Lineage A betacoronavirus NS2 proteins and the homologous torovirus Berne pp1a carboxy-terminal domain are phosphodiesterases that antagonize activation of RNase L

Viruses in the family Coronaviridae, within the order Nidovirales, are etiologic agents of a range of human and animal diseases, including both mild and severe respiratory diseases in humans. These viruses encode conserved replicase and structural proteins as well as more diverse accessory proteins, encoded in the 3′ ends of their genomes, that often act as host cell antagonists. We previously showed that 2′,5′-phosphodiesterases (2′,5′-PDEs) encoded by the prototypical Betacoronavirus, mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), and by Middle East respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus antagonize the oligoadenylate-RNase L (OAS-RNase L) pathway. Here we report that additional coronavirus superfamily members, including lineage A betacoronaviruses and toroviruses infecting both humans and animals, encode 2′,5′-PDEs capable of antagonizing RNase L. We used a chimeric MHV system (MHV(Mut)) in which exogenous PDEs were expressed from an MHV backbone lacking the gene for a functional NS2 protein, the endogenous RNase L antagonist. With this system, we found that 2′,5′-PDEs encoded by the human coronavirus HCoV-OC43 (OC43; an agent of the common cold), human enteric coronavirus (HECoV), equine coronavirus (ECoV), and equine torovirus Berne (BEV) are enzymatically active, rescue replication of MHV(Mut) in bone marrow-derived macrophages, and inhibit RNase L-mediated rRNA degradation in these cells. Additionally, PDEs encoded by OC43 and BEV rescue MHV(Mut) replication and restore pathogenesis in wild-type (WT) B6 mice. This finding expands the range of viruses known to encode antagonists of the potent OAS-RNase L antiviral pathway, highlighting its importance in a range of species as well as the selective pressures exerted on viruses to antagonize it. IMPORTANCE Viruses in the family Coronaviridae include important human and animal pathogens, including the recently emerged viruses severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (MERS-CoV). We showed previously that two viruses within the genus Betacoronavirus, mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and MERS-CoV, encode 2′,5′-phosphodiesterases (2′,5′-PDEs) that antagonize the OAS-RNase L pathway, and we report here that these proteins are furthermore conserved among additional coronavirus superfamily members, including lineage A betacoronaviruses and toroviruses, suggesting that they may play critical roles in pathogenesis. As there are no licensed vaccines or effective antivirals against human coronaviruses and few against those infecting animals, identifying viral proteins contributing to virulence can inform therapeutic development. Thus, this work demonstrates that a potent antagonist of host antiviral defenses is encoded by multiple and diverse viruses within the family Coronaviridae, presenting a possible broad-spectrum therapeutic target

Intrinsically disordered proteins access a range of hysteretic phase separation behaviors.

The phase separation behavior of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) is thought of as analogous to that of polymers that undergo equilibrium lower or upper critical solution temperature (LCST and UCST, respectively) phase transition. This view, however, ignores possible nonequilibrium properties of protein assemblies. Here, by studying IDP polymers (IDPPs) composed of repeat motifs that encode LCST or UCST phase behavior, we discovered that IDPs can access a wide spectrum of nonequilibrium, hysteretic phase behaviors. Experimentally and through simulations, we show that hysteresis in IDPPs is tunable and that it emerges through increasingly stable interchain interactions in the insoluble phase. To explore the utility of hysteretic IDPPs, we engineer self-assembling nanostructures with tunable stability. These findings shine light on the rich phase separation behavior of IDPs and illustrate hysteresis as a design parameter to program nonequilibrium phase behavior in self-assembling materials

Beta Amyloid Peptides: Extracellular and Intracellular Mechanisms of Clearance in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and the most common form of dementia, characterized by the overproduction and accumulation of different amyloid-β peptide peptides (Aβ) within different areas in the brain conducting to memory loss and dementia. The Aβ cascade hypothesis of AD was originally proposed by Selkoe in 1991 by the theory that accumulation of Aβ42 is the initial trigger for neurodegeneration. The Aβ cascade hypothesis assumes that changes in the production or accumulation of Aβ are responsible for AD pathology. Different Aβ clearance mechanisms are also affected by AD pathology. Studies from the past years have revealed that the blocking of Aβ production is not effective for reducing the brain Aβ levels. However, the relevance of Aβ clearance in AD, especially in late-onset sporadic AD (LOAD), has been heightened, and the study of the Aβ clearance mechanisms has elucidated new possible therapeutic targets. This chapter summarizes recent data underlying the idea of the reduced Aβ clearance and subsequent Aβ spread in AD. We discuss the Aβ clearance mechanisms altered in AD, and the Aβ clearance through autophagy in more detail, a more recent mechanism proposed, and the new strategies to eliminate Aβ42 inducing autophagy

