Influence of polymer on cement hydration in SBR-modified cement pastes

The influence of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) latex on cement hydrates Ca(OH)₂, ettringite, C₄AH₁₃ and C-S-H gel and the degree of cement hydration is studied by means of several measure methods. The results of DSC and XRD show that the Ca(OH)₂ content in wet-cured SBR-modified cement pastes increases with polymer-cement ratio (P/C) and reaches a maximum when P/C is 5%, 10% and 10% for the pastes hydrated for 3 d, 7 d and 28 d, respectively. With wet cure, appropriate addition of SBR promotes the hydration of cement, while the effect of SBR on the content of Ca(OH)₂ and the degree of cement hydration is not remarkable in mixed-cured SBR-modified cement pastes. XRD results illustrate that SBR accelerates the reaction of calcium aluminate with gypsum, and thus enhances the formation and stability of the ettringite and inhibits the formation of C₄AH₁₃. The structure of aluminum-oxide and silicon-oxide polyhedron is characterized by ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si solid state NMR spectrum method, which shows that tetrahedron and octahedron are the main forms of aluminum-oxide polyhedrons in SBR-modified cement pastes. There are only [SiO₄]⁴⁻ tetrahedron monomer and dimer in the modified pastes hydrated for 3 d, but there appears three-tetrahedron polymer in the modified pastes hydrated for 28 d. The effect of low SBR dosage on the structure of aluminum-oxide and silicon-oxide polyhedron is slight. However, the combination of Al³⁺ with [SiO₄]⁴⁻ is restrained when P/C is above 15%, and the structure of Al³⁺ is changed obviously. Meantime, the polymerization of the [SiO₄]⁴⁻ tetrahedron in C-S-H gel is controlled.     

Theoretical analysis and experimental investigation of a porous metal bearing

To improve the tribological behaviour of porous bearings a new type of self-lubricated porous metal bearing is introduced with special non-uniform distribution of permeability. It has been manufactured using a practical production process, its local permeability varying regularly along its circumference. Theoretical analysis and experimental investigation show that: the new bearing has lower friction and higher load capacity than that of ordinary porous bearings, and there is no initial temperature rise and friction increase with the new bearing. The limiting pV(tested) value of the new bearing is about 200% that of an ordinary porous bearing. Considering non-uniform permeability and the effects of curvature, cavitation and velocity slip, a modified Reynolds equation for the oil film and lubrication equation for the porous matrix are derived. A numerical solution for the equations is obtained. Some aspects of the lubrication mechanism in porous bearings and ways of improving load capacity are also discussed.     

Regulation of Ferroptosis by Non-Coding RNAs in Head and Neck Cancers

Ferroptosis is a newly identified mode of programmed cell death characterized by iron-associated accumulation of lipid peroxides. Emerging research on ferroptosis has suggested its implication in tumorigenesis and stemness of cancer. On the other hand, non-coding RNAs have been shown to play a pivotal role in the modulation of various genes that affect the progression of cancer cells and ferroptosis. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the theoretical modeling of ferroptosis and its relationship between non-coding RNAs and head and neck cancers. Aside from the significance of ferroptosis-related non-coding RNAs in prognostic relevance, we also review how these non-coding RNAs participate in the regulation of iron, lipid metabolism, and reactive oxygen species accumulation. We aim to provide a thorough grounding in the function of ferroptosis-related non-coding RNAs based on current knowledge in an effort to develop effective therapeutic strategies for head and neck cancers.     

Preparation and physicochemical characteristics of an allicin nanoliposome and its release behavior

Allicin, the main active component derived from a traditional flavoring agent - garlic, exerts a variety of biological effects. Unfortunately, its high potential in food processing is limited by its sensibility towards heat and alkaline conditions and its pungent smell. In this research, allicin nanoliposomes were prepared using reverse-phase evaporation method in an attempt to circumvent these shortcomings. The process conditions were optimized by response surface methodology, and the optimal parameters obtained were: lecithin-allicin ratio 3.70:1, lecithin-cholesterol ratio 3.77:1, ultrasonic time 3.40 min, organic phase-aqueous phase ratio 3.02:1. The experimental maximum of entrapment efficiency was 75.20 ± 0.62%, which was consistent with the predictive value (75.05%). Various physicochemical characteristics of allicin liposomes were determined and evaluated. The mean size of allicin nanoliposomes with well-defined spherical shape was 145.27 ± 15.19 nm and only a negligible difference was found after 30 days of storage. The allicin nanoliposomes gave a zeta potential of −40.10 ± 0.96 mV. Based upon the in vitro release profiles, allicin nanoliposomes exhibited a sustained-releasing potential in addition to the release behavior followed the first-order equation. The results indicated that the encapsulation of allicin into liposomes proved to be a promising technology for more widespread application.     

