Helical Morphology Research Articles

Non-destructive strategy to extract sustainable helix and high-strength Musa core fibers for rapid water conduction and evaporation

The reuse and development of natural waste resources is a hotspots and challenges in the research of new fiber materials and the resolution of environmental concern globally. Herein, this study aimed to develop a simple and direct manual extraction process to extract Musa core fibers (MCFs) for rapid water conduction and evaporation. Through simple processes such as ring cutting and stretching, this green and non-destructive inside-out extraction strategy enabled Musa fibers to be naturally and harmlessly degummed from natural Musa stems, with good maintenance of the fiber structure and highly helical morphology. The extracted fibers are composed of regularly and closely arranged cellulose nanofibrils in the shape of ribbon spirally arranged multi-filaments, and the single filament is about 2.65 μm. The high-purity fibers exhibit ultra-high tensile strength under a non-destructive extraction process, and the ultimate tensile strength in dry state is as high as 742.95 MPa. The tensile strength is affected by the number of fiber bundles, which shows that tensile strength and tensile modulus is higher than those of vascular bundle fibers in dry or wet condition. In addition, the MCFs membrane indicates good water conductivity, with a water absorption height of 50 mm for the sample in only 60 s. Moreover, the water evaporation rate of MCFs reaches 1.37 kg m−2 h−1 in 30 min, which shows that MCFs have excellent water conductivity and evaporation rate compared with ordinary cotton fibers. These results indicate that MCFs have great potential in replacing the use of chemical methods to extract fibers from vascular bundles, providing an effective way to achieve sustainability in quick-drying applications, as well as in the sustainable development of natural waste resources.

Circular Differential Photocurrent Mapping of Hot Electron Response from Individual Plasmonic Nanohelicoids.

Chiral plasmonic nanocrystals have recently attracted increasing attention in circular polarization-dependent photocatalysis driven by hot carriers. While being concealed in traditional ensemble measurements, the individual chiral photocatalytic activity of nanocrystals can exclusively be revealed by directly correlating the circular differential photocurrent response to helical morphologies using single-particle techniques. Herein, we develop a method named circular differential photocurrent mapping (CDPM) and demonstrate that CDPM can be used to characterize the circular differential hot electron (CDHE) response from individual Au nanohelicoids (AuNHs) on a TiO2 photoanode in a photoelectrochemical cell. The single-particle circular differential scattering and CDHE measurements were interpreted with calculations performed on a model in direct correlation to the helical morphologies of the nanocrystal. While CDHE response was found inactive at a dipolar resonance of 750 nm, helicity-convoluted sites of HE generation were identified on the AuNH at a specific higher-order mode of 550 nm, resulting in a significant response of CDHE in association with the handedness of the AuNH. Details of circular differential contributions were further resolved by examining the efficiencies of individual AuNHs in terms of g-factors. Our study provides a powerful microscopic method at the single-particle level for the photocatalytic characterization of chiral nanocrystals, gaining fundamental insights into the photocatalysis of chirality, especially toward plasmon-induced asymmetrical photochemistry or photoelectrochemistry.

Polymers Bearing Covalently Linked Chiral Proline-Based Pendants: Induction of a Highly Stable Helical Sense that Mimics Double-Stranded Helical Morphology and Their Chiral Resolution Ability

Polymers Bearing Covalently Linked Chiral Proline-Based Pendants: Induction of a Highly Stable Helical Sense that Mimics Double-Stranded Helical Morphology and Their Chiral Resolution Ability

A Metal‐Free Helical Covalent Inorganic Polymer: Preparation, Crystal Structure and Optical Properties

AbstractHelical morphologies are widely observed in nature, however, it is very challenging to prepare artificial helical polymers. Especially, precisely understanding the structure information of artificial metal‐free helical covalent inorganic polymers via single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (SCXRD) analysis is rarely explored. Here, we successfully prepare a novel metal‐free helical covalent inorganic polymer ({[Te(C6H5)2] [PO3(OH)]}n, named CityU‐10) by introducing angular anions (HOPO32−) into traditional tellurium‐oxygen chains. The dynamic reversibility of the reaction is realized through the introduction of organic tellurium precursor and the slow hydrolysis of polyphosphoric acid. High‐quality and large‐size single crystals of CityU‐10 have been successfully characterized via SCXRD, where the same‐handed helical inorganic polymer chains form a pseudo‐two‐dimensional layer via multiple hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The left‐handed layers and right‐handed layers alternatively stack together through weak hydrogen bonds to form a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure. The single crystals of CityU‐10 are found to display promising optical properties with a large birefringence. Our results would offer new guidelines for designing and preparing new crystalline covalent polymers through tellurium‐based chemistry.

