Quantum Advantage: A Single Qubit's Experimental Edge in Classical Data Storage.

We implement an experiment on a photonic quantum processor establishing efficacy of the elementary quantum system in classical information storage. The advantage is established by considering a class of simple bipartite games played with the communication resource qubit and classical bit (c bit), respectively. Conventional wisdom, supported by the no-go theorems of Holevo and Frenkel-Weiner, suggests that such a quantum advantage is unattainable when the sender and receiver share randomness or classical correlations.

Delivering DNA Aptamers Across the Blood-Brain Barrier Reveals Heterogeneous Decreased ATP in Different Brain Regions of Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Models.

DNA aptamers have been developed as sensors to detect metabolites with high sensitivity, selectivity, and biocompatibility. While they are effective in sensing important targets in the brain, the lack of methods for their efficient delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has significantly hindered their applications in brain research. To address this issue, we herein report the development of brain cell-derived exosomes as endogenous BBB delivery vehicles to deliver an ATP-responsive aptamer across the BBB of live mice for noninvasive live brain imaging.

Quantum Nonlocality: Multicopy Resource Interconvertibility and Their Asymptotic Inequivalence.

Quantum nonlocality, pioneered in Bell's seminal work and subsequently verified through a series of experiments, has drawn substantial attention due to its practical applications in various protocols. Evaluating and comparing the extent of nonlocality within distinct quantum correlations holds significant practical relevance. Within the resource theoretic framework this can be achieved by assessing the interconversion rate among different nonlocal correlations under free local operations and shared randomness.

Nanoparticle assembly by transient topography induced by applying soft lithography to block copolymer films.

We present a simple approach for patterning metal nanoparticles into periodic superstructures on flat films spanning centimeter-square areas. Our approach is based on capillary force lithography, a soft lithography method that is used to impart topography to molten polymer films, and applies it to block copolymer films to obtain substrates featuring both topographic and chemical contrasts that can serve as templates for the selective deposition of nanoparticles. Here we show that flattening the films by exposure to solvent vapour prior to nanoparticle deposition not only retains chemical heterogeneity but also provides access to unique hierarchically-organized nanoparticle superstructures that are unattainable by other methods.

Prediction of virus-host interactions and identification of hot spot residues of DENV-2 and SH3 domain interactions.

Dengue virus, particularly serotype 2 (DENV-2), poses a significant global health threat, and understanding the molecular basis of its interactions with host cell proteins is imperative for developing targeted therapeutic strategies. This study elucidated the interactions between proline-enriched motifs and Src homology 3 (SH3) domain. The SH3 domain is pivotal in mediating protein-protein interactions, particularly by recognizing and binding to proline-rich regions in partner proteins.

Comprehensive clinicopathological, molecular, and methylation analysis of mesenchymal tumors with NTRK and other kinase gene aberrations.

Alterations in kinase genes such as NTRK1/2/3, RET, and BRAF underlie infantile fibrosarcoma (IFS), the emerging entity 'NTRK-rearranged spindle cell neoplasms' included in the latest WHO classification, and a growing set of tumors with overlapping clinical and pathological features. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive clinicopathological and molecular analysis of 22 cases of IFS and other kinase gene-altered spindle cell neoplasms affecting both pediatric and adult patients. Follow-up periods for 16 patients ranged in length from 10 to 130 months (mean 38 months).

Randomness-Free Test of Nonclassicality: A Proof of Concept.

Quantum correlations and nonprojective measurements underlie a plethora of information-theoretic tasks, otherwise impossible in the classical world. Existing schemes to certify such nonclassical resources in a device-independent manner require seed randomness-which is often costly and vulnerable to loopholes-for choosing the local measurements performed on different parts of a multipartite quantum system. In this Letter, we propose and experimentally implement a semi-device-independent certification technique for both quantum correlations and nonprojective measurements without seed randomness.

Ordered non-close packed colloidal array with morphology control.

Non-close packed (NCP) colloidal arrays find wide applications in the fields of photonics, optical chip fabrication, nano sphere lithography and so on. However, unlike their close packed counterparts, such arrays cannot be obtained by direct self-organization of colloidal particles and require specialized techniques involving plasma/reactive ion etching, electric field driven assembly, substrate stretching or precise positioning of the particles. In this article, we present a facile template guided approach for fabricating ordered NCP arrays of colloidal particles.

Distilling Nonlocality in Quantum Correlations.

Nonlocality, as established by the seminal Bell's theorem, is considered to be the most striking feature of correlations present in spacelike separated events. Its practical application in device independent protocols, such as secure key distribution, randomness certification, etc., demands identification and amplification of such correlations observed in the quantum world.

Genomic Diversity and Phenotypic Variation in Fungal Decomposers Involved in Bioremediation of Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Fungi work as decomposers to break down organic carbon, deposit recalcitrant carbon, and transform other elements such as nitrogen. The decomposition of biomass is a key function of wood-decaying basidiomycetes and ascomycetes, which have the potential for the bioremediation of hazardous chemicals present in the environment. Due to their adaptation to different environments, fungal strains have a diverse set of phenotypic traits.

A Case Report of Porphyria Cutanea Tarda with Hepatitis-C Virus Co-infection.

Porphyria cutanea tarda is a rare disorder of heme metabolism due to deficiency of the enzyme uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase which is manifested as some typical dermatological features and hepatic dysfunction. The Hepatitis-C virus co-infection is common and it can be aggravated by other environmental factors. We report a case of porphyria cutanea tarda in a 37-year-old woman, who presented with recurrent skin blisters and has concomitant Hepatitis-C virus infection.

Principle of Information Causality Rationalizes Quantum Composition.

The principle of information causality, proposed as a generalization of no signaling principle, has efficiently been applied to outcast beyond quantum correlations as unphysical. In this Letter, we show that this principle, when utilized properly, can provide physical rationale toward structural derivation of multipartite quantum systems. In accordance with the no signaling condition, the state and effect spaces of a composite system can allow different possible mathematical descriptions, even when descriptions for the individual systems are assumed to be quantum.

Many OX PHOS and replication factor mRNAs target mitochondria through specific binding to the organelle surface, independent of cotranslational protein import.

A large number of nucleus-encoded messenger RNAs (mRNAs) encoding proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation have been found to be associated with mitochondria , indicating organelle-specific mRNA targeting. However, the identification of mitochondrion-bound mRNA (Mtb-RNA) has traditionally relied on cumbersome isolations of polysomes from a large number of input cells and is therefore biased in favour of mRNAs associated through nascent targeting peptides emerging from the polysome during cotranslational import of their encoded proteins, and tends to ignore sequence-directed mRNA targeting. We have, therefore, sought to identify and quantify Mtb-RNAs rapidly in small numbers of cells, independently of their polysomal status.

OXPHOS deficiency induces mitochondrial DNA synthesis through non-canonical AMPK-dependent mRNA compartmentalization.

Eukaryotic cells contain multiple copies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in discrete organelles or as tubular networks throughout the cytoplasm. The mtDNA copy number is dynamically regulated by mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy processes. However, the conditions regulating mtDNA replication, an essential component of biogenesis, are unknown.

Thermodynamic Signatures of Genuinely Multipartite Entanglement.

The theory of bipartite entanglement shares profound similarities with thermodynamics. In this Letter we extend this connection to multipartite quantum systems where entanglement appears in different forms with genuine entanglement being the most exotic one. We propose thermodynamic quantities that capture a signature of genuineness in multipartite entangled states.

Implications of Crop Rotation and Fungicide on and Mycotoxin Spectra in Manitoba Barley, 2017-2019.

head blight (FHB) is one of the most important diseases of barley in Manitoba province (western Canada), and other major barley producing regions of the world. Little is known about the species and mycotoxin spectra associated with FHB of barley in Manitoba. Hence, barley grain samples were collected from 149 commercial fields from 2017 to 2019, along with information on respective cropping history, and analyzed with respect to species spectra, abundance, chemotype composition, and mycotoxin profiles.

Coupling the chemistry and topography of block copolymer films patterned by soft lithography for nanoparticle organization.

Soft lithography techniques have become leading mesoscale approaches for replicating topographic features in polymer films. So far, modified polymer films formed by soft lithography only featured topographic heterogeneity. Here we demonstrate the application of soft lithography techniques to block copolymer films, and show that the preferential affinity of one of the blocks to the stamping material leads to chemical heterogeneity that corresponds to the topographic features.

