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• ST59-t439-SCC mec Ⅳa revealed the most serious lethal effect on BALB/c mice. • The lung was the most seriously damaged organs, followed by spleen and kidney. • IL-6 and IL-10 were both highly expressed in CA-MRSA cases. • Some virulence genes were up-regulated in pathogenesis of CA-MRSA infection. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become the most important pathogen of hospital-acquired (HA) or community-acquired (CA) infections. However, it is unclear of the cytokines responsible for pathological hyper-inflammation in sepsis related cytokine storm for MRSA infection. In this study, we selected typical HA-MRSA strain (YNSA163: ST239-t030-SCC mec Ⅲ) and two CA-MRSA isolates (YNSA7: ST59-t439-SCC mec Ⅳa and YNSA53: ST59-t437-SCC mec Ⅴb) from our previous research, infected on BALB/c mice, and analyzed the cytokine storm patterns during infection process. The animal experiments revealed the most serious lethal effect on BALB/c mice caused by YNSA7 strain infection, followed by YNSA53, and no BALB/c mice died for YNSA163 infection. Histopathological analyses revealed that lung was the most seriously damaged organs, followed by spleen and kidney, especially for CA-MRSA infection. The severe inflammatory reactions, tissue destruction, and massive exudation of inflammatory mediators and cells could be identified in CA-MRSA strains infected mice. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 were both highly expressed in spleen and lung of YNSA7 and YNSA53 dead cases compared with YNSA53 survived and YNSA163 cases, which demonstrated cytokine storm pattern for CA-MRSA strains infection. The results of IL-6 intervention experiment verified that the enhanced IL-6 secretion was responsible for the host lethality of YNSA7 infection. RNA-sequencing results among three MRSA isolates indicated most of the differentially expressed genes referred to cellular process, metabolism and genetic information processing of bacteria. Specifically, clpP , chp chemotaxis inhibit, fnbB , pathogencity island protein and virulence associated protein E were highly expressed in YNSA7 strain. In general, CA-MRSA strains provoked cytokine storm on BALB/c mice led to severe infection and lethality, the up-regulated of some virulence genes might play important role in pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this paper, a conservative compact finite difference scheme is presented for solving the N-coupled nonlinear Schrödinger–Boussinesq equations. By using the discrete energy method, it is proved that our scheme is unconditionally convergent in the maximum norm and the convergent rate is at O (τ 2 + h 4) with time step τ and mesh size h. Numerical results including the comparisons with other numerical methods are reported to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the method and to confirm our theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study evaluated the role of anti-tumor immune response of curcumin on tongue squamous cell carcinama (TSCC). Experimental design Cell lines (Cal 27, FaDu) and animal model (4NQO mice model) were uesd in this study. The MTT assay was used to detecte cell proliferation. The Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to examine the protein expression. The flow cytometry was performed to determine the number of Treg and MDSC. Results The expression of PD-L1 and p-STAT3 Y705 were does-dependently inhibited in Fadu and Cal 27 cell line. The results of in vivo demonstrated that curcumin significantly attenuated tumor growth in 4NQO mice model. The expression of PD-L1 and p-STAT3 Y705 were similarly decreased in vivo . Moreover, the anti-tumor immune response was remarkably improved after curcumin treatment through increasing CD8 positive T cells and decreasing Tregs and MDSCs. Conclusions Curcumin treatment resulted in inhibition of PD-L1 and p-STAT3 Y705 expression both in vitro and in vivo . Moreover, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment was changed after curcumin treatment. These data suggested that curcumin could effectively promote anti-tumor immune response in TSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we formulate two orthogonal spline collocation schemes, which consist of a nonlinear and a linear scheme for solving the coupled Schrödinger–Boussinesq equations numerically. Firstly, the conservation laws of our schemes are derived. Secondly, the existence solutions of our schemes are investigated. Thirdly, the convergence and stability of the nonlinear scheme are analyzed by means of discrete energy methods, while the convergence of the linear scheme is proved by cut-off function technique. Finally, numerical results are reported to verify our theoretical analysis for the numerical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) resort to complementary and alternative medicine, which is used in 33%-80% of MS patients in the developed country. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) as an adjunct therapy of patients with acute relapse of MS.Methods: Six databases were searched for randomized-controlled trial of CHM for acute relapse of MS. The risk of bias was assessed by using the twelve criteria recommended by the Cochrane Back Review Group. The primary outcome measures of interest are the Expanded Disability Status Score, annual relapse frequency, annual relapse rate, and annual relapse interval. The secondary outcome measures are the clinical efficacy rate and adverse events. The selection criteria of high-frequency herbs for MS are those with cumulative frequency over 50%. We analyzed the data using Review Manager (version 5.3).Results: A total of 1100 participants were included in the 20 studies from 2004 to 2015. The number of risk of bias which met the criteria varied from 5/12 to 7/12. The top 5 most frequently used herbs are ordinally Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Radix Rehmanniae Preparata, and Bombyx Batryticatus. The meta-analysis showed a significant effect of CHM for improving Expanded Disability Status Score (P<0.01), annual relapse frequency (P<0.01) and the total clinical efficacy rate (P<0.01) compared with western conventional treatment. In analysis of annual relapse rate and annual relapse interval, there was a significant difference between CHMs and western conventional treatment (P<0.01). Adverse effects were monitored in 6 studies, and were well tolerated in all MS patients.Conclusions: The available evidence from present study supported but limited to recommend the routine use of CHM adjuvant therapy for MS because of the poor methodological quality and clinical heterogeneity. However, we identified an area that is worthy of further study. Furthermore, we selected high frequent use of CHMs as a promising candidate for further clinical application and MS trials. Further rigorous randomized-controlled trials are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to effectively prevent the hull of the ship from being corroded in the seawater environment, in this study, we prepared organic coating films (SAE-0 , SAE-5 , SAE-10 and SAE-15) that contain various amount of siloxane epoxy resins (1,3-bis[2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyl]tetramethyldisiloxane, BETMS) and bisphenol A epoxy resin (BE-188) in the presence of Doublecure®1172 photoinitiator for the cationic photopolymerization under UV light as the irradiation source. All the photocured polymers afforded good-quality films and had the 5 wt% thermal decomposition temperatures of above 335 °C. In addition, the contact angle decreases in the order of SAE-15 > SAE-10 > SAE-5 > SAE-0 related to the siloxane content. Finally, the potential dynamic polarization curve of the coated film on the galvanized steel surface was also studied to investigate its protection performance in a 3 M NaCl solution. Among all examined films, SAE-15 coated film showed the lowest corrosion current density (I corr), corrosion rate (R corr) and the highest corrosion resistance (R p). As a result, the highest protection ability of this sample can reach up to 97.3 % and even superior better than the control sample (SAE-0 , 90.6 %). Furthermore, SAE-15 coated film shows the best protection capability after immersing into the 3 M NaCl and seawater solution at 28 days. The siloxane-based photocured hybrid film prepared in this study exhibits excellent potential for the marine corrosion protection fields. [Display omitted] • Epoxied resin prepared by cationic photopolymerization and used in corrosion protection. • Siloxane-based epoxy resin was used and prepared. • SAE-15 sample exhibits the highest inhibition efficiency of 97.3 % and good storage stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sequenced and analyzed an imported Vibrio cholerae from Mynamar in 2011 by using whole genome sequencing method in Yunnan Province, southwest China. Other 3 isolates of V. cholerae in Yunnan were also sequenced for comparing purpose. Illumina Hiseq2500 was used and the sequencing results were assembled and annotated. The comparative genomic analysis was also performed with 101 reference strains from China and abroad. The results showed the imported V. cholerae (YN2011004) had two chromosomes and one plasmid; chr1 contained 2727 predicted genes, and 958 genes for chr2. Phylogenomic tree results showed YN2011004 belonged to the seventh pandemic strain, clustered into wave 3 and clade 3B. The strain had the highly homology with SN083 and 