Multimerization of a chimeric anti-CD20 single-chain Fv-Fc fusion protein is mediated through variable domain exchange

A series of single-chain anti-CD20 antibodies was produced byfusing single-chain Fv (scFv) with human IgG1 hinge and Fc regions,designated scFv-Fc. The initial scFv-Fc construct was assembledusing an 18 amino acid (aa) linker between the antibody light-and heavy-chain variable regions, with the Cys residue in theupper hinge region (Kabat 233) mutagenized to Ser. Anti-CD20scFv-Fc retained specific binding to CD20-positive cells andwas active in mediating complement-dependent cytolysis. Size-exclusionHPLC analysis revealed that the purified scFv-Fc included multimericas well as monomeric components. Variant scFv-Fcs were constructedincorporating four different hinges between the scFv and Fcregions, or three different linkers in the scFv domain. Allformed multimers, with the highest level of multimerizationfound in the scFv-Fc with the shortest linker (8 aa). Eliminationof an unusual salt bridge between residues L38 and H89 in theV_L-V_H domain interface failed to reduce the formation of higherorder forms. Structural analysis of the scFv-Fc constructedwith 18 or 8 aa linkers by pepsin or papain cleavage suggestedthe proteins contained a form in which scFv units had cross-pairedto form a `diabody'. Thus, domain exchange or cross-pairingappears to be the basis of the observed multimerization.     

EFFECT OF OSMOTIC PRE-TREATMENT AND INFRARED RADIATION ON DRYING RATE AND COLOR CHANGES DURING DRYING OF POTATO AND PINEAPPLE

A combination of intermittent infrared and continuous convection heating was used to dry various osmotically pretreated sample of potato (in solutions of 10%, 20% and 30% NaCl) and pineapple (in solutions of 30%, 50%, 70% Brix). The effect of drying conditions on color changes of potato and pineapple was investigated. The Hunter color scale parameters (redness, yellowness and lightness) were measured to quantify the color changes. With appropriate choice of infrared intermittency as well as osmotic pretreatment, it is possible to reduce the overall color change while maintaining high drying rates. As expected, osmotic pretreatment resulted in a shift in the sorption isotherms for both products.     

基于提标升级改造的CAST工艺优化研究

利用CAST反应器处理生活污水,通过改变曝气时间、进水过程中曝气频率、气流速度,对比各参数条件下的出水水质,研究各参数对污染物去除的影响,探索它们与污染物去除之间的相关性,研究结果表明,试验条件下CAST工艺的最优工况为:进水时间40 min,进水过程中每5 min曝气一次,曝气量1.2 m3/h,曝气3 h,出水COD、氨氮和总磷达GB 18918-2002一级A标。且体系中DO与ORP的变化与污染物的去除也存在一定的相关性,两者随时间变化的转折点能用于指示氨氮达标的时间点。     

温敏性两亲嵌段共聚物相行为的耗散粒子动力学模拟

采用耗散粒子动力学模拟研究了由温敏性聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺(PNIPAM)与聚己内酯(PCL)构成的两亲嵌段共聚物(PCL-PNIPAM-PCL)在水溶液中自组装的动力学过程及微相分离现象,考察了溶液浓度及温度对其相行为的影响。模拟发现不同体积分数的嵌段共聚物在水溶液中呈现出不同的自组装形貌,如球状胶束、柱状胶束、层状胶束等。温度对其在水溶液中的形貌及相变行为有着显著的影响。当温度较低时,PCL-PNIPAM-PCL于稀溶液中可形成稳定的以PCL为核,PNIPAM为壳的球形核壳胶束;而当温度升高到某一值时,在低温时所形成的球形核壳胶束将因温度的升高而转变为表面由PCL组成的多个不连续微区的多隔段胶束。这种温敏现象在耗散粒子动力学模拟中尚属首次被发现。另外,模拟中所得到的该体系的低临界溶解温度与实验测得的值也符合良好。对这一温敏现象作了较深入和细致的解释。本文工作表明耗散粒子动力学能用来研究温度对温敏性两亲嵌段共聚物相行为的影响并揭示其中的机制和一般规律。     

Synthesis of montmorillonite-modified acrylic impact modifiers and toughening of poly(vinyl chloride)

A series of Na-montmorillonite (Na⁺-MMT) modified acrylic impact modifiers (mAIM) were prepared by seeded emulsion polymerization. These mAIM modifiers were characterized by XRD. A 0.24?nm of increased interlayer distance of Na⁺-MMT was an indication of polymer chains intercalation within interlayer spacing. The notched Izod impact tests proved that the impact strength of the PVC/AIM composites prepared by melt blending was 43?J/m, markedly higher than the impact strength of pure PVC. Furthermore, with increasing content of AIM, the composites exhibited changes from brittle fracture to ductile fracture, with the impact strength increasing from 200 to about 1,000?J/m. The impact strength of PVC/mAIM also showed the same trend, although there were drops in some values. The impact strength of PVC/mAIM composites decreased with the increases in Na⁺-MMT content, but the yield strength and modulus of the composites increased with higher Na⁺-MMT content. The result also showed that the tensile strength of mAIM with 2 wt?% Na⁺-MMT is lower than that of mAIM with 0.8 and 1 wt?% contents, but still sufficiently large in comparison to the tensile strength of mAIM with 0 wt?% Na⁺-MMT. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) result showed that the glass transition temperature (T _g) of mAIM did not show obvious changes and the elasticity of mAIM was reduced with the additional Na⁺-MMT content.     

模具材质对氧化铝陶瓷凝胶注模成型的影响研究

通过采用金属、玻璃、陶瓷、塑料、复合材料等材质作为模具,研究了各种材质对凝胶注模成型氧化铝陶瓷坯体的影响。结果表明,用不锈钢模具、马口铁模具、陶瓷模具与玻璃模具成型的坯体质量高,而用有机高分子类(PVC、PP、环氧树脂、石蜡等)模具成型出来的坯体质量不太理想。此外,用金属模具或薄壁模具成型的凝胶反应时间相比陶瓷、玻璃或高分子类模具要短。     

Synthesis of 3D nanostructured metal alloy of immiscible materials induced by megahertz-repetition femtosecond laser pulses

In this work, we have proposed a concept for the generation of three-dimensional (3D) nanostructured metal alloys of immiscible materials induced by megahertz-frequency ultrafast laser pulses. A mixture of two microparticle materials (aluminum and nickel oxide) and nickel oxide microparticles coated onto an aluminum foil have been used in this study. After laser irradiation, three different types of nanostructure composites have been observed: aluminum embedded in nickel nuclei, agglomerated chain of aluminum and nickel nanoparticles, and finally, aluminum nanoparticles grown on nickel microparticles. In comparison with current nanofabrication methods which are used only for one-dimensional nanofabrication, this technique enables us to fabricate 3D nanostructured metal alloys of two or more nanoparticle materials with varied composite concentrations under various predetermined conditions. This technique can lead to promising solutions for the fabrication of 3D nanostructured metal alloys in applications such as fuel-cell energy generation and development of custom-designed, functionally graded biomaterials and biocomposites.     

Amine-based solvent for CO2 absorption and its impact on carbon steel corrosion: A perspective review

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is one of the commonly emitted gaseous by-products in industrial processes. While CO₂ gas is the main cause to greenhouse effect, various CO₂ capture technologies have been proposed and implemented to sequester the CO₂ before the waste gases being released into the atmosphere. One of the mature technologies for CO₂ absorption is by using amine-based solvents. In this regard, different single amine solvents or blended amine solvents have been proven for their capability to remove CO₂. However, the dissolution and reaction of CO₂ gas with the amine solvents turn the solution corrosive. Such phenomenon is undesired as it posts corrosion problem to the absorption column, which normally built of carbon steel material. Henceforth, understanding the behaviour of different amine-based solvents in absorbing CO₂ and its subsequent impact on carbon steel corrosion is very significant. In this review article, we will outline some of the more commonly used solvents and their respective advantages and disadvantages, motivating further investigation into the corrosion tendency. Meanwhile, existing gaps in this research area are discussed for future investigation.     

Flame-retardant properties and synergistic effect of ammonium polyphosphate/aluminum hydroxide/mica/silicone rubber composites

The flammability behaviors of ammonium polyphosphate/aluminum hydroxide/mica/silicone rubber (APP/Al[OH]₃/mica/SiR) ceramifying composites containing APP, Al[OH]₃, and mica are investigated by cone calorimeter test. The thermal degradation and the synergistic effect of APP/Al(OH)₃/mica/SiR composites are investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. APP/Al(OH)₃/mica/SiR composites with 25 wt% of APP, 20 wt% of Al(OH)₃, 25 wt% of mica, and 30 wt% SiR presents a much lower total heat release, the value of peak heat release rate (PHRR), the maximum average heat release rate, the longest time to ignition, and time to the PHRR (t_PHRR), compared with the flame-retardant properties from composites with filler of APP and mica or APP and Al(OH)₃ alone. The results indicate that there is an excellent synergism in APP, Al(OH)₃, and mica, which endows APP/Al(OH)₃/mica/SiR composites with both good flame retardancy and fire prevention. The study on the synergism effect between fire prevention and flame retardancy of APP/Al(OH)₃/mica/SiR composites indicates that compounds containing P-O-Al are formed due to the reaction between APP and Al(OH)₃ during combustion in the early stage and a coherent, dense, and sealed structure is formed due to the reaction in mica, phosphates, and the thermal decomposition products of SiR during combustion in the later stage.