The application with protocatechualdehyde to improve anticoagulant activity and cell affinity of silk fibroin

Protocatechualdehyde (PCA) is one of the effective ingredients extracted from Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae) and was employed to modify the silk fibroin (SF) by graft polymerization and surface adsorption. The surface composition of modified SF was characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV spectrophotometer. The anticoagulant activity of modified SF was assessed by in vitro coagulation test and platelet adhesion measurement. The endothelial cell affinity was evaluated by a parallel plate flow chamber. The test results indicated that with the introduction of PCA into SF, the anticoagulant activity has been improved obviously. And the SF surface composition altered by PCA, but did not disturb its β-sheet conformation. Moreover, the adsorbed PCA on SF surface can enhance the endothelial cell affinity.     

Surface bio-modification of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate) and its aging effect

In this work, poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) film was fabricated by a solution-casting method and subsequently was modified by NaOH treatment to improve the surface hydrophilic property. Surface properties including hydrophilicity, surface appearance and functional groups were characterized by water contact angle measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed the hydrophilicity of PHBHHx film was obviously improved by the NaOH treatment due to the topography changes promoted by the NaOH-etching and the introduction of polar groups included hydroxyl and carboxyl on the topmost surface layers. However, the modified film exhibited an aging effect: the hydrophilicity decreases with time elapsed during storage. It was found that the aging rate was strongly dependent on the crystallinity of the film and the storage environment. The sample with high-crystallinity lost hydrophilic property slower than that with low-crystallinity. Hydrophilic and low-temperature environment also prevented the modified PHBHHx from fast losing of the hydrophilicity.     

一种用于检测四环素和对硝基苯酚的高稳定性镉（Ⅱ）金属有机骨架

采用水-溶剂热法合成了1例金属有机骨架（MOF）：{[Cd （L）_0.5（4,4''-bpy）_0.5]·H₂O}_n（1）,其中H₄L=（1,1''∶4'',1″-三联苯）-2,2″,4,4″-四羧酸,4,4''-bpy=4,4''-联吡啶）。通过单晶X射线衍射、元素分析、粉末X射线衍射、热重分析以及红外光谱分析对配合物1的结构进行了表征。单晶结构分析表明1为三维结构,属于单斜晶系,C2/c空间群,Cd （Ⅱ）连接L^4-和4,4''-bpy形成二维平面结构,层与层之间通过L^4-连接,构筑成了三维网状结构。该MOF表现出良好的稳定性并且可以通过荧光猝灭法检测四环素（TET）和对硝基苯酚（4-NP）,四环素和对硝基苯酚的检出限分别为0.15和0.062 μmol·L^-1。此外,还研究了其荧光猝灭机理。1可成功应用于延河水样中TET和4-NP含量的测定。     

Phase equilibria on binary systems containing diethyl sulfide

Isothermal vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) of the following systems was measured with a recirculation still: diethyl sulfide + ethanol at 343.15 K, diethyl sulfide + 1-propanol at 358.15 K, and diethyl sulfide + propyl acetate at 363.15 K. Diethyl sulfide + ethanol at 343.15 K and diethyl sulfide + 1-propanol at 358.15 K systems exhibit positive deviation from Raoult's law, whereas diethyl sulfide + propyl acetate at 363.15 K system exhibits only slight positive deviation from Raoult's law. A maximum pressure azeotrope was found in the systems diethyl sulfide + ethanol (x₁ = 0.372, P = 88.4 kPa, T = 343.15 K) and diethyl sulfide + 1-propanol (x₁ = 0.640, P = 96.8 kPa, T = 358.15 K). No azeotropic behavior was found in diethyl sulfide + propyl acetate system at 363.15 K. The experimental results were correlated with the Wilson model and compared to COSMO-SAC predictive model. Liquid and vapor phase compositions were determined with gas chromatography. All measured data sets passed the thermodynamic consistency tests. The activity coefficients at infinite dilution are also presented.     

Phase equilibria on five binary systems containing 1-butanethiol and 3-methylthiophene in hydrocarbons

Isothermal vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) of the following systems was measured with a recirculation still: 1-butanethiol + methylcyclopentane at 343.15 K, 1-butanethiol + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane at 368.15 K, 3-methylthiophene + toluene at 383.15 K, 3-methylthiophene + o-xylene at 383.15 K, and 3-methylthiophene + 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene at 383.15 K. 1-Butanethiol + methylcyclopentane and 1-butanethiol + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane systems exhibit positive deviation from Raoult's law, whereas systems containing 3-methylthiophene in aromatic hydrocarbons exhibit only slight positive deviation from Raoult's law. A maximum pressure azeotrope was found in the system 1-butanethiol + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (x₁ = 0.548, P = 100.65 kPa, T = 368.15 K). The experimental results were correlated with the Wilson model and compared with original UNIFAC and COSMO-SAC predictive models. Raoult's law can be used to describe the behavior of 3-methylthiophene in aromatic hydrocarbons at the experimental conditions in this work. Liquid and vapor-phase composition were determined with gas chromatography. All measured data sets passed the thermodynamic consistency tests applied. The activity coefficients at infinite dilution are also presented.     

