Search

Individual electron–nuclear spin systems in solids are promising platforms for implementation of second-generation quantum technologies. The recognized leader among such systems is the negatively charged nitrogen–vacancy color center (NV center) in diamond with hyperfine coupling to nuclear spins of carbon-13 (13C), which are widely used as a quantum memory in emerging quantum technologies because of their weak interaction with the environment. Recently, pairs of 13C–13C nuclei (dimers) in diamond with NV centers have been proposed and actively studied for this purpose because they have extremely long coherence times (minutes at room temperature) in the singlet state. The eigenstates of the spin Hamiltonian of the NV–13C–13C system were found and used to calculate the probabilities of EPR transitions between nuclear-spin sublevels of NV-center states with electron spin projections mS = 0 and mS = –1. The obtained expressions form the basis for choosing the optimal parameters of microwave and radiofrequency pulses transforming a particular dimer into the singlet state. An example of such a prediction for a specific NV–13C–13C spin system using data for the spatial positions of the 13C spins and the internal spin–spin couplings obtained earlier by quantum chemistry methods is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Since the advent of HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), stigma has been shown to be a major barrier to its uptake and adherence. It is therefore essential to define the proportion of users who consider that PrEP can negatively impact their image and the factors associated with this perception. Method: We performed a multivariable logistic regression on data from the 2567 participants in the ANRS‐PREVENIR study who answered the outcome question. Results: Almost one‐third of the sample (comprising mostly cisgender men who have sex with men [94.3%]) considered that taking PrEP could give others a negative image of them. Younger participants (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97–0.99) and more psychologically vulnerable participants (i.e., lower self‐esteem score [aOR 0.98; 95% CI 0.96–0.99] and higher depression score [aOR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00–1.03]) were also more likely to have this perception. In contrast, participants encouraged to take PrEP by their main partner (aOR 0.67; 95% CI 0.51–0.88) and friends (aOR 0.79; 95% CI 0.66–0.95), and those who protected themselves more because they had knowledge of their most recent sexual partner's HIV status (aOR 0.83; 95% CI 0.69–0.99) and systematic use of PrEP and/or condoms during intercourse in the previous 3 months (aOR 0.80; 95% CI 0.67–0.96) were less likely to have this perception. Discussion: Given the strong interrelation between stigmatization (real or perceived), risky behaviours and adherence, our results emphasize the need for HIV prevention campaigns to promote a positive image of PrEP users. They also show that stigmatization and its effects need to be fully considered to improve HIV prevention offers to current and potential PrEP users who are most likely to be psychologically vulnerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different quantification methods for in vitro amylolysis were compared for individual chickpea and lentil cotyledon cells (ICC) as a relevant case study. For the first time, much-applied spectrophotometric methods relying on the quantification of certain functional groups (i.e., DNS, GOPOD) were compared to chromatographic quantification of starch metabolites (HPLC-ELSD). The estimated rate constant and linked initial rates of amylolysis were highly correlated for DNS, GOPOD, and HPLC-ELSD. However, absolute amylolysis levels depended on the applied method and sample-specific metabolite formation patterns. Multiresponse modelling was employed to further investigate HPLC-ELSD metabolite formation patterns. This delivered insight into the relative importance of different amylolysis reactions during in vitro digestion of pulse ICC, proving that maltotriose and maltose formation determined the overall amylolysis rate in this case. Multiresponse reaction rate constants of maltotriose and maltose formation were highly correlated to single response amylolysis rate constants (and initial rates) obtained for all three quantification methods. [Display omitted] • In vitro amylolysis quantification methods DNS, GOPOD and HPLC-ELSD were compared. • Quantification results were highly correlated, though extents were method-dependent. • HPLC-ELSD delivered in-depth insight into starch metabolite formation patterns. • Multiresponse modelling provided insight into amylolysis reactions. • Maltose and maltotriose formation are rate-determining for pulse cell amylolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Semi-dynamic models allow to mimic certain physiological relevant digestion factors. • A multireactor system was introduced to simulate semi-dynamic digestion conditions. • The "MuReDi" system allows to produce repeatable data for two distinct food types. • Digestion kinetics alter when changing from static to semi-dynamic conditions. • Semi-dynamic digestion should give more physiologically relevant digestion kinetics. In this work, a multireactor system to study digestion (MuReDi) kinetics is introduced. For this, a custom-made automated system with four independent