Synthetic Applications of Oxidative Aromatic Coupling : From Biphenols to Nanographenes

Oxidative aromatic coupling occupies a fundamental place in the modern chemistry of aromatic compounds. It is a method of choice for the assembly of large and bewildering architectures. Considerable effort was also devoted to applications of the Scholl reaction for the synthesis of chiral biphenols and natural products. The ability to form biaryl linkages without any prefunctionalization provides an efficient pathway to many complex structures. Although the chemistry of this process is only now becoming fully understood, this reaction continues to both fascinate and challenge researchers. This is especially true for heterocoupling, that is, oxidative aromatic coupling with the chemoselective formation of a C−C bond between two different arenes. Analysis of the progress achieved in this field since 2013 reveals that many groups have contributed by pushing the boundary of structural possibilities, expanding into surface‐assisted (cyclo)dehydrogenation, and developing new reagents

Molecular Beam Epitaxy growth of MoTe2_{\tiny{\textrm{2}}} on Hexagonal Boron Nitride

Hexagonal boron nitride has already been proven to serve as a decent substrate for high quality epitaxial growth of several 2D materials, such as graphene, MoSe$_{\tiny{\textrm{2}}}$, MoS$_{\tiny{\textrm{2}}}$ or WSe$_{\tiny{\textrm{2}}}$. Here, we present for the first time the molecular beam epitaxy growth of MoTe$_{\tiny{\textrm{2}}}$ on atomically smooth hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) substrate. Occurrence of MoTe$_{\tiny{\textrm{2}}}$ in various crystalline phases such as distorted octahedral 1T' phase with semimetal properties or hexagonal 2H phase with semiconducting properties opens a possibility of realisation of crystal-phase homostructures with tunable properties. Atomic force microscopy studies of MoTe$_{\tiny{\textrm{2}}}$ grown in a single monolayer regime enable us to determine surface morphology as a function of the growth conditions. The diffusion constant of MoTe$_{\tiny{\textrm{2}}}$ grown on hBN can be altered 5 times by annealing after the growth, reaching about 5 $\cdot$ 10$^{-6}$ cm$^{2}$/s. Raman spectroscopy results suggest a coexistence of both 2H and 1T' MoTe$_{\tiny{\textrm{2}}}$ phases in the studied samples.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

Prevention of infective endocarditis during dental extractions among Polish dentists : a contemporary nationwide survey

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a potentially life-threatening condition. According to current ESC (European Society of Cardiology) guidelines, the use of antibiotic prophylaxis should only be reserved for specifi c dental procedures with interruption of consistency of the oral mucosa such as extractions and should be reserved for patients with the highest risk of developing IE. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of need for IE prophylaxis indefined clinical settings among Polish dentists. Material and Methods: A specially self-designed internet questionnaire was created concerning the topic of infective endocarditis prophylaxis in specific clinical scenarios for patients undergoing dental extractions during outpatient visits. The survey was made available to the dentists via internet and was active in March 2018. Results: Th ere were 352 Polish dentists who completed the survey. Antibiotic prophylaxis for IE during dental extractions was used in 93% of cases with prior IE, 89% with artifi cial heart valve, 69% with biological valve, 28% with pacemaker, 54% with coronary stent, 73% with cyanotic heart defect, 58% with diabetes mellitus, 20% after prior myocardial infarction and 54% with heart valve disease. There was a significant relationship between the time of working as a physician (>15 years) and more outdated or improper IE prophylaxis (p = 0.04). Conclusions: The management of patients for infective endocarditis prophylaxis undergoing dental extractions is suboptimal. Antibiotic therapy is overused in some clinical scenarios and on the other hand underutilized in those recommended by the current ESC guidelines

Mechanisms of oxidative stress in human aortic aneurysms — association with clinical risk factors for atherosclerosis and disease severity

Aortic abdominal aneurysms (AAA) are important causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress may link multiple mechanisms of AAA including vascular inflammation and increased metalloproteinase activity. However, the mechanisms of vascular free radical production remain unknown. Accordingly, we aimed to determine sources and molecular regulation of vascular superoxide (O2radical dot−) production in human AAA. Methods and results: AAA segments and matched non-dilated aortic samples were obtained from 40 subjects undergoing AAA repair. MDA levels (determined by HPLC/MS) were greater in plasma of AAA subjects (n = 16) than in risk factor matched controls (n = 16). Similarly, superoxide production, measured by lucigenin chemiluminescence and dihydroethidium fluorescence, was increased in aneurysmatic segments compared to non-dilated aortic specimens. NADPH oxidases and iNOS are the primary sources of O2radical dot− in AAA. Xanthine oxidase, mitochondrial oxidases and cyclooxygenase inhibition had minor or no effect. Protein kinase C inhibition had no effect on superoxide production in AAA. NADPH oxidase subunit mRNA levels for p22phox, nox2 and nox5 were significantly increased in AAAs while nox4 mRNA expression was lower. Superoxide production was higher in subjects with increased AAA repair risk Vanzetto score and was significantly associated with smoking, hypercholesterolemia and presence of CAD in AAA cohort. Basal superoxide production and NADPH oxidase activity were correlated to aneurysm size. Conclusions: Increased expression and activity of NADPH oxidases are important mechanisms underlying oxidative stress in human aortic abdominal aneurysm. Uncoupled iNOS may link oxidative stress to inflammation in AAA. Oxidative stress is related to aneurysm size and major clinical risk factors in AAA patients

Analysis of Radial Dose Distribution formula around the path of light ions in Track Structure Theory.

