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Solvent Co-Intercalation Reactions for Batteries and Beyond
No full textSolvent co-intercalation is a process in which ions and solvents jointly intercalate into a layered electrode material during battery charging/discharging. It typically leads to rapid electrode degradation, but new findings show that it can be highly reversible, lasting several thousand cycles. Solvent co-intercalation has two important characteristics: (1) the charge transfer resistance is minimized as stripping of the solvation shell is eliminated and (2) the fact that solvents become part of the electrode reaction provides another means of designing electrode materials. The concept of solvent co-intercalation is chemically very diverse, as a single electrode material can host different types and numbers of solvents and ions. It is likely that many undiscovered combinations of electrode materials, solvents, and ions capable of solvent co-intercalation reactions exist, offering a largely unexplored chemical space for new materials. Co-intercalation can expand the crystal lattice (>1 nm) to the extent that free solvents are present in the structure, forming a layered, “porous” material. This indicates that the concept has a much broader impact and relates to other research fields such as supercapacitors, layered nanostructures, and nanocatalysis. This Review covers the concept and current understanding of solvent co-intercalation reactions, characterization methods, advantages, limitations, and future research directions.H2020 European Research Council 10.13039/100010663Peer Reviewe
Prediction of secondary metabolites in hydroponically produced tomatoes: multivariate influence of abiotic climatic factors as well as photosynthesis and transpiration rates
No full textThis is the first study who presents an approach to predict secondary metabolites content in tomatoes using multivariate time series classification of greenhouse sensor data, which includes climatic conditions as well as photosynthesis and transpiration rates. The aim was to find the necessary conditions in a greenhouse to determine the maximum content of secondary metabolites, as higher levels in fruits can promote human health. For this, we defined multiple classification tasks and derived suitable classification function. Cross-validated high accuracy results demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach. Considering a period of three weeks, we found that PPFD levels between 396.0 μmol/m2s and 511.2 μmol/m2s as well as transpiration rates ranging from 4.4 mg H2O/m2s to 7.47 mg H2O/m2s were observed as optimal for the contents of beta carotene, lutein, and lycopene. Optimal contents for naringenin and phloretin diglucoside can be achieved at lower PPFD ranges from 229.4 μmol/m2s to 431.2 μmol/m2s and from 35.76 μmol/m2s to 262.28 μmol/m2s and at lower transpiration rates from 4.71 to 6.47 mg H2O/m2s and from 3.04 to 4.26 mg H2O/m2s, respectively. It was discovered for the first time that, photosynthesis rates also play a significant role in the accumulation of secondary metabolites. Photosynthesis rates between 0.39 μmol CO2/m2s and 1.21 μmol CO2/m2s over three weeks were crucial for the optimal accumulation of phenolic acids such as caffeic acid derivates, coumaric acid hexoside, ferulic acid hexoside and coumaroylquinic acids as well as for quercetin and flavonoid. An optimal temperature range between 20.94 and 21.53°C and a PPFD from 250.0 to 375.2 μmol/m2s was classified as beneficial to synthesize these compounds. Optimal light intensity for the total phenolic acids (129.35 - 274.34 μmol/m2s) and for the total flavonoids (31.24 - 249.31 μmol/m2s), the optimum relative humidity levels are between 83.45 - 91.29% and 87.13 - 91.29%, respectively. Based on these results, this study provides the first evidence that the impact of a single climate factor on secondary metabolites in tomato fruits should not be considered in isolation, but rather, all climatic factors during a growth period must be taken into account to predict the optimal accumulation of individual phenolic compounds and carotenoids in tomatoes. Our results have laid the headstone to help growers target their climate controls to maximize the health-promoting phytochemicals in tomatoes.Peer Reviewe
Two BEs or not two BEs: the progressive passive puzzle in English
No full textEnglish before 1750 does not allow being to occur in the progressive, a fact that has remained mysterious. In this paper I propose that this absence is due to semantic-pragmatic factors, and that the rise of progressive being reflects the innovation of a new BE of activity in modern English. I investigate these developments using diachronic corpora, and discuss some loose ends that arise
