Structure and properties of regenerated cellulose/tourmaline nanocrystal composite films

Nanocomposite films were successfully prepared from cellulose and tourmaline nanocrystals with mean diameters of 70 nm in a 1.5 M NaOH/0.65 M thiourea aqueous solution by coagulation with 5 wt % CaCl₂ and then a 3 wt % HCl aqueous solution for 2 min. The structure and properties of the composite films were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile testing. The results indicated that the tourmaline nanocrystals were dispersed in a cellulose matrix, maintaining the original structure of the nanocrystals in the composite films. The loss peaks (tan δ) in the DMA spectra and the decomposition temperatures in the DSC curves of the composite films were significantly shifted toward low temperatures, suggesting that the nanocrystals broke the partial intermolecular hydrogen bonds of cellulose, and this led to a reduction in the thermal stability. However, the nanocomposite films exhibited a homogeneous structure and dispersion of the nanocrystals. When the tourmaline content was in the range of 4–8 wt %, the composite films possessed good tensile strength (92–107 MPa) and exhibited obvious antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus. This work provides a potential way of preparing functional composite films or fibers from cellulose and nanoinorganic particles with NaOH/thiourea aqueous solutions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 367–373, 2004     

Proposition of a general yield function in geomechanics

A general smooth and convex yield function is proposed, able to model the particular behavior of geomaterials, particularly rock materials that are characterized by a linear or parabolic Mohr's envelope, and a particular shape in the deviatoric plane. These characteristics are defined by two functions: the equation of the criterion in the meridian plane and the extension ratio, which are integrated in a general equation ensuring convexity and smoothness of the yield function, whatever the characteristic functions. This expression is interesting, because it allows a straightforward development of a constitutive model based on triaxial tests, in extension and compression. It also allows the development of smooth criteria corresponding to the Mohr–Coulomb criterion and the H?k–Brown criterion, the latter typical of rock mechanics. To cite this article: S. Maïolino, C. R. Mecanique 333 (2005).     

Applications of High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry in Studies of Brown Carbon

Brown carbon is a hotspot in the field of atmospheric carbonaceous aerosol research. It has significant influence on regional radiative forcing and exerts climatic effects due to its apparent absorbance in the near ultraviolet-visible region. Brown carbon is mainly derived from incomplete combustion of biomass or coal, as well as secondary sources, such as a series of atmospheric photochemical reactions from volatile organic compounds. Although the composition of brown carbon is complex, high-resolution mass spectrometry, with its ultra-high mass resolution and precision, enables elucidation of the characteristics of the organic components of brown carbon at the molecular level. Here, high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with traditional analytical methods was used for the study of brown carbon. The development of high-resolution mass spectrometry for brown carbon separation is reviewed, as well as compositional analysis, source apportionment, and formation mechanism of brown carbon based on high-resolution data. In addition, the issues and prospects for the application of high-resolution mass spectrometry to evaluate brown carbon are discussed.     

Surface modification of superfine tourmaline powder with titanate coupling agent

The effects of surface modification of the superfine tourmaline powder with a titanate coupling agent were discussed by investigating its hydrophobicity and distribution in poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The modified tourmaline powder became hydrophobic, which resulted in better distribution in the PET matrix. The mechanism of the surface modification was analyzed.     

贵州石漠化地区棕黄色粘性土团聚体稳定性研究

   以贵州省普定县碳酸盐岩石漠化研究试验区（陈旗村）的棕黄色粘性土为研究对象,考虑了初始含水率和浸润时间两个影响因素,对研究区土体中占绝对优势的>5mm的大颗粒团聚体进行了共计16组湿筛法试验。结果表明：棕黄色粘性土团聚体遇水破裂的过程主要发生在被浸润初期,初始含水率越小的土壤,经雨水浸润后,大颗粒团聚体破裂得越快越彻底;而原本就比较湿润的土体,团聚体的稳定性则较好。因此,对碳酸盐岩石地区石漠化的防治,应着重考虑气候长期干燥、蒸发量对水土流失的影响。

〖
     

Auslander–Reiten Theory via Brown Representability Dedicated to Professor Daniel Quillen on his Sixtieth Birthday

We develop an Auslander–Reiten theory for triangulated categories which is based on Brown's representability theorem.     

