Design for On-Site Hydrogen Production for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Refueling Station at University of Birmingham, U.K.

In April 2008, the University of Birmingham launched the first permanent Hydrogen Refuelling Station in the UK. This enabled the refuelling of the only at the time fleet of Hydrogen Hybrid Fuel Cell Vehicles (HHFCV) in the UK. To maintain the low emissions ethos, the ultra-high purity “Green” hydrogen for the refuelling station was supplied off site, from a third party contractor. The University aims to be the first campus in the UK that is carbon neutral and this project scopes to produce “Green” hydrogen on-site to power the fleet of HHFCVs. Electrolysis is currently the only commercial method for producing ultra-high purity hydrogen without the need for, what could prove to be very costly, additional purification steps. Working in collaboration with ITM Power, a HPac Model electrolyser has been installed to produce electrolytic hydrogen on-site (up to 1.25 kgH2/day). The HPac uses PEM technology, which eliminates the need for hazardous alkaline substances, to produce hydrogen. The input requirements are ASTM Type 2 de-ionised (DI), water and 240 V power supply. Hydrogen is produced at pressures up to 15 bar [1]. However, there is a need to incorporate this unit within the existing hydrogen infrastructure incorporating 350 bar Air Product refuelling station. An integrated delivery system has been designed and initial results are presented herein

Nanoscale Si fishbone structures for manipulating heat transport using phononic resonators for thermoelectric applications

Thermoelectric materials have the potential to convert waste heat into electricity, but their thermoelectric efficiency must be improved before they are effective and economically viable. One promising route to improving thermoelectric efficiency in thin-film thermoelectric materials is to reduce the material’s thermal conductivity through nanopatterning the surface. In this work nanoscale phononic resonators are introduced to the surface, and their potential to reduce thermal conductivity is explored via coupled experimental and theoretical techniques. Atomistic modelling is used to predict the dependence of the thermal conductivity on different design parameters and used to guide the design and fabrication of silicon fishbone nanostructures. The nanostructure design incorporates a variation on design parameters such as barb length, width and spacing along the shaft length to enable correlation with changes in thermal conductivity. The thermal characteristics of the nanostructures are investigated experimentally using the spatial resolution of scanning thermal microscopy to correlate changes in thermal conductivity with the changes in the structure parameters. The method developed uses a microheater to establish a temperature gradient along the structure which will be affected by any local variations in thermal conductivity. The impact on the thermal gradient and consequently on the tip temperature is modelled using finite element computer simulations. Experimental changes as small as 7.5% are shown to be detectable in this way. Despite the experimental technique being shown to be able to detect thermal changes far smaller than those predicted by the modelling, no modifications of the thermal conductivity are detected. It is concluded that in order to realise the effects of phononic resonators to reduce thermal conductivity, that much smaller structures with a greater ratio of resonator to shaft will be needed

The technologies of isolation: apocalypse and self in Kurosawa Kiyoshi's Kairo

In this investigation of the Japanese film Kairo, I contemplate how the horrors present in the film relate to the issue of self, by examining a number of interlocking motifs. These include thematic foci on disease and technology which are more intimately and inwardly focused that the film's conclusion first appears to suggest. The true horror here, I argue, is ontological: centred on the self and its divorcing from the exterior world, especially founded in an increased use of and reliance on communicative technologies. I contend that these concerns are manifested in Kairo by presenting the spread of technology as disease-like, infecting the city and the individuals who are isolated and imprisoned by their urban environment. Finally, I investigate the meanings of the apocalypse, expounding how it may be read as hopeful for the future rather than indicative of failure or doom

Field Testing of Utility Robots for Lunar Surface Operations

Since 2004, NASA has been working to return to the Moon. In contrast to the Apollo missions, two key objectives of the current exploration program is to establish significant infrastructure and an outpost. Achieving these objectives will enable long-duration stays and long-distance exploration of the Moon. To do this, robotic systems will be needed to perform tasks which cannot, or should not, be performed by crew alone. In this paper, we summarize our work to develop "utility robots" for lunar surface operations, present results and lessons learned from field testing, and discuss directions for future research

SelfPub 2.0

The self-publishing revolution has created a drastic increase in the number or works being published in the social sciences and humanities. This windfall of content has created an abundance that can be overwhelming, but it ultimately presents an opportunity for libraries to develop deeper and more unique collections. The preconference at the 2013 Charleston Conference focused on several interrelated topics in the self-publishing world: navigating the abundance of self-published material, libraries’ adoption of the role of publisher, vendor perspectives on self-published content and plans for the future, issues in humanities and social science acquisitions of self-published works, and an agent’s perspective on how self-publishing fits into the traditional publishing world. Speakers include librarians, publishers, vendors, and academics involved with a number of projects and efforts to pioneer this emerging field

