Huntsman (Belgium)

Aims. In the present study, we investigated the associations between the three identity dimensions of Kaufman (Consolidated Identity, Disturbed Identity, Lack of Identity) and symptoms of personality disorders (PDs) in 176 female inpatients with an eating disorder (ED). We examined five aspects: the prevalence of categorical PD diagnoses in patients with EDs; the relationship between dimensional PD scores and identity dimensions as well as their relationships with age and ED subtype; and the unique variance in dimensional PD scores explained by identity dimensions, while controlling for age and ED subtype. Methods. To assess identity functioning, we made use of the Self-Concept and Identity Measure, and to assess PDs, we used the categorical and dimensional scores of the Assessment of DSM-IV Personality Disorders. Results. The findings showed that the avoidant, obsessive–compulsive, and borderline categorical PDs were the most frequently reported PDs. Age was negatively related to all Cluster B PDs and Disturbed Identity, and binge-eating/purging ED patients reported significantly more Cluster B PD features compared to restrictive ED patients. ED subtype and identity dimensions were unrelated. Correlational analysis showed that all dimensional PD scores were positively related to Disturbed Identity and Lack of Identity and negatively related to Consolidated Identity. The results of the hierarchical regression analyses showed that Cluster A PDs were significantly predicted by Lack of Identity, controlled for age and ED subtype. Additionally, Cluster B PDs were significantly predicted by Disturbed Identity. Finally, two of the three cluster C PDs were predicted by Lack of Identity (avoidant and obsessive–compulsive PD), whereas the dependent PD was explained by Disturbed Identity. Conclusions. The co-occurrence of identity issues in both PDs and EDs underscores the role of identity as a transdiagnostic feature. Accordingly, using identity-based interventions in treatment may have broad therapeutic benefits across these disorders.

The industrial scale heterogeneously catalysed hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to produce aniline is ideally suited to the incorporation of heat recovery strategies. However, a range of by-products may be observed. Thus, discerning the origins of by-product formation is crucial for developing targeted prototype catalysts. This paper examines by-product formation at elevated reaction temperatures over a previously untested low loading alumina-supported Pd (0.3 wt%) industrial grade prototype aniline synthesis catalyst in the vapour and liquid phase. Infrared spectroscopy of chemisorbed CO is used to evaluate the Pd crystallite morphology. Importantly, the morphology is seen to differ from other previously analysed 0.3 wt% Pd/Al2O3 catalyst samples. Post-reaction (vapour phase) analysis of the catalyst identifies carbon laydown to preferentially neutralise Pd(100) sites. An inter-relationship is proposed via observed nitrobenzene hydrogenation chemistry and crystallite morphology, such that specific reactions are associated with specific planes of the Pd crystallites of this Pd/Al2O3 catalyst.

Sustainable peat alternatives, such as composts and management residues, are considered to have beneficial microbiological characteristics compared to peat-based substrates. Studies comparing microbiological characteristics of these three types of biomass are, however, lacking. This study examined if and how microbiological characteristics of subtypes of composts and management residues differ from peat-based substrates, and how feedstock and (bio)chemical characteristics drive these characteristics. In addition, microbiome characteristics were evaluated that may contribute to plant growth and health. These characteristics include: genera associated with known beneficial or harmful microorganisms, microbial diversity, functional diversity/activity, microbial biomass, fungal to bacterial ratio and inoculation efficiency with the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma harzianum. Bacterial and fungal communities were studied using 16S rRNA and ITS2 gene metabarcoding, community-level physiological profiling (Biolog EcoPlates) and PLFA analysis. Inoculation with T. harzianum was assessed using qPCR. Samples of feedstock-based subtypes of composts and peat-based substrates showed similar microbial community compositions, while subtypes based on management residues were more variable in their microbial community composition. For management residues, a classification based on pH and hemicellulose content may be relevant for bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. Green composts, vegetable, fruit and garden composts and woody composts show the most potential to enhance plant growth or to suppress pathogens for non-acidophilic plants, while grass clippings, chopped heath and woody fractions of compost show the most potential for blends for calcifuge plants. Fungal biomass was a suitable predictor for inoculation efficiency of composts and management residues.

