Click-Chemistry (CuAAC) Trimerization of an αvβ6 Integrin Targeting Ga-68-Peptide: Enhanced Contrast for in-Vivo PET Imaging of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Xenografts

α_vβ₆ Integrin is an epithelial transmembrane protein that recognizes latency-associated peptide (LAP) and primarily activates transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). It is overexpressed in carcinomas (most notably, pancreatic) and other conditions associated with α_vβ₆ integrin-dependent TGF-β dysregulation, such as fibrosis. We have designed a trimeric Ga-68-labeled TRAP conjugate of the α_vβ₆-specific cyclic pentapeptide SDM17 (cyclo[RGD-Chg-E]-CONH₂) to enhance α_vβ₆ integrin affinity as well as target-specific in-vivo uptake. Ga-68-TRAP(SDM17)₃ showed a 28-fold higher α_vβ₆ affinity than the corresponding monomer Ga-68-NOTA-SDM17 (IC₅₀ of 0.26 vs. 7.4 nM, respectively), a 13-fold higher IC₅₀-based selectivity over the related integrin α_vβ₈ (factors of 662 vs. 49), and a threefold higher tumor uptake (2.1 vs. 0.66 %ID/g) in biodistribution experiments with H2009 tumor-bearing SCID mice. The remarkably high tumor/organ ratios (tumor-to-blood 11.2; -to-liver 8.7; -to-pancreas 29.7) enabled high-contrast tumor delineation in PET images. We conclude that Ga-68-TRAP(SDM17)₃ holds promise for improved clinical PET diagnostics of carcinomas and fibrosis.     

Bio-based polyurethane films using white dextrins

Several new eco-friendly materials have the potential to replace conventional petroleum-derived materials and monomers. Among them are natural polysaccharides. The use of polysaccharides in polyurethane (PU) synthesis has not yet been studied extensively, even though as multihydroxyl compounds, they can easily serve as crosslinkers in PU synthesis. One naturally occurring (hyper-)branched polymer is amylopectin, a component of starch. In this work, we report the PU synthesis and film-forming capacity using the asymmetric cyclic aliphatic diisocyanate—isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) with acetylated and pristine partially hydrolyzed amylopectin/white dextrin (AVEDEX W80) as a crosslinker. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47454.     

Superconducting Quantum Metamaterials from High Pressure Melt Infiltration of Metals into Block Copolymer Double Gyroid Derived Ceramic Templates

Mesoscale order can lead to emergent properties including phononic bandgaps or topologically protected states. Block copolymers offer a route to mesoscale periodic architectures, but their use as structure directing agents for metallic materials has not been fully realized. A versatile approach to mesostructured metals via bulk block copolymer self-assembly derived ceramic templates, is demonstrated. Molten indium is infiltrated into mesoporous, double gyroidal silicon nitride templates under high pressure to yield bulk, 3D periodic nanocomposites as free-standing monoliths which exhibit emergent quantum-scale phenomena. Vortices are artificially introduced when double gyroidal indium metal behaves as a type II superconductor, with evidence of strong pinning centers arrayed on the order of the double gyroid lattice size. Sample behavior is reproducible over months, showing high stability. High pressure infiltration of bulk block copolymer self-assembly based ceramic templates is an enabling tool for studying high-quality metals with previously inaccessible architectures, and paves the way for the emerging field of block-copolymer derived quantum metamaterials.     

Total Differential Image Correction

Every imaging technique usually suffers more or less from two inaccuracies: nonhomogenous sensitivity of the recording device over the images area and spatial distortion. This work presents a method that corrects both errors by evaluating the changes of the images due to two small sample position shifts. The algorithm calculates a vector field that is used to determine the undistorted position of any point of the image and to determine the apparatus-caused inhomogeneities of the imaged intensities leading to an image that is free from both kinds of imaging errors. In this paper, the theoretical basis of the algorithm, the correction of a test image, and two images obtained from laterally resolved secondary ion mass spectrometry experiments are shown.     

Accelerated Ionic Motion in Amorphous Memristor Oxides for Nonvolatile Memories and Neuromorphic Computing

Memristive devices based on mixed ionic–electronic resistive switches have an enormous potential to replace today's transistor‐based memories and Von Neumann computing architectures thanks to their ability for nonvolatile information storage and neuromorphic computing. It still remains unclear however how ionic carriers are propagated in amorphous oxide films at high local electric fields. By using memristive model devices based on LaFeO₃ with either amorphous or epitaxial nanostructures, we engineer the structural local bonding units and increase the oxygen‐ionic diffusion coefficient by one order of magnitude for the amorphous oxide, affecting the resistive switching operation. We show that only devices based on amorphous LaFeO₃ films reveal memristive behavior due to their increased oxygen vacancy concentration. We achieved stable resistive switching with switching times down to microseconds and confirm that it is predominantly the oxygen‐ionic diffusion character and not electronic defect state changes that modulate the resistive switching device response. Ultimately, these results show that the local arrangement of structural bonding units in amorphous perovskite films at room temperature can be used to largely tune the oxygen vacancy (defect) kinetics for resistive switches (memristors) that are both theoretically challenging to predict and promising for future memory and neuromorphic computing applications.     

The current state and future outlook of rescue robotics

Robotic technologies, whether they are remotely operated vehicles, autonomous agents, assistive devices, or novel control interfaces, offer many promising capabilities for deployment in real‐world environments. Postdisaster scenarios are a particularly relevant target for applying such technologies, due to the challenging conditions faced by rescue workers and the possibility to increase their efficacy while decreasing the risks they face. However, field‐deployable technologies for rescue work have requirements for robustness, speed, versatility, and ease of use that may not be matched by the state of the art in robotics research. This paper aims to survey the current state of the art in ground and aerial robots, marine and amphibious systems, and human–robot control interfaces and assess the readiness of these technologies with respect to the needs of first responders and disaster recovery efforts. We have gathered expert opinions from emergency response stakeholders and researchers who conduct field deployments with them to understand these needs, and we present this assessment as a way to guide future research toward technologies that will make an impact in real‐world disaster response and recovery.     

Comparison of a time- and a speed-based traffic light assistance system

Traffic light assistance systems (TLASs) can be infrastructure based or on-board, and in the latter case they can inform the driver about the time remaining to green, or about the recommended speed for a smooth passage at green. A speed-based and a time-based on-board system prototype was compared against each other and against a baseline without any assistance system. Using a within-subjects design, 18 participants drove in a fixed-base simulator along a suburban road with signalised intersections, where the delay to green was set to zero (allowing a passage at the current speed), “half-speed” (requiring a clear speed reduction) and “stop” (requiring a substantial speed reduction). Driving behaviour, visual attention distribution and acceptance were evaluated. Both support systems improved driving efficiency and comfort over baseline, with the time-based system achieving higher scores in general. Both systems attracted a substantial amount of visual attention in the current setting; however, single-glance durations were below 1 s, and the number of glances forward were equal in the time-based condition compared to baseline, but lower in the speed-based condition. No red or amber light violations were registered in baseline, while some occurred with any of the systems. Acceptance for both systems was high, with higher scores for the time-based prototype. Overall, an on-board TLAS with a countdown timer to green has the potential to increase efficiency and comfort without strong indications for attention disruption, but the risk for increased red/amber light violations has to be addressed. Improved system design as a way to mitigate potential issues is discussed.     

Modeling the dynamics of tamponade multicomponent gases during retina reattachment surgery

Vitrectomy and pneumatic retinopexy are common surgical procedures used to treat retinal detachment. To reattach the retina, gases are used to inflate the vitreous space allowing the retina to attach by surface tension and buoyancy forces that are superior to the location of the bubble. These procedures require the injection of either a pure tamponade gas, such as C₃F₈ or SF₆, or mixtures of these gases with air. The location of the retinal detachment, the anatomical spread of the retinal defect, and the length of time the defect has persisted, will determine the suggested volume and duration of the gas bubble to allow reattachment. After inflation, the gases are slowly absorbed by the blood allowing the vitreous to be refilled by aqueous. We have developed a model of the mass transfer dynamics of tamponade gases during pneumatic retinopexy or pars plana vitrectomy procedures. The model predicts the expansion and persistence of intraocular gases (C₃F₈, SF₆), oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, as well as the intraocular pressure. The model was validated using published literature in rabbits and humans. In addition to correlating the mass transfer dynamics by surface area, permeability, and partial pressure driving forces, the mass transfer dynamics are affected by the percentage of the tamponade gases. Rates were also correlated with the physical properties of the tamponade and blood gases. The model gave accurate predictions in humans. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 3651–3662, 2017     

Characteristics of and selection criteria for support materials for cell immobilization in wastewater treatment

For treatment of wastewater with immobilized cells, support materials need to meet the following criteria: insoluble, not biodegradable, high mechanical stability, high diffusivity, simple immobilization procedure, high biomass retention, minimal attachment of other organisms and preferably a low cost price. In order to compare which support materials are the most suitable, characteristics of several natural and synthetic materials have been determined. For this, both literature and experimental data were used. The immobilization procedures of natural gel materials, like alginate and carrageenan, are mild and cells grow well in these supports. Furthermore, the effective diffusion coefficients of substrates are close to those in water. These supports, however, appeared to be soluble, biodegradable and liable to abrasion. Synthetic gels, on the contrary, have better mechanical properties, but mostly lower substrate diffusion coefficients. Immobilization conditions are less mild resulting in low biomass retention. For application of entrapped nitrifying cells in wastewater-treatment systems synthetic gels, however, are promising.     

Composite Nanostructures of TiO2 and ZnO for Water Splitting Application: Atomic Layer Deposition Growth and Density Functional Theory Investigation

The commercialization of solar fuel devices requires the development of novel engineered photoelectrodes for water splitting applications which are based on redundant, cheap, and environmentally friendly materials. In the current study, a combination of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and zinc oxide (ZnO) onto nanotextured silicon is utilized for a composite electrode with the aim to overcome the individual shortcomings of the respective materials. The properties of conformal coverage of TiO₂ and ZnO layers are designed on the atomic scale by the atomic layer deposition technique. The resulting photoanode shows not only promising stability but also nine times higher photocurrents than an equivalent photoanode with a pure TiO₂ encapsulation onto the nanostructured silicon. Density functional theory calculations indicate that segregation of TiO₂ at the ZnO surfaces is favorable and leads to the stabilization of the ZnO layers in water environments. In conclusion, the novel designed composite material constitutes a promising base for a stable and effective photoanode for the water oxidation reaction.