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Background: Patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support are at high risk for malnutrition. There are currently no general nutrition guidelines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients during ECMO therapy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of COVID-19 patients requiring venovenous ECMO support at a large tertiary hospital center. Nutrition goals were calculated using 25 kcal/kg body weight (BW)/day. Associations between nutrition support and outcome were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier and multivariable Cox regression analyses. Results: Overall, 102 patients accounted for a total of 2344 nutrition support days during ECMO therapy. On 40.6% of these days, nutrition goals were met. Undernutrition was found in 40.8%. Mean daily calorie delivery was 73.7% of calculated requirements, mean daily protein delivery was 0.7 g/kg BW/d. Mean energy intake of ≥70% of calculated targets was associated with significantly lower ICU mortality independently of age, disease severity at ECMO start and body mass index (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.372, p = 0.007). Conclusions: Patients with a mean energy delivery of ≥70% of calculated targets during ECMO therapy had a better ICU survival compared to patients with unmet energy goals. These results indicate that adequate nutritional support needs to be a major priority in the treatment of COVID-19 patients requiring ECMO support.

Extracorporeal lung support includes the risk of hemolysis due to suction pressures. Manufacturers measure the negative suction pressure across drainage cannulas for their products in vitro using water. Clinical experience suggests that hemolysis occurs in vivo already at much lower flow rates. The aim of this study was to analyze the in vivo suction pressure for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) cannulas. Prospective, observational study at a tertiary-care intensive care unit: 15 patients on VV-ECMO for severe ARDS were prospectively included. In vitro , the 25 Fr drainage cannula pressure drops below a critical level of around -100 mm Hg at a flow rate of 7.9 L/min, the 23 Fr drainage cannula at 6.6 L/min. In the clinical setting, critical suction pressures were reached at much lower flow rates (5.5 and 4.7 L/min; p0.0001, nonlinear regression). The in vitro data largely overestimate the safely achievable flow rates in daily clinical practice by 2.4 L/min (or 44%, 25 Fr) and 1.9 L/min (or 41%, 23 Fr). In vivo measurement of suction pressure of venous drainage cannulas differed significantly from in vitro derived measurements as the latter largely underestimate the resulting suction pressure.

Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO 2 R) has gained widespread use as a supposedly less invasive alternative for hypercapnic respiratory failure besides venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO). Despite technological advances, coagulation-related adverse events remain a major challenge in both therapies. The overlapping operating areas of VV ECMO and pump-driven ECCO 2 R could allow for a device selection targeted at the lowest risk of such complications. This retrospective analysis of 47 consecutive patients compared hemostatic changes between pump-driven ECCO 2 R (n = 23) and VV ECMO (n = 24) by application of linear mixed effect models. A significant decrease in platelet count, increase in D-dimer levels, and decrease of fibrinogen levels were observed. However, except for fibrinogen, the type of extracorporeal support did not have a significant effect on the time course of these parameters. Our findings suggest that in terms of hemocompatibility, pump-driven ECCO 2 R is not significantly different from VV ECMO.

Objective: Manual plaque segmentation in microscopy images is a time-consuming process in atherosclerosis research and potentially subject to unacceptable user-to-user variability and observer bias. We address this by releasing Vesseg a tool that includes state-of-the-art deep learning models for atherosclerotic plaque segmentation. Approach and Results: Vesseg is a containerized, extensible, open-source, and user-oriented tool. It includes 2 models, trained and tested on 1089 hematoxylin-eosin stained mouse model atherosclerotic brachiocephalic artery sections. The models were compared to 3 human raters. Vesseg can be accessed at https://vesseg .online or downloaded. The models show mean Soerensen-Dice scores of 0.91±0.15 for plaque and 0.97±0.08 for lumen pixels. The mean accuracy is 0.98±0.05. Vesseg is already in active use, generating time savings of >10 minutes per slide. Conclusions: Vesseg brings state-of-the-art deep learning methods to atherosclerosis research, providing drastic time savings, while allowing for continuous improvement of models and the underlying pipeline.

