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\"...the best handbook on membrane technology, which is currently on the market...\" -Membrane News (on the previous edition) Building on the success of the previous edition, Membrane Technology and Applications Third Edition provides a comprehensive overview of separation membranes, their manufacture and their applications.

AMPA receptors (AMPARs) are tetrameric ligand-gated channels made up of combinations of GluA1-4 subunits encoded by GRIA1-4 genes. GluA2 has an especially important role because, following post-transcriptional editing at the Q607 site, it renders heteromultimeric AMPARs Ca 2+ -impermeable, with a linear relationship between current and trans-membrane voltage. Here, we report heterozygous de novo GRIA2 mutations in 28 unrelated patients with intellectual disability (ID) and neurodevelopmental abnormalities including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Rett syndrome-like features, and seizures or developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). In functional expression studies, mutations lead to a decrease in agonist-evoked current mediated by mutant subunits compared to wild-type channels. When GluA2 subunits are co-expressed with GluA1, most GRIA2 mutations cause a decreased current amplitude and some also affect voltage rectification. Our results show that de-novo variants in GRIA2 can cause neurodevelopmental disorders, complementing evidence that other genetic causes of ID, ASD and DEE also disrupt glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Genetic variants in ionotropic glutamate receptors have been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, the authors report heterozygous de novo mutations in the GRIA2 gene in 28 individuals with intellectual disability and neurodevelopmental abnormalities associated with reduced Ca 2+ transport and AMPAR currents.”

Although, the basic concept of a fuel cell is quite simple, creating new designs and optimizing their performance takes serious work and a mastery of several technical areas. PEM Fuel Cell Modeling and Simulation Using Matlab, provides design engineers and researchers with a valuable tool for understanding and overcoming barriers to designing and building the next generation of PEM Fuel Cells. With this book, engineers can test components and verify designs in the development phase, saving both time and money. Easy to read and understand, this book provides design and modelling tips for fuel cell components such as: modelling proton exchange structure, catalyst layers, gas diffusion, fuel distribution structures, fuel cell stacks and fuel cell plant. This book includes design advice and MATLAB and FEMLAB codes for Fuel Cell types such as: polymer electrolyte, direct methanol and solid oxide fuel cells. This book also includes types for one, two and three dimensional modeling and two-phase flow phenomena and microfluidics.

Early detection and appropriate medical treatment are of great use for ear disease. However, a new diagnostic strategy is necessary for the absence of experts and relatively low diagnostic accuracy, in which deep learning plays an important role. This paper puts forward a mechanic learning model which uses abundant otoscope image data gained in clinical cases to achieve an automatic diagnosis of ear diseases in real time. A total of 20,542 endoscopic images were employed to train nine common deep convolution neural networks. According to the characteristics of the eardrum and external auditory canal, eight kinds of ear diseases were classified, involving the majority of ear diseases, such as normal, Cholestestoma of the middle ear, Chronic suppurative otitis media, External auditory cana bleeding, Impacted cerumen, Otomycosis external, Secretory otitis media, Tympanic membrane calcification. After we evaluate these optimization schemes, two best performance models are selected to combine the ensemble classifiers with real-time automatic classification. Based on accuracy and training time, we choose a transferring learning model based on DensNet-BC169 and DensNet-BC1615, getting a result that each model has obvious improvement by using these two ensemble classifiers, and has an average accuracy of 95.59%. Considering the dependence of classifier performance on data size in transfer learning, we evaluate the high accuracy of the current model that can be attributed to large databases. Current studies are unparalleled regarding disease diversity and diagnostic precision. The real-time classifier trains the data under different acquisition conditions, which is suitable for real cases. According to this study, in the clinical case, the deep learning model is of great use in the early detection and remedy of ear diseases.

A hands-on reference for practicing professionals, this book covers the fundamental principles and theories of separation and purification by membranes, the important membrane processes and systems, and major industrial applications. It goes far beyond the basics to address the formulation and industrial manufacture of membranes and applications.

