BINA

Effective and accessible treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are urgently needed. Soluble Aβ oligomers are identified as neurotoxic species in AD and targeted in antibody‐based drug development to mitigate cognitive decline. However, controversy exists concerning their efficacy and safety. In this study, an alternative strategy is proposed to inhibit the formation of Aβ oligomers by selectively oxidizing specific amino acids in the Aβ sequence, thereby preventing its aggregation. Targeted oxidation is achieved using biocompatible and blood‐brain barrier‐permeable multicomponent nanoscintillators that generate singlet oxygen upon X‐ray interaction. Surface‐modified scintillators interact selectively with Aβ and, upon X‐ray irradiation, inhibit the formation of neurotoxic aggregates both in vitro and in vivo. Feeding transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans expressing human Aβ with the nanoscintillators and …

Forward Brillouin scattering fiber sensors can detect and analyze media outside the cladding of standard fibers, where guided light does not reach. Nearly all such sensors reported to-date have relied on the radially symmetric guided acoustic modes of the fiber. Wave motion in these modes is strictly dilatational. However, forward Brillouin scattering also takes place through torsional–radial guided acoustic modes of the fiber. Torsional–radial modes exhibit more complex tensor characteristics, and they consist of both dilatational and shear wave contributions. In this work, we show that forward Brillouin sensing through torsional–radial acoustic modes is qualitatively different from processes based on the radial ones. While dilatational wave components may dissipate toward liquids outside the fiber cladding, shear waves do not. Consequently, the effect of outside liquids varies among torsional–radial modes. Those …

Iron–nitrogen–carbon (FeNC) catalysts are a viable alternative to platinum, but still lack the necessary performance. Now, pyrolysis under forming gas is found as a path to boosting their site density, activity and durability.

Editor-in-Chief Zeev Zalevsky and the journal’s team of senior editors introduce an updated slate of research topic categories appropriate for JEI.

A key conundrum of biomolecular electronics is efficient electron transport (ETp) through solid-state junctions up to 10 nm, often without temperature activation. Such behavior challenges known charge transport mechanisms, especially via nonconjugated molecules such as proteins. Single-step, coherent quantum-mechanical tunneling proposed for ETp across small protein, 2–3 nm wide junctions, but it is problematic for larger proteins. Here we exploit the ability of bacteriorhodopsin (bR), a well-studied, 4–5 nm long membrane protein, to assemble into well-defined single and multiple bilayers, from ∼9 to 60 nm thick, to investigate ETp limits as a function of junction width. To ensure sufficient signal/noise, we use large area (∼10–3 cm2) Au–protein–Si junctions. Photoemission spectra indicate a wide energy separation between electrode Fermi and the nearest protein-energy levels, as expected for a polymer of …

Sensors based on forward Brillouin scattering processes allow for quantitative analysis of liquid media and coating layers outside the cladding of standard, unmodified fibers. Point measurements and spatially distributed analysis have been demonstrated.

Under ultrasonication, cuprous oxide (Cu2O) microparticles (<5 µm) were fragmented into nanoparticles (NPs, ranging from 10 to 30 nm in diameter), and interacted strongly with alkali lignin (Mw= 10 kDa) to form a nanocomposite. The ultrasonic wave generates strong binding interaction between lignin and Cu2O. The L-Cu nanocomposite exhibited synergistic effects with enhanced antibiofilm activities against E. coli, multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli, S. aureus (SA), methicillin-resistant SA, and P. aeruginosa (PA). The lignin-Cu2O (L-Cu) nanocomposite also imparted notable eradication of such bacterial biofilms. Experimental evidence unraveled the destruction of bacterial cell walls by L-Cu, which interacted strongly with the bacterial membrane. After exposure to L-Cu, the bacterial cells lost the integrated structural morphology. The estimated MIC for biofilm inhibition for the five tested pathogens was 1 mg/mL L …

The emergence of magnetic polymer composites has had a transformative impact on the field of soft robotics. This overview will examine the various methods by which innovative materials can be synthesized and utilized. The advancement of soft robotic systems has been significantly enhanced by the utilization of magnetic polymer composites, which amalgamate the pliability of polymers with the reactivity of magnetic materials. This study extensively examines the production methodologies involved in dispersing magnetic particles within polymer matrices and controlling their spatial distribution. The objective is to gain insights into the strategies required to attain the desired mechanical and magnetic properties. Additionally, this study delves into the potential applications of these composites in the field of soft robotics, encompassing various devices such as soft actuators, grippers, and wearable gadgets. The study emphasizes the transformative capabilities of magnetic polymer composites, which offer a novel framework for the advancement of biocompatible, versatile soft robotic systems that utilize magnetic actuation.