syringe pumps (BioXplorer 100, H.E.L Group) was acquired. This system consists of multiple, small-scale reactors allowing to study digestion as a function of time and thus to determine digestion kinetics. The different digestion conditions used in the oral, gastric, and small intestinal phase were based on the digestion protocols published by the INFOGEST consortium. We showed that the minimum working volume of a reactor is 30 mL. Besides, repeatability of the digestion kinetics was shown for two food systems: a liquid Ensure® Plus Vanilla drink, and a solid, cooked lentil sample. When comparing static digestion kinetics with semi-dynamic ones, a significantly different digestion pattern was observed. In the static case, a relatively fast hydrolysis rate was observed until a clear plateau was reached. Oppositely, for the semi-dynamic case, a delayed start of the hydrolysis process was noticed. In the gastric phase, this was explained by the decreasing pH and the large pH dependency of pepsin activity. In the small intestine, the lag phase was relatively shorter, yet clearly present. Here we related it to the gradual enzyme (and bile salt) secretion that had to diffuse towards the substrate before hydrolysis could start. Generally, this work showed that the MuReDi system could be used to perform a semi-dynamic digestion approach which largely impacted the overall digestion kinetics. This is important to consider in future in vitro food digestion simulation work to come closer to physiologically relevant digestion kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the development and progression of sporadic tumors multiple tumor suppressor genes are inactivated that may be distinct from predisposing cancer genes. Previously, a tumor suppressor locus on human chromosome 13q14 that is distinct from the retinoblastoma predisposing gene 1 (RB1) has been identified in lung, head and neck, breast, ovarian and prostate tumors. By an approach that combines genomic difference cloning and positional cloning we isolated the cDNA of a novel gene (DICE1) located at 13q14.12-14.2. The DICE1 gene is highly conserved in evolution and its mRNA is expressed in a wide variety of fetal and adult tissues. The DICE1 cDNA encodes a predicted protein of 887 amino acids corresponding to an 100 kD protein that shows 92.9% identity to the carboxy-terminal half of the mouse EGF repeat transmembrane protein DBI-1. The DBI-1 protein interferes with the mitogenic response to insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) and is presumably involved in anchorage-dependent growth. When compared to normal lung tissue expression of the DICE1 mRNA was reduced or undetectable in the majority of non-small cell lung carcinomas analysed. The location of the DICE1 gene in the region of allelic loss, its high evolutionary conservation and the downregulation of expression in carcinoma cells suggests that DICE1 is a candidate tumor suppressor gene in non-small cell lung carcinomas and possibly in other sporadic carcinomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indium-substituted strontium hexaferrites were prepared by the conventional solid-phase reaction method. Neutron diffraction patterns were obtained at room temperature and analyzed using the Rietveld methods. A linear dependence of the unit cell parameters is found. In3+ cations are located mainly in octahedral positions of 4fVI and 12 k. The average crystallite size varies within 0.84–0.65 μm. With increasing substitution, the TC Curie temperature decreases monotonically down to ~ 520 K. ZFC and FC measurements showed a frustrated state. Upon substitution, the average and maximum sizes of ferrimagnetic clusters change in the opposite direction. The Mr remanent magnetization decreases down to ~ 20.2 emu/g at room temperature. The Ms spontaneous magnetization and the keff effective magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant are determined. With increasing substitution, the maximum of the ε/ real part of permittivity decreases in magnitude from ~ 3.3 to ~ 1.9 and shifts towards low frequencies from ~ 45.5 GHz to ~ 37.4 GHz. The maximum of the tg(α) dielectric loss tangent decreases from ~ 1.0 to ~ 0.7 and shifts towards low frequencies from ~ 40.6 GHz to ~ 37.3 GHz. The low-frequency maximum of the μ/ real part of permeability decreases from ~ 1.8 to ~ 0.9 and slightly shifts towards high frequencies up to ~ 34.7 GHz. The maximum of the tg(δ) magnetic loss tangent decreases from ~ 0.7 to ~ 0.5 and shifts slightly towards low frequencies from ~ 40.5 GHz to ~ 37.7 GHz. The discussion of microwave properties is based on the saturation magnetization, natural ferromagnetic resonance and dielectric polarization types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most promising platforms to implement quantum technologies are coupled electron-nuclear spins in diamond in which the electrons of paramagnetic color centers play a role of "fast" qubits, while nuclear spins of nearby 13C atoms can store quantum information for a very long time due to their exceptionally high isolation from the environment. Essential prerequisite for a high-fidelity spin manipulation in these systems with tailored control pulse sequences is a complete knowledge of hyperfine interactions. Development of this understanding for the negatively charged "silicon-vacancy" (SiV–) and neutral (SiV0) color center, is a primary goal of