Structural elasticity of double-strand DNAs is very important for their biological functions such as DNA-ligand binding and DNA-protein recognition.By all-atom molecular dynamics simulations,we investigated the bendin...Structural elasticity of double-strand DNAs is very important for their biological functions such as DNA-ligand binding and DNA-protein recognition.By all-atom molecular dynamics simulations,we investigated the bending elasticity of DNA with three typical sequences including poly(A)-poly(T)(AA-TT),poly(AT)-poly(TA)(AT-TA),and a generic sequence(GENE).Our calculations indicate that,AA-TT has an apparently larger bending persistence length(P~63 nm)than GENE(P~49 nm)and AT-TA(P~48 nm)while the persistence length of AT-TA is only very slightly smaller than that of GENE,which agrees well with those from existing works.Moreover,through extensive electrostatic calculations,we found that the sequence-dependent bending elasticity is attributed to the sequence-dependent electrostatic bending energy for AA-TT,AT-TA and GENE,which is coupled to their backbone structures.Particularly,the apparently stronger bending stiffness of AA-TT is attributed to its narrower minor groove.Interestingly,for the three DNAs,we predicted the non-electrostatic persistence length of~17 nm,thus electrostatic interaction makes the major contribution to DNA bending elasticity.The mechanism of electrostatic energy dominating sequence effect in DNA bending elasticity is furtherly illustrated through the electrostatic calculations for a grooved coarse-grained DNA model where minor groove width and other microscopic structural parameters can be artificially adjusted.展开更多
The lubrication characteristics of liquid crystal(LC) molecules sheared between two crystalline surfaces obtained from molecular dynamics(MD) simulations are reported in this article.We consider a coarse-grained rigid...The lubrication characteristics of liquid crystal(LC) molecules sheared between two crystalline surfaces obtained from molecular dynamics(MD) simulations are reported in this article.We consider a coarse-grained rigid bead-necklace model of the LC molecules confined between two atomic surfaces subject to different shearing velocities.A systematic study shows that the slip length of LC lubrication changes significantly as a function of the LC-surface interaction energy,which can be well described though a theoretical curve.The slip length increases as shear rate increases at high LC-surface interaction energy.However,this trend can not be observed for low interaction energy.The orientation of the LC molecules near the surface is found to be guided by the atomics surfaces.The influence of temperature on the lubrication characteristics is also discussed in this article.展开更多
Protein-protein interactions are vital for a wide range of biological processes.The interactions between the hypoxia-inducible factor and von Hippel Lindau(VHL)are attractive drug targets for ischemic heart disease.In...Protein-protein interactions are vital for a wide range of biological processes.The interactions between the hypoxia-inducible factor and von Hippel Lindau(VHL)are attractive drug targets for ischemic heart disease.In order to disrupt this interaction,the strategy to target VHL binding site using a hydroxyproline-like(pro-like)small molecule has been reported.In this study,we focused on the inhibition mechanism between the pro-like inhibitors and the VHL protein,which were investigated via molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy calculations.It was found that pro-like inhibitors showed a strong binding affinity toward VHL.Binding free energy calculations and free energy decompositions suggested that the modification of various regions of pro-like inhibitors may provide useful information for future drug design.展开更多
Recent advancements in nanotechnology have spotlighted the catalytic potential of nanozymes, particularly single-atom nanozymes(SANs), which are pivotal for innovations in biosensing and medical diagnostics. Among oth...Recent advancements in nanotechnology have spotlighted the catalytic potential of nanozymes, particularly single-atom nanozymes(SANs), which are pivotal for innovations in biosensing and medical diagnostics. Among others, DNA stands out as an ideal biological regulator. Its inherent programmability and interaction capabilities allow it to significantly modulate nanozyme activity. This study delves into the dynamic interplay between DNA and molybdenum-zinc single-atom nanozymes(Mo-Zn SANs). Using molecular dynamics simulations, we uncover how DNA influences the peroxidase-like activities of Mo-Zn SANs, providing a foundational understanding that broadens the application scope of SANs in biosensing.With these insights as a foundation, we developed and demonstrated a model aptasensor for point-ofcare testing(POCT), utilizing a label-free colorimetric approach that leverages DNA-nanozyme interactions to achieve high-sensitivity detection of lysozyme. Our work elucidates the nuanced control DNA exerts over nanozyme functionality and illustrates the application of this molecular mechanism through a smartphone-assisted biosensing platform. This study not only underscores the practical implications of DNA-regulated Mo-Zn SANs in enhancing biosensing platforms, but also highlights the potential of single-atom nanozyme technology to revolutionize diagnostic tools through its inherent versatility and sensitivity.展开更多
Eutectic high entropy alloys are noted for their excellent castability and comprehensive mechanical properties.The excellent mechanical properties are closely related to the activation and evolution of deformation mec...Eutectic high entropy alloys are noted for their excellent castability and comprehensive mechanical properties.The excellent mechanical properties are closely related to the activation and evolution of deformation mechanisms at the atomic scale.In this work,AlCoCrFeNi2.1 alloy is taken as the research object.The mechanical behaviors and deformation mechanisms of the FCC and B2 single crystals with different orientations and the FCC/B2 composites with K-S orientation relationship during nanoindentation processes are systematically studied by molecular dynamics simulations.The results show that the mechanical behaviors of FCC single crystals are significantly orientation-dependent,meanwhile,the indentation force of[110]single crystal is the lowest at the elastic-plastic transition point,and that for[100]single crystal is the lowest in plastic deformation stage.Compared with FCC,the stress for B2 single crystals at the elastic-plastic transition point is higher.However,more deformation systems such as stacking faults,twins and dislocation loops are activated in FCC single crystal during the plastic deformation process,resulting in higher indentation force.For composites,the flow stress increases with the increase of B2 phase thickness during the initial stage of deformation.When indenter penetrates heterogeneous interface,the significantly increased deformation system in FCC phase leads to a significant increase in indentation force.The mechanical behaviors and deformation mechanisms depend on the component single crystal.When the thickness of the component layer is less than 15 nm,the heterogeneous interfaces fail to prevent the dislocation slip and improve the indentation force.The results will enrich the plastic deformation mechanisms of multi-principal eutectic alloys and provide guidance for the design of nanocrystalline metallic materials.展开更多
