High-efficiency rectangular transverse air-gap metalens for visible light based on a dual-coupled PB phase.

Pancharatnam-Berry (PB) phase modulation leverages the precise linear correspondence between output phase and nanopillar rotation angle, enabling wide application in modulating focal spherical waves. However, the intrinsic material absorption of waveguide structure inevitably brings energy loss within the visible light spectral range, severely limiting focusing efficiency over broad bandwidths under general models of nanopillars. Here, we introduce a dual-coupled metalens composed of an air slot-etched rectangular TiO nanopillar, and the extremely narrow air gap along its long axis of nanopillar can be regarded as a high-aspect-ratio rectangular waveguide for strictly confining the incident light.

Nutrient Availability Shapes the Resistance of Soil Bacterial Community and Functions to Disturbances in Desert Ecosystem.

Climate change has exposed desert ecosystems to frequent extreme disturbances, including wet-dry cycles and freeze-thaw events, which accelerate desertification on a global scale. The limited nutrient availability characteristic of these ecosystems may constrain microbial survival and growth, making them more vulnerable to environmental perturbations and stressors. However, how nutrient availability modulates the stability of soil ecological communities and functions in desert ecosystems remains poorly understood.

Blockade of glucagon receptor induces α-cell hypersecretion by hyperaminoacidemia in mice.

Blockade of the glucagon receptor (GCGR) has been shown to improve glycemic control. However, this therapeutic approach also brings side effects, such as α-cell hyperplasia and hyperglucagonemia, and the mechanisms underlying these side effects remain elusive. Here, we conduct single-cell transcriptomic sequencing of islets from male GCGR knockout (GCGR-KO) mice.

Research on Wet Etching Techniques for GaInAs/AlInAs/InP Superlattices in Quantum Cascade Laser Fabrication.

Wet etching is the mainstream fabrication method for single-bar quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). Different etching solutions result in varying etching effects on III-V semiconductor materials. In this study, an efficient and nearly ideal etching solution ratio was proposed for simultaneously etching both InP and GaInAs/AlInAs, and the surface chemical reactions induced by each component of the etching solution during the process were investigated.

Insight into the binding mode of different lotus seed natural starch-phenolic acids complexes.

This study investigated the influence of natural lotus seed starch on the adsorption of seven endogenous phenolic acids present in lotus seeds. The research delineated the interaction mechanisms and subsequently analyzed the alterations in starch characteristics following adsorption. A comprehensive suite of analytical techniques, including adsorption isotherms, C NMR, DSC, LF-NMR, rheology, particle size, and potential analyses was employed.

Antioxidant and Photoprotective Activities of 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid and (+)-Catechin, Identified from Extract, in UVB-Irradiated HaCaT Cells.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the root bark and leaves of are utilized to treat dysentery, parasitic infections, and digestive disorders. In this study, the n-butanol extract of (NBA) exhibited potent antioxidant properties, protecting HaCaT cells from UVB-induced damage, and was abundant in phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Using UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis, several antioxidants within NBA were identified.

Comparing physician and large language model responses to influenza patient questions in the online health community.

Introduction: During influenza season, some patients tend to seek medical advice through online platforms. However, due to time constraints, the informational and emotional support provided by physicians is limited. Large language models (LLMs) can rapidly provide medical knowledge and empathy, but their capacity for providing informational support to patients with influenza and assisting physicians in providing emotional support is unclear.

The association between dietary fiber intake and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality in patients with stroke: a retrospective cohort study of NHANES.

Background/objectives: Stroke represents the primary cause of death and persistent disability globally, leading to around 5.5 million annual patient fatalities. The objective was to explore the relationship of dietary fiber with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality risk in patients with stroke.

To explore the causal association between the serum lipid profile and inflammatory bowel disease using bidirectional Mendelian randomisation analysis.

Background: Despite studies confirming that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) present with dyslipidaemia, the associations between IBD and the serum lipid profile have not been determined. The present study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between the serum lipid profile and IBD risk and elucidate the nature of the interactions between them.

