The Emerging Role of Non-Coding RNAs in the Regulation of Virus Replication and Resultant Cellular Pathologies

Non-coding RNAs, particularly lncRNAs and miRNAs, have recently been shown to regulate different steps in viral infections and induction of immune responses against viruses. Expressions of several host and viral lncRNAs have been found to be altered during viral infection. These lncRNAs can exert antiviral function via inhibition of viral infection or stimulation of antiviral immune response. Some other lncRNAs can promote viral replication or suppress antiviral responses. The current review summarizes the interaction between ncRNAs and herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein–Barr infections. The data presented in this review helps identify viral-related regulators and proposes novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of viral infection.     

A novel approach for extracting cellulose nanofibers from lignocellulosic biomass by ball milling combined with chemical treatment

Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were isolated from kenaf fibers and wheat straw by formic acid (FA)/acetic acid (AA), peroxyformic acid (PFA)/peroxyacetic acid (PAA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) treatment; and subsequently through ball milling treatment. Characterization of extracted cellulose and cellulose nanofibers was carried out through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TEM images showed that extracted cellulose nanofibers had diameter in the range of 8–100 nm. FTIR and XRD results implied that hemicellulose and lignin were mostly removed from lignocellulosic biomass with an increase in crystallinity, and isolation of cellulose nanofibers was successful. The TGA results showed that decomposition temperature of cellulose nanofibers increased by about 27°C when compared with that of untreated lignocellulosic biomass. No significant change was observed in the decomposition temperature of bleached celluloses after ball milling. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42990.     

Encapsulation of nanoparticles by polymerization compounding in a gas/solid fluidized bed reactor

For the first time, a fluidized bed reactor was used for encapsulating nanoparticles by the polymerization compounding approach using Ziegler–Natta catalysts. The polymerization reaction was carried out using a solvent-free process in a gas-phase reactor. This direct gas–solid reaction greatly simplified collecting the particles of interest after polymerization because none of the extra steps often found in encapsulation processes, such as filtering and drying, were performed in this work. The grafting of the catalyst to the original surface of particles was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Micrographs obtained by transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of a thin layer of polymer, in the order of a few nanometers, around the particles. The thickness of this coating was affected by the operating conditions of the process. The characterization of the modified particles with electron microscopy also revealed that zirconia nanoparticles tend to be coated in an agglomerated state, whereas aluminum particles were mostly individually encapsulated by the polymer. In addition, the effects of temperature and pressure were studied on the encapsulation process and a kinetic analysis was presented based on the available models in the literature. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009     

Comparative studies of solid-state synthesized poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-methoxyaniline) doped with organic sulfonic acids

Poly(o-methoxyaniline) (POMA) salts doped with organic sulphonic acids (methanesulphonic acid, p-toluenesulphonic acid and dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid) were firstly synthesized by using solid-state polymerization method. The polymers were characterized by Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra, ultraviolet visible (UV–vis) spectrometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), and conductivity measurements. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were done to study the morphologies of POMA salts. The results showed that the POMA doped with methanesulphonic acid displayed higher doping level and conductivity. On the contrary, POMA doped with dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid was lower at doping level and conductivity. In accordance with these results, the electrochemical activity was also found to be lower in dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid doped POMA. The results also revealed that the particles of POMA salts have the average size of less than 100 nm.     

An extended radioactive particle tracking method for systems with irregular moving boundaries

The aim of this paper is to present an extension of the original non-intrusive radioactive particle tracking method (RPT) to any geometries with irregular moving boundaries. The principal advantage of RPT over other non-intrusive methods is that it enables the visualization of rather large systems. However, the underlying reconstruction algorithm is limited to cylindrically shaped systems such as fluidized beds and columns. It excludes a wide variety of systems involving multiphase flows such as, for instance, spherical reactors, cyclones and powder silos, hoppers and blenders, all of which are thus currently out of reach of current RPT capabilities. This work addresses these limitations and proposes an approach that solves the inverse map problem to reconstruct the tracer position with time by using a mesh of unstructured cells to discretize the system geometry and kinematics. The anisotropy induced by the gas-solid interface is discussed and taken into account in the proposed model. To show the possibilities and assess the performance of the developed technique, the flow of particles in a 16-qt V-blender is mapped and the mean velocity field is computed.     

Enhanced anti-biofilm activity of facile synthesized silver oxide nanoparticles against K. pneumoniae

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials - The silver oxide nanoparticle was successfully synthesized using floral waste by simple one pot, cost effective method. The complete...     

Investigation of the power dissipation during IGBT turn-off using a new physics-based IGBT compact model

New compact models of the IGBTs (both non-punch through IGBT (NPTIGBT) and punch-through IGBT (PTIGBT)) are presented in this paper. The models are implemented in the SABER circuit simulator and used for a study of IGBT anode current and voltage characteristics during a device turn-off (clamped inductive load circuit with gate controlled turn-off), since these parts of the transient characteristics essentially predict the power dissipation (V×I) inside the device. It is shown that PTIGBTs are faster than NPTIGBTs, this becoming more apparent at higher clamp voltages.     

Electrical Conductance in Biological Molecules

Nucleic acids and proteins are not only biologically important polymers. They have recently been recognized as novel functional materials surpassing conventional materials in many aspects. Although Herculean efforts have been undertaken to unravel fine functioning mechanisms of the biopolymers in question, there is still much more to be done. Here the topic of biomolecular charge transport is presented with a particular focus on charge transfer/transport in DNA and protein molecules. The experimentally revealed details, as well as the presently available theories, of charge transfer/transport along these biopolymers are critically reviewed and analyzed. A summary of the active research in this field is also given, along with a number of practical recommendations.     

Polyaniline-supported acid as an efficient and reusable catalyst for a one-pot synthesis of β-acetamido ketones via a four-component condensation reaction

Polyaniline-supported acid salts such as polyaniline-hydrochloride, polyaniline-sulfate and polyaniline-nitrate were prepared by oxidation of aniline using ammonium persulfate as oxidizing agents. Polyaniline salts were used as catalyst for the preparation of β-acetamido ketones. Polyaniline-sulfate salt was found to be the best catalyst for the preparation of β-acetamido ketones. Present methodology offers several advantages, such as cheaper process, easy synthesis of stable catalyst, simple work-up procedure, and excellent activity with less amount of catalyst and in addition, the catalyst can be easily recovered after completion of the reaction and reusable without affecting its activity.