Search Results (118)

Magnetoelectric (ME) materials that exhibit simultaneous coupling between electric polarization and magnetization have attracted significant attention due to their potential technological applications in the emerging generation of multifunctional devices. In this research, Ba_0.85Ca_0.15Ti_0.92Zr_0.08O₃-CoFe₂O₄:x (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3% mol) composites were synthesized using solid-state and sol–gel combustion chemical methods to elucidate their ME coupling at ultra-low concentrations of the magnetic phase. Rietveld refinement and Raman spectroscopy results confirm a shift in the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), evidenced by an increase in the tetragonal phase relative to the orthorhombic structure. High stability of the P4mm and Amm2 symmetries is reached at 1300 °C without diffusion of Fe and Co into the octahedral site. At this temperature, the CoFe₂O₄ spinel structure remains stable without secondary phases. The orthorhombic phase fraction decreases from 55% to 37% as the magnetic phase fraction increases, driven by stress and constraint rather than ionic interactions alone. The Curie temperature decreases from 99 to 90 °C, attributed to the grain-size reduction effect rather than structural disorder. The dielectric permittivity (ε_r) reaches an absolute value of 5070 and progressively decreases with increasing magnetic saturation. An increase in compressive residual stress is observed, which ensures the mechanical stability of the electroceramics. Magnetoelectric (ME) coupling, evaluated through measurements of electric polarization as a function of the magnetic field, shows an increase from 3.8 to 4.9 μC/cm² under a magnetic field of 50 Oe. The composites with x = 0.2 and 0.3 mol% exhibit potential for applications in fast-switching magnetoelectric devices and magnetic field sensors. Full article

Male pattern baldness (MPB) is a highly prevalent condition with a complex, poorly understood molecular basis that limits therapeutic innovation. This study aimed to bridge the gap between statistical genetic associations and biological function by identifying and prioritizing causal proteins and pathways involved in MPB. Using data from 24,069 men in the UK Biobank, we performed a proteome-wide association study of 2911 plasma proteins with self-reported MPB severity via multivariable ordinal logistic regression, adjusting for age, Body Mass Index (BMI), ethnicity, lifestyle, socioeconomic factors, and testosterone levels. Significant proteins underwent pathway enrichment analysis. Genetic integration included MAGMA for gene-level aggregation and tissue prioritization, transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) with GTEx models, conditional fine-mapping, and validation in an independent scalp biopsy transcriptomics dataset (GSE90594). Druggability and pleiotropy were evaluated using databases and phenome-wide association studies. Forty-seven proteins were significantly associated with MPB severity, enriched in pathways involving epidermis development, hair cycle regulation, and cell adhesion. Multi-omic integration prioritized five independent candidate genes: CD38, FGF5, TACSTD2, DPEP1, and PLB1. Transcriptomic validation confirmed differential expression in balding scalp for CD38 (upregulated) and TACSTD2, PLB1 (downregulated). CD38 was identified as druggable with low pleiotropic risks. This study elucidates the molecular architecture of MPB, revealing novel biological pathways beyond canonical androgen signaling. By prioritizing promising non-hormonal targets like CD38, our findings provide a robust, evidence-based framework to guide the development of future therapeutic interventions for this common condition. Full article

Use of the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) is a promising approach to enhance the electrocaloric effect in ferroelectric polymers. This is usually achieved by a composition method, and polymer processing near the MPB to tune electrocaloric response has attracted little attention. Here, the relative stability between disordered 3/1-helix and ordered all-trans conformations is leveraged by uniaxial stretching to improve the electrocaloric effect in relaxor ferroelectric polymers under low electric fields. It is found that the stretching technique enables a considerably more enhanced electrocaloric response in polymer composition near the MPB at room temperature, compared with counterparts corresponding to the relaxor phase. The electrocaloric-induced temperature change is found to be 4.5 K under a low electric field of 50 MV m⁻¹ in stretched relaxor ferroelectric polymers at room temperature, corresponding to a 60% enhancement over pristine counterparts. This result highlights the critical role of polymer processing in optimizing electrocaloric properties, especially near the MPB, and this can be extended to improve other functionalities, such as piezoelectric response, in relaxor ferroelectric polymers. Full article

