Moderating Effects of Individual Traits on the Association Between Nature and Patient Wait Experiences.

OBJECTIVES: We empirically investigated to what extent plants in the emergency department (ED) waiting areas influence patient wait experiences (i.e., anxiety, perceived service quality, and perception of wait time) depending on individual differences in cognitive thinking styles and one's bonds with the natural world. BACKGROUND: Positive effects of nature on patient experiences in healthcare environments are well established by empirical research findings. However, evidence is scarce on the impact of nature on patient wait experiences and the roles of patient traits often related to their backgrounds. METHODS: A within-subjects study was conducted (N = 116) with two virtually built ED waiting rooms: with versus without indoor and outdoor plants. RESULTS: Findings confirmed that plants lower anxiety and improve perceptions of service quality and wait time. Cognitive thinking style significantly moderated how plants affected patient wait experiences. Although participants with higher connectedness to nature showed more positive responses to the nature condition, connectedness to nature did not significantly affect the association between nature and wait experiences. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on nature's effects in healthcare environments by examining the roles of individual differences in patients' and visitors' cognitive styles and connectedness to nature. Results highlighted the impact of these differences in patient experiences for effective implications of nature in waiting areas of healthcare facilities.

Influence of the Lithium-Ion Concentration in Electrolytes on the Performance of Dye-Sensitized Photorechargeable Batteries.

Dye-sensitized photorechargeable batteries (DSPBs) have recently gained attention for realizing energy recycling systems under dim light conditions. However, their performance under high storage efficiency (i.e., the capacity charged within a limited time) for practical application remains to be evaluated. Herein, we varied the lithium (Li)-ion concentration, which plays a dual role as energy charging and storage components, to obtain the optimized energy density of DSPBs. Electrochemical studies showed that the Li-ion concentration strongly affected the resistance characteristics of DSPBs. In particular, increasing the Li-ion concentration improved the output capacity and decreased the output voltage. Consequently, the energy density of the finely optimized DSPB improved from 8.73 to 12.64 mWh/cm3 when irradiated by a 1000-lx indoor light-emitting-diode lamp. These findings on the effects of Li-ion concentrations in electrolytes on the performance of DSPBs represent a step forward in realizing the practical application of DSPBs.

An Investigation of the Effect of Virtual Reality on Alleviating Anxiety in Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Radiation Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anxiety-reducing effects of virtual reality (VR) on patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant radiation therapy (RT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted among patients with breast cancer receiving RT at a single institution. Of 196 enrolled and randomized patients, 97 were assigned to a VR explanation group (intervention) and 99 were assigned to the standard-of-care group (control). Anxiety levels were measured using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) as the primary endpoint and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Linear Analogue Scale Assessment (LASA) as secondary endpoints. Knowledge of the RT procedure, patient satisfaction, and time spent for counseling were also assessed. RESULTS: Intervention significantly reduced patient anxiety immediately, not only on the primary endpoint, APAIS, but also on the STAI and LASA anxiety scales. Specifically, in the intervention group, there were immediate reductions of 26.0%, 16.1%, and 55.8% for APAIS, STAI, and LASA, respectively, whereas in the control group, the respective reductions were 8.1%, 8.5%, and 13.7%. Among the 3 anxiety scales, long-term anxiety reduction was observed only when anxiety was measured by LASA. Subgroup analyses showed that the effect on anxiety did not differ based on the physician, baseline anxiety level, use of hormone therapy, or health literacy. The intervention also significantly improved knowledge of the RT procedure (81.9/100 vs 76.8/100; P = .006) and patient satisfaction with the explanation manner (6.56 vs 5.72; P < .001) compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Immersive VR applied to the current procedure reduces anxiety during RT planning for patients with breast cancer. Further research is necessary to investigate the long-term effects of VR on anxiety.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic era on children with primary headache: a questionnaire survey study and literature review.

