A model for the compressive buckling of extended chain polymers

A model for the compressive buckling of an extended polymer chain is presented. The application of classical elastic instability analysis to an idealized polymer chain reveals that the bending rigidity and critical buckling loads for a chain are proportional to the force constants for valence bond angle bending and torsion. Highly oriented polymer fibres are treated as a collection of elastic chains that interact laterally. The critical stresses to buckle this collection of chains are calculated following a procedure developed to predict the compressive strengths of fibre-reinforced composites. This buckling stress is predicted to be equal to the shear modulus of the fibres and is the limiting value of compressive strength. Comparison of experimental and predicted values shows that the theory overestimates the compressive strength, but that there is a correlation of shear modulus with axial compressive strength. Consideration of flaws in both the theory and the material indicate that the compressive strength should be proportional to either the shear modulus or shear strength of the fibres.Nomenclature P axial compressive load (force) - P _cr critical buckling load (force) - M,M _i bending moments - l length of a link - p number of links - k elastic hinge constant - , _i angular rotation of hinges - L overall chain or column length - v,v _i lateral deflection of buckled chain or column - x, y, z Cartesian coordinate axes - E Young's modulus of isotropic column - I moment of inertia - a _ij matrix coefficients - A _p coefficient for exact buckling loads of chains - T energy change due to work of external load on buckled column or chain - U ₁ bending strain energy change of buckled column or chain - U ₂, U ₂ ^e , U ₂ ^s strain energy changes in elastic foundation, where e refers to extension mode buckling and s refers to shear mode buckling - E _t transverse modulus - G longitudinal shear modulus - b dimension associated with chain packing - A cross-sectional area per chain (=b ²) - f(x) curve fitted to shape of buckled chain - m,n,r integers - a _n coefficients of trigonometric series - _y normal strain iny-direction - _y normal stress iny-direction - xy shear strain inxy plane - xy shear stress inxy plane - u _x displacement inx-direction - u _y displacement iny-direction - V volume     

Optimization and evaluation of reduced graphene oxide hydrogel composite as a demulsifier for heavy crude oil-in-water emulsion

The rising production of produced water from oilfields had been proven to bring detrimental environmental effects. In this study, an efficient, recyclable, and environmental-friendly reduced graphene oxide immobilized κ-Carrageenan hydrogel composite(κCa GO) was fabricated as an alternative sorbent for crude oil-in-water demulsification. Polyethyleneimine(PEI) was employed to form a stable hydrogel composite. The conditions for the immobilization of graphene oxide(GO) on PEI-modified κ-Carrageenan(κC) beads were optimized appropriately. An immobilization yield of 77% was attained at 2% PEI, 2 h immobilization activation time, and p H6.5. Moreover, the synthesized κCa GO is capable of demulsification with an average demulsification efficiency of 70%. It was found that the demulsification efficiency increases with salinity and κCa GO dosage, and it deteriorates under alkaline condition. These phenomena can be attributed to the interfacial interactions between κCa GO and the emulsion. Furthermore, the κCa GO can be recycled to use for up to six cycles without significant leaching and degradation. As such, the synthesized κCa GO could be further developed as a potential sorbent substitute for the separation of crude oil from produced water.     

Sequence,Chromatin and Evolution of Satellite DNA

Satellite DNA consists of abundant tandem repeats that play important roles in cellular processes, including chromosome segregation, genome organization and chromosome end protection. Most satellite DNA repeat units are either of nucleosomal length or 5–10 bp long and occupy centromeric, pericentromeric or telomeric regions. Due to high repetitiveness, satellite DNA sequences have largely been absent from genome assemblies. Although few conserved satellite-specific sequence motifs have been identified, DNA curvature, dyad symmetries and inverted repeats are features of various satellite DNAs in several organisms. Satellite DNA sequences are either embedded in highly compact gene-poor heterochromatin or specialized chromatin that is distinct from euchromatin. Nevertheless, some satellite DNAs are transcribed into non-coding RNAs that may play important roles in satellite DNA function. Intriguingly, satellite DNAs are among the most rapidly evolving genomic elements, such that a large fraction is species-specific in most organisms. Here we describe the different classes of satellite DNA sequences, their satellite-specific chromatin features, and how these features may contribute to satellite DNA biology and evolution. We also discuss how the evolution of functional satellite DNA classes may contribute to speciation in plants and animals.     

Mutant p53 Mediates Sensitivity to Cancer Treatment Agents in Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma Associated with MicroRNA and SLC7A11 Expression

TP53 gene mutations occur in 70% of oesophageal adenocarcinomas (OACs). Given the central role of p53 in controlling cellular response to therapy we investigated the role of mutant (mut-) p53 and SLC7A11 in a CRISPR-mediated JH-EsoAd1 TP53 knockout model. Response to 2 Gy irradiation, cisplatin, 5-FU, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, and endoxifen was assessed, followed by a TaqMan OpenArray qPCR screening for differences in miRNA expression. Knockout of mut-p53 resulted in increased chemo- and radioresistance (2 Gy survival fraction: 38% vs. 56%, p < 0.0001) and in altered miRNA expression levels. Target mRNA pathways analyses indicated several potential mechanisms of treatment resistance. SLC7A11 knockdown restored radiosensitivity (2 Gy SF: 46% vs. 73%; p = 0.0239), possibly via enhanced sensitivity to oxidative stress. Pathway analysis of the mRNA targets of differentially expressed miRNAs indicated potential involvement in several pathways associated with apoptosis, ribosomes, and p53 signaling pathways. The data suggest that mut-p53 in JH-EsoAd1, despite being classified as non-functional, has some function related to radio- and chemoresistance. The results also highlight the important role of SLC7A11 in cancer metabolism and redox balance and the influence of p53 on these processes. Inhibition of the SLC7A11-glutathione axis may represent a promising approach to overcome resistance associated with mut-p53.     

