Double Crystallization and Phase Separation in Polyethylene—Syndiotactic Polypropylene Di-Block Copolymers

Crystallization and phase separation in the melt in semicrystalline block copolymers (BCPs) compete in defining the final solid state structure and morphology. In crystalline–crystalline di-block copolymers the sequence of crystallization of the two blocks plays a definitive role. In this work we show that the use of epitaxial crystallization on selected crystalline substrates allows achieving of a control over the crystallization of the blocks by inducing crystal orientations of the different crystalline phases and a final control over the global morphology. A sample of polyethylene-block-syndiotactic polypropylene (PE-b-sPP) block copolymers has been synthesized with a stereoselective living organometallic catalyst and epitaxially crystallized onto crystals of two different crystalline substrates, p-terphenyl (3Ph) and benzoic acid (BA). The epitaxial crystallization on both substrates produces formation of highly ordered morphologies with crystalline lamellae of sPP and PE highly oriented along one direction. However, the epitaxial crystallization onto 3Ph should generate a single orientation of sPP crystalline lamellae highly aligned along one direction and a double orientation of PE lamellae, whereas BA crystals should induce high orientation of only PE crystalline lamellae. Thanks to the use of the two selective substrates, the final morphology reveals the sequence of crystallization events during cooling from the melt and what is the dominant event that drives the final morphology. The observed single orientation of both crystalline PE and sPP phases on both substrates, indeed, indicates that sPP crystallizes first onto 3Ph defining the overall morphology and PE crystallizes after sPP in the confined interlamellar sPP regions. Instead, PE crystallizes first onto BA defining the overall morphology and sPP crystallizes after PE in the confined interlamellar PE regions. This allows for discriminating between the different crystalline phases and defining the final morphology, which depends on which polymer block crystallizes first on the substrate. This work also shows that the use of epitaxial crystallization and the choice of suitable substrate offer a means to produce oriented nanostructures and morphologies of block copolymers depending on the composition and the substrates.

Herbal immunomodulators as add on treatment in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19 confirmed cases: findings from a prospective single centre clinical trial

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of Sri Sri TattvaTM immunity products, a combination of single herb and poly herb formulations in COVID-19 patients by assessing their clinical features and immune markers. The products when administered orally for a period of 14 days in COVID-19 patients demonstrated significant improvement in clinical symptoms.Methods: Patients with fever, cough, sore throat started responding to the treatment from day 3 and most of the patients were clinically free of symptoms by day 7. Early recovery from signs and symptoms was observed in most of the patients. Sri Sri TattvaTM immunity products has also demonstrated an excellent clinical improvement and immune markers including tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alfa), interleukin (IL-6), interferon (IFN-beta), D-dimer, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenease (LDH) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in COVID-19 patients.Results: The final results of this study showed that Sri Sri TattvaTM immunity products reduced the time to clinical cure and number of days in achieving negative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) by early viral clearance when given along with standard of care thus reduced the duration of hospitalization.Conclusions: In the present study, 82% of COVID-19 patients cleared the virus within 10-14 days of study period reducing the duration of hospitalization. None of the patients progressed to severe COVID-19 and succumbed to the disease. This clearly indicates that Sri Sri TattvaTM immunity products when administered orally along with standard of care has definitive role in the management of COVID-19 patients.

4 General Principles of International Humanitarian Law

This chapter explains the general principles of international humanitarian law—i.e. the prohibition of unnecessary suffering; the prohibition of indiscriminate warfare; and the principle of humanity—in their application and interaction. The prohibition against maux superflus—that is, against weapons and materials causing excessive suffering—is an old principle. It is characterized by an intricate mixture of very definite prohibitions on certain specific categories of arms, on one hand, and a rather abstract prohibition on means of warfare which cause unnecessary suffering, on the other. The utmost protection of the civilian population is also an old concept. By the nineteenth century, legal practice had established the prohibition against indiscriminate warfare as a customary rule. The principle of humanity has not always played the definitive role in moderating belligerent conduct. Nevertheless, humanity was clearly a source of normative constraints on the waging of war.

Impact of COVID-19 in Mexico: A vision

The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is a historical event that has come to change the way of life for humanity; where the population is the main subject of cause and solution. Considering the global variation of propagation, each country has taken different positions, decisions and resources where the time for making different decisions has also been an important factor. In Mexico, the SARS CoV-2 situation has been confronted mainly with government decisions and the actions of the population. The successes or failures have impacted various dimensions of society in each of the states that make up the country. In this research, some impacted life dimensions are analyzed: Social, mental, educational, economic and environmental. It is possible to say that the impact of the pandemic were influenced, among other aspects; by the state of health and nutrition associated with the lifestyle in which the population was at the arrival of the pandemic. This impact is also influenced by commercial activities, which are linked to the economic mobility of those who buy and those who sell. Also, other aspects that have influenced the impact of this pandemic; it is possible to highlight the lack of culture on the part of the population in the use of face masks and the non-obligatory use of it by the leaders. This, added to various other factors, have had a great impact on the number of infected cases and deaths in the country; primarily in Mexico City and the State of Mexico. It is worth mentioning that, despite the negative impact due to the pandemic, there are also positive aspects. Finally, it is possible to say that it is necessary for the population to develop more awareness. The population has a definitive role in containing the pandemic and to incorporate the new changes, in its life in order to precisely preserve.

