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Since about a decade, metal-induced energy transfer (MIET) has become a tool to measure the distance of fluorophores to a metal-coated surface with nanometer accuracy. The energy transfer from a fluorescent molecule to surface plasmons within a metal film results in the acceleration of its radiative decay rate. This can be observed as a reduction of the molecule’s fluorescence lifetime which can be easily measured with standard microscopy equipment. The achievable distance resolution is in the nanometer range, over a total range of about 200 nm. The method is perfectly compatible with biological and even live cell samples. In this review, we will summarize the theoretical and technical details of the method and present the most important results that have been obtained using MIET. We will also show how the latest technical developments can contribute to improving MIET, and we sketch some interesting directions for its future applications in the life sciences.

One of the key phenomena that determine the fluorescence of nanocrystals is the nonradiative Auger-Meitner recombination of excitons. This nonradiative rate affects the nanocrystals' fluorescence intensity, excited state lifetime, and quantum yield. Whereas most of the above properties can be directly measured, the quantum yield is the most difficult to assess. Here we place semiconductor nanocrystals inside a tunable plasmonic nanocavity with subwavelength spacing and modulate their radiative de-excitation rate by changing the cavity size. This allows us to determine absolute values of their fluorescence quantum yield under specific excitation conditions. Moreover, as expected considering the enhanced Auger-Meitner rate for higher multiple excited states, increasing the excitation rate reduces the quantum yield of the nanocrystals.

The purpose of this study is to improve the methods for assessing the efficiency of innovation activity of an enterprise. The paper proposes a system of economic indicators to assess the market attractiveness of innovation projects and the readiness of the enterprise to implement them. Using these indicators, it is possible to predict the potential of an innovative product on the market, as well as to determine the financial and economic opportunities of the enterprise. The presented methods for assessing the impact of innovations on the development efficiency of the enterprise’s economic activities allow determining the growth rates of the main economic indicators of the organization. The developed mechanism for a comprehensive assessment of the implementation of innovations at the enterprise allows determining the commercial effectiveness of the introduction of innovations and the impact of new technologies on the intercompany results of the enterprise, resulting in the possibility of taking into account the commercial and intercompany efficiency of investment in projects.

We consider interval geometric modeling of complex multi parametric systems having a set of parameters of different character. Some of the parameters may have interval indefiniteness. System information basis is incomplete one. The processed information depends on continuous, discrete and conventional data. Geometric model has a form of matrix and each element of it corresponds to some state of the system. Each state is described by interval function of continuous input and output parameters. The set of interval functions generates some discrete set of multidimensional surfaces in discrete space. We use this approach and our modeling algorithm to find predictive model of drape coefficient. The algorithm is based on linear approximation of numerical factors in factor spaces. Interval functions make it possible for us to vary some numerical factors within the given intervals. As an example, the interval model of fabric drape coefficient is found. Fabric thickness and closeness of texture are considered as input parameters.

The paper is devoted to the study of methodological approaches to the assessment of capitalization of construction enterprises. The main objective of the study is the development of a strategy map of the enterprise, focused on the growth of its capitalization. The analysis of typology of capitalization mechanisms of companies is presented; author's recommendations on the arrangement of the financial mechanism of the company's fundamental capitalization are given. Theoretical approaches are considered and the influence of external and internal factors on the process of increasing the value of enterprises of the construction industry is determined. The mechanisms of capitalization are revealed and systematized due to the analysis of expansion of construction enterprises. The developed strategy map allows us to graphically identify the key factors that influence the creation of a high level of capitalization.

One of the primary theories regarding the development of schizophrenia revolves around genetics, indicating the involvement of hereditary factors in various processes, including inflammation. Research has demonstrated that inflammatory reactions occurring in microglia can impact the progression of the disease. It has also been established that genetically determined changes in IL-1 can contribute to schizophrenia, thereby confirming the role of the IL-1 gene cluster in disease susceptibility. The aim of this study is a computer-based assessment of the structural interactions of IL-1 proteins with their receptors in schizophrenia. The study utilized the DisGeNET database, enabling the assessment of the reliability of identified IL-1 polymorphisms. Polymorphisms were also sought using NCBI PubMed. The NCBI Protein service was employed to search for and analyze the position of the identified polymorphisms on the chromosome. Structures for modeling were extracted from the Protein Data Bank database. Protein modeling was conducted using the SWISS-MODEL server, and protein interaction modeling was performed using PRISM. Notably, this study represents the first prediction of the interactions of IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL- 1RA proteins, taking into account the presence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with schizophrenia in the sequence of the corresponding genes. The results indicate that the presence of SNP rs315952 in the IL-1RA protein gene, associated with schizophrenia, may lead to a weakening of the IL-1RA binding to receptors, potentially triggering the initiation of the IL-1 signaling pathway by disrupting or weakening the IL-1RA binding to receptors and facilitating the binding of IL-1 to them. Such alterations could potentially lead to a change in the immune response. The data obtained contribute theoretically to the development of ideas about the molecular mechanisms through which hereditary factors in schizophrenia influence the interactions of proteins of the IL-1 family, which play an important role in the processes of the immune system.

