Publications by authors named "S A Leaper"

Overcoming the existing environmental issues and the gradual depletion of energy sources is a priority at global level, biohydrogen can provide a sustainable and reliable energy reserve. However, the process instability and low biohydrogen yields are still hindering the adoption of biohydrogen production plants at industrial scale. In this context, membrane-based biohydrogen production technologies, and in particular fermentative membrane bioreactors (MBRs) and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), as well as downstream membrane-based technologies such as electrodialysis (ED), are suitable options to achieve high-rate biohydrogen production.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This work demonstrates very high removal rates (below the detection limit of 0.045 ppb) of inorganic arsenic from water using electrospun polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes enhanced by the addition of functionalized graphene oxide in membrane distillation. This shows potential for applications in the many parts of the world suffering from arsenic-contaminated groundwater.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cerebral white matter abnormalities relate to cognitive functioning in elders. We examine whether this association is (a) independent of mental ability in youth and (b) related to general and/or specific mental abilities. We retested 83 participants of the Scottish Mental Survey of 1932 on a battery of mental tests.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To investigate the relations between premorbid and current mental ability, mood, and white matter signal abnormalities detected by T2 weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and impairment of balance and mobility in older adults.

Methods: 97 subjects from the Aberdeen 1921 birth cohort underwent brain MRI, evaluation of balance, and measurement of gait speed. White matter hyperintensities detected on T2 weighted MRI scans were rated by three independent raters on three variables: white matter lesions; periventricular lesions; and brain stem lesions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Old age is associated with reduced cognitive performance. Nutritional factors may contribute to this association.

Objective: We tested associations between cognitive performance and plasma vitamin B-12, folate, and homocysteine concentrations in the elderly.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF