Types Of Chains Research Articles

A Facile Method for Thermally, Light, and Mechanically Stable Organic Solar Cells Using Ultraviolet‐Initiated Crosslinkable Additive

AbstractCrosslinkable additive in organic solar cells has great potential to fix metastable bulk heterojunction, supplying solutions for burn‐in loss and long‐term instability. New roles of crosslinkable additive as a solvent additive, radical scavenger, and stretchability enhancer beyond its well‐known role as a crosslinker with morphology frozen effect are reported. According to the main chain structure between Br in end groups, crosslinkable additive is divided into two types of alkyl and siloxane main chain, expecting different roles. First, the alkyl moiety molecule, 1,8‐dibromooctane (DBr‐octane), provides the effects of improved thermal and light stability without any loss in efficiency. The DBr‐octane device shows remarkable enhanced results in burn‐in‐free, maintaining 90% of its initial efficiency after 600 min at 85 °C, and light stability, maintaining 90% of its initial efficiency after 360 min under 1 SUN, in a fullerene system. Second, crosslinkable additive is treated with siloxane main chain molecule, bis(3‐bromopropyl)‐terminated poly(dimethyl siloxane) (DBr‐siloxane), in an active layer to secure stretchability. As a result, the DBr‐siloxane‐treated film stretches up to 70% and the flexible device of the fullerene system maintains an initial efficiency of over 60% after 1000 bending cycles at a bending radius of 1.8 mm.

Molecular simulations of liquid aliphatic carboxylic acids (C1-C6) using the 3D-RISM-KH molecular solvation theory

The liquid structures of short straight chain aliphatic carboxylic acids (C1-C6) and halogenated acetic acids (trifluoro and trichloro) are analyzed with molecular dynamics simulations, three-dimensional reference interaction site model, and density functional theory calculations. The neat acids are found to exist in multimeric ordered form consisting of both open chain and cyclic oligomers. Introduction of water breaks the hydrogen bonding networks between adjacent acetic acid molecules by inserting water as a bridging molecule. The electronic structure calculations confirm the formation of chain and ring type structures in the liquid state.

High Serum IL-17A Is Associated with Bone Destruction in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant proliferative disease of the blood system, characterized by the abnormal growth of clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow. The bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) is highly critical in the pathological process of MM. Many studies have shown that serum Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) plays a key role in various infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. However, more clinical researches need to be done to further proof the influence of serum IL-17A level on multiple myeloma patients. Methods Among a total of 357 participants in our institution's MM cohort, 175 were eligible for the retrospective study. Multivariate regression models adjusted by potential confounding factors, the violin plots, the generalized additive model and smooth curve fittings, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and K-M curve analysis were applied to the research. Results A total of 175 patients with newly diagnosed MM were enrolled in this study. The multivariate linear regression analysis showed that serum IL-17A level in MM patients correlated with the degree of bone lesions and fracture incidence (Fully adjusted model, Pbone lesion<0.0001, Pfracture<0.0001). Violin plot showed that MM patients with higher serum IL-17A level had more sever bone lesions and higher fracture incidence than that with lower serum IL-17A level. 171 patients were included in the study of the relationship between serum IL-17A and best overall effect (BOE). We found that serum IL-17A level were independently related to the best inductive therapeutic efficacy (Fully adjusted model, P =0.037), and the relationship was especially obvious in the light chain group (Fully adjusted model, P=0.009) and IgA (Fully adjusted model, P=0.0456). It could be deduced from the smooth curve that the higher the serum IL-17A level, the worse the BOE (P=0.0163). The ROC prediction curve suggested that serum IL-17A could predict the BOE to a certain extent (AUC=0.717, P=0.0327). A total of 148 MM patients were observed in the longitudinal study of relationship between serum IL-17A and PFS/OS. The K-M curve analysis indicated that serum IL-17A levels in MM patients were not significantly correlated with PFS and OS. However, in the light chain subgroup, MM patients with high serum IL-17A had worse PFS (P=0.015) and OS (P=0.0076) compared to that with low serum IL-17A. In IgA type subgroup, the higher IL-17A level was related to worse OS (P=0.0061). Conclusion This retrospective study found that higher levels of serum IL-17A was independently correlated with higher severity of bone disease and fractures incidence in newly diagnosed MM patients. High serum IL-17A level was related with poor best overall efficacy in light chain type. High serum IL-17A was also associated with poor PFS and OS in light chain type, and OS in IgA type subgroup.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Multiple Myeloma in Hispanic Versus Non-Hispanic Patients in Central California

