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Gas-separation membranes are a critical industrial component for a low-carbon and energy-efficient future. As a result, many researchers have been testing membrane materials over the past several decades. Unfortunately, almost all membrane-based testing systems are home-built, and there are no widely accepted material standards or testing protocols in the literature, making it challenging to accurately compare experimental results. In this multi-lab study, ten independent laboratories collected high-pressure pure-gas permeation data for H2, O2, CH4, and N2 in commercial polysulfone (PSf) films. Equipment information, testing procedures, and permeation data from all labs were collected to provide (1) accepted H2, O2, CH4, and N2 permeability values at 35 °C in PSf as a reference standard, (2) statistical analysis of lab-to-lab uncertainties in evaluating permeability, and (3) a list of best practices for sample preparation, equipment set-up, and permeation testing using constant-volume variable-pressure apparatuses. Results summarized in this work provide a reference standard and recommended testing protocols for pure-gas testing of membrane materials.

Few studies exist from China on associations between home environment and adult health. We studied associations between home environment factors (other than dampness and mould) and rhinitis, throat and dermal symptoms and headache and fatigue among young parents in six cities across China (N = 36,541). They were recruited as parents from day care centers selected randomly and answered a questionnaire on medical symptoms and the home environment. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated by multilevel logistic regression adjusting for gender, atopy, smoking, home size and dampness/mould. Overall, 4.8% had skin symptoms 3.1% rhinitis, 2.8% eye, 4.1% throat symptoms, 3.0% headache and 13.9% had fatigue (all as weekly symptoms). Redecoration was associated with rhinitis, eye and skin symptoms, headache and fatigue. New furniture was associated with eye, throat and skin symptoms and fatigue. Gas cooking was associated with eye and throat symptoms, headache and fatigue. Biomass cooking was associated with eye and throat symptoms and headache. Burning incense was associated with eye, throat and skin symptoms, headache and fatigue. Presence of cockroaches and mosquitos or flies was associated with all six symptoms. Rats or mice were associated with eye and dermal symptoms. Cat keeping was associated with eye symptoms while dog keepers had less fatigue. Living near major roads was associated with rhinitis, eye, throat and skin symptoms and fatigue. Daily cleaning, a mechanical ventilation system in the kitchen or in the bathroom, living in older buildings and living in less urbanized areas were protective factors. In conclusion, urbanization, traffic exhaust, indoor emissions from redecoration and new furniture, gas cooking and air pollution from burning incense and biomass may cause dermal and mucosal symptoms, headache and fatigue among adults in China. Indoor animals (cats, mice/rats, cockroaches) were other risk factors. Daily cleaning, mechanical ventilation and living in older buildings can be protective.

To study the association of indoor air quality and ventilation in Chinese homes with occupants’ sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms, we performed a study in 32 homes over four seasons in Tianjin, China. Measured indoor environmental parameters were ventilation rate, and concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, PM2.5, ultrafine particle and ozone. Occupants reported any sick building syndrome symptoms for the previous three months. Ventilation rates at night in bedrooms were 0.35 h−1, 0.78 h−1, 0.37 h−1 and 0.41 h−1 in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively. A low ventilation rate at night (below the median value of 0.45 h−1) significantly increased the risk (adjusted odds ratio, aOR) of mucosal symptom to 2.65 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.16–6.06). The aOR of ultrafine particle for mucosal symptom was 2.37 (95% CI: 1.02–5.49) and for dermal symptoms 3.96 (95% CI: 1.63–9.60). The aOR of ozone for dermal symptoms was 5.86 (95% CI: 1.19–28.99). Dry air perception that indicated a polluted indoor environment was a risk factor for SBS symptoms in Chinese homes.

Background Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is a three-dimensional breast imaging method. DBT vendors employ various approaches in both image acquisition and data processing, which may affect image quality and radiation exposure to patients. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the performance of five DBT systems: Fujifilm Amulet Innovality (using both a standard mode and high-resolution mode), GE Senographe Essential, Hologic Selenia Dimensions, Planmed Clarity 3D, and Siemens Mammomat Inspiration. Materials and methods The performance of each device and imaging technique was evaluated and compared by phantom measurements performed with four quality assurance phantoms. Technical image quality assessments consisted of measuring artefact extent, in-plane resolution, relative noise power spectrum, and geometric accuracy. Results Artefact spreading varied remarkably between the devices, and the full width at half maximum values of artefact spread functions varied from 3.5 mm to 10.7 mm. Noticeable in-plane resolution anisotropy, determined using modulation transfer function (MTF) analysis, was typically observed between tube travel direction and chest wall-nipple direction. The MTF50 varied from 1.1 mm−1 to 1.6 mm−1 and from 1.5 mm−1 to 4.1 mm−1 in the tube travel and chest wall-nipple directions, respectively. Moreover, distinctly different noise power spectra were observed between the systems. The geometric accuracy in every system was within 0.5%. Conclusion Technical image quality assessments with image quality phantoms revealed remarkable differences in artefact spread, in-plane resolution, and noise properties between the DBT systems and imaging methods.

