Biological and catalytic evaluation of Ru(II)‐p‐cymene complexes of Schiff base ligands: Impact of ligand appended moiety on photo‐induced DNA and protein cleavage,cytotoxicity and C‐H activation

Two organometallic Ru(II)‐p‐cymene complexes of the type [Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene)(L)Cl]PF₆ 1 and 2 , where L is N,N‐bis(4‐isopropylbenzylidene)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (bien, L1 ) or N,N‐bis (pyren‐2‐ylmethylene)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (bpen, L2 ) have been prepared and characterized well. Because of appended pyrenyl groups in coordinated bpen ligand, the complex 2 exhibits higher DNA and protein binding than complex 1 in which isopropylbenzyl groups are incorporated. Interestingly, the luminescent characteristic complex 2 is unique in displaying DNA cleavage after light activation by UVA light at 365 nm through oxygen dependent mechanism. AFM analysis attests the photo‐induced DNA fragmentation ability of complex 2 . Also, the complex 2 cleaves the protein after light exposure in a non‐specific manner suggesting that it can act as a protein photo cleaving agent. In contrast to the trend of DNA and protein interaction of complexes, the complex 1 exhibits cytotoxic activity against human breast carcinoma ( MCF‐7 ) and liver carcinoma ( HepG2 ) with potency higher than that of complex 2 due to enhanced hydrophobicity of isopropyl groups present in p‐cymene and bien ligands. Indeed, complex 2 is inactive against MCF‐7 and HepG2 cancer cell lines even up to 200 μM concentration. The AO/EB staining assay reveals that the complex 1 is able to induce late apoptotic mode of cell death in breast cancer cells, which is further confirmed by inter‐nucleosomal DNA cleavage. Furthermore, the complexes 1 and 2 are evaluated for their catalytic activities and found to be working well for the β‐carboline directed C–H arylation to afford the desired products in good yield (40–47%).     

Catalytic Platinum Nanoparticles Decorated with Subnanometer Molybdenum Clusters for Biomass Processing

The development of improved technologies for biomass processing into transportation fuels and industrial chemicals is hindered due to a lack of efficient catalysts for selective oxygen removal. Here we report that platinum nanoparticles decorated with subnanometer molybdenum clusters can efficiently catalyze hydrodeoxygenation of acetic acid, which serves as a model biomass compound. In contrast with monometallic Mo catalysts that are inactive and monometallic Pt catalysts that have low activities and selectivities, bimetallic Pt–Mo catalysts exhibit synergistic effects with high activities and selectivities. The maximum activity occurs at a Pt to Mo molar ratio of three. Although Mo atoms themselves are catalytically inactive, they serve as preferential binding anchors for oxygen atoms while a catalytic transformation proceeds on neighboring surface Pt atoms. Beyond biomass processing, Pt–Mo nanoparticles are promising catalysts for a wide variety of reactions that require a transformation of molecules with an oxygen atom and, more broadly, in other fields of science and technology that require tuning of surface–oxygen interactions.     

Determination of tensile strength of UHMWPE fiber-reinforced polymer composites

Quasi-static tensile test of UHMWPE fiber-reinforced composite laminate is challenging to perform due to low interlaminar shear strength and low coefficient of friction. Tensile tests proposed in the literature were conducted and limitations associated with each method led to the evolution of a new method. Tensile test of single-ply was realized as the best representative of tensile strength of a composite than tensile test of UHMWPE laminate. A fixture was developed for single-ply tests which increased friction and provided the mechanical constraint to slipping. The fixture is easy to fabricate and has provided repeatable results for eight grades of UHMWPE fiber-based (0/90) fabrics. Reported tensile strengths are in quite high range of 900–1500 MPa.     

Measuring densities of polymers by magneto-archimedes levitation

In magneto-Archimedes levitation, a polymer can be levitated to a balanced position, and its levitation height is mainly related to the density of the polymer. Here, a novel method for measuring the density of polymers based on magneto- Archimedes levitation is proposed. For a designed measurement device, an equation can be fitted by a series of experiments with standard density glass beads. Then, the polymer's density can be calculated via the equation. In this paper, a device with magnets at a distance of 60 mm was chosen as an example. Experimental results showed that the proposed method could measure all types of polymer with an accuracy of 0.002–0.01 g/cm³. Moreover, the proposed method can clearly distinguish between polymers with small density differences (<0.03 g/cm³). Because of its high accuracy, high sensitivity, low cost and convenience, the proposed method could be widely used in polymer testing, especially in density-based testing.     

