Stimulated Raman adiabatic passage in optomechanics

Stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) describes adiabatic population transfer between two states coherently coupled via a mediating state that remains unoccupied. This renders STIRAP robust against loss in the mediating state, leading to profound applications in atomic- and molecular-beam research, trapped-ion physics, superconducting circuits, other solid-state systems, optics, in entanglement generation and qubit operations. STIRAP in optomechanics has been considered for optical frequency conversion where a mechanical mode provides the mediating state. Given the advances of optomechanical devices with exceptionally high mechanical-quality factors, STIRAP between mechanical modes has the prospect of generating macroscopic quantum superposition and of supporting quantum information protocols. An optical cavity mode can mediate the coupling between mechanical modes, without detrimental effects of optical losses. We demonstrate STIRAP between two mechanical modes of a phononic membrane-in-the-middle system with an efficiency of 86% and immune against photon loss through the mediating optical cavity.Comment: 10 page

Bortezomib Augments Natural Killer Cell Targeting of Stem-Like Tumor Cells.

Tumor cells harboring stem-like/cancer stem cell (CSC) properties have been identified and isolated from numerous hematological and solid malignancies. These stem-like tumor cells can persist following conventional cytoreductive therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, thereby repopulating the tumor and seeding relapse and/or metastasis. We have previously shown that natural killer (NK) cells preferentially target stem-like tumor cells via non- major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restricted mechanisms. Here, we demonstrated that the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, augments NK cell targeting of stem cell-like tumor cells against multiple solid human tumor-derived cancer lines and primary tissue samples. Mechanistically, this was mediated by the upregulation of cell surface NK ligands MHC class I chain-related protein A and B (MICA and MICB) on aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH)-positive CSCs. The increased expression of MICA and MICB on CSC targets thereby enhanced NK cell mediated killing in vitro and ex vivo from both human primary tumor and patient-derived xenograft samples. In vivo, the combination of bortezomib and allogeneic NK cell adoptive transfer in immunodeficient mice led to increased elimination of CSCs as well as tumor growth delay of orthotopic glioblastoma tumors. Taken together, our data support the combination bortezomib and NK transfer as a strategy for both CSC targeting and potentially improved outcomes in clinical cancer patients

From the First Coeds to Our First Woman President - Why Gender Matters at DePauw

Gender has long been an important issue at DePauw, from the first women students who were admitted in 1867 to our first woman president over 150 years later. In this presentation, we will take a close look at the impetus for creating a gender resource center in 2004 and what current students need in 2021. Join us as we share how the programs, services and advocacy of the DePauw Women\u27s Center work to provide relevant resources and how we can continue to educate, celebrate and advocate into the future

Assembled Monolayers Depends upon the Roughness of the Substrate and the Orientation of the Terminal Moiety

The origin of the odd even effect in properties of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and/or technologies derived from them is poorly understood. We report that hydrophobicity and, hence, surface wetting of SAMs are dominated by the nature of the substrate (surface roughness and identity) and SAM tilt angle, which influences surface dipoles/orientation of the terminal moiety. We measured static contact angles (theta(s)) made by water droplets on n-alkanethiolate SAMs with an odd (SAM(O)) or even (SAM(E)) number of carbons (average theta(s) range of 105.8-112.1 degrees). When SAMs were fabricated on smooth template-stripped metal (M-TS) surfaces [root-mean-square (rms) roughness = 0.36 +/- 0.01 nm for Au-TS and 0.60 +/- 0.04 nm for Ag-TS], the odd-even effect, characterized by a zigzag oscillation in values of theta(s), was observed. We, however, did not observe the same effect with rougher as-deposited (M-AD) surfaces (rms roughness = 2.27 +/- 0.16 nm for Au-AD and 5.13 +/- 0.22 nm for Ag-AD). The odd-even effect in hydrophobicity inverts when the substrate changes from Au-TS (higher theta(s) for SAM(E) than SAM(O), with average Delta theta(s) (vertical bar n - (n + 1)vertical bar) approximate to 3 degrees) to Ag-TS (higher theta(s) for SAM(O) than SAM(E), with average Delta theta(s) (vertical bar n - (n + 1)vertical bar) approximate to 2 degrees). A comparison of hydrophobicity across Ag-TS and Au-TS showed a statistically significant difference (Student\u27s t test) between SAM(E) (Delta theta(s) (vertical bar Ag evens - Au evens vertical bar) approximate to 5 degrees; P \u3c 0.01) but failed to show statistically significant differences on SAM(O) (Delta theta(s) (vertical bar Ag odds) (- Au odds vertical bar) approximate to 1 degrees; p \u3e 0.1). From these results, we deduce that the roughness of the metal substrate (from comparison of M-AD versus M-TS) and orientation of the terminal -CH2CH3 (by comparing SAM(E) and SAM(O) on Au-TS versus Ag-TS) play major roles in the hydrophobicity and, by extension, general wetting properties of n-alkanethiolate SAMs

