Exploring structure based charge transport relationships in phenyl diketopyrrolopyrrole single crystals using a 2D π–π dimer model system

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: Jesus Calvo-Castro, and Callum J. McHugh, ‘Exploring structure based charge transport relationships in phenyl diketopyrrolopyrrole single crystals using a 2D π–π dimer model system’, Journal of Materials Chemistry C, Issue 16, 2017, first published 28 March 2017. The version of record is available online at DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C7TC00434F © Royal Society of Chemistry 2017Crystalline phenyl diketopyrrolopyrroles are often overlooked as charge transfer mediating materials in optoelectronic applications. We report an experimentally ratified two dimensional π–π model dimer system dispelling previous misconceptions regarding the potential of these materials as organic semiconductors and that will enable researchers to screen and predict charge transport potential solely on the basis of their single crystal derived π-stacking architectures. In testing our model system versus the available database of phenyl diketopyrrolopyrrole single crystal structures we reveal that these materials are characterised by intrinsically large thermal integrities and in many cases large charge transfer integrals, not solely restricted to dimeric interactions exhibiting close intermonomer arrangements and bearing low torsion of the core phenyl rings. This study will be of significant interest to the increasingly large community engaged in the quest to engineer π-conjugated organic based semiconducting devices and particularly those employing crystalline diketopyrrolopyrroles.Peer reviewe

Re-examination of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) immune response to flagellin : Yersinia ruckeri flagellin is a potent activator of acute phase proteins, anti-microbial peptides and pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro

Acknowledgements E.W. was supported by a PhD studentship from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Thailand and Mahasarakham University. T.W. received funding from the MASTS pooling initiative (The Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland), that is funded by the Scottish Funding Council (grant reference HR09011). This research was also funded by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) of the European Union (grant agreement No. 311993 TARGETFISH).Peer reviewedPostprin

Mechanisms of interpersonal sway synchrony and stability

Here we explain the neural and mechanical mechanisms responsible for synchronizing sway and improving postural control during physical contact with another standing person. Postural control processes were modelled using an inverted pendulum under continuous feedback control. Interpersonal interactions were simulated either by coupling the sensory feedback loops or by physically coupling the pendulums with a damped spring. These simulations precisely recreated the timing and magnitude of sway interactions observed empirically. Effects of firmly grasping another person's shoulder were explained entirely by the mechanical linkage. This contrasted with light touch and/or visual contact, which were explained by a sensory weighting phenomenon; each person's estimate of upright was based on a weighted combination of veridical sensory feedback combined with a small contribution from their partner. Under these circumstances, the model predicted reductions in sway even without the need to distinguish between self and partner motion. Our findings explain the seemingly paradoxical observation that touching a swaying person can improve postural control.This work was supported by two BBSRC grants (BB/100579X/1 and an Industry Interchange Award)

An examination of kinanthropometric and physical injury risk factors in elite Australian football

Kinanthropometric assessment is an integral part of understanding an athlete’s physical profile and readiness for competition. This typically includes a variety of different assessments which serve to quantify body shape, proportion, and composition in a bid to understand human physiology. Common assessments include stature, body mass, limb ratios, body circumferences, body mass index, skinfold testing, body composition testing, and musculoskeletal morphological evaluations. Specifically, kinanthropometric evaluations have involved the characterisation of athletes according to sport, sex, competition level and playing position. While this has provided researchers and practitioners with greater insight into athletic phenotypes, more purposeful kinanthropometric assessments which focus on the health and performance of individuals are limited. In particular, the interplay between kinanthropometry, health, athletic performance and injury risk is not well established and may provide greater insight into the influence of kinanthropometric characteristics in athletes. Consequently, this doctoral research examined the relationships between kinanthropometric characteristics and match performance, injury and player availability in elite-level professional female and male Australian Football players. An introduction (Chapter 1), critical review of the literature (Chapter 2) and four sequential scientific investigations (Chapters 3-6) are presented. The review of the literature identified essential knowledge gaps including i) the examination of body composition and musculoskeletal morphology in elite female Australian Football players, ii) the relationship between body composition, match performance, and match availability in Australian Football players, and iii) the relationship between on-field workload and changes in body composition. Injury incidence and prevalence within elite Australian Football has not evidentially decreased over the last several years, so adding further knowledge about kinanthropometry and its influence on performance and availability may provide greater clarity. These gaps in the literature helped inform the order and structure of the following research investigations. The first experimental investigation (Chapter 3) involved the characterisation of body composition and musculoskeletal morphology in elite female and male Australian Football players. To our knowledge, it was the first research study to undertake a detailed examination of body composition and musculoskeletal morphology in elite female Australian Football players. With the elite female competition being in its infancy compared to the elite male competition, comparisons were made between competitions. It was identified that body composition and musculoskeletal morphological traits did not differ between experience levels in elite females, or intra-individually between kicking and support limbs. This was in stark contrast to the elite male players who had significant differences between kicking and support limbs and between players of varying experience levels. This may highlight the need for greater long-term physical development in female Australian Football players to adequately prepare them for competition. The second investigation (Chapter 4) was an analysis of the relationship between pre-season body composition, and in-season match performance and player availability in elite female Australian Football players. It was discovered that no body composition traits could differentiate between higher and lower performing players, and could not differentiate between players according to match availability. It was concluded that due to the shorter season length and infancy of the competition, other factors such as technical skill level, may be more varied, and mask any potential influence of body composition. The results also highlight that the current ban of body composition testing in pre-draft AFLW player assessments may not be as detrimental as is currently perceived. The third investigation (Chapter 5) was an examination of the relationship between end of pre-season (pre-competition) body composition and in-season player availability in elite male Australian footballers. In contrast to the second investigation (Chapter 4), whole body less head (WBLH) relative fat mass was significantly associated with in-season player availability in the elite male players. Additionally, players with higher relative fat mass were at three times higher risk of missing one, or two or more games to injury throughout a season, compared to players with lower relative fat mass. This highlights the importance of optimising body composition across pre-season, to reduce players’ risk of injury throughout the competition phase. The fourth and final investigation (Chapter 6) was an analysis of the relationship between on-field workload and changes in body composition over pre-season. Individual and group changes in body composition were examined, highlighting the importance of examining changes on an individual level, as no changes was evident at the group level. Strong relationships were observed between on-field workload variables and change in WBLH fat mass over pre-season. Specifically, higher on-field workload was associated with reductions in fat mass. However, there were no associations between on-field workload and changes in WBLH lean soft-tissue mass. It was concluded that high on-field training workloads across pre-season are important if attempting to reduce WBLH fat mass

On the Impact of Antenna Topologies for Massive MIMO Systems

Approximate expressions for the spatial correlation of cylindrical and uniform rectangular arrays (URA) are derived using measured distributions of angles of departure (AOD) for both the azimuth and zenith domains. We examine massive multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) convergence properties of the correlated channels by considering a number of convergence metrics. The per-user matched filter (MF) signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) performance and convergence rate, to respective limiting values, of the two antenna topologies is also explored.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure

On the Convergence of Massive MIMO Systems

In this paper we examine convergence properties of massive MIMO systems with the aim of determining the number of antennas required for massive MIMO gains. We consider three characteristics of a channel matrix and study their asymptotic behaviour. Furthermore, we derive ZF SNR and MF SINR for a scenario of unequal receive powers. In our results we include the effects of spatial correlation. We show that the rate of convergence of channel metrics is much slower than that of the ZF/MF precoder properties.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, ICC 201

Study of space battery accelerated testing techniques. Phase 1 report. Survey of testing methods applicable to space battery evaluation

Testing methods applicable to space battery evaluation - literature surve

On the interaction forces and responses of structural rings subjected to fragment impact Interim technical report, 1 Aug. 1969 - 31 Jul. 1970

FORTRAN 4 program for calculating dynamic Kirchhoff deformation of structural rings subjected to fragment impac