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Metal-support interface influences the catalytic activity and physical properties of heterocatalysts dramatically. Herein, the effect of cerium on material properties and catalytic activity of cobalt over gamma-alumina applied in dry reforming of methane (DRM) was investigated. The dispersion of cobalt over gamma-alumina was noticeably improved with low cerium dosages ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 wt%. In addition, the presence of Ce promoter on catalyst surface led to an enhancement in reducibility of cobalt oxide to cobalt metal in the catalyst activation. Using CO2-temperature programmed desorption technique, the catalyst basicity was found to increase proportionally with cerium loading. At an optimal dosage of 0.3–0.5 wt%, the cerium promoted cobalt supported on gamma catalyst displayed outstanding performance in DRM with noticeable conversion improvements up to 11% in both methane and carbon dioxide.

Virtually all organisms are colonized by microbes. Average temperatures are rising because of global climate change - accompanied by increases in extreme climatic events and heat shock - and symbioses with microbes may determine species persistence in the 21st century. Although parasite infection typically reduces host upper thermal limits, interactions with beneficial microbes can facilitate host adaptation to warming. The effects of warming on the ecology and evolution of the microbial symbionts remain understudied but are important for understanding how climate change might affect host health and disease. We present a framework for untangling the contributions of symbiosis to predictions of host persistence in the face of global change.

Objective Goals of care discussions are crucial in helping parents navigate complex medical decisions and shown to improve quality of care. Little is known about whether physicians elicit or address parents’ goals during a child's hospitalization. The purpose of this study was to understand the current practice of goal setting at the beginning of hospitalization by exploring the perspectives of parents of hospitalized children and their hospital physicians. Methods A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews was conducted from 2018 to 2019 at a 361-bed quaternary suburban freestanding children's hospital. Twenty-seven parents of hospitalized children and sixteen pediatric hospital medicine faculty were matched to participate. Data was analyzed using modified grounded theory, with themes identified through constant comparative approach. Results Five themes were identified: 1) Majority of hospitalized children's parents want to share their goals with physicians. 2) Parents and physicians share the same underlying goal of getting the child better to go home. 3) Parents of children with chronic diseases identified non-hospital goals that were not addressed. 4) Physicians do not explicitly elicit but rather assume what parents’ goals of care are. 5) Factors related to patient, parent, and physician were identified as barriers to goal setting. Conclusions Physicians may not consistently elicit parents’ goals of care for their hospitalized children at the start of hospitalization. Parents desire their physicians to explicitly ask about their goals and involve them in goal setting during hospitalization. Strategies were identified by parents and physicians to improve goal setting with parents of hospitalized children.

Sharing economy models are expanding and making substantial contributions to economic transitions and quality of life globally. This has been made possible mainly because of the development of information and communication technologies. Vietnam – an emerging economy with high technology adaptability – cannot escape the inevitable global trend by which sharing economy models – mainly Uber, Grab and Airbnb – have recently made a significant appearance throughout the country to meet the high demand for transportation or to enhance individuals’ quality of life. We employ a rich set of quantitative techniques, such as logit and probit estimations and propose that eight antecedents of customer intention to use Uber/Grab services exist, including gender, age, living costs, distance, utility of Uber/Grab, dissemination of Uber/Grab, tendency to use Uber/Grab from relatives and the community and attractiveness of public and private transport. This study provides new empirical evidence on customer behaviour within the context of new technological infrastructure. Hence, based on the findings of the paper, we propose recommendations for stimulating and enhancing the development of Uber/Grab services in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVE: To measure anti-glycan antibodies (AGA) in cervical cancer (CC) patient sera and assess their effect on therapeutic outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum AGA was measured in 276 stage II and 292 stage III Peruvian CC patients using a high content and throughput Luminex multiplex glycan array (LMGA) containing 177 glycans. Association with disease-specific survival (DSS) and progression free survival (PFS) were analyzed using Cox regression. RESULTS: AGAs were detected against 50 (28.3%) of the 177 glycans assayed. Of the 568 patients, 84.5% received external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) plus brachytherapy (BT), while 15.5% only received EBRT. For stage-matched patients (Stage III), receiving EBRT alone was significantly associated with worse survival (HR 6.4, p < 0.001). Stage III patients have significantly worse survival than Stage II patients after matching for treatment (HR = 2.8 in EBRT+BT treatment group). Furthermore, better PFS and DSS were observed in patients positive for AGA against multiple glycans belonging to the blood group H, Lewis, Ganglio, Isoglobo, lacto and sialylated tetrarose antigens (best HR = 0.49, best p = 0.0008). CONCLUSIONS: Better PFS and DSS are observed in cervical cancer patients that are positive for specific antiglycan antibodies and received brachytherapy.