Disease-related population declines in bats demonstrate non-exchangeability in generalist predators.

The extent to which persisting species may fill the functional role of extirpated or declining species has profound implications for the structure of biological communities and ecosystem functioning. In North America, arthropodivorous bats are threatened on a continent-wide scale by the spread of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease caused by the fungus . We tested whether bat species that display lower mortality from this disease can partially fill the functional role of other bat species experiencing population declines.

Efficient delivery of a DNA aptamer-based biosensor into plant cells for glucose sensing through thiol-mediated uptake.

DNA aptamers have been widely used as biosensors for detecting a variety of targets. Despite decades of success, they have not been applied to monitor any targets in plants, even though plants are a major platform for providing oxygen, food, and sustainable products ranging from energy fuels to chemicals, and high-value products such as pharmaceuticals. A major barrier to progress is a lack of efficient methods to deliver DNA into plant cells.

Composition of Multipartite Quantum Systems: Perspective from Timelike Paradigm.

Figuring out the physical rationale behind natural selection of quantum theory is one of the most acclaimed quests in quantum foundational research. This pursuit has inspired several axiomatic initiatives to derive a mathematical formulation of the theory by identifying the general structure of state and effect space of individual systems as well as specifying their composition rules. This generic framework can allow several consistent composition rules for a multipartite system even when state and effect cones of individual subsystems are assumed to be quantum.

Naturally Occurring Species and Mycotoxins in Oat Grains from Manitoba, Canada.

head blight (FHB) can lead to dramatic yield losses and mycotoxin contamination in small grain cereals in Canada. To assess the extent and severity of FHB in oat, samples collected from 168 commercial oat fields in the province of Manitoba, Canada, during 2016-2018 were analyzed for the occurrence of head blight and associated mycotoxins. Through morphological and molecular analysis, was found to be the predominant species affecting oat, followed by , , , and .

Multicopy Adaptive Local Discrimination: Strongest Possible Two-Qubit Nonlocal Bases.

Ensembles of composite quantum states can exhibit nonlocal behavior in the sense that their optimal discrimination may require global operations. Such an ensemble containing N pairwise orthogonal pure states, however, can always be perfectly distinguished under an adaptive local scheme if (N-1) copies of the state are available. In this Letter, we provide examples of orthonormal bases in two-qubit Hilbert space whose adaptive discrimination require three copies of the state.

Nanonization of a chemically synthesized flavone HMDF (3-hydroxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone) by entrapping within calcium phosphate nanoparticles and exploring its antioxidant role on neural cellsand zebrafish.

The chemical synthesis of 3-hydroxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone (HMDF) was reported to generate a modified flavone of potent antioxidant activity with significant neuropharmacological properties. In this study, HMDF was nanonized by entrapping within calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CPNPs). HMDF-CPNPs were of (i) size 25 nm, (ii) zeta potential (-) [22 ± 3] mV and (iii) entrapment efficiency 67%.

Substrate wettability guided oriented self assembly of Janus particles.

Self-assembly of Janus particles with spatial inhomogeneous properties is of fundamental importance in diverse areas of sciences and has been extensively observed as a favorably functionalized fluidic interface or in a dilute solution. Interestingly, the unique and non-trivial role of surface wettability on oriented self-assembly of Janus particles has remained largely unexplored. Here, the exclusive role of substrate wettability in directing the orientation of amphiphilic metal-polymer Bifacial spherical Janus particles, obtained by topo-selective metal deposition on colloidal Polymestyere (PS) particles, is explored by drop casting a dilute dispersion of the Janus colloids.

Predator preferences shape the diets of arthropodivorous bats more than quantitative local prey abundance.

Although most predators are generalists, the majority of studies on the association between prey availability and prey consumption have focused on specialist predators. To investigate the role of highly generalist predators in a complex food web, we measured the relationships between prey consumption and prey availability in two common arthropodivorous bats. Specifically, we used high-throughput amplicon sequencing coupled with a known mock community to characterize seasonal changes in little brown and big brown bat diets.