Coordination Clusters Research Articles

The time is right when you make it right: Coordinating routine clusters in sustained crises

This article examines how organizations coordinate routines to achieve reliable collective action in sustained, temporally complex crises. We conducted an observational study of the Uganda Red Cross Society’s Ebola emergency response operation, which lasted for almost two years. Our findings reveal that sustained crises necessitate both the enacting of clusters of interrelated routines to achieve reliable operations and the accommodating of unexpected events when coordinating these clusters. Thereby, this study contributes to research on coordinating routines in sustained crises in two ways. First, we challenge traditional views of routine clusters as stable and path dependent, arguing that tolerating temporal conflicts between routines enables the flexible coordination of routine clusters during sustained crises. Second, we introduce the concept of temporal manipulation, which challenges existing thinking about the need for temporal alignment of routine performances. Temporal manipulation is the ability of routine participants to exercise agency by altering the past and/or future to successfully coordinate routines with diverging temporalities. This suggests that manipulating time, rather than aligning it, can be an effective means of coordination in sustained crises.

Development of the Cluster Chemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry and Chemistry of Metal-Organic Frameworks by Professor Vladimir P. Fedin and His School

The article briefly summarizes the main scientific directions contributed to and developed by the outstanding scientist—a leader in the field of coordination chemistry, cluster chemistry, supramolecular chemistry and chemistry of metal-organic coordination polymers, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Petrovich Fedin.

Cooperative guidance law design for multiple-vehicle under distributed event-triggered mechanism

Abstract To address the operational requirements of engaging important surface vessels with multiple anti-ship missiles, this paper proposes an attack time cooperative guidance law based on distributed event-triggered mechanism. This law enables multiple missiles to simultaneously engage the target with minimal communication. First, design a two-stage guidance law that includes a cooperative guidance stage and an independent guidance stage. In the cooperative guidance stage, the time-to-go estimates of each missile are synchronized through inter-missile communication to achieve consistency. In the independent guidance stage, the missiles can independently guide themselves towards the target without the need for further communication. The key to the implementation of this strategy is the time-to-go estimates can represent the real time-to-go after achieving consensus. Furthermore, an event-triggered mechanism is introduced during the cooperative stage to effectively reduce the frequency of communication required during the cluster coordination process. Finally, the stability of the proposed cooperative guidance law is proven using Lyapunov theory, ensuring the absence of Zeno behavior. Numerical simulation results validate the effectiveness of the algorithm and confirm the correctness of the stability analysis.

Design of an Autonomous Orchard Navigation System Based on Multi-Sensor Fusion

To address the limitations of traditional GNSS-based navigation systems in orchard environments, we propose a multi-sensor fusion-based autonomous navigation method for orchards. A crawler-type agricultural platform was used as a test vehicle, and an autonomous orchard navigation system was constructed using a 2D LiDAR, a dynamic electronic compass, and an encoder. The proposed system first filters LiDAR point cloud data and uses the DBSCAN–ratio–threshold method to process data and identify clusters of tree trunks. By matching the center coordinates of trunk clusters with a fruit tree distribution map, the platform’s positional measurements are determined. An extended Kalman filter fusion algorithm is then employed to obtain a posterior estimate of the platform’s position and pose. Experimental results demonstrate that in localization accuracy tests and navigation tests, the proposed system provides high navigation accuracy and robustness, making it suitable for autonomous walking operations in orchard environments.

Genetic variability in macadamia rootstocks and their effects on early vigor traits of ‘HAES 741′

Early vigor in tree crops is crucial as it accelerates orchard establishment and enhances resilience to environmental stresses. Rootstocks play an essential role in determining vigor of tree crops. Macadamia is propagated through grafting, however research into rootstocks is rare. This study evaluated a range of macadamia rootstocks including cultivars, standard rootstocks, breeding selections and wild germplasm, focusing on their effects on early vigor (age 4). Phenotypic variability in the scion ‘HAES 741′ was assessed using 24 accessions of seedling and cutting rootstocks over 4 years (2018–2021), analyzing 7 early vigor traits and growth rates. Principal coordinate analysis and cluster analysis revealed high genetic diversity among accessions, clustering into 4 groups. Significant rootstock effects on early vigor were observed. Broad-sense heritability estimates of rootstock effects were moderate for scion height (H2=0.48) and total height (H2=0.44), holding promise for improvement through selection. Positive correlations among scion growth traits, particularly trunk circumference, (rg= 0.50 to 0.99) suggested their potential as indicators of early vigor. The strong genetic correlations for canopy area (rg = 0.84) and canopy volume (rg = 0.63) between scions of grafted trees and the ungrafted trees of the same rootstock accessions reflect the possibility of trait transmission from rootstock to scion. Among the studied rootstocks, ‘BHI1’, ‘BHY2’ and ‘BHI3’ imparted the highest early vigor. Compared with the current industry standard rootstocks ‘H2’ and ‘Beaumont’, the least vigorous rootstocks ‘Mjan1’ and ‘BDW3’ showed reductions of 18 % and 47% in tree height, 54 % and 74% in trunk circumference and 97 % and 210 % in canopy volume respectively. These findings suggest promising rootstock candidates for high performing orchard systems, although ongoing evaluation until maturity is crucial.

Genetic and phytochemical evaluation of M2 generation mutants of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) induced by gamma rays and Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (EMS).

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is highly esteemed for its therapeutic properties and is widely used in traditional medicine and modern pharmacology. Enhancing its genetic traits and phytochemical profile, particularly its trigonelline content, can significantly increase its medicinal and agricultural value. This study aims to investigate the effects of gamma rays and Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (EMS) as mutagenic agents on the genetic and phytochemical characteristics of the M2 generation of fenugreek, focusing on genetic diversity and desirable trait enhancement. To achieve this, various concentrations of EMS and gamma rays were administered to fenugreek seeds, and 27 traits were assessed in the resulting M2 generation. These traits were analyzed for variance, mean values, and correlations. The genetic diversity of 23 M2 offspring was investigated using nine Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers. The genetic diversity assessment involved Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) and cluster analysis, utilizing the Dice similarity coefficients and the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA). A Bayesian model provided deeper insights into the genetic structure. Results revealed that lower doses of gamma rays (100Gy) and EMS (0.2%) positively impacted specific traits. In comparison, higher doses (200Gy and 0.4% EMS) increased seed trigonelline content to 0.71mg/g dry weight. Among the SCoT markers, SCoT-9 was the most efficient, segregating the populations into three clusters. The first three principal components in the PCoA explained 20% of the total variance, leading to seven subgroup populations distinction. These findings underscore the potential of induced mutagenesis in enhancing desirable traits in fenugreek.

High-Performance Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries of Garnet/Polymer Composite Thin-Film Electrolyte with Domain-Limited Ion Transport Pathways.

The integrated approach of interfacial engineering and composite electrolytes is crucial for the market application of Li metal batteries (LMBs). A 22 μm thin-film type polymer/Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) composite solid-state electrolyte (LPCE) was designed that combines fast ion conduction and stable interfacial evolution, enhancing lithium metal interface stability and cycling performance. The ether-based molecular coordination groups/clusters formed by triethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TGDE) and anions facilitated the movement of Li+ between the polymer chain segments. These specific coordination clusters significantly "constrained" the interaction between anions and Li+, inducing the anions to follow the clusters to the Li metal and preferentially participate in solid electrolyte interface (SEI) derivatization. The inorganic salt-rich gradient SEI modulates Li+ deposition and inhibits uncontrolled dendrite growth, achieving stable cycling of Li symmetric cell at 0.2 mA cm-2 for over 2000 h. Furthermore, the Li||NCM811 cell at a rate of 0.1 C exhibits an initial discharge capacity of 194.5 mAh g-1, maintaining a capacity retention rate of over 90% after 500 cycles. This work demonstrates the importance of domain-limited ion clusters in ion transport and interfacial evolution, providing a perspective for solid-state LMBs.

Genetic Diversity and Ecogeographical Niche Overlap Among Hybridising Ox-Eye Daisies (Leucanthemum, Asteraceae) in the Carpathian Mountains: The Impact of Anthropogenic Disturbances.

