Structure-Activity Relationships of Natural C-9-Methyl-Substituted 10-Membered Lactones and Their Semisynthetic Derivatives

Fungal 10-membered lactones (TMLs), such as stagonolide A, herbarumin I, pinolidoxin, and putaminoxin, are promising candidates for the development of nature-derived herbicides. The aim of this study was to analyze the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of C-9-methyl-substituted TMLs with a multitarget bioassay approach to reveal compounds with useful (phytotoxic, entomotoxic, antimicrobial) or undesirable (cytotoxic) bioactivities. A new TML, stagonolide L (1), along with five known compounds (stagonolides D (2) and E (3), curvulides A (4) and B1/B2 (5a,b), and pyrenolide C (6)), were purified from cultures of the phytopathogenic fungus Stagonospora cirsii, and five semisynthetic derivatives of 3 and 4 (7-11) were obtained. The absolute configuration of 4 was revised to 2Z, 4S, 5S, 6R, and 9R. The identity of 5a,b and stagonolide H is discussed. The phytotoxicity of compound 4, the entomotoxicity of 5a,b, and nonselective toxicity of compound 6 are demonstrated. The latter confirms the hypothesis that the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group is associated with the high general toxicity of TML, regardless of its position in the ring and other substituents. The epoxide in compound 4 is important for phytotoxicity. The revealed SAR patterns will be useful for further rational design of TML-based herbicides including curvulide A analogs with a 4,5-epoxy group.

Early change in apparent diffusion coefficient as a predictor of response to neoadjuvant androgen deprivation and external beam radiation therapy for intermediate- to high-risk prostate cancer

AIM

To determine the role of serial apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) as a biomarker for response to neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (nADT) followed by external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in intermediate- to high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients.

METHODS

This Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant, institutional review board (IRB)-approved prospective study included 12 patients with intermediate- to high-risk PCa patients prior to nADT and EBRT, who underwent serial serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and multiparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) at baseline (BL), 8-weeks after nADT initiation (time point [TP]1), 6-weeks into EBRT delivery (TP2), and 6-months after nADT initiation (TP3). Tumour volume (tVOL) and tumour and normal tissue ADC (tADC and nlADC) were determined at all TPs. tADC and nlADC dynamics were correlated with post-treatment PSA using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Paired t-tests compared pre/post-treatment ADC.

RESULTS

There was a sequential decrease in PSA at all TPs, reaching their lowest values at TP3 post-treatment completion. Mean tADC increased significantly from baseline to TP1 (917.8 ± 107.7 × 10-6 versus 1033.8 ± 139.3 × 10-6 mm2/s; p<0.01), with no subsequent change at TP2 or TP3. Both percentage and absolute change in tADC from BL to TP1 correlated with post-treatment PSA (r=-0.666, r=-0.674; p=0.02). Post-treatment PSA in good responders (<0.1 ng/ml) versus poor responders (≥ 0.1 ng/ml) was associated with a greater increase in tADC from BL to TP1 (169.2 ± 122.4 × 10-6 versus 22.9 ± 75.5 × 10-6 mm2/s, p=0.03).

CONCLUSION

This pilot study demonstrates the potential for early ADC metrics as a biomarker of response to nADT and EBRT in intermediate to high-risk PCA.

Measurement of polarization observables T, P, and H in π0 and η photoproduction off quasi-free nucleons

The target asymmetry T, recoil asymmetry P, and beam-target double polarization observable H were determined in exclusive π 0 and η photoproduction off quasi-free protons and, for the first time, off quasi-free neutrons. The experiment was performed at the electron stretcher accelerator ELSA in Bonn, Germany, with the Crystal Barrel/TAPS detector setup, using a linearly polarized photon beam and a transversely polarized deuterated butanol target. Effects from the Fermi motion of the nucleons within deuterium were removed by a full kinematic reconstruction of the final state invariant mass. A comparison of the data obtained on the proton and on the neutron provides new insight into the isospin structure of the electromagnetic excitation of the nucleon. Earlier measurements of polarization observables in the γ p → π 0 p and γ p → η p reactions are confirmed. The data obtained on the neutron are of particular relevance for clarifying the origin of the narrow structure in the η n system at W = 1.68 GeV . A comparison with recent partial wave analyses favors the interpretation of this structure as arising from interference of the S 11 ( 1535 ) and S 11 ( 1650 ) resonances within the S 11 -partial wave.

