SiC Nanorods Grown on Electrospun Nanofibers Using Tb as Catalyst: Fabrication, Characterization, and Photoluminescence Properties

Well-crystallizedβ-SiC nanorods grown on electrospun nanofibers were synthesized by carbothermal reduction of Tb doped SiO2(SiO2:Tb) nanofibers at 1,250 °C. The as-synthesized SiC nanorods were 100–300 nm in diameter and 2–3 μm in length. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results suggested that the growth of the SiC nanorods should be governed by vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism with Tb metal as catalyst. Tb(NO3)3particles on the surface of the electrospun nanofibers were decomposed at 500 °C and later reduced to the formation of Tb nanoclusters at 1,200 °C, and finally the formation of a Si–C–Tb ally droplet will stimulate the VLS growth at 1,250 °C. Microstructure of the nanorod was further investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that SiC <111> is the preferred initial growth direction. The liquid droplet was identified to be Si86Tb14, which acted as effective catalyst. Strong green emissions were observed from the SiC nanorod samples. Four characteristic photoluminescence (PL) peaks of Tb ions were also identified

Identifying protein complexes directly from high-throughput TAP data with Markov random fields

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Predicting protein complexes from experimental data remains a challenge due to limited resolution and stochastic errors of high-throughput methods. Current algorithms to reconstruct the complexes typically rely on a two-step process. First, they construct an interaction graph from the data, predominantly using heuristics, and subsequently cluster its vertices to identify protein complexes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We propose a model-based identification of protein complexes directly from the experimental observations. Our model of protein complexes based on Markov random fields explicitly incorporates false negative and false positive errors and exhibits a high robustness to noise. A model-based quality score for the resulting clusters allows us to identify reliable predictions in the complete data set. Comparisons with prior work on reference data sets shows favorable results, particularly for larger unfiltered data sets. Additional information on predictions, including the source code under the GNU Public License can be found at http://algorithmics.molgen.mpg.de/Static/Supplements/ProteinComplexes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We can identify complexes in the data obtained from high-throughput experiments without prior elimination of proteins or weak interactions. The few parameters of our model, which does not rely on heuristics, can be estimated using maximum likelihood without a reference data set. This is particularly important for protein complex studies in organisms that do not have an established reference frame of known protein complexes.</p

