Instituto de Física del Sur

Abstract The impact of climate change on the environment, biosphere, and biodiversity has become more evident in the recent years. Human activities have increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and other greenhouse gases. Change in climate and the correlated global warming affects the quantity, intensity, and frequency of precipitation type as well as the frequency of extreme events such as heat waves, droughts, thunderstorms, floods, and hurricanes. Respiratory health can be particularly affected by climate change, which contributes to the development of allergic respiratory diseases and asthma. Pollen and mold allergens are able to trigger the release of pro‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory mediators that accelerate the onset the IgE‐mediated sensitization and of allergy. Allergy to pollen and pollen season at its beginning, in duration and intensity are altered by climate change. Studies showed that plants exhibit enhanced photosynthesis and reproductive effects and produce more pollen as a response to high atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Mold proliferation is increased by floods and rainy storms are responsible for severe asthma. Pollen and mold allergy is generally used to evaluate the interrelation between air pollution and allergic respiratory diseases, such as rhinitis and asthma. Thunderstorms during pollen seasons can cause exacerbation of respiratory allergy and asthma in patients with hay fever. A similar phenomenon is observed for molds. Measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can have positive health benefits.

The adsorption of several molecular and dissociative dihydrogen systems on a Pd-decorated graphene monolayer was studied using the density-functional theory. Our calculations show that the most favorable graphene-supported coordination structure is similar to the PdH2 complex in vacuum, where the H−H bond is relaxed but not dissociated. We also computed overlap populations corresponding to bonds and atomic orbital interactions in order to study the evolution of the chemical bonding. During the decoration process with Pd, we detected a weakening of C−C bonds close to the adsorption site and the formation of strong C−Pd bonds, coming from interaction between C 2pz and Pd 5s, 5pz, and 4dz2 orbitals. After H2 molecule adsorption, the H−Pd bond is formed by the H 1s orbital overlap with the Pd 5s orbital, but this interaction became stronger during the atomic hydrogen adsorption. The objective of this work is to contribute to the understanding of the hydrogen uptake of Pd-doped graphene surfaces.

ORR MNC, FTW! Mesoporous nitrogen-rich carbon (MNC) materials are synthesized by using polymer-loaded SBA-15 pyrolyzed at different temperatures. The activity and stability of the catalysts in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are investigated by using cyclic voltammetry and rotating-disk electrode measurements. The MNC material pyrolyzed at 800 °C exhibits a high electrocatalytic activity towards the ORR in alkaline medium.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neuropathology strongly associated with the activation of inflammatory pathways. Accordingly, inflammation resulting from obesity exacerbates learning and memory deficits in humans and in animal models of AD. Consequently, the long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents diminishes the risk for developing AD, but the side effects produced by these drugs limit their prophylactic use. Thus, plants natural products have become an excellent option for modern therapeutics. Malva parviflora is a plant well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. METHODS: The present study was aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory potential of M. parviflora leaf hydroalcoholic extract (MpHE) on AD pathology in lean and obese transgenic 5XFAD mice, a model of familial AD. The inflammatory response and Amyloid β (Aβ) plaque load in lean and obese 5XFAD mice untreated or treated with MpHE was evaluated by immunolocalization (Iba-1 and GFAP) and RT-qPCR (TNF) assays and thioflavin-S staining, respectively. Spatial learning memory was assessed by the Morris Water Maze behavioral test. Microglia phagocytosis capacity was analyzed in vivo and by ex vivo and in vitro assays, and its activation by morphological changes (phalloidin staining) and expression of CD86, Mgl1, and TREM-2 by RT-qPCR. The mechanism triggered by the MpHE was characterized in microglia primary cultures and ex vivo assays by immunoblot (PPAR-γ) and RT-qPCR (CD36) and in vivo by flow cytometry, using GW9662 (PPAR-γ inhibitor) and pioglitazone (PPAR-γ agonist). The presence of bioactive compounds in the MpHE was determined by HPLC. RESULTS: MpHE efficiently reduced astrogliosis, the presence of insoluble Aβ peptides in the hippocampus and spatial learning impairments, of both, lean, and obese 5XFAD mice. This was accompanied by microglial cells accumulation around Aβ plaques in the cortex and the hippocampus and decreased expression of M1 inflammatory markers. Consistent with the fact that the MpHE rescued microglia phagocytic capacity via a PPAR-γ/CD36-dependent mechanism, the MpHE possess oleanolic acid and scopoletin as active phytochemicals. CONCLUSIONS: M. parviflora suppresses neuroinflammation by inhibiting microglia pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and promoting microglia phagocytosis. Therefore, M. parviflora phytochemicals represent an alternative to prevent cognitive impairment associated with a metabolic disorder as well as an effective prophylactic candidate for AD progression.

