Autophagy,Unfolded Protein Response,and Neuropilin-1 Cross-Talk in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: What Can Be Learned from Other Coronaviruses

The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the 2019–nCoV/SARS-CoV-2 virus. This severe acute respiratory syndrome is currently a global health emergency and needs much effort to generate an urgent practical treatment to reduce COVID-19 complications and mortality in humans. Viral infection activates various cellular responses in infected cells, including cellular stress responses such as unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy, following the inhibition of mTOR. Both UPR and autophagy mechanisms are involved in cellular and tissue homeostasis, apoptosis, innate immunity modulation, and clearance of pathogens such as viral particles. However, during an evolutionary arms race, viruses gain the ability to subvert autophagy and UPR for their benefit. SARS-CoV-2 can enter host cells through binding to cell surface receptors, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and neuropilin-1 (NRP1). ACE2 blockage increases autophagy through mTOR inhibition, leading to gastrointestinal complications during SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. NRP1 is also regulated by the mTOR pathway. An increased NRP1 can enhance the susceptibility of immune system dendritic cells (DCs) to SARS-CoV-2 and induce cytokine storm, which is related to high COVID-19 mortality. Therefore, signaling pathways such as mTOR, UPR, and autophagy may be potential therapeutic targets for COVID-19. Hence, extensive investigations are required to confirm these potentials. Since there is currently no specific treatment for COVID-19 infection, we sought to review and discuss the important roles of autophagy, UPR, and mTOR mechanisms in the regulation of cellular responses to coronavirus infection to help identify new antiviral modalities against SARS-CoV-2 virus.     

CMOS Distributed Active Power Combiners and Splitters for Multi-Antenna UWB Beamforming Transceivers

This paper presents the design of the first CMOS distributed active power combiners and splitters with wideband variable delay and gain. These circuits are the key components for use in multi-antenna (MA) ultra-wideband (UWB) point-to-point beamforming communication systems with multiple transmit and receive antennas. Two broadband circuit topologies for each active power combiner and splitter are proposed, one of which being fabricated in a 0.13-mum CMOS process. The proposed fabricated distributed active power combiner and splitter operate across wide range of frequencies that cover the UWB frequency range from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. The gain of each RF path of the power combiner and splitter is independently controllable from -15 to 6 dB and from -16 to 9.5 dB, respectively. The wideband variable delay of each RF path varies from 32 to 42 ps for the two-stage power combiner, and from 43 to 53 ps for the three-stage power splitter across the UWB frequency range. Supplied from 1.8-V DC voltage, the power combiner and splitter consume 8.5 mA and 11.4 mA, respectively.     

Theoretical Analysis of Novel Multi-Order LC Oscillators

A conventional differential pair LC oscillator is capable of generating only a single fundamental oscillation frequency. This brief presents the theoretical study of a novel oscillator that incorporates higher order LC filters to produce multiple oscillation frequencies that may be several octaves apart. These multiple oscillation frequencies are obtained from a single oscillator, thereby reducing the area of the circuit when being used for multistandard wireless applications. Moreover, a multi-order oscillator does not suffer from large parasitic capacitances from switches, which is a common drawback in switched-inductor tuned oscillators. A detailed analysis is carried out, and useful design insights are provided     

Silatrane based imide resins: synthesis and characterization

A series of silatrane based imide resins having different end-caps were prepared by reacting 1-(3-aminopropyl)silatrane with 5-norbornene-endo-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride (nadic anhydride), 5-methyl-5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride (methyl nadic anhydride), hexachloronadic anhydride, maleic anhydride, benzophenone-3,3′,4,4′-tetracarboxylic dianhydride or pyromellitic dianhydride in dimethylacetamide. Structural characterisation of the resins was done by elemental analysis and IR. In DSC traces of these resins, an exothermic transition associated with crosslinking was observed above 230°C. Thermogravimetric studies revealed a multistep decomposition reaction. Residual weight at 800°C in nitrogen was found to depend on the backbone structure and ranged from 32–60%.     

