• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.131-137
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• 2008

Crk-associated substrate (CAS) is a focal adhesion protein that is involved in integrin signaling and cell migration. CAS deficiency reduces the migration and spreading of cells, both of which are processes mediated by Rac activation. We examined the functions of v-Crk, the oncogene product of the CT10 virus p47gag-crk, which affects cell migration and spreading, membrane ruffling, and Rac activation in CAS-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (CAS-/- MEFs). CAS-/- MEFs showed less spreading than did CAS+/+ MEFs, but spreading was recovered in mutant cells that expressed v-Crk (CAS-/-v-Crk MEF). We observed that the reduction in spreading was linked to the formation of membrane ruffles, which were accompanied by Rac activation. In CAS-/- MEFs, Rac activity was significantly reduced, and Rac was not localized to the membrane. In contrast, Rac was active and localized to the membrane in CAS-/-v-Crk MEFs. Lamellipodia protrusion and ruffle retraction velocities were both reduced in CAS-/- MEFs, but not in CAS-/-v-Crk MEFs. We also found that microinjection of anti-gag antibodies inhibited the migration of CAS-/-v-Crk MEFs. These findings indicate that v-Crk controls cell migration and membrane dynamics by activating Rac in CAS-deficient MEFs.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.3 no.6
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• pp.439-454
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• 2006

This paper develops an artificial neural network (ANN) model for uniformly loaded restrained reinforced concrete (RC) slabs incorporating membrane action. The development of membrane action in RC slabs restrained against lateral displacements at the edges in buildings and bridge structures significantly increases their load carrying capacity. The benefits of compressive membrane action are usually not taken into account in currently available design methods based on yield-line theory. By extending the existing knowledge of compressive membrane action, it is possible to design slabs in building and bridge decks economically with less than normal reinforcement. The processes involved in the development of ANN model such as the creation of a database of test results from previous research studies, the selection of architecture of the network from extensive trial and error procedure, and the training and performance validation of the model are presented. The ANN model was found to predict accurately the ultimate strength of fully restrained RC slabs. The model also was able to incorporate strength enhancement of RC slabs due to membrane action as confirmed from a comparative study of experimental and yield line-based predictions. Practical applications of the developed ANN model in the design process of RC slabs are also highlighted.

• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2003

A major concern in solvent extraction process is the loss of extractant into the aqueous phase due to its slight solubility in the aqueous phase. Similarly, in membrane extraction processes, extractant loss through extractant leakage from the membrane into the aqueous phase is also a concern. Several published membrane extraction studies using Aliquat 336 ai the extractant, have expressed this concern, but none has studied extractant leakage quantitatively. It is the authors' opinion that the extractant leakage should be considered at a technical parameter of a membrane. In our laboratory active progress has been made in using Aliquat 336 ‘entangled’ into the polymer membranes to remove heavy metal ions from wastewater samples. In this work, we studied the loss of Aliquat 336 from the point of view of its solubility in aqueous solutions. The results showed that the solubilities or Aliquat 3,36 in an aqueous phase acidified with 2 M HCI it about 0.1 g/100 m/ of the solution. This figure provides a useful guideline for evaluating the leakage of the Aliquatoat 336 extractant from the membranes.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.89-112
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• 2017

Dyeing wastewaters are the most problematic wastewater in textile industries and also, growing amounts of waste fibers in carpet industries have concerned environmental specialists. Among different treatment methods, membrane filtration processes as energy-efficient and compatible way, were utilized for several individual problems. In this research, novel hybrid membranes were prepared by waste fibers of mechanical carpets as useful resource of membrane matrix and industrial graphite powder as filler to eliminate Chrysophenine GX from dyeing wastewater. These membranes were expected to be utilized for first stage of hybrid membrane filtration process including (adsorption-ultrafiltration) and nanofiltration in Kashan Textile Company. For scaling of membrane filtration process, fouling mechanism of these membranes were recognized and explained by the use of genetic algorithm, as well. The graphite increased rejection and diminished permeate flux at low concentration but in high concentration, the performance was significantly worsened. Among all hybrid membranes, 18% wt. waste fibers-1% wt. graphite membrane had the best performance and minimum fouling. The maximum pore size of this optimum membrane was ranged from 16.10 to 18.72 nm.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.434-440
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• 2017

