Broad Palette Research Articles

Ion‐Specific Interactions Engender Dynamic and Tailorable Properties in Biomimetic Cationic Polyelectrolytes

AbstractBiomaterials such as spider silk and mussel byssi are fabricated by the dynamic manipulation of intra‐ and intermolecular biopolymer interactions. Organisms modulate solution parameters, such as pH and ion co‐solute concentration, to effect these processes. These biofabrication schemes provide a conceptual framework to develop new dynamic and responsive abiotic soft material systems. Towards these ends, the chemical diversity of readily available ionic compounds offers a broad palette to manipulate the physicochemical properties of polyelectrolytes via ion‐specific interactions. In this study, we show for the first time that the ion‐specific interactions of biomimetic polyelectrolytes engenders a variety of phase separation behaviors, creating dynamic thermal‐ and ion‐responsive soft matter that exhibits a spectrum of physical properties, spanning viscous fluids to viscoelastic and viscoplastic solids. These ion‐dependent characteristics are further rendered general by the merger of lysine and phenylalanine into a single, amphiphilic vinyl monomer. The unprecedented breadth, precision, and dynamicity in the reported ion‐dependent phase behaviors thus introduce a broad array of opportunities for the future development of responsive soft matter; properties that are poised to drive developments in critical areas such as chemical sensing, soft robotics, and additive manufacturing.

Ion-Specific Interactions Engender Dynamic and Tailorable Properties in Biomimetic Cationic Polyelectrolytes.

Biomaterials such as spider silk and mussel byssi are fabricated by the dynamic manipulation of intra- and intermolecular biopolymer interactions. Organisms modulate solution parameters, such as pH and ion co-solute concentration, to effect these processes. These biofabrication schemes provide a conceptual framework to develop new dynamic and responsive abiotic soft material systems. Towards these ends, the chemical diversity of readily available ionic compounds offers a broad palette to manipulate the physicochemical properties of polyelectrolytes via ion-specific interactions. In this study, we show for the first time that the ion-specific interactions of biomimetic polyelectrolytes engenders a variety of phase separation behaviors, creating dynamic thermal- and ion-responsive soft matter that exhibits a spectrum of physical properties, spanning viscous fluids to viscoelastic and viscoplastic solids. These ion-dependent characteristics are further rendered general by the merger of lysine and phenylalanine into a single, amphiphilic vinyl monomer. The unprecedented breadth, precision, and dynamicity in the reported ion-dependent phase behaviors thus introduce a broad array of opportunities for the future development of responsive soft matter; properties that are poised to drive developments in critical areas such as chemical sensing, soft robotics, and additive manufacturing.

AN INTIMATE DIALOGUE WITH GOD IN JOHN DONNE’S “HOLY SONNETS”: PETRARCHAN CONTEXT

The purpose of the paper is to study the images of the platonic and courtly in the protagonist’s personal relations with God in J. Donne’s “Holy Sonnets” in the context of the connection with the Petrarchan tradition. In order to accomplish this, a complex approach including elements of biographical, genealogical, typological, hermeneutic, comparative, and structural-semiotic methods of literary analysis has been used. The views of literary critics on the sources of the “Holy Sonnets” (Christian meditative practices, Bible books, traditions of English religious lyrics) have been reviewed, their connection with the Petrarchan poetic tradition has been pointed out and, in this context, one of the possible interpretations of J. Donne’s sonnet sequence has been proposed. It has been shown that three poems of the sequence – XIV, XVII and XIX – are especially important and conceptual for understanding the evolution of the protagonist’s relations with God in the “Holy Sonnets”. In the first of them, feeling his own weakness and impossibility to overcome the devil, J. Donne’s persona begs the Lord to win back his heart from the enemy, using a broad palette of military metaphors typical to the Petrarchan lyrics. However, the Lord, who in sonnets I – XIII is depicted in a Petrarchan manner as distant and completely deaf to the protagonist’s pleas, remains indifferent. In sonnet XVII, which looks similar to the lyrical texts of the “Canzoniere” dedicated to Laura’s death, a notable change in the relationship between the characters takes place. As in the Italian humanist’s poems, the life path of J. Donne’s persona finally turns to heaven after the death of his beloved, and he begins to feel that the loss of earthly love is compensated by the gaining of the Divine one. However, his further relations with God, once again, seem to be built according to the Petrarchan model, most fully described in the last text of the sequence. The sonnet XIX demonstrates all the complexity of the relationship between a human being and the Lord. J. Donne’s persona is constantly dominated by conflicting feelings and emotions, which generally correlates with Petrarchan understanding of the ambivalence of love, best shown by F. Petrarch in the sonnets CXXXII and CXXXIV. Moreover, the poetic vocabulary used by J. Donne in this poem indicates the specific character of his persona’s relations with God, which are supposed to have signs of courtly love, courtly bowing-service. It has been summed up that the protagonist’s relations with the Lord in the “Holy Sonnets” might be interpreted as generally built on the same principles that are immanent in the concept of love in the poetry of Petrarchism. The persona of the English poet, as well as the traditional hero of Petrarchan texts, also suffers from unrequited feelings, longs for reciprocity with all his heart, and, in addition, speaks in the specific metaphorical language. Even if the linguistic practice utilized by the author cannot be considered exclusively Petrarchan, since a similar rhetorical code, in which the experience of spiritual communication with the Lord was described with the help of erotic images, was widely used by the Christian mystics, the sonnet poetic structure is canonical for Petrarchan lyrical discourse and require following the established rules not only in terms of form, but also in terms of content.

Validation of a size exclusion method for concomitant purification and formulation of peptide radiopharmaceuticals

BackgroundBoth in clinical routine and in preclinical research, the established standard procedure for the final purification of radiometal-labeled peptide radiopharmaceuticals is cartridge-based reversed-phase (RP) solid phase extraction (SPE). It allows the rapid and quantitative separation of the radiolabeled peptide from hydrophilic impurities and easy integration into automated synthesis procedures. However, product elution from RP cartridges necessitates the use of organic solvents and product recovery is sometimes limited. Thus, an alternative purification method based on commercially available size exclusion cartridges was investigated.ResultsSince most peptide radiopharmaceuticals have a molecular weight > 1 kDa, Sephadex G10 cartridges with a molecular size cut-off of 700 Da were used for the final purification of a broad palette of 68Ga-, 64Cu- and 99mTc-labeled experimental peptide radiotracers as well as the clinically relevant ligand PSMA-617. Results (radiochemical purity (RCP, determined by ITLC), recovery from the solid support) were compared to the respective standard RP-SPE method. Generally, retention of unreacted 68Ga, 64Cu and 99mTc salts on the G10 cartridges was quantitative up to the specified elution volume (1.2 mL) for 68Ga and 99mTc and 99.6% for 64Cu. Even at increased elution volumes of 1.5-2 mL, RCPs of the eluted 68Ga- and 99mTc -radiopeptides were > 99%. For all peptides with a molecular weight ≥ 2 kDa, product recovery from the G10 cartridges was consistently > 85% upon respective adjustment of the elution volume. Product recovery was lowest for [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-617 (67%, 1.2 mL to 84%, 2 mL). The pH of the final product solution was found to be volume-dependent (1.2 mL: pH 6.3; 1.5 mL: pH 5.9; 2 mL: pH 5.5). Notably, the G10 cartridges were reused up to 20 times without compromising performance, and implementation of the method in an automated radiosynthesis procedure was successful.ConclusionsOverall, size exclusion purification yielded all peptide radiopharmaceuticals in excellent radiochemical purities (> 99%) in saline within 10–12 min. Although product recovery is marginally inferior to classical SPE purifications, this method has the advantage of completely avoiding organic solvents and representing a cost-effective, easy-to-implement purification approach for automated radiotracer synthesis.

Lectins as versatile tools to explore cellular glycosylation.

Lectins are naturally occurring carbohydrate-binding proteins that are ubiquitous in nature and highly selective for their, often incompletely characterised, binding partners. From their discovery in the late 1880s to the present day, they have provided a broad palette of versatile tools for exploring the glycosylation of cells and tissues and for uncovering the myriad functions of glycosylation in biological systems. The technique of lectin histochemistry, used to map the glycosylation of tissues, has been instrumental in revealing the changing profile of cellular glycosylation in development, health and disease. It has been especially enlightening in revealing fundamental alterations in cellular glycosylation that accompany cancer development and metastasis, and has facilitated the identification of glycosylated biomarkers that can predict prognosis and may have utility in development of early detection and screening, Moreover, it has led to insights into the functional role of glycosylation in healthy tissues and in the processes underlying disease. Recent advances in biotechnology mean that our understanding of the precise binding partners of lectins is improving and an ever-wider range of lectins are available, including recombinant human lectins and lectins with enhanced, engineered properties. Moreover, use of traditional histochemistry to support a broad range of cutting-edge technologies and the development of high throughout microarray platforms opens the way for ever more sophisticated mapping - and understanding - of the glycome.

Mn2C MXene functionalized by oxygen is a semiconducting antiferromagnet and an efficient visible light absorber.

Manganese-based MXenes are promising two-dimensional materials due to the broad palette of their magnetic phases and the possibility of experimental preparation because the corresponding MAX phase was already prepared. Here, we systematically investigated geometrical conformers and spin solutions of oxygen-terminated Mn2C MXene and performed subsequent many-body calculations to obtain reliable electronic and optical properties. Allowing energy-lowering using the correct spin ordering via supercell magnetic motifs is essential for the Mn2CO2 system. The stable ground-state Mn2CO2 conformation is antiferromagnetic (AFM) with zigzag lines of up and down spins on Mn atoms. The AFM nature is consistent with the parent MAX phase and even the clean depleted Mn2C sheet. Other magnetic states and geometrical conformations are energetically very close, providing state-switching possibilities in the material. Subsequent many-body GW and Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE) calculations provide indirect semiconductor characteristics of AFM Mn2CO2 with a fundamental gap of 2.1 eV (and a direct gap of 2.4 eV), the first bright optical transition at 1.3 eV and extremely strongly bound (1.1 eV) first bright exciton. Mn2CO2 absorbs efficiently the whole visible light range and near ultraviolet range (between 10 and 20%).

The Artistic Installation as a Form of Transmitting of Socially Significant Meanings

The connection between art and society presents the main subject of the article. Briefly touching upon the causes of this phenomenon, which stem from the high level of communicative activity of the modern context of our lives, the author shows the connection of these processes and the need of art to absorb the vital problems of our existence — war and peace, ecology, a healthy lifestyle, the role of art, etc. Many artists today think that the absence of that connection leaves art beyond the boundaries of its relevant and called-for forms. One sign of that global tendency is the special interest in the documentary artistic practices, as well as the drifting of art outside of its traditional environment of museums and concert halls. The result is wide dissemination of the performative forms of presentation of socially significant artistic concepts, one of which is installation. While characterizing the environmental side of the issue and tracing the key points of the historical development of the art of installation, the author observes that it is genetically determined to reflect the socially significant problems. Considering the different examples of installation artefacts, the author points out their predisposition to the synthesis of arts. Introducing music to the broad palette of expression means that it not simply intensifies this influence, but, because of the processual nature of music, it possesses the effect of theatricality that manifests itself in the process of exploration of artistically organized environments on the part of the audience. Analyzing the examples of installation constructs that are situated in urban landscapes from this perspective, the author arrives at the idea that the natural consequence of the aforementioned processes is the emergence of artistically presented installations. One of the possible examples is the installation by Heiner Goebbels Everything that Happened and Would Happen based on texts from Europeana: A Brief History of the 20th Century by Patrik Ourednik. The main aim of the analysis of all the examples is to identify some of the new forms of involvement of audiences in the process of perception. While traversing through the liminal state, it is involved in the meaning-generating process and in the process of search and comprehension of the meaning, the audience acquires the chance to understand profoundly the difficult problems of modern social life.

Nanodroplet Flight Control in Electrohydrodynamic Redox 3D Printing.

Electrohydrodynamic 3D printing is an additive manufacturing technique with enormous potential in plasmonics, microelectronics, and sensing applications thanks to its broad material palette, high voxel deposition rate, and compatibility with various substrates. However, the electric field used to deposit material is concentrated at the depositing structure, resulting in the focusing of the charged droplets and geometry-dependent landing positions, which complicates the fabrication of complex 3D shapes. The low level of concordance between the design and printout seriously impedes the development of electrohydrodynamic 3D printing and rationalizes the simplicity of the designs reported so far. In this work, we break the electric field centrosymmetry to study the resulting deviation in the flight trajectory of the droplets. Comparison of experimental outcomes with predictions of an FEM model provides new insights into the droplet characteristics and unveils how the product of droplet size and charge uniquely governs its kinematics. From these insights, we develop reliable predictions of the jet trajectory and allow the computation of optimized printing paths counterbalancing the electric field distortion, thereby enabling the fabrication of geometries with unprecedented complexity.

Selecting indicators for measuring progress towards sustainable development goals at the global, national and corporate levels

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) guide towards sustainability across a broad palette of aspects. Since their adoption by the United Nations in 2015, many organizations have started using them to relate their own sustainability performance. However, there exists no consensus nor science-based methods for performing such assessments, hence bringing the risk of cherry-picking and arbitrary target-setting among the 17 goals and potentially compromising the robustness, usefulness, and credibility of SDG assessment. To address this, we propose a framework that enables to systematically evaluate or select indicators for assessing and monitoring SDG performance at different scales. A critical review of sustainability indicator selection criteria was performed, forming the basis for recommendations of existing criteria. Two separate applications of the framework are operationalized, namely the evaluation of existing indicator sets and the selection of new indicators, respectively. The guide is tested and demonstrated on two different proof-of-concept cases representing the global level and the company level. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework allows decision-makers to systematically evaluate and select SDG indicators for different scopes, offering stronger scientifically founded indicator sets and reducing unintentional bias. Furthermore, the framework still provides the flexibility of tailoring indicators in the selection process, allowing the user to freely select the indicators to be tested. The framework and criteria are central inputs for the indicator selection phase and represent an essential step towards a full-fledged, consistent framework for SDG performance assessments.

Predictions of photophysical properties of phosphorescent platinum(II) complexes based on ensemble machine learning approach.

Cyclometalated Pt(II) complexes are popular phosphorescent emitters with color-tunable emissions. To render their practical applications as organic light-emitting diodes emitters, it is required to develop Pt(II) complexes with high radiative decay rate constant and photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield. Here, a general protocol is developed for accurate predictions of emission wavelength, radiative decay rate constant, and PL quantum yield based on the combination of first-principles quantum mechanical method, machine learning, and experimental calibration. A new dataset concerning phosphorescent Pt(II) emitters is constructed, with more than 200 samples collected from the literature. Features containing pertinent electronic properties of the complexes are chosen and ensemble learning models combined with stacking-based approaches exhibit the best performance, where the values of squared correlation coefficients are 0.96, 0.81, and 0.67 for the predictions of emission wavelength, PL quantum yield and radiative decay rate constant, respectively. The accuracy of the protocol is further confirmed using 24 recently reported Pt(II) complexes, which demonstrates its reliability for a broad palette of Pt(II) emitters.

Changes in the production materials of Burmese textiles in the nineteenth century—dyes, mordants and fibres of Karen garments from the British Museum’s collection

The materials of six Karen textiles from the British Museum’s collection were investigated with the main aim of studying the production changes over the course of the nineteenth century and how these changes related to local and colonial trade networks. The textiles span chronologically from the 1830s to the early 1900s according to their attribution dates, and include traditional garments such as tunics and skirts, in addition to representing a broad colour palette and different dyeing and weaving techniques. The investigation was conducted non-invasively by using digital microscopy, broadband multispectral imaging (MSI) and fibre optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS). The results guided a sampling campaign during which samples were taken and investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM–EDX) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–DAD-MS/MS). Local natural dyes, such as red and yellow from Morinda citrifolia, lac dye (Kerria lacca), gamboge (Garcinia sp.), turmeric (Curcuma longa), indigo and tannins were found in the older textiles, supporting a possible early production, whereas mixtures of natural and synthetic dyes, including synthetic alizarin (CI 58000), rhodamine B (CI 45170), orange I (CI 14600), diamond green B (CI 42000), diamond green G (CI 42040), auramine O (CI 41000), naphthol yellow S (CI 10316), chrysamine G (CI 22250), crystal violet (CI 42555) and Pigment Red 53:1 (CI 15585:1) were identified in the later textiles. Observations on mordants revealed the use of aluminium, tin and chrome, whereas fibre characterisation highlighted the use not only of cotton (Gossypium sp.) but also of felted wool imported from Europe and Chinese silk dyed with the Chinese cork tree (Phellodendron chinense) yellow dye. The results draw an interesting picture of the introduction of new dyeing materials and techniques in Myanmar over the nineteenth century, and how these impacted the production of traditional Karen textiles.

A polycistronic transgene design for combinatorial genetic perturbations from a single transcript in Drosophila.

Experimental models that capture the genetic complexity of human disease and allow mechanistic explorations of the underlying cell, tissue, and organ interactions are crucial to furthering our understanding of disease biology. Such models require combinatorial manipulations of multiple genes, often in more than one tissue at once. The ability to perform complex genetic manipulations in vivo is a key strength of Drosophila, where many tools for sophisticated and orthogonal genetic perturbations exist. However, combining the large number of transgenes required to establish more representative disease models and conducting mechanistic studies in these already complex genetic backgrounds is challenging. Here we present a design that pushes the limits of Drosophila genetics by allowing targeted combinatorial ectopic expression and knockdown of multiple genes from a single inducible transgene. The polycistronic transcript encoded by this transgene includes a synthetic short hairpin cluster cloned within an intron placed at the 5' end of the transcript, followed by two protein-coding sequences separated by the T2A sequence that mediates ribosome skipping. This technology is particularly useful for modeling genetically complex diseases like cancer, which typically involve concurrent activation of multiple oncogenes and loss of multiple tumor suppressors. Furthermore, consolidating multiple genetic perturbations into a single transgene further streamlines the ability to perform combinatorial genetic manipulations and makes it readily adaptable to a broad palette of transgenic systems. This flexible design for combinatorial genetic perturbations will also be a valuable tool for functionally exploring multigenic gene signatures identified from omics studies of human disease and creating humanized Drosophila models to characterize disease-associated variants in human genes. It can also be adapted for studying biological processes underlying normal tissue homeostasis and development that require simultaneous manipulation of many genes.

DeCLUTTER2+ - a pipeline to analyze calcium traces in a stem cell model for ventral midbrain patterned astrocytes.

Astrocytes are the most populous cell type of the human central nervous system and are essential for physiological brain function. Increasing evidence suggests multiple roles for astrocytes in Parkinson's disease, nudging a shift in the research focus, which historically pivoted around ventral midbrain dopaminergic neurons (vmDANs). Studying human astrocytes and other cell types in vivo remains challenging. However, in vitro-reprogrammed human stem cell-based models provide a promising alternative. Here, we describe a novel protocol for astrocyte differentiation from human stem cell-derived vmDAN-generating progenitors. This protocol simulates the regionalization, gliogenic switch, radial migration and final differentiation that occur in the developing human brain. We characterized the morphological, molecular and functional features of these ventral midbrain patterned astrocytes with a broad palette of techniques and identified novel candidate midbrain-astrocyte specific markers. In addition, we developed a new pipeline for calcium imaging data analysis called deCLUTTER2+ (deconvolution of Ca2+ fluorescent patterns) that can be used to discover spontaneous or cue-dependent patterns of Ca2+ transients. Altogether, our protocol enables the characterization of the functional properties of human ventral midbrain patterned astrocytes under physiological conditions and in disease.

Independent transmitted and reflected colors enabled by Fano resonant optical coatings

Conventionally, optical coatings transmit and reflect the complementary colors due to the limitations of the resonant modes in multilayered structures. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a type of semi-transparent optical coating that can produce the same color in transmission and reflection based on Fano resonance. The results verify that when the metallic spacer is extremely thin, almost the same reflectance and transmittance spectra can be simultaneously achieved with the efficiency about 40%. Furthermore, we comprehensively explore the change of the colors by varying the thickness of the metal and the refractive index of the dielectric cap. Benefiting from the flexible tuning of the coupled resonator, a broad palette of colors and chromatic information display are presented. Our semi-transparent optical coatings exhibit viewing angle tolerance up to 40°, which may lead to novel display and optical anti-counterfeiting techniques.

Aesthetic Possibilities of Building Thermal Control through Colored Envelopes

The possibilities of obtaining efficient building thermal control by means of colored envelopes while maintaining broad aesthetic options have been evaluated. The use of colored bilayers, where the inner layer presents strong solar absorbent or reflectance properties, while the outer layer provides visible coloration, represents a feasible way. A representative set of twenty bilayers spanning a broad color palette has been studied in two configurations, static and dynamic. The dynamic configuration allows for the switching of the inner layer between absorptive and reflective states. Simulations have been carried out in a total of nineteen locations around the world, representing the main habitable climates according to Köppen–Geiger climate classification. Comparative results between climate zones where this approach may have a significant impact have been obtained, and identification of feasible climate zones has been carried out. The use of the simpler static configuration is recommended for tropical climates, whereas the dynamic configuration could be effective in moderate climate locations (within arid or temperate climate classification). Possible savings for cold climates are negligible.

What happens in school music in Norway? Findings from a national survey of music teachers

ABSTRACT This article reports on a survey of Norwegian compulsory school music teachers, in which 293 teachers from 239 schools participated. In addition to providing demographic information, the teachers were asked what kinds of music their students listened to, sang, played, and created during lessons, and what activities this music was part of. We explore this material with respect to which forms of activities were included and how they were distributed, how the activities were related to teacher characteristics, what forms of participation the activities allowed for, and how this participation relates to broader societal patterns. The findings show that a broad palette of activities was implemented, but also that teachers with less formal competence in music chose activities that allowed for broader participation than their more musically specialised colleagues. Drawing on Bourdieu's concept of refraction, we interpret this as the latter being loyal to the logic of the art field.

Passion, Visions, Trance: Using Laban Technique to Train Actors in the Performance Non-Ordinary Psychophysical States in German Expressionist Drama

Passion, Visions, Trance:Using Laban Technique to Train Actors in the Performance Non-Ordinary Psychophysical States in German Expressionist Drama Gerald Large (bio) In Washington State, where I teach acting at the community college level, high school juniors and seniors can take community college classes for credit (a program called Running Start). Thus, my acting classes are populated mostly by sixteen- to twenty-year-olds. Occasionally a returning veteran will give the class a try, as do students of a certain age. Rarely do I have a theatre major. This demographic is liberating in that I needn't worry about training hopeful professional actors. I can explore a broad palette of training methodologies. I can play. But "play" in the context of an acting class must be meaningful for the students. Play needs to touch them deeply. Surprisingly, I found that a movement from a century ago and a continent away provides a promising playground for my students: German Expressionism. The explosive, transcendent, and socially forward-looking plays by August Stramm, Georg Kaiser, Oskar Kokoschka, and many others give us characters who frequently move from a quotidian existence to non-ordinary states of mind. Characters in these plays don't just have objectives of a mundane nature. They are absolutely manic in their passionate desire to transform both self and society. They have visions. They sit in trancestates as if suspended in time. When I casually asked my students if they'd be interested in exploring the performance of non-ordinary states of mind—specifically, heightened passion, the act of having a vision, and trance states—the response was a resounding "Yes!" This was followed by the obvious question: "How do we do that?" How indeed? I've never taught "expressionist" acting, and my experience with the plays of this movement are not as a director but as an enthusiastic reader who takes copious notes. Digging around in the back of my filing cabinet, I found a file labeled "GE." There I find pages of notes of Stramm's Sancta Susanna (1911), Ernst Toller's Transfiguration (1919), and other plays of the genre. Then I found what I was hoping I'd kept: notes on the dancers, choreographers, and the schools of dance of the German Expressionist movement, including Mary Wigman, Rudolf Bode, Dorothee Günther, the Bauhaus experiments, Rudolf Laban…. This is when I have my "aha!" moment. I'm neither a dancer nor choreographer, but my lifelong interest in both modernism and modern dance has put me in touch with Laban many times. Rudolf Laban (1879-1958) was both a prolific choreographer and dance theorist, whose writings include a seemingly inexhaustible supply of dance categories, theories, and instructions. I knew Laban technique had what I needed to help student-actors explore the performance of non-ordinary states of mind. In this essay, I relate the lessons I found useful in teaching an introductory acting class on the performance of non-ordinary states of mind as found in German Expressionist plays. Specific techniques I explore are Flow, Effort Elements, Motion Factors, and the Passion, Vision, and Spell/Trance [End Page 29] Drives. Additionally, I use scenes from Reinhard Sorge's The Beggar (1912) as the touchstone from which to explore the performance of heightened passion, experiencing a vision, and the trance state. _______ After two weeks of introductory theatre games and improvisations, I sit with the class and introduce them to German Expressionism. I briefly talk through several plays, screen short clips from silent Expressionist films, and show them paintings from the movement. Then we dive deep into Sorge's play The Beggar (which students have previously read).1 Textual analysis is completed by students divided into small groups. They work through several basic questions on character relationships, then they list scenes where they think characters are in a high state of passion, experiencing a vision or hallucinations, or are in a trance. When the groups have completed their task, we reassemble and go through each question. In general, students are perplexed by many of the play's disconnected scenes, by the sudden appearance of angels, and by the abrupt shifts from prose to verse. I welcome the confusion...

