Low frequency acoustic properties of bilayer membrane acoustic metamaterial with magnetic oscillator

A bilayer membrane acoustic metamaterial was proposed to overcome the influence of the mass law on traditional acoustic materials and obtain a lightweight thin-layer structure that can effectively isolate low frequency noise. The finite element analysis（FEA） results agree well with the experimental results.It is proved that the sound transmission losses（STLs） of the proposed structures are higher than those of same surface density acoustic materials. The introduction of the magnetic mass block is different from the traditional design method, in which only a passive mass block is fixed on the membrane. The magnetic force will cause tension in the membrane, increase membrane prestress, and improve overall structural stiffness. The effects of the geometry size on the STLs are discussed in detail. The kind of method presented in this paper can provide a new means for engineering noise control.

Application of self-consistent field theory to self-assembled bilayer membranes

Bilayer membranes self-assembled from amphiphilic molecules such as lipids, surfactants, and block copolymers are ubiquitous in biological and physiochemical systems. The shape and structure of bilayer membranes depend crucially on their mechanical properties such as surface tension, bending moduli, and line tension. Understanding how the molecular properties of the amphiphiles determine the structure and mechanics of the self-assembled bilayers requires a molecularly detailed theoretical framework. The self-consistent field theory provides such a theoretical framework, which is capable of accurately predicting the mechanical parameters of self-assembled bilayer membranes. In this mini review we summarize the formulation of the self-consistent field theory, as exemplified by a model system composed of flexible amphiphilic chains dissolved in hydrophilic polymeric solvents, and its application to the study of self-assembled bilayer membranes.

Measuring the Spontaneous Curvature of Bilayer Membranes by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

We propose a mathematically rigorous method to measure the spontaneous curvature of a bilayer membrane by molecular dynamics(MD)simulation,which provides description of the molecular mechanisms that cause the spontaneous curvature.As a main result,for the membrane setup investigated,the spontaneous curvature is proved to be a constant plus twice the mean curvature of the membrane in its tensionless ground state.The spontaneous curvature due to the built-in transbilayer asymmetry of the membrane in terms of lipid shape is studied by the proposed method.A linear dependence of the spontaneous curvature with respect to the head-bead diameter difference and the lipid mixing ratio is discovered.The consistency with the theoretical results provides evidence supporting the validity of our method.

Isomerization kineties of spirocompounds incorporated into sodium dialkylmethyl sulfate bilayer membranes

The isomerization kinetics of a spiropyran(1)and a spirooxazine(2)embedded in bilayer membranes of sodium 1-pentadecylhexadecyl sulfate(3)and sodium 1-undecyl dodecyl sulfate(4),respeatively,were investigated.The thermal decay of 2 obeyed first-order kinetics, whereas that of 1 consisted of two simultaneous first-order processes.Kinetic parameters were obtained from Arrhenius plots.

Study of Oligonucleotide Fixation on Bilayer Lipid Membranes by Patch-clamp Pipette Support

One kind of novel BLMs was fabricated by patch-clamp pipette technology characterized in considerably sensitive to changes of electrochemical parameters.Detectiye currents and voltage presented linear relationship when BLMs was formed and it could be confirmed by Gramicidin method.Ion current was increased by dihexyl (C_ (12)) modified ssDNA fixed on the BLMs and also indicated linear relationship to ssDNA's concentration due to the interaction of (C_ 12)-ssDNA and BLMs.Further more,the regression equations were different from BLMs fixed with ssDNA probe and a blank control BLM in the same experimental conditions.The ssDNA probe was successfully fixed on patch-clamp pipette supported-BLMs.Based on our studies,a biosensor with reactive element of patch-clamp pipette-supported BLMs has been established.

Influence of Heat-setting Temperature on the Microporous Structure and Properties of PP/HDPE Bilayer Microporous Membranes

Due to the mechanical stability of PP layer,the PP/HDPE double-layer microporous mem brane could be prepared at a higher heat-setting temperatu re than that of PE monolayer membrane.In this work,the effects of heat-setting temperature on the pore structure and properties of PP/HDPE dou ble-layer membrane were studied.With the increase of heat-setting temperature from 120℃to 130℃,the length of connecting bridge crystal and crystallinity in the PE layer increase due to the melting of thin lamellae and the stability of connecting bridge structure during heat-setting.The corresponding air permeability,po rosity,wetta bility of liquid electrolyte and mechanical property of the heat-set microporous membrane increase,exhibiting better electrochemical performance.However,when the heat-setting temperature is further increased to 140℃,higher than the melting point of PE resin,some pores are closed since the lamellae and connecting bridges melt and shrink during heat-setting,resulting in a decrease of air permeability and porosity.In contrast,there is negligible change in the PP layer within the above heat-setting temperature region.This study successfully builds the relationship between the stable pore structure and property of microporous membrane during heat-setting,which is helpful to guide the production of high-pe rformance PP/PE/PP lithium batteries separator.

Pair interaction of bilayer-coated nanoscopic particles

The pair interaction between bilayer membrane-coated nanosized particles has been explored by using the self- consistent field （SCF） theory. The bilayer membranes are composed of amphiphilic polymers. For different system parameters, the pair-interaction free energies are obtained. Particular emphasis is placed on the analysis of a sequence of structural transformations of bilayers on spherical particles, which occur during their approaching processes, For different head fractions of amphiphiles, the asymmetrical morphologies between bilayers on two particles and the inverted micellar intermediates have been found in the membrane fusion pathway. These results can benefit the fabrication of vesicles as encapsulation vectors for drug and gene delivery.

