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Valley pseudospin in transition metal dichalcogenides monolayers intrinsically provides additional possibility to control valley carriers, raising a great impact on valleytronics in following years. The spin-valley locking directly contributes to optical selection rules which allow for valley-dependent addressability of excitons by helical optical pumping. As a binary photonic addressable route, manipulation of valley polarization states is indispensable while effective control methods at deep-subwavelength scale are still limited. Here, we report the excitation and control of valley polarization in h-BN/WSe 2 /h-BN and Au nanoantenna hybrid structure by electron beam. Near-field circularly polarized dipole modes can be excited via precise stimulation and generate the valley polarized cathodoluminescence via near-field interaction. Effective manipulation of valley polarization degree can be realized by variation of excitation position. This report provides a near-field excitation methodology of valley polarization, which offers exciting opportunities for deep-subwavelength valleytronics investigation, optoelectronic circuits integration and future quantum information technologies. Here, the authors generate near-field circularly polarized dipole modes in a hBN/WSe 2 /hBN–Au nanoantenna hybrid structure by electron beam excitation, and show nanoscale control of the valley polarization through spatial variation of the electron beam excitation position.

The occurrence and development of atherosclerosis (AS) is closely related to immune regulation. Macrophages serve as the primary immune cells involved in AS. However, the mechanisms underlying macrophage-mediated immune regulation in AS remain inadequately understood, necessitating the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies. This article aims to review the current status and emerging trends in macrophage immune regulation related to AS on a global scale. We utilized the Web of Science Core Collection database to identify articles pertaining to macrophage immune regulation in AS published between 2000 and 2024. Bibliometric methods were used to analyze authors, institutions, countries, journals and references through CiteSpace and VOSviewer. A total of 1469 articles were included in this study. The United States has published the highest number of articles in this field, followed closely by China. Maastricht University stands out as a leading institution specializing in macrophage immune regulation related to AS. Esther Lutgens from Germany has made significant contributions to this area of research. The authors identified \"Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology\" as the most influential journal within this domain. Through cluster analysis, the keywords were categorized into four primary groups: (1) autoantibodies, (2) activation, (3) immune activation, and (4) nuclear receptors. This study systematically summarizes the findings of macrophage immune regulation research in AS from 2000 to 2024, while also describing and predicting global research hotspots and trends. The investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying macrophage immune regulation in AS is poised to become a prominent topic in future studies.

To ensure the sustainability of alloy-based strategies, both compositional design and processing routes must be simplified. Metal additive manufacturing (AM), with its exceptionally rapid, non-equilibrium solidification, offers a unique platform to produce tailored microstructures in simple alloys that deliver superior mechanical properties. In this study, we employ laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) to fabricate 1080 plain carbon steel, a binary alloy comprising only iron and carbon. Deviating from conventional process optimization focusing primarily on density, we optimize LPBF parameters for mechanical performance. We systematically varied key parameters (laser power and scan speed) to produce batches of tensile specimens, which were then evaluated on a high-throughput mechanical testing platform (HTP). Using response surface methodology (RSM), we developed predictive models correlating these parameters with yield strength (YS) and elongation. The RSM models identified optimal and suboptimal parameter sets. Specimens printed under the predicted optimal conditions achieved YS of 1543.5 MPa and elongation of 7.58%, closely matching RSM predictions (1595.3 MPa and 8.32%) with deviations of −3.25% and −8.89% for YS and elongation, respectively, thus validating model accuracy. Comprehensive microstructural characterization, including metallographic analysis and fracture surface examination, revealed the microstructural origins of performance differences and the underlying strengthening mechanisms. This methodology enables rapid evaluation and optimization of LPBF parameters for 1080 carbon steel and can be generalized as an efficient framework for robust LPBF process development.

