3D‐Printed Soft Magnetoelectric Microswimmers for Delivery and Differentiation of Neuron‐Like Cells

Neurodegenerative diseases generally result in irreversible neuronal damage and neuronal death. Cell therapy shows promise as a potential treatment for these diseases. However, the therapeutic targeted delivery of these cells and the in situ provision of a suitable microenvironment for their differentiation into functional neuronal networks remain challenging. A highly integrated multifunctional soft helical microswimmer featuring targeted neuronal cell delivery, on‐demand localized wireless neuronal electrostimulation, and post‐delivery enzymatic degradation is introduced. The helical soft body of the microswimmer is fabricated by two‐photon lithography of the photocurable gelatin–methacryloyl (GelMA)‐based hydrogel. The helical body is then impregnated with composite multiferroic nanoparticles displaying magnetoelectric features (MENPs). While the soft GelMA hydrogel chassis supports the cell growth, and is degraded by enzymes secreted by cells, the MENPs allow for the magnetic transportation of the bioactive chassis, and act as magnetically mediated electrostimulators of neuron‐like cells. The unique combination of the materials makes these microswimmers highly integrated devices that fulfill several requirements for their future translation to clinical applications, such as cargo delivery, cell stimulation, and biodegradability. The authors envision that these devices will inspire new avenues for targeted cell therapies for traumatic injuries and diseases in the central nervous system.     

Processing Extreme Values in Sales Forecasting

This article provides a tool for determining, on the basis of experts’ sales forecasts, the extent to which a company's sales forecasts can be regarded as a particular value. To this end, different alternatives for assigning triangular fuzzy numbers are presented whose vertices are obtained by means of OWA-type aggregation functions. Said functions act on the experts’ sales forecasts, eliminating or softening outliers in line with the personal opinion of the entrepreneur or business owner, thus making it possible to include in the forecasts company-specific knowledge unknown to the experts.     

A hybrid multi-objective optimization algorithm for content based image retrieval

Relevance feedback methods in CBIR (Content Based Image Retrieval) iteratively use relevance information from the user to search the space for other relevant samples. As several regions of interest may be scattered through the space, an effective search algorithm should balance the exploration of the space to find new potential regions of interest and the exploitation of areas around samples which are known relevant. However, many algorithms concentrate the search on areas which are close to the images that the user has marked as relevant, according to a distance function in the (possibly deformed) multidimensional feature space. This maximizes the number of relevant images retrieved at the first iterations, but limits the discovery of new regions of interest and may leave unexplored a large section of the space. In this paper, we propose a novel hybrid approach that uses a scattered search algorithm based on NSGA II (Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm) only at the first iteration of the relevance feedback process, and then switches to an exploitation algorithm. The combined approach has been tested on three databases and in combination with several other methods. When the hybrid method does not produce better results from the first iteration, it soon catches up and improves both precision and recall.     

Competence, criteria, and credentialing

Nurse executives, administrators, and managers are constantly being challenged by the changes in healthcare. Although it sometimes seems there is really nothing new, proactive visionary nurse administrators can rediscover, redesign, and redirect their own and others' activities to achieve organizational effectiveness. Such approaches require periodic examination of all strategies and practices--past, present, and future--for their relevance, practicality, and success. The editors of "Executive Development" reflect on topics important to organizational life.     

On the dependence of spray momentum flux in spray penetration: Momentum flux packets penetration model

Momentum flux is a very important parameter for predicting the mixing potential of injection processes. Important factors such as spray penetration, spray cone angle, and air entrainment depend largely on spray momentum. In this article, a model is obtained which is able to predict the spray tip penetration using as an input the spray momentum flux signal. The model is based on the division of the momentum flux signal into momentum packets (fuel parcels) sequentially injected, and the tracking of them along the spray. These packets follow a theoretical equation which relates the penetration with the ambient density, momentum, spray cone angle and time. In order to validate the method, measures of momentum flux (impingement force) and macroscopic spray visualization in high density conditions have been performed on several mono-orifice nozzles. High agreement has been obtained between spray penetration prediction from momentum flux measurements and real spray penetration from macroscopic visualization.     

