Clastic Polygonal Networks Around Lyot Crater, Mars: Possible Formation Mechanisms From Morphometric Analysis

Polygonal networks of patterned ground are a common feature in cold-climate environments. They can form through the thermal contraction of ice-cemented sediment (i.e. formed from fractures), or the freezing and thawing of ground ice (i.e. formed by patterns of clasts, or ground deformation). The characteristics of these landforms provide information about environmental conditions. Analogous polygonal forms have been observed on Mars leading to inferences about environmental conditions. We have identified clastic polygonal features located around Lyot crater, Mars (50°N, 30°E). These polygons are unusually large (> 100 m diameter) compared to terrestrial clastic polygons, and contain very large clasts, some of which are up to 15 metres in diameter. The polygons are distributed in a wide arc around the eastern side of Lyot crater, at a consistent distance from the crater rim. Using high-resolution imaging data, we digitised these features to extract morphological information. These data are compared to existing terrestrial and Martian polygon data to look for similarities and differences and to inform hypotheses concerning possible formation mechanisms. Our results show the clastic polygons do not have any morphometric features that indicate they are similar to terrestrial sorted, clastic polygons formed by freeze-thaw processes. They are too large, do not show the expected variation in form with slope, and have clasts that do not scale in size with polygon diameter. However, the clastic networks are similar in network morphology to thermal contraction cracks, and there is a potential direct Martian analogue in a sub-type of thermal contraction polygons located in Utopia Planitia. Based upon our observations, we reject the hypothesis that polygons located around Lyot formed as freeze-thaw polygons and instead an alternative mechanism is put forward: they result from the infilling of earlier thermal contraction cracks by wind-blown material, which then became compressed and/or cemented resulting in a resistant fill. Erosion then leads to preservation of these polygons in positive relief, while later weathering results in the fracturing of the fill material to form angular clasts. These results suggest that there was an extensive area of ice-rich terrain, the extent of which is linked to ejecta from Lyot crater

Prevalence of coronary thrombosis after primary angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction and COVID-19: a literature review

Introduction: COVID-19 is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and individuals most likely to have more severe symptoms are older adults with comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and a history of smoking. This disease progresses with the release of inflammatory and atherosclerotic mediators, generating the installation of a hypercoagulable state, which raises the possi-bility of increased risk for acute coronary syndromes and coronary thrombosis after pri-mary angioplasty. Objective: To assess the prevalence of coronary thrombosis after pri-mary angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction infected with COVID-19. Material and methods: This is a bibliographic research of the literature review type, based on scientific productions published in the following databases: PubMed, Medline, SciELO, NCBI and Lilacs. Results: Regarding the revascularization technique to be chosen, primary angioplasty is used as the main strategy for harm reduction, better out-come and preservation of ventricular function in acute ischemic heart disease. However, the incidence of thromboembolic events is extremely high in patients with SARS-CoV-2-infected STEMI undergoing primary angioplasty, according to some studies. Conclu-sion: There is a higher prevalence of coronary thrombosis in patients with acute ST ele-vation myocardial infarction infected with SARS-CoV-2 after undergoing primary angi-oplasty.Introdução: A COVID-19 é causada pelo coronavírus da síndrome respiratória aguda grave (SARS-CoV-2) e os indivíduos com maior probabilidade de apresentarem sintomas mais graves são idosos com comorbidades como: diabetes, doenças cardiovasculares, câncer e histórico de tabagismo. Esta doença cursa com liberação de mediadores inflamatórios e ateroscleróticos, gerando a instalação do estado hipercoagulável, o que levanta a possibilidade de risco aumentado para síndromes coronárias agudas e trombose coronariana pós angioplastia primária. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de trombose coronariana após angioplastia primária em pacientes com infarto agudo de miocárdio infectados pela COVID-19. Material e métodos: Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica do tipo revisão de literatura tendo como base produções científi-cas publicadas nas seguintes bases de dados: PubMed, Medline, SciELO, NCBI e Lilacs. Resultados: Quanto a técnica de revascularização a ser escolhida temos que, a angioplastia primária é utilizada como principal estratégia para redução de danos, melhor desfecho e preservação da função ventricular, na doença cardíaca isquêmica aguda. Entretanto, a incidência de eventos tromboembólicos é extremamente alta em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio com supra de ST infectados com o SARS-Cov-2 submetidos à angioplastia primária, de acordo com alguns estudos. Conclusão: Há maior prevalência de trombose coronariana em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio com supra de ST infectados com o SARS-Cov-2 após serem submetidos à angioplastia primária