The Grizzly, September 18, 1987

Union to Be Bumped to Wismer • Tremper Tackles New College Art Facilities • Constitution Celebrates 200th • Monthly Film Series Started • REM: Documental Proof • Letters: Parking a Problem; Light the Lounge! • Bet They Didn\u27t Get U.C. • Ec / BA Invests • Reaching for STARs • Notes: Oct. 11 Will be a Super Sunday; Myrin Hosts Art Exhibit; Annual Fall Book Sale to Begin • Despite Hopes, Bears Lose 21-0 • Men Harriers Ace First Tryst • Runner O\u27Donohue Athlete of the Week for Record Fourth Time • Fourth Down for the NFL • Hockey Ties Place in Season Openers • Forum to Present Peace • Ursinus in Kutztown? • New Look for Myrin • Jazz Kicks off Forum Fine Arts Serieshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1192/thumbnail.jp

Association of prolactin receptor (PRLR) variants with prolactinomas

Prolactinomas are the most frequent type of pituitary tumors, which represent 10–20% of all intracranial neoplasms in humans. Prolactinomas develop in mice lacking the prolactin receptor (PRLR), which is a member of the cytokine receptor superfamily that signals via Janus kinase-2-signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (JAK2-STAT5) or phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt (PI3K-Akt) pathways to mediate changes in transcription, differentiation and proliferation. To elucidate the role of the PRLR gene in human prolactinomas, we determined the PRLR sequence in 50 DNA samples (35 leucocytes, 15 tumors) from 46 prolactinoma patients (59% males, 41% females). This identified six germline PRLR variants, which comprised four rare variants (Gly57Ser, Glu376Gln, Arg453Trp and Asn492Ile) and two low-frequency variants (Ile76Val, Ile146Leu), but no somatic variants. The rare variants, Glu376Gln and Asn492Ile, which were in complete linkage disequilibrium, and are located in the PRLR intracellular domain, occurred with significantly higher frequencies (P 1.3-fold, P < 0.02) and proliferation (1.4-fold, P < 0.02), but did not affect pSTAT5 signaling. Treatment of cells with an Akt1/2 inhibitor or everolimus, which acts on the Akt pathway, reduced Asn492Ile signaling and proliferation to WT levels. Thus, our results identify an association between a gain-of-function PRLR variant and prolactinomas and reveal a new etiology and potential therapeutic approach for these neoplasms

Direct Bacterial Killing In Vitro by Recombinant Nod2 Is Compromised by Crohn's Disease-Associated Mutations

Background: A homeostatic relationship with the intestinal microflora is increasingly appreciated as essential for human health and wellbeing. Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain of Nod2, a bacterial recognition protein, are associated with development of the inflammatory bowel disorder, Crohn’s disease. We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying disruption of intestinal symbiosis in patients carrying Nod2 mutations. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study, using purified recombinant LRR domains, we demonstrate that Nod2 is a direct antimicrobial agent and this activity is generally deficient in proteins carrying Crohn’s-associated mutations. Wildtype, but not Crohn’s-associated, Nod2 LRR domains directly interacted with bacteria in vitro, altered their metabolism and disrupted the integrity of the plasma membrane. Antibiotic activity was also expressed by the LRR domains of Nod1 and other pattern recognition receptors suggesting that the LRR domain is a conserved anti-microbial motif supporting innate cellular immunity. Conclusions/Significance: The lack of anti-bacterial activity demonstrated with Crohn’s-associated Nod2 mutations in vitro, supports the hypothesis that a deficiency in direct bacterial killing contributes to the association of Nod2 polymorphism

Chapter 19: Drivers and Ecological Impacts of Deforestation and Forest Degradation

Deforestation, the complete removal of an area’s forest cover; and forest degradation, the significant loss of forest structure, functions, and processes; are the result of the interaction between various direct drivers, often operating in tandem. By 2018, the Amazon biome had lost approximately 870,000 km2 of its original forest cover, mainly due to agricultural expansion. Other direct drivers of forest loss include the opening of new roads, construction of hydroelectric dams, exploitation of minerals and oil, and urbanization. Impacts of deforestation range from local to global, including local changes in landscape configuration, climate, and biodiversity; regional impacts on hydrological cycles; and global increase of greenhouse gas emissions. Of the remaining Amazonian forests, 17% are degraded, corresponding to approximately 1,036,080 km2. Various anthropogenic drivers, including understory fires, edge effects, selective logging, hunting, and climate change can cause forest degradation. Degraded forests have significantly different structure, microclimate, and biodiversity as compared to undisturbed ones. These forests tend to have higher tree mortality, lower carbon stocks, more canopy gaps, higher temperatures, lower humidity, higher wind exposure, and exhibit compositional and functional shifts in both fauna and flora. Degraded forests can come to resemble their undisturbed counterparts, but this depends on the type, duration, intensity, and frequency of the disturbance event. In some cases, this may prohibit the return to a historic baseline. Avoiding further loss and degradation of Amazonian forests is crucial to ensure they continue to provide valuable and life-supporting ecosystem services