A Metal-Free Helical Covalent Inorganic Polymer: Preparation, Crystal Structure and Optical Properties.

Helical morphologies are widely observed in nature, however, it is very challenging to prepare artificial helical polymers. Especially, precisely understanding the structure information of artificial metal-free helical covalent inorganic polymers via single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) analysis is rarely explored. Here, we successfully prepare a novel metal-free helical covalent inorganic polymer ({[Te(C6 H5 )2 ] [PO3 (OH)]}n , named CityU-10) by introducing angular anions (HOPO3 2- ) into traditional tellurium-oxygen chains. The dynamic reversibility of the reaction is realized through the introduction of organic tellurium precursor and the slow hydrolysis of polyphosphoric acid. High-quality and large-size single crystals of CityU-10 have been successfully characterized via SCXRD, where the same-handed helical inorganic polymer chains form a pseudo-two-dimensional layer via multiple hydrogen-bonding interactions. The left-handed layers and right-handed layers alternatively stack together through weak hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. The single crystals of CityU-10 are found to display promising optical properties with a large birefringence. Our results would offer new guidelines for designing and preparing new crystalline covalent polymers through tellurium-based chemistry.

Light-controlled morphological development of self-organizing bioinspired nanocomposites.

Nature's intricate biominerals inspire fundamental questions on self-organization and guide innovations towards functional materials. While advances in synthetic self-organization have enabled many levels of control, generating complex shapes remains difficult. Specifically, controlling morphologies during formation at the single micro/nanostructure level is the key challenge. Here, we steer the self-organization of barium carbonate nanocrystals and amorphous silica into complex nanocomposite morphologies by photogeneration of carbon dioxide (CO2) under ultraviolet (UV) light. Using modulations in the UV light intensity, we select the growth mode of the self-organization process inwards or outwards to form helical and coral-like morphologies respectively. The spatiotemporal control over CO2 photogeneration allows formation of different morphologies on pre-assigned locations, switching between different growth modes-to form for instance a coral on top of a helix or vice versa, and subtle sculpting and patterning of the nanocomposites during formation. These findings advance the understanding of these versatile self-organization processes and offer new prospects for tailored designs of functional materials using photochemically driven self-organization.

Glycyrrhizic acid aggregates seen from a synthetic surfactant perspective.

Bio- or plant-based surfactants are a sustainable and renewable alternative to replace synthetic chemicals for environmental, drugs and food applications. However, these "green" surfactants have unique molecular structures, and their self-assembly in water might lead to complex morphologies and unexpected properties. The micellization of saponin molecules, such as glycyrrhizic acid (GA), differs significantly from those of conventional synthetic surfactants, yet these differences are often overlooked. Saponins self-assemble in complex hierarchical helical morphologies similar to bile salts, rather than the expected globular, ellipsoidal and wormlike micelles. Here, we review two potential routes for molecular self-assembly of GA, namely kinetics of crystallization and thermodynamic equilibrium, focusing on their structure as a function of concentration. Some uncertainty remains to define which route is followed by GA self-assembly, as well as the first type of aggregate formed at low concentrations, thus we review the state-of-the-art information about GA assembly. We compare the self-assembly of GA with conventional linear surfactants, and identify their key similarities and differences, from molecular and chemical perspectives, based on the critical packing parameter (CPP) theory. We expect that this work will provide perspectives for the unclear process of GA assembly, and highlight its differences from conventional micellization.

6-Aminocoumarin-derived Schiff base gelators: aggregation and sensing of CN-, Fe3+, Cu2+ and CO2 under different conditions.

Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, supramolecular gelation and multiple applications of 6-aminocoumarin-derived Schiff bases 1 and 2. Both Schiff bases underwent gelation in DMF-H2O (2 : 1, v/v), DMSO-H2O (2 : 1, v/v) and dioxane-H2O (2 : 1, v/v) involving weak forces. Furthermore, the gels were stable and exhibited good viscoelastic properties. The storage modulus (G') of each gel was considerably higher than its loss modulus (G''). The higher value of the crossover point and lower value of tan δ for the gel of Schiff base 2 compared to the gel of Schiff base 1 demonstrated the better gelation behaviour of 2 than that of 1 in DMF-H2O (2 : 1, v/v). Further, iodo-analogue 2 exhibited cross-linked helical morphology, whereas non-iodo analogue 1 exhibited long chain fibrous morphology, as observed via FESEM. These differences in morphology and viscoelastic behaviors were attributed to the iodo group present in 2, which influenced its aggregation involving halogen bonding. To demonstrate their application, the DMF-H2O (2 : 1, v/v) gels of both 1 and 2 recognized CN- over a series of other anions by exhibiting a gel-to-sol phase change. Besides anion sensing, gels 1 and 2 selectively detected Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions over other metal ions via a gel-to-gel colour change. Finally, CN--treated solutions of 1 and 2 allowed the successful detection of CO2 by the naked eye. Moreover, the detection was possible using a test-kit method.

