A repeating fast radio burst source in a globular cluster

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are flashes of unknown physical origin¹. The majority of FRBs have been seen only once, although some are known to generate multiple flashes^2,3. Many models invoke magnetically powered neutron stars (magnetars) as the source of the emission^4,5. Recently, the discovery⁶ of another repeater (FRB 20200120E) was announced, in the direction of the nearby galaxy M81, with four potential counterparts at other wavelengths⁶. Here we report observations that localized the FRB to a globular cluster associated with M81, where it is 2 parsecs away from the optical centre of the cluster. Globular clusters host old stellar populations, challenging FRB models that invoke young magnetars formed in a core-collapse supernova. We propose instead that FRB 20200120E originates from a highly magnetized neutron star formed either through the accretion-induced collapse of a white dwarf, or the merger of compact stars in a binary system⁷. Compact binaries are efficiently formed inside globular clusters, so a model invoking them could also be responsible for the observed bursts.

Facile gold nanorod purification by fractionated precipitation

An efficient and facile size- and shape-selective separation of gold nanorod (GNR) solutions is developed using a fractionated precipitation strategy. This convenient method has the benefit of eliminating nanoparticulate side products that can substantially deteriorate the quality of self-assembled nanostructures. The fabrication of advanced plasmonic metamaterials crucially depends on the capacity to supply feedstocks of high-purity building blocks.

Gamma-ray emission concurrent with the nova in the symbiotic binary V407 Cygni

Novae are thermonuclear explosions on a white dwarf surface fueled by mass accreted from a companion star. Current physical models posit that shocked expanding gas from the nova shell can produce x-ray emission, but emission at higher energies has not been widely expected. Here, we report the Fermi Large Area Telescope detection of variable gamma-ray emission (0.1 to 10 billion electron volts) from the recently detected optical nova of the symbiotic star V407 Cygni. We propose that the material of the nova shell interacts with the dense ambient medium of the red giant primary and that particles can be accelerated effectively to produce pi(0) decay gamma-rays from proton-proton interactions. Emission involving inverse Compton scattering of the red giant radiation is also considered and is not ruled out.

Highly efficient photocathodes for dye-sensitized tandem solar cells

Thin-film dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) based on mesoporous semiconductor electrodes are low-cost alternatives to conventional silicon devices. High-efficiency DSCs typically operate as photoanodes (n-DSCs), where photocurrents result from dye-sensitized electron injection into n-type semiconductors. Dye-sensitized photocathodes (p-DSCs) operate in an inverse mode, where dye-excitation is followed by rapid electron transfer from a p-type semiconductor to the dye (dye-sensitized hole injection). Such p-DSCs and n-DSCs can be combined to construct tandem solar cells (pn-DSCs) with a theoretical efficiency limitation well beyond that of single-junction DSCs (ref. 4). Nevertheless, the efficiencies of such tandem pn-DSCs have so far been hampered by the poor performance of the available p-DSCs (refs 3, 5-15). Here we show for the first time that p-DSCs can convert absorbed photons to electrons with yields of up to 96%, resulting in a sevenfold increase in energy conversion efficiency compared with previously reported photocathodes. The donor-acceptor dyes, studied as photocathodic sensitizers, comprise a variable-length oligothiophene bridge, which provides control over the spatial separation of the photogenerated charge carriers. As a result, charge recombination is decelerated by several orders of magnitude and tandem pn-DSCs can be constructed that exceed the efficiency of their individual components.

Influence of different tumour types on natural cytotoxicity (NK cell activity) and mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation in isolated blood lymphocytes from 110 dogs with tumours

The cell-mediated immune response of blood lymphocytes from 110 untreated dogs with different tumours was evaluated. The influence of different tumour types on the cellular immune system was examined by assessing the percentage of isolated large granular lymphocytes (LGL), in vitro natural cytotoxicity and mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation. Although the overall natural cytotoxicity of dogs with different tumours was decreased, the overall difference from control values was not statistically significant. However, mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation was significantly depressed in dogs with tumours in comparison with the controls. Dogs with mammary carcinomas showed significantly lower natural cytotoxicity than controls and dogs with myeloid neoplasms showed significantly lower mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation. Abnormalities exist not only in natural cytotoxicity but also in mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation. For the dog, this is the first study to assess the influence of different tumours using a combined evaluation of natural cytotoxicity and mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation in such a large number of animals.

Formation of positively charged microcapsules based on chitosan-lecithin interactions

The formation of microcapsules which contain rosemary oil, is herewith described. The process is based on two steps: (a) formation of oil-in-water emulsions, by using lecithin as emulsifier, thus imparting negative charges on the oil droplets; (b) addition of a cationic biopolymer, chitosan, in conditions that favor the formation of an insoluble chitosan-lecithin complex. Zeta potential measurements revealed that addition of very low concentrations of chitosan to lecithin stabilized emulsions, led to reversal of charge. At a suitable pH range the chitosan precipitated around the oil droplets, forming positively charged microcapsules. The chitosan-lecithin insoluble complex is composed of a 1:1 molar ratio of the chitosan monomeric unit and lecithin, as evaluated by elementary analysis and turbidity measurements.

[Some considerations on the goals of rehabilitation (author's transl)]

Has not the term "rehabilitation" been very frequently used lately to describe exclusively vocational rehabilitation? If, however, "rehabilitation" does not cover all aspects of rehabilitation including the efforts made to provide the severely handicapped with the opportunity of developing their potential to the fullest then the severely handicapped are automatically considered segregated. What we do for them can only be described in a negative way. We are unable to integrate them vocationally but we do not want to leave them their fate, either. Without a positive exression for the efforts made for these fellow-citizens alone from the way we think and talk this part of rehabilitation implies inhuman tendencies.

[Are we pushing the disabled intellectually into a ghetto? (AUTHOR'S TRANSL)]

Disabled people not only encounter barriers in their physical environment (in the form of steps which social rehabilitation is making efforts to level, remove or overcome through ramps) but also in the intellectual and emotional fields (in the life and thinking habits of our society, in expressions, song texts, etc.) i.e. basic expressions which seem to be applicable to the lives of the non-disabled but which prevent the disabled's access to life in the community. The examples given are: "What you are depends on what you have", "the world is beautiful", "everything will turn out all right". These expressions are, at least, as detrimental to full integration as the steps at the entrance to the post-office. The elimination of these sayings would not be beneficial to the disabled alone, but to all people: our life would become more honest and less strained. Phrases of the Biblical Message serve as the example for a thinking model which could give the impetus to a common learning process of tension release. Efforts to lessen the restraint (that is to correct the cited expressions) are called "weltanschauliche Rehabilitation", but whether this should rather be understood as a part of social rehabilitation or its parallel is a question which still remains unanswered.