Studies on the Impact of Hydrogen on the Results of THT Measurement Devices

An essential prerequisite for safe transport and use of natural gas is their appropriate odorization. This enables the detection of uncontrolled gas leaks. Proper and systematic odorization inspection ensures both safe use of gas and continuity of the process itself. In practice, it is conducted through, among others, measuring odorant concentrations in gas. Control devices for rapid gas odorization measurements that are currently used on a large scale in the gas industry are equipped with electrochemical detectors selective for sulfur compounds like tetrahydrothiophene (THT). Because the selectivity of electrochemical detector response to one compound (e.g., THT), the available declarations of manufacturers show that detector sensitivity (indirectly also the quality of the measurement result) is influenced by the presence of increased e.g., sulfur or hydrogen compound content in the gas. Because of the lack of sufficient source literature data in this field, it was necessary to experimentally verify this impact. The results of studies on experimental verification of suspected influence of increased amounts of hydrogen in gas on the response of electrochemical detector was carried out at the Oil and Gas Institute—National Research Institute (INiG—PIB). They are presented in this article. The data gathered in the course of researching the dependence between THT concentration measurement result quality and hydrogen content in gas composition enabled a preliminary assessment of the threat to the safety of end users of gaseous fuels caused by the introduction of this gas into the distribution network. Noticing the scope of necessary changes in the area of odorization is necessary to guarantee this safety.

NAc-DBS corrects depression-like behaviors in CUMS mouse model via disinhibition of DA neurons in the VTA

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by diverse debilitating symptoms that include loss of motivation and anhedonia. If multiple medications, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy fail in some patients with MDD, their condition is then termed treatment – resistant depression (TRD). MDD can be associated with abnormalities in the reward – system – dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway, in which the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) play major roles. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) applied to the NAc alleviates the depressive symptoms of MDD. However, the mechanism underlying the effects of this DBS has remained elusive. In this study, using the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mouse model, we investigated the behavioral and neurobiological effects of NAc – DBS on the multidimensional depression – like phenotypes induced by CUMS by integrating behavioral, in vivo microdialysis coupled with high – performance liquid chromatography – electrochemical detector (HPLC – ECD), calcium imaging, pharmacological, and genetic manipulation methods in freely moving mice. We found that long – term and repeated, but not single, NAc – DBS induced robust antidepressant responses in CUMS mice. Moreover, even a single trial NAc – DBS led to the elevation of the γ – aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter, accompanied by the increase in dopamine (DA) neuron activity in the VTA. Both the inhibition of the GABAA receptor activity and knockdown of the GABAA – α1 gene in VTA – GABA neurons blocked the antidepressant effect of NAc – DBS in CUMS mice. Our results showed that NAc – DBS could disinhibit VTA – DA neurons by regulating the level of GABA and the activity of VTA – GABA in the VTA and could finally correct the depression – like behaviors in the CUMS mouse model.

A novel all-3D-printed thread-based microfluidic device with embedded electrochemical detector: first application on environmental analysis of nitrite

A microfluidic thread electroanalytical device (µTED) containing an embedded electrochemical detector is presented for the first time in this work. This novel device was entirely produced in an automated way...