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We have investigated the scattering properties of an individual core-shell nanoparticle using the Mie theory, which can be tuned to support both electric and magnetic modes simultaneously. In general, the suppression of forward scattering can be realized by the second Kerker condition. Here, a novel mechanism has to be adopted to explain zero-forward scattering, which originates from the complex interactions between dipolar and quadrupolar modes. However, for lossy and lossless core-shell spherical nanoparticles, zero-forward scattering can never be achieved because the real parts of Mie expansion coefficients are always positive. By adding proper gain in dielectric shell, zero-forward scattering can be found at certain incident wavelengths, which means that all electric and magnetic responses in Mie scattering can be counteracted totally in the forward direction. In addition, if the absolute values of dipolar and quadrupolar terms are in the same order of magnitude, the local scattering minimum and maximum can be produced away from the forward and backward directions due to the interacting effect between the dipolar and quadrupolar terms. Furthermore, by adding suitable gain in shell, super-forward scattering can also be realized at certain incident wavelengths. We also demonstrated that anomalously weak scattering or superscattering could be obtained for the core-shell nanoparticles with suitable gain in shell. In particular, for such a choice of suitable gain in shell, we can obtain zero-forward scattering and anomalously weak scattering at the same wavelength as well as super-forward scattering at another wavelength. These features may provide new opportunities for cloaking, plasmonic lasers, optical antennas, and so on.

We have designed and investigated a three-band refractive index (RI) sensor in the range of 550–900 nm based on the metal nanoslit array with gain-assisted materials. The underlying mechanism of the three-band and enhanced characteristics of the metal nanoslit array with gain-assisted materials, have also been investigated theoretically and numerically. Three resonant peaks in transmission spectra are deemed to be in different plasmonic resonant modes in the metal nanoslit array, which leads to different responses for the plasmonic sensor. By embedding the structure into the CYTOP with proper gain-assisted materials, the sensing performances can be greatly enhanced due to a dramatic amplification of the extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) resonance by the gain medium. When the gain values reach their corresponding thresholds for the three plasmonic modes, the ultrahigh sensitivities in three bands can be obtained, and especially for the second resonant wavelength (λ2), the FOM=128.1 and FOM* = 39100 can be attained at the gain threshold of k =0.011. Due to these unique features, the designing scheme of the proposed gain-assisted nanoslit sensor could provide a powerful approach to optimize the performance of EOT-based sensors and offer an excellent platform for biological sensing.

In plants, ferritin proteins play an important role in iron (Fe) storage which contributes to plant growth and development. However, the biological functions of ferritins in fruit trees are essentially unknown. In this study, three Ferritin genes were isolated from 'Zhentong No. 3' peach, which were named PpFer1-PpFer3. The expression levels of these genes were different in distinct tissues/organs. Notably, PpFer1 was the most abundantly expressed Ferritin family gene in all tested tissues of 'Zhentong No. 3' peach; its expression levels were significantly enhanced throughout the entire peach seedling under Fe toxicity and H2O2 stress, particularly in the leaves. In addition, over-expression of PpFer1 was effective in rescuing the retarded growth of Arabidopsis fer1-2 knockout mutant, embodied in enhanced fresh weight, primary root length, lateral root numbers, total root length, total leaf chlorophyll, stomatal conductance (Gs), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate, and tissue Fe concentration. This study provides insights into understanding the molecular mechanisms of Fe storage and sequestration in perennial fruit trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Textile fabrics have a long history of use for a wide range of applications that satisfying the needs of livelihood. In this era of modernization and high technological advancements, the use of textiles has spread to include using man-made and nonconventional textiles. Among them, hollow fiber-based textiles have great application prospects due to their high surface-area-to-volume ratio, high loading capability, high active surface area and high permeability of the porous layer. Herein, the liquid loading and release performances of various hollow fiber yarns with different parameters (i.e. spinning methods, yarn count, loading amount, releasing rate, etc.) under optimized negative pressure are presented. Results showed that the hollow fiber vortex spun yarn (with yarn count Ne 10/1) had the highest loading ability under negative pressure. Moreover, the amount of liquid loaded into the yarns first increased rapidly and then the rate became slower with an increase of loading time and finally tended to a stable value. In addition, as the release time increases, the amount of liquid released from the hollow fiber yarns became higher and the release rate became lower. These findings provide an important foundation for the development of the multi-integrated textile system, which is comprises the controllable loading and delivery of various types of active substances and chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hollow fibers have been widely used as important components of membranes for drug delivery in the medical field. However, their usages in environmental and agricultural aspects have not been commonly unearthed. In our previous research, a new drug delivery system was established by utilizing hollow fiber as a carrier to convey medical substances in different phases, respectively. Our current research aims to expand the application of hollow fibers apart from medicine. In this study, the loading efficiency of the liquid under standard