Ductile Copolyesters Prepared Using Succinic Acid, 1,4-Butanediol, and Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) Terephthalate with Minimizing Generation of Tetrahydrofuran.

Poly(1,4-butylene succinate) (PBS) is a promising sustainable and biodegradable synthetic polyester. In this study, we synthesized PBS-based copolyesters by incorporating 5-20 mol% of -O2CC6H4CO2- and -OCH2CH2O- units through the polycondensation of succinic acid (SA) with 1,4-butanediol (BD) and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). Two different catalysts, H3PO4 and the conventional catalyst (nBuO)4Ti, were used comparatively in the synthesis process. The copolyesters produced using the former were treated with M(2-ethylhexanoate)2 (M = Mg, Zn, Mn) to connect the chains through ionic interactions between M2+ ions and either -CH2OP(O)(OH)O- or (-CH2O)2P(O)O- groups. By incorporating BHET units (i.e., -O2CC6H4CO2- and -OCH2CH2O-), the resulting copolyesters exhibited improved ductile properties with enhanced elongation at break, albeit with reduced tensile strength. The copolyesters prepared with H3PO4/M(2-ethylhexanoate)2 displayed a less random distribution of -O2CC6H4CO2- and -OCH2CH2O- units, leading to a faster crystallization rate, higher Tm value, and higher yield strength compared to those prepared with (nBuO)4Ti using the same amount of BHET. Furthermore, they displayed substantial shear-thinning behavior in their rheological properties due to the presence of long-chain branches of (-CH2O)3P=O units. Unfortunately, the copolyesters prepared with H3PO4/M(2-ethylhexanoate)2, and hence containing M2+, -CH2OP(O)(OH)O-, (-CH2O)2P(O)O- groups, did not exhibit enhanced biodegradability under ambient soil conditions.

Correction: Interfacial engineering of a Mo/Hf0.3Zr0.7O2/Si capacitor using the direct scavenging effect of a thin Ti layer.

Correction for 'Interfacial engineering of a Mo/Hf0.3Zr0.7O2/Si capacitor using the direct scavenging effect of a thin Ti layer' by Se Hyun Kim et al., Chem. Commun., 2021, 57, 12452-12455, https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04966F.

A perspective on the physical scaling down of hafnia-based ferroelectrics.

HfO2-based ferroelectric thin films have attracted significant interest for semiconductor device applications due to their compatibility with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. One of the benefits of HfO2-based ferroelectric thin films is their ability to be scaled to thicknesses as low as 10 nm while retaining their ferroelectric properties; a feat that has been difficult to accomplish with conventional perovskite-based ferroelectrics using CMOS-compatible processes. However, reducing the thickness limit of HfO2-based ferroelectric thin films below the sub 5 nm thickness regime while preserving their ferroelectric property remains a formidable challenge. This is because both the structural factors of HfO2, including polymorphism and orientation, and the electrical factors of HfO2-based devices, such as the depolarization field, are known to be highly dependent on the HfO2thickness. Accordingly, when the thickness of HfO2drops below 5 nm, these factors will become even more crucial. In this regard, the size effect of HfO2-based ferroelectric thin films is thoroughly discussed in the present review. The impact of thickness on the ferroelectric property of HfO2-based thin films and the electrical performance of HfO2-based ferroelectric semiconductor devices, such as ferroelectric random-access-memory, ferroelectric field-effect-transistor, and ferroelectric tunnel junction, is extensively discussed from the perspective of fundamental theory and experimental results. Finally, recent developments and reports on achieving ferroelectric HfO2at sub-5 nm thickness regime and their applications are discussed.

Evaluation of Growth and Utilization Potential of Rhodobacter sphaeroides in Reused Medium.

