A Fully Saturated Covalent Organic Framework.

We report the design and synthesis of the first aliphatic covalent organic framework (COF), NUS-119, and its subsequent conversion to NUS-120, marking the first fully saturated COF. NUS-119 is built by imine-linkages exhibiting high crystallinity and porosity, achieved by using a Lewis acid as a reaction modulator to circumvent compatibility issues between the Brønsted acid and the strong basic monomer. The structure was successfully solved using 3D microelectron diffraction (microED) techniques. NUS-119 and NUS-120 demonstrated remarkable catalytic performance in base-catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation reactions, exhibiting high conversion rates, excellent size selectivity, and good recyclability. This work advances the understanding of COF materials and paves the way for future research and applications.

Evolution of topological singularities below the light line in momentum space.

Polarization singularities that exist in momentum space have brought new opportunities in various fields such as enhanced optical nonlinearity, structured laser sources, and light field manipulation. However, previous researches have predominantly focused on the polarization singularities above the light line, because they have no leakage and are referred to bound states in the continuum. Here, by extending the polarization fields to Fourier components of the evanescent field on a dielectric metasurface, polarization singularities of different Fourier orders are discovered below the light line. When continuously changing the geometrical parameters of the metasurface, a Fourier order transition process of the polarization singularity is observed through the bandgap closing at the boundary of the Brillouin zone, which finally leads to the annihilation of two singularities with opposite topological charges below the light line. These findings expand the understanding of polarization singularities in the near-field region and may find applications in light field manipulation and light-matter interaction.

Estimating Air Change Rate in Mechanically Ventilated Classrooms Using a Single CO2 Sensor and Automated Data Segmentation.

With a growing emphasis on indoor air quality (IAQ) in educational environments, CO2 monitoring in classrooms has become commonplace. CO2 data can be used to estimate outdoor air change rate (ACH) based on the mass balance principle, which can be further linked to human health, performance, and building energy consumption. This study used a novel machine learning method to automatically segment CO2 concentration time series data into build-up, equilibrium, and decay periods, and then estimated classroom ACH using the corresponding CO2 mass balance equations. This method, applied to 40 classrooms in two mechanically ventilated K-6 schools, generated up to ten ACH estimates per day per classroom. A comparison with ACH calculated using the mechanical ventilation rates with 100% outdoor air reported by the building automation system during the study period reveals a slight underestimation by the decay and build-up methods, while the equilibrium method produced closer estimates. These differences may be attributed to uncertainties in occupancy, activity, CO2 emission rates, and air mixing. This research underscores the potential of leveraging CO2 data for more comprehensive IAQ assessments and highlights the challenges associated with accurately estimating ACH in real-world settings.

Association between physical activity and cardiovascular parameters in 7-year-old children: a Chinese cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) is believed to play an important part in many aspects during childhood and adolescence, especially cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic health. However, whether different levels of PA in daily life influence the structure or function of heart in school-aged children remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between PA and cardiovascular parameters in 7-year-old children. METHODS: Follow-up data from the Shanghai Prenatal Cohort Study and the Shanghai Birth Cohort was analyzed. Perinatal information including both maternal and offspring datum was recorded. A refined questionnaire was used to evaluate the frequency and duration of children's PA levels. Blood pressure, echocardiography, and anthropometry assessment were conducted during the follow-up of 7-year-old children. RESULTS: Overall, high PA level was associated with higher left ventricle posterior wall thickness in diastole (LVPWd, ß coefficient: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.61), higher left ventricle mass index (LVMI, ß = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.48), mitral E/a ratio (ß = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.71) and slower heart rate (ß = -0.32, 95% CI: -0.57, -0.07), compared to low PA level. Medium PA level was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP, ß = -0.18, 95% CI: -0.35, -0.01). In subgroup analysis, increased relative wall thickness (RWT) was found in high PA level boys (ß = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.67), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) showed a significant decrease in high PA level girls (ß = -0.42, 95% CI: -0.78, -0.06). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested non-athlete children having higher PA level were associated with thicker left ventricle (LV) walls and better LV diastolic function, as well as slower heart rate and DBP at the age of 7. Furthermore, disparity in the association between PA level with morphological heart patterns and blood pressure existed in different sex category.

Exploring the impact of prenatal perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure on blood pressure in early childhood: A longitudinal analysis.

Previous research investigating the correlation between prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and subsequent blood pressure (BP) in offspring has yielded limited and contradictory findings. This study was conducted to investigate the potential relationship between maternal PFAS levels during pregnancy and subsequent BP in early childhood. A total of 129 expectant mothers from the Shanghai Birth Cohort were included in the study. Using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, we measured ten PFAS compounds in maternal plasma throughout the pregnancy. When the children reached the age of 4, we examined their systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), along with mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP). Data interpretation employed multiple linear and logistic regression models, complemented by Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR).We found that the majority of PFAS concentrations remained stable during pregnancy. The linear and BKMR models indicated a positive relationship between the PFAS mixture in maternal plasma and offspring's DBP and MAP, with perfluorohexanesulphonic acid (PFHxS) having the most significant influence (PFHxS and DBP [first trimester:ß=3.03, 95%CI: (1.01,5.05); second trimester: ß=2.35, 95%CI: (0.94,3.75); third trimester: ß=2.57, 95%CI:(0.80,4.34)]; MAP [first trimester:ß=2.55, 95%CI: (0.64,4.45); second trimester: ß=2.28, 95%CI: (0.95,3.61); third trimester: ß=2.35, 95%CI:(0.68,4.01)]). Logistic regression highlighted an increased risk of prehypertension and hypertension in offspring with higher maternal PFHxS concentrations during all three trimesters [first trimester: OR=2.53, 95%CI:(1.11,5.79), second trimester: OR=2.05, 95%CI:(1.11,3.78), third trimester: OR=3.08, 95%CI:(1.40,6.79)]. A positive correlation was identified between the half-lives of PFAS and the odds ratio (OR) of prehypertension and hypertension in childhood (ß=0.139, P=0.010). In conclusion, this research found maternal plasma PFAS concentrations to be positively associated with BP in offspring, with PFHxS showing the most significant influence. This correlation remained consistent throughout pregnancy, and this effect was proportional to the half-lives of PFAS.

The association of gestational age and birthweight with blood pressure, cardiac structure, and function in 4 years old: a prospective birth cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence relating birthweight and gestational age to cardiovascular risk is conflicting. Whether these factors have independent or interactive impacts on cardiovascular parameters during early childhood remains unclear. The goal of this study was to explore whether there were any independent and interactive effects of gestational age and birthweight on blood pressure, left ventricle (LV) structure, and function in 4 years old. METHODS: This study included 1194 children in the Shanghai Birth Cohort from 2013 to 2016. Information about the mothers and children was recorded at time of birth using a questionnaire. Follow-up measurements, including anthropometric, blood pressure, and echocardiography, were taken between 2018 and 2021, when the children were 4 years old. Multiple linear or logistic regressions and restricted cubic spline were used to explore the association of birthweight and gestational age with cardiovascular measurements. RESULTS: Gestational age had a significant negative correlation with both systolic blood pressure [ß = - 0.41, 95% CI: (- 0.76, - 0.07)] and mean arterial pressure [ß = - 0.36, 95%CI: (- 0.66, - 0.07)]. The risk of prehypertension decreased with increased gestational age [OR = 0.54, 95% CI: (0.32, 0.93)]. The relationship between birthweight with blood pressure was U-shape (P for non-linear < 0.001). The wall thickness, volume, mass, and cardiac output of LV increased with birthweight, though the ejection fraction [ß = - 1.02, 95% CI: (- 1.76, - 0.27)] and shorten fraction [ß = 0.72, 95% CI: (- 1.31, - 0.14)] decreased with birthweight. The risk of LV hypertrophy was not associated with birthweight [OR = 1.59, 95% CI: (0.68, 3.73)]. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found different associations of birthweight and gestational age with cardiovascular measurements in the offspring at 4 years old. Gestational age influenced blood pressure independent of birthweight. Heart size and function at 4 years old was influenced mostly by birthweight and not by gestational age.

