Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Device physics underlying silicon heterojunction and passivating‐contact solar cells: A topical review

The device physics of commercially dominant diffused‐junction silicon solar cells is well understood, allowing sophisticated optimization of this class of devices. Recently, so‐called passivating‐contact solar cell technologies have become prominent, with Kaneka setting the world's silicon solar cell efficiency record of 26.63% using silicon heterojunction contacts in an interdigitated configuration. Although passivating‐contact solar cells are remarkably efficient, their underlying device physics is not yet completely understood, not in the least because they are constructed from diverse materials that may introduce electronic barriers in the current flow. To bridge this gap in understanding, we explore the device physics of passivating contact silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. Here, we identify the key properties of heterojunctions that affect cell efficiency, analyze the dependence of key heterojunction properties on carrier transport under light and dark conditions, provide a self‐consistent multiprobe approach to extract heterojunction parameters using several characterization techniques (including dark J‐V, light J‐V, C‐V, admittance spectroscopy, and Suns‐Voc), propose design guidelines to address bottlenecks in energy production in SHJ cells, and develop a process‐to‐module modeling framework to establish the module's performance limits. We expect that our proposed guidelines resulting from this multiscale and self‐consistent framework will improve the performance of future SHJ cells as well as other passivating contact‐based solar cells.
DISTYLY IN OREOCARYA CRASSIPES (BORAGINACEAE), AN ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES

Abstract Oreocarya crassipes, an endangered angiosperm native to the Trans-Pecos region in southern Brewster County, Texas, exhibits distyly, a breeding system that includes two floral morphs with reciprocal positioning of the anthers and stigmas. The long-style (LS) morph has stigmas above the anthers, and the short-style (SS) morph produces anthers above the stigmas. In the present study, multiple aspects of distyly were examined across four populations of O. crassipes including morph ratios, variation in floral morphology, and patterns of macroscopic and microscopic floral development of the morphs. Morph ratios vary among populations, but for all of the samples pooled the ratio was 1 LS:1 SS. Distyly was observed to be well established in the species, with stigma height, anther height, and stigma-anther separation significantly different between the two morphs. Floral developmental patterns are similar to those in related species, suggesting a conserved and similarly co-opted developmental pathway for the origin of distyly in the genus and relatives.
Soap film catastrophes

Abstract Earlier systematic experimental studies of bursting soap films by McEntee & Mysels (J. Phys. Chem., vol. 73, 1969, pp. 3018–3028) revealed the existence of a precursor shock wave preceding the expanding hole in a punctured film, with a disturbed region of shrinking film material in between known as the ‘aureole’. In the present work we report and interpret new phenomena associated with the aureole – the formation of folds on the surface of soap films. In search of the theoretical explanation of the experimentally identified conditions under which the folds appear, we establish that they correspond to catastrophes of collapsing soap films.
Scale-similar structures of homogeneous isotropic non-mirror-symmetric turbulence based on the Lagrangian closure theory

Abstract We investigate the effect of helicity on the scale-similar structures of homogeneous isotropic and non-mirror-symmetric turbulence based on the Lagrangian renormalised approximation (LRA), which is a self-consistent closure theory proposed by Kaneda (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 107, 1981, pp. 131–145). In this study, we focus on the time scale representing the scale-similar range. For the LRA, the Lagrangian two-time velocity correlation and response function determine the representative time scale. The LRA predicts that both the Lagrangian two-time velocity correlation and response function equation do not explicitly depend on helicity. We assume the extended scale-similar spectra and time scale by considering the helicity dissipation rate. Considering the small-scale structures, the requirements for the energy and helicity fluxes and response function equation to be scale similar, yield the conventional inertial-range power laws and provide the energy and helicity spectra $\propto k^{-5/3}$ and the time scale $\propto \varepsilon ^{-1/3} k^{-2/3}$, where $\varepsilon$ and $k$ denote the energy dissipation rate and wavenumber, respectively. Notably, energy flux can be scale similar only when $k^H /k \ll 1$, where $k^H = \varepsilon ^H/\varepsilon$ and $\varepsilon ^H$ denotes the helicity dissipation rate. This condition makes the energy cascade process in the scale-similar range completely independent of helicity. We also investigate the localness of the interscale interaction in the energy and helicity cascades for the LRA. We demonstrate that the helicity cascade is slightly non-local in scales compared with the energy cascade. This study provides a foundation on the modelling of non-mirror-symmetric turbulent flows.
Exoskeleton acceptance and its relationship to self-efficacy enhancement, perceived usefulness, and physical relief: A field study among logistics workers

