Predicting new mineral occurrences and planetary analog environments via mineral association analysis.

The locations of minerals and mineral-forming environments, despite being of great scientific importance and economic interest, are often difficult to predict due to the complex nature of natural systems. In this work, we embrace the complexity and inherent "messiness" of our planet's intertwined geological, chemical, and biological systems by employing machine learning to characterize patterns embedded in the multidimensionality of mineral occurrence and associations. These patterns are a product of, and therefore offer insight into, the Earth's dynamic evolutionary history.

Reconstructing Sparse Multiplex Networks with Application to Covert Networks.

Network structure provides critical information for understanding the dynamic behavior of complex systems. However, the complete structure of real-world networks is often unavailable, thus it is crucially important to develop approaches to infer a more complete structure of networks. In this paper, we integrate the configuration model for generating random networks into an Expectation-Maximization-Aggregation (EMA) framework to reconstruct the complete structure of multiplex networks.

Effects of Stromal Cell Conditioned Medium and Antipurinergic Treatment on Macrophage Phenotype.

The immunomodulatory capacity of the human mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) secretome has been a critical driver for the development of cell-free MSC products, such as conditioned medium (CM), for regenerative medicine applications. This is particularly true as cell-free MSC products present several advantages over direct autologous or allogeneic MSC delivery with respect to safety, manufacturability, and defined potency. Recently, significant effort has been placed into creating novel MSC CM formulations with an immunomodulatory capacity tailored for specific regenerative contexts.

From data to complex network control of airline flight delays.

Many critical complex systems and networks are continuously monitored, creating vast volumes of data describing their dynamics. To understand and optimize their performance, we need to discover and formalize their dynamics to enable their control. Here, we introduce a multidisciplinary framework using network science and control theory to accomplish these goals.

Melanoma cells adopt features of both mesenchymal and amoeboid migration within confining channels.

For metastasis to occur, cancer cells must traverse a range of tissue environments. In part, this is accomplished by cells adjusting their migration mode to one that is best suited to the environment. Melanoma cells have been shown to be particularly plastic, frequently using both mesenchymal and amoeboid (bleb-based) modes of migration.

Intrinsic osteoinductivity of PCL-DA/PLLA semi-IPN shape memory polymer scaffolds.

Engineering osteoinductive, self-fitting scaffolds offers a potential treatment modality to repair irregularly shaped craniomaxillofacial bone defects. Recently, we innovated on osteoinductive poly(ε-caprolactone)-diacrylate (PCL-DA) shape memory polymers (SMPs) to incorporate poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) into the PCL-DA network, forming a semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN). Scaffolds formed from these PCL-DA/PLLA semi-IPNs display stiffnesses within the range of trabecular bone and accelerated degradation relative to scaffolds formed from slowly degrading PCL-DA SMPs.

Heuristic assessment of choices for risk network control.

Data-driven risk networks describe many complex system dynamics arising in fields such as epidemiology and ecology. They lack explicit dynamics and have multiple sources of cost, both of which are beyond the current scope of traditional control theory. We construct the global economy risk network by combining the consensus of experts from the World Economic Forum with risk activation data to define its topology and interactions.

Evaluation of classification methods for identifying multiwalled carbon nanotubes collected on mixed cellulose ester filter media.

Enhanced darkfield microscopy (EDFM) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) are being evaluated as a potential rapid screening modality to reduce the time-to-knowledge for direct visualisation and analysis of filter media used to sample nanoparticulate from work environments, as compared to the current analytical gold standard of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Here, we compare accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity of several hyperspectral classification models and data preprocessing techniques to determine how to most effectively identify multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in hyperspectral images. Several classification schemes were identified that are capable of classifying pixels as MWCNT(+) or MWCNT(-) in hyperspectral images with specificity and sensitivity over 99% on the test dataset.

Hyperosmolar Ionic Solutions Modulate Inflammatory Phenotype and sGAG Loss in a Cartilage Explant Model.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of hyperosmolar sodium (Na), lithium (Li) and potassium (K) on catabolic and inflammatory osteoarthritis (OA) markers and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) loss in TNF-α-stimulated cartilage explants.

