The epidermis, and in particular its outermost layer, the stratum corneum, contributes much of the barrier function of the skin and is a readily visible representation of skin health. Maintaining the health of the ski...The epidermis, and in particular its outermost layer, the stratum corneum, contributes much of the barrier function of the skin and is a readily visible representation of skin health. Maintaining the health of the skin barrier has arguably become more important than ever in the modern world, in which a large majority of people are exposed to environmental insults. These external factors can damage the integrity of the skin barrier and prematurely age the skin. Therefore, it has become increasingly important to maintain and protect the stratum corneum. Here, we briefly review the complex, multilayered structure of the skin and relate it to clinically translatable function, with an emphasis on the stratum corneum. In the context of epidermal structure and function, the formulation and clinical data for Phelityl® Reviving Cream will be reviewed. Phelityl Reviving Cream was shown to be associated with improvements in both immediate- and long-term parameters, including a significant positive effect on the skin barrier and immediate and long-lasting hydration.展开更多
The global cryosphere is experiencing accelerated melting due to climate change.Currently,the Karakoram anomaly is under discussion with a debate about the possibility that the anomaly may have recently ended.This stu...The global cryosphere is experiencing accelerated melting due to climate change.Currently,the Karakoram anomaly is under discussion with a debate about the possibility that the anomaly may have recently ended.This study aims to evaluate the up-to-date changes in snow cover in the western Karakoram region.We observed the snow cover changes in Passu and Ghulkin valleys in the Hunza River basin(HRB)of the Karakoram through multitemporal Landsat satellite data between 1995 and 2022.We found a significant reduction in snow cover in these valleys,with an average reduction rate of 0.42 km~2/yr,resulting in a total reduction of~11.46 km~2 between 1995 and 2022.This reduction in snow cover is consistent with the mass loss of glaciers in the Karakoram region in recent years.The decline in snow cover in these valleys is also consistent with the meteorological data.The temperature in summer(June)has significantly increased whereas the precipitation in the accumulation season(March)has decreased.These rapid changes suggest that it is crucially important to monitor the snow cover on a regular basis to support downstream management of snowmelt runoff.In addition,there is a need of planning for mitigation and adaptation strategies for snow-related hazards.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the reduction in hepatitis B virus(HBV) covalently closed-circular DNA(ccc DNA) with entecavir(ETV) or lamivudine(LAM). METHODS: This analysis included patients who had participated in the randomiz...AIM: To investigate the reduction in hepatitis B virus(HBV) covalently closed-circular DNA(ccc DNA) with entecavir(ETV) or lamivudine(LAM). METHODS: This analysis included patients who had participated in the randomized Phase Ⅲ study ETV-022 comparing ETV vs LAM in nucleos(t)ide-naive, HBe Agpositive patients. Patients received ETV(0.5 mg daily) or LAM(100 mg daily) for a minimum of 52 wk. Patients were eligible to participate in this sub-study if they had paired biopsies at baseline and week 48 with evaluable measurements for hepatic HBV ccc DNA and total hepatic HBV DNA. The main objective was to compare changes in hepatic HBV ccc DNA and total hepatic HBV DNA at week 48 of ETV or LAM treatment, which was a secondary endpoint of study ETV-022. Additional post hoc analyses included linear regression analyses to assess associations of baseline levels and on-treatment changes of ccc DNA with other baseline factors [sex,age, serum HBV DNA, alanine aminotransferase(ALT), Knodell necroinflammatory score, Ishak fibrosis score, total hepatic HBV DNA, and HBV genotype], or ontreatment factors(changes from baseline at week 48 in serum HBV DNA, ALT, Knodell necroinflammatory score, Ishak fibrosis score, total hepatic HBV DNA, and HBe Ag loss at week 48).RESULTS: Overall, 305 patients(ETV = 159; LAM = 146) of ETV-022 had paired baseline and week 48 liver biopsies with evaluable measurements for hepatic HBV ccc DNA and total hepatic HBV DNA, and were included in this analysis. Baseline demographics and disease characteristics were comparable between the two arms. After 48 wk, ETV resulted in significantly greater reductions in hepatic HBV ccc DNA [-0.9 log10 copies/human genome equivalent(HGEq) vs-0.7 log10 copies/HGEq; P = 0.0033] and total hepatic DNA levels(-2.1 log10 copies/HGEq vs-1.6 log10 copies/HGEq; P < 0.0001) than LAM. Virologic, biochemical, and histologic response rates at week 48 were also greater with ETV than with LAM. Baseline HBV ccc DNA levels were positively associated with baseline levels of serum HBV DNA and total hepatic HBV DNA, and negatively associated with HBV genotype F. On-treatment changes in HBV ccc DNA levels were negatively associated with baseline levels of serum HBV DNA and baseline ALT, and were positively associated with on-treatment changes in the levels of serum HBV DNA, total hepatic HBV DNA levels, and ALT, change in Knodell necroinflammatory score, and HBe Ag loss.CONCLUSION: Forty-eight weeks of ETV resulted in greater reductions in ccc DNA and total hepatic HBV DNA than LAM, but long-term therapy may be needed for ccc DNA elimination.展开更多
The use of radio frequency energy is an established technology for certain oncology therapies. Direct inputs of radio frequency (RF) energy as thermal energy are applied to ablate tumors or catalyze secondary reaction...The use of radio frequency energy is an established technology for certain oncology therapies. Direct inputs of radio frequency (RF) energy as thermal energy are applied to ablate tumors or catalyze secondary reactions in adjunct treatments against certain tumor types. Yet, other applications are being developed which take advantage of properties of RFs that impinge on biological proteins and cells without thermal effects. Here we report a proof-of-concept application of specific, digitally encoded, low power (non-thermal) radio frequency energy in an in vitro preparation of a tubulin polymerization assay. The radio frequency energy signal, designated M2(3), was applied to the tubulin polymerization assay samples during spectrophotometric measurements to assess the effectiveness for enhancing tubulin polymerization. A commercially available taxane (paclitaxel) that promotes tubulin polymerization was used as a control to assess the effectiveness of the M2(3) radio frequency energy signal on tubulin polymerization rates. A low power, specific, digital radio frequency energy signal is capable of promoting tubulin polymerization as effectively as a commercially available taxane.展开更多
Guignardia citricarpa, the plant pathogenic fungus that causes citrus black spot, was recently introduced into the United States. The development of this disease in the presence of multiple applications of copper per ...Guignardia citricarpa, the plant pathogenic fungus that causes citrus black spot, was recently introduced into the United States. The development of this disease in the presence of multiple applications of copper per year to manage citrus canker warrants an investigation into the effects of copper on growth of isolates of G. citricarpa from citrus in Florida. Guignardia citricarpa and G. mangiferae isolates, confirmed by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing of ribosomal DNA and DNA homology, were inoculated on non-amended media and media amended with 50 and 500 μg·ml-1 copper sulfate. Radial colony growth was assessed over a 26 to 59 day period. Copper reduced the growth of G. citricarpa isolates in media amended with 500 μg·ml-1 copper but had variable effects on radial growth in media amended with 50 μg·ml-1 copper. There was little effect of copper on the in vitro growth of G. mangiferae isolates. Field application of copper with and without an adjuvant for the control of citrus black spot was undertaken in a commercial grove in Florida in 2011. Spray applications were made on a 23.3 ± 4.7 day interval and fruit accessed between December 2011 and March 2012 for black spot symptoms. Copper failed to reduce the proportion of fruit exhibiting symptoms compared to that of the controls.展开更多
Dietary Fiber (DF) is a plant bioactive compound, mainly a mixture of complex organic soluble and non-soluble polysaccharides that is non-digestible and less hydrophobic. This dietary fiber is one of nutritional suppl...Dietary Fiber (DF) is a plant bioactive compound, mainly a mixture of complex organic soluble and non-soluble polysaccharides that is non-digestible and less hydrophobic. This dietary fiber is one of nutritional supplements that demonstrated to have impact on human and animal health. Chemical structures, sources, classification, methods of analysis and therapeutic functions of DF are under investigation by researchers for diseases prevention and enhancing immune response. Dietary Fiber (DF) is diverse organic chemicals with higher molecular weight (HMW) over 10 DP and lower molecular weight of lower under 10 DP and can be classified generally by their solubility, viscosity, and fermentability. Dietary fiber is non-digestible by enteric enzymes and passes through small intestine into the colon intake where is fermented by enteric microbial biomass into beneficial metabolites and short chains fatty acids. Other health benefits from the acceptable daily intake such as adsorption of bile salts, polyphenols, and minerals. In addition to, influence gastrointestinal tract physiology where it has high water holding capacity and viscosity resulted in feeling satiety, alternate digestive enzymes activity, improved gastric emptying, and increase healthy microbial biomass in the colon.展开更多
Dynamic analysis of malware allows us to examine malware samples, and then group those samples into families based on observed behavior. Using Boolean variables to represent the presence or absence of a range of malwa...Dynamic analysis of malware allows us to examine malware samples, and then group those samples into families based on observed behavior. Using Boolean variables to represent the presence or absence of a range of malware behavior, we create a bitstring that represents each malware behaviorally, and then group samples into the same class if they exhibit the same behavior. Combining class definitions with malware discovery dates, we can construct a timeline of showing the emergence date of each class, in order to examine prevalence, complexity, and longevity of each class. We find that certain behavior classes are more prevalent than others, following a frequency power law. Some classes have had lower longevity, indicating that their attack profile is no longer manifested by new variants of malware, while others of greater longevity, continue to affect new computer systems. We verify for the first time commonly held intuitions on malware evolution, showing quantitatively from the archaeological record that over 80% of the time, classes of higher malware complexity emerged later than classes of lower complexity. In addition to providing historical perspective on malware evolution, the methods described in this paper may aid malware detection through classification, leading to new proactive methods to identify malicious software.展开更多
Solid-solution strengthened superalloys are widely used because they possess excellent levels of high temperature strength and environmental resistance in combination with ease of fabrication.This latter factor is of ...Solid-solution strengthened superalloys are widely used because they possess excellent levels of high temperature strength and environmental resistance in combination with ease of fabrication.This latter factor is of utmost importance since it is a primary economic determinant.From a metal producer's point of view,it determines the viable range of product forms that can be offered to the marketplace.From a user's point of view,it determines the viable range of manufacturing processes that can be used to make the final product.For both the producer and user,an alloy's heat treatment and property response is a central issue for defining fabricability.The areas of interest are typically quite fundamental and include such phenomena as recrystallization and grain growth,critical strain effects,relief of residual stresses,and cooling rate effects.In heat resisting alloys,these phenomena often involve subtle complexities due to the precipitation of carbides and,in some cases,the precipitation of intermetallic phases. This paper will deal with these complexities,providing relevant data and concrete examples wherever possible.The information presented should enable the proper selection of heat treatment practices for solid-solution strengthened superalloys.展开更多
COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Current RNA vaccines Pfizer/BioNTech’s BNT162b2 and Moderna’s mRNA-1273 are more than 94% successful in preventing infection. The spike protein of the virus is essential f...COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Current RNA vaccines Pfizer/BioNTech’s BNT162b2 and Moderna’s mRNA-1273 are more than 94% successful in preventing infection. The spike protein of the virus is essential for the interaction and internalization of the virus in the host cell and is considered a prime target for vaccine development against the SARS virus. This study aims to identify highly conserved sequences in spike protein or other sections of the viral genome that can potentially be used to develop a universal coronavirus vaccine. Bioinformatic analysis of 258,269 full-length SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences in the NCBI database was carried out using a custom Perl Script. All sequences were compared to the spike protein and full-length viral genome reference to find 100 nucleotide-long segments that were at least 99% conserved across SARS-CoV-2 sequences. The analysis resulted in a >99.5% conserved 114-nucleotide segment on the spike protein and a 99.49% conserved 104-nucleotide segment on the non-spike protein section of the viral genome. The conserved sequences from this study may be useful in developing an RNA or protein vaccine that may be effective against future SARS-CoV-2 strains or could act as a universal vaccine if these sequences are present in other coronavirus families.展开更多