4remapscaff isolated in 2010 from other parts of China, and clustered with SN117, VC50 remapscaff, VC57 remapscaff and SN034. These references V. cholerae mostly isolated from coastal areas of China in 2008. For the other 3 strains' comparison, it suggested that V. cholerae in 1990s in Yunnan had the close relationship with the prevalence of cholera in Southeast Asia. Therefore, we thought that the cholera in Yunnan was consistent with the epidemic trend of China, being the “sink” for external source and also acted as a “source” for spread. Moreover, we considered that the imported V. cholerae from Myanmar in 2011 actually was the exported strain from China, and it provided us a new sight for the bacterial change and evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from the left ventricular (LV) papillary muscles (PMs) is challenging. Methods We enrolled 16 consecutive patients who received RFCA for VAs from LV PMs. Three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping was used to construct activation and/or pace maps. RFCA was performed first at the earliest activation site or at the best matched site in the pace maps. When an acceleration or reduction in the incidence of VAs was observed during the first few seconds of the application, the ablation energy was delivered continuously for 60–120 s. Additional ablation was then circumferentially delivered at the base of the PMs. Results RFCA was successfully performed in all 16 patients with no cases of recurrence of VAs after a mean follow-up of 20 ± 12 months. VAs originated from the anterior (n = 8) and posterior (n = 8) PMs. Purkinje potentials were identified at the target sites in seven patients. All VAs were temporarily suppressed by one to two long-duration shots of RFCA at the initial targeted site, but recurrence was subsequently noted. In six patients, the QRS morphologies of the VAs changed after the initial RFCA. A subsequent circumferential approach with multiple ablations applied to the base of the PMs completely eliminated all VAs. In all but one patient, successful RFCA was achieved using an open-irrigated ablation catheter. Conclusions Circumferential RFCA at the base of the PMs overcame anatomical limitations, leading to a high success rate of RFCA for VAs from LV PMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) with broad-specificity against several carotenoid analogs with equal or similar efficacy was prepared. The obtained mAb C11, with the IgG1 isotype, showed cross-reactivity (CR) with canthaxanthin (100%), β-ionone acid (140.4%), β-carotene (92.9%), capsanthin (90.1%), β-apo-8′-carotenal (92.7%), and xanthophyll (95.8%). Using the mAb C11, a highly sensitive and inexpensive indirect competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) was developed with a simple sample preparation procedure for the simultaneous detection of these carotenoid compounds in eggs. The limit of detection of the various carotenoids ranged from 1.31 mg kg −1 to 1.48 mg kg −1 . Recoveries from egg yolks spiked with the above carotenoids ranged from 91.8% to 113.3%, with coefficients of variation (CVs) of less than 14.8%. These results suggest that the developed ic-ELISA is a sensitive, specific, accurate, and inexpensive method that is suitable for the screening of carotenoid residues in routine monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Headache have been recognized as major causes of public ill-health, whereas there currently are the limitations of conventional therapies available. Chuanxiong Chadiao Powder (CXCP) is a well-known classic TCM herbal prescription with respect to treating headache for more than 1000 years. The objective of this study is to systematically assess the clinical efficacy and safety of CXCP for headache.Methods: A systematic literature search in four databases, up to May of 2014, was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which compared CXCP monotherapy or adjunct therapy with western conventional medicine (WCM) or placebo for headache. The primary outcome measures were headache frequency, headache duration, pain intensity scales, globe assessment, patients self report outcomes, and quality of life. The second outcome measures were the total clinical effective rate and adverse events. The methodological quality of RCTs was assessed independently based on the 7 criteria recommended by the Cochrane Back Review Group.Results: A total of 3680 participants were included in 37 eligible studies. The methodological quality was generally poor and there was only one high quality trial. Meta-analyses of the studies found that significant effects of CXCP for improving headache frequency and headache duration and the total clinical effective rate compared with WCM or placebo control