An acrylate-based quasi-solid polymer electrolyte incorporating a novel dinitrile poly(ethylene glycol) plasticizer for lithium-ion batteries

Journal of Materials Science - The performance of solid polymer electrolytes is characterized by lower ionic conductivity than conventional liquid electrolytes but provides advantages in terms of...     

New Insights to Clathrin and Adaptor Protein 2 for the Design and Development of Therapeutic Strategies

The Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) has been extensively studied for its role as the precursor of the β-amyloid protein (Aβ) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, our understanding of the normal function of APP is still patchy. Emerging evidence indicates that a dysfunction in APP trafficking and degradation can be responsible for neuronal deficits and progressive degeneration in humans. We recently reported that the Y₆₈₂ mutation in the ₆₈₂YENPTY₆₈₇ domain of APP affects its binding to specific adaptor proteins and leads to its anomalous trafficking, to defects in the autophagy machinery and to neuronal degeneration. In order to identify adaptors that influence APP function, we performed pull-down experiments followed by quantitative mass spectrometry (MS) on hippocampal tissue extracts of three month-old mice incubated with either the ₆₈₂YENPTY₆₈₇ peptide, its mutated form, ₆₈₂GENPTY₆₈₇ or its phosphorylated form, ₆₈₂pYENPTY₆₈₇. Our experiments resulted in the identification of two proteins involved in APP internalization and trafficking: Clathrin heavy chain (hc) and its Adaptor Protein 2 (AP-2). Overall our results consolidate and refine the importance of Y₆₈₂ in APP normal functions from an animal model of premature aging and dementia. Additionally, they open the perspective to consider Clathrin hc and AP-2 as potential targets for the design and development of new therapeutic strategies.     

EGFR-Binding Peptides: From Computational Design towards Tumor-Targeting of Adeno-Associated Virus Capsids

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a central role in the progression of many solid tumors. We used this validated target to analyze the de novo design of EGFR-binding peptides and their application for the delivery of complex payloads via rational design of a viral vector. Peptides were computationally designed to interact with the EGFR dimerization interface. Two new peptides and a reference (EDA peptide) were chemically synthesized, and their binding ability characterized. Presentation of these peptides in each of the 60 capsid proteins of recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV) via a genetic based loop insertion enabled targeting of EGFR overexpressing tumor cell lines. Furthermore, tissue distribution and tumor xenograft specificity were analyzed with systemic injection in chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays. Complex correlations between the targeting of the synthetic peptides and the viral vectors to cells and in ovo were observed. Overall, these data demonstrate the potential of computational design in combination with rational capsid modification for viral vector targeting opening new avenues for viral vector delivery and specifically suicide gene therapy.     

Shape Factor Effect on Inclusion Sedimentation in Aluminum Melts

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B - The quality requirements of aluminum products are steadily increasing, and the presence of non-metallic inclusions have a large impact on the quality of...     

Optimization of bistable viscoelastic systems

We consider the flow of a viscoelastic fluid in a symmetric cross geometry. For small driving pressures the flow is symmetric, but beyond a certain critical pressure the symmetric flow becomes unstable; two stable asymmetric solutions appear, and forcing of the unstable symmetric flow beyond the critical pressure gives rise to increased hydraulic resistance. We have combined a state-of-the-art implementation for viscoelastic flow modeling with topology optimization in a high level finite element package (COMSOL). We use this framework on the cross geometry with the aim to reduce the critical driving pressure corresponding to the point of bistability, such that the effect is enhanced. The point of bistability is, however, not explicitly contained in the solution, so we opt for a heuristic approach based on the dissipation ratio between the asymmetric and unstable symmetric flow solutions. We find a design that significantly reduces the driving pressure required for bistability, and furthermore is in agreement with the approach followed by experimental researchers. Furthermore, by comparing the two asymmetric solutions, we succesfully apply the same approach to a problem with two fluids meeting in the cross.     

