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Self-adaptive cleaning technology for artillery laser ignition windows based on current feedback
GAN-PD: generative adversarial networks for fabric defect generation towards precise detection
Repeated intravesical platelet-rich plasma injections alleviate symptoms via T-cell modulation and mitochondrial dysfunction in non-ulcer interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome
Abstract Repeated intravesical injections of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have shown promise in alleviating symptoms of non-ulcer interstitial cystitis bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this single-center prospective study, 80 patients received four monthly PRP injections, with outcomes assessed by symptom scales, urodynamic parameters, and immune indices in urine and serum. PRP significantly reduced 24-h micturition frequency, numeric rating scale (NRS), O’Leary, pelvic pain and urgency/frequency patient symptom scale (PUF), and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) scores at post-treatment follow-ups (all p < 0.05), while bladder capacity and voided volume remained unchanged. Serum and urinary inflammatory, iron metabolism, and oxidative stress markers were not significantly altered. PRP improved T-lymphocyte mitochondrial metabolic status, reducing CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell mitochondrial mass and decreasing CD8 + effector memory (Tem) T-cell counts, CD8 + Tem-MMP low , and CD8 + PD-1 + Tem counts after the fourth injection (all p < 0.05). These immunological parameters positively correlated with symptom severity. Baseline NRS > 4 was associated with worse baseline profiles and selective post-treatment improvements, whereas global response assessment (GRA) stratification showed no significant differences. These findings indicate that repeated intravesical PRP alleviates IC/BPS-related pain and urinary symptoms primarily by reversing T-cell exhaustion and enhancing mitochondrial metabolic status, thus highlighting T-cell immunometabolic modulation as a key therapeutic mechanism.
Early total triiodothyronine, illness severity, and in-hospital mortality in critically ill adults
Integrated experimental design and machine learning framework for predicting UV influenced mechanical properties in polyurethane nanodiamond nanocomposites
Abstract This study investigates the influence of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the mechanical performance of nanodiamond (ND) reinforced polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites. The Taguchi method was employed to systematically design the experiments, while analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the statistical significance and percentage contribution of each factor. An L27 orthogonal array was adopted to examine the effects of composition (pure PU, 0.2 wt% PU/ND, and 0.5 wt% PU/ND), UV exposure duration (0, 200, and 400 h), UV irradiation intensity (1.0, 1.20, and 1.40 W/m²), and UV temperature (40, 50, and 60 °C) on tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and hardness. The results indicate that 200 h of UV exposure enhances tensile strength and Young’s modulus for all samples, with the most pronounced improvement observed in the 0.5 wt% PU/ND nanocomposite, whereas hardness decreases with increasing exposure due to UV-induced surface degradation. ANOVA results indicate that composition and UV exposure duration are the most influential parameters, contributing 48.76% and 17.58% to tensile strength and 40.21% and 19.13% to Young’s modulus, respectively. For hardness, UV exposure duration is the dominant factor, contributing 49.6%. Machine learning models, including linear regression, artificial neural networks, and Gaussian process regression, were developed for prediction. Among them, the Gaussian process model showed the highest accuracy with R² values of 0.99, 0.95, and 0.98 for tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and hardness, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of PU/ND nanocomposites for applications in automotive components, robotic parts, and aerospace structures.
