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The spotted lanternfly Lycorma delicatula White (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) is a polyphagous insect pest that invaded the United States in 2014, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It has since spread to several northeastern states and poses a significant threat to northeastern grape production. Most studied species of Hemiptera are known to communicate intraspecifically using some form of substrate-borne vibrational signals, although such behavior has not yet been reported in L. delicatula. This report demonstrates that adult and fourth-instar L. delicatula were attracted towards broadcasts of 60-Hz vibroacoustic stimuli directed to a laboratory arena and test substrate, which suggests that both adults and fourth instar nymphs can perceive and respond to vibrational stimuli.

The Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a quarantine pest of Citrus spp. and a production pest of guava and other specialty fruits in Florida. Effective monitoring lures and traps are needed for early pest detection and timely initiation of control measures. As part of a continued effort to identify attractive synthetic lures for the Caribbean fruit fly, we conducted field tests in Homestead, Florida to compare the efficacy and longevity of commercial 2- and 3-component cone lures (2C [ammonium acetate and putrescine], 3C [ammonium acetate, putrescine, and trimethylamine]), the current standards used by regulatory agencies, versus the traditional liquid protein bait consisting of hydrolyzed torula yeast and borax as a positive control. Additional lures were also field-aged and periodically brought into the laboratory to quantify residual chemical contents. Traps baited with the torula yeast-borax mixture captured the highest mean number of A. suspensa, and traps baited with the commercial 2C lures captured more flies than the 3C lures. Traps baited with torula yeast-borax also captured the highest number of nontarget Diptera. Captures with all three treatments were significantly biased toward females. Attractiveness of the 2C lure began to drop after 6–8 wk, and the 3C lure after 5–6 wk. Overall, these data suggest that the 2C cone lure is more attractive to A. suspensa than the 3C cone lure under field conditions in south Florida, and that the 2C lures are attractive for up to 8 wk.

This paper is written to provide ideas and guide faculty who want to design a mathematical modeling course for undergraduate mathematics majors and minors. We discuss course goals, assignments, and...

The modification of a previously described technique to generate venous conduits in a lamb model from a decellularised matrix and autologous cells and its application to human tissue is described. A 49-year-old woman underwent surgery for a large malignant pelvic tumour (carcinoma of unknown primary) involving the right iliac artery and vein. The right iliac artery was reconstructed with a cryopreserved human arterial allograft. For iliac vein reconstruction a tissue-engineered neo-vein was developed utilising a decellularised cryopreserved vein allograft that was reseeded in a bioreactor with autologous endothelial cells derived from the recipient’s great saphenous vein. Both interposition grafts were patent initially, after 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, but the tissue-engineered neo-vein had become obstructed due to evolving disease four month postoperatively. Tissue engineered neo-veins may be a therapeutic option in selected cases with symptomatic vein stenosis or obstruction not curable with interventional methods or standard prosthetic replacement.

We present a technique for determining the scattering coefficient of epithelial tissue from diffuse reflectance measurements due to an obliquely incident Gaussian beam. This method applies the convolution form of the diffuse reflectance as determined by the corrected diffusion approximation.

The distribution of components, or microstructure, within a material is critical to its mechanical properties. For example, if a material has too many particles of one particular phase it may become too brittle, yet if there are too few particles it could lose strength. Every material exhibits different and unique characteristics. The goal of a material scientist is to analyze a material's microstructure and to optimize the manufacturing process. Electron microscopists observe this distribution on a very small, but critical, scale. The electron microscope can demonstrate specifically where the particles are distributed and then X-ray microanalysis can be used to identify what the particles are composed of. This article will discuss the microstructure of an aluminum alloy with copper and iron additions. At the point of development, the mechanical properties of this new alloy were believed to be superior to that of previous materials; however, a number of subsequently conducted heat treatments did not support this theory, producing extremely unsatisfactory properties. In order to understand these results and rectify any problems, X-ray microanalysis was used to analyze the alloy's microstructure and assess the distribution of copper and iron particles within the metal.

The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, vectors a harmful bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, which causes huanglongbing, an economically devastating disease of citrus. Improved methods for detection and trapping of ACP could significantly reduce the damage associated with the spread of this disease. One previously unexploited method of detection involves the vibratory, substrate-borne signals by which adult male and female ACP communicate over 10-50-cm distances within their citrus tree hosts. Mate-seeking males begin calling while moving along the tree branches, searching for females. A receptive female replies to these signals within about 0.5-s, which helps the male to find her position (Wenninger et al. 2009, Rohde et al. 2013). A series of studies was conducted in a noise- and vibration-shielded anechoic chamber (Fig. 1) to manipulate these communications in a way that could be used to attract and trap ACP males in field environments. Male recorded calls were played back to females through the vibration exciter and the replies were monitored with the accelerometer. The frequencies, durations, and loudness of calls that elicited the greatest female response were analyzed for further study. In addition, recorded replies from females were played back to males, attracting them to the signal source. Based on the successful results with the laboratory accelerometer and vibration exciter systems (Rohde et al. 2013), we began development of a portable, automated system with a piezoelectric vibratory element that replies to male calls immediately after they are detected by a microphone attached to a small, inexpensive microcomputer. Searching males move towards the source of such calls (Fig. 2) and can thereby be trapped. To facilitate trap development we have begun testing the relative attractiveness of carefully constructed synthetic calls, some of which are described in (Rohde et al. 2013). In addition, we are beginning to conduct field studies under conditions of moderate background noise.

Low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) enables development and testing of critical elements on microsystem boards as well as nonmicroelectronic meso-scale applications. We describe silicon-based microelectromechanical systems packaging and LTCC meso-scale applications. Microfluidic interposers permit rapid testing of varied silicon designs. The application of LTCC to micro-high-performance liquid chromatography (μ-HPLC) demonstrates performance advantages at very high pressures. At intermediate pressures, a ceramic thermal cell lyser has lysed bacteria spores without damaging the proteins. The stability and sensitivity of LTCC/chemiresistor smart channels are comparable to the performance of silicon-based chemiresistors. A variant of the use of sacrificial volume materials has created channels, suspended thick films, cavities, and techniques for pressure and flow sensing. We report on inductors, diaphragms, cantilevers, antennae, switch structures, and thermal sensors suspended in air. The development of “functional-as-released” moving parts has resulted in wheels, impellers, tethered plates, and related new LTCC mechanical roles for actuation and sensing. High-temperature metal-to-LTCC joining has been developed with metal thin films for the strong, hermetic interfaces necessary for pins, leads, and tubes.

In this paper the relationship between different composite morphologies and their mechanical properties is to be investigated. By manufacturing two different tape-based polypropylene composites in a compression moulding process, four varying degrees of compaction will be generated. The morphological structure is analyzed using confocal laser light microscopy and wet chemically etched specimen cross-sections. The etching process removes the amorphous phase in the polymer, making the macromolecular orientations and superstructures visible in the reinforcement tapes. The findings of the morphological analysis will be transferred to the results of mechanical investigations.

Objective: The clinical outcome of patients after organ transplantation is correlated with cyclosporin A (CyA) exposure. It is generally accepted that the area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) provides a reliable means for drug exposure. However, in routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of CyA, trough levels are mostly used. Currently, a number of different new concepts of CyA-TDM, including approaches such as single, double or triple time-point and abbreviated AUC determinations, have been introduced. The purpose of this study was to compare the predictive value of the different strategies of TDM. Methods: Calculations were based on 40 individual concentration–time profiles after oral administration of CyA to patients who had been included into an ongoing prospective clinical trial. Non-compartmental analysis was used to calculate the AUC0–12h. Multiple linear regression was performed to describe the relationship between the different sets of blood concentrations and the respective AUC0–12h as well as to evaluate their predictive value regarding AUC. Predictive performance was assessed by prediction bias and prediction precision, which were estimated as the mean prediction error and root mean squared error, respectively. Results: When comparing the various combinations of time points, it was found that one-point approaches showed the strongest differences with regard to the predictive value; the associated r2 values differed from 0.203 to 0.792. The two and three time-point approaches showed lower differences – r2 0.802–0.972. The four-point and five-point approaches (r2 0.942–0.982) were the strongest predictors for CyA AUC0–12h. Relative bias ranged from −27.7% to 63.8% and changed significantly when multiple-point predictors were used. In those cases, the predictive performance improved. Considering the predictive performance as well as the smallest bias and highest prediction precision, C3, C1 + C3, C1 + C3 + C6 and C1 + C2 + C3 + C6 were the best predictors. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that in kidney transplant patients a clinically sufficient precise estimation of the CyA AUC is possible using two or three concentration–time points.

