Reactivities of aluminium and aluminium-magnesium alloy powders in polymeric composites

Polymeric compositions containing Al-Mg alloys show higher reactivities, in comparison with similar compositions containing aluminium. This is observed irrespective of the amount of oxidizer, type of oxidizer used, type of polymeric binder, and over a range of the particle sizes of the metal additive. This is evident from the higher calorimetric values obtained for compositions containing the alloy, in comparison to samples containing aluminium. Analysis of the combustion residue shows the increase in calorimetric value to be due to the greater extent of oxidation of the alloy. The interaction between the polymeric binder and the alloy was studied by coating the metal particles with the polymer by a coacervation technique. On ageing in the presence of ammonium perchlorate, cracking of the polymer coating on the alloy was noticed. This was deduced from differential thermal analysis experiments, and confirmed by scanning electron microscopic observations. The increase in stiffness of the coating, leading to cracking, has been traced to the cross-linking of the polymer by magnesium.

Electron-Beam-Induced Modifications in High-Density Polyethylene

Post-irradiation studies have been carried out to elucidate the effects of electron beam irradiation on the structural, optical, dielectric, and thermal properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) films. The experimental results showed that both the optical band gap and activation energy of HDPE films decreases with an increase in the doses of electron radiation. The electrical measurements showed that dielectric constant and the ac conductivity of HDPE increases with an increase in the dose of electron radiation. The thermal analysis carried out using DSC and TGA revealed that the melting temperature, degree of crystallinity, and thermal stability of the HDPE films increased, obviously, due to the predominant cross-linking reaction following high doses of electron irradiation.

Solid propellant binders

Solid, propellants are widely used in modern rockets and missiles. Although the history of solid rockets could be traced to the discovery of gunpowder over a thousand years ago, the technology could be perfected only by the later half of the 20(th) century. The failure of gunpowder rockets was largely due to the unknown consolidating technique of the powder composition. The emergence of large solid propellant motors had, to await the dawn of polymer. science and technology(S&T). Specific syntheses of functionally terminated polymers having cross-linking capability led to the emergence of casting technology of solid composite propellants. This review describes the various polymeric fuel/binder systems used or considered for use in solid,propellants. It includes a brief background, advantages, and shortcomings of the various systems, an account of the currently used binders and a critical survey of the advanced polymers envisaged for future usage. Special emphasis has been laid on recently synthesized polymers having N-N bonds in their structures, and-on the feasibility of developing smokeless propellants based on ammonium nitrate.

Mechanistic overview of the curing behavior of hydride terminated polydimethylsiloxane with allyl functionalized alumina by calorimetry and rheometry

The study of the curing behavior of an encapsulation material is very important and critical in terms of understanding the properties of the material. Differential scanning calorimetry and rheometry are two important tools that have been utilized to study curing reactions in polymeric systems. The present work deals with the curing of a mixture of hydride terminated polydimethylsiloxane, allyl functionalized alumina nanoparticles and Karstedt's catalyst. The real time curing behavior of the typical system was monitored non-isothermally by differential scanning calorimetry and rheometry. The results obtained from the respective techniques reveal that there is a good correlation between these two techniques. A mechanism is proposed for the curing reaction of the polymer system based on the curing curves obtained by the above two studies. In addition, the swelling study and contact angle measurement of the two composites was performed to evaluate the extent of cross-linking and hydrophobicity. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Novel Pentameric Structure of the Diarrhea-Inducing Region of the Rotavirus Enterotoxigenic Protein NSP4

A novel pentameric structure which differs from the previously reported tetrameric form of the diarrhea-inducing region of the rotavirus enterotoxin NSP4 is reported here. A significant feature of this pentameric form is the absence of the calcium ion located in the core region of the tetrameric structures. The lysis of cells, the crystallization of the region spanning residues 95 to 146 of NSP4 (NSP4(95-146)) of strain ST3 (ST3: NSP4(95-146)) at acidic pH, and comparative studies of the recombinant purified peptide under different conditions by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and of the crystal structures suggested pH-, Ca(2+)-, and protein concentration-dependent oligomeric transitions in the peptide. Since the NSP4(95-146) mutant lacks the N-terminal amphipathic domain (AD) and most of the C-terminal flexible region (FR), to demonstrate that the pentameric transition is not a consequence of the lack of the N- and C-terminal regions, glutaraldehyde cross-linking of the Delta N72 and Delta N94 mutant proteins, which contain or lack the AD, respectively, but possess the complete C-terminal FR, was carried out. The results indicate the presence of pentamers in preparations of these longer mutants. Detailed SEC analyses of Delta N94 prepared under different conditions, however, revealed protein concentration-dependent but metal ion-and pH-independent pentamer accumulation at high concentrations which dissociated into tetramers and lower oligomers at low protein concentrations. While calcium appeared to stabilize the tetramer, magnesium in particular stabilized the dimer. Delta N72 existed primarily in the multimeric form under all conditions. These findings of a calcium-free NSP4 pentamer and its concentration-dependent and largely calcium-independent oligomeric transitions open up a new dimension in an understanding of the structural basis of its multitude of functions.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae NineTeen Complex (NTC)-associated Factor Bud31/Ycr063w Assembles on Precatalytic Spliceosomes and Improves First and Second Step Pre-mRNA Splicing Efficiency