Uranium–molybdenum(U–Mo) alloys are critical for nuclear power generation and propulsion because of their superior thermal conductivity, irradiation stability, and anti-swelling properties. This study explores the p...Uranium–molybdenum(U–Mo) alloys are critical for nuclear power generation and propulsion because of their superior thermal conductivity, irradiation stability, and anti-swelling properties. This study explores the plastic deformation mechanisms of γ-phase U–Mo alloys using molecular dynamics(MD) simulations. In the slip model, the generalized stacking fault energy(GSFE) and the modified Peierls–Nabarro(P–N) model are used to determine the competitive relationships among different slip systems. In the twinning model, the generalized plane fault energy(GPFE) is assessed to evaluate the competition between slip and twinning. The findings reveal that among the three slip systems, the {110}<111>slip system is preferentially activated, while in the {112}<111> system, twinning is favored over slip, as confirmed by MD tensile simulations conducted in various directions. Additionally, the impact of Mo content on deformation behavior is emphasized. Insights are provided for optimizing process conditions to avoid γ → α′′ transitions, thereby maintaining a higher proportion of γ-phase U–Mo alloys for practical applications.展开更多
The experiment explored the Fe_(2)O_(3) reduction process with H_(2)/CO mixed gas and confirmed a promoting effect from CO when its volume proportion in mixed gas is 20% at 850℃.The ReaxFF molecular dynamics(MD)simul...The experiment explored the Fe_(2)O_(3) reduction process with H_(2)/CO mixed gas and confirmed a promoting effect from CO when its volume proportion in mixed gas is 20% at 850℃.The ReaxFF molecular dynamics(MD)simulation method was used to observe the reduction process and provide an atomic-level explanation.The accuracy of the parameters used in the simulation was verified by the density functional theory(DFT)calculation.The simulation shows that the initial reduction rate of H_(2) is much faster than that of CO(from 800 to 950℃).As the reduction proceeds,cementite,obtained after CO participates in the reduction at 850℃,will appear on the iron surface.Due to the active properties of C atoms in cementite,they are easy to further react with the O atoms in Fe_(2)O_(3).The generation of internal CO may destroy the dense structure of the surface layer,thereby affecting the overall reduction swelling of Fe_(2)O_(3).However,excess CO is detrimental to the reaction rate,mainly because of the poor thermodynamic conditions of CO in the temperature range and the molecular diffusion capacity is not as good as that of H_(2).Furthermore,the surface structures obtained after H_(2) and CO reduction have been compared,and it was found that the structure obtained by CO reduction has a larger surface area,thus promoting the sub sequent reaction of H_(2).展开更多
The multi-scale modeling combined with the cohesive zone model(CZM)and the molecular dynamics(MD)method were preformed to simulate the crack propagation in NiTi shape memory alloys(SMAs).The metallographic microscope ...The multi-scale modeling combined with the cohesive zone model(CZM)and the molecular dynamics(MD)method were preformed to simulate the crack propagation in NiTi shape memory alloys(SMAs).The metallographic microscope and image processing technology were employed to achieve a quantitative grain size distribution of NiTi alloys so as to provide experimental data for molecular dynamics modeling at the atomic scale.Considering the size effect of molecular dynamics model on material properties,a reasonable modeling size was provided by taking into account three characteristic dimensions from the perspective of macro,meso,and micro scales according to the Buckinghamπtheorem.Then,the corresponding MD simulation on deformation and fracture behavior was investigated to derive a parameterized traction-separation(T-S)law,and then it was embedded into cohesive elements of finite element software.Thus,the crack propagation behavior in NiTi alloys was reproduced by the finite element method(FEM).The experimental results show that the predicted initiation fracture toughness is in good agreement with experimental data.In addition,it is found that the dynamics initiation fracture toughness increases with decreasing grain size and increasing loading velocity.展开更多
The hybrid CO_(2) thermal technique has achieved considerable success globally in extracting residual heavy oil from reserves following a long-term steam stimulation process.Using microscopic visualization experiments...The hybrid CO_(2) thermal technique has achieved considerable success globally in extracting residual heavy oil from reserves following a long-term steam stimulation process.Using microscopic visualization experiments and molecular dynamics(MD)simulations,this study investigates the microscopic enhanced oil recovery(EOR)mechanisms underlying residual oil removal using hybrid CO_(2) thermal systems.Based on the experimental models for the occurrence of heavy oil,this study evaluates the performance of hybrid CO_(2) thermal systems under various conditions using MD simulations.The results demonstrate that introducing CO_(2) molecules into heavy oil can effectively penetrate and decompose dense aggregates that are originally formed on hydrophobic surfaces.A stable miscible hybrid CO_(2) thermal system,with a high effective distribution ratio of CO_(2),proficiently reduces the interaction energies between heavy oil and rock surfaces,as well as within heavy oil.A visualization analysis of the interactions reveals that strong van der Waals(vdW)attractions occur between CO_(2) and heavy oil molecules,effectively promoting the decomposition and swelling of heavy oil.This unlocks the residual oil on the hydrophobic surfaces.Considering the impacts of temperature and CO_(2) concentration,an optimal gas-to-steam injection ratio(here,the CO_(2):steam ratio)ranging between 1:6 and 1:9 is recommended.This study examines the microscopic mechanisms underlying the hybrid CO_(2) thermal technique at a molecular scale,providing a significant theoretical guide for its expanded application in EOR.展开更多
