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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 469 records · Page 26
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Structure of the Francisella response regulator QseB receiver domain, and characterization of QseB inhibition by antibiofilm 2-aminoimidazole-based compounds: Inhibition of response regulator QseB by antibiofilm compounds

With antibiotic resistance increasing at alarming rates, targets for new antimicrobial therapies must be identified. A particularly promising target is the bacterial two-component system. Two-component systems allow bacteria to detect, evaluate and protect themselves against changes in the environment, such as exposure to antibiotics and also to trigger production of virulence factors. Drugs that target the response regulator portion of two-component systems represent a potent new approach so far unexploited. Here, we focus efforts on the highly virulent bacterium Francisella tularensis tularensis. Francisella contains only three response regulators, making it an ideal system to study. In this study, we initially present the structure of the N-terminal domain of QseB, the response regulator responsible for biofilm formation. Subsequently, using binding assays, computational docking and cellular studies, we show that QseB interacts with2-aminoimidazole based compounds that impede its function. This information will assist in tailoring compounds to act as adjuvants that will enhance the effect of antibiotics.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

Crystal Structures of GII.10 and GII.12 Norovirus Protruding Domains in Complex with Histo-Blood Group Antigens Reveal Details for a Potential Site of Vulnerability

Noroviruses are the dominant cause of outbreaks of gastroenteritis worldwide, and interactions with human histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) are thought to play a critical role in their entry mechanism. Structures of noroviruses from genogroups GI and GII in complex with HBGAs, however, reveal different modes of interaction. To gain insight into norovirus recognition of HBGAs, we determined crystal structures of norovirus protruding domains from two rarely detected GII genotypes, GII.10 and GII.12, alone and in complex with a panel of HBGAs, and analyzed structure-function implications related to conservation of the HBGA binding pocket. The GII.10- and GII.12-apo structures as well as the previously solved GII.4-apo structure resembled each other more closely than the GI.1-derived structure, and all three GII structures showed similar modes of HBGA recognition. The primary GII norovirus-HBGA interaction involved six hydrogen bonds between a terminal {alpha}fucose1-2 of the HBGAs and a dimeric capsid interface, which was composed of elements from two protruding subdomains. Norovirus interactions with other saccharide units of the HBGAs were variable and involved fewer hydrogen bonds. Sequence analysis revealed a site of GII norovirus sequence conservation to reside under the critical {alpha}fucose1-2 and to be one of the few patches of conserved residues on the outer virion-capsid surface. The site was smaller than that involved in full HBGA recognition, a consequence of variable recognition of peripheral saccharides. Despite this evasion tactic, the HBGA site of viral vulnerability may provide a viable target for small molecule- and antibody-mediated neutralization of GII norovirus.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

A Methodology for Dynamic Security Risk Quantification and Optimal Resource Allocation of Security Assets

In this presentation we overview a methodology for dynamic security risk quantification and optimal resource allocation of security assets for high profile venues. This methodology is especially applicable to venues that require security screening operations such as mass transit (e.g., train or airport terminals), critical infrastructure protection (e.g., government buildings), and largescale public events (e.g., concerts or professional sports). The method starts by decomposing the three core components of risk -- threat, vulnerability, and consequence -- into their various subcomponents. For instance, vulnerability can be decomposed into availability, accessibility, organic security, and target hardness and each of these can be evaluated against the potential threats of interest for the given venue. Once evaluated, these subcomponents are rolled back up to compute the specific value for the vulnerability core risk component. Likewise, the same is done for consequence and threat, and then risk is computed as the product of these three components. A key aspect of our methodology is dynamically quantifying risk. That is, we incorporate the ability to uniquely allow the subcomponents and core components, and in turn, risk, to be quantified as a continuous function of time throughout the day, week, month, or year as appropriate.

