Mallinckrodt (Japan)

This Review provides an overview of the synthesis of one-dimensional (1D) composite nanomaterials by electrospinning and their applications. After a brief description of the development of the electrospinning technique, the transformation of an inorganic nanocomponent or polymer into another kind of polymer or inorganic matrix is discussed in terms of the electrospinning process, including the direct-dispersed method, gas-solid reaction, in situ photoreduction, sol-gel method, emulsion electrospinning method, solvent evaporation, and coaxial electrospinning. In addition, various applications of such 1D composite nanomaterials are highlighted in terms of electronic and optical nanodevices, chemical and biological sensors, catalysis and electrocatalysis, superhydrophobic surfaces, environment, energy, and biomedical fields. An increasing number of investigations show that electrospinning has been not only a focus of academic study in the laboratory but is also being applied in a great many technological fields.

The exact classical kinetic energy for a system of point masses is obtained. From this the correct form for the quantum-mechanical Hamiltonian operator is derived. If the assumption of small vibrations is applied to this operator, the familiar approximation of a rigid top plus normal coordinate vibrator is obtained. In order to secure better approximations, in which larger amplitudes of vibration are admitted, a perturbation method is introduced which permits the change of moment of inertia with vibration, the coupling of rotation and vibration, and the centrifugal stretching effects to be taken into account. If the stretching terms alone are neglected, it is possible to reduce the secular equation for the rotational energy levels to the Wang form, except that ``effective moments of inertia'' must be used whose magnitude depends on the vibrational quantum state. The relation of these quantities to the equilibrium moments of inertia or to the instantaneous moments of inertia averaged over the vibrational motion is not simple, although the numerical deviation from them may not be great. In addition, for molecules with less than orthorhombic symmetry there is the further possibility that the orientation of the principal axes of inertia will vary with the vibrational quantum number. It is also pointed out that the Wang equation should not fit the data when a nearby vibrational state perturbs the state under examination or when the centrifugal effects are large. A method is indicated whereby the latter terms may in principle be calculated.

A general method is described for calculating the statistical weights (degeneracies) of the energy levels of polyatomic molecules. Wave functions for a molecule are assumed to be expressible as linear combinations of products of the electronic, vibrational, rotational and nuclear spin functions. By using standard methods of group theory, the number of linear combinations of these products are found having the correct symmetry with respect to those permutations of identical atoms which are equivalent to rotations of the molecule. It is not necessary to find the combinations themselves. The molecules CH4, CD4, CH3D, CHD3, CH2D2, CH3X, CD3X, NH3, ND3, C6H6, C3H6 and C2H2 are treated. In addition noncombining species in polyatomic molecules and the splitting of energy levels due to the multiplicity of equilibrium configurations are discussed. Tables of statistical weights are given for the above molecules which could be used to interpret alternating intensities in rotation-vibration spectra or for more exact calculations of thermodynamic quantities than are usually made.

Abstract Fouling of polymeric membranes remains a major challenge for long‐term operation of oily‐water remediation. The common reclamation methods to recycle fouled membranes have the issues of either incomplete degradation of organic pollutants or damage to filter membranes. Here, a calcinable polymer membrane with effective reclamation after fouling is reported, which shows full recovery of the original oil/water separation efficiency. The membrane is made of polysulfonamide/polyacrylonitrile fibers by emulsion electrospinning, followed by hydrothermal decoration of TiO 2 nanoparticles. The bonding structured fibrous membrane displays outstanding thermal stability in air (400 °C), strong acid/alkali resistance (at the pH range from 1 to 13), and robust tensile strength. As a result, the chemically fouled polymeric membrane can be easily reclaimed without decreasing in separation performance and mechanical properties by annealing treatment. As a proof‐of‐concept, the as‐prepared membrane is integrated into a wastewater separation tank, which achieves a high water flux over 3000 L m −2 h −1 and oil rejection efficiency of 99.6% for various oil‐in‐water emulsions. The presented strategy on membrane fabrication is believed to be an effective remedy for membrane fouling, and should apply in a wider field of filtration industry.

