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Showing papers by "Kent State University published in 2016"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The combination of electrochemical reaction rate measurements and density functional theory computation shows that the high activity of anomalous Ru catalyst in alkaline solution originates from its suitable adsorption energies to some key reaction intermediates and reaction kinetics in the HER process.
Abstract: Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a critical process due to its fundamental role in electrocatalysis. Practically, the development of high-performance electrocatalysts for HER in alkaline media is of great importance for the conversion of renewable energy to hydrogen fuel via photoelectrochemical water splitting. However, both mechanistic exploration and materials development for HER under alkaline conditions are very limited. Precious Pt metal, which still serves as the state-of-the-art catalyst for HER, is unable to guarantee a sustainable hydrogen supply. Here we report an anomalously structured Ru catalyst that shows 2.5 times higher hydrogen generation rate than Pt and is among the most active HER electrocatalysts yet reported in alkaline solutions. The identification of new face-centered cubic crystallographic structure of Ru nanoparticles was investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging, and its formation mechanism was revealed by spectroscopic characterization and theoretical analysis. For the first time, it is found that the Ru nanocatalyst showed a pronounced effect of the crystal structure on the electrocatalytic activity tested under different conditions. The combination of electrochemical reaction rate measurements and density functional theory computation shows that the high activity of anomalous Ru catalyst in alkaline solution originates from its suitable adsorption energies to some key reaction intermediates and reaction kinetics in the HER process.

739 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: These findings reveal that the rational interaction between different two-dimensional materials can remarkably promote the oxygen electrochemistry, thus boosting the entire clean energy system.
Abstract: Free-standing flexible films, constructed from two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride and titanium carbide (with MXene phase) nanosheets, display outstanding activity and stability in catalyzing the oxygen-evolution reaction in alkaline aqueous system, which originates from the Ti-N(x) motifs acting as electroactive sites, and the hierarchically porous structure with highly hydrophilic surface. With this excellent electrocatalytic ability, comparable to that of the state-of-the-art precious-/transition-metal catalysts and superior to that of most free-standing films reported to date, they are directly used as efficient cathodes in rechargeable zinc-air batteries. Our findings reveal that the rational interaction between different two-dimensional materials can remarkably promote the oxygen electrochemistry, thus boosting the entire clean energy system.

576 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review the study of open heavy-flavour and quarkonium production in high-energy hadronic collisions, as tools to investigate fundamental aspects of Quantum Chromodynamics, from the proton and nucleus structure at high energy to deconfinement and the properties of the Quark-Gluon Plasma.
Abstract: This report reviews the study of open heavy-flavour and quarkonium production in high-energy hadronic collisions, as tools to investigate fundamental aspects of Quantum Chromodynamics, from the proton and nucleus structure at high energy to deconfinement and the properties of the Quark–Gluon Plasma. Emphasis is given to the lessons learnt from LHC Run 1 results, which are reviewed in a global picture with the results from SPS and RHIC at lower energies, as well as to the questions to be addressed in the future. The report covers heavy flavour and quarkonium production in proton–proton, proton–nucleus and nucleus–nucleus collisions. This includes discussion of the effects of hot and cold strongly interacting matter, quarkonium photoproduction in nucleus–nucleus collisions and perspectives on the study of heavy flavour and quarkonium with upgrades of existing experiments and new experiments. The report results from the activity of the SaporeGravis network of the I3 Hadron Physics programme of the European Union 7 $$\mathrm{th}$$ Framework Programme.

535 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Tuning of the atomic structure of one-dimensional single-crystal cobalt (II) oxide (CoO) nanorods by creating oxygen vacancies on pyramidal nanofacets shows that the surface atomic structure engineering is important for the fabrication of efficient and durable electrocatalysts.
Abstract: Engineering the surface structure at the atomic level can be used to precisely and effectively manipulate the reactivity and durability of catalysts. Here we report tuning of the atomic structure of one-dimensional single-crystal cobalt (II) oxide (CoO) nanorods by creating oxygen vacancies on pyramidal nanofacets. These CoO nanorods exhibit superior catalytic activity and durability towards oxygen reduction/evolution reactions. The combined experimental studies, microscopic and spectroscopic characterization, and density functional theory calculations reveal that the origins of the electrochemical activity of single-crystal CoO nanorods are in the oxygen vacancies that can be readily created on the oxygen-terminated {111} nanofacets, which favourably affect the electronic structure of CoO, assuring a rapid charge transfer and optimal adsorption energies for intermediates of oxygen reduction/evolution reactions. These results show that the surface atomic structure engineering is important for the fabrication of efficient and durable electrocatalysts.

