Phase-modulated Airy beam generation by a leaky-wave structure.

This work presents the generation of an Airy beam by a leaky-wave structure (LWS) designed from a substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) with dimension-varying slots. The Airy beam is radiated by judiciously designing the length of the slots to modulate the phase distribution. Compared to Airy beams generated by phased array antennas or metasurfaces, no complex feeding network associated with phase shifters and no space-wave illumination is required, thus allowing one to reach a low-profile structure.

Design of an optically transparent and broadband absorber based on a multi-objective optimization algorithm.

In this Letter, an optically transparent and broadband absorber designed using a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) is proposed. The absorption of the multilayer lossy frequency selective surface-based absorber is calculated by multilayer absorption equations and equivalent circuit models. To solve the problem of the unbalanced structure absorption bandwidth and thickness, an algorithm is used for optimizing the geometric and sheet resistance parameters of the structure.

Structurally Diverse Phenylpropanamides from Cannabis Fructus and Their Potential Neuroprotective Effects.

This study aimed to investigate the chemical components and potential health benefits of the fruits of L. Fourteen new phenylpropanamides designated as cannabisin I-XIV (-) and 40 known analogs were isolated and characterized via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and electronic circular dichroism. In vitro bioassay using HO-induced PC12 cell damage models demonstrated that hempseeds extract and compounds , , , , , , , and exhibited neuroprotective properties.

DRANetSplicer: A Splice Site Prediction Model Based on Deep Residual Attention Networks.

The precise identification of splice sites is essential for unraveling the structure and function of genes, constituting a pivotal step in the gene annotation process. In this study, we developed a novel deep learning model, DRANetSplicer, that integrates residual learning and attention mechanisms for enhanced accuracy in capturing the intricate features of splice sites. We constructed multiple datasets using the most recent versions of genomic data from three different organisms, , and .

CircTHBS1 promotes trophoblast cell migration and invasion and inhibits trophoblast apoptosis by regulating miR-136-3p/IGF2R axis.

The precise molecular mechanism behind fetal growth restriction (FGR) is still unclear, although there is a strong connection between placental dysfunction, inadequate trophoblast invasion, and its etiology and pathogenesis. As a new type of non-coding RNA, circRNA has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of FGR. This investigation identified the downregulation of hsa_circ_0034533 (circTHBS1) in FGR placentas through high-sequencing analysis and confirmed this finding in 25 clinical placenta samples using qRT-PCR.

A large deletion in TSC2 causes tuberous sclerosis complex by dysregulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Background/aim: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multi-system syndrome caused by loss-of-function mutation in TSC1 or TSC2. Most TSC patients present with cardiac rhabdomyoma or cortical tubers during fetal life, and the symptoms are not uniform as their age. The gene products of TSC1/2 are components of the TSC protein complex and are important role in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR (PAM) signaling pathway.

miR-1293 suppresses osteosarcoma progression by modulating drug sensitivity in response to cisplatin treatment.

Chemotherapy is considered the primary treatment for osteosarcoma. however, its effectiveness is limited due to drug resistance and toxicity. Thus, identifying novel therapeutic targets to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy is urgently needed.

Five-year outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement with a novel bovine pericardial bioprosthesis.

Objectives: The short-term performance of the Cingular bovine pericardial aortic valve was proven. This study evaluated its 5-year safety and haemodynamic outcomes.

Methods: It enrolled 148 patients who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement with the Cingular bovine pericardial aortic valve between March 2016 and October 2017 in 5 clinical centres in China.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Cation/Proton Antiporter Family in Soybean () and Functional Analysis of GmCHX20a on Salt Response.

Monovalent cation proton antiporters (CPAs) play crucial roles in ion and pH homeostasis, which is essential for plant development and environmental adaptation, including salt tolerance. Here, 68 CPA genes were identified in soybean, phylogenetically dividing into 11 Na/H exchangers (NHXs), 12 K efflux antiporters (KEAs), and 45 cation/H exchangers (CHXs). The genes are unevenly distributed across the 20 chromosomes and might expand largely due to segmental duplication in soybean.

Low-Profile Broadband Dual-Polarized Dipole Antenna for Base Station Applications.

A low-profile broadband dual-polarized antenna is investigated for base station applications. It consists of two orthogonal dipoles, fork-shaped feeding lines, an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC), and parasitic strips. By utilizing the Brillouin dispersion diagram, the AMC is designed as the antenna reflector.

Mechanical Compatibility between Mg(Sb,Bi) and MgAgSb in Thermoelectric Modules.

Thermoelectric (TE) modules are exposed to temperature gradients and repeated thermal cycles during their operation; therefore, mechanically robust n- and p-type legs are required to ensure their structural integrity. The difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of the two legs of a TE module can cause stress buildup and the deterioration of performance with frequent thermal cycles. Recently, n-type MgSb and p-type MgAgSb have become two promising components of low-temperature TE modules because of to their high TE performance, nontoxicity, and abundance.

Rapid deep-learning-assisted design method for 2-bit coding metasurfaces.

This paper proposes a deep-learning-assisted design method for 2-bit coding metasurfaces. This method uses a skip connection module and the idea of an attention mechanism in squeeze-and-excitation networks based on a fully connected network and a convolutional neural network. The accuracy limit of the basic model is further improved.

ATPase family AAA domain-containing protein 2 (ATAD2): From an epigenetic modulator to cancer therapeutic target.

