cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
Electrooxidation behavior of ethanol toward carbon microbead-encapsulated ZnO particles derived from coffee waste
Creators: name: Ghouri, Zafar Khan
name: Elsaid, Khaled
name: Abdel-Wahab, Ahmed
name: Abdala, Ahmed
name: Farhad, Mohammad Zahid
Publisher: name: Manara - Qatar Research Repository
Year: 2022
Subjects: Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
Condensed matter physics

description: Carbon microbead-encapsulated ZnO (CM-ZnO) particles have been synthesized from the spent coffee ground (SCG) by chemical activation with ZnCl2 followed by calcination at 700 ℃ in N2 environment. Interestingly, ZnCl2 can act as an activating agent as well as a precursor for ZnO particles. The structure of the core and shell of the CM-ZnO was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Moreover, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) studies confirmed the presence of the encapsulated ZnO particles. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) plots showed a well-developed porous structure with a specific surface area of 210 m2/g, average pore volume of 1.12 cm3/g, and an average pore radius of 31.7 Å. The electrooxidation behavior of ethanol toward the synthesized CM-ZnO was then studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. For comparison, two types of modified electrodes were prepared: the first one with the non-activated SCG and the second one with the CM-ZnO. The electrochemical measurements of the prepared CM-ZnO demonstrated higher electrocatalytic activity with a current density of ~ 35 mA/cm2 at 0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl for ethanol electrooxidation in an alkaline medium. The electrochemical measurements specified that the presence of ZnO particles and the high surface area of the activated sample have a significant influence on electrooxidation activity. Therefore, the introduced CM-ZnO particles could be an alternative and effective non-precious electrocatalyst for ethanol electrooxidation.Other Information Published in: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics
 License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
See article on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10854-020-03209-w
Temporal dark polariton solitons
Creators: name: Kartashov, Yaroslav V.
name: Skryabin, Dmitry V.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: Optics (physics.optics)
subject: Pattern Formation and Solitons (nlin.PS)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We predict that strong coupling between waveguide photons and excitons of quantum well embedded into waveguide results in the formation of hybrid dark and anti-dark light-matter solitons. Such temporal solitons exist due to interplay between repulsive excitonic nonlinearity and giant group velocity dispersion arising in the vicinity of excitonic resonance. Such fully conservative states do not require external pumping to counteract losses and form continuous families parameterized by the power-dependent phase shift and velocity of their motion. Dark solitons are stable in the considerable part of their existence domain, while anti-dark solitons are always unstable. Both families exist outside forbidden frequency gap of the linear system.
description: 4 pages, 6 figures, to appear in Optics Letters
Associations Between Physical Activity and the Risk of Hip Fracture Depending on Glycemic Status: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Creators: name: Kim, Kyoung Min
name: Kim, Kyoung Jin
name: Han, Kyungdo
name: Rhee, Yumie
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 420299
subject: Epidemiology not elsewhere classified

description: In our study titled "Associations Between Physical Activity and the Risk of Hip Fracture Depending on Glycemic Status: A Nationwide Cohort Study," we have provided supplementary material available online, which serves as a valuable resource to delve deeper into the nuances of our research. This supplementary file offers detailed insights into the subgroup risk for hip fractures, considering variations in physical activity and glycemic status.
The role of basal ganglia circuit in processing of social information from Communicative roots of complex sociality and cognition: neuropsychological mechanisms underpinning the processing of social information
Creators: name: Roberts, Sam G. B.
name: Dunbar, Robin I. M.
name: Roberts, Anna I.
Publisher: name: The Royal Society
Year: 2022
Subjects: subject: Neuroscience
subject: 170299 Cognitive Science not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Psychology
subject: 60801 Animal Behaviour
subject: FOS: Biological sciences

description: Primate social bonds are described as being especially complex in their nature, and primates have unusually large brains for their body size compared to mammals. Communication in primates has attracted considerable attention because of the important role it plays in social bonding. It has been proposed that differentiated social relationships are cognitively complex because primates need to continuously update their knowledge about different types of social bonds. Therefore, primates infer whether an opportunity for social interaction is rewarding (valuable to individual goals) based on their knowledge of the social relationships of the interactants. However, exposure to distraction and stress have detrimental effects on the dopaminergic system, suggesting that understanding social relationships as rewarding is affected in these conditions. This paper proposes that complex communication evolved to augment the capacity to form social relationships during stress through flexibly modifying intentionality in communication (audience checking, response waiting and elaboration). Intentional communication may upregulate dopamine dynamics to allow recognition that an interaction is rewarding during stress. By examining these associations between complexity of communication and stress, we provide new insights into the cognitive skills involved in forming social bonds in primates and the evolution of communication systems in both primates and humans.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Cognition, communication and social bonds in primates’.
Characterization of Multicrystalline Silicon Wafers for Solar Cell Applications Sliced With a Fixed Abrasive Wire
Creators: name: Kondo, Y.
name: Watanabe, N.
name: Ide, D.
name: Matsuki, T.
name: Takato, H.
name: Sakata, I.
Publisher: name: WIP-Munich
Year: 2008
Subjects: Wafer-Based Silicon Solar Cells and Materials Technology
Silicon Feedstock, Crystallisation and Wafering

description: 23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, 1-5 September 2008, Valencia, Spain; 1297-1300
description: A new slicing method using a newly developed fixed-abrasive wire saw was examined as a replacement for the conventional method of slicing silicon ingots using loose-abrasive. The fixed-abrasive wire has abrasive diamond grains fixed onto the surface of a wire core using resin. When an ingot was sliced using this wire saw at a speed 2.5-fold higher than that of the loose-abrasive method, we obtained better results: the thickness variation decreased by a factor of three, the occurrence of wire breakage was reduced, and sub-surface layer decreased by a factor of at least two. Therefore, it was demonstrated that the fixed-abrasive wire saw is effective for slicing silicon ingots.
Extension of the energy range of the experimental activation cross-sections data of longer-lived products of proton induced nuclear reactions on dysprosium up to 65 MeV
Creators: name: Tárkányi, F.
name: Ditrói, F.
name: Takács, S.
name: Hermanne, A.
name: Ignatyuk, A. V.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: Nuclear Experiment (nucl-ex)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: Activation cross-sections data of longer-lived products of proton induced nuclear reactions on dysprosium were extended up to 65 MeV by using stacked foil irradiation and gamma spectrometry experimental methods. Experimental cross-sections data for the formation of the radionuclides $^{159}$Dy, $^{157}$Dy, $^{155}$Dy, $^{161}$Tb, $^{160}$Tb, $^{156}$Tb, $^{155}$Tb, $^{154m2}$Tb, $^{154m1}$Tb, $^{154g}$Tb, $^{153}$Tb, $^{152}$Tb and $^{151}$Tb are reported in the 36-65 MeV energy range, and compared with an old dataset from 1964. The experimental data were also compared with the results of cross section calculations of the ALICE and EMPIRE nuclear model codes and of the TALYS nuclear reaction model code as listed in the latest on-line libraries TENDL 2013.
description: 16 figures 4 tables. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1310.4695
Growth of PbBr2 microrods with unique structure and surface morphology
Creators: name: Ahmad, Zubair
name: Mishra, Arti
Publisher: name: Manara - Qatar Research Repository
Year: 2022
Subjects: Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
Condensed matter physics

description: We describe an innovative method to fabricate the one-dimensional (1D) microrods of lead bromide (PbBr2). The microrods possess unique structural and morphological properties. XRD, FESEM and HRTEM analysis exhibited a well-ordered growth and a crack-free arrangement of the microcrystals in rod shapes. XPS, Raman and FTIR studies were performed to investigate the composition and chemical structure of the rods. TGA and DSC investigations were made to investigate the thermal stability of microrods. The growth of these unique 1D microrods represents an innovative concept in material design and synthesis, which can foster a revolutionary research in the field of perovskite crystals.Other Information Published in: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics
 License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
See article on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10854-020-03019-0
Comparison Analysis of the Photovoltaic Modules Efficiency Working in a Hybrid System After Five Years of Exploitation Under South-East Poland Conditions
Creators: name: Olchowik, J.M.
name: Tomaszewski, R.
name: Cieslak, K.
name: Gulkowski, S.
name: Adamczyk, J.
Publisher: name: WIP-Munich
Year: 2009
Subjects: PV Systems
PV Power Plants

description: 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 21-25 September 2009, Hamburg, Germany; 4042-4044
description: Poland is situated in a moderate climate zone and it is characterized by diversity of
climate conditions. Lublin’s region is situated in a south-east of Poland where strong continental influence is
observed. This area has the best average yearly insolation ratio comparing to the other areas in our country.
In our researches we analyze work efficiency of the silicon solar modules installed in 2004. This
system works in a different typologies: traditional stationary system installed with an optimal angle due to the
average solar insolation, “follow the sun” system, hybrid solar systems combining solar photocollectros and
solar modules. We can also change a workload to choose the best working conditions. Parallel to elementary
electrical measurements we perform measurements containing composition of the atmosphere made by
OPSIS station installed near solar system.
To analysis, sunny summer months from 2004-2008 had been chosen. Statistical methods had been
used to analyze chosen data. The biggest changes had been observed in a photomodules working in a
movable systems with additional cooling but it was not significant due to the statistical analysis.
Potential challenges and approaches to develop the large area efficient monolithic perovskite solar cells (mPSCs)
Creators: name: Mishra, Arti
name: Ahmad, Zubair
Publisher: name: Manara - Qatar Research Repository
Year: 2022
Subjects: Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
Condensed matter physics