516 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The most successful doping models and an overview of the wide variety of materials used as dopants are presented and the influence of doping on charge transport in the most relevant polycrystalline organic semiconductors is reviewed.
Abstract: Organic field-effect transistors hold the promise of enabling low-cost and flexible electronics. Following its success in organic optoelectronics, the organic doping technology is also used increasingly in organic field-effect transistors. Doping not only increases device performance, but it also provides a way to fine-control the transistor behavior, to develop new transistor concepts, and even improve the stability of organic transistors. This Review summarizes the latest progress made in the understanding of the doping technology and its application to organic transistors. It presents the most successful doping models and an overview of the wide variety of materials used as dopants. Further, the influence of doping on charge transport in the most relevant polycrystalline organic semiconductors is reviewed, and a concise overview on the influence of doping on transistor behavior and performance is given. In particular, recent progress in the understanding of contact doping and channel doping is summarized.

457 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, it is shown that the Koutechy-Levich (KL) method is not suitable to determine n for the ORR either theoretically or experimentally.
Abstract: The forced convection methods on the rotating disk and ring-disk electrodes are carefully analyzed toward their use for calculation of the electron transfer number (n) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on various catalysts. It is shown that the widely used Koutechy–Levich (KL) method is not suitable to determine n for the ORR either theoretically or experimentally. From a theoretical viewpoint, the ORR is neither a single-step nor a one-way reaction and , therefore does not fulfill the assumptions of the KL method. From an experimental viewpoint, n is significantly dependent on the angular velocity of the rotating disk electrode, contradicting the assumption of constant n in the KL theory. An improved model is used to establish the aforementioned relationship between n and angular velocity. The recommended way to determine n for the ORR in alkaline electrolytes is to use the rotating ring-disk electrode with a properly biased Au ring, supplemented by the calibration of the collection efficiency.

454 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the mediating effects of salesperson information communication behaviors between social media use and customer satisfaction were investigated using salesperson-reported data, within a B2B context, empirically test a model using structural equation modeling.

409 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review is focused on the structural and physicochemical aspects of metal cation coordination to G-Quadruplexes (GQ) and their effects on GQ stability and conformation.
Abstract: This review is focused on the structural and physico-chemical aspects of metal cation coordination to G-Quadruplexes (GQ) and their effects on GQ stability and conformation. G-Quadruplex structures are non-canonical secondary structures formed by both DNA and RNA. G-quadruplexes regulate a wide range of important biochemical processes. Besides the sequence requirements, the coordination of monovalent cations in the GQ is essential for its formation and determines the stability and polymorphism of GQ structures. The nature, location and dynamics of the cation coordination and their impact on the overall GQ stability are dependent on several factors such as the ionic radii, hydration energy and the bonding strength to the O6 of guanines. The intracellular monovalent cation concentration and the localized ion concentrations determine the formation of GQs and can potentially dictate their regulatory roles. A wide range of biochemical and biophysical studies on an array of GQ enabling sequences have generated at a minimum the knowledge base that allows us to often predict the stability of GQs in presence of the physiologically relevant metal ions, however, prediction of conformation of such GQs is still out of the realm.

390 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the reported catalytic materials for room-temperature catalytic oxidative decomposition of HCHO are discussed and the mechanism of this catalytic process, the surface chemistry and structure factors influencing catalytic performances, existing challenges in the development of catalysts with low cost and high activity and perspectives for important topics of future research in this area were reviewed.

190 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The study found that the effects of self-disclosure and retweeting on parasocial interaction were mediated by social presence, and social presence is positively related to parassocial interaction (PSI) experiences.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed wildfire-related Twitter activities in terms of their attributes pertinent to space, time, content, and network, so as to gain insights into the usefulness of social media data in revealing situational awareness.
