Structural Aspects and Prediction of Calmodulin-Binding Proteins

Calmodulin (CaM) is an important intracellular protein that binds Ca²⁺ and functions as a critical second messenger involved in numerous biological activities through extensive interactions with proteins and peptides. CaM’s ability to adapt to binding targets with different structures is related to the flexible central helix separating the N- and C-terminal lobes, which allows for conformational changes between extended and collapsed forms of the protein. CaM-binding targets are most often identified using prediction algorithms that utilize sequence and structural data to predict regions of peptides and proteins that can interact with CaM. In this review, we provide an overview of different CaM-binding proteins, the motifs through which they interact with CaM, and shared properties that make them good binding partners for CaM. Additionally, we discuss the historical and current methods for predicting CaM binding, and the similarities and differences between these methods and their relative success at prediction. As new CaM-binding proteins are identified and classified, we will gain a broader understanding of the biological processes regulated through changes in Ca²⁺ concentration through interactions with CaM.     

Effects of Cu on the corrosion behavior and microstructure of Mg–Zn–Ca bulk metallic glass

For the purpose of developing biodegradable magnesium alloys with suitable properties for biomedical applications, Mg–Zn–Ca–Cu metallic glasses were prepared by copper mold injection methods. In the present work, the effect of Cu doping on mechanical properties, corrosion behavior, and glass-forming ability of Mg₆₆Zn₃₀Ca₄ alloy was studied. The experimental findings demonstrated that the incorporation of Cu decreases the corrosion resistance of alloys, but increases the microhardness and degradation rate slightly. However, the addition of a trace amount of Cu can make the samples have antibacterial properties. Therefore, Mg–Zn–Ca–Cu has great advantages in clinical implantation and is the potential implant material.     

Synergistic effect of bulk phase doping and layered-spinel structure formation on improving electrochemical performance of Li-Rich cathode material

In this study, La was doped into the lithium layer of Li-rich cathode material and formed a layered-spinel hetero-structure. The morphology, crystal structure, element valence and kinetics of lithium ion migration were studied by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The La doped lithium-rich cathode material exhibited similar initial discharge capacity of 262.8 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C compared with the undoped material, but the discharge capacity retention rate can be obviously improved to 90% after 50 cycles at 1.0 C. Besides that, much better rate capability and Li⁺ diffusion coefficient were observed. The results revealed that La doping not only stabilized the material structure and reduced the Li/Ni mixing degree, but also induced the generation of spinel phase to provide three-dimensional diffusion channels for lithium ion migration. Moreover, the porous structure of the doped samples also contributed to the remarkable excellent electrochemical performance. All of these factors combined to significantly improve the electrochemical performance of the material.     

Enhanced thermal conductivity and stability of boron nitride/phenyl silicone rubber composites via surface modification and grain alignment

Journal of Materials Science - With the extensive use of high-power electronic appliances, polymer-based thermal insulation composites with excellent thermal properties are utilized in the field of...     

Rheological phase reaction synthesis and electrochemical performance of LiFe2/3Mn1/3PO4/C cathode for lithium-ion batteries

LiFe_2/3Mn_1/3PO₄/C composite was prepared by the rheological phase reaction using LiH₂PO₄, Li₂CO₃, FePO₄, Mn(Ac)₂·4H₂O and ascorbic acid as starting materials. The crystal structure and morphology of as-synthesized sample were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The analysis of XRD results showed that the obtained sample was single-phase with orthorhombic olivine-type structure (Pnma space group). SEM micrographs revealed that the sample was aggregates, with an irregular morphology. The initial discharge capacity was 166.9, 149.1, 139.6, 112.8, 82.93 mAh g^??1 at the rate of 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 10 C, respectively. And when the rate was 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 10 C, the capacity retention was 92.2%, 90%, 92.9%, 97.6%, 91.5% after 50, 100, 200, 200, 500 cycles, respectively.

     

电力杆塔地脚螺栓的防腐处理研究

电力杆塔地脚螺栓是杆塔基础的重要组成部分,起着稳固杆塔的作用.随着电力基建的大规模开展,电力杆塔数量也日渐增加,而绝大多数电力杆塔均运行在复杂的野外环境之中,容易导致各类的腐蚀问题.地脚螺栓也因此经常处于各种恶劣环境中,引起的腐蚀问题将严重影响杆塔的安全使用.本文在分析电力杆塔地脚螺栓防腐处理现状的基础上,对地脚螺栓常见的腐蚀原因进行研究,并探讨了几种防腐处理措施,对实际防腐工作有一定指导意义.     

欧美大型钢制低温储罐抗震设计方法对比分析

以欧美标准中的单包容与全包容低温储罐中的钢制储罐抗震设计方法为分析对象，从抗震设防水准与目标、抗震设计反应谱以及抗震设计准则如地震作用调整系数、阻尼比、载荷组合、抗震许用应力、抗倾覆与滑移、晃动波高等方面进行分析对比，为欧美低温储罐抗震设计方法的工程应用提供参考。为实现抗震设防目标以及与该国(区域)建筑抗震以及荷载标准体系协调，欧美低温储罐抗震各设计准则均存在一定的差异，工程设计时应合理应用以避免安全隐患。