The reactions of carbodiimides with the iron arylborylene complex [Fe=BDur(CO)\(_{3}\)(PMe\(_{3}\))] (Dur=2,3,5,6-Me\(_{4}\)C\(_{6}\)H) and the iron bis(borylene) complex [Fe{=BDur}{=BN(SiMe\(_{3}\))\(_{2}\)}(CO)\(_{3}\)] yield a wide variety of temperature-dependent products, including known FeBNC and novel FeBNB metallacycles, complexes of N-heterocyclic boracarbene and spiro-boracarbene ligands and a unique 1,3,2,4-diazadiborolyl pianostool complex, characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The product distributions can be rationalized by considering sequences of cycloaddition, metathesis, insertion, and C−H activation pathways mainly governed by sterics.

Objectives Pulmonary thrombus formation is a hallmark of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A dysregulated immune response culminating in thromboinflammation has been described, but the pathomechanisms remain unclear. Methods We studied 41 adult COVID-19 patients with positive results on reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction assays and 37 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Number and surface characteristics of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and citrullinated histone H3 levels were determined in plasma upon inclusion by flow cytometry and immunoassay. Results In total, 20 patients had severe and 21 nonsevere disease. The number of EV (median [25th, 75th percentile]) was significantly higher in patients compared with controls (658.8 [353.2, 876.6] vs. 435.5 [332.5, 585.3], geometric mean ratio [95% confidence intervals]: 2.6 [1.9, 3.6]; p Conclusion EV and citrullinated histone H3 are associated with COVID-19 and could provide information regarding pathophysiology of the disease.

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is the main reason for ICU admission following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Extracorporeal CO2 removal (ECCO2R) can be used as an adjunct to mechanical ventilation in patients with severe hypercapnia but has not been assessed in HSCT recipients. Retrospective analysis of all allogeneic HSCT recipients ≥18 years treated with ECCO2R at two HSCT centers. 11 patients (m:f = 4:7, median age: 45 [IQR: 32‐58] years) were analyzed. Acute leukemia was the underlying hematologic malignancy in all patients. The time from HSCT to ICU admission was 37 [8‐79] months, and 9/11 (82%) suffered from chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) with lung involvement. Pneumonia was the most frequent reason for ventilatory decompensation (n = 9). ECCO2R was initiated for severe hypercapnia (PaCO2: 96 [84‐115] mm Hg; pH: 7.13 [7.09‐7.27]) despite aggressive mechanical ventilation (invasive, n = 9; non‐invasive, n = 2). ECCO2R effectively resolved blood gas disturbances in all patients, but only 2/11 (18%) could be weaned off ventilatory support, and one (9%) patient survived hospital discharge. Progressive respiratory and multiorgan dysfunction were the main reasons for treatment failure. ECCO2R was technically feasible but resulted in a low survival rate in our cohort. A better understanding of the prognosis of ARF in patients with chronic GVHD and lung involvement is necessary before its use can be reconsidered in this setting., ECCO2R is technically feasible but results in low survival in patients with chronic GVHD and lung involvement after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Further study on the prognosis of respiratory failure in these patients is necessary before ECCO2R can be reconsidered in this setting

The reactions of terminal acetylenes with doubly Lewis base-stabilised diborenes resulted in different outcomes depending on the nature of the ligands at boron and the conformation of the diborene (cyclic versus acyclic). N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-stabilised diborenes tended to undergo anti-selective hydroalkynylation at room temperature, whereas [2 + 2] cycloaddition was observed at higher temperatures, invariably followed by a C–N bond activation at one NHC ligand, leading to the ring-expansion of the initially formed BCBC ring and formation of novel boron-containing heterocycles. For phosphine-stabilised diborenes only [2 + 2] cycloaddition was observed, followed by a rearrangement of the resulting 1,2-dihydro-1,2-diborete to the corresponding 1,3-isomer, which amounts to complete scission of both the BB double and CC triple bonds of the reactants. The elusive 1,2-isomer was finally trapped by using a cyclic phosphine-stabilised diborene, which prevented rearrangement to the 1,3-isomer. Extensive density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide a rationale for the selectivity observed.

The duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatments increases, however, data presented from prolonged support is limited. We retrospectively analyzed all patients during a 4-year period undergoing respiratory ECMO for duration of therapy, demographics, therapy-associated parameters, and outcome according to ECMO duration (

SummaryThe pandemic from the SARS-CoV‑2 virus is currently challenging healthcare systems all over the world. Maintaining appropriate staffing and resources in healthcare facilities is essential to guarantee a safe working environment for healthcare personnel and safe patient care. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) represents a valuable therapeutic option in patients with severe heart or lung failure. Although only a limited proportion of COVID-19 patients develop respiratory or circulatory failure that is refractory to conventional treatment, it is of utmost importance to clearly define criteria for the use of ECMO in this steadily growing patient population. The ECMO working group of the Medical University of Vienna has established the following recommendations for ECMO support in COVID-19 patients.

Zusammenfassung Die aktuelle COVID-19-Pandemie, die durch das SARS-CoV‑2 ausgelöst wird, hat bereits in vielen betroffenen Ländern zu gravierenden Ressourcenengpässen der jeweiligen Gesundheitssysteme geführt. Obwohl sehr viele COVID-19-Patienten nur moderate Symptome zeigen, entwickelt eine Subgruppe ein schweres respiratorisches oder auch kardiales Versagen. Die extrakorporale Membranoxygenierung (ECMO) stellt eine wertvolle Therapieoption für Patienten mit therapierefraktärem Lungen- oder Herzversagen dar. Es bedarf klarer Empfehlungen, die den ECMO-Einsatz in dieser zahlenmäßig stetig steigenden Patientenpopulation regeln. Die ECMO-Arbeitsgruppe der Medizinischen Universität Wien hat daher die folgenden Empfehlungen für eine ECMO-Unterstützung bei COVID-19-Patienten formuliert.

BackgroundIn patients receiving high flow nasal oxygen (HFNO), predicting chance of response is crucial in order to avoid unnecessary delay of intubation. Whether commonly used predictors of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) response may be as applicable for HFNO, is unclear.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective bi-centric analysis of adults treated with HFNO in two Austrian medical intensive care units from 01/2014 until 09/2017. Predictive value of respiratory rate, PaO2, PaCO2, SpO2, ROX index, pH, heart rate, base excess, SOFA-Score and SAPS III was analysed by means of logistic regression with HFNO responding as dependent variable. Calculations were also done separately in patients receiving HFNO as post-extubation support (Group A) and all other indications (Group B). ResultsWe registered 127 patients (m:f = 70:57, median age: 67 [IQR 53-77] years). Forty-eight patients (37.8%) received HFNO as post-extubation support and were assigned to group A. Seventy-nine patients (62.2%) received HFNO due to any other indication and were assigned to group B. Criteria of HFNO response were fulfilled by 42 patients (87.5%) of group A and 53 (67.1%) of group B patients.Whereas respiratory rate, PaO2, PaCO2, SpO2, pH, heart rate, base excess, SOFA-Score and SAPS III did not differ between responders and non-responders, ROX index showed significant association with HFNO success in all patients. With increasing ROX index, the odds for response increased (OR [95% CI]: baseline: 1.21 [1.05, 1.38], p = 0.0069, after 2 hours: 1.19 [1.05; 1.34], p = 0.0061, after 6 hours: 1.23 [1.06; 1.42], p = 0.0049). Subgroup analyses revealed similar odds ratios for ROX index (baseline: group A: 1.17 [0.90; 1.52], p = 0.24; group B: 1.22 [1.04; 1.43], p = 0.015; after 2 hours: 1.30 [0.94; 1.82], p = 0.12, group B: 1.18 [1.03; 1.34], p = 0.014; after 6 hours: 1.76 [1.01; 3.06], p = 0.047, group B: 1.19 [1.03; 1.37], p = 0.022). ConclusionsCriteria of HFNO success deviate from criteria for response to NIV. ROX index indicated HFNO response in a wide range of indications.

