The interplay between viral-derived miRNAs and host immunity during infection

MicroRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that play a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression during cellular processes. The host-encoded miRNAs are known to modulate the antiviral defense during viral infection. In the last decade, multiple DNA and RNA viruses have been shown to produce miRNAs known as viral miRNAs (v-miRNAs) so as to evade the host immune response. In this review, we highlight the origin and biogenesis of viral miRNAs during the viral lifecycle. We also explore the role of viral miRNAs in immune evasion and hence in maintaining chronic infection and disease. Finally, we offer insights into the underexplored role of viral miRNAs as potential targets for developing therapeutics for treating complex viral diseases

Intrinsic versus shape anisotropy in micro-structured magnetostrictive thin films for magnetic surface acoustic wave sensors

International audienceThis work aims at studying the interaction between surface acoustic waves (SAW) and micro-structured magnetostrictive layers under a magnetic field with a perspective to develop magnetic field sensors. The impact of the competition between the strong intrinsic magnetic anisotropy of the magnetic material and the shape anisotropy of the interdigitated transducer (IDT) fingers introduced by the micro-structuration is investigated. Therefore, the macroscopic and microscopic magnetic properties of the IDT and their influence on the magneto-acoustic response are studied. A SAW resonator with the IDTs made of the magnetostrictive thin film was elaborated and the magnetic surface acoustic wave (MSAW) response under a magnetic field was performed and discussed. Depending on the energy balance, the anisotropy gets modified and a correlation with the MSAW sensitivity to an externally applied magnetic field is made

Capteur de champ magnétique basé sur des dispositifs à ondes acoustiques de surface magnéto-élastiques microstructures

The last few decades have seen tremendous growth in the area of magnetic sensor technologies. The field has grown from simple micro-machined silicon based devices to more complex integrated microsystems combining high performance transducers as well as wireless interfaces. However, almost all of these devices operate with a complex mechanism while simultaneously being externally powered as well as expensive. Thus, there arises a deep need to develop a magnetic sensor that overcomes the challenges. This research work focused on the development of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors for the detection of magnetic field. Owing to the possibility of wireless interrogation, SAW devices of the resonator configuration have been considered in this study. The first part of our work aims to address the physics and interaction between the acoustic waves and magnetostrictive layers when subjected to a magnetic field. We investigated SAW resonators using LiNbO3 as the substrate and multi-layered [TbCo2/FeCo] as the electrode and sensitive material. We studied and showed the role of the shape effect in magnetism arising from the electrode geometry. A model experimental set-up was developed to demonstrate an application of the fabricated device as a sensor for detection of current along a cable. Subsequently, we developed a device that is self-compensated for the effects of temperature on the resonance frequency. The multi-layered sensor was based on ST-cut Quartz as the substrate whose positive temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) was compensated for by the negative TCF of ZnO and CoFeB. Finally, we combine our understandings of the shape effects in magnetism and the multi-layered TCF compensated SAW structure to develop a device that is not only compensated for the effects of temperature on the resonance frequency but also on the magnetic anisotropy. In addition, this structure also presents the possibility of a proof-of-concept multi-sensory device because along with the temperature compensated resonance peak, there exist other resonances which are highly sensitive to any change in the temperature while at the same time immune to magnetic field.Au cours des dernières décennies, on a assisté à une croissance considérable dans le domaine des technologies des capteurs magnétiques. Le domaine est passé de simples dispositifs micro-usinés à base de silicium à des microsystèmes intégrés plus complexes combinant des transducteurs de haute performance ainsi que des interfaces sans fil. Cependant, presque tous ces appareils fonctionnent avec un mécanisme complexe tout en étant alimentés simultanément de l'extérieur et coûteux. Il y a donc un besoin profond de développer un capteur magnétique qui surmonte ces défis. Ces travaux de recherche ont porté sur le développement de capteurs à ondes élastiques de surface (SAW) pour la détection des champs magnétiques. La configuration résonateur a été considérée dans cette étude afin de permettre une interrogation sans fil. La première partie de notre travail est consacrée à l’étude de la physique et à l'interaction entre les ondes élastiques et les couches magnétostrictives lorsqu'elles sont soumises à un champ magnétique. Nous avons donc étudié des résonateurs SAW en utilisant le niobate de lithium comme substrat et un empilement multicouches [TbCo2/FeCo] comme électrode et matériau sensible. Nous avons étudié et montré le rôle de l'effet de forme dans le magnétisme résultant de la géométrie de l'électrode. Un banc de mesure expérimental a été mis au point pour démontrer l’utilisation d’un capteur magnétique SAW pour la mesure du courant électrique le long d’une lignes hautes tension. Par la suite, nous avons développé un capteur auto-compensé en température rendant sa fréquence de résonance uniquement sensible à l’intensité du champ magnétique. Ce capteur à structure multicouche utilise la coupe ST du quartz comme substrat avec comme direction de propagation des ondes X+90°C. Cette direction de la coupe ST présente un coefficient de température positif (TCF) qui a été compensé par le les couches de ZnO et du CoFeB qui présentent un TCF négatif. Enfin, en combinant nos connaissances sur les effets de forme magnétiques et sur le comportement des structure SAW multicouche pour développer un dispositif qui non seulement annule les effets de la température sur la fréquence de résonance mais également sur l'anisotropie magnétique. De plus, cette structure présente également la possibilité de réaliser un dispositif multisensoriel puisque dans le même dispositif, plusieurs modes sont générés. En plus du mode compensé en température qui permet de mesurer l’intensité du champ magnétique, un autre peu sensible au champ magnétique, permettra de mesurer la température de l’environnement de fonctionnement