Efficient and semi-transparent perovskite solar cells using a room-temperature processed MoOx/ITO/Ag/ITO electrode

In order to achieve semi-transparency in perovskite solar cells, the electrode materials must be as transparent as possible. In this work, MoOx/ITO/Ag/ITO (MoOx/IAI) thin films with high average transmittance of 79.90% between 400 nm and 900 nm were introduced as the top transparent electrode to explore its influences on optoelectronic properties of the fabricated perovskite solar cells. MoOx has been demonstrated previously as protection from sputtering damage using a conventional ITO top electrode, however it is shown here to provide protection from a sputtered IAI film that provides superior transparency and conductivity and is deposited using more favourable low temperature processing conditions. MoOx and Ag were thermally evaporated and ITO was radio-frequency magnetron sputtered at room temperature. The resulting semi-transparent solar cells showed power conversion efficiency of 12.85% (steady-state efficiency of 11.3%) along with a much-reduced degradation rate as compared to the reference device with only a Ag top electrode. With such a combination of performance and transparency, this work shows great promise in application of perovskite solar cells into window glazing products for building integrated photovoltaic applications (BIPV), powering internet of things (IoT) and combining into tandem solar cells with industrially mature photovoltaic technologies such as silicon and copper indium gallium di-selenide (CIGS)

Electrodeposited lead dioxide coatings

Lead dioxide coatings on inert substrates such as titanium and carbon now offer new opportunities for a material known for 150 years. It is now recognised that electrodeposition allows the preparation of stable coatings with different phase structures and a wide range of surface morphologies. In addition, substantial modification to the physical properties and catalytic activities of the coatings are possible through doping and the fabrication of nanostructured deposits or composites. In addition to applications as a cheap anode material in electrochemical technology, lead dioxide coatings provide unique possibilities for probing the dependence of catalytic activity on layer composition and structure (critical review, 256 references)

Effects of temperature on thick branes and the fermion (quasi-)localization

Following Campos's work [Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 141602 (2002)], we investigate the effects of temperature on flat, de Sitter (dS), and anti-de Following Campos's work [Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{88}, 141602 (2002)], we investigate the effects of temperature on flat, de Sitter (dS), and anti-de Sitter (AdS) thick branes in five-dimensional (5D) warped spacetime, and on the fermion (quasi-)localization. First, in the case of flat brane, when the critical temperature reaches, the solution of the background scalar field and the warp factor is not unique. So the thickness of the flat thick brane is uncertain at the critical value of the temperature parameter, which is found to be lower than the one in flat 5D spacetime. The mass spectra of the fermion Kaluza-Klein (KK) modes are continuous, and there is a series of fermion resonances. The number and lifetime of the resonances are finite and increase with the temperature parameter, but the mass of the resonances decreases with the temperature parameter. Second, in the case of dS brane, we do not find such a critical value of the temperature parameter. The mass spectra of the fermion KK modes are also continuous, and there is a series of fermion resonances. The effects of temperature on resonance number, lifetime, and mass are the same with the case of flat brane. Last, in the case of AdS brane, {the critical value of the temperature parameter can less or greater than the one in the flat 5D spacetime.} The spectra of fermion KK modes are discrete, and the mass of fermion KK modes does not decrease monotonically with increasing temperature parameter.Comment: 24 pages, 15 figures, published versio

A comparative study on the effect of different reactive compatibilizers on injection-molded pieces of bio-based high-density polyethylene/polylactide blends

