Droplet Area Research Articles

UJI DISTRIBUSI SEMPROTAN SPRAYER PESTISIDA DENGAN PATTERNATOR BERBASIS WATER LEVEL DETECTOR

The research aimed to examine droplet distribution using a knapsack sprayer with a water level detector-based patternator. The tests consist of measuring spraying discharge, effective spray wide and height, droplet distribution pattern and area, and traveling speed. The sensor calibration showed that the system read the liquid volume in the container with R2 = 0.99 at a linear curve: y = 2.572 + 2.502x. The spray discharge was 0.033 L/s. The optimal spray was at 60 cm-nozzle height with effective spray wide and height were 0.64 m and 0.344, respectively. The spray distribution pattern illustrated that nozzle height affected droplet areas. The traveling speed due to nozzle height at 40 to 70 cm was 0.29 to 0.58 m/s, and had a line-up tendency, whereas spraying capacity was declined 1298 to 562 L/Ha.Keywords: Spray distribution, patternator, sprayer, water level detector

DHA Modulates Immune Response and Mitochondrial Function of Atlantic Salmon Adipocytes after LPS Treatment.

Adipocytes play a central role in overall energy homeostasis and are important contributors to the immune system. Fatty acids (FAs) act as signaling molecules capable to modulate adipocyte metabolism and functions. To identify the effects of two commonly used FAs in Atlantic salmon diets, primary adipocytes were cultured in the presence of oleic (OA) or docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid. DHA decreased adipocyte lipid droplet number and area compared to OA. The increase in lipid load in OA treated adipocytes was paralleled by an increase in iNOS activity and mitochondrial SOD2-GFP activity, which was probably directed to counteract increase in oxidative stress. Under lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation, DHA had a greater anti-inflammatory effect than OA, as evidenced by the higher SOD2 activity and the transcriptional regulation of antioxidant enzymes and pro- and anti-inflammatory markers. In addition, DHA maintained a healthy mitochondrial structure under induced inflammation while OA led to elongated mitochondria with a thin thread like structures in adipocytes exposed to LPS. Overall, DHA possess anti-inflammatory properties and protects Atlantic salmon against oxidative stress and limits lipid deposition. Furthermore, DHA plays a key role in protecting mitochondria shape and function.

HDL Receptor SR-B1 Deficiency Increased Inflammatory Dyslipidemia and Adipocyte Hypertrophy and Attenuated the Hepatic Steatosis in Murine Diet-Induced Obesity

Abstract Objectives We tested whether the scavenger receptor, class B type 1 (SR-B1), a physiologically relevant HDL receptor, modulates the metabolic and inflammatory phenotype of obese mice, accompanied by changes in adipocyte and hepatocyte lipid deposits. Methods Male SR-B1 knock-out (KO) mice and wild-type (WT) littermates were fed for 12 weeks with a high-fat diet (HFD, n = 12 per group) to induce obesity. Animals were euthanized after overnight food deprivation. Blood was obtained and adipose tissue and liver were removed. Plasma or frozen tissues were used for biochemical analyses or assessed by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Comparisons between WT and KO mice fed with HFD were performed and differences were considered statistically significant when P < 0.05. Results Compared to obese WT, obese HFD-fed SR-B1 KO mice showed increased plasma total cholesterol (p < 0.0001) and triglycerides (TG) (p < 0.01) as well as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (p < 0.0001) levels. Also, these animals exhibited white fat with larger adipocytes (p < 0.0001) and increased macrophage-based crown-like structure formation (p < 0.01), compared to HFD-fed WT mice, revealing a more inflammatory adipose tissue. These changes in adipose tissue were associated with reduced hepatic steatosis: reduced hepatocyte lipid droplet area (p < 0.0001) and decreased liver TG content (p < 0.0001). In addition, obese SR-B1-deficient mice showed reduced hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) expression, more efficient hepatic fatty acid β-oxidation and increased very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-TG secretion compared to obese HFD-fed WT mice Furthermore, liver fatty acid (FA) composition in obese SR-B1-deficient mice revealed a reduction in monounsaturated (MUFA) (p < 0.01), but an increase in polyunsaturated (PUFA) (p < 0.05), fatty acid content, compared to obese WT mice. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that SR-B1 expression modulates high fat feeding-associated inflammatory dyslipidemia, adipocyte hypertrophy, and hepatic steatosis; key processes underlying the pathogenesis of highly prevalent chronic diseases, such as obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Funding Sources FONDECYT 1,150,399, FONDECYT 1,180,525.

