bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Achilles Tendon Adaptation to Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation: Morphological and Mechanical Changes
Authors: Létocart Adrien , Grosset Jean-Francois
Published: December 2020

It remains unclear whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation can induce sufficient tendon stress to lead to tendon adaptations. Thus, we investigated the effect of such a training program on the triceps surae muscle following the morphological and mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon. Eight men participated in a 12-week high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation training program of the triceps surae muscle under isometric conditions. Ultrasonography was used pre- and post-intervention to quantify cross-sectional area, free length, and total length of the Achilles tendon, as well as the myotendinous junction elongation during a maximal isometric ramp contraction under plantar flexion. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation training does not lead to changes in Achilles tendon free and total length, cross-sectional area, or maximal elongation capacity. However, a significant increase was evidenced in maximal tendon force post-training (+25.2%). Hence, Young’s Modulus and maximal stress were significantly greater after training (+12.4% and +23.4%, respectively). High-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation training induces repeated stress sufficient to lead to adaptations of mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon. Thus, this training technique may be of particular interest as a new rehabilitation method in tendinopathy management or to counteract the effect of hypo-activity.
The Homburg Cross-Stitch Marker for Double-Running Sutures in Penetrating Keratoplasty
Authors: Suffo Shady , Seitz Berthold , Daas Loay
Published: December 2020

Introduction Until now, the double-running cross-stitch according to Hoffmann used in penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) has been routinely carried out by simply using a sense of proportion. As a result, the estimation of the precisely defined entry and exit points of the sutures and, by extension, the success of the running cross-stitch suture was completely dependent on the practical experience of the surgeon. Therefore, we introduced the cross-stitch marker as a supporting instrument for PKP surgery.

Methods Description of the Homburg cross-stitch marker with an exact step-by-step guide on how the instrument is implemented while performing a PKP to mark entry and exit points for sutures including a video to demonstrate the use of this instrument.

Results The new Homburg cross-stitch marker ensures the precise localisation of the entry and exit points of the suture. This new instrument allows inexperienced surgeons in particular to feel very confident when performing the running sutures.

Conclusion Surgeons with little experience can completely avoid using their still imprecise sense of proportion and significantly shorten the learning curve for this procedure.
Tabakentwöhnung mit E-Zigarette?
Authors: Pankow W. , Andreas S. , Rupp A. , Pfeifer M.
Published: December 2020

Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin (DGP) wendet sich gegen die E-Zigarette als Mittel zur harm-reduction wegen potenzieller Gesundheitsgefahren und Gefährdungen Jugendlicher. Das Aerosol von E-Zigaretten enthält toxische Inhaltsstoffe, die nachweislich schädigend auf die Lunge, das Herz-Kreislauf-System und Immunsystem wirken und potenziell karzinogen sind. Untersuchungen zu E-Zigaretten als Mittel in der Tabakentwöhnung sind wenig überzeugend, um E-Zigaretten gegenüber den langjährig erprobten und etablierten Nikotinersatzpräparaten (NRT) oder anderen Medikamenten, die das Rauchverlangen reduzieren, zu bevorzugen.
Simulations of laser-driven metal ejecta
Authors: Kim Meeri
Published: December 2020

Results reveal how the choice of material model affects microjets simulations, and that jet formation can be classified into three regimes depending on the shock strength.
Nondestructive measurements of depth distribution of carrier lifetimes in 4H–SiC thick epitaxial layers using time-resolved free carrier absorption with intersectional lights
Authors: Hirayama Takashi , Nagaya Keisuke , Miyasaka Akira , Kojima Kazutoshi , Kato Tomohisa , Okumura Hajime , Kato Masashi
Published: December 2020

To achieve low on-state and switching losses simultaneously in SiC bipolar devices, the depth distribution of the carrier lifetime within the voltage blocking layer and the techniques used for observing the carrier lifetime distribution are important considerations. We developed a measurement system of the time-resolved free carrier absorption with intersectional lights (IL-TRFCA) for the nondestructive measurements of the depth distribution of the carrier lifetime in 4H–SiC thick epilayers. To confirm the reliability of the measurement results, we also performed TRFCA measurements to the cross section of the samples. As a result, although the lifetimes are underestimated owing to an inevitable diffusion of the carriers from the measurement region, the system was able to observe a carrier lifetime distribution up to a depth of 250 μm. Our IL-TRFCA system demonstrated a depth resolution of ∼10 μm, which is the best resolution among previously reported nondestructive measurement techniques. We consider the proposed system to be useful for the development of SiC bipolar devices.
Radiation effects in Mn+1AXn phases
Authors: Wang Chenxu , Tracy Cameron L. , Ewing Rodney C.
Published: December 2020

Mn+1AXn phases exhibit unique laminated atomic structures that result in properties typical of both ceramics and metals. Due to their unusual characteristics, these materials have been proposed for use in a wide variety of industrial applications, including in nuclear reactors—both fission and fusion systems—where they will be exposed to extreme irradiation conditions and high temperatures. Recently, numerous studies have investigated radiation effects on the Mn+1AXn phases, revealing complex behavior—phase transformations, surface modification, and mechanical property changes—induced by ion or neutron irradiation over a range of temperatures. This review summarizes recent experimental and theoretical work on the response of the Mn+1AXn phases to irradiation and discusses the intrinsic controls on the radiation tolerance of these materials. Based on the review of the present body of work, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of irradiation-induced structural modification and defect evolution in Mn+1AXn phases is developed, as well as proposed strategies for designing novel Mn+1AXn phases with enhanced performance under extreme irradiation conditions.
Variational principles: Projectability onto Grassmann fibrations
Authors: Krupka Demeter
Published: December 2020

