OAS Deep Q-Learning-Based Fast and Smooth Control Method for Traffic Signal Transition in Urban Arterial Tidal Lanes.

To address traffic flow fluctuations caused by changes in traffic signal control schemes on tidal lanes and maintain smooth traffic operations, this paper proposes a method for controlling traffic signal transitions on tidal lanes. Firstly, the proposed method includes designing an intersection overlap phase scheme based on the traffic flow conflict matrix in the tidal lane scenario and a fast and smooth transition method for key intersections based on the flow ratio. The aim of the control is to equalize average queue lengths and minimize average vehicle delays for different flow directions at the intersection.

Persistent Luminescent Nanoparticles Containing Hydrogels for Targeted, Sustained, and Autofluorescence-Free Tumor Metastasis Imaging.

Metastasis is the primary cause of cancer morbidity and mortality. To obtain an effective diagnosis and treatment, precise imaging of tumor metastasis is required. Here we prepared persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) containing a hydrogel (PL-gel) for targeted, sustained, and autofluorescence-free tumor metastasis imaging.

A magnetofluorescent boron-doped carbon dots as a metal-free bimodal probe.

High-resolution observation of biological process is vital for biological researches and diagnosing diseases, which requires accurate diagnosis that involves coordinating imaging technologies such as fluorescence and magnetic resonance (MR). Nowadays, metal-based labels have been used for dual modality imaging. However, heavy metal ions are not environment-and organism-friendly.

Ultrasonic assisted preparation of lanthanide-oleate complexes for the synthesis of multifunctional monodisperse upconversion nanoparticles for multimodal imaging.

The synthesis of multifunctional monodisperse upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) of high quality is highly desired for bioimaging. Lanthanide-oleate complexes are excellent precursors for the synthesis of high quality UCNPs with controllable size and shape. In this work, lanthanide-oleate complexes were prepared by an ultrasonic assisted procedure, and used as precursors for further synthesis of multifunctional monodisperse NaYF4:59%Yb(3+),0.

Gadolinium complexes functionalized persistent luminescent nanoparticles as a multimodal probe for near-infrared luminescence and magnetic resonance imaging in vivo.

The development of multimodal nanoprobes that combined properties of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within a single probe is very important for medical diagnosis. The NIR-emitting persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) are ideal for optical imaging owing to no need for in situ excitation, the absence of background noise, and deep tissue penetration. However, no PLNP based multimodal nanoprobes have been reported so far.

Incorporation of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging function into NaYF4:Yb/Tm upconversion nanoparticles for in vivo trimodal bioimaging.

Rational design and fabrication of multimodal imaging nanoprobes are of great significance for in vivo imaging. Here we report the fabrication of a multishell structured NaYF4:Yb/Tm@NaLuF4@NaYF4@NaGdF4 nanoprobe via a seed-mediated epitaxial growth strategy for upconversion luminescence (UCL), X-ray computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) trimodal imaging. Hexagonal phase NaYF4:Yb/Tm is used as the core to provide UCL, while the shell of NaLuF4 is epitaxially grown on the core not only to provide an optically inert layer for enhancing the UCL but also to serve as a contrast agent for CT.

Fabrication of multifunctional Gd2O3/Au hybrid nanoprobe via a one-step approach for near-infrared fluorescence and magnetic resonance multimodal imaging in vivo.

Facile fabrication of multimodal imaging probes is highly desired for bioimaging application due to their integrated advantages of several imaging modalities. Here, we report a simple and one-step mild strategy to fabricate a multifunctional Gd2O3/Au hybrid nanoprobe. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as the template in the biomineralization synthesis.

DNA damage and biochemical toxicity of antibiotics in soil on the earthworm Eisenia fetida.

DNA damage and changes in enzyme activities were used as biomarkers to evaluate the genotoxicity and oxidative stress of tetracycline and chlortetracycline on the earthworm Eisenia fetida. The results showed that both antibiotics induced significant genotoxicity on earthworms in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.01) with chlortetracycline having a stronger effect than tetracycline in the short term.

Oxidative stress and DNA damage in the earthworm Eisenia fetida induced by toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and the comet assay (SCGE) were used as biomarkers to evaluate the oxidative stress and genotoxicity of toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene in earthworms (Eisenia fetida). The results indicated that the exposure of the three pollutants caused a stress response of the three enzymes, an approximate bell-shaped change (a tendency of inducement firstly and then inhibition with increasing concentrations of the pollutants) was mostly found. The three enzymes tested differed in their sensitivity to different pollutants.