Large-energy-shift photon upconversion in degenerately doped InP nanowires by direct excitation into the electron gas

Realizing photon upconversion in nanostructures is important for many next- generation applications such as biological labelling, infrared detectors and solar cells. In particular nanowires are attractive for optoelectronics because they can easily be electrically contacted. Here we demonstrate photon upconversion with a large energy shift in highly n-doped InP nanowires. Crucially, the mechanism responsible for the upconversion in our system does not rely on multi-photon absorption via intermediate states, thus eliminating the need for high photon fluxes to achieve upconversion. The demonstrated upconversion paves the way for utilizing nanowires--with their inherent flexibility such as electrical contactability and the ability to position individual nanowires--for photon upconversion devices also at low photon fluxes, possibly down to the single photon level in optimised structures.     

Modified UNet Model for Brain Stroke Lesion Segmentation on Computed Tomography Images

The task of segmentation of brain regions affected by ischemic stroke is help to tackle important challenges of modern stroke imaging analysis. Unfortunately, at the moment, the models for solving this problem using machine learning methods are far from ideal. In this paper, we consider a modified 3D UNet architecture to improve the quality of stroke segmentation based on 3D computed tomography images. We use the ISLES 2018 (Ischemic Stroke Lesion Segmentation Challenge 2018) open dataset to train and test the proposed model. Interpretation of the obtained results, as well as the ideas for further experiments are included in the paper. Our evaluation is performed using the Dice or f1 score coefficient and the Jaccard index. Our architecture may simply be extended to ischemia segmentation and computed tomography image identification by selecting relevant hyperparameters. The Dice/f1 score similarity coefficient of our model shown 58% and results close to ground truth which is higher than the standard 3D UNet model, demonstrating that our model can accurately segment ischemic stroke. The modified 3D UNet model proposed by us uses an efficient averaging method inside a neural network. Since this set of ISLES is limited in number, using the data augmentation method and neural network regularization methods to prevent overfitting gave the best result. In addition, one of the advantages is the use of the Intersection over Union loss function, which is based on the assessment of the coincidence of the shapes of the recognized zones.     

Simultaneous induction of an HDL receptor protein (SR-BI) and the selective uptake of HDL-cholesteryl esters in a physiologically relevant steroidogenic cell model

This study addresses the question of whether the level of expression of SR-BI (an HDL receptor) is linked to the expression of selective lipoprotein-cholesteryl ester delivery in a steroidogenic cell model. Rat ovarian granulosa cells are physiologically normal cells which show no selective uptake of HDL-cholesteryl esters and no progestin production until luteinized by trophic hormones or adenylate cyclase stimulators, after which expression of the selective cholesterol pathway and production of steroid hormone is dramatically up-regulated. The current study demonstrates that at every cell stage studied, the protein content and level of expression of SR-BI mRNA are linked to changes that occur in HDL-cholesteryl ester uptake; i.e., SR-BI is not present in basal (non-luteinized) cells, develops slowly (from 6-9 h) after hormone treatment, increases robustly from 9-48 h after stimulation, and remains high after incubation with HDL. In contrast, another structural protein, caveolin, did not follow this pattern; caveolin expression showed an inverse relationship to selective cholesteryl ester uptake, and was most prominent in basal cells and least prominent in luteinized, HDL-incubated cells. Morphologically, SR-BI appears to be associated with cell surface sites showing high levels of cholesteryl ester uptake (after luteinization and/or incubation with HDL labeled with fluorescent cholesteryl esters), and at the electron microscope level, SR-BI is most clearly associated with microvillar regions on the cell surface which also bind HDL-labeled with colloidal gold. Thus, induction of the SR-BI receptor system and induction of the HDL-selective cholesterol uptake pathway in rat granulosa cells appear to be linked morphologically, biochemically, and functionally.     

