Flexible Function Research Articles

Targeting mitochondrial metabolism with CPI-613 in chemoresistant ovarian tumors.

There is evidence indicating that chemoresistance in tumor cells is mediated by the reconfiguration of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, leading to heightened mitochondrial activity and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Previously, we have shown that ovarian cancer cells that are resistant to chemotherapy display increased OXPHOS, mitochondrial function, and metabolic flexibility. To exploit this weakness in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells, we examined the effectiveness of the mitochondrial inhibitor CPI-613 in treating preclinical ovarian cancer. Chemosensitive OVCAR3, and chemoresistant CAOV3 and F2 ovarian cancer cells lines and their xenografts in nude mice were used. Functional metabolic studies were performed using Seahorse instrument. Metabolite quantification was performed using LC/MS/MS. Mice treated with CPI-613 exhibited a notable increase in overall survival and a reduction in tumor development and burden in OVCAR3, F2, and CAOV3 xenografts. CPI-613 suppressed the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, which are two of its targets. This led to a reduction in OXPHOS and tricarboxylic acid cycle activity in all 3 xenografts. The addition of CPI-613 enhanced the responsiveness of chemotherapy in the chemoresistant F2 and CAOV3 tumors, resulting in a notable improvement in survival rates and a reduction in tumor size as compared to using chemotherapy alone. CPI-613 reduced the chemotherapy-induced OXPHOS in chemoresistant tumors. The study revealed that the mechanism by which CPI-613 inhibits tumor growth is through mitochondrial collapse. This is evidenced by an increase in superoxide production within the mitochondria, a decrease in ATP generation, and the release of cytochrome C, which triggers mitochondria-induced apoptosis. Our study demonstrates the translational potential of CPI-613 against chemoresistant ovarian tumors.

Causal mediation analysis of factors influencing physical activity and community access among people with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease

ObjectiveTo examine how known causal factors (exercise self-efficacy, balance, walking capacity) affect outcomes (moderate intensity physical activity, community access) in people with Parkinson's disease (PD): through a direct pathway, indirectly through potential mediators (non-motor impairments), or through combined direct and mediated paths. DesignCausal mediation analyses using baseline and three-month data from pooled treatment groups in a randomized controlled trial. SettingData were collected at two university clinical research centers. ParticipantsOne hundred thirty-eight people with PD. InterventionsHome and community-based walking and strength exercise program. Main Outcome Measure(s)Exposures were exercise self-efficacy, walking ability, and balance. Potential mediators included pain, fatigue, mood (anxiety, depression, affect, apathy), stigma, and cognition (executive function and cognitive flexibility). Outcomes were physical activity and community access behaviour at three-month follow-up. Separate models were developed for each causal factor-mediator-outcome combination. To minimise bias, all models were adjusted for known confounders (comorbidities, freezing of gait, severity of motor impairments, and/or age) and baseline values of the outcomes. ResultsSelf-efficacy of walking duration had a causal relationship with moderate intensity physical activity through direct and combined paths (p<.001). Walking capacity had a causal relationship with community access through direct (p=.03-.04) and combined (p=.02-.03) paths. Balance did not affect community access (p>.05). There were no significant mediation effects through indirect pathways for either outcome. ConclusionsThe effect of known causal factors on physical activity and community access was not mediated by non-motor impairments. Walking self-efficacy and walking capacity remain the primary intervention targets for improving physical activity and community access, respectively, in people with PD.

P57Kip2 Phosphorylation Modulates Its Localization, Stability, and Interactions.

p57Kip2 is a member of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) Interacting Protein/Kinase Inhibitory Protein (CIP/Kip) family that also includes p21Cip1/WAF1 and p27Kip1. Different from its siblings, few data are available about the p57Kip2 protein, especially in humans. Structurally, p57Kip2 is an intrinsically unstructured protein, a characteristic that confers functional flexibility with multiple transient interactions influencing the metabolism and roles of the protein. Being an IUP, its localization, stability, and binding to functional partners might be strongly modulated by post-translational modifications, especially phosphorylation. In this work, we investigated by two-dimensional analysis the phosphorylation pattern of p57Kip2 in different cellular models, revealing how the human protein appears to be extensively phosphorylated, compared to p21Cip1/WAF1 and p27Kip1. We further observed clear differences in the phosphoisoforms distributed in the cytosolic and nuclear compartments in asynchronous and synchronized cells. Particularly, the unmodified form is detectable only in the nucleus, while the more acidic forms are present in the cytoplasm. Most importantly, we found that the phosphorylation state of p57Kip2 influences the binding with some p57Kip2 partners, such as CDKs, LIMK1 and CRM1. Thus, it is necessary to completely identify the phosphorylated residues of the protein to fully unravel the roles of this CIP/Kip protein, which are still partially identified.

Mapping Nanoscale-To-Single-Cell Phosphoproteomic Landscape by Chip-DIA.

Protein phosphorylation plays a crucial role in regulating disease phenotypes and serves as a key target for drug development. Mapping nanoscale-to-single-cell samples can unravel the heterogeneity of cellular signaling events. However, it remains a formidable analytical challenge due to the low detectability, abundance, and stoichiometry of phosphorylation sites. Here, we present a Chip-DIA strategy,integratinga microfluidic-based phosphoproteomic chip (iPhosChip) with data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS) for ultrasensitive nanoscale-to-single-cell phosphoproteomic profiling. The iPhosChip operates as an all-in-one station that accommodates both quantifiable cell capture/imaging and the entire phosphoproteomic workflow in a highly streamlined and multiplexed manner. Coupled with a sample size-comparable library-based DIA-MS strategy, Chip-DIA achieved ultra-high sensitivity, detecting 1076±158 to 15869±1898 phosphopeptides from 10±0 to 1013±4 cells, and revealed the first single-cell phosphoproteomic landscape comprising druggable sites and basal phosphorylation-mediated networks in lung cancer. Notably, the sensitivity and coverage enabled the illumination of heterogeneous cytoskeleton remodeling and cytokeratin signatures in patient-derived cells resistant to third-generation EGFR therapy, stratifying mixed-lineage adenocarcinoma-squamous cell carcinoma subtypes, and identifying alternative targeted therapy for late-stage patients. With flexibility in module design and functionalization, Chip-DIA can be adapted to other PTM-omics to explore dysregulated PTM landscapes, thereby guiding therapeutic strategies toward precision oncology.

Knowledge management infrastructure capabilities towards innovative work behavior: Employee's resilience and role of functional flexibility

This study aims to identify the specific mechanisms through which knowledge management infrastructure capabilities (KMIC) can affect IWB and provide insights into how organizations can support innovation through the development of resilient employees. Therefore, current research investigates the association between Knowledge-Management Infrastructure Capability (KMIC), Employee Resilience, Function-al-Flexibility (FF), and Innovative Work-Behavior (IWB) in the workplace. The data was collected through a survey of 374 employees working in tourism firms. For data collection, random sampling method and SEM technique was used. The outcomes demonstrate that KMIC has significant link with IWB; findings also present that employee's resilience mediates and functional flexibility moderates in the association between KMIC and IWB, which in turn have a positive and significant impact on IWB. By investing in knowledge management practices, developing employee resilience, and enhancing functional flexibility, organizations can improve their competitiveness, promote growth and innovation, and enhance their employees' well-being and job satisfaction. This study just explored how KMIC affected innovative work behavior directly and indirectly. In future additional factors such as leadership style and organizational culture could be explored. Additionally, the study found that functional flexibility moderates the relationship between employee resilience and IWB. This study finding offer imperative implications for organizations that aims to improve their employees' resilience, functional flexibility, and IWB through knowledge management practices. Through inferring these dynamics, this research provides valued insights for upcoming studies on the executive origination and offer useful instructions for industries pursuing to raise employee determined invention with strong KMIC, nurturing resilience and stimulating functional flexibility.