Uncanny Resemblances – Prov 9 as an Introduction to Proverbial Thinking
No full textThis article suggests that Prov 9 serves as an introduction to Prov 10:1–22:16, »dramatizing« it as competing banquets of Wisdom and Folly. Proverbial knowledge allows to discern between the invitations of the two voices. It enables the student of wisdom to navigate a life amidst ambiguities and uncanniness. Proverbial thinking teaches a phenomenological and critical hermeneutics that takes response-ability––i.e. the ability to respond––seriously. The uneducated person ( פְּתִי ) must learn to which call they should respond. Folly/chaos is therefore an integral part of Wisdom/order.Prov 9 dient als Einleitung zu Prov 10,1–22,16. Die Sammlung wird als Bankett von Weisheit und Torheit »dramatisiert«. Anthologisches Wissen erlaubt es, zwischen den Anrufungen zu unterscheiden. Es befähigt den Schüler, sich inmitten von Vieldeutigkeiten und Unheimlichkeiten zurechtzufinden. Das anthologische Denken lehrt eine phänomenologische und kritische Hermeneutik, die die Ver-Antwortung – d. h. die Fähigkeit, zu antworten – ernst nimmt. Der unerfahrene Mensch ( פְּתִי ) muss lernen, auf welchen Ruf er antworten soll. Torheit/Chaos ist daher ein integraler Bestandteil von Weisheit/Ordnung.Cet article propose que Pr 9 serve d’introduction à Pr 10:1–22:16, en « dramatisant » l’anthologie comme des banquets de la Sagesse et de la Folie. Le savoir proverbial enseigne le discernement entre les appellations. Il permet à l’étudiant de naviguer dans une vie pleine d’ambiguïtés et d’incertitudes. La pensée proverbiale enseigne une herméneutique phénoménologique et critique qui prend au sérieux la ré(s)pons(e)-abilité, la capacité de répondre. L’inexpérimenté ( פְּתִי ) doit apprendre à quel appel il doit répondre. La folie/le chaos fait donc partie intégrante de la sagesse/l’ordre.Peer Reviewe
Long-Term Advantages of Adolescent Optimism: Nonlinear Associations With Adult Outcomes and its Protective Role in Buffering Socioeconomic Risk
No full textThis study examined whether optimism in early adolescence predicts occupational and psychosocial outcomes in early adulthood and explored the functional form of this relation. We also investigated whether these associations continue to hold after accounting for concomitant factors and whether optimism acts as a protective factor that helps early adolescents deal with socioeconomic adversity. We followed a large sample of German seventh graders (N = 1596; 63.8% females; baseline Mage = 12.9) at two measurement points over a period of 18 years and estimated latent regression models. Optimism in early adolescence predicted several adult outcomes, including occupational prestige, social integration, psychosocial symptoms, and depression. Analyses with social integration, depression, and life satisfaction revealed a nonlinear association: Optimism promoted life outcomes, but this positive association reached a plateau in above-average ranges of optimism and a minimum value in below-average optimism ranges. Moreover, optimism in early adolescence buffered the negative effects of low parental socioeconomic status on occupational prestige, job satisfaction, and psychosomatic symptoms in adulthood. The findings offer increased knowledge about the long-term significance of optimism and underscore the necessity of considering these effects from a more comprehensive and interactional point of view.This study used a large data set from Germany to examine whether being an optimist in adolescence influences whether young adults reach important life outcomes. The results showed that optimism in adolescence enhances life satisfaction and social integration in adults and prevents depression. Moreover, being an optimist in adolescence seems to help individuals to establish occupational prestige and job satisfaction and prevent them from psychosomatic symptoms despite socioeconomic adversities.Peer Reviewe
The impacts of irrigation and groundwater drainage induced salinity and overflooding of evaporation ponds in Khuzestan, Iran
No full textSalinity threatens agricultural productivity in Khuzestan, Iran, where irrigation and groundwater drainage exacerbate soil and water salinity. This study evaluates the impact of salinity and evaporation ponds on water management, focusing on the balance between discharge and inflow thresholds in a lagoon system. The study area in southwestern Khuzestan receives drainage from agriculture, industry, and fish farming. Groundwater discharge was estimated using hydrological models, and the lagoon’s inflow threshold was calculated based on evaporation rates adjusted for salinity. Data from 134 boreholes assessed groundwater depth and salinity. The result revealed that saline groundwater stays at a shallow level above the ground in the agricultural production area and is brought to the lagoon by the inappropriate layout of the drainage system, resulting in the phenomenon of over-flooding in the study area. The overall discharge flows at a rate of 84.63 m 3 /s compared to the inflow threshold of 21.17 m 3 /s, and the disequilibrium is mainly caused by unexpected saline groundwater and frequent exchanges of pond water in fish farms. The study highlights inefficiencies in water governance, particularly poor drainage system design and rapid fish farm expansion. Saline groundwater exacerbates soil salinity, reducing agricultural productivity. Improved salinity control, stricter regulations on fish farm water exchange, and enhanced groundwater management are essential for sustainable water resource management.Peer Reviewe
Wer ist das Volk? Analyzing and Understanding Populist Political Communication
No full textPopulismus scheint allgegenwärtig zu sein. Doch was macht populistische politische Kommunikation aus? Der erste Teil dieser Dissertation liefert eine klare Definition und bettet diese in einen theoretischen Rahmen ein, der aus drei miteinander verknüpften Ebenen besteht. Im zweiten Teil werden verschiedene Methoden vorgestellt, um Populismus in Texten zu messen. Der dritte Teil der Arbeit, bestehend aus drei empirischen Kapiteln, zeigt, welche Lehren sich aus der Analyse populistischer politischer Kommunikation von Parteien aus Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz ziehen lassen. Erstens ist diese Arbeit die erste, die potenzielle populistische Ansteckung auf sowohl programmatischer als auch diskursiver Ebene analysiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Mainstream-Parteien nicht anti-elitistischer oder exklusionistischer werden, wenn rechtspopulistische Parteien erfolgreich sind. Zweitens wird ein besonderer Blick auf das bisher vernachlässigte Merkmal des Volkszentrismus gelegt und gezeigt, dass rechtspopulistische Parteien ihre ingroup durch expliziten Ausschluss von Gruppen wie Ausländern oder Muslimen konstruieren. Drittens wird gezeigt, dass nicht jede Art von Krise Vorteile für rechtspopulistische Parteien bietet. Die AfD konnte von der COVID-19-Pandemie, einer Krise die nicht mit ihren Kernthemen verknüpft war, nicht profitieren. Die Arbeit leistet wichtige Beiträge zur Forschung zu Populismus und politischer Kommunikation. Theoretisch schlägt sie eine Brücke zwischen ideologischen und rhetorischen Ansätzen zu Populismus und bezieht die Theorie der sozialen Identität sowie die Literatur zu Gruppenreferenzen mit ein. Methodisch bedient sich diese Dissertation einer breiten Palette ausgewählter Textanalysemethoden, die anderen Forschenden als Referenz dienen können. Substanziell zeigt diese Dissertation, dass Populismus eine Herausforderung für die liberale und repräsentative Demokratie darstellt, die Gefahr jedoch in der radikal rechten host ideology liegt.Populism seems to be ubiquitous. Yet, what does constitute populist political communication? The first part of this dissertation provides a clear definition of the phenomenon, which is integrated into a theoretical framework with three interconnected levels (ideology, communication, and group references). The second part of this thesis presents various methods to comprehensively measure populism in text. The third part of this thesis, consisting of three empirical chapters, shows what can be learned from analyzing populist political communication by parties from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. First, this thesis is the first to study two types of potential contagion (programmatic or discursive) in the same context. The results show that mainstream parties do not become more anti-elitist or exclusionist when radical right populist parties are successful. Second, focusing on the previously neglected feature of people-centrism, this thesis empirically shows that radical right populist parties construct their ingroup (“the people”) through explicit exclusion of groups such as foreigners or Muslims. Finally, this dissertation shows that populist parties do not thrive in all kinds of crises. The AfD did not profit from the COVID-19 pandemic, a crisis that was not connected to its core issues. This thesis makes significant contributions to research on populism and political communication. Theoretically, it bridges ideological and rhetorical approaches to populism and incorporates social identity theory as well as literature on group appeals. Methodologically, this dissertation makes use of a wide array of carefully selected text analysis methods, which can serve as a reference point for other researchers who want to measure latent and multi-dimensional concepts from text. Substantively, this dissertation shows that while populism presents a challenge to liberal and representative democracy, the danger lies in the radical right host ideology