The class of integral variational functionals for paths in smooth manifolds, whose extremals are (nonparameterized) sets, is considered in this study. Recently, it was shown that for the functionals depending on tangent vectors, this property follows from any of the following two equivalent conditions: (a) the Lagrange function, defined on the tangent bundle, is positively homogeneous in the components of tangent vectors and (b) the Lepage differential form of the Lagrange function is projectable onto the Grassmann fibrations of rank 1 and order 1 (projective bundle); the classical Hilbert form was rediscovered this way as the projection of the Lepage form. In this paper, we extend these results to variational functionals of any order. Projectability conditions onto Grassmann fibrations of any order are found. The case of projective bundles is then studied in full generality. The proofs are based on the Euler–Zermelo conditions and the properties of higher-order Grassmann fibrations of rank 1. As an application, equations for set solutions in Riemannian geometry are derived.
Critical role of parallel momentum in quantum well state couplings in multi-stacked nanofilms: An angle resolved photoemission study
Authors: Lee Woojoo , Pan Chi-Ruei , Nam Hyoungdo , Chou Mei-Yin , Shih Chih-Kang
Published: December 2020

We use angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy to investigate the coupling of electron quantum well states (QWSs) in epitaxial thin Pb and Ag films. More specifically, we investigate the Ag/Si, Pb/Si, and Pb/Ag/Si systems. We found that the parallel momentum plays a very profound role in determining how two adjacent quantum wells are coupled electronically across the interface. We revealed that in the Pb/Ag bimetallic system, there exist two distinctly different regimes in the energy vs momentum (E vs k) space. In one regime, the electronic states in Ag and Pb are strongly coupled, resulting in a new set of QWSs for the bi-metallic system. In the other regime, the electronic states in individual metallic layers are retained in their respective regions, as if they are totally decoupled. This result is corroborated by calculations using density functional theory. We further unravel the underlying mechanism associated with the electron refraction and total internal reflection across the interface.
One-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) image reconstruction for electrical impedance tomography
Authors: Li Xiuyan , Lu Rengui , Wang Qi , Wang Jianming , Duan Xiaojie , Sun Yukuan , Li Xiaojie , Zhou Yong
Published: December 2020

In recent years, due to the strong autonomous learning ability of neural network algorithms, they have been applied for electrical impedance tomography (EIT). Although their imaging accuracy is greatly improved compared with traditional algorithms, generalization for both simulation and experimental data is required to be improved. According to the characteristics of voltage data collected in EIT, a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) is proposed to solve the inverse problem of image reconstruction. Abundant samples are generated with numerical simulation to improve the edge-preservation of reconstructed images. The TensorFlow-graphics processing unit environment and Adam optimizer are used to train and optimize the network, respectively. The reconstruction results of the new network are compared with the Deep Neural Network (DNN) and 2D-CNN to prove the effectiveness and edge-preservation. The anti-noise and generalization capabilities of the new network are also validated. Furthermore, experiments with the EIT system are carried out to verify the practicability of the new network. The average image correlation coefficient of the new network increases 0.0320 and 0.0616 compared with the DNN and 2D-CNN, respectively, which demonstrates that the proposed method could give better reconstruction results, especially for the distribution of complex geometries.
Defect-related photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation as a method to study the excitonic bandgap of AlN epitaxial layers: Experimental and ab initio analysis
Authors: Kaminska Agata , Koronski Kamil , Strak Pawel , Wierzbicka Aleksandra , Sobanska Marta , Klosek Kamil , Nechaev Dmitrii V. , Pankratov Vladimir , Chernenko Kirill , Krukowski Stanislaw , Zytkiewicz Zbigniew R.
Published: December 2020

We report defect-related photoluminescence (PL) and its vacuum ultraviolet photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra of aluminum nitride layers with various layer thicknesses and dislocation densities grown on two different substrates: sapphire and silicon. The defect-related transitions have been distinguished and examined in the emission and excitation spectra investigated under synchrotron radiation. The broad PL bands of two defect levels in the AlN were detected at around 3 eV and 4 eV. In the PLE spectra of these bands, a sharp excitonic peak originating most probably from the A-exciton of AlN was clearly visible. Taking into account the exciton binding energy, the measurements allow determination of the bandgaps of the investigated AlN samples and their temperature dependencies. Next, they are compared with the literature data obtained by other experimental techniques for bulk AlN crystals and layers grown on different substrates. The obtained results revealed that the AlN bandgap depends on the substrate. The theoretical analysis using density functional theory calculations showed that the effect is induced by the tetragonal strain related to the lattice mismatch between the substrate and the AlN layer, which has a strong influence on the spectral positions of the intrinsic excitons, and consequently on the bandgap of AlN layers.
Electronic and optical properties of ultrawide bandgap perovskite semiconductors via first principles calculations
Authors: Jishi Radi A. , Appleton Robert J. , Guzman David M.
Published: December 2020