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in individual isolation and secondary problems, especially in children. Research on the effect of the social isolation on children with primary headache is limited. This study aimed at exploring the effects of environmental changes caused by COVID-19 on headache in children. Methods: This cross-sectional survey study enrolled school-aged children (age, 8-16 years) with headache who were able to complete the questionnaire from a Pediatric Headache Clinic between January 2021 and December 2022. Headache diaries for all patients were in their medical records and two questionnaire responses were requested at a 3-month interval. The questionnaires included headache type, frequency, previous medical conditions, family history, Pediatric Migraine Disability Assessment scores (PedMIDAS) scores, changes in daily life after COVID-19, and factors that aggravated headaches associated with social distancing. Results: We identified 35 patients who were diagnosed with primary headache and continued to visit our outpatient clinic for at least 3 months. Among them, 33 (15 males and 18 females) patients responded to the first survey. The average age (±SD) of patients was 12.5 ± 1.9 years. PedMIDAS scores were not affected by the COVID-19 infection history. Prolonged use of masks and increased use of digital devices were reported as the most common factors that aggravated headache during the pandemic era. Conclusion: COVID-19 did not affect in worsening primary headache in children. However, the pandemic can introduce various changes in daily life, which in turn can affect the management of headache. By gathering feedback regarding the thoughts of the patients on the impact of the current pandemic environment, patient counseling on the precautions and management can be conducted in advance in the case of repeated lockdown in the future.

Clinical and immunologic implication of neo-osteogenesis in chronic rhinosinusitis.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifactorial disease characterized by long-term inflammation of the nasal and sinus passages. Neo-osteogenesis which is a major finding of recalcitrant CRS is clinically related to the disease severity and surgical outcomes of CRS. AREAS COVERED: The immunological and molecular mechanisms underlying neo-osteogenesis of CRS remain unclear, and many recent studies have suggested the importance of inflammatory mediators secreted by immune cells. This paper provides a broader understanding of neo-osteogenesis in CRS by reviewing recent updates and evidence of the association between CRS pathophysiology and neo-osteogenesis. EXPERT OPINION: Crosstalk between the bone and mucosa eventually results in refractory CRS. In addition, both eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic CRS cytokines can play a role in neo-osteogenesis and trigger an enhanced CRS-associated immune response. The significance of predicting neo-osteogenesis in advance or during postoperative care could be essential for effectively managing refractory CRS and enhancing the prognosis of CRS patients.

Assessing Spatial User Experience for Design Guidelines: A Comparative Study of Outpatient Waiting Rooms With Conventional Versus Modern Features.

OBJECTIVES: Identify waiting room design features that are most appreciated by outpatients and their companions in conventional and modern waiting rooms. Evaluate if end users evaluate the environment differently from experts and in what aspects. Provide evidence-based design guidelines that orient designers and healthcare managers. BACKGROUND: Built environments are relevant in patients' evaluation of overall healthcare service. For outpatients, waiting frequently consumes the largest amount of time; thus, waiting room interior design has great potential to enhance their experience. METHODS: This study compares perceptions of two types of waiting rooms-conventional and modern-based on the spatial user experience (SUE) model. In the first stage of the study, we compared user evaluations of conventional waiting rooms (n = 137) and modern waiting rooms (n = 426) with respect to the eight SUE model dimensions using multigroup structural equation modeling. In the second stage, an expert ergonomist and two professional interior designers assessed both types of waiting rooms. RESULTS: Results showed that modern waiting rooms were perceived to be significantly better in all SUE dimensions. We also found experts' evaluations were overall consistent with users' perceptions. Discrepancies were only found in temperature perception, signage evaluation, and spatial appreciation. CONCLUSIONS: Participants valued modern style waiting room features such as good quality signage, use of armchairs and sofas, a controlled environment, and decoration. We suggest involving end users in the design process to respond to their needs and promote a positive experience. Finally, we provide easy-to-adopt design guidelines to improve patients' waiting room experience.

Hydrophilic sulfurized nanoscale zero-valent iron for enhancing in situ biocatalytic denitrification: Mechanisms and long-term column studies.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hydrophilic sulfur-modified nanoscale zero-valent iron (S-nZVI) as a biocatalyst for denitrification. We found that the denitrifying bacteria Cupriavidus necator (C. necator) promoted Fe corrosion during biocatalytic denitrification, reducing surface passivation and sulfur species leaching from S-nZVI. As a result, S-nZVI exhibited a higher synergistic factor (fsyn = 2.43) for biocatalytic NO3- removal than nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI, fsyn = 0.65) at an initial nitrate concentration of 25 mg L-1-N. Based on kinetic profiles, SO42- was the preferred electron acceptor over NO3- when using C. necator and S-nZVI for biocatalytic denitrification. Up-flow column experiments demonstrated that biocatalytic denitrification using S-nZVI achieved a total nitrogen removal capacity of up to 2004 mg L-1 for 127 d. Notably, microbiome taxonomic profiling showed that the addition of S-nZVI to the groundwater promoted the growth of Geobacter, Desulfosporosinus, Streptomyces, and Simplicispira spp in the column experiments. Most of those microbes can reduce sulfate, promote denitrification, and match the batch kinetic profile obtained using C. necator. Our results not only discover the great potential of S-nZVI as a biocatalyst for enhancing denitrification via microbial activation but also provide a deep understanding of the complicated abiotic-biotic interaction.

