University of Luxembourg

About: University of Luxembourg is a education organization based out in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & European union. The organization has 4744 authors who have published 22175 publications receiving 381824 citations.

Knowledge Portfolios and The Organization of Innovation Networks

Abstract: Properties of strategic alliance networks, such as small world structures, skewed link distributions, and patterns of repeated tie occurrences, are often explained in terms of social capital theories. A simple model shows how merely assuming that firms must have a certain degree of commonality in their knowledge to have a successful alliance is enough to produce the above features, without recourse to social capital at all.

The use of GPS horizontals for loading studies, with applications to northern California and southeast Greenland

Abstract: Received 23 August 2012; revised 15 January 2013; accepted 20 January 2013; published 25 April 2013. [1] We describe how GPS measurements of horizontal crustal motion can be used to augment vertical crustal motion measurements, to improve and extend GPS studies of surface loading. We show that the ratio of the vertical displacement to the horizontal displacement, combined with the direction of the horizontal motion, can help determine whether nearby loading is concentrated in a small region (for example, in a single lake or glacier), and where that region is. We illustrate this method by applying it to two specific cases: an analysis of GPS data from northern California to monitor the level of Lake Shasta, and the analysis of data from a single GPS site in southeast Greenland to determine mass variability of two large, nearby outletglaciers: Helheim Glacier and Midgaard Glacier. The Californiaexampleserves largely as a proof-of-concept, where the results can be assessed by comparing with independent observations (Lake Shasta tide gauge data, in this case). Our Greenland results show that both Helheim and Midgaard have experienced notable interannual variations in mass loss rate over the last decade. Helheim’ sm ass loss accelerated rapidly in mid-2003, decelerated in late 2005, and increased again in 2008–2009 before returning to about its pre-2003 rate in late 2010. Midgaard’s mass loss accelerated in mid-2004, and remained more-or-less constant before returning to its pre-2003 rate in late 2008.

Unified Description of the Optical Phonon Modes in N-Layer MoTe2.

Abstract: N-layer transition metal dichalcogenides provide a unique platform to investigate the evolution of the physical properties between the bulk (three-dimensional) and monolayer (quasi-two-dimensional) limits. Here, using high-resolution micro-Raman spectroscopy, we report a unified experimental description of the Γ-point optical phonons in N-layer 2H-molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2). We observe series of N-dependent low-frequency interlayer shear and breathing modes (below 40 cm–1, denoted LSM and LBM) and well-defined Davydov splittings of the mid-frequency modes (in the range 100–200 cm–1, denoted iX and oX), which solely involve displacements of the chalcogen atoms. In contrast, the high-frequency modes (in the range 200–300 cm–1, denoted iMX and oMX), arising from displacements of both the metal and chalcogen atoms, exhibit considerably reduced splittings. The manifold of phonon modes associated with the in-plane and out-of-plane displacements are quantitatively described by a force constant model, includi...

Interoception and Stress

Abstract: Afferent neural signals are continuously transmitted from visceral organs to the brain. Interoception refers to the processing of visceral-afferent neural signals by the central nervous system, which can finally result in the conscious perception of bodily processes. Interoception can, therefore, be described as a prominent example of information processing on the ascending branch of the brain-body axis. Stress responses involve a complex neuro-behavioral cascade, which is elicited when the organism is confronted with a potentially harmful stimulus. As this stress cascade comprises a range of neural and endocrine pathways, stress can be conceptualized as a communication process on the descending branch of the brain-body axis. Interoception and stress are, therefore, associated via the bi-directional transmission of information on the brain-body axis. It could be argued that excessive and/or enduring activation (e.g., by acute or chronic stress) of neural circuits, which are responsible for successful communication on the brain-body axis, induces malfunction and dysregulation of these information processes. As a consequence, interoceptive signal processing may be altered, resulting in physical symptoms contributing to the development and/or maintenance of body-related mental disorders, which are associated with stress. In the current paper, we summarize findings on psychobiological processes underlying acute and chronic stress and their interaction with interoception. While focusing on the role of the physiological stress axes (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and autonomic nervous system), psychological factors in acute and chronic stress are also discussed. We propose a positive feedback model involving stress (in particular early life or chronic stress, as well as major adverse events), the dysregulation of physiological stress axes, altered perception of bodily sensations, and the generation of physical symptoms, which may in turn facilitate stress.