Quantum secure metrology for network sensing-based applications.

Quantum secure metrology protocols harness quantum effects to probe remote systems with enhanced precision and security. Traditional QSM protocols require multi-partite entanglement, which limits its near-term implementation due to technological constraints. This paper proposes a QSM scheme that employs Bell pairs to provide unconditional security while offering precision scaling beyond the standard quantum limit. We provide a detailed comparative performance analysis of our proposal under multiple attacks. We found that the employed controlled encoding strategy is far better than the parallel encoding of multi-partite entangled states with regard to the secrecy of the parameter. We also identify and characterize an intrinsic trade-off relationship between the maximum achievable precision and security under the limited availability of resources. The dynamic scalability of the proposed protocol makes it suitable for large-scale network sensing scenarios.

Particle uptake driven phagocytosis in macrophages and neutrophils enhances bacterial clearance.

Humans are exposed to numerous synthetic foreign particles in the form of drug delivery systems and diagnostic agents. Specialized immune cells (phagocytes) clear these particles by phagocytosing and attempting to degrade them. The process of recognition and internalization of the particles may trigger changes in the function of phagocytes. Some of these changes, especially the ability of a particle-loaded phagocyte to take up and neutralize pathogens, remains poorly studied. Herein, we demonstrate that the uptake of non-stimulatory cargo-free particles enhances the phagocytic ability of monocytes, macrophages and neutrophils. The enhancement in phagocytic ability was independent of particle properties, such as size or the base material constituting the particle. Additionally, we show that the increased phagocytosis was not a result of cellular activation or cellular heterogeneity but was driven by changes in cell membrane fluidity and cellular compliance. A consequence of the enhanced phagocytic activity was that particulate-laden immune cells neutralize Escherichia coli (E. coli) faster in culture. Moreover, when administered in mice as a prophylactic, particulates enable faster clearance of E. coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Together, we demonstrate that the process of uptake induces cellular changes that favor additional phagocytic events. This study provides insights into using non-stimulatory cargo-free particles to engineer immune cell functions for applications involving faster clearance of phagocytosable abiotic and biotic material.

Ocotea porosa: Anatomy and Histochemistry of Leaves and Stems, Chemical Composition, Cytotoxicity and Insecticidal Activities of Essential Oil

Abstract Ocotea porosa (Nees & Mart.) Barroso, commonly known as "imbuia", "canela-imbuia" or "imbuia-amarela" in Brazil, is a tree of the Southern Atlantic Forest. The present study investigates the anatomy of leaf and stem, volatile oil chemistry, as well as cytotoxicity and insecticidal activities of the essential oil of O. porosa. Species identification was achieved by anatomy features, mainly due to paracytic and anomocytic stomata; non-glandular trichomes; biconvex midrib and petiole with a collateral open arc vascular bundle; presence of a sclerenchymatous layer, starch grains and crystal sand in the stem; and the presence of phenolic compounds in the epidermis, phloem and xylem of the midrib, petiole and stem. The main volatile components of the essential oil were α-pinene (19.71%), β-pinene (13.86%) and bicyclogermacrene (24.62%). Cytotoxicity against human cancer cell (MCF-7), mouse cancer cell (B16F10) and mouse non-tumoral cell (McCoy) was observed as well as insecticidal activity of the essential oil against susceptible 'Ft. Dix' bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) by topical application.

Effects of Peganum harmala (Zygophyllaceae) seed extract on the olive fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) and its larval parasitoid Psyttalia concolor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

Peganum harmala L. (Zygophyllaceae) is an herb native to arid and semiarid regions of Central Asian deserts. This study investigated the effects of ethanol extracts of P. harmala seeds on the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), i.e., adult repellency, reproductive activity, and larval growth, as well as parasitism levels by Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti). Olive fruit treated with 2% extract reduced B. oleae oviposition. In choice tests, female B. oleae spent >99% of their time foraging on untreated fruit rather than P. harmala-treated fruit. These changes in ovipositional behavior resulted in a nearly 30-fold decrease in oviposition marks on treated fruit compared with untreated fruit during a 48 h exposure period. When female B. oleae were fed liquid diet containing 0.2% P. harmala extract, there was no effect on the number of ovipositional marks on exposed fruit, but up to 21.4% of the deposited eggs were deformed. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses of deformed eggs revealed that some protein bands were missing. Consequently, the number of offspring produced by treated females was lower than by untreated females. Neither the sex ratio nor body size of the fly's offspring were affected by adults fed diet containing 0.2% P. harmala extract. However, there was a slightly prolonged developmental time from egg to adult. Parasitism of larval B. oleae by P. concolor was not affected by infested fruit treatment with 2% P. harmala extract. P. harmala extracts as a potential control for insect pest species are discussed.