Using molecular dynamics methods,simulations of collision cascades in polycrystalline tungsten(W)have been conducted in this study,including different primary-knock-on atom(PKA)directions,grain sizes,and PKA energies ...Using molecular dynamics methods,simulations of collision cascades in polycrystalline tungsten(W)have been conducted in this study,including different primary-knock-on atom(PKA)directions,grain sizes,and PKA energies between 1 keV and 150 keV.The results indicate that a smaller grain size leads to more defects forming in grain boundary regions during cascade processes.The impact of high-energy PKA may cause a certain degree of distortion of the grain boundaries,which has a higher probability in systems with smaller grain sizes and becomes more pronounced as the PKA energy increases.The direction of PKA can affect the formation and diffusion pathways of defects.When the PKA direction is perpendicular to the grain boundary,defects preferentially form near the grain boundary regions;by contrast,defects are more inclined to form in the interior of the grains.These results are of great significance for comprehending the changes in the performance of polycrystalline W under the high-energy fusion environments and can provide theoretical guidance for further optimization and application of W-based plasma materials.展开更多
The formation of donut-shaped penetration pore upon membrane fusion in a closed lipid membrane system is of biological significance,since such the structures extensively exist in living body with various functions.How...The formation of donut-shaped penetration pore upon membrane fusion in a closed lipid membrane system is of biological significance,since such the structures extensively exist in living body with various functions.However,the related formation dynamics is unclear because of the limitation of experimental techniques.This work developed a new model of intra-vesicular fusion to elaborate the formation and stabilization of penetration pores by employing molecular dynamics simulations,based on simplified spherical lipid vesicle system,and investigated the regulation of membrane lipid composition.Results showed that penetration pore could be successfully formed based on the strategy of membrane fusion.The ease of intra-vesicular fusion and penetration pore formation was closely correlated with the lipid curvature properties,where negative spontaneous curvature of lipids seemed to be unfavorable for intra-vesicle fusion.Furthermore,the inner membrane tension around the pore was much larger than other regions,which governed the penetration pore size and stability.This work provided basic understanding for vesicle penetration pore formation and stabilization mechanisms.展开更多
The effects of temperature and Re content on the mechanical properties,dislocation morphology,and deformation mechanism of γ-γ′phases nickel-based single crystal superalloys are investigated by using the molecular ...The effects of temperature and Re content on the mechanical properties,dislocation morphology,and deformation mechanism of γ-γ′phases nickel-based single crystal superalloys are investigated by using the molecular dynamics method through the model of γ-γ′phases containing hole defect.The addition of Re makes the dislocation distribution tend towards the γ phase.The higher the Re content,the earlier theγphase yields,while the γ′phase yields later.Dislocation bends under the combined action of the applied force and the resistance of the Re atoms to form a bend point.The Re atoms are located at the bend points and strengthen the alloy by fixing the dislocation and preventing it from cutting the γ′phase.Dislocations nucleate first in the γ phase,causing theγphase to deform plastically before the γ′phase.As the strain increases,the dislocation length first remains unchanged,then increases rapidly,and finally fluctuates and changes.The dislocation lengths in the γ phase are larger than those in the γ′phase at different temperatures.The dislocation length shows a decreasing tendency with the increase of the temperature.Temperature can affect movement of the dislocation,and superalloys have different plastic deformation mechanisms at low,medium and high temperatures.展开更多
The shell-model molecular dynamics method was applied to simulate the melting temper- atures of SrF2 and BaF2 at elevated temperatures and high pressures. The same method was used to calculate the equations of state f...The shell-model molecular dynamics method was applied to simulate the melting temper- atures of SrF2 and BaF2 at elevated temperatures and high pressures. The same method was used to calculate the equations of state for SrF2 and BaF2 over the pressure range of 0.1 MPa-3 GPa and 0.1 MPa-7 GPa. Compared with previous results for equations of state, the maximum errors are 0.3% and 2.2%, respectively. Considering the pre-melting in the fluorite-type crystals, we made the necessary corrections for the simulated melting temper- atures of SrF2 and BaF2. Consequently, the melting temperatures of SrF2 and BaF2 were obtained for high pressures. The melting temperatures of SrF2 and BaF2 that were obtained by the simulation are in good agreement with available experimental data.展开更多
In this study, 6061 aluminum alloy and AZ31 B magnesium alloy composite plate was fabricated through explosive welding. Molecular dynamics（MD） simulations were conducted to investigate atomic diffusion behavior at b...In this study, 6061 aluminum alloy and AZ31 B magnesium alloy composite plate was fabricated through explosive welding. Molecular dynamics（MD） simulations were conducted to investigate atomic diffusion behavior at bonding interface in the AI/Mg composite plate. Corresponding experiments were conducted to validate the simulation results. The results show that diffusion coefficient of Mg atom is larger than that of A1 atom and the difference between these two coefficients becomes smaller with increasing collision velocity. The diffusion coefficient was found to depend on collision velocity and angle. It increases linearly with collision velocity when the collision angle is maintained constant at 10° and decreases linearly with collision angle when the collision velocity is maintained constantly at 440 m/s. Based on our MD simulation results and Fick＇s second law, a mathematical formula to calculate the thickness of diffusion layer was proposed and its validity was verified by relevant experiments. Transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive system were also used to investigate the atomic diffusion behavior at the bonding interface in the explosively welded 6061/AZ31B composite plate. The results show that there were obvious Al and Mg atom diffusion at the bonding interface,and the diffusion of magnesium atoms from magnesium alloy plate to aluminum alloy plate occurs much faster than the diffusion of aluminum atoms to the magnesium alloy plate. These findings from the current study can help to optimize the explosive welding process.展开更多
