Structural, magnetic and electrical properties of single crystalline La_(1-x)Sr_xMnO_3 for 0.4 < x < 0.85

We report on structural, magnetic and electrical properties of Sr-doped LaMnO_3 single crystals for doping levels 0.4 < x < 0.85. The complex structural and magnetic phase diagram can only be explained assuming significant contributions from the orbital degrees of freedom. Close to x = 0.6 a ferromagnetic metal is followed by an antiferromagnetic metallic phase below 200 K. This antiferromagnetic metallic phase exists in a monoclinic crystallographic structure. Following theoretical predictions this metallic antiferromagnet is expected to reveal an (x^2-y^2)-type orbital order. For higher Sr concentrations an antiferromagnetic insulator is established below room temperature.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

A Search for Technosignatures Around 11,680 Stars with the Green Bank Telescope at 1.15-1.73 GHz

We conducted a search for narrowband radio signals over four observing sessions in 2020-2023 with the L-band receiver (1.15-1.73 GHz) of the 100 m diameter Green Bank Telescope. We pointed the telescope in the directions of 62 TESS Objects of Interest, capturing radio emissions from a total of ~11,680 stars and planetary systems in the ~9 arcminute beam of the telescope. All detections were either automatically rejected or visually inspected and confirmed to be of anthropogenic nature. In this work, we also quantified the end-to-end efficiency of radio SETI pipelines with a signal injection and recovery analysis. The UCLA SETI pipeline recovers 94.0% of the injected signals over the usable frequency range of the receiver and 98.7% of the injections when regions of dense RFI are excluded. In another pipeline that uses incoherent sums of 51 consecutive spectra, the recovery rate is ~15 times smaller at ~6%. The pipeline efficiency affects calculations of transmitter prevalence and SETI search volume. Accordingly, we developed an improved Drake Figure of Merit and a formalism to place upper limits on transmitter prevalence that take the pipeline efficiency and transmitter duty cycle into account. Based on our observations, we can state at the 95% confidence level that fewer than 6.6% of stars within 100 pc host a transmitter that is detectable in our search (EIRP > 1e13 W). For stars within 20,000 ly, the fraction of stars with detectable transmitters (EIRP > 5e16 W) is at most 3e-4. Finally, we showed that the UCLA SETI pipeline natively detects the signals detected with AI techniques by Ma et al. (2023).Comment: 22 pages, 9 figures, submitted to AJ, revise

Systematic Review of Potential Health Risks Posed by Pharmaceutical, Occupational and Consumer Exposures to Metallic and Nanoscale Aluminum, Aluminum Oxides, Aluminum Hydroxide and Its Soluble Salts

Aluminum (Al) is a ubiquitous substance encountered both naturally (as the third most abundant element) and intentionally (used in water, foods, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines); it is also present in ambient and occupational airborne particulates. Existing data underscore the importance of Al physical and chemical forms in relation to its uptake, accumulation, and systemic bioavailability. The present review represents a systematic examination of the peer-reviewed literature on the adverse health effects of Al materials published since a previous critical evaluation compiled by Krewski et al. (2007). Challenges encountered in carrying out the present review reflected the experimental use of different physical and chemical Al forms, different routes of administration, and different target organs in relation to the magnitude, frequency, and duration of exposure. Wide variations in diet can result in Al intakes that are often higher than the World Health Organization provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), which is based on studies with Al citrate. Comparing daily dietary Al exposures on the basis of “total Al”assumes that gastrointestinal bioavailability for all dietary Al forms is equivalent to that for Al citrate, an approach that requires validation. Current occupational exposure limits (OELs) for identical Al substances vary as much as 15-fold. The toxicity of different Al forms depends in large measure on their physical behavior and relative solubility in water. The toxicity of soluble Al forms depends upon the delivered dose of Al+ 3 to target tissues. Trivalent Al reacts with water to produce bidentate superoxide coordination spheres [Al(O2)(H2O4)+ 2 and Al(H2O)6 + 3] that after complexation with O2•−, generate Al superoxides [Al(O2•)](H2O5)]+ 2. Semireduced AlO2• radicals deplete mitochondrial Fe and promote generation of H2O2, O2 • − and OH•. Thus, it is the Al+ 3-induced formation of oxygen radicals that accounts for the oxidative damage that leads to intrinsic apoptosis. In contrast, the toxicity of the insoluble Al oxides depends primarily on their behavior as particulates. Aluminum has been held responsible for human morbidity and mortality, but there is no consistent and convincing evidence to associate the Al found in food and drinking water at the doses and chemical forms presently consumed by people living in North America and Western Europe with increased risk for Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD). Neither is there clear evidence to show use of Al-containing underarm antiperspirants or cosmetics increases the risk of AD or breast cancer. Metallic Al, its oxides, and common Al salts have not been shown to be either genotoxic or carcinogenic. Aluminum exposures during neonatal and pediatric parenteral nutrition (PN) can impair bone mineralization and delay neurological development. Adverse effects to vaccines with Al adjuvants have occurred; however, recent controlled trials found that the immunologic response to certain vaccines with Al adjuvants was no greater, and in some cases less than, that after identical vaccination without Al adjuvants. The scientific literature on the adverse health effects of Al is extensive. Health risk assessments for Al must take into account individual co-factors (e.g., age, renal function, diet, gastric pH). Conclusions from the current review point to the need for refinement of the PTWI, reduction of Al contamination in PN solutions, justification for routine addition of Al to vaccines, and harmonization of OELs for Al substances

