Phase Noise of Nanoelectromechanical Systems

Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) are microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) scaled down to nanometer range. As the size of the NEMS resonators is scaled downward, some fundamental and nonfundamental noise processes will impose sensitivity limits to their performance. In this work, we first present theory of phase noise mechanism of NEMS to examine both fundamental and nonfundamental noise processes. Fundamental noise processes considered here include thermomechanical noise, momentum-exchange noise, adsorption-desorption noise, diffusion noise, and temperature-fluctuation noise. For nonfundamental noise processes, we develop a formalism to consider the Nyquist-Johnson noise from transducer-amplifier implementations. As an initial step to experimental exploration of these noise processes, we describe and analyze several phase-locked loop schemes based on NEMS at very high frequency and ultrahigh frequency bands. In particular, we measure diffusion noise of NEMS arising from xenon atoms adsorbed on the device surface using the frequency modulation phase-locked loop. The observed spectra of fractional frequency noise and Allan deviation agree well with the prediction from diffusion noise theory. Finally, NEMS resonators also provide unprecedented sensitivity for inertial mass sensing. We demonstrate in situ measurement in real time with mass floor of ~20 zg. Our best mass sensitivity corresponds to ~7 zeptograms, equivalent to ~30 xenon atoms or the mass of an individual 4 kDa molecule. Detailed analysis of the ultimate sensitivity of such devices based on these experimental results indicates that NEMS can ultimately provide inertial mass sensing of individual intact, electrically neutral macromolecules with single-Dalton sensitivity.</p

HSV-tk/GCV gene therapy mediated by EBV-LMP1 for EBV-associated cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To investigate the feasibility of gene therapy in treating Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated cancer by employing the suicide gene, herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-tk/GCV), which uses the signaling pathway through the HIV-long terminal repeat (LTR) gene which is expressed from a nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-binding motif-containing promoter that is regulated by EBV-latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) via NF-κB.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>First, we constructed the plasmid pVLTR-tk, which was regulated by EBV-LMP1 via NF-κB, and then investigated the cytotoxic effect of the pVLTR-tk/GCV on cancer cells, using MTT assays, clonogenic assays, flow cytometry, and animal experiments.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The activation of TK was increased after transfection of the pVLTR-tk into the EBV-LMP1 positive cells. After GCV treatment, the clonogenicity and survival of the cells substantially declined, and a bystander effect was also observed. The LMP1 positive cells exhibited remarkable apoptosis following pVLTR-tk/GCV treatment, and the pVLTR-tk/GCV restrained tumor growth in vivo for EBV-LMP1 positive cancers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The pVLTR-tk/GCV suicide gene system may be used as a new gene targeting strategy for EBV-associated cancer.</p

FusionPDB: A Knowledgebase of Human Fusion Proteins

Tumorigenic functions due to the formation of fusion genes have been targeted for cancer therapeutics (i.e. kinase inhibitors). However, many fusion proteins involved in various cellular processes have not been studied for targeted therapeutics. This is because the lack of complete fusion protein sequences and their whole 3D structures has made it challenging to develop new therapeutic strategies. To fill these critical gaps, we developed a computational pipeline and a resource of human fusion proteins named FusionPDB, available at https://compbio.uth.edu/FusionPDB. FusionPDB is organized into four levels: 43K fusion protein sequences (14.7K in-frame fusion genes, Level 1), over 2300 + 1267 fusion protein 3D structures (from 2300 recurrent and 266 manually curated in-frame fusion genes, Level 2), pLDDT score analysis for the 1267 fusion proteins from 266 manually curated fusion genes (Level 3), and virtual screening outcomes for 68 selected fusion proteins from 266 manually curated fusion genes (Level 4). FusionPDB is the only resource providing whole 3D structures of fusion proteins and comprehensive knowledge of human fusion proteins. It will be regularly updated until it covers all human fusion proteins in the future

“Do It Yourself” Microbial Cultivation Techniques for Synthetic and Systems Biology: Cheap, Fun, and Flexible

With the emergence of inexpensive 3D printing technology, open-source platforms for electronic prototyping and single-board computers, “Do it Yourself” (DIY) approaches to the cultivation of microbial cultures are becoming more feasible, user-friendly, and thus wider spread. In this perspective, we survey some of these approaches, as well as add-on solutions to commercial instruments for synthetic and system biology applications. We discuss different cultivation designs, including capabilities and limitations. Our intention is to encourage the reader to consider the DIY solutions. Overall, custom cultivation devices offer controlled growth environments with in-line monitoring of, for example, optical density, fluorescence, pH, and dissolved oxygen, all at affordable prices. Moreover, they offer a great degree of flexibility for different applications and requirements and are fun to design and construct. We include several illustrative examples, such as gaining optogenetic control and adaptive laboratory evolution experiments

Psycho-physiological Components in English-to-Chinese Interpreting Training: A Comparative Study

This empirical study was designed to assess the influence of psycho-physiological components in English-to-Chinese interpreting course. Based on PACET’s model of translation competence and its depiction of psycho-physiological components, and with an aim to gain insights into the underlying effective interpretation strategies used by learns to overcome psycho-physiological uneasiness, the study adopted the method of comparative analysis on the differences between student and professional interpreters’ strategy-choosing. The study examined how professional and student interpreters perform interpretation from the perspective of psycho-physiology and what attributes to their different strategic choice. Based on the analysis, the results were obtained and the conclusions were drawn about the influences of psycho-physiological components in learners’ interpreting process

