Shape- and Morphology-Controlled Sustainable Synthesis of Cu, Co, and In Metal Organic Frameworks with High CO₂ Capture Capacity

We studied the effects of various surfactants on the shape and morphology of three metal organic frameworks (MOFs), i.e., Co-MOF, Cu-MOF, and In-MOF, which were synthesized under microwave irradiation. The as-synthesized materials were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and nitrogen sorption. The effects of microwave irradiation time, temperature, and surfactant template were investigated. The synthetic parameters, including the type of surfactant template and the reaction temperature, played crucial roles in the size, shape, and morphology of the MOF microcrystals. We also evaluated these MOFs as sorbents for capturing CO₂. Of the synthesized materials, Cu-MOF demonstrated the highest CO₂ capture capacity, even at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature

Preparation of 1,2-Oxazetidines from Styrenes and Arylamines via a Peroxide-Mediated [2 + 1 + 1] Cycloaddition Reaction

The first regioselective synthesis of polysubstituted 1,2-oxazetidines, based on the [2 + 1 + 1] radical tandem cycloaddition of styrenes, arylamines, and <i>tert</i>-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), is described. This simple and direct method allows the synthesis of 1,2-oxazetidines with a broad substrate scope from easily accessible materials. TBHP was employed in this conversion not only as the oxidant but also as the source of “O” for the carbonyl group in the products

Risk Factors for Infectious Diseases in Backyard Poultry Farms in the Poyang Lake Area, China

<div><p>Emergence and transmission of infectious diseases have an enormous impact on the poultry industry and present a serious threat to the health of humans and wild birds. Noncommercial poultry operations, such as backyard poultry facilities in China, are potential sources of virus exchange between commercial poultry and wild birds. It is particularly critical in wetland areas where backyard poultry have close contact with commercial poultry and migratory birds, therefore increasing the risk of contracting infectious diseases. To evaluate the transmission risks, a cross-sectional study was undertaken in the Poyang Lake area, China, involving 309 residents in the backyard poultry farms in three counties (Region A, B, and C) of Jiangxi Province. We examined the backyard poultry population, poultry species, presence of poultry deaths from infectious diseases, food sources, and biosecurity practices. Region B ranked highest for biosecurity while region C ranked lowest. The risks of infectious diseases were assessed by adjusted odds ratio based on multivariate logistic regression analysis. Potential risk factors in the three regions of the study site were compared. In Region A, significant factor was contact of poultry with wild birds (OR: 6.573, 95% CI: 2.148–20.115, <i>P</i>=0.001). In Region B, the most significant factor was contact of poultry with neighboring backyard waterfowls (OR: 3.967, 95% CI: 1.555–10.122, <i>P</i>=0.004). In Region C, significant factors were poultry purchase from local live bird markets (OR: 3.740, 95% CI: 1.243–11.255, <i>P</i>=0.019), and contact of poultry with wild birds (OR: 3.379, 95% CI: 1.058–10.791, <i>P</i>=0.040). In summary, backyard poultry was significantly affected by neighboring commercial poultry and close contact with wild birds. The results are expected to improve our understanding of the transmission risks of infectious diseases in a typical backyard poultry environment in rural China, and address the need to improve local farming practices and take preventive measures.</p> </div

Study area around Poyang Lake of Jiangxi Province.

<p>A: Region A with 8.5 million laying ducks, B: Region B with 4 million laying hens, C: Region C without any commercial poultry farms.</p

Contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus between iso- and low-osmolar contrast media: A meta-analysis of full-text prospective, randomized controlled trials

<div><p>Purpose</p><p>This study was conducted to compare iso-osmolar contrast medium, iodixanol, with low-osmolar contrast media (LOCM) for assessing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) incidence, exclusively in the diabetic population.</p><p>Method</p><p>A systematic search was conducted for full-text, prospective, randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The primary outcome was incidence of CIN. Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and other sources were searched until May 31, 2017.</p><p>Results</p><p>Twelve RCTs finally met the search criteria. Iodixanol did not significantly reduce the risk of CIN (risk ratio [RR]: 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): [0.49, 1.04], p = 0.08). However, there was significantly reduced risk of CIN when iodixanol was compared to a LOCM agent iohexol (RR: 0.32, 95% CI [0.12, 0.89]). There were no differences between iodixanol and the other non-iohexol LOCM (RR: 0.92, 95% CI [0.68, 1.25]).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>In diabetic populations, iodixanol is not associated with a significant reduction of CIN risk. Iodixanol is associated with a reduced risk of CIN compared with iohexol, whereas no significant difference between iodixanol and other LOCM could be found.</p></div

Characteristics of trials.

