Single scan, subject-specific component extraction in dynamic functional connectivity using dictionary learning.

The study of individual differences in healthy controls can provide precise descriptions of individual brain activity. Following this direction, researchers have tried to identify a subject using their functional connectivity (FC) patterns computed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of the brain. Currently, there is an emerging focus on investigating the identifiability over the temporal variability of the FC.

Design of hybrid 2D/quantum dot sensor materials for low-cost, uncooled mid-infrared sensing.

Uncooled mid-wave infrared (MWIR) image sensors, which are compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient, are expected to take a dominant position in the future infrared market. As an alternative to traditional epitaxially-grown infrared semiconductors used in high-performance cryo-cooled MWIR imagers, the concept of hybrid sensor materials is gaining attention. Specifically, hybrid structures combining two-dimensional (2D) materials, known for their superior carrier transport properties, with colloidal quantum dots (QDs), which offer excellent optical properties, have shown record-high room-temperature infrared responsivities with spectral responses extending to short-wave infrared (SWIR).

Poly(Amic) Acid Copper Nanocubes as Biocide for .

Herein, we demonstrate the growth pattern and mechanism of copper nanocubes (CuNCs) on the surface of biodegradable polyamic acid (PAA) film as a function of applied potential. The PAA solution was fabricated via a poly condensation reaction between 4,4'-oxidianiline (ODA) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) in dimethylacetamide (DMAC) at 25 °C. The resulting viscous PAA solution was drop-cast on a glassy carbon electrode (PAA|GCE) and dried at room temperature.

33 Unresolved Questions in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

Significant advances in science and engineering often emerge at the intersections of disciplines. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are inherently interdisciplinary, uniting researchers from chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, materials science, and engineering. This convergence has fostered novel ways of thinking and enabled the development of materials, tools, and technologies that have transformed both basic and applied research, as well as how we address critical societal challenges.

Sunscreen sensory attribute prediction via textural, rheological and tribological tests.

This study aims to find the quick ways to predict sensorial attributes of sunscreens using instrumental measurements. We specifically focus on the attributes most relevant to consumer 'liking' and the easiest measurements to implement in industrial labs for product development. Of the latter, we consider three types of measurements: emulative 'textural' tests typically performed with a texture analyser as well as rheological and tribological measurements.

Development of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Mimetic Materials.

Growth factors play a crucial role in regulating cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Their activities are tightly modulated to ensure proper physiological functioning, with dysregulation often contributing to disease pathogenesis. Among these, the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system that encompasses IGF-1 and IGF-receptor binding proteins is pivotal in maintaining overall cellular health by regulating growth, repair, and metabolic regulation.

Phase-field modeling of colloid-polymer mixtures in microgravity.

Colloid-polymer mixtures are an archetype for modeling phase transition processes, as they exhibit a low-density gas phase, high-density crystalline phase and an intervening liquid phase. While their equilibrium behavior has been studied extensively, the role of hydrodynamics in driving their phase separation is not yet understood. We present a theoretical model that describes hydrodynamic interactions in colloid-polymer mixtures in a microgravity environment.

Microdroplet Mass Spectrometry Enables Rapid and Sensitive Measurement of Glucose Homeostasis for Elucidating Mechanism of Drug Action.

Microdroplet chemistry has recently gained much attention, as reactions can be greatly accelerated in microdroplets. This study reports its first application in pharmaceutical bioanalysis settings to measure glucose homeostasis with unprecedented speed and sensitivity. Quantifying metabolic flux is critical for understanding drug action, but traditional isotope kinetic assays face challenges including the need of lengthy sample preparation and using radioactive tracers.

Comparison of three different dry coating devices for fine API bulk property enhancements: The effect of device intensities and processing parameters.

As predicted by the multi-asperity particle contact model, powder cohesion can be significantly reduced through dry coating of silica using a high-intensity vibratory mixer (HIVM). To promote industry adoption of dry coating, industry-relevant devices, a low-intensity V-blender and a medium-intensity comil, were evaluated against HIVM as a benchmarking control. Since low/medium intensity devices could lead to less effective silica dispersion, the contact model was extended to account for silica agglomeration.

Metaconcepts of Rooted Tree Balance.

Measures of tree balance play an important role in many different research areas such as mathematical phylogenetics or theoretical computer science. Typically, tree balance is quantified by a single number which is assigned to the tree by a balance or imbalance index, of which several exist in the literature. Most of these indices are based on structural aspects of tree shape, such as clade sizes or leaf depths.

Modulating tumor collagen fiber alignment for enhanced lung cancer immunotherapy via inhaled RNA.

The clinical effectiveness of immunotherapies for lung cancers has been greatly hindered by the immune-excluded and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and limited pulmonary accessibility of therapeutics. Here, we develop an inhalable lipid nanoparticle (LNP) system that enables simultaneous delivery of mRNA encoding anti-discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) single-chain variable fragments (mscFv) and siRNA targeting PD-L1 (siPD-L1) into pulmonary cancer cells. The secreted anti-DDR1 scFv blocks the binding of DDR1 extracellular domain to collagen, disrupting collagen fiber alignment and reducing tumor stiffness, thereby facilitating T cell infiltration.

Hip, knee, and ankle joint forces during exoskeletal-assisted walking: Comparison of approaches to simulate human-robot interactions.

The overall goal of this study was to develop a computational framework to quantify hip, knee, and ankle joint forces during exoskeletal-assisted walking (EAW) in the ReWalk P6.0, an FDA-approved lower-extremity exoskeleton. The first objective was to quantify hip, knee, and ankle joint forces during unassisted walking and compare the results to existing in vivo and simulation data.

