A Review of the Properties of Nb3Sn and Their Variation with A15 Composition, Morphology and Strain State

This article gives an overview of the available literature on simplified, well defined (quasi-)homogeneous laboratory samples. After more than 50 years of research on superconductivity in Nb3Sn, a significant amount of results are available, but these are scattered over a multitude of publications. Two reviews exist on the basic properties of A15 materials in general, but no specific review for Nb3Sn is available. This article is intended to provide such an overview. It starts with a basic description of the Niobium-Tin intermetallic. After this it maps the influence of Sn content on the the electron-phonon interaction strength and on the field-temperature phase boundary. The literature on the influence of Cu, Ti and Ta additions will then be briefly summarized. This is followed by a review on the effects of grain size and strain. The article is concluded with a summary of the main results.Comment: Invited Topical Review for Superconductor, Science and Technology. Provisionally scheduled for July 200

Dopamine Sensor Based on a Composite of Silver Nanoparticles Implemented in the Electroactive Matrix of Calixarenes

A sensitive electrochemical sensor based on a composite containing silver nanoparticles and a redox active thiacalixarene with catechol fragments in the substituents at the lower rim has been developed and used for dopamine detection. The electrochemical investigation of thiacalixarene in homogeneous solution and on the electrode interface showed the reversible character of the redox conversion of catechol fragments and its involvement in the chemical reduction of silver which resulted in formation of uniform nanoparticles of 4-6nm in diameter. The use of such a material for electrode modification made it possible to record a high amplitude cathodic signal at -700mV that was proportional to the dopamine concentration within 1nM-1μM. (limit of detection 0.5nM). © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Transcriptome profiling helps to identify potential and true molecular switches of stealth to brute force behavior in Pectobacterium atrosepticum during systemic colonization of tobacco plants

© 2018, Koninklijke Nederlandse Planteziektenkundige Vereniging. In the present study, we have monitored the process of systemic plant colonization by the plant pathogenic bacterium Pectobacterium atrosepticum (Pba) using RNA-Seq analysis in order to compare bacterial traits under in planta and in vitro conditions and to reveal potential players that participate in switching from stealth to brute force strategy of the pathogen. Two stages of tobacco plant colonization have been assayed: i) the initial one associated with visually symptomless spread of bacteria throughout the host body via primary xylem vessels where bacterial emboli were formed (stealth strategy), and ii) the advanced stage coupled with an extensive colonization of core parenchyma and manifestation of soft rot symptoms (brute force strategy). Plant-inducible genes in Pba and potential players switching the pathogen’s behavior were revealed. Genes from the cfa locus responsible for the production of coronafacic acid displayed the strongest induction in the asymptomatic zone relative to the symptomatic one and were shown experimentally to act as the true strategy “switchers” of Pba behavior in planta. Surprisingly, cfa genes appeared to be unnecessary for establishment of the asymptomatic stage of plant colonization but were required for the transition to soft-rot-associated symptomatic stage coupled with over-induction of jasmonate-mediated pathway in the plant

Decrypting magnetic fabrics (AMS, AARM, AIRM) through the analysis of mineral shape fabrics and distribution anisotropy

The fieldwork was supported by the DIPS project (grant no. 240467) and the MIMES project (grant no. 244155) funded by the Norwegian Research Council awarded to O.G. O.P.'s position was funded from Y-TEC.Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and anisotropy of magnetic remanence (AARM and AIRM) are efficient and versatile techniques to indirectly determine rock fabrics. Yet, deciphering the source of a magnetic fabric remains a crucial and challenging step, notably in the presence of ferrimagnetic phases. Here we use X-ray micro-computed tomography to directly compare mineral shape-preferred orientation and spatial distribution fabrics to AMS, AARM and AIRM fabrics from five hypabyssal trachyandesite samples. Magnetite grains in the trachyandesite are euhedral with a mean aspect ratio of 1.44 (0.24 s.d., long/short axis), and > 50% of the magnetite grains occur in clusters, and they are therefore prone to interact magnetically. Amphibole grains are prolate with magnetite in breakdown rims. We identified three components of the petrofabric that influence the AMS of the analyzed samples: the magnetite and the amphibole shape fabrics and the magnetite spatial distribution. Depending on their relative strength, orientation and shape, these three components interfere either constructively or destructively to produce the AMS fabric. If the three components are coaxial, the result is a relatively strongly anisotropic AMS fabric (P’ = 1.079). If shape fabrics and/or magnetite distribution are non-coaxial, the resulting AMS is weakly anisotropic (P’ = 1.012). This study thus reports quantitative petrofabric data that show the effect of magnetite distribution anisotropy on magnetic fabrics in igneous rocks, which has so far only been predicted by experimental and theoretical models. Our results have first-order implications for the interpretation of petrofabrics using magnetic methods.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Coping Responses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Peru

