Branch Points Research Articles

Trade-off between processability and device performance in donor-acceptor semiconductors revealed using discrete siloxane side chains.

Donor-acceptor polymeric semiconductors are crucial for state-of-the-art applications, such as electronic skin mimics. The processability, and thus solubility, of these polymers in benign solvents is critical and can be improved through side chain engineering. Nevertheless, the impact of novel side chains on backbone orientation and emerging device properties often remains to be elucidated. Here, we investigate the influence of elongated linear and branched discrete oligodimethylsiloxane (oDMS) side chains on solubility and device performance. Thereto, diketopyrrolopyrrole-thienothiophene polymers are equipped with various oDMS pendants (PDPPTT-Sin) and subsequently phase separated into lamellar domains. The introduction of a branching point in the siloxane significantly enhanced the solubility of the polymer, as a result of increased backbone distortion. Simultaneously, the charge carrier mobility of the polymers decreased by an order of magnitude upon functionalization with long and/or branched siloxanes. This work unveils the intricate balance between processability and device performance in organic semiconductors, which is key for the development of next-generation electronic devices.

Application of phosphorus-bridged rigid, bent bis(NHCs) as dipodal ligands in main group and transition metal chemistry.

Phosphorus-bridged rigid, bent bis(N-heterocyclic) carbenes have not been reported, so far, despite having structural features that could make them interesting ligands in coordination and main group element chemistry. In previous reports, we had demonstrated that tuning of σ3- and σ4-phosphorus environments in planarised bis(NHCs) affects electronic properties and can provide additional coordination sites. Herein, we report on first examples of synthesis and conversion of 1,4-diphosphabarrelene-related compounds into rigid bent, doubly P-bridged bis(NHCs). The formation of main group element adducts with substrates from group 13, 14 and 15 illustrates opportunities to access novel scaffolds and to create nonplanar branching points. DFT calculations reveal the new bis(NHCs) to be good candidates as novel soft/hard ligands with up to four coordination sites. The synthesis of a dinuclear Fe(CO)4 complex is demonstrated. The thermal retro-[4 + 2] cycloaddition was theoretically and experimentally explored for a variety of ionic and zwitterionic 1,4-diphosphabarrelenes, and the generation and trapping of a dinuclear Fe(0) bis(NHC) complex with a tricyclic 1σ2,4 σ2-diphosphinine scaffold is presented.

Phantom chain simulations for the fracture of star polymer networks with various strand densities.

Despite many attempts, the relationship between the fracture and structure of polymer networks is yet to be clarified. For this problem, a recent study on phantom chain simulations [Y. Masubuchi et al., Macromolecules, 2023, 56, 9359-9367.] has demonstrated that the fracture characteristics obtained for polymer networks with various node functionalities and conversion ratios lie on master curves if they are plotted against cycle rank, which is the number of closed loops in the network per network node. In this study, we extended the simulation to the effect of prepolymer concentration c on the relationships between the cycle rank and fracture characteristics within the concentration range of 1 ≲ c/c* ≲ 10, concerning the overlapping concentration c*. We created networks from sols of star-branched phantom bead-spring chains via an end-linking reaction between different chains through Brownian dynamics simulations upon varying the number of branching arms f from 1 to 8, and the conversion ratio φc from 0.6 to 0.95. For the resultant networks, the cycle rank ξ was consistent with the mean-field theory. The networks were uniaxially stretched with energy minimization until break to obtain modulus G, strain at break εb, stress at break σb, and work for fracture Wb. As reported earlier, εb data for various f and φc are located on a master curve if plotted against ξ. The other quantities also draw master curves as functions of ξ if normalized by the branch point density υbr. The master curves depend on c; as c increases, all the mechanical characteristics monotonically increase. If we plot σb/υbr and Wb/υbr against G/υbr, the data for various f and φc lie on master curves but depending on c. Consequently, the fracture characteristics are not solely described by the modulus.

