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Dynamic Conditions (dynamic + condition)
Selected AbstractsSpeciation of Arsenic under Dynamic ConditionsENGINEERING IN LIFE SCIENCES (ELECTRONIC), Issue 6 2008J. Ackermann Abstract In periodically flooded soils, reductive conditions can occur, which favor the dissolution of Fe (hydr)oxides. Fe (hydr)oxides such as goethite are important sorbents for arsenate (AsV), which is the dominant As species in soils under aerobic conditions. Hence, the dissolution of Fe (hydr)oxides under reductive conditions can result in the mobilization and reduction of AsV and, thus, in an increase in the bioavailability of arsenic. The temporal dynamics of these processes and possible re-sorption or precipitation of arsenite (AsIII) formed are poorly understood. Under controlled laboratory conditions, the temporal change in the redox potential and arsenic speciation with time after a simulated flooding event in a quartz-goethite organic matter substrate, spiked with AsV, was examined. During a period of 6,weeks, substrate solutions were sampled weekly using micro-suction cups and analyzed for pH, AsIII and AsV, Fe, Mn and P concentrations. Redox potentials and matric potentials were determined in situ in the substrate-bearing cylinders. The redox potential and the ratio between AsIII and AsV concentrations remained unchanged during the experiment without organic matter application. With organic matter applied, the redox potential decreased and the AsIII concentrations in the substrate solution increased while the total As concentrations in the substrate solution strongly decreased. An addition of goethite (1,g/kg) per se led to a decrease of the total As in the substrate solution (almost 50,%). In respect to the potential As availability for plants, and consequently, the transfer into the food chain, the results are difficult to evaluate. The lower the total As concentrations in the substrate solution, determined with decreasing redox potential, the least plant As uptake will occur. This effect may however be compensated by a shift of the molar P/AsV ratio in the solution in favor of AsV which is expected to increase the As uptake. [source] The Sheer Opacity of Contemporary EnclosureJOURNAL OF ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION, Issue 2 2003CATHRINE VEIKOS Skins & Screens, the graduate-level elective studio offered at the University of Pennsylvania, posits the building surface as a dynamic condition, simultaneously real and illusory, opaque and evanescent. Termed sheer opacity, this quality of enclosure provides an investigative focus for the consideration of surface as a dynamic perceptual field, a site for the mediation of physical and perceptual phenomena. Close analysis of selected work of the West Coast art movement Light and Space and that of contemporary installation artists inspired projects that used sheer opacity to examine the possibility of transforming space through the design of the building surface. Projects were developed through a series of "layers" in which students made installations, material constructs, digital simulations, and large-scale detail studies of their proposals. [source] Ex vivo organ culture of adipose tissue for in situ mobilization of adipose-derived stem cells and defining the stem cell nicheJOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Young-Il Yang In spite of the advances in the knowledge of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), in situ location of ASCs and the niche component of adipose tissue (AT) remain controversial due to the lack of an appropriate culture system. Here we describe a fibrin matrix-supported three-dimensional (3D) organ culture system for AT which sustains the ASC niche and allows for in situ mobilization and expansion of ASCs in vitro. AT fragments were completely encapsulated within the fibrin matrix and cultured under dynamic condition. The use of organ culture of AT resulted in a robust outgrowth and proliferation in the fibrin matrix. The outgrown cells were successfully recovered from fibrin by urokinase treatment. These outgrown cells fulfilled the criteria of mesenchymal stem cells, adherence to plastic, multilineage differentiation, and cell surface molecule expression. In vitro label retaining assay revealed that newly divided cells during the culture resided in interstitium between adipocytes and capillary endothelial cells. These interstitial stromal cells proliferated and outgrew into the fibrin matrix. Both in situ mobilized and outgrown cells expressed CD146 and ,-smooth muscle actin (SMA), but no endothelial cell markers (CD31 and CD34). The structural integrity and spatial approximation of CD31,/CD34,/CD146+/SMA+ interstitial stromal cells, adipocytes, and capillary endothelial cells were well preserved during in vitro culture. Our results suggest that ASCs are natively associated with the capillary wall and more specifically, belong to a subset of pericytes. Furthermore, organ culture of AT within a fibrin matrix-supported 3D environment can recapitulate the ASC niche in vitro. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 807,816, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Changes in reactivity of rat arteries subjected to dynamic stretchACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2000Dvoretsky The effect of dynamic stretch on the reactivity of the rat tail and mesenteric artery segments was studied. Segments mounted on a myograph were stretched by a computer-controlled motorized micromanipulator. Dynamic stretch (1, 5 or 7 Hz) inhibited the artery constriction induced by noradrenaline (10 ,M), 5-hydroxytryptamine (0.7 ,M), or electrical field stimulation of intramural nerves. In contrast, dynamic stretch enhanced the tetrodotoxin-insensitive dilation induced by electrical field stimulation of noradrenaline-contracted arteries. Maximal increase of dilation evoked by electrical field stimulation (24.5 ± 5.0% in mesenteric and 50.3 ± 15.6% in the tail artery) was observed at a dynamic