Alteration of the Route to Menaquinone towards Isochorismate-Derived Metabolites

Chorismate and isochorismate constitute branch-point intermediates in the biosynthesis of many aromatic metabolites in microorganisms and plants. To obtain unnatural compounds, we modified the route to menaquinone in Escherichia coli. We propose a model for the binding of isochorismate to the active site of MenD ((1R,2S, 5S,6S)-2-succinyl-5-enolpyruvyl-6-hydroxycyclohex-3-ene-1-carboxylate (SEPHCHC) synthase) that explains the outcome of the native reaction with α-ketoglutarate. We have rationally designed variants of MenD for the conversion of several isochorismate analogues. The double-variant Asn117Arg–Leu478Thr preferentially converts (5S,6S)-5,6-dihydroxycyclohexa-1,3-diene-1-carboxylate (2,3-trans-CHD), the hydrolysis product of isochorismate, with a >70-fold higher ratio than that for the wild type. The single-variant Arg107Ile uses (5S,6S)-6-amino-5-hydroxycyclohexa-1,3-diene-1-carboxylate (2,3-trans-CHA) as substrate with >6-fold conversion compared to wild-type MenD. The novel compounds have been made accessible in vivo (up to 5.3 g L⁻¹). Unexpectedly, as the identified residues such as Arg107 are highly conserved (>94 %), some of the designed variations can be found in wild-type SEPHCHC synthases from other bacteria (Arg107Lys, 0.3 %). This raises the question for the possible natural occurrence of as yet unexplored branches of the shikimate pathway.     

低温水等离子体活化和表面接枝DMAE聚氯乙烯中空纤维膜研究

采用低温水等离子体技术，在三通道聚氯乙烯(PVC)膜表面接枝了甲基丙烯氧基苄基二甲基氯化铵(DMAE)单体，增强了膜亲水和抗菌性能。通过红外分析，表明DMAE成功接枝到了PVC膜上，水通量提高两倍，PVC-ir-H₂O膜(通过水等离子体处理的膜)对牛血清蛋白(BSA)的吸附能力下降67%，对BSA溶液的通量从7.7提高至40 kg?m^-2?h^-1，并且对BSA的截留能力不变。通过静态及动态抗菌实验，接枝后的PVC膜（PVC-g-PMAE膜）抗菌率达到100%，膜组件运行中的抗菌率也达到82%以上。在保证细菌截留率100%的同时，其渗透通量提高三倍。该膜表面修饰工程技术能实现膜表面的均一化改性，且绿色环保、操作简便、成本低，改性膜在饮用水处理领域，尤其是家用净水器中展现了很好的应用前景。     

Two-step method to deposit ZrO2 coating on carbon fiber: Preparation,characterization, and performance in SiC composites

Recently, ceramic matrix composites reinforced by short carbon fibers (CFs) attracted increasing attentions. To further improve mechanical properties and oxidation resistances, CFs were subjected to oxidation and acidification followed by sol-gel dip-coating to deposit ZrO₂ on their surfaces. ZrO₂-C_f/SiC composites were fabricated by joint hot compression molding and sintering, compared to C_f/SiC and SiC prepared by the same method. Microstructural analyses indicated that ZrO₂ coatings were successfully deposited on CF surfaces, formed strong bonding and interfaces between CF and the matrix. Meanwhile, CFs were found uniformly distributed in SiC matrix with random orientations. Flexural curves of ZrO₂-C_f/SiC and C_f/SiC revealed the presence of “false plasticity” regions after sharp drops, which were quite different from brittle flexural behavior of SiC ceramic. Compression strength of the three samples showed step-up growth. ZrO₂-C_f/SiC exhibited the highest value, indicating the introduction of CFs and ZrO₂ coatings do have great influence on mechanical performances. After heat treatment, ZrO₂-C_f/SiC exhibited better oxidation resistance than C_f/SiC, with weight loss ratios estimated to ??3.76% and ??6.43%, respectively. These improved properties indicated that ZrO₂-C_f/SiC would be excellent alternatives to other existence materials under ultra-high temperature environments.     

Tough salami-inspired Cf/ZrB2 UHTCMCs produced by electrophoretic deposition

One of the biggest challenges of the materials science is the mutual exclusion of strength and toughness. This issue was minimized by mimicking the natural structural materials. To date, few efforts were done regarding materials that should be used in harsh environments. In this work we present novel continuous carbon fiber reinforced ultra-high-temperature ceramic matrix composites (UHTCMCs) for aerospace featuring optimized fiber/matrix interfaces and fibers distribution. The microstructures – produced by electrophoretic deposition of ZrB₂ on unidirectional carbon fibers followed by ZrB₂ infiltration and hot pressing – show a maximum flexural strength and fracture toughness of 330 MPa and 14 MPa m^1/2, respectively. Fracture surfaces are investigated to understand the mechanisms that affect strength and toughness. The EPD technique allows the achievement of a peculiar salami-inspired architecture alternating strong and weak interfaces.     