To assess incidence of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (post-ERCP) pancreatitis in the early (July/August/September) vs the late (April/May/June) academic year and evaluate in-hospital mortality, l...To assess incidence of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (post-ERCP) pancreatitis in the early (July/August/September) vs the late (April/May/June) academic year and evaluate in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and total hospitalization charge between these time periods. METHODSThis was a retrospective cohort study using the 2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Patients with International Classification of Diseases, 9<sup>th</sup> Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9 CM) procedure codes for ERCP were included. Patients were excluded from the study if they had an ICD-9 CM code for a principal diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, if the ERCP was performed before or on the day of admission or if they were admitted to non-teaching hospitals. Post-ERCP pancreatitis was defined as an ICD-9 CM code for a secondary diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in patients who received an ERCP as delineated above. ERCPs performed during the months of July, August and September was compared to those performed in April, May and June in academic hospitals. ERCPs performed at academic hospitals during the early vs late year were compared. Primary outcome was incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, length LOS, and total hospitalization charge. Proportions were compared using fisher’s exact test and continuous variables using student t-test. Multivariable regression was performed. RESULTSFrom the 36480032 hospitalizations in 2012 in the United States, 6248 were included in the study (3065 in July/August/September and 3183 in April/May/June) in the 2012 academic year. Compared with patients admitted in July/August/September, patients admitted in April/May/June had no statistical difference in all variables including mean age, percent female, Charleston comorbidity index, race, median income, and hospital characteristics including region, bed size, and location. Incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis in early vs late academic year were not statistically significant (OR = 1.03, 95%CI: 0.71-1.51, P = 0.415). Similarly, the adjusted odds ratio of mortality, LOS, and total hospitalization charge in early compared to late academic year were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONIncidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis does not differ at academic institutions depending on the time of year. Similarly, mortality, LOS, and total hospital charge do not demonstrate the existence of a temporal effect, suggesting that trainee level of experience does not impact clinical outcomes in patients undergoing ERCP.展开更多
Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke is the leading cause of human lung cancer and its most prevalent form, adenocarcinoma. However, the mechanisms by which smoking induces adenocarcinoma are largely inferred from the ...Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke is the leading cause of human lung cancer and its most prevalent form, adenocarcinoma. However, the mechanisms by which smoking induces adenocarcinoma are largely inferred from the analysis of fully developed tumors. The current work focuses on the early events that precede the existence of clinically detectable tumors and where the progressive mechanisms are believed to be different from the ones driving established tumor growth. Biological information was drawn from the literature and generalized into a conceptual model, or framework, which describes and integrates the main processes involved in the early stages of smoking-induced lung adenocarcinoma development. No such integrative representation currently exists. The biological framework presented here is based on the “field of injury” of the lung. It covers the smoking-induced stepwise transition of unexposed (naive) lung tissue to the first appearance of neoplastic cells through defined tissue states referred to as pre-field and field. Each tissue state exhibits its own formalized characteristics (or phenotype properties), which evolve as a result of the combined effects of smoking, the interactions between the different tissue properties, and the local environment represented in the framework as lung inflammation and immune surveillance. The resulting network of influences between the lung tissue states and properties provides a good understanding of the early events involved in lung adenocarcinoma triggered by smoking. The resulting conceptual model—an integrative mechanistic hypothesis—can explain a broad range of cigarette smoking and smoking cessation scenarios.展开更多