Assessing PFAS and Their Precursor Transformation in a Landfill Leachate-Impacted Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Despite growing concern over polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), comprehensive evaluations of their behavior in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) influenced by landfill leachate remain limited. This study introduces a novel, integrated framework to investigate the fate, transformation, and persistence of PFAS across various treatment stages within a full-scale WWTP uniquely impacted by a mixture of domestic wastewater and industrial landfill leachate. By combining advanced targeted analysis using USEPA Draft Method 1633 with extractable organic fluorine (EOF) quantification and total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assays, this approach offers a comprehensive, multidimensional characterization of PFAS behavior.

Deep dictionary learning with reconstruction for texture recognition.

Texture recognition underpins critical applications in industrial quality control, robotic manipulation, and biomedical imaging. Traditional deep dictionary learning methods for texture recognition often emphasize deep feature extraction. However, they tend to lose crucial features as model depth increases, which can reduce their overall effectiveness.

Surgical Removal of a Complex Sensory Organ in Highly Regenerative Ctenophores.

The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi is a classic animal model of whole-body regeneration. Increased tractability for many laboratory techniques and their phylogenetic placement as the likely sister group to the remaining Metazoa has led to a recent renewal of scientific interest in working with ctenophores. They can regenerate any missing organ or cell type, including complete whole-body regeneration from a fragment as small as ~15% of the body, over the course of a few days.

Contested Illness and Alternative Expertise Networks in Global Health: Post-COVID Syndrome in Brazil.

Contested illnesses such as long COVID or post-COVID syndrome create heightened uncertainty for patients as they navigate diagnosis and treatment. To lessen this uncertainty, patients in the United States and Europe have relied on patient activism and patient-led research to seek recognition from medical, scientific and political institutions. However, patients in other countries rely on different sets of strategies.

Diverse Impacts of Microplastic-derived Dissolved Organic Matter at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations on Soil Dissolved Organic Matter Transformation.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is critical to soil ecosystems, with its dynamics influenced by exogenous substances like microplastics (MPs)-derived dissolved organic matter (MPs-DOM) from agricultural mulches. However, the impacts of MPs-DOM, especially at environmentally relevant concentrations, on soil DOM dynamics remain unclear. Here, we examined DOM transformation in yellow (YS) and black (BS) soils upon the addition of MPs-DOM, leached from biodegradable and nonbiodegradable mulches under ultraviolet irradiation (UV-MPs-DOM) and dark conditions (D-MPs-DOM), at environmentally relevant concentrations (3 mg C/kg).

Observations of fine coronal structures with high-order solar adaptive optics.

Resolving fine structures in the Sun's corona may provide key insights into rapid eruptions and the heating of the corona. Adaptive optics systems have been used for over two decades to reach the diffraction limit of large telescopes, thereby compensating for atmospheric image blur. Current systems, however, are still limited to observations of the solar disk and fail with coronal objects, leaving fundamental coronal dynamics hidden in that blur.

Mechanistic insights and HIV suppression by the BRD4-targeting small molecule ZL0580.

Epigenetic suppression and durable silencing of HIV represent a promising strategy to achieve ART-free remission, consistent with the "block and lock" HIV cure paradigm. BRD4 is a host epigenetic reader and plays a critical role in HIV transcriptional regulation. We previously identified ZL0580, a first-in-class BRD4-selective small molecule distinct from the pan-BET inhibitor JQ1, which induces HIV epigenetic suppression.

Efficient release of COS/HS BODIPY-based photocaged thionocarbamates.

The controlled generation and delivery of hydrogen sulfide (HS), a critical gasotransmitter involved in various physiological and therapeutic processes, remain significant challenges, driving the need for innovative and responsive chemical tools. In this study, we developed thionocarbamate derivatives based on the boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) scaffold, which rapidly release carbonyl sulfide (COS) upon photoactivation, allowing HS generation under physiological conditions. These systems exhibit an exceptional uncaging rate compared with other reported structures, enabling rapid and precisely controlled HS releases, as verified through live-cell imaging studies.

Approaches to map cortical excitability beyond the primary motor cortex - Perspectives from cognitive neuroscience, multimodal imaging and clinical applications.

Excitability is a neuronal property quantified as the magnitude of neural response to stimuli. It plays a crucial role in information processing and is disrupted in various neuropsychiatric conditions. In humans, non-invasive measurements of brain excitability have been mostly limited to the primary motor cortex.

Binocular Eye Alignment Monitor (BEAM): Home Monitoring Proof-of-Concept Device to Quantify Binocular Alignment for Intermittent Exotropia.

Purpose: Intermittent exotropia (IXT) control is challenging to assess clinically because of the variability inherent to this condition. The Binocular Eye Alignment Monitor (BEAM) is a proof-of-concept device that extends eye alignment monitoring for use at home. This study seeks to determine whether the BEAM is feasible for continuously monitoring eye position to identify differences between participants with normal binocular vision and those with IXT.

Domain decomposition multiple scattering solvers by semi-infinite and infinite arrays of discrete identical scatterers in two dimensions.

We present domain decomposition (DD) numerical approaches for the simulation of scattering involving semi-infinite, infinite but not necessarily periodic, as well as large finite arrays of identical obstacles in free space in two dimensions. The DD approach relies on dividing the array computational domain into infinite/finite non-overlapping copies of a unit cell structure consisting of obstacles enclosed by fictitious infinite vertical walls and subsequently solving the array scattering problem via connecting Robin data on vertical walls through Robin-to-Robin (RtR) maps. The unit cell RtR maps, in turn, are computed in the Fourier domain using layer potentials and their associated Boundary Integral Operators.