The Potential Role of Small-Molecule PERK Inhibitor LDN-0060609 in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Treatment

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) constitutes the most common type of glaucoma. Emerging evidence suggests that Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress and the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-mediated Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) signaling pathway play a key role in POAG pathogenesis. Thus, the main aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the PERK inhibitor LDN-0060609 in cellular model of glaucoma using primary human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. To evaluate the level of the ER stress marker proteins, Western blotting and TaqMan gene expression assay were used. The cytotoxicity was measured by XTT, LDH assays and Giemsa staining, whereas genotoxicity via comet assay. Changes in cell morphology were assessed by phase-contrast microscopy. Analysis of apoptosis was performed by caspase-3 assay and flow cytometry (FC), whereas cell cycle progression by FC. The results obtained have demonstrated that LDN-0060609 triggered a significant decrease of ER stress marker proteins within HTM cells with induced ER stress conditions. Moreover, LDN-0060609 effectively increased viability, reduced DNA damage, increased proliferation, restored normal morphology, reduced apoptosis and restored normal cell cycle distribution of HTM cells with induced ER stress conditions. Thereby, PERK inhibitors, such as LDN-0060609, may provide an innovative, ground-breaking treatment strategy against POAG.     

Effects of Radiation and Hydrogen on the Fracture Resistance of Borosilicate Glasses

In this study, short bar fracture toughness samples were used to determine the effects of radiation and hydrogen on the resistance to fracture of vitreous silica and four commercial borosilicate glasses. The results showed that neither exposure to 10¹⁰ rads of γ-radiation nor saturation to a room-temperature-equivalent exposure of 408 atm of hydrogen had an effect on fracture resistance. Nevertheless, when samples were saturated with hydrogen and then exposed to radiation, resistance to fracture increased significantly in some of the glasses. The increase in the resistance to fracture correlated directly with the increase in concentration of hydroxyl and hydride groups created by exposure to radiation and hydrogen. The concentration of these groups differs with glass composition and accounts for the difference in behavior between the types of glass studied.     

Structural and transport effects of doping perfluorosulfonic acid polymers with the heteropoly acids, H3PW12O40 or H4SiW12O40

A perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer with pendant side chain -O(CF₂)₄SO₃H was doped with the heteropoly acids (HPAs), H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ and H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀. Infrared spectroscopy revealed a strong interaction between the HPA and the PFSA ionomer. Modes associated with the peripheral bonds of the HPA were shifted to lower wave numbers when doped into PFSA membranes. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements showed the presence of large crystallites of HPA in the membrane with d spacings of ca. 10 Å, close to the lattice spacing observed in bulk HPA crystals. Under wet conditions the HPA was more dispersed and constrained the size of the sulfonic acid clusters to 20 Å at a 5 wt% HPA doping level, the same as in the vacuum treated ionomer samples. Under conditions of minimum hydration the HPA decreased the E_a for the self-diffusion of water from 27 to 15 kJ mol⁻¹. The reverse trend was seen under 100% RH conditions. Proton conductivity measurements showed improved proton conductivity of the HPA doped PFSAs at a constant dew point of 80 °C for all temperatures up to 120 °C and at all relative hummidities up to 80%. The activation energy for proton conduction generally was lower than for the undoped materials at RH ≤80%. Significantly the E_a was 1/2 that of the undoped material at RHs of 40 and 60%. A practical proton conductivity of 113 mS cm⁻¹ was observed at 100 °C and 80% RH.     

Quantitation of volatile compounds in heated triolein by static headspace capillary gas chromatography/infrared spectroscopy-mass spectrometry

Static headspace and capillary gas chromatography/infrared spectroscopy-mass spectrometry were used to collect, separate, identify and quantitate the oxidative and thermal decomposition products in heated triolein. Approximately 4 L of triolein was heated in a deep-fat fryer at 190°C for 12 h each day for a total of 60 h, until it contained>-20% polymeric material. The concentration of heptane and octane increased after 12 h heating, then decreased upon further heating, while the concentration of volatile aldehydes decreased gradually during heating. After 12 h of heating, the concentrations of the major volatiles changed as follows: heptane (16.36 to 30.17 ppm), octane (24.48 to 40.77 ppm), heptanal (21.68 ppm to 9.11 ppm), octanal (35.53 to 36.64 ppm), nonanal (68.95 to 43.16 ppm), (E)-2-decenal (135.00 to 89.00 ppm) and (E)-2-undecenal (88.50 to 61.00 ppm). After 60 h of heating, when the oil contained over 20% polymeric material, the concentrations of heptane, octane, heptanal, octanol, nonanal, (E)-2-decenal and (E)-2-undecenal were 5.16, 4.39, 5.45, 7.02, 18.07, 12.50 and 6.00 ppm, respectively.