Thalidomide and birth defects

Apologies to the many papers we were unable to cite, due to space constraints. We thank Lynda Erskine, Shaunna Beedie and Chris Mahony for helpful discussions. Lucas Rosa Fraga is funded by a PhD scholarship from the Science without Borders program - CNPq Brazil - INAGEMP/ Grant CNPq 573993/2008-4. Alex J. Diamond is funded by a BBSRC DTP PhD Scholarship.Peer reviewedPostprin

Automated system for analyzing the activity of individual neurons

This paper presents a signal processing system that: (1) provides an efficient and reliable instrument for investigating the activity of neuronal assemblies in the brain; and (2) demonstrates the feasibility of generating the command signals of prostheses using the activity of relevant neurons in disabled subjects. The system operates online, in a fully automated manner and can recognize the transient waveforms of several neurons in extracellular neurophysiological recordings. Optimal algorithms for detection, classification, and resolution of overlapping waveforms are developed and evaluated. Full automation is made possible by an algorithm that can set appropriate decision thresholds and an algorithm that can generate templates on-line. The system is implemented with a fast IBM PC compatible processor board that allows on-line operation

Rider Assist Technologies: Popular Types, Motivations for Use, and Information Sources Consulted by Users

The ubiquity of advanced in-vehicle technologies for cars highlights the relative scarcity of comparable offerings for motorcycles despite the fact that many can be adapted for this mode of transportation. Aspects of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) such as advanced rider assist technologies may increase the safety of motorcyclists. In this study, we surveyed motorcycle riders about the types of advance technologies their current bikes were equipped with, as well as, the primary motivation for purchasing the technology, and how they learned to use the technologies (if applicable). The most frequently reported technologies owned by riders were handle bar controls, engine brake controls, and cruise control. The primary motivation reported for using the technology was increased safety and improved riding capabilities. The riders were more likely to consult online resources (e.g., YouTube) instead of the manufacturer’s materials when learning about the advanced features of their bikes. While the accessibility of the information makes it easy to reference, the lack of standardization and validity of the online content could contribute to the potential misuse of the technology

A first-in-human, randomized, controlled, subject- and reviewer-blinded multicenter study of Actamax™ Adhesion Barrier

Purpose: Post-surgical adhesions remain a significant concern following abdominopelvic surgery. This study was to assess safety, manageability and explore preliminary efficacy of applying a degradable hydrogel adhesion barrier to areas of surgical trauma following gynecologic laparoscopic abdominopelvic surgery. Methods: This first-in-human, prospective, randomized, multicenter, subject- and reviewer-blinded clinical study was conducted in 78 premenopausal women (18–46 years) wishing to maintain fertility and undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic abdominopelvic surgery with planned clinically indicated second-look laparoscopy (SLL) at 4–12 weeks. The first two patients of each surgeon received hydrogel, up to 30 mL sprayed over all sites of surgical trauma, and were assessed for safety and application only (n = 12). Subsequent subjects (n = 66) were randomized 1:1 to receive either hydrogel (Treatment, n = 35) or not (Control, n = 31); 63 completed the SLL. Results: No adverse event was assessed as serious, or possibly device related. None was severe or fatal. Adverse events were reported for 17 treated subjects (17/47, 36.2%) and 13 Controls (13/31, 41.9%). For 95.7% of treated subjects, surgeons found the device “easy” or “very easy” to use; in 54.5%, some residual material was evident at SLL. For 63 randomized subjects who completed the SLL, adjusted between-group difference in the change from baseline adhesion score demonstrated a 41.4% reduction for Treatment compared with Controls (p = 0.017), with a 49.5% reduction (p = 0.008) among myomectomy subjects (n = 34). Conclusion: Spray application of a degradable hydrogel adhesion barrier during gynecologic laparoscopic abdominopelvic surgery was performed easily and safely, without evidence of clinically significant adverse outcomes. Data suggest the hydrogel was effective in reducing postoperative adhesion development, particularly following myomectomy

Human monoclonal antibodies against NS1 protein protect against lethal West Nile virus infection

