Evolution of electrical conductivity and semiconductor to metal transition of iron oxides at extreme conditions

Iron oxides are widely found as ores in Earth's crust and are also important constituents of its interiors. Their polymorphism, composition changes, and electronic structures play essential roles in controlling the structure and geodynamic properties of the solid Earth. While all-natural occurring iron oxides are semiconductors or insulators at ambient pressure, they start to metalize under pressure. Here in this work, we review the electronic conductivity and metallization of iron oxides under high-pressure conditions found in Earth's lower mantle. We summarize that the metallization of iron oxides is generally controlled by the pressure-induced bandgap closure near the Fermi level. After metallization, they possess much higher electrical and thermal conductivity, which will facilitate the thermal convection, support a more stable and thicker D^{$\prime\prime$} layer, and formulate Earth's magnetic field, all of which will constrain the large-scale dynamos of the mantle and core.     

Synthesis of 29H,31H-phthalocyanine and chloro (29H,31H-phthalocyaninato) aluminum derivatives showed anti-cancer and anti-bacterial actions

Continuous administration of most chemotherapeutic drugs can induce different types of side effects. There has been growing interest in exploring an alternative approach to synthesizing compounds that are most effective and have fewer side effects. We synthesized 29H,31H-Phthalocyanine, and Chloro (29H,31H- phthalocyaninato) aluminum at low temperatures using lithium in the present study with diisopropylamide as the nucleophile. The physical characteristics of 29H,31H-Phthalocyanine, and Chloro (29H,31H- phthalocyaninato) aluminum were confirmed by FT-IR method, XRD, SEM, and the impact of these compounds on human colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116) and human cervical cells (HeLa) was examined. Treatment with 29H,31H-Phthalocyanine significantly decreased cancer cell growth and proliferation, as determined by MTT and DAPI staining analysis. In contrast, Chloro (29H,31H- phthalocyaninato) aluminum treatment did not show any inhibitory action on colon or cervical cancer cells. We also calculated the inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 29H,31H-Phthalocyanine, which was 30 µg/ml (HCT-116) and 33 µg/ml (HeLa cells). The antibacterial effectiveness of 29H,31H-Phthalocyanine, and chloro (29H,31H- phthalocyaninato) aluminum was studied using Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). The CFU (colony frequency unit) assay confirmed significant activity against the test bacterium after treatment with 29H,31H-Phthalocyanine. However, no activity was seen upon treatment with chloro (29H,31H- phthalocyaninato) aluminum against E. faecalis.     

The impact of insecticides containing deltamethrin and cyfluthrin on the composition of surface compounds in the larvae,females and males of Tenebrio molitor

This paper presents the effect of insecticides on the composition of the surface compounds of one of the most harmful insects, Tenebrio molitor, by analysis using GC–MS. As a result of the use of insecticides, the composition of the chemical compounds on the surface of insects changes, depending on the insecticides used. The most numerous groups of the marked compounds were fatty acids, alkanes, esters and sterols. The content of the identified compounds in the larvae increased at both 24 and 48 h after the application of insecticides, in comparison with the control samples. The content of identified compounds in the samples taken from the females increased 24, 48 and 72 h after the application of insecticides in comparison with the control samples. By contrast, in samples prepared from males, the content of identified compounds decreased 24 h after the application of insecticides, compared with the control samples. The highest content of chemical compounds was for fatty acids and alkanes after the use of insecticides. The content of fatty acids after the application of the insecticide with deltamethrin was 62.1 ± 3.3–466.9 ± 5.9 μg/g, and after the application of the insecticide with cyfluthrin was 49.9 ± 1.9–458.3 ± 4.2 μg/g. However, the content of alkanes after the use of deltamethrin was 115.6 ± 4.2–4672.0 ± 32.1 μg/g, and after the use of cyfluthrin was 189.4 ± 3.8–3975.0 ± 10.2 μg/g.     