Sculpting Mesoscopic Helical Chirality into Covalent Organic Framework Nanotubes from Entirely Achiral Building Blocks

AbstractThe diversification of chirality in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) holds immense promise for expanding their properties and functionality. Herein, we introduce an innovative approach for imparting helical chirality to COFs and fabricating a family of chiral COF nanotubes with mesoscopic helicity from entirely achiral building blocks for the first time. We present an effective 2,3‐diaminopyridine‐mediated supramolecular templating method, which facilitates the prefabrication of helical imine‐linked polymer nanotubes using unprecedented achiral symmetric monomers. Through meticulous optimization of crystallization conditions, these helical polymer nanotubes are adeptly converted into imine‐linked COF nanotubes boasting impressive surface areas, while well preserving their helical morphology and chiroptical properties. Furthermore, these helical imine‐linked polymers or COFs could be subtly transformed into corresponding more stable and functional helical β‐ketoenamine‐linked and hydrazone‐linked COF nanotubes with transferred circular dichroism via monomer exchange. Notably, despite the involvement of covalent bonding breakage and reorganization, these exchange processes overcome thermodynamic disadvantages, allowing mesoscopic helical chirality to be perfectly preserved. This research highlights the potential of mesoscopic helicity in conferring COFs with favourable chiral properties, providing novel insights into the development of multifunctional COFs in the field of chiral materials chemistry.

Sculpting Mesoscopic Helical Chirality into Covalent Organic Framework Nanotubes from Entirely Achiral Building Blocks.

The diversification of chirality in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) holds immense promise for expanding their properties and functionality. Herein, we introduce an innovative approach for imparting helical chirality to COFs and fabricating a family of chiral COF nanotubes with mesoscopic helicity from entirely achiral building blocks for the first time. We present an effective 2,3-diaminopyridine-mediated supramolecular templating method, which facilitates the prefabrication of helical imine-linked polymer nanotubes using unprecedented achiral symmetric monomers. Through meticulous optimization of crystallization conditions, these helical polymer nanotubes are adeptly converted into imine-linked COF nanotubes boasting impressive surface areas, while well preserving their helical morphology and chiroptical properties. Furthermore, these helical imine-linked polymers or COFs could be subtly transformed into corresponding more stable and functional helical β-ketoenamine-linked and hydrazone-linked COF nanotubes with transferred circular dichroism via monomer exchange. Notably, despite the involvement of covalent bonding breakage and reorganization, these exchange processes overcome thermodynamic disadvantages, allowing mesoscopic helical chirality to be perfectly preserved. This research highlights the potential of mesoscopic helicity in conferring COFs with favourable chiral properties, providing novel insights into the development of multifunctional COFs in the field of chiral materials chemistry.

Enhancing the Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Europium Coordination Polymers by Doping a Chromophore Ligand into Superhelices.

Lanthanide-based molecular materials showing efficient circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) activity with a high quantum yield are attractive due to their potential applications in data storage, optical sensors, and 3D displays. Herein we present an innovative method to achieve enhanced CPL activity and a high quantum yield by doping a chromophore ligand into a coordination polymer superhelix. A series of homochiral europium(III) phosphonates with a helical morphology were prepared with the molecular formula S-, R-[Eu(cyampH)3-3n(nempH)3n]·3H2O (S/R-Eu-n, n = 0-5%). The doping of chromophore ligand S- or R-nempH2 into superhelices of S/R-Eu-0% not only turned on the CPL activity with the dissymmetry factor |glum| on the order of 10-3 but also increased the quantum yield by about 14-fold. This work may shed light on the development of efficient CPL-active lanthanide-based coordination polymers for applications.

Macroscopic Helical Assembly of One-Dimensional Coordination Polymers: Helicity Inversion Triggered by Solvent Isomerism.

