C-axis lattice dynamics in Bi-based cuprate superconductors

We present results of a systematic study of the c axis lattice dynamics in single layer Bi2Sr2CuO6 (Bi2201), bilayer Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (Bi2212) and trilayer Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 (Bi2223) cuprate superconductors. Our study is based on both experimental data obtained by spectral ellipsometry on single crystals and theoretical calculations. The calculations are carried out within the framework of a classical shell model, which includes long-range Coulomb interactions and short-range interactions of the Buckingham form in a system of polarizable ions. Using the same set of the shell model parameters for Bi2201, Bi2212 and Bi2223, we calculate the frequencies of the Brillouin-zone center phonon modes of A2u symmetry and suggest the phonon mode eigenvector patterns. We achieve good agreement between the calculated A2u eigenfrequencies and the experimental values of the c axis TO phonon frequencies which allows us to make a reliable phonon mode assignment for all three Bi-based cuprate superconductors. We also present the results of our shell model calculations for the Gamma-point A1g symmetry modes in Bi2201, Bi2212 and Bi2223 and suggest an assignment that is based on the published experimental Raman spectra. The superconductivity-induced phonon anomalies recently observed in the c axis infrared and resonant Raman scattering spectra in trilayer Bi2223 are consistently explained with the suggested assignment.Comment: 29 pages, 13 figure

“New Alien Mediterranean Biodiversity Records” (November 2021)

This Collective Article includes records of 29 alien and cryptogenic species in the Mediterranean Sea, belonging to eight Phyla (Rhodophyta, Ochrophyta, Cnidaria, Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Echinodermata, and Chordata) and coming from 11 countries. Notes published here can be divided into three different categories: occupancy estimation for wide areas, new records for the Mediterranean Sea, and new records of species expanding within the Mediterranean Sea. The first category includes a visual survey held along the coastline of Peloponnese (Greece), which yielded records of 15 species. The second category includes the first Mediterranean records of the Coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch (Greece) and of the Arabian monocle bream Scolopsis ghanam (Tunisia). The third category includes new records for countries (Ganonema farinosum in Malta, Cassiopea andromeda in Libya, Cingulina isseli in Greece, Okenia picoensis in Italy, Callinectes sapidus in Slovenia, Charybdis cf. hellerii in Malta, Urocaridella pulchella in Cyprus, Ablennes hians and Aluterus monoceros in Lebanon, and Fistularia petimba in Greece and Lebanon), new records for MSFD areas or regional seas (Septifer cumingii in the Greek Ionian Sea and F. petimba in the Marmara Sea), and confirmation of old, doubtful, or spurious records/statements (Branchiomma luctuosum in Tunisia, Thalamita poissonii in the Saronikos Gulf, and Pterois miles in Albania). Noteworthy, the three new records of F. petimba suggest that it may soon spread further in the Mediterranean Sea, as already happened for its congeneric Fistularia commersonii. Distributional data reported here will help tracing colonization routes of alien species in the basin and may facilitate the development of mitigation measures

Blockade of LAG3 enhances responses of tumor-infiltrating T cells in mismatch repair-proficient liver meta

Purpose: Liver metastasis develops in >50% of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), and is a leading cause of CRC-related mortality. We aimed to identify which inhibitory immune checkpoint pathways can be targeted to enhance functionality of intra-tumoral T-cells in mismatch repair-proficient liver metastases of colorectal cancer (LM-CRC). Methodology: Intra-tumoral expression of multiple inhibitory molecules was compared among mismatch repair-proficient LM-CRC, peritoneal metastases of colorectal cancer (PM-CRC) and primary CRC. Expression of inhibitory molecules was also analyzed on leukocytes isolated from paired resected metastatic liver tumors, tumor-free liver tissues, and blood of patients with mismatch repair-proficient LM-CRC. The effects of blocking inhibitory pathways on tumor-infiltrating T-cell responses were studied in ex vivo functional assays. Results: Mismatch repair-proficient LM-CRC showed higher expression of inhibitory receptors on intra-tumoral T-cells and contained higher proportions of CD8+ T-cells, dendritic cells and monocytes than mismatch repair-proficient primary CRC and/or PM-CRC. Inhibitory receptors LAG3, PD-1, TIM3 and CTLA4 were higher expressed on CD8+ T-cells, CD4+ T-helper and/or regulatory T-cells in LM-CRC tumors compared with tumor-free liver and blood. Antibody blockade of LAG3 or PD-L1 increased proliferation and effector cytokine production of intra-tumoral T-cells isolated from LM-CRC in response to both polyclonal and autologous tumor-specific stimulations. Higher LAG3 expression on intra-tumoral CD8+ T-cells associated with longer progression-free survival of LM-CRC patients. Conclusion: Mismatch repair-proficient LM-CRC may be more sensitive to immune checkpoint inhibitors than mismatch repair-proficient primary CRC. Blocking LAG3 enhances tumor-infiltrating T-cell responses of mismatch repair-proficient LM-CRC, and therefore may be a new promising immunotherapeutic target for LM-CRC