Crack resistance of two types of glass was studied – cover glass (0.17 mm thick) and slide glass (2 mm thick) using an improved technique through the use of the probe methods, which makes it possible to increase the accuracy of determining the crack resistance of glass. Colorless silicate glass was used. Crack resistance was determined by the Vickers pyramid indentation method. Microstructure of glasses surface and deformation region after indentation were studied using an atomic force microscope. Mechanical properties of glasses were determined by nanoindentation. Surface relief of a glass slide is rougher than that one of a cover glass. Roughness Rz for a cover glass is less than for a slide glass. Specific surface energy value of 0.26 N/m is higher for the slide glass compared to the coverslip. One elastic modulus value E of the cover glass is 48 GPa, and that one of the slide glass is 58 GPa. The microhardness value H is almost the same for by the glasses and amounts to 6.7 GPa for a slide glass and 6.4 GPa for a cover glass. Atomic force microscope images of deformation region after indentation with a Vickers pyramid show that the first cracks appear at a load of 1 N on the slide glass, and at 2 N on the cover glass. At a load of 3 N, the cover glass is destroyed. Based on the results of crack resistance calculations it was found that critical stress intensity coefficient KIC values are 1.42 MPa∙m1/2 for a glass slide, and 1.10 MPa∙m1/2 for a cover glass.

As a result of anthropogenic activities, the environment is polluted by heavy metals. The most important task is to find methods to control their content in water. Track-etched membranes (TeMs) can be relatively easily modified by nanometer layers of functional materials with using the Langmuir‒Blodgett technique, which makes it possible to specifically change the structural, selective properties of the membrane surface and obtain new materials with desired properties. The aim of the work was to develop flexible sensors for the analysis of lead ions in water based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) TeMs with perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) nanolayers. Techniques for modifying TeMs based on PET with a monolayer coating based on PFDA by the Langmuir‒Blodgett method, and with two-layer coatings, formed by soaking PET TeMs/PFDA in xylenol orange solutions have been developed. The microstructure and local mechanical properties of the sensor surface were studied by atomic force microscopy, and the wettability and values of the specific surface energy of PET TeMs before and after modification were evaluated using the ''sessile'' drop method. Based on the measurement of electrochemical characteristics, it was found that PET TeMs/PFDA have a higher response of electrochemical characteristics compared to PET TeMs and PET TeMs/PFDA/XO. The limit of detection for lead ions in aqueous solutions at pH = 12 was of 0.652 µg/l within 5 measurements.

Nickel films of 40 nm thickness were obtained by means of magnetron sputtering on a single-crystalline silicon substrate. The films were subjected to rapid thermal treatment (RTT) for 7 s until the temperature increased from 200 to 550 °C. By means of the X-ray diffraction method, the structural-phase composition of nickel films before and after RTT was explored. The atomic force microscopy method due to direct contact with the surface under study, made it possible to accurately define the microstructure, roughness, specific surface energy and grain size of the nickel films before and after RTT, as well as to establish the relationship of these parameters with the phase composition and electrical properties of the films. Surface specific resistance was measured using the four-probe method. Based on XRD results, formation of Ni2Si and NiSi phases in the film was ascertained after RTT at 300 °C. At RTT 350–550 °C, only the NiSi phase was formed in the film. The microstructure and grain size significantly depend on the phase composition of the films. A correlation has been established between specific surface energy and resistivity with the average grain size after RTT at 350–550 °C, which is associated with the formation and constant restructuring of the crystal structure of the NiSi phase.