BepiColombo mission confirms stagnation region of Venus and reveals its large extent

The second Venus flyby of the BepiColombo mission offer a unique opportunity to make a complete tour of one of the few gas-dynamics dominated interaction regions between the supersonic solar wind and a Solar System object. The spacecraft pass through the full Venusian magnetosheath following the plasma streamlines, and cross the subsolar stagnation region during very stable solar wind conditions as observed upstream by the neighboring Solar Orbiter mission. These rare multipoint synergistic observations and stable conditions experimentally confirm what was previously predicted for the barely-explored stagnation region close to solar minimum. Here, we show that this region has a large extend, up to an altitude of 1900 km, and the estimated low energy transfer near the subsolar point confirm that the atmosphere of Venus, despite being non-magnetized and less conductive due to lower ultraviolet flux at solar minimum, is capable of withstanding the solar wind under low dynamic pressure.

Floating marine macro litter in the Black Sea: Toward baselines for large scale assessment

The Black Sea is a semi-enclosed basin subject to major anthropogenic pressures, including marine litter and plastic pollution. Due to numerous large rivers draining into the basin and a population settled along the coast, the region could accumulate significant amounts of floating litter over time. Until now, only limited field data were available, and litter quantities and distribution remained unknown. In this study, floating marine macro litter (FMML) was assessed at the regional Black Sea scale for the first time, showing relatively high litter densities across the basin that reached a weighted mean of 81.5 items/km². Monitoring data revealed an accumulation of floating items offshore in the eastern part of the basin, resembling on a small scale a 'garbage patch', where litter items were trapped, showing elevated densities in comparison to their surrounding areas. Most of these items were made of plastic materials (ca. 96%) and included large numbers of plastic and polystyrene fragments of small size ranges (2.5-10 cm). Harmonised field data collection through consistent and regular monitoring programmes across the region is essential to establish baselines and thresholds for large scale assessment at international level.

On the problem of Dirac cones in fullerenes on gold

Artificial graphene based on molecular networks enables the creation of novel 2D materials with unique electronic and topological properties. Landau quantization has been demonstrated by CO molecules arranged on the two-dimensional electron gas on Cu(111) and the observation of electron quantization may succeed based on the created gauge fields. Recently, it was reported that instead of individual manipulation of CO molecules, simple deposition of nonpolar C₆₀ molecules on Cu(111) and Au(111) produces artificial graphene as evidenced by Dirac cones in photoemission spectroscopy. Here, we show that C₆₀-induced Dirac cones on Au(111) have a different origin. We argue that those are related to umklapp diffraction of surface electronic bands of Au on the molecular grid of C₆₀ in the final state of photoemission. We test this alternative explanation by precisely probing the dimensionality of the observed conical features in the photoemission spectra, by varying both the incident photon energy and the degree of charge doping via alkali adatoms. Using density functional theory calculations and spin-resolved photoemission we reveal the origin of the replicating Au(111) bands and resolve them as deep leaky surface resonances derived from the bulk Au sp-band residing at the boundary of its surface projection. We also discuss the manifold nature of these resonances which gives rise to an onion-like Fermi surface of Au(111).

