Electrodeposited synthesis of self-supported Ni-P cathode for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen generation

One of the key challenges for electrochemical water splitting is the development of low-cost and efficient hydrogen evolution cathode. In this work, a self-supported Ni-P cathode was synthesized by a facile electrodeposition method. The composition and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The Ni-P cathode performed low onset over-potential, good catalytic activity and long-term stability under neutral and alkaline conditions. The mechanism of Ni-P electrode for hydrogen production was discussed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The excellent performance of Ni-P cathode was mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of phosphate anions and the self-supported feature.     

[bmim]Zn_2Cl_5/NH_3溶液的比热容和过量焓

测定了离子液体[bmim]Zn_2Cl_5在T=(323.15~1 173.15)K范围内的热重曲线,结果显示[bmim]Zn_2Cl_5在T637.15 K时具有很高的热稳定性。通过DSC测试得到[bmim]Zn_2Cl_5的比热容数据,在T=(251.15~383.15)K范围内可以用一个圆锥曲线很好地拟合。实验测定了[bmim]Zn_2Cl_5(2)+NH3(1)二元体系溶液的摩尔过量焓,其中氨的摩尔分数x1=(0.60~0.95),温度值为T=288.15 K,303.15 K,318.15 K,333.15 K。采用NRTL模型对过量焓数据进行拟合,得出二元可调参数和非随机参数。过量焓数据的测量误差和最大拟合偏差分别小于4.8%和4.3%。在[bmim]Zn_2Cl_5比热容和[bmim]Zn_2Cl_5/NH3过量焓数据的基础上,计算了氨质量分数w1=(0~1)、温度范围T=(273.15~343.15)K条件下[bmim]Zn_2Cl_5/NH3溶液的焓,所得焓浓图对于研究[bmim]Zn_2Cl_5/NH3吸收式制冷系统性能至关重要。     

Microstructure and properties of in-situ synthesized Cu-1 wt%TiC alloy followed by ECAP and post-annealing

A dispersion-strengthened copper alloy with 1 wt% TiC for commercial electrical-contact wires was prepared by in-situ reaction casting, grain-ultrafining by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and subsequent annealing with aim to obtain excellent comprehensive performance. The results showed that fine TiC particles were in-situ synthesized in the as-cast Cu matrix and aggregated in clusters, and thus mechanical properties of the as-cast alloy deemed insufficient. Continued ECAP at 473 K significantly refined the grains of the as-cast alloy and improved the distribution of TiC particles. Due to multiple strengthening mechanisms, the ECAP-processed alloys maintained good conductivity with obviously enhanced tensile strength and hardness values. After post-ECAP annealing, the elongation and conductivity of the fine-grained copper alloy increased with the adequate tensile strength. The novel combined process endows the alloy appropriate performance to serve current high-frequency electrification railway systems.     

基于内聚力模型的沥青混凝土低温断裂模拟

为模拟沥青混凝土的低温断裂行为,合理选择了内聚力本构模型;在获取了小梁试件数字图像的基础上,结合ABAQUS有限元软件建立了二维细观断裂模型,验证了模型的正确性和适用性。结果表明:本文建立的二维细观断裂模型能够很好的反映实际三点弯曲试验的能量消耗—位移响应;沥青混凝土断裂过程可分为试件损伤、裂缝产生、裂缝扩展和试件破坏等四个阶段。     

基于混合DBN的海上编队通信链路威胁估计

针对海上编队通信链路威胁估计涉及因素多、知识表示与推理存在不确定性等问题,分析了海上编队通信链路威胁要素,依据要素间因果关系建立了通信链路威胁估计的混合动态贝叶斯网络(DBN)模型,提出了混合DBN模型中连续型网络节点变量的学习方法。仿真分析证实了该方法的有效性和可操作性。     

Annealing-induced interfacial toughening using a molecular nanolayer

Self-assembled molecular nanolayers (MNLs) composed of short organic chains and terminated with desired functional groups are attractive for modifying surface properties for a variety of applications. For example, organosilane MNLs are used as lubricants, in nanolithography, for corrosion protection and in the crystallization of biominerals. Recent work has explored uses of MNLs at thin-film interfaces, both as active components in molecular devices, and as passive layers, inhibiting interfacial diffusion, promoting adhesion and toughening brittle nanoporous structures. The relatively low stability of MNLs on surfaces at temperatures above 350-400 degrees C (refs 12, 13), as a result of desorption or degradation, limits the use of surface MNLs in high-temperature applications. Here we harness MNLs at thin-film interfaces at temperatures higher than the MNL desorption temperature to fortify copper-dielectric interfaces relevant to wiring in micro- and nano-electronic devices. Annealing Cu/MNL/SiO2 structures at 400-700 degrees C results in interfaces that are five times tougher than pristine Cu/SiO2 structures, yielding values exceeding approximately 20 J m(-2). Previously, similarly high toughness values have only been obtained using micrometre-thick interfacial layers. Electron spectroscopy of fracture surfaces and density functional theory modelling of molecular stretching and fracture show that toughening arises from thermally activated interfacial siloxane bridging that enables the MNL to be strongly linked to both the adjacent layers at the interface, and suppresses MNL desorption. We anticipate that our findings will open up opportunities for molecular-level tailoring of a variety of interfacial properties, at processing temperatures higher than previously envisaged, for applications where microlayers are not a viable option-such as in nanodevices or in thermally resistant molecular-inorganic hybrid devices.     

