Development of a simulator for training of fetoscopic myelomeningocele surgery

Objective

To develop a realistic simulation model for laparotomy-assisted fetoscopic spina bifida aperta (SBa) surgery, to be used for training purposes and preoperative planning.

Methods

The predefined general requirement was a realistic model of an exteriorized uterus, allowing all neurosurgical steps of the intervention. The uterus was modelled using ultrasound and MRI images of a 25 weeks’ gravid uterus, consisting of flexible polyurethane foam coated with pigmented silicone. The fetal model, contained an opening on the dorsal side for a customizable spinal insert with all the aspects of a SBa, including a cele, placode, and myofascial and skin layer. The model was assessed in a series of validation experiments.

Results

Production costs are low, uterus and fetus are reusable. Placental localization and the level and size of the spinal defect are adjustable, enabling case-specific adaptations. All aspects of the simulator were scored close to realistic or higher for both appearance and functional capacities.

Conclusions

This innovative model provides an excellent training opportunity for centers that are starting a fetoscopic SBa repair program. It is the first simulation model with adjustable spinal defect and placental localisation. Further objective validation is required, but the potential for using this model in preoperative planning is promising.     

Insight into the critical factors determining the particle number concentrations during summer at a megacity in China

To identify the critical factors impacting the number concentration of particles with the aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 μm(PNC_(2.5)), the continuous measurement of PNC_(2.5),chemical components in PM_(2.5), gaseous pollutants and meteorological conditions were conducted at an urban site in Tianjin in June 2015. Results indicated that the average PNC_(2.5) was 2839 ± 2430 d N/dlog Dp 1/cm~3 during the campaign. Compared to other meteorological parameters, the relative humidity(RH) had the strongest relationship with PNC_(2.5), with a Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.53, and RH larger than 30% influenced strongly PNC_(2.5).The important influence of secondary reactions on PNC_(2.5) was inferred due to higher correlation coefficients between PNC_(2.5) and SO_4~(2-), NO_3~-, NH_4~+(r = 0.78–0.89; p 0.01) and between PNC_(2.5) and ratios that represent the conversion of nitrogen and sulfur oxides to particulate matter(r = 0.42–0.49; p 0.01). Under specific RH conditions, there were even stronger correlations between PNC_(2.5) and NO_3~-, SO_4~(2-), NH_4~+, while those between PNC_(2.5) and EC, OC were relatively weak, especially when RH exceeded 50%. Principal component analysis(PCA) and Pearson's correlation analysis indicated that secondary sources, vehicle emission and coal combustion might be major contributors to PNC_(2.5). Backward trajectory and potential source contribution function(PSCF) analysis suggested that the transport of air masses originated from these regions around Tianjin(Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong and Jiangsu) influenced critically PNC_(2.5). The north of Jiangsu, the west of Shandong, and the east of Hebei were distinguished as major potential source-areas of PNC_(2.5) by PSCF model.     

Realizing stable operation of anaerobic ammonia oxidation at low temperatures treating low strength synthetic wastewater

The low activity of Anammox bacteria at low temperatures and competition from nitrite oxidation bacteria(NOB) when treating low strength wastewater have been major bottlenecks in implementing Anammox in mainstream wastewater treatment. By intermittent high strength feeding(IHSF) and stepwise temperature reduction, stable operation of a granular Anammox reactor was realized at low temperatures(down to 15°C) for 28 days when treating low strength synthetic wastewater. The nitrogen loading rate reached 1.23–1.34 kgN/m~3/day,and the total nitrogen removal rate reached 0.71–0.98 kgN/m~3/day. The IHSF enriched the Anammox sludge in high strength cycles and compensated for sludge loss in low strength cycles, and the high concentration of ammonium in high strength cycles inhibited NOB. The 16 SrRNA gene sequencing results revealed that Candidatus Kuenenia was predominant in the reactor at low temperatures.     

近30a来乐清湾海岸线与海岸湿地变迁分析

以Landsat ETM/ TM影像为主要数据源,采用人机交互的方式提取了1990~2017年间6期乐清湾海岸线。利用马尔科夫矩阵法计算了滩涂转化规律,并按照年份进行岸线和海岸湿地变迁分析。结合当地相关资料,开展了乐清湾区域海岸线和海岸湿地变化的驱动力分析。结果表明:乐清湾岸线以人工岸线为主,岸线变化剧烈,变化速率分布不均,海岸湿地的变化整体面积变化不大,其中人工湿地主要由自然滩涂湿地转化而来,人类围填是乐清湾海岸线和海岸湿地变迁的主要因素。     

灾害损失等级划分的模糊灾度判别法

作者应用模糊模式识别理论于灾害损失等级划分的研究，提出了模糊灾度概念，并建立了模糊灾度等级的隶属函数，从而给出了一种可用于灾害损失等级划分的模糊灾度判别法。     

Renewable Energy Legislation in China:Politicaland Institutional Strategy for EffectiveImplementation

Over the past decade, the Chinese government has developed several plans regulations and policy measures related to the development of renewable energy technologies and has implemented a series of pilot projects. Chinese policymakers have spent several years studying how renewable energy policy models that have been used internationally could be implemented in China. Programs are currently underway to implement pilot renewable portfolio standards, or mandatory market shares (MMS) for renewable energy, in several provinces. This paper examines the primary institutions that are involved in promoting renewable policies in China, the structure of the policies that currently are being drafted, and the status of the complementary, national-level renewable energy law being drafted to provide a legal basis for ongoing local and national-level policies. It then examines the legal requirements for promoting renewable energy legislation under the Chinese law-making system. Finally, it provides recommendations for     

Organoiodines in effluents of a shale-fracturing wastewater treatment plant

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Shale gas extraction is increasing worldwide in the context of the energy crisis, yet the associated pollution by this industrial activity is poorly known. Here we...     

Facile synthesis of N-doped carbon dots for direct/indirect detection of heavy metal ions and cell imaging

In this study, an approach for the facile, rapid, energy-saving, and sensitive determination of Fe³⁺ and Cr(VI) was developed. L-arginine/D-glucose carbon quantum dots (Arg/Glu-CQDs), with a photoluminescence quantum yield of 21%, were synthesized from L-arginine and D-glucose through a facile, hydrothermal process. The maximum emission wavelength of Arg/Glu-CQDs was observed at 450 nm, under an excitation wavelength of 365 nm. In addition, Arg/Glu-CQDs exhibited a sensitive and selective response to Fe³⁺ compared to Fe²⁺ and other metal ions. The Arg/Glu-CQDs’ fluorescence was noticeably quenched through the inner filter effect (IFE) when Arg/Glu-CQDs were mixed with Fe³⁺. Accordingly, the Arg/Glu-CQDs/Fe²⁺ system could selectively detect Cr(VI); Cr(VI) could oxidize Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺ and quench the fluorescence. The fluorescence sensor system (i.e., the Arg/Glu-CQDs/Fe²⁺ system) showed high sensitivity and excellent selectivity for the detection of Fe³⁺ and Cr(VI) in river water samples. Satisfactory detection efficiencies ranging from 97.07 to 103.46% were obtained. The cytotoxicity of Arg/Glu-CQDs was evaluated through an MTT assay using A549 cells as the target, to extend the application of Arg/Glu-CQDs to biological systems; the MTT assay indicated that the Arg/Glu-CQDs is non-cytotoxicity. Arg/Glu-CQDs were also successfully imaged in A549 cells indicating further application possibilities in bioimaging.

Graphical abstract

     

Critical Risk Indicators (CRIs) for the electric power grid: a survey and discussion of interconnected effects

The electric power grid is a critical societal resource connecting multiple infrastructural domains such as agriculture, transportation, and manufacturing. The electrical grid as an infrastructure is shaped by human activity and public policy in terms of demand and supply requirements. Further, the grid is subject to changes and stresses due to diverse factors including solar weather, climate, hydrology, and ecology. The emerging interconnected and complex network dependencies make such interactions increasingly dynamic, posing novel risks, and presenting new challenges to manage the coupled human–natural system. This paper provides a survey of models and methods that seek to explore the significant interconnected impact of the electric power grid and interdependent domains. We also provide relevant critical risk indicators (CRIs) across diverse domains that may be used to assess risks to electric grid reliability, including climate, ecology, hydrology, finance, space weather, and agriculture. We discuss the convergence of indicators from individual domains to explore possible systemic risk, i.e., holistic risk arising from cross-domain interconnections. Further, we propose a compositional approach to risk assessment that incorporates diverse domain expertise and information, data science, and computer science to identify domain-specific CRIs and their union in systemic risk indicators. Our study provides an important first step towards data-driven analysis and predictive modeling of risks in interconnected human–natural systems.

     

Advances in the study of directed evolution for cellulases

If cellulose can be effectively hydrolyzed into glucose by cellulase, the production costs of hydrogen, ethanol or other chemicals from cellulosic materials will be greatly decreased, and economically viable production of biohydrogen and bioethanol will become feasible. Cellulose is degraded into glucoses by multi-component enzyme systems. Nowadays cellulases are widely used in brewing, food, bioenergy, fodder, textiles, paper, pharmaceuticals, environmental protection and other industries. However, existing cellulases have several problems that limit their wider applications, including the low turnover number for solid cellulosic materials, and low stability in adapting to various application conditions. For example, high temperature, low pH, and so on. Application of directed evolution technology may be one of the most effective ways for improving the characteristics of cellulases. This paper presents a brief review of the cellulose hydrolysis mechanism by cellulase, advances in cellulases (endoglucanase and β-glucosidase) improvement by directed evolution for several characteristics (for instance, thermal stability, pH adaptability and enzyme activity), limitations of directed evolution for cellulases, and the outlook for directed evolution for cellulase.