Geometric partition functions of cellular systems: Explicit calculation of the entropy in two and three dimensions

A method is proposed for the characterisation of the entropy of cellular structures, based on the compactivity concept for granular packings. Hamiltonian-like volume functions are constructed both in two and in three dimensions, enabling the identification of a phase space and making it possible to take account of geometrical correlations systematically. Case studies are presented for which explicit calculations of the mean vertex density and porosity fluctuations are given as functions of compactivity. The formalism applies equally well to two- and three-dimensional granular assemblies.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, to appear in The European Physical Journal E - Soft Matte

Concise review: An (Im)Penetrable Shield- How the Tumor Microenvironment Protects Cancer Stem Cells

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are defined by their unlimited self-renewal ability and their capacity to initiate and maintain malignancy, traits that are not found in most cells that comprise the tumor. Although current cancer treatments successfully reduce tumor burden, the tumor will likely recur unless CSCs are effectively eradicated. This challenge is made greater by the protective impact of the tumor microenvironment (TME), consisting of infiltrating immune cells, endothelial cells, extracellular matrix, and signaling molecules. The TME acts as a therapeutic barrier through immunosuppressive, and thereby tumor-promoting, actions. These factors, outside of the cancer cell lineage, work in concert to shelter CSCs from both the body's intrinsic anticancer immunity and pharmaceutical interventions to maintain cancer growth. Emerging therapies aimed at the TME offer a promising new tool in breaking through this shield to target the CSCs, yet definitive treatments remain unrealized. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms by which CSCs are protected by the TME and current efforts to overcome these barrier

Railways and the End of British Romanticism

Thesis advisor: Penelope IsmayThis thesis examines how the railways created a new experiential world for ordinary British people by forcing them to confront the new realities of industrialized society. The railways quickly became a part of nearly every person’s daily life and experience, which heralded a fundamental change in the way people interacted with each other and understood themselves in the context of their world. This thesis uses a theory of “cultural language” within society to explore the ramifications of that change as seen in literature. The rise of the railways and the change in experience can be linked to the end of Romanticism in Britain and the rise of Victorian Realism. The new literature was reflective of the new post-railway industrialized world.Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2014.Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences.Discipline: Departmental Honors.Discipline: History

Force-driven unbinding of proteins HU and Fis from DNA quantified using a thermodynamic Maxwell relation

Determining numbers of proteins bound to large DNAs is important for understanding their chromosomal functions. Protein numbers may be affected by physical factors such as mechanical forces generated in DNA, e.g. by transcription or replication. We performed single-DNA stretching experiments with bacterial nucleoid proteins HU and Fis, verifying that the force–extension measurements were in thermodynamic equilibrium. We, therefore, could use a thermodynamic Maxwell relation to deduce the change of protein number on a single DNA due to varied force. For the binding of both HU and Fis under conditions studied, numbers of bound proteins decreased as force was increased. Our experiments showed that most of the bound HU proteins were driven off the DNA at 6.3 pN for HU concentrations lower than 150 nM; our HU data were fit well by a statistical-mechanical model of protein-induced bending of DNA. In contrast, a significant amount of Fis proteins could not be forced off the DNA at forces up to 12 pN and Fis concentrations up to 20 nM. This thermodynamic approach may be applied to measure changes in numbers of a wide variety of molecules bound to DNA or other polymers. Force-dependent DNA binding by proteins suggests mechano-chemical mechanisms for gene regulation

Intratumoral Delivery of Interferon\u3b3-Secreting Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Repolarizes Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Suppresses Neuroblastoma Proliferation In Vivo

Neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood, remains a therapeutic challenge. However, one promising patient treatment strategy is the delivery of anti-tumor therapeutic agents via mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy. MSCs have been safely used to treat genetic bone diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. The pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN\u3b3) has been shown to decrease tumor proliferation by altering the tumor microenvironment (TME). Despite this, clinical trials of systemic IFN\u3b3 therapy have failed due to the high blood concentration required and associated systemic toxicities. Here, we developed an intra-adrenal model of neuroblastoma, characterized by liver and lung metastases. We then engineered MSCs to deliver IFN\u3b3 directly to the TME. In vitro, these MSCs polarized murine macrophages to the M1 phenotype. In vivo, we attained a therapeutically active TME concentration of IFN\u3b3 without increased systemic concentration or toxicity. The TME-specific IFN\u3b3 reduced tumor growth rate and increased survival in two models of T cell deficient athymic nude mice. Absence of this benefit in NOD SCID gamma (NSG) immunodeficient mouse model indicates a mechanism dependent on the innate immune system. IL-17 and IL-23p19, both uniquely M1 polarization markers, transiently increased in the tumor interstitial fluid. Finally, the MSC vehicle did not promote tumor growth. These findings reveal that MSCs can deliver effective cytokine therapy directly to the tumor while avoiding systemic toxicity. This method transiently induces inflammatory M1 macrophage polarization, which reduces tumor burden in our novel neuroblastoma murine model

PENGARUH EVENT PUTERI INDONESIA DAN ELVIRA DEVINAMIRA TERHADAP PERSEPSI MASYARAKAT ATAS WANITA INDONESIA

Event is something that we could use in reaching a goal and create awareness towards brand and company. The development of event over the year is changing start from exhibitions, performances, until the beauty pageant or beauty contests. Indonesia's oldest beauty pageant was called Puteri Indonesia organized by Yayasan Puteri Indonesia Indonesia under the auspices of the cosmetics company PT. Mustika Ratu. In this study, researchers wanted to know whether there is influence between Event Puteri Indonesia with Elvira Devinamira as Puteri Indonesia 2014 winner of the public perception of women in Indonesia. Where researchers use the main theories Soucre Credibility Theory, and some supporting theories such as events, and perception.As a results, that the effects of the event Puteri Indonesia and Elvira Devinamira to the public perception on Indonesian women have a positive influence. It can be concluded that every woman who follows the selection of Puteri Indonesia definitely a good woman with positive attitude as well.Event merupakan sebuah media dalam mencapai suatu goal atau target dari merk dan perusahaan. Berkembangnya inovasi dalam membuat konsep Event semakin kreatif dari tahun ke tahun, mulai dari konsep exhibition, pagelaran, hingga beauty pageant atau kontes kecantikan. Kontes kecantikan tertua di Indonesia adalah Puteri Indonesia yang diselenggarakan oleh Yayasan Puteri Indonesia dibawah naungan perusahaan kosmetik Indonesia PT. Mustika Ratu. Pada penelitian ini, peneliti ingin mengetahui apakah ada pengaruh antara Event Puteri Indonesia dengan Elvira Devinamira sebagai pemenang Puteri Indonesia 2014 terhadap persepsi masyarakat atas wanita Indonesia. Dimana peneliti menggunakan teori utama Soucre Credibility Theory, dan beberapa teori pendukung seperti Event, dan Persepsi. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah bahwa pengaruh event Puteri Indonesia dan Elvira Devinamira terhadap persepsi masyarakat atas wanita Indonesia memberikan pengaruh yang positif. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa setiap wanita Indonesia yang mengikuti pemilihan Puteri Indonesia adalah wanita Indonesia yang baik