INTRODUCTION: Education in the health sciences increasingly relies on simulation-based training strategies to provide safe, structured, engaging, and effective practice opportunities. While this frequently occurs within a simulation center, in situ simulations occur within an actual clinical environment. This blending of learning and work environments may provide a powerful method for continuing education. However, as this is a relatively new strategy, best practices for the design and delivery of in situ learning experiences have yet to be established. This article provides a systematic review of the in situ simulation literature and compares the state of the science and practice against principles of effective education and training design, delivery, and evaluation. METHODS: A total of 3190 articles were identified using academic databases and screened for descriptive accounts or studies of in situ simulation programs. Of these, 29 full articles were retrieved and coded using a standard data extraction protocol (kappa = 0.90). RESULTS: In situ simulations have been applied to foster individual, team, unit, and organizational learning across several clinical and nonclinical areas. Approaches to design, delivery, and evaluation of the simulations were highly variable across studies. The overall quality of in situ simulation studies is low. A positive impact of in situ simulation on learning and organizational performance has been demonstrated in a small number of studies. DISCUSSION: The evidence surrounding in situ simulation efficacy is still emerging, but the existing research is promising. Practical program planning strategies are evolving to meet the complexity of a novel learning activity that engages providers in their actual work environment.

Abstract Nowdays, electrocatalytic water splitting has been regarded as one of the most efficient means to approach the urgent energy crisis and environmental issues. However, to speed up the electrocatalytic conversion efficiency of their half reactions including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), electrocatalysts are usually essential to reduce their kinetic energy barriers. Electrospun nanomaterials possess a unique one‐dimensional structure for outstanding electron and mass transportation, large specific surface area, and the possibilities of flexibility with the porous feature, which are good candidates as efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting. In this review, we focus on the recent research progress on the electrospun nanomaterials‐based electrocatalysts for HER, OER, and overall water splitting reaction. Specifically, the insights of the influence of the electronic modulation and interface engineering of these electrocatalysts on their electrocatalytic activities will be deeply discussed and highlighted. Furthermore, the challenges and development opportunities of the electrospun nanomaterials‐based electrocatalysts for water splitting are featured. Based on the achievements of the significantly enhanced performance from the electronic modulation and interface engineering of these electrocatalysts, full utilization of these materials for practical energy conversion is anticipated.

Verrucous carcinoma of the oral cavity has been established as a distinctive clinical and pathologic entity (1, 2, 11, 15). Typically, the lesion appears as a slow-growing warty mass on the gingival or buccal mucosa of an elderly patient. Histologically, it is characterized by a well differentiated pattern of squamous epithelium in abundant papillomatous hyperkeratotic folds. The tumor slowly invades deeper structures, including bone, but rarely metastasizes (1, 2, 7, 15). A predilection for the mucosa of the oral cavity of tobacco chewers has been noted (1,2, 11), but the lesion also occurs in the larynx and on the squamous mucosa of the vulva, vagina, and glans penis (15). Reports on satisfactory results of treatment of verrucous carcinoma with surgery and diathermy have appeared in the literature (11, 15, 21). Although a large number of cases of squamous carcinoma of the oral cavity have been irradiated (4, 8, 15, 19), the poor response of verrucous carcinoma to this particular method of treatment has not been emphasized. The tendency to local recurrence is well known (1, 2, 7), and the appearance of other squamous carcinomas of a higher grade of malignancy elsewhere in the oral cavity has been reported in some of these patients (11, 15). The present study analyzes the results in 8 cases of verrucous carcinoma treated between 1954 and 1962, in which the initial primary therapy was external or interstitial irradiation. A change in the character of the lesion from differentiated to undifferentiated tumor with increased aggressiveness after radiation therapy is described in 3 cases. Clinical Material Seventeen cases of verrucous carcinoma of the oral cavity were observed at Barnes Hospital between 1954 and 1962. Thirteen were in males and 4 in females. The majority of the patients were in the sixth and seventh decades. Some of these cases comprise a portion of a pathological study to be reported elsewhere (15). Nine patients were treated by excision of the lesion. In 8, radiation therapy was the initial method of treatment (Table I). One patient with a primary lesion in the nasal cavity is included in this series. None had clinical evidence of lymph node metastases when first seen. Several modalities of radiation therapy were employed in the management of these patients. In 4, orthovoltage was used, with 250 kv, 15 ma, copper and aluminum nitration, h.v.l. varying between 2.5 and 3.75 mm copper. Twenty-two Mev x-rays from a betatron were administered in one case and cobalt 60 in another. The other 3 patients received a combination of interstitial irradiation with radon seeds (2) or radium (1) plus external orthovoltage therapy. Opposed lateral portals, in some cases supplemented with a frontal field to encompass the clinical extent of the lesion with an adequate margin, were used. The total tumor doses varied from 5,000 to 7,500 rads, administered over a period of five to seven weeks.

Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary malignant hepatobiliary neoplasm, accounting for approximately 15% of liver cancers. Diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma is challenging and the prognosis is uniformly poor, with recurrence rates of 60%-90% after surgical resection. A wide spectrum of neoplastic and nonneoplastic conditions of the biliary tract may masquerade as cholangiocarcinoma, adding to the complexity of management in patients suspected to have cholangiocarcinoma. Mimics of cholangiocarcinoma constitute a heterogeneous group of entities that includes primary sclerosing cholangitis, recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome cholangiopathy, autoimmune pancreatitis, inflammatory pseudotumor, Mirizzi syndrome, xanthogranulomatous cholangitis, sarcoidosis, chemotherapy-induced sclerosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, metastases, melanoma, lymphoma, leukemia, and carcinoid tumors. These entities demonstrate characteristic histomorphology and variable clinicobiologic behaviors. The imaging findings of these disparate entities are protean and may be indistinguishable from those of cholangiocarcinoma. In most cases, a definitive diagnosis can be established only with histopathologic examination of a biopsy specimen.

A facile and versatile method for the large-scale synthesis of sensitive mesoporous ZnO-SnO(2) (m-Z-S) nanofibers through a combination of surfactant-directed assembly and an electrospinning approach is reported. The morphology and the structure were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm analysis. The results showed that the diameters of fibers ranged from 100 to 150 nm with mixed structures of wurtzite (ZnO) and rutile (SnO(2)), and a mesoporous structure was observed in the m-Z-S nanofibers. The sensor performance of the prepared m-Z-S nanofibers was measured for ethanol. It is found that the mesoporous fiber film obtained exhibited excellent ethanol sensing properties, such as high sensitivity, quick response and recovery, good reproducibility, and linearity in the range 3-500 ppm.

An efficient route to architecturally defined, sub-20 nm soft nanoparticles fabricated from single polymer chains via intramolecular photodimerization of pendant anthracene units is presented. Photodimerization is confirmed by the disappearance of the characteristic anthracene π-π* absorption peak at ≈ 360 nm measured by UV-vis spectroscopy. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with UV, multi-angle light scattering (MALS), and viscometric detection confirms that as photodimers form, the chains fold to form nanoparticles, demonstrated by shifts in the SEC traces to longer retention times as a function of increased irradiation time. These shifts indicate a reduction in hydrodynamic radius, corroborated and quantified by viscometric data. MALS detector traces reveal the presence of a small amount of chain-chain coupling during this process, but confirm that this is primarily a single-chain phenomenon. Electron microscopy provides visual confirmation of nanoparticle formation.

Peritoneal disease can manifest at computed tomography (CT) as fluid accumulation within the peritoneal cavity (ascites) or soft-tissue infiltration of the various peritoneal ligaments and mesenteries. Beyond the commonly encountered cases of typical ascites and peritonitis, there is a wide spectrum of uncommon nonneoplastic conditions that may involve the peritoneal and subperitoneal spaces. For example, systemic or organ-based diseases that occasionally involve the peritoneum include eosinophilic gastroenteritis, amyloidosis, extramedullary hematopoiesis, Erdheim-Chester disease, sarcoidosis, and mesenteric cavitary lymph node syndrome. Tumorlike conditions that may affect the peritoneum include aggressive fibromatosis (desmoid), inflammatory pseudotumor, retractile mesenteritis, and Castleman disease. Atypical peritoneal infections include tuberculosis, actinomycosis, echinococcosis, Whipple disease, and mesenteric adenitis. Conditions involving the subperitoneal fat include epiploic appendagitis, mesenteric panniculitis, and segmental omental infarction, all of which have characteristic CT findings. CT is an excellent imaging modality for detection and characterization of peritoneal involvement from these unusual diseases.