MicroRNAs, an active and versatile group in cancers

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that function as endogenous triggers of the RNA interference pathway. Studies have shown that thousands of human protein-coding genes are regulated by miRNAs, indicating that miRNAs are master regulators of many important biological processes, such as cancer development. miRNAs frequently have deregulated expression in many types of human cancers, and play critical roles in tumorigenesis, which functions either as tumor suppressors or as oncogenes. Recent studies have shown that miRNAs are highly related with cancer progression, including initiating, growth, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis. Furthermore, miRNAs are shown to be responsible for the cancer-related inflammation, anti-cancer drug resistance, and regulation of cancer stem cells. Therefore, miRNAs have generated great interest as a novel strategy in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Here we review the versatile roles of miRNAs in cancers and their potential applications for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment as biomarkers

Graphene-modified nickel foam electrode for cathodic degradation of nitrofuranzone: Kinetics, transformation products and toxicity

Simple, efficient, and durable electrodes are highly demanded for practical electro­chemical process. In this study, a reduced graphene oxide modified nickel foam electrode (GR‑Ni foam) was facilely prepared via one-step cyclic voltammetry electrodeposition of gra­phene oxide suspension onto the Ni foam. The electrochemical degradation of nitrofuran­zone (NFZ, a kind of typical antibiotics) was studied on the GR-Ni foam cathode. The cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectra analysis confirmed that presence of GR loading accelerated the electron transfer from the cathode surface to NFZ. With the applied cathode potential of −1.25 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), the removal efficiency of NFZ (C0 = 20 mg L−1) at the GR-Ni foam electrode reached up to 99 % within 30 min, showing a higher reaction rate constant (0.1297 min−1) than 0.0870 min−1 at the Pd-Ni foam and 0.0186 min−1 at the Ni foam electrode. It was also found that the pH, dissolved oxygen and NFZ initial concentration have slight effect on NFZ degradation at the GR-Ni foam electrode. The reactions first occurred at nitro groups (-NO2), unsaturated C=N bonds and N-N bonds to generate furan ring-containing products, and then these products were transformed into linear diamine products. The direct reduction by electrons was mainly responsible for NFZ reduction at the GR-Ni foam electrode. Even after 18 cycles, the removal efficiency of NFZ still reached up to 98 % within 1 h. In addition, the cathodic degradation process could eliminate the antibacterial activity of NFZ. The GR-Ni foam electrode would have a great potential in electrochemical process for treating wastewater containing furan antibiotics

Graphene-modified nickel foam electrode for cathodic degradation of nitrofuranzone: Kinetics, transformation products and toxicity

Simple, efficient, and durable electrodes are highly demanded for practical electrochemical process. In this study, a reduced graphene oxide modified nickel foam electrode (GR-Ni foam) was facilely prepared via one-step cyclic voltammetry electrodeposition of graphene oxide suspension onto the Ni foam. The electrochemical degradation of nitrofuranzone (NFZ, a kind of typical antibiotics) was studied on the GR-Ni foam cathode. The cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectra analysis confirmed that presence of GR loading accelerated the electron transfer from the cathode surface to NFZ. With the applied cathode potential of −1.25 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), the removal efficiency of NFZ (C0 = 20 mg L−1) at the GR-Ni foam electrode reached up to 99 % within 30 min, showing a higher reaction rate constant (0.1297 min−1) than 0.0870 min−1 at the Pd-Ni foam and 0.0186 min−1 at the Ni foam electrode. It was also found that the pH, dissolved oxygen and NFZ initial concentration have slight effect on NFZ degradation at the GR-Ni foam electrode. The reactions first occurred at nitro groups (-NO2), unsaturated C=N bonds and N-N bonds to generate furan ring-containing products, and then these products were transformed into linear diamine products. The direct reduction by electrons was mainly responsible for NFZ reduction at the GR-Ni foam electrode. Even after 18 cycles, the removal efficiency of NFZ still reached up to 98 % within 1 h. In addition, the cathodic degradation process could eliminate the antibacterial activity of NFZ. The GR-Ni foam electrode would have a great potential in electrochemical process for treating wastewater containing furan antibiotics

Autophagy is involved in oligodendroglial precursor-mediated clearance of amyloid peptide

BACKGROUND: Accumulation of β-amyloid peptides is an important hallmark of Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD). Tremendous efforts have been directed to elucidate the mechanisms of β-amyloid peptides degradation and develop strategies to remove β-amyloid accumulation. In this study, we demonstrated that a subpopulation of oligodendroglial precursor cells, also called NG2 cells, were a new cell type that can clear β-amyloid peptides in the AD transgene mice and in NG2 cell line. RESULTS: NG2 cells were recruited and clustered around the amyloid plaque in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice, which is Alzheimer\u27s disease mouse model. In vitro, NG2 cell line and primary NG2 cells engulfed β-amyloid peptides through the mechanisms of endocytosis in a time dependent manner. Endocytosis is divided into pinocytosis and phagocytosis. Aβ(42) internalization by NG2 cells was mediated by actin-dependent macropinocytosis. The presence of β-amyloid peptides stimulated the autophagic pathway in NG2 cells. Once inside the cells, the β-amyloid peptides in NG2 cells were transported to lysosomes and degraded by autophagy. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that NG2 cells are a new cell type that can clear β-amyloid peptides through endocytosis and autophagy

Optofluidic ultrahigh-throughput detection of fluorescent drops

This paper describes an optofluidic droplet interrogation device capable of counting fluorescent drops at a throughput of 254000 drops per second. To our knowledge, this rate is the highest interrogation rate published thus far. Our device consists of 16 parallel microfluidic channels bonded directly to a filter-coated two-dimensional Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor array. Fluorescence signals emitted from the drops are collected by the sensor that forms the bottom of the channel. The proximity of the drops to the sensor facilitates efficient collection of fluorescence emission from the drops, and overcomes the trade-off between light collection efficiency and field of view in conventional microscopy. The interrogation rate of our device is currently limited by the acquisition speed of CMOS sensor, and is expected to increase further as high-speed sensors become increasingly available