Retarding oxidation of copper nanoparticles without electrical isolation and the size dependence of work function

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are attractive as a low-cost alternative to their gold and silver analogues for numerous applications, although their potential has hardly been explored due to their higher susceptibility to oxidation in air. Here we show the unexpected findings of an investigation into the correlation between the air-stability of CuNPs and the structure of the thiolate capping ligand: Of the 8 different ligands screened, those with the shortest alkyl chain, -(CH2)2- , and a hydrophilic carboxylic acid end group are found to be the most effective at retarding oxidation in air. We also show that CuNPs are not etched by thiol solutions as previously reported, and address the important fundamental question of how the work function of small supported metal particles scales with particle size. Together these findings set the stage for greater utility of CuNPs for emerging electronic applications

Tunable scattering from liquid crystal devices using carbon nanotubes network electrodes

Liquid crystals are of technological interest as they allow for optical effects which can be electrically controlled. In this paper we present an electro-optical device consisting of nematic liquid crystals addressed by an electrode structure consisting of thin films of polymer wrapped single walled carbon nanotubes (nanohybrids). Thin films of nanohybrids display excellent optical transmission and electrical conduction properties. Due to the randomly organised nanohybrids these composite films produce interesting director profile arrangements within the liquid crystal layers. As a result, enhanced scattering of laser and white light was observed from these liquid crystal cells which bend themselves as electrically controllable optical diffusers and beam shapers

Introductory programming: a systematic literature review

As computing becomes a mainstream discipline embedded in the school curriculum and acts as an enabler for an increasing range of academic disciplines in higher education, the literature on introductory programming is growing. Although there have been several reviews that focus on specific aspects of introductory programming, there has been no broad overview of the literature exploring recent trends across the breadth of introductory programming. This paper is the report of an ITiCSE working group that conducted a systematic review in order to gain an overview of the introductory programming literature. Partitioning the literature into papers addressing the student, teaching, the curriculum, and assessment, we explore trends, highlight advances in knowledge over the past 15 years, and indicate possible directions for future research

Genome-wide imputation study identifies novel HLA locus for pulmonary fibrosis and potential role for auto-immunity in fibrotic idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked Files. This article is open access.Fibrotic idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (fIIP) are a group of fatal lung diseases with largely unknown etiology and without definitive treatment other than lung transplant to prolong life. There is strong evidence for the importance of both rare and common genetic risk alleles in familial and sporadic disease. We have previously used genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism data to identify 10 risk loci for fIIP. Here we extend that work to imputed genome-wide genotypes and conduct new RNA sequencing studies of lung tissue to identify and characterize new fIIP risk loci.We performed genome-wide genotype imputation association analyses in 1616 non-Hispanic white (NHW) cases and 4683 NHW controls followed by validation and replication (878 cases, 2017 controls) genotyping and targeted gene expression in lung tissue. Following meta-analysis of the discovery and replication populations, we identified a novel fIIP locus in the HLA region of chromosome 6 (rs7887 P meta  = 3.7 × 10(-09)). Imputation of classic HLA alleles identified two in high linkage disequilibrium that are associated with fIIP (DRB1*15:01 P = 1.3 × 10(-7) and DQB1*06:02 P = 6.1 × 10(-8)). Targeted RNA-sequencing of the HLA locus identified 21 genes differentially expressed between fibrotic and control lung tissue (Q < 0.001), many of which are involved in immune and inflammatory response regulation. In addition, the putative risk alleles, DRB1*15:01 and DQB1*06:02, are associated with expression of the DQB1 gene among fIIP cases (Q < 1 × 10(-16)).We have identified a genome-wide significant association between the HLA region and fIIP. Two HLA alleles are associated with fIIP and affect expression of HLA genes in lung tissue, indicating that the potential genetic risk due to HLA alleles may involve gene regulation in addition to altered protein structure. These studies reveal the importance of the HLA region for risk of fIIP and a basis for the potential etiologic role of auto-immunity in fIIP.National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute R01-HL095393 R01-HL097163 P01-HL092870 RC2-HL101715 U01-HL089897 U01-HL089856 U01-HL108642 P50-HL089493

