Unusual Two-Step Assembly of a Minimalistic Dipeptide-Based Functional Hypergelator

Self-assembled peptide hydrogels represent the realization of peptide nanotechnology into biomedical products. There is a continuous quest to identify the simplest building blocks and optimize their critical gelation concentration (CGC). Herein, a minimalistic, de novo dipeptide, Fmoc-Lys(Fmoc)-Asp, as an hydrogelator with the lowest CGC ever reported, almost fourfold lower as compared to that of a large hexadecapeptide previously described, is reported. The dipeptide self-assembles through an unusual and unprecedented two-step process as elucidated by solid-state NMR and molecular dynamics simulation. The hydrogel is cytocompatible and supports 2D/3D cell growth. Conductive composite gels composed of Fmoc-Lys(Fmoc)-Asp and a conductive polymer exhibit excellent DNA binding. Fmoc-Lys(Fmoc)-Asp exhibits the lowest CGC and highest mechanical properties when compared to a library of dipeptide analogues, thus validating the uniqueness of the molecular design which confers useful properties for various potential applications.     

Dissimilar Metal Joining of 304 Stainless Steel to SMA490BW Steel Using the Filler Metal Powders with a High-Entropy Design

Metals and Materials International - High-entropy alloys having excellent properties are particularly suitable for the application as the filler metals in welding. In the present study,...     

Up-pulling force analysis for ESC hollow cylindrical casting

Electroslag casting(ESC)is an important method to produce high quality castings.In this study,the ESC up-pulling inner mold method(EUPIM)was used to produce hollow cylindrical castings with the multiple consumable electrodes.The radial deformation,the axial and radial internal stress of the inner mold,and the axial internal stress of the slag shell were analyzed using the finite element method(FEM)with the aid of ANSYS software.The ProCAST software was used to calculate the specific heat,heat conductivity and density curve of Cu.Simulation results show that the radial deformation,the axial and radial internal stress of the inner mold,and the axial internal stress of the slag shell near the slag-metal interface of hollow cylndrical casting gradually increase from 0 s to 360 s after the ESC starting(slagging)process but before applying the up-pulling force.The suitable initial up-pulling moment of the inner mold is at around 180-198 s after the starting process.     

高温对煤层瓦斯抽采钻孔围岩稳定性的影响分析#br#

为了研究高温对煤层钻孔稳定性的影响，利用电热鼓风恒温试件箱和万能材料试验机对不同温度影响后标准煤样的力学参数进行测定，分析了煤的平均抗压强度和弹性模量随温度的变化规律；利用FLAC3D数值模拟软件，建立了煤层钻孔及围岩模型，研究了不考虑温度影响和考虑煤层高温劣化2种工况下钻孔围岩破坏特征。研究结果表明，高温对煤岩的力学特性产生不利影响，随温度的增加，煤样的抗压强度和弹性模量总体呈下降趋势;钻孔内煤炭自燃产生的高温对钻孔围岩稳定性产生显著的劣化影响，使其变形情况加剧，卸压范围增加，导致钻孔破坏严重而失效，且这种影响不会因火的及时熄灭而完全消失。结果对煤层瓦斯抽采钻孔施工具有指导作用。     

Effect of Pre-cold Rolling-Induced Twins and Subsequent Precipitated x-Phase on Mechanical Properties in a β-Type Ti–Mo Alloy

This paper reported an effectiveness of pre-cold rolling-induced{332}\113[twins combined with subsequent isothermal x-phase formation for enhancement of uniform elongation in a b-type Ti–15Mo alloy with high yield strength level.Mechanical{332}\113[twins were induced by cold rolling with an thickness reduction of 5%,which had little effect on x-phase precipitation after aging at 573 K for 3.6 ks.Twinning after the cold rolling was further activated during tensile deformation,even with the presence of isothermal x-phase.This combination of twins and x-phase enhanced uniform elongation from 0 to 9%at yield strength level of 890 MPa.The high yield strength was mainly dominated by dislocation slip due to the isothermal x-phase formation,and early onset of plastic instability after yielding was hindered due to the pre-cold rolling-induced twins.Dynamic microstructural refinement was induced by further twinning activation during deformation,which resulted in high work hardening rate corresponding enhancement of uniform elongation.     

Simultaneous determination of synthetic food additives in kimchi by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Food Science and Biotechnology - A new analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of seven food additives (Ponceau 4R, Allura Red AC, Amaranth, 4-hydroxymethyl benzoic acid,...     

Low Li ion diffusion barrier on low-crystalline FeOOH nanosheets and high performance of energy storage

Nano Research - To obtain symmetric supercapacitors (SCs) with high energy density, it is critical to fabricate an electrode with wide potential window and excellent capacitive performance. Herein,...     

Epigenetic Regulation of the Hippocampus,with Special Reference to Radiation Exposure

The hippocampus is crucial in learning, memory and emotion processing, and is involved in the development of different neurological and neuropsychological disorders. Several epigenetic factors, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs, have been shown to regulate the development and function of the hippocampus, and the alteration of epigenetic regulation may play important roles in the development of neurocognitive and neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes the epigenetic modifications of various cell types and processes within the hippocampus and their resulting effects on cognition, memory and overall hippocampal function. In addition, the effects of exposure to radiation that may induce a myriad of epigenetic changes in the hippocampus are reviewed. By assessing and evaluating the current literature, we hope to prompt a more thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie radiation-induced epigenetic changes, an area which can be further explored.