The Orbitofrontal Cortex to Striatal Cholinergic Interneuron Circuit Controls Cognitive Flexibility Shaping Alcohol-Seeking Behavior

A top-down neuronal circuit from the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) to the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) appears to be critical for cognitive flexibility. However, how OFC projections to different types of neurons in the DMS control cognitive flexibility and contribute to substance seeking and use, which are relatively inflexible behaviors, remains unclear. Mice were trained on two-bottle choice and operant alcohol self-administration procedures. The cognitive flexibility of the mice was tested through a place discrimination task. Electrophysiology and in vivo optogenetics were used to test the function of neural circuits in alcohol-seeking behavior. We depicted a connection from the OFC to striatal neurons and found that OFC afferents could elicit functional flexibility in striatal cholinergic interneurons (CINs). A mouse model of chronic alcohol consumption showed impaired cognitive flexibility and reduced burst-pause firing. The impairment of the OFC-DMS circuit resulted in a reduction in glutamatergic transmission in OFC-medium spiny neurons (MSNs) through a CIN-mediated pre-inhibition mechanism. Importantly, remodeling the OFC-DMS circuit by inducing LTP restored cognitive flexibility. Furthermore, CINs were responsible for the impact of remodeling of the OFC-DMS circuit on cognitive flexibility. This regulatory role of CINs preferentially facilitated the potentiation of glutamatergic transmission in D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) but not in D1-MSNs. Finally, activation of the OFC-CIN-D2-MSN circuit decreased alcohol-seeking behavior. Improving OFC-CIN circuit-mediated cognitive flexibility may provide a novel strategy for treating uncontrolled alcohol-seeking behavior.

Serotonergic modulation of visual processing

Neuromodulators are chemicals that alter the activity of neural networks. They can have -immediate or delayed effects on neurons, affecting their properties at both nearby and distant synapses. Neuromodulators can influence neurons in various ways, allowing even small neural Networks generate a diverse range of functional outcomes. This diversity is crucial for the flexibility and adaptability of neural functions, including sensory processing.

Sintesis dan Karakterisasi Solid Polymer Electrolyte (SPE) Berbasis Nanofiber Selulosa untuk Menunjang Baterai Litium Berdensitas Tinggi dan Ramah Lingkungan

Lithium battery as one of the energy storage has two important elements, namely electrodes and electrolyte. Electrolyte is a part of the battery element that has undergone many developments. In this study, the manufacture of electrolytes in the form of Solid Polymer Electrolyte (SPE) was carried out by utilizing the abundant availability of nata de coco. The nanofibrous cellulose structure in Bacterial Cellulose (BC) nata de coco has the advantages of good porosity, flexibility in surface functionality, compact porous structure that provides abundant ion pathways and hetero atoms (oxygen atoms) with free electron pairs that facilitate ionic conduction. The SPE synthesis process was carried out by varying the soaking time of nata de coco in ethanol, namely 1, 2 and 3 days to determine the structure with optimal results. FTIR characterization results show the synthesis of cellulose nanofiber has the same groups as commercial cellulose groups in the form of O-H, C-H, C=O and C-O. CV characterization results show the SPE electrolyte has good redox properties, especially in the 2-day variation with the highest specific capacitance. The EIS test showed the lowest resistance in the 1-day variation sample with a conductivity of 0.017 ohm-1.

