The Relationship between Structure and Performance of Different Polyimides Based on Molecular Simulations.

A polyimide (PI) molecular model was successfully constructed to compare the performance of PIs with different structures. In detail, the structure of the cross-linked PI resin, the prepolymer melt viscosity, and the glass-transition temperature (T) were investigated using molecular simulations. The results indicate that benzene ring and polyene-type cross-linked structures dominate the properties of the PIs.

Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Hijacks Host IPO5 to Sustain the Intracytoplasmic Stability of Its Capsid Protein.

Nuclear entrance and stability of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), the smallest virus in mammals, are crucial for its infection and replication. However, the mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we found that the PCV2 virion maintains self-stability via the host importin 5 (IPO5) during infection.

Nucleolar protein NPM1 is essential for circovirus replication by binding to viral capsid.

Entry of circovirus into the host cell nucleus is essential for viral replication during the early stage of infection. However, the mechanisms by which nucleolar shuttle proteins are used during viral replication is still not well understood. Here, we report a previously unidentified nucleolar localization signal in circovirus capsid protein (Cap), and that circovirus hijacks the nucleolar phosphoprotein nucleophosmin-1 (NPM1) to facilitate its replication.

Antiviral Effect of Epigallocatechin Gallate via Impairing Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Attachment to Host Cell Receptor.

The green tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) exhibits antiviral activity against various viruses. Whether EGCG also inhibits the infectivity of circovirus remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated the antiviral effect of EGCG on porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2).

Superlubricity of a graphene/MoS heterostructure: a combined experimental and DFT study.

Graphene and other two-dimensional materials have been proved to be able to offer low friction. Here we assembled van der Waals heterostructures with graphene and molybdenum disulphide monolayers. The Raman spectrum together with a modified linear chain model indicate a two-orders-of-magnitude decrease in the interlayer lateral force constant, as compared with their homogeneous bilayers, indicating a possible routine to achieve superlubricity.