53 research outputs found

    Single-probe Single Cell Mass Spectrometry Studies: Investigation of Cell Heterogeneity and Quantification of Intracellular Small Molecules

    Get PDF
    Studying cell heterogeneity can provide a deeper understanding of biological activities, but corresponding studies cannot be performed using traditional bulk analysis methods. The development of diverse single cell bioanalysis methods is in urgent need and of great significance. Mass spectrometry (MS) has been recognized as a powerful technique for bioanalysis for its high sensitivity, wide applicability, label-free detection, and capability for quantitative analysis. The paramount significance of single cell mass spectrometry (SCMS) techniques have been recognized, and they are becoming indispensable tools in fundamental research and studies of human diseases such as cancers and infectious disease. My studies consist of two major parts: (1) the development novel method to quantify nitric oxide (NO) using combined chemical reactions and SCMS techniques and (2) the investigation of cell heterogeneity using integrated bioinformatics tools and SCMS methods. In Chapter one, we reviewed the development of single cell mass spectrometry (SCMS) field and summarized multiple existing SCMS techniques. We also included the methods that have been used for quantitative studies of small molecules in single cells. In particular, we further developed the Single-probe, a microscale device that is ideally suited for SCMS study of live single cells under ambient environment, for molecular quantification in single cells. In Chapter two, the single-probe SCMS was coupled with chemical reactions to detect and quantify nitric oxide (NO) in single cells. We then performed detailed data analysis to study the subpopulations of cells based on their NO expression levels. In Chapter three, cellular heterogeneity in infectious disease was revealed using the Single-probe SCMS, and we discovered the bystander effect of cells, which are uninfected cells adjacent to infected cells. In Chapter four, we developed a novel data analysis method for assessing the global metabolomic profiles from the SCMS experiments, allowing us to identify subpopulations and determine the number of subpopulations without prior knowledge. Finally, in Chapter five, a new machine learning method was applied to classify cells with different drug resistant levels

    Examining the Relationship Between Lignocellulosic Biomass Structural Constituents and Its Flow Behavior

    Get PDF
    Lignocellulosic biomass material sourced from plants and herbaceous sources is a promising substrate of inexpensive, abundant, and potentially carbon-neutral energy. One of the leading limitations of using lignocellulosic biomass as a feedstock for bioenergy products is the flow issues encountered during biomass conveyance in biorefineries. In the biorefining process, the biomass feedstock undergoes flow through a variety of conveyance systems. The inherent variability of the feedstock materials, as evidenced by their complex microstructural composition and non-uniform morphology, coupled with the varying flow conditions in the conveyance systems, gives rise to flow issues such as bridging, ratholing, and clogging. These issues slow down the conveyance process, affect machine life, and potentially lead to partial or even complete shutdown of the biorefinery. Hence, we need to improve our fundamental understanding of biomass feedstock flow physics and mechanics to address the flow issues and improve biorefinery economics. This dissertation research examines the fundamental relationship between structural constituents of diverse lignocellulosic biomass materials, i.e., cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, their morphology, and the impact of the structural composition and morphology on their flow behavior. First, we prepared and characterized biomass feedstocks of different chemical compositions and morphologies. Then, we conducted our fundamental investigation experimentally, through physical flow characterization tests, and computationally through high-fidelity discrete element modeling. Finally, we statistically analyzed the relative influence of the properties of lignocellulosic biomass assemblies on flow behavior to determine the most critical properties and the optimum values of flow parameters. Our research provides an experimental and computational framework to generalize findings to a wider portfolio of biomass materials. It will help the bioenergy community to design more efficient biorefining machinery and equipment, reduce the risk of failure, and improve the overall commercial viability of the bioenergy industry

    Biopolymers from Natural Resources

    Get PDF
    This work covers all aspects related to the obtainment, production, design, and processing of biopolymers obtained from natural resources. Moreover, it studies characteristics related to the improvement of their performance to increase their potential application at an industrial level, in line with the concept of a global circular economy. Thus, this work firstly classifies biopolymers obtained from natural resources (e.g., biobased building blocks and biopolymers extracted directly from plants and biomass), and then summarizes several cutting-edge research works focused on enhancing the performance of biopolymers from natural resources to extend their application in the industrial sector, and contribute to the transition to more sustainable plastics

