Prelabeling Expansion Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy with Minimal Linkage Error

Expansion microscopy combined with single-molecule localization microscopy (ExSMLM) has a potential for approaching molecular resolution. However, ExSMLM faces multiple challenges such as loss of fluorophores and proteins during polymerization, digestion or denaturation, and an increase in linkage error arising from the distance between the fluorophore and the target molecule. Here, we introduce a trifunctional streptavidin to link the target, fluorophore and gel matrix via a biotinylizable peptide tag. The resultant ExSMLM images of vimentin filaments demonstrated high labeling efficiency and a minimal linkage error of ∼5 nm. Our ExSMLM provides a simple and practical means for fluorescence imaging with molecular resolution.     

SRS: Spatial-tagged radio-mapping system combining LiDAR and mobile-phone data for indoor location-based services

One of the most challenging issues in radio received signal strength (RSS)-based localization systems is the generation and distribution of a radio map with a coordinate system linked with spatial information in a large indoor space. This study proposes a novel spatial-tagged radio-mapping system (SRS) that effectively combines the heterogeneous properties of LiDAR and mobile phones to simultaneously perform both spatial and radio mappings. The SRS consists of synchronization, localization, and map building processes, and enables real-time spatial and radio mapping. In the synchronization process, the distance range, motion data, and radio signals obtained through the LiDAR and mobile phone are collected in nodal units according to the sensing time. In the localization process, a feature variance filter is used to control the number of features generated from LiDAR and estimate the positions at which the nodes are generated in real time according to the motion data and radio signals. In map building, the estimated positions of the nodes are used to extract spatial and radio maps by using a unified location coordinate system. To ensure mobility, the SRS is manufactured in the form of a backpack supporting LiDAR and a mobile phone; the usefulness of the system is experimentally verified. The experiments are performed in a large indoor shopping mall with a complex structure. The experimental results demonstrated that a common coordinate system could be used to build spatial and radio maps with high accuracy and efficiency in real time. In addition, the field applicability of the SRS to location-based services is experimentally verified by applying the constructed radio map to well-known fingerprinting algorithms using the heterogeneous mobile phones.     

Colostrum source and passive immunity transfer in dairy bull calves

Colostrum is essential for good neonate health; however, it is not known whether different calves absorb the nutrients from colostrum equally well. In this study, the absorption of protein, IgG, and γ-glutamyl transferase was compared in newborn dairy bull calves for 1 wk after feeding colostrum from different sources. Thirty-five Holstein-Friesian bull calves were randomly allocated into 3 groups and fed colostrum within 4 h after birth. Group A calves (n = 12) were bottle fed colostrum from their own dam for 3 d. Colostrum from these group A cows was also used as foster cow colostrum for the group B calves (n = 12), such that each group A and B calf pair received identical colostrum from each milking of the respective group A dam (10% of birth weight per day). The group C calves (n = 11) were fed 1 bottle (2 L) of pooled colostrum and transition milk (referred to as pooled colostrum), as was the standard practice on the dairy farm. The pooled colostrum was collected from the other dairy cows on the farm 0 to 4 d postpartum and stored at 4°C for less than 12 h. Blood was sampled from calves before the first feeding and at 1, 2, 3, and 7 d after birth. Levels of total solids, total protein, and IgG were higher in the dam colostrum than in the pooled colostrum. At birth, there were no differences between the calf groups for any measurements, and all calves had very low IgG levels. After receiving colostrum, the glucose, plasma γ-glutamyl transferase, serum total protein, and IgG concentrations increased significantly in all calves. There were no differences in any blood measurements at any time point between the pairs of group A and group B calves that received colostrum from the same cow except for the IgG concentration 2 d after birth. However, the group A calves had a higher total serum protein level and IgG concentration than the group C calves for all the time points after the first feeding. The group B calves had a higher IgG concentration than the group C calves on d 1, 2, and 7 after birth. Compared with groups A and B, there was no difference in the proportion of calves in group C that failed to have passive immunity transferred adequately based on the IgG threshold (<10 g/L). Thus, the calves receiving identical colostrum from the same cow had the same levels of IgG, and even the pooled colostrum provided sufficient transfer of IgG as the calves were fed within 4 h after birth.     

