Stress and flow inhomogeneity in shear-thickening suspensions.

HYPOTHESIS: The viscosity of dense suspensions surges when the applied stress surpasses a material-specific critical threshold. There is growing evidence that the thickening transition involves non-uniform flow and stress with considerable spatiotemporal complexity. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that dense suspensions of calcium carbonate particles with purely repulsive interactions may not conform to this scenario, as indicated by local pressure measurements with millimeter spatial resolution. EXPERIMENT: Here we utilize Boundary Stress Microscopy (BSM), a technique capable of resolving stresses down to the micron scale, to search for evidence of stress heterogeneity. In addition, we measure the flow field at the lower boundary of the suspension where the boundary stress is measured. FINDINGS: We find localized regions of high-stresses that are extended in the vorticity direction and propagate in the flow direction at a speed approximately half that of the rheometer's top plate. These high-stress regions proliferate with the applied stress accounting for the increased viscosity. Furthermore, the velocity of particles at the lower boundary of the suspension shows a significant and complex nonaffine flow that accompanies regions of high-stresses. Hence, our findings demonstrate that stress and flow inhomogeneity are intrinsic characteristics of shear-thickening suspensions, regardless of the nature of interparticle interactions.

Corrigendum: Client-based evaluation of the effects of localized vibration therapy on pain and mobility scores in dogs with radiographic bilateral hip dysplasia.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1424373.].

Localized Water Restriction in Ternary Eutectic Electrolytes for Ultra-Low Temperature Hydrogen Batteries.

Proton batteries are promising candidates for next-generation large-scale energy storage in extreme conditions due to the small ionic radius and efficient transport of protons. Hydrogen gas, with its low working potentials, fast kinetics, and stability, further enhances the performance of proton batteries but necessitates the development of novel electrolytes with low freezing points and reduced corrosion. This work introduces a localized water restriction strategy by incorporating a tertiary component with a high donor number, which forms strong bonds with water molecules. This approach restricts free water molecules and reduces the average hydrogen bond ratio and strength. As-prepared ternary eutectic electrolytes lowered the freezing point to -103 °C, significantly lower than the traditional binary electrolyte (9.5 m H3PO4, -93 °C). This electrolyte is highly compatible with the Cu0.79Co0.21[Fe(CN)6]0.64·4H2O (CoCuHCF) cathode, reducing material dissolution and current collector corrosion. The H2||CoCuHCF battery using this electrolyte demonstrated a high-power density of 23664.3 W kg-1, excellent performance at -80 °C, and stable cyclability over 1000 cycles (> 30 days)  at -50 °C. These findings provide a framework for proton electrolytes, highlighting the potential of hydrogen batteries in challenging environments.

Clinical and pre-clinical advances in the PDT/PTT strategy for diagnosis and treatment of Cancer.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) have demonstrated great potential to diagnose and combat localized cancers. As a matter of fact, these techniques are less invasive and have fewer side effects than traditional cancer treatments like surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. This review summarizes the clinical progress in the theranostics (diagnosis and treatment) of various types of regional cancers using these two light stimuli techniques, PDT and PTT. Therefore, clinical advances in cancer diagnosis based on PDT are detailed, including fluorescence-guided PDT for intraoperative cancer detection, optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided PDT for early cancer detection, and imaging by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) assisted through PDT/PTT. Moreover, clinical studies of breast, prostate, skin, gynecologic, head, neck and other varieties of cancer have been addressed to compare the main conditions of these treatments. This work also discussed the principal advantages and drawbacks of PDT and PTT in tumor targeting and cancer therapy. Finally, the usage of nanoparticles as photosensitizers (PSs) and photothermal agents (PAs) have been analyzed. In this manner, the authors have compiled relevant updated studies so that researchers interested in these areas can access it speedily.

Targeted therapeutic strategies for the kidney.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney diseases impose a significant burden with high incidence and mortality rates. Current treatment options for kidney diseases are limited, necessitating urgent development of novel and effective therapeutic strategies to delay or reverse disease progression. Targeted therapies for the kidney hold promise in significantly enhancing treatment outcomes, offering hope to patients afflicted with renal disorders. AREAS COVERED: This review summarized advances in kidney-targeted therapies including genes, peptides and proteins, cell-based, nanoparticles, and localized delivery routes. We also explored the potential clinical applications, prospects, and challenges of targeted therapies for renal disorders. EXPERT OPINION: Advances in targeted therapies for renal conditions have enhanced therapeutic outcomes. Clinical application of kidney-targeted therapies is currently limited by renal structure and the scarcity of robust biomarkers. Bridging the gap from basic and pre-clinical research targeting the kidney to achieving clinical translation remains a formidable challenge.

