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Beam steering for single antenna element using different optical lens
Abstract This paper presents a beam steering technique using optical lenses with a single antenna element, According to changing the illuminator element, the theoretical design of a hemispherical dielectric lens and an inhomogeneous dielectric flat lens modeled with various materials can increase and steer the radiation in a certain direction. The wavelength at which the nanoantenna functions is 1550 nm. The components of the plasmonic nanoantenna are silicon, silicon dioxide, and silver. The light inside the nanoantenna radiates vertically from the bottom to the top when it is lit from below. The gain of the nanoantenna is 8.46 dBi. The radiation efficiency rises when the lens is placed on top of the antenna because of the lens’s proportional construction. Two elements that significantly improve the antenna’s efficiency are the materials used to make the lens and the form of the lens. We chose two kinds of lenses: the flat lens, which is made up of 17 layers of various materials, and the hemispherical dielectric lens. To get the most gain and efficiency, the lenses are positioned above the nanoantenna. Additionally, the ability to steer the beam by moving the nanoantenna in accordance with various feeding points along the X and Z directions. Beam steering angles of ± 25° and ± 29° were attained by the hemispherical and flat lenses, respectively. Any lens can generally increase a nanoantenna’s efficiency, albeit different lenses offer varying degrees of efficiency and gain.
Cancer-fighting immune cells could soon be engineered inside our bodies
Generation of human adult hepatocyte organoids with metabolic functions
Predicting artificial neural network representations to learn recognition model for music identification from brain recordings
Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated that the representations of artificial neural networks (ANNs) can exhibit notable similarities to cortical representations when subjected to identical auditory sensory inputs. In these studies, the ability to predict cortical representations is probed by regressing from ANN representations to cortical representations. Building upon this concept, our approach reverses the direction of prediction: we utilize ANN representations as a supervisory signal to train recognition models using noisy brain recordings obtained through non-invasive measurements. Specifically, we focus on constructing a recognition model for music identification, where electroencephalography (EEG) brain recordings collected during music listening serve as input. By training an EEG recognition model to predict ANN representations-representations associated with music identification-we observed a significant improvement in classification accuracy. This study introduces a novel approach to developing recognition models for brain recordings in response to external auditory stimuli. It holds promise for advancing brain-computer interfaces (BCI), neural decoding techniques, and our understanding of music cognition. Furthermore, it provides new insights into the relationship between auditory brain activity and ANN representations.
‘Science saved my life’ — and it must save other at-risk scholars
The Mg related GaN blue luminescence deep level and its connection to an MgO surface state
End racism in science: there shouldn’t be any argument about this goal
Mitigating fines migration in low salinity water flooding of clay rich sandstones using TiO2 Saponin Zr nanocomposites
Scientists with ADHD speak up: when fire meets focus
Predicting parasitic plants Loranthus Europaeus range shifts in response to climate change
Abstract Climate change significantly influences the distribution of parasitic species, posing threats to ecosystems and economies. This study examines the potential range expansion of Loranthus europaeus, a parasitic plant impacting European forestry. We assessed the impact of predicted climate change for 2041–2060 and 2061–2080 using MaxEnt modeling based on current occurrence data of L. europaeus, and the main host plant genus oak Quercus, as well as bioclimatic variables. Our model demonstrated high predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.92). The most important variables for Europe range were range of Quercus genus. Key environmental factors included isothermality (bio3) and mean temperature of wettest quarter (bio8). Under SSP126 and SSP245 scenarios, our results predict significant range expansions into northern and eastern Europe, with increases of 43.5% and 53.9% by 2041–2060. Conversely, southern Europe may see contractions of 16.4–20.6%. Projections for 2061–2080 indicate further expansions up to 65.8% in northern Europe, alongside contractions up to 29.8% in southern regions, including Turkey and Greece.These shifts highlight the influence of climate change on L. europaeus distribution and underscore the need for adaptive management strategies to mitigate potential ecological and economic impacts.
