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In simple dyadic games such as rock, paper, scissors (RPS), people exhibit peculiar sequential dependencies across repeated interactions with a stable opponent. These regularities seem to arise from a mutually adversarial process of trying to outwit their opponent. What underlies this process, and what are its limits? Here, we offer a novel framework for formally describing and quantifying human adversarial reasoning in the rock, paper, scissors game. We first show that this framework enables a precise characterization of the complexity of patterned behaviors that people exhibit themselves, and appear to exploit in others. This combination allows for a quantitative understanding of human opponent modeling abilities. We apply these tools to an experiment in which people played 300 rounds of RPS in stable dyads. We find that although people exhibit very complex move dependencies, they cannot exploit these dependencies in their opponents, indicating a fundamental limitation in people’s capacity for adversarial reasoning. Taken together, the results presented here show how the rock, paper, scissors game allows for precise formalization of human adaptive reasoning abilities.

The low cost, simplicity, and ease of use of paper microfluidic devices have made them valuable medical diagnostics for applications from pregnancy testing to COVID-19 screening. Meanwhile, the increasing complexity of paper-based microfluidic devices is driving the need to produce new tools and methodologies that enable more robust biological diagnostics and potential therapeutic applications. A new design framework is being used to facilitate both research and fabrication of paper-based microfluidic biological devices to accelerate the investigative process and reduce material utilization and manpower. In this work we present a methodology for this framework to dynamically place and route microfluidic components in a nondiscrete design space where fluid volume usage, surface area utilization, and the timing required to perform specified biological assays are accounted for and optimized while also accelerating the development of potentially lifesaving new devices.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has been widely used to detect many infectious diseases. However, minor inconveniences during the steps of adding reaction ingredients and lack of simple color results hinder point-of-care detection. We therefore invented a fluorometric paper-based LAMP by incorporating LAMP reagents, including a biotinylated primer, onto a cellulose membrane paper, with a simple DNA fluorescent dye incubation that demonstrated rapid and accurate results parallel to quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods. This technology allows for instant paper strip detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the laboratory and clinical samples. MRSA represents a major public health problem as it can cause infections in different parts of the human body and yet is resistant to commonly used antibiotics. In this study, we optimized LAMP reaction ingredients and incubation conditions following a central composite design (CCD) that yielded the shortest reaction time with high sensitivity. These CCD components and conditions were used to construct the paper-based LAMP reaction by immobilizing the biotinylated primer and the rest of the LAMP reagents to produce the ready-to-use MRSA diagnostic device. Our paper-based LAMP device could detect as low as 10 ag (equivalent to 1 copy) of the MRSA gene mecA within 36-43 min, was evaluated using both laboratory (individual cultures of MRSA and non-MRSA bacteria) and clinical blood samples to be 100% specific and sensitive compared to qPCR results, and had 35 day stability under 25 °C storage. Furthermore, the color readout allows for quantitation of MRSA copies. Hence, this device is applicable for point-of-care MRSA detection.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has been widely used to detect many infectious diseases. However, minor inconveniences during the steps of adding reaction ingredients and lack of simple color results hinder point-of-care detection. We therefore invented a fluorometric paper-based LAMP by incorporating LAMP reagents, including a biotinylated primer, onto a cellulose membrane paper, with a simple DNA fluorescent dye incubation that demonstrated rapid and accurate results parallel to quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods. This technology allows for instant paper strip detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the laboratory and clinical samples. MRSA represents a major public health problem as it can cause infections in different parts of the human body and yet is resistant to commonly used antibiotics. In this study, we optimized LAMP reaction ingredients and incubation conditions following a central composite design (CCD) that yielded the shortest reaction time with high sensitivity. These CCD components and conditions were used to construct the paper-based LAMP reaction by immobilizing the biotinylated primer and the rest of the LAMP reagents to produce the ready-to-use MRSA diagnostic device. Our paper-based LAMP device could detect as low as 10 ag (equivalent to 1 copy) of the MRSA gene mecA within 36-43 min, was evaluated using both laboratory (individual cultures of MRSA and non-MRSA bacteria) and clinical blood samples to be 100% specific and sensitive compared to qPCR results, and had 35 day stability under 25 °C storage. Furthermore, the color readout allows for quantitation of MRSA copies. Hence, this device is applicable for point-of-care MRSA detection.