Brigantic, Robert T.↗
DOE OSTI2010

The C-terminal Lysine of Ogg2 DNA Glycosylases is a Major Molecular Determinant for Guanine/8-Oxoguanine Distinction

7,8-Dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) is a major oxidative lesion found in DNA. The 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylases (Ogg) responsible for the removal of 8-oxoG are divided into three families Ogg1, Ogg2 and AGOG. The Ogg2 members are devoid of the recognition loop used by Ogg1 to discriminate between 8-oxoG and guanine and it was unclear until recently how Ogg2 enzymes recognize the oxidized base. We present here the first crystallographic structure of an Ogg2 member, Methanocaldococcus janischii Ogg, in complex with a DNA duplex containing the 8-oxoG lesion. This structure highlights the crucial role of the C-terminal lysine, strictly conserved in Ogg2, in the recognition of 8-oxoG. The structure also reveals that Ogg2 undergoes a conformational change upon DNA binding similar to that observed in Ogg1 glycosylases. Furthermore, this work provides a structural rationale for the lack of opposite base specificity in this family of enzymes.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Coupling sensor to enzyme in the voltage sensing phosphatase

Voltage-sensing phosphatases (VSPs) dephosphorylate phosphoinositide (PIP) signaling lipids in response to membrane depolarization. VSPs possess an S4-containing voltage sensor domain (VSD), resembling that of voltage-gated cation channels, and a lipid phosphatase domain (PD). The mechanism by which voltage turns on enzyme activity is unclear. Structural analysis and modeling suggest several sites of VSD-PD interaction that could couple voltage sensing to catalysis. Voltage clamp fluorometry reveals voltage-driven rearrangements in three sites implicated earlier in enzyme activation—the VSD-PD linker, gating loop and R loop—as well as the N-terminal domain, which has not yet been explored. N-terminus mutations perturb both rearrangements in the other segments and enzyme activity. Our results provide a model for a dynamic assembly by which S4 controls the catalytic site.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Discovery of a novel transcriptional regulator of sugar catabolism in archaea

Abstract The haloarchaeon Haloferax volcanii degrades D‐glucose via the semiphosphorylative Entner‐Doudoroff pathway and D‐fructose via a modified Embden‐Meyerhof pathway. Here, we report the identification of GfcR, a novel type of transcriptional regulator that functions as an activator of both D‐glucose and D‐fructose catabolism. We find that in the presence of D‐glucose, GfcR activates gluconate dehydratase, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase and also acts as activator of the phosphotransferase system and of fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphate aldolase, which are involved in uptake and degradation of D‐fructose. In addition, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase are activated by GfcR in the presence of D‐fructose and also during growth on D‐galactose and glycerol. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicate that GfcR binds directly to promoters of regulated genes. Specific intermediates of the degradation pathways of the three hexoses and of glycerol were identified as inducer molecules of GfcR. GfcR is composed of a phosphoribosyltransferase (PRT) domain with an N‐terminal helix‐turn‐helix motif and thus shows homology to PurR of Gram‐positive bacteria that is involved in the transcriptional regulation of nucleotide biosynthesis. We propose that GfcR of H. volcanii evolved from a PRT‐like enzyme to attain a function as a transcriptional regulator of central sugar catabolic pathways in archaea.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Structural and Functional Studies of H. seropedicae RecA Protein – Insights into the Polymerization of RecA Protein as Nucleoprotein Filament

The bacterial RecA protein plays a role in the complex system of DNA damage repair. Here, we report the functional and structural characterization of the Herbaspirillum seropedicae RecA protein (HsRecA). HsRecA protein is more efficient at displacing SSB protein from ssDNA than Escherichia coli RecA protein. HsRecA also promotes DNA strand exchange more efficiently. The three dimensional structure of HsRecA-ADP/ATP complex has been solved to 1.7 Å resolution. HsRecA protein contains a small N-terminal domain, a central core ATPase domain and a large C-terminal domain, that are similar to homologous bacterial RecA proteins. Comparative structural analysis showed that the N-terminal polymerization motif of archaeal and eukaryotic RecA family proteins are also present in bacterial RecAs. Reconstruction of electrostatic potential from the hexameric structure of HsRecA-ADP/ATP revealed a high positive charge along the inner side, where ssDNA is bound inside the filament. The properties of this surface may explain the greater capacity of HsRecA protein to bind ssDNA, forming a contiguous nucleoprotein filament, displace SSB and promote DNA exchange relative to EcRecA. In conclusion, our functional and structural analyses provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of polymerization of bacterial RecA as a helical nucleoprotein filament.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

The role of cellular structure on increasing the detonability limits of three-step chain-branching detonations

