Quadruplet codon decoding-based versatile genetic biocontainment system.

Biological resources, such as sequence information, genetic traits, materials and strains, pose risks when inadvertently released or deliberately misused. To address these concerns, we developed Quadruplet COdon DEcoding (QCODE), a versatile genetic biocontainment strategy that introduces a quadruplet codon (Q-codon) causing frameshifts, hindering proper gene expression. Strategically incorporating Q-codons in multiple genes prevents genetic trait escape, unallowed proliferation of microbial strains and unauthorized leakages of genetic materials.

The anti-tumor effect of the IFNγ/Fas chimera expressed on CT26 tumor cells.

Interferon gamma (IFNγ) is well-known for its ability to stimulate immune cells in response to pathogen infections and cancer. To develop an effective cancer therapeutic vaccine, CT26 colon carcinoma cells were genetically modified to express IFNγ either as a secreted form (sIFNγ) or as a membrane-bound form. For the membrane-bound expression, IFNγ was fused with Fas (mbIFNγ/Fas), incorporating the extracellular cysteine-rich domains, transmembrane, and cytoplasmic domains of Fas.

Multimodal deep ensemble classification system with wearable vibration sensor for detecting throat-related events.

Dysphagia, a swallowing disorder, requires continuous monitoring of throat-related events to obtain comprehensive insights into the patient's pharyngeal and laryngeal functions. However, conventional assessments were performed by medical professionals in clinical settings, limiting persistent monitoring. We demonstrate feasibility of a ubiquitous monitoring system for autonomously detecting throat-related events utilizing a soft skin-attachable throat vibration sensor (STVS).

An organic electrochemical neuron for a neuromorphic perception system.

Human perception systems are highly refined, relying on an adaptive, plastic, and event-driven network of sensory neurons. Drawing inspiration from Nature, neuromorphic perception systems hold tremendous potential for efficient multisensory signal processing in the physical world; however, the development of an efficient artificial neuron with a widely calibratable spiking range and reduced footprint remains challenging. Here, we report an efficient organic electrochemical neuron (OECN) with reduced footprint (<37 mm) based on high-performance vertical OECT (vOECT) complementary circuitry enabled by an advanced n-type polymer for balanced p-/n-type vOECT performance.

Air and Thermally Stable Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbene Ruthenium Complexes for Efficient Ring Expansion Metathesis Polymerization.

Ring expansion metathesis polymerization (REMP) has emerged as a potent strategy for obtaining cyclic polymers over the past two decades. The scope of monomers, however, remains limited due to the poor functional group tolerance and stability of the catalyst, necessitating a rational catalyst design to address this constraint. Here, we present ruthenium complexes featuring tethered cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene ligands for REMP, aiming to deepen our understanding of the structure-property relationship in newly designed catalysts.

Designing a Multivariate Belt Conveyor Idler Stall Detection and Identification System with Scalability Analysis.

Belt conveyor idlers are freely rotating idlers supporting the belt of a conveyor, and can induce severe frictional damage to the belt as they fail. Therefore, fast and accurate detection of idler faults is crucial for the effective maintenance of belt conveyor systems. In this article, we implement and evaluate the performance of an idler stall detection system based on a multivariate deep learning model using accelerometers and microphone sensor data.

Compared Inhibitory Activities of Tamoxifen and Avenanthramide B on Liver Esterase and Correlation Based on the Superimposed Structure Between Porcine and Human Liver Esterase.

Exposure to tamoxifen can exert effects on the human liver, and esterases process prodrugs such as antibiotics and convert them to less toxic metabolites. In this study, the porcine liver esterase (PLE)-inhibitory activity of tamoxifen has been investigated. PLE showed inhibition of a PLE isoenzyme (PLE5).

Stem Cells Within Three-Dimensional-Printed Scaffolds Facilitate Airway Mucosa and Bone Regeneration and Reconstruction of Maxillary Defects in Rabbits.

