Accelerated Design of Eutectic High Entropy Alloys by ICME Approach

Eutectic high entropy alloy with seven components is designed based on the integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) framework. The framework includes thermodynamic prediction using calculation of phase diagrams (CALPHAD), microstructure simulation using phase-field method, and experimental validation. The designed alloy shows the eutectic structure consisting of FCC and laves phase in the composition range from 8.25 to 10 at. pct Ta. The simulation and experimental results are co-related and a framework is proposed that can be used for high entropy alloy design subjected to various manufacturing processes.

     

Synthesis of nanostructured copper hexacyanidoferrate and its application in voltammeteric detection of salbutamol

Nanostructured copper hexacyanidoferrate has been synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, thermal and infrared spectral studies. The transmission electron microscopic studies of the synthesized material showed that it consisted of irregular oval and rod shaped particles with a size range 70–100 nm. Nanostructured copper hexacyanidoferrate modified glassy carbon electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetery and nanostructured copper hexacyanidoferrate–carbon nanotube composite material modified glassy carbon electrode has been used for electrocatalytic oxidation of salbutamol. The electrode modified with composite material was found to reduce the peak potential of oxidation of salbutamol by nearly 90 mV.     

The Plasminogen–Activator Plasmin System in Physiological and Pathophysiological Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is a process associated with the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells (EC) to form new blood vessels. It is involved in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions and is controlled by a wide range of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic molecules. The plasminogen activator–plasmin system plays a major role in the extracellular matrix remodeling process necessary for angiogenesis. Urokinase/tissue-type plasminogen activators (uPA/tPA) convert plasminogen into the active enzyme plasmin, which in turn activates matrix metalloproteinases and degrades the extracellular matrix releasing growth factors and proangiogenic molecules such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A). The plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the main inhibitor of uPA and tPA, thereby an inhibitor of pericellular proteolysis and intravascular fibrinolysis, respectively. Paradoxically, PAI-1, which is expressed by EC during angiogenesis, is elevated in several cancers and is found to promote angiogenesis by regulating plasmin-mediated proteolysis and by promoting cellular migration through vitronectin. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) also induces EC cellular migration during angiogenesis via interacting with signaling partners. Understanding the molecular functions of the plasminogen activator plasmin system and targeting angiogenesis via blocking serine proteases or their interactions with other molecules is one of the major therapeutic strategies scientists have been attracted to in controlling tumor growth and other pathological conditions characterized by neovascularization.     

Estimation of the Kubelka—Munk scattering coefficient from single particle scattering parameters

Computer colour matching of paints is based on the determination of the Kubelka—Munk absorption (K) and scattering coefficients (S) of pigments. K and S are sensitive to particle size in the range of sizes employed in paint technology. The K—M theory does not provide any guidelines for the correction of the values of K and S with a change in particle size. On the other hand the Mie theory linear scattering coefficient can be calculated from a knowledge of size and refractive index of the pigment. A number of relations correlating the K—M scattering coefficient and the linear scattering coefficient have been proposed in the literature. Attempts are made to estimate the K—M scattering coefficient using a relation suggested by Mudgett and Richards and to make a comparison with experimental values. The Mie theory equations being complex, simplified equations applicable to pigment sizes for the calculation of Mie theory parameters are proposed. The viability of the simplified equations has been established by comparing the results with those obtained using the full Mie equations.The K—M scattering coefficient for titanium dioxide pigments has been determined from reflectance measurements. The particle size of titanium dioxide has been determined by a light scattering method. The K—M scattering coefficient calculated from the linear scattering coefficient obtained using the simplified expressions agrees with experimental results. This suggests a method for the correction of the values of K and S with changes in pigment particle size.     

Nanomedicine-Based Delivery Strategies for Breast Cancer Treatment and Management

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women globally. It is caused by mutations in the estrogen/progesterone receptors and conventional treatment methods are commonly utilized. About 70–80 percent of individuals with the early-stage non-metastatic disease may be cured. Conventional treatment is far less than the optimal ratio, as demonstrated through the high mortality rate of women with this cancer. However, conventional treatment methods like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are not as effective as expected and lead to concerns about low bioavailability, low cellular uptake, emerging resistance, and adverse toxicities. A nanomedicine-based approach is a promising alternative for breast cancer treatment. The present era is witnessing rapid advancements in nanomedicine as a platform for investigating novel therapeutic applications and modern intelligent healthcare management strategies. This paper focuses on nanomedicine-based therapeutic interventions that are becoming more widely accepted for improving treatment effectiveness and reducing undesired side effects in breast cancer patients. By evaluating the state-of-the-art tools and taking the challenges involved into consideration, various aspects of the proposed nano-enabled therapeutic approaches have been discussed in this review.     

