Permporometry: the determination of the size distribution of active pores in UF membranes

Permporometry is a method by which the characteristics of the interconnecting 'active' pores of an ultrafiltration membrane can be measured. It is these active' pores that are responsible for the actual membrane performence. Application of permporometry on different membrane types, including ceramic as well as polymeric membranes, shows that the method can provide objective information on the `active¿ pore size present

Critical points in the analysis of membrane pore structures by thermoporometry

Several ultrafiltration membranes of the anisotropic and isotropic type were characterized by means of the thermoporometry. Successive cooling and heating runs were performed in order to investigate the effects of the water-ice and ice-water phase transitions on the structure of the membranes. The results found for membranes having different casting thicknesses indicate that, in some cases, pores in the sublayer of anisotropic UF membranes frustrate the measurement of the, for the separation, relevant porse present in the top layer

A new method to determine the skin thickness of asymmetric UF-membranes using colloidal gold particles

In this paper a new method is presented for the determination of the skin thickness of asymmetric ultrafiltration membranes. The method is based on the use of well-defined, uniformly sized colloidal gold particles, permeated from the sublayer side of the membrane, combined with electron microscopic analysis of the membrane afterward. Using this method poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) and polysulfone (PSf) membranes were investigated. PPO membranes appeared to have a well-defined skin layer with a thickness of about 0.2 μm and a pore size distinctly different from that in the macroporous layer underneath. In the case of PSf such a distinct skin layer cannot be defined. The size of the pores in these membranes gradually increases from skin to sublayer

Establishment of the Alfalfa Weevil Parasite \u3ci\u3eMicroctonus Aethiopoides (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)\u3c/i\u3e in Michigan

Microctonus aethiopoides, a braconid parasite of adult alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica, is now established in southeastern Minnesota. Releases were made near Caledonia in Houston County, in 1978 and 1979, and near Rosemount in Dakota County, in 1979 and 1980. M. aethiopoides was recovered in Houston County in 1979, a new state record, and since has expanded its range more than 40 km from the release site. Establishment in Dakota County was unexpected because of low host densities, but parasites were recovered there in 1983. Other workers have recovered M. aethiopoides in Olmstead County

Modulation of fenretinide induced cell death in neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a childhood tumor that, despite intensive therapy, has a poor prognosis especially in high risk patients. Therefore, new therapeutic options are needed to improve the outcome of these patients. The research described in this thesis attempts to unravel the apoptosis-inducing mechanism of fenretinide in neuroblastoma and, in order to increase its anti-tumor effects, we investigated possibilities for combination therapy

Aphasia therapy software: research, development, and implementation

After suffering stroke, brain injury or in dementia, some people have difficulties in comprehending or producing language. This disorder is called aphasia. People with aphasia benefit from language therapy provided by speech and language pathologists. Such therapy is increasingly supplemented by digital aphasia therapy (e.g. therapy apps), which can be used to increase therapy frequency and exposure. This dissertation explores the topic of digital aphasia therapy, examining research, development, and implementation. In doing so, this dissertation aims to widen our understanding of how we could effectively develop and use aphasia therapy software, thereby potentially improving aphasia therapy as a whole

The Populist Revolt against Globalisation

A tormented wave of anti-establishment populism is haunting Europe. Populist parties have managed to enter the political centre stage. This is partly the result of the breakthrough of former extremeright or far right parties to the ‘regular right’ part of the political spectrum and of the drift to the right in the European political discourse concerning issues of immigration, Islam and the concept of the multicultural society after nine-eleven. In Europe, populism not only comes from the right, but from the anti-liberal protectionist left wing as well. In this essay, it will be argued that in Europe the populist wave points to a deeper rooted crisis of trust and representation in the political and societal system at large

The money mission matrix: a model for social entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneurship is popular in current academics and other media. This thesis adds to this literature by discovering what the drivers are for sustainable social entrepreneurship. Several stakeholders were identified, creating profiles of the key players in social entrepreneurship. These stakeholders uncovered key factors that represent the drivers for sustainable social entrepreneurship. Key factors were then aligned along the two dimensions: Money and Mission. This created four profiles of organisations, each representing several key factors. The model helps explain the drivers for sustainable social entrepreneurship (competitiveness, financial sustainability, social impact, network, motivation and structure) by using these four profiles