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So far, performance prediction and optimization of microwave SQUID multiplexers have largely been based on simple approximate analytical models and experimental results. This is caused by the complexity of the underlying physics and the intricacy of operation and readout parameters. As a simplified description can never account for all potential effects occurring in a real device, we have developed a software framework to simulate the characteristics and performance of a microwave SQUID multiplexer. Our simulation framework is a powerful tool to guide understanding and optimization of microwave SQUID multiplexers and other related devices. It includes common readout schemes such as open-loop or flux ramp-modulated readout as well as the nonlinear behavior of Josephson tunnel junctions. Moreover, it accounts for the non-zero response time of superconducting microwave resonators with high loaded quality factors as well as the most significant noise contributions such as amplifier noise, resonator noise, as well as SQUID noise. This ultimately leads to a prediction of device performance that is significantly better compared to simple analytical methods. Using the simulation framework, we discuss first steps toward full microwave SQUID multiplexer optimization and highlight some other applications for which our simulation framework can be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Given the chronic nature of psoriasis (PsO), more studies are needed that directly compare the effectiveness of different biologics over long observation periods. This study compares the effectiveness and durability through 12 months of anti-interleukin (IL)-17A biologics relative to other approved biologics in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis in a real-world setting. Methods: The Psoriasis Study of Health Outcomes (PSoHO) is an ongoing 3-year, prospective, non-interventional cohort study of 1981 adults with chronic moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis initiating or switching to a new biologic. The study compares the effectiveness of anti-IL-17A biologics with other approved biologics and provides pairwise comparisons of seven individual biologics versus ixekizumab. The primary outcome was defined as the proportion of patients who had at least a 90% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score (PASI90) and/or a score of 0 or 1 in static Physician Global Assessment (sPGA). Secondary objective comparisons included the proportion of patients who achieved PASI90, PASI100, a Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score of 0 or 1, and three different measures of durability of treatment response. Unadjusted response rates are presented alongside the primary analysis, which uses frequentist model averaging (FMA) to evaluate the adjusted comparative effectiveness. Results: Compared to the other biologics cohort, the anti-IL-17A cohort had a higher response rate (68.0% vs. 65.1%) and significantly higher odds of achieving the primary outcome at month 12. The two cohorts had similar response rates for PASI100 (40.5% and 37.1%) and PASI90 (53.9% and 51.7%) at month 12, with no significant differences between the cohorts in the adjusted analyses. At month 12, the response rates across the individual biologics were 53.5–72.6% for the primary outcome, 27.6–48.3% for PASI100, and 41.7–61.4% for PASI90. Conclusions: These results show the comparative effectiveness of biologics at 6 and 12 months in the real-world setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of new investigations into possible loss of cooling of spent fuel assemblies (FAs) stored in near-reactor spent fuel pools of BWR and VVER reactor plants (RPs). The experiments were carried out in 2022 on the ALADIN installation (Germany, a BWR type RP) and the "Reflooding test bench" installation (Russia, a VVER type RP). In comparing the experimental data obtained on different test benches, it was noted that the thermal-hydraulic processes that were observed during water boiling, cooling, and subsequent heat-up of fuel assemblies had similar patterns for the above-mentioned reactor types. By using the KORSAR/GP computer code, posttest calculations of experiments were carried out, the results of which were compared with the basic experimental data on the maximum fuel rod temperature and water level. Good agreement between the calculated and experimental results was obtained. Deviations of the calculated data from the experimental results were estimated with respect to the water boiling onset and fuel rod heat-up onset moments, the moment at which the fuel rod temperature reaches its maximum value, and its absolute values. The obtained results can be used for validating thermal-hydraulic codes, substantiating their applicability, and for performing safety analysis under the conditions of accidents involving loss of spent fuel pool cooling at NPPs with VVER/PWR reactor plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryogenic microcalorimeters are outstanding tools for x-ray spectroscopy due to their unique combination of excellent energy resolution and close to 100% detection efficiency. While well-established microcalorimeter concepts have already proven impressive performance, their energy resolution has yet to improve to be competitive with cutting-edge wavelength-dispersive grating or crystal spectrometers. We hence present an innovative SQUID-based superconducting microcalorimeter with an in situ tunable gain as alternative concept that is based on the strong temperature dependence of the magnetic penetration depth of a superconductor operated close to its critical temperature. Measurements using a prototype device show no sign for any hysteresis effects that often spoil the performance of superconducting microcalorimeters. Moreover, our predictions of the achievable energy resolution show that a competitive energy resolution O (300 meV) with a suitable combination of absorber and sensor material should be easily possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rapid skin improvement is a key treatment goal of patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis (PsO). Objectives: To compare the speed of clinical improvement of approved biologics on the symptoms and signs of psoriasis assessed by patients using the validated Psoriasis Symptoms and Signs Diary (PSSD) through 12 weeks. Methods: Psoriasis Study of Health Outcomes (PSoHO) is an international, prospective, non‐interventional study that compares the effectiveness of anti‐interleukin (IL)‐17A biologics versus other biologics, together with pairwise comparisons of ixekizumab versus five individual biologics in patients with PsO. Using the PSSD 7‐day recall period, patients assessed the symptoms (itch, skin tightness, burning, stinging and pain) and signs (dryness, cracking, scaling, shedding/flaking, redness and bleeding) of their psoriasis (0–10). Symptom and sign summary scores (0–100) are derived from the average of individual scores. Percentage change in summary scores and proportion of patients with clinically meaningful improvements (CMI) in PSSD summary and individual scores are evaluated weekly. Longitudinal PSSD data are reported as observed with treatment comparisons analysed using mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM) and generalized linear mixed models (GLMM). Results: Across cohorts and treatments, eligible patients (n = 1654) had comparable baseline PSSD scores. From Week 1, the anti‐IL‐17A cohort achieved significantly larger score improvements in PSSD summary scores and a higher proportion of patients showed CMIs compared to the other biologics cohort through 12 weeks. Lower PSSD scores were associated with a greater proportion of patients reporting their psoriasis as no longer impacting their quality‐of‐life (DLQI 0,1) and a high level of clinical response (PASI100). Results also indicate a relationship between an early CMI in PSSD score at Week 2 and PASI100 score at Week 12. Conclusions: Treatment with anti‐IL‐17A biologics, particularly ixekizumab, resulted in rapid and sustained patient‐reported improvements in psoriasis symptoms and signs compared with other biologics in a real‐world setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Left-Right (LR) asymmetry of the nervous system is widespread across animals and is thought to be important for cognition and behaviour. But in contrast to visceral organ asymmetry, the genetic basis and function of brain laterality remain only poorly characterized. In this study, we performed RNAi screening to identify genes controlling brain asymmetry in Drosophila. We found that the conserved NetrinB (NetB) pathway is required for a small group of bilateral neurons to project asymmetrically into a pair of neuropils (Asymmetrical Bodies, AB) in the central brain in both sexes. While neurons project unilaterally into the right AB in wild-type flies, netB mutants show a bilateral projection phenotype and hence lose asymmetry. Developmental time course analysis reveals an initially bilateral connectivity, eventually resolving into a right asymmetrical circuit during metamorphosis, with the NetB pathway being required just prior symmetry breaking. We show using unilateral clonal analysis that netB activity is required specifically on the right side for neurons to innervate the right AB. We finally show that loss of NetB pathway activity leads to specific alteration of long-term memory, providing a functional link between asymmetrical circuitry determined by NetB and animal cognitive functions. Brain asymmetry is widespread across species, but its function remains poorly understood. Here, the authors show that the Netrin axon guidance pathway is involved in building an asymmetric neural circuit important for long-term memory in Drosophila. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Comparative Effectiveness and Durability of Biologics in Clinical Practice: Month 12 Outcomes from the International, Observational Psoriasis Study of Health Outcomes (PSoHO)" published in the journal Dermatology & Therapy. The correction includes updates to the email address of the corresponding author, removal of certain words and citations, and additions to the introduction. The layout of Table 1 was also updated for clarity, and a statistical appendix is now provided. The original article has been corrected and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International License. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the use of augmented radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with sugar solution in pancreatic tissue. The study was conducted on ex vivo swine pancreases and aimed to analyze the effects of RFA with sugar solution on pancreatic perivascular tissue. The results showed that pancreatic percutaneous needle ablation with sugar-RFA resulted in a larger ablation area with adiponecrosis compared to saline-RFA and RFA alone. The authors suggest that this technique may have potential applications in pancreatic cancer surgery. [Extracted from the article]