SBR乳液改性砂浆与水泥基体界面粘结性能

通过轴向拉拔及界面剪切试验测试了SBR(styrene-butadiene rubber,简称SBR)乳液改性水泥砂浆与旧水泥基体之间的粘结强度,SBR的掺量为水泥质量的0～12%.对新拌砂浆含气量、0～90 d砂浆的收缩变形及28d龄期砂浆的孔隙率和孔径分布等进行了试验研究与分析.研究认为,SBR乳液的掺入改善了新拌砂浆与旧水泥基体之间界面粘结性能,其作用机理主要有以下几点:1.使新拌砂浆含气量减小、28 d龄期砂浆闭口孔隙率增加,有助于保持砂浆中的水分,减小砂浆因水分丧失而产生的干燥收缩,2.减小砂浆28 d龄期前的收缩变形,从而减少了粘结界面因收缩产生的微裂纹,3.使28 d龄期砂浆的平均孔径变小、有害及多害孔隙数量减少,而无害孔隙增多,使接触界面新拌砂浆有害孔隙减少或孔隙细化或孔隙被封堵,从而增加了界面有效粘结面积.     

Formation of hydrates of calcium aluminates in cement pastes with different dosages of SBR powder

The formation of hydrates of calcium aluminates in cement pastes in the presence of different dosages of styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) powder was evaluated. The content of AFt, AFm, C₄AH₁₃ and CAH₁₀ in cement pastes was determined using XRD. The results showed that SBR powder facilitates the formation of AFt and enhances its stability. The enhanced formation of AFt results from a decrease in CH formation. AFm and C₄AH₁₃ appear after 7 and 28 days and both contents are decreased by SBR powder. Most C₃A reacts with CH after the gypsum is exhausted. CAH₁₀ is present in the cement pastes with SBR powder.     

Action of redispersible vinyl acetate and versatate copolymer powder in cement mortar

Redispersible polymer powder of vinyl acetate and versatate copolymer (VA/VeoVa) is applied to modify cement mortar. The effect of VA/VeoVa powder on physical and mechanical properties of cement mortar is investigated. VA/VeoVa powder exhibits excellent water-reduction and water-retention effects in cement mortar and improves mortar properties effectively. Due to the air-entrainment effect of VA/VeoVa powder, the air content of fresh mortar is increased and the bulk density is decreased. VA/VeoVa powder makes the compressive strength decrease, but not so significant the effect on the flexural strength is, which results in the ratio of compressive strength to flexural strength goes down sharply with the increase of VA/VeoVa powder, indicating the toughness of cement mortar is improved markedly. Furthermore, VA/VeoVa powder reduces the shrinkage rate and improves the hydrophobicity and water impermeability of cement mortar.     

Extraction,Preliminary Characterization and Evaluation of in Vitro Antitumor and Antioxidant Activities of Polysaccharides from Mentha piperita

This study describes the extraction, preliminary characterization and evaluation of the in vitro antitumor and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides extracted from Mentha piperita (MPP). The optimal parameters for the extraction of MPP were obtained by Box-Behnken experimental design and response surface methodology (RSM) at the ratio of water to raw material of 20, extraction time of 1.5 h and extraction temperature at 80 °C. Chemical composition analysis showed that MPP was mainly composed of glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose and arabinose, and the molecular weight of its two major fractions were estimated to be about 2.843 and 1.139 kDa, respectively. In vitro bioactivity experiments showed that MPP not only inhibited the growth of A549 cells but possessed potent inhibitory action against DNA topoisomerase I (topo I), and an appreciative antioxidant action as well. These results indicate that MPP may be useful for developing safe natural health products.     

Environmentally friendly disposable sensors with microfabricated on-chip planar bismuth electrode for in situ heavy metal ions measurement

This paper presents an environmentally friendly disposable heavy metal ion sensor for in situ and online monitoring in the nature and physiological systems. The miniaturized sensor chip consists of a non-toxic microfabricated bismuth (Bi) working electrode that replaces the conventional mercury electrodes, an integrated Ag/AgCl reference electrode, a gold counter electrode, and microfluidic channels. In this work, the electrochemical behavior of the Bi working electrode was characterized in several non-deaerated buffer solutions using cyclic voltammetry. The detection and quantification of Pb (II) and Cd (II) were statically performed using anodic stripping voltammetry inside the microchannels, in the Pb (II) concentration range of 25–400 ppb (R² = 0.991) with limit of detection of 8 ppb for 60 s deposition, and in the Cd (II) concentration range of 28–280 ppb (R² = 0.986) with limit of detection of 9.3 ppb for 90 s deposition. Particularly, the applications of this sensor chip have been reported with the examples of in situ measurement of Cd (II) concentration in soil pore and ground water and online direct measurement of Cd (II) concentration in cell culture media in its native environment.