Practical identifiability of electrochemical P2D models for lithium-ion batteries

Journal of Applied Electrochemistry - Electrochemical models play a significant role in today’s rapid development and enhancement of lithium-ion batteries. For instance, they are applied for...     

Characterization of the HCN Interaction Partner TRIP8b/PEX5R in the Intracardiac Nervous System of TRIP8b-Deficient and Wild-Type Mice

The tetratricopeptide repeat-containing Rab8b-interacting protein (TRIP8b/PEX5R) is an interaction partner and auxiliary subunit of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, which are key for rhythm generation in the brain and in the heart. Since TRIP8b is expressed in central neurons but not in cardiomyocytes, the TRIP8b-HCN interaction has been studied intensely in the brain, but is deemed irrelevant in the cardiac conduction system. Still, to date, TRIP8b has not been studied in the intrinsic cardiac nervous system (ICNS), a neuronal network located within epicardial fat pads. In vitro electrophysiological studies revealed that TRIP8b-deficient mouse hearts exhibit increased atrial refractory and atrioventricular nodal refractory periods, compared to hearts of wild-type littermates. Meanwhile, heart rate, sino-nodal recovery time, and ventricular refractory period did not differ between genotypes. Trip8b mRNA was detected in the ICNS by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RNAscope in situ hybridization confirmed Trip8b localization in neuronal somata and nerve fibers. Additionally, we found a very low amount of mRNAs in the sinus node and atrioventricular node, most likely attributable to the delicate fibers innervating the conduction system. In contrast, TRIP8b protein was not detectable. Our data suggest that TRIP8b in the ICNS may play a role in the modulation of atrial electrophysiology beyond HCN-mediated sino-nodal control of the heart.     

Modeling Oxygen Gas Diffusion Electrodes for Various Technical Applications

In gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs), electrocatalysts are in contact with gas and electrolyte ensuring a large active three‐phase boundary. GDEs are used for important technical applications in energy transformation and chemical synthesis. This review gives an introduction into the vast range of existing models for GDEs and their specific purpose, with an emphasis on oxygen reduction electrodes. After introducing the processes occurring in GDEs, modeling approaches are described according to their dimensionality (from 0D to 3D to multiscale) and perspectives for future research are discussed.     

Marginal Adaptation and Microbial Leakage at Conometric Prosthetic Connections for Implant-Supported Single Crowns: An In Vitro Investigation

Encouraging clinical results were reported on a novel cone-in-cone coupling for the fixation of dental implant-supported crowns (Acuris, Dentsply Sirona Implants, Mölndal, Sweden). However, the presence or absence of a microgap and a potential bacterial leakage at the conometric joint has not yet been investigated. A misfit and a resulting gap between the conometric components could potentially serve as a bacterial reservoir that promotes plaque formation, which in turn may lead to inflammation of the peri-implant tissues. Thus, a two-fold study set-up was designed in order to evaluate the bidirectional translocation of bacteria along conometrically seated single crowns. On conometric abutments filled with a culture suspension of anaerobic bacteria, the corresponding titanium nitride-coated (TiN) caps were fixed by friction. Each system was sterilized and immersed in culture medium to provide an optimal environment for microbial growth. Positive and negative controls were prepared. Specimens were stored in an anaerobic workstation, and total and viable bacterial counts were determined. Every 48 h, samples were taken from the reaction tubes to inoculate blood agar plates and to isolate bacterial DNA for quantification using qrt-PCR. In addition, one Acuris test system was subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the precision of fit of the conometric coupling and marginal crown opening. Throughout the observational period of one week, blood agar plates of the specimens showed no viable bacterial growth. qrt-PCR, likewise, yielded a result approaching zero with an amount of about 0.53 × 10⁻⁴ µg/mL DNA. While the luting gap/marginal opening between the TiN-cap and the ceramic crown was within the clinically acceptable range, the SEM analysis failed to identify a measurable microgap at the cone-in-cone junction. Within the limits of the in-vitro study it can be concluded that the Acuris conometric interface does not allow for bacterial translocation under non-dynamic loading conditions.     

Age-Dependent Control of Collagen-Dependent Platelet Responses by Thrombospondin-1—Comparative Analysis of Platelets from Neonates,Children, Adolescents,and Adults

Platelet function is developmentally regulated. Healthy neonates do not spontaneously bleed, but their platelets are hypo-reactive to several agonists. The mechanisms underlying immature platelet function in neonates are incompletely understood. This critical issue remains challenging for the establishment of age-specific reference ranges. In this study, we evaluated platelet reactivity of five pediatric age categories, ranging from healthy full-term neonates up to adolescents (11–18 years) in comparison to healthy adults (>18 years) by flow cytometry. We confirmed that platelet hypo-reactivity detected by fibrinogen binding, P-selectin, and CD63 surface expression was most pronounced in neonates compared to other pediatric age groups. However, maturation of platelet responsiveness varied with age, agonist, and activation marker. In contrast to TRAP and ADP, collagen-induced platelet activation was nearly absent in neonates. Granule secretion markedly remained impaired at least up to 10 years of age compared to adults. We show for the first time that neonatal platelets are deficient in thrombospondin-1, and exogenous platelet-derived thrombospondin-1 allows platelet responsiveness to collagen. Platelets from all pediatric age groups normally responded to the C-terminal thrombospondin-1 peptide RFYVVMWK. Thus, thrombospondin-1 deficiency of neonatal platelets might contribute to the relatively impaired response to collagen, and platelet-derived thrombospondin-1 may control distinct collagen-induced platelet responses.     

Agricultural landscapes between intensification and abandonment: the expectations of the public in a Central-Alpine cross-border region

The aim of this study is to find out what locals and tourists in a Central-Alpine, multilingual cross-border region expect from an Alpine landscape, with a special focus on agriculture. Using a standardised questionnaire, we carried out more than 3500 face-to-face interviews with locals and tourists in Tyrol (Austria) and South Tyrol (Italy). The questionnaire comprised (1) content-related questions and (2) questions to collect demographic data on the interviewees. We employed nonparametric methods to analyse the survey results and differences between demographic groups. More than 70% of the study participants liked traditional land-use and did not have major reservations about agricultural intensification or extensification. Of those interviewed, 73% were in favour of giving public financial support to farmers. The findings obtained in this study suggest broad acknowledgement and acceptance of environmental compensation schemes and the maintenance of extensive and traditional land-use systems.