1,332 research outputs found
Intraindividual relations between achievement goals and discrete achievement emotions: an experience sampling approach
Theories on the link between achievement goals and achievement emotions focus on their within-person functional relationship (i.e., intraindividual relations). However, empirical studies have failed to analyze these intraindividual relations and have instead examined between-person covariation of the two constructs (i.e., interindividual relations). Aiming to better connect theory and empirical research, the present study (N = 120 10th grade students) analyzed intraindividual relations by assessing students’ state goals and emotions using experience sampling (N = 1,409 assessments within persons). In order to replicate previous findings on interindividual relations, students’ trait goals and emotions were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Despite being statistically independent, both types of relations were consistent with theoretical expectations, as shown by multi-level modeling: Mastery goals were positive predictors of enjoyment and negative predictors of boredom and anger; performance-approach goals were positive predictors of pride; and performance-avoidance goals were positive predictors of anxiety and shame. Reasons for the convergence of intra- and interindividual findings, directions for future research, and implications for educational practice are discussed
Comeback of epitaxial graphene for electronics: large-area growth of bilayer-free graphene on SiC
We present a new fabrication method for epitaxial graphene on SiC which
enables the growth of ultra-smooth defect- and bilayer-free graphene sheets
with an unprecedented reproducibility, a necessary prerequisite for wafer-scale
fabrication of high quality graphene-based electronic devices. The inherent but
unfavorable formation of high SiC surface terrace steps during high temperature
sublimation growth is suppressed by rapid formation of the graphene buffer
layer which stabilizes the SiC surface. The enhanced nucleation is enforced by
decomposition of polymer adsorbates which act as a carbon source. With most of
the steps well below 0.75 nm pure monolayer graphene without bilayer inclusions
is formed with lateral dimensions only limited by the size of the substrate.
This makes the polymer assisted sublimation growth technique the most promising
method for commercial wafer scale epitaxial graphene fabrication. The
extraordinary electronic quality is evidenced by quantum resistance metrology
at 4.2 K with until now unreached precision and high electron mobilities on mm
scale devices.Comment: 20 pages, 6 Figure
Lower Hybrid Experiments on MST
Abstract. Current drive using RF waves has been proposed as a means to reduce the tearing fluctuations responsible for anomalous energy transport in the RFP. A traveling wave antenna operating at 800 MHz is being used to launch lower hybrid waves into MST to assess the feasibility of this approach. Parameter studies show that edge density is a major factor in antenna/plasma coupling. Gas puffing near the antenna is shown to alter coupling without changing plasma conditions. Hard x-ray emission has been correlated to RF power and is seen to vary strongly with direction of power flow through the antenna
Rhythmic actomyosin-driven contractions induced by sperm entry predict mammalian embryo viability.
Fertilization-induced cytoplasmic flows are a conserved feature of eggs in many species. However, until now the importance of cytoplasmic flows for the development of mammalian embryos has been unknown. Here, by combining a rapid imaging of the freshly fertilized mouse egg with advanced image analysis based on particle image velocimetry, we show that fertilization induces rhythmical cytoplasmic movements that coincide with pulsations of the protrusion forming above the sperm head. We find that these movements are caused by contractions of the actomyosin cytoskeleton triggered by Ca(2+) oscillations induced by fertilization. Most importantly, the relationship between the movements and the events of egg activation makes it possible to use the movements alone to predict developmental potential of the zygote. In conclusion, this method offers, thus far, the earliest and fastest, non-invasive way to predict the viability of eggs fertilized in vitro and therefore can potentially improve greatly the prospects for IVF treatment
Search for Gravitational Waves from Scorpius X-1 in LIGO O3 Data With Corrected Orbital Ephemeris
Improved observational constraints on the orbital parameters of the low-mass
X-ray binary Scorpius~X-1 were recently published in Killestein et al (2023).