Intercropping with Pleurotus ostreatus has been demonstrated to increase the tea yield and alleviate soil acidification in tea gardens. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, high-throughput sequencing and Biolog Eco analysis were performed to identify changes in the community structure and abundance of soil microorganisms in the P. ostreatus intercropped tea garden at different seasons (April and September). The results showed that the soil microbial diversity of rhizosphere decreased in April, while rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil microbial diversity increased in September in the P. ostreatus intercropped tea garden. The diversity of tea tree root microorganisms increased in both periods. In addition, the number of fungi associated with organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling, such as Penicillium , Trichoderma , and Trechispora , was significantly higher in the intercropped group than in the control group. Intercropping with P. ostreatus increased the levels of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and available phosphorus (AP) in the soil. It also improved the content of secondary metabolites, such as tea catechins, and polysaccharides in tea buds. Microbial network analysis showed that Unclassified _o__ Helotiales , and Devosia were positively correlated with soil TN and pH, while Lactobacillus , Acidothermus , and Monascus were positively correlated with flavone, AE, and catechins in tea trees. In conclusion, intercropping with P. ostreatus can improve the physical and chemical properties of soil and the composition and structure of microbial communities in tea gardens, which has significant potential for application in monoculture tea gardens with acidic soils.

In this work, a rapid process optimization framework for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) based on a high-throughput mechanical testing platform and data analytical methods was proposed and validated. This framework enables the efficient building of a process–properties database and analytical model, as well as the fine-tuning of customized mechanical properties. Unlike previous approaches that focused primarily on density as the main optimization target, this method directly aligns the mechanical properties by systematically varying the LPBF process parameters (e.g., laser power, scanning speed, etc.). Tensile specimens in the high densification range were prepared and tested using a high-throughput mechanical property test platform (HTP). Following this, an analytical model correlating tensile properties and process parameters was developed using response surface methodology (RSM). Based on this model recommendation, a specimen with a densification of 99.46% and a yield strength (YS) of 524.74 MPa was achieved, with only a 3.72% variation compared to the predicted value (526.08 MPa), confirming the model’s reliability. A comprehensive analysis of relative density, phase content and microstructure was conducted, comparing them with a specimen exhibiting lower properties. This study provides an effective method for the rapid evaluation and optimization of LPBF processing parameters for fine-tuning customized mechanical properties.

Growth laws emerging from studies of cell populations provide essential constraints on the global mechanisms that coordinate cell growth 1 – 3 . The foundation of bacterial cell cycle studies relies on two interconnected dogmas that were proposed more than 50 years ago—the Schaechter–Maaloe–Kjeldgaard growth law that relates cell mass to growth rate 1 and Donachie’s hypothesis of a growth-rate-independent initiation mass 4 . These dogmas spurred many efforts to understand their molecular bases and physiological consequences 5 – 14 . Although they are generally accepted in the fast-growth regime, that is, for doubling times below 1 h, extension of these dogmas to the slow-growth regime has not been consistently achieved. Here, through a quantitative physiological study of Escherichia coli cell cycles over an extensive range of growth rates, we report that neither dogma holds in either the slow- or fast-growth regime. In their stead, linear relations between the cell mass and the rate of chromosome replication–segregation were found across the range of growth rates. These relations led us to propose an integral-threshold model in which the cell cycle is controlled by a licensing process, the rate of which is related in a simple way to chromosomal dynamics. These results provide a quantitative basis for predictive understanding of cell growth–cell cycle relationships. A model using data from culturing Escherichia coli in 32 different growth media sheds light on the relationship between bacterial cell growth and the cell cycle.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex chronic respiratory disease with cumulative impacts on multiple systems, exhibiting significant extrapulmonary impacts, and posing a serious public health problem. Skeletal muscle dysfunction is one of the most pronounced extrapulmonary effects in patients with COPD, which severely affects patient prognosis and mortality primarily through reduced productivity resulting from muscle structural and functional alterations. Although the detailed pathogenesis of COPD has not been fully determined, some researchers agree that oxidative stress plays a significant role. Oxidative stress not only catalyzes the progression of pulmonary symptoms but also drives the development of skeletal muscle dysfunction. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), is a key transcription factor that regulates the antioxidant response and plays an enormous role in combating oxidative stress. In this review, we have summarized current research on oxidative stress damage to COPD skeletal muscle and analyzed the role of Nrf2 in improving skeletal muscle dysfunction in COPD through exercise. The results suggest that oxidative stress drives the occurrence and development of skeletal muscle dysfunction in COPD. Exercise may improve skeletal muscle dysfunction in patients with COPD by promoting the dissociation of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and Nrf2, inducing sequestosome1(p62) phosphorylation to bind with Keap1 competitively leading to Nrf2 stabilization and improving dynamin-related protein 1-dependent mitochondrial fission. Nrf2 may be a key target for exercise anti-oxidative stress to alleviate skeletal muscle dysfunction in COPD. Graphical abstract

