The Design and Construction of Synthetic Protein Mimics

A strategy for the modular construction of synthetic protein mimics based on the ability non-protein amino acids to act as stereochemical directors of polypeptide chain folding, is described. The use of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) to construct stereochemically rigid helices has been exemplified by crystallographic and spectroscopic studies of several apolar peptides, ranging in length from seven to sixteen residues. The problem of linker design in elaborating alpha,alpha motifs has been considered. Analysis of protein crystal structure data provides a guide to choosing linking sequences. Attempts at constructing linked helical motifs using linking Gly-Pro segments have been described. The use of flexible linkers, like epsilon-aminocaproic acid has been examined and the crystallographic and solution state analysis of a linked helix motif has been presented. The use of bulky sidechain modifications on a helical scaffold, as a means of generating putative binding sites has been exemplified by a crystal structure of a peptide packed in a parallel zipper arrangement.

Design and construction of geocell foundation to support the embankment on settled red mud

This paper presents the case history of the construction of a 3 m high embankment on the geocell foundation over the soft settled red mud. Red mud is a waste product from the Bayer process of Aluminum industry. Geotechnical problems of the site, the design of the geocell foundation based on experimental investigation and the construction sequences of the geocell foundations in the field are discussed in the paper. Based on the experimental studies, an analytical model was also developed to estimate the load carrying capacity of the soft clay bed reinforced with geocell and combination of geocell and geogrid. The results of the experimental and analytical studies revealed that the use of combination of geocell and the geogrid is always beneficial than using the geocell alone. Hence, the combination of geocell and geogrid was recommended to stabilize the embankment base. The reported embankment is located in Lanjigharh (Orissa) in India. Construction of the embankment on the geocell foundation has already been completed. The constructed embankmenthas already sustained two monsoon rains without any cracks and seepage. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.