High-Resolution Differential Thermography of Semiconductor Edifices

We develop a cost-effective, high-resolution, and noninvasive imaging technique for thermal mapping of semiconductor edifices in integrated circuits. Initial implementation was done using a power-stabilized optical feedback laser system that detects changes in the optical beam-induced current when the package temperature of the device is increased. The linear change in detected current can be translated to a thermal gradient, which can reveal semiconductor “hotspots”—localized sites with anomalous thermal activity. These locales are possible fault sites or areas susceptible to defects, which are the best jump-off points for failure analysis

Accuracy and User-Acceptability of HIV Self-Testing Using an Oral Fluid-Based HIV Rapid Test

10.1371/journal.pone.0045168PLoS ONE79

HemaMax™, a Recombinant Human Interleukin-12, Is a Potent Mitigator of Acute Radiation Injury in Mice and Non-Human Primates

HemaMax, a recombinant human interleukin-12 (IL-12), is under development to address an unmet medical need for effective treatments against acute radiation syndrome due to radiological terrorism or accident when administered at least 24 hours after radiation exposure. This study investigated pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy of m-HemaMax (recombinant murine IL-12), and HemaMax to increase survival after total body irradiation (TBI) in mice and rhesus monkeys, respectively, with no supportive care. In mice, m-HemaMax at an optimal 20 ng/mouse dose significantly increased percent survival and survival time when administered 24 hours after TBI between 8–9 Gy (p<0.05 Pearson's chi-square test). This survival benefit was accompanied by increases in plasma interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and erythropoietin levels, recovery of femoral bone hematopoiesis characterized with the presence of IL-12 receptor β2 subunit–expressing myeloid progenitors, megakaryocytes, and osteoblasts. Mitigation of jejunal radiation damage was also examined. At allometrically equivalent doses, HemaMax showed similar pharmacokinetics in rhesus monkeys compared to m-HemaMax in mice, but more robustly increased plasma IFN-γ levels. HemaMax also increased plasma erythropoietin, IL-15, IL-18, and neopterin levels. At non-human primate doses pharmacologically equivalent to murine doses, HemaMax (100 ng/Kg and 250 ng/Kg) administered at 24 hours after TBI (6.7 Gy/LD50/30) significantly increased percent survival of HemaMax groups compared to vehicle (p<0.05 Pearson's chi-square test). This survival benefit was accompanied by a significantly higher leukocyte (neutrophils and lymphocytes), thrombocyte, and reticulocyte counts during nadir (days 12–14) and significantly less weight loss at day 12 compared to vehicle. These findings indicate successful interspecies dose conversion and provide proof of concept that HemaMax increases survival in irradiated rhesus monkeys by promoting hematopoiesis and recovery of immune functions and possibly gastrointestinal functions, likely through a network of interactions involving dendritic cells, osteoblasts, and soluble factors such as IL-12, IFN-γ, and cytoprotectant erythropoietin

Novel genetic loci associated with hippocampal volume

The hippocampal formation is a brain structure integrally involved in episodic memory, spatial navigation, cognition and stress responsiveness. Structural abnormalities in hippocampal volume and shape are found in several common neuropsychiatric disorders. To identify the genetic underpinnings of hippocampal structure here we perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 33,536 individuals and discover six independent loci significantly associated with hippocampal volume, four of them novel. Of the novel loci, three lie within genes (ASTN2, DPP4 and MAST4) and one is found 200 kb upstream of SHH. A hippocampal subfield analysis shows that a locus within the MSRB3 gene shows evidence of a localized effect along the dentate gyrus, subiculum, CA1 and fissure. Further, we show that genetic variants associated with decreased hippocampal volume are also associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (rg =-0.155). Our findings suggest novel biological pathways through which human genetic variation influences hippocampal volume and risk for neuropsychiatric illness

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Ergasilussalmini sp. nov. (Copepoda: Ergasilidae) a branchial parasite of "dourado", Salminus franciscanus from the upper S\ue3o Francisco River, Brazil

Ergasilus salmini sp. nov. a branchial parasite of the "dourado", Salminus franciscanus Lima & Britski, 2007, from the upper São Francisco river, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, is described based on female specimens. The new species has a serrate, curved seta on the first exopod as do most of the known South American species of the genus. Other than that, it does not closely resemble any known species of this genus. Many of the known ergasilids have head, and first two thoracic segments completely fused to form a cephalothorax. In the new species, the head is incompletely fused, the first thoracic segment is fused, but thoracic segment two is free. Ergasilus hydrolycus Thatcher, Boeger & Robertson, 1984, also has a free second thoracic segment but in that species the head is completely fused and the third abdominal segment is the longest. In the new species, the third segment is the shortest of the three. Also, the new species is smaller averaging 691 x 207 µ m compared to 784 x 278 µ m for E. hydrolycus. The latter species has a two-segmented fourth endopod whereas in the new species this structure is three-segmented. In addition, the new species is from a different host and a separate river system.<br>Ergasilus salmini sp. nov. um parasito das brânquias do "dourado", Salminus franciscanus Lima & Britski, 2007, do alto rio São Francisco, Minas Gerais, Brasil, é descrita baseada em espécimes fêmeas. A nova espécie tem uma seta curva, serrilhada, no primeiro exopodito como a maioria das espécies conhecidas deste gênero. A maioria dos ergasilídeos tem a cabeça e os dois primeiros segmentos torácicos completamente fusionados formando o cefalotórax. Na nova espécie, a cabeça é incompletamente fusionada, o primeiro segmento torácico é fusionado, mas o segundo segmento torácico é livre. Ergasilus hydrolycus Thatcher, Boeger & Robertson, 1984, também possui o segundo segmento torácico livre mas nessa espécie a cabeça é completamente fusionada e o terceiro segmento abdominal é o mais comprido. Na nova espécie, o terceiro segmento é o mais curto dos três. A nova espécie também é menor medindo 691 x 207 ìm comparado com 784 x 278 ìm em E. hydrolycus. Essa espécie tem o quarto endopodito bi-segmentado enquanto na nova espécie essa estrutura é tri-segmentada. Adicionalmente, a nova espécie é de um hospedeiro diferente e de um sistema hídrico distinto