Centralizer's applications to the (b, c)-inverses in rings

[EN] We give several conditions in order that the absorption law for one sided (b,c)-inverses in rings holds. Also, by using centralizers, we obtain the absorption law for the (b,c)-inverse and the reverse order law of the (b,c)-inverse in rings. As applications, we obtain the related results for the inverse along an element, Moore-Penrose inverse, Drazin inverse, group inverse and core inverse.This research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 11771076 and no. 11871301). The first author is grateful to China Scholarship Council for giving him a scholarship for his further study in Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Spain.Xu, S.; Chen, J.; Benítez López, J.; Wang, D. (2019). Centralizer's applications to the (b, c)-inverses in rings. Revista de la Real Academia de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. 113(3):1739-1746. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13398-018-0574-0S173917461133Baksalary, O.M., Trenkler, G.: Core inverse of matrices. Linear Multilinear Algebra 58(6), 681–697 (2010)Benítez, J., Boasso, E.: The inverse along an element in rings with an involution, Banach algebras and $$C^*$$ C ∗ -algebras. Linear Multilinear Algebra 65(2), 284–299 (2017)Benítez, J., Boasso, E., Jin, H.W.: On one-sided $$(B, C)$$ ( B , C ) -inverses of arbitrary matrices. Electron. J. Linear Algebra 32, 391–422 (2017)Boasso, E., Kantún-Montiel, G.: The $$(b, c)$$ ( b , c ) -inverses in rings and in the Banach context. Mediterr. J. Math. 14, 112 (2017)Chen, Q.G., Wang, D.G.: A class of coquasitriangular Hopf group algebras. Comm. Algebra 44(1), 310–335 (2016)Chen, J.L., Ke, Y.Y., Mosić, D.: The reverse order law of the $$(b, c)$$ ( b , c ) -inverse in semigroups. Acta Math. Hung. 151(1), 181–198 (2017)Deng, C.Y.: Reverse order law for the group inverses. J. Math. Anal. Appl. 382(2), 663–671 (2011)Drazin, M.P.: Pseudo-inverses in associative rings and semigroups. Am. Math. Mon. 65, 506–514 (1958)Drazin, M.P.: A class of outer generalized inverses. Linear Algebra Appl. 436, 1909–1923 (2012)Drazin, M.P.: Left and right generalized inverses. Linear Algebra Appl. 510, 64–78 (2016)Jin, H.W., Benítez, J.: The absorption laws for the generalized inverses in rings. Electron. J. Linear Algebra 30, 827–842 (2015)Johnson, B.E.: An introduction to the theory of centralizers. Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. 14, 299–320 (1964)Ke, Y.Y., Cvetković-Ilić, D.S., Chen, J.L., Višnjić, J.: New results on $$(b, c)$$ ( b , c ) -inverses. Linear Multilinear Algebra 66(3), 447–458 (2018)Ke Y.Y., Višnjić J., Chen J.L.: One sided $$(b,c)$$ ( b , c ) -inverse in rings (2016). arXiv:1607.06230v1Liu, X.J., Jin, H.W., Cvetković-Ilić, D.S.: The absorption laws for the generalized inverses. Appl. Math. Comput. 219, 2053–2059 (2012)Mary, X.: On generalized inverse and Green’s relations. Linear Algebra Appl. 434, 1836–1844 (2011)Mary, X., Patrício, P.: Generalized inverses modulo $$\cal{H}$$ H in semigroups and rings. Linear Multilinear Algebra 61(8), 1130–1135 (2013)Mosić, D., Cvetković-Ilić, D.S.: Reverse order law for the Moore-Penrose inverse in $$C^*$$ C ∗ -algebras. Electron. J. Linear Algebra 22, 92–111 (2011)Rakić, D.S.: A note on Rao and Mitra’s constrained inverse and Drazin’s $$(b, c)$$ ( b , c ) -inverse. Linear Algebra Appl. 523, 102–108 (2017)Rakić, D.S., Dinčić, N.Č., Djordjević, D.S.: Group, Moore–Penrose, core and dual core inverse in rings with involution. Linear Algebra Appl. 463, 115–133 (2014)Wang, L., Castro-González, N., Chen, J.L.: Characterizations of outer generalized inverses. Can. Math. Bull. 60(4), 861–871 (2017)Wei, Y.M.: A characterization and representation of the generalized inverse $$A^{(2)}_{T, S}$$ A T , S ( 2 ) and its applications. Linear Algebra Appl. 280, 87–96 (1998)Xu, S.Z., Benítez, J.: Existence criteria and expressions of the $$(b, c)$$ ( b , c ) -inverse in rings and its applications. Mediterr. J. Math. 15, 14 (2018)Zhu, H.H., Chen, J.L., Patrício, P.: Further results on the inverse along an element in semigroups and rings. Linear Multilinear Algebra 64(3), 393–403 (2016)Zhu, H.H., Chen, J.L., Patrício, P.: Reverse order law for the inverse along an element. Linear Multilinear Algebra 65, 166–177 (2017)Zhu, H.H., Chen, J.L., Patrício, P., Mary, X.: Centralizer’s applications to the inverse along an element. Appl. Math. Comput. 315, 27–33 (2017)Zhu, H.H., Zhang, X.X., Chen, J.L.: Centralizers and their applications to generalized inverses. Linear Algebra Appl. 458, 291–300 (2014