Background: Multiple Myeloma (MM) accounts for roughly 10% of all hematologic cancers in the U.S., with 37% of MM patients being non-white minorities. Advanced stage at diagnosis and specific cytogenetic abnormalities are associated with high-risk disease and poor prognosis. Studies evaluating these risk factors, however, consisted of mostly Caucasian patients with an underrepresentation of ethnic minorities. In the phase III DETERMINATION trial, ~18% of the study population was Black compared to only ~6% Hispanic, with the rest being Caucasian. Although this study showed significant overall progression free survival (PFS) benefit in transplant patients, this was not seen in the Black patient subgroup. To further investigate outcomes of other ethnic MM patients in the Central Valley of CA, we analyzed characteristics and outcomes of MM patients who were seen at Community Medical Centers in Fresno CA (49.6% Hispanic population). Methods: Patients diagnosed with MM at Community Medical Centers from January 2011 to December 2020 were included. High risk disease was defined by the Mayo Clinic mSMART 3.0 classification. Demographic and disease-relevant information including age at diagnosis, gender, ethnicity (Hispanic vs non-Hispanic), insurance, median income by zip code, laboratory data at diagnosis (hemoglobin, creatinine, corrected Ca, LDH, beta 2 microglobulin), immunoglobulin type, light chain type, cytogenetic abnormalities, stage (R-ISS), 1st line treatment (doublet vs triplet), transplant status, and treatment response (IMWG response criteria) were collected. Comparisons between Hispanics and non-Hispanics were made by Fisher's exact test and nonparametric equality-of-medians test where appropriate. Outcomes were compared via log-rank testing and Kaplan-Meier estimates for 2 year PFS and overall survival (OS). Univariate cox proportional hazard model for survival was used to examine the association of demographic and MM variables with mortality risk after first line therapy. Results: 117 MM patients were included with 42 high risk patients identified (11 Hispanic, 31 non-Hispanic). Median age at diagnosis of Hispanics vs non-Hispanics was 61.7 vs 66.5 years (p=0.046). Hispanic vs non-Hispanic median income was $49734.50 vs $62588.90 (p=0.003). Insurance status differed significantly with more Hispanics having Medi-Cal and non-Hispanics having private/Medicare (p=0.001). 13 non-Hispanics had 17p del vs 0 Hispanics (p=0.001). Hispanics and non-Hispanics did not have significantly different responses to first line therapy per IMWG criteria (p=0.535). Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients experienced similar 2 year PFS and OS (PFS: 63% vs. 60%, p=0.744; OS: 94% vs 85%, p=0.145). 14 Hispanics and 20 non-Hispanics underwent autologous stem cell transplant. No significant difference in 2 year PFS was seen in transplanted Hispanics vs transplanted non-Hispanics (p=0.228) and transplanted Hispanics vs non-transplant Hispanics (p=0.297). High risk transplanted Hispanics showed significantly worse 2 year PFS vs standard risk transplanted Hispanics (25% vs 80%, p=0.009). Transplanted Hispanics differed from non-transplant Hispanics by median age (55.5 vs 67, p=0.05) and income ($56510.00 vs $42418.00, p=0.01). Conclusions: Hispanic MM patients were younger at diagnosis, earned a lower median income, and had more Medicaid coverage compared to non-Hispanics. These differences did not translate to a difference in first line therapy, treatment response, or survival. Transplanted Hispanics were younger and had higher income than non-transplant Hispanics, suggesting that socioeconomic factors may play a role in transplant eligibility. Undergoing transplant, however, did not show a significant PFS benefit compared to Hispanics and non-Hispanics who did not undergo transplant. High risk Hispanics still had inferior PFS compared to standard risk Hispanics after transplant. Additional studies and longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings. If validated, they could potentially influence treatment decisions for Hispanic MM patients. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Immunogenicity of Covid-19 Vaccine Among Multiple Myeloma Patients Post Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

