Model Order Reduction for Determining Bubble Parameters to Attain a Desired Fluid Surface Shape

In this paper, a new methodology for predicting fluid free surface shape using Model Order Reduction (MOR) is presented. Proper Orthogonal Decomposition combined with a linear interpolation procedure for its coefficient is applied to a problem involving bubble dynamics near to a free surface. A model is developed to accurately and efficiently capture the variation of the free surface shape with different bubble parameters. In addition, a systematic approach is developed within the MOR framework to find the best initial locations and pressures for a set of bubbles beneath the quiescent free surface such that the resultant free surface attained is close to a desired shape. Predictions of the free surface in two-dimensions and three-dimensions are presented.Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA

Therapeutic Targeting in Ovarian Cancer: Nano-Enhanced CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing and Drug Combination Therapy

Hong-Kook Kim,1,2 Heedon Cheong,3 Moo-Yeon Kim,3 Hyo-Eon Jin2,3 1AI-Super Convergence KIURI Translational Research Center, Ajou University, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea; 2Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea; 3Department of Pharmacy, Ajou University, Suwon, 16499, Republic of KoreaCorrespondence: Hyo-Eon Jin, Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Ajou University, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea, Tel +82-031-219-3466, Fax +82-0504-152-4017, Email [email protected]: Ovarian cancer is the third most common gynecological cancer worldwide. Due to the high recurrence rate of advanced-stage ovarian cancer, often resulting from drug-resistant and refractory disease, various treatment strategies are under investigation. Genome editing of therapeutic target genes holds promise in enhancing cancer treatment efficacy by elucidating gene functions and mechanisms involved in cancer progression. The CRISPR/Cas9 system, in particular, shows great potential in ovarian cancer gene therapy and drug development. Targeting therapeutic genes such as BRCA1/2, P53, Snai1 etc, could improve the therapeutic strategy in ovarian cancer. CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful gene-editing tool that there are many on-going clinical trials to treat various diseases including cancer. Nano-based delivery systems for CRISPR/Cas9 offer further therapeutic benefits, leveraging the unique properties of nanoparticles to improve delivery efficiency. Nano-based delivery systems could enhance the stability of CRISPR/Cas9 delivery formats (such as plasmid, mRNA, etc) and improve the delivery precision of delivery to target tumors. Additionally, combining CRISPR/Cas9 with targeted drug treatments, especially those aimed at genes associated with drug resistance, may significantly improve therapeutic outcomes in ovarian cancer. In this review, we discuss therapeutic target genes and their mechanisms in ovarian cancer, advances in nano-based CRISPR/Cas9 delivery, and the therapeutic potential of combining CRISPR/Cas9 with drug treatments for ovarian cancer.Keywords: ovarian cancer, CRISRP/Cas9, therapeutic genes, nano-based delivery, anti-cancer drug

Measurement of the inclusive and dijet cross-sections of b-jets in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

The inclusive and dijet production cross-sections have been measured for jets containing b-hadrons (b-jets) in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of sqrt(s) = 7 TeV, using the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The measurements use data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 34 pb^-1. The b-jets are identified using either a lifetime-based method, where secondary decay vertices of b-hadrons in jets are reconstructed using information from the tracking detectors, or a muon-based method where the presence of a muon is used to identify semileptonic decays of b-hadrons inside jets. The inclusive b-jet cross-section is measured as a function of transverse momentum in the range 20 < pT < 400 GeV and rapidity in the range |y| < 2.1. The bbbar-dijet cross-section is measured as a function of the dijet invariant mass in the range 110 < m_jj < 760 GeV, the azimuthal angle difference between the two jets and the angular variable chi in two dijet mass regions. The results are compared with next-to-leading-order QCD predictions. Good agreement is observed between the measured cross-sections and the predictions obtained using POWHEG + Pythia. MC@NLO + Herwig shows good agreement with the measured bbbar-dijet cross-section. However, it does not reproduce the measured inclusive cross-section well, particularly for central b-jets with large transverse momenta.Comment: 10 pages plus author list (21 pages total), 8 figures, 1 table, final version published in European Physical Journal

Temperature effects on an InGaP (GaInP) (55)Fe X-ray photovoltaic cell.

