BINA

In this presentation, we introduce a new technique for fiber based noninvasive sensing. The sensor consists of a laser, a multi-mode optical fiber, video camera and a computer. The operation principle is based on tracking of temporal variations in the speckle patterns field generated by interference of the light modes within the fiber when it is subjected to deformation. The speckle patterns are created when the light at the tip of the fiber is diffracted through a diffuser and imaged by a camera. The fiber-based sensor is used for bio-medical applications such as monitoring of vital bio-signs as respiration, heart beats and blood pressure even when integrating it into a fabric to provide non-tight contact wearable wellness monitoring device. It can also be used as a non-wearable portable sensor to estimate, in a non-invasive way, the concentration of glucose in the blood stream when the measurement is combined with …

A universal methodology for coding-decoding the complex amplitude field of an imaged sample in coherent microscopy is presented, where no restrictions on any of the two interferometric beams are required. Thus, the imaging beam can be overlapped with, in general, any other complex amplitude distribution and, in particular, with a coherent and shifted version of itself considering two orthogonal directions. The complex field values are retrieved by a novel Cepstrum-based algorithm, named as Spatial-Shifting Cepstrum (SSC), based on a weighted subtraction of the Cepstrum transform in the cross-correlation term of the object field spectrum in addition with the generation of a complex pupil from the combination of the information retrieved from different holographic recordings (one in horizontal and one in vertical direction) where one of the interferometric beams is shifted 1 pixel. As a result, the field of view is …

Investigating the dynamics of chromatin and the factors that are affecting it, has provided valuable insights into the organization and functionality of the genome in the cell nucleus. We control the expression of Lamin-A, an important organizer protein of the chromatin and nucleus structure. By simultaneously tracking tens of chromosomal loci (telomeres) in each nucleus, we find that the motion of chromosomal loci in Lamin-A depleted cells is both faster and more directed on a scale of a few micrometers, which coincides with the size of chromosome territories. Moreover, in the absence of Lamin-A we reveal the existence of correlations among neighboring telomeres. We show how these pairwise correlations are linked with the intermittent and persistent character of telomere trajectories, underscoring the importance of Lamin-A protein in chromosomal organization.

Quantum reference frames have attracted renewed interest recently, as their exploration is relevant and instructive in many areas of quantum theory. Among the different types, position and time reference frames have captivated special attention. Here, we introduce and analyze a non-relativistic framework in which each system contains an internal clock, in addition to its external (spatial) degree of freedom and, hence, can be used as a spatiotemporal quantum reference frame. Among other applications of this framework, we show that even in simple scenarios with no interactions, the relative uncertainty between clocks affects the relative spatial spread of the systems.

Crystalline monolayers prevalent in nature and technology possess elusive elastic properties with important implications in fundamental physics, biology, and nanotechnology. Leveraging the recently discovered shape transitions of oil-in-water emulsion droplets, upon which these droplets adopt cylindrical shapes and elongate, we investigate the elastic characteristics of the crystalline monolayers covering their interfaces. To unravel the conditions governing Euler buckling and Brazier kink formation in these cylindrical tubular interfacial crystals, we strain the elongating cylindrical droplets within confining microfluidic wells. Our experiments unveil a nonclassical relation between the Young’s modulus and the bending modulus of these crystals. Intriguingly, this relation varies with the radius of the cylindrical crystal, presenting a nonclassical mechanism for tuning of elasticity in nanotechnology applications.

Visible light-active photoelectrode materials that can exhibit simultaneous photo- and electroactivity are essential for photoelectrosynthesis. Herein, we report a coordination metallo-organic system based on bismuth with 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (DMcT) as a linker ligand, which displays a p-type behavior with stable photoelectroactivity in neutral and protic electrolytes. The UV–visible spectral investigation reveals the systematic bathochromic shift with a gradual increment in the concentration of the Bi3+ ions to DMcT and the bandgap of 1.7 eV. The XPS, Raman, and FT-IR spectral data suggest the presence of a −S–Bi–S– linkage in the c-Bi-DMcT coordination polymeric structures. A photocathode prepared by electrooxidation shows a relatively less bismuth content with a disulfide linkage and lower photoactivity compared with c-Bi-DMcT prepared by chemical synthesis. The observed photocurrent values …

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are of growing concern due to their toxicity and environmental impact. Their facile detection is thus of a high importance but still challenging because they are unreactive and often present at very low concentrations. Developing sensing schemes for VOCs based on low-cost, sensitive, selective, and user-friendly methods is therefore crucial for environmental monitoring. To address these issues, we herein developed polymer supported carbon dots (CDs) by reacting tetraminobenzene with 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl oxalate using a simple reflux method. Owing to the selection of precursors, polymer supported fluorescent carbon dots (P-CDs) were grown decorating the synthesized polymeric spheres. The P-CDs composites were highly stable, and their fluorescence was drastically quenched by several VOC analytes (ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and ammonia) due …

