Spatial-frequency-oriented measurement strategy in two-dimensional slope deflectometry systems.

A single-point-probe-based slope profiler is a common measurement scheme for the measurement of freeform optical surfaces, which has been a challenging research direction. Efficiency is a key issue in two-dimensional scanning-based measurement. This study establishes a measurement system simulation model and reveals that the height reconstruction accuracy of different reconstruction algorithms is primarily correlated with the sampling density. The spatial resolution calibrated of the slope measurement device is also identified to be an essential part of the strategy. Based on a kind of slope profiler, this paper applies variable sampling intervals for different spatial frequency characteristics of the surface under test (SUT). The result shows that the reconstruction accuracy can be controlled by selecting sampling parameters and calibrating the slope measurement device. For objects with different spatial characteristics, targeted optimization of the measurement scheme can be achieved. This strategy also has a certain universality for general scanning slope measurement and height reconstruction, providing a reference for device selection and sampling settings for different spatial frequency measurement requirements.

Decoupling of nutrient stoichiometry in Suaeda glauca (Bunge) senesced leaves under salt treatment.

The stoichiometry of senesced leaves is pivotal in nutrient cycling and can be significantly influenced by soil salinization, a rising global issue threatening the functionality of ecosystems. However, the impacts of soil salinization on senesced leaf stoichiometry are not fully understood. In this study, we conducted a pot experiment with varying soil salt concentrations to examine their influence on the concentrations and stoichiometric ratios of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn) in the senesced leaves of Suaeda glauca (Bunge). Compared to the control group, salt treatments significantly enhanced Na concentration while diminishing the concentrations of K, Ca, Mg, Zn, N, and P. Interestingly, as salinity levels escalated, N concentration maintained stability, whereas P concentration exhibited an increasing trend. Moreover, K, Ca, and Mg significantly declined as salt levels rose. Salt treatments brought about significant changes in stoichiometric ratios, with the N:P, K:Na, N:Na, N:Mg, and Ca : Mg ratios dropping and the N:Ca and N:K ratios rising, illustrating the varying nutrient coupling cycles under different salt conditions. These findings shed light on the plasticity of stoichiometric traits in S. glauca senesced leaves in response to soil salinization shifts, which could potentially offer insights into nutrient cycling reactions to soil salinization.

Enhanced-spatial-resolution optical surface profiler based on focusing deflectometry.

Deflectometric slope profiler is an essential technique for accessing the surface metrology of mirrors used in synchrotron radiation beamlines. To increase the upper spatial frequency bandwidth limits of deflectometric slope profiler, reducing the beam spot size on the mirrors is necessary. In this paper, we introduce a profiler system: the focusing long trace profiler (FLTP). It contains a newly developed optical head capable of raising upper spatial frequency bandwidth limits by using a focused beam instead of a collimated beam to scan the sample. This feature has been proven in a numerical simulation experiment, where a spatial resolution of up to around 0.05 mm was reached when the sample is set at focus plane. The system is implemented and characterized in several experiments; calibration of the focusing optical head shows that it can achieve a high angular accuracy of sub-50 nrad root-mean-square (rms) and defocusing of sample under test (SUT) has no effect on the measurement results; the measurement tests also demonstrate the system's advantage in highly curved mirror profile metrology.

Highly efficient thermal deformation optimization method for smart-cut mirrors over the entire photon energy range.

A method to optimize the notches of water-cooled white-beam mirrors over the entire photon energy range is proposed. A theoretical method is used to quantitatively evaluate the influence of the thermal load on the thermal deformation of a mirror. The result of theoretical calculations and finite-element analysis are consistent, which proves the feasibility of the method. The root mean square of the curvatures of the thermal deformation of the white-beam mirror over the entire photon energy range can be minimized. This method greatly simplifies the design work of water-cooled white-beam mirrors.

