Recovery of noble metal elements from effluents of the semiconductor industry as nanoparticles, by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment

The fabrication of semiconductor products for the microelectronic industry requires the deposition of thin noble metal layers (e.g. Au-Sn and Pd) by means of processes involving fluid baths that contain metal ions (e.g. electrowinning and electroless plating). After several cycles, the plating solutions are used up and must be replaced, generating large volumes of discarded solutions containing precious metals. The metals (Au and Pd) are recovered either by electrowinning, a slow batch process, or by the use of toxic molecules (e.g. cyanides). This study demonstrates the possibility of using an atmospheric plasma technology to recover Au and Pd from these solutions, which provides a faster and greener process. Plasma discharges are generated at the surface of the solutions, causing ions to precipitate as nanoparticles. The treatment (few minutes only) allows the recovery of >95% gold, and >60% palladium. The process separates Au (NPs) from Sn ions (remaining in solution), as confirmed by elemental analysis and XPS. Particle size distributions of the nanoparticles recovered through the process suggests that as- synthesized nanoparticles could integrate value-added products (e.g. catalyst industry). Overall, the use of plasma technology could open several possibilities for the recycling of metals contained in solutions discarded from the semiconductor industry

Altered dendritic cell distribution in patients with common variable immunodeficiency

Recent data suggest a critical role for dendritic cells (DCs) in the generation of immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells. In the work reported herein, we analyzed the frequency of peripheral blood plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and myeloid DCs (mDCs) in a cohort of 44 adults with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) classified according to their CD27 membrane expression status on B cells. A deep alteration in the distribution of DC subsets, especially of pDCs, in the peripheral blood of CVID patients was found. Patients with a reduced number of class-switched CD27(+)IgD(-)IgM(- )memory B cells and patients with granulomatous disease had a dramatic decrease in pDCs (P = 0.00005 and 0.0003 vs controls, respectively) and, to a lesser extent, of mDCs (P = 0.001 and 0.01 vs controls, respectively). In contrast, patients with normal numbers of switched memory B cells had a DC distribution pattern similar to that in controls. Taken together, our results raise the possibility that innate immunity contributes to pathogenesis in CVID

A photobiological approach to biophilic design in extreme climates

This paper proposes the biophilic design approach as a plausible hypothesis for the challenging conditions related to living and working in extreme cold climates. Biophilic design has recently been developed to overcome the adverse effects of the built environment and to improve human well-being by redefining the human-nature relationship. Yet, biophilic design should be adapted to extreme cold climates in order to meet the biological needs of people in northern territories. This issue becomes more important when considering the availability of natural light due to the strong seasonal photoperiod and its effects on human well-being in such regions. The present paper critically reviews biophilic design patterns and identifies their main shortcomings. These shortcomings include the lack of (1) recommendations applicable to extreme cold climates (2) adaptation to the local photoperiods, and (3) a systemic framework integrated into the design process. The paper draws attention to the image-forming and non-image-forming effects of light as a basis of the human-nature design approach. In this regard, photobiological outcomes have been reviewed. Then, the paper discusses the existing lighting standards and guidelines in North America and how they have mainly been developed to fulfil the image-forming demands for light. Further efforts are needed to revise these standards with respect to the non-image-forming effects of light and the biophilic design requirements. Finally, adaptive building envelopes are presented as a hypothetical solution to optimize the biophilic qualities of buildings and address the biological needs of people living and working in extreme cold climates in northern territories

Biophilic, photobiological and energy-efficient design framework of adaptive building façades for Northern Canada

This paper develops an integrated design framework of adaptive building façades (ABFs) to respond to photobiological and thermal needs of occupants, biophilic factors, energy requirements and climatic features in Northern Canada, i.e. near and above 50°N. The paper discusses the importance of biophilic and photobiological factors and ABFs to improve occupants’ health and human-nature relations and deal with the extreme climate in Northern Canada where non-adapted buildings that could negatively affect occupants’ wellbeing. The paper shows that existing ABFs must be further developed for northern applications in terms of (i) the physical structure and configuration of components (ii) the design of solar shading/louver panels to address photobiological and biophilic requirements (iii) the development of lighting adaptation scenarios to respond to biophilic and photobiological needs, local photoperiods and energy issues, and (iv) the overall biophilic quality for accessibility to natural patterns. The ABFs’ framework was developed in three phases including (1) process environmental data (2) produce adaptation scenarios, and (3) operate adaptation scenarios. The research discussed major issues of all phases that must be further studied, especially the development of hourly/daily/seasonally lighting adaptation scenarios. The paper develops a holistic parametric methodology to integrate and optimize major design variables of ABF’s components

Center of Mass Compensation during Gait in Hip Arthroplasty Patients: Comparison between Large Diameter Head Total Hip Arthroplasty and Hip Resurfacing

Objective. To compare center of mass (COM) compensation in the frontal and sagittal plane during gait in patients with large diameter head total hip arthroplasty (LDH-THA) and hip resurfacing (HR). Design. Observational study. Setting. Outpatient biomechanical laboratory. Participants. Two groups of 12 patients with LDH-THA and HR recruited from a larger randomized study and 11 healthy controls. Interventions. Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures. To compare the distance between the hip prosthetic joint center (HPJC) and the COM. The ratio (RHPJC-COM) and the variability (CVHPJC-COM) were compared between groups. Hip flexor, abductor, and adductor muscle strength was also correlated between groups while radiographic measurements were correlated with the outcome measures. Results. In the frontal plane, HR shows less variability than healthy controls at push-off and toe-off and RHPJC-COM is correlated with the muscle strength ratios (FRABD) at heel contact, maximal weight acceptance, and mid stance. In the sagittal plane, LDH-THA has a higher RHPJC-COM than healthy controls at push-off, and CVHPJC-COM is significantly correlated with FRFLEX. Conclusions. One year after surgery, both groups of patients, LDH-THA and HR, demonstrate minor compensations at some specific instant of the gait cycle, in both frontal and sagittal planes. However, their locomotion pattern is similar to the healthy controls