Hydrogen Production Using Solid Oxide Electrolysis as a Flexibility Option for Nuclear Power Plants

In the context of decarbonization, it is crucial to integrate low-carbon sources effectively. Among these, nuclear power can offer a significant and stable contribution to the electricity balance, but its integration is hindered by the limited flexibility. A promising option is coupling with high-temperature electrolysis, which utilizes both thermal and electric power from the nuclear plant to obtain hydrogen, which is a high-value and storable product. In this work, a hybrid system combining a solid oxide electrolyser (SOE) with a small modular reactor nuclear power plant (SMR-NPP) is investigated, to assess potential and performance. In the SMR-NPP, thermal energy is transferred to water/steam that then drives a steam turbine. In the hybrid configuration, a fraction of the high-pressure steam is diverted towards the SOE section, where it provides heat for the evaporation of the water stream that is fed to the stack. Due to the higher operating temperature of SOE (700 °C) than that of the steam cycle (317 °C), exothermic operation of the electrolysis stack is considered, enabling regenerative heat exchange. The model allows to observe the SOE section operation in different configurations to assess the effects on components sizing and operating parameters. Results show promising performances in the analysed scenarios, with an important role played by the SOE modularity

Cost-optimal Design and Operation of a Reversible Solid Oxide Cell (rSOC) based Multi-Energy System under Different End-use Scenarios

Multi-energy systems (MES) are an interesting option to efficiently integrate diverse energy sources and final uses, under the goal of greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Systems based on reversible solid oxide cells (rSOC) appear promising for high efficiency and unit reduction. A mixed-integer linear programming optimization model is developed to assess an rSOC-based MES, where a given demand of electricity, hydrogen, and heat must be covered. The model sizes the storage units and solves the hourly operation schedule, ensuring energy and mass balances while minimizing the total annual cost and limiting external exchanges. Strict limits constrain the rSOC system operation, in terms of electrolysis/fuel cell/standby mode switches and operating ranges. An urban scenario is compared to a rural scenario, differing in resource availabilities and demand quantities. Results are highly case-specific and show that the thermal balance strongly influences the advantage of the MES installation. The behavior of battery energy storage is critical for the overall balances

Experimental autotaxin inhibitors for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

IntroductionIdiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, irreversible, and fatal lung disease with unmet medical needs. Autotaxin (ATX) is an extracellular enzyme involved in the generation of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). Preclinical and clinical data have suggested the ATX-LPAR signaling axis plays an important role in the pathogenesis and the progression of IPF.Areas CoveredThe aim of this review is to provide an update on the available evidence on autotaxin inhibitors in IPF and further details on the ongoing clinical studies involving these molecules.Expert OpinionThe development of autotaxin inhibitors as a potential therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has gained attention due to evidence of their involvement in the disease. Preclinical and early-phase clinical studies have explored these inhibitors' efficacy and safety, offering a novel approach in treating this disease. Combining autotaxin inhibitors with existing anti-fibrotic agents is considered for enhanced therapeutic effects. Large phase III trials assessed Ziritaxestat but yielded disappointing results, highlighting the importance of long-term observation and clinical outcomes in clinical research. Patient stratification and personalized medicine are crucial, as pulmonary fibrosis is a heterogeneous disease. Ongoing research and collaboration are essential for this advancement

The scar: the wind in the perfect storm—insights into the mysterious living tissue originating ventricular arrhythmias

Background: Arrhythmic death is very common among patients with structural heart disease, and it is estimated that in European countries, 1 per 1000 inhabitants yearly dies for sudden cardiac death (SCD), mainly as a result of ventricular arrhythmias (VA). The scar is the result of cardiac remodelling process that occurs in several cardiomyopathies, both ischemic and non-ischemic, and is considered the perfect substrate for re-entrant and non-re-entrant arrhythmias. Methods: Our aim was to review published evidence on the histological and electrophysiological properties of myocardial scar and to review the central role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in assessing ventricular arrhythmias substrate and its potential implication in risk stratification of SCD. Results: Scarring process affects both structural and electrical myocardial properties and paves the background for enhanced arrhythmogenicity. Non-uniform anisotropic conduction, gap junctions remodelling, source to sink mismatch and refractoriness dispersion are some of the underlining mechanisms contributing to arrhythmic potential of the scar. All these mechanisms lead to the initiation and maintenance of VA. CMR has a crucial role in the evaluation of patients suffering from VA, as it is considered the gold standard imaging test for scar characterization. Mounting evidences support the use of CMR not only for the definition of gross scar features, as size, localization and transmurality, but also for the identification of possible conducting channels suitable of discrete ablation. Moreover, several studies call out the CMR-based scar characterization as a stratification tool useful in selecting patients at risk of SCD and amenable to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation. Conclusions: Scar represents the substrate of ventricular arrhythmias. CMR, defining scar presence and its features, may be a useful tool for guiding ablation procedures and for identifying patients at risk of SCD amenable to ICD therapy

High-density mapping of Koch's triangle during sinus rhythm and typical AV nodal reentrant tachycardia: new insight

Background Atrial activation during typical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) exhibits anatomic variability and spatially heterogeneous propagation inside the Koch's triangle (KT). The mechanism of the reentrant circuit has not been elucidated yet. Aim of this study is to describe the distribution of Jackman and Haissaguerre potentials within the KT and to explore the activation mode of the KT, in sinus rhythm and during the slow-fast AVNRT. Methods Forty-five consecutive cases of successful slow pathway (SP) ablation of typical slow-fast AVNRT from the CHARISMA registry were included. Results The KT geometry was obtained on the basis of the electroanatomic information using the Rhythmia mapping system (Boston Scientific) (mean number of points acquired inside the KT = 277 +/- 47, mean mapping time = 11.9 +/- 4 min). The postero-septal regions bounded anteriorly by the tricuspid annulus and posteriorly by the lateral wall toward the crista terminalis showed a higher prevalence of Jackman potentials than mid-postero-septal regions along the tendon of Todaro and coronary sinus (CS) (98% vs. 16%,p < 0.0001). Haissaguerre potentials seemed to have a converse distribution across the KT (0% vs. 84%,p < 0.0001). Fast pathway insertion, as located during AVNRT, was mostly recorded in an antero-septal position (n = 36, 80%), rather than in a mid-septal (n = 6, 13.3%) or even postero-septal (n = 3, 7%) location. During typical slow-fast AVNRT, two types of propagation around the CS were discernible: anterior and posterior,n = 31 (69%), or only anterior,n = 14 (31%). During the first procedure, the SP was eliminated, and acute procedural success was achieved (median of 4 [3-5] RF ablations). Conclusion High-density mapping of KT in AVNRT patients both during sinus rhythm and during tachycardia provides new electrophysiological insights. A better understanding and a more precise definition of the arrhythmogenic substrate in AVNRT patients may have prognostic value, especially in high-risk cases