Biomimetic high density lipoprotein nanoparticles for nucleic acid delivery

We report a gold nanoparticle-templated high density lipoprotein (HDL AuNP) platform for gene therapy that combines lipid-based nucleic acid transfection strategies with HDL biomimicry. For proof-of-concept, HDL AuNPs are shown to adsorb antisense cholesterylated DNA. The conjugates are internalized by human cells, can be tracked within cells using transmission electron microscopy, and regulate target gene expression. Overall, the ability to directly image the AuNP core within cells, the chemical tailorability of the HDL AuNP platform, and the potential for cell-specific targeting afforded by HDL biomimicry make this platform appealing for nucleic acid delivery.     

Structural and optical investigation of sputter deposited hydrophobic chromium oxynitride films

Nanocrystalline chromium oxynitride films were deposited by reactive RF magnetron sputtering of metallic chromium target in argon and helium atmospheres. The paper deals with consequence of increase in oxygen partial pressure on structural, hydrophobic and optical properties of chromium oxynitride films. The film stoichiometry changes from CrN and Cr₂O₃ to only Cr₂O₃ with increase in oxygen partial pressure as evident from X-Ray Diffraction analysis in both cases. The average crystallite size decreases with increase in oxygen partial pressure for both gas atmospheres. The thickness calculated from transmission data and surface profilometer are in good harmony with each other. The deposited films are hydrophobic by nature and the contact angle of the films varies as a function of surface roughness. Surface energy of the films is inversely proportional to the observed contact angle values. As oxygen partial pressure increases, the optical properties: transmission and band gap values increases as determined by Ultraviolet-visible-Near Infrared spectrophotometer in both cases. This film can have potential applications as insulating, hydrophobic and corrosion resistant protective coatings.     

Optimization of variables in grinding brass particles for paint and pigment industry

Flaky metal powders commonly used as paint and pigments, are generally produced by grinding in ball mills or vibration mills. The key to good quality powder production is to optimize the processing parameters. In the present work grinding of brass particles is studied in detail in a laboratory size ball mill to determine the optimal levels of the ball to material ratio, type and amount of additives, mill speed, ball load, etc. The quality of the powder is assessed on the basis of water coverage, degree of flattening and luster by visual inspection. Preliminary results in a 35 cm diameter ball mill with 30% ball load show that a material to ball ratio of 0.067 with a 0.1% dosage of stearic acid is required for good quality powder. For determining optimal mill speed and ball size a 2² factorial design of experiment has been followed. It has been determined that to achieve best powder quality the mill must run at 70% critical speed and the ball size must not exceed 20 mm. The quality of the powder assessed through SEM study for surface morphology and particle size analysis compares very well with the industrial samples.     

Delaying Ice and Frost Formation Using Phase‐Switching Liquids

Preventing water droplets from transitioning to ice is advantageous for numerous applications. It is demonstrated that the use of certain phase‐change materials, which are in liquid state under ambient conditions and have melting point higher than the freezing point of water, referred herein as phase‐switching liquids (PSLs), can impede condensation–frosting lasting up to 300 and 15 times longer in bulk and surface infused state, respectively, compared to conventional surfaces under identical environmental conditions. The freezing delay is primarily a consequence of the release of trapped latent heat due to condensation, but is also affected by the solidified PSL surface morphology and its miscibility in water. Regardless of surface chemistry, PSL‐infused textured surfaces exhibit low droplet adhesion when operated below the corresponding melting point of the solidified PSLs, engendering ice and frost repellency even on hydrophilic substrates. Additionally, solidified PSL surfaces display varying degrees of optical transparency, can repel a variety of liquids, and self‐heal upon physical damage.     

Sophorolipid Production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Starmerella bombicola</Emphasis> (ATCC 22214) from Virgin and Waste Frying Oils,and the Effects of Activated Earth Treatment of the Waste Oils

Frying is one of the most common processes in households, restaurants and food industries. During frying, oil undergoes degradation and hence has to be replaced time to time. This creates large amounts of waste causing disposal and environmental problems. Sophorolipids are produced by microbial bioconversion of refined vegetable oils along with glucose. The raw material cost accounts for 10–30% of the overall cost of biosurfactant production that can be reduced by using a low cost substrate like waste frying oil. In the present work, waste frying oils were used in the production of sophorolipids at the shake flask level. It gave mainly (70–80%) the acidic form of sophorolipids. It was observed that the linoleic acid was preferentially consumed over other fatty acids by the organism (Starmerella bombicola). The activated earth treatment was found to improve the yield of sophorolipids and hence the treatment can be used to convert waste frying oil as a low cost substrate into a cost effective carbon source.     

Heuristic and Statistical Power Estimation Model for FPGA Based Wireless Systems

Wireless Personal Communications - As the technology is advancing day by day, the need of high performance devices is also increasing. High performance is achieved at the expense of high power...     

Temperature and loading speed sensitivity of glass/carbon inter-ply hybrid polymer composites on tensile loading

This study is focused on the evaluation of the tensile performance of glass/carbon inter-ply hybrid fiber-reinforced polymer composites at different combinations of temperatures and loading speeds. With an increase in the number of carbon/epoxy (CE) ply in glass/epoxy (GE) composites, some of the tensile properties as tensile modulus, strain at failure, and difference of strain at failure of different fibers are enhanced. Further, the change in the stacking sequence of the CE ply at a particular hybrid ratio alters the tensile properties as well as the nature of failure. Placing a CE ply in place of GE ply at the center in the GE composite resulted in hybrid composite (G₂C₁G₂) that imparts pseudo-ductility as well as hybrid effect in the composite. On the other hand, replacing a GE ply with CE at one end (C₁G₄) and both ends (C₁G₃C₁) imparted improved strain at failure and positive hybrid effect in the composites. The tensile modulus of G₂C₁G₂ outstrips the modulus of CE and GE by 12.05% and 65.95% at a loading speed of 0.1 mm/min and a temperature of 110°C. Fractography analysis of neat as well as hybrid composites was done to analyze the fracture mechanism.     

Vehicle Pollution Monitoring,Control and Challan System Using MQ2 Sensor Based on Internet of Things

Wireless Personal Communications - In the automobile sector, the new advancements in technology help the vendors in developing smart vehicles. These smart vehicles are designed to provide all sort...