The P_33(1232) resonance contribution into the amplitudes M_{1+}^{3/2},E_{1+}^{3/2},S_{1+}^{3/2} from an analysis of the p(e,e'p)\pi^0 data at Q^2 = 2.8, 3.2, and 4 (GeV/c)^2 within dispersion relation approach

Within the fixed-t dispersion relation approach we have analysed the TJNAF and DESY data on the exclusive p(e,e'p)\pi^0 reaction in order to find the P_{33}(1232) resonance contribution into the multipole amplitudes M_{1+}^{3/2},E_{1+}^{3/2},S_{1+}^{3/2}. As an input for the resonance and nonresonance contributions into these amplitudes the earlier obtained solutions of the integral equations which follow from dispersion relations are used. The obtained values of the ratio E2/M1 for the \gamma^* N \to P_{33}(1232) transition are: 0.039\pm 0.029, 0.121\pm 0.032, 0.04\pm 0.031 for Q^2= 2.8, 3.2, and 4 (GeV/c)^2, respectively. The comparison with the data at low Q^2 shows that there is no evidence for the presence of the visible pQCD contribution into the transition \gamma N \to P_{33}(1232) at Q^2=3-4 GeV^2. The ratio S_{1+}^{3/2}/M_{1+}^{3/2} for the resonance parts of multipoles is: -0.049\pm 0.029, -0.099\pm 0.041, -0.085\pm 0.021 for Q^2= 2.8, 3.2, and 4 (GeV/c)^2, respectively. Our results for the transverse form factor G_T(Q^2) of the \gamma^* N \to P_{33}(1232) transition are lower than the values obtained from the inclusive data. With increasing Q^2, Q^4G_T(Q^2) decreases, so there is no evidence for the presence of the pQCD contribution here too

Generative Hierarchical Materials Search

Generative models trained at scale can now produce text, video, and more recently, scientific data such as crystal structures. In applications of generative approaches to materials science, and in particular to crystal structures, the guidance from the domain expert in the form of high-level instructions can be essential for an automated system to output candidate crystals that are viable for downstream research. In this work, we formulate end-to-end language-to-structure generation as a multi-objective optimization problem, and propose Generative Hierarchical Materials Search (GenMS) for controllable generation of crystal structures. GenMS consists of (1) a language model that takes high-level natural language as input and generates intermediate textual information about a crystal (e.g., chemical formulae), and (2) a diffusion model that takes intermediate information as input and generates low-level continuous value crystal structures. GenMS additionally uses a graph neural network to predict properties (e.g., formation energy) from the generated crystal structures. During inference, GenMS leverages all three components to conduct a forward tree search over the space of possible structures. Experiments show that GenMS outperforms other alternatives of directly using language models to generate structures both in satisfying user request and in generating low-energy structures. We confirm that GenMS is able to generate common crystal structures such as double perovskites, or spinels, solely from natural language input, and hence can form the foundation for more complex structure generation in near future.https://generative-materials.github.io

Is alcohol septal ablation in women performed too late?

Abstract Introduction Alcohol septal ablation (PTSMA) was introduced as interventional alternative to surgical myectomy for symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) 25 years ago. As gender differences in diagnosis and treatment of HOCM are still unclear we analyzed baseline characteristics and results of PTSMA in a large single center cohort with respect to gender. Methods and results Between 05/2000 and 06/2017 first PTSMA in our center was performed in 952 patients with symptomatic HOCM. We treated less 388 (40.8%) women and 564 (59.2%) men. All patients underwent clinical follow-up. At the time of the intervention women were older (61.2±14.9 vs. 51.9±13.7 years; p&amp;lt;0.0001) and suffered more often from NYHA grade III/IV dyspnea (80.9% vs. 68.1%; p&amp;lt;0.0001), whereas angina pectoris was comparable in women (62.4%) and men (59.9%). Echocardiographic baseline gradients were comparable in women (rest 65.0±38.1 mmHg and Valsalva 106.2±45.7 mmHg) and men (rest 63.1±38.3 mmHg and Valsalva 103.6±42.8 mmHg). But, women had smaller diameters of the left atrium (44.3±6.9 vs. 47.2±6.5 mm; p&amp;lt;0001), maximal septum thickness (20.4±3.9 vs. 21.4±4.5 mm; p&amp;lt;0.01), and maximal thickness of the left ventricular posterior wall (12.7±2.8 vs. 13.5±2.9 mm; p&amp;lt;0.0001). In women, more septal branches (1.3±0.6 vs. 1.2±0.5; p&amp;lt;0.05) had to be tested to identify the target septal branch. The amount of injected alcohol was comparable (2.0±0, 4 in women vs. 2.1±0.4 ml in men). The maximum CK increase was lower in women (826.0±489.6 vs. 903.4±543.0 U / l; p&amp;lt;0.05). During hospital stay one woman and one man died, each (n.s.). The frequency of total AV blocks in the cathlab showed no significant difference between women (41.5%) and men (38.3%). Furthermore, the rate of permanent pacemaker implantation during hospital stay did not differ (12.1% in women vs. 9.4% in men). Follow-up periods of all patients showed no significant difference between women (5.7±4.9 years) and men (6.2±5.0 years). Overall, 37 (9.5%) women died during this period compared to only 33 (5.9%) men (p&amp;lt;0.05). But, cardiovascular causes of death were not significantly different between women (2.8%) and men (1.6%). Furthermore, the rates of surgical myectomy after failed PTSMA (1.3% in women vs. 2.3% in men), ICD implantation for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death according to current guidelines (4.1% in women vs. 5.9% in men) or pacemaker implantation (3.6% in women vs. 2.0% in men) showed no significant differences. Summary PTSMA in women with HOCM was performed at more advanced age with more pronounced symptoms compared to men. While there were no differences in acute outcomes, overall long-term mortality was higher in women without differences in cardiovascular mortality. Therefore, women may require more intensive diagnostic approaches in order not to miss the correct time for gradient reduction treatment. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None </jats:sec

