{"results":[{"id":"doaj_10.1590/1980-5373-mr-2025-0388","title":"Bayesian ANN-Based Prediction and Multi-Objective Optimization of Tribological Behavior in Magnesium Alloy AZ91D at Elevated Temperature Using Pareto GA","authors":[{"name":"Beniyel Muthuraj"},{"name":"Sivapragash Murugesan"},{"name":"Rajesh Rajamony"},{"name":"Michael Thomas Rex Francis"}],"abstract":"This study uses an artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict the wear rate and friction coefficient of the magnesium alloy AZ91D, based on experimental data from a pin-on-disc tribometer. The model includes three essential process parameters: sliding velocity (m/s), applied load (kg), and sliding distance (km), in addition to the chamber temperature (°C). A total of 27 experimental designs were devised using a Box-Behnken design. The ANN model was trained utilizing the Bayesian regularization approach with one hidden layer of 10 neurons. The developed ANN models for predicting wear rate and coefficient of friction were used as goal functions in a multi-objective Pareto-based genetic algorithm to maximize tribological performance. The ideal solution indicates a sliding velocity of 2 m/s, a load of 5 kg, a sliding distance of 1.5 km, and a chamber temperature of 143°C, yielding a minimal wear rate of 1.7891 mm3/kg·km and a coefficient of friction of 0.1435. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy analyses of worn surfaces show that the wear rate decreases with increasing load and sliding velocity at higher temperatures. The oxide layer that forms at high temperatures enhances wear resistance, even under high loads and sliding speeds.","source":"DOAJ","year":2025,"language":"","subjects":["Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials"],"doi":"10.1590/1980-5373-mr-2025-0388","url":"http://www.scielo.br/pdf/mr/v28/1516-1439-mr-28-e20250388.pdf","pdf_url":"http://www.scielo.br/pdf/mr/v28/1516-1439-mr-28-e20250388.pdf","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"","score":69},{"id":"doaj_10.1038/s41467-025-62757-z","title":"Lipid-mediated gating of a miniature mechanosensitive MscS channel from Trypanosoma cruzi","authors":[{"name":"Jingying Zhang"},{"name":"Aashish Bhatt"},{"name":"Grigory Maksaev"},{"name":"Yun Lyna Luo"},{"name":"Peng Yuan"}],"abstract":"Abstract The mechanosensitive channel of small conductance (MscS) from E. coli (EcMscS) has served as the prevailing model system for understanding mechanotransduction in ion channels. Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite causing Chagas disease, encodes a miniature MscS ortholog (TcMscS) critical for parasite development and infectivity. TcMscS contains a minimal portion of the canonical EcMscS fold yet maintains mechanosensitive channel activity, thus presenting a unique model system to assess the essential molecular determinants underlying mechanotransduction. Using cryo-electron microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, we show that TcMscS contains two short membrane-embedded helices that would not fully cross an intact lipid bilayer. Consequently, drastic membrane deformation is induced at the protein-lipid interface, resulting in a funnel-shaped bilayer surrounding the channel. Resident lipids within the central pore lumen block ion permeation pathway, and their departure driven by lateral membrane tension is required for ion conduction. Together with electrophysiology and mutagenesis studies, our results support a direct lipid-mediated mechanical gating transition. Moreover, these findings provide a foundation for the development of alternative treatment of Chagas disease by inhibition of the TcMscS channel.","source":"DOAJ","year":2025,"language":"","subjects":["Science"],"doi":"10.1038/s41467-025-62757-z","url":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62757-z","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"","score":69},{"id":"doaj_10.3897/zse.101.139350","title":"Two new species of deep-sea Red Corals (Coralliidae, Genus Hemicorallium Gray, 1867) from the western Indian Ocean","authors":[{"name":"Xuying Hu"},{"name":"Qian Zhang"},{"name":"Meiling Ge"},{"name":"Xinlong Li"},{"name":"Zongling Wang"},{"name":"Xuelei Zhang"},{"name":"Qinzeng Xu"}],"abstract":"Deep-sea corals are critical to global exploration of deep-sea biodiversity, but research on them in the Indian Ocean is very limited. In this study, we report the first discovery of two new species of red corals at a depth of 1697 m in the western Indian Ocean. The species were identified through detailed morphological analysis, including microscopic examination of colony structure, branches and autozooids (assessing size, abundance and spacing), as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of sclerite morphology and quantity. Two species for the genus Hemicorallium Gray, 1867 were found as new species, designated Hemicorallium indicodensum sp. nov. and Hemicorallium