Association between lactate-to-albumin ratio and 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with HFpEF: a retrospectively cohort study
Differential prognostic value of circulating biomarkers across small ischemic stroke subtypes
Amphiphilic Zwitterionic Polymers Induce Liposome Morphogenesis into Nanodiscs for Deep Glioblastoma Infiltration
ABSTRACT Glioblastoma therapy is severely constrained by the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and limited intratumoral penetration. Here, we report a de novo synthesized amphiphilic zwitterionic copolymer that co‐assembles with phospholipids into protein‐free nanodiscs (zNDs, ∼15.5 nm). Liposome co‐flotation and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) assays reveal a three‐stage morphogenetic process: polymer insertion, membrane disruption, and liposome‐to‐nanodisc reassembly through membrane remodeling. The resulting zNDs exhibit high colloidal stability under physiological conditions and efficiently cross the BBB via choline transporter‐mediated transcytosis. In orthotopic glioblastoma models, zNDs penetrate tumors deeply, enter cells through clathrin‐mediated endocytosis, and escape endo‐lysosomal compartments. Incorporation of lipid–drug conjugates allows delivery of honokiol, which disassembles 3D tumor spheroids, suppresses tumor growth in orthotopic models, and extends median survival by nearly 2.5‐fold without systemic toxicity. This study establishes a modular, protein‐free nanodisc platform that integrates rational polymer design with active BBB transport, offering a versatile strategy for deep therapeutic delivery in central nervous system malignancies and providing mechanistic principles that guide future optimization of BBB‐penetrant nanocarriers.
A miniature bio-inspired antenna for sub-6 GHz consumer wireless and biomedical diagnostic applications
Abstract Miniaturization of high-performance antennas for sub-6 GHz applications such as 5G small cell, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, wearable medical system and industrial automation is essential in the near future, and the novel design methodology to realize the antenna miniaturization with high efficiency is required. In this context, this paper proposes a nature inspired antenna design using sneezewort leaf shape geometry combined with DGS (defective ground structure) to improve bandwidth and radiation features. A partial ground, the proposed antenna is very compact in size 18 × 19 × 1.6 mm 3 (0.18λ × 0.2λ × 0.016λ) and has a wideband operation, that is, 3.16–5.42 GHz. It shows wide impedance bandwidth of 55.96% and has a highest gain of 2.1 dBi. Due to its planar, lightweight and low-profile structure, the antenna is ideal for low-cost mass production and easy integration with emerging wireless and healthcare gadgets. The multifunctional antenna lends itself to varied uses such as sub-6 GHz 5G communication, high-speed Wi-Fi, near-field vehicular radar, and industrial ISM-band devices. Besides, the antenna clearly show good prospect for many biomedical diagnostic applications, such as breast, brain, skin, lung, heart and kidney abnormalities detection, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, typhoid, bone fracture, dengue, food contaminations and lately even COVID-19. A breast tumor detection proof-of-concept is demonstrated exclusively by simulation using a breast phantom, which demonstrates the antenna sensitivity to changes in dielectric properties. These results indicate that the proposed antenna could be potential for the wireless communication in the future and also in the medical applications. Experimental validation including studies on physical phantoms and clinical studies will be included in future work.
Intrinsically Luminescent, Reprogrammable, and Chemically Recyclable Liquid Crystal Elastomers Enabled by Dynamic Vinylogous Urethane Chemistry
ABSTRACT Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) with integrated functionalities are critical for developing advanced soft actuators. However, challenges remain in simultaneously achieving reprogrammability, chemical recyclability, and intrinsic luminescence within existing exchangeable LCE systems. Herein, we develop a new class of LCE based on dynamic vinylogous urethane (VU) bonds to address these challenges, where VU moieties serve as both crosslinking points and luminescent clusters. The optimal polydomain vinylogous urethane‐based LCE (VULCE) material exhibits excellent mechanical properties, with a Young's modulus of 1.45 ± 0.08 MPa and a toughness of 148.26 ± 0.11 KJ m −3 . Thanks to the catalyst‐free transamination of VU bonds, the VULCE enables reprogramming into diverse three dimensional (3D) actuators with reversible actuation at 110°C for 10 min. Furthermore, the VULCE network can be depolymerized into LC oligomers and small molecules in an organic solvent under excess bifunctional amines at 80°C for 6 h. The recycled solution can be repolymerized into new VULCE with arbitrary shapes by reintroducing chain extenders, mesogenic monomers, and crosslinkers, achieving polymer‐oligomer/small molecule‐polymer recycling. More importantly, the VULCE emits intrinsic blue fluorescence owing to the clustering‐triggered emission (CTE) effect. This work demonstrates unprecedented multifunctionality, providing new insights for the development of multifunctional integrated LCE materials.
Atomistic insights into fluoride ion conduction in Ba1−xSnxF2 from 19F PFG-NMR studies
Dynamic Hydrogen‐Bonding Switching Enables Crystal Transformation for Multi‐Stimuli Responsive Fluorescence
ABSTRACT Controlling solid‐state structural transitions in organic cocrystals to achieve stimulus‐responsive luminescence remains an ongoing challenge. Herein, we have developed a series of cocrystal systems exhibiting reversible crystal transformation and stimulus‐responsive luminescence via a dynamic hydrogen‐bond switching strategy. Three conformationally adaptive V‐shaped molecules (26PY, 35PY, and 13PH) serve as both hydrogen‐bonding and electron donors. Oxygen‐containing solvents (H 2 O, DMF, DMSO) merely act as hydrogen‐bond acceptors, while 1,2,4,5‐tetracyanobenzene (TCNB) or 1,5‐dinitrobenzene (DNB) function as both hydrogen‐bonding and electron acceptors. Mechanical grinding of solid mixtures composed of electron donors and acceptors in weakly polar solvents allowed the donor to rapidly capture water, yielding a blue‐emitting hydrated intermediate. Thermal dehydration then triggered conformational adjustment of the donor, promoting binary cocrystal formation through newly established hydrogen bonds between electron donors and acceptors. Furthermore, the electron donor and acceptor can directly interact with DMF or DMSO to form a ternary cocrystal instead of forming hydrated crystals, as stronger hydrogen bonds are formed. More interestingly, the donor can also form cocrystals with many nitroaromatic compounds to exhibit dynamic fluorescence. Finally, we demonstrated the applicability of these cocrystals in sensing and multi‐level anti‐counterfeiting. This work opens up new avenues for the development of stimulus‐responsive cocrystals for smart materials.
Estimating maximum pressure-flow scour depth around cylindrical bridge piers using a theoretical model
Vacancy–Redox Coupling at Interface‐Engineered Heterostructures Enhances Reversible Energy Conversion in Protonic Ceramic Cells
ABSTRACT Achieving efficient and durable oxygen electrocatalysis in protonic ceramic cells (PCCs) demands precise control of defect chemistry and cation redox under steam. Here, we design a hierarchically engineered oxygen electrode comprising a three‐dimensional, mesh‐like PrNi 0 . 7 Co 0 . 3 O 3−δ (PNC) scaffold conformally integrated with a vacancy‐rich PrO x nanophase. This architecture extends the reactive zone while the PrO x – PNC interphase enables vacancy‐mediated redox coupling between Pr and Co, buffering local oxygen chemical potential and stabilizing the defect landscape during reversible operation. The enhanced activity is attributed to vacancy‐assisted steam activation and defect‐mediated oxygen surface exchange and is consistent with interfacial modulation of metal–oxygen covalency within an O 2p band center framework. The electrode delivers 1.75 W cm − 2 in fuel‐cell mode and 2.77 A cm − 2 at 1.3 V in electrolysis at 600°C, maintains >92% Faradaic efficiency, and shows minimal degradation over 200 h. Our results establish a general strategy for coupling hierarchical transport with chemically active, redox‐buffered interphases to achieve both high kinetics and durability in protonic electrochemical systems.
