DMCM: Dwo-branch multilevel feature fusion with cross-attention mechanism for infrared and visible image fusion.

In response to the limitations of current infrared and visible light image fusion algorithms-namely insufficient feature extraction, loss of detailed texture information, underutilization of differential and shared information, and the high number of model parameters-this paper proposes a novel multi-scale infrared and visible image fusion method with two-branch feature interaction. The proposed method introduces a lightweight multi-scale group convolution, based on GS convolution, which enhances multi-scale information interaction while reducing network parameters by incorporating group convolution and stacking multiple small convolutional kernels. Furthermore, the multi-level attention module is improved by integrating edge-enhanced branches and depthwise separable convolutions to preserve detailed texture information.

Piezoelectricity in half-Heusler narrow-bandgap semiconductors.

Piezoelectricity is primarily observed in noncentrosymmetric insulators or wide bandgap semiconductors. We report the observation of the piezoelectric (PE) effect in half-Heusler (HH) narrow-bandgap semiconductors TiNiSn, ZrNiSn, and TiCoSb. These materials exhibit shear PE strain coefficients that reach ~38 and 33 picocoulombs per newton in ZrNiSn and TiCoSb, respectively, which are high values for noncentrosymmetric nonpolar materials.

Distributed K-Means algorithm based on a Spark optimization sample.

To address the instability and performance issues of the classical K-Means algorithm when dealing with massive datasets, we propose SOSK-Means, an improved K-Means algorithm based on Spark optimization. SOSK-Means incorporates several key modifications to enhance the clustering process.Firstly, a weighted jump-bank approach is introduced to enable efficient random sampling and preclustering.

The roles of collectins in renal diseases and transplantation.

The collectins are soluble C-type lectins and a group of proteins characterized with common structural features: a collagen-like domain and a carbohydrate-binding domain. These proteins are essential components of the innate immune system, pivotal for recognizing and eliminating pathogens to protect against infections. Over recent decades, research has significantly advanced our understanding of collectins.

A molecular ferroelectric thin film of imidazolium perchlorate on silicon.

Molecular ferroelectrics have garnered significant attention due to their structural tunability, low synthesis temperature, and high flexibility. Herein, we successfully synthesized imidazole perchlorate (ImClO) single crystals and high-quality, highly-oriented thin films on Si substrates. These films demonstrated a high inverse piezoelectric coefficient of 55.

Novel Sandwich-Structured Flexible Composite Films with Enhanced Piezoelectric Performance.

Piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymers have been widely investigated for applications in wearable electric devices and sensing systems, owing to their intrinsic piezoelectricity and superior flexibility. However, their weak piezoelectricity poses major challenges for practical applications. To overcome these challenges, we propose a two-step synthesis approach to fabricate sandwich-structured piezoelectric films (BaTiO@PDA/PVDF/BaTiO@PDA) with significantly enhanced ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties.

Soil organic carbon stability and exogenous nitrogen fertilizer influence the priming effect of paddy soil under long-term exposure to elevated atmospheric CO.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) stability and dynamics are greatly influenced by long-term elevated atmospheric CO [CO]. The priming effect (PE) is vital in SOC stability and dynamics, but its role in paddy soil under long-term elevated [CO] remains unclear. To examine how SOC stability changed in paddy soil after long-term elevated atmospheric CO enrichment, the PE was quantified through a C-glucose-induced experiment with different N levels for topsoil (0-20 cm) from paddy free-air CO enrichment (FACE) platform.

SGLT2 inhibitors alleviated podocyte damage in lupus nephritis by decreasing inflammation and enhancing autophagy.

Objectives: The protective role of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in renal outcomes has been revealed by large cardiovascular outcome trials among patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on lupus nephritis (LN) and its underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

Methods: We applied empagliflozin treatment to lupus-prone MRL/ mice to explore the renal protective potential of SGLT2 inhibitors.

CD36 aggravates podocyte injury by activating NLRP3 inflammasome and inhibiting autophagy in lupus nephritis.

A major cause of proteinuria in lupus nephritis (LN) is podocyte injury, and determining potential therapeutic targets to prevent podocyte injury is important from a clinical perspective in the treatment of LN. CD36 is involved in podocyte injury in several glomerulopathies and was reported to be a vital candidate gene in LN. Here, we determined the role of CD36 in the podocyte injury of LN and the underlying mechanisms.

New traction method (traction ring) for colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Objectives: Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is challenging because of the difficulty in adequately visualizing the submucosal layer. Many traction methods have been developed to facilitate submucosal dissection; however, they are not widely applied. Therefore, we designed a new traction device, a traction ring, and conducted this pilot study to evaluate its feasibility and safety for colorectal ESD.

The comprehensive analysis of clinical trials registration for IgA nephropathy therapy on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Objectives: IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is common chronic kidney disease with a high incidence. This study aims to analyze comprehensively therapeutic clinical trials for IgAN registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Multicenter prospective study to validate a new transient elastography device for staging liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Objectives: To validate the operational and diagnostic performances of a new device for transient elastography (TE), FibroTouch, for liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: In this prospective multicenter study, adult patients with CHB and valid liver pathological results were recruited to validate the operational and diagnostic performance of a TE device by FibroTouch for staging liver fibrosis.

Results: In total, 517 patients with histologically proven CHB were enrolled.

Effects of various feeding patterns of Bacillus coagulans on growth performance, antioxidant response and Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway in juvenile gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio).

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of various Bacillus coagulans feeding patterns on growth, antioxidant parameter and Nrf2 pathway in juvenile gibel carp. The similar size of gibel carp (initial weight: 14.33 ± 0.

Molecular cloning and characterization of an estrogen receptor gene in the marine polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis.

Estrogen receptors (ERs) are the primary mediators of estrogen signaling, and play crucial roles in the reproduction and development of vertebrates. The full-length cDNA of Perinereis aibuhitensis estrogen receptor (paER) was cloned and characterized for the first time. The positions of the cysteine residues and the residues around them, which constitute two zinc finger motifs and a P-box, are conserved in both vertebrates and invertebrates.

Effects of astaxanthin and emodin on the growth, stress resistance and disease resistance of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco).

Yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) has become a commercially important fish species in China and eastern Asia. High-density aquaculture has led to congestion and excessive stress and contributed to bacterial infection outbreaks that have caused high mortality. We investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with astaxanthin and emodin alone and in combination on the growth and stress resistance of yellow catfish.