Preliminary report of the Asian-Oceanian Clinical Oncology Association randomized trial comparing cisplatin and epirubicin followed by radiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone in the treatment of patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Asian-Oceanian Clinical Oncology Association Nasopharynx Cancer Study Group

BACKGROUND: The aim of this trial was to compare the outcome achieved with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy to that achieved with radiotherapy alone for patients with locoregionally advanced undifferentiated or poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) meeting one of the following criteria: Ho's T3 disease, Ho's N2-N3 disease, or lymph node size > or =3 cm. METHODS: Between September 1989 and August 1993, 334 patients were enrolled in the study, with equal numbers of patients randomized to the neoadjuvant chemotherapy arm (CT arm) and the radiotherapy arm (RT arm). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of 2-3 cycles of cisplatin (60 mg/m2 on Day 1) and epirubicin (110 mg/m2 on Day 1) followed by radiotherapy was given to the CT arm. For radiotherapy, a dose of 66-74 gray (Gy) (median, 71 Gy) was delivered to the primary tumor and 60-76 Gy (median, 66 Gy) to the neck. Two hundred eighty-six eligible patients completed the treatment and were evaluable for treatment response (134 in the CT arm, 152 in the RT arm). All patients were included in the survival analysis based on the intention to treat. The median follow-up was 30 months for the whole cohort and 41 months for the surviving patients. RESULTS: Analysis of the 334 patients based on the intention to treat showed no significant difference in relapse free survival (RFS) or overall survival (OS) between the 2 treatment arms (3-year RFS rate: 48% in the CT arm vs. 42% in the RT arm, P = 0.45; 3-year OS rate: 78% vs. 71%, P = 0.57). In an efficacy analysis based on only the 286 evaluable patients, a trend of improved RFS favoring the CT arm was observed (3-year RFS rate: 58% vs. 46%, P = 0.053), with again no significant difference in OS (3-year OS rate: 80% vs. 72%, P = 0.21). In the subgroup of 49 patients with bulky neck lymph nodes >6 cm, improved RFS (3-year RFS rate: 63% vs. 28%, P = 0.026) and OS (3-year OS rate: 73% vs. 37%, P = 0.057) were observed, favoring the CT arm. CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter randomized study did not demonstrate any benefit with the addition of cisplatin-epirubicin neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma; therefore routine administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to this target group cannot be recommended. Although the overall incidence of recurrence was reduced with the addition of chemotherapy in the efficacy analysis, the overall survival was not affected. A more effective chemotherapy regimen, the selection of an appropriate target group, and the use of an alternative strategy for combining chemoradiotherapy should be explored in future trials.     

Oxidative stress induces DNA fragmentation and caspase activation via the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase pathway in H9c2 cardiac muscle cells

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that oxidative stress induces apoptosis in the H9c2 cardiac muscle cell line, and that signaling via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways is involved. Three forms of oxidative stress were utilized: the superoxide generator menadione; hydrogen peroxide; or simulated ischemia followed by reperfusion. Relatively low concentrations of menadione (10 micrometer) or H2O2 (250 micrometer) caused maximal DNA fragmentation and caspase activation, both markers for apoptotic cell death, and preferential activation of the c-Jun NH 2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK pathways. In contrast, higher concentrations of menadione or H 2O2 caused less DNA fragmentation, more necrotic cell death and preferential activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Simulated ischemia alone did not induce DNA fragmentation or caspase activation and activated only the p38 MAPK pathway. However, ischemia plus reperfusion resulted in DNA fragmentation, caspase activation, necrotic cell death and activation of all three MAPK pathways. Selective inhibition of the ERK or p38 MAPK pathways (by PD98059 or SB-203580, respectively) had no effect on the extent of oxidative stress-induced DNA fragmentation or caspase activation. In contrast, inhibition of the JNK pathway by transfection of a dominant negative mutant of JNK markedly reduced the extent of DNA fragmentation and caspase activation induced by oxidative stress. In conclusion, these data suggest that the JNK pathway plays an important role in signaling oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of H9c2 cardiac muscle cells.     