Background: Increasing clinical evidence suggests that people with severe mental illness (SMI), including schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder (BD), and major depressive disorder (MDD), are at higher risk of dying from COVID-19. Several systematic reviews examining the association between psychiatric disorders and COVID-19-related mortality have recently been published. Although these reviews have been conducted thoroughly, certain methodological limitations may hinder the accuracy of their research findings.Methods: A systematic literature search, using the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases (from inception to July 23, 2021), was conducted for observational studies assessing the risk of death associated with COVID-19 infection in adult patients with pre-existing schizophrenia spectrum disorders, BD, or MDD. Methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).Results: Of 1,446 records screened, 13 articles investigating the rates of death in patients with pre-existing SMI were included in this systematic review. Quality assessment scores of the included studies ranged from moderate to high. Most results seem to indicate that patients with SMI, particularly patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, are at significantly higher risk of COVID-19-related mortality, as compared to patients without SMI. However, the extent of the variation in COVID-19-related mortality rates between studies including people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders was large because of a low level of precision of the estimated mortality outcome(s) in certain studies. Most studies on MDD and BD did not include specific information on the mood state or disease severity of patients. Due to a lack of data, it remains unknown to what extent patients with BD are at increased risk of COVID-19-related mortality. A variety of factors are likely to contribute to the increased mortality risk of COVID-19 in these patients. These include male sex, older age, somatic comorbidities (particularly cardiovascular diseases), as well as disease-specific characteristics.Conclusion: Methodological limitations hamper the accuracy of COVID-19-related mortality estimates for the main categories of SMIs. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that SMI is associated with excess COVID-19 mortality. Policy makers therefore must consider these vulnerable individuals as a high-risk group that should be given particular attention. This means that targeted interventions to maximize vaccination uptake among these patients are required to address the higher burden of COVID-19 infection in this already disadvantaged group.

Inconnection with an initiative to enhance heat recovery fromthe large-scale operation of a heterogeneously catalyzed nitrobenzenehydrogenation process to produce aniline, it is necessary to operatethe process at elevated temperatures (>100 °C), a conditionthatcan compromise aniline selectivity. Alumina-supported palladium catalystsare selected as candidate materials that can provide sustained anilineyields at elevated temperatures. Two Pd/Al2O3 catalysts are examined that possess comparable mean Pd particlesizes (∼5 nm) for different Pd loading: 5 wt % Pd/Al2O3 and 0.3 wt % Pd/Al2O3. The higherPd loading sample represents a reference catalyst for which the Pdcrystallite morphology has previously been established. The lowerPd loading technical catalyst more closely corresponds to industrialspecifications. The morphology of the Pd crystallites of the 0.3 wt% Pd/Al2O3 sample is explored by means of temperature-programmedinfrared spectroscopy of chemisorbed CO. Reaction testing over therange of 60–180 °C shows effectively complete nitrobenzeneconversion for both catalysts but with distinction in their selectivityprofiles. The low loading catalyst is favored as it maximizes anilineselectivity and avoids the formation of overhydrogenated products.A plot of aniline yield as a function of WHSV for the 0.3 wt % Pd/Al2O3 catalyst at 100 °C yields a “volcano”like curve, indicating aniline selectivity to be sensitive to residencetime. These observations are brought together to provide an indicationof an aniline synthesis catalyst specification suited to a unit operationequipped for enhanced heat transfer.

The temperature-size rule is a well-known example of phenotypic plasticity in ectothermic organisms. When exposed to colder temperatures, ectotherms develop more slowly, but mature at larger body sizes and vice versa at higher temperatures. We investigated whether a phytoseiid predatory mite can obtain a larger body size by rearing it at a low temperature and how the increased body size affected predatory performance on its natural prey. Therefore, we allowed the predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus (Garman & McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to develop at either 15 or 25 °C. A. limonicus reared at 15 °C had a 6% larger body size than those reared at 25 °C. Larger predators showed higher predation rates on first instars of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), with 9.6 instars/female/day and 8.5 instars/female/day, for larger and standard-sized females, respectively. After three generations reared at 15 °C, body size did not increase any further. When reared for five generations at 15 °C, larger A. limonicus females demonstrated a better ability to subdue second-instar F. occidentalis. Low juvenile rearing temperatures may result in phytoseiid predators with a predator/prey size benefit that could improve their biological control function. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

SummaryWe describe a patient with new‐onset temporal lobe epilepsy during prolonged maintenance electroconvulsive therapy. We suggest a possible causal relationship with maintenance electroconvulsive therapy through electrical kindling of the temporal lobe.