Arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) are important vascular access options for maintenance hemodialysis. Late AVG failure is commonly attributed to venous anastomotic stenosis, thrombosis, infection, or pseudoaneurysm formation. In contrast, intraluminal calcification is rarely recognized as a direct cause of access dysfunction. We report a 78‑year‑old woman with end‑stage kidney disease secondary to obstructive nephropathy and a history of hypertension, but without diabetes mellitus (BMI 24.65 kg/m[2]), who had undergone left forearm AVG implantation in October 2016. The graft had been used for maintenance hemodialysis for 9 years and 8 months (from October 2016 to April 2026). During follow‑up, she underwent eight endovascular interventions for recurrent graft thrombosis and insufficient access flow, with one non‑tunneled central venous catheter placement. She had Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) and was receiving calcimimetic therapy. In April 2026, she was admitted because of recurrent insufficient dialysis blood flow and progressive cannulation difficulty, characterized by marked resistance during needle insertion and a gritty sensation, often requiring multiple attempts to access the lumen. Ultrasound showed hyperechoic stenotic lesions within the graft, suggesting calcified graft stenosis. Surgical exploration revealed extensive firm whitish material adherent to the inner wall of the original graft, occupying approximately 80% of the lumen as estimated by gross visual inspection of the resected specimen. The diseased graft segment was resected, and a new prosthetic graft was tunneled along a revised subcutaneous route and anastomosed to the original anastomotic site. Histopathological examination confirmed calcium salt deposition within fibrous collagenous tissue. One month after surgery, the reconstructed AVG was successfully used for hemodialysis. This case highlights intraluminal calcification as a potential structural cause of late AVG failure in patients with CKD‑MBD.

Accurate determination of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) is vital for environmental protection and public health. Although fluorescent methods for DNT detection offer the advantages of simplicity, rapid response, and low cost, they often suffer from limited sensitivity and selectivity due to sole reliance on the inner filter effect. In this work, a novel terbium organic framework (denoted as Tb-BCA) was synthesized using a carefully designed ligand, 2',5'-biphenyl-[1,1':4',1''-terphenyl]-4,4''-carboxylic acid (BCA). Tb-BCA exhibited strong green emission at 545 nm arising from the [5]D4→[7]F5 transition of Tb[3+], efficiently sensitized by the BCA ligand. The π-π stacking between DNT and the BCA ligand, together with the coordination of DNT to the central Tb[3+], enhanced the sensing performance by improving molecular capture efficiency and inducing electron density perturbation, thereby intensifying the inner filter effect quenching response. The extended π-system further provides a hydrophobic microenvironment that preferentially enriches hydrophobic nitroaromatic compounds, contributing to improved selective recognition, with an enrichment factor of up to 207. Benefiting from these characteristics, the fluorescence intensity of Tb-BCA was quenched by up to 86.4% at 10 μM DNT. The response exhibited a linear relationship with the logarithm of DNT concentration over the range of 0.1-20 μM (R[2] = 0.99), with a limit of detection of 11.2 nM. The proposed method was successfully applied to wastewater monitoring by fabricating a thin-film sensing probe, yielding satisfactory results. This study provides a new strategy for enhancing the sensing performance of fluorescent probes through molecular-level regulation of the coordination environment.

Surgical intervention is usually required for type III/IV avulsion fractures of the inferior insertion of the anterior cruciate ligament. Arthroscopically assisted suture-bridge technique with anchors and trans-tibial tunnel pull-out suture fixation using high-strength sutures are currently common surgical methods. However, the biomechanical performance of anchor fixation and transosseous tunnel pull-out fixation is suboptimal. For patients with high sports demands or those who need to return to competitive sports early. It is crucial to ensure the stability and a good range of motion of the knee joint. To this end, we adopted the trans-tibial tunnel pull-out suture-bridge fixation technique. It can provide satisfactory anatomical reduction, increase the contact area of fracture fragments and fixation strength, and achieve better biomechanical outcomes.

This work presents an ultra-compact linear piezoelectric motor (PM) for precision positioning in scanning probe microscopy (SPM). The motor consists of a 9-mm-long piezoelectric scanning tube (PST), a trapezoidal zirconia sliding shaft, and a customized beryllium-copper (BeCu) spring ring. The BeCu spring ring provides a stable radial preload and presses the zirconia shaft against the Au-coated inner wall of the PST, forming knife-edge contacts. Microscopic observations show that repeated axial sliding forms a relatively smooth and stable track at the contact interface, suggesting that this interface may help reduce direct wear and improve frictional stability during operation. The developed PM shows a threshold voltage of ∼30 V, a maximum travel range of about 5 mm, and a load-driving capacity exceeding 30 g at 90 V. In a simulated SPM coarse-approach procedure, no obvious parasitic displacement was observed under a 200 V probing waveform at 25 Hz for ∼2 h. Compared with reported piezoelectric-tube-based motors, the proposed PM shows a favorable combination of compact size, low threshold voltage, large travel range, and high load-driving capability. The motor was further used to construct a scanning tunneling microscope (STM), and atomic-resolution imaging of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite was obtained under ambient conditions. These results demonstrate that the proposed PM is suitable for compact SPM systems and other space-constrained nanopositioning applications.

Resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) efflux pumps are the major cause of multidrug resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The inner membrane protein MexK from P. aeruginosa is a narrow-spectrum RND transporter. It assembles with membrane fusion protein MexJ and outer membrane proteins to form a tripartite efflux complex that efficiently exports drugs like triclosan. Here, we resolve the cryo-EM structures of apo-MexK at 3.4-angstrom resolution and the triclosan-bound MexJK complex at 2.6-angstrom resolution. Besides the unique architectural features of MexK, our structural data reveal a triclosan-binding pocket within the transmembrane domain of MexK protomers, distinct from known substrate-binding sites in other RND transporters. Using molecular dynamics simulations and mutagenesis, we elucidate a previously uncharacterized triclosan transport tunnel across the inner membrane with cytosolic access. The key residues for triclosan efflux are further shown essential for two other potential substrates of MexK, chloramphenicol and pyrimethamine. Our results provide the molecular basis for an unusual drug trafficking pathway in RND efflux pumps.

Magnesium metal anodes offer a promising pathway for high-energy-density post-lithium batteries, but their practical application is hindered by a poorly understood electrode-electrolyte interphase. While lithium metal anodes operate via an ionically conductive and electronically resistive SEI, it remains unclear if magnesium operates under similar principles. We demonstrate that the surface film formed on magnesium in chloride-based glyme electrolytes is fundamentally distinct from a traditional SEI. By combining electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), we identify a dual-layer interphase consisting of a thick, porous outer layer and a thin (∼10 nm), compact inner layer. Crucially, we present electrochemical and morphological evidence-including identical-location microscopy of deposits and polysulfide probe measurements-proving that this compact layer is ionically insulating but electronically conductive. Consequently, magnesium plating occurs on top of the passivation layer via electron tunneling, whereas stripping requires the mechanical rupture of the film. This inherent asymmetry and the "anti-SEI" nature of the magnesium interphase challenge current interface engineering strategies and suggest that future improvements must address the electronic leakage and mechanical instability of the surface film.

This study presents a mechanism-driven analysis of spanwise folding kinematics in bird-inspired ornithopters, in which the folding motion is generated by a planar crank-rocker mechanism augmented with a folding loop. A closed-form position analysis of the linkage yields an analytical expression for the folding phase angleas a function of the flapping-loop link lengths alone, and a two-stage genetic-algorithm optimization identifies the linkage geometry that minimizesfor prescribed inner-wing kinematic targets. An in-house integrated simulation framework, which couples a modified unsteady vortex-lattice method with a multi-flexible-body dynamics model, is then applied to a parametric study spanning the wing length ratio, the folding amplitude, and the mean folding angle within the resulting feasible design space. The framework is validated against wind-tunnel force measurements for flexible flapping wings and against forward-flight test data for a single-joint ornithopter. The minimum-phase configuration produces a marginally positive mean thrust at the baseline operating point, whereas the maximum-phase configuration produces negative mean thrust. Varying the wing length ratio fromtoproduces an explicit lift-thrust trade-off, with the lift efficiency rising byas the outer-wing fraction grows. The mean folding angle is identified as the primary lever for tuning the lift-thrust balance of the mechanism-driven folding wing, while the folding amplitude provides a secondary adjustment around each operating point. The proposed mechanism-driven framework connects linkage geometry, kinematic constraints, and aerodynamic performance within a single analytical-numerical pipeline, supporting the systematic design of bird-inspired ornithopters with spanwise folding wings.

Mitochondria are essential organelles that regulate energy production, cellular signaling, and metabolic homeostasis in neural cells. Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are thin membranous structures that mediate long-distance intercellular communication and facilitate the transfer of cellular components, including mitochondria, between connected cells. Reliable visualization of TNTs and mitochondrial transfer requires careful sample handling because these structures are highly fragile and sensitive to fixation, washing, and imaging conditions. This protocol describes standardized procedures for the fixation, staining, and confocal imaging of TNTs in astrocytes and astrocyte-neuron coculture systems. The workflow includes membrane and cytoskeletal staining for TNT visualization, mitochondrial labeling for tracking mitochondrial localization, and immunofluorescence staining for Miro1 colocalization analysis. Critical steps for preserving TNT morphology, including gentle washing and light-protected handling, are emphasized throughout the procedure. The protocol also outlines imaging approaches for the characterization of TNTs and mitochondria in fixed-cell preparations. These methods provide a reproducible experimental framework for studying TNT formation and mitochondrial transfer between neural cells in vitro.

