Binding energies and electronic structures of adsorbed titanium chains on carbon nanotubes

We have studied the binding energies and electronic structures of metal (Ti, Al, Au) chains adsorbed on single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) using first principles methods. Our calculations have shown that titanium is much more favored energetically over gold and aluminum to form a continuous chain on a variety of SWNTs. The interaction between titanium and carbon nanotube significantly modifies the electronic structures around Fermi energy for both zigzag and armchair tubes. The delocalized 3d electrons from the titanium chain generate additional states in the band gap regions of the semiconducting tubes, transforming them into metals.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Pulmonary lesion induced by low and high positive end-expiratory pressure levels during protective ventilation in experimental acute lung injury.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of low and high levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), without recruitment maneuvers, during lung protective ventilation in an experimental model of acute lung injury (ALI). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, and controlled experimental study. SETTING: University research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control (C) [saline (0.1 mL), intraperitoneally] and ALI [paraquat (15 mg/kg), intraperitoneally] groups. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: After 24 hours, each group was further randomized into four groups (six rats each) at different PEEP levels = 1.5, 3, 4.5, or 6 cm H2O and ventilated with a constant tidal volume (6 mL/kg) and open thorax. Lung mechanics [static elastance (Est, L) and viscoelastic pressure (DeltaP2, L)] and arterial blood gases were measured before (Pre) and at the end of 1-hour mechanical ventilation (Post). Pulmonary histology (light and electron microscopy) and type III procollagen (PCIII) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were measured after 1 hour of mechanical ventilation. In ALI group, low and high PEEP levels induced a greater percentage of increase in Est, L (44% and 50%) and DeltaP2, L (56% and 36%) in Post values related to Pre. Low PEEP yielded alveolar collapse whereas high PEEP caused overdistension and atelectasis, with both levels worsening oxygenation and increasing PCIII mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: In the present nonrecruited ALI model, protective mechanical ventilation with lower and higher PEEP levels than required for better oxygenation increased Est, L and DeltaP2, L, the amount of atelectasis, and PCIII mRNA expression. PEEP selection titrated for a minimum elastance and maximum oxygenation may prevent lung injury while deviation from these settings may be harmful

Multiscale Analysis of Fracture of Carbon Nanotubes Embedded in Composites

Abstract. Due to the enormous difference in the scales involved in correlating the macroscopic prop-erties with the micro- and nano-physical mechanisms of carbon nanotube-reinforced composites, mul-tiscale mechanics analysis is of considerable interest. A hybrid atomistic/continuum mechanics method is established in the present paper to study the deformation and fracture behaviors of carbon nanotu-bes (CNTs) in composites. The unit cell containing a CNT embedded in a matrix is divided in three regions, which are simulated by the atomic-potential method, the continuum method based on the modified Cauchy–Born rule, and the classical continuum mechanics, respectively. The effect of CNT interaction is taken into account via the Mori–Tanaka effective field method of micromechanics. This method not only can predict the formation of Stone–Wales (5-7-7-5) defects, but also simulate the subsequent deformation and fracture process of CNTs. It is found that the critical strain of defect nucleation in a CNT is sensitive to its chiral angle but not to its diameter. The critical strain of Stone–Wales defect formation of zigzag CNTs is nearly twice that of armchair CNTs. Due to the constraint effect of matrix, the CNTs embedded in a composite are easier to fracture in compari-son with those not embedded. With the increase in the Young’s modulus of the matrix, the critical breaking strain of CNTs decreases

Finite crystal elasticity of carbon nanotubes based on the exponential Cauchy-Born rule

A finite deformation continuum theory is derived from interatomic potentials for the analysis of the mechanics of carbon nanotubes. This nonlinear elastic theory is based on an extension of the Cauchy-Born rule called the exponential Cauchy-Born rule. The continuum object replacing the graphene sheet is a surface without thickness. The method systematically addresses both the characterization of the small strain elasticity of nanotubes and the simulation at large strains. Elastic moduli are explicitly expressed in terms of the functional form of the interatomic potential. The expression for the flexural stiffness of graphene sheets, which cannot be obtained from standard crystal elasticity, is derived. We also show that simulations with the continuum model combined with the finite element method agree very well with zero temperature atomistic calculations involving severe deformations.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Secretory immunoglobulin A: from mucosal protection to vaccine development.

Immune responses taking place in mucosal tissues are typified by secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) molecules, which are assembled from proteins expressed in two cell lineages. The heavy and light chains as well as the J chain are produced in plasma cells, whereas the secretory component (SC) is associated to the immunoglobulin complex during transcytosis across the epithelial layer. S-IgA antibodies represent the predominant immunoglobulin class in external secretions, and the best defined entity providing specific immune protection for mucosal surfaces by blocking attachment of bacteria and viruses. S-IgA constitutes greater than 80% of all antibodies produced in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues in humans. The existence of a common mucosal immune system permits immunization on one mucosal surface to induce secretion of antigen-specific S-IgA at distant sites. In addition, S-IgA antibodies not only function in external secretions, but also exert their antimicrobial properties within the epithelial cell during transport across the epithelium. Passive mucosal delivery of monoclonal IgA molecules neutralizes pathogens responsible for gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. Mucosal and systemic immunity can be achieved by orally administered recombinant S-IgA molecules carrying a protective bacterial epitope within the SC polypeptide primary sequence