bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quercetin promotes in vitro maturation of oocytes from humans and aged mice
Authors: Cao Yongzhi , Zhao Haibin , Wang Zhao , Zhang Changming , Bian Yuehong , Liu Xin , Zhang Chuanxin , Zhang Xin , Zhao Yueran 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMaternal fertility declines irreversibly with aging, and advanced maternal age is mostly related to impaired oocyte quality. The flavonol compound quercetin is considered to be an anti-aging agent due to its cytoprotective actions as an antioxidant. However, its role and mechanisms on aged oocytes are unclear. In this study, the quercetin promotes in vitro maturation (IVM) and early embryonic development of oocytes from aged mice. It is extended these findings in human oocytes, showing that quercetin promotes the IVM rate by 19.6% and increases the blastocyst formation rate by 15.5% compared to untreated controls. The overall oocyte quality of aged mice is improved by quercetin treatment, assessed as spindle/chromosome morphology and cortical granule distribution. Mitochondria is the primary endogenous source of age-related oxidative stress, and an RNA-seq analysis of quercetin-treated oocytes reveals molecular insights including scavenged mitochondrial-ROS, reduced apoptosis, and improved autophagy. Further, this study demonstrates that quercetin reduces ROS via SIRT3-mediated acetylation of SOD2’s K68 residue. Thus, beyond demonstrating that quercetin confers beneficial mitochondria-related impacts in aged oocytes, this study illustrates a potential strategy to prevent or delay oocyte aging and to improve success rates of assisted human reproductive technologies (ART).
Viral rhodopsins 1 are an unique family of light-gated cation channels
Authors: Zabelskii Dmitrii , Alekseev Alexey , Kovalev Kirill , Rankovic Vladan , Balandin Taras , Soloviov Dmytro , Bratanov Dmitry , Savelyeva Ekaterina , Podolyak Elizaveta , Volkov Dmytro , Vaganova Svetlana , Astashkin Roman , Chizhov Igor , Yutin Natalia , Rulev Maksim , Popov Alexander , Eria-Oliveira Ana-Sofia , Rokitskaya Tatiana , Mager Thomas , Antonenko Yuri , Rosselli Riccardo , Armeev Grigoriy , Shaitan Konstantin , Vivaudou Michel , Büldt Georg , Rogachev Andrey , Rodriguez-Valera Francisco , Kirpichnikov Mikhail , Moser Tobias , Offenhäusser Andreas , Willbold Dieter , Koonin Eugene , Bamberg Ernst , Gordeliy Valentin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPhytoplankton is the base of the marine food chain as well as oxygen and carbon cycles and thus plays a global role in climate and ecology. Nucleocytoplasmic Large DNA Viruses that infect phytoplankton organisms and regulate the phytoplankton dynamics encompass genes of rhodopsins of two distinct families. Here, we present a functional and structural characterization of two proteins of viral rhodopsin group 1, OLPVR1 and VirChR1. Functional analysis of VirChR1 shows that it is a highly selective, Na+/K+-conducting channel and, in contrast to known cation channelrhodopsins, it is impermeable to Ca2+ ions. We show that, upon illumination, VirChR1 is able to drive neural firing. The 1.4 Å resolution structure of OLPVR1 reveals remarkable differences from the known channelrhodopsins and a unique ion-conducting pathway. Thus, viral rhodopsins 1 represent a unique, large group of light-gated channels (viral channelrhodopsins, VirChR1s). In nature, VirChR1s likely mediate phototaxis of algae enhancing the host anabolic processes to support virus reproduction, and therefore, might play a major role in global phytoplankton dynamics. Moreover, VirChR1s have unique potential for optogenetics as they lack possibly noxious Ca2+ permeability.