[EVALUATION OF SYSTEMIC PRO-INFLAMMATORY REACTIONS IN SIMULATING REVERSIBLE OCCLUSION OF ANTERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY TO JUSTIFY MEDICAL REHABILITATION]

The purpose of the work was to analyze the pro-inflammatory reaction caused by different duration of ischemic-reperfusion of intestinal damage in occlusion of anterior mesenteric artery in the experiment. Ischemic reperfusion damage of the intestinal wall was simulated using reversible occlusion of the anterior mesenteric artery with 30 rats. Two types of operations were carried out: operation 1 - the duration of ischemia 20 minutes, reperfusion - 40 minutes, operation 2 - 30 and 30 minutes, respectively. Four groups were formed by simple sampling: the first - false-operated animals (n=5), the second - model-operation 1 (n=8), the third - model-operation 2 (n=6), the 4th - control group (n=7). Lactate level was determined by BM-Lactat test strips and the number of blood leukocytes was calculated before and after the surgery. During the postoperative period, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), monocytic chemotoxic factor-1 (MCF-1) in serum were determined. In groups 2 and 3 it was established: a decrease in leukocytes in peripheral blood by 15-20% and an increase in lactate level by 20-120% during the postoperative period with the establishment of direct statistically significant connections between the number of leukocytes in the blood and lactate content (r=+0.83, p=0.01); between the number of leukocytes in the blood and IL-1β blood level (r=+0.96; p=0,00002); reduction of IL-1β level in blood with the animals of group 3 as compared with false-operated and MCF-1 level with the animals of group 2 as compared with false-operated, which may be related to the influence of corrective action of anti-inflammatory response. The increase of TNF-a level with the animals of the second group by 1.5-2 times and in the third group by 3 times compared to false-operated animals, which is the most significant manifestation of pro-inflammatory response to ischemia/reperfusion, depends on the degree of the damage due to the duration of ischemic period. The development of systemic pro-inflammatory reactions in the simulation of reversible occlusion of anterior mesenteric artery is the basis for the rehabilitation of patients after various surgical interventions in the intestine in order to prevent abdominal postoperative complications.

Novel composite color converters based on Tb1.5Gd1.5Al5O12:Ce single crystalline films and Y3Al5O12:Ce crystal substrates

The structural, luminescence and photoconversion properties of composite color converters based on Tb1.5Gd1.5AG:Ce single crystalline films, grown by the liquid phase epitaxy method onto YAG:Ce single crystal substrates, are investigated.

[THE RESULTS OF EARLY MEDICAL REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS AFTER HIP PLASTIC WITH A PASSIVE SUSPENSION SYSTEM]

In a prospective randomized controlled longitudinal study, there have been assessed the results of early comprehensive rehabilitation of patients after total hip arthroplasty using "Levitas" passive suspension system. The study involved 85 patients (44 women and 41 men) with primary (77 people; 90,6%) and dysplastic coxarthrosis (8 people; 9,4%). The average age of the patients was 64,3±5,1 years old. Immediate results were evaluated in terms of pain intensity (visual-analogue scale), range of motion (M. D'Aubigne and M. Postel scales), functional activity (Harris scale) and mobility tests ("forward bend", "get up and go"), distant - by posturographic indicators and quality of life of the patients. All the patients were divided into 2 groups by simple randomization. The control group of the patients (42 people) had standard of rehabilitation measures (basic version of standard diet; prevention of early postoperative complications; drug support; alternating magnetic field; magnetic laser therapy; standard complex of physical therapy). The patients of the main group (43 people) additionally had treatment using a passive suspension system "Levitas" (Technomex, Poland). In both groups of patients, after a course of procedures, there has been recorded a significant decrease in pain, an increase in functional activity and an improvement in mobility tests (p <0.05-0.01). At the same time when comparing the final results obtained in the groups, the studied indicators had more significant shifts with the patients who received a complex treatment with additional prescription of "Levitas" sling system (p<0,05). According to the follow-up data, significant differences (p<0,05-0,01) were noted in stabilometric indicators and the quality of life (physical and mental health) which testified in favor of the patients in the main group. The absence of complications, side effects, deterioration in the condition of the patients in both groups indicates the safety of the used early rehabilitation methods. In the main group of the patients who additionally had exercises on the sling system, in comparison with the control group, there has been noted a more complete and high-quality restoration of the functional activity and support ability of the hip joint due to the early relief of pain syndrome, reducing in gait asymmetry, and optimization of the energy efficiency of body balance, which, apparently, is associated with adequate training of neuromuscular apparatus of both operated and contralateral limb, which provides more complete restructuring of the segments of the pelvic girdle.

