A novel 3D mammalian cell perfusion-culture system in microfluidic channels

Mammalian cells cultured on 2D surfaces in microfluidic channels are increasingly used in drug development and biological research applications. These systems would have more biological or clinical relevance if the cells exhibit 3D phenotypes similar to the cells in vivo. We have developed a microfluidic channel based system that allows cells to be perfusion-cultured in 3D by supporting them with adequate 3D cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. The maximal cell-cell interaction was achieved by perfusion-seeding cells through an array of micropillars; and 3D cell-matrix interactions were achieved by a polyelectrolyte complex coacervation process to form a thin layer of matrix conforming to the 3D cell shapes. Carcinoma cell lines (HepG2, MCF7), primary differentiated (hepatocytes) and primary progenitor cells (bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells) were perfusion-cultured for 72 hours to 1 week in the microfluidic channel, which preserved their 3D cyto-architecture and cell-specific functions or differentiation competence. This transparent 3D microfluidic channel-based cell culture system also allows direct optical monitoring of cellular events for a wide range of applications.     

Surface-roughness study using laser speckle method

Current techniques for surface-roughness measurements can be classified into two broad categories: those using a measuring stylus which requires direct contact with the test object and those using non-contacting laser techniques. In this paper, a whole-field speckle method is employed to determine metallic-surface-roughness. The technique enables evaluation of the roughness of particular points on a surface. Six sets of surfaces prepared by a spark-erosion process with roughness ranging from 0·4–12·5 μm have been tested. Different correlation methods were used to process the test data and a practical method of evaluating surface-roughness is proposed.     

双奇核中πi_(13/2)νi_(13/2)2-准粒子转动带旋称反转研究

利用重离子熔合蒸发反应和在束γ谱学实验方法研究了双奇核176,178Ir和182 Au的高自旋态结构 ,在这 3个双奇核中观测到了基于πi13 2 νi13 2 准粒子组态下的转动带 .以能级间隔系统学为判据 ,对184Au核中πi13 2 νi13 2 转动带能级自旋进行了指定 .指出176,178Ir和182 ,184Au 4个双奇核的πi13 2 νi13 2 转动带在低自旋区均出现旋称反转 .对πi13 2 νi13 2 转动带旋称反转现象进行了定性的讨论 .用推转壳模型对πh9 2 νi13 2 带和πi13 2 νi13 2 带能级结构进行了理论研究 ,发现当采用形变和对力自洽计算后 ,从理论上可以定性地解释两个半退耦带出现的旋称反转现象     

Multi-quasiparticle excitations in ~(145)Tb

Nuclei with N and Z near magic number can be well described by the nuclear shell model. The 145Tb nucleus has a valence proton and a pair of neutron holes with respect to the doubly closed 146Gd nucleus. Therefore, it is expected that the excitations in 145Tb be dominated by single-particle configurations. A detailed measurement of the excitation scheme in 145Tb would give us an opportunity to examine the behavior of multi-particle excitations involving high angular momentum orbits and provi…     

Analysis of toxic elements by MPGA

In order to improve the sensitivity for the quantification of trace elements, we propose the combination of prompt gamma-ray analysis (PGA) and a multiple gamma-ray detection method. A new Ge detector system for multiple prompt gamma-ray analysis (MPGA) was constructed at the neutron guide-hall of the JRR-3M reactor of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). The first demonstration of this system was given with a plastic sample containing traces of cadmium. The quantification limit of cadmium in a plastic sample was found to be about 0.1 ppm.     

Chemical structure of composites derived from poly(silicic acid) and 2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate

Organic–inorganic hybrids from 2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and poly(silicic acid)s were prepared and characterized. The molecular architecture of the inorganic phase was studied with ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy, and the effect of acid concentration and reaction time on the properties of poly(silicic acid) were elucidated. Interactions between phases were studied with NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography, and the coexistence and connectivity of the two phases were investigated. Contrary to previous assumptions, evidence was found that indicated that the organic and inorganic phases of this class of sol–gel materials were not covalently linked. The curing process was studied by infrared spectroscopy, by which the disappearance of terminal double bonds of HEMA monomer were monitored. Thermogravimetric analysis profiles showed that the inorganic phase content was about 10 wt %, and it was varied slightly by changes in the molar ratio of the components. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1342–1352, 2001