Topical application of zein-silk sericin nanoparticles loaded with curcumin for improved therapy of dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is characterized by leukocyte migration into the skin dermis and typically driven by excessive chemokine production at the site of inflammation. Conventional topical formulations such as gels, creams, and ointments are insufficient for this treatment because of low penetration of drug molecules into the targeted skin tissues. Herein, using a simple, green, sustainable strategy, we have developed novel primary zein nanoparticles embedded in curcumin (Cur) and coated with silk sericin (ZHSCs) for the topical delivery of Cur to penetrate into the dermis and exercise anti-dermatitis effects on the lesion with minimal side-effects. Transdermal delivery experiments and porcine skin fluorescence imaging indicated that ZHSCs facilitate the penetration of Cur across the epidermis layer of skin to reach deep-seated sites. Notably, ZHSCs = 1:0.25 (zein-to-silk sericin mass ratios of 1:0.25) markedly elevated the skin permeability and cumulative turnover of Cur transferred, which were provided a greater than a 3.8-fold increase relative to free Cur. The special nanoparticles of ZHS = 1:0.25 possessed the deepest localization depth and experience a transition of the particle structure and core-shell separation after penetrating into the dermis of skin. In a cell model of dermatitis induced by tumor necrosis factor α/interferon γ co-stimulation, compared with free Cur, Cur-loaded ZHS nanoparticles down-regulated the generation of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in keratinocytes through suppression of the nuclear translocation of NF-κBp65 and hence exerted an anti-dermatitis effect. This strategy may provide new avenues and direction for the demanding issues of valid topical delivery systems.     

The covalent functionalization of few-layered MoTe2 thin films with iodonium salts

Covalent functionalization of 2D materials provides a tailored approach towards tuning of their chemical, optical, and electronic properties making the search for new ways to graft small molecules important. Herein, the reaction with (3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)iodonium salt is revealed as an effective strategy for functionalization of MoTe₂ thin films. Upon decomposition of the salt, the generated radicals graft covalently as aryl-(CF₃)₂ groups at the surface of both metallic (1T’) and semiconducting (2H) polymorphs of MoTe₂. Remarkably, the reactivity of the salt is governed by the electronic structure of the given polymorph. While the functionalization of the metallic MoTe₂ occurs spontaneously, the semiconducting MoTe₂ requires activation by light. The reaction proceeds with the elimination of oxide from the original films yielding the functionalized products that remain protected in ambient conditions, presenting a viable solution to the ageing of MoTe₂ in air.     

配合参数对单晶炉驱动系统的影响分析

光伏产业的发展使得对硅材料的需求日益增加,同时硅单晶生产行业竞争也日趋激烈。作为生产硅单晶的重要装备,单晶炉的稳定性和可靠性关系到硅单晶生产效率的提升和成本的下降,因此其驱动系统的设计和优化成为装备制造的关键环节。本文以NVT-HG2000-V1型硅单晶生长炉的驱动系统为研究对象,用SolidWorks三维建模实现虚拟装配,采用ADAMS建立其动力学仿真模型,并对驱动系统的运动过程进行仿真模拟。采用控制变量法定量分析了铜套与升降轴的配合间隙及丝杠参数对驱动力和驱动力矩的影响规律,进而在提高硅单晶生长炉装备稳定性和可靠性方面给出合理的技术建议。结果表明,铜套与升降轴的配合间隙达到0.071 mm后能有效降低驱动系统运行所需驱动力矩,丝杠倾斜度、螺纹螺距与螺纹间摩擦系数的增大均会导致驱动系统运行所需力矩大幅增加。     

Validation of a robust and rapid liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric method for the quantitative analysis of navitoclax

The Bcl-2 family small molecule inhibitor navitoclax is being clinically evaluated to treat multiple cancers including lymphoid malignancies and small cell lung cancer. A sensitive and reliable method was developed to quantitate navitoclax in human plasma using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry with which to perform detailed pharmacokinetic studies. Sample preparation involved protein precipitation using acetonitrile. Separation of navitoclax and the internal standard, navitoclax-d8, was achieved with a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C₁₈ column using isocratic flow over a 3 min total analytical run time. A SCIEX 4500 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operated in positive electrospray ionization mode was used for the detection of navitoclax. The assay range was 5–5,000 ng/ml and proved to be accurate (89.5–104.9%) and precise (CV ≤ 11%). Long-term frozen plasma stability for navitoclax at −70°C was at least 43 months. The method was applied for the measurement of total plasma concentration of navitoclax in a patient receiving a 250 mg daily oral dose.     

