Traditional Design Strategy Research Articles

Highly selective and sensitive immunoassays for flurogestone acetate analysis in goat milk: From rational hapten design and antibody production to assay development

The preparation of high specificity and affinity antibodies is challenging due to limited information on characteristic groups of haptens in traditional design strategy. In this study, we first predicted characteristic groups of flurogestone acetate (FGA) using quantitative analysis of molecular surface combined with atomic charge distribution. Subsequently, FGA haptens were rationally designed to expose these identified characteristic groups fully. As a result, seven monoclonal antibodies were obtained with satisfactory performance, exhibiting IC50 values from 0.17 to 0.45 μg/L and negligible cross-reactivities below 1% to other 18 hormones. The antibody recognition mechanism further confirmed hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions involving predicted FGA characteristic groups and specific amino acids in the antibodies contributed to their high specificity and affinity. Finally, one selective and sensitive ic-ELISA was developed for FGA determination with a detection limit as low as 0.12 μg/L, providing an efficient tool for timely monitoring of FGA in goat milk samples.

Tuning Molecular Packing by Twisting Structure to Facilely Construct Highly Efficient Solid‐State Fluorophores for Two‐Photon Bioimaging and Photodynamic Therapy

AbstractThe traditional design strategy for constructing highly bright solid‐state luminescent materials relies on incorporating aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) scaffolds, molecular rotors, or bulky substituents to prevent close cofacial packing, which limits the strategy diversity in developing new materials. Herein, a strategy of tuning molecular packing by twisting molecular structure of conventional aggregation‐caused quenching fluorophore is proposed to endow materials with AIE effect and enhance the solid‐state fluorescence. Accordingly, a series of 1,4‐bis(diphenylamino)‐2,5‐disubstituted benzene fluorophores exhibiting AIE characteristics, high solid‐state fluorescence efficiency (up to 0.99), wide emission color tunability, and good near‐infrared (NIR) two‐photon absorption is facilely developed. All these luminogens can specifically stain intracellular lipid droplets with a high signal‐to‐noise ratio, high biocompatibility, and good photostability. Besides, the luminogens exhibit effective reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation capability upon low‐power white light irradiation. Among them, the AIE luminogen, named BDBDC, integrating the NIR emission, good NIR two‐photon absorption and strongest ROS generation demonstrates superior performances in two‐photon fluorescence imaging of various tissues and photodynamic cancer therapy. This molecular design philosophy provides a new way of designing highly bright solid‐state fluorophores for practical applications.

Enhancing chemical stability and performance in proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells through novel composite cathode design

Thermal and chemical compatibility between the cathode and electrolyte is crucial for the development of proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (H–SOFCs). To tackle this challenge, composite cathodes are often prepared by mixing traditional cathode materials with BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3+δ (BZCY) electrolyte material. However, it should be noted that BZCY has a propensity to react with water generated during cell operation. Thus, this article presents the recent findings on performance enhancement of H–SOFCs through the utilization of a novel composite cathode, consisting of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3+δ (LSCF) and La2-xNixCe2O7-δ (LNCOx) (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4). The novel composite LSCF-LNCO0.3 cathode has shown significant improvements in the catalytic activity and durability, achieving a maximum power density of 1283 mW cm−2 at 700 °C. Density functional theoretical calculation (DFT) results reveal that the Ni doping in La2Ce2O7+δ (LCO) can effectively reduce the proton migration energy and enhance hydration ability, thereby obtaining high cathode performance. Compared traditional cathode design strategy, a novel design strategy involving the adjustment of the electrolyte component shows great potential for further advancement in cell performance.

Heuristic-based optimization framework for customizable design of long-haul data center interconnect networks

With the widespread deployment of data centers, Internet service providers are expecting more efficient design strategies to build long-haul data center interconnect (DCI) networks. In this paper, we propose a heuristic-based optimization framework to design these networks. Through this framework, network designers can obtain a site-type design scheme that arranges customized site types such as in-line amplifiers, dynamic gain equalizers, optical terminal multiplexers, and electrical regenerators, and three strategies are provided for reference. Taking the quality of transmission as the main metric, and the overall cost of the network as the ancillary measurement, we compare the schemes obtained by the proposed framework against the baseline scheme obtained by a traditional periodic design strategy. Simulations are conducted on a topology of the Tencent DCI network. Under the condition that all schemes ensure that the minimum general signal-to-noise ratio (GSNR) remains above the given GSNR threshold, the schemes designed by our framework can achieve overall cost savings up to 25.73%.

