An Ultralow-Power Real-Time Machine Learning Based fNIRS Motion Artifacts Detection.

Due to iterative matrix multiplications or gradient computations, machine learning modules often require a large amount of processing power and memory. As a result, they are often not feasible for use in wearable devices, which have limited processing power and memory. In this study, we propose an ultralow-power and real-time machine learning-based motion artifact detection module for functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) systems.

The relationship between lifestyle, driving anger and dangerous driving behaviours-An explorative study in a Chinese sample.

Drivers who exhibit dangerous driving behaviours, such as aggressive, risky, and negative emotion cognition driving, are more likely to be involved in road crashes. A key motivator behind unsafe driving behaviours is driving anger. However, it is unclear whether lifestyle, driving anger, and dangerous driving behaviours are related.

Ultra-stable liquid crystal droplets coated by sustainable plant-based materials for optical sensing of chemical and biological analytes.

Herein, we demonstrate for the first time the synthesis of ultra-stable, spherical, nematic liquid crystal (LC) droplets of narrow size polydispersity coated by sustainable, biodegradable, plant-based materials that trigger a typical bipolar-to-radial configurational transition in dynamic response to chemical and biological analytes. Specifically, a highly soluble polymer, potato protein (PoP) and a physically-crosslinked potato protein microgel (PoPM) of ∼100 nm in diameter, prepared from the PoP, a byproduct of the starch industry, were compared for their ability to coat LC droplets. Although both PoP and PoPM were capable of reducing the interfacial tension between water and -tetradecane <30 mN m, PoPM-coated LC droplets showed better stability than the PoP-coated droplets a Pickering-like mechanism.

A global meta-analysis reveals contrasting impacts of air, light, and noise pollution on pollination.

In the face of biodiversity decline, understanding the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on ecosystem functions is critical for mitigation. Elevated levels of pollution are a major threat to biodiversity, yet there is no synthesis of their impact on many of the major ecosystem functions, including pollination. This ecosystem function is both particularly vulnerable as it depends on the fine-tuned interaction between plants and pollinators and hugely important as it underpins the flora of most habitats as well as food production.

Quantitative analysis of biosurfactants in water samples by a modified oil spreading technique.

The oil spreading technique relies on biosurfactant to reduce the surface tension of an oil film and form an oil spreading ring in the center, and then judges the content of biosurfactant according to the diameter of the spreading ring. However, the instability and large errors of the traditional oil spreading technique limit its further application. In this paper, we modified the traditional oil spreading technique by optimizing the oily material, image acquisition and calculation method, which improves the accuracy and stability of the quantification of biosurfactant.

Necrosis and ethylene-inducing-like peptide patterns from crop pathogens induce differential responses within seven brassicaceous species.

Translational research is required to advance fundamental knowledge on plant immunity towards application in crop improvement. Recognition of microbe/pathogen-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs/PAMPs) triggers a first layer of immunity in plants. The broadly occurring family of necrosis- and ethylene-inducing peptide 1 (NEP1)-like proteins (NLPs) contains immunogenic peptide patterns that are recognized by a number of plant species.

Identifying structure-absorption relationships and predicting absorption strength of non-fullerene acceptors for organic photovoltaics.

Non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) are excellent light harvesters, yet the origin of their high optical extinction is not well understood. In this work, we investigate the absorption strength of NFAs by building a database of time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations of ∼500 π-conjugated molecules. The calculations are first validated by comparison with experimental measurements in solution and solid state using common fullerene and non-fullerene acceptors.

Novel oxygen-generation from electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds with anticancer properties: synthesis of PMMA-conjugate PVP-HO nanofibers, characterization, and bio-evaluation tests.

Released oxygen plays a critical role in reducing destructive tumor behavior. This study aims to utilize decomposed hydrogen peroxide as an oxygen source by conjugating it with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). PVP-hydrogen peroxide complex (PHP) composed of different ratios of (PVP : HO) (0.

Multipurpose made colorimetric materials for amines, pH change and metal ion detection.

Sensors are routinely developed for specific applications, but multipurpose sensors are challenging, due to stability and poor functional design. We report organic materials that operate in solution and gas phase. They show a strong response behaviour to at least three types of environmental changes: pH, amine and metal ion binding/detection.

Ultrafast transient absorption spectroelectrochemistry: femtosecond to nanosecond excited-state relaxation dynamics of the individual components of an anthraquinone redox couple.

Many photoactivated processes involve a change in oxidation state during the reaction pathway and formation of highly reactive photoactivated species. Isolating these reactive species and studying their early-stage femtosecond to nanosecond (fs-ns) photodynamics can be challenging. Here we introduce a combined ultrafast transient absorption-spectroelectrochemistry (TA-SEC) approach using freestanding boron doped diamond (BDD) mesh electrodes, which also extends the time domain of conventional spectrochemical measurements.

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells directly participate in host immune response.

The properties of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), including self-renewal and pluripotency, have been extensively studied. These features have been explored in the management of several haematological disorders and malignancies. Although their role as precursors of innate immune cells is well understood, little is known about their direct participation in host immune response.

Single-step synthesis and interface tuning of core-shell metal-organic framework nanoparticles.