Climate change and human influence are transforming mountain ecosystems, significantly impacting species distributions and biodiversity. Among these changes, the upward migration of lowland species into mountain regions stands out. This study examines the ecogeographical niche overlap and genetic diversity among three Leucanthemum species distributed along an altitudinal gradient in the Carpathian Mountains: the lowland L. ircutianum (4x), the montane L. rotundifolium (2x) and the alpine L. gaudinii (2x). By genotyping over 600 individuals using SNP analysis, followed by principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), Neighbour-Net Network and Structure clustering, we reveal not just distinct genetic groups but also hybridisation across all species, suggesting the potential for triple hybrids. Genetic admixture is further supported by environmental background and niche overlap analyses that reveal substantial overlap among species, particularly in line with their vertical distribution. Climate envelope plots indicate a likely reduction in available habitat for mountainous species due to climate change, leading to an increase in competition and an intensification of hybridisation. Anthropogenic influences are further intensifying these hybridisation trends. Among the studied species, L. gaudinii is most at risk of overwhelming hybridisation, whereas L. ircutianum may experience habitat expansion. By providing a comprehensive genetic and ecological overview, our research highlights the significance of hybridisation in biodiversity conservation and the challenges posed by environmental changes and anthropogenic activities in mountain environments. This study not only contributes to the understanding of genetic diversity in the Carpathians but also underscores the broader implications for molecular ecology and conservation strategies in mountain ecosystems.

Genetic Characterization of Procambarus clarkii Cultured in Sichuan Province Based on Microsatellite Markers

The Procambarus clarkii production sector in Sichuan Province, China, is experiencing rapid growth. However, the industry faces significant challenges, including on-farm breeding and the widespread “Catch Big, Keep Small” farming practice, which have led to substantial genetic degradation within P. clarkii populations. Moreover, the uncertainty surrounding the origins of breeding stocks poses an additional obstacle to the local selection and cultivation of high-quality juvenile P. clarkii. With the objective of inferring the genetic lineage of cultivated P. clarkii in Sichuan, twelve microsatellite loci were employed to investigate the genetic characters of six P. clarkii populations from Sichuan and two from Hubei Province, China. The results revealed that the Sichuan populations exhibited higher levels of heterozygosity (Ho = 0.549~0.699, He = 0.547~0.607) and genetic diversity than the Hubei populations (Na = 4.00~5.250, PIC = 0.467~0.535). Notably, the DY population located in northeastern Sichuan showed the highest heterozygosity (Ho = 0.699, He = 0.607) and genetic diversity (Na = 5.250, PIC = 0.535) among the eight populations. Population structure, principal coordinate analysis and clustering analysis illuminated a close genetic relationship between the Qionglai population in Sichuan and the Jianli population in Hubei. Additionally, the remaining five Sichuan populations (Luxian, Nanxi, Xingwen, Neijiang and Daying) exhibited strong genetic affinity with the QianJiang population in Hubei, and particularly high genetic exchange may have occurred between Daying and Qianjiang (Fst = 0.001, Nm = 217.141). These results suggest that the primary cultivated P. clarkii populations in Sichuan likely originated from Qianjiang and Jianli counties in Hubei, with Qianjiang contributing a more substantial proportion. The genetic diversity of Sichuan populations was higher than those of some other Chinese P. clarkii farming provinces and even some native populations. Specifically, the Daying population emerges as a potential breeding germplasm source for crayfish in Sichuan. In contrast, the Qionglai population exhibits relatively low genetic diversity, highlighting the need for strategic enhancement through interactions with other populations to promote diversity and resilience. Furthermore, fostering genetic exchange among locally cultivated populations within the southern Sichuan basin is strategic to elevate the quality of P. clarkii germplasm resources.

Effectiveness of health partners coordination for COVID-19 pandemic response in Nepal.

Nepal established the health partner coordination for COVID-19 response based on national and international plans and framework to support information-sharing for decision- making and course correction. This paper aims to assess the performance of COVID-19 Health Partner Coordination response in Nepal by adopting coordination best practices and tools from the international humanitarian cluster system. Secondary data from unpublished documents on health partner coordination for COVID-19 response in Nepal was collected and analysed from April 2023 to May 2023. The secondary data were from the review of the health partner coordination meetings conducted for COVID-19 response using a researcher-developed document review tool, responses of health partners on a survey tool adapted from the cluster coordination performance monitoring tool from the Global Health Cluster, and transcript of Focused Group Discussion among health partners. Descriptive analysis of quantitative information and thematic analysis with predefined themes of qualitative information were performed using MS Excel and MS Word respectively. A written approval from the Ministry of Health and Population and an ethical clearance from the Nepal Health Research Council was obtained before conducting the study. More than three-fifths of the meetings showed good results in conduction, process, participation, and documentation of meeting action points with improvement required for follow-up (22.2%). Assessment of health partner coordination subfunctions resulted in either 'good' (>75.0%) or 'satisfactory' (50.1%-75.0%) except for prioritization based on analyses, which was 'unsatisfactory' (<50%). Partners admired good practices of health partner coordination, pointed out some issues, and provided recommendations. COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of effective coordination of health sector for response to a pandemic. Continuation of this practice after addressing the areas for improvement will contribute to health preparedness and readiness for future disasters or public health emergencies.

New Assessment Model of Financing Treatment of Patients with Complete Tooth Loss

According to the World Health Organization, the global prevalence of complete tooth loss is estimated to be 7% among individuals aged 20 years and older, while for those aged 60 and over, this rate significantly increases to 23%. This study is relevant due to the psychological trauma, social challenges, and functional limitations caused by tooth loss, as well as the uneven availability of dental care worldwide. The goal of this research is to develop and implement a new model to assess the socioeconomic feasibility of investing in digital technologies for diagnosing and treating patients with complete tooth loss using removable polymer prostheses produced through additive 3D printing. The study employs scenario analysis, the clustered rankings coordination method, statistical methods, expert opinion assessment using Kendall’s coefficient of rank concordance, system analysis and design, questionnaires, sociometry, and functional modeling. The practical significance of this research lies in providing a quantitative assessment of economic opportunities for effectively using RPDs in three groups: RPDs without additional fixation means; those with special adhesive agents for improved fixation; and implant-supported prosthetics with conditionally removable dentures similar to RPDs. The scientific novelty of this study is the development of a new evaluation model that justifies the choice of prosthetic treatment technology for patients with complete tooth loss, enabling the most rational use of resources. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-05-014 Full Text: PDF

Tetradentate NOO′O″ Schiff-Base Ligands as a Platform for the Synthesis of Heterometallic CdII-FeIII and CdII-CrIII Coordination Clusters

Tetradentate NOO′O″ Schiff-Base Ligands as a Platform for the Synthesis of Heterometallic CdII-FeIII and CdII-CrIII Coordination Clusters

Meta-analysis of resting-state fMRI in cervical spondylosis patients using AES-SDM.

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) reveals diverse neural activity patterns in cervical spondylosis (CS) patients. However, the reported results are inconsistent. Therefore, our objective was to conduct a meta-analysis to synthesize the findings from existing rs-fMRI studies and identify consistent patterns of neural brain activity alterations in patients with CS. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Embase, Google Scholar, and CNKI for rs-fMRI studies that compared CS patients with healthy controls (HCs), up to January 28, 2024. Significant cluster coordinates were extracted for comprehensive analysis. We included 16 studies involving 554 CS patients and 488 HCs. CS patients demonstrated decreased brain function in the right superior temporal gyrus and left postcentral gyrus, and increased function in the left superior frontal gyrus. Jackknife sensitivity analysis validated the robustness of these findings, and Egger's test confirmed the absence of significant publication bias (p > 0.05). Meta-regression showed no significant impact of age or disease duration differences on the results. This meta-analysis confirms consistent alterations in specific brain regions in CS patients, highlighting the potential of rs-fMRI to refine diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024496263.

Identifying the physiological traits associated with DNA marker using genome wide association in wheat under heat stress

