A Versatile Theranostic Nanoemulsion for Architecture‐Dependent Multimodal Imaging and Dually Augmented Photodynamic Therapy

To design a clinically translatable nanomedicine for photodynamic theranostics, the ingredients should be carefully considered. A high content of nanocarriers may cause extra toxicity in metabolism, and multiple theranostic agents would complicate the preparation process. These issues would be of less concern if the nanocarrier itself has most of the theranostic functions. In this work, a poly(ethylene glycol)‐boron dipyrromethene amphiphile (PEG‐F₅₄‐BODIPY) with 54 fluorine‐19 (¹⁹F) is synthesized and employed to emulsify perfluorohexane (PFH) into a theranostic nanoemulsion (PFH@PEG‐F₅₄‐BODIPY). The as‐prepared PFH@PEG‐F₅₄‐BODIPY can perform architecture‐dependent fluorescence/photoacoustic/¹⁹F magnetic resonance multimodal imaging, providing more information about the in vivo structure evolution of nanomedicine. Importantly, this nanoemulsion significantly enhances the therapeutic effect of BODIPY through both the high oxygen dissolving capability and less self‐quenching of BODIPY molecules. More interestingly, PFH@PEG‐F₅₄‐BODIPY shows high level of tumor accumulation and long tumor retention time, allowing a repeated light irradiation after a single‐dose intravenous injection. The “all‐in‐one” photodynamic theranostic nanoemulsion has simple composition, remarkable theranostic efficacy, and novel treatment pattern, and thus presents an intriguing avenue to developing clinically translatable theranostic agents.     

Superconvergence analysis of nonconforming finite element method for time-fractional nonlinear parabolic equations on anisotropic meshes

In this paper, we prove a novel result of the consistency error estimate with order $O\left(h^2\right)$ for $E{Q}_1^{rot}$ element (see Lemma 2) on anisotropic meshes. Then, a linearized fully discrete Galerkin finite element method (FEM) is studied for the time-fractional nonlinear parabolic problems, and the superclose and superconvergent estimates of order $O(\tau +h^2)$ in broken $H^1$-norm on anisotropic meshes are derived by using the proved character of $E{Q}_1^{rot}$ element, which improve the results in the existing literature. Numerical results are provided to confirm the theoretical analysis.     

Input-to-state learning of recurrent neural networks with delay and disturbance

This article deals with the issue of input-to-state stabilization for recurrent neural networks with delay and external disturbance. The goal is to design a suitable weight-learning law to make the considered network input-to-state stable with a predefined -gain. Based on the solution of linear matrix inequalities, two schemes for the desired learning law are presented via using decay-rate-dependent and decay-rate-independent Lyapunov functionals, respectively. It is shown that, in the absence of external disturbance, the proposed learning law also guarantees the exponential stability of the network. To illustrate the applicability of the present weight-learning law, two numerical examples with simulations are given.     

An enhanced state estimation for linear parabolic PDE systems with mobile sensors

This paper studies an enhanced state estimation problem of distributed parameter processes modeled by a linear parabolic partial differential equation using mobile sensors. The proposed estimation scheme contains a state estimator and the guidance of mobile sensors, where the spatial domain is decomposed into multiple subdomains according to the number of sensors and each sensor is capable of moving within the respective subdomain. The state estimator is desired to make the state estimation error system exponentially stable while providing an performance bound. The mobile sensor guidance is used to enhance the transient performance of the error system. By the Lyapunov direct technique, an integrated design of state estimator and mobile sensor guidance laws is developed in the form of bilinear matrix inequalities (BMIs) to meet the desired design objectives. Moreover, to make the performance bound as small as possible, a suboptimal enhanced state estimation problem is formulated as a BMI optimization one, which can be solved via an iterative linear matrix inequality algorithm. Finally, numerical simulations are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Corrosion behaviour and mechanism of 6082 aluminium alloy in NaCl and Na2SO4 etchants

The corrosion behaviour of 6082 aluminium alloy was studied by measuring the electrochemical impedance spectra and electrode polarization curves. After the electrochemical tests, a microstructural analysis of the samples was conducted by using optical microscopy and electron scanning microscopy techniques to determine the corrosion mechanism. The results show that the Nyquist plot of the electrochemical impedance data in the NaCl solution consists of high- and low-frequency capacitive impedance loops. When ions are added to the NaCl etchant, the Nyquist plots of the electrochemical impedance data are composed of two different curves: a high-frequency capacitive impedance loop and a low-frequency inductive impedance loop. The corrosion current density increases with increasing concentration, and as a result, the corrosion resistance of the aluminium alloy decreases. The microstructures of 6082 aluminium alloy consist of Mg₂Si secondary particles in a large α-Al matrix. Pitting corrosion initially occurs at the boundary between the matrix and secondary particles because the electrode potentials of the matrix and secondary particles are different. Then, corrosion paths develop along the network-like grain boundaries, and finally, massive network-like corrosion occurs throughout the entire alloy.     

Plasmonic coupling-enhanced in situ photothermal nanoreactor with shape selective catalysis for C-C coupling reaction

Carbon-carbon (C-C) coupling reactions represent one of the most powerful tools for the synthesis of complex natural products, bioactive molecules developed as drugs and agrochemicals. In this work, a multifunctional nanoreactor for C-C coupling reaction was successfully fabricated via encapsulating the core-shell Cu@Ni nanocubes into ZIF-8 (Cu@Ni@ZIF-8). In this nanoreactor, Ni shell of the core-shell Cu@Ni nanocubes was the catalytical active center, and Cu core was in situ heating source for the catalyst by absorbing the visible light. Moreover, benefiting from the plasmonic resonance effect between Cu@Ni nanocubes encapsulated in ZIF-8, the absorption range of nanoreactor was widened and the utilization rate of visible light was enhanced. Most importantly, the microporous structure of ZIF-8 provided shape-selective of reactant. This composite was used for the highly shape-selective and stable photocatalysed C-C coupling reaction of boric acid under visible light irradiation. After five cycles, the nanoreactor still remained high catalytical activity. This Cu@Ni@ZIF-8 nanoreactor opens a way for photocatalytic C-C coupling reactions with shape-selectivity.

     

Anchoring DTPA grafted PEI onto carboxylated graphene oxide to effectively remove both heavy metal ions and dyes from wastewater with robust stability

Highly efficient adsorbents, which can effectively remove both metal ions and dyes from wastewater with robust stability, are strongly required for the remediation of current polluted aqueous system, but still a challenge to be realized. Herein, a new adsorbent has been designed to solve this problem by anchoring diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) grafted polyethyleneimine (PEI) onto carboxylated GO (GOC-g-PD). Given the amino and carboxyl active groups from PEI and GOC/DTPA, our GOC-g-PD displays good adsorption capacity against not only inorganic metal ions (Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺) but also organic dye (methylene blue: MB). The maximum adsorption capacity of GOC-g-PD for Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and MB reached 309.60 mg·g^?1, 316.17 mg·g^?1 and 262.10 mg·g^?1, respectively. Furthermore, our GOC-g-PD also exhibits good cycling stability and chemical stability against wide pH values. These outstanding properties revealed our GOC-g-PD held great potential in purifying the sewage discharged from industries.

Graphical abstract