The interactions between konjac glucomannan（KGM） and soy protein isolate （SPI） were studied with the method of molecular dynamics simulation. Part representative structures segments of KGM and SPI were used as mod...The interactions between konjac glucomannan（KGM） and soy protein isolate （SPI） were studied with the method of molecular dynamics simulation. Part representative structures segments of KGM and SPI were used as mode, and the force-field was FF03. The stability and sites of KGM/SPI interactions in water were researched at 363 K with the following results： the potential energy （EPOT） of the mixed gel dropped, while that of single KGM gel increased. The surface area （SA） of KGM in the mixed system was decreased to 401.41 from 1 267.54 Az, and that of SPI to 484.94 from 1 943.28 A2. The sum potential energy of KGM and soy protein in the mixed system was decreased to -13 402.41 from -5 768.56 kcal mol^-1. The variations of two parameters showed that the stability of compound gel KGM/SPI was improved, which was consistent with the previous studies. The sites of interactions in the mixed gel were the -OH groups on C（2） in KGM mannose and glucose, and the amide linkage group on Histidine, Asparagine and Leucine in SPI. The hydrogen bond was formed directly or indirectly by the bridge of waters.展开更多
A deep understanding of explosive sensitivities and their factors is important for safe and reliable applications.However,quantitative prediction of the sensitivities is difficult.Here,reactive molecular dynamics simu...A deep understanding of explosive sensitivities and their factors is important for safe and reliable applications.However,quantitative prediction of the sensitivities is difficult.Here,reactive molecular dynamics simulation models for high-speed piston impacts on explosive supercells were established.Simulations were also performed to investigate shock-induced reactions of various high-energy explosives.The fraction of reacted explosive molecules in an initial supercell changed linearly with the propagation distance of the shock-wave front.The corresponding slope could be used as a reaction rate for a specific shock-loading velocity.Reaction rates that varied with the shock-loading pressure exhibited two-stage linearities with different slopes.The two inflection points corresponded to the initial and accelerated reactions,which respectively correlated to the thresholds of shock-induced ignition and detonation.Therefore,the ignition and detonation critical pressures could be determined.The sensitivity could then be a quantitative prediction of the critical pressure.The accuracies of the quantitative shock sensitivity predictions were verified by comparing the impact and shock sensitivities of common explosives and the characteristics of anisotropic shock-induced reactions.Molecular dynamics simulations quantitatively predict and rank shock sensitivities by using only crystal structures of the explosives.Overall,this method will enable the design and safe use of explosives.展开更多
The interactions between konjac glucomannan and carrageenan were studied with the method of molecular dynamics simulation. Part representative structure segments of KGM and two unit structures of κ-carrageenan （Fig...The interactions between konjac glucomannan and carrageenan were studied with the method of molecular dynamics simulation. Part representative structure segments of KGM and two unit structures of κ-carrageenan （Fig. 2） were used as mode, and the force-field was AMBER2. The stability and sites of konjac glucomannan/carrageenan interactions in water were researched at 373 K with the following results： the potential energy （EPOT） of the mixed gel was dropped, while those of single-konjac glucomannan gel and single carrageenan were increased. The surface area （SA） of KGM in the mixed system was decreased to 1002.2A^°^2, and that of carrageenan to 800.9 A^°^2. The variations of two parameters showed that the stability of compound gel konjac glucomannan/carrageenan was improved, which is consistent with the previous studies. The sites of interactions in the mixed gel were the -OH groups on C（2）, C（4） and C（6）, the acetyl group in KGM mannose, and the -OH group on C（6） in carrageenan. The hydrogen bond was formed directly or indirectly by the bridge of waters.展开更多
Protein adsorption preferentially occurs and significantly affects the physicochemical reactions once the biodegradable magnesium alloys as bone replacements have been implanted. To date, interactions mechanisms betwe...Protein adsorption preferentially occurs and significantly affects the physicochemical reactions once the biodegradable magnesium alloys as bone replacements have been implanted. To date, interactions mechanisms between Mg implants and proteins remain unclear at a molecular level. Thereby, a combination of molecular dynamic(MD) simulations and experimental exploration is used to investigate the adsorption behavior and conformational change of bovine serum albumin(BSA), a representative protein of blood plasma, upon the surface of microarc oxidation(MAO) coated Mg alloy AZ31. The influences of absorbed proteins on the cytocompatibility of MAO coating are evaluated by virtue of cytotoxicity assay. Results indicate that the negatively charged O atoms(BSA) exhibit strong interaction with Mg^(2+) ions of Mg(OH)_(2), revealing that BSA molecules are ionically adsorbed on the AZ31 surface. Interestingly, MD simulation reveals that MAO coating demonstrates superior ability to capture BSA molecules during the process of adsorption owing to strong electric attraction between the negatively charged O atoms in BSA molecules with Mg atoms of MgO in MAO coating. Moreover, the α-helix part of absorbed BSA molecules on AZ31 substrate and MAO coating markedly decreases with an increase in β-sheet, β-turn and unordered contents, which is attributed to the reduction in the number of hydrogen bonds in BSA molecules. Furthermore, the adsorbed BSA molecules improve the cytocompatibility of MAO coating since the positively charged-NH_(3)^(+) group and β-sheet content of absorbed BSA molecules mediate the cell adhesion by interacting with the negatively charged cell membrane.展开更多
Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the growth mechanism of CH4-CO2 mixed hydrate in xco2 = 75%, xco2 = 50%, and zco2 = 25% systems at T = 250 K, 255 K and 260 K, respectively. Our simulation results...Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the growth mechanism of CH4-CO2 mixed hydrate in xco2 = 75%, xco2 = 50%, and zco2 = 25% systems at T = 250 K, 255 K and 260 K, respectively. Our simulation results show that the growth rate of CH4-CO2 mixed hydrate increases as the CO2 concentration in the initial solution phase increases and the temperature decreases. Via hydrate formation, the composition of CO2 in hydrate phase is higher than that in initial solution phase and the encaging capacity of CO2 in hydrates increases with the decrease in temperature. By analysis of the cage occupancy ratio of CH4 molecules and CO2 molecules in large cages to small cages, we find that CO2 molecules are preferably encaged into the large cages of the hydrate crystal as compared with CH4 molecules. Interestingly, CH4 molecules and CO2 molecules frequently replace with each other in some particular cage sites adjacent to hydrate/solution interface during the crystal growth process. These two species of vip molecules eventually act to stabilize the newly formed hydrates, with CO2 molecules occupying large cages and CH4 molecules occupying small cages in hydrate.展开更多
