Thin film membranes for molecular separations

Membranes have had a huge impact in molecular separations in aqueous systems, especially desalination. It is generally accepted that 40-70% of capital and operating costs in chemical and pharmaceutical industries are dedicated to separations; and a substantial fraction of this cost is related to processing of organic liquids. Membrane technology has the potential to provide game changing alternatives to conventional concentration and purification technologies such as distillation, liquid extraction, adsorption and chromatography, through Organic Solvent Nanofiltration (OSN) [1]. The membranes must offer resistance to organic environments, attractive selectivities and permeance. Ideally they should also be resistant to physical aging under use. This presentation will focus on research into advanced membranes for OSN and their applications. Thin film composite membranes, created by interfacial polymerisation (TFC-IP) and activated by a strong solvent, have excellent flux and rejection [2]. Intrinsic microporosity can be preserved through polymer molecular structure [3]. Further, the performance in OSN can be improved by mixed matrix membranes. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been used to create mixed matrix thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes [4] containing 50-150 nm MOF nanoparticles. Finally new membranes for liquid separations can have intrinsic microporosity imparted through choice of the monomers used in membrane formation [5]. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

HSP27 AND CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED AUTOPHAGY AS BIOMARKERS IN OSTEOSARCOMA

Survival for patients with osteosarcoma has not improved for \u3e 30 years. Despite aggressive multi-agent chemotherapy combined with surgical resection, a significant fraction of patients with localized disease relapse after optimal treatment. We evaluated the occurrence of cytoplasmic LC3B (light chain 3B)-positive puncta (a marker of autophagy) and presence of HSP27 (heat shock protein 27) in cancer cells within pre-treatment biopsy, post-treatment surgical resection, and metastatic osteosarcoma specimens by immunohistochemistry in 260 patients. LCB3+ puncta expression was seen in 34% of pre-treatment. 50% of resection, and 67% of metastasis samples. Sixty-six percent of all specimens were scored positive for HSP27 (85% of pre-treatment. 52% of resection, and 50% of metastasis samples). Among 215 patients with localized disease, pre-treatment HSP27 expression was associated with inferior overall survival (adjusted HR 26.7, p=0.0263) as well as at resection following chemotherapy (adjusted HR 1.85, p=0.039). Lack of LC3B-puncta expression was an independent poor prognostic marker at resection (adjusted HR 1.75, p=0.045). Patients with LC3B+/HSP27- tumors at resection had the best prognosis whereas patients with LC3B-/HSP27+ osteosarcoma had the worst long-term survival. Neither HSP27 nor LC3B expression correlated with tumor necrosis. These findings indicate that HSP27 expression is a negative prognostic biomarker in osteosarcoma. Conversely, presence of autophagy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, as measured by LC3B-puncta, predicts longer overall survival in osteosarcoma patients with localized disease. We additionally evaluated the significance of chemotherapy-induced autophagy in 2 human osteosarcoma cell lines: LM7 and CCH-OS-D. Both doxorubicin (DOX) and cisplatin (CDDP) were found to induce autophagy. In LM7 cells, autophagy inhibition with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) prior to chemotherapy resulted in a trend towards decreased viability consistent with a cytoprotective role of autophagy. In CCH-OS-D cells, autophagy inhibition prior to DOX significantly decreased chemosensitivity suggesting a cytotoxic role of autophagy in this setting. The post-treatment expression of phosphorylated HSP27 was increased in LM7 and decreased in CCH-OS-D following DOX or CDDP. These findings support a dual role of chemotherapy-induced autophagy and potential application of pHSP27 as a predictive biomarker of autophagy inhibitors in osteosarcoma

A density functional study of the relative stability of intermediates in a McMurry coupling reaction

Reductive cyclization via McMurry coupling is a common way to form pyrrolizidine rings. In this work we investigate the titanium-catalyzed McMurry coupling reaction leading to a pyrrolizidine alkaloid using density functional methods. Specifically, we compare the relative energies of all possible pinacolate intermediates at the UB3LYP/6-31G level of theory. The most stable intermediate is found to be the one resulting from C-O bond insertion in the ester group. The McMurry product is not predicted to form