Investigating real-time stress responses during common aquaculture practices is necessary for improving the welfare of farmed fish. Recently, Star-Oddi DST milli-HRT bio-loggers capable of measuring heart rate (as an indicator for stress) in freely swimming fish have proved to be useful in this regard. However, despite the growing popularity of these devices, they have not yet been stringently evaluated and validated for use in fish. The present study is the first to do so by simultaneously recording heart rate of a commercially important salmonid species (rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss) using the abovementioned bio-loggers, as well as an established non-invasive wireless heart rate recording technique that has been demonstrated to provide more accurate recordings than those collected using traditional methods requiring a physical connection to recording equipment. The measurement error of the bio-loggers was 72 h. Following the successful validation of these bio-loggers, the effects of common aquaculture practices such as netting, grouping and enforced activity on the cardiac performance of freely swimming rainbow trout were investigated. Prior to the subsequent exposure to the abovementioned stressors, mean heart rates of trout were ~42 beats min−1. Following netting, trout increased heart rates by 57%, which recovered within 3 h. Grouping subsequently induced a more pronounced and prolonged stress response, as heart rates initially increased by 86% and then remained elevated throughout the 8 h recovery period. Consequently, trout were only able to further increase heart rates by 7% following enforced activity. This diminished cardiac response demonstrates a situation where the cumulative allostatic load induced by prior stressors is approaching a level where the animal struggles to perform normal physiological processes in the face of further challenges. These findings are important for the aquaculture industry as exposure to multiple stressors without sufficient recovery times has the potential to result in the collapse of cardiac scope, which combined with unfavourable environmental conditions could lead to increased mortality.

Live yeast may be a sustainable protein source in salmonid diets while exhibiting a probiotic effect to counteract environmental stressors, such as increased water temperature that is being exacerbated by climate change. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding a high dietary inclusion of live yeast and increased water temperature on growth, haematological and intestinal physiology of rainbow trout. For six weeks, 129 g fish in 16 tanks (n = 4) were fed either a diet based on fishmeal or based on live yeast (214 g kg−1 of diet or 7.6 log CFU g−1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae) that replaced 40% of fishmeal protein while fish were reared in water temperatures of either 11 °C (cold) or 18 °C (warm). Fish weights, caudal blood and proximal and distal intestines were collected and analysed. Fish fed live yeast resulted in reduced growth (SGR and WG) and higher FCR, while growth in cold and warm water was similar despite differences in TGC. However, increased mortality, plasma cortisol, and intestinal oedema and villous damage indicated fish reared in warm water were subjected to chronic stress. Temperature had a significant effect on haematocrit and red blood cell counts that resulted in significantly higher haemoglobin levels in fish kept in warm water attributed to an elevated oxygen demand. In the proximal intestine, increased temperature resulted in reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g. TNFα and IL8, that were further reduced in fish fed live yeast. In addition, feeding live yeast reduced gene expression of CLD6 involved in gut barrier function, which suggests that the level of yeast was too high and masked any beneficial effects on fish health. In conclusion, feeding a high inclusion of live yeast reduced fish growth and expression of intestinal genes, while increasing the temperature from 11 to 18 °C subjected fish to chronic stress that restricted growth, suppressed innate immunity and induced intestinal damage. Replacing 40% of fishmeal protein with live yeast did not counteract negative effects caused by increased temperature, thus alternative strategies need to be explored and implemented to protect the growth and health of rainbow trout from seasonal and long-term rises in water temperature.

Spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) is a promising candidate for diversification of cold-water aquaculture. An increased knowledgebase is needed concerning the capacity of spotted wolffish to utilize a variety of feed ingredients such as microalgae and terrestrial plants. The aim of the study was therefore to investigate the effect of incorporating graded levels of microalgae (Nannochloropsis oceanica) on fish welfare indicators (growth, hepasomatic index, hematological parameters), fast muscle cellularity, chemical and fatty acid composition. Three isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated; one control diet (0% N. oceanica) and two diets with low (7.5% N. oceanica) and high (15% N. oceanica) levels of microalgae replacing fishmeal and wheat in the diets. After 12 weeks of feeding, the fish showed low growth compared to previous wolffish studies (0.26% SGR). However, this effect was not treatment dependent as there were no differences in growth or fast muscle cellularity among the three treatment groups and hematological parameters showed no indications of stress in the fish fed microalgae. Hepatosomatic index decreased over the course of the experiment for all treatment groups; a significantly larger reduction was noted in the algae-fed fish compared to the control. The omega-3 fatty acid EPA increased in the whole body of the fish fed diets containing microalgae. The results suggest that spotted wolffish has potential to utilize inclusions of up to 15% of the microalgae N. oceanica.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of stroke, heart failure, sudden death and cardiovascular morbidity. The Kv1.5 potassium channel conducts the IKur current and has been demonstrated to be predominantly expressed in atrial versus ventricular tissue. Blockade of Kv1.5 has been proven to be an effective approach to restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm in preclinical models of AF. In the clinical setting, however, the therapeutic value of this approach remains an open question. Herein, we present synthesis and optimization of a novel series of 1,2-bis(aryl)ethane-1,2-diamines with selectivity for Kv1.5 over other potassium ion channels. The effective refractory period in the right atrium (RAERP) in a rabbit PD model was investigated for a selection of potent and selective compounds with balanced DMPK properties. The most advanced compound (10) showed nanomolar potency in blocking Kv1.5 in human atrial myocytes and based on the PD data, the estimated dose to man is 700 mg/day. As previously reported, 10 efficiently converted AF to sinus rhythm in a dog disease model.