Asymmetry in the Multiprotein Systems of Molecular Biology

Signaling in living systems needs to achieve high specificity, to be reversible, and to achieve high signal to noise. Signaling mediated by multiprotein systems has evolved that avoids the requirement for high-affinity binary complexes that would be difficult to reverse and which, in the overcrowded cell, would lead to excessive noise in the system. Symmetrical structures are only occasionally formed. When they are, it is principally to colocate components, for example, the tyrosyl kinases of growth factors, where dimers form. Symmetry is, however, often broken, presumably to create more sensitivity and specificity in the signaling system by assembling other components, into higher-order multiprotein systems. The binding of a single heparin to two 1:1 FGF:FGFR complexes is an example, as is the binding of a single ligase to the Xrcc4 dimer, perhaps so creating a further DNA-binding site.     

“Optimization of aircraft maintenance/support infrastructure using genetic algorithms—level of repair analysis”

Level of repair analysis (LORA) is an approach used during the design stage of complex equipment for analysis of the cost effectiveness of competing maintenance strategies. LORA is carried as a part of the life cycle cost and cost of ownership analysis and plays a significant role in minimizing the life cycle cost and cost of ownership of the capital equipment. Since many purchasing decisions of complex equipment are based on cost of ownership, it has become essential to carry out LORA to compete in the market. In this paper, we develop a mathematical model for LORA and propose a solution methodology based on genetic algorithms. The concept is illustrated using a hypothetical aircraft engine.     

Strength of cylinder joint adhesively bonded by coupling

Summary A method of joining two metal cylindrical shafts with adhesive coupling is proposed. Two cylindrical shafts with the same diameter are connected by bonding through a cylindrical coupling with epoxy resin. The strength of the shaft joint under tensile loading and torsional loading is investigated analytically and experimentally. The stress and strain distributions of the shaft joint is analyzed by the finite element method. The analyzed strain distributions in the joint are compared with experimental values. The joint strength is predicted by applying the strength laws of shafts, coupling, adhesive layer and adhesive interface between shaft and adhesive coupling. The effects of the coupling dimension on the joint strength are examined. It is shown that the adhesive shaft joint can transfer the load by which the cylindrical shafts are plastically deformed.This paper was refined by the author, K. Ikegami, during statying at Technische Universität München under the support of Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdients. The author is grateful to Professor Lippmann of Technische Universität München who is the host professor of the support.     

Acrylic acid level and adhesive performance and peel master‐curves of acrylic pressure‐sensitive adhesives

Three series of pressure‐sensitive adhesives were prepared with constant glass‐transition temperature, using emulsion polymerization. The monomers chosen were butyl acrylate, 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and acrylic acid (AA). Within each polymer series, the proportion of AA monomer was held constant for each polymer preparation but acrylic ester monomer levels were varied. Adhesion performance was assessed by measurement of loop tack, static shear resistance, and through the construction of peel master‐curves. Peel master‐curves were generated through peel tests conducted over a range of temperatures and peel rates and through application of the time–temperature superposition principle. Bulk effects dominated by polymer zero shear viscosity change as AA and EHA levels were varied were attributed to the observed effect on static shear resistance and the horizontal displacements of peel master‐curves. Static shear resistance was found to strongly correlate with log(a_C), a parameter introduced to horizontally shift peel master‐curves to form a superposed, “super master‐curve”. An interfacial interaction was proposed to account for deviations observed when loop tack was correlated with log(a_C). Surface rearrangements via hydrogen bonding with the test substrate were suggested as responsible for the interfacial interaction. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1237–1252, 2006     

共聚酯型热熔粘结纤维结晶结构及其熔融行为

采用DSC与WAXD相结合的方法研究了两个系列的无规嵌段共聚酯型热熔粘结纤维的结晶结构并探讨了系列样品的熔融行为.实验表明,以最低熔融温度为界,可将样品分为两组,每组只含一种可结晶单元的结晶.其结构与物理机械性质随该可结晶单元的加入量而有规律的变化.纤维的粘结性能则取决于非晶区结构,非晶区分子链柔性增加,会明显改善粘结效果.     

