A new strategy for plasticizing and stabilization of PVC mixtures

This study was undertaken to examine possible use of classic tetravalent tin‐based heat stabilizers for the preparation of a polymer plasticizer: poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and simultaneous stabilization of PVC in PVC/PCL mixtures. PCL was prepared from ε‐caprolactone (CL) by polymerization initiated by tin‐containing organic compounds and successfully used to simultaneously plasticize and stabilize PVC. Moreover, conditions under which the polymerization of CL took place directly in situ during PVC/CL mixture processing were found. The procedure yielded homogeneous plasticized PVC/PCL mixtures, which were stable and contained >90% of the original monomer content. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41066.     

The Tiny Companion Matters: The Important Role of Protons in Active Transports in Plants

In plants, the translocation of molecules, such as ions, metabolites, and hormones, between different subcellular compartments or different cells is achieved by transmembrane transporters, which play important roles in growth, development, and adaptation to the environment. To facilitate transport in a specific direction, active transporters that can translocate their substrates against the concentration gradient are needed. Examples of major active transporters in plants include ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) transporters, monosaccharide transporters (MSTs), sucrose transporters (SUTs), and amino acid transporters. Transport via ABC transporters is driven by ATP. The electrochemical gradient across the membrane energizes these secondary transporters. The pH in each cell and subcellular compartment is tightly regulated and yet highly dynamic, especially when under stress. Here, the effects of cellular and subcellular pH on the activities of ABC transporters, MATE transporters, MSTs, SUTs, and amino acid transporters will be discussed to enhance our understanding of their mechanics. The relation of the altered transporter activities to various biological processes of plants will also be addressed. Although most molecular transport research has focused on the substrate, the role of protons, the tiny counterparts of the substrate, should also not be ignored.     

智能化机动车综合性能检测系统的设计与开发

针对以单片机为核心开发的原机动车综合性能检测仪所存在的数据处理能力弱、功能不易扩充等缺点,基于上位机与下位机结构提出了一套智能化机动车综合性能检测系统设计方案.给出了系统结构及工作原理,介绍了系统组成中的关键硬件技术,并对软件系统编程进行了详细的论述,提出了机动车综合性能检测系统的全面解决方案.该方案可以解决原测试仪系统中存在的测试精度低、编程复杂、用户界面不够友好等一系列问题.     

State of the Art: The Immunomodulatory Role of MSCs for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) has generally been introduced as a degenerative disease; however, it has recently been understood as a low-grade chronic inflammatory process that could promote symptoms and accelerate the progression of OA. Current treatment strategies, including corticosteroid injections, have no impact on the OA disease progression. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) based therapy seem to be in the spotlight as a disease-modifying treatment because this strategy provides enlarged anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects. Currently, bone marrow, adipose derived, synovium-derived, and Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs are the most widely used types of MSCs in the cartilage engineering. MSCs exert immunomodulatory, immunosuppressive, antiapoptotic, and chondrogenic effects mainly by paracrine effect. Because MSCs disappear from the tissue quickly after administration, recently, MSCs-derived exosomes received the focus for the next-generation treatment strategy for OA. MSCs-derived exosomes contain a variety of miRNAs. Exosomal miRNAs have a critical role in cartilage regeneration by immunomodulatory function such as promoting chondrocyte proliferation, matrix secretion, and subsiding inflammation. In the future, a personalized exosome can be packaged with ideal miRNA and proteins for chondrogenesis by enriching techniques. In addition, the target specific exosomes could be a gamechanger for OA. However, we should consider the off-target side effects due to multiple gene targets of miRNA.     

