Suppression of star formation in early-type galaxies by feedback from supermassive black holes

Detailed high-resolution observations of the innermost regions of nearby galaxies have revealed the presence of supermassive black holes. These black holes may interact with their host galaxies by means of 'feedback' in the form of energy and material jets; this feedback affects the evolution of the host and gives rise to observed relations between the black hole and the host. Here we report observations of the ultraviolet emissions of massive early-type galaxies. We derive an empirical relation for a critical black-hole mass (as a function of velocity dispersion) above which the outflows from these black holes suppress star formation in their hosts by heating and expelling all available cold gas. Supermassive black holes are negligible in mass compared to their hosts but nevertheless seem to play a critical role in the star formation history of galaxies.     

Wza the translocon for E. coli capsular polysaccharides defines a new class of membrane protein

Many types of bacteria produce extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs). Some are secreted polymers and show only limited association with the cell surface, whereas others are firmly attached to the cell surface and form a discrete structural layer, the capsule, which envelopes the cell and allows the bacteria to evade or counteract the host immune system. EPSs have critical roles in bacterial colonization of surfaces, such as epithelia and medical implants; in addition some EPSs have important industrial and biomedical applications in their own right. Here we describe the 2.26 A resolution structure of the 340 kDa octamer of Wza, an integral outer membrane lipoprotein, which is essential for group 1 capsule export in Escherichia coli. The transmembrane region is a novel alpha-helical barrel. The bulk of the Wza structure is located in the periplasm and comprises three novel domains forming a large central cavity. Wza is open to the extracellular environment but closed to the periplasm. We propose a route and mechanism for translocation of the capsular polysaccharide. This work may provide insight into the export of other large polar molecules such as DNA and proteins.     

高成形性镁合金板材的成分优化

镁是最轻的金属结构材料。然而，镁合金板材具有织构强，室温成形性差的瓶颈难题，限制其广泛应用。虽然研究发现在Mg–Zn–Zr合金体系同添加钙或钆能弱化织构，提高成形性，但这两种元素添加后对的效果尚未有过系统比较和研究。本文旨在展现微合金添加钆和钙对于显微结构和力学性能的影响规律。本文发现，Mg–Zn–Gd–Zr 与 Mg–Zn–Ca–Zr轧板有类似的弱织构，但是Mg–Zn–Gd–Zr轧板的延伸率和成形性高于Mg–Zn–Ca–Zr。当在Mg–1Zn–0.5Zr合金中添加0.4wt%钆、0.2wt%钙时能获得最高的室温延伸率，其深冲成形性可以和铝合金板材6016相媲美。当钙的含量从0.2wt%提升至0.5wt%后，合金板材的延伸率与成形性下降，其主要原因是钙的过量添加导致了晶界脆化，降低了晶界韧性从而裂纹容易从晶界处萌生并扩展。