Fundamental relations and identities of fuzzy hyperalgebras

Inspired by fuzzy hyperalgebras and fuzzy polynomial function (term function), some homomorphism properties of fundamental relation on fuzzy hyperalgebras are conveyed. The obtained relations of fuzzy hyperalgebra are utilized for certain applications, i.e., biological phenomena and genetics along with some elucidatory examples presenting various aspects of fuzzy hyperalgebras. Then, by considering the definition of identities (weak and strong) as a class of fuzzy polynomial function, the smallest equivalence relation (fundamental relation) is obtained which is an important tool for fuzzy hyperalgebraic systems. Through the characterization of these equivalence relations of a fuzzy hyperalgebra, we assign the smallest equivalence relation α i 1 i 2 ∗ on a fuzzy hyperalgebra via identities where the factor hyperalgebra is a universal algebra. We extend and improve the identities on fuzzy hyperalgebras and characterize the smallest equivalence relation α J ∗ on the set of strong identities.

The negative relationship of dietary inflammatory index and sleeping quality in obese and overweight women

Background and aims: Substantial evidence have linked low grade inflammation with the pathophysiology of chronic diseases and psychological impairment. An integral component underlying the link is pro-inflammatory diet. While sleeping is another significant contributor, few studies have addressed the relationship between the sleep quality and inflammatory cascade with the dietary quality as a moderator. The current study assesses the relation between inflammatory potential of the diet and sleep quality in Iranian obese and overweight women. Method: A total of 219 obese and overweight adult women were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. A standard 147-item food-frequency-questionnaire was used to record the dietary intakes; then, the dietary inflammatosry index (DII) was derived from the result-consolidated questionnaires. Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was utilized to withdraw the sleep quality and quantity. Results: The mean (±standard deviation) age, body mass index, and PSQI of individuals were 36.49 (8.38) years, 31.04 (4.31) kg/m², and 5.78(3.55), respectively. Patients in the highest DII quartile were the ones with the higher consumption of pro-inflammatory food, and, ~58% of participants who were in the higher quartile had a sleep disturbance status. Results revealed an inverse relationship between sleep quality and DII in the crude model (β=-0.17, p=0.01) as well as full-adjusted model (β=0.24, p<0.001), such that women with higher DII had the poorest sleep quality. Conclusion: Based on the present observational study, obese and overweight females with higher adherence of the anti-inflammatory diet may have better sleeping status.

NiCoSx@Cobalt Carbonate Hydroxide Obtained by Surface Sulfurization for Efficient and Stable Hydrogen Evolution at Large Current Densities

Developing earth-abundant, active, and stable electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) at large current densities has remained challenging. Herein, heterostructured nickel foam-supported cobalt carbonate hydroxide nanoarrays embellished with NiCoS_x nanoflakes (NiCoS_x@CoCH NAs/NF) are designed via room-temperature sulfurization, which can drive 10 and 1000 mA cm^-2 at low overpotentials of 55 and 438 mV for HER and exhibit impressive long-term stability at the industrial-level current density. Surprisingly, NiCoS_x@CoCH NAs/NF after a 500 h stability test at 500 mA cm^-2 exhibit better catalytic performance than the initial one at high current densities. Simulations showed that NiCoS_x@CoCH NAs have an optimized hydrogen adsorption free energy (ΔG_H*) of 0.02 eV, owing to the synergistic effect of CoCH (ΔG_H* = 1.36 eV) and NiCoS_x (ΔG_H* = 0.03 eV). The electric field at the heterostructure interface leads to electron transport from CoCH to NiCoS_x, which enhances HER dynamics. The hierarchical nanostructure has a large specific area and a superaerophobic surface, which are beneficial to hydrogen generation/release for efficient and stable HER.

