High-energy nuclear collisions create a quark-gluon plasma, whose initial condition and subsequent expansion vary from event to event, impacting the distribution of the eventwise average transverse momentum [P([p_{T}])]. Disentangling the contributions from fluctuations in the nuclear overlap size (geometrical component) and other sources at a fixed size (intrinsic component) remains a challenge. This problem is addressed by measuring the mean, variance, and skewness of P([p_{T}]) in ^{208}Pb+^{208}Pb and ^{129}Xe+^{129}Xe collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe heparan sulfate (HS)-rich extracellular matrix (ECM) serves as an initial interaction site for the homotrimeric spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 to facilitate subsequent docking to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors and cellular infection. More recent variants, notably Omicron, have evolved by swapping several amino acids to positively charged residues to enhance the interaction of the S-protein trimer with the negatively charged HS. However, these enhanced interactions may reduce Omicron's ability to move through the HS-rich ECM to effectively find ACE2 receptors and infect cells, raising the question of how to mechanistically explain HS-associated viral movement.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRegeneration of large bone defects remains a clinical challenge until today. While existing biomaterials are predominantly addressing bone healing via direct, intramembranous ossification (IO), bone tissue formation via a cartilage phase, so-called endochondral ossification (EO) has been shown to be a promising alternative strategy. However, pure biomaterial approaches for EO induction are sparse and the knowledge how material components can have bioactive contribution to the required cartilage formation is limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Patient decision aids (PtDAs) can support shared decision making. We aimed to explore how inclusive PtDAs are for people with limited health literacy (LHL) by analyzing 1) the understandability of PtDAs using established criteria, 2) how options and probabilities of outcomes are communicated, and 3) the extent to which risk communication (RC) guidelines are followed.
Methods: In a descriptive document analysis, we analyzed Dutch PtDAs available in 2021 that met the International Patient Decision Aid Standards.
Lewis acid-base adducts between potassium dihydrogenpnictogenides [K(18c6)PnH] (Pn=P, As) and Trialkylgallanes (GaMe, GaEt, GatBu) as well as BH were synthesized. In the course of these investigations, we were able to fully characterize a row of compounds of the type [K(18c6)(thf)][PnH(ER)] (E=B: R=H; E=Ga: R=Me, Et, tBu). Based on the successful syntheses of these species, we also synthesized several compounds of the composition [K(18c6)(thf)][Pn(SiMe)(ER)] (n=1, 2) starting from [KPn(SiMe)] (Pn=P and As) and ER (E=B, Al, In: R=Me; E=Ga: R=Me, Et, tBu).
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