Dynamical encircling of multiple exceptional points in anti-PT symmetry system.

Exceptional points (EPs) in non-Hermitian systems have turned out to be at the origin of many intriguing effects with no counterparts in Hermitian cases. A typically interesting behavior is the chiral mode switching by dynamically winding the EP. Most encircling protocols focus on the two-state or parity-time (PT) symmetry systems.

Observation of continuum Landau modes in non-Hermitian electric circuits.

Continuum Landau modes - predicted recently in a non-Hermitian Dirac Hamiltonian under a uniform magnetic field - are continuous bound states with no counterparts in Hermitian systems. However, they have still not been confirmed in experiments. Here, we report an experimental observation of continuum Landau modes in non-Hermitian electric circuits, in which the non-Hermitian Dirac Hamiltonian is simulated by non-reciprocal hoppings and the pseudomagnetic field is introduced by inhomogeneous complex on-site potentials.

Engineered poly(A)-surrogates for translational regulation and therapeutic biocomputation in mammalian cells.

Here, we present a gene regulation strategy enabling programmable control over eukaryotic translational initiation. By excising the natural poly-adenylation (poly-A) signal of target genes and replacing it with a synthetic control region harboring RNA-binding protein (RBP)-specific aptamers, cap-dependent translation is rendered exclusively dependent on synthetic translation initiation factors (STIFs) containing different RBPs engineered to conditionally associate with different eIF4F-binding proteins (eIFBPs). This modular design framework facilitates the engineering of various gene switches and intracellular sensors responding to many user-defined trigger signals of interest, demonstrating tightly controlled, rapid and reversible regulation of transgene expression in mammalian cells as well as compatibility with various clinically applicable delivery routes of in vivo gene therapy.

Intrinsically disordered proteins SAID1/2 condensate on SERRATE for dual inhibition of miRNA biogenesis in Arabidopsis.

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) SAID1/2 are hypothetic dentin sialophosphoprotein-like proteins, but their true functions are unknown. Here, we identified SAID1/2 as negative regulators of SERRATE (SE), a core factor in miRNA biogenesis complex (microprocessor). Loss-of-function double mutants of caused pleiotropic developmental defects and thousands of differentially expressed genes that partially overlapped with those in also displayed increased assembly of microprocessor and elevated accumulation of microRNAs (miRNAs).

All-optical tunable high-order Gaussian beam splitter based on a periodic dielectric atomic structure.

Beam splitting of high-order Gaussian (HOG) beams increases the channel capacity and improves the processing speed of the incoming information. Here a novel all-optical tunable multi-port HOG beam splitter under a periodic dielectric atomic structure is proposed and demonstrated. The original HOG beam is replicated in the output beams.

Tunable optical vortex array in a two-dimensional electromagnetically induced atomic lattice.

Optical vortex arrays (OVAs) containing multiple vortices have been in demand for multi-channel optical communications and multiple-particle trapping. In this Letter, an OVA with tunable intensity and spatial distribution was implemented all-optically in a two-dimensional (2D) electromagnetically induced atomic lattice (EIL). Such a square lattice is constructed by two orthogonal standing-wave fields in vapor, resulting in the periodically modulated susceptibility of the probe beam based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT).

Geomorphic effects of recurrent outburst superfloods in the Yigong River on the southeastern margin of Tibet.

Landslide dam outburst floods have a significant impact on landform evolution in high mountainous areas. Historic landslide dams on the Yigong River, southeastern Tibet, generated two outburst superfloods > 10 m/s in 1902 and 2000 AD. One of the slackwater deposits, which was newly found immediately downstream of the historic dams, has been dated to 7 ka BP.

Efficient all-optical modulator based on a periodic dielectric atomic lattice.

All-optical devices used to process optical signals without electro-optical conversion plays a vital role in the next generation of optical information processing systems. We demonstrate an efficient all-optical modulator that utilizes a periodic dielectric atomic lattice produced in a gas of Rb vapor. Four orders of diffraction patterns are observed when a probe laser is passed through the lattice.

Optically tunable grating in a + configuration involving a Rydberg state.

A novel tunable all-optical grating is realized experimentally in a + configuration coherent rubidium thermal vapor. This new energy level structure employs a Rydberg level as the uppermost level and contains two typical electromagnetically induced transparency energy level configurations with the same probe field. Compared with the traditional V-type three-level grating, a significant improvement of the diffraction efficiency of this novel grating was observed.

Symmetry-breaking-induced dynamics in a nonlinear microresonator.

Optically induced symmetry-breaking plays a key role in nonlinear photonics. Recently, the experiment has successfully observed the Kerr-nonlinearity-induced chiral symmetry breaking in a single ultrahigh-Q whispering-gallery microresonator. Here, we show this symmetry-breaking can generate exotic dynamics between two counter-propagating modes.

