Abstract: Mechanical deformations and ensuing strain are routinely exploited to tune the band gap energy and to enhance the functionalities of two-dimensional crystals. In this Letter, we show that strain leads also to a strong modification of the exciton magnetic moment in WS2 monolayers. Zeeman-splitting measurements under magnetic fields up to 28.5 T were performed on single, one-layer-thick WS2 microbubbles. The strain of the bubbles causes a hybridization of k-space direct and indirect excitons resulting in a sizable decrease in the modulus of they factor of the ground-state exciton. These findings indicate that strain may have major effects on the way the valley number of excitons can be used to process binary information in two-dimensional crystals.

Abstract: We investigate the diffusive electron-transport properties of charge-doped graphene ribbons and nanoribbons with imperfect edges. We consider different regimes of edge scattering, ranging from wide graphene ribbons with (partially) diffusive edge scattering to ribbons with large width variations and nanoribbons with atomistic edge roughness. For the latter, we introduce an approach based on pseudopotentials, allowing for an atomistic treatment of the band structure and the scattering potential, on the self-consistent solution of the Boltzmann transport equation within the relaxation-time approximation and taking into account the edge-roughness properties and statistics. The resulting resistivity depends strongly on the ribbon orientation, with zigzag (armchair) ribbons showing the smallest (largest) resistivity and intermediate ribbon orientations exhibiting intermediate resistivity values. The results also show clear resistivity peaks, corresponding to peaks in the density of states due to the confinement-induced subband quantization, except for armchair-edge ribbons that show a very strong width dependence because of their claromatic behavior. Furthermore, we identify a strong interplay between the relative position of the two valleys of graphene along the transport direction, the correlation profile of the atomistic edge roughness, and the chiral valley modes, leading to a peculiar strongly suppressed resistivity regime, most pronounced for the zigzag orientation.

Abstract: We compare three first-principles methods of calculating the Curie temperature in two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnetic materials (FM), modeled using the Heisenberg model, and propose a simple formula for estimating the Curie temperature with high accuracy that works for all common 2D lattice types. First, we study the effect of exchange anisotropy on the Curie temperature calculated using the Monte Carlo (MC), the Green's function, and the renormalized spin-wave (RNSW) methods. We find that the Green's function method overestimates the Curie temperature in high-anisotropy regimes compared to the MC method, whereas the RNSW method underestimates the Curie temperature compared to the MC and the Green's function methods. Next, we propose a closed-form formula for calculating the Curie temperature of 2D FMs, which provides an estimate of the Curie temperature that is greatly improved over the mean-field expression for magnetic material screening. We apply the closed-form formula to predict the Curie temperature 2D magnets screened from the C2DB database and discover several high Curie temperature FMs, with Fe2F2 and MoI2 emerging as the most promising 2D ferromagnets. Finally, by comparing to experimental results for CrI3, CrCl3, and CrBr3, we conclude that for small effective anisotropies, the Green's-function-based equations are preferable, while for larger anisotropies, MC-based results are more predictive.

Abstract: We present a computational imaging mode for large scale electron microscopy data, which retrieves a complex wave from noisy/sparse intensity recordings using a deep learning approach and subsequently reconstructs an image of the specimen from the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) predicted exit waves. We demonstrate that an appropriate forward model in combination with open data frameworks can be used to generate large synthetic datasets for training. In combination with augmenting the data with Poisson noise corresponding to varying dose-values, we effectively eliminate overfitting issues. The U-NET[1] based architecture of the CNN is adapted to the task at hand and performs well while maintaining a relatively small size and fast performance. The validity of the approach is confirmed by comparing the reconstruction to well-established methods using simulated, as well as real electron microscopy data. The proposed method is shown to be effective particularly in the low dose range, evident by strong suppression of noise, good spatial resolution, and sensitivity to different atom types, enabling the simultaneous visualisation of light and heavy elements and making different atomic species distinguishable. Since the method acts on a very local scale and is comparatively fast it bears the potential to be used for near-real-time reconstruction during data acquisition.

Abstract: The current transport capability of YBa2Cu3O7-x(YBCO) based coated conductors (CCs) is mainly limited by two features: the grain boundaries of the used textured template, which are transferred into the superconducting film through the buffer layers, and the ability to pin magnetic flux lines by incorporation of defined defects in the crystal lattice. By adjusting the deposition conditions, it is possible to tailor the pinning landscape in doped YBCO in order to meet specific working conditions (T, B) for CC applications. To study these effects, we deposited YBCO layers with a thickness of about 1-2 mu m using pulsed laser deposition on buffered rolling-assisted biaxially textured Ni-W substrates as well as on metal tapes having either an ion-beam-texturedYSZbuffer or an MgO layer textured by inclined substrate deposition. BaHfO3 and the mixed double-perovskite Ba2Y(Nb/Ta)O-6 were incorporated as artificial pinning centers in these YBCO layers. X-ray diffraction confirmed the epitaxial growth of the superconductor on these templates as well as the biaxially oriented incorporation of the secondary phase additions in the YBCO matrix. A critical current density J(c) of more than 2 MA/cm(2) was achieved at 77 K in self-field for 1-2 mu m thick films. Detailed TEM (transmission electron microscopy) studies revealed that the structure of the secondary phase can be tuned, forming c-axis aligned nanocolumns, ab-oriented platelets, or a combination of both. Transport measurements show that the J(c) anisotropy in magnetic fields is reduced by doping and the peak in the J(c) (theta) curves can be correlated to the microstructural features.

