Interfacial Charge Transfer and Effective Termination of Electron Recombination Process in (ZnO)(1-x)/2(Bi2O3) x (Dy2O3)(1-x)/2 Heterostructured Nanocomposite Material under Visible Light Irradiation.

We have synthesized a novel heterostructured composite material-(ZnO)(1-x)/2(Bi2O3) x (Dy2O3)(1-x)/2 wherein electron-hole recombination has been successfully inhibited by an interfacial charge-transfer mechanism across a semiconductor interface. As a result of this, the material possessed enhanced photoresponse under visible light irradiations. X-ray diffraction analysis shows the material to be highly nanocrystalline in nature. The band gap energy as calculated from the UV-vis-diffused reflectance spectroscopy spectrum was found to be 2.68 eV. Morphological studies by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses show the presence of distinct microrod-shaped αBi2O3 and spherical ball-like clusters of ZnO and Dy2O3 nanoparticles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analyses confirm the presence of Bi, Zn, Dy, and O in the material. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed the high surface roughness and porosity of the prepared composite. Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis confirmed the in situ generation of  OH•radicals under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic efficiency of the (ZnO)(1-x)/2(Bi2O3) x (Dy2O3)(1-x)/2 composite material was evaluated by the photooxidation of Orange G (OG) dye molecules under visible light irradiation. The catalyst retained its original efficiency even after the 3rd cycle of its reuse thereby validating the economic feasibility of the system. By-product analysis by ESI-MS+ analysis proved the complete degradation of the OG molecules from the aqueous solution.

Cellular v-ATPase is required for virion assembly compartment formation in human cytomegalovirus infection.

Successful generation of virions from infected cells is a complex process requiring orchestrated regulation of host and viral genes. Cells infected with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) undergo a dramatic reorganization of membrane organelles resulting in the formation of the virion assembly compartment, a process that is not fully understood. Here we show that acidification of vacuoles by the cellular v-ATPase is a crucial step in the formation of the virion assembly compartment and disruption of acidification results in mis-localization of virion components and a profound reduction in infectious virus levels. In addition, knockdown of ATP6V0C blocks the increase in nuclear size, normally associated with HCMV infection. Inhibition of the v-ATPase does not affect intracellular levels of viral DNA synthesis or gene expression, consistent with a defect in assembly and egress. These studies identify a novel host factor involved in virion production and a potential target for antiviral therapy.

Nitrogen doped nanocrystalline semiconductor metal oxide: An efficient UV active photocatalyst for the oxidation of an organic dye using slurry Photoreactor.

Water pollution is a cause for serious concern in today's world. A major contributor to water pollution is industrial effluents containing dyes and other organic molecules. Waste water treatment has become a priority area in today's applied scientific research as it seeks to minimize the toxicity of the effluents being discharged and increase the possibility of water recycling. An efficient and eco-friendly way of degrading toxic molecules is to use nano metal-oxide photocatalysts. The present study aims at enhancing the photocatalytic activity of a semiconductor metal oxide by doping it with nitrogen. A sol-gel cum combustion method was employed to synthesize the catalyst. The prepared catalyst was characterized by FT-IR, XRD, UV-DRS, FESEM and AFM techniques. UV-DRS result showed the catalyst to possess band gap energy of 2.97eV, thus making it active in the UV region of the spectrum. Its photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the degradation of a model pollutant-Orange G dye, under UV light irradiation. Preliminary experiments were carried out to study the effects of pH, catalyst dosage and initial dye concentration on the extent of dye degradation. Kinetic studies revealed that the reaction followed pseudo first order kinetics. The effect of electrolytes on catalyst efficiency was also studied. The progress of the reaction was monitored by absorption studies and measuring the reduction in COD. The catalyst thus prepared was seen to have a high photocatalytic efficiency. The use of this catalyst is a promising means of waste water treatment.