Artificial ligaments are widely used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, their clinical performance is often limited by insufficient graft-bone integration and the inability to recapitulate the graded microenvironment of the native bone-tendon interface (BTI). To address this challenge, this study developed a marine-derived biomimetic composite scaffold for BTI repair. High-purity, anisotropically aligned β-chitin fibers derived from squid pens were used to fabricate the artificial ligament component, exhibiting a tensile stress of 11.50 ± 0.62 MPa and an elastic modulus of 194.52 ± 26.00 MPa, which were within the reported physiological range of native ACL tissue. For BTI reconstruction, a gradient adapter layer was engineered using the natural lamellar structure of cuttlebone. The outer layer was mineralized with hydroxyapatite (HA) to support osteointegration, whereas the inner layer retained an aragonite-rich structure that may facilitate interfacial association with the artificial ligament component. In a rat ACL reconstruction model (n = 3 per group per time point for Micro-CT and histological analyses; n = 3 per group for biomechanical testing), the C-H-A group (composite scaffold combined with autologous tendon reinforcement) showed enhanced BTI healing at 12 weeks post-operation, supported by collagen-rich matrix deposition, tendon-related marker remodeling, and improved bone tunnel regeneration. At 12 weeks, the BV/TV inside the bone tunnel reached 30.50% in the C-H-A group, compared with 21.18% in the CH group and 15.92% in the Control group. Biomechanical testing further showed that the C-H-A group achieved the greatest functional recovery among the reconstructed groups, with a failure load of 17.46 N and stiffness of 8.51 N/mm; however, these values remained lower than the native Normal baseline (35.6 ± 4.1 N and 16.8 ± 2.2 N/mm). Taken together, these findings support the potential of this biomimetic system as a promising preclinical strategy for soft-to-hard tissue repair, while further mechanistic investigation and validation remain necessary.

This data article presents a dataset obtained from wind tunnel experiments performed on a laboratory-scale model of a small ducted wind turbine equipped with passive flow control devices. The dataset includes time-dependent measurements of torque and rotational speed for both free and ducted rotor configurations, obtained under steady and transient operating conditions. Mean static pressure measurements are also provided at multiple locations along the duct inner surface. The data are accompanied by detailed metadata describing the experimental facility, inflow conditions, operating parameters, and test type. The dataset can be used for the analysis of turbine performance, as well as for the validation of numerical, reduced-order or data-driven methods applied to wind energy research.

To describe a practical and efficient prolene suture-guided technique for corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segment (CAIRS) implantation and to evaluate intraoperative difficulties and complications associated with the procedure. Medical records and surgical videos of patients who underwent CAIRS for keratoconus were retrospectively reviewed. All procedures were performed by the same surgeon using standardized femtosecond laser parameters. Donor stromal rings were prepared from residual corneal tissue obtained during keratoplasty procedures. A 5-0 prolene suture was passed from the Bowman's layer toward the endothelial side to guide ring insertion through a narrow stromal tunnel. Intraoperative challenges, including suture disengagement and tunnel-related issues, were documented and analyzed. Twenty-three eyes of 23 patients were included. Combined CAIRS and collagen cross-linking (CXL) were performed in 78.3% of patients. The median ring width was 1.5 mm, and femtosecond-created tunnels had a median inner diameter of 4.8 mm and outer diameter of 7.8 mm. Intraoperative complications occurred in 4 cases (17.4%), all due to prolene suture disengagement. No statistically significant association was found between these events and surgical parameters. Re-passing the suture from the Bowman's side reliably restored secure guidance and enabled successful implantation in all cases. In all cases, the surgery was successfully completed under prolene suture guidance. CAIRS is a minimally invasive and customizable treatment option for corneal ectasia. The prolene suture-guided technique described in this study may facilitate graft implantation, which is one of the most technically challenging steps of the procedure, by enabling the placement of relatively wide allogenic segments into stromal tunnels without the need for graft dehydration. This approach appears to be a practical and reproducible refinement in CAIRS surgery.

High magnetic field Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) is an essential tool for investigating the rich physical properties of materials. However, due to the extreme difficulty of designing an ultra-stable STM head and the strict requirements for the imaging environment, most reported STM systems operate only within superconducting magnets with fields below 20 T and minimal vibration. To date, no STM has been reported to achieve atomic resolution inside a huge vibrational water-cooled resistive magnet operating above 40 T In this work, we designed a novel STM head featuring an entirely new structure. The driving motor employs a nested design consisting of inner and outer piezoelectric tubes, which independently control the approach and retraction of the tip relative to the sample. During imaging, the scanner part is mechanically decoupled from the motor, effectively reducing interference from external vibrations. By integrating a custom-designed liquid helium cryostat and a two-stage vibration isolation probe, we achieved atomic-resolution imaging of Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite (HOPG) sample at temperatures ranging from 300 K down to 1.6 K. Furthermore, with the sample temperature maintained at 150 K, we obtained atomic-resolution images of HOPG at magnetic field strength up to 42 T The low drift rates observed in the X-Y-Z directions and the resulting dI/dV spectra demonstrate the high stability and robust spectroscopic capability of this newly constructed STM. This is the world's first STM capable of acquiring atomic-resolution image at ultra-high magnetic field of 42 T Our results are of significant importance for expanding the research scope of STM.