Two-parameter failure criterion for elastoplastic bodies with mode I cracks

The generalized Dugdale crack model is used to formulate two-parameter failure criteria for the cases of quasibrittle state and developed plastic zones at a mode I crack tip. The failure criteria relate the fracture strength characteristics and the stress mode at the crack tip through the plastic constraint factor. The critical state of bodies with cracks under uni-and biaxial loading is analyzed in the cases of plane stress and plane strain using the Tresca and von Mises yield criteria. A small-scale yield criterion, which is an analytic relation between the critical stress intensity factor and T-stresses, is established __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 43, No. 7, pp. 47–57, July 2007.     

Bruch’s-Mimetic Nanofibrous Membranes Functionalized with the Integrin-Binding Peptides as a Promising Approach for Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell Transplantation

Background: This study aimed to develop an ultrathin nanofibrous membrane able to, firstly, mimic the natural fibrous architecture of human Bruch’s membrane (BM) and, secondly, promote survival of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells after surface functionalization of fibrous membranes. Methods: Integrin-binding peptides (IBPs) that specifically interact with appropriate adhesion receptors on RPEs were immobilized on Bruch’s-mimetic membranes to promote coverage of RPEs. Surface morphologies, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra, contact angle analysis, Alamar Blue assay, live/dead assay, immunofluorescence staining, and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate the outcome. Results: Results showed that coated membranes maintained the original morphology of nanofibers. After coating with IBPs, the water contact angle of the membrane surfaces varied from 92.38 ± 0.67 degrees to 20.16 ± 0.81 degrees. RPE cells seeded on IBP-coated membranes showed the highest viability at all time points (Day 1, p < 0.05; Day 3, p < 0.01; Days 7 and 14, p < 0.001). The proliferation rate of RPE cells on uncoated poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) membranes was significantly lower than that of IBP-coated membranes (p < 0.001). SEM images showed a well-organized hexa/polygonal monolayer of RPE cells on IBP-coated membranes. RPE cells proliferated rapidly, contacted, and became confluent. RPE cells formed a tight adhesion with nanofibers under high-magnification SEM. Our findings confirmed that the IBP-coated PCL membrane improved the attachment, proliferation, and viability of RPE cells. In addition, in this study, we used serum-free culture for RPE cells and short IBPs without immunogenicity to prevent graft rejection and immunogenicity during transplantation. Conclusions: These results indicated that the biomimic BM-IBP-RPE nanofibrous graft might be a new, practicable approach to increase the success rate of RPE cell transplantation.     

The Alleviating Effect of Lagerstroemia indica Flower Extract on Stretch Marks through Regulation of Mast Cells

Striae distensae (SD) or stretch marks are common linear scars of atrophic skin with disintegrating extracellular matrix (ECM) structures. Although fibroblasts contribute to the construction of ECM structure in SD, some studies have reported that mast cell degranulation causes the disruption of ECM in early SD lesions. Lagerstroemia indica flower (LIF) has traditionally been used in India as a diuretic. However, little is known about the effect and molecular action of Lagerstroemia indica flower extract (LIFE) on alleviating SD. This study evaluated the effects of LIFE on mast cell degranulation and the synthesis of ECM components in fibroblasts. LIFE inhibits the adhesion of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells, RBL-2H3 on fibronectin (FN) and the expression of integrin, a receptor for FN, thereby reducing focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation. In addition, LIFE attenuated the allergen-induced granules and cytokine interleukin 3 (IL-3) through the adhesion with FN. Moreover, the conditioned medium (CM) of activated mast cells decreases the synthesis of ECM components, and LIFE restores the abnormal expressions induced by activated mast cells. These results demonstrate that LIFE suppresses FN-induced mast cell activation and promotes the synthesis of ECM components in fibroblast, which indicates that LIFE may be a useful cosmetic agent for SD treatment.     