The low cost, simplicity, and ease of use of paper microfluidic devices have made them valuable medical diagnostics for applications from pregnancy testing to COVID-19 screening. Meanwhile, the increasing complexity of paper-based microfluidic devices is driving the need to produce new tools and methodologies that enable more robust biological diagnostics and potential therapeutic applications. A new design framework is being used to facilitate both research and fabrication of paper-based microfluidic biological devices to accelerate the investigative process and reduce material utilization and manpower. In this work we present a methodology for this framework to dynamically place and route microfluidic components in a nondiscrete design space where fluid volume usage, surface area utilization, and the timing required to perform specified biological assays are accounted for and optimized while also accelerating the development of potentially lifesaving new devices.

Little research has been conducted to examine the influence of various methods of providing nest materials-such as dispersing them, providing them as single units, or clustering them-on the behavior and welfare of group-housed mice. In this study, 6 wk-old C57BL/6NCrl mice were housed 3 per cage and randomized into 1 of 3 nest-material groups: 1) one facial tissue per cage (control; female mice, 3 cages; male mice, 3 cages); 2) an 8-g 'puck' of compressed nesting material and a facial tissue (females, 3 cages; males, 3 cages); or 3) 8 g of dispersed paper strips and a facial tissue (females, 3 cages; males, 3 cages). Mouse behavior (agonistic, stereotypic, nesting), physical examination data, and nest scores were evaluated over 16 d. The results showed that mice in the puck and control groups spent more time manipulating nest materials after cage changes than did mice in the paper-strip group. Average nest scores were highest in the paper-strip group compared with controls and puck cages. Female cages with pucks showed no barbering, whereas all other female mice cages demonstrated barbering. Overall, nest pucks may provide a time-consuming activity for mice and may help protect female C57BL/6 mice from barbering. However, more research is needed to replicate and expand these study results.

The Oakland EcoBlock project (EcoBlock) seeks to develop a microgrid within an existing city block in Oakland California as a demonstration project on the viability of retrofitting an existing block of residential and commercial buildings into a microgrid capable of islanding from the grid. EcoBlock has considered a variety of different potential regulatory frameworks that might accommodate the objectives of the project. Based on an analysis of current law, the working model has been to rely upon existing provisions within the Public Utilities Code that recognize the right of individuals to install and operate electric equipment outside of Commission regulation if the generation, storage and distribution of power is limited to the owners’ “own use.” This white paper examines the “own use” exemption in section 218 of the Public Utilities Code and explores its potential as well as its limitations in the context of microgrids and recent Commission action. In so doing, it touches upon the recently issued Microgrid Proceeding Proposed Decision (Microgrid PD), the Commission Staff paper upon which the PD is premised and issues that arise out of both. This white paper, however, is not intended to be a critique of either and, rather, is intended to prompt questions and reflections on how the policy decisions made in these documents will foster or retard the development of projects like EcoBlock.

The diversity and impact of the human microbiome has catalyzed interest in how microbial communities can be engineered for applications ranging from human health, to bioproduction and bioremediation. An important aspect of such a forward engineering approach is a detailed understanding of how inter-species bacterial competition affects community com-position and stability. In order to study this, I design a three-strain bacterial community that exhibits “rock-paper-scissors” competition dynamics. Using these engineered bacterial strains, I explore genetic stability, evolution in bacterial competition, and ecological stability. In Chapter Two, I discuss the construction and characterization of these “rock-paper-scissors” genetic circuits. I characterize the dynamics of the competition among strain pairs in microfluidic devices. Next, I integrate the “rock-paper-scissors” bacterial strains with the synchronized lysis circuit. When combined, this circuit exhibits both community level “rock-paper-scissors” dynamics, as well as population level synchronized lysis. In Chapter Three, I demonstrate that cyclical population control can be engineered to stabilize the functionality of intracellular gene circuits. The “rock-paper-scissors dynamic demonstrates rapid cycling of strains in microfluidic devices and leads to an increase in the stability of gene circuit functionality in cell culture. In Chapter Four, I use the “rock-paper-scissors” bacteria strains in order to study competition and community stability. I demonstrate that intrinsic differences in three major mechanisms of bacterial warfare lead to an unbalanced community that is dominated by the weakest strain. The engineering of active warfare between microbial species establishes a framework for exploration of the underlying principles that drive com-plex ecological interactions. In Chapter Five, I investigate bacterial competition between a toxin producing and sensitive wild type E. coli strain in a hybrid growth m

The Scripps-Rady Ocean Plastic Pollution Challenge was a unique 6-month accelerator program focused on identifying effective, evidence-based approaches to curb the flow of plastic into the ocean, with a specific focus on marine conservation and marine cultural preservation areas along California’s coast. The inaugural program ran January - June, 2021, and participants engaged in a series of virtual short courses, team-based research, and a final two-day challenge to pitch solutions to an expert panel.A key component of the Scripps-Rady Challenge was team-based research from March - May, 2021. Each team was assigned one of the following research topics: changing human behavior, evaluating policy solutions, and data mapping. Working closely with their dedicated mentors, teams researched various aspects of their respective topics such as a review of past efforts and programs, an identification of key stakeholders, and an analysis of major knowledge gaps.This document includes: 1) a synthesis of all the findings of the white papers, including a table that divides them by stakeholder groups, and 2) a summary of each paper’s major findings and recommendations.

The affordable, rapid, sensitive, specific biosensors are critical to prompt disease diagnosis, especially in developing areas with low resources. However, traditional technologies to detect disease biomarkers such as colorimetric lateral flow assays and polymerase chain reaction tests, suffer from low sensing performance, high operation complexity, high cost, and long assay time. Therefore, it is imperative to develop an affordable biosensing platform with high sensing performances and high user-friendliness to meet the ASSURED criteria (affordable, sensitive, specific, user-friendly, rapid and robust, equipment-free, and deliverable to end-users) for diagnostic tools in resource-limited areas. Hence, this research developed the paper-based microfluidic chemiresistive biosensors employing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and specific bioreceptors for the detection of important biomarkers in various biological samples. By synthesizing the pyrene carboxylic acid (PCA) modified SWCNTs and characterizing PCA/SWCNTs, we successfully fabricate the chemiresistors via facile methods of vacuum filtration and inkjet printing. Both fabrication methods enabled the control of PCA/SWNTs networks density on paper substrate. We optimized the biosensing performance by optimizing the sensitivity, assay time, and balanced material cost. With the final goal of developing the fully assembled devices for biomarker detections, we have also worked on the wax printing-patterned paper-based microfluidics with proper sealing materials to manipulate the microflows of samples and buffers for the controlled sample delivery during the test. We have investigated the paper-based microflows in both vertical and lateral directions and integrated with the chemiresistive biosensor arrays to achieve the fully assembled devices for the rapid and easy electrical measurements. Using the PCA/SWCNTs, specific bioreceptors, and paper-based microfluidics, the developed biosensors were able to detect im

Membraneless microfluidic fuel cells (MFCs) have garnered tremendous interest as micropower devices, which exploit the colaminar nature of two aqueous electrolytes to separate the anode and cathode and avoid the membrane usually used in a fuel cell. Our previous research shows that the performance of FeCl3-based MFCs with catalyst-free cathodes is mainly limited by the cathode. To improve the power output of these MFCs, we activated the carbon paper cathode by an electrochemical method in the three solutions (Na2SO4, NaOH, and H2SO4) to improve the electrochemical characteristics of the carbon paper cathode. The surface functionalities and defects, reduction activation of iron ions as the oxidant, cathode resistance, and performance of FeCl3-based MFCs were measured and compared. Our work shows that the electrochemical activation of the carbon paper in different solutions is a simple and effective method to enhance the electrochemical characteristics of the carbon paper cathode and improve the performance of the FeCl3-based MFC. Also, the MFC with the carbon paper cathode activated in the H2SO4 solution reaches the optimum performance: 235.6 mW cm-3 in volumetric power density and 1063.33 mA cm-3 in volumetric limiting current density, which are 1.58 and 1.52 times as much as that of a MFC with an untreated carbon paper cathode, respectively. This best performance can be attributed to the cathode activated in the H2SO4 solution with the largest number of oxygen-containing functional groups, the largest electrochemical active surface area, strongest reduction of iron ions, and least resistance of the cathode.