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has subjected people around the world to severe stress, evoking a variety of coping responses. Coping responses can be broadly classified into four strategies: 1) problem-focused coping; 2) emotion-focused coping; 3) socially supported coping; and 4) avoidance. While there is a wide variability of individual coping responses, to some extent they are also culturally specific. Objective. This study aimed to compare the differences in the prevalence and factor structure of coping responses during COVID-19 pandemic in three countries: Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Peru. Design. The sample included 501 participants from Russia, 456 participants from Kyrgyzstan, and 354 participants from Peru. The mean age of participants was 28 years in Russia (SD = 13.5); 24 years in Kyrgyzstan (SD = 10.0); and 30 years in Peru (SD = 12.3). In Russia and Kyrgyzstan, coping strategies were assessed with an abbreviated Russian adaptation of the COPE (Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced) questionnaire. In Peru, coping responses were assessed using the Spanish version of the Brief COPE questionnaire. The average scores from fifteen COPE scales were used as the input data for linear modelling and factor analysis. Results. The coping scores varied substantially within each country. Differences between countries accounted for 17.7% of the total variability in religious coping; 15.8% in acceptance; 13.9% in mental disengagement; and less than 7% in the other coping strategies. No difference in the prevalence of coping responses was found between Russian and Kyrgyz participants after accounting for age and gender. In all three countries the coping responses were associated with the same four coping domains: problem-focused coping, socially supported coping, avoidance, and emotion-focused coping. Four factors explained up to 44% of the total variation in the COPE scores. Religious coping and mental disengagement were classified into different coping domains in the three countries. Conclusion. The results suggest that during the COVID-19 pandemic, people from different countries apply the full range of coping responses within the four universal coping strategies. Religious coping and mental disengagement differed the most across the countries, suggesting that some coping behaviors can take on different roles within the system of coping responses to stressful events. We attribute these differences to differing cultural and socioeconomic characteristics, and the different measures taken by governments in response to COVID-19. © 2020. Lomonosov Moscow State University. All Rights Reserved.is study was supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project No. 20-04-60394)

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

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A holistic framework of corporate website favourability

This paper extends the current knowledge of corporate website favourability (CWF) by developing a comprehensive conceptual model of its influence on corporate image, corporate reputation, loyalty and identification. The paper reviews previous studies on corporate websites from the perspectives of marketing, management, corporate identity and corporate visual identity in order to inform our understanding of the antecedents and consequences of CWF. The propositions and the conceptual framework present an approach by which a corporation can design and manage a favourable corporate website. A number of important contributions are offered: First, the paper adds to the understanding of CWF; second, it discusses the antecedents of CWF by drawing upon the existing literature; third, it is beneficial for practitioners in shaping CWF strategies, and fourth, it offers possible consequences of CWF and provides a framework for future testing

Dopamine Sensor Based on a Composite of Silver Nanoparticles Implemented in the Electroactive Matrix of Calixarenes

A sensitive electrochemical sensor based on a composite containing silver nanoparticles and a redox active thiacalixarene with catechol fragments in the substituents at the lower rim has been developed and used for dopamine detection. The electrochemical investigation of thiacalixarene in homogeneous solution and on the electrode interface showed the reversible character of the redox conversion of catechol fragments and its involvement in the chemical reduction of silver which resulted in formation of uniform nanoparticles of 4-6nm in diameter. The use of such a material for electrode modification made it possible to record a high amplitude cathodic signal at -700mV that was proportional to the dopamine concentration within 1nM-1μM. (limit of detection 0.5nM). © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Dopamine Sensor Based on a Composite of Silver Nanoparticles Implemented in the Electroactive Matrix of Calixarenes

A sensitive electrochemical sensor based on a composite containing silver nanoparticles and a redox active thiacalixarene with catechol fragments in the substituents at the lower rim has been developed and used for dopamine detection. The electrochemical investigation of thiacalixarene in homogeneous solution and on the electrode interface showed the reversible character of the redox conversion of catechol fragments and its involvement in the chemical reduction of silver which resulted in formation of uniform nanoparticles of 4-6nm in diameter. The use of such a material for electrode modification made it possible to record a high amplitude cathodic signal at -700mV that was proportional to the dopamine concentration within 1nM-1μM. (limit of detection 0.5nM). © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim