BINA

This work investigates, for the first time, the application of sonochemically prepared bovine serum albumin (BSA) microspheres (BSAMS) as adsorbents of industrial organic pollutant dyes, such as rhodamine B (RhB), rhodamine 6G (Rh6G), and methylene blue (MB). These dyes also serve as model compounds for other organic pollutants such as bisphenol A and 2-nitrophenol. Adsorption kinetics of the dyes by the BSAMS was studied using pseudo-first-order (PFO) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic models. It was found that RhB follows PFO, with an adsorption capacity, qe,cal, of 7.9 mg/g, which was closer to the experimental adsorption capacity of qe,exp. of 7.6 mg/g. However, MB and Rh6G were controlled by PSO kinetics, with a qe,cal of 5.6 mg/g for MB and 6.6 mg/g for Rh6G, closer to the experimental adsorption capacity of 5.7 and 6.4 mg/g, respectively. The intraparticle diffusion (ID) model applied to …

High‐voltage all‐solid‐state lithium batteries (HVASSLBs) are considered attractive systems for portable electronics and electric vehicles, due to their theoretically high energy density and safety. However, realization of HVASSLBs with sulfide solid electrolytes (SEs) is hindered by their limited electrochemical stability, resulting in sluggish interphase dynamics. Here, a bidirectionally compatible buffering layer design scheme is proposed to overcome the interfacial challenges of sulfide‐based HVASSLBs. As a proof of concept, it is found that NASICON‐type LixZr2(PO4)3 surprisingly exhibit great compatibility with both 4.5 V LiCoO2 and Li6PS5Cl, based on the results of first‐principles calculations and various in situ/ex situ characterizations. This compatibility significantly restrains the interface reactivity and boosts interfacial Li‐ion transport. Therefore, 4.5 V sulfide‐based HVASSLBs can exhibit remarkably …

Disordered quantum systems feature an energy scale known as the Thouless energy. For energy ranges below this scale, the properties of the energy spectrum can be described by random matrix theory. Above this scale a different behavior sets in. For a metallic system it was shown long ago by Altshuler and Shklovskii [Sov. Phys. JETP 64, 127 (1986)] that the number variance should increase as a power law with power dependent on only the dimensionality of the system. Although tantalizing hints at this behavior were seen in previous numerical studies, it is quite difficult to verify this prediction using the standard local unfolding methods. Here we use a different unfolding method, ie, singular value decomposition, and establish a connection between the power law behavior of the scree plot (the singular values ranked by their amplitude) and the power law behavior of the number variance. Thus, we are able to …

Disordered quantum systems feature an energy scale known as the Thouless energy. For energy ranges below this scale, the properties of the energy spectrum can be described by random matrix theory. Above this scale a different behavior sets in. For a metallic system it was shown long ago by Altshuler and Shklovskii [Sov. Phys. JETP 64, 127 (1986)] that the number variance should increase as a power law with power dependent on only the dimensionality of the system. Although tantalizing hints at this behavior were seen in previous numerical studies, it is quite difficult to verify this prediction using the standard local unfolding methods. Here we use a different unfolding method, ie, singular value decomposition, and establish a connection between the power law behavior of the scree plot (the singular values ranked by their amplitude) and the power law behavior of the number variance. Thus, we are able to …

Torsional-radial guided acoustic modes in standard single-mode fibers are stimulated by pump tones of linear and orthogonal polarizations. The same acoustic modes induce photo-elastic birefringence. Circularly polarized pump waves can generate acoustic vortex beams.

The spillover of animal coronaviruses (aCoVs) to humans has caused SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. While antibody responses displaying cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal/common cold human coronaviruses (hCoVs) have been reported, potential cross-reactivity with aCoVs and the diagnostic implications are incompletely understood. Here, we probed for antibody binding against all seven hCoVs and 49 aCoVs represented as 12,924 peptides within a phage-displayed antigen library. Antibody repertoires of 269 recovered COVID-19 patients showed distinct changes compared to 260 unexposed pre-pandemic controls, not limited to binding of SARS-CoV-2 antigens but including binding to antigens from hCoVs and aCoVs with shared motifs to SARS-CoV-2. We isolated broadly reactive monoclonal antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients that bind a shared motif of SARS-CoV-2, hCoV …