The adsorption sites and diffusion mechanism of CO2 molecules in the flexible Zn（MeIM）2 （MeIM=2-methylimidazole） （ZIF-8） have been investigated by grand canonical Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations. ...The adsorption sites and diffusion mechanism of CO2 molecules in the flexible Zn（MeIM）2 （MeIM=2-methylimidazole） （ZIF-8） have been investigated by grand canonical Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations. A reasonable time correlation function is for the first time constructed to explore the mean residence time of CO2 molecules in the ZIF-8 cages, suggesting that C02 molecules can remain in the same cage for up to several tens of picoseconds. Furthermore, we find that the mean residence time almost linearly increases with the increasing pressure （or loading） at 273 and 298 K.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the National Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11774272,and 12075171)。
文摘Structural elasticity of double-strand DNAs is very important for their biological functions such as DNA-ligand binding and DNA-protein recognition.By all-atom molecular dynamics simulations,we investigated the bending elasticity of DNA with three typical sequences including poly(A)-poly(T)(AA-TT),poly(AT)-poly(TA)(AT-TA),and a generic sequence(GENE).Our calculations indicate that,AA-TT has an apparently larger bending persistence length(P~63 nm)than GENE(P~49 nm)and AT-TA(P~48 nm)while the persistence length of AT-TA is only very slightly smaller than that of GENE,which agrees well with those from existing works.Moreover,through extensive electrostatic calculations,we found that the sequence-dependent bending elasticity is attributed to the sequence-dependent electrostatic bending energy for AA-TT,AT-TA and GENE,which is coupled to their backbone structures.Particularly,the apparently stronger bending stiffness of AA-TT is attributed to its narrower minor groove.Interestingly,for the three DNAs,we predicted the non-electrostatic persistence length of~17 nm,thus electrostatic interaction makes the major contribution to DNA bending elasticity.The mechanism of electrostatic energy dominating sequence effect in DNA bending elasticity is furtherly illustrated through the electrostatic calculations for a grooved coarse-grained DNA model where minor groove width and other microscopic structural parameters can be artificially adjusted.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.11504384 and 11121403computational resources provided by Supercomputing Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences(SCCAS)
文摘The lubrication characteristics of liquid crystal(LC) molecules sheared between two crystalline surfaces obtained from molecular dynamics(MD) simulations are reported in this article.We consider a coarse-grained rigid bead-necklace model of the LC molecules confined between two atomic surfaces subject to different shearing velocities.A systematic study shows that the slip length of LC lubrication changes significantly as a function of the LC-surface interaction energy,which can be well described though a theoretical curve.The slip length increases as shear rate increases at high LC-surface interaction energy.However,this trend can not be observed for low interaction energy.The orientation of the LC molecules near the surface is found to be guided by the atomics surfaces.The influence of temperature on the lubrication characteristics is also discussed in this article.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.21973064)the Post-Doctor Research Project,West China Hospital,Sichuan University(No.2021HXBH017)。
文摘Protein-protein interactions are vital for a wide range of biological processes.The interactions between the hypoxia-inducible factor and von Hippel Lindau(VHL)are attractive drug targets for ischemic heart disease.In order to disrupt this interaction,the strategy to target VHL binding site using a hydroxyproline-like(pro-like)small molecule has been reported.In this study,we focused on the inhibition mechanism between the pro-like inhibitors and the VHL protein,which were investigated via molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy calculations.It was found that pro-like inhibitors showed a strong binding affinity toward VHL.Binding free energy calculations and free energy decompositions suggested that the modification of various regions of pro-like inhibitors may provide useful information for future drug design.
基金supported by the Science and Technology Research Project from Education Department of Jilin Province (No. JJKH20231296KJ)the Natural Science Foundation of Science and Technology Department of Jilin Province (Joint Fund Project) (No. YDZJ202201ZYTS340)+9 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 2412022ZD013)the Science and Technology Development Plan Project of Jilin Province (Nos. SKL202302030, SKL202402017, 20210204126YY, 20230204113YY, 20240602003RC, 20210402059GH)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 22174137, 22322410, 92372102 and 22073094)the Cooperation Funding of Changchun with Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. 22SH13)the Capital Construction Fund Projects within the Budget of Jilin Province (No. 2023C042–5)the University Level Scientific Research Projects of Ordinary Universities in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (No. 2022YQSN002)the State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers (Fudan University) (No. K2024–11)the Program for Young Scholars in Regional Development of CASthe essential support of the Network and Computing Center, CIAC, CASthe Computing Center of Jilin Province。
文摘Recent advancements in nanotechnology have spotlighted the catalytic potential of nanozymes, particularly single-atom nanozymes(SANs), which are pivotal for innovations in biosensing and medical diagnostics. Among others, DNA stands out as an ideal biological regulator. Its inherent programmability and interaction capabilities allow it to significantly modulate nanozyme activity. This study delves into the dynamic interplay between DNA and molybdenum-zinc single-atom nanozymes(Mo-Zn SANs). Using molecular dynamics simulations, we uncover how DNA influences the peroxidase-like activities of Mo-Zn SANs, providing a foundational understanding that broadens the application scope of SANs in biosensing.With these insights as a foundation, we developed and demonstrated a model aptasensor for point-ofcare testing(POCT), utilizing a label-free colorimetric approach that leverages DNA-nanozyme interactions to achieve high-sensitivity detection of lysozyme. Our work elucidates the nuanced control DNA exerts over nanozyme functionality and illustrates the application of this molecular mechanism through a smartphone-assisted biosensing platform. This study not only underscores the practical implications of DNA-regulated Mo-Zn SANs in enhancing biosensing platforms, but also highlights the potential of single-atom nanozyme technology to revolutionize diagnostic tools through its inherent versatility and sensitivity.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province(E2024209052)the Youth Scholars Promotion Plan of North China University of Science and Technology(QNTJ202307).