Background: mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have proven to be safe and effective and have been widely administered. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disease of plasma cells and is known to weaken the host immunity leading to ineffective vaccine response there by increasing the risk of contracting severe disease. Anti-MM therapy can further suppress the immune system and consequently worsen vaccine response. Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is the standard of care for fit MM patients and leads to prolonged immunosuppression. The effect of ASCT on vaccine response has not been well studied. In an effort to elucidate optimal timing and number of vaccines post ASCT we investigated the seroconversion rate among MM patients who received at least one vaccination post ASCT Methods: We conducted a single center retrospective analysis in patients at the University of Arkansas Medical Center (UAMS) who underwent ASCT for MM and subsequently received at least one dose of either available mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna). Antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein were checked at various timelines post vaccination. Testing was performed using Roche Elecsys Anti SARS CoV-2 reagent assay from Roche diagnostics. We categorized the patients into two groups: complete responders with titers levels more than 250 U/ml and partial responders/non-responders with titers levels less than 250 U/ml. Covariates used were age, sex, race, MM isotypes, vaccine count, time from last transplant to first dose of vaccine and maintenance therapy post ASCT. Welch's t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used for continuous variables, while Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables. Results: A total of 64 patients were analyzed. The mean age was 62.5 years (Range:35-81), with 39.1% (25/69) being female. The most common isotype was IgG and the most common free light chain was kappa, comprising 73.1% (38/53) and 68.8% (44/64) respectively. All patients initiated maintenance after ASCT consisting of daratumumab (30/64, 47.6%), proteosome inhibitors (47/64, 74.6%), immunomodulators (50/64, 78.7%) and steroids (58/64, 92.1%). The first vaccine dose was given at a minimum of 70 days after ASCT and for vaccinations that were given during the maintenance period, treatments were held one week prior and after each vaccine dose. The median follow up duration in days from 1st transplant to last follow-up was [Median, Inter quartile range (IQR)]: 152.0 (68.8, 254.3). At time point of data collection 25/64 (39.1%) had received at least 3 vaccines prior to titer assessment. Of those, 18/25 (72%) were complete responders compared to 7/25 (18%) partial/non-responders, p=0.02. In total, we observed 53.1% of subjects in the entire cohort mounted a complete response (>250 U/ml). Within the complete responders, there were significantly more patients who had received at least 3 vaccines post ASCT having higher chances of a complete response compared to those who received less vaccines, regardless of how many vaccines were given prior to ASCT, 76.5% vs 23.5%, p=0.03. There was a trend towards more time from transplant to first vaccine being associated with a complete antibody response (median days of 171 for complete responders vs 128 days for non/partial responders), albeit that was not significant, p=0.3. Factors that adversely impacted antibody response were higher age (>65), p=0.02 and daratumumab containing maintenance, p=0.04. Intriguingly, we observed significantly better antibody response in patients with IgA MM isotype compared to IgG Isotype, p=0.03, albeit the numbers were small for this analysis (IgA n=14/65). No significant difference was noted between complete and partial/non responders in regard to sex, race, light chain type, IVIG administration and other maintenance regimens. At the time point of data collection, a total of three patients developed symptomatic Covid infections, all of which were in the non-responders/partial responders' group; none of them required hospitalization. Conclusion: The administration of at least 3 mRNA Covid vaccines post ASCT leads to significantly improved antibody titers and should be the minimum standard in this patient population. Higher age (>65 years), IgG subtype and daratumumab based maintenance were associated with suboptimal response to Covid vaccine among post ASCT and those MM patients should have high priority to receive additional prophylactic measures.

