On the Enzymatic Formation of Metal Base Pairs with Thiolated and pKa-Perturbed Nucleotides

The formation of artificial metal base pairs is an alluring and versatile method for the functionalization of nucleic acids. Access to DNA functionalized with metal base pairs is granted mainly by solid-phase synthesis. An alternative, yet underexplored method, envisions the installation of metal base pairs through the polymerization of modified nucleoside triphosphates. Herein, we have explored the possibility of using thiolated and pK_a-perturbed nucleotides for the enzymatic construction of artificial metal base pairs. The thiolated nucleotides S2C, S6G, and S4T as well as the fluorinated analogue 5FU are readily incorporated opposite a templating S4T nucleotide through the guidance of metal cations. Multiple incorporation of the modified nucleotides along with polymerase bypass of the unnatural base pairs are also possible under certain conditions. The thiolated nucleotides S4T, S4T, S2C, and S6G were also shown to be compatible with the synthesis of modified, high molecular weight single-stranded (ss)DNA products through TdT-mediated tailing reactions. Thus, sulfur-substitution and pK_a perturbation represent alternative strategies for the design of modified nucleotides compatible with the enzymatic construction of metal base pairs.     

Multi-field coupling thermo-acoustic radiation using free-standing nano-thin films in a static magnetic field

Abstract

Thermo-acoustic radiation from nano-thin film has been widely reported these years. In this paper, a static magnetic field is introduced to enhance the acoustic power in the multi-field thermo-acoustic generation. The coupled thermo-acoustic system in a static magnetic field shares the same acoustical unit with very few additional components. In the presence of a static magnetic field, thin-film vibration is excited instead of being still in the classical thermo-acoustic system. Not surprisingly, a steady magnetic field has very little impact on the thermo-acoustic generation system when a constant amplitude sinusoidal current is introduced. The oscillation perpendicular to the nano-thin film is driven by the electromagnetic force. The system response of thermo-acoustics and magneto-acoustics can be generally matched when suitable parameters are introduced. The acoustical pressure output can be significantly improved in the presence of a static magnetic field although more electrical input power should be provided in the multi-field thermo-acoustic system. Evidently, the coupled multi-field acoustical system is able to handle more electrical power input and the power input can be more easily dissipated relatively. The results show that the acoustic response of this new multi-filed coupled system can be significantly improved as compared to the classical system without magnetic effects.     

New Approach to Structure–Property Correlations of Different Films of Sorbitan Esters and Their Self-Assembly into Viscoelastic Monolayers

This publication is focused on the structural origin of viscoelasticity in Langmuir monolayers. To improve the understanding of the structural origin of viscoelasticity of surfactant films, we systematically studied interfacial films of different sorbitan esters with saturated (Span 60 and 65) and unsaturated (Span 80 and 85) paraffin chains by means of surface rheology, Langmuir isotherms, X-ray reflectometry (XRR), and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). The results of two-dimensional shear rheological measurements revealed the existence of temporarily cross-linked networks. In dynamic BAM experiments, we observed a swinging motion of the monolayers as a result of a sudden externally initiated mechanical perturbation. The viscoelastic film response, which relaxed with time as the external force vanished, could be traced back to the presence of foam-like supramolecular structures that interlinked solid-condensed domains. The temperature dependence of the elastic response implied that the solid domains decomposed at temperatures close to the bulk melting point of Span 60 and Span 65. We concluded that insoluble surfactants formed solid domains at the interface, which were linked with each other by nonsolid areas, giving viscoelastic films. These newly discovered insights into coherent film formations could provide new opportunities for designing mechanically stable surfactant interfaces.     

Oxidation‐led decomposition of hexagonal boron nitride coatings on alloy substrates at 900 °C: Ti‐6Al‐4V

Hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) coatings on Ti‐6Al‐4V substrates undergo complete decomposition in air at 900 °C. This fate is similar to that of this ceramic material on chromia‐former alloys, and unlike that of a mass of powder treated in isolation. As the ceramic and alloy oxidize concurrently, outwardly diffusing aluminum (III) ions but not the predominant titanium (IV) ions react with the boron trioxide that forms around the h‐BN basal plane peripheries. Resultant aluminum borate is incorporated into the growing scale and the boron trioxide diffusion barrier is depleted. By this mechanism, the oxidation of h‐BN is maintained at an enhanced rate, until both this material and its oxide completely decompose. Liberated nitrogen from the oxidation of h‐BN can enter the underlying scale as a randomly distributed solute in rutile solid solution. The post‐coating oxide‐atmosphere interface comprises elongated aluminum borate crystallites protruding through at the boundaries between 3–5 at% nitrogen‐doped rutile grains. It differs significantly from that of oxidized, uncoated Ti‐6Al‐4V, which is occupied by a thin α‐alumina layer atop rutile. This interface does not change with an additional 72 h of heat‐treatment.     

Preparation and luminescent properties of CaF2:Ln3+ (Ln:Er,Er/Yb)/Nafion composite films

In this work, CaF_2:Ln~(3+)(Ln:Er,Er/Yb)/Nafion composite films were prepared using Nafion as modifications and matrices by dripping method. The composite films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). Composite films are transparent and CaF_2:Ln~(3+)(Ln:Er,Er/Yb) nanoparticles are well dispersed in Nafion films.The thicknesses of CaF_2:Er~(3+)/Nafion and CaF_2:Er~(3+),Yb~(3+)/Nafion composite film are about 77 and 73 μm,respectively. The nanoparticles in composite film possess cubic phase. CaF_2:Er~(3+),Yb~(3+)/Nafion composite film has stronger characteristic emission of Er~(3+) around 1530 nm with full width at half-maximum(FWHM) of 73 nm and longer luminescence lifetimes of 22.04 μs(25.03%) and 100.77 μs(74.97%).     

Ultrashort pulse-induced elastodynamics in polycrystalline materials. Part I: Model validation

The coupled thermal-mechanical response of a polycrystalline metallic film in response to ultrafast optical impingement is investigated. The thermo-elastodynamics formulated in the article considers laser absorption along the axial direction and thermal diffusion along the radial direction to account for the normal and shear stresses initiated by the rapid heating. The generalized formulation incorporates a two-step hyperbolic temperature model that characterizes the energy transport of electrons and lattices as finite in velocity. The coupling of thermal and mechanical fields is established through considering the energy dissipated in the form of propagating thermo-mechanical disturbances. The thermo-elastodynamical response of the polycrystalline film is found to be a strong function of the electron heat capacity that is also temperature-dependent. In addition, grain size effects due to film surface and grain-boundary scatterings are found to impact several thermophysical properties of the material. The impact of the energy transport of electrons is particularly prominent when the thickness becomes comparable with the electron mean-free-path. A staggered-grid finite difference scheme is followed to simultaneously resolve the coupled thermo-elastodynamical responses using an axisymmetric model. The time variation of the normalized electron temperature of a single crystalline gold film derived from the generalized model is favorably examined against published physical data, thus demonstrating the feasibility of the formulation in depicting the electron transport dynamics in response to non-ablating ultrafast irradiation.     

水射流表面改性对国产Zirlo锆合金包壳管加速腐蚀氧化膜形貌的影响

为进一步提高国产锆合金包壳管性能,提高反应堆安全性,对国产Zirlo锆合金进行水射流冲击强化,研究在高温高压水腐蚀条件下不同冲击压力对样品表面氧化膜的影响,并与未冲击样品进行对比。结果表明,样品表面在不同压力的冲击下耐蚀性差异较大,当冲击压力达到40 MPa时样品表面氧化膜状态较好,相比于未冲击样品氧化膜厚度减少4.3%,在10 MPa和20 MPa冲击下则出现腐蚀加速情况。     

The effect of transition metal carbides MeC (Me = Ti,Zr, Nb,Ta, and W) on mechanical properties of B4C ceramics fabricated via pressureless sintering

In this study, boron carbide-metallic boride (B₄C-MeB_x, Me = Ti, Zr, Nb, Ta, or W) multiphase ceramics were fabricated via in situ pressureless sintering at 2250 °C for 1 h. The effects of transition metal carbides, namely, TiC, ZrC, NbC, TaC, and WC, on the phase composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the ceramics were investigated. The results showed that MeC could facilitate the sintering densification of B₄C by distributing second-phase particles uniformly throughout the B₄C. Additionally, the main phases observed were B₄C and (Me, W)B_x (Me = Ti, Zr, Nb, or Ta) due to the doping of a small amount of WC during the ball milling process. As a result, the mechanical properties of B₄C-MeB_x showed significant improvements when compared with those of single-phase B₄C ceramics. B₄C–NbB₂ ceramics were found to exhibit the best mechanical properties, with an elastic modulus of 393.0 GPa, a hardness of 28.7 GPa, a flexural strength of 368.0 MPa, and a fracture toughness of 6.94 MPa m^1/2.