Nanosystems Research Articles

Cell-membrane coated nanoparticles: Role of machine learning and applications in diagnosis and therapy

The advancement of biomedical technologies has introduced a promising approach for targeted drug delivery—utilizing nano and microscale systems. These compounds provide the potential for precise drug delivery to specific tissues, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic efficacy, thereby minimizing off-target effects and improving site-specific accumulation. They enable controlled release of therapeutic agents, reducing the systemic toxicity often associated with conventional drugs. This review particularly highlights the critical role of cell membrane-decorated nanocompounds (CDCs), which represent a significant innovation in this field. Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in enhancing the precision of CDCs, utilizing advanced algorithms to predict optimal delivery routes and release mechanisms. Moreover, AI-driven analytics are instrumental in the real-time monitoring and adjustment of drug release rates, ensuring maximum efficacy and patient safety. This review delves into the applications of CDCs, exploring their characterization, drug delivery potential, and future prospects, with a specific focus on how cell membrane coatings can revolutionize the landscape of drug delivery. Furthermore, the integration of AI in these processes is emphasized, particularly in how it can significantly impact future therapeutic strategies.

(Invited) Internal Photoemission (IPE) Spectroscopy Measurement of Interfacial Energy Barriers in Operating Metal/Insulator/Metal (MIM) and Metal/Ferroelectric/Metal (MFM) Devices

Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) and Metal/Ferroelectric/Metal (MFM) devices find application as high speed tunnel diodes for rectenna based energy harvesting and sensing of IR radiation, hot-electron transistors, single electron transistors, resistive random access memory (RRAM), back end of line (BEOL) capacitors, and ferroelectric tunnel junction (FTJ) diodes. Precise knowledge of band-offsets / energy barriers (φBn) at metal/insulator interfaces is critical for understanding, predicting, and optimizing charge transport in these devices.The Schottky-Mott rule, which neglects charge transfer across interfaces, states that the difference between the Fermi level of a metal (EF) and the conduction band of an insulator should vary simply with the metal vacuum work function (ΦM,vac) and the insulator electron affinity (χi) so that φBn = ΦM,vac - χi. In induced gap state theory, charge transfer at intrinsic interface traps creates an interfacial dipole that drives the EF towards the charge neutral level of the insulator (ECNL,i) the energy at which the dominant character of the interface states switches from donor-like to acceptor-like. A metal on an insulator will thus behave as if it has an effective work function (ΦM-eff) where ΦM,eff = ECNL,I + S(ΦM,vac - ECNL,i), where S = dφBn / dΦM,vac.1 Empirically, S = 1 / (1 + 0.1(εopt - 1)2), so that as the optical dielectric constant of the insulator (εhf) increases, S decreases from an ideal 1 towards 0 so that the insulator more effectively "pins" EFM at ECNL-i.2 Despite some success of MIGS theory, it is difficult to calculate or determine ECNL for a given material and it is observed that actual φBn's often deviate substantially from predictions. Indeed, φBn's depends on material processing, extrinsic effects (such as interfacial and near-interfacial trapped charge arising from point defects), dipoles (due to interfacial chemical reactions), and scavenging of oxygen from the insulator. Therefore, it is necessary to directly measure φBn for the specific metal/insulator or metal/ferroelectric combination in use. Internal photoemission (IPE) spectroscopy is an electro-optical technique that allows measurement of φBn at both metal interfaces in operating MIM & MFM devices.3-5 IPE is the only technique capable of measuring barrier heights, in-situ, in operating device structures. To date, relatively little work has been reported on IPE of these devices.6-12 In this invited talk, IPE spectroscopy measurements are described and measurements are presented of φBn's in MIM structures between insulators (Al2O3, HfO2, SiO2, NiO, CoOx) and ferroelectric HfZrOx deposited via atomic layer deposition (ALD) and various metals including ALD Ru, sputtered thin film amorphous metals (ZrCuAlNi, TaWSi, and TaNiSi), and benchmark metals (TaN, Al, and Au). Comparisons with electrical measurements on the same devices are found to be qualitatively consistent with φBns determined via IPE, even when inconsistent with Schottky model predictions, pointing to various non-idealities present in the materials and their interfaces and demonstrating the power of IPE for understanding and optimizing MIM & MFM device operation. C. Yeo, T.J. King, and C. Hu, J. Appl. Phys. 92, 7266 (2002).Mönch, Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 1260 (1987).K. Adamchuk and V. V. Afanas’ev, Prog. Surf. Sci. 41, 111 (1992).V. Afanas’ev and A. Stesmans, J. Appl. Phys. 102, 081301 (2007).V. Nguyen, O. A. Kirillov, and J. S. Suehle, Thin Solid Films 519, 2811 (2011).Afanas’ev, N. Kolomiiets, M. Houssa, and A. Stesmans, Phys. Status Solidi A 215, 1700865 (2017).V. Afanas’ev et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 98, 132901 (2011).A. Jenkins, T. Klarr, D. Z. Austin, W. Li, N. V. Nguyen, and J. F. Conley Jr., Phys. Status Solidi RRL – Rapid Res. Lett. 12, 1700437 (2018).A. Jenkins, J. M. McGlone, J. F. Wager, and J. F. Conley, Jr., J. Appl. Phys. 125, 055301 (2019).A. Jenkins, T. Klarr, J. M. McGlone, J. F. Wager, and J. F. Conley Jr., ECS Trans. 85, 729 (2018).A. Jenkins, K.E.K. Holden, S.W. Smith, M.T. Brumbach, M.D. Henry, C. Weiland, J.C. Woicik, S.T. Jaszewski, J.F. Ihlefeld, and J.F. Conley. ACS AMI 13, 14634 (2021).L. Peterson, T. Mimura, J. Ihlefeld, and J.F. Conley Jr., "Internal Photoemission (IPE) Spectroscopy Measurement of Electrode Energy Barriers in Pristine, Woken, and Poled Ferroelectric HZO MFM Devices," in the American Vacuum Society (AVS) Workshop for Innovative Nano Devices and Systems (WINDS) Book of s, Kona, HI, Dec. 2023.

