Finite element modelling of natural-convection-controlled change of phase

The problem of phase change in the presence of natural convection has been investigated. A model has been proposed based on the treatment of the release/absorption of latent heat as a heat source/sink in combination with the standard Galerkin finite element method with a primitive variable formulation on a fixed grid. To demonstrate the capabilities of the model, three cases of phase change of an aluminium alloy in the presence of natural convection arc considered, i.e. solidification, melting and combined solidification and melting. The solidification of water in a square cavity is modelled as another example, taking into account the density extremum, and the results are compared with a previously published work.     

Exogenous Melatonin Activating Nuclear Factor E2-Related Factor 2 (Nrf2) Pathway via Melatonin Receptor to Reduce Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Antler Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Antler growth depends on the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and this process may be adversely affected by oxidative stress. Melatonin (MLT) has antioxidant functions, but its role in Cervidae remains largely unknown. In this article, flow cytometry, reactive oxygen species (ROS) identification, qPCR, and other methods were used to investigate the protective mechanism of MLT in H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress of antler MSCs. The results showed that MLT significantly increases cell viability by relieving the oxidative stress of antler MSCs. MLT inhibits cell apoptosis by protecting mitochondrial function. We blocked the melatonin receptor with luzindole (Luz) and found that the receptor blockade significantly increases H₂O₂-induced hyperoxide levels and causes significant inhibition of mitochondrial function. MLT treatment activates the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant signaling pathway, up-regulates the expression of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and other genes and it could inhibit apoptosis. In contrast, the melatonin receptor blockade down-regulates the expression of Nrf2 pathway-related genes, but significantly up-regulates the expression of apoptotic genes. It was indicated that MLT activates the Nrf2 pathway through the melatonin receptor and alleviates H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in antler MSCs. This study provides a theoretical basis for further studying the oxidative stress and antioxidant process of antler MSCs and, thereby, increasing antler yields.     

Polypeptide folding on a conformational‐space network: Dependence of network topology on the structural discretization procedure

Mapping the conformational space of a polypeptide onto a network of conformational states involves a number of subjective choices, mostly in relation to the definition of conformation and its discrete nature in a network framework. Here, we evaluate the robustness of the topology of conformational‐space networks derived from Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations with respect to the use of different discretization (clustering) methods, variation of their parameters, simulation length and analysis time‐step, and removing high‐frequency motions from the coordinate trajectories. In addition, we investigate the extent to which polypeptide dynamics can be reproduced on the resulting networks when assuming Markovian behavior. The analysis is based on eight 500 ns and eight 400 ns MD simulations in explicit water of two 10‐residue peptides. Three clustering algorithms were used, two of them based on the pair‐wise root‐mean‐square difference between structures and one on dihedral‐angle patterns. A short characteristic path length and a power‐law behavior of the probability distribution of the node degree are obtained irrespective of the clustering method or the value of any of the tested parameters. The average cliquishness is consistently one or two orders of magnitude larger than that of a random realization of a network of corresponding size and connectivity. The cliquishness as function of node degree and the kinetic properties of the networks are found to be most dependent on clustering method and/or parameters. Although Markovian simulations on the networks reproduce cluster populations accurately, their kinetic properties most often differ from those observed in the MD simulations. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

天然高分子药物微球载体材料的研究进展

综述了国内外在天然高分子药物微球载体材料研究及应用中的进展状况,主要从天然高分子药物微球载体材料的分类、微球的制备方法及特点、载药微球的给药途径和应用等进行概括,并对目前所存在的问题进行了描述。     

The removal of heavy metal cations by natural zeolites

In this study, the adsorption behavior of natural (clinoptilolite) zeolites with respect to Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mn²⁺ has been studied in order to consider its application to purity metal finishing wastewaters. The batch method has been employed, using metal concentrations in solution ranging from 100 to 400 mg/l. The percentage adsorption and distribution coefficients (K_d) were determined for the adsorption system as a function of sorbate concentration. In the ion exchange evaluation part of the study, it is determined that in every concentration range, adsorption ratios of clinoptilolite metal cations match to Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Kaganer–Radushkevich (DKR) adsorption isotherm data, adding to that every cation exchange capacity metals has been calculated. It was found that the adsorption phenomena depend on charge density and hydrated ion diameter. According to the equilibrium studies, the selectivity sequence can be given as Co²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Mn²⁺. These results show that natural zeolites hold great potential to remove cationic heavy metal species from industrial wastewater.     

