Bile Acid Malabsorption in Cystic Fibrosis; Membrane Vesicles, a Tool for Revealing the Role of the Ileal Brush Border Membrane

ABSTRACT. Increased fecal bile acid loss in cystic fibrosis (CF) may result from ileal dysfunction. A method to quantitate in vitro Na+‐dependent taurocholate uptake into brush border membrane vesicles prepared from frozen ileum and ileal biopsy specimen is described. This transport across the ileal brush border membrane can be measured selectively, in contrast to in vivo measurements which represent a complex overall process. Preliminary results obtained with ileal specimen of 2 CF patients, suggest that in vitro bile acid uptake is low but not abnormal. Copyrigh

Integration of Mechanical Load on Steam Expander

This master’s thesis is performed in collaboration with Maston AB and Invencon AB. The thesis investigates, generates, and analyzes how mechanical load can be integrated on to a steam expander. Maston AB develops the steam expander and they are looking to widen the areas of usage of the product. This thesis explores the possibilities of connecting it to mechanical components and having the excess power go to a generator that is connected to the power grid. The steam expander originates from a neglected Saab project in the 1960s. When the project was put to bed, the engineer Ove Platell continued the development on his own with the company Ranotor AB. The development was after that continued by his son, Peter Platell who led the development until recent years. Today Stefan Larsson Mastonstråle of Maston AB recently joined forces to further develop the steam expander and have been making major progress. The study explores the integration of mechanical load, using a water pump and a generator as a case study, which is connected to the steam expander. The steam expander uses waste heat to run the pump and takes the waste power to a generator which is connected to the power grid. Our research suggests a concept that solves the issue of power distribution between the two components, in a way that minimizes waste. Potential drawbacks and limitations of the concepts are discussed and visualised. Alternative concepts are discussed as part of the research as well. The thesis proposes a final concept employing a power distribution system based on mechanical and electrical components, ensuring the water pump receives consistent speed and torque while the excess powers the generator. The system consists of several components, including a steam expander, generator, couplings, bevel gears, clutch, toroidal CVT, and ECU, designed to achieve efficient power distribution and control. The study’s objectives consist of concept generation, component comparison, market accessibility assessment, generator selection, load variation impact evaluation, and parameter role identification. Limitations include a focused scope, prototype constraint, material selection overview, limited economic analysis, and exclusion of human factors considerations. Ultimately, the thesis contributes to Maston AB and Ranotor’s goal of reducing industrial heat waste and advancing renewable energy generation. The proposed concepts and reviews are expected to benefit a broader area, where the pump can be switched out for other components. Also connecting the generator to other components rather than the power grid is an option

Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory - Preliminary Design Report

The DUSEL Project has produced the Preliminary Design of the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) at the rehabilitated former Homestake mine in South Dakota. The Facility design calls for, on the surface, two new buildings - one a visitor and education center, the other an experiment assembly hall - and multiple repurposed existing buildings. To support underground research activities, the design includes two laboratory modules and additional spaces at a level 4,850 feet underground for physics, biology, engineering, and Earth science experiments. On the same level, the design includes a Department of Energy-shepherded Large Cavity supporting the Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment. At the 7,400-feet level, the design incorporates one laboratory module and additional spaces for physics and Earth science efforts. With input from some 25 science and engineering collaborations, the Project has designed critical experimental space and infrastructure needs, including space for a suite of multidisciplinary experiments in a laboratory whose projected life span is at least 30 years. From these experiments, a critical suite of experiments is outlined, whose construction will be funded along with the facility. The Facility design permits expansion and evolution, as may be driven by future science requirements, and enables participation by other agencies. The design leverages South Dakota's substantial investment in facility infrastructure, risk retirement, and operation of its Sanford Laboratory at Homestake. The Project is planning education and outreach programs, and has initiated efforts to establish regional partnerships with underserved populations - regional American Indian and rural populations

Reducing Friction and Leakage by Means of Microstructured Sealing Surfaces – Example Mechanical Face Seal

By defined structuring of sliding surfaces at dynamic contact seals friction and leakage can be reduced. Compared to macro-structures, micro-structures have the advantage of a quasi-homogeneous influence on the fluid behavior in the sealing gap. The development of suitable microstructures based on prototypes, whose properties are studied on the test bench, is very expensive and time-consuming due to the challenging manufacturing process and measuring technologies, which are necessary to investigate the complex rheological behavior within the sealing gap. A simulation-based development of microstructured sealing surfaces offers a cost- and time-saving alternative. This paper presents a method for simulative design and optimization of microstructured sealing surfaces at the example of a microstructured mechanical face seal

