Abstract
A series of heterostructure NiFe LDH/N-rGO/g-C
3
N
4
nanocomposite were fabricated by combining calcinations-electrostatic self-assembly and hydrothermal steps. In this method, negatively ...charged N-rGO was electrostaticaly bonded to the self-assembled interface of n-n type g-C
3
N
4
/NiFe LDH hybrid. XRD and AFM results revealed successful formation of heterostructure nanocomposite due to the coupling effect of exfoliated NiFe LDH nanosheets with N-rGO and g-C
3
N
4
. Among the as synthesized heterostructure, CNNG3LDH performed superior photocatalytic activities towards 95 and 72% mineralization of RhB and phenol. Furthermore, CNNG3LDH could achieve the highest photocatalytic H
2
evolution rate of 2508 μmolg
−1
2h
−1
and O
2
evolution rate of 1280 μmolg
−1
2h
−1
under visible light irradiation. The CNNG3LDH possess lowest PL intensity, reduced arc of the Nyquist plot (43.8 Ώ) and highest photocurrent density (−0.97 mA cm
−2
) which revealed effective charge separation for superior photocatalytic activities. TRPL spectral results reveal the synergistic effect of layered component in CNNG3LDH for achievable higher life time of excitons of ~16.52 ns. In addition, N-rGO mediator based Z-scheme charge transfer mechanisms in CNNG3LDH were verified by the ESR and TA-PL studies. Enriched oxygen vacancy type defects in NiFe LDH and N-rGO mediated Z-scheme charge transfer mechanistic path strongly manifest the superior photocatalytic activities of the heterostructure materials.
The present paper summarizes an experimental study on the mechanical and viscoelastic behavior of jute fibre reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites. Variations in mechanical strength, ...storage modulus (
E′), loss modulus (
E″) and damping parameter (tan
δ) with the addition of fibres and coupling agents were investigated. It was observed that the tensile, flexural and impact strengths increased with the increase in fibre loading upto 30%, above which there was a significant deterioration in the mechanical strength. Further, the composites treated with MAPE showed improved properties in comparison to the untreated composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis data showed an increase in the storage modulus of the treated composites The tan
δ spectra presented a strong influence of fibre content and coupling agent on the
α and
γ relaxation process of HDPE. The thermal behavior of the composites was evaluated from TGA/DTG thermograms. The fibre–matrix morphology in the treated composites was confirmed by SEM analysis of the tensile fractured specimens. FTIR spectra of the treated and untreated jute fibres was also studied to ascertain the existence of type of interfacial bonds.
We search for the $B^0\to p\bar{\Sigma}^0\pi^-$ decay with $\bar{\Sigma}^0
\to \bar{\Lambda}\gamma$, where the $\gamma$ is not measured, using a data
sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity ...of 711 $\rm{fb^{-1}}$ which
contains 772 $\times$ $10^{6}$ $B\bar{B}$ pairs, collected around the
$\Upsilon$(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy
$e^{+}e^{-}$ collider. We measure for the first time the $B^0\to
p\bar{\Sigma}^0\pi^-$ branching fraction to be $\mathcal{B}(B^0 \to p
\bar\Sigma^0 \pi^-) = (1.17^{+0.43}_{-0.40}(\text{stat})\pm 0.07(\text{syst}))
\times 10^{-6}$ with a significance of $3.0\sigma$. We simultaneously measure
the branching fraction for the related channel $B^{0}\to p\bar{\Lambda}\pi^{-}$
with much improved precision.
The remarkable advances over the past few years in performance of photovoltaic cells, including the advent of new absorber materials, call for an update to the previous assessment of prospects for ...future progress. The same simple criteria with some refinements, based on cell and module performance data, serve to evaluate and compare most types of solar cells. Apart from Si and InP, for all types the “best cells” have improved in conversion performances (and crystalline Si modules have made major strides in cost reduction). New cell types, such as “perovskite”, sustainable chalcogenide, and quantum dot cells, are included. CdTe results bring those cells in line with other well‐developed ones, lending some credence to the idea that the criteria provide the reader with knowledge, useful for gauging possible future technological developments. Additionally, the developments of the past few years show that, while the advent of more new cell types cannot be predicted, it can be aided and stimulated by innovative, daring, and creative new materials research.