A field trial was conducted at two locations in northern Ghana over two successive years to determine the optimal insecticide application timings for mitigating non-lepidopteran pest infestations in a cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) variety, Songotra-T. This variety was genetically engineered to resist damage by the Maruca pod borer (MPB) (Maruca vitrata Fab.; Lepidoptera: Crambidae). A split-plot design, with cowpea variety as the main plot factor (Songotra-T vs. Songotra) and insecticide spraying regimes as the sub-plot, was used. Spraying treatments ranged from no spray to three applications at key growth stages (50% flowering, pod initiation, and 50% podding). Data were collected on pest infestation, pod damage, and grain yield. An economic analysis of the spraying regimes tested was performed using yield data. Significant spraying regime effects were observed for non-lepidopteran pests such as whiteflies (p = 0.034), thrips (p = 0.006) and the pod-sucking bugs complex (p < 0.05). Variety effects were mainly significant for MPB infestation and damage to pods. Songotra-T consistently produced approximately 2-fold higher yields than Songotra. Among spraying regimes, two applications at pod initiation and 50% podding resulted in the highest yields, while additional sprays offered no significant advantage. This spraying regime also resulted in a higher return on investment. These findings demonstrate that the adoption of Songotra-T mitigates excessive insecticide use in cowpea production. Full article

Background: Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness (MPB), is a common hair loss disorder among middle-aged men. MPB shares similar risk factors with prostate cancer (PrCa), including advancing age, family history, and sex hormones. Several studies have examined the associations between MPB and PrCa; however, the evidence remains unclear. We carried out an updated meta-analysis of epidemiological studies that examined the relationship between age at onset and patterns of MPB (either frontal, vertex, or both) and their associations with risks of total and aggressive PrCa. Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed and Web of Science databases for epidemiological studies published between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2024 that examined the associations between MPB and PrCa. From each eligible study, relevant data were extracted on study design and population, sample size, prevalence of MPB at various ages, and their association with PrCa. Pooled relative risks (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the Der-Simonian and Laird random-effects models. Heterogeneity across studies was assessed by I² statistics, while the quality of studies was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: A total of 19 observational studies, including 17,810 cases and 146,806 controls/non-cases, were analyzed. The prevalence of MPB increased from 5% to 65% with aging and varied across the studies. Both frontal and vertex MPB were associated with a pooled RR of 1.08 (95% CI 1.02–1.14) for total PrCa, but there was no association with frontal-only MPB. Younger-onset MPB (<40 years old) was also associated with an RR = 1.13 (95% CI 0.96–1.31) for PrCa, although results were not statistically significant. Vertex-only MPB was associated with more aggressive PrCa (pooled RR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.02–1.25); however, there was substantial heterogeneity in the definition of aggressive PrCa across the studies. Conclusions: Men with both frontal and vertex MPB have a modestly elevated risk of PrCa. However, most studies were conducted in Caucasian men and they did not evaluate effect modifications by genetic variations in androgen metabolism pathway genes or changes in serum levels of androgens with aging. Large prospective cohort studies with more accurate longitudinal assessment of hair loss patterns are needed to better understand the complex relationship between genetic susceptibility, endogenous hormones, MPB, and subsequent risk of PrCa. Full article

