of airside layer backsheet materials including poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), acrylic PVDF, poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene-co-vinylidene fluoride) (THV), poly(vinyl fluoride) (PVF), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and glass were identified using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The field survey results show that the spatial distribution of degradation indicators are non-uniform within a particular module, individual site, and across site locations. The degradation of PV modules increased in severity for modules mounted at the edge of rows (across a field) and near the junction box (within a module). This study demonstrates the sensitivity of material performance to exposure length across different materials and climates
Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy: Potential Advances for Reducing Cystic Fibrosis Infection and Organ Inflammation
No full textInnovation in cystic fibrosis (CF) supportive care, including implementing new antimicrobial agents, improved physiotherapy, and highly effective modulators therapy, has advanced patient survival into the 4th and 5th decades of life. However, even with these remarkable improvements in therapy, CF patients continue to suffer from pulmonary infection and other visceral organ complications associated with long-term deficient cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) expression. Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been utilized in tissue engineering based upon their capacity to provide structural components of mesenchymal tissues. An alternative role of MSCs, however is their versatile utilization as cell-based infusion powerhouses due to the unique capacity to deliver milieu specific soluble biologic factors, promoting immune supportive antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potency. MSCs derived from umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, adipose and other tissues can be expanded in ex vivo using good manufacturing procedure facilities for a safe, unique therapeutic to reduce and limit CF infection and facilitate the resolution of multi-organ inflammation. In our efforts, we conducted extensive preclinical development and validation of an allogeneic derived bone marrow derived MSC product in preparation for a clinical trial in CF. In this process, potency models were developed to ensure the functional capacity of the MSC product to provide clinical benefit. In vitro, murine in vivo and patient tissue ex vivo potency models were utilized to follow MSC anti-infective and anti-inflammatory potency associated with the CFTR deficient environment. We showed in our “First in CF” clinical trial that the allogeneic MSCs obtained from healthy volunteer bone marrow samples were safe. The advent of improved CF care measures and exciting new small molecules has changed the survival and morbidity phenotype of patients with CF, however, there are CF patients who cannot tolerate or have genotypes that are non-responsive to modulators. Additionally, even with the small molecule therapy, CF patients are living longer, but without genetic correction, with the CF disease manifestation aggravated by the continuance of pre-existing CFTR-associated clinical issues such as ongoing inflammation. MSCs secrete bio-active factors that enhance and protect tissue function and can promote “self-immune” regulation. These properties can provide therapeutic support for the traditional and changing face of CF disease clinical complications. Further, MSC-derived bio-active factors can directly mitigate colonizing pathogens\u27 survival by producing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) which change the pathogen surface and increase host recognition, elimination, and sensitivity to antibiotics. Herein, we review the potential of MSC therapeutics for treating many facets of CF, emphasizing the potential for providing great additive therapeutics for managing morbidity and quality of life
Disparities in Dysphagia Care Among Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study
No full textObjective: To investigate the incidence of dysphagia among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and assess disparities in utilization of speech-language pathology (SLP) services across different demographic groups. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Analysis of data from the TriNetX global health network, comprising over 125 million deidentified electronic health records worldwide. Methods: HNC patients diagnosed with oral, oropharyngeal, laryngeal, or nasopharyngeal cancer with and without dysphagia between January 1, 2004 and October 30, 2024 were identified. Patients were divided into two cohorts for comparison: those who received SLP services after dysphagia diagnosis and those who did not. The association of demographic characteristics (sex, ethnicity, and race) with SLP services were analyzed. Results: Of 269,629 HNC patients, 28.8% (n = 77,562) were diagnosed with dysphagia. Significant disparities were found: female and non-White patients were less likely to be diagnosed with dysphagia. Once diagnosed, female, Hispanic/Latino, and non-White patients were also significantly less likely to receive SLP services compared to female, Hispanic/Latino, and non-White patients. Overall, only 38.8% of patients with dysphagia received SLP services. Conclusion: This study highlights significant sex, ethnic, and racial disparities in dysphagia diagnosis and SLP service utilization among HNC patients. Furthermore, SLP services are underutilized. There is a need for targeted interventions to increase dysphagia prevention and surveillance and ensure equitable access to dysphagia care, improving outcomes for all HNC survivors
