Zika Virus Growth in Human Kidney Cells Is Restricted by an Elevated Glucose Level

Mosquito-borne Zika virus (ZIKV) became a real threat to human health due to the lack of vaccine and effective antiviral treatment. The virus has recently been responsible for a global outbreak leading to millions of infected cases. ZIKV complications were highlighted in adults with Guillain–Barré syndrome and in newborns with increasing numbers of congenital disorders ranging from mild developmental delays to fatal conditions. The ability of ZIKV to establish a long-term infection in diverse organs including the kidneys has been recently documented but the consequences of such a viral infection are still debated. Our study aimed to determine whether the efficiency of ZIKV growth in kidney cells relates to glucose concentration. Human kidney HK-2 cells were infected with different ZIKV strains in presence of normal and high glucose concentrations. Virological assays showed a decrease in viral replication without modifying entry steps (viral binding, internalization, fusion) under high glucose conditions. This decrease replication was associated with a lower virus progeny and increased cell viability when compared to ZIKV-infected HK-2 cells in normal glucose concentration. In conclusion, we showed for the first time that an elevated glucose level influences ZIKV replication level with an effect on kidney cell survival.     

Additive manufacturing,quasi-static and dynamic compressive behaviours of ceramic lattice structures

Ceramic lattice structures (CLSs) are used for construction in common and extreme environments because of the extraordinary properties of ceramics. In this study, we designed and additively manufactured CLSs with distinct structural parameters to explore their quasi-static and dynamic compressive behaviours in detail. It was demonstrated that both the relative density (?ρ) and inclination angle (ω) had a significant impact on the quasi-static and dynamic mechanical properties of the CLSs. Furthermore, the mathematical relationships between the quasi-static compressive properties, including quasi-static compressive strength (QS), quasi-static Young’s modulus (QY), and quasi-static energy absorption (QE), versus ?ρ and ω obeyed the Gibson–Ashby and Deshpande and Fleck models, respectively. It was revealed by experiment and simulation that as the stiffness increased, the quasi-static failure mode of the CLSs changed from a parallel-vertical-inclined mixed mode to a parallel-vertical mode. In addition, the relationship between the dynamic mechanical properties of the CLSs versus ?ρ and ω also followed the Gibson–Ashby and Deshpande and Fleck models. The exceptional dynamic increase factor indicated that CLSs are highly suitable for extreme environments. These findings will aid in the research and development of customised additively manufactured CLSs.     

Degradation analysis of the core components of metal plate proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack under dynamic load cycles

The durability of metal plate proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack is still an important factor that hinders its large-scale commercial application. In this paper, we have conducted a 1000 h durability test on a 1 kW metal plate PEMFC stack, and explored the degradation of the core components. After 1000 h of dynamic load cycles, the voltage decay percentage of the stack under the current densities of 1000 mA cm^?2 is 5.67%. By analyzing the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, the surfaces of the metal plates are contaminated locally by organic matter precipitated from the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The SEM images of the catalyst coated membrane (CCM) cross section indicate that the MEA has undergone severe degradation, including the agglomeration of the catalyst layer, and the thinning and perforation of the PEM. These are the main factors that cause the rapid increase in hydrogen crossover flow rate and performance decay of the PEMFC stack.     

Trade-off study between risk and benefit in safety devices for hydrogen refueling stations using a dynamic physical model

As hydrogen refueling stations become increasingly common, it is clear that a high level of economic efficiency and safety is crucial to promoting their use. One way to reduce costs is to use a simple orifice instead of an excess flow valve, which Japanese safety regulations have identified as a safety device. However, there is concern about its effect on refueling time and on risk due to hydrogen leakage. To clarify the effect, we did a study of model-based refueling time evaluation and quantitative risk assessment for a typical refueling station. This study showed that an orifice is an effective alternative safety device. The increase in refueling time was less than 10%, based on simulations using a dynamic physical model of the station. Neither was there a significant difference in the risk between a configuration with excess flow valves and one with an orifice.     