description: The next generation technologies based on perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are targeted to develop a true low cost, low tech, widely deployable, easily manufactured and reliable photovoltaics. After the extremely fast evolution in the last few years on the laboratory-scale, PSCs power conversion efficiency (PCE) reached over 24%. However, the widespread use of PSCs requires addressing the stability and industrial scale production issues. Carbon based monolithic perovskite solar cells (mPSCs) are one of the most promising candidates for the commercialization of the PSCs. mPSCs possess a unique architectural design and pave an easy way to produce large area and cost-effective fabrication of the PSCs. In this article, recent progress in the field of mPSCs, challenges and strategies for their improvement are briefly reviewed. Also, we focus on the predominant implementations of recent techniques in the fabrication of the mPSCs to improve their performance. This review is intended to serve as a future direction guide for the scientists who are looking forward to developing more reliable, cost-effective and large area PSCs.Other Information Published in: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics
 License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
See article on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10854-019-02394-7
Transport and deceleration of fusion products in microturbulence
Creators: name: Wilkie, George J.
name: Abel, Ian G.
name: Landreman, Matt
name: Dorland, William
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: Plasma Physics (physics.plasm-ph)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: The velocity-space distribution of alpha particles born in fusion devices is subject to modification at moderate energies due to turbulent transport. Therefore, one must calculate the evolution of an equilibrium distribution whose functional form is not known \emph{a priori}. Using a novel technique, applicable to any trace impurity, we have made this calculation not only possible, but particularly efficient. We demonstrate a microturbulence-induced departure from the local slowing-down distribution, an inversion of the energy distribution, and associated modifications to the alpha heating and pressure profiles in an ITER-like scenario.
description: 5 pages, 4 figures
Characterization of Hot Wall Deposited PbS-SnS Thin Films
Creators: name: Gremenok, V.F.
name: Ivanov, V.A.
name: Unuchak, D.M.
name: Bente, K.
name: Kaden, R.
name: Tashlykov, I.S.
name: Turovets, A.I.
Publisher: name: WIP-Munich
Year: 2009
Subjects: Advanced Photovoltaics
New Materials, Cells and Modules

description: 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 21-25 September 2009, Hamburg, Germany; 251-254
description: Polycrystalline sulfides of the PbXSn1-XS (0 ≤ X ≤ 0.25) alloys were synthesized by the direct
fusion technique. The thin films of these materials were prepared by a hot wall deposition method on glass substrates
at Tsub. = 240 - 300 oC and vacuum of about 10-5 Torr. The microstructures of the films were characterized by XRD,
SEM, EDX, AES and AFM. The thin film powder patterns matched the powder target patterns satisfactorily and
indicated the absence of binary phases like PbS and SnS2. The SEM and AFM analyses show that the films are
densely packed with layered crystallites which have good mechanical adhesion to each other. The as-grown
PbXSn1-XS films show p-type conductivity. The electrical conductivity decreases with increasing Pb/Sn ratio of the
thin film composition. As the Pb/Sn ratio increases, the activation energy increases from 0.121 eV for SnS to 0.264
eV for Pb0.25Sn0.75S.
An Arithmetical Interpretation of Verification and Intuitionistic Knowledge
Creators: name: Protopopescu, Tudor
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: Logic (math.LO)
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: 03B20, 03B42,

description: Intuitionistic epistemic logic introduces an epistemic operator, which reflects the intended BHK semantics of intuitionism, to intuitionistic logic. The fundamental assumption concerning intuitionistic knowledge and belief is that it is the product of verification. The BHK interpretation of intuitionistic logic has a precise formulation in the Logic of Proofs and its arithmetical semantics. We show here that this interpretation can be extended to the notion of verification upon which intuitionistic knowledge is based, thereby providing the systems of intuitionistic epistemic logic extended by an epistemic operator based on verification with an arithmetical semantics too.
description: Due to several publisher's errors the publisher failed to include a corrected version of the paper for publication. The paper published in LNCS 9537 is an uncorrected proof which contains various errors introduced by the publisher, and lacks changes submitted to, and approved for inclusion by, the publisher. This should be considered the official one
A new approach for an ultra-thin piezoresistive sensor based on solidified carbon ink film
Creators: name: Yi, Ying
name: Samara, Ayman
name: Wang, Bo
Publisher: name: Manara - Qatar Research Repository
Year: 2022
Subjects: subject: Materials engineering
subject: FOS: Materials engineering
subject: Mechanical engineering
subject: FOS: Mechanical engineering

description: Conventional flexible piezoresistive strain sensors that use conductive particles polymer composites exhibit thick structures with a low sensitivity to external tension. This paper presents a cost-effective method to fabricate ultra-thin and highly sensitive piezoresistive strain sensors. In our fabrication steps, carbon ink that is mainly composed of carbon black particles is solidified with a drying process to form a “paperlike,” flexible conductive film. Without any surface modification techniques, the carbon ink film is directly placed onto liquid-state PDMS and then bonded after the drying process. Following the rapid prototyping, different performance metrics of the fabricated sensors, including piezoresistivity, gauge factor, temperature dependency, elastic modulus, and repeatability are measured. Specifically, sensors fabricated with this method show a significantly improved gauge factor (~26) compared to similar flexible sensors fabricated by more complicated micro-fabrication methods. The proposed method of fabrication and the corresponding ultra-thin (~45 μm) sensor prototype may benefit the design and mass production of future wearable biomedical and healthcare sensors.Other Information Published in: Journal of Materials Science
 License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
See article on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-05309-8
Science Circus Africa Extraordinary Science with Ordinary Stuff, Workshop Booklet, Kenya and Tanzania
Creators: name: Walker, Graham
name: Duggan, Joe
name: Shelvin, Laura
Publisher: name: The Australian National University
Year: 2020
Subjects: Tanzania
Kenya
Science communication
engagement

