Effect of aspect ratio on the aerodynamic performance and correlation of square section building exposed to twisted wind profile

This study investigates the aerodynamic performance of three square-section buildings with different aspect ratio (AR = 1:1, 1:4, and 1:6) exposed to twisted wind profile (TWP) by pressure measurement test. The effect of AR on the correlation of wind loads specifically for TWP is systematically revealed from both time–frequency domain and local–global perspective. Results show that compared with its counterparts in conventional wind profile (CWP), the effect of AR on aerodynamic load under TWP becomes significantly different and more prominent, which can be categorized into two types of patterns. For pattern low-rise building, TWP is more resembling the condition of CWP with certain attack angle. For pattern high-rise building, TWP results in stronger momentum exchange along building height but suppresses fluctuating feature associated with Karman vortex. As a result, under TWP, mean base moments of all buildings are enhanced except for longitudinal component of case AR = 1:4 and 1:6; while the fluctuating base moment for three AR cases is all reduced, which indicates that dynamic pattern of wake flow is suppressed. Moreover, the discrepancy of local wind load between case CWP and TWP concentrates on the lower-middle location for high-rise building but distributed evenly along all low-rise building height. Additionally, it is found that the effect of AR on aerodynamic correlation exhibits different mechanisms and patterns when building is under the impact of CWP or TWP.     

A Spiky Silver-Iron Oxide Nanoparticle for Highly Efficient Targeted Photothermal Therapy and Multimodal Imaging of Thrombosis

Thrombosis and its complications are responsible for 30% of annual deaths. Limitations of methods for diagnosing and treating thrombosis highlight the need for improvements. Agents that provide simultaneous diagnostic and therapeutic activities (theranostics) are paramount for an accurate diagnosis and rapid treatment. In this study, silver-iron oxide nanoparticles (AgIONPs) are developed for highly efficient targeted photothermal therapy and imaging of thrombosis. Small iron oxide nanoparticles are employed as seeding agents for the generation of a new class of spiky silver nanoparticles with strong absorbance in the near-infrared range. The AgIONPs are biofunctionalized with binding ligands for targeting thrombi. Photoacoustic and fluorescence imaging demonstrate the highly specific binding of AgIONPs to the thrombus when functionalized with a single chain antibody targeting activated platelets. Photothermal thrombolysis in vivo shows an increase in the temperature of thrombi and a full restoration of blood flow for targeted group but not in the non-targeted group. Thrombolysis from targeted groups is significantly improved (p < 0.0001) in comparison to the standard thrombolytic used in the clinic. Assays show no apparent side effects of AgIONPs. Altogether, this work suggests that AgIONPs are potential theranostic agents for thrombosis.     

Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Hydrogel Nanoparticles: Synthetic Antibodies for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) accounted for 10 million deaths in 2020. Promising theranostic (therapy and diagnostic) agents in the treatment of cancer are nanomaterials, which have come to the forefront because of their small size approaching those of protein complexes in the human body, and of their easy functionalization giving access to nanocomposite materials with diverse functions (fluorescence, magnetic, stimuli-responsiveness, etc.), and improved biocompatibility. Among them, affinity nanoparticles, often decorated with highly specific targeting ligands such as antibodies, aptamers, lectins and peptides, have enabled enhanced binding and exquisite recognition of biomarkers overexpressed in cancer cells. In this review, we describe an emerging class of targeting ligands, molecularly imprinted polymer hydrogel nanoparticles for their application in the early detection of disease, with the aim to improve diagnosis and treatment.     

Identification and Characterization of the Intra-Articular Microbiome in the Osteoarthritic Knee

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder in the United States, and the gut microbiome has recently emerged as a potential etiologic factor in OA development. Recent studies have shown that a microbiome is present at joint synovia. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the intra-articular microbiome within osteoarthritic synovia and to illustrate its role in OA disease progression. RNA-sequencing data from OA patient synovial tissue was aligned to a library of microbial reference genomes to identify microbial reads indicative of microbial abundance. Microbial abundance data of OA and normal samples was compared to identify differentially abundant microbes. We computationally explored the correlation of differentially abundant microbes to immunological gene signatures, immune signaling pathways, and immune cell infiltration. We found that microbes correlated to OA are related to dysregulation of two main functional pathways: increased inflammation-induced extracellular matrix remodeling and decreased cell signaling pathways crucial for joint and immune function. We also confirmed that the differentially abundant and biologically relevant microbes we had identified were not contaminants. Collectively, our findings contribute to the understanding of the human microbiome, well-known OA risk factors, and the role microbes play in OA pathogenesis. In conclusion, we present previously undiscovered microbes implicated in the OA disease progression that may be useful for future treatment purposes.     

Characterization of Trimethylolpropane‐Based Biolubricant

The oxidative stability index (OSI) of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and trimethylolpropane (TMP) esters or TMPE produced from five vegetable oils (Brassica rapa L., Linum usitatissimum L., Zea mays L., Brassica napus L., Camelina sativa L.) are compared. The highest stability is observed in vegetable oils while the processed products are less stable. The major causes in loss of OSI are attributed to excess FAME in the crude product and the loss of natural antioxidants due to refinement with silica and celite. The low‐temperature flow properties of TMPE produced from four different vegetable oils (B. juncea L., L. usitatissimum L., B. rapa L., and C. sativa L.) are investigated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR). The T2 relaxations of different TMPE are measured to observe how the mobility of oil changed as temperature decreased. Increased oil mobility (represented by T2) is correlated with rising temperature. The Gaussian widths of the singlet in ¹H‐NMR spectra of each oil demonstrated increased molecular mobility as temperature increased. Extrapolation of the relation of T2 signals of these four oils indicates that T2 approached zero between 232 K and 239 K, suggesting the molecular motion leading to a T2 relaxation has largely ceased. Practical Applications: The OSI is determined for four vegetable oils as well as the product FAME and TMPE. The vegetable oils are more stable than their products. The loss of natural antioxidants during purification of FAME and TMPE contributes to the lower OSI compared to vegetable oil. The low‐temperature flow behavior of TMP‐based biolubricants is determined between 238 K and 298 K using T2 relaxation. As temperature decreases, a singlet resonance in ¹H‐NMR spectra attributed to TMP protons broadens until it disappears. The results suggest that the log of the spin‐spin relaxation time is linearly correlated with rising temperature and oil mobility.     

Compressive damage in filament‐wound carbon/carbon composites

The processing characteristics and the induced compressive damage in filament‐wound carbon/carbon composites were examined. Tubular carbon/phenolic composites were made by the filament winding method. The inside diameter was 25.4 mm and the nominal thickness was 2.5 mm. The cured composites were then carbonized. Three more cycles of matrix densification were repeated. After densification, the composites were graphitized at 2600°C. Compressive tests were then carried out for the cured, carbonized, and graphitized composites. The load was applied directly on the end of the tube. The loading response and the induced damage were studied. Their microscopic fracture behaviors were examined by optical and scanning electron microscopes. With the heating temperature increased, the damage modes shifted from a ductile fracture in the cured composites to a more brittle fracture in the graphitized composites. The resulting strength and stiffness were also decreased significantly with the temperature. Kinking of fibers was the major mode in the cured specimens, while separation of bundles became more prominent in the graphitized specimens. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers