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In the event of a large-scale radiological accident, rapid and high-throughput biodosimetry is the most vital basis in medical resource allocation for the prompt treatment of victims. However, the current biodosimeter is yet to be rapid and high-throughput. Studies have shown that ionizing radiation modulates expressions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in healthy human cell lines and tumor tissue. circRNA expressions can be quantified rapidly and high-throughput. However, whether circRNAs are suitable for early radiation dose classification remains unclear. We employed transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to screen for radiation-differentially expressed circRNAs in the human lymphoblastoid cell line AHH-1 at 4 h following exposure to 0, 2, and 5 Gy 60Co γ-rays. The dose–response relationships between differentially expressed circRNA expressions and absorbed doses were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction and linear regression analysis at 4 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-exposure to 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy. Six distinct dose classification models of circRNA panels were established and validated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. A total of 11 radiation-differentially expressed circRNAs were identified and validated. Based on dose–response effects, those circRNAs changed in a dose-responsive or dose-dependent manner were combined into panels A through F at 4 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-irradiation. ROC curve analysis showed that panels A through C had the potential to effectively classify exposed and non-exposed conditions, which area under the curve (AUC) of these three panels were all 1.000, and the associate p values were.009. Panels D through F excellently distinguished between different dose groups (AUC = 0.963–1.000, p <.05). The validation assay showed that panels A through F demonstrated consistent excellence in sensitivity and specificity in dose classification. Ionizing radiation can indeed modulate the circRNA expression profile in the human lymphoblastoid cell line AHH-1. The differentially expressed circRNAs exhibit the potential for rapid and high-throughput dose classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH) is a severe complication following glucocorticoid therapy. This study aimed to identify the differential mRNA expression and investigate the molecular mechanisms of SONFH. Materials & methods: RNA sequencing was performed in eight SONFH patients, five non-SONFH patients and five healthy individuals. Results: A total of 1555, 3997 and 5276 differentially expressed mRNAs existed between the following combinations: SONFH versus non-SONFH, SONFH versus healthy subjects and non-SONFH versus healthy subjects. Increased ISM1 expression might contribute to a high risk of SONFH through antiangiogenesis. Decreased FOLR3 expression might affect the metabolism of homocysteine, leading to avascular necrosis of the femoral head. KCNJ2, which plays a pivotal role in regulating bone development, was also deregulated. Conclusion:ISM1, FOLR3 and KCNJ2 might be related to the occurrence of SONFH. Summary points Background Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH) is a severe complication in clinical practice following extensive steroid treatment for various diseases. The occurrence of SONFH in patients using high-dose/long-term glucocorticoids has individual variability, which indicates that molecular biomarkers are urgently needed for the prevention of SONFH. Materials & methods RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed mRNAs in peripheral blood samples from eight SONFH patients, five non-SONFH patients and five healthy individuals. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were performed to analyze underlying mechanisms. Results A total of 1555, 3997 and 5276 differentially expressed mRNAs existed between the combinations SONFH versus non-SONFH group, SONFH versus healthy subjects and non-SONFH versus healthy subjects. Compared with the non-SONFH group, the most enriched Gene Ontology terms for the SONFH group were concentrated in dendrites, dendritic trees, voltage-gated calcium channel complexes, neutrophil degranulation, neutrophil-mediated immunity and neutrophil activation involved in the immune response membrane. Differentially expressed mRNAs were closely associated with ribosome, circadian entrainment and oxytocin signaling pathways in the comparison between SONFH and non-SONFH subjects