Phase management in single-crystalline vanadium dioxide beams

A systematic study of various metal-insulator transition (MIT) associated phases of VO₂, including metallic R phase and insulating phases (T, M1, M2), is required to uncover the physics of MIT and trigger their promising applications. Here, through an oxide inhibitor-assisted stoichiometry engineering, we show that all the insulating phases can be selectively stabilized in single-crystalline VO₂ beams at room temperature. The stoichiometry engineering strategy also provides precise spatial control of the phase configurations in as-grown VO₂ beams at the submicron-scale, introducing a fresh concept of phase transition route devices. For instance, the combination of different phase transition routes at the two sides of VO₂ beams gives birth to a family of single-crystalline VO₂ actuators with highly improved performance and functional diversity. This work provides a substantial understanding of the stoichiometry-temperature phase diagram and a stoichiometry engineering strategy for the effective phase management of VO₂.

Control of the phases associated with the metal-insulator transition in VO₂ underpins its applications as a phase change material. Here, the authors report phase management by means of oxide inhibitor-assisted growth and present high-performance VO₂ actuators based on asymmetric phase transition routes.

Recent progress on kinetic control of chemical vapor deposition growth of high-quality wafer-scale transition metal dichalcogenides

2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted significant attention due to their unique physical properties. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is generally a promising method to prepare ideal TMD films with high uniformity, large domain size, good single-crystallinity, etc., at wafer-scale for commercial uses. However, the CVD-grown TMD samples often suffer from poor quality due to the improper control of reaction kinetics and lack of understanding about the phenomenon. In this review, we focus on several key challenges in the controllable CVD fabrication of high-quality wafer-scale TMD films and highlight the importance of the control of precursor concentration, nucleation density, and oriented growth. The remaining difficulties in the field and prospective directions of the related topics are further summarized.

Nanobased Platforms for Diagnosis and Treatment of COVID-19: From Benchtop to Bedside

Human respiratory viral infections are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Among the various respiratory viruses, coronaviruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2) have created the greatest challenge and most frightening health threat worldwide. Human coronaviruses typically infect the upper respiratory tract, causing illnesses that range from common cold-like symptoms to severe acute respiratory infections. Several promising vaccine formulations have become available since the beginning of 2021. Nevertheless, achievement of herd immunity is still far from being realized. Social distancing remains the only effective measure against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nanobiotechnology enables the design of nanobiosensors. These nanomedical diagnostic devices have opened new vistas for early detection of viral infections. The present review outlines recent research on the effectiveness of nanoplatforms as diagnostic and antiviral tools against coronaviruses. The biological properties of coronavirus and infected host organs are discussed. The challenges and limitations encountered in combating SARS-CoV-2 are highlighted. Potential nanodevices such as nanosensors, nanobased vaccines, and smart nanomedicines are subsequently presented for combating current and future mutated versions of coronaviruses.

Highly-Efficient Sulfonated UiO-66(Zr) Optical Fiber for Rapid Detection of Trace Levels of Pb2

Lead detection for biological environments, aqueous resources, and medicinal compounds, rely mainly on either utilizing bulky lab equipment such as ICP-OES or ready-made sensors, which are based on colorimetry with some limitations including selectivity and low interference. Remote, rapid and efficient detection of heavy metals in aqueous solutions at ppm and sub-ppm levels have faced significant challenges that requires novel compounds with such ability. Here, a UiO-66(Zr) metal-organic framework (MOF) functionalized with SO3H group (SO3H-UiO-66(Zr)) is deposited on the end-face of an optical fiber to detect lead cations (Pb2+) in water at 25.2, 43.5 and 64.0 ppm levels. The SO3H-UiO-66(Zr) system provides a Fabry–Perot sensor by which the lead ions are detected rapidly (milliseconds) at 25.2 ppm aqueous solution reflecting in the wavelength shifts in interference spectrum. The proposed removal mechanism is based on the adsorption of [Pb(OH2)6]2+ in water on SO3H-UiO-66(Zr) due to a strong affinity between functionalized MOF and lead. This is the first work that advances a multi-purpose optical fiber-coated functional MOF as an on-site remote chemical sensor for rapid detection of lead cations at extremely low concentrations in an aqueous system.

