Heterogeneous ion-selective membranes: the influence of the inert matrix polymer on the membrane properties

Heterogeneous ion-exchange membranes were prepared by mixing small particles of sulfonated poly(1,4-phenylene sulfide) or sulfonated styrene–divinylbenzene copolymer with a matrix polymer. Four kinds of polymers were tested as a matrix: highly flexible linear polyethylene, medium-flexible fluoroelastomer, rigid polystyrene (all highly hydrophobic) and hydrophilic cellulose prepared by hydrolysis of cellulose acetate butyrate. Membrane morphologies were studied by scanning electron microscopy, IR spectroscopy and density measurements. Subsequently, the membranes were characterised with respect to their swelling in water, electrochemical characteristics and transport properties. Ion-exchange capacity and proton conductivity together with the permeability to hydrogen and methanol were investigated. The important impact of the ion-exchange particles as well as of the polymer matrix used was observed. The increasing rigidity of the polymer matrix resulted in a decrease in membrane permeability, but at the same time in deterioration of its ion-exchange capacity and subsequently of the proton conductivity, too. This was explained in terms of the limited elasticity of the polymer matrix, in each sample under study, which does not allow the ion-exchange particles to swell to an identical degree.     

In vivo EPR dosimetry to quantify exposures to clinically significant doses of ionising radiation

As a result of terrorism, accident or war, populations potentially can be exposed to doses of ionising radiation that could cause direct clinical effects within days or weeks. There is a critical need to determine the magnitude of the exposure to individuals so that those with significant risk can have appropriate procedures initiated immediately, while those without a significant probability of acute effects can be reassured and removed from the need for further consideration in the medical/emergency system. It is extremely unlikely that adequate dosemeters will be worn by the potential victims, and it also will be unlikely that prompt and accurate dose reconstruction at the level of individuals will be possible. Therefore, there is a critical need for a method to measure the dose from radiation-induced effects that occur within the individual. In vivo EPR measurements of radiation-induced changes in the enamel of teeth is a method, perhaps the only such method, which can differentiate among doses sufficiently to classify individuals into categories for treatment with sufficient accuracy to facilitate decisions on medical treatment. In its current state, the in vivo EPR dosemeter can provide estimates of absorbed dose of +/- 0.5 Gy in the range from 1 to >10 Gy. The lower limit and the precision are expected to improve, with improvements in the resonator and the algorithm for acquiring and calculating the dose. In its current state of development, the method is already sufficient for decision-making action for individuals with regard to acute effects from exposure to ionising radiation for most applications related to terrorism, accidents or nuclear warfare.     

The Third International Intercomparison on EPR Tooth Dosimetry: part 2, final analysis

The objective of the Third International Intercomparison on EPR Tooth Dosimetry was to evaluate laboratories performing tooth enamel dosimetry <300 mGy. Final analysis of results included a correlation analysis between features of laboratory dose reconstruction protocols and dosimetry performance. Applicability of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tooth dosimetry at low dose was shown at two applied dose levels of 79 and 176 mGy. Most (9 of 12) laboratories reported the dose to be within 50 mGy of the delivered dose of 79 mGy, and 10 of 12 laboratories reported the dose to be within 100 mGy of the delivered dose of 176 mGy. At the high-dose tested (704 mGy) agreement within 25% of the delivered dose was found in 10 laboratories. Features of EPR dose reconstruction protocols that affect dosimetry performance were found to be magnetic field modulation amplitude in EPR spectrum recording, EPR signal model in spectrum deconvolution and duration of latency period for tooth enamel samples after preparation.     

Cryogenic Materials Data Base for the W7-X magnet system

A Cryogenic Materials Data Base (MDB) was established for the systematic documentation of all materials property data measured in the frame of the W7-X construction and assembly of the magnet system. The contents of the MDB in terms of materials and property data is presented as well as the structure of its organisation. Summary information is given on the thermal expansion and the mechanical properties of structural materials and isotropic and anisotropic reinforced epoxy resins. Two particular open issues are addressed which were found in the course of the data review, and are suggested for further study. Helpful recommendations for similar activities in future projects are given.     

Control strategies for integration of electric motor assist and functional electrical stimulation in paraplegic cycling: utility for exercise testing and mobile cycling

