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We present a theory that explains the resonance effect of the vibrational strong coupling (VSC) modified reaction rate constant at the normal incidence of a Fabry–Pérot (FP) cavity. This analytic theory is based on a mechanistic hypothesis that cavity modes promote the transition from the ground state to the vibrational excited state of the reactant, which is the rate-limiting step of the reaction. This mechanism for a single molecule coupled to a single-mode cavity has been confirmed by numerically exact simulations in our recent work in [J. Chem. Phys. 159, 084104 (2023)]. Using Fermi’s golden rule (FGR), we formulate this rate constant for many molecules coupled to many cavity modes inside a FP microcavity. The theory provides a possible explanation for the resonance condition of the observed VSC effect and a plausible explanation of why only at the normal incident angle there is the resonance effect, whereas, for an oblique incidence, there is no apparent VSC effect for the rate constant even though both cases generate Rabi splitting and forming polariton states. On the other hand, the current theory cannot explain the collective effect when a large number of molecules are collectively coupled to the cavity, and future work is required to build a complete microscopic theory to explain all observed phenomena in VSC.

Introduction:The current liver organ shortage has pushed the field of transplantation to develop new methods to prolong the preservation time of livers from the current clinical standard of static cold storage. Our approach, termed partial freezing, aims to induce a thermodynamically stable frozen state at high subzero storage temperatures (−10°C to −15°C), while simultaneously maintaining a sufficient unfrozen fraction to limit ice-mediated injury.

Methods and results:Using glycerol as the main permeating cryoprotectant agent, this research first demonstrated that partially frozen rat livers showed similar outcomes after thawing from either −10°C or −15°C with respect to subnormothermic machine perfusion metrics. Next, we assessed the effect of adding ice modulators, including antifreeze glycoprotein (AFGP) or a polyvinyl alcohol/polyglycerol combination (X/Z-1000), on the viability and structural integrity of partially frozen rat livers compared to glycerol-only control livers. Results showed that AFGP livers had high levels of ATP and the least edema but suffered from significant endothelial cell damage. X/Z-1000 livers had the highest levels of ATP and energy charge (EC) but also demonstrated endothelial damage and post-thaw edema. Glycerol-only control livers exhibited the least DNA damage on Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining but also had the lowest levels of ATP and EC.

Discussion:Further research is necessary to optimize the ideal ice modulator cocktail for our partial-freezing protocol. Modifications to cryoprotective agent (CPA) combinations, including testing additional ice modulators, can help improve the viability of these partially frozen organs.