Explore the vast range of titles available.

In 2003, Kechris, Pestov and Todorcevic showed that the structure of certain separable metric spaces - called ultrahomogeneous - is closely related to the combinatorial behavior of the class of their finite metric spaces. The purpose of the present paper is to explore different aspects of this connection.

We characterized the spatial distribution of drug-susceptible (DS) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) cases in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a major metropolis in southeastern Asia, and explored demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with local TB burden. Hot spots of DS and MDR TB incidence were observed in the central parts of Ho Chi Minh City, and substantial heterogeneity was observed across wards. Positive spatial autocorrelation was observed for both DS TB and MDR TB. Ward-level TB incidence was associated with HIV prevalence and the male proportion of the population. No ward-level demographic and socioeconomic indicators were associated with MDR TB case count relative to total TB case count. Our findings might inform spatially targeted TB control strategies and provide insights for generating hypotheses about the nature of the relationship between DS and MDR TB in Ho Chi Minh City and the wider southeastern region of Asia.

Catharanthus roseus (Vinca) is a perennial herbaceous plant that is renowned for its abundance of vincristine (VCR) and vinblastine (VBL). These vinca alkaloids possess valuable anticancer properties and have been extensively used in chemotherapy treatment for various type of cancers. However, the current supply of these vinca alkaloids is reliant on plant material with low productivity and high costs. Endophytic fungi, a category of symbiotic mycota that are capable of synthesizing their host plant-specific bioactive compounds, have gained significant attention as a bioreactor for large-scale production of vinca alkaloids. In this study, a total of 34 endophytic fungal strains were isolated from stem and root tissues of C. roseus . The isolated endophytic fungi were taxonomically characterized as Alternaria sp., Talaromyces sp., and Cladosporium sp. by morphological observation and sequence analysis of the ITS region of rDNA. Three endophytic fungal strains were identified to be capable of synthesizing VCR and VBL by UPLC/MRM-MS analysis. The fungal strain Alternaria DC1 was determined to be the most prolific producer, producing VCR and VBL at concentrations of 177.6 and 114.8 µg/L, respectively. The Talaromyces DC2 strain followed with VCR and VBL yields of 44.0 and 111.6 µg/L, respectively. While the fungal strain Cladosporium DC3 was identified as a producer of VCR (36.9 µg/L) and VBL (99.6 µg/L) for the first time. These endophytic fungi exhibit the potential to serve as viable sources for the production of vinca alkaloids on a larger scale.

Gene expression regulation is one of the most effective adaptation responses to abiotic stressors. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the method of choice for quantifying gene expression levels. Reference genes are important factors that are required for accurate and reliable normalization of RT-qPCR-derived data, and a minimum of two stably expressed reference genes must be employed according to the Minimum Information for publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiment guidelines. To date, most gene expression studies reported in rice under salt stress have utilized a single reference gene. In addition, there has been little research into a set of reference genes that are stably expressed across tissues of different rice genotypes. In this study, twelve potential reference gene candidates were selected, including ACT11 , TIP41 , BTUB , EF1A , EIF4A , FBOX , GAPDH , PP2A , SPX , UBCE2 , UBQ10 , and CCZ1 . Their expression stability was evaluated in internode, leaf, and root tissues of six rice genotypes with different salt stress tolerances. The geNorm, NormFinder, and RefFinder statistical algorithms identified EIF4A and TIP41 as the most suitable set of reference genes for the accurate and reliable normalization of RT-qPCR data generated from eighteen tissue samples. The performance of the identified reference genes was validated for their accuracy and reliability through RT-qPCR analysis of the gene encoding the HKT1 potassium transporter. Our results highlighted the importance of identifying a suitable set of reference genes for gene expression studies in rice under salt stress in order to obtain accurate and reliable data.

A hallmark of the immune system is the interplay among specialized cell types transitioning between resting and stimulated states. The gene regulatory landscape of this dynamic system has not been fully characterized in human cells. Here we collected assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) and RNA sequencing data under resting and stimulated conditions for up to 32 immune cell populations. Stimulation caused widespread chromatin remodeling, including response elements shared between stimulated B and T cells. Furthermore, several autoimmune traits showed significant heritability in stimulation-responsive elements from distinct cell types, highlighting the importance of these cell states in autoimmunity. Allele-specific read mapping identified variants that alter chromatin accessibility in particular conditions, allowing us to observe evidence of function for a candidate causal variant that is undetected by existing large-scale studies in resting cells. Our results provide a resource of chromatin dynamics and highlight the need to characterize the effects of genetic variation in stimulated cells. Analysis of gene expression and open chromatin regions in up to 32 immune cell populations under resting and stimulated conditions identifies widespread chromatin remodeling and shared response elements between stimulated B and T cells.

