Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Spherical Morphology (spherical + morphology)
Selected Abstracts83 Comparative analysis of vertically migrating euglena viridis populations in tidal and non-tidal benthic environmentsJOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 2003M.B. KingstonArticle first published online: 12 JAN 200 Benthic populations of Euglena viridis exhibit vertical migration behavior on high energy intertidal beaches and along the sand banks of freshwater streams. This study examines similarities and differences in the migratory behavior and cell morphology of populations of E. viridis inhabiting Scripps Beach, La Jolla, California and Coble Brook, Burlington, North Carolina. The timing of migration was measured by counting the number of cells in samples collected from the sediment surface throughout the day. Sediment cores were extracted and sectioned to determine the vertical distribution of the population. Neutral density filters and opaque canisters were used to shade the substratum to 56%, 22%, 2%, and 0% of incident irradiance (Io) to examine the effect of light on cell morphology and migratory behavior. On intertidal beaches, E. viridis exhibited a tidal rhythm in vertical migration with cells migrating below the sediment surface at night (>15 cm) and during daytime high tides. In this habitat, the upward migration response was enhanced at irradiances lower than 100% Io but cell morphology was not altered by shading. On the banks of freshwater streams, E. viridis exhibited a diurnal migratory rhythm with both tear-drop and spherical morphologies observed throughout the day. The population was most concentrated at the surface around solar noon and at night it was located between 1 and 2 cm below the surface. Shading did not enhance upward migration but it did affect cell morphology. These results will be interpreted in the context of the dominant selection pressures in each environment. [source] Hollow Boron Nitride (BN) Nanocages and BN-Nanocage-Encapsulated NanocrystalsCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 15 2004Ying-Chun Zhu Dr. Abstract Hollow boron nitride (BN) nanocages (nanospheres, image on the left) and BN-nanocage-encapsulated GaN nanocrystals (right) have been synthesized by using a homemade BNO precursors. The as-prepared BN hollow nanocages have typically spherical morphologies with diameters ranging from 30 to 200 nm. The nanocages have crystalline structures. Peanutlike nanocages with double walls have also been observed; their internal space is divided into seperated compartments by the internal walls. The method is extended to sheathe nanocrystals with BN nanocages; BN-shell/GaN-core nanostructures have been successfully fabriacted. The method may be generally applicable to the fabrication BN-sheathed nanocrystals. [source] Synthesis of Magnetic, Up-Conversion Luminescent, and Mesoporous Core,Shell-Structured Nanocomposites as Drug CarriersADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 7 2010Shili Gai Abstract The synthesis (by a facile two-step sol,gel process), characterization, and application in controlled drug release is reported for monodisperse core,shell-structured Fe3O4@nSiO2@mSiO2@NaYF4: Yb3+, Er3+/Tm3+ nanocomposites with mesoporous, up-conversion luminescent, and magnetic properties. The nanocomposites show typical ordered mesoporous characteristics and a monodisperse spherical morphology with narrow size distribution (around 80,nm). In addition, they exhibit high magnetization (38.0,emu g,1, thus it is possible for drug targeting under a foreign magnetic field) and unique up-conversion emission (green for Yb3+/Er3+ and blue for Yb3+/Tm3+) under 980,nm laser excitation even after loading with drug molecules. Drug release tests suggest that the multifunctional nanocomposites have a controlled drug release property. Interestingly, the up-conversion emission intensity of the multifunctional carrier increases with the released amount of model drug, thus allowing the release process to be monitored and tracked by the change of photoluminescence intensity. This composite can act as a multifunctional drug carrier system, which can realize the targeting and monitoring of drugs simultaneously. [source] The effect of particle shape and grain-scale properties of shale: A micromechanics approachINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 11 2010J. A. Ortega Abstract Traditional approaches for modeling the anisotropic elasticity response of the highly heterogeneous clay fabric in shale have mainly resorted to geometric factors such as definitions of particles shapes and orientations. However, predictive models based on these approaches have been mostly validated using macroscopic elasticity data. The recent implementation of instrumented indentation aimed at probing nano-scale mechanical behaviors has provided a new context for characterizing and modeling the anisotropy of the porous clay in shale. Nanoindentation experimental data revealed the significant contribution of the intrinsic anisotropy of the solid clay to the measured elastic response. In this investigation, we evaluate both the effects of geometric factors and of the intrinsic anisotropic elasticity of the solid clay phase on the observed anisotropy of shale at multiple length scales through the development of a comprehensive theoretical micromechanics approach. It was found that among various combinations of these sources of anisotropy, the elastic response of the clay fabric represented as a granular ensemble of aligned effective clay particles with spherical morphology and anisotropic elasticity compares satisfactorily to nanoindentation and ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements at nano- and macroscopic length scales, respectively. Other combinations of sources of anisotropy could yield comparable predictions, particularly at macroscopic scales, at the expense of requiring additional experimental data to characterize the morphology and orientations of particles. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Rapid Synthesis of Non-Aggregated Fine Chloroapatite Blue Phosphor Powders with High Quantum Efficiency,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 18 2008Wei-Ning Wang Sub-micrometer-sized chloroapatite blue phosphors are successfully synthesized from aqueous precursors using a spray pyrolysis method with a very short processing time and without any post-heat treatments. The as-prepared phosphors reveal high quantum efficiency in the long-UV range (around 80% under excitation at 400,nm), spherical morphology, high crystallinity, and high color purity, showing great promise for white LED applications. [source] Synthesis and characterization of uniform-sized hollow chitosan microspheresADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Shan Wang Abstract Hollow chitosan (CS) microspheres were obtained using an inverse-emulsion crosslinking method. The temperature and viscosity of the CS emulsion affected the characteristics of the derived microspheres. The microspheres were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and laser particle size analysis. FT-IR indicated the sequence of transformations taking place before, during, and after the crosslinking of CS. Optical microscopy and SEM confirmed the spherical morphology of the gel. The formation of hollow microspheres with a single cavity was identified by SEM. The CS microspheres exhibited a narrow particle size distribution. Furthermore, particle size could be controlled by changing the stirring speed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 28:40,47, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20145 [source] Preparation and in vitro release of D,L -tetrahydropalmatine-loaded graft copolymer nanoparticlesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2008Yinglei Zhai Abstract D,L -tetrahydropalmatine (THP)-loaded poly{[,-maleic anhydride-,-methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)]- co -(ethy cyanoacrylate)} (PEGECA) amphiphilic graft copolymer nanoparticles (PEGECAT NPs) were prepared by the nanoprecipitation technique. The effects of solvent property, temperature, copolymer composition, and drug feeding on the drug-loaded amount and size of PEGECAT NPs were investigated. The morphological structure of PEGECAT NPs was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and the size was measured by laser particle size analyzer (LPSA). In vitro release behaviors of drug from PEGECAT NPs were examined by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results demonstrate that PEGECAT NPs take on a spherical morphology with an inner core and outer shell before and after in vitro release. THP can be incorporated into the hydrophobic core of PEGECAT NPs and the drug-loaded amount is higher than 5%. The release of THP from PEGECAT NPs is initially fast and then slows down. The accumulated release is lower than 40% after 48 h. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Quantifying effects of particulate properties on powder flow properties using a ring shear testerJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 9 2008Hao Hou Abstract Effects of particle size, morphology, particle density, and surface silicification, on powder flow properties were investigated using a ring shear tester. Flow properties were quantified by flow function (FF), that is, unconfined yield strength, fc, as a function of major principal stress. A total of 11 powders from three series of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC): Avicel (regular MCC, elongated particles), Prosolv (silicified MCC, elongated particles), and Celphere (spherical MCC), were studied. Particle size distribution in each type of MCC was systematically different. Within each series, smaller particles always led to poorer powder flow properties. The slope of FF line was correlated to degree of powder consolidation by external stress. A key mechanism of the detrimental effect of particle size reduction on flow properties was the larger powder specific surface area. Flow properties of Celphere were significantly better than Avicel of comparable particles size, suggesting spherical morphology promoted better powder flow properties. Flow properties of powders different in densities but similar in particle size, shape, and surface properties were similar. When corrected for density effect, higher particle density corresponded to better flow behavior. Surface silicification significantly improved flow properties of finer MCC, but did not improve those of coarser. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97:4030,4039, 2008 [source] Synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic block copolymers with allyl side-groupsJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 23 2007Xiuli Hu Abstract The synthesis of a new cyclic carbonate monomer containing an allyl group was reported and its biodegradable amphiphilic block copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)- block -poly(L -lactide- co -5-methyl-5-allyloxycarbonyl-propylene carbonate) [PEG- b -P(LA- co -MAC)] was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of L -lactide (LA) and 5-methyl-5-allyloxycarbonyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one (MAC) in the presence of poly (ethylene glycol) as a macroinitiator, with diethyl zinc as a catalyst. 13C NMR and 1H NMR were used for microstructure identification of the copolymers. The copolymer could form micelles in aqueous solution. The core of the micelles is built of the hydrophobic P(LA- co -MAC) chains, whereas the shell is set up by the hydrophilic PEG blocks. The micelles exhibited a homogeneous spherical morphology and unimodal size distribution. By using the cyclic carbonate monomer containing allyl side-groups, crosslinking of the PEG- b -P(LA- co -MAC) inner core was possible. The adhesion and spreading of ECV-304 cells on the copolymer were better than that on PLA films. Therefore, this biodegradable amphiphilic block copolymer is expected to be used as a biomaterial for drug delivery and tissue engineering. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5518,5528, 2007 [source] Double-Grafted Cylindrical Brushes: Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(lauryl methacrylate) BrushesMACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 15 2007Youyong Xu Abstract Double-grafted cylindrical brushes with poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PLMA) as the side chains were synthesized using the grafting-from strategy via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The polyinitiator poly[2-(2-bromoisobutyryloxy)ethyl methacrylate] (PBIEM) with ,=,240 and 1,500 served as the backbone. The PLMA side chains of the brushes carry long alkyl chains. GPC and 1H NMR measurements confirmed the successful formation of the PLMA cylindrical brushes. The side chains were cleaved from the cylindrical brushes by transesterification. GPC and 1H NMR results indicate that the initiating efficiency of the bromoester groups on the backbone for the bulky monomer was in the range of 0.34,,,f,,,0.67. Static and dynamic light scattering show that the ratio of the radius of gyration to the hydrodynamic radius, Rg/Rh, is in the range of 1.2,1.3, indicating that the LMA cylindrical brushes are semiflexible in solution. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements show that short PLMA brushes exhibit a spherical morphology while the long brushes exhibit a worm-like structure. DSC displayed melting peaks at around ,30,°C, indicating the alkyl side chains of the PLMA chains in the double-grafted cylindrical brushes are crystallizable. [source] Ziegler-Natta/Metallocene Hybrid Catalyst for Ethylene PolymerizationMACROMOLECULAR REACTION ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2007Mostafa Ahmadi Abstract A Ziegler-Natta/metallocene hybrid catalyst was produced and utilized in the polymerization of ethylene with the aim of producing bimodal polyethylene. The MgCl2 adduct was prepared by a melt quenching method and Cp2ZrCl2 and TiCl4 catalysts were loaded, respectively, after treating the surface with TiBAl. The polymerization kinetics involved an induction period, followed by fragmentation and expansion of particles. SEM micrographs revealed that the spherical morphology was retained through the initial mild reaction conditions of induction period. The polymers produced showed bimodal molecular weight distribution patterns, suggesting that both components of the hybrid catalyst were active over the support. [source] Self-Assembling of Er2O3,TiO2 Mixed Oxide Nanoplatelets by a Template-Free Solvothermal RouteCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 45 2009Beatriz Julián-López Dr. Abstract An easy solvothermal route has been developed to synthesize the first mesoporous Er2O3,TiO2 mixed oxide spherical particles composed of crystalline nanoplatelets, with high surface area and narrow pore size distribution. This synthetic strategy allows the preparation of materials at low temperature with interesting textural properties without the use of surfactants, as well as the control of particle size and shape. TEM and Raman analysis confirm the formation of nanocrystalline Er2O3,TiO2 mixed oxide. Mesoscopic ordered porosity is reached through the thermal decomposition of organic moieties during the synthetic process, thus leading to a template-free methodology that can be extended to other nanostructured materials. High specific surface areas (up to 313,m2,g,1) and narrow pore size distributions are achieved in comparison to the micrometric material synthesized by the traditional sol,gel route. This study opens new perspectives in the development, by solvothermal methodologies, of multifunctional materials for advanced applications by improving the classical pyrochlore properties (magnetization, heat capacity, catalysis, conductivity, etc.). In particular, since catalytic reactions take place on the surface of catalysts, the high surface area of these materials makes them promising candidates for catalysts. Furthermore, their spherical morphology makes them appropriate for advanced technologies in, for instance, ceramic inkjet printers. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||