Does age influence follow-up after alcohol septal ablation in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy?

Abstract Introduction Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic cardiac disease. Since its introduction in 1995 alcohol septal ablation (PTSMA) was discussed as treatment option only in elderly patients with symptomatic obstructive HCM (HOCM). We report on long-term follow-up after PTSMA with respect to patient's age. Methods and results Between 5/2000 and 6/2017 we treated 952 consecutive symptomatic HOCM patients (pts) with first PTSMA in our center. 132 (13.9%) pts were &amp;lt;40 years of age (Group A; mean age 30.3±7.7), 421 (44.2%) pts between ≥40 to &amp;lt;60 years of age (Group B; mean age 50.5±5.9) and 399 (41.9%) pts ≥60 years of age (Group C; 69.6±6.3). Family history (FH) of HCM was more often seen in Group A (50% vs. 25.7% (B) and 13.3% (C); p&amp;lt;0.ehab724.17611) as FH of sudden cardiac death (SCD) (17.4% vs. 11.2% (B) and 7.0% (C); p&amp;lt;0.01). Pts in Group C were more often in NYHA class III/IV (80.7%; p&amp;lt;0.001 each) compared to Group A (68.2%) and B (67.9%). At the time of PTSMA an ICD for primary SCD prevention had been more often implanted in Group A (19.8%; p&amp;lt;0.0001) compared to Group B (10.1%) and C (5.9%). Echocardiographic measurements showed higher maximal septal thickness in Group A (23.9±5.7 mm; p&amp;lt;0.ehab724.17611 each) compared to Group B (20.9±4.0 mm) and C (20.1±3.5 mm). Pts of Group B had lower resting gradients (60.0±35.3 mmHg; p&amp;lt;0.01 each) compared to Group A (69.5±34.8 mmHg) and C (66.4±41.6 mmHg). Total heart block at PTSMA was less often seen in Group A (28.8%; p&amp;lt;0.05 each) compared to Group B (39.4%) and C (43.4%). Due to persistent total heart block need of permanent pacemaker implantation was lowest in Group A (3.8%, p&amp;lt;0.01 each) compared to Group B (9.3%) and C (14.0%) during hospital stay. One patient in Group A and C died during hospital stay, each. Follow-up was longer in Group A (6.7±5.2 years) compared to Group C (5.5±4.8 years; p&amp;lt;0.05) and was comparable to Group B (6.2±5.1 years). Re-PTSMA was more often performed in Group A (22.7%; p&amp;lt;0.01 each) compared to Group B (12.8%) and Group C (10.5%). Reported clinical improvement at latest follow-up was comparable (93.3% Group A, 93.8% Group B, and 95.5% Group C). Mortality was highest in Group C (12.5%; p&amp;lt;0.0001 each) compared to Group A (1.5%) and B (4.0%). In Group A no pt died from cardiac reason, whereas 5 pts died from cardiac reasons in Group B and C, each. SCD was not observed in Group A, whereas 2 pts in Group B and 1 pt in Group C suffered SCD. Conclusion PTSMA is feasible even in young pts with symptomatic HOCM. Mortality after PTSMA is mainly due to non-cardiac reasons and more often seen in elderly pts. Especially, SCD could be observed in younger pts &amp;lt;40 years of age. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. </jats:sec

The distribution of impurities in the interfaces and window layers of thin-film solar cells

We report a systematic multielement study of impurities in CdS window layers by dynamic and quantitative secondary-ion-mass spectrometry (SIMS) with high depth resolution. The study was carried out on CdTe/CdS solar cell structures, with the glass substrate removed. The analysis proceeded from the transparent conductive oxide free surface to the CdTe absorbing layer with a view to examining the influence of the CdCl2 heat treatment on the distribution and concentration of impurities in the structures. Special attention was paid to the impurities present in the CdS window layer that may be electrically active, and therefore affect the characteristics of the CdTe/CdS device. It was shown that Cl, Na, and Sb impurities had higher concentrations in CdS following cadmium chloride (CdCl2) heat treatment while Pb, O, Sn, and Cu conserved the same concentration. Furthermore, Zn, Si, and In showed slightly lower concentrations on CdCl2 treatment. Possible explanations of these changes are discussed and the results compared with previous SIMS measurements from the "back wall" (i.e., from the CdTe free surface through the glass substrate) obtained from the same structure