ATPase family AAA domain-containing protein 2 (ATAD2) has been widely reported to be a new emerging oncogene that is closely associated with epigenetic modifications in human cancers. As a coactivator of transcription factors, ATAD2 can participate in epigenetic modifications and regulate the expression of downstream oncogenes or tumor suppressors, which may be supported by the enhancer of zeste homologue 2. Moreover, the dominant structure (AAA + ATPase and bromine domains) can make ATAD2 a potential therapeutic target in cancer, and some relevant small-molecule inhibitors, such as GSK8814 and AZ13824374, have also been discovered.

Molecular Mechanism of Cyanidin-3--Glucoside Disassembling Aβ Fibril In Silico.

The deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain leads to neurotoxic effects and subsequent Alzheimer's disease (AD). While AD is becoming more and more prevalent in modern society, therapeutic efforts targeting Aβ could be a promising solution. Currently, two natural products are reported to disintegrate preformed Aβ fibril in vitro.

Exploring the Association Between Resilience and Quality of Life Among Glaucoma Patients: Sleep Disturbance as a Mediating Factor.

Background: Patients with glaucoma may experience many symptoms such as blindness, which seriously affect their quality of life (QoL). Resilience is playing a vital role in enhancing the QoL and well-being of patients with chronic diseases. In addition, sleep disturbance is common in patients with glaucoma, leading to a decline in their QoL.

Follow-Up of Newborns with Hepatitis B Antigenemia.

Introduction: There is a need for data to evaluate hepatitis B antigenemia in newborns of mothers with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aims to investigate this.

Methods: Newborns with positive serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and/or e antigen (HBeAg) were enrolled in the study.

Design of a Variable Stiffness Gecko-Inspired Foot and Adhesion Performance Test on Flexible Surface.

Adhesion robots have broad application prospects in the field of spacecraft inspection, repair, and maintenance, but the stable adhesion and climbing on the flexible surface covering the spacecraft has not been achieved. The flexible surface is easily deformed when subjected to external force, which makes it difficult to ensure a sufficient contact area and then detach from it. To achieve stable attachment and easy detachment on the flexible surface under microgravity, an adhesion model is established based on the applied adhesive material, and the relationship between peeling force and the rigidity of the base material, peeling angle, and working surface stiffness is obtained.

AMTDB: A comprehensive database of autophagic modulators for anti-tumor drug discovery.

Autophagy, originally described as a mechanism for intracellular waste disposal and recovery, has been becoming a crucial biological process closely related to many types of human tumors, including breast cancer, osteosarcoma, glioma, etc., suggesting that intervention of autophagy is a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer drug development. Therefore, a high-quality database is crucial for unraveling the complicated relationship between autophagy and human cancers, elucidating the crosstalk between the key autophagic pathways, and autophagic modulators with their remarkable antitumor activities.

MRI-Based Artificial Intelligence in Rectal Cancer.

Rectal cancer (RC) accounts for approximately one-third of colorectal cancer (CRC), with death rates increasing in patients younger than 50 years old. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is routinely performed for tumor evaluation. However, the semantic features from images alone remain insufficient to guide treatment decisions.

Short-Term Consumption of Hydrogen-Rich Water Enhances Power Performance and Heart Rate Recovery in Dragon Boat Athletes: Evidence from a Pilot Study.

(1) Background: Exercise that exceeds the body's accustomed load can lead to oxidative stress and increased fatigue during intense training or competition, resulting in decreased athletic performance and an increased risk of injury, and the new medicinal H may be beneficial as an antioxidant. Therefore, we explored the effect of short-term supplementation of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on the work performance and fatigue recovery of dragon boat athletes after training. (2) Methods: Eighteen dragon boat athletes who trained for 4 h a day (2 h in the morning and 2 h in the afternoon) were divided into an HRW group (n = 9) and a placebo water (PW) group (n = 9), drinking HRW or PW for 7 days.

Unraveling the Roles of Protein Kinases in Autophagy: An Update on Small-Molecule Compounds for Targeted Therapy.

Protein kinases, which catalyze the phosphorylation of proteins, are involved in several important cellular processes, such as autophagy. Of note, autophagy, originally described as a mechanism for intracellular waste disposal and recovery, has been becoming a crucial biological process closely related to many types of human diseases. More recently, the roles of protein kinases in autophagy have been gradually elucidated, and the design of small-molecule compounds to modulate targets to positively or negatively interfere with the cytoprotective autophagy or autophagy-associated cell death may provide a new clue on the current targeted therapy.

Panic, Psycho-Behavioral Responses, and Risk Perception in the Earliest Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic in China.

Background: Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19), a rising global pandemic, has triggered psychological crises among the public. Panic, a severe symptom of mental disorders, is increasing in the public in China and it is urgent to provide research for intervention development.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of public panic in China during the earliest stage of the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the associated psychological behavioral responses and public's risk perception of the pandemic.

A Novel Mutation in ATRX Causes Alpha-Thalassemia X-Linked Intellectual Disability Syndrome in a Han Chinese Family.

Objective: To analyze genetic mutations in a Chinese pedigree affected with Alpha-thalassemia X-linked intellectual disability syndrome, providing a precise diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Methods: Clinical data was collected. A novel alternative splicing variant detected by whole-exome sequencing was validated by Sanger sequencing.

Designing strategies of small-molecule compounds for modulating non-coding RNAs in cancer therapy.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been defined as a class of RNA molecules transcribed from the genome but not encoding proteins, such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, Circular RNAs, and Piwi-interacting RNAs. Accumulating evidence has recently been revealing that ncRNAs become potential druggable targets for regulation of several small-molecule compounds, based on their complex spatial structures and biological functions in cancer therapy. Thus, in this review, we focus on summarizing some new emerging designing strategies, such as high-throughput screening approach, small-molecule microarray approach, structure-based designing approach, phenotypic screening approach, fragment-based designing approach, and pharmacological validation approach.