High-precision semantic segmentation of remote sensing imagery is crucial in geospatial analysis. It plays an immeasurable role in fields such as urban governance, environmental monitoring, and natural resource management. However, when confronted with complex objects (such as winding roads and dispersed buildings), existing semantic segmentation methods still suffer from inadequate target recognition capabilities and multi-scale representation issues. This paper proposes a neural network model, LMVMamba (LoRA Multi-scale Vision Mamba), for semantic segmentation of remote sensing images. This model integrates the advantages of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), Transformers, and state-space models (Mamba) with a multi-scale feature fusion strategy. It simultaneously captures global contextual information and fine-grained local features. Specifically, in the encoder stage, the ResT Transformer serves as the backbone network, employing a LoRA fine-tuning strategy to effectively enhance model accuracy by training only the introduced low-rank matrix pairs. The extracted features are then passed to the decoder, where a U-shaped Mamba decoder is designed. In this stage, a Multi-Scale Post-processing Block (MPB) is introduced, consisting of depthwise separable convolutions and residual concatenation. This block effectively extracts multi-scale features and enhances local detail extraction after the VSS block. Additionally, a Local Enhancement and Fusion Attention Module (LAS) is added at the end of each decoder block. LAS integrates the SimAM attention mechanism, further enhancing the model’s multi-scale feature fusion capability and local detail segmentation capability. Through extensive comparative experiments, it was found that LMVMamba achieves superior performance on the OpenEarthMap dataset (mIoU 52.3%, OA 69.8%, mF1: 68.0%) and LoveDA (mIoU 67.9%, OA 80.3%, mF1: 80.5%) datasets. Ablation experiments validated the effectiveness of each module. The final results indicate that this model is highly suitable for high-precision land-cover classification tasks in remote sensing imagery. LMVMamba provides an effective solution for precise semantic segmentation of high-resolution remote sensing imagery. Full article

MnFe₂O₄ magnetic nanoparticles have shown broad application prospects in the field of tumor diagnosis and treatment; however, precise particle size regulation within the 100–200 nm range, as well as the synergistic integration of physical and medical functionalities, remains challenging. As a commonly used method for synthesizing MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, the solvothermal method has been proven to enable the regulation of the particle size of products, particularly its ability to utilize the viscosity of solvents as a method for particle size regulation. Therefore, this work investigates the influence of the diethylene glycol (DEG) to ethylene glycol (EG) ratio on particle size regulation in solvothermal synthesis of MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, and constructs MnFe₂O₄@PB nanocomposite materials. The results demonstrate that with the DEG ratio increasing from 0 to 80% in a DEG:EG mixed solvent system, the average particle size of MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles can be reduced from 266 nm to 105 nm. The MPB4.5 sample (MnFe₂O₄:PB molar ratio = 5:4.5 in the MnFe₂O₄@PB nanostructure) exhibits an optimal photothermal heating effect and good photothermal stability, demonstrating potential as a photothermal therapeutic agent. The resultant MnFe₂O₄@PB system provides a strategy for precise particle size regulation and functional integration for photothermal therapy of tumors with magnetic targeting potential. Full article

The existing heterogeneity of the human hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) compartment imposes significant challenges in understanding their physiology and molecular constitution. The hematopoietic system is hierarchically organized, with HSCs at the apex, responsible for maintaining homeostasis by ensuring a life-long supply of blood cells. HSCs are highly potent but rare, making their pure isolation challenging. To address this, flow-cytometry-based methods are commonly used to isolate HSCs, bridging the gap between surface marker expression and understanding their functional and molecular properties. However, detailed methodology papers providing practical guidance for the prospective isolation of distinct human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) populations are rare, hindering reproducible applications across different research groups. Here, we present a comprehensive protocol for isolating multipotent long-term repopulating HSCs (LT-HSCs) and define multipotent progenitor populations (MPPs) from human mobilized peripheral blood (mPB) after leukapheresis using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). By highlighting the workflow, outlining critical considerations and emphasizing recent advancements in the field, we provide an extensive overview of FACS-based human HSC isolation. This facilitates the enrichment of these rare cells for downstream analysis and enables researchers to improve our understanding of the heterogeneity within the HSC compartment. Full article

