BINA

In this work, we introduced a garnet-type lithium metal fluoride, Li3Na3M2F12 (M = Al, Sc, In), as solid-state lithium-ion conductors for the first time. The mechanically milled Li3Na3M2F12 compounds crystallized in a cubic garnet-like structure (Ia3̅d, No. 230). The ionic conductivities of Li3Na3Al2F12, Li3Na3Sc2F12, and Li3Na3In2F12 are 1.7 × 10–6, 8.2 × 10–6, and 2.4 × 10–6 S/cm at 300 °C and 1.2 × 10–10, 2.6 × 10–9, and 1.8 × 10–10 S/cm at 100 °C, respectively. Even though these fluoride garnets’ conductivity is less, it is still better than those of the oxide analogues Li3Ln3Te2O12 (Ln = Er, Gd, Tb, Nd). Moreover, we explored why garnet-type Li3Na3M2F12 has low ionic conductivity and presented strategies for further improving conductivities.

Quantum entanglement is a key resource, which grants quantum systems the ability to accomplish tasks that are classically impossible. Here, we apply Feynman's sum-over-histories formalism to interacting bipartite quantum systems and introduce entanglement measures for bipartite quantum histories. Based on the Schmidt decomposition of the matrix comprised of the Feynman propagator complex coefficients, we prove that bipartite quantum histories are entangled if and only if the Schmidt rank of this matrix is larger than 1. The proposed approach highlights the utility of using a separable basis for constructing the bipartite quantum histories and allows for quantification of their entanglement from the complete set of experimentally measured sequential weak values. We then illustrate the non-classical nature of entangled histories with the use of Hardy's overlapping interferometers and explain why local hidden variable theories are unable to correctly reproduce all observable quantum outcomes. Our theoretical results elucidate how the composite tensor product structure of multipartite quantum systems is naturally extended across time and clarify the difference between quantum histories viewed as projection operators in the history Hilbert space or viewed as chain operators and propagators in the standard Hilbert space.

In this study, we characterized diabetic retinopathy in two mouse models and the response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection. The study was conducted in 58 transgenic, non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice with spontaneous type 1 diabetes (n = 30, DMT1-NOD) or chemically induced (n = 28, streptozotocin, STZ-NOD) type 1 diabetes and 20 transgenic db/db mice with type 2 diabetes (DMT2-db/db); 30 NOD and 8 wild-type mice served as controls. Mice were examined at 21 days for vasculopathy, retinal thickness, and expression of genes involved in oxidative stress, angiogenesis, gliosis, and diabetes. The right eye was histologically examined one week after injection of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, saline, or no treatment. Flat mounts revealed microaneurysms and one apparent area of tufts of neovascularization in the diabetic retina. Immunostaining revealed activation of Müller glia and prominent Müller cells. Mean retinal thickness was greater in diabetic mice. RAGE increased and GFAP decreased in DMT1-NOD mice; GFAP and SOX-9 mildly increased in db/db mice. Anti-VEGF treatment led to reduced retinal thickness. Retinas showed vasculopathy and edema in DMT1-NOD and DMT2-db/db mice and activation of Müller glia in DMT1-NOD mice, with some response to anti-VEGF treatment. Given the similarity of diabetic retinopathy in mice and humans, comparisons of type 1 and type 2 diabetic mouse models may assist in the development of new treatment modalities.

Carbon dots (CDs) were simply prepared from charcoal by hydrothermal processing at 180 °C for 15 h without any chemicals. The as-prepared CDs with an average diameter of 5 ± 6 nm exhibited a predominant absorption peak at 290 nm, corresponding to the n to π* transition of the oxygen functional groups (C═O) and the free amine functional groups (−NH2). The resulting CDs were then incorporated into cotton and polyester by facile ultrasonication for 1 h. The obtained CD-coated fabrics were first evaluated for their UV-blocking capability and then for their antibacterial properties against two model pathogens: Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive S. aureus. Both cotton and polyester showed no UV protection at 280 or 380 nm; conversely, cotton or polyester decorated with CDs exhibited a UV blocking ratio of 82–98%. The CD-coated fabrics showed 100% antibacterial activities against E. coli and S. aureus …

