Multi-Cancer Computational Analysis Reveals Metastasis-Associated Variant of Desmoplastic Reaction Involving INHBA and THBS2

Despite extensive research, the details of the metastasis-associated biological mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we analyze data from multiple cancers using a novel computational method identifying sets of genes whose coordinated overexpression indicates the presence of a particular phenotype. We conclude that there is one shared “core” metastasis-associated gene expression signature corresponding to a specific variant of desmoplastic reaction, present in a large subset of samples that have exceeded a threshold of invasive transition specific to each cancer, indicating that the biological mechanism is triggered at that point. For example this threshold is reached at stage IIIc in ovarian cancer and at stage II in colorectal cancer. It has several features, such as coordinated expression of particular collagens, mainly COL11A1 and other genes, mainly THBS2 and INHBA. The universally prominent presence of INHBA in all cancers strongly suggests a biological mechanism centered on activin A induced TGF-β signaling, because activin A is a member of the TGF-β superfamily consisting of an INHBA homodimer. It is accompanied by the expression of several transcription factors related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition, but not of SNAI1, and expression of E-cadherin is not downregulated. It is reversible, as evidenced by its absence in many matched metastasized samples, but its presence indicates that metastasis has occurred. Therefore, these results can be used for developing high-specificity biomarkers, as well as potential multi-cancer metastasis-inhibiting therapeutics targeting the corresponding biological mechanism

Time-domain numerical simulations of multiple scattering to extract elastic effective wavenumbers

Elastic wave propagation is studied in a heterogeneous 2-D medium consisting of an elastic matrix containing randomly distributed circular elastic inclusions. The aim of this study is to determine the effective wavenumbers when the incident wavelength is similar to the radius of the inclusions. A purely numerical methodology is presented, with which the limitations usually associated with low scatterer concentrations can be avoided. The elastodynamic equations are integrated by a fourth-order time-domain numerical scheme. An immersed interface method is used to accurately discretize the interfaces on a Cartesian grid. The effective field is extracted from the simulated data, and signal-processing tools are used to obtain the complex effective wavenumbers. The numerical reference solution thus-obtained can be used to check the validity of multiple scattering analytical models. The method is applied to the case of concrete. A parametric study is performed on longitudinal and transverse incident plane waves at various scatterers concentrations. The phase velocities and attenuations determined numerically are compared with predictions obtained with multiple scattering models, such as the Independent Scattering Approximation model, the Waterman-Truell model, and the more recent Conoir-Norris model.Comment: Waves in Random and Complex Media (2012) XX

Synthesis and temperature dependent fluorescence properties of nanoscale europium doped yttria derived in presence of tween-80 and beta-alanine

A novel procedure for the synthesis of uniform europium doped yttria powder was developed. It was prepared by chemically growth-controlled method in the presence of surface modifier. A mixture of Tween-80 (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitate) and β-alanine, was used as surface modifier. The obtained powder was pure and highly crystalline. The powder was also examined via Fourier transformation infra red (FTIR) spectroscopy to determine the presence of nitrate ions along with the powder at pre and post calcination. Thermal behavior of the powder was investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). High Resolution Transmission Microscopy (HRTEM) reveals that the particle size is around 22 nm. Chemical microanalysis of europium doped yttria was made by energy dispersive spectrum analyzer (EDS) attached along with HRTEM and indicated a Y/Eu atomic ratio 2.1. The fluorescence spectra of calcined powder showed that the Eu3+ ions were in low symmetry bonding sites in the yttria structure

Tunability of the dielectric response of epitaxially strained SrTiO3 from first principles

The effect of in-plane strain on the nonlinear dielectric properties of SrTiO3 epitaxial thin films is calculated using density-functional theory within the local-density approximation. Motivated by recent experiments, the structure, zone-center phonons, and dielectric properties with and without an external electric field are evaluated for several misfit strains within +-3% of the calculated cubic lattice parameter. In these calculations, the in-plane lattice parameters are fixed, and all remaining structural parameters are permitted to relax. The presence of an external bias is treated approximately by applying a force to each ion proportional to the electric field. After obtaining zero-field ground state structures for various strains, the zone-center phonon frequencies and Born effective charges are computed, yielding the zero-field dielectric response. The dielectric response at finite electric field bias is obtained by computing the field dependence of the structure and polarization using an approximate technique. The results are compared with recent experiments and a previous phenomenological theory. The tunability is found to be strongly dependent on the in-plane lattice parameter, showing markedly different behavior for tensile and compressive strains. Our results are expected to be of use for isolating the role of strain in the tunability of real ultrathin epitaxial films.Comment: 11 pages, with postscript figures embedded. Uses REVTEX and epsf macros. Also available at http://www.physics.rutgers.edu/~dhv/preprints/ant_srti/index.htm

