Search

Abstract Reconfigurable phototransistors featuring bipolar photoresponses are favorable for manipulating high-performance neuromorphic vision sensory. Here, we present a momentum-conserved reconfigurable phototransistor based on the van der Waals heterojunction between methylammonium lead iodide perovskite and two-dimensional Bi2O2Se semiconductor, which exhibits a synergistic interplay of interband hot-carrier transitions and reconfigurable heterointerface band alignments, eventually achieving the ultrahigh bipolar optoelectronic performances with the photoresponsivity of 6×107 AW−1, accompanied by the specific detectivity of 5.2×1011 Jones, and the dynamic range of 110 dB. Moreover, A 3×3 heterotransistor array is fabricated to perform in-sensor analog multiply-accumulate operations even under the challenging dim illumination of 0.1 μWcm−2 that comparable to natural moonlight. The reconfigurable heterotransistor array can be further adopted to enhance the traffic-light detection under dim-light conditions. Our advancement in momentum-conserved reconfigurable heterotransistor signifies a leap forward in real-time, energy-efficient, and low-light image processing for neuromorphic vision sensors.

Bufo rubroventromaculatus Orlov, Ananjeva, Ermakov, Lukonina, Ninh & Nguyen, 2024 is a species recently described from Vietnam. Currently, this species is known from central and northern Vietnam and it uncertain whether this species is distributed in China. In addition, the original description of this species is very brief.Based on nine specimens collected from Yunnan Province and Guangxi Autonomous Region, China, we provide the first confirmed record of Bufo rubroventromaculatus from China. The morphological characteristics of the specimens from China mostly agree with the original description of B. rubroventromaculatus and, phylogenetically, the specimens from China clustered with the type series of B. rubroventromaculatus from Vietnam. We also provide a supplementary description of this species, based on the specimens we collected.

Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity with subsequent heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors worldwide. Chemotherapy-induced HF is exceptionally challenging as it generally manifests in patients who are typically not eligible for left ventricular device implantation or heart transplantation. To explore alternative treatment strategies for cancer survivors suffering from chemotherapy-induced HF, we developed a minimally invasive infusible cardiac stromal cell secretomes adhesive (MISA) that could be delivered locally through an endoscope-guided intrapericardial injection. To mimic the typical clinical presentation of chemotherapy-induced HF in elder patients, we established an aged rat model in which restrictive cardiomyopathy with sequential HF was induced via consecutive doxorubicin injections. In vitro, we prove that MISA not only enhanced cardiomyocytes proliferation potency and viability, but also inhibited their apoptosis. In vivo, we prove that MISA improved the ventricular contractility indexes and led to beneficial effects on histological and structural features of restrictive cardiomyopathy via promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation, angiogenesis, and mitochondrial respiration. Additionally, we also evaluated the safety and feasibility of MISA intrapericardial delivery in a healthy porcine model with an intact immune system. In general, our data indicates that MISA has a strong potential for translation into large animal models and ultimately clinical applications for chemotherapy-induced HF prior to the final option of heart transplantation.

Based on the examination of specimens of Amolops minutus Orlov & Ho, 2007 and A. ottorum Pham, Sung, Pham, Le, Zieger & Nguyen, 2019, we found that there is no significant morphological difference between them. Phylogenetic analysis also showed that A. minutus and A. ottorum belong to the same taxon. In addition, we discovered the distribution of A. minutus in China.In this study, we provide the first molecular data of Amolops minutus and regard A. ottorum as a junior synonym of A. minutus. In addition, we report the first record of A. minutus from China, based on nine specimens collected from Guanyinshan Provincial Nature Reserve in southern Yunnan Province and present an updated diagnosis of this species, based on literature data and newly-collected specimens.

Abstract This study presents a global database of pitted cones on Mars. This database was created using an active deep-learning approach based on a global mosaic of Mars Context Camera (CTX) images, followed by extensive manual verification. The global database contains 250,547 pitted cones along with their central coordinates and diameters. 94.2% of the pitted cones have diameters ranging from 100 m to 1 km. Most of them are in the northern lowlands, while some are scattered in the southern highlands. Systematic evaluation of the extracted pitted cones is performed in Isidis Planitia, Acidalia Planitia, and Cerberus Palus on Mars. The results reveal that the precision ranges from 79.2% to 85.6%, and the recall rate ranges from 62.4% to 87.7%, indicating a varying among regions but satisfactory performance. Manual digitizing evaluation indicates that over 94.1% of manual labels by different annotators have a differentiation rate of 10%, showing promising precision and consistency. This global database can facilitate further research on the origin and evolution of pitted cones on Mars.

The phenomenon of spontaneous combustion of coal left in the goaf directly affects the safe and efficient mining of coal mines, and the use of plugging materials to close the air leakage channel is an effective method to solve the problem of spontaneous combustion of coal in the goaf. Taking the F1301 re-mining face of Yunhe Coal Mine as the engineering background, aiming at the hidden danger of spontaneous combustion of loose coal left in the tunneling roadway in the goaf, the implementation scheme of gel plugging and fire extinguishing technology for loose coal was formulated. The COMSOL numerical simulation method was used to study the gel diffusion law under different injection time and pressures, and the engineering application was carried out. The results show that the injection time and pressure are proportional to the gel diffusion range. Considering the injection effect and cost, 10 MPa and 140-160 min are selected as the best injection pressure and time, and the distance between the injection holes is set to 5 m. After the implementation of the gel plugging fire prevention and extinguishing scheme, the monitoring data of the observation boreholes on both sides of the roadway show that the volume fraction of the iconic gas CO is stable below 24×10−6, and the gel plugging fire prevention and extinguishing effect is good, which effectively eliminates the hidden danger of spontaneous combustion of coal left in the goaf.

Abstract Chrysosplenium sinicum, a traditional Tibetan medicinal plant, can successfully thrive in low-light environments for long periods of time. To investigate the adaptive evolution of shade plants in low-light environments, we generated a chromosome-scale genome assembly (~320 Mb) for C. sinicum by combining PacBio sequencing and Hi-C technologies. Based on our results, gene families related to photosynthesis and cell respiration greatly expanded and evolved in C. sinicum genome due to intracellular DNA transfer from organelle genome to nuclear genome. Under positive selective pressure, adaptive evolution of light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) component protein CsLhcb1s resulted in the expansion of threonine residues at the phosphorylation site of STN7 kinase, potentially establishing a crucial genomic foundation for enhancing C. sinicum’s adaptability in low-light environments. Through transcriptome and metabolome analysis, we identified chrysosplenol and chrysosplenoside as predominant flavonoid metabolites of C. sinicum and predicted their synthesis pathways. In addition, analysis of alternative splicing (AS) revealed that AS events help regulate state transition and flavonoid biosynthesis. The present study provides new insights into the genomes of shade plants exposed to low-light conditions and adaptive evolution of these genomes; in addition, the results improve our current knowledge on the biosynthetic and regulatory processes of chrysosplenol and chrysosplenoside.