Features of the distribution of polymorphic variants of candidate genes and clinical presentation of long-term period in patients with myocardial infarction and diabetic nephropathy

Objective

To evaluate rate of distribution of the NOS3, APOE, SLCO1B1 and CYP2C19 genes and features of clinical presentation of the long-term period (12 months) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Materials and methods

Examined 160 patients treated for MI (Males – 58,2%; 41,8% – females, average age 67,1±4,2 years). Patients were divided into 2 groups: the first (I) – 84 patients with MI and DN, the second (II) – 76 persons with MI without DN. The samples were comparable by sex and age. Determination of genotypic accessories genes NOS3 (rs2070744), APOE (rs769452), CYP2C19 (rs4986893 and rs4244285) and SLCO1B1 (rs4149056) were based on the analysis of genomic human DNA by polymerase chain reaction. The long-term follow-up period was 1 year.

Results

Analysis of the distribution of alleles of the gene NOS3 (T786C), affecting the synthesis of nitric oxide showed that polymorphic allele C 2 times more often detected in the group with MI and DN– 38,7%, compared to the comparison group 17,1%, p&lt;0,05. T- allele was statistically more frequent in II-82,9% than in I-61,3%, p&lt;0,05. Polymorphism (Leu28Pro) of the APOE gene, potentiating hyperlipoproteinemia, the Pro allele was more often detected in group I – 8,9%, than in group II – 1,3%, p&lt;0,05. Analysis of allele expression features of the SLCO1B1 gene polymorphism (Val174Ala), which affects the metabolism of statins, did not revealed a significant difference between the groups, p&gt;0,05. Polymorphic variants (G681A and Trp212Ter) of CYP2C19 gene, determining sensitivity to clopidogrel, had the following characteristics: allele *1 was more frequently detected in the control group – 96,7%, relative to the Ist – 88,7%, p&lt;0,05. Allele *2 was leader in patients with MI and DN – 8,9%, compared to control 2,0%, p&lt;0.05. Distribution of allele *3 between groups did not differ statistically in I – 2,4%, II – 1,3%, p&gt;0,05. Clinical presentation of the long-term period (12 months): hospitalizations of patients due to decompensated chronic heart failure (CHF) in I – 19,1%, in II – 6,6%, p&lt;0,05. Recurrences of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) met 3 times more often in group I – 15,5%, versus 5,3% in the second group, p&lt;0,05. Stent thrombosis: 6 times more frequent in the group with MI and DN, compared to the control group of 1,3%, p&lt;0,05. Long-term mortality: I – 15,5%, II – 4,0%, p&lt;0,05.

Conclusions

In patients with MI and DN, polymorphic alleles of the NOS3, APOE, and CYP2C19 genes are statistically more common, which probably has an additional aggravating effect on the course of disease in the long-term period (1 year).

In the group of patients with MI and DN, for a long-term period (1 year), it is statistically more often complicated by CHF decompensation, recurrent ACS, and stent thrombosis, which finally led to fatal outcomes with mortality rate 14,7%.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Distribution of genetic variantsPresentation of the long-term period

Structure-Activity Relationship of Phytotoxic Natural 10-Membered Lactones and Their Semisynthetic Derivatives

