Removing Barriers, Integrating Research, Spreading Excellence: The European Satellite Communications Network of Excellence "SatNEx"

Within the recently launched 6th Research Framework Programme of the European Commission, 21 major players in satellite communications research have joined forces to implement the European Satellite Communications Network of Excellence (SatNEx). The primary goal of SatNEx is to achieve long-lasting integration of the European research in satellite communication and to develop a common base of knowledge, thus contributing to the realization of the European Research Area. This paper discusses the background and motivation for implementation of the network and highlights the SatNEx mission and key objectives. A top-level overview is then provided including a description of the consortium, the Joint Programme of Activities (JPA) and the time schedule with deliverables and milestones. Finally, an update of ongoing work is presented

trans-Tetra­carbonyl­bis­[tris­(3-fluoro­phen­yl)phosphane]chromium(0)

In the title compound, [Cr(C18H12F3P)2(CO)4], the Cr atom is octa­hedrally coordinated by four carbonyl ligands and the two tertiary phosphanes, which are trans to each other. The three benzene rings in one phosphane ligand make dihedral angles of 53.50 (9), 75.51 (10) and 80.63 (10)° with each other, while in the other ligand these angles are 51.92 (10), 78.56 (11) and 86.80 (10)°. C—H⋯O and C—H⋯F inter­actions link the mol­ecules into a three-dimensional network. Each of the F atoms is disordered over two positions with refined occupancies of 0.944 (3):0.056 (3), 0.702 (4):0.298 (4), 0.829 (4):0.171 (4), 0.567 (4):0.433 (4), 0.545 (4):0.455 (4) and 0.920 (4):0.080 (4)

trans-Tetra­carbonyl­bis­[tris­(4-fluoro­phen­yl)phosphane-κP]chromium(0)

In the title compound, [Cr(C18H12F3P)2(CO)4], the Cr atom is octa­hedrally coordinated by four carbonyl ligands and the two tertiary phosphanes that are trans to each other. The Cr atom and two carbonyl groups are on a twofold axis. The benzene rings attached to the phospho­rus atom make dihedral angles of 80.32 (5), 52.91 (5) and 83.80 (5)° with each other. In the crystal, C—H⋯O and C—H⋯F inter­molecular inter­actions form an infinite three-dimensional network

Di-l-methacrylato-j4O:O0-bis[aquabis(1,10-phenanthroline-j2N,N0)-copper(II)] dinitrate dihydrate

The title complex, [Cu2(C4H5O2)2(C12H8N2)2(H2O)2](NO3)2- 2H2O, contains a dimeric [Cu2(C4H5O2)2(C12H8N2)2- (H2O)2]2+ dication with two five-coordinated CuII ions linked by two methacrylate ions in a syn–syn bridging arrangement.The dication possesses pseudo-twofold rotational symmetry.The pentacoordination of each CuII ion has a distorted squarepyramidal geometry, with two N donors from a phenanthroline ligand and two carboxylate O atoms occupying basal sites and the apical position being occupied by a water molecule. In the crystal packing, molecules are linked to form a threedimensional framework by O—H O and C—H O hydrogen bonds and – interactions [centroid–centroid distances of 3.6039 (15), 3.5301 (15), 3.6015 (15),3.6496 (15) and 3.6858 (15) A ° ]

Synthesis and Characterization of Single Phase ZnO Nanostructures Via Solvothermal Method : Influence of Alkaline Source

Single phase ZnO nanostructures were synthesized by a simple and low temperature solvothennal process from two different alkaline sources; Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with zinc acetate dihydrate (Zn(CH3COO)2·2H20) as precursor. This facile and rapid synthesis technique achieve high purity of Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures in large scale negating the use of complex and high temperature routes. The synthesized particles were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier Transfonn Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, and Ultraviolet Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. ZnO synthesized using KOH and NaOH exhibit wurtzite hexagonal and flake-like nanostructures with average crystallite size of 11.0 nm and 14.9 nm respectively. The optical absorption spectra of the two samples showed absorption bands of 367.70 and 365.30 nm. The results showed the effect of alkaline sources on the surface morphology, structural and optical properties of ZnO