A high-throughput chaotic advection microreactor for preparation of uniform and aggregated barium sulfate nanoparticles

A high-throughput (105.5 g/h) passive four-stage asymmetric oscillating feedback microreactor using chaotic mixing mechanism was developed to prepare aggregated Barium sulfate (BaSO₄) particles of high primary nanoparticle size uniformity. Three-dimensional unsteady simulations showed that chaotic mixing could be induced by three unique secondary flows (i.e., vortex, recirculation, and oscillation), and the fluid oscillation mechanism was examined in detail. Simulations and Villermaux–Dushman experiments indicate that almost complete mixing down to molecular level can be achieved and the prepared BaSO₄ nanoparticles were with narrow primary particle size distribution (PSD) having geometric standard deviation, σ_g, less than 1.43 when the total volumetric flow rate Q_total was larger than 10 ml/min. By selecting Q_total and reactant concentrations, average primary particle size can be controlled from 23 to 109 nm as determined by microscopy. An average size of 26 nm with narrow primary PSD (σ_g = 1.22) could be achieved at Q_total of 160 ml/min.     

基于多边限定的室内定位方法设计与系统实现

随着基于位置服务（Location Based Services，LBS）的发展与智能移动设备的普及，室内定位算法与系统受到了广泛研究与关注。为提高室内定位精度、增强系统鲁棒性，提出了基于多边限定的fingerprint定位方法。基于Wi-Fi RSSI（Received Signal Strength Indication）信号处理建立离线fingerprint数据库；通过对拟合距离-RSSI函数分析，提出了多边限定的方法确定一个最佳参考点（Reference Point，RP）集合，缩小在线定位阶段的搜索范围。在此基础上，再利用fingerprint定位方法进行定位。此外，实现了基于提出方法的室内定位系统原型用于算法性能评估。通过大量真实场景实验分析、验证了相较于传统fingerprint方法，基于多边限定的fingerprint定位方法能有效提高室内定位精度，增强系统鲁棒性。     

Hierarchical sampling optimization of particle filter for global robot localization in pervasive network environment

This paper presents a hierarchical framework for managing the sampling distribution of a particle filter (PF) that estimates the global positions of mobile robots in a large‐scale area. The key concept is to gradually improve the accuracy of the global localization by fusing sensor information with different characteristics. The sensor observations are the received signal strength indications (RSSIs) of Wi‐Fi devices as network facilities and the range of a laser scanner. First, the RSSI data used for determining certain global areas within which the robot is located are represented as RSSI bins. In addition, the results of the RSSI bins contain the uncertainty of localization, which is utilized for calculating the optimal sampling size of the PF to cover the regions of the RSSI bins. The range data are then used to estimate the precise position of the robot in the regions of the RSSI bins using the core process of the PF. The experimental results demonstrate superior performance compared with other approaches in terms of the success rate of the global localization and the amount of computation for managing the optimal sampling size.     

二次侧非能动余热排出系统流动不稳定性研究

二次侧非能动余热排出（ASP）系统是压水堆核电厂应对全厂断电事故的重要措施之一。为研究ASP系统的运行特性，设计建造了ASP系统试验装置（ASPTF）。在ASPTF上开展了ASP系统运行稳定性影响试验，并对试验结果进行了理论分析。试验研究与理论分析结果表明：低压低功率下ASP系统中出现流动不稳定性；增加蒸汽管线或回水管线阻力系数可抑制ASP系统出现流动不稳定性；降低加热功率时ASP系统更易出现流动不稳定性；主泵运行状态影响ASP系统的输入功率进而影响系统的流动不稳定性。     

The Critical Role of Passive Permeability in Designing Successful Drugs

Passive permeability is a key property in drug disposition and delivery. It is critical for gastrointestinal absorption, brain penetration, renal reabsorption, defining clearance mechanisms and drug-drug interactions. Passive diffusion rate is translatable across tissues and animal species, while the extent of absorption is dependent on drug properties, as well as in vivo physiology/pathophysiology. Design principles have been developed to guide medicinal chemistry to enhance absorption, which combine the balance of aqueous solubility, permeability and the sometimes unfavorable compound characteristic demanded by the target. Permeability assays have been implemented that enable rapid development of structure-permeability relationships for absorption improvement. Future advances in assay development to reduce nonspecific binding and improve mass balance will enable more accurately measurement of passive permeability. Design principles that integrate potency, selectivity, passive permeability and other ADMET properties facilitate rapid advancement of successful drug candidates to patients.     

Electrochemical corrosion behavior of LDX 2101® duplex stainless steel in a fluoride-containing environment

The effect of fluoride on the electrochemical corrosion behavior of an LDX 2101® duplex stainless steel (DSS) was studied. Open-circuit potential (E_OC) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were carried out in artificial saliva and with the addition of fluoride (1 wt% NaF). The electrochemical corrosion behavior of the AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel (SS) was also evaluated for comparison. Both open-circuit potential and EIS results indicate that DSS and austenitic SS undergo spontaneous passivation due to spontaneously formed oxide film passivating the metallic surface, in the simulated aggressive environments. However, LDX 2101® exhibits superior corrosion resistance as compared with AISI 316L, and this improvement is ascribed to the formation of a passive film which shows a higher protective effect than the one formed on AISI 316L.