Deep‐Learning‐Assisted Stratification of Amyloid Beta Mutants Using Drying Droplet Patterns

The development of simple and accurate methods to predict mutations in proteins remains an unsolved challenge in modern biochemistry. It is discovered that critical information about primary and secondary peptide structures can be inferred from the stains left behind by their drying droplets. To analyze the complex stain patterns, deep-learning neuronal networks are challenged with polarized light microscopy images derived from the drying droplet deposits of a range of amyloid beta (1–42) (Aβ$_{42}$) peptides. These peptides differ in a single amino acid residue and represent hereditary mutants of Alzheimer\u27s disease. Stain patterns are not only reproducible but also result in comprehensive stratification of eight amyloid beta (Aβ) variants with predictive accuracies above 99%. Similarly, peptide stains of a range of distinct Aβ$_{42}$ peptide conformations are identified with accuracies above 99%. The results suggest that a method as simple as drying a droplet of a peptide solution onto a solid surface may serve as an indicator of minute, yet structurally meaningful differences in peptides’ primary and secondary structures. Scalable and accurate detection schemes for stratification of conformational and structural protein alterations are critically needed to unravel pathological signatures in many human diseases such as Alzheimer\u27s and Parkinson\u27s disease

Fabrication of elastomeric stamps with polymer-reinforced sidewalls via chemically selective vapor deposition polymerization of poly(p-xylylene)

We report on the preparation of polydimethylsiloxane stamps with selectively grown polymer sidewalls by chemical vapor deposition polymerization of poly(ppoly(p-xylylene). Using a thin iron layer as an inhibitor, the deposition occurs only on the sidewalls of the features in relief, resulting in a polymer-reinforced stamp. The wetting properties of stamps can be restored after removing the thin iron layer with an acidic solution, which has been verified by pattern transfer to an underlying substrate using molding and microcontact printing. © 2003 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/69846/2/APPLAB-83-20-4250-1.pd

Functional Paracyclophanes: Synthesis of [2.2]Paracyclophanemethyldithiocarbonates Using Thione–Thiol Rearrangement of S,O ‐Dithiocarbonates (Benzyl Schönberg Rearrangement) at Mild Conditions

A pathway to benzylic [2.2]paracyclophane thiol derivatives was investigated using the benzyl Schönberg rearrangement.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90259/1/143_ftp.pd

Controlled Microstructuring of Janus Particles Based on a Multifunctional Poly(ethylene glycol)

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/100298/1/marc201300427.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/100298/2/marc201300427-sup-0001-S1.pd

Design Strategies for Structurally Controlled Polymer Surfaces via Cyclophane‐Based CVD Polymerization and Post‐CVD Fabrication

Molecular structuring of soft matter with precise arrangements over multiple hierarchical levels, especially on polymer surfaces, and enabling their post-synthetic modulation has tremendous potential for application in molecular engineering and interfacial science. Here, recent research and developments in design strategies for structurally controlled polymer surfaces via cyclophane-based chemical vapor deposition (CVD) polymerization with precise control over chemical functionalities and post-CVD fabrication via orthogonal surface functionalization that facilitates the formation of designable biointerfaces are summarized. Particular discussion about innovative approaches for the templated synthesis of shape-controlled CVD polymers, ranging from 1D to 3D architecture, including inside confined nanochannels, nanofibers/nanowires synthesis into an anisotropic media such as liquid crystals, and CVD polymer nanohelices via hierarchical chirality transfer across multiple length scales is provided. Aiming at multifunctional polymer surfaces via CVD copolymerization of multiple precursors, the structural and functional design of the fundamental [2.2]paracyclophane (PCP) precursor molecules, that is, functional CVD monomer chemistry is also described. Technologically advanced and innovative surface deposition techniques toward topological micro- and nanostructuring, including microcontact printing, photopatterning, photomask, and lithographic techniques such as dip-pen nanolithography, showcasing research from the authors’ laboratories as well as other\u27s relevant important findings in this evolving field are highlighted that have introduced new programmable CVD polymerization capabilities. Perspectives, current limitations, and future considerations are provided

Grain shape and size modified by aluminum ions in ultrafine titanium layer

The paper presents TEM investigations of the grain shape and size in the centre of titanium layermodified by aluminum ions depending on their implantation dosage. The average grain size is determined in theboth longitudinal and transverse directions. The grain size distribution plots are constructed in this paper. Investigations show that the grain size decreases with the increase of the ion-implantation dosage. Also, the reduction of the grain anisotropy factor is observed

