Tallinn University of Technology

About: Tallinn University of Technology is a education organization based out in Tallinn, Estonia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: European union & Computer science. The organization has 3688 authors who have published 10313 publications receiving 145058 citations. The organization is also known as: Tallinn Technical University & Tallinna Tehnikaülikool.

Cross-Kingdom Small RNAs among Animals, Plants and Microbes

Abstract: Small RNAs (sRNAs), a class of regulatory non-coding RNAs around 20~30-nt long, including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), are critical regulators of gene expression. Recently, accumulating evidence indicates that sRNAs can be transferred not only within cells and tissues of individual organisms, but also across different eukaryotic species, serving as a bond connecting the animal, plant, and microbial worlds. In this review, we summarize the results from recent studies on cross-kingdom sRNA communication. We not only review the horizontal transfer of sRNAs among animals, plants and microbes, but also discuss the mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi) signal transmission via cross-kingdom sRNAs. We also compare the advantages of host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) and spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) technology and look forward to their applicable prospects in controlling fungal diseases.

Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Poly(lactic) Acid/Cellulose and LDPE/Cellulose Composites

Abstract: In our work we studied composites of poly(lactic) acid (PLA) and low density polyethylene filled with cellulose fibres. The studied composite materials were manufactured with a twin-screw extruder. The extruded compound was processed in to samples using compression moulding. The content of cellulose in polymer/cellulose composites was varied. Effect of low amounts of cellulose on the rheological and tensile properties was studied. Tensile tests showed that the incorporation of cellulose into PLA matrix lead to stiffer but slightly more brittle and weaker materials, since Young's modulus increases and tensile strength and elongation at break slightly decrease. Mechanical results are in agreement with rheological behaviour: the composites exhibit the improvement in the storage and loss moduli of composites compared with that of matrix polymers. The composite dynamic viscosity increases with cellulose content in the same manner as loss and storage moduli. The processing and material properties of PLA/cellulose composites were compared to the more commonly used low-density-polyethylene/cellulose composites. http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.17.1.245

Ionic substituted hydroxyapatite for bone regeneration applications: A review

Abstract: Biological apatites are characterised by various ionic substitutions within the HAp lattice that are crucial for bone metabolism. The introduction of key role elements within synthetic calcium phosphates (CaP), mainly hydroxyapatite (HAp), can increase osteogenesis and enhance bone regeneration process. The lattice structure of HAp enables cationic and anionic substitutions leading to the enhanced biological performance of synthetic bone graft materials. This review summarises recent and relevant studies on cationic and anionic substitutions in the HAp lattice that are commonly found in the human body. Furthermore, co-substituted HAp obtained from synthetic and biological precursors, along with their influence on the bone regeneration process, has been discussed. Finally, future perspectives for the use of substituted HAp have been presented.