A doubly cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene-stabilised dihydroboronium cation undergoes fully reversible 2e– reduction to a stable hydroboryl anion via B-to-C hydrogen migration. Subsequent 1e– oxidation yields a bench-stable neutral hydroboryl radical., The addition of Lewis bases to a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC)-supported dihydroboron triflate yields the mixed doubly base-stabilised dihydroboryl cations [(CAAC)BH2L]+. Of these, [(CAAC)2BH2]OTf (OTf = triflate) underwent facile two-electron reduction with KC8 owing to a 1,2-hydride migration from boron to the carbene carbon to yield a stable hydroboryl anion. One-electron oxidation of the latter yielded the first neutral hydroboryl radical, which is bench-stable in the solid state.

The reaction of aryl- and amino(dihydro)boranes with dibora[2]ferrocenophane 1 leads to the formation 1,3-trans-dihydrotriboranes by formal hydrogenation and insertion of a borylene unit into the B=B bond. The aryltriborane derivatives undergo reversible photoisomerization to the cis-1,2-μ-H-3-hydrotriboranes, while hydride abstraction affords cationic triboranes, which represent the first doubly base-stabilized B3 H4+ analogues.

Die Reaktion zwischen Aryl‐ und Amino(dihydro)boranen und Dibora[2]ferrocenophan 1 fuhrt zur Bildung von 1,3‐trans‐Dihydrotriboranen durch formale Hydrierung und Insertion eines Borylens in die B=B Doppelbindung. Die Aryltriboran‐Derivate unterliegen einer reversiblen Photoisomerisierung zugunsten eines cis‐1,2‐μ‐H‐3‐Hydrotriborans, wahrend eine Hydridabstraktion zu kationischen Triboranen fuhrt, welche die ersten doppelt basenstabilisierten B\(_3\)H\(_4\)\(^+\)‐Analoga darstellen.

Severe thrombocytopenia poses a high risk for bleeding thus representing a relative contraindication for anticoagulation and therefore extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We herein report on a series of immunocompromised patients with severe thrombocytopenia undergoing long-term ECMO without systemic anticoagulation. We retrospectively identified seven adult patients with anticoagulation withdrawal for ≥3 days (range 5-317) during venovenous ECMO therapy due to thrombocytopenia < 50 G/L treated in a university-affiliated hospital from January 2013 to April 2017. All ECMO systems used were heparin coated. Overall, 530 ECMO days were observed, 404 (76%) of them without systemic anticoagulation. Platelet count during ECMO treatment was 24 G/L (median, range 1-138), ECMO duration was 35 days (5-317), and ECMO was run without any anticoagulation for 20 days (5-317). Altogether, five clotting events were seen leading to oxygenator exchanges. Bleeding was common including one fatal intracerebral hemorrhage. Altogether, 29 platelet concentrates per patient (7-207) were administered, which correspond to 0.8 per day (0.6-1.3). One patient survived ICU and hospital. In patients with thrombocytopenia, ECMO can be run without anticoagulation even for considerably long periods of time. Bleeding remains common, while clotting events seem to be rare. However, prognosis of this patient population undergoing ECMO support seems grim.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has established as a cornerstone therapy in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and refractory hemodynamic failure. As circuit integrity is crucial for adequate organ support, component failure may necessitate a system exchange. In this retrospective study, incidence and etiology of system exchanges during applications of venovenous, venoarterial ECMO, and extracorporeal CO2 removal were examined. Sixty-three (44.4%) of 142 patients were affected by one or more exchanges, totaling 105 replaced circuits. The predominant exchange reason was clotting (n = 20), followed by hemolysis (n = 19), systemic coagulation disorders (n = 13), reconfiguration (n = 13), impaired gas exchange (n = 10), mechanical complications (n = 8), bleeding (n = 6), failed weaning (n = 5), prophylactic exchange (n = 3), and undocumented/other (n = 8). Nineteen (18.1%) events were classified as acute and 70 (66.7%) events as elective exchanges. Patients with circuit exchanges more frequently underwent renal replacement therapy at ECMO initiation (49.2% vs. 29.1%; p = 0.023), had a longer ECMO treatment duration (18 vs. 7.5 days, p < 0.001), and lower hospital survival (29.5% vs. 57.1%; p = 0.002). Considering the high occurrence of coagulation complications, further optimization of coagulation management is deemed necessary.

