Matrix Transformation in Boron Containing High-Temperature Co–Re–Cr Alloys

An addition of boron largely increases the ductility in polycrystalline high-temperature Co–Re alloys. Therefore, the effect of boron on the alloy structural characteristics is of high importance for the stability of the matrix at operational temperatures. Volume fractions of ε (hexagonal close-packed—hcp), γ (face-centered cubic—fcc) and σ (Cr₂Re₃ type) phases were measured at ambient and high temperatures (up to 1500 °C) for a boron-containing Co–17Re–23Cr alloy using neutron diffraction. The matrix phase undergoes an allotropic transformation from ε to γ structure at high temperatures, similar to pure cobalt and to the previously investigated, more complex Co–17Re–23Cr–1.2Ta–2.6C alloy. It was determined in this study that the transformation temperature depends on the boron content (0–1000 wt. ppm). Nevertheless, the transformation temperature did not change monotonically with the increase in the boron content but reached a minimum at approximately 200 ppm of boron. A probable reason is the interplay between the amount of boron in the matrix and the amount of σ phase, which binds hcp-stabilizing elements (Cr and Re). Moreover, borides were identified in alloys with high boron content.     

Digital image correlation analysis and modelling of the strain rate in metal cutting

In the last eight decades, considerable modelling and computational efforts have been made to predict the strain rate during cutting with the aim of optimizing machining processes. However, the validation of these modelling approaches on a local scale remains excessively limited due to the lack of in-situ measurements and the faulty existing quick-stop tests. This work presents the in-process analysis of the strain rate and strain in the primary shear zone using high speed Digital Image Correlation (DIC) techniques. The comparison of measured and computed results shows the suitability of the DIC techniques and the robustness of the modelling approaches.     

Elimination of pharmaceuticals from wastewater by submerged nanofiltration plate modules

Most conventional wastewater treatment plants hardly remove micropollutants, such as pharmaceuticals. Here the ability of a submerged nanofiltration flat sheet module to remove pharmaceuticals from wastewater is analyzed. The nanofiltration membrane was used at the relatively low pressure of only 0.7 bar; at such low pressure, the membrane does not retain salts to a great extent. This is advantageous in wastewater treatment because no salt concentrate is produced. Carbamazepine was retained only slightly by the nanofiltration membranes, whereas diclofenac was retained by approximately 65%.     

Liquid flow texture analysis in trickle bed reactors using high-resolution gamma ray tomography

Trickle bed reactor performance and safety may suffer from radial and axial liquid maldistribution and thus from non-uniform utilization of the catalyst packing. Therefore, experimental analysis and fluid dynamic simulation of liquid–gas flow in trickle bed reactors is an important topic in chemical engineering. In the present study for the first time a truly high-resolution gamma ray tomography technique was applied to the quantitative analysis of the liquid flow texture in a laboratory cold flow trickle bed reactor of 90 mm diameter. The objective of this study was to present the comparative analysis of the liquid flow dynamics for two different initial liquid distributions and two different types of reactor configurations. Thus, the hydrodynamic behavior of a glass bead packing was compared to a porous Al₂O₃ catalyst particle packing using inlet flow from a commercial spray nozzle (uniform initial liquid distribution) and inlet flow from a central point source (strongly non-uniform initial liquid distribution), respectively. The column was operated in downflow mode at a gas flow rate of 180 L h⁻¹ and at liquid flow rates of 15 and 25 L h⁻¹.     

Simulation based model for tool life prediction in bevel gear cutting

Due to unpredictable tool life behavior in bevel gear cutting, unexpected production stops for tool changes occur. These lead to additional manufacturing costs. Because of its complexity, it is currently not possible to analyze the bevel gear cutting process sufficiently regarding tool life. This restriction leads to an iterative process design and determination of the ideal process parameters by using a trial-and-error approach. As a matter of fact, there is no concept to predict tool life in bevel gear cutting. Thus, a project has been initiated in order to develop a tool life model based on cutting simulation. This report presents the tool life model which combines a manufacturing simulation for bevel gear cutting with a regression model. The data of the regression model are determined by analogy trials. The combination of manufacturing simulation and regression model allows a local tool life prediction along the cutting edge.     

