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The study aimed to identify, appraise and update evidence on the association between cold temperatures (i.e. <18°C) within homes (i.e. dwellings) and health and well-being outcomes. This study was a systematic review. Seven databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, Coronavirus Research Database) were searched for studies published between 2014 and 2022, which explored the association between cold indoor temperatures and health and well-being outcomes. Studies were limited to those conducted in temperate and colder climates due to the increased risk of morbidity and mortality during winter in those climatic zones. Studies were independently quality assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Of 1209 studies, 20 were included for review. Study outcomes included cardiovascular (blood pressure, electrocardiogram abnormalities, blood platelet count), respiratory (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptoms, respiratory viral infection), sleep, physical performance and general health. Seventeen studies found exposure to cold indoor temperatures was associated with negative effects on health outcomes studied. Older individuals and those with chronic health problems were found to be more vulnerable to negative health outcomes. Evidence suggests that indoor temperatures <18°C are associated with negative health effects. However, the evidence is insufficient to allow clear conclusions regarding outcomes from specific temperature thresholds for different population groups. Significant gaps in the current evidence base are identified, including research on the impacts of cold indoor temperatures on mental health and well-being, studies involving young children, and the long-term health effects of cold indoor temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Profound hearing impairment can be overcome by electrical stimulation (ES) of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) via a cochlear implant (CI). Thus, SGN survival is critical for CI efficacy. Application of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been shown to reduce SGN degeneration following deafness. We tested a novel method for local, continuous GDNF-delivery in combination with ES via a CI. The encapsulated cell (EC) device contained a human ARPE-19 cell-line, genetically engineered for secretion of GDNF. In vitro , GDNF delivery was stable during ES delivered via a CI. In the chronic in vivo part, cats were systemically deafened and unilaterally implanted into the scala tympani with a CI and an EC device, which they wore for six months. The implantation of control devices (same cell-line not producing GDNF) had no negative effect on SGN survival. GDNF application without ES led to an unexpected reduction in SGN survival, however, the combination of GDNF with initial, short-term ES resulted in a significant protection of SGNs. A tight fibrous tissue formation in the scala tympani of the GDNF-only group is thought to be responsible for the increased SGN degeneration, due to mechanisms related to an aggravated foreign body response. Furthermore, the fibrotic encapsulation of the EC device led to cell death or cessation of GDNF release within the EC device during the six months in vivo . In both in vitro and in vivo , fibrosis was reduced by CI stimulation, enabling the neuroprotective effect of the combined treatment. Thus, fibrous tissue growth limits treatment possibilities with an EC device. For a stable and successful long-term neurotrophic treatment of the SGN via EC devices in human CI users, it would be necessary to make changes in the treatment approach (provision of anti-inflammatories), the EC device surface (reduced cell adhesion) and the ES (initiation prior to fibrosis formation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To examine locoregional recurrence (LRR) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) after breast-conserving therapy (BCT) or mastectomy (ME) with or without radiation therapy (RT) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Material & Methods We identified non-metastatic TNBC cases from a single institution database. BCT, ME with RT (ME + RT) and ME only were compared with respect to LRR and BCSS. Cox regression models were used to analyze the association between prognostic factors and outcome. Results 439 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Median follow-up was 10.2 years (interquartile range 7.9; 12.4 years). Patients in the BCT (n = 239), ME + RT (n = 116) and ME only (n = 84) group differed with respect to age, pT, pN, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node dissection and chemotherapy administration. Ten-year LRR rates were seven percent, three percent and eight percent for the BCT, ME + RT and ME only group, respectively. pN was associated with LRR. In multivariable analysis LRR were significantly lower in the ME + RT group compared to the BCT and the ME only group (p 0.037 and 0.020, respectively). Ten year BCSS was 87%, 84% and 75% for the BCT, ME + RT and ME only group, respectively. pT, pN, lymph node dissection, lymphovascular invasion and the administration of chemotherapy were associated with BCSS. In multivariable analysis BCSS was significantly lower in the ME only group compared to the BCT group and the ME + RT group (p 0.047 and 0.003, respectively). Conclusion TNBC patients treated with ME without adjuvant RT showed significant lower BCSS compared to patients treated with BCT or ME + RT and significant more LRR compared to ME + RT when corrected for known clinicopathological prognostic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moisture-related damage is an important issue when looking at the performance of building envelopes. In order to accurately predict the