Structural definition of a conserved neutralization epitope on HIV-1 gp120

The remarkable diversity, glycosylation and conformational flexibility of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope (Env), including substantial rearrangement of the gp120 glycoprotein upon binding the CD4 receptor, allow it to evade antibody-mediated neutralization. Despite this complexity, the HIV-1 Env must retain conserved determinants that mediate CD4 binding. To evaluate how these determinants might provide opportunities for antibody recognition, we created variants of gp120 stabilized in the CD4-bound state, assessed binding of CD4 and of receptor-binding-site antibodies, and determined the structure at 2.3 A resolution of the broadly neutralizing antibody b12 in complex with gp120. b12 binds to a conformationally invariant surface that overlaps a distinct subset of the CD4-binding site. This surface is involved in the metastable attachment of CD4, before the gp120 rearrangement required for stable engagement. A site of vulnerability, related to a functional requirement for efficient association with CD4, can therefore be targeted by antibody to neutralize HIV-1.     

A second generation human haplotype map of over 3.1 million SNPs

We describe the Phase II HapMap, which characterizes over 3.1 million human single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotyped in 270 individuals from four geographically diverse populations and includes 25-35% of common SNP variation in the populations surveyed. The map is estimated to capture untyped common variation with an average maximum r2 of between 0.9 and 0.96 depending on population. We demonstrate that the current generation of commercial genome-wide genotyping products captures common Phase II SNPs with an average maximum r2 of up to 0.8 in African and up to 0.95 in non-African populations, and that potential gains in power in association studies can be obtained through imputation. These data also reveal novel aspects of the structure of linkage disequilibrium. We show that 10-30% of pairs of individuals within a population share at least one region of extended genetic identity arising from recent ancestry and that up to 1% of all common variants are untaggable, primarily because they lie within recombination hotspots. We show that recombination rates vary systematically around genes and between genes of different function. Finally, we demonstrate increased differentiation at non-synonymous, compared to synonymous, SNPs, resulting from systematic differences in the strength or efficacy of natural selection between populations.     

TPP1 is a homologue of ciliate TEBP-beta and interacts with POT1 to recruit telomerase

Telomere dysfunction may result in chromosomal abnormalities, DNA damage responses, and even cancer. Early studies in lower organisms have helped to establish the crucial role of telomerase and telomeric proteins in maintaining telomere length and protecting telomere ends. In Oxytricha nova, telomere G-overhangs are protected by the TEBP-alpha/beta heterodimer. Human telomeres contain duplex telomeric repeats with 3' single-stranded G-overhangs, and may fold into a t-loop structure that helps to shield them from being recognized as DNA breaks. Additionally, the TEBP-alpha homologue, POT1, which binds telomeric single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), associates with multiple telomeric proteins (for example, TPP1, TIN2, TRF1, TRF2 and RAP1) to form the six-protein telosome/shelterin and other subcomplexes. These telomeric protein complexes in turn interact with diverse pathways to form the telomere interactome for telomere maintenance. However, the mechanisms by which the POT1-containing telosome communicates with telomerase to regulate telomeres remain to be elucidated. Here we demonstrate that TPP1 is a putative mammalian homologue of TEBP-beta and contains a predicted amino-terminal oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide binding (OB) fold. TPP1-POT1 association enhanced POT1 affinity for telomeric ssDNA. In addition, the TPP1 OB fold, as well as POT1-TPP1 binding, seemed critical for POT1-mediated telomere-length control and telomere-end protection in human cells. Disruption of POT1-TPP1 interaction by dominant negative TPP1 expression or RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in telomere-length alteration and DNA damage responses. Furthermore, we offer evidence that TPP1 associates with the telomerase in a TPP1-OB-fold-dependent manner, providing a physical link between telomerase and the telosome/shelterin complex. Our findings highlight the critical role of TPP1 in telomere maintenance, and support a yin-yang model in which TPP1 and POT1 function as a unit to protect human telomeres, by both positively and negatively regulating telomerase access to telomere DNA.