BINA

treated with NaCl and HNO3 solutions were obtained to extract Na+ and K+ ions from saline water. The physicochemical characteristics of the obtained sorbents were studied by SEM, EDAX, and BET methods. It was found that successive treatment with NaCl and HNO3 solutions has a positive effect on the sorption properties of the studied materials. The maximum increase in the specific surface area from 4.5 m2/g to 39.3 m2/g is observed for acid-treated Z, and the specific surface area of ​​ChC also increases almost 2-fold from 8.4 m2/g to 15.3 m2/g. Na+ and K+ ions are extracted from water due to ion exchange with Z and ChC cations. As a result of determining the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the studied sorbents, it was found that treatment with a NaCl solution improves the ion exchange properties of the sorbent and leads to the formation of a “homoionic” form of aluminosilicates. Due to that the sorbents more easily enter ion exchange reactions. The authors established the sorption activity of the obtained materials based on natural Z and ChC with respect to Na+ and K+ cations. The maximum recovery rate is 28.45% for Na+ ions with the ChC-Na-H sorbent and 76.28% for K+ ions with the ChC-Na sorbent. Among Z-based sorbents, the most effective forms are Z-Na-H (15.44% Na+ recovery) and Z-Na (60.47% K+ recovery).

Magnetic hydrogels and soft composites have fuelled the development of next generation biomimetic soft robotics due to their precise control and non-cytotoxic nature. Bare magnetic nanoparticles are difficult to regulate via remote controlling whereas, when these nanoparticles are arrested inside polymeric matrices, the whole system become an artificial soft mussel like integrated system. Concurrently, these polymeric magnetic soft materials are also prone to response of external magnetic field (static or oscillatory). Additive manufacturing via spatial assembly of polymeric precursors followed by actuation like behaviour is quite a new manufacturing technique to fabricate magnetic soft materials. In this review, we focused on the magnetic nanoparticles and their entrapment into polymeric matrices and assessing their applicability in clinical (hyperthermia) as well as shape morphing behaviours. Both the behaviors …

Fog accumulation on surfaces typically has a negative effect by reducing their transparency and efficiency. Applications such as plastic packaging, agricultural films, and particularly many optical devices suffer from these negative effects. One way to prevent fogging is to coat the substrate with an antifogging coating having a smooth surface and hydrophilic surface chemical groups. This causes the fog water droplets that come into contact with the substrate to completely flatten across its surface, thus retaining transparency. These coatings are mostly relegated to laboratory research due to their insufficient stability and costly synthetic processes. We proposed the use of organically modified silica particles consisting of a mixture of tetraethyl orthosilicate and methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane, which were grown in situ in the presence of a corona-activated polyethylene film, thus providing a thin siloxane coating …

Purpose: Targeted RNA editing utilizing the ubiquitous human adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) enzyme is a possible new genetic therapeutic approach for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). Utilizing guideRNA (gRNA) to recruit the endogenously expressed ADAR enzyme to a mutated RNA and facilitating the deaminization of a specific adenosine to inosine (read as a guanine by the ribosome), allows for the correction of mRNA transcripts in a transient and tunable manner. According to our recent analyses, 40% of single nucleotide variants (SNVs)-causing IRDs are candidates for ADAR-directed editing. Our aim is to design and test gRNAs that induce targeted ADAR editing for 3 common Israeli mutations causing IRDs: TRPM1-p. K294*, FAM161A-p. R523*, and KIZ-p. R76*.Methods: After determining Israeli IRD candidate mutations, we used a yeast model to identify candidate gRNAs …

The pathogen Bordetella pertussis uses a type-3 secretion system (T3SS) to inject its cytotoxic effector BteA into the host cell via a designated needle structure. Prior to injection BteA is bound to its cognate chaperone BtcA presumed to assist in effector unfolding en route to needle passage. We utilized NMR and EPR spectroscopy to uncover the molecular mechanism of BtcA-mediated unfolding of BteA. BtcA induces a global structural change in the effector, which adopts a more extended and partially unfolded conformation. EPR distance measurements further show that the structured helical-bundle form of free BteA exists in conformational equilibrium with a lowly populated minor species. The nature of this equilibrium was probed using NMR relaxation dispersion experiments. At 283 K structural effects are most pronounced for a contiguous surface spanning the A- and B-helices of BteA, extending at 303 K to a …

The need for high power density cathodes for Li‐ion batteries can be fulfilled by application of a high charging voltage above 4.5 V. As lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) remains a dominant commercial cathode material, tremendous efforts are invested to increase its charging potential toward 4.6 V. Yet, the long‐term performance of high voltage LCO cathodes still remains poor. Here, an integrated approach combining the application of an aluminum fluoride coating and the use of electrolyte solutions comprising 1:1:8 mixtures of difluoroethylene:fluoroethylene carbonate:dimethyl carbonate and 1 m LiPF6 is reported. This results in superior behavior of LCO cathodes charged at 4.6 V with high initial capacity of 223 mAh g−1, excellent long‐term performance, and 78% capacity retention after 500 cycles. Impressive stability is also found at 450 °C with an initial capacity of 220 mAh g−1 and around 84% capacity retention …