Kinetics of Reforming Ethanol into Hydrogen in a Supercritical Water Medium

Ethanol can be reformed into hydrogen non-catalytically in supercritical water which acts synergistically as a solvent and a reactant. The kinetics of supercritical water reformation of ethanol was studied using a custom-designed tubular Inconel 625 alloy reactor. The two principal reactions that concurrently occur are direct reformation of ethanol to hydrogen and carbon oxides and the decomposition of ethanol to hydrogen, methane, and carbon oxides. The water gas shift reaction that also takes place non-catalytically in the supercritical water mixture plays a significant role in the overall process conversion. Kinetic rate information as well as representative activation energies for principal reactions involved in supercritical water reformation of ethanol are discussed in this paper

A Kinetic Model Based on the Sequential Reaction Mechanism for the Noncatalytic Reformation of Jet Fuel in Supercritical Water

An experimental kinetic study was performed on the supercritical water reformation of jet fuel to account for the interactive contributions of three principal reactions that are taking place, viz., non-catalytic reformation of original and fragmented hydrocarbon molecules, pyrolysis of hydrocarbon molecules, and water gas shift reaction. Experiments were conducted non-catalytically using supercritical water and jet fuel in a specially designed 926 mL Inconel 625 Grade-1 tubular reactor at temperatures varying from 803 to 972 K at a pressure of 24.15 ± 0.06 MPa. The Arrhenius activation energies and frequency factors were obtained for each of the three principal reactions

Switching to iGlarLixi versus continuation of a daily or weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) in insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes: A LixiLan-G trial subgroup analysis by HbA1c and GLP-1 RA use at screening

Aim: In people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) requiring intensification beyond glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and oral antihyperglycaemic drugs (OADs), switching to iGlarLixi was shown to be efficacious and well-tolerated in the LixiLan-G trial. This exploratory analysis of LixiLan-G assessed the efficacy and safety of switching to iGlarLixi versus continuing GLP-1 RA therapy, stratified by screening HbA1c level (≥7.0 to ≤7.5 %; &gt;7.5 to ≤8.0 %; &gt;8.0 to ≤9.0 % [≥53 to ≤58 mmol/mol; &gt;58 to ≤64 mmol/mol; &gt;64 to ≤75 mmol/mol]) and previous GLP-1 RA regimen at screening (once/twice daily or once weekly). Materials and Methods: Endpoints for all subgroups included: change in HbA1c, achievement of HbA1c &lt;7 % and hypoglycaemia events. Adverse events and changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), 2-hour PPG excursion and weight were analysed according to previous GLP-1 RA regimen. Results: Switching to iGlarLixi in all subgroups resulted in significantly greater reductions in HbA1c and proportions of participants reaching HbA1c &lt;7 % (including with no documented hypoglycaemia) at Week 26 compared with continued GLP-1 RA treatment. Switching to iGlarLixi also led to significantly greater reductions in FPG, 2-hour PPG, and 2-hour PPG excursion, irrespective of previous GLP-1 RA regimen. Rates of hypoglycaemia were low, but slightly higher in those who switched to iGlarLixi for all subgroups. Modest weight gain was seen with iGlarLixi, irrespective of previous GLP-1 RA regimen. Conclusions: Switching to iGlarLixi improved glycaemic control, regardless of screening HbA1c or previous GLP-1 RA type, offering a simple, efficacious and well-tolerated treatment intensification option for people with T2D inadequately controlled by GLP-1 RAs and OADs

Durable effects of iGlarLixi up to 52 weeks in type 2 diabetes: The LixiLan-G Extension Study.