in treating headache (P<0.01). Adverse event monitoring was reported in 22 studies (59%), while the other 15 studies (41%) did not mentioned.Conclusions: The evidence from present study is supported but limited for CXCP clinical use in the management of headache because of methodological flaws. Larger sample-sizes and rigorously designed RCTs are required in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Three shear fatigue life criteria of 3D woven composites are proposed. • The concept of S-N curve cluster for 3D woven composites is proposed. • DSR CLD model of out-of-plane shear fatigue of 3D woven composites is established. • The S-N curve clusters based on the DSR CLD model can be predicted. • More predicted results are provided to help other researchers to investigate deeply. A nonlinear constant life diagram (CLD) model based on dual stress ratios (DSR) is proposed to predict the fatigue life of three-dimensional(3D) woven composites. The out-of-plane shear fatigue properties of 3D woven composites with stress ratios of 0.1 and −1 are investigated. Three fatigue life criteria are proposed to judge the critical cycle number (fatigue life). It provides guidance for determining the out-of-plane shear fatigue life of 3D woven composite under different design requirements. The concept of the S-N curve cluster is proposed to characterize the fatigue life at different typical degradation stages. Based on the S-N curve cluster, the DSR CLD model is established. It performs better than the conventional Goodman CLD model. A formula is proposed for the prediction of the out-of-plane shear fatigue life of 3D woven composites with an arbitrary stress ratio. More predicted results are provided to help other researchers to investigate the shear fatigue life of 3D woven composites deeply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The morphological and chemical modifications induced by repeated cycling of conversion-type negative electrode material were studied for iron sulfide thin films in 1M-LiClO4/PC by combining AFM, XPS and ToF-SIMS analysis with electrochemical control. The topographical changes were consistent with irreversible swelling of the material caused by repeated volume expansion/contraction. A 3% capacity fading measured after 9 conversion/deconversion cycles resulted mainly from the loss of electroactive material forming pinhole defects in the thin film electrode. Repeated cycling caused increasing accumulation of non deconverted material in the bulk thin film electrode. Repeated cycling also resulted in continuous surface up-take and increasing accumulation of the SEI layer in the bulk thin film electrode, rich in Li2CO3. Formation of a duplex-like structure with organic and inorganic compounds primarily distributed in the outer and inner parts, respectively, was suggested by ToF-SIMS depth profiling of the SEI layer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common, systemic autoimmune disease which leads to destruction of the joint architecture and consequent disability. Although the aetiology of RA remains unknown, accumulating studies have established a strong association between RA and periodontitis (PD). Recently, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) autoantibody and citrullinated peptide have been realized to be involved in the breaking of self-tolerance and development of autoimmune in RA. The citrullinated peptide is generated by post-translational modification (citrullination) of protein-bound arginine by peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD). Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), the major aetiological agent of PD and the only bacterium known to express a PAD enzyme, has been reported to be significantly associated with RA. The antibody titers to P. gingivalis are significantly increased in patients with RA and P. gingivalis antibody titers are significantly correlated with anti-CCP antibody isotypes that are specific to RA. Recent study indicates that the major synovial targets of the RA-specific anti-CCP autoantibodies are deiminated forms of the α- and β- chains of fibrin. Meanwhile, it is also confirmed that bacterial PAD produced by P. gingivalis has the capacity of deiminating arginine in fibrin found in the periodontal lesion. Whatsmore, it has been demonstrated that citrullination of HLA binding peptide causes a 100-fold increase in peptide-MHC affinity and leads to the activation CD4+T cells in HLA DRB1 0401 transgenic mice. Therefore, we postulate that P. gingivalis may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis-associated RA. P. gingivalis, which colonizes in the oral cavity, produces PAD enzyme continuously that leads to the citrullination of RA autoantigen such as fibrin in synovium