Disability policy and practice at the University of Saskatchewan

Students with disabilities have to overcome many barriers when attaining post-secondary education. This thesis investigates how programs and policies affect students with disabilities. Using a survey-based research method, the project explores the gap that exists between disability policy and programs at the University of Saskatchewan as perceived students. Discussions with disability service providers also informed the study. A communication disconnect between faculty, service providers, and students was found to be one of the key reasons why the gap between program and policies is increasing as opposed to decreasing. Rather than being reliant on the medical model of disability and integrated approach, which includes more social conceptions of disability, related to delivery of programs should be advocated. Reflection on the current literature related to disability and the findings of this thesis lead to a construction of a model. This model advocates the inclusion of disability studies as an integral part of university curriculum using and interdisciplinary approach. The expanded role of disability studies can have a positive influence on university culture, and improve understandings of disability on university campuses, as well as in the broader social context

Minimum clinically important difference of the Social Functioning in Dementia Scale (SF-DEM)

Objectives: Good social functioning is important for people living with dementia and their families. The Social Functioning in Dementia Scale (SF-DEM) is a valid and reliable instrument measuring social functioning in dementia. However the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) has not yet been derived for SF-DEM. This study aims to define the MCID for the SF-DEM. // Design: We used triangulation, incorporating data from a cross-sectional study to calculate the MCID using distribution-based and anchor-based methods, and a Delphi survey. // Setting and participants: The cross-sectional survey comprised 299 family carers of people with dementia. Twenty dementia experts (researchers, clinicians, family carers) rated whether changes on clinical vignettes represented a meaningful change in the Delphi survey. // Primary outcome measures: We calculated the distribution-based MCID as 0.5 of an SD for each of the three SF-DEM domains (1—spending time with others, 2—communicating with others, 3—sensitivity to others). We used the carers’ rating of social functioning to calculate the anchor-based MCID. For the Delphi survey, we defined consensus as ≥75% agreement. Where there was lack of consensus, experts were asked to complete a further survey round. // Results: We found that 0.5 SD of SF-DEM was 1.9 points, 2.2 and 1.4 points in domains 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Using the anchoring analysis, the MCIDs were 1.7 points, 1.7 points, and 0.9 points in domains 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The Delphi method required two rounds. In the second round, a consensus was reached that a 2-point change was considered significant in all three domains, but no consensus was reached on a 1-point change. // Conclusions: By triangulating all three methods, the SF-DEM’s MCIDs were 1.9, 2.0 and 1.4 points for domains 1, 2 and 3, respectively. For individuals, these values should be rounded to a 2-point change for each domain

Socioeconomic deprivation as measured by the index of multiple deprivation and its association with low sex hormone binding globulin in women

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS M.L., I.L. and A.H.H. participated in the study concept and design, acquisition of data, study analysis, interpretation of data, drafting of the manuscript. D.M. provided statistical expertise. R.D., A.J.H., and A.F. participated in the interpretation of data and critical revision of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Revisiting membrane rejection: On the relationship between solute size and pore size in the nanofiltration regime

The molecular resolution of nanofiltration depends on resistance to solute transport along the permeation channel, manifesting steric hindrance and hydrodynamic friction. To date there is little direct experimental evidence of reporting on rejection in nanofiltration for ideal membranes with uniform pores, and defined size solutes. However the recent availability of defined nanoparticles in the range 1-20 nm makes new investigations feasible. Phenomenological models for predicting solute permeation through defined cylindrical channels started with the Hagen-Poiseuille equation, which includes viscosity as the key parameter for solvent permeation. The Bowen-Welfoot model was developed to incorporate several correction terms to account for solute-pore interaction. However, the Bowen-Welfoot model generates ideal rejection curves only under the conditions of low pressure-driven flow. Under high-pressure conditions, the rejection curve as predicted by Bowen-Welfoot model assumes a broad spread, similar to the rejection profile predicted by Ferry’s sieving model, demonstrating steric hindrance based on solute-pore interaction as the key parameter in rejection. We set out to obtain new fundamental experimental evidence to interrogate these nanofiltration models. In this work, transport of spherical nanoparticle (NP) imaging probes through model polycarbonate track etch (PCTE) and alumina (Al) membranes were studied empirically using citrate-coated gold nanoparticles of defined sizes (1, 5, 15 nm) and straight channel PCTE (nominal pore diameters 10 and 30 nm) and Al (nominal pore diameters 40 nm) membranes with uniform pore sizes. A priori calculations of theoretical rejections of the membranes with respect to different solute sizes were computed using Bowen-Welfoot pore-flow model. Two simulation approaches were used to describe both discrete and continuous (Gaussian distribution) pore size distributions using probability density functions and taking into account the solvent viscosity as a function of pore radii. Empirically measured rejections of nanoparticle imaging probes were compared with simulation results to confirm the phenomena of hindered transport of NPs inside defined cylindrical nanochannels. Given the experimentally observed evidence of hindered transport of solute moving through pores of commensurate dimensions, we revisited the measurement of rejection in nanofiltration regime in different operational modes: dead-end filtration, diafiltration and cross-flow using a same combination of nanoparticle solute size and membrane pore size. Our results show that dead-end and cross-flow measurements of rejection values do not always agree well with each other; while our diafiltration experiments provide evidence of solutes getting trapped inside membrane pores of commensurate sizes (permanent loss) or solutes in retarded movement through the pores due to much faster solvent flow (transient accumulation). In summary, this fundamental study will illustrate the relation between solute sizes and pore sizes, the implications of it on measurements of rejection values, and the applications of the use of nanoparticle imaging agents for quantifying pathway dimensions in commercial membranes such as reverse osmosis thin film composites and integrally skinned asymmetric nanofiltration membranes with tortuous pore channels that are otherwise difficult to imaging the sizes directly using electron micrographic techniques

