Operation speed and coherence time are two core measures for the viability of a qubit. Strong spin-orbit interaction (SOI) and relatively weak hyperfine interaction make holes in germanium (Ge) ...intriguing candidates for spin qubits with rapid, all-electrical coherent control. Here we report ultrafast single-spin manipulation in a hole-based double quantum dot in a germanium hut wire (GHW). Mediated by the strong SOI, a Rabi frequency exceeding 540 MHz is observed at a magnetic field of 100 mT, setting a record for ultrafast spin qubit control in semiconductor systems. We demonstrate that the strong SOI of heavy holes (HHs) in our GHW, characterized by a very short spin-orbit length of 1.5 nm, enables the rapid gate operations we accomplish. Our results demonstrate the potential of ultrafast coherent control of hole spin qubits to meet the requirement of DiVincenzo's criteria for a scalable quantum information processor.
A multi-objective and multi-parameter optimization is implemented to design the optimal structure of bismuth-telluride-based TEG (thermoelectric generator) module. A multi-physics TEG model combining ...the SCG (simplified conjugate-gradient) algorithm is used as the optimization tool. The semiconductor pair number, leg length, and base area ratio of semiconductor columns to TEG module significantly affect the TEG performance, and hence are all incorporated into the present optimization study. A single-objective optimization is first implemented to provide input parameters for the multi-objective optimization. The results show that when taking the output power as the single-objective function, the output power can be elevated significantly by optimization of the three geometric parameters but which also accompanies the significant reduction in the conversion efficiency. The same result also occurs when taking the conversion efficiency as the single-objective function. By combining the output power and conversion efficiency with a weight factor as the multi-objective function, the optimization is again implemented. The optimal design obtained by multi-objective optimization makes a proper balance between the output power and conversion efficiency, so that the both are improved simultaneously.
•A multi-physics TEG (thermoelectric generator) model combining a SCG algorithm is used as optimization tool.•The multi-objective optimization is implemented to look for the optimal TEG design.•Three key geometric parameters are chosen as the search variables.•Output power and conversion efficiency are elevated simultaneously by optimization.
Explicitly sharing individual level data in genomics studies has many merits comparing to sharing summary statistics, including more strict QCs, common statistical analyses, relative identification ...and improved statistical power in GWAS, but it is hampered by privacy or ethical constraints. In this study, we developed encG-reg, a regression approach that can detect relatives of various degrees based on encrypted genomic data, which is immune of ethical constraints. The encryption properties of encG-reg are based on the random matrix theory by masking the original genotypic matrix without sacrificing precision of individual-level genotype data. We established a connection between the dimension of a random matrix, which masked genotype matrices, and the required precision of a study for encrypted genotype data. encG-reg has false positive and false negative rates equivalent to sharing original individual level data, and is computationally efficient when searching relatives. We split the UK Biobank into their respective centers, and then encrypted the genotype data. We observed that the relatives estimated using encG-reg was equivalently accurate with the estimation by KING, which is a widely used software but requires original genotype data. In a more complex application, we launched a finely devised multi-center collaboration across 5 research institutes in China, covering 9 cohorts of 54,092 GWAS samples. encG-reg again identified true relatives existing across the cohorts with even different ethnic backgrounds and genotypic qualities. Our study clearly demonstrates that encrypted genomic data can be used for data sharing without loss of information or data sharing barrier.
Abstract
The formation mechanism of high-concentration dwarf galaxies is still a mystery. We perform a comparative study of the intrinsic shape of nearby low-mass galaxies with different stellar ...concentration. The intrinsic shape is parameterized by the intermediate-to-major axis ratios B/A and the minor-to-major axis ratios C/A of triaxial ellipsoidal models. Our galaxies (10
7.5
M
⊙
<
M
⋆
< 10
10.0
M
⊙
) are selected to have spectroscopic redshift from SDSS or GAMA and have broadband optical images from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program (HSC-SSP) wide-layer survey. The deep HSC-SSP images allow to measure the apparent axis ratios
q
at galactic radii beyond the central star-forming area of our galaxies. We infer the intrinsic axis ratios based on the
q
distributions. We find that (1) our galaxies have typical intrinsic shape similarly close to be oblate (
μ
B/A
∼ 0.9–1), regardless of the concentration, stellar mass, star formation activity, and local environment (being central or satellite); (2) galaxies with the highest concentration tend to have intrinsic thickness similar to or (in virtually all cases) slightly thinner (i.e., smaller mean
μ
C/A
or equivalently lower triaxiality) than ordinary galaxies, regardless of other properties explored here. This appears to be in contrast with the expectation of the classic merger scenario for high-concentration galaxies. Given the lack of a complete understanding of dwarf–dwarf merger, we cannot draw a definite conclusion about the relevance of mergers in the formation of high-concentration dwarfs. Other mechanisms such as halo spin may also play important roles in the formation of high-concentration dwarf galaxies.
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•Mutant from XYL10C_ΔN with improved catalytic activity was obtained through protein engineering.•Synergistic hydrolysis with the engineered xylanase and cellulase excelled other ...enzyme treatments.•Seawater immersion was helpful for biomass hydrolysis as chemical pretreatment.•Ramulus mori was converted into fermentable sugars with lower energy consumption.
Biorefinery of Ramulus mori with lower energy consumption through improved enzyme and pretreatment strategies was reported. Directed evolution and saturation mutagenesis were used for the modification of xylanase, the yield of fermentable sugars and the degree of synergy (DS) were determined for different pretreatment (seawater/non-seawater) and enzyme treatment groups (xylanase/cellulase/co-treatment). The dominant mutant I133A/Q143Y of Bispora sp. xylanase XYL10C_ΔN was obtained with improved specific activity (1860 U/mg), catalytic efficiency (1150 mL/s∙mg) at 40 °C, and thermostability (T50 increased by 7 °C). With the pretreatment of seawater immersion, the highest yield of fermentable sugars for Ramulus mori at 40 °C reached 199 μmol/g when hydrolyzed with cellulase and I133A/Q143Y, with the highest DS of 2.6; this was 4.5-fold that of the group hydrolyzed by cellulase alone with non-seawater pretreatment. Thus, bioconversion of reducing sugar from Ramulus mori was improved significantly at lower temperatures, which provides an efficient and energy-saving wayfor biofuel production.
Compounds that delay aging might also postpone age-related diseases and extend healthspan in humans. Icariin is a flavonol extracted from several plant species of the Epimedium family. The icariin ...and its metabolic derivatives have been shown to exert wide protective effects in age-related diseases. However, whether icariin and its derivatives have the potency of delaying aging remains unclear. Here, we report that icariin and its derivative icariside II extend C. elegans lifespan. Using HPLC, we found high level of icariside II in the animals treated with icariin, suggesting icariside II is the bioactive form in vivo of icariin. Icariside II also increased the thermo and oxidative stress tolerance, slowed locomotion decline in late adulthood and delayed the onset of paralysis mediated by polyQ and Aβ(1-42) proteotoxicity. The lifespan extension effect of icariside II is dependent on the insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) since the daf-16(mu86) and daf-2(e1370) failed to show any lifespan extension upon icariside II treatment. Consistently, icariside II treatment upregulates the expression of DAF-16 targets in the wild-type. Moreover, our data suggests that the heat shock transcription factor HSF-1 has a role in icariside II-dependent lifespan extension further implicating the IIS pathway. In conclusion, we demonstrate a novel natural compound, icariside II as the bioactive form of icariin, extends the healthspan via IIS pathway in C. elegans.
Zircon U–Pb dates, Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions, and major element and trace element geochemistry were determined for the Baiyanghe granite porphyry in the Western Junggar, NW China. The porphyry, ...has a zircon U–Pb age of 313.4±2.3Ma, is high in SiO2 (76.34–78.30wt.%) and K2O+Na2O (8.04–8.85wt.%), relatively low in MgO (0.01–0.03wt.%) and CaO (0.29–0.39wt.%), and shows characteristics typical of A-type granites. Because its Y/Nb ratio (0.33–0.51) is lower than 1.2, it can be classified into A1 group. Moreover, due to its positive values of εNd(t) (4.06–5.29) and εHf(t) (8.18–11.07), and high concentrations of incompatible elements, including Rb, Th, U and Nb, the Baiyanghe granite porphyry is suggested to have been derived from an oceanic island basalt-like mantle source. Their extremely high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7143–0.7469) and high (La/Sm)N values (5.13–8.44) could be caused by the involvement of marine sediments. The low Ba, Sr, and Eu concentrations and high values of DI (97.3–98.0) of the granite porphyry suggest that its magma had undergone a high degree of fractional crystallization. Characterized by the features of within-plate granites, a back-arc basin tectonic setting is favored for the petrogenesis of the Baiyanghe granite porphyry. Such a setting indicates that the subduction of the Irtysh–Zaysan oceanic lithosphere beneath the Zharma–Saur arc was still active during the Late Carboniferous and the collision between the Siberia and Kazakhstan blocks probably occurred between ca. 316Ma and 307Ma.