based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis. Of these top differentially expressed genes, we suggest that three key genes, ISM1, FOLR3 and KCNJ2, might be associated with the occurrence and development of SONFH. Conclusion Our results may provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of and intervention for SONFH. Large-scale studies and verification experiments are necessary to confirm the present results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the problem of resistance of tumor cells to TRAIL and the inevitable side effects of imatinib during treatment, we successfully prepared a kind of multifunctional liposome that encapsulated imatinib in its internal water phase and inserted TRAIL on its membrane in this study, which named ITLPs. The liposomes appeared uniform spherical and the particle size was approximately 150 nm. ITLPs showed high accumulation in TRAIL-resistance cells and HT-29 tumor-bearing mice model. In vitro cytotoxicity assay results showed that the killing activity of HT-29 cells treated with ITLPs increased by 50% and confirmed that this killing activity was mediated by the apoptosis pathway. Through mechanism studies, it was found that ITLPs arrested up to 32.3% of cells in phase M to exert anti-tumor effects. In vivo anti-tumor study showed that ITLPs achieved 61.8% tumor suppression and little toxicity in the HT-29 tumor-bearing mice model. Overall results demonstrated that codelivery of imatinib and TRAIL via liposomes may be a prospective method in the treatment of the TRAIL-resistance tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylloporia, a wood-inhabiting fungal genus, has been used as an anti-inflammatory food taken in the form of tea in Shandong Province, China. The species used in folklore have been clarified as Phylloporia fontanesiae and P. lonicerae. To promote the utilization of Phylloporia and its benefit to human health, sources, medicinal metabolites and functions, safety, and commercial potentials are summarized in this review. The fruiting bodies are the most acceptable sources of Phylloporia, but their shortage makes fermented mycelia a good alternative. Polysaccharides, sterols, acidic components, styryl compounds and polychlorinated compounds are the most well-studied medicinal metabolites extracted from Phylloporia. The main medicinal functions revealed from Phylloporia include antitumor, immunomodulation, antioxidant, neuroprotection, prevention of diabetes and its complications, and antimicrobial activity. The safety of Phylloporia has been demonstrated by experimenting for acute and subchronic oral toxicity of fermented mycelia on animals. A large number of patents even if some are being examined have indicated the commercial potentials of Phylloporia. In the future, increased efforts regarding species identification, artificial cultivation and multi-omics data will contribute to the deeper exploration of the medicinal potential of Phylloporia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was used to uncover the mechanism of glabridin in Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis in anti-fungus and anti-inflammation. In vitro, RAW 264.7 cells were infected with A. fumigatus with incubation of glabridin in different concentrations. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR), Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to assess the inflammatory severe and alternation with the intervention of Dectin-2 siRNA and glabridin. In vivo, A. fumigatus keratitis mouse models were established by spore intra-stromal injection and treated with glabridin or PBS. And disease scores, inflammatory mediators, and periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining were exhibited to demonstrate the therapeutic efficiency of glabridin in vivo. Morphological interference assay monitored fungal germination. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the growth of fungi. In RAW 264.7 cells and mouse keratitis models, noncytotoxic 16 μg/mL glabridin showed significant inhibition in the expression of Dectin-2, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and TNF-α after A. fumigatus infection, almost similar to the intervention of Dectin-2 siRNA. PAS staining illustrated the reduced hyphal distribution in cornea stroma with glabridin treatment. Glabridin remarkably inhibited A. fumigatus growth through delaying germination and disrupting the integrity of the hyphae membrane. Glabridin plays an anti-inflammatory role in A. fumigatus challenge via suppression of the Dectin-2 and NLRP3 inflammasome, and plays an anti-fungal role through delaying germination and changing the hyphal