晶体管镀金可伐(Fe-Ni-Co合金)引线腐蚀断裂原因的研究

基于模型分析,研究了镀金可伐引线在各种缺陷组合方式下的偶合系统在静、动态3％NaCl溶液中的腐蚀行为。应用OCC理论阐述了蚀孔的形成和形貌特征。大气环境下镀金可伐引线的腐蚀是以偶合腐蚀为起因,具有闭塞小孔腐蚀特征的局部腐蚀。中性介质的实验结果与实际断腿样品在形貌等各方面均十分相符,这支持了上述观点。     

DNA‐Scaffolded Multivalent Ligands to Modulate Cell Function

We report a simple, versatile, multivalent ligand system that is capable of specifically and efficiently modulating cell‐surface receptor clustering and function. The multivalent ligand is made of a polymeric DNA scaffold decorated with biorecognition ligands (i.e., antibodies) to interrogate and modulate cell receptor signaling and function. Using CD20 clustering‐mediated apoptosis in B‐cell cancer cells as a model system, we demonstrated that our multivalent ligand is significantly more effective at inducing apoptosis of target cancer cells than its monovalent counterpart. This multivalent DNA material approach represents a new chemical biology tool to interrogate cell receptor signaling and functions and to potentially manipulate such functions for the development of therapeutics.     

A systematic approach to preliminary polymer process development: modeling and design

A general and complete methodology is presented to facilitate systematic modeling and design of polymer processes during the early development period. To capture and handle the subjective type of uncertainty, embedded in the preliminary process development, fuzzy theories are used as a basis to model and design the process in the presence of ambiguity and vagueness. Physical membership functions are developed for mapping the relation between process variables and the associated fuzzy uncertainties. Based on the qualitative results generated using our previously proposed “linguistic based preliminary design method,” the process modeling can be followed even in the absence of any process governing equations. The modeling is carried out by establishing an appropriate fuzzy reasoning system which provides a specific functional mapping that relates input process variables to one (or more than one) output performance parameter(s). A reduced yet feasible domain is generated by our qualitative design scheme to constrain the process variables. Now, any optimization routine can then be employed to search for a proper process design. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology by its application to a typical compression molding process.     

GPRS无线数据传送在远程采集系统中的应用

利用GPRS模块Q2406B和单片机W77E58，实现了在远程采集系统中应用GPRS无线传送数据。经试验证明，谊系统：运行良好，传输数据稳定。     

Adsorption onto fluidized powdered activated carbon flocs-pACF

This work presents a new adsorption technique where the adsorbent (powdered activated carbon-PAC) is in the form of suspended flocs formed with water-soluble polymer flocculants. Thus, the adsorption of a typical dye, methylene blue (MB), was studied onto polyacrylamide flocs of PAC (PACF) in a fluidized bed reactor. The technique is based on the fact that the adsorption capacity of PAC does not decrease after flocculation because the adsorbed polymer occupies only a few surface sites, in the form of trains, loops, and tails. Moreover, the adsorption was found to proceed through a rapid mass transfer of MB to the adsorbing PAC flocs, in the same extent as onto PAC. Because of the rapid settling characteristics of the aggregates formed, the two phase separations, loaded PAC and solution, become easier. Thus, the technique offers the advantages of conducting simultaneously both adsorption and solid/liquid separation all in one single stage. Results obtained showed that high MB removal values can be attained in a fluidized bed reactor (>90%) and that PACF presents a much higher adsorption capacity (breakthrough points) than granulated activated carbon (GAC) in the same adsorbing bed. It is believed that this technique highly broadens the potential of the use of powdered activated carbon or other similar ultrafine adsorbents.     

Qualitative and quantitative identification of adulteration of milk powder using DNA extracted with a novel method

The extraction of high-quality DNA from processed dairy products is often the crucial step in an authentication process by PCR-based methods. In this study, we optimized a novel DNA extraction method for milk powder and used the extracted DNA for identification of milk powder based on PCR analysis. The DNA quality was assessed by amplifying target sequences from mitochondrial genes, as well as by monitoring the yield, purity, and integrity of the extracted DNA. In addition, a laboratory adulteration model of milk powder was detected by PCR-based methods (PCR and real-time PCR) using primers targeting the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. Results showed that a sufficient amount and quality of DNA could be isolated from milk powder with this method. Both PCR and real-time PCR detection of cow milk compositions in goat milk powder further confirmed the DNA extracted with this extraction method could be widely used in addressing milk powder adulterant by a PCR-based method.