Background:Early diagnosis and classification of infections increase the cure rate while decreasing complications,which is significant for severe infections,especially for war surgery.However,traditional methods rely ...Background:Early diagnosis and classification of infections increase the cure rate while decreasing complications,which is significant for severe infections,especially for war surgery.However,traditional methods rely on laborious operations and bulky devices.On the other hand,point-of-care(POC)methods suffer from limited robustness and accuracy.Therefore,it is of urgent demand to develop POC devices for rapid and accurate diagnosis of infections to fulfill on-site militarized requirements.Methods:We developed a wave-shaped microfluidic chip(WMC)assisted multiplexed detection platform(WMC-MDP).WMC-MDP reduces detection time and improves repeatability through premixing of the samples and reaction of the reagents.We further combined the detection platform with the streptavidin–biotin(SA-B)amplified system to enhance the sensitivity while using chemiluminescence(CL)intensity as signal readout.We realized simultaneous detection of C-reactive protein(CRP),procalcitonin(PCT),and interleukin-6(IL-6)on the detection platform and evaluated the sensitivity,linear range,selectivity,and repeatability.Finally,we finished detecting 15 samples from volunteers and compared the results with commercial ELISA kits.Results:Detection of CRP,PCT,and IL-6 exhibited good linear relationships between CL intensities and concentrations in the range of 1.25–40μg/ml,0.4–12.8 ng/ml,and 50–1600 pg/ml,respectively.The limit of detection of CRP,PCT,and IL-6 were 0.54μg/ml,0.11 ng/ml,and 16.25 pg/ml,respectively.WMC-MDP is capable of good adequate selectivity and repeatability.The whole detection procedure takes only 22 min that meets the requirements of a POC device.Results of 15 samples from volunteers were consistent with the results detected by commercial ELISA kits.Conclusions:WMC-MDP allows simultaneous,rapid,and sensitive detection of CRP,PCT,and IL-6 with satisfactory selectivity and repeatability,requiring minimal manipulation.However,WMC-MDP takes advantage of being a microfluidic device showing the coefficients of variation less than 10%enabling WMC-MDP to be a type of point-of-care testing(POCT).Therefore,WMC-MDP provides a promising alternative to POCT of multiple biomarkers.We believe the practical application of WMC-MDP in militarized fields will revolutionize infection diagnosis for soldiers.展开更多
We have presented a three dimensional optical protein chip that fulfills the demanding for point-of-care diagnostics in terms of ease-of-use (one step assay), miniaturization (5 μl). The artful combination of magneti...We have presented a three dimensional optical protein chip that fulfills the demanding for point-of-care diagnostics in terms of ease-of-use (one step assay), miniaturization (5 μl). The artful combination of magnetic nanoparticles on chip and total internal reflection imaging (TIRI) technology permits the sensitive and rapid detection of hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). The whole test was complete within 10 min using “all in one step” assay with a limit of detection of 0.1 ng/mL hs-CRP. The measuring range for hs-CRP could be extended to 10 ng/mL. The chip can also be used to detect more parameters in blood samples.展开更多
Introduction: Our aim was to determine what patient volume, if any, in-laboratory testing provides results faster than Point-of-Care-Testing (POCT). Methods: To evaluate POCT effectiveness during high volume situation...Introduction: Our aim was to determine what patient volume, if any, in-laboratory testing provides results faster than Point-of-Care-Testing (POCT). Methods: To evaluate POCT effectiveness during high volume situations, POCT was compared to in-laboratory testing during busy periods with large numbers of patients. Our setting was an urban level 1 trauma center with an academic emergency medicine department (ED) and annual patient volume of 70,000. Patients seen requiring laboratory testing during peak volume between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. were enrolled over a five-week period. One tube of blood was sent to the laboratory and the other tube was run in the ED using POCT. Turnaround time was recorded as time from when the tube was received to when the result was available. We also completed a time-motion study to assess the number of POCT machines that would be needed to process the entire average hourly hospital laboratory volume. Results: We collected 539 hematology and chemistry specimens. The POCT group was significantly faster than in-laboratory testing, with mean POCT [complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry] 3.5 minutes compared to in-laboratory CBC test time of 30.9 minutes and chemistry test time of 55 minutes. As the volume of samples peaked, there was a slight but insignificant decrease in POCT turnaround time. If POCT was used to process the entire average hospital laboratory volume which approached 54 samples an hour, 3 POCT machines would be necessary to maintain turnaround times. Conclusion: Even during ED high volume situations, POCT provided results significantly faster than in-laboratory testing.展开更多
The outbreak of COVID-19 has drawn great attention around the world.SARS-CoV-2 is a highly infectious virus with occult transmission by many mutations and a long incubation period.In particular,the emergence of asympt...The outbreak of COVID-19 has drawn great attention around the world.SARS-CoV-2 is a highly infectious virus with occult transmission by many mutations and a long incubation period.In particular,the emergence of asymptomatic infections has made the epidemic even more severe.Therefore,early diagnosis and timely management of suspected cases are essential measures to control the spread of the virus.Developing simple,portable,and accurate diagnostic techniques for SARS-CoV-2 is the key to epidemic prevention.The advantages of point-of-care testing technology make it play an increasingly important role in viral detection and screening.This review summarizes the point-of-care testing platforms developed by nucleic acid detection,immunological detection,and nanomaterial-based biosensors detection.Furthermore,this paper provides a prospect for designing future highly accurate,cheap,and convenient SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic technology.展开更多
Lysine is one of the essential amino acids and plays a vital role in the growth,development and health of pigs.Blood lysine concentration is a direct indication of lysine status;however,current methods can not satisfy...Lysine is one of the essential amino acids and plays a vital role in the growth,development and health of pigs.Blood lysine concentration is a direct indication of lysine status;however,current methods can not satisfy the demands for rapid and on-site lysine concentration measurement of swine serum.Here,we developed blue-emissive nitrogen-doped carbon dots as a fluorescence probe for the determination of lysine with high fluorescence quantum yield,stability,sensitivity and specificity.The carbon dots were entrapped within hydrogel microstructures to fabricate microfluidic chips for rapid assay for lysine quantification.We further developed an imaging attachment to integrate the microfluidic chip and a smartphone into a portable point-of-care testing platform.This platform requires only 3μL sample and has a linear detection range of 25 to 300μmol/L with a limit of detection less than 16μmol/L,which covers the normal range of lysine concentration in swine serum.We tested lysine concentration in swine serum using this platform with high accuracy,low sample consumption,and within 3 min.Together,these results may provide a rapid and portable platform for dynamic monitoring of swine lysine status and contribute to precise feed formula modulation with low-protein diet strategy.展开更多