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•The first report of the Baiyanghe granite porphyry•The first report of A1-tpye granite in the Western Junggar•An indication of a back arc basin tectonic setting•New evidence of an on-going subduction for the Western Junggar
The development of antibiotic resistance and the onset of diverse forms of cancer necessitate the utilization of innovative multifunctional biocompatible materials. The synthesis of metal and ...metalloid nanoparticles through eco-friendly means demonstrates promising potential in therapeutic and diagnostic domains. Among these materials, Tellurium (Te) exhibits exceptional characteristics and finds application in numerous fields; nevertheless, its usage in biological applications has been somewhat limited, primarily due to its inherent toxicity. Furthermore, nanomaterials developed from Te have not garnered adequate research attention. Conversely, nanomaterials fashioned using biomolecules augment their biological efficacy and applicability. Therefore, the present work focuses on synthesizing the tellurium nanoparticles (Te NPs) using the antioxidant molecule gallic acid (GA) and evaluating their biological activity and toxicity for the first time. The study evidenced that GA-Te NPs are spherical and monodispersed, with an average size of 19.74 ± 5.3 nm. XRD analysis confirmed a hexagonal crystalline structure for GA-Te NPs, and FTIR analysis evidenced the capping of GA on Te NPs. GA-Te NPs (MIC: 1.56 μg/mL) strongly reduce the growth and biofilm formation of S. aureus, E. coli, and S. enterica. Additionally, GA-Te NPs at a concentration of 50 μg/mL cause a significant level of toxicity in BT474 breast cancer cells but not in NIH3T3 cells. Unexpectedly, GA-Te NPs at concentrations <250 μg/mL do not cause hemolysis in red blood cells (RBC) Besides, the way of utilizing the lower concentrations of therapeutics could result in ecological safety. Therefore, the study concludes that GA-Te NPs could be used as potential multifunctional agents.
Chemical synaptic transmission is central to the brain functions. In this regard, real‐time monitoring of chemical synaptic transmission during neuronal communication remains a great challenge. In ...this work, in vivo‐like oriented neural networks between superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons and their effector smooth muscle cells (SMC) were assembled in a microfluidic device. This allowed amperometric detection of individual neurotransmitter release events inside functional SCG‐SMC synapse with carbon fiber nanoelectrodes as well as recording of postsynaptic potential using glass nanopipette electrodes. The high vesicular release activities essentially involved complex events arising from flickering fusion pores as quantitatively established based on simulations. This work allowed for the first time monitoring in situ chemical synaptic transmission under conditions close to those found in vivo, which may yield important and new insights into the nature of neuronal communications.
A microfluidic chip was developed taking advantage of a carbon fiber nanoelectrode (CFNE) and a robust platform for real‐time monitoring of single intra‐synaptic vesicular release events and of the subsequent generation of postsynaptic membrane excitatory potential (EJP) signals. By using this chip, the first in situ measurements of synaptic transmission in neuromuscular mimics are reported.
Roegneria yenchiana sp. nov. (Triticeae) is a new species collected from Shangri‐la of Yunnan Province in China based on morphological, cytological, and molecular data. It is morphologically ...characterized by one spikelet per node, rectangular glums, awns flanked by two short mucros in lemmas, distinguished from other species of Roegneria. The genomic in situ hybridization results indicate that R. yenchiana is an allotetraploid, and its genomic constitution is StY. Phylogenetic analyses based on multiple loci suggested that R. yenchiana is closely related to Pseudoroegneria and Roegneria, and the Pseudoroegneria served as the maternal donors during its polyploid speciation.
Roegneria yenchiana sp. nov. (Triticeae) is described as a new species collected from the Hengduan Mountain Region. Roegneria yenchiana contains the StY genomic constitution. Pseudoroegneria served as the maternal donors during the polyploid speciation of Roegneria yenchiana.
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