Evaluation of the σ-Donating and π-Accepting Properties of N-Heterocyclic Boryl Anions.

The relative σ-donating and π-accepting capacities of a range of synthetically relevant boryl anions have been evaluated by examining the geometric, thermochemical, and electronic properties of their adducts to the Li+ cation and Se atom, as compared to the properties of the analogous neutral N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), by theoretical methods. The results indicate that boryl anions have a weaker π-accepting capability compared to NHCs, but it is still a non-negligible factor in the bonding contributions between boryl and the Se atom. The tunability of the π-accepting capacity of boryl anions is similar to that of NHCs, indicating a potential for the modification of the electronic properties of metal complexes incorporating either boryl or NHC ligands. In all cases, the boryl ligands were found to be superior σ-donors to NHCs.

Electrostatic spin control in InAs/InP nanowire quantum dots.

Very robust voltage-controlled spin transitions in few-electron quantum dots are demonstrated. Two lateral-gate electrodes patterned on opposite sides of an InAs/InP nanowire are used to apply a transverse electric field and tune orbital energy separation down to level-pair degeneracy. Transport measurements in this regime allow us to demonstrate the breakdown of the standard alternate up/down spin filling scheme and unambiguously show singlet-triplet spin transitions. The strong confinement of the present devices leads to a large energy gain for the observed anomalous spin configurations that exceeds 4 meV. As a consequence, this behavior is well visible even at temperatures exceeding T = 20 K.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta variants in patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission for COVID-19, Northern Italy, December 2021 to January 2022.

This multicenter observational study included 171 COVID-19 adult patients hospitalized in the ICUs of nine hospitals in Lombardy (Northern Italy) from December, 1st 2021, to February, 9th 2022. During the study period, the Delta/Omicron variant ratio of cases decreased with a delay of two weeks in ICU patients compared to that in the community; a higher proportion of COVID-19 unvaccinated patients was infected by Delta than by Omicron whereas a higher rate of COVID-19 boosted patients was Omicron-infected. A higher number of comorbidities and a higher comorbidity score in ICU critically COVID-19 inpatients was positively associated with the Omicron infection as well in vaccinated individuals. Although people infected by Omicron have a lower risk of severe disease than those infected by Delta variant, the outcome, including the risk of ICU admission and the need for mechanical ventilation due to infection by Omicron versus Delta, remains uncertain. The continuous monitoring of the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants remains a milestone to counteract this pandemic.