Association of Maternal Glucose Concentrations During Pregnancy With Cardiovascular Alterations in Early Childhood: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal hyperglycemia has been associated with cardiovascular disease risks in offspring. Previous studies were mostly conducted to test this association in pregnancies with (pre)gestational diabetes mellitus. However, the association may not be limited to populations with diabetes only. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the association between gestational glucose concentrations in women without (pre)gestational diabetes mellitus and childhood cardiovascular alterations at the age of 4 y. METHODS: Our study was based on the Shanghai Birth Cohort. Briefly, among 1016 nondiabetic mothers (age: 30.8 ± 3.42 y; BMI: 21.3 ± 2.94) and their offsprings (age: 4.41 ± 0.22 y; BMI: 15.0 ± 1.56; 53.0% males), results of maternal 1-h oral OGTT between 24 and 28 gestational weeks were obtained. Childhood blood pressure (BP) measurement, echocardiography, and vascular ultrasound were performed at 4 y old. Linear regression and binary logistic regression were conducted to test the association between maternal glucose and childhood cardiovascular outcomes. RESULTS: Compared with children from mothers with glucose concentrations in the lowest quartile, children from mothers in the highest quartile had higher BP (systolic: 97.0 ± 7.41 compared with 98.9 ± 7.82 mmHg, P = 0.006; diastolic: 56.8 ± 5.83 compared with 57.9 ± 6.03 mmHg, P = 0.051) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (92.5 ± 9.15 compared with 90.8 ± 9.16 %, P = 0.046). Also, higher maternal OGTT 1-h glucose concentrations across the full range were associated with higher childhood BP (systolic: ß: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.93; diastolic: ß: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.66). Logistic regression showed, compared with children from mothers in the lowest quartile, children from mothers in the highest quartile had a 58% (OR=1.58; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.47) higher odds of elevated systolic BP (≥90th percentile). CONCLUSIONS: In a population without (pre)gestational diabetes mellitus, higher maternal OGTT 1-h glucose were associated with childhood cardiovascular structure and function alterations. Further studies are needed to assess whether interventions to reduce gestational glucose will mitigate subsequent cardiometabolic risks in offspring.

Platform-agnostic electrochemical sensing app and companion potentiostat.

Electrochemical sensing is ubiquitous in a number of fields ranging from biosensing, to environmental monitoring through to food safety and battery or corrosion characterisation. Whereas conventional potentiostats are ideal to develop assays in laboratory settings, they are in general, not well-suited for field work due to their size and power requirements. To address this need, a number of portable battery-operated potentiostats have been proposed over the years. However, most open source solutions do not take full advantage of integrated circuit (IC) potentiostats, a rapidly evolving field. This is partly due to the constraining requirements inherent to the development of dedicated interfaces, such as apps, to address and control a set of common electrochemical sensing parameters. Here we propose the PocketEC, a universal app that has all the functionalities to interface with potentiostat ICs through a user defined property file. The versatility of PocketEC, developed with an assay developer mindset, was demonstrated by interfacing it, via Bluetooth, to the ADuCM355 evaluation board, the open-source DStat potentiostat and the Voyager board, a custom-built, small footprint potentiostat based around the LMP91000 chip. The Voyager board is presented here for the first time. Data obtained using a standard redox probe, Ferrocene Carboxylic Acid (FCA) and a silver ion assay using anodic stripping multi-step amperometry were in good agreement with analogous measurements using a bench top potentiostat. Combined with its Voyager board companion, the PocketEC app can be used directly for a number of wearable or portable electrochemical sensing applications. Importantly, the versatility of the app makes it a candidate of choice for the development of future portable potentiostats. Finally, the app is available to download on the Google Play store and the source codes and design files for the PocketEC app and the Voyager board are shared via Creative Commons license (CC BY-NC 3.0) to promote the development of novel portable or wearable applications based on electrochemical sensing.

Estimating Indoor Pollutant Loss Using Mass Balances and Unsupervised Clustering to Recognize Decays.