Spin-orbit torque switching of an antiferromagnetic metallic heterostructure
Authors: DuttaGupta Samik , Kurenkov A. , Tretiakov Oleg A. , Krishnaswamy G. , Sala G. , Krizakova V. , Maccherozzi F. , Dhesi S. S. , Gambardella P. , Fukami S. , Ohno H. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe ability to represent information using an antiferromagnetic material is attractive for future antiferromagnetic spintronic devices. Previous studies have focussed on the utilization of antiferromagnetic materials with biaxial magnetic anisotropy for electrical manipulation. A practical realization of these antiferromagnetic devices is limited by the requirement of material-specific constraints. Here, we demonstrate current-induced switching in a polycrystalline PtMn/Pt metallic heterostructure. A comparison of electrical transport measurements in PtMn with and without the Pt layer, corroborated by x-ray imaging, reveals reversible switching of the thermally-stable antiferromagnetic Néel vector by spin-orbit torques. The presented results demonstrate the potential of polycrystalline metals for antiferromagnetic spintronics.
A comparative genomics multitool for scientific discovery and conservation
Authors:   Zoonomia Consortium, Genereux Diane P. , Serres Aitor , Armstrong Joel , Johnson Jeremy , Marinescu Voichita D. , Murén Eva , Juan David , Bejerano Gill , Casewell Nicholas R. , Chemnick Leona G. , Damas Joana , Di Palma Federica , Diekhans Mark , Fiddes Ian T. , Garber Manuel , Gladyshev Vadim N. , Goodman Linda , Haerty Wilfried , Houck Marlys L. , Hubley Robert , Kivioja Teemu , Koepfli Klaus-Peter , Kuderna Lukas F. K. , Lander Eric S. , Meadows Jennifer R. S. , Murphy William J. , Nash Will , Noh Hyun Ji , Nweeia Martin , Pfenning Andreas R. , Pollard Katherine S. , Ray David A. , Shapiro Beth , Smit Arian F. A. , Springer Mark S. , Steiner Cynthia C. , Swofford Ross , Taipale Jussi , Teeling Emma C. , Turner-Maier Jason , Alfoldi Jessica , Birren Bruce , Ryder Oliver A. , Lewin Harris A. , Paten Benedict , Marques-Bonet Tomas , Lindblad-Toh Kerstin , Karlsson Elinor K. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe Zoonomia Project is investigating the genomics of shared and specialized traits in eutherian mammals. Here we provide genome assemblies for 131 species, of which all but 9 are previously uncharacterized, and describe a whole-genome alignment of 240 species of considerable phylogenetic diversity, comprising representatives from more than 80% of mammalian families. We find that regions of reduced genetic diversity are more abundant in species at a high risk of extinction, discern signals of evolutionary selection at high resolution and provide insights from individual reference genomes. By prioritizing phylogenetic diversity and making data available quickly and without restriction, the Zoonomia Project aims to support biological discovery, medical research and the conservation of biodiversity.
A methodology for predicting tissue-specific metabolic roles of receptors applied to subcutaneous adipose
Authors: Somekh Judith 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe human biological system uses ‘inter-organ’ communication to achieve a state of homeostasis. This communication occurs through the response of receptors, located on target organs, to the binding of secreted ligands from source organs. Albeit years of research, the roles these receptors play in tissues is only partially understood. This work presents a new methodology based on the enrichment analysis scores of co-expression networks fed into support vector machines (SVMs) and k-NN classifiers to predict the tissue-specific metabolic roles of receptors. The approach is primarily based on the detection of coordination patterns of receptors expression. These patterns and the enrichment analysis scores of their co-expression networks were used to analyse ~ 700 receptors and predict metabolic roles of receptors in subcutaneous adipose. To facilitate supervised learning, a list of known metabolic and non-metabolic receptors was constructed using a semi-supervised approach following literature-based verification. Our approach confirms that pathway enrichment scores are good signatures for correctly classifying the metabolic receptors in adipose. We also show that the k-NN method outperforms the SVM method in classifying metabolic receptors. Finally, we predict novel metabolic roles of receptors. These predictions can enhance biological understanding and the development of new receptor-targeting metabolic drugs.
