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Epigenetic influence plays a role in the association between exposure to air pollution and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, research regarding sulfur dioxide (SO2) is scarce. Herein, we investigate the associations between prenatal SO2 exposure and ADHD rating scale (ARS) at ages 4, 6 and 8 years repeatedly in a mother–child cohort (n = 329). Whole blood samples were obtained at ages 2 and 6 years, and genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) was analyzed for 51 children using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation BeadChip. We analyzed the associations between prenatal SO2 exposure and DNAm levels at ages 2 and 6, and further investigated the association between the DNAm and ARS at ages 4, 6 and 8. Prenatal SO2 exposure was associated with ADHD symptoms. From candidate gene analysis, DNAm levels at the 6 CpGs at age 2 were associated with prenatal SO2 exposure levels. Of the 6 CpGs, cg07583420 (INS-IGF2) was persistently linked with ARS at ages 4, 6 and 8. Epigenome-wide analysis showed that DNAm at 6733 CpG sites were associated with prenatal SO2 exposure, of which 58 CpGs involved in Notch signalling pathway were further associated with ARS at age 4, 6 and 8 years, persistently. DNAm at age 6 was not associated with prenatal SO2 exposure. Changes in DNAm levels associated with prenatal SO2 exposure during early childhood are associated with increases in ARS in later childhood.

In recent years, porous carbon materials with high specific surface area and porosity have been developed to meet the commercial demands of supercapacitor applications. Carbon aerogels (CAs) with three-dimensional porous networks are promising materials for electrochemical energy storage applications. Physical activation using gaseous reagents provides controllable and eco-friendly processes due to homogeneous gas phase reaction and removal of unnecessary residue, whereas chemical activation produced wastes. In this work, we have prepared porous CAs activated by gaseous carbon dioxide, with efficient collisions between the carbon surface and the activating agent. Prepared CAs display botryoidal shapes resulting from aggregation of spherical carbon particles, whereas activated CAs (ACAs) display hollow space and irregular particles from activation reactions. ACAs have high specific surface areas (2503 m2 g−1) and large total pore volumes (1.604 cm3 g−1), which are key factors for achieving a high electrical double-layer capacitance. The present ACAs achieved a specific gravimetric capacitance of up to 89.1 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1, along with a high capacitance retention of 93.2% after 3000 cycles.

Additional file 2.

Additional file 1: Supplement Table S1. Comparison of characteristics according to the use of bevacizumab. Supplement Table S2. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the risk factors for GI/GU fistula and perforation associated with bevacizumab use. Supplement Table S3. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the risk factors for GI/GU fistula and perforation associated with bevacizumab use after 2014.

In this work, the correlation between the pore characteristics of activated carbon (AC) and the adsorption/desorption characteristics of evaporated fuel was studied. AC was prepared by various physical re-activation methods using coconut-derived commercial AC. Pore characteristics of the re-activated AC were investigated using N2/77 K adsorption isotherms. The structural characteristics of the AC were observed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The butane working capacity was observed according to ASTM D5228. From the results, the specific surface area and total pore volume of the ACs were determined to be 1380–2040 m2/g and 0.60–0.96 cm3/g, respectively. It was also observed that various pore size distributions were found to be dependent on the functions of the activation method and time. A close relationship between butane activity/retentivity and micropore/mesopore volumes was found. In addition, it was inferred that the volume fraction of micropores and sub-mesopores with diameters between 1.5 and 3.0 nm primarily controls butane activity.

Additional file 1: Table S1. Schedule of enrolment, interventions, and assessments. Abbreviation: AMH, anti-Müllerian hormone. *Initial laboratory test includes complete blood count, liver enzyme, BUN, creatinine, electrolyte, etc. After operation, only complete blood count will be measured on every visit. **Ovarian volume is measured by transvaginal or transrectal ultrasonography.

In this study, the conventional Chow model for the tensile modulus of polymer composites containing fully aligned particles is simplified and developed for polymer nanocomposites, taking into account the effects of interphase and particle arrangement. The results obtained from the developed model are compared to the experimental results of several samples containing spherical, layered, and cylindrical nanoparticles. The predictions of the developed model are in good agreement with the experimental data, whereas the calculations of the original model deviate. The moduli of nanocomposites reinforced with spherical nanoparticles depend on the properties of the interphase alone. Additionally, a low volume fraction of the interphase eliminates the effect of matrix Poisson’s ratio on the moduli of nanocomposites containing layered and cylindrical nanofillers. These results demonstrate the important role of the interphase in the mechanical behavior of polymer nanocomposites., В работе предложена упрощенная модель Чоу для определения модуля упругости при растяжении полимерных композитов с полностью упорядоченным расположением частиц, разработанная для описания полимерных нанокомпозитов с учетом влияния межфазного слоя и расположения частиц. Проведено сравнение результатов, полученных на основе упрощенной модели, с экспериментальными данными для ряда образцов, содержащих сферические, слоистые и цилиндрические наночастицы. Полученные данные хорошо согласуются с результатами экспериментов, тогда как результаты расчетов на основе исходной модели Чоу не совпадают с экспериментальными данными. Модули нанокомпозитов, армированных сферическими наночастицами, зависят только от свойств межфазного слоя. В случае малой объемной доли межфазного слоя коэффициент Пуассона матрицы не оказывает влияния на модули нанокомпозитов со слоистыми и цилиндрическими нанонаполнителями. Показано, что межфазный слой играет важную роль в механическом поведении полимерных нанокомпозитов.