Abstract In August 2023, Xiaomi unveiled the Redmi K60 Ultra, the first multi-frequency smartphone integrated with BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System Precise Point Positioning (PPP-B2b) services and employing PPP technology as the primary positioning method. The positioning enhancement service is provided by the Assisted Global Navigation Satellite System (A-GNSS) location platform developed by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. The signaling interaction between the server and the users strictly adheres to the Third Generation of Mobile Communications Technology Partnership Project Long-Term Evolution Positioning Protocol and the Open Mobile Alliance Secure User Plane Location framework. To comprehensively evaluate the Redmi K60 Ultra’s capabilities, this study designed six distinct experimental scenarios and conducted comprehensive research on multi-frequency and multi-GNSS observation noise, Time to First Fix (TTFF), as well as the performance of both GNSS-based and network-based positioning. Experimental results indicate that the GNSS chipset within the Redmi K60 Ultra has achieved a leading position in the consumer market concerning supported satellite constellations, frequencies, and observation accuracy, and is comparable to some low-cost GNSS receivers. A-GNSS positioning can reduce the TTFF from 30 to under 5 s, representing an improvement of over 85% in the cold start speed compared to a standalone GNSS mode. The positioning results show that the A-GNSS PPP-B2b service can achieve positioning performance with RMS errors of less than 1.5 m, 2.5 m, and 4 m in open-sky, realistic, and challenging urban environments. Compared to GNSS-based positioning, cellular network-based Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) positioning achieves an accuracy ranging from tens to hundreds of meters in various experimental scenarios and currently functions primarily as coarse location determination. Additionally, this study explores the potential of the Three-Dimensional Mapping-Aided (3DMA) GNSS algorithm in detecting Non-Line-of-Sight signals and enhancing positioning performance. The results indicate that 3DMA PPP, as compared to conventional PPP, can significantly accelerate PPP convergence and improve positioning accuracy by over 30%. Consequently, 3D city models can be utilized as future assistance data for the A-GNSS location platform.

The number of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients is increasing and new therapeutic approaches need to be proposed urgently. In recent years, some researchers have focused on the relationship between calcium homeostasis and AD; however, selective regulation of abnormal calcium signaling pathways and related targets of action remain unclear, presenting a challenge. Gerard Griffioen’s team in Belgium has proposed a self-reinforcing amplification between cytoplasmic calcium concentration [Ca 2+ ] cyto and AD pathology in previous studies, discovering a new kind of small-molecule scaffold protein. The protein, ReS19-T, can stabilize the structure of septin filaments and significantly improve the core pathology of AD by inhibiting the pathological activation of store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) and restoring calcium homeostasis, thereby suggesting a new avenue for therapeutic intervention. However, there is still a way to go before clinical application. There are some questions. SEP2/6/7 hexamer plays a role in maintaining immune function, so could ReS19-T affect this function and impact immune responses? Moreover, both Stim1 and Orai (affected by TRPC) contribute to SOCE. The TRPC-specific inhibitor SKF-96365 is highly selective, and its relationship with AD remains to be investigated. Future studies might use SKF-96365 to validate the therapeutic effect of Res19-T. In conclusion, Septin6 as a new approach to AD treatment expects more relevant research to emerge.

AbstractContext Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. Gefitinib is a first-line treatment for NSCLC. However, its effectiveness is hindered by the development of drug resistance. At present, Shenqi Fuzheng injection (SFI) is widely accepted as an adjuvant therapy in NSCLC.Objective This study investigates the molecular mechanism of SFI when combined with gefitinib in regulating cell progression among EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC.Materials and methods We established gefitinib-resistant PC9-GR cells by exposing gefitinib escalation from 10 nM with the indicated concentrations of SFI in PC9 cells (1, 4, and 8 mg/mL). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to assess gene expression. PC9/GR and H1975 cells were treated with 50 ng/mL of interleukin (IL)-22 alone or in combination with 10 mg/mL of SFI. STAT3, p-STAT3, AKT, and p-AKT expression were evaluated using Western blot. The effects on cell proliferation, clonogenicity, and apoptosis in NSCLC cells were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), colony formation and flow cytometry assays.Results SFI treatment alleviated the development of gefitinib resistance in NSCLC. PC9/GR and H1975 cells treated with SFI significantly exhibited a reduction in IL-22 protein and mRNA overexpression levels. SFI effectively counteracted the activation of the STAT3/AKT signaling pathway induced by adding exogenous IL-22 to PC9/GR and H1975 cells. Moreover, IL-22 combined with gefitinib markedly increased cell viability while reducing apoptosis. In contrast, combining SFI with gefitinib and the concurrent treatment of SFI with gefitinib and IL-22 demonstrated the opposite effect.Discussion and Conclusion SFI can be a valuable therapeutic option to address gefitinib resistance in NSCLC by suppressing the IL-22/STAT3/AKT pathway.

Abstract Background Nephrotic syndrome (NS) can occur as a paraneoplastic disorder in association with various types of carcinoma. However, paraneoplastic nephrotic syndrome (PNS) is often misdiagnosed as idiopathic nephrotic syndrome or as an adverse effect of oncology treatment, leading to delayed diagnosis and suboptimal treatment. The characteristics of NS associated with solid malignancies are not yet elucidated. We systematically summarized the clinical data for 128 cases of NS combined with solid malignancies with the aim of informing the clinical management of PNS. Methods We searched the PubMed database for articles published from the date of inception through to October 2023 using the following keywords: “cancer” or “malignant neoplasms” or “neoplasia” or “tumors” and “nephrotic syndrome”, “nephrotic” or “syndrome, nephrotic”. All data were extracted from case reports and case series, and the extraction included a method for identifying individual-level patient data. Results A literature search yielded 105 cases of PNS and 23 of NS induced by cancer therapy. The median age at diagnosis was 60 years, with a male to female ratio of 1.8:1. In patients with PNS, manifestations of NS occurred before, concomitantly with, or after diagnosis of the tumor (in 36%, 30%, and 34% of cases, respectively). Membranous nephropathy (49%) was the most prevalent renal pathology and found particularly in patients with lung, colorectal, or breast carcinoma. Regardless of whether treatment was for cancer alone or in combination with NS, the likelihood of remission was high. Conclusion The pathological type of NS may be associated with specific malignancies in patients with PNS. Prompt identification of PNS coupled with suitable therapeutic intervention has a significant impact on the outcome for patients.

