Surgery for fragility hip fracture—streamlining the process

published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 21 Feb 201

A Prototype System for Chemical Hydrogen Generation and Storage for Operating ITS Devices

This research project sought to develop a prototype hydrogen-based fuel cell system for ITS devices. The project investigated hydrogen storage capacities of the various candidate chemical hydride analogs; selected the most efficient of the candidates for energy storage based on volume, mass, and cost; developed a prototype system; and estimated the capital and operating cost for such a system. A hydrogen fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, providing a clean, high- efficiency energy source that circumvents the problems associated with conventional batteries. A major drawback that limits its utility, however, is the use of heavy and bulky compressed metal cylinders as the source of hydrogen. The chemical-based hydrogen generation used in this project can provide a compact, atmospheric-pressure storage option for the controlled release of hydrogen. Many ITS-based applications can be envisaged with hydrogen-based fuel cells, such as alternating-traffic signs, directional signals, speed-limit signs, blinkers in series, warning blinkers, and backup power sources at traffic signals during power outages. This system is particularly attractive because many remote traffic signals on northern Minnesota roads lack access to a power grid, requiring the use of batteries that must be changed often, thus incurring maintenance costs.Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northland Advanced Transportation Systems Research Laboratories, University of Minnesota Dulut

Biochemical and functional properties of indigenous Australian herbal infusions

The phytochemical profile, organic acid content, minerals, various antioxidant assays and consumers acceptability of indigenous Australian herbal infusions namely gulban (Melaleuca citrolens), anise myrtle (Syzygium anisatum), and lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) were compared with a commercial green tea (Camellia sinensis). Total phenolic content and catechin derivatives were higher in green tea as compared to indigenous herbal infusions (P < 0.05). Phytochemical profiles showed high levels of caffeine in green tea, but, it was not found in herbal infusions (P < 0.05). Australian indigenous herbal infusions were a good source of calcium and magnesium compared to green tea (P < 0.05). Oxalic acid was higher in green tea, whereas gulban and anise myrtle infusions were rich in citric acid (P < 0.05). Antioxidant activities of green tea and gulban herbal infusions were comparable (P ≥ 0.05). Overall liking scores were higher for herbal infusions compared to green tea (P < 0.05). Indigenous Australian herbal infusions particularly gulban has a potential to become a successful commercial herbal beverage. © 201

Formulation and Characterization of Drug-Loaded Microparticles Using Distillers Dried Grain Kafirin

Kafirin, a protein extracted from sorghum grain, has been formulated into microparticles and proposed for use as a delivery system owing to the resistance of kafirin to upper gastrointestinal digestion. However, extracting kafirin from sorghum distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) may be more efficient, because the carbohydrate component has been removed by fermentation. This study investigated the properties and use of kafirin extracted from DDGS to formulate microparticles. Prednisolone, an anti-inflammatory drug that could benefit from a delayed and targeted delivery system to the colon, was loaded into DDGS kafirin microparticles by phase separation with sodium chloride. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that the empty and prednisolone-loaded microparticles were round in shape and varied in size. Surface binding studies indicated prednisolone was loaded within the microparticles rather than being solely bound on the surface. These findings demonstrate DDGS kafirin can be formulated into microparticles and loaded with medication. Future studies could investigate the potential applications of DDGS kafirin microparticles as an orally administered targeted drug-delivery system

Experimental and theoretical investigation of diffusion processes in a membrane anaerobic reactor for bio-hydrogen production

This paper explores the potential for advanced membranes to act as a sink for hydrogen generated during anaerobic digestion thereby maintaining very low hydrogen concentrations and more favorable conditions for fermentative and possibly acetate oxidative pathways. This necessitates that the membranes function when submerged in water. Permeation of hydrogen through submerged membranes was measured at fluxes of 1.31×10−9 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1, and 74.1×10−9 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1 for Carbon Template Molecular Sieve Silica (CTMSS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes, respectively. A γ-alumina membrane showed no permeability to hydrogen when submerged. Fermentation experiments with high hydrogen yielding cultures fed with glucose and settled onto the CTMSS membrane verified that hydrogen will preferably flow through the membrane, although the membrane failed after 24 h of operation. In the absence of the membrane, microprobe measurements demonstrate dissolved hydrogen concentrations are supersaturated by a factor of over 100. Diffusion modeling shows that the hydrogen permeability of a submerged PTFE membrane is sufficient to maintain thermodynamically feasible conditions for acetate oxidation providing the organisms are in direct contact with the membrane surface