Bioactive materials 6(12), 4368 - 4376 (2021). doi:10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.04.009, Magnesium is attractive for the application as a temporary bone implant due to its inherent biodegradability, non-toxicity and suitable mechanical properties. The degradation process of magnesium in physiological environments is complex and is thought to be a diffusion-limited transport problem. We use a multi-scale imaging approach using micro computed tomography and transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM) at resolutions below 40 nm. Thus, we are able to evaluate the nanoporosity of the degradation layer and infer its impact on the degradation process of pure magnesium in two physiological solutions. Magnesium samples were degraded in simulated body fluid (SBF) or Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for one to four weeks. TXM reveals the three-dimensional interconnected pore network within the degradation layer for both solutions. The pore network morphology and degradation layer composition are similar for all samples. By contrast, the degradation layer thickness in samples degraded in SBF was significantly higher and more inhomogeneous than in DMEM+10%FBS. Distinct features could be observed within the degradation layer of samples degraded in SBF, suggesting the formation of microgalvanic cells, which are not present in samples degraded in DMEM+10%FBS. The results suggest that the nanoporosity of the degradation layer and the resulting ion diffusion processes therein have a limited influence on the overall degradation process. This indicates that the influence of organic components on the dampening of the degradation rate by the suppression of microgalvanic degradation is much greater in the present study., Published by Elsevier B.V., [Amsterdam]

Reduction of (CAAC)BBr2(NCS) (CAAC=cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene) in the presence of a Lewis base L yields tricoordinate (CAAC)LB(NCS) borylenes which undergo reversible E/Z‐isomerization. The same reduction in the absence of L yields deep blue, bis(CAAC)‐stabilized, boron‐doped, aromatic thiazolothiazoles resulting from the dimerization of dicoordinate (CAAC)B(NCS) borylene intermediates., While the reduction of cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene‐stabilized isothiocyanatoboranes in the presence of a Lewis base yields tricoordinate isothiocyanatoborylenes, the reduction in the absence of a Lewis base yields the first examples of deep blue, boron‐doped, aromatic thiazolothiazoles.

Der Andenstaat Ekuador ist ein touristisch nicht ausgeprägt entwickeltes Land. Die Touristen besuchen hauptsächlich die hoch in den Andern liegende Hautstadt Quito und das ca. 1000 km vom Festland entfernt liegende Archipel der Galapagos Inseln im Pazifischen Ozean. Nur wenige Besucher zieht es in das Quellgebiet des Amazonas im Osten des Landes oder interessieren sich für die wunderbaren Strände entlang der Pazifikküste. Einsame Buchten, die teilweise unter Naturschutz stehen, reihen sich aneinander, jede für sich einzigartig und verschieden. Dahinter eine reiche, abwechslungsreiche und farbenfrohe Vegetation. Eine dieser Buchten in der Näher der Stadt Puerto Lopez ist der Standort für die Projektierung der Hotelanlage "La Raya". Der Name leitet sich vom Mantarochen (spanisch: Mantaraya) ab. Die Tiere, die 5 bis 9 Meter lang und bis zu 3 Tonnen schwer werden können fallen durch ihre besondere Art der Fortbewegung auf. Sie gleiten durchs Wasser und vermitteln damit das Gefühl der Ruhe und der Entspannung. Aus diesem Grund ist der Meeresbewohner der ideale Namensgeber und Pate für das Hotel. Die Hotelanlage ist als Refugium konzipiert, soll den Urlaubern einen idealen Ort zur Erholung und Entspannung bieten. Die Gäste wohnen deshalb ausschließlich in privaten Villen, wobei in unterschiedliche Typen diversifiziert wird.Die Villen in der ersten Reihe direkt am Strand sind eingeschossig und teilweise mit eigenen Pools ausgestattet. Die Villen in der zweiten Reihe sind in private Gartenanlagen eingebettet, verfügen alle über einen eigenen Pool und werden zweigeschossig konzipiert. Außerdem sind Villen mit 2 und mehr Schlafzimmern vorgesehen. Diese befinden sich an den Enden der Anlage und sollen noch mehr Privatsphäre bieten. Alle gemeinschaftlich genutzten Funktionsbereiche, wie die Rezeption, die Lobby, das Restaurant und die Hotelbar werden in einem gemeinsamen und gestalterisch signifikanten Bauwerk, das dem Namensgeber und Maskottchen der Anlage nachempfunden ist, zusammengefasst. In dessen Nähe befinden sich auch eine großzügige Poolanlage, ein Hotel-Spa, eine Kinderbetreuung sowie eingeschränkt ausfallende bauliche Vorkehrungen für Unterhaltung und Sport. Die zentralen Themen der Anlage sind Ruhe und Entspannung, ergänzt durch das Erleben der Natur am und im Wasser sowie im angrenzenden Hinterland., Tourism is not highly developed in the Andean State of Ecuador. Most visitors come to Quito, the states capitol, and continue their journey, visiting the Galapagos Islands, a solitary archipel in the pacific ocean. Rarely they find their way to the amazonas in the east of the country or show interest in the pacific coastline. Here, a nuber of magnificent bays can be found. Each ot them unique and divers, accompanied with a rich and colourful nature in the hinterland.One of these solitary bays near Puerto Lopez is the place for the hotel facility, which is named ¿La Raya¿. The name is based on the spanisch word for Manta Ray. These animals get upt to 9 meters long and can achieve a weight of 3 tons. They are well known for their particular way of gliding through the water. They move in a slow and peaceful manner. Therefore it became the eponym and mascot of the hotel.The hotel is supposed to be a retreat. The basic concept is to design a hideaway-hotel, which offers the highest level of recreation. All guests live in private villas, designed for different needs and categories.There are villas in the first row with direct access to the beach. One part of these villas have their own pool. All villas in the second row are embedded in private gardens, have two levels and are all equipped with private pools. Additional villas with more then one bedroom are located at the most distant locations to offer even more privacy to the guests.All common used spaces such as the front desk with the lobby, as well as the restaurant, a bar and others are located in a solitary building. The design of the main building is based on the shape of a Manta Ray, our mascot. Pools, hotel-spa and facilities for kids are located nearby the main building.The basic themes of the hotels are silence, calmness and recreation, combinded with the possibility to experience nature and the sea.

Objective: Patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are frequently in need for sedation. Use of propofol has been associated with impaired oxygenator function due to adsorption to the membrane as well as lipid load. The aim of our retrospective analysis was to compare two different sedation regimens containing either propofol or midazolam with respect to oxygenator running time. Methods: Midazolam was used in 73 patients whereas propofol was used in 49 patients, respectively. In the propofol group, veno-arterial–extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used predominantly (84%), while veno-venous–extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used more often in the midazolam group (64%). Results: Oxygenator running time until first exchange was 7 days in both groups ( p = 0.759). No statistically significant differences could be observed between the subgroup of patients receiving lipid-free (n = 24) and lipid-containing (n = 31) parenteral nutrition, respectively. Laboratory parameters like triglycerides, free hemoglobin, fibrinogen, platelets, and activated partial thromboplastin time were not significantly different between both sedation regimens ( p = 0.462, p = 0.489, p = 0.960, p = 0.134, and p = 0.843) and were not associated with oxygenator running time. Conclusion: The use of propofol as sedative seems suitable in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy.

