High rate deformation behavior and extraordinary energy absorption of carbon nanotube mats and glassy polymer thin films

We investigate the energy absorption characteristics and associated deformation behavior of free standing thin films using a micro-projectile impact test for two different materials: (1) multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and (2) glassy polystyrene. Films from 50-250nm thickness are impacted with silica microprojectiles at velocities from 300-900 m/s. The interconnected network of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) sample while having quite modest quasi-static mechanical properties shows strong energy absorption at the extreme strain rates resulting from ballistic impact. As the spherical projectile engages the film, the bundles of MWCNT tubes straighten and translate into the impact region, dissipating the kinetic energy of the projectile via frictional interactions between tubes and stretching of the network, ultimately leading to fracture of principal tubes. The specific energy absorption depends on velocity and film thickness and can range up to 9 MJ/kg. For glassy, well entangled high molecular weight polystyrene, the impact of a supersonic micro-projectile initiates extensive crazing, yielding, and adiabatic heating leading to plastic flow of the load-bearing viscoelastic melt prior to film rupture and perforation. The less entangled, more mobile near-surface regions of these freestanding films favorably modify the deformation processes, increasing the specific energy absorption with decreased film thickness and increased impact velocity to impressive values of 2-3 MJ/kg for what is normally considered a brittle material. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

KMU-1170, a Novel Multi-Protein Kinase Inhibitor, Suppresses Inflammatory Signal Transduction in THP-1 Cells and Human Osteoarthritic Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes by Suppressing Activation of NF-κB and NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathway

Protein kinases regulate protein phosphorylation, which are involved in fundamental cellular processes such as inflammatory response. In this study, we discovered a novel multi-protein kinase inhibitor, KMU-1170, a derivative of indolin-2-one, and investigated the mechanisms of its inflammation-inhibiting signaling in both THP-1 cells and human osteoarthritic fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). We demonstrated that in THP-1 cells, KMU-1170 inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and, furthermore, suppressed LPS-induced phosphorylation of transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1, JNK, ERK, inhibitor of NF-κB kinase α/β (IKKα/β), and NF-κB p65 as well as nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. Moreover, KMU-1170 suppressed LPS-induced upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, and, notably, inhibited LPS-induced upregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in THP-1 cells. Importantly, KMU-1170 attenuated LPS-mediated inflammatory responses in human osteoarthritic FLS, such as the upregulation of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2 and the phosphorylation of IKKα/β and NF-κB p65. Collectively, these results suggest that KMU-1170 inhibits inflammatory signal transduction and could be developed as a potential anti-inflammatory agent

Room-Temperature Synthesis of Widely Tunable Formamidinium Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals

Colloidal perovskite nanocrystals based on formamidinium lead halide (FAPbX₃) have been synthesized by the ligand-assisted reprecipitation method using PbX₂–dimethyl sulfoxide complexes as precursors at room temperature. Well-defined cubic-shaped FAPbX₃ nanocrystals have been obtained with a size <i>d</i> of ∼10 nm. The synthesized FAPbX₃ nanocrystals show bright photoluminescence with a high photoluminescence quantum yield (75% for FAPbBr₃). The lifetimes of FAPbBr₃ nanocrystals were measured for the samples isolated at several different centrifugal speeds. The photoluminescence can be tuned from the blue to near-infrared region (λ_peak = 408–784 nm) by changing either the amount of oleylamine or the composition of X. The color expression range is 135% of the NTSC standard. The bandwidth of the photoluminescence spectra of FAPbX₃ nanocrystals is narrow (full width at half-maximum of 18–48 nm). FAPbX₃ nanocrystals show thermal stability that is better than that of MAPbBr₃ nanocrystals

Shared genetic architectures of subjective well-being in East Asian and European ancestry populations

Subjective well-being (SWB) has been explored in European ancestral populations; however, whether the SWB genetic architecture is shared across populations remains unclear. We conducted a cross-population genome-wide association study for SWB using samples from Korean (n = 110,919) and European (n = 563,176) ancestries. Five ancestry-specific loci and twelve cross-ancestry significant genomic loci were identified. One novel locus (rs12298541 near HMGA2) associated with SWB was also identified through the European meta-analysis. Significant cross-ancestry genetic correlation for SWB between samples was observed. Polygenic risk analysis in an independent Korean cohort (n = 22,455) demonstrated transferability between populations. Significant correlations between SWB and major depressive disorder, and significant enrichment of central nervous system-related polymorphisms heritability in both ancestry populations were found. Hence, large-scale cross-ancestry genome-wide association studies can advance our understanding of SWB genetic architecture and mental health

Efficacy and safety of standard dose triple combination of telmisartan 80 mg/amlodipine 5 mg/chlorthalidone 25 mg in primary hypertension: A randomized, double‐blind, active‐controlled, multicenter phase 3 trial

Abstract The authors evaluated the efficacy, safety, and characteristics of patients who respond well to standard dose triple combination therapy including chlorthalidone 25 mg with telmisartan 80 mg plus amlodipine 5 mg in hypertensive patients. This is a multicenter, double‐blind, active‐controlled, phase 3, randomized trial. Patients are randomized to triple combination (telmisartan 40 mg/amlodipine 5 mg/chlorthalidone 12.5 mg, TEL/AML/CHTD group) or dual combination (telmisartan 40 mg/amlodipine 5 mg, TEL/AML group) treatment and then dose up titration to TEL 80/AML5/CHTD25mg and TEL80/AML5, respectively. The primary endpoint is the change of mean sitting systolic blood pressure (MSSBP) at week 8. A Target BP achievement rate, a response rate, and the safety endpoints are also evaluated. Total 374 patients (mean age = 60.9 ± 10.7 years, male = 78.3%) were randomized to the study. The baseline MSSBPs/diastolic BPs were 149.9 ± 12.2/88.5 ± 10.4 mm Hg. After 8 weeks treatment, the change of MSSBPs at week 8 are −19.1 ± 14.9 mm Hg (TEL/AML/CHTD) and −11.4 ± 14.7 mm Hg (TEL/AML) (p < .0001). The achievement rates of target BP (53.8% vs. 37.8%, p = .0017) and responder rate (54.8% vs. 35.6%, p = .0001) at week 8 were significantly higher in TEL/AML/CHTD. There are no serious adverse event and no one discontinued medication due to adverse event. Among the TEL 80/AML5/CHTD25mg treatment group, patients of female or age ≥ 65 years old showed higher rate of target BP achievement than relatively young male. (61.4 vs. 46.8%, p = .042) Our study showed standard dose triple combination of telmisartan 80 mg/amlodipine 5 mg/chlorthalidone 25 mg is efficacious and safe in treatment of primary hypertension. Target BP achievement with triple therapy would be facilitated in female or old age