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Abstract Exploiting the fundamental features of quantum mechanics, an entanglement-based quantum network offers a promising platform for many dramatic applications such as multi-user cryptography. Nevertheless, the implementation of a large-scale quantum network in real-world scenarios remains challenging owing to the multiple scattering events in complex environment, particularly those frequency-sensitive scatterings that disturb quantum correlation both spatially and temporally. Here, we demonstrate the frequency-insensitive spatiotemporal control of entangled photons in a fully connected network by leveraging a Fourier-transform setup and the genetic algorithm. Such an approach can effectively improve the entanglement distribution process through a multimode fiber while the quantum characteristic of the network can be maintained well after the spatiotemporal shaping. Our scheme can serve as a bridging technology to establish entanglement between remote nodes of spectrally interconnected quantum systems and has great potential applications in future real-world quantum networks.

Abstract Exploiting the fantastic features of quantum mechanics, a hyperentangled quantum network encoded in multiple degree of freedoms (DOF), e.g., polarization and orbital angular momentum DOFs, can encode more qubits per transmitted photon and offers a promising platform for many dramatic applications. Here, we demonstrate such a hyperentangled multiuser network with a fully connected network architecture by using dense wavelength division multiplexing and entanglement transfer technique. Three hyperentangled states in polarization and time-energy DOFs are multiplexed to three single mode fibers to form the fully connected network architecture. Then, three interferometric quantum gates are utilized for transferring quantum entanglement from time-energy to orbital angular momentum DOF. The experimental results reveal a high quality of the hyperentanglement of the constructed network with the entangled state fidelity of higher than 96%. Our approach can provide a novel way to construct a large-scale hyperentangled network that can support various kinds of quantum tasks like superdense coding and teleportation.

Experimental extraction of Zak phase from band structures of a Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model in the synthetic frequency dimension, constructed by two coupled ring resonators with bichromatic modulations of different amplitudes.

Abstract Transparency and perfect absorption are two contradictory terms; a perfect absorber never permits waves to transmit through. However, this statement only remains true in the linear regime, where the nonlinearity has been omitted and the physical system like the perfect absorber is not affected by the incoming waves. Here we experimentally demonstrate an intriguing self-induced transparency effect in a perfectly absorbing optical microcavity, which perfectly absorbs any incoming waves at the low power level, but allows a portion of waves to be transmitted at the higher power due to the nonlinear coupling between the fundamental and its second harmonic modes. Moreover, the asymmetric scattering nature of the microcavity enables a chiral and unidirectional reflection in one of the input ports, this leads to asymmetric and chiral coherent control of the perfect absorption states through phase varying. More importantly, such chiral behaviors also empower the chiral emission of second-harmonic generation with a high distinct ratio in the transparency state. These results pave the way for controllable transparency in a wide range of fields in optics, microwaves, acoustics, mechanics, and matter waves.

Abstract The conversion of tumor-promoting M2 macrophage phenotype to tumor-suppressing M1 macrophages is a promising therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. However, the tumor normally provides an abundance of M2 macrophage stimuli, which creates an M2 macrophage-dominant immunosuppressive microenvironment. In our study, docetaxel (DTX) as chemotherapeutic modularity was loaded into M1 macrophage-derived exosomes (M1-Exo) with M1 proinflammatory nature to establish DTX-M1-Exo drug delivery system. We found that DTX-M1-Exo induced naïve M0 macrophages to polarize to M1 phenotype, while failed to repolarize to M2 macrophages upon Interleukin 4 restimulation due to impaired mitochondrial function. This suggests that DTX-M1-Exo can achieve long-term robust M1 activation in immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The in vivo results further confirmed that DTX-M1-Exo has a beneficial effect on macrophage infiltration and activation in the tumor tissues. Thus, DTX-M1-Exo is a novel macrophage polarization strategy via combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy to achieve great antitumor therapeutic efficacy.

Abstract A quantum interface for two-way entanglement transfer, e.g., between orbital angular momentum degree of freedom in free space and time-energy degree of freedom in optical fibers, provides a way toward establishing entanglement between remote heterogeneous quantum nodes. Here, we experimentally demonstrate this kind of transfer interface by using two interferometric cyclic gates. By using this quantum interface, we perform two-way entanglement transfer for the two degrees of freedom. The results show that the quantum entangled state can be switched back and forth between orbital angular momentum and time-energy degrees of freedom, and the fidelity of the state before and after switching is higher than 90%. Our work demonstrates the feasibility and high performance of our proposed transfer interface, and paves a route toward building a large-scale quantum communication network.

Large-span suspension bridges are susceptible to wind loads. Therefore, a more precise analysis of their wind-induced vibration response is necessary to ensure the structure’s absolute safety. This investigation conducted wind tunnel tests for the construction and completion stages to reveal the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) phenomenon of a double-deck suspension bridge. The results showed that no VIV occurred during the construction stage. However, the inclusion of railings significantly deteriorated the aerodynamic performance of the suspension bridge, leading to significant VIV at +3° and +5° wind angles of attack. Additionally, reducing the railing ventilation rate can significantly suppress the VIV amplitude. A new analysis method based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is proposed to investigate the VIV mechanism of the double-deck truss girder. Twenty-nine measurement points were used to explore the vortex that causes VIV. The numerical simulations found that the area above and aft of the upper deck dominated the vertical VIV, while the aft of the lower deck dominated the torsional VIV. Furthermore, the intensity of the vortex in these areas was significantly lower during the construction stage. Moreover, reducing the railing ventilation rate significantly suppresses the torsional VIV by reducing the intensity of the vortex in the region behind the lower deck.

A 15-user quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) network is experimentally demonstrated, and any two users can perform QSDC task over 40 kilometers of optical fiber.

Architectural concrete color difference (ACCD) directly affects building aesthetics. At present, the AC apparent quality detection method is based on a subjective artificial observation and detection process. The large volume of AC building, however, makes it difficult for quality inspectors to sample on site. Therefore, the manuscript establishes the aerial vehicle-to-ground coordinate conversion model and quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (QUAV) Eulerian motion model wherein the real-time optimization of QUAV motion parameters through remote sensing technology improves data collection stability. The proposed ACCD detection model, which is based on the QUAV remote sensing technology, is established by the improved multi-volume bitmap data object classification algorithm (BDOCA). The detection accuracy of MobileNetV3, ResNet50, and VGG16 algorithms reach 86.33%, 92.10%, and 87.62%, respectively. The study acquires experimental images from different buildings and produces a generalized identification set. It then verifies the ACCD detection model generalized identification capability by the traversal type detection method. The MobileNetV3, ResNet50, and VGG16 algorithms all achieved a generalized identification accuracy of 99.6%. The study builds the ACCD model by red-green-blue (RGB) spatial conversion, Kalman filtering noise reduction, noise point open operation, connected domain close operation, and mask quantization segmentation operation. This method implements color difference block coding, color difference threshold pixel point scale calculation, and geometric parameter calculation.

The long-span double-deck truss girder bridge has become a recommend structural form because of its good performance on traffic capacity. However, the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) characteristics for double-deck truss girders are more complicated and there is a lack of related research. In this research, wind tunnel tests were utilized to investigate the VIV characteristics of a large-span double-deck truss girder bridge. Meanwhile, the VIV suppression effect of the aerodynamic mitigation measures was measured. Furthermore, the VIV suppression mechanism was studied from the perspective of vortex shedding characteristics. The results indicated that the double-deck truss girder had a significant VIV when the wind attack angles were +3° and +5°. The aerodynamic mitigation measures had an influence on the VIV response of the double-deck truss girder. The upper chord fairing and lower chord inverted L-shaped deflector plate played a crucial role in suppressing VIV. Numerical analysis indicated that vortex shedding above the upper deck or in the wake region may dominate vertical VIV, while vortex shedding in the wake region of the lower deck may dominate torsional VIV. The upper chord fairing and lower chord inverted L-shaped deflector plate disrupted the original vortex shedding pattern in both regions, thereby suppressing VIV. This research can provide a foundation for bridge design and vibration suppression measures for large-span double-deck truss girder bridges.

In nonlinear optical systems, the optical superposition principle breaks down. The system’s response (including electric polarization, current density, etc) is not proportional to the stimulus it receives. Over the past half century, nonlinear optics has grown from an individual frequency doubling experiment into a broad academic field. The nonlinear optics has not only brought new physics and phenomena, but also has become an enabling technology for numerous areas that are vital to our lives, such as communications, health, advanced manufacturing, et al . This Roadmap surveys some of the recent emerging fields of the nonlinear optics, with a special attention to studies in China. Each section provides an overview of the current and future challenges within a part of the field, highlighting the most exciting opportunities for future research and developments.