Abstract: Social media data are increasingly being used for enhancing situational awareness and assisting disaster management. We analyzed the wildfire-related Twitter activities in terms of their attributes pertinent to space, time, content, and network, so as to gain insights into the usefulness of social media data in revealing situational awareness. Findings show that social media data can characterize the wildfire across space and over time, and thus are applicable to provide useful information on disaster situations. Second, people have strong geographical awareness during wildfire hazards and are interested in communicating situational updates related to wildfire damage (e.g., containment percentage and burned acres), wildfire response (e.g., evacuation), and appreciation to firefighters. Third, news media and local authorities are opinion leaders and play a dominant role in the wildfire retweet network.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: TrajGraph's capability in revealing the importance of city streets was evaluated by comparing the calculated centralities with the subjective evaluations from a group of drivers in Shenzhen, China.
Abstract: We propose TrajGraph, a new visual analytics method, for studying urban mobility patterns by integrating graph modeling and visual analysis with taxi trajectory data. A special graph is created to store and manifest real traffic information recorded by taxi trajectories over city streets. It conveys urban transportation dynamics which can be discovered by applying graph analysis algorithms. To support interactive, multiscale visual analytics, a graph partitioning algorithm is applied to create region-level graphs which have smaller size than the original street-level graph. Graph centralities, including Pagerank and betweenness, are computed to characterize the time-varying importance of different urban regions. The centralities are visualized by three coordinated views including a node-link graph view, a map view and a temporal information view. Users can interactively examine the importance of streets to discover and assess city traffic patterns. We have implemented a fully working prototype of this approach and evaluated it using massive taxi trajectories of Shenzhen, China. TrajGraph's capability in revealing the importance of city streets was evaluated by comparing the calculated centralities with the subjective evaluations from a group of drivers in Shenzhen. Feedback from a domain expert was collected. The effectiveness of the visual interface was evaluated through a formal user study. We also present several examples and a case study to demonstrate the usefulness of TrajGraph in urban transportation analysis.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The dramatic changes in TNTBN provide evidence that the transition between the normal nematic and twist-bend nematic with spontaneous breaking of chiral symmetry is crucially dependent on the shape of molecular dimers, which changes greatly during the trans-cis isomerization.
Abstract: The liquid crystal nonsymmetric dimer, 1-(4-butoxyazobenzene-4'-yloxy)-6-(4-cyanobiphenyl-4'-yl) hexane (CB6OABOBu), shows enantiotropic twist-bend nematic, NTB, and nematic, N, phases. The NTB phase has been confirmed using polarized light microscopy, freeze fracture transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The helicoidal pitch in the NTB phase is 18 nm. The NTB-N (TNTBN) and N-I (TNI) transition temperatures are reduced upon UV light irradiation, with the reduction in TNTBN being much larger than that in TNI. An isothermal, reversible NTB-N transition may be driven photochemically. These observations are attributed to a trans-cis photoisomerization of the azobenzene fragment on UV irradiation, with the cis isomers stabilizing the standard nematic phase and the trans isomers stabilizing the NTB phase. The dramatic changes in TNTBN provide evidence that the transition between the normal nematic and twist-bend nematic with spontaneous breaking of chiral symmetry is crucially dependent on the shape of molecular dimers, which changes greatly during the trans-cis isomerization.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The more vulnerable people felt, the more they exhibited xenophobic responses, but this relationship was moderated by individualism and collectivism and state-level collectivism had the same moderating effect on the association between perceived vulnerability and xenophobia that individual-level value orientation did.
Abstract: In response to the Ebola scare in 2014, many people evinced strong fear and xenophobia. The present study, informed by the pathogen-prevalence hypothesis, tested the influence of individualism and collectivism on xenophobic response to the threat of Ebola. A nationally representative sample of 1,000 Americans completed a survey, indicating their perceptions of their vulnerability to Ebola, ability to protect themselves from Ebola (protection efficacy), and xenophobic tendencies. Overall, the more vulnerable people felt, the more they exhibited xenophobic responses, but this relationship was moderated by individualism and collectivism. The increase in xenophobia associated with increased vulnerability was especially pronounced among people with high individualism scores and those with low collectivism scores. These relationships were mediated by protection efficacy. State-level collectivism had the same moderating effect on the association between perceived vulnerability and xenophobia that individual-level value orientation did. Collectivism-and the set of practices and rituals associated with collectivistic cultures-may serve as psychological protection against the threat of disease.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review presents a comprehensive appraisal of the methods used for the synthesis of a wide range of porous non-silica metal oxide particles of spherical morphology such as porous solid spheres, core-shell and yolk-shell particles as well as single- shell and multi- shell particles.
