Interview with Elsie Wagner

An interview with Elsie Wagner regarding her experiences in a one-room school house.https://scholars.fhsu.edu/ors/1004/thumbnail.jp

Identification of Tumor Initiating Cells in a Patient-Matched Model of Serous Ovarian Carcinoma

Serous ovarian adenocarcinoma (SOC) is one of the most devastating diseases among women worldwide. Despite improvements in early diagnosis and therapy in the last decades, the five-year survival rate remains at 30%. Poor prognostic outcome can be mainly explained by the fast relapse rate observed in most patients after cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapeutic treatment. Of note here is that intrinsically resistant cell populations, the so-called cancer stem cells, have been recently associated with tumor recurrence, treatment failure and subsequent disease relapse. However, the lack of models that faithfully recapitulate the heterogeneity of serous ovarian cancer hindered so far the study of these phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous cancer cells. Hence, the aim of this thesis was to establish and to evaluate a personalized model system that fully mimics SOC. Furthermore, this novel model system serves as a platform to study the cellular and molecular processes involved in metastasis development and drug resistance, as well as to identify tumor initiating cell populations. Our advanced model system combines serum-free culture of primary cancer cells with xenotransplantation assays. Xenograft tumors established upon transplantation of primary SOC cells show histopathological features of SOC and express the two clinically used SOC specific markers CA125 and WT1. We were able to demonstrate that this model system displays major hallmarks of SOC such as the development of ascites and metastatic colonization of the diaphragm. Additionally, the molecular characteristics of the respective tumor are preserved throughout our models and the recently identified four transcriptional subtypes of SOC are conserved within our in vitro cultured primary cell lines as well as the corresponding xenograft tumors. Using this model system, we were able to identify the heterogeneously expressed surface marker CD151, which defines a functionally different subpopulation within the tumor. Xenotransplantation assays demonstrated that exclusively CD151+ cells possess tumor initiation capacity whereas CD151- cells do not. Gene expression profiling predicted a selective subpopulation-specific activation of various proliferation-associated pathways in CD151+ cells. Determination of the phosphorylation status of key pathway members of the JNK/MAPK- and EGFR signaling as well as members of the Src kinases (SFKs) verified these findings. Ablation of CD151 almost completely abrogated the activating phosphorylation suggesting CD151 to play a central in regulation of described pathways. Analysis of a patient cohort, comprising 489 SOC patients, resulted in a significant correlation of CD151 expression with an advanced disease stage and a shorter overall survival in low-grade tumor patients. Taken together, our data indicate that CD151 defines a tumor initiating subpopulation of cells in SOC and also plays a functional role in mediating the activation of various proliferative pathways. Thus, CD151 should be evaluated as a prognostic marker as well as a target of therapeutic treatment in SOC

Optimal feedforward recipe adjustment for CD control in semiconductor patterning

Acceptable yields for nanofabrication will require significant improvement in CD control. One method to achieve better run-to-run CD control is through inter-process feedforward control. The potential benefits of feedforward control include reduced run-to-run post-etch CD variance, rework, and scrap. However, measurement noise poses a significant threat to the success of feedforward control. Since the stakes are high, an incorrect control action is unacceptable. To answer this concern, this paper will focus on how to properly use the available sensor measurement in a run-to-run feedforward recipe adjustment controller. We have developed a methodology based in probability theory that detunes the controller based on the confidence in the sensor’s accuracy. Properly detuning the controller has the effect of filtering out the noise from the SEM. We will simulate this control strategy on industrial gate-etch data. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87557/2/573_1.pd

Evaluating the necessity of additional aquatic plant testing by comparing the sensitivities of different species

