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Refractive index (RI) sensors play an important role in various applications including biomedical analysis and food processing industries. However, developing RI sensors with both high resolution and wide linear range remains a great challenge due to the tradeoff between quality (Q) factor and free spectral range (FSR) of resonance mode. Herein, the optical steelyard principle is presented to address this challenge by synergizing resonances from the Fabry–Perot (FP) cavity and metasurface, integrated in a hybrid configuration form on the end facet of optical fibers. Specifically, the FP resonance acting like the scale beam, offers high resolution while the plasmonic resonance acting like the weight, provides a wide linear range. Featuring asymmetric Fano spectrum due to modal coupling between these two resonances, a high Q value (~ 3829 in liquid) and a sensing resolution (figure of merit) of 2664 RIU−1 are experimentally demonstrated. Meanwhile, a wide RI sensing range (1.330–1.430 in the simulation and 1.3403–1.3757 in the experiment) is realized, corresponding to a spectral shift across several FSRs (four and two FSRs in the simulation and experiment, respectively). The proposed steelyard RI sensing strategy is promising in versatile monitoring applications, e.g., water salinity/turbidity and biomedical reaction process, and could be extended to other types of sensors calling for both high resolution and wide linear range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been increasing interest in the role of epigenetic modification in cancers recently. Among the various modifications, sialylation has emerged as a dominant subtype implicated in tumor progression, metastasis, immune evasion, and chemoresistance. The prognostic significance of sialylation-related molecules has been demonstrated in colorectal cancer. However, the potential roles and regulatory mechanisms of sialylation in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) have not been thoroughly investigated. Through Pearson correlation, univariate Cox hazards proportional regression, and random survival forest model analyses, we identified several prognostic long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with aberrant sialylation and tumor progression, including LINC00857, LINC00968, LINC00663, and ITGA9-AS1. Based on the signatures of four lncRNAs, we classified patients into two clusters with different landscapes using a non-negative matrix factorization approach. Collectively, patients in Cluster 1 (C1) exhibited worse prognoses than those in Cluster 2 (C2), as well as heavier tumor mutation burden. Functional enrichment analysis showed the enrichment of several pro-tumor pathways in C1, differing from the upregulated Longevity and programmed cell death pathways in C2. Moreover, we profiled immune infiltration levels of important immune cell lineages in two subgroups using MCPcounter scores and single sample gene set enrichment analysis scores, revealing a relatively immunosuppressive microenvironment in C1. Risk analysis indicated that LINC00857 may serve as a pro-tumor regulator, while the other three lncRNAs may be protective contributors. Consistently, we observed upregulated LINC00857 in C1, whereas increased expressive levels of LINC00968, LINC00663, and ITGA9-AS1 were observed in C2. Finally, drug sensitivity analysis suggested that patients in the two groups may benefit from different therapeutic strategies, contributing to precise treatment in LUAD. By integrating multi-omics data, we identified four core sialylation-related lncRNAs and successfully established a prognostic model to distinguish patients with different characterizations. These findings may provide some insights into the underlying mechanism of sialylation, and offer a new stratification way as well as clinical guidance in LUAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Downwelling aeration has become a widely applied approach to cope with the water eutrophication in stratified reservoirs, rivers and lakes. The aeration parameters involving flow rate, flow locations and working periodicity and their impacts on the temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) distributions of water have been largely unclarified, causing extra time and energy consumptions in practice. In this study, a home-built water tank and an aeration pump are used to model the downwelling aeration processes in stratified water. Temporal influences of aeration parameters on the water stratifications and eutrophicated elements are systemically investigated, with the purpose of searching parametric configurations to enhance the anti-eutrophication efficiency. It is found that the variation rates of temperature destratification and DO distribution in the water body could be saturated and strongly correlated with the flow rate. Based on such experimental saturation rates, we find an optimized working condition from the aspect of energy saving: a 300 rpm pump speed and a 15 cm distance between the flow exit and the sediment surface. In such conditions, the total nitrogen and phosphorus dissolved in the bottom layer of water decrease exponentially with aeration time, and can be reduced by 53.8 and 86% in the first 6 h of aerations, respectively, taking full advantage of the microbial bonding to the sedimentations. The present work provides better understandings for efficient implementations of downwelling aerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study on the nonlinear optical responses arising from plasmonic nanoantennas, known as nonlinear plasmonics, has been massively investigated in recent years. Among the most basic nonlinear optical responses, second-harmonic generation (SHG) and multiphoton photoluminescence (MPL), two-photon photoluminescence in particular, has aroused extensive interests, due to their distinct properties of being ultrasensitive to the spatial symmetry