Quantum Cryptography

Quantum cryptography could well be the first application of quantum mechanics at the individual quanta level. The very fast progress in both theory and experiments over the recent years are reviewed, with emphasis on open questions and technological issues.Comment: 55 pages, 32 figures; to appear in Reviews of Modern Physic

Ethylene supports colonization of plant roots by the mutualistic fungus Piriformospora indica

The mutualistic basidiomycete Piriformospora indica colonizes roots of mono- and dicotyledonous plants, and thereby improves plant health and yield. Given the capability of P. indica to colonize a broad range of hosts, it must be anticipated that the fungus has evolved efficient strategies to overcome plant immunity and to establish a proper environment for nutrient acquisition and reproduction. Global gene expression studies in barley identified various ethylene synthesis and signaling components that were differentially regulated in P. indica-colonized roots. Based on these findings we examined the impact of ethylene in the symbiotic association. The data presented here suggest that P. indica induces ethylene synthesis in barley and Arabidopsis roots during colonization. Moreover, impaired ethylene signaling resulted in reduced root colonization, Arabidopsis mutants exhibiting constitutive ethylene signaling, -synthesis or ethylene-related defense were hyper-susceptible to P. indica. Our data suggest that ethylene signaling is required for symbiotic root colonization by P. indica

Closing the gap : development of an analytical methodology using volumetric absorptive microsampling of finger prick blood followed by LC-HRMS/MS for adherence monitoring of antihypertensive drugs

Volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS), an emerging microsampling technique, is a promising tool for adherence monitoring. This study focused on development of an analytical methodology to improve VAMS-based strategies for adherence assessment by analyzing angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, loop diuretics, a potassium-sparing diuretic, and a thiazide diuretic. Development included sample preparation, chromatographic conditions, mass spectrometry settings, validation, and demonstrating proof of concept. Quantifcation of analytes, by name furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, torasemide, and the active metabolites, canrenone, enalaprilat, and ramiprilat in fnger prick blood (FPB), was validated based on international guidelines. Selectivity, carryover, and within/between-run accuracy and precision were in accordance with the recommendations. The matrix efect was evaluated at three diferent hematocrit levels (HT: 20%, 40%, 60%) and the coefcients of variation did not exceed 15%. Dilution integrity (1:10 and 1:20) was given for all analytes except lisinopril, yet for lisinopril, the therapeutic range was already covered by the calibration range. Long-term stability in VAMS tips was tested for 2 weeks at 24 °C in the dark and revealed no degradation of analytes. The proof of concept was performed by analyzing 35 intakes of ACE-inhibitors and diuretics in 18 VAMS and matched plasma samples. Hereby, determined concentration in FPB and plasma cannot be used interchangeably, and thus specifc reference ranges for whole blood must be established. Nevertheless, the VAMS-based strategy was shown to be suitable for assessing adherence of all classes of antihypertensive drugs used in the guidelines to manage hypertension

Photovoltaic Energy Study for a Smart City

Esta pesquisa teve como finalidade explorar a produção científica internacional de escritores brasileiros sobre estudo de energia fotovoltaica para uma cidade inteligente. Buscou-se referências na base de dados da Scielo, Elsevier, revistas, Congresso Brasileiro de Planejamento Energético, Ebook. Atualmente, estamos convivendo com algumas consequências do efeito estufa no dia-a-dia e presenciando o esgotamento dos recursos naturais. Acredita-se que é possível contribuirmos com o meio ambiente, por meio de outras fontes de energia renovável, por meio da energia solar, uma fonte de energia sustentável ao contrário da maioria das fontes de energia utilizadas nos dias de hoje, retiradas da natureza de formas degradadoras. Cidades inteligentes são cidades que buscam melhorias através de tecnologias como a energia solar, para torná-las agradáveis, verdes e modernas, buscando melhorar a qualidade de vida das pessoas. O trabalho buscou demonstrar conceitos de cidades inteligentes e o estudo de energias renováveis, direcionados às cidades sustentáveis.This research aimed to explore the international scientific production of Brazilian writers on the study of photovoltaic energy for a smart city. References were sought in the Scielo database, Elsevier, magazines, Brazilian Congress on Energy Planning, E-book. We are currently living with some consequences of the greenhouse effect in our daily lives and witnessing the depletion of natural resources. It is believed that it is possible to contribute to the environment, through other sources of renewable energy, through solar energy, a sustainable energy source unlike most of the energy sources used today, taken from the nature of degrading forms. Smart cities are cities that seek improvements through technologies such as solar energy, to make them pleasant, green and modern, seeking to improve people's quality of life. The work sought to demonstrate concepts of smart cities and the study of renewable energies, aimed at sustainable cities