56 research outputs found
Magnetic-field-induced electronic instability of Weyl-like fermions in compressed black phosphorus
Revealing the role of Coulomb interaction in topological semimetals with
Dirac/Weyl-like band dispersion shapes a new frontier in condensed matter
physics. Topological node-line semimetals (TNLSMs), anticipated as a fertile
ground for exploring electronic correlation effects due to the anisotropy
associated with their node-line structure, have recently attracted considerable
attention. In this study, we report an experimental observation for correlation
effects in TNLSMs realized by black phosphorus (BP) under hydrostatic pressure.
By performing a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance measurements and band
calculations on compressed BP, a magnetic-field-induced electronic instability
of Weyl-like fermions is identified under an external magnetic field parallel
to the so-called nodal ring in the reciprocal space. Anomalous spin
fluctuations serving as the fingerprint of electronic instability are observed
at low temperatures, and they are observed to maximize at approximately 1.0
GPa. This study presents compressed BP as a realistic material platform for
exploring the rich physics in strongly coupled Weyl-like fermions.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure
Revealing intrinsic domains and fluctuations of moir\'e magnetism by a wide-field quantum microscope
Moir\'e magnetism featured by stacking engineered atomic registry and lattice
interactions has recently emerged as an appealing quantum state of matter at
the forefront condensed matter physics research. Nanoscale imaging of moir\'e
magnets is highly desirable and serves as a prerequisite to investigate a broad
range of intriguing physics underlying the interplay between topology,
electronic correlations, and unconventional nanomagnetism. Here we report spin
defect-based wide-field imaging of magnetic domains and spin fluctuations in
twisted double trilayer (tDT) chromium triiodide CrI3. We explicitly show that
intrinsic moir\'e domains of opposite magnetizations appear over arrays of
moir\'e supercells in low-twist-angle tDT CrI3. In contrast, spin fluctuations
measured in tDT CrI3 manifest little spatial variations on the same mesoscopic
length scale due to the dominant driving force of intralayer exchange
interaction. Our results enrich the current understanding of exotic magnetic
phases sustained by moir\'e magnetism and highlight the opportunities provided
by quantum spin sensors in probing microscopic spin related phenomena on
two-dimensional flatland
Comparative Proteomics Analyses Reveal the virB of B. melitensis Affects Expression of Intracellular Survival Related Proteins
BACKGROUND: Brucella melitensis is a facultative, intracellular, pathogenic bacterium that replicates within macrophages. The type IV secretion system encoded by the virB operon (virB) is involved in Brucella intracellular survival. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms, especially the target proteins affected by the virB, remain largely unclear. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In order to define the proteins affected by virB, the proteomes of wild-type and the virB mutant were compared under in vitro conditions where virB was highly activated. The differentially expressed proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. Forty-four down-regulated and eighteen up-regulated proteins which exhibited a 2-fold or greater change were identified. These proteins included those involved in amino acid transport and metabolism, lipid metabolism, energy production, cell membrane biogenesis, translation, post-translational modifications and protein turnover, as well as unknown proteins. Interestingly, several important virulence related proteins involved in intracellular survival, including VjbR, DnaK, HtrA, Omp25, and GntR, were down-regulated in the virB mutant. Transcription analysis of virB and vjbR at different growth phase showed that virB positively affect transcription of vjbR in a growth phase dependent manner. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that transcription of these genes was also affected by virB during macrophage cell infection, consistent with the observed decreased survival of the virB mutant in macrophage. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These data indicated that the virB operon may control the intracellular survival of Brucella by affecting the expression of relevant proteins
Volvo CE in China : a case study of dual - brand strategy
