Determination of the in situ forces and force distribution within the human anterior cruciate ligament

The in situ forces and their distribution within the human anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can clarify this ligament's role in the knee and help to resolve controversies regarding surgical treatment of ACL deficiency. We used a universal force-moment sensor (UFS) to determine the magnitude, direction, and point of application of the in situ forces in the ACL in intact human cadaveric knees. Unlike previous studies, this approach does not require surgical intervention, the attachment of mechanical devices to or near the ACL, or a priori assumptions about the direction of in situ force. Anterior tibial loads were applied to intact knees, which were limited to 1 degree of freedom at 30 degrees flexion. The in situ forces developed in the ACL were lower than the applied force for loads under 80 N, but larger for applied loads of more than 80 N. The direction of the force vector corresponded to that of the anteromedial (AM) portion of the ACL insertion on the tibial plateau. The point of force application was located in the posterior section of the anteromedial portion of the tibial insertion site. The anterior and posterior aspects of the anteromedial portion of the ACL supported 25% and 70% of the in situ force, respectively, with the remainder carried by the posterolateral portion. We believe that the data obtained with this new UFS methodology improves our understanding of the role of the ACL in knee function, and that this methodology can be easily extended to study the function of other ligaments.     

Studies of the neutralizing activity and avidity of anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Env antibody elicited by DNA priming and protein boosting

DNA vaccination is an effective means of eliciting strong antibody responses to a number of viral antigens. However, DNA immunization alone has not generated persistent, high-titer antibody and neutralizing antibody responses to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env). We have previously reported that DNA-primed anti-Env antibody responses can be augmented by boosting with Env-expressing recombinant vaccinia viruses. We report here that recombinant Env protein provides a more effective boost of DNA-initiated antibody responses. In rabbits primed with Env-expressing plasmids, protein boosting increased titer, persistence, neutralizing activity, and avidity of anti-Env responses. While titers increased rapidly after boosting, avidity and neutralizing activity matured more slowly over a 6-month period following protein boosting. DNA priming and protein immunization with HIV-1 HXB-2 Env elicited neutralizing antibody for T cell line-adapted, but not primary isolate, viruses. The most effective neutralizing antibody responses were observed after priming with plasmids which expressed noninfectious virus-like particles. In contrast to immunizations with HIV-1 Env, DNA immunizations with the influenza virus hemagglutinin glycoprotein did not require a protein boost to achieve high-titer antibody with good avidity and persistence.     

Chemical constituents of Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem

Six compounds were isolated from the fruits of Luffa cylindrica. They were identified as lucyosides C, E, F, H, a mixture of alpha-spinasterol and stigmasta-7,22,25-trien-3 beta-OH and a mixture of alpha-spinasteryl glucoside and delta 7,22,25-stigmasteryl-beta-D-glucoside by means of chemical evidence and spectral analysis.     

Predicting external sulphur requirement of alfalfa from sulphate sorption isotherm of Tanzanian soils

For Tanzanian soils dominant in hydrous oxides of iron and amorphous ferri-alumino silicate, a 48-hour (hr) mixing period with the sulphate (SO₄) solution was adequate for a near-equilibrium condition. Although differing in their SO₄ sorption capacity, all the soils sorbed SO₄ at or beyond 1µg ml^–1 sulphur (S) concentration in the supernatant. Hydroxyl (OH) ions were displaced during SO₄ sorption as indicated by a significant positive correlation between the amount of sorbed SO₄ and the difference in pH values determined in 0.1N K₂ SO₄ and 0.1N KCl, i.e. the dpH values.In a greenhouse experiment, alfalfa was grown on eight soils at six adjusted S concentrations. Sulphur deficiency symptoms appeared in the control pots of those soils which were low in native sorbed SO₄, SO₄ sorption capacity and initial soil solution S concentration. Sulphur fertilization increased dry matter (DM) yield as well as response to applied S. The external S concentration, i.e. adjusted S concentration required for 95% of the maximum DM yield, ranged from 0.8 to 8.2µg S ml^–1 with values less than 2.0 on most of the soils. The external S concentration decreased hyperbolically as the SO₄ sorption capacity of the soils increased. The total amount of fertilizer S required to obtain the external S concentration in solution, and at the same time satisfy the SO₄ sorption capacity of the soil at the external S concentration (determined from the sorption isotherm) was defined as the external S requirement for the specified yield level of alfalfa. The external S requirement for 95% of the maximum yield of alfalfa varied from soil to soil due to differences in their capacity and intensity for S nutrition.Part of a thesis by the senior author for the MSc (Agric) degree of the University of Dar es Salaam     

Synthesis of copolyimide containing fluorine and naphthalene with synergizing effect on dielectric constants

Summary Novel copolyimides containing fluorine and naphthalene groups were synthesized from 4,4-(Hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic dianhydride (6FDA) and two diamines, 1,4-Bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy) benzene (BATB) and 2,7-bis(4-aminophenoxy) naphthalene (BAPN) in various ratios via thermal imidization. The introduction of fluorinated groups into dianhydride improved transparency of copolyimides. All films are transparent. The structures and physical properties of copolyimides were characterized by FT-IR, DSC, TGA, XRD, UV-Vis and dielectric analyzer to study the effect of diamines on the physical properties of modified polymers. Copolyimides containing a higher percentage of BAPN have higher glass transition temperature and are less soluble in organic solvents. The copolyimide consisting of 50/50 mole% of BATB/BAPN has the lowest dielectric constant (2.60 at 1 KHz), reflecting the synergizing effect from both diamines.     

Synthesis and properties of liquid crystalline polymers with low Tm and broad mesophase temperature ranges

Novel thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers (TLCP) with improved processability and lower cost than Vectra^® were synthesized by esterification and melt polycondensation. Aromatic compounds, 6-hydroxyl-2-naphthoic acid, 2,6-naphthlenedicarboxylic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid or terephthalic acid, were used as polycyclic stiff rod-like mesogenic groups. Aliphatic diol, ethylene glycol or 1,4-butanediol was used as flexible spacers to form semi-flexible main chain TLCP. The LCP products were characterized by FT-IR and ¹H NMR to identify their chemical structures. The analytical results showed the polymers had inherent viscosities of 0.35-0.54 dL/g. The crank shaft structure of the naphthalene decreased the melting temperature (T_m) of LCP (181-272 °C) to facilitate extrusion or injection molding, and maintained relatively high heat deflection temperature for high performance engineering plastics applications. The 5% weight loss decomposition temperatures were above 400 °C. LCPs have good solvent resistance and low hygroscopicity. The SEM morphology showed strong orientation on the surface in the flow direction and many micro-fibers structure in a sectional drawing. The optical textures of polymers observed by POM revealed a strong birefringence in the melts and indicated that they form nematic mesophase. All polymers have broad mesophase temperature (ΔT_meso) ranges.     

Synthesis and properties of polyimide (containing naphthalene) nanocomposites with organo‐modified montmorillonites

2,7‐Bis(4‐aminophenoxy) naphthalene (BAPN), a naphthalene‐containing diamine, was synthesized and polymerized with a 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) to obtain a polyimide (PI) via thermal imidization. To enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of the polymer, PI–Montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared from a DMAc solution of poly(amic acid) and a DMAc dispersion of MMT, which were organo‐modified with various amounts of n‐dodecylamine (DOA) or cetylpyridium chloride (CPC). FTIR, XRD, and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) were used to verify the incorporation of the modifying agents into the clay structure and the intercalation of the organoclay into the PI matrix. Results demonstrated that the introduction of a small amount of MMT (up to 5%) led to the improvement in thermal stability and mechanical properties of PI. The decomposition temperature of 5% weight loss (T_d,5%) in N₂ was increased by 46 and 36°C in comparison with pristine PI for the organoclay content of 5% with DOA and CPC, respectively. The nanocomposites were simultaneously strengthened and toughened. The dielectric constant, CTE, and water absorption were decreased. However, at higher organoclay contents (5–10%), these properties were reduced because the organoclay was poorly dispersed and resulted in aggregate formation. The effects of different organo‐modifiers on the properties of PI–MMT nanocomposite were also studied; the results showed that DOA was comparable with CPC. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

Correlations between dynamic mechanical properties and nodular morphology of cured epoxy resins

Various epoxy resin formulations, based on the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and cured with diethylene triamine (DETA) were studied. Dynamic mechanical measurements were used to characterize changes in mechanical properties as a function of temperature. The morphology of the cured resins was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Correlations between dynamic mechanical properties and morphology were described and discussed by applying the concept of inhomogeneous (nodular) thermoset morphology. The elastic storage modulus in the glassy state was determined primarily by the internodular matrix, whereas the glass transition of cured resins depended upon the intranodular crosslink density.     

Fatigue crack growth behavior of laser-processed 304 stainless steel in air and gaseous hydrogen

Fatigue crack growth test was performed to evaluate fatigue behavior of 304 stainless steel specimens with or without laser processing (welding and surface treatment) in air and gaseous hydrogen. As the crack propagation normal to the laser welding or scan direction, the laser-processed specimens exhibited a higher resistance to crack growth in the low stress intensity factor range (ΔK) than the as-received steel plates regardless of testing environments. However, the marked retardation of crack growth behavior vanished for welded specimens subjected to a 850 °C/h stress relief treatment or with a shorter distance from notch tip to the weld centerline in the test.Fatigue-fractured appearance of the steel plate tested in air was composed of mainly transgranular fatigue fracture and some flat facets, along with a small amount of intergranular fracture. While quasi-cleavage fracture and few twin boundary separations were observed for the same specimen in hydrogen. On the other hand, the lower crack growth rate of laser-processed specimens in both air and hydrogen was accompanied with rubbed areas on the fracture surfaces. It was found that the extent of quasi-cleavage fracture was related to the formation of strain-induced martensite, which would contribute to an increased fatigue crack growth rate of all specimens in gaseous hydrogen.