Importance of Standardizing Analytical Characterization Methodology for Improved Reliability of the Nanomedicine Literature

Understanding the interaction between biological structures and nanoscale technologies,dubbed the nano-bio interface,is required for successful development of safe and efficient nanomedicine products.The lack of a universal reporting system and decentralized methodologies for nanomaterial characterization have resulted in a low degree of reliability and reproducibility in the nanomedicine literature.As such,there is a strong need to establish a characterization system to support the reproducibility of nanoscience data particularly for studies seeking clinical translation.Here,we discuss the existing key standards for addressing robust characterization of nanomaterials based on their intended use in medical devices or as pharmaceuticals.We also discuss the challenges surrounding implementation of such standard protocols and their implication for translation of nanotechnology into clinical practice.We,however,emphasize that practical implementation of standard protocols in experimental laboratories requires long-term planning through integration of stakeholders including institutions and funding agencies.

The pitfalls in electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction for ammonia synthesis

Ammonia synthesis by electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction(EC-NRR)has gained momentum in recent years fueled by its potential to operate at ambient conditions,unlike the highly energyintensive yet long-standing Haber-Bosch process.However,the large disparity of the yields and Faradic efficiencies reported for EC-NRR raises serious concerns about the reliability of the experimental results.In this perspective,we elaborate on the potential sources of error when assessing EC-NRR and update the testing protocols to circumvent them,and more importantly,we pose a general call for consensus on ammonia production analysis and reporting to lay the solid foundations that this burgeoning field requires to thrive.

Protocol for Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Extraction of Imaging‑Derived Phenotypes from the China Phenobank Project

Imaging-derived phenotypes(IDPs)have been increasingly used in population-based cohort studies in recent years.As widely reported,magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)is an important imaging modality for assessing the anatomical structure and function of the brain with high resolution and excellent soft-tissue contrast.The purpose of this article was to describe the imaging protocol of the brain MRI in the China Phenobank Project(CHPP).Each participant underwent a 30-min brain MRI scan as part of a 2-h whole-body imaging protocol in CHPP.The brain imaging sequences included T1-magnetization that prepared rapid gradient echo,T2 fuid-attenuated inversion-recovery,magnetic resonance angiography,difusion MRI,and resting-state functional MRI.The detailed descriptions of image acquisition,interpretation,and post-processing were provided in this article.The measured IDPs included volumes of brain subregions,cerebral vessel geometrical parameters,microstructural tracts,and function connectivity metrics.

Comparison of pretreatment,preservation and determination methods for foliar pH of plant samples

To compare current methods of pretreatment/determination for plant foliar pH,we proposed a method for longperiod sample preservation with little interference with the stability of foliar pH.Four hundred leaf samples from 20 species were collected and four methods of pH determination were used:refrigerated(stored at 4°C for 4 days),frozen(stored at−16°C for 4 days),oven-dried and fresh green-leaf pH(control).To explore the effects of different leaf:water mixing ratio on the pH determination results,we measured oven-dried green-leaf pH by leaf:water volume ratio of 1:8 and mass ratio of 1:10,and measured frozen senesced-leaf pH by mass ratio of 1:10 and 1:15.The standard major axis regression was used to analyze the relationship and the conversion equation between the measured pH with different methods.Foliar pH of refrigerated and frozen green leaves did not signifcantly differ from that of fresh green-leaf,but drying always overrated fresh green-leaf pH.During the feld sampling,cryopreservation with a portable refrigerator was an advisable choice to get a precise pH.For long-duration feld sampling,freezing was the optimal choice,and refrigeration is the best choice for the shorttime preservation.The different leaf:water mixing ratio signifcantly infuenced the measured foliar pH.High dilution reduced the proton concentration and increased the measured pH.Our fndings provide the conversion relationships between the existing pretreatment and measurement methods,and establish a connection among pH determined by different methods.Our study can facilitate foliar pH measurement,thus contributing to understanding of this interesting plant functional trait.

Network Systems in CIM Environment

This paper discusses the architecture. protocol standards, and the design strategy of network systemsin the CIM environment. The first part describes problems in standardizing communication protocols, analyses communication attributes in the CIM environment. and explains our strategies. The second part presents the design ofthe CIMS/ERC network system and its traffic statistics.