Heat stress poses a significant environmental challenge that profoundly impacts wheat productivity. It disrupts vital physiological processes such as photosynthesis, by impeding the functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus and compromising plasma membrane stability, thereby detrimentally affecting grain development in wheat. The scarcity of identified marker trait associations pertinent to thermotolerance presents a formidable obstacle in the development of marker-assisted selection strategies against heat stress. To address this, wheat accessions were systematically exposed to both normal and heat stress conditions and phenotypic data were collected on physiological traits including proline content, canopy temperature depression, cell membrane injury, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate (at vegetative and reproductive stage and ‘stay-green’. Principal component analysis elucidated the most significant contributors being proline content, transpiration rate, and canopy temperature depression, which exhibited a synergistic relationship with grain yield. Remarkably, cluster analysis delineated the wheat accessions into four discrete groups based on physiological attributes. Moreover, to explore the relationship between physiological traits and DNA markers, 158 wheat accessions were genotyped with 186 SSRs. Allelic frequency and polymorphic information content value were found to be highest on genome A (4.94 and 0.688), chromosome 1A (5.00 and 0.712), and marker Xgwm44 (13.0 and 0.916). Population structure, principal coordinate analysis and cluster analysis also partitioned the wheat accessions into four subpopulations based on genotypic data, highlighting their genetic homogeneity. Population diversity and presence of linkage disequilibrium established the suitability of population for association mapping. Additionally, linkage disequilibrium decay was most pronounced within a 15–20 cM region on chromosome 1A. Association mapping revealed highly significant marker trait associations at Bonferroni correction P < 0.00027. Markers Xwmc418 (located on chromosome 3D) and Xgwm233 (chromosome 7A) demonstrated associations with transpiration rate, while marker Xgwm494 (chromosome 3A) exhibited an association with photosynthetic rates at both vegetative and reproductive stages under heat stress conditions. Additionally, markers Xwmc201 (chromosome 6A) and Xcfa2129 (chromosome 1A) displayed robust associations with canopy temperature depression, while markers Xbarc163 (chromosome 4B) and Xbarc49 (chromosome 5A) were strongly associated with cell membrane injury at both stages. Notably, marker Xbarc49 (chromosome 5A) exhibited a significant association with the 'stay-green' trait under heat stress conditions. These results offers the potential utility in marker-assisted selection, gene pyramiding and genomic selection models to predict performance of wheat accession under heat stress conditions.

MAV-Link Based Control and Coordination of a Multi-Drone Cluster for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Tasks

MAV-Link Based Control and Coordination of a Multi-Drone Cluster for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Tasks

Genetic Diversity and Population Structural Analysis Reveal the Unique Genetic Composition of Populus tomentosa Elite Trees

Genetic diversity analysis provides the scientific basis for the preservation, evaluation, and utilization of the germplasm resources of tree species. We explored the genetic diversity and structure of Populus tomentosa elite trees in North China using 13 nuclear microsatellite markers. We compared nine groups of accessions including 20 originating from Beijing (BJ), 122 from Hebei (HB), 20 from Shandong (SD), 113 from Henan (HN), 270 from Shanxi (SX), 54 from Shaanxi (SAX), 8 from Gansu (GS), 10 from Anhui (AH), and 6 from Jiangsu (JS). All of the studied primer pairs were polymorphic and generated 125 alleles. Analyses of molecular variance revealed that 79%, 14%, and 8% of the total variation was due to variations within the individual, among individuals, and among populations, respectively. Based on principal coordinate and STRUCTURE cluster analyses, individuals distributed in the southern region (HN, SAX, AH, and JS) were roughly classified into one group, while those distributed in the northeastern region (BJ, HB, and SD) and northwestern regions (SX) were separately divided into one group each. Moreover, the northwestern region included two-thirds of the SX trees, and the remainder were in the northeast region. By analyzing genetic diversity and structure within populations, individuals with different genetic backgrounds were screened for constituent training populations (TRS), including broad allelic variation for related traits. This ensures that the genomic prediction model can accurately capture genetic effects and provide reliable predictions across a broad spectrum of genetic backgrounds. Therefore, our results will benefit genome breeding technology.

Discovery of a Ni2+-dependent heterohexameric metformin hydrolase

The biguanide drug metformin is a first-line blood glucose-lowering medication for type 2 diabetes, leading to its presence in the global environment. However, little is known about the fate of metformin by microbial catabolism. Here, we characterize a Ni2+-dependent heterohexameric enzyme (MetCaCb) from the ureohydrolase superfamily, catalyzing the hydrolysis of metformin into guanylurea and dimethylamine. Either subunit alone is catalytically inactive, but together they work as an active enzyme highly specific for metformin. The crystal structure of the MetCaCb complex shows the coordination of the binuclear metal cluster only in MetCa, with MetCb as a protein binder of its active cognate. An in-silico search and functional assay discover a group of MetCaCb-like protein pairs exhibiting metformin hydrolase activity in the environment. Our findings not only establish the genetic and biochemical foundation for metformin catabolism but also provide additional insights into the adaption of the ancient enzymes toward newly occurred substrate.