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Quiles-Carrillo, L., Montanes, N., Jorda-Vilaplana, A., Balart, R. and Torres-Giner, S. (2019), A comparative study on the effect of different reactive compatibilizers on injection-molded pieces of bio-based high-density polyethylene/polylactide blends. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 136, 47396, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/APP.47396. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.[EN] The present study reports on the development of binary blends consisting of bio-based high-density polyethylene (bio-HDPE) with polylactide (PLA), in the 5¿20 wt % range, prepared by melt compounding and then shaped into pieces by injection molding. In order to enhance the miscibility between the green polyolefin and the biopolyester, different reactive compatibilizers were added during the melt-blending process, namely polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA), poly(ethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (PE-co-GMA), maleinized linseed oil (MLO), and a combination of MLO with dicumyl peroxide (DCP). Among the tested compatibilizers, the dual addition of MLO and DCP provided the binary blend pieces with the most balanced mechanical performance in terms of rigidity and impact strength as well as the highest thermal stability. The fracture surface of the binary blend piece processed with MLO and DCP revealed the formation of a continuous structure in which the dispersed PLA phase was nearly no discerned in the bio-HDPE matrix. The resultant miscibility improvement was ascribed to both the high solubility and plasticizing effect of MLO on the PLA phase as well as the crosslinking effect of DCP on both biopolymers. The latter effect was particularly related to the formation of macroradicals of each biopolymer that, thereafter, led to the in situ formation of bio HDPE-co-PLA copolymers and also to the development of a partially crosslinked network in the binary blend. As a result, cost-effective and fully bio-based polymer pieces with improved mechanical strength, high toughness, and enhanced thermal resistance were obtained.This research was funded by the EU H2020 project YPACK (reference number 773872) and by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (MICIU, project numbers MAT2017-84909-C2-2-R and AGL2015-63855-C2-1-R). Quiles-Carrillo and Torres-Giner are recipients of a FPU grant (FPU15/03812) from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports (MECD) and a Juan de la Cierva contract (IJCI-2016-29675) from the MICIU, respectively.Quiles-Carrillo, L.; Montanes, N.; Jorda-Vilaplana, A.; Balart, R.; Torres-Giner, S. (2019). A comparative study on the effect of different reactive compatibilizers on injection-molded pieces of bio-based high-density polyethylene/polylactide blends. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 136(16). https://doi.org/10.1002/APP.47396S13616Tahir, N., Bhatti, H. N., Iqbal, M., & Noreen, S. (2017). Biopolymers composites with peanut hull waste biomass and application for Crystal Violet adsorption. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 94, 210-220. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.10.013Imre, B., & Pukánszky, B. (2013). Compatibilization in bio-based and biodegradable polymer blends. European Polymer Journal, 49(6), 1215-1233. doi:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2013.01.019Quiles-Carrillo, L., Montanes, N., Lagaron, J. M., Balart, R., & Torres-Giner, S. (2018). On the use of acrylated epoxidized soybean oil as a reactive compatibilizer in injection-molded compostable pieces consisting of polylactide filled with orange peel flour. Polymer International, 67(10), 1341-1351. doi:10.1002/pi.5588Quiles-Carrillo, L., Blanes-Martínez, M. M., Montanes, N., Fenollar, O., Torres-Giner, S., & Balart, R. (2018). Reactive toughening of injection-molded polylactide pieces using maleinized hemp seed oil. European Polymer Journal, 98, 402-410. doi:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2017.11.039Yu, L., Dean, K., & Li, L. (2006). Polymer blends and composites from renewable resources. Progress in Polymer Science, 31(6), 576-602. doi:10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2006.03.002Quiles-Carrillo, L., Montanes, N., Pineiro, F., Jorda-Vilaplana, A., & Torres-Giner, S. (2018). Ductility and Toughness Improvement of Injection-Molded Compostable Pieces of Polylactide by Melt Blending with Poly(ε-caprolactone) and Thermoplastic Starch. Materials, 11(11), 2138. doi:10.3390/ma11112138Kumar, S., Panda, A. K., & Singh, R. K. (2011). A review on tertiary recycling of high-density polyethylene to fuel. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 55(11), 893-910. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2011.05.005Biresaw, G., & Carriere, C. J. (2002). Interfacial tension of poly(lactic acid)/polystyrene blends. Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, 40(19), 2248-2258. doi:10.1002/polb.10290Li, N., Li, Y., & Liu, S. (2016). Rapid prototyping of continuous carbon fiber reinforced polylactic acid composites by 3D printing. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 238, 218-225. doi:10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2016.07.025Lasprilla, A. J. R., Martinez, G. A. R., Lunelli, B. H., Jardini, A. L., & Filho, R. M. (2012). Poly-lactic acid synthesis for application in biomedical devices — A review. Biotechnology Advances, 30(1), 321-328. doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2011.06.019Da Silva, D., Kaduri, M., Poley, M., Adir, O., Krinsky, N., Shainsky-Roitman, J., & Schroeder, A. (2018). Biocompatibility, biodegradation and excretion of polylactic acid (PLA) in medical implants and theranostic systems. Chemical Engineering Journal, 340, 9-14. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2018.01.010Oksman, K., Skrifvars, M., & Selin, J.-F. (2003). Natural fibres as reinforcement in polylactic acid (PLA) composites. Composites Science and Technology, 63(9), 1317-1324. doi:10.1016/s0266-3538(03)00103-9Auras, R., Harte, B., & Selke, S. (2004). An Overview of Polylactides as Packaging Materials. Macromolecular Bioscience, 4(9), 835-864. doi:10.1002/mabi.200400043Agrawal, A., Saran, A. D., Rath, S. S., & Khanna, A. (2004). Constrained nonlinear optimization for solubility parameters of poly(lactic acid) and poly(glycolic acid)—validation and comparison. Polymer, 45(25), 8603-8612. doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2004.10.022Camacho, J., Díez, E., Díaz, I., & Ovejero, G. (2017). Hansen solubility parameter: from polyethylene and poly(vinyl acetate) homopolymers to ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. Polymer International, 66(7), 1013-1020. doi:10.1002/pi.5351Ferri, J. M., Samper, M. D., García-Sanoguera, D., Reig, M. J., Fenollar, O., & Balart, R. (2016). Plasticizing effect of biobased epoxidized fatty acid esters on mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid). Journal of Materials Science, 51(11), 5356-5366. doi:10.1007/s10853-016-9838-2Ying-Chen, Z., Hong-Yan, W., & Yi-Ping, Q. (2010). Morphology and properties of hybrid composites based on polypropylene/polylactic acid blend and bamboo fiber. Bioresource Technology, 101(20), 7944-7950. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2010.05.007Garcia, D., Balart, R., Sánchez, L., & López, J. (2007). Compatibility of recycled PVC/ABS blends. Effect of previous degradation. Polymer Engineering & Science, 47(6), 789-796. doi:10.1002/pen.20755Afshari, M., Kotek, R., Haghighat Kish, M., Nazock Dast, H., & Gupta, B. S. (2002). Effect of blend ratio on bulk properties and matrix–fibril morphology of polypropylene/nylon 6 polyblend fibers. Polymer, 43(4), 1331-1341. doi:10.1016/s0032-3861(01)00689-9Palabiyik, M., & Bahadur, S. (2000). Mechanical and tribological properties of polyamide 6 and high density polyethylene polyblends with and without compatibilizer. Wear, 246(1-2), 149-158. doi:10.1016/s0043-1648(00)00501-9Macosko, C. W., Guégan, P., Khandpur, A. K., Nakayama, A., Marechal, P., & Inoue, T. (1996). Compatibilizers for Melt Blending:  Premade Block Copolymers†. Macromolecules, 29(17), 5590-5598. doi:10.1021/ma9602482Wang, Y., & Hillmyer, M. A. (2001). Polyethylene-poly(L-lactide) diblock copolymers: Synthesis and compatibilization of poly(L-lactide)/polyethylene blends. Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry, 39(16), 2755-2766. doi:10.1002/pola.1254Nehra, R., Maiti, S. N., & Jacob, J. (2017). Poly(lactic acid)/(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene)-g-maleic anhydride copolymer/sepiolite nanocomposites: Investigation of thermo-mechanical and morphological properties. Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 29(1), 234-243. doi:10.1002/pat.4108Aróstegui, A., & Nazábal, J. (2003). Supertoughness and critical interparticle distance dependence in poly(butylene terephthalate) and poly(ethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate) blends. Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, 41(19), 2236-2247. doi:10.1002/polb.10582Li, Z., Tan, B. H., Lin, T., & He, C. (2016). Recent advances in stereocomplexation of enantiomeric PLA-based copolymers and applications. Progress in Polymer Science, 62, 22-72. doi:10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2016.05.003Torres-Giner, S., Montanes, N., Boronat, T., Quiles-Carrillo, L., & Balart, R. (2016). Melt grafting of sepiolite nanoclay onto poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) by reactive extrusion with multi-functional epoxy-based styrene-acrylic oligomer. European Polymer Journal, 84, 693-707. doi:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2016.09.057Zeng, J.-B., Li, K.-A., & Du, A.-K. (2015). Compatibilization strategies in poly(lactic acid)-based blends. RSC Advances, 5(41), 32546-32565. doi:10.1039/c5ra01655jCarbonell-Verdu, A., Samper, M. D., Garcia-Garcia, D., Sanchez-Nacher, L., & Balart, R. (2017). Plasticization effect of epoxidized cottonseed oil (ECSO) on poly(lactic acid). Industrial Crops and Products, 104, 278-286. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.04.050Garcia-Campo, M., Quiles-Carrillo, L., Masia, J., Reig-Pérez, M., Montanes, N., & Balart, R. (2017). Environmentally Friendly Compatibilizers from Soybean Oil for Ternary Blends of Poly(lactic acid)-PLA, Poly(ε-caprolactone)-PCL and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-PHB. Materials, 10(11), 1339. doi:10.3390/ma10111339Ferri, J. M., Garcia-Garcia, D., Sánchez-Nacher, L., Fenollar, O., & Balart, R. (2016). The effect of maleinized linseed oil (MLO) on mechanical performance of poly(lactic acid)-thermoplastic starch (PLA-TPS) blends. Carbohydrate Polymers, 147, 60-68. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.03.082Ferri, J. M., Garcia-Garcia, D., Montanes, N., Fenollar, O., & Balart, R. (2017). The effect of maleinized linseed oil as biobased plasticizer in poly(lactic acid)-based formulations. Polymer International, 66(6), 882-891. doi:10.1002/pi.5329Chen, G., Li, S., Jiao, F., & Yuan, Q. (2007). Catalytic dehydration of bioethanol to ethylene over TiO2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts in microchannel reactors. Catalysis Today, 125(1-2), 111-119. doi:10.1016/j.cattod.2007.01.071Babu, R. P., O’Connor, K., & Seeram, R. (2013). Current progress on bio-based polymers and their future trends. Progress in Biomaterials, 2(1), 8. doi:10.1186/2194-0517-2-8Abdolrasouli, M. H., Sadeghi, G. M. M., Nazockdast, H., & Babaei, A. (2014). Polylactide/Polyethylene/Organoclay Blend Nanocomposites: Structure, Mechanical and Thermal Properties. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 53(13), 1417-1424. doi:10.1080/03602559.2014.909477Abdolrasouli, M. H., Nazockdast, H., Sadeghi, G. M. M., & Kaschta, J. (2014). Morphology development, melt linear viscoelastic properties and crystallinity of polylactide/polyethylene/organoclay blend nanocomposites. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 132(3), n/a-n/a. doi:10.1002/app.41300Madhu, G., Bhunia, H., Bajpai, P. K., & Chaudhary, V. (2014). Mechanical and morphological properties of high density polyethylene and polylactide blends. Journal of Polymer Engineering, 34(9), 813-821. doi:10.1515/polyeng-2013-0174Bétron, C., Cassagnau, P., & Bounor-Legaré, V. (2018). EPDM crosslinking from bio-based vegetable oil and Diels–Alder reactions. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 211, 361-374. doi:10.1016/j.matchemphys.2018.02.038Haque, M. M.-U., Herrera, N., Geng, S., & Oksman, K. (2017). Melt compounded nanocomposites with semi-interpenetrated network structure based on natural rubber, polyethylene, and carrot nanofibers. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 135(10), 45961. doi:10.1002/app.45961Pourshooshtar, R., Ahmadi, Z., & Taromi, F. A. (2018). Formation of 3D networks in polylactic acid by adjusting the cross-linking agent content with respect to processing variables: a simple approach. Iranian Polymer Journal, 27(5), 329-337. doi:10.1007/s13726-018-0613-xZhou, L., He, H., Li, M., Huang, S., Mei, C., & Wu, Q. (2018). Enhancing mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) through its in-situ crosslinking with maleic anhydride-modified cellulose nanocrystals from cottonseed hulls. Industrial Crops and Products, 112, 449-459. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.12.044Yang, S., Wu, Z.-H., Yang, W., & Yang, M.-B. (2008). Thermal and mechanical properties of chemical crosslinked polylactide (PLA). Polymer Testing, 27(8), 957-963. doi:10.1016/j.polymertesting.2008.08.009Garcia-Garcia, D., Rayón, E., Carbonell-Verdu, A., Lopez-Martinez, J., & Balart, R. (2017). Improvement of the compatibility between poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(ε-caprolactone) by reactive extrusion with dicumyl peroxide. European Polymer Journal, 86, 41-57. doi:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2016.11.018Ma, P., Hristova-Bogaerds, D. G., Lemstra, P. J., Zhang, Y., & Wang, S. (2011). Toughening of PHBV/PBS and PHB/PBS Blends via In situ Compatibilization Using Dicumyl Peroxide as a Free-Radical Grafting Initiator. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 297(5), 402-410. doi:10.1002/mame.201100224Utracki, L. A. (2002). Compatibilization of Polymer Blends. The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 80(6), 1008-1016. doi:10.1002/cjce.5450800601Wang, Q., Qi, R., Shen, Y., Liu, Q., & Zhou, C. (2007). Effect of high-density polyethylene-g-maleic anhydride on the morphology and properties of (high-density polyethylene)/(ethylene-vinyl alcohol) copolymer alloys. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 106(5), 3220-3226. doi:10.1002/app.26097Quiroz-Castillo, J. M., Rodríguez-Félix, D. E., Grijalva-Monteverde, H., del Castillo-Castro, T., Plascencia-Jatomea, M., Rodríguez-Félix, F., & Herrera-Franco, P. J. (2014). Preparation of extruded polyethylene/chitosan blends compatibilized with polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride. Carbohydrate Polymers, 101, 1094-1100. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.10.052Ma, P., Cai, X., Zhang, Y., Wang, S., Dong, W., Chen, M., & Lemstra, P. J. (2014). In-situ compatibilization of poly(lactic acid) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blends by using dicumyl peroxide as a free-radical initiator. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 102, 145-151. doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2014.01.025Yoo, T. W., Yoon, H. G., Choi, S. J., Kim, M. S., Kim, Y. H., & Kim, W. N. (2010). Effects of compatibilizers on the mechanical properties and interfacial tension of polypropylene and poly(lactic acid) blends. Macromolecular Research, 18(6), 583-588. doi:10.1007/s13233-010-0613-yMontanes, N., Garcia-Sanoguera, D., Segui, V. J., Fenollar, O., & Boronat, T. (2017). Processing and Characterization of Environmentally Friendly Composites from Biobased Polyethylene and Natural Fillers from Thyme Herbs. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 26(3), 1218-1230. doi:10.1007/s10924-017-1025-2Huang, Y., Zhang, C., Pan, Y., Wang, W., Jiang, L., & Dan, Y. (2012). Study on the Effect of Dicumyl Peroxide on Structure and Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Natural Rubber Blend. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 21(2), 375-387. doi:10.1007/s10924-012-0544-0Wang, N., Yu, J., & Ma, X. (2007). Preparation and characterization of thermoplastic starch/PLA blends by one-step reactive extrusion. Polymer International, 56(11), 1440-1447. doi:10.1002/pi.230

