Diagonal restrictions of pp-adic Eisenstein families

We compute the diagonal restriction of the first derivative with respect to the weight of a p-adic family of Hilbert modular Eisenstein series attached to a general (odd) character of the narrow class group of a real quadratic field, and express the Fourier coefficients of its ordinary projection in terms of the values of a distinguished rigid analytic cocycle in the sense of Darmon and Vonk (Duke Math J, to appear, 2020) at appropriate real quadratic points of Drinfeld’s p-adic upper half-plane. This can be viewed as the p-adic counterpart of a seminal calculation of Gross and Zagier (J Reine Angew Math 355:191–220, 1985, §7) which arose in their “analytic proof” of the factorisation of differences of singular moduli, and whose inspiration can be traced to Siegel’s proof of the rationality of the values at negative integers of the Dedekind zeta function of a totally real field. Our main identity enriches the dictionary between the classical theory of complex multiplication and its extension to real quadratic fields based on RM values of rigid meromorphic cocycles, and leads to an expression for the p-adic logarithms of Gross–Stark units and Stark–Heegner points in terms of the first derivatives of certain twisted Rankin triple product p-adic L-functions

Towards a predictive understanding of direct ink writing of graphene-based inks

Direct ink writing (DIW) presents a flexible and resource-efficient approach towards the prototyping of functional materials and devices with complex shapes. Printed functional materials for electronic devices depend on conductive fillers such as graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), which are increasingly popular in printed electronics and energy materials thanks to their low cost, non-toxicity and high specific surface area. However, non-spherical colloids with large filler-to-nozzle size ratios like GNPs present a challenge for high-resolution DIW due to risk of nozzle clogging. As DIW of platelet-based inks is gaining traction in several fields, the feasibility of high-resolution DIW of platelet-based inks is demonstrated here on the example of GNPs (&lt; 50 μm). A workflow for the combined optimization of ink rheology and printing process parameters was developed to gain a predictive understanding of filament quality and morphology. Using two inks and two nozzle diameters per ink, filaments ranging from &lt;100 – 1200 μm in width and 30 – 300 μm in height were produced, with conductivities suitable for application in sensors or electrodes. The derived predictive models were successfully deployed to predict filament dimensions and to achieve excellent print quality even for fine sub-nozzle size structures with very high filler-to-nozzle size ratios within only one iteration of the workflow. With this study, we advocate for the integrated development of materials for processes and processes for materials. This study will benefit high-resolution rapid prototyping of a large class of functional materials for wearable electronics, sensors, RF passives, energy materials and tissue engineering.</p

Growth of well-ordered iron sulfide thin films

In this paper a growth recipe for well-ordered iron sulfide films and the results of their characterisation are presented. The film was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). XRD data reveal that the film has a NiAs-like structure with Fe vacancies, similar to iron sulfides such as pyrrhotite and smythite, although no indication of any ordering of these vacancies was observed. LEED and STM results show that the film exhibits a 2 × 2 surface reconstruction. XPS data provide additional evidence for a large number of Fe vacancies, and the oxidation states of the Fe and S in the film are analysed

Effect of introduced species and habitat alteration on the occurrence and distribution of euryhaline fishes in fresh- and brackish-water habitats on Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (South Caribbean)

We conducted an ichthyological survey during the dry season of 2006 on the semi-arid islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao to provide information on species composition, richness and distribution in natural and non-natural aquatic habitats. The dry season species assemblages (N = 9 species) comprised less species than the wet seasons, and these data refine our knowledge of the indigenous fish fauna and its refuge localities during phases of drought and ensuing high salinity. A hierarchical cluster analysis reveals that the three islands have different species compositions with Curaçao being the most diverse, probably due to its having the most habitats and freshwaters present throughout the year. Species richness was unrelated to salinity and species diversity was highest in canalised streams. In the dry season fewer amphidromous species are present than in the wet season. We found no significant effect of human-induced changes on the presence or absence of fish species in the Netherlands Antilles. The presence of exotic species (including Xiphophorus helleri on Aruba, a first record for this island, and Oreochromis mossambicus and Poecilia reticulata occurring on all three islands) did not have a clear effect on the presence of indigenous species, nor did human alteration of the habitats have an influence on the occurrence of fish species

Predicting the course of asthma from childhood until early adulthood

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To communicate recent insights about the natural history of childhood asthma, with a focus on prediction of persistence and remission of childhood asthma, up to early adulthood.RECENT FINDINGS: Lung function around the age of 8-9 years is the strongest predictor: obstructive lung function predicts asthma persistence up to early adulthood, whereas normal lung function predicts remission. The ability to predict asthma remission improves when lung function is combined with blood eosinophil levels and degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Interventions, such as inhaled corticosteroids and immunotherapy do not appear to alter the course of asthma. Epigenetic studies have revealed potential novel biomarkers of asthma remission, such as micro-RNA patterns in blood. Specifically, lower serum levels of mi-R221-5p, which is associated with lower IL-6 release and eosinophilic inflammation, predict remission. Higher levels of blood DNA-methylation of a CpG site in Peroxisomal Biogenesis Factor 11 Beta were associated with asthma remission.SUMMARY: Lung function, allergic comorbidity and polysensitization in childhood predict the course of asthma. Recent epigenetic studies have provided a better understanding of underlying pathological processes in asthma remission, which may be used to improve prediction or develop novel treatments aimed at altering the course of asthma.</p