Rhodobacter sphaeroides is a metabolically versatile purple non-sulfur bacteria that can produce valuable substances. As the low-cost and high-efficiency production of valuable substances is attracting attention, the reuse of the medium is emerging as a promising strategy. Therefore, in this study, the growth of R. sphaeroides was evaluated by reusing the medium of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. As a result, in the reuse of the medium in which S. cerevisiae was cultured, sufficient growth of R. sphaeroides could be confirmed, and especially, the growth of R. sphaeroides was not inhibited under aerobic conditions. Therefore, it is considered that the strategy of reusing the medium of S. cerevisiae is sufficiently feasible. Of the organic compounds investigated, R. sphaeroides grew best in succinic acid, followed by malic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, and glucose. In addition, by comparing photopigment synthesis in the reused medium, we propose the hypothesis that succinic acid may play an important role in photopigment synthesis for the first time.

Revival of Ferroelectric Memories Based on Emerging Fluorite-Structured Ferroelectrics.

Over the last few decades, the research on ferroelectric memories has been limited due to their dimensional scalability and incompatibility with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The discovery of ferroelectricity in fluorite-structured oxides revived interest in the research on ferroelectric memories, by inducing nanoscale nonvolatility in state-of-the-art gate insulators by minute doping and thermal treatment. The potential of this approach has been demonstrated by the fabrication of sub-30 nm electronic devices. Nonetheless, to realize practical applications, various technical limitations, such as insufficient reliability including endurance, retention, and imprint, as well as large device-to-device-variation, require urgent solutions. Furthermore, such limitations should be considered based on targeting devices as well as applications. Various types of ferroelectric memories including ferroelectric random-access-memory, ferroelectric field-effect-transistor, and ferroelectric tunnel junction should be considered for classical nonvolatile memories as well as emerging neuromorphic computing and processing-in-memory. Therefore, from the viewpoint of materials science, this review covers the recent research focusing on ferroelectric memories from the history of conventional approaches to future prospects.

Up-Scale Synthesis of p-(CH2=CH)C6H4CH2CH2CH2Cl and p-ClC6H4SiR3 by CuCN-Catalyzed Coupling Reactions of Grignard Reagents with Organic Halides.

Grignard reagents featuring carbanion characteristics are mostly unreactive toward alkyl halides and require a catalyst for the coupling reaction. With the need to prepare p-(CH2=CH)C6H4CH2CH2CH2Cl on a large scale, the coupling reaction of p-(CH2=CH)C6H4MgCl with BrCH2CH2CH2Cl was attempted to screen the catalysts, and CuCN was determined to be the best catalyst affording the desired compound in 80% yield with no formation of Wurtz coupling side product CH2=CHC6H4-C6H4CH=CH2. The p-(CH2=CH)C6H4Cu(CN)MgCl species was proposed as an intermediate based on the X-ray structure of PhCu(CN)Mg(THF)4Cl. p-ClC6H4MgCl did not react with sterically encumbered R3SiCl (R = n-Bu or n-octyl). However, the reaction took place with the addition of 3 mol % CuCN catalyst, affording the desired compound p-ClC6H4SiR3. The structures of p-(CH2=CH)C6H4CH2CH2CH2MgCl and p-ClC6H4MgCl were also elucidated, which existed as an aggregate with MgCl2, suggesting that some portion of the Grignard reagents were possibly lost in the coupling reaction due to coprecipitation with the byproduct MgCl2. R3SiCl (R = n-Bu or n-octyl) was also prepared easily and economically with no formation of R4Si when SiCl4 was reacted with 4 equiv of RMgCl. Using the developed syntheses, [p-(CH2=CH)C6H4CH2CH2CH2]2Zn and iPrN[P(C6H4-p-SiR3)2]2, which are potentially useful compounds for the production of PS-block-PO-block-PS and 1-octene, respectively, were efficiently synthesized with substantial cost reductions.

Efficacy of Phototherapy With 308-nm Excimer Light for Skin Microbiome Dysbiosis and Skin Barrier Dysfunction in Canine Atopic Dermatitis.