Recent research in ultrawide-bandgap (UWBG) semiconductors has focused on traditional materials such as Ga2O3, AlGaN, AlN, cubic BN, and diamond; however, some materials exhibiting a single perovskite structure have been known to yield bandgaps above 3.4 eV, such as BaZrO3. In this work, we propose two materials to be added to the family of UWBG semiconductors: Ba2CaTeO6 exhibiting a double perovskite structure and Ba2K2Te2O9 with a triple perovskite structure. Using first-principles hybrid functional calculations, we predict the bandgaps of all the studied systems to be above 4.5 eV, with strong optical absorption in the ultraviolet region. Furthermore, we show that holes have a tendency to get trapped through lattice distortions in the vicinity of oxygen atoms, with an average trapping energy of 0.25 eV, potentially preventing the enhancement of p-type conductivity through traditional chemical doping.
Effects of surface subcooling on the spreading dynamics of an impact water droplet
Authors: Shang Yuheng , Zhang Yuhui , Hou Yu , Bai Bofeng , Zhong Xin
Published: December 2020

Spontaneous spreading of a liquid droplet upon a cold solid surface is ubiquitous in nature as well as critical to many industrial technologies, while the mechanism of which still remains elusive. The role of surface subcooling in a water droplet spreading behavior upon impacting on a smooth silicon surface has been experimentally investigated. Under the subcooling condition of the substrate, in the low Weber number region, the non-dimensional maximum spreading diameter decreases with the surface subcooling due to a larger viscosity dissipation and higher surface tension. However, in the case of a high Weber number, the maximum spreading factor first descends and then increases with the increasing surface subcooling. This non-monotonic tendency is attributed to the competition between the increased maximum fingering length and the reduced maximum interior spreading diameter with an increase of the surface subcooling. A sufficiently large Weber number is the prerequisite for forming fingering patterns, and a high subcooling reinforces them due to the enhanced deceleration caused by a larger surface tension and viscosity. The time at maximum spreading barely changes with the impact velocity and slightly decreases with the surface subcooling depending on the droplet size. An improved correlation of the time at maximum spreading as a function of the maximum spreading factor, droplet size, impact velocity, and surface subcooling is proposed.
On the adsorption of n-butane on alkyl imidazolium ionic liquids with different anions using a new molecular beam setup
Authors: Winter Leonhard , Bhuin Radha G. , Lexow Matthias , Maier Florian , Steinrück Hans-Peter
Published: December 2020

The adsorption of reactants is an elementary step in the interaction of molecules with liquid or solid surfaces. We recently reported on the trapping of n-butane on the frozen surfaces of ionic liquids (ILs), namely, 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ILs ([CnC1Im][Tf2N]; n = 1, 2, 3, and 8). To study the influence of the anion, we now present results concerning the trapping of n-butane on 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ILs ([CnC1Im][PF6]; n = 2, 4, and 8), that is, ILs with a smaller anion. The adsorption energies close to zero coverage are determined from the temperature dependence of the initial trapping probability using a novel approach. For both groups of ILs, the binding energy is dominated by the interaction of n-butane with the alkyl chain of the cation, whereas the ionic headgroups contribute only weakly. Comparing ILs with different alkyl chains at the IL cation, we find that the adsorption strength of n-butane increases with increasing length of the alkyl chain. In addition, detailed information on the new setup and the data analysis is provided.
Generation of 280 THz-spanning near-ultraviolet light in lithium niobate-on-insulator waveguides with sub-100 pJ pulses
Authors: Reig Escalé Marc , Kaufmann Fabian , Jiang Hehai , Pohl David , Grange Rachel
Published: December 2020

Integrated optics has weak ultraviolet and near-ultraviolet (NUV) light conversion due to its strong material dispersion and large propagation losses. To reach this spectral range, we use non-centrosymmetric waveguides that convert near-infrared (NIR) supercontinuum light into broadband NUV light. We measure a 280 THz span that reaches the upper frequency of 851 THz (352 nm) in a 14-mm long rib waveguide of lithium niobate-on-insulator, with an engineered dispersion for supercontinuum generation in the NIR range. The results on broadband NUV signals promote integrated optics for spectroscopy and fluorescence applications such as atomic clocks and chemical sensors.
Characterization of irradiation-induced novel voids in α-quartz
Authors: Okada Naoki , Ohkubo Takahiro , Maruyama Ippei , Murakami Kenta , Suzuki Kiyoteru
Published: December 2020