BroWn-Broyden修正算法

1　引　　言求解非线性方程组F(x) =f1 (x1 ,… ,xn)廸n(x1 ,… ,xn)=0　　 F:D Rn→ Rn,(1.1)的 Brown方法 ,是将广义的 L U分解用于 Newton迭代过程 ,而形成的一类具有内外迭代形式的有效算法 .这类算法的特点是每步迭代的函数计算量仅仅为 Newton法的一半 ,而收敛速度则与 Newton法相同 .因此 ,按 Ostrowskii定义的效率指数去衡量 ,Brown方法为一效率较高的算法之一 ,是倍受推崇的 .本文 ,采用修正算法的思想 ,对 Brown方法作进一步改造 ,在不破坏原来的内外迭代形式下 ,使算法在每步迭代中的函数计值量由原来的 O(n2 )下降到 O(…     

Epigenetic drug (XL019) JAK2 inhibitor increases mitochondrial function in brown adipocytes by upregulating mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), screening of epigenetic drug libraries,cell viability,and in-silico studies

BackgroundAt present lacking of effective and safe anti-obesity drugs available leads to initiate obesity worldwide that promotes several diseases like cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, and NASH. The development of new therapeutics is an emergency demand to cure obesity-related diseases. Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) gene could be a potential target to develop new drug moieties that can treat obesity-related diseases.MethodsWe used a GFP reporter cell line to screen epigenetic drug libraries to identify UCP1 regulators that could be effective drug candidates to treat obesity-related diseases. In this study, we employed an in-silico study that revealed drug-protein interaction and stability of drugs with protein.ResultsScreening epigenetic drug libraries, we identified XL019 significant TYK2, JAK2, and JAK3, inhibitors that can significantly promote UCP1 gene expression in brown adipocytes. Here, we found that XL019 plays a vital role to modulates mitochondrial function and could be beneficial against obesity. Further analysis shows that XL019 significantly improved mitochondrial ATP production and mitochondrial DNA copy number of adipocytes compared with the control group. The in-silico study demonstrated drug-protein interaction and binding side with UCP1 gene. Thus XL019 improves mitochondrial function that would be effective drug candidate to treat metabolic diseases and obesity-related diseases.ConclusionIn this study, we confirm the potential effect of the XL019 epigenetic drug that modulates mitochondrial function and in-silico study on drug-likeness, stability, and safety profile. Further investigation will reveal the new insight into the mechanism of action against obesity, metabolic diseases ( NASH, Fibrosis, cardiac diseases and so on), by modulation of the mitochondrial UCP1 gene and mitochondrial function.     

Physicochemical properties of germinated dehulled rice flour and energy requirement in germination as affected by ultrasound treatment

Limited data are published regarding changes in the physicochemical properties of rice flours from germinated de-hulled rice treated by ultrasound. This work was undertaken to evaluate the effect of ultrasound treatment (25 kHz, 16 W/L, 5 min) on starch hydrolysis and functional properties of rice flours produced from ultrasound-treated red rice and brown rice germinated for up to 36 h. Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) microimages showed that the ultrasound treatment altered the surface microstructure of rice, which helped to improve moisture transfer during steam-cooking. The flours from sonicated germinated de-hulled rice exhibited significantly (p < .05) enhanced starch hydrolysis, increased the glucose content, and decreased falling number values and viscosities determined by a Rapid Visco Analyzer. The amylase activity of the germinating red rice and brown rice displayed different sensitivity to ultrasonic treatment. The ultrasonic pre-treatment resulted in a significant reduction in energy use during germination with a potential to further reduce energy use in germinated rice cooking process. The present study indicated that ultrasound could be a low-power consumption method to modify the rheological behavior of germinated rice flour, as well as an efficient approach to improve the texture, flavor, and nutrient properties of steam-cooked germinated rice.     

褐藻硫酸根含量的离子色谱法分析

建立了碱熔-离子色谱测定褐藻中硫酸根含量的方法。样品采用NaOH熔剂,置于马弗炉500℃碱熔45min,经溶解,离心分离,阳离子交换树脂交换后,进样分析。色谱柱为IonPac AS11-HC,以KOH为淋洗液,设置梯度淋洗程序,淋洗液流速为1mL/min。在所选实验条件下,硫酸根在0.4—400mg/L浓度范围内具有良好的线性关系,相关系数r为0.9991,相对标准偏差为2.42%,检出限为0.6mg/kg,回收率在92.17%—109.0%之间。实验证明该方法操作简单,分析快速,结果准确,精密度高,适合于褐藻样品中硫酸根含量的测定。样品分析结果显示褐藻硫酸根含量丰富,尤其是羊栖菜,平均硫酸根含量达40.54g·kg^-1。