Engineering the Photonic Density of States with metamaterials

The photonic density of states (PDOS), like its' electronic coun- terpart, is one of the key physical quantities governing a variety of phenom- ena and hence PDOS manipulation is the route to new photonic devices. The PDOS is conventionally altered by exploiting the resonance within a device such as a microcavity or a bandgap structure like a photonic crystal. Here we show that nanostructured metamaterials with hyperbolic dispersion can dramatically enhance the photonic density of states paving the way for metamaterial based PDOS engineering

Preliminary surficial geologic map of the east half of the Jackson Lake 30' x 60' quadrangle, Teton, Fremont, and Park counties, Wyoming

This study mapped the surficial geology of the east half of the Jackson Lake 30’ x 60’ quadrangle in Teton, Fremont, and Park counties, Wyoming. The map area encompasses the northern Gros Ventre Range, northwestern Wind River Range, southwestern Absaroka Range, and easternmost Jackson Hole. This work was intended to better understand the region’s geologic hazards and Quaternary geology, and it contributes to the Wyoming State Geological Survey’s goal to complete surficial geologic mapping at 1:100,000 scale across the state of Wyoming. Key project outcomes include: 1) Improved light detection and ranging (lidar) and field-based mapping of landslides, which updates a previous landslide inventory in the area; 2) Detailed field mapping and scarp profile surveys of four Quaternary-active faults, two of which were not previously documented; 3) An eastward extension of existing mapping of Pleistocene glacial deposits from Jackson Hole into lesser studied upland areas in the Absaroka Range, Pinyon Peak highlands, and Gros Ventre River valley

In vitro modulation of Bcl-2 levels in small cell lung cancer cells: effects on cell viability

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease, representing 15% of all cases of lung cancer, has high metastatic potential and low prognosis that urgently demands the development of novel therapeutic approaches. One of the proposed approaches has been the down-regulation of BCL2, with poorly clarified and controversial therapeutic value regarding SCLC. The use of anti-BCL2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) in SCLC has never been reported. The aim of the present study was to select and test the in vitro efficacy of anti-BCL2 siRNA sequences against the protein and mRNA levels of SCLC cells, and their effects on cytotoxicity and chemosensitization. Two anti-BCL2 siRNAs and the anti-BCL2 G3139 oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) were evaluated in SCLC cells by the simultaneous determination of Bcl-2 and viability using a flow cytometry method recently developed by us in addition to Western blot, real-time reverse-transcription PCR, and cell growth after single and combined treatment with cisplatin. In contrast to previous reports about the use of ODN, a heterogeneous and up to 80% sequence-specific Bcl-2 protein knockdown was observed in the SW2, H2171 and H69 SCLC cell lines, although without significant sequence-specific reduction of cell viability, cell growth, or sensitization to cisplatin. Our results question previous data generated with antisense ODN and supporting the present concept of the therapeutic interest in BCL2 silencing per se in SCLC, and support the growing notion of the necessity of a multitargeting molecular approach for the treatment of cancer