Toxicity of combined exposure of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and myricetin to Caco-2 cells: changes of NP colloidal aspects, NP internalization and the apoptosis-endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway.

Phytochemicals as typical food components may significantly influence the toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) in intestinal cells, indicating a need to evaluate the toxicological effects of NPs in a complex situation. Previous studies suggested that the anti-oxidative properties of phytochemicals were important to elicit cytoprotective effects against NP exposure. However, we recently found that the changes of signaling pathways may be more important for cytoprotective effects of phytochemicals.

Observation of diffraction pattern in two-dimensional optically induced atomic lattice.

The diffraction pattern of a two-dimensional optically induced atomic lattice is reported experimentally in a three-level atomic system. Such a two-dimensional optical lattice is established by two orthogonal standing-wave fields induced by the interference of two pairs of coupling laser beams. When the probe beam is launched into it, a spatially modulated discrete diffraction pattern can be obtained at the output plane of the vapor cell under the electromagnetically induced transparency condition.

Integer and fractional electromagnetically induced Talbot effects in a ladder-type coherent atomic system.

Both integer and fractional electromagnetically induced Talbot effects are experimentally investigated in a coherent rubidium 5S - 5P - 5D ladder-type system. By launching a probe laser into a periodically modulated lattice constructed by two crossed coupling fields with a small angle inside the rubidium vapor, a high-resolution diffraction pattern is obtained. The diffraction pattern is reproduced completely at detection positions of an integer multiple of twice the Talbot lengths.

A review of cardiovascular toxicity of TiO, ZnO and Ag nanoparticles (NPs).

To ensure the safe use of nanoparticles (NPs) in modern society, it is necessary and urgent to assess the potential toxicity of NPs. Cardiovascular system is required for the systemic distribution of NPs entering circulation. Therefore, the adverse cardiovascular effects of NPs have gained extensive research interests.

3-Hydroxyflavone enhances the toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles in vitro.

It is recently shown that flavonoids might reduce the toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) due to their antioxidative properties. In this study, the influence of 3-hydroxyflavone (H3) on the toxicity of ZnO NPs was investigated. H3 increased hydrodynamic size, polydispersity index and absolute value of the zeta potential of ZnO NPs, which indicated that H3 could influence the colloidal aspects of NPs.

A Novel Algorithm for Learning Sparse Spatio-Spectral Patterns for Event-Related Potentials.

Recent years have witnessed brain-computer interface (BCI) as a promising technology for integrating human intelligence and machine intelligence. Currently, event-related potential (ERP)-based BCI is an important branch of noninvasive electroencephalogram (EEG)-based BCIs. Extracting ERPs from a limited number of trials remains challenging due to their low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and low spatial resolution caused by volume conduction.

The SNARC Effect in Chinese Numerals: Do Visual Properties of Characters and Hand Signs Influence Number Processing?

The SNARC effect refers to an association of numbers and spatial properties of responses that is commonly thought to be amodal and independent of stimulus notation. We tested for a horizontal SNARC effect using Arabic digits, simple-form Chinese characters and Chinese hand signs in participants from Mainland China. We found a horizontal SNARC effect in all notations.

[Preparation and Characterization of Pharmaceutical Properties of Tanshinone Ⅱ_A Microspheres].

Objective: To optimize the polymer material and process condition for preparation of tanshinone Ⅱ_A microspheres by orthogonal design.

Methods: The microspheres were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation method. The optimum polymer material and preparation process were clarified by the comprehensive weighted score which was evaluated with the drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and yield.

Bayesian estimation of ERP components from multicondition and multichannel EEG.

Extraction and separation of functionally different event-related potentials (ERPs) from electroencephalography (EEG) is a long-standing problem in cognitive neuroscience. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian spatio-temporal model for estimating ERP components from multichannel EEG recorded under multiple experimental conditions. The model isolates the spatially and temporally overlapping ERP components by utilizing their phase-locking structure and the inter-condition non-stationarity structure of their amplitudes and latencies.

Extraction of mismatch negativity using a resampling-based spatial filtering method.

Objective: It is currently a challenge to extract the mismatch negativity (MMN) waveform on the basis of a small number of EEG trials, which are typically unbalanced between conditions.

Approach: In order to address this issue, a method combining the techniques of resampling and spatial filtering is proposed in this paper. Specifically, the first step of the method, termed 'resampling difference', randomly samples the standard and deviant sweeps, and then subtracts standard sweeps from deviant sweeps.

Breastfeeding experiences of Taiwan nurses on rotational shifts.

The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of ten three-shift nurses, with particular focus on how they make arrangements regarding breastfeeding in relation to their workplaces and work breaks. Using a qualitative approach, data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with ten three-shift nurses who had breastfed for more than six months and who returned to work after childbirth. Snowball sampling was used to recruit participants, each of whom was interviewed for 1.