Thermal alteration and morphological changes of sound and demineralized primary dentin after Er:YAG laser ablation

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of Er:YAG laser pulse repetition rate on the thermal alterations occurring during laser ablation of sound and demineralized primary dentin. The morphological changes at the lased areas were examined by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). To this end, 60 fragments of 30 sound primary molars were selected and randomly assigned to two groups (n = 30); namely A sound dentin (control) and B demineralized dentin. Each group was divided into three subgroups (n = 10) according to the employed laser frequencies: I-4 Hz; II-6 Hz, and III-10 Hz. Specimens in group B were submitted to a pH-cycling regimen for 21 consecutive days. The irradiation was performed with a 250 mJ pulse energy in the noncontact and focused mode, in the presence of a fine water mist at 1.5 mL/min, for 15 s. The measured temperature was recorded by type K thermocouples adapted to the dentin wall relative to the pulp chamber. Three samples of each group were analyzed by SEM. The data were submitted to the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test and to qualitative SEM analysis. The results revealed that the temperature increase did not promote any damage to the dental structure. Data analysis demonstrated that in group A, there was a statistically significant difference among all the subgroups and the temperature rise was directly proportional to the increase in frequency. In group B, there was no difference between subgroup I and II in terms of temperature. The superficial dentin observed by SEM displayed irregularities that augmented with rising frequency, both in sound and demineralized tissues. In conclusion, temperature rise and morphological alterations are directly related to frequency increment in both demineralized and sound dentin.     

Sugar-based bicyclic monomers for aliphatic polyesters: a comparative appraisal of acetalized alditols and isosorbide

Three series of polyalkanoates (adipates, suberates and sebacates) were synthesized using as monomers three sugar-based bicyclic diols derived from D-glucose (Glux-diol and isosorbide) and D-mannose (Manx-diol). Polycondensations were conducted in the melt applying similar reaction conditions for all cases. The aim was to compare the three bicyclic diols regarding their suitability to render aliphatic polyesters with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties. The ensuing polyesters had molecular weights (M_w) in the 25,000–50,000 g mol^?1 range with highest values being attained for Glux-diol. All the polyesters started to decompose above 300 °C and most of them did not display perceivable crystallinity. On the contrary, they had glass transition temperatures much higher than usually found in homologous polyesters made of alkanediols, and showed a stress–strain behavior consistent with their T_g values. Glux-diol was particularly effective in increasing the T_g and to render therefore polyesters with high elastic modulus and considerable mechanical strength.     

Effects of Operating Conditions on the Combined Convective-Microwave Drying of Agar Gels

Combined convective-microwave drying enables a considerable reduction in drying time compared to convective drying, the time required for the process being inversely proportional to the microwave power applied. This work presents the convective-microwave drying experiments carried out using agar gel plates conducive to studying the influence on drying kinetics of parameters such as the microwave power applied, sample thickness, and air conditions (humidity, temperature, airflow).     

Analytical Characterization of a Magnesia–Graphite Refractory

Magnesia–graphite refractories are currently essential for the iron and steel industry. As a result, their physico-chemical characterization is crucial with a view to predicting their service life. In this work, a methodology for the complete analytical characterization of such materials has been developed. Magnesia–graphite refractories generally contain elemental phases (C, Si, and Al), non-oxide and oxide inorganic phases (SiC, MgO, and Al₂O₃), organic phase (binders), and various additives and impurities. Consequently, their chemical characterization is especially difficult and requires the joint use of the following techniques: X-ray diffraction, differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses, inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy, flame emission, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, gravimetry, and C/S elemental analyzer (LECO). The data obtained by the different techniques match satisfactorily and provide validity to the methodology developed. The results obtained for each element analyzed, and the precision of each determination method used, are quite acceptable.