moisture behaviour of building components, building designers can resort to Heat, Air and Moisture (HAM) models. In this paper a newly developed heat and mass transfer model that is implemented in a 3D finite volume solver, Fluent ® , is presented. This allows a simultaneous modelling approach of both the convective conditions surrounding a porous material and the heat and moisture transport in the porous material governed by diffusion. Unlike most HAM models that often confine to constant convective transport coefficients it is now possible to better predict these convective boundary conditions. An important application of the model is the convective drying of porous building materials. Especially during the first drying stage, the drying rate is determined by the convective boundary conditions. The model was validated against a convective drying experiment from literature, in which a saturated ceramic brick sample is dried by flowing dry air over one side of the sample surface. Temperature and relative humidity measurements at different depths in the sample, moisture distribution profiles and mass loss measurements were compared with simulation results. An overall good agreement between the coupled model and the experiments was found, however, the model predicted the constant drying rate period better than the falling rate period. This was improved by adjusting the material properties. The adjustment of the material properties was supported by neutron radiography measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Impacts of wind farms on the occurrence of the moon jelly Aurelia aurita. [•] Artificial hard substrate has the potential to increase the abundance of A. aurita. [•] In the given example the abundance of A. aurita increases about 20%. [•] Distribution patterns indicate cross-border impacts on various sectors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A liquid (heat transfer oil) cooling system for high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell (HT-PEFC) stacks in the power range above 1 kWel using encapsulated cooling cells was designed. Calculations showed that it is sufficient to cool every third cell to maintain an operating temperature of about 160 °C. An HT-PEFC stack module including 12 cells with an active area of 320 cm2 each was assembled and tested experimentally regarding the temperature distribution from cell to cell. It was found that sufficient cooling with an oil inlet temperature of 160 °C is guaranteed up to a current density of 450 mA/cm2 when operated with synthetic reformate (42% H2, 57% N2, 1% CO). At this current density, the maximum temperature difference from cell to cell does not exceed 8.3 K. Additionally, this cooling system provided enhanced protection against leaks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article presents an experimental and analytical study of the hygric behaviour of mortar joints, with specific attention to the influences of the curing conditions. Capillary water uptake in masonry is visualised with the X-ray projection method and approximated with the sharp-front-theory. The results imply that the curing of the mortar between bricks modifies its hygric properties and introduces an interface resistance, with the effects proportional to the water extraction from the mortar during the curing. The presented study uses the analytical sharp-front theory to analyse the X-ray-visualised moisture content profiles. Validation of the sharp-front findings with independently determined hygric properties and interface resistances confirms the reliability of the approach. The method''s main advantage is its ease of application for interpretation of experiments, as the X-ray visualisations suffice as sole input data. The easy applicability is finally demonstrated on an independent measurement, which again corroborates the earlier findings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Obtaining biologically active oligosaccharides from hydrolysed polysaccharides is nowadays of great interest. Curdlan is one of the polysaccharides with interesting properties and represents the main source for β-(1→3)-oligoglucans. Curdlan degradation remains a challenge due to its high resistance to hydrolysis. In this study, curdlan was hydrolysed both with mild acid treatments (TFA or H2SO4,1M) as well as with the use of an unpurified enzymic extract produced from Trichoderma harzianum. The kinetics of degradation and the production of the β-(1→3)-oligoglucans were followed in detail by HPAEC analysis. A comparison of results clearly demonstrated the advantage of the enzymic extract with a complete hydrolysis of the curdlan within 90h whereas less than 25% hydrolysis yield can be reach with the acidic methodologies. More, the quality of the obtained compounds is particularly dissimilar even between the two acid treatments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Concurrent infection with cowpox and feline parvovirus was diagnosed in a 5-month-old male European Short Hair cat. Microscopical examination of the facial skin, ears and foot pads revealed multifocal to coalescing, ulcerative to necrotizing dermatitis and panniculitis with ballooning epidermal degeneration and eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction testing and virus isolation confirmed infection with a strain of cowpox virus similar to that isolated from a cat in Germany 5 years previously. Lymphoid tissues were depleted and there was catarrhal enteritis caused by feline parvovirus as confirmed by immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization. This co-infection did not result in a more severe and rapid course of the poxvirus-associated disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Controlled production of malto-oligosaccharides from pure amylose has been realised in a fast, cheap and easy way with good potentials for later scale up. Pure amylose (20gL−1) was hydrolysed under dilute acidic conditions (0.45M HCl, 90°C) with two sorts of heating: microwave irradiation and conventional heating. The kinetics of oligosaccharide production were followed by high-performance anion exchange chromatography. Microwave treatment was shown to be more efficient. A similar range of oligosaccharides as with the conventional heating procedure was observed, but without any appearance of degradation compounds (brown products) and a 10 times faster production rate leading to very short production times (maximum 15min). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Standardization by means of 4πβ–γ coincidence counting was applied to calibrate a 65Zn solution within the scope of EUROMET project no. 721. The activity result was combined with gamma-ray spectrometry measurements to investigate the photon emission probabilities. The half-life of 65Zn was measured with improved accuracy by means of 4π ionization chamber measuring systems that were also used for secondary activity determination. In addition, we tested a new secondary standardization procedure by means of liquid scintillation counting. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Large area sources emitting alpha and beta radiations, respectively, are often used for calibrations of surface contamination monitors and meters. It is well known, however, that their properties are strongly influenced by their construction and by their active layer preparation. Non-uniformity of activity distributions over the active surface and the thickness of absorption and backscattering layers cause changes not only in the ratio of particle emission rate and activity but also in emitted particle spectra distributions. Consequently, different sources need to be characterised by one or more parameters related to their emitted particle spectra and used for their activity determination. A modified method based on simple particle absorption spectrometry has been developed. The correlation between a source characteristic parameter and its radiation detection efficiency is utilised for its activity estimation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The activity of a 109Cd solution has been accurately determined without using 109Cd nuclear decay data such as emission probabilities. An ampoule containing this calibrated 109Cd solution was sent to the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures to include the activity result in the database of the International Reference System (SIR). The emission rate of conversion electrons was measured by means of pressurized proportional counters as well as by a liquid scintillation spectrometer. The combination of the results with the photon emission rate measured with the aid of γ-ray spectrometers yields the activity concentration. The measurement results were also used to deduce emission probabilities with high accuracy. For the 88keV transition, a photon emission probability of and a total internal conversion coefficient of were determined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

At Juelich Research Center the prototype of an alkaline 120-bar electrolyser has been developed and built. Constructive and process-engineering measures must be taken to ensure the safe operation of such facilities. Potential hazards occur due to the high operating pressure in conjunction with the reactivity of the product gases and the electrolyte. First of all, the operating mode and technical features of the Juelich high-pressure electrolyser will be dealt with. Within the framework of a parametric study, the potential for weight reduction of the prototype while observing the rules for pressure vessel design will be shown. The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing in Berlin has performed measurements concerning the explosion limits of H2/O2 mixtures at different temperatures and pressures up to 200 bars. At an electrolysis test rig of IWV-3, which can also be operated up to 200 bars, investigations were carried out concerning the gas composition on the H2 and O2 path under different operating conditions. These measurement series were compared to the explosion limits determined and evaluated to derive safety measures required for the operation of high-pressure electrolysers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

During the clamping of a Fuel Cell, the porosity of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and the contact resistances are continuously reduced. In this work, the optimum clamping pressure is determined for three commonly used GDLs. For this purpose, polarization curves are recorded for contact pressures of 0.1–2.7 N/mm2. For the SGL 29BCE material, the optimum contact pressure range is very narrow, while the Toray TGP-H 060 material performs best in a wider range; the Freudenberg H2315 material is the most robust type, and works best from 0.6 N/mm2 until the maximum (2.7 N/mm2). For the understanding of the mechanical effects on the GDL structure, scanning electron microscopy and nano-computer tomography images are made. In addition, permeability measurements are carried out. To transfer the results, the local pressure distributions are recorded, and their minima and maxima are considered. Ultimately, this information allows the transfer of the results to other flow field geometries. • Not only single values but optimal clamping pressure ranges for commonly used GDLs. • Transfer of the optimal values by taking real pressure distributions in to consideration. • Mechanical explanations by analyzing the structural damages related to the clamping. • Showing remaining power losses because of remaining structural damages of the GDLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]