A Tool to Longitudinally Assess the Secretory Capacity of Myeloma Cells throughout the Course of Disease

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable clonal plasma cell malignancy characterized by the production of monoclonal protein (M-protein). However, MM presents with variable M-protein secretory status. Plasma cells are professional antibody factories that secrete vast amounts of immunoglobulins (Igs) and myeloma cells are exquisitely sensitive to disruption of protein homeostasis. Proteasome inhibitors (PI) target the unfolded protein response by inhibiting degradation of ubiquitinated proteins (and paraproteins), leading to protein accumulation within the endoplasmic reticulum that culminates in cell death. International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria to assess tumor volume rely on the secretory function of MM cells determined by the concentration of the circulating monoclonal protein to infer tumor burden. Hence, changes in M-protein levels may be indicative of therapeutic response or disease progression. PIs can selectively target the most highly secretory MM, while residual cells, the source of relapse, are less secretory. Circulating M-protein levels are a product of the number of MM cells and the amount of M-protein secreted by each individual cell. IMWG criteria assumes that the secretory power of an individual myeloma cell remains constant throughout the course of treatment. However, this assumption has not been tested, due to the inability to accurately measure MM cell numbers. Since Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) allows for direct measurement of tumor cell number, we developed a method to define a "Secretory Power Index” (SPI) as a longitudinal tool to assess tumor burden. Methods: NGS on patient BM samples was checked while disease level was below VGPR throughout the disease course as standard-of-care. Patients with IgA and light chain MM were excluded due to different half-life of circulating M-protein. The ratio between IgG monoclonal proteins in mg/L to number of tumor cells measured by NGS was defined as SPI. The SPEP value 4 weeks before and after NGS was utilized to calculate SPI. If NGS could not count any myeloma cells (negative test) but there was circulating M-protein, the SPI was replaced with highest value was detected among the patient population. If NGS test was positive but there was no circulating protein the SPI was counted as zero. Mann-Kendall's non-parametric statistical test was used to assess the significance of SPI trend over the time. The comparison was performed intra-patient and not inter-patient. Results: 47 patients with >2 MRD assessment were included and 5 patients were excluded due to SPEP unavailability. Median age was 70 years (range 53-78), 25 patients were male (60%), 15 of patients were African-American (36%), and 27 patients were Caucasian (64%). 30 patients were IgG Kappa (71%) and the rest were IgG lambda (Table 1). Median total nucleated cells evaluated was 1.3x106 (range 0.5-3.2x106). Median number of dominant sequence identified was 2 sequences. All patients had first SPI after first line of therapy, 26 (62%) second SPIs were measured after second line of therapy and the rest in later lines. 8 (19%) patients had extramedullary disease with attachment to the bony compartment and none had known visceral disease at diagnosis. Median first SPI was 75 (range 0-1040). Mann-Kendall trend tests showed a statistically significant decrease in SPI over time (S = 2460.0, p < 0.001) which was significant after entering factors, e.g., age, race, light chain type, triple vs. quadruple induction. Conclusions and Limitations: Here, we developed a method to assess secretory power of myeloma cells. The results suggest that the SPI decreases over the time as patients go through different lines of therapy. The spatial heterogeneity of disease in BM may interfere with NGS sampling, however high predictability of long remission based on NGS negative BM highlights the high validity of this method. We will validate this tool in a larger prospective cohorts to demonstrates that IMWG criteria could under-estimate the response measured by global secretory function. This phenomenon is observed in light chain escape when MM progression presents as slight or no increase in monoclonal MM antibody with rapid rise in light chains. Also, non-secretory escape is not uncommon at very late stages of MM. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

MRI data quality assessment for the RIN - Neuroimaging Network using the ACR phantoms