Highly Exposed NH2 Edge on Fragmented g-C3 N4 Framework with Integrated Molybdenum Atoms for Catalytic CO2 Cycloaddition: DFT and Techno-Economic Assessment.

This study focuses on the applicability of single-atom Mo-doped graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) nanosheets which are specifically engineered with high surface area (exfoliated GCN), NH2 rich edges, and maximum utilization of isolated atomic Mo for propylene carbonate (PC) production through CO2 cycloaddition of propylene oxide (PO). Various operational parameters are optimized, for example, temperature (130 °C), pressure (20 bar), catalyst (Mo2 GCN), and catalyst mass (0.1 g). Under optimal conditions, 2% Mo-doped GCN (Mo2 GCN) has the highest catalytic performance, especially the turnover frequency (TOF) obtained, 36.4 h-1 is higher than most reported studies. DFT simulations prove the catalytic performance of Mo2 GCN significantly decreases the activation energy barrier for PO ring-opening from 50-60 to 4.903 kcal mol-1 . Coexistence of Lewis acid/base group improves the CO2 cycloaddition performance by the formation of coordination bond between electron-deficient Mo atom with O atom of PO, while NH2 surface group disrupts the stability of CO2 bond by donating electrons into its low-level empty orbital. Steady-state process simulation of the industrial-scale consumes 4.4 ton h-1 of CO2 with PC production of 10.2 ton h-1 . Techno-economic assessment profit from Mo2 GCN is estimated to be 60.39 million USD year-1 at a catalyst loss rate of 0.01 wt% h-1 .

Organic pollutants degradation using plasma with simultaneous ammonification assisted by electrolytic two-cell system.

Atmospheric non-thermal dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma has gained considerable attention due to its cost-efficiency, environmental friendliness, and simplicity. However, certain deficiencies restrict its broad application. Herein, the DBD plasma was used to disrupt three model pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), ibuprofen (IBP), and norfloxacin (NFX), by varying parameters, such as gas type (Ar, N2, O2, and air) and flow rate (1-4 L min-1). The air plasma discharge had the highest degradation efficiency, and the air flow rate was optimized at 2 L min-1. However, only 10% of IBP was removed by the sole plasma, whereas NFX and SMX were entirely removed after 30 min. Since the air plasma discharge generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in a chained reaction, the remaining NO2- and NO3- in the aqueous phase were problematic. Therefore, by coupling plasma with electrolysis using Cu/reduced Cu nanowire (R-CuNw) as the anode/cathode, all three PhACs were removed within 30 min, and NO2- and NO3- were completely reduced to NH3 with cathodic reduction. Moreover, the electrical energy per order (EEO, 0.04 kWh L-1) and treatment cost (0.003 USD L-1) were much lower than those of the single system. This system demonstrates great potential for water remediation, and the production of NH3 as a value-added by-product remarkably improves its practicality and is of great importance in agriculture and energy-related industries.

Affective experience in a virtual crowd regulates perceived travel time.

Time sometimes feels like it is flying by or slowing down. Previous research indicates objective number of items, subjective affect, and heart rate all can influence the experience of time. While these factors are usually tested in isolation with simple stimuli in the laboratory, here we examined them together in the ecological context of a virtual subway ride. We hypothesized that subjective affective experience associated with objective crowding lengthens subjective trip duration. Participants (N = 41) experienced short (1-2 min) immersive virtual reality subway trips with different levels of public crowding. Consistent with the immersive nature of decreased interpersonal virtual space, increased crowding decreased pleasantness and increased the unpleasantness of a trip. Virtual crowding also lengthened perceived trip duration. The presence of one additional person per square meter of the train significantly increased perceived travel time by an average of 1.8 s. Degree of pleasant relative to unpleasant affect mediated why crowded trips felt longer. Independently of crowding and affect, heart rate changes were related to experienced trip time. These results demonstrate socioemotional regulation of the experience of time and that effects of social crowding on perception and affect can be reliably created during a solitary virtual experience. This study demonstrates a novel use of Virtual Reality technology for testing psychological theories in ecologically valid and highly controlled settings. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10055-022-00713-8.

