Operating conditions of batteries in off-grid renewable energy systems

Operating conditions in off-grid renewable energy systems (RES) vary significantly in different applications and locations. To describe RES and the operating conditions of their components it is useful to define categories of similar operating conditions. Categories can also be used for lifetime considerations of RES components, for making recommendations and for analysing the properties and performance of a RES and its components. Categories support system designers and an economic analysis. This paper describes the process and the results of creating RES categories of similar operating conditions for batteries. Categories are defined in such a way that batteries belonging to the same category are subjected to similar operating conditions and a similar combination of stress factors. The results provide a comprehensive overview of battery operating conditions in existing off-grid renewable energy systems. This work is part of the EU research project Benchmarking.¹     

Evaluation of enzyme-assisted extraction on quality of garlic volatile oil

Application of enzymes to garlic prior to steam distillation/hydrodistillation resulted in a two fold increase in the yield of oil. The oil yield in case of cellulase, pectinase, protease and viscozyme pretreatment was in the range of 0.39–0.51%, as against 0.28% in a control sample by steam distillation, and in the range of 0.45–0.57% by hydrodistillation as against 0.31% in a control sample. Profiling of the garlic oil thus obtained was carried out by GC–MS. Di-2-propenyl trisulfide (52%) along with the corresponding di- and tetra-sulphides (11% and 5%) constituted the major portion of the oil. The other major flavour compounds identified were methyl 2-propenyl trisulfide (11.8%), vinyl dithiins (9.9%) and dithianes (4.1%). The studies demonstrate that enzymes facilitate the extraction of garlic oil, resulting in an increase in the yield of oil, with little change either in flavour profile or physicochemical properties of the oil.     

Triplet markov fields for the classification of complex structure data

We address the issue of classifying complex data. We focus on three main sources of complexity, namely the high dimensionality of the observed data, the dependencies between these observations and the general nature of the noise model underlying their distribution. We investigate the recent Triplet Markov Fields and propose new models in this class designed for such data and in particular allowing very general noise models. In addition, our models can handle the inclusion of a learning step in a consistent way so that they can be used in a supervised framework. One advantage of our models is that whatever the initial complexity of the noise model, parameter estimation can be carried out using state-of-the-art Bayesian clustering techniques under the usual simplifying assumptions. As generative models, they can be seen as an alternative, in the supervised case, to discriminative Conditional Random Fields. Identifiability issues underlying the models in the non supervised case, are discussed while the models performance is illustrated on simulated and real data exhibiting the mentioned various sources of complexity.     

Sex differences in genetic and environmental influences on DSM–III–R attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Approximately 5% of children are affected by attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and more boys are affected than girls. This study examined the magnitude of genetic and environmental influences on ADHD and several questions regarding sex differences in its prevalence and liability. The participants were 2,391 twin and sibling pairs from Australia, ages 3–18. ADHD symptoms in the general population were highly heritable (h2?=?.85–.90), as were deviant ADHD scores in the selected population. The magnitude of familial influences was similar for boys and girls, although there were shared environmental influences on ADHD in girls but not boys and dominance genetic influences on ADHD in boys but not girls. Specific genetic and environmental influences were highly similar for boys and girls. Evidence supported the polygenic multiple threshold model rather than the constitutional variability model of sex differences in ADHD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

In-depth study of the Ruddlesden-Popper LaxSr2−xMnO4±δ family as possible electrode materials for symmetrical SOFC

The Ruddlesden Popper (RP) manganites La_xSr_2?xMnO_4±δ with compositions 0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.6 have been successfully synthesized as single phases by solid-state reaction in air. All those materials are not only stable in reducing atmosphere but they also maintain the K₂NiF₄-type structure with I4/mmm symmetry under redox cycling conditions with limited volume changes. The x = 0.5 phase was analyzed by in situ high temperature neutron powder diffraction (HTNPD), under flowing hydrogen, showing the formation of oxide-ion vacancies on the equatorial sites of the perovskite planes, during reduction process. The total electrical conductivity was optimized and found maximum for x = 0.5 with values of 35.6 S cm^?1 and 1.9 S cm^?1 at 800 °C in air and 3% H₂/Ar, respectively, what is judged to be sufficient for an active layer of symmetrical SOFC electrode. First Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements in both oxidizing and reducing conditions, using an YSZ electrolyte and a GDC buffer layer, are presented giving rise to promising values.     

Antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated from pasteurized milk and characterization of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin resistance genes

The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in pasteurized milk was detected by plating 18 milk samples on selective media containing beta-lactams, macrolides, or a glycopeptide. Most samples contained gram-positive bacteria that grew on agar plates containing oxacillin, erythromycin, and/or spiramycin. The disk-diffusion method confirmed resistance to erythromycin and/or spiramycin in 86 and 65% of the coryneform bacteria and Micrococcaceae tested, respectively. PCR and sequence analysis revealed the presence of an ermC gene in 2 of the 25 Micrococcaceae strains investigated for their resistance to erythromycin and/or spiramycin. None of the 14 corynebacteria strains resistant to erythromycin and/or spiramycin harbored the erm(X) gene. No gene transfer could be demonstrated between the two erm(C) staphylococcal isolates and recipient strains of Enterococcus faecalis JH2-2 or Staphylococcus aureus 80CR5.     