Determine the utility of a clinical calculator to predict the benefit of chemotherapy in stage IA uterine papillary serous cancer (UPSC).Data were collected from NCDB from years 2010-2014. Based on demographic and surgical characteristics, a clinical score was developed using the random survival forest machine learning algorithm.Of 1,751 patients with stage IA UPSC, 1,012 (58%) received chemotherapy and 739 (42%) did not. Older age (HR 1.06), comorbidities (HR 1.31), larger tumor size (HR 1.27), lymphovascular invasion (HR 1.86), positive peritoneal cytology (HR 2.62), no pelvic lymph node dissection (HR 1.51), and no chemotherapy (HR 2.16) were associated with poorer prognosis. Compared to no chemotherapy, patients who underwent chemotherapy had a 5-year overall survival of 80% vs. 67%. To better delineate those who may derive more benefit from chemotherapy, we designed a clinical calculator capable of dividing patients into low, moderate, and high-risk groups with associated 5-year OS of 86%, 73%, and 53%, respectively. Using the calculator to assess the relative benefit of chemotherapy in each risk group, chemotherapy improved the 5-year OS in the high (42% to 64%; p 0.001) and moderate risk group (66% to 79%; p 0.001) but did not benefit the low risk group (84% to 87%; p = 0.29).Our results suggest a clinical calculator is useful for counseling and personalizing chemotherapy for stage IA UPSC.

A series of nickel phosphide/activated carbon (Ni2P/C) catalysts with varying nickel loading levels and nickel-to-phosphorous molar ratios (Ni:P) were synthesized by wet co-impregnation and treated by temperature programed reduction. The Ni2P phase was clearly present in the Ni2P/C catalyst with a Ni:P ratio of 1.5 and a 5.37 mmol Ni loading level. The catalysts were then evaluated for the hydrodeoxygenation of the pyrolysis vapor derived from the integrated pyrolysis and upgrading of Napier grass, with two fixed bed reactors in series, at different upgrading temperatures and space velocities. The reaction could be carried out at atmospheric pressure. The maximum bio-oil yield was obtained at an upgrading temperature of 340 °C, while the major components of the bio-oil were phenolic compounds (>50%). An upgrading temperature of 360 °C did not only present dehydration but aromatization was also predominant. Moreover, the phenolic compounds decreased with increasing space velocity. The oxygen content in the pyrolysis vapor was catalytically removed via the dehydration pathway, which significantly decreased the oxygen/carbon ratio from 0.24 to 0.17. Due to advantages spanning from highly efficient deoxygenation activity to the requirement of mild conditions, the Ni2P/C catalyst shows great potential as a catalyst for bio-oil upgrading.

