Spectral Emissivity and Thermal Conductivity Properties of Black Aluminum Films.

Black aluminum is a material characterized by high surface porosity due to columnar growth and exhibits unique optical properties that make it attractive for applications such as light trapping, infrared detection, and passive thermal radiation cooling. In this study, we correlate the structural and optical properties of black aluminum by comparing it with conventional reflective aluminum layers. These layers of varying thicknesses were deposited on fused silica substrates, and their optical properties were analyzed.

Lassa fever outbreaks, mathematical models, and disease parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Understanding the epidemiological parameters and transmission dynamics of Lassa fever, a significant public health threat in west Africa caused by the rodent-borne Lassa virus, is crucial for informing evidence-based interventions and outbreak response strategies. Therefore, our study aimed to collate and enhance understanding of the key epidemiological parameters of Lassa fever.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review, searching PubMed and Web of Science for peer-reviewed studies published from database inception up to June 13, 2024, to compile and analyse key epidemiological parameters, mathematical models, and outbreaks of Lassa fever.

From Solid to Fluid: Novel Approaches in Neuromorphic Engineering.

Neuromorphic engineering is rapidly developing as an approach to mimicking processes in brains using artificial memristors, devices that change conductivity in response to the electrical field (resistive switching effect). Memristor-based neuromorphic systems can overcome the existing problems of slow and energy-inefficient computing that conventional processors face. In the Introduction, the basic principles of memristor operation and its applications are given.

Ebola virus disease mathematical models and epidemiological parameters: a systematic review.

Ebola virus disease poses a recurring risk to human health. We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42023393345) of Ebola virus disease transmission models and parameters published from database inception to July 7, 2023, from PubMed and Web of Science. Two people screened each abstract and full text.

Cost-effectiveness of eculizumab and efgartigimod for the treatment of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis.

Background: Eculizumab and efgartigimod were approved to treat anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis (anti-AChR Ab-positive gMG). These relatively new biological treatments provide a more rapid onset of action and improved efficacy compared with conventional immunosuppressive treatments, but at a higher cost.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of eculizumab and, separately, efgartigimod, each added to conventional therapy vs conventional therapy alone, among patients with refractory anti-AChR Ab-positive gMG and those with anti-AChR Ab-positive gMG, respectively.

Cost-effectiveness of 4CMenB vaccination against gonorrhea: importance of dosing schedule, vaccine sentiment, targeting strategy, and duration of protection.

Background: Observational evidence suggests the 4CMenB meningococcal vaccine may partially protect against gonorrhea, with one dose being two-thirds as protective as two. We examined the cost-effectiveness of vaccinating men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) in England, with one- or two-dose primary vaccination.

Methods: Integrated transmission-dynamic health-economic modeling explored the effects of targeting strategy, first- and second-dose uptake levels, and duration of vaccine protection, using observational estimates of vaccine protection.

[Possibilities of dynamic phase contrast MRI of cerebrospinal fluid for performing a tap test in a patient with idiopathic normotensive hydrocephalus].

Idiopathic normotensive hydrocephalus (iNH) is a widespread disease in elderly patients. The effectiveness of iNG treatment and the subsequent quality of patients' lives directly depends on timely and early diagnosis. The criteria for diagnosing iNG that are used in neuroimaging can also be found in patients without clinical manifestations of this disease, and the widely used tap-test is an invasive technique with a rather low sensitivity.

Associations between different forms of intimate partner violence and posttraumatic stress among women who use drugs and alcohol in Kyrgyzstan.

Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) have an increased risk of experiencing posttraumatic stress, and the subsequently associated symptoms can vary by form of IPV exposure (i.e., physical, sexual, or psychological IPV).

One-step synthesis of photoluminescent nanofluids by direct loading of reactively sputtered cubic ZrN nanoparticles into organic liquids.

ZrN nanofluids may exhibit unique optoelectronic properties because of the matching of the solar spectrum with interband transitions and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Nevertheless, these nanofluids have scarcely been investigated, mainly because of the complexity of the current synthetic routes that involve aggressive chemicals and high temperatures. This work aims to validate reactive dc magnetron sputtering of zirconium in Ar/N as an environmentally benign, annealing-free method to produce 22 nm-sized, highly crystalline, stoichiometric, electrically conductive, and plasmonic ZrN nanoparticles (NPs) of cubic shape and to load them into vacuum-compatible liquids of different chemical compositions (polyethylene glycol (PEG), paraffin, and pentaphenyl trimethyl trisiloxane (PTT)) in one step.

Marburg virus disease outbreaks, mathematical models, and disease parameters: a systematic review.

The 2023 Marburg virus disease outbreaks in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania highlighted the importance of better understanding this lethal pathogen. We did a systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42023393345) of peer-reviewed articles reporting historical outbreaks, modelling studies, and epidemiological parameters focused on Marburg virus disease. We searched PubMed and Web of Science from database inception to March 31, 2023.

Gene therapies for sickle cell disease: Effectiveness and value.

