High-throughput cell cycle synchronization using inertial forces in spiral microchannels

Efficient synchronization and selection of cells at different stages of the cell replication cycle facilitates both fundamental research and development of cell cycle-targeted therapies. Current chemical-based synchronization methods are unfavorable as these can disrupt cell physiology and metabolism. Microfluidic systems developed for physical cell separation offer a potential alternative over conventional cell synchronization approaches. Here we introduce a spiral microfluidic device for cell cycle synchronization, using the combined effects of inertial forces and Dean drag force. By exploiting the relationship between cell diameter and cell cycle (DNA content/ploidy), we have successfully fractionated several asynchronous mammalian cell lines, as well as primary cells comprising bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), into enriched subpopulations of G0/G1 (>85%), S, and G2/M phases. This level of cell cycle enrichment is comparable to existing microfluidic systems, but the throughput (～ 15 × 10(6) cells per h) and viability (～ 95%) of cells thus synchronized are significantly greater. Further, this platform provides rapid collection of synchronized cells or of diameter-sorted cells post-separation, to enable diverse applications in the study and manipulation of cell proliferation.     

Rapid synthesis of water-glass based aerogels by in situ surface modification of the hydrogels

The objective of the present research was to reduce the processing time of water-glass based aerogels synthesized via an ambient pressure drying. For this purpose we employed a co-precursor method for the surface modification in hydrogels using trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). The surface modification resulted in the displacement of pore water from the hydrogels and thereby absolutely avoiding the time-consuming solvent exchange step. The attachment of trymethylsilyl (Si(CH₃)₃) groups to the silica surface was confirmed by the presence of SiCH₃ peaks at 2900, 1400, 1255 and 845 cm⁻¹ in the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra. The differential thermal analysis (DTA) revealed that the aerogels maintain their hydrophobic behavior up to a maximum temperature of 500 °C above which they become hydrophilic. The physical and textural properties of the silica aerogels have been reported and the results have been discussed by taking into account the surface modification and the amounts of the pore water displaced out from the hydrogels.     

Room temperature synthesis of water repellent silica coatings by the dip coat technique

The present paper describes the room temperature synthesis of dip coated water repellent silica coatings onto stainless steel substrates using 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane as a surface modifying agent. The hydrophobic property of the silica coating was enhanced by increasing its surface roughness, which was achieved by a proper control over the MeOH/TMOS molar ratio (S) during the synthesis. The contact angle of a water droplet (10 μl) increased from 72° to 145° with an increase in the S value from 9.1 to 36.4. The silica coating showed a minimum sliding angle of 15° for a water droplet of 10 μl. The water repellent silica coatings are thermally stable up to a temperature of 340 °C. The results have been discussed by taking into consideration the contact angle measurements, surface morphology and sol-gel parameters.     

A mechanistic investigation of Biginelli reaction under base catalysis

The mechanism of the three component base mediated Biginelli dihydropyrimidines synthesis was investigated using Accurate Mass TOF LC-MS-ESI and Tandem TOF LC-MS-ESI. We suggest hemiaminal as a possible intermediate leading to the formation of Biginelli product. Under our current experimental conditions we did not observe any bis-ureide as reported by ji et al.     

Frequency dependence of acoustic parameters of freshly excised tissues of Sprague Dawley rats

A modified version of the pulse echo technique was used to measure the velocity of propagation and attenuation of ultrasound in excised tissue of young-adult Sprague-Dawley rats. The measurements were made at ultrasonic frequencies of 1.0, 2.25, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 MHz. The temperature of the tissues was monitored continuously to within ± 0.1°C of the ambient temperature. The acoustic parameters were measured in the liver, kidney, cardiac muscle and gastrocnemius muscle. All measurements were carried out in the near field region of the ultrasonic beam. It was observed that the velocity of propagation in tissues showed a slight dispersion with frequency. The attenuation in tissues increased with increasing frequency.     

A simple microwave kit to convert an X-band ESR spectrometer for K-band operation

A kit for the conversion of an X-bandesr spectrometer for K-band operation is described and its performance has been tested withp-benzosemiquinone, vanadyl acetyl acetonate and 2, 5-ditertiary butyl semiquinone. The easy conversion of the X-band spectrometer to K-band operation enables us to distinguish between magnetic field dependent and field independent parameters. A varactor harmonic generator is used as a frequency doubler driving the fundamental power from the existing X-band source to give a power output at K-band without having to modify the electronic circuit; the modification of the microwave circuitry is proposed.     

On the oscillation of a second-order delay equation

The oscillatory nature of two equations (r(t) y′(t))′ + p₁(t)y(t) = f(t), (r(t) y′(t))′ + p₂(t) y(t ? τ(t))= 0, is compared when positive functions p₁ and p₂ are not “too close” or “too far apart.” Then the main theorem states that if h(t) is eventually negative and a twice continuously differentiable function which satisfies (r(t) h′(t))′ + p₁(t) h(t) ? 0, then this inequality is necessary and sufficient for every bounded solution of (r(t) y′(t))′ + p₂(t) y(t ? τ(t)) = 0 to be nonoscillatory.     

Dielectric relaxation in some polyacrylate solutions

The dielectric constant ?′ and loss factor ?″ of poly(butyl acrylate), poly(butyl methacrylate), and poly(isobutyl methacrylate) solutions are reported in the frequency region of 1 kHz to 24.42 GHz at four different temperatures of 27, 40, 50, and 60°C. Cole–Cole plots are plotted to obtain the distribution parameter and relaxation time. The activation energies are evaluated assuming dielectric relaxation to be a rate process in these solutions. A possible relaxation mechanism is discussed.     

Magnetic resonance in amorphous FexNi80-xP14B6: I. Ferromagnetic and reentrant alloys

We present a study of ferromagnetic resonance in amorphous Fe_xNi_80-xP₁₄B₆ for Fe concentrations down to that required for ferromagnetism. The resonance was studied at microwave frequencies between 10 and 35 GHz and at temperatures between 2 and 300 K. We find i) in accord with previous data on amorphous ferromagnets, each alloy investigated is magnetically inhomogeneous even in its ferromagnetic state, ii) the intrinsic relaxation parameter λ / Mγ for each alloy falls between the value for pure Fe and the value for pure Ni, iii) a low temperature linewidth rise which is frequency independent and follows an empirical form suggested earlier, iv) frequency dependent linewidth maxima at low T which do not correspond to low field spin freezing temperatures, and v) anisotropy fields intruding at low temperatures. The corresponding anisotropy energy is similar to that proposed for spin glasses as are the temperature and frequency dependences of the anisotropy constant. With part II of this paper, this represents the most complete resonance study to date of the evolution of spin glass behavior in Fe based alloys.