This work presents an innovative hydrothermal approach for fabricating flexible piezoelectric PZT thin films on 20 μm titanium foil substrates using TiO₂ and SrTiO₃ (STO) interlayers. Three heterostructures (Ti/PZT, Ti/TiO₂/PZT, and Ti/TiO₂/STO/PZT) were synthesized to enable low-temperature growth and improve ferroelectric performance for advanced flexible MEMS. Characterizations including XRD, PFM, and P–E loop analysis evaluated crystallinity, piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃, and polarization behavior. The results demonstrate that the multilayered Ti/TiO₂/STO/PZT structure significantly enhances performance. XRD confirmed the STO buffer layer effectively reduces lattice mismatch with PZT to ~0.76%, promoting stable morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) composition formation. This optimized film exhibited superior piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties, with a high d₃₃ of 113.42 pm/V, representing an ~8.65% increase over unbuffered Ti/PZT samples, and displayed more uniform domain behavior in PFM imaging. Impedance spectroscopy showed the lowest minimum impedance of 8.96 Ω at 10.19 MHz, indicating strong electromechanical coupling. Furthermore, I–V measurements demonstrated significantly suppressed leakage currents in the STO-buffered samples, with current levels ranging from 10⁻¹² A to 10⁻⁹ A over ±3 V. This structure also showed excellent fatigue endurance through one million electrical cycles, confirming its mechanical and electrical stability. These findings highlight the potential of this hydrothermally engineered flexible heterostructure for high-performance actuators and sensors in advanced MEMS applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Within their host trees, mountain pine beetles (MPBs, Dendroctonus ponderosae) interact with many fungal species, each releasing a unique profile of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The FVOCs released by the two primary symbionts of MPBs, Grosmannia clavigera and Ophiostoma montium, have been found to enhance MPB attraction in the field and laboratory studies. Opportunistic, saprophytic fungal species, such as Aspergillus sp. and Trichoderma atroviride, are also common in MPB galleries and can negatively impact MPB fitness. However, little is known about the FVOCs produced by these fungal species and how they may impact MPB feeding and attraction. Methods: To address this knowledge gap, we characterized the FVOC profile of T. atroviride, and performed bioassays to test the effects of its FVOCs on MPB attraction and feeding activity. Results: Our chemical analysis revealed several FVOCs from T. atroviride known to inhibit the growth of competing fungal species and impact subcortical-beetle attraction. Conclusions: From those FVOCs, we recommended four compounds—2-pentanone, 2-heptanone, 2-pentanol, and phenylethyl alcohol—for use in future field tests as anti-attraction lures for MPBs. In bioassays, we also observed strong MPB repellency from FVOCs released by T. atroviride, as well as the mild effects of FVOCs on MPB feeding activity. Our findings highlight the potential for these FVOCs to be utilized in the development of more effective MPB anti-attractant lures, which are crucial for the monitoring and management of low-density MPB populations. Full article

Background: The traditional management of acute burn wounds using eschar debridement followed by split-thickness skin grafting has notable drawbacks. Stromal vascular fraction (SVF), derived from autologous adipose tissue, promotes epithelialization and angiogenesis, while platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), obtained via centrifugation of patient blood, enhances wound healing. This study retrospectively analyzes the outcomes of patients with thermal injuries treated with a combination of topical SVF and PRF at the University Hospital Zurich Burn Center. Methods: From 2018 to 2020, 13 patients with deep partial-thickness burns (DPTBs) or mixed-pattern burns (MPBs) received combined topical SVF and PRF treatment. Eschar removal was performed enzymatically or surgically following hydrotherapy. SVF was collected via liposuction, and PRF from centrifuged blood. Healing progress, additional surgeries, and scar outcomes (assessed by the Manchester Scar Scale, MSS) were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The mean total body surface area burned was 29.6%, with 6.3% treated using SVF and PRF. Five patients required further surgical intervention for residual defects. Complete healing occurred within 20 days in patients without residual defects and within 51 days in those with defects. Higher MSS scores were observed in patients requiring additional surgery. No adverse effects were noted. Conclusions: Topical SVF and PRF offer a potentially less-invasive treatment for MPB and DPTB. However, due to frequent residual defects and regulatory concerns around SVF use, this approach cannot yet be considered a standard treatment. Full article

