bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lactic Acid Bacteria in Durum Wheat Flour Are Endophytic Components of the Plant during Its Entire Life Cycle
Authors: Minervini Fabio , Celano Giuseppe , Lattanzi Anna , Tedone Luigi , De Mastro Giuseppe , Gobbetti Marco , De Angelis Maria
Published: July 2015

This study aimed at assessing the dynamics of lactic acid bacteria and otherFirmicutesassociated with durum wheat organs and processed products. 16S rRNA gene-based high-throughput sequencing showed thatLactobacillus,Streptococcus,Enterococcus, andLactococcuswere the main epiphytic and endophytic genera among lactic acid bacteria.Bacillus,Exiguobacterium,Paenibacillus, andStaphylococcuscompleted the picture of the core genus microbiome. The relative abundance of each lactic acid bacterium genus was affected by cultivars, phenological stages, otherFirmicutesgenera, environmental temperature, and water activity (aw) of plant organs. Lactobacilli, showing the highest sensitivity to aw, markedly decreased during milk development (Odisseo) and physiological maturity (Saragolla). At these stages,Lactobacilluswas mainly replaced byStreptococcus,Lactococcus, andEnterococcus. However, a key sourdough species,Lactobacillus plantarum, was associated with plant organs during the life cycle of Odisseo and Saragolla wheat. The composition of the sourdough microbiota and the overall quality of leavened baked goods are also determined throughout the phenological stages of wheat cultivation, with variations depending on environmental and agronomic factors.
High-Pressure Inactivation of Rotaviruses: Role of Treatment Temperature and Strain Diversity in Virus Inactivation
Authors: Araud Elbashir , DiCaprio Erin , Yang Zhihong , Li Xinhui , Lou Fangfei , Hughes John H. , Chen Haiqiang , Li Jianrong
Published: July 2015

Rotavirus (RV) is the major etiological agent of acute gastroenteritis in infants worldwide. Although high-pressure processing (HPP) is a popular method to inactivate enteric pathogens in food, the sensitivity of different virus strains within same species and serotype to HPP is variable. This study aimed to compare the barosensitivities of seven RV strains derived from four serotypes (serotype G1, strains Wa, Ku, and K8; serotype G2, strain S2; serotype G3, strains SA-11 and YO; and serotype G4, strain ST3) following high-pressure treatment. RV strains showed various responses to HPP based on the initial temperature and had different inactivation profiles. Ku, K8, S2, SA-11, YO, and ST3 showed enhanced inactivation at 4°C compared to 20°C. In contrast, strain Wa was not significantly impacted by the initial treatment temperature. Within serotype G1, strain Wa was significantly (
P
< 0.05) more resistant to HPP than strains Ku and K8. Overall, the resistance of the human RV strains to HPP at 4°C can be ranked as Wa > Ku = K8 > S2 > YO > ST3, and in terms of serotype the ranking is G1 > G2 > G3 > G4. In addition, pressure treatment of 400 MPa for 2 min was sufficient to eliminate the Wa strain, the most pressure-resistant RV, from oyster tissues. HPP disrupted virion structure but did not degrade viral protein or RNA, providing insight into the mechanism of viral inactivation by HPP. In conclusion, HPP is capable of inactivating RV at commercially acceptable pressures, and the efficacy of inactivation is strain dependent.
Use of 16S rRNA Gene-Targeted Group-Specific Primers for Real-Time PCR Analysis of Predominant Bacteria in Mouse Feces
Authors: Yang Yun-Wen , Chen Mang-Kun , Yang Bing-Ya , Huang Xian-Jie , Zhang Xue-Rui , He Liang-Qiang , Zhang Jing , Hua Zi-Chun
Published: July 2015

Mouse models are widely used for studying gastrointestinal (GI) tract-related diseases. It is necessary and important to develop a new set of primers to monitor the mouse gut microbiota. In this study, 16S rRNA gene-targeted group-specific primers for
Firmicutes
,
Actinobacteria
,
Bacteroidetes
,
Deferribacteres
, “
Candidatus
Saccharibacteria,”
Verrucomicrobia
,
Tenericutes
, and
Proteobacteria
were designed and validated for quantification of the predominant bacterial species in mouse feces by real-time PCR. After confirmation of their accuracy and specificity by high-throughput sequencing technologies, these primers were applied to quantify the changes in the fecal samples from a trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis mouse model. Our results showed that this approach efficiently predicted the occurrence of colitis, such as spontaneous chronic inflammatory bowel disease in transgenic mice. The set of primers developed in this study provides a simple and affordable method to monitor changes in the intestinal microbiota at the phylum level.
Identification of Bradyrhizobium elkanii Genes Involved in Incompatibility with Soybean Plants Carrying the
Rj4
Allele
Authors: Faruque Omar M. , Miwa Hiroki , Yasuda Michiko , Fujii Yoshiharu , Kaneko Takakazu , Sato Shusei , Okazaki Shin
Published: July 2015