Intranasal inoculation of IFN-λ resolves SARS-CoV-2 lung infection via the rapid reduction of viral burden and improvement of tissue damage.

Introduction: The innate immune responses of upper airway could further our understanding toward antiviral strategies against SARS-CoV-2. We characterize the potential of interferon (IFN)-λ as an innate immune inducer for the rapid clearance of SARS-CoV-2 in the lung and the therapeutic efficacy of intranasal inoculation of IFN-λ to resolve acute lung infection. Methods: Syrian golden hamsters were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection depending on IFN-λ inoculation were tested. Results: SARS-CoV-2-infected Syrian golden hamsters exhibited a significant decrease in body weight and high viral mRNA level at 3 days post-infection (dpi). Although viral replication was reduced completely from 7 dpi, the pathologic findings remained prominent until 14 dpi in the lung of hamsters. The transcription of IFN-λ was significantly induced in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection with the increase of IFN-stimulated genes. Intranasal inoculation of IFN-λ restricted SARS-CoV-2 replication in the lungs of infected completely from 3 dpi with markedly reduction of inflammatory cytokines. The transcriptional phenotypes were altered to the direction of damage repair and tissue remodeling in the lungs of SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters following intranasal inoculation of IFN-λ, which improved SARS-CoV-2-caused lung damage. Conclusion: Collectively, our findings suggest that IFN-λ might be a potent innate immune inducer in the lung and intranasal inoculation of IFN-λ resolves SARS-CoV-2 infection with rapid viral clearance and improvement of lung damage.

Assessing the Visualization-Based Decision Support System for Environmental Impact Assessments.

Even though environmental impact assessments (EIAs) have been an important tool for environmental decision-making, most EIAs are published as a mix of text and tabular data that is not easily accessible to or understandable for the public. In this paper, we present a decision support system (DSS) that supports the decision-making of stakeholders in the EIA stage. The system was designed to improve the public's understanding of stakeholders before and after a construction project by providing visualization of key environmental elements. We recruited 107 participants to test the usability of the system and examined the impacts of individual differences between the participants on their perceptions of the system, including their environmental expertise and computer self-efficacy. The results showed that the proposed system had high usability, especially for users with high computational efficacy and environment expertise. The system could thus help to improve the communication between the public and experts during public hearings and enhance the environmental literacy of the public.

Subcutaneously Injectable Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel for Sustained Release of Donepezil with Reduced Initial Burst Release: Effect of Hybridization of Microstructured Lipid Carriers and Albumin.

The daily oral administration of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease features low patient compliance and can lead to low efficacy or high toxicity owing to irregular intake. Herein, we developed a subcutaneously injectable hyaluronic acid hydrogel (MLC/HSA hydrogel) hybridized with microstructured lipid carriers (MLCs) and human serum albumin (HSA) for the sustained release of donepezil (DNP) with reduced initial burst release. The lipid carrier was designed to have a microsized mean diameter (32.6 ± 12.8 µm) to be well-localized in the hydrogel. The hybridization of MLCs and HSA enhanced the structural integrity of the HA hydrogel, as demonstrated by the measurements of storage modulus (G'), loss modulus (G″), and viscosity. In the pharmacokinetic study, subcutaneous administration of MLC/HSA hydrogel in rats prolonged the release of DNP for up to seven days and reduced the initial plasma concentration, where the Cmax value was 0.3-fold lower than that of the control hydrogel without a significant change in the AUClast value. Histological analyses of the hydrogels supported their biocompatibility for subcutaneous injection. These results suggest that a new hybrid MLC/HSA hydrogel could be promising as a subcutaneously injectable controlled drug delivery system for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Sulfur-anchored palm shell waste-based activated carbon for ultrahigh sorption of Hg(II) for in-situ groundwater treatment.