A new species of the genus Diploderma Hallowell, 1861 from Qiaojia County, Zhaotong City, northeastern Yunnan Province, China, is described. Phylogenetically, the new species is placed within the D. splendidum complex and has genetic distances of 7.3% and 7.5% from D. splendidum (Barbour & Dunn, 1919) sensu stricto and D. daduense Cai, Liu & Chang, 2024, respectively, based on the ND2 gene sequences. Morphologically, the new species closely resembles D. splendidum sensu stricto and D. daduense, however, it can be distinguished from D. splendidum sensu stricto by having a larger body size in males and relatively shorter limbs, and can be differentiated from D. daduense by having a relatively narrower head in males and relatively shorter forelimbs in males. In addition, the new species differs from D. splendidum sensu stricto and D. daduense by having different colorations, especially in the absence of transverse stripes on the dorsal head. This study further revealed that D. splendidum sensu lato is a complex containing multiple species and that more research is needed to clarify the taxonomy of the complex.

Abstract Collagen, known for its excellent biocompatibility and biological properties, has limited in vivo maintenance duration after implantation, while hyaluronic acid faces challenges such as various complications and insufficient support for cell proliferation. In this study, an injectable hyaluronic acid/collagen (HCol) hydrogel was developed to achieve enhanced cell-material interactions and accelerated skin regeneration. Physical and chemical characterizations demonstrated that the HCol hydrogel was injectable and stable after the implantation. In vitro cell culture results illustrated that the hydrogel promoted the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts, extracellular matrix expression and angiogenesis. The subcutaneous implantation in rats showed the superior biocompatibility of HCol hydrogel and enhanced secretion and deposition of extracellular matrix, compared with commercial hyaluronic acid dermal filler. MRI analysis showed that the hydrogel stably remained in vivo for at least three months. The histological examination and SHG signals further demonstrated that the hydrogel modulated fibroblast phenotype and stimulated vascular ingrowth and collagen synthesis, without inducing significant inflammation, swelling or erythema in vivo. Graphical Abstract

We report the first record of Amolops truongi Pham, Pham, Ngo, Sung, Ziegler & Le, 2023 from China, based on four specimens collected in Yunnan Huanglianshan National Nature Reserve. This species was previously known only from the type locality in north-western Vietnam. Morphologically, the specimens from China correspond to the original description of A. truongi with a few variations and, phylogenetically, they are clustered with the type specimens of A. truongi from Vietnam with strong support. In this study, we also provide an updated diagnosis of this species combining the original description and new data.

Abstract Background The incidence of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) is rising rapidly worldwide. However, there are few reports on these heterogeneous diseases in China. Our study aimed to explore the epidemiological characteristics of NENs in Beijing. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using population-based cancer surveillance data in Beijing, China. All data were extracted from the Beijing Cancer Registry with incidence dates from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2018; the follow-up period was through 31 December 2021. Segi’s world standard population was used to estimate the age-standardized rate. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results From 1998 to 2018, the incidence of NENs in Beijing initially showed a significant increasing trend, from 1.07/100,000 to 3.53/100,000; this began to plateau after 2013. The age-specific incidence rate increased with age and peaked in the age group 70–74 years. The incidence in men was significantly higher than that in women (4.41/100,000 vs. 1.69/100,000). The most common sites of NENs were the lung (2.38/100,000) and rectum (0.14/100,000). Most NENs were diagnosed at a late stage. We found that NENs originating from the lung had worse overall survival than extrapulmonary NENs, and male patients had worse survival than female patients. Conclusions This study retrospectively analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of NENs in Beijing from 1998 to 2018. Our findings provide a reference regarding the epidemiological statistics of NENs in Beijing to contribute to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these specific tumors.

Taxonomy and species boundaries within the Rhacophorus rhodopus and Rhacophorus bipunctatus complexes are very confusing. In this study, we attempt to delimit the species boundaries and test the currently accepted taxonomic assignments within these two complexes based on newly collected samples and previously published data across their distributions. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the R. rhodopus and R. bipunctatus complexes consisted of six distinct clades (labeled A‒F) that diverged from each other by genetic distances (p-distance) ranging from 5.3% to 9.2% in 16S rRNA sequences, and accordingly analyses of species delimitation placed them into six species, of which three correspond to known species (R. rhodopus, R. bipunctatus, and R. napoensis) and three represent different cryptic species. Rhacophorus rhodopus (Clade C) is distributed in southern Yunnan, China, northern Laos, and northern and central Thailand; R. bipunctatus (Clade F) is distributed in northeastern India and western and northern Myanmar; and R. napoensis (Clade B) is distributed in Guangxi, China and northern Vietnam. Based on both molecular and morphological evidence, we described the clade consisting of samples from Hainan, China and central Vietnam (Clade A) as a new species, Rhacophorus qiongica sp. nov. There are two cryptic species requiring additional morphological studies: one only contains samples from Motuo, Xizang, China (Clade E), and the other is distributed in western Yunnan, China, central Myanmar, central Thailand, and Malaysia (Clade D). Additionally, our results supported the idea that some old GenBank sequences of R. reinwardtii need to be updated with the correct species name.

Abstract The problem of non‐uniform voltage distribution in the internal element of metallized film capacitors in flexible HVDC transmission systems exists, the influence of electrical parameters of dielectric and metal copper row are not considered in the existing metallized film capacitor equivalent circuit model. In this paper, the conductance of biaxially oriented polypropylene film (BOPP) for metalized film capacitors is measured at different electric field intensity and dielectric properties at different frequencies. The current density distribution and voltammetric properties of the metalized film capacitor elements under AC and DC superimposed voltages are calculated by the finite element method, and the voltammetric properties of the copper row considering the skin effect are derived. The equivalent circuit model of the metalized film capacitor under the AC‐DC superposition voltage is proposed. The simulation results of the capacitor equivalent circuit model show that the voltage distribution of the internal elements of the capacitor is uniform at low frequency AC voltages (

Endothelial cell specific-1 (ESM-1), also known as endocan, is a soluble dermatan sulfate proteoglycan that is mainly secreted by endothelial cells. Endocan is associated with tumorigenesis and cancer progression and is also related to cardiovascular disorders, autoimmune diseases, and sepsis. The phenylalanine-rich region and linear polysaccharide of endocan are necessary for the protein to exert its biological functions. Elevated plasma endocan levels reflect endothelial activation and dysfunction. In addition, endocan participates in complex inflammatory responses and proliferative processes. Here, we reviewed current research on endocan, elaborated the protein’s structure and biological functions, and speculated on its possible clinical value in nervous system diseases. We conclude that endocan may be a glycoprotein that plays an important role in neurological disorders.

Abstract As a highly organized system, endo‐lysosomes play a crucial role in maintaining immune homeostasis. However, the mechanisms involved in regulating endo‐lysosome progression and subsequent inflammatory responses are not fully understood. By screening 103 E3 ubiquitin ligases in regulating endo‐lysosomal acidification, it is discovered that lysosomal RNF13 inhibits lysosome maturation and promotes inflammatory responses mediated by endosomal Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) in macrophages. Mechanistically, RNF13 mediates K48‐linked polyubiquitination of LAMP‐1 at residue K128 for proteasomal degradation. Upon TLRs activation, LAMP‐1 promotes lysosomes maturation, which accelerates lysosomal degradation of TLRs and reduces TLR signaling in macrophages. Furthermore, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) show increased RNF13 levels and decreased LAMP‐1 expression. Accordingly, the immunosuppressive agent hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) can increase the polyubiquitination of RNF13. Taken together, the study establishes a linkage between proteasomal and lysosomal degradation mechanisms for the induction of appropriate innate immune response, and offers a promising approach for the treatment of inflammatory diseases by targeting intracellular TLRs.

Abstract Dual‐polarization programmable metasurfaces can flexibly manipulate electromagnetic (EM) waves while providing approximately twice the information capacity. Therefore, they hold significant applications in next‐generation communication systems. However, there are three challenges associated with the existing dual‐polarization programmable metasurfaces. This article aims to propose a novel design to address them. First, the design overcomes the challenge of element‐ and polarization‐independent controls, enabling more powerful manipulations of EM waves. Second, by using more energy‐efficient tunable components and reducing their number, the design can be nearly passive (maximum power consumption of 27.7 mW), leading to a significant decrease in the cost and power consumption of the system (at least two orders of magnitude lower than the power consumption of conventional programmable metasurfaces). Third, the design can operate in a broad bandwidth, which is attractive for practical engineering applications. Both the element and array of the metasurface are meticulously designed, and their performance has been carefully studied. The experiments demonstrate that 2D wide‐angle beam scanning can be realized. Moreover, secure communication based on directional information modulation can be implemented by exploiting the metasurface and an efficient discrete optimization algorithm, showing its programmable, multiplexing, broadband, green, and secure features.

BackgroundUnder the current pandemic of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), The relationship between fatigue and COVID-19 has been found. Infection with COVID-19 is associated with fatigue long after the acute phase of COVID-19. Understanding the association of thyroid hormones levels with post-COVID condition, such as fatigue, is necessary to improve quality of life.MethodsThis population-based cohort study was conducted in Dalian, China, from December 2022, to March 2023, using a Yidu Core platform in the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, that integrates medical records, laboratory tests, and all diagnosis and treatment information based on patients in hospital. Eligible individuals were 40 patients with COVID-19, Divided them into fatigue group and non-fatigue group following up by telephone using the FS-14 scale after 6 months. The primary outcomes were the diagnoses of fatigue. The association between thyroid hormones levels and post-COVID condition, such as fatigue, was assessed using logistic regression analysis.ResultsCompared with the non-fatigue group, the FT3 level in fatigue group was lower (p

Understanding changes in root traits of high-yielding genotypes that consistently perform during different drought periods is crucial for improving wheat production and yield stability. A 2-year field trial and a pot experiment were conducted to determine the response of root growth and grain yield to early and terminal droughts in old and modern cultivars (FC3: 1960s and CH1: 2010s) under rainfed and irrigated conditions in the field. Rainfed wheat faced terminal drought in 2015–2016 and early drought in 2016–2017. Plants in the pot experiment were exposed to terminal drought, early drought, and well-watered. Both field and pot experiments showed higher grain yield in modern cultivar CH1 compared to FC3. Early and terminal droughts reduced grain yield in both cultivars, with a greater reduction in FC3. CH1 exhibited higher yield stability under drought conditions and experienced less reduction in early drought. Compared to FC3, CH1 produced more root biomass in the early growth stage. At anthesis, CH1 had significantly lower root biomass and root length density in the topsoil layer (00.2 m) and higher in the subsoil layer (0.21.0 m) than FC3, respectively. At maturity, the retention rate of subsoil root biomass in CH1 was higher, especially under early drought (80.2 % in field and 93.9 % in pot experiments). Both cultivars consumed similar seasonal water use, but CH1 reduced pre-anthesis water use and consumed more water after anthesis. This study indicates that modern cultivar had vigorous root growth at early stage. A higher proportion of root biomass preserved in deep soil after anthesis enhanced post-anthesis water use and photosynthetic rate, improved post-anthesis dry matter accumulation, and thus resulted in higher thousand kernel weight. These factors ensure higher yield and yield stability under both early and terminal drought stress.

Flue-cured tobacco is a main economic crop, and leaves are the direct product of tobacco plant. Monitoring leaf area index (LAI) of tobacco plant is important to field management, yield prediction, and industry regulation. Hyperspectral data have hundreds of narrow spectral bands in continuous spectral ranges, significantly advancing monitoring of LAI. However, considering spectral responses of LAI vary with wavelength, the use of the full spectral range in estimation of LAI is redundant. To reduce spectral redundancy and improve estimation of LAI, spectral subsets were selected based on importance of spectral bands. Variable importance in the projection (VIP) score obtained by partial least squares regression (PLSR) was adopted to measure the importance. The study was conducted in Yunnan Province, China. Canopy reflectance spectra of tobacco plant were measured in two consecutive growth seasons. Genetic algorithm (GA) and PLSR were used for model calibration. The identified important spectral regions for estimation of LAI were red edge, near-infrared (NIR), and green regions. In estimation of LAI of tobacco plant, compared with the estimation using the full spectral range of VNIR reflectance spectra, normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2) values were improved from 10.30% and 0.83 to 7.68% and 0.90 and from 18.78% and 0.43 to 7.65% and 0.90 by using the reflectance spectra in identified spectral regions in the growth seasons in 2021 and 2022 separately. In addition to the identified continuous spectral regions, central bands of the identified spectral regions also achieved estimation of LAI, with the highest R2 value reaching 0.72. The selected spectral subsets improved estimation accuracy and reduced model complexity. The results indicate that selected spectral subsets are effective and promising in estimation of LAI, providing an alternative for estimation of LAI using hyperspectral data.

