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Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), characterized as a chronic disease with unregulated enlargement of prostatic gland, is commonly observed in elderly men leading to lower urinary tract dysfunction. Sestrin2 plays a role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and protects organisms from various stimuli. The exact role of Sestrin2 in the etiology of BPH, a common age-related disease, remains unknown. Here, we explored the regulatory function of Sestrin2 in modulating autophagy and its therapeutic role in spontaneous BPH. In vivo study, the 3-month-old (3 M) and 24-month-old (24 M) mice were used, and the 24 M mice were additionally administered recombinant Sestrin2 protein (rp-Sestrin2) for consecutive 14 days. In vitro, BPH-1 cells were transfected with an empty or Sestrin2 overexpression vector. Sestrin2 expression in mice prostate was gradually declined with age. Administration of rp-Sestrin2 to these mice suppressed prostatic hyperplasia, restored the balance between proliferation and apoptosis, and reduced prostatic fibrosis. Moreover, rp-Sestrin2 treatment enhanced autophagy by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, as evidenced by increased autophagosome and autolysosome formation, along with a decrease in degradation marker such as p62. Our findings were further supported by in vitro studies, where Sestrin2 overexpression induced autophagy via AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. These results suggest that Sestrin2 plays a critical role in attenuating spontaneous BPH by regulating autophagy through AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. This study provides novel insights into the therapeutic potential of Sestrin2 in age-related spontaneous BPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The olfactory organ of Synechogobius hasta was investigated with a focus on its environmental adaptation, using stereo microscopy and light microscopy. This research revealed the following anatomical and histological characteristics: (i) tubular anterior nostril, (ii) one longitudinal lamella, (iii) two accessory nasal sacs, (iv) lymphatic cells in the lower part of the sensory epithelium, (v) four to five villi of olfactory receptor neurons, (vi) abundant blood capillaries beneath the sensory epithelium, and (vii) rod-shaped erythrocytes. These findings hint that the olfactory organ of S. hasta has anatomical and histological adaptations to intertidal pools that undergo periodic hypoxia and increased temperature under stagnant water conditions due to the tidal cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purple spaghetti-eel Moringua raitaborua lives on the sandy or muddy bottoms of estuaries, which are subject to rapid and wide changes in salinity, pH, and osmoregulatory and hypoxic conditions due to the influx of organic materials from sources of freshwater. The species has adapted to hypoxic environments by developing a thicker epidermis with stratified polygonal cells, club cells, two types of mucous cells (goblet and, oval cells), stratified cuboidal cells and dermis with abundant blood capillaries. Among them, histological modification of thinner dorsal, lateral, and ventral body skin to include abundant capillaries and well-developed dermal vascularization may provide cutaneous respiration, permitting survival in brackish waters with low levels of oxygen and variable environmental parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Korean trident goby, Tridentiger brevispinis, lives in adverse habitats that can easily become hypoxic due to low precipitation, regional dry periods, and high amounts of solar radiation. Histological and morphometric studies revealed the goby's specialized skin (35.4–150.0 μm in thickness), consisting of an epidermis and dermis. The thicker epidermis comprises an outermost surface layer (having taste buds, stratified flattened cells, mucous cells, pigment cells, and stratified polygonal cells), middle layer (having stratified polygonal cells), and stratum germinativum (stratified columnar cells). In particular, the dermis has scales, well-developed vascularization, and a few blood capillaries just above the basement membrane, and a reduced diffusion distance was present in the lateral body. Consequently, adaptations such as thicker epidermis, well-developed vascularization, few blood capillaries, and a reduced diffusion distance may provide cutaneous respiration for survival in poorly oxygenated water during the periodic dry season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeted protein degradation allows targeting undruggable proteins for therapeutic applications as well as eliminating proteins of interest for research purposes. While several degraders that harness the proteasome or the lysosome have been developed, a technology that simultaneously degrades targets and accelerates cellular autophagic flux is still missing. In this study, we develop a general chemical tool and platform technology termed AUTOphagy-TArgeting Chimera (AUTOTAC), which employs bifunctional molecules composed of target-binding ligands linked to autophagy-targeting