Establishment of the tension stress model considering metal lateral flow for foil rolling

In rolling production, the foil flatness quality is judged by detecting the lateral distribution of the front tension stress. Currently, because of the inaccuracy of the tension control model, there are still many flatness defects in foil rolling production. For the tension stress model of foil rolling, the primary problem is the inaccuracy of the metal lateral flow model. Therefore, based on Fleck’s foil rolling theory, a new model of the lateral displacement in the foil deformation region is established by using the principle of minimum potential energy. Next, a tension stress model is established, which takes the effect of the metal lateral flow into account. Last, using a laboratory 20-high rolling mill as the research object, the finite element model of foil rolling is established, and the accuracy of the new model is demonstrated by comparing the theoretical calculations with the simulation results.

     

Analysis of Compositional Effects on Global Flow Regimes in CO2 Near-Miscible Displacements in Heterogeneous Systems

Transport in Porous Media - The objective of this paper is developing new methodology for constructing the inflow performance relationships (IPRs) of unconventional reservoirs experiencing...     

Distributed finite-time coordinated tracking control for multiple Euler–Lagrange systems with input nonlinearity

Nonlinear Dynamics - In this paper, distributed finite-time coordinated tracking control for multiple Euler–Lagrange systems with input nonlinearity is investigated by using backstepping...     

Computer Simulation Study on Adsorption and Conformation of Polymer Chains Driven by External Force

In this work, Monte Carlo simulations are used to study the critical adsorption behaviors of flexible polymer chains under the action of an external driving force F parallel to an attractive flat surface. The critical adsorption temperature T_c decreases linearly with increasing F,indicating that the driving force suppresses the adsorption of polymer. The conformation of polymer is also affected by the driving force.However, the effect of F is dependent on the competition between the driving force and temperature. Under strong force or at low temperature,the polymer is stretched along the direction of the force, while under weak force or at high temperature, the polymer is not stretched. When the force is comparable to the temperature, the polymer may be stretched perpendicular to the driving force, and below T_c, we observe conformational transitions from parallel to perpendicular and again to parallel by decreasing the temperature. We found that the perpendicular stretched conformation leads the polymer chain to synchronously move along the direction of the driving force. Moreover, the conformational transitions are attributed to the competition and cooperation between the driving force and the temperature.     

Polymeric frustrated Lewis pairs in CO2/cyclic ether coupling catalysis

Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) are now ubiquitous as metal-free catalysts in an array of different chemical transformations. In this paper we show that this reactivity can be transferred to a polymeric system, offering advantageous opportunities at the interface between catalysis and stimuli-responsive materials. Formation of cyclic carbonates from cyclic ethers using CO₂ as a C₁ feedstock continues to be dominated by metal-based systems. When paired with a suitable nucleophile, discrete aryl or alkyl boranes have shown significant promise as metal-free Lewis acidic alternatives, although catalyst reuse remains illusive. Herein, we leverage the reactivity of FLPs in a polymeric system to promote CO₂/cyclic ether coupling catalysis that can be tuned for the desired epoxide or oxetane substrate. Moreover, these macromolecular FLPs can be reused across multiple reaction cycles, further increasing their appeal over analogous small molecule systems.

Polymeric frustrated Lewis pairs catalyse the coupling of epoxides and oxetanes with CO₂ with high selectivity under mild CO₂ pressures across multiple reaction cycles.     

DFT insight into asymmetric alkyl–alkyl bond formation via nickel-catalysed enantioconvergent reductive coupling of racemic electrophiles with olefins

A DFT study has been conducted to understand the asymmetric alkyl–alkyl bond formation through nickel-catalysed reductive coupling of racemic alkyl bromide with olefin in the presence of hydrosilane and K₃PO₄. The key findings of the study include: (i) under the reductive experimental conditions, the Ni(ii) precursor is easily activated/reduced to Ni(0) species which can serve as an active species to start a Ni(0)/Ni(ii) catalytic cycle. (ii) Alternatively, the reaction may proceed via a Ni(i)/Ni(ii)/Ni(iii) catalytic cycle starting with a Ni(i) species such as Ni(i)–Br. The generation of a Ni(i) active species via comproportionation of Ni(ii) and Ni(0) species is highly unlikely, because the necessary Ni(0) species is strongly stabilized by olefin. Alternatively, a cage effect enabled generation of a Ni(i) active catalyst from the Ni(ii) species involved in the Ni(0)/Ni(ii) cycle was proposed to be a viable mechanism. (iii) In both catalytic cycles, K₃PO₄ greatly facilitates the hydrosilane hydride transfer for reducing olefin to an alkyl coupling partner. The reduction proceeds by converting a Ni–Br bond to a Ni–H bond via hydrosilane hydride transfer to a Ni–alkyl bond via olefin insertion. On the basis of two catalytic cycles, the origins for enantioconvergence and enantioselectivity control were discussed.

