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BackgroundBiomass pretreatment using certain ionic liquids (ILs) is very efficient, generally producing a substrate that is amenable to saccharification with fermentable sugar yields approaching theoretical limits. Although promising, several challenges must be addressed before an IL pretreatment technology can become commercially viable. One of the most significant challenges is the affordable and scalable recovery and recycle of the IL itself. Pervaporation (PV) is a highly selective and scalable membrane separation process for quantitatively recovering volatile solutes or solvents directly from non-volatile solvents that could prove more versatile for IL dehydration.ResultsWe evaluated a commercially available PV system for IL dehydration and recycling as part of an integrated IL pretreatment process using 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2C1Im][OAc]) that has been proven to be very effective as a biomass pretreatment solvent. Separation factors as high as 1500 were observed. We demonstrate that >99.9 wt% [C2C1Im][OAc] can be recovered from aqueous solution (≤20 wt% IL) and recycled five times. A preliminary technoeconomic analysis validated the promising role of PV in improving overall biorefinery process economics, especially in the case where other IL recovery technologies might lead to significant losses.ConclusionsThese findings establish the foundation for further development of PV as an effective method of recovering and recycling ILs using a commercially viable process technology.

This paper explores how social workers integrate personal spirituality within nursing homes, where a highly regulated, stressful environment marginalizes professional identity and challenges retention. Researchers offer new evidence of how spirituality informs professional identity, ethical practice, and continuation in the role. Twenty BSW/MSW licensed nursing home social workers (NHSWs) reported how they daily navigate the personal spirituality-at-work opportunity and challenge. Qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews resulted in three primary codes and related subcodes: Spirituality-Integrated Professional Identity (Vocational Affirmation and Value Alignment), Spirituality-Informed Practice (Intervention Asset, Relational Affinity, and Ambiguous Boundaries), and Spiritually-Sustained Career Resilience. Respondents reported how spirituality animated professional identity, informed daily role enactment, and sustained role involvement. Recommendations are provided for normalizing ethical spirituality-at-work through social work education and practical guidance in navigating the spirituality and practice space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Ce(III) as both a representative lanthanide and actinide analog, the ability of mixtures of acidic and basic azoles to allow direct access to homoleptic N‐donor f‐element complexes in one pot reactions from hydrated salts as starting materials was examined by reacting mixtures of 4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (4‐NH2‐1,2,4‐Triaz), 5‐amino‐tetrazole (5‐NH2‐HTetaz), and 1,2,3‐triazole (1,2,3‐HTriaz) in 1 : 1 and 1 : 3 ratios with CeCl3 ⋅ 7H2O, [C2mim]3[CeCl6] ([C2mim]+=1‐ethyl‐2‐methylimidazolium), and Ce(NO3)3 ⋅ 6H2O. Although unsuccessful in our goal, structural analysis revealed that neutral 4‐NH2‐1,2,4‐Triaz is structure directing via η2μ2κ2 bridging, with the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ce2Cl2(μ2‐4‐NH2‐1,2,4‐Triaz)4(H2O)8]Cl4 ⋅ 4H2O, [Ce2(μ2‐4‐NH2‐1,2,4‐Triaz)4(4‐NH2‐1,2,4‐Triaz)2(Cl)6], and [4‐NH2‐1,2,4‐HTriaz][Ce2(μ2‐4‐NH2‐1,2,4‐Triaz)2(μ2‐NO3)(NO3)6(H2O)2]. When the synthetic conditions favored hydrolysis, the hexanuclear Ce(III) complex [Ce6(μ3‐O)4(μ3‐OH)2(μ3‐Cl)2(Cl)6(μ2‐4‐NH2‐1,2,4‐Triaz)12] ⋅ 7H2O was isolated. This unexpected hydrolysis product represents the first example of a high nuclearity lanthanide complex where all Ln atoms are pairwise connected through 12 N‐donor ligands or 12 neutral bridging ligands of any type, a rare example of incorporation of non‐oxo coordinating anions in the M6X8 core, and the first reported Ce(III) hexanuclear complex of this type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There will be common challenges to scaling‐up any ionic liquids separations technologies which require very large volumes of ionic liquid. Some of these challenges are illustrated in this personal account which chronicles the extraction of chitin from shrimp shell from discovery to current commercialization efforts. The road being taken from discovery in an academic laboratory, through