: Current craniofacial reconstruction surgical methods have limitations because they involve facial deformation. The craniofacial region includes many areas where the mucosa, exposed to air, is closely adjacent to bone, with the maxilla being a prominent example of this structure. Therefore, this study explored whether human neural-crest-derived stem cells (hNTSCs) aid bone and airway mucosal regeneration during craniofacial reconstruction using a rabbit model.

Gut Microbiota Regulates the Homeostasis of Dendritic Epidermal T Cells.

Dendritic epidermal T cells (DETCs) are a γδ T cell subset residing in the skin epidermis. Although they have been known for decades, the fate of DETCs has largely remained enigmatic. Recent studies have highlighted the relationship between the gut microbiome and γδ T cells in various epithelial and non-epithelial tissues, such as the small intestine, lung, liver, gingiva, and testis.

Enabling immune checkpoint blockade efficacy in T-lymphopenia by restoring CD8 T cell dynamics with IL-7 cytokine therapy.

Introduction: T-lymphopenia (TLP) is a frequently observed condition in cancer patients, often exacerbated by conventional chemo/radiotherapy, which impairs the efficacy of subsequent immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. This study aimed to understand the impact of TLP on ICB responsiveness and explore potential therapeutic strategies to enhance antitumor immunity.

Methods: To investigate ICB responsiveness depending on the severity of TLP, first, we established TLP mouse models that mimic clinically observed mild and severe TLP through thymectomy and anti-Thy1-induced peripheral T cell depletion.

Junctional Role of Anionic Domain of Mussel Foot Protein Type 4 in Underwater Mussel Adhesion.

Mussel byssi form a robust underwater adhesive system, anchoring to various surfaces in harsh marine environments. Central to byssus is foot protein type 4 (fp-4), a junction protein connecting collagenous threads to proteinaceous plaque. This study investigated an anionic plaque-binding domain of fp-4 (fp-4a) and its interactions with cationic foot proteins (fp-1, fp-5, and fp-151 as model substitutes for fp-2) and metal ions (Ca, Fe, and V).

Cell free supernatants of Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Bifidobacterium longum suppress the tumor growth in colorectal cancer organoid model.

The probiotic gut microbiome and its metabolites are pivotal in regulating host metabolism, inflammation, and immunity. Host genetics, colonization at birth, the host lifestyle, and exposure to diseases and drugs determine microbial composition. Dysbiosis and disruption of homeostasis in the beneficial microbiome have been reported to be involved in the tumorigenesis and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Anti-aliased metasurfaces beyond the Nyquist limit.

Sampling is a pivotal element in the design of metasurfaces, enabling a broad spectrum of applications. Despite its flexibility, sampling can result in reduced efficiency and unintended diffractions, which are more pronounced at high numerical aperture or shorter wavelengths, e.g.

Bound-States-in-the-Continuum-Induced Directional Photoluminescence with Polarization Singularity in WS Monolayers.

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides are promising materials that not only are atomically thin but also have direct bandgaps, making them highly regarded in optics and optoelectronics. However, their photoluminescence exhibits almost random polarization at room temperature. The emission is also omnidirectional and weak due to the low quantum yield.

Synergistic enhancement of spinal fusion in preclinical models using low-dose rhBMP-2 and stromal vascular fraction in an injectable hydrogel composite.

Spinal fusion surgery remains a significant challenge due to limitations in current bone graft materials, particularly in terms of bioactivity, integration, and safety. This study presents an innovative approach using an injectable hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate (HA/β-TCP) hydrogel combined with stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and low-dose recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) to enhance osteodifferentiation and angiogenesis. Through a series of in vitro studies and preclinical models involving rats and minipigs, we demonstrated that the hydrogel system enables the sustained release of rhBMP-2, resulting in significantly improved bone density and integration, alongside reduced inflammatory responses.

Impact of aspect ratio and crystal size distribution of l-glutamic acid formed by cooling crystallization on drying characteristics.

This study investigated the impact of aspect ratio and crystal size distribution on the mother liquor content and drying rate of l-glutamic acid (LGA). LGA cooling crystallization was performed using two methods: spontaneous nucleation and seeding. First, to identify various crystalline forms of LGA and obtain α-form seeds, cooling crystallization was carried out through spontaneous nucleation and seeding.

