Magnetic polarizability of hadrons from lattice QCD in the background field method

We present a calculation of hadron magnetic polarizability using the techniques of lattice QCD. This is carried out by introducing a uniform external magnetic field on the lattice and measuring the quadratic part of a hadron's mass shift. The calculation is performed on a $24^4$ lattice with standard Wilson actions at beta=6.0 (spacing $a=0.1$ fm) and pion mass down to about 500 MeV. Results are obtained for 30 particles covering the entire baryon octet ($n$, $p$, $\Sigma^0$, $\Sigma^-$, $\Sigma^+$, $\Xi^-$, $\Xi^0$, $\Lambda$) and decuplet ($\Delta^0$, $\Delta^-$, $\Delta^+$, $\Delta^{++}$, $\Sigma^{*0}$, $\Sigma^{*-}$, $\Sigma^{*+}$, $\Xi^{*0}$, $\Xi^{*-}$, $\Omega^-$), plus selected mesons ($\pi^0$, $\pi^+$, $\pi^-$, $K^0$, $K^+$, ${K}^-$, $\rho^0$, $\rho^+$, $\rho^-$, $K^{*0}$, $K^{*+}$, $K^{*-}$). The results are compared with available values from experiments and other theoretical calculations.Comment: 30 pages, 23 figures, 5 table

The Enantiomers of Trinorbornane and Derivatives Thereof

Herein, we report the synthesis of the enantiomers of trinorbornane, a tetracyclic saturated hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C11H16. The preparation of these rigid carbon scaffolds was enabled by the successful chiral separation of its tricyclic precursor, thus allowing the enantiomers to be synthesized through a reductive radical cyclization reaction. Assignment of the absolute conformation of the enantiomers was achieved through VCD experiments. Further, we report an alternative cyclization procedure providing access to hydroxyl and phenyl sulfone functionalized trinorbornanes

CMG2/ANTXR2 regulates extracellular collagen VI which accumulates in hyaline fibromatosis syndrome.

Loss-of-function mutations in capillary morphogenesis gene 2 (CMG2/ANTXR2), a transmembrane surface protein, cause hyaline fibromatosis syndrome (HFS), a severe genetic disorder that is characterized by large subcutaneous nodules, gingival hypertrophy and severe painful joint contracture. Here we show that CMG2 is an important regulator of collagen VI homoeostasis. CMG2 loss of function promotes accumulation of collagen VI in patients, leading in particular to nodule formation. Similarly, collagen VI accumulates massively in uteri of Antxr2 <sup>-/-</sup> mice, which do not display changes in collagen gene expression, and leads to progressive fibrosis and sterility. Crossing Antxr2 <sup>-/-</sup> with Col6a1 <sup>-/-</sup> mice leads to restoration of uterine structure and reversion of female infertility. We also demonstrate that CMG2 may act as a signalling receptor for collagen VI and mediates its intracellular degradation

The role of urban trees in reducing land surface temperatures in European cities

Urban trees influence temperatures in cities. However, their effectiveness at mitigating urban heat in different climatic contexts and in comparison to treeless urban green spaces has not yet been sufficiently explored. Here, we use high-resolution satellite land surface temperatures (LSTs) and land-cover data from 293 European cities to infer the potential of urban trees to reduce LSTs. We show that urban trees exhibit lower temperatures than urban fabric across most European cities in summer and during hot extremes. Compared to continuous urban fabric, LSTs observed for urban trees are on average 0-4 K lower in Southern European regions and 8-12 K lower in Central Europe. Treeless urban green spaces are overall less effective in reducing LSTs, and their cooling effect is approximately 2-4 times lower than the cooling induced by urban trees. By revealing continental-scale patterns in the effect of trees and treeless green spaces on urban LST our results highlight the importance of considering and further investigating the climate-dependent effectiveness of heat mitigation measures in cities

Theory of oscillations in the STM conductance resulting from subsurface defects (Review Article)

In this review we present recent theoretical results concerning investigations of single subsurface defects by means of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). These investigations are based on the effect of quantum interference between the electron partial waves that are directly transmitted through the contact and the partial waves scattered by the defect. In particular, we have shown the possibility imaging the defect position below a metal surface by means of STM. Different types of subsurface defects have been discussed: point-like magnetic and non-magnetic defects, magnetic clusters in a nonmagnetic host metal, and non-magnetic defects in a s-wave superconductor. The effect of Fermi surface anisotropy has been analyzed. Also, results of investigations of the effect of a strong magnetic field to the STM conductance of a tunnel point contact in the presence of a single defect has been presented.Comment: 31 pages, 10 figuers Submitted to Low. Temp. Phy

First-principles calculations of the structural, electronic, vibrational and magnetic properties of C_{60} and C_{48}N_{12}: a comparative study

In this work, we perform first-principles calculations of the structural, electronic, vibrational and magnetic properties of a novel ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ azafullerene. Full geometrical optimization shows that ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ is characterized by several distinguishing features: only one nitrogen atom per pentagon, two nitrogen atoms preferentially sitting in one hexagon, ${\rm S}_{6}$ symmetry, 6 unique nitrogen-carbon and 9 unique carbon-carbon bond lengths. The highest occupied molecular orbital of ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ is a doubly degenerate level of $a_{g}$ symmetry and its lowest unoccupied molecular orbital is a nondegenerate level of $a_{u}$ symmetry. Vibrational frequency analysis predicts that ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ has in total 116 vibrational modes: 58 infrared-active and 58 Raman-active modes. ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ is also characterized by 8 $^{13}{\rm C}$ and 2 $^{15}{\rm N}$ NMR spectral signals. Compared to ${\rm C}_{60}$, ${\rm C}_{48}{\rm N}_{12}$ shows an enhanced third-order optical nonlinearities which implies potential applications in optical limiting and photonics.Comment: a long version of our manuscript submitted to J.Chem.Phy

