Rational Design,Binding Studies,and Crystal‐Structure Evaluation of the First Ligand Targeting the Dimerization Interface of the 14‐3‐3ζ Adapter Protein

14‐3‐3 Proteins play a central role in signalling pathways in cells: they interact as gatekeeper proteins with a huge number of binding partners. Their function as hub for intracellular communication can explain why these adapter proteins are associated with a wide range of diseases. How they control the various cellular mechanisms is still unclear, but it is assumed that the dimeric nature of the 14‐3‐3 proteins plays a key role in their activity. Here, we present, to the best of our knowledge, the first example of a small molecule binding to the 14‐3‐3ζ dimerisation interface. This compound was designed by rational in silico optimisation of a peptidic ligand identified from biochemical screening of a peptidic library, and the binding was characterised by UV/Vis spectroscopy, microscale thermophoresis, multiscale simulations, and X‐ray crystallography.     

Effect of Preparation Conditions on Magnetic and Dielectric Properties of Y2MMnO6 (M = Co,Ni)

Herein we report the structure, magnetic and dielectric properties of Y₂CoMnO₆ (YCMO) and Y₂NiMnO₆ (YNMO) prepared under various conditions. On annealing in inert atmosphere, YCMO sample shows a partial decomposition while YNMO remains unaffected. Both YCMO and YNMO samples show paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition around 80 K, but only the magnetic properties of YCMO samples depend on the preparation conditions. YCMO samples show antiferromagnetic ground state in zero field and a metamagnetic transition at relatively low field (~2 T). Differences in the annealing environment do not destroy the initial antiparallel spin order in YCMO, but affect the critical fields of metamagnetic transition. The field‐dependent magnetic properties indicated soft ferromagnetic nature of YNMO samples. The dielectric measurements show distinct frequency and temperature‐dependent features in YCMO samples compared to YNMO samples. A large relative permittivity with ε? of about 10⁴ is observed in both O₂ and air‐annealed YCMO samples. Multiple dielectric relaxations are observed in all the annealed YCMO and YNMO samples.     

Performance studies of multilayer hard surface coatings (TiN/TiCN/Al2O3/TiN) of indexable carbide inserts in hard machining: Part-II (RSM,grey relational and techno economical approach)

This paper presents the mathematical modelling and parametric optimization on flank wear and surface roughness based on response surface methodology and grey-based Taguchi method in finish hard turning of AISI 4340 steel (HRC 47 ± 1) using multilayer coated carbide (TiN/TiCN/Al₂O₃/TiN) insert under dry environment. The economical feasibility of utilizing multilayer TiN coated carbide insert has been described. Model adequacy has been checked using correlation coefficients. From main effect, it is evident that, cutting speed is the most significant factor for flank wear followed by depth of cut and feed. Again, feed is the most significant factor for surface roughness followed by cutting speed and depth of cut. The coefficient of determination (R²) is more than 75% for RSM models developed, which shows the high correlation exist between the experimental and predicted values. The experimental vs. predicted values of flank wear and surface roughness (Ra and Rz) are also found to be very close to each other implying significance of models developed. The improvement of grey relational grade from initial parameter combination (d2–f3–v4) to the optimal parameter combination (d1–f1–v3) is found to be 0.3093 using grey relational analysis coupled with Taguchi method for simultaneous optimization of responses. Flank wear (VBc) and surface roughness parameters (Ra and Rz) are decreased 1.9, 2.32 and 1.5 times respectively considering optimal parametric combinations for multi-responses. The calculated total machining cost per part is only Rs. 3.17 due to higher tool life (47 min at their optimal level) of multilayer TiN coated carbide insert. It brings to the reduction of downtime and increases the savings.     