ObjectiveTo identify and highlight research papers representing noteworthy developments in signals, sensors, and imaging informatics in 2020.MethodA broad literature search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus databases. We combined Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms and keywords to construct particular queries for sensors, signals, and image informatics. We only considered papers that have been published in journals providing at least three articles in the query response. Section editors then independently reviewed the titles and abstracts of preselected papers assessed on a three-point Likert scale. Papers were rated from 1 (do not include) to 3 (should be included) for each topical area (sensors, signals, and imaging informatics) and those with an average score of 2 or above were subsequently read and assessed again by two of the three co-editors. Finally, the top 14 papers with the highest combined scores were considered based on consensus.ResultsThe search for papers was executed in January 2021. After removing duplicates and conference proceedings, the query returned a set of 101, 193, and 529 papers for sensors, signals, and imaging informatics, respectively. We filtered out journals that had less than three papers in the query results, reducing the number of papers to 41, 117, and 333, respectively. From these, the co-editors identified 22 candidate papers with more than 2 Likert points on average, from which 14 candidate best papers were nominated after intensive discussion. At least five external reviewers then rated the remaining papers. The four finalist papers were found using the composite rating of all external reviewers. These best papers were approved by consensus of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) Yearbook editorial board.ConclusionsSensors, signals, and imaging informatics is a dynamic field of intense research. The four best papers represent advanced approaches for combining, processing, modeling, and analyzing heterogene

As part of an investment by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the Government of Bihar to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition (RMNCHN) statewide, BBC Media Action implemented multiple communication tools to support front-line worker (FLW) outreach. We analyse the impacts of a package of mHealth audio messaging and paper-based job aids used by FLWs during government-sponsored village health, sanitation and nutrition days (VHSNDs) on knowledge and practices of childbearing women across the RMNCHN continuum of care. Data from two surveys collected between July and September 2016 were analysed using logistic regression to compare health-related knowledge and behaviours between women who had been exposed at VHSNDs to the mHealth GupShup Potli (GSP) audio recordings or interpersonal communication (IPC) tools versus those who were unexposed. Exposure to GSP recordings (n=2608) was associated with improved knowledge across all continuum-of-care domains, as well as improved health-related behaviours in some domains. The odds of having taken iron-folic acid (IFA) tablets were significantly higher in exposed women (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.2), as was contraceptive use (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.2). There were no differences in birth preparedness or complementary feeding practices between groups. Exposure to IPC paper-based tools (n=2002) was associated with a twofold increased odds of IFA consumption (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.7 to 3.2) and contraceptive use (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.8). Women exposed to both tools were generally at least twice as likely to subsequently discuss the messages with others. BBC Media Action's mHealth audio messaging job aids and paper-based IPC tools were associated with improved knowledge and practices of women who were exposed to them across multiple domains, suggesting their important potential for improving health outcomes for beneficiaries at scale in low-resource settings. NCT02726230.