description: Many students think science is something that happens in textbooks, which is sad because textbooks aren’t much fun. The result is bored unmotivated students who don’t learn as well – we need to make science learning fun and hands-on. The aim of these activities is to provide an enjoyable, interactive way for students to discover science. Rather than just remembering things out of a book, the activities allow learners to experience science themselves. Students learn and remember best when they actually do things themselves, rather than just reading or being told about them. The activities here can be used directly with students as class activities, or used as demonstrations by educators. Please note though, that some of these activities are more dangerous than others. Take extra care where CAUTION is noted. Some activities are not suitable for students to try themselves. This book contains a huge range of fun, curriculum-related science activities that can be done with everyday items – things that are either low-cost or free. Wherever we could, we selected activities that reuse the same materials so with the same collection of everyday items, there might be 5, 10 or even more different activities you can try. As you will discover, you do not need a lab and fancy equipment to do engaging practical science.
Sizing and Operational Experience with MWp-PV-Systems – Lessons Learned for System Design Tasks
Creators: name: Wirth, G.
name: Zehner, M.
name: Giesler, B.
Publisher: name: WIP-Munich
Year: 2009
Subjects: PV Systems
PV Power Plants

description: 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 21-25 September 2009, Hamburg, Germany; 4185-4188
description: This paper shows an analysis of high resolution PV-system performance data. The data is recorded in 2008 at a
PV system of the new Munich trade fair. The analysis shows that there is a significant part of the annual yield at irradiance
levels higher than 1000 W/m². Irradiance peaks also called cloud enhancements up to 1400 W/m² are common. These
irradiance peaks come along with a decrease of the cell temperature and an increase of the efficiency at irradiance classes
over 1000 W/m² due to the thermal response time of the PV module. The data is also analyzed for each month to find
seasonal differences in the system performance. On basis of these results suggestions for inverter dimensioning are given.
A Slurry Recovery System for Silicon Wafering
Creators: name: Vadivel, A.
name: Raghavan, P.S.
name: Matthei, K.
name: Khattak, C.P.
Publisher: name: WIP-Munich
Year: 2008
Subjects: Wafer-Based Silicon Solar Cells and Materials Technology
Silicon Feedstock, Crystallisation and Wafering

description: 23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, 1-5 September 2008, Valencia, Spain; 1289-1291
description: A fully automated Slurry Management System has been developed and tested in commercial mode. Approximately 70% of silicon carbide was recovered using a centrifuge and 85% of polyethylene glycol (PEG) was separated using a secondary separation process. Such systems can be used to manage slurry for several saws.
Optimization of Silane Free PECVD SiCxNy as Passivation and Antireflection Coating of Silicon Solar Cell
Creators: name: Kang, M.H.
name: Ebong, A.
name: Rounsaville, B.
name: Rohatgi, A.
name: Hong, J.
Publisher: name: WIP-Munich
Year: 2009
Subjects: Advanced Photovoltaics
New Materials, Cells and Modules

description: 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 21-25 September 2009, Hamburg, Germany; 369-372
description: Silane-free polymeric PECVD silicon carbon nitride (SiCxNy) film was evaluated and characterized for
its use as an alternative to passivating dielectric and antireflection coating (ARC) being used for silicon solar cells.
Our previous work evaluated SiCxNy film for 45 Ω/ phosphorus emitter passivation and AR [1,2], where ammonia
(NH3) flow rate and plasma power were varied to control the quality of SiCxNy film. Optimized SiCxNy coating on 45
Ω/ emitter produced solar cells with identical efficiency to the conventional SiNx coated solar cells. In this paper,
we tailored SiCxNy film for 60 Ω/ phosphorus doped emitter. The polymer gas, NH3 flow rate and deposition
temperature, at constant power, were varied to fine tune the film quality. We fabricated 60 Ω/ phosphorus emitter
screen-printed solar cells on 149 cm2 textured 2.5 Ω-cm p-type Czochralski (CZ) wafers to evaluate the dielectric
properties. SiNx coated solar cells were also fabricated for comparison. We found that the best efficiencies for SiNx
and SiCxNy coated cells were 17.8% and 17.5%, respectively. The finished solar cells were analyzed by spectral
response, Suns Voc, dark I-V, and PC1D modeling. Efficiency loss mechanism was also studied. We found that a
lower passivation quality on front surface contributed to a decrease in voltage and current, and higher reflection
caused current loss.
Artificial Neural Networks Methodology for Maintenance of Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems
Creators: name: Rus, C.
name: Almonacid, F.
name: Pérez-Higueras, P.J.
name: Hontoria, L.
name: Muñoz, F.J.
Publisher: name: WIP-Munich
Year: 2009
Subjects: PV Systems
PV Power Plants

description: 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 21-25 September 2009, Hamburg, Germany; 4176-4179
description: In order to make a proper maintenance of a Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System (GCPVS) and to
optimise the rate and payback of it, the use of the parameter called Performance Ratio (PR) is usually done. So, as we
are mentioning, the usual temporal scale in which the PR is used is the annual one, but this has some disadvantages.
For instance, the early detection of any malfunction in a system, which should be a much appreciated matter from an
industrial and quality point of view, cannot be done with an annual PR. Nevertheless, using an annual value of the
PR does not allow acting early if a malfunction of the system is presented [1]. In this work, with the monitored data
of a 2 kWp GCPVS, sited at Jaen University, our intention is to design a tool that calculates the instantaneous PR,
using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Afterwards, a comparative study between the instantaneous PR obtained by
the ANN and that one obtained with the measurements monitored by the system is done. If the comparative study
indicates that our developed tool is adequate, it would be possible to know how the PV system is working in a
quickly and efficient way.
Optical Properties of Magnetron Sputtered Thin Dielectric Films Containing Terbium(III) for Spectral Conversion in Thin Film Solar Cells
Creators: name: Baumgartner, K.
name: Angelov, O.
name: Sendova-Vassileva, M.
name: Holländer, B.
name: Ahrens, B.
name: Schweizer, S.
name: Dimova-Malinovska, D.
name: Carius, R.
Publisher: name: WIP-Munich
Year: 2009
Subjects: Advanced Photovoltaics
New Materials, Cells and Modules

description: 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 21-25 September 2009, Hamburg, Germany; 354-358
description: Photovoltaic modules with glass as cover or as superstrate show a poor blue and near UV response
due to absorption in the glass and in the doped layer. This poor response of all glass covered solar cells promises
an enhancement by spectral conversion of the short wavelength part of the solar spectrum. Thin transparent
dielectric films containing Tb3+ are developed for this application. These spectral converters with absorption bands
between 200 and 400 nm shall be deposited on top of the glass. Their emission bands in the region 400 - 600 nm
are well suited for the spectral response of thin film silicon solar cells. Here, the results on the deposition by RF
magnetron co-sputtering and characterization of thin SiO2 and Al2O3 films containing Tb3+ ions are presented. The
highest photoluminescence intensity was found at about 1 at.% Tb in both host materials for as-deposited films.
The measured lifetime of the 5D4 - 7F5 (~ 546 nm) transition was determined to about 1 ms. Annealing studies lead
to an enhancement of the photoluminescence intensity by a factor of 2.5 - 3 times.
High cut-off dialysis mitigates pro-calcific effects of plasma on vascular progenitor cells
Creators: name: Schaub, Theres
name: Janke, Daniel
name: Zickler, Daniel
name: Lange, Claudia
name: Girndt, Matthias
name: Schindler, Ralf
name: Dragun, Duska
name: Hegner, Björn
Publisher: name: Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Sachsen-Anhalt
Year: 2021
Subjects: subject: 610

description: Mortality of patients with end-stage renal disease tremendously exceeds that of the general population due to excess cardiovascular morbidity. Large middle-sized molecules (LMM) including pro-inflammatory cytokines are major drivers of uremic cardiovascular toxicity and cannot be removed sufficiently by conventional high-flux (HFL) hemodialysis. We tested the ability of plasma from 19 hemodialysis patients participating in a trial comparing HFL with high cut-off (HCO) membranes facilitating removal of LMM to induce calcification in mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) functioning as vascular progenitors. HCO dialysis favorably changed plasma composition resulting in reduced pro-calcific activity. LMM were removed more effectively by HCO dialysis including FGF23, a typical LMM we found to promote osteoblastic differentiation of MSC. Protein-bound uremic retention solutes with known cardiovascular toxicity but not LMM inhibited proliferation of MSC without direct toxicity in screening experiments. We could not attribute the effect of HCO dialysis on MSC calcification to distinct mediators. However, we found evidence of sustained reduced inflammation that might parallel other anti-calcifying mechanisms such as altered generation of extracellular vesicles. Our findings imply protection of MSC from dysfunctional differentiation by novel dialysis techniques targeted at removal of LMM. HCO dialysis might preserve their physiologic role in vascular regeneration and improve outcomes in dialysis patients.
Caloric restriction reduces sympathetic activity similar to beta-blockers but conveys additional mitochondrio-protective effects in aged myocardium
Creators: name: Niemann, Bernd
name: Li, Ling
name: Simm, Andreas
name: Molenda, Nicole
name: Kockskämper, Jens
name: Boening, Andreas
name: Rohrbach, Susanne
Publisher: name: Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Sachsen-Anhalt
Year: 2021
Subjects: subject: 610