PurposeGenerating big-data is becoming imperative with the advent of machine learning. RIN-Neuroimaging Network addresses this need by developing harmonized protocols for multisite studies to identify quantitative MRI (qMRI) biomarkers for neurological diseases. In this context, image quality control (QC) is essential. Here, we present methods and results of how the RIN performs intra- and inter-site reproducibility of geometrical and image contrast parameters, demonstrating the relevance of such QC practice. MethodsAmerican College of Radiology (ACR) large and small phantoms were selected. Eighteen sites were equipped with a 3T scanner that differed by vendor, hardware/software versions, and receiver coils. The standard ACR protocol was optimized (in-plane voxel, post-processing filters, receiver bandwidth) and repeated monthly. Uniformity, ghosting, geometric accuracy, ellipse’s ratio, slice thickness, and high-contrast detectability tests were performed using an automatic QC script. ResultsMeasures were mostly within the ACR tolerance ranges for both T1- and T2-weighted acquisitions, for all scanners, regardless of vendor, coil, and signal transmission chain type. All measurements showed good reproducibility over time. Uniformity and slice thickness failed at some sites. Scanners that upgraded the signal transmission chain showed a decrease in geometric distortion along the slice encoding direction. Inter-vendor differences were observed in uniformity and geometric measurements along the slice encoding direction (i.e. ellipse’s ratio). ConclusionsUse of the ACR phantoms highlighted issues that triggered interventions to correct performance at some sites and to improve the longitudinal stability of the scanners. This is relevant for establishing precision levels for future multisite studies of qMRI biomarkers.

Wide Band‐Gap Polymer Donors Functionalized with Unconventional Carbamate Side Chains for Polymer Solar Cells

AbstractSide‐chain engineering with heteroatoms is not only effective in tuning frontier molecular orbitals, but also possible for forming secondary bonds which can be utilized to planarize the molecular backbone, hence, improving the photon absorption as well as charge‐transport abilities of polymer solar‐cell (PSC) materials. Herein, two types of unconventional side chains, namely carboxylate and carbamate, containing various heteroatoms are introduced to the thiophene bridges in high performance benzodithiophene (BDT) based donor polymers to from the novel polymers PTzTz‐C and PTzTz‐N, respectively. In these polymers, non‐covalent O⋅⋅⋅S and N⋅⋅⋅H interactions induce a high tendency to aggregation. In a ternary‐blend PSC with PTzTz‐N added to the high‐performance D18 : BTP‐eC9 blend, complimentary absorption and improved thin‐film morphology were observed with a top power conversion efficiency of 18.76 %, which is an improvement of almost 5 % over the D18 : BTP‐eC9 binary blends.

Wide Band-Gap Polymer Donors Functionalized with Unconventional Carbamate Side Chains for Polymer Solar Cells.

Side-chain engineering with heteroatoms is not only effective in tuning frontier molecular orbitals, but also possible for forming secondary bonds which can be utilized to planarize the molecular backbone, hence, improving the photon absorption as well as charge-transport abilities of polymer solar-cell (PSC) materials. Herein, two types of unconventional side chains, namely carboxylate and carbamate, containing various heteroatoms are introduced to the thiophene bridges in high performance benzodithiophene (BDT) based donor polymers to from the novel polymers PTzTz-C and PTzTz-N, respectively. In these polymers, non-covalent O⋅⋅⋅S and N⋅⋅⋅H interactions induce a high tendency to aggregation. In a ternary-blend PSC with PTzTz-N added to the high-performance D18 : BTP-eC9 blend, complimentary absorption and improved thin-film morphology were observed with a top power conversion efficiency of 18.76 %, which is an improvement of almost 5 % over the D18 : BTP-eC9 binary blends.

Surface Degradation of Oil-Immersed Nomex Paper Caused by Partial Discharge of High-Frequency Voltage

The oil-paper insulation of high-frequency (HF) transformers frequently withstands high-frequency over-voltages at frequencies of several kHz and above. This leads to the occurrence of partial discharge (PD), which causes premature insulation failure in HF transformers. In order to investigate the effect of PD under high-frequency stresses on oil-impregnated Nomex paper, this paper analyzes the surface morphology, bond-broken types of the molecular chain, and product types formed for oil paper after PD degradation. Then, the damage mechanism of oil-immersed Nomex paper between high-frequency and AC stress is explored. The experimental results show that the branches of creepage do not exist in the oil-paper insulation during the entire discharge process under high-frequency stresses, and that their damage degree is higher than that of AC stress. This is mainly because the benzene ring of oil-impregnated Nomex paper is destroyed and opened caused by high-energy particles, the heating effect in HF discharge, and the bulk effect. These results help to improve the design theory of insulation structures and to develop PD-resistant insulation materials in HF transformers.

