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In the field of medical image fusion, traditional approaches often fail to differentiate between the unique characteristics of each raw image, leading to fused images with compromised texture and structural clarity. Addressing this, we introduce an advanced multi-branch fusion method characterized by contrast-enhanced features and interactive information exchange. This method integrates a multi-scale residual module and a gradient-dense module within a private branch to precisely extract and enrich texture details from individual raw images. In parallel, a common feature extraction branch, equipped with an information interaction module, processes paired raw images to synergistically capture complementary and shared functional information across modalities. Additionally, we implement a sophisticated attention mechanism tailored for both the private and public branches to enhance global feature extraction, thereby significantly improving the contrast and contour definition of the fused image. A novel correlation consistency loss function further refines the fusion process by optimizing the information sharing between modalities, promoting the correlation among basic cross-modal features while minimizing the correlation of high-frequency details across different modalities. Objective evaluations demonstrate substantial improvements in indices such as EN, MI, QMI, SSIM, AG, SF, and Q AB/F , with average increases of 23.67%, 12.35%, 4.22%, 20.81%, 8.96%, 6.38%, and 25.36%, respectively. These results underscore our method’s superiority in achieving enhanced texture detail and contrast in fused images compared to conventional algorithms, as validated by both subjective assessments and objective performance metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as the third gasotransmitter could regulate many physiological processes such as growth and stress responses in plants. However, few studies focused on H2S affecting cell differentiation and secondary metabolism of suspension cells. In this study, we investigated the impact of sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) doses (0, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 mM) as H2S-donor at different time points on cell differentiation, antioxidant capacity, and accumulation of flavonoids (Fla) and terpene lactones (Lac) in Ginkgo biloba L. suspension cells. Results showed that distinct asymmetric division with a large and a small cell appeared in suspension cells under three NaHS treatments. Especially, the cells became enlarged, rounded and compact, and resembled embryonic cell mass in treated 3.0 mM. The 0.5 and 1.0 mM NaHS treatments efficiently promoted the growth, enhanced the enzyme activities such as SOD, POD, PAL, and 4CL (4-coumarate-Coenzyme A ligase), etc., as well as increased the levels of chlorophyll, carotenoid, AsA (Ascorbic acid), and total Fla or Lac in suspension cells. The best treatment was 1.0 mM treated for 4 or 7 days, and total Fla and Lac increased by 18.7% (4d) and 76.1% (7d) compared with the control, respectively. The high dose (3.0 mM) of NaHS treatment for 7 days restrained cells growth by decreasing photosynthetic pigments levels, and enhanced lipid peroxidation by increasing MDA content (141.5%) and the relative electrical conductivity levels (82.9%) compared to the control. High-dose NaHS also inhibited the above enzyme activities and total Flc and Lac accumulations. However, short-term 3.0 mM NaHS treatment (1d) could increase total Fla and Lac levels. This study provided new insights into the cell differentiation and the production of secondary metabolites in cell culture of G. biloba. Key message: Hydrogen sulfide promoted cell differentiation and embryonic cell mass formation, antioxidant ability, and flavonoids accumulation in Ginkgo biloba suspension cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration and remoteness of mobile terminals, as well as local area network-based office issues, have basically been solved, that is, a solution established on the basis of a cloud service collaborative platform, which can be implemented between various service systems. Each place enters the office system at all times to process related business, which improves the overall efficiency of our company's collaboration, and each information management system is no longer an information island. Technically, this article provides the possibility for the implementation of the system, and analyzes in detail the business requirements, performance requirements and functional modules of the system. In addition, it briefly introduces the requirements for the key technical means used. The system designed in this paper can effectively process a large amount of data and improve the operation efficiency of the system by separating the front-end management and back-end management. More importantly, the collaborative office platform designed by this system increases the sharing degree of information to the maximum, which can effectively reduce useless work, maximize work efficiency, and stimulate the enthusiasm of workers. At the same time, the operating costs of the system are reduced. It realizes the integration of information processing of data and efficient management of data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the correlation between electrochemical performance and physicochemical properties, three types of 1D WO3 nanostructures were fabricated by hydrothermal method using K2SO4, Na2SO4, and (NH4)2SO4 as capping agents. Hexagonal phase was obtained with the assistant of Na2SO4 and (NH4)2SO4, while monoclinic phase was developed using K2SO4 as agent. WO3 nanostructures prepared by (NH4)2SO4 and Na2SO4 exhibited superior specific capacitance (400 F/g and 388 F/g) relative to WO3 prepared by K2SO4 (259 F/g), suggesting hexagonal phase is more suitable for energy storage. The nanostructures prepared using Na2SO4 exhibited inferior rate performance compared with those obtained by (NH4)2SO4 due to low specific surface area and high crystallinity. The electrochemical performance demonstrated nanostructures prepared by (NH4)2SO4 was surface-controlled whereas those using Na2SO4 and K2SO4 were battery-type material. These findings raise the prospects of developing tungsten oxide for energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Several proinflammatory cytokines produced by T helper 17 (Th17) cells are involved in the pathogenesis of AS. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the levels of Th17 cells and serum Th17-associated cytokines in patients with AS.Methods: We determined the levels of Th17 cells and Th17 cytokines in patients with AS using data extracted from published articles retrieved from the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, Clinical Trials.gov, and FDA.gov.Databases: The effect estimates were pooled using a random-effects model. The review protocols were registered on PROSPERO (reference: CRD42021255741) and followed the PRISMA guideline.Results: This meta-analysis included 138 studies. Compared to healthy controls (HCs), patients with AS had a higher proportion of Th17 cells (standardized mean difference [SMD] 2.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.78-2.68; p < 0.001) and levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-17 (SMD 2.04, 95% CI 1.70-2.38; p < 0.001), IL-21 (SMD 1.77, 95% CI 0.95-2.59; p < 0.001), and IL-23 (SMD 1.11, 95% CI 0.78-1.44; p < 0.001). The subgroup analysis showed higher levels of IL-17+ Th17 cells among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD4+ T cells in patients with AS compared to HCs (SMD 2.26, 95% CI 1.58-2.94 [p < 0.001] and SMD 1.61, 95% CI 0.55-2.67 [p = 0.003], respectively). Patients with AS had higher levels of CD4+IL-17+IFN-γ- Th17 in PBMCs and of CD4+CCR6+CCR4+Th17 in CD4+ T cells compared to HCs (SMD 1.85, 95% CI 1.06-2.64 [p < 0.001] and SMD 7.72, 95% CI 6.55-8.89 [p < 0.001], respectively). No significant differences were observed in the proportions of CD4+IL-17+IFN-γ- Th17 in CD4+ T cells and CD4+CCR6+CCR4+ Th17 in PBMCs (SMD - 0.11, 95% CI - 0.61 to 0.38 [p = 0.650] and SMD 1.32, 95% CI - 0.54 to 3.19 [p = 0.165], respectively). In addition, compared to stable AS, the levels of Th17 cells and IL-17 and IL-23 were significantly higher in active AS (SMD 1.58, 95% CI 0.30-2.85 [p = 0.016], SMD 3.52, 95% CI 0.72-6.33 [p = 0.014], and SMD 5.10, 95% CI 1.83-8.36 [p = 0.002], respectively).Conclusions: The levels of Th17 cells and serum IL-17, IL-21, and IL-23 were higher in patients with AS than in HCs and, compared with stable AS, they increased more significantly in active AS. These results suggest that Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines play major roles in AS pathogenesis and are an important target for treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathologic change (LATE-NC) and Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic change (ADNC) are each associated with substantial cognitive impairment in aging populations. However, the prevalence of LATE-NC across the full range of ADNC remains uncertain. To address this knowledge gap, neuropathologic, genetic, and clinical data were compiled from 13 high-quality community- and population-based longitudinal studies. Participants were recruited from United States (8 cohorts, including one focusing on Japanese–American men), United Kingdom (2 cohorts), Brazil, Austria, and Finland. The total number of participants included was 6196, and the average age of death was 88.1 years. Not all data were available on each individual and there were differences between the cohorts in study designs and the amount of missing data. Among those with known cognitive status before death (n = 5665), 43.0% were cognitively normal, 14.9% had MCI, and 42.4% had dementia—broadly consistent with epidemiologic data in this age group. Approximately 99% of participants (n = 6125) had available CERAD neuritic amyloid plaque score data. In this subsample, 39.4% had autopsy-confirmed LATE-NC of any stage. Among brains with "frequent" neuritic amyloid plaques, 54.9% had comorbid LATE-NC, whereas in brains with no detected neuritic amyloid plaques, 27.0% had LATE-NC. Data on LATE-NC stages were available for 3803 participants, of which 25% had LATE-NC stage > 1 (associated with cognitive impairment). In the subset of individuals with Thal Aβ phase = 0 (lacking detectable Aβ plaques), the brains with LATE-NC had relatively more severe primary age-related tauopathy (PART). A total of 3267 participants had available clinical data relevant to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and none were given the clinical diagnosis of definite FTD nor the pathological diagnosis of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 