Binding of vanadium compounds perturbs conformation and aggregation state of insulin

The interactions between zinc-free insulin and vanadium compounds, NaVO3, VO(acac)2 and VO(ma)2, have been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The results showed that binding of vanadium compounds produced a static quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence of insulin. The apparent association constants were determined to be (0.17±0.01)×104 L*mol-1 for NaVO3, (2.8±0.2)×104 L*mol-1 for VO(acac)2, and (4.0±0.1)×104 L*mol-1 for VO(ma)2, respectively. The light scattering intensity of insulin decreased upon incubation with the vanadium compounds, suggesting the disaggregation of insulin. The attenuation of the band at 273 nm of insulin CD spectra also supported the disaggregation of insulin observed above. A new band at 1650～1653 cm-1 appeared in the FT-IR spectra of insulin upon incubation with the vanadium compounds, indicating the formation of an α-helix structure at B (9-19) motif. This α-helix structure suggests a structural change of insulin from an extended conformation (T state) to a helical conformation (R state), which is essential for binding of insulin to its receptor. In conclusion, binding of vanadium compounds results in conformational changes and disaggregation of insulin. These changes might account for the enhancement of binding affinity for insulin to its receptor in the presence of vanadium compounds.     

Research on colored lyotropic liquid crystals

Splendidly colored lyotropic liquid crystals formed in the ternary system of a novel cationic surfactant, 3-p-nonylphenoxy-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium bromide （NPTAB）-n-butanol-water system, had been observed under polarized light microscope. Small-angle X-ray scattering （SAXS）, ^2H （deuterium） quadrupolar splitting （^2H NMR） were employed to confirm the structures of these liquid crystals. The structural transformation of these special lyotropic liquid crystals had been confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）. The influences of liquid crystal film thickness, temperature and conserving time on the color of liquid crystals have been investigated. It is also theoretically discussed for forming and changing of liquid crystal color.     

Molecular dynamics study on BPTI aqueous solution by ABEEM/MM fluctuating charge model

Molecular dynamics simulation on BPTI （biovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor） aqueous solution has been performed for the first time in terms of the atom-bond electronegativity equalization method fused with molecular mechanics （ABEEM/MM）. The simulated parameters including ABEEM parameters and force field parameters have been tested. Some structural properties including root-mean-square deviations of atomic coordinates and radial distribution functions were studied by ABEEM/MM fluctuating charge method. The results demonstrate that this model can obtain reasonable structural properties compared with experimental crystal data. The radial distribution functions indicate that ABEEM/MM method can well embody the electrostatic polarizations between protein molecule and its surrounding solvent waters.     

^40Ar／^39Ar dating of Daqingshan thrust

The Daqingshan thrust system is an important part of the western segment of the Mesozoic Yinshan-Yanshan orogenic belt. Therefore, much attention has been paid to the thrusts due also to their large-scale and entirely devel-oped structural elements and typical structural styles. Studies and progress have been concentrated on the ge-ometry, kinematics, dating and dynamic mechanism of the thrust and thrusting. To date, there have been no reliable published isotopic data, however, on the dating…     

Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic studies of insulin T3R3 states created in different conditions

In the presence of a series of small organic molecules including 1, 4 dioxane, DMF, isopropanol, rDNA human insulin, mutants A21 Asn→Ser and (A21 Asn→Ser, B27 Thr→Arg) human insulin have been crystallized in both Zn 2+ containing and Zn 2+ free system. Preliminary crystallographic analyses show that they all belong to T 3R 3 structural type. The results indicate that, except phenolic derivatives and lyotropic anions reported before, some other appropriate organic molecules can also induce the T 3R 3 conformation transition of insulin.     

Raman scattering and photoluminescence of Fe-doped ZnO nanocantilever arrays

Single crystalline Fe-doped ZnO nanocantilever arrays have been synthesized by thermal evaporating amorphous Zn-Fe-C-O composite powder. The characterizations of composition, structure and phonon spectrum properties of the nanocantilevers have been performed. Arrays of uniform, perfectly aligned and single-crystal nanowires have been observed by electron microscopy. The results of the X-ray photo-electric spectra and the Raman spectrum provide the evidence that Fe is incorporated into the ZnO lattice at Zn site. Abnormally, the room temperature UV emission band of Fe-doped ZnO nanocantilevers disappears and the green one has a large red-shift, and the intensity of the green emission is strongly quenched because the Fe^3＋ enters the ZnO crystal lattice.     

Synthesis of PPy-like Nanocrystallines by Oriented Plasma Polymerization at Atmospheric Pressure

Polymeric polypyrrole-like （PPy-llke） nanocrystallines were fast synthesized through oriented plasma polymerization at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The effects of discharge power on the nanocrystalline morphology were investigated. Larger power tends to produce longer nanocrystallines. 3 mm long nanowires were produced at the largest power in our experiment. TEM image and the sharp electronic diffraction spots in SAD suggest that the nanoparticles have a single crystal phase. The chemical structure of the nanocrystalline has been studied through FTIR, EDX etc. This novel polymerization method could have great applications in fabricating functional polymeric nanocrystallines.     

Rapid texture measurement of annealed aluminum sheet based on X-ray diffraction

The structural parameters of materials have been determined commonly by different static and destructive methods, i.e. spot check out of production line. These methods have low efficiency and high randomness, and therefore they cannot be applied to the whole-length examination and inspection of materials properties on production lines. The radial detecting technology of material texture is one of the most important methods to implement rapid structural examination, with which certain material properties could also be on-line determined. The     

Research on the Structure and Properties of Mulberry Fiber

The chemical ingredients, morphological structure and properties of mulberry fiber have been researched. The results show that the mulberry fiber is cellulose fiber. The crystal structure of mulberry fiber is cellulose I and the crystal cell belongs to the monoelinic system. The mulberry fiber crystal degree is 62.9% and orientation degree is 43.7%, the fineness of mulberry fiber is 2.3- 3.9 dtex, the length of the single fiber is 28 - 47 mm, the breaking strength of mulberry fiber is about 2.93 cN/dtex, and the initial modulus is about 76.82 cN/dtex.     

Preparation and Properties of Poly（Ethylene Terephthalate）/Boehmite Nanocomposite

Colloidal boehmite particles have been included into a polyethylene terephthalate matrix by in situ polymerization. Boehmite nanoparticles were produced by the controlled hydrolysis of aluminium isopropylate. The nanoparticles were characterized using Transmitted Electronic Microscopy （TEM） and X-ray Diffraction （XRD）, which revealed the particles of magnitude about 10 nm. The particles have been used without any surface modification. Characterization of the nanocomposite has been carried out using TEM and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）. TEM images indicate that the particles have been homogeneously dispersed in the polymer. DSC results show that the presence of boehmite affects the process of crystallization of polyethylene terephthalate.     

CALCULATING MODEL OF MASS ACTION CONCENTRATIONS FOR Cd-Sb ALLOY MELT

According to the Cd-Sb alloy phase diagram, resistivity, heat capacity, partial molar entropy and viscosity,the structural units of this alloy melt have been determined as Cd and Sb atoms as well as Cd₃Sb₂, Cd₄Sb₃ and CdSb compounds.Based on these structural units and the coexistence theory of metallic melt structure involing compound formation,a calculating model of mass action concentrations has been deduced.The calculated mass action concentrations N_Cd are in good agreement with measured activities a_Cd. The Gibbs standard free energy of formatioin for above three compunds have been obtained too.     

Grafting modification on the surface of titanium dioxide by polystyrene

Based on the technology of titanium dioxide grafting modification with polystyrene (PS), the modification mechanisms are studied and the polystyrene-grafting states on the surface of titanium dioxide have been set up. Under the synergistic actions of mechanical force, chemistry and heat, macromolecular free radicals of PS are created, at the same time, the O-O bonds of titanium dioxide are broken and the oxide free radicals produced, and the numbers of oxygen atom are increased and crystal lattice defects rich electrons are formed on the surface of titanium dioxide. The radical polymerization is the main reaction between PS and titanium dioxide and C-O bonds form in the process of modification. Multi-sites chemical adsorption also exists besides grafting between PS and titanium dioxide.     

Preparation of High Shrinkage Polypropylene

The common PP chips have been used to prepare high shrinkage PP fibers with shrinkage in boiling water higher than 50%. Meanwhile, the process conditions on fiber structure and properties have been discussed in detail. With the increase of drawing temperature, the shrinkage in boiling water of the fiber increases at first, and then decreases in the temperature range from 70℃to lOO℃. The better drawing temperature is from 75℃ to 85℃ according to the melt index of the PP material. The shrinkage in boiling water of PP fiber increases with the increase of pump delivery. The orientation factor and crystallinity increase with the increase of drawing temperature. With an increase in drawing temperature, unit-cell numbers and monomer unit numbers in every crystal nucleus tend to increase, but unit volume crystal nucleus tend to reduce.     