The stable operation of quantum computers will rely on error correction, in which single quantum bits of information are stored redundantly in the Hilbert space of a larger system. Such encoded qubits are commonly based on arrays of many physical qubits, but can also be realized using a single higher-dimensional quantum system, such as a harmonic oscillator 1 – 3 . In such a system, a powerful encoding has been devised based on periodically spaced superpositions of position eigenstates 4 – 6 . Various proposals have been made for realizing approximations to such states, but these have thus far remained out of reach 7 – 11 . Here we demonstrate such an encoded qubit using a superposition of displaced squeezed states of the harmonic motion of a single trapped 40 Ca + ion, controlling and measuring the mechanical oscillator through coupling to an ancillary internal-state qubit 12 . We prepare and reconstruct logical states with an average squared fidelity of 87.3 ± 0.7 per cent. Also, we demonstrate a universal logical single-qubit gate set, which we analyse using process tomography. For Pauli gates we reach process fidelities of about 97 per cent, whereas for continuous rotations we use gate teleportation and achieve fidelities of approximately 89 per cent. This control method opens a route for exploring continuous variable error correction as well as hybrid quantum information schemes using both discrete and continuous variables 13 . The code states also have direct applications in quantum sensing, allowing simultaneous measurement of small displacements in both position and momentum 14 , 15 . A single logical qubit is encoded, manipulated and read out using a superposition of displaced squeezed states of the harmonic motion of a trapped calcium ion.

Localization is a key-enabling technology for many applications in underwater wireless sensor networks. Traditional approaches for received signal strength (RSS)-based localization often require uniform distribution for anchor nodes and suffer from poor estimates according to unpredictable and uncontrollable noise conditions. In this paper, we establish an RSS-based localization scheme to determine the location of an unknown normal sensor from a certain measurement set of potential anchor nodes. First, we present a practical path loss model for wireless communication in underwater acoustic environments, where anchor nodes are deployed in a random circumstance. For a given area of interest, the RSS data collection is performed dynamically, where the measurement noises and the correlation among them are taken into account. For a pair of transmitter and receiver, we approximate the geometry distance between them according to a linear regression model. Thus, we can obtain a quick access for the range information, while keeping the error, the communication head and the response time low. We also present a method to correct noises in the distance estimate. Simulation results demonstrate that our localization scheme achieves a better performance for certain scenario settings. The successful localization probability can be up to 90%, where the anchor rate is fixed at 10%.

This work emphasizes the effect of the physical activation using CO 2 and steam agents on the physicochemical properties of activated carbon produced from Dicranopteris linearis ( D. linearis ), a fern species widely distributed across tropic and subtropic ecoregions. The D. linearis -derived chars produced under pyrolysis at 400 °C for 1 h were activated in various CO 2 -steam proportions. As revealed by the IR and Raman spectra, the structure of the activated chars was heavily dependent on the relative proportion of CO 2 and steam. The total specific surface area (SSA) of the activated chars proportionally increased with the increase in steam proportion and was comparable to the values of commercial activated char products. Specifically, the activation under CO 2 − and steam-saturated conditions has correspondingly resulted in SSA increasing from 89 to 653 m 2 g −1 and from 89 to 1015 m 2 g −1 . Steam also enhanced the development of mesoporous structures of the D. linearis -derived char products, thereby extending their potential applications, particularly for industries that require high rigidity in the product such as pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors.

High throughput drug screening is an established approach to investigate tumor biology and identify therapeutic leads. Traditional platforms use two-dimensional cultures which do not accurately reflect the biology of human tumors. More clinically relevant model systems such as three-dimensional tumor organoids can be difficult to scale and screen. Manually seeded organoids coupled to destructive endpoint assays allow for the characterization of treatment response, but do not capture transitory changes and intra-sample heterogeneity underlying clinically observed resistance to therapy. We present a pipeline to generate bioprinted tumor organoids linked to label-free, time-resolved imaging via high-speed live cell interferometry (HSLCI) and machine learning-based quantitation of individual organoids. Bioprinting cells gives rise to 3D structures with unaltered tumor histology and gene expression profiles. HSLCI imaging in tandem with machine learning-based segmentation and classification tools enables accurate, label-free parallel mass measurements for thousands of organoids. We demonstrate that this strategy identifies organoids transiently or persistently sensitive or resistant to specific therapies, information that could be used to guide rapid therapy selection. Traditional 2D cell culture platforms do not accurately reflect the physiology of human tumors. Here, authors combine bioprinting and high-speed live cell interferometry with machine learning to measure drug sensitivity at single-organoid resolution in a label-free manner.

Redox flow batteries (RFBs), with distinct characteristics that are suited for grid-scale applications, stand at the forefront of potential energy solutions. However, progress in RFB technology is often impeded by their prohibitive cost and the limited availability of essential research and development test cells. Addressing this bottleneck, we present herein an open-source device tailored for RFB laboratory research. Our proposed device significantly lowers the financial barriers to research and enhances the accessibility of vital equipment for RFB studies. Employing innovative fabrication methods such as laser cutting, 3D printing, and CNC machining, a versatile and efficient flow cell has been designed and fabricated. Furthermore, our open laboratory research equipment comprises the Opensens potentiostat, charge/discharge testing devices, peristaltic pumps, and inexpensive rotating electrodes. Every individual element contributes significantly to the establishment of an all-encompassing experimental configuration that is both economical and efficient, thereby facilitating expedited progress in RFB research and development.