Search

Objectives: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to be involved in heart development and function. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of the lncRNA FGD5 antisense RNA 1 (FGD5-AS1) on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by targeting miR-223-3p. Methods: An AMI model was established both in vivo and in vitro. The levels of FGD5-AS1, miR-223-3p and inflammatory factors were detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was assessed using TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay. The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax were examined using Western blot. Cardiac function was evaluated using hemodynamic analysis and hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. In addition, an underlying competitive endogenous RNA mechanism was revealed by bioinformatics analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assay and rescue experiments. Results: We found decreased expression of FGD5-AS1 in AMI. Furthermore, FGD5-AS1 expression significantly decreased the infarct size, improved cardiac performance and attenuated cardiac fibrosis by reducing myocardial apoptosis and inflammation. miR-223-3p was a direct target of FGD5-AS1. Moreover, miRNA-223-3p directly downregulated the expression of phosphorylated Akt in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Further experiments demonstrated that FGD5-AS1 modulated Akt activity to reduce myocardial injury through miR-223-3p. Conclusion: The FGD5-AS1/miR-223-3p/Akt pathway is involved in AMI, suggesting that FGD5-AS1 may act as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for AMI.

Based on the magnetoacoustic coupled dynamics theory, the wave function expansion method is used to solve the problem of acoustic wave scattering and dynamic stress concentration around the two openings in e-type piezomagnetic composites. To deal with the multiple scattering between openings, the local coordinate method is introduced. The general analytical solution to the problem and the expression of the dynamic stress concentration are derived. As an example, the numerical results of the dynamic stress distribution around two openings with equal diameters are given. The effects of the parameters, such as the incident wave number and the spacing between the openings, on the dynamic stress concentration factor are analyzed.

Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the common complications of pregnant women, with serious threatening to pregnant women and newborns. The pathogenesis of GDM remains unclear now. This study aims to explore the effects of miR-22-3p targeted regulation of suppressors of cytokine signaling 3 (Socs3) on the hepatic insulin resistance (HIR) in mice with GDM. Methods: Healthy SPF C57BL/6J mice were selected to establish GDM model and divided into 7 groups: Normal group, Model group, NC-(negative control) mimic group, miR-22-3p mimic group, NC-pcDNA3.0 group, pcDNA3.0-Socs3 group, and miR-22-3p mimic + pcDNA3.0-Socs3 group. The islet morphology, and the expressions of miR-22-3p, Socs3 mRNA and Socs3 protein in the islet tissues were detected by HE staining, qRT-PCR and Western blot. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to detect FBG and fasting insulin (FINS) contents, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Results: Compared with the Normal group, the model group had decreased levels of miR-22-3p and HDL-C, while increased levels of Socs3 mRNA and protein expressions, OGTT, FBG, FINS, and HOMA-IR, TG and TC (all P < 0.05). Compared with the Model group, the above indicators (OGTT, FBG, FINS, HOMA-IR, TG, TC and HDL-C) were improved in the miR-22-3p mimic group, but worsened in the pcDNA3.0-Socs3 group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: miR-22-3p can down-regulate the expression of Socs3, thereby inhibiting HIR in GDM mice.

In the preparation of microencapsulated phase change materials (MicroPCMs) with a three-composition shell through interfacial polymerization, the particle size, phase change behaviors, core contents, encapsulation efficiency morphology, thermal stability and chemical structure were investigated. The compactness of the MicroPCMs was analyzed through high-temperature drying and weighing. The effect of the core/shell ratio and stirring rate of the system was studied. The results indicated that the microcapsules thus-obtained possessed a spherical shape and high thermal stability and the surfaces were intact and compact. Furthermore, in the emulsification stage, the stirring speed had a significant influence on the microcapsules’ particle size, and smaller particles could be obtained under the higher stirring speed, and the distributions were more uniform in these cases. When the core/shell ratio was lower than 4, both the core content and the encapsulation efficiency was high. Additionally, when the core/shell ratio was higher than 4, the encapsulation efficiency was decreased significantly. The three-composition shell greatly increased the compactness of microcapsules, and when the core/shell ratio was adjusted to 3, the mass loss of the MicroPCMs was lower than 6% after drying at 120 °C for 1 h. After the microencapsulation, double exothermic peaks appeared on the crystallization curve of the MicroPCMs, the crystallization mechanism was changed from the heterogeneous nucleation to the homogeneous nucleation and the super cooling degree was enhanced.