Robust decomposed system control for an electro-mechanical linear actuator mechanism under input constraints

This paper aims to develop a robust decomposed system control (RDSC) strategy under input constraints for an electro-mechanical linear actuator (EMLA) facing model uncertainty and external disturbances. At first, a state-space model of a complex multi-stage gearbox EMLA system, driven by a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), is developed, and the non-ideal characteristics of the ball screw are presented through the model. The result is a four-order nonlinear strict-feedback form (NSFF) system decomposed into three subsystems. As the paper's main result, a novel RDSC strategy with uniform exponential stability for controlling subsystem states is presented. This developed controller avoids the "explosion of complexity" problem associated with backstepping by treating the time derivative of the virtual control input as an uncertain system term. The proposed method, despite assuming load disturbances and input constraints with arbitrary bounds, offers a straightforward control approach for a broader range of applications. Further, the controller's performance is evaluated by simulating two distinct duty cycles, each representing different levels of demand on the actuator facing load disturbances near the rated motor performance.     

Numerical investigation of the energy separation effect and flow mechanism inside convergent,straight, and divergent double‐sleeve RHVT

This study provides analysis of a cooled Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube (RHVT) with various specifications. It shows how cooling influences energy conversion inside the RHVT and improves performance of the device in separation of hot gas from the cold stream within the fluid by presenting the temperature detachment (the temperature diminution of cold air (ΔT_c = T_i ? T_c), isentropic efficiency (η_is), and coefficient of performance (COP) of divergent, convergent, and straight VTs. Two key parameters including hot tube length and number of nozzles for cooling and insulated cases are investigated to find out how the performance of the VT is affected by different geometry configurations under cooling conditions. These influences were researched for straight, convergent, and divergent VT separators under different flow characteristics. The optimum geometrical conditions for the cooling cases were identified. Results are indicative of positive influence of cooling for energy separation inside a VT. The quantities of ΔT_c, η_is, and COP for the cooled RHVT are greater than uncooled RHVT for various types of VTs. Cooling the VTs leads to an increase of 12.5% in ΔT_c, 14.4% in η_is, and 15.1% in COP when the base case was an uncooled VT.     

Application of scientometric methods to chemical research in Iran: Reflections on Iran&;#39;s current science policy

Summary Following a brief historical account of the initial difficulties of introducing modern sciences, especially the Western art of independent scientific inquiry, into Iran, using data obtained from the ISI (http://access.isiproducts.com/trials) an attempt is made to analyze the apparent present successes of Iranian scientists on the international science market. Using the corresponding ISI data of the publications (1990-2003) of 24 selected young chemistry Ph.D. graduates and present faculty members at various internal academia, a quantitative and qualitative assessment (www.geocities.com/iipopescu) of their achievements has been attempted and the results related to the strengths and weaknesses of the present science policy of the country.     

Genetics of colorectal and breast cancer

Colorectal and breast cancers account for a significant number of deaths due to malignant neoplasia. Laboratory medicine plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of these tumors through the application of histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and serologic identification of tumor markers. Approximately 5% to 10% of colorectal and breast cancers result from an inherited predisposition. The genes responsible for most genetically transmitted cancers have been identified, and the application of findings from molecular pathology are being evaluated. This article reviews the genetic changes that occur as a result of somatic mutation and inherited or germline mutations.     

Design of ultrahigh-speed low-voltage CMOS CML buffers and latches

A comprehensive study of ultrahigh-speed current-mode logic (CML) buffers along with the design of novel regenerative CML latches will be illustrated. First, a new design procedure to systematically design a chain of tapered CML buffers is proposed. Next, two new high-speed regenerative latch circuits capable of operating at ultrahigh-speed data rates will be introduced. Experimental results show a higher performance for the new latch architectures compared to the conventional CML latch circuit at ultrahigh-frequencies. It is also shown, both through the experiments and by using efficient analytical models, why CML buffers are better than CMOS inverters in high-speed low-voltage applications.     

A general procedure for deriving solutions of dual integral equations

Summary In this paper there is developed an operational procedure for deriving solutions of dual integral equations of a general type-equations (1.1) and (1.2) below. The method depends strongly on properties of the Mellin transform. To illustrate the application of the method solutions are derived of the elementary type of dual integral equations occurring in engineering applications. The method is then applied to the solution of dual integral equations of Titchmarsh type and to those involvingY-andK-transforms.Research supported by a National Research Council of Canada grant.