We present a model for the diffuse reflectance when a continuous beam is incident normally on a half space composed of a uniform scattering and absorbing medium. This model is the result of an asymptotic analysis of the radiative transport equation for strong scattering, weak absorption, and a narrow beam width. Through comparison with the diffuse reflectance computed using the numerical solution of the radiative transport equation, we show that this diffuse reflectance model gives results that are accurate for small source--detector separation distances.

We present the corrected diffusion approximation for a thin beam incident on a layered medium. This model improves upon the diffusion approximation for small source-detector separation distances and is computationally efficient.

Novel therapies, e.g., cell and gene therapy or tissue engineering, are summarized in the European Union as advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). In terms of composition and product properties, ATMPs are highly complex, and given their multiple potential actions they are subject to continuously developing regulatory requirements. Due to promising basic research findings, there are high expectations by the society toward the therapeutic potential of ATMPs. It is of utmost importance to develop a scientifically sound preclinical and clinical development plan before entering into the first clinical trial. Due to the complex features of ATMPs, this development plan should be discussed early with the regulatory authorities to define the specifics and challenges of each individual product. For planning as well as operational realization of the initial clinical trial involving ATMPs, specific requirements that need to be addressed are discussed in this paper.

Increased expression of EGFR in metastases of human mammary carcinoma as compared to cells of the primary cancer suggests a contribution of EGFR to mammary carcinoma metastasis. To test for a positive correlation, we investigated 13762NF rat mammary adenocarcinoma cloned tumor cell lines of high (MTLn3) or low (MTC) metastatic potential. While MTC cells expressed barely detectable amounts of EGFR, MTLn3 cells expressed readily detectable levels of receptor. This was demonstrated in Northern blot analysis, in immunoprecipitation studies using metabolically labeled whole cell lysates and in Western blot analysis of membrane fractions. Cross-linking of radiolabeled ligand to intact cells identified on both cell types specific binding to a 170 kd protein, however, at much lower levels on low-metastatic MTC cells and not in sufficient amounts to estimate receptor numbers by Scatchard analysis. In contrast, Scatchard plot analysis of I-125-EGF binding to MTLn3 cells revealed the expression of about 10,000 high and 46,000 low affinity sites. Both cell lines expressed the ligand in comparable amounts as was demonstrated by using a specific rat TGFalpha cDNA probe in Northern blot and an antibody recognising membrane bound TGF in FACS analysis. Adhesion of MTC cells to immobilized collagen or fibronectin was rapid reaching 50% after 30 min while control MTLn3 cells demonstrated lower adhesion to collagen. Addition of 10 ng/ml EGF increased the rate and the maximal adhesion of MTLn3 cells to collagen G, while the adhesion kinetics of MTC cells to collagen G or fibronectin were unaffected.

Postmenopausal women that still have an uterus and suffer from hot flushes are treated with combinations of estrogens and progestins. Whereas estrogens are indispensable for treating postmenopausal symptoms, progestins are added to counteract the proliferative activity of estrogens on uterine epithelial cells. However, in the mammary gland, progestins, given together with estrogens, stimulate the proliferation of mammary epithelial cells. Therefore, progestins with reduced proliferative activity in the mammary gland would be of advantage for hormone therapy of postmenopausal women. In order to identify progestins with better tissue-selectivity, we exploited the activation of different signal transduction pathways by the classical progesterone receptor. We demonstrated that progestins with reduced non-genomic versus genomic activity in vitro show a better dissociation of uterine versus mammary gland effects in vivo than medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a synthetic progestin that is widely used in hormone therapy.

Postmenopausal women that still have an uterus and suffer from hot flushes are treated with combinations of estrogens and progestins. Whereas estrogens are indispensable for treating postmenopausal symptoms, progestins are added to counteract the proliferative activity of estrogens on uterine epithelial cells. However, in the mammary gland, progestins, given together with estrogens, stimulate the proliferation of mammary epithelial cells. Therefore, progestins with reduced proliferative activity in the mammary gland would be of advantage for hormone therapy of postmenopausal women.

In the search for compounds capable of inducing endogenous production of colony-stimulating factor (CSF) and possessing activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), an immunomodulator, muramyl dipeptide (MDP), was investigated. MDP can enhance monocyte-macrophage CSF in serum and promote nonspecific resistance against a variety of microbial pathogens. MDP exhibited an inhibitory activity against HIV infection of CD4+ H9 lymphocytes and U937 monocytoid cells. An inhibitor of viral reverse transcriptase, 2', 3'-dideoxyadenosine, produced potent inhibition in cultures which were similarly infected with HIV. MDP could partially reduce antigen production in persistently HIV-infected KE37/1 lymphocyte cultures.

Low Temperature Cofired Ceramic (LTCC) has proven to be an enabling medium for microsystem technologies, because of its desirable electrical, physical, and chemical properties coupled with its capability for rapid prototyping and scalable manufacturing of components. LTCC is viewed as an extension of hybrid microcircuits, and in that function it enables development, testing, and deployment of silicon microsystems. However, its versatility has allowed it to succeed as a microsystem medium in its own right, with applications in non-microelectronic meso-scale devices and in a range of sensor devices. Applications include silicon microfluidic ''chip-and-wire'' systems and fluid grid array (FGA)/microfluidic multichip modules using embedded channels in LTCC, and cofired electro-mechanical systems with moving parts. Both the microfluidic and mechanical system applications are enabled by sacrificial volume materials (SVM), which serve to create and maintain cavities and separation gaps during the lamination and cofiring process. SVMs consisting of thermally fugitive or partially inert materials are easily incorporated. Recognizing the premium on devices that are cofired rather than assembled, we report on functional-as-released and functional-as-fired moving parts. Additional applications for cofired transparent windows, some as small as an optical fiber, are also described. The applications described help pave the way for widespread application ofmore » LTCC to biomedical, control, analysis, characterization, and radio frequency (RF) functions for macro-meso-microsystems.« less

A combinatorial approach towards identifying inhibitors of VALA-4 was investigated. A library of piperazine-peptoid-bisarylureas was assembled in solid phase and screening in the novel v-well assay enabled the identification of active compounds.

We present an explicit model for the diffuse reflectance due to a collimated beam of light incident normally on layered tissues. This model is derived using the corrected diffusion approximation applied to a layered medium, and it takes the form of a convolution with an explicit kernel and the incident beam profile. This model corrects the standard diffusion approximation over all source-detector separation distances provided the beam is sufficiently wide compared to the scattering mean free path. We validate this model through comparison with Monte Carlo simulations. Then we use this model to estimate the optical properties of an epithelial layer from Monte Carlo simulation data. Using measurements at small source-detector separations and this model, we are able to estimate the absorption coefficient, scattering coefficient, and anisotropy factor of epithelial tissues efficiently with reasonable accuracy.

