Diabetic retinopathy is a prominent cause of blindness in adults,with early retinal ganglion cell loss contributing to visual dysfunction or blindness.In the brain,defects inγ-aminobutyric acid synaptic transmission ...Diabetic retinopathy is a prominent cause of blindness in adults,with early retinal ganglion cell loss contributing to visual dysfunction or blindness.In the brain,defects inγ-aminobutyric acid synaptic transmission are associated with pathophysiological and neurodegenerative disorders,whereas glucagon-like peptide-1 has demonstrated neuroprotective effects.However,it is not yet clear whether diabetes causes alterations in inhibitory input to retinal ganglion cells and whether and how glucagon-like peptide-1 protects against neurodegeneration in the diabetic retina through regulating inhibitory synaptic transmission to retinal ganglion cells.In the present study,we used the patch-clamp technique to recordγ-aminobutyric acid subtype A receptor-mediated miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in retinal ganglion cells from streptozotocin-induced diabetes model rats.We found that early diabetes(4 weeks of hyperglycemia)decreased the frequency of GABAergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in retinal ganglion cells without altering their amplitude,suggesting a reduction in the spontaneous release ofγ-aminobutyric acid to retinal ganglion cells.Topical administration of glucagon-like peptide-1 eyedrops over a period of 2 weeks effectively countered the hyperglycemia-induced downregulation of GABAergic mIPSC frequency,subsequently enhancing the survival of retinal ganglion cells.Concurrently,the protective effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 on retinal ganglion cells in diabetic rats were eliminated by topical administration of exendin-9-39,a specific glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonist,or SR95531,a specific antagonist of theγ-aminobutyric acid subtype A receptor.Furthermore,extracellular perfusion of glucagon-like peptide-1 was found to elevate the frequencies of GABAergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in both ON-and OFF-type retinal ganglion cells.This elevation was shown to be mediated by activation of the phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor/Ca2+/protein kinase C signaling pathway downstream of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor activation.Moreover,multielectrode array recordings revealed that glucagon-like peptide-1 functionally augmented the photoresponses of ON-type retinal ganglion cells.Optomotor response tests demonstrated that diabetic rats exhibited reductions in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity that were significantly ameliorated by topical administration of glucagon-like peptide-1.These results suggest that glucagon-like peptide-1 facilitates the release ofγ-aminobutyric acid onto retinal ganglion cells through the activation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor,leading to the de-excitation of retinal ganglion cell circuits and the inhibition of excitotoxic processes associated with diabetic retinopathy.Collectively,our findings indicate that theγ-aminobutyric acid system has potential as a therapeutic target for mitigating early-stage diabetic retinopathy.Furthermore,the topical administration of glucagon-like peptide-1 eyedrops represents a non-invasive and effective treatment approach for managing early-stage diabetic retinopathy.展开更多
A novel substrate integrated microstrip to ultra-thin cavity filter transition operating in the W-band is proposed in this letter.The structure is a new method of connecting microstrip circuits and waveguide filters,a...A novel substrate integrated microstrip to ultra-thin cavity filter transition operating in the W-band is proposed in this letter.The structure is a new method of connecting microstrip circuits and waveguide filters,and this new structure enables a planar integrated transition from microstrip lines to ultra-thin cavity filters,thereby reducing the size of the transition structure and achieving miniaturization.The structure includes a conventional tapered microstrip transition structure,which guides the electromagnetic field from the microstrip line to the reduced-height dielectric-filled waveguide,and an air-filled matching cavity which is placed between the dielectric-filled waveguide and the ultra-thin cavity filter.The heights of the microstrip line,the dielectric-filled waveguide and the ultra-thin cavity filter are the same,enabling seamless integration within a planar radio-frequency(RF)circuit.To facilitate testing,mature finline transition structures are integrated at both ends of the microstrip line during fabrications.The simulation results of the fabricated microstrip to ultra-thin cavity filter transition with the finline transition structure,with a passband of 91.5-96.5 GHz,has an insertion loss of less than 1.9 dB and a return loss lower than-20 dB.And the whole structure has also been measured which achieves an insertion loss less than 2.6 dB and a return loss lower than-15 dB within the filter's passband,including the additional insertion loss introduced by the finline transitions.Finally,a W-band compact up-conversion module is designed,and the test results show that after using the proposed structure,the module achieves 95 dBc suppression of the 84 GHz local oscillator.It is also demonstrated that the structure proposed in this letter achieves miniaturization of the system integration without compromising the filter performance.展开更多
The“Black Myth:Wukong Encounter Shanxi”digital art exhibition opened in Taiyuan,Shanxi Province,on October 31.The show blended Chinese video game Black Myth:Wukong with miniature ancient architecture,highlighting th...The“Black Myth:Wukong Encounter Shanxi”digital art exhibition opened in Taiyuan,Shanxi Province,on October 31.The show blended Chinese video game Black Myth:Wukong with miniature ancient architecture,highlighting the charm of Shanxi’s heritage.展开更多