W pracy dokonano porównania dwóch sformułowań Radialnego Rozkładu Dawki (RDD), podstawowego elementu Teorii Struktury Śladu. Teoria Struktury Śladu (tzw. model Katza) jest fenomenologicznym modelem biofizycznym opisującym odpowiedź detektorów fizycznych i biologicznych napromienianych wiązkami jonowymi. Model ten umożliwia obliczenie wydajności względnej detektorów lub Współczynnika Skuteczności Biologicznej (RBE), czy Współczynnika Wzmożenia Tlenowego (OER) dla układów komórkowych. RDD opisuje rozkład dawki wokół toru jonu pochodzący od elektronów delta generowanych przez jon przy jego przejściu przez ośrodek. Analityczne sformułowanie RDD powinno uwzględniać pewne czynniki skalujące stosowane w modelu Katza, np. skalować się względem (z_eff^2)/β^2 , gdzie zeff jest tzw. efektywnym ładunkiem jonu, zaś β jego prędkością względną (β= v/c), zaś po scałkowaniu radialnym odtwarzać wartość liniowego przekazania energii (LET) jonu. W pracy podjęto próbę zastosowania poprawki do sformułowania RDD podanego przez Zhanga, uwzględniającą składową ekscytacyjną, oddziaływania jonu z ośrodkiem, zachowując przy tym własności skalujące, drogą porównania tego wzoru ze sformułowaniem RDD podanym przez Cucinottę, który uwzględnia składową ekscytacyjną, nie uwzględnia natomiast niektórych czynników skalujących modelu Katza. W tym celu, za pomocą dostępnej biblioteki programów dotyczących modelu Katza wygenerowano wykresy obu formuł RDD dla protonów i jonów helu ((_2^4)He), litu ((_3^7)Li) i węgla ((_6^12)C) o zakresie energii 0.1-500 MeV/u. Autor zaproponował analityczną poprawkę do sformułowania RDD wg Zhanga, sprawdzając wymagania co do skalowania względem (z_eff^2)/β^2 dla wymienionych jonówTrack Structure Theory is a phenomenological model which is able to predict answer of biological or physical system after ion radiation . Currently TST model is working for carbon ion but for lighter ions such as proton or helium is not so efficient. It is believed that Radial Dose Distribiution (RDD) for ions is a problematic area. Current RDD formula has assumed that ,the total dose is from ionization but it turned out that excitation make a contribution to total dose too

The post-cisterian abbey in Ląd as a cultural centre. An analysis of recipients’ expectations

This article is the second one of the „The Post-Cisterian Abbey in Ląd as a Cultural Centre” series. The first appeared in the 3rd issue of 2014 „Seminare”. It presents the results of research on tourists’ interest in new cultural propositions and sums up potential recipients’ assessment of the ten new cultural offers. The new propositions include scientific symposia, theatrical performances, exhibitions and a new formula of presenting the library source

The Post-Cistercian Abbey in Ląd as A Cultural Center. Résumé of the Research

This article is the fourth of a series entitled “The Post-Cistercian Abbey in Lad as A Cultural Center”. The first and the second articles were published in “Seminare” Vol. 35, No. 3 and 4 in 2014, the third essay appeared in “Seminare” Vol. 36, No. 1 in 2015. This essay presents a résumé of the whole research conducted between September 4th and October 4th, 2013. The research results reveal the existence of a great interest in the monument and set new directions for future cultural proposals. The article points to the need of further research concerning children and youth as this age group was only marginally represented in the research. Primary school children and young people constitute an important part of all visitors to the monastery in Lad

Post-Cisterian Abbey in Ląd as a Cultural Centre. An Analysis of the New Cultural Offer

This article is the third one in the series entitled “The Post-Cistercian Abbey in Ląd as a Cultural Centre”. The first two papers were published in Seminare, No. 3 and 4, 2014. The present article provides an evaluation of the research concerning tourists’ opinions on the attractiveness of the currently prepared cultural offer, its influence on the number of tourists, influence of specific factors on the reception the new offer and the attractiveness of the offer’s particular categories

The post-cistercian abbey in ląd as a cultural center.analysisof the present cultural offer

Founded in the 12th century, the post-Cistercian Abbey in Ląd is a monument of great im-portance for Polish and European cultural heritage. It is marked for its significant historical, artistic and educational valour. This article opens a series of publications presenting a scientific research on the cultural activities and programs provided for tourists visiting the Abbey. The goal of the article is to gather information about that offer and assess the opinions of tourists on the issue. The research was conducted for a month (4.08 – 4.09.2013). 725 people participated in it answering a 10-point questionnaire. This article presents conclusions based on the answers to the first four questions. Ac-cording to the results, the most attractive cultural offer is visiting the church and the monastery as well as participation in the Festival of Slavic and Cistercian Culture. Further results will be presented successively in next publications

Machine Learning Based Prediction of Gamma Passing Rate for VMAT Radiotherapy Plans

The use of machine learning algorithms (ML) in radiotherapy is becoming increasingly popular. More and more groups are trying to apply ML in predicting the so-called gamma passing rate (GPR). Our team has developed a customized approach of using ML algorithms to predict global GPR for electronic portal imaging device (EPID) verification for dose different 2% and distance to agreement 2 mm criteria for VMAT dynamic plans. Plans will pass if the GPR is greater than 98%. The algorithm was learned and tested on anonymized clinical data from 13 months which resulted in more than 3000 treatment plans. The obtained results of GPR prediction are very interesting. Average specificity of the algorithm based on an ensemble of 50 decision tree regressors is 91.6% for our criteria. As a result, we can reduce the verification process by 50%. The novel approach described by our team can offer a new insight into the application of ML and neural networks in GPR prediction and dosimetry