Electrokinetic pixels with biprimary inks for color displays and color-temperature-tunable smart windows.

We report on the advanced implementation of the biprimary color system in applications where subtractive color is performed inside a single pixel to alter the magnitude and color of reflection (electronic paper displays) or the optical transmission and color temperature (smart windows). A novel device structure can switch between four states: clear, black, either of two complementary colors from RGB and CMY sets, and also mixed states between one of these four states. The device structure utilizes an electrokinetic pixel structure, which combines the spectral performance of in-plane electrophoretic devices with the improved switching speeds of vertical electrophoresis. The electrophoretic dispersions are dual-particle dual-colored and are controlled using two traditional planar electrokinetic electrodes on the front and back substrates, along with a third electrode conveniently located at the perimeter of each unit cell. Demonstrated performance includes contrast ratios reaching ~10∶1, reflectance of ~62%, and transparency of ~75%. For electronic paper displays, these results provide a pathway to double the reflective performance compared to the traditional RGBW color-filter approach. For smart windows, the technology provides not only control of shade (transmission) but also provides complete control over color temperature. Furthermore, this three-electrode device can be roll-to-roll fabricated without need for any alignment steps, requiring only a single micro-replication step followed by self-aligned contact printing of the third electrode.

IFI27, a novel epidermal growth factor-stabilized protein, is functionally involved in proliferation and cell cycling of human epidermal keratinocytes.

OBJECTIVES: IFI27 is highly expressed in psoriatic lesions but its function has not been known. The present study aimed to explore its role in proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IFI27 knockdown and over-expression in keratinocytes were used to compare their proliferation, by MTT assay, apoptosis (by annexin V binding) and cell cycle progression by flow cytometry. Formation of cyclin A/CDK1 complex was examined by a co-immunoprecipitaion method. Anti-proliferation effects of IFI27 were also examined in vivo by topical application of IFI27 siRNA on imiquimod-induced psoriatic lesions, in a mouse model. RESULTS: Epidermal growth factor was demonstrated to increase IFI27 expression by prolonging half-life of IFI27 protein. The IFI27 knockdown in keratinocytes reduced the proliferation rate, but had no effect on apoptosis nor on apoptosis-related genes. Interestingly, IFI27 knockdown resulted in S-phase arrest that was found to be associated with increased Tyr15 phosphorylation of CDK1, reduced CDC25B and reduced formation of cyclin A/CDK1 complex. In addition, IFI27 knockdown was also shown to activate p53 by Ser15 phosphorylation and increase p21 expression. Topical application of IFI27 siRNA on imiquimod-induced psoriatic lesion in a mouse model reduced epidermal thickness, formation of rete ridges and PCNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates for the first time, that cell function of IFI27 is involved in proliferation of skin keratinocytes both in vitro and in vivo. It suggests that IFI27 might be a suitable target for development of a novel anti-psoriasis therapy.

Experimental and numerical insights into isotropic spreading and deterministic dewetting of dielectrowetted films.

Dielectrowetting effects of surface wrinkling, isotropic vs anisotropic spreading, electrode geometry, and deterministic dewetting are presented both experimentally and by 3D numerical modeling. The numerical results are generated by COMSOL in conjunction with the phase-field and electrohydrodynamic methods, including comparisons to experimental data. The dynamic behavior of the two-phase system has been accurately characterized on both the macro- and microscopic level. This work provides a deeper theoretical insight into the operating physics of dielectrowetting superspreading devices.

Isolation and characterization of a functional A-type cyclin from maize.

Cyclins are involved in the regulation of cell cycle progression in eukaryotes. We have isolated a cyclin cDNA clone, cycZm2w, from maize root tip cells, which fits best into group A2 of current plant cyclin gene classification schemes. The cDNA encodes a protein with a domain homologous to the cyclin box of mitotic cyclins. Complementation studies revealed that cycZm2w was able to rescue a budding yeast cyclin-deficient mutant (BF305-15d#21). As expected, cycZm2w is expressed in organs of the maize plant that possess meristematic activity, but is especially prominent in the proliferating regions of the root apex.

Calcium-pumping ATPases in vesicles from carrot cells : stimulation by calmodulin or phosphatidylserine, and formation of a 120 kilodalton phosphoenzyme.

Ca(2+)-ATPases keep cytoplasmic [Ca(2+)] low by pumping Ca(2+) into intracellular compartments or out of the cell. The transport properties of Ca(2+)-pumping ATPases from carrot (Daucus carota cv Danvers) tissue culture cells were studied. ATP-dependent Ca(2+) transport in vesicles that comigrated with an endoplasmic reticulum marker, was stimulated three- to fourfold by calmodulin. Cyclopiazonic acid (a specific inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase) partially inhibited oxalate-stimulated Ca(2+) transport activity; however, it had no effect on calmodulin-stimulated Ca(2+) uptake driven by ATP or GTP. The results would suggest the presence of two types of Ca(2+)-ATPases, an endoplasmic reticulum- and a plasma membrane-type. Interestingly, incubation of membranes with [gamma(32)P]ATP resulted in the formation of a single acyl [(32)P]phosphoprotein of 120 kilodaltons. Formation of this phosphoprotein was dependent on Ca(2+), but independent of Mg(2+). Its enhancement by La(3+) is characteristic of a phosphorylated enzyme intermediate of a plasma membrane-type Ca-ATPase. Calmodulin stimulated Ca(2+) transport was decreased by W-7 (a calmodulin antagonist), ML-7 (myosin light chain kinase inhibitor) or thyroxine. Acidic phospholipids, like phosphatidylserine, stimulated Ca(2+) transport, similar to their effect on the erythrocyte plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase. These results would indicate that the calmodulin-stimulated Ca(2+) transport originated in large part from a plasma membrane-type Ca(2+) pump of 120 kilodaltons. The possibility of calmodulin-stimulated Ca(2+)-ATPases on endomembranes, such as the endoplasmic reticulum and secretory vesicles, as well as the plasma membrane is suggested.