This review article has the antecedents of Jaskolski’s 1996 Physics Report Confined Many-electron Systems , the fifteen chapters on the Theory of Confined Quantum Systems in Vols. 57 and 58 of 2009 Advances in Quantum Chemistry, and the nine chapters of the 2014 Monograph “Electronic Structure of Confined Quantum Atoms and Molecules”. In this contribution the last two sets of reviews are taken as the points of reference to illustrate some advances in several lines of research in the elapsed periods. The recent progress is illustrated on the basis of a selection of references from the literature taking into account the confined quantum systems, the confining environments and their modelings; their properties and processes, emphasizing the changes due to the confinement; the methods of analysis and solutions, their results including confiability and accuracy; as well as applications in other areas. The updated and current works of the Reviewer are also presented. The complementary words in the title apply to the simplest atom in its free configuration and to the harmonic oscillator quantum dot because they admit more exact solutions than the number of their degrees of freedom; and to their many-electron and confined counterparts, due to their additional interactions and changes in boundary conditions.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically disrupts health care around the globe. The impact of the pandemic on chronic urticaria (CU) and its management are largely unknown. AIM: To understand how CU patients are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; how specialists alter CU patient management; and the course of CU in patients with COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our cross-sectional, international, questionnaire-based, multicenter UCARE COVID-CU study assessed the impact of the pandemic on patient consultations, remote treatment, changes in medications, and clinical consequences. RESULTS: The COVID-19 pandemic severely impairs CU patient care, with less than 50% of the weekly numbers of patients treated as compared to before the pandemic. Reduced patient referrals and clinic hours were the major reasons. Almost half of responding UCARE physicians were involved in COVID-19 patient care, which negatively impacted on the care of urticaria patients. The rate of face-to-face consultations decreased by 62%, from 90% to less than half, whereas the rate of remote consultations increased by more than 600%, from one in 10 to more than two thirds. Cyclosporine and systemic corticosteroids, but not antihistamines or omalizumab, are used less during the pandemic. CU does not affect the course of COVID-19, but COVID-19 results in CU exacerbation in one of three patients, with higher rates in patients with severe COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic brings major changes and challenges for CU patients and their physicians. The long-term consequences of these changes, especially the increased use of remote consultations, require careful evaluation.

The hydrophosphination and hydrothiophosphination of alkenes and alkynes are accomplished in the absence of a solvent and a catalyst in a regio- and stereoselective manner.

Abstract

In this work, we performed DFT+U periodic calculations to study the geometric and electronic properties of 12.5% Mn-doped CeO2 solid solution. The doping with Mn allowed some Mn2+ cations to substitute Ce4+ ions into the CeO2 lattice and thus drove the formation of a stable O-deficient bulk fluorite-type structure. The Mn-doped CeO2(1 1 1) surface, generated upon the cleavage of the O-deficient bulk, exhibits Mn cations in a (3+) oxidation state. Spin-polarized energy calculations and charge analysis also evidenced the effect of Mn-dopant in facilitating the creation of surface oxygen vacancies; which reflected in extended surface and subsurface ions relaxation and reduction of Mn atoms located on surface and inner cationic layers. Concerning the oxidation state of Ce, it remained unaltered as Ce4+ when an O atom was removed from the topmost anionic layer of the surface system. Reduction of a Ce4+ cation to Ce3+ was evidenced after the creation of a second surface O-vacancy. Our results indicate facilitated surface oxygen release, Mn3+/Mn2+ redox couples formation, and promoted anionic mobility and can help to better understand the effect of Mn in enhancing Mn-doped CeO2 catalytic performance in oxidation reactions.