The paleoenvironmental changes and adaptation strategies of hominins during the Late Pleistocene are crucial for understanding the evolution,dispersal,and behavioral shifts of early modern humans.Despite South China&#...The paleoenvironmental changes and adaptation strategies of hominins during the Late Pleistocene are crucial for understanding the evolution,dispersal,and behavioral shifts of early modern humans.Despite South China's significance as a nexus for hominin dispersal and handaxe technology diffusion,quantitative reconstructions of paleoenvironments linked to archaeological records remain scarce.The Sandinggai site(96.6-13.3 ka BP)in central South China,with its well-preserved stratigraphy and abundant lithic artefacts,is notable for providing valuable insights.In this study,quantitative reconstruction of the vegetation succession and climate change sequences at the site was conducted using palynological and isotopic data.The results indicated a shift from a warm-temperate evergreen and deciduous broadleaf mixed forest to a temperate deciduous broadleaf forest,with the climate transitioning from warm and humid to cooler and drier conditions.During the early phase,an increase in lithic production suggested favorable conditions for hominin survival.In the later phase,decreased lithic production and the replacement of large handaxe tools by smaller flake tools,indicated that hominins adapted to the cooler,drier climate and more open landscapes through lithic miniaturization.These findings highlight the environment-driven adaptation of lithic technology and hominin behavior,thereby shedding light on human survival adaptation strategies.展开更多
Over the past three decades,micro/nano science and technology have experienced rapid advancements as new materials and advanced devices have increasingly evolved towards high levels of integration and miniaturization....Over the past three decades,micro/nano science and technology have experienced rapid advancements as new materials and advanced devices have increasingly evolved towards high levels of integration and miniaturization.In this context,mechanical properties have emerged as critical parameters for evaluating the operational performance and longevity of materials and devices at the micro/nanoscale.展开更多
Underwater robots have emerged as key tools for marine exploration because of their unique ability to traverse and navigate underwater regions,which pose challenges or dangers to human expeditions.Miniature underwater...Underwater robots have emerged as key tools for marine exploration because of their unique ability to traverse and navigate underwater regions,which pose challenges or dangers to human expeditions.Miniature underwater robots are widely employed in marine science,resource surveys,seabed geological investigations,and marine life observations,owing to their compact size,minimal noise,and agile move-ment.In recent years,researchers have developed diverse miniature underwater robots inspired by bion-ics and other disciplines,leading to many landmark achievements such as centimeter-level wireless control,movement speeds up to hundreds of millimeters per second,underwater three-dimensional motion capabilities,robot swarms,and underwater operation robots.This article offers an overview of the actuation methods and locomotion patterns utilized by miniature underwater robots and assesses the advantages and disadvantages of each method.Furthermore,the challenges confronting currently available miniature underwater robots are summarized,and future development trends are explored.展开更多
This article presents a compact crab-shaped reconfigurable antenna(CSRA)designed for 5G sub-6 GHz wireless applications. The antenna achieves enhanced gain in a miniaturized form factor by incorporating a hexagonal sp...This article presents a compact crab-shaped reconfigurable antenna(CSRA)designed for 5G sub-6 GHz wireless applications. The antenna achieves enhanced gain in a miniaturized form factor by incorporating a hexagonal split-ring structure controlled via two radio frequency(RF) positive-intrinsicnegative(PIN) diodes(BAR64-02V). While the antenna is primarily designed to operate at 3.50 GHz for sub-6 GHz 5G applications, RF switching enables the CSRA to cover a broader frequency spectrum, including the S-band, X-band, and portions of the Ku-band. The proposed antenna offers several advantages: It is low-cost(fabricated on an FR-4 substrate), compact(achieving 64.07% size reduction compared to conventional designs), and features both frequency and gain reconfigurability through digitally controlled PIN diode switching. The reflection coefficients of the antenna, both without diodes and across all four switching states, were experimentally validated in the laboratory using a Keysight Field Fox microwave analyzer(N9916A, 14 GHz). The simulated radiation patterns and gain characteristics closely matched the measured values, demonstrating an excellent agreement. This study bridges the gap between traditional and next-generation antenna designs by offering a compact,cost-effective, and high-performance solution for multiband, reconfigurable wireless communication systems. The integration of double-split-ring resonators and dynamic reconfigurability makes the proposed antenna a strong candidate for various applications, including S-band and X-band systems, as well as the emerging lower 6G band(7.125 GHz–8.400 GHz).展开更多
Adhesive patches offer an effective approach for wound closure,making them highly suitable for biomedical applications.However,conventional patches often face limitations such as dual-sided adhesion,lack of shape adap...Adhesive patches offer an effective approach for wound closure,making them highly suitable for biomedical applications.However,conventional patches often face limitations such as dual-sided adhesion,lack of shape adaptability,and limited maneuverability,which restrict their applications in deeper tissues.In this paper,we develop a magnetic patch robot(PatchBot),for targeted Janus adhesion with tissues.The PatchBot features a unique triple-layer structure,with adhesive,shape-morphing,and anti-adhesive layers,each fulfilling roles to support targeted attachment,enable shape transformation,and prevent unwanted adhesion to surrounding tissues.The Janus adhesion of the PatchBot was extensively demonstrated across a variety of tissues.A localized near-infrared(NIR)laser irradiation was used to induce programmable shape transformations.Magnetic actuation of the PatchBot for targeted adhesion was successfully demonstrated in ex vivo porcine stomach tissue.NIR light-activated shape-morphing and multimodal magnetic actuation significantly enhance its maneuverability and adaptability in confined in vivo environments while ensuring the structural integrity of the adhesive surface during deployment.This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the feasibility of using PatchBot for targeted wound adhesion,showing its potential for minimally invasive,precision therapies in complex in vivo environments.展开更多
1.Introduction.In recent decades,the pursuit of miniaturization has been crucial in nanofabrication,fostering innovation,and enabling novel applications in chip manufacturing,nanophotonics,and quantum devices[1,2].Adv...1.Introduction.In recent decades,the pursuit of miniaturization has been crucial in nanofabrication,fostering innovation,and enabling novel applications in chip manufacturing,nanophotonics,and quantum devices[1,2].Advancements in nanofabrication technology are driven by the demand for higher component density and performance,necessitating precise material processing in atmospheric environments.展开更多
Design of a miniaturized lumped-element bandpass filter in multilayer liquid crystal polymer technology is proposed.Fractional bandwidth of the bandpass filter is 20%,operating at a center frequency of 500 MHz.In orde...Design of a miniaturized lumped-element bandpass filter in multilayer liquid crystal polymer technology is proposed.Fractional bandwidth of the bandpass filter is 20%,operating at a center frequency of 500 MHz.In order to further reduce the size and improve the performance of the proposed filter,defected ground structure(DGS)has been implemented in the filter.Based on this structure,the volume of the inductor is reduced by 60%eficiently compared with the inductor without DGS,and the Q-factor is increased up to 257%compared with the traditional multilayer spiral inductor.The measured results indicate that the designed filter has a very sharp stopband,an insertion loss of 2.3dB,and a return loss of 18.6dB in the passband.The whole volume of the fabricated filter is 0.032入_(g)×0.05入_(g)×0.00075入_(g),where Ag is the guided wavelength of the center frequency.The proposed filter is easily integrated into radio-frequency/microwave circuitry at a low manufacturing cost,especially wireless communication.展开更多
Over the past three decades,there has been increasing interest in miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy(mPCNL)techniques featuring smaller tracts as they offer potential solutions to mitigate complications associa...Over the past three decades,there has been increasing interest in miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy(mPCNL)techniques featuring smaller tracts as they offer potential solutions to mitigate complications associated with standard PCNL(sPCNL).However,despite this growing acceptance and recognition of its benefits,unresolved controversies and acknowledged limitations continue to impede widespread adoption due to a lack of consensus on optimal perioperative management strategies and procedural tips and tricks.In response to these challenges,an international panel comprising experts from the International Alliance of Urolithiasis(IAU)took on the task of compiling an expert consensus document on mPCNL procedures aimed at providing urologists with a comprehensive clinical framework for practice.This endeavor involved conducting a systematic literature review to identify research gaps(RGs),which formed the foundation for developing a structured questionnaire survey.Subsequently,a two-round modified Delphi survey was implemented,culminating in a group meeting to generate final evidence-based comments.All 64 experts completed the second-round survey,resulting in a response rate of 100.0%.Fifty-eight key questions were raised focusing on mPCNLs within 4 main domains,including general information(13 questions),preoperative work-up(13 questions),procedural tips and tricks(19 questions),and postoperative evaluation and follow-up(13 questions).Additionally,9 questions evaluated the experts’experience with PCNLs.Consensus was reached on 30 questions after the second-round survey,while professional statements for the remaining 28 key questions were provided after discussion in an online panel meeting.mPCNL,characterized by a tract smaller than 18 Fr and an innovative lithotripsy technique,has firmly established itself as a viable and effective approach for managing upper urinary tract stones in both adults and pediatrics.It offers several advantages over sPCNL including reduced bleeding,fewer requirements for nephrostomy tubes,decreased pain,and shorter hospital stays.The series of detailed techniques presented here serve as a comprehensive guide for urologists,aiming to improve their procedural understanding and optimize patient outcomes.展开更多
A new on-chip light source configuration has been proposed,which utilizes the interaction between a microwave or laser and a dielectric nanopillar array to generate a periodic electromagnetic near-field and applies pe...A new on-chip light source configuration has been proposed,which utilizes the interaction between a microwave or laser and a dielectric nanopillar array to generate a periodic electromagnetic near-field and applies periodic transverse acceleration to relativistic electrons to generate high-energy photon radiation.The dielectric nanopillar array interacting with the driving field acts as an electron undulator,in which the near-field drives electrons to oscillate.When an electron beam propagates through this nanopillar array in this light source configuration,it is subjected to a periodic transverse near-field force and will radiate X-ray or evenγ-ray high-energy photons after a relativistic frequency up-conversion.Compared with the undulator which is based on the interaction between strong lasers and nanostructures to generate a plasmonic near-field,this configuration is less prone to damage during operation.展开更多
