Search

A high-entropy porous spinel oxide [(Co0.2Cr0.2Fe0.2Mn0.2Ni0.2)3O4] was synthesized via a solvothermal method and calcination. Solvothermal conditions yielding homogeneous precursor composites with five metals were optimized. Low-temperature calcination of the amorphous composites at 500 °C for 60 min yielded porous spheres formed by small primary particles, with crystal structures attributed to single-phase spinels. The homogeneity of the five elements in the spheres was verified via scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. The high-entropy (Co0.2Cr0.2Fe0.2Mn0.2Ni0.2)3O4 spheres exhibited superior catalytic activity and long-term stability for the reverse water–gas shift reaction at 700 °C for at least 15 h. The importance of the Cr component in stabilizing the spinel structure was demonstrated. Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni served as active sites in the reaction. The advantage of solvothermal synthesis for porous high-entropy materials was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The color of emeralds is predominantly influenced by the concentration of Cr3+. However, the evaluation of the trend of green color depth of emeralds, based on the practical single crystal synthesis with several instrumental analysis is not investigated in previous researches. Specifically, if the Cr2O3 content is controlled to be in the range of 0.2–0.4 wt%, then emeralds can be synthesized with the most esthetically pleasing color. Therefore, the effect of Cr2O3 concentration within the aforementioned range on the color of emeralds is studied using powder X‐ray diffractometry, digital microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, and micro‐spectrophotometry to understand how to achieve the most esthetically pleasing color. As a result, detailed behaviors relating to the absorbances, L*, a*, and b* values, and the relationship between the emerald crystal color changes and increases in Cr2O3 concentration are elucidated. Notably, the absorbance, L* and a* values change significantly when the Cr2O3 concentration is low (0.00–0.236 wt%). However, the changes in these values are moderate when the Cr2O3 concentration is higher (0.236–0.504 wt%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars of extra-heavy panicle type (EHPT), which have numerous spikelets in a panicle, often fail to realize their high-yield potential due to poor grain filling in general, while some EHPTs showed relatively better grain filling. This study first surveyed nucleotide polymorphisms in rice genes possibly related to grain filling, that is, genes for ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) subunits, OsAGPS2 and OsAGPL2, and a sucrose transporter gene, OsSUT1, to clarify the causes underlying such genetic variation. Many types of polymorphisms were detected in all three genes, but none of them affected amino acid sequences. OsAGPS2 and OsSUT1 had an identical series of polymorphisms in two EHPT cultivars, Milyang 23 and Nanjing 11, both of which have a high degree of grain filling, while another series for these genes was detected in other EHPTs showing a low grain filling. The former polymorphisms could constitute alleles for good grain filling in OsAGPS2 and OsSUT1, designated as AS2-2 and SUT1-2, respectively. Second, new molecular markers based on the polymorphisms for OsAGPS2 and OsSUT1 were developed. Finally, three EHPT cultivars with AS2-2 SUT1-2 genotype showed a higher degree of grain filling and higher activity of AGPase than three other EHPTs with another genotype at these loci. These results suggest that these AS2-2 and SUT1-2 alleles can contribute to the improvement of poor grain filling of EHPTs assisted with the developed markers. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2009.11.0690

Planar-chiral Phanephos, containing the coordinatable P(III), formed P(III)/Tb(III)(hfa)3 hybrid luminophores that successfully emitted characteristic circularly polarised luminescence (CPL) due to 5D4 → 7F5 transitions in solution. On the other hand, BINAP, containing P(III)＝O as axially chiral ligand, exhibited no detectable CPL with Tb(III)(hfa)3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a controlled pre/post study design, we investigated the effects of professional mechanical cleaning of the oral cavity with benzethonium chloride, interdental brushes, and hydrogen peroxide on the number of oral bacteria and postoperative complications among esophageal cancer patients in an intensive care unit. Before surgery, 44 patients with esophageal cancer were recruited at Okayama Hospital from January through August 2015. The control group (n = 23) received routine oral hygiene care in the intensive care unit. The intervention group (n = 21) received intensive interdental cleaning with benzethonium chloride solution and tongue cleaning with hydrogen peroxide. The number of oral bacteria on the tongue surface and plaque index were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group on postoperative days 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). Additionally, the number of days with elevated fever during a 1-week period was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (P = 0.037). As compared with routine oral hygiene, a new oral hygiene regimen comprising benzethonium chloride, interdental brushes, and hydrogen peroxide significantly reduced the number of oral bacteria and days with elevated fever in patients with esophageal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-entropy porous spinel oxide [(Co 0.2 Cr 0.2 Fe 0.2 Mn 0.2 Ni 0.2 ) 3 O 4 ] was synthesized via a solvothermal method and calcination. Solvothermal conditions yielding homogeneous precursor composites with five metals were optimized. Low-temperature calcination of the amorphous composites at 500 °C for 60 min yielded porous spheres formed by small primary particles, with crystal structures attributed to single-phase spinels. The homogeneity of the five elements in the spheres was verified via scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. The high-entropy (Co 0.2 Cr 0.2 Fe 0.2 Mn 0.2 Ni 0.2 ) 3 O 4 spheres exhibited superior catalytic activity and long-term stability for the reverse water-gas shift reaction at 700 °C for at least 15 h. The importance of the Cr component in stabilizing the spinel structure was demonstrated. Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni served as active sites in the reaction. The advantage of solvothermal synthesis for porous high-entropy materials was discussed.

Porous ceria was obtained using a unique solvothermal reaction in acetonitrile, applying high temperature and pressure. The resulting material comprised homogeneous and monodisperse spheres and exhibited an extremely large surface area of 152 m 2 g -1 . From catalytic performance evaluation by vapor- and liquid-phase reactions, the synthesized porous ceria showed superior and different reaction activity compared with commercial CeO 2 . To examine the origin of the reaction activity of the present porous ceria, synchrotron hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) measurements were carried out. The systematic study of HAXPES measurements revealed that the obtained porous ceria with the present solvothermal method contained a very high concentration of Ce 3+ . Moreover, O 2 -pulse adsorption analyses demonstrated a significant oxygen adsorption capacity exceeding 268 μmol-O g -1 at 400 °C owing to its high contents of Ce 3+ species., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Various effective strategies have recently been described in the treatment of breast cancer, including endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, and molecular-targeted therapy, providing long-term survival benefits even after cancer recurrence. However, terminal-stage patients experience side effects and worse quality of life (QOL), in addition to deterioration of their general condition caused by the progression of the disease itself. When providing the best supportive care, use of anti-cancer drugs is not taboo and can represent a good option as long as physical, social, psychological, and spiritual supports are provided to both the patients and their families. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is an endocrine therapeutic drug. In Japan, MPA is used only as a late-line endocrine therapy for breast cancer recurrence because many other endocrine therapy drugs are much more effective and MPA increases the risk of thrombosis and obesity. Here, we report 2 patients with breast cancer who reached terminal stage more than 10 years after the first diagnosis. MPA was administered as the final-line treatment. During that time, their appetite and QOL improved and the patients became more active than when they had been undergoing aggressive anticancer treatment. Both patients spent quality time with their families until their death. MPA may be a good option as part of palliative care of breast cancer patients in terminal stage.

We developed a simple audio recording system using a small personal computer and free audio recording software that makes voice recordings for use in emergencies, particularly for emergency caesarean sections. The system makes a continuous audio recording while the patient receives medical treatment. The recording provides an accurate record of the anesthesia used during treatment. This audio recording system is useful as an auxiliary means of record keeping during medical emergencies.