Recent Biophysical Issues About the Preparation of Solute-Filled Lipid Vesicles

Here we report some recent biophysical issues on the preparation of solute-filled lipid vesicles and their relevance to the construction of “synthetic cells.” First, we introduce the “semi-synthetic minimal cells” as the liposome-based cell-like systems, which contain a minimal number of biomolecules required to display simple and complex biological functions. Next, we focus on recent aspects related to the construction of synthetic cells. Emphasis is given to the interplay between the methods of synthetic cell preparation and the physics of solute encapsulation. We briefly introduce the notion of structural and compositional “diversity” in synthetic cell populations.     

Pathogenic Hydrogel? A Novel-Entrapment Neuropathy Model Induced by Ultrasound-Guided Perineural Injections

Entrapment neuropathy (EN) is a prevalent and debilitative condition caused by a complex pathogenesis that involves a chronic compression–edema–ischemia cascade and perineural adhesion that results in excessive shear stress during motion. Despite decades of research, an easily accessible and surgery-free animal model mimicking the mixed etiology is currently lacking, thus limiting our understanding of the disease and the development of effective therapies. In this proof-of-concept study, we used ultrasound-guided perineural injection of a methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-Poly(lactide-co-glycoilide) carboxylic acid (mPEG-PLGA-BOX) hydrogel near the rat’s sciatic nerve to induce EN, as confirmed sonographically, electrophysiologically, and histologically. The nerve that was injected with hydrogel appeared unevenly contoured and swollen proximally with slowed nerve conduction velocities across the injected segments, thus showing the compressive features of EN. Histology showed perineural cellular infiltration, deposition of irregular collagen fibers, and a possible early demyelination process, thus indicating the existence of adhesions. The novel method provides a surgery-free and cost-effective way to establish a small-animal model of EN that has mixed compression and adhesion features, thus facilitating the additional elucidation of the pathophysiology of EN and the search for promising treatments.     

Natural rubber–isotactic polypropylene thermoplastic blends

Thermoplastic elastomers, prepared by melt blending of natural rubber (NR) and isotactic polypropylene (PP) through a dynamic vulcanization technique, were developed during the later 1970s. However, they have certain drawbacks due to thermal degradation and higher molecular weight of NR. In the study reported here, NR was masticated to different levels prior its addition to isotactic polypropylene to improve the flow properties and to reduce the incompatibility resulting from molecular weight mismatch of NR/PP thermoplastic blends. Mixing energy curves of uncrosslinked blends and those of dynamically vulcanized blends crosslinked using different cure systems were compared. The mixing energy curves of blends containing NR of different molecular weight (M _n) and two grades of PP (injection and film grades) were also compared. Technological and processing properties of the dynamically vulcanized (sulphur and peroxide cure systems) and unvulcanized blends were compared with those of the samples containing unmasticated NR. The results indicated that a number average molecular weight in the range 4 × 10⁵ for NR increased the procoessability without significantly affecting the technological properties of NR/PP thermoplastic blends. Among the three cure systems studied Luperox 101 and dicumyl peroxide gave better technological properties than the sulphur‐cured samples. Two antioxidants, viz. quinoline (TDQ) and imidazole (MBI) type, were tried in NR/PP blends. It was found that TDQ imparts better aging resistance compared to MBI. The improvement in processability due to the reduction in molecular weight of natural rubber by mastication is more noticeable in the case of peroxide vulcanized blends compared to sulphur vulcanized samples. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2063–2068, 2004     

铝合金铸件充型过程及氧化膜卷入的数值模拟

对于直接有限差分法，提出了单元表面无量纲距离、表面充填比率和体积充填比率，以描述铸件充型过程中自由表面的形状，建立了相应的充型过程数学模型，考虑了自由表面形状对动量、质量和能量传输的影响；提出了充型过程自由表面碰撞中表面氧化膜破碎，及其后破碎氧化膜流动的计算模型。对实验铝合金铸件进行了模拟应用，通过实际铸件充型过程的特殊X射线实时观察和记录。及实际铸件的气孔、收缩缺陷分布的检测，对模拟结果进行了验证分析。结果表明：充型过程模拟结果与X射线实时观察结果吻合较好，尤其是自由表面的变化；氧化膜卷入模拟结果与实际铸件气孔、收缩缺陷的分布存在一定的对应关系。     

考虑禁锢空气影响的层状土壤Green-Ampt入渗模型及试验验证

为考虑土壤孔隙中禁锢空气对入渗水流的阻滞作用,引入饱和度系数Sa（Sa小于1）来量化湿润区的饱和程度,建立了改进的层状土壤Green-Ampt入渗模型（MGAM）,并提出了由土壤物理特性参数估算Sa的计算公式。为检验MGAM的适用性,分别在室内长土柱和田间进行层状土壤的积水入渗试验,并采用MGAM、传统的Green-A...     