The management of canine atopic dermatitis, an allergic skin disorder, is challenging. To investigate the effect of phototherapy using a 308-nm excimer light as a topical treatment for canine atopic dermatitis, 10 dogs with canine atopic dermatitis and 10 with non-allergic skin were enrolled in this study. Phototherapy was applied every 7 days for a total of 2 months. The skin microbiome, skin barrier function, and clinical outcomes were evaluated after phototherapy. Phototherapy significantly changed the composition of the skin microbiome of dogs with atopic dermatitis and significantly increased the relative abundance of the phyla Actinobacteria and Cyanobacteria. It significantly alleviated the clinical signs of canine atopic dermatitis without serious adverse effects. Transepidermal water loss, as a measure of skin barrier function, significantly decreased after phototherapy. In addition, phototherapy increased microbial diversity and decreased the relative abundance of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius associated with the severity of canine atopic dermatitis. These results suggest that the excimer light therapy is a suitable and safe therapeutic option for canine atopic dermatitis, which is also a spontaneous animal model of atopic dermatitis.

Interfacial engineering of a Mo/Hf0.3Zr0.7O2/Si capacitor using the direct scavenging effect of a thin Ti layer.

An antiferroelectric Mo/Hf0.3Zr0.7O2/SIOx/Si capacitor was engineered using the direct scavenging effect of a sputtered Ti sacrificial layer. Charge trapping could be mitigated with the oxidized TiO2 layer, and the endurance could be enhanced beyond 109 cycles, which is higher than that of the gate stack of ferroelectric field-effect-transistors by 3-4 orders of magnitude.

Atypical iliac vein compression in patients with symptomatic May-Thurner syndrome.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the incidence, etiology, treatment, and clinical course of atypical iliac vein compressions (AIVCs) among patients with May-Thurner syndrome (MTS). METHODS: A total of 173 patients who presented with MTS were retrospectively analyzed at a single center. Computed tomographic venography (CTV) was used to diagnose MTS. An AIVC was defined as the compression of the left common iliac vein (LCIV) by structures other than the right common iliac artery (RCIA) or the compression of other venous structures in the pelvic cavity instead of the LCIV. The patients with AIVC were categorized into the LCIV compression group (category A) and non-LCIV compression group (category B). RESULTS: Ten patients with AIVC were identified (5.8%; male/female, 5/5), five in category A and five in category B. The median age of patients was 76 years (range, 51-94 years), and the median follow-up duration was 388 days (range, 12-4694 days). In category A, the LCIVs were compressed by the left common iliac artery (LCIA) (n=2), uterine leiomyoma (n=1), LCIA aneurysm (n=1), and RCIA aneurysm (n=1). In category B, the right common iliac veins were compressed by the RCIA (n=4) and L5 osteophyte (n=1). Endovascular treatment, including balloon angioplasty and stent placement, was performed in six patients, three from each group. Three patients underwent conservative treatment due to their advanced age and comorbidities. Endovascular aneurysm repair was performed in one patient with RCIA aneurysm. Follow-up images were available for six patients, and all of them had patent venous flow. CONCLUSION: The AIVC had an incidence of 5.8% (10/173) among symptomatic MTS patients and wide spectrum of etiologies. Pathogenesis-tailored endovascular treatments are safe and effective.

Depiction of the Periosteum Using Ultrashort Echo Time Pulse Sequence with Three-Dimensional Cone Trajectory and Histologic Correlation in a Porcine Model.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the signal intensity of the periosteum using ultrashort echo time pulse sequence with three-dimensional cone trajectory (3D UTE) with or without fat suppression (FS) to distinguish from artifacts in porcine tibias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The periosteum and overlying soft tissue of three porcine lower legs were partially peeled away from the tibial cortex. Another porcine tibia was prepared as three segments: with an intact periosteum outer and inner layer, with an intact periosteum inner layer, and without periosteum. Axial T1 weighted sequence (T1 WI) and 3D UTE (FS) were performed. Another porcine tibia without periosteum was prepared and subjected to 3D UTE (FS) and T1 WI twice, with positional changes. Two radiologists analyzed images to reach a consensus. RESULTS: The three periosteal tissues that were partially peeled away from the cortex showed a high signal in 3D UTE (FS) and low signal on T1 WI. 3D UTE (FS) showed a high signal around the cortical surface with an intact outer and inner periosteum, and subtle high signals, mainly around the upper cortical surfaces with the inner layer of the periosteum and without periosteum. T1 WI showed no signal around the cortical surfaces, regardless of the periosteum state. The porcine tibia without periosteum showed changes in the high signal area around the cortical surface as the position changed in 3D UTE (FS). No signal was detected around the cortical surface in T1 WI, regardless of the position change. CONCLUSION: The periosteum showed a high signal in 3D UTE and 3D UTE FS that overlapped with artifacts around the cortical bone.

