Fingers, pelvis, and everything we do not know

Through performative and participatory works, I situate myself in everyday life scenes, unfamiliar geographic locations, or in interactions with other people. My works challenge efficiencies in the mundane by being physically tiring, time consuming, absurd, obscure, unpredictable, and impractical. I use my body and often neutral and low-key bodily movements as tools to reveal alternative, unfamiliar possibilities. The works explore unproductivity’s richness, aliveness, and poetry

Enhanced removal of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and Cryptosporidium-sized microspheres from recreational water through filtration

Cryptosporidium species are the cause of cryptosporidiosis, which has symptoms such as watery diarrhea, dehydration, fever, nausea, body fatigue, and abdominal cramps. Infants, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems are more susceptible and could die from cryptosporidiosis. Numerous waterborne outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been linked to swimming pools in United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and Canada. The concerns of public health and increasing demands for recreational opportunities have pushed the need for enhanced removals of Cryptosporidium from swimming pools to emergent. Unfortunately, relatively little information is available on Cryptosporidium removal from pilot-scale or full-scale swimming pools or spas. Water quality was evaluated for thirty five national swimming pools at first to evaluate the chemical constituents of the swimming pools. Based on these data, three representative swimming pool waters were developed using cluster analysis, which were applied in subsequent experiments. Based on this survey, an average pool would have a pH of 7.5 with 1.5 mg/L of free chlorine, and the alkalinity and hardness would be 94 mg/L and 238 mg/L as CaCO3, respectively. The average turbidity would be 0.33 NTU, and the DOC concentration would be 5 mg/L. Zeta potentials of Cryptosporidium oocyst-sized microspheres in three pool waters were titrated with six coagulants to determine dose-response relationships. Overdosing of organic polymer coagulants (i.e., coagulants A, B, and F) was shown to be possible. No significant differences were observed for any of the coagulants' performance in the three water formulations test. High-rate sand filtration (which refers to a filtration rate up to 37 m/h with coagulant addition before sand filtration) was evaluated in this study. A series of experiments were conducted to develop a novel operational procedure for high-rate sand filtration and provide field-relevant results. Results indicated that the highest removals occurred when coagulant was fed continuously by a coagulant pump. Extended/excessive dosing coagulant A (the only coagulant used in this part of the study) led to coagulant A build up in the system and reduced microsphere removal efficiency. Three alternative treatment techniques were evaluated for ability to enhance Cryptosporidium-sized microsphere removals from a 5,500 L pilot-scale pool, including feeding coagulants prior to sand filter, adding a layer of perlite on top of the sand filter's media without coagulation, and diatomaceous earth (DE) filtration. High-rate sand filtration without coagulation (control experiment) removed 20% - 63% of microspheres. Up to 99% Cryptosporidium-sized microsphere removal was achieved through high-rate sand filtration with coagulants A, B, D, and F at 37 m/h. Coagulant C was a chitosan-based product that removed less than 80% of microspheres under the studied conditions. Coagulant E (polyaluminum chloride) removed more than 90% of microspheres at 30 m/h. Adding perlite on the top of a sand filter increased the Cryptosporidium oocysts-sized microsphere removals to 79%, 99%, 99.7%, and 99.8% with 0.24 kg·perlite/m2, 0.37 kg·perlite/m2, 0.49 kg·perlite/m2 and 0.61 kg·perlite/m2, respectively. At least 0.7 kg·bull;DE/m 2 was required to achieve approximately 99% of Cryptosporidium-sized microspheres by DE filtration. Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium -sized microsphere removals from full-scale swimming pools were evaluated. Coagulants B, D, E, and F were individually fed into swimming pools both with remediation dose and maintenance dose. Approximately 90% of Cryptosporidium parvum and microspheres were removed by filtration with coagulant B (1.56 mg/L), coagulant D (305g/m2), and coagulant F (1.56 mg/L) under remediation conditions. Eighty two percent of Cryptosporidium and 97% of microspheres were removed with coagulant E (0.1 mg·Al/L) under remediation conditions. Under maintenance dosing conditions: up to 93% of Cryptosporidium and 77% of microsphere were removed by coagulant B; as high as 99% of Cryptosporidium and 98% of microsphere were removed with coagulant D; 98% of Cryptosporidium and 93% of microsphere were removed with coagulant E; up to 85% of Cryptosporidium and 82% of microsphere were removed with coagulant F. Organic polymer coagulants accumulated in the swimming pool water (as measured for coagulant A concentration under the study conditions) and led to poor filter performance over time. Additionally, Cryptosporidium parvum removals by perlite/sand filter was 88%, and microspheres removal was 99.8% (0.5 kg·perlite/m2). DE filtration provided above 99.8% removals both for Cryptosporidium parvum and microspheres. Cartridge filters only achieved 22% removal of microspheres from a full-scale spa. To summarize, Cryptosporidium and microspheres could be effectively removed on a continuing basis by DE filtration, perlite/sand filtration, and high-rate sand filtration with continuously feeding of coagulant D or E. Performance of coagulant D and E tended to decrease with increased filter pressure, which could warrant additional research. Coagulant A, B, and F achieved up to 99% removal at the recommended dosage, but Cryptosporidium and microsphere removals decreased to less than 90% (typically within 48 hours) as the polymer coagulants accumulated in the pool

