Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐Based Polymers as Additive for Rapid Generation of Spheroid via Hanging Drop Method

Multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) mimics microenvironment for tumor formation and provides predictive insight for in vivo tests. The hanging drop (HD) method of spheroid generation is cost effective, but it is limited by a long time duration for spheroid development and a low rate of formation of larger spheroids. Toward addressing those limitations, thermoresponsive copolymers with poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (p(NIPA)) backbone are developed, to be used as additives in the MCTS formation via HD method. Upon investigation it is found that in the presence of the polymer, robust and compact spheroids are formed in a short duration of 48 h. Larger spheroids (350–600 µm) can be formed by increasing the number of cells. Spheroids are characterized for their 3D shape and different cellular layers, and drug uptake study is done to prove the efficacy of the spheroids generated in drug screening.     

Ballistic transport in InSb mesoscopic structures

Two different device geometries are fabricated to investigate ballistic transport of electrons in low-dimensional InSb structures. Negative bend resistance is observed in four-terminal devices of channel widths ranging from 0.2 to 0.65 μm. We also report the observation of conductance quantization in quantum point contacts fabricated using in-plane gates. The one-dimensional subbands depopulate with increasing transverse magnetic field up to 3 T. Zeeman splitting is resolved at magnetic fields above 0.9 T.     

Segment densities in star and comb random-flight chains

Segment densities of comb and star branched random-flight chains have been computed. It is found that the commonly used gaussian differs more significantly for branched chains than for linear chains. The asymptotic results are also found to depend on the branching parameter g.     

A brief review on miniaturized electrochemiluminescence devices: From fabrication to applications

Miniaturized electrochemiluminescence (ECL) systems are widely recognized as a highly detection, user-friendly, and turnkey strategy to develop point-of-care-testing devices. The ECL sensing approach provides numerous advantages over other methods, including high signal-to-noise ratio and measurement with minimal or no background signal. The ECL signal can be easily controlled by a small external potential while providing high sensitivity and decreased electrode fouling, resulting in the use of ECL-based miniaturized systems for detection and monitoring of different analytes, including DNA and bacteria. In this work, different types of miniaturized ECL systems with various fabrication techniques are reviewed and their application in point-of-care-testing is thoroughly discussed. Furthermore, such ECL platforms have been summarized based on the type of the ECL mechanism, electrodes, range of detection, and limit of detection. Finally, some of the upcoming technological interventions to make such a miniaturized ECL platform amenable for portable and on-field analysis have been discussed.     

Experimental studies on droplet characteristics in a microfluidic flow focusing droplet generator: effect of continuous phase on droplet encapsulation

The European Physical Journal E - Interaction of cytoskeletal filaments, motor proteins, and crosslinking proteins drives important cellular processes such as cell division and cell movement....     

A finite deformation nonlinear thermo-elastic model that mimics plasticity during monotonic loading

We present and study a nonlinear thermo-elastic constitutive model that under monotonic loading closely reproduces the response seen in plasticity, showing the initial stiff elastic response, kneeing as if yielding, and then showing response resembling post-yield hardening. The proposed large deformation thermo-elastic response model is constructed based on four physically identifiable mechanical parameters, that are closely related to the parameters used to construct plasticity models, thermal expansion parameters and two thermodynamic parameters. The four mechanical parameters are the initial elastic shear and bulk moduli, the yield point in shear, the hardening slope in shear. The thermodynamic parameters are the heat capacity at a reference temperature and its rate of change with changes of temperature. The model can be considered an alternate to deformation plasticity models currently used and, as such, can be used as a lightweight substitute for plasticity modeling in certain analysis. Since the proposed model is thermodynamically based, not only thermal effects are integrated into the model, but also the stress is calculated in terms of the applied deformation, allowing the model to be integrated with other models when conducting numerical analysis. We study the response of the proposed model under simple shear, uniaxial extension, confined compression, partially-confined compression, and biaxial extension. We incorporate the elastic model into ABAQUS using its UMAT subroutine for solid elements and using UHYPER for shell elements. We compare the large deformation response from the proposed elastic model with J2-plasticity, and with plasticity and deformation plasticity models implemented in ABAQUS. The model in most cases compares very favorably to all such models. This comparison is done for both homogeneous and non-homogeneous problems including the case of a cantilever beam under tip loading. We show that for the problems that it applies to, the models run in approximately one tenth the computational time and with one tenth the number of iterations needed to conduct the analysis using the plasticity model in ABAQUS.     

Characterization and photoluminescence studies of Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-doped BaSO<Subscript>4</Subscript> phosphor prepared by the recrystallization method

Eu doped BaSO₄ was prepared by the recrystallization method and characterization of the material was done by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. From the XRD pattern of Eu doped BaSO₄ compound, it was found that the prominent phase formed was BaSO₄ and traces of other phases were very weak and the result of FTIR spectrum of BaSO₄:Eu shows that the sulfur-oxygen stretch was found at around 1100 cm⁻¹. The room-temperature PL spectra of the Eu doped BaSO₄ sample showed one peak centered at 374 nm, which is the characteristic emission of Eu²⁺ ion. This emission band at 374 nm corresponds to the 4f⁶ 5d→4f⁷ (⁸S_7/2) transitions of Eu²⁺ ions. The excitation spectrum taken at the wavelength 374 nm extends over a wide range of wavelengths from 220–350 nm with a strong peak at around 260 nm. Furthermore, the present sample shows good crystal quality and high photoluminescence sensitivity. Hence our results suggest possible potential applications of Eu doped BaSO₄ phosphor in optoelectronic devices.     

DNA interaction, superoxide scavenging and cytotoxicity studies on new copper(II) complexes derived from a tridentate ligand

The copper complexes [Cu(Pyimpy)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ (1), [Cu(Pyimpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Cu(Pyimpy)(Cl)₂]·2H₂O (3·2H₂O), [Cu(Pyimpy)(N₃)(ClO₄)]₂ (4) and [Cu(Pyimpy)(SCN)(ClO₄)]₂ (5) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques, crystal structures and electrochemical studies (Pyimpy: (2-((2-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-l)hydrazono)methyl)pyridine)). The superoxide scavenging activity of the two water soluble complexes 1 and 3 was examined. DNA interaction studies by UV-Vis absorption spectral changes during a titration experiment indicated the generation of new species. These small molecule SOD mimics exhibited excellent DNA cleavage activity in the presence of H₂O₂ as well as 2-mercaptoethanol. Complexes 1-5 exhibited better cytotoxicity compared to CuCl₂·2H₂O and the ligand Pyimpy, and showed more potency than cisplatin for MCF-7, PC-3 and HEK-293 cells. Complex 3 exhibited the highest potency for MCF-7, PC-3 and HEK-293 cells compared to the other complexes.