this article, where we are presenting shortly our recent results of computer simulation of spatial and hyperfine characteristics of these SiV centers in H-terminated cluster C128[SiV]H98 along with their comparison with available experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider centralized networks composed of multiple satellites arranged around a few dominating super-egoistic centers. These so-called empires are organized using a divide and rule framework enforcing strong center–satellite interactions while keeping the pairwise interactions between the satellites sufficiently weak. We present a stochastic stability analysis, in which we consider these dynamical systems as stable if the centers have sufficient resources while the satellites have no value. Our model is based on a Hopfield type network that proved its significance in the field of artificial intelligence. Using this model, it is shown that the divide and rule framework provides important advantages: it allows for completely controlling the dynamics in a straight-forward way by adjusting center–satellite interactions. Moreover, it is shown that such empires should only have a single ruling center to provide sufficient stability. To survive, empires should have switching mechanisms implementing adequate behavior models by choosing appropriate local attractors in order to correctly respond to internal and external challenges. By an analogy with Bose–Einstein condensation, we show that if the noise correlations are negative for each pair of nodes, then the most stable structure with respect to noise is a globally connected network. For social systems, we show that controllability by their centers is only possible if the centers evolve slowly. Except for short periods when the state approaches a certain stable state, the development of such structures is very slow and negatively correlated with the size of the system's structure. Hence, increasing size eventually ends up in the "control trap." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "germanium-vacancy" (GeV) center in diamond can be used as Temperature Sensors. The idea of GeV-based thermometry is based on optical measurements of the spectral shift of the zero-phonon line and its spectral width as a function of temperature changes. At the same time optical characteristics of GeV center which is located near-surface could be modified by formation of defect states in the band gap based on surface impurities and dangling bonds. The electronic structure of the GeV center determines its optical properties. The goal of this study was to investigate comparatively the geometric characteristics and electronic structure of the GeV center in the volume and near-surface (100) of nanodiamond in cluster approximation. It was shown for the first time that formation of isolated dangling bond on the (100) diamond surface leads to formation of unoccupied state in the band gap in vicinity of 1 eV, which is located on the distance of 1.9 eV of conduction band edge. This state in the band gap may influence optical properties of GeV in diamond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ni-Fe coatings with various structure were obtained via controlled electrodeposition. • A nonlinear change in hardness was found during the study by nanoindentation. • The explanation was found in the nature of elastoplastic energy relaxation. • Strong correlation between microstructure and deformation mechanisms was found. • The possibilities of the surface and volume hardening of material was shown. This article contains the study of correlation between the microstructure, mechanical properties and mechanisms of elastoplastic deformation of Ni-Fe coatings that were grown in five electrodeposition modes and had fundamentally different microstructures. A nonlinear change in hardness was detected using nanoindentation. Explanation of the abnormal change in hardness was found in the nature of the relaxation method of elastoplastic energy under load. It is shown that the deformation of coatings with a grain size of 100 nm or more occurs due to dislocation slip. A decrease in grain size leads to the predominance of deformation due to rotations and sliding of grains, as well as surface and grain boundary diffusion. The effect of deformation mechanisms on the nanoscale hardness of Ni-Fe coatings was established. Full hardening of the coatings (both in the bulk and on the surface) was achieved while maintaining the balance of three mechanisms of elastoplastic deformation in the sample. Unique coatings consisting of two fractions of grains (70% of nano-grains and 30% of their agglomerates) demonstrate high crack resistance and full-depth hardening up to H = 7.4 GPa due to the release of deformation energy for amorphization and agglomeration of nanograins. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The STEREO mission’s Education and Outreach (E/PO) program began early enough its team benefited from many lessons learned as NASA’s E/PO profession matured. Originally made up of discrete programs, by launch the STEREO E/PO program had developed into a quality suite containing all the program elements now considered standard: education workshops, teacher/student guides, national and international collaboration, etc. The benefit of bringing so many unique programs together is the resulting diverse portfolio, with scientists, E/PO professionals, and their education partners all of whom can focus on excellent smaller programs. The drawback is a less cohesive program nearly impossible to evaluate in its entirety with the given funding. When individual components were evaluated, we found our programs mostly made positive impact. In this paper, we elaborate on the programs, hoping that others will effectively use or improve upon them. When possible, we indicate the programs’ effects on their target audiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a detailed review of the calibration of the LASCO C3 coronagraph on the SOHO satellite. Most of the calibration has been in place since early in the mission and has been utilized to varying degrees as required by specific analysis efforts. However, using observational data from the nearly decade-long database of LASCO images, we have re-evaluated and improved many aspects of the calibration. This includes the photometric calibration, vignetting function, geometric distortion, stray light, and exposure and observation times. Using this comprehensive set of corrections we have generated and made available a set of calibrated coronal images along with a set of periodic background images to ease the accessibility and use of the LASCO database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method for the specific surface energy investigation based on a combination of the force spectroscopy and the method of nanofriction study using atomic force microscopy was proposed. It was shown that air humidity does not affect the results of investigation by the proposed method as opposed to the previously used methods. Therefore, the method has high accuracy and repeatability in air without use of climate chambers and liquid cells. The proposed method has a high local resolution and is suitable for investigation of the specific surface energy of individual nanograins or fixed nanoparticles. The achievements described in the paper demonstrate one of the method capabilities, which is to control the growth mechanism of thin magnetic films. The conditions for the transition of the growth mechanism of thin Ni80Fe20 films from island to layer-by-layer obtained via electrolyte deposition have been determined using the proposed method and the purpose made probes with Ni coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination coverage against hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and human papillomaviruses (HPV) is insufficient among men who have sex with men (MSM), partly because of their high prevalence of vaccine hesitancy (VH) specific to these vaccines. This study aimed to investigate determinants of specific VH in MSM, focusing on characteristics of their sexual activity, propensity to use prevention tools and medical care, disclosure of sexual orientation to health care professionals (HCPs), and perceived stigmatization. A cross-sectional electronic survey (February - August 2022) collected perceptions of HBV, HAV, and HPV, and of their respective vaccines among 3,730 French MSM and enabled the construction of a specific VH variable. Using agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis, we constructed a typology of MSM sexual and prevention practices. We identified three MSM clusters (low- (C1, 24%), moderate- (C2, 41%), and high- (C3, 35%) "sexual activity/medical engagement") that showed an increasing gradient in the use of medical prevention with regular medical care and exposure to high-risk sexual practices. A multiple ordinal logistic regression showed that overall specific VH was higher in the C1 cluster and in men who had not informed their physician of their sexual orientation. This typology could usefully help to adapt vaccination communication strategies for MSM prevention program according to patients' profiles. HCPs should be encouraged and trained to ask men about their sexual practices and to provide appropriate vaccination recommendations nonjudgmentally.

Forests worldwide are under increasing pressure from climate change and emerging diseases, threatening their vital ecological and economic roles. Traditional breeding approaches, while valuable, are inherently slow and limited by the long generation times and existing genetic variation of trees. CRISPR technologies offer a transformative solution, enabling precise and efficient genome editing to accelerate the development of climate-resilient and productive forests. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CRISPR applications in forestry, exploring its potential for enhancing disease resistance, improving abiotic stress tolerance, modifying wood properties, and accelerating growth. We discuss the mechanisms and applications of various CRISPR systems, including base editing, prime editing, and multiplexing strategies. Additionally, we highlight recent advances in overcoming key challenges such as reagent delivery and plant regeneration, which are crucial for successful implementation of CRISPR in trees. We also delve into the potential and ethical considerations of using CRISPR gene drive for population-level genetic alterations, as well as the importance of genetic containment strategies for mitigating risks. This review emphasizes the need for continued research, technological advancements, extensive long-term field trials, public engagement, and responsible innovation to fully harness the power of CRISPR for shaping a sustainable future for forests.