description: Increased activation of sympathetic nervous system contributes to congestive heart failure (CHF) progression, and inhibition of sympathetic overactivation by beta-blockers is successful in CHF patients. Similarly, caloric restriction (CR) reduces sympathetic activity but mediates additional effects. Here, we compared the cardiac effects of CR (− 40% kcal, 3 months) with beta-blocker therapy (BB), diuretic medication (DF) or control diet in 18-months-old Wistar rats. We continuously recorded blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and activity with telemetric devices and analysed cardiac function, activated signalling cascades and markers of apoptosis and mitochondrial biogenesis. During our study, left ventricular (LV) systolic function improved markedly (CR), mildly (BB) or even deteriorated (DF; control). Diastolic function was preserved by CR and BB but impaired by DF. CR reduced blood pressure identical to DF and BB and heart rate identical to BB. Plasma noradrenaline was decreased by CR and BB but increased by DF. Only CR reduced LV oxidative damage and apoptosis, induced AMPK and Akt phosphorylation and increased mitochondrial biogenesis. Thus, additive to the reduction of sympathetic activity, CR achieves protective effects on mitochondria and improves LV function and ROS damage in aged hearts. CR mechanisms may provide additional therapeutic targets compared to traditional CHF therapy.
Application of Li-, Mg-, Ba-, Sr-, Ca-, and Sn-doped ceria for solar-driven thermochemical conversion of carbon dioxide
Creators: name: Takalkar, Gorakshnath
name: Bhosale, Rahul R.
name: Rashid, Suliman
name: AlMomani, Fares
name: Shakoor, Rana Abdul
name: Al Ashraf, Abdullah
Publisher: name: Manara - Qatar Research Repository
Year: 2022
Subjects: subject: Materials engineering
subject: FOS: Materials engineering
subject: Mechanical engineering
subject: FOS: Mechanical engineering

description: The redox reactivity of the Li-, Mg-, Ca-, Sr-, Ba-, and Sn-doped ceria (Ce0.9A0.1O2−δ) toward thermochemical CO2 splitting is investigated. Proposed Ce0.9A0.1O2−δ materials are prepared via co-precipitation of the hydroxide technique. The composition, morphology, and the average particle size of the Ce0.9A0.1O2−δ materials are determined by using suitable characterization methods. By utilizing a thermogravimetric analyzer setup, the long-term redox performance of each Ce0.9A0.1O2−δ material is estimated. The results obtained indicate that all the Ce0.9A0.1O2−δ materials are able to produce steady amounts of O2 and CO from cycle 4 to cycle 10. Based on the average $$ n_{{{\text{O}}_{2} }} $$nO2 released and $$ n_{\text{CO}} $$nCO produced, the Ce0.899Sn0.102O2.002 and Ce0.895Ca0.099O1.889 are observed to be the top and bottom-most choices. When compared with the CeO2 material, all Ce0.9A0.1O2−δ materials showed elevated levels of O2 release and CO production.Other Information Published in: Journal of Materials Science
 License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
See article on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-04875-1
Functional diversity changes in native and alien urban flora over three centuries
Creators: name: Milanović, Marija
name: Kühn, Ingolf
name: Pyšek, Petr
name: Knapp, Sonja
Publisher: name: Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Sachsen-Anhalt
Year: 2021
Subjects: subject: 570

description: Alien species in urban areas have a large effect on overall species diversity. A suitable metric of flora’s response to environmental change is functional diversity (FD) that refers to the multivariate space of species’ trait compositions, reflecting their ecological niches. We studied how FD changed over 320 years of urbanization in the city of Halle (Saale), Germany. Selected functional traits (related to stress-tolerance, reproduction, competitiveness and phenology) were examined for the difference in FD between native and alien plant species, the latter specifically for archaeophytes, neophytes and invasive species. Functional diversity for each trait was calculated using Rao’s Q index followed by a linear model to test for changes in Rao’s Q over time between the groups. Over the 320 years, overall FD remained constant despite species turnover, but FD significantly increased for neophytes and invasive species compared to native species. Plant height was the only trait showing increase in FD as main effect, while for the other traits examined FD decreased over time. Considering invasive species separately, the majority of traits exhibit a significant increase in FD except for seed mass where it decreased. Finally, FD of multiple functional traits combined decreased over time. This can be due to homogenization of functional trait between native and alien species, as a consequence of habitats becoming more similar and subsequent habitat filtering. Our results demonstrate that during the last three centuries, urbanization influenced plant FD in various ways and may contribute to future uniformity of urban floras and greater invasiveness.
A Life-Cycle Analysis of a Mega-Solar System in Japan
Creators: name: Ito, M.
name: Kudou, M.
name: Nagura, M.
name: Kurokawa, K.
Publisher: name: WIP-Munich
Year: 2009
Subjects: PV Systems
PV Power Plants

description: 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 21-25 September 2009, Hamburg, Germany; 4209-4211
description: New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has started mega-solar
projects, approximately 5 MW system in Wakkanai and approximately 2 MW system in Hokuto. In the research team
of the 2 MW system, authors studied on life-cycle analysis. Approximately 600 kW system with 24 types of PV
modules were installed in the first phase. Detailed data, such as number and weight of steel, cable length, were
obtained and added to calculation of the LCA. 6 types of PV modules were selected and evaluated. As a result, each
systems of the energy requirement were 24 to 39 GJ/kW. And 2.2 to 3.6 years operation can recover the energy
consumption throughout its life cycle. The CO2 emissions were 1.6 to 2.1 t-CO2/kW. And CO2 emissions rate were
47 to 61 g-CO2/kWh. It is much smaller than fossil fuel power plant, and it has big potential to mitigate global
warming.
Evaluation of Losses on Energy Yield Due to Self Shading of Free Standing PV Systems
Creators: name: Brecl, K.
name: Kurnik, J.
name: Topic, M.
Publisher: name: WIP-Munich
Year: 2009
Subjects: PV Systems
PV Power Plants