A zirconium/nickel-mediated one-pot synthesis of ketones is reported. In the presence of Zn or Mn, Cp2 ZrCl2 was found to dramatically accelerate the coupling and suppress side product formation via an I→SPy displacement at the same time. Unlike Zn/Pd- and Fe/Cu-mediated one-pot ketone syntheses, the new method is effective for nucleophiles bearing OR or equivalent functional groups at the α-position. A mechanism comprising a nickel catalytic cycle, a zirconium catalytic cycle, and Zr→Ni transmetalation is proposed, and Cp2 ZrCl2 and/or low-valent Zr species are suggested to play crucial dual roles.

In this study, we developed a method to prepare inorganic nanoparticles in situ on the surface of cationized cellulose using a rapid microwave-assisted synthesis. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were employed as a novel type of antimicrobial agent and, using the same method, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were also prepared. The results demonstrated that both SeNPs and AgNPs of about 100 nm in size were generated on the cationized cellulose fabrics. The antibacterial tests revealed that the presence of SeNPs clearly improved the antibacterial performance of cationized cellulose in a similar way as AgNPs. The functionalised fabrics demonstrated strong antibacterial activity when assessed using the challenge test method, even after repeated washing. Microscopic investigations revealed that the bacterial cells were visually damaged through contact with the functionalised fabrics. Furthermore, the functionalised fabrics showed low cytotoxicity towards human cells when tested in vitro using an indirect contact method. In conclusion, this study provides a new approach to prepare cationic cellulose fabrics functionalised with Se or Ag nanoparticles, which exhibit excellent antimicrobial performance, low cytotoxicity and good laundry durability. We have demonstrated that SeNPs can be a good alternative to AgNPs and the functionalised fabrics have great potential to serve as an anti-infective material.

Based on the theories of rolling, hydromechanics and vibration, a multi-parameter coupling kinetic model was established, in which the interface friction, geometric constraint and stress distributi...

We report the preparation and characterization of charged nanoporous membranes by self-assembly of "hairy" silica nanoparticles (HNPs) functionalized with polyelectrolyte copolymer brushes. We show that HNP membranes possess high water flux, have well-defined pore sizes, and rejection up to 80% of charged species in solution. The properties of these membranes can be tuned by controlling the length and composition of polymer brushes and the electrolyte concentration in solution. We demonstrate that membrane pore sizes undergo changes of up to 40% in response to changes in the ionic strength of the salt solution. Using MD computer simulations of a coarse-grained model, we link these tunable properties to the conformations of polymer chains in the spaces between randomly packed HNPs. As polymer length increases, the polymers fill the interparticle gaps, and the pore size decreases markedly. On the basis of their straightforward fabrication and tunable properties, HNP membranes may find applications in size- and charge-selective separations, water desalination, and responsive devices.

Copper-catalyzed C–P cross coupling of phosphonate esters with arylboronic acids has been developed. The reaction provided an efficient method for aryl phosphonates under mild conditions.

An efficient method for direct alkylation of ketones and alcohols through the borrowing hydrogen strategy in the presence of rhodium complexes as catalyst was developed. This transformation is tolerant to various functional substrates and is efficient in C–C coupling of primary and secondary alcohols, which provides an alternative method of the synthesis of functional ketones from simple and commercially available materials.

A highly efficient synthesis of substituted conjugated dienals was developed through a triazole-gold (TA-Au)-catalyzed propargyl vinyl ether rearrangement followed by an amine catalyzed allene-aldehyde tautomerization. Various substituted vinylogous aldehydes were prepared in one pot with good to excellent yields (up to 95%) under mild conditions with high atom economy.

Thin aluminium sheets have great usage in aircraft manufacturing due to their light weight and high strength. Wrinkling is one of the major defects in the rubber forming of aluminium sheets and may be an obstacle to assembling the parts. In this study, wrinkling was analyzed by shrink flanging in rubber forming process with orthogonal experimental design. Four effect factors (die radius, the flange length, die fillet radius and forming pressure) were analyzed. Three alloy materials (2024-O, 7075-O, 2024-T3) were used as material. The area of wrinkles was introduced to analyze the difference of the effect factors. It was found that different factors had large effect on the wrinkling. The extent of wrinkling of different materials agrees well with their strengths. The best range of the forming pressure is under 300 bar for 2024-O and 7075-O. Wrinkling can be predict using numerical simulation. Three steps forming is a good method to control wrinkling of shrink flange in rubber forming process.

