Facile synthesis of asymmetric patchy Janus Ag/Cu particles and study of their antifungal activity

Asymmetric patchy Ag/Cu Janus nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via a “seed-mediated” approach. This is the first report of synthesis of nanometer sized metal-based Janus NPs without using complicated methods. Selective adsorption of the surfactant onto the seed NPs leads to the formation of Janus type structure. Subsequently the reduction potential of Ag⁺/Ag⁰ and Cu²⁺/Cu⁰ systems directs the formation of the “patch”. The patchy Janus NPs show significant antifungal activity towards a potent rice pathogen thus offering the prospect of future application in crop protection.     

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on postnatal brain development: The potential role of glial cells

Glial cells are crucial for maintaining central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. They actively participate in immune responses, as well as form functional barriers, such as blood-brain barrier (BBB), which restrict the entry of pathogens and inflammatory mediators into the CNS. In general, viral infections during the gestational period can alter the embryonic and fetal environment, and the related inflammatory response may affect neurodevelopment and lead to behavioral dysfunction during later stage of life, as highlighted by our group for Zika virus infection. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces a cytokine storm and, during pregnancy, may be related to a more severe form of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and also to higher preterm birth rates. SARS-CoV-2 can also affect the CNS by inducing neurochemical remodeling in neural cells, which can compromise neuronal plasticity and synaptic function. However, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on postnatal CNS, including brain development during childhood and adulthood, remains undetermined. Our group has recently highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on the expression of molecular markers associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, which are strongly related to the inflammatory response. Thus, based on these relationships, we discussed the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection either during pregnancy or in critical periods of neurodevelopment as a risk factor for neurological consequences in the offspring later in life, focusing on the potential role of glial cells. Thus, it is important to consider future and long-term public health concerns associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.     

Implant surface features as key role on cell behavior

It has been recognized that physical and chemical properties of biomaterial surfaces mediate the quality of extracellular matrix (ECM) that may affect cell behaviors. In nature, ECM is a heterogeneous three-dimensional superstructure formed by three major components, glycosaminoglycan, glycoconjugate, and protein, that anchors cellular compartments in tissues and regulates the function and the behavior of cells. Changes in the biointerface alter the quality of ECM and morphology through cell surface receptors, which, in turn, enable it to trigger specific cell signaling and different cellular responses. In fact, a number of strategies have been used to improve the functionality of surfaces and direct cell behavior through precisely designed environments. Herein, we aimed to discuss, through a science-based viewpoint, the biomaterial surface features on cell behavior and analyze the impact of cell physical modification on dental implant development.     

混合市场环境下计及电转气的园区燃气机组调峰优化模型

清洁能源消纳是当前我国电力市场改革加速推进的一项重要目标。在此背景下,文章构建了混合市场环境下计及电转气(power-to-gas,P2G)的园区燃气机组调峰优化模型。首先,设计了风光机组、燃气机组、电转气和储气罐参与的园区电力系统运行结构;其次,计及绿证交易市场和调峰辅助服务市场机制,分别构建了园区发电机组绿证交易模型和调峰补偿模型;然后,以清洁能源消纳最大化、燃气调峰意愿最大化、CO₂排放最小化和系统净收益最大化为目标,构建了清洁能源驱动下含P2G设备的园区供电系统经济调度数学模型;最后,采用混沌粒子群算法对模型求解。结果表明,此模型兼顾了P2G设备以及调峰补偿机制的园区电力系统,清洁能源消纳率提升了6.69%,CO₂排放量减少了14.66 t;燃气机组积极参与了调峰,系统净收益最高提升了18.706万元,验证了所提模型的有效性,并体现了求解算法较好的收敛效果。     

嵌入CBAM结构的改进YOLOV3超宽带雷达生命信号检测算法

为了提高超宽带雷达生命信号检测准确率,提出了一种改进型YOLOV3检测算法。考虑到超宽带雷达探测的人体呼吸信号成像后宽高相差较大,采用多尺度训练时网络对宽高的敏感程度不一样,因此在设计损失函数时,对宽高损失给予不同的权重系数。为了提高网络通道以及空间特征表达能力,使得网络能够扩大对目标特征区域的感知范围,因此将通道注意力与空间注意力结构(CBAM)嵌入到YOLOV3基础网络Darknet53的每个shortcut层,得到CBAM-YOLOV3网络结构。对比改进前后的算法。实验结果表明,改进后的算法在IoU阈值为0.5时,mAP为98.09%,提升3.90%,在阈值为0.75时,mAP为76.49%,提升16.48%。     

Extension and partial optimization of a modified Smith predictor and controller for unstable processes with time delay

Extension and partial parameter optimization are applied to a modified Smith predictor and controller, designed by de Paor( 1985) for a class of unstable processes having transfer functions of the form k₁A exp(—sT)/B, where A is a monic, Hurwitz polynomial of degree (n — l) and the nth degree monic polynomial B has a single right half-plane root at s=λ It is found that for l = 1,2,3 asymptotic stability can be achieved for λ T> 1, which more than doubles the best result obtained earlier. For a specific process, responses are compared with those obtained using the optimum stability PI controller of de Paor and O'Malley (1989). The advantages of the optimized, modified predictor in terms of tightness of control and faster settling time are highlighted     

Stability of composite systems with an asymptotically hyperstable subsystem

In this note, it is proved that stability of composite systems including parallel subsystems can be achieved for certain sets of initial conditions and additional stability assumptions for the non-hyperstable subsystems. It is required that at least one subsystem be asymptotically hyperstable.     

APPLICATION OF CONCEPTUAL LEARNING TECHNIQUES TO GENERALIZED GROUP TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

In this article, we first point out the advantages and limitations of the keywords filtering techniques and the standard automatic clustering techniques for group technology applications. We consider, then, a product, or more generally an item, as a conjunction of symbolic attributes. We present a new method to recognize homogeneous families of products and to interpret the families by extraction of their concepts. Finally, the method is applied to analyze a population of 1010 mechanical parts.