Lifetimes of electrons in the Shockley surface state band of Ag(111)

We present a theoretical many-body analysis of the electron-electron (e-e) inelastic damping rate $\Gamma$ of electron-like excitations in the Shockley surface state band of Ag(111). It takes into account ab-initio band structures for both bulk and surface states. $\Gamma$ is found to increase more rapidly as a function of surface state energy E than previously reported, thus leading to an improved agreement with experimental data

Effect of multidimensional lifestyle intervention on fitness and adiposity in predominantly migrant preschool children (Ballabeina): cluster randomised controlled trial

Objective To test the effect of a multidimensional lifestyle intervention on aerobic fitness and adiposity in predominantly migrant preschool children

NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM IN RUSSIA – AN EPISTEMOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Introduction. The article offers an insight into an epistemological perspective of establishing the national qualifications system in Russia that is critical for creating a “market of qualifications in the country that would be adequate to the current context.The aim of the research was to examine the context and factors underpinning the formation and evolution of the structure of knowledge relating to the national qualification system in Russia.Methodology and research methods. The methods applied comprise a mixed-method approach that included: review and analysis of official documents, semi-structured background and individual interviews with key stakeholders (line ministries, experts from industry and qualifications awarding bodies etc.) and desk research.Results and scientific novelty. The performed analysis of documents and of research data has revealed that the process of generating and enhancing knowledge about the national qualifications system semantically and methodologically is in broad terms contingent on the needs and objectives of social and economic development, and in narrower terms – on the development of occupational standards that underpin the standards of vocational and higher education, as well as on the enhanced institutionalisation of employers’ involvement in the training of personnel and in the search of effective mechanisms and instruments of independent assessment of qualifications.It also offers an insight into current key paradigmatic gaps in the NQF-related epistemology in Russia that account for the specificity of the observed state of play and for the key conceptual epistemological contradiction that has been identified by the authors as the opposition of and conflict between occupational and education qualifications. The authors propose ways out of the situation based on international practices in this area starting from aligning the terminology and conceptual approaches with international ones. The performed epistemological research and the conclusions made by the authors contribute to the national qualifications system discourse. It is stressed that core principles underpinning the development of the national qualifications system should be adapted to the social and economic and local factors.Practical significance. The material of the article can be used by policy-makers dealing with the NQS development and implementation of the NQS.Введение. В статье рассматривается эпистемологическая перспектива становления в России национальной системы квалификаций, необходимой для появления в стране отвечающего современным реалиям «рынка квалификаций». Цель публикации – обсуждение содержания, факторов формирования и эволюции знаний об аспектах функционирования национальной системы квалификаций в российских условиях. Методология и методики. В ходе работы применялись комплексный подход к объекту изучения, включающий такие методы исследования, как обзор и анализ официальных документов, полуофициальные опросы и индивидуальные интервью с представителями наиболее заинтересованных сторон – руководителями и сотрудниками отраслевых министерств, отраслевыми экспертами, специалистами структур по присуждению квалификаций и т. д.Результаты и научная новизна. Проведенный анализ документальных и научных источников показал, что процесс генерирования и совершенствования знаний о системе национальных квалификаций семантически и методологически связан в широком понимании с потребностями и целями социально-экономического развития; в более узком – с разработкой профессиональных стандартов, которые должны служить основой стандартов профессионального и высшего образования, а также с усилением институционализации участия работодателей в подготовке кадров и поиске эффективных механизмов и инструментария независимой оценки квалификаций и компетенций. Вскрыты имеющиеся в настоящее время парадигматические пробелы в системе знаний о национальной рамке квалификаций, порождающие проблемы дальнейшего развития данного направления в России. В качестве узлового концептуального эпистемологического противоречия выделено неправомерное противопоставление профессиональных и образовательных квалификаций. С опорой на зарубежный практический опыт предложены пути выхода из сложившейся ситуации, в частности, рекомендуется прежде всего согласовать терминологию и концептуальные подходы с международными нормами. Предпринятое в контексте эпистемологии исследование и сделанные авторами выводы расширяют дискурс о национальной системе квалификаций; подчеркивается, что при соблюдении общих принципов разработки национальной системы квалификаций важно учитывать специфические внутригосударственные социально-экономические и территориальные факторы. Практическая значимость. Материалы статьи могут быть использованы в практике отечественных специалистов, ответственных за создание инфраструктуры и внедрение национальной системы квалификаций и формирующих политику в этой области

Bisphosphonates in multicentric osteolysis, nodulosis and arthropathy (MONA) spectrum disorder - an alternative therapeutic approach.

Multicentric osteolysis, nodulosis and arthropathy (MONA) spectrum disorder is a rare inherited progressive skeletal disorder caused by mutations in the matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) gene. Treatment options are limited. Herein we present successful bisphosphonate therapy in three affected patients. Patients were treated with bisphosphonates (either pamidronate or zoledronate) for different time periods. The following outcome variables were assessed: skeletal pain, range of motion, bone densitometry, internal medical problems as well as neurocognitive function. Skeletal pain was dramatically reduced in all patients soon after initiation of therapy and bone mineral density increased. Range of motion did not significantly improve. One patient is still able to walk with aids at the age of 14 years. Neurocognitive development was normal in all patients. Bisphosphonate therapy was effective especially in controlling skeletal pain in MONA spectrum disorder. Early initiation of treatment seems to be particularly important in order to achieve the best possible outcome