The macroscopic volume expansion of minerals subjected to high-energy irradiation typically occurs because of structural disordering. However, the mechanisms involved in this swelling associated with structural disordering have not been fully clarified. In particular, the role of the voids resulting from the aggregation of defects (which, in contrast to irradiated materials, are not observed in disordered melt-quenched amorphous glass) is still poorly understood. Here, we employ molecular dynamics simulations of α-quartz to examine a model that involves three stages of amorphization and volume expansion. The collapse of the crystalline structure is directly evaluated in terms of structural ordering based on symmetry operations, which enables the estimation of isolated defects. In the first stage, with increasing deposited energy, crystallinity decreases sharply compared with the decrease in density, which is linked to the formation of under- and over-coordinated atomic structures. Large voids (≥7.0 Å), which are not present in melt-quenched glass, are created at a deposition energy of 4 eV/atom, and in the second stage, the volume fractions of the large voids increase during subsequent irradiation from this energy up to 25 eV/atom. In the final stage, at higher deposited energies, the volume fraction of the large voids and the density fluctuate and become saturated owing to the balance between generation and annihilation of the large voids.
Differential reflectivity spectroscopy on single patch nanoantennas
Authors: Esparza Juan Uriel , Dhawan Amit Raj , Salas-Montiel Rafael , Daney de Marcillac Willy , Frigerio Jean-Marc , Gallas Bruno , Maître Agnès
Published: December 2020

We present an experimental technique adapted to characterize individual metallic nanostructures in terms of differential reflectivity spectroscopy. We analyze gold patch nanoantennas holding different morphological properties. Our experimental methodology shows steady and reliable results consistent with classical analytical approximations and simulation methods. This technique allows us to identify absorption properties of metallic nanostructures commonly associated with surface plasmon resonances. By contrasting the light absorbed solely by the metallic antenna with respect to a surrounding reference medium, we found that some antennas show absorption of almost 50% of the incident light across the range of the visible spectrum. Plasmonic patch nanoantennas are promising systems in which the confinement of the electromagnetic field inside the dielectric gap strongly modifies the local density of states.
Fractional q-deformed chaotic maps: A weight function approach
Authors: Wu Guo-Cheng , Niyazi Çankaya Mehmet , Banerjee Santo
Published: December 2020

The fractional derivative holds long-time memory effects or non-locality. It successfully depicts the dynamical systems with long-range interactions. However, it becomes challenging to investigate chaos in the deformed fractional discrete-time systems. This study turns to fractional quantum calculus on the time scale and reports chaos in fractional q-deformed maps. The discrete memory kernels are used, and a weight function approach is proposed for fractional modeling. Rich q-deformed dynamics are demonstrated, which shows the methodology’s efficiency.
Fixed-flux salt-finger convection in the small diffusivity ratio limit
Authors: Xie Jin-Han , Julien Keith , Knobloch Edgar
Published: December 2020

Salt-finger convection provides a key mixing process in geophysical and astrophysical fluid flows. Because of its small characteristic spatial scale and slow diffusive time scale, this process must be parameterized in geophysical and astrophysical models, where relations linking background gradients to fluxes are required. To obtain such relations, most authors study the dependence of temperature and salinity fluxes on fixed background gradients. Using the reduced model derived by Xie et al. [“A reduced model for salt-finger convection in the small diffusivity ratio limit,” Fluids 2(1), 6 (2017)] for salt-finger convection in the limit of small diffusivity and large density ratios, this paper considers the conjugate problem where the fluxes are fixed, but the mean gradients are permitted to adjust in response. In small domains, the fixed-flux condition leads to stable single-mode solutions, which are not achievable with fixed-gradient conditions. In large domains, with statistically steady saturated states, the relations between mean fluxes and mean gradients are identical for both sets of conditions. The fixed-flux condition provides a new perspective for understanding the resulting statistically steady states by identifying two distinct regimes with the same dissipation rate. We find that the statistically steady dynamics select the state with the smaller Rayleigh ratio Ra subject to the constraint Ra > 1, ensuring that the background state is linearly unstable. The fixed-flux formulation results in a more potent restoring mechanism toward the statistically steady state, with a smaller variance, skewness, and characteristic time scale than in the fixed-gradient setup. This distinctive feature can be used as a diagnostic to determine whether in situ salt-finger convection is flux-driven or gradient-driven.
Autonomous growth of NbN nanostructures on atomically flat AlN surfaces
Authors: Kobayashi Atsushi , Ueno Kohei , Fujioka Hiroshi
Published: December 2020

Integrating the functions of superconductors and semiconductors by epitaxial growth can lead to the fabrication of quantum devices such as on-chip quantum communication systems with single-photon emitters and detectors. Furthermore, a combination of nitride superconductors and nitride semiconductors is one of the most suitable candidates for application in these quantum devices. However, the structure of superconducting NbN films grown on nitride semiconductors needs to be elucidated. In this study, we report the self-organization of NbN nanostructures that were epitaxially grown on an atomically flat AlN surface. Structural investigation of the NbN/AlN heterostructure revealed that the growth of NbN twins on the AlN surface leads to the autonomous formation of nanostructures. These results significantly contribute to the materials science of cubic transition metal nitride heteroepitaxy.
Hydrotalcite-assisted rapid synthesis of HKUST-1 toward efficient benzene capture
Authors: Xu Feng , Lv Daofei , Xu Weicheng , Yang Xixian , Sun Huili , Yuan Wenbin , Yan Jian , Chen Xin
Published: December 2020