Drs. Nikitin, McKenna, Rind, Nhan, and Pearson report grants from Arnold Ventures, grants from Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, grants from California Healthcare Foundation, grants from The Commonwealth Fund, grants from The Patrick and Catherine Weldon Donaghue Medical Research Foundation, during the conduct of the study; other from America's Health Insurance Plans, other from Anthem, other from AbbVie, other from Alnylam, other from AstraZeneca, other from Biogen, other from Blue Shield of CA, other from CVS, other from Editas, other from Express Scripts, other from Genentech/Roche, other from GlaxoSmithKline, other from Harvard Pilgrim, other from Health Care Service Corporation, other from Kaiser Permanente, other from LEO Pharma, other from Mallinckrodt, other from Merck, other from Novartis, other from National Pharmaceutical Council, other from Premera, other from Prime Therapeutics, other from Regeneron, other from Sanofi, other from United Healthcare, other from HealthFirst, other from Pfizer, other from Boehringer-Ingelheim, other from uniQure, other from Envolve Pharmacy Solutions, other from Humana, other from Sunlife, outside the submitted work.

Structure of Microbial Communities and Biological Activity in Tundra Soils of the Euro-Arctic Region (Rybachy Peninsula, Russia).

The relevance of the Arctic regions' study is rapidly increasing due to the sensitive response of fragile ecosystems to climate change and anthropogenic pressure. The microbiome is an important component that determines the soils' functioning and an indicator of changes occurring in ecosystems. Rybachy Peninsula is the northernmost part of the continental European Russia and is almost completely surrounded by Barents Sea water.

Ecological Characteristics of Antarctic Fungi.

In view of the high responsiveness of polar ecosystems to the global climate change, the research of Antarctic microorganisms has become a topical issue. The unique ecosystems that have developed under the severe climate conditions of the continent lack flowering plants but are dominated by soil mycobiota. In addition to performing their classical ecological functions, Antarctic fungi form the basis of local communities, e.

Cataleptogenic Effect of Haloperidol Formulated in Water-Soluble Calixarene-Based Nanoparticles.

In this study, a water-soluble form of haloperidol was obtained by coaggregation with calix[4]resorcinol bearing viologen groups on the upper rim and decyl chains on the lower rim to form vesicular nanoparticles. The formation of nanoparticles is achieved by the spontaneous loading of haloperidol into the hydrophobic domains of aggregates based on this macrocycle. The mucoadhesive and thermosensitive properties of calix[4]resorcinol-haloperidol nanoparticles were established by UV-, fluorescence and CD spectroscopy data.

Enzymatic and Antimicrobial Activities in Polar Strains of Microscopic Soil Fungi.

Potential to produce inducible enzymes (several hydrolases and oxidases) and antibiotics as secondary metabolites was studied in soil micromycete strains from the Arctic (Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya) and Antarctica (the oases Thala Hills, Larsemann Hills, Schirmacher, and Marie Byrd Land). Maximal esterase activity was observed in strains of two typical Antarctic species, Hyphozyma variabilis 218 and Thelebolus ellipsoideus 210 (51 and 29 nmol FDA/((g mycelium h), respectively). Cellulolytic activity was maximal (89 µmol glucose/mg biomass) in Ascochyta pisi 192.

Plasmonic Ag/Cu/PEG nanofluids prepared when solids meet liquids in the gas phase.

Since the time of Faraday's experiments, the optical response of plasmonic nanofluids has been tailored by the shape, size, concentration, and material of nanoparticles (NPs), or by mixing different types of NPs. To date, water-based liquids have been the most extensively investigated host media, while polymers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), have frequently been added to introduce repulsive steric interactions and protect NPs from agglomeration. Here, we introduce an inverse system of non-aqueous nanofluids, in which Ag and Cu NPs are dispersed in PEG (400 g mol), with no solvents or chemicals involved.

The effectiveness and value of AMX0035 and oral edaravone for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A summary from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review's Midwest Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council.

Funding for this summary was contributed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, California Healthcare Foundation, The Patrick and Catherine Weldon Donaghue Medical Research Foundation, Arnold Ventures, and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc., to the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), an independent organization that evaluates the evidence on the value of health care interventions. ICER's annual policy summit is supported by dues from Aetna, America's Health Insurance Plans, AbbVie, Alnylam, AstraZeneca, Biogen, Blue Shield of CA, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cambia Health Services, CVS, Editas, Evolve Pharmacy Solutions, Express Scripts, Genentech/ Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Harvard Pilgrim, Health Care Service Corporation, Health First, Health Partners, Humana, Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), Kaiser Permanente, LEO Pharma, Mallinckrodt, Merck, Novartis, National Pharmaceutical Council, Pfizer.

Ash and Slag Waste Processing in Self-Shielded Atmospheric DC Arc Discharge Plasma.

In this paper, we report the experimental results obtained in slag waste processing by direct current arc discharge initiated in ambient air. The method does not employ vacuum and gas equipment, therefore increasing the energy efficiency of processing. Plasma processing of coal slag was performed at different arc exposure times: 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 s.

Personalized targeted therapy prescription in colorectal cancer using algorithmic analysis of RNA sequencing data.

Background: Overall survival of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients remains poor, and gene expression analysis could potentially complement detection of clinically relevant mutations to personalize CRC treatments.

Methods: We performed RNA sequencing of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cancer tissue samples of 23 CRC patients and interpreted the data obtained using bioinformatic method Oncobox for expression-based rating of targeted therapeutics. Oncobox ranks cancer drugs according to the efficiency score calculated using target genes expression and molecular pathway activation data.

Hidden Potential of Highly Efficient and Widely Accessible Thrombolytic Staphylokinase.

Stroke burden is substantially increasing but current therapeutic drugs are still far from ideal. Here we highlight the vast potential of staphylokinase as an efficient, fibrin-selective, inexpensive, and evolvable thrombolytic agent. The emphasis is escalated by new recent findings.