Sample throughput is a significant issue in the microscopy lab. It is possible to improve the efficiency of analysis by changing the way we operate the microscope or upgrading the analytical system. One method to increase the efficiency of the analyst is to automate as many procedures as possible, including acquisitions. However, the most effective way to increase efficiency is to reduce the time that the analyst spends acquiring data. This is fine, but statistical confidence must not be reduced by the use of shorter acquisition times and the quality of the data or shape of the peaks must not be compromised as well (Figure 1, Table 1). To maintain the same level of statistical confidence of a longer analysis, an increase of the x-ray detection rate is needed.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2006 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, July 30 – August 3, 2005

Objective: In intensive care medicine, continuous detoxication methods, such as continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD), are used for treating acute renal failure. However, in contrast to conventional hemodialysis, little is known about the pharmacokinetics of many drugs administered in this setting and guidelines for dosages of drugs often do not exist. This holds particularly true for broad-spectrum antibiotics, which are often required during intensive care. Methods: In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics of the acylureidopenicillin mezlocillin and the β-lactamase inhibitor sulbactam during CVVHD and deduced dosage recommendations from the kinetic parameters with the goal of maintaining trough levels of above 10 mg · l−1 for mezlocillin and 5 mg · l−1 for sulbactam. Six intensive care patients with acute renal failure, receiving mezlocillin (n=5) and/or sulbactam (n=4), were examined during CVVHD and during intervals between CVVHD. The serum concentrations and the amounts of the drugs excreted into the dialyzate and into the urine within one dosage interval were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Three of the patients were jaundiced, indicating functional impairment of the liver. Results: The clearances by CVVHD (CLCVVHD) for mezlocillin ranged between 11.0 and 44.9 ml · min−1 and the half lives ranged between 1.12 and 8.84 h. Low CL and long half lives were observed in the patients with jaundice. For sulbactam, CLCVVHD ranged between 10.1 and 22.8 ml · min−1 and serum half lives were 4.25–6.11 h, independent of liver function. Conclusion: Due to high hepatobiliary clearance of mezlocillin, dosage adjustments in patients with acute renal failure, treated by CVVHD, are needed only with concurrent impaired liver function. For sulbactam, the optimal dose was found to be 0.5 g, administered every 12 h, regardless of liver function.

Attachment of highly metastatic rat mammary adenocarcinoma MTLn3 cells to matrix proteins and its modulation by EGF was examined. Plastic plates were coated with varying amounts of collagen or fibronectin. MTLn3 cells exhibited a dose-dependent adhesion to both matrix proteins, however, they attached more efficiently to collagen than to fibronectin. When EGF or TGF alpha were added at 0.3 to 10 ng/ml for 30 min, a dose-dependent increase in adhesion to both matrix proteins was observed. Maximal stimulation (2-fold) was seen with 10 ng/ml of either growth factor. However, EGF was more potent at lower concentrations (0.3-3 ng/ml) than TGF alpha. The ability of growth factors to stimulate adhesion was also dependent on the amount of matrix the cells were exposed to. While EGF increased rapid attachment of MTLn3 cells to both matrix proteins similarly, subsequent cell spreading and formation of lamellar extensions was faster in cells plated on collagen. These results are suggestive of a functional link between EGF receptor and specific integrin activities.

The complete and accurate identification of all of the phases present in a sample is the ultimate goal of any materials investigator. The identification should include compositional as well as crystalline measurements for unique characterization. in an SEM, the composition of individual regions can be routinely determined via EDS or WDS analysis. The main limitation is the need to visually identify the individual regions from the images alone. A method to limit this restriction is to collect x-ray maps of the field-of-view. This technique has the benefit of providing the spatial distribution of the elemental species, but requires knowledge of all of the elements of interest before the start of the analysis and composition quantification cannot be performed with data only from the maps. Another disadvantage is the possibility that materials may have similar compositional analyses but may be different phases only manifested by crystallographic means.A better method of complete phase identification involves the collection and analysis of spectral images and the subsequent crystallographic phase identification via EBSD. Spectral imaging consists of the collection of complete EDS spectra at each location within a field-of-view. From this 3-D data set, a series of elemental maps may be extracted for visualizing the spatial distribution of any elements of interest. This data set is especially useful because elements, and even characteristic x-ray lines, can be fully analyzed after the data collection with total flexibility.

