Multimodal analysis of traction forces and the temperature dynamics of living cells with a diamond-embedded substrate.

Cells and tissues are constantly exposed to chemical and physical signals that regulate physiological and pathological processes. This study explores the integration of two biophysical methods: traction force microscopy (TFM) and optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) to concurrently assess cellular traction forces and the local relative temperature. We present a novel elastic substrate with embedded nitrogen-vacancy microdiamonds that facilitate ODMR-TFM measurements.

Near-zero-field microwave-free magnetometry with nitrogen-vacancy centers in nanodiamonds.

We study the fluorescence of nanodiamond ensembles as a function of static external magnetic field and observe characteristic dip features close to the zero field with potential for magnetometry applications. We analyze the dependence of the feature's width and the contrast of the feature on the size of the diamond (in the range 30 nm-3000 nm) and on the strength of a bias magnetic field applied transversely to the field being scanned. We also perform optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) measurements to quantify the strain splitting of the zero-field ODMR resonance across various nanodiamond sizes and compare it with the width and contrast measurements of the zero-field fluorescence features for both nanodiamonds and bulk samples.

Cell-particles interaction - selective uptake and transport of microdiamonds.

Diamond particles have recently emerged as novel agents in cellular studies because of their superb biocompatibility. Their unique characteristics, including small size and the presence of fluorescent color centers, stimulate many important applications. However, the mechanism of interaction between cells and diamond particles-uptake, transport, and final localization within cells-is not yet fully understood.

The role of nuclear energy in low carbon energy transition: evidence from panel data approach in EU.

The aim of this study is to employ panel data approach to investigate determinants of total GHG emissions in all European Union (EU) economies in years 1990-2018 and evaluate the role of nuclear energy in climate change mitigation. It incorporates the following variables potentially affecting the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: economic-gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and GDP per capita squared to control for non-linear relationship between economic output and GHG emissions; structural-economic structure reflected in the share of manufacturing in total gross value added (GVA); energy-mix-share of nuclear power and renewable sources in total gross electricity production; environmental policy-the amount of environmental taxes (as a percentage of GDP) and the number of European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS) allowances auctioned or sold (as a percentage of GDP per capita). The main findings of this study confirm the long-run relationship between GHG emissions, GDP level, and energy-mix variables.

Sensing of Magnetic-Field Gradients with Nanodiamonds on Optical Glass-Fiber Facets.

We demonstrate a photonic sensor of the magnetic field and its gradients with remote readout. The sensor is based on optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) in nanodiamonds with nitrogen-vacancy color centers that are covalently attached as a thin film on one facet of an optical fiber bundle. By measuring ODMR signals from a group of individual fibers in an ∼0.

Zeeman optical pumping of Rb atoms in a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber.

Preparation of an atomic ensemble in a particular Zeeman state is a critical step of many protocols for implementing quantum sensors and quantum memories. These devices can also benefit from optical fiber integration. In this work we describe experimental results supported by a theoretical model of single-beam optical pumping of Rb atoms within a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber.

Heat and mass flux analysis of magneto-free-convection flow of Oldroyd-B fluid through porous layered inclined plate.

The present work examines the analytical solutions of the double duffusive magneto free convective flow of Oldroyd-B fluid model of an inclined plate saturated in a porous media, either fixed or moving oscillated with existence of slanted externally magnetic field. The phenomenon has been expressed in terms of partial differential equations, then transformed the governing equations in non-dimensional form. On the fluid velocity, the influence of different angles that plate make with vertical is studied as well as slanted angles of the electro magnetic lines with the porous layered inclined plate are also discussed, associated with thermal conductivity and constant concentration.

Solitary wave behavior of (2+1)-dimensional Chaffee-Infante equation.

The behavior of gas diffusion in a homogeneous medium is described by the (2+1)-dimensional Chaffee-Infante equation. In this work, the solitary wave behavior of the (2+1)-dimensional Chaffee-Infante equation is studied with the help of extended sinh-Gordon equation expansion technique. Bright, dark, periodic, kink, anti-kink and singular traveling wave patterns are observed for suitable choice of parameters.

Stabilization of spin states of an open system: bichromatic driving of resonance transitions in NV ensembles in diamond.

We apply a laser and two nearly degenerate microwave fields upon an ensemble of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond and observe magnetic resonance structures with two-component, composite shapes of nested Lorentzians with different widths. One component of them undergoes regular power-broadening, whereas the linewidth of the other one becomes power-independent and undergoes field-induced stabilization. We show that the observed width stabilization is a general phenomenon that results from competition between coherent driving and non-conservation of populations that occur in open systems.

Thermo diffusion impacts on the flow of second grade fluid with application of (ABC), (CF) and (CPC) subject to exponential heating.

The aim of this article is to investigate the exact solution by using a new approach for the thermal transport phenomena of second grade fluid flow under the impact of MHD along with exponential heating as well as Darcy's law. The phenomenon has been expressed in terms of partial differential equations, then transformed the governing equations in non-dimentional form. For the sake of better rheology of second grade fluid, developed a fractional model by applying the new definition of Constant Proportional-Caputo hybrid derivative (CPC), Atangana Baleanu in Caputo sense (ABC) and Caputo Fabrizio (CF) fractional derivative operators that describe the generalized memory effects.

Wide-field magnetometry using nitrogen-vacancy color centers with randomly oriented micro-diamonds.

Magnetometry with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers in diamond has gained significant interest among researchers in recent years. Absolute knowledge of the three-dimensional orientation of the magnetic field is necessary for many applications. Conventional magnetometry measurements are usually performed with NV ensembles in a bulk diamond with a thin NV layer or a scanning probe in the form of a diamond tip, which requires a smooth sample surface and proximity of the probing device, often limiting the sensing capabilities.

