Amphiphilic Polymeric Nanocarriers with Luminescent Gold Nanoclusters for Concurrent Bioimaging and Controlled Drug Release

Multifunctional theranostic systems with good biocompatibility, strong clinical imaging capability, and target specificity are the desired features of future medicine. Here, the design of a theranostic nanocomposite capable of simultaneous targeting and imaging of the cancer cells is presented. It releases its drug payload by a controlled release mechanism. The nanocomposite contains luminescent gold nanocluster (L‐AuNC) photostable and biocompatible diagnostic probes conjugated to a folic acid (FA)‐modified pH‐responsive amphiphilic polymeric system for controlled drug release. The nanocomposite uses a core‐satellite structure to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs and releases the drug payload in mildly acidic endosomal/lysosomal compartments by the action of the pH‐labile linkages in the polymer. In vivo studies show the selective accumulation of the FA‐conjugated nanocomposite in tumor tissues by folate‐receptor‐mediated endocytosis. These findings demonstrate the potential of the nanocomposite as a nontoxic, folate‐targeting, pH‐responsive drug carrier that is useful for the early detection and therapy of folate‐overexpressing cancerous cells.     

Robust control of uncertain multi-inventory systems via linear matrix inequality

We consider a continuous time linear multi-inventory system with unknown demands bounded within ellipsoids and controls bounded within ellipsoids or polytopes. We address the problem of ε-stabilising the inventory since this implies some reduction of the inventory costs. The main results are certain conditions under which ε-stabilisability is possible through a saturated linear state feedback control. All the results are based on a linear matrix inequalities approach and on some recent techniques for the modelling and analysis of polytopic systems with saturations. Numerical simulations are provided.     

Ballistic resistance of spaced multi-layer plate structures: Experiments on Fibre Reinforced Plastic targets and an analytical framework for calculating the ballistic limit

As the use of complex multi-layer structures in defense, marine, aerospace and automotive applications becomes increasingly common, it is vital that the response of such structures to impact loading is better understood and that engineers have adequate analysis tools to design structures optimised for resistance to ballistic penetration. This paper presents the results of a series of ballistic impact experiments carried out on a range of spaced multi-layer fibre reinforced-plastic (FRP) composite targets, with a constant total number of plies per target, but varying numbers of plies per layer and varying layer arrangements. It is shown that varying the ratio of plies between layers can have a significant effect on resistance to ballistic penetration. In light of these experimental results, the validity of applying the Lambert–Jonas equation to spaced multi-layer structures is discussed and an extended framework developed to determine the ballistic limit of a projectile impacting such a structure. The extended Lambert–Jonas framework is then validated with data from the literature. It is hoped that this framework will allow engineers to quickly determine the optimum layer arrangement to maximise the ballistic resistance of complex spaced multi-layer structures.     

meta-Linked spirobifluorene/phosphine oxide hybrids as host materials for deep blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes

This study investigated the use of a novel modification in molecular design to get two new electron-transport host materials, SF3PO and BSF3PO. By linking the phosphine oxide moieties at meta-position of spirobifluorene rings, higher triplet energies could be easily achieved for these two new materials. The steric spirobifluorene structures could guarantee their good thermal stabilities. According to these properties, their applications as host materials for deep blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) were explored. As expected, the deep blue emitting devices with Ir-complex FIr6 as phosphorescent dopants and SF3PO and BSF3PO as hosts had been fabricated and showed high efficiency of 28.5 and 22.0 cd/A, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of the para-linked analogue SPPO1.     

A Water‐Soluble Mechanochromic Luminescent Pyrene Derivative Exhibiting Recovery of the Initial Photoluminescence Color in a High‐Humidity Environment

Switching of the luminescence properties of molecular materials in response to mechanical stimulation is of fundamental interest and also has a range of potential applications. Herein, a water‐soluble mechanochromic luminescent pyrene derivative having two hydrophilic dendrons is reported. This pyrene derivative is the first example of a mechanochromic luminescent organic compound that responds to relative humidity. Mechanical stimulation (grinding) of this pyrene derivative in the solid state results in a change of the photoluminescence from yellow to green. Subsequent exposure to water vapor induces recovery of the initial yellow photoluminescence. The color change is reversible through at least ten cycles. It is also demonstrated that this compound can be applied as a mechano‐sensing material in frictional wear testing for grease, owing to its immiscibility in non‐polar solvents and its non‐crystalline behavior. Transmission electron microscope and atomic force microscope observations of samples prepared from dilute aqueous solutions of the pyrene derivative on suitable substrates, together with dynamic light scattering measurements for the compound in aqueous solution, indicate that this amphiphilic dumbbell‐shaped molecule forms micelles in water.     

低品位原燃料冶炼生产实践

为应对全球性经济危机,各钢铁公司纷纷采购低品位料来降低冶炼成本.然而低品位料的使用造成高炉生产指标下降,炉内的有害元素K、Na、Zn等升高,给高炉生产顺行造成影响.介绍了唐山国丰从生产操作入手,采用低品位原燃料进行冶炼最终达到降成本的生产实践.