Slow-spin relaxation of a low-spin S = 1/2 FeIII carborane complex

In this communication, we report the first evidence of slow-spin relaxation of a low-spin FeIII carborane complex. Iron S=1/2 complexes showing such behaviour are specially appealing as qubits candidates because they fulfil some of the main requirements to reach long decoherence times: moderate magnetic anisotropy, small spin, metal element mainly with zero-nuclear spin and furthermore, large versatility to introduce chemical modifications

The Mossbauer effect using Fe-57-ferrabisdicarbollide ([o-(57)FESAN](-)): a glance into the potential of a low-dose approach for glioblastoma radiotherapy

Although a variety of cancers are initially susceptible to chemotherapy, they eventually develop multi-drug resistance. To overcome this situation, more effective and selective treatments are necessary using anti-tumour agents that act in two or more ways and offer greater therapeutic benefits over single-mechanism entities. In this study, we report on treating cancer with Na[3,3′-57Fe(1,2-C2B9H11)2], which offers the possibility of dual action (radiation-drug combinations) to improve the clinical benefits and reduce healthy tissue toxicity. An approach to evaluating the potential of [o-57FESAN]− to treat glioblastoma using the Mössbauer effect is presented. As the therapeutic outcomes rely on the amount and distribution of [o-57FESAN]− inside the cells, several studies, using magnetization, Mössbauer spectroscopy and nuclear microscopy techniques, were performed to ascertain the uptake of [o-57FESAN]− in U87 glioblastoma cells. [o-57FESAN]− was found to be within the cells; 29% of its uptake was in the nuclear fraction, which is a particularly desirable target, because the nucleus is the cell's control centre where DNA and the transcription machinery reside. Irradiation studies with 2D and 3D cellular models of U87 cells showed that the growth inhibition effect observed was more pronounced when [o-57FESAN]− was used in combination with the Mössbauer effect in low total dose regimens, suggesting that this procedure either alone or as adjuvant may be useful for glioblastoma treatment.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (PID2019-106832RB-100) and the Generalitat de Catalunya (2017SGR1720) and by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT/MEC) for projects UID/MULTI/04349/2020, PTDC/BTM-TEC/29256/2017, UIDB/04565/2020, UIDP/04565/2020 (iBB/IST), LA/P/0140/2020 (Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy – i4HB), PTDC/QUI-QIN/32240/2017, LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-022096 (National Infrastructure Roadmap, LTHMFL-NECL) and GCT grant to A. C. Cerdeira (BL156/2019_IST-ID). A. B. Buades was enrolled in the PhD program of the UAB. C. I. G. Pinto is enrolled in the PhD scholarship 689 DFA/BD/07119/2020. The authors thank Dr Moulay Sougrati, Charles Gerhardt Institute, ICGM UMR 5253, Montpellier, France for a kind gift of 57FeCl2. The LMRI (Metrology Laboratory of Ionizing Radiation) team is acknowledged for their support in the X-ray irradiation setup.With funding from the Spanish government through the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000917-S).Peer reviewe

Efficacy of a brief multifactorial adherence-based intervention on reducing the blood pressure of patients with poor adherence: protocol for a randomized clinical trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lowering of blood pressure by antihypertensive drugs reduces the risks of cardiovascular events, stroke, and total mortality. However, poor adherence to antihypertensive medications reduces their effectiveness and increases the risk of adverse events. In terms of relative risk reduction, an improvement in medication adherence could be as effective as the development of a new drug.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The proposed randomized controlled trial will include patients with a low adherence to medication and uncontrolled blood pressure. The intervention group will receive a multifactorial intervention during the first, third, and ninth months, to improve adherence. This intervention will include motivational interviews, pill reminders, family support, blood pressure self-recording, and simplification of the dosing regimen.</p> <p>Measurement</p> <p>The primary outcome is systolic blood pressure. The secondary outcomes are diastolic blood pressure, proportion of patients with adequately controlled blood pressure, and total cost.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The trial will evaluate the impact of a multifactorial adherence intervention in routine clinical practice. Ethical approval was given by the Ethical Committee on Human Research of Balearic islands, Spain (approval number IB 969/08 PI).</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current controlled trials ISRCTN21229328</p

Search for eccentric black hole coalescences during the third observing run of LIGO and Virgo

