-
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Label-free measurement and analysis of single bacterial cells are essential for food safety monitoring and microbial disease diagnosis. We report a microwave flow...
Label-free measurement and analysis of single bacterial cells are essential for food safety monitoring and microbial disease diagnosis. We report a microwave flow cytometric sensor with a microstrip sensing device with reduced channel height for bacterial cell measurement. B and K-12 were measured with the sensor at frequencies between 500 MHz and 8 GHz. The results show microwave properties of cells are frequency-dependent. A LightGBM model was developed to classify cell types at a high accuracy of 0.96 at 1 GHz. Thus, the sensor provides a promising label-free method to rapidly detect and differentiate bacterial cells. Nevertheless, the method needs to be further developed by comprehensively measuring different types of cells and demonstrating accurate cell classification with improved machine-learning techniques.
Topics: Microwaves; Flow Cytometry; Escherichia coli; Biosensing Techniques
PubMed: 38732977
DOI: 10.3390/s24092870 -
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Sep 2024Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted significant attention owing to their inherent security, low cost, abundant zinc (Zn) resources and high energy density....
Modulating solvated structure of Zn and inducing surface crystallography by a simple organic molecule with abundant polar functional groups to synergistically stabilize zinc metal anodes for long-life aqueous zinc-ion batteries.
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted significant attention owing to their inherent security, low cost, abundant zinc (Zn) resources and high energy density. Nevertheless, the growth of zinc dendrites and side reactions on the surface of Zn anodes during repeatedly plating/stripping shorten the cycle life of AZIBs. Herein, a simple organic molecule with abundant polar functional groups, 2,2,2-trifluoroether formate (TF), has been proposed as a high-efficient additive in the ZnSO electrolyte to suppress the growth of Zn dendrites and side reaction during cycling. It is found that TF molecules can infiltrate the solvated sheath layer of the hydrated Zn to reduce the number of highly chemically active HO molecules owing to their strong binding energy with Zn. Simultaneously, TF molecules can preferentially adsorb onto the Zn surface, guiding the uniform deposition of Zn along the crystalline surface of Zn(002). This dual action significantly inhibits the formation of Zn dendrites and side reactions, thus greatly extending the cycling life of the batteries. Accordingly, the Zn//Cu asymmetric cell with 2 % TF exhibits stable cycling for more than 3,800 cycles, achieving an excellent average Columbic efficiency (CE) of 99.81 % at 2 mA cm/1 mAh cm. Meanwhile, the Zn||Zn symmetric cell with 2 % TF demonstrates a superlong cycle life exceeding 3,800 h and 2,400 h at 2 mA cm/1 mAh cm and 5 mA cm/2.5 mAh cm, respectively. Simultaneously, the Zn//VO full cell with 2 % TF possesses high initial capacity (276.8 mAh/g) and capacity retention (72.5 %) at 5 A/g after 500 cycles. This investigation provides new insights into stabilizing Zn metal anodes for AZIBs through the co-regulation of Zn solvated structure and surface crystallography.
PubMed: 38729007
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.014 -
Cyborg and Bionic Systems (Washington,... 2024Continuum manipulators can conform to curvilinear paths and manipulate objects in complex environments, which makes it emerging to be applied in minimally invasive...
Continuum manipulators can conform to curvilinear paths and manipulate objects in complex environments, which makes it emerging to be applied in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). However, different and controllable operating stiffness of the continuum manipulator is required during different stages of surgery to achieve safe access or stable and precise operation. This work proposes an operating stiffness controller (OSC) for the typical tendon-driven continuum manipulator based on the variable impedance control method with Lagrangian dynamic modeling. This controller can adjust the operating stiffness by modifying the driving forces along the driving tendons of the continuum manipulator without changing its material or structure. The proposed OSC converts the damping and stiffness matrices of the impedance control into variable parameters. This merit allows it to dynamically adjust the operating stiffness of the continuum manipulator according to the desired constant or time-varying stiffness. Furthermore, the OSC stability can be proven based on a Lyapunov function, and its stiffness control performances have been analyzed and evaluated in both simulations and experiments. The OSC controller generated average relevant error values of 7.82% and 3.09% for the operating stiffness control experiments with constant and time-varying desired stiffness, respectively. These experimental results indicate that the OSC has high accuracy, stability, and strong robustness in the operating stiffness control tasks.
PubMed: 38721039
DOI: 10.34133/cbsystems.0110 -
PloS One 2024Thousands of offshore oil and gas platforms have been installed throughout the world's oceans and more structures are being installed as part of the transition to...
Thousands of offshore oil and gas platforms have been installed throughout the world's oceans and more structures are being installed as part of the transition to renewable energy. These structures increase the availability of ecological niches by providing hard substrate in midwater and complex 3D habitat on the seafloor. This can lead to 'hotspots' of biodiversity, or increased densities of flora and fauna, which potentially spill over into the local area. However, the distances over which these higher densities extend (the 'range of influence') can be highly variable. Fish aggregate at such structures, but the range of influence and any implications for wider fish populations, are unclear. We investigated the relationship between fish and platform areal densities using high resolution fisheries acoustic data. Data were collected in the waters surrounding the vessel exclusions zones around 16 oil and gas platforms in the North Sea, and throughout the wider area. We estimated densities of schooling fish using echo-integration, and densities of non-schooling fish using echo-counting. At 10 platforms, non-schooling fish densities were elevated near the platform relative to background levels in the equivalent wider area. The range of influence, defined here as the range to which fish densities were elevated above background, varied from 0.8 to 23 km. In areas of high platform density, fish schools were encountered more often, and non-schooling fish densities were higher, when controlling for other sources of environmental variation. This is the first time such long-range effects have been identified; previously, ranges of influence have been reported in the order of just 10s-100s of metres. These findings suggest that the environmental impact of these structures may extend further than previously thought, which may be relevant in the context of upcoming management decisions around the decommissioning of these structures.
Topics: Animals; Fishes; Oil and Gas Fields; Population Density; Ecosystem; Oil and Gas Industry; North Sea
PubMed: 38709717
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302738 -
PeerJ 2024Watching a magic trick is a unique experience in which seemingly impossible events appear possible but without any suspension of disbelief. Unfortunately, relatively...
Watching a magic trick is a unique experience in which seemingly impossible events appear possible but without any suspension of disbelief. Unfortunately, relatively little work has examined the psychological impact of this fascinating experience. In the current study, participants first completed a measure of the degree to which they disliked magic (Loathing of Legerdemain Scale: LOLS) and then watched a video that either contained a series of magic tricks (magic video) or carefully matched non-magic tricks (control video). Participants then rated the degree to which they experienced positive epistemic emotions (Epistemically Related Emotion Scale: ERES), their belief about impossible events being possible in the future (Modal Judgment Task: MJT), general optimism (State Optimism Measure: SOM) and subjective wellbeing (Satisfaction With Life Scale: SWLS). Compared to participants who watched the control video, those who saw the magic video reported more positive epistemic emotions on the ERES. There were no significant differences on the MJT, SOM and SWLS. Participants' LOLS scores were negatively correlated with the ERES, SOM and SWLS, suggesting that those who like magic are more likely to experience positive epistemic emotions, have higher levels of general optimism, and express greater satisfaction with their lives. These findings are discussed within the context of short-term and long-term exposure to magic, along with recommendations for future work.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Optimism; Emotions; Adult; Young Adult; Personal Satisfaction; Adolescent
PubMed: 38708358
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17308 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Recent demonstrations of room-temperature lasing in optically pumped GeSn show promise for future CMOS compatible lasers for Si-photonics applications. However,...
Recent demonstrations of room-temperature lasing in optically pumped GeSn show promise for future CMOS compatible lasers for Si-photonics applications. However, challenges remain for electrically pumped devices. Investigation of the processes that limit device performance is therefore vital in aiding the production of future commercial devices. In this work, a combined experimental and modelling approach is utilised to explore the dominant loss processes in current devices. By manipulating the band structure of functioning devices using high hydrostatic pressure techniques at low temperature, the dominant carrier recombination pathways are identified. This reveals that 93 5% of the threshold current is attributable to defect-related recombination at a temperature, T = 85 K. Furthermore, carrier occupation of L-valley states (carrier leakage) is responsible for 1.1 0.3% of the threshold current, but this sharply increases to 50% with a decrease of just 30 meV in the L- separation energy. This indicates that thermal broadening of a similar order may reproduce these adverse effects, limiting device performance at higher temperatures. Temperature dependent calculations show that carrier occupation of indirect valley L-states strongly affects the transparency carrier density and is therefore very sensitive to the Sn composition, leading to an effective operational temperature range for given Sn compositions and strain values. Recommendations for future device designs are proposed based on band structure and growth optimisations.
PubMed: 38705884
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60686-3 -
Vaccine Jun 2024Autonomous motivation is considered a powerful driver of health behaviour, but less is known about the specific roles played by basic needs. Drawing on the context of...
Autonomous motivation is considered a powerful driver of health behaviour, but less is known about the specific roles played by basic needs. Drawing on the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this research examined basic needs as a motivational determinant of vaccination. We hypothesized that satisfaction of basic needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) has both a direct and an indirect effect (through trust in science and government) on vaccine hesitancy. Two studies (Study 1: N = 968 French and British; Study 2, pre-registered: N = 716 Americans) tested our hypotheses and compared vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals using multigroup structural equation models. We found positive direct (in both studies) and indirect (in Study 1) effects of autonomy satisfaction on vaccine acceptance. In contrast, competence satisfaction was directly and indirectly, via science mistrust, related to vaccine hesitancy, particularly among non-vaccinated people. Competence satisfaction also indirectly reduced the intention to vaccinate in both studies. We found no impact of relatedness. Complementing previous work on self-determination theory, our research demonstrates the importance of considering the distinct roles of basic needs. Moreover, we highlight that increasing autonomy and science trust may be an efficient strategy to improve vaccine acceptance and vaccination, even among reluctant individuals.
