An Amphiphilic BODIPY‐Porphyrin Conjugate: Intense Two‐Photon Absorption and Rapid Cellular Uptake for Two‐Photon‐Induced Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy

The new amphiphilic BODPY‐porphyrin conjugate BZnPP and its precursor BZnPH were synthesised, and their linear and two‐photon photophysical properties, together with their cellular uptake and photo‐cytotoxicity, were studied. This amphiphilic conjugate consists of a hydrophobic BODIPY moiety and a hydrophilic tetra(ethylene glycol) chain bridging a cationic triphenylphosphonium group to an amphiphilic porphyrin ZnP through acetylide linkers at its meso positions. A large two‐photon absorption cross‐section (σ=1725 GM) and a high singlet oxygen quantum yield (0.52) were recorded. Intense linear‐ and two‐photon‐induced red emissions were also observed for both BZnPP and BZnPH. Further in vitro studies showed that BZnPP exhibited very efficient cellular uptake and strong photocytotoxic but weak dark cytotoxic properties towards human breast carcinoma MCF‐7 cells. In summary, the two‐photon‐induced emission and the potent photo‐cytotoxicity of BZnPP make it an efficacious dual‐purpose tumour‐imaging and photodynamic therapeutic agent in the tissue‐transparent spectral windows.     

入口旋流对均一粒径液滴喷雾干燥塔影响的数值模拟

均一粒径液滴喷雾干燥塔（MDSD）在生产均匀尺寸颗粒产品中发挥着较大优势,进一步优化其干燥过程操作尤为重要。集成离散相（DPM）和反应工程法（REA）干燥方法,通过耦合分散室和主干燥室模型,本研究开发了完整的MDSD三维计算流体力学模型。并系统探究了在干燥过程中分散气旋流、热空气旋流以及二者共同旋流对颗粒运动和最终干燥效果的影响。模拟结果表明,在30°入射角下加入旋流效果最优。同时引入分散室和干燥室旋流后发现,同向旋流比反向旋流带来的干燥效果提升2%,更比无旋流操作下的干燥效果提升30%。欲达到同样的干燥效果,引入同向旋流,塔身可缩短近12%。     

Utilization of waste vanadium-bearing resources in the preparation of rare-earth vanadate catalysts for semi-hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

Recycling industrial solid waste not only saves resources but also eliminates environmental concerns of toxic threats. Herein, we proposed a new strategy for the utilization of petrochemical-derived carbon black waste, a waste vanadium-bearing resource (V > 30000 ppm (10 ⁻⁶)). Chemical leaching was employed to extract metallic vanadium from the waste and the leachate containing V was used as an alternative raw material for the fabrication of vanadate nanomaterials. Through the screening of various metal cations, it was found that the contaminated Na⁺ during the leaching process showed strong competitive coordination with the vanadium ions. However, by adding foreign Ce³⁺ and Y³⁺ cations, two rare-earth vanadates, viz., flower-like CeVO₄ and spherical YVO₄ nanomaterials, were successfully synthesized. Characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared, and N₂ physisorption were applied to analyze the physicochemical properties of the waste-derived nanomaterials. Importantly, we found that rare-earth vanadate catalysts exhibited good activities toward the semi-hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The conversion of cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic alcohol selectivity were even higher than those of the common CeVO₄ prepared using pure chemicals (67.2% vs. 27.7% and 88.4% vs. 53.5%). Our work provides a valuable new reference for preparing vanadate catalysts by the use of abundant vanadium-bearing waste resources.     

Reaction Engineering Approach (REA) to model the drying kinetics of droplets with different initial sizes—experiments and analyses

Droplets with different initial sizes, which are typical in conventional liquid atomization for spray drying applications, will result in varying drying and crust formation histories. It is essential for any droplet drying model to accurately capture such fundamental phenomena. This study used a newly constructed glass-filament single droplet rig to evaluate the applicability of the Reaction Engineering Approach (REA) in describing such effect. For the three initial sizes (1, 2 and 3 μL) tested, the glass filament gravimetric method clearly distinguished the different drying kinetics and the crust formation phenomenon, delineated by the drying behavior. Analysis from the drying kinetics revealed that the main premise of the REA, which utilizes a material-specific master activation energy curve, is applicable to droplets of different initial sizes at all the three air temperatures tested. This allowed the REA to accurately predict the different temperature and moisture histories given by droplets with different initial sizes. The result supports the REA as a good modeling approach for a wide range of initial droplet conditions. A new master curve approach was proposed to predict the diameter change of droplets with different initial concentrations. Validation with the current and past experimental data revealed that this approach has strong potential to account for the different feed concentrations typically found in spray drying applications.     

3D Active Edge Silicon Detector Tests With 120 GeV Muons

3D detectors with electrodes penetrating through the silicon wafer and covering the edges were tested in the SPS beam line X5 at CERN in autumn 2003. Detector parameters including efficiency, signal-to-noise ratio, and edge sensitivity were measured using a silicon telescope as a reference system. The measured sensitive width and the known silicon width were equal within less than 10 mum.     

