Direct photoluminescence probing of ferromagnetism in monolayer two-dimensional CrBr3

Atomically thin magnets are the key element to build up spintronics based on two-dimensional materials. The surface nature of two-dimensional ferromagnet opens up opportunities to improve the device performance efficiently. Here, we report the intrinsic ferromagnetism in atomically thin monolayer CrBr3, directly probed by polarization resolved magneto-photoluminescence. The spontaneous magnetization persists in monolayer CrBr3 with a Curie temperature of 34 K. The development of magnons by the thermal excitation is in line with the spin-wave theory. We attribute the layer-number dependent hysteresis loops in thick layers to the magnetic domain structures. As a stable monolayer material in air, CrBr3 provides a convenient platform for fundamental physics and pushes the potential applications of the two-dimensional ferromagnetism.Comment: 27 pages, 10 figure

Genome Analyses of the New Model Protist \u3ci\u3eEuplotes vannus\u3c/i\u3e Focusing on Genome Rearrangement and Resistance to Environmental Stressors

As a model organism for studies of cell and environmental biology, the free-living and cosmopolitan ciliate Euplotes vannus shows intriguing features like dual genome architecture (i.e., separate germline and somatic nuclei in each cell/organism), “gene-sized” chromosomes, stop codon reassignment, programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) and strong resistance to environmental stressors. However, the molecular mechanisms that account for these remarkable traits remain largely unknown. Here we report a combined analysis of de novo assembled high-quality macronuclear (MAC; i.e., somatic) and partial micronuclear (MIC; i.e., germline) genome sequences for E. vannus, and transcriptome profiling data under varying conditions. The results demonstrate that: (a) the MAC genome contains more than 25,000 complete “gene-sized” nanochromosomes (~85 Mb haploid genome size) with the N50 ~2.7 kb; (b) although there is a high frequency of frameshifting at stop codons UAA and UAG, we did not observe impaired transcript abundance as a result of PRF in this species as has been reported for other euplotids; (c) the sequence motif 5′-TA-3′ is conserved at nearly all internally-eliminated sequence (IES) boundaries in the MIC genome, and chromosome breakage sites (CBSs) are duplicated and retained in the MAC genome; (d) by profiling the weighted correlation network of genes in the MAC under different environmental stressors, including nutrient scarcity, extreme temperature, salinity and the presence of ammonia, we identified gene clusters that respond to these external physical or chemical stimulations, and (e) we observed a dramatic increase in HSP70 gene transcription under salinity and chemical stresses but surprisingly, not under temperature changes; we link this temperature-resistance to the evolved loss of temperature stress-sensitive elements in regulatory regions. Together with the genome resources generated in this study, which are available online at Euplotes vannus Genome Database (http://evan.ciliate.org), these data provide molecular evidence for understanding the unique biology of highly adaptable microorganisms

A Simple and Rapid Determination of ATP, ADP and AMP Concentrations in Pericarp Tissue of Litchi Fruit by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Razvijena je jednostavna i brza metoda određivanja masenog udjela adenozin trifosfata (ATP), adenozin difosfata (ADP) i adenozin monofosfata (AMP) visokodjelotvornom tekućinskom kromatografijom (HPLC) u perikarpu voća liči. Pri određivanju adenozin fosfata upotrijebljen je acetonitril koji skraćuje vrijeme postupka. Također je postignuta dobra ponovljivost (koeficijent varijacije iznosi 1,28-1,80 %) i obnovljivost (94,7-97,1 %). Koeficijenti korelacije s površinama pika u rasponu od 0 do 80 ng iznosili su 0,9946 za ATP; 0,9994 za ADP i 0,9974 za AMP. Ova je metoda primijenjena za određivanje masenog udjela adenozin fosfata u perikarpu voća liči pri berbi, pa je utvrđeno da je maseni udio ATP-a iznosio 27,4 μg/g, ADP-a 35,4 μg/g i AMP-a 7,9 μg/g, na bazi svježe tvari voća.A simple and rapid method using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed to determine levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in litchi fruit pericarp tissue. This HPLC method used acetonitrile gradient elution and shortened the time required for determinations of adenosine phosphates. This analysis exhibited good repeatability (coefficients of variation 1.28–1.80 %) and recovery rate (94.7–97.1 %). The correlation coefficients of ATP, ADP and AMP with their peak areas at a range of 0–80 ng were 0.9946, 0.9994 and 0.9974, respectively. This method was applied to determine levels of adenosine phosphates in pericarp tissue of litchi fruit at harvest. There were 27.4 μg/g of ATP, 35.4 μg/g of ADP and 7.9 μg/g of AMP on a fresh mass basis

