Elementary Functional Properties of Single HCN2 Channels

AbstractHyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are tetramers that evoke rhythmic electrical activity in specialized neurons and cardiac cells. These channels are activated by hyperpolarizing voltage, and the second messenger cAMP can further enhance the activation. Despite the physiological importance of HCN channels, their elementary functional properties are still unclear. In this study, we expressed homotetrameric HCN2 channels in Xenopus oocytes and performed single-channel experiments in patches containing either one or multiple channels. We show that the single-channel conductance is as low as 1.67 pS and that channel activation is a one-step process. We also observed that the time between the hyperpolarizing stimulus and the first channel opening, the first latency, determines the activation process alone. Notably, at maximum hyperpolarization, saturating cAMP drives the channel to open for unusually long periods. In particular, at maximum activation by hyperpolarization and saturating cAMP, the open probability approaches unity. In contrast to other reports, no evidence of interchannel cooperativity was observed. In conclusion, single HCN2 channels operate only with an exceptionally low conductance, and both activating stimuli, voltage and cAMP, exclusively control the open probability

Microstructural investigation of plasma sprayed ceramic coatings using peridynamics

The present study deploys a continuum mechanics approach called peridynamics to investigate the damage behaviour of a 2D microstructure, which was taken from a plasma sprayed ceramic coating used in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) sealing systems. At the beginning, two benchmark cases, namely, plate with a hole as well as plate with a single edge notch, are considered. The results are compared to an analytical solution and a very good agreement is obtained. Based on these findings, a microstructural model from a plasma sprayed ceramic coating of SOFC sealing systems is investigated. These micromechanical simulations show that structural defects influence the crack initiation as well as the crack propagation during interconnecting the defects. Typical crack mechanisms, such as crack deflection, crack shielding or multiple cracking, are observed. Additionally, an anisotropy of the effective mechanical properties is observed in this heterogeneous material, which is well known for plasma sprayed materials

Influence of Interstitial Impurities (H, B, C) on Grain Boundary Cohesion in B2 Ti-based Alloys

The investigation of hydrogen, boron and carbon sorption properties at the Σ5(310) symmetrical tilt grain boundary (GB) and (310) free surface (FS) in B2 Ti-based alloys was carried out by the plane-wave pseudopotential method within density functional theory. The most preferential positions for interstitial impurities at GB were determined. It was shown that impurities sorption energies at GB depend strongly on their local environment. The analysis of electronic properties allows us to establish the microscopic na-ture of chemical bonding of all considered impurities at GB. It was shown that H decreases more signifi-cantly the surface energies than the GB energy in contrast to B and C. This results in decreasing the Grif-fith work that indicates also the decrease of the strength of grain boundary. The segregation of H at the GB makes intergranular fracture much easier because the bonding between metal atoms, which are neigh-bors of H, is weakened. The segregation behavior of hydrogen confirms it as an embrittler for B2 Ti-based alloys. At the same time boron and carbon segregation contrast to hydrogen increase the GB cohesion. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3551

Modelling the Deformation Behaviour of W/Cu Composites by a Self-Consistent Matricity Model

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Modeling of edge cracks interaction

From experimental and theoretical investigations it is known that cracks are sensitive to geometry, e.g., to the inclination angle to the load. A small deviation of a crack from the normal direction to a tensile load causes mixed mode conditions near the crack tip which lead to deviation of the crack from its initial propagation direction. Besides, the presence of other cracks, inhomogeneities, surfaces and their interaction causes additional deformations and stresses which also have influence on the initiation of the crack propagation and on the direction of this propagation. The aim of this paper is to show the effects of the interaction of edge cracks on further crack formation. The main fracture characteristics, such as, stress intensity factors, fracture angles and critical loads are provided in this study. A series of illustrative examples is presented for different geometries of arbitrarily inclined edge crack

Interaction of oxygen with the stable Ti5Si3 surface

The atomic structure and surface energies of several low-index surfaces (0001), (1100) and (1120) of Ti5Si3 in dependence on their termination were calculated by the projector augmentedwave method within the density functional theory. It was revealed that the mixed TiSi-terminated (0001) surface is stable within the wide range of change in the Ti chemical potential. However, the Ti-terminated Ti5Si3(0001) surface is slightly lower in energy in the Ti-rich limit. The oxygen adsorption on the stable Ti5Si3(0001) surface with TiSi termination was also studied. It was shown that the three-fold coordinated F1 position in the center of the triangle formed by surface titanium atoms is the most preferred for oxygen adsorption on the surface. The appearance of silicon as neighbors of oxygen in other considered F-positions leads to a decrease in the adsorption energy. The factors responsible for the increase/decrease in the oxygen adsorption energy in the considered positions on the titanium silicide surface are discussed