Symbioses between leguminous plants and soil bacteria known as rhizobia are of great importance to agricultural production and nitrogen cycling. While these mutualistic symbioses can involve a wide range of rhizobia, some legumes exhibit incompatibility with specific strains, resulting in ineffective nodulation. The formation of nodules in soybean plants (
Glycine max
) is controlled by several host genes, which are referred to as
Rj
genes. The soybean cultivar BARC2 carries the
Rj4
gene, which restricts nodulation by specific strains, including
Bradyrhizobium elkanii
USDA61. Here we employed transposon mutagenesis to identify the genetic locus in USDA61 that determines incompatibility with soybean varieties carrying the
Rj4
allele. Introduction of the Tn
5
transposon into USDA61 resulted in the formation of nitrogen fixation nodules on the roots of soybean cultivar BARC2 (
Rj4 Rj4
). Sequencing analysis of the sequence flanking the Tn
5
insertion revealed that six genes encoding a putative histidine kinase, transcriptional regulator, DNA-binding transcriptional activator, helix-turn-helix-type transcriptional regulator, phage shock protein, and cysteine protease were disrupted. The cysteine protease mutant had a high degree of similarity with the type 3 effector protein XopD of
Xanthomonas campestris
. Our findings shed light on the diverse and complicated mechanisms that underlie these highly host-specific interactions and indicate the involvement of a type 3 effector in
Rj4
nodulation restriction, suggesting that
Rj4
incompatibility is partly mediated by effector-triggered immunity.
Temperature-Sensitive Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis PT13a Expressing Essential Proteins of Psychrophilic Bacteria
Authors: Duplantis Barry N. , Puckett Stephanie M. , Rosey Everett L. , Ameiss Keith A. , Hartman Angela D. , Pearce Stephanie C. , Nano Francis E.
Published: July 2015

Synthetic genes based on deduced amino acid sequences of the NAD-dependent DNA ligase (
ligA
) and CTP synthetase (
pyrG
) of psychrophilic bacteria were substituted for their native homologues in the genome of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis phage type 13a (PT13a). The resulting strains were rendered temperature sensitive (TS) and did not revert to temperature resistance at a detectable level. At permissive temperatures, TS strains grew like the parental strain in broth medium and in macrophage-like cells, but their growth was slowed or stopped when they were shifted to a restrictive temperature. When injected into BALB/c mice at the base of the tail, representing a cool site of the body, the strains with restrictive temperatures of 37, 38.5, and 39°C persisted for less than 1 day, 4 to 7 days, and 20 to 28 days, respectively. The wild-type strain persisted at the site of inoculation for at least 28 days. The wild-type strain, but not the TS strains, was also found in spleen-plus-liver homogenates within 1 day of inoculation of the tail and was detectable in these organs for at least 28 days. Intramuscular vaccination of White Leghorn chickens with the PT13a strain carrying the psychrophilic
pyrG
gene provided some protection against colonization of the reproductive tract and induced an anti-
S. enterica
antibody response.
AllR Controls the Expression of Streptomyces coelicolor Allantoin Pathway Genes
Authors: Navone Laura , Macagno Juan Pablo , Licona-Cassani Cuauhtémoc , Marcellin Esteban , Nielsen Lars K. , Gramajo Hugo , Rodriguez Eduardo
Published: July 2015

Streptomyces
species are native inhabitants of soil, a natural environment where nutrients can be scarce and competition fierce. They have evolved ways to metabolize unusual nutrients, such as purines and its derivatives, which are highly abundant in soil. Catabolism of these uncommon carbon and nitrogen sources needs to be tightly regulated in response to nutrient availability and environmental stimulus. Recently, the allantoin degradation pathway was characterized in
Streptomyces coelicolor
. However, there are questions that remained unanswered, particularly regarding pathway regulation. Here, using a combination of proteomics and genetic approaches, we identified the negative regulator of the allantoin pathway, AllR.
In vitro
studies confirmed that AllR binds to the promoter regions of allantoin catabolic genes and determined the AllR DNA binding motif. In addition, effector studies showed that allantoic acid, and glyoxylate, to a lesser extent, inhibit the binding of AllR to the DNA. Inactivation of AllR repressor leads to the constitutive expression of the AllR regulated genes and intriguingly impairs actinorhodin and undecylprodigiosin production. Genetics and proteomics analysis revealed that among all genes from the allantoin pathway that are upregulated in the
allR
mutant, the
hyi
gene encoding a hydroxypyruvate isomerase (Hyi) is responsible of the impairment of antibiotic production.
The geological CO2 degassing history of a long-lived caldera
Authors: Chiodini Giovanni , Pappalardo L. , Aiuppa A. , Caliro S.
Published: July 2015

