Switchable Polymerization Triggered by Fast and Quantitative Insertion of Carbon Monoxide into Cobalt–Oxygen Bonds

A strategy that uses carbon monoxide (CO) as a molecular trigger to switch the polymerization mechanism of a cobalt Salen complex [salen=(R,R)-N,N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine] from ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of epoxides/anhydrides to organometallic mediated controlled radical polymerization (OMRP) of acrylates is described. The key phenomenon is a rapid and quantitative insertion of CO into the Co−O bond, allowing for in situ transformation of the ROCOP active species (Salen)Co^III-OR into the OMRP photoinitiator (Salen)Co^III-CO₂R. The proposed mechanism, which involves CO coordination to (Salen)Co^III-OR and subsequent intramolecular rearrangement via migratory insertion has been rationalized by DFT calculations. Regulated by both CO and visible light, on-demand sequence control can be achieved for the one-pot synthesis of polyester-b-polyacrylate diblock copolymers (Đ<1.15).     

面向脑机接口的犹他神经电极技术

A human brain is composed of a large number of interconnected neurons forming a neural network. To study the functional mechanism of the neural network, it is necessary to record the activity of individual neurons over a large area simultaneously. Brain-computer interface (BCI) refers to the connection established between the human/animal brain and computers/other electronic devices, which enables direct interaction between the brain and external devices. It plays an important role in understanding, protecting, and simulating the brain, especially in helping patients with neurological disorders to restore their impaired motor and sensory functions. Neural electrodes are electrophysiological devices that form the core of BCI, which convert neuronal electrical signals (carried by ions) into general electrical signals (carried by electrons). They can record or interfere with the state of neural activity. The Utah Electrode Array (UEA) designed by the University of Utah is a mainstream neural electrode fabricated by bulk micromachining. Its unique three-dimensional needle-like structure enables each electrode to obtain high spatiotemporal resolution and good insulation between each other. After implantation, the tip of each electrode affects only a small group of neurons around it even allowing to record the action potential of a single neuron. The availability of a large number of electrodes, high quality of signals, and long service life has made UEA the first choice for collecting neuronal signals. Moreover, UEA is the only implantable neural electrode that can record signals in the human cerebral cortex. This article mainly serves as an introduction to the construction, manufacturing process, and functioning of UEA, with a focus on the research progress in fabricating high-density electrode arrays, wireless neural interfaces, and optrode arrays using silicon, glass, and metal as that material of construction. We also discuss the surface modification techniques that can be used to reduce the electrode impedance, minimize the rejection by brain tissue, and improve the corrosion resistance of the electrode. In addition, we summarize the clinical applications where patients can control external devices and get sensory feedback by implanting UEA. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges faced by existing electrodes such as the difficulty in increasing electrode density, poor response of integrated wireless neural interface, and the problems of biocompatibility. To achieve stability and durability of the electrode, advancements in both material science and manufacturing technology are required. We hope that this review can broaden the scope of ideas for the development of UEA. The realization of a fully implantable neural microsystem can contribute to an improved understanding of the functional mechanisms of the neural network and treatment of neurological diseases.     

Responsive Exosome Nano‐bioconjugates for Synergistic Cancer Therapy

Exosomes hold great potential in therapeutic development. However, native exosomes usually induce insufficient effects in vivo and simply act as drug delivery vehicles. Herein, we synthesize responsive exosome nano‐bioconjugates for cancer therapy. Azide‐modified exosomes derived from M1 macrophages are conjugated with dibenzocyclooctyne‐modified antibodies of CD47 and SIRPα (aCD47 and aSIRPα) through pH‐sensitive linkers. After systemic administration, the nano‐bioconjugates can actively target tumors through the specific recognition between aCD47 and CD47 on the tumor cell surface. In the acidic tumor microenvironment, the benzoic‐imine bonds of the nano‐bioconjugates are cleaved to release aSIRPα and aCD47 that can, respectively, block SIRPα on macrophages and CD47, leading to abolished “don't eat me” signaling and improved phagocytosis of macrophages. Meanwhile, the native M1 exosomes effectively reprogram the macrophages from pro‐tumoral M2 to anti‐tumoral M1.     