As part of an investment by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the Government of Bihar to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition (RMNCHN) statewide, BBC Media Action implemented multiple communication tools to support front-line worker (FLW) outreach. We analyse the impacts of a package of mHealth audio messaging and paper-based job aids used by FLWs during government-sponsored village health, sanitation and nutrition days (VHSNDs) on knowledge and practices of childbearing women across the RMNCHN continuum of care. Data from two surveys collected between July and September 2016 were analysed using logistic regression to compare health-related knowledge and behaviours between women who had been exposed at VHSNDs to the mHealth GupShup Potli (GSP) audio recordings or interpersonal communication (IPC) tools versus those who were unexposed. Exposure to GSP recordings (n=2608) was associated with improved knowledge across all continuum-of-care domains, as well as improved health-related behaviours in some domains. The odds of having taken iron-folic acid (IFA) tablets were significantly higher in exposed women (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.2), as was contraceptive use (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.2). There were no differences in birth preparedness or complementary feeding practices between groups. Exposure to IPC paper-based tools (n=2002) was associated with a twofold increased odds of IFA consumption (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.7 to 3.2) and contraceptive use (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.8). Women exposed to both tools were generally at least twice as likely to subsequently discuss the messages with others. BBC Media Action's mHealth audio messaging job aids and paper-based IPC tools were associated with improved knowledge and practices of women who were exposed to them across multiple domains, suggesting their important potential for improving health outcomes for beneficiaries at scale in low-resource settings. NCT02726230.

The affordable, rapid, sensitive, specific biosensors are critical to prompt disease diagnosis, especially in developing areas with low resources. However, traditional technologies to detect disease biomarkers such as colorimetric lateral flow assays and polymerase chain reaction tests, suffer from low sensing performance, high operation complexity, high cost, and long assay time. Therefore, it is imperative to develop an affordable biosensing platform with high sensing performances and high user-friendliness to meet the ASSURED criteria (affordable, sensitive, specific, user-friendly, rapid and robust, equipment-free, and deliverable to end-users) for diagnostic tools in resource-limited areas. Hence, this research developed the paper-based microfluidic chemiresistive biosensors employing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and specific bioreceptors for the detection of important biomarkers in various biological samples. By synthesizing the pyrene carboxylic acid (PCA) modified SWCNTs and characterizing PCA/SWCNTs, we successfully fabricate the chemiresistors via facile methods of vacuum filtration and inkjet printing. Both fabrication methods enabled the control of PCA/SWNTs networks density on paper substrate. We optimized the biosensing performance by optimizing the sensitivity, assay time, and balanced material cost. With the final goal of developing the fully assembled devices for biomarker detections, we have also worked on the wax printing-patterned paper-based microfluidics with proper sealing materials to manipulate the microflows of samples and buffers for the controlled sample delivery during the test. We have investigated the paper-based microflows in both vertical and lateral directions and integrated with the chemiresistive biosensor arrays to achieve the fully assembled devices for the rapid and easy electrical measurements. Using the PCA/SWCNTs, specific bioreceptors, and paper-based microfluidics, the developed biosensors were able to detect im

The Oakland EcoBlock project (EcoBlock) seeks to develop a microgrid within an existing city block in Oakland California as a demonstration project on the viability of retrofitting an existing block of residential and commercial buildings into a microgrid capable of islanding from the grid. EcoBlock has considered a variety of different potential regulatory frameworks that might accommodate the objectives of the project. Based on an analysis of current law, the working model has been to rely upon existing provisions within the Public Utilities Code that recognize the right of individuals to install and operate electric equipment outside of Commission regulation if the generation, storage and distribution of power is limited to the owners’ “own use.” This white paper examines the “own use” exemption in section 218 of the Public Utilities Code and explores its potential as well as its limitations in the context of microgrids and recent Commission action. In so doing, it touches upon the recently issued Microgrid Proceeding Proposed Decision (Microgrid PD), the Commission Staff paper upon which the PD is premised and issues that arise out of both. This white paper, however, is not intended to be a critique of either and, rather, is intended to prompt questions and reflections on how the policy decisions made in these documents will foster or retard the development of projects like EcoBlock.