The enantioconvergent alkyl–alkyl coupling involves two competitive catalytic cycles with nickel(0) and nickel(i) active catalysts, respectively. K₃PO₄ plays a crucial role to enable the hydride transfer from hydrosilane to nickel–bromine species.     

Synthesis of Fibrin-Type I Collagen Biomaterials via an Acidic Gel

Fibrin-Type I collagen composite gels have been widely studied as biomaterials, in which both networks are usually formed simultaneously at a neutral pH. Here, we describe a new protocol in which mixed concentrated solutions of collagen and fibrinogen were first incubated at acidic pH to induce fibrinogen gel formation, followed by a pH change to neutral inducing collagen fiber formation. Thrombin was then added to form fibrin-collagen networks. Using this protocol, mixed gels containing 20 mg.mL⁻¹ fibrin and up to 10 mg.mL⁻¹ collagen could be prepared. Macroscopic observations evidenced that increasing the content of collagen increases the turbidity of the gels and decreases their shrinkage during the fibrinogen-to-fibrin conversion. The presence of collagen had a minor influence on the rheological properties of the gels. Electron microscopy allowed for observation of collagen fibers within the fibrin network. 2D cultures of C2C12 myoblasts on mixed gels revealed that the presence of collagen favors proliferation and local alignment of the cells. However, it interferes with cell differentiation and myotube formation, suggesting that further control of in-gel collagen self-assembly is required to elaborate fully functional biomaterials.     

Synergistic Effect of Lithocholic Acid with Gentamicin against Gram-Positive Bacteria but Not against Gram-Negative Bacteria

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is an important Gram-positive food-borne pathogen that severely threatens public health. A checkerboard microdilution method was performed to evaluate the synergistic effect of lithocholic acid (LCA) with Gentamicin (Genta) against L. monocytogenes. BacLight LIVE/DEAD staining, scanning electron microscopy and biofilm inhibition assays were further used to explore the bactericidal effect and antibiofilm effect of this combination on L. monocytogenes. Additionally, the synergistic effects of LCA derivatives with Genta were also evaluated against L. monocytogenes, S. aureus and S. suis. The results indicated that a synergistic bactericidal effect was observed for the combined therapy of LCA at the concentration without affecting bacteria viability, with Genta. Additionally, LCA in combination with Genta had a synergistic effect against Gram-positive bacteria (L. monocytogenes, S. aureus and S. suis) but not against Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, A. baumannii and Salmonella). BacLight LIVE/DEAD staining and scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the combination of LCA with Genta caused L. monocytogenes membrane injury, leading to bacteria death. We found that 8 μg/mL LCA treatment effectively improved the ability of Genta to eradicate L. monocytogenes biofilms. In addition, we found that chenodeoxycholic acid, as a cholic acid derivative, also improved the bactericidal effect of Genta against Gram-positive bacteria. Our results indicate that LCA represents a broad-spectrum adjuvant with Genta for infection caused by L. monocytogenes and other Gram-positive pathogens.     

Heteroctanuclear Au4Ag4 Cluster Complexes of 4,5-Diethynylacridin-9-One with Luminescent Mechanochromism

Two heteroctanuclear Au₄Ag₄ cluster complexes of 4,5-diethynylacridin-9-one (H₂L) were prepared through the self-assembly reactions of [Au(tht)₂](CF₃SO₃), Ag(tht)(CF₃SO₃), H₂L and PPh₃ or PPh₂Py (2-(diphenylphosphino)pyridine). The Au₄Ag₄ cluster consists of a [Au₄L₄]⁴⁻ and four [Ag(PPh₃)]⁺ or [Ag(PPh₂Py)]⁺ units with Au₄L₄ framework exhibiting a twisted paper clip structure. In CH₂Cl₂ solutions at ambient temperature, both compounds show ligand fluorescence at ca. 463 nm as well as phosphorescence at 650 nm for 1 and 630 nm for 2 resulting from admixture of ³IL (intraligand) of L ligand, ³LMCT (from L ligand to Au₄Ag₄) and ³MC (metal-cluster) triplet states. Crystals or crystalline powders manifest bright yellow-green phosphorescence with vibronic-structured emission bands at 530 (568sh) nm for complex 1 and 536 (576sh) nm for complex 2. Upon mechanical grinding, yellow-green emission in the crystalline state is dramatically converted to red luminescence centered at ca. 610 nm with a drastic redshift of the emission after crystal packing is destroyed.