Propuesta de un modelo de producción basado en herramientas Lean soportado por una gestión del cambio para mejorar la productividad del sector agricultor de zapallo en Ocucaje, Ica

El presente trabajo de investigación está enfocado en analizar y establecer lineamientos técnicos de algunas herramientas de la manufactura esbelta como la estandarización de operaciones, gestión visual y KPIs (Indicadores claves de desempeño), que se ajustarían al contexto del sector agrícola y resultarían prácticos de aplicar por parte de los agricultores, con el objetivo de incrementar la productividad del sector agroalimentario de zapallos de Ocucaje en Ica, Perú. Para ello, la aplicación de los lineamientos de las herramientas lean estará soportado por una gestión del cambio para que los agricultores presenten una menor resistencia a los cambios propuestos y presenten un mejor compromiso con el proyecto. En ese sentido, la investigación presenta un marco que desarrolla un estudio de las perspectivas estratégicas y operativas sobre la adaptabilidades de las herramientas en un sector diferente para el cual fueron creadas las herramientas del Sistema de Producción Toyota. A pesar que existe una limitada cantidad de información sobre la adaptabilidad y aplicación de las herramientas lean en el sector agrícola y en especial si es en el Perú.This research work is focused on the analysis of the best lean tools that can increase the productivity of the agri-food sector of pumpkins from Ocucaje in Ica, Peru; In other words, the research is aimed at analyzing and establishing of the best lean tools that it adjust to the context of the pumpkins producing sector in Ocucaje that can increase production productivity and can be used by farmers and achieve operational standards of quality. To do this, the application of the tools will be supported by change management so that farmers present less resistance to the proposed changes and present a better commitment to the project. In this sense, the research presents a framework that develops a study of the strategic and operational perspectives on the adaptability of lean tools in a different sector for which the Toyota Production System tools were created. Although there is a limited amount of information on the adaptability and application of lean tools in the agricultural sector and especially if it is in Peru.Tesi

Whole genome, transcriptome, smallRNAome and methylome profiling during tomato-geminivirus interaction

Contribución a congresoTomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) belongs to the Begomovirus genus and istransmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. With only seven viral proteins, TYLCV must create a proper environment for viral replication, transcription, and propagation. Behind the apparent simplicity of geminiviruses lies a complex network of molecular interactions with their host and their natural vector, which induces a wide variety of transcriptional, post-transcriptional and chromatin changes in the host. To understand this virus-host interaction at a genetic and epigenetic level, we carried out a global approach to generate the transcriptome, smallRNAome and methylome of the TYLCV-tomato interaction. Total RNA and DNA was extracted from tomato infected plants (three biological replicates) and analysed at 2, 7, 14 and 21-day postinfection (dpi). Analysis of the changes in host transcription during the infection and its correlation with changes in sRNA profiles (microRNA and phasiRNA) and DNA methylation patterns will be presented and discussed.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Molecular landscape of the ribosome pre-initiation complex during mRNA scanning: structural role for eIF3c and its control by eIF5

