Isolation and Self-Association Studies of Beta-Lactoglobulin

The aim of this study was to investigate isolated β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) from the whey protein isolate (WPI) solution using the column chromatography with SP Sephadex. The physicochemical characterization (self-association, the pH stability in various salt solutions, the identification of oligomeric forms) of the protein obtained have been carried out. The electrophoretically pure β-LG fraction was obtained at pH 4.8. The fraction was characterized by the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS) technique. The use of the HCCA matrix indicated the presence of oligomeric β-LG forms, while the SA and DHB matrices enabled the differentiation of A and B isoforms in the sample. The impact of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, ammonium sulfate, and sodium citrate in dispersion medium on β-LG electrophoretic stability in solution was also studied. Type of the dispersion medium led to the changes in the isoelectric point of protein. Sodium citrate stabilizes protein in comparison to ammonium sulfate. Additionally, the potential of capillary electrophoresis (CE) with UV detection using bare fused capillary to monitor β-LG oligomerization was discussed. Obtained CE data were further compared by the asymmetric flow field flow fractionation coupled with the multi-angle light scattering detector (AF4-MALS). It was shown that the β-LG is a monomer at pH 3.0, dimer at pH 7.0. At pH 5.0 (near the isoelectric point), oligomers with structures from dimeric to octameric are formed. However, the appearance of the oligomers equilibrium is dependent on the concentration of protein. The higher quantity of protein leads to the formation of the octamer. The far UV circular dichroism (CD) spectra carried out at pH 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0 confirmed that β-sheet conformation is dominant at pH 3.0, 5.0, while at pH 7.0, this conformation is approximately in the same quantity as α-helix and random structures.     

基于Petri网的港区综合能源系统优化调度建模研究

港区是交通行业重点耗能领域,如何提高能源利用效率、减少环境污染、实现综合能源管理是共同关注的话题.所以要进行综合能源的一体化设计,实现港区用能效率最优,提高能源基础设施利用率.在分析港区综合能源系统和负荷系统的基础上,采用多Agent系统和着色Petri网理论,建立港区综合能源系统优化调度模型,根据用电负荷合理分配综合...     

Difference in miRNA Expression in Functioning and Silent Corticotroph Pituitary Adenomas Indicates the Role of miRNA in the Regulation of Corticosteroid Receptors

Corticotroph pituitary adenomas commonly cause Cushing’s disease (CD), but some of them are clinically silent. The reason why they do not cause endocrinological symptoms remains unclear. We used data from small RNA sequencing in adenomas causing CD (n = 28) and silent ones (n = 20) to explore the role of miRNA in hormone secretion and clinical status of the tumors. By comparing miRNA profiles, we identified 19 miRNAs differentially expressed in clinically functioning and silent corticotroph adenomas. The analysis of their putative target genes indicates a role of miRNAs in regulation of the corticosteroid receptors expression. Adenomas causing CD have higher expression of hsa-miR-124-3p and hsa-miR-135-5p and lower expression of their target genes NR3C1 and NR3C2. The role of hsa-miR-124-3p in the regulation of NR3C1 was further validated in vitro using AtT-20/D16v-F2 cells. The cells transfected with miR-124-3p mimics showed lower levels of glucocorticoid receptor expression than control cells while the interaction between miR-124-3p and NR3C1 3′ UTR was confirmed using luciferase reporter assay. The results indicate a relatively small difference in miRNA expression between clinically functioning and silent corticotroph pituitary adenomas. High expression of hsa-miR-124-3p in adenomas causing CD plays a role in the regulation of glucocorticoid receptor level and probably in reducing the effect of negative feedback mediated by corticosteroids.     

CO2 adsorption and activation over γ-Al2O3-supported transition metal dimers: A density functional study

Catalytic conversion of CO₂ to liquid fuels has the benefit of reducing CO₂ emission. Adsorption and activation of CO₂ on the catalyst surface are key steps of the conversion. Herein, we used density functional theory (DFT) slab calculations to study CO₂ adsorption and activation over the γ-Al₂O₃-supported 3d transition metal dimers (M₂/γ-Al₂O₃, M = Sc–Cu). CO₂ was found to adsorb on M₂/γ-Al₂O₃ negatively charged and in a bent configuration, indicating partial activation of CO₂. Our results showed that both the metal dimer and the γ-Al₂O₃ support contribute to the activation of the adsorbed CO₂. The presence of a metal dimer enhances the interaction of CO₂ with the substrate. Consequently, the adsorption energy of CO₂ on M₂/γ-Al₂O₃ is significantly higher than that on the γ-Al₂O₃ surface without the metal dimer. The decreasing binding strength of CO₂ on M₂/γ-Al₂O₃ as M₂ changes from Sc₂ to Cu₂ was attributed to decreasing electron-donation by the supported metal dimers. Hydroxylation of the support surface reduces the amount of charge transferred to CO₂ for the same metal dimer and weakens the CO₂ chemisorption bonds. Highly dispersed metal particles maintained at a small size are expected to exhibit good activity toward CO₂ adsorption and activation.     