Envelope protein-targeted vaccines for flaviviruses are limited by concerns of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infections. Nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) provides an alternative vaccine target that avoids this risk since this protein is absent from the virion. Beyond its intracellular role in virus replication, extracellular forms of NS1 function in immune modulation and are recognized by host-derived antibodies. The rational design of NS1-based vaccines requires an extensive understanding of the antigenic sites on NS1, especially those targeted by protective antibodies. Here, we isolated human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) from individuals previously naturally infected with WNV, mapped their epitopes using structure-guided mutagenesis, and evaluated their efficac

Strategic Asset Allocation with Illiquid Alternatives

We address the problem of strategic asset allocation (SAA) with portfolios that include illiquid alternative asset classes. The main challenge in portfolio construction with illiquid asset classes is that we do not have direct control over our positions, as we do in liquid asset classes. Instead we can only make commitments; the position builds up over time as capital calls come in, and reduces over time as distributions occur, neither of which the investor has direct control over. The effect on positions of our commitments is subject to a delay, typically of a few years, and is also unknown or stochastic. A further challenge is the requirement that we can meet the capital calls, with very high probability, with our liquid assets. We formulate the illiquid dynamics as a random linear system, and propose a convex optimization based model predictive control (MPC) policy for allocating liquid assets and making new illiquid commitments in each period. Despite the challenges of time delay and uncertainty, we show that this policy attains performance surprisingly close to a fictional setting where we pretend the illiquid asset classes are completely liquid, and we can arbitrarily and immediately adjust our positions. In this paper we focus on the growth problem, with no external liabilities or income, but the method is readily extended to handle this case

Increasing Economic Stability for Incarcerated Working-Aged People in Burke County, North Carolina

In Burke County, North Carolina, previously incarcerated individuals have lower economic stability due to unemployment, lower education levels, and low socioeconomic status (Burke County Health Department, 2022). One year after exiting prison, 51% of formerly incarcerated individuals do not have a job and earn below the federal poverty line (NC Commerce, 2023). Evidence shows that well-established reentry processes including continuing education and steady employment reduce recidivism (NIJ, 2023). More educational training for incarcerated individuals results in lower rates of recidivism; less than a high school degree results in a 60% recidivism rate, whereas recidivism drops to 19% for those with any college degree (Bender, 2018). We determined short, medium, and long-term focus goals, and established guidance for potential hurdles in building an incarceration education program. An education program for incarcerated individuals in Burke County will improve long-term health and economic stability by offsetting the social determinants that lead to nonviolent criminal behavior (Parker, 2022).Master of Public Healt

Increasing Economic Stability for Incarcerated Working-Age People through Education in Burke County, NC

In Burke County, North Carolina, previously incarcerated individuals have lower economic stability due to unemployment, lower education levels, and low socioeconomic status (Burke County Health Department, 2022). One year after exiting prison, 51% of formerly incarcerated individuals do not have a job and earn below the federal poverty line (NC Commerce, 2023). Evidence shows that well-established reentry processes including continuing education and steady employment reduce recidivism (NIJ, 2023). More educational training for incarcerated individuals results in lower rates of recidivism; less than a high school degree results in a 60% recidivism rate, whereas recidivism drops to 19% for those with any college degree (Bender, 2018). We determined short, medium, and long-term focus goals, and established guidance for potential hurdles in building an incarceration education program. An education program for incarcerated individuals in Burke County will improve long-term health and economic stability by offsetting the social determinants that lead to nonviolent criminal behavior (Parker, 2022).Master of Public Healt

Increasing Economic Stability for Incarcerated Working-Aged People in Burke County, North Carolina

In Burke County, North Carolina, previously incarcerated individuals have lower economic stability due to unemployment, lower education levels, and low socioeconomic status (Burke County Health Department, 2022). One year after exiting prison, 51% of formerly incarcerated individuals do not have a job and earn below the federal poverty line (NC Commerce, 2023). Evidence shows that well-established reentry processes including continuing education and steady employment reduce recidivism (NIJ, 2023). More educational training for incarcerated individuals results in lower rates of recidivism; less than a high school degree results in a 60% recidivism rate, whereas recidivism drops to 19% for those with any college degree (Bender, 2018). We determined short, medium, and long-term focus goals, and established guidance for potential hurdles in building an incarceration education program. An education program for incarcerated individuals in Burke County will improve long-term health and economic stability by offsetting the social determinants that lead to nonviolent criminal behavior (Parker, 2022).Master of Public Healt