Calendered linear low‐density polyethylene consolidated meat and bone meal composites

Bioplastics produced from meat and bone meal (MBM) suffer from rapid and drastic mechanical property deterioration because of their hydrophilic nature. This study investigates mechanical and water stability of composites produced from introduction of a minor component of a synthetic polyethylene as a binder phase to consolidate MBM. The milled and sieved MBM was compounded with 5–60 wt % linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) and formed into composite sheets by calendering, which is an industrially relevant process. Results indicated that a minimum of 15 wt % LLDPE content was required to form a nominally continuous binder phase that allowed for good processability and environment stability of the composites. As expected, the water vapor permeability (WVP) and water absorption characteristics of the composites were intermediate between those of MBM and LLDPE. Sheets containing 15 wt % LLDPE absorbed up to 35 wt % water. Composites tested after being soaked in water showed an initial decrease in TS of about 30% for the first hour but then remained fairly unchanged in the next 72 hours, confirming their moderate environment stability. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41145.     

LaBaCoFeO5+δ-Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9复合阴极的电化学性能研究

采用固相反应法合成中温固体氧化物燃料电池的LaBaCoFeO5+δ阴极粉末,研究不同煅烧温度对晶体结构的影响.将等量的LaBaCoFeO5+δ和Ce0.8 Sm0.2 O1.9电解质粉末通过机械混合和煅烧制备成LaBaCoFeO5+δ-Ce0.8 Sm0.2 O1.9复合阴极粉末.研究了复合阴极粉末的化学相容性、粒度分布、热膨胀和电化学性能.结果表明,LaBaCoFeO5+δ固相反应的最佳温度为1200℃,LaBaCoFeO5+δ和Ce0.8 Sm0.2 O1.9之间没有发生明显的反应,复合阴极粉末的中位径D50为2.441μm.LaBaCoFeO5+δ-Ce0.8 Sm0.2 O1.9复合阴极比LaBaCoFeO5+δ阴极组成的单电池在800℃的极化电阻下降了约48.7％,而最大输出功率密度提高了约82.5％,表现出更好的电化学性能.     

Development of Potent Adenosine Monophosphate Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) Activators

Previously, we reported the identification of a thiazolidinedione‐based adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, compound 1 (N‐[4‐({3‐[(1‐methylcyclohexyl)methyl]‐2,4‐dioxothiazolidin‐5‐ylidene}methyl)phenyl]‐4‐nitro‐3‐(trifluoromethyl)benzenesulfonamide), which provided a proof of concept to delineate the intricate role of AMPK in regulating oncogenic signaling pathways associated with cell proliferation and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells. In this study, we used 1 as a scaffold to conduct lead optimization, which generated a series of derivatives. Analysis of the antiproliferative and AMPK‐activating activities of individual derivatives revealed a distinct structure–activity relationship and identified 59 (N‐(3‐nitrophenyl)‐N′‐{4‐[(3‐{[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl}‐2,4‐dioxothiazolidin‐5‐ylidene)methyl]phenyl}urea) as the optimal agent. Relative to 1 , compound 59 exhibits multifold higher potency in upregulating AMPK phosphorylation in various cell lines irrespective of their liver kinase B1 (LKB1) functional status, accompanied by parallel changes in the phosphorylation/expression levels of p70S6K, Akt, Foxo3a, and EMT‐associated markers. Consistent with its predicted activity against tumors with activated Akt status, orally administered 59 was efficacious in suppressing the growth of phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN)‐null PC‐3 xenograft tumors in nude mice. Together, these findings suggest that 59 has clinical value in therapeutic strategies for PTEN‐negative cancer and warrants continued investigation in this regard.     

Kinetics of reversible addition–fragmentation transfer (RAFT) miniemulsion polymerization of styrene using dibenzyl trithiocarbonate as RAFT reagent and costabilizer

