Changes In Tc Research Articles

Surface-enhanced nucleation in immiscible polypropylene and polyethylene blends: The effect of polyethylene chain regularity

In blends where polyethylene (PE) is the minor component dispersed in an isotactic-polypropylene (PP) matrix, an enhancement of the crystallization rate of PE was found when the crystallization temperature of the matrix phase is increased by means of a self-nucleation protocol. Such an effect is interpreted as the result of the epitaxial nucleation of PE droplet domains at the interface with the PP matrix (Macromolecules, 2021, 54, 19, 9100–9112). This study extends the findings on immiscible blends of a PP matrix and various industrially produced PE grades as the dispersed phase. Eight different PEs with varying molecular architecture, and thus density and melting temperatures, were mixed with PP in a 20/80 PE/PP weight ratio. The possible existence of surface nucleation was probed by applying a self-nucleation thermal protocol to the PP matrix and recording the concomitant variation of PE crystallization temperature (Tc). Different behaviours are observed for various PEs. In particular, those with relatively high density display a clear increase in crystallization temperature, over 3.0 °C, when the Tc of the matrix is increased (i.e., as PP lamellar thickness increased), indicating an efficient surface nucleation mechanism. Metallocene-made LLDPE also shows a small increase, about 1.7 °C, while PEs with lower densities, below 927 kg/m3, metallocene PEs or LDPE display no meaningful change in Tc with matrix self-nucleation. It was demonstrated that a threshold value of chain regularity is required to trigger the surface nucleation of PE on PP. Only polymers with a density above approximately 920 kg/m3 and melting temperatures exceeding about 115 °C can efficiently nucleate onto the PP substrate. It is postulated that the presence of a high amount of branches or comonomers along the PE chains hinders the epitaxial matching between PE and PP.

Effect of ABCA1-R219K Polymorphism in Serum Lipid Parameters in Patients under Statin Therapy Visiting Tertiary Cardiac Center of Nepal.

Introduction ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) encoded by ABCA1 gene is one of the important protein involved in lipid metabolism. The effect of statin therapy on dyslipidemia varies among individuals and it may be due to different genetic polymorphism. The R219K polymorphism of ABCA1 gene is found to have a significant role in the response of statin. Objective This study was designed to evaluate the effect of R219K polymorphism in lipid-lowering action of statin in patients with dyslipidemia. Material and Methods This study was conducted in 88 patients. Blood samples were taken from patients before and at the end of 3 months of statin use and were analyzed for lipid profile. Whole blood was analyzed for R219K Polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results R219K polymorphism was associated with significant percentage reduction of serum triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein (TG/HDL) ratio and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (TC/HDL) ratio in atorvastatin users. However, there was no significant association of polymorphism with change in serum TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG, and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Among KK genotype individuals, value of TG, VLDL, TG/HDL, and TC/HDL were significantly lower than in RR genotypes. Also, TG/HDL and TC/HDL were significantly lower in RK genotype than in RR. Treatment of dyslipidemia with statin was found to be comparatively better in patients having the genotypes KK and RK. Conclusion Our study demonstrated association of R219K polymorphism with the significant reduction of TG/HDL and TC/HDL and particularly the KK genotype was associated with significant improvement of lipid parameters following atorvastatin treatment.

Filler-induced heterogeneous nucleation of polymer crystals investigated by molecular dynamics simulations

Filler particles are known to act as nucleants for polymer crystallisation yet the connection between the filler surface properties and polymer crystallisation are not well understood. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate homogeneous and heterogeneous polymer nucleation and crystallisation using a generic linear bead–spring polymer model with a bond bending potential. The polymer systems were equilibrated at high temperature and then cooled at a constant rate. Without a surface present, polymers with stiff chains were found to crystallise more readily than more flexible polymers. The degree of crystallinity was estimated based on the mass fraction of straight chain segments which we equate to stem mass fraction. At a temperature Tc a sharp increase in density, radius of gyration and stem mass fraction occurred. After cooling, the systems were reheated and some systems showed hysteresis with a sharp decrease in these properties occurring upon melting at Tm>Tc. For slower heating rates, crystal growth occurred during heating from between the glass transition temperature, Tg, and Tc until just before melting at Tm. The presence of an isotropic surface was found to promote crystallisation in flexible systems that did not crystallise in the bulk, where the stem mass fraction and Tc increased with the interaction strength between the surface and the polymer beads. Changes in Tc and degree of crystallinity with cooling rate are consistent with experimental observations. This model captures polymer crystallisation phenomena and provides insight into heterogeneous nucleation, demonstrating that strong interfacial interactions promote crystallisation, thus aiding the choice or design of nucleants for control of polymer crystallisation and microstructure.