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been recognized as one of the major environmental hazards in the air. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and their associated materials have offered an excellent strategy for the adsorption removal of VOCs. In this work, we develop a facile and rapid synthesis method of HKUST-1, a typical and ideal Cu-based MOF, for VOC adsorption by using hydrotalcite as the intermediate for efficient crystallization at room temperature. The results show that HKUST-1 can be successfully synthesized within 10 s at room temperature. The as-synthesized HKUST-1 has a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 2170.7 m2 g−1 and a total pore volume of 0.977 cm3 g−1, which are among the highest reported values for such material. When tested for its benzene adsorption performance, the material can achieve a saturated adsorption capacity of 7.3 mmol g−1 at 35 °C. Based on the temperature-programmed desorption result, it is shown that the activation energy for the benzene desorption is 68.23 kJ mol−1. The material can demonstrate a relatively constant saturated adsorption capacity after several adsorption/desorption cycles, which indicates good regenerative performance.
Laser melting and quenching effects on magnetic domains in quasi-two-dimensional ferromagnetic Cr5Te8 crystal
Authors: Li Miao , Ma Zongwei , Yan Jian , Liu Caixing , Luo Xuan , Sun Yuping , Liu Qiangchun , Sheng Zhigao
Published: December 2020

By utilizing magneto-optical microscopy combined with the polar magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) techniques, the photo-induced melting and quenching effects on magnetic domains in a quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) ferromagnetic Cr5Te8 crystal were investigated. With irradiation of a pulsed laser, the magnetic domain of the Cr5Te8 crystal can be melted at a critical laser power density (2.55 × 108 mW/cm2), which has been confirmed by both MOKE images and curves. Moreover, it is intriguing to find that after laser melting and quenching, the dendritic type domains of the Cr5Te8 crystal are broken and the regrown spherical type domains are isolated from the original dendrites. Simultaneously, the magnetization behavior as a function of external field was modulated. These findings suggest that laser melting and quenching is an effective technique to tailor the magnetic domains in quasi-2D magnets and it provides a viable route in the creation of optical spintronic devices.
Intake and liveweight gain of fattening cattle is depressed at high levels of cassava bagasse inclusion in a quadratic dose-response relationship
Authors: Cowley Frances C. , Huda Asri N. , Kusmartono  , Soetanto Hendrawan , Marsetyo  , Poppi Dennis P.
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Context
Cassava bagasse is readily available in tropical countries as an energy source for ruminant diets, but previous research has shown low cattle performance at high inclusion rates.

Aims
The nature of the dose–response relationship between increasing inclusion rate of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) bagasse (CB), substituting for protein meals in diets of fattening cattle, was used to evaluate the reduced animal performance at high inclusion rates.

Methods
Thirty growing Madura (Bos indicus × javanicus) bulls were fed concentrate-based diets with five levels of CB inclusion at 20 g dry matter (DM)/kg liveweight and elephant grass (Pennesetum purpureum) separately at 5 g DM/kg liveweight. The five tested CB inclusion rates into the offered diet were 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70% of total dry matter. Lines of best fit were used to describe the relationships between animal performance and CB inclusion rate.

Key results
Intake of dry matter and concentrate both demonstrated a quadratic relationship with increasing CB inclusion, both maximised at 46–47% CB inclusion in the offered diet or a CB intake of ~9.7 g CB/kg liveweight. Liveweight gain and change in body condition score both demonstrated a quadratic dose–response relationship with increasing CB inclusion, with maximal performance achieved at 34–38% inclusion of CB. Although protein content at the highest level of CB inclusion was low (68 g/kg DM), modelling of predicted liveweight gain indicated that this was most constrained by energy intake (as a function of concentrate intake), rather than crude protein.

Conclusions
Inclusion of CB up to ~45% of the diet, substituting for protein meals, does not improve, but has no detrimental effect, on liveweight gain. The plateauing of CB intake above 50% inclusion in in the offered diet suggests that cattle were eating to a maximal CB intake. Several hypotheses for reduced intake of concentrate at high levels of CB inclusion were proposed, including low protein content and hydrogen cyanide content of the CB, none of which satisfactorily explained why intake of concentrate was depressed above 50% CB inclusion of the diet on offer.

Implications
Rations should be formulated to contain no more than 50% CB for maximal cattle performance. Further research is required to understand the causes of depressed intake at high inclusion rates of CB.
Analysis of X chromosome and autosomal genetic effects on growth and efficiency-related traits in sheep
Authors: Noorian Milad , Joezy-Shekalgorabi Sahereh , Kashan Nasser Emam Jomeh
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Context
It is believed that the X chromosome plays an important role in influencing quantitative traits. Despite this, until recently, X-linked genetic effects have not been considered in models to estimate genetic parameters for economically important traits of livestock.

Aims
A large dataset was analysed to quantify autosomal additive genetic, X-linked additive genetic and maternal effects on growth and efficiency-related traits in Baluchi sheep.

Methods
Traits included bodyweight at birth, weaning (WW), 6 months (W6), 9 months and yearling age, pre- and post-weaning average daily gain, pre- and post-weaning Kleiber ratio, pre- and post-weaning efficiency of growth (EFb), and pre- and post-weaning relative growth rate. Each trait was analysed using the REML procedure fitting a series of eight univariate animal models. For each trait, the most appropriate model was selected by the Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criterion.