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based combinations have revolutionized the management of first-line metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) by improving patient survival. Large phase 3 randomized trials assessing ICI-based combinations have reported complete response (CR) rates of 10% to 18% in the first-line setting. However, there is a scarcity of data about the effect of treatment of residual disease regarding CR rates improvement. We included retrospectively all consecutive mRCC patients treated in first-line setting at the Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe with an ICI-based combination involving ICI or TKI, either alone or with added local treatment of residual disease. Patients were characterized according to IMDC risk. Radiologic response was defined according to RECIST v1.1. We enrolled 80 mRCC patients treated with ICI-based combinations between May 2015 and May 2022. The median age was 63 years. Regarding IMDC risk, there were 12 favourable (15%), 50 intermediate (63%), and 18 poor-risk (22%) patients. Forty-seven patients (59%) received ICI + ICI, 24 (30%) received ICI + TKI, and 9 (11%) received another ICI-based therapy. In total, 8 achieved CR (10%), 36 patients (45%) achieved partial response, 23 (29%) achieved stable disease and 12 achieved progressive disease (15%) as the best response with systemic therapy alone. By adding local treatment of residual disease, 11 additional patients (14%) achieved radiological NED. Residual disease resected sites included kidney (n = 6), lymph nodes (n = 5), lung metastases (n = 2) and liver metastases (n = 1). The resection of residual disease after first-line ICI-based therapy is associated with improved CR rate (CR + NED) in patients with mRCC. These results need to be validated in prospective trial. In recent years, the advent of immunotherapy has radically changed the management of patients with metastatic kidney cancer. Approximately 10% to 18% of these patients using immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based combinations no longer have detectable disease on CT scans (complete response). There are currently few data on the use of treatment of residual disease to increase the number of patients in complete response. In this retrospective study, the complete response rate with ICI-based treatment was 10%. When local treatment was added, the number of patients with a complete response increased to 24%. This strategy could increase the number of patients with a prolonged complete response in the future. Immunotherapy based combinaison is the standard-of-care in first line metastatic renal clear cell carcinoma. The complete response rate was 10% with immunotherapy based combination. By adding treatment of residual disease, the complete response rate (CR + NED) was 24%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the use of augmented radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with sugar solution in ex vivo pancreatic tissue. The study was conducted on swine pancreases and aimed to analyze the effects of RFA modulation applied with an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) needle in the pancreatic perivascular tissue. The results showed that sugar-RFA resulted in a larger ablation area with less adiponecrosis compared to saline-RFA and RFA alone. The authors suggest that this technique could potentially be applied to pancreatic cancer surgery in the future. [Extracted from the article]

Candida infections in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis treated with interleukin-17 inhibitors and their practical management. G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2020. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0392-0488.20.06580-3 3 Saunte DM, Mrowietz U, Puig L, Zachariae C. Candida infections in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis treated with interleukin-17 inhibitors and their practical management. An integrated safety analysis of treatment-emergent fungal infections in patients with psoriasis treated with ixekizumab from 16 clinical studies. [Extracted from the article]