Despite the growing number of confident binary black hole coalescences observed through gravitational waves so far, the astrophysical origin of these binaries remains uncertain. Orbital eccentricity is one of the clearest tracers of binary formation channels. Identifying binary eccentricity, however, remains challenging due to the limited availability of gravitational waveforms that include effects of eccentricity. Here, we present observational results for a waveform-independent search sensitive to eccentric black hole coalescences, covering the third observing run (O3) of the LIGO and Virgo detectors. We identified no new high-significance candidates beyond those that were already identified with searches focusing on quasi-circular binaries. We determine the sensitivity of our search to high-mass (total mass M&gt;70 M⊙) binaries covering eccentricities up to 0.3 at 15 Hz orbital frequency, and use this to compare model predictions to search results. Assuming all detections are indeed quasi-circular, for our fiducial population model, we place an upper limit for the merger rate density of high-mass binaries with eccentricities 0&lt;e≤0.3 at 0.33 Gpc−3 yr−1 at 90\% confidence level

Ultralight vector dark matter search using data from the KAGRA O3GK run

Among the various candidates for dark matter (DM), ultralight vector DM can be probed by laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors through the measurement of oscillating length changes in the arm cavities. In this context, KAGRA has a unique feature due to differing compositions of its mirrors, enhancing the signal of vector DM in the length change in the auxiliary channels. Here we present the result of a search for U(1)B−L gauge boson DM using the KAGRA data from auxiliary length channels during the first joint observation run together with GEO600. By applying our search pipeline, which takes into account the stochastic nature of ultralight DM, upper bounds on the coupling strength between the U(1)B−L gauge boson and ordinary matter are obtained for a range of DM masses. While our constraints are less stringent than those derived from previous experiments, this study demonstrates the applicability of our method to the lower-mass vector DM search, which is made difficult in this measurement by the short observation time compared to the auto-correlation time scale of DM

A fast and simple B–C bond formation in metallacarboranes avoiding halometallacarboranes and transition metal catalysts†

An electrophilic substitution on metallacarboranes by using a stabilized carbocation that can be made in situ is reported for the first time. This new synthetic methodology provides a new perspective on easy metallacarborane derivatization with organic fragments, which enhances the properties of both fragments and widens their possible applications.This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (CTQ2016-75150-R), the Generalitat de Catalunya (2017SGR1720) and European Union’s Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement MSCA-IF-2016-751587. A. B. Buades is enrolled in the PhD program of UAB.Peer reviewe

1.3 V Inorganic Sequential Redox Chain with an All-Anionic Couple 1-/2- in a Single Framework

The relatively low symmetry of [3,3'-Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]- ([1]-), along with the high number of available substitution sites, 18 on the boron atoms and 4 on the carbon atoms, allows a fairly regioselective and stepwise chlorination of the platform and therefore a very controlled tuning of the electrochemical potential tuning. This is not so easily found in other systems, e.g., ferrocene. In this work, we show how a single platform with boron and carbon in the ligand, and only cobalt can produce a tuning of potentials in a stepwise manner in the 1.3 V range. The platform used is made of two icosahedra sharing one vertex. The E1/2 tuning has been achieved from [1]- by sequential chlorination, which has given potentials whose values increase sequentially and linearly with the number of chloro groups in the platform. [Cl8-1]-, [Cl10-1]-, and [Cl12-1]- have been obtained, which are added to the existing [Cl-1]-, [Cl2-1]-, [Cl4-1]-, and [Cl6-1]- described earlier to give the 1.3 V range. It is envisaged to extend this range also sequentially by changing the metal from cobalt to iron. The last successful synthesis of the highest chlorinated derivatives of cobaltabis(dicarbollide) dates back to 1982, and since then, no more advances have occurred toward more substituted metallacarborane chlorinated compounds. [Cl8-1]-, [Cl10-1]-, and [Cl12-1]- are made with an easy and fast method. The key point of the reaction is the use of the protonated form of [Co(C2B9H11)2]-, as a starting material, and the use of sulfuryl chloride, a less hazardous and easier to use chlorinating agent. In addition, we present a complete, spectroscopic, crystallographic, and electrochemical characterization, together with a study of the influence of the chlorination position in the electrochemical properties.We gratefully acknowledge the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Grant PID2019-106832RB-I00) and Generalitat de Catalunya (Grant 2017SGR1720). A.B.B. was enrolled in the Ph.D. program of UAB.With funding from the Spanish government through the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000917-S).Peer reviewe