Simultaneous Manipulation Research Articles

Simultaneous manipulation of multiple genes within a same regulatory stage for iterative evolution of Trichoderma reesei

BackgroundWhile there is growing interest in developing non-canonical filamentous fungi as hosts for producing secretory proteins, genetic engineering of filamentous fungi for improved expression often relies heavily on the understanding of regulatory mechanisms.ResultsIn this study, using the cellulase-producing filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei as a model system, we designed a semi-rational strategy by arbitrarily dividing the regulation of cellulase production into three main stages-transcription, secretion, and cell metabolism. Selected regulatory or functional genes that had been experimentally verified or predicted to enhance cellulase production were overexpressed using strong inducible or constitutive promoters, while those that would inhibit cellulase production were repressed via RNAi-mediated gene silencing. A T. reesei strain expressing the surface-displayed DsRed fluorescent protein was used as the recipient strain. After three consecutive rounds of engineering, the cellulase activity increased to up to 4.35-fold and the protein concentration increased to up to 2.97-fold in the genetically modified strain.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that, as a proof-of-concept, selected regulatory or functional genes within an arbitrarily defined stage could be pooled to stimulate secretory cellulase production, and moreover, this method could be iteratively used for further improvement. This method is semi-rational and can essentially be used in filamentous fungi with little regulatory information.

Reachability-Based False Data Injection Attacks and Defence Mechanisms for Cyberpower System

With the push for higher efficiency and reliability, an increasing number of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) and associated information and communication technology (ICT) are integrated into the Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart grid. These advanced technologies and IEDs also bring potential vulnerabilities to the intelligent cyber–physical smart grid. State estimation, as a primary step of system monitoring and situational awareness, is a potential target for attackers. A number of other smart grid applications, such as voltage stability assessment and contingency screening, utilize state estimation results as input data. False data injection (FDI) is a specific way to attack state estimation by manipulating input data. Existing research mainly focuses on the mathematical analysis of FDI attacks; however, in these methods, discussions of reachability requirements to compromise measurements considering cyberinfrastructure are limited. Reachability is defined as a measure that estimates the number of hosts to compromise for the possible FDI. Most of the existing FDI attack methods require the simultaneous manipulation on multiple measurement devices in different substations, in order to bypass the bad data detection, which may be impractical. In this paper, a new type of reachability-based FDI attack considering the cybernetwork with a practical attack is proposed and validated on two IEEE test systems. The corresponding defence mechanisms are (a) decentralized state estimation (DSE), (b) DSE with additional backup computational nodes, (c) communication network rerouting, and (d) intrusion detection system, and they were developed and presented with validation for two IEEE test systems with superior performance for an IoT-enabled intelligent smart grid system.

Multicolor concentric ultrafast vortex beams with controllable orbital angular momentum

Increasing any degree of freedom of vortex light beam can broaden the application area of this special light beam. Here, up to nine multicolor concentric ultrafast vortex beams (MUCU-VBs) with controllable orbital angular momentum (OAM) are generated simultaneously using cascaded four-wave mixing in an yttrium aluminum garnet plate. The topological charges (TCs) of the MUCU-VBs are controllable by changing the TCs of the two input pump beams. The MUCU-VBs can be manipulated simultaneously in temporal, spatial, and spectral domains and OAM state, which will be of wide and special applications, such as multicolor pump-probe experiments, simultaneous microparticle manipulation, and optical communication. Moreover, the special focusing properties of the multicolor ultrafast sidebands, such as multi-focus of different wavelengths, may further extend their application areas. The method can be used to generate MUCU-VBs in other spectral ranges such as UV or mid-infrared.

Broadband high-efficiency polarization-encoded meta-holograms based on 3-bit spin-decoupled reflective meta-atoms

Metasurfaces are engineered planar surfaces consisting of arrays of resonators for tailoring the electromagnetic wavefronts in a desirable way. However, the spin-locked issue of the geometric metasurfaces hinders simultaneous manipulation of both spins. In this work, a spin-decoupled information metasurface composed of simple C-shaped resonators is proposed to realize two different information channels under the orthogonal circularly polarized (CP) incidences. Based on the encoded digit '0' or '1', the diffusion scattering or a holographic image could be realized under the CP excitation in a broadband frequency range from 9 to 12 GHz. As an illustrative example, a 3-bit polarization-encoded meta-hologram is designed, fabricated, and characterized. The measured results agree very well with the numerical results, which gives the proposed method great potential in numerous applications such as holographic displays and information processing.