Poloidal asymmetries of the propagation velocity of density fluctuations perpendicular to the magnetic field measured with Doppler reflectometry have been reported in several magnetic confinement plasma devices. Careful analysis of a large variety of different low confinement mode plasma scenarios performed at the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak does not reveal such an asymmetry outside the uncertainties of the evaluation process of the measurement data. The perpendicular velocity is investigated between mid-radius and the plasma edge and follows the poloidal dependence of the E × B drift velocity regardless of the probed turbulence structure size. Compared to measurements of a charge exchange recombination spectroscopy diagnostic this points towards a significantly smaller phase velocity than the E × B drift velocity. The analysis technique is presented in a representative discharge together with a sensitivity study of the impact of density, magneto hydrodynamic equilibrium and diagnostic alignment on the interpretation of the measured Doppler shift using ray tracing and thus on poloidal asymmetries. Three more highly different plasma scenarios with poloidally symmetric velocity profiles are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determine the eigenvalues of the two-site Hubbard molecule with one electron and one positron to describe the characteristics of electron-positron interactions in solids. While the effect of hopping is, in general, opposite to the effect of on-site interaction, we find a complex scenario for the electron-positron pair with a non-vanishing potential drop. We give analytical solutions and discuss the combined effects of the model parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mean (±standard error) percentage (%) change from baseline in NAPSI score (a) and individual nail bed and nail matrix scores (b) were calculated via analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with missing data imputed using modified baseline observation carried forward (LOCF) for patients with baseline and significant baseline NP. Furthermore, these results demonstrate the efficacy of IXE in improving both nail matrix and nail bed psoriasis. Ixekizumab treatment improves fingernail psoriasis in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: results from the randomized, controlled and open-label phases of UNCOVER-3. [Extracted from the article]

Dear Editor, Eczema and eczematous reactions induced by interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors in patients with psoriasis are established adverse events.1 They may be reported as adverse events (AEs) in up to 12-1% of patients on anti-IL-17 treatment in controlled clinical trials.2-5 We performed an integrated safety analysis of 13 clinical studies to evaluate the frequency and management of the treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) of eczema and clinical variants in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with ixekizumab (IXE), a selective inhibitor of IL-17A, to understand better the nature of these events. Integrated analysis of 5930 patients with psoriasis (17 367 patient-years) treated with IXE for up to 5 years in a clinical trial setting showed that 361 patients (6-1%) had TEAEs. Integrated safety analysis of treatment-emergent eczematous reactions in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with ixekizumab, etanercept and ustekinumab. [Extracted from the article]

An effective and pain-free killing method is required to achieve the goal of euthanasia, a "good death". Overdose of sodium pentobarbital (PB) by intraperitoneal (IP) injection is a widely accepted technique in laboratory rats, but questions remain regarding pain associated with administration. As PB rapidly causes sedation and loss of consciousness, most studies have relied on indirect evidence of pain. The objective of this study was to assess pain associated with IP PB using an appropriate vehicle control. Adult male and female Sprague Dawley (SD) and female Wistar rats (N = 84) were block randomised by sex and strain to receive one of three treatments: 1) 800 mg/kg PB (pH 11), 2) saline or 3) vehicle controls (pH 11 or 12.5). Behavior (Rat Grimace Scale (RGS), writhing, back arching) was evaluated at baseline, before loss of righting reflex (LORR, PB group), and at 80s, 151s and 10 min post-injection (PI; saline and vehicle control groups). In the PB group, mean time to LORR was 78 ± 7.9 seconds. In the vehicle control groups, RGS scores were increased at 151s PI (SD: p = 0.0002, 95%CI 0.73 to 0.20) from baseline, as was relative frequency of writhing (SD: p < 0.0001; Wistar; p = 0.0004). RGS scores remained elevated 10 mins PI (SD: p = 0.0005, 95%CI 0.71 to 0.18; Wistar: p = 0.0234, 95%CI 0.91 to 0.07) but the relative frequency of writhing did not (p > 0.999). The RGS scores and the relative frequency of writhing remained low in the PB and saline groups (p > 0.05). These results show that, vehicle controls for IP PB result in signs associated with pain, pain may not be experienced following IP PB when LORR occurs quickly, and that the effects of PB limit behavioral pain assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: In this study, we aimed to explore the enzymatic diversity, the entomopathogenic and the antimicrobial potentialities of fungi associated with the pistachio bark beetle, Chaetoptelius vestitus. Methods and Results: A total of 40 isolates were screened for enzymatic diversity. Most of them, 92·5%, were able to produce at least two of the screened enzymes. Pathogenic assays performed on C. vestitus showed a high entomopathogenic activity of the isolates Ata_io_1 (A. tamarii), Fve_io_1 (F. verticillioides), Tpi_io_1 (T. pinophilus), Pal_io_1 (P. album), Pbi_io_2 (Penicillium bilaiae) and Pch_io_1 (P. chrysogenum), as based on mean mortality of C. vestitus. A screening of antimicrobial activity using well diffusion method showed that the isolates Tro_io_1 (T. pinophilus), Tat_io_1 (T. atroroseus) and Pch_io_1 (P. chrysogenum) presented the highest antibacterial activity. Furthermore, Mgu_io_1 (M. guilliermondii), Asc_io_1 (A. sclerotiorum), Ata_io_1 (A. tamarii), G. lavendula (Gla_io_1), Pva_io_1 (P. variotii), Pul_io_1 (P. ulaiense), Tat_io_1 (T. atroroseus) and Tro_io_1 (T. roseum) were active against at least two of the three tested fungal phytopathogens. Conclusions: Fungal isolates representing entomopathogenic activity and a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities can be considered as promising resources for biological pistachio trees protection. Significance and Impact of the Study: Fungi associated with C. vestitus were investigated for detecting their potential biotechnological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low pressure natural circulation systems fit the concept of passive safety systems as useful feature to bring a nuclear power plant to a safe and stable state during a postulated accident without active systems. The operation is characterized by low mass fluxes and passing the known unstable two-phase region from activation to a continuous heat removal in the stable two-phase region. The occurring mass flow oscillations and the condensation induced water hammer phenomenon limited the performance of heat removal. These effects are highly undesirable because they may effect destruction of entire apparatus. The GENEVA test facility as an open natural circulation system represents the containment cooling condenser of the KERENATM reactor concept in the main dimensions. Initiated by the steam supply, the mass flow results from induced heat flux and is limited only by the internal pressure drops: the local, the frictional, the acceleration and the gravitational pressure drop across the flow path. The influence of the flow resistance on its unstable two-phase region and their oscillatory behavior are experimentally studied in detail. Its variation is summarized in stability maps plotted in the parameter plan of the heat flux and the subcooling number at the inlet of the heated section. Thereby, the dynamical evolution of the boiling boundary indicates the initiation of two-phase flow oscillations and the condensation induced water hammer phenomenon. The increasing local pressure drop at the inlet of the heated section reduces the velocity amplitudes but a clear reduction of the pressure surges could not be determined although these should be more pronounced due to decreasing buoyancy and increasing back flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transmission of transparent colored ceramics based on Al2O3 doped with light transition metals is measured in the visible and infrared range. To clarify the role of the dopands we perform ab initio calculations. We discuss the electronic structure and present optical spectra obtained in the independent particle approximation. We argue that the gross spectral features of Co- and Ni-doped Al2O3 samples are described by our model, while the validity of the approach is limited for Cr-doped Al2O3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study investigated the biodiversity of fungi associated with the pistachio bark beetle, Chaetoptelius vestitus, in Tunisia. We evaluated the phytopathogenic activities and tested antagonistic potentialities with respect to phytopathogens. Methods and Results: A total of 41 fungal isolates were randomly isolated from C. vestitus adults and galleries. We identified 28 species belonging to 13 genera using ITS sequences of the ribosomal RNA operons. Pathogenicity assays performed using the excised shoot method revealed that isolates Aal_io_1 (Alternaria alternata), Feq_io_1 (Fusarium equiseti), Fgra_io_1 (Fusarium graminearum), Fve_io_1 (Fusarium verticilloides), Tro_io_1 (Trichothecium roseum) and Nqu_io_1 (Nothophoma quercina) displayed a high pathogenic activity on pistachio stems. Estimation of the antagonistic potentialities of isolated fungi against several phytopathogenic isolates as tested using a dual‐culture method showed that isolates Tpi_io_1 (Talaromyces pinophilus), Pbi_io_2 (Penicillium bilaiae), Asc_io_1 (Aspergillus sclerotiorum) and Gla_io_1 (Geosmithia lavendula) displayed a broad range of antagonistic activities. Conclusion: Fungi associated with C. vestitus had a variable range of pathogenic activity on pistachio stem. Phytopathogenic fungi were antagonized by different fungal isolates which could be promising in pistachio protection against phytopathogenic fungi. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study is the first that investigated the diversity of fungi associated with C. vestitus and evaluated both their phytopathogenic activity and antagonistic potential against fungal phytopathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Dear Editor, Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, which, in cases of moderate-to-severe disease, requires long-term systemic therapy.1 For patients with an inadequate response or intolerance to a specific systemic therapy, switching psoriasis treatments is a common practice that may improve outcomes. At week 24, 19 (83%) patients receiving FAE and 31 (63%) patients receiving MTX switched to ixekizumab, while 48 (98%) patients receiving ixekizumab continued treatment. Efficacy and safety of ixekizumab after switching from fumaric acid esters or methotrexate in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis naïve to systemic treatment. [Extracted from the article]