Background: Recent evidence indicates that the inhibition of hepatocyte apoptosis is possible to develop a potential therapeutic strategy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our previous work suggested that purple sweet potato color (PSPC), a class of naturally occurring anthocyanins, effectively improved many features of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD. However, whether PSPC ameliorates HFD-induced hepatocyte apoptosis has never been investigated. Objective: Here we investigated the effects of PSPC on HFD-induced hepatic apoptosis and the mechanisms underlying these effects. Design: Mice were divided into four groups: Control group, HFD group, HFD + PSPC group and PSPC group. PSPC was administered by daily oral gavage at doses of 700 mg/kg/day for 20 weeks. EX-527 (a SirT1-selective inhibitor) and Sirt1 siRNA were used to demonstrate the Sirt1 dependence of PSPC-mediated effects on apoptotic and survival signaling pathways in vivo and in vitro. Results: Our results showed that PSPC reduced body weights, hepatic triglyceride contents, histopathological lesions and serum ALT levels in a mouse model of NAFLD induced by HFD. Furthermore, PSPC attenuated HFD-induced hepatocyte apoptosis ratio from 7.27 ± 0.92% to 1.79 ± 0.27% in mouse livers, which is insignificant compared with that of controls. Moreover, PSPC activated Sirt1 by boosting NAD+ level in HFD-treated mouse livers. Furthermore, PSPC promoted Sirt1-dependent suppression of P53-mediated apoptotic signaling and activation of Akt survival signaling pathway in HFD-treated mouse livers, which was confirmed by EX527 treatment. Moreover, Sirt1 knockdown abolished these ameliorative effects of PSPC on apoptosis and P53 acetylation and protein expression in PA-treated L02 cells. Ultimately, PSPC reduced Caspase-3 activation and Bax level, and elevated the Bcl-2 level in HFD-treated mouse livers. Conclusion: PSPC protected against HFD-induced hepatic apoptosis by promoting Sirt1- dependent inhibition of p53-apoptotic pathway and facilitation of Akt survival pathway. This study indicates that PSPC is a candidate for nutritional intervention of NAFLD.

Malignant cancer is a devastating disease often associated with a poor clinical prognosis. For decades, modern drug discoveries have attempted to identify potential modulators that can impede tumor growth. Cancer stem cells however are more resistant to therapeutic intervention, which often leads to treatment failure and subsequent disease recurrence. Here in this study, we have developed a specific multi-target drug delivery nanoparticle system against breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Therapeutic agents curcumin and salinomycin have complementary functions of limiting therapeutic resistance and eliciting cellular death, respectively. By conjugation of CD44 cell-surface glycoprotein with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles that are loaded with curcumin and salinomycin, we investigated the cellular uptake of BCSCs, drug release, and therapeutic efficacy against BCSCs. We determined CD44-targeting co-delivery nanoparticles are highly efficacious against BCSCs by inducing G1 cell cycle arrest and limiting epithelial–mesenchymal transition. This curcumin and salinomycin co-delivery system can be an efficient treatment approach to target malignant cancer without the repercussion of disease recurrence.

Lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI), by taking advantage of versatile properties of lithium niobate (LN) and a large refractive index contrast, provides an ideal on-chip platform for studying a broad range of optical effects as well as developing various superior photonic devices. It is a game-changer technology for traditional LN-based applications. Especially, with recent advances in the fabrication of high-quality micro-/nano-structures and devices on the LNOI platform, LN-based integrated photonics has been propelled to new heights. In this review, we summarize the latest research advances in lithium niobate thin film (LNTF), with a special focus on nonlinear wave mixing and their photonics applications. Different types of second- and third-order nonlinear processes in LNOI micro- and nano-structures are reviewed, including nonlinear frequency conversion, frequency comb generation and supercontinuum generation. Furthermore, perspectives for photonic integrated circuits (PICs) on the LNOI platform in nonlinear optics regime are predicted.

Abstract We investigate the generation of ultraviolet (UV) second-harmonic radiation at the boundary of a UV transparent crystal, which is derived from the automatic partial phase matching of the incident wave and the total internal reflection. By adhering to another UV non-transparent crystal with a larger second-order nonlinear coefficient χ (2), a nonlinear interface with large disparity in χ (2) is formed and the enhancement of UV second-harmonic radiation is observed experimentally. The intensity of enhanced second harmonic wave generated at the nonlinear interface is up to 11.6 times that at the crystal boundary. As a tunable phase-matching method, it may suggest potential applications in the UV, and even vacuum-UV region.

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant disease with high mortality and poor prognosis due to lack of early diagnosis and low treatment efficiency after diagnosis. Although Gemcitabine (GEM) is used as the first-line chemotherapeutic drug, chemoresistance is still the major problem that limits its therapeutic efficacy. Here in this study, we developed a specific M1 macrophage-derived exosome (M1Exo)-based drug delivery system against GEM resistance in pancreatic cancer. In addition to GEM, Deferasirox (DFX) was also loaded into drug carrier, M1Exo, in order to inhibit ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 (RRM2) expression via depleting iron, and thus increase chemosensitivity of GEM. The M1Exo nanoformulations combining both GEM and DFX significantly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy on the GEM-resistant PANC-1/GEM cells and 3D tumor spheroids by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, cell attachment and migration, and chemoresistance to GEM. These data demonstrated that M1Exo loaded with GEM and DFX offered an efficient therapeutic strategy for drug-resistant pancreatic cancer.

Senescence of vascular endothelial cells promotes endothelial dysfunction and contributes to the progression of cardiovascular diseases. It is imperative to explore effective methods to suppress endothelial senescence. Herein, we found flavonoids including quercetin, puerarin and troxerutin, which exist in normal diet and extracted from traditional herbs, delayed d-glucose-induced endothelial senescence and restored endothelial functions. In the process, d-glucose amplified endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and subsequently promoted NLRP3 inflammasome activation. However, these alterations were reversed by flavonoids. Meanwhile, clearance of ROS or interference of NLRP3 function by specific siRNA attenuated high glucose-induced senescence but advanced the anti-senescent impact of flavonoids. On the contrary, the preventive effect of flavonoids on senescence was disturbed once NLRP3 inflammasome was overactivated. Our studies suggest that flavonoids can inhibit high glucose-induced endothelial premature senescence by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activity, which may be a useful therapeutic strategy to alleviate endothelial senescence-related vascular diseases.

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular green alga widely used for research in photosynthesis, cell cycle regulation, ciliary biogenesis, and other physiological processes. Sterile cultures are needed for these studies, but contamination from bacteria and fungi occurs frequently. Although the One-shot Solution cocktail consisting of carbendazim, ampicillin, and cefotaxime has been developed for removing these contaminants from algal cultures, it is not always effective. Here we report two new antimicrobial cocktails for treating mixed bacterial and fungal contamination of Chlamydomonas cultures. A combination of the bactericide nalidixic acid with one of two fungicides, azoxystrobin or tebuconazole, was more effective than the One-shot Solution cocktail. In some of our tests, we find that alternating use of our new cocktails with One-shot Solution is needed to remove obstinate contaminants.

Recent evidence suggests that troxerutin, a trihydroxyethylated derivative of natural bioflavonoid rutin, exhibits beneficial effects on diabetes-related symptoms. Here we investigated the effects of troxerutin on the enhancement of hepatic gluconeogenesis in high-fat diet (HFD)-treated mice and the mechanisms underlying these effects. Mice were divided into four groups: Control group, HFD group, HFD + Troxerutin group, and Troxerutin group. Troxerutin was treated by daily oral administration at doses of 150 mg/kg/day for 20 weeks. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) was used to inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress). Our results showed that troxerutin effectively improved obesity and related metabolic parameters, and liver injuries in HFD-treated mouse. Furthermore, troxerutin significantly attenuated enhancement of hepatic gluconeogenesis in HFD-fed mouse. Moreover, troxerutin notably suppressed nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 transcriptional activation and release of inflammatory cytokines in HFD-treated mouse livers. Mechanismly, troxerutin dramatically decreased Nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD) expression, as well as interaction between NOD1/2 with interacting protein-2 (RIP2), by abating oxidative stress-induced ER stress in HFD-treated mouse livers, which was confirmed by TUDCA treatment. These improvement effects of troxerutin on hepatic glucose disorders might be mediated by its anti-obesity effect. In conclusion, troxerutin markedly diminished HFD-induced enhancement of hepatic gluconeogenesis via its inhibitory effects on ER stress-mediated NOD activation and consequent inflammation, which might be mediated by its anti-obesity effect.

With the progress of society and the development of science and technology, the development of transportation is particularly important. Therefore, the road-rail bridge has rapidly developed. We searched the relevant literature from 2002 to 2022 in the Web of Science database in order to objectively understand the research status and development trend of road-rail bridges. We use bibliometric analysis methods to analyze the year of publication, number of publications, distribution of academic journals, research institutions, application fields, analysis theories, test methods and influencing factors in the field of road-rail bridges. Using Citespace software, we analyzed 184 research articles related to road-rail bridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]