Hybrid Sensible/Thermochemical Solar Energy Storage Concepts Based on Porous Ceramic Structures and Redox Pair Oxides Chemistry

AbstractThe enthalpy effects of reversible chemical reactions can be exploited for the so-called thermochemical storage of solar energy. Oxides of multivalent metals in particular, capable of being reduced and oxidized under air atmosphere with significant heat effects are perfect candidates for air-operated Concentrated Solar Power plants since in this case air can be used as both the heat transfer fluid and the reactant (O2) and therefore can come to direct contact with the storage material (oxide).Based on the characteristics of the oxide redox pair Co3O4/CoO as a thermochemical heat storage medium and the advantages of porous ceramic structures like honeycombs and foams in heat exchange applications, the idea of employing such structures either coated with or entirely made of a redox material like Co3O4, as a hybrid sensible-thermochemical solar energy storage system in air-operated Concentrated Solar Power plants has been set forth and tested. At first, small-scale, redox-inert, cordierite foams and honeycombs were coated with Co3O4 and tested for cyclic reduction-oxidation operation via Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis. Such Co3O4-coated supports exhibited repeatable operation within the temperature range 800-1000oC for many cycles, employing all the redox material incorporated, even at very high redox oxide loading levels. To improve the volumetric heat storage capacity of such reactors, ceramic foams made entirely of Co3O4 were manufactured. Such foams exhibited satisfactory structural integrity and were comparatively tested vs. the “plain” Co3O4 powder and the Co3O4-coated, cordierite supports under the same cyclic redox conditions up to 15 consecutive cycles. The Co3O4-made porous foams were proved also capable of cyclic reduction–oxidation, exploiting the entire amount of Co3O4 used in their manufacture, maintaining simultaneously their structural integrity

Matrix metalloproteinase-13 refines pathological staging of precancerous colorectal lesions

An exact classification of precancerous stages of colorectal polyps might improve therapy and patients´ outcome. Here we investigate the association between grade of dysplasia and Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) expression in 137 biopsies from patients with cancerous and non-cancerous colorectal adenomas. A reproducible staining procedure for histologic MMP-13 analysis in routinely fixed colorectal biopsy specimens has been established. A newly adopted immunoreactive scoring system for MMP-13 was demonstrated as reliable readout. The strength of the association between pathologic stage and immunoreactive MMP-13 scoring emphasizes its eligibility for diagnosis in precancerous colorectal lesions

Serum proteome profiling identifies novel and powerful markers of cystic fibrosis liver disease.

Cystic Fibrosis associated liver disease (CFLD) develops in approximately 30% of CF patients. However, routine sensitive diagnostic tools for CFLD are lacking. Within this study, we aimed to identify new experimental biomarkers for the detection of CFLD. 45 CF patients were included in the study and received transient elastography. Differential regulation of 220 different serum proteins was assessed in a subgroup of patients with and without CFLD. Most interesting candidate proteins were further quantified and validated by ELISA in the whole patient cohort. To assess a potential relation of biomarker expression to the degree of hepatic fibrosis, serum biomarkers were further determined in 18 HCV patients where liver histology was available. 43 serum proteins differed at least 2-fold in patients with CFLD compared to those without liver disease as identified in proteome profiling. In ELISA quantifications, TIMP-4 and Endoglin were significantly up-regulated in patients with CFLD as diagnosed by clinical guidelines or increased liver stiffness. Pentraxin-3 was significantly decreased in patients with CFLD. Serum TIMP-4 and Endoglin showed highest values in HCV patients with liver cirrhosis compared to those with fibrosis but without cirrhosis. At a cut-off value of 6.3 kPa, transient elastography compassed a very high diagnostic accuracy and specificity for the detection of CFLD. Among the biomarkers, TIMP-4 and Endoglin exhibited a high diagnostic accuracy for CFLD. Diagnostic sensitivities and negative predictive values were increased when elastography and TIMP-4 and Endoglin were combined for the detection of CFLD. Serum TIMP-4 and Endoglin are increased in CFLD and their expression correlates with hepatic staging. Determination of TIMP-4 and Endoglin together with transient elastography can increase the sensitivity for the non-invasive diagnosis of CFLD

Methane Production via High Temperature Steam Electrolyser from Renewable Wind Energy: A German Study

The transformation of the energy supply needs further development of energy storage technologies in order to integrate the fluctuating renewable energy. The conversion of renewable wind power into green methane offers a technical approach with the necessary storage and Transport capacities. Thus, the concept of Power-to-Gas which is illustrated here by the coupling of wind energy with a High Temperature Steam Electrolyser (HTSE) and a methanation unit enabling the production of green fuel like hydrogen and methane is presented is this paper. In fact, hydrogen can be used as energy carrier as well for the production of green fuels, like methane which is simpler to store and to transport and which can be thus used as storage medium for the stabilization of the electrical power supply as well as fuel for transport and heat sector. Its production using high temperature electrolysis is able to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions if performed with renewable resources. This is the case if the electricity needed for the HTSE comes from a wind turbine and the CO2 needed for the methanation step comes from biogas. For such a plant, the Location and the boundary conditions have a great importance. Thus, this study considers the coupling of a HTSE with a wind turbine and a methanation reactor, and focuses about the site selection, depending of the geographical and economic considerations. The study is limited first to the European area. Schleswig-Holstein is found as a very good location for this plant. It is one of the regions with the largest wind reserves in Germany. This region has also available a lot of Biogas and meets all the other necessary requirements

A Recessive Mutation Resulting in a Disabling Amino Acid Substitution (T194R) in the LHX3 Homeodomain Causes Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency

Background/Aims: Recessive mutations in the LHX3 homeodomain transcription factor gene are associated with developmental disorders affecting the pituitary and nervous system. We describe pediatric patients with combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) who harbor a novel mutation in LHX3. Methods: Two female siblings from related parents were examined. Both patients had neonatal complications. The index patient had CPHD featuring deficiencies of GH, LH, FSH, PRL, and TSH, with later onset of ACTH deficiency. She also had a hypoplastic anterior pituitary, respiratory distress, hearing impairment, and limited neck rotation. The LHX3 gene was sequenced and the biochemical properties of the predicted altered proteins were characterized. Results: A novel homozygous mutation predicted to change amino acid 194 from threonine to arginine (T194R) was detected in both patients. This amino acid is conserved in the DNA-binding homeodomain. Computer modeling predicted that the T194R change would alter the homeodomain structure. The T194R protein did not bind tested LHX3 DNA recognition sites and did not activate the a-glycoprotein and PRL target genes. Conclusion: The T194R mutation affects a critical residue in the LHX3 protein. This study extends our understanding of the phenotypic features, molecular mechanism, and developmental course associated with mutations in the LHX3 gene. copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base