Radon progeny microdosimetry in human and rat bronchial airways: the effect of crossfire from the alveolar region

The objectives of the present study were (1) to present a comprehensiveanalysis of the microdosimetric quantities in both human andrat bronchial airways and (2) to assess the contribution ofthe crossfire alpha particles emitted from the alveolar regionto bronchial absorbed doses. Hit frequencies, absorbed dosesand critical microdosimetric quantities were calculated forbasal and secretory cell nuclei located at different depthsin epithelial tissue for each bronchial airway generation fordefined exposure conditions. Total absorbed doses and hit frequencieswere slightly higher in rat airways than in corresponding humanairways. This confirms the a priori assumption in rat inhalationexperiments that the rat lung is a suitable surrogate for thehuman lung. While the contribution of crossfire alpha particlesis insignificant in the human lung, it can reach 33% in peripheralbronchiolar airways of the rat lung. The latter contributionmay even further increase with increasing alveolar ²¹⁴Po activities.Hence, the observed prevalence of tumors in the bronchiolarregion of the rat lung may partly be attributed to the high-linearenergy transfer crossfire alpha particles.     

A new approach for user-independent determination of formability of a steel sheet sheared edge

It is common to use a forming limit curve (FLC) for a feasibility study of a deep-drawn steel part based on a finite element analysis (FEA). However, in such an approach a neglected fact is that a blank edge in industrial production is often produced by shear cutting. Especially, for many high strength steel grades, this cutting process notably reduces edge formability. An overestimation of formability of the blank edge, with an FLC, is the consequence that may lead to cracks at the sheared edge of a part. The following paper describes a new approach to determine formability of a sheet-steel sheared edge by hole expansion test that uses an FLC tool set. This approach delivers a hole expansion ratio with considerably lower scattering compared to the hole expansion according to ISO 16630. Additionally, information on the planar isotropy, flow and necking behavior of the material, is supplied. Finally, a pragmatical way of transferring test results into an FEA of the forming process for a sheet blank with a sheared edge is presented.     

Reprocessing of aluminum chips by hot backward extrusion

In this work the recycling of cold pressed aluminum chips by a hot backward extrusion process is investigated. By using a non-melting approach common casting losses are avoided. After cold compaction, the hot backward extrusion process is carried out with a high speed hydraulic forming press under variation of forming speed, temperature and force. Subsequently, forged parts were analysed by mechanical tests and metallographic examinations. The investigations have shown that aluminum chips can be consolidated into a semi-finished part with local relative densities up to 100 %. In comparison to common continuous non-melting chip recycling techniques the investigated process chain has the potential to reduce the effort of post-treatment noticeable by producing semi-finished components from aluminum waste.     

Photoelectrochemical conversion of CO2 using nanostructured PbS–Si Photocathode

Journal of Applied Electrochemistry - A n-type nanostructured PbS thin films were prepared by chemical bath deposition onto flat Silicon (Si) and Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) which were derived from...     

High frequency travelling surface acoustic waves for microparticle separation

In this study, we have demonstrated a particle separation device taking advantage of the high frequency sound waves. The sound waves, in the form of surface acoustic waves, are produced by an acoustofluidic platform built on top of a piezoelectric substrate bonded to a microfluidic channel. The particles’ mixture, pumped through the microchannel, is focused using a sheath fluid. A Travelling surface acoustic wave (TSAW), propagating normal to the flow, interacts with the particles and deflects them from their original path to induce size-based separation in a continuous flow. We initially started the experiment with 40 MHz TSAWs for deflecting 10 µm diameter polystyrene particles but failed. However, larger diameter particles (~ 30 µm) were successfully deflected from their streamlines and separated from the smaller particles (~ 10 µm) using TSAWs with 40 MHz frequency. The separation of smaller diameter particles (3, 5 and 7 µm) was also achieved using an order of magnitude higher-frequency (~ 133 MHz) TSAWs.     

Impact of heat processing on the detection of the major shellfish allergen tropomyosin in crustaceans and molluscs using specific monoclonal antibodies

The major heat-stable shellfish allergen, tropomyosin, demonstrates immunological cross-reactivity, making specific differentiation of crustaceans and molluscs for food labelling very difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of allergen-specific monoclonal antibodies in differential detection of shellfish-derived tropomyosin in 11 crustacean and 7 mollusc species, and to study the impact of heating on its detection. Cross-reactive tropomyosin was detected in all crustacean species, with partial detection in molluscs: mussels, scallops and snails but none in oyster, octopus and squid. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that heating of shellfish has a profound effect on tropomyosin detection. This was evident by the enhanced recognition of multiple tropomyosin variants in the analysed shellfish species. Specific monoclonal antibodies, targetting the N-terminal region of tropomyosin, must therefore be developed to differentiate tropomyosins in crustaceans and molluscs. This can help in correct food labelling practices and thus protection of consumers.     

Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Brined White Cheese in Jordan

Listeria monocytogenes is a serious foodborne pathogen that has been isolated from different dairy food products. Several foodborne outbreaks of listeriosis have been associated with consumption of cheese. The aims of this study were to determine the occurrence of L. monocytogenes and Listeria spp. in brined white cheese (BWC) sold in Jordan, and to determine the susceptibility of isolated L. monocytogenes to antimicrobials. Three hundred and fifty samples of 5 different types of BWC (akkawi, boiled, halloumi, pasteurized, and shellal) were collected from a local market in Jordan. The ISO (11290-1) procedure was followed for isolation and identification of Listeria spp. from cheese samples and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used for confirmation of L. monocytogenes isolates. The VITEK2 automated system was used for testing antimicrobial susceptibility of L. monocytogenes isolates. The overall prevalence of Listeria spp. in cheese sample was 27.1%. L. monocytogenes was isolated from 39 (11.1%) samples. Other isolated species were L. grayi (6.9%), L. innocua (2%), L. ivanovii (4%), L. seeligeri (2%), and L. welshimeri (0.3%). The pH values and salt concentrations of L. monocytogenes positive cheese samples ranged from 5.10 to 6.32 and 5.64 to 13.16, respectively. L. monocytogenes isolates were sensitive or intermediate susceptible to imipenem, gentamicin, linezolid, teicoplanin, vancomycin, fusidic acid, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, benzylpenicillin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, tetracycline, and rifampicin, but resistant to fosfomycin, oxacillin, and clindamycin.     

Dissecting Breast Cancer Circulating Tumor Cells Competence via Modelling Metastasis in Zebrafish

Background: Cancer metastasis is a deathly process, and a better understanding of the different steps is needed. The shedding of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and CTC-cluster from the primary tumor, its survival in circulation, and homing are key events of the metastasis cascade. In vitro models of CTCs and in vivo models of metastasis represent an excellent opportunity to delve into the behavior of metastatic cells, to gain understanding on how secondary tumors appear. Methods: Using the zebrafish embryo, in combination with the mouse and in vitro assays, as an in vivo model of the spatiotemporal development of metastases, we study the metastatic competency of breast cancer CTCs and CTC-clusters and the molecular mechanisms. Results: CTC-clusters disseminated at a lower frequency than single CTCs in the zebrafish and showed a reduced capacity to invade. A temporal follow-up of the behavior of disseminated CTCs showed a higher survival and proliferation capacity of CTC-clusters, supported by their increased resistance to fluid shear stress. These data were corroborated in mouse studies. In addition, a differential gene signature was observed, with CTC-clusters upregulating cell cycle and stemness related genes. Conclusions: The zebrafish embryo is a valuable model system to understand the biology of breast cancer CTCs and CTC-clusters.     

PV‐betriebene Umkehrosmoseanlage zur Meerwasserentsalzung – Modellierung und Analyse verschiedener Energieversorgungsvarianten

Reverse osmosis is a very energy‐efficient approach for seawater desalination. Since it requires only electrical energy, a combination of reverse osmosis and photovoltaic (PV) plants seems to be a promising solution. Therefore, a PV‐based reverse osmosis plant for seawater desalination for a location in Saudi Arabia is designed and modeled. On this basis, different options of a PV‐powered seawater desalination plant are investigated and conclusions for the construction of such plants are derived.     

On the correlation between T<Subscript>2</Subscript> and tissue diffusion coefficients in exercised muscle: quantitative measurements at 3T within the tibialis anterior

PURPOSE: To assess the transverse relaxation time T(2) and diffusion coefficient D before and following exercise in the tibialis anterior muscle and determine whether T(2) and D values were correlated. METHODS: Measurements of T(2) and D were performed at 3 T within axial slices through the calf muscles of six healthy volunteers at 95 s intervals before and for 10-12 min after a dorsiflexion exercise to exhaustion. RESULTS: The mean +/- standard deviation (SD) of T(2) and D before exercise were 32 +/- 1.55 ms and 1.52 +/- 0.15 mum(2)/ms, and after exercise were 43 +/- 2.5 ms and 1.72 +/- 0.13 mum(2)/ms, respectively. The mean +/- SD inter-individual recovery times of the % change in T(2) and D after exercise were 7.9 +/- 4.2 and 10.9 +/- 7.0 min, respectively. The T(2) and D values showed a significant correlation throughout the experiments (r (2) = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in T(2) of skeletal muscle after exercise is correlated with the increase of the diffusion coefficient D and the recovery times appear similar, indicating that any model used to explain T(2) increases with exercise must also account for increased diffusion coefficients.