Introduction Smoking is an independent and modifiable risk factor for the onset and development of psoriasis; however, evidence on the association between tobacco smoking and psoriasis treatment efficacy is limited. This study aimed to explore the influence of smoking on treatment efficacy in a cohort of patients with psoriasis in Shanghai, China. Methods Patients with psoriasis were recruited from the Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital between 2021 and 2022. The treatment for patients with psoriasis includes acitretin, methotrexate, narrow-band ultraviolet/benvitimod, and biologics. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, physical examination, and disease severity estimation at baseline, week four, and week eight. The achievement of a ≥75% reduction in psoriasis area and severity index (PASI 75 ) score from baseline to week 8 was set as the primary outcome for treatment efficacy estimation. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4. Results A total of 560 patients with psoriasis were enrolled in this study, who were predominantly males (72.9%). The average age of patients was 48.4 years, and 38.8% of them were current smokers, 5.0% of them were former smokers. The median score of PASI among patients changed from 11.1 (interquartile range, IQR: 7.9–16.6) at baseline to 6.2 at week 4 and 3.1 at week 8, and 13.8% and 47.3% of patients with psoriasis achieved PASI 75 at weeks 4 and 8, respectively. Logistic regression indicated that patients without tobacco smoking had a higher proportion of PASI 75 achievement at week 8. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was 11.43 (95% CI: 6.91–18.89), 14.14 (95% CI: 8.27–24.20), and 3.05 (95% CI: 1.20–7.76) for non-smokers compared with smokers, current smokers, and former smokers, respectively. Moreover, former smokers had higher PASI 75 achievement than current smokers (AOR=3.37), and patients with younger smoking initiation age, longer smoking duration, and higher smoking intensity had lower PASI 75 achievement. Conclusions Tobacco smoking was negatively associated with PASI 75 achievement both in current and former smokers, and former smokers had higher PASI 75 achievement than current smokers. The implementation of tobacco control measures is beneficial for improving treatment responses.

Loss and damage caused by extreme climate events have attracted increasing attention. The 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (hereinafter referred to as the Convention) has agreed to adopt Loss and Damage Fund agreement, which identified the source of funding and the funds to be entrusted to the World Bank. However, there is still ambiguous that how to allocate the funds could accelerate the effectiveness of meeting the needs for developing countries. Pre-disaster prevention and preparedness is one of the most effective measures to deal with loss and damage, which closely related to adaptation. Previous studies rarely analyzed quantitatively the financial needs of pre-disaster prevention and preparedness relating to adaptation to reduce loss and damage. Based on the official reports submitted by countries under the Convention, this study analyzes the annual change in the total financial support provided by developed countries to developing countries, the proportion of pre-disaster prevention and preparedness in the adaptation needs of developing countries, and the progress in raising the current annual funding target of 100 billion USD for developed countries, to reveal the financial and technical challenges facing by developing countries on addressing loss and damage. The results show that by 2030, the total adaptation financial needs of developing countries are estimated to be about 3.8 trillion USD, of which pre-disaster prevention matters account for about 9%. Therefore, by 2030, developing countries will need about 342 billion USD in pre-disaster prevention and preparedness finance to withstand loss and damage. In addition, developing countries face a lack of technical methods to quantify information about their needs. Based on the above analysis, this study puts forward countermeasures and suggestions, including strengthening the allocation amount of loss and damage fund on pre-disaster warning, prevention and control actions, and establishing track modalities on the finance provided by developed countries to developing countries based on the principles of the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), to provide favorable guarantee for accelerating the effectiveness of international climate governance.

The Napo Treefrog Rhacophorus napoensis was described based on five male specimens from Napo County, Baise City, Guangxi Autonomous Region, China. Herein, we report on new findings and a range extension of this species based on an examination of preserved specimens collected from Bac Giang and Nghe An provinces, Vietnam. Futhermore, molecular analyses of specimens Rhacophorus spp. previously identified as R. rhodopus that were reported in Bac Giang, Nghe An as well as Thanh Hoa, and Ha Tinh provinces based on mitochondrial DNA supported the morphological findings. The Vietnam specimens have a pairwise divergence of less than 2% from those of the type series of Rhacophorus napoensis (based on the 16s rRNA mtDNA gene). Based on the new information, we confirm the presence of R. napoensis in Vietnam and update the diagnostic characters of this species and distribution. We suggest the species should be considered as of Least Concern (LC) following the IUCN’s Red List categories. Further studies reassessing the populations of the Rhacophorus bipunctatus complex are required.

The Paddy frog species Micryletta hekouensis was described based on only two specimens from Nanxi Village, Nanxi Town, Hekou County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. Herein, we report on new findings and a range extension of this species based on a re-examination of preserved specimens deposited in Duy Tan University (DTU) and Zoological Museum of Lomonosov Moscow State University (ZMMU) collected from Vietnam. All new specimens were previously identified as Micryletta cf. inornata or M. cf. steinegeri. Molecular analyses based on mitochondrial DNA supported the morphological findings. The newly identified specimens have a pairwise divergence of only 0.7% from those of the type series of M. hekouensis, based on the 16s rRNA mtDNA gene. Based on the new information, we confirm the presence of M. hekouensis in Vietnam and update the diagnostic characters of this species and its distribution. We suggest the species should be considered as Near Threatened (NT) following the IUCN’s Red List categories. Further studies reassessing the populations of the Micryletta inornata complex in the Indochinese Region (including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand) are required.