Association of vitamin D-binding protein and vitamin D3 with insulin and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) in overweight and obese females

OBJECTIVE

Equivocal association the contribution of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and the well-accepted role of vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) on bioavailability of 25(OH)D or its independent roles, has led to possible association of the VDBP in glucose metabolism. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationships among 25(OH)D, VDBP, glucose/insulin metabolism and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR). Blood samples were collected from 236 obese and overweight women. VDBP and 25(OH)D levels, and biochemical parameters were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). An impedance fat analyzer was utilized to acquire the body composition.

RESULTS

Using the multivariate linear regression, a reverse relationship was observed between VDBP and (HOMA-IR), such that women with higher VDBP displayed lower insulin resistance. The relationship was independent of age, body mass index, standardized energy intake and physical activity (p = 0.00). No significant relationship between 25(OH)D levels, FBS, body composition or insulin resistance were observed (p > 0.2). Current study observed that higher level of VDBP may be associated with lower levels of insulin and HOMA-IR, thus the evaluation of VDBP in diverse population groups seems to have significant clinical value in evaluating the prevalence of DM or early stage of glucose intolerance.

Strained Epitaxy of Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Wrinkle Arrays

Wrinkling two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) provides a mechanism to adjust the physical and chemical properties as per need. Traditionally, TMDCs wrinkles achieved by transferring exfoliated materials on prestretched polymer suffer from poor control and limited sample area, which significantly hinders desirable applications. Herein, we fabricate large-area monolayer TMDCs wrinkle arrays directly on the m-quartz substrate using strained epitaxy. The uniaxial thermal expansion coefficient mismatch between the substrate and TMDCs materials enables the generation of large uniaxial thermal strain. By quenching the TMDCs after growth, this uniaxial thermal strain can be quickly released as a form of wrinkle arrays along the [0001]_quartz direction. Using WS₂ as a model system, the size of as-grown wrinkles can be finely modulated within sub-100 nm by changing the quenching temperature. These WS₂ wrinkles can be locally folded and form various multilayer structures with odd layer numbers during the transfer process. Besides, the corrugated structures in WS₂ wrinkles induce significant changes to optical properties including anisotropic Raman response, enhanced photoluminescence, and second harmonic generation emissions. Furthermore, these wrinkle arrays exhibit enhanced chemical reactivity that can be selectively engineered to ribbon arrays with improved electrocatalytic performance. The developed strategy of strained epitaxy here should enable flexibility in the design of more sophisticated 2D-based structures, offering a simple but effective way toward the modulation of properties with enhanced performances.

Organoid Technology: Current Standing and Future Perspectives

Organoids are powerful systems to facilitate the study of individuals' disorders and personalized treatments. Likewise, emerging this technology has improved the chance of translatability of drugs for pre-clinical therapies and mimicking the complexity of organs, while it proposes numerous approaches for human disease modeling, tissue engineering, drug development, diagnosis, and regenerative medicine. In this review, we outline the past/present organoid technology and summarize its faithful applications, then, we discuss the challenges and limitations encountered by 3D organoids. In the end, we offer the human organoids as basic mechanistic infrastructure for "human modelling" systems to prescribe personalized medicines. © AlphaMed Press 2021 SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This concise review concerns about organoids, available methods for in vitro organoid formation and different types of human organoid models. We, then, summarize biological approaches to improve 3D organoids complexity and therapeutic potentials of organoids. Despite the existing incomprehensive review articles in literature that examine partial aspects of the organoid technology, the present review article comprehensively and critically presents this technology from different aspects. It effectively provides a systematic overview on the past and current applications of organoids and discusses the future perspectives and suggestions to improve this technology and its applications.