Assembling macroscopic helices with controllable chirality and understanding their formation mechanism are highly desirable but challenging tasks for artificial systems, especially coordination polymers. Here, we utilize solvents as an effective tool to induce the formation of macroscopic helices of chiral coordination polymers (CPs) and manipulate their helical sense. We chose the Ni/R-,S-BrpempH2 system with a one-dimensional tubular structure, where R-,S-BrpempH2 stands for R-,S-(1-(4-bromophenyl)ethylaminomethylphosphonic acid). The morphology of the self-assemblies can be controlled by varying the cosolvent in water, resulting in the formation of twisted ribbons of R-,S-Ni(Brpemp)(H2O)·H2O (R-,S-2T) in pure H2O; needle-like crystals of R-,S-Ni(Brpemp)(H2O)2·1/3CH3CN (R-,S-1C) in 20 vol % CH3CN/H2O; nanofibers of R-,S-Ni(Brpemp)(H2O)·H2O (R-,S-3F) in 20-40 vol % methanol/H2O or ethanol/H2O; and superhelices of R-,S-Ni(Brpemp)(H2O)·H2O (R-,S-4H or 5H) in 40 vol % propanol/H2O. Interestingly, the helicity of the superhelix can be controlled by using a propanol isomer in water. For the Ni/R-BrpempH2 system, a left-handed superhelix of R-4H(M) was obtained in 40 vol % NPA/H2O, while a right-handed superhelix of R-5H(P) was isolated in 40 vol % IPA/H2O. These results were rationalized by theoretical calculations. Adsorption studies revealed the chiral recognition behavior of these compounds. This work may contribute to the development of chiral CPs with a macroscopic helical morphology and interesting functionalities.

Evolutions of hydrodynamic and electromagnetic wakes induced by underwater vehicles

The electromagnetic wake induced by the movement of stratified conductive seawater in the presence of the geomagnetic ambiance contains vital information for non-acoustic detection. However, the intricate mechanism among hydrodynamics, ions transports, and vortex evolution has not been systematically explored, which synergistically generate the electromagnetic wake. In this context, an interdisciplinary model involving continuity, momentum, heat and mass transfer, and Maxwell's equations is constructed by the ANSYS Fluent software to address the evolution of wake characteristics behind a full-scale submarine-propeller vehicle. The instantaneous visualizations including velocity distributions, vortex interactions, electromagnetic signatures, and vortex dynamics during downstream evolution are reproduced by the high-fidelity numerical simulations. Tip vortex pairing in the circumferential direction and secondary vortex system originating from the local distortions in the helical morphology due to the wake of the sails are observed and described. Flow fields and electromagnetic features at different axial and radial positions in the wake are also discussed. The results manifest that the pronounced intensity of the induced magnetic field can attain 0.5 nT, which can be detected by precise magnetometers. Moreover, velocity components and induced magnetic fields are thoroughly examined to reveal the mechanism of induced electromagnetic field generation, which is closely linked to the flow velocity and background geomagnetic field. Subsequently, dynamic analyses by power spectral densities are executed to further inspect the frequency characteristics. These scientific findings provide beneficial insights for the research on hydrodynamic and electromagnetic wake, especially considering the potential application of submersible non-acoustic detection.

Supramolecular Helical Polymer Formed Via Complementary Dimerization of Bisporphyrin Cleft

We have been developing supramolecular polymers directed by unique host-guest motifs.1,2 During study, a tetrakisporphyrin monomer was discovered to form the supramolecular helical polymers.3,4 A lack of chirality resulted in the racemic mixture of the supramolecular helical polymers. In this presentation, we report that the chirally-twisted pseudo macrocyclic tetrakisporphyrin monomer is self-assembled to form the one-handed helical supramolecular structures. Two amino acid side chains were installed at the termini of a tetrakisporphyrin monomer. The intramolecular antiparallel hydrogen bonding between the amino acid side chains resulted in the pseudo macrocyclic conformation, which was chirally-twisted. The right-handed and left-handed conformations of the pseudo macrocyclic monomer are determined by the absolute configuration of the stereogenic centers. The chirally-twisted pseudo macrocyclic monomer was self-assembled to result in the one-handed helical structures with very high association constants. The well-developed supramolecular chains generated entangled polymer solution, which suggests the formation of the well-developed long supramolecular polymer chains. Atomic force microscopy visualized the long supramolecular polymer chains with the length more than 100 nm. The right-handed helical morphology was formed from the D-amino acid side chains.

Cellulose assembles into helical bundles of uniform handedness in cell walls with abnormal pectin composition.