We present a novel method that we call FAINE, fast artificial intelligence neutron detection system. FAINE automatically classifies tracks of fast neutrons on CR-39 detectors using a deep learning model. This method was demonstrated using a LANDAUER Neutrak® fast neutron dosimetry system, which is installed in the External Dosimetry Laboratory (EDL) at Soreq Nuclear Research Center (SNRC). In modern fast neutron dosimetry systems, after the preliminary stages of etching and imaging of the CR-39 detectors, the third stage uses various types of computer vision systems combined with a manual revision to count the CR-39 tracks and then convert them to a dose in mSv units. Our method enhances these modern systems by introducing an innovative algorithm, which uses deep learning to classify all CR-39 tracks as either real neutron tracks or any other sign such as dirt, scratches, or even cleaning remainders. This new algorithm makes the third stage of manual CR-39 tracks revision superfluous and provides a completely repeatable and accurate way of measuring either neutrons flux or dose. The experimental results show a total accuracy rate of 96.7% for the true positive tracks and true negative tracks detected by our new algorithm against the current method, which uses computer vision followed by manual revision. This algorithm is now in the process of calibration for both alpha-particles detection and fast neutron spectrometry classification and is expected to be very useful in analyzing results of proton-boron11 fusion experiments. Being fully automatic, the new algorithm will enhance the quality assurance and effectiveness of external dosimetry, will lower the uncertainty for the reported dose measurements, and might also enable lowering the system’s detection threshold.

High-performance electrolytes are at the heart of magnesium battery development. Long-term stability along with the low potential difference between plating and stripping processes are needed to consider them for next-generation battery devices. Within this work, we perform an in-depth characterization of the novel Mg[Al(hfip)4]2 salt in different glyme-based electrolytes. Specific importance is given to the influence of water content and the role of additives in the electrolyte. Mg[Al(hfip)4]2-based electrolytes exemplify high tolerance to water presence and the beneficial effect of additives under aggravated cycling conditions. Finally, electrolyte compatibility is tested with three different types of Mg cathodes, spanning different types of electrochemical mechanisms (Chevrel phase, organic cathode, sulfur). Benchmarking with an electrolyte containing a state-of-the-art Mg[B(hfip)4]2 salt exemplifies an improved …

Stress granules (SGs) can assemble in cancer cells upon chemotoxic stress. Glucocorticoids function during stress responses and are administered with chemotherapies. The roles of glucocorticoids in SG assembly and disassembly pathways are unknown. We examined whether combining glucocorticoids such as cortisone with chemotherapies from the vinca-alkaloid family that dismantle the microtubule network, will affect SG assembly and disassembly pathways and influence cell viability in cancer cells and in human-derived organoids. Cortisone augmented SG formation when combined with Vinorelbine (VRB). Live-cell imaging showed that cortisone increased SG assembly rates but reduced SG clearance rates after stress, by increasing protein residence times within the SGs. Mechanistically, VRB and cortisone signaled through the eIF2α-mediated integrated stress response yet induced different kinases …

Purpose: Stem cells replacement therapy is becoming a promising pursued avenue for vision restoration in people with degenerative diseases of the outer retina. However, the integration and survival of the transplanted cells and the formation of fully functioning synapses remain a challenge. Our aim is to develop an in-vitro experimental paradigm which will allow us to address these issues while working under experimentally controlled conditions and avoiding immune system reactions faced in-vivoMethods: As a first step, we are utilizing organotypic retinal cultures from transgenic rats expressing the calcium indicator GCaMP6f while monitoring the survival of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) using both extracellular recordings (multi electrode arrays), and calcium imaging at various time points.Results: Our calcium imaging revealed robust spontaneous activity of the RGCs up to 72hrs, albeit decreasing throughout …

Finding relevant research literature in online databases is a familiar challenge to all researchers. General search approaches trying to tackle this challenge fall into two groups: onetime search and life-time search. We observe that both approaches ignore unique attributes of the research domain and are affected by concept drift. We posit that in searching for research papers, a combination of a life-time search engine with an explicitly-provided context (project) provides a solution to the concept drift problem. We developed and deployed a project-based meta-search engine for research papers called Rivendell. Using Rivendell, we conducted experiments with 199 subjects, comparing project-based search performance to one-time and life-time search engines, revealing an improvement of up to 12.8 percent in project-based search compared to life-time search.

Rapid, highly sensitive, and high-throughput detection of biomarkers at low concentrations is invaluable for early diagnosis of various diseases. In many highly sensitive immunoassays, magnetic beads are used to capture fluorescently labeled target molecules. The target molecules are then quantified by detecting the fluorescent signal from individual beads, which is time consuming and requires a complicated and expensive detection system. Here, we demonstrate a high-throughput optical modulation biosensing (ht-OMB) system, which uses a small permanent magnet to aggregate the beads into a small detection volume and eliminates background noise by steering a laser beam in and out of the cluster of beads. Shortening the aggregation, acquisition, and well-to-well scanning transition times enables reading a 96-well plate within 10 minutes. Using the ht-OMB system to detect human Interleukin-8, we …

In early disease stages, biomolecules of interest exist in very low concentrations, presenting a significant challenge for analytical devices and methods. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of an innovative optical biosensing technology, termed magnetic modulation biosensing (MMB), its biomedical applications, and its ongoing development. In MMB, magnetic beads are attached to fluorescently labeled target molecules. A controlled magnetic force aggregates the magnetic beads and transports them in and out of an excitation laser beam, generating a periodic fluorescent signal that is detected and demodulated. MMB applications include rapid and highly sensitive detection of specific nucleic acid sequences, antibodies, proteins, and protein interactions. Compared with other established analytical methodologies, MMB provides improved sensitivity, shorter processing time, and simpler protocols.