Structural, electronic, vibrational and thermodynamic properties have been tested when Hubbard parameter U is implemented in density functional theory calculations for TiO2 polymorphs: anatase, rutile, TiO2–B and for hydrogen titanate (H2Ti3O7) bulk. Optimum U parameter values were found for each system, balancing geometric changes and electronic properties, namely, U = 4 eV for anatase and TiO2–B, U = 5 eV for rutile and hydrogen titanate. Although the addition of this parameter improves the prediction of electronic properties, with no significant structural changes, we found that it would not be adequate for predicting vibrational properties.

Bulk nucleation has been studied for glasses within the Y 2 O 3 –Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 system, using a two‐stage nucleation and growth heat treatment. The crystalline phases formed have been identified. Annealing in an inert atmosphere is required in order to prevent surface nucleation from dominating the results. Despite this, the phases observed are in general agreement with those observed in previous studies done in air. The nucleation kinetics of the y ‐Y 2 Si 2 O 7 phase have been measured and the optimum nucleation temperatures have been identified. The kinetic data have been analyzed using two existing models based on classical nucleation theory. The results of this study have been compared with crystallization results of a previous study of glass of similar composition within sintered silicon nitride samples. A two‐stage heat treatment is suggested as a process that may lead to improved devitrification of grain boundary glass in such materials.

Transition metal (TM) catalytic dopants are broadly used in hydrogen storage materials to increase H2 desorption and absorption kinetics. We have studied H vacancy formation energy in pure, Nb- or Zr- doped bulk magnesium hydride using density functional theory based calculations. The preferential dopant location was determined by means of occupation energy analysis. Both TM species prefer substitutional locations, Zr being more stable than Nb. Five different sites for H vacancy formation have been considered, all of them near the dopant. The vacancy formation energy decreases, especially in the interstitial Zr system in comparison with a pure one (from 1.35 to 0.51 eV). Concerning diffusion, we consider four paths in the pure and doped systems: the doping with TMs diminishes the activation energy barriers improving the diffusion kinetics, being more considerable for Zr. Effects of a possible spin polarization induced in the system by TM atoms and H vacancies generation have been considered as well.

We report an experimental study on the growth and adsorption kinetics of polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs). PEMs composed of poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS), and of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and PSS polyelectrolyte pairs were built and studied via dissipative quartz crystal microbalance (D-QCM) and ellipsometry. The results have pointed out that the growth trend of PEMs may be controlled by the assembly conditions that modify the layer structure and subsequently the film features. The study of adsorption kinetics of the layers suggests that, even though interdiffusion may take place during the growth of PEMs, it does not determine the growth mechanism. Analysis of the mechanical properties allows confirmation of the scenario proposed for the explanation of the PEMs growth. Independent of growth type, the adsorption kinetics of the layers is a bimodal process. The results here presented allow us to rule out any correlation between growth mechanism and adsorption dynamics.

Nucleation and growth is the dominant relaxation mechanism driving first-order phase transitions. In two-dimensional flat systems, nucleation has been applied to a wide range of problems in physics, chemistry and biology. Here we study nucleation and growth of two-dimensional phases lying on curved surfaces and show that curvature modifies both critical sizes of nuclei and paths towards the equilibrium phase. In curved space, nucleation and growth becomes inherently inhomogeneous and critical nuclei form faster on regions of positive Gaussian curvature. Substrates of varying shape display complex energy landscapes with several geometry-induced local minima, where initially propagating nuclei become stabilized and trapped by the underlying curvature. Nucleation is the fundamental relaxation mechanism that leads to the emergence of a new phase or structure via first-order phase transitions. Here, the authors study nucleation and growth of two-dimensional phases on curved surfaces, and show how the curvature influences its inhomogeneity and speed.