CXC Motif Chemokine Receptor Type 4 Disrupts Blood-Brain Barrier and Promotes Brain Metastasis Through Activation of the PI3K/AKT Pathway in Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: CXC motif chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is an indispensable factor in the process of lung cancer brain metastasis (LCBM). The PI3K/AKT signal pathway is crucial in affecting cell invasion and metastasis and serves as a pivotal regulator in LCBM. However, the relationship between CXCR4 and the PI3K/AKT signal pathway is unclear. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of CXCR4 and PI3K/AKT in LCBM. METHODS: Two lung cancer cells (A549 and H1299) and cells transfected with short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-CXCR4 were cocultured with normal human astrocyte cells and human brain endothelial (hCMEC/D3) cells to establish a blood-brain barrier model in vitro. The proliferation, migration, and invasion tight junction proteins (claudin-5, occludin, and ZO-1) were examined. Finally, results were verified in a nude mice model. RESULTS: The abilities of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were significantly reduced in A549 and H1299 cells transfected with shRNA-CXCR4 compared with the negative control group. The proteins phosphorylated PI3K and phosphorylated AKT were downregulated in lung cancer cells transfected with shRNA-CXCR4. The proteins claudin-5, occludin, and ZO-1 were upregulated in the A549 and H1299 cells transfected with shRNA-CXCR4. In vivo experiment results confirmed that the knockdown of CXCR4 played a protective role in the process of LCBM. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that CXCR4 promotes LCBM by regulating the PI3K/Akt signal pathway. We also demonstrated that inhibiting CXCR4 could lead to prevention of LCBM. This study provides further rationale for clinical therapy that targets CXCR4/PI3K/AKT.

Numerical iteration method to reduce the surface shape error of a bendable mirror in synchrotron radiation.

X-ray mirrors with high focusing performance are extensively used in the synchrotron radiation field. Especially for vertical reflecting bendable mirrors, many elements such as gravity, extended parts used for the bending mechanism, etc., usually affect the surface shape precision. There are no effective methods to remove all these errors at this point. However, an iteration method can be adopted to solve this problem. In this paper, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, iteration method on decreasing the error between the practice surface shape and the desired one is proposed. Not only can the precision of the surface shape be realized by this method, but also computational efficiency. Errors induced by gravity can be compensated for by an analytical method, while errors caused by the extended parts should be eliminated by a numerical method. Therefore, two main kinds of errors-gravity and parts of clamping-can be removed by iteration. Some examples are presented to illustrate the advantages of this method by comparison with the regular one.

Novel evidence of obesity paradox in esophageal adenocarcinoma: perspective on genes that uncouple adiposity from dismal outcomes.

Background: Obesity is a strong risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Nevertheless, not all the patients with EAC are obesity, and a substantial proportion of obesity patients don't suffer from poor prognoses. The mechanisms behind the "obesity paradox" that uncouple obesity from dismal outcomes in EAC are unclear. This study aimed to explore the "obesity-guarding" genes (OGG) profiles and their prognostic values in patients with EAC. Methods: Gene expression data and clinical information of patients with EAC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Enrichment analysis was used to explore the OGG functions and pathways. Cox regression analysis and nomogram model were performed to investigate the OGG prognostic values for overall survival (OS). In addition, relations between OGG and immune cells were assessed by the "CIBERSORT" algorithm and the Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource (TIMER) tool. Finally, the results were experimentally validated in real-world study. Results: A total of 69 OGG were retrieved, and 17 significantly differentially expressed genes (SDEG) were identified between normal and EAC tissues. Enrichment analysis showed the OGG were enriched in the mitochondrion-related and various receptor pathways. Univariate Cox regression results showed that the MCM6, ATXN2 and CSK were significantly associated with OS (P=0.036, 0.039, 0.046, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed MCM6 and CSK were independent prognostic genes for OS (P=0.025, 0.041, respectively). Nomogram demonstrated that the OGG had good predictive abilities for the 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS. Immunity analysis demonstrated that OGG were significantly associated with immune cells (P <0.05). In addition, clinical correlation analysis revealed that the OGG had significant relations with clinical parameters (P <0.05). The experiment results confirmed that the SDEG were significantly different between normal and EAC tissues (P <0.05). Conclusions: We identified the OGG expression profiles that may uncouple obesity from poor survival in patients with EAC. They have prognostic values in predicting patients' OS, and may be exploited for prognostic biomarkers.

Glycolysis Changes the Microenvironment and Therapeutic Response Under the Driver of Gene Mutation in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma.