description: 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 21-25 September 2009, Hamburg, Germany; 4038-4041
description: The energy yield of a fixed free standing PV system is beside all other effects diminished also due to the self
shading effects. The rows of PV modules/arrays partially shade the PV modules in the rows behind. Due to space limitations
it is mostly impossible to completely avoid the self shading influence of the PV system on the energy yield, but with a
careful planning procedure the self shading effects can be minimized. The energy losses due to partial shading are directly
correlated with the distance between the rows of the PV modules/arrays. There are different recipies how to determine the
optimal row distance, but location’s irradiation properties must always be considered. In this paper the effects of the row
distance on the PV system's energy yield are presented.
Deductive Way of Reasoning about the Internet AS Level Topology
Creators: name: Szabó, Dávid
name: Kőrösi, Attila
name: Bíró, József
name: Gulyás, András
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Networking and Internet Architecture (cs.NI)
subject: FOS: Computer and information sciences
subject: C.2.1

description: Our current understanding about the AS level topology of the Internet is based on measurements and inductive-type models which set up rules describing the behavior (node and edge dynamics) of the individual ASes and generalize the consequences of these individual actions for the complete AS ecosystem using induction. In this paper we suggest a third, deductive approach in which we have premises for the whole AS system and the consequences of these premises are determined through deductive reasoning. We show that such a deductive approach can give complementary insights into the topological properties of the AS graph. While inductive models can mostly reflect high level statistics (e.g. degree distribution, clustering, diameter), deductive reasoning can identify omnipresent subgraphs and peering likelihood. We also propose a model, called YEAS, incorporating our deductive analytical findings that produces topologies contain both traditional and novel metrics for the AS level Internet.
TESPI : Thermal Electric Solar Panel Integration
Creators: name: Bobbio, V.
name: Nachtmann, S.
name: Rosa-Clot, M.
Publisher: name: WIP-Munich
Year: 2009
Subjects: PV Systems
PV Power Plants

description: 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 21-25 September 2009, Hamburg, Germany; 4166-4168
description: The possibility of building a hybrid panel that can merge thermal solar and photovoltaic (PV) panel
technologies is an object which presents a widespread practical interest. A new set-up is proposed with a water layer
superimposed onto the PV panel: in this configuration most of the infrared radiation is captured by water, which becomes hot
and can be used as a thermal energy source, and the efficiency of PV panel is increased because of the reduction of the
thermal drift.
The TESPI panel has been tested both for electric and thermal properties. The results are briefly discussed here.
Excitonic Solar Cells and Solar Cloths by Electrospinning
Creators: name: Jose, R.
name: Mukherjee, K.
name: Archana, P.S.
name: Nair, A.S.
name: Le Viet, A.
name: Ramakrishna, S.
Publisher: name: WIP-Munich
Year: 2009
Subjects: Advanced Photovoltaics
New Materials, Cells and Modules

description: 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 21-25 September 2009, Hamburg, Germany; 340-345
description: Excitonic solar cells and solar cloths were fabricated by a commercially viable nanofabrication
technique, known as electrospinning. The electrospun continuous metal oxides were either used as such or broken
into high aspect ratio (10:1) nanowires for fabrication of excitonic solar cells. Transient photocurrent spectroscopic
measurements have shown an order of magnitude increase in the diffusion coefficient of TiO2 nanowires in the
presence of the iodide/triiodide electrolyte compared to the random continuous nanofibers. For solar cloths, the
electrospun nanowires duly anchored to a dye were dispersed in a polymeric hole conducting medium and the
resultant solution was spun into a cloth of non-woven fibers. The solar cloths showed relatively high open circuit
voltage. Attempts are currently underway to optimize the performance of solar cloths.
Are we done yet? Development and validation of Digi-MEE instrument for measuring online learning environments in medical education
Creators: name: Noor-I-Kiran Naeem
name: Yusoff, Muhamad Saiful Bahri
name: Siti Nurma Hanim Hadie
name: Irwan Mahzir Ismail
Publisher: name: F1000 Research Limited
Year: 2023

