BINA

Li- and Mn-rich layered-spinel integrated cathodes exhibit a high specific capacity, ≥200 mAh g–1, in a wide potential range; however, the low initial capacity of Li[Ni1/3Mn2/3]O2 is a drawback for their application in Li-ion batteries. Two Al-doped layered-spinel Li[Ni0.33Mn0.63Al0.03]O2 and Li[Ni0.33Mn0.60Al0.06]O2 cathode materials which were synthesized by self-combustion reaction, having less monoclinic and more active spinel phases, could show a much higher initial capacity compared to the undoped reference material. These cathode materials exhibit an initial specific capacity of 188 mAh g–1 vs ∼110 mAh g–1 when cycled at 20 mA g–1 between 2.3 and 4.9 V vs Li. Their capacity gradually increases to 210 mAh g–1 during initial cycling in standard electrolyte solutions and stabilizes thereafter. The average discharge voltage decreases from around 3.6 to 3.2 V after 200 cycles. Electrochemical …

We formalize the concept of the modular energy operator within the Page and Wootters timeless framework. As a result, this operator is elevated to the same status as the more studied modular operators of position and momentum. In analogy with dynamical nonlocality in space associated with the modular momentum, we introduce and analyze the nonlocality in time associated with the modular energy operator. Some applications of our formalization are provided through illustrative examples.

Label free and remote action potential detection in neurons can be of great importance in the neuroscience research field. This paper presents a novel label free imaging modality based on the detection of temporal vibrations of speckle patterns illuminating the sample. We demonstrated the feasibility of detecting action potentials originating from spontaneous and stimulated activity in cortical cell culture. The spatiotemporal vibrations of isolated cortical cells were extracted by illuminating the culture with a laser beam while the vibrations of the random back scattered secondary speckle patterns are captured by a camera. The postulated action potentials were estimated following correlation-based analysis on the captured vibrations, where the variance deviation of the signal from a Gaussian distribution is directly associated with the action potential events. The technique was validated in a series of experiments in which the optical signals were acquired concurrently with microelectrode array (MEA) recordings. Our results demonstrate the ability of detecting action potential events in mammalian cells remotely via extraction of acoustic vibrations.

HypothesisThe counterintuitive temperature-controlled self-faceting of water-suspended, surfactant-stabilized, liquid oil droplets provides new opportunities in engineering of smart liquids, the properties of which are controllable by external stimuli. However, many emulsions exhibiting self-faceting phenomena have limited stability due to surfactant precipitation. The emulsions’ stability may be enhanced, and their inter-droplet electrostatic repulsion tuned, through controlled charge screening driven by varying-concentration added salts. Moreover, in many technologically-relevant situations, salts may already exist in the emulsion’s aqueous phase. Yet, salts’ impact on self-faceting effects has never been explored. We hypothesize that the self-faceting transitions’ temperatures, and stability against surfactant precipitation, of ionic-surfactants-stabilized emulsions are significantly modified by salt introduction …

We study the effect of acoustic phonons on the quantum phase transition in the O() model. We develop a renormalization group analysis near (3+1) space-time dimensions and derive the RG equations using an -expansion. Our results indicate that when the number of flavors of the underlying O() model exceeds a critical number , the quantum transition remains second-order of the Wilson-Fisher type while, for , it is a weakly first-order transition. We characterize this weakly first-order transition by a length-scale , below which the behavior appears to be critical. At finite temperatures for , a tricritical point separates the weakly first-order and second-order transitions.

The magnesium (Mg2+) ion is the second most abundant intracellular cation after potassium, and it is involved in a variety of biological processes and physiological functions. Because of the different effects which are dependent on Mg2+ ion concentration, it is critical to monitor Mg2+ ion levels in biological systems. Here, we report the hydrothermal synthesis of photoluminescent N-doped carbon dots (NCDs) using 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde and 1, 2, 4, 5-benzenetetramine tetrahydrochloride as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The as-synthesized NCDs demonstrated excitation dependent photoluminescence (PL) with a quantum yield of 16.2%. Because of water dispersibility and chelating functional groups, NCDs were used for highly selective detection of Mg2+ ions using ratiometric PL enhancement with a detection limit of 60 μM. Following that, based on highly biocompatibility and sensing of Mg2+ ions …

Magnetite nanoparticles with different surface coverages are of great interest for many applications due to their intrinsic magnetic properties, nanometer size, and definite surface morphology. Magnetite nanoparticles are widely used for different medical-biological applications while their usage in optics is not as widespread. In recent years, nanomagnetite suspensions, so-called magnetic ferrofluids, are applied in optics due to their magneto-optical properties. This review gives an overview of nanomagnetite synthesis and its properties. In addition, the preparation and application of magnetic nanofluids in optics, nanophotonics, and magnetic imaging are described.

Herein, we report on the utility of a large gated SPAD camera, SwissSPAD2, for preclinical imaging. We demonstrate the ability of SwissSPAD2 to quantify FLI-FRET in tumor xenografts in vivo, in full agreement with gated-ICCD measurements.

Recently, there have been many attempts to extend the notion of proper time to quantum mechanics with the use of quantum clocks. Using a similar idea combined with the relativistic mass-energy equivalence, we consider an accelerating massive quantum particle with an internal clock system. We show that the ensuing evolution from the perspective of the particle's internal clock is non-Hermitian. This result does not rely on specific implementations of the clock. As a particular consequence, we prove that the effective Hamiltonian of two gravitationally interacting particles is non-Hermitian from the perspective of the clock of either particle.