inclusions (FTLD-TDP). In the 10 cohorts with detailed neurocognitive assessments proximal to death, cognition tended to be worse with LATE-NC across the full spectrum of ADNC severity. This study provided a credible estimate of the current prevalence of LATE-NC in advanced age. LATE-NC was seen in almost 40% of participants and often, but not always, coexisted with Alzheimer's disease neuropathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrochar a carbon-rich material resulting from hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, has received substantial attention because of its potential application in various areas such as carbon sequestration, bioenergy production and environmental amelioration. A series of hydrochars were prepared by metal chloride-assisted hydrothermal carbonization of rice husk and characterized by elemental analysis, zeta potential, X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results reveal that the prepared hydrochars have carbon contents ranging from 45.01 to 58.71%, BET specific areas between 13.23 and 45.97 m2/g, and rich O-containing functional groups on the surfaces. The metal chlorides added in the feedwater could improve the degree of carbonization and show significant effects on the physical, chemical and adsorption properties of the hydrochars. The adsorption of the selected organics on the hydrochars is a spontaneous and physisorption-dominated process. The hydrochars possess larger adsorption capacities for 2-naphthol than for berberine hydrochloride and Congo red, and the modeling maximum adsorption capacities of 2-naphthol are in the range of 170.1–2680 mg/g. The adsorption equilibrium could be accomplished in 10, 40 and 30 min for 2-naphthol, berberine hydrochloride and Congo red, respectively. These results suggest metal chloride-assisted hydrothermal carbonization a promising method for converting biomass waste into effective adsorbents for wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the crown of the scholar's four jewels, the brush has occupied a cherished position in the culture of traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy since its invention. In virtual painting, virtual brush modeling plays the most important role. A powerful virtual brush model can truly reflect the characteristics of a real brush and enhance the reality of virtual painting. By reviewing the state of the art in virtual brush modeling, we summarize the basic principles, merits, and drawbacks of typical modeling methods, and discuss simulation results based on empirical methods and physical methods separately. The influences of brush-paper, paper-ink, and human-computer interactive devices on virtual brush modeling are analyzed briefly. The main challenges and problems in virtual painting are analyzed, and the prospects for research on virtual brush modeling in the future are put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The new method described here is highly efficient in transferring microinjected mouse eggs (MEs) through the bursa membrane of a surrogate mother mouse to the ampulla of the oviduct without damaging the blood vessels on the bursa membrane. Results: This method causes no loss of blood, and it produces newborn pups/founders from approximately 70% of the transferred MEs, because only a small hole is made on the blood vessel-free area of the bursa membrane and ampulla of the surrogate mother mouse. The infundibulum remains intact. The small hole on the bursa membrane/ampulla may already heal up before the delivery of the new pups. The method described here consists of a simple operation with a home-assembled drill head holding a self-closing fine forceps on one end, while the drill head assembly body is hooked up with the light housing clamp of a dissecting light microscope. The drill head assembly body can be alternatively hooked/tied up to an appropriate size of clamp (purchased from Home Depot) screwed to any light stand with folding segments. Conclusion: This system is able to steadily hold the self-closing fine forceps without shaking and to let the operator use their two hands to steadily hold and quickly insert the pipet carrying the MEs into the ampulla without any delay. Generally MEs stay alive for approximately 15 min at room temperature. The shorter the insertion time is, the more MEs that will survive. Thus, this method may produces more pups/founders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strong selective adsorption property of monoclinic tungsten trioxide nanowires (WONWs) towards organic dyes was reported in this paper. The effects of pH, initial concentration and types of dyes were systematically investigated. Particularly, methylene blue (MB) was more inclined to be adsorbed in acid solution and a maximum uptake capacity of 148.6 mg g was achieved. 