This paper investigates the effects of temperature on an InGaP (GaInP) (55)Fe X-ray photovoltaic cell prototype for a radioisotope microbattery (also called a nuclear microbattery). An In0.5Ga0.5P p-i-n (5 μm i-layer) mesa photodiode was illuminated by a standard 206 MBq (55)Fe radioisotope X-ray source and characterised over the temperature range -20 °C to 100 °C. The electrical power output of the device reached its maximum value of 1.5 pW at a temperature of -20 °C. An open circuit voltage and a short circuit current of 0.82 V and 2.5 pA, respectively, were obtained at -20 °C. While the electrical power output and the open circuit voltage decreased with increasing temperature, an almost flat trend was found for the short circuit current. The cell conversion efficiency decreased from 2.1% at -20 °C to 0.7% at 100 °C

Prognostic significance of catalase expression and its regulatory effects on hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) in HBV-related advanced hepatocellular carcinomas.

Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) plays a role in liver cancer development. We previously showed that ROS increased HBx levels and here, we investigated the role of antioxidants in the regulation of HBx expression and their clinical relevance. We found that overexpression of catalase induced a significant loss in HBx levels. The cysteine null mutant of HBx (Cys-) showed a dramatic reduction in its protein stability. In clonogenic proliferation assays, Huh7-X cells produced a significant number of colonies whereas Huh7-Cys- cells failed to generate them. The Cys at position 69 of HBx was crucial to maintain its protein stability and transactivation function in response to ROS. Among 50 HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) specimens, 72% of HCCs showed lower catalase levels than those of surrounding non-tumor tissues. In advanced stage IV, catalase levels in non-tumor tissues were increased whereas those in tumors were further reduced. Accordingly, patients with a high T/N ratio for catalase showed significantly longer survival than those with a low T/N ratio. Together, catalase expression in HCC patients can be clinically useful for prediction of patient survival, and restoration of catalase expression in HCCs could be an important strategy for intervention in HBV-induced liver diseases

Isolation of lactic acid bacteria with antifungal activity against the common cheese spoilage mould Penicillium commune and their potential as biopreservatives in cheese

Moulds are the most common cheese spoilage organisms which can lead to economic loss as well as raising public health concerns due to the production of mycotoxins. In this study, 897 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from different herbs, fruits and vegetables were screened for their antifungal activity in an agar plate overlay assay. Thirty-six isolates had weak activity, 11 had moderate activity and 12 were confirmed as having strong activity. The strong antifungal isolates were obtained from a range of different sources but were all identified by 16S rDNA sequencing as being Lactobacillus plantarum. The antiftmgal spectra for these 12 isolates were determined against eight other moulds commonly associated with cheese spoilage and all isolates were found to possess inhibition against Penicillium solitum, Aspergillus versicolor and Cladosporium herbarum, but not against Penicillium roqueforti, Penicillium glabrum, Mucor circinelloides, Geotrichum candidum or Byssochlamys nivea. The absence of sodium acetate from MRS agar resulted in no inhibition of Penicilium commune, suggesting the synergistic effect of acetic acid with the antifungal LAB, similarly to that previously reported. To determine their potential as biopreservatives in cheese, LAB isolates were inoculated into cottage cheese prior to the addition of P. commune. All Lb. plantarum isolates were found to prevent the visible growth of P. commune on cottage cheese by between 14 and >25 days longer than cottage cheese that contained either no added LAB or LAB that did not have antifungal activity (Lactococcus lactis, Weissella soli, Leuconostoc inhae and Leuconostoc mesenteroides isolates). The results of this study shows that LAB isolated from various herbs, fruits and vegetables possess antifungal activity and have potential for use as biopreservatives in cheese. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Incidence of first primary central nervous system tumors in California, 2001–2005

We examined the incidence of first primary central nervous system tumors (PCNST) in California from 2001–2005. This study period represents the first five years of data collection of benign PCNST by the California Cancer Registry. California’s age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR) for malignant and benign PCNST (5.5 and 8.5 per 100,000, respectively). Malignant PCNST were highest among non-Hispanic white males (7.8 per 100,000). Benign PCNST were highest among African American females (10.5 per 100,000). Hispanics, those with the lowest socioeconomic status, and those who lived in rural California were found to be significantly younger at diagnosis. Glioblastoma was the most frequent malignant histology, while meningioma had the highest incidence among benign histologies (2.6 and 4.5 per 100,000, respectively). This study is the first in the US to compare malignant to benign PCNST using a population-based data source. It illustrates the importance of PCNST surveillance in California and in diverse communities