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"Ko, Alex"
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Alex Ko : from Iowa to Broadway, my Billy Elliot story
Alex's personal firsthand tale of his journey from small-town Iowa to New York City is passionate and moving. With extraordinary drive and rare tenacity, Alex makes the unthinkable real, determined to hold on to his dream of performing despite all that he had to overcome--including his dad's death from cancer and a crushing injury. Ultimately he made his triumphant return to the stage.
Book
Collagen morphology and texture analysis : from statistics to classification
In this study we present an image analysis methodology capable of quantifying morphological changes in tissue collagen fibril organization caused by pathological conditions. Texture analysis based on first-order statistics (FOS) and second-order statistics such as gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) was explored to extract second-harmonic generation (SHG) image features that are associated with the structural and biochemical changes of tissue collagen networks. Based on these extracted quantitative parameters, multi-group classification of SHG images was performed. With combined FOS and GLCM texture values, we achieved reliable classification of SHG collagen images acquired from atherosclerosis arteries with >90% accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The proposed methodology can be applied to a wide range of conditions involving collagen re-modeling, such as in skin disorders, different types of fibrosis and muscular-skeletal diseases affecting ligaments and cartilage.
Journal Article
Detection of renal biomarkers in chronic kidney disease using microfluidics: progress, challenges and opportunities
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) typically evolves over many years in a latent period without clinical signs, posing key challenges to detection at relatively early stages of the disease. Accurate and timely diagnosis of CKD enable effective management of the disease and may prevent further progression. However, long turn-around times of current testing methods combined with their relatively high cost due to the need for established laboratory infrastructure, specialized instrumentation and trained personnel are drawbacks for efficient assessment and monitoring of CKD, especially in underserved and resource-poor locations. Among the emerging clinical laboratory approaches, microfluidic technology has gained increasing attention over the last two decades due to the possibility of miniaturizing bioanalytical assays and instrumentation, thus potentially improving diagnostic performance. In this article, we review current developments related to the detection of CKD biomarkers using microfluidics. A general trend in this emerging area is the search for novel, sensitive biomarkers for early detection of CKD using technology that is improved by means of microfluidics. It is anticipated that these innovative approaches will be soon adopted and utilized in both clinical and point-of-care settings, leading to improvements in life quality of patients.
Journal Article
Precision of Raman depolarization and optical attenuation measurements of sound tooth enamel
The demineralization of enamel that is associated with early caries formation affects the optical properties of the enamel. Polarized Raman spectroscopy and optical coherence tomography have been used to detect these changes and potentially offer a means to detect and monitor early caries development. The total optical attenuation coefficient as measured by optical coherence tomography and the polarization anisotropy of the Raman peak arising from the symmetric ν₁ vibration of [graphic removed] at approximately 959 cm-¹ have been demonstrated as being sensitive markers of early caries. This ex vivo study on extracted human teeth demonstrates that these measurements can be made with reasonable precision with concomitantly good repeatability and reproducibility in sound enamel. Such reliability is crucial for these techniques to have a practical clinical value.
Journal Article
Nonlinear Optical Measurements of the Artery Wall: Parameters Related to the Progression of Atherosclerosis
Nonlinear optical (NLO) microscopy is used to follow key structural and biochemical changes associated with the progression of atherosclerosis. Arteries from WHHL-MI rabbits are examined using a 3 channel NLO microscope that can simultaneously monitor the coherent anti-stokes Raman scattered light (CARS), the two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) and the second harmonic generation (SHG) from a sample. Distinct differences in the nonlinear optical signals are observed that correlate with the age of the vessel and the presence of atherosclerotic plaque. These differences are attributed to the changing extracellular matrix and the increased lipid deposition associated with plaque development. The capability of NLO to perform 3D sectioning in thick highly scattering vessels in order to visualize structural details of the artery wall and highlight vessel pathology is demonstrated. These features make NLO a potentially valuable tool to help understand the progression of atherosclerosis.
Journal Article
The Perceived Impact of an Extended Sabbatical or Ministry Leave regarding One's Relationship with God for Pastors
This research study explores the perceived impact of an extended sabbatical or ministry leave regarding one’s relationship with God for pastors. Theories and empirical studies of the two main domains, (a) sabbatical leave and professional development, and (b) relational Christian spirituality and attachment to God, are reviewed. On the review of theological literature, even though the Sabbath is not directly related to ministry leave, observing the Sabbath provides the biblical motives for the leave. Sabbatical leave allows believers to follow God’s pattern of working and resting, and helps them realize that ministry is possible with the power and grace of God, not in a person’s power and ability. The sample consisted of 34 pastors from 14 states of the United States who had a sabbatical or ministry leave ranging from one to three months within the last five years, between 2013–2017. In-depth interviews were conducted about experiences of their ministry leave regarding their relationship to God. Four categories were developed: (a) outcomes of sabbatical leave, (b) challenges before and during sabbatical leave, (c) activities during sabbatical leave, and (d) recommendations for sabbatical leave for pastors and churches. The categories were organized into eight themes and five additional categories. Participants’ experienced a more intimate relationship with God and felt accepted and loved by God after taking sabbatical leave. Also, they came back refreshed and rejuvenated, and were more than ready for their next step in ministry. Thus, they highly recommend pastors’ sabbatical leaves, benefitting both themselves and their churches. The implications for educational practices from both the pastors and church’s perspectives were discussed. Pastors take sabbatical leaves in order to cultivate their relationship with God, and churches, develop policies for pastors’ sabbatical leave so that their pastors will return refreshed and rejuvenated for ministry. Finally, limitations and recommendations for further study were provided.
Dissertation
Combining Optical Coherence Tomography and Raman Spectroscopy for Investigating Dental and Other Mineralized Tissues
This chapter contains sections titled:
Introduction
Optical Coherence Tomography
Raman Spectroscopy of Mineralized Tissues
Towards Clinical Dental Relevance
Conclusions: Our Multi Modal Approach for Evaluating Early Dental Caries
Acknowledgments
References
Book Chapter