Nanomedicine constantly broadens horizons of modern therapy and diagnostics. However, imaging nanoagents are of especial interest. Here, we report on novel, facile, and sustainable way to fabricate targeted multimodal imaging nanoparticles. Specifically, we synthesize nanoparticles using immunoglobulins and introduce nanoparticles of different nature into immunoglobulin-based matrix. We demonstrate applicability of the nanoparticles both in vitro and in vivo.

We report the first observation of temperature-controlled reentrant transition in simulations of mixtures of small and big particles interacting via soft repulsive potential in 2d. As temperature increases, the system passes from a fluid mixture, to a crystal of big particles in a fluid of small particles and back to a fluid mixture. Solidification is driven by entropy gain of small particles which overcomes the free energy cost of confining big ones. Melting results from enhanced interpenetration of particles at high temperature which reduces the entropic forces that stabilize the crystal.

Many organisms have an elastic skeleton that consists of a closed shell of epithelial cells that is filled with fluid, and can actively regulate both elastic forces in the shell and hydrostatic pressure inside it. In this work we introduce a simple network model of such pressure-stabilized active elastic shells in which cross-links are represented by material points connected by non-linear springs of some given equilibrium lengths and spring constants. We mimic active contractile forces in the system by changing the parameters of randomly chosen springs and use computer simulations to study the resulting local and global deformation dynamics of the network. We elucidate the statistical properties of these deformations by computing the corresponding distributions and correlation functions. We show that pressure-induced stretching of the network introduces coupling between its local and global behavior: while the network …

Trypanosoma brucei, the parasite that causes sleeping sickness, cycles between an insect and a mammalian host. However, the effect of RNA modifications such as pseudouridinylation on its ability to survive in these two different host environments is unclear. Here, two genome-wide approaches were applied for mapping pseudouridinylation sites (Ψs) on small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), 7SL RNA, vtRNA, and tRNAs from T. brucei. We show using HydraPsiSeq and RiboMeth-seq, that the Ψ on C/D snoRNA guiding 2’-O-methylation increased the efficiency of the guided modification on its target, rRNA. We found differential levels of Ψs on these ncRNAs in the two life stages (insect host and mammalian host) of the parasite. Furthermore, tRNA isoform abundance and Ψ modifications were characterized in these two life stages demonstrating stage-specific regulation. We conclude that the differential Ψ modifications …

The parasite Trypanosoma brucei causes African sleeping sickness that is fatal to patients if untreated. Parasite differentiation from a replicative slender form into a quiescent stumpy form promotes host survival and parasite transmission. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to regulate cell differentiation in other eukaryotes. To determine whether lncRNAs are also involved in parasite differentiation, we used RNA sequencing to survey the T. brucei genome, identifying 1428 previously uncharacterized lncRNA genes. We find that grumpy lncRNA is a key regulator that promotes parasite differentiation into the quiescent stumpy form. This function is promoted by a small nucleolar RNA encoded within the grumpy lncRNA. snoGRUMPY binds to messenger RNAs of at least two stumpy regulatory genes, promoting their expression. grumpy overexpression reduces parasitemia in infected mice. Our analyses …

SOX genesare master regulatory genes controlling development and are fundamental to the establishment of sex determination in a multitude of organisms. The discovery of the master sex-determining gene SRY in 1990 was pivotal for the understanding of how testis development is initiated in mammals. With this discovery, an entire family of SOX factors were uncovered that play crucial roles in cell fate decisions during development. The importance of SOX genes in human reproductive development is evident from the various disorders of sex development (DSD) upon loss or overexpression of SOX gene function. Here, we review the roles that SOX genes play in gonad development and their involvement in DSD. We start with an overview of sex determination and differentiation, DSDs, and the SOX gene family and function. We then provide detailed information and discussion on SOX genes that have been …

The interest in nanomaterials resides in the fact that they can be used to create smaller, faster, and more portable systems. Nanotechnology is already transforming health care. Nanoparticles are being used by scientists to target malignancies, improve drug delivery systems, and improve medical imaging. Integration of biomolecular logic gates with nanostructures has opened new paths in illness detection and therapy that need precise control of complicated components. Most studies have used fluorescence intensity techniques to implement the logic function. Its drawbacks, mainly when working with nanoparticles in intracellular media, include fluctuations in excitation power, fluorophore concentration dependence, and interference from cell autofluorescence. We suggest using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) in order to circumvent these constraints. Designing a nanohybrid composed of gold …