Summary: Collective cell migration is an emergent phenomenon, with long-range cell-cell communication influenced by various factors, including transmission of forces, viscoelasticity of individual cells, substrate interactions, and mechanotransduction. We investigate how alterations in cell-substrate distance fluctuations, cell-substrate adhesion, and traction forces impact the average velocity and temporal-spatial correlation of confluent monolayers formed by either wild-type (WT) MDCKII cells or zonula occludens (ZO)-1/2-depleted MDCKII cells (double knockdown [dKD]) representing highly contractile cells. The data indicate that confluent dKD monolayers exhibit decreased average velocity compared to less contractile WT cells concomitant with increased substrate adhesion, reduced traction forces, a more compact shape, diminished cell-cell interactions, and reduced cell-substrate distance fluctuations. Depletion of basal actin and myosin further supports the notion that short-range cell-substrate interactions, particularly fluctuations driven by basal actomyosin, significantly influence the migration speed of the monolayer on a larger length scale.

The influence of temperature in the range from 20 to 100 °C on the specific surface energy and fracture toughness of standard silicon wafers of three orientations (100), (110) and (111) was studied. Silicon wafers were heated on a special thermal platform with an autonomous heating controller, which was installed under the samples. At each temperature, the samples were kept for 10 min. The specific surface energy γ after exposure to temperature was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Fracture toughness during and after exposure to temperature was determined by indentation followed by visualization of the deformation region using AFM. It has been established that the specific surface energy γ of Si wafers with orientation (100) and (111) increases with increasing temperature from 20 to 100 °C, and for orientation (110) it increases at temperatures from 20 to 80 °C, and then decreases. The diagonal length d of indentation marks, performed both during the heating process and after heating, decreases by increasing the temperature from 20 to 100 °C. The crack length c decreases on silicon wafers during indentation during heating from 20 to 100 °C, and after exposure to temperature, the length increases. When the plates are exposed to temperature, the fracture toughness KIC increases with increasing temperature: for orientation (100) – up to 1.61 ± 0.08 MPa·m1/2, for (110) – up to 1.60 ± 0.08 MPa·m1/2 and for (111) – up to 1.66 ± 0.04 MPa·m1/2. A direct correlation was established between KIC, measured during exposure to temperature, and an inverse correlation between KIC measured after exposure to temperature and specific surface energy for the (100) and (111) orientations. An inverse correlation was obtained by KIC at the (110) orientation when exposed to temperatures of 20–40 and 80–100 °C, and after exposure, a direct correlation was obtained. At 60 °C there is no correlation. The results obtained can be used to improve the mechanical properties of silicon wafers used in solar cells and microelectromechanical systems (operating at temperatures up to 100 °C).

A preprocessing technique named “spiral annealing” was applied for the first time to magnetic microwires. In this process, the sample was arranged in a flat spiral shape during annealing, and subsequent measurements were conducted on the unbent sample with the induced stress distribution along and transverse to the sample. The research utilized both magnetic and magneto-optical methods. The anisotropy field magnitude in both the volume and surface of the microwire was measured, and for the first time, a direct correlation between the anisotropy field and the curvature of a spirally annealed microwire was established. Additionally, a connection between the type of surface domain structure and the degree of spiral curvature was identified. The preservation of the distribution of spiral annealing-induced magnetic properties both along and across the microwire is a key effect influencing the technological application of the microwire. The range of induced curvature within which a specific helical magnetic structure can exist was also determined. This insight links the conditions of spiral annealing to the selection of microwires as active elements in magnetic sensors.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, teachers must rely on technology to reach and teach their students who no longer sit in school classrooms. In so doing, chasms in the quality of engagement have become evident based on students' ability, ethnicity, and home language. We propose that co-teaching between a mentor teacher and a teacher candidate could mediate opportunities for two adults to equitably instruct all students in structured and productive ways within virtual educational environments. This article describes implementation of co-teaching experiences between teacher candidates and mentor teachers through virtual instruction by using video-based conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom). We describe six co-teaching models and explain how they can support the needs of diverse learners in virtual educational environments.

Background: A pivotal objective in crop production and plant protection lies in developing environmentally friendly insecticidal preparations and biostimulants. Methods: We employed Bacillus thuringiensis strains with varied insecticidal spectra and engineered melanogenic mutants. Results: We demonstrated a significant increase in insecticidal activity in the isolated mutants. Meanwhile, there was no observable impact of the enhanced synthesis of water-soluble melanin on the nature and abundance of spore and crystal formation. This heightened efficacy can be attributed to the photoprotective qualities of the synthesized pigment, shielding spores and crystals against the detrimental effects of UV radiation and insolation. We demonstrated the high biological activity of water-soluble bacterial melanin through in vivo experiments involving multiple plant species. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that bacterial melanin is a potent phytostimulant. This preparation accelerates and amplifies plant growth and development processes, leading to a substantial increase in crop yield by 20–40%. The simultaneous synthesis of two biologically active substance, melanin and insecticidal toxins, ensures an elevated level of effectiveness in utilizing melaninogenic strains.