At present, at least three and up to five plant species are required to assess the potential risks of herbicides to non-target aquatic plants. Several regulatory authorities are considering whether there should be further requirements based on concerns about the possible selectivity of herbicides (e.g., specific modes of action against dicotyledonous plants). The relative sensitivity of a range of aquatic plants is assessed in our work in order to evaluate the implications of differences in species sensitivity for aquatic risk assessment of herbicides. We therefore present results from ecotoxicological tests performed at Syngenta Crop Protection AG on various aquatic plants and compare them to available studies and results in literature. The criterion used for sensitivity ranking is the EC50 (median effect concentration) value, which allows a better comparison of values from different testing methods and conditions. The overall results obtained in the present work show that the aquatic risk assessment procedure for herbicides based on Lemna sp. and algae is sufficiently protective while identifying potential toxicity to non-target plants. Only few exceptions concerning herbicides with selective modes of action (e.g., auxin simulators) may require additional species testing for proper risk assessmen

Archeological Survey and Survey-Level Testing for the Proposed Juan Seguin Park Plaza Project, Harris County, Texas

J. K. Wagner and Company, Inc. was retained by Harris County Precinct 2 to provide archeological investigations and historic research for the proposed Juan Seguin Park Plaza Project. The project area is owned by Harris County, and the project will be financed with county funds. The project will consist of new construction to update and modify the existing park. The proposed Juan Seguin Park Plaza Project area is located on the west side of Texas Highway 134 at the south Lynchburg Ferry landing in east Harris County, Texas, and is approximately two acres in size. As the investigation revealed, the entire project area was apparently buried to a height above surrounding grades of about six to eight feet by the addition of fill. On September 4, 2010, J. K. Wagner and Company, Inc. conducted an archeological survey with backhoe trenching under the auspices of Texas Antiquities Permit Number 5745. The entire site was subjected to pedestrian survey, and six backhoe trenches were excavated to six to eight feet below existing grade. All backhoe trenches revealed multiple layers of modern fill that included materials such as concrete rubble, asphalt chunks, metal and plastic water pipe segments, and other debris. No evidence of pre-1870s artifacts or features of the Historic period, or of prehistoric or aboriginal sites was encountered. Nothing was collected or curated. Based on those findings, J. K. Wagner and Company, Inc. believes that the area investigated likely contains no cultural evidence or resources worthy of further investigation or eligible for land marking at the local, state, or national levels. Further, J. K. Wagner and Company, Inc. recommends that the proposed project should proceed without further cultural resource investigation. However, if areas outside of those subjected to backhoe trenching in the initial investigation will be impacted deeper than six feet below current grade, those areas should be examined prior to impact

Real-time vocal emotion recognition in artistic installations and interactive storytelling: Experiences and lessons learnt from CALLAS and IRIS

Most emotion recognition systems still rely exclusively on prototypical emotional vocal expressions that may be uniquely assigned to a particular class. In realistic applications, there is, however, no guarantee that emotions are expressed in a prototypical manner. In this paper, we report on challenges that arise when coping with non-prototypical emotions in the context of the CALLAS project and the IRIS network. CALLAS aims to develop interactive art installations that respond to the multimodal emotional input of performers and spectators in real-time. IRIS is concerned with the development of novel technologies for interactive storytelling. Both research initiatives represent an extreme case of non-prototypicality since neither the stimuli nor the emotional responses to stimuli may be considered as prototypical. 1

Impact of implementing performance-based financing on childhood malnutrition in Rwanda

Background: Malnutrition remains a serious concern in Rwanda, particularly among children under-5 years. Performance-based financing (PBF), an innovative health systems financing strategy, has been implemented at the national level since 2008. This study aimed to assess the impact of PBF and other factors associated with the prevalence of three classifications of malnutrition (stunting, wasting and underweight) in children under-5 years in Rwanda. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional study comprising of 713 children under five years old from 557 households, whose anthropometric measurements (height, weight and age) had been obtained as part of the 2008 Rwanda General Health and HIV household survey. Z-scores for height-for-age, weight-for-age, weight-for-height, and body mass index-for-age were analyzed according to the World Health Organization 2006 Child Growth Standards. Random intercept logistic regression models were used to regress each anthropometric measure (WAZ, HAZ and WHZ) against child, maternal and household characteristics. Results: Child participants ranged in age from 0 to 60 months, 20.2% of children were under 12 months and 5.1% were HIV positive. The prevalence of wasting was 8.8%; of stunting was 58.4%; and of underweight status was 20.7%. Maternal emotional and social wellbeing was protective of wasting in children under-5 years of age. Living in districts implementing PBF was protective of wasting (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 0.43; 95% confidence interval: 0.19-0.97). Living in a district with PBF was not found to be associated with either stunting or underweight status among children under-5. Conclusions: PBF may have a protective association with particular forms of malnutrition among children under-5 years in Rwanda. These findings warrant further investigation in relation to the impact of implementing innovative financing schemes on health outcomes

