Strongly barycentrically associative and preassociative functions

Scientific Conference (2015, June 17)

Strongly barycentrically associative and preassociative functions

Scientific Conference (2016, November 08)

Strongly exponential symmetric spaces

in International Mathematics Research Notices (2013)

We study the exponential map of connected symmetric spaces and characterize, in terms of midpoints and of infinitesimal conditions, when it is a diffeomorphism, generalizing the Dixmier–Saito theorem for ... [more ▼]

We study the exponential map of connected symmetric spaces and characterize, in terms of midpoints and of infinitesimal conditions, when it is a diffeomorphism, generalizing the Dixmier–Saito theorem for solvable Lie groups. We then give a geometric characterization of the (strongly) exponential solvable symmetric spaces as those spaces for which every triangle admits of a unique double triangle. This work is motivated by Weinstein's quantization by groupoids program applied to symmetric spaces. [less ▲]

Strongly interacting quantum wires with spin-orbit coupling

Scientific Conference (2016, March 10)

We study the effect of Rashba spin-orbit coupling on a quantum wire with strong interactions, which can be experimentally realised by depopulating a gated InSb or GaAs wire. When the wire carries a very ... [more ▼]

We study the effect of Rashba spin-orbit coupling on a quantum wire with strong interactions, which can be experimentally realised by depopulating a gated InSb or GaAs wire. When the wire carries a very low density of electrons, it is convenient to model the system in terms of a "Wigner crystal" of electrons localised on lattice sites. At the lowest densities, the Wigner crystal is a one dimensional entity, whereas at intermediate regimes it is know that a "zigzag" crystal consisting of two parallel rows of electrons can form. We investigate the effect of Rashba spin-orbit coupling, which plays an important role for both the spin and charge degrees of freedom, in both these systems with and without an applied magnetic field. We propose detection of these effects via measurement of spin-spin correlation functions of the quantum wire, e.g. by doing STM with a polarized tip. [less ▲]

Strongly-coupled modelling and analysis of energy harvesting devices

Scientific Conference (2016, March 11)

A specific class of energy harvester devices for renewable energy resources is investigated, that allow conversion of ambient fluid flow energy to electrical energy via flow-induced vibrations of a piezo ... [more ▼]

A specific class of energy harvester devices for renewable energy resources is investigated, that allow conversion of ambient fluid flow energy to electrical energy via flow-induced vibrations of a piezo-ceramic composite structure positioned in the flow field. In this way, potentially harmful flow fluctuations are harnessed to provide independent power supply to small electri- cal devices. In order to harvest energy from fluid flows by means of piezoelectric materials the kinetic energy of the fluid first has to be transformed to cyclic straining energy of the piezoelectric material which is then transformed to electrical energy under the presence of an attached electrical circuit representing the powered electrical device or charged battery. This energy converter technology simultaneously involves the interaction of a composite struc- ture and a surrounding fluid, the electric charge accumulated in the piezo-ceramic material and a controlling electrical circuit. In order to predict the efficiency and operational properties of such future devices and to increase their robustness and performance, a mathematical and nu- merical model of the complex physical system is required to allow systematic computational investigation of the involved phenomena and coupling characteristics. A monolithic approach is proposed that provides simultaneous modelling and analysis of the harvester, which involves surface-coupled fluid-structure interaction, volume-coupled electro- mechanics and a controlling energy harvesting circuit for applications in energy harvesting. A space-time finite element approximation is used for numerical solution of the weighted residual form of the governing equations of the flow-driven piezoelectric energy harvesting device. This method enables time-domain investigation of different types of structures (plate, shells) subject to exterior/interior flow with varying cross sections, material compositions, and attached electrical circuits with respect to the electrical power output generated. [less ▲]

Stroop conflict increases fundamental frequency in the voice (F0)

in Pauli, P.; Kübler, A.; Hewig, J. (Eds.) et al 39. Tagung Psychologie und Gehirn - Abstracts (2013)

Structural and electronic properties of CuSbS2 and CuBiS2: potential absorber materials for thin-film solar cells

in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (2012), 14(20), 7229-7233

As the demand for photovoltaics rapidly increases, there is a pressing need for the identification of new visible light absorbing materials for thin-film solar cells that offer similar performance to the ... [more ▼]

As the demand for photovoltaics rapidly increases, there is a pressing need for the identification of new visible light absorbing materials for thin-film solar cells that offer similar performance to the current technologies based on CdTe and Cu(In,Ga)Se2. Metal sulphides are the ideal candidate materials, but their band gaps are usually too large to absorb significant fractions of visible light. However, by combining Cu+ (low binding energy d10 band) and Sb3+/Bi3+ (low binding energy s2 band), the ternary sulphides CuSbS2 and CuBiS2 are formed, which have been gathering recent interest for solar cell applications. Using a hybrid density functional theory approach, we calculate the structural and electronic properties of these two materials. Our results highlight the stereochemical activity of the Sb and Bi lone pair electrons, and predict that the formation of hole carriers will occur in the Cu d10 band and hence will involve oxidation of Cu(I). [less ▲]

Structural and mechanistic insights into Helicobacter pylori NikR activation.

in Nucleic acids research (2010), 38(9), 3106-18

NikR is a transcriptional metalloregulator central in the mandatory response to acidity of Helicobacter pylori that controls the expression of numerous genes by binding to specific promoter regions. NikR ... [more ▼]

NikR is a transcriptional metalloregulator central in the mandatory response to acidity of Helicobacter pylori that controls the expression of numerous genes by binding to specific promoter regions. NikR/DNA interactions were proposed to rely on protein activation by Ni(II) binding to high-affinity (HA) and possibly secondary external (X) sites. We describe a biochemical characterization of HpNikR mutants that shows that the HA sites are essential but not sufficient for DNA binding, while the secondary external (X) sites and residues from the HpNikR dimer-dimer interface are important for DNA binding. We show that a second metal is necessary for HpNikR/DNA binding, but only to some promoters. Small-angle X-ray scattering shows that HpNikR adopts a defined conformation in solution, resembling the cis-conformation and suggests that nickel does not trigger large conformational changes in HpNikR. The crystal structures of selected mutants identify the effects of each mutation on HpNikR structure. This study unravels key structural features from which we derive a model for HpNikR activation where: (i) HA sites and an hydrogen bond network are required for DNA binding and (ii) metallation of a unique secondary external site (X) modulates HpNikR DNA binding to low-affinity promoters by disruption of a salt bridge. [less ▲]

Structural architecture and brain network efficiency link polygenic scores to intelligence.

in Human brain mapping (2023)

Intelligence is highly heritable. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown that thousands of alleles contribute to variation in intelligence with small effect sizes. Polygenic scores (PGS), which ... [more ▼]

Intelligence is highly heritable. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown that thousands of alleles contribute to variation in intelligence with small effect sizes. Polygenic scores (PGS), which combine these effects into one genetic summary measure, are increasingly used to investigate polygenic effects in independent samples. Whereas PGS explain a considerable amount of variance in intelligence, it is largely unknown how brain structure and function mediate this relationship. Here, we show that individuals with higher PGS for educational attainment and intelligence had higher scores on cognitive tests, larger surface area, and more efficient fiber connectivity derived by graph theory. Fiber network efficiency as well as the surface of brain areas partly located in parieto-frontal regions were found to mediate the relationship between PGS and cognitive performance. These findings are a crucial step forward in decoding the neurogenetic underpinnings of intelligence, as they identify specific regional networks that link polygenic predisposition to intelligence. [less ▲]

Structural Brain Changes in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

in CHEST (2015)