The majority of the ∼100 Holocene calderas on Earth host vigorously active hydrothermal systems, the heat and volatile budgets of which are sustained by degassing of deeply stored magma. Calderas may thus contribute a nontrivial, although poorly quantified, fraction of the global budget of magmatic volatiles such as CO2. Here we use original isotopic and petrological results from Campi Flegrei volcano, Italy, to propose that hydrothermal calcites are natural mineral archives for the magmatic CO2 that reacted with reservoir rocks during the geological history of a caldera. We show that Campi Flegrei calcites, identified in core samples extracted from 3-km-deep geothermal wells, formed at isotopic equilibrium with magmatic fluids having δ18OH2O of +8.7‰ to +12.7‰, and δ13CCO2 of ∼−1.5‰. This inferred fossil fluid composition is virtually identical to that of present-day fumaroles, demonstrating a stable carbon source during the caldera’s (<40 k.y.) history. We use the mass of calcites stored in the hydrothermal system to estimate that 12 Gt of magmatic CO2 reacted with the Campi Flegrei rocks during the caldera history; this corresponds to a time-averaged CO2 flux of ∼800 t d–1. This long-term CO2 flux, the first of its kind in the geological literature, is similar to the present-day soil CO2 degassing flux (1100 ± 200 t d–1). We conclude that the actual magmatic CO2 degassing flux from calderas may be severely underestimated if subsurface calcite precipitation is not taken into account.
Boxing injury epidemiology in the Great Britain team: a 5-year surveillance study of medically diagnosed injury incidence and outcome
Authors: Loosemore Michael , Lightfoot Joseph , Palmer-Green Deborah , Gatt Ian , Bilzon James , Beardsley Chris
Published: July 2015

Objectives

There has been no comprehensive injury report of elite-level amateur boxers in competition and training. We reviewed injuries in training and competition in the Great Britain (GB) amateur boxing squad between 2005 and 2009.

Methods

Longitudinal, prospective injury surveillance over 5 years of the GB boxing squad from 2005 to 2009. 66 boxers passed through the squad. The location, region affected, description, and the duration of each injury were recorded by the team doctor and team physiotherapist. We recorded whether the injury occurred during competition or training, and also whether it was a new or a recurrent injury. The injury rate during competition was calculated as the number of injuries per 1000 h.

Results

More injuries affected the hand than any other body location. This was the case overall, in training and competition individually, and for both new and recurrent injuries. More injuries occurred during training than during competition, and most injuries were new rather than recurrent. Total injury rate during competition was 828 per 1000 h and hand injury rate in competition was 302 injuries per 1000 h. Hand injury rate in competition was significantly higher than at the other locations. The incidence of concussion is comparatively low.

Conclusions

Injury prevention should aim to protect the hands and wrists of elite amateur boxers.
Risk factors associated with lower extremity stress fractures in runners: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Wright Alexis A , Taylor Jeffrey B , Ford Kevin R , Siska Lindsey , Smoliga James M
Published: July 2015

Background

Stress fractures are common overuse injuries with up to 95% occurring in the lower extremities. Among runners, stress fractures account for 15–20% of all musculoskeletal injuries.

Purpose

We systematically reviewed and critiqued the evidence regarding risk factors associated with increased risk of lower extremity stress fractures in runners.

Study design

Systematic review.

Methods

A systematic, computerised literature search of Medline, Embase, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL databases (from database inception through 9 January 2014) using keywords related to risk factors and stress fractures. This systematic review with meta-analysis utilised the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for the search and reporting phases of the study. Inverse variance meta-analyses, using a random effects model were used to summarise ORs.

Results

8 articles met the inclusion criteria; 7 were considered low risk. 4 articles qualified for meta-analysis. Results of the meta-analysis identified previous history of stress fracture and female sex as the primary risk factors for future stress fracture with a pooled OR of 4.99 (95% CI 2.91 to 8.56; p<0.001; I2=0%) and 2.31 (95% CI 1.24 to 4.29; p<0.01; I2=0%), respectively.

Conclusions

Currently, only previous history of stress fracture and female sex are risk factors for lower extremity stress fractures strongly supported by the data.
Injury and illness surveillance during the 24th Men's Handball World Championship 2015 in Qatar
Authors: Bere Tone , Alonso Juan-Manuel , Wangensteen Arnlaug , Bakken Arnhild , Eirale Cristiano , Dijkstra H Paul , Ahmed Hosny , Bahr Roald , Popovic Nebojsa
Published: July 2015

Background

The IOC encourages international federations to establish systematic athlete injury and illness surveillance programmes.

Objective

To describe pattern of injuries and illnesses during the 24th Men's Handball World Championship 2015 by implementing the IOC injury and illness surveillance protocol.

Methods

The medical staff of participating teams (n=24) were requested to report all new injuries and illnesses during matches and/or training on a daily basis throughout the event (15 January to 1 February, 2015). Exposure (number of player-hours) during all matches was calculated for all players (n=384) and for each of the 4 player positions (wing, back, line and goalkeeper).

Results

Medical staff of all teams submitted 96.7% (n=325) of the daily report forms. In total, 27.1% of the players were injured, and of the 132 injuries reported, 40% were time-loss injuries. The total incidence of injuries was 104.5 per 1000 player-hours. The highest risk of injury was found among line players, and more injuries occurred during the first half of the matches. The most frequent injury location was the ankle, followed by the thigh, knee and head/face. The majority of injuries were contusion, sprain or strain. In total, 10.9% of the players were affected by an illness during the event. Of the 42 cases recorded, 31 (73.8%) were reported as respiratory tract infection.

Conclusions

The risk of injury in handball is high among Olympic sports. Preventive measures should focus on contusions, ankle sprains, and thigh muscle strains, as well as measures aimed to reduce upper respiratory tract infections.
The impact performance of headguards for combat sports
Authors: McIntosh Andrew S , Patton Declan A
Published: July 2015

Background/aim

To assess the impact energy attenuation performance of a range of headguards for combat sports.