Methods: Explants from bovine stifle joints were stimulated with TNF-α for 1 day to induce cartilage degradation followed by supplementation with 50 mM potassium chloride (KCl), 50 mM lithium chloride (LiCl), 50 mM sodium chloride (NaCl), or 100 nM dexamethasone for an additional 6 days. We assessed the effect of TNF-α stimulation and hyperosmolar ionic treatment on sGAG loss and expression of OA-associated proteins: ADAMTS-5, COX-2, MMP-1, MMP-13, and VEGF.

Hydroporator: a hydrodynamic cell membrane perforator for high-throughput vector-free nanomaterial intracellular delivery and DNA origami biostability evaluation.

The successful intracellular delivery of exogenous macromolecules is crucial for a variety of applications ranging from basic biology to the clinic. However, traditional intracellular delivery methods such as those relying on viral/non-viral nanocarriers or physical membrane disruptions suffer from low throughput, toxicity, and inconsistent delivery performance and are time-consuming and/or labor-intensive. In this study, we developed a single-step hydrodynamic cell deformation-induced intracellular delivery platform named "hydroporator" without the aid of vectors or a complicated/costly external apparatus.

Mechanical confinement via a PEG/Collagen interpenetrating network inhibits behavior characteristic of malignant cells in the triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA.MB.231.

Unlabelled: To decouple the effects of collagen fiber density and network mechanics on cancer cell behavior, we describe a highly tunable in vitro 3D interpenetrating network (IPN) consisting of a primary fibrillar collagen network reinforced by a secondary visible light-mediated thiol-ene poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) network. This PEG/Collagen IPN platform is cytocompatible, inherently bioactive via native cellular adhesion sites, and mechanically tunable over several orders of magnitude-mimicking both healthy and cancerous breast tissue. Furthermore, we use the PEG/Collagen IPN platform to investigate the effect of mechanical confinement on cancer cell behavior as it is hypothesized that cells within tumors that have yet to invade into the surrounding tissue experience mechanical confinement.

DIY 3D Microparticle Generation from Next Generation Optofluidic Fabrication.

Complex-shaped microparticles can enhance applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and structural materials, although techniques to fabricate these particles remain limited. A microfluidics-based process called optofluidic fabrication that utilizes inertial flows and ultraviolet polymerization has shown great potential for creating highly 3D-shaped particles in a high-throughput manner, but the particle dimensions are mainly at the millimeter scale. Here, a next generation optofluidic fabrication process is presented that utilizes on-the-fly fabricated multiscale fluidic channels producing customized sub-100 µm 3D-shaped microparticles.

Evolution of threats in the global risk network.

With a steadily growing population and rapid advancements in technology, the global economy is increasing in size and complexity. This growth exacerbates global vulnerabilities and may lead to unforeseen consequences such as global pandemics fueled by air travel, cyberspace attacks, and cascading failures caused by the weakest link in a supply chain. Hence, a quantitative understanding of the mechanisms driving global network vulnerabilities is urgently needed.

Polarized, Cobblestone, Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Maturation on a Synthetic PEG Matrix.

Cell attachment is essential for the growth and polarization of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Currently, surface coatings derived from biological proteins are used as the gold standard for cell culture. However, downstream processing and purification of these biological products can be cumbersome and expensive.

Inertial Microfluidic Cell Stretcher (iMCS): Fully Automated, High-Throughput, and Near Real-Time Cell Mechanotyping.

Mechanical biomarkers associated with cytoskeletal structures have been reported as powerful label-free cell state identifiers. In order to measure cell mechanical properties, traditional biophysical (e.g.

Fundamental Characterization of the Micellar Self-Assembly of Sophorolipid Esters.

Surfactants are ubiquitous constituents of commercial and biological systems that function based on complex structure-dependent interactions. Sophorolipid (SL) n-alkyl esters (SL-esters) comprise a group of modified naturally derived glycolipids from Candida bombicola. Herein, micellar self-assembly behavior as a function of SL-ester chain length was studied.