Magnomechanics in suspended magnetic beams

Cavity optomechanical systems have become a popular playground for studies of controllable nonlinear interactions between light and motion. Owing to the large speed of light, realizing cavity optomechanics in the microwave frequency range requires cavities up to several mm in size, hence making it hard to embed several of them on the same chip. An alternative scheme with much smaller footprint is provided by magnomechanics, where the electromagnetic cavity is replaced by a magnet undergoing ferromagnetic resonance, and the optomechanical coupling originates from magnetic shape anisotropy. Here, we consider the magnomechanical interaction occurring in a suspended magnetic beam, a scheme in which both magnetic and mechanical modes physically overlap and can also be driven individually. We show that a sizable interaction can be produced if the beam has some initial static deformation, as is often the case due to unequal strains in the constituent materials. We also show how the magnetism affects the magnetomotive detection of the vibrations, and how the magnomechanics interaction can be used in microwave signal amplification. Finally, we discuss experimental progress towards realizing the scheme.peerReviewe

Digital Agriculture: The Future of Indian Agriculture

Agriculture continues to be the dominant economic sector in India in terms of providing a living. Of the population, 58.2% are employed by it. The success of the agriculture sector determines the nation's social change and economic expansion. Although the amount produced by agriculture per person has been steadily increasing recently, the sector's GDP contribution has been declining. The main issue facing the so-called agrarian Indian economy is the slowdown in agricultural growth. Numerous factors contribute to the slowdown, including inadequate public funding for R&D and irrigation, ineffective input delivery, fragmented land, antiquated tenancy laws, a lack of contemporary market and rural infrastructure, unsuitable input pricing policies, and so on. Agriculture has embraced technology as a solution to all of these issues. Information and communication technology (ICT) and agriculture are coming together to create a new growth engine that makes all production, distribution, and consuming processes more efficient. The evolution of Indian agriculture and the concept of digital technology are the main topics of this paper

Multiple introductions of a reassortant H5N1 avian influenza virus of clade 2.3.2.1c with PB2 gene of H9N2 subtype into Indian poultry

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses are a threat to poultry in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Here, we report isolation and characterization of H5N1 viruses isolated from ducks and turkeys in Kerala, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh, India between November 2014 and March 2015. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses of haemagglutinin gene identified that the virus belonged to a new clade 2.3.2.1c which has not been detected earlier in Indian poultry. The virus possessed molecular signature for high pathogenicity to chickens, which was corroborated by intravenous pathogenicity index of 2.96. The virus was a reassortant which derives its PB2 gene from H9N2 virus isolated in China during 2007-2013. However, the neuraminidase and internal genes are of H5N1 subtype. Phylogenetic and network analysis revealed that after detection in China in 2013/2014, the virus moved to Europe, West Africa and other Asian countries including India. The analyses further indicated multiple introductions of H5N1 virus in Indian poultry and internal spread in Kerala. One of the outbreaks in ducks in Kerala is linked to the H5N1 virus isolated from wild birds in Dubai suggesting movement of virus probably through migration of wild birds. However, the outbreaks in ducks in Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh were from an unknown source in Asia which also contributed gene pools to the outbreaks in Europe and West Africa. The widespread incidence of the novel H5N1 HPAI is similar to the spread of clade 2.2 ("Qinghai-like") virus in 2005, and should be monitored to avoid threat to animal and public health

Enhanced Performance Love Wave Magnetic Field Sensors with Temperature Compensation

International audienceTemperature compensation is critical and important for surface acoustic wave (SAW) magnetic field sensors. In this study, a Love wave mode based SAW device is investigated as a magnetic field sensor. The considered structure is composed of a CoFeB magnetostrictive film as sensitive layer, SiO2, and ZnO film as insulating and temperature compensation layers and ST+90°-cut quartz as substrate. A theoretical model is proposed to study the magnetic field sensitivity and temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) variations. Optimized structures by calculation were fabricated and characterized and obtained results show a good agreement between experiments and our model simulation. We clearly shown that signal performances as well as the flexibility of the resonator design were improved by adding the isolating SiO2 layer. Thus, a sensor showing a near zero TCF (0.1 ppm/°C) and a magnetic field sensitivity of-420 ppm/mT was achieved with the structure CoFeB(100 nm)/SiO2(250 nm)/ZnO(300 nm)/ Quartz(ST-X+90°). This multi-layered structure is beneficial to design reliable SAW magnetic field sensors