Homemade lyophilized cross linking amniotic sustained-release drug membrane with anti-scarring role after filtering surgery in rabbit eyes

AIM: To investigate the antifibrotic effect of the freeze-dried bilayered fibrin-binding amniotic membrane as a drug delivery system on glaucoma surgery in rabbit model. The aim of this study was to prepare a novel local delivery system for the sustained and controllable release of 5-Fu. METHODS: Twenty-four Japanese white rabbits were randomized into three groups: the experimental group (ocular trabeculectomy in combination with 5-Fu loaded freeze-dried bilayered fibrin-binding amniotic membrane transplantation), the control group (ocular trabeculectomy in combination with 5-Fu) and the blank group (single trabeculectomy). HE staining, massion staining and immunohistochemistry for alpha -SMA were performed on days 7, 14, 21 and 30 following surgery. The concentration of 5-Fu in rabbit aqueous humor was examined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) 3 days after the surgery. RESULTS: Statistical differences were noted in intraocular pressure among groups on day 7, 14, 21 and 30 following surgery. Histology further demonstrated that trabeculectomy in combination with freeze-dried bilayered fibrin-binding amniotic membrane yielded well wound healing and no scar formation and was beneficial for long term effect. CONCLUSION: HPLC showed a good slow-release effect with freeze-dried bilayered fibrin-binding amniotic membrane.

Mechanical responses of the bio-nano interface: A molecular dynamics study of graphene-coated lipid membrane

Bio-nano interfaces between biological materials and functional nanodevices are of vital importance in relevant energy and information exchange processes, which thus demand an in-depth understanding. One of the critical issues from the application viewpoint is the stability of the bio-nano hybrid under mechanical perturbations. In this work we explore mechanical responses of the interface between lipid bilayer and graphene under hydrostatic coating provides remarkable resistance to the pressure or indentation loads, We find that graphene loads, and the intercalated water layer offers additional protection. These findings are discussed based on molecular dynamics simulation results that elucidate the molecular level mechanisms, which provide a basis for the rational design of bionanotechnology- enabled aoolications such as biomedical devices and nanotheraoeutics.

Transformation of Structure and Properties of Vesicles Induced by Transition Metal Ions

This paper proved that octodecyl propylenediamine could form vesicles in pure water and aqueous solution of CuCl2 or Cu（NO3）2. The structure and morphology of vesicles were different when the copper （Ⅱ） salt was added to the solution. The results showed that both the counterions and the ligands had strong influence on the configuration of coordinated structures and packing model in bilayer membrane of vesicles.

MLKL forms cation channels

OBJECTIVE To investigate how MLKL functions on the membrane and explore its electrophysiological characters and structure.METHODS The full-length human MLKL were expressed in SF21 cells and purified using glutathione-sepharose affinity chromatography.The currents of purified MLKL proteins were recorded in avoltage-clamp mode using a Warner BC-535 bilayer clamp amplifier.The currents were digitized using p CLAMP 10.2 software.HEK293 cells were cultured and transfected with MLKL plasmid.Cell viability was examined using the Cell Titer-Glo Luminescent Cell Viability Assay kit.RESULT MLKL forms cation channels that are permeable preferentially to Mg2+rather than Ca2+in the presence of Na+and K+.Moreover,each MLKL monomer contains five transmembrane helices:H1,H2,H3,H5 and H6 of the N-terminal domain which is sufficient to form channels.Finally,MLKL-induced membrane depolarization and cell death exhibit a positive correlation to its channel activity.

Ion Channel Behavior of a Supported Bilayer Lipid Membrane Composed of 5,5-Ditetradecyl-2-(2-trimethyl-ammonioethyl)-1,3-dioxane Bromide Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A synthetic cationic surfactant, 5,5-ditetradecyl-2-(2-trimethyl-ammonioethyl)-1,3-dioxane bromide (DTDB), was used to construct a supported bilayer lipid membrane (s-BLM) coated on an underlying glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXD) and cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize the s-BLM. Both EIS and SAXD data indicated that the synthetic lipid exists as a well-oriented bilayer in the membrane. The voltammetric study showed that the lipid membrane can open ion channels in the presence of C1O4- stimulant with Ru(bpy)32+ as marker ions and give distinct channel currents. The channels can be closed and open up again many times by removing or introducing ClO4- anions.

Study of the Ion Channel Behavior of Didodecyldimethylammonium Bromide Formed Bilayer Lipid Membrane Stimulated by PF_6^-

Bilayer lipid membranes (BLM) formed from didodecyldimethylammonium bromide were made on the freshly exposed surface of a glassy carbon (GC) and were demonstrated by the ac impedance spectroscopy. The ion channels of membrane properties induced by PF -_6 were studied by the cyclic voltammetric methods. Experimental results indicated that the ion channel of BLM was open in the presence of the PF -_6 due to the interaction of PF -_6 with the BLM, while it was switched off in the absence of PF -_6. Because the ion channel behavior was affected by the concentration of PF -_6, a sensor for PF -_6 can be developed.

How the Antimicrobial Peptides Kill Bacteria:Computational Physics Insights

In the present article,coarse grained Dissipative Particle Dynamics simulation with implementation of electrostatic interactions is developed in constant pressure and surface tension ensemble to elucidate how the antimicrobial peptidemolecules affect bilayer cellmembrane structure and kill bacteria.We find that peptideswith different chemical-physical properties exhibit differentmembrane obstructing mechanisms.Peptide molecules can destroy vital functions of the affected bacteria by translocating across their membranes via worm-holes,or by associating with membrane lipids to form hydrophilic cores trapped inside the hydrophobic domain of the membranes.In the latter model,the affected membranes are strongly buckled,in accord with very recent experimental observations[G.E.Fantner et al.,Nat.Nanotech.,5(2010),pp.280-285].