A new species of gekkonid, Hemiphyllodactylus gengmaensis sp. nov., is described based on six specimens from Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County, Yunnan, China. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a significant genetic divergence of greater than 9.7% in the mitochondrial ND2 gene and a combination of the following characters: a maximum SVL of 43.24mm; 8 or 9 chin scales; six circumnasal scales; 2 or 3 internasal scales; 9–11 supralabial scales; 8 or 9 infralabial scales; 11–18 dorsal scales; 8–10 ventral scales; a manual lamellar formula of 5–5–5–4 or 5–6–5–4 and a pedal lamellar formula of 5–5–6–5; 20–25 precloacal and femoral pore-bearing scales contiguous in males; dark postorbital stripes or striping on body; dark dorsal transverse blotches present; and a brown postsacral mark bearing anteriorly projecting arms. The discovery of this new species brings the number of Hemiphyllodactylus species in China to 15.

Abstract Continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern that are capable of escaping vaccine-induced immunity highlights the urgency of developing new COVID-19 therapeutics. An essential mechanism for SARS-CoV-2 infection begins with the viral spike protein binding to the human ACE2. Consequently, inhibiting this interaction becomes a highly promising therapeutic strategy against COVID-19. Herein, we demonstrate that ACE2-expressing human lung spheroid cells (LSC)-derived exosomes (LSC-Exo) could function as a prophylactic agent to bind and neutralize SARS-CoV-2, protecting the host against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Inhalation of LSC-Exo facilitates its deposition and biodistribution throughout the whole lung in a female mouse model. We show that LSC-Exo blocks the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with host cells in vitro and in vivo by neutralizing the virus. LSC-Exo treatment protects hamsters from SARS-CoV-2-induced disease and reduced viral loads. Furthermore, LSC-Exo intercepts the entry of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variant pseudoviruses in female mice and shows comparable or equal potency against the wild-type strain, demonstrating that LSC-Exo may act as a broad-spectrum protectant against existing and emerging virus variants.

Abstract Owing to the harsh terrain, few biodiversity surveys have been carried out in the Pan-Himalaya Region. Among the understudied taxa from this region, Jerdon’s forest lizard, Calotes jerdoni, is believed to have a wide distribution, from northeast India to southwestern China. However, given the heterogeneous environment across its range and the lack of studies on this species, its taxonomy remains questionable. Using integrative taxonomic methods, we combined both morphological and genetic data from the type and topotypic specimens and examined the current taxonomic hypothesis of C. jerdoni across its range. Molecular data reveal that C. jerdoni as currently recognized, contains three deeply diverged lineages: one from the type locality in Northeast India, one from Western Myanmar, and another one from Southwestern China. The uncorrected genetic distances of mitochondrial coding gene ND2 among these three clades ranged over 10%. The Chinese population is sister to C. medogensis and paraphyletic to the remaining two clades of C. jerdoni. Morphological analyses confirm the results of the molecular analyses, where the Myanmar and Chinese populations can be diagnosed statistically in both univariate and multivariate space from the true C. jerdoni, as well as by a suite of reliable categorical morphological characters, including the size and shape of gular scales and ventral scales. To resolve the current taxonomic confusion, we resurrect the junior synonym, C. yunnanensis, for the Chinese population and expand its distribution to Myanmar, redescribe the elusive C. maria and C. medogensis based on its type material, and describe the remaining western Myanmar population as a new species. We further discuss the possibility of additional cryptic species within the complex in the Pan-Himalaya Region and provide a diagnostic key to all recognized members of the C. jerdoni complex.

Cyrtodactylus dianxiensis Liu & Rao, 2021 was originally described based on only two adult male specimens from Tongbiguan Nature Reserve, Dehong Autonomous Prefecture, western Yunnan, China. So far, no information on the females of this species is available. During comprehensive herpetofaunal investigations in 2022, one female specimen of C. dianxiensis was collected from Tongbiguan Nature Reserve. The female specimen agrees well with the original description of C. dianxiensis, and also shows some slight differences in coloration. This study reported the female specimen of this species for the first time, and provided a description and photos of the female specimen; meanwhile, we extended the diagnosis of this species.

Abstract The Hume-Rothery rules governing solid-state miscibility limit the compositional space for new inorganic material discovery. Here, we report a non-equilibrium, one-step, and scalable flame synthesis method to overcome thermodynamic limits and incorporate immiscible elements into single phase ceramic nanoshells. Starting from prototype examples including (NiMg)O, (NiAl)Ox, and (NiZr)Ox, we then extend this method to a broad range of Ni-containing ceramic solid solutions, and finally to general binary combinations of elements. Furthermore, we report an “encapsulated exsolution” phenomenon observed upon reducing the metastable porous (Ni0.07Al0.93)Ox to create ultra-stable Ni nanoparticles embedded within the walls of porous Al2O3 nanoshells. This nanoconfined structure demonstrated high sintering resistance during 640 h of catalysis of CO2 reforming of methane, maintaining constant 96% CH4 and CO2 conversion at 800 °C and dramatically outperforming conventional catalysts. Our findings could greatly expand opportunities to develop novel inorganic energy, structural, and functional materials.

Abstract A novel control scheme is presented to eliminate the negative effects of communication disturbances, which introduces active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) in the control strategy design to achieve the objectives of the restoration of the bus voltage and the sharing of the power even in the presence of disturbances and delays in communication. Simultaneously, its dynamic disturbance decoupling feature is used to realise the decoupling between power and voltage, so that the proposed controller only exchanges power information with its neighbours, reducing the communication burden and simplifying control structure. The control performance of the strategy is verified by employing steady‐state analysis. The impact of controller parameters is studied by establishing a small signal model. Finally, both simulation cases and experimental tests prove the feasibility of this scheme.

A new bush frog species is described from Yunnan, China, based on phylogenetic analyses, species delimitation analyses, and morphological comparisons. Raorchestes hekouensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other congeners by a combination of 11 morphological characters. The new species brings the current number of Raorchestes species in China to ten, nine of which are distributed in Yunnan. Molecular analyses supported an unnamed lineage previously recorded as “Raorchestes gryllus” in northern Vietnam. Further studies including additional samples are necessary to clarify the species diversity and boundaries of Raorchestes in China and Indochina.