Cultural Intelligence in Expatriate Employee Success: A Critically Appraised Topic
Full text linkStudies have shown a high failure rate among employees of multinational enterprises (MNEs) who work on overseas assignments. Although research often heralds cultural intelligence as an essential factor in expatriate employees, whether cultural intelligence should be the primary focus when choosing employees for overseas assignments is inconclusive. This topic paper aims to provide specific recommendations for ensuring the success of expatriate employees. More specifically, this assessment explores the effect of cultural intelligence on the success of expatriate employees. The research question is this: What is the effect of cultural intelligence on the success of expatriate employees who work for multinational enterprises? Findings as to whether cultural intelligence automatically guarantees the success of expatriate employees vary. They show that support mechanisms for expatriate employees and their family members provide better guidance for employee success. The implication is that managers must not rely solely on cultural intelligence in making overseas assignments; they also must provide support that prepares and equips expatriate employees and family members for their overseas assignment
Long–Term Performance and Stability of Implanted Neural Interfaces in Individuals with Lower Limb Loss
No full textObjective. High-density nerve cuffs have been successfully utilized to restore somatosensation in individuals with lower-limb loss by interfacing directly with the peripheral nervous system. Elicited sensations via these devices have improved various functional outcomes, including standing balance, walking symmetry, and navigating complex terrains. Deploying neural interfaces in the lower limbs of individuals with limb loss presents unique challenges, particularly due to repetitive muscle contractions and the natural range of motion in the knee and hip joints for transtibial and transfemoral amputees, respectively. This study characterizes the long-term performance of these peripheral nerve interfaces, which is crucial for informing design modifications to optimize functionality. Approach. We evaluated the longitudinal performance of 16-contact nerve cuffs and their associated components implanted in four participants with unilateral transtibial limb loss over five years. Key outcome measures included charge density at sensory thresholds and electrical impedance. Main results. Out of 158 channels (i.e. individual contacts within the nerve cuffs and their corresponding leads), 63% were consistently responsive, 33% were partially responsive, and 4% were non-responsive. Smaller connector assemblies and increased lead length near the cuffs significantly enhanced performance, with the final two participants demonstrating notably improved responses where 77% and 96% of channels were consistently responsive, respectively, compared to 50% and 6% in the first two participants. Significance. Overall, the implanted nerve cuffs showed robust stability in the residual limbs of highly active individuals with limb loss. Furthermore, employing strategies to reduce stress on transition points in the components significantly improved overall system performance
Immunosuppressive Formulations for Immunological Defense Against Traumatic Brain Injury
No full textTraumatic brain injury (TBI) and subsequent neurodegeneration is partially driven by chronic inflammation both locally and systemically. Yet, current clinical intervention strategies do not mitigate inflammation sequelae necessitating the development of innovative approaches to reduce inflammation and minimize deleterious effects of TBI. Herein, a subcutaneous formulation based on polymer of alpha-ketoglutarate (paKG) delivering glycolytic inhibitor PFK15 (PFKFB3 inhibitor, a rate limiting step in glycolysis), alpha-ketoglutarate (to fuel Krebs cycle) and peptide antigen from myelin proteolipid protein (PLP139-151) is utilized as the prophylactic immunosuppressive formulation in a mouse model of TBI. In vitro, the paKG(PFK15+PLP) formulation stimulates proliferation of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and induces generation of T helper-2 cells. When given subcutaneously in the periphery two weeks prior to mice sustaining a TBI, the formulation increases frequency of immunosuppressive macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) in the periphery and the brain at day 7 post-TBI and by 28 days post-TBI enhanced PLP-specific immunosuppressive cells infiltrate the brain. Immunohistology measurements of neuroinflammation are altered 28 days post-TBI, spatial proteomics reveals evidence of enhanced autophagy in the injury penumbra, and the active formulation improves motor function. Overall, these data suggest that the TBI immunosuppressive formulation successfully induces an anti-inflammatory profile and decreases TBI-associated inflammation
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