Modular total syntheses of trans-clerodanes and sesquiterpene (hydro)quinones via tail-to-head cyclization and reductive coupling strategies

The trans-clerodanes and sesquiterpene (hydro)quinones are a growing class of natural products that exhibit a wide range of biological activities. Although they are different types of natural products, some of them feature the same trans-decalin core structure. Here, we report the total syntheses of two members of trans-clerodanes, five members of sesquiterpene (hydro)quinones as well as the proposed structure of dysidavarone D via a modular synthetic route. A bioinspired tail-to-head cyclization strategy was developed to syntheses of the trans-decalin architectures by using two diastereochemically complementary radical polyene cyclization reactions catalyzed by Ti(III) and mediated by Mn(III), respectively. The different types of side chains were introduced by challenging nickel catalyzed reductive couplings of sterically hindered alkyl halides. The synthesis of the proposed dysidavarone D proved a wrong structural assignment of the natural product.

Peripheral smear reckons the nature of IgM cold agglutinins: A case‐based study asserting the role of thermal amplitude and clonality

Peripheral smear reckons the nature of IgM cold agglutinins: A case‐based study asserting the role of thermal amplitude and clonality

Slow twitch paraspinal muscle dysregulation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis exhibiting HIF-2α misexpression.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) refers to a three-dimensional spinal deformity which has a typical onset during adolescence. In most cases, the cause of the deformity cannot be clearly identified. Unbalanced paraspinal muscle activity in AIS patients was reported and hypoxia was implicated to regulate myogenesis. This study aims to investigate the association between myogenesis/muscle toning and HIF-αs activity in the pathogenesis of AIS. HIF-αs expression was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot in paraspinal myoblasts isolated from 18 subjects who underwent deformity correction surgery. QPCR was conducted to measure the gene expression levels of perinatal muscle fiber markers MYH3, MYH8; slow twitch muscle fiber markers MHY7; fast twitch muscle fiber markers MYH4; and myogenic regulatory factors MYF5 and MYOG. Slow and fast twitch muscle fiber composition in concave/convex paraspinal musculature of AIS subjects was evaluated by immunostaining of myosin heavy chain type I (MyHC I) and myosin heavy chain type II (MyHC II). Reduced HIF-2α induction under hypoxia was found in paraspinal myoblast culture of 33% AIS subjects. We detected a suppression of perinatal and slow twitch muscle fiber associated genes, but not fast twitch muscle fiber-associated genes and myogenic regulatory factors in HIF-2α misexpressed AIS myoblasts. Distinct reduction of slow twitch muscle fiber was evidenced in convex paraspinal musculature, suggesting an asymmetric expression of slow twitch muscle fiber in HIF-2α misexpressed AIS patients. This study indicates an association of abnormal HIF-2α expression in paraspinal myoblasts and a disproportionate slow twitch muscle fiber content in the convexity of the curvature in a subset of AIS subjects, suggesting HIF-2α dysregulation as a possible risk factor for AIS. The role of HIF-2α in paraspinal muscle function during spinal growth and its relevance in AIS prognosis warrants further investigation.

Analysis of The Efficiency of Value Chain on Livestock (Case Study: Chicken Meat)

In health, livestock products are a source of animal protein which is important for human health. However, in its development, there is a problem of inefficiency in the value chain of livestock products. This study used a case study on the chicken meat value chain. The research objective was to identify the value chain flow of chicken meat, identify the types of inefficient activities, and measure the level of inefficiency of each of these activities. The research method used is Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA). The research was conducted in two stages. The first stage is carried out through observation to identify value chain flows and types of inefficient activities. The second stage is used to conduct an assessment so that the results of the inefficiency level are obtained. The results showed that there were several actors in the chicken meat value chain, including breeders, chicken distributors, chicken slaughter companies, chicken meat distributors, and chicken meat retailers. Overall, there are 25 inefficient activities in the chicken meat value chain. Activities with a high level of inefficiency occur in the process of slaughtering chickens. Therefore, the process of slaughtering chickens needs to be a priority for improvement in the future