Background: Esophageal cancer is one of the most leading and lethal malignancies. Glycolysis and the tumor microenvironment (TME) are responsible for cancer progressions. We aimed to study the relationships between glycolysis, TME, and therapeutic response in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Materials and Methods: We used the ESTIMATE algorithm to divide EAC patients into ESTIMATE high and ESTIMATE low groups based on the gene expression data downloaded from TCGA. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were performed to identify different glycolytic genes in the TME between the two groups. The prognostic gene signature for overall survival (OS) was established through Cox regression analysis. Impacts of glycolytic genes on immune cells were assessed and validated. Next, we conducted the glycolytic gene mutation analysis and drug therapeutic response analysis between the two groups. Finally, the GEO database was employed to validate the impact of glycolysis on TME in patients with EAC. Results: A total of 78 EAC patients with gene expression profiles and clinical information were included for analysis. Functional enrichment results showed that the genes between ESTIMATE high and ESTIMATE low groups (N = 39, respectively) were strongly related with glycolytic and ATP/ADP metabolic pathways. Patients in the low-risk group had probabilities to survive longer than those in the high-risk group (p < 0.001). Glycolytic genes had significant impacts on the components of immune cells in TME, especially on the T-cells and dendritic cells. In the high-risk group, the most common mutant genes were TP53 and TTN, and the most frequent mutation type was missense mutation. Glycolysis significantly influenced drug sensitivity, and high tumor mutation burden (TMB) was associated with better immunotherapeutic response. GEO results confirmed that glycolysis had significant impacts on immune cell contents in TME. Conclusion: We performed a comprehensive study of glycolysis and TME and demonstrated that glycolysis could influence the microenvironment and drug therapeutic response in EAC. Evaluation of the glycolysis pattern could help identify the individualized therapeutic regime.

Identification the ferroptosis-related gene signature in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Ferroptosis is a recently recognized non-apoptotic cell death that is distinct from the apoptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis. Considerable studies have demonstrated ferroptosis is involved in the biological process of various cancers. However, the role of ferroptosis in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) remains unclear. This study aims to explore the ferroptosis-related genes (FRG) expression profiles and their prognostic values in EAC. METHODS: The FRG data and clinical information were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Univariate and multivariate cox regressions were used to identify the prognostic FRG, and the predictive ROC model was established using the independent risk factors. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed to investigate the bioinformatics functions of significantly different genes (SDG) of ferroptosis. Additionally, the correlations of ferroptosis and immune cells were assessed through the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and TIMER database. Finally, SDG were verified in clinical EAC specimens and normal esophageal mucosal tissues. RESULTS: Twenty-eight significantly different FRG were screened from 78 EAC and 9 normal tissues. Enrichment analyses showed these SDG were mainly related to the iron-related pathways and metabolisms of ferroptosis. Gene network demonstrated the TP53, G6PD, NFE2L2 and PTGS2 were the hub genes in the biology of ferroptosis. Cox regression analyses demonstrated four FRG (CARS1, GCLM, GLS2 and EMC2) had prognostic values for overall survival (OS) (all P < 0.05). ROC curve showed better predictive ability using the risk score (AUC = 0.744). Immune cell enrichment analysis demonstrated that the types of immune cells and their expression levels in the high-risk group were significant different with those in the low-risk group (all P < 0.05). The experimental results confirmed the ALOX5, NOX1 were upregulated and the MT1G was downregulated in the EAC tissues compared with the normal esophageal mucosal tissues (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We identified differently expressed ferroptosis-related genes that may involve in EAC. These genes have significant values in predicting the patients' OS and targeting ferroptosis may be an alternative for therapy. Further studies are necessary to verify these results of our study.

Quantitative X-ray Channel-Cut Crystal Diffraction Wavefront Metrology Using the Speckle Scanning Technique.

A speckle-based method for the X-ray crystal diffraction wavefront measurement is implemented, and the slope errors of channel-cut crystals with different surface characteristics are measured. The method uses a speckle scanning technique generated by a scattering membrane translated using a piezo motor to infer the deflection of X-rays from the crystals. The method provides a high angular sensitivity of the channel-cut crystal slopes in both the tangential and sagittal directions. The experimental results show that the slope error of different cutting and etching processes ranges from 0.25 to 2.98 µrad. Furthermore, the results of wavefront deformation are brought into the beamline for simulation. This method opens up possibilities for new high-resolution applications for X-ray crystal diffraction wavefront measurement and provides feedback to crystal manufacturers to improve channel-cut fabrication.

