Reconfigurable Multilevel Optical PUF by Spatiotemporally Programmed Crystallization of Supersaturated Solution

Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) are emerging as an alternative to information security by providing an advanced level of cryptographic keys with non-replicable characteristics, yet the cryptographic keys of conventional PUFs are not reconfigurable from the ones assigned at the manufacturing stage and the overall authentication process slows down as the number of entities in the dataset or the length of cryptographic key increases. Herein, a supersaturated solution-based PUF (S-PUF) is presented that utilizes stochastic crystallization of a supersaturated sodium acetate solution to allow a time-efficient, hierarchical authentication process together with on-demand rewritability of cryptographic keys. By controlling the orientation and the average grain size of the sodium acetate crystals via a spatiotemporally programmed temperature profile, the S-PUF now includes two global parameters, that is, angle of rotation and divergence of the diffracted beam, in addition to the speckle pattern to produce multilevel cryptographic keys, and these parameters function as prefixes for the classification of each entity for a fast authentication process. At the same time, the reversible phase change of sodium acetate enables repeated reconfiguration of the cryptographic key, which is expected to offer new possibilities for a next-generation, recyclable anti-counterfeiting platform.

Plastic Shavings by Laser: Peeling Porous Graphene Springs for Multifunctional All-Carbon Applications

Manufacturing strategies to create three-dimensional (3D) structures with multifunctional nanomaterials are of intense interest for fabricating building blocks in many electromechanical applications. A coil spring composed of graphene provides an important step toward the realization of all-carbon devices, as it is one of the essential elements for a wide range of systems. In this connection, here an unprecedented fabrication strategy to create a new type of 3D coil spring composed of laser-induced graphene springs (LIG-S) which is spontaneously produced via the pyrolytic jetting technique, is presented. Similar to wood or metal shavings observed in traditional machining processes, a pair of LIG-S with two opposite chiralities and controllable macroscopic dimensions is produced by a single scanning of a focused continuous-wave (CW) laser on a polyimide (PI) substrate. The resulting LIG-S, plastic shavings by laser, exhibits sufficient mechanical and electrical properties to enable many applications including strain-tolerant spring electrodes, antennas, supercapacitors, gas sensors, and luminescent filaments under extreme conditions. Without using any conventional fabrication techniques or other labor-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive processes, this novel approach enables a high-throughput mass production of macro-, micro-, and nanoscale featured LIG-S that can be manufactured within seconds to realize many open opportunities in all-carbon electromechanical systems.

Outcomes of Patients Treated in the UK Proton Overseas Programme: Non-central Nervous System Group

AIMS

The UK Proton Overseas Programme (POP) was launched in 2008. The Proton Clinical Outcomes Unit (PCOU) warehouses a centralised registry for collection, curation and analysis of all outcomes data for all National Health Service-funded UK patients referred and treated abroad with proton beam therapy (PBT) via the POP. Outcomes are reported and analysed here for patients diagnosed with non-central nervous system tumours treated from 2008 to September 2020 via the POP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All non-central nervous system tumour files for treatments as of 30 September 2020 were interrogated for follow-up information, and type (following CTCAE v4) and time of onset of any late (>90 days post-PBT completion) grade 3-5 toxicities.

RESULTS

Four hundred and ninety-five patients were analysed. The median follow-up was 2.1 years (0-9.3 years). The median age was 11 years (0-69 years). 70.3% of patients were paediatric (<16 years). Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and Ewing sarcoma were the most common diagnoses (42.6% and 34.1%). 51.3% of treated patients were for head and neck (H&N) tumours. At last known follow-up, 86.1% of all patients were alive, with a 2-year survival rate of 88.3% and 2-year local control of 90.3%. Mortality and local control were worse for adults (≥25 years) than for the younger groups. The grade 3 toxicity rate was 12.6%, with a median onset of 2.3 years. Most were in the H&N region in paediatric patients with RMS. Cataracts (30.5%) were the most common, then musculoskeletal deformity (10.1%) and premature menopause (10.1%). Three paediatric patients (1-3 years at treatment) experienced secondary malignancy. Seven grade 4 toxicities occurred (1.6%), all in the H&N region and most in paediatric patients with RMS. Six related to eyes (cataracts, retinopathy, scleral disorder) or ears (hearing impairment).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the largest to date for RMS and Ewing sarcoma, undergoing multimodality therapy including PBT. It demonstrates good local control, survival and acceptable toxicity rates.

Emerging laser-assisted vacuum processes for ultra-precision, high-yield manufacturing

Laser technology is a cutting-edge process with a unique photothermal response, precise site selectivity, and remote controllability. Laser technology has recently emerged as a novel tool in the semiconductor, display, and thin film industries by providing additional capabilities to existing high-vacuum equipment. The in situ and in operando laser assistance enables using multiple process environments with a level of complexity unachievable with conventional vacuum equipment. This broadens the usable range of process parameters and directly improves material properties, product precision, and device performance. This review paper examines the recent research trends in laser-assisted vacuum processes (LAVPs) as a vital tool for innovation in next-generation manufacturing processing equipment and addresses the unique characteristics and mechanisms of lasers exclusively used in each study. All the findings suggest that the LAVP can lead to methodological breakthroughs in dry etching, 2D material synthesis, and chemical vapor deposition for optoelectronic devices.

P01.07.A Neurocognitive outcomes after proton beam therapy for skull base tumours

Background

Evidence suggests that Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) may lessen the risk of neurocognitive decline (NCD) by reducing the dose to the normal brain as compared to conventional photon radiotherapy (XRT). We report the incidence of moderate-severe (Grade ≥3) NCD in adults treated for skull base chordomas and chondrosarcomas within the United Kingdom’s Proton Overseas Programme (POP).

Material and Methods

Baseline (pre-PBT) and follow-up clinical outcomes data were prospectively collected as part of a national PBT-outcomes registry, which started in 2008 . This registry is curated by a dedicated Proton Clinical Outcomes Unit. Specifically, late toxicities ≥G3 as per CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) v4.0 definition, occurring later than 90 days after treatment completion, were recorded. This study focuses on the incidence of memory impairment (MI) in the adult (≥25 y) cohort.

Results

Between 2008-2018, 141 adult patients were treated for skull base chordomas (77 patients, 54.6%) and chondrosarcomas (64 patients, 45.4%) via the POP (the majority -62.8%- treated at the University of Florida PBT Institute). Median age at treatment was 51 years (range 26-77). Median prescription dose was 73.8 GyRBE (70-75.6), with a median dose per fraction of 1.8 Gy (1.2-2.1). Of note, the median dose for chondrosarcomas was 70.2 GyRBE (70-75.6), whereas the median dose for chordomas was 73.8 GyRBE (72-75.6). Median follow up was 39 months (0-138). On clinical assessment, 4 patients (2 chordomas, 2 chondrosarcomas) were reported with G3 MI after a median time of 43 months (27-49). None of them had impaired memory at baseline, nor relevant neurological comorbidities. Median age of those who developed G3 MI was 63 y (39-70). Median prescription dose was 72.9 GyRBE (70-73.8). Plans were available for 3 of these 4 patients. Relevant dose statistics to hippocampi and temporal lobes were extracted. Dmean to the omo- and contralateral hippocampi in these 3 patient plans were: patient 1) 33.7 and 11.6 GyRBE; patient 2) 28.1 and 24.4 Gy; patient 3) 8.7 and 8.2 GyRBE, respectively. V20 to the omo- and contralateral temporal lobes in the same patients were: patient 1) 47% and 10%; patient 2) 29% and 28.7%; patient 3) 30% and 28%, respectively. Suggested constraints for these structures are: Dmean &lt; 20 Gy to the hippocampi and V20Gy &lt;10% to the temporal lobes.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that adult patients undergoing high dose radiation for radioresistant tumours may experience detrimental effects on memory. Neurocognitive baseline and follow-up assessment is not routinely performed in this age group but might be appropriate to explore which domains of cognitive function are mainly affected. Larger cohorts are warranted to establish predictive factors and better understand dose volume effect of brain structures and neurocognitive sequelae.

Direct Writing of Functional Layer by Selective Laser Sintering of Nanoparticles for Emerging Applications: A Review

Selective laser sintering of nanoparticles enables the direct and rapid formation of a functional layer even on heat-sensitive flexible and stretchable substrates, and is rising as a pioneering fabrication technology for future-oriented applications. To date, laser sintering has been successfully applied to various target nanomaterials including a wide range of metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles, and extensive investigation of relevant experimental schemes have not only reduced the minimum feature size but also have further expanded the scalability of the process. In the beginning, the selective laser sintering process was regarded as an alternative method to conventional manufacturing processes, but recent studies have shown that the unique characteristics of the laser-sintered layer may improve device performance or even enable novel functionalities which were not achievable using conventional fabrication techniques. In this regard, we summarize the current developmental status of the selective laser sintering technique for nanoparticles, affording special attention to recent emerging applications that adopt the laser sintering scheme.

Estimating the percentage of patients who might benefit from proton beam therapy instead of X-ray radiotherapy

OBJECTIVES

High-energy Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) commenced in England in 2018 and NHS England commissions PBT for 1.5% of patients receiving radical radiotherapy. We sought expert opinion on the level of provision.

METHODS

Invitations were sent to 41 colleagues working in PBT, most at one UK centre, to contribute by completing a spreadsheet. 39 responded: 23 (59%) completed the spreadsheet; 16 (41%) declined, arguing that clinical outcome data are lacking, but joined six additional site-specialist oncologists for two consensus meetings. The spreadsheet was pre-populated with incidence data from Cancer Research UK and radiotherapy use data from the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service. 'Mechanisms of Benefit' of reduced growth impairment, reduced toxicity, dose escalation and reduced second cancer risk were examined.

RESULTS

The most reliable figure for percentage of radical radiotherapy patients likely to benefit from PBT was that agreed by 95% of the 23 respondents at 4.3%, slightly larger than current provision. The median was 15% (range 4-92%) and consensus median 13%. The biggest estimated potential benefit was from reducing toxicity, median benefit to 15% (range 4-92%), followed by dose escalation median 3% (range 0 to 47%); consensus values were 12 and 3%. Reduced growth impairment and reduced second cancer risk were calculated to benefit 0.5% and 0.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

The most secure estimate of percentage benefit was 4.3% but insufficient clinical outcome data exist for confident estimates. The study supports the NHS approach of using the evidence base and developing it through randomised trials, non-randomised studies and outcomes tracking.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Less is known about the percentage of patients who may benefit from PBT than is generally acknowledged. Expert opinion varies widely. Insufficient clinical outcome data exist to provide robust estimates. Considerable further work is needed to address this, including international collaboration; much is already underway but will take time to provide mature data.

Fabrication of Perforated PDMS Microchannel by Successive Laser Pyrolysis

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) has attracted much attention in soft lithography and has also been preferred as a platform for a photochemical reaction, thanks to its outstanding characteristics including ease of use, nontoxicity, and high optical transmittance. However, the low stiffness of PDMS, an obvious advantage for soft lithography, is often treated as an obstacle in conducting precise handling or maintaining its structural integrity. For these reasons, a Glass-PDMS-Glass structure has emerged as a straightforward alternative. Nevertheless, several challenges are remaining in fabricating Glass-PDMS-Glass structure through the conventional PDMS patterning techniques such as photolithography and etching processes for master mold. The complicated techniques are not suitable for frequent design modifications in research-oriented fields, and fabrication of perforated PDMS is hard to achieve using mold replication. Herein, we utilize the successive laser pyrolysis technique to pattern thin-film PDMS for microfluidic applications. The direct use of thin film at the glass surface prevents the difficulties of thin-film handling. Through the precise control of photothermal pyrolysis phenomena, we provide a facile fabrication process for perforated PDMS microchannels. In the final demonstration, the laminar flow has been successfully created owing to the smooth surface profile. We envision further applications using rapid prototyping of the perforated PDMS microchannel.

A Novel Model and Infrastructure for Clinical Outcomes Data Collection and Their Systematic Evaluation for UK Patients Receiving Proton Beam Therapy

AIMS

To establish an infrastructure for sustainable, comprehensive data collection and systematic outcomes evaluation for UK patients receiving proton beam therapy (PBT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A Proton Outcomes Working Group was formed in 2014 to develop a national minimum dataset for PBT patients and to define a clinically integrated informatics solution for data collection. The Christie Proton Beam Therapy Centre formed its Proton Clinical Outcomes Unit in 2018 to collect, curate and analyse outcomes data prospectively for UK-treated patients and retrospectively for UK patients referred abroad for PBT since 2008 via the Proton Overseas Programme (POP).

RESULTS

A single electronic form (eForm) was developed to capture the agreed data, using a data tree approach including conditional logic: data items are requested once, further questions depend on previous answers and are sensitive to tumour site and patient pathway time point. Relevant data automatically populate other forms, saving time, prompting completeness of clinical assessments and ensuring data consistency. Completed eForm data populate the electronic patient record and generate individualised outputs, including consultation letters, treatment summary and surveillance plans, based on organs at risk irradiated, age and sex. All data regarding POP-treated patients are verified and migrated into the system, ensuring that patient data, whether overseas or UK treated, are consistently recorded. The eForm utilises a 'user friendly' web portal interface, the Clinical Web Portal, including clickable tables and infographics. Data items are coded to a universally recognised standard comparable with other data systems. Patient-reported outcomes are also integrated, highlighting significant toxicities and prompting a response. Outcomes data can be correlated with dosimetric DICOM data to support radiation dose modelling.

CONCLUSION

Outcomes data from both POP-treated and The Christie-treated patients support long-term care, allow evaluation of PBT efficacy and safety, assist future selection of PBT patients and support hypothesis generation for future clinical trials.

A Transformative Gold Patterning through Selective Laser Refining of Cyanide

Gold is an essential noble metal for electronics, and its application area is increasing continuously through the introduction of gold nanoparticle ink that enables rapid prototyping and direct writing of gold electrodes on versatile substrates at a low temperature. However, the synthesis of gold nanoparticles has certain limitations involving high cost, long synthesis time, large waste of material, and frequent use of chemicals. In this study, we suggest simultaneous laser refining of gold cyanide and selective fabrication of gold electrodes directly on the substrate without a separate synthesis step. Gold cyanide is commonly the first product of gold from the primitive ore, and the gold can be extracted directly from the rapid photothermal decomposition of gold cyanide by the laser. It was confirmed that laser-induced thermocapillary force plays an important role in creating the continuous gold patterns by aligning the refined gold. The resultant gold electrodes exhibited a low resistivity analogous to the conventional direct writing method using nanoparticles, and the facile repair process of a damaged electrode was demonstrated as the proof-of-concept. The proposed transformative approach for gold patterning, distinguished from the previous top-down and bottom-up approaches, has the potential to replace the well-known techniques and provide a new branch of electrode manufacturing scheme.

Artificial intelligence technology for diagnosing COVID-19 cases: a review of substantial issues

Today, the world suffers from the rapid spread of COVID-19, which has claimed thousands of lives. Unfortunately, its treatment is yet to be developed. Nevertheless, this phenomenon can be decelerated by diagnosing and quarantining patients with COVID-19 at early stages, thereby saving numerous lives. In this study, the early diagnosis of this disease through artificial intelligence (AI) technology is explored. AI is a revolutionizing technology that drives new research opportunities in various fields. Although this study does not provide a final solution, it highlights the most promising lines of research on AI technology for the diagnosis of COVID-19. The major contribution of this work is a discussion on the following substantial issues of AI technology for preventing the severe effects of COVID-19: (1) rapid diagnosis and detection, (2) outbreak and prediction of virus spread, and (3) potential treatments. This study profoundly investigates these controversial research topics to achieve a precise, concrete, and concise conclusion. Thus, this study provides significant recommendations on future research directions related to COVID-19.

Structural and molecular modelling studies of antimelanogenic piper-amide TRPM1 antagonists

Piper-amides exhibit diverse biological activities, including antimelanogenic effects. In our previous studies, we identified a potent piper-amide derivative that inhibited melanogenesis via the TRPM1 calcium channel. Despite its potential as a therapeutic target, the three-dimensional structure of TRPM1 is still not available. Thus, structure-guided compound design and the discovery of novel inhibitors of melanogenesis have been limited. In the present study, a series of computational methods, including homology modelling, docking, molecular dynamics simulation and field-based pharmacophore modelling, were integrated to explore the structural features of natural piper-amide-like compounds related to the TRPM1 target. These studies suggested the binding mode and provided a 3D pharmacophore model of the ligands, which can be helpful in understanding the TRPM1-ligand interactions at the molecular level and in designing potent antagonists of TRPM1.

Abstract P6-05-03: Genomic diversity of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) as a driver of invasion and metastasis

Background: Recent evidence indicates that breast cancers may have high levels of heterogeneity. Based on principles of tumor evolution, we are investigating whether DCIS with higher levels of intra-tumoral genetic heterogeneity are more likely to progress to invasive and/or metastatic disease.

Methods: Cases (DCIS with co-existing invasive or metastatic cancer) and controls (pure DCIS) are identified from Duke Pathology archives. From cases and controls, we are analyzing two areas of DCIS separated by &gt;1cm with germ line DNA from the same subject to measure allele frequencies of somatic mutations and copy number variation (CNV). Small amounts of FFPE derived DNA are made into NGS libraries for full exome sequencing and hybridization to a 4.2 million element SNP array. Comparison of allele frequencies and CNV is made between specimens from the same cancer to assess heterogeneity.

Results: We identified a series of pure DCIS (controls for this study) and generated high coverage sequencing data from 20ng of FFPE DNA from 12 samples (4 subjects, germline + 2 DCIS containing areas from each subject) as proof of principle. We compared the occurrence of deletions, insertions and SNP's after a 20X coverage filtration. From these data, we identified between 50 to greater than 600 sequence changes in these DCIS compared to normal DNA. Present/absent calls and allele frequencies indicate both significant and variable degrees of heterogeneity even in these pure DCIS samples. Additional data is now being gathered and analyzed based on this established technical approach.

Conclusion: We have demonstrated the feasibility of acquiring high quality NGS data from archival DCIS specimens allowing us to test the hypothesis that genetic heterogeneity is a driving force in breast cancer progression. The degree and nature of this heterogeneity will be assessed in a panel of pure DCIS and DCIS co-existing with invasive and/or metastatic cancer. We are now generating and analyzing these data for Symposium presentation.

Citation Format: King LM, Marks JR, Hall AH, Temko D, Graham TA, Mardis ER, Maley CC, Hwang E. Genomic diversity of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) as a driver of invasion and metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-05-03.

Expression levels of histone deacetylases and acetylation of histone H4 and tubulin associated with breast cancer progression

Abstract #2051

Background: Excess histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity can induce global hypoacetylation of histone and non-histone protein substrates, altering gene expression patterns and cell behavior potentially associated with malignant transformation. However, HDAC expression and protein acetylation have not previously been studied in the context of breast cancer progression.&#x2028; Materials and Methods: We performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) to assess expression levels of acetylated histone H4 (acH4), acH4K12, acTubulin, HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC6 in formalin fixed paraffin embedded sections with synchronous normal epithelium (N), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) components from 58 archived samples at UCSF. Staining was assessed on the basis of H-score, defined as the sum of the intensity of staining (0-3) multiplied by % of stained cells for each intensity (score range 0-300). H-score differences between groups were tested for significance using either the Mann-Whitney test or the Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired samples.&#x2028; Results: From N to DCIS, there was a marked reduction in histone acetylation (acH4, acH4K12). Tubulin acetylation, a marker of non-histone protein acetylation, showed a smaller reduction. Expression of all three HDACs was also reduced, but to a lesser extent than histone acetylation. Moreover, from DCIS to IDC, the same pattern of changes in acetylation and HDAC expression was seen, although these differences were of smaller magnitude than between N and DCIS. All markers were significantly different between N and DCIS (all p&lt;0.0001) and between DCIS and IDC (all p&lt;0.03). ER-negative tumors exhibited greater changes from N to DCIS than did ER-positive tumors, particularly for acH4 and HDAC1 (p=0.05 and 0.0001 respectively). High-grade invasive tumors showed more significant changes from N to DCIS than low/intermediate grade tumors for acH4, acH4K12, acTubulin, and HDAC1 (p=0.0009, 0.006, 0.05, and &lt;0.0001 respectively). The change in protein acetylation and HDAC expression with cancer progression did not differ by HER2 status or age (≤50 or &gt;50).&#x2028; &#x2028; Conclusions: Overall there was a pattern of hypoacetylation associated with malignant progression, with normal epithelium exhibiting the highest acH4, acH4K12, and acTubulin levels and IDC exhibiting the lowest levels. Paradoxically, expression of HDAC 1, 2 and 6 was not increased; thus, our data support that histone hypoacetylation is not regulated by HDAC expression but rather by modulation of HDAC activity. Outcome studies and clinical trials are needed to assess the prognostic significance of these findings and to determine how effectively HDAC inhibitors could reverse the hypoacetylation observed in progression from N to DCIS and IDC.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 2051.