Effect of chlorine doping on the structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties of spray deposited CdS thin films

CdS and chlorine doped CdS(CdS:Cl) thin films with different Cl-doping levels(0,2,4,6 and 8 at%) have been deposited on glass substrates by a spray pyrolysis technique using a perfume atomizer.The effect of Cl doping on the structural,morphological,optical and electrical properties of the films was investigated.XRD patterns revealed that all the films exhibit hexagonal crystal structure with a preferential orientation along the(0 0 2) plane irrespective of the Cl doping level.The particle size value decreases from 22.03 nm to 18.12 nm with increase in Cl concentration.Optical band gap is blue-shifted from 2.48 eV to 2.73 eV with increase in Cl doping concentration.All the films have resistivity in the order of 10~4 Ω cm.The obtained results confirm that chlorine as an anionic dopant material can enhance the physical properties of CdS thin films to a large extent.     

Synthetic Absorbable Surgical Sutures

This paper reviewed all types of the polymer - based synthetic absorbable surgical sutures that have been commercially produced. The chemical component, biological and mechanical properties, and using effect of these sutures were discussed. The recent development and the possible coming research orientation in these areas were also presented.     

Size-dependent optical properties of Au nanorods

In the fast evolving field of nanoscience and nanotechnology,where size and shape are crucial in deciding the optoelectronic properties of nanomaterials,the understanding of size and shape dependent behavior is of direct relevance to device applications.Present study reports the synthesis of Au nanorods with well controlled aspect ratios,and the influence of the aspect ratio on the surface enhanced Raman scattering(SERS) activity using crystal violet(CV) as the probe molecule.The influence of pH and the concentrations of reducing agent and Ag ions in controlling the aspect ratio of gold nanorods are also investigated.The structural and optical properties of the synthesized samples have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy.The nonlinear optical(NLO) transmission of the Au nanorods investigated using the open aperture Z-scan technique revealed the absorption saturation followed by an optical limiting behavior,which may find potential applications in optoelectronic nanodevices.     

Graft Modification of N,N''''-methylene- bisacrylamide onto Silk in the Presence of Air

The graft modification of N, N'-methylene-bisacrylamide (NNMBAA) onto silk using eerie ammonium sulfate, potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate and 2, 2-azobis (isobutyronitrile) as the initiators has been studied in the presence of air. To establish reaction conditions for the graft modification of NNMBAA onto silk, the effect of different variables such as the initiator concentration, monomer concentration, acetic acid concentration, time of polymerization, reaction temperature and liquor ratio (fabric: liq.) have been studied. The optimum grafting conditions were found. As evidence of grafting, analyses of amino acid composition and alkali solubility have been carried out. Grafting caused changes in amino acid composition and alkali solubility of silk. The observation has been explained in relation to structural changes in the grafted silk.     

Investigating the Microstructure of Slenderized Wool Fibers at Different Stretching Ratios by Raman Spectroscopy

The molecular conformation and the microstructure of the slenderized wool fibers have been studied by the Raman spectroscopy. The typical bands analyzed in this paper include the amideⅠand amide Ⅲ regions, the C-C skeletal vibration region, and the S-S and C-S bond vibration regions. The experimental results show that ⅰ) the Raman spectroscopy can reveal the secondary structural transformation from α-helical to β-pleated sheet begin at the early stage of stretching; ⅱ) the stretching mechanism of wool fibers can be divided into two different mechanisms, I.e. The secondary structural transformation and the slippage of the polypeptide chain; and ⅲ) the stretching leads to the increasing of the amount of the disordered conformation and the decreasing of the amount of S-S bonds.     

Randomness in the Hybrid Modeling and Simulation of Insulin Secretion Pathways in Pancreatic Islets

Insulin secreted by pancreatic islet ˇ-cells is the principal regulating hormone of glucose metabolism.Disruption of insulin secretion may cause glucose to accumulate in the blood, and result in diabetes mellitus.Although deterministic models of the insulin secretion pathway have been developed, the stochastic aspect of this biological pathway has not been explored. The first step in this direction presented here is a hybrid model of the insulin secretion pathway, in which the delayed rectifying KCchannels are treated as stochastic events. This hybrid model can not only reproduce the oscillation dynamics as the deterministic model does, but can also capture stochastic dynamics that the deterministic model does not. To measure the insulin oscillation system behavior, a probability-based measure is proposed and applied to test the effectiveness of a new remedy.     

Characterization of microbe cementitious materials

A new generation of cement, microbe cement, has been developed in response to the ever increasing awareness of environmental protection. Microbe cement is a new strengthening material based on microbiologically induced precipitation of calcium carbonate. This paper confirms the feasibility of binding loose sand particles using microbe cement and details the cementation mechanism of microbe cement. We have also prepared microbe cementitious materials (biosandstones). The compressive strength of the bio-sandstone, which depends on the content of calcium carbonate produced by microbially induced precipitation and the bio-mediated calcite crystal size, could be up to 12 MPa at an age of 20 days. By increasing the precipitated calcite content, the compressive strength and microstructure of bio-sandstone could be improved.