INTRODUCTION: Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal neoplasms with 22,000 new cases and 14,000 deaths per year. Aggressive cytoreduction and chemotherapy have response rates as high as 80%. Most women are diagnosed with stage 3 disease or later and over 70% of women recur within 18 months. There is need for a test to determine prognosis of remission patients to allow for intervention and prolonged survival. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Women at Augusta University with ovarian cancer were enrolled between 2005 and 2015 (n=71). Blood was drawn at enrollment and follow-up visits. Patient serum collected at remission was analyzed using the SOMAscan array (n=35) to measure concentrations of 1129 proteins. The best 26 proteins were confirmed using Luminex assays in the same 35 patients and an additional 36 patients (n(total)=71) as orthogonal validation. The data from these proteins was combined with clinical factors using an elastic net multivariate model to find an optimized combination predictive of progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Platelet Derived Growth Factor molecules were significant for predicting PFS on univariate and multivariate analyses. The 26 proteins were combined with clinical factors using the elastic net algorithm. Ten components were determined to predict PFS (HR of 6.55, p-value 1.12 × 10(−6), CI 2.57 – 16.71). This model was named the Serous High Grade Ovarian Cancer (SHOC) Score. CONCLUSION: The SHOC score can predict patient prognosis in remission and will hopefully lead to early intervention and consolidation therapy strategies in remission patients destined to recur.

The atmospheric-pressure hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of waste cooking oil (WCO) was investigated in a continuous fixed-bed reactor over a series of activated carbon (AC)-supported nickel phosphide catalysts with different initial Ni/P molar ratios (0.5–2.0) and nickel loading levels (1.16–38.90 mmol/g AC). The formation of the Ni2P phase on the AC, which was produced from commercial charcoal, as well as its structural and acidic properties was characterized by hydrogen-temperature programmed reduction (TPR), X-ray diffraction analysis, N2 adsorption–desorption measurements performed at −196 °C, and ammonia-temperature programmed desorption. The effects of the Ni/P molar ratio, nickel loading level, reaction temperature, and gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) on the catalytic activity were elucidated. The complete formation of the Ni2P phase on the AC was observed at a Ni/P ratio of 1.5, while smaller Ni2P crystallite sizes were observed at lower Ni/P ratios. In addition, it was observed that the acidity increased and the specific surface area decreased with an increase in the nickel loading level, presumably because nickel phosphate is not readily reduced to Ni2P. The 5.37-Ni2P/1.5-TPR catalyst (Ni loading level of 5.37 mmol/g AC and Ni/P molar ratio of 1.5) exhibited good activity and stability during the HDO of WCO. The high-quality deoxygenated product primarily consisted of n-alkanes at the moderately high temperature of 300 °C and GHSV of 2.33 min−1. Based on the results, we propose that the mechanism underlying the hydrotreatment of WCO involves hydrogenolysis, hydrodeoxygenation, dehydration-decarbonylation, and hydrogenation. To conclude, the synthesized Ni2P/AC catalyst could readily deoxygenate WCO at atmospheric pressure, producing n-paraffins as the primary component.

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the major and trace element, mineral, and Sr, Nd, Pb and Mg isotopic compositions of late Cenozoic intraplate basaltic rocks from central and southern Vietnam. The Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic compositions of these basalts define a tight linear array between Indian mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB)-like mantle and enriched mantle type 2 (EM2) components. These basaltic rocks contain low concentrations of CaO (6.4–9.7 wt%) and have high Fe/Mn ratios (> 60) and FeO/CaO–3MgO/SiO2 values (> 0.54), similar to partial melts derived from pyroxenite/eclogite sources. This similarity is also supported by the composition of olivine within these samples, which contains low concentration of Ca and high concentrations of Ni, and shows high Fe/Mn ratios. The basaltic rocks have elevated Dy/Yb ratios that fall within the range of melts derived from garnet lherzolite material, although their Yb contents are much higher than those of modeled melts derived from only garnet lherzolite material and instead plot near the modeled composition of eclogite-derived melts. The Vietnamese basaltic rocks have lighter δ26Mg values (− 0.38 ± 0.06‰) than is expected for the normal mantle (− 0.25 ± 0.07‰), and these values decrease with decreasing Hf/Hf* and Ti/Ti* ratios, indicating that these basalts were derived from a source containing carbonate material. On primitive mantle-normalized multi-element variation diagrams, the central Vietnamese basalts are characterized by positive Sr, Eu, and Ba anomalies. These basalts also plot within the pelagic sediment field in Pb Pb isotopic space. This suggests that the mantle source of the basalts contained both garnet peridotite and recycled oceanic crust. A systematic analysis of variations in geochemical composition in basalts from southern to central Vietnam indicates that the recycled oceanic crust (possibly the paleo-Pacific slab) source material contains varying proportions of gabbro, basalt, and sediment. The basalts from south-central Vietnam (12°N–14°N) may be dominated by the lowest portion of the residual slab that contains rutile-bearing plagioclase-rich gabbroic eclogite, whereas the uppermost portion of the recycled slab, including sediment and basaltic material with small amounts of gabbro, may be a major constituent of the source for the basalts within the central region of Vietnam (14°N–16°N). Finally, the southern region (10°N–12°N) contains basalts sourced mainly from recycled upper oceanic crust that is basalt-rich and contains little or no sediment.

