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Introduction: A safety data sheet (SDS) is an established hazard communication tool for chemicals, for which no comparable document exists in the biotherapeutics industry. As the cell and gene therapy (CGT) field expands, industry leaders have identified a growing need to address this gap in communication of the unique occupational health and safety risks posed by CGT materials and products. Methods: Following the sections of a traditional chemical SDS, information was modified by industry subject matter experts, relevant to CGT biological materials. This guide was developed based on assumptions of a maximum biosafety level 2, and any chemical components present in the material were excluded from the hazard classification. Results: The guide contains necessary information to conduct a workplace risk assessment and communicate the unique workplace hazards posed by potential exposures to the material. The target audience is intended to be entities handling and producing these materials, plus collaborators, contractors, or operations sites receiving and handling the CGT material. An example of a CGT SDS is provided in Table 1. Discussion: The CGT SDS provides industry with a best practice to address an existing gap in hazard communication for CGT. We expect that, as the field evolves, so may the contents. The CGT SDS can be used as a reference for other biological modalities in the field. Conclusions: This initial CGT SDS communicates workplace hazards and assesses the unique risks posed by these biological materials and can assist in creating exposure control plans specific to the workplace hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the heat transfer characteristics of alternating current (AC) arc-fault to electrodes is a key issue in electrical fires. In this paper, an instantaneous heat transfer numerical model of AC arc-fault is developed based on the magneto-hydrodynamic principle. The temperature distribution of the AC arc at the microseconds level and the influence of heat transfer on electrodes at the seconds level when the arc heats are studied. The numerical simulation of the axial temperature of the electrodes is verified by experiments, and the temperature variation in the electrodes at different currents and times is discussed. The results show that the arc temperature varies periodically similar to the current at the microseconds level but it does not go out when the current passes zero. The high-temperature region of electrodes diffuses with the increase in current or time. However, the axial temperature gradient of the electrode decreases with time and increases with current. Furthermore, the range of temperature increase in the electrode position decreases with the increase in current and time, but the electrode position near the arc has a higher initial temperature increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Particles emitted from WFGD system are mainly carried from the SiO 2 inlet gas flow. • The inlet particle characteristics and the L/G ratio affect the particle emissions. • Ca and S are the dominant elements in particles that are carried from slurry. • The particles emitted from the WFGD system were dominated by fine particles. • The mean diameter of the emitted particles were between 0.6 and 1.2 μm. The chemical composition and morphology of particles emitted from a WFGD system were analyzed. The inlet particle diameter, inlet particle concentration and liquid/gas ratio (L/G), were all found to affect particle emissions. Smaller diameter particles and higher inlet particle concentrations resulted in increases Si and total particle mass concentrations. The elemental mass concentrations of the emitted particles were mainly derived from inlet components, along with low levels of Ca, S, AL, Mg and other trace elements carried from slurry in the spray scrubber, with the Ca and S content of emitted particles predominantly being carried from the slurry. The particles emitted from WFGD were mainly fine particles, with up to 96% and 50% of particles being below 2.5μm and 1μm, respectively. Particles with a diameter below 0.5μm accounted for only 8.89%, 7.6% and 16.4% of particle emissions when the inlet particles sizes were 38.55μm 13.42μm and 6.16, respectively. The mean diameter of particles emitted from the WFGD system ranged between 0.6 and 1.2μm. These results confirm the particle removal ability of the WFGD system and improve our understanding of the chemical composition and morphology of particles emitted from WFGD systems, as well as their impact on the atmospheric environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has historically utilized either PCR or requires Southern blot analysis, a southern blot analysis, however, is not amenable to incorporation in a microdevice format. A PCR amplification-based method has been developed, and we have previously coupled this amplification with microchip separation of the PCR fragments for DMD diagnosis. Diagnoses of affected patients were performed by comparing exon concentrations to those of control samples amplified at the same time. To accurately identify mutations in patient samples, this work established normal ranges for the concentration of each amplified exon fragment using control samples amplified over successive days. Our studies show that the number of cycles used in the amplification process affects this range. Affected patient samples were analyzed using these normal ranges and the mutations detected by Southern blot analysis were also diagnosed using the microchip separation method.Employing the microchip separation method decreases the time required for the analysis, but the time required for DNA purification and PCR amplification must also be decreased for faster total analysis of patient samples. Development of microchip methods for these processing steps is one approach for reducing the individual times, while also providing the possibility of integrating these steps in a single device. Here we report on the microchip extraction of genomic DNA from