Key results
The X-linked genetic effect was significant only in models fitted to EFb, where the estimate of X-linked heritability was 0.02 ± 0.01 from the best model. Other traits were not affected significantly by X-linked genetic effects. Estimates of autosomal heritability () for growth traits were between 0.06 ± 0.02 (post-weaning average daily gain, pre-weaning relative growth rate) and 0.22 ± 0.04 (bodyweight at yearling age), and ranged between 0.02 ± 0.01 (EFb) and 0.08 ± 0.02 (pre-weaning Kleiber ratio) for efficiency-related traits. Maternal effects significantly contributed to phenotypic variation of most traits, with larger effects on traits measured early in life. For EFb, the Spearman’s correlation between breeding values including and excluding X-linked effects was 0.95. It was 1.00 for traits that were not affected by X-linked genetic effects.

Conclusions
Although the proportion of phenotypic variance attributed to X-linked loci for most traits was zero, the importance of X-linked genetic effects should be at least tested in models when estimating variance components for growth and efficiency traits of Baluchi sheep.

Implications
As estimates of genetic parameters are breed-specific, we recommend for growth and efficiency traits of sheep that the importance of X-linked genetic effects should be evaluated to assess if these effects should be included in models used in genetic evaluation.
Transcriptome-based discovery of genes and networks related to RSC3Q-mediated resistance to Soybean mosaic virus in soybean
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Yang Yongqing , Yin Jinlong , Shen Yingchao , Li Bowen , Wang LiLiqun , Zhi Haijian
Published: December 2020

Abstract Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is a worldwide disease of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) that can cause serious reduction in yield and seed quality. Soybean cv. Qihuang-1 is an important source of resistance to SMV in China, carrying a resistance gene (RSC3Q) against SMV strain SC3. In order to discover genes and networks regulated by RSC3Q-mediated resistance in Qihuang-1, we analysed transcriptome data of a pair of near-isogenic lines, R (RSC3Q) and S (rSC3Q), from the cross Qihuang-1 × Nannong 1138-2 (rSC3Q), after SC3 inoculation. Many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the R and S lines at 6, 20 and 48 h post-inoculation. Based on pathway-enrichment analysis of DEGs, three genes encoding calmodulin-like protein (Glyma03g28650, Glyma19g31395 and Glyma11g33790) with downregulated expression in the S line were identified in the plant–pathogen interaction pathway at 6 h post-inoculation. Analyses by quantitative real-time PCR were performed to verify that these three genes were not beneficial for SMV infection. Our results also revealed a complex plant-hormone signal network in RSC3Q-mediated resistance during the early stage of SMV infection. Expression of jasmonic acid repressor genes (TIFY/JAZ) and abscisic acid-induced genes (PP2C3a) was upregulated in the R line but not the S line. More DEGs related to indole-3-acetic acid were found in the R line than the S line, and no salicylic acid-related DEGs were identified. These results suggest that suppression of jasmonic acid or promotion of abscisic acid is important for RSC3Q-mediated resistance against SC3, and that salicylic acid may not act as a main regulator of RSC3Q-mediated resistance during early stages of SC3 infection. Growth and development were greatly affected through RSC3Q-mediated resistance responses after SC3 infection. Our understanding would be enhanced by identification of factors associated with RSC3Q that help to trigger the resistance response.
ZxNHX1 indirectly participates in controlling K+ homeostasis in the xerophyte Zygophyllum xanthoxylum
Authors: Gao Tian-Ge , Ma Cui-Min , Yuan Hui-Jun , Liu Hai-Shuang , Ma Qing , Flowers Timothy J. , Wang Suo-Min
Published: December 2020

The succulent xerophyte Zygophyllum xanthoxylum (Bunge) Engl. can absorb Na+ from the soil as an osmoticum in order to resist osmotic stress. The tonoplast Na+/H+ antiporter ZxNHX1 is essential for maintaining the salt-accumulation characteristics of Z. xanthoxylum by compartmentalizing Na+ into vacuoles. Previous results revealed that the silencing of ZxNHX1 greatly decreased Na+ accumulation in Z. xanthoxylum under 50 mM NaCl due to the weakened compartmentalisation; in addition, K+ concentration also significantly reduced in ZxNHX1-RNAi lines. Yet, whether the reduction of K+ concentration was directly triggered by the silencing of ZxNHX1 remains unclear. In this study, the growth parameters and expression levels of ZxSOS1, ZxHKT1;1, ZxAKT1 and ZxSKOR were measured in wild-type and ZxNHX1-RNAi lines under control or –0.5 MPa osmotic stress. The results showed that the silencing of ZxNHX1 inhibited the plant growth, decreased Na+ concentration in leaves, reduced the transcript abundance of ZxSOS1 and dramatically increased that of ZxHKT1;1 in roots of Z. xanthoxylum under osmotic stress; whereas tissue K+ concentrations and the expression level of ZxSKOR displayed no significant variations, and the expression of ZxAKT1 were significantly reduced in ZxNHX1-RNAi lines under osmotic stress, compared with the wild type. These results suggest that in Z. xanthoxylum, ZxNHX1 can maintain the normal growth by compartmentalizing Na+ into vacuoles, and regulate the spatial distribution of Na+ indirectly by affecting the expressions of ZxSOS1 and ZxHKT1;1. Moreover, the silencing of ZxNHX1 is not the main reason that led to the reduction of K+ concentration in ZxNHX1-RNAi lines under 50 mM NaCl, and ZxNHX1 might be indirectly involved in regulating K+ homeostasis.
Ancestral genetic variation in phenotypic plasticity underlies rapid evolutionary changes in resurrected populations of waterfleas
Authors: Landy J. Alex , Oschmann Alixander , Munch Stephan B. , Walsh Matthew R.
Published: December 2020