The utilization of lignin as a source of phenolic compounds requires highly efficient and selective depolymerization catalysts. Herein, lignin depolymerization was investigated over Ni2P catalysts supported on nitrogen-doped activated carbon (Ni2P/AC_N). The catalysts were prepared by an incipient wetness co-impregnation method followed by reduction with H2 gas. The presence of nitrogen-containing functional groups on the activated carbon surface resulted in the dispersion of Ni2P particles. The good distribution and small crystal size of Ni2P significantly increased the active surface area, which enhanced both the catalytic activity and phenol selectivity. Investigations of the catalytic activity at different reaction temperatures and lignin-to-catalyst ratios using pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry revealed that the highest phenol selectivity of 80% was achieved using the Ni2P/AC_N25% catalyst. The proposed reaction mechanism involves lignin depolymerization via C–O and C–C cleavage with subsequent phenol formation by demethoxylation. Owing to its high phenol selectivity, the Ni2P/AC_N catalyst has good potential for the transformation of lignin to phenol.

The equation of state based on the Group Contribution – Polar Perturbed Chain – Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (GC-PPC-SAFT), which is PC-SAFT combined with the group contribution proposed by Tamouza et al., Fluid Phase Equilib. 2004; 222–223:67–76 and a polar term developed by NguyenHuynh et al., Fluid Phase Equilib . 2008; 264 (1–2):62–75, is employed here to model the solubility of hydrogen in oxygenated compounds mixtures such as alcohols, ethers, diols, aldehydes. Our analysis shows that in such systems, the gas solubility may be driven by available volume effects. For this reason, a modified version of this equation of state taking into account non-additive segment diameters, is used in this work. Systematic tests are performed on binary mixtures and a predictive scheme is proposed. A correlation based on the group contribution method is also suggested as a predictive way to determine the non-additive parameter (l ij ). Correlations and predictions are qualitatively and quantitatively satisfactory. The deviations are within the experimental uncertainty (∼10%).

Along with coral reefs and mangroves, seagrass meadows are being threatened globally Southeast Asia is considered within the area of seagrasses’ cradle of diversity. However, information on the current status of seagrass beds from Southern Viet Nam is limited due to lack of reliable data about seagrass species occurring in the Southeast Asian region. One factor is the difficulty of unambiguous species identification. For example, the leaf morphological characteristics of Halophila ovalis and closely related species are overlapping which leads to misidentifications. In this study, the latest satellite Landsat 8 OLI and SENTINEL-2B image analyses were applied to determine the distribution of seagrass beds in Southern Viet Nam. Detailed morphological and genetic marker analyses were used to determine and update the species composition. The present study together with literature reviews indicate that the total area of seagrass beds from Southern Viet Nam are 10,832.1 ha. 2562 ha (or 19.1%) of seagrass coverage has been lost. The seagrass beds at Phu Quoc Island are the largest with 7579 ha. The occurrence of Halophila major is updated for almost all off-shore islands and open-water areas.

This study clarifies the reaction pathway for biomass pyrolysis to phenolic compounds and aromatic hydrocarbons by analyzing 20 biomass samples using a central composite design and response surface plot. The pyrolysis reaction was performed using two integrated fixed-bed reactors. The product yield was significantly affected by pyrolysis temperature when utilizing the thermal cracking, repolymerization, and Boudouard reaction pathways. The bio-oil used in the study was obtained from the volatile matter fraction, where the fixed carbon content strongly affected biochar yield. Regarding bio-oil composition, both pyrolysis temperature and biomass constituents, including hemicellulose and lignin, significantly affected the yield of phenolics and aromatic hydrocarbons. In addition, biomass pyrolysis reaction pathways toward phenolic compounds and aromatic hydrocarbons were proposed.

