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Novel banana peel/graphene oxide derived biosorbent for water purification
Full text linkMore than 100 million tons of banana peels are produced annually, and about 40 million banana peels (40% of total weight) remain greatly unused. Hence, exploring banana peels’ ability to clean contaminated water would bring an additional value to the current “waste” product. One of the most common aspects of water pollution currently is heavy metal contamination, which is particularly dangerous for humans due to its high toxicity. Banana peels contain a high concentration of carbohydrates, the two most abundant being cellulose and starch, which has multiple hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups. Banana peels are an easily available and cost-effective adsorbent that can adsorb different kinds of heavy metal ions. This research primarily focuses on improving the current efficiency of this technique through the development of a banana peel/graphene oxide hybrid adsorbent. The cross-linking graphene oxide possess numerous hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, and epoxide functional groups that can be used to induce chemical reactions with banana peel carbohydrates, providing the graphene oxide with additional functional groups. This modification can potentially increase the adsorption capacity of banana peel derived adsorbents. It is evident through FTIR analysis that banana peel powder and graphene oxide have many functional groups of similar types. Thus, reactions can readily occur to combine the two substances. The TGA analysis of both compounds, however, indicates different patterns of thermal decomposition. Further thermal analysis is required for the hybrid adsorbent. After the development and characterization of this hybrid adsorbent, the next step is to complete a water purification analysis. In the future, banana peel/graphene oxide derived adsorbent may serve as a sustainable and efficient solution for water purification
Blinded by magic: Electrophysiological correlates of change blindness
Full text linkMagicians can often hide their method for a trick in plain sight by effecting a phenomenon known as change blindness. The purpose of this study was to find the reason for why an individual is induced with change blindness. Alpha oscillations are known to impair detection of visual stimuli, but it is unclear if this is due to increased guess rate or decreased fidelity of the mental representation. Here we estimated fidelity and guess rate as a function of pre-stimulus alpha oscillations using a change blindness task. In this study, each trial began with an array of 6 Gabor patches with a fixated dot that subjects were instructed to keep their eyes on. As the array traveled to the center of the screen, it either changed direction vertically at 90 degrees or continued horizontally. When the array switched direction, one of the Gabor patches rotated 30 degrees simultaneously. Subjects were then asked to identify which patch rotated. EEG (electroencephalography) data was simultaneously recorded with eye-tracking as subjects performed the task. Twenty-eight participants performed this task, which included six blocks of forty-eight trials. There were two different types of trials: flexion, in which the array changed direction, and control, in which the array did not change direction. Reaction time tended to be slower in flexion trials, and we found that the change in direction affected the subject’s ability to see the Gabor patch rotation. Based on the event-related potential results, which are an average of EEG signals aligned to the start of a trial, we could see that the P300 differed between correct flexion, incorrect flexion, and control trials. The P300 can be interpreted as a marker of consciousness. This difference demonstrates that the subject’s attention is automatically drawn to a larger change in stimuli
Upregulation of spinal stretch reflexes during upper-limb posture control task
Full text linkBackground: Sensory feedback from receptors in the eyes, skin, vestibular organs and muscles allows us to build accurate representations of the position and motion of our body within the environment. In unpredictable situations, such as when holding an umbrella in gusting winds, studies have suggested the nervous system upregulates the sensitivity of sensory organs to counter disturbances and increase the probability of success. To date, studies have focused exclusively on the upregulation of feedback mechanisms in the lower-limbs during standing balance. We know comparatively little about whether and how sensory upregulation contributes to the control of upper limb motor actions.
Objectives: Examine the upregulation and adaptation of upper limb muscle activity and spinal stretch reflexes when interacting with unpredictable mechanical environments.
Methods: Ten healthy, right-handed adults (age range: 20 – 27 years) performed a postural control task where the goal was to maintain their hand within a fixed target. Participants performed the task while seated with their arm supported in an exoskeleton robot that can sense and disturb arm motion. They received real-time feedback of their movements on a virtual reality system. The protocol was delivered in three phases. The baseline phase consisted of 50 trials where subjects maintained their hand in the target in the absence of mechanical disturbances. Subjects then performed a peri-exposure phase that consisted of 100 null trials (no forces applied), 100 step-torque perturbations that produced rapid elbow flexion (+2Nm), and 100 perturbations that caused rapid elbow extension (-2Nm). We then unexpectedly removed the perturbations and subjects performed 75 trials to determine whether muscle activity returned to baseline levels. Kinematics and muscle activity were recorded throughout the experiment.