Impact of the co-culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae–Oenococcus oeni on malolactic fermentation and partial characterization of a yeast-derived inhibitory peptidic fraction

The present study was aimed to evaluate the impact of the co-culture on the output of malolactic fermentation and to further investigate the reasons of the antagonism exerted by yeasts towards bacteria during sequential cultures. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae D strain/Oenococcus oeni X strain combination was tested by applying both sequential culture and co-culture strategies. This pair was chosen amongst others because the malolactic fermentation was particularly difficult to realize during the sequential culture. During this traditional procedure, malolactic fermentation started when alcoholic fermentation was achieved. For the co-culture, both fermentations were conducted together by inoculating yeasts and bacteria into a membrane bioreactor at the same time. Results obtained during the sequential culture and compared to a bacterial control medium, showed that the inhibition exerted by S. cerevisiae D strain in term of decrease of the malic acid consumption rate was mainly due to ethanol (75%) and to a peptidic fraction (25%) having an MW between 5 and 10 kDa. 0.4 g l⁻¹ of l-malic acid was consumed in this case while 3.7 g l⁻¹ was consumed when the co-culture was applied. In addition, there was no risk of increased volatile acidity during the co-culture. Therefore, the co-culture strategy was considered effective for malolactic fermentation with the yeast/bacteria pair studied.     

Covalent Functionalization of Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes with a Gadolinium Chelate for Efficient T1‐Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Given the promise of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for photothermal therapy, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and gene therapy, there is a need for non‐invasive imaging methods to monitor CNT distribution and fate in the body. In this study, non‐ionizing whole‐body high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to follow the distribution of water‐dispersible non‐toxic functionalized CNTs administrated intravenously to mice. Oxidized CNTs are endowed with positive MRI contrast properties by covalent functionalization with the chelating ligand diethylenetriaminepentaacetic dianhydride (DTPA), followed by chelation to Gd³⁺. The structural and magnetic properties, MR relaxivities, cellular uptake, and application for MRI cell imaging of Gd‐CNTs in comparison to the precursor oxidized CNTs are evaluated. Despite the intrinsic T₂ contrast of oxidized CNTs internalized in macrophages, the anchoring of paramagnetic gadolinium onto the nanotube sidewall allows efficient T₁ contrast and MR signal enhancement, which is preserved after CNT internalization by cells. Hence, due to their high dispersibility, Gd‐CNTs have the potential to produce positive contrast in vivo following injection into the bloodstream. The uptake of Gd‐CNTs in the liver and spleen is assessed using MRI, while rapid renal clearance of extracellular Gd‐CNTs is observed, confirming the evidences of other studies using different imaging modalities.     

Light-Control over Casein Kinase 1δ Activity with Photopharmacology: A Clear Case for Arylazopyrazole-Based Inhibitors

Protein kinases are responsible for healthy cellular processes and signalling pathways, and their dysfunction is the basis of many pathologies. There are numerous small molecule inhibitors of protein kinases that systemically regulate dysfunctional signalling processes. However, attaining selectivity in kinase inhibition within the complex human kinome is still a challenge that inspires unconventional approaches. One of those approaches is photopharmacology, which uses light-controlled bioactive molecules to selectively activate drugs only at the intended space and time, thereby avoiding side effects outside of the irradiated area. Still, in the context of kinase inhibition, photopharmacology has thus far been rather unsuccessful in providing light-controlled drugs. Here, we present the discovery and optimisation of a photoswitchable inhibitor of casein kinase 1δ (CK1δ), important for the control of cell differentiation, circadian rhythm, DNA repair, apoptosis, and numerous other signalling processes. Varying the position at which the light-responsive azobenzene moiety has been introduced into a known CK1δ inhibitor, LH846, revealed the preferred regioisomer for efficient photo-modulation of inhibitory activity, but the photoswitchable inhibitor suffered from sub-optimal (photo)chemical properties. Replacement of the bis-phenyl azobenzene group with the arylazopyrazole moiety yielded a superior photoswitch with very high photostationary state distributions, increased solubility and a 10-fold difference in activity between irradiated and thermally adapted samples. The reasons behind those findings are explored with molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Results described here show how the evaluation of privileged molecular architecture, followed by the optimisation of the photoswitchable unit, is a valuable strategy for the challenging design of the photoswitchable kinase inhibitors.     

Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Chondroprotective Effect of Luzula sylvatica

(1) Interest in the Juncaceae family has risen as some members have shown anti-inflammatory properties and interesting compounds. In this regard, we decided to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Luzula sylvatica, a Juncaceae not yet extensively studied, in the context of osteoarthritis. (2) The Luzula sylvatica Ethanol extract (LS-E) was used to test the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by leucocytes, the IL1β and PGE2 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), the production of EP4, and the activation of NFκB in THP-1, as well as the IL1β-activated normal human knee articular chondrocytes (NHAC-Kn) gene expression, grown in monolayers or maintained in alginate beads. (3) Organic acids, caffeoylquinic acids, quercetin and luteolin, compounds frequently found in this family were identified. The LS-E exhibited inhibited ROS formation. The LS-E did not affect NFκB activation and IL1β secretion but dampened the secretion of PGE2 by PBMCs and the presence of EP4 in THP-1. It also modulated the expression of NHAC-Kn in both models and inhibited the expression of several proteases and inflammatory mediators. (4) Luzula sylvatica might supply interesting antioxidant protection against cartilage damages and lessen joint inflammation, notably by decreasing PGE2 secretion in the synovial fluid. Moreover, it could act directly on chondrocytes by decreasing the expression of proteases and, thus, preventing the degradation of the extracellular matrix.