Deep defect determination by the constant photocurrent method (CPM) in annealed or light soaked amorphous hydrogenated silicon (a-Si:H)

We present systematic measurements of CPM on two independent series of slightly phosphorous and boron doped films. For “n-type” samples of both series, the CPM deep defect absorption is proportional to the square root of the gas dopant ratio. For these samples we discuss the influence of Fermi level on the CPM spectra. For slightly “p-type” samples, CPM deep defect absorption as evaluated by CPM becomes higher than the corresponding PDS-values. This fundamental problem can be traced back to the violation of two basic conditions necessary for a correct evaluation of the absorption from CPM measurements: (1) the power law exponent γ (Rose factor) of the photoconductivity must be spectrally independent, and (2) the generation rate G, which corresponds to the CPM photocurrent, also has to be spectrally independent. Further, we compare the annealed and the “saturated” light soaked states of selected slightly doped samples and an undoped sample: the variations in the CPM deep defect absorption and in photoconductivity due to light-soaking are discussed.     

The Amy Diam Group

正在印度文化中,钻石在3000年的时间长河里占据着稀罕珍贵又非凡的地位。作为一种象征着勇气和生命力的法宝,钻石深受皇宫贵族的喜爱而常常被佩戴于身上。爱美钻石集团成立于半世纪以前。多年来,秉持创业之初对于钻石的热爱,爱美钻石集团成为专门为行业内高端珠宝品牌公司提供美钻的供应商,并享誉全球。得益于我们多年来对于钻石制造工艺的精益求精,如今我们终于有能力推出一款拥有完美切工     

Physical properties of ceramides: effect of fatty acid hydroxylation

The structural and thermotropic properties of alpha-hydroxy fatty acid (HFA) and non-hydroxy fatty acid (NFA) ceramides (CER) have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction techniques. The DSC of anhydrous HFA-CER shows a single, sharp reversible transition at 95.6 degrees C (delta H = 15.3 kcal/mol). At intermediate hydrations HFA-CER exhibited more complex behavior but at maximum hydration only a single reversible transition is observed at 80.0 degrees C (delta H = 8.5 kcal/mol). X-ray diffraction of hydrated (74% water) HFA-CER at 20 degrees C shows a lamellar structure with a bilayer periodicity d = 60.7 Angstrum; a single wide angle reflection at 4.2 Angstrum is characteristic of hexagonal chain packing. Above the main transition temperature at 91 degrees C, a hexagonal (HII) phase is observed. In contrast, DSC of anhydrous NFA-CER demonstrates two thermal transitions at 81.3 degrees C (delta H = 6.8 kcal/mol) and 85.9 degrees C (delta H = 3.5 kcal/mol). With increasing hydration, both transitions shift towards lower temperatures; at maximum hydration, on heating, the endothermic transitions occur at 72.7 degrees C (delta H = 9.8 kcal/mol) and 81.1 degrees C (delta H = 4.0 kcal/mol). On cooling, there is hysteresis of both transitions. X-ray diffraction of NFA-CER (80% water) at 20 degrees C shows a well-ordered lamellar structure with a bilayer periodicity d = 58.6 Angstrum and three wide-angle reflections at 4.6 Angstrum, 4.2 Angstrum, and 3.8 Angstrum. At 77 degrees C (between the two transitions), again a lamellar structure exists with reduced bilayer periodicity d = 53.1 Angstrum and four wide-angle reflections at 4.6 Angstrum, 4.2 Angstrum, and 3.8 Angstrum are observed. Above the second transition, only a single low angle reflection at 30.0 Angstrum is observed; a diffuse reflection at 4.6 Angstrum is indicative of a melted chain phase. Thus, HFA-CER exhibits a simple phase behavior involving the reversible conversion of a gel phase to a hexagonal phase (L beta-->HII). However, NFA-CER shows a more complex polymorphic phase behavior involving two gel phases.     

Deciphering the Effect of Lysine Acetylation on the Misfolding and Aggregation of Human Tau Fragment 171IPAKTPPAPK180 Using Molecular Dynamic Simulation and the Markov State Model

The formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) with β-sheet-rich structure caused by abnormal aggregation of misfolded microtubule-associated protein Tau is a hallmark of tauopathies, including Alzheimer’s Disease. It has been reported that acetylation, especially K174 located in the proline-rich region, can largely promote Tau aggregation. So far, the mechanism of the abnormal acetylation of Tau that affects its misfolding and aggregation is still unclear. Therefore, revealing the effect of acetylation on Tau aggregation could help elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of tauopathies. In this study, molecular dynamics simulation combined with multiple computational analytical methods were performed to reveal the effect of K174 acetylation on the spontaneous aggregation of Tau peptide ¹⁷¹IPAKTPPAPK¹⁸⁰, and the dimerization mechanism as an early stage of the spontaneous aggregation was further specifically analyzed by Markov state model (MSM) analysis. The results showed that both the actual acetylation and the mutation mimicking the acetylated state at K174 induced the aggregation of the studied Tau fragment; however, the effect of actual acetylation on the aggregation was more pronounced. In addition, acetylated K174 plays a major contributing role in forming and stabilizing the antiparallel β-sheet dimer by forming several hydrogen bonds and side chain van der Waals interactions with residues I171, P172, A173 and T175 of the corresponding chain. In brief, this study uncovered the underlying mechanism of Tau peptide aggregation in response to the lysine K174 acetylation, which can deepen our understanding on the pathogenesis of tauopathies.