Pre-mRNA splicing occurs in spliceosomes whose assembly and activation are critical for splice site selection and catalysis. The highly conserved NineTeen complex protein complex stabilizes various snRNA and protein interactions early in the spliceosome assembly pathway. Among several NineTeen complex-associated proteins is the nonessential protein Bud31/Ycr063w, which is also a component of the Cef1p subcomplex. A role for Bud31 in pre-mRNA splicing is implicated by virtue of its association with splicing factors, but its specific functions and spliceosome interactions are uncharacterized. Here, using in vitro splicing assays with extracts from a strain lacking Bud31, we illustrate its role in efficient progression to the first catalytic step and its requirement for the second catalytic step in reactions at higher temperatures. Immunoprecipitation of functional epitope-tagged Bud31 from in vitro reactions showed that its earliest association is with precatalytic B complex and that the interaction continues in catalytically active complexes with stably bound U2, U5, and U6 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins. In complementary experiments, wherein precatalytic spliceosomes are selected from splicing reactions, we detect the occurrence of Bud31. Cross-linking of proteins to pre-mRNAs with a site-specific 4-thio uridine residue at the -3 position of exon 1 was tested in reactions with WT and bud31 null extracts. The data suggest an altered interaction between a similar to 25-kDa protein and this exonic residue of pre-mRNAs in the arrested bud31 null spliceosomes. These results demonstrate the early spliceosomal association of Bud31 and provide plausible functions for this factor in stabilizing protein interactions with the pre-mRNA.

Electrical switching and optical studies on amorphous GexSe35-xTe65 thin films

The electrical switching behavior of amorphous GexSe35-xTe65 thin film samples has been studied in sandwich geometry of electrodes. It is found that these samples exhibit memory switching behavior, which is similar to that of bulk Ge-Se-Te glasses. As expected, the switching voltages of GexSe35-xTe65 thin film samples are lower compared to those of bulk samples. In both thin film amorphous and bulk glassy samples, the switching voltages are found to increase with the increase in Ge concentration, which is consistent with the increase in network connectivity with the addition of higher coordinated Ge atoms. A sharp increase is seen in the composition dependence of the switching fields of amorphous GexSe35-xTe65 films above x = 21, which can be associated with the stiffness transition. Further, the optical band gap of a-GexSe35-x Te-65 thin film samples, calculated from the absorption spectra, is found to show an increasing trend with the increase in Ge concentration, which is consistent with the variation of switching fields with composition. The increase in structural cross-linking with progressive addition of 4-fold coordinated Ge atoms is one of the main reasons for the observed increase in switching fields as well as band gaps of GexSe35-xTe65 samples. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and characterization of high molecular weight polyaniline for organic electronic applications

High molecular weight polyaniline (PANI) was synthesized by a combined procedure incorporating various synthesis methods. Temperature and open circuit potential of the reaction mixture were collected to monitor the reaction progress. The polymer is characterized by various techniques including gel permeation chromatography, dynamic light scattering, infrared spectroscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, and differential scanning calorimetry for elucidating the molecular architecture obtained by this method. As-synthesized PANI was found to possess high molecular weight, reduced branching, reduced cross-linking, and to predominantly consist of linear polymer chains. This polymer was also found to be more stable in solution form. JV characteristics of as-synthesized PANI films indicate a high current density which is due to increased free pathways and less traps for the charge transport to occur in PANI films. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. (C) 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers

ATP release and autocrine signaling through P2X4 receptors regulate gamma delta T cell activation