Section 2.1:Animal ethics approval number:HZAUSW-2002e0009 Change to:HZAUSW-2022e0011 Section 2.6:…200 mL solution of N-CDs(0.1 mg/mL)…Change to:…200 mL solution of N-CDs(1.5 mg/mL)…Section 3.1:…with the size ran...Section 2.1:Animal ethics approval number:HZAUSW-2002e0009 Change to:HZAUSW-2022e0011 Section 2.6:…200 mL solution of N-CDs(0.1 mg/mL)…Change to:…200 mL solution of N-CDs(1.5 mg/mL)…Section 3.1:…with the size ranging from 4 to 8 nm…Change to:…with the size ranging from 2 to 7 nm…展开更多
In point-of-care testing(POCT),tests are performed near patients and results are given rapidly for timely clinical decisions.Immunodiagnostic assays are one of the most important analyses for detecting and quantifying...In point-of-care testing(POCT),tests are performed near patients and results are given rapidly for timely clinical decisions.Immunodiagnostic assays are one of the most important analyses for detecting and quantifying protein-based biomarkers.However,existing POCT immunodiagnostics mainly rely on the lateral flow assay(LFA),which has limited sensitivity or quantification capability.Although other immunodiagnostic assays,such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISAs),offer more sensitive and quantitative results,they require complex liquid manipulations that are difficult to implement in POCT settings by conventional means.Here,we show the development of DropLab,an automated sample-in-answer-out POCT immunodiagnostic platform based on magnetic digital microfluidic(MDM)technology.DropLab performs microbead-based ELISA in droplets to offer more sensitive and quantitative testing results.The intricate liquid manipulations required for ELISA are accomplished by controlling droplets with magnetic microbeads using MDM technology,which enables us to achieve full automation and easy operations with DropLab.Four ELISAs(the sample in triplicates and a negative control)can be run in parallel on the thermoformed disposable chip,which greatly improves the throughput and accuracy compared to those of other POCT immunodiagnostic devices.DropLab was validated by measuring two protein targets and one antibody target.The testing results showed that the limit of detection(LOD)of DropLab matched that of the conventional ELISA in a microwell plate.DropLab brings MDM one step closer to being a viable medical technology that is ready for real-world POCT applications.展开更多
Point-of-care testing(POCT),as a portable and user-friendly technology,can obtain accurate test results immediately at the sampling point.Nowadays,microfluidic paper-based analysis devices(μPads)have attracted the ey...Point-of-care testing(POCT),as a portable and user-friendly technology,can obtain accurate test results immediately at the sampling point.Nowadays,microfluidic paper-based analysis devices(μPads)have attracted the eye of the public and accelerated the development of POCT.A variety of detection methods are combined withμPads to realize precise,rapid and sensitive POCT.This article mainly introduced the development of electrochemistry and optical detection methods onμPads for POCT and their applications on disease analysis,environmental monitoring and food control in the past 5 years.Finally,the challenges and future development prospects ofμPads for POCT were discussed.展开更多
Abstract Neurotransmitters are important biological molecules related to several nervous system diseases(NSDs).Point-of-care test-ing(POCT)of neurotransmitters is of great importance in preclinical research and early ...Abstract Neurotransmitters are important biological molecules related to several nervous system diseases(NSDs).Point-of-care test-ing(POCT)of neurotransmitters is of great importance in preclinical research and early diagnosis of NSDs.Among various POCT platforms,paper-based electrochemical biosensors have achieved great advances in detection of neurotransmitters,thus taking a significant role in POCT of neurotransmitters nowadays.This review gives an overview of the recent advances of paper-based electrochemical biosensors for POCT of neurotransmitters.We first introduce the types of neurotransmitters and biological sample sources mainly used for neurotransmitter detection.Second,we review the components and the traditional fabrication technologies for paper-based electrochemical POCT biosensors,and then the functional modification methods of biosensor surfaces and three-dimensional fabrication methods for further enhancement of their detection performance.Then,we list examples of paper-based electrochemical biosensors used for detecting different neurotransmitters in biologi-cal samples.Last,we give a conclusion and promising development direction of paper-based electrochemical biosensors for neurotransmitters detection.The purpose of this review is to introduce the paper-based electrochemical biosensors as an emerging technology for POCT of neurotransmitters,offering a reference for readers and researchers for early diagnosis of NSDs using POCT technologies.展开更多
Confining stresses serve as a pivotal determinant in shaping the behavior of grouted rock bolts.Nonetheless,prior investigations have oversimplified the three-dimensional stress state,primarily assuming hydrostatic st...Confining stresses serve as a pivotal determinant in shaping the behavior of grouted rock bolts.Nonetheless,prior investigations have oversimplified the three-dimensional stress state,primarily assuming hydrostatic stress conditions.Under these conditions,it is assumed that the intermediate principal stress(σ_(2))equals the minimum principal stress(σ_(3)).This assumption overlooks the potential variations in magnitudes of in situ stress conditions along all three directions near an underground opening where a rock bolt is installed.In this study,a series of push tests was meticulously conducted under triaxial conditions.These tests involved applying non-uniform confining stresses(σ_(2)≠σ_(3))to cubic specimens,aiming to unveil the previously overlooked influence of intermediate principal stresses on the strength properties of rock bolts.The results show that as the confining stresses increase from zero to higher levels,the pre-failure behavior changes from linear to nonlinear forms,resulting in an increase in initial stiffness from 2.08 kN/mm to 32.51 kN/mm.The load-displacement curves further illuminate distinct post-failure behavior at elevated levels of confining stresses,characterized by enhanced stiffness.Notably,the peak load capacity ranged from 27.9 kN to 46.5 kN as confining stresses advanced from σ_(2)=σ_(3)=0 to σ_(2)=20 MPa and σ_(3)=10 MPa.Additionally,the outcomes highlight an influence of confining stress on the lateral deformation of samples.Lower levels of confinement prompt overall dilation in lateral deformation,while higher confinements maintain a state of shrinkage.Furthermore,diverse failure modes have been identified,intricately tied to the arrangement of confining stresses.Lower confinements tend to induce a splitting mode of failure,whereas higher loads bring about a shift towards a pure interfacial shear-off and shear-crushed failure mechanism.展开更多