EBSD analyses are routine for understanding and quantifying the orientations of materials. Analyses of single-phase cubic materials are by far the most prevalent reported in the literature. However, the understanding of the orientations of multi-phase materials are just as important from a technological standpoint. The analysis of non-cubic and non-hep materials is also of interest to investigators. However, analyses of these materials provide some unique challenges for accurate and precise orientation and phase determination compared to cubic materials. The ORKID analysis system was designed from the beginning to address these materials and analysis concerns.Single-phase materials, especially with cubic symmetry, do not require any special treatment for indexing of diffraction patterns. Because only one crystal system is under investigation, the algorithm for matching the measured bands and the expected bands can have some relaxation in error limits. Furthermore, d-spacing measurements of the bands are not strictly required because the bands angles are sufficiently unique.

A novel approach to synthetic ceramic powders based on microwave heating of metallorganic ceramic precursor compounds or mixtures of such compounds with a appropriate matrix material is described.Numerous oxides as well as nonoxide powders with high specific surface area were obtained. Pyrolysis as well as enhanced reactivity is observed with microwave heating at lower temperatures than in conventional heating.

3026 Background: Inhibition of HDACs in vitro has resulted in tumor cell growth arrest, differentiation and/or tumor apoptosis. This report evaluates the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics ...

A new circuit configuration is presented, which takes advantage of the normally unused counterpropagating output of a distributed amplifier. The feasibility is demonstrated by a matched filter circuit with dual gate FET's for a 700 Mb/s NRZ signal. Modifications are proposed to extend this technique to a more general case of signal shaping. >

OWING to the considerable intraindividual and interindividual variation of relevant pharmacokinetic parameters area under the curve (AUC0–24h), total clearance (Cltot), volume of distribution (VSS), half life (t1/2), and bioavailability (F) of cyclosporine A (CyA), it is often difficult to get blood levels in a narrow therapeutic range after transplantations, especially during the immediate postsurgical phase. Therefore a prospective randomized study was designed to investigate whether therapeutic management can be improved for the immediate postsurgical period by giving CyA dose recommendations based on individual pharmacokinetics and by the route of application (intravenous versus oral using the microemulsion formulation). Because this study is still in progress, results of the first part, the pretransplant pharmacokinetic data, are presented.

The effect on respiratory burst of murine spleen cells after in vitro exposure to influenza virus, subunits, or subunits conjugated to muramyl dipeptide (MDP) was studied by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) in response to stimulation by zymosan. CL induced by infectious influenza A virus was depressed but could be elevated to normal levels when MDP was added together with a low, but not with a high, dose of the virus. Profound depression of CL was induced by high doses of influenza A/Brazil, A/Bangkok, and B/Singapore subunits. The same amounts of viral subunits conjugated to MDP restored or even enhanced the CL responses of spleen cells from BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Splenic cells from BALB/c mice generated higher levels of CL than did cells from C57BL/6 mice.

Die Entwicklung eines Carcinoms auf dem Boden des Lichen planus ist moglich, bleibt aber ein seltenes Ereignis. Unter den 585 Lichen planus-Patienten der Hamburger Hautklinik komplizierte sich neunmal der Verlauf durch die neoplastische Wucherung (1,5%). Bei verdachtigen Veranderungen sollte deshalb aus differentialdiagnostischen Erwagungen eine Probeexcision erfolgen.

Die eingehende morphologische Analyse der bei der Infektion von Affennieren-Epithelkulturen mit Aujeszky- bzw. B-Virus auftretenden zellulären Alterationen in ihrer zeitlichen Aufeinanderfolge ist Gegenstand der Darstellung. Es ergibt sich, daß beide Virusarten an den Kulturen die gleichen Primär- jedoch unterschiedliche Sekundärphänomene hervorrufen. Die Ausbildung des Kerninnenkörpers der befallenen Zellen wird auf einen Retraktionsmechanismus zurückgeführt. Die Bedeutung des Kulturspektrums und der Art des cytopathogenen Effektes für die Einordnung isolierter Erreger wird diskutiert