joint. These PAD engendered antigens, presented in association with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules by antigen-presenting cells (APC), ultimately lead to production of the anti-CCP antibody. The anti-CCP antibodies form immune complexes with citrullinated proteins, which can be bound by inflammatory cells via their Fc receptors. The roles of these immune complexes and inflammatory cells are mediated by a complex cascade involving complement activation. These mechanisms result in a release of mediators of inflammation and joint destruction ultimately leading to the onset of RA. This hypothesis reveals that oral bacterial infection may play a role in peptide citrullination which might be involved in loss of self-tolerance and development of autoimmune in RA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Post-fracture calcium and phosphorus excretion is greater than influx, which might be caused by stress. Glucocorticoid is known to enhance calcium and phosphorous excretion, and hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) has been shown to exert inhibitory effects on glucocorticoid. Therefore, this study explored whether H 2 S could inhibit calcium and phosphorus loss after fracture by regulating glucocorticoid and/or its receptor. The following properties were analyzed in rats with femur fractures: serum and urinary calcium and phosphorus (by colorimetry); bone turnover markers alkaline phosphatase, serum type 1 collagen amino terminal peptide, type 1 procollagen carboxy terminal peptide, and anti-tartaric acid phosphatase (by ELISA); factors related to calcium-phosphorus metabolism including glucocorticoid, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, fibroblast growth factor 23, and 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 (by ELISA); and sulfhydration of glucocorticoid receptor α in the kidney (by immunoprecipitation linked biotin-switch assay), after supplementing with mifepristone, the H 2 S donor GYY4137 or H 2 S generating enzyme inhibitors aminooxyacetic acid and propargylglycine. Serum H 2 S decreased and glucocorticoid secretion increased in rats post-fracture. The glucocorticoid receptor inhibitor mifepristone partly blunted calcium and phosphorus loss. Furthermore, supplementation with GYY4137 reduced glucocorticoid secretion; inhibited glucocorticoid receptor α activity by sulfhydration; downregulated vitamin D 1α-hydroxylase expression; and upregulated 24-hydroxylase, calbindin-D28k, and sodium phosphate cotransporter 2a expression in the kidney; thereby inhibiting calcium and phosphorus loss induced by fracture. Moreover, inhibiting endogenous H 2 S generation showed opposite effects. Our findings suggest that H 2 S antagonized calcium and phosphorus loss after fracture by reducing glucocorticoid secretion and inhibiting glucocorticoid receptor α activity by sulfhydration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Experimental method is proposed for 3D woven composites under shear fatigue load. • Dominant out-of-plane failure mechanism of the 3D woven composites is discussed. • The out-of-plane shear failure process can be divided into three typical stages. • The temperature is positively correlated with the strain and crack distribution. • The stiffness and temperature changes of the specimen show certain consistency. A set of experimental method is proposed for the out-of-plane shear fatigue performance and damage mechanisms of a type of three-dimensional (3D) woven composites. The S-N curves based on the ultimate failure cycles and the shear fatigue stiffness degradation curve of specimens are obtained. Simultaneously, the relation between the system stiffness degradation and the specimen temperature increase is discussed. Moreover, the damage evolution is captured and analyzed. Microscopic observation of the damage zone on the specimen surface is carried out. Based on the images of infrared thermography and the corresponding crack distribution, the mechanism of heat generation are discussed. It can be found that the temperature distribution of the specimen is positively correlated with the shear strain distribution and crack distribution. The stiffnesses and temperature changes of the specimen show certain consistency. The out-of-plane failure mechanisms under shear fatigue loading for 3D woven composites are revealed on the basis of observation and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AlSiC composites is a common material to make IGBT substrate due to its adjustable coefficient of thermal expansion which can be well matched with the chip and ceramic substrate to prevent the fatigue failure. Understanding the role of SiC surface morphology or crystal orientation might have an important influence