Ligand- and base-free direct synthesis of β-keto- and vinyl phosphonates catalysed by CuNPs/ZnO under air. Selectivity dependent on alkyne nature.

Trapped entanglements, cross-linker functionality, and elastically effective chains are the sources of elasticity of polymer networks and gels. However, despite more than 80 years of theoretical and experimental research in this field, still little is known about their relative contribution to network elasticity. In this work, we use double quantum nuclear magnetic resonance (DQ NMR) experiments to characterize the elasticity of model polymer networks prepared with cross-linkers of mixed functionality and control of structural defects. An order parameter that condensates the elastic response within the theoretical framework of the entangled phantom theory for rubber elasticity was identified. Standard lore dictates that low molecular weight precursors for the elastically active chains leads to a negligible contribution of trapped entanglements. Here we show that the contribution of trapped entanglements may equal the contribution coming from elastically active material and that it is independent of network topology.

Two--electron atoms embedded in a plasma environment are studied with screened and exponential cosine screened Coulomb model potentials. Within a configuration interaction approach, and using parameter--free explicitly correlated basis functions, we have calculated the ground-state and first excited-state energies (and other mean values) for H${}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, He, and Li${}^{+}$. We analyze their evolution with the screening parameter and provide simple fits, which allow for practical and rapid evaluations for example in plasma applications.

