Elderly patients with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy are more likely to experience falls. However, the information available on how such falls can be prevented is scarce. We investigated the effects of wholebody vibration (WBV) combined with a balance exercise program on balance, muscle strength, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in elderly patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Fifty-five elderly patients with diabetic neuropathy were randomly assigned to WBV with balance exercise group, balance exercise (BE) group, and control group. The WBV and BE groups performed the balance exercise program for 60 min per day, 2 times per week, for 6 weeks. Further, the WBV group performed WBV training (up to 3 × 3 min, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks). The control group did not participate in any training. The main outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of training; namely, we assessed the postural sway and one leg stance (OLS) for static balance; Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up-and-go (TUG) test, and functional reach test (FRT) for dynamic balance; five-times-sit-to-stand (FTSTS) test for muscle strength; and HbA1c for predicting the progression of diabetes. Significant improvements were noted in the static balance, dynamic balance, muscle strength, and HbA1c in the WBV group, compared to the BE and control groups (P < 0.05). Thus, in combination with the balance exercise program, the shortterm WBV therapy is beneficial in improving balance, muscle strength and HbA1c, in elderly patients with diabetic neuropathy who are at high risk for suffering falls.
Catalytic nitrogen (N 2 )-selective membrane technology with potential applications of indirect CO 2 capture and ammonia synthesis is introduced. Metallic membranes made from Earth-abundant group V metals, i.e., vanadium (V), and alloys with ruthenium (Ru) are considered. Similar to a traditional palladium (Pd)-based hydrogen (H 2 )-selective membrane for hydrogen purification, N 2 molecules preferentially adsorb on the catalytic membrane and dissociate into two nitrogen atoms. Atomic nitrogen subsequently diffuses through the crystal lattice by hopping through the interstitial crystal sites of the bulk metal, ultimately leading to atomic nitrogen on the permeate side of the membrane. This study is focused on the nitrogen interactions only at the membrane surface and the first subsurface layer. The adsorption energies of molecular as well as atomic nitrogen on the vanadium surface (V(110)) and Ru-alloyed V surface (V x Ru 100−x /V(110), where x is the atomic composition of vanadium in the alloy) are calculated using first-principles and compared against traditional catalysts for ammonia synthesis, i.e., iron (Fe). The N 2 dissociation pathway and its corresponding activation barrier are also determined. Additionally, the diffusion of atomic nitrogen from the V(110) surface to its subsurface layers is investigated to determine the rate-limiting step of nitrogen transportation across membrane surface. It has been found that N 2 and atomic nitrogen bind on the V(110) surface very strongly compared to adsorption on corresponding Fe surfaces. Although the activation energy (ca. 0.4 eV) for nitrogen dissociation on the V(110) surface is greater than that of the Fe surfaces, it is comparable to that of the Ru surfaces. Atomic nitrogen slightly prefers to stay on the V(110) surface rather than in the subsurface layers. Coupling this with the relatively high activation barrier for subsurface diffusion (ca. 1.4 eV), it is likely that the subsurface diffusion of nitrogen is the rate-limiting step of nitrogen transport across a membrane. Alloying Ru with V reduces the adsorption energy of atomic nitrogen on the Ru-alloyed V(110) surface in addition to the subsurface layer. Therefore, it is expected to facilitate nitrogen transport across the membrane surface.
Reducing CO2 in the atmosphere and preventing its release from point-source emitters, such as coal and natural gas-fired power plants, is a global challenge measured in gigatons. Capturing CO2 at this scale will require a portfolio of gas-separation technologies to be applied over a range of applications in which the gas mixtures and operating conditions will vary. Chemical scrubbing using absorption is the current state-of-the-art technology. Considerably less attention has been given to other gas-separation technologies, including adsorption and membranes. It will take a range of creative solutions to reduce CO2 at scale, thereby slowing global warming and minimizing its potential negative environmental impacts. This review focuses on the current challenges of adsorption and membrane-separation processes. Technological advancement of these processes will lead to reduced cost, which will enable subsequent adoption for practical scaled-up application.
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