Fabrication of Fe3O4-incorporated MnO2 nanoflowers as electrodes for enhanced asymmetric supercapacitor performance.

Manganese dioxide (MnO2) is considered a promising aspirant for energy storage materials on account of its higher theoretical capacitance along with low capital cost. However, its performance is generally limited by its poor lifespan and intrinsic conductivity. In this study, MnO2-incorporated iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoflowers were synthesized through a facile hydrothermal route and their electrochemical performance was probed. The surface composition and morphology of the as-synthesized samples were confirmed using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, and field emission scanning microscopy. The nanoflower-like structure and synergistic effect between the two oxides of the as-prepared MnO2@Fe3O4 nanocomposite electrode result in desirable surface area and intrinsic conductivity. Owing to its higher surface area and electrical conductivity, the MnO2@Fe3O4 nanoflower-like nanocomposite exhibits an enhanced specific capacitance (Cs) of 1651 F g-1 (1 A g-1) in a three-electrode test cell, which is two-fold higher than those of pristine Fe3O4 and MnO2. In addition, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) was readily constructed by sandwiching a cellulose membrane (separator) between MnO2@Fe3O4 (cathode) and activated carbon (anode). Significantly, the ASC displayed a high Cs of 131 F g-1 (1 A g-1) along with a pretty high cycling stability of 96% over 5000 cycles at 15 A g-1 and a high energy density of 46.6 Wh kg-1 at 0.8 kW kg-1. These results demonstrate the significant potential of the MnO2@Fe3O4 nanoflower ASC device for state-of-the-art futuristic advanced energy storage applications.

Correction: Fabrication of Fe3O4-incorporated MnO2 nanoflowers as electrodes for enhanced asymmetric supercapacitor performance.

Correction for 'Fabrication of Fe3O4-incorporated MnO2 nanoflowers as electrodes for enhanced asymmetric supercapacitor performance' by Iqra Rabani et al., Dalton Trans., 2022, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2DT01942F.

Interaction of eukaryotic proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) with the replication-associated protein (Rep) of cotton leaf curl Multan virus and pedilanthus leaf curl virus.

The replication-associated (Rep) proteins of pathogenic begomoviruses, including cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMuV) and pedilanthus leaf curl virus (PeLCV), interact with the DNA replication machinery of their eukaryotic hosts. The analysis of Rep protein sequences showed that there is 13-28% sequence variation among CLCuMuV and PeLCV isolates, with phylogenetic clusters that can separated at least in part based on the country of origin of the respective viruses. To identify specific host factors involved in the virus replication cycle, we conducted yeast two-hybrid assays to detect possible interactions between the CLCuMuV and PeLCV Rep proteins and 30 protein components of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA replication machinery. This showed that the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein of S. cerevisiae interacts with Rep proteins from both CLCuMuV and PeLCV. We used the yeast PCNA sequence in BLAST comparisons to identify two PCNA orthologs each in Gossypium hirsutum (cotton), Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis), and Nicotiana benthamiana (tobacco). Sequence comparisons showed 38-40% identity between the yeast and plant PCNA proteins, and > 91% identity among the plant PCNA proteins, which clustered together in one phylogenetic group. The expression of the six plant PCNA proteins in the yeast two-hybrid system confirmed interactions with the CLCuMuV and PeLCV Rep proteins. Our results demonstrate that the interaction of begomovirus Rep proteins with eukaryotic PCNA proteins is strongly conserved, despite significant evolutionary variation in the protein sequences of both of the interacting partners.

Carrier polarity modulation of molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) for phototransistor and switching photodiode applications.

Two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are layered semiconductor materials that have recently emerged as promising candidates for advanced nano- and photoelectronic applications. Previously, various doping methods, such as surface functionalization, chemical doping, substitutional doping, surface charge transfer, and electrostatic doping, have been introduced, but they are not stable or efficient. In this study, we have developed carrier polarity modulation of molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) for the development of phototransistors and switching photodiodes. Initially, we treated p-MoTe2 in a N2 environment under DUV irradiation and found that the p-type MoTe2 changed to n-type MoTe2. However, the treated devices exhibited environmental stability over a long period of 60 days. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) measurements demonstrated that the values of the work function for p-MoTe2 and n-MoTe2 were ∼4.90 and ∼4.49 eV, respectively, which confirmed the carrier tunability. Also, first-principles studies were performed to confirm the n-type carrier polarity variation. Interestingly, the n-type MoTe2 reversed its polarity to p-type after the irradiation of the devices under DUV in an O2 environment. Additionally, a lateral homojunction-based p-n diode of MoTe2 with a rectification ratio of ∼2.5 × 104 was formed with the value of contact potential difference of ∼400 mV and an estimated fast rise time of 29 ms and decay time of 38 ms. Furthermore, a well self-biased photovoltaic behavior upon illumination of light was achieved and various photovoltaic parameters were examined. Also, VOC switching behavior was established at the p-n diode state by switching on and off the incident light. We believe that this efficient and facile carrier polarity modulation technique may pave the way for the development of phototransistors and switching photodiodes in advanced nanotechnology.