Low-cost air quality monitors are increasingly being deployed in various indoor environments. However, data of high temporal resolution from those sensors are often summarized into a single mean value, with information about pollutant dynamics discarded. Further, low-cost sensors often suffer from limitations such as a lack of absolute accuracy and drift over time. There is a growing interest in utilizing data science and machine learning techniques to overcome those limitations and take full advantage of low-cost sensors. In this study, we developed an unsupervised machine learning model for automatically recognizing decay periods from concentration time series data and estimating pollutant loss rates. The model uses k-means and DBSCAN clustering to extract decays and then mass balance equations to estimate loss rates. Applications on data collected from various environments suggest that the CO2 loss rate was consistently lower than the PM2.5 loss rate in the same environment, while both varied spatially and temporally. Further, detailed protocols were established to select optimal model hyperparameters and filter out results with high uncertainty. Overall, this model provides a novel solution to monitoring pollutant removal rates with potentially wide applications such as evaluating filtration and ventilation and characterizing indoor emission sources.

Perfluoroalkyl substances in umbilical cord blood and blood pressure in offspring: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Humans are widely exposed to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have been found to be associated with various adverse birth outcomes. As blood pressure (BP) is an important parameter reflecting cardiovascular health in early life, it is necessary to investigate the association of PFAS exposure during early lifetime and BP in childhood. Therefore, we investigated the potential association between PFAS levels in umbilical cord blood and BP of the offspring at 4 years of age in a prospective cohort study. METHODS: PFAS in umbilical cord blood samples after birth were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry in the Shanghai Birth Cohort. BP was measured at 4 years of age in the offspring. Multiple linear regression model was used to investigate the association between individual PFAS level and BP of the offspring. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was used to analyze the relationship between the PFAS mixture and BP of the offspring, while weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression was utilized for sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: A total of 129 mother-child pairs were included in our analysis. In multiple linear regressions, we observed that long-chain PFAS, mainly including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUA), was negatively associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). BKMR showed that an increase in umbilical cord blood PFAS mixture levels was significantly associated with a decrease in SBP, DBP and MAP [Estimated differences (SD): -0.433 (0.161); -0.437 (0.176); -0.382 (0.179), respectively]. The most important component in the association with SBP, DBP, and MAP was PFUA. PFDoA was found to be positively associated with SBP, DBP and MAP in both models. Sensitivity analysis with WQS regression showed consistent results. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that umbilical blood PFAS exposure was negatively associated with BP in offspring at 4 years of age, including SBP, DBP, and MAP.

Polarization-Dependent Purcell Enhancement on a Two-Dimensional h-BN/WS2 Light Emitter with a Dielectric Plasmonic Nanocavity.

Integrating two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) into dielectric plasmonic nanostructures enables the miniaturization of on-chip nanophotonic devices. Here we report on a high-quality light emitter based on the newly designed 2D h-BN/WS2 heterostructure integrated with an array of TiO2 nanostripes. Different from a traditional strongly coupled system such as the TMDCs/metallic plasmonic nanostructure, we first employ dielectric nanocavities and achieve a Purcell enhancement on the nanoscale at room temperature. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the light emission strength can be effectively controlled by tuning the polarization configuration. Such a polarization dependence meanwhile could be proof of the resonant energy transfer theory of dipole-dipole coupling between TMDCs and a dielectric nanostructure. This work gains experimental and simulated insights into modified spontaneous emission with dielectric nanoplasmonic platforms, presenting a promising route toward practical applications of 2D semiconducting photonic emitters on a silica-based chip.

Associations of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus with alterations in cardiovascular system in early childhood.