stretch-frequency of 5 Hz. An inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, NG -nitro- L -arginine (100 ,M), abolished the difference in reactivity between static and dynamic conditions. The results indicate that dynamic stretch of the arteries activates nitric oxide synthesis/secretion, thus reducing constrictor and increasing dilator responses to the stimuli used. [source] Spherical sliding isolation bearings with adaptive behavior: Experimental verificationEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 2 2008Daniel M. Fenz Abstract This paper describes an experimental program to examine the force,displacement behavior of a class of multi-spherical sliding bearings. The primary goal of the experiments is to test the validity of the theory developed in a companion paper that describes the behavior of these devices. Experimental work consisted of testing the three primary variations of these bearings in several configurations of different friction and displacement capacities. Most tests were carried out at slow speeds; however, some testing was also conducted at high speed (up to approximately 400,mm/s) to examine the behavior under dynamic conditions. The results of experimental testing were generally found to be in very good agreement with the analytical results. It is shown that the forces and displacements at which transitions in stiffness occur are predictable and therefore controllable in design. Furthermore, the underlying principles of operation were confirmed by the fact that starting and stopping of sliding on the different surfaces occurred as expected from theory. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Influence of filling fat type on praline products with nougat fillingEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2007Biljana Pajin Abstract The aim of this research was to examine the composition and functional characteristics of three samples of commercial filling fat intended for the making of nougat fillings for confectionary products. The crystallization rate of the fats was measured under static conditions using the NMR technique and under dynamic conditions as well as using a rotational rheometer. The functional characteristics of the fats were estimated by means of sensory values of the prepared praline product. Under the static conditions, all investigated filling fats showed a fast crystallization rate (,2,4%/min). The sample with the highest lauric acid contents started to crystallize immediately (no induction period). The longest induction period was found for the sample with the lowest saturated fatty acid and trans fatty acid contents. During the crystallization under dynamic conditions, all investigated samples started to crystallize more rapidly (rapid viscosity increase) at practically the same temperature (,17,°C). Measuring solid fat content and viscosity are two approaches of determining the suitability of a filling fat to be used in pralines. Both measurements provide valuable information, and particularly viscosity build-up is very important from the view of production on factory scale. [source] Non-linear approaches for reducing large power systemsEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER, Issue 3 2001X. Lei Issues on the establishment of equivalent networks are becoming essential for the deregulated power market. This paper presents a comprehensive tool for network reduction of large power systems. Through integrating different methodologies into a simulation program, the dynamic equivalent can be established by adopting one common database. With a readily integrated modified Gauss-Newton algorithm, network reduction can be executed under the dynamic conditions either in the time domain or in the frequency domain in coping with nonlinear nature of the system involved. Furthermore, a novel algorithm based on dynamic coherency approach implemented readily into the simulation program is also presented. This novel approach determines coherent generators on non-linear basis in the time domain using the cross correlation technique, taking dynamic characteristics of the system involved into consideration. Two case studies are presented in this paper. Each of the non-linear approaches presented is applied for one of the case studies as application example. The results achieved validate the functionality of the approaches presented. [source] Influence of carbonation on aroma release from liquid systems using an artificial throat and a proton transfer reaction,mass spectrometric technique (PTR,MS)FLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2009Maria Ángeles Pozo-Bayón Abstract To determine whether carbonation affects aroma release from liquid systems, carbonated and non-carbonated flavoured model systems were prepared and volatile release was determined under static (equilibrium) and dynamic conditions. A model flavour system was added as a single compound or as a mixture of the six aroma compounds used in this study. Volatile release under dynamic conditions involved using a home-made device simulating an artificial throat, coupled to a proton transfer mass spectrometer (PTR,MS). The results showed that carbonation increased the release of most of the aroma compounds in both static and in dynamic testing conditions. The extent of this effect depended, however, on the physicochemical characteristics of the aroma compounds (the most volatile and most hydrophobic compounds were affected more). Release was also increased if the aroma compounds were added as a mixture rather than as individual compounds. CO2 appears to be a key factor responsible for the enhanced release of flavourings from carbonated liquid systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Functional brain mapping during free viewing of natural scenesHUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 2 2004Andreas Bartels Abstract Previous imaging studies have used mostly perceptually abstracted, idealized, or static stimuli to show segregation of function in the cerebral cortex. We wanted to learn whether functional