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Abstract Electrolyte-separator-free fuel cell (EFFC) is a new emerging energy conversion technology. The EFFC consists of a single-component of nanocomposite material which works as a one-layer fuel cell device contrary to the traditional three-layer anode–electrolyte–cathode structure, in which an electrolyte layer plays a critical role. The nanocomposite of a single homogenous layer consists of a mixture of semiconducting and ionic materials that provides the necessary electrochemical reaction sites and charge transport paths for a fuel cell. These can be accomplished through tailoring ionic and electronic (n, p) conductivities and catalyst activities, which enable redox reactions to occur on nano-particles and finally accomplish a fuel cell function.

In our previous studies on the intestinal microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), we identified a bacterial phylotype with higher abundance in patients suffering from diarrhea than in healthy controls. In the present work, we have isolated in pure culture strain RT94, belonging to this phylotype, determined its whole genome sequence and performed an extensive genomic analysis and phenotypical testing. This revealed strain RT94 to be a strict anaerobe apparently belonging to a novel species with only 94% similarity in the 16S rRNA gene sequence to the closest relatives Ruminococcus torques and Ruminococcus lactaris. The G + C content of strain RT94 is 45.2 mol% and the major long-chain cellular fatty acids are C16:0, C18:0 and C14:0. The isolate is metabolically versatile but not a mucus or cellulose utilizer. It produces acetate, ethanol, succinate, lactate and formate, but very little butyrate, as end products of glucose metabolism. The mechanisms underlying the association of strain RT94 with diarrhea-type IBS are discussed.

A fuel cell is an exothermic device that wastes ca. 50% of the input chemical energy while methanol steam-reforming (MSR) reaction is endothermic. The integration of a low temperature methanol steam-reforming cell (MSR-C) with a high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) in a combined stack arrangement allows the thermal integration of both reactors. A novel bipolar plate of poly(p-phenylene sulfide) (PPS) featuring the fuel cell flow field in one side and the reformer flow field in the other was designed, built and assessed. For the first time are reported high current densities (>0.5 A cm-2) with the integrated system running at 453 K. The system was also ran for more than 100 h at 453 K, at 0.3 A cm-2, with a methanol conversion of>90%. It was observed some degradation of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) due to the continuous presence of methanol in the reformate stream. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses revealed an overall increase of the resistances. The self-thermal sustainability of the combined device was only reached for >0.75 A cm-2 due to the poor thermal insulation of the combined reactor.

Bioavailability has been used as a key indicator in chemical risk assessment yet poorly quantified risk factor. Worldwide, the framework used to assess potentially contaminated sites is similar, and the decisions are based on threshold contaminant concentration. The uncertainty in the definition and measurement of bioavailability had limited its application to environment risk assessment and remediation. Last ten years have seen major developments in bioavailability research and acceptance. The use of bioavailability in the decision making process as one of the key variables has led to a gradual shift towards a more sophisticated risk-based approach. Now a days, many decision makers and regulatory organisations 'more readily accept' this concept. Bioavailability should be the underlying basis for risk assessment and setting remediation goals of those contaminated sites that pose risk to environmental and human health. This paper summarises the potential application of contaminant bioavailability and bioaccessibility to the assessment of sites affected by different contaminants, and the potential for this to be the underlying basis for sustainable risk assessment and remediation in Europe, North America and Australia over the coming decade.

Abstract This ‘10 Questions’ contribution provides an overview of thermal comfort in relation to ageing and the way the indoor environment can contribute to and improve well-being and health of older adults to age-in-place. The number of older people is increasing rapidly and these demographical changes put a large stress on the health care system. Furthermore, as most older people wish to age-in-place, adequate ageing-in-place strategies become significantly important. Housing impacts health, therefore appropriate and comfortable housing is a key determinant to facilitate older people to age-in-place. One of the aspects of concern is thermal comfort; however, the thermal requirements of older people differ from those of young adults. They are also relatively vulnerable to thermal conditions outside the generally accepted range. This ’10 Questions' contribution addresses issues related to thermal comfort and ageing and argues that the current models for assessing thermal comfort are not sufficiently accurate to be used for older adults. It also discusses approaches to facilitate ageing-in-place including the use of smart home technologies. The paper is based on extensive literature review of numerous relevant studies relating to thermal comfort, physiological differences between older and younger people, the relationship between thermal environment, comfort and health, as well as housing design and smart home technologies for older people.

Patellar tendinopathy is a common overuse injury for which no evidence-based treatment guidelines exist. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) seems to be an effective treatment for patellar tendinopathy but the most beneficial treatment strategies still need to be ascertained. Aim of this pilot study was to investigate if patient guided Piezo-electric, focused ESWT, without local anesthesia is a safe and well tolerated treatment which improves pain and function in patients with patellar tendinopathy.Nineteen male athletes with severe chronic patellar tendinopathy received 3 patient guided focused medium to high energy ESWT treatments at a weekly interval. Before and after 3 months VISA-P and VAS (pain) scores were recorded. Data on side effects and complications of treatment were also collected.No serious complications were reported and patients tolerated the treatment well. Mean VISA-P score improved from 36.1 to 50.1 (p < 0.05), VAS decreased from to 7.2 to 3.7 (p < 0.05).Patient guided Piezo-electric ESWT without local anesthesia is a safe and well tolerated treatment which should be considered as a treatment for patients with patellar tendinopathy.

Physical inactivity and obesity are major public health problems. Our objective was to investigate the effectiveness of an individual counseling intervention at the workplace on physical activity fitness and health. Counseling content derived from the Patient-centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise and Nutrition (PACE) program.A total of 299 employees of three municipal services in the Dutch town of Enschede were randomly allocated into intervention (n =131) and control group (n =168). Over a 9-month period, intervention group subjects were offered seven counseling sessions. Counseling was based on the individual's stage of behavioral change using PACE physical activity and nutrition protocols. Subjects in both the intervention and control group received written information about several lifestyle factors. Primary outcome measures were physical activity (total energy expenditure, during sports activities, during physical activity leisure time other than sports, and meeting the moderate-intensity public health recommendations); cardiorespiratory fitness; and prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Secondary outcome measures were body composition (body mass index [BMI], and percentage of body fat measured via skinfold thicknesses); blood pressure; and blood cholesterol.There were significant positive effects on total energy expenditure, physical activity during sports, cardiorespiratory fitness, percentage of body fat, and blood cholesterol. No effects were found for the proportion of subjects meeting the public health recommendation of moderate-intensity physical activity, physical activity during leisure time other than sports, prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, body mass index, and blood pressure.Individual face-to-face counseling at the workplace based on PACE protocols positively influenced physical activity levels and some components of physical fitness. The implementation of workplace counseling programs for individuals should therefore be promoted.