This study utilized a facile and scalable one-pot wet impregnation method for Hg(II) adsorption to prepare sulfur-anchored palm shell waste activated carbon powder (PSAC-S). The experimental results revealed that the sulfur precursors promote the surface charge on the PSAC and enhance Hg(II) removal via the Na2S > Na2S2O4 > CH3CSNH2 sequence. PSAC-S prepared using Na2S had significant Hg(II) sorption efficiencies, achieving a maximum sorption capacity of 136 mg g-1 from the Freundlich model. Compared to PSAC, PSAC-S had an enhancement in Hg(II) sorption behavior for heterogeneous interactions with sulfur. PSAC-S also demonstrated high Hg(II) sorption capacities over a wide range of solution pH, while ionic strength had an insignificant impact on Hg(II) removal efficiencies. Through various spectroscopic analyses, we identified the mechanisms of Hg(II) removal by PSAC-S as electrostatic interactions, Hg-Cl complexation, and precipitation as HgSO4. Moreover, PSAC-S unveiled high adsorption affinity and Hg(II) stability in actual groundwater (even in µg L-1 level). These overall results show the potentials of PSAC-S as an alternative, easily scalable material for in-situ Hg(II) remediation.

Image-guided placement of totally implanted vascular access device: retrospective analysis of the clinical outcomes and associated risk factors.

OBJECTIVES: To determine risk factors for catheter survival and complications after image-guided implantation of a totally implanted vascular access device (TIVAD). METHODS: A total of 2883 TIVADs (2735 patients, 63.5±13 years old, 1060 men, 1675 women) implanted under guidance by ultrasound and fluoroscopy in our institution from January 2010 to December 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. We used the log rank test and logistic regression to analyse risk factors associated with catheter survival and complications. RESULTS: Female patients (n=1778; 61.7%; mean catheter survival days: 780.6 days) and those with a haematological malignancy (n=277; 10.1%; mean catheter survival days: 1019 days) had significantly better catheter survival than male patients (n=1105; 38.3%; mean catheter survival days: 645.9 days) and those with a solid organ malignancy (n=2447; 89.5%; mean catheter survival days: 701 days) (p<0.001 and p=0.003). Patients with haematological malignancies and benign vascular inflammatory disease (n=11; 0.4%) were vulnerable to infection (n=96; 3.3%) (p<0.001 and p=0.004). Thrombotic malfunction (n=38; 1.3%) was significantly more common in females than males (p=0.005). Non-thrombotic malfunction (n=16; 0.6%) showed a significant association with left positioning of the TIVAD (n=410; 14.2%) (p=0.043). Wound dehiscence (n=3; 0.1%) was significantly more frequent in punctured veins other (n=23; 0.8%) than the internal jugular vein (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Increased attention should be paid to patients with an underlying haematological malignancy, underlying vascular inflammatory disease, female patients, older patients, those accessed via a vein other than the IJV, those with left positioning of the TIVAD system or those with a prolonged TIVAD maintenance.

Unexpected discovery of superoxide radical generation by oxygen vacancies containing biomass derived granular activated carbon.

Herein, we discovered and reported oxygen vacancies in silicon oxycarbide containing granular palm shell activated carbon (Si-PSAC) as a photocatalyst under UV irradiation. A strong correlation between the atomic content of Si1+, oxygen vacancies and photocatalytic performance of Si-PSAC was obtained. Based on the electron paramagnetic resonance and photoluminescence analyses, Si-PSAC under UVA365 irradiation exhibited a higher donor density, better charge transfer and lower electron-hole recombination than that under the other light sources, leading to a higher O2· production efficiency. Si-PSAC exhibited effective removal performance for various anionic dyes and endocrine-disrupting chemicals under UVA365 irradiation. Continuous-flow column tests revealed the life span of Si-PSAC under UVA365 irradiation was extended by more than 16-fold compared to adsorption column. Since the oxygen vacancies can be created from the naturally present Si in the biomass derived Si-PSAC during the activation, this unexpected discovery of O2· production can extend commercially-available Si-PSAC into the full-scale photocatalysis.