Socially assistive robots for people with dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis of feasibility, acceptability and the effect on cognition, neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life

BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in using robots to support dementia care but little consensus on the evidence for their use. The aim of the study is to review evidence about feasibility, acceptability and clinical effectiveness of socially assistive robots used for people with dementia. METHOD: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINHAL, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and EI Engineering Village from inception to 04 -02-2022 - included primary studies assessing feasibility, acceptability, or effectiveness of socially assistive robots for people with dementia. Two independent reviewers screened studies for eligibility, and assessed quality. Narrative synthesis prioritized higher quality studies, and random-effect meta-analyses compared robots with usual care (UC) or active control (AC) immediately after the intervention (short-term; ST) or long-term (LT) on cognition, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and quality of life. FINDINGS: 66 studies and four categories of robots were eligible: Companion robots (Pet and humanoid companion robots), telepresence communication robots, homecare assistive robots and multifunctional robots. PARO (companion robot seal) was feasible and acceptable but limited by its weight, cost, and sound. On meta-analysis, PARO had no ST or LT compared to UC or AC over 5-12 weeks on agitation (ST vs UC, 4 trials, 153 participants: pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.25; -0.57 to 0.06; LT vs UC; 2 trials, 77 participants, SMD =-0.24; -0.94, 0.46), cognition (ST vs UC, 3 trials, 128 participants: SMD= 0.03; -0.32, 0.38), overall neuropsychiatric symptoms (ST vs UC, 3 trials, 169 participants: SMD= -0.01; -0.32, 0.29; ST vs AC, 2 trials, 145 participants: SMD =0.02, -0.71, 0.85), apathy (ST vs AC, 2 trials, 81 participants: SMD= 0.14; 0.29, 0.58), depression (ST vs UC, 4 trials, 181 participants; SMD= 0.08; -0.52, 0.69; LT vs UC: 2 trials, 77 participants: SMD =0.01; -0.75, 0.77), anxiety (ST vs UC: 2 trials, 104 participants, SMD= 0.24; -0.85, 1.33) and quality of life (ST vs UC, 2 trials, 127 participants: SMD=-0.05; -0.52, 0.42; ST vs AC: 2 trials, 159 participants, SMD =-0.36, -0.76, 0.05). Robotic animals, humanoid companion robots, telepresence robots and multifunctional robots were feasible and acceptable. However, humanoid companion robots have speech recognition problems, and telepresence robots and multifunctional robots were often difficult to use. There was mixed evidence about the feasibility of homecare robots. There was little evidence on any of these robots' effectiveness. CONCLUSION: Although robots were generally feasible and acceptable, there is no clear evidence that people with dementia derive benefit from robots for cognition, neuropsychiatric symptoms, or quality of life. We recommend that future research should use high quality designs to establish evidence of effectiveness

The effect of combining cultivars of Lolium perenne in an all grass sward on total and seasonal yield

Abstract Not Provided