Vocal functional flexibility in a nonprimate vocal learning species

Abstract Can nonhuman animals use the same acoustic signal to transmit different illocutions on different occasions? This communicative capacity is known as vocal functional flexibility and occurs, for example, in speech, when a sentence serves different illocutionary forces or functions on different occasions based on changes to visual and intonational cues. Although common in human speech, there is a lack of clear evidence for this ability in other species. Here, we examined a likely candidate, the Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), which is a vocal-learning songbird species that develops a repertoire of structurally distinct song types. Most of this species’ songs are directed towards conspecific males and females less than a meter away, making it unusually easy to determine the apparent target of songs, unlike the broadcast songs done by most songbirds. Songs directed to other males have clear aggressive/threatening intent, while those to females involve courtship/sexual intent. Extensive prior work shows that male cowbirds perform the visual display that accompanies singing differently in these two social settings and also modulate the intonation of song types differently. Because of these display and tonal modulations, constancy of song type usage across male- vs female-directed singing would provide evidence of vocal functional flexibility. Herein, we examined 4,828 songs in three captive flocks containing twenty-four males and thirty females during the breeding season. Males did not use their song types randomly and had strongly favored songs and less commonly used ones. Importantly, favored song types and less commonly used ones were the same whether directing courtship song to a female, aggressive song to another male or singing nonsocially with no receiver nearby. Results were consistent within and across the three flocks, providing strong evidence of vocal functional flexibility. These findings indicate that some species may evolve the ability to modulate and exaggerate visual display components and prosody more than vocal presentation per se because a learned phonological system in this and possibly other species is constrained by its vital role as an indicator trait.

Built to Adapt: Mechanisms of Cognitive Flexibility in the Human Brain

Adaptability is a distinguishing feature of the human species: We thrive as hunter-gatherers, farmers, and urbanites. What properties of our brains make us highly adaptable? We review neuroscience studies of sensory loss, language acquisition, and cultural skills (reading, mathematics, programming). The evidence supports a flexible specialization account. On the one hand, adaptation is enabled by evolutionarily prepared flexible learning systems, both domain-specific social learning systems (e.g., language) and domain-general systems (frontoparietal reasoning). On the other hand, the functional flexibility of our neural wetware enables us to acquire cognitive capacities not selected for by evolution. Heightened plasticity during a protracted period of development enhances cognitive flexibility. Early in life, local cortical circuits are capable of acquiring a wide range of cognitive capacities. Exuberant cross-network connectivity makes it possible to combine old neural parts in new ways, enabling cognitive flexibility such as language acquisition across modalities (spoken, signed, braille) and cultural skills (math, programming). Together, these features of the human brain make it uniquely adaptable.

Tolerating injustice when feeling in control: Personal control enhances the link between collectivism and coercion in the face of disease threats

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities worldwide imposed coercive regulations aimed at curbing the virus’s spread, often at the expense of individuals who were considered potential threats to public health. We argue that individual differences in their support for such actions can be understood from the perspective of an evolved “behavioral immune system”. We conducted two studies within the context of the “zero-COVID” policy in Mainland China. Study 1 recruited 819 Shanghai residents during a strict citywide lockdown and found that individuals’ collectivistic orientation and personal control over their lives predicted their tolerance of injustices involved in disease-control measures. Moreover, the effect of psychological collectivism was enhanced by personal control. Study 2 (N = 403) partly replicated these findings using hypothetical scenarios related to various fictitious viruses. Notably, the effects found in Study 1 only manifested in scenarios involving ambivalent pathogens, which are seldom fatal but highly contagious. Building on the functional flexibility principle of the behavioral immune system theory, we discussed the unique role of ambivalent pathogen signals in generating within-society variability and fine-tuning behavioral immune responses.

A CONTINGENCY APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY FOR SUSTAINABLE ORGANISATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS: A STUDY OF MEDIUM-SCALE ENTERPRISE

Pressure is increasing on medium-scale enterprises that operate in already volatile environments characterized by uncertainty, high business costs, intense competition, and instability. The perceived need for increasing flexibility in businesses necessitated this study which examined the extent to which functional flexibility affects organization effectiveness in medium scale enterprises in the north-central zone of Nigeria. To achieve this objective, the variables were operationalized and model specified. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. Data were gathered from primary source and the study hypothesis was tested using the Multiple Regression Technique. Functional flexibility was found to have significant effect on organizational effectiveness from the result of the regression analysis. Based on these findings, the study recommended that the leadership of business enterprises should adopt formal and coordinated approaches to modifications of work behavior.

Securing 5G virtual networks: a critical analysis of SDN, NFV, and network slicing security

5G, the current generation of communication networks is based on the standards defined by 3GPP and other organizations (ETSI, ENISA, NGMN). These standards define virtual networks supported by three basic technologies, SDN, NFV, and Network Slicing. Virtual networks are primarily built using software and have clear advantages that appear to be reduced because of the corresponding loss in security due to the larger attack surface of this type of network. On the other hand, virtual networks can be made even more secure than hardware-based networks by leveraging the flexibility and adaptability of virtual functions and numerous articles have studied different aspects of their security. Current work goes from proposals for specific mechanisms to general studies of threats and defenses. Some of these are systematic literature reviews considering everything published on a specific theme. We prefer to analyze carefully selected papers considered significant and produce from them an overview of the status of the security of the network technologies used by 5G. After this analysis, we have found that although there are many studies of threats, they are not systematic and have confusions about concepts that may mislead implementers; we also found that the large variety of defenses can be confusing to designers. We have therefore conducted a critical analysis of threats and defenses to provide a clear perspective of how to secure these networks. Based on this perspective, we propose directions for research to improve or extend current defenses. We note that although virtual networks have special characteristics, they are examples of systems and much of the theory of systems security applies to them.

Investigation of Vanadium-Based Oxide(L1+xV3O8) for Zn-Ion Batteries

Being a champion in the portable electronics world, high-energy density lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) are irreplaceable. Still, the scarcity of Li resources, high cost, and the inclusion of non-aqueous electrolytes make them relatively perilous and inefficient for grid-scale energy storage. Recently, the blooming aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) have emerged as one of the pioneers featuring the inherently safe nature of metallic Zn anode and its unique properties.[1] Vanadium-based compounds show fast ion diffusion and excellent reversible capacity because of their rich valence state of V, facile distortion of V-O polyhedra, and tuneable composition, which offers an excellent treasure house. Moreover, the different oxidation states of vanadium allow a higher degree of structural change and greater functional flexibility while incorporating multivalent cations into vanadium-based compounds.[2] The present work focuses on a V-based oxide cathode, i.e., LixV3O8 (x = 1, 1.3, 1.5), named LVO (SG: P21/m, crystal: monoclinic). It was synthesized using V-pentoxide and LiOH precursors through a simple and economical sol-gel route. LVO was further chemically lithiated to the desired stoichiometries (1.3 and 1.5) using LiI in acetonitrile to get Li1.3V3O8 & Li1.5V3O8, to use them as a cathode material for ZIBs. The best-performing cathode, i.e., L1.5VO, showed the reversible capacity of ~150 mAhg-1 at a current rate of 5 Ag-1 for 3500 cycles in 2 M Zn(Otf)2. Moreover, at 1Ag-1, it showed a high capacity of 260 mAhg-1. In operando XRD suggests the overall phase evolution is highly reversible, as indicated by the reversible evolution of the LVO peaks, the underlying charge storage process can be distinguished into two halves. During discharge, those two halves are: 1.6V – 0.8V window representing Zn2+ intercalation and 0.8 – 0.2V window with predominant H+ intercalation. The latter process is evident from the appearance of the triflate based layered double hydroxide byproduct (triflate-LDH) diffraction peaks (marked with asterisk) [3] formed from the reaction of Zn2+, CF3SO2O- (triflate anion), and OH- left behind after H+ insertion. It is safe to say that the Zn2+ intercalation is the dominant process in the high voltage regime where the triflate-LDH peaks do not appear. Even though the transition from Zn2+ to H+ mediated charge storage coincides with a change in the shape of the voltage profile and its slope around 0.8 V, this is likely related to the puckering of the VOx layers as observed for Li+ intercalation in V2O5. In operando Raman suggested an evolution for the peaks which are associated with the V-O-V bending vibrations in the 200-600 cm-1 range. Overall, A detailed examination of this system using ex-situ, in-operando XRD, in-operando Raman spectroscopy, solid state 1H proton NMR, and ABF-STEM imaging will be discussed, which confirmed Zn-ion (de)intercalation in Li1.5VO with a reversible LDH formation. This vanadate can be proposed as a robust cathode for zinc-ion batteries. Reference s : [1] M. Song, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 2018, 28,1802564.[2] Y. Zhang et al., Chem. Front. 20 21, 5, 744-762.[3] P. Oberholzer et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2019, 11, 674−682