For many years, a Lorentz factor of L = 1/3 has been used to describe the local electric field in thin amorphous dielectrics. However, the exact meaning of thin has been unclear. The local electric field E<sub>l...For many years, a Lorentz factor of L = 1/3 has been used to describe the local electric field in thin amorphous dielectrics. However, the exact meaning of thin has been unclear. The local electric field E<sub>loc</sub> modeling presented in this work indicates that L = 1/3 is indeed valid for very thin solid dielectrics (t<sub>diel</sub> ≤ 20 monolayers) but significant deviations from L = 1/3 start to occur for thicker dielectrics. For example, L ≈ 2/3 for dielectric thicknesses of t<sub>diel</sub> = 50 monolayers and increases to L ≈ 1 for dielectric thicknesses t<sub>diel</sub> > 200 monolayers. The increase in L with t<sub>diel</sub> means that the local electric fields are significantly higher in thicker dielectrics and explains why the breakdown strength E<sub>bd</sub> of solid polar dielectrics generally reduces with dielectric thickness t<sub>diel</sub>. For example, E<sub>bd</sub> for SiO<sub>2</sub> reduces from approximately E<sub>bd</sub> ≈ 25 MV/cm at t<sub>diel</sub> = 2 nm to E<sub>bd</sub> ≈ 10 MV/cm at t<sub>diel</sub> = 50 nm. However, while E<sub>bd</sub> for SiO<sub>2</sub> reduces with t<sub>diel</sub>, all SiO<sub>2</sub> thicknesses are found to breakdown at approximately the same local electric field (E<sub>loc</sub>)<sub>bd</sub> ≈ 40 MV/cm. This corresponds to a coordination bond strength of 2.7 eV for the silicon-ion to transition from four-fold to three-fold coordination in the tetrahedral structure.展开更多
文摘The epidermis, and in particular its outermost layer, the stratum corneum, contributes much of the barrier function of the skin and is a readily visible representation of skin health. Maintaining the health of the skin barrier has arguably become more important than ever in the modern world, in which a large majority of people are exposed to environmental insults. These external factors can damage the integrity of the skin barrier and prematurely age the skin. Therefore, it has become increasingly important to maintain and protect the stratum corneum. Here, we briefly review the complex, multilayered structure of the skin and relate it to clinically translatable function, with an emphasis on the stratum corneum. In the context of epidermal structure and function, the formulation and clinical data for Phelityl® Reviving Cream will be reviewed. Phelityl Reviving Cream was shown to be associated with improvements in both immediate- and long-term parameters, including a significant positive effect on the skin barrier and immediate and long-lasting hydration.
基金supported by ICIMODfunded by the governments of Afghanistan,Australia,Austria,Bangladesh,Bhutan,China,India,Myanmar,Nepal,Norway,Pakistan,Sweden,and Switzerland。
文摘The global cryosphere is experiencing accelerated melting due to climate change.Currently,the Karakoram anomaly is under discussion with a debate about the possibility that the anomaly may have recently ended.This study aims to evaluate the up-to-date changes in snow cover in the western Karakoram region.We observed the snow cover changes in Passu and Ghulkin valleys in the Hunza River basin(HRB)of the Karakoram through multitemporal Landsat satellite data between 1995 and 2022.We found a significant reduction in snow cover in these valleys,with an average reduction rate of 0.42 km~2/yr,resulting in a total reduction of~11.46 km~2 between 1995 and 2022.This reduction in snow cover is consistent with the mass loss of glaciers in the Karakoram region in recent years.The decline in snow cover in these valleys is also consistent with the meteorological data.The temperature in summer(June)has significantly increased whereas the precipitation in the accumulation season(March)has decreased.These rapid changes suggest that it is crucially important to monitor the snow cover on a regular basis to support downstream management of snowmelt runoff.In addition,there is a need of planning for mitigation and adaptation strategies for snow-related hazards.
文摘AIM: To investigate the reduction in hepatitis B virus(HBV) covalently closed-circular DNA(ccc DNA) with entecavir(ETV) or lamivudine(LAM). METHODS: This analysis included patients who had participated in the randomized Phase Ⅲ study ETV-022 comparing ETV vs LAM in nucleos(t)ide-naive, HBe Agpositive patients. Patients received ETV(0.5 mg daily) or LAM(100 mg daily) for a minimum of 52 wk. Patients were eligible to participate in this sub-study if they had paired biopsies at baseline and week 48 with evaluable measurements for hepatic HBV ccc DNA and total hepatic HBV DNA. The main objective was to compare changes in hepatic HBV ccc DNA and total hepatic HBV DNA at week 48 of ETV or LAM treatment, which was a secondary endpoint of study ETV-022. Additional post hoc analyses included linear regression analyses to assess associations of baseline levels and on-treatment changes of ccc DNA with other baseline factors [sex,age, serum HBV DNA, alanine aminotransferase(ALT), Knodell necroinflammatory score, Ishak fibrosis score, total hepatic HBV DNA, and HBV genotype], or ontreatment factors(changes from baseline at week 48 in serum HBV DNA, ALT, Knodell necroinflammatory score, Ishak fibrosis score, total hepatic HBV DNA, and HBe Ag loss at week 48).RESULTS: Overall, 305 patients(ETV = 159; LAM = 146) of ETV-022 had paired baseline and week 48 liver biopsies with evaluable measurements for hepatic HBV ccc DNA and total hepatic HBV DNA, and were included in this analysis. Baseline demographics and disease characteristics were comparable between the two arms. After 48 wk, ETV resulted in significantly greater reductions in hepatic HBV ccc DNA [-0.9 log10 copies/human genome equivalent(HGEq) vs-0.7 log10 copies/HGEq; P = 0.0033] and total hepatic DNA levels(-2.1 log10 copies/HGEq vs-1.6 log10 copies/HGEq; P < 0.0001) than LAM. Virologic, biochemical, and histologic response rates at week 48 were also greater with ETV than with LAM. Baseline HBV ccc DNA levels were positively associated with baseline levels of serum HBV DNA and total hepatic HBV DNA, and negatively associated with HBV genotype F. On-treatment changes in HBV ccc DNA levels were negatively associated with baseline levels of serum HBV DNA and baseline ALT, and were positively associated with on-treatment changes in the levels of serum HBV DNA, total hepatic HBV DNA levels, and ALT, change in Knodell necroinflammatory score, and HBe Ag loss.CONCLUSION: Forty-eight weeks of ETV resulted in greater reductions in ccc DNA and total hepatic HBV DNA than LAM, but long-term therapy may be needed for ccc DNA elimination.
文摘The use of radio frequency energy is an established technology for certain oncology therapies. Direct inputs of radio frequency (RF) energy as thermal energy are applied to ablate tumors or catalyze secondary reactions in adjunct treatments against certain tumor types. Yet, other applications are being developed which take advantage of properties of RFs that impinge on biological proteins and cells without thermal effects. Here we report a proof-of-concept application of specific, digitally encoded, low power (non-thermal) radio frequency energy in an in vitro preparation of a tubulin polymerization assay. The radio frequency energy signal, designated M2(3), was applied to the tubulin polymerization assay samples during spectrophotometric measurements to assess the effectiveness for enhancing tubulin polymerization. A commercially available taxane (paclitaxel) that promotes tubulin polymerization was used as a control to assess the effectiveness of the M2(3) radio frequency energy signal on tubulin polymerization rates. A low power, specific, digital radio frequency energy signal is capable of promoting tubulin polymerization as effectively as a commercially available taxane.
文摘Guignardia citricarpa, the plant pathogenic fungus that causes citrus black spot, was recently introduced into the United States. The development of this disease in the presence of multiple applications of copper per year to manage citrus canker warrants an investigation into the effects of copper on growth of isolates of G. citricarpa from citrus in Florida. Guignardia citricarpa and G. mangiferae isolates, confirmed by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing of ribosomal DNA and DNA homology, were inoculated on non-amended media and media amended with 50 and 500 μg·ml-1 copper sulfate. Radial colony growth was assessed over a 26 to 59 day period. Copper reduced the growth of G. citricarpa isolates in media amended with 500 μg·ml-1 copper but had variable effects on radial growth in media amended with 50 μg·ml-1 copper. There was little effect of copper on the in vitro growth of G. mangiferae isolates. Field application of copper with and without an adjuvant for the control of citrus black spot was undertaken in a commercial grove in Florida in 2011. Spray applications were made on a 23.3 ± 4.7 day interval and fruit accessed between December 2011 and March 2012 for black spot symptoms. Copper failed to reduce the proportion of fruit exhibiting symptoms compared to that of the controls.
