Operational window of a deammonifying sludge for mainstream application in a municipal wastewater treatment plant

The present work aimed to study the mainstream feasibility of the deammonifying sludge of side stream of municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWWTP) in Kaster, Germany. For this purpose, the deammonifying sludge available at the side stream was investigated for nitrogen (N) removal with respect to the operational factors temperature (15–30°C), pH value (6.0–8.0) and chemical oxygen demand (COD)/N ratio (≤1.5–6.0). The highest and lowest N-removal rates of 0.13 and 0.045 kg/(m³ d) are achieved at 30 and 15°C, respectively. Different conditions of pH and COD/N ratios in the SBRs of Partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) significantly influenced both the metabolic processes and associated N-removal rates. The scientific insights gained from the current work signifies the possibility of mainstream PN/A at WWTPs. The current study forms a solid basis of operational window for the upcoming semi-technical trails to be conducted prior to the full-scale mainstream PN/A at WWTP Kaster and WWTPs globally.     

Towards All-Solid-State Polymer Batteries: Going Beyond PEO with Hybrid Concepts

To go beyond polyethylene oxide in lithium metal batteries, a hybrid polymer/oligomer cell design is presented, where an ester oligomer provides high ionic conductivity of 0.2 mS cm⁻¹ at 40 °C within thicker composite cathodes with active mass loadings of up to 11 mg cm⁻² (LiNbO₃-coated) LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2 (NMC622), while a 30 µm thin scaffold-supported polymer electrolyte affords mechanical stability. Corresponding discharge capacities of the hybrid cells exceed 170 mAh g⁻¹ (11 mg cm⁻²) or 160 mAh g⁻¹ (6 mg cm⁻²) at rates of either 0.1 or 0.25 C. Multilayer pouch cells are projected to enable energy densities of 235 Wh L⁻¹ (6 mg cm⁻²) and even up to 356 Wh L⁻¹ (11 mg cm⁻²), clearly superior to other reported polymer-based cell designs. Polyester electrolytes are environmentally benign and safer compared to common liquid electrolytes, while the straightforward synthesis and affordability of precursors render hybrid polyester electrolytes suitable candidates for future application in solid-state lithium metal batteries.     

Einfluss von Schmierstoffsystemen auf die Ermüdungsbeanspruchbarkeit von Schraubenverbindungen

The fatigue behavior of bolted joints is critical to failure for many applications due to the high notch effect. Among other parameters, the life-time is based on the influence of the surface system, consisting of coating and lubricant. Intended to consider the surface system in the design and dimensioning process of bolted joints systematic experimental investigations are carried out for an exemplary selected basecoat and various lubricant systems. The basis is given by fatigue tests supported by selected methods of material analysis for the fractographic evaluation. A reproducible method to determine the crack initiation as well as the crack propagation has been developed for the evaluation of lubricant systems.     

Safety Evaluation for Campus Parking Garage Performance Using Fuzzy Logic

Crime has been plaguing parking garages in the United States. At The Ohio State University, (OSU) crime on campus, in general, has decreased in recent years; however, crime in OSU parking garages has remained stable in spite of campus-wide efforts to reduce crime. When assessing and evaluating parking garages, occupants employ experience-based judgment that is subjective and imprecise, yet extremely useful. When designers employ the principles of crime prevention through environmental design, they also use subjective variables. An approach that captures the imprecise information in noncrisp expressions reflecting subjective and experience-based variables is the fuzzy logic concept. This concept allows the use of mathematical operations to manipulate and operate on imprecise information or knowledge. Variables such as garage illumination and wall height were collected, fuzzified, and treated as the knowledge base of a model presented in this paper. In addition, numerous experience-based implication rules were developed and employed to evaluate subjective variables. A computer program was developed to illustrate implementation of the model.     

Making Epothilones Fluoresce: Design,Synthesis, and Biological Characterization of a Fluorescent N12‐Aza‐Epothilone (Azathilone)

A green fluorescent 12‐aza‐epothilone (azathilone) derivative has been prepared through the attachment of the 4‐nitro‐2,1,3‐benzoxadiazole (NBD) fluorophore to the 12‐nitrogen atom of the azamacrolide core structure. While less potent than natural epothilones or different N12‐acylated azathilone derivatives, NBD‐azathilone ( 3 ) promotes tubulin assembly, inhibits cancer cell proliferation in vitro and arrests the cell cycle at the G2/M transition. Most significantly, the binding of 3 to cellular microtubules (MTs) could be directly visualized by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Based on competition binding experiments with laulimalide‐stabilized MTs in vitro, the N12‐Boc substituted azathilone 1 , Epo A, and NBD‐azathilone ( 3 ) all interact with the same tubulin‐binding site. Computational studies provided a structural model of the complexes between β‐tubulin and 1 or 3 , respectively, in which the NBD moiety of 3 or the BOC moiety of 1 directly and specifically contribute to MT binding. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the cellular effects of 3 and, by inference, also of other azathilones are the result of their interactions with the cellular MT network.     

