Electronic digital convolutions could extract key features of objects for data processing and information identification in artificial intelligence, but they are time-cost and energy consumption due ...to the low response of electrons. Although massless photons enable high-speed and low-loss analog convolutions, two existing all-optical approaches including Fourier filtering and Green's function have either limited functionality or bulky volume, thus restricting their applications in smart systems. Here, we report all-optical convolutional computing with a metasurface-singlet or -doublet imager, considered as the third approach, where its point spread function is modified arbitrarily via a complex-amplitude meta-modulator that enables functionality-unlimited kernels. Beyond one- and two-dimensional spatial differentiation, we demonstrate real-time, parallel, and analog convolutional processing of optical and biological specimens with challenging pepper-salt denoising and edge enhancement, which significantly enrich the toolkit of all-optical computing. Such meta-imager approach bridges multi-functionality and high-integration in all-optical convolutions, meanwhile possessing good architecture compatibility with digital convolutional neural networks.
Botanical systems have evolved the intriguing ability to respond to diverse stimuli due to long‐term survival competition. Mimicking these dynamic behaviors has greatly advanced the developments in ...wide fields ranging from soft robotics, precision sensors to drug delivery and biomedical devices. However, realization of stimuli‐responsive components at the microscale with high response speed still remains a significant challenge. Herein, the miniature biomimetic 4D printing of pH‐responsive hydrogel is reported in spatiotemporal domain by femtosecond laser direct writing. The dimension of the printed architectures is at the microscale (<102 µm) and the response speed is reduced down to subsecond level (<500 ms). Shape transformation with multiple degrees of freedom is accomplished by taking advantage of pH‐triggered expansion, contraction, and torsion. Biomimetic complex shape‐morphing is enabled by adopting flexible scanning strategies. In addition, application of this 4D‐printed micro‐architecture in selective micro‐object trapping and releasing is demonstrated, showcasing its possibilities in micromanipulation, single‐cell analysis, and drug delivery.
Complex shape morphing with expansion, contraction, twisting, and curling can be achieved by the proposed femtosecond laser 4D printing of hydrogels at the microscale. The 4D‐printed architectures can respond to the environmental stimuli with high speed. On‐demand capture and release of microparticles can be accomplished by using the 4D‐printed hydrogels.
Marker-assisted selection (MAS) refers to the use of molecular markers to assist phenotypic selections in crop improvement. Several types of molecular markers, such as single nucleotide polymorphism ...(SNP), have been identified and effectively used in plant breeding. The application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has led to remarkable advances in whole genome sequencing, which provides ultra-throughput sequences to revolutionize plant genotyping and breeding. To further broaden NGS usages to large crop genomes such as maize and wheat, genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) has been developed and applied in sequencing multiplexed samples that combine molecular marker discovery and genotyping. GBS is a novel application of NGS protocols for discovering and genotyping SNPs in crop genomes and populations. The GBS approach includes the digestion of genomic DNA with restriction enzymes followed by the ligation of barcode adapter, PCR amplification and sequencing of the amplified DNA pool on a single lane of flow cells. Bioinformatic pipelines are needed to analyze and interpret GBS datasets. As an ultimate MAS tool and a cost-effective technique, GBS has been successfully used in implementing genome-wide association study (GWAS), genomic diversity study, genetic linkage analysis, molecular marker discovery and genomic selection under a large scale of plant breeding programs.
Here, we report a Na-promoted FeCu-based catalyst with excellent liquid hydrocarbon selectivity and catalytic activity. The physiochemical properties of the catalysts were comprehensively ...characterized by various characterization techniques. The characterization results indicate that the catalytic performance of the catalysts was closely related to the nature of the metal promoters. The Na-AlFeCu possessed the highest CO2 conversion due to enhanced CO2 adsorption of the catalysts by the introduction of Al species. The introduction of excess Mg promoter led to a strong methanation activity of the catalyst. Mn and Ga promoters exhibited high selectivity for light hydrocarbons due to their inhibition of iron carbides generation, resulting in a lack of chain growth capacity. The Na-ZnFeCu catalyst exhibited the optimal C5+ yield, owing to the fact that the Zn promoter improved the catalytic activity and liquid hydrocarbon selectivity by modulating the surface CO2 adsorption and carbide content. Carbon dioxide (CO2) hydrogenation to liquid fuel is considered a method for the utilization and conversion of CO2, whereas satisfactory activity and selectivity remains a challenge. This method provides a new idea for the catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 and from there the preparation of high-value-added products.
The incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) in men globally increases as the standard of living improves. Blood serum biomarker prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) detection is the gold standard assay that do ...not meet the requirements of early detection. Herein, a solution‐gated graphene transistor (SGGT) biosensor for the ultrasensitive and rapid quantification detection of the early prostate cancer‐relevant biomarker, miRNA‐21 is reported. The designed single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) probes immobilized on the Au gate can hybridize effectively with the miRNA‐21 molecules targets and induce the Dirac voltage shifts of SGGT transfer curves. The limit of detection (LOD) of the sensor can reach 10−20 M without amplification and any chemical or biological labeling. The detection linear range is from 10−20 to 10−12 M. The sensor can realize real‐time detection of the miRNA‐21 molecules in less than 5 min and can well distinguish one‐mismatched miRNA‐21 molecule. The blood serum samples from the patients without RNA extraction and amplification are measured. The results demonstrated that the biosensor can well distinguish the cancer patients from the control group and has higher sensitivity (100%) than PSA detection (58.3%). Contrastingly, it can be found that the PSA level is not directly related to PCa.