Flapping-Wing Micro Air Vehicles(FMAVs)are compact and agile,capable of accessing narrow spaces that conventional vehicles struggle to reach,such as ruins,caves,or the interiors of complex structures,making them ideal...Flapping-Wing Micro Air Vehicles(FMAVs)are compact and agile,capable of accessing narrow spaces that conventional vehicles struggle to reach,such as ruins,caves,or the interiors of complex structures,making them ideal tools for reconnaissance and rescue missions.1 However,the operation of FMAVs relies on coordinating multiple forces with different scaling effects,posing challenges to miniaturization design.展开更多
Accurate quantification of exercise interventions and changes in muscle function is essential for personalized health management.Electrical impedance myography(EIM)technology offers an innovative,noninvasive,painless,...Accurate quantification of exercise interventions and changes in muscle function is essential for personalized health management.Electrical impedance myography(EIM)technology offers an innovative,noninvasive,painless,and easy-to-perform solution for muscle health monitoring.However,current EIM platforms face a number of limitations,including large device size,wired connections,and instability of the electrode-skin interface,which limit their applicability for monitoring mus-cle movement.In this study,a miniature wireless EIM platform with a user-friendly smartphone app is proposed and devel-oped.The miniature,wireless,multi-frequency(20 kHz-1 MHz)EIM platform is equipped with flexible microneedle array elec-trodes(MAE).The advantages of MAEs over conventional electrodes were demonstrated by physical field modeling simula-tions and skin-electrode contact impedance comparison tests.The smartphone APP was developed to wirelessly operate the EIM platform,and to transmit and process real-time muscle impedance data.To validate its effectiveness,a seven-day adaptive fatigue training study was conducted,which demonstrated that the EIM platform was able to detect muscle adaptations and serve as a reliable indicator of fatigue.This study presents an innovative approach to applying EIM technology to muscle health monitoring and exercise testing,thereby advancing the development of personalized health management and athletic performance assessment.展开更多
A triple-band miniaturized end-fire antenna based on the odd modes of spoof surface plasmonic polariton(SSPP)waveguide resonator is proposed in this paper.To meet the ever increasing demand for more communication chan...A triple-band miniaturized end-fire antenna based on the odd modes of spoof surface plasmonic polariton(SSPP)waveguide resonator is proposed in this paper.To meet the ever increasing demand for more communication channels and less antenna sizes,multi-band antennas are currently under intensive investigation.By a novel feeding method,three odd modes are excited on an SSPP waveguide resonator,which performs as an end-fire antenna operating at three bands,7.15-7.26 GHz,11.6-12.2 GHz and 13.5-13.64 GHz.It exhibits reasonably high and stable maximum gains of 5.26 dBi,7.97 dBi and 10.1 dBi and maximum efficiencies of 64%,92%and 98%at the three bands,respectively.Moreover,in the second band,the main beam angle shows a frequency dependence with a total scanning angle of 19°.The miniaturized triple-band antenna has a great potential in wireless communication systems,satellite communication and radar systems.展开更多
Th e International Alliance of Urolithiasis(IAU)consensus on miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy(mPCNL)[1]is produced by an experienced international panel of experts in kidney stone surgery and is based on a sy...Th e International Alliance of Urolithiasis(IAU)consensus on miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy(mPCNL)[1]is produced by an experienced international panel of experts in kidney stone surgery and is based on a systematic review of literature and a Delphi process,ensuring that recommendations are grounded in evidence.展开更多
Oxysterol binding protein like 2(OSBPL2), an important regulator in cellular lipid metabolism and transport, was identified as a novel deafness-causal gene in our previous work. To resemble the phenotypic features of ...Oxysterol binding protein like 2(OSBPL2), an important regulator in cellular lipid metabolism and transport, was identified as a novel deafness-causal gene in our previous work. To resemble the phenotypic features of OSBPL2 mutation in animal models and elucidate the potential genotypephenotype associations, the OSBPL2-disrupted Bama miniature(BM) pig model was constructed using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, somatic cell nuclear transfer(SCNT) and embryo transplantation approaches, and then subjected to phenotypic characterization of auditory function and serum lipid profiles. The OSBPL2-disrupted pigs displayed progressive hearing loss(HL) with degeneration/apoptosis of cochlea hair cells(HCs) and morphological abnormalities in HC stereocilia, as well as hypercholesterolaemia. High-fat diet(HFD) feeding aggravated the development of HL and led to more severe hypercholesterolaemia. The dual phenotypes of progressive HL and hypercholesterolaemia resembled in OSBPL2-disrupted pigs confirmed the implication of OSBPL2 mutation in nonsydromic hearing loss(NSHL) and contributed to the potential linkage between auditory dysfunction and dyslipidaemia/hypercholesterolaemia.展开更多
The trend towards miniaturization has increased dramatically over the last decade, especially within the fields concerned with bioengineering, microelectronics, and aerospace. Micromillin8 is among the principal manu-...The trend towards miniaturization has increased dramatically over the last decade, especially within the fields concerned with bioengineering, microelectronics, and aerospace. Micromillin8 is among the principal manu- facturing processes which have allowed the development of components possessing micrometric dimensions, being used to the manufacture of both forming tools and the final product. The aim of this work is to present the principal aspects related to this technology, with emphasis on the work material requirements, tool ma- terials and geometry, cutting forces and temperature, quality of the finished product, process modelling and monitoring and machine tool requirements. It can be noticed that size effect possesses a relevant role with regard to the selection of both work material （grain size） and tooling （edge radius）. Low forces and temper- ature are recorded during micromillin8, however, the specific cutting force may reach high values because of the ploughing effect observed as the uncut chip thickness is reduced. Finally, burr formation is the principal concern with regard to the quality of the finished part.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.32070989(to YMZ),31872766(to YMZ),81790640(to XLY),and 82070993(to SJW)the grant from Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen,No.SZSM202011015(to XLY)。
文摘Diabetic retinopathy is a prominent cause of blindness in adults,with early retinal ganglion cell loss contributing to visual dysfunction or blindness.In the brain,defects inγ-aminobutyric acid synaptic transmission are associated with pathophysiological and neurodegenerative disorders,whereas glucagon-like peptide-1 has demonstrated neuroprotective effects.However,it is not yet clear whether diabetes causes alterations in inhibitory input to retinal ganglion cells and whether and how glucagon-like peptide-1 protects against neurodegeneration in the diabetic retina through regulating inhibitory synaptic transmission to retinal ganglion cells.In the present study,we used the patch-clamp technique to recordγ-aminobutyric acid subtype A receptor-mediated miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in retinal ganglion cells from streptozotocin-induced diabetes model rats.We found that early diabetes(4 weeks of hyperglycemia)decreased the frequency of GABAergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in retinal ganglion cells without altering their amplitude,suggesting a reduction in the spontaneous release ofγ-aminobutyric acid to retinal ganglion cells.Topical administration of glucagon-like peptide-1 eyedrops over a period of 2 weeks effectively countered the hyperglycemia-induced downregulation of GABAergic mIPSC frequency,subsequently enhancing the survival of retinal ganglion cells.Concurrently,the protective effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 on retinal ganglion cells in diabetic rats were eliminated by topical administration of exendin-9-39,a specific glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonist,or SR95531,a specific antagonist of theγ-aminobutyric acid subtype A receptor.Furthermore,extracellular perfusion of glucagon-like peptide-1 was found to elevate the frequencies of GABAergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in both ON-and OFF-type retinal ganglion cells.This elevation was shown to be mediated by activation of the phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor/Ca2+/protein kinase C signaling pathway downstream of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor activation.Moreover,multielectrode array recordings revealed that glucagon-like peptide-1 functionally augmented the photoresponses of ON-type retinal ganglion cells.Optomotor response tests demonstrated that diabetic rats exhibited reductions in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity that were significantly ameliorated by topical administration of glucagon-like peptide-1.These results suggest that glucagon-like peptide-1 facilitates the release ofγ-aminobutyric acid onto retinal ganglion cells through the activation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor,leading to the de-excitation of retinal ganglion cell circuits and the inhibition of excitotoxic processes associated with diabetic retinopathy.Collectively,our findings indicate that theγ-aminobutyric acid system has potential as a therapeutic target for mitigating early-stage diabetic retinopathy.Furthermore,the topical administration of glucagon-like peptide-1 eyedrops represents a non-invasive and effective treatment approach for managing early-stage diabetic retinopathy.
基金Supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(ZYGX2021J008)。
文摘A novel substrate integrated microstrip to ultra-thin cavity filter transition operating in the W-band is proposed in this letter.The structure is a new method of connecting microstrip circuits and waveguide filters,and this new structure enables a planar integrated transition from microstrip lines to ultra-thin cavity filters,thereby reducing the size of the transition structure and achieving miniaturization.The structure includes a conventional tapered microstrip transition structure,which guides the electromagnetic field from the microstrip line to the reduced-height dielectric-filled waveguide,and an air-filled matching cavity which is placed between the dielectric-filled waveguide and the ultra-thin cavity filter.The heights of the microstrip line,the dielectric-filled waveguide and the ultra-thin cavity filter are the same,enabling seamless integration within a planar radio-frequency(RF)circuit.To facilitate testing,mature finline transition structures are integrated at both ends of the microstrip line during fabrications.The simulation results of the fabricated microstrip to ultra-thin cavity filter transition with the finline transition structure,with a passband of 91.5-96.5 GHz,has an insertion loss of less than 1.9 dB and a return loss lower than-20 dB.And the whole structure has also been measured which achieves an insertion loss less than 2.6 dB and a return loss lower than-15 dB within the filter's passband,including the additional insertion loss introduced by the finline transitions.Finally,a W-band compact up-conversion module is designed,and the test results show that after using the proposed structure,the module achieves 95 dBc suppression of the 84 GHz local oscillator.It is also demonstrated that the structure proposed in this letter achieves miniaturization of the system integration without compromising the filter performance.