jiaolongensis sp. nov. H. indicodensum sp. nov. is characterised by densely branched structures and numerous globular double-club sclerites, distinguishing it from other species. Meanwhile, H. jiaolongensis sp. nov. features yellowish-white colonies with short rods with sharp, large radial projections in the tentacles. Four mitochondrial regions were used to reveal the phylogenetic relationship in Coralliidae, supporting the taxonomic placement of these two new species. This study provides significant new insights into the biodiversity of deep-sea corals in the Indian Ocean, enriching the known species pool. Additionally, a more comprehensive key to the genus Hemicorallium is provided, further enhancing our understanding of the group’s taxonomy.","source":"DOAJ","year":2025,"language":"","subjects":["Biology (General)"],"doi":"10.3897/zse.101.139350","url":"https://zse.pensoft.net/article/139350/","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"","score":69},{"id":"doaj_10.1016/j.rinp.2025.108387","title":"Plasma spray coating of HA-Ti-MgO composite on Ti6Al4V alloy substrate","authors":[{"name":"Negin Nadian"},{"name":"Salman Nourouzi"},{"name":"Hamed Jamshidi Aval"}],"abstract":"This study investigates the fabrication and evaluation of hydroxyapatite (HA)-based composite coatings applied to Ti6Al4V titanium alloy substrates for biomedical applications. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed dense, microcrack-free coatings in composites containing titanium and magnesium oxide. The addition of titanium significantly improved coating adhesion, with a composite containing 75 wt% HA and 25 wt% Ti achieving the highest adhesion strength of 32 ± 3 MPa, attributed to enhanced interfacial bonding through CaTiO3 formation. Magnesium oxide enhanced coating hardness, reaching a maximum of 533.6 ± 1.7 HV in a composite with 65 wt% HA, 25 wt% Ti, and 10 wt% MgO. However, this improvement in hardness came at the expense of reduced adhesion strength and corrosion resistance. Corrosion testing revealed that the composite containing 75 wt% HA and 25 wt% Ti exhibited the highest polarization resistance (307.7 kΩ cm2) and the lowest corrosion current density (8.17 × 10−8 A/cm2), attributed to the formation of a stable passive layer composed of titanium oxide and CaTiO3 phases.","source":"DOAJ","year":2025,"language":"","subjects":["Physics"],"doi":"10.1016/j.rinp.2025.108387","url":"http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211379725002815","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"","score":69},{"id":"crossref_10.14293/apmc13-2025-0395","title":"Microscopy Implementation and Training Pathways in Core Microscopy Facility","authors":[{"name":"Mahdie Mollazade"},{"name":"James Springfield"},{"name":"Nicholas D. Condon"}],"abstract":"","source":"CrossRef","year":2025,"language":"en","subjects":null,"doi":"10.14293/apmc13-2025-0395","url":"https://doi.org/10.14293/apmc13-2025-0395","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"","score":69},{"id":"arxiv_2403.18215","title":"Next-Generation Time-Resolved Scanning Probe Microscopy","authors":[{"name":"Katsuya Iwaya"},{"name":"Hiroyuki Mogi"},{"name":"Shoji Yoshida"},{"name":"Yusuke Arashida"},{"name":"Osamu Takeuchi"},{"name":"Hidemi Shigekawa"}],"abstract":"Understanding the nanoscale carrier dynamics induced by light excitation is the key to unlocking futuristic devices and innovative functionalities in advanced materials. Optical pump-probe scanning tunneling microscopy (OPP-STM) has opened a window to these phenomena. However, mastering the combination of ultrafast pulsed lasers with STM requires high expertise and effort. We have shattered this barrier and developed a compact OPP-STM system accessible to all. This system precisely controls laser pulse timing electrically and enables stable laser irradiation on sample surfaces. Furthermore, by applying this technique to atomic force microscopy (AFM), we have captured time-resolved force signals with an exceptionally high signal-to-noise ratio. Originating from the dipole-dipole interactions, these signals provide insights into the carrier dynamics on sample surfaces, which are activated by photo-illumination. These technologies are promising as powerful tools for exploring a wide range of photoinduced phenomena in conductive and insulating materials.","source":"arXiv","year":2024,"language":"en","subjects":["cond-mat.mtrl-sci","physics.app-ph","physics.optics"],"url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.18215","pdf_url":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2403.18215","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"2024-03-27T02:58:15Z","score":68},{"id":"doaj_10.1016/j.rechem.2024.101856","title":"A novel sandwich ELISA method for quantifying CHI3L1 in blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid multiple sclerosis patients using sustainable photo-irradiated