Intrathermocline eddies observed in the northwestern subtropical Pacific Ocean

Two anticyclonic intrathermocline eddies (ITEs) were detected by an underwater glider in the northwestern subtropical Pacific Ocean during August-October 2019. They both exhibited a lens-shaped vertical structure within the thermocline with their cores located at ~170 m. The North Pacific Subtropical Mode Water (STMW) was found within the cores of these two ITEs. The lens-shaped structure of ITE1 observed by the glider was very clear since the glider seemed to have moved into its core during the observation. Further analysis reveals that ITE1 displayed no signals at the sea surface and lasted for about 20 days (26 August-14 September 2019). ITE1 was locally formed and the water inside it was a mixture of local water and the water in the northern adjacent area. The low-salinity water at 0-50 m from the northern adjacent area extended southwestward and mixed with the local water. As a result, the local salinity-forced restratification caused a potential vorticity (PV) decrease in the subsurface and finally resulted in the generation of ITE1. The baroclinic instability at 50-170 m may be the main energy source for ITE1 generation. On the other hand, the lens-shaped structure of ITE2 observed by the glider was less prominent since the glider did not move into its core. Further analysis reveals that the lens-shaped structure of ITE2 was also very clear near its core and ITE2 displayed clear signals at the surface as an anticyclonic eddy (AE2). AE2/ITE2 was remotely generated within the main formation region of STMW and then moved southwestward. The low PV STMW was trapped in AE2 and a lens-shaped structure developed in the subsurface. Subduction of the STMW caused the generation of ITE2

Quasi-Solid-State Ion-Conducting Arrays Composite Electrolytes with Fast Ion Transport Vertical-Aligned Interfaces for All-Weather Practical Lithium-Metal Batteries

The rapid improvement in the gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) with high ionic conductivity brought it closer to practical applications in solid-state Li-metal batteries. The combination of solvent and polymer enables quasi-liquid fast ion transport in the GPEs. However, different ion transport capacity between solvent and polymer will cause local nonuniform Li$^+$ distribution, leading to severe dendrite growth. In addition, the poor thermal stability of the solvent also limits the operating-temperature window of the electrolytes. Optimizing the ion transport environment and enhancing the thermal stability are two major challenges that hinder the application of GPEs. Here, a strategy by introducing ion-conducting arrays (ICA) is created by vertical-aligned montmorillonite into GPE. Rapid ion transport on the ICA was demonstrated by $^6$Li solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and synchrotron X-ray diffraction, combined with computer simulations to visualize the transport process. Compared with conventional randomly dispersed fillers, ICA provides continuous interfaces to regulate the ion transport environment and enhances the tolerance of GPEs to extreme temperatures. Therefore, GPE/ICA exhibits high room-temperature ionic conductivity (1.08 mS cm$^{−1}$) and long-term stable Li deposition/stripping cycles (> 1000 h). As a final proof, Li||GPE/ICA||LiFePO$_4$ cells exhibit excellent cycle performance at wide temperature range (from 0 to 60 °C), which shows a promising path toward all-weather practical solid-state batteries

Case report: Multiple arterial stenoses induced by autosomal-recessive hypophosphatemic rickets type 2 associated with mutation of ENPP1: a case study

Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1)-related multiple arterial stenoses is a rare clinical syndrome in which global arterial calcification begins in infancy, with a high probability of early mortality, and hypophosphatemic rickets develops later in childhood. The vascular status of an ENPP1-mutated patient when they enter the rickets phase has not been thoroughly explored. In this study, we presented a case of an adolescent with an ENPP1 mutation who complained of uncontrolled hypertension. Systematic radiography showed renal, carotid, cranial, and aortic stenoses as well as random calcification foci on arterial walls. The patient was incorrectly diagnosed with Takayasu’s arteritis, and cortisol therapy had little effect on reducing the vascular stenosis. As a result, phosphate replacement, calcitriol substitution, and antihypertensive medication were prescribed, and the patient was discharged for further examination. This research presented the vascular alterations of an ENPP1-mutanted patient, and while there is less calcification, intimal thickening may be the primary cause of arterial stenosis