Abstract: Nowadays the development of submicroscale products of specific size and morphology that feature a high surface area to volume ratio, well-developed and accessible porosity for adsorbates and reactants, and are non-toxic, biocompatible, thermally stable and suitable as synergetic supports for precious metal catalysts is of great importance for many advanced applications. Complex porous non-silica metal oxide submicrospheres constitute an important class of materials that fulfill all these qualities and in addition, they are relatively easy to synthesize. This review presents a comprehensive appraisal of the methods used for the synthesis of a wide range of porous non-silica metal oxide particles of spherical morphology such as porous solid spheres, core–shell and yolk–shell particles as well as single-shell and multi-shell particles. In particular, hydrothermal and low temperature solution precipitation methods, which both include various structure developing strategies such as hard templating, soft templating, hydrolysis, or those taking advantage of Ostwald ripening and the Kirkendall effect, are reviewed. In addition, a critical assessment of the effects of different experimental parameters such as reaction time, reaction temperature, calcination, pH and the type of reactants and solvents on the structure of the final products is presented. Finally, the practical usefulness of complex porous non-silica metal oxide submicrospheres in sensing, catalysis, biomedical, environmental and energy-related applications is presented.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A planned contrast test revealed that Koreans and Hongkongers showed more trust in experience-based health information sources, and Americans showed a stronger preference for using expertise-based information sources when searching for online health information.
Abstract: Background: The Internet has increasingly become a popular source of health information by connecting individuals with health content, experts, and support. More and more, individuals turn to social media and Internet sites to share health information and experiences. Although online health information seeking occurs worldwide, limited empirical studies exist examining cross-cultural differences in perceptions about user-generated, experience-based information compared to expertise-based information sources. Objective: To investigate if cultural variations exist in patterns of online health information seeking, specifically in perceptions of online health information sources. It was hypothesized that Koreans and Hongkongers, compared to Americans, would be more likely to trust and use experience-based knowledge shared in social Internet sites, such as social media and online support groups. Conversely, Americans, compared to Koreans and Hongkongers, would value expertise-based knowledge prepared and approved by doctors or professional health providers more. Methods: Survey questionnaires were developed in English first and then translated into Korean and Chinese. The back-translation method ensured the standardization of questions. Surveys were administered using a standardized recruitment strategy and data collection methods. Results: A total of 826 participants living in metropolitan areas from the United States (n=301), Korea (n=179), and Hong Kong (n=337) participated in the study. We found significant cultural differences in information processing preferences for online health information. A planned contrast test revealed that Koreans and Hongkongers showed more trust in experience-based health information sources (blogs: t 451.50 =11.21, P <.001; online support group: t 455.71 =9.30, P <.001; social networking sites [SNS]: t 466.75 =11.36, P <.001) and also reported using blogs ( t 515.31 =6.67, P <.001) and SNS ( t 529.22 =4.51, P <.001) more frequently than Americans. Americans showed a stronger preference for using expertise-based information sources (eg, WebMD and CDC) compared to Koreans and Hongkongers ( t 360.02 =3.01, P =.003). Trust in expertise-based information sources was universal, demonstrating no cultural differences (Brown-Forsythe F 2,654 =1.82, P =.16). Culture also contributed significantly to differences in searching information on behalf of family members ( t 480.38 =5.99, P <.001) as well as to the goals of information searching. Conclusions: This research found significant cultural differences in information processing preferences for online health information. Further discussion is included regarding effective communication strategies in providing quality health information. [J Med Internet Res 2016;18(3):e25]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A cholesteric structure used as the laser’s resonator cavity that enables a continuous real-time tuning of the emitted wavelength in a very broad range by applying an electric field, and ensures efficiency of lasing in the entire tunable range of emission.
Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) formed by chiral molecules represents a self-assembled one-dimensionally periodic helical structure with pitch p p in the submicrometer and micrometer range. Because of the spatial periodicity of the dielectric permittivity, a CLC doped with a fluorescent dye and pumped optically is capable of mirrorless lasing. An attractive feature of a CLC laser is that the pitch p p and thus the wavelength of lasing λ ¯ λ¯ can be tuned, for example, by chemical composition. However, the most desired mode to tune the laser, by an electric field, has so far been elusive. Here we present the realization of an electrically tunable laser with λ ¯ λ¯ spanning an extraordinarily broad range (>100 nm) of the visible spectrum. The effect is achieved by using an electric-field-induced oblique helicoidal (OH) state in which the molecules form an acute angle with the helicoidal axis rather than align perpendicularly to it as in a field-free CLC. The principal advantage of the electrically controlled CLCOH laser is that the electric field is applied parallel to the helical axis and thus changes the pitch but preserves the single-harmonic structure. The preserved single-harmonic structure ensures efficiency of lasing in the entire tunable range of emission. The broad tuning range of CLCOH lasers, coupled with their microscopic size and narrow line widths, may enable new applications in areas such as diagnostics, sensing, microscopy, displays, and holography.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 2016-Memory
TL;DR: College students' and instructors' knowledge of study strategies are surveyed and both groups evaluate the efficacy of learning strategies described in six learning scenarios, suggesting that instructors exhibited better knowledge of effective study skills than students, although the difference was small.
Abstract: Students’ self-reported study skills and beliefs are often inconsistent with empirically supported (ES) study strategies. However, little is known regarding instructors’ beliefs about study skills and if such beliefs differ from those of students. In the current study, we surveyed college students’ and instructors’ knowledge of study strategies and had both groups evaluate the efficacy of learning strategies described in six learning scenarios. Results from the survey indicated that students frequently reported engaging in methods of studying that were not optimal for learning. Instructors’ responses to the survey indicated that they endorsed a number of effective study skills but also held several beliefs inconsistent with research in learning and memory (e.g., learning styles). Further, results from the learning scenarios measure indicated that instructors were moderately more likely than students to endorse ES learning strategies. Collectively, these data suggest that instructors exhibited better knowledge of effective study skills than students, although the difference was small. We discuss several notable findings and argue for the improvement of both students’ and instructors’ study skill knowledge.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a Pt/Al9Ce1 catalyst was obtained by depositing Pt nanoparticles on the CeO2/AlOOH (1:9 molar ratio) support, which exhibited a remarkable catalytic activity and stability for oxidative removal of formaldehyde vapor at room temperature.
Abstract: A CeO2/AlOOH-supported Pt catalyst was prepared by combining the microemulsion-assisted synthesis of AlOOH and CeO2 hybrid with NaBH4-reduction of Pt precursor. The as-prepared catalyst obtained by depositing Pt nanoparticles on the CeO2/AlOOH (1:9 molar ratio) support (Pt/Al9Ce1) exhibited a remarkable catalytic activity and stability for oxidative removal of formaldehyde (HCHO) vapor at room temperature. The excellent performance of Pt/Al9Ce1 catalyst could be attributed to the abundance of surface hydroxyls, oxygen storage in CeO2, high dispersion of Pt nanoparticles, and excellent adsorption performance of AlOOH. The mechanism of HCHO decomposition was investigated with respect to the behavior of adsorbed intermediates on the Pt/Al9Ce1 surface at room temperature using in situ DRIFTS. The results suggest that the main species formed on the surface during HCHO oxidation are the reaction intermediates, which could be directly oxidized to CO2 in the presence of O2. By taking advantage of high adsorption affinity of AlOOH nanoflakes toward HCHO, reducible ceria nanoparticles and excellent catalytic activity of Pt nanoparticles toward HCHO oxidation, it was possible to design a superior nanostructured catalyst for room temperature decomposition of HCHO. This strategy can be also applied to fabricate novel nanostructured catalysts for advanced applications such as environmental remediation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Transnormativity describes the specific framework to which transgender people's presentations and experiences of gender are held accountable as discussed by the authors, and it has been argued that the privileging of the medical model over others creates a marginalizing effect for gender-nonconforming people who cannot or do not wish to medically transition.