Edge devices,due to their limited computational and storage resources,often require the use of compilers for program optimization.Therefore,ensuring the security and reliability of these compilers is of paramount impo...Edge devices,due to their limited computational and storage resources,often require the use of compilers for program optimization.Therefore,ensuring the security and reliability of these compilers is of paramount importance in the emerging field of edge AI.One widely used testing method for this purpose is fuzz testing,which detects bugs by inputting random test cases into the target program.However,this process consumes significant time and resources.To improve the efficiency of compiler fuzz testing,it is common practice to utilize test case prioritization techniques.Some researchers use machine learning to predict the code coverage of test cases,aiming to maximize the test capability for the target compiler by increasing the overall predicted coverage of the test cases.Nevertheless,these methods can only forecast the code coverage of the compiler at a specific optimization level,potentially missing many optimization-related bugs.In this paper,we introduce C-CORE(short for Clustering by Code Representation),the first framework to prioritize test cases according to their code representations,which are derived directly from the source codes.This approach avoids being limited to specific compiler states and extends to a broader range of compiler bugs.Specifically,we first train a scaled pre-trained programming language model to capture as many common features as possible from the test cases generated by a fuzzer.Using this pre-trained model,we then train two downstream models:one for predicting the likelihood of triggering a bug and another for identifying code representations associated with bugs.Subsequently,we cluster the test cases according to their code representations and select the highest-scoring test case from each cluster as the high-quality test case.This reduction in redundant testing cases leads to time savings.Comprehensive evaluation results reveal that code representations are better at distinguishing test capabilities,and C-CORE significantly enhances testing efficiency.Across four datasets,C-CORE increases the average of the percentage of faults detected(APFD)value by 0.16 to 0.31 and reduces test time by over 50% in 46% of cases.When compared to the best results from approaches using predicted code coverage,C-CORE improves the APFD value by 1.1% to 12.3% and achieves an overall time-saving of 159.1%.展开更多
The beyond-dripline oxygen isotopes^(27,28)O were recently observed at RIKEN,and were found to be unbound decaying into^(24)O by emitting neutrons.The unbound feature of the heaviest oxygen isotope,^(28)O,provides an ...The beyond-dripline oxygen isotopes^(27,28)O were recently observed at RIKEN,and were found to be unbound decaying into^(24)O by emitting neutrons.The unbound feature of the heaviest oxygen isotope,^(28)O,provides an excellent test for stateof-the-art nuclear models.The atomic nucleus is a self-organized quantum manybody system comprising specific numbers of protons Z and neutrons N.展开更多
Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemics many countries were facing challenges with testing capacity recourse limitations. Throughout the waves of the pandemic countries were trying to address the existing constrains...Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemics many countries were facing challenges with testing capacity recourse limitations. Throughout the waves of the pandemic countries were trying to address the existing constrains exploring solutions to increase the testing capacity with more cost-effective approaches. Pooled methodology was one of the methods which many have validated and used. It is evident that in case of pooled sample testing the sensitivity becomes lower, however the variation highly depends on the pool size as well as the incidence rate at the certain point. Armenia as well as many other countries has adopted regulations for mandatory COVID-19 PCR testing for all the travelers. Current study aimed to explore the efficiency of COVID-19 pooled PCR testing for nasopharyngeal swabs of individuals with no symptoms in a time period with good epidemiological state of the infection. Nasopharingeal swab samples from individuals were collected. The manual extraction of RNAs of samples was performed after pooling up to 5 samples. The pools with Cycle Threshold (CT) of < 37 were considered positive and were retested individually. In total 28,015 samples were grouped in 667 pools of which 57 were positive. The total number of positive samples was 65. The median difference (CT-pool–CT samples) was 2.4 (ranging from–3.0 to 8.9). The correlation of CT of pools and positive samples was positive. The correlation coefficient r = 0.84, P < 0.000, 95% CI range 0.7423 to 0.9243). The total economic saving when using pools compared to the individual testing was 72%. The minor difference between CT values of pools and samples can be explained by the dilution effect in the pool. However, the positive correlation between the values as well as the amount of cost saving demonstrate that pooling on nasopharyngeal samples for COVID-19 PCR testing can be a good method for efficient screening with significant resource saving. One of the most important advantages of the proposed method is the fact that samples are pooled prior extraction, which avoids the possibilities with misinterpretation of IC due to low yield of RNA in the extraction process.展开更多
Point-of-care ultrasound(POCUS)of the internal jugular vein(IJV)offers a noninvasive means of estimating right atrial pressure(RAP),especially in cases where the inferior vena cava is inaccessible or unreliable due to...Point-of-care ultrasound(POCUS)of the internal jugular vein(IJV)offers a noninvasive means of estimating right atrial pressure(RAP),especially in cases where the inferior vena cava is inaccessible or unreliable due to conditions such as liver disease or abdominal surgery.While many clinicians are familiar with visually assessing jugular venous pressure through the internal jugular vein,this method lacks sensitivity.The utilization of POCUS significantly enhances the visualization of the vein,leading to a more accurate identification.It has been demonstrated that combining IJV POCUS with physical examination enhances the specificity of RAP estimation.This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the various sonographic techniques available for estimating RAP from the internal jugular vein,drawing upon existing data.展开更多
