810 research outputs found
Ultralong Copper Phthalocyanine Nanowires with New Crystal Structure and Broad Optical Absorption
The development of molecular nanostructures plays a major role in emerging
organic electronic applications, as it leads to improved performance and is
compatible with our increasing need for miniaturisation. In particular,
nanowires have been obtained from solution or vapour phase and have displayed
high conductivity, or large interfacial areas in solar cells. In all cases
however, the crystal structure remains as in films or bulk, and the
exploitation of wires requires extensive post-growth manipulation as their
orientations are random. Here we report copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) nanowires
with diameters of 10-100 nm, high directionality and unprecedented aspect
ratios. We demonstrate that they adopt a new crystal phase, designated
eta-CuPc, where the molecules stack along the long axis. The resulting high
electronic overlap along the centimetre length stacks achieved in our wires
mediates antiferromagnetic couplings and broadens the optical absorption
spectrum. The ability to fabricate ultralong, flexible metal phthalocyanine
nanowires opens new possibilities for applications of these simple molecules
Personality characteristics are independently associated with prospective memory in the laboratory, and in daily life, among older adults
Prospective memory (PM) can deteriorate with age and adversely influence health behaviours. Research suggests that personality is related to PM in healthy young adults, but we know little about the role of personality in the PM amongst older adults. Community-dwelling older adults (N=152) completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory-3 and PM measures. After adjusting for demographics and general cognition, higher neuroticism and lower levels of openness were independently associated with lower objectively-measured time- and event-based PM. Lower conscientiousness was the only personality predictor of self-reported everyday PM failures. Findings indicate that personality plays a role in PM functioning in the laboratory and daily life
Resolving the compact HII regions in N160A with HST
Using high-resolution imaging with the Hubble Space Telescope, we study the
Large Magellanic Cloud HII region N160A and uncover several striking features
of this complex massive star-forming site. The two compact high excitation HII
blobs (HEBs) A1 and A2 are for the first time resolved and their stellar
content and morphology is revealed. A1, being of higher excitation, is powered
by a single massive star whose strong wind has created a surrounding bubble. A2
harbors several exciting stars enshrouded inside large quantities of dust. The
whole N160A nebula is energized by three star clusters for which we obtain
photometry and study their color-magnitude diagram. The HII region is
particularly dusty, with extinction values reaching an A_v~2.5 mag in the
visible, and it is separated from the molecular cloud by an outstanding
ionization front. A previously detected infrared young stellar object is also
accurately located with respect to the HII region.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy &
Astrophysics. A version of the paper with higher quality images is available
at http://wwwusr.obspm.fr/~heydari/projects/N16
Conceptualizing the adventure-sports coach
As a comparatively recent development, the adventure-sports coach struggles for a clear and distinct identity. The generic term ‘instructor’ no longer characterizes the role and function of this subgroup of outdoor professionals. Indeed, although the fields of adventure/outdoor education and leadership are comparatively well researched, the arrival of this ‘new kid on the block’ appears to challenge both the adventure-sports old guard and traditional views of sports coaching. In an attempt to offer clarity and stimulate debate, this paper attempts to conceptualize the adventure-sports coach in the context of the existing roles in the field and current motivations for activity in the outdoors. We identify issues that are specific to the adventure-sports coach while also recognizing those skills and competencies shared with other professionals, both in the adventure sports profession and traditional sports coaching fields. Based on this review, we offer a conceptual model which may be used to focus debate, stimulate research and, at a possible later stage, to underpin accreditation, training and professional development
The solution structure of the human IgG2 subclass is distinct from those for human IgG1 and IgG4 providing an explanation for their discrete functions
Human IgG2 antibody displays distinct therapeutically-useful properties compared with the IgG1, IgG3 and IgG4 antibody subclasses. IgG2 is the second most abundant IgG subclass, being able to bind human FcγRII/FcγRIII, but not to FcγRI or complement C1q. Structural information on IgG2 is limited by the absence of a full-length crystal structure for this. To this end, we determined the solution structure of human myeloma IgG2 by atomistic X-ray and neutron scattering modelling. Analytical ultracentrifugation disclosed that IgG2 is monomeric with a sedimentation coefficient s020,w of 7.2 S. IgG2 dimer formation was ≤ 5% and independent of the buffer conditions. Small-angle X-ray scattering in a range of NaCl concentrations and in light and heavy water revealed that the X-ray radius of gyration Rg is 5.2-5.4 nm, after allowing for radiation damage at higher concentrations, and that the neutron Rg value of 5.0 nm remained unchanged in all conditions. The X-ray and neutron distance distribution curves P(r) revealed two peaks, M1 and M2, that were unchanged in different buffers. The creation of ˃123,000 physically-realistic atomistic models by Monte Carlo simulations for joint X-ray and neutron-scattering curve fits, constrained by the requirement of correct disulfide bridges in the hinge, resulted in the determination of symmetric Y-shaped IgG2 structures. These molecular structures were distinct from those for asymmetric IgG1 and asymmetric and symmetric IgG4, and were attributable to the four hinge disulfides. Our IgG2 structures rationalize the existence of the human IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 subclasses, and explain the receptor binding functions of IgG2
Vitamin D in the general population of young adults with autism in the Faroe Islands
Vitamin D deficiency has been proposed as a possible risk factor for developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels were examined in a cross-sectional population-based study in the Faroe Islands. The case group consisting of a total population cohort of 40 individuals with ASD (aged 15–24 years) had significantly lower 25(OH)D3 than their 62 typically-developing siblings and their 77 parents, and also significantly lower than 40 healthy age and gender matched comparisons. There was a trend for males having lower 25(OH)D3 than females. Effects of age, month/season of birth, IQ, various subcategories of ASD and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule score were also investigated, however, no association was found. The very low 25(OH)D3 in the ASD group suggests some underlying pathogenic mechanism
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