Based on the theory of unsteady hydrodynamic lubrication and relevant mathematic and physical methods, a basic model was developed to analyze the unsteady lubrication film thickness, pressure stress and friction stress in the work zone in strip rolling. The distribution of pressure stress and friction stress in the work zone was obtained. A numerical simulation was made on a 1850 cold rolling mill. The influence of back tension stress and reduction on the distribution of pressure stress and friction stress between the roll gaps was qualitatively analyzed by numerical simulation. The calculated results indicate that the higher the back tension, the lower the pressure stress and the friction stress in the work zone, and the largest friction stresses are obtained at the inlet and outlet edges. The pressure and friction gradients are rather small at high back tension. The pressure-sensitive lubricant viscosity increases exponentially with the increase of pressure. The unsteady lubrication phenomenon in the roll bite is successfully demonstrated.

The first catalytic alkyne hydroboration of propargyl amine boranecarbonitriles is accomplished with triazole-Au(I) complexes. While the typical [L-Au](+) species decomposes within minutes upon addition of amine boranecarbonitriles, the triazole-modified gold catalysts (TA-Au) remained active, and allowed the synthesis of 1,2-BN-cyclopentenes in one step with good to excellent yields. With good substrate tolerability and mild reaction conditions (open-flask), this new method provides an alternative route to reach the interesting cyclic amine borane with high efficiency.

Rubber forming is very widely used in aircraft manufacturing. Springback of rubber forming process is an important and decisive parameter in obtaining the desired geometry of the part and design of the corresponding tooling. In this research, the rubber forming of aluminium sheet was conducted. To investigate the springback, the straight flanging was employed in die design. The deformation process was studied by preparing the sheets with different thicknesses and different die radii. The influence of process parameters (time and pressure) on the rubber forming process was studied. Based on the analysis of experimental results, it was found that springback of straight angle decreased with the increase of blank thickness t, whilst increased with the increase of the die radius r. The springback can be eliminated with the bending ratio r/t < 2. The increase of forming pressure and time of rubber forming had little effect on the springback when the blank coincided with the die face. Springback of flanging in rubber forming process was smaller than that of stamping. In the jogged flanging, a better shape was formed by using the polyurethane.

In the present work, a multi-factor coupling dynamic model of a rolling mill system for a dynamic roll gap during an unsteady lubrication process was developed on the basis of the rolling theory, lubrication and the friction theory, and the mechanical vibration theory. The multi-factor coupling model of interfacial film binding was coupled with the rolling force model, dynamic roll gap interface friction model and work roll movement model. The corresponding distributions of friction and pressure at varying surface roughness and times were systematically analyzed during the unsteady mixed lubrication process. The effects of the main processing parameters on the critical speed and amplitude for self-excited vertical vibration were investigated.

The combination of triazole/gold (TA-Au) and Cu(OTf)2 is identified as the optimal catalytic system for promoting intramolecular hydroboration for the synthesis of a six-membered cyclic amine–borane. Excellent yields (up to 95 %) and regioselectivities (5-exo vs. 6-endo) were achieved through catalyst control and sequential dilution. Good functional-group tolerance was attained, thus allowing the preparation of highly functionalized cyclic amine–borane substrates, which could not be achieved using other methods. Deuterium-labeling studies support the involvement of a hydride addition to a gold-activated alkyne with subsequent C−B bond formation.

The design and control of extractive dividing-wall columns (EDWCs) have not yet been investigated, whereas those of dividing-wall columns (DWCs) and conventional extractive distillation columns (CEDCs) have been studied by many researchers. The control of EDWCs is more difficult than that of CEDCs and somewhat different from that of DWCs because of differences in the inner structure and interactions among control loops in EDWCs. In this work, the design and control of an EDWC for methylal/methanol separation are investigated using commercial chemical simulators (Aspen Plus and Aspen Dynamics). The optimum EDWC design based on the total annual cost (TAC) is screened first; then, the interaction between design and control is observed; and finally, two control structures for the EDWC are presented. The first proposed basic control structure featuring four composition controllers and an adjustable vapor split ratio αV can handle all disturbances well with small offsets in product purities, except for a 20% de...