BACKGROUND: Etomidate is a rapidly acting sedative-hypnotic that provides hemodynamic stability. It causes prolonged suppression of adrenocortical steroid synthesis; therefore, its clinical utility and safety are limited. The authors describe the results of studies to define the pharmacology of (R)-3-methoxy-3-oxopropyl1-(1-phenylethyl)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylate (MOC-etomidate), the first etomidate analogue designed to be susceptible to ultra-rapid metabolism. METHODS: The gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor activities of MOC-etomidate and etomidate were compared by using electrophysiological techniques in human alpha1beta2gamma2l receptors. MOC-etomidate's hypnotic concentration was determined in tadpoles by using a loss of righting reflex assay. Its in vitro metabolic half-life was measured in human liver S9 fraction, and the resulting metabolite was provisionally identified by using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques. The hypnotic and hemodynamic actions of MOC-etomidate, etomidate, and propofol were defined in rats. The abilities of MOC-etomidate and etomidate to inhibit corticosterone production were assessed in rats. RESULTS: MOC-etomidate potently enhanced gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor function and produced loss of righting reflex in tadpoles. Metabolism in human liver S9 fraction was first-order, with an in vitro half-life of 4.4 min versus more than 40 min for etomidate. MOC-etomidate's only detectable metabolite was a carboxylic acid. In rats, MOC-etomidate produced rapid loss of righting reflex that was extremely brief and caused minimal hemodynamic changes. Unlike etomidate, MOC-etomidate produced no adrenocortical suppression 30 min after administration. CONCLUSIONS: MOC-etomidate is an etomidate analogue that retains etomidate's important favorable pharmacological properties. However, it is rapidly metabolized, ultra-short-acting, and does not produce prolonged adrenocortical suppression after bolus administration.

Near-monodisperse Bi-doped anatase TiO(2) nanospheres with almost uniform diameters in the range of 117 to 87 nm were prepared simply by introducing different amounts of bismuth nitrate pentahydrate into the reaction system and subsequent calcinations. X-ray diffraction, UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm that the doped ions substitute some of the lattice titanium atoms, and furthermore, Bi(3+) and Bi(4+) ions coexist. All the Bi-doped TiO(2) samples show much better photocatalytic activity than pure TiO(2) in the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under the irradiation of visible light (lambda>420 nm), and, interestingly, it was found that the degradation mechanism is different from the conventional one, which has already been reported elsewhere. The detailed mechanism is discussed in this article.

Abstract A facile and electrostatically driven approach has been developed to prepare bicontinuous polymer nanocomposites that is based on the polyoxometalate (POM) macroion induced phase transition of PS‐ b ‐P2VP from an initial lamellar phase to a stable bicontinuous phase. The multi‐charged POMs can electrostatically cross‐link P2VP blocks and give rise to bicontinuous phases in which the POM hybrid conductive domains occupy a large volume fraction of more than 50 %. Furthermore, the POMs can give rise to high proton conductivity and serve as nanoenhancers, endowing the bicontinuous nanocomposites with a conductivity of 0.1 mS cm −1 and a Young's modulus of 7.4 GPa at room temperature; these values are greater than those of pristine PS‐ b ‐P2VP by two orders of magnitude and a factor of 1.8, respectively. This approach can provide a new concept based on electrostatic control to design functional bicontinuous polymer materials.

We report a microfluidic approach for one-step fabrication of polyelectrolyte microcapsules in aqueous conditions. Using two immiscible aqueous polymer solutions, we generate transient water-in-water-in-water double emulsion droplets and use them as templates to fabricate polyelectrolyte microcapsules. The capsule shell is formed by the complexation of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes at the immiscible interface. We find that attractive electrostatic interactions can significantly prolong the release of charged molecules. Moreover, we demonstrate the application of these microcapsules in encapsulation and release of proteins without impairing their biological activities. Our platform should benefit a wide range of applications that require encapsulation and sustained release of molecules in aqueous environments.

