Entropic measure of directional emissions in microcavity lasers

We propose a noble notion of the directional emission in microcavity lasers. First, Shannon entropy of the far-field profiles in the polar coordinate can quantify the degree of unidirectionality of the emission, while previous notions about the unidirectionality can not efficiently measure in the robust range against a variation of the deformation parameter. Second, a divergence angle of the directional emission is defined phenomenologically in terms of full width at half maximum, and it is barely applicable to a complicated peak structure. However, Shannon entropy of semi-marginal probability of the far-field profiles in the cartesian coordinate can present equivalent results, and moreover it is applicable to even the cases with a complicated peak structure of the emission

Decomposed entropy and estimation of output power in deformed microcavity lasers

Park et al. [Phys. Rev. A 106, L031504 (2022)] showed that the Shannon entropy of the probability distribution of a single random variable for far-field profiles (FFPs) in deformed microcavity lasers can efficiently measure the directionality of deformed microcavity lasers. In this study, we instead consider two random variables of FFPs with joint probability distributions and introduce the decomposed (Shannon) entropy for the peak intensity of directional emissions. This provides a new foundation such that the decomposed entropy can estimate the degree of the output power at given FFPs without any further information.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Optimization of 4-Port Asymmetric Elliptical Birdcage RF Coil for 1.5 Tesla MRI

The elliptical whole-body radiofrequency (RF) coil can be used for RF transmission/reception in magnetic resonance (MR)-guided treatment or MR-fused system with space between the RF shield and the gradient coil available for other imaging/treatment modality. The elliptical birdcage has higher B1⁺ field uniformity than circular birdcage due to increased filling factor between the RF coil and target. In this work, the asymmetric elliptical birdcage is proposed to improve overall performance through electromagnetic simulations. This work compares the 2-port and 4-port excitations and their effects on B1⁺ field uniformity and SAR deposition for both circular and elliptical coil with symmetrical/asymmetrical structures

Enhanced Intracellular Uptake of CdTe Quantum Dots by Conjugation of Oligopeptides

Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS), a typical membrane-permeable carrier peptide, was conjugated with mercaptoisobutyric acid-immobilized CdTe quantum dot (CTNPs) to enhance the intracellular uptake of quantum dots. Mean size of mercaptoisobutyric acid-immobilized quantum dots (37 nm) as determined by dynamic light scattering was increased up to 54 nm after RGDS immobilization. It was found, from in vitro cell culture experiment, that fibroblast (NIH 3T3) cells were well proliferated in the presence of RGDS-conjugated quantum dots (RCTNPs), and the intracellular uptake of CTNPs and RCTNPs was studied by means of ICP and fluorescence microscopy. As a result, the RCTNPs specifically bound to the membrane of NIH 3T3 cells and almost saturated after 6 hours incubation. The amount of RCTNPs uptaken by the cells was higher than that of CTNPs, demonstrating the enhancing effect of RGDS peptide conjugation on the intracellular uptake of quantum dots (QDs)

Ultrasound of the Urinary Bladder, Revisited

Urine-filled bladder can be evaluated easily with ultrasound, and bladder tumors are usually well shown at ultrasound. Although ultrasound is not a primary imaging modality for staging of bladder tumors, it can provide general information regarding depth of tumor invasion into the proper muscle or perivesical adipose tissue. Ultrasound is also useful in showing nonneoplastic lesions of the bladder, such as stone, cystitis, diverticulum and ureterocele. Color Doppler ultrasound can show vascularity of the tumor. It also shows urine flow from the ureteral orifice or through the diverticular neck. As compared with transabdominal ultrasound, transrectal ultrasound shows bladder lesions more markedly in the dorsal wall or neck of the bladder

Reduced cytotoxicity of insulin-immobilized CdS quantum dots using PEG as a spacer

Cytotoxicity is a severe problem for cadmium sulfide nanoparticles (CSNPs) in biological systems. In this study, mercaptoacetic acid-coated CSNPs, typical semiconductor Q-dots, were synthesized in aqueous medium by the arrested precipitation method. Then, amino-terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG) was conjugated to the surface of CSNPs (PCSNPs) in order to introduce amino groups to the surface. Finally, insulin was immobilized on the surface of PCSNPs (ICSNPs) to reduce cytotoxicity as well as to enhance cell compatibility. The presence of insulin on the surface of ICSNPs was confirmed by observing infrared absorptions of amide I and II. The mean diameter of ICSNPs as determined by dynamic light scattering was about 38 nm. Human fibroblasts were cultured in the absence and presence of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles to evaluate cytotoxicity and cell compatibility. The results showed that the cytotoxicity of insulin-immobilized cadmium sulfide nanoparticles was significantly suppressed by usage of PEG as a spacer. In addition, cell proliferation was highly facilitated by the addition of ICSNPs. The ICSNPs used in this study will be potentials to be used in bio-imaging applications

Evaluation of the pathogenicity of GJB3 and GJB6 variants associated with nonsyndromic hearing loss