An ultrasensitive and rapid quantification detection of the early prostate cancer‐relevant biomarker miRNA‐21 is designed based on gate‐functionalized SGGT. The LOD can reach 10−20 M and the linear range is from 10−20 to 10−12 M. The fastest response time is 3 min. The biosensor directly detects miRNA‐21 in clinical serum samples to discriminate prostate cancer patients.
(Thunb.) Makino is an important producer of dammarene-type triterpenoid saponins. These saponins (gypenosides) exhibit diverse pharmacological benefits such as anticancer, antidiabetic, and ...immunomodulatory effects, and have major potential in the pharmaceutical and health care industries. Here, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to profile the transcriptomes of more than 50,000 cells derived from
shoot apexes and leaves. Following cell clustering and annotation, we identified five major cell types in shoot apexes and four in leaves. Each cell type displayed substantial transcriptomic heterogeneity both within and between tissues. Examining gene expression patterns across various cell types revealed that gypenoside biosynthesis predominantly occurred in mesophyll cells, with heightened activity observed in shoot apexes compared to leaves. Furthermore, we explored the impact of transposable elements (TEs) on
transcriptomic landscapes. Our findings the highlighted the unbalanced expression of certain TE families across different cell types in shoot apexes and leaves, marking the first investigation of TE expression at the single-cell level in plants. Additionally, we observed dynamic expression of genes involved in gypenoside biosynthesis and specific TE families during epidermal and vascular cell development. The involvement of TE expression in regulating cell differentiation and gypenoside biosynthesis warrant further exploration. Overall, this study not only provides new insights into the spatiotemporal organization of gypenoside biosynthesis and TE activity in
shoot apexes and leaves but also offers valuable cellular and genetic resources for a deeper understanding of developmental and physiological processes at single-cell resolution in this species.
A rare case of Francisella hispaniensis infection associated with seawater exposure occurred in a deep-sea diving fisherman in Zhejiang, China. He had skin and soft tissue infection that progressed ...to bacteremia and multiple organ failure. Moxifloxacin treatment cleared the infections, but the patient suffered a sequela of heart damage.
Fruit rot is one of the major diseases impacting the production and quality of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo). In August 2021, fruit rot symptoms were observed on the zucchini fruit ‘Jindi 1’ in the ...Wuyuan region in Inner Mongolia, China with an incidence ranging from 10% to 30%. Where the pepo was in contact with the soil, dark grey and spongy corky lesions 4–5 cm in diameter with a light brown halo were observed. The internal necrosis of the fruit rind was also recorded. From the affected fruits, fungal colonies belonging to the Fusarium species were exclusively isolated. Molecular analysis of the ITS, TEF-1α, and RPB2 sequences identified the isolates as Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae. Inoculated on ‘Jindi 1’, the strain Fx-1a induced typical fruit rot on the pepo and wilting on seedlings, while negative-controls remained asymptomatic. The impact of this disease on seed quality and yield in zucchini seed production needs to be further studied.
In order to screen out the best concentration of salicylic acid for inhibiting the pathogen of korla fragrant pear blackhead and its storage effect, the pear fruit was inoculated with different ...concentration of salicylic acid, and the sterile water was used as control, the pear fruits were stored at room temperature (25 °C) and cold storage temperature (2 °C) , and the korla fragrant pear was damaged and inoculated with the pathogen of blackhead disease and different concentrations of salicylic acid in vivo, store at room temperature (25 ℃) for 28 d, cold storage 49 d. Every 7 days observed and measured the incidence of fruit, disease spot diameter, respiratory intensity, hardness, soluble solids, titratable acid, VC, malondialdehyde. The results showed that 0.7 g/L salicylic acid was better than 0.5 and 0.9 g/L in inhibiting the growth of blackhead disease and keeping the quality fresh, the diameter of disease spot of fragrant pear was decreased, the respiration intensity of pear was restrained, the hardness
Leptosphaerulina leaf spot, caused by Leptosphaerulina trifolii, is a major disease of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), leading to noticeable losses. From 2022 to 2023, we collected samples of alfalfa with ...symptoms of the disease from different locations in Inner Mongolia, China. Nine fungal isolates recovered from these samples were identified through morphological traits and a maximum likelihood phylogeny based on concatenated partial sequences of ITS, 28S, and rpb2. A pathogenicity test on alfalfa confirmed the pathogenicity of the isolates on alfalfa. Analysis of physiological traits of L. trifolii revealed optimal mycelium growth at 20 °C and a pH range of 5 to 7, with soluble starch as the preferred carbon source and yeast extract as the optimal nitrogen source. The pathogen thrived in V8-juice agar and oat agar media. This study confirms L. trifolii as the causative agent of Leptosphaerulina leaf spot of alfalfa in Inner Mongolia and provides valuable insights into its optimal growth conditions. These findings enhance the understanding and management of this disease in alfalfa fields.