What should the density of amorphous solids be?

A survey of published literature reveals a difference in the density of amorphous and crystalline solids (organic and inorganic) on the order of 10%-15%, whereas for metallic alloys, it is found to be typically less than 5%. Standard geometric models of atomic packing can account for the polymeric and inorganic glasses without requiring changes in interatomic separations (bond lengths). By contrast, the relatively small difference in density between crystalline and glassy metals (and metallic alloys) implies variations in interatomic separations due to merging orbitals giving rise to reduced atomic volumes. To test this hypothesis, quantum density functional theory computations were carried out on ordered and irregular clusters of aluminum. The results point to decreasing interatomic distances with decreasing coordination, from which one can deduce that the geometrical method of random hard sphere packing significantly underestimates the densities of amorphous metallic alloys.

Repeat-length variation in a wheat cellulose synthase-like gene is associated with altered tiller number and stem cell wall composition.

The tiller inhibition gene (tin) that reduces tillering in wheat (Triticum aestivum) is also associated with large spikes, increased grain weight, and thick leaves and stems. In this study, comparison of near-isogenic lines (NILs) revealed changes in stem morphology, cell wall composition, and stem strength. Microscopic analysis of stem cross-sections and chemical analysis of stem tissue indicated that cell walls in tin lines were thicker and more lignified than in free-tillering NILs. Increased lignification was associated with stronger stems in tin plants. A candidate gene for tin was identified through map-based cloning and was predicted to encode a cellulose synthase-like (Csl) protein with homology to members of the CslA clade. Dinucleotide repeat-length polymorphism in the 5'UTR region of the Csl gene was associated with tiller number in diverse wheat germplasm and linked to expression differences of Csl transcripts between NILs. We propose that regulation of Csl transcript and/or protein levels affects carbon partitioning throughout the plant, which plays a key role in the tin phenotype.

Structural evolution and strength change of a metallic glass at different temperatures.

The structural evolution of a Zr64.13Cu15.75Ni10.12Al10 metallic glass is investigated in-situ by high-energy synchrotron X-ray radiation upon heating up to crystallization. The structural rearrangements on the atomic scale during the heating process are analysed as a function of temperature, focusing on shift of the peaks of the structure factor in reciprocal space and the pair distribution function and radial distribution function in real space which are correlated with atomic rearrangements and progressing nanocrystallization. Thermal expansion and contraction of the coordination shells is measured and correlated with the bulk coefficient of thermal expansion. The characteristics of the microstructure and the yield strength of the metallic glass at high temperature are discussed aiming to elucidate the correlation between the atomic arrangement and the mechanical properties.

Fabrication and cyto-compatibility of Fe3O4/SiO2/graphene-CdTe QDs/CS nanocomposites for drug delivery.

Synthesis of magnetic Fe3O4/SiO2/graphene-CdTe QDs/chitosan nanocomposites (FGQCs) is investigated with respect to their potential of improving the drug loading content above that of magnetic/fluorescent bifunctional nanocomposites. To evaluate the performance of the FGQCs, their surface morphology was thoroughly assessed. The in vitro interaction between the FGQCs and heptoma cell line smmc-7721 cells was observed for the first time by TEM ultrathin section imaging. At an excitation wavelength of 365 nm, the graphene-QDs exhibit a strong luminescence in aqueous environments. The loading content and entrapment efficiency of the FGQCs were 70% and 50%, respectively. The cytotoxicity of this novel drug delivery system was evaluated in vitro using heptoma cell line smmc-7721 and quantified by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-z-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results show that FGQCs are a promising new multifunctional material for drug delivery in biological and medical applications.