Superconducting Quantum Metamaterials from High Pressure Melt Infiltration of Metals into Block Copolymer Double Gyroid Derived Ceramic Templates

Mesoscale order can lead to emergent properties including phononic bandgaps or topologically protected states. Block copolymers offer a route to mesoscale periodic architectures, but their use as structure directing agents for metallic materials has not been fully realized. A versatile approach to mesostructured metals via bulk block copolymer self-assembly derived ceramic templates, is demonstrated. Molten indium is infiltrated into mesoporous, double gyroidal silicon nitride templates under high pressure to yield bulk, 3D periodic nanocomposites as free-standing monoliths which exhibit emergent quantum-scale phenomena. Vortices are artificially introduced when double gyroidal indium metal behaves as a type II superconductor, with evidence of strong pinning centers arrayed on the order of the double gyroid lattice size. Sample behavior is reproducible over months, showing high stability. High pressure infiltration of bulk block copolymer self-assembly based ceramic templates is an enabling tool for studying high-quality metals with previously inaccessible architectures, and paves the way for the emerging field of block-copolymer derived quantum metamaterials.     

Molecular Characteristics of Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) and Its Effects in Cancer

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein, and its homologs amyloid precursor-like protein 1 (APLP1) and amyloid precursor-like protein 2 (APLP2) are highly conserved in mammals. APP and APLP are known to be intimately involved in the pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and to play important roles in neuronal homeostasis and development and neural transmission. APP and APLP are also expressed in non-neuronal tissues and are overexpressed in cancer cells. Furthermore, research indicates they are involved in several cancers. In this review, we examine the biological characteristics of APP-related family members and their roles in cancer.     

Micromembrane absorber with deep-permeation nanostructure assembled by flowing synthesis

A micromembrane adsorber with deep-permeation nanostructure (DPNS) has been successfully fabricated by flowing synthesis. The nanoparticles are in-situ assembled in membrane pores and immobilized in each membrane pore along the direction of membrane thickness. The nanoparticles with a lower size and thinner size distribution can be achieved owing to the confined space effect of the membrane pores. As a concept-of-proof, the nano ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 are fabricated in porous membrane pores for methyl orange (MO) and rhodamine B (RhB) adsorption. The adsorption rate is increased significantly owing to the enhanced contact and mass transfer in the confined space. The adsorption capacity for the RhB is also increased, since the size of the nanoparticles assembled in membrane pores is smaller with more active sites exposed. This micromembrane adsorber with DPNS has good reusability and can provide a promising prospect for industrial application.     

Split Enzyme-Based Biosensors for Structural Characterization of Soluble and Insoluble β-Glucans

β-Glucan is widely distributed in various plants and microorganisms and is composed of β-1,3-linked d-glucose units. It may have a branched short or long side chain of glucose units with β-1,6- or β-1,4-linkage. Numerous studies have investigated different β-glucans and revealed their bioactivities. To understand the structure-function relationship of β-glucan, we constructed a split-luciferase complementation assay for the structural analysis of long-chain β-1,6-branched β-1,3-glucan. The N- and C-terminal fragments of luciferase from deep-sea shrimp were fused to insect-derived β-1,3-glucan recognition protein and fungal endo-β-1,6-glucanase (Neg1)-derived β-1,6-glucan recognition protein, respectively. In this approach, two β-glucan recognition proteins bound to β-glucan molecules come into close proximity, resulting in the assembly of the full-length reporter enzyme and induction of transient luciferase activity, indicative of the structure of β-glucan. To test the applicability of this assay, β-glucan and two β-glucan recognition proteins were mixed, resulting in an increase in the luminescence intensity in a β-1,3-glucan with a long polymer of β-1,6-glucan in a dose-dependent manner. This simple test also allows the monitoring of real-time changes in the side chain structure and serves as a convenient method to distinguish between β-1,3-glucan and long-chain β-1,6-branched β-1,3-glucan in various soluble and insoluble β-glucans.     

富芳烃重油组分结构调变对中间相沥青形成的影响机制

对重油富芳烃组分转化为次生沥青及其氢化改性沥青的热转化行为进行了比较，并对热转化过程中体系化学结构组成特征对中间相形成的影响进行了研究。采用红外光谱及氢核磁共振波谱，对比分析了次生沥青及其氢化改性沥青的化学结构组成特征；借助偏光显微镜、X射线衍射，考察了两体系中间相沥青的形成过程。结果表明：控制体系短烷基侧链含量可有效抑制过度炭化的发生，提高炭化产物的微观有序度；短烷基侧链可以持续稳定释放出小分子自由基，对大分子自由基反应进行调控，显著提升炭化产物微观结构的均一性。     

铝业废阴极炭块资源化利用技术研究

为实现铝业废阴极炭块在钢铁冶金流程中资源化利用，通过深入研究废阴极炭块的相关物性，结合炼钢工艺对炭素及氟化物的物质需求，明确了废阴极炭块的无害化资源利用原理，工业试验结果表明废阴极炭块在炼钢转炉内可较好地实现无害化资源利用。     

基于云网PoP的弹性边缘网络设计思路探讨

移动边缘云是公司“云+5G”双引擎战略的最佳契合点,边缘网络是发挥移动云“大云”产品和5G网络融合优势,实现云网统筹、构建运营商“连接+计算”核心能力的关键。运营商传统接入网存在云网割裂、分段入云和组网复杂等突出问题,难以适应边缘业务敏捷交付要求。本文通过深入分析边缘云业务特征和技术架构,对标业界主流云商建设实践,研究基于云网PoP网的边缘网络建设思路,创新性提出云网一体化规划设计和建设交付流程变革,基于云网POP统一网络和业务锚点,构建Overlay和Underlay融合双层加速网络架构,探索Spine-leaf化的新型城域接入网实现L3下沉和弹性扩容等方法,实现“云+网+应用”一体化敏捷交付的边缘网络能力。     

Electrorheological response behavior of H2Ti2O5@MoS2@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles

In this paper, a novel H₂Ti₂O₅@MoS₂@SiO₂ ternary composite material was prepared by a combination of dual hydrothermal method and controlled hydrolysis method, in which H₂Ti₂O₅ nanotubes are tightly combined with hierarchical molybdenum disulfide, and the unique structure of titanate nano whiskers, including the loosely bound alkali metal ions between the titanate layers with high dielectric constant and the large aspect ratio, which induce active response to the electric field. Flower-like molybdenum disulfide provides electrical conductivity, and silicon dioxide as a insulative coating layer can suppress excessive the electrical conductivity of the two-dimensional material. The morphological evolution was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results of showed that the sheet-shaped molybdenum disulfide coated with curved H₂Ti₂O₅ nanotubes showed a honeycomb structure with uniform size. Silicon oxide acts as a cladding layer to increase the thickness of the flakes. The existence of H₂Ti₂O₅, molybdenum disulfide and silicon dioxide is confirmed by X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The prepared product was confirmed by XPS, BET test and electrorheological rheometer. Core/shell nanoparticles not only exert the active response characteristics of titanate nanoparticles and molybdenum disulfide to electric field, but also inherit the excellent characteristics of a core-shell structure produced by the interface polarization and the synergistic effect of the polar groups on the surface of the two-dimensional material further enhance the electrorheological effect.     

AP2M1 Supports TGF-β Signals to Promote Collagen Expression by Inhibiting Caveolin Expression

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is important for normal development and disease states, including inflammation and fibrosis. To understand the complex regulation of ECM, we performed a suppressor screening using Caenorhabditis elegans expressing the mutant ROL-6 collagen protein. One cuticle mutant has a mutation in dpy-23 that encodes the μ2 adaptin (AP2M1) of clathrin-associated protein complex II (AP-2). The subsequent suppressor screening for dpy-23 revealed the lon-2 mutation. LON-2 functions to regulate body size through negative regulation of the tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway responsible for ECM production. RNA-seq analysis showed a dominant change in the expression of collagen genes and cuticle components. We noted an increase in the cav-1 gene encoding caveolin-1, which functions in clathrin-independent endocytosis. By knockdown of cav-1, the reduced TGF-β signal was significantly restored in the dpy-23 mutant. In conclusion, the dpy-23 mutation upregulated cav-1 expression in the hypodermis, and increased CAV-1 resulted in a decrease of TβRI. Finally, the reduction of collagen expression including rol-6 by the reduced TGF-β signal influenced the cuticle formation of the dpy-23 mutant. These findings could help us to understand the complex process of ECM regulation in organism development and disease conditions.