Investigation of control characteristics in tightly focused systems: self-focusing circular Airyprime-Gaussian vortex beams.

This study investigates the intricate properties of linearly polarized circular Airyprime-Gaussian vortex beams (CApGVBs) in tightly focused optical systems. We explore the relationship between self-focusing and tight focusing of CApGVBs by adjusting the main ring radius. By refining vortex pair parameters, we show that the intensity distribution depends significantly on whether the arrangement is axial or off-axis.

A dual-domain network with division residual connection and feature fusion for CBCT scatter correction.

Objective: This study aims to propose a dual-domain network that not only reduces scatter artifacts but also retains structure details in CBCT.

Approach: The proposed network comprises a projection-domain sub-network and an image-domain sub-network. The projection-domain sub-network utilizes a division residual network to amplify the difference between scatter signals and imaging signals, facilitating the learning of scatter signals.

Deposition Characteristics of Air-Assisted Sprayer Based on Canopy Volume and Leaf Area of Orchard Trees.

Precision pesticide application mainly relies on canopy volume, resulting in varied application effectiveness across different density areas of orchard trees. This study examined pesticide application effectiveness based on the spray wind, canopy volume, and leaf area within the canopy, providing variable bases for precise regulation of spray wind and pesticide dosage. The study addresses the knowledge gap by utilizing laser detection and ranging (LiDAR) to measure the thickness and leaf area of orchard tree canopies.

Metalgel Fiber with Excellent Electrical and Mechanical Properties.

With the rapid advancement of soft electronics, particularly the rise of fiber electronics and smart textiles, there is an urgent need to develop high-performance fiber materials with both excellent electrical and mechanical properties. However, existing fiber materials including metal fibers, carbon-based fibers, intrinsically conductive polymer fibers, and composite fibers struggle to simultaneously meet the requirements. Here, we introduce a metalgel fiber with a unique structure.

Ultrahigh Specific Strength by Bayesian Optimization of Carbon Nanolattices.

Nanoarchitected materials are at the frontier of metamaterial design and have set the benchmark for mechanical performance in several contemporary applications. However, traditional nanoarchitected designs with conventional topologies exhibit poor stress distributions and induce premature nodal failure. Here, using multi-objective Bayesian optimization and two-photon polymerization, optimized carbon nanolattices with an exceptional specific strength of 2.

Establishment of DAS-ELISA and lateral flow immunochromatography for the detection of peanut allergen Ara h 3 after heat-moisture treatment.

Peanuts are highly nutritious but pose a significant risk of triggering food allergies. While heat treatment can reduce the allergenicity of many foods, it may also alter their structure, potentially impacting detection results. This study employed double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) and lateral flow immunochromatography (LFIA) to evaluate the allergen Ara h 3 following heat-moisture treatment.

An EEG-based framework for automated discrimination of conversion to Alzheimer's disease in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment: an 18-month longitudinal study.

Background: As a clinical precursor to Alzheimer's disease (AD), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) bears a considerably heightened risk of transitioning to AD compared to cognitively normal elders. Early prediction of whether aMCI will progress to AD is of paramount importance, as it can provide pivotal guidance for subsequent clinical interventions in an early and effective manner.

Methods: A total of 107 aMCI cases were enrolled and their electroencephalogram (EEG) data were collected at the time of the initial diagnosis.

Risk factors for re-hospitalization within 90 days of discharge for severe influenza in children.

Background: Influenza virus is a contagious respiratory pathogen that can cause severe acute infections with long-term adverse outcomes. For paediatric patients at high risk of severe influenza, the readmission and the associated risk factors remain unclear.

Methods: Children discharged with a diagnosis of severe or critical influenza from October 2021 to March 2022 were included.

Dietary carotenoid intakes and biological aging among US adults, NHANES 1999-2018.

Background: Carotenoids have been shown to have multiple health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The data for the effect of dietary specific carotenoids on biological aging is limited. Our study aims to examine the association between dietary carotenoid intake levels and biological aging.

Peripheral neuropathy in neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease: a clinical and electrophysiological cross-sectional study.

Background And Objective: Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is a multifaceted disorder impacting both the central and peripheral nervous systems. This study aims to investigate the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of peripheral neuropathy in patients with NIID.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients diagnosed with NIID were prospectively recruited from multiple centers across China between October 2017 and May 2024.

Microscopic augmented reality calibration with contactless line-structured light registration for surgical navigation.

The use of AR technology in image-guided neurosurgery enables visualization of lesions that are concealed deep within the brain. Accurate AR registration is required to precisely match virtual lesions with anatomical structures displayed under a microscope. The purpose of this work was to develop a real-time augmented surgical navigation system using contactless line-structured light registration, microscope calibration, and visible optical tracking.

Strategically Engineered Metal Cluster-Rare Earth Oxide Heterojunction Catalyst for High-Performance Lean Electrolyte Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Developing high-energy-density lithium-sulfur batteries faces serious polysulfide shuttle effects and sluggish conversion kinetics, often necessitating the excessive use of electrolytes, which in turn adversely affects battery performance. Our study introduces a meticulously designed electrocatalyst, Cu-CeO@N/C, to enhance lean-electrolyte lithium-sulfur battery performance. This catalyst, featuring in situ synthesized Cu clusters, regulates oxygen vacancies in CeO and forms Cu-CeO heterojunctions, thereby diminishing sulfur conversion barriers and hastening reaction kinetics through the generation of S/S intermediates.

Distinct molecular properties and functions of small EV subpopulations isolated from human umbilical cord MSCs using tangential flow filtration combined with size exclusion chromatography.