AIMS: The association of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with childhood cardiovascular alterations is not well established. This study aims to test the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to GDM is associated with vascular and cardiac alterations in early childhood. METHODS: In a population-based prospective cohort among 1094 mothers and their offspring, GDM was diagnosed according to the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria. Childhood blood pressure (BP) measurement, echocardiography and vascular ultrasound were performed using standardised methods at 4 years old. The associations between maternal GDM and childhood cardiovascular outcomes were modelled using linear regression and binary logistic regression. Mediation analysis was conducted to test the potential mediators. RESULTS: Maternal GDM was associated with higher systolic BP (SBP; ß, 1.20; [0.11, 2.28]), lower left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD; ß, -0.36; [-0.71, -0.01]), lower end-diastolic volume (EDV; ß, -1.42; [-2.71, -0.13]) and increased risk of high blood pressure (HBP, OR = 1.522; 95% CI, 1.023 to 2.264) in offspring at the age of 4 years. After stratification by sex, the association remained strong only in male offspring (SBP: ß, 1.94; [0.37, 3.51]; LVEDD: ß, -0.60; [-1.09, -0.12]; EDV: ß, -2.09; [-3.86, -0.31]; HBP: OR = 1.797; 95% CI, 1.063 to 3.037) and was independent of maternal and child characteristics. However, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) was not associated with maternal GDM. Mediation analysis showed that the effects on childhood cardiovascular alterations were attributable mostly to the direct effects of maternal GDM. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence that maternal GDM is associated with offspring cardiovascular adaptations at preschool age. Further studies are needed to replicate our results and the long-term effect of these adaptations on later cardiovascular risks needs further investigation.

Exosomal AP000439.2 from clear cell renal cell carcinoma induces M2 macrophage polarization to promote tumor progression through activation of STAT3.

BACKGROUND: Tumorigenic phenotype of M2 tumor-associated macrophages promote tumor progression in response to exosomes cues imposed by tumor cells. However, the effect and underlying mechanisms of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)-derived exosomes (ccRCC-exo) on instructing macrophages phenotype remains unclear. METHODS: Macrophages were cocultured with ccRCC-exo and then evaluate the polarization of macrophages and migration of ccRCC cells. The effect and mechanism of lncRNA AP000439.2 overexpressed or deleted exosomes on macrophages M2 polarization were examined. Xenograft tumor mice model was used for in vivo validation. RESULTS: The ccRCC-exo significantly activated macrophages to M2 phenotype presented by increased expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) at mRNA and protein levels, and these M2 macrophages in turn facilitating the migration of ccRCC cells. LncRNA AP000439.2 was highly enriched in the ccRCC-exo. Overexpression of exosomal AP000439.2 promoted M2 macrophage polarization whereas AP000439.2-deficient exosome had the opposite effects. Nuclear-localized AP000439.2 directly interacted with signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) proteins and phosphorylated STAT3 in macrophages. RNA-Seq results showed overexpression of AP000439.2 activated NF-κB signaling pathway. Silencing of STAT3 suppressed overexpression of AP000439.2-induced up-regulation of TGF-ß and IL-10 expression, and p65 phosphorylation. AP000439.2-deleted exosome inhibited tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSION: Exosomes from ccRCC deliver AP000439.2 to promote M2 macrophage polarization via STAT3, thus enhancing ccRCC progression, indicating exosomal AP000439.2 might be a novel therapeutic target in ccRCC. Video Abstract.

The impact of emissions from an essential oil diffuser on cognitive performance.

Essential oil products are increasingly used in indoor environments and have been found to negatively contribute to indoor air quality. Moreover, the chemicals and fragrances emitted by those products may affect the central nervous system and cognitive function. This study uses a double-blind between-subject design to investigate the cognitive impact of exposure to the emissions from essential oil used in an ultrasonic diffuser. In a simulated office environment where other environmental parameters were maintained constant, 34 female and 25 male university students were randomly allocated into four essential oil exposure scenarios. The first two scenarios contrast lemon oil to pure deionized water, while the latter two focus on different levels of particulate matter differentiated by HEPA filters with non-scented grapeseed oil as the source. Cognitive function was assessed using a computer-based battery consisting of five objective tests that involve reasoning, response inhabitation, memory, risk-taking, and decision-making. Results show that exposure to essential oil emissions caused shortened reaction time at the cost of significantly worse response inhabitation control and memory sensitivity, indicating potentially more impulsive decision-making. The cognitive responses caused by scented lemon oil and non-scented grapeseed oil were similar, as was the perception of odor pleasantness and intensity.