Effects of Intratympanic Injection of Isosorbide on the Vestibular Function of Animal Models of Endolymphatic Hydrops.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of intratympanic injections of isosorbide on vestibular function in animal models of endolymphatic hydrops and to find a new treatment option for the acute onset of vertigo in Ménière disease (MD). METHODS: Seventy male guinea pigs received intratympanic injection of isosorbide (IT-ISB). The animals were divided into three study groups: control, a chronic hydrops model, and an acute hydrops model. Intracochlear drug concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Vestibular function was analyzed using an animal rotator test with bidirectional sinusoidal harmonic acceleration before and after IT-ISB administration. Histological changes were also investigated. RESULTS: ISB successfully permeated the perilymph through the round window membrane (RWM) at all three concentrations (25%, 50%, and 100%). In the chronic hydrops model, while IT-ISB histologically induced a reduction of endolymphatic hydrops, vestibular function was unchanged. In the acute hydrops model, no endolymphatic hydrops was histologically observed, and vestibular symmetry was also preserved after IT-ISB. CONCLUSION: ISB passed through the RWM into the perilymphatic space even at lower concentrations. IT-ISB histologically reduced hydrops in the chronic model and preserved symmetrical vestibular function in the acute model. IT-ISB could be a treatment candidate for acute attacks of vertigo in MD.

Embolization of pancreatic arteriovenous malformation: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare disease with a number of different reported treatment methods, but there are as yet no established or definite treatments for the disease. CASE SUMMARY: A 43-year-old man visited the hospital due to periumbilical pain. The patient underwent imaging study and laboratory testing for evaluation of cause. Pancreatic AVM associated with pancreatitis was suspected on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was diagnosed with pancreatic AVM with pancreatitis on imaging study and angiography. Transcatheter arterial embolization with various embolic materials was performed. Follow-up computed tomography scan revealed progressive regression of AVM and improvement of pancreatitis. At two-year follow-up, the patient showed no recurrence of symptom or pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter arterial embolization can be considered an effective treatment modality for selective cases of pancreatic AVM.

Enhanced Efficacy of Immunization with a Foot-and-Mouth Disease Multi-Epitope Subunit Vaccine Using Mannan-Decorated Inulin Microparticles.

BACKGROUND: Despite the many advantages of recombinant subunit vaccines, they have critical weaknesses that include a low efficacy for promoting cellular and humoral immune responses against antigens because of their poor immunogenicity, and a rapidly cleared properties as a result of proteolytic enzymes in the body. To circumvent these problems, we developed mannan-decorated inulin acetate microparticles (M-IA MPs) that functioned as carriers and adjuvants for immunization with the recombinant foot-and-mouth disease multi-epitope subunit vaccine (M5BT). METHODS: The M5BT-loaded M-IA MPs were obtained by a double-emulsion solvent-evaporation method. Their properties including morphology, size and release ability were determined by field emission scanning electron microscope, dynamic light-scattering spectrophotometer and spectrophotometer. To assess the immunization efficacy of the MPs, mice were immunized with MPs and their sera were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: The M-IA MPs obtained by a double-emulsion solvent-evaporation method were spherical and approximately 2-3 µm, and M5BT was encapsulated in the M-IA MPs. The M5BT-loaded M-IA MPs showed higher antigen-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a and anti-FMDV antibodies than the M5BT-loaded IA MPs and the Freund's adjuvant as a control. CONCLUSION: The M-IA MPs showed a powerful and multifunctional polymeric system that combined two toll-like receptor agonists compared to the conventional adjuvant.

Reducing Trap-Assisted Recombination in Small Organic Molecule-Based Photovoltaics by the Addition of a Conjugated Block Copolymer.

The performance of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) based on the small-molecule organic semiconductor p-DTS(FBTTh2 )2 is greatly improved by the addition of a conjugated block copolymer composed of difluoroquinoxaline and thienopyrrolodione blocks (D130). The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the p-DTS(FBTTh2 )2 -based OPV is improved from 5.08% to 6.75% by the addition of 5 wt% D130 to the photoactive layer, which is composed of p-DTS(FBTTh2 )2 and a fullerene derivative. Current-voltage and grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering analyses revealed that the addition of D130 significantly reduces the trap density of the device and changes the packing orientation of p-DTS(FBTTh2 )2 from mostly edge-on to partially face-on. These changes greatly improve the charge carrier mobility of the OPV, indicating that D130 is highly compatible with p-DTS(FBTTh2 )2 . Furthermore, the addition of D130 improve the photostability of the OPV by reducing the burn-in loss under a light soaking intensity of 1 sun. The D130-based OPV maintained 34% of its initial PCE after a light soaking test for 858 h. In contrast, the PCE of the OPV without D130 reduced to 14% of its initial efficiency in the same time period.