Partition Coefficients for Continuous Micellar Reaction Processes

The micelle‐water partition coefficients of reactants, products, and catalyst ligands are predicted using UNIFAC‐IF and COSMO‐RS. It is demonstrated that both models represent a reasonable tool for preliminary screening of the micellar systems for a specific continuous reaction process supported by micellar enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF). The model reaction is the hydrogenation of itaconic acid and its derivatives (dialkyl esters) in the presence of a rhodium‐based catalyst. The effect of the size and nature of the surfactant head group and tail is explored for nonionic and ionic surfactants. The high partition coefficients of the catalyst ligands indicate that no catalyst leakage is expected in MEUF. Based on the concentration dependence of the calculated partition coefficients, the solubilization capacity of micelles is estimated.     

Energetic evaluation of hydrogen storage in metal hydrides

Metal hydrides are considered as promising candidates for hydrogen storage as they exhibit higher energy densities than compressed gas storage storages. This study represents a theoretical thermodynamic analysis of metal hydride‐based hydrogen storage systems, focusing mainly on the energy demand to operate the storage system and the resulting efficiency. The main energy demand occurs during hydrogen release. This energy demand is composed of three contributions: the heat required to heat the hydride up to desorption temperature, the heat of reaction and the work of compression to reach the targeted outlet pressure. A sensitivity analysis was performed to demonstrate the impact of several parameters, for example, heat of reaction and hydrogen uptake on the energy balance. The most influential parameter is the heat of reaction. The hydrogen uptake does not have a noticeable influence as long as it is not too low. Several possibilities to improve the efficiency of the storage system are discussed (heat integration and the application of a heat storage system). Heat integration can significantly improve the overall efficiency, whereas the application of a heat storage system does not seem realistic. Compared with other hydrogen storage technologies, metal hydrides can feature higher efficiencies than low‐temperature hydrogen storage concepts, for example, liquefied or cryo‐adsorbed hydrogen. The efficiencies of a metal hydride storage system are similar to those reached with a system based on liquid organic hydrogen carriers. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Neutron radiography and current distribution measurements for studying cathode flow field properties of direct methanol fuel cells

The influence of the cathode flow field properties on the water distribution and performance of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) was studied. All measurements were performed with DMFC stack cells (A = 314.75 cm²). The local and temporal water distributions in the flow field channels during DMFC operation were visualized by means of through‐plane neutron radiography. Current and temperature distributions were measured simultaneously by the segmented cell technology. Additionally, the time‐dependent current distribution, cell performance and pressure drop were measured. Cathode flow field designs with channel and grid structures were compared. The cathode flow field channels were impregnated by either hydrophobizing or hydrophilizing agents or used as received. It turned out that hydrophobized and partially also untreated flow fields cause large water droplets in the cathode channels. The water droplets cause a blocking of the air flow and consequently a lower and more unstable (fluctuating) performance, less steady current and temperature distributions, and higher pressure drops between cathode inlet and outlet. Because of their two‐dimensional design, grid flow fields are less prone to water accumulations. The best results are achieved with a hydrophilized grid flow field that has a channel depth and width of 1.5 mm each (‘C‐GR15’). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Short communication: Meta-analysis on therapy of bovine endometritis with prostaglandin F2α—An update

The objective of the study was to update a prior meta-analysis on the efficacy of the treatment of bovine endometritis with PGF_2α. Clinical endometritis in cattle is defined as the presence of a purulent or mucopurulent vaginal discharge after 20 or 26 d, respectively, postpartum. Although the prevalence and impact of this disease are well known, the questions of whether and how to treat endometritis are still controversially discussed. Hence, to ensure timeliness of scientific results, we updated an existing meta-analysis published in 2013 that showed no treatment effect of PGF_2α in cases of bovine endometritis. As in the prior meta-analysis, a comprehensive literature search was conducted. After applying specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, 3 trials remained that could be added to the 6 trials in the initial meta-analysis. Data for each trial were analyzed using the meta-analysis software Review Manager (version 5.3; The Nordic Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark). Estimated effect sizes of PGF_2α were calculated on calving to first service interval (CFSI) and calving to conception interval (CCI). As revealed by the initial meta-analysis, PGF_2α treatment still had no effect on both reproductive parameters. Heterogeneity remained substantial for CFSI and CCI and even increased for CCI compared with the initial meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis, however, did not reveal a source of heterogeneity. In updating the meta-analysis, publication bias for trials reporting CCI became even more pronounced, suggesting that studies with higher standard error (i.e., usually smaller studies) that reported a prolonging effect on CCI after a PGF_2α treatment were less likely to be published. Finally, although the number of trials published on the chosen topic and their comparability are still limited, this update of our meta-analysis now provides results that are based on approximately twice the number of included cows. The overall outcome, however, has not substantially changed and a positive effect of a PGF_2α treatment in case of clinical endometritis could not be shown. Therefore, we do not recommend a treatment of bovine endometritis with PGF_2α as a means to improve reproductive performance.     

