Superconducting Qubit Based on Twisted Cuprate Van der Waals Heterostructures.

Van-der-Waals assembly enables the fabrication of novel Josephson junctions featuring an atomically sharp interface between two exfoliated and relatively twisted Bi_{2}Sr_{2}CaCu_{2}O_{8+x} (Bi2212) flakes. In a range of twist angles around 45°, the junction provides a regime where the interlayer two-Cooper pair tunneling dominates the current-phase relation. Here we propose employing this novel junction to realize a capacitively shunted qubit that we call flowermon.

2D High-Temperature Superconductor Integration in Contact Printed Circuit Boards.

Inherent properties of superconducting BiSrCaCuO films, such as the high superconducting transition temperature , efficient Josephson coupling between neighboring CuO layers, and fast quasiparticle relaxation dynamics, make them a promising platform for advances in quantum computing and communication technologies. However, preserving two-dimensional superconductivity during device fabrication is an outstanding experimental challenge because of the fast degradation of the superconducting properties of two-dimensional flakes when they are exposed to moisture, organic solvents, and heat. Herein, to realize superconducting devices utilizing two-dimensional (2D) superconducting films, we develop a novel fabrication technique relying on the cryogenic dry transfer of printable circuits embedded into a silicon nitride membrane.

Hydrogel Micropillar Array for Temperature Sensing in Fluid.

Localized temperature sensing and control on a micron-scale have diverse applications in biological systems. We present a micron-sized hydrogel pillar array as potential temperature probes and actuators by exploiting sensitive temperature dependence of their volume change. Soft lithography-based molding processes were presented to fabricate poly N-isopropyl acrylamide (p-NIPAAm)-based hydrogel pillar array on a glass substrate.

Heterostructured Metal-Organic Frameworks/Polydopamine Coating Endows Polyetheretherketone Implants with Multimodal Osteogenicity and Photoswitchable Disinfection.

Clinically, bacteria-induced contagion and insufficient osseointegrative property inevitably elicit the failure of orthopedic implants. Herein, a heterostructured coating consisting of simvastatin (SIM)-laden metal-organic frameworks and polydopamine nanolayers is created on a porous bioinert polyetheretherketone implant. The heterostructured coating significantly promotes cytocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation through multimodal osteogenicity mechanisms of zinc ion (Zn ) therapy, SIM drug therapy, and surface micro-/nano-topological stimulation.

Evaluation of the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on language impairments in the behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia.

The behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by bilateral atrophy of the prefrontal cortex, gradual deterioration of behavioural and executive capacities, a breakdown of language initiation and impaired search mechanisms in the lexicon. To date, only a few studies have analysed the modulation of language deficits in the behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia patients with transcranial direct current stimulation, yet with inconsistent results. Our goal was to assess the impact on language performance of a single session of transcranial direct current stimulation on patients with the behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia.

Design Strategies to Tune the Structural and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Collagen Hydrogels.

As an important component of biomaterials, collagen provides three-dimensional scaffolds and biological cues for cell adhesion and proliferation in tissue engineering. Recombinant collagen-like proteins, which were initially discovered in and produced in heterologous hosts, have been chemically and genetically engineered for biomaterial applications. However, existing collagen-like proteins do not form gels, limiting their utility as biomaterials.

Potential quality improvement of stochastic optical localization nanoscopy images obtained by frame by frame localization algorithms.

A data movie of stochastic optical localization nanoscopy contains spatial and temporal correlations, both providing information of emitter locations. The majority of localization algorithms in the literature estimate emitter locations by frame-by-frame localization (FFL), which exploit only the spatial correlation and leave the temporal correlation into the FFL nanoscopy images. The temporal correlation contained in the FFL images, if exploited, can improve the localization accuracy and the image quality.

Comparative phylogeographic inference with genome-wide data from aggregated population pairs.

Comparing divergences across multiple sister population pairs has been a focus in phylogeography since its inception. Initial approaches used organelle genetic data and involved qualitative comparisons of phylogenetic patterns to evaluate hypotheses of shared and variable evolutionary responses. This endeavor has progressed with coalescent model-based statistical techniques and advances in next-generation sequencing, yet there remains a need for methods that can exploit aggregated genomic-scale data within a unified analytical framework.

