Does pervasive interconnected network of cellulose nanocrystals in nanocomposite membranes address simultaneous mechanical strength/water permeability/salt rejection improvement?

In this research work, we investigated the effect of two cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-related parameters, namely aspect ratio and loading content on the mechanical and desalination performance of a cellulose diacetate (CDA) model membrane system. Dispersion of high aspect ratio (HAR) CNCs in the CDA resulted in different types of nanoassembly, represented by evaluating the mechanical efficacy coefficient (C), viscoelastic responses and separation performance of the nanocomposite membranes. Accordingly, 0.

Three-Dimensional Pinecone-like Binder-Free Pt-TiO Nanorods on Ti Mesh Structures: Synthesis, Characterization and Electroactivity towards Ethanol Oxidation.

We report here the synthesis of binderless and template-less three-dimensional (3D) pinecone-shaped Pt/TiO/Ti mesh structure. The TiO hydrothermally synthesized onto Ti mesh is composed of a mixture of flower-like nanorods and vertically aligned bar-shaped structures, whereas Pt film grown by pulsed laser deposition displays a smooth surface. XRD analyses reveal an average crystallite size of 41.

Advanced Zinc-Air Batteries with Free-Standing Hierarchical Nanostructures of the Air Cathode for Portable Applications.

It is today advanced that the development of a free-standing (binderless) air cathode via direct growth of nonprecious metal electrocatalysts onto the surface of the conductive collector would be a cutting-edge strategy to reduce the interfacial resistance, improve the mechanical stability, and reduce the final weight and the cost of manufacturing. Here, for Zn-air batteries (ZABs), we propose an innovative binderless noble-metal-free hierarchical nanostructured bifunctional air cathode in which high-density MnO nanorods (NRs) are directly grown on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) themselves synthesized on a microfibrous carbon paper (CP) substrate. All carbon/MnO air cathodes achieved specific capacities very close to the theoretical value of 820 mAh g.

MADS-Box Transcription Factor Is Responsible for Virulence and Development of the Fungal Wheat Pathogen .

is one of the most economically destructive wheat diseases all over the world and is a model fungal plant pathogen within the ascomycetes. In this study, the instrumental role of the gene encoding a MADS-box transcription factor (TF) in the infection process of was functionally characterized as these proteins play critical roles in the global gene regulation required for various developmental and physiological processes. Our infection assays showed that mutants were attenuated in disease development as a 30 and 90% reduction in chloro-necrotic lesions and pycnidia formation, respectively, were observed in plants inoculated with mutant strains demonstrating that is a crucial factor playing a significant role in the late stage of infection corresponding with pycnidial formation.

The ZtVf1 transcription factor regulates development and virulence in the foliar wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici.

The dimorphic fungal pathogen, Zymoseptoria tritici undergoes discrete developmental changes to complete its life cycle on wheat. Molecular mechanisms underlying morphogenesis during infection process of Z. tritici are poorly understood.

Using drug sales data to evaluate the epidemiology of cardiometabolic risk factors and their inequality: an ecological study on atorvastatin and total cholesterol in Iran.

Background: Statins have been effective medications in lowering serum total cholesterol (TC) concentrations across populations over time. The aim of this study was to estimate national and provincial trends in atorvastatin sales in Iran, to systematically quantify its relationship with socioeconomic indicators, and changes in TC level.

Methods: In this retrospective ecological study, conducted in Iran, we examined trends in atorvastatin sales, the wealth index (WI) as a validly-available socio-economic indicator, and TC level between 2004 and 2011.

A plasticizer index to universally correlate the normalized work of fracture and elastic modulus of plasticized cellulose triacetates.

Cellulose triacetate (CTA) plasticization with 25 wt% glycerin (GLY), triethyl citrate (TEC) or dioctyl phthalate (DOP) enhanced its crystalline content as much as 55%, while only 10% crystalline content increase noticed using poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG). In addition, GLY and PEG did not cause any sensible Tg depression regarding CTA, whereas DOP and TEC decreased it as much as 46°C and 16°C, respectively. Furthermore, the work of fracture (WoF) of CTA was deteriorated by PEG, did not change using GLY and magnified as much as 6.

Starch-based nanocomposites: a comparative performance study of cellulose whiskers and starch nanoparticles.

A comparative performance study of cellulose whiskers (CW) and starch nanoparticles (SN) on plasticized starch (PS) reinforcement has been presented. In order to study the involved surface phenomena, CW and SN were extracted through acid hydrolysis using sulfuric acid to fulfill the similar surface groups and interactions. CW-filled and SN-filled nanocomposites were then prepared with relatively identical process to alleviate the effect of fabrication method for better comparison of CW and SN performance on PS reinforcement.