Magnetic Proximity Effect in LaMnO3-LaFeO3 Bilayer

Here, we report the magnetic properties of LaMnO3, LaFeO3 thin films and their heterostructures, fabricated using Pulse laser deposition technique (PLD) on SrTiO3(001) substrate. The crystal structure, surface morphology signifies the phase pure epitaxial growth of LaMnO3 and LaFeO3 films and their heterostructure. The magnetic characteristics of individual LaMnO3 and LaFeO3 films along with their heterostructures were studied to explore the proximity effect of the different antiferromagnets. We demonstrate that LaMnO3 thin film shows ferromagnetic signal with inconspicuous Tc. The ferromagnetic signal is stronger in case of LaMnO3 grown on buffered LaFeO3 and LaFeO3 on top of LaMnO3. The change of Tc is analyzed in heterostructures as compared to the bare LaMnO3. Additionally, our study illustrates the variation of anisotropic energy and spin flop coupling between the interface with alternate growth sequence of heterojunctions.

Vertex dominated superconductivity in intercalated FeSe

Bulk FeSe becomes superconducting below 9 K, but the critical temperature (Tc) is enhanced almost universally by a factor of ~4–5 when it is intercalated with alkali elements. How intercalation modifies the structure is known from in-situ X-ray and neutron scattering techniques, but why Tc changes so dramatically is not known. Here we show that there is one-to-one correspondence between the enhancement in magnetic instabilities at certain q vectors and superconducting pairing vertex, even while the nuclear spin relaxation rate 1/(T1T) may not reflect this enhancement. Intercalation modifies electronic screening both in the plane and also between layers. We disentangle quantitatively how superconducting pairing vertex gains from each such changes in electronic screening. Intercalated FeSe provides an archetypal example of superconductivity where information derived from the single-particle electronic structure appears to be insufficient to account for the origins of superconductivity, even when they are computed including correlation effects. We show that the five-fold enhancement in Tc on intercalation is not sensitive to the exact position of the dxy at Γ point, as long as it stays close to EF. Finally, we show that intercalation also significantly softens the collective charge excitations, suggesting the electron-phonon interaction could play some role in intercalated FeSe.

Concurrent endurance training with either plyometric or dynamic body-weight training both improve running economy with minimal or no changes in running biomechanics

ABSTRACT We compared the effects of two 8-week concurrent strength and endurance trainings (CSETs) on running economy (RE) and running biomechanics, and we explored whether the effects on running biomechanics were mediated by responder status [high vs low responder based on −2.6% change in RE]. Thirty-one male recreational runners were randomly assigned to a standard endurance running training combined with either plyometric (CSET-PLY) or dynamic body-weight (CSET-DYN) training. RE and running biomechanics [contact (tc ) and flight (tf ) time, step frequency (SF), duty factor (DF), and leg stiffness (k leg)] were measured pre- and post-intervention. RE significantly improved following CSET (RE = −2.1 ± 3.9%; p = 0.005) and no changes in tc , DF, SF, and k leg (p ≥ 0.10) but a shorter tf (p ≥ 0.03) from pre- to post-intervention were seen. The prevalence of high responders was 42% (RE = −5.7 ± 2.4%). Among high responders, there were no changes in running biomechanics except participants following CSET-DYN who increased their SF (+3%). These results indicate that improvements in RE obtained through CSET-PLY and CSET-DYN involve minimal to no changes in running biomechanics and that there was not a training modality, which was better than the other. More detailed biomechanical assessments involving kinematics, kinetics, and electromyography could shed light on the underlying mechanisms of RE improvement.

Polyphenols and pectin enriched golden kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) alleviates high fructose-induced glucolipid disorders and hepatic oxidative damage in rats: in association with improvement of fatty acids metabolism

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of fleshes from two Actinidia chinensis (ACF), pericarps from two A. chinensis (ACP), and fleshes with pericarps from two A. chinensis (ACFP) on high fructose (HF)-instigated dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and fatty acid metabolism disorders in rats. In general, the above abnormalities were improved after 10 weeks intervention of ACF, ACP, and ACFP. Especially, ACFP considerably ameliorated HF-induced abnormal changes in body weight gain, serum TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C levels, as well as serum and hepatic SFAs, MUFAs and PUFAs contents. ACFP also alleviated HF-induced hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, stabilized HF-caused increase in hepatic MDA and serum ALT, AST levels, and restored HF-declined hepatic T-SOD and GSH-Px activities. Besides, histopathology of the liver further endorsed the protective effects of ACFP on hepatocellular injury. Moreover, ACFP increased HF-dropped acetic, propionic and butyric acid levels. Overall, ACFP employs more efficacious protective effects against HF-induced metabolic disorders and liver damage than ACF and ACP. This study delivers a scientific foundation for developing kiwifruit (counting peel)-based dietary supplements for those with glucolipid-metabolic disorders and liver damage.

Glassy atomic vibrations and blurry electronic structures created by local structural disorders in high-entropy metal telluride superconductors

Recently, robustness of superconductivity to external pressure has been observed in high-entropy (HE) metal telluride (MTe). Here, we investigated the atomic displacement parameters (Uiso), atomic vibration characteristics, and electronic structure of MTe with various configurational entropies of mixing (ΔSmix) at the M site to understand the origin of the robustness of the superconductivity. Uiso clearly increased by M-site alloying with ΔSmix ≥ 1.1R, which is evidence of the created local disorder in the NaCl-type (low-pressure) phases. The simulated vibrational density of states (DOS) shows remarkable broadening with ΔSmix ≥ 1.1R, which indicates the glassy characteristics of atomic vibrations in the NaCl-type phases. In the calculated electronic structure for the CsCl-type (high-pressure) phases, a blurry electronic band structure appears with increasing ΔSmix, which indicates the evolution of blurry electronic states in HE MTe with the CsCl-type structure. The estimated electronic DOS at the Fermi energy cannot explain the changes in Tc for HE MTe when assuming conventional electron-phonon superconductivity, but the conventional explanation seems to work for PbTe. Therefore, the pairing mechanisms in HE MTe are affected by the glassy phonon and/or blurry electronic states, and the robustness of superconductivity possibly originates from the unique electron-phonon coupling.

Magnetocaloric effect and magnetic ordering in GdFe1-xTxSi, T = Cr, V, Ni.

The intermetallic compounds GdFe1-xCrxSi, x = 0-0.8, GdFe1-xVxSi, x = 0-0.4, and GdFe1-xNixSi, x = 0-0.4 with a tetragonal CeFeSi (P4/nmm) structure type have been synthesized. The Curie temperature, TC, sharply increases from 130 K to 255 K and 250 K for the GdFe1-xCrxSi and GdFe1-xVxSi compounds and decreases to 104 K for GdFe1-xNixSi. Within the framework of the model of effective d-f exchange interaction in R3̄d intermetallics, these changes in TC can be caused by the corresponding changes in the density of states. The electronic structure, magnetic moments and types of magnetic orderings of the GdFe1-xTxSi, T = Cr, V, Ni intermetallic compounds were calculated using the DFT+U theoretical method. For the GdFe1-xNixSi system, the transformation of a ferromagnet with the composition x = 0 into an antiferromagnet with the composition x = 0.3 was established experimentally and using first-principles calculations. The correlation of the ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic type of the magnetic state in the GdFe1-xNixSi compounds with the value of the lattice parameter c to greater or less than the critical value c = 6.72 Å for the GdCoSi antiferromagnet has been experimentally established. The magnetic structures of the antiferromagnets GdFe0.7Ni0.3Si and GdCoSi were found to be different. GdFe0.7Ni0.3Si is characterized by a collapse in the magnetocaloric effect via a change in the isothermal magnetic entropy ΔSM(TC). The compounds GdFe0.4Cr0.6Si with -ΔSM(TC) = 2.37 J kg-1 K-1 at TC = 255 K and RC = 82.07 J kg-1 and GdFe0.7V0.3Si with -ΔSM(TC) = 2.06 J kg K-1 at TC = 250 K and RC = 96.02 J kg-1 in a field changing to 17 kOe could be of practical interest due to the TC being close to room temperature.

Structural, magnetic and phase transition properties in S = ½ radical solid solutions of [FxCl1−x-BzPy][Ni(mnt)2] (x = 0.07–0.87)

The S = ½ spin chain salts [FxCl1−x-BzPy][Ni(mnt)2] (0–1) show a phase transition, and an anomalous change of TC and J/kB with x.

B-site disorder induced Griffiths phase evolution and high magnetocaloric effect in La0.7Sr0.3A0.05Mn0.95O3 (A= Si, Ti)

We report on evaluation of Griffiths phase and enhanced magnetic entropy change at low magnetic fields in B-site disordered perovskite La0.7Sr0.3A0.05Mn0.95O3 (A= Si, Ti) bulk samples. 5 mol% of Si and Ti doping at the Mn site of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 leads to a decrease in Curie temperature (TC) towards room temperature, which is observed to be 365.2 K and 314.7 K respectively. Griffiths phase arises as a result of doping either Si or Ti in Mn site. Ti doped La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 exhibits higher entropy change (1.08 J/kg K) than Si (0.83 J/kg K) at room temperature. The increase in magnetic entropy change and high reduction in TC towards room temperature caused by Ti doping in the La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 implies that these materials might be exploited for magnetic cooling in low magnetic fields near room temperature. Critical exponent analysis indicates the possibility of 3D Heisenberg spin glass like system in both compounds.

Continuous Thermoregulatory Responses to a Mass-Participation 89-km Ultramarathon Road Race.

To continuously measure body core temperature (Tc) throughout a mass-participation ultramarathon in subelite recreational runners to quantify Tc magnitude and the influence of aerobic fitness and body fat. Twenty-three participants (19 men and 4 women; age 45 [9]y; body mass 72.0 [9.3]kg; body fat 26% [6%]; peak oxygen uptake 50 [6]mL·kg-1·min-1) had gastrointestinal temperature measured during an 89-km ultramarathon. Prerace-to-postrace changes in body mass, plasma sodium, and fluid and food recall quantified body water balance. In maximal environmental conditions of 26.3 °C and 53% humidity, 21 of the 23 participants finished in 10:28 (01:10)h:min while replacing 49% (27%) of sweat losses, maintaining plasma sodium (140 [3]mmol·L-1), and dehydrating by 4.1% (1.3%). Mean maximum Tc was 39.0 (0.5) (range 38.2-40.1 °C) with 90% of race duration ≤39.0 °C. Mean maximum ΔTc was 1.9 (0.9) (0.9-2.7 °C) with 95% of race duration ≤2.0 °C. Over 0 to 45km, associations between ΔTc and peak oxygen uptake (positive) and body fat (negative) were observed. Over 58 to 89km, associations between Tc and peak oxygen uptake (negative) and body fat (positive) were observed. Modest Tc responses were observed in recreational ultramarathon runners. Runners with higher levels of aerobic fitness and lower levels of body fat demonstrated the greatest changes in Tc during the first half of the race. Conversely, runners with lower levels of aerobic fitness and higher levels of body fat demonstrated the greatest absolute Tc in the final third of the race.

Individual variability in achievement of short-term heat acclimation during a fixed intensity protocol

IntroductionHeat acclimation (HA) occurs with ∼8-10d of repeated heat exposure; however, adaptations can occur earlier (<7d; termed short-term heat acclimation; STHA). PurposeTo test the hypothesis that some, but not all, young healthy men would achieve STHA after 5d of a standard HA protocol. MethodsWe conducted a novel, post-hoc analysis of data from 13 healthy men (21 ± 3 yrs; 173 ± 8 cm; 75.1 ± 12.2 kg) who participated in an 8d HA protocol (120 min treadmill walking: 5 km h−1, 2% grade; 40 °C, 40% relative humidity). Core temperature (Tc), heart rate (HR), and whole body sweating rate (SR) were compared across 1d, 5d, and 8d of HA. Criteria for HA were delta (Δ)Tc ≤ 0.9 °C and ΔHR≤33 beats·min−1. ResultsGroup averages on 1d, 5d, and 8d of HA for end exercise Tc (38.1 ± 0.34; 37.9 ± 0.3; 37.8 ± 0.3 °C) and HR (134 ± 17; 122 ± 13; 121 ± 13 beats·min−1) were decreased by 5d (p < 0.05) and did not decrease further by 8d. ΔTc (1.1 ± 0.36; 0.95 ± 0.45; 0.95 ± 0.33 °C) and ΔHR (36 ± 18; 33 ± 17; 33 ± 15 beats·min−1) showed similar patterns (p > 0.05). At 5d, 31% (4/13) of the volunteers achieved HA; the remaining 9 volunteers had further adaptations between 5d and 8d. SR was not different across 1d, 5d, and 8d (860 ± 148; 908 ± 210; 873 ± 203 mL h−1 respectively; p > 0.05). ConclusionOur results suggest that during a fixed-intensity HA protocol in young men, using criteria of changes in Tc and HR, ∼1/3 achieve STHA. Future research should evaluate potential mechanisms, and whether similar inter-individual variability occurs in women.

The epidemic of thyroid cancer in China: Current trends and future prediction.

BackgroundThyroid cancer (TC) is one of the most common cancers in China. The aim of this study was to identify the potential age, period, and cohort effect under the long-term trends in TC incidence and mortality, making projections up to 2030.MethodsIncidence and mortality data on TC were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The population predictions were obtained from the United Nations World Population Prospects 2019. An age–period–cohort model was used for the analysis.ResultsFrom 1990 to 2019, the net drift (the overall annual percentage change of TC over time adjusted for age groups) of the TC incidence was 5.01% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.72%, 5.29%) for men and 1.48% (95% CI: 1.14%, 1.82%) for women. The net drift of TC mortality was 1.64% (95% CI: 1.38%, 1.91%) for men and –2.51% (95% CI: –2.77%, –2.26%) for women. Regarding the incidence of TC, both the period and the cohort relative risks (RRs) in men and women showed an overall increasing trend. As to the mortality rate of TC, both the period and cohort RRs in women showed a monotonic declining trend. The period RRs for men decreased after 2015, but the cohort RRs revealed a fluctuating upward pattern. From 2019 to 2030, the TC incidence was projected to rise by 32.4% in men and 13.1% in women, the mortality declining by 13.0% in men and 17.3% in women. The elderly was projected to have an increasing proportion of TC occurrence and deaths.ConclusionsOver the past 30 years, the incidence rate of TC in China has continually increased, and this trend was projected to continue. Although male mortality has increased in the past, it is expected to decline in the future. The proportion of older people among TC occurrence and death was projected to gradually increase, and the difficulties elderly with TC lrequire more attention.