integrity. Glabridin plays an anti-inflammatory role in A. fumigatus infection of RAW264.7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner and through Dectin-2 mediation. Glabridin decreases fungal distribution and inflammation in mouse A. fumigatus keratitis. Glabridin inhibits A. fumigatus growth by delaying germination and disrupting cellular structure in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a series-fed microstrip antenna array with low sidelobe is presented for 24-GHz automotive radar. Chebyshev distribution is realized by different widths of a quarter-guided wavelength (λg/4) feedline between adjacent antenna elements, achieving a low sidelobe level (SLL). A 1 × 8 antenna array is designed with the SLL of −23.1 dB at 24.125 GHz, which is extended to 2 × 8 and 8 × 8 planar arrays to improve array gain. The measured gain of 2 × 8 and 8 × 8 planar arrays is 17.3 dBi with an SLL of −23.6 dB and 22.1 dBi with an SLL of −24.7 dB at 24.125 GHz, respectively. In summary, the two antennas have excellent performance in the 24 GHz ISM band with the characteristics of good performance, simple structure, and easy integration, which can be applied to 24-GHz automotive radar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the event of radiological accidents and cancer radiotherapies in the clinic, the gastrointestinal (GI) system is vulnerable to ionizing radiation and shows GI injury. Accessible biomarkers may provide means to predict, evaluate, and treat GI tissue damage. The current study investigated radiation GI injury biomarkers in rat plasma. High-coverage targeted lipidomics was employed to profile lipidome perturbations at 72 h after 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 Gy (60Co γ-rays at 1 Gy/min) total-body irradiation in male rat jejunum. The results were correlated with previous plasma screening outcomes. In total, 93 differential metabolites and 28 linear dose-responsive metabolites were screened in the jejunum. Moreover, 52 lipid species with significant differences both in jejunum and plasma were obtained. Three lipid species with linear dose-response relationship both in jejunum and plasma were put forth, which exhibited good to excellent sensitivity and specificity in triaging different exposure levels. The linear dose-effect relationship of lipid metabolites in the jejunum and the triage performance of radiation GI injury biomarkers in plasma were studied for the first time. The present study can provide insights into expanded biomarkers of IR-mediated GI injury and minimally invasive assays for evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus licheniformis HDYM-04 was isolated in flax retting water and showed β-mannanase activity. Carbon sources for β-mannanase production, as well as the fermentation conditions and feeding strategy, were optimized in shake flasks. When glucose or konjac powder was used as the carbon source, the β-mannanase activity was 288.13 ± 21.59 U/mL and 696.35 ± 23.47 U/mL at 24 h, respectively, which was approximately 4.4- to 10.68-fold higher than the values obtained with wheat powder. When 0.5% (w/v) glucose and 1% (w/v) konjac powder were added together, maximum enzyme activities of 789.07 ± 25.82 U/mL were obtained, an increase of 13.35% compared to the unoptimized cultures with only 1% (w/v) konjac powder. The enzyme activity decreased in the presence of 1% (w/v) konjac powder, but the highest enzyme activity was 1,533.26 ± 33.74 U/mL, a 1.2-fold increase compared with that in nonoptimized cultures; when 0.5% (w/v) glucose was used, the highest enzyme activity was 966.53 ± 27.84 U/mL, an increase in β-mannanase activity of 38.79% compared with control cultures. In this study, by optimizing fed-batch fermentation conditions, the yield of β-mannanase produced by HDYM-04 was increased, laying the foundation for the industrial application and further research of B. licheniformis HDYM-04. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Sanghuang' is one of the most important groups of medicinal macrofungi and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the past two centuries. However, knowledge about 'Sanghuang' is distributed in journals of different disciplines, which has meant it is not well known. To facilitate the benefit of 'Sanghuang' to human health, here we summarize its current status as a group of medicinal macrofungi. 'Sanghuang' consists of all members of the genus Sanghuangporus, which now accommodates 14 described species distributed around the world. The powders or chips of basidiocarps as supplements are the main method of consumption. In the case that wild basidiocarps of 'Sanghuang' are not sufficient, cultivation is supposed to provide a solution to promote the long-term utilization of 'Sanghuang' basidiocarps. 