From Global to Nano: A Geographical Perspective of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

The periodontal disease pathobiont Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans) may exert a range of detrimental effects on periodontal diseases in general and, more specifically, with the initiation and progression of Localized Stage III Grade C periodontitis (molar-incisor pattern). In this review of the biogeography of this pathobiont, the full range of geographical scales for A. actinomycetemcomitans, from global origins and transmission to local geographical regions, to more locally exposed probands and families, to the individual host, down to the oral cavity, and finally, to spatial interactions with other commensals and pathobionts within the plaque biofilms at the micron/nanoscale, are reviewed. Using the newest technologies in genetics, imaging, in vitro cultures, and other research disciplines, investigators may be able to gain new insights to the role of this pathobiont in the unique initial destructive patterns of Localized Stage III Grade C periodontitis. These findings may incorporate the unique features of the microbiome that are influenced by variations in the geographic environment within the entire mouth. Additional insights into the geographic distribution of molar-incisor periodontal breakdown for Localized Stage III Grade C periodontitis may derive from the spatial interactions between A. actinomycetemcomitans and other pathobionts such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Filifactor aclocis, and commensals such as Streptococcus gordonii. In addition, while the association of A. actinomycetemcomitans in systemic diseases is limited at the present time, future studies into possible periodontal disease-systemic disease links may also find A. actinomycetemcomitans and its geographical interactions with other microbiome members to provide important clues as to implications of pathobiological communications.

Monitoring mitochondrial localization of dual localized proteins using a Bi-Genomic Mitochondrial-Split-GFP.

Even if a myriad of approaches has been developed to identify the subcellular localization of a protein, the easiest and fastest way remains to fuse the protein to Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and visualize its location using fluorescence microscopy. However, this strategy is not well suited to visualize the organellar pools of proteins that are simultaneously localized both in the cytosol and in organelles because the GFP signal of a cytosolic pool of the protein (cytosolic echoform) will inevitably mask or overlay the GFP signal of the organellar pool of the protein (organellar echoform). To solve this issue, we engineered a dedicated yeast strain expressing a Bi-Genomic Mitochondrial-Split-GFP. This split-GFP is bi-genomic because the first ten ß-strands of GFP (GFPß1-10) are encoded by the mitochondrial genome and translated by mitoribosomes whereas the remaining ß-strand of GFP (GFPß11) is fused to the protein of interest encoded by the nucleus and expressed by cytosolic ribosomes. Consequently, if the GFPß11-tagged protein localizes into mitochondria, GFP will be reconstituted by self-assembly GFPß1-10 and GFPß11 thereby generating a GFP signal restricted to mitochondria and detectable by regular fluorescence microscopy. In addition, because mitochondrial translocases and import mechanisms are evolutionary well conserved, the BiG Mito-Split-GFP yeast strain can be used to probe mitochondrial importability of proteins regardless of their organismal origins and can thus serve to identify unsuspected mitochondrial echoforms readily from any organism.

Achieving High Stability and Capacity in Micron-Sized Conversion-Type Iron Fluoride Li-Metal Batteries.

Iron fluoride, a conversion-type cathode material with high energy density and low-cost iron, holds promise for Li-ion batteries but faces challenges in synthesis, conductivity, and cycling stability. This study addresses these issues by synthesizing micron-sized iron-fluoride using a simple solid-state synthesis. Despite a large particle size, a high capacity of 571 mAh g-1 is achieved, which is attributed to the unique surface and internal pores within the iron-fluoride particles, which provided a large surface area. This is the first study to demonstrate the feasibility of using large iron fluoride particles to enhance the energy density of the electrode and achieve an iron fluoride full cell with high capacity. Also, the cause of the capacity fading is investigated. Electrode delamination from the current collector, which is the main cause of capacity fading in early cycles, is resolved using a carbon-coated aluminum (C/Al) current collector. Moreover, iron (Fe) dissolution and the deposition of dissolved Fe on the Li metal also contributed significantly to the degradation. Localized high-concentration electrolytes (LHCEs) suppress iron dissolution and Li dendrite growth, resulting in long-cycle stability for 300 cycles. This study provides insights into the further development of conversion-type metal fluorides across various compositions.

New Parameter for Benchmarking Plasmonic Gas Sensors Demonstrated with Densely Packed Au Nanoparticle Layers.