Journey of begomovirus betasatellite molecules: from satellites to indispensable partners.

Betasatellites are a group of circular, single-stranded DNA molecules that are frequently found to be associated with monopartite begomoviruses of the family Geminiviridae. Betasatellites require their helper viruses for replication, movement, and encapsidation and they are often essential for induction of typical disease symptoms. The ßC1 protein encoded by betasatellites is multifunctional that participates in diverse cellular events. It interferes with several cellular processes like normal development, chloroplasts, and innate immune system of plants. Recent research has indicated ßC1 protein interaction with cellular proteins and its involvement in modulation of the host's cell cycle and symptom determination. This article focuses on the functional mechanisms of ßC1 and its interactions with other viral and host proteins.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of tomato leaf curl Palampur virus, a bipartite begomovirus, associated with Cucumis sativus L. in Pakistan.

Leaf samples of Cucumis Sativus L. (C. sativus) (Family; Cucurbitaceae) showing vein thickening, mild leaf curling and leaf enations were collected from the farmer's field. Amplification of the full-length viral molecules was performed through rolling circle amplification (RCA). Cloning of the full-length viral molecules was done through standard cloning procedure followed by sequencing. Sequence similarity analysis and phylogenetic studies showed that the virus associated with leaf curling and enations in C. sativus was a bipartite begomovirus, where DNA-A and DNA-B showed highest nucleotide sequence homology of 98% and 97% to tomato leaf curl Palampur virus (ToLCPMV) from India. Attempts to isolate betasatellites and alphasatellites through PCR using RCA product as template, did not result in any amplification. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree grouped DNA-A and B components with other isolates from India. SDT was used to find the pairwise identity scores of different sequences of ToLCPMV present in the database. Phylogenetic analysis showed that sequences of ToLCPMV DNA-A and B components in this study share high degree of homology with existing viruses and are isolates of ToLCPMV-India. Infectious molecules of both components (Accessions, MG252783 and MG252784, respectively) were constructed for infectivity analysis to fulfill the Koch's postulate. Infectivity analysis revealed that ToLCPMV DNA-A is infectious to model host plant Nicotiana benthamiana and viral accumulation was confirmed through Southern blot analysis. Accumulation of DNA-B was confirmed through PCR. Infectivity analysis was also conducted using the original host, C. sativus, but plants were unable to survive the agroinoculation. To our knowledge this is the first report of ToLCPMV associated with C. sativus L. in Pakistan.

Homology modeling and docking analysis of ßC1 protein encoded by Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite with different plant flavonoids.

Cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMuV) belonging to begomoviruses (Family Geminiviridae) can infect cotton and many other agricultural crops. Betasatellite associated with CLCuMuV i.e., cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMuB) is a small circular single-stranded deoxyribose nucleic acid (ssDNA) molecule that is essential for CLCuMuV to induce disease symptoms. Betasatellite molecule contains a ßC1 gene encoding for a pathogenicity determinant multifunctional protein, which extensively interacts with host plant machinery to cause virus infection. In this study the interaction of ßC1 with selected plant flavonoids has been studied. The study was focused on sequence analysis, three-dimensional structural modeling and docking analysis of ßC1 protein of CLCuMuB. Sequence analysis and physicochemical properties showed that ßC1 is negatively charged protein having more hydrophilic regions and is not very stable. Three-dimensional model of this protein revealed three helical, four beta pleated sheets and four coiled regions. The score of docking experiments using flavonoids as ligand indicated that plant flavonoids robinetinidol-(4alpha,8)-gallocatechin, quercetin 7-O-beta-D-glucoside, swertianolin, 3',4',5-trihydroxy-3-methoxyflavon-7-olate, agathisflavone, catiguanin B, 3',4',5,6-tetrahydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone, quercetin-7-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1->6)-beta-D-galactopyranoside], prunin 6″-O-gallate and luteolin 7-O-beta-D-glucosiduronic acid have strong binding with active site of ßC1 protein. The results obtained from this study clearly indicate that flavonoids are involved in defense against the virus infection, as these molecules binds to the active site of ßC1 protein. This information might be interesting to study plant defense mechanism based on the special compounds produced by the plants.

Terahertz tomographic imaging of XVIIIth Dynasty Egyptian sealed pottery.

A monochromatic millimeter-wave imaging system coupled with an infrared temperature sensor has been used to investigate historic objects preserved at the Museum of Aquitaine (France). In particular, two-dimensional and three-dimensional analyses have been performed in order to reveal the internal structure of nearly 3500-year-old sealed Egyptian jars.