zero-valence gold nanoparticles","authors":[{"name":"Marwa Saad Mohammed"},{"name":"Salwa H.N. Al-Rubaeꞌi"},{"name":"Ahmed Mahdi Rheima"},{"name":"Fatin Fadhel Al-Kazazz"}],"abstract":"The widespread occurrence of chronic demyelinating MS presents a significant challenge for ongoing research aimed at comprehending its progression, diagnosis, and treatment. In our research, we have devised a novel approach to quantify CHI3L1 (Chitinase-3-like protein 1), which has emerged as a valuable biomarker in MS because of its involvement in inflammation, tissue remodeling, and immune response—crucial factors in regulating damaged nerve cells and preventing their accumulation in the brain, utilizing sandwich ELISA technology. This innovative method primarily depends on gold nanoparticles synthesized through a novel process of photo-irradiation with ultraviolet light. The crystal structure and particle size of sustainable zero-valent gold nanoparticles were measured using X-ray diffraction (XRD), which proved the cubic shape, with a cubic unit cell edge length of 4.0095 Å. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) demonstrated that the distribution of Au NPs is uniform, with an average diameter of 22 nm. The UV–Vis spectrum, displaying a pronounced absorbance peak at a wavelength of 548 nm, suggests the presence of Au NPs. The optimal conditions for the formation of the Au-biotinylated antibody-HRP complex were studied. The optimum pH was 7, the dilution ratio of AuNPs with biotinylated antibody-HRP was 1:3, and the concentration of nanogold was (1 × 10−3 mg/ml) to avoid increasing it. Then a standard curve was drawn for this method and compared to the traditional method, and it was found to be twice as sensitive as the traditional method, with a high accuracy of CV% (3–6 %) as well as a rapid color generation for measurement. This method, based on gold nanoparticles that are considered a carrier for biotinylated antibody-HRP, was applied for the first time to measure CHI3L1 in the sera and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis, and the results demonstrated the accuracy and sensitivity of the method. The method has the potential to be an excellent tool for evaluating CHI3L1 and may have applications in other diseases for rapid diagnosis and timely treatment.","source":"DOAJ","year":2024,"language":"","subjects":["Chemistry"],"doi":"10.1016/j.rechem.2024.101856","url":"http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715624005526","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"","score":68},{"id":"doaj_10.1038/s41598-024-67476-x","title":"Development, modelling and optimization of process parameters on the tensile strength of aluminum, reinforced with pumice and carbonated coal hybrid composites for brake disc application","authors":[{"name":"Tanimu Kogi Ibrahim"},{"name":"Danjuma Saleh Yawas"},{"name":"Julius Thaddaeus"},{"name":"Bashar Danasabe"},{"name":"Ibrahim Iliyasu"},{"name":"Adetayo Abdulmumin Adebisi"},{"name":"Talib Onimisi Ahmadu"}],"abstract":"Abstract This study focuses on optimizing double stir casting process parameters to enhance the tensile strength of hybrid composites comprising aluminum alloy, brown pumice, and coal ash, intended for brake disc applications. Analytical techniques including X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the composite constituents. The Taguchi method was utilized for experimental design and optimization to determine the optimal weight compositions of brown pumice and coal ash, as well as stir casting parameters (stirrer speed, pouring temperature, and stirring duration). Regression analysis was employed to develop a predictive mathematical model for the tensile strength of the hybrid composites and to assess the significance of process parameters. The optimized composite achieved a predicted tensile strength of 186.81 MPa and an experimental strength of 190.67 MPa using 7.5 vol% brown pumice, 2.5 vol% coal ash, a pouring temperature of 700 °C, stirrer speed of 500 rpm, and stirring duration of 10 min. This represents a 52.23% improvement over the as-cast aluminum alloy’s tensile strength. Characterization results revealed that brown pumice and coal ash contain robust minerals (SiO2, Fe2O3, Al2O3) suitable for reinforcing metal matrices like aluminum, titanium, and magnesium. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses demonstrated thermal stability up to 614.01 °C for the optimized composite, making it suitable for brake disc applications.","source":"DOAJ","year":2024,"language":"","subjects":["Medicine","Science"],"doi":"10.1038/s41598-024-67476-x","url":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-67476-x","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"","score":68},{"id":"doaj_10.1016/j.oceram.2024.100569","title":"Alkaline activation of brick waste with partial addition of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) for reducing brick industry pollution and developing a feasible and competitive construction material","authors":[{"name":"Angelica Cardoza"},{"name":"Henry A. Colorado"}],"abstract":"This study shows an alkaline activated cement (AAC), also known as geopolymer, made from red brick waste with partial addition of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). This is a sustainable material since incorporates waste from the brick industry to make cements, therefore increasing the materials circularity and this reducing pollution. The material was cured at room temperature. The brick residue was activated with sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate in aqueous solution to form the hybrid cement. Several mixtures were made with different amounts of waste and proportions of alkaline activator. The mechanical properties of the materials were studied to determine their feasibility to be used in the construction sector. Three contents of OPC were used: 10, 20, and 30 wt%, which were added to improve the mechanical behavior and post-curing time. The activated hybrid cement was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), compression, and flexural tests. The main results show that the addition of OPC to the brick derived AAC produces an increased compressive strength of 106 MPa when 30 wt% OPC was added, a very significant result since the control sample found was 33 MPa in compression strength, an improvement for more than 3 times. The data were corroborated by statistical analysis.","source":"DOAJ","year":2024,"language":"","subjects":["Clay industries. Ceramics. Glass"],"doi":"10.1016/j.oceram.2024.100569","url":"http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666539524000336","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"","score":68},{"id":"arxiv_2304.14413","title":"Laboratory-Based Correlative Soft X-ray and Fluorescence Microscopy in an Integrated Setup","authors":[{"name":"Julius Reinhard"},{"name":"Sophia Kaleta"},{"name":"Johann Jakob Abel"},{"name":"Felix Wiesner"},{"name":"Martin Wünsche"},{"name":"Eric Seemann"},{"name":"Martin Westermann"},{"name":"Thomas Weber"},{"name":"Jan Nathanael"},{"name":"Alexander Iliou"},{"name":"Henryk Fiedorowicz"},{"name":"Falk Hillmann"},{"name":"Christian Eggeling"},{"name":"Gerhard G. Paulus"},{"name":"Silvio Fuchs"}],"abstract":"Correlative microscopy is a powerful technique that combines the advantages of multiple imaging modalities to achieve a comprehensive understanding of investigated samples. For example, fluorescence microscopy provides unique functional contrast by imaging only specifically labeled components, especially in biological samples. However, the achievable structural information on the sample in its full complexity is limited. Here, the intrinsic label-free carbon contrast of water window soft X-ray microscopy can complement fluorescence images in a correlative approach ultimately combining nanoscale structural resolution with functional contrast. However, soft X-ray microscopes are complex and elaborate, and typically require a large-scale synchrotron radiation source due to the demanding photon flux requirements. Yet, with modern high-power lasers it has become possible to generate sufficient photon flux from laser-produced plasmas, thus enabling laboratory-based setups. Here, we present a compact table-top soft X-ray microscope with an integrated epifluorescence modality for 'in-situ' correlative imaging. Samples remain in place when switching between modalities, ensuring identical measurement conditions and avoiding sample alteration or destruction. We demonstrate our new method by multimodal images of several exemplary samples ranging from nanoparticles to various multicolor labeled cell types. A structural resolution of down to 50 nm was reached.","source":"arXiv","year":2023,"language":"en","subjects":["physics.ins-det","physics.optics"],"doi":"10.1093/micmic/ozad123","url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2304.14413","pdf_url":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2304.14413","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"2023-04-19T08:11:56Z","score":67},{"id":"doaj_10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102732","title":"Protocol to induce de novo lipid droplets in Saccharomyces cerevisiae","authors":[{"name":"Amit Khatri"},{"name":"Vineet Choudhary"}],"abstract":"Summary: The mechanisms underlying lipid droplet (LD) biogenesis in the endoplasmic reticulum are not completely understood. Here, we present a protocol for inducing de novo LDs containing either triacylglycerol (TAG) or sterol esters (SE) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We describe steps for generating conditional yeast mutants by performing gene knockout and introducing galactose-inducible promoter to produce TAG- or SE-containing LDs. We detail the strategy to generate fluorescent LD marker