Balancing the Initiation and Molecular Recognition Capabilities of Eosin Macroinitiators of Polymerization-Based Signal Amplification Reactions

Coupling polymerization initiators to molecular recognition events provide the ability to amplify these events and detect them using the formation of a cross-linked polymer as an inexpensive readout that is visible to the unaided eye. The eosin-tertiary amine co-initiation system, activated by visible light, has proven utility in this context when an average of three eosin molecules are coupled to a protein detection reagent. The present work addresses the question of how detection sensitivity is impacted when the number of eosin molecules per binding event increases in the range of two to fifteen. Unlike in other initiation systems, a non-monotonic relationship is observed between the number of initiators per binding event and the observed detection sensitivity.Burroughs Wellcome Fund (Career Award at the Scientific Interface)Massachusetts Institute of Technology. James H. Ferry Fund for Innovation in Research Educatio

Single-band and Dual-band Beam Switching Systems and Offset-fed Beam Scanning Reflectarray

The reflectarray has been considered as a suitable candidate to replace the conventional parabolic reflectors because of its high-gain, low profile, and beam reconfiguration capability. Beam scanning capability and multi-band operation of the microstrip reflectarray have been main research topics in the reflectarray design. Narrow bandwidth of the reflectarray is the main obstacle for the various uses of the reflectarray. The wideband antenna element with a large phase variation range and a linear phase response is one of the solutions to increase the narrow bandwidth of the reflectarray. A four beam scanning reflectarray has been developed. It is the offset-fed microstrip reflectarray that has been developed to emulate a cylindrical reflector. Unlike other microstrip reflectarrays which integrates phase tuning devices such as RF MEMS switches and another phase shifters to the reflectarray elements and control the reflected phase, the beam scanning capability of the reflectarray is implemented by a phased array feed antenna. This method can reduce the complexity of the design of the beam switching reflectarray. A simple method has been investigated to develop multi-band elements in this dissertation. In approach to increase the coverage of the operation bands, a six-band reflectarray has been developed with two layers. Each layer covers three frequency bands. A Butler matrix is one of the useful beamforming networks for a phased array antenna. A Double-Sided Parallel-Strip Line (DSPSL) is adapted for the feeding network of eight array elements. The DSPSL operate very well to feed the microstrip antenna array over the bandwidth to reduce the sidelobe level and a high gain. In another topic of a Butler matrix, a dual-band Butler matrix has been proposed for multi-band applications. A modified Butler matrix is used to reduce a size and a sidelobe level. The bandwidth of the microstrip antenna is inherently small. A broadband circularly polarized microstrip antenna with dual-offset feedlines is introduced in this dissertation. Aperture-coupled feed method is used to feed the stacked patch antennas and a slotcoupled directional coupler is used for the circularly polarized operation. The research presented in this dissertation suggests useful techniques for a beam scanning microstrip reflectarray, phased array antenna, and wideband antenna designs in the modern wireless communication systems

A Fast and Scalable Re-routing Algorithm based on Shortest Path and Genetic Algorithms J. Lee, J. Yang Jungkyu Lee

This paper presents a fast and scalable re-routing algorithm that adapts to dynamically changing networks. The proposed algorithm, DGA, integrates Dijkstra’s shortest path algorithm with the genetic algorithm. Dijkstra’s algorithm is used to define the predecessor array that facilitates the initialization process of the genetic algorithm. Then the genetic algorithm keeps finding the best routes with appropriate genetic operators under dynamic traffic situations. Experimental results demonstrate that DGA produces routes with less traveling time and computational overhead than pure genetic algorithm-based approaches as well as Dijkstra’s algorithm in largescale routing problems

Compositions and methods for detecting mycobacterium

The present disclosure provides methods of detecting mycobacterium in an individual, generally involving detecting antibody to a mycobacterial lipid in a biological sample obtained from the individual. The present disclosure further provides compositions and kits for carrying out the methodsThe present disclosure provides methods of detecting mycobacterium in an individual, generally involving detecting antibody to a mycobacterial lipid in a biological sample obtained from the individual. The present disclosure further provides compositions and kits for carrying out the method

Evaluating the sensitivity of hybridization-based epigenotyping using a methyl binding domain protein

Hypermethylation of CpG islands in gene promoter regions has been shown to be a predictive biomarker for certain diseases. Most current methods for methylation profiling are not well-suited for clinical analysis. Here, we report the development of an inexpensive device and an epigenotyping assay with a format conducive to multiplexed analysis.David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT (First-year Graduate Fellowship)National Science Foundation (U.S.). Graduate Research FellowshipBurroughs Wellcome Fund (Career Award at the Scientific Interface)National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Grant P30-ES002109)Massachusetts Institute of Technology. James H. Ferry Fund for Innovation in Research Educatio

Feature importance measures from random forest regressor using near-infrared spectra for predicting carbonization characteristics of kraft lignin-derived hydrochar

This study investigated the feature importance of near-infrared spectra from random forest regression models constructed to predict the carbonization characteristics of hydrochars produced by hydrothermal carbonization of kraft lignin. The model achieved high coefficients of determination of 0.989, 0.988, and 0.985 with root mean square errors of 0.254, 0.003, and 0.008 when predicting the carbon content, atomic O/C ratio, and H/C ratio, respectively. The random forest models outperformed the multilayer perceptron models for all predictions. In the feature importance analysis, the spectral regions at 1600–1800 nm, the first overtone of C–H stretching vibrations, and 2000–2300 nm, the combination bands, were highly important for predicting the carbon content and O/C predictions, whereas the region at 1250–1711 nm contributed to predicting H/C. The random forest models trained with the high-importance regions achieved better prediction performances than those trained with the entire spectral range, demonstrating the usefulness of the feature importance yielded by the random forest and the feasibility of selective application of the spectral data.This study was supported by the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute through the R&D Program for Forest Science Technology funded by the Korea Forest Service (Project No. 2020215D10-2122-AC01)

Tribological studies of micro/nanoscale thin solid films

Use of thin films has received significant attention in recent years because of their advantages in controlling friction and wear of the bulk material. There have been significant advances in modern applications such as in magnetic disks for data storage and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) with the introduction of thin solid films coated on substrates. However, due to harsh operating conditions and higher performance requirements, it is necessary to explore new materials and develop experimental and theoretical framework to better understand the coating system. In this work, five different topics in regard to thin solid films have been studied. First, the adhesion behavior of thin film layers in contact with a solid under shearing motion was investigated. Experimental results of pull-off adhesive forces using various coating materials show that adhesion can be controlled by choosing different coating materials with the aid of appropriate shearing force. Second, the mechanical and tribological properties for a novel material, La5Ca9Cu24O41 (LCCO), were evaluated, revealing that LCCO can be an attractive candidate as a nanothermal layer showing good tribological characteristics as well as thermal properties. Third, the contact behavior of thin films coated on substrate was investigated using a nanoindentation tester and a dynamic stiffness tester. When a hard layer is coated on a soft substrate, both asperity interaction and soft substrate deformation should be considered. Fourth, the wear behavior of a layered sphere at the sliding inception was analyzed based on the finite element approach. The relationships among potential wear, material properties, and normal load were obtained. Fifth, the yielding behavior of hafnium diboride (HfB2) hard coatings was studied showing that plastic deformation at the interface was the dominant failure mechanism of the HfB2 films