A model of PEMFC-battery system to evaluate inner operating status and energy consumption under different energy management strategies

A hybrid system with jointed battery and PEMFC is popular and of great potential in New Energy Vehicle (NEV) application. However, reliability and efficiency remain to be improved for commercial products. To reflect the complicated physics inside the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), the PEMFC model consisting of inner muti-physics process and other accessories was built, then a complete hybrid system was established when a matched battery, DC/DC, regenerative braking were taken into consideration. Based on the above model, the stack state and system performance under standard cycle for heavy duty vehicle-CWTVC were obtained. According to the simulation results, fuel cell states such as pressure, water content and voltage suffers severe oscillation with external load, especially in the highway cycle. Membrane electrode assembly (MEA) suffers from pressure impact with average value of more than 24 kPa in highway cycle. In the aspect of relative humidity, the PEMFC stack is most threatened in road cycle. As for the hybrid system, its efficiency and state of charge (SOC) fluctuation perform worst in urban cycle and road cycle respectively, while its highest efficiency occurs in road test. Operating mode of fuel cell has influence on hybrid system. When 3-level mode of fuel cell output was applied, the efficiency increased to its peak value at medium level of 28 kW and then declined gradually. H₂ consumption had an opposite trend compared to efficiency. In the aspect of battery SOC, it declines in operating process and its fluctuations decreases when medium level got bigger. The 3-level mode and 4-level mode were compared using this model. It can be concluded that although 3-level mode performs slightly better in hybrid system efficiency, H₂ consumption, pressure impact, it does not have absolute advantage over 4-level mode in other indicators.     

Generation,validation and application of dynamic load profiles in flow measurement using cavitating Herschel–Venturi nozzles

Today, utility meters for water are tested for measurement behavior at stable operating conditions at specified flow rates as part of the approval process. The measurement error that occurs during start and stop or when changing between flow rates may not be taken into account. In addition, there are new technologies whose measuring behavior under real-world conditions is only known to a limited extend. To take these facts into account, a new method has been developed and tested to determine the measurement behavior of water meters under dynamic load profiles as they occur in the real application. For this purpose, a test rig for flow rate measurement was extended by a cavitation nozzle apparatus and the generation of dynamic load profiles was validated. For the cavitation nozzles used, possible factors influencing the flow rate, such as temperature and purity of the water as well as the upstream pressure were investigated. Using different types of domestic water meters, the applicability of the dynamic test procedure was demonstrated and the measurement behavior of the meters was characterised.     

Seismic stability of embankments with different densities and upstream conditions related to the water level

Modeling an embankment by subjecting it to different upstream conditions in a centrifuge is challenging. However, the response of an embankment to shaking under different upstream conditions needs to be studied to ensure that the necessary precautions are taken during its construction and maintenance. Herein, the influence of different upstream conditions and embankment densities are investigated. The pore water pressure values at different locations in an embankment were recorded during seepage and under induced shaking. Accelerometers recorded the response of the embankment to shaking, and a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) measured the settlement at the top of the embankment as a result of the shaking. An image analysis was used to trace the resulting deformation of the embankment due to the shaking. The results indicate that the upstream conditions of the embankment determine the failure mechanism of the embankment in cases of lower density. In addition, the distribution of the water content within the embankment was found to have a greater influence on its response to shaking than the water level height on its upstream side.     

Hydroxyapatite cages with aligned pores for bone grafting – Seeding of human osteoblast-like cells in vitro and their response in dynamic culture mode

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a highly regarded synthetic bone graft material. Porous HA ceramics blocks are used to substitute harvested natural bone grafts. Being similar to bone mineral, HA material integrates with the host bone through surface osteointegration and slowly resorb along with the natural bone remodeling process. The blocks in use currently have random and tortuous pore structures. The present work explores the usefulness of cage-like HA ceramic design with end-to-end open pores, with the help of in vitro cell culture methods. Such a structure, on implantation, will take up the blood factors and cells and host the bone remodeling process inside the bulk of the cage, leading to early healing. In the study, HA samples with aligned through-pores were prepared and explored in vitro, with a focus on how the pores host the cells inside and to what level the cells maintain their activity. Human osteoblast-like cells (HOS) were used, at different seeding and culturing approaches. Cell seeding was done through (i) conventional large volume cell suspension, (ii) a confined mini chamber with a limited volume of cell suspension, and (iii) placing a concentrated drop of cell suspension directly on top of the scaffold. The third approach gave the best cell adhesion and proliferation, and hence used for further explorations. A dynamic culture system was designed in-house by bifurcating the cell culture wells using vertical inserts, holding the samples horizontally with their ends open to both sides, and making the media flow across using a rocker platform. The HOS cell adhesion, viability and proliferation were tested in the HA cages, in static and dynamic culture conditions, with conventional porous ceramics as the control. The cell infiltration was deeper and the cell viability over a period of 7 days was significantly higher in dynamic culture conditions in the test samples.