Humanized mice generated by hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation are limited by the immune system developed being allogeneic to the tumor. We have innovated a platform to reconstitute an autologous human immune system (HIS) in immunodeficient NOG-EXL mice from mobilized peripheral blood (MPB)-CD34 cells, along with PDX generated from the same patient’s tumor tissue. Patients consented under an IRB-approved protocol for tumor biopsy and HSC apheresis at Emory University. HSC collection included mobilization with G-CSF and plerixafor, immunomagnetic bead isolation with CliniMACS, and cryopreservation of CD34⁺ cells. PDX were established from biopsies or surgical specimens by passaging into immunodeficient mice. Irradiated NOG-EXL mice were engrafted with HSCs by intravenous transplantation of CD34⁺ HSC. Engraftment of human T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells in peripheral blood was assessed by serial flow cytometry of blood samples, with final assessment of immune components in spleen and bone marrow at 30 weeks. Twenty-eight PDX models were generated from 43 patients with HNSCC; 1 patient underwent apheresis. HSC engraftment in blood was observed in 100% of NOG-EXL mice at 8 weeks post-transplant, with 5–20% hCD45⁺ cells present in the periphery. B-cell development was predominant at early time points and declined over time. Human T-cell and subset development of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells were observed in blood from 15 weeks post-transplant. Strong development of the myeloid lineage (CD33⁺) was observed starting at 8 weeks and persisted throughout the study. These data demonstrate that mobilization and apheresis of HNSCC patients is technically and clinically feasible and may allow the establishment of autologous HIS-PDX mice. Full article

Forest ecosystem services are crucial for sustaining ecological balance and supporting human well-being. This study quantified and analyzed ecosystem services—carbon storage, water conservation, and productivity—across four developmental stages (I, II, III, and IV) of poplar (Populus davidiana)–birch (Betula platyphylla) mixed natural secondary forests (MPB) in Weichang County, China, over the year 2022 using the InVEST and biomass models. Synergies and trade-offs between these ecosystem services were assessed using the constraint line method. The results showed that as the stand developed, carbon storage values gradually increased, while productivity remained relatively low during the initial three stages but exhibited a significant upward trend by Stage IV (p < 0.05). In contrast, water conservation did not exhibit a clear pattern with stand development. Across all stages, carbon storage exhibited a synergistic relationship with productivity, but a trade-off was observed with water conservation. In the first three stages, productivity and water conservation were in trade-off, yet by Stage IV, this relationship shifted to a weak synergy. The constraint line analysis revealed dynamic trade-offs between productivity, carbon storage, and water conservation. The findings emphasize the importance of adopting adaptive management strategies for MPB at different developmental stages to maximize the synergistic effects among ecosystem services. Full article

The morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) with multiphase coexistence serves as a critical region for piezoelectric materials, but the individual contributions of various microscopic mechanisms to the overall electromechanical response remains a challenge for further subdivision. Here, we systematically investigate the microscopic origins of outstanding piezoelectricity in <001>-oriented Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-30PbTiO₃ (PMN-30PT) single crystals and quantitatively identify the dominant factors for giant electrostrain and ultrahigh piezoelectric coefficient. Large electrostrain arises predominantly from polarization rotation within the easily distorted monoclinic phase and the high-energy-barrier monoclinic-to-tetragonal phase transition, enabled by a synergistic interplay of broad electric field adaptability and high strain sensitivity. In contrast, the peak piezoelectric coefficient (d₃₃ > 2100 pC/N) is attributed to the low-energy-barrier rhombohedral-to-monoclinic phase transition, which facilitates polarization rotation. Furthermore, the critical yet distinct roles of monoclinic phase compared to piezoelectric and electrostrain have been confirmed. By the quantitative segmentation of various microscopic factors, this work provides fundamental insights into the design of high-performance piezoelectrics. Full article

The mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) (MPB) is one component of an intensively studied co-evolved insect–host system. We investigated the spatial genetic structure of the MPB within its historic and recent geographic range expansion as it relates to host use in western North America using 13 pre-selected microsatellite loci. Analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) indicates that genetic structure is not correlated with the host tree species and therefore does not support the hypothesis of the formation of a host race within this species. STRUCTURE analysis delineates four main clusters in western North America: (1) northern: northern British Columbia/northern Alberta; (2) central: southern British Columbia/southern Alberta/Washington/Idaho/Montana; (3) southwestern: Oregon/California/Nevada; and (4) southeastern: Utah/Wyoming/Arizona/Colorado/South Dakota. Heterozygosity, allelic richness, and the number of private alleles are greatest in the Southwest cluster. This cluster correlates with one of the three refugia hypothesized from a recent analysis of neo-Y haplotypes and represents an important reservoir of MPBs’ genetic diversity. Full article