GA2LEN, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, and HAE international (HAEi), the global umbrella organization for the world's hereditary angioedema (HAE) patient groups, have launched their joint ACARE (Angioedema Center of Reference and Excellence) program, within GA2LEN’s center of reference and excellence (CORE) initiative. Angioedema is a common, heterogeneous, often debilitating and chronic condition and is frequently a challenge for physicians and affected patients, especially patients suffering from recurrent attacks. Additionally, it can be a challenge for some patients to understand the underlying etiology of their angioedema (Table 1). GA2LEN’s CORE networks, such as UCARE for urticaria and ADCARE for atopic dermatitis, help to improve the management of difficult-to-treat conditions. Here, we describe the aims, requirements, provisions, application process, audit, and accreditation protocol for GA2LEN/HAEi ACAREs. ACAREs aim to provide excellence in angioedema management, increase the knowledge of angioedema through research and education, and promote advocacy activities that raise angioedema awareness. To become a certified ACARE, angioedema centers must fulfill 32 requirements, defined by specific provisions that will be assessed during an audit visit. The ACARE program will result in a strong network of angioedema specialists, promote angioedema research and awareness, and harmonize and improve angioedema management globally. ACAREs will expand access to modern angioedema medicines in countries where they are available and help to bring them to countries where they are not.1 HAE-1 HAE-2 Angioedema with or without wheals in patients with urticaria Anaphylaxis This document summarizes the aims of GA2LEN/HAEi Angioedema Centers of Reference and Excellence (ACAREs) and elaborates the requirements that ACAREs must fulfill to become certified. It also provides (see Appendix S1) background information on GA2LEN and HAEi, including HAEi member organizations and regional patient advocates, on why we need an Angioedema Center of Reference and Excellence (ACARE) program and network, and on the accreditation and certification process, governance and funding, and on the interaction with other GA2LEN networks of centers of reference and excellence. The protocols, aims, requirements, and provisions related to becoming a certified ACARE are based on (a) the experience of the GA2LEN UCARE network and (b) input from angioedema patients, general practitioners, and angioedema specialists. What are the aims of GA2LEN/HAEi ACAREs? The aims of ACAREs are to set the global standard for excellence in comprehensive angioedema care through research, education, advocacy, and interaction among ACAREs. By serving as referral centers for the diagnosis and management of patients with angioedema, ACAREs will complement the local healthcare system. ACAREs aim to increase knowledge and awareness of angioedema. What are the requirements for GA2LEN/HAEi ACAREs? ACAREs are required to demonstrate excellence in the management of angioedema, research activities, efforts in education, and advocacy activity. ACAREs need to fulfill 32 requirements, which are explained in the audit checklist (Figure 1A). This checklist includes specific deliverables for each requirement. For example, the requirement to know and follow international guidelines and consensus documents for angioedema (Requirement #16) entails that physicians and other ACARE healthcare professionals have read and understood the current versions of these guidelines and consensus documents and that their recommendations are implemented in their center. These guidelines and consensus documents include, for example, the international WAO/EAACI guideline for HAE, the EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO guideline for urticaria, the International/Canadian hereditary angioedema guideline,2-5 the international consensus on the diagnosis and management of pediatric patients with hereditary angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency, the international consensus on the use of genetics in the management of HAE,6 and the international consensus and practical guidelines on the gynecologic and obstetric management of female patients with hereditary angioedema caused by C1 inhibitor deficiency.7 The deliverables for this requirement are that (a) current guideline and consensus document versions are present (paper or electronic version) at the center, (b) ACARE staff can answer questions on the recommendations these documents provide, and (c) ACARE physicians can show, upon request, by use of a patient file, that patient management decisions are based on guideline recommendations (Figure 1B). This publication marks our intent to start the implementation of the GA2LEN/HAEi ACARE initiative. Specialty centers for angioedema have started to apply to become ACAREs, and audits and certifications are ongoing (Figure 1B). We expect that most GA2LEN UCARE centers and many angioedema specialty centers will become ACAREs in the near future. We predict and hope that by 2022, GA2LEN/HAEi ACAREs will be established in every continent. This will result in a strong global network of angioedema specialists, promote angioedema research, and harmonize and improve angioedema management worldwide. GA2LEN and HAEi will measure the impact of ACAREs over time and document and report the benefits of this initiative. ACARE network activities and a current list of ACAREs are posted on the network's website (www.acare-network.com). The GA2LEN/HAEi ACARE is supported by its twin network, the GA2LEN UCARE network (www.ga2len-ucare.com). We thank Beate Schinzel for expert help with formatting and revising the manuscript as well as its submission. Dr Maurer reports grants and personal fees from Allakos, personal fees from Aralaz, grants and personal fees from AstraZeneca, grants and personal fees from BioCryst, grants from Blueprint, grants and personal fees from CSL Behring, grants and personal fees from FAES, grants and personal fees from Genentech, grants from Kalvista, grants from Lilly, grants from Menarini, grants and personal fees from Novartis, grants from Leo Pharma, grants from Moxie, grants from Pharming, personal fees from Pharvaris, grants and personal fees from Roche, from Sanofi, grants and personal fees from Shire/Takeda, grants and personal fees from UCB, grants and personal fees from Uriach, outside the submitted work. Dr Aberer reports other from Takeda, other from CSL Behring, outside the submitted work. Dr Ansotegui reports personal fees from Mundipharma, personal fees from Roxall, personal