271 research outputs found
Reference design and simulation framework of a multi-megawatt airborne wind energy system
In this paper, we present the design and computational model of a representative multi-megawatt airborne wind energy (AWE) system, together with a simulation framework that accounts for the flight dynamics of the fixed-wing aircraft and the sagging of the tether, combining this with flight control and optimisation strategies to derive the power curve of the system. The computational model is based on a point mass approximation of the aircraft, a discretisation of the tether by five elastic segments and a rotational degree of freedom of the winch. The aircraft has a wing surface area of 150 m2 and is operated in pumping cycles, alternating between crosswind flight manoeuvres during reel out of the tether, and rapid decent towards the ground station during reel in. To maximise the net cycle power, we keep the design parameters of the aircraft constant, while tuning the operational and controller parameters for different wind speeds and given contraints. We find that the presented design can generate a net cycle power of up to 3.8 megawatts
Expanding the scope of ligand substitution from [M(S2C2Ph2] (M = Ni2+, Pd2+, Pt2+) to afford new heteroleptic dithiolene complexes
The scope of direct substitution of the dithiolene ligand from [M(S2C2Ph2)2] [M = Ni2+ (1), Pd2+ (2), Pt2+ (3)] to produce heteroleptic species [M(S2C2Ph2)2Ln] (n = 1, 2) has been broadened to include isonitriles and dithiooxamides in addition to phosphines and diimines. Collective observations regarding ligands that cleanly produce [M(S2C2Ph2)Ln], do not react at all, or lead to ill-defined decomposition identify soft σ donors as the ligand type capable of dithiolene substitution. Substitution of MeNC from [Ni(S2C2Ph2)(CNMe)2] by L provides access to a variety of heteroleptic dithiolene complexes not accessible from 1. Substitution of a dithiolene ligand from 1 involves net redox disproportionation of the ligands from radical monoanions, –S•SC2Ph2, to enedithiolate and dithione, the latter of which is an enhanced leaving group that is subject to further irreversible reactions
Flux flow of Abrikosov-Josephson vortices along grain boundaries in high-temperature superconductors
We show that low-angle grain boundaries (GB) in high-temperature
superconductors exhibit intermediate Abrikosov vortices with Josephson cores,
whose length along GB is smaller that the London penetration depth, but
larger than the coherence length. We found an exact solution for a periodic
vortex structure moving along GB in a magnetic field and calculated the
flux flow resistivity , and the nonlinear voltage-current
characteristics. The predicted dependence describes well our
experimental data on unirradiated and irradiated
bicrystals, from which the core size , and the intrinsic depairing
density on nanoscales of few GB dislocations were measured for the
first time. The observed temperature dependence of
indicates a significant order parameter suppression in current channels between
GB dislocation cores.Comment: 5 pages 5 figures. Phys. Rev. Lett. (accepted
Evidence of Doping-Dependent Pairing Symmetry in Cuprate Superconductors
Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) studies reveal long-range spatial
homogeneity and predominantly -pairing spectral characteristics in
under- and optimally doped superconductors, whereas
STS on exhibits {\it
microscopic} spatial modulations and strong scattering near the Zn or Mg
impurity sites, together with global suppression of the pairing potential. In
contrast, in overdoped ,
-pairing symmetry is found, suggesting significant changes in
the superconducting ground-state at a critical doping value.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. Published in Physical Review Letters.
