Stabilization mechanism of colloidal suspensions by gum tragacanth: The influence of pH on stability

An acidic polyelectrolyte, gum tragacanth (GT), was found to stabilize polystyrene latex particles due to a steric stabilization mechanism. The stability depends significantly on the pH of the solution. To elucidate the stabilization mechanism, a number of parameters, such as the adsorption isotherm, the zeta potential, and the conformation were measured as a function of pH. The adsorption isotherms showed that pH has little effect on the amount of GT adsorbed on the surface. Photon correlation spectroscopy studies showed that the steric layer thickness increases as pH decreases, demonstrating that the pH dependence of stability is attributed to the conformational change of GT with pH. Finally, the degree of dissociation of carboxyl groups of GT molecules (i.e., pH) has a significant effect on the flocculation behavior of latex particles and can be modulated to bring about spontaneous deflocculation of latex particles.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/27076/1/0000067.pd

Dapagliflozin Versus Placebo on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients With Diabetes and Heart Failure:The REFORM Trial

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of dapagliflozin in patients with heart failure (HF) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on left ventricular (LV) remodeling using cardiac MRI. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We randomized 56 patients with T2DM and HF with LV systolic dysfunction to dapagliflozin 10 mg daily or placebo for 1 year, on top of usual therapy. The primary end point was difference in LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) using cardiac MRI. Key secondary end points included other measures of LV remodeling and clinical and biochemical parameters. RESULTS In our cohort, dapagliflozin had no effect on LVESV or any other parameter of LV remodeling. However, it reduced diastolic blood pressure and loop diuretic requirements while increasing hemoglobin, hematocrit, and ketone bodies. There was a trend toward lower weight. CONCLUSIONS We were unable to determine with certainty whether dapagliflozin in patients with T2DM and HF had any effect on LV remodeling. Whether the benefits of dapagliflozin in HF are due to remodeling or other mechanisms remains unknown

Shop stewards’ leadership, left-wing activism and collective workplace union organisation

Providing an account of the dynamic interrelationship between shop steward leadership and membership interaction, Ralph Darlington focuses particular attention on the much-neglected crucial role that left-wing political activists can play in shaping the nature of collective workplace relations

Research into the effect Of SGLT2 inhibition on left ventricular remodelling in patients with heart failure and diabetes mellitus (REFORM) trial rationale and design

Background Heart failure (HF) and diabetes (DM) are a lethal combination. The current armamentarium of anti-diabetic agents has been shown to be less efficacious and sometimes even harmful in diabetic patients with concomitant cardiovascular disease, especially HF. Sodium glucose linked co-transporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of anti-diabetic agent that has shown potentially beneficial cardiovascular effects such as pre-load and after load reduction through osmotic diuresis, blood pressure reduction, reduced arterial stiffness and weight loss. This has been supported by the recently published EMPA-REG trial which showed a striking 38 and 35 % reduction in cardiovascular death and HF hospitalisation respectively. Methods The REFORM trial is a novel, phase IV randomised, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial that has been ongoing since March 2015. It is designed specifically to test the safety and efficacy of the SLGT2 inhibitor, dapagliflozin, on diabetic patients with known HF. We utilise cardiac-MRI, cardio-pulmonary exercise testing, body composition analysis and other tests to quantify the cardiovascular and systemic effects of dapagliflozin 10 mg once daily against standard of care over a 1 year observation period. The primary outcome is to detect the change in left ventricular (LV) end systolic and LV end diastolic volumes. The secondary outcome measures include LV ejection fraction, LV mass index, exercise tolerance, fluid status, quality of life measures and others. Conclusions This trial will be able to determine if SGLT2 inhibitor therapy produces potentially beneficial effects in patients with DM and HF, thereby replacing current medications as the drug of choice when treating patients with both DM and HF

Use of modified clays for the removal and disposal of chlorinated dioxins and other priority pollutants from industrial wastewaters

The dynamics of adsorption and elution of octachlorodibenzodioxin (OCDD) on modified clay adsorbents has been studied. In batch type experiments, a rapid approach to sorption equilibrium (within hours) as well as a Freudlich type sorption isotherm were noted. In packed bed sorption experiments using a step input of adsorbate concentration, no breakthrough was observed under a variety of volumetric flow rates suggesting multilayer adsorption of dioxins on modified clay sorbents. Elution of sorbed dioxin with carrier solvent tetrahydrofuran (THF) exhibited two peaks indicating heterogeneity of modified clay sorbents. Finally, successive sorption/elution/sorption experiments reveal that modified clay sorbents can be regenerated and reused.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/28180/1/0000632.pd

An Integrated System for the Treatment of Coal Conversion Wastewater

Treatment of mixed waste from coal conversion wastewaters involves the degradation of toxic organics and the removal of heavy metals. An integrated and cost-effective treatment scheme that can implement such a process is considered essential to promote continued development and growth of coal conversion processes without any deleterious effects on our ecosystem. We have recently developed a pH-dependent, reversible heavy metal adsorption/desorption process which promises to be a cost-effective alternative to the treatment and disposal options currently in place for these inorganic contaminants. Our work shows that: (1) Polydisperse, industrial-grade surfactants can be used in the development of novel, surfactant-coated smectitic clays containing up to 50% by weight of adsorbed surfactant, (2) Reversible adsorption and resorption of cationic (CU(II) and Cd(II)) and anionic (Cr(VI)) heavy metals from their respective aqueous solutions onto these surfactant-modified smectites can be effected using pH of the medium as a switch, and (3) These surfactant-modified smectites can be repeatedly used (up to 5 times) with only a minimal loss in their adsorption potency and with very little leaching of the adsorbed surfactants

Jimmy Hoffa Interview, Cornell University ILR School, April 1975

James Riddle (Jimmy) Hoffa was interviewed at Cornell University’s ILR School in April 1975, only 3 months before he disappeared. Hoffa was on campus for a series of meetings and lectures and, according to Professor Cletus Daniel, Hoffa was asked for a filmed interview early that morning but he declined. Throughout the day’s meetings and discussions, Daniel continued to talk with Hoffa. During lunch, Daniel told Hoffa that he had been a Teamster, and showed Hoffa his separation card. Seeing that, Hoffa felt more comfortable with the idea of an interview and agreed to it. Because the interview was arranged at the last minute, the best video recording equipment was already in use. As a result, the sound and visual tracks on the original video recording are poor quality