Emerging Trends in Information-Driven Engineering of Complex Biological Systems

Synthetic biological systems are used for a myriad of applications, including tissue engineered constructs for in vivo use and microengineered devices for in vitro testing. Recent advances in engineering complex biological systems have been fueled by opportunities arising from the combination of bioinspired materials with biological and computational tools. Driven by the availability of large datasets in the “omics” era of biology, the design of the next generation of tissue equivalents will have to integrate information from single‐cell behavior to whole organ architecture. Herein, recent trends in combining multiscale processes to enable the design of the next generation of biomaterials are discussed. Any successful microprocessing pipeline must be able to integrate hierarchical sets of information to capture key aspects of functional tissue equivalents. Micro‐ and biofabrication techniques that facilitate hierarchical control as well as emerging polymer candidates used in these technologies are also reviewed

Peculiarities of the emotional state of higher education students depending on the type of learning classes

Розглянуто особливості емоційного стану студентів залежно від виду навчального заняття. Досліджено міру самопочуття студентів та міру активності на лекційних заняттях порівняно з семінарськими і лабораторними; самопочуття та активності на семінарських заняттях порівняно з лабораторними; міру настрою студентів на лекційних заняттях порівняно з семінарськими і лабораторними заняттями,настрою на семінарських заняттях порівняно з лабораторними. З’ясовано, що у студентів самопочуття на лекціях має позитивні ознаки. Порівняно з лекціями, на лабораторних заняттях студенти мають більш позитивно виражене самопочуття. У студентів міравираженості активності більш висока на семінарах, ніж на лекціях. Порівняно з лекціями, на лабораторних заняттях студенти дуже активні. Швидкість і темп протікання психічних функцій студентів під час лабораторних заняттях мають більш високу міру вираженості, ніж під час семінарів. У студентів міра вираженості настрою більш висока на лекціях, ніж на семінарах. У якості перспективного напряму дослідження виділеноаналіз емоційних станів студентів залежно від гендерних особливостей і курсу навчання.Тhe features of emotional state of the students depending on a kind of learning classes are considered. The degree of well-being of students at lectures compared to seminars and laboratory classes, well-being at seminars compared to laboratory classes, the degree of activity of students at lectures compared to seminars and laboratory classes, activity at seminars compared to laboratory classes, the degree of mood of students at lectures compared to seminars and laboratory classes, the mood at seminars compared to laboratory classes have been studied.It has been found that the students have positive feelings at lectures. Compared to lectures, at laboratory classesthe students have positive well-being. The students have a higher degree of activity at seminars than at lectures. Compared to lectures, the students are very active at laboratory classes. The speed and pace of mental functions of the students during laboratory classes are expressed more intensive than during seminars. The students have a higher degree of mood expression at lectures than at seminars. As a promising area of research, the analysis of students' emotional states depending on gender characteristics and the course of study is highlighte

Possible Fruit Protein Effects on Primate Communities in Madagascar and the Neotropics

The ecological factors contributing to the evolution of tropical vertebrate communities are still poorly understood. Primate communities of the tropical Americas have fewer folivorous but more frugivorous genera than tropical regions of the Old World and especially many more frugivorous genera than Madagascar. Reasons for this phenomenon are largely unexplored. We developed the hypothesis that Neotropical fruits have higher protein concentrations than fruits from Madagascar and that the higher representation of frugivorous genera in the Neotropics is linked to high protein concentrations in fruits. Low fruit protein concentrations in Madagascar would restrict the evolution of frugivores in Malagasy communities.We reviewed the literature for nitrogen concentrations in fruits from the Neotropics and from Madagascar, and analyzed fruits from an additional six sites in the Neotropics and six sites in Madagascar. Fruits from the Neotropical sites contain significantly more nitrogen than fruits from the Madagascar sites. Nitrogen concentrations in New World fruits are above the concentrations to satisfy nitrogen requirements of primates, while they are at the lower end or below the concentrations to cover primate protein needs in Madagascar.Fruits at most sites in the Neotropics contain enough protein to satisfy the protein needs of primates. Thus, selection pressure to develop new adaptations for foods that are difficult to digest (such as leaves) may have been lower in the Neotropics than in Madagascar. The low nitrogen concentrations in fruits from Madagascar may contribute to the almost complete absence of frugivorous primate species on this island