Riociguat treatment in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: Final safety data from the EXPERT registry

Objective: The soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat is approved for the treatment of adult patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and inoperable or persistent/recurrent chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) following Phase

Molecular aspects of the H2 activation on MoS2 based catalysts - the role of dynamic surface arrangements

10.1097/01.PRS.0000141485.83476.89Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery11461665-1666PRSU

Observations and modelling of nearshore sediment sorting processes along a barred beach profile

The understanding of cross-shore sediment sorting is of primary importance for the design of sand nourishments and for assessing the suitability of the seabed to different ecological species. In this paper, sediment sorting processes were investigated by using a combination of physical and detailed numerical modelling. Data from large-scale wave flume experiments were used to validate a 2DV cross-shore Delft3D model. The model solves coupled short-wave averaged equations for flow, sediment transport, bed composition and bed level change. The infra-gravity wave motions were explicitly resolved. In order to investigate sorting processes, eight sediment fractions were used as well as a layered bed stratigraphy. The effects of different wave conditions (high energetic and more moderate energetic waves) on the morphodynamic profile development and sorting processes were investigated. The Delft3D model reproduced the profile development and bar position very accurately. Additionally, model predictions of sediment sorting across the profile fitted very well with the available observations. The numerical model simulations showed the importance of including short-wave grouping and infragravity wave effects in order to reproduce the cross-shore profile development, especially the breaker bar dynamics and sediment sorting processes. Infragravity waves contribute to larger sediment entrainment and more offshore bar development. Besides leading to a better prediction of the bed profile, infragravity waves also lead to a better prediction of the bed composition. Model results are in agreement with experimental data, showing its capabilities in functioning as a tool to predict sorting processes.JRC.E.1-Disaster Risk Managemen

Steam reforming of iso-octane toward hydrogen production over mono- and bi-metallic Cu–Co/CeO2 catalysts: Structure-activity correlations

Δημοσίευση σε επιστημονικό περιοδικόSummarization: Τhe feasibility of tailoring the iso-octane steam reforming activity of Cu/CeO2 catalysts through the use of Co as a second active metal (Cu20−xCox, where x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 wt%), is investigated. Characterization studies, involving N2 adsorption–desorption at −196 °C (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Temperature Programmed Reduction (H2-TPR), were carried out to reveal the impact of the morphological, structural and surface properties of the catalysts on the reforming performance. The results showed that reforming activity was monotonically increased upon increasing cobalt loading. The Co/CeO2 catalyst demonstrated the optimum performance with a H2 yield of 70–80% in the 600–800 °C temperature interval. The Co/CeO2 catalyst exhibited also excellent stability at temperatures above 700 °C, while Cu-based catalysts rapidly deactivated in long term stability tests. A close correlation between surface/redox properties and steam reforming efficiency was established. The lower reducibility of Co/CeO2 catalysts, associated with the formation of Co3+ species, in Co3O4-like phase, can be accounted for the enhanced carbon tolerance of Co-based catalysts. Furthermore, the high concentration of surface oxygen species on Co/CeO2 catalysts can be considered for their enhanced performance. On the other hand, the Cu-induced easier reducibility of bimetallic catalysts, in conjunction with carbon deposition and active phase sintering can be accounted for their inferior steam reforming performance. Irreversible changes in the redox properties of Cu-based catalysts, taking place under reaction conditions, could be resulted to ceria deactivation thus hindering the redox process to keep onΠαρουσιάστηκε στο: International Journal of Hydrogen Energ

A critical look at organic photovoltaic fabrication methodology : defining performance enhancement parameters relative to active area

With the ever-increasing focus on obtaining higher device power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) for organic photovoltaics (OPV), there is a need to ensure samples are measured accurately. Reproducible results are required to compare data across different research institutions and countries and translate these improvements to real-world production. In order to report accurate results, and additionally find the best-practice methodology for obtaining and reporting these, we show that careful analysis of large data sets can identify the best fabrication methodology. We demonstrate which OPV outputs are most affected by different fabrication or measurement methods, and identify that masking effects can result in artificially-boosted PCEs by increasing fill factor and current densities, requiring care when selecting which mask to use. For example, our best performing devices (>6% efficiency) show that the smallest mask areas have not produced a surfeit of the highest performers, with only 11% of the top performing devices measured using a 0.032 cm2 mask area, while 44% used the largest mask (0.64 cm2). This trend holds true for efficiencies going down to 5%, showing that effective fabrication conditions are reproducible with increasing mask areas, and can be translated to even larger device areas. Finally, we emphasise the necessity for reporting the best PCE along with the average value in order to implement changes in real-world production