Multifocal laser direct writing through spatial light modulation guided by scalable vector graphics

Multifocal laser direct writing (LDW) based on phase-only spatial light modulator (SLM) can realize flexible and parallel nanofabrication with high throughput potential. In this investigation, a novel approach of combining two-photon absorption, SLM and vector path guided by scalable vector graphics (SVG) has been developed and tested preliminarily, for fast, flexible and parallel nanofabrication. Three laser focuses are independently controlled with different paths, which are according to SVG, to optimize fabrication and promote time efficiency. The minimum structure width can be as low as 74 nm. Accompanied with a translation stage, a carp structure of 18.16 $\mu$m by 24.35 $\mu$m has been fabricated. This method shows the possibility of developing LDW techniques towards full-electrical system, and provides a potential way to efficiently engrave complex structures on nanoscales

Transition routes of electrokinetic flow in a divergent microchannel with bending walls

Electrokinetic flow can be generated as a highly coupled phenomenon among velocity field, electric conductivity field and electric field. It can exhibit different responses to AC electric fields in different frequency regimes, according to different instability/receptivity mechanisms. In this investigation, by both flow visualization and single-point laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) method, the response of AC electrokinetic flow and the transition routes towards chaos and turbulence have been experimentally investigated. It is found, when the AC frequency $f_f<30$ Hz, the interface responds at both the neutral frequency of the basic flow and the AC frequency. However, when $f_f>=30$ Hz, the interface responds only at the neutral frequency of the basic flow. Both periodic doubling and subcritical bifurcations have been observed in the transition of AC electrokinetic flow. We hope the current investigation can promote our current understanding on the ultrafast transition process of electrokinetic flow from laminar state to turbulence

Feature Extraction of 3T3 Fibroblast Microtubule Based on Discrete Wavelet Transform and Lucy–Richardson Deconvolution Methods

Accompanied by the increasing requirements of the probing micro/nanoscopic structures of biological samples, various image-processing algorithms have been developed for visualization or to facilitate data analysis. However, it remains challenging to enhance both the signal-to-noise ratio and image resolution using a single algorithm. In this investigation, we propose a composite image processing method by combining discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and the Lucy–Richardson (LR) deconvolution method, termed the DWDC method. Our results demonstrate that the signal-to-noise ratio and resolution of live cells’ microtubule networks are considerably improved, allowing the recognition of features as small as 120 nm. The method shows robustness in processing the high-noise images of filament-like biological structures, e.g., the cytoskeleton networks captured by fluorescent microscopes

Super-Resolution Reconstruction of Cytoskeleton Image Based on A-Net Deep Learning Network

To date, live-cell imaging at the nanometer scale remains challenging. Even though super-resolution microscopy methods have enabled visualization of sub-cellular structures below the optical resolution limit, the spatial resolution is still far from enough for the structural reconstruction of biomolecules in vivo (i.e., ~24 nm thickness of microtubule fiber). In this study, a deep learning network named A-net was developed and shows that the resolution of cytoskeleton images captured by a confocal microscope can be significantly improved by combining the A-net deep learning network with the DWDC algorithm based on a degradation model. Utilizing the DWDC algorithm to construct new datasets and taking advantage of A-net neural network&rsquo;s features (i.e., considerably fewer layers and relatively small dataset), the noise and flocculent structures which originally interfere with the cellular structure in the raw image are significantly removed, with the spatial resolution improved by a factor of 10. The investigation shows a universal approach for exacting structural details of biomolecules, cells and organs from low-resolution images

The mitochondrial genome of Erronea caurica (Cypraeidae)

The mitochondrial genome of Erronea caurica from the South China Sea has been determined (GenBank Accession No. MT522622), which was the second report of mitochondrial genome in the superfamily Cypraeoidea. It is 16,053 bp long and consists of 21 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and 1 control region. As previously reported mitochondrial genome in Cypraeoidea, all protein-coding genes of E. caurica use a typical start codon (ATN) and a complete stop codon (TAA or TAG). Phylogenetic tree demonstrated that E. caurica belongs to the family Cypraeoidea and closer to the superfamily Tonnoidea

Transition Routes of Electrokinetic Flow in a Divergent Microchannel with Bending Walls

Electrokinetic flow can be generated as a highly coupled phenomenon among velocity fields, electric conductivity fields, and electric fields. It can exhibit different responses to AC electric fields in different frequency regimes, according to different instability/receptivity mechanisms. In this investigation, by both flow visualization and single-point laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) method, the response of AC electrokinetic flow and the transition routes towards chaos and turbulence have been experimentally investigated. It is found, when the AC frequency ff>30 Hz, the interface responds at both the neutral frequency of the basic flow and the AC frequency. However, when ff≥30 Hz, the interface responds only at the neutral frequency of the basic flow. Both periodic doubling and subcritical bifurcations have been observed in the transition of AC electrokinetic flow. We hope the current investigation can promote our current understanding of the ultrafast transition process of electrokinetic flow from laminar state to turbulence

Changes in optical coherence tomography biomarkers in eyes with advanced idiopathic epiretinal membrane treated with dexamethasone implantation

Abstract Purpose To investigate the effects of vitrectomy and intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implantation on retinal biomarkers in patients with advanced idiopathic epiretinal membrane (IERM) and to evaluate this treatment’s anatomical and functional outcomes. Methods This retrospective study included 41 patients with advanced IERM who underwent vitrectomy and were divided into a pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) group (20 eyes) and a dexamethasone (DEX) group (21 eyes) based on intravitreal DEX implantation. We collected data on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), disorganization of the retinal inner layers (DRIL), subretinal fluid, intraretinal cystoid changes (IRC), integrity of the inner-outer segment layer, and intraocular pressure. Results BCVA improved significantly in both groups; the DEX group had a higher visual acuity gain at 1 and 6 months (P = 0.002 and 0.023, respectively). Postoperative CMT gradually decreased in both groups, with the DEX group showing a greater decrease at 1 and 6 months (P = 0.009 and 0.033, respectively). Six months after surgery, the DRIL and IRC grades in the DEX group were significantly improved compared to those in the PPV group (P = 0.037 and 0.038, respectively). Multivariate regression analyses revealed that patients with intraoperative DEX implants were more likely to have a significant CMT reduction (≥ 100 μm) from baseline (odds ratio (OR), 9.44; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.58–56.56; P = 0.014) at 6 months and less likely to exhibit DRIL at 6 months postoperatively (OR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01–0.68; P = 0.021). Conclusion Vitrectomy combined with intravitreal DEX implantation facilitates the recovery of postoperative visual acuity and improvement of anatomical outcomes in patients with advanced IERM, effectively reducing CMT and improving DRIL