Effects of short carbon fiber on the macro-properties,mechanical performance and microstructure of SiSiC composite fabricated by selective laser sintering

Selective laser sintering was combined with reactive melt infiltration to fabricate SiSiC part, and the effects of carbon fiber (C_f) on the properties of the SLS green body, the carbonized and final SiSiC sample were investigated. Results show that the addition of an appropriate amount of C_f (1.59 wt%~2.97 wt%) can increase the bulk density and geometric precision of the sample at all stages, and improve the mechanical properties of green and carbonized samples. The main phases composed of the SiSiC composite were free Si, a-SiC, β-SiC, plus a very small amount of Al–Si alloy. With 1.59 wt% C_f addition, a relatively comprehensive favorable macro-properties of both the green sample and carbonized sample was achieved, and the homogeneous microstructure of the latter favored the decreased free Si content and increased β-SiC content of the final composite. The evolution mechanism of C_f added to the raw material is inferred to be the mutual diffusion of [C] and [Si] that occurred at the C_f/Si melt boundary leading to the formation of the siliconized C_f with relatively large diameter size (24.3 μm) and high aspect ratio (>30). Amorphous C, which derived from the pyrolysis of epoxy resin E12, undergone a dissolution-precipitation mechanism with the formation of fine-grain β-SiC.     

氧化石墨烯改性碳纤维复合材料抗冲击行为研究

使用单层纳米氧化石墨烯（NGO）粒子对环氧树脂进行改性处理，采用真空辅助树脂传递模塑成型工艺制备了[±45/0/90]_2S铺层角度下的纯树脂及单层NGO改性碳纤维复合材料（CFRP）层合板。通过落锤冲击试验、超声C扫描检测、冲击后压缩试验等对纯树脂及单层NGO改性CFRP进行实验研究。结果表明，纯树脂及单层NGO改性CFRP在损伤阻抗及损伤容限实验中均存在拐点现象，且拐点出现在相同深度位置，其中纯树脂CFRP拐点位置为0.51 mm，单层NGO改性CFRP拐点位置为0.43 mm；相对于纯树脂CFRP，单层NGO改性CFRP可以显著提高复合材料的抗冲击性能及冲击后的压缩性能；通过对冲击后凹坑深度及凹坑面积进行数据模拟，可以用拟合公式实现对复合材料的损伤预测。     

凉感纤维织物导热系数影响因素的探讨

采用普通涤纶、含1%云母颗粒的涤纶(1%云母/涤纶)以及含5%云母颗粒的涤纶(5%云母/涤纶)三种材质,上机纬密采用200根/10 cm、300根/10 cm、400根/10 cm,组织采用平纹、斜纹、缎纹试织试样。通过Hot Disk热常数分析仪,采用正交试验及极差、方差分析,研究了纤维材质、上机纬密、组织对凉感纤维织物导热系数的影响。结果表明:在试验设置变量范围内,纤维材质对导热系数的影响显著,上机纬密、组织对导热系数的影响高度显著,影响因素从大到小顺序为上机纬密>组织>纤维材质。     

Nature of heterophase inclusions in high-purity optical fiber materials as studied with 3D laser ultramicroscopy

3D laser ultramicroscopy (3D LUM) is intended specially for determining the concentration and size distribution of submicron inclusions in the bulk samples of high-purity materials for visible and IR fiber optics. In this work the 3D LUM technique is shown to be able to identify the nature of individual inclusions detected. The measurement of the light scattered by an inclusion at a varied probe beam wavelength and polarization and at a varied scattered light collection angle makes it possible to determine the inclusion refractive index. The 3D LUM possibilities are illustrated by the example of studying the inclusion nature in the As₂S₃ glass samples prepared by the direct synthesis from elements in a quartz container at elevated temperatures.     

Al2O3/Yttria‐Stabilized Zirconia Hollow‐Fiber Membrane Incorporated with Iron Oxide for Pb(II) Removal

Removal by absorptive ceramic membranes can simultaneously absorb and separate metal ions from water. Alumina/yttria‐stabilized zirconia (Al₂O₃/YSZ) hollow‐fiber membranes, fabricated using phase inversion and sintering process, were deposited with iron oxide by an in‐situ hydrothermal process. The results showed that α‐Fe₂O₃ was produced and incorporated across the membranes. A reduction in flux was recorded with the deposition of α‐Fe₂O_3. However, it improved the adsorption capacity for heavy metal adsorption. The adsorption‐separation test demonstrated that the optimized membrane is able to completely remove Pb(II) ions after two hours.