Abstract Objective This field study aimed to explore the effects of exoskeleton use on task-specific self-efficacy beliefs of logistics workers and to relate these effects to usefulness perceptions and technology acceptance. Background A growing number of industrial companies have shown interest in having employees wearing exoskeletons to support their physical health. However, psychological consequences of exoskeleton use and mechanisms associated with workers’ acceptance or rejection of exoskeletons are not yet sufficiently understood. Methods A total of 31 logistics workers of a vehicle manufacturing company reported on their work-related self-efficacy, that is, how capable they felt of performing tasks related to their job well, before partaking in half-hour trials of a passive lift-assistive exoskeleton (Laevo V2.5) during their normal work. Afterward, they completed a questionnaire on their exoskeleton-supported self-efficacy and indicated how useful they found the exoskeleton, how much physical relief they felt from wearing it, and how willing they were to continue with its use. Results Overall, wearing the exoskeleton did not lead to increased work-specific self-efficacy. However, indications of interaction effects were found between baseline self-efficacy, perceived physical relief, and perceived usefulness in such a way that workers who experienced the exoskeleton as more strain-relieving or more useful were also more likely to report a post-trial growth in their self-efficacy beliefs. A positive change in self-efficacy, in turn, was associated with a greater willingness to further use the exoskeleton at the workplace.
Sigma oscillations protect or reinstate motor memory depending on their temporal coordination with slow waves

Targeted memory reactivation (TMR) during post-learning sleep is known to enhance motor memory consolidation but the underlying neurophysiological processes remain unclear. Here, we confirm the beneficial effect of auditory TMR on motor performance. At the neural level, TMR enhanced slow wave (SW) characteristics. Additionally, greater TMR-related phase-amplitude coupling between slow (0.5-2 Hz) and sigma (12-16 Hz) oscillations after the SW peak was related to higher TMR effect on performance. Importantly, sounds that were not associated to learning strengthened SW-sigma coupling at the SW trough and the increase in sigma power nested in the trough of the potential evoked by these unassociated sounds was related to the TMR benefit. Altogether, our data suggest that, depending on their precise temporal coordination during post learning sleep, slow and sigma oscillations play a crucial role in either memory reinstatement or protection against irrelevant information; two processes that critically contribute to motor memory consolidation.
ERM-1 Phosphorylation and NRFL-1 Redundantly Control Lumen Formation in the C. elegans Intestine

Reorganization of the plasma membrane and underlying actin cytoskeleton into specialized domains is essential for the functioning of most polarized cells in animals. Proteins of the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) and Na+/H+ exchanger 3 regulating factor (NHERF) family are conserved regulators of cortical specialization. ERM proteins function as membrane-actin linkers and as molecular scaffolds that organize the distribution of proteins at the membrane. NHERF proteins are PDZ-domain containing adapters that can bind to ERM proteins and extend their scaffolding capability. Here, we investigate how ERM and NHERF proteins function in regulating intestinal lumen formation in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans has single ERM and NHERF family proteins, termed ERM-1 and NRFL-1, and ERM-1 was previously shown to be critical for intestinal lumen formation. Using CRISPR/Cas9-generated nrfl-1 alleles we demonstrate that NRFL-1 localizes at the intestinal microvilli, and that this localization is depended on an interaction with ERM-1. However, nrfl-1 loss of function mutants are viable and do not show defect in intestinal development. Interestingly, combining nrfl-1 loss with erm-1 mutants that either block or mimic phosphorylation of a regulatory C-terminal threonine causes severe defects in intestinal lumen formation. These defects are not observed in the phosphorylation mutants alone, and resemble the effects of strong erm-1 loss of function. The loss of NRFL-1 did not affect the localization or activity of ERM-1. Together, these data indicate that ERM-1 and NRFL-1 function together in intestinal lumen formation in C. elegans. We postulate that the functioning of ERM-1 in this tissue involves actin-binding activities that are regulated by the C-terminal threonine residue and the organization of apical domain composition through NRFL-1.
Learning to embed lifetime social behavior from interaction dynamics

Interactions of individuals in complex social systems give rise to emergent behaviors at the group level. Identifying the functional role that individuals take in the group at a specific time facilitates understanding the dynamics of these emergent processes. An individual’s behavior at a given time can be partially inferred by common factors, such as age, but internal and external factors also substantially influence behavior, making it difficult to disentangle common development from individuality. Here we show that such dependencies on common factors can be used as an implicit bias to learn a temporally consistent representation of a functional role from social interaction networks. Using a unique dataset containing lifetime trajectories of multiple generations of individually-marked honey bees in two colonies, we propose a new temporal matrix factorization model that jointly learns the average developmental path and structured variations of individuals in the social network over their entire lives. Our method yields inherently interpretable embeddings that are biologically relevant and consistent over time, allowing one to compare individuals’ functional roles regardless of when or in which colony they lived. Our method provides a quantitative framework for understanding behavioral heterogeneity in complex social systems, and is applicable to fields such as behavioral biology, social sciences, neuroscience, and information science. Author summary Group-level emergent behaviors are the result of interactions between individual group members. To understand these social dynamics, one must objectively measure the function of an individual in their group at any given time. Ideally, one would also like to compare individuals from different groups, for example, to measure how specific environmental conditions or other external factors influence group behavior. Unfortunately, such an objective measure is hard to obtain because the group and its dynamics constantly change, making it challenging to define an individual’s role in the group as a function of its actions and interactions. We propose a principled approach to model individuals in complex social systems by considering that function often depends, at least partially, on common factors such as age. The model learns a meaningful and interpretable descriptor for all individuals, and can be used to understand how complex social systems function and the emergence of group behavior.
Numb is required for optimal contraction of skeletal muscle

Background The role of Numb, a protein that is important for cell fate and development was investigated in adult skeletal muscle in mice using a conditional, inducible knockout (cKO) model. Methods Numb expression was evaluated by Western blot. Numb localization was determined by confocal microscopy. The effects of cKO of Numb and the closely-related gene Numb-like in skeletal muscle fibers was evaluated by in-situ physiology; transmission and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy; 3-dimensional reconstruction of mitochondrial; lipidomics; and bulk RNA-sequencing. Additional studies using primary mouse myotubes investigated the effects the effects of Numb knockdown on cell fusion, mitochondrial function and calcium transients. Results Numb protein expression was reduced by ∼70% (p < 0.01) at 24 as compared to 3 months of age. Numb was localized within muscle fibers as bands traversing fibers at regularly spaced intervals in close proximity to dihydropyridine receptors. The cKO of Numb and Numb-like reduced specific tetanic force by 36%, p < 0.01), altered mitochondrial spatial relationships to sarcomeric structures, increased Z-line spacing by 30% (p < 0.0001), perturbed sarcoplasmic reticulum organization and reduced mitochondrial volume by over 80% (p < 0.01). Only six genes were differentially expressed in cKO mice: Itga4, Sema7a, Irgm2, Vezf1, Mib1 and Tmem132a. Several lipid mediators derived from polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) through lipoxygenases were upregulated in Numb cKO skeletal muscle; 12-HEPE was increased by ∼250% (p < 0.05) and 17,18-EpETE by ∼240% (p < 0.05). In mouse primary myotubes, Numb knock-down reduced cell fusion (∼20%, p < 0.01) and mitochondrial function and delayed the caffeine-induced rise in cytosolic calcium concentrations by more than 100% (p < 0.01). Conclusions These findings implicate Numb as a critical factor in skeletal muscle structure and function which appear to be critical for calcium release; we therefore speculate Numb plays critical roles in excitation-contraction coupling, one of the putative targets of aged skeletal muscles. These findings provide new insights into the molecular underpinnings of the loss of muscle function observed with sarcopenia.
A cell atlas of the fly kidney

Like humans, insects rely on precise regulation of their internal environments to survive. The insect renal system consists of Malpighian tubules and nephrocytes that share similarities to the mammalian kidney. Studies of the Drosophila Malpighian tubules and nephrocytes have provided many insights into our understanding of the excretion of waste products, stem cell regeneration, protein reabsorption, and as human kidney disease models. Here, we analyzed single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) data sets to characterize the cell types of the adult fly kidney. We identified 11 distinct clusters representing renal stem cells (RSCs), stellate cells (SCs), regionally specific principal cells (PCs), garland nephrocyte cells (GCs) and pericardial nephrocytes (PNs). Analyses of these clusters revealed many new interesting features. For example, we found a new, previously unrecognized cell cluster: lower segment PCs that express Esyt2. In addition, we find that the SC marker genes RhoGEF64c, Frq2, Prip and CG10939 regulate their unusual cell shape. Further, we identified transcription factors specific to each cluster and built a network of signaling pathways that are potentially involved in mediating cell-cell communication between Malpighian tubule cell types. Finally, cross-species analysis allowed us to match the fly kidney cell types to mouse kidney cell types and planarian protonephridia - knowledge that will help the generation of kidney disease models. To visualize this dataset, we provide a web-based resource for gene expression in single cells (https://www.flyrnai.org/scRNA/kidney/). Altogether, our study provides a comprehensive resource for addressing gene function in the fly kidney and future disease studies.
When development is constantly but weakly perturbed - Canalization by microRNAs