Methods

Seven headguards worn during combat sport training or competition, including two Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur (AIBA)-approved boxing models, were tested using drop tests. An International Organization for Standardization (ISO) rigid headform was used with a 5.6 kg drop assembly mass. Tests were conducted against a flat rigid anvil both with and without a boxing glove section. The centre forehead and lateral headguard areas were tested. Peak headform acceleration was measured. Tests from a selection of drop heights and repeated tests on the same headguard were conducted.

Results

Headguard performance varied by test condition. For the 0.4 m rigid anvil tests, the best model headguard was the thickest producing an average peak headform acceleration over 5 tests of 48 g compared with 456 g for the worst model. The mean peak acceleration for the 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 frontal and lateral rigid anvil impact tests was between 32% and 40% lower for the Top Ten boxing model compared with the Adidas boxing model. The headguard performance deterioration observed with repeat impact against the flat anvil was reduced for impacts against the glove section. The overall reduction in acceleration for the combination of glove and headguard in comparison to the headguard condition was in the range of 72–93% for 0.6 and 0.8 m drop tests.

Conclusions

The impact tests show the benefits of performance testing in identifying differences between headguard models.
Improving reporting of critical incidents through education and involvement.
Authors: Donnelly Peter
Published: July 2015

Critical incident reporting involves highlighting events and near-misses which have a potential impact on patient care and patient safety. Reporting of critical incidents is a recognised tool in improving patient safety. Within the community paediatric setting in the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust (BHSCT) there is a paucity of incident report forms. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to establish the barriers to reporting critical incidents and to implement plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles to create a climate for change.

The methodology for this project was to firstly perform a baseline audit to review all submitted critical incident reports for the Community Paediatric team in the BHSCT for a six month period. A questionnaire was distributed to staff within the multidisciplinary team to establish examples of barriers to reporting. Interventions performed included introducing an agreed definition of a critical incident, distributing/presenting questionnaire findings to senior members of the various management teams and providing feedback to healthcare workers after presentation of a critical incident presentation. A review of incident reports was performed over the subsequent six month period to assess how the interventions impacted on incident reporting.

Over 12 questionnaires 28 barriers to reporting critical incidents were reported which fell into five separate categories. Staff members were twice as likely to report negativity after reporting a critical incident. Overall critical incident reporting within the BHSCT Community Paediatric team improved from 11 incident reports (1.8 per month) to 22 incident reports (3.7 per month) after completion of the quality improvement project. This represents an increase of 100%.
Transition: the experiences of support workers caring for people with learning disabilities towards the end of life
Authors: O'Sullivan Gavan , Harding Richard
Published: July 2015

Aim

This research aims to provide a better understanding of the experience of support workers, as paid carers, caring for adults with learning disabilities (LDs) nearing the end of life in residential settings.

Background

In the past 100 years, people with LDs (also referred to as ‘learning difficulty’, ‘mental retardation’ and ‘intellectual disability’ internationally) are living longer with life expectancy approaching the population norm and more likely to die from diseases such as cancer, respiratory and vascular diseases. Community-based supported accommodation has become the foremost provider for people with LDs in their late 30 s or over in the UK. In the midst of the transition from living to dying for people with LDs, and even postdeath, the needs of support workers are often neglected against a background where most are unqualified, often with little experience of death and dying event, and with limited access to clinical supervision and education.

Methods

3 focus groups involving 13 support workers were conducted at 3 independent service provider settings for people with LDs in London.

Findings

In recounting the experiences of these groups of support workers, 6 themes are described: strong emotional bond and identification; collaboration with other services; training issues around the extended role; support within the organisation; relationship with family/other residents; and grieving the ‘loss’.

Conclusions

Although support workers play a key role in meeting the end-of-life care needs of people with LDs in residential settings, their own needs are often neglected. There are still significant gaps in understanding these needs and practice development in this area.
Predictors of mortality in patients with flail chest: a systematic review
Authors: Battle Ceri E , Evans Phillip A
Published: July 2015

Objective

To summarise the risk factors for mortality in patients with flail chest based on available evidence in the literature.

Methods

A systematic review was completed using articles from PubMed, EMBASE, the Centre for Review and Dissemination database and the Cochrane Library. Additional studies were identified by hand-searching bibliographies, and grey literature was sought by searching abstracts from all relevant Emergency Medicine Conferences. All published and unpublished observational studies were included if they investigated estimates of association between a risk factor and mortality for patients with flail chest.

Results

This review found seven studies that matched the inclusion criteria, with a total of 944 patients. Patient age of ≥65 years was reported as a predictor of mortality when controlling for injury severity score (ISS) (p<0.02, OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.6). An ISS of ≥31 was reported to be a predictor of mortality in two studies; however, neither controlled for patient age. Pulmonary contusion, bilateral flail chest and hospital length of stay were not consistently found to be associated with mortality.

Conclusions

The main independent predictors of mortality in patients with flail chest were reported to be increased age and ISS. More data are needed regarding the association of hospital length of stay, presence of pulmonary contusion and bilateral flail chest.
In the era of the 24 h laboratory, does communicating Gram stain results from blood cultures flagging positive outside of conventional working hours alter patient management?
Authors: Moore Jonathan S , Koerner Roland J
Published: July 2015

Aims

As laboratories move towards 24 h a day working patterns, we aim to evaluate if expediting the availability of provisional blood culture results outside of normal working hours would derive clinical benefit.

