Silicon micromachined hollow microneedles for transdermal liquid transfer

This paper presents an improved design and fabrication process [ 13 for hollow micro needles with the proper mechanical strength and sharpness to be applied for painless transdermal transfer of liquids. Tests have shown that liquids like blood are drawn into the needle by capillary forces, reducing the need for active pumping. The fabrication method allows different needle shapes like blades and pencils, is robust enough to be applied for largerscale production, and enables the development of a complete micro-TAS for e.g. blood analysis

Trajectory Deflection of Spinning Magnetic Microparticles, the Magnus Effect at the Microscale

The deflection due to the Magnus force of magnetic particles with a diameter of 80 micrometer dropping through fluids and rotating in a magnetic field was measured. With Reynolds number for this experiment around 1, we found trajectory deflections of the order of 1 degree, in agreement within measurement error with theory. This method holds promise for the sorting and analysis of the distribution in magnetic moment and particle diameter of suspensions of microparticles, such as applied in catalysis, or objects loaded with magnetic particles.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures. Appendix with 6 figure

Validation and implementation of a custom 21-gene panel next-generation sequencing assay for myeloid neoplasms

Rapid and reliable mutational analysis of myeloid neoplasms is increasingly important for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic reasons. In this article we describe the development and validation of a custom next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay that reliably tests across a broad range of myeloid neoplasms, including AML, MDS, and myeloproliferative neoplasms. The lllumina TruSeq Custom Amplicon panel was designed to detect variants in 21 genes. The validation protocol included sequencing of cell lines (n=3) and patient samples (n=36) on an Illumina MiSeq platform. A read depth ≥100x was observed for &gt;97% of targeted bases. After filtering for artifacts, a specificity of 100% was obtained. A detection limit of ≤5% was observed for variants present in cell lines. On average two reportable variants were present in samples from patients with a myeloid neoplasm. In conclusion, the custom NGS assay provides an adequate routine assay for genetic analysis of variants present in myeloid neoplasms. Practical considerations on choice of targeted genes, type of assay and method of data analysis are provided in this report.</p

Early action on Paris Agreement allows for more time to change energy systems

The IMAGE integrated assessment model was used to develop a set of scenarios to evaluate the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by Parties under the Paris Agreement. The scenarios project emissions and energy system changes under (i) current policies, (ii) implementation of the NDCs, and (iii) various trajectories to a radiative forcing level of 2.8 W/m2 in 2100, which gives a probability of about two thirds to limit warming to below 2 °C. The scenarios show that a cost-optimal pathway from 2020 onwards towards 2.8 W/m2 leads to a global greenhouse gas emission level of 38 gigatonne CO2 equivalent (GtCO2eq) by 2030, equal to a reduction of 20% compared to the 2010 level. The NDCs are projected to lead to 2030 emission levels of 50 GtCO2eq, which is still an increase compared to the 2010 level. A scenario that achieves the 2.8 W/m2 forcing level in 2100 from the 2030 NDC level requires more rapid transitions after 2030 to meet the forcing target. It shows an annual reduction rate in greenhouse gas emissions of 4.7% between 2030 and 2050, rapidly phasing out unabated coal-fired power plant capacity, more rapid scale-up of low-carbon energy, and higher mitigation costs. A bridge scenario shows that enhancing the ambition level of NDCs before 2030 allows for a smoother energy system transition, with average annual emission reduction rates of 4.5% between 2030 and 2050, and more time to phase out coal capacity

Validation and implementation of a custom 21-gene panel next-generation sequencing assay for myeloid neoplasms

Rapid and reliable mutational analysis of myeloid neoplasms is increasingly important for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic reasons. In this article we describe the development and validation of a custom next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay that reliably tests across a broad range of myeloid neoplasms, including AML, MDS, and myeloproliferative neoplasms. The lllumina TruSeq Custom Amplicon panel was designed to detect variants in 21 genes. The validation protocol included sequencing of cell lines (n=3) and patient samples (n=36) on an Illumina MiSeq platform. A read depth ≥100x was observed for &gt;97% of targeted bases. After filtering for artifacts, a specificity of 100% was obtained. A detection limit of ≤5% was observed for variants present in cell lines. On average two reportable variants were present in samples from patients with a myeloid neoplasm. In conclusion, the custom NGS assay provides an adequate routine assay for genetic analysis of variants present in myeloid neoplasms. Practical considerations on choice of targeted genes, type of assay and method of data analysis are provided in this report.</p

MEASUREMENT OF THE SHORTEST PATH LENGTH; DISTANCE ESTIMATION WITHIN THE 3D BORDERS OF A TISSUE OF INTEREST

Volume data, such as 3D reconstructions from histological sections orMRI and CT data, are commonly used in studies in biology and medicine. The quantification of morphological parameters and changes within a region of interest is a key concern in such studies. Specifically, it is often required to measure the distance between two points. These distance measurements have to follow a track through the tissue when measuring in sheetlike or contorted organs like the developing heart. A tool was developed that enables this kind of distance measurements. Three existing neighborhood estimators were compared; two of Verwer and one of Kiryati, all originally designed to compute chamfer distances in data sets with isotropic, cubic voxels. The estimators were therefore adjusted to handle non-isotropic data sets. Moreover, the shortest path along a track within a given tissue was calculated. The measurement of known distances, through a simplified model of an early heart tube, with anisotropic voxels was used decide which of the three estimators should be implemented. The observed Root Mean Square (RMS) errors were similar to the ones reported in literature in the unrestrained isotropic case. The adjusted Verwer estimator measuring in a 53 neighborhood performed best by far with the lowest mean and RMS errors