Surface tension anomaly observed for chemically-modified Janus particles at the air/water interface.

The behavior of Janus particles fabricated from core silica particles decorated with gold nanoparticles on one hemisphere is studied at the air/water interface. An unexpected reduction in the effective surface tension is observed in the presence of these chemically-modified Janus particles. Experiments on the interfacial behavior of a variety of control particles, including the physically-modified Janus particles made from the same core silica particles coated with a thin gold layer, do not exhibit significant surface tension effects.

Language boosting by transcranial stimulation in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Objective: To explore whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can improve language capacities in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).

Methods: We used a sham-controlled double-blind crossover design to assess the efficiency of tDCS over the DLPFC in a cohort of 12 patients with PSP. In 3 separate sessions, we evaluated the ability to boost the left DLPFC via left-anodal (excitatory) and right-cathodal (inhibitory) tDCS, while comparing them to sham tDCS.

Beyond electrostatics: Antimicrobial peptide selectivity and the influence of cholesterol-mediated fluidity and lipid chain length on protegrin-1 activity.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising class of innate host defense molecules for next-generation antibiotics, as they uniquely target and permeabilize membranes of pathogens. This selectivity has been explained by the electrostatic attraction between these predominantly cationic peptides and the bacterial membrane, which is heavily populated with anionic lipids. However, AMP-resistant bacteria have non-electrostatic countermeasures that modulate membrane rigidity and thickness.

Probing the Band Structure of Topological Silicon Photonic Lattices in the Visible Spectrum.

We study two-dimensional hexagonal photonic lattices of silicon Mie resonators with a topological optical band structure in the visible spectral range. We use 30 keV electrons focused to nanoscale spots to map the local optical density of states in topological photonic lattices with deeply subwavelength resolution. By slightly shrinking or expanding the unit cell, we form hexagonal superstructures and observe the opening of a band gap and a splitting of the double-degenerate Dirac cones, which correspond to topologically trivial and nontrivial phases.

Biomechanics of Collective Cell Migration in Cancer Progression: Experimental and Computational Methods.

Cell migration is essential for regulating many biological processes in physiological or pathological conditions, including embryonic development and cancer invasion. In vitro and in silico studies suggest that collective cell migration is associated with some biomechanical particularities such as restructuring of extracellular matrix (ECM), stress and force distribution profiles, and reorganization of the cytoskeleton. Therefore, the phenomenon could be understood by an in-depth study of cells' behavior determinants, including but not limited to mechanical cues from the environment and from fellow "travelers".

Root Mean Square Minimum Distance as a Quality Metric for Stochastic Optical Localization Nanoscopy Images.

A localization algorithm in stochastic optical localization nanoscopy plays an important role in obtaining a high-quality image. A universal and objective metric is crucial and necessary to evaluate qualities of nanoscopy images and performances of localization algorithms. In this paper, we propose root mean square minimum distance (RMSMD) as a quality metric for localization nanoscopy images.

'Reverse' Hofmeister effects on the sol-gel transition rates for an α-helical peptide-PEG bioconjugate.

We examine the dynamics of the sol-gel transition for end-functionalized linear- and 4-arm-peptides bioconjugated to poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) in aqueous environments with increasingly chaotropic (Cl- < Br- < I-) anions. A 23-amino acid peptide sequence is rationally designed to self-assemble upon folding into the ordered α-helical conformation due to the hydrophobic effect. We use Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to quantify the ensemble average reversible secondary structure transitions as a function of electrolyte concentration and specific ion effects along the Hofmeister series.

Phase-field lattice Boltzmann modeling of boiling using a sharp-interface energy solver.

The main objective of this paper is to extend an isothermal incompressible two-phase lattice Boltzmann equation method to model liquid-vapor phase change problems using a sharp-interface energy solver. Two discrete particle distribution functions, one for the continuity equation and the other for the pressure evolution and momentum equations, are considered in the current model. The sharp-interface macroscopic internal energy equation is discretized with an isotropic finite difference method to find temperature distribution in the system.

