Nano-Structured Ridged Micro-Filaments (≥100 µm Diameter) Produced Using a Single Step Strategy for Improved Bone Cell Adhesion and Proliferation in Textile Scaffolds

Textile scaffolds that are either 2D or 3D with tunable shapes and pore sizes can be made through textile processing (weaving, knitting, braiding, nonwovens) using microfilaments. However, these filaments lack nano-topographical features to improve bone cell adhesion and proliferation. Moreover, the diameter of such filaments should be higher than that used for classical textiles (10–30 µm) to enable adhesion and the efficient spreading of the osteoblast cell (>30 µm diameter). We report, for the first time, the fabrication of biodegradable nanostructured cylindrical PLLA (poly-L-Lactic acid) microfilaments of diameters 100 µm and 230 µm, using a single step melt-spinning process for straightforward integration of nano-scale ridge-like structures oriented in the fiber length direction. Appropriate drawing speed and temperature used during the filament spinning allowed for the creation of instabilities giving rise to nanofibrillar ridges, as observed by AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy). These micro-filaments were hydrophobic, and had reduced crystallinity and mechanical strength, but could still be processed into 2D/3D textile scaffolds of various shapes. Biological tests carried out on the woven scaffolds made from these nano-structured micro filaments showed excellent human bone cell MG 63 adhesion and proliferation, better than on smooth 30 µm- diameter fibers. Elongated filopodia of the osteoblast, intimately anchored to the nano-structured filaments, was observed. The filaments also induced in vitro osteogenic expression, as shown by the expression of osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein after 21 days of culture. This work deals with the fabrication of a new generation of nano-structured micro-filament for use as scaffolds of different shapes suited for bone cell engineering.     

Ultrahigh pressure equation of state of tantalum to 310 GPa

ABSTRACT

The isothermal compression of transition metal tantalum (Ta) was studied in a diamond anvil cell by X-ray diffraction utilizing rhenium (Re) and gold (Au) as internal X-ray pressure standards. The Re pressure marker was employed during non-hydrostatic compression to pressures up to 310?GPa while the Au pressure marker was used during quasi-hydrostatic compression in a neon pressure-transmitting medium to 80?GPa. Two ultra-high pressure experiments were conducted on Ta and Re mixtures utilizing focused-ion beam machined toroidal diamond anvils with central flats varying from 8 microns to 16 microns in diameter. The Ta metal was observed to be stable in the body-centered-cubic phase to a volume compression V/V₀?=?0.581. The measured equations of state (EOS) of Ta using two different calibrations of the Re pressure marker are compared with the ambient temperature isotherm derived from shock compression data. We provide a detailed analysis of EOS fit parameters for Ta under quasi-hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic conditions.     

Peculiarities of phase transitions when synthesizing diamond in high pressure apparatus of various types

Abstract

The influence of P, T-parmeters and duration of heat when synthesizing diamond in high pressure apparatus both of recessed anvil-type and cylindrical type (belt-type) on properties of diamond powders was studied. The dependence of pressure in reaction cells on temperature of force elements of apparatus in initial state and on efficiency of high pressure production in a reaction cell before heating was shown.     

Theory of radiation from relativistic positrons moving in the 〈110〉 axial channels of f.c.c. (diamond) crystal

The emission of radiation from relativistic positrons moving in the 〈110〉 axial channels of an f.c.c. (diamond) crystal has been studied. An expression for the radiation intensity has been obtained for the general case of positron motion. This expression has been simplified for the particular case of well-collimated incident beam. Enhancement of the radiation over (ordinary) bremsstrahlung has been discussed.     

微透镜阵列的铸塑复制技术

在光刻热熔成型以及电铸复制得到的微透镜阵列镍板基础上,采用静态铸塑技术,得到了高质量的PMMA微透镜阵列。本文介绍了静态铸塑的聚合反应理论基础、模具设计以及工艺过程。最后对微透镜阵列的复制精度进行分析,结果表明复制精度优于0.5μm.     

New Raman Spectroscopic Data of the Almahata Sitta Meteorite

The archaeological site of Pintia (Padilla de Duero/Peñafiel, Valladolid), considered one of the first cities on the Iberian Peninsula, has yielded very interesting archaeological records regarding the different functional areas that involve the oppidum. Pottery, metal, and bone/skeletal remains are very well preserved, being optimal for analysis and study of the ancient food contained, such as milk-based products, animal fats, beer, and wine. The combination of Raman Microscopy (RM) with other analytical techniques such as Light Microscopy (LM) and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (ESEM-EDX) becomes a powerful tool to obtain information on the possible content in the ceramic receptacles from historical-archaeological heritage. It can lead to an interpretation of their specific use or functionality. In this work, a unique sample preparation was used for all techniques, which lead to a very simple procedure and documentation. The degradation and aging of natural fibers and the presence of organic matter with low crystallinity and calcium oxalate–related residuals can be studied by these combined techniques. The archaeological residuals can be separated from modern contamination coming from agriculture processes, surrounding land minerals, or fresh vegetal matter.     

First-Principle Calculations for Elastic and Thermodynamic Properties of Diamond

The elastic constants and thermodynamic properties of diamond are investigated by using the CRYSTAL03 program. The lattice parameters, the bulk modulus, the heat capacity, the Grüneisen parameter, and the Debye temperature are obtained. The results are in good agreement with the available experimental and theoretical data. Moreover, the relationship between V/V₀ and pressure, the elastic constants underhigh pressure are successfully obtained. Especially, the elastic constants of diamond under high pressure are firstly obtained theoretically. At the same time, the variations of the thermal expansion α with pressure P and temperature T are obtained systematically in the ranges of 0-870 GPa and 0-1600 K.     

Photoelectrochemical cells using metal-decorated carbon nanotube electrodes

We fabricated the photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells using n-type TiO₂ and metal (Pt, Pd)-decorated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as an anode and a cathode, respectively. Photovoltaic effects were clearly observed. Compared with conventional PEC cell with Pt cathode, a larger photo-voltage was found in the PEC cells with the metal-decorated CNT cathode due to p-type semiconducting properties of CNTs. Additionally, we connected two PEC cells in series to decompose water into oxygen and hydrogen. Indeed, the connected PEC cells yielded the photo-voltage of about 1.35 V, which is larger than 1.23 V required for water splitting. This result demonstrates the possibility of hydrogen generation using the connected PEC cells without an external bias.     

低能离子注入宫颈癌细胞的红外光谱分析

利用离子注入机所产生的低能N+模仿宇宙中低能离子作用于人宫颈癌细胞(HeLa cell),探索其对人类细胞的影响及作用机制。因实验中的低能离子产生和加速要在真空中进行,细胞在离子注入同时将受到真空的影响,为此研究人员利用石蜡油保护细胞以防止注入时的水份蒸发。注入处理完毕后收集细胞,采用傅里叶变换红外光谱法(FTIR)分析真空和低能N+束注入后细胞中大分子的相对含量、构型及其构象变化等方面的信息。结果表明：(1)不同处理后的样品在3 300 cm-1附近吸收谱带存在明显差异。对照样品的特征峰位为3 300 cm-1,而其他样品中除了注入5×1014 N+·cm-2外,红外吸收峰均向长波数方向移动,真空2×1015 N+·cm-2样品的频移尤为明显至3 420 cm-1处。(2)与对照样品相比较,各处理样品的1 378 cm-1处吸收峰峰位均向长波数方向频移。(3)处理样品相对于对照样品而言,2 360 cm-1处吸收峰均向长波数方向移动。该结果说明低能离子注入处理可以引起细胞中核酸、蛋白的含量和构象变化。     

高温高压下文石和方解石的拉曼光谱研究

利用金刚石压腔结合拉曼光谱分析技术,研究了文石在18～388 ℃,71～2 014 MPa,以及方解石在19～351 ℃,96～1 823 MPa条件下的拉曼光谱特征,并得到文石和方解石的拉曼位移与温度、 压力三者之间的关系式。研究结果表明,文石和方解石的拉曼位移随温度压力的变化规律相似,都随压力升高向高频移动,除文石的704 cm-1外均随温度升高向低频移动。二者的晶格振动ν_i/T值均大于[CO₃]基团内振动的值,说明CaO₆八面体的热膨胀性大于[CO₃]基团的热膨胀性。二者的对称伸缩振动ν/T及ν/P值不同,由于该振动拉曼位移和C—O键的键长有关,方解石的C—O键的热膨胀性比文石小而可压缩性比文石大。另外升温升压过程中文石和方解石可以相互转化,伴随该过程发生的[CO₃]基团旋转变形等动力学因素也可以造成二者ν_i/T和ν_i/P值差异。