We report on stabilization of Li-S cells with different types of composite sulfur cathodes using ethereal LiTFSI/LiNO3/DOL/DME electrolyte solutions containing a-priori 0.1M Li2S8. These electrolyte solutions enable an improved cycling behavior for Li-S cells compared to Li2S8-free electrolyte solutions, thanks to the presence of LiSx species from the beginning of operation. We show that Li anodes cycled in Li|S cells with solutions containing Li2S8 possess flatter and more uniform surface, higher dimensions of the surface structures in average and, as a result, a lower surface area. This surface morphology ensures a low rate of parasitic surface reactions of the electrolyte components on the Li anodes’ surface, slower depletion of the electrolyte solution in the cells and stabilization of the cells cycling. Besides, the presence of Li2S8 maintains a better integrity of composite sulfur/carbon/PVdF cathodes, ensuring a …

In article number 2204925, Orit Shefi and co-workers depict that neurons are transformed into magnetic units and dynamically localized within 3D biomaterials using magnetic manipulations. Iron-oxide nanoparticles are synthesized and incorporated into neurons, which are then subjected to various magnetic fields. The neurons' movement is controlled inside multi-layered 3D collagen scaffolds simulating in-vivo tissue structures, thus constructing pre-designed, viable and functional 3D microarchitectures of neural networks.

Low-dimensional topological objects, such as knots and braids, have become prevalent in multiple areas of physics, such as fluid dynamics, optics, and quantum information processing. Such objects also now play a role in cryptography, where a framed knot can store encoded information using its braid representation for communications purposes. The greater resilience of low-dimensional topological elements under deformations allows them to be employed as a reliable framework for information exchange. Here, we introduce a challenge-response protocol as an application of this construction for authentication. We provide illustrative examples of both procedures showing how framed links and braids may help to enhance secure communication.

Electrochemical water splitting (EWS) has been a crucial process in the production of green fuels (oxygen and hydrogen) for a sustainable energy economy. One of the key processes in the EWS is water oxidation or the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). It is highly desirable to create cost-effective, efficient, and robust electrocatalysts for OER. Here, we present ultra-low Pd doped NiS-NiS2 heterostructure on NF (0.1PdNiS/NF) grown in-situ by acid etching followed by a simple hydrothermal sulfurization method for excellent OER electrocatalytic activity in alkaline media. Interestingly, low overpotential of 275 mV is required for the 0.1PdNiS/NF to achieve a current density of 10 mAcm−2, which is less than both NiS/NF (385 mV) and commercial RuO2/NF (370 mV). Because of the strong electronic interaction between Pd and NiS, 0.1PdNiS/NF has a small Tafel slope of 65 mV/dec and has shown excellent durability for …

Actin, a primary component of the cell cytoskeleton can have multiple isoforms, each of which can have specific properties uniquely suited for their purpose. These monomers are then bound together to form polymeric filaments utilizing adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis as a source of energy. Proteins, such as Arp2/3, VASP, formin, profilin, and cofilin, serve important roles in the polymerization process. These filaments can further be linked to form stress fibers by proteins called actin-binding proteins, such as α-actinin, myosin, fascin, filamin, zyxin, and epsin. These stress fibers are responsible for mechanotransduction, maintaining cell shape, cell motility, and intracellular cargo transport. Cancer metastasis, specifically epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is one of the key steps of the process, is accompanied by the formation of thick stress fibers through the Rho-associated protein kinase, MAPK/ERK …

Binder-free carbon cloth (CC) cathodes with tunable porosity prepared from Kynol 1500 by CO2 activation at 900 °C with the specific surface area up to 3170 m2g-1 and pore volume up to 2.05 cc g−1 have been tested in Li–S battery prototypes with catholyte solutions containing Li2S8. The capacity of CCs normalized to carbon mass is linearly proportional to the surface area and pore volume values. Capacities of CC cathodes were compared to the capacity of a composite mesoporous carbon (MPC) cathode prepared from MPC powder with PVdF binder and tested in identical conditions as sulfur host. The results indicate that pore volume of the carbon hosts is a key factor which determines the capacity of Li–S cells with lithium polysulfide catholyte solution. The effect of the surface area and pore volume of carbon cathodes on capacity and cycling performance is discussed. The possibility of attaining of a practical …

Predicting the ability of nanoparticles (NP) to access the tumor is key to the success of chemotherapy using nanotherapeutics. In the present study, the ability of the dual NP-based theranostic system to accumulate in the tumor was evaluated in vivo using intravital microscopy (IVM) and MRI. The system consisted of model therapeutic doxorubicin-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) NP (Dox-PLGA NP) and novel hybrid Ce3/4+-doped maghemite NP encapsulated within the HSA matrix (hMNP) as a supermagnetic MRI contrasting agent. Both NP types had similar sizes of ~100 nm and negative surface potentials. The level of the hMNP and PLGA NP co-distribution in the same regions of interest (ROI, ~2500 µm2) was assessed by IVM in mice bearing the 4T1-mScarlet murine mammary carcinoma at different intervals between the NP injections. In all cases, both NP types penetrated into the same tumoral/peritumoral regions by neutrophil-assisted extravasation through vascular micro- and macroleakages. The maximum tumor contrasting in MRI scans was obtained 5 h after hMNP injection/1 h after PLGA NP injection; the co-distribution level at this time reached 78%. Together with high contrasting properties of the hMNP, these data indicate that the hMNP and PLGA NPs are suitable theranostic companions. Thus, analysis of the co-distribution level appears to be a useful tool for evaluation of the dual nanoparticle theranostics, whereas assessment of the leakage areas helps to reveal the tumors potentially responsive to nanotherapeutics.