The effect of dual antioxidant modification on oxidative stress resistance and anti-dysfunction of non-split HDL and recombinant HDL

Recombinant high-density lipoprotein (rHDL) as anti-atherosclerosis (AS) vehicle has unique advantages including multiple anti-atherogenic functions and homing features to plaques. However, rHDL may be converted into dysfunctional forms due to complex treatment during preparation. Herein, oxidation-induced dysfunction of non-split HDL and rHDL was initially investigated. It was found that although both non-split HDL and rHDL showed oxidative dysfunction behavior, non-split HDL demonstrated superior oxidation defense compared to rHDL due to its intact composition and avoidance of overprocessing such as split and recombination. Unfortunately, in vivo oxidative stress could compromise the functionality of HDL. Therefore, surface engineering of non-split HDL and rHDL with cascade antioxidant enzyme analogues Ebselen and mitochondrial-targeted TPGS-Tempo was conducted to construct a dual-line defense HDL nano system (i.e., T@E-HDLs/rHDL), aiming to restore plaque redox balance and preserving the physiological function of HDL. Results indicated that both T@E-HDLs and rHDLs performed without distinction and exhibited greater resistance to oxidative stress damage as well as better functions than unmodified HDLs in macrophage foam cells. Overall, the modification of dual antioxidants strategy bridges the gap between non-split HDL and rHDL, and provides a promising resolution for the dilemmas of oxidative stress in plaques and HDL self dysfunction.

Sampling rare events using nanostructures for universal Pt neural network potential

The density functional theory (DFT) data-driven approach to generating potential energy surfaces using machine learning has been proven to quickly and accurately predict the molecular and crystal structures of various elements. However, training databases consisting of hundreds of well-known symmetric structures have shown fatal weaknesses in calculating amorphous or nano-scale structures. Ab-initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations create a training set that compensates for these shortcomings, but there are still many rare event structures. Here we introduce a new method to easily enlarge the data diversity and dramatically reduce data points based on the highly defected nano structures for universal machine learned potential. Our potential applies to bulk and nano systems and has been shown to high accuracy and computational efficiency while requiring minimal DFT training data. The developed potential is expected to help observation of structural changes in the Pt-based nano-catalysts that have been difficult to simulate at the DFT-level.

A computational predictive model for nanozyme diffusion dynamics: optimizing nanosystem performance

PurposeEnzymes play a pivotal role in orchestrating essential biochemical processes and influencing various cellular activities in tissue. This paper aims to provide the process of enzyme diffusion within the tissue matrix and enhance the nano system performance by means of the effectiveness of enzymatic functions. The diffusion phenomena are also documented, providing chemical insights into the complex processes governing enzyme movement.Design/methodology/approachA computational analysis is used to develop and simulate an optimal control model using numerical algorithms, systematically regulating enzyme concentrations within the tissue scaffold.FindingsThe accompanying videographic footages offer detailed insights into the dynamic complexity of the system, enriching the reader’s understanding. This comprehensive exploration not only contributes valuable knowledge to the field but also advances computational analysis in tissue engineering and biomimetic systems. The work is linked to biomolecular structures and dynamics, offering a detailed understanding of how these elements influence enzymatic functions, ultimately bridging the gap between theoretical insights and practical implications.Originality/valueA computational predictive model for nanozyme that describes the reaction diffusion dynamics process with enzyme catalysts is yet not available in existing literature.

Oral administration of encapsulated catechin in chitosan-alginate nanoparticles improves cognitive function and neurodegeneration in an aluminum chloride-induced rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of catechin-loaded Chitosan-Alginate nanoparticles (NPs) on cognitive function in an aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The Catechin-loaded Chitosan-Alginate nanocarriers were synthesized through ionotropic gelation (IG) method. Physio-chemical characterization was conducted with the Zetasizer Nano system, the scanning electron microscope, and the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The experiments were performed over 21 days on six groups of male Wistar rats. The control group, AlCl3 treated group, Catechin group, nanocarrier group, treatment group 1 (AlCl3 + Catechin), and treatment group 2 (AlCl3 + nanocarrier). A behavioral study was done by the Morris water maze (MWM) test. In addition, the level of oxidative indices and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity was determined by standard procedures at the end of the study. AlCl3 induced a significant increase in AChE activity, along with a significant decrease in the level of Catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the hippocampus. Moreover, the significant effect of AlCl3 was observed on the behavioral parameters of the MWM test. Both forms of Catechin markedly improved AChE activity, oxidative biomarkers, spatial memory, and learning. The present study indicated that the administration of Catechin-loaded Chitosan-Alginate NPs is a beneficial therapeutic option against behavioral and chemical alteration of AD in male Wistar rats.

Unveiling the Preparation and Characterization of Lercanidipine Hydrochloride in an Oral Solid Self-Nanoemulsion for Enhancing Oral Delivery.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, particularly among the elderly, along with an increase in the incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular disorders. Developing lipid-based oral dosage forms with a higher expected bioavailability of antihypertensive drugs with nephroprotective effects poses a challenge. Lercanidipine hydrochloride (LRCH) is a newer type of third-generation dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that functions as an antihypertensive and has significant nephroprotective effects. Due to its extensive first-pass metabolism, its bioavailability is about 10% and increases to 3-4 times when taken with a high-fat meal. Targeting this drug to the lymphatic system using the solid self-nano-emulsifying drug delivery system (SSNEDDS) is a promising approach for improving LRCH's bioavailability and dispersion rate. SSNEDDS combines the benefits of both liquid self-emulsifying and solid dosage forms, improving drug stability and extending storage time. In this study, liquid SNEDDS composed of 10% peppermint oil, 67% Tween 20, and 22.5% propylene glycolwas solidified using two adsorbent agent mixtures (SSNEDDS1: Avicel PH 101 and Aerosil 200) and (SSNEDDS2: Avicel PH 102 and Aerosil 200) separately. The prepared formulations were evaluated for powder flow, drug content, and an in-vitro dispersion test in comparison to the brand-marketed tablet as a standard or pure drug. DSC and X-ray diffraction analysis were also used. The SSNEDDS2 shows excellent flowability, a higher drug content (99.761%), and a significantly higher and faster dispersion rate of 100% within 10 minutes compared to 92% of the marketed LRCH tablet and 18.1% of the pure drug for 60 minutes. The solid-state characterization of the formulation composed of SSNEDDS2 confirmed that the LRCH was in an amorphous form inside the solidified nano system without interacting with the excipient. This study successfully prepared LRCH using the promising strategy of SSNEDDS as a hard gelatin capsule with a higher dispersion rate. It improved its stability and expected bioavailability compared to the brand-marketed tablet as the standard.

Quad-functioning parity layout for nanocomputing: A QCA design

Quantum dot cellular automata (QCA) is considered an alternative to conventional technologies like CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) technology due to its potential for lower power consumption, higher speed, and increased device density. QCA introduces a novel approach to designing nano communication circuits and systems. Nano communications data mistakes are detected via parity generators and checkers. The parity bit of each data block ensures that the number of 1′s is either even or odd. Consequently, the system requires four circuits: an even parity generator, an odd parity generator, an even parity checker, and an odd parity checker. The whole system requires more space and cell complexity. In this work, we propose a QCA architecture that serves as a generator for both even and odd parities, as well as a checker for both even and odd parities. It is a quad-functioning circuit that performs four distinct operations within a single design, utilizing 118 QCA cells and occupying an area of 0.17 μm2. The recommended approach uses an efficient XOR gate, resulting in improvements across several performance metrics. QCAPro calculates energy dissipation and design parameters. The recommended QCA circuit outperformed similar QCA circuits in size, complexity, and energy dissipation. The circuit's design cost functions are also low. There has been a 17% reduction in latency and an 86% improvement in QCA-specific costs when compared to the optimal existing design. Moreover, it necessitates a 40% reduction in majority gate usage. The proposed design may compete effectively with other equivalent higher-order circuit designs by reducing the need for multiple blocks in conventional circuits to execute the same task. This architecture holds potential benefits for nano processors and nano communication networks.

Co-delivery Nano System of MS-275 and V-9302 Induces Pyroptosis and Enhances Anti-Tumor Immunity Against Uveal Melanoma.

In the treatment of uveal melanoma (UVM), histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have emerged as a promising epigenetic therapy. However, their clinical efficacy is hindered by the suboptimal pharmacokinetics and the strong self-rescue of tumor cells. To overcome these limitations, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive nanoparticles (NPs) are designed that encapsulate HDACi MS-275 and the glutamine metabolism inhibitor V-9302. Upon reaching the tumor microenvironment, these NPs can disintegrate, thereby releasing MS-275 to increase the level of ROS and V-9302 to reduce the production of glutathione (GSH) related to self-rescue. These synergistic effects lead to a lethal ROS storm and induce cell pyroptosis. When combined with programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibodies (α-PD-1), these NPs facilitate immune cell infiltration, improving anti-tumor immunity, converting "immune-cold" tumors into "immune-hot" tumors, and enhancing immune memory in mice. The findings present a nano-delivery strategy for the co-delivery of epigenetic therapeutics and metabolic inhibitors, which induces pyroptosis in tumors cells and improves the effectiveness of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Boosting TNBC immune checkpoint blockade with an imaging-therapy coupled ozone delivery nano system

Synchronizing therapy and diagnosis is an ideal mode for clinical treatment of localized disease, e.g., tumor. Here, we develop a diagnosis-therapy coupled sonodynamic nano delivery system ZSMT which is constructed with a TiO2 embedding hollow Mn-MOF. Loaded with perfluorohexane, the ZSMT nanoparticle is not only capable for carrying ozone as a ROS donor but also endowed with double modes of imaging, namely ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. The TiO2-Mn-MOF can efficiently generate ROS by sonodynamic catalyzing ozone. Moreover, fluorescent tracer indicates the ZSMT particle can be internalized by tumor cells. With the stimulation of ultrasound, ozone carried ZSMT potently inhibits cell proliferation and promotes immunogenic cell death in vitro and in vivo by inducing a mitochondrial related cell death. Remarkably, combination of ultrasound-responsive ozone catalytic nano system and PD-1 blockade systematically suppresses the tumor growth by reprogramming the immune microenvironment. In conclusion, our sonodynamic nano system not only proves the principle of drug administration strategy on “treat-as-you-see” but also provides a combo regimen of improving PD-1 blockade with precision localized antigen boosting.

Aqueous Supramolecular Transformations of Motor Bola-Amphiphiles at Multiple Length-Scale.

Molecular motor amphiphiles have already been widely attempted for dynamic nanosystems across multiple length-scale for developments of small functional materials, including controlling macroscopic foam properties, amplifying motion as artificial molecular muscles, and serving as extracellular matrix mimicking cell scaffolds. However, limiting examples of bola-type molecular motor amphiphiles are considered for constructing macroscopic biomaterials. Herein, this work presents the designed two second generation molecular motor amphiphiles, motor bola-amphiphiles (MBAs). Aside from the photoinduced motor rotation of MBAs achieved in both organic and aqueous media, the rate of recovering thermal helix inversion step can be controlled by the rotor part with different steric hindrances. Dynamic assembled structures of MBAs are observed under (cryo)-transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This dynamicity assists MBAs in further assembling as macroscopic soft scaffolds by applying a shear-flow method. Upon photoirradiation, the phototropic bending function of MBA scaffolds is observed, demonstrating the amplification of molecular motion into macroscopic phototropic bending functions at the macroscopic length-scale. Since MBAs are confirmed with low cytotoxicity, human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) can grow on the surface of MBA scaffolds. These results clearly demonstrate the concept of designing MBAs for developing photoresponsive dynamic functional materials to create new-generation soft robotic systems and cell-material interfaces.

A Briefly Survey in Electronics System Design

In this paper, it will be tried to briefely talk about electronic system design. In these 20 years, electronic system such as other sciences has improved. From analog and digital circuits toward nano bio systems. It will be discussed the main methods of electronic system design not only in analog and digital systems but also about nano and bio electronics systems.

Enhancing stem cell therapy efficacy with functional lignin modified cerium-iron nanozyme through magnetic resonance imaging tracking and apoptosis protection in inflammatory environment

Stem cell transplantation provides a promising approach for addressing inflammation and functional disorders. Nonetheless, the viability of these transplanted cells diminishes significantly within pathological environments, limiting their therapeutic potential. Moreover, the non-invasive tracking of these cells in vivo remains a considerable challenge, hampering the assessment of their therapeutic efficacy. Transition-metal oxide nanocrystals, known for their unique “enzyme-like” catalytic property and imaging capability, provide a new avenue for clinical application. In this study, the lignin as a biocompatible macromolecule was modified with poly (ethylene glycol) through chain-transfer polymerization, and then it was utilized to incorporate superparamagnetic iron oxide and cerium oxide nanocrystals creating a functional nanozyme. The iron oxide nanocrystals self-assembled into the hydrophobic core of nano system, while the in-situ mineralization of cerium oxide particles was carried out with the assistance of peripheral phenolic hydroxyl groups. The product, cerium‑iron core-shell nanozyme, enabled effective stem cells labeling through endocytosis and exhibited catalase and superoxide dismutase activities within the cells. As a result, it could scavenge highly destructive hydroxyl radicals and peroxyl radicals, shielding stem cells from apoptosis in inflammatory environment and maintaining their differentiation ability. Additionally, when these functionalized stem cells were administered to mice with acute inflammation, not only did they alleviate disease symptoms, but they also allowed for the visualization using T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. This innovative therapeutic approach provides a new strategy for combatting diseases.

Comparative properties of ZnO modified Au/Fe nanocomposite: electronic, dynamic, and locator annealing investigation.

A computational representation was used to model the doping and nanomodification of ZnO nanoparticles incorporated in Au/Fe nanocomposite. Au/Fe nanostructure was geometrically and discussed to investigate its electronic properties such electronic band structure and PDOS spectra. Moreover, the ZnO interacted with Au/Fe system was illustrated concerning the modified properties present on the surface of the nanocomposite as it may behave different attribution of band gap evaluated after ZnO modification included. Molecular dynamic simulation of the whole nano system was studied to predict the system stability concerning temperature and energy parameters during 100 ps simulation time. The most effective models under investigation were evaluated using adsorption annealing computations associated with the adsorption energy surface. A highly stable energetic adsorption system was anticipated by the periodic adsorption-annealing calculation. Au and Fe pure metals nanostructures were studied as a separate molecule with (0 0 1) plane surface for optimum energy minimization. Dmol3 module in/materials studio software was utilized for this protocol. The designed Au/Fe layers for nanostructure building material was computationally optimized, where DFT level was considered involving generalized gradient approximation (GGA) with Perdew-Burke-Ernzerh (PBE) exchange functional. In the computations of the structure matrix simulation, the global orbital cutoff was selected. To address the weak quantification of the standard DFT functionals, Tkatchenko-Schefer (TS) (DFT + D) was utilized to precisely correct the pairwise dispersion of the functionals. The electrical parameters were interpreted using the reciprocal space of the ultrasoft pseudopotential representation. To overcome the issues of self-electron interaction, the nonlocal hybrid functional with PBE0 method was utilized to calculate the electronic properties of the studied systems. The computations generated are predicated on a particular trajectory of the gamma k-point band energy interpolations proposed in this examination. An investigation into the position of adsorption came after geometric optimization. Adsorbed on an optimized Au/Fe surface, ZnO nanostructure was computationally explored using the Dmol3 simulation software.

Computational fluid dynamics based digital twins of fixed bed bioreactors validate scaling principles for recombinant adeno-associated virus gene therapy manufacturing.

Gene therapy using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) as delivery vehicles has garnered much interest in recent years. There are still significant gaps in our fundamental understanding of the manufacturing processes to deliver sufficient products. Manufacturing efforts of rAAV using HEK293 cells have commonly relied on fixed bed falling film bioreactors like the iCELLis®. We used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to validate the operating conditions required for a predictive iCELLis® 500 scale-down model. The small-scale and at-scale systems have different flow paths causing validation of the corresponding agitation rates required to achieve the same linear flow through the fixed bed across scales to be non-trivial. Therefore, we used CFD to predict the theoretical scaling relationship. In addition, CFD could predict kLa differences between the two systems and the operating conditions required to match kLa between scales. We also confirmed that the location of DO control must be the same in both systems to achieve proper scaling. Experimental runs confirming the validity of the novel scale-down model showed that based on the modifications to the iCELLis® Nano system, we achieved similar DO, key metabolite, pH, and GC titer trends in both systems.

Molecular dynamics simulation of dry sliding between non-Gaussian copper rough surfaces

Friction plays a significant role in the wear and tear of sliding metallic surfaces, particularly in gears and bearings employed in nano and micro electro-mechanical systems (NEMS/MEMS). To comprehend the nature of dry sliding friction in mechanical devices, it is crucial to investigate surface interactions at the nano-scale. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation has been utilized in this study to explore how asperities come into contact at this minute scale. Specifically, the interaction between two non-Gaussian rough surfaces is examined at varying dimensionless spacing (δ/Seq), ranging from 3.6 to 2.7. The von Mises strain, atomic wear, and changes in the atomic arrangement after sliding action are obtained for Cu-Cu (soft-to-soft) tribo-pair at a given sliding speed of 10 m/s. The average friction force on the lower surface increased when the space between surfaces was decreased. More percentage changes in surface topography are found for the lesser dimensionless spacing (δ/Seq) of 2.7. The changes in surface topography parameters during sliding action may have an immense effect on the performance of tribo-pair in NEMS/MEMS. A greater increase in autocorrelation length signifies a more pronounced flattening of the lower surface at the lower dimensionless spacing (δ/Seq).

Effect of surface functional groups of polystyrene micro/nano plastics on the release of NOM from flocs during the aging process

Currently, the hidden risk of microplastics in the coagulation process has attracted much attention. However, previous studies aimed at improving the removal efficiency of microplastics and ignored the importance of interactions between microplastics and natural organic matter (NOM). This study investigated how polystyrene micro/nano particles impact the release of NOM during the aging of flocs formed by aluminum-based coagulants Al13 and AlCl3. The results elucidated that nano-particles with small particle sizes and agglomerative states are more likely to interact with coagulants. After 7 years of floc aging, the DOC content of the nano system decreased by more than 40%, while the micron system did not change significantly. During coagulation, the benzene rings in polystyrene particles form complexes with electrophilic aluminum ions through π-bonding, creating new Al-O bonds. NOM tends to adsorb at micro/nano plastic interfaces due to hydrophobic interactions and conformational entropy. In the aging process, the structure of PS-Al13 or PS-AlCl3 flocs and the functional groups on the surface of micro/nano plastics control the absorption and release of organic matter through hydrophobic, van der Waals forces, hydration, and polymer bridging. In the system with the addition of nano plastics, several DBPs such as TCAA, DCAA, TBM, DBCM and nitrosamines were reduced by more than 50%. The reaction order of different morphological structures and surface functional groups of microplastics to Al13 and AlCl3 systems is aromatic C-H > C-OH > C-O > NH2 > aromatic CC > aliphatic C-H and C-O>H-CO> NH2 >C-OH> aliphatic C-H. The results provided a new sight to explore the effect of micro/nano plastics on the release of NOM during flocs aging.

EVALUATION OF A PROTOTYPE CUFFLESS MULTI-SENSOR DEVICE TO TRACK BLOOD PRESSURE CHANGES

Objective: Accurate measurements are essential if cuffless blood pressure (BP) devices are to be used in hypertension care. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of a prototype cuffless device (XXXXX) to track changes in BP compared to a non-invasive, continuous BP monitor (reference BP; Human NIBP Nano system, ADInstruments, Dunedin, New Zealand) in an experimental laboratory set up. Design and method: After ethical approval, three external techniques (Figure 1) to induce BP changes via different physiological mechanisms, were applied in 23 healthy subjects. Continuous data from the prototype cuffless device on the upper arm was obtained simultaneously with reference BP measurements. The cuffless device measures skin temperature, 3D acceleration, 3D angular velocity and photoplethysmography. Data from 16 of the participants were used to train a machine learning model, which was then used to estimate BP (15-second resolution) on data from 7 other participants. The cuffless BP device was calibrated once using brachial cuff BP measurement (WatchBP O3, Microlife, Cambridge, United Kingdom). The present study provides preliminary results from a larger on-going study designed to evaluate performance of the cuffless device according to ISO 81060-3:2022 standard. Results: A timeseries plot displaying BP measurements from the cuffless and the reference device is displayed in Figure 2. The mean error (± corrected standard deviation of error) was 2.4 (± 7.9) mmHg for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 1.7 (± 7.4) mmHg for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) for the accuracy requirement. The corresponding errors for stability requirements were 1.9 (± 8.1) and 1.9 (± 6.0) mmHg for SBP and DBP. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the prototype cuffless BP device could track BP changes with high accuracy in healthy subjects in a laboratory setting. The cuffless device fulfilled the acceptance criteria (± 6 (± 10) mmHg) for the accuracy and stability requirements from the ISO 81060-3:2022 standard. Further research is necessary to determine accuracy of the prototype cuffless BP device during real-life conditions as described in the 2023 ESH recommendations for the validation of cuffless devices.

Cyclodextrins and their potential applications for delivering vitamins, iron, and iodine for improving micronutrient status.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been investigated as potential biopolymeric carriers that can form inclusion complexes with numerous bioactive ingredients. The inclusion of micronutrients (e.g. vitamins or minerals) into cyclodextrins can enhance their solubility and provide oxidative or thermal stability. It also enables the formulation of products with extended shelf-life. The designed delivery systems with CDs and their inclusion complexes including electrospun nanofibers, emulsions, liposomes, and hydrogels, show potential in enhancing the solubility and oxidative stability of micronutrients while enabling their controlled and sustained release in applications including food packaging, fortified foods and dietary supplements. Nano or micrometer-sized delivery systems capable of controlling burst release and permeation, or moderating skin hydration have been reported, which can facilitate the formulation of several personal and skin care products for topical or transdermal delivery of micronutrients. This review highlights recent developments in the application of CDs for the delivery of micronutrients, i.e. vitamins, iron, and iodine, which play key roles in the human body, emphasizing their existing and potential applications in the food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals industries.

A Green and Self-Powered Internet of Things-based Energy Harvesting Nano systems

A Green and Self-Powered Internet of Things-based Energy Harvesting Nano systems