Soybean Oil-Based Thermoset Films and Fibers with High Biobased Carbon Content via Thiol–Ene Photopolymerization

While a number of vegetable oil derivatives have been integrated with petroleum-based materials to prepare thermosetting polymers, existing examples usually incorporate low total biorenewable content into the final product. With the goal of generating thermosets with high biorenewable content, two different soybean oil derivatives with multifunctional thiol and acrylate groups were photocured via thiol–acrylate photopolymerization. For this purpose, l-cysteine, a nonhazardous amino acid, was coupled with epoxidized soybean oil to synthesize a mercaptanized soybean oil derivative containing multiple thiol groups. After being mixed with acrylate counterparts suitable for performing thiol–ene photopolymerizations, these monomer mixtures were processed into thermoset films (via monomer mixture film casting followed by photopolymerization) and fibers (via simultaneous electrospinning of the monomer mixture and photopolymerization in flight). The resulting materials possessed high biobased carbon content (BCC; over 90%) and higher elasticity than cross-linked acrylated epoxidized soybean oil without the thiol-containing component. This can be attributed to a change in the cross-link density that is controlled by different photopolymerization mechanisms (e.g., step-growth polymerization vs chain-growth homopolymerization). We anticipate that the approaches outlined in this study could be generalized to other bioderived triglyceride oils for increasing the BCC and imparting biodegradability in a number of materials applications

Modelling Vulnerability and Range Shifts in Ant Communities Responding to Future Global Warming in Temperate Forests

<div><p>Global warming is likely leading to species’ distributional shifts, resulting in changes in local community compositions and diversity patterns. In this study, we applied species distribution models to evaluate the potential impacts of temperature increase on ant communities in Korean temperate forests, by testing hypotheses that 1) the risk of extinction of forest ant species would increase over time, and 2) the changes in species distribution ranges could drive upward movements of ant communities and further alter patterns of species richness. We sampled ant communities at 335 evenly distributed sites across South Korea and modelled the future distribution range for each species using generalized additive models. To account for spatial autocorrelation, autocovariate regressions were conducted prior to generalized additive models. Among 29 common ant species, 12 species were estimated to shrink their suitable geographic areas, whereas five species would benefit from future global warming. Species richness was highest at low altitudes in the current period, and it was projected to be highest at the mid-altitudes in the 2080s, resulting in an upward movement of 4.9 m yr⁻¹. This altered the altitudinal pattern of species richness from a monotonic-decrease curve (common in temperate regions) to a bell-shaped curve (common in tropical regions). Overall, ant communities in temperate forests are vulnerable to the on-going global warming and their altitudinal movements are similar to other faunal communities.</p></div

Maps of number of ant species expected to decrease (red) and increase (green) by the 2080s in Korea.

<p>Maps of number of ant species expected to decrease (red) and increase (green) by the 2080s in Korea.</p

Temporal patterns of common ant species at risk of extinction across the altitude gradient.

<p>Temporal patterns of common ant species at risk of extinction across the altitude gradient.</p

Distribution of the sampling sites and the digital elevation patterns.

<p>Distribution of the sampling sites and the digital elevation patterns.</p

Quantification of the Carbon-Coating Effect on the Interfacial Behavior of Graphite Single Particles

The effect of carbon coating on the interfacial charge transfer resistance of natural graphite (NG) was investigated by a single-particle measurement. The microscale carbon-coated natural graphite (NG@C) particles were synthesized by the simple wet-chemical mixing method using a phenolic resin as the carbon source. The electrochemical test results of NG@C using the conventional composite electrodes demonstrated desirable rate capability, cycle stability, and enhanced kinetic property. Moreover, the improvements in the composite electrodes were confirmed with the electrochemical parameters (i.e., charge transfer resistance, exchange current density, and solid phase diffusion coefficient) analyzed by a single-particle measurement. The surface carbon coating on the NG particles reduced the interfacial charge transfer resistance (Rct) and increased the exchange current density (i0). The Rct decreased from 81–101 (NG) to 49–67 Ω cm2 (NG@C), while i0 increased from 0.25–0.32 (NG) to 0.38–0.52 mA cm–2 (NG@C) after the coating process. The results suggested both electrochemically and quantitatively that the outer uniformly coated surface carbon layer on the graphite particles can improve the solid–liquid interface and other kinetic parameters, therefore enhancing the rate capabilities to obtain the high-power anode materials

Projected richness of ant species in the (a) 2000s, (b) 2020s, (c) 2040s, (d) 2060s, (e) 2080s, and (f) the patterns of predicted curves.

<p>Arrow indicates the highest predicted species richness in each decade. Arrow sequence from left to right: 2000s, 2020s, 2040s, 2060s, and 2080s.</p

CT images of a <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> pulmonary infection in a 44-year-old man.

<p>Axial CT images with lung and mediastinal window settings (2.5-mm slice) were obtained at the level of the segmental bronchi of the right lower lobe. The CT images show relatively thin and relatively even thickening of the cavity, and tiny ill-defined satellite nodules (<4 mm) with air trapping in the right lower lobe. Note pleural thickening next to the cavity (<b>B</b>) (arrowheads).</p

Comparison of chest CT findings in nontuberculous mycobacterial diseases vs. <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> lung disease in HIV-negative patients with cavities

<div><p>Objectives</p><p>This article focuses on the differences between CT findings of HIV-negative patients who have cavities with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease and those with <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> infections (TB).</p><p>Methods</p><p>We retrospectively reviewed 128 NTM disease patients (79 males and 49 females) with cavities in chest CT, matched for age and gender with 128 TB patients in the same period. Sputum cultures of all patients were positive for pathogens. Two independent chest radiologists evaluated the characteristics of the largest cavity and related factors.</p><p>Results</p><p>Interobserver agreement was excellent (κ value, 0.853–0.938). Cavity walls in NTM disease were significantly thinner (6.9±4 mm vs 10.9±6 mm, P<0.001) and more even (the ratio of thickness, 2.6±1 vs 3.7±2, P<0.001) than those in TB. The thickening of adjacent pleura next to the cavity was also significantly thicker in NTM than TB (P<0.001). However, in the multivariate analysis, thickening of adjacent pleura was the only significant factor among the representative cavity findings (Odds ratio [OR], 6.49; P<0.001). In addition, ill-defined tree-in-bud nodules (OR, 8.82; P<0.001), number of non-cavitary nodules (≥10mm) (OR, 0.72; P = 0.003), and bronchiectasis in the RUL (OR, 5.3; P = 0.002) were significantly associated ancillary findings with NTM disease in the multivariate analysis.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The major cavities in NTM disease generally have thinner and more even walls than those in TB. When cavities are associated with adjacent pleural thickening, ill-defined satellite tree-in-bud nodules, or fewer non-cavitary nodules ≥10 mm, these CT findings are highly suggestive of NTM disease rather than TB.</p></div

CT images of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> infection in a 67-year-old man.

<p>Chest CT axial images with a lung window settings (2.5-mm slice) were obtained at the levels of the superior vena cava and right middle lobar bronchus. The CT image show a cavity with a thick and irregular wall and multiple satellite tree-in-bud nodules in the right upper lobe (<b>A</b>). Note the multiple well-defined tree-in-bud nodules (>6 mm) in the right middle lobe (<b>B</b>).</p