The 2011–2013 period has seen amazing progress of nearly all solar‐cell types that have possible or actual practical potential, including significant cost decreases of commercial cells. A concise update of the current status and future prospects of solar‐cell research is given.
Phys. Rev. D 104, 052005 (2021) Using a data sample of 980~fb$^{-1}$ collected with the Belle detector
operating at the KEKB asymmetric-energy $e^+e^-$ collider, we present evidence
for the ...$\Omega(2012)^-$ in the resonant substructure of $\Omega_{c}^{0} \to
\pi^+ (\bar{K}\Xi)^{-}$ ($(\bar{K}\Xi)^{-}$ = $K^-\Xi^0$ + $\bar{K}^0 \Xi^-$)
decays. The significance of the $\Omega(2012)^-$ signal is 4.2$\sigma$ after
considering the systematic uncertainties. The ratio of the branching fraction
of $\Omega_{c}^{0} \to \pi^{+} \Omega(2012)^- \to \pi^+ (\bar{K}\Xi)^{-}$
relative to that of $\Omega_{c}^{0} \to \pi^{+} \Omega^-$ is calculated to be
0.220 $\pm$ 0.059(stat.) $\pm$ 0.035(syst.). The individual ratios of the
branching fractions of the two isospin modes are also determined, and found to
be ${\cal B}(\Omega_{c}^0 \to \pi^+ \Omega(2012)^-) \times {\cal
B}(\Omega(2012)^- \to K^-\Xi^0)/{\cal B}(\Omega_{c}^0 \to \pi^+ K^- \Xi^0)$ =
(9.6 $\pm$ 3.2(stat.) $\pm$ 1.8(syst.))\% and ${\cal B}(\Omega_{c}^0 \to \pi^+
\Omega(2012)^-) \times {\cal B}(\Omega(2012)^- \to \bar{K}^0 \Xi^-)/{\cal
B}(\Omega_{c}^0 \to \pi^+ \bar{K}^0 \Xi^-)$ = (5.5 $\pm$ 2.8(stat.) $\pm$
0.7(syst.))\%.
Background: Skin is the largest organ of the human body, and one of the most sensitive indicators of a child's general health. Skin disorders, especially among children, may cause an additional ...emotional and psychological stress to the patients and their family. Aim: We aim to compare the extent to which various skin diseases affect the quality of life among the pediatric age group (5-12 years) based on Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) scores. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 453 patients who attended skin clinic at a regional hospital in Northern India between November 2015 and May 2017. The study consists of questions regarding dermatoses. Patients were evaluated using a standardized pro forma and a CDLQI questionnaire. The diseases with abnormal high proportions were evaluated by the control chart technique. Results: Out of a total of 453 pediatric patients identified for dermatoses, the average quality of life based on the CDLQI score did not show significant variation across different seasons (P < 0.522). Although the type of skin disorders (P < 0.001) had a significant effect on the quality of life of the children. Based on the CDLQI scores, following diseases have a significant adverse effect on quality of life of the patients - miliaria, atopic dermatitis, scabies, impetigo, and pediculosis capitis. Conclusion: Our study has shown that skin diseases, irrespective of the type, adversely impair the quality of life of the child and in turn the family, therefore, calls for an enhanced level of compassion and care.