Plant cells and organs grow into a remarkable diversity of shapes, as directed by cell walls composed primarily of polysaccharides such as cellulose and multiple structurally distinct pectins. The properties of the cell wall that allow for precise control of morphogenesis are distinct from those of the individual polysaccharide components. For example, cellulose, the primary determinant of cell morphology, is a chiral macromolecule that can self-assemble in vitro into larger-scale structures of consistent chirality, and yet most plant cells do not display consistent chirality in their growth. One interesting exception is the Arabidopsis thaliana rhm1 mutant, which has decreased levels of the pectin rhamnogalacturonan-I and causes conical petal epidermal cells to grow with a left-handed helical twist. Here, we show that in rhm1 the cellulose is bundled into large macrofibrils, unlike the evenly distributed microfibrils of the wild type. This cellulose bundling becomes increasingly severe over time, consistent with cellulose being synthesized normally and then self-associating into macrofibrils. We also show that in the wild type, cellulose is oriented transversely, whereas in rhm1 mutants, the cellulose forms right-handed helices that can account for the helical morphology of the petal cells. Our results indicate that when the composition of pectin is altered, cellulose can form cellular-scale chiral structures in vivo, analogous to the helicoids formed in vitro by cellulose nano-crystals. We propose that an important emergent property of the interplay between rhamnogalacturonan-I and cellulose is to permit the assembly of nonbundled cellulose structures, providing plants flexibility to orient cellulose and direct morphogenesis.

Cardiac Pulsatile Helical Deformation of the Thoracic Aorta Before and After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair of Type B Dissections.

Type B aortic dissections propagate with either achiral (nonspiraling) or right-handed chiral (spiraling) morphology, have mobile dissection flaps, and are often treated with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). We aim to quantify cardiac-induced helical deformation of the true lumen of type B aortic dissections before and after TEVAR. Retrospective cardiac-gated computed tomography (CT) images before and after TEVAR of type B aortic dissections were used to construct systolic and diastolic 3-dimensional (3D) surface models, including true lumen, whole lumen (true+false lumens), and branch vessels. This was followed by extraction of true lumen helicity (helical angle, twist, and radius) and cross-sectional (area, circumference, and minor/major diameter ratio) metrics. Deformations between systole and diastole were quantified, and deformations between pre- and post-TEVAR were compared. Eleven TEVAR patients (59.9±4.6 years) were included in this study. Pre-TEVAR, there were no significant cardiac-induced deformations of helical metrics; however, post-TEVAR, significant deformation was observed for the true lumen proximal angular position. Pre-TEVAR, cardiac-induced deformations of all cross-sectional metrics were significant; however, only area and circumference deformations remained significant post-TEVAR. There were no significant differences of pulsatile deformation from pre- to post-TEVAR. Variance of proximal angular position and cross-sectional circumference deformation decreased after TEVAR. Pre-TEVAR, type B aortic dissections did not exhibit significant helical cardiac-induced deformation, indicating that the true and false lumens move in unison (do not move with respect to each other). Post-TEVAR, true lumens exhibited significant cardiac-induced deformation of proximal angular position, suggesting that exclusion of the false lumen leads to greater rotational deformations of the true lumen and lack of true lumen major/minor deformation post-TEVAR means that the endograft promotes static circularity. Population variance of deformations is muted after TEVAR, and dissection acuity influences pulsatile deformation while pre-TEVAR chirality does not. Description of thoracic aortic dissection helical morphology and dynamics, and understanding the impact of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) on dissection helicity, are important for improving endovascular treatment. These findings provide nuance to the complex shape and motion of the true and false lumens, enabling clinicians to better stratify dissection disease. The impact of TEVAR on dissection helicity provides a description of how treatment alters morphology and motion, and may provide clues for treatment durability. Finally, the helical component to endograft deformation is important to form comprehensive boundary conditions for testing and developing new endovascular devices.

Fluorene Thiophene α-Cyanostilbene Hexacatenar-Generating LCs with Hexagonal Columnar Phases and Gels with Helical Morphologies as Well as a Light-Emitting LC Display.

Two series of novel synthesized hexacatenars, O/n and M/n, containing two thiophene-cyanostilbene units interconnected by central fluorene units (fluorenone or dicyanovinyl fluorene) using a donor-acceptor-acceptor-donor (A-D-A-D-A) rigid core, with three alkoxy chains at each end, can self-assemble into hexagonal columnar mesophases with wide liquid crystal (LC) ranges and aggregate into organogels with flowerlike and helical cylinder morphologies, as revealed via POM, DSC, XRD and SEM investigation. Furthermore, these compounds were observed to emit yellow luminescence in both solution and solid states which can be adopted to manufacture a light-emitting liquid crystal display (LE-LCD) by doping with commercially available nematic LC.