Methods

116 blood cultures flagging positive outside of conventional working hours (20:00–09:00) were studied. In each case, medical records were reviewed and cases discussed with clinicians to determine if earlier communication of results would have altered management and affected the outcome.

Results

Organisms were seen in 102/116 blood cultures. In total, 76/82 (92.7%) patients with cultures deemed to be significant were on an antibiotic. The isolate was sensitive to the prescribed antibiotic in 56/74 (76%) cases. Input from a microbiologist is likely to have altered management in 14 (13.7%) cases, but unlikely to have affected any outcomes.

Conclusions

We found no compelling evidence that expediting the availability of Gram stain results from positive blood cultures alone improves patient outcome.
Flow cytometry for the microscopy of body fluids in patients with suspected infection
Authors: Bignardi Giuseppe Enrico
Published: July 2015

Automating the microscopy of body fluids is challenging, due to the wider range and lower concentrations of cells in these fluids, as opposed to blood, while the viscous nature of some of these fluids can also be problematic. This review shows that there have been major improvements and that newer flow cytometers can have remarkably low limits of quantitation for WBCs. Accurate counting of RBCs is still problematic with many flow cytometers, but this is of no clinical significance. Many flow cytometers can give reasonably accurate WBC differential counts, but detection of eosinophils and neoplastic or other nucleated cells which are not blood cells can still be problematic, hence fail-safe measures are recommended. Cerebrospinal fluid is the most challenging body fluid as it requires the ability to count and differentiate WBCs down to a ‘normal range’, which is much lower than the diagnostic cut-off values used for serous fluids; precision at or around the cerebrospinal fluid WBC normal range is reduced even with the best flow cytometers, but manual microscopy is even less precise.
Do macroeconomic contractions induce or ‘harvest’ suicides? A test of competing hypotheses
Authors: Gemmill Alison , Falconi April , Karasek Deborah , Hartig Terry , Anderson Elizabeth , Catalano Ralph
Published: July 2015

Background

Researchers often invoke a mortality displacement or ‘harvesting’ mechanism to explain mortality patterns, such that those with underlying health vulnerabilities die sooner than expected in response to environmental phenomena, such as heat waves, cold spells and air pollution. It is unclear if this displacement mechanism might also explain observed increases in suicide following economic contraction, or if suicides are induced in persons otherwise unlikely to engage in self-destructive behaviour. Here, we test two competing hypotheses explaining an observed increase in suicides following unemployment—induction or displacement.

Methods

We apply time series methods to monthly suicide and unemployment data from Sweden for the years 2000–2011. Tests are conducted separately for working age (20–64 years old) men and women as well as older (aged 65 years and older) men and women.

Results

Displacement appeared among older men and women; an unexpected rise in unemployment predicted an increase in suicides 6 months later, followed by a significant decrease 8 months later. Induction appeared among working age men, but not among working age women; an unexpected rise in unemployment predicted an increase in suicides 4–6 months later.

Conclusions

Displacement and induction both appear to have operated following unexpected labour market contractions in Sweden, though with different population segments.
Indirect assessment of stifle angle for improved accuracy of preoperative planning of tibial osteotomy procedures in dogs
Authors: Barnes D. C. , Owen M. R.
Published: July 2015

To assess reliability of the mechanical axes stifle angle in dogs positioned for radiography with a neutral stifle (neutral stifle angle (nSA)). To investigate radiographic landmarks for assessment of nSA from a collimated radiographic view. One hundred radiographs were taken of normal stifles belonging to 55 skeletally mature medium and large breed dogs, positioned using a repeatable protocol. Radiographs were widely collimated to include the femoral head and the talus. The angle of Blumensaat's line through the intercondylar fossa relative to the Mechanical Axis of the femur (intercondylar fossa angle, IFA), the angle of inclination of a tibial crest tangent line relative to the Mechanical Axis of the tibia (tibial crest angle, TCA) and the tibial plateau angle (TPA) were recorded. Mean nSA was 133.5°. Mean IFA was 155.5°. TCA had a mean of 6.7°. Estimates for nSA were calculated using mean IFA combined with mean TCA (enSA1), mean TPA (enSA2) and the mechanical axis of the tibia (enSA3). Mean percentage error relative was 2.99 per cent for enSA1, 2.82 per cent for enSA2, 1.67 per cent for enSA3. Blumensaat's line provides a consistent radiological feature for assessment of nSA. Assessment of nSA and correction for values varying from 135° may allow more consistent and accurate measurement of patellar tendon angle for presurgical planning.
Cardiorenal protective effect of taurine against cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity in albino rats
Authors: Alhumaidha Khaled A. , Saleh Dalia O. , Abd El Fattah Mai A. , El-Eraky Wafaa I. , Moawad Helmy
Published: July 2015

