@article{CerrutiBenbowChenetal.2017, author = {Cerruti, M. and Benbow, W. and Chen, Xu and Dumm, J. P. and Fortson, L. F. and Shahinyan, K.}, title = {Luminous and high-frequency peaked blazars: the origin of the gamma-ray emission from PKS 1424+240}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {606}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201730799}, pages = {35411 -- 35418}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Context. The current generation of ground-based Cherenkov telescopes, together with the LAT instrument on-board the Fermi satellite, have greatly increased our knowledge of gamma-ray blazars. Among them, the high-frequency-peaked BL Lacertae object (HBL) PKS 1424+240 (z similar or equal to 0.6) is the farthest persistent emitter of very-high-energy (VHE; E >= 100 GeV) gamma-ray photons. Current emission models can satisfactorily reproduce typical blazar emission assuming that the dominant emission process is synchrotron-self-Compton (SSC) in HBLs; and external-inverse-Compton (EIC) in low-frequency-peaked BL Lacertae objects and flat-spectrum-radio-quasars. Alternatively, hadronic models are also able to correctly reproduce the gamma-ray emission from blazars, although they are in general disfavored for bright quasars and rapid flares. Aims. The blazar PKS 1424+240 is a rare example of a luminous HBL, and we aim to determine which is the emission process most likely responsible for its gamma-ray emission. This will impact more generally our comprehension of blazar emission models, and how they are related to the luminosity of the source and the peak frequency of the spectral energy distribution. Methods. We have investigated different blazar emission models applied to the spectral energy distribution of PKS 1424+240. Among leptonic models, we study a one-zone SSC model (including a systematic study of the parameter space), a two-zone SSC model, and an EIC model. We then investigated a blazar hadronic model, and finally a scenario in which the gamma-ray emission is associated with cascades in the line-of-sight produced by cosmic rays from the source. Results. After a systematic study of the parameter space of the one-zone SSC model, we conclude that this scenario is not compatible with gamma-ray observations of PKS 1424+240. A two-zone SSC scenario can alleviate this issue, as well as an EIC solution. For the latter, the external photon field is assumed to be the infra-red radiation from the dusty torus, otherwise the VHE gamma-ray emission would have been significantly absorbed. Alternatively, hadronic models can satisfactorily reproduce the gamma-ray emission from PKS 1424+240, both as in-source emission and as cascade emission.}, language = {en} } @article{XuBrennerChenetal.2014, author = {Xu, Jingsan and Brenner, Thomas J. K. and Chen, Zupeng and Neher, Dieter and Antonietti, Markus and Shalom, Menny}, title = {Upconversion-agent induced improvement of g-C3N4 photocatalyst under visible light}, series = {ACS applied materials \& interfaces}, volume = {6}, journal = {ACS applied materials \& interfaces}, number = {19}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1944-8244}, doi = {10.1021/am5051263}, pages = {16481 -- 16486}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Herein, we report the use of upconversion agents to modify graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4) by direct thermal condensation of a mixture of ErCl3 center dot 6H(2)O and the supramolecular precursor cyanuric acid-melamine. We show the enhancement of g-C3N4 photoactivity after Er3+ doping by monitoring the photodegradation of Rhodamine B dye under visible light. The contribution of the upconversion agent is demonstrated by measurements using only a red laser. The Er3+ doping alters both the electronic and the chemical properties of g-C3N4. The Er3+ doping reduces emission intensity and lifetime, indicating the formation of new, nonradiative deactivation pathways, probably involving charge-transfer processes.}, language = {en} } @article{TilmannZhangMorenoetal.2016, author = {Tilmann, F. and Zhang, Y. and Moreno, M. and Saul, J. and Eckelmann, F. and Palo, M. and Deng, Z. and Babeyko, Andrey and Chen, K. and B{\´a}ez, Juan Carlos and Schurr, B. and Wang, R. and Dahm, Torsten}, title = {The 2015 Illapel earthquake, central Chile: A type case for a characteristic earthquake?}, series = {Geophysical research letters}, volume = {43}, journal = {Geophysical research letters}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0094-8276}, doi = {10.1002/2015GL066963}, pages = {574 -- 583}, year = {2016}, abstract = {On 16 September 2015, the M-W = 8.2 Illapel megathrust earthquake ruptured the Central Chilean margin. Combining inversions of displacement measurements and seismic waveforms with high frequency (HF) teleseismic backprojection, we derive a comprehensive description of the rupture, which also predicts deep ocean tsunami wave heights. We further determine moment tensors and obtain accurate depth estimates for the aftershock sequence. The earthquake nucleated near the coast but then propagated to the north and updip, attaining a peak slip of 5-6 m. In contrast, HF seismic radiation is mostly emitted downdip of the region of intense slip and arrests earlier than the long period rupture, indicating smooth slip along the shallow plate interface in the final phase. A superficially similar earthquake in 1943 with a similar aftershock zone had a much shorter source time function, which matches the duration of HF seismic radiation in the recent event, indicating that the 1943 event lacked the shallow slip.