Destructing surfactant network in nanoemulsions by positively charged magnetic nanorods to enhance oil-water separation

The separation of ultrafine oil droplets from wasted nanoemulsions stabilized with high concentration of surfactants is precondition for oil reuse and the safe discharge of effluent. However, the double barriers of the interfacial film and network structures formed by surfactants in nanoemulsions significantly impede the oil-water separation. To destroy these surfactant protective layers, we proposed a newly-developed polyethyleneimine micelle template approach to achieve simultaneous surface charge manipulation and morphology transformation of magnetic nanospheres to magnetic nanorods. The results revealed that positively charged magnetic nanospheres exhibited limited separation performance of nanoemulsions, with a maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 50%, whereas magnetic nanorods achieved more than 95% COD removal in less than 30 s. The magnetic nanorods were also applicable to wasted nanoemulsions from different sources and exhibited excellent resistance to wide pH changes. Owing to their unique one-dimensional structure, the interfacial dispersion of magnetic nanorods was significantly promoted, leading to the efficient capture of surfactants and widespread destruction of both the interfacial film and network structure, which facilitated droplet merging into the oil phase. The easy-to-prepare and easy-to-tune strategy in this study paves a feasible avenue to simultaneously tailor surface charge and morphology of magnetic nanoparticles, and reveals the huge potential of morphology manipulation for producing high-performance nanomaterials to be applied in complex interfacial interaction process. We believe that the newly-developed magnetic-nanorods significantly contribute to hazardous oily waste remediation and advances technology evolution toward problematic oil-pollution control.

Theory of mind tested by implicit false belief: a simple and full-fledged mental state attribution.

About 40 years have passed since 'theory of mind (ToM)' research started. The false-belief test is used as a litmus test for ToM ability. The implicit false-belief test has renewed views of ToM in several disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience. Many important questions have been considered via the paradigm of implicit false belief. We recently addressed the phylogenetic and physiological aspects of ToM using a version of this paradigm combined with the chemogenetic technique on Old World monkeys. We sought to create animal models for autism that exhibit behavioral phenotypes similar to human symptoms. The simultaneous manipulation of neural circuits and assessments of changes in phenotypes can help identify the causal neural substrate of ToM.

Review - Working memory: State of the Science, a Review

Working memory (WM) is a cognitive system that enables the simultaneous manipulation and storage of information, allowing the accomplishment of everyday activities, from the simplest to the most complex ones. Given its relevance, WM has been a prolific topic of study in cognitive psychology and related sciences. Several researchers have developed models to explain how WM is organized, how it interacts with other cognitive systems, how it supports processing and maintenance functions, among diverse specificities. From the first theoretical framework proposed by Baddeley and Hitch (1974) until today, research has advanced quite substantially based on various data sources such as behavioral, cognitive, neuroimaging, and computer modeling studies. After twenty-two years since the publication of the book entitled “Models of Working Memory: Mechanisms of Active Maintenance and Executive Control”, edited by Miyake and Shah (1999), Logie, Camos, and Cowan invited proponents of competing WM models to answer a series of questions in their new book entitled ‘Working Memory: State of the Science’ aiming to provide a comprehensive and integrative account of the current scenario.

All-fiber-transmission photometry for simultaneous optogenetic stimulation and multi-color neuronal activity recording

Manipulating and real-time monitoring of neuronal activities with cell-type specificity and precise spatiotemporal resolution during animal behavior are fundamental technologies for exploring the functional connectivity, information transmission, and physiological functions of neural circuits<italic>in vivo</italic>. However, current techniques for optogenetic stimulation and neuronal activity recording mostly operate independently. Here, we report an all-fiber-transmission photometry system for simultaneous optogenetic manipulation and multi-color recording of neuronal activities and the neurotransmitter release in a freely moving animal. We have designed and manufactured a wavelength-independent multi-branch fiber bundle to enable simultaneous optogenetic manipulation and multi-color recording at different wavelengths. Further, we combine a laser of narrow linewidth with the lock-in amplification method to suppress the optogenetic stimulation-induced artifacts and channel crosstalk. We show that the collection efficiency of our system outperforms a traditional epi-fluorescence system. Further, we demonstrate successful recording of dynamic dopamine (DA) responses to unexpected rewards in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in a freely moving mouse. We also show simultaneous dual-color recording of neuronal Ca²⁺ signals and DA dynamics in the NAc upon delivering an unexpected reward and the simultaneous optogenetic activating at dopaminergic terminals in the same location. Thus, our multi-function fiber photometry system provides a compatible, efficient, and flexible solution for neuroscientists to study neural circuits and neurological diseases.

Simultaneous manipulation of scalable absorbance and the electronic bridge for efficient CO2 photoreduction

An oxygen bridge structure was introduced into graphitic carbon nitride using a unique synthetic method. The presence of the oxygen bridge enables electron transfer and the reaction of CO2 molecules adsorbed on the surface to form CO.

Bi Vacancy Simultaneous Manipulation of Bulk Adsorption and Carrier Utilization to Replenish the Mechanism of Cr(Vi) Photoreduction at Universal Ph

Bi Vacancy Simultaneous Manipulation of Bulk Adsorption and Carrier Utilization to Replenish the Mechanism of Cr(Vi) Photoreduction at Universal Ph

Tuning the Spatially Controlled Growth, Structural Self-Organizing and Cluster-Assembling of the Carbyne-Enriched Nano-Matrix during Ion-Assisted Pulse-Plasma Deposition

Revise and shorten the abstract as follows: Carbyne-enriched nanomaterials are of current interest in nanotechnology-related applications. The properties of these nanomaterials greatly depend on their production process. In particular, structural self-organization and auto-synchronization of nanostructures are typical phenomena observed during the growth and heteroatom-doping of carbyne-enriched nanostructured metamaterials by the ion-assisted pulse-plasma deposition method. Accordingly, fine tuning of these processes may be seen as the key step to the predictive designing of carbyne-enriched nano-matrices with improved properties. In particular, we propose an innovative concept, connected with application of the vibrational-acoustic effects and based on universal Cymatics mechanisms. These effects are used to induce vibration-assisted self-organized wave patterns together with the simultaneous manipulation of their properties through an electric field. Interaction between the inhomogeneous electric field distribution generated on the vibrating layer and the plasma ions serves as the additional energizing factor controlling the local pattern formation and self-organization of the nano-structures.

Multiplexed sensing of biomolecules with optically detected magnetic resonance of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

In the past decade, a great effort has been devoted to develop new biosensor platforms for the detection of a wide range of analytes. Among the various approaches, magneto-DNA assay platforms have received extended interest for high sensitive and specific detection of targets with a simultaneous manipulation capacity. Here, using nitrogen-vacancy quantum centers in diamond as transducers for magnetic nanotags (MNTs), a hydrogel-based, multiplexed magneto-DNA assay is presented. Near-background-free sensing with diamond-based imaging combined with noninvasive control of chemically robust nanotags renders it a promising platform for applications in medical diagnostics, life science, and pharmaceutical drug research. To demonstrate its potential for practical applications, we employed the sensor platform in the sandwich DNA hybridization process and achieved a limit of detection in the attomolar range with single-base mismatch differentiation.

Acoustic Focusing with Intensity Modulation Based on Sub-Wavelength Waveguide Array

Acoustic focusing with intensity modulation plays an important role in biomedical and life sciences. In this work, we propose a new approach for simultaneous phase and amplitude manipulation in sub-wavelength coupled resonant units, which has not been reported so far. Based on the equivalent impedance and refractive index modulation induced by the change of geometry, arbitrary amplitude response from 0 to 1 and phase shift from 0 to 2π is realized. Thus, the acoustic focusing with intensity modulation can be achieved via waveguide array. Herein, the focal length can be adjusted by alternating the length of supercell, and the whole system can work in a broadband of 0.872f0–1.075f0. By introducing the coding method, the thermal viscosity loss is reduced, and the wavefront modulation can be more accurate. Compared with previous works, our approach has the advantages of simple design and broadband response, which may have promising applications in acoustic communication, non-destructive testing, and acoustic holography.

