Structural Colored Fabric Based on Monodisperse Cu2O Microspheres.

Structural-colored fabrics have been attracting much attention due to their eco-friendliness, dyelessness, and anti-fading properties. Monodisperse microspheres of metal, metal oxide, and semiconductors are promising materials for creating photonic crystals and structural colors owing to their high refractive indices. Herein, Cu2O microspheres were prepared by a two-step reduction method at room temperature; the size of Cu2O microspheres was controlled by changing the molar ratio of citrate to Cu2+; and the size of Cu2O microspheres was tuned from 275 nm to 190 nm. The Cu2O microsphere dispersions were prepared with the monodispersity of Cu2O microspheres. Furthermore, the effect of the concentration of Cu2O microsphere and poly(butyl acrylate) on the structural color was also evaluated. Finally, the stability of the structural color against friction and bending was also tested. The results demonstrated that the different structural colors of fabrics were achieved by adjusting the size of the Cu2O microsphere, and the color fastness of the structural color was improved by using poly(butyl acrylate) as the adhesive.

Stable and wavelength-tunable multiwavelength laser for high-rate measurement device independent quantum key distribution.

Measurement device independent quantum key distribution (MDI QKD) has attracted growing attention for its immunity to attacks at the measurement unit, but its unique structure limits the secret key rate. Utilizing the wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technique and reducing error rates are effective strategies for enhancing the secret key rate. Reducing error rates often requires active feedback control of wavelengths using precise external references. However, for a multiwavelength laser, employing multiple references to stabilize each wavelength output places stringent demands on these references and significantly increases system complexity. Here, we demonstrate a stable, wavelength-tunable multiwavelength laser with an output wavelength ranging from 1270 to 1610 nm. Through precise temperature control and stable drive current, we passively lock the laser wavelength, achieving remarkable wavelength stability. This significantly reduce the error rate, leading to an almost doubling of the secret key rate compared to previous experiments. Furthermore, the exceptional wavelength stability offered by our multiwavelength laser, combined with the WDM technique, has further boosted the secret key rate of MDI QKD. With a wide wavelength tuning range of 5.1 nm, our multiwavelength laser facilitates flexible operation across multiple dense wavelength division multiplexing channels. Coupled with high wavelength stability and multiple wavelength outputs simultaneously, this laser offers a promising solution for a high-rate MDI QKD system.

Dietary Selenium Insufficiency Induces Cardiac Inflammatory Injury in Chicks.

BACKGROUND: Laying hens undergo intensive metabolism and are vulnerable to cardiac insults. Previous research demonstrated overt heart disorders of broiler chickens induced by dietary Se deficiency. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to reveal effects and mechanism of dietary Se insufficiency on cardiac injuries of egg-type chicks in their early life. METHODS: White Leghorn chicks (0-d-old, female) were fed a corn-soy, Se-insufficient basal diet (BD, 0.05 mg Se/kg; n = 11) or the BD supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg (as sodium selenite; n = 8) for 35 d. Cardiac tissues were collected at the end of study for histology and to determine its relationship with heart Se contents, selenoprotein expression profiles, antioxidant and inflammatory status, and the Toll-like receptor 4/extracellular signal-regulated kinases/p38 map kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (TLR4/ERK/P38/JNK) pathway. RESULTS: Compared with those fed 0.35 mg Se/kg, chicks fed BD had significantly lower body weights and average daily gain, and 28% lower heart Se, and developed cardiac mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration, along with elevated (P < 0.05) serum concentrations of creatine kinase, aldolase, and interleukin-1 (IL-1). The BD decreased (P < 0.05) body weight and heart glutathione contents and expression of selenoproteins but increased (P < 0.05) heart concentrations of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species. These changes were associated with increased (P < 0.05) mRNA and/or protein concentrations of cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenase-12, cytokines (IL-1ß), nuclear factor (NF) κB subunit, chemokines, and receptors (CCL20, CXCR1, and CXCLI2) and increased (P < 0.1) TLR4/ERK /P38/JNK in the heart of Se-insufficient chicks. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary Se insufficiency induces infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells in the heart of egg-type chicks. This cardiac injury was mediated by decreased functional expressions of selenoproteins, which resulted in apparent elevated oxidative stress and subsequent activations of the TLR4 pathway and NF κB.

Risk assessment of e-waste - Liquid Crystal Monomers re-suspension caused by coastal dredging operations.