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) gas sensitivity is introduced as a new parameter to evaluate the performance of plasmonic gas sensors. A model is proposed to consider the plasmonic sensors' surface sensitivity and plasmon decay length and correlate the LSPR response, measured upon gas exchange, with an equivalent refractive index change consistent with adsorbed gas layers. To demonstrate the applicability of this new parameter, ellipsoidal gold nanoparticles (NPs) arranged in densely packed hexagonal lattices were fabricated. The main advantages of these sensors are the small and tunable interparticle gaps (18-29 nm) between nanoparticles (diameters: 72-88 nm), with their robust and scalable fabrication technology that allows the well-ordered arrangement to be maintained on a large (cm2 range) area. The LSPR response of the sensors was tested using an LSPR sensing system by switching the gas atmosphere between inorganic gases, namely He/Ar and Ar/CO2, at constant pressure and room temperature. It was shown that this newly proposed parameter can be generally used for benchmarking plasmonic gas sensors and is independent of the type and pressure of the tested gases for a sensor structure. Furthermore, it resolves the apparent disagreement when comparing the response of plasmonic sensors tested in liquids and gases.

Comprehensive analysis of AHL genes in Malus domestica reveals the critical role of MdAHL6 in flowering induction.

AT-hook motif nuclear localized (AHL) genes are crucial in various biological processes, yet the AHL gene family in apples has remained largely unexplored. In this study, we isolated 36 MdAHL genes from the apple genome and grouped them into two distinct clades. We characterized the gene structure, conserved motifs, protein biochemical properties, and promoter regions of the MdAHL genes. Transcriptional analysis revealed that MdAHL genes are preferentially and predominantly expressed in flowers and leaves. Notably, during the floral induction phase, the MdAHL6 gene exhibited remarkably high transcriptional activity. Overexpression of MdAHL6 resulted in shortened hypocotyls and delayed flowering by regulating hypocotyl- and floral-related genes. Y1H, EMSA, GUS activity, and molecular docking assays revealed that MdAHL6 directly binds to AT-rich regions, inhibiting the expression of FLOWERING LOCUS T (MdFT). Furthermore, Y2H, pull-down, and BiFC assays demonstrated a physical interaction between MdAHL6 and the class II knotted-like transcription factor MdKNOX19, which significantly enhances the inhibitory effect of MdAHL6 on MdFT expression. This comprehensive initial analysis unveils the critical role of the MdKNOX19-MdAHL6-MdFT module in flowering induction and lays a theoretical foundation for future functional exploration.

Two-Dimensional MoS2-Based Anisotropic Synaptic Transistor for Neuromorphic Computing by Localized Electron Beam Irradiation.

Neuromorphic computing, a promising solution to the von Neumann bottleneck, is paving the way for the development of next-generation computing and sensing systems. Axon-multisynapse systems enable the execution of sophisticated tasks, making them not only desirable but essential for future applications in this field. Anisotropic materials, which have different properties in different directions, are being used to create artificial synapses that can mimic the functions of biological axon-multisynapse systems. However, the restricted variety and unadjustable conductive ratio limit their applications. Here, it is shown that anisotropic artificial synapses can be achieved on isotropic materials with externally localized doping via electron beam irradiation (EBI) and purposefully induced trap sites. By employing the synapses along different directions, artificial neural networks (ANNs) are constructed to accomplish variable neuromorphic tasks with optimized performance. The localized doping method expands the axon-multisynapse device family, illustrating that this approach has tremendous potentials in next-generation computing and sensing systems.

Isolated Lateralized Overgrowth - Phenotypic Spectrum and Molecular Alterations.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the molecular aberrations at 11p15.5 locus in thirty-two patients with isolated lateralized overgrowth (ILO). METHODS: Among selected 32 cases of ILO, methylation-sensitive multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) was performed initially followed by short tandem repeats (STR) marker analysis to confirm uniparental disomy (UPD). In those patients with normal MLPA reports, cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1C (CDKN1C) gene and whole exome sequencing was performed. RESULTS: Molecular analysis by MS-MLPA showed methylation aberrations in 28% (9/32) of patients. Gain of methylation at IC1 imprinting center (H4, H7) and loss of methylation at IC2 (H6, H9) was observed in 2 patients each. Uniparental disomy was observed in 9% cases. Except one, all patients with methylation aberration had more than one limb hypertrophy. Two patients (H22/H29) also had loss of methylation at IC1. Though this molecular alteration is specifically associated with Silver Russel syndrome (SRS), but the affected children did not completely fulfill the diagnostic criteria for SRS. In a recent study, a discrepancy was reported between the diagnosis of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS)/SRS and the molecular findings in the patients. Many times, it is very difficult to differentiate between hemi hypertrophy/hemi hypotrophy. Patients, in whom no aberrations were detected on MS-MLPA, whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed and no pathogenic variant was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, ILO may be considered as a mild presentation on the extreme edge of BWS spectrum with methylation aberration and UPD in one third of cases which has implications in follow up.

