The haplotype-resolved T2T reference genome highlights structural variation underlying agronomic traits of melon

Melon(Cucumis melo L.)is an important vegetable crop that has an extensive history of cultivation.However,the genome of wild and semi-wild melon types that can be used for the analysis of agronomic traits is not yet available.Here we report a chromosome-level T2T genome assembly for 821(C.melo ssp.agrestis var.acidulus),a semi-wild melon with two haplotypes of∼373 Mb and∼364 Mb,respectively.Comparative genome analysis discovered a significant number of structural variants(SVs)between melo(C.melo ssp.melo)and agrestis(C.melo ssp.agrestis)genomes,including a copy number variation located in the ToLCNDV resistance locus on chromosome 11.Genome-wide association studies detected a significant signal associated with climacteric ripening and identified one candidate gene CM_ac12g14720.1(CmABA2),encoding a cytoplasmic short chain dehydrogenase/reductase,which controls the biosynthesis of abscisic acid.This study provides valuable genetic resources for future research on melon breeding.

Elaboration of Materials with Functionality Gradients by Assembly of Chitosan-Collagen Microspheres Produced by Microfluidics

Biopolymers extracted from renewable resources like chitosan and collagen exhibit interesting properties for the elaboration of materials designed for tissue engineering applications,among which are their hydrophilicity,biocompatibility and biodegradability.In many cases,functional recovery of an injured tissue or organ requires oriented cell outgrowth,which is particularly critical for nerve regeneration.Therefore,there is a growing interest for the elaboration of materials exhibiting functionalization gradients able to guide cells.Here,we explore an original way of elaborating such gradients by assembling particles from a library of functionalized microspheres.We propose a simple process to prepare chitosan-collagen hybrid microspheres by micro-and milli-fluidics,with adaptable dimensions and narrow size distributions.The adhesion and survival rate of PC12 cells on hybrid microspheres were compared to those on pure chitosan ones.Finally,functionalized microspheres were assembled into membranes exhibiting a functionalization gradient.

Simulation of the Hygrothermal Behavior of a Building Envelope Based on Phase Change Materials and a Bio-Based Concrete

Phase Change Materials(PCMs)have high thermal inertia,and hemp concrete(HC),a bio-based concrete,has strong hygroscopic behavior.In previous studies,PCM has been extensively combined with many materials,however,most of these studies focused on thermal properties while neglecting hygroscopic aspects.In this study,the two materials have been combined into a building envelope and the related hygrothermal properties have been studied.In particular,numerical studies have been performed to investigate the temperature and relative humidity behavior inside the HC,and the effect of adding PCM on the hygrothermal behavior of the HC.The results show that there is a high coupling between temperature and relative humidity inside the HC,since the relative humidity changes on the second and third days are different,with values of 8%and 4%,respectively.Also,the variation of relative humidity with temperature indicates the dominant influence of temperature on relative humidity variation.With the presence of PCM,the temperature variation inside the HC is damped due to the high thermal inertia of the PCM,which also leads to suppression of moisture evaporation and thus damping of relative humidity variation.On the second and third days,the temperature changes at the central position are reduced by 4.6%and 5.1%,compared to the quarter position.For the relative humidity change,the reductions are 5.3%and 5.4%on the second and third days,respectively.Therefore,PCM,with high thermal inertia,acts as a temperature damper and has the potential to increase the moisture buffering capacity inside the HC.This makes it possible for such a combined envelope to have both thermal and hygric inertia.

Cambrian-early Ordovician volcanism across the South Armorican and Occitan domains of the Variscan Belt in France:Continental break-up and rifting of the northern Gondwana margin

The Cambrian-lower Ordovician volcanic units of the South Armorican and Occitan domains are ana- lysed in a tectonostratigraphic survey of the French Variscan Belt. The South Armorican lavas consist of continental tholeiites in middle Camhrian-Furongian sequences related to continental break-up. A significant volcanic activity occurred in the Tremadocian, dominated by crustal melted rhyolitic lavas and initial rifting tholeiites. The Occitan lavas are distributed into five volcanic phases： （I） basal Cambrian rhyolites, （2） upper lower Cambrian Mg-rich tholeiites close to N-MORBs but crustal contaminated, （3） upper lower-middle Cambrian continental tholeiites, （4） Tremadocian rhyolites, and （5） upper lower Ordovician initial rift tholeiites. A rifting event linked to asthenosphere upwelling took place in the late early Cambrian but did not evolve. It renewed in the Tremadocian with abundant crustal melting due to underplating of mixed asthenospheric and lithospheric magmas. This main tectono-magmatic conti- nental rift is termed the ＂Tremadocian Tectonic Belt＂ underlined by a chain of rhyolitic volcanoes from Occitan and South Armorican domains to Central Iberia. It evolved with the setting of syn-rift coarse siliciclastic deposits overlain by post-rift deep water shales in a suite of sedimentary basins that fore- casted the South Armorican-Medio-European Ocean as a part of the Palaeotethys Ocean.