天然沸石在水污染控制中的应用

本文综合评述了天然沸石在水污染控制中的应用，包括去除城市废水和工业废水中的氮和磷、放射性废水中的铯和锶以及工业废水中的重金属等。     

锌—镉法测定天然水中硝酸盐的盐误差及其解决方法

研究了锌-镉法测定天然水中硝酸盐的盐误差,发现水中含盐量对还原率有重大影响,但在盐度为1%以后还原率基本不变;加入人工海盐(1.5g/50ml水样)可消除盐误差.由此建立了没有盐误差的新的锌-镉法.方法相对标准偏差小于3%,回收率为98%～102%,与镉-铜法对比,两种方法的相对偏差小于8%.     

NANOMECHANICAL MAPPING OF CARBON BLACK REINFORCED NATURAL RUBBER BY ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY

Atomic force microscopy （AFM） has the advantage of obtaining mechanical properties as well as topographic information at the same time. By analyzing force-distance curves measured over two-dimensional area using Hertzian contact mechanics, Young＇s modulus mapping was obtained with nanometer-scale resolution. Furthermore, the sample deformation by the force exerted was also estimated from the force-distance curve analyses. We could thus reconstruct a real topographic image by incorporating apparent topographic image with deformation image. We applied this method to carbon black reinforced natural rubber to obtain Young＇s modulus distribution image together with reconstructed real topographic image. Then we were able to recognize three regions; rubber matrix, carbon black （or bound rubber） and intermediate regions. Though the existence of these regions had been investigated by pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance, this paper would be the first to report on the quantitative evaluation of the interfacial region in real space.     

STUDY ON THE PROPERTIES OF BLEND OF NATURAL RUBBER LATEX/METHYL METHACRYLATE GRAFTED RUBBER LATEX BY GAMMA RADIATION

Natural rubber latex(NRL)and methyl methacrylate(MMA)grafted rubber latex were blended in different ratios and irradiated at various absorbed doses by gamma rays from Co-60 source at room temperature.The tensile properties, swelling ratio and permanent set were measured.The maximum tensile strength and modulus at 500% elongation were obtained at an absorbed dose of 8 kGy.Modulus increases from 6.99 MPa to 9.87 MPa for an increase in proportion of MMA grafted rubber from 40% to 60% in the blend at similar absorbed dose.Elongation at break and swelling ratio decrease with increasing absorbed dose as well as the MMA grafted rubber content in the blends.The decreasing trend of permanent set is high up to 5 kGy absorbed dose,and beyond that dose,it becomes almost flat.     

3,6-二氨基-1,2,4,5-四嗪二聚体分子间相互作用的理论研究

在DFT-B3LYP/6-31G(d)水平下,求得3,6-二氨基-1,2,4,5-四嗪二聚体势能面上3种优化几何构型和电子结构。经基组叠加误差(BSSE)和零点能(ZPE)校正,求得分子间最大相互作用能为-38.88kJ/mol。电荷分布与转移分析表明,二子体系间的电荷转移很少,但接触点上氮原子和氢原子电荷变化比较大。由自然键轨道(NBO)分析揭示了分子间相互作用的本质。对优化构型进行振动分析,并基于统计热力学求得200.0~800.0 K温度范围从单体形成二聚体的热力学性质变化,发现二聚主要由强氢键所贡献,二聚过程在较低温度或常温下能自发进行。