Magnetically sensitive fiber probe with nitrogen-vacancy center nanodiamonds integrated in a suspended core.

Efficient collection of photoluminescence arising from spin dynamics of nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond is important for practical applications involving precise magnetic field or temperature mapping. These goals may be realized by the integration of nanodiamond particles with optical fibers and volumetric doping of the particles alongside the fiber core. That approach combines the advantages of robust axial fixation of NV diamonds with a direct spatial overlap of their fluorescence with the guided mode of the fiber.

Nitrogen-Vacancy Color Centers Created by Proton Implantation in a Diamond.

We present an experimental study of the longitudinal and transverse relaxation of ensembles of negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV-) centers in a diamond monocrystal prepared by 1.8 MeV proton implantation. The focused proton beam was used to introduce vacancies at a 20 µµm depth layer.

Effects of virtual reality-based cognitive training in older adults living without and with mild dementia: a pretest-posttest design pilot study.

Objective: Modern technologies are increasingly used in the development of cognitive interventions for older adults. Research into possible applications of virtual reality in such interventions has begun only recently. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of 8 sessions of VR-based cognitive training using the GRADYS game in healthy older adults (n = 72; aged 60-88) and older adults living with mild dementia (n = 27; aged 60-89).

Optical Magnetometry Based on Nanodiamonds with Nitrogen-Vacancy Color Centers.

Nitrogen-vacancy color centers in diamond are a very promising medium for many sensing applications such as magnetometry and thermometry. In this work, we study nanodiamonds deposited from a suspension onto glass substrates. Fluorescence and optically detected magnetic resonance spectra recorded with the dried-out nanodiamond ensembles are presented and a suitable scheme for tracking the magnetic-field value using a continuous poly-crystalline spectrum is introduced.

Multi-Channel Convolutional Neural Networks Architecture Feeding for Effective EEG Mental Tasks Classification.

Mental tasks classification is increasingly recognized as a major challenge in the field of EEG signal processing and analysis. State-of-the-art approaches face the issue of spatially unstable structure of highly noised EEG signals. To address this problem, this paper presents a multi-channel convolutional neural network architecture with adaptively optimized parameters.

Analysis of Sexual Problems in Men With Psoriasis.

Psoriasis may have a negative impact on many aspects of patient life. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of psoriasis on erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems in men with psoriasis. A total of 76 men aged between 20 and 66 years (mean 43.

Contributed Review: Camera-limits for wide-field magnetic resonance imaging with a nitrogen-vacancy spin sensor.

Sensitive, real-time optical magnetometry with nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond relies on accurate imaging of small (≪10), fractional fluorescence changes across the diamond sample. We discuss the limitations on magnetic field sensitivity resulting from the limited number of photoelectrons that a camera can record in a given time. Several types of camera sensors are analyzed, and the smallest measurable magnetic field change is estimated for each type.

Feasibility and resolution limits of opto-magnetic imaging of neural network activity in brain slices using color centers in diamond.

We suggest a novel approach for wide-field imaging of the neural network dynamics of brain slices that uses highly sensitivity magnetometry based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. In-vitro recordings in brain slices is a proven method for the characterization of electrical neural activity and has strongly contributed to our understanding of the mechanisms that govern neural information processing. However, this traditional approach only acquires signals from a few positions, which severely limits its ability to characterize the dynamics of the underlying neural networks.

Atomic-state diagnostics and optimization in cold-atom experiments.

We report on the creation, observation and optimization of superposition states of cold atoms. In our experiments, rubidium atoms are prepared in a magneto-optical trap and later, after switching off the trapping fields, Faraday rotation of a weak probe beam is used to characterize atomic states prepared by application of appropriate light pulses and external magnetic fields. We discuss the signatures of polarization and alignment of atomic spin states and identify main factors responsible for deterioration of the atomic number and their coherence and present means for their optimization, like relaxation in the dark with the strobed probing.

Hybrid Orientation Based Human Limbs Motion Tracking Method.

One of the key technologies that lays behind the human-machine interaction and human motion diagnosis is the limbs motion tracking. To make the limbs tracking efficient, it must be able to estimate a precise and unambiguous position of each tracked human joint and resulting body part pose. In recent years, body pose estimation became very popular and broadly available for home users because of easy access to cheap tracking devices.

Optimised frequency modulation for continuous-wave optical magnetic resonance sensing using nitrogen-vacancy ensembles.

Magnetometers based on ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy centres are a promising platform for continuously sensing static and low-frequency magnetic fields. Their combination with phase-sensitive (lock-in) detection creates a highly versatile sensor with a sensitivity that is proportional to the derivative of the optical magnetic resonance lock-in spectrum, which is in turn dependant on the lock-in modulation parameters. Here we study the dependence of the lock-in spectral slope on the modulation of the spin-driving microwave field.

Interferon alpha and metronomic cyclophosphamide for metastatic kidney cancer: a phase 2 study.

Metronomic chemotherapy has been tested only a few times in the treatment of metastatic kidney cancer. We have combined metronomically dosed cyclophosphamide (mCTX) with full dosed interferon alpha (IFN) in patients with disseminated clear cell cancer. Toxicity was mainly attributable to IFN treatment.

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for large renal tumor - a case report and technical considerations.

In comparison to an open procedure, the laparoscopic radical nephrectomy has demonstrated advantages in regard to perioperative morbidity, postoperative pain, time of hospitalization, and convalescence. However, most series of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy are confined to T1 tumors. The authors present a case of a large-volume- T2 renal tumor treated laparoscopically.