The Pearl River Estuary (PRE), one of the primary e-waste recycling centers in the world, has been suffering from the pollution of Liquid Crystal Monomers (LCMs), critical materials with persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic substances used in electronic devices. It has been detected in seabed sediment with both high frequency and concentration near PRE - Hong Kong (HK) waters. In the same area, dredging operations with in-situ sediment have been frequently used in the last decades for coastal land reclamation projects. Dredging is known to cause a huge amount of sediment re-suspension into water columns, with potential damage to marine ecosystems and biodiversity. In this study, we proposed a new risk assessment strategy to estimate the secondary pollution due to the re-suspension sediment highly contaminated by LCMs. We formulate a robust and reliable probabilistic approach based on unsupervised machine learning and hydrodynamic and sediment transport numerical simulation. New risk indexes were also proposed to better quantify the impact of contaminated sediments. We applied the methodology to assess the potential impact of dredging operations in the PRE and Hong Kong waters on the local marine ecosystem. The results of the analysis showed how the potentially contaminated areas depended on the dredging locations.

Highly efficient vortex generation at the nanoscale.

Control of the angular momentum of light at the nanoscale is critical for many applications of subwavelength photonics, such as high-capacity optical communications devices, super-resolution imaging and optical trapping. However, conventional approaches to generate optical vortices suffer from either low efficiency or relatively large device footprints. Here we show a new strategy for vortex generation at the nanoscale that surpasses single-pixel phase control. We reveal that interaction between neighbouring nanopillars of a meta-quadrumer can tailor both the intensity and phase of the transmitted light. Consequently, a subwavelength nanopillar quadrumer is sufficient to cover a 2lπ phase change, thus efficiently converting incident light into high-purity optical vortices with different topological charges l. Benefiting from the nanoscale footprint of the meta-quadrumers, we demonstrate high-density vortex beam arrays and high-dimensional information encryption, bringing a new degree of freedom to many designs of meta-devices.

Hydrogen-rich solution alleviates acute radiation pneumonitis by regulating oxidative stress and macrophages polarization.

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of hydrogen-rich solution (HRS) on acute radiation pneumonitis (ARP) in rats. The ARP model was induced by X-ray irradiation. Histopathological changes were assessed using HE and Masson stains. Inflammatory cytokines were detected by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry were performed to quantify macrophage (CD68) levels and the M2/M1 ratio. Western blot analysis, RT-qPCR, ELISA and flow cytometry were used to evaluate mitochondrial oxidative stress injury indicators. Immunofluorescence double staining was performed to colocalize CD68/LC3B and p-AMPK-α/CD68. The relative expression of proteins associated with autophagy activation and the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin/Unc-51-like kinase 1 (AMPK/mTOR/ULK1) signaling pathway were detected by western blotting. ARP decreased body weight, increased the lung coefficient, collagen deposition and macrophage infiltration and promoted M1 polarization in rats. After HRS treatment, pathological damage was alleviated, and M1 polarization was inhibited. Furthermore, HRS treatment reversed the ARP-induced high levels of mitochondrial oxidative stress injury and autophagy inhibition. Importantly, the phosphorylation of AMPK-α was inhibited, the phosphorylation of mTOR and ULK1 was activated in ARP rats and this effect was reversed by HRS treatment. HRS inhibited M1 polarization and alleviated oxidative stress to activate autophagy in ARP rats by regulating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway.

Circular RNA circ_0096041 promotes osteosarcoma cell proliferation and migration via sponging miR-556-5p and regulating LIN28A expression.

Strategies targeting lin-28 homolog A (LIN28A) for the treatment of osteosarcoma are limited, even though salient findings have illustrated the crucial role of LIN28A in bone deformities and cancer. In the present study, we proved circ_0096041, one of the circular RNAs (circRNAs) with significant upregulated expression in osteosarcoma, to be notably engaged in the progression of osteosarcoma. We elucidated that osteosarcoma patients with highly expressed circ_0096041 had relatively worse prognoses. We determined that circ_0096041 potentially sponge miR-556-5p using the Circular RNA Interactome database. Meanwhile, we proved circ_0096041 was associated with miR-556-5p. Furthermore, we determined that miR-556-5p was targeted by LIN28A directly, evidenced by in silico analysis using the miRWALK tool and in vitro analysis. Functionally, our experimental setting aimed to explore the function of circ_0096041/miR-556-5p/LIN28A axis in vitro and in vivo. Our findings demonstrated that circ_0096041 boosted the proliferation and migration of osteosarcoma via LIN28A/miR-556-5p axis. In vivo models were further established to estimate the metastasis promoted by circ_0096041. This research elucidated the enhanced osteosarcoma progression by circ_0096041 and its potential mechanism, which provided innovative targets for osteosarcoma treatment.

Two genes encoded by mulberry crinkle leaf virus (MCLV): The V4 gene enhances viral replication, and the V5 gene is needed for MCLV infection in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Mulberry crinkle leaf virus (MCLV) is a member of the genus Mulcrilevirus, family Geminiviridae. The expression and functions of the V4 and V5 genes encoded by the MCLV genome remain unknown. Here, we confirmed the expression of V4 and V5 by analyzing the V4 and V5 mRNAs and the promoter activity of individual ORFs upstream sequences. The functions of V4 and V5 were investigated by constructing Agrobacterium-mediated infectious clones of wild-type MCLV variant П (MCLV vII), MCLVwt and MCLV vП mutants, such as MCLVmV4 (start codon of V4 ORF mutated), MCLVdV4 (5'-end partial deletion of V4 ORF sequence) and MCLVmV5 (V5 ORF start codon mutated). Although MCLVwt, MCLVmV4, and MCLVdV4 could infect natural host mulberry and experimental tomato plants systematically, the replication of the MCLVmV4 and MCLVdV4 genomes was obviously reduced compared to MCLVwt in both mulberry and tomato plants. MCLV vП expressing V5 could infect Nicotiana benthamiana plants systematically, but MCLVmV5 could not, implying that V5 is needed for MCLV vП to infect N. benthamiana plants. Taken together, V4 is involved in replication of the MCLV genome in host plants, and V5 potentially might extend the host range. Our findings lay a foundation for in-depth insight into the functions of MCLV-encoded proteins and provide a novel perspective for the subsequent study of MCLV-host plant interactions.

Practical semi-quantum key distribution with one-way key and one basis.

Semi-quantum key distribution (SQKD) protocols are used to distribute secret keys between a quantum party and a classical party. However, existing SQKD protocols rely on two-way communication, and may still be vulnerable to Trojan horse side-channel attacks where Eve sends her own photon into a receiver's apparatus and measures the reflected photon to estimate the key. In this paper, we propose a practical SQKD with one-way key. This requires that the single photons travelling through the one-way channel are used to encode bit information, and the returned photons are used to quantify Eve's information, thus reducing the security analysis of the Trojan horse attack in SQKD. Meanwhile, our protocol with one basis enjoys security advantage in practical SQKD systems when source flaws are taken into account. In particular, the present protocol is secure under practical conditions when weak coherent pulses (WCP) are used. Our simulation results show that the protocol using WCP can distribute secret keys over a distance of 110 km without decoy states.

Unveiling human origins of replication using deep learning: accurate prediction and comprehensive analysis.

Accurate identification of replication origins (ORIs) is crucial for a comprehensive investigation into the progression of human cell growth and cancer therapy. Here, we proposed a computational approach Ori-FinderH, which can efficiently and precisely predict the human ORIs of various lengths by combining the Z-curve method with deep learning approach. Compared with existing methods, Ori-FinderH exhibits superior performance, achieving an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.9616 for K562 cell line in 10-fold cross-validation. In addition, we also established a cross-cell-line predictive model, which yielded a further improved AUC of 0.9706. The model was subsequently employed as a fitness function to support genetic algorithm for generating artificial ORIs. Sequence analysis through iORI-Euk revealed that a vast majority of the created sequences, specifically 98% or more, incorporate at least one ORI for three cell lines (Hela, MCF7 and K562). This innovative approach could provide more efficient, accurate and comprehensive information for experimental investigation, thereby further advancing the development of this field.

Erratum: Abnormal spindle-like microcephaly-associated protein (ASPM) contributes to the progression of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LSCC) by regulating CDK4: Erratum.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7150/jca.39760.].

Actuation-enhanced multifunctional sensing and information recognition by magnetic artificial cilia arrays.

Artificial cilia integrating both actuation and sensing functions allow simultaneously sensing environmental properties and manipulating fluids in situ, which are promising for environment monitoring and fluidic applications. However, existing artificial cilia have limited ability to sense environmental cues in fluid flows that have versatile information encoded. This limits their potential to work in complex and dynamic fluid-filled environments. Here, we propose a generic actuation-enhanced sensing mechanism to sense complex environmental cues through the active interaction between artificial cilia and the surrounding fluidic environments. The proposed mechanism is based on fluid-cilia interaction by integrating soft robotic artificial cilia with flexible sensors. With a machine learning-based approach, complex environmental cues such as liquid viscosity, environment boundaries, and distributed fluid flows of a wide range of velocities can be sensed, which is beyond the capability of existing artificial cilia. As a proof of concept, we implement this mechanism on magnetically actuated cilia with integrated laser-induced graphene-based sensors and demonstrate sensing fluid apparent viscosity, environment boundaries, and fluid flow speed with a reconfigurable sensitivity and range. The same principle could be potentially applied to other soft robotic systems integrating other actuation and sensing modalities for diverse environmental and fluidic applications.

Experimental Demonstration of Fully Passive Quantum Key Distribution.

The passive approach to quantum key distribution (QKD) consists of removing all active modulation from the users' devices, a highly desirable countermeasure to get rid of modulator side channels. Nevertheless, active modulation has not been completely removed in QKD systems so far, due to both theoretical and practical limitations. In this Letter, we present a fully passive time-bin encoding QKD system and report on the successful implementation of a modulator-free QKD link. According to the latest theoretical analysis, our prototype is capable of delivering competitive secret key rates in the finite key regime.

Pangolin-inspired untethered magnetic robot for on-demand biomedical heating applications.

Untethered magnetic miniature soft robots capable of accessing hard-to-reach regions can enable safe, disruptive, and minimally invasive medical procedures. However, the soft body limits the integration of non-magnetic external stimuli sources on the robot, thereby restricting the functionalities of such robots. One such functionality is localised heat generation, which requires solid metallic materials for increased efficiency. Yet, using these materials compromises the compliance and safety of using soft robots. To overcome these competing requirements, we propose a pangolin-inspired bi-layered soft robot design. We show that the reported design achieves heating > 70 °C at large distances > 5 cm within a short period of time <30 s, allowing users to realise on-demand localised heating in tandem with shape-morphing capabilities. We demonstrate advanced robotic functionalities, such as selective cargo release, in situ demagnetisation, hyperthermia and mitigation of bleeding, on tissue phantoms and ex vivo tissues.

Association of follicle-stimulating hormone with bone turnover markers and bone mineral density in Chinese women across the menopausal transition.

BACKGROUND: Elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is associated with an increased risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis. This study investigated the association of serum FSH with bone turnover markers (BTMs) and bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy women undergoing menopausal transition. METHODS: A total of 487 healthy women (age 35-65 years, 50 ± 8.5 years) were enrolled in this study. Serum FSH, BTMs, and BMD at lumbar spine and total hip were measured in these subjects. RESULTS: Follicle-stimulating hormone was positively correlated with various BTMs (r = 0.339-0.583, all p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with lumbar spine and total hip BMD (r = -0.629 and -0.514, all p < 0.001). After adjusting for age and body mass index, the partial correlation coefficients of FSH with BTMs and BMD remained significant. Estimating from the regression equation, for every 10 IU/L increase in serum FSH, BTMs increased by 0.38-3.6 units, and BMD decreased by 0.03-0.05 g/cm2 , respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that FSH was a positive factor for serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and N-telopeptide of collagen type 1 (ß = 0.188-0.403, all p < 0.001), and a negative factor for lumbar spine BMD and serum C-telopeptide of collagen type 1 (ß = -0.629 and -0.183, all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that serum FSH levels are an independent risk factor for BTMs and BMD in menopause-transitioning women, particularly for serum BAP and lumbar spine BMD.

Value of optical coherence tomography measurement of macular thickness and optic disc parameters for glaucoma screening in patients with high myopia.

BACKGROUND: The basic method of glaucoma diagnosis is visual field examination, however, in patients with high myopia, the diagnosis of glaucoma is difficult. AIM: To explore the value of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for measuring optic disc parameters and macular thickness as a screening tool for glaucoma in patients with high myopia. METHODS: Visual values (contrast sensitivity, color vision, and best-corrected visual acuity) in three groups, patients with high myopia in Group A, patients with high myopia and glaucoma in Group B, and patients with high myopia suspicious for glaucoma in Group C, were compared. Optic disc parameters, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and ganglion cell layer (GCC) thickness were measured using OCT technology and used to compare the peri-optic disc vascular density of the patients and generate receiver operator characteristic (ROC) test performance curves of the RNFL and GCC for high myopia and glaucoma. RESULTS: Of a total of 98 patients admitted to our hospital from May 2018 to March 2022, totaling 196 eyes in the study, 30 patients with 60 eyes were included in Group A, 33 patients with 66 eyes were included in Group B, and 35 patients with 70 eyes were included in Group C. Data were processed for Groups A and B to analyze the efficacy of RNFL and GCC measures in distinguishing high myopia from high myopia with glaucoma. The area under the ROC curve was greater than 0.7, indicating an acceptable diagnostic value. CONCLUSION: The value of OCT measurement of RNFL and GCC thickness in diagnosing glaucoma in patients with high myopia and suspected glaucoma is worthy of development for clinical use.