An Introduction to the Benchmarking and Publications for Non-Targeted Analysis Working Group.

Non-targeted analysis (NTA) encompasses a rapidly evolving set of mass spectrometry techniques aimed at characterizing the chemical composition of complex samples, identifying unknown compounds, and/or classifying samples, without prior knowledge regarding the chemical content of the samples. Recent advances in NTA are the result of improved and more accessible instrumentation for data generation and analysis tools for data evaluation and interpretation. As researchers continue to develop NTA approaches in various scientific fields, there is a growing need to identify, disseminate, and adopt community-wide method reporting guidelines. In 2018, NTA researchers formed the Benchmarking and Publications for Non-Targeted Analysis Working Group (BP4NTA) to address this need. Consisting of participants from around the world and representing fields ranging from environmental science and food chemistry to 'omics and toxicology, BP4NTA provides resources addressing a variety of challenges associated with NTA. Thus far, BP4NTA group members have aimed to establish a consensus on NTA-related terms and concepts and to create consistency in reporting practices by providing resources on a public Web site, including consensus definitions, reference content, and lists of available tools. Moving forward, BP4NTA will provide a setting for NTA researchers to continue discussing emerging challenges and contribute to additional harmonization efforts.

Growth patterns in early childhood and cardiovascular structure and function at 4 years old: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Childhood overweight and obesity are lifetime risk factors for cardiovascular disease but the relationship between dynamic body mass index (BMI) change and cardiovascular structure and function in early childhood remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cohort study consisted 525 participants with 6 distinct representative growth patterns to examine the associations between BMI growth patterns and subsequent cardiovascular structure and function at age 4. BMIs were obtained at birth, 2 and 4 years old. Cardiovascular assessments were performed, including blood pressure (BP), cardiac geometric parameters, left ventricular (LV) function, speckle-tracking, integrated backscatter analysis and carotid intima-media thickness. Compared to the stable normal BMI pattern, children with the stable overweight (OW) pattern had significantly greater LV anatomic parameters in fully adjusted models. Children with the catch-up (CU) pattern revealed a uniform trend and had poorer strain. LV diameters and integrated backscatter signals were larger for those with BMI gain and lose pattern. Children with BMI lose pattern showed improved tendency involving LV mass index and BP. Both OW and CU patterns were associated with high systolic BP [odds ratio (95% CI): OW: 3.67 (1.08, 12.47); CU: 4.24 (1.75, 10.28)]. Compared to static BMI measurements at birth, 2 and 4 years old, dynamic BMI growth patterns were more predictive of cardiovascular structure and function at 4. CONCLUSIONS: Children with overweight-related BMI growth patterns in early childhood experienced undesirable cardiovascular functional or structural changes as early as 4 years old, indicating that early intervention is needed and potentially beneficial.

Volatile organic compound and particulate matter emissions from an ultrasonic essential oil diffuser.

Ultrasonic essential oil diffusers (EODs) are a popular type of indoor scenting source. We performed a chamber study in which we measured the emissions from EODs used with lemon, lavender, eucalyptus, and grapeseed oils. Over the course of 15 min, the most abundant VOCs released from lemon, lavender, eucalyptus, and grapeseed oils were 2.6 ± 0.7 mg of d-limonene, 3.5 ± 0.4 mg of eucalyptol, 1.0 ± 0.1 mg of linalyl acetate, and 0.2 ± 0.02 mg of linalyl acetate, respectively. Each oil had a unique particulate matter (PM) emission profile in terms of size, number density, and rate. The dominant size ranges of the PM were 10-100 nm for lemon oil, 50-100 nm for lavender oil, 10-50 nm for lemon oil, and above 200 nm for grapeseed oil. PM1 emission rates of approximately 2 mg/h, 0.1 mg/h, and 3 mg/h, were observed for lemon, lavender/eucalyptus, and grapeseed oils, respectively. A fivefold increase in PM1 emission was measured when the EOD with eucalyptus oil was filled with tap water as opposed to deionized water. Modeling suggests that reasonable use cases of EODs can contribute substantially to primary and secondary PM in indoor environments, but this potential varies depending on the oil and water types used.

