Hydrogen-Bonding Liquids at Mineral Surfaces: From Fundamentals to Applications

Molecular-level understanding of properties of hydrogen-bonding liquids and their mixtures at solid-liquid interfaces plays a significant role in several applications including membrane-based separations, shale gas production, etc. Liquid water and ethanol are common hydrogen-bonding fluids. All-atom equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations were employed to gain insights regarding the structure and dynamics of these hydrogen-bonding liquids on various free-standing solid surfaces. Models for silica, alumina, and magnesium oxide were used in these works. The results show a highly well-ordered layer of the hydrogen-bonding liquids near solid substrates and a pronounced dipolar orientation of the hydrogen-bonding molecules found in this layer, which is dependent on the surface chemistry of the substrate. Our simulated results are in good agreement with the experimental data. Many studies have paid attention to mixtures of hydrogen-bonding fluids such as liquid water-ethanol mixtures due to their critical roles in industrial applications. We have conducted simulations to examine the sorptivity, structure and dynamics of liquid water-ethanol mixtures confined in alumina pores. Analysis of the structure and dynamics suggests the possibility of using alumina as perm-selective membranes to produce anhydrous ethanol from liquid water-ethanol solutions. In addition, it is important to understand properties of mixtures of water and volatile hydrocarbons under confinement as recently water is used as fracturing-fluid to stimulate subsurface formations in the practice of hydraulic fracturing. We have investigated the behaviour of aqueous methane confined in 1 nm-wide pores obtained from materials such as silica, alumina, and magnesium oxide. Our results show that methane solubility in confined water strongly depends on the confining material, with silica yielding the highest solubility. Studying dynamical properties of confined aqueous methane suggests a direct proportional coupling between methane and water dynamics. These results help refer to multiple possible applications for fluid transport

Presenting features, treatment patterns and outcomes of patients with breast cancer in Pakistan: Experience at a university hospital

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Pakistani women. We report the presenting features, treatment patterns and survival of breast cancer from a University Hospital in Southern Pakistan and compare the data with international population based studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients diagnosed to have breast cancer between January 1999 and November 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 845 patients were identified. Median age of diagnosis was 48 years (range 18-92). Clinical stage was as follows: Stage I 9.9%; Stage II 48.5%; Stage III 26.2%; Stage IV 13.8%; data not available 1.5%. Approximately, half (51.6%) were estrogen receptor (ER) positive and 17.5% over-expressed Her2/neu. Nearly 23% patients received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy while 68.9% received adjuvant chemotherapy. Anthracycline based treatment was the most common treatment until 2003 while later on, patients also received taxanes and trastuzumab based therapy. Age, stage, tumor size, lymph node status, tumor grade, ER status, treatment with hormonal therapy and radiation were the major predictive factors for overall survival (OS). We report an impressive 5 year OS of 75%, stage specific survival was 100%, 88% and 58% for Stages I, II and III respectively. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients present at a younger age and with locally advanced disease. However, short term follow-up reveals that the outcomes are comparable with the published literature from developed countries. Long-term follow-up and inclusion of data from population-based registries are required for accurate comparison

Short-Term Creatine Supplementation May Alleviate the Malnutrition-Inflammation Score and Lean Body Mass Loss in Hemodialysis Patients: A Pilot Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this recordBackground Creatine supplementation has been proposed to alleviate muscle loss in various populations, but has not been investigated in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Thus, our objective was to evaluate whether creatine supplementation could attenuate the loss of lean body mass (LBM) and malnutrition‐inflammation score (MIS) in HD patients. Methods A randomized, placebo‐controlled, double blind, parallel‐design study included HD patients, of both sexes, aged 18–59 years. The patients were allocated to a Placebo Group (PG; n = 15; received maltodextrin, 1st week: 40 g/day and 2nd–4th weeks: 10 g/day) and a Creatine Group (CG; n = 15; received creatine plus maltodextrin, 1st week: 20 g/day of creatine plus 20 g/day of maltodextrin and 2nd–4th weeks: 5 g/day of creatine plus 5 g/day of maltodextrin). Pre and post the intervention, patients were evaluated for food intake, MIS, body composition and biochemical parameters. Results CG group attenuated the MIS (Pre: 5.57 ± 0.72 vs. Post: 3.85 ± 0.47 score, P = 0.003) compared with PG (Pre: 5.71 ± 0.97 vs. Post: 5.36 ± 0.95 score, P = 0.317) (supplement × time P = 0.017, effect size: 0.964). The change of LBM was greater in CG than in PG (CG: Δ0.95 vs PG: Δ0.13 kg). At post‐intervention, 28.6% of PG patients presented LBM loss and 71.4% remain stable. In contrast, 14.4% of CG patients had LBM loss, 42.8% remain stable and 42.8% gained. Food intake and quality of life did not change. CG increased the BMI and gait speed in post‐compared to pre‐moment, but no difference among the groups. Conclusion In HD patients, four weeks of creatine supplementation may alleviate the MIS as well as attenuate the LBM loss compared to placeboCapes, Brazi

Midlands News 18.03.1957. Prime Minister at De Montfort Hall

The Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, making a speech at De Montfort Hall in Leicester.Harold Macmillan speaking to a large audience at De Montfort Hall. Two hecklers are removed during his speech. According to The Times the hecklers were from a far right group called the League of Empire Loyalists who campaigned against the decline of the British Empire. Macmillan's speech was in front of an audience of 3,000 Conservatives and was described as his first major one in Britain since becoming Prime Minister

ATV Today. 09.03.1981. Working Men's Clubs, Leicester

John Mitchell report on the working men's clubs in Leicester. The city had more clubs per square mile than anywhere else in Britain, but the recession and changing entertainment tastes caused a drop in customers. View of Leicester city centre 1981, Tommy Carton of the Boot and Shoe Committee reading out the latest club dates on local radio. Shots of performers on stage at the LAOB Club in Leicester and views of the audience. Acts include Wally King who plays an electric pick and shovel, comedian Steve Ford and the Billy Walsh Showband. Interview with veteran entertainment secretary Wally Fawlks and Cathy Talbot, the country's first lady concert chairman [from MACE notes]

ATV Today. 08.11.1972. Ugandan Asians in Leicester

Reg Harcourt report from Leicester on the recent influx of Ugandan Asians into the city. Interviews with immigrants and with the leader of Leicester City Council.Interviewees: Ayub Somali Mayhothi and his unnamed wife; Harban Ratoos (?) local organiser on resettlement board; and Alderman Edward Marston, leader of Leicester City Council. We also see Mr Mayhothi at work in an engineering works and views of Leicester city centre and there are vox pops with Leicester people about the Ugandan Asian issue

Midlands News 06.08.1957. Motor Racing at Mallory Park

Motor racing at Mallory Park in Leicestershire