Broadband generation of a multi-polarization multi-beam using a receiving-transmitting metasurface.

Generating multiple beams in distinct polarization states is promising in multi-mode wireless communication but still remains challenging in metasurface design. Here, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate a concept of broadband receiving-transmitting metasurface and its application to the generation of multi-polarization multi-beam. By employing U-slot patch, an efficient receiving-transmitting element with full phase coverage is designed within a wide bandwidth. Based on this architecture, a methodology is proposed to generate dual spin-decoupled beams and then developed into the strategy of generating multiple beams at different linear polarizations. To verify our strategy, two lens antennas, respectively radiating dual-spin dual-beam and quad-polarization quad-beam, are devised. With multi-polarization multi-beam radiated, the two lens antennas are both with whole aperture efficiency above 40% within the bandwidth of 10.6-12.3 GHz (14.8%), firmly validating our strategy and design.

The Pathological Mechanism of Neuronal Autophagy-Lysosome Dysfunction After Ischemic Stroke.

The abnormal initiation of autophagy flux in neurons after ischemic stroke caused dysfunction of autophagy-lysosome, which not only led to autophagy flux blockage, but also resulted in autophagic death of neurons. However, the pathological mechanism of neuronal autophagy-lysosome dysfunction did not form a unified viewpoint until now. In this review, taking the autophagy lysosomal dysfunction of neurons as a starting point, we summarized the molecular mechanisms that led to neuronal autophagy lysosomal dysfunction after ischemic stroke, which would provide theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of ischemic stroke.

Retracted: Bcl-2 19-kDa Interacting Protein 3 (BNIP3)-Mediated Mitophagy Attenuates Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Human Renal Tubular Epithelial Cell Injury.

This publication has been retracted by the Editor due to non-original content and deficiencies in the conduct of the study. Reference: Xiao-Bin Zhang, Gong-Ping Chen, Mao-Hong Huang, Xiang-Xing Chen, Feng-Fu Zhan, Xiu-Zhen He, Ling Cai, Hui-Qing Zeng Med. Bcl-2 19-kDa Interacting Protein 3 (BNIP3)-Mediated Mitophagy Attenuates Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Human Renal Tubular Epithelial Cell Injury. Med Sci Monit, 2022; 28: e936760. DOI: 10.12659/MSM.936760.

Transcriptome and metabolome reveal the accumulation of secondary metabolites in different varieties of Cinnamomum longepaniculatum.

BACKGROUND: Cinnamomum longepaniculatum (Gamble) N. Chao ex H. W. Li, whose leaves produce essential oils, is a traditional Chinese medicine and economically important tree species. In our study, two C. longepaniculatum varieties that have significantly different essential oil contents and leaf phenotypes were selected as the materials to investigate secondary metabolism. RESULT: The essential oil content and leaf phenotypes were different between the two varieties. When the results of both transcriptome and metabolomic analyses were combined, it was found that the differences were related to phenylalanine metabolic pathways, particularly the metabolism of flavonoids and terpenoids. The transcriptome results based on KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that pathways involving phenylpropanoids, tryptophan biosynthesis and terpenoids significantly differed between the two varieties; 11 DEGs (2 upregulated and 9 downregulated) were associated with the biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites, and 12 DEGs (2 upregulated and 10 downregulated) were related to the metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides. Through further analysis of the leaves, we detected 196 metabolites in C. longepaniculatum. The abundance of 49 (26 downregulated and 23 upregulated) metabolites differed between the two varieties, which is likely related to the differences in the accumulation of these metabolites. We identified 12 flavonoids, 8 terpenoids and 8 alkaloids and identified 4 kinds of PMFs from the leaves of C. longepaniculatum. CONCLUSIONS: The combined results of transcriptome and metabolomic analyses revealed a strong correlation between metabolite contents and gene expression. We speculate that light leads to differences in the secondary metabolism and phenotypes of leaves of different varieties of C. longepaniculatum. This research provides data for secondary metabolite studies and lays a solid foundation for breeding ideal C. longepaniculatum plants.

Evolution, gene expression, and protein‒protein interaction analyses identify candidate CBL-CIPK signalling networks implicated in stress responses to cold and bacterial infection in citrus.

BACKGROUND: Cold is a major abiotic stress and Huanglongbing and citrus canker disease are two devastating bacterial diseases for citrus. The Ca2+-CBL-CIPK network is known to regulate different types of stress signalling in plants. How do CBL-CIPK signalling networks function in response to cold and infection by CLas or Xcc in citrus? RESULTS: Eight calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) and seventeen CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) were identified from the cold-tolerant satsuma mandarin 'Guijing2501' (Citrus. unshiu) and CLas/Xcc-sensitive sweet orange (C. sinensis). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that both CBL and CIPK family members in citrus were classified into an ancient and a recent clade according to their conserved domain characteristics and/or intron/exon structures. Genome duplication analysis suggested that both tandem and segmental duplications contributed to the amplification of the CBL and CIPK gene families in citrus under intense purifying selection, and the duplication events only existed in the recent clades. Expression comparison of the duplicated gene pairs indicated that the duplicated CBL and CIPK genes underwent functional differentiation. Further expression analysis identified that CBL1, 5, 6, and 8 and CIPK2, 8, 12, 15, 16, and 17 were significantly regulated by multiple stresses, including cold, Xcc infection and/or CLas infection, in citrus, whereas CBL2/7 and CIPK1/4/5/11/13/14 were independently highly regulated by cold and CIPK3 was uniquely responsive to Xcc infection. The combination analyses of targeted Y2H assay and expression analysis revealed that CBL6-CIPK8 was the common signalling network in response to cold and Xcc infection, while CBL6/CBL8-CIPK14 was uniquely responsive to cold in citrus. Further stable transformation and cold tolerance assay indicated that overexpression of CuCIPK16 enhanced the cold tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis with higher POD activity and lower MDA content. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, evolution, gene expression and protein‒protein interaction analyses of citrus CBLs and CIPKs were comprehensively conducted over a genome-wide range. The results will facilitate future functional characterization of individual citrus CBLs and CIPKs under specific stresses and provide clues for the clarification of cold tolerance and disease susceptibility mechanisms in corresponding citrus cultivars.

The relationship between pesticide exposure during critical neurodevelopment and autism spectrum disorder: A narrative review.

Agricultural pesticides have been one of the most extensively used compounds throughout the world. The main sources of contamination for humans are dietary intake and occupational exposure. The impairments caused by agricultural pesticide exposure have been a significant global public health problem. Recent studies have shown that low-level agricultural pesticide exposure during the critical period of neurodevelopment (pregnancy and lactation) is closely related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, gut microbiota, neural dendrite morphology, synaptic function, and glial cells are targets for the effects of pesticides during nervous system development. In the present review, we summarize the associations between several highly used and frequently studied pesticides (e.g., glyphosate, chlorpyrifos, pyrethroids, and avermectins) and ASD. We also discusse future epidemiological and toxicological research directions on the relationship between pesticides and ASD.

Bcl-2 19-kDa Interacting Protein 3 (BNIP3)-Mediated Mitophagy Attenuates Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Human Renal Tubular Epithelial Cell Injury.

BACKGROUND As a novel pathophysiological characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea, intermittent hypoxia (IH) contributes to human renal tubular epithelial cells impairment. The underlying pathological mechanisms remain unrevealed. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of Bcl-2 19-kDa interacting protein 3 (BNIP3)-mediated mitophagy on IH-induced renal tubular epithelial cell impairment. MATERIAL AND METHODS Human kidney proximal tubular (HK-2) cells were exposed to IH condition. IH cycles were as follows: 21% oxygen for 25 min, 21% descended to 1% for 35 min, 1% oxygen sustaining for 35 min, and 1% ascended to 21% for 25 min. The IH exposure lasted 24 h with 12 cycles of hypoxia and re-oxygenation. Both the siBNIP3 and BNIP3 vector were transfected to cells. Cell viability and apoptosis, mitochondrial morphology and function, and mitophagy were detected by cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry and TUNEL staining, transmission electron microscopy, western blotting, and immunofluorescence, respectively. RESULTS In the IH-induced HK-2 cells, inhibition of BNIP3 further aggravated mitochondrial structure damage, and decreased mitophagy level, leading to increased cell apoptosis and decreased cell viability. While overexpression of BNIP3 enhanced mitophagy, which protected mitochondrial structure, it can decrease cell death in HK-2 cells exposed to IH. CONCLUSIONS The present study showed that BNIP3-mediated mitophagy plays a protective role against IH-induced renal tubular epithelial cell impairment.

Sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum alleviates liver injury induced by DBP and BaP co-exposure in rat.

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) are ubiquitous contaminants in environment and foodstuffs, which increase the chance of their combined exposure to humans in daily life. However, the combined effects of DBP and BaP on liver and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we explored the combined effects of DBP and BaP on liver and the potential mechanisms in a rat model. We found that DBP and BaP co-exposure activated the MyD88/NF-κB pathway through increasing TLR4 acetylation (TLR4ac) level, leading to the imbalance of pro-inflammatory factors (CXCL-13, IL-6 and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10), ultimately resulting in liver tissue damage and functional changes. Sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum (SSGL) had strong alleviating effects on liver injury induced by DBP and BaP co-exposure. Our study found that SSGL suppressed TLR4ac-regulated MyD88/NF-κB signaling to reduce the release of pro-inflammatory factors, and promote the secretion of IL-10, thus alleviating liver injury caused by DBP and BaP co-exposure. In conclusion, SSGL contributed to liver protection against DBP and BaP-induced liver injury in rats via suppressing the TLR4ac-regulated MyD88/NF-κB signaling.

First report of anthracnose on Ophiopogon jaburan caused by Colletotrichum liriopes in China.

Ophiopogon jaburan (Liliaceae), named white lilyturf, is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in south China. During 2017-2019, leaf spots on O. jaburan were observed all year in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China (N21°9'3"; E110°17'47"). Almost all plants were infected and the disease incidence on affected leaves was about 80% in the field. Initially, spots were brown, round or oval, and gradually enlarged to irregular shapes. The color of the spots changed from rusty-brown to grayish-white with rusty-brown borders. Subsequently, the spots expanded until the leaves withered and died. Infected tissues were surface-sterilized with 75% ethanol for 30s followed by 1% NaClO solution for 1 min, then rinsed thrice with sterile water, before placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) containing 50mg/L ampicillin, and incubated in darkness at 25℃ with 90% relative humidity. Colonies growing on PDA were cushion-like, pale greenish grey to grayish black on the front side and clearly dark gray on the reverse. Colony diameter was av. 86.0 mm (n = 15) grown in the dark at 25 ℃ for 10 days. Conidia with oil droplets were colorless, hyaline, smooth-walled, aseptate, slightly curved, and tapered gradually to each end, 12.3-28.9 × 2.2-6.6 µm (av. 20.9×4.2µm, n=200). Setae were brown to dark brown, 2-4 septate, with the base slightly inflated, and measured 40.0-130.3 × 2.2-5µm (av. 84.3 × 3.3µm, n=23). On PDA, scattered or loosely clustered appressoria were elliptical or irregular, smooth-walled, aseptate, and dark brown. To confirm the identification, partial regions of the internal transcribed spacer (White et al. 1990), beta-tubulin (Aveskamp et al. 2009) and actin (Carbone et al 1999) were amplified and sequenced (MW989743, MZ014461 and MZ014462). The blast results showed these sequences had >99.59% homology with sequences of Colletotrichum liriopes holotype strain CBS 119444 (NR_111449, GU228098 and GU227902). Maximum likelihood analysis and Bayesian inference were performed from concatenated sequences using RAxML v.1.0.0 and MrBayes v.3.2.1 software respectively. Several C. liriopes strains clustered in the same clade. Based on morphological-molecular characteristics, the fungus was identified as C. liriopes (Damm et al 2009; Chen et al. 2019). To confirm pathogenicity, healthy leaves were surface disinfected with 75% ethanol and rinsed thrice with sterile water. On ten leaves, three sites were wounded by pricking with needles, and inoculated 20 µL of 106 conidia/ml suspension or mycelium in contact with blade surface using 6-mm mycelial plugs. Similarly, the inoculation was done for three unwounded sites each leaf. Sterile water and medium plugs (without fungus) served as controls. All leaves were incubated on sterile wet filter paper at 25-28℃ with 90% relative humidity. After 7 days, all the inoculated leaves showed symptoms similar to those of field diseases, whereas control leaves remained healthy. The fungus with morphological-molecular features identical to the original isolate was reisolated from the disease lesions. C. liriopes causes anthracnose on Bletilla ochracea, Eria coronaria, Hemerocallis fulva, Pleione bulbocodioides (Jayawardena et al 2016) and Liriope sp. (Yang et al 2020; Chen et al 2019) in China. This is the first report of C. liriopes causing anthracnose on O. jaburan in China. Anthracnose could greatly affect ornamental value of O. jaburan, and this work can alert gardeners to prevent and control of the disease.

IL-17 Facilitates VCAM-1 Production and Monocyte Adhesion in Osteoarthritis Synovial Fibroblasts by Suppressing miR-5701 Synthesis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by the infiltration and adhesion of monocytes into the inflamed joint synovium. Interleukin (IL)-17 is a critical inflammatory mediator that participates in the progression of OA, although the mechanisms linking IL-17 and monocyte infiltration are not well understood. Our analysis of synovial tissue samples retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset exhibited higher monocyte marker (CD11b) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) levels in OA samples than in normal, healthy samples. The stimulation of human OA synovial fibroblasts (OASFs) with IL-17 increased VCAM-1 production and subsequently enhanced monocyte adhesion. IL-17 affected VCAM-1-dependent monocyte adhesion by reducing miR-5701 expression through the protein kinase C (PKC)-α and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling cascades. Our findings improve our understanding about the effect of IL-17 on OA progression and, in particular, VCAM-1 production and monocyte adhesion, which may help with the design of more effective OA treatments.

Neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 year in offspring of women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To study the metabolic derangements in the second half of pregnancy caused by gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM), on the short term neurodevelopment of infants. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study of 555 mother-child pairs were recruited, which included 177 GDM patients and 378 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance as controls. Clinical and demographic characteristics were obtained at enrollment, birth and follow-up. Neurodevelopment was examined with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development V.1 mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI). Fatty acids (FA) were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and triglyceride (TG). The scores of MDI and PDI of control group were higher than those of GDM group. The regression analysis showed that maternal age and saturated fatty acid (SFA) were independently associated with lower scores on the MDI whereas gestational age and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were associated with higher scores; in addition, lower scores on the PDI were associated with FPG and neonatal weigh associated with higher scores. CONCLUSION: SFA, DHA and FPG as indicators of lipid metabolism were associated with neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 year in offspring of women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Control the level of blood glucose and lipid during pregnancy and the appropriate supplementation of DHA during pregnancy in the second half of pregnancy may be beneficial to the neurodevelopment of infants.

miR-122-5p regulates hepatocytes damage caused by BaP and DBP co-exposure through SOCS1/STAT3 signaling in vitro.

BaP and DBP are ubiquitously and contemporaneously present in the environment. However, Current studies largely concentrate on the effects of a single pollutant (BaP or DBP). The liver is vital for biogenic activities. The effects of BaP and DBP co-exposure on liver remain unclear. Thus, we treated human normal liver cell (L02 cell) with BaP or/and DBP. We found that compared to individual exposure, co-exposure to BaP and DBP induced further increased levels of AST and ALT. BaP and DBP co-exposure caused further increased levels of IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α, decreased IL-10 level, and a higher percentage of apoptotic cells and S-phase arrest cells. BaP and DBP co-exposure worsen the decrease of miR-122-5p level and chaos of SOCS1/STAT3 signaling. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays showed that SOCS1 was a validated target of miR-122-5p. miR-122-5p overexpression alleviated the increased SOCS1 expression, decreased phospho-STAT3 expression, decreased IL-10 level, increased TNF-α levels, increased percentage of apoptosis and S-phase arrest, and cytotoxicity induced by BaP and DBP co-exposure in hepatocytes. These results suggested that miR-122-5p negatively regulated the synergistic effects on apoptosis and disorder of inflammatory factor secretion involved in hepatocyte injury caused by BaP and DBP co-exposure through targeting SOCS1/STAT3 signaling.

[Content determination of five flavonoids in Tibetan medicine Rhododendron anthopogonoides by quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS)].