We report the results of the investigation of domain walls propagation in Fe-rich and Co-rich microwires performed using Sixtus-Tonks and magneto-optical Kerr effect techniques. It was found that under certain experimental conditions we are able to create the regime of the motion of two domain walls moving to opposite directions which terminates by the collision of the domain walls. Also the domain walls collision was visualized using magneto-optical Kerr effect microscope when the surface giant Barkhausen jump induced by circular magnetic field has been observed.

Student-teaching field placements play an important role in preparing teacher candidates, many of whom rate the practice as the most authentic and relevant learning experience associated with their teacher-education programs. As a part of these field experiences, teacher candidates have opportunities to learn instructional and class management strategies from mentor teachers. These placements also provide opportunities for teacher candidates to connect methodological and theoretical content taught at the university with actual practices at K-12 public schools. But what effects do field placements have on teacher performance? To help build a research base in the field of student-teacher development, this study examines how a lesson-study approach to student-teaching supervision, Shared Mentoring in Instructional Learning Environments (SMILE), affects teacher candidates' achievement on the edTPA, a performance-based assessment for teachers. SMILE established professional learning communities (PLCs) with two to three teacher candidates who are working at one site with students of similar ages (elementary schools), their mentor teachers, and a university supervisor. Thirty participants (teacher candidates) in the SMILE cohort were assigned to a mentor teacher in one of eight elementary schools. The comparison group included 30 participants (teacher candidates), each of whom experienced the traditional model of supervision by being assigned to a mentor teacher without SMILE PLCs at school sites. Four university liaisons worked with the 30 teacher candidates in the SMILE program and an additional four university supervisors implemented the traditional model of supervision with that cohort. Upon completion and submission of edTPAs, all participants were interviewed in focus groups. Findings show a trend toward higher quality planning for diverse learning needs and assessment analysis among teacher candidates who engaged in the SMILE model than among teacher candidates from the traditional cohort.

Fusarium basal rot of onions causes large losses during storage of commercial production of onion bulbs, which in turn adversely affects the food market situation in the off-season period. There are no data on the composition of Fusarium spp., which causes onion basal rot in the Russian Federation. Therefore, our research was aimed at Fusarium spp. causing onion basal rot in the Moscow Region of the Russian Federation and studying the pathogenicity of these species for the host plant. We studied 20 isolates of Fusarium spp. collected from affected mature bulbs and seed bulbs. Species identification of the isolates was carried out using analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the three genetic loci ITS, tef1 and rpb2, as well as was based on the macro- and micromorphological characteristics of these isolates. As a result, the species F. annulatum (F. fujikuroi species complex), F. oxysporum (F. oxysporum species complex), F. acuminatum (F. tricinctum species complex) and F. solani (F. solani species complex) were identified to involve in the pathogenesis of Fusarium basal rot. We have shown for the first time that the species F. annulatum and F. acuminatum are highly aggressive and capable of causing onion basal rot. The predominant species were F. annulatum and F. oxysporum. The proportion of these species in the total number of analyzed isolates was 60% and 25%, respectively. The largest proportion (33%) of highly aggressive on mature bulbs isolates was found in the species F. annulatum. The data obtained provide practical insights for developing strategies to manage Fusarium fungi responsible for onion basal rot Moscow Region of the Russian Federation. In addition, data about species composition and aggressive isolates may be used in onion breeding for resistance to Fusarium basal rot.

The mechanisms of exciton generation and recombination in semiconductor nanocrystals are crucial to the understanding of their photophysics and for their application in nearly all fields. While many studies have been focused on type-I heterojunction nanocrystals, the photophysics of type-II nanorods, where the hole is located in the core and the electron is located in the shell of the nanorod, remain largely unexplored. In this work, by scanning single nanorods through the focal spot of radially and azimuthally polarized laser beams and by comparing the measured excitation patterns with a theoretical model, we determine the dimensionality of the excitation transition dipole of single type-II nanorods. Additionally, by recording defocused patterns of the emission of the same particles, we measure their emission transition dipoles. The combination of these techniques allows us to unambiguously deduce the dimensionality and orientation of both excitation and emission transition dipoles of single type-II semiconductor nanorods. The results show that in contrast to previously studied quantum emitters, the particles possess a 3D degenerate excitation and a fixed linear emission transition dipole.