Significance

It has long been hypothesized that environmentally-induced shifts in phenotype (i.e., “phenotypic plasticity”) are central to adaptation and population persistence. This study tracked evolutionary changes over short time periods by resurrecting populations of waterfleas from lakes in Wisconsin following the invasion of a novel predator. The resurrection approach revealed extensive genetic variation in plasticity in ancestral waterfleas. Such variation provided the opportunity for predator-mediated selection to then drive rapid genetic changes in life history and behavioral traits. Surprisingly, shifts in trait values proceeded in the absence of changes in trait plasticity or the erosion of genetic variation in plasticity. Such results illustrate that ancestral variation in phenotypic plasticity is an important requirement for evolutionary responses to natural selection.
The porphyrin ring rather than the metal ion dictates long-range electron transport across proteins suggesting coherence-assisted mechanism
Authors: Agam Yuval , Nandi Ramesh , Kaushansky Alexander , Peskin Uri , Amdursky Nadav
Published: December 2020

Significance

Electron transfer (ET) across proteins is fundamental in many biological processes, such as photosynthesis and aerobic respiration. Recent discoveries from the bacterial world have shown that proteins can support long-range ET pathways on the order of micrometers. Here, we introduce a protein platform that allows us to explore how proteins can support long-range ET, and what are the important molecular features and ET mechanisms that enable it. We focus on the role of the metal ion within heme molecules in long-range ET and find that the molecular ring surrounding the metal ion is the ET mediator, and not the metal ion. We suggest a coherence-assisted ET mechanism as a possible explanation for our high measured ET efficiency.
Post-2020 biodiversity targets need to embrace climate change
Authors: Arneth Almut , Shin Yunne-Jai , Leadley Paul , Rondinini Carlo , Bukvareva Elena , Kolb Melanie , Midgley Guy F. , Oberdorff Thierry , Palomo Ignacio , Saito Osamu
Published: December 2020

Recent assessment reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) have highlighted the risks to humanity arising from the unsustainable use of natural resources. Thus far, land, freshwater, and ocean exploitation have been the chief causes of biodiversity loss. Climate change is projected to be a rapidly increasing additional driver for biodiversity loss. Since climate change and biodiversity loss impact human societies everywhere, bold solutions are required that integrate environmental and societal objectives. As yet, most existing international biodiversity targets have overlooked climate change impacts. At the same time, climate change mitigation measures themselves may harm biodiversity directly. The Convention on Biological Diversity’s post-2020 framework offers the important opportunity to address the interactions between climate change and biodiversity and revise biodiversity targets accordingly by better aligning these with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. We identify the considerable number of existing and proposed post-2020 biodiversity targets that risk being severely compromised due to climate change, even if other barriers to their achievement were removed. Our analysis suggests that the next set of biodiversity targets explicitly addresses climate change-related risks since many aspirational goals will not be feasible under even lower-end projections of future warming. Adopting more flexible and dynamic approaches to conservation, rather than static goals, would allow us to respond flexibly to changes in habitats, genetic resources, species composition, and ecosystem functioning and leverage biodiversity’s capacity to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Global trends in nature’s contributions to people
Authors: Brauman Kate A. , Garibaldi Lucas A. , Polasky Stephen , Aumeeruddy-Thomas Yildiz , Brancalion Pedro H. S. , DeClerck Fabrice , Jacob Ute , Mastrangelo Matias Enrique , Nkongolo Nsalambi V. , Palang Hannes , Pérez-Méndez Néstor , Shannon Lynne J. , Shrestha Uttam Babu , Strombom Evelyn , Verma Madhu
Published: December 2020

Significance

Understanding and tracking nature’s contributions to people provides critical feedback that can improve our ability to manage earth systems effectively, equitably, and sustainably. Declines in biodiversity and ecosystem functions over the past 50 y have decreased the ability of nature to contribute to quality of life. Changes in technology and adaptation in social systems has partially offset the negative impacts of environmental change on quality of life, but downward trends have still occurred for many categories of nature’s contributions.
Direct lysosome-based autophagy of lipid droplets in hepatocytes
Authors: Schulze Ryan J. , Krueger Eugene W. , Weller Shaun G. , Johnson Katherine M. , Casey Carol A. , Schott Micah B. , McNiven Mark A.
Published: December 2020

Significance

Lipid droplets (LDs) are specialized fat-storage organelles that can be used as a fuel source by many types of cells when nutrients are scarce. One mechanism used by hepatocytes (the functional cells of the liver) for the catabolism of these energy reserves is the lysosome-directed process of autophagy. Traditionally, autophagy necessitates the enclosure of cargo within a double-membrane autophagosome before delivery to the lysosome for degradation. Here, we use live-cell and electron microscopy to demonstrate that stable contacts between LDs and lysosomes in hepatocytes can result in the transfer of both proteins and lipids from LDs directly into the lysosome in the absence of an autophagosomal intermediate. These findings reveal a mechanism used for lipid homeostasis in the liver.
The mechanoresponse of bone is closely related to the osteocyte lacunocanalicular network architecture
Authors: van Tol Alexander Franciscus , Schemenz Victoria , Wagermaier Wolfgang , Roschger Andreas , Razi Hajar , Vitienes Isabela , Fratzl Peter , Willie Bettina M. , Weinkamer Richard
Published: December 2020