and ultrafast response time of hot electrons. In this review, we give insights into fundamental roles dominating the radiations of such nonlinear optical processes and their recent research advances. Different from other reviews on nonlinear plasmonics, which mainly focused on parametric processes, this review pays equal attentions to the incoherent process of MPL. An in-depth description on the excitation and emission processes of MPL in accordance with recent studies is fully presented. By using the high 'symmetry rule' of SHG and ultrafast response time of MPL, advanced applications in surface enhanced spectroscopy, ultra-sensitive photodetector, biosensor and ultrafast laser pulses are highlighted in the end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liehr et al. ([16]) reported 46 UPD + sSMC cases, among which, three cases involved maternal UPD14 + sSMC whereas only one case involved paternal UPD14 + sSMC (Liehr et al. [16]). In addition, we observed the presence of an sSMC in each cell examined which is most likely derived from 14q11.2 with complex chromosome rearrangement as indicated by the CMA results, although we cannot rule out the possibility of the presence of genomic material derived from other chromosomes or other regions of chromosome 14 on this marker chromosome. Paternal UPD14 with sSMC derived from chromosome 14 in Kagami-Ogata syndrome Chromosome and FISH analyses demonstrated that the marker chromosome was bisatellited and composed entirely of heterochromatic material from chromosome 14. [Extracted from the article]

The effects of various general and heavy metal ions in acidic cadmium-containing wastewater on SBR desulfurization and cadmium removal under different concentrations were studied. CrO42− and S2− inhibited SRB mineralization, and Mg2+, Ca2+, Fe2+, and Fe3+ promoted SRB mineralization at low concentration (<50 mg/L). The inhibitory concentrations of Cu2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Hg2+, Cr3+, and Ni2+ were 10, 30, 2, 20, 25, 5, 30 mg/L, respectively. The inhibition order was Co2+>Hg2+>Cu2+>Ni2+>Zn2+>Pb2+>Mn2+>Cr3+. Furthermore, the inverted microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to observe the sediment crystallization process from macroscopic and microscopic viewpoints in the optimized ion environment. The experimental results show that under the mineralization of SRB, cadmium sediment crystallization is mainly divided into the rapid growth of bacteria, crystal nucleus production, block formation, and crystallization occuration. At the same time, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive spectra (EDS) have also confirmed the sediment and crystallization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In smart grid-based manufacturing, nanoparticles can play a significant role in enhancing efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. They can be employed in areas such as materials synthesis, fabrication, sensing, and energy storage. With combining smart grid technologies and nanoparticles, manufacturers can benefit from improved process control, reduced energy consumption, enhanced product quality, and increased resource efficiency. Hence, this paper concentrate on the design of smart grid with nanoparticles with unique properties with the evolutionary optimization process. The paper uses Dempster–Shafer probability framework (DS-PF) in smart grid-based manufacturing using nanoparticles. The DS-PF perform the mathematical reasoning under uncertainty and combining evidence, making it suitable for addressing the complex and uncertain nature of smart grid manufacturing processes. With the estimation of the mathematical derivatives, an evolutionary process is implemented with the probability detection–based fuzzy rules. Based on the optimal value of the evolutionary optimization fuzzy rules, the nanoparticles are integrated with the smart grid manufacturing. Through experimental results and simulations, the paper demonstrates the effectiveness of DS-PF in handling uncertainties and optimizing decision-making in smart grid-based manufacturing. The results expressed that the with DS-PF model energy consumption is significantly reduced to 235 J, with network lifetime of 24 h and packet delivery ratio of 96.5%. The findings of this research contribute to the advancement of smart grid-based manufacturing by offering a comprehensive framework for handling uncertainties and making informed decisions. The proposed methodologies and approaches based on DS-PF have the potential to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and optimization of manufacturing processes in smart grid environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the role of tip-sample interaction in nonlinear optical scanning near-field microscopy. The experiment was performed by tightly focusing femtosecond laser pulses onto a sharp gold tip that was positioned in close proximity to the surface of a sample with gold nanostructures on a Si-substrate by shear force feedback. The nonlinear optical signal consists of two-photon photoluminescence and second harmonic signal from the gold tip and the gold nanostructures. These signals can be used to characterize different coupling parameters such as geometry, material and width of the tip-sample gap and enable to reveal the mechanism responsible for the image contrast. Under the excitation with 776-nm and 110-fs laser pulses nonlinear imaging is almost background free and yields super resolution showing features with dimensions significantly below the diffraction limit with a signal intensity following quadratic excitation power law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromatin is generally classified as euchromatin or heterochromatin, each with distinct histone modifications, compaction levels, and gene expression patterns. Although the proper formation of heterochromatin is essential for maintaining genome integrity and regulating gene