segregation is maintained during more natural, complex, and dynamic conditions when many features have to be processed simultaneously, and identify regions whose activity correlates with the perception of specific features. To achieve this, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity when human observers viewed freely dynamic natural scenes (a James Bond movie). The intensity with which they perceived different features (color, faces, language, and human bodies) was assessed psychometrically in separate sessions. In all subjects different features were perceived with a high degree of independence over time. We found that the perception of each feature correlated with activity in separate, specialized areas whose activity also varied independently. We conclude that even in natural conditions, when many features have to be processed simultaneously, functional specialization is preserved. Our method thus opens a new way of brain mapping, which allows the localization of a multitude of brain areas based on a single experiment using uncontrolled, natural stimuli. Furthermore, our results show that the intensity of activity in a specialized area is linearly correlated with the intensity of its perceptual experience. This leads us to suggest that each specialized area is directly responsible for the creation of a feature-specific conscious percept (a microconsciousness). Hum. Brain Mapp. 21:75,83, 2004. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Aircraft observations of the atmospheric boundary layer over a heterogeneous surface in eastern SiberiaHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 14 2003T. Hiyama Abstract This paper outlines specifications and gives preliminary results of aircraft observations made during the Intensive Observation Period in 2000 (IOP2000) over the Yakutsk area of eastern Siberia. The observations were part of the GAME-Siberia project. Spatial and seasonal variation in the fluxes of sensible heat, latent heat, and carbon dioxide were determined using a Russian aircraft equipped with turbulence sensors. Two flight paths covered 12 × 32 km2 grids over heterogeneous forest and grass surfaces on the left- and right-hand banks of the Lena River. The spatial flux distributions were consistent with the underlying vegetation cover. A video camera recorded aerial images of the land, while a spectrometer observed the spectral reflectance of the land surface. These data helped describe the relationship between the atmosphere and the land surface. The vertical structure of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) was also observed on long flight paths between the left and right banks of the Lena River. Thermally induced internal boundary layers (TIBLs) developed in the ABL under different thermal and dynamic conditions near the Lena River. The horizontal and vertical distributions of sensible and latent heats in the ABL were consistent with the generation of cumulus, which appeared over the forested area, but not over the Lena River lowland. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] An arbitrary Lagrangian,Eulerian finite element method for finite strain plasticityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2003Francisco Armero Abstract This paper presents a new arbitrary Lagrangian,Eulerian (ALE) finite element formulation for finite strain plasticity in non-linear solid mechanics. We consider the models of finite strain plasticity defined by the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient in an elastic and a plastic part (F = FeFp), with the stresses given by a hyperelastic relation. In contrast with more classical ALE approaches based on plastic models of the hypoelastic type, the ALE formulation presented herein considers the direct interpolation of the motion of the material with respect to the reference mesh together with the motion of the spatial mesh with respect to this same reference mesh. This aspect is shown to be crucial for a simple treatment of the advection of the plastic internal variables and dynamic variables. In fact, this advection is carried out exactly through a particle tracking in the reference mesh, a calculation that can be accomplished very efficiently with the use of the connectivity graph of the fixed reference mesh. A staggered scheme defined by three steps (the smoothing, the advection and the Lagrangian steps) leads to an efficient method for the solution of the resulting equations. We present several representative numerical simulations that illustrate the performance of the newly proposed methods. Both quasi-static and dynamic conditions are considered in these model examples. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] From monosilane to crystalline silicon, part II: Kinetic considerations on thermal decomposition of pressurized monosilaneINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL KINETICS, Issue 5 2006J. O. Odden Kinetic aspects of the thermal decomposition of monosilane at 690,830 K and initial pressures of 0.1,3.7 MPa in a free-space reactor are considered. Neglecting the preparatory initiation period for the reaction (which is difficult to evaluate under the present dynamic conditions), the onset temperature for the decomposition is stipulated to some 700,710 K, independent of the initial monosilane pressure. The overall reaction appears to be of first order throughout the progressing decomposition process. We observe considerably lower reaction rates under the high-pressure conditions than existing models in the literature suggest. A modified model is proposed that simulates the observed reaction rates within ±1% and moreover predicts credible concentrations of the involved gaseous species. A key feature of the modified model is incorporation of two third-body assisted surface reactions, which generate monosilane from disilane and disilane from trisilane. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 309,321, 2006 [source] Resource allocation in satellite networks: certainty equivalent approaches versus sensitivity estimation algorithmsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 1 2005Franco Davoli Abstract In this paper, we consider a resource allocation problem for a satellite network, where variations of fading conditions are added to those of traffic load. Since the capacity of the system is finite and divided in finite discrete portions, the resource allocation problem reveals to be a discrete stochastic programming one, which is typically NP-hard. We propose a new approach based on the minimization over a discrete constraint set using an estimation of the gradient, obtained through a ,relaxed continuous extension' of the performance measure. The computation of the gradient estimation is based on the infinitesimal perturbation analysis technique, applied on a stochastic fluid model of the network. No closed-forms of the performance measure, nor additional feedback concerning the state of the system, and very mild assumptions on the probabilistic properties about the statistical processes involved in the problem are requested. Such optimization approach is compared with a dynamic programming algorithm that maintains a perfect knowledge about the state of the satellite network (traffic load statistics and fading levels). The comparison shows that the sensitivity estimation capability of the proposed algorithm allows to maintain the optimal resource allocation in dynamic conditions and it is able to provide even better performance than the one reached by employing the dynamic programming approach. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Monitoring struturants of fat blends with ultrasound based in-line rheometry (ultrasonic velocity profiling with pressure difference)INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 11 2008Niall W. G. Young Summary Ultrasonic velocity profiling with pressure difference (UVP-PD) was demonstrated to be a successful, non-invasive, in-line measurement system for instantaneous velocity and rheological flow profiling of complex, opaque fat blends. Model systems of 25% Akomic, 75% rapeseed oil; and 25% Akomic, 74% rapeseed oil and 1% Grindsted® Crystalliser 110 were compared under real process conditions with UVP-PD. Results indicated that the sample containing the crystalliser had twice the viscosity of the control. These in-line results are in agreement with previous off-line results, and offer the chance to probe the mechanics of fat blend physics under real, dynamic conditions. [source] Kinetic study of the thermal degradation of poly(aryl ether ketone)s containing 2,7-naphthalene moietiesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 2 2008Si-Jie Liu Abstract The degradation of poly(aryl ether ketone) containing 2,7-naphthalene moieties was subjected to dynamic and isothermal thermogravimetry in nitrogen and air. The dynamic experiments showed that the initial degradation temperature, temperature for 5% weight loss, and temperature corresponding to the maximum degradation rate of poly(aryl ether ketone) containing 2,7-naphthalene moieties were a little higher than those of poly(ether ether ketone) and almost independent of the 2,7-naphthalene moiety content. The thermal stability of poly(aryl ether ketone) containing 2,7-naphthalene moieties in air was substantially less than that in nitrogen, and the degradation mechanism was more complex. The results obtained under the isothermal conditions were in agreement with the corresponding results obtained in nitrogen and air under the dynamic conditions. In the dynamic experiments, the apparent activation energies for the degradation processes were 240 and 218 kJ/mol in nitrogen and air for the second reaction stage as the heating rate was higher than 5°C/min. In the isothermal experiments, the apparent activation energies for the degradation processes were 222 and 190 kJ/mol in nitrogen and air, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Blending of NR/BR/EPDM by reactive processing for tire sidewall applications.JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 4 2007Abstract The NR/BR blend compound formulations for tire sidewall applications contain a set of stabilizers added to prevent degradation mainly due to oxygen, ozone, and heat. 6PPD is the most effective and widely used antiozonant in tire compounds, but is a highly staining material causing a surface discoloration of the tire sidewall. Incorporation of 30 phr EPDM into blends of NR/BR improves the ozone resistance to the required level, without the need of 6PPD. The first two parts of this series have described a reactive processing technique applied to enhance the covulcanization and blend homogeneity, together with their characterization. In the present article, the properties of the NR/BR/EPDM blends prepared by both reactive and straight mixing are tested in comparison with those of equivalent conventional NR/BR compounds. The reactive NR/BR/EPDM blend vulcanizates show excellent tensile strength, elongation at break, tear strength, fatigue-to-failure, and ozone resistance in both static and dynamic conditions. The properties are equivalent or even superior to those of the conventional NR/BR tire sidewall compounds. The simple straight mixed NR/BR/EPDM blend vulcanizates distinctively possess inferior mechanical properties compared to those of the reactive mix. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2555,2563, 2007 [source] Sorption kinetics of ethanol/water solution by dimethacrylate-based dental resins and resin compositesJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 1 2007Irini D. Sideridou Abstract In the present investigation the sorption,desorption kinetics of 75 vol % ethanol/water solution by dimethacrylate-based dental resins and resin composites was studied in detail. The resins examined were made by light-curing of bisphenol A glycol dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), bisphenol A ethoxylated dimethacrylate (Bis-EMA), and mixtures of these monomers. The resin composites were prepared from two commercial light-cured restorative materials (Z100 MP and Filtek Z250), the resin matrix of which is based on copolymers of the above-mentioned monomers. Ethanol/water sorption/desorption was examined in both equilibrium and dynamic conditions in two adjacent sorption,desorption cycles. For all the materials studied, it was found that the amount of ethanol/water sorbed or desorbed was always larger than the corresponding one reported in literature in case of water immersion. It was also observed that the chemical structure of the monomers used for the preparation of the resins directly affects the amount of solvent sorbed or desorbed, as well as sorption kinetics, while desorption rate was nearly unaffected. In the case of composites studied, it seems that the sorption/desorption process is not influenced much by the presence of filler. Furthermore, diffusion coefficients calculated for the resins were larger than those of the composites and were always higher during desorption than during sorption. Finally, an interesting finding concerning the rate of ethanol/water sorption was that all resins and composites followed Fickian diffusion kinetics during almost the whole sorption curve; however, during desorption the experimental data were overestimated by the theoretical model. Instead, it was found that a dual diffusion,relaxation model was able to accurately predict experimental data during the whole desorption curve. Kinetic relaxation parameters, together with diffusion coefficients, are reported for all resins and composites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006 [source] Real-time MRI of joint movement with trueFISPJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 6 2002Harald H. Quick MSc Abstract Purpose To develop a technique for dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of joint motion based on a combination of real-time TrueFISP (fast imaging with steady state precession) imaging with surface radiofrequency (RF) coils. Materials and Methods The metacarpal, elbow, tarsal, and knee joint of five volunteers and the knees of four patients were examined with a real-time TrueFISP sequence during movement of the joints. Results All examined joints could be assessed under dynamic conditions with high image contrast and high temporal resolution. Conclusion Dynamic MRI of joints with TrueFISP is feasible and can provide information supplemental to static joint examinations. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2002;15:710,715. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The use of simple dynamic mucosal models and confocal microscopy for the evaluation of lyophilised nasal formulationsJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007Fiona McInnes A range of methods is reported in the literature for assessing hydration and adhesion parameters in the performance of nasal bioadhesive formulations; however, these tests do not always represent the dynamic conditions in the nasal cavity. Lyophilised formulations intended for nasal administration were evaluated using in-vitro tests designed in an attempt to mimic relevant processes in the nasal cavity, and intended to discriminate between different formulations. Initial investigative studies using scanning electron microscopy revealed that the lyophilisate had a highly porous internal structure, expected to provide an ideal porous pathway for re-hydration. Vapour sorption analysis demonstrated substantial weight gain of the lyophilisates on exposure to 95% relative humidity, ranging from 38% to 66%. Agar was used as a synthetic mucosal model designed to provide a standardised quantity of water available for rehydration of the formulations in in-vitro tests. A dynamic adhesion test and a texture analyser sliding test were designed to quantify different aspects of the spreading and adhesion of the hydrating formulations on the synthetic mucosal surface. Examination of the lyophilised formulations using confocal microscopy allowed visualisation and quantification of the initial rate of water ingress into the lyophilisates, which was found to consist of an initial rapid phase, followed by a slower steady-state phase. The results demonstrated that the use of a combination of methods representing the dynamic conditions of the nasal cavity is advisable in order to evaluate a formulation fully and to avoid misleading conclusions. [source] Modal relationships as stylistic features: Examples from Seljuk and Celtic patternsJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 11 2006Mine Özkar Styles in creative works cannot adequately be represented by categories based on formal features. Instead, styles could be studied in terms of modal relationships between the features to provide a basis for definitions of structure in generative models. Modal relationships are more flexible and robust under the dynamic conditions of the artist's creative process. This article illustrates through the examples of Seljuk and Celtic patterns how these modal relationships emerge, why they are essential to detailed descriptions of style, and how they might be identified. [source] Investigating the importance of flow when utilizing hyaluronan scaffolds for tissue engineeringJOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, Issue 2 2010Gail C. Donegan Abstract Esterified hyaluronan scaffolds offer significant advantages for tissue engineering. They are recognized by cellular receptors, interact with many other extracellular matrix proteins and their metabolism is mediated by intrinsic cellular pathways. In this study differences in the viability and structural integrity of vascular tissue models cultured on hyaluronan scaffolds under laminar flow conditions highlighted potential differences in the biodegradation kinetics, processes and end-products, depending on the culture environment. Critical factors are likely to include seeding densities and the duration and magnitude of applied biomechanical stress. Proteomic evaluation of the timing and amount of remodelling protein expression, the resulting biomechanical changes arising from this