Introducing a cluster formation model, we provide a rational fundamental viewpoint for the difficulty to achieve n-type doped diamond. We argue that codoping is the way forward to form appropriately doped shallow regions in diamond and other forms of carbon such as graphene. The electronegativities of the codopants are an important design criterion for the donor atom to efficiently donate its electron. We propose that the nearest neighbour codopants should be of a considerably higher electronegativity compared to the donor atom. Codoping strategies should focus on phosphorous for which there are a number of appropriate codopants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transport in electronic devices based on high-Tc superconductors depends critically on the charge redistribution at interfaces, since the band structure is modified on a local scale. Using the density functional theory approach for relaxed YBa2Cu3O7-metal contacts, the charge transfer into the superconductor has been studied [U. Schwingenschlögl and C. Schuster, Appl. Phys. Lett. 90, 192502 (2007)]. In the present paper we discuss the systematics inherent in the local electronic structure of the near-contact YBa2Cu3O7 sites, in particular, the dependence on the contact geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

General anaesthesia disrupts thermoregulation in mammals, which can cause hypothermia. Decreases in core body temperature of 1℃ cause significant postoperative complications in humans, and peri-anaesthetic hypothermia in mice increases data variability, which can potentially increase animal use. In rats, the impact of different temperature management strategies on the incidence and severity of hypothermia, and the accuracy of different temperature measurement methods, is unknown. Eighteen adult male and female SD rats were block-randomized to one of three treatment groups: no-warming (NW), limited-warming (LW, heat pad during anaesthesia), and pre-warming (PW, warm air exposure before anaesthesia, followed by heat pad). Anaesthesia (isoflurane) duration was for 40 min. Core body temperature (intra-abdominal telemetric temperature capsule) was recorded during anaesthesia and recovery. During anaesthesia, rectal, skin, and tail temperatures were also recorded. In the PW group, core temperature was maintained during anaesthesia and recovery. By contrast, the NW group was hypothermic (11% temperature decrease) during anaesthesia. The LW group showed a decrease in temperature during recovery. Recovery to sternal recumbency was significantly faster in the PW (125 [70–186] s, P = 0.0003) and the LW (188 [169–420] s, P = 0.04) groups than in the NW group (525 [229–652] s). Rectal temperature underestimated core temperature (bias −0.90℃, 95% limits of agreement −0.1 to 1.9℃). Skin and tail temperatures showed wide 95% limits of agreement, spanning 6 to 15℃, respectively. The novel strategy of PW was effective at maintaining core temperature during and after anaesthesia. Rectal temperature provided an acceptable proxy for core body temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of alpha particles in the field can be challenging due to their short range in air of often only a few centimeters or less. This short range is a particular issue for measuring radiation inside contaminated pipework in the nuclear industry, for which there is currently no simple method available without cutting the pipes open. Here, we propose an approach for low cost, rapid, and safe identification of internally contaminated pipework based on a flexible 30×10mm2 sheet of 50μm thin crystalline silicon. Following established fabrication steps of pn-junction diodes, we have constructed a device with a signal-to-noise ratio of>20 in response to 5.5MeV alpha-particles using a bespoke amplifier circuit. As flexible detectors may readily conform to a curved surface and are able to adapt to the curvature of a given pipeline, our prototype device stands out as a viable solution for nuclear decommissioning and related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease and cancer worldwide. RNA interference (RNAi)-based gene therapies have emerged recently as a promising tool to treat chronic viral infections. Indeed, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) provide an opportunity to target host factors required for the viral life cycle. In this study, we evaluated a novel nanovector-based approach for siRNA delivery in a model of chronically infected hepatic cells. We designed original composite nanoparticles by coating the calcium phosphate core with siRNAs targeting HCV host-factors and pyridylthiourea-grafted polyethyleneimine (πPEI). Using combinations of different siRNAs, we observed an efficient and prolonged decrease of HCV replication. Moreover, we showed