Phys. Rev. D 108, L111102, 2023 We search for $CP$ violation by measuring a $T$-odd asymmetry in the
Cabibbo-suppressed $D^{+}\rightarrow K^{+}K^{0}_{S}\pi^{+}\pi^{-} $ decay, and
in the ...Cabibbo-favored $D^{+}_{s}\rightarrow K^{+}K^{0}_{S}\pi^{+}\pi^{-}$ and
$D^{+}\rightarrow K^{+}K^{-}K^{0}_{S}\pi^{+}$ decays. We use 980 ${\rm
fb}^{-1}$ of data collected by the Belle detector running at the KEKB
asymmetric-energy $e^{+}e^{-}$ collider. The $C\!P$-violating $T$-odd parameter
${a}^{T\text{-}\rm{odd}}_{CP}$ is measured to be
${a}^{T\text{-}\rm{odd}}_{CP}(D^{+}\rightarrow
K^{+}K^{0}_{S}\pi^{+}\pi^{-})=(0.34\pm0.87\pm0.32)\%,$
${a}^{T\text{-}\rm{odd}}_{CP}(D^{+}_{s}\rightarrow
K^{+}K^{0}_{S}\pi^{+}\pi^{-})=(-0.46\pm0.63\pm0.38)\%,$ and
${a}^{T\text{-}\rm{odd}}_{CP}(D^{+}\rightarrow
K^{+}K^{-}K^{0}_{S}\pi^{+})=(-3.34\pm2.66\pm0.35)\%,$ where the first
uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. We also report the
first observation of the Cabibbo-suppressed decay $D^{+}_{s}\rightarrow
K^{+}K^{-}K^{0}_{S}\pi^{+}$. The branching fraction is measured relative to
that of the analogous Cabibbo-favored decay : $B(D^{+}_{s}\rightarrow
K^{+}K^{-}K^{0}_{S}\pi^{+}) / B(D^{+}_{s}\rightarrow
K^{+}K^{0}_{S}\pi^{+}\pi^{-}) = (1.36\pm 0.15\pm 0.04)\%$.
Phys. Rev. D 104, 052003 (2021) Using 980 ${\rm fb}^{-1}$ of data {collected} with the Belle detector
operating at the KEKB asymmetric-energy $e^+e^-$ collider, we report the
measurements of the ...masses, and the first measurements of the instrinsic
widths, of the $\Sigma_c(2455)^+$ and $\Sigma_c(2520)^+$ charmed baryons. We
find $M(\Sigma_c(2455)^+)-M(\Lambda_c^+) = 166.17\pm 0.05^{+0.16}_{-0.07}\ {\rm
MeV}/c^2$, $\Gamma(\Sigma_c(2455)^+) = 2.3 \pm 0.3 \pm 0.3\ {\rm MeV/c^2}$,
$M(\Sigma_c(2520)^+)-M(\Lambda_c^+) = 230.9 \pm 0.5 ^{+0.5}_{-0.1}\ {\rm
MeV}/c^2$, and $\Gamma(\Sigma_c(2520)^+) = 17.2^{+2.3\ +3.1}_{-2.1\ -0.7}\ {\rm
MeV}/c^2$, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic,
respectively. These measurements can be used to test models of the underlying
quark structure of the $\Sigma_c$ states.
Emerging evidence points toward an intricate relationship between the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and diabetes. While preexisting diabetes is associated with severe COVID-19, it ...is unclear whether COVID-19 severity is a cause or consequence of diabetes. To mechanistically link COVID-19 to diabetes, we tested whether insulin-producing pancreatic β cells can be infected by SARS-CoV-2 and cause β cell depletion. We found that the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, ACE2, and related entry factors (TMPRSS2, NRP1, and TRFC) are expressed in β cells, with selectively high expression of NRP1. We discovered that SARS-CoV-2 infects human pancreatic β cells in patients who succumbed to COVID-19 and selectively infects human islet β cells in vitro. We demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 infection attenuates pancreatic insulin levels and secretion and induces β cell apoptosis, each rescued by NRP1 inhibition. Phosphoproteomic pathway analysis of infected islets indicates apoptotic β cell signaling, similar to that observed in type 1 diabetes (T1D). In summary, our study shows SARS-CoV-2 can directly induce β cell killing.
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•SARS-CoV-2 infects β cells in COVID-19 patients and human islets in vitro•SARS-CoV-2 infection causes β cell death and reduced GSIS in vitro•Phosphoproteomics shows SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and virus induce apoptotic kinases•High neuropilin-1 levels support β cell selectivity, and inhibitors block infection
Diabetic patients are at risk for severe COVID-19, but the virus may further damage insulin-secreting β cells. Wu et al. found that patient β cells are virally infected and the highly expressed neuropilin-1 receptor is critical for viral entry, causing cell death and reduced insulin secretion, exacerbating diabetes in patients.
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