Abstract: The present application relates to polymer compositions that provide barrier properties to oxygen, water vapor and/or hydrocarbons, to polymer film or sheet comprising the polymer composition and to their use in the manufacture or preparation of plastic material and/or plastic packaging. The present application also relates to a method of reducing oxygen water vapor and/or hydrocarbons permeability in plastic material and/or plastic packaging.

Abstract: There is provided a process for preparing alloy nanoparticles having a desired size. The process comprises a combination of co-reduction of metal salts in the presence of a reducing agent, and multi-step seeded growth synthesis. Also provided is a material which comprises alloy nanoparticles made of at least two metals. A mean diameter of the particles of the material is between about 30 nm and 200 nm as measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the particles have a coefficient of variation smaller than about 15%.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nucleic acid delivery composition comprising a coated chitosan-based polyplex, wherein the coated chitosan-based polyplex comprises: a chitosan; an isolated nucleic acid; and an additional polyelectrolyte. The coated chitosan-based polyplex has an initial or a final molar ratio of amine groups of chitosan (N) to phosphate groups of the nucleic acid (P) to carboxyl groups of the additional polyelectrolyte (C) (N:P:C), wherein the N has a value between about 1.0 and about 10.5, the P has a value between about 1.0 and about 2.0 and the C has a value between about 1.0 and 10.5.

Abstract: There are provided methods for the valorization of carbohydrates. The methods comprise reacting a fluid comprising at least one carbohydrate with at least one metal catalyst or at least one metal catalytic system in a fluidized bed reactor so as to obtain at least one organic acid or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A method for creating a frame of reference of a leg of a subject for subsequent 3-D kinematic analysis of the leg with non-invasive trackable references secured to the femur and the tibia of the leg. The method comprises the steps of: i) obtaining tibial and femoral axes with respect to the trackable references by tracking points and motions of the leg; ii) registering a known posture of the subject with respect to the trackable references; iii) obtaining a desired posture of the subject with respect to the trackable references as a function of the known posture by tracking a predetermined motion of the leg; and iv) setting a frame of reference to said tibial and femoral axes of the leg in the desired posture of the subject with respect to the trackable references.

Abstract: A harness for attachment about a knee femur and comprised of a rigid and non-flexible frame support two resiliently mounted clamping means and sensors is described for the non-invasive measurement of knee motion and its analysis in 3-D is described. The clamping means elements are urged under pressure outwardly for application against a skin outer surface at predetermined medial and lateral sites relative to a femur. A non-resilient adjustable stabilizing element is connected to the rigid frame and disposed at a predetermined location with respect to the medial clamping element in spaced relationship therewith and adjustable for clamping contact on a skin outer surface and in alignment with the center of a medial condyle of the femur whereby to stabilize the rigid frame about a knee. An attachment rod is secured to the harness and has straps for securing the rod above the knee.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing a thermoplastic starch and synthetic polymer blend, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a starch suspension comprising starch, water and a plasticizer, preferably glycerol; (b) obtaining a thermoplastic starch from the starch suspension by causing gelatinization and plasticization of said starch suspension by exerting heat and pressure on said starch suspension in a first extrusion unit; (c) evaporating and venting off residual water from said thermoplastic starch to obtain a substantially moisture-free thermoplastic starch; (d) obtaining a melt of a synthetic polymer or polymer blend in a second extrusion unit; and (e) combining the melt obtained from step (d) with the substantially moisture-free thermoplastic starch. Also provided are compositions of matter comprising immiscible blends of thermoplastic starches, polymers, and compatibilizers.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing a thermoplastic starch and synthetic polymer blend, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a starch suspension comprising starch, water and a plasticizer, preferably glycerol; (b) obtaining a thermoplastic starch from the starch suspension by causing gelatinization and plasticization of said starch suspension by exerting heat and pressure on said starch suspension in a first extrusion unit; (c) evaporating and venting off residual water from said thermoplastic starch to obtain a substantially moisture-free thermoplastic starch; (d) obtaining a melt of a synthetic polymer or polymer blend in a second extrusion unit; and (e) combining the melt obtained from step (d) with the substantially moisture-free thermoplastic starch. Also provided are compositions of matter comprising immiscible blends of thermoplastic starches, polymers, and compatibilizers.