A comparative study on performance of multilayer coated and uncoated carbide inserts when turning AISI D2 steel under dry environment

The present work deals with a comparative study on flank wear, surface roughness, tool life, volume of chip removal and economical feasibility in turning high carbon high chromium AISI D2 steel with multilayer MTCVD coated [TiN/TiCN/Al₂O₃/TiN] and uncoated carbide inserts under dry cutting environment. Higher micro hardness of TiN coated carbide samples (1880 HV) compared to uncoated carbide (1430 HV) is observed and depicts better resistance against abrasion. The low erosion rate was observed in TiN coated insert compared to uncoated carbide. The tool life of TiN coated insert is found to be approximately 30 times higher than the uncoated carbide insert under similar cutting conditions and produced lower surface roughness compared to uncoated carbide insert. The dominant wear mechanism was found to be abrasion and progression of wear was steady using multilayer TiN coated carbide insert. The developed regression model shows high determination coefficient i.e. R² = 0.977 for flank wear and 0.94 for surface roughness and accurately explains the relationship between the responses and the independent variable. The machining cost per part for uncoated carbide insert is found to be 10.5 times higher than the multilayer TiN coated carbide inserts. This indicates 90.5% cost savings using multilayer TiN coated inserts by the adoption of a cutting speed of 200 m/min coupled with a tool feed rate of 0.21 mm/rev and depth of cut of 0.4 mm. Thus, TiN coated carbide tools are capable of reducing machining costs and performs better than uncoated carbide inserts in machining D2 steel.     

Modeling and optimization of Al/SiCp MMC machining using Taguchi approach

This paper presents the influence of process parameters like cutting speed, feed and depth of cut on flank wear (VBc) and surface roughness (Ra) in turning Al/SiCp metal matrix composites using uncoated tungsten carbide insert under dry environment. The experiments have been conducted based on Taguchi’s L₉ orthogonal array. Abrasion and adhesion are observed to be the principal wear mechanism from images of tool tip. No premature tool failure by chipping and fracturing was observed and machining was steady using carbide insert. Built-up-edge formation is noticed at low and higher cutting speed and at high feed combination and consequently surface quality affected adversely. The optimal parametric combination for flank wear and surface roughness are found to be v1–f1–d3 and v3–f1–d3 respectively and is greatly improved through Taguchi approach. Mathematical models for flank wear and surface roughness are found to be statistically significant.     

Novel room temperature multiferroics for random access memory elements

We have fabricated a variety of PZT-PFW (P bZr?.??Ti?.??O?)1-x(PbFe?/?W?/?O?)x [PZTFWx; 0.2 < x <0.4] single-phase tetragonal ferroelectrics via chemical solution deposition [polycrystalline] and pulsed laser deposition [epitaxial] onto Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si(100) and SrTiO?/Si substrates. These exhibit ferroelectricity and (weak) ferromagnetism above room temperature with strain coupling via electrostriction and magnetostriction. Application of modest magnetic field strength (μ?H < 1.0 T) destabilizes the long-range ferroelectric ordering and switches the polarization from approximately 22 μC/cm2 (0.22 C/m2) to zero (relaxor state). This offers the possibility of three-state logic (+P, 0, -P) and magnetically switched polarizations. Because the switching is of large magnitude (unlike the very small nanocoulomb per centimeter squared values in terbium manganites) and at room-temperature, commercial devices should be possible.     

Optical properties of zigzag twinned geometry of Zn2SnO4 nanowires

High-density single-crystalline Zn2SnO4 nanowires have been successfully synthesized by using a simple thermal evaporation method by heating a mixture of ZnO and SnO2 nano powders. The products in general contain various geometries of wires, with an average diameter of 80-100 nm. These nanowires are ultra-long, up to 100 microns. The transmission electron microscopy study showed that these nanowires exhibited zigzag twinned geometry, and grow along the (111) direction. Low-temperature photoluminescence properties of the nanowires were measured, showing a strong green emission band at about 515 nm and a weak peak corresponding to UV emission at about 378 nm, which have not been reported before.     

Synthesis of spherical NiO nanoparticles through a novel biosurfactant mediated emulsion technique

Spherical nickel oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by microemulsion technique using rhamnolipids as the surfactant along with n-heptane and water. Nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)₂) particles were first formed which were then calcined to obtain nickel oxide (NiO) particles. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies revealed that the synthesized nickel hydroxide particles were spherical in shape with stacked lamellar sheets. Nickel hydroxide was converted to nickel oxide by calcinations at 600 °C for 3 h and was confirmed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) showed that the nickel oxide particles were crystalline and of uniform size. The effect of pH on particle size was investigated and it was found that the particle size decreased from 86 ± 8 nm at pH 11.6 to 47 ± 5 nm at pH 12.5. A novel method using rhamnolipid biosurfactant for microemulsion synthesis has been demonstrated which offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional microemulsion technique based on organic surfactants.