The Schmittel cyclization was achieved at room temperature through triazole-gold (TA-Au) catalyzed propargyl vinyl ether rearrangement. Other tested [L-Au](+) catalysts gave complex reaction mixtures under identical conditions with no desired products observed. Importantly, because of the employment of mild conditions, sterically hindered groups (such as t-Bu) on allene termini were no longer required, which allowed successful synthesis of previously challenging substrates.

A method for methylal/methanol separation using extractive distillation with N,N-dimethylformamide as an entrainer is presented. Rigorous steady state and dynamic simulations for this process are implemented on commercial simulators (Aspen Plus and Aspen Dynamics). On the basis of global economic optimization, a design with optimized operation conditions for this process is developed. For dynamic simulations, feed flow rate and feed composition disturbances are used to evaluate the dynamic performance of several control structures. The dynamic simulation results reveal that the control structure with fixed reflux ratio can handle all disturbances well, except one kind of composition disturbance. An improved control structure with R/F (the reflux flow rate/the feed flow rate) ratio scheme is used to maintain the two products' purity requirements. Dynamic simulation results reveal that this control structure can handle feed flow rate and composition disturbances quite effective.

A new method for methylal/methanol separation is presented by using fully heat-integrated pressure swing distillation. Rigorous steady state and dynamic simulations for this neat operation are implemented on commercial simulators (Aspen Plus and Aspen Dynamics). On the basis of the proposed partial optimization and global economical optimization, an optimized configuration for this fully heat-integrated pressure swing distillation is developed. From the simulation results, it is found that this process is more competitive than the one via extractive distillation from the economical view. Several control structures for this system are presented. The dynamic simulation results reveal that the proposed basic control structure is unable to maintain the two bottom products at their quality specification. This problem can be resolved by using a pressure-compensated temperature control scheme. The dynamic responses of this pressure-compensated temperature control show that this control structure works pretty wel...

An ultrasensitive fluorescent sensor based on the quantum dot/DNA/gold nanoparticle ensemble has been developed for detection of mercury(II). DNA hybridization occurs when Hg(II) ions are present in the aqueous solution containing the DNA-conjugated quantum dots (QDs) and Au nanoparticles. As a result, the QDs and the Au nanoparticles are brought into the close proximity, which enables the nanometal surface energy transfer (NSET) from the QDs to the Au nanoparticles, quenching the fluorescence emission of the QDs. This nanosensor exhibits a limit of detection of 0.4 and 1.2 ppb toward Hg(II) in the buffer solution and in the river water, respectively. The sensor also shows high selectivity toward the Hg(II) ions.

The N-2-aryl-1,2,3-triazole derivatives (NATs) were developed as a new class of UV/blue-light-emitting fluorophores. Though both N-1-aryl-1,2,3-triazoles and N-2-aryl-1,2,3-triazoles gave strong photo absorption under excitation at 330 nm, only the N-2-analogous showed strong fluorescence emission in the UV/blue range with high efficiency in various solvents (quantum yield Φ around 0.3-0.5). Significant substituted group effects were observed, allowing tunable optical properties with emission (λ(max)) from 350-400 nm and Stokes shift from 38-93 nm. The computational studies along with X-ray crystal structures indicated the significance of the effective conjugation between triazole ring and aryl groups on the N-2 position. The planar intramolecular charge transfer (PICT) mechanism was proposed, which was supported by solvent effect studies. Simple derivatizations gave NAT-modified lysine and strong UV/blue emitting bis-NAT (Φ=0.76, λ(max)=390), which suggested the great potential of this new class of fluorophores in biological and material science research.

By reducing the attraction between the platelets of octadecylammonium chloride modified montmorillonite (OMMT-C18) via pre-intercalation of maleated polypropylene (MAPP), OMMT-C18 was exfoliated in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix during melt-mixing. Wide angle X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis were used to investigate the microstructure of TPU nanocomposites. Three factors (including introducing sequence, the kind and the content of MAPP) showed important effects on the dispersion degree of OMMT-C18 in TPU matrix. The results confirmed that the pre-intercalation of MAPP was necessary for the exfoliation of OMMT-C18; however, the role of MAPP in TPU nanocomposites was different from that in polypropylene nanocomposites. In addition, the investigation on the morphology evolution of TPU nanocomposites showed that shear force played a key role in the formation of exfoliated TPU nanocomposites. TPU nanocomposites with exfoliated structure showed better properties compared with TPU and its nanocomposites with intercalated structure.