<p>Characteristics of trials.</p

RR of CIN for comparison of iodixanol with LOCM in diabetic patients.

<p>Forest plot of risk ratios (RR) for the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) for comparison of iodixanol with low-osmolar contrast media (LOCM). CIN was defined as an increase of more than 25%, or 0.5 mg/dL (44.2 μmol/L), or either, in serum creatinine level (SCr), respectively. LOCM low-osmolar contrast medium/media; CI confidence interval; M-H Mantel-Haenszel method.</p

RR of CIN for comparison of iodixanol with iohexol or other non-iohexol LOCM.

<p>Funnel plot of studies for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) for comparison of iodixanol with iohexol or other non-iohexol LOCM in diabetic patients.</p

Photovoltaic Small Molecules of TPA(F_<i>x</i>BT-T-Cz)₃: Tuning Open-Circuit Voltage over 1.0 V for Their Organic Solar Cells by Increasing Fluorine Substitution

To simultaneously improve both open-circuit voltage (<i>V</i>_oc) and short-circuit current density (<i>J</i>_sc) for organic solar cells, a novel D­(A-π-Ar)₃ type of photovoltaic small molecules of TPA­(F_<i>x</i>BT-T-3Cz)₃ was designed and synthesized, which contain central triphenylamine (TPA), terminal carbazole (Cz), armed fluorine-substituted benzothiadiazole (F_<i>x</i>BT, where <i>x</i> = 1 or 2), and bridged thiophene (T) units. A narrowed ultraviolet–visible absorption and a decreasing highest occupied molecular orbital energy level were observed from TPA­(F₁BT-T-3Cz)₃ to TPA­(F₂BT-T-3Cz)₃ with increasing fluorine substitution. However, the TPA­(F₂BT-T-3Cz)₃/PC₇₁BM-based solar devices showed a rising <i>V</i>_oc of 1.01 V and an enhanced <i>J</i>_sc of 10.84 mA cm^–2 as well as a comparable power conversion efficiency of 4.81% in comparison to the TPA­(F₁BT-T-3Cz)₃/PC₇₁BM-based devices. Furthermore, in comparison to the parent TPA­(BT-T-3Cz)₃ molecule without fluorine substitution, the fluorine-substituted TPA­(F_<i>x</i>BT-T-3Cz)₃ molecules exhibited significantly incremental <i>V</i>_oc and <i>J</i>_sc values in their bulk heterojunction organic solar cells, owing to fluorine incorporation in the electron-deficient benzothiadiazole unit

Improving Photovoltaic Performance of the Linear A‑Ar-A-type Small Molecules with Diketopyrropyrrole Arms by Tuning the Linkage Position of the Anthracene Core

Two isomeric A-Ar-A-type small molecules of DPP₂An­(9,10) and DPP₂An­(2,6), were synthesized with two acceptor arms of diketopyrropyrroles (DPP) and a planar aryl hydrocarbon core of the different substituted anthracene (An), respectively. Their thermal stability, crystallinity, optoelectronic, and photovoltaic performances were investigated. Significantly red-shifted absorption profile and higher HOMO level were observed for the DPP₂An­(2,6) with 2,6-substituted anthracene relative to the DPP₂An­(9,10) with 9,10-substituted anthracene, as the former exhibited better planarity and a larger conjugate system. As a result, the solution-processing solar cells based on DPP₂An­(2,6) and PC₇₁BM (<i>w/w</i>,1:1) displayed remarkably increased power conversion efficiency of 5.44% and short-circuit current density (<i>J</i>_sc) of 11.90 mA/cm² under 1% 1,8-diiodooctane additive. The PCE and <i>J</i>_sc values were 3.7 and 2.9 times those of the optimized DPP₂An­(9,10)-based cells, respectively. This work demonstrates that changing the linkage position of the anthracene core in the A-Ar-A-type SMs can strongly improve the photovoltaic properties in organic solar cells