whole blood using a novel sol–gel matrix that is easily formed in microdevices. IR-mediated PCR amplification of a β-globin fragment from genomic DNA followed by electrophoretic analysis on a single integrated microdevice is presented for the first time. Work towards the development of a micro-total analysis device for DMD diagnosis, through integration of all processing steps on a single device, is also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two novel polysiloxanes containing the metal complex, Co(TACN)23+ (TACN=1,4,7-triazacyclononane) were used as coatings for capillary electrophoresis (CE) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC). Through crosslinking and covalent bonding, the positively charged polymers were bonded to silica supports. In both CE and CEC, these coatings exhibited strong, pH-independent, and anodic electroosmotic flow (EOF), and had excellent long-term stability. Successful separations of aromatic acids were achieved in CE. In CEC, separation of alkylbenzenes (7 min) and basic compounds (20 min) was achieved with higher resolving power than conventional octadecyl silica packings. These polymers represent a new class of coatings for CE and CEC that generate pH-independent EOF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel polysiloxane-based polymers, which contain metal complexes, have been prepared. To prepare the Co(TACN)23+ (TACN=1,4,7-triazacyclononane) based polymers, an orthoamide derivative of TACN was added to bromobutane-substituted methylpolysiloxane and hydrolyzed with base. Co(II) was then coordinated to the TACN, followed by cobalt oxidation to make polymer A or followed by N-octyl TACN coordination and cobalt oxidation to make polymer B. In both materials, TACN forms thermodynamically and kinetically stable Co(TACN)23+ complexes in which the six coordination sites of the Co(III) are occupied by nitrogens from the TACN. The polymers were coated on fused-silica capillary columns and spherical silica particles, which were used for capillary electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography, respectively. The open and packed columns showed strong and pH-independent reversed electroosmotic flow. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Poisoning effects by alkali metal chlorides is one of the major reasons for the deactivation of SCR catalyst in biomass-fired plants. In this study, the influence of KCl on two vanadium-based catalysts with different promoters, V2O5-WO3/TiO2 and V2O5-Ce(SO4)2/TiO2, was investigated. The catalytic activity of the fresh V2O5-WO3/TiO2 was higher than that of V2O5-Ce(SO4)2/TiO2 at low temperatures. V2O5-Ce(SO4)2/TiO2 performed better than V2O5-WO3/TiO2 when KCl was deposited on the catalyst surface. Both poisoned catalysts were efficiently regenerated by SO2 treatment. The characterization results show that the reducibility and acidity of the catalysts were weakened by KCl deposition but regenerated by SO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The density of overlaid laminated bamboo lumber improves with proper layup. • The density has a different impact on effective modulus of rupture between two panel directions. • Failure steps through the bamboo nodes and bamboo curtain joints. Abstract The overlaid laminated bamboo lumber (OLBL) was developed for structural applications with an aim to substitute commonly-used building materials such as steel and concrete. The OLBL was, via a hot press, fabricated by cross-laminating bamboo layers, bamboo mats and phenolic impregnated adhesive papers. Since the weight of OLBL was governed by the high density bamboo layer, the panels made of OLBL had a relatively high density value of about 850 kg/m3. In this study, a lightweight panel was developed by a proper arrangement of radial bamboo curtain. The major and minor directions of a panel were the parallel- and perpendicular-to-its length direction, respectively. It was found that 1) the density of an OLBL panel could be reduced by about 20%; 2) the failure occurred in the bamboo node(s); 3) there was a significant difference in effective modulus of elasticity and effective modulus of rupture between two panel directions; and 4) there was a good relationship between the density and strength in the minor direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The volume utilization rate of bamboo residues is more than 85%. • The O 2 plasma modification time is 6min, the wet bonding strength is increased by 75.69%. • The staggered arrangement of bamboo pieces in LBL can reduce the influence of anisotropy. • After O 2 plasma modification, the wettability of bamboo was improved obviously. To improve the reuse rate of bamboo materials, laminated bamboo lumber (LBL) with high bond strength has been developed for structural use using bamboo residues (BRs). The laminated structure design is an important factor affecting LBL performance, and thus, it is essential to study various LBL blank structures. The major direction is parallel to the panel length, and the minor direction is perpendicular to the panel length. In this study, BRs were cut into A and B units along the major and minor directions, respectively. The LBL with good performance was selected by different forming methods and modified by O 2 plasma. It was found that 1) the volume utilization rate of BRs in LBL is above 85%; 2) the wet bonding strength of LBL products is increased by 58.58% compared to ordinary plywood, when the O 2 plasma modification time is 6 min and 12 min respectively, the wet bonding strength is increased by 75.69% and 76.27% compared to ordinary plywood; 3) when bamboo pieces are arranged in parallel, the modulus of rupture in the major direction is ~ 2 times greater than in the minor direction, while a staggered arrangement can effectively reduce the bamboo anisotropic effect; 4) the destruction of LBL mainly occurs at the joints; 5) after O 2 plasma modification, the wettability of green bamboo and yellow bamboo was significantly improved, followed by bamboo flesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]