Development in the area of UV-crosslinkable solvent-based pressure-sensitive adhesives with excellent shrinkage resistance

Solvent-based UV-crosslinkable pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) present a new class of products that offers the potential to produce a novel generation of ultraviolet cured self-adhesive products with excellent shrinkage resistance. A variety of solvent-based pressure-sensitive adhesives were prepared by synthesis in ethyl acetate with solid content on 50 wt.% with 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, acrylic acid, N-vinyl caprolactam and unsaturated photoinitiators: 4-acryloyloxy benzophenone, allyl benzoine and phenyl-(1-acryloyloxy)-cyclohexyl ketone. The main emphasis is given to the influence of viscosity and molecular mass of synthesized adhesive on their shrinkage. Further trials show the effect of the UV-crosslinking process with UV-lamp and comparison with acrylics PSA crosslinked with metal chelates aluminium acetylacetonate and titanium acetylacetonate on shrinkage. Further examinations describe the influence of various factors such as UV exposure time and UV dose on very relevant PSA performance such as shrinkage on coated PVC carrier.     

Synthesis of oligonucleotides containing an O-G-alkyl-O-G interstrand cross-link

A methodology to synthesize oligonucleotides containing an alkyl interstrand cross-link between the two O6 atoms of deoxyguanosine has been developed. This cross-link is designed to serve as a stable structural mimic of the lesion formed in duplex DNA with the bifunctional alkylating agent hepsulfam. The O6-alkyl coupling is performed via a Mitsunobu reaction between a nucleoside and mono-protected 1,7-heptanediol. Solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis using a nucleoside bis-phosphoramidite allows for the assembly of the cross-linked duplex. Sufficient quantities of this cross-linked duplex were obtained for various structural and biological investigations.     

Autonomous-Strengthening Adhesive Provides Hydrolysis-Resistance and Enhanced Mechanical Properties in Wet Conditions

The low-viscosity adhesive that is used to bond composite restorative materials to the tooth is readily damaged by acids, enzymes, and oral fluids. Bacteria infiltrate the resulting gaps at the composite/tooth interface, demineralize the tooth, and further erode the adhesive. This paper presents the preparation and characterization of a low-crosslink-density hydrophilic adhesive that capitalizes on sol-gel reactions and free-radical polymerization to resist hydrolysis and provide enhanced mechanical properties in wet environments. Polymerization behavior, water sorption, and leachates were investigated. Dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) were conducted using water-saturated adhesives to mimic load transfer in wet conditions. Data from all tests were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests (α = 0.05). The degree of conversion was comparable for experimental and control adhesives at 88.3 and 84.3%, respectively. HEMA leachate was significantly lower for the experimental (2.9 wt%) compared to control (7.2 wt%). After 3 days of aqueous aging, the storage and rubbery moduli and the glass transition temperature of the experimental adhesive (57.5MPa, 12.8MPa, and 38.7 °C, respectively) were significantly higher than control (7.4MPa, 4.3 MPa, and 25.9 °C, respectively). The results indicated that the autonomic sol-gel reaction continues in the wet environment, leading to intrinsic reinforcement of the polymer network, improved hydrolytic stability, and enhanced mechanical properties.     

颜面赝复体粘接剂的红外光谱分析

传统的颜面赝复体粘接剂按其成分可分为聚丙烯酸酯类和有机硅类。以往对于颜面赝复体粘接剂性能的研究,多为粘接强度的测试,而有关这些粘接剂在粘接过程中的变化研究则较少见。文章测试了两种颜面赝复体粘接剂 (Epithane3及Secure2 Adhesive)在液态、半固态时的红外光谱。结果提示,Epithane3结固过程中有水分和残留氨的挥发,Secure2 Adhesive结固过程中表现为乙酸乙酯挥发。有机硅官能团是有机硅类和硅橡胶的粘接强度比聚丙烯酸酯类高的关键。两种粘接剂红外光谱主要吸收峰的峰位、峰形与结固前相同, 表明结固前后其主要化学成分和基本结构未发生变化。