AbstractA number of genes responsible for hearing loss are related to ion recycling and homeostasis in the inner ear. Connexins (Cx26 encoded by GJB2, Cx31 encoded by GJB3 and Cx30 encoded by GJB6) are core components of gap junctions in the inner ear. Gap junctions are intercellular communication channels and important factors that are associated with hearing loss. To date, a molecular genetics study of GJB3 and GJB6 as a causative gene for hearing loss has not been performed in Korea. This study was therefore performed to elucidate the genetic characteristics of Korean patients with nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss and to determine the pathological mechanism of hearing loss by analyzing the intercellular communication function of Cx30 and Cx31 variants. Sequencing analysis of the GJB3 and GJB6 genes in our population revealed a total of nine variants, including four novel variants in the two genes. Three of the novel variants (Cx31-p.V27M, Cx31-p.V43M and Cx-30-p.I248V) and two previously reported variants (Cx31-p.V84I and Cx30-p.A40V) were selected for functional studies using a pathogenicity prediction program and assessed for whether the mutations were located in a conserved region of the protein. The results of biochemical and ionic coupling tests showed that both the Cx31-p.V27M and Cx31-p.V84I variants did not function normally when each was expressed as a heterozygote with the wild-type Cx31. This study demonstrated that two variants of Cx31 were pathogenic mutations with deleterious effect. This information will be valuable in understanding the pathogenic role of GJB3 and GJB6 mutations associated with hearing loss

Thermal analysis of bulk filled composite resin polymerization using various light curing modes according to the curing depth and approximation to the cavity wall

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the polymerization temperature of a bulk filled composite resin light-activated with various light curing modes using infrared thermography according to the curing depth and approximation to the cavity wall. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Composite resin (AeliteFlo, Bisco, Schaumburg, IL, USA) was inserted into a Class II cavity prepared in the Teflon blocks and was cured with a LED light curing unit (Dr's Light, GoodDoctors Co., Seoul, Korea) using various light curing modes for 20 s. Polymerization temperature was measured with an infrared thermographic camera (Thermovision 900 SW/TE, Agema Infra-red Systems AB, Danderyd, Sweden) for 40 s at measurement spots adjacent to the cavity wall and in the middle of the cavity from the surface to a 4 mm depth. Data were analyzed according to the light curing modes with one-way ANOVA, and according to curing depth and approximation to the cavity wall with two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: The peak polymerization temperature of the composite resin was not affected by the light curing modes. According to the curing depth, the peak polymerization temperature at the depth of 1 mm to 3 mm was significantly higher than that at the depth of 4 mm, and on the surface. The peak polymerization temperature of the spots in the middle of the cavity was higher than that measured in spots adjacent to the cavity wall. CONCLUSION: In the photopolymerization of the composite resin, the temperature was higher in the middle of the cavity compared to the outer surface or at the internal walls of the prepared cavity

The molecular pathogenesis of Trichilemmal carcinoma

Background Trichilemmal carcinoma (TC) is an extremely rare hair follicle tumor. We aimed to explore the genetic abnormalities involved in TC to gain insight into its molecular pathogenesis. Methods Data from patients diagnosed with TC within a 12-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Genomic DNA isolated from a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue block was sequenced and explored for a panel of cancer genes. Results DNA was extracted from the FFPE tissue of four patients (50% female; mean age, 51.5 years) diagnosed with TC for analysis. The tumor was located in the head and neck of three patients and in the shoulder of one patient. TP53 mutations (p.Arg213*, p.Arg249Trp, and p.Arg248Gln) were found in three patients. Fusions previously identified in melanoma were detected in two patients (TACC3-FGFR3 and ROS1-GOPC fusions). Other mutations found included NF1-truncating mutation (Arg1362*), NRAS mutation (p.Gln61Lys), TOP1 amplification, and PTEN deletion. Overall, genetic changes found in TC resemble that of other skin cancers, suggesting similar pathogenesis. All patients with TP53 mutations had aggressive clinical course, two who died (OS 93 and 36 months), and one who experienced recurrent relapse. Conclusions We reported the genomic variations found in TC, which may give insight into the molecular pathogenesis. Overall, genetic changes found in TC resembled that of other skin cancers, suggesting similar pathogenesis. TP53 mutations was were identified in patients who had an aggressive clinical course. Genetic alterations identified may further suggest the potential treatment options of TC.This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIP) (Grant number NRF2018R1A4A1022513). FFPE Sample handling and next generation sequencing was performed using the below funding sourc

Deleted copy number variation of Hanwoo and Holstein using next generation sequencing at the population level

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited.Abstract Background Copy number variation (CNV), a source of genetic diversity in mammals, has been shown to underlie biological functions related to production traits. Notwithstanding, there have been few studies conducted on CNVs using next generation sequencing at the population level. Results Illumina NGS data was obtained for ten Holsteins, a dairy cattle, and 22 Hanwoo, a beef cattle. The sequence data for each of the 32 animals varied from 13.58-fold to almost 20-fold coverage. We detected a total of 6,811 deleted CNVs across the analyzed individuals (average length = 2732.2 bp) corresponding to 0.74% of the cattle genome (18.6 Mbp of variable sequence). By examining the overlap between CNV deletion regions and genes, we selected 30 genes with the highest deletion scores. These genes were found to be related to the nervous system, more specifically with nervous transmission, neuron motion, and neurogenesis. We regarded these genes as having been effected by the domestication process. Further analysis of the CNV genotyping information revealed 94 putative selected CNVs and 954 breed-specific CNVs. Conclusions This study provides useful information for assessing the impact of CNVs on cattle traits using NGS at the population level