文摘Dietary Fiber (DF) is a plant bioactive compound, mainly a mixture of complex organic soluble and non-soluble polysaccharides that is non-digestible and less hydrophobic. This dietary fiber is one of nutritional supplements that demonstrated to have impact on human and animal health. Chemical structures, sources, classification, methods of analysis and therapeutic functions of DF are under investigation by researchers for diseases prevention and enhancing immune response. Dietary Fiber (DF) is diverse organic chemicals with higher molecular weight (HMW) over 10 DP and lower molecular weight of lower under 10 DP and can be classified generally by their solubility, viscosity, and fermentability. Dietary fiber is non-digestible by enteric enzymes and passes through small intestine into the colon intake where is fermented by enteric microbial biomass into beneficial metabolites and short chains fatty acids. Other health benefits from the acceptable daily intake such as adsorption of bile salts, polyphenols, and minerals. In addition to, influence gastrointestinal tract physiology where it has high water holding capacity and viscosity resulted in feeling satiety, alternate digestive enzymes activity, improved gastric emptying, and increase healthy microbial biomass in the colon.
文摘Dynamic analysis of malware allows us to examine malware samples, and then group those samples into families based on observed behavior. Using Boolean variables to represent the presence or absence of a range of malware behavior, we create a bitstring that represents each malware behaviorally, and then group samples into the same class if they exhibit the same behavior. Combining class definitions with malware discovery dates, we can construct a timeline of showing the emergence date of each class, in order to examine prevalence, complexity, and longevity of each class. We find that certain behavior classes are more prevalent than others, following a frequency power law. Some classes have had lower longevity, indicating that their attack profile is no longer manifested by new variants of malware, while others of greater longevity, continue to affect new computer systems. We verify for the first time commonly held intuitions on malware evolution, showing quantitatively from the archaeological record that over 80% of the time, classes of higher malware complexity emerged later than classes of lower complexity. In addition to providing historical perspective on malware evolution, the methods described in this paper may aid malware detection through classification, leading to new proactive methods to identify malicious software.
文摘Solid-solution strengthened superalloys are widely used because they possess excellent levels of high temperature strength and environmental resistance in combination with ease of fabrication.This latter factor is of utmost importance since it is a primary economic determinant.From a metal producer's point of view,it determines the viable range of product forms that can be offered to the marketplace.From a user's point of view,it determines the viable range of manufacturing processes that can be used to make the final product.For both the producer and user,an alloy's heat treatment and property response is a central issue for defining fabricability.The areas of interest are typically quite fundamental and include such phenomena as recrystallization and grain growth,critical strain effects,relief of residual stresses,and cooling rate effects.In heat resisting alloys,these phenomena often involve subtle complexities due to the precipitation of carbides and,in some cases,the precipitation of intermetallic phases. This paper will deal with these complexities,providing relevant data and concrete examples wherever possible.The information presented should enable the proper selection of heat treatment practices for solid-solution strengthened superalloys.
文摘COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Current RNA vaccines Pfizer/BioNTech’s BNT162b2 and Moderna’s mRNA-1273 are more than 94% successful in preventing infection. The spike protein of the virus is essential for the interaction and internalization of the virus in the host cell and is considered a prime target for vaccine development against the SARS virus. This study aims to identify highly conserved sequences in spike protein or other sections of the viral genome that can potentially be used to develop a universal coronavirus vaccine. Bioinformatic analysis of 258,269 full-length SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences in the NCBI database was carried out using a custom Perl Script. All sequences were compared to the spike protein and full-length viral genome reference to find 100 nucleotide-long segments that were at least 99% conserved across SARS-CoV-2 sequences. The analysis resulted in a >99.5% conserved 114-nucleotide segment on the spike protein and a 99.49% conserved 104-nucleotide segment on the non-spike protein section of the viral genome. The conserved sequences from this study may be useful in developing an RNA or protein vaccine that may be effective against future SARS-CoV-2 strains or could act as a universal vaccine if these sequences are present in other coronavirus families.