    Insects

    Get PDF
    In this thematic series, engineers and scientists come together to address two interesting interdisciplinary questions in functional morphology and biomechanics: How do the structure and material determine the function of insect body parts? How can insects inspire engineering innovations

    Knowledge, attitude and practice on female sexual dysfunction ( mati putik) among women in Kuantan Pahang, Malaysia

    Get PDF
    Female sexual dysfunction or also known as ‘mati putik’ can be defined as women with lack of sexual desire, difficulty in arousal, inability to reach orgasm, pain during intercourse, failure to feel pleasure from sex or anxiety about sex performance. In Malaysia, infidelity or sexual relationship was the top reasons of divorce cases. Hence, this study aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitude and practice on female sexual dysfunction among females in Kuantan, Pahang. A total sample of 100 married women was randomly selected based on the classification in inclusive and exclusive criteria. The response from participants was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) with 95% confidence interval. The result of this study revealed that more than half of the respondents are found to have a high level of knowledge (n=59, 59.0%) only. Other than that, there was no significant association between the scores of knowledge, attitude and practice with socio-demographic characteristics. Besides, the correlation between knowledge-attitude and attitude-practice scores were identified to be significantly associated but not for knowledge-practice scores. In conclusion, this study has revealed that respondents possess good knowledge level regarding female sexual dysfunction differ from the level of attitude and practice. These findings proved that women in Malaysia were not aware of their sexual health and contribute to the number of divorce cases. Hence, it is recommended that future study may be able to increase the sample size and ought to emphasize the rural area more than an urban area for a better outcome. It is also suggested for the upcoming study to discover more factors that may contribute significantly to the level of knowledge, attitude and practice on female sexual dysfunction

    Precision Agriculture Technology for Crop Farming

    Get PDF
    This book provides a review of precision agriculture technology development, followed by a presentation of the state-of-the-art and future requirements of precision agriculture technology. It presents different styles of precision agriculture technologies suitable for large scale mechanized farming; highly automated community-based mechanized production; and fully mechanized farming practices commonly seen in emerging economic regions. The book emphasizes the introduction of core technical features of sensing, data processing and interpretation technologies, crop modeling and production control theory, intelligent machinery and field robots for precision agriculture production

    Rethinking Sustainability Towards a Regenerative Economy

    Get PDF
    This open access book is based on work from the COST Action “RESTORE - REthinking Sustainability TOwards a Regenerative Economy'', and highlights how sustainability in buildings, facilities and urban governance is crucial for a future that is socially just, ecologically restorative, and economically viable, for Europe and the whole planet. In light of the search for fair solutions to the climate crisis, the authors outline the urgency for the built environment sector to implement adaptation and mitigation strategies, as well as a just transition. As shown in the chapters, this can be done by applying a broader framework that enriches places, people, ecology, culture, and climate, at the core of the design task - with a particular emphasis on the benefits towards health and resilient business practices. This book is one step on the way to a paradigm shift towards restorative sustainability for new and existing buildings. The authors want to promote forward thinking and multidisciplinary knowledge, leading to solutions that celebrate the richness of design creativity. In this vision, cities of the future will enhance users’ experience, health and wellbeing inside and outside of buildings, while reconciling anthropic ecosystems and nature. A valuable resource for scientists and students in environmental sciences and architecture, as well as policy makers, practitioners and investors in urban and regional development