CAL-B catalyzed regioselective bulk polymerization of l-aspartic acid diethyl ester to α-linked polypeptides.

This paper reports that the bulk polymerization of l-aspartic acid diethyl ester catalyzed by immobilized CAL-B at 80 °C for 24 h gives primarily (∼95%) α-linked poly(l-aspartate) in 70% yield with DP = 50 and regioselectivity (α/β) = 94 : 6. Plots of log{[M]/[M]} vs. time and DPvs.

Impact ejecta at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary.

Extraterrestrial impacts have left a substantial imprint on the climate and evolutionary history of Earth. A rapid carbon cycle perturbation and global warming event about 56 million years ago at the Paleocene-Eocene (P-E) boundary (the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum) was accompanied by rapid expansions of mammals and terrestrial plants and extinctions of deep-sea benthic organisms. Here, we report the discovery of silicate glass spherules in a discrete stratigraphic layer from three marine P-E boundary sections on the Atlantic margin.

Effect of Sophorolipid n-Alkyl Ester Chain Length on Its Interfacial Properties at the Almond Oil-Water Interface.

Sophorolipids (SLs), produced by Candida bombicola, are of interest as potential replacements for hazardous commercial surfactants. For the first time, a series of molecularly edited SLs with ethyl (EE), n-hexyl (HE), and n-decyl (DE) esters were evaluated at an oil (almond oil)-water interface for their ability to reduce interfacial tension (IFT) and generate stable emulsions. An increase in the n-alkyl ester chain length from ethyl to hexyl resulted in a maximum % decrease in the IFT from 86.

Non-spherical particle generation from 4D optofluidic fabrication.

Particles with non-spherical shapes can exhibit properties which are not available from spherical shaped particles. Complex shaped particles can provide unique benefits for areas such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, structural materials, and self-assembly building blocks. Current methods of creating complex shaped particles such as 3D printing, photolithography, and imprint lithography are limited by either slow speeds, shape limitations, or expensive processes.

Correction: Continuous inertial microparticle and blood cell separation in straight channels with local microstructures.

Correction for 'Continuous inertial microparticle and blood cell separation in straight channels with local microstructures' by Zhenlong Wu et al., Lab Chip, 2016, 16, 532-542.

Continuous inertial microparticle and blood cell separation in straight channels with local microstructures.

Fluid inertia which has conventionally been neglected in microfluidics has been gaining much attention for particle and cell manipulation because inertia-based methods inherently provide simple, passive, precise and high-throughput characteristics. Particularly, the inertial approach has been applied to blood separation for various biomedical research studies mainly using spiral microchannels. For higher throughput, parallelization is essential; however, it is difficult to realize using spiral channels because of their large two dimensional layouts.

Supporting novel biomedical research via multilayer collaboration networks.

The value of research containing novel combinations of molecules can be seen in many innovative and award-winning research programs. Despite calls to use innovative approaches to address common diseases, an increasing majority of research funding goes toward "safe" incremental research. Counteracting this trend by nurturing novel and potentially transformative scientific research is challenging and it must be supported in competition with established research programs.

Poly(ω-pentadecalactone)--poly(l-lactide) Block Copolymers via Organic-Catalyzed Ring Opening Polymerization and Potential Applications.

Poly(pentadecalactone)--poly(l-lactide) (PPDL--PLLA) diblock copolymers were prepared via the organic catalyzed ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide (l-LA) from PPDL macroinitiators using either 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) or 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.

Poly(sophorolipid) structural variation: effects on biomaterial physical and biological properties.

Diacetylated lactonic sophorolipids (polyLSL[6'Ac,6″Ac]), a biosurfactant, can be efficiently polymerized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). In this paper, enzyme-mediated chemical transformations are developed to regioselectively modify LSL[6'Ac,6″Ac] at sophorose primary hydroxyl positions (6' and 6″). The resulting modified LSLs were polymerized to expand polyLSL structural diversity, that is, polyLSL[6'OH,6″Ac], polyLSL[6'OH,6″OH], polyLSL[6'Bu,6″Ac], polyLSL[6'N3,6″Ac], and polyLSL[6'MA,6″Ac].