Purinergic signaling plays a key role in a variety of physiological functions, including regulation of immune responses. Conventional alpha beta T cells release ATP upon TCR cross-linking; ATP binds to purinergic receptors expressed by these cells and triggers T cell activation in an autocrine and paracrine manner. Here, we studied whether similar purinergic signaling pathways also operate in the ``unconventional'' gamma delta T lymphocytes. We observed that gamma delta T cells purified from peripheral human blood rapidly release ATP upon in vitro stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28-coated beads or IPP. Pretreatment of gamma delta T cells with (10)panx-1, CBX, or Bf A reversed the stimulation-induced increase in extracellular ATP concentration, indicating that panx-1, connexin hemichannels, and vesicular exocytosis contribute to the controlled release of cellular ATP. Blockade of ATP release with (10)panx-1 inhibited Ca2+ signaling in response to TCR stimulation. qPCR revealed that gamma delta T cells predominantly express purinergic receptor subtypes A2a, P2X1, P2X4, P2X7, and P2Y11. We found that pharmacological inhibition of P2X4 receptors with TNP-ATP inhibited transcriptional up-regulation of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in gamma delta T cells stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28-coated beads or IPP. Our data thus indicate that purinergic signaling via P2X4 receptors plays an important role in orchestrating the functional response of circulating human gamma delta T cells. J. Leukoc. Biol. 92: 787-794; 2012.

Re-analysis of cryoEM data on HCV IRES bound to 40S subunit of human ribosome integrated with recent structural information suggests new contact regions between ribosomal proteins and HCV RNA

In this study, we combine available high resolution structural information on eukaryotic ribosomes with low resolution cryo-EM data on the Hepatitis C Viral RNA (IRES) human ribosome complex. Aided further by the prediction of RNA-protein interactions and restrained docking studies, we gain insights on their interaction at the residue level. We identified the components involved at the major and minor contact regions, and propose that there are energetically favorable local interactions between 40S ribosomal proteins and IRES domains. Domain II of the IRES interacts with ribosomal proteins S5 and S25 while the pseudoknot and the downstream domain IV region bind to ribosomal proteins S26, S28 and S5. We also provide support using UV cross-linking studies to validate our proposition of interaction between the S5 and IRES domains II and IV. We found that domain IIIe makes contact with the ribosomal protein S3a (S1e). Our model also suggests that the ribosomal protein S27 interacts with domain IIIc while S7 has a weak contact with a single base RNA bulge between junction IIIabc and IIId. The interacting residues are highly conserved among mammalian homologs while IRES RNA bases involved in contact do not show strict conservation. IRES RNA binding sites for S25 and S3a show the best conservation among related viral IRESs. The new contacts identified between ribosomal proteins and RNA are consistent with previous independent studies on RNA-binding properties of ribosomal proteins reported in literature, though information at the residue level is not available in previous studies.

The beta hairpin structure within ribosomal protein S5 mediates interplay between domains II and IV and regulates HCV IRES function

Translation initiation in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is mediated by Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES), which is independent of cap-structure and uses a limited number of canonical initiation factors. During translation initiation IRES-40S complex formation depends on high affinity interaction of IRES with ribosomal proteins. Earlier, it has been shown that ribosomal protein S5 (RPS5) interacts with HCV IRES. Here, we have extensively characterized the HCV IRES-RPS5 interaction and demonstrated its role in IRES function. Computational modelling and RNA-protein interaction studies demonstrated that the beta hairpin structure within RPS5 is critically required for the binding with domains II and IV. Mutations disrupting IRES-RPS5 interaction drastically reduced the 80S complex formation and the corresponding IRES activity. Computational analysis and UV cross-linking experiments using various IRES-mutants revealed interplay between domains II and IV mediated by RPS5. In addition, present study demonstrated that RPS5 interaction is unique to HCV IRES and is not involved in 40S-3 ` UTR interaction. Further, partial silencing of RPS5 resulted in preferential inhibition of HCV RNA translation. However, global translation was marginally affected by partial silencing of RPS5. Taken together, results provide novel molecular insights into IRES-RPS5 interaction and unravel its functional significance in mediating internal initiation of translation.

Differential binding of ppGpp and pppGpp to E-coli RNA polymerase: photo-labeling and mass spectral studies