Abstract: While prior research has called attention to how medically based, normative understandings of sex and gender place undue restrictions on transgender people's autonomy, there has yet to be an attempt to consolidate this research into a recognizable concept that is situated within existing theoretical frameworks. This article uses documentary films focused on transgender men as an empirical example to develop the concept of transnormativity. Transnormativity describes the specific framework to which transgender people's presentations and experiences of gender are held accountable. Drawing on research specific to transgender community groups, medicalization, and legal transition, I argue that transnormativity structures transgender experience, identification, and narratives into a hierarchy of legitimacy that is dependent upon medical standards. This ideology, as I show via a content analysis of documentary films, circulates in media depictions of transgender people in ways that eclipse alternative explanations of gender non-conformity. While medical transition is a central component of many transgender people's gender trajectory, I argue in this article that the privileging of the medical model over others creates a marginalizing effect for gender-non-conforming people who cannot or do not wish to medically transition.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The statistical model and considerations for temporally comparable maps are described, along with the resulting datasets, which are unique in terms of granularity and extent, providing fine-scale patterns of population distribution for mainland China.
Abstract: According to UN forecasts, global population will increase to over 8 billion by 2025, with much of this anticipated population growth expected in urban areas. In China, the scale of urbanization has, and continues to be, unprecedented in terms of magnitude and rate of change. Since the late 1970s, the percentage of Chinese living in urban areas increased from ~18% to over 50%. To quantify these patterns spatially we use time-invariant or temporally-explicit data, including census data for 1990, 2000, and 2010 in an ensemble prediction model. Resulting multi-temporal, gridded population datasets are unique in terms of granularity and extent, providing fine-scale (~100 m) patterns of population distribution for mainland China. For consistency purposes, the Tibet Autonomous Region, Taiwan, and the islands in the South China Sea were excluded. The statistical model and considerations for temporally comparable maps are described, along with the resulting datasets. Final, mainland China population maps for 1990, 2000, and 2010 are freely available as products from the WorldPop Project website and the WorldPop Dataverse Repository.

Journal ArticleDOI
21 Jan 2016-Oncogene
TL;DR: It is shown that the mechanosensitive ion channel transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) regulates tumor angiogenesis and tumor vessel maturation via modulation of TEC mechanosensitivity and represents a novel target for anti-angiogenic and vascular normalization therapies.
Abstract: Tumor vessels are characterized by abnormal morphology and hyperpermeability that together cause inefficient delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. Although vascular endothelial growth factor has been established as a critical regulator of tumor angiogenesis, the role of mechanical signaling in the regulation of tumor vasculature or tumor endothelial cell (TEC) function is not known. Here we show that the mechanosensitive ion channel transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) regulates tumor angiogenesis and tumor vessel maturation via modulation of TEC mechanosensitivity. We found that TECs exhibit reduced TRPV4 expression and function, which is correlated with aberrant mechanosensitivity towards extracellular matrix stiffness, increased migration and abnormal angiogenesis by TEC. Further, syngeneic tumor experiments revealed that the absence of TRPV4 induced increased vascular density, vessel diameter and reduced pericyte coverage resulting in enhanced tumor growth in TRPV4 knockout mice. Importantly, overexpression or pharmacological activation of TRPV4 restored aberrant TEC mechanosensitivity, migration and normalized abnormal angiogenesis in vitro by modulating Rho activity. Finally, a small molecule activator of TRPV4, GSK1016790A, in combination with anticancer drug cisplatin, significantly reduced tumor growth in wild-type mice by inducing vessel maturation. Our findings demonstrate TRPV4 channels to be critical regulators of tumor angiogenesis and represent a novel target for anti-angiogenic and vascular normalization therapies.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A literature review explores the definition of soft skills, contrasts skills with related concepts, such as personality traits, attitudes, beliefs, and values, and compares a set of soft skill typologies as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Soft skills are a collection of people management skills, important to many professions and job positions, including academic librarianship. Yet the concept of soft skills lacks definition, scope, instrumentation, and systematic education and training. This literature review explores the definition of soft skills ; contrasts skills with related concepts, such as personality traits, attitudes, beliefs, and values; and compares a set of soft skill typologies. We discuss a number of conceptual issues associated with soft skills and suggest several lines of research to help clarify and strengthen librarians’ understanding of and development of soft skills.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a sub-nanometer-thin carbon nitride nanosheets are fabricated by a combined three-step method including co-polymerization, surface activation and exfoliation.