Molecular modulating of amylopectin’s structure promoted the formation of starch-unsaturated fatty acids complexes with controlled digestibility and improved stability to oxidation

In this study, waxy corn starch (WCS) was modified by amylosucrase and pullulanase, producing linear starch chains with elongated length that favored the complexation with unsaturated fatty acids (uFAs). Compared to native WCS, the amylosucrase-modified WCS with an average chain length of 47.8 was easier to form V-type complexes with oleic acid, while increasing the degree of unsaturation impeded the formation of V-type complexes. The pullulanase treatment hydrolyzed the branching points of amylosucrase-modified WCS and the linear starch chains could forme V-type complexes with oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid, with V-type crystallinity decreasing from 38.2 % to 20.1 %. V-type complexes had a lower thermal stability than the B-type starch crystallites, and their peak melting temperature ranged from 67.2 to 79.0 °C. The content of resistant starch in the complexes was in the range of 21.8 %-40.9 % and the formation of V-type complexes decreased the susceptibility of uFAs to oxygen.

Chronic intermittent hypoxia remodels catecholaminergic nerve innervation in mouse atria.

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH, a model for sleep apnoea) is a major risk factor for several cardiovascular diseases. Autonomic imbalance (sympathetic overactivity and parasympathetic withdrawal) has emerged as a causal contributor of CIH-induced cardiovascular disease. Previously, we showed that CIH remodels the parasympathetic pathway. However, whether CIH induces remodelling of the cardiac sympathetic innervation remains unknown. Mice (male, C57BL/6J, 2-3months) were exposed to either room air (RA, 21% O2 ) or CIH (alternating 21% and 5.7% O2 , every 6min, 10 hday-1 ) for 8-10weeks. Flat-mounts of their left and right atria were immunohistochemically labelled for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, a sympathetic marker). Using a confocal microscope (or fluorescence microscope) and Neurlocudia 360digitization and tracing system, we scanned both the left and right atria and quantitatively analysed the sympathetic axon density in both groups. The segmentation data was mapped onto a 3D mouse heart scaffold. Our findings indicated that CIH significantly remodelled the TH immunoreactive (-IR) innervation of the atria by increasing its density at the sinoatrial node, the auricles and the major veins attached to the atria (P < 0.05, n=7). Additionally, CIH increased the branching points of TH-IR axons and decreased the distance between varicosities. Abnormal patterns of TH-IR axons around intrinsic cardiac ganglia were also found following CIH. We postulate that the increased sympathetic innervation may further amplify the effects of enhanced CIH-induced central sympathetic drive to the heart. Our work provides an anatomical foundation for the understanding of CIH-induced autonomic imbalance. KEY POINTS: Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH, a model for sleep apnoea) causes sympathetic overactivity, cardiovascular remodelling and hypertension. We determined the effect of CIH on sympathetic innervation of the mouse atria. In vivo CIH for 8-10weeks resulted in an aberrant axonal pattern around the principal neurons within intrinsic cardiac ganglia and an increase in the density, branching point, tortuosity of catecholaminergic axons and atrial wall thickness. Utilizing mapping tool available from NIH (SPARC) Program, the topographical distribution of the catecholaminergic innervation of the atria were integrated into a novel 3D heart scaffold for precise anatomical distribution and holistic quantitative comparison between normal and CIH mice. This work provides a unique neuroanatomical understanding of the pathophysiology of CIH-induced autonomic remodelling.

Anti-Angiogenic Effect of Clerodendreme inerme Leaves Extract

Clerodendrum inerme, a medicinal plant, exhibits diverse pharmacological properties. Various species within the Clerodendrum genus have been traditionally utilized in indigenous medical systems and folk remedies. This study intended to scrutinize the anti-angiogenic possibility of CI through in-ovo, in-vitro, and in-vivo approaches. The screening methods employed include the chick chorioallantoic membrane test (in-ovo), sponge bud technique (in-vivo), as well as in-vitro assays for cell migration, cell proliferation, along with morphogenesis. Statistical analyses involved Dunnett’s test for mean comparisons, utilizing one-way ANOVA. In the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay, both angiogenic score and branching points were evaluated. Notably, CI exhibited noteworthy antiangiogenic effects. In the sponge implantation technique, CI at specified dosages resulted in a substantial reduction in sponge weights, the formation of new vessels, and hemoglobin levels. The antiangiogenic effects were particularly pronounced with increasing doses. Furthermore, on endothelial cells, C. inerme demonstrated a dose-dependent decrease in migration, proliferation, and tube length, indicating potent antiangiogenic properties. In summary, this research underscores the considerable antiangiogenic potential of CI by various assays.

