PhANNs, a fast and accurate tool and web server to classify phage structural proteins.

For any given bacteriophage genome or phage-derived sequences in metagenomic data sets, we are unable to assign a function to 50-90% of genes, or more. Structural protein-encoding genes constitute a large fraction of the average phage genome and are among the most divergent and difficult-to-identify genes using homology-based methods. To understand the functions encoded by phages, their contributions to their environments, and to help gauge their utility as potential phage therapy agents, we have developed a new approach to classify phage ORFs into ten major classes of structural proteins or into an "other" category. The resulting tool is named PhANNs (Phage Artificial Neural Networks). We built a database of 538,213 manually curated phage protein sequences that we split into eleven subsets (10 for cross-validation, one for testing) using a novel clustering method that ensures there are no homologous proteins between sets yet maintains the maximum sequence diversity for training. An Artificial Neural Network ensemble trained on features extracted from those sets reached a test F1-score of 0.875 and test accuracy of 86.2%. PhANNs can rapidly classify proteins into one of the ten structural classes or, if not predicted to fall in one of the ten classes, as "other," providing a new approach for functional annotation of phage proteins. PhANNs is open source and can be run from our web server or installed locally.

Fetoscopy-Assisted Percutaneous Decompression of the Distal Trachea and Lungs Reverses Hydrops Fetalis and Fetal Distress in a Fetus with Laryngeal Atresia.

We present a case of prenatal hydrops secondary to congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) that was treated with fetoscopy-assisted needle decompression. A 22-year-old G3P2 woman presented after a 21-week ultrasound demonstrated CHAOS. The fetus developed hydrops at 25 weeks, characterized by abdominal ascites, pericardial effusion, and scalp edema. Fetal MRI showed complete obstruction of the glottis and subglottic airway, suggestive of laryngeal atresia. At 27 weeks, due to the progression of the hydrops, operative fetoscopy was proposed and performed. Fetal laryngoscopy confirmed fusion of the vocal cords and laryngeal atresia. The atretic segment was a solid cartilaginous block, preventing intubation. Using the fetoscope to stabilize the fetal head and neck, we performed ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle drainage of the cervical trachea through the anterior fetal neck. We removed 17 mL of viscous fluid from the lower trachea, resulting in immediate lung decompression. Two weeks later, ultrasound confirmed hydrops resolution. The patient was delivered and tracheostomy performed at 30 weeks via an ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure after progression of preterm labor. At 27 days of life, the infant was stable on minimal ventilator support. To our knowledge, this is the first successful report of an ultrasound-guided percutaneous tracheal decompression through the anterior neck of a fetus with CHAOS secondary to laryngeal atresia.

Cardio-Obstetrics Team-Based Management of a Pregnant Patient With Severe Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Disease.

A 38-year-old pregnant patient was managed by the cardio-obstetrics multidisciplinary team for severe degenerative bioprosthetic aortic valve failure. She was medically managed utilizing echocardiogram and brain natriuretic peptide until she demonstrated worsening heart failure. A valve and cardio-obstetrics team evaluation led to valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement at 30 weeks' gestation.

Superflux of an organic adlayer towards its local reactive immobilization.

On-surface mass transport is the key process determining the kinetics and dynamics of on-surface reactions, including the formation of nanostructures, catalysis, or surface cleaning. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) localized on a majority of surfaces dramatically change their properties and act as reactants in many surface reactions. However, the fundamental question "How far and how fast can the molecules travel on the surface to react?" remains open. Here we show that isoprene, the natural VOC, can travel ~1 µm s-1, i.e., centimeters per day, quickly filling low-concentration areas if they become locally depleted. We show that VOC have high surface adhesion on ceramic surfaces and simultaneously high mobility providing a steady flow of resource material for focused electron beam synthesis, which is applicable also on rough or porous surfaces. Our work established the mass transport of reactants on solid surfaces and explored a route for nanofabrication using the natural VOC layer.

Can the use of pulsed direct current induce oscillation in the applied pressure during spark plasma sintering?

The spark plasma sintering (SPS) process is known for its rapid densification of metals and ceramics. The mechanism behind this rapid densification has been discussed during the last few decades and is yet uncertain. During our SPS experiments we noticed oscillations in the applied pressure, related to a change in electric current. In this study, we investigated the effect of pulsed electrical current on the applied mechanical pressure and related changes in temperature. We eliminated the effect of sample shrinkage in the SPS setup and used a transparent quartz die allowing direct observation of the sample. We found that the use of pulsed direct electric current in our apparatus induces pressure oscillations with the amplitude depending on the current density. While sintering Ti samples we observed temperature oscillations resulting from pressure oscillations, which we attribute to magnetic forces generated within the SPS apparatus. The described current-pressure-temperature relations might increase understanding of the SPS process.

Lead-Free BF-BT Ceramics With Ultrahigh Curie Temperature for Piezoelectric Accelerometer.

Piezoelectric ceramics have been widely used in high precision sensors such as vibration detection, but piezoelectric accelerometers in high-temperature applications are very rare. We prepared ( 1- x ) BiFeO3- x BaTiO3-0.0035MnO2-0.001Li2CO3(BF- x BT) ceramics by a solid state approach, and investigated the effect of BT content( x ) on the phase structure, microstructure, dielectric properties, ferroelectric properties, piezoelectric properties, temperature stability, and especially the sensitivity of the piezoelectric accelerometer. The crystal structure of the sample is pure perovskite structure with the MPB (R and P phases) locating in a composition range of 0.28 ≤ x ≤ 0.32 for BF-xBT ceramics, and the single R phase exist at . When x = 0.30, the ceramic presents both high Curie temperature and d33 . Notably, the sensitivity of BF-0.30BT piezoelectric accelerometer reaches the highest value of about 40 pC/g and shows an excellent stability until 400 °C, indicating that this material is a promising candidate for high-temperature piezoelectric accelerometer applications.

Enhanced Dielectric Energy Storage Performance of 0.45Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-0.55Sr0.7Bi0.2TiO3/AlN 0-3 Type Lead-Free Composite Ceramics.

Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NBT) ceramic is the promising dielectric material for energy storage devices due to its high maximum polarizability and temperature stability. However, its low breakdown strength limits its application. Here, we prepared 0-3 type composite 0.45Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-0.55Sr0.7Bi0.2TiO3/x wt % AlN (NBT-SBT/xAlN) to increase the breakdown strength. The effects of the various AlN contents on the phase composition, microstructures, dielectric, and energy storage properties of NBT-SBT were systematically discussed. The result showed that the enhanced energy storage properties were obtained by introducing AlN particles. The NBT-SBT/6AlN composite ceramics showed a high breakdown strength of 360 kV/cm, large energy density of 5.53 J/cm3, and energy efficiency of 90%. Meanwhile, the excellent frequency (10-500 Hz) and temperature stability (25-125 °C) were exhibited with the fluctuation of energy storage within 9% and energy efficiency more than 87%, suggesting that the 0-3 composite NBT-SBT/xAlN is a candidate dielectric material for the dielectric energy storage.

Ordered coalescence of nanocrystals: a path to strong macroporous nanoceramics.

A versatile approach for integrating two apparently conflicting physical properties, high porosity and high mechanical strength, in polycrystalline bulks is established and demonstrated for the case of alumina ceramics. Macroporous alumina nanoceramics are synthesized by stimulating coalescence-mediated necking, which enables the formation of strong crystallographically coherent necks between adjacent grains. The work places a general emphasis on manipulating crystal growth on the nanoscale and on preparing highly porous polycrystalline bulk ceramics with improved mechanical rigidity.

Case study: Reinforcement of 45S5 bioglass robocast scaffolds by HA/PCL nanocomposite coatings.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the mechanical enhancement provided by nanocomposite coatings deposited on robocast 45S5 bioglass (BG) scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration. In particular, a nanocomposite layer consisting of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles, as reinforcing phase, in a polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix was deposited onto the surface of the BG struts conforming the scaffold. Three different HA nanopowders were used in this study. The effect of particle size and morphology of these HA nanopowders on the mechanical performance of 45S5 BG scaffolds is evaluated.