88 % of MB can be rapidly adsorbed within 70 min. The kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics for the adsorption of MB and methyl orange (MO) were well described. The kinetic adsorption on WONWs followed a pseudo second-order model ( R = 0.998) and the Langmuir isotherm ( R = 0.992) agreed very well with the experimental data. The negative values of Δ G at various temperatures (−5.656, −5.792, and −5.946 kJ mol) and Δ H (−1.343 kJ mol) implied that the adsorption reaction was spontaneous and exothermic. Specific surface area (864.153 m g) and surface acidic groups of WONWs enabled excellent adsorption performance. A highly selective adsorption mechanism involving the electrostatic interaction between hydroxyls on the WONWs' surfaces and different dye molecules was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau is a common feature of several dementias. Tau is one of the brain microtubule-associated proteins. Here we discuss tau's functions in microtubule assembly and stabilization and with regard to its interactions with other proteins. We describe and analyze important post-translational modifications: hyperphosphorylation, ubiquitination, glycation, glycosylation, nitration, polyamination, proteolysis, acetylation, and methylation. We discuss how these post-translational modifications can alter tau's biological function. We analyze the role of mitochondrial health in neurodegeneration. We propose that microtubules could be a therapeutic target and review different approaches. Finally, we consider whether tau accumulation or its conformational change is related to tau-induced neurodegeneration, and propose a mechanism of neurodegeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

novel resonant cavity enhanced (RCE) photodetector with flat-top and steep-edge response is presented. The response is obtained by designing a gradient-thickness P area in the absorption cavity. Simulation results show that the maximum and minimum values of the quantum efficiency in bandpass are 85.242% and 87.564% respectively, the ripple is about 3.6%, and 0.5 dB, 3 dB and 20 dB bandwidths are 0.3 nm, 0.4 nm and 1.2 nm, respectively. The mesa area is 10 μm × 10 μm and the frequency response bandwidth is 87 GHz. Compared with similar photodetectors, this photodetector has high quantum efficiency, narrow spectral response linewidth, good flat-top and steep-edge response and ideal high-speed characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the elastic properties of two tin-copper crystalline phases, the η′-Cu6Sn5 and ε-Cu3Sn, which are often encountered in microelectronic packaging applications. The full elastic stiffness of both phases is determined based on strain-energy relations using first-principles calculations. The computed results show the elastic anisotropy of both phases that cannot be resolved from experiments. Our results, suggesting both phases have the greatest stiffness along the c direction, particularly showed the unique in-plane elastic anisotropy associated with the lattice modulation of the Cu3Sn superstructure. The polycrystalline moduli obtained using the Voigt-Reuss scheme are 125.98 GPa for Cu6Sn5 and 134.16 GPa for Cu3Sn. Our data analysis indicates that the smaller elastic moduli of Cu6Sn5 are attributed to the direct Sn–Sn bond in Cu6Sn5. We reassert the elastic modulus and hardness of both phases using the nanoindentation experiment for our calculation benchmark. Interestingly, the computed polycrystalline elastic modulus of Cu6Sn5 seems to be overestimated, whereas that of Cu3Sn falls nicely in the range of reported data. Based on the observations, the elastic modulus of Cu6Sn5 obtained from nanoindentation tests admit the microstructure effect that is absent for Cu3Sn is concluded. Our analysis of electronic structure shows that the intrinsic hardness and elastic modulus of both phases are dominated by electronic structure and atomic lattice structure, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss a method to perform dissipation-assisted quantum state manipulation in a cavity. We show that atomic spontaneous emission and cavity decay might be exploited to drive many atoms into many-body steady-state entanglement. Our protocol offers a dramatic improvement in fidelity when noise strength increases. Moreover, the dephasing noise is suppressed effectively by showing that high-fidelity target state can be obtained in a dissipative environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the elastic properties of two tin-copper crystalline phases, the ?'-Cu6Sn5 and e-Cu3Sn, which are often encountered in microelectronic packaging applications. The full elastic stiffness of both phases is determined based on strain-energy relations using first-principles calculations. The computed results show the elastic anisotropy of both phases that cannot be resolved from experiments. Our results, suggesting both phases have the greatest stiffness along the c direction, particularly showed the unique in-plane elastic anisotropy associated with the lattice modulation of the Cu3Sn superstructure. The polycrystalline moduli obtained using the Voigt-Reuss scheme are 125.98 GPa for Cu6Sn5 and 134.16 GPa for Cu3Sn. Our data analysis indicates that the smaller elastic moduli of Cu6Sn5 are attributed to the direct Sn-Sn bond in Cu6Sn5. We reassert the elastic modulus and hardness of both phases using the nanoindentation experiment for our calculation benchmark. Interestingly, the computed polycrystalline elastic modulus of Cu6Sn5 seems to be overestimated, whereas that of Cu3Sn falls nicely in the range of reported data. Based on the observations, the elastic modulus of Cu6Sn5 obtained from nanoindentation tests take the microstructure effect that is absent for Cu3Sn. Our analysis of electronic structure shows that the intrinsic hardness and elastic modulus of both phases are dominated by electronic structure and atomic lattice structure, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]