Dorsomedial Striatum CB1R signaling is required for Pavlovian outcome devaluation in male Long Evans rats and reduces inhibitory synaptic transmission in both sexes.

Cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R) signaling in the dorsal striatum regulates the shift from flexible to habitual behavior in instrumental outcome devaluation. Based on prior work establishing individual, sex, and experience-dependent differences in Pavlovian behaviors, we predicted a role for dorsomedial striatum CB1R signaling in driving rigid responding in Pavlovian autoshaping and outcome devaluation. We trained male and female Long Evans rats in Pavlovian Lever Autoshaping (PLA). We gave intra-dorsomedial striatum (DMS) infusions of the CB1R inverse agonist, rimonabant, before satiety-induced outcome devaluation test sessions, where we sated rats on training pellets or home cage chow and tested them in brief nonreinforced Pavlovian Lever Autoshaping sessions. Overall, inhibition of DMS CB1R signaling prevented Pavlovian outcome devaluation but did not affect behavior in reinforced PLA sessions. Males were sensitive to devaluation while females were not and DMS CB1R inhibition impaired devaluation sensitivity in males. We then investigated how DMS CB1R signaling impacts local inhibitory synaptic transmission in male and female Long Evans rats. We recorded spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSC) from DMS neurons at baseline and before and after application of a CB1R agonist, WIN 55,212-2. We found that male rats showed decreased sIPSC frequency compared to females, and that CB1R activation reduced DMS inhibitory transmission independent of sex. Altogether our results demonstrate that DMS CB1Rs regulate Pavlovian devaluation sensitivity and inhibitory synaptic transmission and suggest that basal sex differences in inhibitory synaptic transmission may underly sex differences in DMS function and behavioral flexibility.

Exploring the Origins and Evolution of Oxygenic and Anoxygenic Photosynthesis in Deeply Branched Cyanobacteriota.

Cyanobacteriota, the sole prokaryotes capable of oxygenic photosynthesis (OxyP), occupy a unique and pivotal role in Earth's history. While the notion that OxyP may have originated from Cyanobacteriota is widely accepted, its early evolution remains elusive. Here, by using both metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, we explore 36 metagenome-assembled genomes from hot spring ecosystems, belonging to two deep-branching cyanobacterial orders: Thermostichales and Gloeomargaritales. Functional investigation reveals that Thermostichales encode the crucial thylakoid membrane biogenesis protein, vesicle-inducing protein in plastids 1 (Vipp1). Based on the phylogenetic results, we infer that the evolution of the thylakoid membrane predates the divergence of Thermostichales from other cyanobacterial groups and that Thermostichales may be the most ancient lineage known to date to have inherited this feature from their common ancestor. Apart from OxyP, both lineages are potentially capable of sulfide-driven AnoxyP by linking sulfide oxidation to the photosynthetic electron transport chain. Unexpectedly, this AnoxyP capacity appears to be an acquired feature, as the key gene sqr was horizontally transferred from later-evolved cyanobacterial lineages. The presence of two D1 protein variants in Thermostichales suggests the functional flexibility of photosystems, ensuring their survival in fluctuating redox environments. Furthermore, all MAGs feature streamlined phycobilisomes with a preference for capturing longer-wavelength light, implying a unique evolutionary trajectory. Collectively, these results reveal the photosynthetic flexibility in these early-diverging cyanobacterial lineages, shedding new light on the early evolution of Cyanobacteriota and their photosynthetic processes.