The roles of dibenzyl trithiocarbonate (DBTTC) as both costabilizer and reversible addition–fragmentation transfer (RAFT) reagent in RAFT miniemulsion polymerizations of styrene were investigated. The effectiveness of DBTTC costabilizer in retarding Ostwald ripening involved in the storage stability of miniemulsion is comparable to that of conventional low‐molecular‐weight costabilizers such as cetyl alcohol, but inferior to that of hexadecane. The major variables chosen for studying kinetics of RAFT miniemulsion polymerizations include the type of initiators and levels of DBTTC and surfactant. At a constant level of DBTTC, the rate of polymerization for benzoyl peroxide (BPO)‐initiated polymerization is slower than that for sodium persulfate (SPS)‐initiated polymerization. Furthermore, the polymerization rate decreases with increasing level of DBTTC for polymerizations initiated by BPO (or SPS). It is the monomer droplet nucleation that governs BPO‐initiated polymerizations. In contrast, for SPS‐initiated polymerizations, the probability for homogeneous nucleation to take place is greatly increased, especially for polymerizations with lower levels of DBTTC and higher levels of surfactant. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chlorella vulgaris Attenuates Dermatophagoides Farinae-Induced Atopic Dermatitis-Like Symptoms in NC/Nga Mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and inflammatory skin disease that can place a significant burden on quality of life for patients. AD most frequently appears under the age of six and although its prevalence is increasing worldwide, therapeutic treatment options are limited. Chlorella vulgaris (CV) is a species of the freshwater green algae genus chlorella, and has been reported to modulate allergy-inducible factors when ingested. Here, we examined the effect of CV supplementation on AD-like symptoms in NC/Nga mice. CV was orally administrated for six weeks while AD-like symptoms were induced via topical application of Dermatophagoides farinae extract (DFE). CV treatment reduced dermatitis scores, epidermal thickness, and skin hydration. Histological analysis also revealed that CV treatment reduced DFE-induced eosinophil and mast cell infiltration into the skin, while analysis of serum chemokine levels indicated that CV treatment downregulated thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) levels. In addition, CV treatment downregulated mRNA expression levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ. Taken together, these results suggest that CV extract may have potential as a nutraceutical ingredient for the prevention of AD.     

Prediction of orthotropic mechanical properties of plain‐weave composites with matrix voids using unit cells at multi‐scales

A numerical procedure for predicting the orthotropic mechanical properties of plain‐weave composites with matrix voids through a combined approach of the representative volume element method and finite element analyses is presented. The representative volume element method was implemented using two unit cells established at different length scales with equation boundary conditions. By considering the presence of randomly scattered voids throughout the matrix induced during the manufacturing process, it was assumed in the simulation that the spatial distribution of matrix voids is completely random. The procedure was exemplified with a glass fiber‐reinforced (plain‐weave fabric) epoxy composite with matrix voids. Sensitivity studies were conducted to quantify the influence of fiber volume fraction and mechanical properties of the constituent phases on the orthotropic mechanical properties of the composite. The numerical procedure, which can be implemented in ABAQUS, is an efficient tool for guiding the design of plain‐weave composites at materials level and also provides effective properties of such composites for the design optimization of engineering structures made of such composite materials. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation,characterization, and flocculation performance of P(acrylamide‐co‐diallyldimethylammonium chloride) by UV‐initiated template polymerization

This study prepared TPDA, a high‐intrinsic‐viscosity cationic polyacrylamide, through ultraviolet (UV)‐initiated template polymerization. Acrylamide (AM) and diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DMD) served as monomers, and poly sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) served as the template. The structure of TPDA was characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The synthetic conditions of TPDA were studied and optimized by single‐factor experiments. An optimized product was obtained at an intrinsic viscosity of 11.3 dL g^?1 and a conversion rate of 97.2% with a total monomer concentration of 20%, DMD concentration of 30%, initiator concentration of 0.045%, pH of 8, EDTA concentration of 0.3%, and UV irradiation of 90 min. Results showed that TPDA was the copolymer of AM and DMD with a micro‐block structure at the molecular chain. Given its high intrinsic viscosity and cationic block structure, TPDA performed better in kaolin flocculation than that prepared without template addition. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41747.     

Design and verification of a single slab RAS through mass production of glass/MWNT added epoxy composite prepreg

In this study, glass fiber composite prepreg is manufactured with multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) added epoxy using two different methods. Because MWNT agglomeration occurs, the calendering dispersion method is used to resolve this problem. The tensile and shear tests of glass/MWNT 1.8wt % added epoxy composite (CNT18) are conducted and the results are compared with the properties of a commercial glass/epoxy composite (GEP 118). The complex permittivity is measured using a network analyzer and a waveguide in the Ku‐band. A single slab radar absorbing structure (RAS) is also designed and verified. It is found that the tensile and shear properties of CNT18 are sufficient to replace GEP 118 as a structural material. Furthermore, the—10 dB bandwidth and reflection loss of the RAS using CNT18 is 12.87 to 17.78 GHz (4.91 GHz) and—29.2 dB at 14.95 GHz, respectively. The measurement results align well with the simulation results. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42019.     

色满酮类化合物的合成及其抗炎活性研究

设计合成了4种色满酮类化合物,并利用熔点、红外光谱、核磁共振氢谱等手段确定了其结构。采用二甲苯致小鼠耳肿胀法,测定了该化合物的抗炎活性,实验结果表明在200mg／kg剂量下所合成的3个目标化合物6-[2-（4-吗啉基）乙氧基]色满酮、6-[（喹啉-2-基）甲氧基]色满酮、7-[2-（4-吗啉基）乙氧基]色满酮对二甲苯所致小鼠耳肿胀具有显著的抑制作用。