Mavodelpar in patients with primary mitochondrial myopathy: a phase 1 trial
Abstract Primary mitochondrial myopathies (PMM) are rare, genetically-defined disorders characterised by defects of oxidative phosphorylation, predominantly affecting skeletal muscle. This Phase 1b open-label trial evaluated mavodelpar, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) agonist, over 12 weeks (Part A), with an optional 36 week extension (Part B) in adults with PMM. The primary objective was to assess safety and tolerability, with secondary assessments of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and exploratory performance, patient-reported, and muscle biopsy outcomes. Of the 23 participants who received mavodelpar, 17 completed Part A; none completed Part B due to premature study termination during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adverse events were mild-moderate severity, with headache and constipation most common (4/23 participants; 17.4% each). Exploratory measures showed a mean increase of 104 m in the twelve minute walk test (95% CI: 53 to 156) and a mean reduction of -10.5 points in patient-reported fatigue (95% CI: -16.3 to -4.6). No consistent changes in mitochondrial function were detected in muscle biopsies (n = 10), while transcriptomic profiling (n = 6) revealed modest upregulation of fatty acid–metabolism pathways. Although findings from this Phase 1b trial supported progression to later-phase evaluation, the subsequent Phase 2b trial did not demonstrate clinical efficacy for mavodelpar. The results reported here should be interpreted as exploratory and not indicative of therapeutic benefit. Nevertheless, this Phase 1b trial provides important methodological insights to inform future PMM clinical trial design and outcome measure development.
An Amorphous Polyimide‐Based Positive Electrode for High‐Capacity and Durable Aluminum Dual‐Ion Batteries
ABSTRACT Redox‐active organic electrode materials have emerged as promising and sustainable candidates for high‐performance rechargeable aluminum‐ion batteries (RABs). However, their practical applications are hindered by sluggish diffusion kinetics stemming from the large steric hindrance of bulky chloroaluminate ions within the densely packed crystalline lattices, as well as severe capacity fading caused by undesirable structural stability in the electrolyte. Herein, we present an amorphous polymerization strategy to construct high‐capacity polyimide‐based positive electrode materials for stable aluminum‐polymer batteries via rational imidization molecular structure design. Benefiting from the amorphous structure with a large surface area, enhanced active site accessibility, and improved structural stability, the polyimide‐based positive electrodes deliver a high specific capacity (191 mAh g −1 at 50 mA g −1 ), an improved rate capability (135 mAh g −1 at 500 mA g −1 ), and prolonged long‐term cycling stability (95% capacity retention over 2400 cycles at 1 A g −1 ). The superior electrochemical performance is attributed to the amorphization‐facilitated bipolar‐redox charge storage mechanism, in which imide carbonyl groups (AlCl 2 + coordination mechanism) and extended conjugated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (AlCl 4 − adsorption mechanism) alternately serve as redox‐active sites within the polyimide segments. These findings highlight a molecular imidization strategy for designing active polymeric materials to construct robust polymer‐based RABs for safe energy storage.
A bioinformatics and experimental approach identifies glycoprotein-based diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for colon adenocarcinoma
Selective π‑Metalation of Nut[6]Arene With Large and Chiral Cavity for Recognition Toward Bulky Anions in Water
ABSTRACT Selective π‐metalation of macrocyclic arenes (MAs) featuring large and stable chiral cavities remains a considerable challenge. Consequently, the recognition of the π‐metalated MAs toward bulky anions, especially organic and chiral anions, is attractive but remains unexplored. In this work, a new macrocyclic arene named nut[6]arene ( NA ) was reported, which showed a rigid hexagonal structure and stable chiral cavity. Starting from NA , a series of π‐metalated MAs were selectively synthesized. In particular, exo ‐tri‐metalated NA ( NA‐3Ru‐I ) with a C 3 symmetrical structure was selectively obtained in high yields by the modulation of ligand sterics, molar ratio, and reaction temperature, which showed a large and electron‐deficient cavity. Consequently, water‐soluble NA‐3Ru‐II could effectively bind large inorganic anions, including ReO 4 − and PF 6 − to form 1:1 stable host‐guest complexes. Especially, NA‐3Ru‐II showed strong binding abilities toward various organic sulfonate anions and carboxylate anions. Moreover, a pair of enantiomeric NA‐3Ru‐II was also obtained, and they exhibited enantioselective recognitions for chiral anionic guests in aqueous solution, providing a new chiral platform for anion recognition.