Capacity building for proportionate climate policy: Lessons from India and South Africa

Countries must develop their capacity to credibly revise their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) proportionate to the global climate goal. This paper argues that long-lasting capacity is necessarily embedded in the institutions governing cooperation between state and non-state actors. This institutional capacity for cooperation is determined by the two interactive processes of conception and calibration, where the state plays a definitive role in mediating between competing interests. In conception, the state uses its discretionary power to set the long-term vision, whereas during calibration it exercises flexibility to accommodate concerns and capacity of other actors. We conclude that proportionality of policy response is better understood, and achieved, through the convergence of both these processes. Drawing on climate policy experiences of India and South Africa, we recommend that successful implementation and enhancement of NDCs would require a greater emphasis on capacity building for calibration in developing countries.

Omadacycline for the Treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus Disease: A Case Series

Background Omadacycline is an aminomethylcycline antimicrobial approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2018 for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. It has in vitro activity against nontuberculous mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium abscessus complex, but clinical data for this indication are lacking. Methods Omadacycline use was reviewed at an 804-bed academic medical center. Patients were included if they received omadacycline for culture-proven M abscessus disease in 2019. Results Four patients received omadacycline for the treatment of culture-positive M abscessus disease in 2019. Two patients had cutaneous disease, 1 had pulmonary disease, and 1 had osteomyelitis and bacteremia. The patients received omadacycline for a median duration of 166 days (range, 104–227) along with a combination of other antimicrobial agents. Omadacycline-containing regimens were associated with a clinical cure in 3 of 4 patients, with 1 patient improving on ongoing treatment. Omadacycline’s tolerability was acceptable for patients with M abscessus disease, with 1 patient discontinuing therapy in month 6 due to nausea. Conclusions Omadacycline is a novel oral option for the treatment of M abscessus disease, for which safe and effective options are needed. Although this case series is promising, further data are required to determine omadacycline’s definitive role in the treatment of M abscessus disease.

Keracunan Parasetamol Pada Kucing Dan Anjing: Gejala Klinis dan Terapi

Acetaminophen, commonly known as paracetamol, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly used in human medicine for its antipyretic and analgesic action. As paracetamol became readily available in many over-the-counter and no-prescription products, reports of paracetamol poisoning in dogs and cats became more common. The toxicity of paracetamol is more pronounced in cats when compared to dogs. Clinical signs of paracetamol toxicity include depression, weakness, tachypnea, dyspnea, vomiting, hypothermia, facial or paw edema, hepatic necrosis, and death. The characteristics of severe paracetamol poisoning are methemoglobinemia, cyanosis, anemia, and jaundice. Although there are no specific antidotes, acetylcysteine is the drug of choice for paracetamol poisoning treatment. Symptomatic and supportive therapies play a more definitive role in the management of paracetamol poisoning. This paper aims to briefly review the clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of paracetamol poisoning in dogs and cats.

DNA N6-Methyladenine Modification in Plant Genomes—A Glimpse into Emerging Epigenetic Code

N6-methyladenine (6mA) is a DNA base modification at the 6th nitrogen position; recently, it has been resurfaced as a potential reversible epigenetic mark in eukaryotes. Despite its existence, 6mA was considered to be absent due to its undetectable level. However, with the new advancements in methods, considerable 6mA distribution is identified across the plant genome. Unlike 5-methylcytosine (5mC) in the gene promoter, 6mA does not have a definitive role in repression but is exposed to have divergent regulation in gene expression. Though 6mA information is less known, the available evidences suggest its function in plant development, tissue differentiation, and regulations in gene expression. The current review article emphasizes the research advances in DNA 6mA modifications, identification, available databases, analysis tools and its significance in plant development, cellular functions and future perspectives of research.

Contralateral Liver Hypertrophy and Oncological Outcome Following Radioembolization with 90Y-Microspheres: A Systematic Review

Radioembolization with 90Y-microspheres has been reported to induce contralateral liver hypertrophy with simultaneous ipsilateral control of tumor growth. The aim of the present systematic review was to summarize the evidence of contralateral liver hypertrophy and oncological outcome following unilateral treatment with radioembolization. A systematic literature search using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane libraries for studies published between 2008 and 2020 was performed. A total of 16 studies, comprising 602 patients, were included. The median kinetic growth rate per week of the contralateral liver lobe was 0.7% and declined slightly over time. The local tumor control was 84%. Surgical resection after radioembolization was carried out in 109 out of 362 patients (30%). Although the available data suggest that radioembolization prior to major hepatectomy is safe with a promising oncological outcome, the definitive role of radioembolization requires assessment within controlled clinical trials.

Border as Method

The current state of Chinese literary studies is undergoing a process of re(b)ordering where the nation-state is no longer seen as the only acceptable framing for Chinese literature, and existing identificatory markers of Chinese literature—locality, language, ethnicity—are subject to radical rethinking. This article proposes a paradigm of border as method for Chinese literary studies, following the lead of Sandro Mezzadra and Brett Neilson's volume by the same title. Border as method refers to a reflexive glance at the cognitive bordering that we as knowledge producers cannot avoid practicing as we set out to define our object of study or outline a polemic or paradigm. It invites questions such as, What sociological facts of compartmentalized space does the study of Chinese literature yield? If we follow the space making capacity of literature, would we take note of other trajectories of connectivity and relationality and produce alternative configurations of literary assemblage? How does the delineated space of Chinese literature engage with the unevenness and differentiation of Asia and the world? This method manifests as a constructionist engagement with Chinese literature and literary history. It also proposes a cultural geography fundamentally different from the conventional center vs. periphery model. In this new mapping, a borderscape defined in terms of a site or locality, a period, or a variety of other ways could become the de facto center that plays a definitive role in shaping the dynamics and critical terms of Chinese literature and culture as a whole.