Social network assessment in community-dwelling older persons: results from a study of three European populations

Background and aims: In clinical practice, the status of living alone is often used as the only measure describing an older person's social network. We evaluated whether additional use of a brief social network measure provides relevant additional information in relation to social support and engagement. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of 6982 community-dwelling adults 65 years or older living in London, UK; Hamburg, Germany; and Solothurn, Switzerland. Data were collected using the self-administered multidimensional Health Risk Appraisal Questionnaire. Multivariate models were used to analyse adjusted correlations between the two measures of social network (living alone status, risk for social isolation with marginal family and friend network subscales) and potential consequences of inadequate social network (marginal emotional or instrumental support, lack of social engagement). Results: Living alone status was more strongly associated with marginal instrumental support [OR=7.6 (95% CI 6.3, 9.1)] than with marginal emotional support [OR=4.2 (95% CI 3.4, 5.1)], and showed no statistically significant association with lack of social engagement [OR=0.9 (95% CI 0.8, 1.0)]. Risk of social isolation was more strongly related to marginal emotional support [OR=6.6 (95% CI 5.4, 8.0)] than to marginal instrumental support [OR=3.3 (95% CI 2.8, 4.0)], and was moderately related to lack of social engagement [OR=2.9 (95% CI 2.5, 3.4]. Marginal family and friend network subscales showed consistent and unique associations with social support and social engagement. Conclusion: Findings suggest that living alone status and a brief measure of social network identifies distinctive at-risk groups and potential pathways for intervention. Geriatric assessment programs including both social network measures may provide useful information about potentially modifiable social network risks in older person

Archaeology of the Planned Location of the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Plant, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

From October 2002 to January 2004, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) of The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted archaeological investigations for the City of San Antonio in a 2,570.25-acre project area that is the future site of the San Antonio Toyota Motor Manufacturing Plant. The work was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 2982 with Dr. Steve A. Tomka, CAR Director, serving as Principal Investigator. The project included the reconnaissance of over 500 acres of the project area, the excavation of 376 shovel tests, 250 mechanical auger borings, and 42 backhoe and Gradall trenches. The backhoe and Gradall trenches were dug for geoarchaeological investigations and in one instance to search for a presumed historic cemetery. Reassessment for National Register of Historic Places and State Archeological Landmark status was conducted for 16 previously documented archaeological sites (41BX125, 41BX349, 41BX652, 41BX653, 41BX654, 41BX655, 41BX656, 41BX657, 41BX658, 41BX659, 41BX660, 41BX661, 41BX662, 41BX676, 41BX681, and 41BX832) and five newly identified sites (41BX1571–41BX1575). Of the 21 sites examined during this project, 12 are prehistoric, seven are historic and two have both prehistoric and historic components. The prehistoric sites are lithic and burned rock scatters, possibly the remnants of campsites. Diagnostic artifacts found in previous surveys indicate Archaic and Late Prehistoric time frames. The historic sites present are farmstead-ranch complexes including residential structures and outbuildings. Also encountered were tenant farmer residences and a small brick kiln. The historic components are primarily late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century, although original surveys noted early-nineteenth-century artifacts. All artifacts collected are curated at the Center for Archaeological Research laboratory facility