We report temperature-induced, narrow linewidth wavelength-tunable random lasing in 1D solid-state random laser. First, random laser is operated in a single-mode regime using the iterative pump optimization method. After that temperature-induced change in the refractive index of the PMMA-DCM layer leads to wavelength tunability.

Copper is an essential element in nature but in excess, it is toxic to the living cell. The human metallochaperone Atox1 participates in copper homeostasis and is responsible for copper transmission. In a previous multiscale simulation study, we noticed a change in the coordination state of the Cu(I) ion, from 4 bound cysteine residues to 3, in agreement with earlier studies. Here, we perform and analyze classical molecular dynamic simulations of various coordination states: 2, 3, and 4. The main observation is an increase in protein flexibility as a result of a decrease in the coordination state. In addition, we identified several populated conformations that correlate well with double electron–electron resonance distance distributions or an X‐ray structure of Cu(I)‐bound Atox1. We suggest that the increased flexibility might benefit the process of ion transmission between interacting proteins. Further experiments can …

Color induction in nitrogen-contaminated diamonds was carried out via various procedures that involve irradiation, thermal treatments (annealing), and more. These treatments affect vacancy defect production and atom orientation centers in the diamond lattice. Natural diamonds underwent color enhancement treatments in order to produce green, blue, and yellow fancy diamonds. The aim of this study was to follow the changes occurring during the treatment, mainly by EPR spectroscopy, which is the main source for the determination of the effect of paramagnetic centers (carbon-centered radicals) on the color centers produced via the treatments, but also via visual assessment, fluorescence, UV-vis, and FTIR spectroscopy. The results indicate that diamonds containing high levels of nitrogen contamination are associated with high carbon-centered radical concentrations. Four paramagnetic center structures (N1, N4, and P2/W21) were generated by the treatment. It is suggested that the N4 structure correlates with the formation of blue color centers, whereas yellow color centers are attributed to the presence of N1 species. While to produce blue and yellow colors, a thermal treatment is needed after irradiation, for treated green diamonds, no thermal treatment is needed (only irradiation).

Propagation in the cladding modes of standard optical fibers enables the sensing of chemicals outside the fiber boundary, where light in the single core mode cannot reach. Coupling to the cladding modes typically relies on the inscription of permanent gratings, which restricts the operation of the sensors to point measurements only. In addition, most applications rely on bare, uncoated fibers, which are difficult to deploy outside the research laboratory. In this work, we report the spatially distributed analysis of cladding mode spectra in a standard, off-the-shelf coated fiber. The inscription of the gratings, removal of the coating, or other structural modifications are not required. Coupling is based on Brillouin dynamic gratings: Two optical pump fields stimulate an acoustic wave, which couples a probe field to a counter-propagating cladding mode. Spatial mapping is obtained through time-of-flight analysis: pulsed modulation of one pump wave and the monitoring of the output probe power as a function of time. All fields are launched and detected only in the core mode. The coupling spectrum is sensitive to local changes in the refractive index of the coating layer, to the third decimal point. The spatial resolution is one meter. The demonstrated range is a few meters, and is scalable to hundreds of meters. The technique is used to detect and monitor the local immersion of a fiber section in acetone. The results establish a practical method for spatially distributed fiber optic chemical sensors.