During eukaryotic translation initiation, eIF3 binds the solvent-accessible side of the 40S ribosome and recruits the gate-keeper protein eIF1 and eIF5 to the decoding center. This is largely mediated by the N-terminal domain (NTD) of eIF3c, which can be divided into three parts: 3c0, 3c1 and 3c2. The N-terminal part, 3c0, binds eIF5 strongly, but only weakly to the ribosome-binding surface of eIF1, whereas 3c1 and 3c2 form a stoichiometric complex with eIF1. 3c1 contacts eIF1 through Arg-53 and Leu-96, while 3c2 faces 40S protein uS15/S13, to anchor eIF1 to the scanning pre-initiation complex (PIC). We propose that the 3c0:eIF1 interaction diminishes eIF1 binding to the 40S, whereas 3c0:eIF5 interaction stabilizes the scanning PIC by precluding this inhibitory interaction. Upon start codon recognition, interactions involving eIF5, and ultimately 3c0:eIF1 association facilitate eIF1 release. Our results reveal intricate molecular interactions within the PIC, programmed for rapid scanning-arrest at the start codon

Plan estratégico para la implementación de una empresa de cocina bajo la modalidad Dark Kitchen impulsada por personas con Síndrome de Asperger

Al analizar la problemática social, se ha identificado que, por desconocimiento o prejuicio, los empleadores no dan oportunidad a grupos vulnerables para insertarse en el sector laboral por tener algún tipo de problema, haciéndoles difícil contar con un espacio que les permita obtener un óptimo desarrollo personal y ser independientes. A julio del 2020, el Registro Nacional del CONADIS registra 5.320 personas diagnosticadas con el síndrome de Asperger, representando el 3.52% de 230.554 inscritos categorizados como discapacitados. En el Plan trabajado a nivel Nacional para las personas con trastorno del espectro autista durante el periodo comprendido en 2019-2021, solo 20 personas con TEA fueron colocadas en puestos de trabajos a través del centro de empleo en el 2019, 30 en el 2020 y 35 en el 2021, datos que no superan el 1% de la población con TEA en el Perú, demostrando que la empleabilidad es un problema social que no solo depende del gobierno sino de la comunidad y la forma de hacer empresa en el Perú. La solución a este problema se enfoca en crear puestos de trabajo orientados a sus necesidades que les permitirá optimizar su calidad de vida y será un medio importante para su inclusión en la sociedad

miRNA independent hepacivirus variants suggest a strong evolutionary pressure to maintain miR-122 dependence

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) requires the liver specific micro-RNA (miRNA), miR-122, to replicate. This was considered unique among RNA viruses until recent discoveries of HCV-related hepaciviruses prompting the question of a more general miR-122 dependence. Among hepaciviruses, the closest known HCV relative is the equine non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV). Here, we used Argonaute cross-linking immunoprecipitation (AGO-CLIP) to confirm AGO binding to the single predicted miR-122 site in the NPHV 5’UTR in vivo. To study miR-122 requirements in the absence of NPHV-permissive cell culture systems, we generated infectious NPHV/HCV chimeric viruses with the 5’ end of NPHV replacing orthologous HCV sequences. These chimeras were viable even in cells lacking miR-122, although miR-122 presence enhanced virus production. No other miRNAs bound this region. By random mutagenesis, we isolated HCV variants partially dependent on miR-122 as well as robustly replicating NPHV/HCV variants completely independent of any miRNAs. These miRNA independent variants even replicate and produce infectious particles in non-hepatic cells after exogenous delivery of apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Our findings suggest that miR-122 independent HCV and NPHV variants have arisen and been sampled during evolution, yet miR-122 dependence has prevailed. We propose that hepaciviruses may use this mechanism to guarantee liver tropism and exploit the tolerogenic liver environment to avoid clearance and promote chronicity