ABSTRACT
The. inertial migration of both spherical and oblate particles within an equilateral triangular channel is studied numerically. Our study primarily focuses on the effects of fluid inertia, quantified by the Reynolds number (Re) and particle size (ß). Our observations reveal two distinct equilibrium positions: the corner equilibrium position (CEP) is situated along the angle bisector near the corner, while the face equilibrium position (FEP) is located on a segment of the line perpendicular from the triangle's center to one of its sides. Spherical particles with varying initial positions predominantly reach the FEP. For oblate particles initially positioned along the angle bisector with a specific orientation, meaning the particle's evolution axis is inside the plane bisecting the angle, they will migrate along the angle bisector to reach the CEP while rotating in the tumbling mode. Conversely, for particles with different initial orientations and positions, they will employ the log-rolling mode to reach the FEP. Notably, we identify a dual-stage particle migration process to the FEP, with trajectories converging to an equilibrium manifold, which bears a resemblance to the cross section of the channel. To further illustrate the transition between FEP and CEP under general initial conditions, except for those along the angle bisector, we construct a phase diagram in the (Re, ß) parameter space. This transition is often triggered by the size of larger particles (as the FEP cannot accommodate them) or the influence of inertia for smaller particles. For the FEP, especially for medium- or small-size particles, we notice an initial outward movement of the FEP from the center of the cross section as Re increases, followed by a return towards the center. This behavior results from the interplay of three forces acting on the particle. This research holds potential implications for the design of microfluidic devices, offering insights into the behavior of particles within equilateral triangular channels.
ABSTRACT
Directed evolution was applied to the beta-glycosidase of Thermus thermophilus in order to increase its ability to synthesize oligosaccharide by transglycosylation. Wild-type enzyme was able to transfer the glycosyl residue with a yield of 50% by self-condensation and of about 8% by transglycosylation on disaccharides without nitrophenyl at their reducing end. By using a simple screening procedure, we could produce mutant enzymes possessing a high transferase activity. In one step of random mutagenesis and in vitro recombination, the hydrolysis of substrates and of transglycosylation products was considerably reduced. For certain mutants, synthesis by self-condensation of nitrophenyl glycosides became nearly quantitative, whereas synthesis by transglycosylation on maltose and on cellobiose could reach 60 and 75%, respectively. Because the most efficient mutations, F401S and N282T, were located just in front of the subsite (-1), molecular modeling techniques were used to explain their effects on the synthesis reaction; we can suggest that repositioning of the glycone in the (-1) subsite together with a better fit of the acceptor in the (+1) subsite might favor the attack of a glycosyl acceptor in the mutant at the expense of water. Thus these new transglycosidases constitute an interesting alternative for the synthesis of oligosaccharides by using stable and accessible donor substrates.