文摘The“Black Myth:Wukong Encounter Shanxi”digital art exhibition opened in Taiyuan,Shanxi Province,on October 31.The show blended Chinese video game Black Myth:Wukong with miniature ancient architecture,highlighting the charm of Shanxi’s heritage.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.42471185,No.T2192952National Key Research and Development Program of China,No.2022YFF0801502。
文摘The paleoenvironmental changes and adaptation strategies of hominins during the Late Pleistocene are crucial for understanding the evolution,dispersal,and behavioral shifts of early modern humans.Despite South China's significance as a nexus for hominin dispersal and handaxe technology diffusion,quantitative reconstructions of paleoenvironments linked to archaeological records remain scarce.The Sandinggai site(96.6-13.3 ka BP)in central South China,with its well-preserved stratigraphy and abundant lithic artefacts,is notable for providing valuable insights.In this study,quantitative reconstruction of the vegetation succession and climate change sequences at the site was conducted using palynological and isotopic data.The results indicated a shift from a warm-temperate evergreen and deciduous broadleaf mixed forest to a temperate deciduous broadleaf forest,with the climate transitioning from warm and humid to cooler and drier conditions.During the early phase,an increase in lithic production suggested favorable conditions for hominin survival.In the later phase,decreased lithic production and the replacement of large handaxe tools by smaller flake tools,indicated that hominins adapted to the cooler,drier climate and more open landscapes through lithic miniaturization.These findings highlight the environment-driven adaptation of lithic technology and hominin behavior,thereby shedding light on human survival adaptation strategies.
文摘Over the past three decades,micro/nano science and technology have experienced rapid advancements as new materials and advanced devices have increasingly evolved towards high levels of integration and miniaturization.In this context,mechanical properties have emerged as critical parameters for evaluating the operational performance and longevity of materials and devices at the micro/nanoscale.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province,China(BK20220813)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2242023K40014).
文摘Underwater robots have emerged as key tools for marine exploration because of their unique ability to traverse and navigate underwater regions,which pose challenges or dangers to human expeditions.Miniature underwater robots are widely employed in marine science,resource surveys,seabed geological investigations,and marine life observations,owing to their compact size,minimal noise,and agile move-ment.In recent years,researchers have developed diverse miniature underwater robots inspired by bion-ics and other disciplines,leading to many landmark achievements such as centimeter-level wireless control,movement speeds up to hundreds of millimeters per second,underwater three-dimensional motion capabilities,robot swarms,and underwater operation robots.This article offers an overview of the actuation methods and locomotion patterns utilized by miniature underwater robots and assesses the advantages and disadvantages of each method.Furthermore,the challenges confronting currently available miniature underwater robots are summarized,and future development trends are explored.
文摘This article presents a compact crab-shaped reconfigurable antenna(CSRA)designed for 5G sub-6 GHz wireless applications. The antenna achieves enhanced gain in a miniaturized form factor by incorporating a hexagonal split-ring structure controlled via two radio frequency(RF) positive-intrinsicnegative(PIN) diodes(BAR64-02V). While the antenna is primarily designed to operate at 3.50 GHz for sub-6 GHz 5G applications, RF switching enables the CSRA to cover a broader frequency spectrum, including the S-band, X-band, and portions of the Ku-band. The proposed antenna offers several advantages: It is low-cost(fabricated on an FR-4 substrate), compact(achieving 64.07% size reduction compared to conventional designs), and features both frequency and gain reconfigurability through digitally controlled PIN diode switching. The reflection coefficients of the antenna, both without diodes and across all four switching states, were experimentally validated in the laboratory using a Keysight Field Fox microwave analyzer(N9916A, 14 GHz). The simulated radiation patterns and gain characteristics closely matched the measured values, demonstrating an excellent agreement. This study bridges the gap between traditional and next-generation antenna designs by offering a compact,cost-effective, and high-performance solution for multiband, reconfigurable wireless communication systems. The integration of double-split-ring resonators and dynamic reconfigurability makes the proposed antenna a strong candidate for various applications, including S-band and X-band systems, as well as the emerging lower 6G band(7.125 GHz–8.400 GHz).
基金supported by the National Key Technologies R&D Program of China(Grant No.2023YFC2415900)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.62373182 and 52405619)+2 种基金the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2024M751300)supported by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program(Grant No.JCYJ20241202125417024)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(Grant No.2024A1515011915).