Improvement of the weight update and retention characteristics of PrCaMnO ECRAM elevated temperature training.

To achieve both excellent analog switching for training and retention for inference simultaneously, we investigated elevated-temperature (ET) training of PrCaMnO (PCMO) electrochemical random access memory (ECRAM). Improved weight update characteristics can be obtained by thermally reduced ionic resistivity of the HfO electrolyte at ET (413 K). Furthermore, excellent retention characteristics (10 s) were observed at room temperature, which can be explained by enhanced ion storage within the reservoir (or channel) layer ET training.

CO-Driven Oxygen Vacancy Diffusion and Healing on TiO(110) at Ambient Pressure.

Understanding how TiO interacts with CO at the molecular level is crucial in the CO reduction toward value-added energy sources. Here, we report in situ observations of the CO activation process on the reduced TiO(110) surface at room temperature using ambient pressure scanning tunneling microscopy. We find that oxygen vacancies (V) diffuse dynamically along the bridging oxygen (O) rows of the TiO(110) surface under ambient CO(g) environments.

12″ Wafer-Scale Mass-Manufactured Metal-Insulator-Metal Reflective Metaholograms by Nanotransfer Printing.

The unique characteristics of metasurfaces to precisely control the amplitude, phase, and polarization of light within a thin, flat footprint make them a promising replacement for bulky optical components. However, fabrication methods of conventional metasurfaces have suffered from low throughput and high costs, limiting scalability and practical application. To address these challenges, an advanced fabrication technique is developed by combining deep-ultraviolet argon fluoride photolithography with wafer-scale nanotransfer printing to facilitate the scalable fabrication of metal-insulator-metal structures.

Block Copolymer Electrolytes with Double Primitive Cubic Structures: Enhancing Solid-State Lithium Conduction via Lithium Salt Localization.

We present a strategy for enhancing Li conduction in block copolymer electrolytes by introducing trace amounts of Li salts into polystyrene--poly(ethylene oxide) (PS--PEO), wherein Li ions preferentially coordinate with the -OH end groups of the PEO chains, resulting in the formation of double primitive cubic (3̅) structures. Compared with TFSI anions in Li salts, smaller anions (PF and BF) could facilitate ion localization more effectively, expanding the salt concentration range for developing stable 3̅ structures. The 3̅ structures formed in PS--PEOs doped with LiBF at = 0.

Understanding mechanical failure behaviours and protocol optimization for fast charging applications in Co-free Ni-based cathodes for lithium-ion batteries.

Currently, it is a significant challenge to achieve long-term cyclability and fast chargeability in lithium-ion batteries, especially for the Ni-based oxide cathode, due to severe chemo-mechanical degradation. Despite its importance, the fast charging long-term cycling behaviour is not well understood. Therefore, we comprehensively evaluate the feasibility of fast charging applications for Co-free layered oxide cathodes, with a focus on the extractable capacity and cyclability.

Rewritable wavelength-selective hydrogel actuators grafted with fluorophores.

Recent efforts have focused on developing stimuli-responsive soft actuators that mimic the adaptive, complex, and reversible movements found in natural species. However, most hydrogel actuators are limited by their inability to combine wavelength-selectivity with reprogrammable shape changes, thereby reducing their degree of freedom in motion. To address this challenge, we present a novel strategy that integrates these capabilities by grafting fluorophores onto temperature-responsive hydrogels.

Enhancing Mechanical Resilience in Li-Ion Battery Cathodes with Nanoscale Elastic Framework Coatings.

Lattice volume changes in Li-ion batteries active materials are unavoidable during electrochemical cycling, posing significant engineering challenges from the particle to the electrode level. In this study, we present an elastic framework coating designed to absorb and reversibly release strain energy associated with particle volume changes, thereby enhancing mechanical resilience at both the particle and electrode levels. This framework, composed of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), is applied to nickel-rich LiNiCoMnO (NCM9055) cathodes at a low loading of 0.