Results: Preliminary results show that background muscle activity and spinal stretch reflexes were the largest when first exposed to unpredictable mechanical perturbations and adapted systematically with repeated exposure.
Conclusions: Similar to results observed in the lower-limbs during standing balance experiments, we observed upregulation of background muscle activity and spinal stretch reflexes when interacting with unpredictable mechanical environments with the upper-limb. The amplitude of spinal stretch responses and background muscle activity decayed systematically with repeated exposure to unpredictable mechanical perturbations
Describing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest to improve recognition: An analysis of online cardiac arrest videos
Full text linkIntroductions
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OOHCA) often go untreated by lay-rescuers. One barrier to response is poor recognition. This study’s purpose is to describe OOHCA using publicly available videos.
Materials and Methods
26 of the internet’s most popular video-hosting and social media platforms were consecutively searched in English and Chinese August 3rd to January 20th, 2018 until each site returned 100 consecutive unrelated videos.
Video inclusion required: i) medium to high definition video quality (>360p and >10 frames per second), ii) that cardiac arrest be confirmed from two sources (i.e. news, social media, etc.), iii) 100% reviewer agreement on pre-arrest and post-arrest signs, and iv) arrest have non-traumatic etiology.
Results
821 videos were identified; 165 videos met inclusion criteria and underwent content analysis. 68, victims (41%) exhibited pre-arrest signs: 34 (21%) had unsteady gait; 42 (26%) touched their head or neck; and 33 (20%) hip-flexed or squatted prior to collapse. After collapse, 97 (59%) exhibited signs of life such as agonal breathing (71, 43%) or posturing/convulsions (39, 24%).
Most common lay-responses were: 38 (28%) victims were shaken, 28 (17%) received chest compression(s), 18 (11%) had their head held, 17 (10%) were unsuccessfully lifted to a standing position, 9 (5%) had their legs raised, and 5 (3%) had an AED applied.
Discussion
Analysis suggests three times as many victims of cardiac arrest show some signs of life compared to no signs of life, and that bystander response is poor. Publicly available videos offer rich examples of what OOCHA collapse and resuscitation look like and could inform training
The Correlates of Sleep Disturbance in Symptomatic Youth
No full textBackground: Sleep disturbances are common across many mental health disorders, with evidence suggesting a bidirectional relationship. Furthermore, there is evidence of a significant association between sleep disruption and worse symptomology in disorders such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Additionally, research has demonstrated the negative impact of stress and stressful life events on psychiatric illness progression. However, little is known about possible links between sleep disturbance and these psychiatric symptoms, ongoing stress, stressful life events and functioning, especially in adolescence and early adulthood, a time when many mental illnesses first begin. Exploring these relationships may allow for a better understanding of the role sleep disruption plays in the early stages of illness. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate potential correlates of sleep disturbance in youth experiencing subthreshold psychiatric symptoms. Methods: This study included 160 youth, ages 12 to 25 who were help seeking due to experiencing distress, mild symptoms of anxiety or depression, and/or attenuated syndromes such as clinical high risk for psychosis. Youth meeting criteria for full psychiatric diagnoses were excluded. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep disruption. A range of clinical symptoms were assessed using the Scale for Assessment of Psychosis-Risk Symptoms, The Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale. Current stress was assessed with the Daily Stress Inventory, and the K10 Distress Scale. Past history of major stress was measured with a Childhood Trauma and Abuse Scale, and the Life Events scale. Fourthly, functioning was assessed with the Global Functioning Scale: Social and Role. Results: Global sleep quality was most highly realted to subthreshold symptoms of anxiety (r=0.425, p<0.01), depression (r=0.420, p<0.01), and disorganized symptoms of psychosis (r=0.232, p<0.05). Additionally, global sleep was related to total distress (r=0.356, p<0.01), daily stress (r=0.268, p<0.01), and stressful life events (r=0.291, p<0.01). Social functioning did not reveal any significant correlations with sleep, however, role functioning (r=0.170, p<0.05) did exhibit a relationship with global sleep quality. Finally, bullying (r=0.196, p<0.05) and trauma (r=0.266, p<0.01) were significantly correlated with global sleep quality scores. Conclusion: This study provides early evidence for the interaction that sleep disruption may have with stress, trauma, bullying, and subthreshold psychiatric symptomology in youth. Further research is required to increase the understanding of these relationships early on in youth psychiatric illness progression
Maternal Impressions of the New 2019 Canadian Food Guide
Full text linkBackground: Canada’s new food guide was released on January 2019 followingits predecessor Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide released in 2007. Major changes in the new food guide included a partitioned plate of realfoods, messages around healthy eating being more than the foods you eat, and no feature of the milk and alternatives group. There were also no recommended servings for age groups or developmental stages including pregnant women.
