Characterization of a simple gas expansion ion source for intense pulses of subthermal molecular ions.

We describe a simple gas expansion ion source based on static discharge voltages and a commercially available pulsed valve. The discharge is initiated by the gas pulse itself between two high voltage electrodes, without the need for fast voltage switches or complex timing schemes. The ion source very reliably produces intense bursts of molecular ions (with currents exceeding 100 μA during the pulse-on phase) with only minor pulse-to-pulse variations in intensity and pulse shape.

Long legs and small joints: The locomotor capabilities of Homo naledi.

The lower limb of Homo naledi presents a suite of primitive, derived and unique morphological features that pose interesting questions about the nature of bipedal movement in this species. The exceptional representation of all skeletal elements in H. naledi makes it an excellent candidate for biomechanical analysis of gait dynamics using modern kinematic software.

Prenatal opioid exposure, neonatal abstinence syndrome diagnosis, and child welfare involvement.

Background: Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), or withdrawal from prenatal opioid exposure at birth, can trigger a referral to child protective services (CPS). However, there is some evidence of selection into NAS diagnosis because NAS screening is not universal. Such referrals may protect the infant, help connect the mother to services, or cause harm.

Coronary Artery Calcium Scores After Prophylactic Premenopausal Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy.

Background: Premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) in women at high familial risk of ovarian cancer leads to immediate menopause. Although early natural menopause is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk, evidence on long-term cardiovascular disease risk after early surgical menopause is scarce.

Objectives: We sought to determine the long-term influence of the timing of RRSO on the development of coronary artery calcium (CAC), an established marker for cardiovascular disease risk.

Zoonotic Lagochilascaris minor and nine other parasites in a cat.

A case of polyparasitism in an 8-year-old female cat from Southern Brazil is reported. Among the described clinical signs, both gurltiosis and lagochilascariasis are of rare occurrence, being categorized as neglected diseases. The diagnosis of feline crural parasitic paraplegia was established through clinical signs, necropsy lesion observations, and the presence of Gurltia paralysans in histological sections of the spinal cord.

Resistance intensity test (RIT): a novel bioassay for quantifying the level of acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus microplus ticks.

Background: One bioassay for detecting acaricide resistance in livestock ticks is the adult immersion test (AIT), wherein engorged ticks are briefly immersed into a solution of a particular acaricidal compound and examined for mortality, their egg-laying capacity and offspring hatchability in vitro. Usually, the recommended label dose or an established discriminating dose of an acaricide is used to determine high mortality (≥ 95%) of susceptible tick strains. Such a test intends to detect the presence of resistance in a tick population.

performance of lean bioabsorbable Mg-Ca alloy X0 and comparison to WE43: Influence of surface modification and alloying content.

Magnesium alloys present a compelling prospect for absorbable implant materials in orthopedic and trauma surgery. This study evaluates an ultra-high purity, lean magnesium-calcium alloy (X0), both with and without plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) surface modification, in comparison to a clinically utilized WE43 magnesium alloy. It is shown that the mechanical properties of X0 can be tuned to yield a high-strength material suitable for bone screws (with an ultimate tensile strength of 336 MPa) or a ductile material appropriate for intraoperatively deformable plates (with an elongation at fracture of 24 %).

Accuracy of full-guided versus half-guided implant procedures carried out with digital implant planning software by students as part of a university curriculum.

Background: This in vitro study investigated whether full-guided (FG) or half-guided (HG) implant placement is more suitable for beginners and to what extent the use of the coDiagnostiX (CDX) (10.5, Straumann Group, Basel, Switzerland) implant planning software proves useful in teaching.

Methods: Twenty students planned implant positions with CDX which were then placed in a model using printed drill templates in the sense of FG implantation (group 1) and HG implantation (group 2).

Development of an implantable sensor system for strain, temperature, and pH monitoring: comparative evaluation of titanium and resorbable magnesium plates.

Biodegradable magnesium is a highly desired material for fracture fixation implants because of its good mechanical properties and ability to completely dissolve in the body over time, eliminating the need for a secondary surgery to remove the implant. Despite extensive research on these materials, there remains a dearth of information regarding critical factors that affect implant performance in clinical applications, such as the pH and mechanical loading conditions. We developed a measurement system with implantable strain, temperature, pH and motion sensors to characterize magnesium and titanium plates, fixating bilateral zygomatic arch osteotomies in three Swiss alpine sheep for eight weeks.

Evaluation of a Quadrivalent Serotype 2a, 3a, 6, and O-Specific Polysaccharide and IpaB MAPS Vaccine.

Background: Shigellosis is the leading cause of diarrheal deaths worldwide and is particularly dangerous in children under 5 years of age in low- and middle-income countries. Additionally, the rise in antibiotic resistance has highlighted the need for an effective vaccine. Previously, we have used the Multiple Antigen-Presenting System (MAPS) technology to generate monovalent and quadrivalent MAPS vaccines that induce functional antibodies against components.

A rapid tick exposure test for monitoring acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks on dogs.

Background: Brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato) are vectors of pathogens adversely affecting the health of dogs in many regions of the world. The three-host life cycle of R. sanguineus s.

Enhancing Heart Failure Care: Deep Learning-Based Activity Classification in Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients.

Accurate activity classification is essential for the advancement of closed-loop control for left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), as it provides necessary feedback to adapt device operation to the patient's current state. Therefore, this study aims at using deep neural networks (DNNs) to precisely classify activity for these patients. Recordings from 13 LVAD patients were analyzed, including heart rate, LVAD flow, and accelerometer data, classifying activities into six states: active, inactive, lying, sitting, standing, and walking.

Stable in vitro fluorescence for enhanced live imaging of infection models for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

Realistic and modifiable infection models are required to study the pathogenesis of amphibian chytridiomycosis. Understanding the mechanism by which Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) can infect and kill diverse amphibians is key to mitigating this pathogen and preventing further loss of biodiversity. In vitro studies of Bd typically rely on a tryptone based growth media, whereas the recent development of a kidney cell-line infection model has provided a more realistic alternative, without the need for live animals.

RaTexT®: a novel rapid tick exposure test for detecting acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus microplus ticks in Brazil.

Background: Acaricide resistance in cattle ticks is a significant concern in (sub)tropical regions, particularly Brazil. The Larval Packet Test (LPT) is the standard laboratory bioassay for resistance diagnosis, which requires triplicates of seven acaricidal dilutions plus controls to cover larval mortalities ranging between 0 and 100%. The value of the LPT lies in providing resistance ratios based on the ratio between the LC50 calculated with potentially resistant and susceptible ticks.

Physiological and Technological Properties of Probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG Encapsulated with Alginate-Chitosan Mixture and Its Incorporation in Whole Milk.

This study developed and evaluated chitosan-sodium alginate capsules containing the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG using extrusion and emulsification techniques. The encapsulated L. rhamnosus GG cells were also evaluated for technological and probiotic-related physiological functionalities, as well as when incorporated in UHT and powdered milk.

Sterile Draping of Operative Microscopes in Breast Free Flaps and Surgical Site Infections.

Background: Operative microscopes are traditionally draped in single-use plastic to prevent infection theoretically. The necessity of this routine in breast free flap surgery is unclear. Alternatively, sterile wrapping of microscope handles would reduce operating room waste and provide a more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable approach to sterility.

Evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction by a new automatic tool on a pocket ultrasound device: Concordance study with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Introduction: Assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is one of the primary objectives of echocardiography. The gold standard assessment technique in emergency medicine is eyeballing. A new tool is now available on pocket ultrasound devices (PUD): automatic LVEF.

Small Interfering RNA Mediated Messenger RNA Knockdown in the Amphibian Pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

RNA interference (RNAi) has not been tested in the pandemic amphibian pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, but developing this technology could be useful to elucidate virulence mechanisms, identify therapeutic targets, and may present a novel antifungal treatment option for chytridiomycosis. To manipulate and decipher gene function, rationally designed small interfering RNA (siRNA) can initiate the destruction of homologous messenger RNA (mRNA), resulting in the "knockdown" of target gene expression. Here, we investigate whether siRNA can be used to manipulate gene expression in B.

Back-Pocket Optimization of 2-Aminopyrimidine-Based Macrocycles Leads to Potent EPHA2/GAK Kinase Inhibitors.

Macrocyclization of acyclic compounds is a powerful strategy for improving inhibitor potency and selectivity. Here we have optimized 2-aminopyrimidine-based macrocycles to use these compounds as chemical tools for the ephrin kinase family. Starting with a promiscuous macrocyclic inhibitor, , we performed a structure-guided activity relationship and selectivity study using a panel of over 100 kinases.

Inequality in high-cost borrowing and unemployment insurance generosity in US states during the COVID-19 pandemic.

US consumers may turn to the private market for credit when income and government benefits fall short. The most vulnerable consumers have access only to the highest-cost loans. Prior research on trade-offs of credit with government welfare support cannot distinguish between distinct forms of unsecured credit due to data limitations.