The ability to direct neurons into organized neural networks has great implications for regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and bio-interfacing. Many studies have aimed at directing neurons using chemical and topographical cues. However, reports of organizational control on a micron-scale over large areas are scarce. Here, an effective method has been described for placing neurons in preset sites and guiding neuronal outgrowth with micron-scale resolution, using magnetic platforms embedded with micro-patterned, magnetic elements. It has been demonstrated that loading neurons with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) converts them into sensitive magnetic units that can be influenced by magnetic gradients. Following this approach, a unique magnetic platform has been fabricated on which PC12 cells, a common neuron-like model, were plated and loaded with superparamagnetic nanoparticles. Thin films of ferromagnetic (FM) multilayers with stable perpendicular magnetization were deposited to provide effective attraction forces toward the magnetic patterns. These MNP-loaded PC12 cells, plated and differentiated atop the magnetic platforms, were preferentially attached to the magnetic patterns, and the neurite outgrowth was well aligned with the pattern shape, forming oriented networks. Quantitative characterization methods of the magnetic properties, cellular MNP uptake, cell viability, and statistical analysis of the results are presented. This approach enables the control of neural network formation and improves neuron-to-electrode interface through the manipulation of magnetic forces, which can be an effective tool for in vitro …

Three different Terahertz quantum-cascade-laser designs supporting clean n-level systems were analyzed using nonequilibrium Green’s functions. In clean n-level systems, most of the electrons occupy the active laser levels, with thermally activated leakage channels being suppressed almost entirely up to room temperature. Simulations of the three designs, namely a resonant phonon design, a two-well design, and a split-well direct-phonon design were investigated. The results from the simulations indicated that the two-well design would perform best overall, in terms of variations in current density, interface roughness, and ionized impurity scattering. We conclude that future research aiming to improve the temperature performance of such laser designs should be based on a two-well design.

The utilization of lignocellulosic biomass is effective to produce chemicals and fuels, which are of importance for the establishment of a sustainable society. The conversion of cellulose, which is the main component of the lignocellulosic biomass, into signi cant chemicals that can be further converted to different chemicals or fuels in the subsequent step, under gentle conditions is a promising route. Organic acids such as acetic acid, glycolic acid and formic acid are signi cant chemicals are examples of such products. A novel method to producing important platform chemicals from Micro-crystalline cellulose was developed. Micro-crystalline cellulose was degraded as a result of an oxidation with potassium chlorate by microwave radiation, in a one-pot procedure, e cient reaction conditions such as short reaction time and full conversion of the cellulose were identi ed. The reaction products have been analyzed by 1H, 13C NMR, XPS, TGA and XRD.

Three different Terahertz quantum-cascade-laser designs supporting clean n-level systems were analyzed using nonequilibrium Green’s functions. In clean n-level systems, most of the electrons occupy the active laser levels, with thermally activated leakage channels being suppressed almost entirely up to room temperature. Simulations of the three designs, namely a resonant phonon design, a two-well design, and a split-well direct-phonon design were investigated. The results from the simulations indicated that the two-well design would perform best overall, in terms of variations in current density, interface roughness, and ionized impurity scattering. We conclude that future research aiming to improve the temperature performance of such laser designs should be based on a two-well design.

Simultaneous water and ethanol-based synthesis and coating of copper and zinc oxide (CuO/ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) on bandages was carried out by ultrasound irradiation. High resolution-transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the effects of the solvent on the particle size and shape of metal oxide NPs. An antibacterial activity study of metal-oxide-coated bandages was carried out against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative). CuO NP-coated bandages made from both water and ethanol demonstrated complete killing of S. aureus and E. coli bacteria within 30 min., whereas ZnO NP-coated bandages demonstrated five-log reductions in viability for both kinds of bacteria after 60 min of interaction. Further, the antibacterial mechanism of CuO/ZnO NP-coated bandages is proposed here based on electron spin resonance studies. Nanotoxicology investigations were conducted via in vivo examinations of the effect of the metal-oxide bandages on frog embryos (teratogenesis assay—Xenopus). The results show that water-based coatings resulted in lesser impacts on embryo development than the ethanol-based ones. These bandages should therefore be considered safer than the ethanol-based ones. The comparison between the toxicity of the metal oxide NPs prepared in water and ethanol is of great importance, because water will replace ethanol for bulk scale synthesis of metal oxide NPs in commercial companies to avoid further ignition problems. The novelty and importance of this manuscript is avoiding the ethanol in the typical water: ethanol mixture as the solvent for the preparation of metal …