Chemical-mechanical effects in Ni-rich cathode materials

The implementation of Ni-rich cathodes with high energy density has been critically restrained by stress corrosion. Herein, crack-free LiNbO3-coated LiNi0.88Co0.10Mn0.02O2, as theoretically predicted, demonstrates highly reversible lithiation/delithiation. Mechanically, the phase transition (H1 → H2 → H3) is significantly alleviated by the excogitation of the interfacial force invoked by the LiNbO3 coating layer, as verified by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy. Meanwhile, the stabilities of the crystal structure are remarkably strengthened by the strong Nb-O bond activated by Nb5+ doping that is confirmed by Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction and differential capacitance curves. Chemically, the interface shielding effect is conducive to protecting the electrode against electrolyte corrosion along with subsequent transition-metal dissolution, ultimately rendering a faster/highly convertible lithium-ion diffusion. Greatly, the excellent electrochemical properties (74% capacity retention after 300 cycles at 2 C within 2.5-4.3 V) and structural stability (the morphology remains intact after 500 cycles at 5 C within 2.5-4.3 V) are successfully achieved. Given this, this elaborate work might inaugurate a potential avenue for rationally tuning the structure/interface evolution toward Ni-rich materials

Disparities and risks of sexually transmissible infections among men who have sex with men in China: a meta-analysis and data synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including Hepatitis B and C virus, are emerging public health risks in China, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). This study aims to assess the magnitude and risks of STIs among Chinese MSM. METHODS: Chinese and English peer-reviewed articles were searched in five electronic databases from January 2000 to February 2013. Pooled prevalence estimates for each STI infection were calculated using meta-analysis. Infection risks of STIs in MSM, HIV-positive MSM and male sex workers (MSW) were obtained. This review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO. RESULTS: Eighty-eight articles (11 in English and 77 in Chinese) investigating 35,203 MSM in 28 provinces were included in this review. The prevalence levels of STIs among MSM were 6.3% (95% CI: 3.5-11.0%) for chlamydia, 1.5% (0.7-2.9%) for genital wart, 1.9% (1.3-2.7%) for gonorrhoea, 8.9% (7.8-10.2%) for hepatitis B (HBV), 1.2% (1.0-1.6%) for hepatitis C (HCV), 66.3% (57.4-74.1%) for human papillomavirus (HPV), 10.6% (6.2-17.6%) for herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) and 4.3% (3.2-5.8%) for Ureaplasma urealyticum. HIV-positive MSM have consistently higher odds of all these infections than the broader MSM population. As a subgroup of MSM, MSW were 2.5 (1.4-4.7), 5.7 (2.7-12.3), and 2.2 (1.4-3.7) times more likely to be infected with chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HCV than the broader MSM population, respectively. CONCLUSION: Prevalence levels of STIs among MSW were significantly higher than the broader MSM population. Co-infection of HIV and STIs were prevalent among Chinese MSM. Integration of HIV and STIs healthcare and surveillance systems is essential in providing effective HIV/STIs preventive measures and treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO NO: CRD42013003721

Influence of Social and Behavioural Characteristics of Users on Their Evaluation of Subjective Loudness and Acoustic Comfort in Shopping Malls

A large-scale subjective survey was conducted in six shopping malls in Harbin City, China, to determine the influence of social and behavioural characteristics of users on their evaluation of subjective loudness and acoustic comfort. The analysis of social characteristics shows that evaluation of subjective loudness is influenced by income and occupation, with correlation coefficients or contingency coefficients of 0.10 to 0.40 (p<0.05 or p<0.01). Meanwhile, evaluation of acoustic comfort evaluation is influenced by income, education level, and occupation, with correlation coefficients or contingency coefficients of 0.10 to 0.60 (p<0.05 or p<0.01). The effect of gender and age on evaluation of subjective loudness and acoustic comfort is statistically insignificant. The effects of occupation are mainly caused by the differences in income and education level, in which the effects of income are greater than that of education level. In terms of behavioural characteristics, evaluation of subjective loudness is influenced by the reason for visit, frequency of visit, and length of stay, with correlation coefficients or contingency coefficients of 0.10 to 0.40 (p<0.05 or p<0.01). Evaluation of acoustic comfort is influenced by the reason for visit to the site, the frequency of visit, length of stay, and also season of visit, with correlation coefficients of 0.10 to 0.30 (p<0.05 or p<0.01). In particular, users who are waiting for someone show lower evaluation of acoustic comfort, whereas users who go to shopping malls more than once a month show higher evaluation of acoustic comfort. On the contrary, the influence of the period of visit and the accompanying persons are found insignificant