Phase behavior in mixtures of a homopolymer and a block copolymer. 4. SALS and SAXS studies

Phase behavior of blends of poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) with four styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) triblock copolymers, being of various molecular weights, architecture, and compositions, was investigated by small-angle light scattering. Small-angle X-ray scattering investigation was accomplished for one blend. Low critical solution temperature (LCST) and a unique phase behavior, resembling upper critical solution temperature (UCST), were observed. It was found that the architecture of the copolymer greatly influenced the phase behavior of the blends. Random phase approximation theory was used to calculate the spinodal phase transition curves of the ABA/C and BAB/C systems; LCST and resembling UCST phase behavior were observed as the parameters of the system changed. Qualitatively, the experimental and the theoretical results are consistent with each other. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

低温液体无损贮存压力升高的实验与计算

准确、简单地预测低温液体无损贮存时的压力升高具有重要的实用价值。对一低温容器利用液氮为介质进行了多次无损贮存实验,利用多元线性回归方法对实验数据进行分析和检验。分析表明无损贮存时间、初始充满率对压力升高的影响较大,而环境温度的影响可以忽略,并拟合出了压力升高的计算公式。计算结果和实验结果在很大范围内能够较好地吻合。该种计算方法在预测低温液体无损贮存压力升高时有较高的准确性与可靠性。     

医疗保险索赔数据的广义Pareto分布拟合

How to choose an optimal threshold is a key problemin the generalized Pareto distribution (GPD) model.This paper attains the exactthreshold by testing for GPD,and shows that GPD model allows the actuary to easily estimate high quantiles and the probable maximum loss from the medical insurance claims data.     

Fast-slow stochastic dynamical system with singular coefficients

This paper aims to study the asymptotic behavior of a fast-slow stochastic dynamical system with singular coefficients, where the fast motion is given by a continuous diffusion process while the slow component is driven by an α-stable noise with α ∈ [1, 2). Using Zvonkin’s transformation and the technique of the Poisson equation, we have that both the strong and weak convergences in the averaging principle are established, which can be viewed as a functional law of large numbers. Then we study t...     

A control volume finite element method for three-dimensional three-phase flows

A novel control volume finite element method with adaptive anisotropic unstructured meshes is presented for three-dimensional three-phase flows with interfacial tension. The numerical framework consists of a mixed control volume and finite element formulation with a new P₁DG-P₂ elements (linear discontinuous velocity between elements and quadratic continuous pressure between elements). A “volume of fluid” type method is used for the interface capturing, which is based on compressive control volume advection and second-order finite element methods. A force-balanced continuum surface force model is employed for the interfacial tension on unstructured meshes. The interfacial tension coefficient decomposition method is also used to deal with interfacial tension pairings between different phases. Numerical examples of benchmark tests and the dynamics of three-dimensional three-phase rising bubble, and droplet impact are presented. The results are compared with the analytical solutions and previously published experimental data, demonstrating the capability of the present method.     

基于连续量子级联激光器的1103.4cm–1处NH3混叠吸收光谱特性研究

由于NH3在大气气溶胶化学中具有重要作用,所以快速和精确反演NH3浓度对环境问题非常重要.本文以9.05μm的室温连续量子级联激光器(quantum cascade laser,QCL)作为光源,采用波长扫描直接吸收可调谐二极管激光吸收光谱(tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy,TDLAS)技术,研究了QCL在1103.4 cm–1的光谱特性,获得了激光器控制的温度电流与波长的关系.设计了QCL二级温控的低压实验平台,测量氨气在1103.4 cm–1处的6条混叠吸收线,在降低压强的情况下谱线展宽变小,使混叠光谱分离,由此计算各条吸收线的线强,进一步对测量不确定度进行分析.针对混叠严重的光谱提出了低压分离单光谱精确反演气体浓度的方法,并进行了实验验证.通过与HITRAN数据库进行结果对比,得出氨气在1103.4 cm–1的实验测量线强值与数据库偏差为2.71%-4.71%,实验测量线强值的不确定度在2.42%-8.92%,极低压条件下反演浓度与实际值的偏差在1%-3%.