protein to visualize newly formed droplets by fluorescence microscopy. : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.","source":"DOAJ","year":2023,"language":"","subjects":["Science (General)"],"doi":"10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102732","url":"http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666166723006998","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"","score":67},{"id":"crossref_10.5772/intechopen.102477","title":"Minerals Observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM)","authors":[{"name":"Taitel-Goldman Nurit"}],"abstract":"Pictures from a scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and high resolution microscopy are presented. Samples were collected from the marl layer in Judean Mountains in Israel, and the minerals observed were dolomite, calcite, goethite, and K-feldspar. In sands along the Mediterranean Seashore and the coastal plain in Israel, dark grains were rich in Ti, and quartz grains were covered by clays and hematite. Dust samples included clay minerals, Ti and Fe oxides. Iron oxides (goethite, akaganéite and lepidocrocite) were preserved within halite crystals at the Dead Sea area. In the Atlantis II and Thetis Deeps, in the central Red Sea, hot brines feel the deeps and minerals found in cores were magnetite, goethite, ferroxyhyte, manganite, todorokite, groutite and short range ordered ferrihydrite and singerite. Observation by electron microscopy enables us to see the size of euhedral or unhedral phases. Relations between the minerals are observed. Point analyses yield the chemical composition of the mineral with impurities, and Electron diffraction identifies the crystallography of the minerals.","source":"CrossRef","year":2022,"language":"en","subjects":null,"doi":"10.5772/intechopen.102477","url":"https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.102477","is_open_access":true,"citations":1,"published_at":"","score":66.03},{"id":"arxiv_2210.02538","title":"A roadmap for edge computing enabled automated multidimensional transmission electron microscopy","authors":[{"name":"Debangshu Mukherjee"},{"name":"Kevin M. Roccapriore"},{"name":"Anees Al-Najjar"},{"name":"Ayana Ghosh"},{"name":"Jacob D. Hinkle"},{"name":"Andrew R. Lupini"},{"name":"Rama K. Vasudevan"},{"name":"Sergei V. Kalinin"},{"name":"Olga S. Ovchinnikova"},{"name":"Maxim A. Ziatdinov"},{"name":"Nageswara S. Rao"}],"abstract":"The advent of modern, high-speed electron detectors has made the collection of multidimensional hyperspectral transmission electron microscopy datasets, such as 4D-STEM, a routine. However, many microscopists find such experiments daunting since such datasets' analysis, collection, long-term storage, and networking remain challenging. Some common issues are the large and unwieldy size of the said datasets, often running into several gigabytes, non-standardized data analysis routines, and a lack of clarity about the computing and network resources needed to utilize the electron microscope fully. However, the existing computing and networking bottlenecks introduce significant penalties in each step of these experiments, and thus, real-time analysis-driven automated experimentation for multidimensional TEM is exceptionally challenging. One solution is integrating microscopy with edge computing, where moderately powerful computational hardware performs the preliminary analysis before handing off the heavier computation to HPC systems. In this perspective, we trace the roots of computation in modern electron microscopy, demonstrate deep learning experiments running on an edge system, and discuss the networking requirements for tying together microscopes, edge computers, and HPC systems.","source":"arXiv","year":2022,"language":"en","subjects":["cond-mat.mtrl-sci"],"doi":"10.1017/S1551929522001286","url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2210.02538","pdf_url":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2210.02538","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"2022-10-05T20:13:58Z","score":66},{"id":"doaj_10.1155/2022/6159388","title":"Current Status of Fasciolosis of Goat in Sylhet, Bangladesh: An Integrated Morphomolecular Study","authors":[{"name":"Chamali Akter Shykat"},{"name":"Saiful Islam"},{"name":"Foyez Ahmed"},{"name":"Kazi Mehetazul Islam"},{"name":"Jamal Uddin Bhuiyan"},{"name":"Tilak Chandra Nath"}],"abstract":"Epidemiological information and proper identification of Fasciola species present in Bangladesh are important for control. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of liver fluke infection of goats in Sylhet, Bangladesh, and identifying those using integrated morphometric and molecular techniques. A total of 260 slaughtered goats (Capra hircus) were examined, and flukes were collected from infected liver using sterilized forceps. Fasciolosis prevalence in goats was 35.38% (92/260) across all age and sex categories. Female goats were found more infected (37.14%, 65/175) than male goats (31.76%, 27/85), while infection rate was found higher in young animals (37.91%, 69/182) compared to adults (29.48% 23/78). Infection rate was observed higher in rainy season (52.96%, 45/85), followed by winter (27.38%, 26/95) and summer (26.25%, 21/80). Collected flukes were examined by light microscopy after being stained with Semichon’s acetocarmine, and sequences of mtDNA Cox1 genes were obtained. Ten adult flukes were measured, 38.72±3.37 mm in length and 11.8±1.9 mm in width. Based on morphometric features especially branching of the testis and body length/body width ratios (3.28±0.42), the flukes were primarily identified as Fasciola gigantica. Amplicon sequences were compared by BLAST and the cox1 sequences showed 97.1-99.3% similarity with the reference sequences (F. gigantica and Fasciola sp.) from GenBank. In this study, we found a considerable prevalence of fascioliasis in goats, and F. gigantica was solely identified with variation. To control these parasites and prevent potential public health risks, appropriate control techniques must be developed.","source":"DOAJ","year":2022,"language":"","subjects":["Infectious and parasitic diseases"],"doi":"10.1155/2022/6159388","url":"http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/6159388","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"","score":66},{"id":"doaj_10.3390/diagnostics12061485","title":"Comparison of Rapid Diagnostic Test, Microscopy, and Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection of \u003ci\u003ePlasmodium falciparum\u003c/i\u003e Malaria in a Low-Transmission Area, Jazan Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia","authors":[{"name":"Aymen M. Madkhali"},{"name":"Ahmad Hassn Ghzwani"},{"name":"Hesham M. Al-Mekhlafi"}],"abstract":"This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the performances of a rapid diagnostic test (RDT)—the AllTest Malaria p.f./p.v., microscopy, and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosing \u003ci\u003ePlasmodium falciparum\u003c/i\u003e malaria in 400 febrile patients from a low-transmission region (Jazan) in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Diagnostic performance of all three methods was compared using microscopy and nested PCR as reference methods. Overall, 42 (10.5%), 48 (12.0%), and 57 (14.3%) samples were found positive by microscopy, RDT, and PCR, respectively. With PCR as reference method, the RDT showed higher sensitivity (79% vs. 71.9%), similar specificity (99.1% vs. 99.7%), and better NLR (0.20 vs. 0.27) and area under the curve (89.0% vs. 85.8%) than microscopy. The sensitivity of RDT and microscopy decreased as age increased, and false negatives were associated with low parasite density. In addition, the sensitivity of RDT and microscopy was higher in non-Saudi than in Saudi participants. Against microscopy, both RDT and PCR showed high sensitivity (83.3% vs. 97.6%), specificity (96.4% vs. 95.5%), and NPVs (98.0% vs. 99.7%), but reduced PPVs (72.9% vs. 71.9%), respectively. The results showed that the performance of the AllTest Malaria p.f./p.v RDT was better than that of microscopy in diagnosing \u003ci\u003eP. falciparum\u003c/i\u003e malaria among febrile patients in the Jazan region when nested PCR was used as the reference. However, further studies are required to assess malaria diagnostic methods among asymptomatic individuals in the region.","source":"DOAJ","year":2022,"language":"","subjects":["Medicine (General)"],"doi":"10.3390/diagnostics12061485","url":"https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/12/6/1485","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"","score":66},{"id":"arxiv_2110.02070","title":"Data-Driven Electron Microscopy: Electron Diffraction Imaging of Materials Structural Properties","authors":[{"name":"Jian-Min Zuo"},{"name":"Renliang Yuan"},{"name":"Yu-Tsun Shao"},{"name":"Haw-Wen Hsiao"},{"name":"Saran Pidaparthy"},{"name":"Yang Hu"},{"name":"Qun Yang"},{"name":"Jiong Zhang"}],"abstract":"Transmission electron diffraction is a powerful and versatile structural probe for the characterization of a broad range of materials, from nanocrystalline thin films to single crystals. With recent developments in fast electron detectors and efficient computer algorithms, it now becomes possible to collect unprecedently large datasets of diffraction patterns (DPs) and process DPs to extract crystallographic information to form images or tomograms based on crystal structural properties, giving rise to data-driven electron microscopy. Critical to this kind of imaging is the type of crystallographic information being collected, which can be achieved with a judicious choice of electron diffraction techniques, and the efficiency and accuracy of DP processing, which requires the development of new algorithms. Here, we review recent progress made