A survey of sequential adaptive sampling strategy for transmission power loss measurement

Laboratory experiments for characterizing the power loss behavior in transmissions causes time and energy costs when performing the traditional factorial design strategy. This is because the space filling strategy may locate redundant samples with low information regarding the measurement targets. This article proposes a sequential adaptive sampling methodology for performing efficient and informative power loss measurements. The presented sampling methodology associates surrogate modeling based on a Gaussian Process approach with Subset Simulation. Gaussian Process Regression creates a statistical model with the estimation targets and the expression of uncertainty. Subset Simulation is applied to efficiently identify the regions where an objective function reaches a predefined critical threshold. The proposed adaptive sampling method is implemented for the real-time measurement of a 7-speed DCT on a drivetrain test bench. Compared to the traditional factorial design, the iterative adaption of the proposed method ensures an informative and effective measurement and an automatic termination with reduced time and energy cost.

On the Structure of a Quasi-Optimal Algorithm for Circuit Designing

The formulation of the process of analog system design has been done on the basis of the control theory application as the problem of a special functional minimization. This approach generalizes the design process and produces the different design trajectories inside the same optimization procedure. Numerical examples show that the potential computer time gain of the optimal design strategy with respect to the traditional design strategy increases when the size and the complexity of the system increase. Some properties of an additional acceleration effect of the design process were analyzed. The special selection of the optimization process start point provides the acceleration effect with a great probability. The positions of the optimal switch points of the control vector were found on the basis of the analysis of the special Lyapunov function of the design process. The combination of the acceleration effect with the start point preliminary selection and the optimal switch points of the control vector serve as the principal ideas to the time-optimal design algorithm construction.

Structural Optimization of Steel—Epoxy Asphalt Pavement Based on Orthogonal Design and GA—BP Algorithm

Fatigue cracks often occur in the deck asphalt pavement of steel bridges at the top of the longitudinal stiffening rib. To prevent this issue, the traditional design strategy of the steel bridge deck asphalt pavement structure was optimized, and a new approach is presented. This optimization technique exploits the strength simulation of the steel—epoxy asphalt pavement structure, and the stress concentration location is subsequently determined. A solid model of stress concentration including sensitive areas is then established. We examined the stress maximum point of the asphalt pavement layer at the top of the longitudinal stiffeners and the stress variation of the asphalt pavement layer at the top of the longitudinal stiffeners. To reduce the stress of the top pavement layer of the longitudinal stiffeners, an optimization method that combines orthogonal experimental design, neural network (BP), and genetic algorithm (GA) is presented. A design strategy for the steel—epoxy asphalt pavement structure and GA—BP optimization method was utilized to optimize the structure of the steel—epoxy asphalt pavement for Sutong Yangzi River Bridge. We confirmed that the presented approach improved fatigue reliability and established the efficacy of the design strategy and optimization method.

Parallel screening of drug-like natural compounds using Caco-2 cell permeability QSAR model with applicability domain, lipophilic ligand efficiency index and shape property: A case study of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors

The traditional drug design strategy centrally focuses on optimizing binding affinity with the receptor target and evaluates pharmacokinetic properties at a later stage which causes high rate of attrition in clinical trials. Alternatively, parallel screening allows evaluation of these properties and affinity simultaneously. In a case study to identify leads from natural compounds with experimental HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibition, we integrated various computational approaches including Caco-2 cell permeability QSAR model with applicability domain (AD) to recognize drug-like natural compounds, molecular docking to study HIV-1 RT interactions and shape similarity analysis with known crystal inhibitors having characteristic butterfly-like model. Further, the lipophilic properties of the compounds refined from the process with best scores were examined using lipophilic ligand efficiency (LLE) index. Seven natural compound hits viz. baicalien, (+)-calanolide A, mniopetal F, fagaronine chloride, 3,5,8-trihydroxy-4-quinolone methyl ether derivative, nitidine chloride and palmatine, were prioritized based on LLE score which demonstrated Caco-2 well absorption labeling, encompassment in AD structural coverage, better receptor affinity, shape adaptation and permissible AlogP value. We showed that this integrative approach is successful in lead exploration of natural compounds targeted against HIV-1 RT enzyme.