Reaction of 7-{(N-2,6-R)iminomethyl)}lindole (HL1, R = dimethylphenyl; HL2, R = diisopropylphenyl) and rare-earth metal tris(alkyl)s, Ln(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2), generated new rare-earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes LLn(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF) [L = L-1: Ln = Lu. (1a), Sc (1b); L = L-2 : Ln = Lu (3a), Se (3b)] and mono(alkyl) complexes L-2 Lu-2(CH2SiMe3) (4a). Treatment of alkyl complexes 1a and 4a with N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide afforded the corresponding amidinates (LLu)-Lu-1{iPr(2)NC(CH2SiMe3) NiPr2}(2) (2a) and L-2 Lu-2{iPr(2)NC(CH2SiMe3)NiPr2} (5a), respectively.

In this paper we propose a graphene plasmons isolator based on non-reciprocal coupling within double graphene layer waveguide structure on a magneto-optical substrate. The difference in modal indices of graphene plasmons in opposite directions enables non-reciprocal coupling, which is theoretically investigated via coupled mode theory (CMT) and shows good agreement with numerical finite elements methods (FEM). The non-reciprocal coupling endows such system functionalities as magnetically controlled “plasmons circulator” or “plasmons isolator”. For the latter case, systematical investigations of the insertion losses and isolation ratios with respect to the structural parameters, material properties, environmental parameters, fabrication errors as well as dielectric damping are presented. Theoretical investigation has shown an isolation ratio as 42 dB. The proposed plasmons circulator and isolator may serve as potential building blocks in graphene plasmons circuits.

Due to isomerization of the prepared dienals, the products are isolated after reduction of the carbonyl group.

The triazole-gold(I) complex catalyzed [3,3]-rearrangement of propargyl ester has been quantitatively investigated through in situ IR. First order dependence of the initial rates on [Au] and [propargyl ester] suggested that the turnover-limiting step is the associative ligand substitution. The activation enthalpy was also determined to be 7.8 kcal mol(-1). TA-Au catalysts with different triazole derivatives were also tested, giving a linear free energy relationship with a ρ value of 0.74.

The first gold-catalyzed Markovnikov addition of sulfinic acids to terminal alkynes is presented.

The first catalytic alkyne hydroboration of propargyl amine boranecarbonitriles is accomplished with triazole-AuI complexes. While the typical [L-Au]+ species decomposes within minutes upon addition of amine boranecarbonitriles, the triazole-modified gold catalysts (TA-Au) remained active, and allowed the synthesis of 1,2-BN-cyclopentenes in one step with good to excellent yields. With good substrate tolerability and mild reaction conditions (open-flask), this new method provides an alternative route to reach the interesting cyclic amine borane with high efficiency.

A general method for the synthesis of α-substituted vinyl sulfones makes use of a combination of a triazole gold complex and gallium triflate. This efficient CS bond formation between simple terminal alkynes and sulfinic acids provides access to various α-substituted vinyl sulfones.

An efficient route for the preparation of substituted N-heterocycles was developed through the amine addition to nitroalkenes. The reaction tolerates a large substrate scope with good to excellent yields (up to 95%) and excellent stereoselectivities (up to 99 : 1 dr).

1,2,3-Triazoles have come to the forefront as compounds of import in a vast number of applications. The fundamental properties of these species, however, remain largely unknown. Herein, the gas phase properties of 4-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole, benzotriazole, and a series of 1-phenylbenzotriazoles are described. Proton affinity and acidity values are computed and measured. Furthermore, ion–molecule reactions and H/D exchange studies are used to ascertain tautomer prevalence for the 4-phenyl species.

Currently, there exist in the construction of system of public financial management certain problems and inadequacies, which cannot meet the public sectors' demand for financial management and fiscal management. Under the supervision of the government and with support of relevant theory, efforts should be made to sort out the problems existed in the system of public financial management to establish a combined mechanism that consists of expenditure decision, budget management, process control management, financial supervision, and achievement evaluation and etc to promote the Public Financial Management System to be more scientific, standard and precise.

Alcohol substrates bearing aromatic and vinylic moieties afford high yields, whereas those with an aliphatic substituent at the hydroxyl site [cf.

The FeCl(3)-catalyzed triazole propargylation was developed. This transformation was suitable for a large scope of substituted propargyl alcohols, giving the corresponding propargyl triazoles in excellent yields (up to 96%). Further derivatization produced the 1,1-bis-triazoles in excellent yields and regioselectivity, which could be applied as potential transition metal ligands or new reagents.