PAT-based design of agrochemical co-crystallization processes : a case-study for the selective crystallization of 1:1 and 3:2 co-crystals of p-toluenesulfonamide/triphenylphosphine oxide

In this study, the selective crystallization and characterization of the stoichiometric forms of the p-toluenesulfonamide/triphenylphosphine oxide (p-TSA-TPPO) co-crystal system in acetonitrile (MeCN) is demonstrated using batch and semi-batch crystallizers. In the batch study, both 1:1 and 3:2 p-TSA-TPPO were successfully isolated as pure forms. However, process variability was observed in a few experimental runs. To address the batch process variability issue, a control strategy was implemented using temperature cycling, aided by in situ process analytical technologies (PAT) to convert from 3:2 to 1:1 p-TSA-TPPO. In the semi-batch co-crystallization studies, the two molecular co-formers, p-TSA and TPPO, were dissolved in MeCN and pumped separately to the crystallizer. Changing the flow rates of the respective active ingredients allowed control over the co-crystallization outcome, and presents as a promising opportunity for development of a continuous co-crystallization process

Novel POLG variants associated with late-onset de novo status epilepticus and progressive ataxia

Mitochondrial disease is phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 4,300.1 Mutations in the POLG gene, encoding the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase gamma, are an important cause of mitochondrial disease. The spectrum of clinical manifestations in POLG-related mitochondrial disease is variable,2 with disease onset ranging from adulthood-onset dominant or recessive progressive external ophthalmoplegia (chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia), ataxia-neuropathy spectrum, myoclonic epilepsy, myopathy, and sensory ataxia to childhood-onset Alpers syndrome, which is characterized by intractable seizures, psychomotor regression, and hepatic impairment. Epilepsy is a poor prognostic factor in POLG mutations,3 and the onset of epilepsy often clusters in childhood (<5 years) and teenage.4 However, late-onset epileptic encephalopathy is uncommon.4,5 Herein, we describe a patient who died of de novo, late-onset refractory status epilepticus with the identification of 2 novel variants in the POLG gene

PAT-based design of agrochemical co-crystallization processes: a case-study for the selective crystallization of 1:1 and 3:2 co-crystals of p-toluenesulfonamide/triphenylphosphine oxide

In this study, the selective crystallization and characterization of the stoichiometric forms of the p-toluenesulfonamide/triphenylphosphine oxide (p-TSA-TPPO) co-crystal system in acetonitrile (MeCN) is demonstrated using batch and semi-batch crystallizers. In the batch study, both 1:1 and 3:2 p-TSA-TPPO were successfully isolated as pure forms. However, process variability was observed in a few experimental runs. To address the batch process variability issue, a control strategy was implemented using temperature cycling, aided by in situ process analytical technologies (PAT) to convert from 3:2 to 1:1 p-TSA-TPPO. In the semi-batch co-crystallization studies, the two molecular co-formers, p-TSA and TPPO, were dissolved in MeCN and pumped separately to the crystallizer. Changing the flow rates of the respective active ingredients allowed control over the co-crystallization outcome, and presents as a promising opportunity for development of a continuous co-crystallization process

ARCTIC: Durvalumab + tremelimumab and durvalumab monotherapy vs SoC in ≥ 3L advanced NSCLC treatment

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Ab-initio study of BaTiO3 surfaces

We have carried out first-principles total-energy calculations of (001) surfaces of the tetragonal and cubic phases of BaTiO3. Both BaO-terminated (type I) and TiO2-terminated (type II) surfaces are considered, and the atomic configurations have been fully relaxed. We found no deep-gap surface states for any of the surfaces, in agreement with previous theoretical studies. However, the gap is reduced for the type-II surface, especially in the cubic phase. The surface relaxation energies are found to be substantial, i.e., many times larger than the bulk ferroelectric well depth. Nevertheless, the influence of the surface upon the ferroelectric order parameter is modest; we find only a small enhancement of the ferroelectricity near the surface.Comment: 8 pages, two-column style with 4 postscript figures embedded. Uses REVTEX and epsf macros. Also available at http://www.physics.rutgers.edu/~dhv/preprints/index.html#pad_sur

New determination of the D0→K−π+π0 and D0→K−π+π+π− coherence factors and average strong-phase differences

AbstractMeasurements of the coherence factors (RKππ0 and RK3π) and the average strong-phase differences (δDKππ0 and δDK3π) for the decays D0→K−π+π0 and D0→K−π+π+π− are presented. These parameters are important inputs to the determination of the unitarity triangle angle γ in B∓→DK∓ decays, where D designates a D0 or D¯0 meson decaying to a common final state. The measurements are made using quantum correlated DD¯ decays collected by the CLEO-c experiment at the ψ(3770) resonance, and augment a previously published analysis by the inclusion of new events in which the signal decay is tagged by the mode D→KS0π+π−. The measurements also benefit from improved knowledge of external inputs, namely the D0D¯0 mixing parameters, rDKπ and several D-meson branching fractions. The measured values are RKππ0=0.82±0.07, δDKππ0=(164−14+20)°, RK3π=0.32−0.28+0.20 and δDK3π=(225−78+21)°. Consideration is given to how these measurements can be improved further by using the larger quantum-correlated data set collected by BESIII

"Older Adults with ASD: The Consequences of Aging." Insights from a series of special interest group meetings held at the International Society for Autism Research 2016-2017

A special interest group (SIG) entitled "Older Adults with ASD: The Consequences of Aging" was held at the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) annual meetings in 2016 and 2017. The SIG and subsequent meetings brought together, for the first time, international delegates who were members of the autistic community, researchers, practitioners and service providers. Based on aging autism research that is already underway in UK, Europe, Australia and North America, discussions focussed on conceptualising the parameters of aging when referring to autism, and the measures that are appropriate to use with older adults when considering diagnostic assessment, cognitive factors and quality of life in older age. Thus, the aim of this SIG was to progress the research agenda on current and future directions for autism research in the context of aging. A global issue on how to define 'aging' when referring to ASD was at the forefront of discussions. The ‘aging’ concept can in principle refer to all developmental transitions. However, in this paper we focus on the cognitive and physical changes that take place from mid-life onwards. Accordingly, it was agreed that aging and ASD research should focus on adults over the age of 50 years, given the high rates of co-occurring physical and mental health concerns and increased risk of premature death in some individuals. Moreover, very little is known about the cognitive change, care needs and outcomes of autistic adults beyond this age. Discussions on the topics of diagnostic and cognitive assessments, and of quality of life and well-being were explored through shared knowledge about which measures are currently being used and which background questions should be asked to obtain comprehensive and informative developmental and medical histories. Accordingly, a survey was completed by SIG delegates who were representatives of international research groups across four continents, and who are currently conducting studies with older autistic adults. Considerable overlap was identified across different research groups in measures of both autism and quality of life, which pointed to combining data and shared learnings as the logical next step. Regarding the background questions that were asked, the different research groups covered similar topics but the groups differed in the way these questions were formulated when working with autistic adults across a range of cognitive abilities. It became clear that continued input from individuals on the autism spectrum is important to ensure that questionnaires used in ongoing and future are accessible and understandable for people across the whole autistic spectrum, including those with limited verbal abilities

Field Measurements of Terrestrial and Martian Dust Devils

Surface-based measurements of terrestrial and martian dust devils/convective vortices provided from mobile and stationary platforms are discussed. Imaging of terrestrial dust devils has quantified their rotational and vertical wind speeds, translation speeds, dimensions, dust load, and frequency of occurrence. Imaging of martian dust devils has provided translation speeds and constraints on dimensions, but only limited constraints on vertical motion within a vortex. The longer mission durations on Mars afforded by long operating robotic landers and rovers have provided statistical quantification of vortex occurrence (time-of-sol, and recently seasonal) that has until recently not been a primary outcome of more temporally limited terrestrial dust devil measurement campaigns. Terrestrial measurement campaigns have included a more extensive range of measured vortex parameters (pressure, wind, morphology, etc.) than have martian opportunities, with electric field and direct measure of dust abundance not yet obtained on Mars. No martian robotic mission has yet provided contemporaneous high frequency wind and pressure measurements. Comparison of measured terrestrial and martian dust devil characteristics suggests that martian dust devils are larger and possess faster maximum rotational wind speeds, that the absolute magnitude of the pressure deficit within a terrestrial dust devil is an order of magnitude greater than a martian dust devil, and that the time-of-day variation in vortex frequency is similar. Recent terrestrial investigations have demonstrated the presence of diagnostic dust devil signals within seismic and infrasound measurements; an upcoming Mars robotic mission will obtain similar measurement types