Topics: Humans; Trust; Female; Male; Adult; COVID-19; Vaccination Hesitancy; Middle Aged; Motivation; Vaccination; COVID-19 Vaccines; Young Adult; Personal Autonomy; SARS-CoV-2; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Adolescent; Aged; France; Surveys and Questionnaires; Personal Satisfaction; Intention
PubMed: 38704252
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.04.068 -
Journal of Cystic Fibrosis : Official... May 2024Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited multiorgan disease that causes lung damage and early death. People with CF (pwCF) experience diminished exercise capacity compared...
BACKGROUND
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited multiorgan disease that causes lung damage and early death. People with CF (pwCF) experience diminished exercise capacity compared to the general population. This is due to an accelerated decline in lung function resulting from recurrent lung infections, declining lung function and nutritional challenges. Since 2020 the CFTR-modulator Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ETI) has been approved for pwCF aged 12 and above in Denmark. Initial experiences with the medication have shown promising results, including improved lung function and disease stability. To date a limited number of studies have evaluated the impact of CFTR-modulators on exercise capacity in pwCF.
OBJECTIVE
The study aims to assess the impact of one year of ETI treatment, without any further intervention, on exercise capacity measured through cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in pwCF aged 12 years and above.
METHODS
A Danish prospective registry cohort study including pwCF from CF-Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital and CF-Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital. Participants underwent CPET before initiating ETI and at follow up one year later. Primary outcomes were VO₂ peak (ml/kg/min), secondary outcomes were VO2 peak (ml/min), VO2 peak (% pred), watt-max, HR-max and saturation at max. The difference between baseline and follow-up was assessed using a paired-sample t-test and regression analyses were applied to relevant outcomes.
RESULTS
We included 229 pwCF in the analyses. An increase in oxygen uptake, VO₂ peak (ml/kg/min) from baseline to follow-up was observed; 0.6, 95% CI [0.06; 1.09] p = 0.03. Moreover, significant increase was noted for all other CPET outcomes. Regression analysis showed that changes in FEV₁% pred and BMI could explain some of the differences, 0.05 ml/kg/min, 95% CI [0.01, 0.1] p = 0.02 and -0.5 ml/kg/min, 95% CI [-0.8, -0.2] p = 0.002 respectively.
CONCLUSION
Among Danish pwCF we found a significant, but not clinically relevant, increase in oxygen uptake, after one year of ETI treatment.
PubMed: 38697864
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2024.04.010 -
Soft Matter May 2024The mechanical and printing performance of a new biomaterial, flax fibre-reinforced alginate-poloxamer based hydrogel, for load-bearing and 4D printing biomedical...
The mechanical and printing performance of a new biomaterial, flax fibre-reinforced alginate-poloxamer based hydrogel, for load-bearing and 4D printing biomedical applications is described in this study. The-self suspendable ability of the material was evaluated by optimising the printing parameters and conducting a collapse test. 1% of the flax fibre weight fraction was sufficient to obtain an optimum hydrogel composite from a mechanical perspective. The collapse test showed that the addition of flax fibres allowed a consistent print without support over longer distances (8 and 10 mm) than the unreinforced hydrogel. The addition of 1% of flax fibres increased the viscosity by 39% and 129% at strain rates of 1 rad s and 5 rad s, respectively, compared to the unreinforced hydrogel. The distributions of fibre size and orientation inside the material were also evaluated to identify the internal morphology of the material. The difference of coefficients of moisture expansion between the printing direction (1.29 × 10) and the transverse direction (6.03 × 10) showed potential for hygromorphic actuation in 4D printing. The actuation authority was demonstrated by printing a [0°; 90°] stacking sequence and rosette-like structures, which were then actuated using humidity gradients. Adding fibres to the hydrogel improved the repeatability of the actuation, while lowering the actuation authority from 0.11 mm to 0.08 mm. Overall, this study highlighted the structural and actuation-related benefits of adding flax fibres to hydrogels.
PubMed: 38695256
DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00135d -
Nanoscale Advances Apr 2024Heterostructures based on graphene and other 2D materials have received significant attention in recent years. However, it is challenging to fabricate them with an...
Heterostructures based on graphene and other 2D materials have received significant attention in recent years. However, it is challenging to fabricate them with an ultra-clean interface due to unwanted foreign molecules, which usually get introduced during their transfer to a desired substrate. Clean nanofabrication is critical for the utilization of these materials in 2D nanoelectronics devices and circuits, and therefore, it is important to understand the influence of the "non-ideal" interface. Inspired by the wet-transfer process of the CVD-grown graphene, herein, we present an atomistic simulation of the graphene-Au interface, where water molecules often get trapped during the transfer process. By using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we investigated the structural variations of the trapped water and the traction-separation curve derived from the graphene-Au interface at 300 K. We observed the formation of an ice-like structure with square-ice patterns when the thickness of the water film was <5 Å. This could cause undesirable strain in the graphene layer and hence affect the performance of devices developed from it. We also observed that at higher thicknesses the water film is predominantly present in the liquid state. The traction separation curve showed that the adhesion of graphene is better in the presence of an ice-like structure. This study explains the behaviour of water confined at the nanoscale region and advances our understanding of the graphene-Au interface in 2D nanoelectronics devices and circuits.
PubMed: 38694470
DOI: 10.1039/d3na00878a