Ten-membered lactones (nonenolides) demonstrate phytotoxic, antimicrobial, and fungicidal activity promising for the development of natural product-derived pesticides. The fungus Stagonospora cirsii is able to produce phytotoxic stagonolides A (1), J (2), K (3) and herbarumin I (4) with high yield. The aim of this study was to create a set of structurally related nonenolides and to reveal the structural features that affect their biological activity. Stagonolide A (1) and C-7 oxidized stagonolide K (11) showed the highest phytotoxicity in leaf puncture assay and agar seedlings assay. The oxidation of C-7 hydroxyl group (as in 1, acetylstagonolide A (10) and (11) led to the manifestation of toxicity to microalgae, Bacillus subtilis and Sf9 cells regardless of the configuration of C-9 propyl chains (R in 1 and 10, S in 11). C-7 non-oxidized nonenolides displayed none or little non-target activity. Notably, 7S compounds were more phytotoxic than their 7R analogues. Due to the high inhibitory activity against seedling growth and the lack of side toxicity, mono- and bis(acetyl)- derivatives of herbarumin I were shown to be potent for the development of pre-emergent herbicides. The identified structural features can be used for the rational design of new herbicides.

Lab-on-Microsphere-FRET-Based Multiplex Sensor Platform

Here we report on the development and investigation of a novel multiplex assay model based on polymer microspheres (PMS) encoded with ternary AIS/ZnS quantum dots (QDs). The system was prepared via layer-by-layer deposition technique. Our studies of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the QD-encoded microspheres and two different cyanine dyes have demonstrated that the QD photoluminescence (PL) quenching steadily increases with a decrease in the QD-dye distance. We have found that the sensitized dye PL intensity demonstrates a clear maximum at two double layers of polyelectrolytes between QDs and Dye molecules on the polymer microspheres. Time resolved PL measurements have shown that the PL lifetime decreases for the QDs and increases for the dyes due to FRET. The designed system makes it possible to record spectrally different bands of FRET-induced dye luminescence with different decay times and thereby allows for the multiplexing by wavelength and photoluminescence lifetimes of the dyes. We believe that PMS encoded with AIS/ZnS QDs have great potential for the development of new highly selective and sensitive sensor systems for multiplex analysis to detect cell lysates and body fluids' representative biomarkers.

LPE growth of Tb3Al5O12:Ce single crystalline film converters for WLED application

Efficient phosphor converters for white LEDs based on TbAG:Ce single crystalline films, LPE grown onto YAG substrates, is developed. The film-substrate interface of TbAG:Ce SCF/YAG epitaxial structures was studied using high-resolution STEM images.

Improving the technological support of dairy cattle breeding

The paper discusses the issues of providing the population of the Russian Federation with milk and dairy products, increasing milk production, and implementing investment projects in the industry. It is noted that the technological and technical support, as well as improving the systems of keeping, feeding and milking animals play an important role in solving problems of increasing the efficiency of dairy farming. Particular attention is paid to the introduction of innovative technologies and modern machinery at dairy farms and facilities, including equipment fitted with digital systems for collecting information about the state of animals, milk yield, milking parameters and other indicators, as well as robots. Milking installations provided by the system of machines are designed for milking cows in stalls, milking parlors, as well as in maternity wards. According to their engineering level, they must ensure the fulfillment of the physiological milk let-down requirements, the productive longevity of animals, etc. The developed artificial intelligence system allows planning the efficiency of feeding and monitoring the main processes at a dairy farm. Feed is of paramount importance in the prime cost of raw milk. The cost of feed affects the profitability of production. Spectrometers, including pocket ones, can be used for feed analysis. Improvement of technologies in dairy production will help to increase the competitiveness of the industry.

Temperature-Dependent Photoluminescent Properties of PbSe Nanoplatelets

Semiconductor colloidal nanoplatelets (NPLs) are a promising new class of nanostructures that can bring much impact on lightning technologies, light-emitting diodes (LED), and laser fabrication. Indeed, great progress has been made in optimizing the optical properties of the NPLs for the visible spectral range, which has already made the implementation of a number of effective devices on their basis possible. To date, state-of-the-art near-infrared (NIR)-emitting NPLs are significantly inferior to their visible-range counterparts, although it would be fair to say that they received significantly less research attention so far. In this study, we report a comprehensive analysis of steady-state and time-dependent photoluminescence (PL) properties of four monolayered (ML) PbSe NPLs. The PL measurements are performed in a temperature range of 78–300 K, and their results are compared to those obtained for CdSe NPLs and PbSe quantum dots (QDs). We show that multiple emissive states, both band-edge and trap-related, are responsible for the formation of the NPLs’ PL band. We demonstrate that the widening of the PL band is caused by the inhomogeneous broadening rather than homogeneous one, and analyze the possible contributions to PL broadening.