Does anchor insertion angle or placement of the suture anchor affect glenoid rim fracture occurrence after arthroscopic Bankart repair?

BACKGROUND: The purposes were to compare the characteristics of 2 groups of patients who underwent revision Bankart repair with and without glenoid rim fractures and to examine risk factors for glenoid rim fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 39 patients who needed revision surgery after arthroscopic Bankart repair and identified 19 patients with and 20 patients without glenoid rim fractures. The insertion angle of the suture anchor, anchor position on the glenoid, and demographic data were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The mean anchor insertion angles in the glenoid fracture group (group F) at the 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-o'clock positions were 64°, 58°, 55°, and 55°, respectively; those in the no-fracture group (group R) were 60°, 63°, 60°, and 55°, respectively (P = .630, P = .207, P = .166, and P = .976, respectively). At the 5-o'clock position, anchors were fixed to the glenoid face in 13 cases in group F and in 3 cases in group R (P = .040). Although age (P = .529) and sex (P = 1.0) did not differ between the groups, elite and professional athletes had a significantly higher incidence of glenoid rim fractures (P = .009). CONCLUSION: The anchor insertion angle did not affect glenoid rim fracture occurrence after arthroscopic Bankart repair. However, the placement of the suture anchor at the 5-o'clock position on the glenoid face could increase the risk of glenoid rim fracture after trauma. Athletes were more likely to have glenoid rim fractures owing to major trauma after arthroscopic Bankart repair.

Whole-genome sequence of purple non-sulfur bacteria, Rhodobacter sphaeroides strain MBTLJ-8 with improved CO2 reduction capacity.

Rhodobacter sphaeroides consists of two chromosomes and many plasmids and incorporates many environmentally important functional gene. Rhodobacter sphaeroides MBTLJ-8 was derived from R. sphaeroides 2.4.1 using chemical mutagenesis and is characterized by enhanced production of physiological active compounds as well as improved carbon dioxide reduction capacity. We reported the complete genome sequence and characteristics based on genomic information of this bacteria. Therefore, this genome sequence provides elucidation for improved CO2 fixation and enhanced physiological active compounds production, and will be used as the efficient photosynthetic bacteria for the biological CO2 reduction system.

Characteristics, Trends, and Quality of Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in General Radiology between 2007 and 2015.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the trends, characteristics, and quality of systematic review and meta-analysis in general radiology journals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a PubMed search to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses that had been carried out in the field of radiology between 2007 and 2015. The following data were extracted: journal, impact factor, type of research, year of publication, radiological subspecialty, imaging modalities used, number of authors, affiliated department of the first and corresponding authors, presence of a radiologist and a statistician among the authors, discordance between the first and corresponding authors, funding, country of first author, methodological quality, methods used for quality assessment, and statistics. RESULTS: Ultimately, we included 210 articles from nine general radiology journals. The European Journal of Radiology was the most common journal represented (47 of 210; 22.4%). Meta-analyses (n = 177; 84.3%) were published about five times more than systematic reviews without meta-analysis (n = 33; 15.7%). Radiology of the gastrointestinal tract was the most commonly represented subspecialty (n = 49, 23.3%). The first authors were most frequently located in China (n = 64; 30.3%). In terms of modality, magnetic resonance imaging was used most often (n = 59; 28.1%). The number of authors tended to progressively increase over time, and the ratio of discordance between the first and corresponding authors also increased significantly, as did the proportion of research that has received funding from an external source. The mean AMSTAR assessment score improved over time (5.87/11 in 2007-2009, 7.11/11 in 2010-2012, and 7.49/11 in 2013-2015). In this regard, the journal Radiology had the highest score (7.59/11). CONCLUSIONS: The quantity and quality of radiological meta-analyses have significantly increased over the past 9 years; however, specific weak areas remain, providing the opportunity for quality improvement.