Amygdala and regional volumes in treatment-resistant versus nontreatment-resistant depression patients

Funded by •Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) and the French Health Ministry. Grant Number: PHRC/AOM-98099 •French Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM). Grant Number: INSERM-PROGRES A99013LSPeer reviewedPostprin

Synthesis and characterization of new Ti–Bi2O3 anode and its use for reactive dye degradation

This paper reports the synthesis, characterization and application of a Ti–Bi2O3 anode for the electrochemical decolorization of the textile dye Reactive Red 2. The anode was synthesized by electrodeposition on a Ti substrate immersed in an acidic bismuth (III) solution at constant potential, followed by calcination in air at 600 °C. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the electrodeposited material was predominantly metallic bismuth, which was oxidized to pure α-Bi2O3 during the calcination in air. SEM micrographs revealed that the Bi2O3 coat at the anode surface was inhomogeneous and porous. Reactive Red 2 was completely electrochemically decolorized at the synthesized anode in the presence of H2O2. The applied current density, H2O2 and Na2SO4 concentration, medium pH and initial dye concentration affected the dye decolorization rate. The optimal process parameters were found to be as follows: an applied current density of 40 mA cm−2 using a mixture of 10 mmol dm−3 H2O2 and 10 mmol dm−3 Na2SO4 at pH 7. The dye decolorization rate was shown to decrease as its initial concentration increased. The decolorization reactions were found to follow pseudo-first order kinetics