Polygamy relations of multipartite systems

We investigate the polygamy relations of multipartite quantum states. General polygamy inequalities are given in the $\alpha$th $(\alpha\geq 2)$ power of concurrence of assistance, $\beta$th $(\beta \geq1)$ power of entanglement of assistance, and the squared convex-roof extended negativity of assistance (SCRENoA)

Low Dose Theophylline Showed an Inhibitory Effect on the Production of IL-6 and IL-8 in Primary Lung Fibroblast from Patients with COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by the abnormal and chronic lung inflammation. We hypothesized that lung fibroblasts could contribute to the local inflammation and investigated whether low dose theophylline had a beneficial effect on fibroblasts inflammation. Subjects undergoing lobectomy for bronchial carcinoma were enrolled and divided into COPD and control groups according to spirometry. Primary human lung fibroblasts were cultured from peripheral lung tissue distant to tumor tissue. There was a significant increase in both the mRNA expressions and protein levels for IL-6 and IL-8 in fibroblasts in COPD group, and the values were negatively correlated with lung function (P < 0.05). For COPD fibroblasts, the protein levels of IL-6 and IL-8 decreased from 993.0 ± 738.9 pg/mL to 650.1 ± 421.9 pg/mL (P = 0.014) and from 703.1 ± 278.0 pg/mL to 492.0 ± 214.9 pg/mL (P = 0.001), respectively, with 5 μg/mL theophylline treatment. In addition, theophylline at the dose of 5 μg/mL reduced the increased production of IL-6 and IL-8 induced by 1 μg/mL LPS in primary human lung fibroblasts. Our data suggest that lung fibroblasts participate in the chronic inflammation in COPD by releasing IL-6 and IL-8, and low dose theophylline can alleviate the proinflammatory mediators' production by fibroblasts

Surface Structure and Dynamic Adhesive Wettability of Wheat Straw

The structural features of wheat straw differ from those of wood. By means of an Optical Microscope (OM) and a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), three kinds of tissues (epidermis, parenchyma, and vascular tissue) were observed on the cross section of wheat straw. A smooth cuticle was found on the exterior surface. The exterior surface of wheat straw treated by NaOH solution at room temperature appeared to be chemically etched. After this treatment, the wettability of the exterior surface was improved substantially. In this study, using a wetting model describing the dynamic contact angle process, a parameter (K) was used to quantify the adhesive spreading and penetrating during the wetting process. By applying the wetting model, the adhesive wettabilities associated with resin type (UF, PF, and PMDI), drop location on the wheat straw surface (exterior and interior), and grain direction (along and across) were compared. The results of this study showed that PMDI resin had a lower contact angle (both initial and equilibrium) and a greater spreading and penetrating constant compared to UF and PF resins on natural (untreated) wheat straw surfaces. The K value of the interior surface was higher than that of the exterior surface for the same resin on the untreated wheat straw. In addition, the K values of the three resins on the treated wheat straw surfaces were higher than those on untreated wheat straw surfaces. This indicates that the alkali treatment was an effective method for improving the wettabilty of wheat straw surfaces. The wheat straw grain direction also significantly affected the adhesive wetting process. The K values of adhesive wetting along the wheat straw grain direction were always greater than those across the grain direction for the same resin

Spectroscopic Analysis of the Interface for Wheat Straw Specimen Glued with PMDI

In order to obtain information about chemical characteristics on the interaction between wheat straw and PMDI, the exterior and interior surfaces of wheat straw, and the interface of wheat straw specimen glued by polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI) resin were scanned by micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (micro-FTIR) and Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA), respectively. The specimens of pure cellulose and the reacted mixture of cellulose with PMDI resin were analyzed by FTIR and cross polarization/magic angle spinning carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (CP/MAS C-13 NMR). Scanning by micro-FTIR showed that the major differences in functional groups between exterior and interior surfaces for the same section of wheat straw appeared in the fingerprint region (400 cm-1 to 1500 cm-1). There were a few differentiated peaks in the region of 1174~1000 cm-1 for the interior surface, whereas there was greater absorption in the exterior surface than in the interior surface, especially at 987 cm-1. Generally, there were reaction functional groups (-OH) on exterior and interior surfaces for wheat straw. ESCA scanning and curve-fitting of the C1S peaks showed that the relative content of the functional group on the exterior surface differed from that of the interior surface. Results of ESCA scanning of the interface for wheat straw specimen glued with PMDI indicated that the glued interface chemically adsorbed PMDI resin. Furthermore, the contents of functional groups of the interface specimen glued with PMDI differed from those of the specimen without PMDI. Using FTIR and CP/MAS C-13 NMR, the results imply that N=C=O functional group for PMDI could react with cellulose