Phenalene-phosphazene complexes: effect of exocyclic charge densities on the cyclotriphosphazene ring system

The synthesis and properties of a new series of 1,9-diamino-substituted phenalene complexes of the cyclotriphosphazene ring system is described. One of the compounds is shown to be amphoteric, and this behavior allows an examination of the response of the phosphazene linkage to variations in exocyclic charge density at the spiro center in a plane perpendicular to the cyclotriphosphazene ring system. ^(31)P NMR spectroscopy indicates that substituent lone pairs with this orientation are not effective in long-range delocalization within the phosphazene linkage (in accord with our theoretical model of spiro delocalization). An X-ray crystal structure of one compound (7) identifies the presence of clathrated molecules of chloroform together with doubly hydrogen-bonded pairs of the phenalene-phosphazene complexes in the lattice. Crystal data for 7 (C_(13)H_8Cl_4N_5P_3•CHCl_3): monoclinic space group P2_1/c, a = 12.401 (4) Å, b = 28.404 (6) Å, c = 12.962 (3) Å, β = 91.76 (2)°, V = 4564 (2) Å^3, Z = 8, R = 0.050 for 4525 reflections

Comment on The Evidence for a Pentaquark and Kinematic Reflections

The Regge exchange model used by Dzierba et al. is shown to be questionable, since the pion pole term is not allowed. Hence the Regge amplitudes in their calculation are exaggerated. The amount of kinematic reflection in the mass spectrum of the (nK+) system, which is one decay channel of a possible pentaquark, is not well justified in the fitting procedure used by Dzierba et al., as shown by comparison with the (K+K-) invariant mass spectrum, which is one decay channel of the a_2 and f_2 tensor mesons. While kinematic reflections are still a concern in some papers that have presented evidence for the pentaquark, better quantitative calculations are needed to demonstrate the significance of this effect.Comment: Comment submitted to Phys. Rev. D (no figures

Present status of the nonstrange and other flavor partners of the exotic Theta+ baryon

Given the existing empirical information about the exotic Theta+ baryon, we analyze possible properties of its SU(3)F-partners, paying special attention to the nonstrange member of the antidecuplet N*. The modified piN partial-wave analysis presents two candidate masses, 1680 MeV and 1730 MeV. In both cases, the N* should be rather narrow and highly inelastic. Our results suggest several directions for experimental studies that may clarify properties of the antidecuplet baryons, and structure of their mixing with other baryons. Recent experimental evidence from the GRAAL and STAR Collaborations could be interpreted as observations of a candidate for the Theta+ nonstrange partner.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, talk given at the Topical Group on Hadron Physics (Fermilab, Oct. 24-26, 2004

Diffusion and Transport Coefficients in Synthetic Opals

Opals are structures composed of the closed packing of spheres in the size range of nano-to-micro meter. They are sintered to create small necks at the points of contact. We have solved the diffusion problem in such structures. The relation between the diffusion coefficient and the termal and electrical conductivity makes possible to estimate the transport coefficients of opal structures. We estimate this changes as function of the neck size and the mean-free path of the carriers. The theory presented is also applicable to the diffusion problem in other periodic structures.Comment: Submitted to PR

The clinical significance of sub-total surgical resection in childhood medulloblastoma: a multi-cohort analysis of 1100 patients

\ua9 2024 The Author(s)Background: Medulloblastoma patients with a sub-total surgical resection (STR; >1.5 cm2 primary tumour residuum post-surgery) typically receive intensified treatment. However, the association of STR with poor outcomes has not been observed consistently, questioning the validity of STR as a high-risk disease feature. Methods: We collected extent of resection (EOR) data from 1110 patients (from UK CCLG centres (n = 416, collected between September 1990 and July 2014) and published (n = 694) cohorts), the largest cohort of molecularly and clinically annotated tumours assembled to specifically assess the significance of EOR. We performed association and univariable/multivariable survival analyses, assessing overall survival (OS) cohort-wide and with reference to the four consensus medulloblastoma molecular groups and clinical features. Findings: STR was reported in 20% (226/1110) of patients. Non-WNT (p = 0.047), children <5 years at diagnosis (p = 0.021) and metastatic patients (p < 0.0001) were significantly more likely to have a STR. In cohort-wide analysis, STR was associated with worse survival in univariable analysis (p < 0.0001). Examination of specific disease contexts showed that STR was prognostic in univariate analysis for patients receiving cranio-spinal irradiation (CSI) and chemotherapy (p = 0.016) and for patients with Group 3 tumours receiving CSI (p = 0.039). STR was not independently prognostic in multivariable analyses; outcomes for patients who have STR as their only risk-feature are as per standard-risk disease. Specifically, STR was not prognostic in non-metastatic patients that received upfront CSI. Interpretation: In a cohort of 1100 molecularly characterised medulloblastoma patients, STR (n = 226) predicted significantly lower OS in univariable analysis, but was not an independent prognostic factor. Our data suggest that maximal safe resection can continue to be carried out for patients with medulloblastoma and suggest STR should not inform patient management when observed as a sole, isolated risk-feature. Funding: Cancer Research UK, Newcastle Hospitals Charity, Children\u27s Cancer North, British Division of the International Academy of Pathology