A Study of Immunoenzymatic Parameters in Pediatric Ischemic Stroke as a Contribution to More Efficient Pediatric Monitoring and Diagnosis
No full textIntroduction: Pediatric ischemic stroke (IS) is a rare but severe neurological emergency, with an incidence of 2–13 per 100,000. Most cases occur in the prenatal period or early infancy. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into clinical practice may enhance the early recognition of stroke. This pilot study aimed to identify immunoenzymatic markers as early predictors of pediatric IS, supporting machine learning applications. Materials and Methods: A prospective study (2017–2019) in Moldova included 53 children with IS and 53 healthy controls. The serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), the S100B protein, CD105 (endoglin), antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured using ELISA during the acute phase. Results: Endoglin levels were significantly lower in IS patients (2.06 ± 0.012 ng/mL) vs. controls (2.51 ± 0.071 ng/mL) ( p < 0.001). S100B levels were elevated (0.524 ± 0.0850 ng/mL vs. 0.120 ± 0.0038 ng/mL, p < 0.01). VEGF levels were significantly increased (613.41 ± 39.299 pg/mL vs. 185.50 ± 12.039 pg/mL, p < 0.001), correlating with the infarct size and disease severity. CNTF levels were also higher (7.84 ± 0.322 pg/mL vs. 5.29 ± 0.067 pg/mL, p < 0.001). APA levels were elevated (1.37 ± 0.046 U/mL vs. 0.92 ± 0.021 U/mL, p < 0.001). IL-6 levels were 10 times higher in IS patients (22.02 ± 2.143 pg/mL vs. 2.38 ± 0.302 pg/mL, p < 0.001), correlating with the infarct size ( p < 0.004) and neurological prognosis at six months ( p < 0.01). Conclusions: IL-6, VEGF, CNTF, S100B, CD105, and APAs are key markers in pediatric IS, reflecting neuroinflammation, vascular disruption, and the long-term prognosis. Their integration into AI-driven diagnostic models may improve early stroke detection and pediatric monitoring.Peer Reviewe
Sintering of inkjet-printed silver nanoparticles by large-area atmospheric pressure nitrogen plasma
No full textSilver nanoparticles were sintered at atmospheric pressure using nitrogen plasma generated by diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD). Compared to the standard thermal sintering of 1 h at 140 °C only 8 min of nonthermal plasma treatment at 50 °C were necessary to sufficiently anneal the silver nanoparticle film. Electrical resistivity as low as 9 × 10 –6 Ω cm was achieved, i.e., 17% of the bulk conductivity of silver. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to study the removal of organic moieties from the surface of the inkjet-printed layers. Scanning electron microscopy revealed in detail the process of formation of interconnection between nanoparticles. Our findings pave the way for implementing low-cost and eco-friendly DCSBD plasma sintering into continuous roll-to-roll processing in the future for the annealing of silver nanoparticles on substrates that cannot tolerate high temperatures.Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovyhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001823Masarykova Univerzitahttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100010653Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energiehttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100013110Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (1034)Peer Reviewe
The proline-rich antimicrobial peptide Api137 disrupts large ribosomal subunit assembly and induces misfolding
No full textThe proline-rich antimicrobial designer peptide Api137 inhibits protein expression in bacteria by binding simultaneously to the ribosomal polypeptide exit tunnel and the release factor (RF), depleting the cellular RF pool and leading to ribosomal arrest at stop codons. This study investigates the additional effect of Api137 on the assembly of ribosomes using an Escherichia coli reporter strain expressing one ribosomal protein per 30S and 50S subunit tagged with mCherry and EGFP, respectively. Separation of cellular extracts derived from cells exposed to Api137 in a sucrose gradient reveals elevated levels of partially assembled and not fully matured precursors of the 50S subunit (pre-50S). High-resolution structures obtained by cryogenic electron microscopy demonstrate that a large proportion of pre-50S states are missing up to five proteins (uL22, bL32, uL29, bL23, and uL16) and have misfolded helices in 23S rRNA domain IV. These data suggest a second mechanism for Api137, wherein it disrupts 50S subunit assembly by inducing the formation of misfolded precursor particles potentially incapable of evolving into active ribosomes, suggesting a bactericidal mechanism.Peer Reviewe