Introduction: Exercise stress testing (on a treadmill or ergometer bicycle) is an important test in cardiology for diagnosing myocardial ischemia. This test in Mali is still in its beginning compared to other countrie...Introduction: Exercise stress testing (on a treadmill or ergometer bicycle) is an important test in cardiology for diagnosing myocardial ischemia. This test in Mali is still in its beginning compared to other countries in the sub-region. The lack of data in Mali prompted this study, which aimed to evaluate the indications of this activity and its diagnostic contribution to cardiology in Mali. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive study. The study was conducted at the “TOUCAM” medical clinic in Kati based on the analysis of stress test reports between January 2016 and August 2022. Result: During the study period, we documented 73 patients who underwent exercise testing on a bicycle ergometer for suspected coronary heart disease. The mean age of our patients was 47.5 ± 13.8 years (14 and 79 years). Males accounted for the majority (78.1%). The sex ratio is 3.5. More than half of our patients were overweight or obese (77.1%). Hypertension and diabetes affected 52.1% and 25.8% of patients, respectively. 20.8% of patients had coronary artery disease. renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers (56.8%) and beta-blockers (51.3%). The main indications were chest pain (63.0%) and ischemia detection (15.1%). A modified STEEP protocol was used. The majority of our patients (71.2%) achieved at least 85% of their maximum theoretical heart rate. The main reason for the termination of the study was fatigue (57.3%). The average duration was 11.3 ± 4.2 minutes. 24.7% thought the stress tests were positive and 17.8% thought they were controversial. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the importance of stress testing in the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic heart disease, especially in settings where we have very limited access to coronary angiography.展开更多
Background: When continuous scale measurements are available, agreements between two measuring devices are assessed both graphically and analytically. In clinical investigations, Bland and Altman proposed plotting sub...Background: When continuous scale measurements are available, agreements between two measuring devices are assessed both graphically and analytically. In clinical investigations, Bland and Altman proposed plotting subject-wise differences between raters against subject-wise averages. In order to scientifically assess agreement, Bartko recommended combining the graphical approach with the statistical analytic procedure suggested by Bradley and Blackwood. The advantage of using this approach is that it enables significance testing and sample size estimation. We noted that the direct use of the results of the regression is misleading and we provide a correction in this regard. Methods: Graphical and linear models are used to assess agreements for continuous scale measurements. We demonstrate that software linear regression results should not be readily used and we provided correct analytic procedures. The degrees of freedom of the F-statistics are incorrectly reported, and we propose methods to overcome this problem by introducing the correct analytic form of the F statistic. Methods for sample size estimation using R-functions are also given. Results: We believe that the tutorial and the R-codes are useful tools for testing and estimating agreement between two rating protocols for continuous scale measurements. The interested reader may use the codes and apply them to their available data when the issue of agreement between two raters is the subject of interest.展开更多
Despite the success of guided wave ultrasonic inspection for internal defect detection in steel pipes,its application on polyethylene(PE)pipe remains relatively unexplored.The growth of internal cracks in PE pipe seve...Despite the success of guided wave ultrasonic inspection for internal defect detection in steel pipes,its application on polyethylene(PE)pipe remains relatively unexplored.The growth of internal cracks in PE pipe severely affects its pressure-holding capacity,hence the early detection of internal cracks is crucial for effective pipeline maintenance strategies.This study extends the scope of guided wave-based ultrasonic testing to detect the growth of internal cracks in a natural gas distribution PE pipe.Laboratory experiments and a finite element model were planned to study the wave-crack interaction at different stages of axially oriented internal crack growth with a piezoceramic transducer-based setup arranged in a pitch-catch configuration.Mode dispersion analysis supplemented with preliminary experiments was performed to isolate the optimal inspection frequency,leading to the selection of the T(0,1)mode at 50-kHz for the investigation.A transmission index based on the energy of the T(0,1)mode was developed to trace the extent of simulated crack growth.The findings revealed an inverse linear correlation between the transmission index and the crack depth for crack growth beyond 20%crack depth.展开更多
The objective of this research was to determine the mechanical parameter from EVA foam and also investigate its behavior by using Blatz-Ko,Neo-Hookean,Mooney model and experimental test.The physical characteristic of ...The objective of this research was to determine the mechanical parameter from EVA foam and also investigate its behavior by using Blatz-Ko,Neo-Hookean,Mooney model and experimental test.The physical characteristic of EVA foam was also evaluated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM).The results show that Blatz-Ko and Neo-Hookean model can fit the curve at 5%and 8%strain,respectively.The Mooney model can fit the curve at 50%strain.The modulus of rigidity evaluated from Mooney model is 0.0814±0.0027 MPa.The structure of EVA foam from SEM image shows that EVA structure is a closed cell with homogeneous porous structure.From the result,it is found that Mooney model can adjust the data better than other models.This model can be applied for mechanical response prediction of EVA foam and also for reference value in engineering application.展开更多
In today’s era, where mobile devices have become an integral part of our daily lives, ensuring the security of mobile applications has become increasingly crucial. Mobile penetration testing, a specialized subfield w...In today’s era, where mobile devices have become an integral part of our daily lives, ensuring the security of mobile applications has become increasingly crucial. Mobile penetration testing, a specialized subfield within the realm of cybersecurity, plays a vital role in safeguarding mobile ecosystems against the ever-evolving landscape of threats. The ubiquity of mobile devices has made them a prime target for cybercriminals, and the data and functionality accessed through mobile applications make them valuable assets to protect. Mobile penetration testing is designed to identify vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and potential exploits within mobile applications and the devices themselves. Unlike traditional penetration testing, which often focuses on network and server security, mobile penetration testing zeroes in on the unique challenges posed by mobile platforms. Mobile penetration testing, a specialized field within cybersecurity, is an essential tool in the Cybersecurity specialists’ toolkit to protect mobile ecosystems from emerging threats. This article introduces mobile penetration testing, emphasizing its significance, including comprehensive learning labs for Android and iOS platforms, and highlighting how it distinctly differs from traditional penetration testing methodologies.展开更多
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81902167,52075138)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK20190872).