Absolute quantitation of DNA methylation of 28 candidate genes in prostate cancer using pyrosequencing

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Aberrant DNA methylation plays a pivotal role in carcinogenesis and its mapping is likely to provide biomarkers for improved diagnostic and risk assessment in prostate cancer (PCa). We quantified and compared absolute methylation levels among 28 candidate genes in 48 PCa and 29 benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) samples using the pyrosequencing (PSQ) method to identify genes with diagnostic and prognostic potential. RARB, HIN1, BCL2, GSTP1, CCND2, EGFR5, APC, RASSF1A, MDR1, NKX2-5, CDH13, DPYS, PTGS2, EDNRB, MAL, PDLIM4, HLAa, ESR1 and TIG1 were highly methylated in PCa compared to BPH (p < 0.001), while SERPINB5, CDH1, TWIST1, DAPK1, THRB, MCAM, SLIT2, CDKN2a and SFN were not. RARB methylation above 21% completely distinguished PCa from BPH. Separation based on methylation level of SFN, SLIT2 and SERPINB5 distinguished low and high Gleason score cancers, e.g. SFN and SERPINB5 together correctly classified 81% and 77% of high and low Gleason score cancers respectively. Several genes including CDH1 previously reported as methylation markers in PCa were not confirmed in our study. Increasing age was positively associated with gene methylation (p < 0.0001). Accurate quantitative measurement of gene methylation in PCa appears promising and further validation of genes like RARB, HIN1, BCL2, APC and GSTP1 is warranted for diagnostic potential and SFN, SLIT2 and SERPINB5 for prognostic potential

A study of Chinese composer Huang Anlun and his Chinese Rhapsody No. 3

The purpose of this project was twofold because it filled a need in two areas. First, the Chinese Rhapsody No. 3 is a work studied by all Chinese saxophonists, yet to date, no professional-level recording of the work is available. My recording fills this void. Second, both the Chinese Rhapsody No. 3 and its composer are unknown to Western saxophonists. The document will introduce Huang Anlun and his Chinese Rhapsody No. 3 through a brief biography and an interpretive analysis of the Rhapsody through various aspects, such as Chinese traditional music style and the imitation of Chinese traditional instrument timbres. This will enable more people to know about one of China’s excellent composers and an aspect of China’s unique traditional culture

A Tri-Modality Image Fusion Method for Target Delineation of Brain Tumors in Radiotherapy