具扰动项的L—R型迁移方程的谱问题

本文在Lp（1≤P〈＋∞）空间上,研究了种群细胞增生中一类具扰动项的L—R模型,证明了这类模型相应的迁移算子生成半群的Dyson—Phillips展式的9阶余项R9（t）在L1空间上是弱紧和在Lp（1〈P〈＋∞）空间上是紧的,从而获得了该迁移算子的谱在右半平面上仅由有限个具有限代数重数的离散本征值组成及该迁移方程解的渐近稳定性等结果．     

飞秒激光在细胞纳米手术中的应用

激光类型不同,其与生物组织的作用机理也不同。其中飞秒激光由于脉冲持续时间短、瞬时功率大、聚焦尺寸小的特点,使得其在超快、超强和超精细领域有着广阔的应用前景。而结构微小的细胞的动力学研究,如有丝分裂、变形和凋亡,对于了解细胞的生物和发育行为有着重要作用。且生物大分子和水几乎不吸收近红外波长的光,故考虑应用近红外飞秒激光对细胞进行手术。这种激光手术技术已用于对细胞内结构进行切割和蚀除。介绍了该技术在细胞领域中的一些应用,如纳米手术、基因转染和染色体切割等。与传统技术相比,该技术精度高,可在不损伤细胞活性的前提下对细胞进行实验。     

SrTiO3/α-Fe2O3异质结光阳极光电转换性能

作为一类重要的光电极材料,α-Fe2O3在太阳能转化方面有着潜在的应用前景.但是,光生电子空穴对的再复合导致α-Fe2O3的光电量子产率很低.为了抑制光生电子空穴对的再复合,提高α-Fe2O3的光电量子产率,采用Spin-coating方法在透明导电玻璃FTO(SnO2:F)衬底上制备了SrTiO3/α-Fe2O3异质结薄膜光电极,并对该光电极进行了XRD、SEM、紫外-可见透射光谱的表征.在三电极光电化学测试系统中对薄膜的光电流-电压特性、入射光子电流转化效率(Incident photon to current efficiency,IPCE)对波长的依赖性进行了表征.在相同的Xe灯照射条件下,SrTiO3/α-Fe2O3异质结光电极的光电流及IPCE值大于单一的SrTiO3、α-Fe2O3各自的光电流及IPCE值,这与理论预测的结论一致.     

Apis mellifera syriaca Venom: Evaluation of Its Anticoagulant Effect,Proteolytic Activity,and Cytotoxicity along with Its Two Main Compounds—MEL and PLA2—On HeLa Cancer Cells

Bee venom (BV) is one of the most remarkable natural products that has been a subject of studies since ancient times. Recent studies have shown that Apis mellifera syriaca venom possesses antibacterial as well as cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines. The venom contains a variety of bioactive molecules—mainly melittin (MEL) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), as well as other compounds that are not well characterized. In this work, we continue the biological characterization of A. mellifera syriaca venom by testing its anticoagulant effect on human plasma using the prothrombin time (PT) test, as well as assessing its proteolytic activity. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the crude venom—and of its two main components, MEL and PLA2—was tested on HeLa cancer cell lines for the first time. The results obtained showed the capacity of A. mellifera syriaca venom to increase clotting time, thereby proving its anticoagulant effect. Moreover, the venom did not demonstrate a significant proteolytic activity unless administrated at concentrations ≥ 5 mg/mL. Finally, we showed that crude A. mellifera syriaca venom, along with MEL, exhibit a strong in vitro cytotoxic effect on HeLa cancer cell lines, even at low concentrations. In summary, our findings could serve as a basis for the development of new natural-based drug candidates in the therapeutic field.     

脉动热管的毛细管结构和尺度效应实验研究

脉动热管的毛细管结构变化如何影响其性能是研究者关注的问题.本文对毛细管截面为正方形和正三角形,水力直径范围为1 mm左右的回路型脉动热管的传热性能进行了实验研究.结果表明,角管脉动热管的倾角变化时,底加热明显优于顶加热;三角形截面脉动热管的热阻比正方形截面脉动热管的热阻更低.脉动热管在水力直径为1.5 mm时比1mm时的性能要好.实验研究为理论分析打下了基础.     

Preparation and tribological properties of DLC/Ti filmby pulsed laser arc deposition

This paper reports that DLC (diamond like carbon)/Ti and DLC films were prepared by using pulsed laser arc deposition. R-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, nanoindenter, spectroscopic ellipsometer, surface profiler and micro-tribometer were employed to study the structure and tribological properties of DLC/Ti and DLC films. The results show that DLC/Ti film, with $I(D)/I(G)$ 0.28 and corresponding to 76{\%} sp$^{3}$ content calculated by Raman spectroscopy, uniform chemical composition along depth direction, 98 at{\%} content of carbon, hardness 8.2 GPa and Young's modulus 110.5 GPa, compressive stress 6.579 GPa, thickness 46~nm, coefficient of friction 0.08, and critical load 95mN, exhibits excellent mechanical and tribological properties.