The evaluation of capacitive deionization (CDI) often relies on indicators like salt adsorption capacity and rate. However, these indicators encompass the entire system, including the anode and cathode. In practice scenarios, differences in specific capacitance, weight, and potential of zero charge result in varying theoretical ion adsorption capacity (IAC) and electrode potential. Hence, it is crucial to assess the deionization performance of individual electrodes. In this study, by introducing a reference electrode into the desalination device and enhancing the effective area and mass loading of the counter electrode, a single-electrode evaluation device was established to specifically analyze the deionization performance of the working electrode. Through this evaluation method, the single-electrode deionization performances of the anodic and cathodic integrated membrane electrodes (IMEs) were investigated …

Recruiting the endogenous editing enzyme adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) with tailored guide RNAs for adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA base editing is promising for safely manipulating genetic information at the RNA level. However, the precision and efficiency of editing are often compromised by bystander off-target editing. Here, we find that in 5′-UAN triplets, which dominate bystander editing, G•U wobble base pairs effectively mitigate off-target events while maintaining high on-target efficiency. This strategy is universally applicable to existing A-to-I RNA base-editing systems and complements other suppression methods such as G•A mismatches and uridine (U) depletion. Combining wobble base pairing with a circularized format of the CLUSTER approach achieves highly precise and efficient editing (up to 87%) of a disease-relevant mutation in the Mecp2 transcript in cell culture. Virus …

Depicted is a novel setup for realizing the photon number splitting (PNS) attack with current-day technology, namely, using the single-photon Raman interaction. In article number 2300437, Eliahu Cohen and co-workers analyze the amount of information which the eavesdropper (Eve) can obtain using this physical realization of PNS, concluding that while part of the secret key is at risk when weak coherent states are used, there is still a price for Eve to pay in terms of the induced noise. This stresses the importance of proper countermeasures.

This study conducts a comparative analysis, using non-equilibrium Green’s functions (NEGF), of two state-of-the-art two-well (TW) Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers (THz QCLs) supporting clean 3-level systems. The devices have nearly identical parameters and the NEGF calculations with an abrupt-interface roughness height of 0.12 nm predict a maximum operating temperature (Tmax) of ~ 250 K for both devices. However, experimentally, one device reaches a Tmax of ~ 250 K and the other a Tmax of only ~ 134 K. Both devices were fabricated and measured under identical conditions in the same laboratory, with high quality processes as verified by reference devices. The main difference between the two devices is that they were grown in different MBE reactors. Our NEGF-based analysis considered all parameters related to MBE growth, including the maximum estimated variation in aluminum content …

The next generation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) require a substantial reduction or elimination of Pt-based electrocatalyst from the cathode, where O2 reduction takes place. The most promising alternative to Pt is atomic Fe embedded in N-doped C (Fe–N–C). Successful incorporation of Fe–N–C in PEMFCs relies on a thorough understanding of the catalyst layer properties, both ex situ and in situ, with tailored electrode interface engineering. To help resolve this conundrum, we provide a quantitative protocol on the optimisation of I/C for Fe–N–Cs. It is demonstrated that a high pore volume (3.33 cm3 g−1FeNC) Fe–N–C catalyst requires a sufficiently high ionomer to catalyst mass ratio (I/C, 2.8≤I/C ≤ 4.2) for optimum PEMFC activity under H2/O2. Emerging electrochemical techniques (distribution of relaxation times and Fourier transformed alternating current voltammetry) were used to …

Aneuploidy is an abnormal chromosome composition and a general hallmark of human cancer. Aneuploidy causes detrimental cellular stresses, but cancer cells evolve to cope with these stresses. Consequently, targeting such mitigation mechanisms is a promising potential therapeutic strategy. As an abnormal dosage of gene products from altered chromosomes can cause RNA and proteotoxic stress, dosage compensation (DC) of imbalanced gene products was reported to mitigate these stresses in aneuploid cells. However, the mechanisms that regulate DC remain elusive. To address these mechanisms, we focused on the role(s) of stress granules (SGs) and RNA binding proteins (RBPs) in aneuploid cancer cells. Our recent study revealed that aneuploid cancer cells preferentially depend on RNA and protein metabolism, and need to attenuate translation in order to cope with proteotoxic stress (Ippolito & …

Male development in mammals depends on the activity of the two SOX gene: Sry and Sox9, in the embryonic testis. As deletion of Enhancer 13 (Enh13) of the Sox9 gene results in XY male-to-female sex reversal, we explored the critical elements necessary for its function and hence, for testis and male development. Here, we demonstrate that while microdeletions of individual transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) in Enh13 lead to normal testicular development, combined microdeletions of just two SRY/SOX binding motifs can alone fully abolish Enh13 activity leading to XY male-to-female sex reversal. This suggests that for proper male development to occur, these few nucleotides of non-coding DNA must be intact. Interestingly, we show that depending on the nature of these TFBS mutations, dramatically different phenotypic outcomes can occur, providing a molecular explanation for the distinct clinical …

Biological structures have evolved to very efficiently generate, transmit, and withstand mechanical forces. These biological examples have inspired mechanical engineers for centuries and led to the development of critical insights and concepts. However, progress in mechanical engineering also raises new questions about biological structures. The past decades have seen the increasing study of failure of engineered structures due to repetitive loading, and its origin in processes such as materials fatigue. Repetitive loading is also experienced by some neurons, for example in the peripheral nervous system. This perspective, after briefly introducing the engineering concept of mechanical fatigue, aims to discuss the potential effects based on our knowledge of cellular responses to mechanical stresses. A particular focus of our discussion are the effects of mechanical stress on axons and their cytoskeletal structures. Furthermore, we highlight the difficulty of imaging these structures and the promise of new microscopy techniques. The identification of repair mechanisms and paradigms underlying long-term stability is an exciting and emerging topic in biology as well as a potential source of inspiration for engineers.

The collective tunneling of a Wigner necklace—a crystal-like state of a small number of strongly interacting electrons confined to a suspended nanotube and subject to a double-well potential—is theoretically analyzed and compared with experiments in Shapir et al. [Science 364, 870 (2019)0036-807510.1126/science.aat0905]. Density matrix renormalization group computations, exact diagonalization, and instanton theory provide a consistent description of this very strongly interacting system, and show good agreement with experiments. Experimentally extracted and theoretically computed tunneling amplitudes exhibit a scaling collapse. Collective quantum fluctuations renormalize the tunneling, and substantially enhance it as the number of electrons increases.

Spatial modes in multimode fibers interact with each other through nonlinear processes leading to various spatio-temporal dynamics. Studying the dynamics of such interactions can open a new route for understanding ultrafast modal phenomena. In this research, we measure the temporal and spatial dynamics of ultrafast multimode signals in a high temporal resolution. We study the modal dynamics of each spatial mode inside multimode fibers as a function of time, intensity, and wavelength. We derive the spatial coupling, identify the energy transfer between the modes, and show that it is possible to transfer the energy even when the overlap integral vanishes and the coupling between the modes is zero.

Bell tests serve as a fundamental tool in both quantum technologies and quantum foundations investigation. The traditional Bell test framework involves the use of projective measurements, which, because of the wavefunction collapse and the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, do not allow for the full estimation of the Bell parameter from each entangled pair. In this work, we propose a novel weak-measurement-based scheme enabling the complete estimation of the entire Bell parameter from each entangled pair. Moreover, this approach prevents the collapse of the quantum state wavefunction, thereby preserving the entanglement within it. Our results, showing a 6 standard deviations violation of the Bell inequality tested, are obtained while leaving the entanglement within the photon pair almost unaltered after the weak measurement scheme (as demonstrated by our quantum tomographic reconstructions), allowing …

Method: To elucidate the role of ADAR1 in human islets, we first studied ADAR expression and distribution in human pancreas across postnatal developmental timeline (1 day, 4 months, 2, 6, 10, 35 years). Then we transduced human pseudoislets with a shRNA for ADAR and examined their function and gene expression. The transduced pseudoislets were also transplanted into NSG mice. Insulin secretion was measured and grafts were studied.Results: We found that ADAR1 expression at all ages was greater in endocrine cells than acinar cells. Using the shRNA approach, ADAR mRNA levels were reduced by 70%(n= 11 donors). After 7-day culture, expression of dsRNA sensors, IFNB1, IRF7, IRF9, and interferon-stimulated genes was increased while INS and MAFA expression was reduced in ADAR knockdown islets without changes in insulin secretion. However, 3 weeks post transplantation, glucose/arginine …

The collective tunneling of a Wigner necklace—a crystal-like state of a small number of strongly interacting electrons confined to a suspended nanotube and subject to a double-well potential—is theoretically analyzed and compared with experiments in Shapir et al. [Science 364, 870 (2019)0036-807510.1126/science.aat0905]. Density matrix renormalization group computations, exact diagonalization, and instanton theory provide a consistent description of this very strongly interacting system, and show good agreement with experiments. Experimentally extracted and theoretically computed tunneling amplitudes exhibit a scaling collapse. Collective quantum fluctuations renormalize the tunneling, and substantially enhance it as the number of electrons increases.

Biological structures have evolved to very efficiently generate, transmit, and withstand mechanical forces. These biological examples have inspired mechanical engineers for centuries and led to the development of critical insights and concepts. However, progress in mechanical engineering also raises new questions about biological structures. The past decades have seen the increasing study of failure of engineered structures due to repetitive loading, and its origin in processes such as materials fatigue. Repetitive loading is also experienced by some neurons, for example in the peripheral nervous system. This perspective, after briefly introducing the engineering concept of mechanical fatigue, aims to discuss the potential effects based on our knowledge of cellular responses to mechanical stresses. A particular focus of our discussion are the effects of mechanical stress on axons and their cytoskeletal structures. Furthermore, we highlight the difficulty of imaging these structures and the promise of new microscopy techniques. The identification of repair mechanisms and paradigms underlying long-term stability is an exciting and emerging topic in biology as well as a potential source of inspiration for engineers.