The s process in massive stars, a benchmark for neutron capture reaction rates

A clear definition of the contribution from the slow neutron-capture process (s process) to the solar abundances between Fe and the Sr-Zr region is a crucial challenge for nuclear astrophysics. Robust s-process predictions are necessary to disentangle the contribution from other stellar processes producing elements in the same mass region. Nuclear uncertainties are affecting s-process calculations, but most of the needed nuclear input are accessible to present nuclear experiments or they will be in the near future. Neutron-capture rates have a great impact on the s process in massive stars, which is a fundamental source for the solar abundances of the lighter s-process elements heavier than Fe (weak s-process component). In this work we present a new nuclear sensitivity study to explore the impact on the s process in massive stars of 86 neutron-capture rates, including all the reactions between C and Si and between Fe and Zr. We derive the impact of the rates at the end of the He-burning core and at the end of the C-burning shell, where the 22\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{22}$$\\end{document}Ne(α\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\alpha $$\\end{document},n)25\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{25}$$\\end{document}Mg reaction is is the main neutron source. We confirm the relevance of the light isotopes capturing neutrons in competition with the Fe seeds as a crucial feature of the s process in massive stars. For heavy isotopes we study the propagation of the neutron-capture uncertainties, finding a clear difference of the impact of Fe and Co isotope rates with respect to the rates of heavier stable isotopes. The local uncertainty propagation due to the neutron-capture rates at the s-process branching points is also considered, discussing the example of 85\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{85}$$\\end{document}Kr. The complete results of our study for all the 86 neutron-capture rates are available online. Finally, we present the impact on the weak s process of the neutron-capture rates included in the new ASTRAL library (v0.2).

Activated Mn-MACHO Complexes Form Stable CO2 Adducts.

Manganese(I) carbonyl complexes bearing a MACHO-type ligand (HN(CH2 CH2 PR2 )2 ) readily react in their amido form with CO2 to generate 4-membered {Mn-N-C-O} metallacycles. The stability of the adducts decreases with the steric demand of the R groups at phosphorous (R=isopropyl>adamantyl). The CO2 -adducts display generally a lower reactivity as compared to the parent amido complexes. These adducts can thus be interpretated as masked forms of the active amido catalysts and potentially play important roles as off-loop species or branching points in catalytic transformations of carbon dioxide.

Combining angiotensin receptor blockade and enzyme replacement therapy for vascular disease in mucopolysaccharidosis type I

Vascular involvement in the genetic disorder mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) has features of atherosclerotic disease near branch points of arterial vasculature, such as intimal thickening with disruption of the internal elastic lamina, and proliferation of macrophages and myofibroblasts. Inflammatory pathways are implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular disease in MPS I animal models, evidenced by cytokines like CD18 and TGF-β within arterial plaques. The angiotensin II-mediated inflammatory pathway is well studied in human atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Recent work indicates treatment with the angiotensin receptor blocker losartan may improve vascular MPS I disease in mouse models. Here, we combined losartan with the standard therapy for MPS I, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), to measure effects on cytokines in serum and aortic vasculature. Each treatment group (losartan, ERT, and their combination) equally normalized levels of cytokines that were largely differential between normal and mutant mice. Some cytokines, notably CD30 ligand, Eotaxin-2, LIX, IL-13, IL-15, GM-CSF, MCP-5, MIG, and CCL3 showed elevations in mice treated with ERT above normal or mutant levels; these elevations were reduced or absent in mice that received losartan or combination therapy. The observations suggest that losartan may impact inflammatory cascades due to MPS I and may also blunt inflammation in combination with ERT.