To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS) method for five flavonoids in Rhododendron anthopogonoides and verify its feasibility and applicability in the medicinal materials of R. anthopogonoides. With hyperoside as the internal reference, relative correction factors(RCF) of rutin, quercetin, quercitrin and kaempferol were established by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) analysis. RCFs were used to calculate the content of each component, system durability and relative retention time. Simultaneously, QAMS and external standard method(ESM) were used to determine the content of five flavonoids in 12 batches of R. anthopogonoides from different origins. The results were statistically analyzed to verify the accuracy and feasibility. The fingerprints and cluster analysis data of R. anthopogonoides analyzed and discussed differences among the batches. According to the results, the RCFs of rutin, quercetin, quercetin and kaempferol in R. anthopogonoides were 1.242 6, 0.990 5, 0.535 0, and 0.781 3, respectively. The RCFs represented a good reproducibility under different experimental conditions. Besides, there was no significant difference between QAMS and ESM. Besides, the fingerprint and cluster analysis data showed the consistency between the classification and with the origin distribution of the herbs. In conclusion, the QAMS method shows a good stability and accuracy in the quality control of R. anthopogonoides.

Complexin I knockout rats exhibit a complex neurobehavioral phenotype including profound ataxia and marked deficits in lifespan.

Complexin I (CPLX1), a presynaptic small molecule protein, forms SNARE complex in the central nervous system involved in the anchoring, pre-excitation, and fusion of axonal end vesicles. Abnormal expression of CPLX1 occurs in several neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders that exhibit disrupted neurobehaviors. CPLX1 gene knockout induces severe ataxia and social behavioral deficits in mice, which has been poorly demonstrated. Here, to address the limitations of single-species models and to provide translational insights relevant to human diseases, we used CPLX1 knockout rats to further explore the function of the CPLX1 gene. The CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system was adopted to generate CPLX1 knockout rats (CPLX1-/-). Then, we characterized the survival rate and behavioral phenotype of CPLX1-/- rats using behavioral analysis. To further explain this phenomenon, we performed blood glucose testing, Nissl staining, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and Golgi staining. We found that CPLX1-/- rats showed profound ataxia, dystonia, movement and exploratory deficits, and increased anxiety and sensory deficits but had normal cognitive function. Nevertheless, CPLX1-/- rats could swim without training. The abnormal histomorphology of the stomach and intestine were related to decreased weight and early death in these rats. Decreased dendritic branching was also found in spinal motor neurons in CPLX1-/- rats. In conclusion, CPLX1 gene knockout induced the abnormal histomorphology of the stomach and intestine and decreased dendritic branching in spinal motor neurons, causing different phenotypes between CPLX1-/- rats and mice, even though both of these phenotypes showed profound ataxia. These findings provide a new perspective for understanding the role of CPLX1.

Thermal meta-device in analogue of zero-index photonics.

Inspired by the developments in photonic metamaterials, the concept of thermal metamaterials has promised new avenues for manipulating the flow of heat. In photonics, the existence of natural materials with both positive and negative permittivities has enabled the creation of metamaterials with a very wide range of effective parameters. In contrast, in conductive heat transfer, the available range of thermal conductivities in natural materials is far narrower, strongly restricting the effective parameters of thermal metamaterials and limiting possible applications in extreme environments. Here, we identify a rigorous correspondence between zero index in Maxwell's equations and infinite thermal conductivity in Fourier's law. We also propose a conductive system with an integrated convective element that creates an extreme effective thermal conductivity, and hence by correspondence a thermal analogue of photonic near-zero-index metamaterials, a class of metamaterials with crucial importance in controlling light. Synergizing the general properties of zero-index metamaterials and the specific diffusive nature of thermal conduction, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate a thermal zero-index cloak. In contrast with conventional thermal cloaks, this meta-device can operate in a highly conductive background and the cloaked object preserves great sensitivity to external temperature changes. Our work demonstrates a thermal metamaterial which greatly enhances the capability for molding the flow of heat.

Value of Combination of Heart, Lung, and Diaphragm Ultrasound in Predicting Weaning Outcome of Mechanical Ventilation.