fees from Sanofi, personal fees from MSD, personal fees from Faes Farma, personal fees from Hikma, personal fees from Astra Zeneca, personal fees from Stallergens, outside the submitted work. Dr Aygören-Pürsün reports personal fees from Adverum, grants and personal fees from BioCryst, grants and personal fees from CSL Behring, grants and personal fees from Kalvista, personal fees from Pharming, grants and personal fees from Shire/Takeda, during the conduct of the study. Dr Banerji reports grants from Takeda, BioCryst, personal fees from Takeda, BioCryst, CSL, Pharming, Pharvaris, Kalvista, outside the submitted work. Dr Aberer reports other from Takeda, other from CSL Behring, outside the submitted work. Dr Bernstein reports grants and personal fees from Shire/Takeda, grants and personal fees from CSL Behring, grants and personal fees from BioCryst, grants and personal fees from Kalvista, grants from IONIS, grants and personal fees from Novartis/Genentech, grants and personal fees from Astra Zeneca, grants and personal fees from Sanofi Regeneron, from HAEA MAB, during the conduct of the study. Dr Betschel reports personal fees from CSL Behring, personal fees from Takeda/Shire, during the conduct of the study; personal fees from Octapharma, grants from Green Cross, personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from CADTH, outside the submitted work; and Chair of the Canadian Hereditary Angioedema Network. Dr Bork reports personal fees from CSL, personal fees from Shire, outside the submitted work. Dr Busse reports personal fees from CSL Behring, grants and personal fees from Shire, personal fees from Pharming, personal fees from Pearl Therapeutics, personal fees from BioCryst, personal fees from CVS Health, personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Law offices of Levin, Riback, Adelman and Flangel, outside the submitted work. Dr Bygum reports grants and other from CSL Behring, grants and other from Shire/TAKEDA, other from ViroPharma, from HAE Scandinavia, outside the submitted work. Dr Caballero reports personal fees and other from BioCryst, personal fees, non-financial support and other from CSL-Behring, personal fees from Merck, personal fees and other from Novartis, personal fees from Octapharma, personal fees, non-financial support and other from Shire HGT, personal fees and other from Pharming NV, outside the submitted work. Dr Campos reports and Personal fees for consulting and lectures from Takeda. Dr Cancian served for Scientific Advisory Boards, and received travel grants, for/from CSL Behring and Shire-Takeda. His Institution (Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Italy) received grants from CSL Behring and Shire-Takeda. Dr Cohn reports personal fees from Takeda, personal fees from Pharming, personal fees from CSL, personal fees from BioCryst, outside the submitted work. Dr Craig reports grants, personal fees and other from CSL Behring, grants and personal fees from Dyax, grants, personal fees and other from Takeda, grants and personal fees from BioCryst, grants and personal fees from Pharming, personal fees from Grifols, grants and non-financial support from GSK, grants and non-financial support from Regeneron, grants and non-financial support from Novartis/Genetech, outside the submitted work; and On the Medical Advisory Board for HAE-A of America, AAAAI Board, ALA Mid Atlantic Board. Dr Dissemond reports grants and personal fees from Novartis, outside the submitted work. Dr Du-Thanh reports personal fees from SHIRE/T. Dr Ensina reports personal fees from NOVARTIS, personal fees and non-financial support from TAKEDA, personal fees from SANOFI, outside the submitted work. Dr Farkas reports grants and personal fees from CSL Behring, grants and personal fees from Shire/Takeda, grants and personal fees from Pharming, personal fees from BioCryst, personal fees from Kalvista, outside the submitted work. Dr Gimenez-Arnau reports grants and personal fees from URIACH, grants and personal fees from NOVARTIS, personal fees from DSANOFI, grants from CARLOS III FEDER, personal fees from FAES, personal fees from GSK, personal fees from ALMIRALL, personal fees from ASTRA ZENECA, outside the submitted work. Dr Fukunaga reports personal fees from A Takeda company (Shire), personal fees from CSL Behring, outside the submitted work. Dr Gompels reports other from Speaker at Novartis Urticaria conference 2019, outside the submitted work; and A member of the Immunology Clinical reference group. Dr Gower reports grants, personal fees, research grants and other from Takeda/Shire/Dyax, research grants and other from BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, other from CSL Behring, other from Pharming, other from Fresenius kabi, outside the submitted work. Dr Grumach reports grants, personal fees and other from Shire/Takeda, personal fees and other from CSL Behring, outside the submitted work. Dr Hide reports grants and personal fees from Shire/Takeda, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Taiho-yakuhin, personal fees from CSL-Behring, BioCryst, Novartis, Teikoku-Seiyaku,Eizai, Kaken, Kyowahakkou-Kirin, grants from Glaxo-Smith-Klein, outside the submitted work. Dr Jakob reports grants, personal fees and non-financial support from Novartis, personal fees and non-financial support from Thermo Fisher Scientific, grants and personal fees from ALK-Abello, personal fees from Celgene, personal fees and non-financial support from Bencard/Allergy Therapeutics, personal fees from Allergopharma, outside the submitted work. Dr Kaplan reports other from Genentech, other from Novartis, other from Sanofi Aventis, other from BioCryst, outside the submitted work. Dr Katelaris reports grants and personal fees from CSL Behring, grants and personal fees from Takeda, grants from BioCryst, during the conduct of the study. Dr Kleinheinz reports personal fees from Novartis, during the conduct of the study; personal fees from Abbvie, personal fees from Leo GmbH, personal fees from Janssen, personal fees from Medac, personal fees from Galderma, personal fees from Celgene, personal fees from Bencard, outside the submitted work. Dr Kocatürk reports personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Sanofi, outside the submitted work. Dr Longhurst reports grants and personal fees from BioCryst, grants, personal fees and non-financial support from CSL Behring, grants from Ionis, grants from Kalvista, personal fees from Pharming, grants, personal fees and non-financial support from Takeda, personal fees from GSK, personal fees from Octapharma, outside the submitted work. Dr MacGinnitie reports personal fees from