Simulations on Synchrotron Radiation Intensity and Rotation Measure of Relativistic Magnetized Jet PKS 1502+106

Strong γ-ray outbursts have been observed to emanate from PKS 1502+106, followed by highly variable fluxes in radio, visual, ultraviolet and X-ray bands. Numerical simulations have been conducted to relate the observations to potential theoretical models. The plasma attributes, such as mass density, plasma flow velocity and energy density, cannot be directly observed. However, the Stokes parameters of synchrotron radiation from the plasma can be measured to deduce the plasma attributes. Many studies have been conducted on synchrotron radiation intensity, with only a few on the rotation measure (RM) related to Faraday rotation. In this work, overpressured relativistic magnetized axisymmetric jets are simulated to acquire the synchrotron radiation maps, incorporating Faraday rotation, of the widely discussed jet, PKS 1502+106. The intensity maps and RM maps of the PKS 1502+106 are simulated under practical constraints, and compared with the available observation data to explore specific features of the jet. The simulated intensity maps match well with the observation data in size and shape. The observed spine–sheath polarization structure, sign change in the RM slice and opposite RM gradients have been reproduced. The conjecture of helical magnetic field morphology in the literature has also been validated by comparing the simulation results under different magnetic field morphologies.

Multiple Campylobacter jejuni proteins affecting the peptidoglycan structure and the degree of helical cell curvature.

Campylobacter jejuni is a Gram-negative helical bacterium. Its helical morphology, maintained by the peptidoglycan (PG) layer, plays a key role in its transmission in the environment, colonization, and pathogenic properties. The previously characterized PG hydrolases Pgp1 and Pgp2 are important for generating C. jejuni helical morphology, with deletion mutants being rod-shaped and showing alterations in their PG muropeptide profiles in comparison to the wild type. Homology searches and bioinformatics were used to identify additional gene products involved in C. jejuni morphogenesis: the putative bactofilin 1104 and the M23 peptidase domain-containing proteins 0166, 1105, and 1228. Deletions in the corresponding genes resulted in varying curved rod morphologies with changes in their PG muropeptide profiles. All changes in the mutants complemented except 1104. Overexpression of 1104 and 1105 also resulted in changes in the morphology and in the muropeptide profiles, suggesting that the dose of these two gene products influences these characteristics. The related helical ε-Proteobacterium Helicobacter pylori has characterized homologs of C. jejuni 1104, 1105, and 1228 proteins, yet deletion of the homologous genes in H. pylori had differing effects on H. pylori PG muropeptide profiles and/or morphology compared to the C. jejuni deletion mutants. It is therefore apparent that even related organisms with similar morphologies and homologous proteins can have diverse PG biosynthetic pathways, highlighting the importance of studying PG biosynthesis in related organisms.

Analytical models of rotating magnetized gas filaments

ABSTRACT Several rotating molecular gas filaments with striking helical morphology have been observed in the Central Molecular Zone, including the Double Helix Nebula (DHN), the Galactic Centre Tornado (GCT), and the Pigtail Nebula (PTN). We present a model for isothermal, rotating, magnetized, pressure-truncated, non-self-gravitating filaments, as a model for these objects. We find a novel analytical stationary solution for these molecular tornadoes by assuming a propagating torsional Alfvén wave resulting in balance between toroidal magnetic stress and centrifugal force, as well as constant flux to mass ratio for the poloidal magnetic field. Our model allows for differential rotation and the density profile for the stationary solution goes asymptotically as r−1 at large radius for a special case where the flux to mass ratios for the poloidal and toroidal fields are constant inside the filament. We subject our stationary solutions to a virial analysis and show that they satisfy the virial equation for cylindrical symmetry $2\mathcal {K}+\mathcal {M}=0$. Finally, we estimate the ratio of gravitational potential energy per unit length, $\mathcal {W}$, to the bulk kinetic energy per unit length, $\mathcal {K}_0$, and calculate $|\mathcal {W}|/\mathcal {K}_0$ for the DHN, GCT, and PTN. Our estimates suggest that self-gravity is negligible in the DHN and the PTN and GCT are at most weakly self-gravitating. We also briefly address an application of our model to filamentary plasma lenses in the interstellar medium.