Layer-by-layer assembled fluorescent probes in the second near-infrared window for systemic delivery and detection of ovarian cancer

Fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1,000–1,700 nm) features deep tissue penetration, reduced tissue scattering, and diminishing tissue autofluorescence. Here, NIR-II fluorescent probes, including down-conversion nanoparticles, quantum dots, single-walled carbon nanotubes, and organic dyes, are constructed into biocompatible nanoparticles using the layer-by-layer (LbL) platform due to its modular and versatile nature. The LbL platform has previously been demonstrated to enable incorporation of diagnostic agents, drugs, and nucleic acids such as siRNA while providing enhanced blood plasma half-life and tumor targeting. This work carries out head-to-head comparisons of currently available NIR-II probes with identical LbL coatings with regard to their biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and toxicities. Overall, rare-earth-based down-conversion nanoparticles demonstrate optimal biological and optical performance and are evaluated as a diagnostic probe for high-grade serous ovarian cancer, typically diagnosed at late stage. Successful detection of orthotopic ovarian tumors is achieved by in vivo NIR-II imaging and confirmed by ex vivo microscopic imaging. Collectively, these results indicate that LbL-based NIR-II probes can serve as a promising theranostic platform to effectively and noninvasively monitor the progression and treatment of serous ovarian cancer.United States. Department of Defense. Ovarian Cancer Research Program (TEAL Innovator Award OC120504)National Cancer Institute (U.S.) (Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence Grant 5-U54- CA151884-03

Deep-tissue optical imaging of near cellular-sized features

Detection of biological features at the cellular level with sufcient sensitivity in complex tissue remains a major challenge. To appreciate this challenge, this would require fnding tens to hundreds of cells (a 0.1 mm tumor has ~125 cells), out of ~37 trillion cells in the human body. Near-infrared optical imaging holds promise for high-resolution, deep-tissue imaging, but is limited by autofuorescence and scattering. To date, the maximum reported depth using second-window near-infrared (NIR-II: 1000–1700 nm) fuorophores is 3.2 cm through tissue. Here, we design an NIR-II imaging system, “Detection of Optically Luminescent Probes using Hyperspectral and difuse Imaging in Near-infrared” (DOLPHIN), that resolves these challenges. DOLPHIN achieves the following: (i) resolution of probes through up to 8 cm of tissue phantom; (ii) identifcation of spectral and scattering signatures of tissues without a priori knowledge of background or autofuorescence; and (iii) 3D reconstruction of live whole animals. Notably, we demonstrate noninvasive real-time tracking of a 0.1 mm-sized fuorophore through the gastrointestinal tract of a living mouse, which is beyond the detection limit of current imaging modalities.Untied States. National Cancer Institute. Cancer Center Support (Grant P30-CA14051)United States. National Cancer Institute. Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (Grant 5-U54-CA151884-03

A scientific discussion test on some social harmony problems

Recently in China the government pays much attention on the social harmony problems, the project team for study on social sustainability attached in Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) run a special project on the subject of studying social harmony and social stability from 2004. We have joined this project team. In the summer of 2006 Gu had chance to teach a MBA course attached to Graduate School, CAS on the subject of knowledge management, as a part of course we ran a scientific discussion test within a MBA course. Although the formal test discussion only took a half day, but the total test process including the preparation, analysis and summary lasted 18 days ( from July 27-June 14, 2006). This test got support from the other members in project. The purpose of running this test is to teach MBA graduate students how the advanced discussion methods and tools may help people to learn the knowledge related to the social harmony and stability existed already and developed by students themselves by running an efficient and effective meeting. The whole test was divided into six subtests by six groups (corruption, housing, medicine reform, unemployment, emergent events and peasant workers) and guided by seven facilitators from project team. Before the formal discussion test the facilitators made scientific design for each subtest in the meeting process. After meeting they made various analysis for the discussion results. During the discussion we emphasized the concept of Ba proposed by Nonaka, this is both the hard and soft environment for the discussion meeting, for example we provided the good accommodated discussion rooms for their discussion, during the discussion we required the spirit of freedom, equality, independency and coordination and respect to each with other. We also emphasized the interdisciplinary study, so from one side we required the participants with different knowledge background and from other side we hope them discuss from different aspects. Finally we intended to use the advanced discussion tools and methods, such as Group Argumentation Environment, PathMaker, UciNet, GIS, psychological survey and game theory etc. with the help of computers. We stand for the combination of human and computer, but emphasizing the human. Most of graduate students had satisfied this discussion test and learnt a lot from this test. This report is just a part of summary for running the whole scientific discussion test

Metasynthesis and Knowledge Creation

The metasynthesis system approach (MSA) proposed by Qian et al has closely related to the knowledge creation. When we run a major project related to the realizing the MSA supported by National Natural Science foundation from 1999 to 2004, we found the knowledge creation process has been materalized also in this project. We have used the Wuli-Shili-Renli system approach to explain the Renli aspect for creation and used the complex network, especially social network analysis to describe the creation process in this major project quantitatively.The original publication is available at JAIST Press http://www.jaist.ac.jp/library/jaist-press/index.htmlIFSR 2005 : Proceedings of the First World Congress of the International Federation for Systems Research : The New Roles of Systems Sciences For a Knowledge-based Society : Nov. 14-17, 2062, Kobe, JapanSymposium 1, Session 4 : Technology Creation Based on Knowledge Science Knowledge/Technology Management(1

META-SYNTHESIS SYSTEM APPROACH TO KNOWLEDGE SCIENCE

Meta-synthesis system approach (MSA) is proposed to tackle with open complex giant systems (OCGS) problems by Chinese system scientists since the late 1980s. Its essential idea can be simplified as from confident qualitative hypothesis to vigorous quantitative validation. To apply this approach, the synthesis of human expert opinions and emergent knowing, machines ’ powerful computing capacity and the available knowledge and cases are specifically emphasized from the perspective of systems engineering practice. Then the MSA practice may bring new understandings, knowledge and even paradigms about messy and unknown issues, which are under exploration in knowledge science research. In this paper, MSA to knowledge science is addressed. After brief introduction of meta-synthesis approach, a working flow of MSA during problem solving process is addressed and leads to meta-synthetic view toward knowledge science, especially on knowledge creation. Next comes brief introduction to a test for demonstrating the MSA to a macroeconomic problem, which shows a new paradigm to macroeconomic problem solving, a kind of knowledge creation which is different from general macroeconomic problem solving. Keywords: Meta-synthesis; complex system modeling; knowledge science; GDP. 1

Abstract Meta-synthesis approach to complex system modeling

Meta-synthesis method is proposed to tackle with open complex giant system problems which cannot be effectively solved by traditional reductionism methods by a Chinese system scientist Qian, Xuesen (Tsien HsueShen) around the early 1990s. The method emphasizes the synthesis of collected information and knowledge of various kinds of experts, and combining quantitative methods with qualitative knowledge. Since then, continuous endeavors have been taken to put those ideas into practice. In this paper, firstly we review meta-synthesis approach and other research relevant to complex system modeling briefly. Then we discuss two main issues, model integration and opinion synthesis, which are often confronted when applying meta-synthesis approach, together with an exhibit of the development of an embryonic meta-synthetic support prototype. Such a demonstration shows how to model complex problems, such as macroeconomic problems in Hall for Workshop on Meta-Synthetic Engineering with versatile resources in information collection, model integration and opinion synthesis. Finally, some future work is indicated

Metasynthesis System Approach for Solving Social Complex Problems

In this paper, we pay attention to the concerned social problems to meet the social demand of achieving a harmony society. During the application of metasynthesis approach supported by our developed tools or platforms, some new phenomena are in serious consideration for metasynthetic methods. (a) For social problem solving mental factors instead of physical factors play more important roles to social impact. (b) Internet is now another carrier of public opinions. (c) It is necessary to consider opinions from human expert. To facilitate expert mining, computerized tools, such as group argumentation environment (GAE) and new functions are needed to be explored. (d) We wish to use a system of the modeling paradigms to help people to describe the total system from different perspectives and from qualitative thinking to quantitative thinking. (e) We wish run a series of tests including both social test and computer tests to check the validity of models and to forecast the possible results under different scenarios.The original publication is available at JAIST Press http://www.jaist.ac.jp/library/jaist-press/index.htmlIFSR 2005 : Proceedings of the First World Congress of the International Federation for Systems Research : The New Roles of Systems Sciences For a Knowledge-based Society : Nov. 14-17, 2036, Kobe, JapanSymposium 4, Session 1 : Meta-synthesis and Complex Systems Meta-synthesis Approac