Photoelectric properties of ABA‐type triblock copolymers designed using fluorine‐containing polyimide macroinitiators with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

4,4′‐(Hexafluoro‐isopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride‐2,3,5,6‐tetramethyl‐1,4‐phenylenediamine (6FDA‐TeMPD) was synthesized and reacted with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) to form an ABA‐type triblock copolymer by atom transfer radical polymerization. The solid‐state and optical properties of the resulting copolymers were systematically investigated, and their electronic states were analyzed. As the POSS concentration increased, the transparency across the entire wavelength range increased. In the ABA‐type triblock copolymers, a new transition was observed between the highest occupied molecular orbital in POSS and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital in 6FDA‐TeMPD because of their high molecular size dispersion. Since the refractive index of 6FDA‐TeMPD decreased linearly as the POSS concentration increased, the refractive index of the ABA‐type triblock copolymers of 6FDA‐TeMPD with POSS could be easily controlled. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:1207–1213, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Experimental study of the Mode I adhesive fracture energy in DCB specimens bonded with a polyurethane adhesive

The Mode I fracture energy of a polyurethane adhesive with low Young’s modulus was investigated. Metal adherends in standardized double cantilever beam (DCB) tests are typically too stiff for soft adhesives, making it difficult to measure the fracture energy accurately. However, soft adhesives, such as a single-component polyurethane adhesive tested in this paper, are in high demand in the automobile industry. Thus, accurate measurement techniques must be established. Flexible substrates composed of spring steel were used for the DCB tests to accommodate the deformation of the adhesive layer. First, the applicability of the flexible substrates was discussed using specimens bonded with an epoxy adhesive. For soft adhesives, however, the deformation of the adhesive layer must be considered in the calculation methods of the fracture energy. Although the deformation effect on the DCB tests has been discussed with Winkler’s elastic foundation, the crack length must be measured along with the load and displacement. To overcome the difficulty of measuring the crack length, a calculation method based on Winkler’s elastic foundation was introduced applying the compliance-based beam method (CBBM). Finally, the fracture energy of the polyurethane adhesive was discussed by comparing the calculation methods with and without measuring the crack length.     

Pilot-Scale Operation of a Concrete Sludge Recycling Plant and Simultaneous Production of Calcium Carbonate

A pilot-scale plant to treat concrete sludge and produce calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and an environmental purification agent (phosphorus adsorbent derived from concrete sludge, PAdeCS®) was designed, constructed, and operated. Concrete sludge from a concrete pile and pole production plant, boiler gas containing CO₂, and groundwater were used in the plant. The process involved calcium extraction from concrete sludge into water, followed by reaction of the calcium with CO₂ to produce crystalline CaCO₃. The pilot-scale plant was operated for 1 week, and the mass flows, conversion of CO₂ to CaCO₃, and net CO₂ emissions of the process were estimated. High-purity CaCO₃ (>97%) suitable for industrial use was obtained. Based on the power consumption of the process and the amount of CO₂ sequestered into CaCO₃, a net reduction in CO₂ emissions can be achieved using this process. The produced PAdeCS can be used as an inexpensive substitute for calcium series environmental purification agents.     

Metastatic Voyage of Ovarian Cancer Cells in Ascites with the Assistance of Various Cellular Components

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy and has a unique metastatic route using ascites, known as the transcoelomic root. However, studies on ascites and contained cellular components have not yet been sufficiently clarified. In this review, we focus on the significance of accumulating ascites, contained EOC cells in the form of spheroids, and interaction with non-malignant host cells. To become resistant against anoikis, EOC cells form spheroids in ascites, where epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition stimulated by transforming growth factor-β can be a key pathway. As spheroids form, EOC cells are also gaining the ability to attach and invade the peritoneum to induce intraperitoneal metastasis, as well as resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Recently, accumulating evidence suggests that EOC spheroids in ascites are composed of not only cancer cells, but also non-malignant cells existing with higher abundance than EOC cells in ascites, including macrophages, mesothelial cells, and lymphocytes. Moreover, hetero-cellular spheroids are demonstrated to form more aggregated spheroids and have higher adhesion ability for the mesothelial layer. To improve the poor prognosis, we need to elucidate the mechanisms of spheroid formation and interactions with non-malignant cells in ascites that are a unique tumor microenvironment for EOC.     

Lipid analog with 2-nitrophenol trigger designed for liposome fusion at physiological pH

A novel lipid analog with two long alkyl (C₁₆) chains, an aspartate skeleton, a connecting alkyl (C₈) chain, and 2-nitrophenol trigger group is synthesized by an efficient synthetic route, which can induce liposome fusion at physiological pH.     

Mechano-catalytic overall water splitting on some mixed oxides

Simple transition metal oxides such as NiO, Co₃O₄, Fe₃O₄ and Cu₂O were found to catalytically decompose water into H₂ and O₂ by mechanical energy. The reaction is regarded as “mechano-catalytic” overall water splitting” and is a quite novel catalytic reaction. In this paper, some general aspects on the mechano-catalytic overall water splitting are reviewed on simple oxides. In addition, recent results on the mechano-catalytic activity of a groups of mixed oxides, wolramite-type oxides with a formula of ABO₄ (A=Fe, Co, Ni and Cu, etc., B=W, Mo), are shown. AWO₄ (A=Fe, Co, Ni and Cu) decomposed water into H₂ and O₂ under the supply of mechanical energy, indicating that mechano-catalytic overall water splitting proceeded on wolframite-type compounds containing 3d-transition metals. AMoO₄ (A=Fe, Co, Ni) also decomposed water into H₂ and O₂ under supply of mechanical energy. The reaction properties on wolframite-type oxides are discussed.     

Preparation of Ultrafine Fe–Pt Alloy and Au Nanoparticle Colloids by KrF Excimer Laser Solution Photolysis

We prepared ultrafine Fe–Pt alloy nanoparticle colloids by UV laser solution photolysis (KrF excimer laser of 248 nm wavelength) using precursors of methanol solutions into which iron and platinum complexes were dissolved together with PVP dispersant to prevent aggregations. From TEM observations, the Fe–Pt nanoparticles were found to be composed of disordered FCC A1 phase with average diameters of 0.5–3 nm regardless of the preparation conditions. Higher iron compositions of nanoparticles require irradiations of higher laser pulse energies typically more than 350 mJ, which is considered to be due to the difficulty in dissociation of Fe(III) acetylacetonate compared with Pt(II) acetylacetonate. Au colloid preparation by the same method was also attempted, resulting in Au nanoparticle colloids with over 10 times larger diameters than the Fe–Pt nanoparticles and UV–visible absorption peaks around 530 nm that originate from the surface plasmon resonance. Differences between the Fe–Pt and Au nanoparticles prepared by the KrF excimer laser solution photolysis are also discussed.     

The effect of the hydrothermal treatment with aqueous NaOH solution on the photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical properties of visible light-responsive TiO2 thin films

The effect of the hydrothermal treatment with aqueous NaOH solution on the photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties of visible light-responsive TiO₂ thin films prepared on Ti foil substrate (Vis-TiO₂/Ti) by a radio-frequency magnetron sputtering (RF-MS) deposition method has been investigated. The hydrothermally treated Vis-TiO₂/Ti electrodes exhibited a significant increase in their photocurrent under UV and visible light irradiation as compared to untreated Vis-TiO₂/Ti electrode. SEM investigations revealed that the surface morphology of Vis-TiO₂/Ti are drastically changed from the assembly of the TiO₂ crystallites to the stacking of nanowires with diameters of 30–50 nm with increasing hydrothermal treatment time (3–24 h), accompanying the increase in their surface area. The separate evolution of H₂ and O₂ from water under solar light irradiation was successfully achieved using the Vis-TiO₂/Ti/Pt which is hydrothermally treated for 5 h, while the H₂ evolution ratio was 15 μmol h⁻¹ in the early initial stage, corresponding to a solar energy conversion efficiency of 0.23%.     

Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on M1/M2 Macrophage Polarization

Osteoarthritis of the knee (OAK) is a chronic degenerative disease and progresses with an imbalance of cytokines and macrophages in the joint. Studies regarding the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a point-of-care treatment for OAK have reported on its effect on tissue repair and suppression of inflammation but few have reported on its effect on macrophages and macrophage polarization. Based on our clinical experience with two types of PRP kits Cellaid Serum Collection Set P type kit (leukocyte-poor-PRP) and an Autologous Protein Solution kit (APS leukocyte-rich-PRP), we investigated the concentrations of humoral factors in PRPs prepared from the two kits and the effect of humoral factors on macrophage phenotypes. We found that the concentrations of cell components and humoral factors differed between PRPs purified using the two kits; APS had a higher concentration of M1 and M2 macrophage related factors. The addition of PRP supernatants to the culture media of monocyte-derived macrophages and M1 polarized macrophages revealed that PRPs suppressed M1 macrophage polarization and promoted M2 macrophage polarization. This research is the first to report the effect of PRPs purified using commercial kits on macrophage polarization.     

A Smart Hyperthermia Nanofiber-Platform-Enabled Sustained Release of Doxorubicin and 17AAG for Synergistic Cancer Therapy

This study demonstrates the rational fabrication of a magnetic composite nanofiber mesh that can achieve mutual synergy of hyperthermia, chemotherapy, and thermo-molecularly targeted therapy for highly potent therapeutic effects. The nanofiber is composed of biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone) with doxorubicin, magnetic nanoparticles, and 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin. The nanofiber exhibits distinct hyperthermia, owing to the presence of magnetic nanoparticles upon exposure of the mesh to an alternating magnetic field, which causes heat-induced cell killing as well as enhanced chemotherapeutic efficiency of doxorubicin. The effectiveness of hyperthermia is further enhanced through the inhibition of heat shock protein activity after hyperthermia by releasing the inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin. These findings represent a smart nanofiber system for potent cancer therapy and may provide a new approach for the development of localized medication delivery.