Mathematical Prediction of Excavating Force and Power of Chain Type Trenching Machine

Abstract A mathematical analysis was done to find out the factors that affect the excavating force and power of a chain type trenching machine. The mathematical analysis showed that the excavating force and power of the chain type trenching machine are affected by tool cutting speed, tool-cutting angle, angle between cutting movement and vertical direction, trench depth and width, coefficient of friction between soil and metal, soil cohesion resistance, and soil specific weight. The results of field experiments showed that the theoretical excavating force (F tt ) was lower than the actual excavating force by 4.0 kN and 3.5 kN for the 1.2 m and 1.5 m trench depth, respectively. The theoretical excavating power (P r ) was lower than the actual excavating power by 3.8% and 2.8% at a trench depth of 1.2 m and 1.5 m, respectively.

Layered Organic Conductors Based on BEDT-TTF and Ho, Dy, Tb Chlorides

Molecular semiconductors with lanthanide ions have been synthesized based on BEDT-TTF and lanthanide chlorides: (BEDT-TTF)2[HoCl2(H2O)6]Cl2(H2O)2 (1, which contains a 4f holmium cation), and (BEDT-TTF)2LnCl4(H2O)n (Ln = Dy, Tb, Ho (2–4), which contain 4f anions of lanthanides). Conductivity and EPR measurements have been carried out along with the SQUID magnetometry, and the crystal structure has been established for 1. The structure of 1 is characterized by an alternation of organic radical cation layers composed of BEDT-TTF chains and inorganic layers consisting of chains of the [HoCl2(H2O)6]+ cations interlinked by chlorine anions and crystallization water molecules. The magnetic susceptibility of 1–3 determined mainly by lanthanide ions follows the Curie–Weiss law with the Weiss temperatures of −3, −3, −2 K for 1–3, respectively, indicating weak antiferromagnetic coupling between paramagnetic lanthanide ions. The signals attributed to the BEDT-TTF+· radical cations only are observed in the EPR spectra of 1–3, which makes it possible to study their magnetic behavior. There are two types of chains in the organic layers of 1: the chains composed of neutral molecules and those formed by BEDT-TTF+· radical cations. As a result, uniform 1D antiferromagnetic coupling of spins is observed in the BEDT-TTF+· chains with estimated exchange interaction J = −10 K. The study of dynamic magnetic properties of 1–3 shows that these compounds are not SMMs.

Information sharing in an MTO supply chain with upstream adjustments

We study a make-to-order (MTO) supply chain that includes a manufacturer and its supplier, both of which are MTO firms. Once a manufacturer receives an order from a customer, the manufacturer orders needed parts from its supplier. The supplier can adjust its delivery of parts in terms of locations, batches, schedule, etc., to address the manufacturer’s delivery preference. Information sharing is required for the supplier to make a delivery adjustment. We model the problem as a multi-stage game between the supplier and the manufacturer to analyze their incentives to share information. We abstract the information to be shared as the supplier’s production load (downstream information sharing) and the manufacturer’s ideal delivery plan (upstream information sharing). We find that the supplier shares information if its production load is distributed over higher values. The manufacturer shares information if the supplier’s production load is low enough or if the distribution of production loads is less than a threshold – depending on whether the supplier shares information. We also show that the supplier can design a price ceiling mechanism to motivate upstream information sharing, and that a price ceiling increases the supply chain’s profit and yields equivalent customer welfare. Finally, we show how an outside option can provide a naturally formed price ceiling. Our results find the root cause why information sharing in a MTO supply chain is sometimes easy to achieve, and sometimes difficult. The insights from this research can be easily applied in other types of supply chains with similar structures.

Effect of Distigmasterol-Modified Acylglycerols on the Fluidity and Phase Transition of Lipid Model Membranes.

