Isolation of calcium phosphate crystals from complex biological fluids using bisphosphonate-modified superparamagnetic beads

The surface of superparamagnetic magnetic beads was modified with bisphosphonates to selectively capture calcium phosphate crystals from complex biological fluids (i.e. synovial fluid).     

A surprise from 1954: siloxane equilibration is a simple, robust, and obvious polymer self-healing mechanism

Tetramethylammonium silanolate-initiated ring-opening copolymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D(4)) and bis(heptamethylcyclotetrasiloxanyl)ethane (bis-D(4)) renders cross-linked network polymers that contain ethylene bridges and active silanolate end groups. These "living" reactive anionic species are not neutralized by ambient atmosphere exposure (are stable to water, oxygen, CO(2)) and promote thermally activated equilibration among different network isomers and cyclic oligomers. The cross-link density of these living networks can be controlled by the ratio of D(4):bis-D(4), and the density of active chain ends is determined from the initiator:monomer ratio. We report that samples prepared with particular ratios of initiator:D(4):bis-D(4) can be cut with a sharp knife, even into two pieces, and can heal by siloxane equilibration to restore the original strength of the silicone sample. Fracture toughness measurements were carried out and revealed complete (mechanical) healing. Broken and healed samples generally failed in locations other than the initially cracked region. We call attention to publications and patents from the 1950s that suggest that this self-healing behavior was likely obvious 60 years ago.     

Differential response induced by exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation in SHSY-5Y and normal human fibroblast cells

Radiation therapy has been used in the treatment of a wide variety of cancers for nearly a century and is one of the most effective ways to treat cancer. Low-dose ionizing radiation (IR) can interfere with cell division of cancer and normal cells by introducing oxidative stress and injury to DNA. The differences in the response to IR-induced DNA damage and increased reactive oxygen species between normal human fibroblasts (NHFs) and cancerous SHSY-5Y cells were considered. H2AX staining and comet assays revealed that NHF cells responded by initiating a DNA repair sequence whereas SHSY-5Y cells did not. In addition, NHF cells appeared to quench the oxidative stress induced by IR, and after 24 h no DNA damage was present. SHSY-5Y cells, however, did not repair their DNA, did not quench the oxidative stress, and showed characteristic signs that they were beginning to undergo apoptosis. These results indicate that there is a differential response between this cancerous and normal cell line in their ability to respond to low-dose IR, and these differences need to be exploited in order to treat cancer effectively. Further study is needed in order to elucidate the mechanism by which SHSY-5Y cells undergo apoptosis following radiation and why these normal cells are better equipped to deal with IR-induced double-strand breaks and oxidative stress.     

Contact angle hysteresis explained

A view of contact angle hysteresis from the perspectives of the three-phase contact line and of the kinetics of contact line motion is given. Arguments are made that advancing and receding are discrete events that have different activation energies. That hysteresis can be quantified as an activation energy by the changes in interfacial area is argued. That this is an appropriate way of viewing hysteresis is demonstrated with examples.     

Rediscovering silicones: molecularly smooth, low surface energy, unfilled, UV/vis-transparent, extremely cross-linked, thermally stable, hard, elastic PDMS

We demonstrate the preparation of extremely cross-linked poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based materials and report optical, mechanical, and surface properties. Transparent monolithic molded objects are prepared catalytically with no byproducts; parts per million levels of platinum (catalyst) remain in the articles. Essentially the same material was prepared in 1993 and described as a "hard transparent glass." We confirm the thermal stability and chemical structure described in this report. We show that the catalytic reaction used, which was reported in 1999 always to exhibit a "violent exotherm", can be controlled conveniently using a low (parts per million) catalyst concentration. The combination of low surface energy, transparency, hardness, elasticity, and thermal stability makes this an unusual and interesting material. That it can be prepared from commercially available low-viscosity monomers adds to its interest. We comment that the class of materials known as siloxanes or silicones and PDMS in particular is not currently generally well understood (or taught) and review aspects of the structure, properties, and cross-linking chemistry of PDMS.     

Vibration response of double-walled carbon nanotubes subjected to an externally applied longitudinal magnetic field: A nonlocal elasticity approach

The magnetic properties of carbon nanotubes and their mechanical behaviour in a magnetic field have attracted considerable attention among the scientific and engineering communities. This paper reports an analytical approach to study the effect of a longitudinal magnetic field on the transverse vibration of a magnetically sensitive double-walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT). The study is based on nonlocal elasticity theory. Equivalent analytical nonlocal double-beam theory is utilised. Governing equations for nonlocal transverse vibration of the DWCNT under a longitudinal magnetic field are derived considering the Lorentz magnetic force obtained from Maxwell's relation. Numerical results from the model show that the longitudinal magnetic field increases the natural frequencies of the DWCNT. Both synchronous and asynchronous vibration phases of the tubes are studied in detail. Synchronous vibration phases of DWCNT are more affected by nonlocal effects than asynchronous vibration phases. The effects of a longitudinal magnetic field on higher natural frequencies are also presented. Vibration response of DWCNT with outer-wall stationary and single-walled carbon nanotube under the effect of longitudinal magnetic field are also discussed in the paper.     

Entropy generation across Earth's collisionless bow shock

Earth's bow shock is a collisionless shock wave but entropy has never been directly measured across it. The plasma experiments on Cluster and Double Star measure 3D plasma distributions upstream and downstream of the bow shock allowing calculation of Boltzmann's entropy function H and his famous H theorem, dH/dt≤0. The collisionless Boltzmann (Vlasov) equation predicts that the total entropy does not change if the distribution function across the shock becomes nonthermal, but it allows changes in the entropy density. Here, we present the first direct measurements of entropy density changes across Earth's bow shock and show that the results generally support the model of the Vlasov analysis. These observations are a starting point for a more sophisticated analysis that includes 3D computer modeling of collisionless shocks with input from observed particles, waves, and turbulences.     

The Influence of Water in the Vapor-Assisted Conversion Synthesis of UiO-67 MOF Thin Films

Water is known to play an important role for the crystallization and stability of Zr-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). This work investigates its effect on the vapor-assisted conversion (VAC) synthesis of UiO-67 MOF thin films on Au-coated Si substrates. We demonstrate the equilibration processes taking place during the VAC procedure, confirming the gradual equilibration of all solutions upon heating. The presence of water affects the vapor phase composition but does not significantly impact the acetic acid equilibration rate. However, the preparation of UiO-67 thin films by VAC is highly sensitive to the water content in the reaction. Some water is required for the formation of the zirconium clusters, but excessive water in the reaction vial yields poorly crystalline materials. Atmospheric water that is taken up by the vapor source can be sufficient to reduce crystallinity dramatically. This complication can be partially overcome by increasing the amount of acetic acid in the vapor source.