Nonaqueous diagnostic polymers and coatings

Water-borne enzymatic coating-based dry chemistries have been used for more than 20 years, especially by diabetics, for self-monitoring of blood glucose. Until now, it has been believed that enzymes work only in water and not in organic solvents. Synthesis of a hydroxylated acrylic polymer and the novel concept of dispersing enzymes have enabled us to design nonaqueous diagnostic coatings. These coating films gave excellent dose response and dynamic range. Additionally, these coatings can easily be ranged by a wide variety of antioxidants. In contrast, water-borne coatings are extremely difficult to range. Furthermore, nonaqueous coating films produce color signals that are independent of the reaction time with excellent thermal stability. Molecular forces and thermodynamical considerations have been used to explain the performance of the new dry chemistries. An organic reaction mechanism of ranging has also been proposed for the nonaqueous system. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Modulation of extraction variables of pectin from Manilkarazapota fruit peel,its bio characterization,and comparative study using dynamic light scattering studies

Influence of variables has a great impact upon yield of pectin. The present study was organized to harmonize these variables and examine the extracted pectin. In view of this, bio-characterizion and structure analysis of pectin through FTIR was performed. Additionally, a polydispersity and particle size study was also conducted using dynamic light scattering (DLS) of the Manilkarazapota fruit peel. The best extraction variables according to the response optimization predicted model were noted as pH of 5 at 61.11°C for 90 min of heating time, which lead to a 3.7% yield. Bio-characterization revealed that pectin extracted at pH 5 has characteristics similar to HM pectin influence of methoxyl content, degree of esterification, and Galacturonic acid content at 5.11%, 73. 63%, and 77.7%, respectively. The FTIR spectrum depicted a similar surface structure to food-grade pectin. DLS studies revealed that extracted pectin at pH 5 has a particle size in the range of 390.21–421.17 nm and polydispersity (?) of 28.2%-29.3%. These findings indicate that sapodilla is a potential source of pectin for food and pharmaceutical preparation.     

Intracellular events in the "selective" transport of lipoprotein-derived cholesteryl esters

The current study utilizes human, apoE-free high density lipoprotein reconstituted with a highly specific fluorescent-cholesteryl ester probe to define the initial steps and regulatory sites associated with the "selective" uptake and intracellular itinerary of lipoprotein-derived cholesteryl esters. Bt2cAMP-stimulated ovarian granulosa cells were used as the experimental model, and both morphological and biochemical fluorescence data were obtained. The data show that cholesteryl ester provided through the selective pathway is a process which begins with a temperature-independent transfer of cholesteryl ester to the cell's plasma membrane. Thereafter transfer of the lipid proceeds rapidly and accumulates prominently in a perinuclear region (presumed to be the Golgi/membrane sorting compartment) and in lipid storage droplets of the cells. The data suggest that lipid transfer proteins (or other small soluble proteins) are not required for the intracellular transport of the cholesteryl esters, nor is an intact Golgi complex or an intact cell cytoskeleton (although the transfer is less efficient in the presence of certain microtubule-disrupting agents). The intracellular transfer of the cholesteryl esters is also somewhat dependent on an energy source in that a glucose-deficient culture medium or a combination of metabolic inhibitors reduces the efficiency of the transfer. A protein-mediated event may be required for cholesteryl ester internalization from the plasma membrane, in that N-ethylmaleimide dramatically blocks the internalization phase of the selective uptake process. Taken together these data suggest that the selective pathway is a factor-dependent, energy-requiring cholesteryl ester transport system, in which lipoprotein-donated cholesteryl esters probably flow through vesicles or intracellular membrane sheets and their connections, rather than through the cell cytosol.     

A survey and tutorial of wireless relay network protocols based on network coding

Ever since the wireless relay network (RN) was introduced, it has led to the discovery of several new protocols, which have been consistently improved by researchers to overcome many constraints such as throughput, capacity bound, symbol error rate, outage probability, and power allocations. Meanwhile, network coding (NC) was invented as an efficient technique to address these problems. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no comprehensive discussion about wireless-RN modes in the literature. We therefore provide a tutorial concerning the basic concepts of NC, dealing with the classification of particular relay modes, and presenting new wireless-RN protocols with/without NC in this paper. Under appropriate categories (i.e., fixed and dynamic), much attention has been given to various proposed wireless-RN protocols because they may differ individually depending on their processing at relay nodes and network topology. We compare the available wireless-RN protocols with/without NC, and conclude that the wireless-RN based on NC outperforms the traditional wireless-RN in certain scenarios.