Tracking exceptional points above the lasing threshold

Recent studies on exceptional points (EPs) in non-Hermitian optical systems have revealed unique traits, including unidirectional invisibility, chiral mode switching and laser self-termination. In systems featuring gain/loss components, EPs are commonly accessed below the lasing threshold, i.e., in the linear regime. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate that EP singularities in coupled semiconductor nanolasers can be accessed above the lasing threshold, where they become branch points of a nonlinear dynamical system. Contrary to the common belief that unavoidable cavity detuning impedes the formation of EPs, here we demonstrate that such detuning is necessary for compensating the carrier-induced frequency shift, hence restoring the EP. Furthermore, we find that the pump imbalance at lasing EPs varies with the total pump power, enabling their continuous tracking. This work uncovers the unstable nature of EPs above laser threshold in coupled semiconductor lasers, offering promising opportunities for the realization of self-pulsing nanolaser devices and frequency combs.

Syngas Conversion over Co4 Cluster Grafted on HZSM‐5 Zeolite: Mechanistic Insights from DFT Modeling

AbstractWe present a detailed DFT‐based mechanistic investigation of syngas conversion mechanism over Co4 cluster grafted onto HZSM‐5 zeolite, [Co4H], employing a QM/MM embedded cluster approach. Starting from the [Co4H] complex, our results show that a favorable coordination of CO over H2, followed by CO hydrogenation leads to a stable −CH2O complex, [Co4(CH2O)(H)]. Coordination of a second CO molecule to [Co4(CH2O)(H)] complex, followed by CH2−O bond activation, and subsequent removal of CO as CO2 results in the formation of crucial methylene complex [Co4(CH2)(H)], serving as a branching point for the pathways leading to methane, ethene, and ethane. On the pathway to ethene formation, coordination of a third CO molecule to [Co4(CH2)(H)] complex yields the active [Co4(CH2)(CO)(H)] complex, which is 16.0 kcal mol−1 more stable than the methyl complex [Co4(CH3)] on the pathway to methane. From the active species [Co4(CH2)(CO)(H)], we demonstrate that the pathways to both methane and ethene are competing in nature, with the −CH3 hydrogenation barrier, 35.1 kcal mol−1, is lower by only 1.3 kcal mol−1 than the competing C−O bond activation barrier on the pathway to ethene, 36.4 kcal mol−1. However, the significant stability of the active species [Co4(CH2)(CO)(H)] effectively compensates for this minor difference in barriers, ultimately favoring the formation of ethene over methane. Finally, the ethene desorption barrier is 4.1 kcal mol−1 lower than the ethene hydrogenation barrier on the pathway to ethane, indicating the ease of ethene removal from the system. Overall, our DFT study describes that the syngas conversion mechanism catalyzed by [Co4H] system produces ethene selectively via 4CO+2H2→C2H4+2CO2.

Essential stressing state characteristics of H-section steel beams in fire revealed by modeling tested response data

This study finds out the essential behavior features of H-section steel beams in fire by analyzing the response data applying structural stressing state theory. Firstly, the deformation data are transformed into the generalized work of force (GWF) values called the state variables. Then, the state variables are used to build the stressing state mode and the parameter characterizing the mode called the stressing state characteristic pair. Next, the characteristic points in the evolution curve of the characteristic parameter are distinguished by the Mann-Kendall criterion. Further, the investigation into the evolution curve of the stressing state mode verifies the characteristic points. Thus, the starting points of the beams’ failure processes are revealed from the tested data and the corresponding loads are defined as the failure loads. Also, the other characteristic point called the elastoplastic branch (EPB) point is revealed from the evolution curves of the stressing state characteristic pair. Both characteristic points are the embodiment of the natural law from quantitative change to qualitative change of any system, which provides the new reference to update the analysis and design of H-section steel beams in fire. Finally, the formulas are fitted to calculate the failure loads and the EPB loads of the beams in fire with a verification.

Solubilizing Benzodifuranone-Based Conjugated Copolymers with Single-Oxygen-Containing Branched Side Chains.

Single-oxygen-containing branched side chains are designed and used to solubilize n-type copolymers consisting of BDF (benzodifuranone), isatin, and thiophene-based units. We present a simple synthetic approach to side chains with varying linker distances between the backbone and the branching point. The synthetic pathway is straightforward and modular and starts with commercially available reagents. The side chains give rise to excellent solubilities of BDF-thiophene copolymers of up to 90 mg/mL, while still being moderate in size (26-34 atoms large). The excellent solubility furthermore allows high molar mass materials. BDF-thiophene copolymers are characterized in terms of optoelectronic and thermoelectric properties. The electrical conductivity of chemically doped polymers is found to scale with molar mass, reaching ∼1 S/cm for the highest molar mass and longest backbone-branching point distance.

Structural basis of branching during RNA splicing.

Branching is a critical step in RNA splicing that is essential for 5' splice site selection. Recent spliceosome structures have led to competing models for the recognition of the invariant adenosine at the branch point. However, there are no structures of any splicing complex with the adenosine nucleophile docked in the active site and positioned to attack the 5' splice site. Thus we lack a mechanistic understanding of adenosine selection and splice site recognition during RNA splicing. Here we present a cryo-electron microscopy structure of a group II intron that reveals that active site dynamics are coupled to the formation of a base triple within the branch-site helix that positions the 2'-OH of the adenosine for nucleophilic attack on the 5' scissile phosphate. This structure, complemented with biochemistry and comparative analyses to splicing complexes, supports a base triple model of adenosine recognition for branching within group II introns and the evolutionarily related spliceosome.

Effects of metal acetate addition on the gas separation properties of polymers of intrinsic microporosity PIM-1 and PIM-Py

Gas separation properties are reported for self-standing polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM) films after addition of palladium (II) acetate or iron (II) acetate by solid state or liquid state mixing. Membranes, with thicknesses in the range 35–55 μm, were prepared from three high molar mass PIMs, two different branched versions of the much-reported PIM-1 (PIM-1a and PIM-1b) and of PIM-Py. Addition of either Fe(OAc)2 or Pd(OAc)2 to all three PIMs led to a reduction in permeability and increase in selectivity, but the permeability reduction was much greater for Pd(OAc)2, which is able to interact with branch points in the PIM and crosslink the polymer. CO2/CH4 selectivity of membranes containing Pd(OAc)2 was poor upon aging, especially after solid state addition to the PIM-1 polymers, for which CO2 permeabilities dropped to below 200 Barrer after 85 days. Hydrogen permeability and H2/N2 selectivity of membranes containing Pd(OAc)2 did more closely follow conventional permeability/selectivity trade off upon aging. This illustrates the profound differences that can arise in gas permeation properties and aging behaviour from variations in chemical structure and macromolecular characteristics, and from the addition of metal acetates that interact with the polymer in different ways.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING OF SHRUBS BASED ON LIDAR POINT CLOUDS

Abstract. This paper proposes a method for constructing 3D models of shrubs with high accuracy from 3D point clouds acquired by terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). Since the shrub point cloud obtained by LiDAR scanning contains a large amount of redundant data, the focus of this method is to segment the branches and leaves of the shrub point cloud first, which can remove the noise and make the branch skeleton of the shrub stand out. Secondly, a triangulation network is constructed for the segmented branch points, and a minimum spanning tree (MST) is established from the triangulation network as the initial shrub skeleton of the input point cloud. Then, the redundant branches are removed by merging adjacent points and edges to simplify the initial skeleton. Finally, the 3D model of a shrub is constructed by a cylindrical fitting algorithm based on robust principal component analysis (RPCA). Experiments on different types of shrubs from different data sources demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method. The 3D models of shrubs can be further applied to the accurate estimation of shrub attributes and urban landscape visualization.

Lipopolysaccharide aggravates depressive‐like behavior via increasing microglial inflammation, decreasing microglial ramification, and altering tryptophan level in obese rats

AbstractBackgroundLong‐term high‐fat diet consumption has been shown to induce endotoxemia, microglial dysmorphology, and depressive‐like behavior (1, 2). Previous studies demonstrated that the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism plays an important role on mediating the depressive‐like behavior in response to inflammation (3, 4). However, the effects of lipopolysaccharide as endotoxin on the alterations of microglial profiles/morphologies, changes in brain metabolites, as well as depressive‐like behavior in obese condition have never been investigated.MethodSixteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups to fed with either normal diet (ND, n = 8) or the high‐fat diet (HFD, n = 8) for 12 weeks. At week 12, animals in each dietary group were subsequently divided into two subgroups (n = 4 per subgroup) to receive either a single dose of vehicle (1 ml of 0.9% normal saline solution, intraperitoneal (i.p) injection, or lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.5 mg/kg, i.p. injection). After the injections for 12‐16 hours, all animals were measured depressive‐like behaviors and blood was collected. Then, animals were sacrificed, and brains were obtained for further molecular investigation.ResultWe found that LPS‐treated HFD‐fed rats, not LPS‐treated ND‐fed rats and vehicle‐treated HFD‐fed rats, increased microglial IL‐1β mRNA level (p&lt;0.05, Figure 1). In addition, LPS‐treated ND‐fed rats and vehicle‐treated HFD‐fed rats significantly decreased microglial ramification as indicated by decreasing branch points, whereas LPS‐treated HFD‐fed rats showed the lowest microglial branch points (p&lt;0.05, Figure 1). The level of brain tryptophan and depressive‐like behavior increased in both LPS‐treated ND‐fed rats and vehicle‐treated HFD‐fed rats, when compared with those of vehicle‐treated ND‐fed rats (p&lt;0.05, Figure 1). Interestingly, LPS‐treated HFD‐fed rats showed the highest brain tryptophan level and freezing duration during Force Swimming Test (FST) (p&lt;0.05, Figure 1).ConclusionThese findings indicate that LPS aggravates depressive‐like behavior in obese condition by increased microglial hyperactivation, and possibly be related to its regulation of kynurenine metabolism.

Relations between tree-level closed string amplitudes and mixed string amplitudes at fewer points

We formulated the relations between closed string amplitudes and mixed string amplitudes at tree level. In this paper we focus on fewer points of external states. We factorized the closed string amplitudes by analytical continuation of complex variables. With a careful examination of branch points, the results show that closed string amplitudes can be expressed in terms of products of mixed string amplitudes and additional terms with appropriate phase factors. In terms of five-point amplitudes, we introduced a one-parameter dependent amplitude to capture the results. Finally, some physical interpretations were provided.

Slicing-guided Skeleton Extraction Method for 3D Point Clouds of Human Body

&lt;p&gt;In the paper, a slicing-guided method is introduced to extract the curve skeleton from the point cloud body model. Firstly, the dominant eigenvector of body model as slicing direction is chosen adaptively, and the input body model is sliced accordingly. each slice is projected and classified into different regions, and the centroid of each region can be considered as initial skeleton point. Then, those skeleton points are removed outside models, and initial skeleton lines are generated by connecting points based on different region of body model. Finally, the two-step post-processing approach is proposed to improve the initial skeleton results for accurate topological analysis. With the branch point merging strategy, the initial skeleton of the model is optimized. Furthermore, the skeleton lines by interpolation optimization are refined and smoothed. Compared with similar skeleton extraction algorithms, the method proposed in the paper has relatively strong robustness and effectiveness, and can be applied to human body model in point cloud data.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

Translating single-neuron axonal reconstructions into meso-scale connectivity statistics in the mouse somatosensory thalamus.

Characterizing the connectomic and morphological diversity of thalamic neurons is key for better understanding how the thalamus relays sensory inputs to the cortex. The recent public release of complete single-neuron morphological reconstructions enables the analysis of previously inaccessible connectivity patterns from individual neurons. Here we focus on the Ventral Posteromedial (VPM) nucleus and characterize the full diversity of 257 VPM neurons, obtained by combining data from the MouseLight and Braintell projects. Neurons were clustered according to their most dominantly targeted cortical area and further subdivided by their jointly targeted areas. We obtained a 2D embedding of morphological diversity using the dissimilarity between all pairs of axonal trees. The curved shape of the embedding allowed us to characterize neurons by a 1-dimensional coordinate. The coordinate values were aligned both with the progression of soma position along the dorsal-ventral and lateral-medial axes and with that of axonal terminals along the posterior-anterior and medial-lateral axes, as well as with an increase in the number of branching points, distance from soma and branching width. Taken together, we have developed a novel workflow for linking three challenging aspects of connectomics, namely the topography, higher order connectivity patterns and morphological diversity, with VPM as a test-case. The workflow is linked to a unified access portal that contains the morphologies and integrated with 2D cortical flatmap and subcortical visualization tools. The workflow and resulting processed data have been made available in Python, and can thus be used for modeling and experimentally validating new hypotheses on thalamocortical connectivity.