A cloud-based enhanced differential evolution algorithm for parameter estimation problems in computational systems biology

This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Cluster Computing. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10586-017-0860-1[Abstract] Metaheuristics are gaining increasing recognition in many research areas, computational systems biology among them. Recent advances in metaheuristics can be helpful in locating the vicinity of the global solution in reasonable computation times, with Differential Evolution (DE) being one of the most popular methods. However, for most realistic applications, DE still requires excessive computation times. With the advent of Cloud Computing effortless access to large number of distributed resources has become more feasible, and new distributed frameworks, like Spark, have been developed to deal with large scale computations on commodity clusters and cloud resources. In this paper we propose a parallel implementation of an enhanced DE using Spark. The proposal drastically reduces the execution time, by means of including a selected local search and exploiting the available distributed resources. The performance of the proposal has been thoroughly assessed using challenging parameter estimation problems from the domain of computational systems biology. Two different platforms have been used for the evaluation, a local cluster and the Microsoft Azure public cloud. Additionally, it has been also compared with other parallel approaches, another cloud-based solution (a MapReduce implementation) and a traditional HPC solution (a MPI implementation)Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad; DPI2014-55276-C5-2-RMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad; TIN2013-42148-PMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad; TIN2016-75845-PXunta de Galicia ; R2016/045Xunta de Galicia; GRC2013/05

Bayesian Markov Random Field Analysis for Protein Function Prediction Based on Network Data

Inference of protein functions is one of the most important aims of modern biology. To fully exploit the large volumes of genomic data typically produced in modern-day genomic experiments, automated computational methods for protein function prediction are urgently needed. Established methods use sequence or structure similarity to infer functions but those types of data do not suffice to determine the biological context in which proteins act. Current high-throughput biological experiments produce large amounts of data on the interactions between proteins. Such data can be used to infer interaction networks and to predict the biological process that the protein is involved in. Here, we develop a probabilistic approach for protein function prediction using network data, such as protein-protein interaction measurements. We take a Bayesian approach to an existing Markov Random Field method by performing simultaneous estimation of the model parameters and prediction of protein functions. We use an adaptive Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm that leads to more accurate parameter estimates and consequently to improved prediction performance compared to the standard Markov Random Fields method. We tested our method using a high quality S.cereviciae validation network with 1622 proteins against 90 Gene Ontology terms of different levels of abstraction. Compared to three other protein function prediction methods, our approach shows very good prediction performance. Our method can be directly applied to protein-protein interaction or coexpression networks, but also can be extended to use multiple data sources. We apply our method to physical protein interaction data from S. cerevisiae and provide novel predictions, using 340 Gene Ontology terms, for 1170 unannotated proteins and we evaluate the predictions using the available literature

Synthesis and Photoluminescence Property of Silicon Carbide Nanowires Via Carbothermic Reduction of Silica

Silicon carbide nanowires have been synthesized at 1400 °C by carbothermic reduction of silica with bamboo carbon under normal atmosphere pressure without metallic catalyst. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the silicon carbide nanowires. The results show that the silicon carbide nanowires have a core–shell structure and grow along <111> direction. The diameter of silicon carbide nanowires is about 50–200 nm and the length from tens to hundreds of micrometers. The vapor–solid mechanism is proposed to elucidate the growth process. The photoluminescence of the synthesized silicon carbide nanowires shows significant blueshifts, which is resulted from the existence of oxygen defects in amorphous layer and the special rough core–shell interface