Knowledge construction and misconstruction: A case study approach in asynchronous discussion using Knowledge Construction – Message Map (KCMM) and Knowledge Construction – Message Graph (KCMG)

This paper introduces a methodology for analyzing the knowledge construction and misconstruction processes occurring in online asynchronous discussion for Secondary 2 (Grade 8) students. The use of purposive sampling targeting specific students in a single course forum could potentially advance understanding of these processes using Knowledge Construction – Message Map (KCMM) and Knowledge Construction – Message Graph (KCMG). This paper traced the communication patterns and knowledge construction as well as misconstruction processes of students working in groups to formulate scientific ideas. This methodology reveals the dynamics of asynchronous discussion through mapping and quantifying the electronic learning process. This will equip educational practitioners and researchers with a useful tool for describing online interaction through adoption of a measurement methodology more systematic and effective than anecdotally. The research findings suggest that self-directed learning through asynchronous discussion has to be monitored by facilitators as learners possessed misconceptions that could potentially mislead other participants.     

Decentralized adaptive controller design of large-scale uncertain robotic systems

In this paper, we develop a decentralized neural network control design for robotic systems. Using this design, it is not necessary to derive the robotic dynamical system (robotic model) for the control of each of the robotic components, as in traditional robot control. The advantage of the proposed neural network controller is that, under a mild assumption, unknown nonlinear dynamics such as inertia matrix and Coriolis/centripetal matrix and friction, as well as interconnections with arbitrary nonlinear bounds can be accommodated with on-line learning.     

Using 10 Gb/s remodulation DPSK signal in self-restored colorless WDM-PON system

In this investigation, we propose and experimentally demonstrate the remodulation technique using DPSK format in both downlink and uplink traffics with high extinction ratio (ER) in colorless WDM-PON; together with a simple self-restored architecture against fiber fault. Error free operation was achieved in a 20-km-reach 10-Gb/s WDM-PON without dispersion compensation. Comparison with other wavelength remodulation schemes for WDM-PONs is also performed, showing the proposed scheme can be a potential candidate for next generation wavelength reuse WDM-PONs. In addition, the performance of self-protection has also been discussed and analyzed.     

Synthesis,Characterisation, and Evaluation of a Cross-Linked Disulphide Amide-Anhydride-Containing Polymer Based on Cysteine for Colonic Drug Delivery

The use of disulphide polymers, a low redox potential responsive delivery, is one strategy for targeting drugs to the colon so that they are specifically released there. The objective of this study was to synthesise a new cross-linked disulphide-containing polymer based on the amino acid cysteine as a colon drug delivery system and to evaluate the efficiency of the polymers for colon targeted drug delivery under the condition of a low redox potential. The disulphide cross-linked polymers were synthesised via air oxidation of 1,2-ethanedithiol and 3-mercapto-N-2-(3-mercaptopropionamide)-3-mercapto propionic anhydride (trithiol monomers) using different ratio combinations. Four types of polymers were synthesised: P10, P11, P151, and P15. All compounds synthesised were characterised by NMR, IR, LC-MS, CHNS analysis, Raman spectrometry, SEM-EDX, and elemental mapping. The synthesised polymers were evaluated in chemical reduction studies that were performed in zinc/acetic acid solution. The suitability of each polymer for use in colon-targeted drug delivery was investigated in vitro using simulated conditions. Chemical reduction studies showed that all polymers were reduced after 0.5–1.0 h, but different polymers had different thiol concentrations. The bacterial degradation studies showed that the polymers were biodegraded in the anaerobic colonic bacterial medium. Degradation was most pronounced for polymer P15. This result complements the general consensus that biodegradability depends on the swellability of polymers in an aqueous environment. Overall, these results suggest that the cross-linked disulphide-containing polymers described herein could be used as coatings for drugs delivered to the colon.     

Probabilistic simulation for developing likelihood distribution of engineering project cost

Inaccurate early project cost estimates can eliminate investment benefits. This study focuses on assisting estimators who are attempting to enhance the accuracy and reliability of engineering project cost in the pre-conceptual stage. This aim has recently garnered the attention of the transportation communities. Data from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) were utilized to develop an alternative approach that aids decision makers in terms of probability and confidence level. The proposed procedure comprises heuristic and practical simulation models that can be employed to calculate the probabilistic costs of highway bridge replacement projects. The simulation models utilize independent, correlated, and Latin Hypercube sampling approaches that incorporate major work items, roll-up work items, and project-level engineering contingencies. Cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) are then developed as a user-friendly chart for decision makers and these CDFs can be used to assess project risks during the pre-conceptual stage. Trial runs using these estimating procedures generate reliable pre-conceptual estimates. Additionally, these procedures can be extended to other project types along with programming techniques for developing an engineering project cost decision support system.