in data collection, new algorithms, and automated electron DP analysis. These progresses will be highlighted using application examples in materials research. Future opportunities based on smart sampling and machine learning are also discussed.","source":"arXiv","year":2021,"language":"en","subjects":["cond-mat.mtrl-sci","cond-mat.mes-hall"],"url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2110.02070","pdf_url":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2110.02070","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"2021-10-05T14:14:16Z","score":65},{"id":"arxiv_2103.05448","title":"Convolutional Neural Network Denoising in Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM)","authors":[{"name":"Varun Mannam"},{"name":"Yide Zhang"},{"name":"Xiaotong Yuan"},{"name":"Takashi Hato"},{"name":"Pierre C. Dagher"},{"name":"Evan L. Nichols"},{"name":"Cody J. Smith"},{"name":"Kenneth W. Dunn"},{"name":"Scott Howard"}],"abstract":"Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) systems are limited by their slow processing speed, low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and expensive and challenging hardware setups. In this work, we demonstrate applying a denoising convolutional network to improve FLIM SNR. The network will be integrated with an instant FLIM system with fast data acquisition based on analog signal processing, high SNR using high-efficiency pulse-modulation, and cost-effective implementation utilizing off-the-shelf radio-frequency components. Our instant FLIM system simultaneously provides the intensity, lifetime, and phasor plots \\textit{in vivo} and \\textit{ex vivo}. By integrating image denoising using the trained deep learning model on the FLIM data, provide accurate FLIM phasor measurements are obtained. The enhanced phasor is then passed through the K-means clustering segmentation method, an unbiased and unsupervised machine learning technique to separate different fluorophores accurately. Our experimental \\textit{in vivo} mouse kidney results indicate that introducing the deep learning image denoising model before the segmentation effectively removes the noise in the phasor compared to existing methods and provides clearer segments. Hence, the proposed deep learning-based workflow provides fast and accurate automatic segmentation of fluorescence images using instant FLIM. The denoising operation is effective for the segmentation if the FLIM measurements are noisy. The clustering can effectively enhance the detection of biological structures of interest in biomedical imaging applications.","source":"arXiv","year":2021,"language":"en","subjects":["eess.IV","cs.CV","eess.SY"],"doi":"10.1117/12.2578574","url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2103.05448","pdf_url":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2103.05448","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"2021-03-07T03:27:44Z","score":65},{"id":"doaj_10.1038/s41598-021-97760-z","title":"Characteristics of pulmonary microvascular structure in postnatal yaks","authors":[{"name":"Ruidong Wan"},{"name":"Ziqi Zhao"},{"name":"Min Zhao"},{"name":"Ke Hu"},{"name":"Jiaxin Zhai"},{"name":"Hongxian Yu"},{"name":"Qing Wei"}],"abstract":"Abstract Yaks are typical plateau-adapted animals, however the microvascular changes and characteristics in their lungs after birth are still unclear. Pulmonary microvasculature characteristics and changes across age groups were analysed using morphological observation and molecular biology detection in yaks aged 1, 30 and 180 days old in addition to adults. Results: Our experiments demonstrated that yaks have fully developed pulmonary alveolar at birth but that interalveolar thickness increased with age. Immunofluorescence observations showed that microvessel density within the interalveolar septum in the yak gradually increased with age. In addition, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that the blood–air barrier of 1-day old and 30-days old yaks was significantly thicker than that observed at 180-days old and in adults (P \u003c 0.05), which was caused by the thinning of the membrane of alveolar epithelial cells. Furthermore, Vegfa and Epas1 expression levels in 30-day old yaks were the highest in comparison to the other age groups (P \u003c 0.05), whilst levels in adult yaks were the lowest (P \u003c 0.05). The gradual increase in lung microvessel density can effectively satisfy the oxygen requirements of ageing yaks. In addition, these results suggest that the key period of yak lung development is from 30 to 180 days.","source":"DOAJ","year":2021,"language":"","subjects":["Medicine","Science"],"doi":"10.1038/s41598-021-97760-z","url":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-97760-z","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"","score":65},{"id":"doaj_10.3390/nano11092377","title":"Antibacterial Biodegradable Films Based on Alginate with