Digitalization and Industry 4.0 have a strong impact on today’s production environment. The established methods of lean production are also affected and can be further improved through new technologies. The following paper addresses how and whether digitalization enhances shop floor management (SFM) as a key element of the philosophy of lean production. Based on the Darmstadt shop floor management model, it will be discussed where digitalization is expected to be value-adding or bearing risks in which elements of SFM and how the transition to a digital system opens up new possibilities. The potential of digital SFM systems are evaluated through a literature review and interviews with experts. Based on the results a digital SFM prototype is evaluated and further developed and applied to the learning factory Center for industrial Productivity (CiP) and its underlying process control system. The versatile environment of the learning factory is consequently being used for evaluation of digital SFM in different working situations like manual labor or machining.

The reductive coupling of an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) stabilized (dibromo)vinylborane yields a 1,2‐divinyldiborene, which, although isoelectronic to a 1,3,5‐triene, displays no extended π conjugation because of twisting of the C2B2C2 chain. While this divinyldiborene coordinates to copper(I) and platinum(0) in an η2‐B2 and η4‐C2B2 fashion, respectively, it undergoes a complex rearrangement to an η4‐1,3‐diborete upon complexation with nickel(0)., A complex twist: A highly electron‐richN‐heterocyclic carbene stabilized 1,2‐divinyldiborene, which displays no delocalized π conjugation because of twisting of the C2B2C2 chain, coordinates to CuI and Pt0 in an η2‐B2 and η4‐C2B2 mode, respectively, while undergoing a complex rearrangement to an η4‐1,3‐diborete upon complexation with Ni0.

Scientific reports 10(1), 16101 (2020). doi:10.1038/s41598-020-72964-x, Magnesium and its alloys attract increasingly wide attention in various fields, ranging from transport to medical solutions, due to their outstanding structural and degradation properties. These properties can be tailored through alloying and thermo-mechanical processing, which is often complex and multi-step, thus requiring in-depth analysis. In this work, we demonstrate the capability of synchrotron-based nanotomographic X-ray imaging methods, namely holotomography and transmission X-ray microscopy, for the quantitative 3D analysis of the evolution of intermetallic precipitate (particle) morphology and distribution in magnesium alloy Mg–5.78Zn–0.44Zr subjected to a complex multi-step processing. A rich history of variation of the intermetallic particle structure in the processed alloy provided a testbed for challenging the analytical capabilities of the imaging modalities studied. The main features of the evolving precipitate structure revealed earlier by traditional light and electron microscopy methods were confirmed by the 3D techniques of synchrotron-based X-ray imaging. We further demonstrated that synchrotron-based X-ray imaging enabled uncovering finer details of the variation of particle morphology and number density at various stages of processing—above and beyond the information provided by visible light and electron microscopy., Published by Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, [London]

Whereas the reduction of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-stabilised cymantrenyldibromoboranes, (NHC)BBr\(_2\)Cym, in benzene results in formation of the corresponding diborenes (NHC)\(_2\)B\(_2\)Cym\(_2\), a change of solvent to THF yields a borylene of the form (NHC)\(_2\)BCym, stabilised through its boratafulvene resonance form.

The reaction of aryl‐ and amino(dihydro)boranes with dibora[2]ferrocenophane 1 leads to the formation 1,3‐trans‐dihydrotriboranes by formal hydrogenation and insertion of a borylene unit into the B=B bond. The aryltriborane derivatives undergo reversible photoisomerization to the cis‐1,2‐μ‐H‐3‐hydrotriboranes, while hydride abstraction affords cationic triboranes, which represent the first doubly base‐stabilized B3H4 + analogues., A dibora[2]ferrocenophane undergoes 100 % trans‐selective 1,2‐dihydroboration with amino‐ and aryldihydroboranes, with formal insertion of a borylene unit into the B=B double bond. The resulting aryltriboranes undergo reversible tautomerization under UV irradiation as well as hydride abstraction to the cationic H‐bridged triboranes.

Boryl, borylene, and base-stabilized borylene complexes of manganese and iron undergo a range of different reactions when treated with isonitriles including single, double, and partial isonitrile insertions into metal-boron bonds, ring formation, isonitrile coupling, and the liberation of new monovalent boron species. Two of the resulting cyclic species have also been found to react selectively with anhydrous HCl to form ring-opened products. The diverse isonitrile-promoted reactivity of transition-metal-boron compounds has been explored computationally.