A reduced graphene oxide-β-cyclodextrin nanocomposite-based electrode for electrochemical detection of curcumin

In this study, a sensitive electrochemical sensor was fabricated based on a beta-cyclodextrin–reduced graphene oxide (β-CD–rGO) nanocomposite for measuring curcumin concentration.

Magnetic AgNPs/Fe3O4@chitosan/PVA nanocatalyst for fast one-pot green synthesis of propargylamine and triazole derivatives

A new green magnetic nanocatalyst was introduced for one-pot fast synthesis of propargylamine and triazole derivatives.

Graphene oxide and its derivatives as promising In-vitro bio-imaging platforms

Intrinsic fluorescence and versatile optical properties of Graphene Oxide (GO) in visible and near-infrared range introduce this nanomaterial as a promising candidate for numerous clinical applications for early-diagnose of diseases. Despite recent progresses in the impact of major features of GO on the photoluminescence properties of GO, their modifications have not yet systematically understood. Here, to study the modification effects on the fluorescence behavior, poly ethylene glycol (PEG) polymer, metal nanoparticles (Au and Fe3O4) and folic acid (FA) molecules were used to functionalize the GO surface. The fluorescence performances in different environments (water, DMEM cell media and phosphate buffer with two different pH values) were assessed through fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescent microscopy, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to evaluate the modifications of chemical structures. The modification of GO with desired molecules improved the photoluminescence property. The synthesized platforms of GO-PEG, GO-PEG-Au, GO-PEG-Fe3O4 and GO-PEG-FA illustrated emissions in three main fluorescence regions (blue, green and red), suitable for tracing and bio-imaging purposes. Considering MTT results, these platforms potentially positioned themselves as non-invasive optical sensors for the diagnosis alternatives of traditional imaging agents.

Oxide Inhibitor-Assisted Growth of Single-Layer Molybdenum Dichalcogenides (MoX2, X = S, Se, Te) with Controllable Molybdenum Release

Though chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods have been widely used in the growth of two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDCs), the controllable fabrication of 2D TMDCs is yet hard to achieve because of the great challenge of concisely controlling the release of precursors vapor, one of the most critical growth kinetic factors. To solve this important issue, here we report the utilization of oxide inhibitors covering Mo source during CVD reactions to manipulate the release of Mo vapor. In contrast to the lack of capability of conventional CVD methods, 2D molybdenum dichalcogenide (MoX₂, X = S, Se, Te) monolayers were successfully fabricated through the proposed CVD protocol with the oxide-inhibitor-assisted growth (OIAG) strategy. In this way, despite the fact that only separated MoTe₂ flakes were prepared, both MoS₂ (continuous and clean) and MoSe₂ (continuous but dotted) monolayer films at the scale of centimeter were obtained. The presented OIAG method enables a comprehensive understanding and precise control of the reaction kinetics for improved growth of 2D MoX₂.

Novel versatile 3D bio-scaffold made of natural biocompatible hagfish exudate for tissue growth and organoid modeling

Hagfish exudate is a natural biological macromolecule made of keratin intermediate filament protein skeins and mucin vesicles. Here, we successfully examined this remarkable biomaterial as a substrate for three-dimensional (3D) cell culturing purposes. After the sterilization with chloroform vapor, Dulbecco's modified eagle medium was mixed with the exudate to rupture the vesicles and skeins; a highly soft, adherent, fibrous and biocompatible hydrogel was formed. A variety of cells, including Hela-FUCCI, NMuMG-FUCCI, 10T1/2 and C2C12, was cultured on the hagfish exudate. A remarkable 3D growth by ~2.5 folds after day 3, ~5 folds after day 5, ~10 folds after day 7 and ~15 folds after day 14 were seen compared to day one of culturing in the hagfish exudate scaffold. In addition, the phase contrast, fluorescent and confocal microscopy observations confirmed the organoid shape formation within the three-week culture. The viability of cells was almost 100% indicating the great in vitro and in vivo potential of this exceptional biomaterial with no cytotoxic effect.