ligands. AUTOTACs bind the ZZ domain of the otherwise dormant autophagy receptor p62/Sequestosome-1/SQSTM1, which is activated into oligomeric bodies in complex with targets for their sequestration and degradation. We use AUTOTACs to degrade various oncoproteins and degradation-resistant aggregates in neurodegeneration at nanomolar DC50 values in vitro and in vivo. AUTOTAC provides a platform for selective proteolysis in basic research and drug development. Targeted protein degradation is a promising approach for basic research and therapeutic applications. Here, the authors develop a targeted protein degradation platform called AUTOTAC to degrade oncoproteins and neurodegeneration-associated proteins via the p62-dependent autophagy-lysosome system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The olfactory organs of two African lungfishes, Protopterus amphibius and P. dolloi, were investigated using a stereo microscope and a compound light microscope and were described anatomically, histologically, and histochemically. Like other lungfishes, these species present the following general features: i) elongated olfactory chamber (OC), ii) anterior nostril at the ventral tip of the upper lip, iii) posterior nostril on the palate of the oral cavity, iv) lamellae with multiple cell types such as olfactory receptor neurons, supporting cells, basal cells, lymphatic cells, and mucous cells (MC), and vi) vomero-like epithelial crypt (VEC) made of glandular epithelium (GE) and crypt sensory epithelium. Some of these features exhibit differences between species: MCs are abundant in both the lamellar and inner walls of the OC in P. amphibius but occur only in lamellae in P. dolloi. On the other hand, some between feature differences are consistent across species: the GE of both P. amphibius and P. dolloi is strongly positive for Alcian blue (pH 2.5)-periodic acid Schiff (deep violet coloration), and positive with hematoxylin and eosin and with Masson's trichrome (reddish-brown staining), unlike the MCs of the two species which stain dark red with both Alcian blue (pH 2.5)-periodic acid Schiff and Masson's trichrome but respond faintly to hematoxylin and eosin. The differing abundance of MCs in the two lungfishes might reflect different degrees in aerial exposure of the olfactory organ, while the neutral and acid mucopolysaccharide-containing VEC, as indicated by staining properties of the MCs, is evolutionary evidence that P. amphibius and P. dolloi are the closest living relatives to tetrapods, at least in the order Dipnoi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is great interest in the enhancement of isoflavones as one of the functional ingredients in soybean. This study aimed to investigate the effects of changes in the ecological environment over different planting times on isoflavone content. A total of 28 Korean soybean cultivars were grown at different planting times in late May, mid-June, and early July and their isoflavone content was measured over 2 years (2017 and 2018). Analyses of variance revealed significant effects of genotypes, planting times, years, and their interactions on isoflavone content. The average content of total isoflavone, as well as its component groups of malonylglucoside and aglycon, increased significantly as the seed planting time was delayed from late May to early July. The accumulation of each isoflavone component varied with changes in the planting time. The isoflavone content of the soybean cultivars for soy-sprout and soy-paste and tofu were higher for plantings in early July than for those in late May and/or mid-June, except for the black soybean cultivars. Despite significant correlations of the isoflavone content of the 28 cultivars among the three planting times, the responses of individual cultivars varied in isoflavone content by planting time. When planting was delayed, the time to flowering and maturity was also delayed and the number of days of growth from planting or flowering to maturity decreased; however, this was not related to isoflavone content. When planting was delayed, the temperature during the ripening period from flowering to maturity was lower, which was inversely related to the isoflavone content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flooding stress causes severe yield reduction in soybean worldwide. The development of stress-tolerant cultivars could be an effective measure to reduce the negative effects of flooding stress. Molecular information on the gene expression pattern of tolerant and susceptible genotypes under flooding stress could be valuable to improve the flooding tolerance in soybean. The objective of this study was to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) revealed by RNA sequencing in the soybean leaf tissues of tolerant ('Paldalkong' and 'Danbaekkong') and susceptible ('NTS1116') cultivars under flooding stress. Seedlings were grown in a well-watered condition up to the V1–V2 stage and flood-stressed by inundating ~ 10-cm water for 14 days. A total of 22,468 genes were differentially expressed in flood-stressed condition compared to the well-watered control condition, out of which 13,729, 13,405, and 13,160 were