Structural and analytical studies of silica accumulations in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Equisetum hyemale</Emphasis>

Horsetail (Equisetum spp.) is known as one of the strongest accumulators of silicon among higher terrestrial plants. We use the combination of position-resolved analytical techniques, namely microtomography, energy-dispersive X-Ray elemental mapping, Raman microscopy, as well as small-angle and wide-angle scattering of X-rays, to study the type, distribution and nanostructure of silica in the internodes of Equisetum hyemale. The predominant silicification pattern is a thin continuous layer on the entire outer epidermis with the highest density in particular knob regions of the long epidermal cells. The knob tips contain up to 33 wt% silicon in the form of pure hydrated amorphous silica, while the silica content is lower in the inner part of the knobs and on the continuous layer. In contrast to the knob tips, the silica in these regions lacks silanol groups and is proposed to be in close association with polysaccharides. No mentionable amount of crystalline silica is detected by wide-angle X-ray scattering. The small-angle X-ray scattering data are consistent with the presence of colloidal, sheet-like silica agglomerates with a thickness of about 2 nm. From these results we conclude that there are at least two distinct forms of silica in E. hyemale which may have different functions. The close association of silica with cell wall polymers suggests that they may act as a polymeric template that controls the shape and size of the colloidal silica particles similar to many other biominerals and mineralised tissues. We propose that owing to its specific distribution in E. hyemale, a protective role and possibly also an important biomechanical role are among the most likely functions of silica in these plants. Figure 3D rendering of X-ray microtomography data from a dry Equisetum hyemale stalk. The red colour indicates high X-ray absorption values due to local silica accumulations     

Airship horizontal trajectory tracking control based on Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC)

Aiming at flight property of airship, a trajectory tracking controller of airship horizontal model is designed based on active disturbance rejection control (ADRC). The six Degree of Freedom (DOF) dynamic model of airship is simplified at a horizontal plane. ADRC is used to realize the decoupling control for the multivariable system. The uncertain items of the model and external disturbances are estimated by the extended state observer (ESO) and dynamic feedback compensation is carried on at real time. The disturbance of wind is added to the simulation environment. The simulation results show that the designed tracking controller can overcome the influences of uncertain items of the model and external disturbances, and track the desired trajectory rapidly and steadily, and possess good robustness and control performances.     

The formation mechanism and biocorrosion property of CaSiO3/CaHPO4 · 2H2O composite conversion coating on the extruded Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy for bone implant application·

In this work, a calcium silicate and calcium phosphate (CaSiO₃/CaHPO₄ · 2H₂O) composite coating was applied by a chemical reaction to an extruded Mg‐Zn‐Ca magnesium alloy. SEM observation showed that a flat and sand‐like conversion coating was formed. X‐ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis indicated that the conversion coating was composed of CaHPO₄ · 2H₂O and a little amount of CaSiO₃. The formation mechanism of CaSiO₃/CaHPO₄ · 2H₂O composite conversion coatings was discussed. The electrochemical polarization tests showed that the conversion coating markedly improved the biocorrosion resistance of Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy in Hank's solution. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface microstructure and cell compatibility of calcium silicate and calcium phosphate composite coatings on Mg-Zn-Mn-Ca alloys for biomedical application

The flexibility and aggregation of proteins can cause adsorption to oil-water interfaces and thereby create challenges during formulation and processing. Protein adsorption is a complex process and the presence of surfactants further complicates the system, in which additional parameters need to be considered. The purpose of this study is to scrutinize the influence of surfactants on protein adsorption to interfaces, using lysozyme as a model protein and sorbitan monooleate 80 (S80), polysorbate 80 (T80), polyethylene-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PE-PEG) and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PG-PR) as model surfactants. Rheological properties, measured using a TA AR-G2 rheometer equipped with a double wall ring (DWR) geometry, were used to compare the efficacy of the surfactant in hindering lysozyme adsorption. The system consists of a ring and a Delrin? trough with a circular channel (interfacial area=1882.6 mm(2)). Oscillatory shear measurements were conducted at a constant frequency of 0.1 Hz, a temperature of 25°C, and with strain set to 1%. The adsorption of lysozyme to the oil-water interface results in the formation of a viscoelastic film. This can be prevented by addition of surfactants, in a manner depending on the concentration and the type of surfactant. The more hydrophilic surfactants are more effective in hindering lysozyme adsorption to oil-water interfaces. Additionally, the larger surfactants are more persistent in preventing film formation, whereas the smaller ones eventually give space for the lysozyme on the interface. The addition of a mixture of two different surfactants was only beneficial when the two hydrophilic surfactants were mixed, in which case a delay in the multilayer formation was detected. The method is able to detect the interfacial adsorption of lysozyme and thus the hindering of film formation by model surfactants. It can therefore aid in processing of any delivery systems for proteins in which the protein is introduced to oil-water interfaces.