Abstract: Vegetables and fruits are an important part of a healthy food diet, however, the eco-sustainability of the production of these can still be significantly improved. European farmers and consumers spend an estimated Euro15.5 billion per year on inorganic fertilizers and the production of N-fertilizers results in a high carbon footprint. We investigated if fertilizer type and medium constituents determine microbial nitrogen conversions in organic growing media and can be used as a next step towards a more sustainable horticulture. We demonstrated that growing media constituents showed differences in urea hydrolysis, ammonia and nitrite oxidation and in carbon dioxide respiration rate. Interestingly, mixing of the growing media constituents resulted in a stimulation of the function of the microorganisms. The use of organic fertilizer resulted in an increase in amoA gene copy number by factor 100 compared to inorganic fertilizers. Our results support our hypothesis that the activity of the functional microbial community with respect to nitrogen turnover in an organic growing medium can be improved by selecting and mixing the appropriate growing media components with each other. These findings contribute to the understanding of the functional microbial community in growing media and its potential role towards a more responsible horticulture.

Abstract: The wide array of services provided by agricultural cooperatives for their members is often not considered in academic studies. Addressing this gap in the literature, our paper explores the wide array of services provided by agricultural cooperatives and how these extend beyond those they were initially intended to provide. We study the extent and characteristics of service portfolios from 511 agricultural cooperatives in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Results from two-limit Tobit models confirm that government and NGO-initiated cooperatives have a wide service portfolio compared to member-initiated cooperatives. In many of the studied cooperatives, the services they provide and their portfolios are more diverse than expected. Cooperatives seem to go beyond their focal areas of intervention. Also, those cooperatives that are more outward-oriented and where the chair has contact with other cooperatives or businesses, have a wider service portfolio. These results may help to explain the mixed findings on the impact of cooperative membership.

Abstract: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) remains a popular approach to determine the shape, size, density and elemental composition of particles collected on leaf surfaces, but the effect of leaf micro-morphology on particle counts is not very well known. In this study, leaves of sixteen urban plant species were examined for particle density in June and September 2016 using SEM. The investigated plant species differed in leaf micro-morphology involving trichomes, raised stomata, epicuticular wax crystals and convex epidermal cells forming deep grooves between cells. The particle density on leaves of the investigated plant species was estimated by particle size fraction and leaf side. Particle density was significantly higher on the adaxial (AD) leaf side compared to the abaxial (AB) leaf side and higher for fine-particles than coarse-particles. The effect of trichome density on particle density of the AB and the AD leaf side was indicated to be significant and positive for both coarse and fine-particles in June but not in September. The successive repeated measurements elucidated that features constructing the topography of a leaf surface such as trichomes, stomata, and epidermal cells frequently contributed towards the edge enhancement effect, resulting in exaggerated particle counts. Besides, the mechanical drift contributed to the disparity in particle density measurements. Lastly, the reduction in particle density between successive measurements were imputed on the charging effect. These results enable us to suggest that in addition to characterization of micro-morphological features on a leaf surface, SEM will continue to be a useful approach for determining the particle: shape, size, elemental composition and density of the deposited particles. Nonetheless, the disparity in particle density measurements can occur due to abnormal particle recognition. Based on the results of September, we recommend that within-session successive repeated measurements (~ n ≥ 5) need to be performed to remove measurement uncertainties and obtain reliable quantitative data of particle counts using SEM.

Abstract: Until the 19th century, lead white was the most important white pigment used in oil paintings. Lead white is typically composed of two crystalline lead carbonates: hydrocerussite [2PbCO(3)center dot Pb(OH)(2)] and cerussite (PbCO3). Depending on the ratio between hydrocerussite and cerussite, lead white can be classified into different subtypes, each with different optical properties. Current methods to investigate and differentiate between lead white subtypes involve invasive sampling on a microscopic scale, introducing problems of paint damage and representativeness. In this study, a 17th century painting Girl with a Pearl Earring (by Johannes Vermeer, c. 1665, collection of the Mauritshuis, NL) was analyzed with a recently developed mobile and noninvasive macroscopic x-ray powder diffraction (MA-XRPD) scanner within the project Girl in the Spotlight. Four different subtypes of lead white were identified using XRPD imaging at the macroscopic and microscopic scale, implying that Vermeer was highly discriminatory in his use of lead white.