FRET-Based Analysis of AgInS2/ZnAgInS/ZnS Quantum Dot Recombination Dynamics

Ternary quantum dots (QDs) are very promising nanomaterials with a range of potential applications in photovoltaics, light-emitting devices, and biomedicine. Despite quite intensive studies of ternary QDs over the last years, the specific relaxation channels involved in their emission mechanisms are still poorly understood, particularly in the corresponding core-shell nanostructures. In the present work, we have studied the recombination pathways of AgInS₂ QDs stabilized with the ZnAgInS alloy layer and the ZnS shell (AIS/ZAIS/ZnS QDs) using time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. We have also investigated FRET in complexes of AIS/ZAIS/ZnS QDs and cyanine dyes with the absorption bands overlapping in the different regions of the QD emission spectrum, which allowed us to selectively quench the radiative transitions of the QDs. Our studies have demonstrated that FRET from QDs to dyes results in decreasing of all QD PL decay components with the shortest lifetime decreasing the most and the longest one decreasing the least. This research presents important approaches for the investigation of ternary QD luminescence mechanisms by the selective quenching of recombination pathways. These studies are also essential for potential applications of ternary QDs in photodynamic therapy, multiplex analysis, and time-resolved FRET sensing.

Liquid phase epitaxy growth of high-performance composite scintillators based on single crystalline films and crystals of LuAG

Top – Scheme of the composite scintillator for registration of α-particles and γ-quanta. Bottom – Samples of the LuAG:Ce SCF/LuAG:Sc SC (a) and LuAG:Pr SCF/LuAG:Sc SC (b) composite scintillators prepared using the liquid phase epitaxy growth method.

Investigation of AgInS2/ZnS Quantum Dots by Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy

Over recent years, quantum dots (QDs) based on ternary metal dichalcogenides have attracted a lot of attention due to their unique properties and a range of potential applications. Here, we review the latest studies on the optical properties of AgInS2/ZnS QDs with emphasis on their theoretical modeling, and present our investigations of electronic transitions invisible in unstructured absorption spectra of AgInS2/ZnS QDs. The analysis of the absorption, photoluminescence excitation (PLE), and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of hydrophobic and hydrophilic AgInS2/ZnS QDs of different sizes enables us to determine positions of electron transitions in these QDs. We demonstrate that the use of the second derivative of PLE spectra provides more unequivocal data on the position of the energy transitions compared with the second derivative of absorption spectra. Analysis of the MCD spectra reveals that the magnetic field induces energy level mixing in AgInS2/ZnS QDs in contrast to the traditional Cd-based QDs, where MCD is associated only with removing degeneracy of the excited energy level.

Cytostatic cancer therapy modulates monocyte-macrophage cell functions: how it impacts on treatment outcomes

Macrophages are important effectors of innate immunity and the key component of the tumor microenvironment strongly influencing cancer disease outcome and efficiency of cancer therapy. Moreover, recent data have shown that monocytes as macrophage precursors can impact on tumor ability to progression. It's well known that although tumor-associated macrophages consist of diverse populations, in general, they have tumor-supporting activity. To change tumor-supporting state of tumor-associated macrophages toward tumor-inhibiting mode is one of prospective aims of modern cancer immunotherapy. Cytostatics seems to be possible tools to achieve this aim, because recently it has been shown that chemo- and radiotherapy possess immunomodulatory effects. Most of the findings are related to lymphocytes - T-lymphocytes and NK-cells, but not to monocyte/macrophage lineage. In the review, we have analyzed how cytostatic drugs influence the properties of monocyte/macrophage lineage cells to prospect using of chemotherapy to enhance their antitumor activity.