As functional derivatives of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have garnered significant attention and application in regenerative medicine. However, the technical limitations for large-scale isolation of sEVs and their heterogeneous nature have added complexity to their applications. It remains unclear if the heterogeneous sEVs represent different aspects of MSCs functions.

Diluting Ionic Liquids with Small Functional Molecules of Polypropylene Carbonate to Boost the Photovoltaic Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells.

It is necessary to overcome the relatively low conductivity of ionic liquids (ILs) caused by steric hindrance effects to improve their ability to passivate defects and inhibit ion migration to boost the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, we designed and prepared a kind of low-concentration 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF) diluted with propylene carbonate (PC) via an ultrasonic technique (PC/IL). The decrease in the decomposition temperature related to the IL part and the increase in the sublimation temperature related to the PC part facilitated the use of PC/IL to effectively delay the crystallization process and passivate the defects in multiple ways to obtain high-quality perovskite films.

The Impact of Alkaline Stress on Plant Growth and Its Alkaline Resistance Mechanisms.

Alkaline stress can induce significant injury to plants, resulting in a range of negative effects, including ion toxicity, oxidative stress, and damage from high pH values. These stress factors can substantially affect normal plant growth and development, as well as yield and quality loss. To counteract alkaline stress, plants have developed a range of defense strategies, enabling them to adapt and thrive in challenging environments.

Beneficial Actions of 4-Methylumbelliferone in Type 1 Diabetes by Promoting β Cell Renewal and Inhibiting Dedifferentiation.

: This study aims to investigate the effects of 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) on islet morphology, cell phenotype and function, and to explore possible mechanisms of β cell regeneration. : The Type 1 diabetes (T1D) model was induced by continuous dose injection of streptozotocin (STZ), and mice were treated with 4-MU for 3 weeks. Plasma insulin level, islet cell phenotype and immune infiltration were determined by IPGTT, ELISA, HE and immunofluorescence.

Infiltrating plasma cells maintain glioblastoma stem cells through IgG-Tumor binding.

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive primary brain tumor with glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) enforcing the intra-tumoral hierarchy. Plasma cells (PCs) are critical effectors of the B-lineage immune system, but their roles in glioblastoma remain largely unexplored. Here, we leverage single-cell RNA and B cell receptor sequencing of tumor-infiltrating B-lineage cells and reveal that PCs are aberrantly enriched in the glioblastoma-infiltrating B-lineage population, experience low level of somatic hypermutation, and are associated with poor prognosis.

ECSIT-X4 is Required for Preventing Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy via Regulating Mitochondrial STAT3.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key factor in exacerbating pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and is linked to increased morbidity and mortality. ECSIT, a crucial adaptor for inflammation and mitochondrial function, has been reported to express multiple transcripts in various species and tissues, leading to distinct protein isoforms with diverse subcellular localizations and functions. However, whether an unknown ECSIT isoform exists in cardiac cells and its potential role in regulating mitochondrial function and pathological cardiac hypertrophy has remained unclear.

SIGIRR plays a dual role in zebrafish infected with Edwardsiella piscicida: Boosting digestive system wellness and mitigating inflammation.

Single immunoglobulin interleukin-1 receptor-associated protein (SIGIRR) negatively regulates the inflammatory response induced by bacterial infection by inhibiting the excessive synthesis of inflammatory mediators and overactivation. This inhibitory mechanism reduces the fish's susceptibility to pathogens and enhances survival rates. Zebrafish lacking the SIGIRR gene were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 gene knockout technology.

Experimental Study on the Effects of Washing Time, Washing Temperature, and Particle Size on the Combustion and Ash Formation Characteristics of Rice Husk.

There are many problems in the direct combustion of biomass, such as low combustion efficiency and easy slagging. In this paper, rice husk (RH) was taken as the research object, and the effects of different washing pretreatment conditions (washing time (WTI), washing temperature (WTE), and particle size) on the combustion characteristics and ash formation characteristics were discussed. The results show that the combustion characteristics of RH were significantly coupling-affected by the WTE and WTI, and the comprehensive characteristics of volatile release were significantly coupling-affected by the particle size and WTI.

Tenuigenin inhibits osteosarcoma growth via CIP2A/PP2A/NF-κB axis.

Background: Polygala tenuifolia and its active components have been revealed to possess anti-tumor activities. However, the role of Tenuigenin (TEN), a bioactive ingredient from Polygala tenuifolia, in tumors such as osteosarcoma (OS) remains unclear. The present research intended to explore the efficacy and underlying mechanism of TEN on OS.

Xixin Decoction May Treat VaD by Modulating the NPTX2/C1q/C3 Complement Pathway.

Vascular dementia (VaD) is a type of dementia that results from brain injury caused by cerebrovascular disease or vascular risk factors. Accumulating evidence from clinical studies has found that Xixin decoction can effectively improve the cognitive function of patients with VaD and improve their daily living ability. However, the pathogenesis of VaD is not fully understood, and the therapeutic mechanism of Xixin decoction is also unclear.

PyDNA-templated AgNPs coupled with poly (β‑cyclodextrin) enhanced fluorescence: A facile platform for signal amplification detection of biothiols in living cells and zebrafish.

Accurate and sensitive fluorescence imaging of biothiols is essential for understanding the mechanism underlying some physiological and pathological events, as well as the prevention and diagnosis of diseases. However, low signal transduction efficiency and poor biocompatibility of fluorescence tags associated with current sensors hinder their potential utilizations. Herein, a smart biothiols sensitive vivo imaging platform on the basis of amplifying nanoprobe has been designed.