Engineering of bidirectional, cyanobacteriochrome-based light-inducible dimers (BICYCL)s.

Optogenetic tools for controlling protein-protein interactions (PPIs) have been developed from a small number of photosensory modules that respond to a limited selection of wavelengths. Cyanobacteriochrome (CBCR) GAF domain variants respond to an unmatched array of colors; however, their natural molecular mechanisms of action cannot easily be exploited for optogenetic control of PPIs. Here we developed bidirectional, cyanobacteriochrome-based light-inducible dimers (BICYCL)s by engineering synthetic light-dependent interactors for a red/green GAF domain. The systematic approach enables the future engineering of the broad chromatic palette of CBCRs for optogenetics use. BICYCLs are among the smallest optogenetic tools for controlling PPIs and enable either green-ON/red-OFF (BICYCL-Red) or red-ON/green-OFF (BICYCL-Green) control with up to 800-fold state selectivity. The access to green wavelengths creates new opportunities for multiplexing with existing tools. We demonstrate the utility of BICYCLs for controlling protein subcellular localization and transcriptional processes in mammalian cells and for multiplexing with existing blue-light tools.

Machine learning enables robust prediction of thermal boundary conductance of 2D substrate interfaces

Two-dimensional van der Waals (vdW) materials exhibit a broad palette of unique and superlative properties, including high electrical and thermal conductivities, paired with the ability to exfoliate or grow and transfer single layers onto a variety of substrates thanks to the relatively weak vdW interlayer bonding. However, the same vdW bonds also lead to relatively low thermal boundary conductance (TBC) between the 2D layer and its 3D substrate, which is the main pathway for heat removal and thermal management in devices, leading to a potential thermal bottleneck and dissipation-driven performance degradation. Here, we use first-principles phonon dispersion with our 2D–3D Boltzmann phonon transport model to compute the TBC of 156 unique 2D/3D interface pairs, many of which are not available in the literature. We then employ machine learning to develop streamlined predictive models, of which a neural network and a Gaussian process display the highest predictive accuracy (RMSE < 5 MW m−2 K−1 and R2> 0.99) on the complete descriptor set. Then we perform sensitivity analysis to identify the most impactful descriptors, consisting of the vdW spring coupling constant, 2D thermal conductivity, ZA phonon bandwidth, the ZA phonon resonance gap, and the frequency of the first van Hove singularity or Boson peak. On that reduced set, we find that a decision-tree algorithm can make accurate predictions (RMSE < 20 MW m−2 K−1 and R2> 0.9) on materials it has not been trained on by performing a transferability analysis. Our model allows optimal selection of 2D-substrate pairings to maximize heat transfer and will improve thermal management in future 2D nanoelectronics.

A sensory characterization of some N‐heterocycles in model spirit matrix: Influence of ethanol and several chemical features on aroma perception

AbstractThe qualitative spirit ageing bouquet, developed during maturation in oak casks through a complex transformation process, can result in a broad palette of nuances where roasted and nutty aromas are often identified. Nitrogen heterocycles (pyrazines, thiazoles, pyrroles), produced during the heating step of the barrel‐manufacturing, contribute to the perception of these nuances. However, their specific sensory characteristics within the spirit matrix have been poorly studied until now. The current study consisted in an overall olfactory characterization of nine targeted N‐heterocycles molecules previously identified in oak wood and detected in spirits. In a first step, the olfactory perception thresholds (detection and recognition) were measured in a spirit model medium (23% hydroalcoholic solution, pH 4), revealing that the presence of ethanol at such level minimally affected the olfactory perception of the studied compounds. A first sensory description of the set of N‐heterocycles also highlighted a large spectrum of aromatic nuances, mostly related to the semantic field of wood (nut, roasted, smoky, spicy). In a second step, a profile of the key aromatic attributes of the studied molecules was compiled, on the basis of their corresponding intensity scores given by a trained expert panel. Principal Component Analysis followed by Hierarchical Cluster Analysis categorized the pool of N‐heterocycles according to their sensory similarities. The presence of ethanol in spirit model matrix did not affect detection and recognition thresholds of studied N‐heterocycles. Wood‐derived nuances accounted among the most representative aromas characterized the studied N‐heterocycles. Functionals groups carried out by the chemical ring modified the aromatic perception of N‐heterocycles.