In this work methyl formate (MF) and dimethyl ether (DME) electro-oxidation was studied on equimolar ratio Pt-Pd-Sn catalyst supported on Vulcan Carbon XC-72, carbon nanotubes (CNT), and CNT - nitrogen-doped carbon dots (NCDs) composite. The ternary catalyst was synthesized by the ethylene glycol assisted thermal reduction method and NCDs were synthesized by a hydrothermal method in the presence of CNT to form CNT-NCDs composite, in which the NCDs are incorporated onto the CNT surface. The activity of the catalyst in the oxidation of MF and DME was analyzed using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques. The ternary catalyst supported on CNT-NCDs composite (Pt1Pd1Sn1/CNT-NCDs) showed peak oxidation current of 75 mA mg-1 and 365 mA mg-1 for DME and MF, respectively, highest among the studied Pt1Pd1Sn1/XC-72 and Pt1Pd1Sn1/CNT. The onset potential of DME …

Fluorescent nanocarbons are well-proficient nanomaterials because of their optical properties and surface engineering. Herein, Apium graveolens-derived carbon dots (ACDs) have been synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal process without using any surplus vigorous chemicals or ligands. ACDs were captured via an in situ gelation reaction to form a semi-interpenetrating polymer network system showing mechanical robustness, fluorescent behavior, and natural adhesivity. ACDs-reinforced hydrogels were tested against robust uniaxial stress, repeated mechanical stretching, thixotropy, low creep, and fast strain recovery, confirming their elastomeric sustainability. Moreover, the room-temperature self-healing behavior was observed for the ACDs-reinforced hydrogels, with a healing efficacy of more than 45%. Water imbibition through hydrogel surfaces was digitally monitored via “breathing” and “accelerated …

In this study, we characterized diabetic retinopathy in two mouse models and the response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection. The study was conducted in 58 transgenic, non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice with spontaneous type 1 diabetes (n = 30, DMT1-NOD) or chemically induced (n = 28, streptozotocin, STZ-NOD) type 1 diabetes and 20 transgenic db/db mice with type 2 diabetes (DMT2-db/db); 30 NOD and 8 wild-type mice served as controls. Mice were examined at 21 days for vasculopathy, retinal thickness, and expression of genes involved in oxidative stress, angiogenesis, gliosis, and diabetes. The right eye was histologically examined one week after injection of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, saline, or no treatment. Flat mounts revealed microaneurysms and one apparent area of tufts of neovascularization in the diabetic retina. Immunostaining revealed activation of Müller glia and prominent Müller cells. Mean retinal thickness was greater in diabetic mice. RAGE increased and GFAP decreased in DMT1-NOD mice; GFAP and SOX-9 mildly increased in db/db mice. Anti-VEGF treatment led to reduced retinal thickness. Retinas showed vasculopathy and edema in DMT1-NOD and DMT2-db/db mice and activation of Müller glia in DMT1-NOD mice, with some response to anti-VEGF treatment. Given the similarity of diabetic retinopathy in mice and humans, comparisons of type 1 and type 2 diabetic mouse models may assist in the development of new treatment modalities.

In this work, we introduced a garnet-type lithium metal fluoride, Li3Na3M2F12 (M = Al, Sc, In), as solid-state lithium-ion conductors for the first time. The mechanically milled Li3Na3M2F12 compounds crystallized in a cubic garnet-like structure (Ia3̅d, No. 230). The ionic conductivities of Li3Na3Al2F12, Li3Na3Sc2F12, and Li3Na3In2F12 are 1.7 × 10–6, 8.2 × 10–6, and 2.4 × 10–6 S/cm at 300 °C and 1.2 × 10–10, 2.6 × 10–9, and 1.8 × 10–10 S/cm at 100 °C, respectively. Even though these fluoride garnets’ conductivity is less, it is still better than those of the oxide analogues Li3Ln3Te2O12 (Ln = Er, Gd, Tb, Nd). Moreover, we explored why garnet-type Li3Na3M2F12 has low ionic conductivity and presented strategies for further improving conductivities.

Gold-containing nanoparticles are proven to be an effective radiosensitizer in the radiotherapy of tumors. Reliable imaging of nanoparticles in a tumor and surrounding normal tissues is crucial both for diagnostics and for nanoparticle application as radiosensitizers. The Fe3O4 core was introduced into gold nanoparticles to form a core/shell structure suitable for MRI imaging. The aim of this study was to assess the in vivo bimodal CT and MRI enhancement ability of novel core/shell Fe3O4@Au theranostic nanoparticles. Core/shell Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles were synthesized and coated with PEG and glucose. C57Bl/6 mice bearing Ca755 mammary adenocarcinoma tumors received intravenous injections of the nanoparticles. CT and MRI were performed at several timepoints between 5 and 102 min, and on day 17 post-injection. Core/shell Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles provided significant enhancement of the tumor and tumor blood vessels. Nanoparticles also accumulated in the liver and spleen and were retained in these organs for 17 days. Mice did not show any signs of toxicity over the study duration. These results indicate that theranostic bimodal Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles are non-toxic and serve as effective contrast agents both for CT and MRI diagnostics. These nanoparticles have potential for future biomedical applications in cancer diagnostics and beyond.