J Exp Bot. 2021 Jul 31;erab333. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erab333. Online ahead of print … 1 Robert H Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Robert H Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel … 2 Electron Microscopy Facility, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS-TIFR), Bangalore, India … 3 Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel … 4 Department of Entomology, Robert H Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel … 5 Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, VIB/Ghent University, Gent, Belgium … 6 Danziger Innovations Limited, Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Page 1. Use of cell doublets for studying cytokinesis regulation reveals a new form of cytokinesis regression Nofar Levi-Dadon1 Bar-Ilan University Einat Panet Bar-Ilan University Shira Huri Ohev Shalom Bar-Ilan University Ohad Kraus Bar-Ilan University Irit Shoval Bar-Ilan University Roxane Lahmi Bar-Ilan University Howard Shapiro The Center for Microbial Cytometry, West Newton, MA, USA Amit Tzur (  Amit.Tzur@biu.ac.il ) Bar-Ilan University Article Keywords: Cytokinesis regression, Cytokinesis index, Flow cytometry, Doublet discrimination cell- autonomous regulation, lymphocytic leukemia cells L1210 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-730080/v1 License:   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License …

Understanding the charge transport properties of proteins at the molecular scale is crucial for the development of novel bioelectronic devices. In this contribution, we report on the preparation and electrical characterization of thin films of bacteriorhodopsin grafted on the surface of titanium nitride via aminophosphonate linkers. Thickness analysis using atomic force microscopy revealed a protein film thickness of 8.2±1.5 nm, indicating the formation of a protein bilayer. Electrical measurements were carried out in the dry state, in a vertical arrangement with a eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) or an evaporated Ti/Au top contact. DC current-voltage measurements yielded comparable effective tunneling decay constants for the EGaIn top contact and for the Ti/Au top contact. The results presented herein may establish a novel platform for studying charge transport via protein molecules in a solid-state …

Kinetoplastids are infamous parasites that include trypanosomes and Leishmania species. Here, we developed an anti-Leishmania nano-drug using ultra-small functional maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) that were surface-doped by [CeLn]3/4+ to enable effective binding of the polycationic polyethylenebyimine (PEI) polymer by coordinative chemistry. This resulting nano-drug is cytolytic in-vitro to both Trypanosoma brucei parasites, the causative agent of sleeping sickness, as well as to three Leishmania species. The nano-drug induces the rupture of the single lysosome present in these parasites attributed to the PEI, leading to cytolysis. To evaluate the efficacy of a “cream-based” version of the nano-drug, which was termed “Nano-Leish-IL” for topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), we developed a rapid screening method utilizing T. brucei parasites involved in social motility and demonstrated …

We study the aberrations of four-wave mixing based time lenses resulting from the cross-phase modulations of the pump wave. These temporal aberrations have no spatial equivalent and are important when imaging weak signals with strong pump waves. We show that as the pump power increases, the cross-phase modulations of the pump are responsible for shifting, defocusing, and imposing temporal coma aberrations on the image. We present experimental results of these aberrations with high agreement to analytical and numerical calculations.

Understanding the charge transport properties of proteins at the molecular scale is crucial for the development of novel bioelectronic devices. In this contribution, we report on the preparation and electrical characterization of thin films of bacteriorhodopsin grafted on the surface of titanium nitride via aminophosphonate linkers. Thickness analysis using atomic force microscopy revealed a protein film thickness of 8.2±1.5 nm, indicating the formation of a protein bilayer. Electrical measurements were carried out in the dry state, in a vertical arrangement with a eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) or an evaporated Ti/Au top contact. DC current-voltage measurements yielded comparable effective tunneling decay constants for the EGaIn top contact and for the Ti/Au top contact. The results presented herein may establish a novel platform for studying charge transport via protein molecules in a solid-state …

Calcium-based battery systems are promising postlithium candidates; however, only a few amenable calcium materials were reported in nonaqueous electrolytes. Here, reversible storage of Ca2+ ions in aqueous and nonaqueous electrolyte solutions is shown for crystalline 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydride. The carbonyl functional groups and the π-electrons constitute redox centers, which can reversibly interact with divalent ions. This phenomenon was clearly uncovered by combined electrochemistry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ex situ X-ray diffraction analyses. Very promising calcium storage performances are shown with a highly reversible capacity around ∼158 mAh g–1 at a rate of 10 mA g–1 with an average voltage of ∼2.3 V band sufficient capacity retention in saturated Ca …