In [1], the dynamics of a pulsating three-step chain-branching detonation were studied. The reaction model consists of, sequentially, chain-initiation, chain-branching and chain-termination steps. The chain-initiation and chain-branching steps are taken to be thermally neutral, with chemical energy release occuring in the chain-termination stage. The purpose of the present study is to examine whether cellular detonation structure can increase the value of the chain-branching cross-over temperature T{sub b} at which fully coupled detonation solutions are observed over those in 1 D. The basic concept is straightforward and has been discussed in [1] and [3]; if T{sub s} drops below T{sub b} at the lead shock, the passage of a transverse shock can increase both the lead shock temperature and the temperature behind the transverse wave back above T{sub b}, thus sustaining an unstable cellular detonation for values of T{sub b} for which a one-dimensional pulsating detonation will fail. Experiments potentially supporting this hypothesis with irregular detonations have been shown in [3] in a shock tube with acoustically absorbing walls. Removal of the transverse waves results in detonation failure, giving way to a decoupled shock-flame complex. A number of questions remain to be addressed regarding the possibility of such a mechanism, and, if so, about the precise mechanisms driving the cellular structure for large T{sub b}. For instance, one might ask what sets the cell size in a chain-branching detonation, particularly could the characteristic cell size be set by the chain-branching cross-over temperature T{sub b}: after a transverse wave shock collision, the strength of the transverse wave weakens as it propagates along the front. If the spacing between shock collisions is too large (cell size), then the transverse shocks may weaken to the extent that the lead shock temperature or that behind the transverse waves is not raised above T{sub b}, losing chemical energy to drive the front in those regions. Failure may result if less than sufficient of the lead shock be driven above n to sustain reaction. Our starting point for generating cellular solutions is as in [I], consisting of an initial ZND wave in the channel, but perturbed here by a density non-uniformity to generate a cellular structure. Exactly how far the detonability limits (value of T{sub b}) can be extended is not addressed here, as such issues relate in part to the way the cellular structure is generated [6]. Our concern here is to investigate the mechanisms of self-sustained cellular detonation for values of T{sub b} above those that lead to 1D pulsating wave failure that can be generated from the initial ZND wave. Finally, we do not consider cellular propagation driven by a process of apparent thermal ignition of hot-spots downstream that tends to appear close to the 20 detonability limit. Such events are subject to the lack of correct thermal diffusive physics in the model and thus to the form of numerical dissipation in the underlying flow algorithm.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2012

Structural and functional conservation of key domains in InsP[subscript 3] and ryanodine receptors

Inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (InsP{sub 3}Rs) and ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are tetrameric intracellular Ca{sup 2+} channels. In each of these receptor families, the pore, which is formed by carboxy-terminal transmembrane domains, is regulated by signals that are detected by large cytosolic structures. InsP{sub 3}R gating is initiated by InsP{sub 3} binding to the InsP{sub 3}-binding core (IBC, residues 224-604 of InsP{sub 3}R1) and it requires the suppressor domain (SD, residues 1-223 of InsP{sub 3}R1). Here we present structures of the amino-terminal region (NT, residues 1-604) of rat InsP{sub 3}R1 with (3.6 {angstrom}) and without (3.0 {angstrom}) InsP{sub 3} bound. The arrangement of the three NT domains, SD, IBC-{beta} and IBC-{alpha}, identifies two discrete interfaces ({alpha} and {beta}) between the IBC and SD. Similar interfaces occur between equivalent domains (A, B and C) in RyR1 (ref. 9). The orientations of the three domains when docked into a tetrameric structure of InsP{sub 3}R and of the ABC domains docked into RyR are remarkably similar. The importance of the {alpha}-interface for activation of InsP{sub 3}R and RyR is confirmed by mutagenesis and, for RyR, by disease-causing mutations. Binding of InsP{sub 3} causes partial closure of the clam-like IBC, disrupting the {beta}-interface and pulling the SD towards the IBC. This reorients an exposed SD loop ('hotspot' (HS) loop) that is essential for InsP{sub 3}R activation. The loop is conserved in RyR and includes mutations that are associated with malignant hyperthermia and central core disease. The HS loop interacts with an adjacent NT, suggesting that activation re-arranges inter-subunit interactions. The A domain of RyR functionally replaced the SD in full-length InsP{sub 3}R, and an InsP{sub 3}R in which its C-terminal transmembrane region was replaced by that from RyR1 was gated by InsP{sub 3} and blocked by ryanodine. Activation mechanisms are conserved between InsP{sub 3}R and RyR. Allosteric modulation of two similar domain interfaces within an N-terminal subunit reorients the first domain (SD or A domain), allowing it, through interactions of the second domain of an adjacent subunit (IBC-{beta} or B domain), to gate the pore.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Plasma steering to avoid disruptions in ITER and tokamak power plants

Steering tokamak plasmas is commonly viewed as a way to avoid disruptions and runaway electrons. Plasma steering sounds as safe as driving to work but will be shown to more closely resemble driving at high speed through a dense fog on an icy road. The long time required to terminate an ITER discharge compared to time over which dangers can be foreseen is analogous to driving in a dense fog. Here, the difficulty of regaining plasma control if it is lost resembles driving on an icy road. Disruptions and runaways are associated with three issues—a solution to one tends to complicate the solution to the other two: loss of plasma position control, excessive heat deposition, and wall melting due to runaway electrons. All three risks must be addressed for ITER to achieve its mission and essentially eliminated before tokamak power plants can be deployed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Novel Three Phase Oak Ridge DC / AC Converter for Wireless Grid Tied Applications

In this study, a novel three phase oak ridge dc to ac converter is introduced for wireless mobility energy storage (WMES) applications to support the grid demand during peak times. The proposed topology can be used in a bi-directional operation between ac grid and dc terminals of energy storage by accomplishing unity power factor. Inherent merit of the technology can directly merge dc input to the high frequency and 60 Hz grid frequency by superimposing through the wireless coils. Theoretical and simulation results are validated by the simulation analysis for 20 kW output power. The functionality of the proposed three phase system is established by using 6 inches air gap between the couplers with the input of 675 V DC and output of 277 V AC, RMS . The system overall design analysis is demonstrated for simulation analysis and simulation results are presented achieving 3% current total harmonic distortion (THD) and 0.99 power factor (PF) at full load 20 kW wireless power transfer.

Asa, Erdem↗
DOE OSTI2016

Interleukin 22 early affects keratinocyte differentiation, but not proliferation, in a three-dimensional model of normal human skin

Interleukin (IL)-22 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine driving the progression of the psoriatic lesion with other cytokines, as Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-17. Our study was aimed at evaluating the early effect of IL-22 alone or in combination with TNF-alpha and IL-17 by immunofluorescence on i) keratinocyte (KC) proliferation, ii) terminal differentiation biomarkers as keratin (K) 10 and 17 expression, iii) intercellular junctions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis was performed. A model of human skin culture reproducing a psoriatic microenvironment was used. Plastic surgery explants were obtained from healthy young women (n=7) after informed consent. Fragments were divided before adding IL-22 or a combination of the three cytokines, and harvested 24 (T24), 48 (T48), and 72 (T72) h later. From T24, in IL-22 samples we detected a progressive decrease in K10 immunostaining in the spinous layer paralleled by K17 induction. By TEM, after IL-22 incubation, keratin aggregates were evident in the perinuclear area. Occludin immunostaining was not homogeneously distributed. Conversely, KC proliferation was not inhibited by IL-22 alone, but only by the combination of cytokines. Our results suggest that IL-22 affects keratinocyte terminal differentiation, whereas, in order to induce a proliferation impairment, a more complex psoriatic-like microenvironment is needed.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

Angiography in the Isolated Perfused Kidney: Radiological Evaluation of Vascular Protection in Tissue Ablation by Nonthermal Irreversible Electroporation