文摘Adhesive patches offer an effective approach for wound closure,making them highly suitable for biomedical applications.However,conventional patches often face limitations such as dual-sided adhesion,lack of shape adaptability,and limited maneuverability,which restrict their applications in deeper tissues.In this paper,we develop a magnetic patch robot(PatchBot),for targeted Janus adhesion with tissues.The PatchBot features a unique triple-layer structure,with adhesive,shape-morphing,and anti-adhesive layers,each fulfilling roles to support targeted attachment,enable shape transformation,and prevent unwanted adhesion to surrounding tissues.The Janus adhesion of the PatchBot was extensively demonstrated across a variety of tissues.A localized near-infrared(NIR)laser irradiation was used to induce programmable shape transformations.Magnetic actuation of the PatchBot for targeted adhesion was successfully demonstrated in ex vivo porcine stomach tissue.NIR light-activated shape-morphing and multimodal magnetic actuation significantly enhance its maneuverability and adaptability in confined in vivo environments while ensuring the structural integrity of the adhesive surface during deployment.This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the feasibility of using PatchBot for targeted wound adhesion,showing its potential for minimally invasive,precision therapies in complex in vivo environments.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foun-dation of China(51975017 and 52405448)the Human Resource Training Project(HRTP-[2022]-53)of Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province(IKKEM)the support by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2024M750149 and GZC20240087).
文摘1.Introduction.In recent decades,the pursuit of miniaturization has been crucial in nanofabrication,fostering innovation,and enabling novel applications in chip manufacturing,nanophotonics,and quantum devices[1,2].Advancements in nanofabrication technology are driven by the demand for higher component density and performance,necessitating precise material processing in atmospheric environments.
基金the Shaanxi Provincial Key Research and Development Program(No.2020GY-040)。
文摘Design of a miniaturized lumped-element bandpass filter in multilayer liquid crystal polymer technology is proposed.Fractional bandwidth of the bandpass filter is 20%,operating at a center frequency of 500 MHz.In order to further reduce the size and improve the performance of the proposed filter,defected ground structure(DGS)has been implemented in the filter.Based on this structure,the volume of the inductor is reduced by 60%eficiently compared with the inductor without DGS,and the Q-factor is increased up to 257%compared with the traditional multilayer spiral inductor.The measured results indicate that the designed filter has a very sharp stopband,an insertion loss of 2.3dB,and a return loss of 18.6dB in the passband.The whole volume of the fabricated filter is 0.032入_(g)×0.05入_(g)×0.00075入_(g),where Ag is the guided wavelength of the center frequency.The proposed filter is easily integrated into radio-frequency/microwave circuitry at a low manufacturing cost,especially wireless communication.
文摘Over the past three decades,there has been increasing interest in miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy(mPCNL)techniques featuring smaller tracts as they offer potential solutions to mitigate complications associated with standard PCNL(sPCNL).However,despite this growing acceptance and recognition of its benefits,unresolved controversies and acknowledged limitations continue to impede widespread adoption due to a lack of consensus on optimal perioperative management strategies and procedural tips and tricks.In response to these challenges,an international panel comprising experts from the International Alliance of Urolithiasis(IAU)took on the task of compiling an expert consensus document on mPCNL procedures aimed at providing urologists with a comprehensive clinical framework for practice.This endeavor involved conducting a systematic literature review to identify research gaps(RGs),which formed the foundation for developing a structured questionnaire survey.Subsequently,a two-round modified Delphi survey was implemented,culminating in a group meeting to generate final evidence-based comments.All 64 experts completed the second-round survey,resulting in a response rate of 100.0%.Fifty-eight key questions were raised focusing on mPCNLs within 4 main domains,including general information(13 questions),preoperative work-up(13 questions),procedural tips and tricks(19 questions),and postoperative evaluation and follow-up(13 questions).Additionally,9 questions evaluated the experts’experience with PCNLs.Consensus was reached on 30 questions after the second-round survey,while professional statements for the remaining 28 key questions were provided after discussion in an online panel meeting.mPCNL,characterized by a tract smaller than 18 Fr and an innovative lithotripsy technique,has firmly established itself as a viable and effective approach for managing upper urinary tract stones in both adults and pediatrics.It offers several advantages over sPCNL including reduced bleeding,fewer requirements for nephrostomy tubes,decreased pain,and shorter hospital stays.The series of detailed techniques presented here serve as a comprehensive guide for urologists,aiming to improve their procedural understanding and optimize patient outcomes.
基金pported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.12325409,12388102,12074398,and U2267204)the CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research(Grant No.YSBR-060)the Shanghai Pilot Program for Basic Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Branch。
文摘A new on-chip light source configuration has been proposed,which utilizes the interaction between a microwave or laser and a dielectric nanopillar array to generate a periodic electromagnetic near-field and applies periodic transverse acceleration to relativistic electrons to generate high-energy photon radiation.The dielectric nanopillar array interacting with the driving field acts as an electron undulator,in which the near-field drives electrons to oscillate.When an electron beam propagates through this nanopillar array in this light source configuration,it is subjected to a periodic transverse near-field force and will radiate X-ray or evenγ-ray high-energy photons after a relativistic frequency up-conversion.Compared with the undulator which is based on the interaction between strong lasers and nanostructures to generate a plasmonic near-field,this configuration is less prone to damage during operation.
基金supported by the Scientific Research Innovation Capability Support Project for Young Faculty,China(No.ZYGXQNJSKYCXNLZCXM-D1)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52272384).