Construction of MoSe2 nanoparticles anchored on layered microporous carbon heterostructure anode for high-performance and low-cost lithium-ion capacitors

Lithium ion capacitors (LICs), which elaborately integrate the feature of supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries have recently aroused extensive research attentions. Nevertheless, balancing the discrepancy of electrochemical kinetics between capacitive-type cathode and battery-type anode materials plays the pivotal role in constructing high-performance of LICs. Additionally, the cathode and anode of LICs usually adopt various material synthesis routes, making the fabrication procedures complicated and expensive from the perspective of energy storage devices. Herein, the one‑carbon dual-purpose strategy is proposed for simultaneous manipulation of MoSe2/layered microporous carbon heterostructure anode (MoSe2@LMC-1.5) and amorphous microporous carbon cathode (LMC) by using maize stalks precursor. The MoC bond formed on the interface of MoSe2 and LMC favors electron and Li-ion transfer in the composite. The amorphous microporous carbon substrate can not only ameliorate electrical conductivity of molybdenum selenide, but also tremendously suppress serious agglomeration of MoSe2 nanoparticles. The optimized mass ratio MoSe2@LMC-1.5 heterostructure remarkably improves the lithium ion storage performance. More importantly, in the potential window (0–4.5 V), LIC (MoSe2@LMC-1.5//LMC) device displays a higher energy/power output (maximum 108 Wh kg−1/221 W kg−1 and 68 Wh kg−1/2295 W kg−1) along with good cycling life.

A low-cost open-source 5-choice operant box system optimized for electrophysiology and optophysiology in mice

Operant boxes enable the application of complex behavioural paradigms to support circuit neuroscience and drug discovery research. However, commercial operant box systems are expensive and often not optimised for combining behaviour with neurophysiology. Here we introduce a fully open-source Python-based operant-box system in a 5-choice design (pyOS-5) that enables assessment of multiple cognitive and affective functions. It is optimized for fast turn-over between animals, and for testing of tethered mice for simultaneous physiological recordings or optogenetic manipulation. For reward delivery, we developed peristaltic and syringe pumps based on a stepper motor and 3D-printed parts. Tasks are specified using a Python-based syntax implemented on custom-designed printed circuit boards that are commercially available at low cost. We developed an open-source graphical user interface (GUI) and task definition scripts to conduct assays assessing operant learning, attention, impulsivity, working memory, or cognitive flexibility, alleviating the need for programming skills of the end user. All behavioural events are recorded with millisecond resolution, and TTL-outputs and -inputs allow straightforward integration with physiological recordings and closed-loop manipulations. This combination of features realizes a cost-effective, nose-poke-based operant box system that allows reliable circuit-neuroscience experiments investigating correlates of cognition and emotion in large cohorts of subjects.

Ultrasound guided cannulation of dialysis access.

Vascular access is the key part of haemodialysis (HD) treatment, as this is not possible without a functioning access. The use of the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has fewer complications, lower mortality and fewer hospital admissions compared to central venous catheter (CVC). However, although guidelines recommend AVF as the access of choice, access-related cannulation complications may lead to greater morbidity. Most guidelines recommend using Doppler ultrasound (DU) to surveil the AVF for HD, but its use must not only be limited to surveillance as it can also be used for needling. Therefore, among those techniques at our disposal today, one of the best tools for AVF needling is Doppler ultrasound (DU). Despite the lack of evidence regarding ultrasound-guided needling of AVF, it is becoming part of our usual practice arsenal in many HD centres. Its use has allowed needling results to improve and the number of complications to be reduced versus traditional ‘blind’ needling. It should be remembered that even though it is very useful for the daily work of dialysis nurses, as in the case of other techniques, it requires adequate, specialised and long-term training to acquire competence in using it. For example, it is important to learn some concepts and terminology that should be known and, at the same time, be highly familiar with different techniques available. Two types of needling techniques are described using US assistance: US-guided needling, where DU is used to make a map of the vessels which can be utilised and to mark the best site to insert the needles once the mapping is done; and real-time US-guided needling, the simultaneous manipulation of the probe and the insertion of the puncture needle through the slice plane of the ultrasound device. Regarding the real-time technique, there are two approaches: out of plane (the probe takes a transversal image of the needle) and in plane (vessel axis aligned with the probe and the needle in the same plane) To ensure successful needling and to maximise reproducibility, especially with tight deadlines and staff resources, nursing staff need to follow some important recommendations that include safety and the use of the method, both for them and the patient. In this way, ultrasound-guided needling becomes a tool with enormous potential utility, but practical training is as important as knowing the technique.