文摘Background:Early diagnosis and classification of infections increase the cure rate while decreasing complications,which is significant for severe infections,especially for war surgery.However,traditional methods rely on laborious operations and bulky devices.On the other hand,point-of-care(POC)methods suffer from limited robustness and accuracy.Therefore,it is of urgent demand to develop POC devices for rapid and accurate diagnosis of infections to fulfill on-site militarized requirements.Methods:We developed a wave-shaped microfluidic chip(WMC)assisted multiplexed detection platform(WMC-MDP).WMC-MDP reduces detection time and improves repeatability through premixing of the samples and reaction of the reagents.We further combined the detection platform with the streptavidin–biotin(SA-B)amplified system to enhance the sensitivity while using chemiluminescence(CL)intensity as signal readout.We realized simultaneous detection of C-reactive protein(CRP),procalcitonin(PCT),and interleukin-6(IL-6)on the detection platform and evaluated the sensitivity,linear range,selectivity,and repeatability.Finally,we finished detecting 15 samples from volunteers and compared the results with commercial ELISA kits.Results:Detection of CRP,PCT,and IL-6 exhibited good linear relationships between CL intensities and concentrations in the range of 1.25–40μg/ml,0.4–12.8 ng/ml,and 50–1600 pg/ml,respectively.The limit of detection of CRP,PCT,and IL-6 were 0.54μg/ml,0.11 ng/ml,and 16.25 pg/ml,respectively.WMC-MDP is capable of good adequate selectivity and repeatability.The whole detection procedure takes only 22 min that meets the requirements of a POC device.Results of 15 samples from volunteers were consistent with the results detected by commercial ELISA kits.Conclusions:WMC-MDP allows simultaneous,rapid,and sensitive detection of CRP,PCT,and IL-6 with satisfactory selectivity and repeatability,requiring minimal manipulation.However,WMC-MDP takes advantage of being a microfluidic device showing the coefficients of variation less than 10%enabling WMC-MDP to be a type of point-of-care testing(POCT).Therefore,WMC-MDP provides a promising alternative to POCT of multiple biomarkers.We believe the practical application of WMC-MDP in militarized fields will revolutionize infection diagnosis for soldiers.
文摘We have presented a three dimensional optical protein chip that fulfills the demanding for point-of-care diagnostics in terms of ease-of-use (one step assay), miniaturization (5 μl). The artful combination of magnetic nanoparticles on chip and total internal reflection imaging (TIRI) technology permits the sensitive and rapid detection of hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). The whole test was complete within 10 min using “all in one step” assay with a limit of detection of 0.1 ng/mL hs-CRP. The measuring range for hs-CRP could be extended to 10 ng/mL. The chip can also be used to detect more parameters in blood samples.
文摘Introduction: Our aim was to determine what patient volume, if any, in-laboratory testing provides results faster than Point-of-Care-Testing (POCT). Methods: To evaluate POCT effectiveness during high volume situations, POCT was compared to in-laboratory testing during busy periods with large numbers of patients. Our setting was an urban level 1 trauma center with an academic emergency medicine department (ED) and annual patient volume of 70,000. Patients seen requiring laboratory testing during peak volume between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. were enrolled over a five-week period. One tube of blood was sent to the laboratory and the other tube was run in the ED using POCT. Turnaround time was recorded as time from when the tube was received to when the result was available. We also completed a time-motion study to assess the number of POCT machines that would be needed to process the entire average hourly hospital laboratory volume. Results: We collected 539 hematology and chemistry specimens. The POCT group was significantly faster than in-laboratory testing, with mean POCT [complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry] 3.5 minutes compared to in-laboratory CBC test time of 30.9 minutes and chemistry test time of 55 minutes. As the volume of samples peaked, there was a slight but insignificant decrease in POCT turnaround time. If POCT was used to process the entire average hospital laboratory volume which approached 54 samples an hour, 3 POCT machines would be necessary to maintain turnaround times. Conclusion: Even during ED high volume situations, POCT provided results significantly faster than in-laboratory testing.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFC2301100)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDB30000000)+3 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.61890940)the Chongqing Bayu Scholar Program(No.DP2020036)Program of Shanghai Academic Research Leaders(No.23XD1420200)Fudan University。
文摘The outbreak of COVID-19 has drawn great attention around the world.SARS-CoV-2 is a highly infectious virus with occult transmission by many mutations and a long incubation period.In particular,the emergence of asymptomatic infections has made the epidemic even more severe.Therefore,early diagnosis and timely management of suspected cases are essential measures to control the spread of the virus.Developing simple,portable,and accurate diagnostic techniques for SARS-CoV-2 is the key to epidemic prevention.The advantages of point-of-care testing technology make it play an increasingly important role in viral detection and screening.This review summarizes the point-of-care testing platforms developed by nucleic acid detection,immunological detection,and nanomaterial-based biosensors detection.Furthermore,this paper provides a prospect for designing future highly accurate,cheap,and convenient SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic technology.
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32172782)to C.Z.Dingthe National Natural Science Foundation of China(22104041)to Z.Y.He.
文摘Lysine is one of the essential amino acids and plays a vital role in the growth,development and health of pigs.Blood lysine concentration is a direct indication of lysine status;however,current methods can not satisfy the demands for rapid and on-site lysine concentration measurement of swine serum.Here,we developed blue-emissive nitrogen-doped carbon dots as a fluorescence probe for the determination of lysine with high fluorescence quantum yield,stability,sensitivity and specificity.The carbon dots were entrapped within hydrogel microstructures to fabricate microfluidic chips for rapid assay for lysine quantification.We further developed an imaging attachment to integrate the microfluidic chip and a smartphone into a portable point-of-care testing platform.This platform requires only 3μL sample and has a linear detection range of 25 to 300μmol/L with a limit of detection less than 16μmol/L,which covers the normal range of lysine concentration in swine serum.We tested lysine concentration in swine serum using this platform with high accuracy,low sample consumption,and within 3 min.Together,these results may provide a rapid and portable platform for dynamic monitoring of swine lysine status and contribute to precise feed formula modulation with low-protein diet strategy.
文摘Section 2.1:Animal ethics approval number:HZAUSW-2002e0009 Change to:HZAUSW-2022e0011 Section 2.6:…200 mL solution of N-CDs(0.1 mg/mL)…Change to:…200 mL solution of N-CDs(1.5 mg/mL)…Section 3.1:…with the size ranging from 4 to 8 nm…Change to:…with the size ranging from 2 to 7 nm…
文摘In point-of-care testing(POCT),tests are performed near patients and results are given rapidly for timely clinical decisions.Immunodiagnostic assays are one of the most important analyses for detecting and quantifying protein-based biomarkers.However,existing POCT immunodiagnostics mainly rely on the lateral flow assay(LFA),which has limited sensitivity or quantification capability.Although other immunodiagnostic assays,such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISAs),offer more sensitive and quantitative results,they require complex liquid manipulations that are difficult to implement in POCT settings by conventional means.Here,we show the development of DropLab,an automated sample-in-answer-out POCT immunodiagnostic platform based on magnetic digital microfluidic(MDM)technology.DropLab performs microbead-based ELISA in droplets to offer more sensitive and quantitative testing results.The intricate liquid manipulations required for ELISA are accomplished by controlling droplets with magnetic microbeads using MDM technology,which enables us to achieve full automation and easy operations with DropLab.Four ELISAs(the sample in triplicates and a negative control)can be run in parallel on the thermoformed disposable chip,which greatly improves the throughput and accuracy compared to those of other POCT immunodiagnostic devices.DropLab was validated by measuring two protein targets and one antibody target.The testing results showed that the limit of detection(LOD)of DropLab matched that of the conventional ELISA in a microwell plate.DropLab brings MDM one step closer to being a viable medical technology that is ready for real-world POCT applications.
基金Shaanxi Province Science Foundation(2021JM-193)for funding this workthe Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(GK201902009,GK201701002)Program for Innovative Research Team in Shaanxi Province(2014KCT-28)for supporting this work
文摘Point-of-care testing(POCT),as a portable and user-friendly technology,can obtain accurate test results immediately at the sampling point.Nowadays,microfluidic paper-based analysis devices(μPads)have attracted the eye of the public and accelerated the development of POCT.A variety of detection methods are combined withμPads to realize precise,rapid and sensitive POCT.This article mainly introduced the development of electrochemistry and optical detection methods onμPads for POCT and their applications on disease analysis,environmental monitoring and food control in the past 5 years.Finally,the challenges and future development prospects ofμPads for POCT were discussed.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21775117)the General Financial Grant from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2016M592773)the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province and the High Level Returned Overseas Students Foundation([2018]642).
文摘Abstract Neurotransmitters are important biological molecules related to several nervous system diseases(NSDs).Point-of-care test-ing(POCT)of neurotransmitters is of great importance in preclinical research and early diagnosis of NSDs.Among various POCT platforms,paper-based electrochemical biosensors have achieved great advances in detection of neurotransmitters,thus taking a significant role in POCT of neurotransmitters nowadays.This review gives an overview of the recent advances of paper-based electrochemical biosensors for POCT of neurotransmitters.We first introduce the types of neurotransmitters and biological sample sources mainly used for neurotransmitter detection.Second,we review the components and the traditional fabrication technologies for paper-based electrochemical POCT biosensors,and then the functional modification methods of biosensor surfaces and three-dimensional fabrication methods for further enhancement of their detection performance.Then,we list examples of paper-based electrochemical biosensors used for detecting different neurotransmitters in biologi-cal samples.Last,we give a conclusion and promising development direction of paper-based electrochemical biosensors for neurotransmitters detection.The purpose of this review is to introduce the paper-based electrochemical biosensors as an emerging technology for POCT of neurotransmitters,offering a reference for readers and researchers for early diagnosis of NSDs using POCT technologies.
