Mucinous histology predicts for poor response rate and overall survival of patients with colorectal cancer and treated with first-line oxaliplatin- and/or irinotecan-based chemotherapy

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of first-line chemotherapy containing irinotecan and/or oxaliplatin in patients with advanced mucinous colorectal cancer. Prognostic factors associated with response rate and survival were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic and/or Cox proportional hazards analyses. The population included 255 patients, of whom 49 (19%) had mucinous and 206 (81%) had non-mucinous colorectal cancer. The overall response rates for mucinous and non-mucinous tumours were 18.4 (95% CI, 7.5–29.2%) and 49% (95% CI, 42.2–55.8%), respectively (P=0.0002). After a median follow-up of 45 months, median overall survival for the mucinous patients was 14.0 months compared with 23.4 months for the non-mucinous group (hazard ratio (HR), 1.74; CI 95%, 1.27–3.31; P=0.0034). After adjustment for significant features by multivariate Cox regression analysis, mucinous histology was associated with poor overall survival (HR, 1.593, 95% CI, 1.05–2.40; P=0.0267), together with performance status ECOG 2, number of metastatic sites ⩾2, and peritoneal metastases. This retrospective analysis shows that patients with mucinous colorectal cancer have poor responsiveness to oxaliplatin/irinotecan-based first-line combination chemotherapy and an unfavourable prognosis compared with non-mucinous colorectal cancer patients

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta

KINETIC-STUDY OF LITHIUM ELECTROINSERTION IN TITANIUM-OXIDE THIN-FILMS

The electrochromic reaction of titanium oxide films prepared by RF sputtering was studied. Chronopotentiometric experiments associated with transmittance measurements in LiClO4/propylene carbonate solutions were carried out for several film thicknesses. The reaction kinetics is controlled by lithium ion diffusion into the titanium oxide matrix. The diffusion equations have been solved for the appropriate finite boundary conditions, and from these analyses l(2)/D values are obtained. Combining these data with coulometric titration data, one can conclude that the diffusion phenomenon is only produced in a part of the film. The I parameter was calculated and a value of 11 nm was obtained, coinciding with the thickness of the accumulation space charge layer for n-type TiO2. Consequently, Li+ diffusion process only occurs in this region.98184865486

IONIC EXCHANGES IN DODECYLBENZENESULFONATE-DOPED POLYPYRROLE .2. ELECTROCHEMICAL QUARTZ-CRYSTAL MICROBALANCE STUDY

Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance techniques were combined to study the ionic exchange process in polypyrrole doped with the anionic surfactant, dodecylbenzenesulfonate. A quantitative analysis of the results indicates a doping degree of 20% after dectropolymerization. Studies performed in monomer-free solutions show that both anions and cations of the electrolytes play an important role in the redox process. Quantitative calculations also take into account the transfer of neutral species like solvent molecules.72328328

Structural and electrochemical properties of nanocomposites formed by V2O5 and poly(3-alkylpyrroles)

Synthesis and characterisation of new nanocomposites of poly(3-decylpyrrole) (P3DP) and poly(hexadecylpyrrole) (P3HDP) with V2O5 are described. These nanocomposites were characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, electroacoustic impedance (EAI) and cyclic voltammetry. The results were compared with an other nanocomposite, polypyrrole (Ppy)V2O5, aiming to verify the influence of the side chains of P3DP and P3HDP on the electrochemical behaviour Of V2O5. These hybrid materials have different structures that modify the electrochemical properties. The side chains of P3DP and P3HDP contributed to greater electrochemical stability than that of Ppy into the V2O5 matrix. This results in a higher specific capacity for the P3DP/V2O5 and P3HDP/V2O5 nanocomposites (115 and 106 Ah kg(-1), respectively) than that of Ppy/V2O5 (50 Ah kg(-1)) after 50 electrochemical cycles

INFRARED CHARACTERIZATION OF ELECTROCHROMIC NICKEL-HYDROXIDE PREPARED BY HOMOGENEOUS CHEMICAL PRECIPITATION

Two different methods for preparing electrochromic nickel hydroxide films are tested: thermal hydrolysis of [Ni(NH3)6]2+ complex and thermal decomposition of a mixture of urea and NiSO4. Both methods lead to adherent and homogeneous films presenting good electrochromic properties. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that Ni(OH)2 prepared from urea decomposition has intercalated water molecules, while hydroxides prepared from ammonia complexes present beta-like structure without hydration. Ex-situ infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize virgin, bleached and colored states of the films under different experimental conditions. IR spectra of the colored state show the diminution of the 3650 cm-1 band related to free OH- stretching vibrations. The disappearance of this band is associated with the oxidation process and also with the physicochemical nature of alkaline cations incorporated in the oxide matrix during the coloration process.229218018

Surface and electrochemical investigations of a fullerene soot

A study of the surface and electrochemical properties of a fullerene soot submitted to several types of heat treatment was conducted. The surface characteristics were investigated for the chemical properties using FTIR and for the specific area using BET. The electrochemical properties were investigated employing the thin porous coating electrode technique, in the presence and absence of dispersed platinum particles. In each case the responses were compared taking as reference the Vulcan XC-72 carbon powder, frequently considered as electrochemical substrates for dispersed electrocatalysts. It is observed that the fullerene soot presents a higher level of oxygenated surface groups, lower conductivity, but larger surface area and high charge storage capacity than the Vulcan XC-72 and Shawinigan carbons. Values of active surface area of dispersed platinum particles close to that on Vulcan are obtained when fullerene soot is employed as catalyst substrate. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.44203565357

NMR and conductivity studies of ethylene oxide epichloridrine copolymer doped with LiClO4

The copolymer ethylene oxide and epichloridrine doped with lithium perchlorate shows interesting properties as an ionic conducting polymer mainly because of its amorphous structure at room temperature and its low glass transition temperature (T-g = -40 degrees C). C-13, Li-7 and H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance studies were performed in order to analyze the interactions between the polymer matrix and the dopant salt with solvent molecules. These studies and conductivity measurements were used to investigate the influence of the preparation method and the properties of the solvent on the physicochemical characteristics of the polymer electrolyte. Experimental results show that solvent molecules are retained in the solid polymer electrolyte, strongly modifying its ion transport dynamic, This fact can be related to the increase in the ionic conductivity when solvent molecules rest inside the polymer matrix, producing a plasticizing effect.101183469347

INORGANIC OXIDE SOLID-STATE ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES

In this work, all-solid-state electrochromic devices are studied. The devices are multilayer systems, in which all layers are metallic oxides grown by r.f. sputtering. Two materials were investigated as the anodic coloring layer (NiOx and CoOx). The cathodic coloring material was WO3. The electrolyte was either TiOx or TaOx. Reflectance changes as large as 90% were obtained. Time responses and open-circuit behavior are also presented in this work.264170015716

ELECTROCHEMICAL INTERCALATION OF O2- IN LA2CUO4 SINGLE-CRYSTALS

The electrochemical intercalation of oxygen in La2CuO4 single crystals was studied using electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Chronoamperometric experiments showed that, in the intercalation process, the O2- diffusion in single crystals is extremely slow (D approximate to 10(-16) cm(2) S-1). This diffusion coefficient depends strongly on temperature and the enthalpy diffusion was found to be ca. 750 kJ deg(-1) mol(-1). Crystals under electro-oxidation for one to two weeks still show the presence of the antiferromagnetic and a superconducting phases. This was supported by the simultaneous observation of line splitting in the EPR spectra and superconducting diamagnetic signal.40220921