Silver Nanoparticles and Lemongrass Essential Oil–Innovative Packaging for Cheese","authors":[{"name":"Ludmila Motelica"},{"name":"Denisa Ficai"},{"name":"Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea"},{"name":"Anton Ficai"},{"name":"Vladimir-Lucian Ene"},{"name":"Bogdan-Stefan Vasile"},{"name":"Ecaterina Andronescu"},{"name":"Alina-Maria Holban"}],"abstract":"Replacing the petroleum-based materials in the food industry is one of the main objectives of the scientists and decision makers worldwide. Biodegradable packaging will help diminish the environmental impact of human activity. Improving such biodegradable packaging materials by adding antimicrobial activity will not only extend the shelf life of foodstuff, but will also eliminate some health hazards associated with food borne diseases, and by diminishing the food spoilage will decrease the food waste. The objective of this research was to obtain innovative antibacterial films based on a biodegradable polymer, namely alginate. Films were characterized by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and microscopy, complex thermal analysis (TG-DSC-FTIR), UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Water vapor permeability and swelling behavior were also determined. As antimicrobial agents, we used silver spherical nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and lemongrass essential oil (LGO), which were found to act in a synergic way. The obtained films exhibited strong antibacterial activity against tested strains, two Gram-positive (\u003ci\u003eBacillus cereus\u003c/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eStaphylococcus aureus\u003c/i\u003e) and two Gram-negative (\u003ci\u003eEscherichia coli\u003c/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eSalmonella\u003c/i\u003e Typhi). Best results were obtained against \u003ci\u003eBacillus cereus\u003c/i\u003e. The tests indicate that the antimicrobial films can be used as packaging, preserving the color, surface texture, and softness of cheese for 14 days. At the same time, the color of the films changed (darkened) as a function of temperature and light presence, a feature that can be used to monitor the storage conditions for sensitive food.","source":"DOAJ","year":2021,"language":"","subjects":["Chemistry"],"doi":"10.3390/nano11092377","url":"https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/9/2377","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"","score":65},{"id":"doaj_10.3390/v14010006","title":"Phenotypic and Genomic Comparison of \u003ci\u003eKlebsiella pneumoniae\u003c/i\u003e Lytic Phages: vB_KpnM-VAC66 and vB_KpnM-VAC13","authors":[{"name":"Olga Pacios"},{"name":"Laura Fernández-García"},{"name":"Inés Bleriot"},{"name":"Lucia Blasco"},{"name":"Antón Ambroa"},{"name":"María López"},{"name":"Concha Ortiz-Cartagena"},{"name":"Felipe Fernández Cuenca"},{"name":"Jesús Oteo-Iglesias"},{"name":"Álvaro Pascual"},{"name":"Luis Martínez-Martínez"},{"name":"Pilar Domingo-Calap"},{"name":"María Tomás"}],"abstract":"\u003ci\u003eKlebsiella pneumoniae\u003c/i\u003e is a human pathogen that worsens the prognosis of many immunocompromised patients. Here, we annotated and compared the genomes of two lytic phages that infect clinical strains of \u003ci\u003eK. pneumoniae\u003c/i\u003e (vB_KpnM-VAC13 and vB_KpnM-VAC66) and phenotypically characterized vB_KpnM-VAC66 (time of adsorption of 12 min, burst size of 31.49 ± 0.61 PFU/infected cell, and a host range of 20.8% of the tested strains). Transmission electronic microscopy showed that vB_KpnM-VAC66 belongs to the \u003ci\u003eMyoviridae\u003c/i\u003e family. The genomic analysis of the phage vB_KpnM-VAC66 revealed that its genome encoded 289 proteins. When compared to the genome of vB_KpnM-VAC13, they showed a nucleotide similarity of 97.56%, with a 93% of query cover, and the phylogenetic study performed with other \u003ci\u003eTevenvirinae\u003c/i\u003e phages showed a close common ancestor. However, there were 21 coding sequences which differed. Interestingly, the main differences were that vB_KpnM-VAC66 encoded 10 more homing endonucleases than vB_KpnM-VAC13, and that the nucleotidic and amino-acid sequences of the L-shaped tail fiber protein were highly dissimilar, leading to different three-dimensional protein predictions. Both phages differed significantly in their host range. These viruses may be useful in the development of alternative therapies to antibiotics or as a co-therapy increasing its antimicrobial potential, especially when addressing multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens.","source":"DOAJ","year":2021,"language":"","subjects":["Microbiology"],"doi":"10.3390/v14010006","url":"https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/14/1/6","is_open_access":true,"published_at":"","score":65}],"total":466969,"page":1,"page_size":20,"sources":["arXiv","DOAJ","CrossRef"],"query":"Microscopy"}