气体捕捉法制备泡沫Ti-6Al-4V三明治结构与性能评价

基于气体捕捉法制备泡沫钛三明治结构工艺,对以钢包套+Ti-6Al-4V板+Ti-6Al-4V粉的封装工艺制备的泡沫Ti-6Al-4V三明治结构预制坯进行了900℃下不同变形量的轧制,并进行了950℃/10h的等温发泡。通过SEM对不同状态的三明治结构芯部孔洞状态进行观察和测量,探究了轧制变形量对泡沫Ti-6Al-4V三明治结构预制坯等温发泡行为的影响。结果表明:轧制主要是以沿轧制方向拉长孔洞和增加孔洞连通的方式影响泡沫Ti-6Al-4V三明治结构芯部,且轧制变形量越大越严重,但对孔洞内壁形态及孔洞在垂直于轧向平面内的形态未产生影响。当预制坯轧制变形量为80%时,经等温发泡成功制备了面板厚度为362μm,芯部孔隙率达到40%的泡沫Ti-6Al-4V三明治结构,其在高应变速率下抗压强度达到824.8 MPa,400℃下热导率仅为致密金属的52.8%。     

C72DA钢生产过程中结晶器卷渣的原因分析与对策

结晶器卷渣引起高纯净度的C72DA钢在拉拔过程中出现断丝现象,通过对结晶器流场的研究,认为结晶器卷渣主要在结晶器壁附近,是由于表面钢水的波动严重、钢水偏流、或保护渣熔化不良引起的。通过优化浸入式水口的结构参数、拉坯速度和保护渣的粘度,合理控制结晶器液面波动,使钢帘线因夹杂物高改判或判废的比率由7.9%降至0.49%。     

An Entrapment Model of Water Flow on Fine Coal Flotation

Effect of entrapment of water flow on fine coal flotation was studied. The relation between constant of water flotation rate and flotation time was investigated and the water recycling model determined. The entrapment model of water flow about the relation between the recovery of fine particle and that of water in concentration was established. Finally, the equation about ash in fine clean coal at any time was derived by introducing a de-ashing coefficient.     

Metronidazole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers to improve skin deposition and retention in the treatment of rosacea

The objective of the present investigation was to improve the skin deposition and retention of metronidazole (MTZ) in rosacea therapy by incorporating it into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The main challenge in this endeavor was the partial hydrophilicity of MTZ, which mandated careful selection of excipients, including solid and liquid lipids, surfactants, and their ratios in combination. NLCs were produced by the phase inversion temperature method and finally converted into a gel for topical application. The prepared nanoparticles were evaluated for their particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, solid-state characteristics, surface morphology, in vitro drug release, and permeation through excised skin. The gel was additionally characterized for its pH, drug content, viscosity, and spreadability. The prepared nanoparticles were spherical in shape and of size less than 300?nm. Incorporation of judiciously chosen excipients made possible a relatively high entrapment efficiency of almost 40%. The drug release was found to be biphasic, with an initial burst release followed by sustained release up to 8?hours. In comparison to the plain drug gel, which had a tissue deposition of 11.23%, the NLC gel showed a much superior and desirable deposition of 26.41%. The lipophilic nature of the carrier, its size, and property of occlusion enabled greater amounts of drug to enter and be retained in the skin, simultaneously minimizing permeation through the skin, i.e. systemic exposure. The results of the study suggest that NLCs of anti-rosacea drugs have the potential to be used in the therapy of rosacea.     

Work-related chronic injuries of the forearm and hand: their specific diagnosis and management

Work-related chronic injuries occur in muscles, tendons, and nerves. Epidemiological, histological, and physiological data confirm their often disputed physical basis. Terms such as repetitive strain injury and cumulative trauma disorder, when used as a diagnosis, have obscured the issue for they are really statements of causation. Definitive diagnosis is required both to treat and prevent such injuries. Precise terminology that identifies the tissue and its pathology is required. A detailed assessment methodology is described that allows a precise diagnosis. A clear relationship to work stress is necessary both to establish the cause and formulate prevention strategies. Treatment must begin early and be appropriate to the tissue and the nature of the injury. Examples are presented and discussed. Early treatment begins before too much damage has been done and yields better results.