Encapsulation of RNA by negatively charged human serum albumin via physical interactions

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant plasma protein and has an inherent ability to target tumor cells. It is an excellent candidate for drug delivery. However, HSA cannot form complex with DNA or RNA, because it is negatively charged under physiological conditions. In this work, we reported a simple method to prepare HSA/RNA nanoparticles mainly by physical interaction. Firstly, the solution pH is adjusted to 4.0, under which condition HSA is positively charged. It forms complex with RNA via electrostatic interaction. The solution is then heated at 75 oC for 15 min to stabilize the structure and the size of the formed complex. The HSA/RNA nanoparticle prepared by this method has a diameter about 110 nm and a narrow distribution. It is also stable for days under physiological conditions. Cellular essays demonstrate that these particles exhibit a high cellular uptake efficiency and non-toxicity to HeLa cells.     

Lanthanide-organic frameworks based on terphenyl-tetracarboxylate ligands: syntheses,structures, optical properties and selective sensing of nitro explosives

Three isostructural three-dimensional(3D) lanthanide-based metal-organic frameworks [Ln_2L(H_2L)(NMP)_2].H_2O(Ln=Sm(1), Eu(2), Gd(3); H_4L=1,1′:4′,1″-terphenyl-2′,4,4″,5′-tetracarboxylic acid; NMP=N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. In 1–3, two Ln3+ ions are doubly-bridged by two oxygen atoms of two carboxylate groups to form the dinuclear Ln_2(OCOO–)_2 unit. Each Ln_2(OCOO–)_2 unit links with four H_2L~(2-) ligands and four L4. ligands to lead to the 3D framework,which can be rationalized as a new trinodal 4,4,8-connected(44.62)(45.6)(412.616) topological network by considering the dinuclear Ln_2(OCOO–)_2 units as 8-connected nodes and L~4./H_2L~(2-) ligands as planar 4-connected nodes, respectively. 1 and 3 exhibit blue emission originated from the ligand with the emission maximum at 384 nm, while 2 shows intense characteristic red emission of Eu~(3+) ions and weak ligand-centered emission. Moreover, 2 has fluorescent quenching response towards the aromatic nitro compounds, especially for the 3,4-dinitrotoluene(3,4-DNT) with the linear Stern-Volmer relationship in the concentration range of 0–1 mM and the quenching constant(Ksv) of 2.084×10~3 M~(-1).     

Influence of the Luminous Gas Phase into Butane Plasma Polymerization in a Closed Reactor System

High Energy Chemistry - This study investigated the plasma polymerization process of butane in a closed radio frequency plasma reactor system. Optical emission spectra of the luminous gas phase...     

A Furan-based Phosphaphenanthrene-containing Derivative as a Highly Efficient Flame-retardant Agent for Epoxy Thermosets without Deteriorating Thermomechanical Performances

In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, developing flame retardants from bio-based resources has aroused extensive interest in recent years. In this work, we utilized furfural(biomass) and 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide(DOPO) to synthesize a biobased co-curing agent(FGD) to combine with 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl methane(DDM) for obtaining a low-phosphorus loading flame-retardant epoxy thermosets. The introduction of FGD decreased the activation energy of the curing progress, enhanced the mechanical properties of the epoxy thermosets, and did not affect the glass transition temperature of the epoxy thermosets. EP-5.0 had a lower thermal degradation rate and a doubled char yield compared with EP-0. The phosphorus content of EP-5.0 was only 0.45 wt%, while EP-5.0 reached the UL-94 V-0 rating with a high LOI value of 32%. Compared with EP-0, the PHRR of EP-2.5 and EP-5.0 decreased by 22.3% and 31.3%, respectively. The SEM results showed that the addition of FGD made the char residues more uniform and denser, which could effectively prevent combustible volatiles from escaping from the degradation area to the flame area and isolate the heat transfer so that the epoxy thermosets had an excellent flame-retardant performance.     

Simple and green synthesis of calcium alginate/hydroxyapatite hybrid material without high temperature treatment and its flame retardancy

Cellulose - Aiming to improve the thermal stability and flame retardant properties of calcium alginate, calcium alginate (CaAlg)/hydroxyapatite (HAP) hybrid material was synthesized in situ by the...     

Study on Deformation of Polycrystalline Aluminum Alloy Using Moiré Interferometry

Polycrystalline aluminum alloy is manufactured by annealing, compared to the width of the specimen, the size of the grains can not be omitted, which makes the specimen anisotropic. Under uniaxial tension, the deformation field is inhomogeneous. In this study, moiré interferometry is successfully applied to measure the deformation of the polycrystalline specimen. The experimental results presented the stress versus strain responses of the marked grains in different orientations and different shapes. By using fringe centering method, the strain distributions under certain load in the centers and on the boundaries of the grains are analyzed.     

A variational solution of 2-D sound-structure interaction problems

Based on the fluid-structure coupling theory, a localized variational principle for analyzing the sound radiation from elastic structure submerged in water due to harmonic excitations is presented. It will be a powerful tool to formulate various numerical methods for steady response of structural-acoustic systems. By means of this variational principle a hybrid element method, in which an analytical solution valid in most of the surrounding water is incorporated with finite elements distributed in the structure and its neighboring water, is devised. Computational examples are then given to demonstrate its high accuracy and time saving. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10172038) and the Doctoral Program Foundation of Institution of Higher Education of China (20040487013). The English text was polished by Yunming Chen.     

Simultaneous stress separation,smoothing of measured thermoelastic isopachic information and enhanced boundary data

A new thermoelastic hybrid method of stress analysis is demonstrated experimentally which simultaneously smooths the measured isopachic data, enhances the boundary information, and separates the stresses at nonboundary locations using only the isopachics. The technique is illustrated by application to a tensile plate containing a hole.     

Transient response of a finite crack in an orthotropic strip under the in-plane shear impact

The transient response of a central crack in an orthotropic strip under the in-plane shear impact loading is studied by using the dual integral equation method proposed by Copson and Sih. The general formula for the shear stress intensity factor near the crack tip is derived. Numerical results of with in various cases are obtained by solving the second kind Fredholm integral equation and by performing the inverse Laplace transform.     

Hydraulic fracturing of a saturated porous medium-II: Special cases

This investigation deals with the problem of steady state hydraulic fracture in an infinite isotropic fluid-saturated elastic porous medium induced by a uniform pressure applied to the crack surfaces. A quasi-static approach is employed in the study. A boundary value problem is formulated and then analyzed by means of the Fourier transform associated with the Wiener-Hopf technique. Stress intensity factor and potential energy release rate are found by asymptotic analysis and the superposition principle as functions of the speed of crack propagation. The material breakdown process at the crack tip is discussed based on Dugdale's model. Finally, a brief discussion of the effect of pressure drop on the hydraulic fracture process and the decrease in crack speed during crack extension is included.