response and metabolic cell viability assay, together with examination of tissue morphology, were conducted in vascular tissue models cultured on esterified hyaluronan felt and PTFE mesh scaffolds. The vascular tissue models were derived using complete cell sheets derived from harvested and expanded umbilical cord vein cells. This seeding method utilizes high-density cell populations from the outset, while the cells are already supported by their own abundant extracellular matrix. Type I and type IV collagen expression in parallel with MMP-1 and MMP-2 expression were monitored in the tissue models over a 10 day culture period under laminar flow regimes using protein immobilization technologies. Uniaxial tensile testing and scanning electron microscopy were used to compare the resulting effects of hydrodynamic stimulation upon structural integrity, while viability assays were conducted to evaluate the effects of shear on metabolic function. The proteomic results showed that the hyaluronan felt-supported tissues expressed higher levels of all remodelling proteins than those cultured on PTFE mesh. Overall, a 21% greater expression of type I collagen, 24% higher levels of type IV collagen, 24% higher levels of MMP-1 and 34% more MMP-2 were observed during hydrodynamic stress. This was coupled with a loss of structural integrity in these models after the introduction of laminar flow, as compared to the increases in all mechanical properties observed in the PTFE mesh-supported tissues. However, under flow conditions, the hyaluronan-supported tissues showed some recovery of the viability originally lost during static culture conditions, in contrast to PTFE mesh-based models, where initial gains were followed by a decline in metabolic viability after applied shear stress. Proteomic, cell viability and mechanical testing data emphasized the need for extended in vitro evaluations to enable better understanding of multi-stage remodelling and reparative processes in tissues cultured on biodegradable scaffolds. This study also highlighted the possibility that in high-density tissue culture with a biodegradable component, dynamic conditions may be more conducive to optimal tissue development than the static environment because they facilitate the efficient removal of high concentrations of degradation end-products accumulating in the pericellular space. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Human tissue-engineered bone produced in clinically relevant amounts using a semi-automated perfusion bioreactor system: a preliminary studyJOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, Issue 1 2010F. W. Janssen Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate a semi-automated perfusion bioreactor system for the production of clinically relevant amounts of human tissue-engineered bone. Human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) of eight donors were dynamically seeded and proliferated in a perfusion bioreactor system in clinically relevant volumes (10 cm3) of macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate scaffolds (BCP particles, 2,6 mm). Cell load and distribution were shown using methylene blue staining. MTT staining was used to demonstrate viability of the present cells. After 20 days of cultivation, the particles were covered with a homogeneous layer of viable cells. Online oxygen measurements confirmed the proliferation of hBMSCs in the bioreactor. After 20 days of cultivation, the hybrid constructs became interconnected and a dense layer of extracellular matrix was present, as visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the hBMSCs showed differentiation towards the osteogenic lineage as was indicated by collagen type I production and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression. We observed no significant differences in osteogenic gene expression profiles between static and dynamic conditions like ALP, BMP2, Id1, Id2, Smad6, collagen type I, osteocalcin, osteonectin and S100A4. For the donors that showed bone formation, dynamically cultured hybrid constructs showed the same amount of bone as the statically cultured hybrid constructs. Based on these results, we conclude that a semi-automated perfusion bioreactor system is capable of producing clinically relevant and viable amounts of human tissue-engineered bone that exhibit bone-forming potential after implantation in nude mice. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Extracellular matrix,polymer hybrid materials produced in a pulsed-flow bioreactor systemJOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, Issue 3 2009Cecilia Aulin Abstract Cell adhesion, interaction with material, cell proliferation and the production of an extracellular matrix (ECM) are all important factors determining the successful performance of an engineered scaffold. Scaffold design should aim at creating structures which can guide cells into forming new, functional tissue. In this study, the concept of in situ deposition of ECM by human dermal fibroblasts onto a compliant, knitted poly (ethyleneterephtalate) support is demonstrated, creating in vitro produced ECM polymer hybrid materials for tissue engineering. Comparison of cells cultured under static and dynamic conditions were examined, and the structure and morphology of the materials so formed were evaluated, along with the amount collagen deposited by the seeded cells. In vitro produced ECM polymer hybrid scaffolds could be created in this way, with the dynamic culture conditions increasing ECM deposition. Histological analysis indicated a homogenous distribution of cells in the 1 mm thick scaffold, surrounded by a matrix-like structure. ECM deposition was observed throughout the materials wigh 81.6 µg/cm2 of collagen deposited after 6 weeks. Cell produced bundles of ECM fibres bridged the polymer filaments and anchored cells to the support. These findings open hereto unknown possibilities of producing materials with structure designed by engineering together with biochemical composition given by cells. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Internal loading: A new solution to an old problem in aquatic sciencesLAKES & RESERVOIRS: RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2004Lars Håkanson Abstract Internal loading has long been regarded as an ,Achilles heel' in aquatic science and management. Internal loading is of fundamental importance in large and shallow lakes, where even low wind velocities can cause a considerable resuspension of matter deposited on the lake bed. The resuspended matter, and the chemical substances bound to the resuspended matter, will influence almost all processes in the aquatic ecosystem, such as water clarity and depth of the photic zone, and hence, primary and secondary production. If the sediments are contaminated, it will increase the concentrations of harmful substances in water and sediments and the potential ecosystem effects related to such concentrations. This paper presents an overview of the processes regulating bottom dynamic conditions in lakes (erosion, transport, accumulation), provides examples on the role of internal loading within the context of limnology and water management, and presents a new, general approach to quantify internal loading from sediments in lakes. The new approach has been critically tested, being a key factor behind the increase in predictive power of a new generation of lake models meant to be used for practical water management. Internal loading of any water pollutant depends on sedimentation. Sedimentation in this approach is presented as a function of two substance-specific variables, including the fall velocity of the carrier-particles and the particulate fraction (which, by definition, is the only fraction of a water pollutant that can settle out on the lake bed), and three generic variables, including mean depth, suspended particulate matter and ET-areas (areas of erosion and transport). On ET-areas there is, by definition, a discontinuous sedimentation of materials that settles according to Stokes' law. Basically, internal loading is the sum of advective (resuspension) and diffusive transport from the sediments. Resuspension from ET-areas is given as a function of the lake form (a new algorithm based on the volume development) and the age of ET-sediments. [source] Dynamic and generalized Wentzell node conditions for network equationsMATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 6 2007Delio Mugnolo Abstract Motivated by a neurobiological problem, we discuss a class of diffusion problems on a network. The celebrated Rall lumped soma model for the spread of electrical potential in a dendritical tree prescribes that the common cable equation must be coupled with particular dynamic conditions in some nodes (the cell bodies, or somata). We discuss the extension of this model to the case of a whole network of neurons, where the ramification nodes can be either active (with excitatory time-dependent boundary conditions) or passive (where no dynamics take place, i.e. only Kirchhoff laws are imposed). While well-posedness of the system has already been obtained in previous works, using abstract tools based on variational methods and semigroup theory we are able to prove several qualitative properties, including asymptotic behaviour, regularity of solutions, and monotonicity of the semigroups in dependence on the physical coefficients. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Kinetic analysis of thermo-oxidative degradation of PEEK/thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer blendsPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 2 2006M. Naffakh The thermal degradation behavior of blends of poly(aryl ether ether ketone), PEEK, with a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP), Vectra®, were investigated in an oxidative atmosphere, using thermogravimetric analysis under dynamic conditions. The theoretical weight loss curves of the blends were compared with the experimental curves in order to explain the effect of blending on the thermal stability of the pure polymers. The thermo-oxidative degradation of PEEK/Vectra® blends of different compositions takes place in various steps and the characteristic degradation temperatures and the kinetic parameters such as activation energy are strongly influenced by blending. Polymer blends based on this TLCP polymer had not been previously studied from kinetic viewpoint. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:129,138, 2006. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Metallocene based polyolefin: a potential candidate for the replacement of flexible poly (vinyl chloride) in the medical fieldPOLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 9 2010M. C. Sunny Abstract A comparative assessment of the performance properties of metallocene polyolefin (m-PO) with those of plasticized poly (vinyl chloride) (pPVC) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer having 18% vinyl acetate content (EVA-18), the two common polymers used for flexible medical products, is carried out. The preliminary evaluation of the processability, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of the new material, m-PO is described. The processability parameters like mixing torque and melt viscosity of m-PO are found to be comparable with those of pPVC and EVA-18. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, and tear strength (TS) of m-PO are much higher than that of pPVC and EVA-18. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) indicates that the thermal degradation of m-PO takes place only at temperatures above 340°C and can be processed at 170°C without much damage. Oxygen and carbon dioxide permeabilities of m-PO at three different temperatures (10, 25, and 40°C) are evaluated and compared with those of pPVC and EVA-18. It could be seen that the permeabilities of both the gases for m-PO at three temperatures were lower than those of pPVC and EVA. Biological evaluation of m-PO is carried out by assessing its cytotoxicity, hemolytic property, and blood clotting initiation. The cytotoxicity studies indicate that m-PO is non-toxic to the monolayer of L929 mammalian fibroblast cell lines on direct contact or the exposure of its extract. Non-hemolytic property of m-PO by direct contact as well as test on extract is revealed both in static and in dynamic conditions. Blood clotting time experiments indicate that the initiation of blood clotting due to m-PO is faster than that of pPVC and EVA-18. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Detection of allergen specific immunoglobulins by microarrays coupled to microfluidicsPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 8 2009Marina Cretich Dr. Abstract Allergen microarrays are under development for a component-resolved diagnosis of Type I (IgE-mediated) allergies. Here we report an improved microarray coupled to microfluidics for the detection of allergen specific immunoglobulin E (IgE). The signal intensity for IgE detection in serum has been improved by using glass slides coated with a novel poly[DMA- co -NAS] brush copolymer which is able to immobilize allergens in their native conformation and by carrying out the incubation step in dynamic conditions. The assay, fully automated, was performed in a microcell, using a software-controlled fluidic processor, to bring assay reagents on the surface of the array. Microfluidics turns the binding between serum immunoglobulins and immobilized allergens from a diffusion-limited to a kinetic-limited process by ensuring an efficient mixing of serum samples on the surface of the microarray. As a result of this, the binding of high affinity IgE antibodies is enhanced whereas that of low affinity IgG antibodies, which are present at higher concentration, is impaired paving the way to more accurate and sensitive results. [source] Bubble coalescence and its effect on dynamic foam stabilityTHE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2002Yoon Seong Cho Abstract The size of bubbles generated using a single-hole sparger, a multi-hole sparger and a flotation cell were measured. While the size of bubbles generated from the single-hole sparger does not depend on frother concentration, the bubble size strongly depends on frother concentration when the multi-hole sparges, or flotation cell, are utilized. The bubbles size ceases to depend on frother at the concentrations exceeding the value characteristic for each frother and referred to as the critical coalescence (CCC). All the bubble size vs. frother concentration curves converge on a single curve. Aqueous solutions of the frothers that are characterized by low CCC values from foams quite stable under dynamic conditions. Since bubble coalescence can be inhibited by frother concentrations exceeding the CCC, sparing systems can be studied and compared only at frother concentrations that exceed CCC. On a mesuré la taille des bulles produites par un aérateur à orifice unique, un aérateur à orifices multiples et une cellule de flottation. Alors que la taille des bulles produites avec l'aérateur à orifice unique n'est pas liée à la concentration d'agent moussant, la taille des bulles dépend fortement de la concentration d'agent moussant dans le cas des aérateurs à orifices multiples ou de la cellule de flottation. La taille des bulles cesse d'êde la valeur caractéristique de chaque agent moussant (concentration de coalescence critique ou CCC). Toutes les courbes de taille des bulles par rapport à la concentration d'agent moussant se superposent. Les solutions aqueuses des agents moussants qui sont caractérisés par de faibles valeurs de CCC forment des mousses plutôt stables dans des conditions dynamiques. Considérant que la coalescence es bulles peut être inhibée par des concentrations d'agent moussant excédant la CCC, les systèmes de dispersion peuvent être étudiés et comparés seulemetn à des concentrations d'agent moussant qui excèdent la CCC. [source] Extent of cell differentiation and capacity for cartilage synthesis in human adult adipose-derived stem cells: Comparison with fetal chondrocytesBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 2 2010Nastaran Mahmoudifar Abstract This study evaluated the extent of differentiation and cartilage biosynthetic capacity of human adult adipose-derived stem cells relative to human fetal chondrocytes. Both types of cell were seeded into nonwoven-mesh polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds and cultured under dynamic conditions with and without addition of TGF-,1 and insulin. Gene expression for aggrecan and collagen type II was upregulated in the stem cells in the presence of growth factors, and key components of articular cartilage such as glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen type II were synthesized in cultured tissue constructs. However, on a per cell basis and in the presence of growth factors, accumulation of GAG and collagen type II were, respectively, 3.4- and 6.1-fold lower in the stem cell cultures than in the chondrocyte cultures. Although the stem cells synthesized significantly higher levels of total collagen than the chondrocytes, only about 2.4% of this collagen was collagen type II. Relative to cultures without added growth factors, treatment of the stem cells with TGF-,1 and insulin resulted in a 59% increase in GAG synthesis, but there was no significant change in collagen production even though collagen type II gene expression was upregulated 530-fold. In contrast, in the chondrocyte cultures, synthesis of collagen type II and levels of collagen type II as a percentage of total collagen more than doubled after growth factors were applied. Although considerable progress has been achieved to develop differentiation strategies and scaffold-based culture techniques for adult mesenchymal stem cells, the extent of differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells in this study and their capacity for cartilage synthesis fell considerably short of those of fetal chondrocytes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107: 393,401. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||