Alginate micro-bead fabrication on a centrifugal microfluidics platform

We present a novel method for the direct, centrifugally induced fabrication of small alginate beads displaying adjustable diameters between 180 mum and 800 mum by polymer-tube micronozzles. The size distribution features a CV of 7 - 16 % for the main peak. Up to 600 beads per second and channel are issued from the micronozzle through an air gap towards a standard lab tube ("Eppi") attached to the rotor spinning and containing a curing agent. At spinning frequencies between 5 Hz and 28 Hz, the tubes align horizontally under rotation and return to a vertical position as soon as the rotor is at rest. The hardened beads are collected within the tube for further processing or characterization. This method is considered as a low cost technology for micro encapsulation technologies

Student Attitudes Toward the Assessment Process: An Empirical Analysis of the Formation and the Consequences of Grading-related Justice Perceptions

Die vorliegende Dissertation untersucht die Gerechtigkeitswahrnehmung Studierender in Bezug auf die Notenvergabe. Der Fokus liegt auf den Verfahren anhand derer Noten vergeben wer-den: Inwiefern sind die Studierenden in den Benotungsprozess involviert? Sind die Verfahren objektiv, oder lassen sie Platz für Willkür? Wie werden die Studierenden über die Notenvergabe informiert? Um ein möglichst umfassendes Bild notenbezogener Gerechtigkeitswahrnehmung zu liefern, nähert sich die Dissertation der Thematik mittels zwei komplementärer Perspektiven. Der erste Teil der Dissertation untersucht, welche Konsequenzen wahrgenommene Ungerechtigkeit mit sich bringt. Daran anknüpfend widmet der zweite Teil sich der Entstehung von Gerechtigkeits-wahrnehmung. So wird zum einen die praktische Relevanz fairer Benotungsverfahren de-monstriert, zum anderen werden konkrete Ansatzpunkte identifiziert, über die einem negativen Gerechtigkeitsempfinden entgegengewirkt werden kann. Diese Punkte waren Gegenstand von insgesamt drei Artikeln. Der erste Artikel befasst sich mit der Frage, inwiefern als ungerecht wahrgenommene Benotungsverfahren sich auf das Vorha-ben auswirken, das Studium vorzeitig zu beenden. Der zweite Artikel analysiert, wie Gerechtig-keitswahrnehmungen vor dem Hintergrund unterschiedlicher struktureller Rahmenbedingungen im Vergleich zwischen Studienfächern entstehen. Der dritte Artikel untersucht schließlich die Mechanismen, über welche die Studierenden verschiedene Merkmale einer Situation kombi-nieren um zu einem Gerechtigkeitsurteil zu gelangen

Domain Decomposition Method for Maxwell's Equations: Scattering off Periodic Structures

We present a domain decomposition approach for the computation of the electromagnetic field within periodic structures. We use a Schwarz method with transparent boundary conditions at the interfaces of the domains. Transparent boundary conditions are approximated by the perfectly matched layer method (PML). To cope with Wood anomalies appearing in periodic structures an adaptive strategy to determine optimal PML parameters is developed. We focus on the application to typical EUV lithography line masks. Light propagation within the multi-layer stack of the EUV mask is treated analytically. This results in a drastic reduction of the computational costs and allows for the simulation of next generation lithography masks on a standard personal computer.Comment: 24 page

8-vinyl-deoxyadenosine, an alternative fluorescent nucleoside analog to 2′-deoxyribosyl-2-aminopurine with improved properties

We report here the synthesis and the spectroscopic characterization of 8-vinyl-deoxyadenosine (8vdA), a new fluorescent analog of deoxyadenosine. 8vdA was found to absorb and emit in the same wavelength range as 2′-deoxyribosyl-2-aminopurine (2AP), the most frequently used fluorescent nucleoside analog. Though the quantum yield of 8vdA is similar to that of 2AP, its molar absorption coefficient is about twice, enabling a more sensitive detection. Moreover, the fluorescence of 8vdA was found to be sensitive to temperature and solvent but not to pH (around neutrality) or coupling to phosphate groups. Though 8vdA is base sensitive and susceptible to depurination, the corresponding phosphoramidite was successfully prepared and incorporated in oligonucleotides of the type d(CGT TTT XNX TTT TGC) where N = 8vdA and X = A, T or C. The 8vdA-labeled oligonucleotides gave more stable duplexes than the corresponding 2AP-labeled sequences when X = A or T, indicating that 8vdA is less perturbing than 2AP and probably adopts an anti conformation to preserve the Watson–Crick H-bonding. In addition, the quantum yield of 8vdA is significantly higher than 2AP in all tested oligonucleotides in both their single strand and duplex states. The steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence parameters of 8vdA and 2AP were found to depend similarly on the nature of their flanking residues and on base pairing, suggesting that their photophysics are governed by similar mechanisms. Taken together, our data suggest that 8vdA is a non perturbing nucleoside analog that may be used with improved sensitivity for the same applications as 2AP

First-dose analgesic effect of the cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective inhibitor lumiracoxib in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison with celecoxib [NCT00267215]

Cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective inhibitors are frequently used to manage osteoarthritis. We compared the analgesic efficacy of the novel cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective inhibitor lumiracoxib (Prexige(®)) versus placebo and celecoxib in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This seven day, double-blind, placebo and active comparator controlled, parallel group study included 364 patients aged ≥50 years with moderate-to-severe symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Patients received lumiracoxib 400 mg/day (four times the recommended chronic dose in osteoarthritis; n = 144), placebo (n = 75), or celecoxib 200 mg twice daily (n = 145). The primary variable was actual pain intensity difference (100 mm visual–analogue scale) between baseline and the mean of three hour and five hour assessments after the first dose. Actual pain intensity difference, average and worst pain, pain relief and functional status (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC™]) were measured over seven days. Patients also completed a global evaluation of treatment effect at study end or premature discontinuation. For the primary variable, the superiority of lumiracoxib versus placebo, the noninferiority of lumiracoxib versus celecoxib, and the superiority of lumiracoxib versus celecoxib were assessed by closed test procedure adjusting for multiplicity, thereby maintaining the overall 5% significance level. In addition, celecoxib was assessed versus placebo in a predefined exploratory manner to assess trial sensitivity. Lumiracoxib provided better analgesia than placebo 3–5 hours after the first dose (P = 0.004) through to study end. The estimated difference between lumiracoxib and celecoxib 3–5 hours after the first dose was not significant (P = 0.185). Celecoxib was not significantly different from placebo in this analysis (P = 0.069). At study end 13.9% of lumiracoxib-treated patients reported complete pain relief versus 5.5% and 5.3% of celecoxib and placebo recipients, respectively. WOMAC™ total and subscales improved for both active treatments versus placebo except for difficulty in performing daily activities, for which celecoxib just failed to achieve significance (P = 0.056). In the patient's global evaluation of treatment effect, 58.1% of patients receiving lumiracoxib rated treatment as 'excellent' or 'good', versus 48.6% of celecoxib and 25.3% of placebo patients. Lumiracoxib was well tolerated. The overall incidence of adverse events was similar across treatment groups

Endocrine immune-related adverse events in patients with metastatic renal and urothelial cancer treated with immune checkpoint-inhibitors

Purpose To evaluate the incidence, diagnosis and treatment of immune-related adverse events (e-irAE) of checkpoint inhibition (ICI) in metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) and metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Methods A retrospective, single-center study was conducted to identify a cohort that received ICI for mUC or mRCC. e-irAE were classified according to the CTCAE V.5.0. Patients received ICI for mUC or mCC between 01/2017 and 03/2021. A retrospective chart review was performed. T-Test, the chi-squared test, and Fisher's exact test were performed. Results 102 Patients received ICI [mUC: 40 (39%), mRCC: 62 (61%)]. 64 (63%) received an ICI monotherapy, 27 (27%) a dual ICI therapy, 11 (11%) a combination with VEGFi. e-irAE occurred in 19 (19%) patients [grade 1–2: 17 (84%), grade 3: 3 (16%)]. The median time until e-irAE was 42 days (range 11–211 days). 14 Patients developed thyroidism (14%), 4 (4%) a hypophysitis, 1 (1%) an adrenal insufficiency (AI). 7 patients (7%) had to discontinue ICI therapy [hypophysitis (100%), AI (100%), thyroidism (14%)]. 6 (86%) received cortisone. After a median range of 34 days 5 patients (71%) restarted ICI therapy. All patients (n = 4) with hypophysitis continued ICI [4 (100%) prednisone, 3 (75%) levothyroxine]. 11 (79%) presented with hyperthyroidism. 4 (37%) needed therapy (1 (7%) prednisone, 3 (21%) thiamazole, 2 (14%) beta blocker). The 9 (64%) patients with hypothyroidism received levothyroxine. Hypophysitis appears only on dual ICI (CTLA-4/PD-1) inhibition (p 0.007). Conclusion This study shows the importance of adequate diagnosis and therapy of e-irAEs

The Ursinus Weekly, February 9, 1953

Mrs. Pancoast to be speaker at Color Day • WAA gives show tonite • Curtain Club picks play; Reveals new raise system • Y invites new members to dinner Feb. 11 • Frosh to give dance Feb. 13 • Sororities schedule dinner dance dates • Alumni office hours posted • 17 new students, 10 men, 7 women, enroll at Ursinus • Thespians to give two plays, Feb. 24 • Bus. ads to hear co. pres • Frats enter rushing week • May Queen elections to be held next Mon. • Larry Miller\u27s orchestra chosen to play at Lorelei • Yost, Jones begin TV lectures on University of Air • Sixth annual foreign policy institute to be held Feb. 27 • Staiger receives doctor\u27s degree • Ruby sponsors movie series; Yearbook snapshots due Wed. • Pre-meds to hear doctor • Editorials: Idea behind the rule • Bridge tournament to be held in Day Study, Feb. 19 • French Club works on play • Letters to the editor • Scouts to present movie • Lantern deadline Feb. 15; Business manager needed • Jones reads at lit reading • Feb. 12, 22: Famous birthdays still celebrated on campus • Changes in school policy revealed in recent interview • Special day presents itself on Feb. 14 for Ig and Oog • Steward reveals kitchen statistics • Bears crushed by Drexel in league game, 74-50 • Harris sparks Bears to 78-75 win over P.M.C.: Ursinus applies pressure on leaders of Middle Atlantic Conference • Belles split Drexel games • Grapplers lose to Lafayette • Derr paces intramurals • Lehigh romps over Bears in very fast game, 97-52 • Girls play intramural games • Chem society to see filmshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1511/thumbnail.jp