Design and performance analysis of a mid-infrared broadband thermally tunable metamaterial absorption device based on the phase-change effect.

We propose a structurally simple, innovative, and multifunctional mid-infrared broadband thermally tunable metamaterial absorption device. The absorption device consists of a three-layer structure, from bottom to top: Ti substrate, SiO2 dielectric layer, and patterned VO2 layer. Through temperature control, the average absorption intensity of the absorption device can vary between 0.08 and 0.94. The absorption device's absorption mechanism is rooted in the thermal phase-change characteristics exhibited by the topologically patterned VO2. When the temperature is below 340 K, VO2 is in a dielectric state, resulting in near-total reflection performance in the mid-infrared range. When the temperature is above 340 K, VO2 undergoes a dielectric-to-metal transition, enabling the absorption device to achieve an average absorption rate of 94.12% in the ultra-wideband range of 6.26 µm-20.96 µm in the mid-infrared. This absorption range completely covers the atmospheric window wavelengths of 8 µm-14 µm, demonstrating high practical value. We explain the working mechanism of the absorption device from the perspective of the electromagnetic field. Subsequently, we study the variations in the absorption curve of the absorption device at different temperatures of VO2 and use the changes in the electric field at the same wavelength under different temperatures to explain the variations in absorption. Compared to previous work, our structure has only three layers in a single unit, making it easy to process and produce. Additionally, the absorption device's operating bandwidth and average absorption rate in the mid-infrared range have been significantly improved. Furthermore, the absorption device exhibits substantial incident angle tolerance and polarization insensitivity. We believe that this design has broad application potential in future optothermal conversion, infrared stealth, and thermal radiation.

Transiently expressed pattern during myogenesis and candidate miRNAs of Tmem8C in goose.

Transmembrane protein 8C (Tmem8C) is a muscle-specific membrane protein that controls myoblast fusion, which is essential for the formation of multinucleated muscle fibres. As most of the birds can fly, they have enormous requirement for the muscle, but there are only a few studies of Tmem8C in birds. In this study, we obtained the coding sequence (CDS) of Tmem8C in goose, predicted miRNAs that can act on the 3'UTR, analysed expression profiles of this gene in breast and leg muscles (BM and LM) during the embryonic period and neonatal stages, and identified miRNAs that might affect the targeted gene. The results revealed a high homology between Tmem8C in goose and other animals (indicated by sequence comparisons and phylogenetic trees), some conservative characteristics (e.g., six transmembrane domains and two E-boxes in the 5'UTR might be the potential binding sites of muscle regulatory factors (MRFs)), and the dN/dS ratio indicated purifying selection acting on this gene, facilitating conservatism in vertebrates. Q-PCR indicated Tmem8C had a peak expression pattern, reaching its highest expression levels in stage E15 in LM and E19 in BM, and then dropping transiently in E23 (P < 0.05). We examined 13 candidate miRNAs, and negative relationships were detected both in BM and LM (mir-125b-5p, mir-15a, mir-16-1 and mir-n23). Notably, mir-16-1 significantly decreased luciferase activity in dual luciferase reporter gene (LRG) assay, suggesting that it can be identified as potential factors affecting Tmem8C. This study investigated Tmem8C in water bird for the first time, and provided useful information about this gene and its candidate miRNAs in goose.

Analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of the Zhedong White goose and characterization of NUMTs: Reveal domestication history of goose in China and Euro.

To understand the phyletic evolution of geese, the complete mitogenome of the Zhedong goose was sequenced for the first time. It is composed of 37 genes and 1 control region, and the structure and arrangement of all genes sequenced are identical to those of other goose breeds. We confirmed the accuracy of the mitogenome sequence through RT-PCR and found numts from amplification in genomic DNA. Comparisons of the phylogenetic trees and sequences of geese that were suggested a clade of Chinese geese, except the Yili goose, were classified in the Euro clade. Several breed-specific mutations and Chinese breed-specific mutations were found. Our results suggest that Chinese geese evolved from the swan goose, splitting from their common ancestors at different times, which was consistent with studies before. Furthermore, numts in most genes of Zhedong goose clustered with European geese in the phylogenetic tree, suggesting that the haplotypes in the Euro clade might be more ancient. However, the mitogenome of the swan goose shows distinctive evolutionary positions in some genes, which suggest its unclear relationship with Chinese geese and European geese. The current study added to the understanding of the evolution of geese and provided evidence that the typing of numts is an encouraging way for the evolutionary study of geese and the mitochondrial genomes of geese deserve further investigation.