on the proper control of the solid-liquid interface transmission in the process of preparing SiC reinforced aluminum matrix composites. To quantify the solid-liquid interaction, the molecular dynamics study is performed on the wetting characteristics of molten aluminum droplets on the 4H–SiC surface. Two SiC surface structures including rectangular-groove and wedge-groove are firstly adopted to analyze the effect of surface morphology on the wettability. Then, the wetting characteristics of Al droplets on two SiC crystal orientations including (110) plane and (111) plane are studied. The corresponding contact angles θ in the four Al/SiC systems are 124.81°, 126.65°, 105.72° and 97.35° respectively. It is found that the atomic surface morphology and crystal orientation playing important roles in the wettability of 4H–SiC. High hydrophobic is observed on the rectangular-groove and wedge-groove surface, while the wettability of the (110) plane and (111) plane is between wetting and hydrophobicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper presents a multi-scale progressive failure modeling scheme to analyze the damage behaviors of 3D angle-interlock woven composites under uniaxial tension. The macro-scale progressive damage model is established based on a meso-scale representative volume cell (RVC) model by using the inhomogeneous finite element method. In current model, a modified Puck criterion for fiber yarn and parabolic yield criterion for the matrix are chosen to be the damage initiation and propagation criteria, which can clearly describe the fiber breakage, inter-fiber fracture and matrix crack in the level of the fiber yarn and the matrix. The tensile effective elastic properties and the failure strength as well as the damage evolution process of this 3D woven composite are predicted. A series of uniaxial tensile tests are conducted to validate the macro-scale progressive damage model. Experimental and numerical results are compared and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Dangguishaoyao-San (DSS) is composed of six traditional Chinese medicines, including Angelica sinensis, Paeoniae radix, Rhizoma Ligusticum, Poria cocos, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, and Rhizoma Alismatis. DSS has been reported to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of action of DSS in vitro using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglia cells. Materials and methods BV-2 cells were pretreated with 0.58–1.16 mg/mL of DSS for 2 h and then treated with 1 μg/mL LPS for 24 h. Cell viability was determined by an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The protein expression levels were measured by Western blots. Inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The mRNA levels of inflammatory factors were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results DSS treatment at concentrations of 0.58–1.16 mg/mL resulted in no significant cytotoxicity. DSS attenuated the release of pro-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), iNOS and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in LPS-induced BV-2 cells. DSS attenuated the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TLR2, and TLR4 and decreased TLR4 and TLR protein levels as well as the phosphorylation of IκB in LPS-induced BV-2 cells. DSS also down-regulated the nuclear translocation of p65. Conclusion This study demonstrated that DSS has a protective effect on neuroinflammation in LPS-induced BV-2 microglia cells through the TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The V-notched beam test (VNB) is recognized as a standard test method to determine the shear properties of composite materials. But it is not easy to make sure that the specimen placed in a predetermined position; the force conditions of the specimen become very complex when the large deformation of the specimen is generated, the friction between the internal components of fixture cannot be ignored when bending moment is generated as well when using traditional V-notched beam test fixtures. A modified V-notched beam test fixture has been proposed and designed based on standardized apparatus. After improvement, specimen with different thicknesses can be positioned easily. Meanwhile, effects of friction and bending moment are greatly reduced, and it has been validated by finite element simulation. Furthermore, some typical of experiments have been carried out by using the proposed fixture to determine the interlaminar shear modulus and shear strength of a type of 3D woven composites. Some new experimental data are presented in this paper, which can provide guidance and help for future study and industrial design of the 3D woven composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The