Fiber-Optic Spectroscopy of Mandarin Square Textile Artifacts

Mandarin Squares were officially used from the Ming Dynasty (1391 AD) until the end of the Qing Dynasty (1912), though the tradition dates back even further These badges were instruments of politics and courtly etiquette, and the animal subject denoted rank and position Design subject to artistic movements as tastes changed Common elements include symbolism, good luck charms, flight/motion, mystical beasts (below) Traditionally worn as two panels on either side of a riding jacket, therefore split by a seam in the middle (see right) Above: Data Collection using handheld IR Fiber Optic probe Below: A sample page from the Kusakizome book Portrait of a Young Official (artist unknown, public domain) UNI 2000.10.0002 (“Dim”) UNI 2000.10.0003 (“Golden”) Traditional textile production in Japan included weaving, metallic thread coating, and dyeing using naturally-occurring minerals and plant products (Kusakizome) Dyes extracted by drying, grinding, boiling, fermenting, etc. Fabrics were soaked, and the dye fixed with lye, mineral mordants; over time, further chemical reactions could fade or change the color of the threads Most techniques to determine dye content in artifacts require destructive methods (such as GC-MS or Surface- Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) However, non-destructive spectral analyses are possible if a suitable library of similar artifacts can be used for reference An analysis of the visible reflectance typically involves comparison of inflection points NIR has shown the ability to distinguish thread typeshttps://scholarworks.uni.edu/chemanaly_fa2019/1004/thumbnail.jp

Extracellular ATP Effects on Intracellular Actin Fibrils\u27 Location and Characteristics

Epithelial cells lining secretory units and ducts of bovine mammary glands perform an important role in regulating movement of various macromolecules and whole cells during normal lactation and mastitis. During mastitis, host and bacterial produced substances can affect the “barrier” function of epithelial monolayers. One potential component is adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP likely interacts with P2X7, a purinergic receptor, in mediating some effects associated with mastitis. Bovine mammary gland epithelial cell line, Mac-T cells, were examined for cytoskeletal changes as result of P2X7 interactions. Actin cytoskeletons were stained with phalloidin and effects were examined by fluorescent microscopy. Observable increase in actin fibril size was noted in ATP treated cells, and not seen in cells treated with P2X7 inhibitors prior to ATP exposure. Results indicate the possibility of ATP modulating epithelial cell function in bovine mammary glands, affecting the barrier function epithelial cells normally provide, through interaction with the P2X7 receptor

Novel Data Analysis Methods in Multi-Channel and Multi-State Binding Experiments

Single-Molecule studies use advanced microscopy techniques to view biomolecules, such as proteins and DNA, individually. On a slide, fluorescently-labeled molecules are immobilized and imaged using lasers, and the patterns of fluorescence can give important information about the interactions of multiple molecules. To extract this information, advanced, customizable data analysis tools must be created. The first goal is to create a method to robustly normalize (correct for brightness) single-channel fluorescence data. The second goal is to extend pattern recognition of binding order to multi-state and multi-channel binding patterns. The KERA 3.0 suite links creative pattern-recognition and normalization techniques with the abilities of exiting idealization software to extract this information from previously intractable data. This allows researchers to study protein complexes, their inhibitors, and their mechanisms, more holistically and more efficiently

Dynamics and Selective Remodeling of the DNA-binding Domains of RPA

Replication protein A (RPA) coordinates important DNA metabolic events by stabilizing single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) intermediates, activating the DNA-damage response and handing off ssDNA to the appropriate downstream players. Six DNA-binding domains (DBDs) in RPA promote high-affinity binding to ssDNA yet also allow RPA displacement by lower affinity proteins. We generated fluorescent versions of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RPA and visualized the conformational dynamics of individual DBDs in the context of the full-length protein. We show that both DBD-A and DBD-D rapidly bind to and dissociate from ssDNA while RPA remains bound to ssDNA. The recombination mediator protein Rad52 selectively modulates the dynamics of DBD-D. These findings reveal how RPA-interacting proteins with lower ssDNA binding affinities can access the occluded ssDNA and remodel individual DBDs to replace RPA

Phylogeography and epidemic history of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 in Africa

HCV genotype 4 is prevalent in many African countries, yet little is known about the genotype׳s epidemic history on the continent. We present a comprehensive study of the molecular epidemiology of genotype 4. To address the deficit of data from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) we PCR amplified 60 new HCV isolates from the DRC, resulting in 33 core- and 48 NS5B-region sequences. Our data, together with genotype 4 database sequences, were analysed using Bayesian phylogenetic approaches. We find three well-supported intra-genotypic lineages and estimate that the genotype 4 common ancestor existed around 1733 (1650-1805). We show that genotype 4 originated in central Africa and that multiple lineages have been exported to north Africa since ~1850, including subtype 4a which dominates the epidemic in Egypt. We speculate on the causes of the historical intra-continental spread of genotype 4, including population movements during World War 2

Label-Free Digital Detection of Intact Virions by Enhanced Scattering Microscopy

Several applications in health diagnostics, food, safety, and environmental monitoring require rapid, simple, selective, and quantitatively accurate viral load monitoring. Here, we introduce the first label-free biosensing method that rapidly detects and quantifies intact virus in human saliva with single-virion resolution. Using pseudotype SARS-CoV-2 as a representative target, we immobilize aptamers with the ability to differentiate active from inactive virions on a photonic crystal, where the virions are captured through affinity with the spike protein displayed on the outer surface. Once captured, the intrinsic scattering of the virions is amplified and detected through interferometric imaging. Our approach analyzes the motion trajectory of each captured virion, enabling highly selective recognition against nontarget virions, while providing a limit of detection of 1 × 103 copies/mL at room temperature. The approach offers an alternative to enzymatic amplification assays for point-of-collection diagnostics.Fil: Li, Nantao. University of Illinois. Urbana - Champaign; Estados UnidosFil: Wang, Xiaojing. University of Illinois. Urbana - Champaign; Estados UnidosFil: Tibbs, Joseph. University of Illinois. Urbana - Champaign; Estados UnidosFil: Che, Congnyu. University of Illinois. Urbana - Champaign; Estados UnidosFil: Peinetti, Ana Sol. University of Illinois. Urbana - Champaign; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química, Física de los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química, Física de los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía; ArgentinaFil: Zhao, Bin. University of Illinois. Urbana - Champaign; Estados UnidosFil: Liu, Leyang. University of Illinois. Urbana - Champaign; Estados UnidosFil: Barya, Priyash. University of Illinois. Urbana - Champaign; Estados UnidosFil: Cooper, Laura. University of Illinois; Estados UnidosFil: Rong, Lijun. University of Illinois; Estados UnidosFil: Wang, Xing. University of Illinois. Urbana - Champaign; Estados UnidosFil: Lu, Yi. University of Illinois. Urbana - Champaign; Estados UnidosFil: Cunningham, Brian T.. University of Illinois. Urbana - Champaign; Estados Unido