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate feedback control strategies for integration of electric motor assist and functional electrical stimulation (FES) for paraplegic cycling, with particular focus on development of a testbed for exercise testing in FES cycling, in which both cycling cadence and workrate are simultaneously well controlled and contemporary physiological measures of exercise performance derived. A second aim was to investigate the possible benefits of the approach for mobile, recreational cycling. METHODS: A recumbent tricycle with an auxiliary electric motor is used, which is adapted for paraplegic users, and instrumented for stimulation control. We propose a novel integrated control strategy which simultaneously provides feedback control of leg power output (via automatic adjustment of stimulation intensity) and cycling cadence (via electric motor control). Both loops are designed using system identification and analytical (model-based) feedback design methods. Ventilatory and pulmonary gas exchange response profiles are derived using a portable system for real-time breath-by-breath acquisition. RESULTS: We provide indicative results from one paraplegic subject in which a series of feedback-control tests illustrate accurate control of cycling cadence, leg power control, and external disturbance rejection. We also provide physiological response profiles from a submaximal exercise step test and a maximal incremental exercise test, as facilitated by the control strategy. CONCLUSION: The integrated control strategy is effective in facilitating exercise testing under conditions of well-controlled cadence and power output. Our control approach significantly extends the achievable workrate range and enhances exercise-test sensitivity for FES cycling, thus allowing a more stringent characterization of physiological response profiles and estimation of key parameters of aerobic function. We further conclude that the control approach can significantly improve the overall performance of mobile recreational cycling.     

The preparation of microporous membranes from blends of poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) and sulfonated poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide)

Poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (PPO) is a chemically resistant polymer and, therefore, an attractive material for the formation of membranes. However, membranes of unmodified PPO prepared by an immersion precipitation possess very low hydraulic permeabilities at the filtration processes. The membranes with higher hydraulic permeabilities can be prepared from sulfonated PPO and/or from blends of unsulfonated PPO and sulfonated PPO. In conclusion, the mechanism of the formation of membranes from blends of unsulfonated PPO and sulfonated PPO is suggested. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 161–167, 1999     

Pervaporation and gas separation membranes made from polyimide/polydimethylsiloxane block copolymer

Polyimide/polydimethylsiloxane block copolymers were prepared from oligoimides based on 2-aminopyridine-terminated 3,3′-oxybis(phthalic anhydride) and 1,4-bis(4-amino-α, α-dimethylbenzyl)benzene, and 3-aminopropyl-terminated oligo(dimethylsiloxane)s. Selectivity of homogeneous membranes prepared from the copolymers depends on the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) content: Selectivity of copolymers with up to approximately 20 wt % of PDMS is similar to that of polyimide homopolymer, whereas selectivity of copolymers containing more than 20 wt % of PDMS resembles that of pure PDMS. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Oxidative metabolism of the mycotoxins alternariol and alternariol-9-methyl ether in precision-cut rat liver slices in vitro

Scope: Monohydroxylation of alternariol (AOH) and alternariol‐9‐methyl ether (AME) has previously been reported as a prominent metabolic route under cell‐free conditions. This pathway gives rise to several catechol metabolites and may therefore be of toxicological relevance. Methods and results: To clarify whether hydroxylation of AOH and AME occurs under in vivo‐like conditions in the presence of conjugation reactions, the metabolism of the Alternaria toxins has now been studied in precision‐cut rat liver slices. Four catechol metabolites of AOH and two of AME, together with several of their O‐methylation products, as catalyzed by catechol‐O‐methyl transferase, were clearly identified after incubation of the liver slices with AOH and AME. These metabolites were predominantly present as conjugates with glucuronic acid and/or sulfate. In preliminary studies with bile duct‐cannulated male rats dosed with AOH by gavage, the four monohydroxylated metabolites of AOH could also be demonstrated in the bile either as catechols or as O‐methyl ethers. Conclusion: These experiments clearly show that AOH and AME undergo catechol formation in vivo and warrant closer examination of the toxicological significance of this metabolic pathway.     

Characteristics of particulate carbon emissions from real-world Chinese coal combustion

Particulate matter emissions from a series of different Chinese coal combustion systems were collected and analyzed for elemental and organic carbon (EC, OC), and molecular markers. Emissions from both industrial boilers and residential stoves were investigated. The coal used in this study included anthracite, bituminite, and brown coal, as well as commonly used coal briquettes produced in China for residential coal combustion. Results show significant differences in the contribution of carbonaceous species to particulate mass emissions. Industrial boilers had much higher burn out of carbon yielding particulate matter emissions with much lower levels of OC, EC, and speciated organic compounds, while residential stoves had significantly higher emissions of carbonaceous particulate matter with emission rates of approximately 100 times higher than that of industrial boilers. Quantified organic compounds emitted from industrial boilers were dominated by oxygenated compounds, of which 46-68% were organic acids, whereas the dominate species quantified in the emissions from residential stoves were PAHs (38%) and n-alkanes (20%). An important observation was the fact that emission factors of PAHs and the distribution of hopanoids were different among the emissions from industrial and residential coal combustion even using the same coal for combustion. Although particulate matter emissions from industrial and residential combustion were different in many regards, picene was detected in all samples with detectable OC mass concentrations, which supports the use of this organic tracer for OC from all types of coal combustion. 17alpha(H),21beta(H)-29-norhopane was the predominant hopanoid in coal combustion emissions, which is different from mobile source emissions and may be used to distinguish emissions from these different fossil fuel sources.