NLRP3 inflammasome plays a critical spatiotemporal role in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). This study reports a mechanistic insight into noncanonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation in microglia for the effector stage of EAE. Microglia-specific deficiency of ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase-activation and recruitment [CARD] domain) attenuated T cell expansion and neutrophil recruitment during EAE pathogenesis. Mechanistically, TLR stimulation led to IRAKM-caspase-8-ASC complex formation, resulting in the activation of caspase-8 and IL-1β release in microglia. Noncanonical inflammasome-derived IL-1β produced by microglia in the CNS helped to expand the microglia population in an autocrine manner and amplified the production of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines. Furthermore, active caspase-8 was markedly increased in the microglia in the brain tissue from patients with multiple sclerosis. Taken together, our study suggests that microglia-derived IL-1β via noncanonical caspase-8-dependent inflammasome is necessary for microglia to exert their pathogenic role during CNS inflammation.

It has become a trend to precisely control the additive manufacturing process parameters within the high-density process window to obtain high-performance metal parts. However, there are few reports on this topic currently, leaving this research without sufficient references. This study took 316L austenitic stainless steel as a case study. In total, 36 groups of specimens were manufactured by Laser powder bed melting (LPBF), and then, two highly dense specimens were selected to study the variation in their microstructure and properties. The densities of the selected specimens, S1 (VED = 81 J/mm3) and S2 (VED = 156.3 J/mm3), are 99.68% and 99.99%, respectively. The results indicated that, compared with the S1 specimen, the S2 specimen significantly decreased in terms of yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and elongation (EL), which are 7.28%, 6.34%, and 19.15%, respectively. The differences in mechanical properties were primarily attributed to differences in their microstructures. Further, compared with the S1 specimen, the fitted ellipse aspect ratio and average grain size of the S2 specimen increased by 79.88% and 53.45%, respectively, and the kernel average misorientation (KAM) value and geometric necessary dislocation (GND) density increased by 36.00% and 58.43%, respectively. Furthermore, the S1 specimen exhibited a strong texture in the //Z direction, whereas no obvious texture was observed in the S2 specimen. Obviously, the reason why precise regulation within the dense parameter range can achieve better performance is that the microstructure and mechanical properties of the specimens prepared within the dense range are different. More importantly, this study provides a feasible framework for optimizing alloys with broad and dense parameter ranges, demonstrating the potential to achieve high-performance components through precise parameter control. Furthermore, the results reveal that even within a wide range of high-density forming parameters, significant variations in microstructure and mechanical properties can arise depending on the selected parameter combinations. These findings underscore the critical importance of meticulous process parameter optimization and microstructural regulation in tailoring material properties.

Skeletal muscle dysfunction is a common extrapulmonary comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with decreased quality-of-life and survival in patients. The autophagy lysosome pathway is one of the proteolytic systems that significantly affect skeletal muscle structure and function. Intriguingly, both promoting and inhibiting autophagy have been observed to improve COPD skeletal muscle dysfunction, yet the mechanism is unclear. This paper first reviewed the effects of macroautophagy and mitophagy on the structure and function of skeletal muscle in COPD, and then explored the mechanism of autophagy mediating the dysfunction of skeletal muscle in COPD. The results showed that macroautophagy- and mitophagy-related proteins were significantly increased in COPD skeletal muscle. Promoting macroautophagy in COPD improves myogenesis and replication capacity of muscle satellite cells, while inhibiting macroautophagy in COPD myotubes increases their diameters. Mitophagy helps to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis by removing impaired mitochondria in COPD. Autophagy is a promising target for improving COPD skeletal muscle dysfunction, and further research should be conducted to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which autophagy mediates COPD skeletal muscle dysfunction, with the aim of enhancing our understanding in this field.