A simple energy usage toolkit from manufacturing simulation data

A fundamental problem in energy management is the inability to clearly predict any possible energy saving opportunities. The cost of both under or overestimating potential returns on investment can be prohibitive to a decision maker. In recent years the simulation of energy usage using existing manufacturing simulation tools has increased in popularity among researchers, but it is energy managers who need to see the benefits of this discipline. This paper proposes an interactive manufacturing energy management tool which makes use of existing productivity simulation models for the prediction of energy usage. An interactive Microsoft® Excel® based tool is developed to control Lanner’s WITNESS® discrete-event simulation software using Microsoft® Visual Basic® for Applications. The tool has the ability to predict potential areas where energy saving opportunities can be made within a complex manufacturing line, and is accessible from management presentations and proposals. The interactivity of the tool provides an environment which facilitates efficient hypothesis testing. The paper includes an industrial case study where the approach was used to quantify theoretical savings from certain energy usage reduction scenarios within a complex automotive engine manufacturing line

Engineering Translation in Mammalian Cell Factories to Increase Protein Yield: The Unexpected Use of Long Non-Coding SINEUP RNAs

Mammalian cells are an indispensable tool for the production of recombinant proteins in contexts where function depends on post-translational modifications. Among them, Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are the primary factories for the production of therapeutic proteins, including monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). To improve expression and stability, several methodologies have been adopted, including methods based on media formulation, selective pressure and cell- or vector engineering. This review presents current approaches aimed at improving mammalian cell factories that are based on the enhancement of translation. Among well-established techniques (codon optimization and improvement of mRNA secondary structure), we describe SINEUPs, a family of antisense long non-coding RNAs that are able to increase translation of partially overlapping protein-coding mRNAs. By exploiting their modular structure, SINEUP molecules can be designed to target virtually any mRNA of interest, and thus to increase the production of secreted proteins. Thus, synthetic SINEUPs represent a new versatile tool to improve the production of secreted proteins in biomanufacturing processes. \ua9 2016 The Author

Identification of Novel Functional Inhibitors of Acid Sphingomyelinase

We describe a hitherto unknown feature for 27 small drug-like molecules, namely functional inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM). These entities named FIASMAs (Functional Inhibitors of Acid SphingoMyelinAse), therefore, can be potentially used to treat diseases associated with enhanced activity of ASM, such as Alzheimer's disease, major depression, radiation- and chemotherapy-induced apoptosis and endotoxic shock syndrome. Residual activity of ASM measured in the presence of 10 µM drug concentration shows a bimodal distribution; thus the tested drugs can be classified into two groups with lower and higher inhibitory activity. All FIASMAs share distinct physicochemical properties in showing lipophilic and weakly basic properties. Hierarchical clustering of Tanimoto coefficients revealed that FIASMAs occur among drugs of various chemical scaffolds. Moreover, FIASMAs more frequently violate Lipinski's Rule-of-Five than compounds without effect on ASM. Inhibition of ASM appears to be associated with good permeability across the blood-brain barrier. In the present investigation, we developed a novel structure-property-activity relationship by using a random forest-based binary classification learner. Virtual screening revealed that only six out of 768 (0.78%) compounds of natural products functionally inhibit ASM, whereas this inhibitory activity occurs in 135 out of 2028 (6.66%) drugs licensed for medical use in humans

Synthesis of some 4‐substituted‐2‐(o‐halogenophenyl)‐1,2,3‐triazoles

Mesoaldehyde 1,3‐dioxime was treated with either 2,4,6‐trichlorophenyl‐ (a), o‐fluorophenyl‐ (b), or o‐bromophenyl‐ (c) hydrazine to give the corresponding mesoaldehyde 1,3‐dioxime‐2‐halogenophenylhydrazones (1a,b,c). The latter were O‐acetylated with acetic anhydride, and cyclized to triazole 4‐oximes (3b, c) or triazole 4‐O‐acetyloximes (6a,b,c) with cesium carbonate, then converted to nitriles (7a,b,c) by refluxing with acetic anhydride followed by pyrolysis, or to aldehydes (4a,b,c) by hydrolysis. The nitriles (7a,b,c) were also converted to acids (9a,b,c), esters (10a,b,c), amides (8a,c), an alcohol (11a), and an amine (12a). In addition, tetrazoles of two types were prepared. The first (13d,e) were obtained from the acid chlorides by the action of 5‐aminotetrazole, whereas the second (14f) was produced from the respective nitrile by the action of ammonium azide