We described herein Zhangixalus yunnanensis sp. nov., a new treefrog species from central and western Yunnan, China, which had previously been confused with Z. nigropunctatus, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Our phylogenetic analyses revealed that the new species is sister to the clade of Z. nigropunctatus and Z. melanoleucus with strong support (100% and 73% for BI and ML, respectively). Our morphological analysis suggested that Z. yunnanensis sp. nov. is distinctly different from all known congeners by the combination of the following morphological characters: black blotches on body flank and hind-limb, medium body size (SVL31.3–36.0 mm in males and 47.6–48.6 mm in females), head wider than long, iris yellowish-brown, dorsum uniformly green, vocal sac external, throat black, webbing greyish and fingers webbed one third and toes webbed half. Additionally, we revealed that the specimens ROM 38011 (Sa Pa, Vietnam) and VNMN 4099 (Son La, Vietnam) are neither Z. dorsoviridis nor Z. nigropunctatus, but probably represent one or two cryptic species of Zhangixalus pending further morphological and molecular data. Including the new species described herein, the genus Zhangixalus currently comprises 42 species, 30 of which are distributed in China with 11 species known from Yunnan. Amongst different zoogeographic regions in Yunnan, south-eastern Yunnan has the highest diversity of Zhangixalus, followed by western Yunnan and southern Yunnan. More studies are required to clarify the species diversity of this genus based on multiple lines of evidence (e.g. morphological and molecular data).

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of freeze-thaw (FT) cycles on meat quality, myofibrillar protein gelation and emulsification properties, and exudate metabolome changes in pork loins. Meat tenderness improved (P 0.6) with meat quality attributes. These results demonstrated the potential of using the metabolomic information from exudates to elaborate on or even predict the FT cycles, or meat quality.

BackgroundSubclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common endocrine subclinical disorder, the main adverse consequences of which are the development of clinical hypothyroidism and the promotion of ischemic heart disease. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of metabolic problems. The goal of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the relationship between MetS and SCH.MethodsSuitable publications were identified using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The meta-analysis included only studies in English that reported odds ratio (OR) data for MetS and SCH. Two researchers combined data using a random-effects model. OR and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to present the results.ResultsMetS was associated with an elevated risk of developing SCH (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.44–4.55). However, the individual components of MetS were not associated with the risk of SCH. Subgroup analysis revealed that different definitions of MetS had varying effects on SCH. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that our results were robust.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis indicates that patients with MetS have an increased risk of SCH, while there is no significant association between the five individual components of MetS and the risk of SCH.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42023454415.

Abstract Spike‐protein‐based pseudotyped viruses were used to evaluate vaccines during the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, they cannot be used to evaluate the envelope (E), membrane (M), and nucleocapsid (N) proteins. The first generation of virus‐like particle (VLP) pseudotyped viruses contains these four structural proteins, but their titers for wild‐type severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) are relatively low, even lower for the omicron variant, rendering them unsuitable for neutralizing antibody detection. By optimizing the spike glycoprotein signal peptide, substituting the complexed M and E proteins with SARS‐COV‐1, optimizing the N protein with specific mutations (P199L, S202R, and R203M), and truncating the packaging signal, PS9, we increased the titer of the wild‐type VLP pseudotyped virus over 100‐fold, and successfully packaged the omicron VLP pseudotyped virus. The SARS‐CoV‐2 VLP pseudotyped viruses maintained stable titers, even through 10 freeze–thaw cycles. The key neutralization assay parameters were optimized, including cell type, cell number, and viral inoculum. The assay demonstrated minimal variation in both intra‐ and interassay results, at 11.5% and 11.1%, respectively. The correlation between the VLP pseudotyped virus and the authentic virus was strong (r = 0.9). Suitable for high‐throughput detection of various mutant strains in clinical serum. In summary, we have developed a reliable neutralization assay for SARS‐CoV‐2 based on VLP pseudotyped virus.

Microbial natural products and their derivatives have been developed as a considerable part of clinical drugs and agricultural chemicals. Marine microbial natural products exhibit diverse chemical structures and bioactivities with substantial potential for the development of novel pharmaceuticals. However, discovering compounds with new skeletons from marine microbes remains challenging. In recent decades, multiple approaches have been developed to discover novel marine microbial natural products, among which heterologous expression has proven to be an effective method. Facilitated by large DNA cloning and comparative metabolomic technologies, a few novel bioactive natural products from marine microorganisms have been identified by the expression of their biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in heterologous hosts. Heterologous expression is advantageous for characterizing gene functions and elucidating the biosynthetic mechanisms of natural products. This review provides an overview of recent progress in heterologous expression-guided discovery, biosynthetic mechanism elucidation, and yield optimization of natural products from marine microorganisms and discusses the future directions of the heterologous expression strategy in facilitating novel natural product exploitation.

BackgroundSepsis is a complex syndrome characterized by physiological, pathological, and biochemical abnormalities caused by infection. Its development is influenced by factors such as inflammation, nutrition, and immune status. Therefore, we combined C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and lymphocyte, which could reflect above status, to be the CRP-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index, and investigated its association with clinical prognosis of critically ill patients with sepsis.MethodsThis retrospective observational study enrolled critically ill patients with sepsis who had an initial CRP, albumin, and lymphocyte data on the first day of ICU admission. All data were obtained from the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University. The patients were divided into quartiles (Q1–Q4) based on their CALLY index. The outcomes included 30-/60-day mortality and acute kidney injury (AKI) occurrence. The association between the CALLY index and these clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with sepsis was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression analysis.ResultsA total of 1,123 patients (63.0% male) were included in the study. The 30-day and 60-day mortality rates were found to be 28.1 and 33.4%, respectively, while the incidence of AKI was 45.6%. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a significant association between higher CALLY index and lower risk of 30-day and 60-day mortality (log-rank p

Background: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a common complication after cardiac surgery and has been associated with poor outcomes. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has been shown to confer direct renoprotection based on some animal and clinical studies, but data from other trials came to the opposite conclusion following cardiac surgery. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of perioperative DEX administration on the occurrence of AKI and the outcomes after cardiac surgery. Methods: We searched databases including EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane CENTRAL for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) focused on DEX for AKI in adult patients after cardiac surgery. The primary outcome was incidence of AKI. Secondary outcomes were Mechanical Ventilation (MV) duration, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Length Of Stay (LOS), hospital LOS and mortality. Results: Fifteen trials enrolling 2907 study patients were collected in the meta-analyses. Compared with controls, DEX reduced the incidence of postoperative AKI (Odds Ratio [OR = 0.66]; 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI 0.48–0.91]; p = 0.01), and there was no significant difference between groups in postoperative mortality (OR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.32–1.26; p = 0.19), MV duration (Weighted Mean Difference [WMD = -0.44]; 95% CI -1.50–0.63; p = 0.42), ICU LOS (WMD = -1.19; 95% CI -2.89–0.51; p = 0.17), and hospital LOS (WMD = -0.31; 95% CI -0.76–0.15; p = 0.19). Conclusions: Perioperative DEX reduced the incidence of postoperative AKI in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. No significant decrease existed in mortality, MV duration, ICU LOS and hospital LOS owing to DEX administration.

BackgroundPulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare disease whose clinical and imaging manifestations are non-specific, characterized by the deposition of microliths, which primarily consist of calcium and phosphorus, within the alveoli. In the cases of PAM, patients combined with calcification of other organs such as gastric mucosal calcification are less common.Case presentationA 59-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to cough producing white, foamy sputum, accompanied by dyspnea and fever for 20 days. The CT scan showed diffuse ground-glass opacities and calcification of the gastric mucosa. Lung tissue biopsy revealed the presence of calcification and granulomatous foreign bodies in the interstitium and alveolar cavity. In the later stages, she developed painful skin petechiae. For this patient, the diagnosis of PAM, gastric mucosal calcification, and purpura fulminans was made. However, the genetic test results hinted that the patient and her son had a heterozygous mutation in the FBN1 gene, but her daughter's genetic test results were normal. Although the patient received anti-infection treatment, steroids, and oxygen therapy, her condition did not improve.ConclusionWe reported a rare case of PAM combined with calcification of other organs and purpura fulminans. Treatment of steroids did not show any benefit. The causative mechanism and effective treatment of this disease remain unclear. More treatments need to be explored.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technology that can modulate cerebral cortical excitability. Electroencephalography (EEG) microstate analysis is an important tool for studying dynamic changes in brain functional activity. This study explores the pathophysiological changes in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients by analyzing the EEG microstate of PD patients, and analyzes the impact of rTMS on the clinical symptoms of PD patients. In a trial, 25 patients with PD and 18 healthy subjects of the same age were included. The clinical scale (the third part of Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)) scores of each patient were evaluated and the microstate characteristic parameters of all subjects were calculated. 10 Hz rTMS was used to stimulate the bilateral primary motor cortex (M1) of PD patients. After two weeks of treatment (10 times), the clinical scale score of each patient was re-evaluated and the microstate characteristic parameters were calculated. At the baseline, the occurrence, duration and coverage of microstate C in PD patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (P

The fitting efficiency of lines or arcs fitting methods for various structural designs cannot meet the design requirements, and the fitting accuracy also needs to be improved. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel algorithm that uses a smaller number of elliptical arc segments to accurately fit the curve, while point-to-point continuity and a tangent relationship between all connected line segments of the curve can be maintained (G1 continuity). This algorithm uses elliptical arcs for curve fitting, and the advantage of using this conventional quadratic curve is that it does not require a higher-order equation to achieve that all connected line segments are tangent to each other, and its feature data is easily obtainable. In this paper, the novel elliptic arc fitting algorithm is used for the sine function curve, butterfly curve, parabola function curve, spiral line function curve and NURBS curve. The results show that this proposed method could be used to fit the curves with a smaller number of elliptical arc segments while satisfying the accuracy requirements. This algorithm with a simple solution method requires a significant reduction in the number of fitting segments while achieving the same fitting accuracy as other algorithms. It provides new ideas for the field of geometric modeling, tool path generation for numerical control (NC) machining and robot path planning.

Abstract The Steady-State Visual Evoked Potential (SSVEP) is a widely used modality in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs). Existing research has demonstrated the capabilities of SSVEP that use single frequencies for each target in various applications with relatively small numbers of commands required in the BCI. Multi-frequency SSVEP has been developed to extend the capability of single-frequency SSVEP to tasks that involve large numbers of commands. However, the development on multi-frequency SSVEP methodologies is falling behind compared to the number of studies with single-frequency SSVEP. This dataset was constructed to promote research in multi-frequency SSVEP by making SSVEP signals collected with different frequency stimulation settings publicly available. In this dataset, SSVEPs were collected from 35 participants using single-, dual-, and tri-frequency stimulation and with three different multi-frequency stimulation variants.

Semantic segmentation is an essential task in polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) image interpretation. To address the issue of insufficient measurement ability of single-view similarity, an unsupervised semantic segmentation method for PolSAR images based on multiview similarity is proposed to estimate the number-of-classes (NoC) and perform classification. NoC estimation is commonly neglected in semantic segmentation methods, to ensure rationality, a NoC estimation method before clustering is proposed based on multiview polarimetric rotation domain features and the visual assessment of tendency method for PolSAR images without supervision. Then, the norm distance, geodesic distance, maximum likelihood distance, and generalized likelihood ratio test distance based on the statistical characteristics of PolSAR images are comprehensively analyzed. Various advantages of different distances are integrated to combine the multiview vector information and scattering information to construct six multikernel similarity matrices. Subsequently, the consensus similarity network fusion method is utilized to further strengthen the discriminative ability of the similarity matrices. In addition, efficient superpixel segmentation is also adopted to reduce the speckle noise. Finally, based on the estimated NoC and the fused similarity matrix, spectral clustering is utilized to obtain semantic segmentation results. Extensive experiments are conducted on two AIRSAR datasets and one Gaofen-3 dataset demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively combine the spatial neighborhood similarity information and achieve higher semantic segmentation accuracy.

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a common pathological type of nephrotic syndrome. The characteristic of MN is the presence of immune complex deposits containing immunoglobulin G (IgG), called electron-dense deposits (EDD), which can be observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Quantitative analysis of the morphology and location of EDD can provide an essential reference for diagnosing and staging MN. However, accurately identifying and quantifying EDD is challenging due to their different morphologies, sizes, and locations with varying amounts. This paper proposes a two-stage Deformable R-CNN detector that overcomes these challenges, which has two characteristics: 1) The detector employs InternImage as the feature extractor, which extracts different morphological features of EDD using the core operator deformable convolution v3 (DCNv3). 2) The detector utilizes the multi-scale deformable attention model (MSDAM) as the attention mechanism to detect EDD of different sizes and locations effectively. The proposed Deformable R-CNN was tested on the Electron-Dense Deposit Detection for Membranous Nephropathy (EDDD-MN) dataset and outperformed other popular detectors, including two-stage, one-stage, and transformer-based detectors in detection and quantification. It also exhibited excellent performance in TIDE error analysis. Thus, this method would enable precise detection and rapid quantification of EDD, thereby reducing the workload of pathologists and helping them gain a comprehensive understanding of MN.