Mechanics and physics of a glass/particles photonic sponge
Authors: Dubernet M. , Bruyer E. , Gueguen Y. , Houizot P. , Hameline J. C. , Rocquefelte X. , Rouxel T. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA glass containing mechanoluminescent crystalline particles behaves as a photonic sponge: that is to say it fills up with trapped electrons when exposed to UV light, and it emits light when submitted to a mechanical loading, similar to a sponge soaked with water that is wringed under mechanical action! A major finding of the present study is that the elasto-mechanoluminescence effect showing up on unloading is governed by the deviatoric part of the applied stress (no effect under hydrostatic pressure). Furthermore, the structural source for this phenomenon was elucidated by a detailed density functional theory analysis of the e− energetics at the possible oxygen vacancy sites within the crystalline phase. Both the e− trapping and detrapping processes under load could be explained. An analogy with hydraulic circuits and the rheology of viscoelastic media was successfully introduced to pave the way to a constitutive law for the mechano-optical coupling phenomenon.
Entanglement and entropy squeezing in the system of two qubits interacting with a two-mode field in the context of power low potentials
Authors: Khalil E. M. , Berrada K. , Abdel-Khalek S. , Al-Barakaty A. , Peřina J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe study the dynamics of two non-stationary qubits, allowing for dipole-dipole and Ising-like interplays between them, coupled to quantized fields in the framework of two-mode pair coherent states of power-low potentials. We focus on three particular cases of the coherent states through the exponent parameter taken infinite square, triangular and harmonic potential wells. We examine the possible effects of such features on the evolution of some quantities of current interest, such as population inversion, entanglement among subsystems and squeezing entropy. We show how these quantities can be affected by the qubit-qubit interaction and exponent parameter during the time evolution for both cases of stationary and non-stationary qubits. The obtained results suggest insights about the capability of quantum systems composed of nonstationary qubits to maintain resources in comparison with stationary qubits.
Phenotypic variation, functional traits repeatability and core collection inference in Synsepalum dulcificum (Schumach & Thonn.) Daniell reveals the Dahomey Gap as a centre of diversity
Authors: Tchokponhoué Dèdéou A. , Achigan-Dako Enoch G. , N’Danikou Sognigbé , Nyadanu Daniel , Kahane Rémi , Houéto Jacob , Fassinou Hotegni Nicodème V. , Odindo Alfred O. , Sibiya Julia 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe miracle plantSynsepalum dulcificumis a multipurpose natural sweetener and a promising West African orphan fruit shrub candidate for genetic improvement. Unfortunately, basic knowledge such as phenotypic variation and inheritance estimates required for implementing a breeding program are still lacking. A set of 203 accessions were sampled in two habitats from seven populations spread across the Dahomey Gap (DG) and the Upper Guinea forest (UG) in West Africa. The phenotypic diversity and allometric relationships among functional traits were analysed; the broad-sense heritability was estimated for fruit-traits, and a mini-core collection was developed in the species. Quantitative variation in tree- and fruit-traits was recorded, and multivariate analyses were performed to assess relationships among accessions, whereas heritability was estimated using the coefficient of repeatability. Tree-traits observed inS. dulcificumwere more variable than fruit-traits. While habitat-type only affected tree-traits, the provenance population significantly affected both fruit- and tree-traits, with the UG populations outperforming the DG ones. Significant correlations were observed among fruit-traits on one hand, and among tree-traits on the other hand, whereas poor correlations were observed between tree- and fruit-traits. The multivariate analysis grouped accessions in three clusters. Promising individuals for high fruit mass and pulp-dense genotypes’ selection were identified within clusters. Repeatability estimates for fruit-traits ranged from 0.015 (edible ratio) to 0.88 (fruit mass). The Core Hunter algorithm enabled the extraction of 41 individuals as robust representatives of the initial set of 203 accessions, and the mapping of this core collection suggested Dahomey Gap as a centre of diversity of the species. These original findings offer opportunities, not only for the genetic improvement ofS. dulcificum,but also for targeted ex-situ conservation in the species.