Objective: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of pregnant Canadian women toward the new Canada food guide.Methods: Eight pregnant women over the age of eighteen were recruited from facilities that offered prenatal fitness. Interviews included documenting impressions of the Canada food guide, dietary choices during pregnancy and planned dietary changes. The interviews were digitally recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Braun and Clarke thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.Results: All the participants were familiar with Canada food guides and all but three were aware of the newest version. Participants commented that the new food guide was appealing and healthy. Most participants had already madechanges to their daily diet that coincidentally corresponded to the new food guide. Many also followed the messages in the new food guide but reported that pregnancy was the main influence for food changes. Participants included more fruits and vegetables, and less meat than when they were not pregnant.The internet, family, physicians and previous knowledge were also used to inform food choices. Much of this information was however reported as too little and contradictory. Participants wanted information more specific to pregnant women which was not included in the new food guide.Conclusions: Canada’s new food guide reinforced actions that women were already taking to improve their diet during pregnancy. The new food guide offers broad recommendations for Canadians to follow but pregnant women prefer a guide that is specific with clear recommendations for pregnant women
Ageing, urban marginality, and health in Ghana
Full text linkThe world’s population is rapidly ageing. Global estimates for the next three decades indicate a two-fold increase in the population of older adults aged ≥60 years. Nearly 80% of this growth will occur in low and middle-income countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where population health is already under threat from poverty, degraded environments, and deficient healthcare systems. Although the world’s poorest region, sub-Saharan Africa, ironically, will witness the fastest growth in older populations, rising by 64% over the next 15 years. Indications are that the majority of this population will live in resource-poor settings, characterized by deficient housing and neighbourhood conditions. Yet, very little research has systematically examined the health and wellbeing of older adults in such settings. Drawing on the ecological theory of ageing, the present study explores the living conditions and quality of life of elderly slum dwellers in Ghana, a sub-Saharan African country with a growing population of older adults. Data collection was undertaken in two phases in two environmentally contrasting neighbourhoods in Accra, Ghana. In Phase 1, we carried out a cross-sectional survey of older adults in a slum community (n = 302) and a non-slum neighbourhood (n = 301), using the World Health Organization quality of life assessment tool (WHOQoL-BREF). The survey data were complemented in Phase 2 with qualitative interviews involving a sample of community dwelling older adults (N = 30), health service providers (N = 5), community leaders (N = 2), and policymakers (N = 5). Preliminary analysis of the survey data revealed statistically significant differences in the social and environment domains of quality of life, while the qualitative data identified multiple health barriers and facilitators in the two neighbourhoods. Insights from the research are expected to inform health and social interventions for older slum dwellers in Ghana
The World of Environmental Management
Full text linkAs the City of Red Deer continues to grow, it is necessary that the urban development do not disturb Hazlett Lake and the plant and animal species in the area. For the prevention of wildlife/habitat disturbance, water pollution and weed evasion, a monitoring program was implemented. In any environmental management project, there are three stages of steps that must be completed. Firstly, before any of the field work begins, safety protocols, geographic information system (GIS), and environmental policies must be considered. The GIS is a very helpful tool in this project because it is a monitoring program and the changes to the wetland can be seen over time. Next, the field work begins. With Hazlett Lake, water sampling, sediment sampling, vegetation and wildlife assessments and noting the water level are all crucial tests that have to be completed each year the program is in place to maintain the wetland’s overall health and track any observed changes. Once the results from the lab arrive, they are compared to government guidelines to determine if the wetland’s health is being maintained and if any preventive measures need to be taken. The results are also compared to previous years to determine if any changes occurred. It was found that fluorene in the sediments and pH in the water were higher than guidelines. These areas will be especially monitored with care to ensure the wetland is conserved