BACKGROUND Postextubation distress is detrimental to the prognosis of critically ill patients with successful spontaneous breathing trial. The known risk factors of failed weaning are associated with the heart, lungs, and diaphragm. The aim of this study was to explore the role of a combined model including indicators of heart, lung, and diaphragm ultrasound in predicting the weaning outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients' clinical data and ultrasonic features of heart, lungs, and diaphragm were recorded. Patients were included in either the failed weaning group (n=24) or the successful weaning group (n=81). The association of potential variables with the risk of weaning failure was determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The accuracy of potential indicators for predicting the weaning outcome were evaluated and a multiindicator combined model was established to improve the predictive accuracy. RESULTS Brain natriuretic peptide (odds ratio [OR]=1.120, P=0.004), left-atrial pressure (LAP) (OR=1.333, P=0.005), lung ultrasound score (LUS) (OR=1.736, P=0.001), and hemidiaphragm dysfunction (OR=3.942, P=0.014) were associated with an increased risk of weaning failure. However, all of these indicators could not accurately predict the weaning outcome independently (all areas under the curve [AUCs] <0.9). The combination of LAP, LUS, and hemidiaphragm dysfunction showed the highest AUC (AUC=0.919). CONCLUSIONS The combined model including LAP, LUS, and hemidiaphragm dysfunction were the most accurate method for the prediction.

Visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B in water by BiOClxI1-x solid solutions.

Bismuth oxyhalides (BiOXs, X = Cl, Br and I) are emerging photocatalytic materials with unique layered structure, flexible band structure and superior photocatalytic activity. The purpose of this study was to develop a facile alcoholysis route to prepare BiOClxI1-x nanosheet solid solutions at room temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), photoluminescence emission spectroscopy (PL) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analyzer were used to characterize the as-prepared photocatalysts. These results revealed that two-dimension BiOClxI1-x nanosheet solid solutions could be obtained with high percentage of {001} crystal facets exposed. Moreover, the formation of solid solution could regularly change the optical absorption thresholds and band gaps of BiOClxI1-x photocatalysts. The photocatalytic experiments indicated that BiOCl0.75I0.25 exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated sunlight irradiation and the photocatalytic process followed a pseudo-first-order kinetic equation. A possible mechanism of RhB photodegradation over BiOClxI1-x solid solutions was proposed based on the structural properties of BiOClxI1-x solid solutions and RhB photosensitization.

Temperature-insensitive fiber-optic tip sensors array based on OCMR for multipoint refractive index measurement.

A temperature-insensitive fiber-optic tip sensors array is proposed for multipoint refractive index measurement using optical carrier based on microwave reflection (OCMR). The tip sensors array is made of a series of cleaved fiber end-faces and is spatially multiplexed by physically connecting with a fiber-optic splitter with different lengths of short delay fiber. A sensors array with eight sensing tips is demonstrated for multipoint refractive index measurement. Experimental results show that it can offer a high refractive-index resolution of 3.60 × 10-6 RIU and a low temperature-refractive index cross sensitivity of 3.74 × 10-7 RIU/°C. Such a sensors array not only possesses excellent sensing performances, but also can be integrated into a chip for biochemical sensing applications.

Polarization-selective dual-wavelength gap-surface plasmon metasurfaces.

In this paper, we present a general method to realize polarization-selective dual-wavelength gap-surface plasmon metasurfaces (GSPMs), which are composed of strongly anisotropic meta-atoms periodically arranged in a rectangular lattice with two degrees of freedom to independently control the reflection phase and amplitude of orthogonal linear polarizations at two discrete wavelengths. We design and demonstrate dual-wavelength GSPMs as polarization beam splitters and focusing metamirrors operating at 850 and 1550 nm simultaneously. Our work provides a general approach to design multiwavelength, multifunctional metasurfaces with various potential applications.

Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and the risk of macrosomia: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of our meta-analysis was to explore whether pre-pregnancy obesity is regarded as an important risk factor for predicting macrosomia or not. METHODS: Three databases were systematically reviewed and reference lists of relevant articles were checked. Meta-analysis of published cohort studies comparing whether pre-pregnancy obesity was associated with macrosomia and adjusting for potential confounding factors. Calculations of pooled estimates were conducted in random-effect model. Heterogeneity was tested by using Chi-square test and I 2 statistics. Publication bias was estimated from Egger's test (linear regression method) and Begg's test (rank correlation method). RESULTS: Sixteen cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed that pre-pregnancy obesity was associated with macrosomia as an important risk factor. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.93, 95% CI (1.65, 2.27) in random-effect model, stratified analyses showed no differences regarding different quality grade, definition of macrosomia, location of study and number of confounding factors adjusted for. There was no indication of a publication bias either from the result of Egger's test or Begg's test. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that pre-pregnancy obesity should be considered as an important risk factor for macrosomia. The effect of pre-pregnancy obesity on macrosomia need to be carefully assessed and monitored.