Learning on manifolds without manifold learning.

Function approximation based on data drawn randomly from an unknown distribution is an important problem in machine learning. The manifold hypothesis assumes that the data is sampled from an unknown submanifold of a high dimensional Euclidean space. A great deal of research deals with obtaining information about this manifold, such as the eigendecomposition of the Laplace-Beltrami operator or coordinate charts, and using this information for function approximation. This two-step approach implies some extra errors in the approximation stemming from estimating the basic quantities of the data manifold in addition to the errors inherent in function approximation. In this paper, we project the unknown manifold as a submanifold of an ambient hypersphere and study the question of constructing a one-shot approximation using a specially designed sequence of localized spherical polynomial kernels on the hypersphere. Our approach does not require preprocessing of the data to obtain information about the manifold other than its dimension. We give optimal rates of approximation for relatively "rough" functions.

Aggregated gold nanoparticles rich in electromagnetic field "hotspots" for surface enhanced Raman scattering.

A simple method for one-step synthesis of aggregated gold nanoparticles (a-AuNPs) using single-layer carbon dots (s-CDs) as the capping agents has been proposed. The obtained a-AuNPs are mainly composed of several spherical AuNPs of 20-25 nm sized, which aggregate to form nanogaps of ∼1 nm. Furthermore, the obtained a-AuNPs produce a strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption band centered at around 640 nm, which is quite close to the wavelength of the commonly used 633 nm laser in surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Thus, under the irradiation of 633 nm laser, a lot of electromagnetic field "hot spots" are formed at around the nanogaps, and strong SERS activity is achieved. The obtained a-AuNPs are dropped on tin-foil wafers to fabricate SERS substrates, which show the advantages of high sensitivity, fast response, good repeatability and satisfactory stability. On the basis, a sensitive SERS sensor is developed to detect malachite green in aquaculture water, with a low detection limit of 1 × 10-9 mol/L.

Inkjet-Printed Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Subpixel Gas Sensor Array for Enhanced Identification and Visualization of Gas Spatial Distributions from Multiple Odor Sources.

The visualization of the spatial distributions of gases from various sources is essential to understanding the composition, localization, and behavior of these gases. In this study, an inkjet-printed localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) subpixel gas sensor array was developed to visualize the spatial distributions of gases and to differentiate between acetic acid, geraniol, pentadecane, and cis-jasmone. The sensor array, which integrates gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and fluorescent pigments, was positioned 3 cm above the gas source. Hyperspectral imaging was used to capture the LSPR spectra across the sensor array, and these spectra were then used to construct gas information matrices. Principal component analysis (PCA) enabled effective classification of the gases and localization of their sources based on observed spectral differences. Heat maps that visualized the gas concentrations were generated using the mean squared error (MSE) between the sensor responses and reference spectra. The array identified and visualized the four gas sources successfully, thus demonstrating its potential for gas localization and detection applications. The study highlights a straightforward, cost-effective approach to gas sensing and visualization, and in future work, we intend to refine the sensor fabrication process and enhance the detection of complex gas mixtures.

Treatment Modalities and Risks of Complication for Patients With Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma Aged 75 and Older.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Partial (PN)/radical (RN) nephrectomy is the standard treatment for localized renal-cell carcinoma (RCC). The potential risks of these procedures are concerns for the elderly. We evaluated perioperative outcomes/survival for patients aged ≥ 75 years with localized RCC who underwent PN, RN, or thermal ablation (TA). METHODS: Localized RCC patients undergoing PN/RN/TA (2000-2023) were retrospectively reviewed. Logistic-regression assessed factors associated with major complications. Kaplan-Meier estimated survival. RESULTS: A total of 278 patients (≥ 75 years) with RCC who received intervention (107RN, 101PN, and 70TA) were identified. Median age was 78 years. PN patients were younger than other cohorts (77 vs. 79, p = 0.006). Patients with cancer comorbidities underwent TA than PN/RN (93% vs. 88%/76%, respectively). Median tumor size was 4.0, 3.0, and 2.6 cm in RN, PN, and TA cohorts, respectively. RN patients had more complex masses compared to other cohorts (9 vs. 7, p < 0.001). Postoperative complications were significantly greater among PN patients (p = 0.03), but there was no significant difference in Clavien ≥ 3 complications. Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) was associated with Clavien ≥ 3 complications on multivariable analysis (p = 0.03). RN was performed at a stable rate while PN decreased in favor of TA. There was no significant difference in RCC-/non-RCC-specific survival among treatment modalities. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to make informed decisions about treating RCC in the elderly to reduce morbidity/mortality. PVD could be a determining factor favoring TA for amenable tumors.