文摘Eutectic high entropy alloys are noted for their excellent castability and comprehensive mechanical properties.The excellent mechanical properties are closely related to the activation and evolution of deformation mechanisms at the atomic scale.In this work,AlCoCrFeNi2.1 alloy is taken as the research object.The mechanical behaviors and deformation mechanisms of the FCC and B2 single crystals with different orientations and the FCC/B2 composites with K-S orientation relationship during nanoindentation processes are systematically studied by molecular dynamics simulations.The results show that the mechanical behaviors of FCC single crystals are significantly orientation-dependent,meanwhile,the indentation force of[110]single crystal is the lowest at the elastic-plastic transition point,and that for[100]single crystal is the lowest in plastic deformation stage.Compared with FCC,the stress for B2 single crystals at the elastic-plastic transition point is higher.However,more deformation systems such as stacking faults,twins and dislocation loops are activated in FCC single crystal during the plastic deformation process,resulting in higher indentation force.For composites,the flow stress increases with the increase of B2 phase thickness during the initial stage of deformation.When indenter penetrates heterogeneous interface,the significantly increased deformation system in FCC phase leads to a significant increase in indentation force.The mechanical behaviors and deformation mechanisms depend on the component single crystal.When the thickness of the component layer is less than 15 nm,the heterogeneous interfaces fail to prevent the dislocation slip and improve the indentation force.The results will enrich the plastic deformation mechanisms of multi-principal eutectic alloys and provide guidance for the design of nanocrystalline metallic materials.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52271105)。
文摘Uranium–molybdenum(U–Mo) alloys are critical for nuclear power generation and propulsion because of their superior thermal conductivity, irradiation stability, and anti-swelling properties. This study explores the plastic deformation mechanisms of γ-phase U–Mo alloys using molecular dynamics(MD) simulations. In the slip model, the generalized stacking fault energy(GSFE) and the modified Peierls–Nabarro(P–N) model are used to determine the competitive relationships among different slip systems. In the twinning model, the generalized plane fault energy(GPFE) is assessed to evaluate the competition between slip and twinning. The findings reveal that among the three slip systems, the {110}<111>slip system is preferentially activated, while in the {112}<111> system, twinning is favored over slip, as confirmed by MD tensile simulations conducted in various directions. Additionally, the impact of Mo content on deformation behavior is emphasized. Insights are provided for optimizing process conditions to avoid γ → α′′ transitions, thereby maintaining a higher proportion of γ-phase U–Mo alloys for practical applications.
基金financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52204335 and 52374319)the National Nature Science Foundation of China(No.52174291)the Central Universities Foundation of China(No.06500170)。
文摘The experiment explored the Fe_(2)O_(3) reduction process with H_(2)/CO mixed gas and confirmed a promoting effect from CO when its volume proportion in mixed gas is 20% at 850℃.The ReaxFF molecular dynamics(MD)simulation method was used to observe the reduction process and provide an atomic-level explanation.The accuracy of the parameters used in the simulation was verified by the density functional theory(DFT)calculation.The simulation shows that the initial reduction rate of H_(2) is much faster than that of CO(from 800 to 950℃).As the reduction proceeds,cementite,obtained after CO participates in the reduction at 850℃,will appear on the iron surface.Due to the active properties of C atoms in cementite,they are easy to further react with the O atoms in Fe_(2)O_(3).The generation of internal CO may destroy the dense structure of the surface layer,thereby affecting the overall reduction swelling of Fe_(2)O_(3).However,excess CO is detrimental to the reaction rate,mainly because of the poor thermodynamic conditions of CO in the temperature range and the molecular diffusion capacity is not as good as that of H_(2).Furthermore,the surface structures obtained after H_(2) and CO reduction have been compared,and it was found that the structure obtained by CO reduction has a larger surface area,thus promoting the sub sequent reaction of H_(2).
基金Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Academy of Engineering Physics and Jointly Setup"NSAF"Joint Fund(No.U1430119)。
文摘The multi-scale modeling combined with the cohesive zone model(CZM)and the molecular dynamics(MD)method were preformed to simulate the crack propagation in NiTi shape memory alloys(SMAs).The metallographic microscope and image processing technology were employed to achieve a quantitative grain size distribution of NiTi alloys so as to provide experimental data for molecular dynamics modeling at the atomic scale.Considering the size effect of molecular dynamics model on material properties,a reasonable modeling size was provided by taking into account three characteristic dimensions from the perspective of macro,meso,and micro scales according to the Buckinghamπtheorem.Then,the corresponding MD simulation on deformation and fracture behavior was investigated to derive a parameterized traction-separation(T-S)law,and then it was embedded into cohesive elements of finite element software.Thus,the crack propagation behavior in NiTi alloys was reproduced by the finite element method(FEM).The experimental results show that the predicted initiation fracture toughness is in good agreement with experimental data.In addition,it is found that the dynamics initiation fracture toughness increases with decreasing grain size and increasing loading velocity.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.U20B6003)the China Scholarship Council(No.202306440015)a project of the China Petroleum&Chemical Corporation(No.P22174)。
文摘The hybrid CO_(2) thermal technique has achieved considerable success globally in extracting residual heavy oil from reserves following a long-term steam stimulation process.Using microscopic visualization experiments and molecular dynamics(MD)simulations,this study investigates the microscopic enhanced oil recovery(EOR)mechanisms underlying residual oil removal using hybrid CO_(2) thermal systems.Based on the experimental models for the occurrence of heavy oil,this study evaluates the performance of hybrid CO_(2) thermal systems under various conditions using MD simulations.The results demonstrate that introducing CO_(2) molecules into heavy oil can effectively penetrate and decompose dense aggregates that are originally formed on hydrophobic surfaces.A stable miscible hybrid CO_(2) thermal system,with a high effective distribution ratio of CO_(2),proficiently reduces the interaction energies between heavy oil and rock surfaces,as well as within heavy oil.A visualization analysis of the interactions reveals that strong van der Waals(vdW)attractions occur between CO_(2) and heavy oil molecules,effectively promoting the decomposition and swelling of heavy oil.This unlocks the residual oil on the hydrophobic surfaces.Considering the impacts of temperature and CO_(2) concentration,an optimal gas-to-steam injection ratio(here,the CO_(2):steam ratio)ranging between 1:6 and 1:9 is recommended.This study examines the microscopic mechanisms underlying the hybrid CO_(2) thermal technique at a molecular scale,providing a significant theoretical guide for its expanded application in EOR.
基金Project supported by the National MCF Energy Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2018YFE0308101)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2018YFB0704000)+1 种基金the Suqian Science and Technology Program(Grant No.K202337)the Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China(Grant No.23KJD490001).
文摘Using molecular dynamics methods,simulations of collision cascades in polycrystalline tungsten(W)have been conducted in this study,including different primary-knock-on atom(PKA)directions,grain sizes,and PKA energies between 1 keV and 150 keV.The results indicate that a smaller grain size leads to more defects forming in grain boundary regions during cascade processes.The impact of high-energy PKA may cause a certain degree of distortion of the grain boundaries,which has a higher probability in systems with smaller grain sizes and becomes more pronounced as the PKA energy increases.The direction of PKA can affect the formation and diffusion pathways of defects.When the PKA direction is perpendicular to the grain boundary,defects preferentially form near the grain boundary regions;by contrast,defects are more inclined to form in the interior of the grains.These results are of great significance for comprehending the changes in the performance of polycrystalline W under the high-energy fusion environments and can provide theoretical guidance for further optimization and application of W-based plasma materials.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grants Nos.T2394512,32130061,and 12172366)the Scientific Instrument Developing Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.GJJSTD20220002).
文摘The formation of donut-shaped penetration pore upon membrane fusion in a closed lipid membrane system is of biological significance,since such the structures extensively exist in living body with various functions.However,the related formation dynamics is unclear because of the limitation of experimental techniques.This work developed a new model of intra-vesicular fusion to elaborate the formation and stabilization of penetration pores by employing molecular dynamics simulations,based on simplified spherical lipid vesicle system,and investigated the regulation of membrane lipid composition.Results showed that penetration pore could be successfully formed based on the strategy of membrane fusion.The ease of intra-vesicular fusion and penetration pore formation was closely correlated with the lipid curvature properties,where negative spontaneous curvature of lipids seemed to be unfavorable for intra-vesicle fusion.Furthermore,the inner membrane tension around the pore was much larger than other regions,which governed the penetration pore size and stability.This work provided basic understanding for vesicle penetration pore formation and stabilization mechanisms.
基金Project supported by the Xi’an Science and Technology Plan Project of Shaanxi Province of China(Grant No.23GXFW0086).
文摘The effects of temperature and Re content on the mechanical properties,dislocation morphology,and deformation mechanism of γ-γ′phases nickel-based single crystal superalloys are investigated by using the molecular dynamics method through the model of γ-γ′phases containing hole defect.The addition of Re makes the dislocation distribution tend towards the γ phase.The higher the Re content,the earlier theγphase yields,while the γ′phase yields later.Dislocation bends under the combined action of the applied force and the resistance of the Re atoms to form a bend point.The Re atoms are located at the bend points and strengthen the alloy by fixing the dislocation and preventing it from cutting the γ′phase.Dislocations nucleate first in the γ phase,causing theγphase to deform plastically before the γ′phase.As the strain increases,the dislocation length first remains unchanged,then increases rapidly,and finally fluctuates and changes.The dislocation lengths in the γ phase are larger than those in the γ′phase at different temperatures.The dislocation length shows a decreasing tendency with the increase of the temperature.Temperature can affect movement of the dislocation,and superalloys have different plastic deformation mechanisms at low,medium and high temperatures.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No.10676025） and Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics.
文摘The shell-model molecular dynamics method was applied to simulate the melting temper- atures of SrF2 and BaF2 at elevated temperatures and high pressures. The same method was used to calculate the equations of state for SrF2 and BaF2 over the pressure range of 0.1 MPa-3 GPa and 0.1 MPa-7 GPa. Compared with previous results for equations of state, the maximum errors are 0.3% and 2.2%, respectively. Considering the pre-melting in the fluorite-type crystals, we made the necessary corrections for the simulated melting temper- atures of SrF2 and BaF2. Consequently, the melting temperatures of SrF2 and BaF2 were obtained for high pressures. The melting temperatures of SrF2 and BaF2 that were obtained by the simulation are in good agreement with available experimental data.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.51375328)
文摘In this study, 6061 aluminum alloy and AZ31 B magnesium alloy composite plate was fabricated through explosive welding. Molecular dynamics（MD） simulations were conducted to investigate atomic diffusion behavior at bonding interface in the AI/Mg composite plate. Corresponding experiments were conducted to validate the simulation results. The results show that diffusion coefficient of Mg atom is larger than that of A1 atom and the difference between these two coefficients becomes smaller with increasing collision velocity. The diffusion coefficient was found to depend on collision velocity and angle. It increases linearly with collision velocity when the collision angle is maintained constant at 10° and decreases linearly with collision angle when the collision velocity is maintained constantly at 440 m/s. Based on our MD simulation results and Fick＇s second law, a mathematical formula to calculate the thickness of diffusion layer was proposed and its validity was verified by relevant experiments. Transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive system were also used to investigate the atomic diffusion behavior at the bonding interface in the explosively welded 6061/AZ31B composite plate. The results show that there were obvious Al and Mg atom diffusion at the bonding interface,and the diffusion of magnesium atoms from magnesium alloy plate to aluminum alloy plate occurs much faster than the diffusion of aluminum atoms to the magnesium alloy plate. These findings from the current study can help to optimize the explosive welding process.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(30871749,30901004)
文摘The interactions between konjac glucomannan（KGM） and soy protein isolate （SPI） were studied with the method of molecular dynamics simulation. Part representative structures segments of KGM and SPI were used as mode, and the force-field was FF03. The stability and sites of KGM/SPI interactions in water were researched at 363 K with the following results： the potential energy （EPOT） of the mixed gel dropped, while that of single KGM gel increased. The surface area （SA） of KGM in the mixed system was decreased to 401.41 from 1 267.54 Az, and that of SPI to 484.94 from 1 943.28 A2. The sum potential energy of KGM and soy protein in the mixed system was decreased to -13 402.41 from -5 768.56 kcal mol^-1. The variations of two parameters showed that the stability of compound gel KGM/SPI was improved, which was consistent with the previous studies. The sites of interactions in the mixed gel were the -OH groups on C（2） in KGM mannose and glucose, and the amide linkage group on Histidine, Asparagine and Leucine in SPI. The hydrogen bond was formed directly or indirectly by the bridge of waters.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.11832006).