description: Objectives: To develop and validate Digital Medical Education Environment (Digi-MEE) Instrument for measuring online learning environment in medical education.
 Methods: This series of studies involved 696 participants from May 2022 to December 2022. Following scoping review, invited modified e-Delphi experts developed consensus on the components and related items for measuring online learning environments. A panel of content experts and a group of medical students carried out content and response-process validation to determine Content Validity Index (CVI) and Face Validity Index (FVI) respectively. This was followed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and reliability analysis to determine Digi-MEE’s factorial structure and internal consistency using SPSS version 26.0 and AMOS 26.0.
 Results: Delphi experts agreed upon nine components with 73 items of initial Digi-MEE version. CVI of Digi-MEE 2.0 was more than 0.90. with FVI of Digi-MEE 3.0 of 0.87. Exploratory factor analysis yielded 46 items with 57.18% variance. Confirmatory factor analysis led to the final Digi-MEE version containing 28 items within nine components with acceptable levels of goodness of fit indices. Overall Cronbach alpha of the final Digi-MEE was more than 0.90, and for the nine components ranged between 0.62 and 0.76.
 Conclusion: Digi-MEE is a promising valid and reliable instrument to evaluate online education environment in medical education. Content, response-process, factorial structure, and internal consistency evidence support the validity of Digi-MEE. Medical schools can use Digi-MEE as an evaluation tool for the continuous quality improvement of online learning environments.
First-principles calculation of the bulk magnetoelectric monopolization: Berry phase and Wannier function approaches
Creators: name: Thöle, Florian
name: Fechner, Michael
name: Spaldin, Nicola A.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We present a formalism to calculate the macroscopic magnetoelectric monopolization from first principles within the density functional theory framework. An expression for the monopolization in the case of insulating collinear magnetism is derived first in terms of spin-polarized Wannier functions then recast as a Berry phase. We propose an extension to the general, non-collinear case which we implement computationally in the Wannier function form and use to calculate the magnetoelectric monopolizations of LiMnPO$_4$ and Cr$_2$O$_3$. We find that, while the former is well approximated by a summation over the formal local spin moments, the latter shows significant deviations from this approximation. We suggest that equating the Berry phase value with a sum over local moments provides an unambiguous route to defining the size of the local magnetic moment in magnetoelectric antiferromagnets containing only one type of magnetic ion.
description: 8 pages, 1 figure
String Inverters for PV Power Plants
Creators: name: Borup, U.
name: Grau, H.
name: Lave, B.
Publisher: name: WIP-Munich
Year: 2009
Subjects: PV Systems
PV Power Plants

description: 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 21-25 September 2009, Hamburg, Germany; 4173-4175
description: This paper describes a modular and standardised concept to bring down total system costs and improve
return on investment. By using 1000 V string inverters as a modular element in a PV plant installation, costs are
reduced, energy production is increased, and maintenance costs are reduced, which brings down total system costs.
Spectral type, temperature and evolutionary stage in cool supergiants
Creators: name: Dorda, Ricardo
name: Negueruela, Ignacio
name: González-Fernández, Carlos
name: Tabernero, Hugo M.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: In recent years, temperature scales in cool supergiants (CSGs) have been disputed, and the possibility that spectral types (SpTs) do not depend primarily on temperature has been raised. We explore the relations between different observed parameters and the capability of deriving accurate intrinsic stellar parameters from them through the analysis of the largest spectroscopic sample of CSGs to date from SMC and LMC. We explore possible correlations between different observational parameters, also making use of near- and mid-infrared colours and literature on photometric variability. Direct comparison between the behaviour of atomic lines (Fe I, Ti I, and Ca II) in the observed spectra and synthetic atmospheric models provides compelling evidence that effective temperature is the prime underlying variable driving the SpT sequence in CSGs. However, there is a clear correlation between SpT and luminosity, with later ones tending to correspond to more luminous stars with heavier mass loss. The population of CSGs in the SMC is characterised by a higher degree of spectral variability, early spectral types (centred on type K1) and low mass-loss rates (at least as measured by dust-sensitive mid-infrared colours). The population in the LMC displays less spectroscopic variability and later spectral types. The distribution of spectral types is not single-peaked. Instead, the brightest CSGs have a significantly different distribution from less luminous objects, presenting mostly M subtypes (centred on M2), and increasing mass-loss rates for later types. In conclusion, the observed properties of CSGs in the SMC and the LMC cannot be described correctly by standard evolutionary models. The very strong correlation between spectral type and bolometric luminosity, supported by all data from the Milky Way, cannot be reproduced at all by current evolutionary tracks.
description: 25 pages, 24 figures
Slim-Cut: A Kerf-Loss-Free Method for Wafering 50-µm-Thick Crystalline Si Wafers Based on Stress-Induced Lift-Off
Creators: name: Dross, F.
name: Milhe, A.
name: Robbelein, J.
name: Gordon, I.
name: Bouchard, P.-O.
name: Beaucarne, G.
name: Poortmans, J.
Publisher: name: WIP-Munich
Year: 2008
Subjects: Wafer-Based Silicon Solar Cells and Materials Technology
Silicon Feedstock, Crystallisation and Wafering

description: 23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, 1-5 September 2008, Valencia, Spain; 1278-1281
description: In order to tackle the increasing demand of thin wafers, we have developed a new wafering technique for the production of ultra-thin (< 100 μm) crystalline silicon wafers. This new lift-off process, named SLIM-cut (for Stress-induced LIft-off Method), requires only the use of a screen-printer and a belt furnace; no ion-implanted, porous layer or additional thickening by epitaxy is needed to obtain high quality wafers in the thickness range of 50 μm without kerf loss. We deposit on a thick substrate a layer with mismatched coefficient of thermal expansion with respect to the substrate. During cooling, the differential contraction induces a large stress field, which is released by the initiation and the propagation of a crack parallel to the surface. The first unoptimized solar cell device with a very simple process (no back-surface field, no intentional texturing, heterojunction emitter) showed an energy conversion efficiency of 10.0% (1 cm2). This proves the conservation of the material quality during the process. The potential of the method is estimated by the development of a custom-made numerical model. The model uses a 2D finite element
method and is able to propagate a crack in a multi-layered structure. The model proposes a concentric re-meshing in the region of the crack tip at every increment and a crack initiation and propagation based on maximum stress criteria. The numerical results are compatible with experimental observations.