Damage and loss of crops and plants caused by pathogens are global problems that have major effects on the food supply of many countries. Environmentally friendly viricide approaches are gaining in popularity to combat these problems. This study proposes the use of environmentally friendly hydrogen peroxide (HP) as a pesticide entrapped in a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) hydrogel for controlled release in agricultural applications. The hydrogel was prepared as a matrix of PVA and PVP containing HP. Freeze–thaw cycles of the PVA/PVP/HP hydrogel improve the mechanical properties and thereby decrease the HP release rate. The hydrogel chemical composition, morphology, and HP release rate through direct and indirect (gas phase) contact were investigated. Viricide capabilities were tested, indicating a high efficiency against ToBRFV on tobacco and tomato plants. Additionally, low …

Tattoos are highly trendy in western culture, but many people regret their tattoos for many reasons. It is essential to be aware of the ink location in advance to reduce the long and short‐term side effects. In this study, diffuse reflectance (DR) experiments were conducted on two‐layer (2L) tissue‐mimicking phantoms, where ink was sandwiched between the layers. An appreciable difference in the DR profile was found between the 2L phantom with and without the tattoo ink using the crossover point (Cp) method. Our technique was applied to ex vivo porcine skin. A point of intersection was found, between the skin and the tattooed skin. In the shorter wavelengths (500‐600 nm), a distinguishable 2L behavior was found, and in longer wavelengths (600‐850 nm), a single layer behavior was found between the tattooed skin before and after the intersection. In biological tissue, this Cp indeed finds the tattoo ink without …

Introduction In non-resectable tumors, chemotherapy is crucial to improve patient survival. However, it is often accompanied by considerable side effects. Targeted delivery of chemotherapy by coupling with iron oxide superparamagnetic nanoparticles (IONP) could potentially increase efficacy while decreasing adverse systemic side effects. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of targeting nontoxic, biodegradable-IONP into tumors in-vivo by applying an external magnetic field.Material and methods Subcutaneous colon carcinoma tumors were induced in 35 mice. IONP was injected systemically, followed by suturing of a magnet on top of the tumors for 2–24 h. Tumors and livers were excised and stained for iron to explore IONP localization.Results Iron staining was evident in 43% and 20% of tumors exposed to magnets for 4 h or 24 h, respectively. No iron was present following 2 h exposure, nor in the control …

The original version of the Supplementary Information associated with this Article contained an error in Supplementary Fig. 4a. In Supplementary Fig. 4a the labels “ADAR KO sensitive” and “ADAR KO insensitive” at the top of the immunoblots were mistakenly swapped. The HTML version of the Article has been updated to include a corrected version of the Supplementary Information.

Background: IBD is a spectrum of pathologies characterized by dysregulated immune activation leading to uncontrolled response against intestinal, thus resulting in chronic gut inflammation and tissue damage. Due to its complexity, the molecular mechanisms responsible for disease onset and progression are still elusive, thus requiring intense research effort. In this context, the development of models recapitulating the etiopathology of IBD is critical. Methods: Colon from C57BL/6 or BALB/c mice were cultivated in a gut-ex-vivo system (GEVS), exposed 5h to DNBS 1, 5 or 2, 5 mg/ml, and the main hallmarkers of IBD were evaluated. Results: Gene expression analysis revealed a DNBS-induced: i) compromised Tight junction organization, responsible for tissue permeability dysregulation; induction of ER stress, and iii) tissue inflammation in colon of C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, the concomitant DNBS-induced apoptosis and ferroptosis pathways was evident in colon from both BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Conclusions: Overall, we have provided results demonstrating that GEVS is a consistent, reliable, and cost-effective system for modeling DNBS-induced IBD, useful for studying the onset and progression of human disease at the molecular level, while also reducing animal suffering.

Ιn the current work we will present the transfer hBN, MoS2 and Bi2Se3-xSx by using the Laser Induced Transfer technique on rigid and flexible substrates. We will exhibit the advantages of the certain technique, the resolution of the transferred pixels and the characterization methods such as Scanning Electron Microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. Furthermore, we will refer to the possible applications concerning the Bi2Se3-xSx and the hBN. Finally, we will support the experimental results with the corresponding theoretical results of ab initio Molecular Dynamics (AIMD) with main purpose to explain the detachment and the attachment of the 2D materials from the donor to the receiver substrate.

The physiological acrosome reaction occurs after mammalian spermatozoa undergo a process called capacitation in the female reproductive tract. Only acrosome reacted spermatozoon can penetrate the egg zona-pellucida and fertilize the egg. Sperm also contain several mechanisms that protect it from undergoing spontaneous acrosome reaction (sAR), a process that can occur in sperm before reaching proximity to the egg and that abrogates fertilization. We previously showed that calmodulin-kinase II (CaMKII) and phospholipase D (PLD) are involved in preventing sAR through two distinct pathways that enhance F-actin formation during capacitation. Here, we describe a novel additional pathway involving the tyrosine kinase Fer in a mechanism that also prevents sAR by enhancing actin polymerization during sperm capacitation. We further show that protein-kinase A (PKA) and the tyrosine-kinase Src, as well as …

Label free and remote action potential detection in neurons can be of great importance in the neuroscience research field. This paper presents a novel label free imaging modality based on the detection of temporal vibrations of speckle patterns illuminating the sample. We demonstrated the feasibility of detecting action potentials originating from spontaneous and stimulated activity in cortical cell culture. The spatiotemporal vibrations of isolated cortical cells were extracted by illuminating the culture with a laser beam while the vibrations of the random back scattered secondary speckle patterns are captured by a camera. The postulated action potentials were estimated following correlation-based analysis on the captured vibrations, where the variance deviation of the signal from a Gaussian distribution is directly associated with the action potential events. The technique was validated in a series of experiments in which the optical signals were acquired concurrently with microelectrode array (MEA) recordings. Our results demonstrate the ability of detecting action potential events in mammalian cells remotely via extraction of acoustic vibrations.