Plant sterols are known for their health-promoting effects, lowering blood cholesterol levels and alleviating cardiovascular disease. In this work, we continue our research on the asymmetric acylglycerols in which fatty acid residues are replaced by two stigmasterol residues in sn-1 and sn-2 or sn-2 and sn-3 positions as new thermostable carriers of phytosterols for their potential application in foods or as components of new liposomes in the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of this manuscript was to compare and analyze the effects of four distigmasterol-modified acylglycerols (dStigMAs) on the fluidity and the main phase transition temperature of the model phospholipid membrane. Their properties were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), steady-state fluorimetry and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The determination of the effect of the tested compounds on the mentioned physicochemical parameters of the model membranes will allow for the determination of their properties and stability, which is essential for their practical application. The results indicated that all compounds effect on the physicochemical properties of the model membrane. The degree of these changes depends on the structure of the compound, especially the type of linker by which stigmasterol is attached to the glycerol backbone, as well as on the type of hydrocarbon chain.

Synthesis and Structure-Property Relationship of Amphiphilic Poly(2-ethyl-co-2-(alkyl/aryl)-2-oxazoline) Copolymers.

Poly(2-oxazoline)s (POZs) are widely investigated for their applications in various fields due to their unique properties. To exploit and combine different characteristics of the POZ family, 2-oxazoline monomers can be copolymerized to prepare tailor-made copolymers with the desired glass transition temperature (T g), melting temperature (T m), amphiphilicity, and functionality. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of 2-oxazoline monomers and a range of POZ copolymers produced, thereof. 2-Propyl-2-oxazoline (PrOZ) and 2-pentyl-2-oxazoline (PeOZ) monomers were synthesized by two different methods starting from nitriles or carboxylic acids. A number of POZ copolymers were synthesized by copolymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (EOZ) with either one of PrOZ, PeOZ, or 2-phenyl-2-oxazoline (PhOZ) at three different compositions (25:75, 50:50, and 75:25) and three molecular weights (1000, 2000, and 5000 Da). The successful synthesis of the monomers and copolymers was demonstrated through their structural analysis by 1H NMR and FTIR. SEC results confirmed the targeted molar masses of the copolymers and living nature of the polymerization by showing low dispersity values. Thermal properties of the copolymers were studied using DSC and TGA. DSC studies revealed the amorph and random state of the copolymers with obtained T g values for the copolymers in the range of -3 to 84 °C depending on their molecular weight and type of the side chain. While the presence of longer aliphatic side chains resulted in lower T g values, the presence of 2-phenyl substituents on the polymer led to higher T g values. The decomposition temperatures determined by TGA were in the range of 328 to 383 °C depending on the molecular weight, composition, and side chain of the copolymers. It was observed that higher molecular weights led to higher T g values and decomposition temperatures. While copolymers with aliphatic side chains exhibited a single-step decomposition profile, the decomposition of copolymers having aromatic side chains occurred in multiple steps. The variations in the molecular weight, composition, and side chains of the copolymers resulted in a library of tailorable amphiphilic copolymers suitable for multiple applications ranging from biomedical applications to composite manufacturing.

An expanded lexicon for the ubiquitin code.

Our understanding of the ubiquitin code has greatly evolved from conventional E1, E2 and E3 enzymes that modify Lys residues on specific substrates with a single type of ubiquitin chain to more complex processes that regulate and mediate ubiquitylation. In this Review, we discuss recently discovered endogenous mechanisms and unprecedented pathways by which pathogens rewrite the ubiquitin code to promote infection. These processes include unconventional ubiquitin modifications involving ester linkages with proteins, lipids and sugars, or ubiquitylation through a phosphoribosyl bridge involving Arg42 of ubiquitin. We also introduce the enzymatic pathways that write and reverse these modifications, such as the papain-like proteases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, structural studies have revealed that the ultimate functions of ubiquitin are mediated not simply by straightforward recognition by ubiquitin-binding domains. Instead, elaborate multivalent interactions between ubiquitylated targets or ubiquitin chains and their readers (for example, the proteasome, the MLL1 complex or DOT1L) can elicit conformational changes that regulate protein degradation or transcription. The newly discovered mechanisms provide opportunities for innovative therapeutic interventions for diseases such as cancer and infectious diseases.