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Unique Applications (unique + application)
Selected AbstractsSynthetic-aperture technique for high-resolution composite imaging of the inside walls of tubular specimensINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMAGING SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2004Hua Lee Abstract High-resolution survey of the inside walls of tubular specimens is a unique application of synthetic-aperture composite imaging. This article describes the data acquisition process, 3D motion estimation and compensation, image registration, and superposition for the formation of high-resolution composite images from conventional video sequences. Experiment results from the survey of an oil well are used to demonstrate the capability of the technique. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 14, 167,169, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.20020 [source] Inhibition of adjuvant-induced arthritis by systemic tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 4 gene deliveryARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 12 2002Mahmut Y. Çeliker Objective An imbalance in the matrix metalloproteinase:tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (MMP:TIMP) ratio in favor of MMP appears to be an important determinant of tissue damage in arthritis. We undertook this study to explore whether reversal of this imbalance in favor of TIMP would alter this process and to examine the mechanism of this alteration. Methods We administered human TIMP-4 by electroporation-mediated intramuscular injection of naked DNA using the rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) model. Results Intramuscular naked TIMP-4 gene administration resulted in high circulating TIMP-4 levels and completely abolished arthritis development in the rat AIA model. This inhibition was associated with significantly decreased MMP activity in the joint tissue as well as with significantly decreased serum and tissue tumor necrosis factor , levels and serum interleukin-1, levels compared with animals with arthritis. The mutation of cysteine at position 1 of TIMP-4 failed to block the development of AIA. Conclusion Our data indicate that TIMP-4 is a potent antiinflammatory agent, and that its antiarthritis function may be mediated by MMPs. Arthritis-inhibiting effects of TIMP-4 may suggest a unique application of this gene therapy method for arthritis. [source] Hierarchical Composites of Single/Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Interlinked Flakes from Direct Carbon Deposition on Layered Double HydroxidesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 4 2010Meng-Qiang Zhao Three-dimensional hierarchical nanocomposites consisting of one-dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and two-dimensional lamellar flakes (such as clay, layered double hydroxides) show unexpected properties for unique applications. To achieve a well-designed structure with a specific function, the uniform distribution of CNTs into the used matrix is a key issue. Here, it is shown that a hierarchical composite of single/double-walled CNTs interlinked with two-dimensional flakes can be constructed via in-situ CNT growth onto layered double hydroxide (LDH) flakes. Both the wall number and diameter of the CNTs and the composition of the flakes can be easily tuned by changing the proportion of the transition metal in the LDH flakes. Furthermore, a structure with continuously interlinked CNT layers alternating with lamellar flakes is obtained after compression. The hierarchical composite is demonstrated to be an excellent filler for strong polyimide films. This study indicates that LDH is an extraordinary catalyst for the fabrication of hierarchical composites with high-quality single/double-walled CNTs. The as-obtained CNTs/calcined LDHs nanocomposite is a novel structural platform for the design of mechanically robust materials, catalysts, ion-transportation, energy-conversion, and other applications. [source] Glutathione-Induced Intracellular Release of Guests from Mesoporous Silica Nanocontainers with Cyclodextrin GatekeepersADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 38 2010Hyehyeon Kim Cyclodextrins tethered onto a mesoporous silica nanoparticle via disulfide stalking are effective gatekeepers not only to entrap guest molecules in the pore but also to release the guest in response to glutathione (GSH). The PEGylated nanocontainers also exhibit efficient GSH-mediated release of doxorubicin in cancer cells. Our approach offers unique applications for multifunctional delivery systems. [source] Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of Single-Walled Carbon NanotubesADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 45 2009Weiya Zhou Abstract Great interest in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) derives from their remarkable electrical, thermal, optical, and mechanical properties together with their lower density, which promise extensive and unique applications. Much progress has been achieved in the fundamental and applied investigations of SWCNTs over the past decade. At the same time, many obstacles still remain, hampering further development in this field. To clarify the emerging problems and to provide a comprehensive understanding of the field, we review the recent progress of research on the synthesis, structure, and properties of SWCNTs, in particular the SWCNT non-woven film, SWCNT rings, boron,nitrogen (B,N) co-doped SWCNTs (BCN-SWNTs), and individual SWCNTs. Some long-standing problems and topics warranting further investigations in the near future are addressed. [source] Dendritic macromers for hydrogel formation: Tailored materials for ophthalmic, orthopedic, and biotech applicationsJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 2 2008Mark W. Grinstaff Abstract Dendritic macromolecules are well-defined highly branched macromolecules synthesized via a divergent or convergent approach. A salient feature of the macromolecules described herein, and a goal of our research effort, is to prepare dendritic macromolecules suitable for in vitro and in vivo use by focusing on biocompatible building blocks and biodegradable linkages. These dendritic macromolecules can be subsequently crosslinked to form hydrogels using a photochemical acrylate-based or a chemical ligation strategy. The properties,mechanical, swelling, degradation, and so forth,of the hydrogels can be tuned by altering the composition, crosslinking chemistry, wt %, generation number and so forth. The utility and diverse applicability is demonstrated through successful use of these hydrogels in three unique applications: hydrogel adhesives for repairing corneal wounds, hydrogel scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering, and hydrogel reaction chambers for high throughput screening of molecular recognition events. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 383,400, 2008. [source] Raman spectroscopy and molecular simulation investigations of adsorption on the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes and nanospheresJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 6 2007Maher S. Amer Abstract Raman spectroscopy has, for long, been utilized to investigate material systems on the micro and mesoscales. Recently, the technique has proven its ability in exploring systems on the nanoscale. In this paper, we review our recent work on the Raman investigation of molecular adsorption from liquid mixtures on surfaces of single-walled carbon nanotubes and fullerene nanospheres, emphasizing the following major research findings: the development of a Raman-based technique capable of sensing local chemical interactions on the surface of carbon nanotubes and spheres; the molecular simulation results supporting the Raman investigation; the possibility of creating mesostructures based upon mixtures of carbon nanotubes and nanospheres that are crucial for selective adsorption. The current findings represent a major new thrust for the development of new nanostructured materials with superior adsorption capabilities and unique applications. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Application of Fractionation Techniques to the Study of Olefin Polymerization Kinetics and Polymer DegradationMACROMOLECULAR SYMPOSIA, Issue 1 2007Hisayuki Nakatani Abstract Summary: Temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF) has been regarded as a powerful technique for study of semicrystalline polymers. In this paper, two examples of unique applications of TREF were introduced. One was the study on the influence of extraction of internal donor on the variation of isospecific active sites of a MgCl2 - supported Ziegler catalyst, and the other was the estimation of the relationship between polymer micro-tacticity and degradation rate of isotactic polypropylene (iPP). The former example revealed the conversion from high to low isospecific site by the extraction of internal donors, whereas the latter showed a negative correlation between the level of isotacticity and the degradation rate. These results demonstrated that TREF was useful in these research applications. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||