This work suggests a modeling method based on micromechanical models such as Pukanszky one to determine the interphase properties in ternary polymer nanocomposites containing two nanofillers. The developed models can calculate the volume fraction, thickness and strength of interphases between nanoparticles and polymer matrix using the experimental data of Young’s modulus and yield strength. The properties of interphases are calculated and discussed for polypropylene/montmorillonite (Mt)/CaCO3 ternary polymer nanocomposites at different nanofiller contents (2, 4 and 6 wt % of Mt and 2, 8, 14 and 20 wt % of CaCO3). The developed models demonstrate that the thickness of interphase differently depends on nanofiller size and volume fractions of nanofiller and interphase. In addition, it is shown that the strength of interphase directly correlates to the interfacial interaction/adhesion between nanoparticles and polymer matrix., В работе предложен метод моделирования на основе микромеханических моделей (типа модели Pukanszky) для определения межфазных свойств в трехкомпонентных полимерных нанокомпозитах с двумя различными нанонаполнителями. Предлагаемые модели позволяют рассчитать объемную долю, толщину и прочность межфазных границ между наночастицами и полимерной матрицей с использованием экспериментальных значений модуля Юнга и предела текучести. Проведен расчет свойств межфазных границ для нанокомпозита полипропилен/монтмориллонит (Mt)/CaCO3 с различным содержанием нанонаполнителя (2, 4, 6 мас. % Mt и 2, 8, 14, 20 мас. % CaCO3). Расчеты показали разную зависимость толщины межфазного слоя от размера нанонаполнителя, а также объемных долей нанонаполнителя и межфазного слоя. Прочность межфазного слоя прямо зависит от межфазного взаимодействия и адгезии между наночастицами и полимерной матрицей.

The quality characteristics of Backsulgi added with red rice flours at different ratios were investigated to apply in the food industry. The moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, ash and amylose contents of the red rice flour samples were 5.3, 9.5, 2.0, 1.1 and 4.7%, respectively. The pasting properties of the non-waxy rice flour mixtures to which red rice flour samples were added were measured by RVA. As the content of red rice flour increased, the values of peak viscosity, final viscosity, breakdown and setback were decreased, while the pasting temperature was not significantly affected. The lightness (L) value of the Backsulgi decreased, but the redness (a) value, moisture content and the degree of gelatinization increased with an increase in the red rice flour samples. The hardness increased, while cohesiveness, springiness and chewiness decreased with the increase in the red rice flour. The overall acceptance of sensory evaluation showed the highest value for 8% red rice (BRWM8). In conclusion, the addition of 8% red rice flours could improve the sensory quality of the Backsulgi as well retrogradations.

Objectives/hypothesisFundamental frequency (F0) and intensity sound pressure level (SPL) of voice are controlled by intrinsic laryngeal muscle (ILM) activation and subglottal pressure (Psub). Their interactions were investigated.MethodsIn an in vivo canine model, the thyroarytenoid (TA), lateral cricoarytenoid/interarytenoid (LCA/IA), and cricothyroid (CT) muscles were independently activated from threshold to maximal contraction by neuromuscular stimulation in various combinations, whereas airflow was increased to phonation onset pressure and beyond. The resultant acoustic output was analyzed for effects of Psub on vibratory stability, F0, and SPL. Muscle activation plots and vocal range profiles by individual ILM activation states were analyzed.ResultsCricothyroid activation increased phonation onset F0, but vibration was less stable in high CT conditions and displayed vibratory mode change. In addition, a decrease in F0 with increased Psub was observed in high CT conditions. Intensity increased with Psub in all conditions, but the slope was greater at high CT, low TA/LCA/IA activations. Lateral cricoarytenoid/interarytenoid activation improved vocal efficiency. To maintain same F0 with increasing SPL (messa di voce), TA activation was decreased and LCA/IA activation was increased. The same F0 and SPL could be achieved with a variety of ILM activation combinations.ConclusionCricothyroid is primarily required for increasing F0, whereas TA can increase or decrease F0 and SPL. Lateral cricoarytenoid/interarytenoid activation likely maintains vocal fold adduction during increased Psub and improves vocal efficiency. This study also demonstrates laryngeal motor equivalence, the ability of the larynx to achieve the same target F0 and SPL with multiple combinations of ILM activation.Level of evidenceN/A. Laryngoscope, 126:1123-1130, 2016.

UV curable cycloaliphatic epoxy functionalized oligosiloxane resin is synthesized by non-hydrolytic sol–gel reaction for application in encapsulation of organic light emitting devices (OLEDs). The physical and chemical properties of polymerized cycloaliphatic epoxy hybrid materials (hybrimers) are easily tunable by controlling the precursors. A single hybrimer coating on a PET film is optically transparent and shows low permeability of up to 0.68 g m−2 day−1 per mil measured by a Ca degradation test. It is found that the permeability is influenced by the siloxane and epoxy network density, and the surface energy of the coating. An optimized hybrimer barrier coated film is applied to the encapsulation of an OLED with the aim of extending life-time.

A study of various animal welfare issues with a closer look at the role of humans; The prevalence of these issues and what factors allow them to continue, Animal welfare has become an increasingly important issue over the last few years. More individuals are concerned with these issues and increased efforts have been made to reduce or eliminate the prevalence of these issues. However, despite recent advances, much of the information regarding animal welfare remains unclear and inaccessible by many individuals. Most animal welfare issues exist today due to increased consumer demands, but it is lack of information on these issues that allow them to continue to exist. An educational course designed to educate undergraduate students on various animal welfare issues can be an excellent starting point towards increased awareness of animal welfare issues which can then lead to a decreased prevalence of these issues.