Stable in-vivo electrochemical sensing of tonic serotonin levels using PEDOT/CNT-coated glassy carbon flexible microelectrode arrays.

Chronic sampling of tonic serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) concentrations in the brain is critical for tracking neurological disease development and the time course of pharmacological treatments. Despite their value, in vivo chronic multi-site measurements of tonic 5-HT have not been reported. To fill this technological gap, we batch-fabricated implantable glassy carbon (GC) microelectrode arrays (MEAs) onto a flexible SU-8 substrate to provide an electrochemically stable and biocompatible device/tissue interface.

Determining the Conformational Stability of a Protein from Urea and Thermal Unfolding Curves.

This article contains protocols for determining the conformational stability of a globular protein from either urea or thermal unfolding curves. Circular dichroism is the optical spectroscopic technique most commonly used to monitor protein unfolding. These protocols describe how to analyze data from an unfolding curve to obtain the thermodynamic parameters necessary to calculate conformational stability, and how to determine differences in stability between protein variants.

Implementation of probe rheology simulation technique in atomistically detailed molecular dynamics simulations.

The probe rheology simulation technique is a technique for measuring the viscosity of a fluid by measuring the motion of an inserted probe particle. This approach has the benefit of greater potential accuracy at a lower computational cost than other conventional simulation techniques used for the calculation of mechanical properties, such as the Green-Kubo approach and nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations, and the potential to allow for sampling local variations of properties. This approach is implemented and demonstrated for atomistically detailed models.

Biosensor Development and Innovation in Healthcare and Medical Applications.

The pandemic necessitated a change to the historical diagnostics model [...

Sodium as a subsidy in the spring: evidence for a phenology of sodium limitation.

Understanding the factors that mediate carbon (C) cycling is increasingly important as anthropogenic activities and climate change alter ecosystems. Decomposition rates mediate C cycling and are in part regulated by sodium (Na) where Na is limiting up to some threshold after which Na becomes stressful and reduces decomposition rates (i.e.

Zwitterionic Polymer Coated and Aptamer Functionalized Flexible Micro-Electrode Arrays for In Vivo Cocaine Sensing and Electrophysiology.

The number of people aged 12 years and older using illicit drugs reached 59.3 million in 2020, among which 5.2 million are cocaine users based on the national data.

The Advancement in Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Technology toward Sustainable Industrial Wastewater Management.

The advancement in water treatment technology has revolutionized the progress of membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology in the modern era. The large space requirement, low efficiency, and high cost of the traditional activated sludge process have given the necessary space for the MBR system to come into action. The conventional activated sludge (CAS) process and tertiary filtration can be replaced by immersed and side-stream MBR.

Combined Countermovement Jump Testing and Motion Analysis as the Future of Performance Assessment for Baseball Pitchers: A Narrative Review.

Sakurai, M, Szymanski, DJ, Qiao, M, and Crotin, RL. Combined countermovement jump testing and motion analysis as the future of performance assessment for baseball pitchers: a narrative review. J Strength Cond Res 37(6): 1327-1338, 2023-Whole-body kinematics and kinetics impact pitching performance, and when coordination of momentum transfer is impacted, throwing-related injury risks increase.

Anthropometric Evaluation of First Round Draft Selections in Major League Baseball.

Crotin, RL, Conforti, CM, Szymanski, DJ, and Oseguera, J. Anthropometric Evaluation of first round draft selections in Major League Baseball. J Strength Cond Res 37(8): 1609-1615, 2023-Physical stature effects on future Major League Baseball (MLB) performance and player evaluation are not known among amateurs.

A compact finite difference scheme with absorbing boundary condition for forced KdV equation.

Studying the long-time solution behavior of the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) type equation with a periodic force acting at one end of the long channel is important for simulating the blood flow in artery driven by heart pulses. It is of great interest to develop an accurate numerical method for solving the forced KdV problem. In this article, we present the following methods to obtain an accurate approximation to the solution of KdV problem.

Redox Chemistry of the Subphases of α-CsPbIBr and β-CsPbIBr: Theory Reveals New Potential for Photostability.

The logic in the design of a halide-mixed APb(I1−xBrx)3 perovskite is quite straightforward: to combine the superior photovoltaic qualities of iodine-based perovskites with the increased stability of bromine-based perovskites. However, even small amounts of Br doped into the iodine-based materials leads to some instability. In the present report, using first-principles computations, we analyzed a wide variety of α-CsPbI2Br and β-CsPbI2Br phases, compared their mixing enthalpies, explored their oxidative properties, and calculated their hole-coupled and hole-free charged Frenkel defect (CFD) formations by considering all possible channels of oxidation.

Circulating adiponectin levels, expression of adiponectin receptors, and methylation of adiponectin gene promoter in relation to Alzheimer's disease.

Background: The role of adiponectin (ADIPOQ) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been documented, however, demonstrating controversial results. In this study, we investigated blood serum ADIPOQ levels, methylation of the adiponectin gene promoter, and adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) expression in blood samples isolated from AD patients and healthy controls.

Methods: We performed a case-control study including 248 subjects (98 AD patients and 150 healthy controls); ADIPOQ serum levels, AdipoR1, and AdipoR2 levels in PBMC were measured by ELISA Kits, and ADIPOQ gene methylation was analyzed using methyl-specific PCR.