}, language = {en} } @article{LaiLuoZwirneretal.2022, author = {Lai, Huagui and Luo, Jincheng and Zwirner, Yannick and Olthof, Selina and Wieczorek, Alexander and Ye, Fangyuan and Jeangros, Quentin and Yin, Xinxing and Akhundova, Fatima and Ma, Tianshu and He, Rui and Kothandaraman, Radha K. and Chin, Xinyu and Gilshtein, Evgeniia and Muller, Andre and Wang, Changlei and Thiesbrummel, Jarla and Siol, Sebastian and Prieto, Jose Marquez and Unold, Thomas and Stolterfoht, Martin and Chen, Cong and Tiwari, Ayodhya N. and Zhao, Dewei and Fu, Fan}, title = {High-performance flexible all-Perovskite tandem solar cells with reduced V-OC-deficit in wide-bandgap subcell}, series = {Advanced energy materials}, volume = {12}, journal = {Advanced energy materials}, number = {45}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1614-6832}, doi = {10.1002/aenm.202202438}, pages = {12}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Among various types of perovskite-based tandem solar cells (TSCs), all-perovskite TSCs are of particular attractiveness for building- and vehicle-integrated photovoltaics, or space energy areas as they can be fabricated on flexible and lightweight substrates with a very high power-to-weight ratio. However, the efficiency of flexible all-perovskite tandems is lagging far behind their rigid counterparts primarily due to the challenges in developing efficient wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cells on the flexible substrates as well as their low open-circuit voltage (V-OC). Here, it is reported that the use of self-assembled monolayers as hole-selective contact effectively suppresses the interfacial recombination and allows the subsequent uniform growth of a 1.77 eV WBG perovskite with superior optoelectronic quality. In addition, a postdeposition treatment with 2-thiopheneethylammonium chloride is employed to further suppress the bulk and interfacial recombination, boosting the V-OC of the WBG top cell to 1.29 V. Based on this, the first proof-of-concept four-terminal all-perovskite flexible TSC with a power conversion efficiency of 22.6\% is presented. When integrating into two-terminal flexible tandems, 23.8\% flexible all-perovskite TSCs with a superior V-OC of 2.1 V is achieved, which is on par with the V-OC reported on the 28\% all-perovskite tandems grown on the rigid substrate.}, language = {en} } @article{XiongDelicZengetal.2022, author = {Xiong, Yingquan and Delic, Denis and Zeng, Shufei and Chen, Xin and Chu, Chang and Hasan, Ahmed A. and Kr{\"a}mer, Bernhard K. and Klein, Thomas and Yin, Lianghong and Hocher, Berthold}, title = {Regulation of SARS CoV-2 host factors in the kidney and heart in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy-effects of salt, ARB, DPP4 inhibitor and SGLT2 blocker}, series = {BMC nephrology}, volume = {23}, journal = {BMC nephrology}, number = {1}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {London}, issn = {1471-2369}, doi = {10.1186/s12882-022-02747-1}, pages = {10}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background Host factors such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the transmembrane protease, serine-subtype-2 (TMPRSS2) are important factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinical and pre-clinical studies demonstrated that RAAS-blocking agents can be safely used during a SARS-CoV-2 infection but it is unknown if DPP-4 inhibitors or SGLT2-blockers may promote COVID-19 by increasing the host viral entry enzymes ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Methods We investigated telmisartan, linagliptin and empagliflozin induced effects on renal and cardiac expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and key enzymes involved in RAAS (REN, AGTR2, AGT) under high-salt conditions in a non-diabetic experimental 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) model. In the present study, the gene expression of Ace2, Tmprss2, Ren, Agtr2 and Agt was assessed with qRT-PCR and the protein expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 with immunohistochemistry in the following experimental groups: Sham + normal diet (ND) + placebo (PBO); 5/6Nx + ND + PBO; 5/6Nx + high salt-diet (HSD) + PBO; 5/6Nx + HSD + telmisartan; 5/6Nx + HSD + linagliptin; 5/6Nx + HSD + empagliflozin. Results In the kidney, the expression of Ace2 was not altered on mRNA level under disease and treatment conditions. The renal TMPRSS2 levels (mRNA and protein) were not affected, whereas the cardiac level was significantly increased in 5/6Nx rats. Intriguingly, the elevated TMPRSS2 protein expression in the heart was significantly normalized after treatment with telmisartan, linagliptin and empagliflozin. Conclusions Our study indicated that there is no upregulation regarding host factors potentially promoting SARS-CoV-2 virus entry into host cells when the SGLT2-blocker empagliflozin, telmisartan and the DPP4-inhibitor blocker linagliptin are used. The results obtained in a preclinical, experimental non-diabetic kidney failure model need confirmation in ongoing interventional clinical trials.}, language = {en} } @article{BotteriPeveriBerstadetal.2022, author = {Botteri, Edoardo and Peveri, Giulia and Berstad, Paula and Bagnardi, Vincenzo and Chen, Sairah L. F. and Sandanger, Torkjel M. and Hoff, Geir and Dahm, Christina C. and Antoniussen, Christian S. and Tjonneland, Anne and Eriksen, Anne Kirstine and Skeie, Guri and Perez-Cornago, Aurora and Huerta, Jose Maria and Jakszyn, Paula and Harlid, Sophia and Sundstroem, Bjoern and Barricarte, Aurelio and Monninkhof, Evelyn M. and Derksen, Jeroen W. G. and Schulze, Matthias Bernd and Bueno-de-Mesquita, Bas and Sanchez, Maria-Jose and Cross, Amanda J. and Tsilidis, Konstantinos K. and De Magistris, Maria Santucci and Kaaks, Rudolf and Katzke, Verena and Rothwell, Joseph A. and Laouali, Nasser and Severi, Gianluca and Amiano, Pilar and Contiero, Paolo and Sacerdote, Carlotta and Goldberg, Marcel and Touvier, Mathilde and Freisling, Heinz and Viallon, Vivian and Weiderpass, Elisabete and Riboli, Elio and Gunter, Marc J. and Jenab, Mazda and Ferrari, Pietro}, title = {Changes in lifestyle and risk of colorectal cancer in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition}, series = {The American journal of gastroenterology : AJG}, volume = {118}, journal = {The American journal of gastroenterology : AJG}, number = {4}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {0002-9270}, doi = {10.14309/ajg.0000000000002065}, pages = {702 -- 711}, year = {2022}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: We investigated the impact of changes in lifestyle habits on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in a multicountry European cohort. METHODS: We used baseline and follow-up questionnaire data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer cohort to assess changes in lifestyle habits and their associations with CRC development. We calculated a healthy lifestyle index (HLI) score based on smoking status, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and physical activity collected at the 2 time points. HLI ranged from 0 (most unfavorable) to 16 (most favorable). We estimated the association between HLI changes and CRC risk using Cox regression models and reported hazard ratios (HR) with 95\% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Among 295,865 participants, 2,799 CRC cases were observed over a median of 7.8 years. The median time between questionnaires was 5.7 years. Each unit increase in HLI from the baseline to the follow-up assessment was associated with a statistically significant 3\% lower CRC risk. Among participants in the top tertile at baseline (HLI > 11), those in the bottom tertile at follow-up (HLI <= 9) had a higher CRC risk (HR 1.34; 95\% CI 1.02-1.75) than those remaining in the top tertile. Among individuals in the bottom tertile at baseline, those in the top tertile at follow-up had a lower risk (HR 0.77; 95\% CI 0.59-1.00) than those remaining in the bottom tertile. DISCUSSION: Improving adherence to a healthy lifestyle was inversely associated with CRC risk, while worsening adherence was positively associated with CRC risk. These results justify and support recommendations for healthy lifestyle changes and healthy lifestyle maintenance for CRC prevention.}, language = {en} } @misc{VinkHegerKrumholzetal.2012, author = {Vink, Jorick Sandor and Heger, Alexander and Krumholz, Mark R. and Puls, Joachim and Banerjee, Shiladitya and Castro, Norberto and Chen, K.-J. and Chen{\`e}, A.-N. and Crowther, P. A. and Daminelli, A. and Gr{\"a}fener, G. and Groh, J. H. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Heap, S. and Herrero, A. and Kaper, L. and Najarro, F. and Oskinova, Lida and Roman-Lopes, A. and Rosen, A. and Sander, A. and Shirazi, M. and Sugawara, Y. and Tramper, F. and Vanbeveren, D. and Voss, R. and Wofford, A. and Zhang, Y.}, title = {Very massive stars in the local universe}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {601}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-41522}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-415220}, pages = {29}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Recent studies have claimed the existence of very massive stars (VMS) up to 300 M⊙ in the local Universe. As this finding may represent a paradigm shift for the canonical stellar upper-mass limit of 150 M⊙, it is timely to discuss the status of the data, as well as the far-reaching implications of such objects. We held a Joint Discussion at the General Assembly in Beijing to discuss (i) the determination of the current masses of the most massive stars, (ii) the formation of VMS, (iii) their mass loss, and (iv) their evolution and final fate. The prime aim was to reach broad consensus between observers and theorists on how to identify and quantify the dominant physical processes.}, language = {en} }