OBJECTIVE: In the LixiLan-G trial, switching to iGlarLixi, a once-daily titratable fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine 100 units/mL and the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) lixisenatide, improved glucose control in type 2 diabetes uncontrolled with GLP-1 RAs over 26 weeks versus continuing prior GLP-1 RA. A prespecified, 26-week, single-arm extension of LixiLan-G aimed to determine the durability of iGlarLixi efficacy and safety over 52 weeks. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled by GLP-1 RAs (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] 7-9% [53-75 mmol/mol]) were initially randomized to switch to iGlarLixi or continue prior GLP-1 RA. Those randomized to iGlarLixi who completed the 26-week primary end point period could continue iGlarLixi open-label treatment over a 26-week extension to assess durability of efficacy and safety. RESULTS: Glycemic control achieved with iGlarLixi at week 26 (mean HbA1c 6.7% [50 mmol/mol]) was maintained at week 52 (mean HbA1c 6.7% [50 mmol/mol]; mean ± SD change from baseline at week 52: -1.0 ± 0.9% [11 ± 10 mmol/mol]). Proportions of participants reaching HbA1c &lt;7% (53 mmol/mol) with iGlarLixi were similar at week 26 (62%) and 52 (64%), as were those reaching this target without documented symptomatic (&lt;3.0 mmol/L) hypoglycemia (57% and 58%). Safety of iGlarLixi was similar at weeks 26 and 52, with low rates of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal events. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy and safety of iGlarLixi at the end of the 26-week randomized treatment period was maintained over the 26-week extension period in the LixiLan-G trial

Durable effects of iglarlixi up to 52 weeks in type 2 diabetes: The lixilan-g extension study

OBJECTIVE In the LixiLan-G trial, switching to iGlarLixi, a once-daily titratable fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine 100 units/mL and the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptoragonist (GLP-1 RA) lixisenatide, improved glucose control in type 2 diabetes uncontrolled with GLP-1 RAs over 26 weeks versus continuing prior GLP-1 RA. A prespecified, 26-week, single-arm extension of LixiLan-G aimed to determine the durability of iGlarLixi efficacy and safety over 52 weeks. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Participants with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled by GLP-1 RAs (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c]7–9% [53–75 mmol/mol]) were initially randomized to switch to iGlarLixi or continue prior GLP-1 RA. Those randomized to iGlarLixi who completed the 26-week primary end point period could continue iGlarLixi open-label treatment over a 26-week extension to assess durability of efficacy and safety. RESULTS Glycemic control achieved with iGlarLixi at week 26 (mean HbA1c 6.7% [50 mmol/ mol]) was maintained at week 52 (mean HbA1c 6.7% [50 mmol/mol]; mean 6 SD change from baseline at week 52: 21.0 6 0.9% [11 6 10 mmol/mol]). Proportions of participants reaching HbA1c &lt;7% (53 mmol/mol) with iGlarLixi were similar at week 26 (62%) and 52 (64%), as were those reaching this target without documented symptomatic (&lt;3.0 mmol/L) hypoglycemia (57% and 58%). Safety of iGlarLixi was similar at weeks 26 and 52, with low rates of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal events. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy and safety of iGlarLixi at the end of the 26-week randomized treatment period was maintained over the 26-week extension period in the LixiLan-G trial

Switching to iGlarLixi versus continuing daily or weekly GLP-1 RA in type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by GLP-1 RA and oral antihyperglycemic therapy: The lixiLan-G randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE Fixed-ratio combinations of basal insulin plus glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) allow concomitant administration oftwoproven complementary injectable therapies for type 2 diabetes. This study investigated switching to a titratable fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine plus lixisenatide (iGlarLixi) in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving daily or weekly GLP-1 RA therapy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS LixiLan-G, a randomized, open-label, 26-week trial, compared switching to iGlarLixi versus continuing prior GLP-1 RA in patients with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c 7-9% (53-75 mmol/mol) taking maximum tolerated doses of a GLP-1 RA daily (60% on liraglutide once daily or exenatide twice daily) or weekly (40% on dulaglutide, exenatide extended release, or albiglutide) with metformin with or without pioglitazone and with or without sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. Adherence to randomized treatment was closely monitored throughout the study. RESULTS iGlarLixi (n5257) reduced HbA1c more than continued GLP-1 RA therapy (n5257) from a baseline 7.8% (62 mmol/mol) in both to 6.7% (50 mmol/mol) and 7.4% (57 mmol/mol), respectively, at 26 weeks (least squares mean difference20.6%; P &lt; 0.0001). More iGlarLixi patients achieved HbA1c &lt;7% (53 mmol/mol) (62% vs. 26%; P &lt; 0.0001) and the composite of HbA1c &lt;7% without documented symptomatic hypoglycemia (&lt;54 mg/dL). Nausea and vomiting rates as well as numbers of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia events per patient-year were generally low but greater with iGlarLixi versus continued GLP-1 RA therapy. CONCLUSIONS Switching to iGlarLixi improves glucose control for patients with type 2 diabetes insufficiently controlled on a maximum tolerated dose of a GLP-1 RA plus oral antihyperglycemic agents