Sample preparation,instrumental analysis,and natural distribution of complex organic pollutants in the wastewater from unconventional gas production

Large amounts of flowback and produced water (FPW) have been generated from hydraulic fracturing process for the production of unconventional gas such as shale gas. Complex organic pollutants are abundantly present in FPW with revealed toxicity to aquatic organisms and these contaminants may transfer into surrounding aquatic environment. Characterization and determination of complicated organic pollutants in FPW remains a challenge due to its complex composition and high salinity matrix. This review article covers the progress of recent 5 years regarding the sample preparation and instrumental analysis methods and thus summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of these methods for critical analysis of organic contaminants in FPW samples. Furthermore, the natural distribution of detected organic compounds and their transformation were reviewed and discussed to enhance the understanding of spatial and temporal behaviors of these organic pollutants in natural environment, paving the way for future development of pollution control policies and strategies. Enlightened by the studies of FPW contamination in the US, the investigations of FPW contamination in China continued to grow due to rapidly growing production of shale gas in China and resulted pollution.     

Dendritic polyurethane-based prodrug as unimolecular micelles for precise ultrasound-activated localized drug delivery

Ultrasound has been recognized as an exciting tool to enhance the therapeutic efficacy in tumor chemotherapy owing to the triggered drug release, facilitated intracellular drug delivery, and improved spatial precision. Aiming for a precise localized drug delivery, novel dendritic polyurethane-based prodrug (DOX-DPU-PEG) was fabricated with a drug content of 18.9% here by conjugating DOX onto the end groups of the functionalized dendritic polyurethane via acid-labile imine bonds. It could easily form unimolecular micelles around 38 nm. Compared with the non-covalently drug-loaded unimolecular micelles (DOX@Ph-DPU-PEG), they showed excellent pH/ultrasound dual-triggered drug release performance, with drug leakage of only 4% at pH 7.4, but cumulative release of 14% and 88% at pH 5.0 without and with ultrasound, respectively. The ultrasound responsiveness was attributed to the unique strawberry-shaped topological structure of the DOX-DPU-PEG, in which DOX was embedded in the skin layer of the hydrophobic DPU cores. With ultrasound, the DOX-DPU-PEG unimolecular micelles possessed enhanced tumor growth inhibition than free DOX but showed no obvious cytotoxicity on the tumor cells without ultrasound. Such feature makes them promising potential for precise localized drug delivery.     

Classical solution for a nonlinear hybrid system modeling combustion in a multilayer porous medium

Combustion processes in porous media have been used by the petroleum engineering industry to extract heavy oil from reservoirs. This study focuses on a one-dimensional nonlinear hybrid system consisting of $n$ reaction–diffusion–convection equations coupled with $n$ ordinary differential equations, which models a combustion front moving through a porous medium with $n$ parallel layers. The state variables are the temperature and fuel concentration in each layer. Coupling occurs in both the reaction function and differential operator coefficients. We prove the existence of a classical solution, first locally and then globally over time, to an initial and boundary value problem for the corresponding system. The proof uses a new approach for combustion problems in porous media. The local solution is obtained by defining an operator in a set of Hölder continuous functions and using Schauder’s fixed-point theorem to find a fixed point as the desired solution. Using Zorn’s lemma, we extend the local solution to a global solution, proving that the first-order spatial derivative of the temperature in each layer is a bounded function.