differentially expressed in 'Paldalkong', 'Danbaekkong', and 'NTS1116', respectively. A higher number of some of the flooding tolerance-related genes such as lipoxygenase, expansin, glutathione S-transferase, and sugar efflux transporter were up-regulated in the tolerant cultivars than in the susceptible cultivar. The number of some abscisic acid-related transcription factors of basic leucine zipper domain and myeloblastosis families was also higher in the tolerant cultivars than in the susceptible cultivar. The molecular information about the DEGs of tolerant and susceptible cultivars obtained in the present study could be valuable to improve the flooding tolerance in soybeans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anatomical, histological, and histochemical investigations on the olfactory organ of the great blue spotted mudskipper Boleophthalmus pectinirostris were conducted using a stereo microscope, light microscope, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope. Analysis showed that B. pectinirostris has 1) a downward tubular anterior nostril, 2) slit posterior nostril, 3) ethmoidal and lacrimal accessory nasal sacs, 4) a continuous type of SE distribution, 5) olfactory receptor neuron cilia three to four times longer than the diameter of the knob, 6) a surface of supporting cells with long cilia, 7) a specific-histochemistry of mucous cell, and 8) cylindrical and large ion-exchanging cells with numerous mitochondria. Among these characteristics, some (3∼8) show clear differences in comparison to the sympatric mudskipper, Periophthalmus modestus. Such differences of the olfactory organ may reflect adaptive responses to aerial exposure and microhabitat for amphibious life. Also, the olfactory organ is considered a morphological differentiating characteristic, at least in the subfamily Oxudercinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This multi-institutional study sought to clarify the association between the preoperative serum albumin/globulin ratio (AGR) and the prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in a large cohort. This study encompassed eight institutions and 2,970 non-metastatic RCC patients who underwent a radical or partial nephrectomy from the Korean RCC (KORCC) database. A low AGR (1,143 patients; 38.5%) was defined as a preoperative AGR of less than 1.47 and a high AGR (1,827 patients; 61.5%) was defined as that 1.47 or greater. In the low AGR group, older age, female gender, the incidence of symptom presentation when diagnosed, diabetes, and hypertension was higher than in the high AGR group. Patients with low AGRs showed more progressive tumor stages with higher Fuhrman nuclear grades (all P-values < 0.05). Patients in the low AGR group had a significantly lower overall survival rate (OS) and recurrence-free survival rate (RFS) in the Kaplan–Meier curves (all P-values < 0.05). AGR was an independent prognostic factor for predicting the OS and RFS in the multivariate analysis (all P-values < 0.05). The preoperative AGR is approachable and economical to use clinically for estimating the prognosis of RCC patients treated with surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detailed anatomy, ultrastructure and histology of the olfactory organ of Micropterus salmoides were investigated by a stereo microscope, a light microscope, and a scanning electron microscope. Its external structure shows a tube-like anterior nostril to stick out and a posterior nostril flat to the skin surface. Meanwhile, its internal structure, the olfactory chamber, contains a fan-shaped rosette structure with 9 to 11 lamellae in adult fish over 35 cm in standard length (SL) and two accessory nasal sacs (ethmoidal and lacrimal sacs) were found. Interestingly, the rosette in young fish under 15 cm in SL was a longitudinal structure in parallel with each of 4–5 lamellae. Histologically, the sensory epithelium (SE) on the olfactory chamber consists of 5 types of cells: olfactory receptor neurons, supporting cells, basal cells, lymphatic cells and mucous cells. In contrast, the non-sensory epithelium (NSE) has stratified epithelial cells, lymphatic cells and mucous cells. The mucous cells of the SE are abundant and distributed densely in one row on the outermost superficial surface, but the one of the NSE are less than the SE. From these results, the olfactory characters of M. salmoides may be related with its ecological habit spending in the middle layer of stagnant water contaminated, more or less. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic rice production has exceeded the demand in Korea and cultivation of upland crops like soybean has been increased in converted paddy fields. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of two soil types, upland and paddy, on flooding tolerance of three tolerant and three susceptible soybean cultivars under greenhouse conditions. The flooding tolerance of soybean cultivars was evaluated based on chlorophyll content (CC), plant height (PH), and shoot dry weight (DW) measured under unflooded control and flooded treatments for 14 days. These three parameters were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by the soil type during the flooding and flood recovery periods of 14 days. Mean flooding tolerance index (FTI) of susceptible cultivars was higher than that of tolerant cultivars in upland soil. However, the FTI of tolerant cultivars was greater than that of susceptible cultivars in paddy soil at 14 days after flooding (DAF). A non-significant negative correlation between CC and DW and a significant (P < 0.01) positive correlation between PH and DW were found in both soils, whereas the negative correlation between CC and PH was non-significant in upland soil and was significant (P < 0.01) in paddy soil at 14 DAF. The results suggested that the flooding tolerance level of soybean cultivars could be influenced by soil type hence, it could be useful to consider designing flooding tolerance studies in different soil types. Also, field experiments could be designed to observe data until harvest to verify that with vegetative parameters of tolerant soybean varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Generation of smoke is inevitable during surgical procedures. Some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in surgical smoke are known to be strong carcinogens. We used a prototype of a multi-layered complex filter in an attempt to eliminate VOCs.Methods: From June 2015 to July 2015, 20 patients underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. Smoke (pre-filter) was collected 20 min after the electrocautery device was first used during the surgery, by the direct collection method, with a 5-L Tedlar® gas-sampling bag. Twenty and 120 min after the filter was applied, smoke (post-filter) was again collected using the same method. The sample was analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrography. The cancer risk and hazard quotient were analyzed based on US Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.Results: Twenty patients with a median age of 54.5 (30-80) years were enrolled in the study. Eighteen VOCs were detected using the Japanese indoor air standards mix analysis. The total elimination rate of the VOCs was 86.49 ± 2.83%. The post-filter (120 min) cancer risk (mean ± standard deviation) reduced to a negligible level for benzene, ethylbenzene, and styrene except 1,2-dichloroethane. The post-filter (120 min) hazard quotient for each compound decreased to levels posing a negligible risk for acetone, hexane, benzene, toluene, p-xylene, o-xylene, and styrene.Conclusion: Strong carcinogens, such as 1,2-dichloroethane, benzene, and ethylbenzene, were eliminated by more than 85% by using this activated carbon fiber filter and the risks from these compounds decreased to an almost negligible level. We suggest using every measure, including these filters, to protect the health of operating room personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Controversies exist regarding the ideal approach in a revision total knee arthroplasty for infection, providing adequate exposure with minimum complications. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of second stage revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) and quadriceps snip (QS) approaches for infected TKA. Methods: The clinical and radiological outcomes of 27 patients of TTO and 21 patients of QS in second stage revision TKA for infected TKA were compared with an average follow up of 51 months. We evaluated the clinical outcomes including HSS score, WOMAC score, flexion contracture, and maximal flexion between two groups. The radiological outcomes in terms of femorotibial alignment, patellar height and complications were also compared. Results: At the final follow-up, KSS score, HSS score, WOMAC score, flexion contracture, and maximal flexion showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups. The femorotibial alignment and patellar height also showed no differences between the two groups. During the surgery, patellar tendon partial avulsion was more commonly observed in the QS group than in the TTO group (five vs two cases). Conclusion: Both tibial tubercle osteotomy and quadriceps snip in revision TKA were considered as good approaches without significant complications. However, cautious exposure of patellar tendon or strong fixation of the osteotomy is needed to minimize the complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luteolin, isolated from the seeds of Perilla frutescens (perilla seeds), inhibited the peroxidation of linoleic acid catalyzed by soybean lipoxygenase-1 (EC 1.13.11.12, Type 1) with an IC of 5.0 M (1.43 μg/mL) noncompetitively. The progress curves for an enzyme reaction indicate that luteolin shows slow binding kinetics. Both the initial velocity and steady-state rate in the progress curve were decreased with increasing the concentration of luteolin. The kinetic parameters, which described the inhibition by luteolin, were evaluated by nonlinear regression fits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of treadmill exercise performed regularly for 6 weeks on the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), tyrosine kinase A and p75 receptors, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) 1,2, cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and caspase-3 in the soleus of rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following four groups: (1) normal control group (NCG; n = 8), (2) normal exercise group (NEG; n = 8), (3) diabetes control group (DCG; n = 8), and (4) diabetes exercise group (DEG; n = 8). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (55 mg/kg dissolved in 0.05 M citrate buffer, pH 4.5). Rats were subjected to treadmill exercise 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The protein level of NGF significantly increased in the NEG and DEG ( p < 0.001), whereas the levels of tyrosine kinase A and p75 receptors significantly increased in the NEG ( p < 0.001). The levels of t-PI3-K, p-PI3-K, and p-CREB, and the p-CREB/t-CREB ratio significantly increased in the NEG ( p < 0.001, respectively). The p-PI3-K/t-PI3-K ratio significantly increased in the DEG ( p < 0.001). The p-Erk1/t-Erk1 ratio significantly increased in the NEG ( p < 0.001), whereas the p-Erk2/t-Erk2 ratio significantly decreased in the DCG and DEG ( p < 0.001). The caspase-3 level significantly increased in the DCG compared with that in the DEG ( p < 0.001). These results suggest that treadmill exercise increases NGF levels and accelerates p-PI3-K activation in order to suppress apoptotic cell death in the soleus muscle of diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary walls have recently drawn research interest as a primary source of sugars for liquid biofuel production. Secondary walls are composed of a complex mixture of the structural polymers cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. A matrix of hemicellulose and lignin surrounds the cellulose component of the plant's cell wall in order to protect the cell from enzymatic attacks. Such resistance, along with the variability seen in the proportions of the major components of the mixture, presents process design and operating challenges to the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuel. Expanding bioenergy production to the commercial scale will require a significant improvement in the growth of feedstock as well as in its quality. Plant biotechnology offers an efficient means to create 'targeted' changes in the chemical and physical properties of the resulting biomass through pathway-specific manipulation of metabolisms. The successful use of the genetic engineering approach largely depends on the development of two enabling tools: (1) the discovery of regulatory genes involved in key pathways that determine the quantity and quality of the biomass, and (2) utility promoters that can drive the expression of the introduced genes in a highly controlled manner spatially and/or temporally. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the transcriptional regulatory network that controls secondary wall biosynthesis and discuss experimental approaches to developing-xylem-specific utility promoters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the altitudinal variations in the anthocyanin and isoflavone contents of six black seed coated soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merrill] cultivars. The black soybean cultivars Heugcheong, Seonheuk, Geomjeong 1, Geomjeong 2, Cheongja 2, and Cheongja 3 were planted at Milyang (12 m above mean sea level — low altitude) and Muju (600 m — high altitude), Korea on 10 June 2005 and 2006. The total anthocyanin and isoflavone contents and individual components were investigated by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). All black soybean cultivars cultivated in high altitude possessed significantly higher total anthocyanin ( p < 0.01) and isoflavone ( p < 0.01) contents than those grown in low altitude. For anthocyanin composition, cyanidin-3- O-glucoside, cyanidin-3- O-galactoside, and peonidin-3- O-glucoside contents were significantly higher while delphinidin-3- O-glucoside contents was significantly lower at high altitude. The composition of individual isoflavones, 6″- O-malonyldaidzin, and 6″- O-malonylgenistin contents significantly increased at high altitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esophagitis is divided into four grades according to the progress degree of disease by the LA classification method. This research was carried out on image processing with endoscope images for quantifying the four grades under the LA Classification. In a previous paper, which presented our work, the algorithm for detecting abnormal parts from one image was developed. This paper was conducted to classify esophagitis grade of one image itself. Whole 30 images were used in an experiment and included normal images and abnormal images with four grades. GLCM (gray level co-occurrence matrices) factors were extracted. The distributions of the texture image histogram were analyzed from each image for texture images. The algorithm to determine esophagitis grade used BPN (Back propagation network) that was composed of the texture histogram distribution for input data. It learned 20 images and verified with 10 images to diagnose under the LA classification system. Recognition ratio of learning result was 93.0% and verification result 77.0%. With features of the neural network, the success rate could be improved with this result by learning