Recent studies have increasingly pointed to microRNAs (miRNAs) as the agent of GRN (gene regulatory network) stabilization as well as developmental canalization against constant but small environmental perturbations. Since the complete removal of miRNAs is lethal, we construct a Dicer-1 knockdown line (dcr-1 KD) in Drosophila that modestly reduces all miRNAs. We hypothesize that flies with modest miRNA reductions will gradually deviate from the developmental norm, resulting in late-stage failures such as shortened longevity. In the optimal culture condition, the survival to adulthood is indeed normal in the dcr-1 KD line but, importantly, adult longevity is reduced by ∼ 90%. When flies are stressed by high temperature, dcr-1 KD induces lethality earlier in late pupation and, as the perturbations are shifted earlier, the affected stages are shifted correspondingly. We further show that the developmental failure is associated with GRN aberration in the larval stages even before phenotypic aberrations become observable. Hence, in late stages of development with deviations piling up, GRN would be increasingly in need of stabilization. In conclusion, miRNAs appear to be the genome’s solution to weak but constant environmental perturbations.
Sex differences in the reward value of familiar mates in prairie voles

The rewarding properties of social interactions facilitate relationship formation and maintenance. Prairie voles are one of the few laboratory species that form selective relationships, manifested as “partner preferences” for familiar partners versus strangers. While both sexes exhibit strong partner preferences, this similarity in outward behavior likely results from sex-specific neurobiological mechanisms. We recently used operant conditioning to demonstrate that females work harder for access to a familiar versus unfamiliar conspecific of either sex, while males worked equally hard for access to any female, indicating a key sex difference in social motivation. As tests were performed with one social target at a time, males might have experienced a ceiling effect, and familiar females might be more relatively rewarding in a choice scenario. Here we performed a social choice operant task in which voles could repeatedly lever-press to gain temporary access to either the chamber containing their mate or one containing a novel opposite-sex vole. Females worked hardest to access their mate, while males pressed at similar rates for either female. Individual male behavior was heterogeneous, congruent with multiple mating strategies in the wild. Voles exhibited preferences for favorable over unfavorable environments in a non-social operant task, indicating that lack of social preference does not reflect lack of discrimination between chambers. Oxytocin receptor genotype at the intronic SNP NT213739 replicated a prior association with stranger-directed aggression within the test. These findings suggest that convergent preference behavior in male and female voles results from sex-divergent pathways, particularly in the realm of social motivation.
In lupus nephritis, specific in situ inflammatory states are associated with refractory disease and progression to renal failure

In human lupus nephritis (LN), tubulointerstitial inflammation (TII) on biopsy predicts progression to end stage renal disease (ESRD). However, while approximately half of patients with moderate or severe TII develop ESRD, half do not. Therefore, we hypothesized that TII is heterogeneous with distinct inflammatory states each associated with different renal outcomes. We interrogated renal biopsies from LN longitudinal and cross-sectional cohorts using both conventional and highly multiplexed confocal microscopy. To accurately segment cells across whole biopsies, and to understand their spatial relationships, we developed unique computational pipelines by training and implementing several deep learning models and other computer vision techniques. Surprisingly, across biopsies, high B cell densities were strongly associated with protection from ESRD. In contrast, CD4− T cell population densities, which included CD8, γδ and double negative (CD4−CD8-δ-, DN) T cells, were associated with both acute refractory renal failure and progression to ESRD. Interestingly, inflammation was organized into different discrete clusters or neighborhoods each with unique characteristics including enrichment for specific cell populations. B cells were often organized into large neighborhoods with CD4+ T cells including T follicular helper-like cells. In contrast, the CD4− T cell populations formed small cellular neighborhoods whose frequency predicted subsequent progression to ESRD. These data reveal that in LN, specific in situ inflammatory states are associated with refractory disease and progression to ESRD.
Genomic prediction of growth in a commercially, recreationally, and culturally important marine resource, the Australian snapper (Chrysophrys auratus)

Growth is one of the most important traits of an organism. For exploited species, this trait has ecological and evolutionary consequences as well as economical and conservation significance. Rapid changes in growth rate associated with anthropogenic stressors have been reported for several marine fishes, but little is known about the genetic basis of growth traits in teleosts. We used reduced genome representation data and genome-wide association approaches to identify growth-related genetic variation in the commercially, recreationally, and culturally important Australian snapper (Chrysophrys auratus, Sparidae). Based on 17,490 high-quality SNPs and 363 individuals representing extreme growth phenotypes from 15,000 fish of the same age and reared under identical conditions in a sea pen, we identified 100 unique candidates that were annotated to 51 proteins. We documented a complex polygenic nature of growth in the species that included several loci with small effects and a few loci with larger effects. Overall heritability was high (75.7%), reflected in the high accuracy of the genomic prediction for the phenotype (small vs large). Although the SNPs were distributed across the genome, most candidates (60%) clustered on chromosome 16, which also explains the largest proportion of heritability (16.4%). This study demonstrates that reduced genome representation SNPs and the right bioinformatic tools provide a cost-efficient approach to identify growth-related loci and to describe genomic architectures of complex quantitative traits. Our results help to inform captive aquaculture breeding programmes and are of relevance to monitor growth-related evolutionary shifts in wild populations in response to anthropogenic pressures.