Clinical and genetic analysis of atypical parathyroid adenoma compared with parathyroid carcinoma and benign lesions in a Chinese cohort

ContextThe malignant potential and molecular signature of atypical parathyroid adenoma (APA) remain elusive. Data from Asia are still lacking.Design and settingThis was a retrospective study on a large APA cohort in a single center from mainland China.MethodsA total of 320 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), containing 79 APA, 79 Parathyroid cancer (PC) and 162 benign lesions cases, were enrolled after surgery for collection of clinical data and genetic analysis.ResultsAPA patients showed earlier mean onset age than benign group (46.9 ± 17.1 vs. 52.0 ± 14.3 yrs). Less bone involvement and gastrointestinal symptoms were presented in APA compared to PC (35.4% vs. 62.0%, and 17.7% vs. 41.8%), while more urolithiasis was seen in APA than in benign lesions (57.0% vs. 29.6%). The APA group had moderate hypercalcemia (mean 3.02 ± 0.44mmol/L) with elevated serum PTH (median 593.0pg/ml) and proportion of hypercalcemic crisis as 22.8%, all higher than those of benign lesions but lower than those of PC group. The recurrence/no remission rate of the APA group was significantly lower than that of the PC and similar to the benign group (5.1% vs. 31.6% vs. 3.1%). Germline CDC73 mutation was the most common molecular abnormality in both PC and APA subjects. APA patients with nonsynonymous germline variants showed earlier onset age (28.5 ± 16.9 vs. 48.1 ± 17.7 yrs) and more cases developing no remission/recurrence (25.0% vs. 0.0%).ConclusionsPatients with APA presented clinical and biochemical characteristics much less severe than PC and resembling the benign neoplasms, with a relatively good prognosis. Germline gene variations were associated with earlier onset and probably more recurrence of PHPT in APA

Robust Nuclear Spin Polarization via Ground-State Level Anti-Crossing of Boron Vacancy Defects in Hexagonal Boron Nitride

Nuclear spin polarization plays a crucial role in quantum information processing and quantum sensing. In this work, we demonstrate a robust and efficient method for nuclear spin polarization with boron vacancy ($\mathrm{V_B^-}$) defects in hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) using ground-state level anti-crossing (GSLAC). We show that GSLAC-assisted nuclear polarization can be achieved with significantly lower laser power than excited-state level anti-crossing, making the process experimentally more viable. Furthermore, we have demonstrated direct optical readout of nuclear spins for $\mathrm{V_B^-}$ in h-BN. Our findings suggest that GSLAC is a promising technique for the precise control and manipulation of nuclear spins in $\mathrm{V_B^-}$ defects in h-BN.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Novel and Recurrent Mutations of WISP3 in Two Chinese Families with Progressive Pseudorheumatoid Dysplasia

BACKGROUND: The WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 3 (WISP3), which belongs to the CCN (cysteine-rich protein 61, connective tissue growth factor, nephroblastoma overexpressed) family, is a secreted cysteine-rich matricellular protein that is involved in chondrogenesis, osteogenesis and tumorigenesis. WISP3 gene mutations are associated with progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPD, OMIM208230), an autosomal recessive genetic disease that is characterized by the swelling of multiple joints and disproportionate dwarfism. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Four PPD patients from two unrelated Chinese families were recruited for this study. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by medical history, physical examinations, laboratory results and radiological abnormalities. WISP3 mutations were detected by direct DNA sequence analysis. In total, four different mutations were identified, which consisted of two missense mutations, one deletion and one insertion that spanned exons 3, 5 and 6 of the WISP3 gene. One of the missense mutations (c.342T>G/p.C114W) and a seven-base pair frameshift deletion (c.716_722del/p.E239fs*16) were novel. The other missense mutation (c.1000T>C/p. S334P) and the insertion mutation (c.866_867insA/p.Q289fs*31) had previously been identified in Chinese patients. All four cases had a compound heterozygous status, and their parents were heterozygous carriers of these mutations. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The results of our study expand the spectrum of WISP3 mutations that are associated with PPD and further elucidate the function of WISP3