Polymer Colloids: Current Challenges, Emerging Applications, and New Developments

Polymer colloids are complex materials that have the potential to be used in a vast array of applications. One of the main reasons for their continued growth in commercial use is the water-based emulsion polymerization process through which they are generally synthesized. This technique is not only highly efficient from an industrial point of view but also extremely versatile and permits the large-scale production of colloidal particles with controllable properties. In this perspective, we seek to highlight the central challenges in the synthesis and use of polymer colloids, with respect to both existing and emerging applications. We first address the challenges in the current production and application of polymer colloids, with a particular focus on the transition toward sustainable feedstocks and reduced environmental impact in their primary commercial applications. Later, we highlight the features that allow novel polymer colloids to be designed and applied in emerging application areas. Finally, we present recent approaches that have used the unique colloidal nature in unconventional processing techniques.The authors would like to thank the financial support received from the Basque Government (IT-1525-22), from the Spanish Government (MINECO PID2021-123146OB-I00, MICINN PDC2021-121416-I00, and PID-117628RJ-I00)). This work was partially funded by the Michelin North America, Inc. and currently funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) GOALI grant in partnership with Michelin (CMMI – 1762712). In addition, the Basque Government also financially supported this work (ELKARTEK/bmG22/ref: KK-2022/00008). The Basque Health Department (projects 2022333035, 2022333039, and 2022333031) and the University of the Basque Country (projects COLLAB22/05 and GIU21/033) are also acknowledged for their financial support

Mortality and Advanced Support Requirement for Patients With Cancer With COVID-19 : A Mathematical Dynamic Model for Latin America

PURPOSE: In the midst of a global pandemic, evidence suggests that similar to other severe respiratory viral infections, patients with cancer are at higher risk of becoming infected by COVID-19 and have a poorer prognosis. METHODS: We have modeled the mortality and the intensive care unit (ICU) requirement for the care of patients with cancer infected with COVID-19 in Latin America. A dynamic multistate Markov model was constructed. Transition probabilities were estimated on the basis of published reports for cumulative probability of complications. Basic reproductive number (R0) values were modeled with R using the EpiEstim package. Estimations of days of ICU requirement and absolute mortality were calculated by imputing number of cumulative cases in the Markov model. RESULTS: Estimated median time of ICU requirement was 12.7 days, median time to mortality was 16.3 days after infection, and median time to severe event was 8.1 days. Peak ICU occupancy for patients with cancer was calculated at 16 days after infection. Deterministic sensitivity analysis revealed an interval for mortality between 18.5% and 30.4%. With the actual incidence tendency, Latin America would be expected to lose approximately 111,725 patients with cancer to SARS-CoV-2 (range, 87,116-143,154 patients) by the 60th day since the start of the outbreak. Losses calculated vary between < 1% to 17.6% of all patients with cancer in the region. CONCLUSION: Cancer-related cases and deaths attributable to SARS-CoV-2 will put a great strain on health care systems in Latin America. Early implementation of interventions on the basis of data given by disease modeling could mitigate both infections and deaths among patients with cancer

Dietary glycemic index and glycemic load are positively associated with risk of developing metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly adults

© 2015, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2015, The American Geriatrics Society. Objectives To evaluate how glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) are associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its features in middle-aged and elderly adults at high cardiovascular risk. Design Prospective, longitudinal, population-based cohort. Setting PREvenciõn con DIeta MEDiterránea study. Participants Men and women (N = 6,606) divided into three age groups (<65, 65-74, ≥75). Measurements Energy and nutrient intake was evaluated using a validated 137-item food frequency questionnaire. MetS and its features were defined in accordance with the criteria of the American Heart Association and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Results A positive association was observed between GI and MetS prevalence in the youngest and middle age groups for participants without diabetes mellitus, but no relationship was found for those with diabetes mellitus. During the median follow-up of 4.8 years, higher GI and GL were related to greater risk of MetS in the middle age group, independent of the presence of diabetes mellitus. Changes in dietary GI were associated with risk of developing the high fasting glucose component of the MetS in the oldest age category, and changes in dietary GL were associated with risk of developing abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high blood pressure in the youngest age category. Conclusion Dietary GI and GL have a potential role in the development of MetS and associated clinical features, with particular age-dependent considerations.Funded by: Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares. Grant Number: 06/2007; Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria PI. Grant Number: 07/0473; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. Grant Numbers: AGL-2009–13906-C02, AGL2010–22319-C03; Ministerio de Sanidad-Plan Nacional de Drogas. Grant Number: 2010/087; Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias. Grant Number: PI1002658 Fundación Mapfre 2010 Government of the Basque Country. Grant Number: IT386–10 University of the Basque Country. Grant Number: UFI 11/32 Catalan government Miguel Servet. Grant Number: 06/00100Peer Reviewe

Variability of the air temperature and its comparison with MODIS Land Surface Temperature in the Hurd Peninsula of the Livingston Island, Antarctica, between 2000 and 2016