Introduction: The part of introduction is presented to help readers give insight into the setting of our thesis. Firstly, we present the background of Volvo CE and Lingong. With the rapid economy growth and large amount of infrastructure construction projects, the large demand for CE push Volvo to accelerate its pace into Chinese market, the situation of the Chinese market and the importance are introduced continuously. We are aimed to analyze the dual - brand strategy implemented by Volvo and Lingong, and what synergies produced. We will also face two major limitations such as limited materials and hard access to interviewees. Lastly, we also have brief introduction for the outlet of the thesis. Â Theory Framework: This part includes three related theoretical fields. First one is global strategic marketing, as a MNE, Volvo CE entered China, which is one member of BRICs, and took acquisition of Lingong. The following is cross - boundaries culture and customer behavior, if one company wants to gain success in an overseas market, a good adaption to the local culture is essential. The last one is brand management field, brand is a intangible asset, however, in order to avoid cross - boundaries problems, Volvo CE decide to implement a dual - brand strategy, so we can use brand alliance theories to analyze. Â Methodology: Because of the special characteristics, we decide to adopt the quantitative method, case study, because it is impossible for us to gather a large sample of survey on the CE. We analyze two cases, one is " Danone & Wahaha" and the other is "Shanghai Automotive", the current situation of two cases are totally different, Danone and Wahaha got divorce in 2007, because of the brand conflict, while Shanghai have been making it to become the largest motor manufacturer in China, the experiences behind are very precious for us to analyze the brand alliance of Volvo and Lingong. Â Complementary cases study and analysis We will have a detailed introduction on how Danone and Wahaha deal with the brand conflicts and the process of a series of arbitrations and lawsuits. Then presenting how successful Shanghai Automotive integrates with VW and GM. Then we use the corresponding theories to analyze the two cases, why brand conflicts happened between Danone and Wahaha, why Shanghai Automotive can successfully integrate with VW and GM Â Findings In this part, we use the cases analysis and corresponding theories to form the finding. Finding is focused on the dual - brand strategy implemented by Volvo and Lingong, and we analyze its feasibility and the synergies. Â Conclusions In this part, we come out with three conclusions. Firstly, global strategy management helps us to have a macro view over the dual-brand topic in China. Secondly, the dual-brand strategy can make Volvo gain goodwill from the consumers. Thirdly, Lingong and Volvo can benefit each other and get win-win by using dual-brand strategy
Assessing the degree of customer satisfaction in grocery stores - a study on ICA
Aim:  It has been demonstrated that customer satisfaction is critically important to the performance of grocery stores (Bamford and Xystouri, 2005). In Gävle, there is heavy competition among the three big brands - ICA, Willy:s and Coop. Therefore, the study of customer satisfaction in grocery stores in Gävle is worth researching. This paper aims to establish major attributes that underlie sub-attributes, to examine which pose the most dynamic influences on the degree of customer satisfaction in the different store formats. Method: The method framework consists of analysis of three samples of customers who purchase in the three store formats of ICA, Maxi ICA, ICA Sätra Store and ICA Nära. Following a weighted mean calculation of the 15 sub-attributes, thus the result can show us the influence of the identified attributes and sub-attributes on customer satisfaction. Result & Conclusions: The degree of customer satisfaction in Maxi ICA is highest, followed by Sätra ICA and ICA Nära. The attributes, such as additional service, store location, and store environment exert greatest influence on customer satisfaction in the three formats of   stores. The principal sub-attributes, such as opportunity to meet friends, attractive price, convenient car parking, location, wide range of food and helpful staff act dramatically. It is concluded that additional service and location satisfy customers most. The degree of customer satisfaction in grocery stores in Gävle, as different formats of stores can meet customers' different needs and requirements. Suggestions for future research:  Four suggestions for future study are introduced. Firstly, researching in other cities, such as Stockholm or Malmo, is advisable, as both of them differentiate from Gavle in terms of size of city and geographic context. Secondly, research on comparison among ICA and its competitors is also advisable to be conducted as it can investigate Swedish retailing industry from a different aspect. Thirdly, Uutialo (2001)’s result appears to be against yours, the gap between Uutialo’s and ours is advised to be examine further. Lastly, the future researchers are also advised to concern about the relationship between traditional retailing industry and e-commerce. Contribution of the thesis: This work contributes to extant literature by assessing differences in the main factors that contribute to satisfaction in grocery stores in Gävle, depending on different store formats, as customer satisfaction is commonly linked with service marketing. Moreover, the field of grocery market in Gävle has not studied before the way we did, so this thesis has its original value
