Deep learning-based inverse design optimization of efficient multilayer thermal emitters in the near-infrared broad spectrum.

This study proposes a deep learning architecture for automatic modeling and optimization of multilayer thin film structures to address the need for specific spectral emitters and achieve rapid design of geometric parameters for an ideal spectral response. Multilayer film structures are ideal thermal emitter structures for thermophotovoltaic application systems because they combine the advantages of large area preparation and controllable costs. However, achieving good spectral response performance requires stacking more layers, which makes it more difficult to achieve fine spectral inverse design using forward calculation of the dimensional parameters of each layer of the structure. Deep learning is the main method for solving complex data-driven problems in artificial intelligence and provides an efficient solution for the inverse design of structural parameters for a target waveband. In this study, an eight-layer thin film structure composed of SiO2/Ti and SiO2/W is rapidly reverse engineered using a deep learning method to achieve a structural design with an emissivity better than 0.8 in the near-infrared band. Additionally, an eight-layer thin film structure composed of 3 × 3 cm SiO2/Ti is experimentally measured using magnetron sputtering, and the emissivity in the 1-4 µm band was better than 0.68. This research provides implications for the design and application of micro-nano structures, can be widely used in the fields of thermal imaging and thermal regulation, and will contribute to developing a new paradigm for optical nanophotonic structures with a fast target-oriented inverse design of structural parameters, such as required spectral emissivity, phase, and polarization.

A multicenter application and evaluation of the oxford classification of IgA nephropathy in adult chinese patients.

BACKGROUND: The Oxford classification of immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) provides a histopathologic grading system that is associated with kidney disease outcomes independent of clinical features. We evaluated the Oxford IgAN classification in a large cohort of patients from China. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 1,026 adults with IgAN from 18 referral centers in China. Inclusion criteria and statistical analysis were similar to the Oxford study. PREDICTORS: Histologic findings of mesangial hypercellularity score, endocapillary proliferation, segmental sclerosis or adhesion, crescents, necrosis, and tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis. Clinical features, blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria, and treatment modalities. OUTCOMES: Time to a 50% reduction in eGFR or end-stage renal disease (the combined event); the rate of eGFR decline (slope of eGFR); proteinuria during follow-up. RESULTS: Compared with the Oxford cohort, the Chinese cohort had a lower proportion of patients with mesangial hypercellularity (43%) and endocapillary proliferation (11%), higher proportion with segmental sclerosis or adhesion (83%) and necrosis (15%), and similar proportion with crescents (48%) and tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis (moderate, 24%; severe, 3.3%). During a median follow-up of 53 (25th-75th percentile, 36-67) months, 159 (15.5%) patients reached the combined event. Our study showed that patients with a mesangial hypercellularity score higher than 0.5 were associated with a 2.0-fold (95% CI, 1.5-2.8; P<0.001) higher risk of the combined event than patients with a score of 0.5 or lower. Patients with tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis of 25%-50% and >50% versus <25% were associated with a 3.7-fold (95% CI, 2.6-5.1; P<0.001) and 15.1-fold (95% CI, 9.5-24.2; P<0.001) higher risk of the combined event, respectively. Endocapillary proliferation, glomerular crescents, and necrosis were not significant. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study; the therapeutic interventions were miscellaneous. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the associations of mesangial hypercellularity and tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis with kidney disease outcomes.

Positive association of serum FUT8 activity with renal tubulointerstitial injury in IgA nephropathy patients.

BACKGROUND: α-1,6 Fucosyltransferase (FUT8) appears to play an essential role in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis. However, it remained unknown whether FUT8 also contributed to renal fibrosis in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). In the present study, we explored the association of serum FUT8 activity with renal tubulointerstitial injury in IgAN patients. METHODS: Serum FUT8 activity was measured in 135 IgAN patients and 68 healthy controls from January 2016 to December 2018. The relationships of serum FUT8 activity with clinical and pathological features were analyzed. RESULTS: Relative to healthy controls, IgAN patients had significantly higher serum FUT8 activity and upregulation of renal FUT8 protein (p < .05). Among IgAN patients, there was a positive correlation of serum FUT8 activity with renal FUT8 protein expression (p < .05). Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that serum FUT8 activity was significantly associated with serum creatinine and eGFR (p < .05). Based on a cut-off value determined from ROC curve analysis, we divided IgAN patients into a low serum FUT8 activity group (≤12.2 pmol/h/mL, n = 40) and a high serum FUT8 activity group (>12.2 pmol/h/ml, n = 95). The high serum FUT8 activity group had a higher Oxford T score, increased inflammatory cell infiltration, more severe fibrosis and poor renal function (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Serum FUT8 activity was positive association with renal tubulointerstitial injury in IgAN patients.

Coexistence of Fabry Disease and Membranous Nephropathy.

A 21-year-old man with no family history or characteristic symptoms of Fabry disease presented with proteinuria. Histological and immunofluorescent analysis of kidney tissue collected revealed stage 1 membranous nephropathy. Electron microscopy of the same tissue revealed a large number of myeloid bodies (zebra bodies) in the glomerular epithelial cytoplasm and a mild irregular thickening of basement membrane. A diagnosis of Fabry disease was supported by the low α-galactosidase A activity detected in the patient's plasma, and confirmed by the detection of a pathogenic homozygous mutation in the α-galactosidase A gene. Therefore, the final diagnosis was of coexistent Fabry disease and stage 1 membranous nephropathy. This is the first case study reporting the coexistence of Fabry disease and membranous nephropathy. Our results emphasize the importance of electron microscopy in Fabry disease diagnosis.