Purpose: The nonthermal irreversible electroporation (NTIRE) is a novel nonthermal tissue ablation technique by local application of high-voltage current within microseconds leading to a delayed apoptosis. The purpose of this experimental study was the first angiographic evaluation of the acute damage of renal vascular structure in NTIRE. Methods: Results of conventional dynamic digital substraction angiography (DSA) and visualization of the terminal vascular bed of renal parenchyma by high-resolution X-ray in mammography technique were evaluated before, during, and after NTIRE of three isolated perfused porcine ex vivo kidneys. Results: In the dedicated investigation, no acute vascular destruction of the renal parenchyma and no dysfunction of the kidney perfusion model were observed during or after NTIRE. Conspicuous were concentric wave-like fluctuations of the DSA contrast agent simultaneous to the NTIRE pulses resulting from NTIRE pulse shock wave. Conclusion: The NTIRE offers an ablation method with no acute collateral vascular damage in angiographic evaluation.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Phase formation in the Li{sub 2}MoO{sub 4}–Rb{sub 2}MoO{sub 4}–Fe{sub 2}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3} system and crystal structure of a novel triple molybdate LiRb{sub 2}Fe(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3}

X-ray investigation of solid state interaction of the components in the Li{sub 2}MoO{sub 4}–Rb{sub 2}MoO{sub 4}–Fe{sub 2}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3} system was carried out, and a subsolidus phase diagram of the said system was constructed. The subsystem Rb{sub 2}MoO{sub 4}–LiRbMoO{sub 4}–RbFe(MoO{sub 4}){sub 2} was shown to be non-quasiternary. Formation of a novel triple molybdate LiRb{sub 2}Fe(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3} was established, conditions of solid state synthesis and crystallization of the compound were found. Its crystal structure (orthorhombic, space group Pnma, Z=4, a=24.3956(6), b=5.8306(1), c=8.4368(2) Å) represents a new structure type and includes infinite two-row ribbons ([Fe(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3}]{sup 3−}){sub ∞} parallel to the b axis and composed of FeO{sub 6} octahedra, terminal Mo(3)O{sub 4} tetrahedra, and bridge Mo(1)O{sub 4} and Mo(2)O{sub 4} tetrahedra connecting two or three FeO{sub 6} octahedra. The ribbons are connected to form 3D framework via corner-sharing LiO{sub 4} tetrahedra. Rubidium cations are 11- and 13-coordinated and located in cavities of this heterogeneous polyhedral framework. - Graphical abstract: Exploring the Li{sub 2}MoO{sub 4}–Rb{sub 2}MoO{sub 4}–Fe{sub 2}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3} system showed its partial non-quasiternarity and revealed a new compound LiRb{sub 2}Fe(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3} which was structurally studied. - Highlights: • The Li{sub 2}MoO{sub 4}–Rb{sub 2}MoO{sub 4}–Fe{sub 2}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3} system study revealed a new compound LiRb{sub 2}Fe(MoO{sub 4}){sub 3}. • Its structure of a new type includes ribbons of FeO{sub 6} octahedra and MoO{sub 4} tetrahedra. • The ribbons are connected into a 3D framework via corner-sharing LiO{sub 4} tetrahedra.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

ATCUN-like Copper Site in βB2-Crystallin Plays a Protective Role in Cataract-Associated Aggregation

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, and it is caused by crystallin damage and aggregation. Senile cataractous lenses have relatively high levels of metals, while some metal ions can directly induce the aggregation of human γ-crystallins. Here, for this work, we evaluated the impact of divalent metal ions in the aggregation of human βB2-crystallin, one of the most abundant crystallins in the lens. Turbidity assays showed that Pb 2+ , Hg 2+ , Cu 2+ , and Zn 2+ ions induce the aggregation of βB2-crystallin. Metal-induced aggregation is partially reverted by a chelating agent, indicating the formation of metal-bridged species. Our study focused on the mechanism of copper-induced aggregation of βB2-crystallin, finding that it involves metal-bridging, disulfide-bridging, and loss of protein stability. Circular dichroism and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) revealed the presence of at least three Cu 2+ binding sites in βB2-crystallin, one of them with spectroscopic features typical for Cu 2+ bound to an amino-terminal copper and nickel (ATCUN) binding motif, which is found in Cu transport proteins. The ATCUN-like Cu binding site is located at the unstructured N-terminus of βB2-crystallin, and it could be modeled by a peptide with the first six residues in the protein sequence (NH 2 -ASDHQF-). Isothermal titration calorimetry indicates a nanomolar Cu 2+ binding affinity for the ATCUN-like site. An N-truncated form of βB2-crystallin is more susceptible to Cu-induced aggregation and is less thermally stable, indicating a protective role for the ATCUN-like site. EPR and X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies reveal the presence of a copper redox active site in βB2-crystallin that is associated with metal-induced aggregation and formation of disulfide-bridged oligomers. Our study demonstrates metal-induced aggregation of βB2-crystallin and the presence of putative copper binding sites in the protein. Whether the copper-transport ATCUN-like site in βB2-crystallin plays a functional/protective role or constitutes a vestige from its evolution as a lens structural protein remains to be elucidated.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Structure and Function of Fusicoccadiene Synthase, a Hexameric Bifunctional Diterpene Synthase