Advanced Imaging for Localized Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Prostate cancer is a prevalent malignancy often presenting without early symptoms. Advanced imaging technologies have revolutionized its diagnosis and management. This review discusses the principles, benefits, and clinical applications of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), micro-ultrasound (microUS), and prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) in localized prostate cancer. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive literature review of recent studies and guidelines on mpMRI, microUS, and PSMA PET/CT in prostate cancer diagnosis, focusing on their applications in biopsy-naïve patients, those with previous negative biopsies, and patients under active surveillance. RESULTS: MpMRI has demonstrated high sensitivity and negative predictive value in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). MicroUS, a newer technology, has shown promising results in early studies, with sensitivity and specificity comparable to mpMRI. PSMA PET/CT has emerged as a highly sensitive and specific imaging modality, particularly valuable for staging and detecting metastatic disease. All three technologies have been incorporated into urologic practice for prostate cancer diagnosis and management, with each offering unique advantages in different clinical scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced imaging techniques, including mpMRI, microUS, and PSMA PET/CT, have significantly improved the accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis, staging, and management. These technologies enable more precise targeting of suspicious lesions during biopsy and therapy planning. However, further research, especially randomized controlled trials, is needed to fully establish the optimal use and inclusion of these imaging modalities in various stages of prostate cancer care.

Calcium Hydroxyapatite as a Co-adjuvant Treatment Option in a Patient With Morphea: A Report of a Case With a One-Year Follow-Up.

Morphea, or localized scleroderma, is a chronic inflammatory condition that unequivocally affects the dermis and subcutaneous connective tissue. It undeniably causes significant disfigurement in approximately half of patients, profoundly impacting their self-esteem. The available treatment options include corticosteroids (taken orally or administered subcutaneously), phototherapy, CO2 fractional laser treatment, and biologically mediated medications. It is crucial to note that using fillers as adjuvant therapy for inflammatory diseases indisputably raises concerns due to the potential to trigger inflammation and lead to disease reactivation. In one case, a 24-year-old patient with morphea on her face underwent a combined approach involving plastic surgery, dermatology, and regenerative aesthetics treatment with lipo-filling initially by an expert plastic surgeon. Then, after reviewing the literature and consensus from the dermatologist, aesthetics physician, and alternative medicine expert, it was decided to use calcium hydroxylapatite-carboxymethylcellulose (Radiesse, Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany) in the affected area. After a year of follow-up, there was a significant improvement in the appearance of her face and skin, as confirmed by a 10-point improvement on an activity measuring scale. Additional research will solidify whether calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is the optimal injectable for treating dermal autoimmune diseases. Our initial approach demonstrates significant promise for regenerative biostimulation. Through collaboration, we have effectively integrated plastic surgery techniques, fillers, dermatologists, and alternative medicine perspectives to treat inflammatory diseases, providing a comprehensive and robust exploration of morphea treatment.

Tunable Plasmon Resonance in Silver Nanodisk-on-Mirror Structures and Scattering Enhancement by Annealing.

In this study, we evaluated the surface plasmon characteristics of periodic silver nanodisk structures fabricated on a dielectric thin-film spacer layer on a Ag mirror substrate (NanoDisk on Mirror: NDoM) through finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations and experiments involving actual sample fabrication. Through FDTD simulations, it was confirmed that the NDoM structure exhibits two sharp peaks in the visible range, and by adjusting the thickness of the spacer layer and the size of the nanodisk structure, sharp peaks can be obtained across the entire visible range. Additionally, we fabricated the NDoM structure using electron beam lithography (EBL) and experimentally confirmed that the obtained peaks matched the simulation results. Furthermore, we discovered that applying annealing at an appropriate temperature to the fabricated structure enables the adjustment of the resonance peak wavelength and enhances the scattering intensity by approximately five times. This enhancement is believed to result from changes in the shape and size of the nanodisk structure, as well as a reduction in grain boundaries in the metal crystal due to annealing. These results have the potential to contribute to technological advancements in various application fields, such as optical sensing and emission enhancement.