Glucose Derivatives as Efficient Markers of Cell Reversible Electropermeabilization

Abstract— Molecules spontaneously transported inside the cells, like glucose derivatives, can also be used as electropermeabilization markers. In a previous study, we evaluated the uptake of a fluorescent deoxyglucose derivative (2-NBDG) by normal and electropermeabilized Chinese hamster cells. We extend here our previous study to two murine tumor model cells and investigate the effect of rolipram, a selective PDDE4 inhibitor, on 2-NBDG uptake by tumor cells, with or without electric pulses.2-NBDG was added to cell suspensions, and the cells exposed or not to eight square-wave electric pulses of 100- µs duration and of appropriate field amplitude delivered, were incubated at 37˚C and uptake was measured by flow cytometry. In rolipram experiments, cells were similarly processed after a 15 min pre-incubation with rolipram. In spite of significant uptake of 2-NBDG, mediated by GLUT transporters into non permeabilized cells, electric pulses significantly increased the 2-NBDG uptake into both murine tumor cells, even though the electrical parameters allowing a maximal uptake were different. Pretreatment with rolipram, only at high concentrations reduced 2-NBDG uptake in non-electropermeabilized cells, affecting more severely the DC-3F cells than the LPB cells. On the contrary, rolipram treatment did not attenuated the uptake of 2-NBDG in the electropermeabilized cells. We extended to other cell lines our previous observation that glucose derivatives can be used to detect cells reversible electropermeabilization. Moreover, our data suggest that rolipram could probably be used as a tool for improving the visualization of tumor using glucose derivatives, by affecting the uptake in the surrounding normal tissue

Dynamic multifactor hubs interact transiently with sites of active transcription in Drosophila embryos.

The regulation of transcription requires the coordination of numerous activities on DNA, yet how transcription factors mediate these activities remains poorly understood. Here, we use lattice light-sheet microscopy to integrate single-molecule and high-speed 4D imaging in developing Drosophila embryos to study the nuclear organization and interactions of the key transcription factors Zelda and Bicoid. In contrast to previous studies suggesting stable, cooperative binding, we show that both factors interact with DNA with surprisingly high off-rates. We find that both factors form dynamic subnuclear hubs, and that Bicoid binding is enriched within Zelda hubs. Remarkably, these hubs are both short lived and interact only transiently with sites of active Bicoid-dependent transcription. Based on our observations, we hypothesize that, beyond simply forming bridges between DNA and the transcription machinery, transcription factors can organize other proteins into hubs that transiently drive multiple activities at their gene targets.Editorial noteThis article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed (see decision letter)

Extraterritorial Effects of Foreign Tax Credit, Termination of Deferral and United States Tax Characterization

WOS: 00029324880011

Automated optimization for broadband flat-gain antenna designs with artificial neural network

An automated optimization process for designing and optimising high-performance single microstrip antennas is presented. It consists of the successive use of two optimization methods, bottom-up optimization (BUO) and Bayesian optimization (BO), which are applied sequentially, resulting in electromagnetic (EM)-based artificial neural network modelling. The BUO method is applied for the initial design of the structure of the antennas whereas the BO approach is successively implemented to predict suitable dimensional parameters, leading to broadband, high flat-gain antennas. The optimization process is performed automatically with the combination of an electronic design automation tool and a numerical analyser. The proposed method is easy to use; it allows one to perform the design with little experience, because both structure modelling and sizing are performed automatically. To verify the power of the proposed EM-based method experimentally, two single microstrip antennas have been designed, optimised, fabricated, and measured. The first antenna has flat-gain performance (6.9–7.2 dB) in a frequency band of 8.8–10 GHz. The second has been designed to perform in the 8.7- to 10-GHz band, where it exhibits flat-gain performance with reduced fluctuation in the range of 6.7–7 dB. The experimental results are in good agreement with the numerical data

Optimization for wideband linear array antenna through bottom-up method

This paper presents an automated design methodology for electromagnetic- based (EM-based) optimization of an array antenna by applying bottom-up approach. Firstly, one single antenna is optimized then bottom-up optimization (BUO) method has been implemented by increasing the number of single antennas, sequentially. The proposed method leads to automatically find an optimal array by setting the distance between single antennas. The optimization method is performed in an automated environment with the help of an electronic design automation (EDA) tool and a numerical analyzer. The results of the final design have been compared by means of two EDA tools such as ADS and HFSS. The optimized array antenna works in the frequency band from 12.9 GHz to 14.3 GHz. It offers a linear gain performance higher than 7.5 dB. The simulations in both ADS and HFSS tools illustrate a good match in S-parameter and gain simulation output results

Development of mechatronics engineering degree program: challenges and prospects

It is now becoming common practice to include some courses in mechatronics in the traditional electrical and mechanical engineering programs. Whilst many engineering faculties have realized the need for a full-fledged multidisciplinary mechatronics engineering program, only in very few places have such programs been developed along the lines of other engineering programs. The justification for the mechatronics engineering program becomes evident, as today's engineers must be acquainted with subjects that are not taught or given much emphasis in the traditional engineering curriculum. A good knowledge in those subjects, is however required if our graduate engineers are to be relevant to industry with time. The challenges in developing such program in terms of curriculum planning, laboratory facility needs and staff requirements are discussed in this paper. Whilst there are immense advantages of such a discipline, its success depends on a balanced curriculum with good laboratory facilities and appropriate industrial links, positive attitudes and well-oriented academic staff as well as students having the ability to cope with diversified subjects

Design of intelligent multifinger gripper for a robotic arm using a DSP-based fuzzy controller

The design and modeling of a robotic arm gripper that has elements of intelligent decision making while grasping object has been recently discussed. This new system is different in using an appropriate controlling scheme so that the correct force is applied to pick an object without dropping or crushing it. This is achieved by controlling the shear stresses at the interface material between finger-ends and the object using smart sensors and intelligent controller. A new slip sensor that is based on the operation of optical encoder is used to monitor the slip rate as a result of insufficient force being applied to pick an object. A two-stage control scheme is suggested for the implementation of this system. First a limit switch is used to control the positioning of the fingers thereby solving the problem of uncertainty in the location and orientation of the object. Then, to ensure that an appropriate force is used in picking up an object a fuzzy logic controller is used. The use of TMS320C24XX series DSP controller to implement the control strategy provides the flexibility needed in altering the control code and the prototype can be tested at low cost

Floquet topological phase transitions in a periodically quenched dimer

We report on the theoretical investigation of the topological properties of a periodically quenched one-dimensional dimerized lattice where a piece-wise constant Hamiltonian switches from $h_1$ to $h_2$ at a partition time $t_p$ within each driving period $T$. We examine different dimerization patterns for $h_1$ and $h_2$ and the interplay with the driving parameters that lead to the emergence of topological states both at zero energy and at the edge of the Brillouin-Floquet quasi-energy zone. We illustrate different phenomena, including the occurrence of both edge states in a semimetal spectrum, the topological transitions, and the generation of zero-energy topological states from trivial snapshots. The role of the different symmetries in our results is also discussed.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figure