Plasticizers for Protein‐Based Materials

This study presents a practical approach to select plasticizers for proteins. It is a case study on thermoformed wheat gluten, considered here as a model protein, and it involved 30 plasticizer candidates. The approach consisted of selecting plasticisers (30 wt%) based on visual examination, rheological and molding behavior of the dough, and finally tensile data. There was no unique relationship between the torque behavior of the dough and the mechanical properties of the films. Nevertheless, the extensibility and dough analysis indicated that the most promising plasticizers were as follows: glycerol, linear glycols, ethanol amines, diols, and trimethylolpropane. Further, considering also the stiffness, it was concluded that the most efficient plasticisers were those that contained three hydroxyl groups and the linear glycols of intermediate size. Out of those, glycerol stood out as having the highest extensibility and lowest stiffness and strength. In an attempt to predict the mechanical properties of the films based on several physical data of the compounds, it was observed that there was a weak nonlinear relationship between the stiffness/strength and the size (molecular weight/molar volume), polarity and molar refractivity of the compound. The stiffness/strength decreased with an increase in these physical parameters

Designed Interaction Potentials via Inverse Methods for Self-Assembly

We formulate statistical-mechanical inverse methods in order to determine optimized interparticle interactions that spontaneously produce target many-particle configurations. Motivated by advances that give experimentalists greater and greater control over colloidal interaction potentials, we propose and discuss two computational algorithms that search for optimal potentials for self-assembly of a given target configuration. The first optimizes the potential near the ground state and the second near the melting point. We begin by applying these techniques to assembling open structures in two dimensions (square and honeycomb lattices) using only circularly symmetric pair interaction potentials ; we demonstrate that the algorithms do indeed cause self-assembly of the target lattice. Our approach is distinguished from previous work in that we consider (i) lattice sums, (ii) mechanical stability (phonon spectra), and (iii) annealed Monte Carlo simulations. We also devise circularly symmetric potentials that yield chain-like structures as well as systems of clusters.Comment: 28 pages, 23 figure

The Transit Light Curve project. XIV. Confirmation of Anomalous Radii for the Exoplanets TrES-4b, HAT-P-3b, and WASP-12b

We present transit photometry of three exoplanets, TrES-4b, HAT-P-3b, and WASP-12b, allowing for refined estimates of the systems' parameters. TrES-4b and WASP-12b were confirmed to be "bloated" planets, with radii of 1.706 +/- 0.056 R_Jup and 1.736 +/- 0.092 R_Jup, respectively. These planets are too large to be explained with standard models of gas giant planets. In contrast, HAT-P-3b has a radius of 0.827 +/- 0.055 R_Jup, smaller than a pure hydrogen-helium planet and indicative of a highly metal-enriched composition. Analyses of the transit timings revealed no significant departures from strict periodicity. For TrES-4, our relatively recent observations allow for improvement in the orbital ephemerides, which is useful for planning future observations.Comment: AJ, in press [11 pages]; corrected error in distance to WASP-1

High folic acid consumption leads to pseudo-MTHFR deficiency, altered lipid metabolism, and liver injury in mice.

Increased consumption of folic acid is prevalent, leading to concerns about negative consequences. The effects of folic acid on the liver, the primary organ for folate metabolism, are largely unknown. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) provides methyl donors for S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthesis and methylation reactions

PENGEMBANGAN KAWASAN WISATA AIR TERJUN CUNCA REDE DI DESA SANOLOKOM KECAMATAN RANA MESE KABUPATEN MANGGARAI TIMUR

The aimed of this study was to determine the internal and external factors supporting and inhibiting the development of the Cunca Rede Waterfall Tourism Area in Sanolokom Village, Rana Mese District, East Manggarai Regency. The method used in this study is a descriptive method with a qualitative approach and the data sources used by the researcher are primary data and secondary data. . The data analysis technique used is SWOT analysis. The results show that based on the Cartesian diagram, the SWOT analysis of tourist attraction in quadrant 1 with the results of the recapitulation between strengths and opportunities has results where the dominant strength is compared to the weakness and the opportunity was greater than the threat with the following values: 1) Strengths - Weaknesses (factors internal) : 4.12-1.88=2.24) Opportunities –Threats (external factors) : 1.84-4.34 = -2.5 and the development strategy of the Cunca Rede Waterfall Tourism Area carried out by the Government was: 1) Empowering, counseling in order to grow and increase public awareness about the importance of a tourism-aware community, 2) Coordinate with the private sector to invest in tourism development problems are strongly influenced by the availability of budget funds to build and manage a tourist attraction, 3) Build and holding tourism accessibility, 4) Developing tourism attractions