Diode effect in Josephson junctions with a single magnetic atom.

Current flow in electronic devices can be asymmetric with bias direction, a phenomenon underlying the utility of diodes and known as non-reciprocal charge transport. The promise of dissipationless electronics has recently stimulated the quest for superconducting diodes, and non-reciprocal superconducting devices have been realized in various non-centrosymmetric systems. Here we investigate the ultimate limits of miniaturization by creating atomic-scale Pb-Pb Josephson junctions in a scanning tunnelling microscope.

Shot-noise measurements of single-atom junctions using a scanning tunneling microscope.

Current fluctuations related to the discreteness of charge passing through small constrictions are termed shot noise. This unavoidable noise provides both advantages-being a direct measurement of the transmitted particles' charge-and disadvantages-a main noise source in nanoscale devices operating at low temperature. While better understanding of shot noise is desired, the technical difficulties in measuring it result in relatively few experimental works, especially in single-atom structures.

Potentio-tunable FET sensor having a redox-polarizable single electrode for the implementation of a wearable, continuous multi-analyte monitoring device.

The emerging field of wearable devices for monitoring bioanalytes calls for the miniaturization of biochemical sensors. The only commercially available electrochemical wearable monitoring medical devices for bioanalytes are the amperometric continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems. The use of such amperometric methods to monitor glucose levels requires a relatively large electrode surface area for sufficient redox species collection, allowing accurate measurements to be made.

Safety and efficacy of a novel ureteral occlusion device.

Objective: To evaluate the safety of a novel ureteral occlusion device and compare its performance with that of other devices and guidewires.

Methods: The XenX (Xenolith Medical) was tested in an ex vivo porcine model to determine the percentage of denuded urothelium because of manipulation within the ureter, the capacity to prevent stone migration during laser lithotripsy, stent compatibility, and the ability to be used for stent placement. Comparative evaluations of the insertion forces and maneuverability were conducted in an in vitro ureter model with the XenX, Stone Cone (Boston Scientific), NTrap (Cook Urological), HiWire (Cook Urological), Roadrunner (Cook Urological), and Sensor (Boston Scientific).

Monophosphorylation of CD79a and CD79b ITAM motifs initiates a SHIP-1 phosphatase-mediated inhibitory signaling cascade required for B cell anergy.

Anergic B cells are characterized by impaired signaling and activation after aggregation of their antigen receptors (BCR). The molecular basis of this impairment is not understood. In studies reported here, Src homology-2 (SH2)-containing inositol 5-phosphatase SHIP-1 and its adaptor Dok-1 were found to be constitutively phosphorylated in anergic B cells, and activation of this inhibitory circuit was dependent on Src-family kinase activity and consequent to biased BCR immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) monophosphorylation.

Downstream of kinase, p62(dok), is a mediator of Fc gamma IIB inhibition of Fc epsilon RI signaling.

The low-affinity receptor for IgG, Fc gamma RIIB, is expressed widely in the immune system and functions to attenuate Ag-induced immune responses. In mast cells, coaggregation of Fc gamma RIIB with the high-affinity IgE receptor, Fc epsilon RI, leads to inhibition of Ag-induced degranulation and cytokine production. Fc gamma RIIB inhibitory activity requires a conserved motif within the Fc gamma RIIB cytoplasmic domain termed the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif.