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Understanding and controlling disorder is key to nanotechnology and materials science. Traditionally, disorder is attributed to local fluctuations of inherent material properties such as chemical and structural composition, doping or strain. Here, we present a fundamentally new source of disorder in nanoscale systems that is based entirely on the local changes of the Coulomb interaction due to fluctuations of the external dielectric environment. Using two-dimensional semiconductors as prototypes, we experimentally monitor dielectric disorder by probing the statistics and correlations of the exciton resonances, and theoretically analyse the influence of external screening and phonon scattering. Even moderate fluctuations of the dielectric environment are shown to induce large variations of the bandgap and exciton binding energies up to the 100 meV range, often making it a dominant source of inhomogeneities. As a consequence, dielectric disorder has strong implications for both the optical and transport properties of nanoscale materials and their heterostructures.

This article shows that the \"risk premium\" shock in Smets and Wouters (2007) can be interpreted as a structural shock to the demand for safe and liquid assets such as short-term U.S. Treasury securities. Several implications of this interpretation are discussed.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( Pa ) is a multidrug-resistant Gramnegative bacterium commonly found in health care settings. Pa infections frequently result in considerable morbidity and mortality. Sweere et al. found that a type of temperate filamentous bacteriophage that infects and integrates into Pa is associated with chronic human wound infections. Likewise, wounds in mice colonized with phage-infected Pa were more severe and longer-lasting than those colonized by Pa alone. Immune cell uptake of phage-infected Pa resulted in phage RNA production and inappropriate antiviral immune responses, impeding bacterial clearance. Both phage vaccination and transfer of antiphage antibodies were protective against Pa infection. Science , this issue p. eaat9691 Bacteriophage enhance bacterial virulence by confusing the immune response. Bacteriophage are abundant at sites of bacterial infection, but their effects on mammalian hosts are unclear. We have identified pathogenic roles for filamentous Pf bacteriophage produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( Pa ) in suppression of immunity against bacterial infection. Pf promote Pa wound infection in mice and are associated with chronic human Pa wound infections. Murine and human leukocytes endocytose Pf, and internalization of this single-stranded DNA virus results in phage RNA production. This triggers Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)– and TIR domain–containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF)–dependent type I interferon production, inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and the suppression of phagocytosis. Conversely, immunization of mice against Pf prevents Pa wound infection. Thus, Pf triggers maladaptive innate viral pattern-recognition responses, which impair bacterial clearance. Vaccination against phage virions represents a potential strategy to prevent bacterial infection.

The human body is host to large numbers of bacteriophages (phages)–a diverse group of bacterial viruses that infect bacteria. Phage were previously regarded as bystanders that only impacted immunity indirectly via effects on the mammalian microbiome. However, it has become clear that phages also impact immunity directly, in ways that are typically anti-inflammatory. Phages can modulate innate immunity via phagocytosis and cytokine responses, but also impact adaptive immunity via effects on antibody production and effector polarization. Phages may thereby have profound effects on the outcome of bacterial infections by modulating the immune response. In this review we highlight the diverse ways in which phages interact with human cells. We present a computational model for predicting these complex and dynamic interactions. These models predict that the phageome may play important roles in shaping mammalian-bacterial interactions.

A large output gap accompanied by stable inflation close to its target calls for further monetary accommodation, but the zero lower bound on interest rates has robbed the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the usual tool for its provision. We examine how public statements of FOMC intentions—forward guidance—can substitute for lower rates at the zero bound. We distinguish between Odyssean forward guidance, which publicly commits the FOMC to a future action, and Delphic forward guidance, which merely forecasts macroeconomic performance and likely monetary policy actions. Others have shown how forward guidance that commits the central bank to keeping rates at zero for longer than conditions would otherwise warrant can provide monetary easing, if the public trusts it. We empirically characterize the responses of asset prices and private macroeconomic forecasts to FOMC forward guidance, both before and since the recent financial crisis. Our results show that the FOMC has extensive experience successfully telegraphing its intended adjustments to evolving conditions, so communication difficulties do not present an insurmountable barrier to Odyssean forward guidance. Using an estimated dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model, we investigate how pairing such guidance with bright-line rules for launching rate increases can mitigate risks to the Federal Reserve's price stability mandate.

The ability of bacteriophages to kill bacteria is well known, as is their potential use as alternatives to antibiotics. As such, bacteriophages reach high doses locally through infection of their bacterial host in the human body. In this study we assessed the gene expression profile of peripheral blood monocytes from six donors for twelve immunity-related genes ( i . e . CD14 , CXCL1 , CXCL5 , IL1A , IL1B , IL1RN , IL6 , IL10 , LYZ , SOCS3 , TGFBI and TNFA ) induced by Staphylococcus aureus phage ISP and four Pseudomonas aeruginosa phages ( i . e . PNM, LUZ19, 14-1 and GE-vB_Pae-Kakheti25). The phages were able to induce clear and reproducible immune responses. Moreover, the overall immune response was very comparable for all five phages: down-regulation of LYZ and TGFBI , and up-regulation of CXCL1 , CXCL5 , IL1A , IL1B , IL1RN , IL6 , SOCS3 and TNFA . The observed immune response was shown to be endotoxin-independent and predominantly anti-inflammatory. Addition of endotoxins to the highly purified phages did not cause an immune response comparable to the one induced by the (endotoxin containing) phage lysate. In addition, the use of an intermediate level of endotoxins tipped the immune response to a more anti-inflammatory response, i . e . up-regulation of IL1RN and a strongly reduced expression of CXCL1 and CXCL5.

This chapter studies the effects of FOMC forward guidance. We begin by using high-frequency identification and direct measures of FOMC private information to show that puzzling responses of private-sector forecasts to movements in federal funds futures rates on FOMC announcement days can be attributed entirely to Delphic forward guidance. However, a large fraction of futures rates’ variability on announcement days remains unexplained, leaving open the possibility that the FOMC has successfully communicated Odyssean guidance. We then examine whether the FOMC used Odyssean guidance to improve macroeconomic outcomes since the financial crisis. To this end we usean estimated medium-scale New Keynesian model to perform a counterfactual experiment for the period 2009:Q1–2014:Q4, in which we assume the FOMC did not employ any Odyssean guidance and instead followed its reaction function from before the crisis as closely as possible while respecting the effective lower bound. We find that a purely rule-based policy would have delivered a shallower recession and kept inflation closer to target in the years immediately following the crisis than FOMC forward guidance did in practice. However, starting toward the end of 2011, after the Fed’s introduction of “calendar-based” communications, the FOMC’s Odyssean guidance appears to have boosted real activity and moved inflation closer to target. We show that our results do not reflect Del Negro, Giannoni, and Patterson’s (2015) forward-guidance puzzle.

Background Care analyses show that evidence-based measures such as compression therapy and promotion of mobility are rarely implemented in treatment of Venous leg ulcers. The Ulcus Cruris Care project developed a disease- management approach to support evidence-based venous leg ulcer treatment in general practices. This included online training and three e-learning modules for practice teams, software-supported case management, involvement of non-physician assistants, and promotion of patient activation and education. The intervention program was implemented within a multicenter randomized controlled trial (Ulcus Cruris Care). A mixed-methods process evaluation explored intervention fidelity and perceived effects to identify improvement potential. Methods The cross-sectional process evaluation design applied semi-structured guide-based qualitative telephone interviews and a study-specific survey to evaluate the implementation process of the program. Results N  = 38 survey questionnaires were completed and n  = 27 interviews were conducted ( n  = 10 general practitioners, n  = 10 non-physician assistants, n  = 7 patients). Findings indicate high intervention fidelity regarding completion of the online training (100%), the e-learning modules (between 61% and 48%), application of standard operating procedures (100%), patient education material (91%), and case management software (91%). Practice teams and patients positively perceived the role of non-physician assistants as case managers and their involvement in wound treatment and patient education. Overall, the program was perceived as effective in promoting change in treatment routines, particularly the regular use of compression therapy as the most effective treatment measure, improving patient and practice team education, and ultimately, wound healing. Discussion The intervention program was expected to increase the use of compression therapy, speed up healing, and reduce the use of medical resources. Participants in this process evaluation perceived the program as supporting structured venous leg ulcer treatment, increasing relevant knowledge among practice teams and patients, and encouraging more active involvement of patients and relatives. The outcome analysis in the Ulcus Cruris Care trial strengthened these findings and suggested a potential benefit of the intervention. Conclusion Promotion of comprehensive VLU treatment and care in general practices, including a regular use of compression therapy and active patient participation as facilitated by this intervention program appears to be largely suitable for a venous leg ulcer case management approach. Trial registration The Ulcus Cruris Care trial protocol was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register on August 30, 2021 (DRKS00026126).