Abstract: This study evaluates the effects of climate change on the net revenue of farmers in Japan. We adopted the Ricardian model, which implicitly accounts for farmers’ full adaptation. The main findings of this study are as follows. First, the Ricardian regression shows that changes in temperature significantly impact farmers’ net revenue. In contrast, changes in precipitation have limited effects on farmers’ net revenue. The results of future predictions showed that the effects of climate change are positive across the country, with varying degrees between north and south. These results are more optimistic than those in the existing literature, which frequently reveal negative climate change impacts in southern Japan. However, it should be noted that this model assumes full adaptation and does not consider the transition costs of farmers, and understanding the actual adaptive measures is an important remaining issue.

Abstract: The Dirichlet problem for the Laplace equation in normal-polar annuli is addressed by using a suitable Fourier-like technique. Attention is in particular focused on the wide class of domains whose boundaries are defined by the so-called superformula introduced by Gielis. A dedicated numerical procedure based on the computer algebra system Mathematica© is developed in order to validate the proposed methodology. In this way, highly accurate approximations of the solution, featuring properties similar to the classical ones, are obtained.

Abstract: The development of advanced methods for non-destructive selective imaging of painted works of art at the macroscopic level based on radiation in the X-ray and infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum are concisely reviewed. Such methods allow to either record depth-selective, element-selective or species-selective images of entire paintings. Camera-based full field methods (that record the image data in parallel) can be discerned next to scanning methods (that build up distributions in a sequential manner by scanning a beam of radiation over the surface of an artefact). Six methods are discussed: on the one hand, macroscopic X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction imaging and X-ray laminography and on the other hand macroscopic Mid and Near Infrared hyper- and full spectral imaging and Optical Coherence Tomography. These methods can be considered to be improved versions of the well-established imaging methods employed worldwide for examination of paintings, i.e., X-ray radiography and Infrared reflectography. Possibilities and limitations of these new imaging techniques are outlined.

Abstract: Background This study explores the repurposing of Auranofin (AF), an anti-rheumatic drug, for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) adenocarcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Drug repurposing in oncology offers a cost-effective and time-efficient approach to developing new cancer therapies. Our research focuses on evaluating AF's selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells, identifying RNAseq-based biomarkers to predict AF response, and finding the most effective co-therapeutic agents for combination with AF. Methods Our investigation employed a comprehensive drug screening of AF in combination with eleven anticancer agents in cancerous PDAC and NSCLC patient-derived organoids (n = 7), and non-cancerous pulmonary organoids (n = 2). Additionally, we conducted RNA sequencing to identify potential biomarkers for AF sensitivity and experimented with various drug combinations to optimize AF's therapeutic efficacy. Results The results revealed that AF demonstrates a preferential cytotoxic effect on NSCLC and PDAC cancer cells at clinically relevant concentrations below 1 µM, sparing normal epithelial cells. We identified Carbonic Anhydrase 12 (CA12) as a significant RNAseq-based biomarker, closely associated with the NF-κB survival signaling pathway, which is crucial in cancer cell response to oxidative stress. Our findings suggest that cancer cells with low CA12 expression are more susceptible to AF treatment. Furthermore, the combination of AF with the AKT inhibitor MK2206 was found to be particularly effective, exhibiting potent and selective cytotoxic synergy, especially in tumor organoid models classified as intermediate responders to AF, without adverse effects on healthy organoids. Conclusion Our research offers valuable insights into the use of AF for treating NSCLC and PDAC. It highlights AF's cancer cell selectivity, establishes CA12 as a predictive biomarker for AF sensitivity, and underscores the enhanced efficacy of AF when combined with MK2206 and other therapeutics. These findings pave the way for further exploration of AF in cancer treatment, particularly in identifying patient populations most likely to benefit from its use and in optimizing combination therapies for improved patient outcomes.

Abstract: Vincent van Gogh's still lifes Irises and Roses were investigated to shed light onto the degree to which the paintings had changed, both individually and in relation to each other since they were painted, particularly in regard to the fading of the red lakes. Non-invasive techniques, including macroscopic X-ray fluorescence mapping, reflectance imaging spectroscopy, and X-radiography, were combined with microanalytical techniques in a select number of samples. The in-depth microchemical analysis was necessary to overcome the complications that arise when evaluating by non-invasive methods alone the compositions of passages with complex layering and mixing of paints. The results obtained by these two approaches were complemented by color measurements performed on paint cross-sections and on protected edges, and with historical information provided by the artist's own descriptions, early reviews and reproductions, and the data was used to carry out digital color simulations that provided, to a certain extent, a visualization of how the paintings may have originally appeared.