Detection of maize stem diameter by using RGB-D cameras' depth information under selected field condition.

Stem diameter is a critical phenotypic parameter for maize, integral to yield prediction and lodging resistance assessment. Traditionally, the quantification of this parameter through manual measurement has been the norm, notwithstanding its tedious and laborious nature. To address these challenges, this study introduces a non-invasive field-based system utilizing depth information from RGB-D cameras to measure maize stem diameter. This technology offers a practical solution for conducting rapid and non-destructive phenotyping. Firstly, RGB images, depth images, and 3D point clouds of maize stems were captured using an RGB-D camera, and precise alignment between the RGB and depth images was achieved. Subsequently, the contours of maize stems were delineated using 2D image processing techniques, followed by the extraction of the stem's skeletal structure employing a thinning-based skeletonization algorithm. Furthermore, within the areas of interest on the maize stems, horizontal lines were constructed using points on the skeletal structure, resulting in 2D pixel coordinates at the intersections of these horizontal lines with the maize stem contours. Subsequently, a back-projection transformation from 2D pixel coordinates to 3D world coordinates was achieved by combining the depth data with the camera's intrinsic parameters. The 3D world coordinates were then precisely mapped onto the 3D point cloud using rigid transformation techniques. Finally, the maize stem diameter was sensed and determined by calculating the Euclidean distance between pairs of 3D world coordinate points. The method demonstrated a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 3.01%, a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.75 mm, a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 1.07 mm, and a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.96, ensuring accurate measurement of maize stem diameter. This research not only provides a new method of precise and efficient crop phenotypic analysis but also offers theoretical knowledge for the advancement of precision agriculture.

Transfer-Free Analog and Digital Flexible Memristors Based on Boron Nitride Films.

The traditional von Neumann architecture of computers, constrained by the inherent separation of processing and memory units, faces challenges, for instance, memory wall issue. Neuromorphic computing and in-memory computing offer promising paradigms to overcome the limitations of additional data movement and to enhance computational efficiency. In this work, transfer-free flexible memristors based on hexagonal boron nitride films were proposed for analog neuromorphic and digital memcomputing. Analog memristors were prepared; they exhibited synaptic behaviors, including paired-pulse facilitation and long-term potentiation/depression. The resistive switching mechanism of the analog memristors were investigated through transmission electron microscopy. Digital memristors were prepared by altering the electrode materials, and they exhibited reliable device performance, including a large on/off ratio (up to 106), reproducible switching endurance (>100 cycles), non-volatile characteristic (>60 min), and effective operating under bending conditions (>100 times).

Targeting and deep-penetrating delivery strategy for stented coronary artery by magnetic guidance and ultrasound stimulation.

Stent placement is an effective treatment for atherosclerosis, but is suffered from in-stent restenosis (ISR) caused by stent mechanical damage. Conventional ISR treatment such as drug-eluting stents (DES) is challenged by the low therapeutic efficacy and severe complications, unchangeable drug dosage for individuals, and limited drug penetration in the vascular tissue. We hypothesize that magnetic targeting and deep-penetrating delivery strategy by magnetic guidance and ultrasound stimulation might be an effective approach for ISR treatment. In the present study, antiproliferative drug (paclitaxel, PTX) loaded poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (PLGA-PTX) were embedded within the shells of the magnetic nanoparticle coated microbubbles (MMB-PLGA-PTX). Once being targeted to the stent under a magnetic field, a low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) is applied to activate stable microbubble oscillations, thereby triggering the release of PLGA-PTX. The generated mechanical force and microstreaming facilitate the penetration of released PLGA-PTX into the thickened vascular tissue and enhance their internalization by smooth muscle cells (SMCs), thereby reducing the clearance by blood flow. In an ex vivo experiment, magnetic targeting improved the accumulation amount of MMB-PLGA-PTX by 10 folds, while the LIFU facilitated the penetration of released PLGA-PTX into the tunica media region of the porcine coronary artery, resulting in prolonged retention time at the stented vascular tissue. With the combination effects, this strategy holds great promise in the precision delivery of antiproliferative drugs to the stented vascular tissue for ISR treatment.

Hierarchically micro-mesoporous ß-cyclodextrin polymers used for ultrafast removal of micropollutants from water.

Persistent organic pollutants, including plasticizers, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupters, have posed a serious threat to water safety and human health. Addressing this problem calls out new materials of purifying water with high efficiency. Here, a series of cross-linked ß-cyclodextrin polymers (ß-CDPs) with hierarchically micro-mesoporous structure and high surface area were first synthesized by introducing polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM) and used for adsorptive removal of organic micropollutants from water. The chemical compositions and porous structures of the obtained ß-CDPs were characterized in detail. Adsorption data showed that the quasi-second-order adsorption rate constant and maximal adsorption capacity of ß-CDPs towards bisphenol A was up to 3.88 g mg-1 min-1 and 502 mg g-1, almost 2.6 and 5.7 times as large as those of the state-of-the-art porous ß-CD polymer, respectively. Further, hierarchically porous ß-CDPs also demonstrated ultrafast adsorption rates and high adsorption capacities towards various organic pollutants under the synergistic effect of micropores and mesopores. In addition, ß-CDPs were easily regenerated by simple ethanol cleaning and kept high removal ability over 5 cycles. The virtues of extraordinary adsorption ability and convenient regeneration offer ß-CDPs potential applications in water purification.

Dioscin inhibits colon cancer cells' growth by reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and p38 and JNK pathways.

Dioscin is a natural steroid saponin derived from several plants that shows potent anticancer effects against a variety of cancer cells. Here, we investigated the antitumor effect of dioscin against human colon cancer cells and evaluated the molecular mechanism involved in this process. The cell cytotoxicity was studied by the MTT assay and BrdU incorporation. The proapoptotic mechanism of dioscin was characterized by flow cytometry analysis. A western blot and an immunofluorescence staining were used to investigate how dioscin induces apoptosis in vitro. In our study, dioscin could significantly inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. Dioscin induces apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, promoting the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, Bax translocation to the mitochondria, cytochrome C release to cytosol, activations of caspase-9/3, PARP cleavage, and subsequent apoptosis. Dioscin-induced apoptosis was accompanied by sustained phosphorylation of JNK, p38-MAPK. N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a scavenger of ROS, significantly reversed dioscin-induced cell death and activation of JNK and p38. Collectively, the data indicate that the induction of apoptosis by dioscin is mediated through ROS proteins, which are critical upstream signals for JNK/p38-MAPK activation.

[Characterization and photoluminescence properties of an azomethin-zinc complex].

A Schiff base organic metal complex, Bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediam-ine Zinc(II) with high purity, was synthesized and purified by vacuum sublimation. Its structure, thermal stability and energy band structure were investigated by element analysis, FTIR spectra, TG-DTA curve, UV-Vis absorption spectra, fluorescece emission spectra and PL spectra. Experimental results showed that the complex is a thermally stable, polycrystalline material, with glass temperature and decomposition temperature being 183 and 449 degrees C, respectively. In its infrared spectrum, a high intensity band was at about 1 385 cm(-1). This band was typical of the conjugated C=N stretching vibration, which shifted to higher frequency in relation to the free ligand of salicylaldehyde with 1,2-phenylenediamine. The new bnd at 529 cm(-1) was assigned to Zn-O stretching vibration. Its UV absorption bands were at about 297 and 406 nm, and its tetrahydrofuran solution emitted intensive blue-green fluorescence at the peak wavelength of 508 nm. The absorption band at about 406 nm can be assigned to the intrinsic absorption of C=N. Its optical gap was about 2.62 eV, which was determined by the intrinsic absorption band edge of the complex in tetrahydrofuran solution. Under UV excitation at 365 nm, the complex in film emitted yellow-green fluorescence with the maximum emission peak at 562 nm and a full-width at half-maximum of 48.5 nm in PL spectra. Finally, yellow organic light-emitting devices using this complex as the emissive layer were fabricated and investigated.