文摘To assess incidence of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (post-ERCP) pancreatitis in the early (July/August/September) vs the late (April/May/June) academic year and evaluate in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and total hospitalization charge between these time periods. METHODSThis was a retrospective cohort study using the 2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Patients with International Classification of Diseases, 9<sup>th</sup> Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9 CM) procedure codes for ERCP were included. Patients were excluded from the study if they had an ICD-9 CM code for a principal diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, if the ERCP was performed before or on the day of admission or if they were admitted to non-teaching hospitals. Post-ERCP pancreatitis was defined as an ICD-9 CM code for a secondary diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in patients who received an ERCP as delineated above. ERCPs performed during the months of July, August and September was compared to those performed in April, May and June in academic hospitals. ERCPs performed at academic hospitals during the early vs late year were compared. Primary outcome was incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, length LOS, and total hospitalization charge. Proportions were compared using fisher’s exact test and continuous variables using student t-test. Multivariable regression was performed. RESULTSFrom the 36480032 hospitalizations in 2012 in the United States, 6248 were included in the study (3065 in July/August/September and 3183 in April/May/June) in the 2012 academic year. Compared with patients admitted in July/August/September, patients admitted in April/May/June had no statistical difference in all variables including mean age, percent female, Charleston comorbidity index, race, median income, and hospital characteristics including region, bed size, and location. Incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis in early vs late academic year were not statistically significant (OR = 1.03, 95%CI: 0.71-1.51, P = 0.415). Similarly, the adjusted odds ratio of mortality, LOS, and total hospitalization charge in early compared to late academic year were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONIncidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis does not differ at academic institutions depending on the time of year. Similarly, mortality, LOS, and total hospital charge do not demonstrate the existence of a temporal effect, suggesting that trainee level of experience does not impact clinical outcomes in patients undergoing ERCP.
文摘Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke is the leading cause of human lung cancer and its most prevalent form, adenocarcinoma. However, the mechanisms by which smoking induces adenocarcinoma are largely inferred from the analysis of fully developed tumors. The current work focuses on the early events that precede the existence of clinically detectable tumors and where the progressive mechanisms are believed to be different from the ones driving established tumor growth. Biological information was drawn from the literature and generalized into a conceptual model, or framework, which describes and integrates the main processes involved in the early stages of smoking-induced lung adenocarcinoma development. No such integrative representation currently exists. The biological framework presented here is based on the “field of injury” of the lung. It covers the smoking-induced stepwise transition of unexposed (naive) lung tissue to the first appearance of neoplastic cells through defined tissue states referred to as pre-field and field. Each tissue state exhibits its own formalized characteristics (or phenotype properties), which evolve as a result of the combined effects of smoking, the interactions between the different tissue properties, and the local environment represented in the framework as lung inflammation and immune surveillance. The resulting network of influences between the lung tissue states and properties provides a good understanding of the early events involved in lung adenocarcinoma triggered by smoking. The resulting conceptual model—an integrative mechanistic hypothesis—can explain a broad range of cigarette smoking and smoking cessation scenarios.
文摘For many years, a Lorentz factor of L = 1/3 has been used to describe the local electric field in thin amorphous dielectrics. However, the exact meaning of thin has been unclear. The local electric field E<sub>loc</sub> modeling presented in this work indicates that L = 1/3 is indeed valid for very thin solid dielectrics (t<sub>diel</sub> ≤ 20 monolayers) but significant deviations from L = 1/3 start to occur for thicker dielectrics. For example, L ≈ 2/3 for dielectric thicknesses of t<sub>diel</sub> = 50 monolayers and increases to L ≈ 1 for dielectric thicknesses t<sub>diel</sub> > 200 monolayers. The increase in L with t<sub>diel</sub> means that the local electric fields are significantly higher in thicker dielectrics and explains why the breakdown strength E<sub>bd</sub> of solid polar dielectrics generally reduces with dielectric thickness t<sub>diel</sub>. For example, E<sub>bd</sub> for SiO<sub>2</sub> reduces from approximately E<sub>bd</sub> ≈ 25 MV/cm at t<sub>diel</sub> = 2 nm to E<sub>bd</sub> ≈ 10 MV/cm at t<sub>diel</sub> = 50 nm. However, while E<sub>bd</sub> for SiO<sub>2</sub> reduces with t<sub>diel</sub>, all SiO<sub>2</sub> thicknesses are found to breakdown at approximately the same local electric field (E<sub>loc</sub>)<sub>bd</sub> ≈ 40 MV/cm. This corresponds to a coordination bond strength of 2.7 eV for the silicon-ion to transition from four-fold to three-fold coordination in the tetrahedral structure.