Attitudes Towards Immigrants in Sweden : A Multigroup Analysis

Immigration is a debatable topic, and Sweden offers a unique context due to its long-established liberal immigration policies and recent political shifts, making it an ideal case study for understanding broader European trends. The current study explores changes in public attitudes toward immigrants in Sweden from 2012 to 2020 using data from the final five waves (from 2012 to 2020) of the European Social Survey (ESS). Employing multi-group analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM), this research aims to identify how attitudes have shifted over the study period and to analyze significant demographic (age, gender, domicile) and socioeconomic (income, education) influences on immigration attitudes. The results reveal a shift from generally positive to more negative perceptions, particularly between 2018 and 2020. Older age groups and individuals from rural areas exhibited more negative attitudes, while females generally displayed more positive attitudes than males. Moreover, females with higher education and higher income levels also demonstrate more favorable attitudes. These findings are crucial for policymakers, as they highlight the need for strategies that address demographic influences and suggest specific areas where interventions can help reduce negative views and improve social cohesion

Attitudes Towards Immigrants in Sweden : A Multigroup Analysis

Immigration is a debatable topic, and Sweden offers a unique context due to its long-established liberal immigration policies and recent political shifts, making it an ideal case study for understanding broader European trends. The current study explores changes in public attitudes toward immigrants in Sweden from 2012 to 2020 using data from the final five waves (from 2012 to 2020) of the European Social Survey (ESS). Employing multi-group analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM), this research aims to identify how attitudes have shifted over the study period and to analyze significant demographic (age, gender, domicile) and socioeconomic (income, education) influences on immigration attitudes. The results reveal a shift from generally positive to more negative perceptions, particularly between 2018 and 2020. Older age groups and individuals from rural areas exhibited more negative attitudes, while females generally displayed more positive attitudes than males. Moreover, females with higher education and higher income levels also demonstrate more favorable attitudes. These findings are crucial for policymakers, as they highlight the need for strategies that address demographic influences and suggest specific areas where interventions can help reduce negative views and improve social cohesion

Wage Differential Compensation Can Women Be Economically Empowered? Empirical Evidence From South Asia

Purpose- This study investigates the responsiveness of South Asian women to wage increment at the macro level and examines the South Asian women's sensitivity on compensating wage differentials in terms of economic empowerment of women in the South Asian region at the micro-level. Design/methodology/approach – In the macro level analysis, the model used annual time series data from four South Asian countries; Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh over the period of 2000 to 2017. Micro-level analysis of the study was done with the use of primary data gained through a questionnaire survey from the same sample countries and it covers the economic advancement and power and agency dimensions of women's economic empowerment. The women's wage compensation sensitivity index (WWCSI) constructed based on the survey results was used to build up the relationship between wage differential compensation and women's economic empowerment. Findings – According to the results of macro level analysis of this study, wage is a key determinant of female labor force participation. Findings of micro level analysis suggest that compensating wage differentials is a strong tool that can economically empower South Asian women. It further shows that estate females are less sensitive to wage differential compensation than rural and urban females. And educated females show greater sensitivity for wage differential compensation than non-educated females. This research also identified relatively low wage differential compensation sensitivity in terms of power and agency compared to the economic advancement dimension in women's economic empowerment. Originality/value – These findings support the view that wage differential compensation is “gendered”, and therefore, requires a special program to economically empower females

Castleman′s disease with paraneoplastic pemphigus

Castleman′s disease is a rare autoimmune disorder with varied clinical presentations. Castleman′s commonly involves mediastinum and hence it is thoracic in most of the reported cases. Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) and myasthenia gravis can be associated with multicentric Castleman′s disease. Its association with HIV, Kaposi sarcoma, and lymphoma is also well known. We report a rare combination of unicentric, extrathoracic Castleman′s disease with PNP and myasthenia gravis

Synthesis characterization and crystal structure of 2-(3,4,5- trimethoxyphenyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole

The title compound, C30H25FN2O3, was prepared from the four-component one-pot condensation reaction and the product crystallized using dimethylformamide. The structure of the compound was established by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV-Visible, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system with the space group Pī, with unit cell parameters a = 10.286(2) Å, b = 11.795(2) Å, c = 21.331(4) Å, α = 100.270(3)°, β = 90.093(3)°, γ = 90.062(3)°, and Z = 4. The crystal and molecular structure of the title molecule is stabilized by intra-molecular interactions of types C–H···N and C–H···O