shales deposited in saline water have lower clay mineral contents than those in fresh water. • The clay minerals mainly fill in the dispersed pores in saline water but occur along the strata to form laminae in fresh water. • Thermal effect controls the clay mineral transformation leading the shale hydrocarbon storage space to alter. As a promising supplement of China's petroleum production, the lacustrine shale, compared with the marine shale, is characterized by higher clay mineral content, which has significant impacts on the hydrocarbon reservoir quality. Controlled by the paleo-lacustrine background and thermal maturity, the clay mineral contents vary tremendously in different shale systems. This study targets on three shale series formed in different basin types, namely the Lucaogou Formation shale (Junggar Basin), the Chang 7 Member shale (Ordos Basin), and the Qingshankou Formation shale (Songliao Basin), where the Junggar Basin was a saline lacustrine basin and the latter two were freshwater-brackish lacustrine basins. We find that the composition and content of clay minerals are considerably varied among the three shales that the clay mineral content of the Lucaogou formation shale is smaller than that of the Chang 7 Member and Qingshankou Formation, and the content of illite in the Chang 7 shale is lower than that in the Qingshankou shale. The occurrence of clay minerals has crucial effects on pore structures, that is the pore-filling clays has indiscernible contribution to the storage space, like in the Lucaogou shale, but those developing along the shale laminae can improve the storage capacities to form inter-granular pores and micro-fractures such as in Chang 7 Member and Qingshankou Formation. The development of clay mineral-related pores and fractures is controlled by thermal maturity (Ro) and affected by the content of terrigenous minerals. This pore structure alteration derived by the clay mineral occurrence types further affects the hydrocarbon contents. In the Lucaogou shale, the oil content is inversely proportional to clay mineral contents, while in Qingshankou Formation, the oil content is even higher than that of the adjacent felsic silt laminae due to the favorable development of micro-fractures and inter-granular pores in clay mineral laminae. The high clay mineral content in lacustrine shales in China make it necessary to investigate the clay mineral evolution to evaluate the hydrocarbon generation potential, pore structures, hydrocarbon contents, and hydrocarbon accumulation mechanisms in shale systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the mechanical behaviors of carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRCs) with embedded delamination under compressive loads. Compression tests are carried out by using CFRC specimens with embedded circular and rectangular delamination, respectively. The initial and progressive failure of delamination-embedded specimen under compression is evaluated quantitatively by a method combining the Puck failure criterion and damage mechanics. The quadratic nominal stress criterion is used to evaluate the inter-laminar damage. By comparing experimental and numerical results, this method can effectively predict the compression strength, modulus and interface damage evolution of the delamination-embedded specimen. This paper also studies the influence of the number, total area and distribution of embedded delamination on the compression performance and predicts the variation trend of the compressive strength of specimens with different embedded delamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Long persistent phosphors Sr x Ca1−x Al2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ (x =0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) were prepared through a solution-combustion method at 600°C. The phase structures of the phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The major phase was CaAl2O4 when x <0.8 with SrAl2O4 phase as a minor phase, whereas the major phase was SrAl2O4 when x ≥0.8. The results indicated that the phase structure of the samples changed from CaAl2O4 to SrAl2O4 when x changed from 0 to 1.0. The emission colors changed accordingly from blue to green-blue and then to green in visible range, as evidenced from the emission spectra. The decay characteristics showed that the life times also varied with the value of x. These results revealed that the emission colors and life times can be adjusted by the value of x. Furthermore, the reason that the emission colors and decay times varied with x has been ascribed to the distortion of crystal lattice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The crystal structures of Tl(tpp-N-O)(OAc) (3) and acetato-N-p-tert-butylbenzensulfonylimido-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinatothallium(III) Tl(N-p-NSO2C6H4 t Bu-tpp)(OAc) (5) have been determined. The coordination sphere around Tl3+ is a distorted square-based pyramid in which the apical site is occupied by a bidentate chelating OAc− group for 3 and 5. The plane of three pyrrole nitrogen atoms (i.e., N(1), N(2) and N(3)), strongly bonded to Tl3+ in 3 and 5, is adopted as a reference plane, 3N. The porphyrin ring is severely distorted and the pyrrole ring N(4) bonding to the oxygen and NSO2C6H4 t Bu group makes a dihedral angle of 46.5° and 46.7° with the 3N plane for 3 and 5, respectively. In 3, Tl3+ and O(1) are located on the same side at 1.11 and 1.34Å from its 3N plane, and in 5, Tl3+ and N(5) are also located on the same side at 1.15 and 1.30Å from its 3N plane. The free energy of activation at the coalescence T c for the intermolecular acetate exchange process of 3 and 5 in CD2Cl2 is found to be and , respectively, through 1H NMR variable temperature measurements. An electronegative substituent, O(1), bonded to Tl in 3 causes a significant negative contribution up to 145Hz for Δ3 J(Tl–C, O) and 79Hz for Δ2 J(Tl–C, O) for OAc− in 3. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The crystal structures of trans-hydroxo-N-p-tert-butylbenzenesulfonylimido-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinatogallium(III) 0.5 aqua and 0.5 methanol solvate [Ga(N-p-NSO2C6H4 t Bu-tpp)(OH)·0.5MeOH·0.5H2O; 2 ·0.5MeOH·0.5H2O], cis-trifluoroacetato-N-p-tert-butylbenzenesulfonylimido-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinatothallium(III) [Tl(N-p-NSO2C6H4 t Bu-tpp)(O2CCF3); 3] and N-p-tert-butylbenzenesulfonylimido-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinatozinc(II) 0.7 methanol solvate [Zn(N-p-NSO2C6H4 t Bu-tpp)·0.7MeOH; 4 ·0.7MeOH], were determined. The coordination sphere around Tl3+ ion in 3 is a distorted square-based pyramid in which the apical site is occupied by a chelating bidentate group, whereas for the Ga3+ ion in 2, it is a distorted trigonal bipyramid with N(2), N(4), and O(1) lying in the equatorial plane. The geometry around Zn2+ in 4 is a distorted square planar. The free energy of activation at the coalescence temperature T c for the intermolecular trifluoroacetate exchange process for 3 in CD2Cl2 is found to be through 19F NMR variable temperature measurements. In the slow-exchange region, the CF3 and carbonyl (CO) carbons of the group of 3 in CD2Cl2 are separately located at δ 115.9 [3 J(Tl–13C)=155Hz] and 160.2 [2 J(Tl–13C)=81Hz] at −90°C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The crystal structures of trifluoroacetato-[meso-tetra(p-chlorophenyl)porphyrinato]thallium(III), Tl[(p-Cl)4tpp](O2CCF3) (1), and pentafluoropropionato-[meso-tetra(p-chlorophenyl)porphyrinato]thallium(III) Tl[(p-Cl)4tpp](O2CCF2CF3) (2), were determined. The coordination sphere around the Tl3+ ion is described as five-coordinate regular square-based pyramid (RSBP) in which the apical site is occupied by an unidentate CF3CO2− ligand for 1 whereas the unidentate CF3CF2CO2− ligand occupies the axial site for 2. The plane of the four pyrrole nitrogen atoms [i.e., N(1)–N(4)] strongly bonded to Tl3+ is adopted as a reference plane 4N. The Tl3+ is moderately out of the 4N plane; its displacement of 0.58 A˚ (or 0.59 A˚) for 1 (or 2) is in the same direction as that of the trifluoroacetate oxygen for 1 (or pentafluoropropionate oxygen for 2). The free energy of activation at the coalescence temperature Tc for the intermolecular trifluoroacetate exchange for 1 in CD2Cl2 is found to be ΔG≠178=36.6 kJ/mol whereas the intermolecular pentafluoropropionate exchange for 2 in CD2Cl2 is determined to be ΔG≠213=41.5 kJ/mol through 19F and 13C NMR temperature-dependent measurements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Treatment of tetraphenyl-21-thiaporphyrin (StppH) with Hg(OAc)2 in CH2Cl2 yields diamagnetic HgII(Stpp)Cl complex. The coordination sphere around Hg2+ in the monomeric molecule is described as a five-coordinate distorted trigonal bipyramid with the bonding to the three pyrrole nitrogens [Hg(1)–N=2.104(4), 2.626(4), 2.640(4) A˚], the thiophene sulfur [Hg(1)–S=2.801(1) A˚], and one axial chloride ligand [Hg(1)–Cl(1)=2.318(1) A˚]. The plane of the three pyrrole nitrogen atoms [i.e., N(1), N(2), N(3)] bonded to Hg2+ is adopted as a reference plane 3N. Because of its larger size, the Hg2+ is considerably out of the 3N plane; its displacement of 1.41 A˚ is in the same direction as that of the apical Cl− ligand. The thiophene ring is slightly folded so that the dihedral angle between the C(13)–C(14)–C(15)–C(16) and C(13)–S(1)–C(16) planes is 7.3°. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]