Effective hydrodynamic shaping of sample streams in a microfluidic parallel-plate flow-assay device: matching whole blood dynamic viscosity

We report the development of an aqueous buffer system tailored to the fluidic and hemodynamic requirements of our recently reported microfluidic platelet dynamic assay device, which uses hydrodynamic focusing to "shape" a blood sample into a thin flowing layer adjacent to its protein-functionalized surface. By matching the dynamic viscosity of whole blood (3.13 ± 0.08 mPa·s, from healthy donors), the selected buffer minimizes interfacial fluid mixing and better controls shear rate within the device, permitting platelet/protein-surface interaction assays with as little as 50 μL of whole blood. Buffers containing the viscosity-enhancing components bovine serum albumin (BSA), gelofusine/glycine, or histopaque (Ficoll gradient solution) were found not to activate platelets when incubated with blood at concentrations up to 50%, as assessed by flow cytometry quantitation of P-selectin expression and αIIbβ (3) activation. In contrast, glycerol-based buffer activated platelets (two-fold increase in P-selectin levels) at concentrations as low as 10% by volume. BSA- and gelofusine/glycine-based buffers were problematic in preparation and use, and therefore, were not used beyond initial characterization. The histopaque solution selected as the best choice for flow studies stabilizes sample contact with the device's thrombogenic surface, does not activate platelets, and does not interfere with the action of agonists added to deliberately activate platelets.     

Development of a smart packaging for the monitoring of fish spoilage

There is much interest from the fisheries industry in developing rapid methods to evaluate real-time freshness of fish and seafood products. Emphasis is on the ones that would reflect and account for the products history and their storage conditions from “harvest-to-home”. The development of a “smart packaging” that monitors the microbial breakdown products in the headspace of packaged fish is described. When fish spoils it releases a variety of basic volatile amines which are detectable with appropriate pH indicating sensors. These are prepared by entrapping within a polymer matrix a pH sensitive dye that responds, through visible color changes to the spoilage volatile compounds that contribute to a quantity known as total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N). Laboratory trials on fresh fish filets showed that the sensor accurately tracks the increase in amines concentration in the package headspace. The response was also found to correlate to changing microbial populations (total viable count or TVC and Pseudomonas spp.). In addition, leaching of the dye was assessed over time to assess the suitability of the sensor formulation for food packaging application.     

Shock waves in granular materials: Discrete and continuum comparisons

Small amplitude compression and shock waves in granular materials were examined from the point of view of an analytical model and discrete element simulations. The barotropic behaviour of granular materials was discussed in terms of the mechanisms behind the formation of shock fronts. This discussion leads to the development of a one dimensional continuum model which was used together with the method of characteristics to describe the nature of shock waves. The model provides a relationship between the states of the material on either side of a shock and an equation that defines the velocity of shock waves.Discrete Element Modelling was used to demonstrate the shock forming process in granular materials and to confirm the predictions of the analytical model. During this process it is demonstrated that an assembly based on a linear contact model does not show any barotropy and consequently cannot describe dynamics of granular materials in terms of shock forming mechanisms. This observation may have important consequences in the application of the linear contact model to dynamic systems. The Hertz-Mindlin contact model did not suffer from this issue and was able to demonstrate both barotropy and shock formation.The DEM assemblies were characterised in terms of the material properties of the analytical model which allowed direct comparisons to be made. In all respects the analytical model performed well, predicting the change in state of the material and the shock wave speed with a good deal of accuracy.     

Dynamic wireless passive strain measurement in CNC turning using surface acoustic wave sensors

Wireless, passive and dynamic surface acoustic wave (SAW) strain sensors are especially advantageous in applications with harsh environments where complex force measurements are required. High frequency multiple axis force measurement during machining processes typically requires state-of-the-art piezoelectric dynamometer technologies. Integrating dynamometers and their associated measurement chains into the machining environment typically requires significant modification to the machine structure. In this paper, SAW sensors were developed for process monitoring operations. Single-axis continuous and interrupted cutting investigations were carried out using the SAW technology installed on cutting tool holders demonstrating high dynamic bandwidth strain measurement. SAW dual-axis oblique cutting measurements were carried out where four SAW sensors were set up as two differential pairs each measuring a single axis of applied force. Improvements in sensitivity and cross-talk compensation has been realised. High-frequency wireless passive realtime process signals are presented from a passive wireless SAW force measurement system successfully integrated into an LT15 Okuma machining centre. The paper aims to present wireless passive SAW technology as a potentially platform changing approach for process and tool condition monitoring applications in the future.     