Corresponding author: Nai-Chang Yeh (e-mail address: [email protected]
Modulating endothelial adhesion and migration impacts stem cell therapies efficacy
Background: Limited knowledge of stem cell therapies‘ mechanisms of action hampers their sustainable implementation into the clinic. Specifically, the interactions of transplanted stem cells with the host vasculature and its implications for their therapeutic efficacy are not elucidated. We tested whether adhesion receptors and chemokine receptors on stem cells can be functionally modulated, and consequently if such modulation may substantially affect therapeutically relevant stem cell interactions with the host endothelium. Methods: We investigated the effects of cationic molecule polyethylenimine (PEI) treatment with or without nanoparticles on the functions of adhesion receptors and chemokine receptors of human bone marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC). Analyses included MSC functions in vitro, as well as homing and therapeutic efficacy in rodent models of central nervous system´s pathologies in vivo. Findings: PEI treatment did not affect viability, immunomodulation or differentiation potential of MSC, but increased the CCR4 expression and functionally blocked their adhesion receptors, thus decreasing their adhesion capacity in vitro. Intravenously applied in a rat model of brain injury, the homing rate of PEI-MSC in the brain was highly increased with decreased numbers of adherent PEI-MSC in the lung vasculature. Moreover, in comparison to untreated MSC, PEI-MSC featured increased tumour directed migration in a mouse glioblastoma model, and superior therapeutic efficacy in a murine model of stroke. Interpretation: Balanced stem cell adhesion and migration in different parts of the vasculature and tissues together with the local microenvironment impacts their therapeutic efficacy. Funding: Robert Bosch Stiftung, IZEPHA grant, EU grant 7 FP Healt
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Novel mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel of pyrethroid-resistant Varroa destructor populations from the Southeastern USA
The parasitic mite Varroa destructor has a significant worldwide impact on bee colony health. In the absence of control measures, parasitized colonies invariably collapse within 3 years. The synthetic pyrethroids tau-fluvalinate and flumethrin have proven very effective at managing this mite within apiaries, but intensive control programs based mainly on one active ingredient have led to many reports of pyrethroid resistance. In Europe, a modification of leucine to valine at position 925 (L925V) of the V. destructor voltage-gated sodium channel was correlated with resistance, the mutation being found at high frequency exclusively in hives with a recent history of pyrethroid treatment. Here, we identify two novel mutations, L925M and L925I, in tau-fluvalinate resistant V. destructor collected at seven sites across Florida and Georgia in the Southeastern region of the USA. Using a multiplexed TaqMan® allelic discrimination assay, these mutations were found to be present in 98% of the mites surviving tau-fluvalinate treatment. The mutations were also found in 45% of the non-treated mites, suggesting a high potential for resistance evolution if selection pressure is applied. The results from a more extensive monitoring programme, using the Taqman® assay described here, would clearly help beekeepers with their decision making as to when to include or exclude pyrethroid control products and thereby facilitate more effective mite management programmes
Contrasting Computational Models of Mate Preference Integration Across 45 Countries
Humans express a wide array of ideal mate preferences. Around the world, people desire romantic
partners who are intelligent, healthy, kind, physically attractive, wealthy, and more. In order for these
ideal preferences to guide the choice of actual romantic partners, human mating psychology must
possess a means to integrate information across these many preference dimensions into summaries
of the overall mate value of their potential mates. Here we explore the computational design of this
mate preference integration process using a large sample of n = 14,487 people from 45 countries around
the world. We combine this large cross-cultural sample with agent-based models to compare eight
hypothesized models of human mating markets. Across cultures, people higher in mate value appear to
experience greater power of choice on the mating market in that they set higher ideal standards, better
fulfill their preferences in choice, and pair with higher mate value partners. Furthermore, we find that
this cross-culturally universal pattern of mate choice is most consistent with a Euclidean model of mate
preference integration.The work of Truong Thi Khanh Ha was supported by grants
501.01–2016.02 from the Vietnam National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED).
Anna Oleszkiewicz was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (#626/STYP/12/2017). This
study was conducted in line with project NIR No. 01201370995 “Cross-cultural and interdisciplinary researches.
Biosocial and cross-cultural analysis of models of tolerance and basic values of culture in modern society”
(Marina Butovskaya and Daria Dronova). Agnieszka Sorokowska and Piotr Sorokowski were supported by the
National Science Center—Poland (2014/13/B/HS6/02644). Petra Gyuris, András Láng, and Norbert Meskó were
supported by the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund — OTKA (K125437). Feng Jiang was supported by the
National Nature Science Foundation of China, grant No. 71971225
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