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a cytotoxic alkylating agent used in the treatment of malignant diseases and autoimmune disorders. Its clinical use is limited to its marked cardiorenal toxicity. The present study aimed to investigate the possible protective role of taurine (Tau; 200 mg·kg−1per day, i.p.) on CP-induced cardiorenal toxicity. CP (200 mg·kg−1) was administered as a single intraperitoneal injection whereas; Tau was administered for 3 weeks on a daily basis. The results showed that CP produced an elevation in serum activities of creatine kinase, creatine kinase isoenzyme, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine as well as blood urea nitrogen. CP also induced an elevation in the oxidative stress markers viz. elevation in the serum lipid peroxides level (measured as malondialdehyde; MDA) and reduction in reduced glutathione level and superoxide dismutase activity in both heart and renal tissue. On the other hand, administration of Tau attenuated the CP-evoked disturbances in the above mentioned parameters. In addition, CP exhibited electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, which were significantly reversed by Tau treatment. Finally, the histopathological examination emphasized the obtained results. In conclusion, Tau is suggested to be a potential candidate to ameliorate CP-induced cardiorenal toxicity that may be related to its antioxidant activity.
Budge–Fudge method of pore-pressure estimation from wireline logs with application to Cretaceous mudstones at Haltenbanken
Authors: Sargent C. , Goulty N. R. , Cicchino A. M. P. , Ramdhan A. M.
Published: July 2015

Using wireline logs to estimate pore pressure in mudstones at the chemical compaction stage is not straightforward because clay diagenesis proceeds independently of effective stress, and neither density nor velocity is uniquely related to the maximum effective stress experienced by the mudstones. We propose the Budge–Fudge method, in which we assume there is a unique trend on the sonic–density cross-plot for mudstones at the chemical compaction stage that have not been unloaded. In addition to the sonic–density chemical compaction trend, an initial guestimate of maximum effective stress previously experienced by the mudstones is required. Additional overpressure from unloading processes is then estimated from the sonic log, referenced to the density response. The initial guestimate of maximum effective stress may be adjusted to fit any available measured pressures or pressures estimated from geological knowledge. We have applied the Budge–Fudge method to Cretaceous mudstones at Haltenbanken, and find that estimated pressures match measured pressures and expected pressure–depth profiles. Furthermore, the analysis suggests that the lateral variations in mudstone porosity, previously reported, result from lateral variations in overpressure build-up immediately following rapid burial by glaciogenic sediments; subsequently, overpressures have increased through clay diagenesis and equilibrated laterally across the area.
The Status of SOFC R&D in the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking Program
Authors: Atanasiu Mirela
Published: July 2015

The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) was set up in 2008 to accelerate the development of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies in Europe towards commercialization from 2015 onwards. To reach this target the FCH JU intends to bring together resources under a cohesive public-private partnership to ensure commercial focus, to match RTD activities to industry's needs and expectations and to scale-up and intensify links between the Industry Community and the Research Community. The applications are open to all fuel cells technologies, SOFC being mostly developed for the stationary applications, including back-up powers and APUs for transportation (trucks, planes). There are different groups working in Europe and supported partially by the FCH JU on the SOFC technology. By supporting such a project portfolio, FCH JU is going to reach most of the objectives set-up at European level mainly in terms of potential reduction of costs through sufficient number of units demonstrated across Europe in transport and stationary applications. The EU public support will continue for the next period of 2014-2020 for activities with an advanced TRL, moving towards market penetration of the FCH technologies.
Current Status of National SOFC Projects in Japan
Authors: Kadowaki Masataka
Published: July 2015

The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has been conducting technology development and demonstrative research programs related to SOFC, as one of the most important and promising technologies for CO2 reduction and realizing dispersed power sources. One of their achievements was the-first-in-the-world commercialization of SOFC-based combined heat and power (CHP) system “ENE-FARM type S” in 2011. In June 2014, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has compiled a Strategic Road Map for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells. It was established, releasing fuel cells for commercial and industrial use onto the market in 2017 as one of the processes of expanding the use of fuel cell technology. NEDO’s activities on Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), including a program “Technology development for promoting SOFC commercialization”, will be overviewed.
Accomplishments, Status, and Road Map for the US Department of Energy's Fossil Energy SOFC Program
Authors: White Briggs M. , Lundberg Wayne L. , Pierre Joseph F.
Published: July 2015

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy is charged with developing ultraclean (near-zero emissions), low-cost energy from fossil fuels to fuel economic prosperity, strengthen energy independence, and enhance environmental quality. A component of that effort, implemented by the National Energy Technology Laboratory, is the Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance, which is developing low-cost, highly efficient solid oxide fuel cell power systems that produce electric power from natural gas or coal with intrinsic carbon capture capabilities. In coordinated work involving industry, academia, and national laboratories, progress is being made in areas critical to technology commercialization, including seals, cells power density and stability, and low-cost interconnects. Cell tests have yielded acceptable performance and degradation rates. The program is now focusing on improving stack and system performance, reliability, and durability through progressively larger stack tests and integrated systems tests. Accomplishments, current program status, and the roadmap for continuing work are reviewed.
The Promise and Challenges of Intermediate Temperature Fuel Cells
Authors: Litzelman Scott Joseph , Lemmon John Patrick
Published: July 2015