Optimal Zwitterionic Surfactant Slug for an Improved Oil Recovery in Oil Wet Carbonate Rocks - Silurian Dolomite
Full text linkThe increase in energy demand has led to extensive research and development on economically, environmentally and technically feasible ways of improving the ever-growing energy demand. A common derivative of energy is from hydrocarbons, specifically oil. The process of oil recovery can be divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary recovery (also known as enhanced oil recovery). Once the internal pressure of a reservoir has depleted enough during primary and secondary recovery, more advanced techniques in enhanced oil recovery mechanisms are used to recover 50-80% of oil in the reservoir. Tertiary recovery includes the use of surfactants to reduce interfacial tension (IFT) or alter wettability. In this work, a zwitter ionic surfactant at two different concentrations is evaluated for its ability to reduce the interfacial tension between oil and water, as well as altering wettability in silurian dolomite. To achieve this, fluid-fluid analysis was done by a compatibility test, phase behavior test and interfacial tension measurements. Rock-fluid analysis was also completed by means of floatation test, carried out with carbonate rock particles to analyze the surfactant’s ability to alter wettability. Solution pH measurements were taken to validate the qualitative floatation test results. Results show that the surfactant, chembetaine C surfactant, is compatible with all ranges of salinities investigated, though was not able to produce a winsor type III micro-emulsion. The results of the interfacial tension measurements are in line with the phase behavior test, as none of the measurements were at ultra-low values. Surfactant retention is likely to occur with the analyzed zwitterionic surfactant based on the fluid-fluid analysis. Qualitative results from the floatation test show that the wettability of the carbonate rock particles cannot be significantly altered to more water-wet conditions. The pH of the solution remains at alkaline values, which can be beneficial in enhanced oil recovery in producing soap in situ, also known as saponification. Overall, tests conclude that this zwitterionic surfactant at 1% concentration would be most effective at 10,000 ppm salinity brine, though overall is not suitable for chemically enhanced oil recovery
Amazing Grace: How Sweet the Sound of Synthesised Bagpipes
Full text linkA bagpipe is a type of wind instrument that contains a melody pipe, which has an enclosed reed called the chanter and other drone pipes. The chanter is the part of the bagpipe that supplies the note, and the air that the pipes are fed is provided by the bag, which is inflated by a blowpipe and driven by the player’s arm. The goal of this project was to create a bagpipe using a program called Supercollider. Supercollider is used for audio synthesis. While creating this artificial bagpipe (here on referred to as a ‘synth’), it was broken down into four components: the chanter, the base drone, the first tenor drone and the second tenor drone. The chanter has the frequency of the note, the base drone’s frequency will be half that of the chanter and the frequency of the tenor drone will be half that of the base drone. This is because of the length of the pipes in relation to each other. In order to create the synth, a sine oscillator was used, and then put through a resonance filter, and then a reverb filter. This was done in order to mimic the echo that sound has when it is forced through a tube, or enclosed space. All four pipes were added together to create the synth. In order to play a song, the synth was put into a pattern so Supercollider could receive an array of notes, which serve as the frequency of the chanter, and then play the song automatically. The notes for Amazing Grace were transcribed into midi-notes and beat durations and these arrays were fed into the pattern to create the song. The synthetic version of Amazing Grace, in terms of frequency and loudness, was then graphed and compared to the graph of a recording of Amazing Grace played on a real bagpipe. There are differences between the two sound files, the most significant being that the real bagpipe has much more variation in terms of loudness. The synthesized bagpipe had a more gradual and subdued noise level, where the natural bagpipe was much more randomized. Taking the comparisons into consideration, Supercollider can be used to create an approximation of a bagpipe, but under scrutiny, the artificial version currently falls short.