Magnetic skyrmions are topologically protected vortex-like nanometric spin textures that have recently received growingly attention for their potential applications in future highperformance spintronic devices. Such unique mangetic naondomains have been recently discovered in bulk chiral magnetic materials, such as MnSi [1][2][3][4] , FeGe [5,6] , FeCoSi [7] , Cu 2 OSeO 3 [8][9][10] , -Mn-type Co-Zn-Mn [11] , and also GaV 4 S 8[12] a polar magnet. The crystal structure of these materials is cubic and lack of centrosymmetry, leading to the existence of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interactions. Unlike the conventional spin configurations, such as helical or conical, that are usually found in chiral magnets, a magnetic skyrmion has a particle-like swirling-spin configuration characterized by a topological index called the skyrmion number [13,14] . The nontrivial topology of magnetic skyrmions results in a number of

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The program(s) of gene expression operating during murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68) latency is undefined, as is the relationship between γHV68 latency and latency of primate gammaherpesviruses. We used a nested reverse transcriptase PCR strategy (sensitive to approximately one copy of γHV68 genome for each genomic region tested) to screen for the presence of viral transcripts in latently infected mice. Based on the positions of known latency-associated genes in other gammaherpesviruses, we screened for the presence of transcripts corresponding to 11 open reading frames (ORFs) in the γHV68 genome in RNA from spleens and peritoneal cells of latently infected B-cell-deficient (MuMT) mice which have been shown contain high levels of reactivable latent γHV68 (K. E. Weck, M. L. Barkon, L. I. Yoo, S. H. Speck, and H. W. Virgin, J. Virol. 70:6775–6780, 1996). To control for the possible presence of viral lytic activity, we determined that RNA from latently infected peritoneal and spleen cells contained few or no detectable transcripts corresponding to seven ORFs known to encode viral gene products associated with lytic replication. However, we did detect low-level expression of transcripts arising from the region of gene 50 (encoding the putative homolog of the Epstein-Barr virus BRLF1 transactivator) in peritoneal but not spleen cells. Latently infected peritoneal cells consistently scored for expression of RNA derived from 4 of the 11 candidate latency-associated ORFs examined, including the regions of ORF M2, ORF M11 (encoding v-bcl-2), gene 73 (a homolog of the Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus [human herpesvirus 8] gene encoding latency-associated nuclear antigen), and gene 74 (encoding a G-protein coupled receptor homolog, v-GCR). Latently infected spleen cells consistently scored positive for RNA derived from 3 of the 11 candidate latency-associated ORFs examined, including ORF M2, ORF M3, and ORF M9. To further characterize transcription of these candidate latency-associated ORFs, we examined their transcription in lytically infected fibroblasts by Northern analysis. We detected abundant transcription from regions of the genome containing ORF M3 and ORF M9, as well as the known lytic-cycle genes. However, transcription of ORF M2, ORF M11, gene 73, and gene 74 was barely detectable in lytically infected fibroblasts, consistent with a role of these viral genes during latent infection. We conclude that (i) we have identified several candidate latency genes of murine γHV68, (ii) expression of genes during latency may be different in different organs, consistent with multiple latency programs and/or multiple cellular sites of latency, and (iii) regions of the viral genome (v-bcl-2 gene, v-GCR gene, and gene 73) are transcribed during latency with both γHV68 and primate gammaherpesviruses. The implications of these findings for replacing previous operational definitions of γHV68 latency with a molecular definition are discussed.

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Traditionally fermented Pixian broad bean paste (PBP) is a traditional condiment in China and is recognized to have superior quality than the industrially fermented. This work aimed to identify the dominant microbes and unique aroma compounds in traditionally fermented PBP with respect to those in the industrially fermented one. Results showed that several species of lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, Aspergillus, molds, and Staphylococcus were only detected in traditionally fermented PBP, namely, Leuconostoc lactis, Staphylococcus xylosus, S. succinus, Amylomyces rouxii, Mucor genevensis, Absidia corymbifera, Issatchenkia orientalis, basidiomycete yeast sp., and Metschnikowia pulcherrima. Furthermore, the traditionally fermented PBP contained more compounds that contribute to its aroma than those in industrially fermented PBP. A total of 28 aroma substances only were detected in the traditionally fermented PBP. Among these substances, seven were considered aromaactive compounds, namely, ethyl caprylate, hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, 2-methyl-pyrazine, 2,6-dimethyl-pyrazine, 2-pentyl furan, 2-acetyl furan, and hexadecanoic acid. This work provides useful information on the microbial composition and aroma compounds of PBP that can be used to upgrade the quality of industrially fermented PBP.

Low thermal conductivity is favorable for preserving the temperature gradient between the two ends of a thermoelectric material, in order to ensure continuous electron current generation. In high-performance thermoelectric materials, there are two main low thermal conductivity mechanisms: the phonon anharmonic in PbTe and SnSe, and phonon scattering resulting from the dynamic disorder in AgCrSe 2 and CuCrSe 2 , which have been successfully revealed by inelastic neutron scattering. Using neutron scattering and ab initio calculations, we report here a mechanism of static local structure distortion combined with phononanharmonic-induced ultralow lattice thermal conductivity in α-MgAgSb. Since the transverse acoustic phonons are almost fully scattered by the compound's intrinsic distorted rocksalt sublattice, the heat is mainly transported by the longitudinal acoustic phonons. The ultralow thermal conductivity in α-MgAgSb is attributed to its atomic dynamics being altered by the structure distortion, which presents a possible microscopic route to enhance the performance of similar thermoelectric materials.

Human calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor that maintains Ca2+ homeostasis in serum. Here, we present the cryo-electron microscopy structures of the CaSR in the inactive and agonist+PAM bound states. Complemented with previously reported structures of CaSR, we show that in addition to the full inactive and active states, there are multiple intermediate states during the activation of CaSR. We used a negative allosteric nanobody to stabilize the CaSR in the fully inactive state and found a new binding site for Ca2+ ion that acts as a composite agonist with L-amino acid to stabilize the closure of active Venus flytraps. Our data show that agonist binding leads to compaction of the dimer, proximity of the cysteine-rich domains, large-scale transitions of 7-transmembrane domains, and inter- and intrasubunit conformational changes of 7-transmembrane domains to accommodate downstream transducers. Our results reveal the structural basis for activation mechanisms of CaSR and clarify the mode of action of Ca2+ ions and L-amino acid leading to the activation of the receptor.

During the past decades, Li-ion batteries have been one of the most important energy storage devices. Large-scale energy storage requires Li-ion batteries which possess high energy density, low cost, and high safety. Other than advanced battery materials, in-depth understanding of the intrinsic mechanism correlated with cell reaction is also essential for the development of high-performance Li-ion battery. Advanced characterization techniques, especially neutron-based techniques, have greatly promoted Li-ion battery researches. In this review, the characteristics or capabilities of various neutron-based characterization techniques, including elastic neutron scattering, quasi-elastic neutron scattering, neutron imaging, and inelastic neutron scattering, for the related Li-ion-battery researches are summarized. The design of in-situ/operando environment is also discussed. The comprehensive survey on neutron-based characterizations for mechanism understanding will provide guidance for the further study of high-performance Li-ion batteries.