An intermediate temperature range of 200 to 500 oC has received less attention in fuel cell research than higher and lower temperature fuel cell systems due to the relatively few number of electrolytes that operate in this range. However materials research over the past 15 years has resulted in new electrolytes with sufficiently high ionic conductivity to enable intermediate temperature fuel cells (ITFCs). The focus of the Reliable Electricity Based on ELectrochemical Systems (REBELS) program at the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is to create ITFCs with the potential for drastically reduced system costs, as well as enhanced electrochemical functionality. These systems are expected to have benefits compared to higher and lower temperature operation, though they will also encounter new challenges such as methane reforming, ohmic resistance of the electrolyte, and electrode overpotentials at temperatures less than 700 oC.
Recent Progress of SOFC Combined Cycle System with Segmented-in-Series Tubular Type Cell Stack at MHPS
Authors: Miyamoto Koji , Mihara Masahiro , Oozawa Hiroyuki , Hiwatashi Kenichi , Tomida Kazuo , Nishiura Masanori , Kishizawa Hiroshi , Mori Ryutaro , Kobayashi Yoshinori
Published: July 2015

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) triple combined cycle system, integrated with gas turbine (GT) and steam turbine (ST), is an ultimate fossil fuel electric power generation system with very high efficiency. Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd. (MHPS) has been developing for commercialization of an SOFC-micro gas turbine (MGT) system from several hundred kW to several MW class. Recently prototype of a 250 kW class SOFC-MGT hybrid system was operated at Tokyo Gas Senju Techno Station. This system was stable without voltage degradation under operating 4,100 hours. At the same time, we have started the development of fundamental technologies for realization of SOFC-Gas Turbine (GT)-Steam Turbine (ST) triple combined cycle system that aims to achieve more than 70% of power generation efficiency. In this paper, recent progress of the SOFC-micro gas turbine (MGT) hybrid system and development of triple combined cycle system are described.
Framework for Analysis of Irreversible Fuel Cell Heat Engine Hybrids
Authors: Williams Mark C. , Gemmen Randall , Gerdes Kirk
Published: July 2015

A thermodynamic and electrochemical framework for the analysis of the degrading fuel cell heat engine hybrid is developed and explored for various working reactions. Fuel cell hybrids are a combination of energy conversion sub-systems – fuel cells and heat engines. Fuel cell hybrids are important for the future for they are the most efficient devices when converting chemical energy of methane from natural gas and renewable fuels to electricity. While the perfect fuel cell would undergo no degradation, practical fuel cells with irreversibilities will degrade. The common practice is to linearize degradation. However, experimental evidence shows that ASR(t) is commonly an ohmic parabolic function. By the principle of superposition one can easily develop the equations for degrading hybrids from those developed for hybrids. The path of maximum power can be developed for degrading hybrids as a function of ASR and temperature. The maximum power for a degrading fuel cell hybrid is given by the Gaussian hypergeometric function. The range of the operation of the SOFC is likely most conducive to hybrid operation for hydrogen oxidation as the working reaction. Each working reaction has a characteristic transition temperature and a characteristic optimal operating temperature.
Operational Aspects for Direct Coupling of Gas Turbine and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Henke Moritz , Willich Caroline , Steilen Mike , Schnegelberger Christian , Kallo Josef , Friedrich K. Andreas
Published: July 2015

This contribution gives an overview of the theoretical and experimental investigations that have been carried out at DLR concerning the pressurized operation of SOFC. The influence of pressure on SOFC performance is analyzed and the influence of internal reforming reactions is evaluated. Furthermore, the influence of pressure on degradation mechanisms is theoretically analyzed. Results show that pressure can strongly influence the power density of SOFC. A decrease in SOFC performance caused by reformate gases is mainly due to temperature effects. Nickel oxidation and carbon deposition propensity are both pressure dependent and should be addressed when designing pressurized SOFC systems.
Construction of a 30kW SOFC Gas Turbine Hybrid Power Plant
Authors: Henke Moritz , Steilen Mike , Schnegelberger Christian , Riedel Marc , Hohloch Martina , Bücheler Sandro , Herbst Melanie , Huber Andreas , Kallo Josef , Friedrich K. Andreas
Published: July 2015

Hybrid power plants consisting of SOFC and gas turbine promise high electrical efficiencies. The German Aerospace Center aims to build and operate such a hybrid power plant with an electrical power output of 30 kW. The presentation will illustrate the general concept of the power plant and give an overview of the current status of the project.
Development of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells at Versa Power Systems and FuelCell Energy
Authors: Borglum Brian P , Ghezel-Ayagh Hossein
Published: July 2015

Versa Power Systems (VPS) is a developer of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) for clean power generation and is a wholly owned subsidiary of FuelCell Energy (FCE). FCE is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) power plants. From an economic perspective, MCFCs scale-up very well and as a result FCE’s MCFC products are in the multi-megawatt size range. SOFCs are complementary because they scale-down well and hence are suited to sub-megawatt applications. This paper highlights the status of VPS and FCE’s SOFC technology in the areas of cell, stack and system development.
Ceres Power Steel Cell Technology: Rapid Progress Towards a Truly Commercially Viable SOFC
Authors: Leah Robert Timothy , Bone Adam , Lankin Mike , Selcuk Ahmet , Rahman Mahfujur , Clare Andrew , Rees Lee , Phillip Stephen , Mukerjee Subhasish , Selby Mark
Published: July 2015