The process of aging refers to physiological changes that occur to an organism as time progresses and involves changes to DNA, proteins, metabolism, cells, and organs. Like the rest of the cells in the body, gametes age, and it is well established that there is a decline in reproductive capabilities in females and males with aging. One of the major pathways known to be involved in aging is epigenetic changes. The epigenome is the multitude of chemical modifications performed on DNA and chromatin that affect the ability of chromatin to be transcribed. In this review, we explore the effects of aging on female and male gametes with a focus on the epigenetic changes that occur in gametes throughout aging. Quality decline in oocytes occurs at a relatively early age. Epigenetic changes constitute an important part of oocyte aging. DNA methylation is reduced with age, along with reduced expression of DNA …

The time development of the excitation energy of molecules and clusters cooling by emission of thermal vibrational infrared radiation has been studied. The energy distributions and the photon emission rates develop into near-universal functions that can be characterized with only a few parameters, irrespective of the precise vibrational spectra and oscillator strengths of the systems. The photon emission constant and emitted power averaged over all thermally populated states vary linearly with total excitation energy with a small offset. The time developments of ensemble internal energy distributions are calculated with respect to their first two moments. For the derived linear dependence of the emission rate constant, these results are exact.

The current endeavor of publishing a reprint on the astounding field of research on carbon dots has its roots in the launch of the Special Issue entitled" Catalytic methods for the synthesis of carbon nanodots and their applications”. Ever since this Special Issue was launched on 29th August 2022, it has attracted great attention from researchers worldwide. Grateful thanks are due to Dr. Nimala Kumar Jangid and coworkers from India; Dr. Syed Hadi Hasan and coworkers from India; Dr. Lerato L Mokoloko and coworkers from South Africa; Dr. Siti Kastom Kamarudin and coworkers from Malaysia; Dr. Selvaraj Roomani and coworkers from India; Dr. Ahmad Umar and coworkers from India, Saudi Arabia and USA; Dr. Ramon Moreno-Tost and coworkers from Spain; Dr. Jae Hong Kim and coworkers from South Korea and Japan; Dr. Yong RokLee and coworkers from India, South Korea and UAE; and Dr. Joydeep Das from …

How does the quantum-to-classical transition of measurement occur? This question is vital for both foundations and applications of quantum mechanics. Here, we develop a new measurement-based framework for characterizing the classical and quantum free electron–photon interactions and then experimentally test it. We first analyze the transition from projective to weak measurement in generic light–matter interactions and show that any classical electron-laser-beam interaction can be represented as an outcome of weak measurement. In particular, the appearance of classical point-particle acceleration is an example of an amplified weak value resulting from weak measurement. A universal factor, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek …

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with dysbiosis, proinflammatory gut microbiome, disruptions to intestinal barrier functions, and immunological imbalance. Microbiota-produced short-chain fatty acids promote gut barrier integrity and immune regulation, but their impact on PD pathology remains mostly unknown.ObjectivesTo evaluate supplementation with short-chain fatty acids as an add-on intervention in PD.MethodsIn a randomized double-blind prospective study, 72 PD patients received short-chain fatty acids and/or the prebiotic fiber 2′-fucosyllactose supplementation over 6 months.ResultsWe observed improvement in motor and nonmotor symptoms, in addition to modulation of peripheral immunity and improved mitochondrial respiration in immunocytes. The supplementation had no effect on microbiome diversity or composition. Finally, multiobjective analysis and comprehensive immunophenotyping revealed parameters associated with an optimal response to short-chain fatty acids and/or 2′-fucosyllactose supplementation.ConclusionShort-chain fatty acids ameliorate clinical symptoms in Parkinson’s disease patients and modulate mitochondrial function and peripheral immunity.

In article 2300101, Julian Schütt, Hariharan Nhalil, Jürgen Fassbender, Lior Klein, Asaf Grosz, and Denys Makarov propose a new concept of multiparametric coding in droplet-based fluidics relying on different sensing units and targeted tailoring of the fluidic circuit and its complexification. The possibility to prepare up to 3 million unique codes is demonstrated experimentally, which is relevant for pharmaceutical and biotechnological assays including drug discovery.