Event Encryption for Neuromorphic Vision Sensors: Framework, Algorithm, and Evaluation.

Nowadays, our lives have benefited from various vision-based applications, such as video surveillance, human identification and aided driving. Unauthorized access to the vision-related data greatly threatens users' privacy, and many encryption schemes have been proposed to secure images and videos in those conventional scenarios. Neuromorphic vision sensor (NVS) is a brand new kind of bio-inspired sensor that can generate a stream of impulse-like events rather than synchronized image frames, which reduces the sensor's latency and broadens the applications in surveillance and identification. However, the privacy issue related to NVS remains a significant challenge. For example, some image reconstruction and human identification approaches may expose privacy-related information from NVS events. This work is the first to investigate the privacy of NVS. We firstly analyze the possible security attacks to NVS, including grayscale image reconstruction and privacy-related classification. We then propose a dedicated encryption framework for NVS, which incorporates a 2D chaotic mapping to scramble the positions of events and flip their polarities. In addition, an updating score has been designed for controlling the frequency of execution, which supports efficient encryption on different platforms. Finally, extensive experiments have demonstrated that the proposed encryption framework can effectively protect NVS events against grayscale image reconstruction and human identification, and meanwhile, achieve high efficiency on various platforms including resource-constrained devices.

FTRLIM: Distributed Instance Matching Framework for Large-Scale Knowledge Graph Fusion.

Instance matching is a key task in knowledge graph fusion, and it is critical to improving the efficiency of instance matching, given the increasing scale of knowledge graphs. Blocking algorithms selecting candidate instance pairs for comparison is one of the effective methods to achieve the goal. In this paper, we propose a novel blocking algorithm named MultiObJ, which constructs indexes for instances based on the Ordered Joint of Multiple Objects' features to limit the number of candidate instance pairs. Based on MultiObJ, we further propose a distributed framework named Follow-the-Regular-Leader Instance Matching (FTRLIM), which matches instances between large-scale knowledge graphs with approximately linear time complexity. FTRLIM has participated in OAEI 2019 and achieved the best matching quality with significantly efficiency. In this research, we construct three data collections based on a real-world large-scale knowledge graph. Experiment results on the constructed data collections and two real-world datasets indicate that MultiObJ and FTRLIM outperform other state-of-the-art methods.

Phytophthora infestans RXLR Effectors Target Parallel Steps in an Immune Signal Transduction Pathway.

The potato (Solanum tuberosum) blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans delivers Arg-X-Leu-Arg (RXLR) effector proteins into host cells to subvert plant immune responses and promote colonization. We show that transient expression and stable transgenic expression of the RXLR effector Pi22926 in Nicotiana benthamiana promotes leaf colonization by P. infestans. Pi22926 suppresses cell death triggered by coexpression of the Cladosporium fulvum avirulence protein Avr4 and the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) resistance protein Cf4. Pi22926 interacts with a potato mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase, StMAP3Kß2, in the nucleoplasm. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of the ortholog NbMAP3Kß2 in N. benthamiana enhances P. infestans colonization and attenuates Cf4/Avr4-induced cell death, indicating that this host protein is a positive regulator of immunity. Cell death induced by Cf4/Avr4 is dependent on NbMAP3Kε and NbMAP3Kß2, indicating that these MAP3Ks function in the same signaling pathway. VIGS of NbMAP3Kß2 does not compromise cell death triggered by overexpression of MAP3Kε. Similarly, VIGS of NbMAP3Kε does not attenuate cell death triggered by MAP3Kß2, demonstrating that these MAP3K proteins function in parallel. In agreement, Pi22926 or another RXLR effector, PexRD2, only suppresses cell death triggered by expression of StMAP3Kß2 or StMAP3Kε, respectively. Our data reveal that two P. infestans effectors, PexRD2 and Pi22926, promote P. infestans colonization by targeting MAP3K proteins that act in parallel in the same signal transduction pathway.