Profiles of autophagy-related genes in esophageal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated autophagy was involved in the process of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). The aim of this study was to explore autophagy-related genes (ARGs) correlated with overall survival (OS) in EAC patients. METHODS: Expressions of ARGs in EAC and normal samples were downloaded from TCGA database. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were used to investigate the ARGs bioinformatics functions. Univariate and multivariate cox regressions were performed to identify prognostic ARGs and the independent risk factors. ROC curve was established to evaluate the feasibility to predict the prognosis. Finally, the correlations between ARGs and clinical features were further explored. In addition, significantly different ARGs were verified in EAC specimens and normal esophageal mucosal tissues. RESULTS: Thirty significantly different ARGs were selected from EAC and normal tissues. Functional enrichments showed these ARGs were mainly related apoptosis. Multivariate cox regression analyses demonstrated eight ARGs were significantly associated with OS. Among these eight genes, BECN1 (HR = 0.321, P = 0.046), DAPK1 (HR = 0.636, P = 0.025) and CAPN1 (HR = 0.395, P = 0.004) played protective roles in survival. Gender (HR = 0.225, P = 0.032), stage (HR = 5.841, P = 0.008) and risk score (HR = 1.131, P < 0.001) were independent prognostic risk factors. ROC curves showed better efficacy to predict survival using the risk score. Additionally, we found BECN1, DAPK1, VAMP7 and SIRT1 genes were correlated significantly with survival status, gender, primary tumor and tumor stage (all P < 0.05). The experimental results confirmed the BIRC5 was overexpressed and the ITPR1, PRKN were downregulated in the EAC tissues compared with the normal esophageal mucosal tissues (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that autophagy was involved in the process of EAC. Several ARGs probably could serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and may help facilitate therapeutic targets in EAC patients.

Design of C3 N4 -Based Hybrid Heterojunctions for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production Activity.

Semiconductors and metals can form an Ohmic contact with an electric field pointing to the metal, or a Schottky contact with an electric field pointing to the semiconductor. If these two types of heterojunctions are constructed on a single nanoparticle, the two electric fields may cause a synergistic effect and increase the separation rate of the photogenerated electrons and holes. Metal Ni and Ag nanoparticles were successively loaded on the graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ) surface by precipitation and photoreduction in the hope of forming hybrid heterojunctions on single nanoparticles. TEM/high-resolution TEM images showed that Ag and Ni were loaded on different locations on C3 N4 , which indicated that during the photoreduction reaction Ag+ obtained electrons from C3 N4 in the reduction reaction, whereas oxidation reactions proceeded on Ni nanoparticles. Photocatalytic hydrogen production experiments showed that C3 N4 -based hybrid heterojunctions can greatly improve the photocatalytic activity of materials. The possible reason is that two heterojunctions could form a long-range electric field similar to the p-i-n structure in semiconductors. Most of the photogenerated carriers were generated and then separated in this electric field, thereby increasing the separation rate of electrons and holes. This further improved the photocatalytic activity of C3 N4 .

Functionalization of α-In2Se3 Monolayer via Adsorption of Small Molecule for Gas Sensing.

Based on first-principles calculations, the adsorption of NO and NO2 gas molecules on the α-In2Se3 monolayer have been studied. The adsorption configuration, adsorption energy, electronic structure and charge transfer properties are investigated. It is found that the charge transfer processes of NO and NO2 adsorbed on the surface of α-In2Se3 monolayer exhibit electron donor and acceptor characteristics, respectively. After the adsorption of the molecules, the α-In2Se3 monolayers have new states near the Fermi level induced by NO and NO2, which can trigger some new effects on the conducting and optical properties of the materials, with potential benefits to gas selectivity. The present work provides new valuable results and theoretical foundation for potential applications of the In2Se3-based gas sensor.

Characterization and on-line adjustment of the sagittal-bent Laue crystal profile.