Electrical impedance spectroscopy is used to detect membrane fouling in-situ in reverse electrodialysis. The impedance data for the AMX membrane being fouled in the reverse electrodialysis are plotted and analyzed by Nyquist and admittance method. The meaningful graphical analyses for the fouling phenomena could be done by both Nyquist and admittance method. In addition, the unstable initial fouling stage was identified by the admittance data with high standard deviation, and the structural change of the fouling layer formed at the surface of anion-exchange membranes with the operation time of reverse electrodialysis was also detected.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.121-142
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• 2002

The $CO_2$ emission is the largest contribute for the green house effect. Among the existing chemical separation processes, the membrane separation technology is(/will be) the most potential process for $CO_2$, separation from flue gas. Based on the solution-diffusion theory and physical properties of carbon dioxide/nitrogen and the permeation data in the literature, the relationships between physico-chemical structures of polymeric membrane materials and the perm-selectivities for $CO_2$/$N_2$ gases were described in detail. The progress of membrane module and process development was introduced briefly. Finally, the worldwide research activity including South Korea's for carbon dioxide separation by membrane technology were introduced through the survey of papers and technical reports published.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 2012

The coupling of anaerobic biological process and membrane separation could provide excellent suspended solids removal and better biomass retention for wastewater treatment. This coupling improves the biological treatment process while allowing for the recovery of energy through biogas. This review gives a basic description of the anaerobic wastewater treatment process, summarizes the state of the art of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs), and describes the current research trends and needs for the development of AnMBRs. The research interest on AnMBR has grown over the conventional anaerobic processes such as upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB). Studies on AnMBRs have developed different reactor configurations to enhance performances. The AnMBR performances have achieved comparable status to other high rate anaerobic reactors. AnMBR is highly suitable for application with thermophilic anaerobic process to enhance performances. Studies indicate that the applications of AnMBR are not only limited to the high strength industrial wastewater treatment, but also for the municipal wastewater treatment. In recent years, there is a significant progress in the membrane fouling studies, which is a major concern in AnMBR application.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.465-477
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• 2015

Recently membrane-based gas separation has attracted a lot of attention due to the growing demands on energy efficient separation processes. Current membrane-based gas separation is dominant by polymer membranes and limited mostly to non-condensable gases rather than condensable gases such as hydrocarbon isomers due to the limitation s of polymer materials. Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, consisting of metal ions and organic ligands, have received a tremendous attention as membrane materials due to high surface area, controllable pore structure, and functionality. In this review, we provide a recent development of MOF membrane preparation methods and their gas separation applications.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 1995

Membrane process has been employed to separate a specific substance from gas or liquid mixture, and treat wastewater. This is due to the fact that the substance of mixture can be permeated and separated selectively by membrane. Since Initial equipment and operation costs are not expensive, membrane process has been adopted in various fields such as petroleum Industry, chemistry, polymer, electronics, foods, biochemical industry and wastewater treatment. In this study, $CaCO_3$ particles impregnated in silicone rubber network were extracted by using supercritical carbon dioxide and pore distribution of silicone $rubber-CaCO_3$ was investigated with varying amount of extract. Silicone rubber has excellent mechanical properties such as heat-resistance, cold-resistance etc. and $CaCO_3$ has microporous structure. It is possible to make silicone $rubber-CaCO_3$ composite sheets via work-intensive kneading processes. In so doing $CaCO_3$ particles become distributed and impregnated in silicone rubber network. Supercritical carbon dioxide diffuse through composite sample, then sample is swollen. $CaCO_3$ in silicone rubber network Is dissolved in supercritical carbon dioxide, and its sites become pores. Pore distribution, pore shape and surface area are observed by SEM(scanning electron microscope) micrograph and BET surface area analyzer examination respectively. Pore characteristics of membrane suggest the possibilities that the membrane can be used for process of mixture separation and wastewater treatment.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.96-104
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• 2024

Antibiotics is one of the emerging pollutants found in various water sources as well as wastewater due to its excessive use. Different techniques are available for treating antibiotics contaminants in water such as advanced oxidation process and biological treatment etc. These two processes are ineffective, and the generation of side products makes this process more complicated. Membrane technology is another alternative for the removal of contaminants. To improve the removal of antibiotics and their resistant gene, membrane bioreactors are modified with NaClO and carbon materials. The generation of abundant reactive species is active against the antibiotic's resistant genes.