Deciphering the Role of Klf10 in the Cerebellum

Recent studies have demonstrated a new role for Klf10, a Krüppel-like transcription factor, in skeletal muscle, specifically relating to mitochondrial function. Thus, it was of interest to analyze additional tissues that are highly reliant on optimal mitochondrial function such as the cerebellum and to decipher the role of Klf10 in the functional and structural properties of this brain region. In vivo (magnetic resonance imaging and localized spectroscopy, behavior analysis) and in vitro (histology, spectroscopy analysis, enzymatic activity) techniques were applied to comprehensively assess the cerebellum of wild type (WT) and Klf10 knockout (KO) mice. Histology analysis and assessment of locomotion revealed no significant difference in Klf10 KO mice. Diffusion and texture results obtained using MRI revealed structural changes in KO mice characterized as defects in the organization of axons. These modifications may be explained by differences in the levels of specific metabolites (myo-inositol, lactate) within the KO cerebellum. Loss of Klf10 expression also led to changes in mitochondrial activity as reflected by a significant increase in the activity of citrate synthase, complexes I and IV. In summary, this study has provided evidence that Klf10 plays an important role in energy production and mitochondrial function in the cerebellum.

Thermoelectric properties of high-entropy rare-earth cobaltates

High-entropy concept introduced with a promising paradigm to obtain exotic physical properties has motivated us to explore the thermoelectric properties of Sr-substituted high-entropy rare-earth cobaltates i.e.,(LaNdPrSmEu)_(1-x)Sr_(x)CoO_(3)(0≤x≤0.10).The structural analysis of the samples,synthesized using the standard solid-state route,confirms the orthorhombic structure with the Pbnm space group.The Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity decrease with rising Sr concentration as well as with an increase in temperature.The multiple A-site ions in high-entropy rare-earth cobaltates result in an improved Seebeck coefficient(α)compared to La_(0.95)Sr_(0.05)CoO_(3),associated with a decrease in the Cosingle bondOsingle bondCo bond angle,which further enhances the power factor.The random distribution of cations at the rare-earth site results in a significant lowering of phonon thermal conductivity.As a result,a maximum figure of merit(zT)of 0.23 is obtained at 350K for(LaNdPrSmEu)_(0.95)Sr_(0.05)CoO_(3),which is one of the highest values of zT reported at this temperature for oxide materials.This study shows promise to decouple thermoelectric parameters using the high-entropy concept in several materials.

Experimental investigation of hygrothermal behavior of wooden-frame house under real climate conditions

This paper deals with the experimental investigation of hygrothermal behavior of wooden-frame building enve-lope.The experiment was based on in-situ monitoring of a full size experimental monozone house built at the University of Lorraine.Variations in temperature and relative humidity inside and outside the envelope were logged simultaneously with local meteorological data.Results showed the high coupling between temperature and relative humidity variations within the envelope materials.An overall hygrothermal response of the wall highlighted an interesting hygrothermal dynamic behavior of the envelope which may contribute to mitigate variations of relative humidity inside the building.Nevertheless,relative humidity evolves within a range of values that can lead to mold growth at a certain position which may alter wooden envelope life.

Applications of biosensors for bacteria and virus detection in food and water–A systematic review

Biosensors for sensitive and specific detection of foodborne and waterborne pathogens are particularly valued for their portability,usability,relatively low cost,and real-time or near real-time response.Their application is widespread in several domains,including environmental monitoring.The main limitation of currently developed biosensors is a lack of sensitivity and specificity in complex matrices.Due to increased interest in biosensor development,we conducted a systematic review,complying with the PRISMA guidelines,covering the period from January 2010 to December 2019.The review is focused on biosensor applications in the identification of foodborne and waterborne microorganisms based on research articles identified in the Pubmed,Science Direct,and Scopus search engines.Efforts are still in progress to overcome detection limitations and to provide a rapid detection system which will safeguard water and food quality.The use of biosensors is an essential tool with applicability in the evaluation and monitoring of the environment and food,with great impact in public health.

How an All-or-Nothing insurance behaviour challenges economic policies:an experimental approach

Based on experimental data,this paper confirms,in a controlled environment,converging theoretical and empirical results that,when individuals insure,they choose to insure themselves with a full cover.This insurance behaviour creates an opportunity for the public authority to drive people to enter the insurance market where they would buy full insurance.This paper also sheds light on the risks of an opportunistic insurers’behaviour.This heuristic challenges the efficiency of separating contracts designed to address adverse selection issues.Indeed,a strong preference for full contracts may encourage low-risk individuals to turn to(full)contracts designed for high-risk individuals,yielding advantageous selection opportunities for insurers.However,if this heuristic strengthens the high-risks’reluctance for partial insurance,it may increase the efficiency of the separating contracts,and the lowrisk individuals suffer less from adverse selection.