Elastic Wave Scattering by Rough Flaws and Cracks

The scattering of elastic waves by three dimensional rough flaws and cracks is analyzed using the T-matrix approach. The scattering cross section is obtained for spheroidal cavities with a periodically corrugated surface which may be used as a model for flaws with a rough surface. The dependence of the scattering cross section on the wavelength of the corrugations is studied as a function of the incident wavelength. Cracks are modelled as degenerate oblate spheroids and the scattering cross section is obtained for incident P-waves, Multiple scattering analysis of two cavities is also discussed with some numerical results

T-Matrix Calculations for Spheroidal and Crack Like Flaws

Numerical calculations are presented for the scattering of elastic (P- and S-) waves from prolate and oblate spheroids and two-dimensional, rough, crack-like flaws for various angles of incidence, observation and frequencies using the T-matrix approach

Lagrange formalism of memory circuit elements: classical and quantum formulations

The general Lagrange-Euler formalism for the three memory circuit elements, namely, memristive, memcapacitive, and meminductive systems, is introduced. In addition, {\it mutual meminductance}, i.e. mutual inductance with a state depending on the past evolution of the system, is defined. The Lagrange-Euler formalism for a general circuit network, the related work-energy theorem, and the generalized Joule's first law are also obtained. Examples of this formalism applied to specific circuits are provided, and the corresponding Hamiltonian and its quantization for the case of non-dissipative elements are discussed. The notion of {\it memory quanta}, the quantum excitations of the memory degrees of freedom, is presented. Specific examples are used to show that the coupling between these quanta and the well-known charge quanta can lead to a splitting of degenerate levels and to other experimentally observable quantum effects

Application of the Misclassification Simulation Extrapolation (Mc-Simex) Procedure to Log-Logistic Accelerated Failure Time (Aft) Models In Survival Analysis

Survival analysis is the study of time to event outcomes. Accelerated Failure Time models (AFT) serve as a useful tool in survival analysis to study the time of occurrence of an event and its relation to the covariates of interest. The accuracy of estimation of parameters in a model depends upon the correct measurement of covariates. Considering that perfect measurement of covariates is highly unlikely, it is imperative that the performance of the existing bias-correction methods be analyzed in AFT models. However, certain areas of bias-correction in AFT models still remain unexplored. One of these unexplored areas, is a situation where the survival times follow a log-logistic distribution. In this dissertation, we evaluate the performance of the Misclassification simulation extrapolation (MC-SIMEX) procedure, a well-known procedure for bias-correction due to misclassification, in AFT models where the survival times follow a standard log-logistic distribution. In addition, a modified version of the MC-SIMEX procedure is also proposed, that provides an advantage in situations where the sensitivity and specificity of classification are unknown. Lastly, the performance of the original MC-SIMEX procedure in lung cancer data provided by the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG), is also evaluated

Thermal analysis comparison between two random glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic matrix composites bonded by adhesives using microwaves: preliminary results

[Abstract]: This paper compares the thermal analysis of two types of random glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic matrix composites joined by adhesives using microwave energy. Fixed frequency, 2.45 GHz, microwave facility is used to join thirty three percent by weight random glass fibre reinforced polystyrene composite [PS/GF (33%)] and thirty three percent by weight random glass fibre reinforced low density polyethylene composite [LDPE/GF (33%)]. The facility used is shown in Figure 1. With a given power level, the composites were exposed to various exposure times to microwave irradiation. The primer or coupling agent used was 5-minute two-part adhesive. The heat distribution of the samples of the two types of composites was analysed and compared. The relationship between the heat distribution and the lap shear strength of the samples was also compared and discussed