Phospho sulfonic acid (PSA) acts as a highly effective and reusable catalyst for the chemo-selective protection of aldehydes with acetic anhydride under solvent-free conditions. The desirable features of this new catalytic methodology include its sustainability, effectiveness in the absence of solvent, a facile work-up procedure, and economic viability. PSA is fully characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray scattering analysis, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The catalyst can be reused several times without significant loss of activity. In addition, no chromatographic separations are needed to obtain the desired products.

Background Communication failures are the most common root cause of patient safety events. Consults provide a significant opportunity for miscommunications to occur; however, trainees receive little education on how to effectively convey consult requests. Based on literature review and needs assessment of pediatric residents and fellows at Stanford, we identified essential consult elements (ECE) for optimal consult communication. 54 consult requests were audited, and our baseline data showed that only 9% included all ECE. At our institution, 98% of residents (n=56) and 95% of fellows (n=41) reported miscommunication around consults, 85% of which led to perceived patient safety errors. Only 13% of residents reported receiving teaching from fellows during the consultation. Aim Statement 1) Develop a standardized consult communication tool that includes all ECE 2) Increase consult requests containing all ECE by pediatric residents from 9% to 40% within a 6-month period. Interventions A consult communication tool containing ECE was developed using modified SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendations) and taught to pediatric residents from July-Aug 2018 through a series of workshops. Multimedia interventions (flyers, screen savers, name badge cards) were disseminated throughout the hospital. During the initial PDSA cycle, residents and fellows were queried to inform subsequent cycle changes, such as targeting faculty engagement and monthly reminder emails. Measures The primary outcome measure was the percentage of inpatient consult requests containing all ECE by pediatric residents. The process measure was adherence to the modified SBAR tool. Secondary outcomes included clarity of consult question, perceived teaching and learning, and miscommunication. Resident and fellow satisfaction was used as a balancing measure. Results Post intervention from Sep-Dec 2018, 51 consults were audited and consults including ECE increased from 9% to 49%. SBAR was used in 76% of consultations. With SBAR, 96% of consult questions were clear/very clear and 100% of fellows reported being satisfied/very satisfied with communication. Conclusions and Next Steps Our modified SBAR tool resulted in increased inclusion of essential elements for consult communication. It led to greater clarity of consult question and satisfaction by pediatric fellows. Data regarding its effect on teaching, learning, and patient safety will be available in March 2019.

The human proto-oncogene bcl-2 and its Caenorhabditis elegans homologue ced-9 inhibit programmed cell death. In contrast, members of the human interleukin-1beta converting enzyme (ICE) family of cysteine proteases and their C. elegans homologue CED-3 promote the death program. Genetic experiments in C. elegans have shown that ced-9 is formally a negative regulator of ced-3 function, but neither those studies nor others have determined whether CED-9 or Bcl-2 proteins act biochemically upstream or downstream of CED-3/ICE proteases. CPP32, like all known members of the CED-3/ICE family, is synthesized as a proenzyme that is subsequently processed into an active protease with specificity for cleavage at Asp-X peptide bonds. In this report, we demonstrate that the CPP32 proenzyme is proteolytically processed and activated in Jurkat cells induced to die by Fas ligation. CPP32 activation is blocked by cell-permeable inhibitors of aspartate-directed, cysteine proteases, suggesting that pro-CPP32 is cleaved by active CPP32 or by other ICE family members. Heterologous expression of Bcl-2 in Jurkat cells prevents Fas-induced cell death as well as proteolytic processing and activation of CPP32. Thus, Bcl-2 acts at or upstream of the CPP32 activation step to inhibit apoptosis induced by Fas stimulation.