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Comprehensive modeling of a whole cell requires an integration of vast amounts of information on various aspects of the cell and its parts. To divide and conquer this task, we introduce Bayesian metamodeling, a general approach to modeling complex systems by integrating a collection of heterogeneous input models. Each input model can in principle be based on any type of data and can describe a different aspect of the modeled system using any mathematical representation, scale, and level of granularity. These input models are 1) converted to a standardized statistical representation relying on probabilistic graphical models, 2) coupled by modeling their mutual relations with the physical world, and 3) finally harmonized with respect to each other. To illustrate Bayesian metamodeling, we provide a proof-of-principle metamodel of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by human pancreatic β-cells. The input models include a coarse-grained spatiotemporal simulation of insulin vesicle trafficking, docking, and exocytosis; a molecular network model of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion signaling; a network model of insulin metabolism; a structural model of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor activation; a linear model of a pancreatic cell population; and ordinary differential equations for systemic postprandial insulin response. Metamodeling benefits from decentralized computing, while often producing a more accurate, precise, and complete model that contextualizes input models as well as resolves conflicting information. We anticipate Bayesian metamodeling will facilitate collaborative science by providing a framework for sharing expertise, resources, data, and models, as exemplified by the Pancreatic β-Cell Consortium.

Ion erosion and carbonization in concrete are the key factors leading to the deterioration of durability. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are a kind of functional material with layered structures and ion exchange properties, which can capture a variety of harmful anions in concrete pore solutions. Therefore, LDHs exhibit great potential in improving the durability of concrete as new modified material. This article reviews the recent progress of LDHs. Based on the structural characteristics of LDHs, this work discusses the binding effect of LDHs on Cl−, SO42−{\text{SO}}_{4}^{2-}, and CO32−{\text{CO}}_{3}^{2-} in cement-based materials. We also analyze the influence of LDHs on the physical, mechanical, and hydration properties of cement-based materials and describe the modification mechanisms. Further, the improved durability of concrete and the corrosion inhibition of reinforcement by LDHs were summarized. Finally, we briefly point out some problems in the current research and development trends in the future on LDHs modified cement-based materials.

A whole-cell model represents certain aspects of the cell structure and/or function. Due to the high complexity of the cell, an integrative modeling approach is often taken to utilize all available information including experimental data, prior knowledge and prior models. In this review, we summarize an emerging workflow of whole-cell modeling into five steps: (i) gather information; (ii) represent the modeled system into modules; (iii) translate input information into scoring function; (iv) sample the whole-cell model; (v) validate and interpret the model. In particular, we propose the integrative modeling of the cell by combining available (whole-cell) models to maximize the accuracy, precision, and completeness. In addition, we list quantitative predictions of various aspects of cell biology from existing whole-cell models. Moreover, we discuss the remaining challenges and future directions, and highlight the opportunity to establish an integrative spatiotemporal multi-scale whole-cell model based on a community approach.

Modern coal chemical industry is an important means to realize the clean utilization of coal resources, the coal chemical sludge generated during the process of coal conversion process is a typical refractory solid waste restricting the development of coal chemical industry since its extremely high water content and the poor dewaterability. It has been documented that the dewaterability of coal chemical sludge is affected by the microbial community structure and water distribution characteristics; and thus, it is necessary to investigate the microbial community information and water distribution in coal chemical sludge to provide theoretical guidance for the high-efficiency sludge dewatering technology. In this study, coal-to-olefins sludge and coal-to-oil sludge were selected and the microbial community structure of the two sludge was obtained through analyzing 16s rRNA gene sequencing, and the water distribution was obtained by DSC and LF-NMR method. The results show that the different sewage treatment processes chosen by two coal chemical industries lead to certain differences in the microbial community structures of coal chemical sludge, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Chloroflexi are the dominant phylum in the two sludge. The LF-NMR method can more accurately measure the water distribution, and the water in the sludge can be classified into bound water, mechanical bound water and free water according. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through low-cycle reciprocating tests on 11 masonry wall specimens strengthened using reinforced-concrete–masonry composite columns, the effects of the position of the composite column, height-to-width ratio, column reinforcement ratio, and axial load ratio on their load-carrying capacity, stiffness, ductility, and energy dissipation capacity were investigated. It was experimentally found that, by strengthening brick walls with RC–masonry composite columns, the concrete and masonry parts can work together effectively, the failure mode shifts from shear to flexural failure, and the strengthened walls exhibit improved bearing capacity, ductility, and energy dissipation performance compared to unstrengthened masonry walls. It is suggested the composite columns can be placed at the ends of the wall if a strengthening measure is required. For walls with height-to-width ratios greater than 1, placing composite columns in the middle of a wall has little effect on the bearing capacity and stiffness of the wall but can improve the ductility of the wall. The height-to-width ratio is a primary factor influencing the structural performance of masonry walls strengthened using composite columns. A smaller height-to-width ratio leads to higher load-carrying capacity and stiffness but may result in reduced ductility. In comparison, the impact of the column reinforcement ratio and axial load ratio is relatively weaker. The flexural capacity of the masonry wall after strengthening can be obtained using the calculation method for concrete members subjected to a combined action of flexure and compression, in which the compressive strength of the masonry is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]