文摘Confining stresses serve as a pivotal determinant in shaping the behavior of grouted rock bolts.Nonetheless,prior investigations have oversimplified the three-dimensional stress state,primarily assuming hydrostatic stress conditions.Under these conditions,it is assumed that the intermediate principal stress(σ_(2))equals the minimum principal stress(σ_(3)).This assumption overlooks the potential variations in magnitudes of in situ stress conditions along all three directions near an underground opening where a rock bolt is installed.In this study,a series of push tests was meticulously conducted under triaxial conditions.These tests involved applying non-uniform confining stresses(σ_(2)≠σ_(3))to cubic specimens,aiming to unveil the previously overlooked influence of intermediate principal stresses on the strength properties of rock bolts.The results show that as the confining stresses increase from zero to higher levels,the pre-failure behavior changes from linear to nonlinear forms,resulting in an increase in initial stiffness from 2.08 kN/mm to 32.51 kN/mm.The load-displacement curves further illuminate distinct post-failure behavior at elevated levels of confining stresses,characterized by enhanced stiffness.Notably,the peak load capacity ranged from 27.9 kN to 46.5 kN as confining stresses advanced from σ_(2)=σ_(3)=0 to σ_(2)=20 MPa and σ_(3)=10 MPa.Additionally,the outcomes highlight an influence of confining stress on the lateral deformation of samples.Lower levels of confinement prompt overall dilation in lateral deformation,while higher confinements maintain a state of shrinkage.Furthermore,diverse failure modes have been identified,intricately tied to the arrangement of confining stresses.Lower confinements tend to induce a splitting mode of failure,whereas higher loads bring about a shift towards a pure interfacial shear-off and shear-crushed failure mechanism.
文摘Edge devices,due to their limited computational and storage resources,often require the use of compilers for program optimization.Therefore,ensuring the security and reliability of these compilers is of paramount importance in the emerging field of edge AI.One widely used testing method for this purpose is fuzz testing,which detects bugs by inputting random test cases into the target program.However,this process consumes significant time and resources.To improve the efficiency of compiler fuzz testing,it is common practice to utilize test case prioritization techniques.Some researchers use machine learning to predict the code coverage of test cases,aiming to maximize the test capability for the target compiler by increasing the overall predicted coverage of the test cases.Nevertheless,these methods can only forecast the code coverage of the compiler at a specific optimization level,potentially missing many optimization-related bugs.In this paper,we introduce C-CORE(short for Clustering by Code Representation),the first framework to prioritize test cases according to their code representations,which are derived directly from the source codes.This approach avoids being limited to specific compiler states and extends to a broader range of compiler bugs.Specifically,we first train a scaled pre-trained programming language model to capture as many common features as possible from the test cases generated by a fuzzer.Using this pre-trained model,we then train two downstream models:one for predicting the likelihood of triggering a bug and another for identifying code representations associated with bugs.Subsequently,we cluster the test cases according to their code representations and select the highest-scoring test case from each cluster as the high-quality test case.This reduction in redundant testing cases leads to time savings.Comprehensive evaluation results reveal that code representations are better at distinguishing test capabilities,and C-CORE significantly enhances testing efficiency.Across four datasets,C-CORE increases the average of the percentage of faults detected(APFD)value by 0.16 to 0.31 and reduces test time by over 50% in 46% of cases.When compared to the best results from approaches using predicted code coverage,C-CORE improves the APFD value by 1.1% to 12.3% and achieves an overall time-saving of 159.1%.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.12335007,11835001,11921006,12035001 and 12205340)the State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology,Peking University(No.NPT2020KFY13)Gansu Natural Science Foundation(No.22JR5RA123).
文摘The beyond-dripline oxygen isotopes^(27,28)O were recently observed at RIKEN,and were found to be unbound decaying into^(24)O by emitting neutrons.The unbound feature of the heaviest oxygen isotope,^(28)O,provides an excellent test for stateof-the-art nuclear models.The atomic nucleus is a self-organized quantum manybody system comprising specific numbers of protons Z and neutrons N.
文摘Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemics many countries were facing challenges with testing capacity recourse limitations. Throughout the waves of the pandemic countries were trying to address the existing constrains exploring solutions to increase the testing capacity with more cost-effective approaches. Pooled methodology was one of the methods which many have validated and used. It is evident that in case of pooled sample testing the sensitivity becomes lower, however the variation highly depends on the pool size as well as the incidence rate at the certain point. Armenia as well as many other countries has adopted regulations for mandatory COVID-19 PCR testing for all the travelers. Current study aimed to explore the efficiency of COVID-19 pooled PCR testing for nasopharyngeal swabs of individuals with no symptoms in a time period with good epidemiological state of the infection. Nasopharingeal swab samples from individuals were collected. The manual extraction of RNAs of samples was performed after pooling up to 5 samples. The pools with Cycle Threshold (CT) of < 37 were considered positive and were retested individually. In total 28,015 samples were grouped in 667 pools of which 57 were positive. The total number of positive samples was 65. The median difference (CT-pool–CT samples) was 2.4 (ranging from–3.0 to 8.9). The correlation of CT of pools and positive samples was positive. The correlation coefficient r = 0.84, P < 0.000, 95% CI range 0.7423 to 0.9243). The total economic saving when using pools compared to the individual testing was 72%. The minor difference between CT values of pools and samples can be explained by the dilution effect in the pool. However, the positive correlation between the values as well as the amount of cost saving demonstrate that pooling on nasopharyngeal samples for COVID-19 PCR testing can be a good method for efficient screening with significant resource saving. One of the most important advantages of the proposed method is the fact that samples are pooled prior extraction, which avoids the possibilities with misinterpretation of IC due to low yield of RNA in the extraction process.