The adjustable synergistic effects between acid–base coupling bifunctional ionic liquid extractants for rare earth separation

Two of the most widely used industrial extractants for rare earth elements (REEs), that is, di(2‐ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) and 2‐ethyl(hexyl) phosphonic acid mono‐2‐ethylhexyl ester (HEH[EHP]) were developed into [DEHP]^? type acid–base coupling bifunctionalized ionic liquids (ABC‐BILs) and [EHEHP]^? type ABC‐BILs, respectively. The combinations of ABC‐BIL extractants revealed synergistic effects for REEs. Seven different combinations of ABC‐BILs and five kinds of REEs confirmed the novel synergistic extraction. Some synergy coefficients of the combined ABC‐BILs were bigger than those of mixed HDEHP and HEH[EHP] by two orders of magnitude. The first synergistic extraction produced by ionic liquid extractants in the field of solvent extraction was reported in this article. The novel synergistic extraction from combined ABC‐BILs extractants revealed highly efficient and environmentally friendly potential in both of academic research and industrial application for REEs separation. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3859–3868, 2014     

Room Sharing in Sydney: A Complex Mix of Affordability,Overcrowding and Profit Maximisation

The shared housing sector is a growing private rental submarket. Researchers have sought to analyse the drivers of this growth, the benefits of shared housing for tenants, landlords and wider urban systems, as well as risks for tenants and local planning systems. Yet, there is limited research exploring the diversity of the shared housing sector. In particular, analysis of room or space sharing with non-related adults is lacking. This paper explores the characteristics, geography and impact of room sharing across Sydney. By analysing online accommodation listings this paper provides insights for policymakers seeking to monitor and regulate shared room accommodation.     

Structure–Activity Relationship Study of Spider Polyamine Toxins as Inhibitors of Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors

The spider polyamine toxins Joro spider toxin‐3 (JSTX‐3) and Nephila polyamine toxins‐1 and ‐8 (NPTX‐1 and NPTX‐8) are isolated from the venom of the orb‐weaver spider Nephila clavata (Joro spider). They share a high degree of structural resemblance, their aromatic head groups being the only difference, and were recently found to be very potent open‐channel blockers of ionotropic glutamate (iGlu) receptors. In this study we designed and synthesized a collection of 24 analogues of these toxins using a recently developed solid‐phase synthetic methodology. Systematic variation in two regions of the toxins and subsequent evaluation of biological activity at AMPA and NMDA subtypes of iGlu receptors provided succinct information on structure–activity relationships. In particular, one set of analogues were found to display exquisite selectivity and potency for AMPA receptors relative to the natural products. Thus, this systematic SAR study has provided new pharmacological tools for studies of iGlu receptors.     

Flocculation of activated sludge flocs by stimulation of the aerobic biological activity

Activated sludge flocs are known to deflocculate under short-term anaerobic conditions, but little is known about possible reflocculation under subsequent aerobic conditions. When activated sludge flocs from two wastewater treatment plants deflocculated under anaerobic conditions with well-defined shear conditions, they could be almost, but not completely, reflocculated by aeration for 1-2 h under the same shear conditions. If the biological activity was reduced by adding azide, chloramphenicol or by decreasing the temperature, no or only very little reflocculation took place. This indicated that the reflocculation was under direct or indirect microbial control. Only a small part of the reflocculation was due to improved flocculation properties obtained by oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III), which is a better flocculant. Fe(II) was produced under the anaerobic conditions by microbial iron reduction, and it was oxidized to Fe(III) within less than one hour after the aeration was started. However, by comparing two different sludges with different capabilities for iron reduction, iron oxidation and responses to substrate addition, it was found that the aerobic biological activity most likely was of greatest significance for the observed reflocculation and floc formation under aerobic conditions. This was further supported by adding organic substrates (glucose or ethanol) during the aerobic reflocculation phase, which promoted reflocculation. However, some substrates had the opposite effect (acetate and lactate), where a deterioration of the reflocculation was observed, probably due to different responses from different groups of microorganisms in the sludges.