The diversity and impact of the human microbiome has catalyzed interest in how microbial communities can be engineered for applications ranging from human health, to bioproduction and bioremediation. An important aspect of such a forward engineering approach is a detailed understanding of how inter-species bacterial competition affects community com-position and stability. In order to study this, I design a three-strain bacterial community that exhibits “rock-paper-scissors” competition dynamics. Using these engineered bacterial strains, I explore genetic stability, evolution in bacterial competition, and ecological stability. In Chapter Two, I discuss the construction and characterization of these “rock-paper-scissors” genetic circuits. I characterize the dynamics of the competition among strain pairs in microfluidic devices. Next, I integrate the “rock-paper-scissors” bacterial strains with the synchronized lysis circuit. When combined, this circuit exhibits both community level “rock-paper-scissors” dynamics, as well as population level synchronized lysis. In Chapter Three, I demonstrate that cyclical population control can be engineered to stabilize the functionality of intracellular gene circuits. The “rock-paper-scissors dynamic demonstrates rapid cycling of strains in microfluidic devices and leads to an increase in the stability of gene circuit functionality in cell culture. In Chapter Four, I use the “rock-paper-scissors” bacteria strains in order to study competition and community stability. I demonstrate that intrinsic differences in three major mechanisms of bacterial warfare lead to an unbalanced community that is dominated by the weakest strain. The engineering of active warfare between microbial species establishes a framework for exploration of the underlying principles that drive com-plex ecological interactions. In Chapter Five, I investigate bacterial competition between a toxin producing and sensitive wild type E. coli strain in a hybrid growth m

Membraneless microfluidic fuel cells (MFCs) have garnered tremendous interest as micropower devices, which exploit the colaminar nature of two aqueous electrolytes to separate the anode and cathode and avoid the membrane usually used in a fuel cell. Our previous research shows that the performance of FeCl3-based MFCs with catalyst-free cathodes is mainly limited by the cathode. To improve the power output of these MFCs, we activated the carbon paper cathode by an electrochemical method in the three solutions (Na2SO4, NaOH, and H2SO4) to improve the electrochemical characteristics of the carbon paper cathode. The surface functionalities and defects, reduction activation of iron ions as the oxidant, cathode resistance, and performance of FeCl3-based MFCs were measured and compared. Our work shows that the electrochemical activation of the carbon paper in different solutions is a simple and effective method to enhance the electrochemical characteristics of the carbon paper cathode and improve the performance of the FeCl3-based MFC. Also, the MFC with the carbon paper cathode activated in the H2SO4 solution reaches the optimum performance: 235.6 mW cm-3 in volumetric power density and 1063.33 mA cm-3 in volumetric limiting current density, which are 1.58 and 1.52 times as much as that of a MFC with an untreated carbon paper cathode, respectively. This best performance can be attributed to the cathode activated in the H2SO4 solution with the largest number of oxygen-containing functional groups, the largest electrochemical active surface area, strongest reduction of iron ions, and least resistance of the cathode.

ObjectiveTo identify and highlight research papers representing noteworthy developments in signals, sensors, and imaging informatics in 2020.MethodA broad literature search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus databases. We combined Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms and keywords to construct particular queries for sensors, signals, and image informatics. We only considered papers that have been published in journals providing at least three articles in the query response. Section editors then independently reviewed the titles and abstracts of preselected papers assessed on a three-point Likert scale. Papers were rated from 1 (do not include) to 3 (should be included) for each topical area (sensors, signals, and imaging informatics) and those with an average score of 2 or above were subsequently read and assessed again by two of the three co-editors. Finally, the top 14 papers with the highest combined scores were considered based on consensus.ResultsThe search for papers was executed in January 2021. After removing duplicates and conference proceedings, the query returned a set of 101, 193, and 529 papers for sensors, signals, and imaging informatics, respectively. We filtered out journals that had less than three papers in the query results, reducing the number of papers to 41, 117, and 333, respectively. From these, the co-editors identified 22 candidate papers with more than 2 Likert points on average, from which 14 candidate best papers were nominated after intensive discussion. At least five external reviewers then rated the remaining papers. The four finalist papers were found using the composite rating of all external reviewers. These best papers were approved by consensus of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) Yearbook editorial board.ConclusionsSensors, signals, and imaging informatics is a dynamic field of intense research. The four best papers represent advanced approaches for combining, processing, modeling, and analyzing heterogene