atmospheric pressure (nonvacuum) and negative pressure (vacuum) were further examined to achieve a higher loading system. The physical properties and the loading abilities of the three types of hollow fibers including original short crimped fibers, fibers from roving yarns, and fibers from spun yarns were studied and discussed. In-depth investigations of loading efficiency, wicking performance, water absorption, and thermal conductivity were conducted. Higher loading efficiency was observed by adopting the method of vacuum under negative pressure resulting from all experiments of which the result was at least 15 times higher than the nonvacuum-loaded methods. It was also at least 0.25% greater in moisture content, almost two times larger in the water absorption rate for yarn samples, and 35% higher for fabric samples. The differences in thermal conductivity within the two conditions were 0.00016 W/cm°C. Using the vacuum approach can improve the overall performance of precise liquid loading, increasing the efficiency and thereby reduce the production costs. It is believed to bring high-value advantages in agricultural aspects such as for sustainable pest control and crop growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Textiles are conventionally utilized as the raw materials for making clothing and complementary accessories. To keep abreast of the times, a new direction of integrating textiles into electronic technology has been given in order to develop a temperature-sensing device with outstanding built-in flexibility, versality and softness. In this study, a flexible construction of the textile-based thermocouple temperature sensor via an industrial-and-technological-based weaving process was designed. The feasible arrangement of the conductive textile materials in the warp and weft directions related to the temperature-sensing ability was studied in detail, and significant linearity was shown in the range of 5–50 ° C with different groups of combinations of the conductive yarns. More cross-intersections and 'hot junctions' resulted from the 3 × 3 warp–weft arrangement, offering higher stability and accuracy in thermal sensation. Besides, the resistance of the thermocouple remained almost constant under different degrees of bending. The relationship between the resistance and the bending flexibility was also investigated over a range of temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has received widespread attention in recent years. There is currently a lack of valuable predictors for the prognosis of this disease. Here, we aimed to identify a non-invasive scoring system that can effectively predict 1-year rehospitalisation for patients with HFpEF.Methods: We included 151 consecutive patients with HFpEF in a prospective cohort study and investigated the association between H2FPEF score and 1-year readmission for heart failure using multivariate Cox regression analysis.Results: Our findings indicated that obesity, age >70 years, treatment with ≥2 antihypertensives, echocardiographic E/e' ratio >9 and pulmonary artery pressure >35 mm Hg were independent predictors of 1-year readmission. Three models (support vector machine, decision tree in R and Cox regression analysis) proved that H2FPEF score could effectively predict 1-year readmission for patients with HFpEF (area under the curve, 0.910, 0.899 and 0.771, respectively; p<0.001).Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that the H2FPEF score has excellent predictive value for 1-year rehospitalisation of patients with HFpEF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been increasing rapidly in recent years, seriously endangering human health. Cardiac biomarkers play critical roles in the diagnosis and prognosis of AMI. Troponin is a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for AMI diagnosis and can independently predict adverse cardiac events. Other biomarkers such as N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide and C reactive protein are also valuable predictors of cardiovascular prognosis. Recently, several novel biomarkers have been identified for the diagnosis and risk assessment in patients with AMI. A multibiomarker approach can potentially enhance the diagnostic accuracy and provide more information for the early risk stratification of AMI. In this review, we will summarise the biomarkers discovered in recent years and focus on their diagnostic and prognostic value for patients with AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the scattering properties of an individual core-shell nanoparticle using the Mie theory, which can be tuned to support both electric and magnetic modes simultaneously. In general, the suppression of forward scattering can be realized by the second Kerker condition. Here, a novel mechanism has to be adopted to explain zero-forward scattering, which originates from the complex interactions between dipolar and quadrupolar modes. However, for lossy and lossless core-shell spherical nanoparticles, zero-forward scattering can never be achieved because the real parts of Mie expansion coefficients are always positive. By adding proper gain in dielectric shell, zero-forward scattering can be found at certain incident wavelengths, which means that all electric and magnetic responses in Mie scattering can be counteracted totally in the forward direction. In addition, if the absolute values of dipolar and quadrupolar terms are in the same order of magnitude, the local scattering minimum and maximum can be produced away from the forward and backward directions due to the interacting effect between the dipolar and quadrupolar terms. Furthermore, by adding suitable gain in shell, super-forward scattering can also be realized at certain incident wavelengths. We also demonstrated that anomalously weak scattering or superscattering could be obtained for the core-shell nanoparticles with suitable gain in shell. In particular, for such a choice of suitable gain in shell, we can obtain zero-forward scattering and anomalously weak scattering at the same wavelength as well as super-forward scattering at another wavelength. These features may provide new opportunities for cloaking, plasmonic lasers, optical antennas, and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]