Responsive Action-Based Video Synthesis

We propose technology to enable a new medium of expression, where video elements can be looped, merged, and triggered, interactively. Like audio, video is easy to sample from the real world but hard to segment into clean reusable elements. Reusing a video clip means non-linear editing and compositing with novel footage. The new context dictates how carefully a clip must be prepared, so our end-to-end approach enables previewing and easy iteration. We convert static-camera videos into loopable sequences, synthesizing them in response to simple end-user requests. This is hard because a) users want essentially semantic-level control over the synthesized video content, and b) automatic loop-finding is brittle and leaves users limited opportunity to work through problems. We propose a human-in-the-loop system where adding effort gives the user progressively more creative control. Artists help us evaluate how our trigger interfaces can be used for authoring of videos and video-performances

Design and fabrication of auxetic PCL nanofiber membranes for biomedical applications

The main objective of this study was to fabricate poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-based auxetic nanofiber membranes and characterize them for their mechanical and physicochemical properties. As a first step, the PCL nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning with two different thicknesses of 40 μm (called PCL thin membrane) and 180 μm (called PCL thick membrane). In the second step, they were tailored into auxetic patterns using femtosecond laser cut technique. The physicochemical and mechanical properties of the auxetic nanofiber membranes were studied and compared with the conventional electrospun PCL nanofibers (non-auxetic nanofiber membranes) as a control. The results showed that there were no significant changes observed among them in terms of their chemical functionality and thermal property. However, there was a notable difference observed in the mechanical properties. For instance, the thin auxetic nanofiber membrane showed the magnitude of elongation almost ten times higher than the control, which clearly demonstrates the high flexibility of auxetic nanofiber membranes. This is because that the auxetic nanofiber membranes have lesser rigidity than the control nanofibers under the same load which could be due to the rotational motion of the auxetic structures. The major finding of this study is that the auxetic PCL nanofiber membranes are highly flexible (10-fold higher elongation capacity than the conventional PCL nanofibers) and have tunable mechanical properties. Therefore, the auxetic PCL nanofiber membranes may serve as a potent material in various biomedical applications, in particular, tissue engineering where scaffolds with mechanical cues play a major role. © 201

Optimization of Suture-Free Laser-Assisted Vessel Repair by Solder-Doped Electrospun Poly(ε-caprolactone) Scaffold

Poor welding strength constitutes an obstacle in the clinical employment of laser-assisted vascular repair (LAVR) and anastomosis. We therefore investigated the feasibility of using electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffold as reinforcement material in LAVR of medium-sized vessels. In vitro solder-doped scaffold LAVR (ssLAVR) was performed on porcine carotid arteries or abdominal aortas using a 670-nm diode laser, a solder composed of 50% bovine serum albumin and 0.5% methylene blue, and electrospun PCL scaffolds. The correlation between leaking point pressures (LPPs) and arterial diameter, the extent of thermal damage, structural and mechanical alterations of the scaffold following ssLAVR, and the weak point were investigated. A strong negative correlation existed between LPP and vessel diameter, albeit LPP (484 ± 111 mmHg) remained well above pathophysiological pressures. Histological analysis revealed that thermal damage extended into the medial layer with a well-preserved internal elastic lamina and endothelial cells. Laser irradiation of PCL fibers and coagulation of solder material resulted in a strong and stiff scaffold. The weak point of the ssLAVR modality was predominantly characterized by cohesive failure. In conclusion, ssLAVR produced supraphysiological LPPs and limited tissue damage. Despite heat-induced structural/mechanical alterations of the scaffold, PCL is a suitable polymer for weld reinforcement in medium-sized vessel ssLAVR

Effect of CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase IV on Jurkat sensitivity to G2/M arrest induced by topoisomerase II inhibitors

CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) is a surface antigen with multiple functions, including a role in T-cell activation and the development of certain human cancers. We previously demonstrated that CD26/DPPIV enhanced sensitivity of Jurkat cells to doxorubicin. We now show that expression of CD26/DPPIV enhanced sensitivity of CD26 Jurkat transfectants to G2–M arrest mediated by the antineoplastic agent etoposide. The increased sensitivity to etoposide-induced G2–M arrest was associated with disruption of cell cycle-related events, including hyperphosphorylation of p34cdc2 kinase, change in cdc25C expression and phosphorylation, and alteration in cyclin B1 expression. CD26/DPPIV-associated enhancement of doxorubicin and etoposide-induced G2–M arrest was also observed in serum-free media, suggesting an effect of CD26 on cell-derived processes rather than serum-derived factors. Importantly, our work elucidated a potential mechanism for the enhanced susceptibility of CD26-expressing Jurkat cells to the topoisomerase II inhibitors by demonstrating that CD26/DPPIV surface expression was associated with increased topoisomerase II α levels and enhanced enzyme activity. Besides being the first to show a functional association between the multifaceted molecule CD26 and the key cellular protein topoisomerase II α, our studies provide additional evidence of a potential role for CD26 in the treatment of selected malignancies

Contemporary Management of Locally Advanced and Recurrent Rectal Cancer: Views from the PelvEx Collaborative

Pelvic exenteration is a complex operation performed for locally advanced and recurrent pelvic cancers. The goal of surgery is to achieve clear margins, therefore identifying adjacent or involved organs, bone, muscle, nerves and/or vascular structures that may need resection. While these extensive resections are potentially curative, they can be associated with substantial morbidity. Recently, there has been a move to centralize care to specialized units, as this facilitates better multi-disciplinary care input. Advancements in pelvic oncology and surgical innovation have redefined the boundaries of pelvic exenterative surgery. Combined with improved neoadjuvant therapies, advances in diagnostics, and better reconstructive techniques have provided quicker recovery and better quality of life outcomes, with improved survival This article provides highlights of the current management of advanced pelvic cancers in terms of surgical strategy and potential future developments