Dynamic Relationship Between Heart Rate And Core Temperature During Exercise-heat Stress And Iced Sheet Cooling

Athletes, military personnel, and others who perform physical work in the heat are at risk for exertional heat illness due to the combined presence of high ambient temperature and elevated metabolic heat production. Cooling with iced sheets is an immediate treatment used by the military and others to rapidly decrease body temperature in a field setting. Physiologically, increases in core temperature (Tc) and heart rate (HR) contribute to the cardiovascular strain associated with exercising in the heat. This increased HR is linked to the combination of metabolic (exercise) and thermal (environmental) requirements for systemic blood flow (i.e. cardiac output). Mechanisms include both autonomic neural and local influences of temperature on the heart. PURPOSE: To quantify the dynamic response of HR to changes in Tc during exercise in the heat and subsequent iced sheet cooling. We hypothesized that for a given Tc, HR would be higher during increases in Tc compared to during decreases in Tc. METHODS: Nine healthy (n = 8 males) volunteers (age 25 ± 6 y, ht 176.9 ± 9.7 cm, wt 86.6 ± 15.9 kg, body surface area 2.03 ± 0.2 m2) participated in a exercise-heat stress protocol consisting of up to 180 minutes of treadmill walking (3.5 mi·hr-1, 5% grade, in 40 °C, 30% RH). Volunteers then lay supine and underwent iced-sheet cooling (ISC) (bed sheets placed in 5-gallon ice buckets with 2/3 ice, 1/3 cool water; rotated out with pre-soaked sheets every 3 min) until Tc decreased to ≤38.0 °C. Individual changes in HR during both exercise and cooling were compared at Tc = 38.2 and 38.6 °C using 2-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: HR was significantly higher for a given Tc when Tc was increasing during exercise compared to when it was decreasing during cooling. For example, during exercise, HR was 150 ± 13 bpm at Tc = 38.2 °C and 157 ± 9 bpm at Tc = 38.6 °C, while during cooling, HR was 96 ± 10 bpm at Tc = 38.2 °C and 104 ± 14 bpm at Tc = 38.6 °C (both p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These data confirm the efficacy of iced-sheet cooling for decreasing cardiovascular strain associated with heat-related events. The fact that cooling resulted in lower HR for a given Tc suggests that exercise associated autonomic reflexes predominated over direct effects of temperature on sinus node control of HR. Supported by USAMRDC; author views not official US Army or DoD policy.

Suppression of Superconductivity and Nematic Order in Fe1-ySe1-xSx (0 ≤ x ≤ 1; y ≤ 0.1) Crystals by Anion Height Disorder.

Connections between crystal chemistry and critical temperature Tc have been in the focus of superconductivity, one of the most widely studied phenomena in physics, chemistry, and materials science alike. In most Fe-based superconductors, materials chemistry and physics conspire so that Tc correlates with the average anion height above the Fe plane, i.e., with the geometry of the FeAs4 or FeCh4 (Ch = Te, Se, or S) tetrahedron. By synthesizing Fe1-ySe1-xSx (0 ≤ x ≤ 1; y ≤ 0.1), we find that in alloyed crystals Tc is not correlated with the anion height like it is for most other Fe superconductors. Instead, changes in Tc(x) and tetragonal-to-orthorhombic (nematic) transition Ts(x) upon cooling are correlated with disorder in Fe vibrations in the direction orthogonal to Fe planes, along the crystallographic c-axis. The disorder stems from the random nature of S substitution, causing deformed Fe(Se,S)4 tetrahedra with different Fe-Se and Fe-S bond distances. Our results provide evidence of Tc and Ts suppression by disorder in anion height. The connection to local crystal chemistry may be exploited in computational prediction of new superconducting materials with FeSe/S building blocks.

Softening effect of trace Fe-substituted potassium-sodium niobate-based lead-free piezoceramics

For KNN-based lead-free piezoceramics, Fe usually enters the B site as the acceptor to harden the ceramics. Herein, Fe preferentially entered the A-site, and different softening effects were observed in trace Fe-substitution KNN-base ceramics. The effects of Fe doping on the phase structure, grain size and electrical properties of 0.96K0.48Na0.52Nb0.96Sb0.04O3-0.04Bi0.5-xFexAg0.03Na0.47ZrO3 (KNNS-BFxANZ, x = 0.0~0.08) ceramics were investigated. The most excellent overall properties (kp=0.56, d33=464 pC/N and TC=240 °C) were obtained with x = 0.06. The enhanced electrical properties are attributed to the substantial improvement in density and polarization efficiency caused by trace Fe ions. Of particular interest is that the trace Fe ions doping could regulate the TR-O/TO-T without the change of TC. This work provided a refreshing thinking for the study of soft/hard doping of KNN based piezoelectric ceramics, and was of great significance to further improve the comprehensive properties of KNN based piezoelectric materials without sacrificing Curie temperature.

Nontrivial Doping Evolution of Electronic Properties in Ising-Superconducting Alloys.

Transition metal dichalcogenides offer unprecedented versatility to engineer 2D materials with tailored properties to explore novel structural and electronic phase transitions. In this work, the atomic-scale evolution of the electronic ground state of a monolayer of Nb1- δ Moδ Se2 across the entire alloy composition range (0 < δ< 1) is investigated using low-temperature (300 mK) scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS). In particular, the atomic and electronic structure of this 2D alloy throughout the metal to semiconductor transition (monolayer NbSe2 to MoSe2 ) is studied. The measurements enable extraction of the effective doping of Mo atoms, the bandgap evolution and the band shifts, which are monotonic with δ. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that collective electronic phases (charge density wave and superconductivity) are remarkably robust against disorder and further shown that the superconducting TC changes non-monotonically with doping. This contrasting behavior in the normal and superconducting state is explained using first-principles calculations. Mo doping is shown to decrease the density of states at the Fermi level and the magnitude of pair-breaking spin fluctuations as a function of Mo content. These results paint a detailed picture of the electronic structure evolution in 2D TMD alloys, which is of utmost relevance for future 2D materials design.

Short-term trajectories of exercise-induced plasma lipid changes in overweight females, with a focus on HDL cholesterol

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Ministry of Health, Czech Republic Background Increased levels of plasma lipoproteins are among the modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Dietary changes and increased physical activity are the most powerful non-pharmacological interventions for the optimisation of plasma lipid levels. Objectives The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of an intensive short-term lifestyle intervention on plasma lipid trajectories in overweight non-diabetic females. Materials and Methods Two hundred and two healthy overweight (BMI &amp;gt; 27.5 kg/m2) females underwent an intensive short-term (10-week) intervention (at least four units of 1-hour exercise activity weekly at optimal energetic intake) aimed at lowering body weight. Plasma lipid (TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG) levels were examined at baseline and every two weeks over the course of the 10-week intervention. Results There was a significant decrease in BMI (Δ -4.7%, P&amp;lt;0.001) and body weight (Δ -4.9%, P&amp;lt;0.001) after the intervention. Positive changes (decreases) in TC (Δ -8%, P&amp;lt;0.001), TG (Δ -9%, P&amp;lt;0.001) and LDL-C (Δ -11%, P&amp;lt;0.001) were observed immediately after two weeks, but levels did not decrease further. In contrast, HDL-C did not increase as expected: after two weeks of intervention, we observed a significant decrease of about 6% (P&amp;lt;0.001) followed by a slow return to baseline values. But even after ten weeks of intervention, HDL-C values had not reached the values detected at baseline. Conclusion In overweight females, HDL-C decreased after short-term intensive lifestyle intervention. To confirm the protective effect of increased physical activity, plasma lipids need to be examined over a longer time period.

Effect of alloying in monolayer niobium dichalcogenide superconductors

When sulfur and silicon are incorporated in monolayer 2H-NbSe2 the superconducting transition temperature, Tc, has been found to vary non-monotonically. This was assumed to be a manifestation of fractal superconductivity. Using first-principles calculations, we show that the nonmonotonic dependence of Tc is insufficient evidence for multifractality. A unifying aspect in our study are selenium vacancies in NbSe2, which are magnetic pair-breaking defects that we propose can be present in considerable concentrations in as-grown NbSe2. We show that sulfur and silicon can occupy the selenium sites and reduce the pair-breaking effect. Furthermore, when sulfur is incorporated in NbSe2, the density of states at the Fermi level and the proximity to magnetism in the alloy are both reduced compared to the parent compound. Based on our results, we propose an alternative explanation of the non-monotonic change in Tc which does not require the conjecture of multifractality.