Afterpulse effects in quantum key distribution without monitoring signal disturbance.

The round-robin differential phase shift (RRDPS) quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol is the only one that does not require monitoring of signal disturbance. Moreover, it has been proven that RRDPS has excellent performance of resistance to finite-key effects and high error rate tolerance. However, the existing theories and experiments do not take the afterpulse effects into account, which cannot be neglected in high-speed QKD systems. Here, we propose a tight finite-key analysis with afterpulse effects. The results show that the non-Markovian afterpulse RRDPS model optimizes the system performance considering afterpulse effects. The advantage of RRDPS over decoy-state BB84 under short-time communication still holds at typical values of afterpulse.

A stomaplasty for total laryngectomy with a previous tracheostomy.

OBJECTIVE: Stomaplasties were widely used to prevent or revise stomal stenosis, however, a previous tracheostomy can limit the choice of some techniques. This study aims to deal with this condition through a novel and simple technique called "Collar stomaplasty". METHODS: This study involved 43 patients submitted for laryngectomy between 2017 and 2020. A tracheostomy 6-31 days prior to laryngectomy was performed in all cases. The collar stomaplasty, shaping the previous tracheostomy and surrounding skin, included 17 cases and the traditional X-shaped stomaplasty included 26 cases. Fisher's exact test was applied in an intergroup comparison of complications. RESULTS: One out of the collar stomaplasty group demonstrated perioperative stomal infection and avascular necrosis (5.9%). Another developed stomal stenosis (5.9%). In the X-shaped stomaplasty group, necrosis at the tip of the tracheal flap occurred in 14 cases (53.8%), and stomal stenosis occurred in 5 cases (19.2%). A statistically significance occurred in stomal necrosis (p<0.05) while no statistically difference is observed in stomal stenosis (p>0.05) between these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The collar stomaplasty technique creates a laryngectomy tracheostoma by remodeling a previous tracheostomy. A wide and stable stoma, which facilitates stomal care, can be accomplished by this simple technique.

Finite-Key Analysis for Quantum Key Distribution with Discrete-Phase Randomization.

Quantum key distribution (QKD) allows two remote parties to share information-theoretic secret keys. Many QKD protocols assume the phase of encoding state can be continuous randomized from 0 to 2π, which, however, may be questionable in the experiment. This is particularly the case in the recently proposed twin-field (TF) QKD, which has received a lot of attention since it can increase the key rate significantly and even beat some theoretical rate-loss limits. As an intuitive solution, one may introduce discrete-phase randomization instead of continuous randomization. However, a security proof for a QKD protocol with discrete-phase randomization in the finite-key region is still missing. Here, we develop a technique based on conjugate measurement and quantum state distinguishment to analyze the security in this case. Our results show that TF-QKD with a reasonable number of discrete random phases, e.g., 8 phases from {0,π/4,π/2,…,7π/4}, can achieve satisfactory performance. On the other hand, we find the finite-size effects become more notable than before, which implies that more pulses should be emit in this case. More importantly, as a the first proof for TF-QKD with discrete-phase randomization in the finite-key region, our method is also applicable in other QKD protocols.

General temporal ghost imaging model with detection resolution and noise.

Improving imaging quality while reducing the sampling time simultaneously is a crucial challenge that limits the practical application of temporal ghost imaging (TGI). To improve the performance of TGI, various methods have been proposed and verified. However, a work analyzing in detail the influence of intensity accuracy and detection noise of TGI is still absent. Here, we establish an evaluation model to quantify the imaging quality of TGI and differential TGI (DTGI). Our model considers the intensity detection accuracy, threshold, and noise of the test path during image reconstruction and quantifies their influences by developing general imaging formulas of (D)TGI. We also simulate the imaging of (D)TGI numerically. The evaluation demonstrates that (D)TGI is relatively not sensitive to detection accuracy and thresholds of the test path, and image quality is degraded slightly even when those parameters turn much worse. (D)TGI is relatively robust to detection noise but will be unable to reconstruct the object when noise is too strong. DTGI does not show clear advantages over TGI. Our work develops an effective model to quantify the image quality with practical parameters and is significant to real applications of (D)TGI.