文摘A deep understanding of explosive sensitivities and their factors is important for safe and reliable applications.However,quantitative prediction of the sensitivities is difficult.Here,reactive molecular dynamics simulation models for high-speed piston impacts on explosive supercells were established.Simulations were also performed to investigate shock-induced reactions of various high-energy explosives.The fraction of reacted explosive molecules in an initial supercell changed linearly with the propagation distance of the shock-wave front.The corresponding slope could be used as a reaction rate for a specific shock-loading velocity.Reaction rates that varied with the shock-loading pressure exhibited two-stage linearities with different slopes.The two inflection points corresponded to the initial and accelerated reactions,which respectively correlated to the thresholds of shock-induced ignition and detonation.Therefore,the ignition and detonation critical pressures could be determined.The sensitivity could then be a quantitative prediction of the critical pressure.The accuracies of the quantitative shock sensitivity predictions were verified by comparing the impact and shock sensitivities of common explosives and the characteristics of anisotropic shock-induced reactions.Molecular dynamics simulations quantitatively predict and rank shock sensitivities by using only crystal structures of the explosives.Overall,this method will enable the design and safe use of explosives.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30371009, 30471218)
文摘The interactions between konjac glucomannan and carrageenan were studied with the method of molecular dynamics simulation. Part representative structure segments of KGM and two unit structures of κ-carrageenan （Fig. 2） were used as mode, and the force-field was AMBER2. The stability and sites of konjac glucomannan/carrageenan interactions in water were researched at 373 K with the following results： the potential energy （EPOT） of the mixed gel was dropped, while those of single-konjac glucomannan gel and single carrageenan were increased. The surface area （SA） of KGM in the mixed system was decreased to 1002.2A^°^2, and that of carrageenan to 800.9 A^°^2. The variations of two parameters showed that the stability of compound gel konjac glucomannan/carrageenan was improved, which is consistent with the previous studies. The sites of interactions in the mixed gel were the -OH groups on C（2）, C（4） and C（6）, the acetyl group in KGM mannose, and the -OH group on C（6） in carrageenan. The hydrogen bond was formed directly or indirectly by the bridge of waters.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52071191)。
文摘Protein adsorption preferentially occurs and significantly affects the physicochemical reactions once the biodegradable magnesium alloys as bone replacements have been implanted. To date, interactions mechanisms between Mg implants and proteins remain unclear at a molecular level. Thereby, a combination of molecular dynamic(MD) simulations and experimental exploration is used to investigate the adsorption behavior and conformational change of bovine serum albumin(BSA), a representative protein of blood plasma, upon the surface of microarc oxidation(MAO) coated Mg alloy AZ31. The influences of absorbed proteins on the cytocompatibility of MAO coating are evaluated by virtue of cytotoxicity assay. Results indicate that the negatively charged O atoms(BSA) exhibit strong interaction with Mg^(2+) ions of Mg(OH)_(2), revealing that BSA molecules are ionically adsorbed on the AZ31 surface. Interestingly, MD simulation reveals that MAO coating demonstrates superior ability to capture BSA molecules during the process of adsorption owing to strong electric attraction between the negatively charged O atoms in BSA molecules with Mg atoms of MgO in MAO coating. Moreover, the α-helix part of absorbed BSA molecules on AZ31 substrate and MAO coating markedly decreases with an increase in β-sheet, β-turn and unordered contents, which is attributed to the reduction in the number of hydrogen bonds in BSA molecules. Furthermore, the adsorbed BSA molecules improve the cytocompatibility of MAO coating since the positively charged-NH_(3)^(+) group and β-sheet content of absorbed BSA molecules mediate the cell adhesion by interacting with the negatively charged cell membrane.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51176192)CAS Program(KGZD-EW-301)NOG Program(GHZ2012006003)
文摘Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the growth mechanism of CH4-CO2 mixed hydrate in xco2 = 75%, xco2 = 50%, and zco2 = 25% systems at T = 250 K, 255 K and 260 K, respectively. Our simulation results show that the growth rate of CH4-CO2 mixed hydrate increases as the CO2 concentration in the initial solution phase increases and the temperature decreases. Via hydrate formation, the composition of CO2 in hydrate phase is higher than that in initial solution phase and the encaging capacity of CO2 in hydrates increases with the decrease in temperature. By analysis of the cage occupancy ratio of CH4 molecules and CO2 molecules in large cages to small cages, we find that CO2 molecules are preferably encaged into the large cages of the hydrate crystal as compared with CH4 molecules. Interestingly, CH4 molecules and CO2 molecules frequently replace with each other in some particular cage sites adjacent to hydrate/solution interface during the crystal growth process. These two species of vip molecules eventually act to stabilize the newly formed hydrates, with CO2 molecules occupying large cages and CH4 molecules occupying small cages in hydrate.
文摘The adsorption sites and diffusion mechanism of CO2 molecules in the flexible Zn（MeIM）2 （MeIM=2-methylimidazole） （ZIF-8） have been investigated by grand canonical Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations. A reasonable time correlation function is for the first time constructed to explore the mean residence time of CO2 molecules in the ZIF-8 cages, suggesting that C02 molecules can remain in the same cage for up to several tens of picoseconds. Furthermore, we find that the mean residence time almost linearly increases with the increasing pressure （or loading） at 273 and 298 K.
