Mechanical,morphology, and thermal properties of carbon fiber reinforced poly(butylene succinate) composites

Biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)/carbon fiber (CF) composites were prepared by melt blending method using twin‐screw extruder followed by injection molding. Mechanical properties, crystallization behavior, morphology, crystal structure, and thermal stability of PBS/CF composites were investigated with different CF contents (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%). It was found that the tensile and impact properties of the composites were improved markedly with the addition of CF; while too much CF would lead to agglomeration and thus weaken the improvement. Scanning electron microscopic photographs on the fracture surfaces showed superior interfacial adhesion between fibers and PBS matrix. Crystallization peak temperature of PBS in its composites was increased due to the heterogeneous effect of CF. The spherulite size of PBS/CF composites decreased and the nucleation density increased drastically. The crystal structure was not affected by the incorporation of CF, as confirmed from the wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction analysis. thermogravimetric analysis showed that the thermal stability of PBS/CF composites was also enhanced. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1335–1345, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

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.     

不完备条件下GPS定位算法的研究

利用全球定位系统（GPS）能在观测到3颗GPS卫星时实现2D定位,实现3D定位则需要至少观测到4颗卫星。在卫星观测数目为2或1的不完备条件下,仅利用GPS已无法完成正常定位。文章提出了结合数字地图的不完备条件下GPS定位算法,实验证明,应用该算法在仅能观测到2颗GPS卫星时能完成满足一定精度要求的定位,在仅能观测到1颗GPS卫星时能给出有价值的信息,并且能够简化地图匹配的工作,从而可以作为车载定位系统的有力补充。     

Lysophosphatidylserine Induces MUC5AC Production via the Feedforward Regulation of the TACE-EGFR-ERK Pathway in Airway Epithelial Cells in a Receptor-Independent Manner

Lysophosphatidylserine (LysoPS) is an amphipathic lysophospholipid that mediates a broad spectrum of inflammatory responses through a poorly characterized mechanism. Because LysoPS levels can rise in a variety of pathological conditions, we sought to investigate LysoPS’s potential role in airway epithelial cells that actively participate in lung homeostasis. Here, we report a previously unappreciated function of LysoPS in production of a mucin component, MUC5AC, in the airway epithelial cells. LysoPS stimulated lung epithelial cells to produce MUC5AC via signaling pathways involving TACE, EGFR, and ERK. Specifically, LysoPS- dependent biphasic activation of ERK resulted in TGF-α secretion and strong EGFR phosphorylation leading to MUC5AC production. Collectively, LysoPS induces the expression of MUC5AC via a feedback loop composed of proligand synthesis and its proteolysis by TACE and following autocrine EGFR activation. To our surprise, we were not able to find a role of GPCRs and TLR2, known LyoPS receptors in LysoPS-induced MUC5AC production in airway epithelial cells, suggesting a potential receptor-independent action of LysoPS during inflammation. This study provides new insight into the potential function and mechanism of LysoPS as an emerging lipid mediator in airway inflammation.     

Microorganisms in landfill bioreactors for accelerated stabilization of solid wastes

Landfill bioreactors (LBRs) with management of leachate and biogas have presented numerous advantages such as accelerated stabilization of solid wastes, reduced amount of leachate, and in situ leachate treatment. Such advantages have minimized environmental risks, have allowed extension of the useful life of the landfill site, and have fostered cost reduction. LBRs of three types have been developed using both anaerobic and aerobic modes: anaerobic, aerobic, and hybrid. Microorganisms in landfills cause various reactions related with organic fractions and heavy metals. Such functions have been stimulated in LBRs by recirculation of leachate with or without aeration. To date, most studies of microorganisms in LBRs have analyzed bacteria and archaea based on 16S rRNA genes and have analyzed fungi based on 18S rRNA genes from a taxonomical viewpoint. Indicator genes for specific functions in LBRs such as nitrification, denitrification, and methane production have also been monitored. The population dynamics of microorganisms in LBRs have been partially clarified, but the obtained data remain limited because of highly heterogeneous features of solid wastes inside LBRs. Systematic monitoring of microorganisms should be established to improve LBR performance.     

Effect of Excess Magnesia on the Preparation of Cordierite Based on Waste Foundry Sand

Waste foundry sand collected from lost foam casting industry is a solid waste that contains ZrSiO₄. For the purpose of re‐utilization, it is adopted to synthesize cordierite with the addition of MgO powders and fused silica by direct sintering, meanwhile the effect of various MgO mole ratios on the sintering behaviors is investigated using XRD, SEM, and mercury porosimetry. The lowest temperature corresponding to the formation of cordierite is 1150°C, and the increase of MgO mole ratio does not reduce the temperature for cordierite crystallization but increase the microhardness and thermal expansion coefficients.     

Coal combustion characteristics in a circulating fast fluidized bed

The effect of coal size (0.73–1.03 mm), excess air ratio (1.0–1.4), operating bed temperature (750–900‡C), coal feeding rate (1–3 kg/h), and coal recycle rate (20–40 kg/h) on combustion efficiency, temperature profiles along the bed height and flue gas composition have been determined in a bubbling and circulating fluidized bed combustor (7.8 cm-ID x 2.6 m-high). Combustion efficiency increases with increasing excess air ratio and operating bed temperature and it decreases with increasing particle size in the bubbling and circulating fluidzing beds. In general, temperature profiles and combustion efficiency are more uniform and higher in a circulating bed than those in bubbling bed. Combustion efficiency also increases with increasing recycle rate of unburned coal in the circulating bed. The ratio of CO/CO₂ of flue gas decreases with increasing bed temperature and excess air ratio, whereas the ratio of O₂(CO + CO₂) decreases with bed temperature in both bubbling and circulating fluidized beds.