EXACT RUN LENGTH DISTRIBUTION OF THE DOUBLE SAMPLING X CHART WITH ESTIMATED PROCESS PARAMETERS

Since the run length distribution is generally highly skewed, a significant concern about focusing too much on the average run length (ARL) criterion is that we may miss some crucial information about a control chart’s performance. Thus it is important to investigate the entire run length distribution of a control chart for an in-depth understanding before implementing the chart in process monitoring. In this paper, the percentiles of the run length distribution for the double sampling (DS) X chart with estimated process parameters are computed. Knowledge of the percentiles of the run length distribution provides a more comprehensive understanding of the expected behaviour of the run length. This additional information includes the early false alarm, the skewness of the run length distribution, and the median run length (MRL). A comparison of the run length distribution between the optimal ARL-based and MRL-based DS X chart with estimated process parameters is presented in this paper. Examples of applications are given to aid practitioners to select the best design scheme of the DS X chart with estimated process parameters, based on their specific purpose

EXACT RUN LENGTH DISTRIBUTION OF THE DOUBLE SAMPLING X CHART WITH ESTIMATED PROCESS PARAMETERS

Since the run length distribution is generally highly skewed, a significant concern about focusing too much on the average run length (ARL) criterion is that we may miss some crucial information about a control chart’s performance. Thus it is important to investigate the entire run length distribution of a control chart for an in-depth understanding before implementing the chart in process monitoring. In this paper, the percentiles of the run length distribution for the double sampling (DS) X chart with estimated process parameters are computed. Knowledge of the percentiles of the run length distribution provides a more comprehensive understanding of the expected behaviour of the run length. This additional information includes the early false alarm, the skewness of the run length distribution, and the median run length (MRL). A comparison of the run length distribution between the optimal ARL-based and MRL-based DS X chart with estimated process parameters is presented in this paper. Examples of applications are given to aid practitioners to select the best design scheme of the DS X chart with estimated process parameters, based on their specific purpose

Di-μ-methacrylato-κ4 O:O′-bis­[aqua­bis(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2 N,N′)copper(II)] dinitrate dihydrate

The title complex, [Cu2(C4H5O2)2(C12H8N2)2(H2O)2](NO3)2·2H2O, contains a dimeric [Cu2(C4H5O2)2(C12H8N2)2(H2O)2]2+ dication with two five-coordinated CuII ions linked by two methacrylate ions in a syn–syn bridging arrangement. The dication possesses pseudo-twofold rotational symmetry. The penta­coordination of each CuII ion has a distorted square-pyramidal geometry, with two N donors from a phenanthroline ligand and two carboxyl­ate O atoms occupying basal sites and the apical position being occupied by a water mol­ecule. In the crystal packing, mol­ecules are linked to form a three-dimensional framework by O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π–π inter­actions [centroid–centroid distances of 3.6039 (15), 3.5301 (15), 3.6015 (15), 3.6496 (15) and 3.6858 (15) Å]

Clinical use of HIV integrase inhibitors : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Optimal regimen choice of antiretroviral therapy is essential to achieve long-term clinical success. Integrase inhibitors have swiftly been adopted as part of current antiretroviral regimens. The purpose of this study was to review the evidence for integrase inhibitor use in clinical settings. Methods: MEDLINE and Web-of-Science were screened from April 2006 until November 2012, as were hand-searched scientific meeting proceedings. Multiple reviewers independently screened 1323 citations in duplicate to identify randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled trials and cohort studies on integrase inhibitor use in clinical practice. Independent, duplicate data extraction and quality assessment were conducted. Results: 48 unique studies were included on the use of integrase inhibitors in antiretroviral therapy-naive patients and treatment-experienced patients with either virological failure or switching to integrase inhibitors while virologically suppressed. On the selected studies with comparable outcome measures and indication (n = 16), a meta-analysis was performed based on modified intention-to-treat (mITT), on-treatment (OT) and as-treated (AT) virological outcome data. In therapy-naive patients, favorable odds ratios (OR) for integrase inhibitor-based regimens were observed, (mITT OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.59-0.86). However, integrase inhibitors combined with protease inhibitors only did not result in a significant better virological outcome. Evidence further supported integrase inhibitor use following virological failure (mITT OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.11-0.66), but switching to integrase inhibitors from a high genetic barrier drug during successful treatment was not supported (mITT OR 1.43; 95% CI 0.89-2.31). Integrase inhibitor-based regimens result in similar immunological responses compared to other regimens. A low genetic barrier to drug-resistance development was observed for raltegravir and elvitegravir, but not for dolutegravir. Conclusion: In first-line therapy, integrase inhibitors are superior to other regimens. Integrase inhibitor use after virological failure is supported as well by the meta-analysis. Careful use is however warranted when replacing a high genetic barrier drug in treatment-experienced patients switching successful treatment