Abstract: Incomplete polycondensation of the precursor, structural destruction and blue-shift of 2D nanosheets of carbon nitride are nowadays the serious problems. Therefore, optimization of the structural and electro-optical properties of carbon nitride, and reduction of its dependency on the high loading of the Pt cocatalyst needed for enhanced photocatalytic performance is of urgent necessity for sustainable and low-cost hydrogen production from water. To address this issue, we report sub-nanometer-thin carbon nitride nanosheets, which are fabricated by a combined three-step method including co-polymerization, surface activation and exfoliation. The resultant nanosheets are structurally very robust and photocatalytically highly efficient as evidenced by 38 times enhancement in their hydrogen production rate as compared to the pristine carbon nitride, with 100 times smaller loading of Pt as a co-catalyst. The extended visible-light absorption, suppressed charge carrier recombination, enhanced charge separation, low over potential and high surface area are the prominent reasons behind this unprecedented improvement.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The effect of resistance exercise both acutely and after training on HRV in healthy individuals and in those with diseases characterized by autonomic dysfunction, such as hypertension and fibromyalgia is discussed.
Abstract: Heart rate variability (HRV) has been used as a non-invasive method to evaluate heart rate (HR) regulation by the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system. In this review, we discuss the effect of resistance exercise both acutely and after training on HRV in healthy individuals and in those with diseases characterized by autonomic dysfunction, such as hypertension and fibromyalgia. HR recovery after exercise is influenced by parasympathetic reactivation and sympathetic recovery to resting levels. Therefore, examination of HRV in response to acute exercise yields valuable insight into autonomic cardiovascular modulation and possible underlying risk for disease. Acute resistance exercise has shown to decrease cardiac parasympathetic modulation more than aerobic exercise in young healthy adults suggesting an increased risk for cardiovascular dysfunction after resistance exercise. Resistance exercise training appears to have no effect on resting HRV in healthy young adults, while it may improve parasympathetic modulation in middle-aged adults with autonomic dysfunction. Acute resistance exercise appears to decrease parasympathetic activity regardless of age. This review examines the acute and chronic effects of resistance exercise on HRV in young and older adults.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used a before-after-control-impact design, in which streets served as subcatchments, to quantify hydrologic effectiveness of street-scale investments in green infrastructure, such as street-connected bioretention cells, rain gardens and rain barrels.
Abstract: Run-off from impervious surfaces has pervasive and serious consequences for urban streams, but the detrimental effects of urban stormwater can be lessened by disconnecting impervious surfaces and redirecting run-off to decentralized green infrastructure. This study used a before–after-control-impact design, in which streets served as subcatchments, to quantify hydrologic effectiveness of street-scale investments in green infrastructure, such as street-connected bioretention cells, rain gardens and rain barrels. On the two residential treatment streets, voluntary participation resulted in 32.2% and 13.5% of parcels having green infrastructure installed over a 2-year period. Storm sewer discharge was measured before and after green infrastructure implementation, and peak discharge, total run-off volume and hydrograph lags were analysed. On the street with smaller lots and lower participation, green infrastructure installation succeeded in reducing peak discharge by up to 33% and total storm run-off by up to 40%. On the street with larger lots and higher participation, there was no significant reduction in peak or total stormflows, but on this street, contemporaneous street repairs may have offset improvements. On the street with smaller lots, lag times increased following the first phase of green infrastructure construction, in which streetside bioretention cells were built with underdrains. In the second phase, lag times did not change further, because bioretention cells were built without underdrains and water was removed from the system, rather than just delayed. We conclude that voluntary green infrastructure retrofits that include treatment of street run-off can be effective for substantially reducing stormwater but that small differences in design and construction can be important for determining the level of the benefit. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Human dynamics is a term that has been used and investigated by researchers in various fields from very different perspectives to find the origin of bursts and heavy tail behaviour.
Abstract: Human dynamics is a term that has been used and investigated by researchers in various fields from very different perspectives Barabasi’s (2005) publication of ‘The origin of bursts and heavy tail

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the relationship among working memory, interest, mind wandering and performance in online learning and found that higher levels of mind wandering predicted lower levels of academic performance.