Prognostic value of blood lactate, base deficit, and oxygen-derived variables in an LD50 model of penetrating trauma

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether blood lactate, base deficit, or oxygen-derived hemodynamic variables correlate with morbidity and mortality rates in a clinically-relevant LD50 model of penetrating trauma. DESIGN: Prospective, controlled study. SETTING: University research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Anesthetized, mechanically-ventilated mongrel pigs (30+/-2 kg, n = 29). INTERVENTIONS: A captive bolt gun delivered a penetrating injury to the thigh, followed immediately by a 40% to 60% hemorrhage. After 1 hr, shed blood and supplemental crystalloid were administered for resuscitation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: After penetrating injury, 50.7+/-0.3% hemorrhage (range 50% to 52.5%), and a 1-hr shock period, seven of 14 animals died, compared with six of six animals after 55% to 60% hemorrhage, and 0 of nine animals after < or =47.5% hemorrhage. Only two of 13 deaths occurred during fluid resuscitation. At the LD50 hemorrhage, peak lactate concentration and base deficit were 11.2+/-0.8 mM and 9.3+/-1.5 mmol/L, respectively, and minimum mixed venous oxygen saturation, systemic oxygen delivery, and systemic oxygen consumption were 33+/-5%, 380+/-83 mL/min/kg, and 177+/-35 mL/min/kg, respectively. For comparison, baseline preinjury values were 1.6+/-0.1 mM, -6.7+/-0.6 mmol/L, 71+/-3%, 2189+/-198 mL/min/kg, and 628+/-102 mL/min/kg, respectively. Of all the variables, only lactate was significantly related to blood loss before and after fluid resuscitation in the 16 survivors. However, r2 values were relatively low (.20 to .50), which indicates that only a small fraction of the hyperiactacidemia was directly related to tissue hypoperfusion. In the whole population of survivors and nonsurvivors, both lactate and base deficit (but none of the oxygen-derived variables) correlated with blood loss. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial lactate is a stronger index of blood loss after penetrating trauma than base deficit or oxygen-derived hemodynamic variables. The reliability of arterial lactate depends on several factors, such as the time after injury, the proportion of survivors and nonsurvivors in the study population, and on factors other than tissue hypoxia.     

The Zero-Delay Wavenumber Spectrum Estimation for the Analysis of Array ECG Signals?An Alternative to Isopotential Mapping

The zero-delay wavenumber spectrum (ZDWS) estimation approach is proposed for the analysis of array ECG signals as an alternative to isopotential mapping (IM). The ZDWS approach is advantageous because the key parameters related to cardiac electrical activation can be easily identified in the frequency-wavenumber domain. The method explains the data as the sum of wide-band planewaves projected onto the array plane and provides an accurate estimate of their number and bearing. The slowness distribution of each of the planewaves is then obtained by estimating their temporal spectrum. Simulated data and experimental ECG data collected from a canine epicardial preparation during control and localized myocardial ischemic condition'are analyzed via the ZDWS and IM. It is demonstrated that the ZDWS methodology provides a means for an objective, robust, and repetitive characterization of the array data which can explain the modulation in the cardiac activation wavefront produced by an area of localized coronary artery occlusion.     

Autoimmune Neutropenia and Immune-Dysregulation in a Patient Carrying a TINF2 Variant

In recent years, the knowledge about the immune-mediated impairment of bone marrow precursors in immune-dysregulation and autoimmune disorders has increased. In addition, immune-dysregulation, secondary to marrow failure, has been reported as being, in some cases, the most evident and early sign of the disease and making the diagnosis of both groups of disorders challenging. Dyskeratosis congenita is a disorder characterized by premature telomere erosion, typically showing marrow failure, nail dystrophy and leukoplakia, although incomplete genetic penetrance and phenotypes with immune-dysregulation features have been described. We report on a previously healthy 17-year-old girl, with a cousin successfully treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, who presented with leukopenia and neutropenia. The diagnostic work-up showed positive anti-neutrophil antibodies, leading to the diagnosis of autoimmune neutropenia, a slightly low NK count and high TCR-αβ+-double-negative T-cells. A next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis showed the 734C>A variant on exon 6 of the TINF2 gene, leading to the p.Ser245Tyr. The telomere length was short on the lymphocytes and granulocytes, suggesting the diagnosis of an atypical telomeropathy showing with immune-dysregulation. This case underlines the importance of an accurate diagnostic work-up of patients with immune-dysregulation, who should undergo NGS or whole exome sequencing to identify specific disorders that deserve targeted follow-up and treatment.     

Circulating miR-200 Family and CTCs in Metastatic Breast Cancer before,during, and after a New Line of Systemic Treatment

The extracellular circulating microRNA (miR)-200 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and, thus, plays an essential role in the metastatic cascade and has shown itself to be a promising prognostic and predictive biomarker in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Expression levels of the plasma miR-200 family were analyzed in relationship to systemic treatment, circulating tumor cells (CTC) count, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Expression of miR-200a, miR-200b, miR-200c, miR-141, and miR-429, and CTC status (CTC-positive ≥ 5 CTC/7.5 mL) was assessed in 47 patients at baseline (BL), after the first completed cycle of a new line of systemic therapy (1C), and upon the progression of disease (PD). MiR-200a, miR-200b, and miR-141 expression was reduced at 1C compared to BL. Upon PD, all miR-200s were upregulated compared to 1C. At all timepoints, the levels of miR-200s were elevated in CTC-positive versus CTC-negative patients. Further, heightened miR-200s expression and positive CTC status were associated with poorer OS at BL and 1C. In MBC patients, circulating miR-200 family members decreased after one cycle of a new line of systemic therapy, were elevated during PD, and were indicative of CTC status. Notably, increased levels of miR-200s and elevated CTC count correlated with poorer OS and PFS. As such, both are promising biomarkers for optimizing the clinical management of MBC.