ABSTRACT:In order to develop blood compatible membranes with controlled porosity, we have fabricated and examined the properties of physical interpenetrating network (PIN) of chitosan and poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO/PPO/ PEO) triblock copolymers (Pluronics ). Degree of equilibrium swelling, scanning electron microscopy, and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) were used to characterize the bulk and surface properties. Vitamin B 12 and human serum albumin were used as permeability markers. Platelet adhesion and activation were used to determine the blood-interaction properties of the PIN membranes. Unlike chitosan membranes that were nonporous, the chitosan-Pluronic PIN membranes were highly porous with the pore size, depending on the type of incorporated Pluronic polyol. ESCA results showed a significant increase in the OCOOO signal of C1s spectra on the PIN membranes that correlates with the presence of PEO chains on the surface. The permeability coefficients of vitamin B 12 and albumin were higher in the chitosan-Pluronic PIN membranes than in the control. The number of adherent platelets and the extent of activation were significantly reduced on the chitosan-Pluronic PIN membranes. The decrease in platelet adhesion and activation correlated positively with the PEO chain length of the incorporated Pluronic polyols. The results of this study show that chitosan-Pluronic PIN membranes offer a blood-compatible alternative with a higher-molecular-weight cutoff for use in hemodialysis and related applications.
Issue 5.1 of the Radical Housing Journal (RHJ) examines the current state of struggles for housing and home amidst capital-accumulation-induced urban restructuring worldwide. The authors discuss the enduring impact of settler colonialism on land and housing rights, particularly for Indigenous peoples. Feminist, queer, and trans perspectives are brought to the forefront, emphasizing the leadership roles played by marginalized communities in housing justice struggles. The issue showcases the important contributions of Black women, women of color, and queer activists in fighting for housing justice and challenging oppressive power structures. Additionally, this issue presents alternatives to the current dangerous status quo, urging us to envision radical futures where humanity respects ecological limits, ensures universal access to resources, and grants autonomy in their utilization. It envisions a world where housing is available to all, allowing individuals to choose their desired living arrangements. The 'Pursuing Tenant International: Learning from the Struggles in Abya Yala' conversation series further amplifies the voices of tenants, organizers, activists, artists, and thinkers engaged in cross-border struggles. These conversations shed light on the challenges faced by communities fighting for their right to home and dignified living conditions in Los Angeles and Mexico City.
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