Under alkaline treatment, zirconyl chloride (ZrOCl2.8H2O) became a zirconia gel and formed a stable complex with beta-cyclodextrin (βCD). This complex was highly active in reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation via H2O2 decomposition. Its surface with numerous hydroxyl groups acts as an ionic sponge to capture the charged reaction intermediates, including superoxide (O2–•) and the hydroxyl radical (•OH). ROS, especially •OH radicals, are harmful to living microorganisms because of their kinetic instability, high oxidation potential, and chemical nonselectivity. Therefore, •OH radicals can engage in fast reactions with virtually any adjacent biomolecule. With H2O2, the complex with cationic and hydrophobic moieties interacted with the anionic bacterial membrane of two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis) and two Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) strains …

Copper chalcogenides are materials characterized by intrinsic doping properties, allowing them to display high carrier concentrations due to their defect‐heavy structures, independent of the preparation method. Such high doping enables these materials to display plasmonic resonances, tunable by varying their stoichiometry. Here, plasmonic dynamics is studied in drop‐cast Cu9S5 (digenite) nanocrystals (NCs) film using ultrafast pump–probe spectroscopy. The NCs are synthesized by thermal annealing of copper foil using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), followed by sonication and drop‐casting of the isolated few‐layered flakes on different substrates. The samples display a broad localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in the near‐infrared (NIR), peaking at 2100 nm. The free carrier response is further confirmed by fitting the linear absorption with a Drude–Lorentz effective medium approximation model …

The study of first passage times for diffusing particles reaching target states is foundational in various practical applications, including diffusion-controlled reactions. In this work, we present a bi-scaling theory for the probability density function of first passage times in confined compact processes, applicable to both Euclidean and Fractal domains, diverse geometries, and scenarios with or without external force fields, accommodating Markovian and semi-Markovian random walks. In large systems, first passage time statistics exhibit a bi-scaling behavior, challenging the use of a single time scale. Our theory employs two distinct scaling functions: one for short times, capturing initial dynamics in unbounded systems, and the other for long times is sensitive to finite size effects. The combined framework provides a complete expression for first passage time statistics across all time scales.

The objective of this research includes integration of high-resolution imaging through scattering medium, such as blood, into a disposable micro-endoscope. A fiber laser integrated into the micro-endoscope as part of its illumination channel, allows to project a tunable array of spots of light onto an object, that is located behind the scattering medium. We have a laser fiber as part of the illumination channel of a disposable micro-endoscope. By using proper optics, we convert the temporal modulation of the laser into spatial distribution. Thus, the result is generation of spatial spots when using a pulsed laser. The detection channel is a holographic recording of the collected back scattered light, that allows extraction of the electrical field. By time integrating the field we obtain the realization of the spatial array of illumination spots formed on top of the inspected object and behind the scattering medium. By changing the …

The objective of this research includes integration of high-resolution imaging through scattering medium, such as blood, into a disposable micro-endoscope. A fiber laser integrated into the micro-endoscope as part of its illumination channel, allows to project a tunable array of spots of light onto an object, that is located behind the scattering medium. We have a laser fiber as part of the illumination channel of a disposable micro-endoscope. By using proper optics, we convert the temporal modulation of the laser into spatial distribution. Thus, the result is generation of spatial spots when using a pulsed laser. The detection channel is a holographic recording of the collected back scattered light, that allows extraction of the electrical field. By time integrating the field we obtain the realization of the spatial array of illumination spots formed on top of the inspected object and behind the scattering medium. By changing the …

PM10. 00002: Generating Correlated X-ray Pairs as a Low-Noise Low-Damage Probe*

Periodic driving and Floquet engineering have emerged as invaluable tools for controlling and uncovering novel phenomena in quantum systems. In this study, we adopt these methods to manipulate nonequilibrium processes within electronic-vibronic open quantum systems. Through resonance mechanisms and by focusing on the limit-cycle dynamics and quantum thermodynamic properties, we illustrate the intricate interplay between the driving field and vibronic states and its overall influence on the electronic system. Specifically, we observe an effective decoupling of the electronic system from the periodic driving at specific frequencies, a phenomenon that is mediated by the vibrational mode interaction. Additionally, we engineer the driving field to obtain a partial removal of the Franck-Condon blockade. These insights hold promise for efficient charge current control. Our results are obtained from numerically …