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Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) inactivate microorganisms by forming transmembrane pores in a cell membrane through adsorption and aggregation. Energetics of addition of an AMP to a transmembrane pore is important for evaluation of its formation and growth. Such information is essential for the characterization of pore forming ability of peptides in cell membranes. This study quantifies the potential of mean force through molecular dynamics (MD) simulation for the addition of melittin, a naturally occurring AMP, into a DOPC/DOPG mixed bilayer, a mimic of bacterial membrane, for different extents of insertion into either a bilayer or a pore consisting of three to six transmembrane peptides. The energy barrier for insertion of a melittin molecule into the bilayer was highest in the absence of transmembrane peptides and decreased for the number of transmembrane peptides from three to six, eventually approaching zero. The decrease in free energy for complete insertion of peptide was found to be higher for larger pore size. Water channel formation occurred only for insertion into pores consisting of three or more transmembrane peptides with the radius of water channel being larger for a larger number of transmembrane peptides. The structure of the pore was found to be paraboloid. The estimated free energy barrier for insertion of melittin into an ideal paraboloid pore accounting for different intermolecular interactions was consistent with MD simulation results. The results reported in this manuscript will be useful for the development of a model for nucleation of pores and a rational methodology for selection of synthetic antimicrobial peptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to expand the aeroelastic unstable range of a circular cylinder for improving the efficiency of a vortex-induced vibration (VIV)-based wind energy harvester. The kinetic energy of the harvester is provided by flow-induced vibration of a circular cylinder. Two small-diameter cylindrical rods were attached on two sides of the circular cylinder parallel to the cylinder axis and symmetrical to the stagnation line at a series of circumferential locations. This was inspired by rain-wind-induced vibrations of stay-cables of cable-stayed bridges. It was found that attaching two small-diameter cylindrical rods at the circumferential location θ=60° significantly expands the aeroelastic unstable range for the circular cylinder. The wind energy harvester with this configuration harnesses the wind energy beyond the VIV onset wind speed and is sustained over the range of wind speed. Therefore, this configuration possesses a dramatic superiority over a plain circular cylinder as the kinetic source of a wind energy harvester. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green-light-emission InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) with different polarities were grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. A clear phase separation was observed both in the Ga- and N-polarity samples by high resolution transmission electron microscopy, corresponding to two InGaN-related emissions (In-rich dots and an InGaN matrix) seen in photoluminescence spectra. The dot-related emission in the Ga-polarity MQWs shows stronger carrier localization, as well as a weak influence of defects and temperature insensitivity, when compared to the N-polarity MQWs. In addition, efficient carrier transport, from the low-indium InGaN matrix to high-indium In-rich dots, was observed in the Ga-polarity structure, enhancing the function of quantum-dot structures with Ga polarity, and resulting in a high quantum yield of green light emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]