Graphene-supported MN4 single-atom catalysts for multifunctional electrocatalysis enabled by axial Fe tetramer coordination

Multifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are crucial for development of the key electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices, for which single-atom catalyst (SAC) has present great promises. Very recently, some experimental works showed that structurally well-defined ultra-small transition-metal clusters (such as Fe and Co tetramers, denoted as Fe4 and Co4, respectively), can efficiently modulate the catalytic behavior of SACs by axial coordination. Herein, taking the graphene-supported MN4 SACs as representatives, we theoretically explored the feasibility of realizing multifunctional SACs for ORR, OER and HER by this novel axial coordination engineering. Through extensive first-principles calculations, from 23 candidates, IrN4 decorated with Fe4 (IrN4/Fe4) is identified as the promising trifunctional catalyst with the theoretical overpotential of 0.43, 0.51 and 0.30 V for OER, ORR and HER, respectively. RhN4/Fe4 and CoN4/Fe4 are recognized as potential OER and ORR bifunctional catalysts. In addition, NiN4/Fe4 exhibits the best ORR activity with an overpotential of 0.30 V, far superior to the pristine NiN4 SAC (0.88 V). Electronic structure analyses reveal that the significantly enhanced ORR/OER activity can be ascribed to the orbital and charge redistribution of Ni/Ir active center, resulting from its electronic interaction with Fe4 cluster. This work could stimulate and guide the rational design of graphene-based multifunctional SACs realized by axial coordination of small TM clusters, and provide insights into the modulation mechanism.

An overview on copper based heterometallic complexes in combination with d10 metal ions derived from N2O2 donor di-Schiff base ligands

A good number of heterometallic complexes based on various Cu(II) bound “metalloligands” of N2O2 donor di-Schiff bases and some of their reduced counterpart along with group 12 metal ions have been synthesized and characterized by different research groups in the literature. This review focuses on an overview of the synthetic strategies, X-ray crystallographic structures and a few important properties of these complexes. These have been discussed in three major sub-classes: Cu(II)-Zn(II), Cu(II)-Cd(II) and Cu(II)-Hg(II) heterometallic complexes. Judicious combinations of carbonyls and di-amines in an easy and effective manner gives 14 selected di-Schiff base ligands (symmetrical and unsymmetrical) with particular shape, geometry and denticity that direct the synthesis of these metal complexes totally or preferentially towards di-, tri- or poly-nuclear entities. Moreover, owing to their ability to assemble three metal ions in close proximity, these resulting oxido-bridged flexible coordination clusters adapted to various other ligand functionalities with particular shape and sometimes unusual coordination modes with certain degree of control. Such unique structural aspect of this system is immensely important in inorganic synthesis. The inherent flexibility of the di-oxido bridged trinuclear coordination cluster led to produce isomeric linear and bent structures that usually depend upon various factors e.g. the nature of the Schiff base, anionic co-ligands, temperature, solvent etc. The structural aspects of resulting discrete and polymeric self-assemblies have enriched the coordination library that extended to develop numerous heterometallic systems with significant applications and new scopes

A Series of Cyclopentadienyl Lanthanum Complexes with Metalloid Germanium Clusters.

A series of cyclopentadienyllanthanum complexes with the disilylated metalloid germanium cluster [Ge9(Hyp)2]2- [Hyp = Si(SiMe3)3] has been prepared and fully characterized. The synthetic procedure is based on the salt metathesis reaction of two different cyclopentadienyllanthanum diiodides CpLaI2 (Cp: Cp*, pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; Cpttt, 1,2,4-tri-tert-butylcyclopentadienyl) with K2[Ge9(Hyp)2] in tetrahydrofuran (THF) with a subsequent extraction with n-hexane. The composition of the obtained compounds and the mode of coordination of the germanium cluster to the rare-earth metal are strongly influenced by the steric demand of the cyclopentadienyl ligands and the crystallization conditions. The centrosymmetric dimeric compounds with the common formula [CpLa(solv)(η2,3-Ge9(Hyp)2)]2 [1, Cp = Cp*, solv-THF; 2, Cp = Cpttt, solv-NCCH2C(Me)NSiMe3] have been isolated by the slow evaporation of a n-hexane solution, while a mononuclear complex [CptttLa(THF)2(η3-Ge9(Hyp)2)] (4) was found by crystallization from THF. The repeated recrystallization of 1 from n-hexane afforded the asymmetric dimer [Cp*La(THF)(η2,3-Ge9(Hyp)2)][Cp*La(η2,3-Ge9(Hyp)2)] (3) with only one coordinated THF molecule.