Large-scale Synthesis of Monodisperse PbS Quantum Dots

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Influence of biceps brachii tendon mechanical properties on elbow flexor force steadiness in young and old males

Elbow flexor force steadiness (FS) depends on strength and decreases with age. Achilles tendon mechanics effect standing balance and isometric plantarflexion FS. This study investigated the influence of distal biceps brachii (BB) tendon mechanics and elbow flexor strength on age-related decline in FS. Nine young (23 ± 2 years) and nine old (77 ± 5 years) males performed submaximal isometric elbow flexion tasks at low (2.5%, 5%, 10% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)) and high (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%MVC) forces in a neutral forearm position. Distal BB tendon elongation and cross-sectional area (CSA) were recorded on ultrasound to calculate mechanics of strain, stress, and stiffness. Coefficient of variation (CV) of force was used to assess relationship of FS to tendon mechanics and strength. Young were 22% stronger and 41% steadier than old (P < .05). Tendon stiffness (170.1 ± 132.9 N/mm; 113.0 ± 55.1 N/mm) did not differ with age (P > .05). Young had 40% less strain compared to old at 5% MVC, but 42% greater strain at 60% and 80% MVC (P ≤ .05). Stress was ~18% greater in young at 10%, 20%, and 80% MVC (P ≤ .05). At low forces, CV of force was predicted by stress (r²  = 0.56) in young, and stress and MVC (r²  = 0.641) in old. At high forces for both age groups, CV of force was predicted by MVC and stress (r²  = 0.39-0.43). Stress and strain is greater in young compared with old males. Because strength influences tendon mechanics and is also associated with FS, absolute strength is a large and modifiable contributor to age-related decline in FS.

Epitaxial growth of composite scintillators based on Tb3Al5O12 : Ce single crystalline films and Gd3Al2.5Ga2.5O12 : Ce crystal substrates

The composite scintillators based on the single crystalline films of TbAG : Ce garnet and GAGG : Ce crystal substrates was developed using the LPE growth method for simultaneous registration of α-particles and γ-quanta in mixed ionizing fluxes.

Epitaxial growth of single crystalline film scintillating screens based on Eu3+ doped RAlO3 (R = Y, Lu, Gd, Tb) perovskites

The study is dedicated to the development of scintillating screens for microimaging applications based on the single crystalline films of Eu³⁺-doped (Y,Lu,Gd,Tb)AlO₃-mixed perovskites using the liquid phase epitaxy method.

An Assessment of Imaging Informatics for Precision Medicine in Cancer

Objectives: Precision medicine requires the measurement, quantification, and cataloging of medical characteristics to identify the most effective medical intervention. However, the amount of available data exceeds our current capacity to extract meaningful information. We examine the informatics needs to achieve precision medicine from the perspective of quantitative imaging and oncology. Methods: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) organized several workshops on the topic of medical imaging and precision medicine. The observations and recommendations are summarized herein. Results: Recommendations include: use of standards in data collection and clinical correlates to promote interoperability; data sharing and validation of imaging tools; clinician's feedback in all phases of research and development; use of open-source architecture to encourage reproducibility and reusability; use of challenges which simulate real-world situations to incentivize innovation; partnership with industry to facilitate commercialization; and education in academic communities regarding the challenges involved with translation of technology from the research domain to clinical utility and the benefits of doing so. Conclusions: This article provides a survey of the role and priorities for imaging informatics to help advance quantitative imaging in the era of precision medicine. While these recommendations were drawn from oncology, they are relevant and applicable to other clinical domains where imaging aids precision medicine.

Mixing Block Copolymers with Phospholipids at the Nanoscale: From Hybrid Polymer/Lipid Wormlike Micelles to Vesicles Presenting Lipid Nanodomains

Hybrids, i.e., intimately mixed polymer/phospholipid vesicles, can potentially marry in a single membrane the best characteristics of the two separate components. The ability of amphiphilic copolymers and phospholipids to self-assemble into hybrid membranes has been studied until now on the submicrometer scale using optical microscopy on giant hybrid unilamellar vesicles (GHUVs), but limited information is available on large hybrid unilamellar vesicles (LHUVs). In this work, copolymers based on poly(dimethylsiloxane) and poly(ethylene oxide) with different molar masses and architectures (graft, triblock) were associated with 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC). Classical protocols of LUV formation were used to obtain nanosized self-assembled structures. Using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET), and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), we show that copolymer architecture and molar mass have direct influences on the formation of hybrid nanostructures that can range from wormlike hybrid micelles to hybrid vesicles presenting small lipid nanodomains.