Former participants in a high school enrichment program for girls interested in science careers were surveyed 1 to 2 years after high school graduation. After reporting their college major, they completed measures of science self‐efficacy and quality of emotional bonds with parents. Of the 41 women, 5 were not enrolled in college. Those actually majoring in science ( n = 23) reported significantly higher science self‐efficacy than those who were undecided or had chosen nonscicnce majors ( n = 13). Science self‐efficacy was significantly negatively associated with recollections of fathers as having been highly controlling and likely to use a “love withdrawal” parenting style.

Abstract Functional spheres : Monodisperse gold‐doped titania spheres with tunable sizes under high concentration of titanium precursor have been synthesized by introducing trace amounts of chloroauric acid into the reaction system. Surface photovoltage, surface photocurrent, and transient photovoltage measurements (see figure) of annealed samples reveal that gold nanodots can act as both electron acceptors and donors under the illumination of different wavelengths of light. magnified image Monodisperse gold‐doped titania microspheres have been synthesized under high concentration of a titanium precursor (9.34 m M ) by introducing a trace amount of chloroauric acid (CA) into the reaction system; the size of the microspheres can be easily tuned (from ≈587 to ≈392 nm) by varying the amount of the CA added. The plausible formation mechanism has been discussed in detail. Chloroauric acid was found to act as the stabilizing agent to induce the formation of monodisperse colloidal spheres. Gold‐doped anatase titania spheres with ≈7 nm gold nanodots on the surface were synthesized by calcination. Interestingly, results from surface photocurrent, surface photovoltage, and transient photovoltage measurements indicate that the gold nanodots exhibit different electronic properties when the gold‐doped anatase titania spheres were illuminated by different wavelengths of light: one is an electron acceptor in the UV region, while the other is an electron donor in the visible region. Furthermore, the decay time of the injected plasmon‐induced electrons was found to be on the millisecond timescale and increased with increasing amounts of gold doped.

Abstract Summary: A controlled fabrication of rod‐like nanostructures of cadmium sulfide (CdS) incorporated into polymer fiber matrices has been developed by an electrospinning method. Here, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) was used as a polymer capping reagent, utilizing the interactions of cadmium ions with the carbonyl groups in the PVP molecules. The formation of CdS nanorods inside the PVP was carried out via the reaction of Cd 2+ with H 2 S. SEM images showed that the electrospun films of PVP/CdS are composed of fibers with a diameter between 100 and 900 nm. TEM proved that most of the CdS nanorods are incorporated in the PVP fibrous film. The diameter of the rod is about 50 nm and the length is from 100 to 300 nm. TEM image of the CdS nanorods formed in the PVP fibrous film. image TEM image of the CdS nanorods formed in the PVP fibrous film.

The right/left ratios of tibial uptake of 99mTc-diphosphonate (EHDP) and relative blood flow (based on microsphere distribution) were determined in control rats and rats with a ligated right femoral artery or a healing right tibial fracture. Correlation between 99mTc-EHDP uptake and relative blood flow was highly significant (r=0.917; P less than 0.0001) for relative flow ratios less than 1.7. When the ratio was greater than 1.7, there was little further increase in 99mTc-EHDP uptake. Ligation of the femoral artery in rats with healing fractures resulted in a more marked reduction of blood flow than of 99mTc-EHDP uptake. These results suggest that regional bone blood flow is a major determinant of 99mTc-EHDP uptake, though changes in regional tracer extraction efficiency are also important.

Polyaniline(PANI) microwires containing CdS nanoparticles have been prepared by introducing hydrogen bonding and/or electrostatic interaction between mercaptocarboxylic acid capped CdS nanoparticles and PANI. SEM and TEM proved them to be wire-like structures. PL spectra of the PANI/CdS complex is blue-shifted by 14 nm compared to CdS nanoparticles in N-methylpyrrolidinone(NMP).