attempts to navigate the scaling‐up to commercial scale using the vehicle of a faculty startup company is rewarding, but fraught with roadblocks, detours, and unexpected challenges. The differences in 'technically feasible' and 'commercially viable' are not always evident from the beginning of the journey, however, one wonders what achievements we miss as a Society because it was assumed to not be commercially viable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social scientists are not taking philanthropy seriously enough. New approaches to philanthropy such as venture philanthropy, philanthrocapitalism, strategic philanthropy, and effective altruism are creating what is often broadly termed 'the new philanthropy.' Living hands-on mega wealthy donors such as Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg, and John Arnold have publicly committed their energies and wealth to transforming society through philanthropy. Some of these philanthropic endeavors, notably in K-12 education, are creating jurisdictional challenges to the public sector. Others are approaching transversal and transnational issues in ways that are difficult to do through government policies. This essay provides an overview of these issues and, drawing from the other essays in this symposium, makes the case that scholars should do more research on the social contexts and consequences of philanthropy., Author(s): Robin Rogers [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) Queens College, The City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., 11367, Flushing, NY, USA The social sciences are not taking philanthropy seriously [...]

In this article, the authors explore the question: When does services delivery cross the line and become an opportunity for proselytizing? The authors posit that social workers have a justifiable concern for usurping their professional and privileged roles to influence such an important part of their clients' lives. A case study of one Christian nonprofit agency indicates that social workers need to be cautious as they seek to provide ethical practice in religious settings. The authors conclude by recommending guidelines for social work practice in religious organizations.

In order to effectively harness varieties of mechanical waves or vibrations for the purpose of monitoring and/or powering, developments in responsive materials and conversion technologies are taking place driven by the world's current and future demands. One of the most popular novelties of the last two decades is represented by hydrogel‐ or ionogel‐based flexible iontronics which constitute a wide family of innovative smart (self‐powered) mechanoreceptors relevant for various applications such as personal health care, identity and safety monitoring, intelligent human‐machine operation interfaces, underwater listening and communication, and so on. Cellulosic gels (CGs), as a promising green substitute for fossil fuel‐derived materials, are extensively studied due to the possibility to choose between different cellulose types and to formulate networks chemically or physically, according to the adaptability requirements for each target application. The aim of this review is to showcase the cellulose structural versatility and to provide a summary of the principles during the formulation of CGs used for mechanosensing and mechanical energy scavenging, as well as their practical applications. Such an outlook of current challenges and overall prospects will serve as a stimulus for research on CG‐based mechanoreceptors in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In search of ionic liquids (ILs) with multiple types of soft donor atoms capable of preferentially complexing a range of soft metal ions over harder ions, we investigated structural clues to the role of hydrogen bonding in IL behavior through a series of salts with anions containing both N- and S-donor atoms based on azole thiolates. Reaction of equimolar amounts of triethylamine (Et3N) or diisobutylamine (DBA) with 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol (PhTzSH), 1-methyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol (MeTzSH), or 5-methyl-1,3,4-dithiazole-2-thiol (MeDiTSH) yielded [Et3NH][MeTzS] (1), a yellow liquid, and the low melting yellow solids [DBAH][MeTzS] (2), [Et3NH][PhTzS] (3), [DBAH][PhTzS] (4), [Et3NH][MeDiTS] (5), and [DBAH][MeDiTS] (6). Thermal analysis revealed that all of them qualify as ILs with melting points below 100 °C. Single crystal X-ray structure analysis of 2–6 revealed the presence of an extensive H-bonding network that includes the rare N–H⋯S hydrogen bonds in 3, 4, and 6. These weaker interactions appear to significantly influence thermal behavior, where strong bonding leads to higher melting temperatures and lower decomposition points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous solutions of a series of short carbon chain tetra(n-alkyl)ammonium hydroxides, [Nnnnn][OH] with n = 2: n-ethyl, 3: n-propyl, 4: n-butyl, have been serendipitously found to be potential candidates for direct air carbon capture (DAC) when being used as reagents in more complicated reactions. Aqueous solutions of [N3333][OH], [N2222][OH], or [N3333][OH] with UO2SO4·3H2O and 1,4-diamidoximylbenzene, and [N4444][OH] with cytosine (HCyt) directly absorb CO2 from the atmosphere upon mild heating in the open atmosphere crystallizing in complexes reaching up to 2 : 1 CO2/[Nnnnn]OH ratio. [N2222][HCO3]·3H2O (1), [N2222]2[H(HCO3)3]·5H2O (2), [N3333][HCO3]·0.5H2O (3), [N3333][H(HCO3)2] (4), [N3333]2[(tpa)(H2CO3)2] (5; tpa = terephthalate), [N4444][H(Cyt)(HCO3)]·H2O (6) and [N4444][H2(Cyt)2(HCO3)]·H2O (7) have been isolated in crystalline form and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds are characterized by complex polyanionic formations from bicarbonate dimers ([(HCO3)2·(H2O)]24−) or chains ([H(HCO3)2]nn− or [H2(tpa)(HCO3)2]n2n−) to water-bicarbonate associates ([(HCO3)2·6H2O]2− and [(H2CO3·(HCO3)2)2·6H2O·2H2O]2−) and three-component anionic layers ([H(Cyt)(HCO3)·H2O]nn− and [H2(Cyt)2(HCO3)·H2O]nn−) frequently showing proton sharing. While some hydroxides themselves can maintain a high CO2/[Nnnnn][OH] ratio, particularly 2 and 4, the presence of secondary hydrogen bond donors/acceptors may increase the sorption efficiency through decreased solubility and enhanced crystallization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work provides a comprehensive evaluation of the effect of the cation alkyl side chain length of the 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride series ([CnC1im]Cl, n = 2-14) of ionic liquids (ILs) on their capability to form aqueous biphasic systems (ABSs) with salts and self-aggregation derived properties. The liquid-liquid phase behavior of ternary systems composed of [CnC1im]Cl, water, and K3PO4 or K2CO3 and the respective Setschenow salting-out coefficients (ks), a quantitative measure of the two-phase formation ability, were determined. An odd-even effect in the ks values along the number of methylene groups of the longest IL cation alkyl side chain was identified for the ABS formed by K2CO3, a weaker salting-out agent where the phenomenon is clearly identified. In general, cations with even alkyl side chains, being likely to display higher molar volumes, are more easily salted-out and thus more prone to undergo phase separation. The odd-even effect in the ks values is, however, more significant in ILs up to n = 6, where the nanostructuration/nanosegregation of ILs plays a less relevant role. Still, with the [CnC1im]Cl (n = 7-14) series of ILs, an odd-even effect was also identified in the ILs’ ionization degree, molar conductivity, and conductivity at infinite dilution. In summary, it is shown here that the ILs’ odd-even effect occurs in IL aqueous solutions and not just in neat ILs, an already well-established phenomenon occurring in a series of ILs’ properties described as a result of the orientation of the terminal methyl groups to the imidazolium ring cation and consequent effect in the ILs’ cohesive energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experienced senior living leaders (SLLs) report the impact of spirituality and religious practice on SLL role adaptation and continuation. The sample included 18 SLLs in 18 skilled care settings representing public, non-profit, and for-profit types of incorporation, with oversampling of for-profit facilities. The average years of SLL experience was 24 years. In-depth interviews were examined through a thematic analysis approach using Excel software. Seventy-eight percent described how a higher power, religious beliefs, and faith practices were associated with their role. Their narratives revealed three major themes: Frame (calling and pre-dispositional spiritual beliefs and religious practices), Role Performance (how spirituality informed SLL administrative practice), and Benefits (perceived rewards of adherence to spiritual beliefs and practices). Further analysis of the three themes produced codes that added greater specification for each theme. Implications provided for normalizing the spirituality and work-life intersect and infusing ethical integration of spirituality and work-life in SLL educational programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]