Fully Piecewise Linear Vector Optimization Problems

Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications - We distinguish two kinds of piecewise linear functions and provide an interesting representation for a piecewise linear function between two normed...     

Control of a multigroup COVID-19 model with immunity: treatment and test elimination

Nonlinear Dynamics - This paper introduces a multigroup COVID-19 model with immunity, in which the total population of each group is partitioned into five compartments, that is, susceptible,...     

CCSD(T) study on the structures and chemical bonds of AnO molecules (An = Bk–Lr)

The molecular geometries and dissociation energies of AnO (An = Bk–Lr) molecules were first obtained at thecoupled-cluster single-, double-, and perturbative triple-excitations [CCSD(T)] level of theory. Four hybrid functionals,B3LYP, M06-2X, TPSSh, and PBE0, were also employed in the calculations for the sake of comparison. In comparison ofthe CCSD(T) results, B3LYP, TPSSh, and PBE0 functionals can obtain more appropriate results than M06-2X and MP2.The analyses on molecular orbitals show that the 7s, 6d, and 5f atomic orbitals of actinide (An) atoms participate in thebonding of An–O bonds. The partial covalent nature between An and O atoms is revealed by QTAIM analyses.     

基于气体浓度定量的嗅觉刺激器优化设计

现有的基于磁共振测量的嗅觉刺激器，通过调节嗅剂液体浓度的方法可以实现不同浓度的嗅觉刺激，但随着实验进行，受到嗅剂挥发以及实验环境（温度、湿度、气流量）变化的影响，很难确保输送至鼻腔的嗅剂气体浓度的稳定性，进而影响实验结果的准确性．本研究对本实验室前期开发的嗅觉刺激装置进行改进，实现了气体浓度精确定量．改进后的嗅觉刺激器主要分为三个部分：控制系统、反馈系统和气路系统．控制系统主要实现气路系统的送气控制和嗅剂气体浓度调节；反馈系统则负责对气体浓度进行测量；气路系统则在原有基础上添加活性炭装置，降低无关因素干扰．装置改进之后，不同气路切换时间为75.2 ms，比原装置减少了1 s，有效提高刺激精度．实验结果显示，气体浓度调节前，300 s内乙醇、吡啶、乙酸戊酯嗅剂气体浓度分别下降6.7%、71.4%、79.2%，嗅剂气体浓度短时间内发生较大改变．加入气体浓度调节功能后，当气体浓度下降至目标浓度的90%时，可通过调节气泵电压改变嗅剂气流与空气气流比例，从而调节嗅剂气体浓度至目标值，其中吡啶、乙酸戊酯用时13 s．     

Injectable and self-healing hydrogels with tissue adhesiveness and antibacterial activity as wound dressings for infected wound healing

The design of wound dressings with excellent self-healing ability, adequate adhesion, good biocompatibility, and potential antibacterial ability is of great significance for the healing of infected wounds arising from human activities. Herein, a series of multi-functional hydrogel dressings, poly(ionized isocyanoethyl methacrylate-glutamine)/poly(hexamethylene guanidine) (iG_x/PHMG_y) hydrogels, were obtained through homopolymerization of fully ionized isocyanoethyl methacrylate-glutamine (iIEM-Gln) in the presence of poly(hexamethylene guanidine) (PHMG), in which strong hydrogen bonds were formed among urea groups in the P (iIEM-Gln) chain to form a stable hydrogel network. The prepared iG_x/PHMG_y hydrogels exhibited adequate self-healing ability and tissue adhesion, which could be firmly adhered to the wound surface and remained intact during application. In addition, the presence of PHMG imparted good antibacterial activity to the hydrogels for the effective promotion of the wound healing in S. aureus infected skin wound on mice. Overall, this multi-functional hydrogel provides a facile and effective strategy for the design of infected wound dressings, and may show great potential in clinical applications.     

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.     

Understanding the solubility and crystallization of molybdenum in high-sodium borosilicate glasses: effect of lanthanum oxide

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The simplified 8-oxide system (SiO2-B2O3-Na2O-Al2O3-CaO-TiO2-MoO3-La2O3) has been prepared under two types of cooling methods, and analyzed with...     

Isoflavonoids from Astragalus membranaceus Hairy Roots

Chemistry of Natural Compounds -     

Macroscopic Polarization Change of Mononuclear Valence Tautomeric Cobalt Complexes Through the Use of Enantiopure Ligand

The crystallization of a complex having electron transfer properties in a polar space group can induce the polarization switching of a crystal in a specific direction, which is attractive for the development of sensors, memory devices, and capacitors. Unfortunately, the probability of crystallization in a polar space group is usually low. Noticing that enantiopure compounds crystallize in Sohncke space groups, this paper reports a strategy for the molecular design of non-ferroelectric polarization switching crystals based on the use of intramolecular electron transfer and chirality. In addition, this paper describes the synthesis of a mononuclear valence tautomeric (VT) cobalt complex bearing an enantiopure ligand. The introduction of enantiomer enables the crystallization of the complex in the polar space group (P2₁). The polarization of the crystals along the b-axis direction is not canceled out and the VT transition is accompanied by a change in the macroscopic polarization of the polar crystal. Polarization switching via electron transfer is realized at around room temperature.     

MWCNTs/hydroxypropyl cellulose/polyethylene glycol-based shape-stabilized phase change materials

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is widely used as phase change materials (PCMs). However, the leakage and low thermal conductivity issues restrict its...