The complete chloroplast genome of Asarum heterotropoides Fr. Schmidt var. mandshuricum (Maxim.) Kitag. (Aristolochiaceae), a traditional Chinese medicine herb
The complete chloroplast genome of A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum reported herein was a circular DNA molecule of 160,262 bp in length. The typical quadripartite structure of the genome consisted of a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 27,262 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) region of 88,927 bp and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 16,811 bp. The overall GC content of the genome is 38.45%, with 36.7%, 33.1%, and 43.0% in LSC, SSC, IR regions, respectively. The cp genome encoded 125 genes, including 83 protein-coding genes, 34 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. 138 SSRs were identified in the genome. Phylogenetic anlysis showed the position of A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum is closely related to A. heterotropoides
The value of preoperative neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in predicting the severity of cholecystolithiasis with cholecystitis in elderly patients
Abstract Background This study aims to assess the effectiveness of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in diagnosing cholecystolithiasis with cholecystitis in elderly patients. Additionally, the study seeks to determine the predictive value of preoperative NLR in determining the severity of the condition in this population. Methods This study is a retrospective cohort study, including 160 elderly patients with cholecystolithiasis with cholecystitis (45 cases of simple cholecystitis, 58 cases of suppurative cholecystitis, 57 cases of gangrenous cholecystitis) and 60 cases of normal gallbladder histology. The study collected clinical data of the patients detected the preoperative CRP content, neutrophil, and lymphocyte levels through blood routine tests, and calculated the NLR value. The diagnostic value of NLR and CRP was determined by using the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC), and the optimal value of preoperative NLR related to the severity of elderly patients with cholecystolithiasis with cholecystitis was identified. Results This study found that for elderly patients with cholecystolithiasis with cholecystitis, preoperative NLR and CRP levels can be used to distinguish the condition. The critical value for NLR was found to be 2.995 (95% CI, 0.9465–0.9853; P < 0.001) with an area under the ROC curve of 0.9659, while the critical value for CRP was 13.05 (95% CI, 0.9284–0.9830; P < 0.001) with an area under the ROC curve of 0.9557. Both NLR and CRP were found to have equivalent diagnostic abilities. Additionally, the study found that there were significant differences in neutrophil and lymphocyte levels in elderly patients with different severity levels, with NLR increasing as severity increased (P < 0.001). The study identified cut-off values for preoperative NLR that could distinguish Simple cholecystitis and Purulent cholecystitis, as well as Purulent cholecystitis and Gangrenous cholecystitis in elderly patients with cholecystolithiasis, with respective AUCs of 0.8441 (95% CI: 0.7642–0.9239; P < 0.001) and 0.7886(95% CI: 0.7050–0.8721, P < 0.001), sensitivities of 91.38% and 87.72%, and specificities of 73.33% and 63.79%. Conclusions Preoperative NLR and CRP values can serve as indicators to detect cholecystolithiasis with cholecystitis in elderly patients. Additionally, NLR has been recognized as a potential tool to differentiate the severity of cholecystolithiasis with cholecystitis in the elderly population
Growth and Passive Q-Switching Application of Cr:TiTe3O8 Crystal
A Cr4+-doped TiTe3O8 crystal with dimensions up to 21 mm × 21 mm × 11 mm was grown successfully by the top-seeded solution growth method. A high-resolution X-ray diffraction experiment showed that the full width at half-maximum of the rocking curve was 41.90″. Energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) proved that Cr4+ ions have been doped into the TiTe3O8 crystal with molar percentage of 4.9%. The Cr:TiTe3O8 crystal exhibited an absorption range from 995 to 1565 nm, which is suitable for passive Q switch at 1064 nm. Then, a passive Q-switching solid-state laser operating at 1064 nm was realized using a Cr:TiTe3O8 crystal as the saturable absorber. The maximum laser pulse energy is calculated to be 0.7 μJ, and the maximum peak power reaches 0.7 W
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