Purpose To develop a tri-modality image fusion method for better target delineation in image-guided radiotherapy for patients with brain tumors. Methods A new method of tri-modality image fusion was developed, which can fuse and display all image sets in one panel and one operation. And a feasibility study in gross tumor volume (GTV) delineation using data from three patients with brain tumors was conducted, which included images of simulation CT, MRI, and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) examinations before radiotherapy. Tri-modality image fusion was implemented after image registrations of CT+PET and CT+MRI, and the transparency weight of each modality could be adjusted and set by users. Three radiation oncologists delineated GTVs for all patients using dual-modality (MRI/CT) and tri-modality (MRI/CT/PET) image fusion respectively. Inter-observer variation was assessed by the coefficient of variation (COV), the average distance between surface and centroid (ADSC), and the local standard deviation (SDlocal). Analysis of COV was also performed to evaluate intra-observer volume variation. Results The inter-observer variation analysis showed that, the mean COV was 0.14(±0.09) and 0.07(±0.01) for dual-modality and tri-modality respectively; the standard deviation of ADSC was significantly reduced (p<0.05) with tri-modality; SDlocal averaged over median GTV surface was reduced in patient 2 (from 0.57 cm to 0.39 cm) and patient 3 (from 0.42 cm to 0.36 cm) with the new method. The intra-observer volume variation was also significantly reduced (p = 0.00) with the tri-modality method as compared with using the dual-modality method. Conclusion With the new tri-modality image fusion method smaller inter- and intra-observer variation in GTV definition for the brain tumors can be achieved, which improves the consistency and accuracy for target delineation in individualized radiotherapy

Functional imaging with Turbo-CASL: Transit time and multislice imaging considerations

The optimal use of turbo continuous arterial spin labeling (Turbo-CASL) for functional imaging in the presence of activation-induced transit time (TT) changes was investigated. Functional imaging of a bilateral finger-tapping task showed improved sensitivity for Turbo-CASL as compared to traditional CASL techniques for four of six subjects when scanned at an appropriate repetition time (TR). Both experimental and simulation results suggest that for optimal functional sensitivity with Turbo-CASL, the pulse TR should be set to a value that is 100–200 ms less than the resting-state TT. Simulations were also run to demonstrate the differences in TT sensitivity of different slices within a multislice acquisition, and the signal loss that is expected as the number of slices is increased. Despite the lower baseline ASL signal provided by the Turbo-CASL acquisition, one can achieve equal or improved functional sensitivity due in part to the signal enhancement that accompanies the decrease in TT upon activation. Turbo-CASL is thus a promising technique for functional ASL at higher temporal resolution. Magn Reson Med 57:661–669, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/56009/1/21184_ftp.pd

Probing ferroelectricity by X-ray absorption spectroscopy in molecular crystals

We carry out X-ray absorption spectroscopy experiment at the oxygen K edge in croconic acid (C5H2O5) crystal as a prototype of ferroelectric organic molecular solid, whose electric polarization is generated by proton transfer. The experimental spectrum is well reproduced by the electron-hole excitation theory simulations from configuration generated by ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. When inversion symmetry is broken in the ferroelectric state, the hydrogen bonding environment on the two bonded molecules become inequivalent. Such a difference is sensitively probed by the bound excitation in the pre-edge, which is strongly localized on the excited molecules. Our analysis shows that a satellite peak in the pre-edge will emerge at higher excitation energy, which serves as a clear signature of ferroelectricity in the material

Pressure-induced emission of cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals.