the data which were errors. Consequently, the recognition success rate appeared at 96% by total re-learned 30 images in addition to 10 images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed coat cracking (SCC), particularly the Type-I irregular cracking, is critical in determining the quality of appearance and commercial value of soybean seeds. The objective of this study was to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for SCC with high-density genetic map. One hundred sixty-seven recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from a cross between Uram (SCC-resistant) and Chamol (SCC-susceptible) were evaluated for SCC over 2 years (2016–2017). The QTL analysis identified 12 QTLs located on chromosomes 2 (D1b), 6 (C2), 8 (A2), 9 (K), 10 (O), 12 (H), 19 (L), and 20 (I). Out of the 12 QTLs, qSC2-1, qSC9, SC10-1, qSC10-2, and qSC12 were novel QTLs and the other seven QTLs (qSC2-2, qSC2-3, qSC6, qSC8, qSC19-1, qSC19-2, and qSC20) were found to co-localize with the previously identified QTLs. The mean SCC of the RILs of early maturity group was significantly higher than that of the late maturity group, suggesting an association between SCC and maturity loci. In addition, although 10 QTLs were distantly located from the maturity loci (E1, E3, E4, E7, and E10), qSC10-1 and qSC10-2 co-localized with the maturity loci E2. The results obtained in this study provide useful genetic information on SCC which could be used in the SCC breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The olfactory anatomy and histology of Lethenteron reissneri were researched using a stereo microscope, a light microscope, and a scanning electron microscope. As in other lampreys, it shows same characters as follows: i) a single olfactory organ, ii) a single tubular nostril, iii) a single olfactory chamber with gourd-like form, iv) a nasal valve, v) a nasopharyngeal pouch, vi) a sensory epithelium (SE) of continuous distribution, vii) a supporting cells with numerous long cilia, viii) an accessory olfactory organ. However, the description of a pseudostratified columnar layer in the SE and Non SE is a first record, not reported in sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus. In particular, both 19 to 20 lamellae in number and olfactory receptor neuron's quarter ciliary length of the knob diameter differ from those of P. marinus. From these results, it might be considered that the olfactory organ of L. reissneri shows well adaptive structure of a primitive fish to slow flowing water with gravel, pebbles, and sand and a hiding habit into sand bottom at daytime. The lamellar number and neuron's ciliary length may be a meaningful taxonomic character for the class Petromyzonida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based sensing is an attractive approach for realizing lab-on-fiber nanoprobes. However, simultaneous measurement of multiple parameters (e.g., refractive index and temperature) with SPR-based nanoprobes, although highly desirable, is challenging. We report a lab-on-fiber nanoprobe with dual high-Q Rayleigh anomaly (RA)-surface plasmon polariton (SPP) resonances for multiparameter sensing. To achieve high-Q RA-SPP resonance the nanoprobe employs a plasmonic crystal cavity enhanced by distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) gratings on the end-face of a single-mode optical fiber. By tailoring the grating periods of the plasmonic crystal cavity and DBRs, two spatially separated high-Q RA-SPP resonance modes are designed within a 50 nm spectral range in C + L band. The fabricated nanoprobe demonstrates two RA-SPP resonances near 1550 nm with high Q-factors up to 198. These two high-Q resonances are further showed to exhibit distinctive responses to the changes of refractive index and temperature, which enables simultaneous measurements of both parameters. The proposed lab-on-fiber nanoprobes will pave the way for realizing compact multiparameter sensing solutions compatible with optical communication infrastructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although gas breakdown phenomena have been intensively studied over 100 years, the breakdown mechanism in a strongly magnetized system, such as tokamak, has been still obscured due to complex electromagnetic topologies. There has been a widespread misconception that the conventional breakdown model of the unmagnetized system can be directly applied to the strongly magnetized system. However, we found clear evidence that existing theories cannot explain the experimental results. Here, we demonstrate the underlying mechanism of gas breakdown in tokamaks, a turbulent ExB mixing avalanche, which systematically considers multi-dimensional plasma dynamics in the complex electromagnetic topology. This mechanism clearly elucidates the experiments by identifying crucial roles of self-electric fields produced by space-charge that decrease the plasma density growth rate and cause a dominant transport via ExB drifts. A comprehensive understanding of plasma dynamics in complex electromagnetic topology provides general design strategy for robust breakdown scenarios in a tokamak fusion reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]