The sagittal-bent Laue monochromator can provide an ideal way to focus high-energy X-ray beams. However, the anticlastic curvature induced by sagittal bending has a great influence on the crystal performance. Thus, characterizing the bent-crystal shape is very important for predicting the performance of the bent-crystal monochromator. In this paper the crystal profile is measured by off-line optical metrology and on-line X-ray experiments. The off-line results showed that the bent-crystal surface could be well fitted to a saddle surface apart from a redundant cubic term which was related to the different couples applied on the crystal. On-line characterization of the meridional and the sagittal radius of the bent crystal includes double-crystal topography and ray-tracing measurement. In addition, the double-crystal topography experiment could be used as a quick diagnostic method for the bending condition adjustment. The sagittal radius of the bent crystal was characterized through a ray-tracing experiment by using a particularly designed tungsten mask. Moreover, rocking curves under different bending conditions were measured as well. The results were highly consistent with analytical results derived from the elastic theory. Furthermore, radii along different vertical positions under various bending conditions were measured and showed a quadratic relationship between the vertical positions and the meridional radii.

Laser-heating-based active optics for synchrotron radiation applications.

Active optics has attracted considerable interest from researchers in synchrotron radiation facilities because of its capacity for x-ray wavefront correction. Here, we report a novel and efficient technique for correcting or modulating a mirror surface profile based on laser-heating-induced thermal expansion. An experimental study of the characteristics of the surface thermal deformation response indicates that the power of a milliwatt laser yields a bump height as low as the subnanometer scale and that the variation of the spot size modulates the response function width effectively. In addition, the capacity of the laser-heating technique for free-form surface modulation is demonstrated via a one-dimensional surface correction experiment. The developed method is a promising new approach toward effective x-ray active optics coupled with at-wavelength metrology techniques.

Co-transition absorption property of K2ZnCl4:Co2+ crystal.

Single-crystal K(2)ZnCl(4) doped with Co2+ has been grown successfully by use of the Czochralski technique. The absorption spectrum of the crystal was measured. The most intense line, centered at 650 nm, was associated with the transition (4)A(2)-->(4)T(1P), and a novel and important result that corporate transition (co-transition) between (4)A(2)-->(4)T(1F) and (4)A(2)-->(4)T(2) of Co2+ in the region of 1300-2400 nm was found and discussed. The mechanism that caused the phenomenon was explained by energy-level splitting theory. In the tetrahedral approximation, using the quantum and Tanaba-Sugano theories, Racah parameter B and crystal field parameter 10Dq were calculated. The optical energy gap, deduced to be 4.82 eV, was lower than that of pure K2ZnCl4.

Adenovirus-mediated RNA interference against foot-and-mouth disease virus infection both in vitro and in vivo.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection is responsible for the heavy economic losses in stockbreeding each year. Because of the limited effectiveness of existing vaccines and antiviral drugs, the development of new strategies is needed. RNA interference (RNAi) is an effective means of suppressing virus replication in vitro. Here we demonstrate that treatment with recombinant, replication-defective human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) expressing short-hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) directed against either structural protein 1D (Ad5-NT21) or polymerase 3D (Ad5-POL) of FMDV totally protects swine IBRS-2 cells from homologous FMDV infection, whereas only Ad5-POL inhibits heterologous FMDV replication. Moreover, delivery of these shRNAs significantly reduces the susceptibility of guinea pigs and swine to FMDV infection. Three of five guinea pigs inoculated with 10(6) PFU of Ad5-POL and challenged 24 h later with 50 50% infectious doses (ID50) of homologous virus were protected from the major clinical manifestation of disease: the appearance of vesicles on the feet. Two of three swine inoculated with an Ad5-NT21-Ad5-POL mixture containing 2 x 10(9) PFU each and challenged 24 h later with 100 ID50 of homologous virus were protected from the major clinical disease, but treatment with a higher dose of adenovirus mixture cannot promote protection of animals. The inhibition was rapid and specific because treatment with a control adenovirus construct (Ad5-LacZ) expressing Escherichia coli galactosidase-specific shRNA showed no marked antiviral activity. Our data highlight the in vivo potential of RNAi technology in the case of FMD.