    Remote Sensing of Plant Biodiversity

    Get PDF
    At last, here it is. For some time now, the world has needed a text providing both a new theoretical foundation and practical guidance on how to approach the challenge of biodiversity decline in the Anthropocene. This is a global challenge demanding global approaches to understand its scope and implications. Until recently, we have simply lacked the tools to do so. We are now entering an era in which we can realistically begin to understand and monitor the multidimensional phenomenon of biodiversity at a planetary scale. This era builds upon three centuries of scientific research on biodiversity at site to landscape levels, augmented over the past two decades by airborne research platforms carrying spectrometers, lidars, and radars for larger-scale observations. Emerging international networks of fine-grain in-situ biodiversity observations complemented by space-based sensors offering coarser-grain imagery—but global coverage—of ecosystem composition, function, and structure together provide the information necessary to monitor and track change in biodiversity globally. This book is a road map on how to observe and interpret terrestrial biodiversity across scales through plants—primary producers and the foundation of the trophic pyramid. It honors the fact that biodiversity exists across different dimensions, including both phylogenetic and functional. Then, it relates these aspects of biodiversity to another dimension, the spectral diversity captured by remote sensing instruments operating at scales from leaf to canopy to biome. The biodiversity community has needed a Rosetta Stone to translate between the language of satellite remote sensing and its resulting spectral diversity and the languages of those exploring the phylogenetic diversity and functional trait diversity of life on Earth. By assembling the vital translation, this volume has globalized our ability to track biodiversity state and change. Thus, a global problem meets a key component of the global solution. The editors have cleverly built the book in three parts. Part 1 addresses the theory behind the remote sensing of terrestrial plant biodiversity: why spectral diversity relates to plant functional traits and phylogenetic diversity. Starting with first principles, it connects plant biochemistry, physiology, and macroecology to remotely sensed spectra and explores the processes behind the patterns we observe. Examples from the field demonstrate the rising synthesis of multiple disciplines to create a new cross-spatial and spectral science of biodiversity. Part 2 discusses how to implement this evolving science. It focuses on the plethora of novel in-situ, airborne, and spaceborne Earth observation tools currently and soon to be available while also incorporating the ways of actually making biodiversity measurements with these tools. It includes instructions for organizing and conducting a field campaign. Throughout, there is a focus on the burgeoning field of imaging spectroscopy, which is revolutionizing our ability to characterize life remotely. Part 3 takes on an overarching issue for any effort to globalize biodiversity observations, the issue of scale. It addresses scale from two perspectives. The first is that of combining observations across varying spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions for better understanding—that is, what scales and how. This is an area of ongoing research driven by a confluence of innovations in observation systems and rising computational capacity. The second is the organizational side of the scaling challenge. It explores existing frameworks for integrating multi-scale observations within global networks. The focus here is on what practical steps can be taken to organize multi-scale data and what is already happening in this regard. These frameworks include essential biodiversity variables and the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON). This book constitutes an end-to-end guide uniting the latest in research and techniques to cover the theory and practice of the remote sensing of plant biodiversity. In putting it together, the editors and their coauthors, all preeminent in their fields, have done a great service for those seeking to understand and conserve life on Earth—just when we need it most. For if the world is ever to construct a coordinated response to the planetwide crisis of biodiversity loss, it must first assemble adequate—and global—measures of what we are losing

    Remote Sensing of Plant Biodiversity

    Get PDF
    This Open Access volume aims to methodologically improve our understanding of biodiversity by linking disciplines that incorporate remote sensing, and uniting data and perspectives in the fields of biology, landscape ecology, and geography. The book provides a framework for how biodiversity can be detected and evaluated—focusing particularly on plants—using proximal and remotely sensed hyperspectral data and other tools such as LiDAR. The volume, whose chapters bring together a large cross-section of the biodiversity community engaged in these methods, attempts to establish a common language across disciplines for understanding and implementing remote sensing of biodiversity across scales. The first part of the book offers a potential basis for remote detection of biodiversity. An overview of the nature of biodiversity is described, along with ways for determining traits of plant biodiversity through spectral analyses across spatial scales and linking spectral data to the tree of life. The second part details what can be detected spectrally and remotely. Specific instrumentation and technologies are described, as well as the technical challenges of detection and data synthesis, collection and processing. The third part discusses spatial resolution and integration across scales and ends with a vision for developing a global biodiversity monitoring system. Topics include spectral and functional variation across habitats and biomes, biodiversity variables for global scale assessment, and the prospects and pitfalls in remote sensing of biodiversity at the global scale

    Conference proceedings of the 14th International Postgraduate Research Conference 2019 : contemporary and future directions in the Built Environment

    Get PDF
    Conference Proceedings of the 14th International Postgraduate Research Conference 2019: Contemporary and Future Directions in the Built Environmen
    corecore