Sugar-Pucker Force-Induced Transition in Single-Stranded DNA

The accurate knowledge of the elastic properties of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) is key to characterize the thermodynamics of molecular reactions that are studied by force spectroscopy methods where DNA is mechanically unfolded. Examples range from DNA hybridization, DNA ligand binding, DNA unwinding by helicases, etc. To date, ssDNA elasticity has been studied with different methods in molecules of varying sequence and contour length. A dispersion of results has been reported and the value of the persistence length has been found to be larger for shorter ssDNA molecules. We carried out pulling experiments with optical tweezers to characterize the elastic response of ssDNA over three orders of magnitude in length (60–14 k bases). By fitting the force-extension curves (FECs) to the Worm-Like Chain model we confirmed the above trend:the persistence length nearly doubles for the shortest molecule (60 b) with respect to the longest one (14 kb). We demonstrate that the observed trend is due to the different force regimes fitted for long and short molecules, which translates into two distinct elastic regimes at low and high forces. We interpret this behavior in terms of a force-induced sugar pucker conformational transition (C3′-endo to C2′-endo) upon pulling ssDNA.     

Immiscible PHB/PBS and PHB/PBSA blends: morphology,phase composition and modelling of elastic modulus

This paper reports the thermal, morphological and mechanical properties of environmentally friendly poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and PHB/poly[(butylene succinate)-co-(butylene adipate)] (PBSA) blends, prepared by melt mixing. The blends are known to be immiscible, as also confirmed by the thermodynamic analysis here presented. A detailed quantification of the crystalline and amorphous fractions was performed, in order to interpret the mechanical properties of the blends. As expected, the ductility increased with increasing PBS or PBSA amount, but in parallel the decrease in the elastic modulus appeared limited. Surprisingly, the elastic modulus was found properly described by the rule of mixtures in the whole composition range, thus attesting mechanical compatibility between the two blend components. This unusual behavior has been explained as due to co-continuous morphology, present in a wide composition range, but also at the same time as the result of shrinkage occurring during sequential crystallization of the two components, which can lead to physical adhesion between matrix and dispersed phase. For the first time, the elastic moduli of the crystalline and mobile amorphous fractions of PBS and PBSA and of the mobile amorphous fraction of PHB at ambient temperature have been estimated through a mechanical modelling approach. © 2021 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.     

Interleukin-1β Modulation of the Mechanobiology of Primary Human Pulmonary Fibroblasts: Potential Implications in Lung Repair

Pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1β (IL-1β) are upregulated during early responses to tissue damage and are expected to transiently compromise the mechanical microenvironment. Fibroblasts are key regulators of tissue mechanics in the lungs and other organs. However, the effects of IL-1β on fibroblast mechanics and functions remain unclear. Here we treated human pulmonary fibroblasts from control donors with IL-1β and used Atomic Force Microscopy to unveil that IL-1β significantly reduces the stiffness of fibroblasts concomitantly with a downregulation of filamentous actin (F-actin) and alpha-smooth muscle (α-SMA). Likewise, COL1A1 mRNA was reduced, whereas that of collagenases MMP1 and MMP2 were upregulated, favoring a reduction of type-I collagen. These mechanobiology changes were functionally associated with reduced proliferation and enhanced migration upon IL-1β stimulation, which could facilitate lung repair by drawing fibroblasts to sites of tissue damage. Our observations reveal that IL-1β may reduce local tissue rigidity by acting both intracellularly and extracellularly through the downregulation of fibroblast contractility and type I collagen deposition, respectively. These IL-1β-dependent mechanical effects may enhance lung repair further by locally increasing pulmonary tissue compliance to preserve normal lung distension and function. Moreover, our results support that IL-1β provides innate anti-fibrotic protection that may be relevant during the early stages of lung repair.     

Elastic modulus of nanocrystalline cemented carbide

The purposes of this work were to obtain the accurate elastic modulus of the nanocrystalline WC–Co cemented carbides, and to propose the mechanism for the difference of elastic modulus between the nanocrystalline and conventional polycrystalline cemented carbides. The nanocrystalline cemented carbide was prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The conventional polycrystalline cemented carbides were prepared by SPS and sinter-HIP techniques as references, respectively. The sintered cemented carbides were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and the transmission electron microscopy with precession electron diffraction technology. The elastic modulus was obtained by averaging the values measured with the continuous stiffness measurement method of the nanoindentation technology. The results show that the nanocrystalline cemented carbide has a relatively low modulus, which could be attributed to the more interface area and higher fraction ratio of the hcp cobalt phase caused by the rapid heating and cooling process during SPS.     

