Surface effects on the persistence length of quasi-one-dimensional nanomaterials are investigated by using the theory of surface elasticity and the core-shell model of nanobeams. A simple and unified expression is provided to determine the persistence length of nanowires and nanotubes with any regular polygonal cross-sections. It is demonstrated that surface effects have a distinct in- fluence on the persistence length when the characteristic sizes of materials shrink to nanometers. This work is helpful not only for understanding the size-dependent behavior of nanomaterials but also for the design of devices based on nanotubes or nanowires.
Twisting chirality is widely observed in artificial and natural materials and structures at different length scales. In this paper, we theoretically investigate the effect of twisting chiral morphology on the mechanical properties of elas- tic beams by using the Timoshenko beam model. Particular attention is paid to the transverse bending and axial buckling of a pre-twisted rectangular beam. The analytical solution is first derived for the deflection of a clamped-free beam under a uniformly or periodically distributed transverse force. The critical buckling condition of the beam subjected to its self- weight and an axial compressive force is further solved. The results show that the twisting morphology can significantly improve the resistance of beams to both transverse bending and axial buckling. This study helps understand some phenomena associated with twisting chirality in nature and provides inspirations for the design of novel devices and structures.
There have been many recent studies devoted to the consequences of stochasticity in protein circuitry. Stress conditions, including DNA damage, hypoxia, heat shock, nutrient deprivation, and oncogene activation, can result in the activation and accumulation of p53. Several experimental studies show that oscillations can be induced by DNA damage following nuclear irradiation. To explore the underlying dynamical features and the role of stochasticity, we discuss the oscillatory dynamics in the well-studied regulatory network motif. The fluctuations around the fixed point of a delayed system are Gaussian in the limit of sufficiently weak delayed feedback, and remain Gaussian along a limit cycle when viewed tangential to the trajectory. The experimental results are recapitulated in this study. We illustrate several features of the p53 activities, which are robust when the parameters change. Furthermore, the distribution in protein abundance can be characterized by its non-Gaussian nature.
Pt and its based alloy nanoparticles(NPs)have been reported to demonstrate novel enzyme-like activities.Varying composition is very important to realize the optimization of their functions through the tuning of electronic structure.In this paper,our effort is focused in this direction by tailoring the electronic structure of Pt NPs via alloying with copper.Using gold nanorod(Au NR)as core,a simple method to prepare PtCu alloy shell is developed(termed as Au@PtCu NR).The introduction of copper could result in endcap-preferred growth mode owing to the lattice mismatch between alloy shell and the Au core.The variation in the electronic structure changes the substrate affinity,and enhanced affinity was found for H2O2.Besides,the designed Au@PtCu nanostructures have realized spatial separation of catalytic and recognition sites.Binding of recognition antibodies had negligible effect on their catalytic activity.Based on their peroxidaselike activity,a highly sensitive detection of human immunoglobulin G(IgG)was demonstrated in a direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)mode.The detection limit can be as low as 90 pg/mL.
