Numerical Study on the Dependency of Microstructure Morphologies of Pulsed Laser Deposited TiN Thin Films and the Strain Heterogeneities during Mechanical Testing

Numerical study of the influence of pulsed laser deposited TiN thin films’ microstructure morphologies on strain heterogeneities during loading was the goal of this research. The investigation was based on the digital material representation (DMR) concept applied to replicate an investigated thin film’s microstructure morphology. The physically based pulsed laser deposited model was implemented to recreate characteristic features of a thin film microstructure. The kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) approach was the basis of the model in the first part of the work. The developed kMC algorithm was used to generate thin film’s three-dimensional representation with its columnar morphology. Such a digital model was then validated with the experimental data from metallographic analysis of laboratory deposited TiN(100)/Si. In the second part of the research, the kMC generated DMR model of thin film was incorporated into the finite element (FE) simulation. The 3D film’s morphology was discretized with conforming finite element mesh, and then incorporated as a microscale model into the macroscale finite element simulation of nanoindentation test. Such a multiscale model was finally used to evaluate the development of local deformation heterogeneities associated with the underlying microstructure morphology. In this part, the capabilities of the proposed approach were clearly highlighted.     

体质量指数对全髋关节置换后早期髋关节功能恢复影响的三维步态分析

文题释义：三维步态分析系统：通过对利用摄像机得到的人体运动图像进行图像处理，来进行步态分析的技术及装置。以获取人体在各体态和运动下的生理、病理的力学和数学参数，进行人体各部位和机能检测，所检测的数据经进一步分析计算后可获得人体各部位(特别是关节)的受力状态，以及机械功、代谢能量消耗的情况。 体质量指数：是一个计算值，当需要比较及分析一个人的体质量对于不同高度的人所带来的健康影响时，体质量指数值是一个中立而可靠的指标。 背景：肥胖对全髋关节置换的影响已有学者进行讨论，但目前尚缺乏对不同体质量指数患者使用三维步态分析技术进行随访的研究。 目的：通过三维步态分析系统定量分析体质量指数对全髋关节置换后早期髋关节功能恢复的影响。 方法：选择大连大学附属中山医院关节外科2017年1月至2018年6月收治的全髋关节置换患者60例，根据入院时体质量指数分为超重组(体质量指数≥25 kg/m²)与正常组(体质量指数< 25 kg/m²)，每组30例。所有患者对检测方案均知情同意，且得到医院伦理委员会批准。收集患者的手术部位、年龄、性别、身高、体质量、手术时间等临床基本资料；术后6个月时使用三维步态分析技术采集时间-距离参数(步幅、步频、平均步速)、动力学参数及运动学参数对髋关节功能进行评价。 结果与结论：①2组在手术部位、性别比例及年龄方面差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)；但超重组手术时间明显长于正常组，差异有显著性意义(P=0.000)；②时间-距离参数方面，2组在步幅、步频及平均步速上差异虽无显著性意义，但超重组步幅(1.08±0.18) m小于正常组(1.35±1.45) m；③运动学参数中，超重组在髋关节各个面的活动范围均小于正常组，差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05)；④动力学参数方面，屈髋力矩峰值超重组小于正常组，差异有显著性意义(P=0.011)；伸髋力矩峰值2组差异无显著性意义(P=1.000)；⑤提示肥胖对全髋关节置换后早期功能恢复存在一定影响。 ORCID: 0000-0003-1824-687X(陈浩鹏) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节；骨植入物；脊柱；骨折；内固定；数字化骨科；组织工程     

Kinetic Investigations of Quaternization Reactions of Poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] with Diverse Alkyl Halides

Kinetic investigations of the quaternization reactions of poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA) with alkyl halides (1‐iodobutane, 1‐iodoheptane, and 1‐iododecane) are carried out at different temperatures. For this purpose, a PDMAEMA (M_n = 17.8 kDa, Ð = 1.35) synthesized via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization is utilized. The progress of the quaternization reactions is followed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance. As expected, the rate of quaternization is higher with increasing temperature. The experimental data are used to determine the following kinetic parameters: order of the reaction, Arrhenius' pre‐exponential factor, and activation energy. To the best of knowledge, this is the first contribution that provides detailed kinetic data of the quaternization reactions on PDMAEMA.     

Tannic Acid‐Inspired Star‐Like Macromolecules via Temporally Controlled Multi‐Step Potential Electrolysis

Inspired by tea stains, a plant polyphenolic‐based macroinitiator is prepared for the first time by partial modification of tannic acid (TA) with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide. In accordance with the “grafting from” methodology, a naturally occurring star‐like polymer with a polar gallotannin core and a hydrophobic poly(n‐butyl acrylate) side arms is synthesized via a simplified electrochemically mediated ATRP (seATRP), utilizing multiple‐step potential electrolysis. To investigate the kinetics of the electrochemical catalytic process triggered by reduction of Cu(II) or Fe(III) catalytic complex in the presence of the multifunctional initiator, cyclic voltammetry measurements are conducted. The naturally derived tannin macromolecule shows narrow MWDs (? = 1.57). Moreover, solvolysis of the star polymer to cleave the side arms and characterize them indicates that all chains grow to the same length (homopolymers with M_w/M_n <1.17), which confirms the well‐controlled seATRP. The structure of the obtained TA‐based systems is characterized microscopically (AFM) and spectroscopically (¹H NMR, FT‐IR). Atomic force microscopy measurements precisely determine the diameters of the obtained star polymers (19.7 ± 3.3 nm). These new star polymers may find biomedical applications as drug delivery systems and antifouling or antimicrobial coatings.     