文摘Flapping-Wing Micro Air Vehicles(FMAVs)are compact and agile,capable of accessing narrow spaces that conventional vehicles struggle to reach,such as ruins,caves,or the interiors of complex structures,making them ideal tools for reconnaissance and rescue missions.1 However,the operation of FMAVs relies on coordinating multiple forces with different scaling effects,posing challenges to miniaturization design.
文摘Accurate quantification of exercise interventions and changes in muscle function is essential for personalized health management.Electrical impedance myography(EIM)technology offers an innovative,noninvasive,painless,and easy-to-perform solution for muscle health monitoring.However,current EIM platforms face a number of limitations,including large device size,wired connections,and instability of the electrode-skin interface,which limit their applicability for monitoring mus-cle movement.In this study,a miniature wireless EIM platform with a user-friendly smartphone app is proposed and devel-oped.The miniature,wireless,multi-frequency(20 kHz-1 MHz)EIM platform is equipped with flexible microneedle array elec-trodes(MAE).The advantages of MAEs over conventional electrodes were demonstrated by physical field modeling simula-tions and skin-electrode contact impedance comparison tests.The smartphone APP was developed to wirelessly operate the EIM platform,and to transmit and process real-time muscle impedance data.To validate its effectiveness,a seven-day adaptive fatigue training study was conducted,which demonstrated that the EIM platform was able to detect muscle adaptations and serve as a reliable indicator of fatigue.This study presents an innovative approach to applying EIM technology to muscle health monitoring and exercise testing,thereby advancing the development of personalized health management and athletic performance assessment.
基金supported in part by the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin(No.19JCYBJC16100)the Tianjin Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program(No.202210060027)。
文摘A triple-band miniaturized end-fire antenna based on the odd modes of spoof surface plasmonic polariton(SSPP)waveguide resonator is proposed in this paper.To meet the ever increasing demand for more communication channels and less antenna sizes,multi-band antennas are currently under intensive investigation.By a novel feeding method,three odd modes are excited on an SSPP waveguide resonator,which performs as an end-fire antenna operating at three bands,7.15-7.26 GHz,11.6-12.2 GHz and 13.5-13.64 GHz.It exhibits reasonably high and stable maximum gains of 5.26 dBi,7.97 dBi and 10.1 dBi and maximum efficiencies of 64%,92%and 98%at the three bands,respectively.Moreover,in the second band,the main beam angle shows a frequency dependence with a total scanning angle of 19°.The miniaturized triple-band antenna has a great potential in wireless communication systems,satellite communication and radar systems.
文摘Th e International Alliance of Urolithiasis(IAU)consensus on miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy(mPCNL)[1]is produced by an experienced international panel of experts in kidney stone surgery and is based on a systematic review of literature and a Delphi process,ensuring that recommendations are grounded in evidence.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81771000 and 31571302)the Key Research and Development Program of Jiangsu Province (Social Development: BE2016762)+2 种基金the Key Project of Science and Technology Innovation of Nanjing Medical University (2017NJMUCX001)grants from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2016M600431)the Jiangsu Planned Projects for Postdoctoral Research Funds (1601071B)
文摘Oxysterol binding protein like 2(OSBPL2), an important regulator in cellular lipid metabolism and transport, was identified as a novel deafness-causal gene in our previous work. To resemble the phenotypic features of OSBPL2 mutation in animal models and elucidate the potential genotypephenotype associations, the OSBPL2-disrupted Bama miniature(BM) pig model was constructed using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, somatic cell nuclear transfer(SCNT) and embryo transplantation approaches, and then subjected to phenotypic characterization of auditory function and serum lipid profiles. The OSBPL2-disrupted pigs displayed progressive hearing loss(HL) with degeneration/apoptosis of cochlea hair cells(HCs) and morphological abnormalities in HC stereocilia, as well as hypercholesterolaemia. High-fat diet(HFD) feeding aggravated the development of HL and led to more severe hypercholesterolaemia. The dual phenotypes of progressive HL and hypercholesterolaemia resembled in OSBPL2-disrupted pigs confirmed the implication of OSBPL2 mutation in nonsydromic hearing loss(NSHL) and contributed to the potential linkage between auditory dysfunction and dyslipidaemia/hypercholesterolaemia.
文摘The trend towards miniaturization has increased dramatically over the last decade, especially within the fields concerned with bioengineering, microelectronics, and aerospace. Micromillin8 is among the principal manu- facturing processes which have allowed the development of components possessing micrometric dimensions, being used to the manufacture of both forming tools and the final product. The aim of this work is to present the principal aspects related to this technology, with emphasis on the work material requirements, tool ma- terials and geometry, cutting forces and temperature, quality of the finished product, process modelling and monitoring and machine tool requirements. It can be noticed that size effect possesses a relevant role with regard to the selection of both work material （grain size） and tooling （edge radius）. Low forces and temper- ature are recorded during micromillin8, however, the specific cutting force may reach high values because of the ploughing effect observed as the uncut chip thickness is reduced. Finally, burr formation is the principal concern with regard to the quality of the finished part.