无风扇的炉内气氛循环

介绍了一种CARBOJETTM高速气体喷射枪,它可以代替传统的炉内风扇,包括无法安装风扇的设备,效果更好.没有额外的运行费用.     

Probing Cell‐Type‐Specific Intracellular Nanoscale Barriers Using Size‐Tuned Quantum Dots

The compartmentalization of size‐tuned luminescent semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) in four distinctive cell lines, which would be representative of the most likely environmental exposure routes to nanoparticles in humans, is studied. The cells are fixed and permeabilized prior to the addition of the QDs, thus eliminating any cell‐membrane‐associated effects due to active QD uptake mechanisms or to specificity of signaling routes in different cell types, but leaving intact the putative physical subcellular barriers. All quantitative assays are performed using a high content analysis (HCA) platform, thereby obtaining robust data on large cell populations. While smaller QDs 2.1 nm in diameter enter the nuclei and localize to the nucleoli in all cell types, the rate and dynamics of their passage vary depending on the cell origin. As the QD size is increased to 4.4 nm, penetration into the cell is reduced but each cell line displays its own cutoff size thresholds reflecting cell‐type‐determined cytoplasmic and nuclear pore penetration specificity. These results give rise to important considerations regarding the differential compartmentalization and susceptibility of organs, tissues, and cells to nanoparticles, and may be of prime importance for biomedical imaging and drug‐delivery research employing nanoparticle‐based probes and systems.     

Production of A and C variants of staphylococcal beta-lactamase by methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus

Most methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains produce beta-lactamase. To determine whether this enzyme(s) is identical to one or more of the four beta-lactamases produced by methicillin-susceptible strains, the beta-lactamases of 50 MRSA isolates were typed by using substrate profile analysis. Forty type A, no type B, ten type C, and no type D beta-lactamase-producing strains were identified. The beta-lactamase inhibitor sulbactam reduced the MICs of beta-lactamase-labile antibiotics, including ampicillin, penicillin G, and cefazolin, for type A and type C MRSA strains.     

The influence of age on the assessment of motor unit activation in a human hand muscle

Two indices of motor unit recruitment, the ramp-force and repetitive-discharge thresholds, were compared in the first dorsal interosseus muscle of ten young and twelve elderly subjects. The purpose was to determine the effect of age on the relationship between the two recruitment thresholds and the spike-triggered average force of motor units. Each subject performed three tasks requiring isometric abduction of the left index finger: a maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), a ramp-and-hold contraction, and a repetitive-discharge task. The elderly subjects used coactivation of the antagonist muscle (second palmar interosseus) more frequently than the young subjects during the ramp-and-hold contraction. Many elderly subjects expressed difficulty with the controlled ramp-down phase of the ramp-and-hold contraction and preferred a coactivation strategy to a derecruitment strategy for this task. There were no differences due to age or gender in the ramp-force thresholds between the various groups. However, the normalized repetitive-discharge threshold was significantly less for the younger subjects and for the male subjects. Nonetheless, the two recruitment thresholds were able to predict the spike-triggered average force with similar success for both the young and the elderly subjects. These data suggest that the recruitment threshold of a motor unit in first dorsal interosseus was characterized equally well by either the ramp-force or repetitive-discharge measurement for both young and elderly subjects but that coactivation was used more frequently by the elderly subjects during the ramp-and-hold task.     

Conceptual Combination with PUNC

Noun–noun compounds play a key role in the growth of language. In this article we present a system for producing and understanding noun–noun compounds (PUNC). PUNC is based on the Constraint theory of conceptual combination and the C ³ model. The new model incorporates the primary constraints of the Constraint theory in an integrated fashion, creating a cognitively plausible mechanism of interpreting noun–noun phrases. It also tries to overcome algorithmic limitations of the C ³ model in being more efficient in its computational complexity, and deal with a wider span of empirical phenomena, such as dimensions of word familiarity. We detail the model, including knowledge representation and interpretation production mechanisms. We show that by integrating the constraints of the Constraint theory of conceptual combination and prioritizing the knowledge available within a concept's representation, PUNC can not only generate interpretations that reflect those produced by people, but also mirror the differences in processing times for understanding familiar, similar and novel word combinations.