Epitaxial growth of single crystalline film scintillators based on the Pr3+ doped solid solution of Lu3Al5−xGaxO12 garnet

Scintillating screens based on single crystalline films of Lu₃Al_5−xGa_xO₁₂:Pr garnet have been developed by the LPE method onto YAG substrates using BaO based flux.

Controlled assembly of graphene-capped nickel, cobalt and iron silicides

The unique properties of graphene have raised high expectations regarding its application in carbon-based nanoscale devices that could complement or replace traditional silicon technology. This gave rise to the vast amount of researches on how to fabricate high-quality graphene and graphene nanocomposites that is currently going on. Here we show that graphene can be successfully integrated with the established metal-silicide technology. Starting from thin monocrystalline films of nickel, cobalt and iron, we were able to form metal silicides of high quality with a variety of stoichiometries under a Chemical Vapor Deposition grown graphene layer. These graphene-capped silicides are reliably protected against oxidation and can cover a wide range of electronic materials/device applications. Most importantly, the coupling between the graphene layer and the silicides is rather weak and the properties of quasi-freestanding graphene are widely preserved.

Interplay of Dirac fermions and heavy quasiparticles in solids

Many-body interactions in crystalline solids can be conveniently described in terms of quasiparticles with strongly renormalized masses as compared with those of non-interacting particles. Examples of extreme mass renormalization are on the one hand graphene, where the charge carriers obey the linear dispersion relation of massless Dirac fermions, and on the other hand heavy-fermion materials where the effective electron mass approaches the mass of a proton. Here we show that both extremes, Dirac fermions, like they are found in graphene and extremely heavy quasiparticles characteristic for Kondo materials, may not only coexist in a solid but can also undergo strong mutual interactions. Using the example of EuRh₂Si₂, we explicitly demonstrate that these interactions can take place at the surface and in the bulk. The presence of the linear dispersion is imposed solely by the crystal symmetry, whereas the existence of heavy quasiparticles is caused by the localized nature of the 4f states.

Deterministic quantum teleportation with feed-forward in a solid state system

Engineered macroscopic quantum systems based on superconducting electronic circuits are attractive for experimentally exploring diverse questions in quantum information science. At the current state of the art, quantum bits (qubits) are fabricated, initialized, controlled, read out and coupled to each other in simple circuits. This enables the realization of basic logic gates, the creation of complex entangled states and the demonstration of algorithms or error correction. Using different variants of low-noise parametric amplifiers, dispersive quantum non-demolition single-shot readout of single-qubit states with high fidelity has enabled continuous and discrete feedback control of single qubits. Here we realize full deterministic quantum teleportation with feed-forward in a chip-based superconducting circuit architecture. We use a set of two parametric amplifiers for both joint two-qubit and individual qubit single-shot readout, combined with flexible real-time digital electronics. Our device uses a crossed quantum bus technology that allows us to create complex networks with arbitrary connecting topology in a planar architecture. The deterministic teleportation process succeeds with order unit probability for any input state, as we prepare maximally entangled two-qubit states as a resource and distinguish all Bell states in a single two-qubit measurement with high efficiency and high fidelity. We teleport quantum states between two macroscopic systems separated by 6 mm at a rate of 10(4) s(-1), exceeding other reported implementations. The low transmission loss of superconducting waveguides is likely to enable the range of this and other schemes to be extended to significantly larger distances, enabling tests of non-locality and the realization of elements for quantum communication at microwave frequencies. The demonstrated feed-forward may also find application in error correction schemes.