Memory-driven capture occurs for individual features of an object
Authors: Sasin Edyta , Fougnie Daryl 
Published: November 2020

AbstractItems held in working memory (WM) capture attention (memory-driven capture). People can selectively prioritize specific object features in WM. Here, we examined whether feature-specific prioritization within WM modulates memory-driven capture. In Experiment 1, after remembering the color and orientation of a triangle, participants were instructed, via retro-cue, whether the color, the orientation, or both features were relevant. To measure capture, we asked participants to execute a subsequent search task, and we compared performance in displays that did and did not contain the memory-matching feature. Color attracted attention only when it was relevant. No capture by orientation was found. In Experiment 2, we presented the retro-cue at one of the four locations of the search display to direct attention to specific objects. We found capture by color and this capture was larger when it was indicated as relevant. Crucially, orientation also attracted attention, but only when it was relevant. These findings provide evidence for reciprocal interaction between internal prioritization and external attention on the features level. Specifically, internal feature-specific prioritization modulates memory-driven capture but this capture also depends on the salience of the features.
Compositional cyber-physical epidemiology of COVID-19
Authors: Ro Jin Woo , Allen Nathan , Ai Weiwei , Prasad Debi , Roop Partha S. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges globally. Countries have adopted different strategies with varying degrees of success. Epidemiologists are studying the impact of government actions using scenario analysis. However, the interactions between the government policy and the disease dynamics are not formally captured. We, for the first time, formally study the interaction between the disease dynamics, which is modelled as a physical process, and the government policy, which is modelled as the adjoining controller. Our approach enables compositionality, where either the plant or the controller could be replaced by an alternative model. Our work is inspired by the engineering approach for the design of Cyber-Physical Systems. Consequently, we term the new framework Compositional Cyber-Physical Epidemiology. We created different classes of controllers and applied these to control the disease in New Zealand and Italy. Our controllers closely follow government decisions based on their published data. We not only reproduce the pandemic progression faithfully in New Zealand and Italy but also show the tradeoffs produced by differing control actions.
Influences of water chemical property on infiltration into mixed soil consisting of feldspathic sandstone and aeolian sandy soil
Authors: Zhang Ruiqing , Sun Zenghui , Li Gang , Wang Huanyuan , Cheng Jie , Hao Mingde 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWater infiltration into the soil profile are related to the condition of the soil texture, soil bulk density, and water intensity, it is also affected by the physicochemical properties of the water. In this study, we tested the effect of two different chemical properties of water (groundwater for irrigation and naturally accumulated water) on water infiltration in seven different mixed soil consisting of different ratios of feldspathic sandstone and aeolian sandy soil (1:0, 5:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:5, 0:1) through laboratory soil column testing. Our results show that when the textures of the mixed soils are silty loam and sandy loam (ratios of feldspathic sandstone to aeolian sandy soil 1:0, 5:1, 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2), the infiltration time of the naturally accumulated water is significantly longer than the infiltration time of the groundwater for irrigation. When the mixed soil texture is loamy sand and sand (the ratio of feldspathic sandstone to sandy soil is 1:5 and 0:1), there was no significant difference in the infiltration time of the naturally accumulated water and of the groundwater for irrigation. Using water with the same chemical properties, the infiltration time in different ratios of mixed soil decreases from 1:0, 5:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:5, to 0:1. Using the same feldspathic sandstone to aeolian sandy soil ratio, the cumulative infiltration using naturally accumulated water is greater than that using groundwater for irrigation, and the difference in cumulative infiltration is greatest when the ratio of feldspathic sandstone to sandy soil is 2:1. The relationship between the cumulative infiltration and elapsed time is consistent with the Logarithmic model. The changes in wetting front migration distance are consistent with the changes in the cumulative infiltration. The infiltration characteristics of water in the mixed soil are affected by a combination of water chemical property and soil texture.
Detritivore conversion of litter into faeces accelerates organic matter turnover
Authors: Joly François-Xavier , Coq Sylvain , Coulis Mathieu , David Jean-François , Hättenschwiler Stephan , Mueller Carsten W. , Prater Isabel , Subke Jens-Arne 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLitter-feeding soil animals are notoriously neglected in conceptual and mechanistic biogeochemical models. Yet, they may be a dominant factor in decomposition by converting large amounts of plant litter into faeces. Here, we assess how the chemical and physical changes occurring when litter is converted into faeces alter their fate during further decomposition with an experimental test including 36 combinations of phylogenetically distant detritivores and leaf litter of contrasting physicochemical characteristics. We show that, across litter and detritivore species, litter conversion into detritivore faeces enhanced organic matter lability and thereby accelerated carbon cycling. Notably, the positive conversion effect on faeces quality and decomposition increased with decreasing quality and decomposition of intact litter. This general pattern was consistent across detritivores as different as snails and woodlice, and reduced differences in quality and decomposition amongst litter species. Our data show that litter conversion into detritivore faeces has far-reaching consequences for the understanding and modelling of the terrestrial carbon cycle.
Long‐range millimetre wave wireless links enabled by travelling wave tubes and resonant tunnelling diodes
Authors: Paoloni Claudio , Basu Rupa , Billa Laxma R. , Rao Jeevan M. , Letizia Rosa , Ni Qiang , Wasige Edward , Al‐Khalidi Abdullah , Wang Jue , Morariu Razvan 
Published: November 2020

High data rate wireless links are an affordable and easily deployable solution to replace or complement fibre. The wide frequency band available at millimetre waves above 100 GHz can support multi‐gigabit per second data rate. However, the high attenuation due to rain and humidity poses a substantial obstacle to long‐range links. This study describes a wireless system being developed for point‐to‐point links at D‐band (DLINK), above 150 GHz, to enable a full fibre‐on‐air link with more than 1 km range and unprecedented data rate up to 45 Gb/s. The upper end of the D‐band spectrum is used (151.5–174.8 GHz) in full frequency division duplex transmission. The DLINK system consists of a transmitter using a directly modulated resonant tunnelling diode oscillator powered by novel travelling wave tubes. The performance and the small footprint of the front end will make the DLINK system highly competitive to the point‐to‐point links presently available in the market at frequencies below 100 GHz. The innovative approach and the design are oriented to large‐scale productions to satisfy the high data traffic demand of the new 5G infrastructure.
Low sidelobe level circularly polarised monopulse slot waveguide antenna array for Ka‐band application
Authors: Wang Ankang , Li Xi , Zhao Jiawei , Yi XiangJie , Yang Lin , Zhang Yu 
Published: November 2020

A circularly polarised (CP) monopulse waveguide antenna array for Ka‐band wireless communication is proposed. The antenna structure can be divided into six layers from top to bottom, including radiating layer, aperture layer, cavity layer, aperture layer, feeding layer and monopulse comparator. The upper radiating layer allows two transmission modes of the transverse electric (TE) wave and the transverse magnetic (TM) wave to pass through. The 90° phase difference can be obtained by adjusting the horizontal and vertical angles of the horn radiator, which realises the CP radiation pattern. Besides, the 0° or180° phase difference produced by the monopulse comparator enables the antenna to obtain a monopulse radiation mode. In order to obtain the low sidelobe characteristics, the coupling parameters of the coupling layer are weighted by the Taylor distribution. The overall size of the antenna is 194 × 25 × 31 mm3. The slot waveguide antenna is fabricated and measured to validate the proposed design. The measured results show that the monopulse system can achieve an impedance bandwidth of 3.7% (34.5–35.8 GHz) in the Ka‐band at the centre frequency of 35 GHz. The sum‐pattern maximum gain and radiation efficiency are 23.3 dBic and 75% at 35 GHz, and the gain of the whole bandwidth is >20 dBic. The axial ratio and the sidelobe level is less than 1.2 and −28 dB, respectively. The difference‐pattern amplitude imbalance is <0.2 dB and the null‐depth lower than −30 dB. Also, the isolation is better than 30 dB. Besides, the pure metal structure of waveguide has incomparable advantages in a harsh environment.