Ponencia presentada en: XVIII Congreso de la Asociación Española de Teledetección celebrado en Valladolid del 24 al 27 septiembre 2019.[ES]En los ambientes polares, tan vulnerables al cambio climático, el estudio de la temperatura es imprescindible. Por ello, y en el marco del proyecto PERMASNOW, en este trabajo hemos estudiado en detalle la variación de la temperatura del aire (Ta) en la península Hurd de la isla Livingston (Antártida) y hemos tratado de estimarla a partir de los datos de temperatura de la superficie terrestre (LST, por sus siglas en inglés) del sensor MODIS entre los años 2000 y 2016. Utilizamos datos de Ta media diaria obtenidos en seis puntos, tres estaciones meteorológicas de AEMET y tres estaciones del proyecto PERMASNOW: Juan Carlos I (JCI), Glaciar Johnson (GJ), Glaciar Hurd (GH), Incinerador (INC), Reina Sofía (RS) y Collado Ramos (CR), respectivamente. Los datos MODIS LST son los diurnos y nocturnos de los satélites Terra y Aqua. La tendencia en Ta se ha analizado mediante la regresión localmente ponderada (LOESS, por sus siglas en inglés) y la relación Ta -LST con regresiones lineales múltiples. Concluimos que Ta en el área de estudio varía: se observa en la estación JCI, más cercana a la costa, una tendencia al enfriamiento con valores entre –2,3 y –3,0°C década–1. En cambio, las estaciones más alejadas de la costa y de mayor altitud muestran una tendencia al calentamiento (entre +0,2 y +0,8°C década-1). Los mejores modelos de estimación de Ta a partir de LST y variables temporales se obtienen con los datos diurnos de Terra (R2 = 0,5-0,7; RSE = 2°C), exceptuando GJ, donde la variable LST no es significativa. Con la validación cruzada (CV) se aprecian también, excepto en GJ, mejores resultados con los datos diurnos de Terra (R2 CV = 0,5-0,6; RMSECV = 2,5-2,6°C). Finalmente, concluimos que los datos MODIS LST son útiles para estimar tendencias de Ta a largo plazo en el área de estudio.[EN]In polar zones, where satellite data are very useful due to the limited in situ data, it is therefore essential to study the air temperature behaviour. In the framework of the PERMASNOW project we estimated the air temperature (Ta) in the Hurd Peninsula of Livingston Island (Antarctica) from the land surface temperature (LST) data of the MODIS between 2000 and 2016. We worked with Ta data obtained at six stations (3 AEMET meteorological stations and 3 PERMASNOW project stations: Juan Carlos I (JCI), Johnson Glacier (JG), Hurd Glacier (HG), Incinerator (INC), Reina Sofia (RS) and Collado Ramos (CR), respectively. In addition, we analyzed daytime and nighttime LST data from the Terra and Aqua satellites. Locally weighted regression (LOESS) and multiple linear regressions were used for statistical analysis. We conclude that the Ta in the study area varies: a cooling trend with values between –2.3 and –3.0°C decade-1 is observed in JCI, which is closer to the coast. On the other hand, the stations farther from the coast and at higher altitudes show a warming trend (between +0.2 and +0.8°C decade-1). The best Ta models are obtained with Terra daytime data (R2 = 0.5-0.7 and RSE = 2°C), except JG, where the LST variable is not significant. With cross validation (CV), better results are also seen, except in JG, with the daytime Terra data (R2 CV = 0.5-0.6, RMSECV = 2.5-2.6°C). In summary, MODIS LST data are useful for estimating long-term Ta trends in the study area.Esta investigación fue posible gracias a la financiación de la Agencia Estatal de Investigación a través del proyecto PERMASNOW [CTM2014-52021-R], la ayuda de la Universidad de Oviedo al Grupo de Investigación RSApps en 2018 [PAPI-18-GR-2016-0005] y las ayudas obtenidas por A.C.-P. (“Severo Ochoa” del Gobierno del Principado de Asturias [BP17-151] y “Ayuda Predoctoral” de la Universidad de Oviedo)

A phase II study of docetaxel in patients with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

This study was designed to evaluate the activity, safety and tolerance of docetaxel (D) in a selected population with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Twenty-four patients with no prior palliative therapy were enrolled and received D 100 mg m−2 by 1 h of infusion, every 3 weeks. All but two patients had been evaluated for efficacy on lung metastatic sites. No prophylactic administration of anti-emetics or growth factors was given. A pharmacokinetic study was performed in 22 patients. Twenty-one patients were assessable for response and 24 for toxicity. One hundred and four cycles were administered with a median of 4.5 (range 1–9) per patient. The median cumulative dose was 449 mg m−2. Partial responses were achieved in five patients with a median duration of 18.7 weeks (range 13.1–50.3). The overall response rate was 20.8% with a median duration of 11.0 weeks (range 2.4–52.6). The most frequent side-effect was neutropenia (79.2% grade IV) but with a short duration (median 4 days) and no febrile neutropenia. The incidence of moderate/severe fluid retention was 29.2% with one treatment discontinuation. Other toxicities (all grades) were common (skin 75%, asthenia 50%, infection 29.2%, nausea 16.7%, diarrhoea 12.5%, stomatitis 16.7%, vomiting 8.3% and HSR 8.3%). A mean clearance of 19.6 l h−1 m−2 and an area under the curve of 6.00 μg ml−1 h−1 was found in the pharmacokinetic analysis. Docetaxel is active in this selected population with metastatic SCCHN, with a good tolerance. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Steps toward determination of the size and structure of the broad-line region in active galactic nuclei. VI. Variability of NGC 3783 from ground-based data

The Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 3783 was intensely monitored between 1991 December and 1992 August. We present the results from the ground-based observations in the optical and near-IR, which complement the data-set from the IUE, discussed elsewhere. Spectroscopic and photometric data from many observatories were combined in order to obtain well sampled light curves of the continuum and of H-Beta. During the campaign the source varied significantly. The light curves of the optical continuum and of H-Beta are similar to those obtained with the IUE. The near-IR flux did not vary significantly except for an increase at the end of the campaign. The optical continuum and the flux of H-Beta lag the UV continuum by 1 day or less and by 8 days respectively. These results confirm that the continuum variations are simultaneous or have a very small lag across the entire UV-optical range, and that the lines of NGC 3783 respond to ionizing continuum variations with less delay than those of NGC 5548. As in NGC 5548, the lag of H-Beta is greater than those of the high ionization lines.Comment: 34 pages in LaTeX, 7 postscript figures available on request from [email protected] or 37907::stirpe, BAP#10-1993-035-OA

Pemetrexed disodium in recurrent locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

This phase II study determined response rate of patients with locally advanced or metastatic head and neck cancer treated with pemetrexed disodium, a new multitargeted antifolate that inhibits thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyl transferase. 35 patients with local or metastatic relapse of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (31 male, 4 female; median age 53 years) were treated with pemetrexed 500 mg m2 administered as a 10-minute infusion on day 1 of a 21-day cycle. Patients received 1 to 8 cycles of therapy. 9 patients (26.5%) had an objective response, with a median response duration of 5.6 months (range 2.9–20 months). 15 (44.1%) had stable disease, and 8 (23.5%) had progressive disease. 2 patients were not assessable for response. Median overall survival was 6.4 months (range 0.7–28.1 months; 95% CI: 3.9–7.7 months). 24 patients (68.6%) experienced grade 3/4 neutropenia, with febrile neutropenia in 4 (11.4%). Grade 3/4 anaemia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 11 (34.3%) and 6 (17.1%) patients, respectively. The most frequent non-haematological toxicity was grade 3/4 mucositis (17.1%; 6 patients). In conclusion, pemetrexed is active in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Although substantial haematological toxicities were experienced by patients, subsequent studies have shown that these toxicities can be proactively managed by folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

Multiwavelength observations of short time-scale variability in NGC 4151. IV. Analysis of multiwavelength continuum variability

This paper combines data from the three preceding papers in order to analyze the multi-waveband variability and spectral energy distribution of the Seyfert~1 galaxy NGC~4151 during the December 1993 monitoring campaign. The source, which was near its peak historical brightness, showed strong, correlated variability at X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical wavelengths. The strongest variations were seen in medium energy ($\sim$1.5~keV) X-rays, with a normalized variability amplitude (NVA) of 24\%. Weaker (NVA = 6\%) variations (uncorrelated with those at lower energies) were seen at soft $\gamma$-ray energies of $\sim$100~keV. No significant variability was seen in softer (0.1--1~keV) X-ray bands. In the ultraviolet/optical regime, the NVA decreased from 9\% to 1\% as the wavelength increased from 1275~\AA\ to 6900~\AA. These data do not probe extreme ultraviolet (1200~\AA\ to 0.1~keV) or hard X-ray (2--50~keV) variability. The phase differences between variations in different bands were consistent with zero lag, with upper limits of \ls0.15~day between 1275~\AA\ and the other ultraviolet bands, \ls0.3~day between 1275~\AA\ and 1.5~keV, and \ls1~day between 1275~\AA\ and 5125~\AA. These tight limits represent more than an order of magnitude improvement over those determined in previous multi-waveband AGN monitoring campaigns. The ultraviolet fluctuation power spectra showed no evidence for periodicity, but were instead well-fitted with a very steep, red power-law ($a = -2.5$). If photons emitted at a ``primary" waveband are absorbed by nearby material and ``reprocessed" to produce emission at a secondary waveband, causality arguments require that variations in the secondary band follow those in the primary band. The tight interband correlation and limits on the ultraviolet andComment: 35 pages, LaTeX (including aaspp4), including 7 PostScript figures; To appear in the ApJ (October 20, 1996) Vol. 47