Treatment with the Probiotic Product Aviguard® Alleviates Inflammatory Responses during Campylobacter jejuni-Induced Acute Enterocolitis in Mice

Prevalences of Campylobacter (C.) jejuni infections are progressively rising globally. Given that probiotic feed additives, such as the commercial product Aviguard^®, have been shown to be effective in reducing enteropathogens, such as Salmonella, in vertebrates, including livestock, we assessed potential anti-pathogenic and immune-modulatory properties of Aviguard^® during acute C. jejuni-induced murine enterocolitis. Therefore, microbiota-depleted IL-10^−/− mice were infected with C. jejuni strain 81-176 by gavage and orally treated with Aviguard^® or placebo from day 2 to 4 post-infection. The applied probiotic bacteria could be rescued from the intestinal tract of treated mice, but with lower obligate anaerobic bacterial counts in C. jejuni-infected as compared to non-infected mice. Whereas comparable gastrointestinal pathogen loads could be detected in both groups until day 6 post-infection, Aviguard^® treatment resulted in improved clinical outcome and attenuated apoptotic cell responses in infected large intestines during acute campylobacteriosis. Furthermore, less distinct pro-inflammatory immune responses could be observed not only in the intestinal tract, but also in extra-intestinal compartments on day 6 post-infection. In conclusion, we show here for the first time that Aviguard^® exerts potent disease-alleviating effects in acute C. jejuni-induced murine enterocolitis and might be a promising probiotic treatment option for severe campylobacteriosis in humans.     

Immune Aging and Immunotherapy in Cancer

Immune functions decline as we age, while the incidence of cancer rises. The advent of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has not only revolutionized cancer therapy, but also spawned great interest in identifying predictive biomarkers, since only one third of patients show treatment response. The aging process extensively affects the adaptive immune system and thus T cells, which are the main target of ICB. In this review, we address age-related changes regarding the adaptive immune system with a focus on T cells and their implication on carcinogenesis and ICB. Differences between senescence, exhaustion, and anergy are defined and current knowledge, treatment strategies, and studies exploring T cell aging as a biomarker for ICB are discussed. Finally, novel approaches to improve immunotherapies and to identify biomarkers of response to ICB are presented and their potential is assessed in a comparative analysis.     

Vitamin D Reverses Disruption of Gut Epithelial Barrier Function Caused by Campylobacter jejuni

Infections by the zoonotic foodborne bacterium Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) are among the most frequent causes of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. The aim was to evaluate the relationship between epithelial barrier disruption, mucosal immune activation, and vitamin D (VD) treatment during C. jejuni infection, using intestinal epithelial cells and mouse models focused on the interaction of C. jejuni with the VD signaling pathway and VD treatment to improve C. jejuni-induced barrier dysfunction. Our RNA-Seq data from campylobacteriosis patients demonstrate inhibition of VD receptor (VDR) downstream targets, consistent with suppression of immune function. Barrier-preserving effects of VD addition were identified in C. jejuni-infected epithelial cells and IL-10^−/− mice. Furthermore, interference of C. jejuni with the VDR pathway was shown via VDR/retinoid X receptor (RXR) interaction. Paracellular leakiness of infected epithelia correlated with tight junction (TJ) protein redistribution off the TJ domain and apoptosis induction. Supplementation with VD reversed barrier impairment and prevented inhibition of the VDR pathway, as shown by restoration of transepithelial electrical resistance and fluorescein (332 Da) permeability. We conclude that VD treatment restores gut epithelial barrier functionality and decreases bacterial transmigration and might, therefore, be a promising compound for C. jejuni treatment in humans and animals.     

Is LRP2 Involved in Leptin Transport over the Blood-Brain Barrier and Development of Obesity?

The mechanisms underlying the transport of leptin into the brain are still largely unclear. While the leptin receptor has been implicated in the transport process, recent evidence has suggested an additional role of LRP2 (megalin). To evaluate the function of LRP2 for leptin transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), we developed a novel leptin-luciferase fusion protein (pLG), which stimulated leptin signaling and was transported in an in vitro BBB model based on porcine endothelial cells. The LRP inhibitor RAP did not affect leptin transport, arguing against a role of LRP2. In line with this, the selective deletion of LRP2 in brain endothelial cells and epithelial cells of the choroid plexus did not influence bodyweight, body composition, food intake, or energy expenditure of mice. These findings suggest that LRP2 at the BBB is not involved in the transport of leptin into the brain, nor in the development of obesity as has previously been described.