Significance

The explanation of how bone senses and adapts to mechanical stimulation still relies on hypotheses. The fluid flow hypothesis claims that a load-induced fluid flow through the lacunocanalicular network can be sensed by osteocytes, which reside within the network structure. We show that considering the network architecture results in a better prediction of bone remodeling than mechanical strain alone. This was done by calculating the fluid flow through the lacunocanalicular network in bone volumes covering the complete cross-sections of mouse tibiae, which underwent controlled in vivo loading. The established relationship between mechanosensitivity and network architecture in individual animals implies possibilities for patient-specific therapies. A new connectomics approach to analyze lacunocanalicular network properties is necessary to understand skeletal mechanobiology.
Transfer RNA fragments replace microRNA regulators of the cholinergic poststroke immune blockade
Authors: Winek Katarzyna , Lobentanzer Sebastian , Nadorp Bettina , Dubnov Serafima , Dames Claudia , Jagdmann Sandra , Moshitzky Gilli , Hotter Benjamin , Meisel Christian , Greenberg David S. , Shifman Sagiv , Klein Jochen , Shenhar-Tsarfaty Shani , Meisel Andreas , Soreq Hermona
Published: December 2020

Significance

Ischemic stroke triggers peripheral immunosuppression, increasing the susceptibility to poststroke pneumonia that is linked with poor survival. The poststroke brain initiates intensive communication with the immune system, and acetylcholine contributes to these messages; but the responsible molecules are yet unknown. We discovered a “changing of the guards,” where microRNA levels decreased but small transfer RNA fragments increased in poststroke blood. This molecular switch may rebalance acetylcholine signaling in CD14
+
monocytes by regulating their gene expression and modulating poststroke immunity. Our observations point to transfer RNA fragments as molecular regulators of poststroke immune responses that may be potential therapeutic targets.
Evolutionary novelty in the apoptotic pathway of aphids
Authors: Ribeiro Lopes Mélanie , Parisot Nicolas , Gaget Karen , Huygens Cissy , Peignier Sergio , Duport Gabrielle , Orlans Julien , Charles Hubert , Baatsen Pieter , Jousselin Emmanuelle , Da Silva Pedro , Hens Korneel , Callaerts Patrick , Calevro Federica
Published: December 2020

Significance

Apoptotic processes play an important role in the development and physiology of almost all metazoan clades. In the highly diverse group of insects, apoptotic pathways have been characterized in only a few dipteran and lepidopteran species, which may not be representative of all insect species. Here, we report the first complete annotation of the apoptotic pathway in a hemipteran insect, the pea aphid
Acyrthosiphon pisum
. We showed that its apoptotic pathway is rewired compared to other insects, with a significant increase in the number of inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) and evidence for functional diversification and structural modularity of this protein family. These novelties are widespread in the aphid lineage, suggesting a yet not understood novel aphid-specific function of IAPs.
ARP2/3-independent WAVE/SCAR pathway and class XI myosin control sperm nuclear migration in flowering plants
Authors: Ali Mohammad Foteh , Fatema Umma , Peng Xiongbo , Hacker Samuel W. , Maruyama Daisuke , Sun Meng-Xiang , Kawashima Tomokazu
Published: December 2020

Significance

Flowering plants have evolved a unique double-fertilization process along with an actin filament (F-actin)-based gamete nuclear migration mechanism. However, how dynamic F-actin movement is controlled in the female gametophytic cells remains unclear. We identified that the movement of F-actin is promoted via an ARP2/3-independent WAVE/SCAR-signaling pathway. We also discovered that the plant class XI myosin XI-G has a function involved in the active movement of F-actin required for sperm nuclear migration, which is different from the canonical myosin function as a cargo transporter. These breakthroughs also provide us with opportunities to further understand how flowering plants control double fertilization and plant cytoskeleton dynamics.
Mesyl phosphoramidate backbone modified antisense oligonucleotides targeting miR-21 with enhanced in vivo therapeutic potency
Authors: Patutina Olga A. , Gaponova (Miroshnichenko) Svetlana K. , Sen’kova Aleksandra V. , Savin Innokenty A. , Gladkikh Daniil V. , Burakova Ekaterine A. , Fokina Alesya A. , Maslov Mikhail A. , Shmendel’ Elena V. , Wood Mattew J. A. , Vlassov Valentin V. , Altman Sidney , Stetsenko Dmitry A. , Zenkova Marina A.
Published: December 2020

Significance

Sequence-specific targeting of disease-associated RNAs by new types of chemically modified antisense oligonucleotides with improved physicochemical and biological properties is still in high demand. miRNA-addressing mesyl phosphoramidate oligonucleotides represent prospective therapeutics since they reveal good bioavailability in tumor tissue, potent and long-lasting antitumor effect, high targeted specificity associated with reactivation of tumor suppressor proteins, and physiological safety.