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) are of great interest for optoelectronics because of their high quantum efficiency in solar cells and light-emitting devices. However, exploring an effective strategy to further improve their optical activities remains a considerable challenge. Here, we report that nanocrystals (NCs) of the initially nonfluorescent zero-dimensional (0D) cesium lead halide perovskite Cs4PbBr6 exhibit a distinct emission under a high pressure of 3.01 GPa. Subsequently, the emission intensity of Cs4PbBr6 NCs experiences a significant increase upon further compression. Joint experimental and theoretical analyses indicate that such pressure-induced emission (PIE) may be ascribed to the enhanced optical activity and the increased binding energy of self-trapped excitons upon compression. This phenomenon is a result of the large distortion of [PbBr6]4- octahedral motifs resulting from a structural phase transition. Our findings demonstrate that high pressure can be a robust tool to boost the photoluminescence efficiency and provide insights into the relationship between the structure and optical properties of 0D MHPs under extreme conditions

Extracellular Hsp72 concentration relates to a minimum endogenous criteria during acute exercise-heat exposure

Extracellular heat-shock protein 72 (eHsp72) concentration increases during exercise-heat stress when conditions elicit physiological strain. Differences in severity of environmental and exercise stimuli have elicited varied response to stress. The present study aimed to quantify the extent of increased eHsp72 with increased exogenous heat stress, and determine related endogenous markers of strain in an exercise-heat model. Ten males cycled for 90 min at 50% O2peak in three conditions (TEMP, 20°C/63% RH; HOT, 30.2°C/51%RH; VHOT, 40.0°C/37%RH). Plasma was analysed for eHsp72 pre, immediately post and 24-h post each trial utilising a commercially available ELISA. Increased eHsp72 concentration was observed post VHOT trial (+172.4%) (P<0.05), but not TEMP (-1.9%) or HOT (+25.7%) conditions. eHsp72 returned to baseline values within 24hrs in all conditions. Changes were observed in rectal temperature (Trec), rate of Trec increase, area under the curve for Trec of 38.5°C and 39.0°C, duration Trec ≥ 38.5°C and ≥ 39.0°C, and change in muscle temperature, between VHOT, and TEMP and HOT, but not between TEMP and HOT. Each condition also elicited significantly increasing physiological strain, described by sweat rate, heart rate, physiological strain index, rating of perceived exertion and thermal sensation. Stepwise multiple regression reported rate of Trec increase and change in Trec to be predictors of increased eHsp72 concentration. Data suggests eHsp72 concentration increases once systemic temperature and sympathetic activity exceeds a minimum endogenous criteria elicited during VHOT conditions and is likely to be modulated by large, rapid changes in core temperature

WNT signaling regulates self-renewal and differentiation of prostate cancer cells with stem cell characteristics

Prostate cancer cells with stem cell characteristics were identified in human prostate cancer cell lines by their ability to form from single cells self-renewing prostaspheres in non-adherent cultures. Prostaspheres exhibited heterogeneous expression of proliferation, differentiation and stem cell-associated makers CD44, ABCG2 and CD133. Treatment with WNT inhibitors reduced both prostasphere size and self-renewal. In contrast, addition of Wnt3a caused increased prostasphere size and self-renewal, which was associated with a significant increase in nuclear Β-catenin, keratin 18, CD133 and CD44 expression. As a high proportion of LNCaP and C4-2B cancer cells express androgen receptor we determined the effect of the androgen receptor antagonist bicalutamide. Androgen receptor inhibition reduced prostasphere size and expression of PSA, but did not inhibit prostasphere formation. These effects are consistent with the androgen-independent self-renewal of cells with stem cell characteristics and the androgen-dependent proliferation of transit amplifying cells. As the canonical WNT signaling effector Β-catenin can also associate with the androgen receptor, we propose a model for tumour propagation involving a balance between WNT and androgen receptor activity. That would affect the self-renewal of a cancer cell with stem cell characteristics and drive transit amplifying cell proliferation and differentiation. In conclusion, we provide evidence that WNT activity regulates the self-renewal of prostate cancer cells with stem cell characteristics independently of androgen receptor activity. Inhibition of WNT signaling therefore has the potential to reduce the self-renewal of prostate cancer cells with stem cell characteristics and improve the therapeutic outcome.Peer reviewe