Control over the spatial distribution of components in metal-organic frameworks has potential to unlock improved performance and new behaviour in separations, sensing and catalysis. We report an unprecedented single-step synthesis of multi-component metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles based on the canonical ZIF-8 (Zn) system and its Cd analogue, which form with a core-shell structure whose internal interface can be systematically tuned. We use scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and a new composition gradient model to fit high-resolution X-ray diffraction data to show how core-shell composition and interface characteristics are intricately controlled by synthesis temperature and reaction composition.

A missense variant in specificity protein 6 (SP6) is associated with amelogenesis imperfecta.

Amelogenesis is the process of enamel formation. For amelogenesis to proceed, the cells of the inner enamel epithelium (IEE) must first proliferate and then differentiate into the enamel-producing ameloblasts. Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a heterogeneous group of genetic conditions that result in defective or absent tooth enamel.

Between Germanic and Latin eugenics: Portugal, 1930-1960.

This article assesses critically the participation of Portuguese eugenicists in "Latin eugenics" and traces the continuities and discontinuities with respect to this model. In particular, it focuses on a number of examples of more "Germanic" eugenics in contrast and in comparison to Latin versions of eugenics. In the former category, Eusébio Tamagnini, José Ayres de Azevedo and Leopoldina Ferreira de Paulo are considered; in the latter category, especially the work of Almerindo Lessa on "racial mixing" is considered.

Ab initio multiple cloning simulations of pyrrole photodissociation: TKER spectra and velocity map imaging.

We report a detailed computational simulation of the photodissociation of pyrrole using the ab initio Multiple Cloning (AIMC) method implemented within MOLPRO. The efficiency of the AIMC implementation, employing train basis sets, linear approximation for matrix elements, and Ehrenfest configuration cloning, allows us to accumulate significant statistics. We calculate and analyze the total kinetic energy release (TKER) spectrum and Velocity Map Imaging (VMI) of pyrrole and compare the results directly with experimental measurements.

Host-parasite genotypic interactions in the honey bee: the dynamics of diversity.

Parasites are thought to be a major driving force shaping genetic variation in their host, and are suggested to be a significant reason for the maintenance of sexual reproduction. A leading hypothesis for the occurrence of multiple mating (polyandry) in social insects is that the genetic diversity generated within-colonies through this behavior promotes disease resistance. This benefit is likely to be particularly significant when colonies are exposed to multiple species and strains of parasites, but host-parasite genotypic interactions in social insects are little known.

Carbon monoxide mediates the anti-apoptotic effects of heme oxygenase-1 in medulloblastoma DAOY cells via K+ channel inhibition.

Tumor cell survival and proliferation is attributable in part to suppression of apoptotic pathways, yet the mechanisms by which cancer cells resist apoptosis are not fully understood. Many cancer cells constitutively express heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which catabolizes heme to generate biliverdin, Fe(2+), and carbon monoxide (CO). These breakdown products may play a role in the ability of cancer cells to suppress apoptotic signals.

Electrochemical modeling of the silica nanoparticle-biomembrane interaction.

The interaction of amorphous colloidal silica (SiO(2)) nanoparticles of well-defined sizes with a dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) monolayer on a mercury (Hg) film electrode has been investigated. It was shown using electrochemical methods and microcalorimetry that particles interact with the monolayer, and the electrochemical data shows that the extent of interaction is inversely proportional to the particle size. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the electrode-supported monolayers following exposure to the particles shows that the nanoparticles bind to the DOPC monolayer irrespective of their size, forming a particle monolayer on the DOPC surface.

Water, water everywhere--except where it matters?

Biological processes depend on specific recognition between molecules with carefully tuned affinities. Because of the complexity of the problem, binding affinities cannot reliably be computed from molecular structures. Modern biophysical techniques can decompose the problem to determine the thermodynamic contributions from protein, cognate ligand and solvent.

PTS1-independent targeting of isocitrate lyase to peroxisomes requires the PTS1 receptor Pex5p.

The targeting of castor bean isocitrate lyase to peroxisomes was studied by expression in the heterologous host Saccharomyces cerevisae from which the endogenous ICL1 gene had been removed by gene disruption. Peroxisomal import of ICL was dependent upon the PTS1 receptor Pex5p and was lost by deletion of the last three amino acids, Ala-Arg-Met. However, removal of an additional 16 amino acids restored the ability of this truncated ICL to be targeted to peroxisomes and this import activity, like that of the full-length protein, was dependent upon Pex5p.

Hierarchical self-assembly of chiral rod-like molecules as a model for peptide beta -sheet tapes, ribbons, fibrils, and fibers.

A generic statistical mechanical model is presented for the self-assembly of chiral rod-like units, such as beta-sheet-forming peptides, into helical tapes, which with increasing concentration associate into twisted ribbons (double tapes), fibrils (twisted stacks of ribbons), and fibers (entwined fibrils). The finite fibril width and helicity is shown to stem from a competition between the free energy gain from attraction between ribbons and the penalty because of elastic distortion of the intrinsically twisted ribbons on incorporation into a growing fibril. Fibers are stabilized similarly.