不同距离应变片测定Ⅰ型动态应力强度因子对比试验研究

基于线弹性断裂力学理论，采用应变片法开展了冲击动荷载作用下的三点弯曲试验，探讨距扩展裂纹不同距离的应变片测定Ⅰ型应力强度因子的差异。当应变片与扩展裂纹成特定锐角和钝角时，采用与裂纹扩展速度和应变片的位置相关的二项式表征裂纹尖端附近应变场，并结合理论解析和试验实测的应变与裂纹扩展时间曲线，推导得到了应力强度因子计算公式。同时，采用动焦散线试验对比分析应变片法测定的动态应力强度因子值。结果表明，应变片在裂纹尖端附近合理区域内，测定的裂纹尖端动态应力强度因子值与动焦散线试验结果吻合较好;明确了不同距离对测定Ⅰ型裂纹应力强度因子的影响，随着应变片粘贴距离变大，测定的动态应力强度因子值与动焦散线法相差增大。研究结果为进一步应用应变片法研究岩石类材料的断裂性能提供了试验基础。     

Second- and third-order elastic constants of kesterite CZTS and its electronic and optical properties under various strain rates

In this paper, the continuum approach is used to calculate the second-order elastic constants and the third-order elastic constants of the kesterite CZTS semiconductor. In this approach, by applying the various deformation types to matter and using density functional theory the energy–strain curves are plotted and the corresponding elastic coefficients are extracted. In this paper, the effect of symmetrical strains on CZTS electronic and optical properties has been investigated. For kesterite CZTS, a bandgap of about 0.2 and 1.8 eV with revised Perdew?–Burke?–Ernerhof for solids functional and HSE06 approximation, respectively, ? is obtained. This semiconductor has been conductive in tensile strains and in return, increased its bandgap in compressive strain. In addition, its bandgap becomes indirect in the strains about ?9%. Also, the first peak in the imaginary section of the dielectric function has well conformity to experimental results and its changing process can show the changing process of optical bandgap under external strains such as temperature variations and substrate mismatch.     

Thermomechanical nonlinear analysis of axially compressed carbon nanotube-reinforced composite cylindrical panels resting on elastic foundations with tangentially restrained edges

Buckling, postbuckling, and nonlinear responses of composite cylindrical panels reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), supported by an elastic foundation, exposed to elevated temperature and axially compressed by uniform load are investigated in this article. Distribution of CNTs is uniform or graded in the thickness direction and the effective properties of CNT-reinforced composite are assumed to be temperature dependent, and are estimated by extended rule of mixture through a micromechanical model. Governing equations are established based on thin shell theory taking von Kármán–Donnell nonlinearity, initial geometrical imperfection, Pasternak-type elastic foundation and tangential elastic constraints of boundary edges into consideration. Approximate solutions of deflection and stress functions are assumed to satisfy simply supported boundary conditions, and Galerkin method is applied to derive explicit expressions of load–deflection relation from which critical buckling loads can be obtained. Unlike works in the literature, the present study accounts for elasticity of tangential restraint of two unloaded straight edges in model of cylindrical panel. The study also gives conditions for which bifurcation type buckling response can occur and novel findings in numerical examples.     

Electro-magneto temperature-dependent vibration analysis of functionally graded-carbon nanotube-reinforced piezoelectric Mindlin cylindrical shells resting on a temperature-dependent,orthotropic elastic medium

Vibration smart control analysis of a temperature-dependent functionally graded-carbon nanotube-reinforced piezoelectric cylindrical shell embedded in an orthotropic elastic medium is investigated. The mixture law is used for obtaining the material properties of the structure. The structure is subjected to a 2D magnetic field. Considering the first-order shear deformation theory, the motion equations are obtained. Based on an analytical method and differential quadrature method, the frequency is calculated. The effects of applied voltage, magnetic field, volume percent, and distribution type of carbon nanotubes, temperature, orthotropic elastic medium, and length to radius ratio of the shell are shown on system frequency.     

液压阻尼孔的宽温度范围流动特性试验研究

研制一种适合对各种液压孔口或缝隙进行高低温流体力学试验的新型试验装置，运用该装置对具有不同几何参数的液压阻尼孔进行在-50~80℃宽温度范围内的流动特性试验，研究以普通抗磨液压油HM46和低温抗凝减振器油TITAN SAF 5045为工质及其温度变化时对液压阻尼孔流量-压力特性曲线、幂指数和流量系数的影响，研究表明，在低温条件下，液压阻尼孔的流量系数均因油液黏度增大、流动性变差而呈线性下降的趋势，从宏观上看，HM46通过液压阻尼孔时的流动稳定性较差，其对应流量系数的下降幅度明显大于TITAN SAF 5045对应的下降幅度，厚壁小孔流量系数的下降幅度明显大于薄壁小孔对应的下降幅度。研究所获得的新型试验装置、试验数据分析方法和具体理论公式为深入研究和优化现代液压元件在宽温度范围内的动态性能提供新型试验平台与理论基础。     

近距离上保护层开采下伏被保护层卸压效应研究

使用ZKBY-Ⅱ型顶板离层仪对戊_9-10煤层的变形膨胀进行观测，对近距离上保护层回采时下伏被保护层应力分布和膨胀变形规律进行了研究。结果表明，近距离上保护层开采后，在采空区下方的一定范围内被保护层产生卸压膨胀变形，煤体弹性潜能得以释放，透气性增大，消除或减小了被保护层煤与瓦斯突出危险性，研究取得了显著的经济技术效益。