In the process, errors were corrected in previous orbital ephemerides, which
have been used in searches for continuous gravitational waves from Sco~X-1
using data from the Advanced LIGO detectors. We present the results of a
re-analysis of LIGO detector data from the third observing run of Advanced LIGO
and Advanced Virgo using a model-based cross-correlation search. The corrected
region of parameter space, which was not covered by previous searches, was
about 1/3 as large as the region searched in the original O3 analysis, reducing
the required computing time. We have confirmed that no detectable signal is
present over a range of gravitational-wave frequencies from to
, analogous to the null result of Abbott et al (2022). Our
search sensitivity is comparable to that of Abbott et al (2022), who set upper
limits corresponding, between and , to an
amplitude of about when marginalized isotropically over the
unknown inclination angle of the neutron star's rotation axis, or less than
assuming the optimal orientation.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables. Typeset with AASTeX 6.3.1. Accepted for
publication in The Astrophysical Journal. arXiv admin note: text overlap with
arXiv:2209.0286
Modelling the impact of decidual senescence on embryo implantation in human endometrial assembloids.
Decidual remodelling of midluteal endometrium leads to a short implantation window after which the uterine mucosa either breaks down or is transformed into a robust matrix that accommodates the placenta throughout pregnancy. To gain insights into the underlying mechanisms, we established and characterized endometrial assembloids, consisting of gland-like organoids and primary stromal cells. Single-cell transcriptomics revealed that decidualized assembloids closely resemble midluteal endometrium, harbouring differentiated and senescent subpopulations in both glands and stroma. We show that acute senescence in glandular epithelium drives secretion of multiple canonical implantation factors, whereas in the stroma it calibrates the emergence of anti-inflammatory decidual cells and pro-inflammatory senescent decidual cells. Pharmacological inhibition of stress responses in pre-decidual cells accelerated decidualization by eliminating the emergence of senescent decidual cells. In co-culture experiments, accelerated decidualization resulted in entrapment of collapsed human blastocysts in a robust, static decidual matrix. By contrast, the presence of senescent decidual cells created a dynamic implantation environment, enabling embryo expansion and attachment, although their persistence led to gradual disintegration of assembloids. Our findings suggest that decidual senescence controls endometrial fate decisions at implantation and highlight how endometrial assembloids may accelerate the discovery of new treatments to prevent reproductive failure
Cartilage Repair Surgery: Outcome Evaluation by Using Noninvasive Cartilage Biomarkers Based on Quantitative MRI Techniques?
Background. New quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques are increasingly applied as outcome measures after cartilage repair. Objective. To review the current literature on the use of quantitative MRI biomarkers for evaluation of cartilage repair at the knee and ankle. Methods. Using PubMed literature research, studies on biochemical, quantitative MR imaging of cartilage repair were identified and reviewed. Results. Quantitative MR biomarkers detect early degeneration of articular cartilage, mainly represented by an increasing water content, collagen disruption, and proteoglycan loss. Recently, feasibility of biochemical MR imaging of cartilage repair tissue and surrounding cartilage was demonstrated. Ultrastructural properties of the tissue after different repair procedures resulted in differences in imaging characteristics. T2 mapping, T1rho mapping, delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC), and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) are applicable on most clinical 1.5 T and 3 T MR scanners. Currently, a standard of reference is difficult to define and knowledge is limited concerning correlation of clinical and MR findings. The lack of histological correlations complicates the identification of the exact tissue composition. Conclusions. A multimodal approach combining several quantitative MRI techniques in addition to morphological and clinical evaluation might be promising. Further investigations are required to demonstrate the potential for outcome evaluation after cartilage repair
Biodiversity estimates and ecological interpretations of meiofaunal communities are biased by the taxonomic approach
Accurate assessments of biodiversity are crucial to advising ecosystem-monitoring programs
and understanding ecosystem function. Nevertheless, a standard operating procedure to assess
biodiversity accurately and consistently has not been established. This is especially true for
meiofauna, a diverse community (>20 phyla) of small benthic invertebrates that have fundamental ecological roles. Recent studies show that metabarcoding is a cost-effective and timeeffective method to estimate meiofauna biodiversity, in contrast to morphological-based taxonomy. Here, we compare biodiversity assessments of a diverse meiofaunal community derived by applying multiple taxonomic methods based on comparative morphology, molecular phylogenetic analysis, DNA barcoding of individual specimens, and metabarcoding of environmental DNA. We show that biodiversity estimates are strongly biased across taxonomic methods and phyla. Such biases affect understanding of community structures and ecological interpretations. This study supports the urgency of improving aspects of environmental high-throughput sequencing and the value of taxonomists in correctly understanding biodiversity estimates
- …