Incidental thyroid nodules on thoracic contrast-enhanced computed tomography in clinical practice during a 10-year period: Characteristics, clinical outcomes, and factors contributing to further evaluation.

The purposes of this study were to assess the prevalence, malignancy rate, and characteristics of incidental thyroid nodules (ITNs), and to identify factors that contribute the additional workup by ultrasound.The medical records and imaging features of ITNs reported via thoracic computed tomography (CT) were retrospectively reviewed to determine the size, multiplicity, attenuation, shape, and presence of calcification. To identify the factors associated with additional workup, we compared the workup and non-workup groups in terms of nodule characteristics, indications, and CT slices. We identified factors that could distinguish malignant ITNs from non-malignant nodules.A total of 60,921 thoracic CT scans met the inclusion criteria, and ITNs were reported using formal radiology in 2733 patients (4.5%). Among all patients with reported ITNs, 546 (20.0%) underwent further workup. Of these patients, 62 (2.3%, 62/2773) were diagnosed with malignant nodules. Multivariable analysis identified multiple factors associated with additional workup, including female sex, younger age, larger nodule size, calcification, anteroposterior to transverse dimension ratio >1, heterogeneous attenuation in the nodule, and scanning indications such as infection or screening. However, only calcification was associated with malignant nodules (odds ratio [OR] = 2.313; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.301-4.113).We observed discordance between the numbers of reported ITNs and case with additional workup and identified multiple factors associated with additional workup. We have, therefore, demonstrated a need for reliable subsequent evaluation guidelines and note that the appearance of calcification in an ITN on imaging may be a factor indicating the need for additional workup.

CO2 reduction and organic compounds production by photosynthetic bacteria with surface displayed carbonic anhydrase and inducible expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase.

In Rhodobacter sphaeroides, carbonic anhydrase (CA; EC 4.2.1.1) is a zinc-containing metalloenzyme that catalyzes the reversible hydration of CO2 to HCO3- while phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC; 4.1.1.31), an enzyme involved in the carbon metabolism that catalyzed the fixation of CO2 to PEP, is a key factor for biological fixation of CO2 and enhances the production of organic compounds. In this study, the recombinant R. sphaeroides with highly-expressed CA was developed based on a surface displayed system of CA (pJY-OmpCA) on the outer membrane of R. sphaeroides using outer membrane protein (Omp) in R. sphaeroides, Finally, two more different recombinant R. sphaeroides were developed, which transformed with a two-vector system harboring cytosolic expressed CA (pJY-OmpCA-CA)or PEPC (pJY-OMPCA-PEPC) in R. sphaeroides with surface displayed CA on the outer membrane. In case of recombinant R. sphaeroides with the pJY-OmpCA-PEPC, it has shown the highest CO2 reduction efficiency and the production of several organic compounds (carotenoids, polyhydroxybutyrate, malic acid, succinic acid). It means that the surface displayed CA on the R. sphaeroides would accelerate the CO2-bicabonate conversion on the bacterial outer membrane. Moreover, inducible over-expression of PEPC with surface-displayed CA was successfully used to facilitate a rapider CO2 reduction and quicker production of organic compounds.

Enhanced Hydrogen Production by Co-cultures of Hydrogenase and Nitrogenase in Escherichia coli.

Rhodobacter sphaeroides is a bacterium that can produce hydrogen by interaction with hydrogenase and nitrogenase. We report a hydrogen production system using co-cultivation of hydrogenase in liquid medium and immobilized nitrogenase in Escherichia coli. The recombinant plasmid has been constructed to analyze the effect of hydrogen production on the expression of hupSL hydrogenase and nifHDK nitrogenase isolated from R. sphaeroides. All recombinant E. coli strains were cultured anaerobically, and cells for nitrogenase were immobilized in agar gel, whereas cells for hydrogenase were supplemented on the nitrogenase agar gel. The hupSL hydrogenase has been observed to enhance hydrogen production and hydrogenase activity under co-culture with nifHDK nitrogenase. The maximum hydrogen production has been obtained at an agar gel concentration and a cell concentration for co-culture of 2 % and 6.4 × 10(8) CFU. Thus, co-culture of hupSL hydrogenase and nifHDK nitrogenase provides a promising route for enhancing the hydrogen production and hydrogenase activity.

A Consideration of Breast Imagery in Art as Depicted through Western Painting.

The aim of this study is to consider breast imagery in art as depicted through western painting. Twenty western art paintings were collated. Most of the sample paintings were created from the mid-nineteenth century to the late twentieth century and some are from the Renaissance period. Ten anthropometric items were used to measure 15 distances between two landmarks and 3 angles between three points. The distance from the nipple to the sternal notch and to the midclavicular point was the same and they were 0.46 of the distance from the sternal notch to the umbilicus. The shape of the projection of the breast was almost an isosceles triangle and the altitude of the triangle was at a proportion of 0.45 of the bottom length and 0.16 of the distance from the sternal notch to the umbilicus. The distance between the lateral ends of the breasts was 2.14 times the facial width and the distance between nipples was 1.36 times the facial width. Proportions from works of art are more ideal and attractive than clinically measured proportions. The desirable ratios measured from historical paintings might be useful in planning breast surgeries.

The effect of CbbR-binding affinity to the upstream of cbbF and cfxB on the metabolic effector in Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

Rhodobacter sphaeroides is a non-sulfur photosynthetic bacterium that possesses two cbb operons, cbb I and cbb II , encoding enzymes involved in the Calvin-Bensom-Bassham reductive pentose phosphate pathway of carbon dioxide fixation. In the present study, a number of molecules have been identified that have the ability to alter the in vivo DNA-binding properties of CbbR protein in R. sphaeroides. The CbbR-binding sites on the cbb operon in R. sphaeroides were characterized by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. The ChIP assay indicated that the CbbR protein binds specifically to the upstream regions cbbF in cbb I operon and cfxB in cbb II operon. The change in the binding of CbbR to the upstream of cbbF and cfxB in the presence of RuBP, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, NADPH, KH2PO4 was observed under anaerobic, aerobic, aerobic light-dark, and aerobic dark conditions, respectively. From these results, the role of different co-inducer molecules in influencing the interactions of CbbR with the binding site within cbb operon has been ascertained. The biosynthetic intermediates and other potential metabolic effectors have been observed to play an important role in the regulatory mechanism.

Comparison of bioabsorbable suture anchor fixation on the tibial side for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using free soft tissue graft: experimental laboratory study on porcine bone.

PURPOSE: The use of graft tissue fixation using bioabsorbable interference screws (BISs) in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction offers various advantages, but limited pullout strength. Therefore, additional tibial fixation is essential for aggressive rehabilitation. We hypothesized that additional graft tissue fixation using bioabsorbable suture anchors (BSA) would provide sufficient pull-out strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four fresh frozen porcine distal femur and patellar tendon preparations were used. All specimens were divided into three groups based on additional fixation methods: A, isolated BIS; B, BIS and BSA; and C, BIS and post cortical screw. Tensile testing was carried out under an axial load. Ultimate failure load and ultimate failure load after cyclic loading were recorded. RESULTS: The ultimate failure loads after load to failure testing were 166.8 N in group A, 536.4 N in group B, and 438 N in group C; meanwhile, the ultimate failure loads after load to failure testing with cyclic loading were 140 N in group A, 466.5 N in group B, and 400 N in group C. Stiffness after load to failure testing was 16.5 N/mm in group A, 33.5 N/mm in group B, and 40 N/mm in group C. An additional BSA fixation resulted in a significantly higher ultimate failure load and stiffness than isolated BIS fixation, similar to post screw fixation. CONCLUSION: Additional fixation using a BSA provided sufficient pullout strength for ACL reconstruction. The ultimate failure load of the BSA technique was similar to that of post cortical screws.