Fuel cells are electrochemical energy conversion devices that convert hydrogen and oxygen into water, producing electricity and heat in the process and providing fuel efficiency and reductions in pollutants. Demand for this technology is growing rapidly. Fuel cells are being commercialized for stationary and portable electricity generation, and as a replacement for internal combustion engines in automobiles. Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells in particular are experiencing an upsurge. They have high power density and can vary their output quickly to meet shifts in power demand. Until now, there has been little written about this important technology. This book lays the groundwork for fuel cell engineers, technicians and students. It covers the fundamental aspects of fuel cell design, electrochemistry of the technology, heat and mass transport, system design and applications to bring this technology to professionals at all levels. * Comprehensive guide for engineers, researchers and policymakers* Covers theory and practice of PEM fuel cells* Contains hundreds of original illustrations and real-life engineering examples

Among extant vertebrates, mammals are distinguished by having a chain of three auditory ossicles (the malleus, incus and stapes) that transduce sound waves and promote an increased range of audible—especially high—frequencies 1 . By contrast, the homologous bones in early fossil mammals and relatives also functioned in chewing through their bony attachments to the lower jaw 2 . Recent discoveries of well-preserved Mesozoic mammals have provided glimpses into the transition from the dual (masticatory and auditory) to the single auditory function for the ossicles, which is now widely accepted to have occurred at least three times in mammal evolution 3 – 6 . Here we report a skull and postcranium that we refer to the haramiyidan Vilevolodon diplomylos (dating to the Middle Jurassic epoch (160 million years ago)) and that shows excellent preservation of the malleus, incus and ectotympanic (which supports the tympanic membrane). After comparing this fossil with other Mesozoic and extant mammals, we propose that the overlapping incudomallear articulation found in this and other Mesozoic fossils, in extant monotremes and in early ontogeny in extant marsupials and placentals is a morphology that evolved in several groups of mammals in the transition from the dual to the single function for the ossicles. A fossil of the Middle Jurassic haramiyidan Vilevolodon diplomylos with a well-preserved malleus, incus and ectotympanic sheds light on the evolutionary transition from a dual to a single function for the ossicles in mammals.

Introduction: In 2023, over 20,000 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapies were performed worldwide, underscoring the growing need for trained professionals in this intervention. However, standardized ECMO training programs for nurses remain limited and inconsistent. Objective: To explore professional nurses' learning experiences in ECMO therapy. Materials and Methods: A qualitative, instrumental case study design was employed with nine ECMO nurses in Colombia, using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes that emerged from their experiences. Results: The study revealed considerable variability in ECMO training, which included both formal and informal approaches. Participants reported gaps in theoretical knowledge and practical skills but highly valued the hands-on learning experiences provided by hospitals. Although socio-emotional skills—particularly stress management in critical care settings—were recognized as essential for building confidence, these skills were insufficiently addressed in training programs. Discussion: While the lack of standardization and the importance of clinical practice and simulation in ECMO training programs are consistent with the existing literature, teaching social-emotional competencies remains an underexplored area. Conclusions: These findings suggest the need for standardized ECMO educational programs that fully integrate technical, practical, and socio-emotional competencies and address the variability found in both formal and informal educational pathways. Reducing inconsistencies in the educational process could better equip nurses with the confidence to meet the demands of ECMO therapy, ultimately improving patient safety.

This paper proposes hybrid hydrogel insulin carriers based on alginate-hyaluronan (ALG/HA) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-hyaluronan (HPMC/HA) for topical application. The inclusion of insulin in a modern dressing can help restore metabolic balance and proper cell signaling in diseased tissue. Preformulation studies of the developed preparations were conducted, including analysis of the in vitro pharmaceutical availability of insulin, rotational and oscillatory rheology tests, and texture profile analysis. It was found that the developed insulin formulations provide an acceptable compromise between rheological and textural properties and ease of application, while ensuring prolonged release of the active substance. The results obtained provide a basis for further preclinical and clinical studies.

Introduction The Eustachian tube is a complex and inaccessible structure, which maintains middle ear ventilation to facilitate transmission of sound from the tympanic membrane to the cochlea. A renewed interest in treatments for eustachian tube dysfunction has led to a demand for methods of imaging the Eustachian tube, and assessing tube opening non-invasively. This review aims to summarise the use of imaging in the anatomical assessment of the Eustachian tube, and to explore how radiological techniques can be used to assess tube function. Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed with narrative data analysis. Results With high-resolution images, the soft and bony anatomy of the Eustachian tube can be assessed in detail. CT and MRI are best suited to identifying features associated with obstructive or patulous Eustachian tube dysfunction, though true assessments of function have only been achieved with contrast enhanced radiographs and scintigraphy. A single modality has yet to provide a complete assessment. No test has entered routine clinical use, but further development and research is underway. Conclusion Significant information can be gained from imaging the Eustachian tube, and as faster acquisition techniques are developed, it is possible that dynamic imaging of tubal opening could play an important role in the assessment of patients with ET dysfunction.