Masked stereolithography and polymerization induced phase separation for 3D printing of membranes
Elevation of C-reactive protein and homocysteine levels as reliable biomarkers for assessing injury severity and prognosis in traumatic brain injury
Exploring the metabolic and cuticular mechanisms of increased pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles gambiae S.l populations from Ghana
Abstract Increasing insecticide resistance in malaria vectors threatens the efficacy of current control tools, however knowledge of metabolic and cuticular mechanisms is widely lacking in Ghana. We examined the metabolic and cuticular resistance mechanisms in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes from coastal and sahel zones of Ghana. WHO susceptibility tests and synergist assays were performed on F0 field collected An. gambiae s.l. Gene expression profiles of eight key metabolic and cuticular genes were determined using qRT-PCR. Moderate to high pyrethroid resistance (< 70%) were observed across all the sites. Piperonyl butoxide significantly increased susceptibility to pyrethroids across all sites and insecticides, implicating P450s. Gene expression analysis revealed overexpression of metabolic and cuticular resistance genes in field An. gambiae populations compared to the susceptible Kisumu strain. CYP6M2 and CYP6P3 were the most overexpressed metabolic genes in pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes, compared to the pyrethroid susceptible mosquitoes in the coastal (FC: 122.28 and 231.86, p < 0.05) and sahel (FC: 344.955 and 716.37, p < 0.001) zones respectively. CYP4G16 (previously associated with cuticular resistance) was significantly overexpressed in only resistant mosquitoes (FC: 3.32–30.12, p < 0.05). Overexpression of metabolic and cuticular resistance genes in local malaria vectors highlights the need to intensify insecticide resistance management strategies to control malaria in Ghana.
Self-consistent gravity model for inferring node mass in flow networks
Changes in neurotensin signalling drive hedonic devaluation in obesity
Abstract Calorie-rich foods, particularly those that are high in fat and sugar, evoke pleasure in both humans and animals1. However, prolonged consumption of such foods may reduce their hedonic value, potentially contributing to obesity2–4. Here we investigated this phenomenon in mice on a chronic high-fat diet (HFD). Although these mice preferred high-fat food over regular chow in their home cages, they showed reduced interest in calorie-rich foods in a no-effort setting. This paradoxical decrease in hedonic feeding has been reported previously3–7, but its neurobiological basis remains unclear. We found that in mice on regular diet, neurons in the lateral nucleus accumbens (NAcLat) projecting to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) encoded hedonic feeding behaviours. In HFD mice, this behaviour was reduced and uncoupled from neural activity. Optogenetic stimulation of the NAcLat→VTA pathway increased hedonic feeding in mice on regular diet but not in HFD mice, though this behaviour was restored when HFD mice returned to a regular diet. HFD mice exhibited reduced neurotensin expression and release in the NAcLat→VTA pathway. Furthermore, neurotensin knockout in the NAcLat and neurotensin receptor blockade in the VTA each abolished optogenetically induced hedonic feeding behaviour. Enhancing neurotensin signalling via overexpression normalized aspects of diet-induced obesity, including weight gain and hedonic feeding. Together, our findings identify a neural circuit mechanism that links the devaluation of hedonic foods with obesity.
Impact of HCV elimination on metabolism markers in people living with HIV
I apply my aquatic-science training to empower Tanzania’s seaweed farmers
Association between triglyceride glucose index and organ involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis
Abstract Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) exhibit an elevated risk of multi-organ involvement. Vasculopathy, a hallmark pathological feature of SSc, is closely related to cardiac and renal complications. The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index shows a strong association with vascular injury. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the TyG index and SSc-related organ involvement and assess its potential predictive value for cardiovascular disease risk. This retrospective cross-sectional study of 102 patients with systemic sclerosis and 89 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. The TyG index was calculated by ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dl) * fasting glucose (mg/dl)/2]. All systemic sclerosis patients were grouped according to the TyG quartile and whether combined with cardiovascular disease. The association between TyG and cardiovascular disease occurrence was evaluated by multivariate regression analysis, restricted cubic spline (RCS), and subgroup analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves assessed the predictive value of TyG index. Mean TyG index was higher in systemic sclerosis patients versus controls (8.50 $$\:\pm\:$$ 0.45 vs. 8.33 $$\:\pm\:$$ 0.43; P = 0.006). Systemic sclerosis patients with cardiovascular disease or renal involvement had higher TyG index than those without [(8.69 $$\:\pm\:$$ 0.42) vs. (8.39 $$\:\pm\:$$ 0.43), P = 0.001; (8.65 $$\:\pm\:$$ 0.44) vs. (8.45 $$\:\pm\:$$ 0.41), P = 0.044], while patients with joint involvement had lower TyG index [(8.38 $$\:\pm\:$$ 0.44) vs. (8.59 $$\:\pm\:$$ 0.43), P = 0.019]. After grouping according to the TyG quartiles, the incidence of cardiovascular disease and modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) gradually increased from Q1 to Q4. TyG showed a positive correlation with mRSS score (r = 0.307, P = 0.002). High TyG index was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (OR = 4.03, 95% CI = 1.07–15.10, P = 0.039). TyG index had moderate predictive value for the risk of cardiovascular disease. The TyG index is associated with skin fibrosis and cardiovascular risk in systemic sclerosis and may serve as an effective biomarker for cardiovascular disease risk assessment.