Structure and Magnetic Properties of a 1D Alternating Cu(II) Monomer―Paddlewheel Chain

One-dimensional metal–organic coordination polymers make up a class of compounds with potential towards the development of practical, new magnetic materials. Herein, a rare example of an ABBABB coupled linear chain comprised of alternating dicopper(II) tetraacetate units bridged to copper(II) acetate monomer units via axial η2:η1:µ2 coordinated acetate is reported. Examination of the structure, determined by small molecule X-ray crystallography, shows that each Cu(II) ion is in a dx2–y2 magnetic ground state. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization data were collected and, consistent with the structural interpretation, demonstrate that the Cu(II) dimer (paddlewheel) exhibits classic antiferromagnetic exchange, while the S = 1/2 Cu(II) monomer is uncompensated in the ground state (low temperature regime.) Data were therefore fitted to a modified Bleaney-Bowers model, and results were consistent with the only other reported chain in this class for which magnetic data are available

Noncommutative geometry, topology and the standard model vacuum

As a ramification of a motivational discussion for previous joint work, in which equations of motion for the finite spectral action of the Standard Model were derived, we provide a new analysis of the results of the calculations herein, switching from the perspective of Spectral triple to that of Fredholm module and thus from the analogy with Riemannian geometry to the pre-metrical structure of the Noncommutative geometry. Using a suggested Noncommutative version of Morse theory together with algebraic $K$-theory to analyse the vacuum solutions, the first two summands of the algebra for the finite triple of the Standard Model arise up to Morita equivalence. We also demonstrate a new vacuum solution whose features are compatible with the physical mass matrix.Comment: 24 page

Non-commutative geometry and the standard model vacuum

The space of Dirac operators for the Connes-Chamseddine spectral action for the standard model of particle physics coupled to gravity is studied. The model is extended by including right-handed neutrino states, and the S0-reality axiom is not assumed. The possibility of allowing more general fluctuations than the inner fluctuations of the vacuum is proposed. The maximal case of all possible fluctuations is studied by considering the equations of motion for the vacuum. Whilst there are interesting non-trivial vacua with Majorana-like mass terms for the leptons, the conclusion is that the equations are too restrictive to allow solutions with the standard model mass matrix.Comment: 21 pages. v2: some comments improve

Citation and referencing support at an academic library: Exploring student and faculty perspectives on authority and effectiveness

Libraries expend considerable time and effort in providing instructional resources to help students learn the “mechanics” of citation and referencing. However, there are few studies that examine the efficacy of these resources. Using focus group methodology, the authors explored student and faculty perspectives about citation practices through their use of the library’s online referencing guide. It was found that faculty struggled to instill “real world” meaning for students around academic integrity practices, while students reported feeling confused and somewhat intimidated about the scholarly writing process. Findings reveal the importance of situating referencing within a positive, holistic approach to academic integrity that emphasizes critical thinking and student autonomy

Acetato­aqua­{4,4′,6,6′-tetra-tert-butyl-2,2′-[(2-pyridyl­meth­yl)imino­dimethyl­ene]diphenolato}manganese(III) ethanol solvate

In the title complex, [Mn(C36H50N2O2)(CH3COO)(H2O)]·CH3CH2OH, the MnIII atom is in an octa­hedral environment and is coordinated by the tetra­dentate amine–bis­(phenolate) ligand, a monodentate acetate anion and a water mol­ecule. An ethanol solvent mol­ecule is also found in the asymmetric unit. The structure displays O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonding

The Exocyst Complex in Health and Disease

Exocytosis involves the fusion of intracellular secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane, thereby delivering integral membrane proteins to the cell surface and releasing material into the extracellular space. Importantly, exocytosis also provides a source of lipid moieties for membrane extension. The tethering of the secretory vesicle before docking and fusion with the plasma membrane is mediated by the exocyst complex, an evolutionary conserved octameric complex of proteins. Recent findings indicate that the exocyst complex also takes part in other intra-cellular processes besides secretion. These various functions seem to converge toward defining a direction of membrane growth in a range of systems from fungi to plants and from neurons to cilia. In this review we summarize the current knowledge of exocyst function in cell polarity, signaling and cell-cell communication and discuss implications for plant and animal health and disease

Simultaneous Determination of Fourteen Antipsychotic Drugs in Whole Blood by Solid Phase Extraction and Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Anti-psychotic drugs are commonly prescribed to patients to treat several mental conditions, such as bipolar, schizophrenia, and manic-depressive disorder. The analysis of anti-psychotic drugs in blood is a common practice in clinical and forensic toxicology, to monitor drug treatment (therapeutic drug monitoring) or to explain the cause of the impairment or intoxication in human performance and in postmortem cases. However, most of the current studies have been performed in plasma, and a limited number in blood. We developed and validated a method to confirm and quantify a panel of commonly prescribed anti-psychotic drugs in whole blood using solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS). The anti-psychotic drugs in the panel were: aripiprazole, asenapine, clozapine, olanzapine, 9-hydroxyrisperdone (paliperidone), quetiapine, chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine, risperidone, haloperidol, lurasidone, ziprasidone, and brexpiprazole. The blood samples were extracted by solid phase extraction using cation exchange cartridges. The chromatographic separation was performed in reversed-phase column using 0.1% formic acid in water and methanol for mobile phases, and in the mass spectrometer two MRM (multiple reaction monitoring) transitions were acquired in positive electrospray mode. The method was validated showing good linearity with a range of 1 to 1000ng/mL. Limit of quantification was established at 1ng/mL and the drug panel was shown to be both accurate and precise. Other validation studies completed were dilution, carryover, selectivity, specificity and stability. When an authentic donor was used to test the method, 9-hydroxyrisperidone was detected and quantitated. The method validation of this panel of psychotropic medications is a step in a larger project that assesses the steady state levels of therapeutic dosages

Lessons from Expert Focus Groups on how to Better Support Adults with Mild Intellectual Disabilities to Engage in Co-Design

Co-design techniques generally rely upon higher-order cognitive skills, such as abstraction and creativity, meaning they may be inaccessible to people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Consequently, investigators must adjust the methods employed throughout their studies to ensure the complex needs of people with ID are appropriately catered to. Yet, there are a lack of guidelines to support researchers in this process, with previous literature often neglecting to discuss the decisions made during the development of their study protocols. We propose a new procedure to overcome this lack of support, by utilizing the knowledge of “experts” in ID to design a more accessible workshop for the target population. 12 experts across two focus groups were successful in identifying accessibility barriers throughout a set of typical early co-design activities. Recommendations to overcome these barriers are discussed along with lessons on how to better support people with ID to engage in co-design