Search

The fact that Canada's working population is aging and will continue to do so is no surprise to anyone. What is surprising though is what many of these aging workers are experiencing in the late years of their career: They continue to be the target of negative stereotypes which in turn, reinforce discrimination and marginalization practices. The present study was aimed at understanding the consequences of differential treatment based on age (measured by relative deprivation) from the theoretical perspective of psychological disengagement. A total of 117 Canadian civil servants over the age of 45 participated in this study. According to hypotheses, it was found that feelings of relative deprivation were associated with discounting which in turn led to a decrease in self-esteem. This chain of reactions generated instabilities, fluctuations in self-esteem and through this, questioned the protective role of psychological disengagement. It is only by devaluing their non-prestigious domain of activity that participants seemed to regain stability of their self-esteem. Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the work force is aging, views regarding older workers remain negative. As a result, complaints of discrimination on the basis of age have increased. This situation prompts the following questions: what leads aging workers to acknowledge disparities between younger workers and themselves, and what are the consequences for aging workers of integrating into their self-image some of the characteristics commonly associated with their cohort? These questions are examined in light of a new approach to the link between identity and relative deprivation. The following hypotheses were included in a predictive model: the more individuals include characteristics of their group into their self-descriptions, the more they experience personal deprivation when comparing their own situation to that of younger workers. These feelings, in turn, affect them during retirement in terms of lowered self-esteem and decreased satisfaction with their life. This model was tested among 149 young retirees. Hypotheses were confirmed, and it was shown that end-of-career experiences have an impact on the situation of young [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last decade has witnessed tremendous progress in cell therapy (CT), regenerative medicine (RM), and gene therapy (GT). However, these advances come with their own set of challenges and opportunities, which may vary among jurisdictions depending on infrastructures, laws, regulations, access to funding, and socioeconomic, political and cultural aspects. In September 2023, a virtual symposium was held on the opportunities and challenges of CT, RM, and GT in Québec, Canada. The symposium brought together scientists, manufacturers, and experts in law, pharmacoeconomics, and regulatory affairs. This work reports on the discussions held during this symposium, with the aim of guiding the development of new policies for CT, RM, and GT treatments in Québec and within the Canadian ecosystem. The comments from three panels were grouped into seven strategic orientations that reflected dominant views among panelists. The orientations were that: (1) an ethical framework must be developed around CT, RM, and GT to enable fair and timely access to treatments for all; (2) governments should spur private and public research investments in CT, RM, and GT; (3) regulatory awareness may be improved among developers through outreach approaches (initiated by the regulator) and early consultations (initiated by developers); (4) the regulations governing the development of CT, RM, and GT products could be streamlined and further adapted to the needs of these emerging products; (5) the skill sets of developers should be mobilized to foster the development and production of CT, RM, and GT products in the academic and industrial setting, and the training of Québec's workforce could be better aligned with industry and population needs; (6) Québec should ensure that the province's production and health care capacity are aligned with current and future needs in CT, RM, and GT products, considering the rapidly evolving landscape of CT and RM; (7) ongoing efforts to reform the current reimbursement framework could be continued in Québec's public, single-payer health care system. This symposium provided guidance for addressing current limitations and taking advantage of opportunities in CT, RM, and GT in Québec. We surmise that other jurisdictions face challenges similar to those discussed in this symposium. The global CT, RM, and GT community should therefore share experiences to promote the optimal development and access to these promising therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Zr–2.5Nb pressure tubes used in CANDU (CANada Deuterium Uranium) reactors have a very complex microstructure, with two major crystallographic phases, α and β. These phases include a fair amount of deformation from the extrusion process and the cold working (∼25%) performed at the end of the manufacturing process. This microstructure (texture, grain aspect ratio, etc.) changes along the tube’s length and differs from tube to tube. In order to better understand the deformation mechanisms, these microstructural differences must be statistically characterized. Scanning electron microscopy combined with direct image analysis or with electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) are good techniques for carrying out such a measurement. However it is not possible, using specimen preparation methods specific for each of these techniques, to reveal all of the grain and phase boundaries. We have thus developed post-treatment algorithms to be able to partially analyze the revealed Zr–2.5Nb microstructure. The first algorithm was used for image analysis treatments of micrographs taken at 5kV on the radial–tangential plane of etched samples using a reactive ion etch (RIE, CF4 +O2). The second was developed for EBSD grain mapping and can be used to characterize α-Zr grain shape and orientation. The two techniques are complementary: EBSD gives information about the micro-texture and the relationship between the microstructure and micro-texture while image analyses of SEM micrographs reveal the direction and distribution of the α-Zr lamellae more easily and over a greater sample area than EBSD. However, the SEM micrographs that were used did not reveal any grain boundary (only phase boundary). An analysis of EBSD grain maps reveals that the average α-Zr grain size, mainly in the elongated direction (tangential), is smaller than what is normally obtained from an image analysis of SEM micrographs. The grain size distribution of type I α-Zr grains (deformed original (prior) α-Zr) and type II (stress-induced β-Zr→α-Zr phase transformation) is also shown to be different for sizes greater than 0.4μm2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Li4Ti5O12 was obtained by solid-state reaction of a ternary precursor mixture, TiO2, Li2CO3 and carbon. The influences of the reaction time, temperature and mixing method on the electrochemical performance of Li4Ti5O12 were investigated. Electrochemical measurements and XRD diffraction characterization were used to determine the reversible capacity and TiO2 residue in the final powder, respectively. Between 1.2 and 2.0 V versus Li, a reversible capacity as high as 165 mAh/g at 7.3 mA/g was obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The neuroprotective properties of cystamine identified in pre-clinical studies have fast-tracked this compound to clinical trials in Huntington's disease, showing tolerability and benefits on motor symptoms. We tested whether cystamine could have such properties in a Parkinson's disease murine model and now provide evidence that it can not only prevent the neurodegenerative process but also can reverse motor impairments created by a 6-hydroxydopamine lesion 3 weeks post-surgery. Importantly, we report that cystamine has neurorestorative properties 5 weeks post-lesion as seen on the number of nigral dopaminergic neurons which is comparable with treatments of cysteamine, the reduced form of cystamine used in the clinic, as well as rasagiline, increasingly prescribed in early parkinsonism. All three compounds induced neurite arborization of the remaining dopaminergic cells which was further confirmed in ex vivo dopaminergic explants derived from Pitx3 -GFP mice. The disease-modifying effects displayed by cystamine/cysteamine would encourage clinical testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In situ and ex situ scanning electron microscopy of nano Si and SiO anode particles was carried out during the first cycles, and at various stages of charge. The particle size effects were explored in the range 0.1–20 μm, providing a new insight into the micro-structural evolution of the particles as a function of their size, and into the ‘mechanical’ resistance upon important volume change upon phase transformation of these anodes. For small particles, the failure of the battery comes from an electrochemical sintering that compacts the whole electrode, which results in its cracking. The particles keep their integrity when the discharge is stopped at a voltage 0.1 V, which corresponds to the chemical composition Li12Si7, while the particles are known to crack at deeper discharge up to Li22Si5. Replacing the Si particles by SiO particles in an attempt to avoid these structural effects did not help, because of the different chemical reactions during cycling, with the loss of oxygen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Negative electrodes containing SiO x were investigated as alternative negative electrodes to carbon for Li-ion batteries. The results obtained on the effect of binders and carbon additives on the electrochemical performance (i.e., reversible capacity, coulombic efficiency, charge–discharge rate capability) of the SiO x –graphite electrode and SiO x electrode are presented. SEM analysis that utilizes facilities for in situ and ex situ studies were applied to better understand the performance and cycle life of the SiO x -based electrodes. The SEM analysis clearly showed that the SiO x particles expand and contract during charge–discharge cycling, and that some of the particles undergo mechanical degradation during this process. The SiO x –graphite electrode with polyimide binder exhibited a stable capacity of 600mAhg−1 during high-rate charge–discharge from C/4 to 1C. These results suggest that the use of a flexible binder like polyimide and reasonably small SiO x particles (nano-particles) facilitates improved cycle life and higher rate capability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: LiFePO4 (LFP) particles were obtained by grinding ingot synthesized in the molten state. This process, followed by jet milling, and then wet milling, provides a simple way to obtain powders with controlled particle size in the range from macroscopic to 25nm. However, at this time, we find that these particles tend to agglomerate to form secondary particles of size ∼100nm. The particles obtained by this process are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). In situ and ex situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of milling was also investigated by analysis of physical properties using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and magnetic measurements. The electrochemical performance was evaluated in cells containing Li/1M LiPF6 in EC:DEC (1:1)/C-LiFePO4. After carbon coating, the LFP particles which are free of impurities, exhibit high-rate capability. Even with a limited amount of carbon (2wt.%) appropriate for commercial batteries, the capacity is 157mAhg−1 at 0.1C, 120mAhg−1 at 10C, without capacity fading after 60 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Physical and electrochemical characteristics of Li-ion battery systems based on LiFePO4 cathodes and graphite anodes with mixture electrolytes were investigated. The mixed electrolytes are based on an ionic liquid (IL), and organic solvents used in commercial batteries. We investigated a range of compositions to determine an optimum conductivity and non-flammability of the mixed electrolyte. This led us to examine mixtures of ILs with the organic electrolyte usually employed in commercial Li-ion batteries, i.e., ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethylene carbonate (DEC). The IL electrolyte consisted of (trifluoromethyl sulfonylimide) (TFSI) as anion and 1-ethyl-3-methyleimidazolium (EMI) as the cation. The physical and electrochemical properties of some of these mixtures showed an improvement characteristics compared to the constituents alone. The safety was improved with electrolyte mixtures; when IL content in the mixture is ≥40%, no flammability is observed. A stable SEI layer was obtained on the MCMB graphite anode in these mixed electrolytes, which is not obtained with IL containing the TFSI-anion. The high-rate capability of LiFePO4 is similar in the organic electrolyte and the mixture with a composition of 1:1. The interface resistance of the LiFePO4 cathode is stabilized when the IL is added to the electrolyte. A reversible capacity of 155mAhg−1 at C/12 is obtained with cells having at least some organic electrolyte compared to only 124mAhg−1 with pure IL. With increasing discharge rate, the capacity is maintained close to that in the organic solvent up to 2C rate. At higher rates, the results with mixture electrolytes start to deviate from the pure organic electrolyte cell. The evaluation of the Li-ion cells; LiFePO4//Li4Ti5O12 with organic and, 40% mixture electrolytes showed good 1st CE at 98.7 and 93.0%, respectively. The power performance of both cell configurations is comparable up to 2C rate. This study indicates that safety and electrochemical performance of the Li-ion battery can be improved by using mixed IL and organic solvents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]