Biocompatible Nano Rare Earth Oxide Upconverters for Imaging and Therapeutics

Methods and systems for doping cerium oxide and other therapeutically valuable nanoparticles with rare earth ions either singly or in combinations so that infrared light is absorbed and visible light is emitted through the process of up conversion. A novel type of therapeutic nanoparticle with rare earth doping to provide for up conversion emission is invented that makes possible identification, tracking and evaluating the functionality of the nanoparticles and further elucidation of ROS scavenging mechanism. The present invention may be applied to a wide variety of therapeutic agents under investigation

Output-feedback online optimal control for a class of nonlinear systems

In this paper an output-feedback model-based reinforcement learning (MBRL) method for a class of second-order nonlinear systems is developed. The control technique uses exact model knowledge and integrates a dynamic state estimator within the model-based reinforcement learning framework to achieve output-feedback MBRL. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the developed method

Effects of macrofauna on acoustic backscatter from the seabed: Field manipulations in West Sound, Orcas Island, Washington, U.S.A.

Previous observations with a bottom-mounted, radially scanning sonar (BAMS) at 40 kHz suggested that macrofaunal activities influence low-angle, acoustic backscatter from seafloor sediments. In order to test that possibility experimentally, we measured and modeled time series of backscatter strength at both 40 and 300 kHz prior to manipulation and then introduced several macrofaunal species at known abundances to randomly selected locations within the ensonified area. We worked in West Sound, Orcas Island, Washington, at a water depth of 20.4 m and for the more frequently recorded 40-kHz series extracted effects by the time-series method known as intervention analysis, wherein the intervention was the experimental alteration. We observed increased backscatter from patches of the small protobranch bivalve Acila castrensis, and of the cockle Clinocardium nuttali, from bait used as chum for fishes and crabs, and from tethered crabs (Cancer magister); other treatments showed no significant change. All of the effective treatments involved increased backscatter at 300 kHz from animals that have obvious hard parts or air bladders. Power calculations for intervention analysis and geoacoustic modeling suggest that failure of other treatments to show significant effects on backscatter strength stems from the small size of the organisms and structures used relative to the 40-kHz wavelength (3.7 cm) and to low sound-speed contrasts between surficial sediments at this site and overlying water (at both frequencies), producing low backscatter levels from both volume heterogeneity and surface microtopography. This experiment demonstrates, however, that low-angle acoustic backscatter can be used to observe at least some populations of benthic animals over a large area (ca. 8000 m2) and that intervention analysis can be a useful tool where logistics permit repeated observation but few or no spatial replicates—frequently the case in ecological manipulations

Common chronic conditions do not affect performance of cell cycle arrest biomarkers for risk stratification of acute kidney injury

Background Identification of acute kidney injury (AKI) can be challenging in patients with underlying chronic disease, and biomarkers often perform poorly in this population. In this study we examined the performance characteristics of the novel biomarker panel of urinary tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP2) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 ([IGFBP7]) in patients with a variety of comorbid conditions. Methods We analyzed data from two multicenter studies of critically ill patients in which [TIMP2]•[IGFBP7] was validated for prediction of Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Stage 2 or 3 AKI within 12 h. We constructed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for AKI prediction both overall and by comorbid conditions common among patients with AKI, including diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Results In the overall cohort of 1131 patients, 139 (12.3%) developed KDIGO Stage 2 or 3 AKI. [TIMP2]•[IGFBP7] was significantly higher in AKI versus non-AKI patients, both overall and within each comorbidity subgroup. The AUC for [TIMP2]•[IGFBP7] in predicting AKI was 0.81 overall. Higher AUC was noted in patients with versus without CHF (0.89 versus 0.79; P = 0.026) and CKD (0.91 versus 0.80; P = 0.024). Conclusions We observed no significant impairment in the performance of cell cycle arrest biomarkers due to the presence of chronic comorbid conditions

Structure, stability, and reorganization of 0.5 L0 topography in block copolymer thin films

The structure, stability, and reorganization of lamella-forming block copolymer thin film surface topography (“islands” and “holes”) were studied under boundary conditions driving the formation of 0.5 L0 thick structures at short thermal annealing times. Self-consistent field theory predicts that the presence of one perfectly neutral surface renders 0.5 L0 topography thermodynamically stable relative to 1 L0 thick features, in agreement with previous experimental observations. The calculated through-film structures match cross-sectional scanning electron micrographs, collectively demonstrating the pinning of edge dislocations at the neutral surface. Remarkably, near-neutral surface compositions exhibit 0.5 L0 topography metastability upon extended thermal treatment, slowly transitioning to 1 L0 islands or holes as evidenced by optical and atomic force microscopy. Surface restructuring is rationalized by invoking commensurability effects imposed by slightly preferential surfaces. The results described herein clarify the impact of interfacial interactions on block copolymer self-assembly and solidify an understanding of 0.5 L0 topography, which is frequently used to determine neutral surface compositions of considerable importance to contemporary technological applications