Biomimetically synthesized silica-carbon nanofiber architectures for the development of highly stable electrochemical biosensor systems

Biomimetically synthesized silica and conductive activated carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are used in a synergistic manner for the development of a novel electrochemical biosensor system. Poly(L-lysine) templated silica grows and encapsulates the CNF-immobilized enzyme generating a highly stabilizing nanostructured environment for the underlying protein. Concurrently, CNFs provide both the required surface area for the high-capacity enzyme immobilization required in biosensors as well as direct electron transfer to the inner platinum transducer. As a result, this silica/nanofiber superstructure is an ideal architecture for the development of electrochemical biosensor systems that can withstand exposure to extreme operational conditions, such as high temperatures or the presence of proteases. Acetylcholine esterase is used as the model catalyst and with the aid of spectroscopic data it is shown that the observed high operational stability of the biosensor is due to the direct interaction of the protein with the silica backbone, as well as due to the nanostructured enzyme confinement.     

Direct evidence for covalent functionalization of carbon nanohorns by high-resolution electron microscopy imaging of C60 conjugated onto their skeleton

Carbon nanohorns (CNHs) functionalized with aryl units, possessing ethylene glycol chains terminated to amine groups, were condensed with modified C₆₀ carrying a free carboxylic acid group. Direct evidence for the covalent functionalization of CNHs was given by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) imaging of C₆₀ present in that CNH hybrid material. In addition, it was found that C₆₀ remained unaffected even after prolonged exposure to the electron beam. Finally, monitoring the wave motion of the connecting ethylene glycol chains, through sequential HR-TEM images, further proved the stability of the covalent bond that links the two carbon nanostructures.     

Cooperative schemes for path establishment in mobile ad-hoc networks under shadow-fading

The performance of routing protocols for multi-hop path-establishment in Mobile Ad-hoc NETworks (MANET) is examined when the individual radio links undergo shadow fading of parameterized severity. Such propagation modeling is typical of ground-level networking along with node mobility. The metrics of main interest are the probability of having a reliable multi-hop path plus the temporal statistics of such availability under a Markovian model. Such availability is an indicator for the suitability of the network to carry delay-sensitive applications (push-to-talk voice, streaming video) in uninterrupted manner. It is shown that high levels of diversity are necessary in such adverse environments, as obtained either by multiple independent paths or via concurrent cooperative transmission. Analytical and simulation comparisons of typical routing options are presented on the above metrics, plus on the required nodal engagement for supporting such diversity.     

Mesh deformation-based multi-tissue mesh generation for brain images

Multi-tissue meshing is necessary for the realistic building of a biomechanical model of the brain, which has been widely used in brain surgery simulation, brain shift, and non-rigid registration. A two step multi-tissue mesher is developed. First, a coarse multi-tissue mesh is generated by redistributing labels of a body-centered cubic (BCC) mesh. Second, all the surfaces of the submeshes are deformed to their corresponding tissue boundaries. To deform the mesh, two strategies are developed. One is based on a point-based registration (PBR) and the other is based on a robust point matching (RPM). The PBR method explicitly calculates the correspondence, which takes both smoothing and quality into account, then resolves the displacement vector by minimizing an energy function. Unlike PBR method, RPM does not require the correspondence between the source points and the target points to be known in advance. To simultaneously resolve the displacement vector and the correspondence, the Expectation and Maximization optimization is employed to alternately estimate the correspondence and the displacement vector. To effectively cope with outliers, least trimmed square, a robust regression technique, is employed to correct the regression bias induced by outliers. Both methods are effective in deforming the multi-tissue mesh. However, the PBR method favors quality and smoothing, and the RPM method favors fidelity. The resulting mesh is characterized by its flexible control of four mesh properties: (1) tissue-dependent resolution, (2) fidelity to tissue boundaries, (3) smoothness of mesh surfaces, and (4) element quality. Each mesh property can be controlled on a tissue level. Our experiments conducted on synthetic data, clinic MRI, visible human data, and brain atlas effectively demonstrate these features of this multi-tissue mesher.     

基建仓库

基建仓库项目位于莱瓦顿的Harlingervaart运河岸边,作为周边建筑的仓库,它具有独特的趣味性良好的形体感,因此被认为是立于运河沿岸广场上的一座雕塑。建筑的入口处挑出悬臂,并且顺势突出建筑南侧的体量     

Soluble functionalized carbon nanohorns

Carbon nanahorns (CNH) were functionalized following the methodology of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides and found to form stable solutions in either organic solvents or water. The number of added functional units, in the form of pyrrolidine moieties, was calculated when a pyrene chromophore was utilized in the modification scheme. Moreover, complementary theoretical calculations revealed that reactivity enhancement is expected at locations near the conical-shaped tip of CNH, where the highest curvature and strain exist. Finally, additional organic transformation of already modified CNH was exploited by covalently linked ferrocene units.     

Multi-objective optimization of skeletal structures under static and seismic loading conditions

Almost every real world problem involves simultaneous optimization of several incommensurable and often competing objectives which constitutes a multi-objective optimization problem. In multi-objective optimization problems the optimal solution is not unique as in single-objective optimization problems. This paper is concerned with large-scale structural optimization of skeletal structures such as space frames and trusses, under static and/or seismic loading conditions with multiple objectives. Combinatorial optimization methods and in particular algorithms based on evolution strategies are implemented for the solution of this type of problems. In treating seismic loading conditions a number of accelerograms are produced from the elastic design response spectrum of the region. These accelerograms constitute the multiple loading conditions under which the structures are optimally designed. This approach for treating seismic loading is compared with an approximate design approach, based on simplifications adopted by the seismic codes, in the framework of multi-objective optimization.     

Ultrasmall Nanoplatforms as Calcium‐Responsive Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The preparation of ultrasmall and rigid platforms (USRPs) that are covalently coupled to macrocycle‐based, calcium‐responsive/smart contrast agents (SCAs), and the initial in vitro and in vivo validation of the resulting nanosized probes (SCA‐USRPs) by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is reported. The synthetic procedure is robust, allowing preparation of the SCA‐USRPs on a multigram scale. The resulting platforms display the desired MRI activity—i.e., longitudinal relaxivity increases almost twice at 7 T magnetic field strength upon saturation with Ca²⁺. Cell viability is probed with the MTT assay using HEK‐293 cells, which show good tolerance for lower contrast agent concentrations over longer periods of time. On intravenous administration of SCA‐USRPs in living mice, MRI studies indicate their rapid accumulation in the renal pelvis and parenchyma. Importantly, the MRI signal increases in both kidney compartments when CaCl₂ is also administrated. Laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy experiments confirm accumulation of SCA‐USRPs in the renal cortex. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first studies which demonstrate calcium‐sensitive MRI signal changes in vivo. Continuing contrast agent and MRI protocol optimizations should lead to wider application of these responsive probes and development of superior functional methods for monitoring calcium‐dependent physiological and pathological processes in a dynamic manner.     

Disseminated tuberculosis: A neglected entity in immunocompromised hemodialysis patients

End‐stage renal disease is considered a factor predisposing to increased risk of tuberculosis with frequent extrapulmonary localization. Although extrapulmonary tuberculosis has been observed for decades, disseminated tuberculosis, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts, remains rather neglected. We report an unusual case of an immunocompromised patient with a late diagnosis and delayed treatment of genitourinary tuberculosis that subsequently led to the diagnosis of vertebral and miliary tuberculosis (disseminating tuberculosis). Therefore, increased awareness is warranted from physicians dealing with hemodialysis patients in order to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation.