CRAI Biblioteca del Campus de Mundet. Memòria d'activitats 2016

Memòria que recull les activitats realitzades al CRAI Biblioteca del Campus de Mundet durant l'any 2016

Three Dimensional Microfluidic Cell Arrays for ex Vivo Drug Screening with Mimicked Vascular Flow

Currently, there are no reliable ex vivo models that predict anticancer drug responses in human tumors accurately. A comprehensive method of mimicking a 3D microenvironment to study effects of anticancer drugs on specific cancer types is essential. Here, we report the development of a three-dimensional microfluidic cell array (3D μFCA), which reconstructs a 3D tumor microenvironment with cancer cells and microvascular endothelial cells. To mimic the in vivo spatial relationship between microvessels and nonendothelial cells embedded in extracellular matrix, three polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layers were built into this array. The multilayer property of the device enabled the imitation of the drug delivery in a microtissue array with simulated blood circulation. This 3D μFCA system may provide better predictions of drug responses and identification of a suitable treatment for a specific patient if biopsy samples are used. To the pharmaceutical industry, the scaling-up of our 3D μFCA system may offer a novel high throughput screening tool

A higher-order accurate operator splitting spectral method for the Wigner-Poisson system

An accurate description of 2-D quantum transport in a double-gate metal oxide semiconductor filed effect transistor (dgMOSFET) requires a high-resolution solver to a coupled system of the 4-D Wigner equation and 2-D Poisson equation. In this paper, we propose an operator splitting spectral method to evolve such Wigner-Poisson system in 4-D phase space with high accuracy. After an operator splitting of the Wigner equation, the resulting two sub-equations can be solved analytically with spectral approximation in phase space. Meanwhile, we adopt a Chebyshev spectral method to solve the Poisson equation. Spectral convergence in phase space and a fourth-order accuracy in time are both numerically verified. Finally, we apply the proposed solver into simulating dgMOSFET, develop the steady states from long-time simulations and obtain numerically converged current-voltage (I-V) curves.Comment: Submitted for publication on May 31, 2021 and accepted by Journal of Computational Electronics on May 6, 202

Discerning Reality through Haze: An Image Dehazing Network Based on Multi-Feature Fusion

Numerous single-image dehazing algorithms have been developed, employing a spectrum of techniques ranging from intricate physical computations to state-of-the-art deep-learning methodologies. However, conventional deep-learning approaches, particularly those based on standard convolutional neural networks (CNNs), often result in the persistence of residual fog patches when applied to images featuring high fog concentration or heterogeneous fog distribution. In response to this challenge, we propose an innovative solution known as the multi-feature fusion image dehazing network (MFID-Net). This approach employs an end-to-end methodology to directly capture the mapping relationship between hazy and fog-free images. Central to our approach is the introduction of a novel multi-feature fusion (MF) module, strategically designed to address channel and pixel characteristics in regions with uneven or high fog concentrations. Notably, this module achieves effective haze reduction while minimizing computational resources, thereby mitigating the issue of residual fog patches. Experimental results underscore the superior performance of our algorithm compared to similar dehazing methods, as evidenced by higher scores in structural similarity (SSIM), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and computational velocity. Moreover, MFID-Net exhibits significant advancements in restoring details within expansive monochromatic areas, such as skies and white walls

Geochronology of Magmatism and Mineralization in the Dongbulage Mo-Polymetallic Deposit, Northeast China: Implications for the Timing of Mineralization and Ore Genesis

The recently discovered Dongbulage Mo-polymetallic deposit is located in the southern part of the Great Xing’an Range, northeast China. Mineralization is closely related to the emplacement of Middle–Late Jurassic granitoids. In order to understand the petrogenetic link between mineralization and host granitoids, this study presents new zircon U–Pb ages, bulk-rock geochemistry, and molybdenite Re–Os ages for the Dongbulage deposits. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating of the monzogranite and syenogranite intrusions yielded two weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages: of 164 ± 2 Ma and 165 ± 3 Ma, respectively. The subvolcanic rocks (red porphyritic granite and rhyolite) yielded a time interval between 161 ± 2 and 162 ± 3 Ma. In addition, molybdenite from the Dongbulage deposit gave a Re–Os isochron age of 162.6 ± 1.5 Ma, which was interpreted as the age of the mineralization. The new geochronology has established the close temporal and genetic relationships between the mineralization event and the emplacement of the Middle–Late Jurassic granitoids. Bulk-rock geochemistry shows that the Dongbulage granitoids are characterized by high SiO2, K2O, and A/CNK [Al2O3/(CaO + Na2O + K2O)(molar ratio)] values, and low TiO2, CaO, and MgO values, indicating a metaluminous to peraluminous, high-K calc-alkaline affinity. The granitoids also featured enrichments of large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements (LREE), and a relative depletion of high field strength elements (HFSE), along with an increasing negative δEu anomaly. The high differentiation index (DI), ranging from 81.75 to 94.76, and obvious fractionation between LREE and HREE, indicate that the Dongbulage granitoids are highly fractionated, metaluminous–peraluminous, and high-K calc-alkaline I-type granites. Combined with the regional geology, the Dongbulage granitoids may have formed during post-orogenic extension that followed the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean closure coeval with subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate

Inverted ILM flap technique versus conventional ILM peeling for idiopathic large macular holes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PurposeTo compare the anatomical and visual outcomes of inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique with the conventional ILM peeling for idiopathic large macular holes (MHs).MethodsA meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) using online databases including NCBI PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ISI Web of Science was performed. Anatomic success and type 1 closure rates, the mean postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the mean change of BCVA from baseline were analyzed.ResultsOut of 251 articles, four described clinical trials matching the inclusion criteria and were selected. They included 276 eyes (135 eyes in the inverted ILM flap group and 141 eyes in the ILM peeling group). All the studies used gas tamponade, with two studies having a follow-up duration of 3 months, while one study had a follow-up of 6 months and one study- 12 months. The meta-analysis demonstrated that anatomic success and type 1 closure rates (presence of neurosensory retina in MH) were better in the inverted ILM flap technique (odds ratio (OR) = 4.89; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.09-11.47; P = 0.0003 and OR = 5.23; 95% CI, 2.83-9.66; PConclusionInverted ILM flap treatment resulted in better closure rates and visual acuity when compared to the standard ILM peeling for large MHs

Ex-PRESS Implantation versus Trabeculectomy in Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

<div><p>Objective</p><p>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ex-PRESS implantation (Ex-PRESS) compared to trabeculectomy in the treatment of patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG).</p><p>Methods</p><p>A comprehensive literature search using the Cochrane Methodology Register to identify randomized controlled clinical trials (RCCTs) comparing Ex-PRESS to trabeculectomy in patients with OAG. Efficacy estimates were measured by weighted mean difference (WMD) for the percentage intraocular pressure reduction (IOPR%) from baseline to end-point, and odds ratios (OR) for the complete success rate and postoperative interventions. Safety estimates were measured by OR for postoperative complications. Statistical analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.1 software.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of four RCCTs were selected for this meta-analysis, including 215 eyes of 200 patients (110 eyes in the Ex-PRESS group, 105 eyes in the trabeculectomy group). There was no significant difference between Ex-PRESS and trabeculectomy in the IOPR% (WMD = 3.15; 95% confidence interval (CI), −6.17–12.47; P = 0.51). The pooled OR comparing Ex-PRESS to trabeculectomy for the complete success rate at one year after surgery were in favor of Ex-PRESS (OR = 2.93; 95% CI, 1.39–6.16; P = 0.005). The Ex-PRESS procedure was found to be associated with lower number of postoperative interventions (OR = 0.23; 95% CI, 0.07–0.81; P = 0.02) and with a significantly lower frequency of hyphema than trabeculectomy (OR = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.05–0.85; P = 0.03), whereas other complications did not differ statistically.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>In OAG, Ex-PRESS and trabeculectomy provided similar IOP control, but Ex-PRESS was more likely to achieve complete success, with fewer postoperative interventions. Complication rates were similar for the two types of surgery, except for a lower frequency of hyphema in the Ex-PRESS group.</p></div

Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: A Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Purpose</p><p>To evaluate the relationship between subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) versus fellow or control eyes.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We performed a meta-analysis using databases including PubMed, Embase and ISI Web of Science to find relevant studies. Weighted mean difference (WMD) was calculated for the SFCT in CSC eyes, the unaffected fellow eyes and normal controls.</p><p>Results</p><p>Twelve studies were selected for this meta-analysis, including 1108 eyes (397 CSC eyes, 228 unaffected fellow eyes and 483 eyes of normal controls). The meta-analysis clearly demonstrated that the subfoveal choiroid of eyes with a clinical presentation of CSC was thickened compared to unaffected fellow eyes (WMD = 52.81, 95% confidence interval (CI), 39.13–66.49, P<0.00001) and was thickened compared to control eyes (WMD = 145.03, 95%CI, 121.33–168.73, P<0.00001). The mean SFCT measurement of the unaffected fellow eyes showed also significantly increased choroidal thickness compared to that of normal control eyes (WMD = 77.20, 95% CI, 44.98–109.42, P<0.00001). Similar results were obtained in a sub-analysis based on the same instrument.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>It is demonstrated that SFCT is significantly increased in eyes with clinical manifestation of CSC, and in the clinically non-manifested fellow eyes. These results support the hypothesis that CSC is a bilateral disorder with an initial unilateral clinical presentation.</p></div