Synthesis and gas separation properties of poly(ionic liquid)-ionic liquid composite membranes containing a copper salt

Composite poly(ionic liquid)-ionic liquid membranes containing copper (I) chloride (CuCl) have been successfully fabricated via photopolymerization of an IL monomer, 1-vinyl-3-butylimidazolium bistriflimide ([C4vim][Tf2N]), in the presence of CuCl and a non-polymerizable IL, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim][Cl]), forming the chlorocuprate anion ([CuCl2]-) in situ. The influence of the metal salt content on the gas separation performance of the composite membranes was assessed. Results showed that increasing the content of non-polymerizable IL enhanced the permeabilities of CO2, H2, N2 and CO relative to those obtained in the pristine poly([C4vim][Tf2N]); whereas the addition of CuCl induced a general reduction of gas diffusivity. On the whole, an enhancement of both gas permeability and ideal gas pair selectivity were observed for CO2/N2 and H2/N2 separations in the Cu-containing composite membranes with respect to the neat poly([C4vim][Tf2N]).Financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) under projects CTQ2012-31639 at the Universidad de Cantabria is gratefully acknowledged. Additional support from the American Chemical Society – Petroleum Research Fund (ACS-PRF 52190-DNI9) is acknowledged

Endothelial dysfunction is an early indicator of sepsis and neutrophil degranulation of septic shock in surgical patients

Producción CientíficaBackground: Stratification of the severity of infection is currently based on the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, which is difficult to calculate outside the ICU. Biomarkers could help to stratify the severity of infection in surgical patients. Methods: Levels of ten biomarkers indicating endothelial dysfunction, 22 indicating emergency granulopoiesis, and six denoting neutrophil degranulation were compared in three groups of patients in the first 12 h after diagnosis at three Spanish hospitals. Results: There were 100 patients with infection, 95 with sepsis and 57 with septic shock. Seven biomarkers indicating endothelial dysfunction (mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-ProADM), syndecan 1, thrombomodulin, angiopoietin 2, endothelial cell-specific molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and E-selectin) had stronger associations with sepsis than infection alone. MR-ProADM had the highest odds ratio (OR) in multivariable analysis (OR 11·53, 95 per cent c.i. 4·15 to 32·08; P = 0·006) and the best area under the curve (AUC) for detecting sepsis (0·86, 95 per cent c.i. 0·80 to 0·91; P < 0·001). In a comparison of sepsis with septic shock, two biomarkers of neutrophil degranulation, proteinase 3 (OR 8·09, 1·34 to 48·91; P = 0·028) and lipocalin 2 (OR 6·62, 2·47 to 17·77; P = 0·002), had the strongest association with septic shock, but lipocalin 2 exhibited the highest AUC (0·81, 0·73 to 0·90; P < 0·001). Conclusion: MR-ProADM and lipocalin 2 could be alternatives to the SOFA score in the detection of sepsis and septic shock respectively in surgical patients with infection.Instituto de Salud Carlos III (grants PI15/01959, PI15/01451 and PI16/01156

Women and power: a theoretical approach using the example of copreneurial businesses

Despite the gradual recognition of strategic issues related to the integration of women into the economy, female entrepreneurship continues to receive little attention. Family business research attributes this situation to a lack of recognition given to the (decisive) role of women in these organizations. However, there is one type of family governance that formally acknowledges the man/woman combination: the copreneurial company. Copreneurs are couples who run a business together. This theoretical article highlights the role of women in the copreneurial context by distinguishing between formal and informal power- the latter being primarily held by women, but which is no less influential. The distribution of power reduces opposition costs between partners and the social costs of non-compliance, and improves the clarity of the entrepreneurial structure. Moreover, it increases satisfaction and a feeling of equality between the partners. These results can be generalized and shed light on the role of women in other entrepreneurial and social contexts. This article is published as part as part of a collection on the role of women in management and business

Presentation of the Biographies et entourage Survey

Families extend well beyond the walls of the home, and interpersonal relations are constructed throughout the life course, and in all the settings where they play out. This approach requires new instruments of observation and new concepts to take into account family realities and their dynamics across time and space. Indeed, 20 years after the Triple biographie (Triple biography) survey and 10 years after the Proches et parents (Local family circle) survey we needed to update our knowledge of residential mobility and kinship. This chapter recounts the historical background of the Biographies et entourage survey (Event histories and contact circle survey) and presents the different INED surveys conducted from the 1960s which inspired and preceded it. By combining the relational and life course approaches, the Biographies et entourage survey was designed to obtain appropriate data for describing and analysing family networks and their role throughout an individual’s lifetime. To do that, it was necessary to move away from the usual concepts such as the household or main residence, and suggest others such as the entourage (contact circle) and the residential system

Remarkable stability of copper(II)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes void of an anionic tether

A library of pyridyl- and picolyl-substituted imidazolium salts have been synthesized and coordinated to copper, via transmetalation from silver(I)-N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), to prepare several copper(I)- and copper(II)-NHC complexes. The copper(I)-NHCs are complexes of the type Cu(NHC)Br, with the solid-state structures revealing a variety of coordination environments around the copper centers. The stability of the copper(II) complexes is particularly unusual, given the absence of a "hard" anionic tethering group appended to the ligands. The stability has been attributed to the pyridyl substituent, with the complexes being extremely stable, while those with an appended anionic group tend to be more sensitive to air/moisture. The ligands and complexes have been examined in an Ullmann-type etherification reaction and exhibit improved activity in comparison to copper in the absence of a ligand or the common Cu(I)-NHC complexes Cu(IMes)Cl and [Cu(IMes)2]PF6, indicating stabilization of higher oxidation state species by the ligands during the catalytic cycle

Clinical practice guidelines for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing

BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene pathogenic variants account for most hereditary breast cancer and are increasingly used to determine eligibility for PARP inhibitor (PARPi) therapy of BRCA-related cancer. Because issues of BRCA testing in clinical practice now overlap with both preventive and therapeutic management, updated and comprehensive practice guidelines for BRCA genotyping are needed. The integrative recommendations for BRCA testing presented here aim to (1) identify individuals who may benefit from genetic counselling and risk-reducing strategies; (2) update germline and tumour-testing indications for PARPi-approved therapies; (3) provide testing recommendations for personalised management of early and metastatic breast cancer; and (4) address the issues of rapid process and tumour analysis. An international group of experts, including geneticists, medical and surgical oncologists, pathologists, ethicists and patient representatives, was commissioned by the French Society of Predictive and Personalised Medicine (SFMPP). The group followed a methodology based on specific formal guidelines development, including (1) evaluating the likelihood of BRCAm from a combined systematic review of the literature, risk assessment models and expert quotations, and (2) therapeutic values of BRCAm status for PARPi therapy in BRCA-related cancer and for management of early and advanced breast cancer. These international guidelines may help clinicians comprehensively update and standardise BRCA testing practices