Twinning in ferroelectric and ferroelastic ceramics: stress relief

The regular twinning in ceramics and metals below the temperature of a ferroelastic or ferroelectric structural phase transition is a result of energy minimization. Here homogeneous elastic energy is reduced at the expense of twin wall energy. The twin density depends on the gram sizeg; under homogeneous stress the total elastic energy of a grain increases g ³. Any kind of twin wall, however, increases g ². Below the intersection of these two curves, stress reduction by twinning cannot lower the total energy. Thus there is a critical grain size below which twinning should not occur. Above this limit the width of the twin lamellae increases g ^1/2. The shape of the grain then adjusts to the surroundings in two dimensions only. Above another larger critical grain size more complex interfaces with higher surface energy are created, which allow stress relief in the third dimension. A semi-quantitative model is developed with the example of BaTiO₃ ceramic, of which the domain patterns are well known. It is representative for many ceramics. The highT _c superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7– also twins according to the same law. For three-dimensional adjustment here a proper interface is missing.     

Antibiotic treatment of metritis in dairy cows—A meta-analysis

The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of the treatment of bovine metritis with common antibiotic and nonantibiotic treatment options. Acute puerperal metritis, a systemic and potentially painful illness with rectal temperature >39.5°C and signs of toxemia due to an infection of the uterus, occurs within 21 d after parturition. Because of the infectious nature, antibiotics are considered beneficial for the treatment of acute puerperal metritis. Each use of an antimicrobial drug, however, is associated with selective pressure for eventual emergence of resistant bacteria. The 23 trials evaluated in the course of a previously conducted systematic review were the basis for meta-analytic investigations. Selected trials were screened regarding their eligibility for the following investigations: (1) comparison of different antibiotic treatments with respect to metritis prevalence at time of re-examination, (2) efficacy of ceftiofur treatment with respect to metritis prevalence at time of re-examination, (3) comparison of efficacy of antibiotic versus nonantibiotic drugs with respect to metritis prevalence at time of re-examination, and (4) equivalence assessment of treatment effects on reproductive performance measures. Where at least 3 trials had investigated the same outcome variable and met the inclusion criteria (inclusion of a control or reference group diagnosed with metritis; reporting means and standard deviation in case of continuous data), meta-analytic investigations were carried out. Due to a shortage of comparable studies, we could not conduct investigations (1) and (3). Ceftiofur treatment of 828 metritic cows was associated with a decrease in the prevalence of metritis following treatment in comparison to 804 untreated cows. In conclusion, meta-analytic investigations uncovered a need for more high-quality studies. Furthermore, a positive effect of the most commonly used antibiotic drug, ceftiofur, for the treatment of bovine metritis could be shown. A comparison with other antibiotic or nonantibiotic treatment options could not be made.     

Recent Advances in Experimental Techniques for Flow and Mass Transfer Analyses in Thermal Separation Systems

Modelling flow and mass transfer of thermal separation equipment constitutes one of the most challenging tasks in fluids process engineering. The difficulty of this task comes from the multiscale multiphase flow phenomena in rather complex geometries. Both analysis of flow and mass transfer on different scales as well as validation of models and simulation results require advanced experimental and measurement techniques. As a follow-up to intensive discussions during the 2019 Tutzing Symposium “Separation Units 4.0” a wide set of available modern experimental technologies is presented.     

Reverse-phase protein arrays for application-orientated cancer research

A detailed and quantitative analysis of disease-relevant signaling will greatly contribute to our understanding of tumorigenesis and cancer progression, and thus open new strategies for drug discovery. However, throughput and sensitivity of currently established methods available for proteome profiling do not comply with the needs of clinical research such as high sample capacity and low sample consumption. Protein microarrays emerged as a promising alternative to analyze the abundance of proteins and their phosphorylation status on a high-throughput level. Here we summarize recent methodological advancements in the field of reverse-phase protein arrays and demonstrate their potential for clinical research as well as for in vitro applications.