Applications of scaffolds: Tools for enhancing the immunomodulation of mesenchymal stromal cells

Exogenously delivered mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are therapeutically beneficial owing to their paracrine effect; they secrete various cytokines, nucleic acids, and proteins. Multiple bioengineering techniques can help MSC cultures to release secretomes by providing stem cell niche-like conditions (both structurally and functionally). Various scaffolds mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) using both natural and synthetic polymers, providing favorable environments for MSC proliferation and differentiation. Depending on material properties, either topographically or elastically structured scaffolds can be fabricated. Three-dimensional scaffolds have tunable substrate rigidities and structures, aiding MSC cultivation. Decellularized ECM-derived hydrogels are similar to the natural ECM, thus improving the paracrine effects of MSCs. Here, we discuss recent research on the application of scaffolds to maximize the immunomodulatory function of MSCs.     

Measurement of the Effective Diffusivity in Porous Media by the Diffusion Cell Method

There has been a vast amount of investigation in the field of experimental and theoretical treatments of the effective diffusivity in porous media for more than half of a century [1-4]. The effective diffusivity is required for several reasons [5]; for example, during catalyst formulation, active species can be laid down precisely or with specified concentration profiles on a porous matrix or support. In experimental work on heterogeneous reactions an effective diffusivity is needed to obtain the value of the Thiele modulus and hence to determine the intrinsic reaction kinetics. In reactor design the diffusivity is needed to evaluate the Thiele modulus, which can then be an aid in predicting reaction rates for heterogeneous systems. In addition, a simple and quick testing method could be used as a screening or quality control procedure during catalyst manufacture.

     

Modelling of three-dimensional warehouse systems

The objective of this research is the development of an optimization procedure to aid a warehouse planner in the design of selected three-dimensional, palletized storage systems. All alternatives are compared in the overall model while simultaneously considered the following factors: control procedures, handling equipment movement in an aisle, storage rules, alternative handling equipment, input and output patterns for product flow, storage rack structure, component costs and the economics of each storage system. The resultant model is more complete than any other currently available for use by a designer in this complex decision environment.     

MICROMACHINED PIEZOELECTRIC MICROSPEAKERS FABRICATED WITH HIGH QUALITY ALN THIN FILM

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the micromachined piezoelectric microspeakers that can produce the audible signal with 20 V peak-to-peak input voltages. The diaphragm size is 4 × 4 mm² and the thickness of diaphragm is around 1 micron meter except partially etched piezoelectric area. The maximum sound output pressure of the microspeaker is even higher than ever before with a small diaphragm in high frequency range around 10 kHz. This successful result bases upon using high quality AlN thin film. The deposited AlN thin film shows c-axis oriented columnar structure and very fine grains. The highest SPL (Sound Pressure Level) measured from 300 Hz to 12 kHz shows about 100 dB around 10 kHz in case of circular type microspeaker and about 76 dB in case of cross type, respectively.     

An efficient VLSI implementation of H.264/AVC entropy decoder

<正>This paper proposes an efficient H.264/AVC entropy decoder.It requires no ROM/RAM fabrication process that decreases fabrication cost and increases operation speed.It was achieved by optimizing lookup tables and internal buffers,which significantly improves area,speed,and power.The proposed entropy decoder does not exploit embedded processor for bitstream manipulation, which also improves area,speed,and power.Its gate counts and maximum operation frequency are 77515 gates and 175MHz in 0.18um fabrication process,respectively.The proposed entropy decoder needs 2303 cycles in average for one macroblock decoding.It can run at 28MHz to meet the real-time processing requirement for CIF format video decoding on mobile applications.     

GEOMETRICAL SCALING EFFECTS IN HIGH PERMITTIVITY CAPACITORS

ABSTRACT

In integrated circuit designs, smaller is better; high permittivity films allow circuit designers to save substrate space, but the small geometries of such devices introduce parasitic effects. In this work we investigate the relationship between device geometry and capacitance density, quality factor, and leakage current density. The devices in this study have electrode areas ranging from 12 × 12 μm² to 45 × 45 μm². For each electrode area we have structures with 5 μm, 7.5 μm, 10 μm, 12.5 μm and 15 μm mesa ledges.     

Polyaniline and multi-walled carbon nanotube composite electrode for rechargeable battery

The multi-walled carbon nanotube was introduced into the polymer matrix (PANI) to improve the electric conductivity as well as mechanical properties of the original polymer matrix.PANI/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites were synthesized via ex-situ and in-situ polymerization to improve their electrical property.And the DC conductivities of PANI/MWCNT according to content and diameter of MWCNT were measured by four-point probe.The highest electric conductivity of PANI/MWCNT composite is 20 S/cm when 0.3% (mass fraction) MWCNTs with 10 nm in diameter and 15 μm in length are added in composite.     

HYDROLYSIS OF PHYTATE IN BROWN RICE-ADDED BREAD BY ADDITION OF CRUDE AND PURIFIED ASPERGILLUS NIGER PHYTASE PREPARATIONS DURING BREAD MAKING

Brown rice-added breads were prepared with and without crude and purified Aspergillus niger phytase preparations. By adding 30% (w/w) brown rice flour and no phytase preparation, the phytate (myo-inositol hexaphosphate; IP₆) content of the bread was increased and the loaf volume was reduced. The direct addition of a food-additive grade phytase preparation (3,000 U) resulted in a significant decrease in the IP₆ content. However, it collapsed the bread crust. The crude phytase preparation had significant protease and amylase activities. A simple chromatographic method for the separation of phytase activity from the protease and amylase activities was developed. By using purified phytase, the IP₆ content was reduced without any adverse effects on the rising of the bread, which indicates that protease and amylase may be responsible for the collapse of the crust by the commercial phytase preparation.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Phytate in unrefined cereals and beans lowers bioavailability of minerals. On the other hand, these materials are rich in health-promoting components. To reduce the phytate in them during processing, some commercially available phytase preparations are now used. However, we found that such preparation contains significant amylase and protease activities, which may cause adverse effect on the appearance and textural properties of final products. To solve these problems, a simple and inexpensive procedure for separation of phyatase from amylase and protease was developed in the present study. The purified phytase can reduce phytate in brown rice-added bread without adverse effect on rising of bread. These results would encourage prepare the phytase preparation in high purity in an industrial scale to improve nutritional value of unrefined cereal- and bean-based functional foods.