AMADEUS: Next Generation Materials and Solid State Devices for Ultra High Temperature Energy Storage and Conversion

Starting in January 2017, AMADEUS (www.amadeus-project.eu) is the first project funded by the European Commission to research on a new generation of materials and solid state devices for ultra-high temperature energy storage and conversion. By exploring storage temperatures well beyond 1000 ºC the project aims at breaking the mark of ~ 600ºC rarely exceeded by current state of the art thermal energy storage (TES) systems. AMADEUS Project, through a collaborative research between seven European partners, aims to develop a novel concept of latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems with unprecedented high energy density. One of the main objectives of the project is to create new PCMs (phase change materials) with latent heat in the range of 1000-2000 kWh/m3, an order of magnitude greater than that of typical salt-based PCMs used in concentrated solar power (CSP), along with developing advanced thermal insulation, PCM casing designs, and novel solid-state heat to power conversion technologies able to operate at temperatures in the range of 1000-2000 ºC

Anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in sheep from Paraná state, South Brazil: prevalence and associated factors.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence and factors associated with the presence of antiToxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in sheep from Paraná state. The detection of antibodies for T. gondii and N. caninum was performed by homemade and commercial indirect ELISA, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to verify the factors associated with the seroprevalence. Antibodies anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum were observed in 42.7% and in 17.6% of the animals, respectively. The protective factors associated to seropositive were ?some level of confinement? (full or semi-extensive confinement) (OR=0.53) for T. gondii and ?use of skilled labor? (OR=0.64) for N. caninum. The risk factors were ?presence of cats? (OR=1.75) for T. gondii and ?feeding of dogs with sheep placental remains? (OR=1.79) for N. caninum. In addition, to presenting a significant and simultaneous seroprevalence for both agents (9.9% of the animals), the results also indicate that deficiencies in management and environmental sanitation, the presence of reservoirs, and types of exploitation enhance the seropositivity. Thus, studies like this might support sanitary programs and public policies for the prevention of T. gondii and N. caninum in the sheep herds of Paraná state