Hypothalamic hormone deficiency enables physiological anorexia in ground squirrels during hibernation

Mammalian hibernators survive prolonged periods of cold and resource scarcity by temporarily modulating normal physiological functions, but the mechanisms underlying these adaptations are poorly understood. The hibernation cycle of thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) lasts for 5–7 months and comprises weeks of hypometabolic, hypothermic torpor interspersed with 24–48-h periods of an active-like interbout arousal (IBA) state. We show that ground squirrels, who endure the entire hibernation season without food, have negligible hunger during IBAs. These squirrels exhibit reversible inhibition of the hypothalamic feeding center, such that hypothalamic arcuate nucleus neurons exhibit reduced sensitivity to the orexigenic and anorexigenic effects of ghrelin and leptin, respectively. However, hypothalamic infusion of thyroid hormone during an IBA is sufficient to rescue hibernation anorexia. Our results reveal that thyroid hormone deficiency underlies hibernation anorexia and demonstrate the functional flexibility of the hypothalamic feeding center.

Janus Flexible Device with Microcone Channels for Sampling and Analysis of Biological Microfluidics.

Controlling the spontaneous directional transport of droplets plays an important role in the application of microchemical reactions and microdroplet detection. Although the relevant technologies have been widely studied, the existing spontaneous droplet transport strategies still face problems of complex structure, single function, and poor flexibility. Inspired by the spontaneous droplet transport strategy in nature, an asymmetric wettability surface with microcone channels (AWS-MC) is prepared on a flexible fabric by combining surface modification and femtosecond laser manufacturing technology. On this surface, the capillary force and Laplace pressure induced by the wettability gradient and the geometric structure gradient drive the droplet transport from the hydrophobic surface to the hydrophilic surface. Notably, droplets in adjacent hydrophilic regions do not exchange substances even if the gap in the hydrophilic region is only 1 mm, which provides an ideal platform for numerous detections by a single drop. The droplet transport strategy does not require external energy and can adapt to the manipulation of various droplet types. Application of this surface in the blood of organisms is demonstrated. This work provides an effective method for microdroplet-directed self-transport and microdroplet detection.

The effect of empowerment and functional flexibility in raising the efficiency of employee performance by application to airline companies in Egypt

The effect of empowerment and functional flexibility in raising the efficiency of employee performance by application to airline companies in Egypt

Morphometric brain organization across the human lifespan reveals increased dispersion linked to cognitive performance.

The human brain is organized as segregation and integration units and follows complex developmental trajectories throughout life. The cortical manifold provides a new means of studying the brain's organization in a multidimensional connectivity gradient space. However, how the brain's morphometric organization changes across the human lifespan remains unclear. Here, leveraging structural magnetic resonance imaging scans from 1,790 healthy individuals aged 8 to 89 years, we investigated age-related global, within- and between-network dispersions to reveal the segregation and integration of brain networks from 3D manifolds based on morphometric similarity network (MSN), combining multiple features conceptualized as a "fingerprint" of an individual's brain. Developmental trajectories of global dispersion unfolded along patterns of molecular brain organization, such as acetylcholine receptor. Communities were increasingly dispersed with age, reflecting more disassortative morphometric similarity profiles within a community. Increasing within-network dispersion of primary motor and association cortices mediated the influence of age on the cognitive flexibility of executive functions. We also found that the secondary sensory cortices were decreasingly dispersed with the rest of the cortices during aging, possibly indicating a shift of secondary sensory cortices across the human lifespan from an extreme to a more central position in 3D manifolds. Together, our results reveal the age-related segregation and integration of MSN from the perspective of a multidimensional gradient space, providing new insights into lifespan changes in multiple morphometric features of the brain, as well as the influence of such changes on cognitive performance.