Methods: Two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis was performed to investigate the causal links between total cholesterol (TC), total triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A (Apo A), apolipoprotein B (Apo B) and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) and IBD.

Thermo-Tuning Fourier Transform Spectrometer Based on SU-8 Waveguide.

On-chip Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) is a promising technology due to the compact size, low cost, and relatively high throughput. In this work, we design, fabricate, and characterize a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) FTS based on SU-8 polymer waveguide. The optical path length difference of MZI is tuned by a heater with a maximum power consumption of 2.

Silent magnetic resonance angiography diagnostic value of intracranial unruptured aneurysms.

Silent magnetic resonance angiography (S-MRA) is primarily utilized to assess the blood flow in aneurysms and parent vessels of treated intracranial aneurysms. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic value of S-MRA and three-dimensional time of flight (3D-TOF) MRA for unruptured intracranial aneurysms. We included patients diagnosed with unruptured intracranial aneurysms using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) who subsequently underwent S-MRA and 3D-TOF MRA.

All-Inorganic Lead-Free Cs₂AgBiBr₆/ZnO Artificial Retina Synapse Based on Photoelectric Synergistic Dual-Mechanism for Neuromorphic Computing.

Adaptive learning capability of optoelectronic synaptic hardware holds promising application prospects in next generation artificial intelligence, and the development of biometric retina perception is sternly hampered by three crucial issues, including well-balance between excitatory and inhibitory, non-volatile multi-state storage, and optimal energy consumption. In this work, a novel CsAgBiBr/ZnO non-volatile optoelectronic synapse is proposed and successfully programmed with optical excitatory and electronic inhibitory in the light of dual-mechanism: Lead-free perovskite CsAgBiBr guarantees abundant photogenerated carrier concentration, and the process of carrier capture and release occurs in ZnO layer, which can collaboratively modulate various synaptic plasticity behaviors depending on distinct stimulus. Consequently, multi-bit storage is attained with the dual-mechanism non-volatile memory (DNVM) as a function of consecutive light spikes.

Effect of NaCl on the modulation of LPFG double peak by PDDA/PSS nanomembrane.

In this paper, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)(PDDA)/poly(sodium styrene sulfonate)(PSS) nanomembranes were deposited on the surface of long-period fiber gratings (LPFG) using the electrostatic layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly method, and the effect of NaCl on the modulation of LPFG double peaks by PDDA/PSS nanomembranes was investigated. The principle behind the emergence of double peaks was first explored using coupled mode theory, revealing that changes in the mode effective refractive index(RI) occur as the number of nanomembrane layers increases. The experimental results showed that under the conditions of PDDA with NaCl/PSS without NaCl and PDDA without NaCl/PSS with NaCl, double peaks do not appear in the spectra of LPFG as the number of thin film layers increases.

Construction of a novel cuproptosis-related gene signature and integrative analyses in cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Cuproptosis is a unique form of cell death that is dependent on copper, which is fundamentally different from other recognized forms of cell death. However, the molecular and immune characteristics in cuproptosis-defined subgroups of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remain to be further illustrated.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive investigation into the genetic and transcriptional variation, prognostic significance, and expression profiles of 16 cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs).

A principle-based framework to determine countries' fair warming contributions to the Paris Agreement.

Equity is a cornerstone of global climate policy, yet differing perspectives mean that international agreement on how to allocate mitigation efforts remains elusive. A rich literature informs this question, but a gap remains in approaches that appropriately consider non-CO emissions and their warming contributions. In this study, we address this gap and define a global warming budget applicable to all anthropogenic greenhouse gases that is allocated to countries based on principles drawn from international treaties and environmental law.

Morphological diversity variation of seed traits among 587 germplasm resources of Medicago Genus and 32 germplasm resources of Trigonella Genus.

Germplasm resources within the Medicago genus are highly regarded for their value as forage crops and their critical roles in nitrogen cycling, ecosystem restoration, and soil structure improvement. Therefore, understanding the diversity of seed morphology in this genus is essential for advancing its development and utilization. This study analyzed seed samples from 587 germplasm accessions representing 77 species within Medicago genus, as well as 32 accessions from 21 species within the closely related genus Trigonella.

Stepwise Lighting Up Gold(I)-Thiolate Complexes from AIE Nanoaggregates to AIEE Nanoprobes with a ZIF-8 Shell for Glucose Biosensing.

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) or aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) has endowed gold species with responsive fluorescent properties, favoring their potential applications in sensing, imaging, and therapy. However, it remains an interesting challenge to fabricate fluorophores with both AIE and AIEE effects. Herein, we presented highly luminescent Au(I) thiolate nanocomplex-based biosensors with Zn induced-AIE and zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) induced-AIEE effects.

NORSE secondary to anti-GAD65 antibody-positive encephalitis treated with novel adjunctive rapid titration VNS protocol.

New Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus (NORSE) is a rare and severe condition characterized by refractory seizures in individuals without a prior history of epilepsy. This case report describes a 37-year-old woman diagnosed with anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (anti-GAD65) antibody-positive encephalitis-related NORSE. Her seizures were refractory to multiple interventions, including anti-seizure medications, anesthetics, immunotherapies, a ketogenic diet, and electroconvulsive therapy.

Additively Manufactured Flexible EGaIn Sensor for Dynamic Detection and Sensing on Ultra-Curved Surfaces.

Electronic skin is widely employed in multiple applications such as health monitoring, robot tactile perception, and bionic prosthetics. In this study, we fabricated millimeter-scale electronic skin featuring compact sensing units using the Boston Micro Fabrication S130 (a high-precision additive manufacturing device) and the template removal method. We used a gallium-based liquid metal and achieved an inner channel diameter of 0.

Prediction of acute kidney injury in intensive care unit patients based on interpretable machine learning.

Objective: Acute kidney injury (AKI) poses a lethal risk in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, where early detection is challenging. This study was to establish a prediction model for AKI 24 hours in advance for ICU patients and to help clinicians monitor patients at an early stage by key features.

Methods: In this study, the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) databases were used to construct a dataset of critically ill patients.

Enhanced Wound Healing and Autogenesis Through Lentiviral Transfection of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Combined with Dermal Substitute.

Background: Burns and chronic ulcers may cause severe skin loss, leading to critical health issues like shock, infection, sepsis, and multiple organ failure. Effective healing of full-thickness wounds may be challenging, with traditional methods facing limitations due to tissue shortage, infection, and lack of structural support.

Methods: This study explored the combined use of gene transfection and dermal substitutes to improve wound healing.

Regulation of important natural products biosynthesis by WRKY transcription factors in plants.

Background: Plants produce abundant natural products, among which are species-specific and diversified secondary metabolites that are essential for growth and development, as well as adaptation to adversity and ecology. Moreover, these secondary metabolites are extensively utilized in pharmaceuticals, fragrances, industrial materials, and more. WRKY transcription factors (TFs), as a family of TFs unique to plants, have significant functions in many plant life activities.

The clinical indexes and immunological status of HIV/AIDS patients undergoing different highly active antiretroviral treatments.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the differences of clinical indices in HIV patients between three different first-line antiretroviral treatment strategies in Yunnan Province, China. Furthermore, the hematologic system, liver function, kidney function, blood lipid levels of HIV patients and its association with CD4+ count, CD8+ count, CD4/CD8 ratio and antiretroviral treatment were also assessed.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 81 participants who underwent highly active antiretroviral treatment from September 2009 to September 2019.

Advances in structure-based allosteric drug design.

The identification of allosteric binding sites forms a critical connection between structural and computational biology, substantially advancing the discovery of allosteric drugs. However, the prevailing strategies for allosteric drug development predominantly rely on high-throughput screening, which suffers from high failure rates due to a limited understanding of allosteric mechanisms. This review collects insights from case studies on allosteric mechanisms, protein structure databases and computation algorithm developments, aiming to enhance our comprehension of allostery and guide more effective allosteric drug development.