expression, heterochromatin can also spread into neighboring regions in a sequence-independent manner, leading to the inactivation of genes. Because the distance of heterochromatin spreading is stochastic, the formation of boundaries, which block the spreading of heterochromatin, is critical for maintaining stable gene expression patterns. Here we review the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying heterochromatin spreading and boundary formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) phosphorylates AGC protein kinases including protein kinase C (PKC) and regulates cellular functions such as cell migration. However, its regulation remains poorly understood. Here we show that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induces two phases of PKC-? hydrophobic motif phosphorylation. The late phase is mediated by G?12, which specifically activates ARAF, leading to upregulation of the RFFL E3 ubiquitin ligase and subsequent ubiquitylation and degradation of the PRR5L subunit of mTORC2. Destabilization of PRR5L, a suppressor of mTORC2-mediated hydrophobic motif phosphorylation of PKC-?, but not AKT, results in PKC-? hydrophobic motif phosphorylation and activation. This G?12-mediated signalling pathway for mTORC2 regulation is critically important for fibroblast migration and pulmonary fibrosis development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) phosphorylates AGC protein kinases including protein kinase C (PKC) and regulates cellular functions such as cell migration. However, its regulation remains poorly understood. Here we show that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induces two phases of PKC-? hydrophobic motif phosphorylation. The late phase is mediated by G?12, which specifically activates ARAF, leading to upregulation of the RFFL E3 ubiquitin ligase and subsequent ubiquitylation and degradation of the PRR5L subunit of mTORC2. Destabilization of PRR5L, a suppressor of mTORC2-mediated hydrophobic motif phosphorylation of PKC-?, but not AKT, results in PKC-? hydrophobic motif phosphorylation and activation. This G?12-mediated signalling pathway for mTORC2 regulation is critically important for fibroblast migration and pulmonary fibrosis development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple primary cancers refer to the condition where more than two cancers occur independently in an individual. The incidence of lung cancer in cases of colorectal cancer is rare and synchronous rectal cancer and lung cancer is even rare. A 61-year-old man was referred to our hospital with a 2-month history of blood in his stool, tenesmus, and mucous discharge in July 2010. Colonoscopy showed an irregular ulcerated rectal mass and histological examination of biopsy material showed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest and abdomen showed a mass in the posterior segment of the right upper lobe of the lung and a mass in the right rectal wall of upper rectum. The rectal tumor was diagnosed as primary cancer based on the findings of immunohistochemical stain. An anterior resection (AR) and video assisted thoracoscopic (VAT) wedge resection were performed and histological findings of resected rectal and lung tumor specimen showed synchronous primary rectal cancer and lung cancer. A combination chemotherapy regimen with docetaxel and lobaplatin was used and the patient was successfully discharged from hospital in August 2010. Although the incidence of synchronous multiple primary cancers is very low, we need to remain suspicious, when faced with two or even multiple organ lesions, and employ the necessary examination methods to confirm the diagnosis. For synchronous multiple primary cancers, if conditions allow, surgical resection for all the cancers can be performed in a single operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histone H3 lysine 36 methylation (H3K36me) is critical for epigenetic regulation and mutations at or near H3K36 are associated with distinct types of cancers. H3K36M dominantly inhibits H3K36me on wild-type histones, whereas H3G34R/V selectively affects H3K36me on the same histone tail. Here we report the crystal structures of SETD2 SET domain in complex with an H3K36M peptide and SAM or SAH. There are large conformational changes in the substrate binding regions of the SET domain, and the K36M residue interacts with the catalytic pocket of SETD2. H3G34 is surrounded by a very narrow tunnel, which excludes larger amino acid side chains. H3P38 is in the trans configuration, and the cis configuration is incompatible with SETD2 binding. Finally, mutations of H3G34 or H3P38 alleviate the inhibitory effects of H3K36M on H3K36me, demonstrating that the stable interaction of H3K36M with SETD2 is critical for its inhibitory effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Realizing optical manipulation of microscopic objects is crucial in the research fields of life science, condensed matter physics, and physical chemistry. In non-liquid environments, this task is commonly regarded as difficult due to strong adhesive surface force (~µN) attached to solid interfaces that makes tiny optical driven force (~pN) insignificant. Here, by recognizing the microscopic interaction mechanism between friction force-the parallel component of surface force on a contact surface-and thermoelastic waves induced by pulsed optical absorption, we establish a general principle enabling the actuation of micro-objects on dry frictional surfaces based on the opto-thermo-mechanical effects. Theoretically, we predict that nanosecond pulsed optical absorption with mW-scale peak power is sufficient to tame µN-scale friction force. Experimentally, we demonstrate the two-dimensional spiral motion of gold plates on micro-fibers driven by nanosecond laser pulses, and reveal the rules of motion control. Our results pave the way for the future development of micro-scale actuators in non-liquid environments., (© 2021. The Author(s).)