BioCryst, personal fees from Shire, outside the submitted work. Dr Magerl reports personal fees from CSL Behring, personal fees from Shire/part of Takeda, personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from BioCryst, personal fees from KalVista, personal fees from Pharming, outside the submitted work. Dr Makris reports personal fees from Novartis, outside the submitted work. Dr Marsland reports grants and personal fees from Novartis, personal fees and non-financial support from Sanofi, personal fees from Galderma, personal fees from Roche, non-financial support from Almirall, outside the submitted work. I. Martinez Saguer has received honoraria, research funding, and travel grants from BioCryst, CSL Behring, Pharming, and Takeda/Shire, KalVista and/or served as a consultant and/or participated in advisory boards for these companies. Dr Metz reports personal fees from Moxie, personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Roche, personal fees from Sanofi, personal fees from Shire, outside the submitted work. Dr Papadopoulos reports personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Nutricia, personal fees from HAL, personal fees from MENARINI/FAES FARMA, personal fees from SANOFI, personal fees from MYLAN/MEDA, personal fees from BIOMAY, personal fees from AstraZeneca, personal fees from GSK, personal fees from MSD, personal fees from ASIT BIOTECH, personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, grants from Gerolymatos International SA, grants from Capricare, outside the submitted work. Dr Reich reports personal fees from Abbvie, personal fees from Bioderma, personal fees from Chema Elektromet, personal fees from Galderma, personal fees from Bausch Health, personal fees from Janssen, personal fees from Leo Pharma, personal fees from Medac, grants and personal fees from Menlo Therapeutics, personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Pierre-Fabre, personal fees from Trevi, personal fees from Kymab Limited, personal fees from MSD, personal fees from Metriopharm, personal fees from Drug Delivery Solutions, personal fees from Eli Lilly, outside the submitted work. Dr Riedl reports grants and personal fees from CSL Behring, grants and personal fees from Shire/Takeda, grants and personal fees from BioCryst, grants and personal fees from Pharming, personal fees from Pharvaris, personal fees from Adverum, personal fees from KalVista, personal fees from Attune, grants from Ionis, outside the submitted work; and US HAEA Medical Advisory Board Member - uncompensated. Dr Röckmann-Helmbach reports other from Pharming, during the conduct of the study. Dr Schmid-Grendelmeier reports personal fees from Takeda, during the conduct of the study. Dr Serpa reports speaker fees from Shire/Takeda, Novartis and Sanofi. Dr Sheikh reports other from Takeda, from CSL, outside the submitted work. Dr Smith reports personal fees from Takeda/Shire, personal fees from CSL/Behring, grants from Takeda/Shire, grants from BioCryst, outside the submitted work. Dr Soria reports personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Sanofi Genzyme, personal fees from Abbvie, outside the submitted work. Dr Staubach reports personal fees and non-financial support from Takeda, personal fees and non-financial support from Shire, personal fees and non-financial support from Pharming, personal fees and non-financial support from CSL Behring, personal fees and non-financial support from Novartis, outside the submitted work. Dr Stobiecki reports personal fees from lectures given for CSL Behring, Takeda (Shire), personal fees from conducting clinical trials as a principal investigator for BioCryst, personal fees from consultant work for: BioCryst, CSL Behring, Takeda (Shire), Pharming, outside the submitted work. Dr Sussman reports grants and personal fees from Research grants from pharmaceutical companies. Novartis, Genentech, Amgen, Sanofi, CSL behring, Leo, Kedrion, Green Cross, DBV, Aimune. Ð'dConsulting and honararia from Novartis, Novo, CSL Behring, Amgen., during the conduct of the study; grants from Novartis Pharmaceutical, grants from Genentech, grants from CSL behring, grants from Amgen, grants from Leo, grants from DBV, grants from Aimune, grants from Sanofi, non-financial support from Novartis, non-financial support from Novo, non-financial support from Pediapharm, non-financial support from Sanofi, grants from Kedrion, outside the submitted work. Dr Thomsen reports grants and personal fees from Novartis, grants and personal fees from Sanofi, grants and personal fees from UCB, grants and personal fees from Janssen, grants and personal fees from Abbvie, outside the submitted work. Dr Treudler reports personal fees from Shire-Takeda, personal fees from ALK-Abello, personal fees from Novartis, grants and personal fees from Sanofi-Genzyme, grants from Hautnetz Leipzig e.V., other from Fraunhofer Institut, outside the submitted work. Dr van Doorn reports personal fees from Leopharma, grants and personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Abbvie, personal fees from BMS, personal fees from Celgene, personal fees from Lilly, personal fees from MSD, personal fees from Pfizer, personal fees from Sanofi-Genzyme, personal fees from Janssen Cilag, outside the submitted work. Dr Weber-Chrysochoou reports personal fees from Takeda and CSL Behring, outside the submitted work. Dr Zuberbier reports personal fees from AstraZeneca, personal fees from AbbVie, personal fees from ALK, personal fees from Almirall, personal fees from Astellas, personal fees from Bayer Health Care, personal fees from Bencard, personal fees from Berlin Chemie, personal fees from FAES, personal fees from HAL, personal fees from Leti, personal fees from Meda, personal fees from Menarini, personal fees from Merck, personal fees from MSD, grants and personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Pfizer, personal fees from Sanofi, personal fees from Stallergenes, personal fees from Takeda, personal fees from Teva, personal fees from UCB, grants from Henkel, personal fees from Kryolan, personal fees from L´Oréal, outside the submitted work; and Organizational affiliations:Üommitee member: WHO-Initiative "Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma" (ARIA)Ðember of the Board: German Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (DGAKI)Ðead: European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF)Ðecretary General: Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN)Ðember: Committee on Allergy Diagnosis and Molecular Allergology, World Allergy Organization (WAO). Other authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

The interaction of a solitary wave with an interface formed by two strongly nonlinear noncohesive granular lattices displays rich behavior, characterized by the breakdown of continuum equations of motion in the vicinity of the interface. By treating the solitary wave as a quasiparticle with an effective mass, we construct an intuitive (energy- and linear-momentum-conserving) discrete model to predict the amplitudes of the transmitted solitary waves generated when an incident solitary-wave front, parallel to the interface, moves from a denser to a lighter granular hexagonal lattice. Our findings are corroborated with simulations. We then successfully extend this model to oblique interfaces, where we find that the angle of refraction and reflection of a solitary wave follows, below a critical value, an analogue of Snell's law in which the solitary-wave speed replaces the speed of sound, which is zero in the sonic vacuum.

Densely packed semiflexible polymers with contour length L confined in spheres with radius R of the same order as L cannot exhibit uniform nematic order. Depending on the chain stiffness (which we vary over a wide range), highly distorted structures form with topological defects on the sphere surface. These structures are completely different from previously observed ones of very long chains winding around the inner surface of spheres and from nematic droplets. At high densities, a thin shell of polymers close to the sphere surface exhibits a tennis ball texture due to the confinement-induced gradual bending of polymer bonds. In contrast, when the contour length of the chains is significantly smaller than the radius of the confining sphere, a few bent smectic layers form in the sphere. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate these complex structures, and suitable order parameters characterizing them are proposed.