'Sanghuang' mainly possesses antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and other medicinal properties. Polysaccharides, polyphenols, pyrones, and terpenes are the main metabolites responsible for these medicinal functions. Finally, four directions are proposed to improve the sustainable utilization of 'Sanghuang' resources, viz. accurate identification and standard deposition, documentation of species diversity, multi-omics analyses, and a cover-all database. Hopefully, this review will draw more attention to the utilization of 'Sanghuang' as medicinal mushrooms in a large scale of industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel design method of a low sidelobe antenna array is proposed in this paper. By combining the Chebyshev array synthesis theory and the sparse array synthesis theory, the sidelobe level (SLL) of the antenna array is greatly reduced. Compared with the traditional Chebyshev array synthesis theory, the proposed method is effective to reduce the SLL of the antenna array (SLL reduced by 6.8 dB at Phi = 0° and SLL reduced by 4.5 dB at Phi = 90°). According to the method proposed above, an antenna array applies for 24 GHz vehicle radar is designed and simulated. The measured results show that the antenna has wide bandwidth (23.6 GHz~25.07 GHz, 1.47 GHz), high gain (20.7 dBi), and extremely low sidelobe level (−28.8 dB at Phi = 0° and −25 dB at Phi = 90°). In summary, the antenna with good performance and simple structure is easy to be integrated, which can provide some reference for the design of the 24 GHz vehicle radar antenna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to explore the dose-effect relationships of dicentric plus ring (dic + r), micronucleus (MN) and nucleoplasmic bridges (NPB) induced by carbon ions in human lymphocytes. Venous blood samples were collected from three healthy donors. 12C6+ ions beam was used to irradiate the blood samples at the energy of 330 MeV and linear energy transfer (LET) of 50 keV/μm with a dose rate of 1 Gy/min in the spread-out Bragg peak. The irradiated doses were 0 (sham irradiation), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Gy. Dic + r chromosomes aberrations were scored in metaphases. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN) was conducted to analyze MN and NPB. The maximum low-dose relative biological effectiveness (RBEM) values of the induction of dic + r, MN and NPB in human lymphocytes for 12C6+ ions irradiation was calculated relative to 60Co γ-rays. The frequencies of dic + r, MN and NPB showed significantly increases in a dose-depended manner after exposure to 12C6+ ions. The distributions of dic + r and MN exhibited overdispersion, while the distribution of NPB agreed with Poisson distribution at all doses. Linear-quadratic equations were established based on the frequencies of dic + r and MN. The dose-response curves of NPB frequencies followed a linear model. The derived RBEM values for dic + r, MN and NPB in human lymphocytes irradiated with 12C6+ ions were 8.07 ± 2.73, 2.69 ± 0.20 and 4.00 ± 2.69 in comparison with 60Co γ-rays. The dose-response curves of carbon ions-induced dic + r, MN and NPB were constructed. These results could be helpful to improve radiation risk assessment and dose estimation after exposed to carbon ions irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the Study: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a critical role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study investigated the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in MMP-9 secretion of BEAS-2B cells, a human bronchial epithelial cell line and U937 cells, a human myeloid leukaemia cell line, which could differentiate into macrophage, after LPS stimulation, and some details of involved signaling. Materials and Methods: MTT assay was used to measure cell viability. U937 cells were incubated for 48h with 100ng/ml PMA, and had a resting period of 24h with culture medium without PMA for differentiation of U937 cells into macrophages. For the experiments, U937 cells or BEAS-2B cells were pretreated with several inhibitors and then stimulated by LPS. Western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and DNA binding activity assay were used for measuring the protein expression, RNA expression, cytokine production and DNA binding activity, respectively. Results: We found LPS induced MMP-9 expression and secretion were completely blocked by stress-activated protein kinase/jun kinase (SAPK/JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitors but not by p38 inhibitor. LPS-induced transactivation of AP-1 was also inhibited by JNK inhibitor SP600125 and ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059. Conclusions: The present study suggests that in BEAS-2B cells and U937 cells, LPS probably activates ERK1/2 pathway and JNK pathway, which in turn initiate AP-1 activity, and leading to MMP-9 expression. Thus the ERK1/2 inhibitor and JNK inhibitor may have potential clinical value in treating COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onniaincludes white rotting polypores with annual basidiocarps, a duplex context, monomitic hyphal structure, hymenial setae, and hyaline, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores. Specimens ofOnnia, originating mainly from East Asia, Europe, and North America, were studied using both morphology and phylogenetic analyses. Our concatenated data set was derived from 25 collections and included (i) 25 nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region sequences (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS), 17 generated in this study; and (ii) 14 nuc rDNA 28S rDNA sequences, including the D1–D2 domains, 11 of them generated in this study. The resulting maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies recovered all sampled collections ofOnniaas a well-supported clade. In this clade, three previously accepted species, viz.,Onnia leporina, O. tomentosa, andO. triquetra, received strong support, whereas three additional lineages with strong support represent the new species described in this paper,O. subtriquetra, O. microspora, andO. tibetica. Of the sixOnniaspecies occurring on gymnosperms,O. tomentosaandO. leporinagrow mainly onPiceaand have circumboreal distribution in the Northern Hemisphere. In contrast, other species that mostly grow onPinusare geographically restricted to limited regions, viz.,O. triquetrain Europe,O. subtriquetrain North America, andO. microsporaandO. tibeticain Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Socially anxious individuals are characterized as those with distorted negative self-beliefs (NSBs), which are thought to enhance reactions of social distress (emotional reactivity) and social avoidance (social functioning). However, it remains unclear whether individual differences in social distress and social avoidance are represented by differences in brain morphometry. To probe into these neural correlates, we analyzed magnetic resonance images of a sample of 130 healthy subjects and used the Connectome Computation System (CCS) to evaluate these factors. The results showed that social distress was correlated with the cortical volume of the right orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and the subcortical volume of the left amygdala, while social avoidance was correlated with the cortical volume of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Additionally, loneliness might mediate the relationship between the amygdala volume and the social distress score. Our results demonstrated that social distress and social avoidance were represented by segregated cortical regions in the healthy individuals. These findings might provide a valuable basis for understanding the stable brain structures underlying individual differences in social anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for cheap and environmentally friendly materials is essential for remediation of heavy-metal-contaminated agricultural soils. A pot experiment was undertaken to evaluate the application of rice straw and filamentous fungusPenicillium chrysogenum (P. chrysogenum)on the fractionation of copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd), soil microbial properties, and Cu and Cd uptake by romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in a contaminated agricultural soil. Rice straw was applied at three rates (0, 7.8, and 11.7 g kg−1soil), and in combinations with P. chrysogenum (1.0 × 106spores g−1soil). It was found that the combined treatment of rice straw andP. chrysogenumsignificantly decreased the acid-extractable Cu and Cd by 15.4–25.1% and 20.2–27.3%, and increased the oxidizable Cu and Cd by 16.1–18.0% and 72.1–98.4%, respectively. Soil microbial biomass and fresh weight of lettuce were also remarkably enhanced after rice straw plusP. chrysogenumaddition. Rice straw combined withP. chrysogenumwas more effective in reducing Cu and Cd uptake by lettuce than rice straw alone. The joint application of rice straw andP. chrysogenumremarkably reduced Cu and Cd concentrations in lettuce shoots by 13.6–21.9% and 32.9–41.7%, respectively. These results indicate that the combined application ofP. chrysogenumand rice straw is a promising method to alleviate the bioavailability of metals, and to improve soil microbial properties and plant yield in heavy-metal-polluted agricultural soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrophilic trisubstituted ethylene monomers, ring-substituted 2-cyano-N,N-dimethyl-3-phenyl-2-propenamides, RC6H4CH=C(CN)CON(CH3)2 (where R is 3-benzyloxy, 4-benzyloxy, 3-ethoxy-4-methoxy, 3-bromo-4-methoxy, 5-bromo-2-methoxy, 2-chloro-6-fluoro) were synthesized by potassium hydroxide catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring-substituted benzaldehydes and N,N-dimethyl cyanoacetamide, and characterized by CHN elemental analysis, IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR. Novel copolymers of the ethylenes and styrene were prepared at equimolar monomer feed composition by solution copolymerization in the presence of a radical initiator, ABCN at 70°C. The composition of the copolymers was calculated from nitrogen analysis, and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1H and 13C NMR, GPC, DSC, and TGA. High Tg of the copolymers in comparison with that of polystyrene indicates a substantial decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. The gravimetric analysis indicated that the copolymers decompose in the 300-450°C range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrophilic trisubstituted ethylene monomers, halogen ring-disubstituted 2-cyano-N,N-dimethyl-3-phenyl-2-propenamides, RC6H3CH=C(CN)CON(CH3)2 (where R is 2,3-dichloro, 2,4-dichloro, 2,6-dichloro, 3,4-dichloro, 3,5-dichloro, 2,3-difluoro, 2,4-difluoro, 2,6-difluoro, 3,4-difluoro, 3,5-difluoro), were synthesized by potassium hydroxide catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring-substituted benzaldehydes and N,N-dimethyl cyanoacetamide, and characterized by CHN elemental analysis, IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR. Novel copolymers of the ethylenes and styrene were prepared at equimolar monomer feed composition by solution copolymerization in the presence of a radical initiator, ABCN at 70°C. The composition of the copolymers was calculated from nitrogen analysis, and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1H and 13C NMR, GPC, DSC, and TGA. High Tg of the copolymers in comparison with that of polystyrene indicates a substantial decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. The gravimetric analysis indicated that the copolymers decompose in the 300-450°C range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrophilic trisubstituted ethylene monomers, halogen ring‐substituted 2‐cyano‐N,N‐dimethyl‐3‐phenyl‐2‐propenamides, RC6H4CH &dbnd;C(CN)CON(CH3)2 (where R is 2‐Br, 3‐Br, 4‐Br, 2‐Cl, 3‐Cl, 4‐Cl, 2‐F, 3‐F, 4‐F), were synthesized by potassium hydroxide catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring‐substituted benzaldehydes and N,N‐dimethyl cyanoacetamide, and characterized by CHN elemental analysis, IR, 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR. Novel copolymers of the ethylenes and styrene were prepared at equimolar monomer feed composition by solution copolymerization in the presence of a radical initiator, ABCN at 70°C. The composition of the copolymers was calculated from nitrogen analysis, and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1H and 13C NMR, GPC, DSC, and TGA. High Tg of the copolymers in comparison with that of polystyrene indicates a substantial decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. The gravimetric analysis indicated that the copolymers decompose in the 300–450°C range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrophilic trisubstituted ethylene monomers, di‐ and trimethoxy ring‐substituted 2‐cyano‐N,N‐dimethyl‐3‐phenyl‐2‐propenamides, RC6H3CH&dbnd;C(CN)CON(CH3)2 (where R is 2,3‐(OCH3)2, 2,4‐(OCH3)2, 2,5‐(OCH3)2, 2,6‐(OCH3)2, 3,4‐(OCH3)2, 3,5‐(OCH3)2, 2,3,4‐(OCH3)3, 2,4,5‐(OCH3)3, 2,4,6‐(OCH3)3, 3,4,5‐(OCH3)3), were synthesized by potassium hydroxide catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring‐substituted benzaldehydes and N,N‐dimethyl cyanoacetamide, and characterized by CHN elemental analysis, IR, 1H‐and13C‐NMR. Novel copolymers of the ethylenes and styrene were prepared at equimolar monomer feed composition by solution copolymerization in the presence of a radical initiator, ABCN at 70°C. The composition of the copolymers was calculated from nitrogen analysis, and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1H and 13C‐NMR, GPC, DSC, and TGA. High Tg of the copolymers in comparison with that of polystyrene indicates a substantial decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. The gravimetric analysis indicated that the copolymers decompose in the 270–450°C range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrophilic trisubstituted ethylene monomers, alkyl ring‐substituted 2‐cyano‐N,N‐dimethyl‐3‐phenyl‐2‐propenamides, RC6H4CH&dbnd;C(CN)CON(CH3)2 (where R is H, 2‐CH3, 3‐CH3, 4‐CH3, 4‐CH2CH3, 4‐CH(CH3)2, 4‐CH2CH2CH2CH3, 2,4‐diCH3, 2,5‐diCH3,), were synthesized by potassium hydroxide catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring‐substituted benzaldehydes and N,N‐dimethyl cyanoacetamide, and characterized by CHN elemental analysis, IR, 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR. Novel copolymers of the ethylenes and styrene were prepared at equimolar monomer feed composition by solution copolymerization in the presence of a radical initiator, ABCN at 70°C. The composition of the copolymers was calculated from nitrogen analysis, and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1H and 13C NMR, GPC, DSC, and TGA. High Tg of the copolymers in comparison with that of polystyrene indicates a substantial decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. The gravimetric analysis indicated that the copolymers decompose in the 300–450°C range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrophilic trisubstituted ethylene monomers, alkoxy ring‐substituted 2‐cyano‐N,N‐dimethyl‐3‐phenyl‐2‐propenamides, RC 6 H 4 CH&dbnd;C(CN)CON(CH 3 ) 2 (where R is 2‐OCH 3 , 3‐OCH 3 , 4‐OCH 3 , 2‐OCH 2 CH 3 , 3‐OCH 2 CH 3 , 4‐OCH 2 CH 2 CH 3 , 4‐OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 CH 3 ), were synthesized by potassium hydroxide catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring‐substituted benzaldehydes and N,N‐dimethyl cyanoacetamide, and characterized by CHN elemental analysis, IR, 1 H‐ and 13 C‐NMR. Novel copolymers of the ethylenes and styrene were prepared at equimolar monomer feed composition by solution copolymerization in the presence of a radical initiator, ACBN at 70°C. The composition of the copolymers was calculated from nitrogen analysis, and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1 H and 13 C NMR, GPC, DSC, and TGA. High T g of the copolymers in comparison with that of polystyrene indicates a substantial decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. The gravimetric analysis indicated that the copolymers decompose in the 300–450°C range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equimolar alternating copolymers of vinyl acetate and electrophilic trisubstituted ethylene monomers, ring‐substituted methyl (E)‐2‐cyano‐3‐phenyl‐2‐propenoates, RC 6 H 4 CH&dbnd;C(CN)CO 2 CH 3 (where R=4‐acetamido, 2‐cyano, 3‐cyano, 4‐cyano, 4‐diethylamino) were prepared via copolymerization in solution with radical initiation (ABCN) at 70°C. The compositions of the copolymers were calculated from nitrogen analysis and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1 H‐ and 13 C‐NMR. High glass transition temperatures of the copolymers in comparison with that of polyvinyl acetate indicate a decrease in chain mobility of the copolymers due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. The gravimetric analysis indicated that the decomposition of the copolymers occurs in two steps. The first step is relatively fast weight loss in 257–370°C range followed by very slow decomposition of the formed residue in 370–950°C range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrophilic trisubstituted ethylene monomers, methoxy ring-substituted methyl 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenoates, RC 6 H 3 CH&dbnd;C(CN)CO 2 CH 3 , (where R is 2,3-(CH 3 O) 2 , 2,4-(CH 3 O) 2 , 2,5-(CH 3 O) 2 , 2,6-(CH 3 O) 2 , 3,4-(CH 3 O) 2 , 3,5-(CH 3 O) 2 , 2,4,5-(CH 3 O) 3 , and 2,4,6-(CH 3 O) 3 ), were synthesized by the piperidine catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring-substituted benzaldehydes and methyl cyanoacetate, and characterized by CHN elemental analysis, IR, 1 H- and 13 C-NMR. Copolymerization of the propenoates and vinyl acetate in solution with radical initiation (AIBN) at 70°C yielded equimolar alternating copolymers. The composition of the copolymers was calculated from nitrogen analysis, and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1 H-and 13 C-NMR, GPC, DSC, and TGA. High T g of the copolymers in comparison with that of polyvinyl acetate indicates a substantial decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. The gravimetric analysis indicated that the copolymers decompose in the 240–400°C range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]