Pillared smectite modified with carbon and manganese as catalyst for SCR of NOx with NH3. Part I. General characterization and catalyst screening

Carbon- and manganese-modified zirconia-pillared smectites were prepared, characterized (XRD, BET and pore analysis, XPS) and tested in selective catalytic reduction of NO_x with NH₃. Both untreated and acidic pretreated smectites were used. The acid pretreatment increased NO conversion and influenced the extent of carbon introduction into the porous system. The carbon deposit improved selectivity of the catalytic reduction to N₂. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

单晶金刚石外延层生长工艺研究

目的 研究高质量单晶金刚石外延生长工艺。方法 使用X射线白光形貌束分析了等离子体表面刻蚀处理前后单晶金刚石位错密度的变化,随后使用等离子体刻蚀预处理工艺,通过改变沉积温度研究了其对金刚石质量的影响。为了表征温度对单晶金刚石质量的影响程度,使用拉曼光谱和X射线衍射摇摆曲线等方法分析了单晶金刚石质量以及位错密度的变化情况,进而确定沉积高质量单晶金刚石最佳的沉积温度。结果 X射线白光形貌束结果显示,未进行氢氧等离子体表面刻蚀的籽晶生长之后,由于表面微加工、抛光引入的位错或者微裂纹,导致生长层位错增多;同时,氢氧等离子体表面刻蚀实验结果显示,刻蚀时间并非越长越好;使用刻蚀处理过的单晶金刚石籽晶进行不同温度外延生长实验,籽晶刻蚀后生长的金刚石拉曼峰位均在1332.5 cm?1附近,半高宽为2~3 cm?1之间。在900 ℃沉积之后,X射线摇摆曲线半高宽仅为0.009。结论 使用氢氧微波等离子体刻蚀单晶金刚石,800 ℃刻蚀40 min,可以基本消除因微加工或者抛光引入的位错或者缺陷。经过刻蚀处理的籽晶在900 ℃制备出的单晶金刚石质量最高,位错最少,可以满足高质量单晶金刚石的制备。     

Multiscale analyses and characterizations of surface topographies

This work studies multiscale analyses and characterizations of surface topographies from the engineering and scientific literature with an emphasis on production engineering research and design. It highlights methods that provide strong correlations between topographies and performance or topographies and processes, and methods that can confidently discriminate topographies that were processed or that perform differently. These methods have commonalities in geometric characterizations at certain scales, which are observable with statistics and measurements. It also develops a semantic and theoretical framework and proposes a new system for organizing and designating multiscale analyses. Finally, future possibilities for multiscale analyses are discussed.     

Curing and Morphology Studies of Thermosets from Blends of a Main Chain Liquid Crystalline Polyester and Diepoxide/Diamine

Summary: Blends of the commercial liquid‐crystalline polyester Rodrun LC‐3000 (60–90 wt.‐%) with a bisphenol A‐diglycidyl ether based diepoxide (DOW D.E.R.330) and an aromatic diamine (MCDEA) prepared in a twin‐screw extruder have been compression‐moulded and cured either isothermally at 260 °C or in a temperature ramp between 160 and 230 °C. The blends were investigated with SEM and thermal analysis (DSC, DMTA). Blends with 80% Rodrun and less cured at 260 °C and the blend containing 60% Rodrun cured in a temperature ramp showed macro‐phase separation followed by reaction‐induced micro‐phase separation (RIPS) both in the Rodrun‐rich and in the epoxy‐rich macro‐separated phases. Blends containing 90, 80 and 70% Rodrun moulded at 160 °C and cured in the temperature ramp showed only RIPS and a morphology rather similar to that of the uncured blends that was most likely co‐continuous; the blend with 90% Rodrun cured at 260 °C showed RIPS and a dispersed epoxy phase in a Rodrun matrix. Phase composition has been determined by extraction of the soluble fraction and chemical analysis.

SEM showing the reaction induced micro‐phase separation for sample REA90/10i.