Mentoring for INnovative Design Solutions (MINDS): Key Design Considerations and Collaborative Teamwork across Universities for Clinical Translation.

The main purpose of this paper is to share the Mentoring for INnovative Design Solutions (MINDS) Scholars Program developed by Alpha Eta Mu Beta, the International Biomedical Engineering Honor Society. The program's goals are to (1) introduce biomedical engineering students to an open-ended design experience as part of interuniversity teams with industry and faculty mentors, and (2) develop the ability to create designs considering clinical translatability on teams with different backgrounds and areas of expertise. MINDS uses an experiential learning approach to (1) enrich student curricular experiences through inter-institutional collaboration, (2) build engineering design skills, including three key design considerations for clinical/commercial success: intellectual property protection, regulatory strategy, and market identification; and (3) emphasize the importance of end-user considerations.

The bacteriophage lambda integrase catalytic domain can be modified to act with the regulatory domain as a recombination-competent binary recombinase.

Site-specific recombinase Int mediates integration of the bacteriophage λ genome into the Escherichia coli chromosome. Integration occurs once the Int tetramer, assisted by the integration host factor IHF, forms the intasome, a higher order structure, within which Int, a heterobivalent protein, interacts with two nonhomologous DNA sequences: the core recombination sites and the accessory arm sites. The binding to these sites is mediated by the catalytic C-terminal domain (CTD) and the regulatory N-terminal domain (NTD) of Int, respectively.

Social media use and body image issues among adolescents in a vulnerable Louisiana community.

Widespread concern has been expressed regarding unrealistic body image and adolescent eating disorder promoting content on social media (SM) platforms. Numerous research studies have examined the impact of SM on body image as well as social vulnerability on negative mental health outcomes. Despite this, few previous studies have examined the impact of SM on body image specifically in vulnerable, underserved, or predominantly minority communities.

Air Quality Dispersion Modelling to Evaluate CIPP Installation Styrene Emissions.

Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) is one of the most popular in situ rehabilitation techniques to repair sewer and water pipes. While there are multiple approaches to curing CIPP, steam-curing of styrene-based resins has been found to be associated with air-borne chemical emissions. Health officials, utilities and industry representatives have recognized the need to know more about these emissions, especially styrene.

Assembly of Clay Nanotubes on Cotton Fibers Mediated by Biopolymer for Robust and High-Performance Hemostatic Dressing.

Uncontrollable bleeding from military conflicts, accidents, and surgical procedures is a major life-threatening factor. Rapid, safe, and convenient hemostasis is critical to the survival of bleeding patients in prehospital care. However, the peel-off of hemostats such as kaolinite sheets from the cotton fibers often poses a risk of distal thrombosis.

A collaborative approach to improve representation in viral genomic surveillance.

Unlabelled: The lack of routine viral genomic surveillance delayed the initial detection of SARS-CoV-2, allowing the virus to spread unfettered at the outset of the U.S. epidemic.

Phase-change composite filled natural nanotubes in hydrogel promote wound healing under photothermally triggered drug release.

It is of great importance to treat a bacterial-infected wound by a smart dressing capable of delivering antibiotics in a smart manner without causing drug resistance. The construction of smart release nanocontainers responsive to near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation in an on-demand and stepwise way is a promising strategy for avoiding the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Here, we develop a hydrogel composite made of alginate and nanotubes with an efficient NIR-triggered release of rifampicin and outstanding antibacterial ability.

Architectural design of core-shell nanotube systems based on aluminosilicate clay.

A nanoarchitectural approach to the design of functional nanomaterials based on natural aluminosilicate nanotubes and their catalysis, and practical applications are described in this paper. We focused on the buildup of hybrid core-shell systems with metallic or organic molecules encased in aluminosilicate walls, and nanotube templates for structured silica and zeolite preparation. The basis for such an architectural design is a unique AlO/SiO dual chemistry of 50 nm diameter halloysite tubes.

Coulomb Explosion Dynamics of Multiply Charged -Nitrotoluene Cations.

This work explores Coulomb explosion (CE) dissociation pathways in multiply charged cations of -nitrotoluene (PNT), a model compound for nitroaromatic energetic molecules. Experiments using strong-field ionization and mass spectrometry indicate that metastable cations PNT and PNT undergo CE to produce NO and NO. The experimentally measured kinetic energy release from CE upon formation of NO and NO agrees qualitatively with the kinetic energy release predicted by computations of the reaction pathways in PNT and PNT using density functional theory (DFT).

Determinants of Biomechanical Efficiency in Collegiate and Professional Baseball Pitchers.

Background: Biomechanical efficiency, defined as fastball velocity per unit of normalized elbow varus torque, is a relatively new metric applied to improving the performance and health of baseball pitching.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this work was to evaluate kinematic parameters influencing biomechanical efficiency among professional and collegiate pitchers. Kinematic differences were compared between pitchers of high and low biomechanical efficiency.

Wastewater surveillance in smaller college communities may aid future public health initiatives.

To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in over 570 million cases and over 6 million deaths worldwide. Predominant clinical testing methods, though invaluable, may create an inaccurate depiction of COVID-19 prevalence due to inadequate access, testing, or most recently under-reporting because of at-home testing. These concerns have created a need for unbiased, community-level surveillance.