Enhanced optical performance of multifocal metalens with conic shapes

A multifocal metalens, which focuses incident light at multiple foci, has many applications in imaging systems and optical communications. However, the traditional design strategy of a multifocal metalens combines several lenses that have different focal points into a planar integrated unit, resulting in low imaging quality because of the high background noise. Here we show that the defects of the traditional method can be overcome by designing a metalens with conic shapes (the ellipse and the hyperbola); this approach could improve the imaging performance and substantially decrease the background noise of multifocal metalenses. These benefits arise from the intrinsic properties of the two conic curves, which can focus incident light constructively at all of the foci of the metalens. We further demonstrate that the proposed conic-shaped metalens can function well within a broadband operation wavelength that ranges from 600 to 900 nm with the dual polarity actively controlled by the incident circular polarized light. The great agreement between the experimental and simulation results demonstrates that our proposed metalens has significant potential for use in future integrated nanophotonic devices.

Characteristics study of an electronic systems design strategy

PurposeThis work seeks to present the theoretical study considerations and the characteristics of a general design methodology in optimal time for electronic systems using numerical methods and optimal control theory. Through this, the design problem of a system is formulated in terms of optimal control in minimal time.Design/methodology/approachThis general design methodology includes the traditional design strategy (TDS), and the modified traditional design strategy (MTDS), where the model of the system is part of the optimization procedure but an objective function of the optimization process is constructed such as includes the traditional objective function and some penalty functions that feign the model of the system. Many special control functions are introduced artificially to generalize the methodology and produce several design trajectories for the same optimization process – the first and final trajectories correspond to TDS and MTDS, respectively. The combination of these trajectories produce an infinite number of design strategies, some of these are quasi‐optimal in time and only one is optimal in time.FindingsQualitative and numeric results of this iterative process are generated in a personal computer in a C++ language elaborated with a visual C++ graphic user interface. An algorithm is constructed to form an optimal in time design strategy switching from a MTDS subset to a TDS subset. Results of measured times are analyzed, showing that there is a control input U, such that the objective function is minimized in a minimum time.Originality/valueThese ideas are proposed using method of gradient optimization and special acceleration effect.

An RF field pattern with improved B1 amplitude homogeneity

Providing uniform RF excitation across the sample is challenging in building high-field human MRI scanners. The traditional design strategy for the RF power transmission has been trying to achieve a spatial distribution of B1 that is as uniform as possible in amplitude and direction. The fundamental limitation of this approach is that a constant solution of B1 is not available from the Maxwell equations at radio frequencies. Here, a new design strategy is introduced that takes advantage of solutions of the Maxwell equations that have a B1 with uniform amplitude and varying direction in a lossless medium. In lossy media the B1 amplitude also varies in space, but there is no intrinsic penalty in the homogeneity due to increases of the real part of the wave vector at higher fields. We demonstrate how it might be realized for RF excitation through a computer simulation for a uniform medium. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 24B: 1–5, 2005

On time-optimal procedure for analog system design

The process of any analog system design has been formulated on the basis of the control theory application. This approach produces many different design strategies inside the same optimization procedure and allows determining the problem of the optimal design strategy existence from the computer time point of view. Different kinds of system design strategies have been evaluated from the operations number. The general methodology for the analog system design was formulated by means of the optimum control theory. The main equations for this design methodology were elaborated. These equations include the special control functions that are introduced artificially. This approach generalizes the design process and generates an infinite number of the different design strategies. The problem of the optimum design algorithm construction is defined as the minimum-time problem of the control theory. Numerical results of some electronic circuit design demonstrate the efficiency and perspective of the proposed methodology. These examples show that the computer time gain of the optimal design strategy with respect to the traditional design strategy increases when the size and complexity of the system increase. An additional acceleration effect of the design process has been discovered by the analysis of various design strategies with the different initial points. This effect is displayed for all analyzed circuits and it reduces additionally the total computer time for the system design.

