Construction of microscale structures in enclosed microfluidic networks by using a magnetic beads based method

A large number of microscale structures have been used to elaborate flowing control or complex biological and chemical reaction on microfluidic chips. However, it is still inconvenient to fabricate microstructures with different heights (or depths) on the same substrate. These kinds of microstructures can be fabricated by using the photolithography and wet-etching method step by step, but involves time-consuming design and fabrication process, as well as complicated alignment of different masters. In addition, few existing methods can be used to perform fabrication within enclosed microfluidic networks. It is also difficult to change or remove existing microstructures within these networks. In this study, a magnetic-beads-based approach is presented to build microstructures in enclosed microfluidic networks. Electromagnetic field generated by microfabricated conducting wires (coils) is used to manipulate and trap magnetic beads on the bottom surface of a microchannel. These trapped beads are accumulated to form a microscale pile with desired shape, which can adjust liquid flow, dock cells, modify surface, and do some other things as those fabricated microstructures. Once the electromagnetic field is changed, trapped beads may form new shapes or be removed by a liquid flow. Besides being used in microfabrication, this magnetic-beads-based method can be used for novel microfluidic manipulation. It has been validated by forming microscale dam structure for cell docking and modified surface for cell patterning, as well as guiding the growth of neurons.     

Synthesis and characterization of new selective Zn fluorescent probes for functionalization: in vitro Cell imaging applications

Herein the synthesis and characterization of new, lipophilic highly Zn²⁺-selective fluorescent probes are reported. High affinity for zinc (K_d 1.1–8.0 nM) over other biologically relevant metals and mixtures of metals was observed. Excitation at 360 nm afforded an emission spectrum with maximum at 530 nm for the zinc bound complex. The linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and zinc concentration indicates that FZnA-probes can be used for quantification. The probes have been synthesized in 28–45% overall yield and the feasibility for further functionalization with biologically relevant side chains has been demonstrated. In vitro studies using PC12 cells and 10 μM of one of the novel probes (FZnA-Ada) visualized endogenous labile Zn²⁺ after 45 min incubation time.     

A Correlation of the Drag Force Coefficient on a Sphere with Interface Slip at Low and Intermediate Reynolds Numbers

The hydrodynamics of a sphere with interface slip has been numerically investigated for flows of Reynolds number ranging 0 < Re ≤ 75. A simple correlation of the drag force coefficient in the present of interface slip has been derived based on our numerical simulations. The correlation takes the slip coefficient and Reynolds number as two input parameters. By comparing results found in the literature, we believe that the present correlation is more accurate; it provides a source for future experiment study and for numerical simulations of large multi-particle system where the interface slip is important.     

Hamaker 2: A Toolkit for the Calculation of Particle Interactions and Suspension Stability and its Application to Mullite Synthesis by Colloidal Methods

For modern processing of ceramics at the nanoscale, the influence of interparticle interactions in the suspended state becomes increasingly important. The Hamaker 2 program has been developed for the rapid prediction of these interactions, allowing us to gain important understanding of the often delicate balance of forces in ceramic powder suspensions. This article discusses the theoretical foundation of the implemented models and shows the benefit of this predictive approach applied to mullite production by colloidal methods.     

2DE‐based approach for estimation of number of protein species in a cell

Insufficient sensitivity of methods for detection of proteins at a single molecule level does not yet allow obtaining the whole image of human proteome. But to go further, we need at least to know the proteome size, or how many different protein species compose this proteome. This is the task that could be at least partially realized by the method described in this article. The approach used in our study is based on detection of protein spots in 2DE after staining by protein dyes with various sensitivities. As the different protein spots contain different protein species, counting the spots opens a way for estimation of number of protein species. The function representing the dependence of the number of protein spots on sensitivity or LOD of protein dyes was generated. And extrapolation of this function curve to theoretical point of the maximum sensitivity (detection of a single smallest polypeptide) allowed to counting the number of different molecules (polypeptide species) at the concentration level of a single polypeptide per proteome. Using this approach, it was estimated that the minimal numbers of protein species for model objects, Escherichia coli and Pirococcus furiosus, are 6200 and 3400, respectively. We expect a single human cell (HepG2) to contain minimum 70 000 protein species.     

Two novel abietane dimers from transformed root cultures of Salvia broussonetii

Broussonetone A (1) and broussonetone B (2), two novel dimeric abietane diterpenes, have been isolated from Salvia broussonetii root cultures transformed by Agrobacterium rhizogenes. The structure of broussonetone A was determined from spectroscopic data and confirmed by X-ray analysis. This dimer can be formed by a [4+2]-cycloaddition of two molecules of 13β-hydroxyabieta-8(14),9(11)-dien-12-one. NMR data of broussonetone B indicated that the C-20 methyl in part B of the broussonetone A molecule had been substituted by an aldehyde group. Thus, broussonetone B could be formed by an analogous Diels Alder reaction between 13β-hydroxyabieta-8(14),9(11)-dien-12-one as the dienophile and its 20-oxo derivative as the electrophile.     

Selective fluorescence and naked eye detection of histidine in aqueous medium via hydrogen bonding assisted Schiff base condensation

Visible light excitable rhodamine B derivative (TARDHD) has been developed for fluorescence and naked eye detection of histidine in aqueous medium. TARDHD shows 45 fold fluorescence enhancement in the presence of histidine. It forms Schiff base with histidine and stabilizes via intra-molecular H-bonding. TARDHD can efficiently detect intracellular histidine.     

Solid Particle Distribution in Centrifugal Impeller Contactors

The recently developed centrifugal impeller is examined to investigate the solid–liquid mixing in a mechanically agitated contactor. Using the sample withdrawal method, the effects of impeller geometrical parameters, impeller rotational speed (200–700 rpm), solid particle size (500–1100 µm), and solid loading (2–10 vol%) on the degree of homogeneity are studied. The axial and the radial solid concentration profiles and the minimum impeller speed for the complete homogenization are also determined. In comparison with a widely used propeller impeller, considerably higher homogeneity values in lower impeller speeds are obtained (90% homogeneity against 16% homogeneity at 200 rpm at the same conditions). Having also lower power consumption makes this a superior impeller in solid–liquid mixing processes especially in shear-sensitive systems.      

Cathode catalysts degradation mechanism from liquid electrolyte to membrane electrode assembly

Single-cell and half-cell degradation test procedures were evaluated for carbon-supported Pt/C, PtCo/C and PtNi/C catalysts. Half-cell analyses were employed to understand the effect of the number of cycles and of the scan rate over the cathode catalysts degradation under potential cycling from 0.6 to 1.2 V. The data suggested a time-dependent degradation for all three catalytic systems. Single-cell measurements were used to evaluate the impact of catalyst degradation on fuel cell performance. The measurements in both setups showed similar ECSA and ORR mass activity losses. Specific degradation mechanisms related to Pt dissolution, Pt agglomeration, and transitional metal leaching were quantified and correlated with performance losses.