Ceres Power is continuing to make excellent progress in the development of its low-temperature metal supported SOFC design (the ‘Steel Cell’) based predominantly around the use of ceria. This unique design architecture allows for a robust, low cost, subsidy free fuel cell product, whilst retaining the advantages of fuel flexibility, high efficiency and low degradation. Over the last year, extensive development and verification of the technology has been undertaken on the latest generation of Steel Cell technology, which offers further enhancements in technology readiness level and manufacturability. Over the same period, third parties have deepened their testing and development engagements with Ceres Power for a broadening range of market applications at cell, stack, fuel cell module and product levels. This paper provides an update on Ceres’ development, verification approach and latest results.
Sunfire Industrial SOC Stacks and Modules
Authors: Strohbach Thomas , Mittmann Frank , Walter Christian , Schimanke Danilo , Geipel Christian
Published: July 2015

In the past years, sunfire has increased its product portfolio and production depth. Four product classes (single stacks and stack modules for SOFC and SOEC) are tackling several markets (off-grid, on-grid, mobile). A ceramic center and a new production facility were inaugurated. The R&D activities are strongly driven by market requirements. With the new SOC stack electrolysis operation is introduced aside fuel cell operation. Furthermore, an increase in power density and a reduction of cost was achieved under the constraint of using standard industrial materials. Latest results of SOC single stack testing like I-V curves and reversible operation will be presented. The engineering and testing of stack modules in the power range >25kW will be also shown.
Standalone Portable SOFC Power Generator for Autonomous Operation
Authors: Reissig Michael , Mathé Jörg , Planitzer Stefan , Vötter René , Rechberger Juergen
Published: July 2015

Since 2002 AVL is working on fuel cells with the focus on mobile and stationary SOFC systems. In 2014 the first completely standalone mobile SOFC power generator fueled with diesel was demonstrated. The system is equipped with all required additional components for autonomous operation like a battery pack and power electronics. During startup, the internal auxiliaries (e.g. the air blower), are consuming energy from the battery pack to heat the stack up to operating temperature. At a certain point the SOFC system starts to produce electricity which is used to recharge the batteries. An external consumer can draw a power of up to 5kW from the system. Short term power peaks (positive or negative) are buffered by a super cap. The operation is automatically controlled by the control unit implementing an energy management system. This enables a very user-friendly operation where the control system takes care of an always sufficient state-of-charge level of the battery pack.
Status of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Development at Elcogen
Authors: Noponen Matti , Torri Pauli , Göös Jukka , Chade Daniel , Hallanoro Paul , Temmo Aleksander , Koit Andre , Ounpuu Enn
Published: July 2015

Elcogen is a manufacturing company of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) unit cells and stacks. The competitive advance of Elcogen unit cells and stacks are their performance characteristics at reduced operating temperatures between 600°C to 700°C. The unit cells and stacks are based on conventional material solutions and manufacturing processes, which together with reduced operating temperature, provide cost benefits both for Elcogen’s products and system integrators.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Stack and System Development Status at Forschungszentrum Jülich
Authors: Blum Ludger , Batfalsky Peter , Fang Qingping , de Haart L.G.J. , Malzbender Jürgen , Margaritis Nikolaos , Menzler Norbert H. , Peters Roland
Published: July 2015

Based on more than 20 years of scientific development, Forschungszentrum Jülich is still continuously improving its SOFC technology. Based on a warm pressing process, anode supported cells have been tested in stack sizes up to 5 kW. Recent cell developments focused on tape-casting and sequential tape-casting. The enhanced thermo-mechanical robustness of stacks in the kW range was demonstrated by successfully cycling 100 times between 200 and 700 °C. To be able to utilize also anode supported cells from other manufacturers, the design was modified to a window frame layout, integrating four 10×10 cm² cells in one layer. A 20 kW system was operated for about 7000 hours in total, demonstrating thereby the suitability of the module and system concept developed in JÜLICH. As special highlights, long-term tests with short stacks have now reached operation times of 65,200 h and 34,500 h, respectively. As relatively new subject the activities in high temperature electrolysis are briefly outlined.
Smart Fuel Cell Demonstration Project: A Challenge to Realize SOFC-Powered Campus
Authors: Sasaki Kazunari , Taniguchi Shunsuke , Shiratori Yusuke , Hayashi Akari , Oshima Toshihiro , Nishihara Masamichi , Tachikawa Yuya , Daio Takeshi , Kawabata Tsutomu , Fujita Miki , Zaitsu Ayumi
Published: July 2015

This paper introduces a challenge to realize a fuel-cell-powered campus at Kyushu University where SOFC technology plays a major role. The Smart Fuel Cell Demonstration Project, supported by Cabinet Secretariat/Office of Japan, enables us to install one 250 kW SOFC power generation system, other SOFC units, and the world-first university-owned fuel cell vehicle to which renewable hydrogen gas is supplied from the hydrogen refueling station in this campus using electrolyzers. The experience in this demonstrative project is described along with related efforts to accelerate industry-academia collaborations and fundamental scientific studies using advanced analytical facilities.