不同抗凝比例对凝血四项检测结果的影响

目的观察并分析凝血四项检测结果与不同比例下的全血与抗凝剂之间的关系。方法研究对象取2015年6月来湖北省宜昌市第二人民医院参加体检的110例健康人员,抽取全血血液样本后按照不同比例与抗凝剂混匀,常规分离血浆并测定受试者凝血酶时间(TT)、凝血酶原时间(PT)、激活部分促凝血酶原激酶时间(APTT)以及纤维蛋白原(FIB),并对研究结果相关数据作统计学处理。结果当血液量与抗凝剂比例为1∶5时,标本TT、PT、APTT以及FIB各项指标较1∶9时差异显著而具有统计学意义(P0.05);抗凝比例1∶7的情况下,TT指标差异与1∶9抗凝比例标本相比差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),而PT、FIB以及APTT三项指标差异并无统计学意义(P0.05);抗凝比例为1∶11与1∶13的情况下,TT指标与1∶9抗凝比例标本相比差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),而PT、FIB以及APTT三项指标差异并无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论凝血四项检测工作中,标本质量检测控制最关键的环节在于准确采集血液量,倘若采集血量过多或过少,导致与抗凝剂比例失调往往会影响测定结果准确性,检验科工作人员应予以重视。     

Logging damage and injured tree mortality in tropical forest management

Using insights from the forest ecology literature, we analyze the effect of injured trees on stand composition and carbon stored in above‐ground biomass and the implications for forest management decisions. Results from a Faustmann model with data for a tropical forest on Kalimantan show that up to 50% of the basal area of the stand before harvest can consist of injured trees. Considering injured trees leads to an increase in the amount of carbon in above‐ground biomass of up to 165%. These effects are larger under reduced impact logging than under conventional logging. The effects on land expectation value and cutting cycle are relatively small. The results suggest that considering injured trees in models for tropical forest management is important for the correct assessment of the potential of financial programs to store carbon and conserve forest ecosystem services in managed tropical forests, such as reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and payment for ecosystem services. Recommendations for Resource Managers

• Considering the role of injured trees is important for managing tropical forests
• These trees can cover up to 50% of basal area and contain more than 50% of the carbon stored in above‐ground biomass
• Reduced impact logging leads to a larger basal area of injured trees and more carbon stored in injured trees than conventional logging
• Injured trees play an important role when assessing the potential for carbon storage in the context of payment for forest ecosystem services.

     

Assessment of nanocomposites based on unsaturated polyester resin/nanoclay under impact loading

The aim of this study is to investigate the performance of nanoclay reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) resin under impact loads. Nanocomposite specimens containing nanoclay in 0, 1.5, and 3 (wt%) were prepared by melt mixing method. X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy analysis, scanning electron microscope photographs, and viscosity changes in liquid state resin confirmed exfoliation and intercalation of the nanoclay in the UP resin system used. Tensile modulus showed an increase with increase in nanoclay content. However, the tensile strength and elongation at break exhibited reducing performance with increase in nanoclay content. Izod impact test results indicated better performance for the specimens containing nanoclay reinforcements, with 1.5 (wt%) of nanoclay specimens showing the highest value. High velocity impact tests were carried out using gas gun in velocity range of 20–100 m/sec and harden steel hemispherical tip projectile with diameter of 8.7 mm and weight of 11.54 g. Results for high velocity impact test indicated better performance by the specimens containing nanoclay, with 1.5 (wt%) nanoclay showing the highest attained value. Damage assessments of impact area for all specimens showed spalling type brittle failure with punch out and sever fragmentation pattern. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High frequency circular translation pin-on-disc wear testing of UHMWPE using a ball-on-flat contact along a hypotrochoidal track

To intensify experimental research within the field of orthopaedic tribology, a three-station, dual motion, high frequency (25.3 Hz) circular translation pin-on-disc wear test device was recently introduced. In the present study, the pins were CoCr with a spherical, polished bearing surface of 28 mm radius, whereas the flat discs were conventional UHMWPE. This configuration was intended to simulate the wear mechanisms of total knee prostheses. The number of wear cycles run was as high as 200 million. The mean wear rate was 0.35 mg per one million cycles (0.77 mg/24 h) which corresponded to a mean wear factor of 3.5 × 10⁻⁶ mm³/Nm. The study provided further proof that a wear test for orthopaedic implant materials can be accelerated by substantially increasing the cycle frequency, provided that the sliding velocity remains close to the values obtained from biomechanical studies. Hence, the moderate frictional heating will not lead to unrealistic wear mechanisms.     

实船撞击实验防撞装置的撞击力分析

实验研究了基于以钢丝绳为基本元件的新型柔性防撞装置的防护性能.利用DEWETRON数据采集仪及多通道同步采集传感器的信号,分析得到防撞装置在碰撞中受到的撞击力曲线.实验结果显示:靠近船舶撞击侧最近的非撞击侧位置受到的撞击力最大,属防护重点部位;在承受多次撞击后,防撞装置基本完好,且船舶在碰撞中的损伤也有所减低.     

Mass Spectrometric Fragmentation of 2a,4-Disubstituted 2,2a,3,4-Tetrahydro-2-phenyl-1H-azeto[2,1-d]- [1,5]benzothiazepin-1-ones Under Electron Impact Ionization Conditions and Comparison with their 2-Heteroatom Substituted Analogues

The mass spectrometric behavior of seven 2a,4-disubstituted 2,2a,3,4-tetrahydro-2-phenyl-1H-azeto[2,1-d][1,5]benzothiazepin-1-ones has been studied with the aid of mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy spectrometry and accurate mass measurements under electron impact ionization. All compounds show a tendency to eliminate a phenylketene molecule, an ethyl or benzyl radical, or a phenylketene molecule plus an SH radical. The mass spectrometric behavior of the title compounds was compared to those of 2-heteroatom-substituted analogues.