Macromolecular Ligand Engineering for Programmable Nanoprism Assembly.

Ligands play a central role for the energetics and kinetics of nanocrystal assembly. Yet, the precise and simultaneous manipulation of ligands to dictate assembly outcome has proven difficult. Here, we present macromolecular ligand-engineering strategies to control, characterize, and model four molecular parameters of grafted polymer chains: chain length, chain dispersity, grafting density, and chain distribution. Direct ligand-exchange between nanoprisms and polymers functionalizes facets selectively and produces patchy nanocrystals. We develop a generalizable two-step ligand-exchange approach for the independent control of the two emergent brush parameters, brush thickness and brush softness. The resultant polymer-grafted prismatic nanocrystals with programmable ligand brushes self-assemble into thin-film superstructures of different wallpaper symmetries and faceted supracrystals. Our experiments are complemented by coarse-grained computer simulations of nanoprisms with directional, facet-specific interactions. This work paves the way for the precision synthesis of polymer-nanocrystal hybrid materials and enables the further refinement of theoretical models for particle brush materials.

Simultaneous Manipulation of Electric and Magnetic Surface Waves by Topological Hyperbolic Metasurfaces

Simultaneous Manipulation of Electric and Magnetic Surface Waves by Topological Hyperbolic Metasurfaces

Simultaneous Manipulation of Interfacial and Defects Polarization toward Zn/Co Phase and Ion Hybrids for Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

AbstractRational manipulation of multimetal hybrid materials (HMs) with tunable substitution or phases is evolving as an effective strategy to meet the controllable electromagnetic (EM) properties and EM wave (EMW) absorption. Herein, a new thermodynamic and kinetic cocontrol strategy is proposed to construct Zn/Co bimetal HMs with tuning ion and phase hybridization for synergistic effect on EM properties for the first time. Auxiliary chelating agent triethanolamine (TEA) dominates the phase separation by stepwise Zn/Co deposition in metal–organic frameworks, then the pyrolysis process under gradient temperature give rise to controllable ion hybridization products due to thermal motion. Benefiting from the tunable collaboration between defects polarization and interfacial polarization, the 700 °C HMs exhibit ultrahigh EM parameters and EMW absorption, of which products with no TEA deliver the effective absorbing bandwidth of 4.80 GHz (1.6 mm) and minimum reflection loss of −45.85 dB. The results indicated that synergistic effect of ion and phase hybridization can improve the defects induced “polarization centers” and coherent interfaces induced interfacial polarization. Furthermore, the comprehensive research and deep understanding on respective contribution of hybridization forms provide a precise inspiration in developing bimetal and even multimetal ferrite with tunable hybridization structure.

A 3D controllable diffraction‐limited spot array generated by means of a spaced‐dipole array

The creation of an array of three-dimensional (3D) multifocal spots in the focal region has attracted interest due to potential applications in parallel or simultaneous process areas. Based on the theory of pattern synthesis of antenna array and the electromagnetic time reversal technique, an optimisation-free approach is reported to construct a 3D controllable diffraction-limited spot array in the focal volume of a 4pi focussing system formed by two high-numerical-aperture (NA) objectives. The proposed method can be implemented readily by inversely focussing the field radiated from a virtual spaced-dipole antenna array mounted at the focus of the 4pi configuration. By solving the inverse problem, the required illumination in the pupil plane for producing the 3D spot array can be found. It is demonstrated that the 3D diffraction-limited focal spot array owns the properties of controllable polarisation, scheduled number, tunable location, and adjustable interval. This array may find applications in 3D simultaneous optical manipulation and trapping, 3D parallel fabrication, 3D optical data storage, and so on.