Fusicoccin A is a diterpene glucoside phytotoxin generated by the fungal pathogen Phomopsis amygdali that causes the plant disease constriction canker, first discovered in New Jersey peach orchards in the 1930s. Fusicoccin A is also an emerging new lead in cancer chemotherapy. The hydrocarbon precursor of fusicoccin A is the tricyclic diterpene fusicoccadiene, which is generated by a bifunctional terpenoid synthase. Here, we report X-ray crystal structures of the individual catalytic domains of fusicoccadiene synthase: the C-terminal domain is a chain elongation enzyme that generates geranylgeranyl diphosphate, and the N-terminal domain catalyzes the cyclization of geranylgeranyl diphosphate to form fusicoccadiene. Here, crystal structures of each domain complexed with bisphosphonate substrate analogues suggest that three metal ions and three positively charged amino acid side chains trigger substrate ionization in each active site. While in vitro incubations reveal that the cyclase domain can utilize farnesyl diphosphate and geranyl diphosphate as surrogate substrates, these shorter isoprenoid diphosphates are mainly converted into acyclic alcohol or hydrocarbon products. Gel filtration chromatography and analytical ultracentrifugation experiments indicate that full-length fusicoccadiene synthase adopts hexameric quaternary structure, and small-angle X-ray scattering data yield a well-defined molecular envelope illustrating a plausible model for hexamer assembly.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Atomic imprinting in the absence of an intrinsic length scale

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) have successfully been used to replicate molds that are structured at the nano- and even atomic scale through thermoplastic forming (TPF), an ability that was speculated to be rooted in the glass’ featureless atomic structure. These previous demonstrations of atomically precise imprinting, however, were performed under conditions where mold atomic feature dimensions coincided with the unit cell size of constituents in the BMG. In order to evaluate if accurate atomic-scale replication is possible in general, i.e., independent of the accidental presence of favorable constituent size/feature size relationships, we have used Pt 57.5 Cu 14.7 Ni 5.3 P 22.5 to replicate three different crystalline facets of LaAlO 3 single crystals, each exposing distinct atomic step heights. We find that in all cases, the terraced surface termination can be copied with remarkable fidelity, corroborating that BMGs when thermoplastic formed are capable of adapting to any externally imposed confinement with sub-angstrom precision without being limited by factors related to the specifics of their internal structure. This unprecedented capability of quasi-limitless replication fidelity reveals that the deformation mechanism in the supercooled liquid state of BMGs is essentially homogeneous and suggests TPF of BMGs to be a versatile toolbox for atomic and precision nanoscale imprinting.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Structure of bacteriophage [phi]29 head fibers has a supercoiled triple repeating helix-turn-helix motif

The tailed bacteriophage {phi}29 capsid is decorated with 55 fibers attached to quasi-3-fold symmetry positions. Each fiber is a homotrimer of gene product 8.5 (gp8.5) and consists of two major structural parts, a pseudohexagonal base and a protruding fibrous portion that is about 110 {angstrom} in length. The crystal structure of the C-terminal fibrous portion (residues 112-280) has been determined to a resolution of 1.6 {angstrom}. The structure is about 150 {angstrom} long and shows three distinct structural domains designated as head, neck, and stem. The stem region is a unique three-stranded helix-turn-helix supercoil that has not previously been described. When fitted into a cryoelectron microscope reconstruction of the virus, the head structure corresponded to a disconnected density at the distal end of the fiber and the neck structure was located in weak density connecting it to the fiber. Thin section studies of Bacillus subtilis cells infected with fibered or fiberless {phi}29 suggest that the fibers might enhance the attachment of the virions onto the host cell wall.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