that the layer-by-layer technique of coating applied to our nanoparticles triggers a sequential release of siRNAs acting on different steps of the HCV life cycle. Together, our results demonstrate the efficacy of these nanoparticles for siRNA delivery and open new perspectives for antiviral therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Magnetic resonance diffusivity indices have been repeatedly proposed as biomarkers of neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS), but no consensus exists as to which diffusivity parameter is the most sensitive to identify early degenerative changes. Despite numerous studies, surprisingly little is known of the segmental vulnerability of the corticospinal tracts and corpus callosum. Our objective was to characterize the core three-dimensional white matter signature of ALS, to describe phenotype-specific patterns of white matter degeneration and to evaluate the diffusivity profile of individual patients and controls in specific white matter segments. Methods A large neuroimaging study was undertaken with 62 patients and 55 age-matched healthy controls. White matter alterations were explored based on fractional anisotropy and radial, mean and axial diffusivity indices. Atlas-based region of interest analyses were carried out in the corona radiata, internal capsules, cerebral peduncles, and in the splenium, body and genu of the corpus callosum. Percentage change and receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) curves were used to characterize disease-state discriminating diffusivity measures and white matter regions. Results Bulbar onset patients exhibit extensive corticobulbar tract involvement in the genu of the internal capsule and in the lateral fibres of the corona radiata subjacent to the bulbar representation of the motor homunculus. Spinal onset patients show predominantly posterior internal capsule involvement and medial corona radiata pathology. ROC curve analyses revealed that diffusivity measures of the cerebral crura best discriminate patients and controls (area under the curve 80.1%). Conclusions Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is associated with a core, disease-specific three-dimensional white matter signature which is best demonstrated by radial diffusivity measurements. The main ALS motor phenotypes are manifestations of the relatively selective involvement of corticospinal and corticobulbar fibres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Lymphoplasmacytic plaque (LPP) is a recently described rare skin disease characterized by a dense dermal lymphohistiocytic infiltrate with polyclonal plasma cells. The clinical picture is distinct with reddish to brownish plaque with a predilection for the lower leg. LPP typically affects children. Objective To define clinical and histologic criteria of LPP and to develop a diagnostic flow chart. Methods We investigated six of our own LPP cases. Immunoglobulin light chains, IgG, IgG4, CD31, CD163 as a histiocytic marker were examined by immunohistochemistry. PCR-based molecular studies were conducted for borrelia sp., mycobacterial and leishmania sp. Moreover, 10 cases, which have been reported in the literature, were checked for the same features. Results We could differentiate three main histological patterns (superficial band-like only, [deep] dermal only and mixed). Acanthosis and interface dermatitis are key features in cases with a superficial band-like or mixed infiltrate. Granulomas and giant cells could be only found in about 30% of the cases. The number of plasma cells was variable accounting for 5-40% of the infiltrate. The number of blood vessels was increased in the majority of the cases. 'Free-floating' collagen bundles surrounded by histiocytes (pseudorosettes) were identified as a new histological feature. An infectious agent could be excluded in all cases. Conclusions LPP is a long-standing skin disease, which may also occur in adults and in other body regions than the lower leg. Reproducible clinical and histological criteria allow delineating a diagnostic work-up for LPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid 3-D and equivalent 2-D finite-element method (FEM) is proposed for signal/power integrity analysis of multiple vias in a shared anti-pad in an arbitrarily shaped parallel-plate pair. The entire domain of the plate pair is decomposed into via-domains and plate domains by virtual interfaces. Complicated fields in via-domains, due to mode conversions from transverse electromagnetic modes in anti-pads or via-holes to parallel-plate modes, are described by a 3-D FEM while in plate domains, only the zeroth-order parallel-plate modes are assumed to exist a little far away from anti-pads. Triangular prism elements are utilized in both via-domains and plate domains. It is proven that the 3-D triangular prism element can be reduced to an equivalent 2-D triangle element by a novel edge numbering process and the boundary conditions along the interfaces of via-domains and plate domains can be automatically satisfied. The accuracy of the hybrid method has been validated by comparison with other numerical methods, and its flexibility, as well as efficiency, are also demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]