Physics of Strength and Fracture Control: Adaptation of Engineering Materials and Structures

9R2. Physics of Strength and Fracture Control: Adaptation of Engineering Materials and Structures. - AA Komarovsky (Lab of Phys of Strength, Sci and Eng Center for Non-Traditional Technologies (SALUTA), Kiev, Ukraine). CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton FL. 2003. 639 pp. ISBN 0-8493-1151-9. $179.95.Reviewed by HW Haslach Jr (Dept of Mech Eng, Univ of Maryland, College Park MD 20742-3035).The safety of engineering structures depends on the designer’s ability to predict the resistance of solids to failure. The author believes that a new concept of the science of the resistance of materials is needed since existing techniques have been exhausted. In particular, because that author believes that all phenomena have an explanation, statistical methods of design are rejected. The focus of this book is on analysis of the interatomic bonds of a solid and their consequences for bulk behavior. A good theory of the non-equilibrium thermodynamics of solids is needed to understand the response of solids to forces, heat, magnetism, and other fields. In this book, the model given closely parallels the classical analysis of fluids. The internal pressure or stress in the solid is defined as the vector representing the resistance to volume change, P=dF/ds, where F is the force of atomic interaction and s is the surface areas enclosing a volume. The proposed thermodynamic equation of state is then PV=sN,V,T,PT, where s is the entropy vector and P is the magnitude of P. Apparent conflicts of vectors and scalars occur frequently in the equations of this book. The given derivation is quasi-static because it assumes that the body passes through a sequence of equilibrium states. The state of the solid is defined to be the shape of the rotos resulting from the solidi-fication process. A rotos is a closed dynamic cell of solids. The equation of state relates the temperature of the solid structure to its ability to generate resistance forces. Compressions are those atoms located on the decreasing portion of a bond force minimum and provide resistance under heat adsorption, and dilatons are those located on the increasing portion to a force maximum and offer resistance in heat radiation. The compression-dilaton pattern of the bonds in a structure determines its response to loads, temperature, and other environmental conditions. Dilaton materials resist compression while compression materials resist tension. Chapter 3 provides experimental verification of this relation and its influence on the size effect, stresses, and aging in the response of solids, in particular that of concrete. The traditional design strategy of increasing the size of a structure to support loads increases the number of cracks and the possibility of crack growth. The description of dynamic loading, durability, creep, and fatigue is developed from the equation of state to try to explain the physical nature of the time-dependent response. The increased resistance influences the initiation and propagation of cracks. Durability is related to entropy. The theory is claimed to be a generalization of the kinetic theory of strength which postulates that thermal fluctuations are key in breaking atomic bonds. In service, the equation of state describes how a structure is strongly influenced by environmental effects such as moisture, radiation, hydrogen embrittlement, and aging due to thermal and load fields. Fracture is attributed to what is called the Maxwell-Boltzmann factor (from the distribution of energy states), which describes the concentration density and energy of particles in a given region of the solid and which introduces stress-concentrations. As in classical fracture mechanics, breaking of bonds releases internal energy. Fracture is a thermally dependent process. Deformation and fracture always occur together; fracture is not due, as postulated by others, to the breaking of the weakest link. Fatigue life is again related to thermodynamic parameters through the equation of state. Fatigue is due to phase transitions in the compression-dilaton bond pattern. Two final chapters give applications to service life control and the theory of design. Methods of diagnosing the strength of the material described include thermography (emphasizing the thermal nature of internal stresses and strains), hardness, and durability analysis. The methods of adaptation of the materials to service conditions cover controlling the strength and fracture, heat treatment, use of compensating fields, and heterogeneity of the material. Physics of Strength and Fracture Control: Adaptation of Engineering Materials and Structures is a serious attempt to explain bulk structural behavior from the atomic structure. However, the confusion of vectors and scalars in the mathematical expressions for the equation of state often overshadows the physical insights presented. Specific detailed applications would have helped convince the reader that this design strategy can be carried out in practice.

Optimal planning of coastal wastewater treatment and disposal systems

Coastal wastewater treatment and ocean outfall facilities are usually planned as two separate subsystems in the traditional design strategy. The choice of a primary or secondary wastewater treatment process is intimately related to financial, land availability, and managerial factors. On the other hand, the design features of ocean outfall pipes are usually arranged based on the assimilative capacity in the nearby ocean environment and the given effluent quality from the wastewater treatment plant. The technical efforts in planning wastewater treatment and ocean outfall subsystems can be combined by considering the minimization of system costs and the maximization of utilization rate of environmental assimilative capacity. Moreover, the fluctuations of the speed of coastal currents over seasons may further minimize the long‐term operating costs. This strategy is especially effective for cities close to the deeper ocean. A nonlinear programming model is developed in this study to facilitate combined planni...