Evolution of mechanics in α-helical peptide conjugated linear- and star-block PEG.

We have designed a peptide conjugated poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) bioconjugate system that allows us to examine the intra- and inter-molecular dynamics of gelation. We measure the kinetics of gelation for end-functionalized linear- and star-architectures, and we correlate the gelation behavior with the molecular structure and self-association. The 23-amino acid peptide sequence is known to form a coiled-coil structure as a function of the solution's electrolyte concentration, and the two topologies of the PEG are peptide end-functionalized to examine formation of supramolecular assemblies.

Structure of the Z Ring-associated Protein, ZapD, Bound to the C-terminal Domain of the Tubulin-like Protein, FtsZ, Suggests Mechanism of Z Ring Stabilization through FtsZ Cross-linking.

Cell division in most bacteria is mediated by the tubulin-like FtsZ protein, which polymerizes in a GTP-dependent manner to form the cytokinetic Z ring. A diverse repertoire of FtsZ-binding proteins affects FtsZ localization and polymerization to ensure correct Z ring formation. Many of these proteins bind the C-terminal domain (CTD) of FtsZ, which serves as a hub for FtsZ regulation.

The Influence of Skin Redness on Blinding in Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Studies: A Crossover Trial.

Objective: To evaluate whether and to which extent skin redness (erythema) affects investigator blinding in transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) trials.

Material And Methods: Twenty-six volunteers received sham and active tDCS, which was applied with saline-soaked sponges of different thicknesses. High-resolution skin images, taken before and 5, 15, and 30 min after stimulation, were randomized and presented to experienced raters who evaluated erythema intensity and judged on the likelihood of stimulation condition (sham vs.

Disparities in influenza vaccination across the United States: Variability by minority group, Asian sub-populations, socio-economic status, and health insurance coverage.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of ethnicity, disaggregating Asian Indian from other Asians, health insurance coverage, and nativity on influenza vaccination rates in the United States.

Study Design: National Health Interview Survey data (2013), collected by the National Center for Health Statistics, were analysed.

Methods: Multivariable regression models were used to compute estimates and 95% confidence intervals.

Airflows generated by an impacting drop.

A drop impacting a solid surface with sufficient velocity will splash and emit many small droplets. However, lowering the ambient air pressure suppresses splashing completely. This effect, robustly found for different liquid and substrate properties, raises the fundamental question of how air affects a spreading drop.

Mechanical Stability of Polystyrene and Janus Particle Monolayers at the Air/Water Interface.

The compressional instability of particle-laden air/water interfaces is investigated with plain and surface-anisotropic (Janus) particles. We hypothesize that the amphiphilic nature of Janus particles leads to both anisotropic particle-particle and particle-interface interactions that can yield particle films with unique collapse mechanisms. Analysis of Langmuir isotherms and microstructural characterization of the homogeneous polystyrene particle films during compression reveal an interfacial buckling instability followed by folding, which is in good agreement with predictions from classical elasticity theory.

Collapse of Particle-Laden Interfaces under Compression: Buckling vs Particle Expulsion.

Colloidal particles can bind to fluid interfaces with a capillary energy that is thousands of times the thermal energy. This phenomenon offers an effective route to emulsion and foam stabilization where the stability is influenced by the phase behavior of the particle-laden interface under deformation. Despite the vast interest in particle-laden interfaces, the key factors that determine the collapse of such an interface under compression have remained relatively unexplored.

Understanding the lateral movement of particles adsorbed at a solid-liquid interface.

In this paper we study the phenomenon of lateral movement of particles that are electrostatically adsorbed at a solid-liquid interface. The experimental system involves negatively charged silica particles of two different sizes (65 nm and 90 nm) that are exposed to the positively charged solid surface (silane coated silicon wafer) in sequential steps. The particle-adsorbed wafers are analyzed under a scanning electron microscope and the images are processed to determine the pair-correlation function for the particles adsorbed in the first step.