文摘Point-of-care ultrasound(POCUS)of the internal jugular vein(IJV)offers a noninvasive means of estimating right atrial pressure(RAP),especially in cases where the inferior vena cava is inaccessible or unreliable due to conditions such as liver disease or abdominal surgery.While many clinicians are familiar with visually assessing jugular venous pressure through the internal jugular vein,this method lacks sensitivity.The utilization of POCUS significantly enhances the visualization of the vein,leading to a more accurate identification.It has been demonstrated that combining IJV POCUS with physical examination enhances the specificity of RAP estimation.This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the various sonographic techniques available for estimating RAP from the internal jugular vein,drawing upon existing data.
文摘Introduction: Exercise stress testing (on a treadmill or ergometer bicycle) is an important test in cardiology for diagnosing myocardial ischemia. This test in Mali is still in its beginning compared to other countries in the sub-region. The lack of data in Mali prompted this study, which aimed to evaluate the indications of this activity and its diagnostic contribution to cardiology in Mali. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive study. The study was conducted at the “TOUCAM” medical clinic in Kati based on the analysis of stress test reports between January 2016 and August 2022. Result: During the study period, we documented 73 patients who underwent exercise testing on a bicycle ergometer for suspected coronary heart disease. The mean age of our patients was 47.5 ± 13.8 years (14 and 79 years). Males accounted for the majority (78.1%). The sex ratio is 3.5. More than half of our patients were overweight or obese (77.1%). Hypertension and diabetes affected 52.1% and 25.8% of patients, respectively. 20.8% of patients had coronary artery disease. renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers (56.8%) and beta-blockers (51.3%). The main indications were chest pain (63.0%) and ischemia detection (15.1%). A modified STEEP protocol was used. The majority of our patients (71.2%) achieved at least 85% of their maximum theoretical heart rate. The main reason for the termination of the study was fatigue (57.3%). The average duration was 11.3 ± 4.2 minutes. 24.7% thought the stress tests were positive and 17.8% thought they were controversial. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the importance of stress testing in the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic heart disease, especially in settings where we have very limited access to coronary angiography.
文摘Background: When continuous scale measurements are available, agreements between two measuring devices are assessed both graphically and analytically. In clinical investigations, Bland and Altman proposed plotting subject-wise differences between raters against subject-wise averages. In order to scientifically assess agreement, Bartko recommended combining the graphical approach with the statistical analytic procedure suggested by Bradley and Blackwood. The advantage of using this approach is that it enables significance testing and sample size estimation. We noted that the direct use of the results of the regression is misleading and we provide a correction in this regard. Methods: Graphical and linear models are used to assess agreements for continuous scale measurements. We demonstrate that software linear regression results should not be readily used and we provided correct analytic procedures. The degrees of freedom of the F-statistics are incorrectly reported, and we propose methods to overcome this problem by introducing the correct analytic form of the F statistic. Methods for sample size estimation using R-functions are also given. Results: We believe that the tutorial and the R-codes are useful tools for testing and estimating agreement between two rating protocols for continuous scale measurements. The interested reader may use the codes and apply them to their available data when the issue of agreement between two raters is the subject of interest.
基金the financial support provided by USDOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)through the Competitive Academic Agreement Program (CAAP)。
文摘Despite the success of guided wave ultrasonic inspection for internal defect detection in steel pipes,its application on polyethylene(PE)pipe remains relatively unexplored.The growth of internal cracks in PE pipe severely affects its pressure-holding capacity,hence the early detection of internal cracks is crucial for effective pipeline maintenance strategies.This study extends the scope of guided wave-based ultrasonic testing to detect the growth of internal cracks in a natural gas distribution PE pipe.Laboratory experiments and a finite element model were planned to study the wave-crack interaction at different stages of axially oriented internal crack growth with a piezoceramic transducer-based setup arranged in a pitch-catch configuration.Mode dispersion analysis supplemented with preliminary experiments was performed to isolate the optimal inspection frequency,leading to the selection of the T(0,1)mode at 50-kHz for the investigation.A transmission index based on the energy of the T(0,1)mode was developed to trace the extent of simulated crack growth.The findings revealed an inverse linear correlation between the transmission index and the crack depth for crack growth beyond 20%crack depth.
基金supported by grants funded by Department of Mechanical Engineering,Faculty of Engineering,Chiang Mai University and the Graduate School of Chiang Mai University.
文摘The objective of this research was to determine the mechanical parameter from EVA foam and also investigate its behavior by using Blatz-Ko,Neo-Hookean,Mooney model and experimental test.The physical characteristic of EVA foam was also evaluated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM).The results show that Blatz-Ko and Neo-Hookean model can fit the curve at 5%and 8%strain,respectively.The Mooney model can fit the curve at 50%strain.The modulus of rigidity evaluated from Mooney model is 0.0814±0.0027 MPa.The structure of EVA foam from SEM image shows that EVA structure is a closed cell with homogeneous porous structure.From the result,it is found that Mooney model can adjust the data better than other models.This model can be applied for mechanical response prediction of EVA foam and also for reference value in engineering application.
文摘In today’s era, where mobile devices have become an integral part of our daily lives, ensuring the security of mobile applications has become increasingly crucial. Mobile penetration testing, a specialized subfield within the realm of cybersecurity, plays a vital role in safeguarding mobile ecosystems against the ever-evolving landscape of threats. The ubiquity of mobile devices has made them a prime target for cybercriminals, and the data and functionality accessed through mobile applications make them valuable assets to protect. Mobile penetration testing is designed to identify vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and potential exploits within mobile applications and the devices themselves. Unlike traditional penetration testing, which often focuses on network and server security, mobile penetration testing zeroes in on the unique challenges posed by mobile platforms. Mobile penetration testing, a specialized field within cybersecurity, is an essential tool in the Cybersecurity specialists’ toolkit to protect mobile ecosystems from emerging threats. This article introduces mobile penetration testing, emphasizing its significance, including comprehensive learning labs for Android and iOS platforms, and highlighting how it distinctly differs from traditional penetration testing methodologies.