(p) ppGpp, a secondary messenger, is induced under stress and shows pleiotropic response. It binds to RNA polymerase and regulates transcription in Escherichia coli. More than 25 years have passed since the first discovery was made on the direct interaction of ppGpp with E. coli RNA polymerase. Several lines of evidence suggest different modes of ppGpp binding to the enzyme. Earlier cross-linking experiments suggested that the beta-subunit of RNA polymerase is the preferred site for ppGpp, whereas recent crystallographic studies pinpoint the interface of beta'/omega-subunits as the site of action. With an aim to validate the binding domain and to follow whether tetra-and pentaphosphate guanosines have different location on RNA polymerase, this work was initiated. RNA polymerase was photo-labeled with 8-azido-ppGpp/8-azido-pppGpp, and the product was digested with trypsin and subjected to mass spectrometry analysis. We observed three new peptides in the trypsin digest of the RNA polymerase labeled with 8-azido-ppGpp, of which two peptides correspond to the same pocket on beta'-subunit as predicted by X-ray structural analysis, whereas the third peptide was mapped on the beta-subunit. In the case of 8-azido-pppGpp-labeled RNA polymerase, we have found only one cross-linked peptide from the beta'-subunit. However, we were unable to identify any binding site of pppGpp on the beta-subunit. Interestingly, we observed that pppGpp at high concentration competes out ppGpp bound to RNA polymerase more efficiently, whereas ppGpp cannot titrate out pppGpp. The competition between tetraphosphate guanosine and pentaphosphate guanosine for E. coli RNA polymerase was followed by gel-based assay as well as by a new method known as DRaCALA assay.

Studies on Carbon Mediated Paste Screen Printed Sensors for Blood Glucose Sensing Application

Ready-to-use screen printed glucose sensors are fabricated using Prussian Blue (PB) and Cobalt Phthalocyanine (CoPC) mediated carbon inks as working electrodes. The reference and counter electrodes are screen printed using silver/silver chloride and graphitic carbon paste respectively. The screen printed reference electrodes (internal reference electrode (IRE)) are found to be stable for more than 60 minutes when examined with saturated calomel electrode. Optimal operating voltage for PB and CoPC screen printed sensors are determined by hydrodynamic voltammetric technique. Glucose oxidase is immobilized on the working electrodes by cross-linking method. PB mediated glucose sensor exhibits a sensitivity of 5.60 mA cm(-2)/mM for the range, 10 to 1000 mu M. Sensitivity of CoPC mediated glucose sensor is found to be 5.224 mu A cm(-2)/mM and amperometeric response is linear for the range, 100 to 1500 mu M. Interference studies on the fabricated glucose sensors are conducted with species like uric acid and ascorbic acid. PB mediated sensors showed a completely interference-free behavior. The sensing characteristics of PB mediated glucose sensors are also studied in diluted human serum samples and the results are compared with the values obtained through standard clinical method. The co-efficient of variation is found to be less than 5%. (C) 2015 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.

Cross-linked Chitosan/Thermoplastic Starch Reinforced with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Using Maleate Esters as Coupling Agent: Mechanical, Tribological and Thermal Characteristics

Bio-nanocomposites have been developed using cross-linked chitosan and cross-linked thermoplastic starch along with acid functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNT). The nanocomposites developed were characterized for mechanical, wear, and thermal properties. The results revealed that the nanocomposites exhibited enhanced mechanical properties. The composites containing 3% f-MWCNT showed maximum compression strength. Tribological studies revealed that, with the addition of small amount of f-MWCNTs the slide wear loss reduced up to 25%. SEM analysis of the nanocomposites showed predominantly brittle fractured surface. Thermal analysis showed that the incorporation of f-MWCNTs has improved the thermal stability for the nanocomposites.

Folding a Polymer via Two-Point Interaction with an External Folding Agent: Use of H-Bonding and Charge-Transfer Interactions

A polymer containing electron-rich aromatic donors (1,5-dialkoxynaphthalene (DAN)) was coerced into a folded state by an external folding agent that contained an electron-deficient aromatic acceptor (pyromellitic diimide (PM)) unit. The donor-containing polymer was designed to carry a tertiary amine moiety in the linking segment, which served as an H-bonding site for reinforcing the interaction with the acceptor containing folding agent that also bore a carboxylic acid group. The H-bonding interaction of the carboxylic acid and the tertiary amine brings the PDI unit between two adjacent DAN units along the polymer backbone to induce charge-transfer (C-T) interactions, and this in turn causes the polymer chain to form a pleated structure. Evidence for the formation of such a pleated structure was obtained from NMR titration studies and also by monitoring the C-T band in their UV-visible spectra. By varying the length of the segment that links the PDI acceptor to the carboxylic acid group, we showed that the most effective folding agent was the one that had a single carbon spacer, as evident from the highest value of the association constant. Control experiments with propionic acid clearly demonstrated the importance of the additional C-T interactions for venerating the folded structures. Further, solution viscosity measurements in the presence of varying amounts of the folding agent revealed a gradual stiffening of the chain in the case of the PDI carrying carboxylic acid, whereas no such affect was seen in the case of simple propionic acid. These observations were supported by D FT calculations of the interactions of a dimeric model of the polymer with the various folding agents; here too the stability of the complex was seen to be highest in the case of the single carbon spacer.