A Promising Energetic Polymer from Posidonia oceanica Brown Algae: Synthesis,Characterization, and Kinetic Modeling

In this study, microcrystalline cellulose nitrate (MCCN) as energetic polymer is successfully obtained from Posidonia oceanica brown algae (POBA). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results show alterations in the intensities of some absorption bands, suggesting a significant difference in the chemical structure between microcrystalline cellulose and the emergent MCCN samples. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements indicate that MCCNs are more crystalline than conventional nitrocellulose (NC). According to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), both NC and MCCN reveal a compact structure and a rough surface. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) displays that the thermal degradation of MCCNs shifts to lower temperatures compared to the respective NCs. Furthermore, in comparison with NC samples, MCCN samples exhibit high density, high nitrogen content, low viscosity‐average molecular weight, and good thermal stability. On the other hand, kinetic modeling based on DSC data is carried out by isoconversional integral methods to determine Arrhenius parameters and the decomposition mechanisms. It is found that MCCNs present lower activation energies than conventional NCs with a decrease of ≈6%. Finally, this work opens a new pathway to prepare MCCN from POBA, and it is expected to have applications in several areas such as propellants, energetic binders, and gas generators.     

A Novel Approach for the Synthesis of Thermo‐Responsive Co‐Polyesters Incorporating Reversible Diels–Alder Adducts

The proof of concept for a new copolymerization approach taking advantage of the thermally reversible aptitude of the furan/maleimide Diels–Alder (DA) adducts is reported here. A new monomer bearing two carboxylic acids as end‐groups and a Diels–Alder adduct within its structure is synthesized using benign and mild reaction conditions. Two polyesters are then fabricated from the DA‐diacid and 1,6‐hexanediol and 1,4‐benzenedimethanol, respectively, and characterized by ¹H‐NMR, GPC, DSC, and TGA. Kinetic studies of these polyesters, performed by ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy at variable temperatures, establish the appropriate conditions for their controlled depolymerization, through the retro Diels–Alder reaction (rDA), and their re‐construction through the DA reaction, showing moreover the reproducibility of this rDA/DA cycle. Finally, by exploiting this peculiar feature, a copolyester is successfully synthesized from the concomitant treatment of the two homopolymers, demonstrating the effectiveness of the method. The present approach provides a new method for the fabrication of multicomponent copolymers based on the DA/rDA strategy that is extendable to a variety of other polycondensation materials, such as polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, and epoxies, allowing the establishment of a library of novel architectures through this one‐pot approach.     

丹参提取过程动力学研究:模型建立及关键工艺参数考察

该研究以Fick第一扩散定律、分配平衡来表示丹参药材宏观层面内、外传质过程,建立传质模型,并将药材比表面积融合在传质阻力中,从而有效避免了药材形状不规则问题,扩大了模型适用范围。同时进一步将传质模型与酚酸降解动力学模型结合,建立丹酚酸B、紫草酸和丹参素的提取动力学模型。将模型应用于丹参提取过程研究,敏感性分析结果表明,在最大提取率(320 min)附近,模型预测相对误差在5%以内,模型预测性能较好。不同工艺参数考察结果表明,搅拌会显著加快丹酚酸B传质速率;溶剂倍量对丹酚酸B传质和降解无明显影响;温度的倒数与传质阻力对数值线性关系良好,决定系数为0.996,温度与传质阻力符合阿伦尼乌斯公式。研究结果表明,在较高提取温度(358 K以上)下,紫草酸和丹参素浓度变化受传质影响较弱,只需考虑降解对其浓度变化的影响。该研究为中药提取的工艺优化和质量控制提供了基础。     

[11C]5-HTP and microPET are not suitable for pharmacodynamic studies in the rodent brain

The PET tracer [¹¹C]5-hydroxytryptophan ([¹¹C]5-HTP), which is converted to [¹¹C]5-hydroxytryptamine ([¹¹C]5-HT) by aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), is thought to measure 5-HT synthesis rates. But can we measure these synthesis rates by kinetic modeling of [¹¹C]5-HTP in rat? Male rats were scanned with [¹¹C]5-HTP (60 minutes) after different treatments. Scans included arterial blood sampling and metabolite analysis. 5-HT synthesis rates were calculated by a two-tissue compartment model (2TCM) with irreversible tracer trapping or Patlak analysis. Carbidopa (inhibitor peripheral AADC) dose-dependently increased [¹¹C]5-HTP brain uptake, but did not influence 2TCM parameters. Therefore, 10 mg/kg carbidopa was applied in all subsequent study groups. These groups included treatment with NSD 1015 (general AADC inhibitor) or p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA, inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase, TPH). In addition, the effect of a low-tryptophan (Trp) diet was investigated. NSD 1015 or Trp depletion did not affect any model parameters, but PCPA reduced [¹¹C]5-HTP uptake, and the k₃. This was unexpected as NSD 1015 directly inhibits the enzyme converting [¹¹C]5-HTP to [¹¹C]5-HT, suggesting that trapping of radioactivity does not distinguish between parent tracer and its metabolites. As different results have been acquired in monkeys and humans, [¹¹C]5-HTP-PET may be suitable for measuring 5-HT synthesis in primates, but not in rodents.