Interface capturing simulations of droplet interaction with spacer grids under DFFB conditions

In the dispersed flow film boiling (DFFB) regime, which exists under post loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) conditions in PWRs, droplet dynamics play a critical role in heat transfer. The DFFB regime is characterized by a very high void fraction, such that the flow regime is akin to a mist type flow. Consequently, the dominant heat transfer pathway under these conditions is to the entrained droplets, which is a strong function of the surface area of the droplets. The major heat transfer mechanisms include radiation from rods to droplet surface and convective heat transfer from bulk vapor to droplets. Evaporation of droplets also results in an increase in the local vapor velocity, further enhancing the heat transfer coefficients. Spacer grids and mixing vane structures play an especially critical role in the DFFB regime. Collision of the droplets with these structures results in an increase in their surface area, which causes a sharp increase in heat transfer immediately downstream of the mixing vanes. In this study, we present detailed interface-resolved simulations of multiple droplet dynamics in a prototypal reactor sub-channel with spacer grid and mixing vanes using PHASTA, a massively parallel finite element-based flow solver. The droplet-vapor interface is implicitly captured using the level-set method, allowing for resolution of inherent complexities of the regime including, droplet-structure collision and droplet break-up and coalescence. The simulations provide the evolution of interfacial area, volume and Sauter mean diameter of droplets along the axial length of the sub-channel domain. Further, a comparative study of the upstream and downstream mean velocity and Reynolds stress tensor profile is presented to emphasize on the effect of spacer-grid and mixing vane structures on the bulk flow, with and without the presence of droplets.

Microfluidic emulsification: Process and formulation variables effects in flow behavior pattern on a flow-focusing device

Formulation and process variables in surfactant/oil/water (SOW) systems can strongly modify the water/oil interfacial tension leading to different behaviors. Pre-equilibration time of the SDS/toluene/1-butanol/NaCl(aq) system was studied as a process variable and the flow regimes were described at different continuous and dispersed flow rates through a flow focusing geometry. Salinity and oil nature for the SDS/n-alkane/alcohol/NaCl(aq) equilibrated system were studied as formulation variables at fixed dispersed flow rates, changing the continuous flow rate and the formulation variable in order to get O/W or W/O emulsions in hydrophilic and hydrophobic chips, respectively. Pre-equilibration time modifies the flow regimes depending on the differences observed in the interfacial tension at t = 0 and t = 24 h of equilibration. Under very hydrophilic conditions, when γt=24 > γt=0, the entire droplet area is slightly higher for equilibrated systems. At WIII condition, when γt=0 >> γt=24, droplets are formed only in jetting regime for not equilibrated systems. For salinity scan, monodispersed oil droplets were obtained at low salinities, S = 0−0.25 % and in the oil scan, water droplets were obtained when using cyclohexane and cyclohexane-hexane mixtures. In both cases, flow regimes are reported into the formulation maps, using the Hydrophilic Lipophilic Deviation as formulation variable (HLD vs flow rate ratio). Droplet size was fitted into the same equation ( di≈αCac-0.264), and it is noteworthy that the interfacial tension in CaC is lower than in most of reported works using flow-focusing geometries and both emulsions (W/O and O/W) were obtained with the same surfactant.

Human milk pasteurisation reduces pre-lipolysis but not digestive lipolysis and moderately decreases intestinal lipid uptake in a combination of preterm infant in vitro models

Donor human milk, pasteurised for safety reasons, is the first alternative for feeding preterm infants when mothers’ own milk is unavailable. Breastmilk pasteurisation impact on lipid digestion and absorption was evaluated by a static in vitro digestion model for preterm infants coupled with intestinal absorption using Caco-2/TC7 cells. Lipid absorption was quantified by digital image analysis of lipid droplets, by measurement of basolateral triglyceride concentration and by analysing the expression of major genes involved. After in vitro digestion, lipolysis extent was 13% lower in pasteurised human milk (PHM) than in raw human milk (RHM). In Caco-2/TC7 cells, the number of lipid droplets was identical for both milk types, while the mean droplet area was 17% smaller with PHM. Altogether, pasteurisation decreased the pre-lipolysis of human milk. This initial difference in free fatty acid amount was only partially buffered by the subsequent processes of in vitro digestion and cellular lipid absorption.

The optimization of simulated icing environment by adjusting the arrangement of nozzles in an atomization equipment for the anti-icing and deicing of aircrafts

To investigate the aircraft icing problem, simulation of the high-altitude clouds as the icing environment becomes necessary. Clouds always contain many micro-scale subcooled droplets. The accurate control of the icing environment simulation is challenging. In this study, to optimize the icing environment simulation, the arrangement of 10 nozzles in the atomizer was adjusted. A model of the atomization equipment in an icing cloud simulation system was independently developed and fully experimentally validated with two parameters, the ice shape and the maximum ice thickness on the test rod. The error of maximum ice thickness, the maximum and mean deviations are 2.6%, 1.13 mm and 0.68 mm, respectively. Then, the performance of the icing environment at 6 different nozzle arrangements were simulated and analyzed. The spreading area of water droplets and the uniformity of liquid water content distribution were proposed to evaluate the simulated icing environment performance. For the best nozzle arrangement, the spreading area and the area-weighted average of liquid water content are 0.24009 m2 and 0.168 g/m3, respectively. For the worst case, the spreading area and the area-weighted average of liquid water content are 0.22511 m2 and 0.17056 g/m3, respectively. Additionally, increasing the horizontal distance between two nozzles in the middle spray bar adversely affects the performance of the simulated icing environment. Contributions of this study could effectively guide the realization of a better simulated icing environment.

Wetting and adhesion energy of droplets on wettability gradient surfaces

Wettability gradient surfaces can be used for heat and mass transfer in many fields, which has aroused extensive interest of research. However, since numerous studies only focused on the surfaces with identical microstructures, the wetting and adhesion energy of droplets on wettability gradient surfaces are still unclear. In this work, three types of microstructured surfaces with gradient wettability were fabricated via photolithography and etching methods. We found that the contact angle, contact angle hysteresis and critical sliding angle will increase with area fraction. Meanwhile, the gradient microstructures will affect the triple line and wetted area of droplets. In addition, it is found that the critical sliding angle depends on not only the droplet volume but the size and types of microstructures, which is consistent with our force analysis. Based on the morphological characteristics and actual wetted area of droplets, an adhesion energy model for microstructured surfaces with gradient wettability is proposed. The model is also verified by other types of wettability gradient surfaces, which may be helpful to design wettability gradient surfaces with low adhesion energy for practical applications.

Fine tuning of surface properties of SiO2 nanoparticles for the regulation of Pickering emulsions

Pickering emulsions hold great potential in solving the mass transfer limitation in gas-liquid-solid and/or liquid-liquid-solid multiphase systems. In the present study, the surface properties of SiO2 nanoparticles were finely tuned by a novel large-scale production method, which determined the final geometry of the dispersed droplets and their stability. By controlling the amount of KH-570 grafted on the nanoparticles surface the phase inversion of Pickering emulsions was regulated. The addition of stabilizing nanoparticles, the particle size, and the amount of dispersed phase all significantly affected the geometry and stability of the dispersed droplets, mainly attributed to the varying coverage area of dispersed droplets provided by the stabilizing particles at varying grafting degrees. Mechanistic investigation suggested that estimating the value of the solid-oil intermolecular energy provided an indicator measure to predict the type of Pickering emulsions, while the estimate of interfacial tension values gave an additional measure to determine the amount of solid particles needed for forming stable Pickering emulsions.

Ginsenoside Rg3 Induces Browning of 3T3-L1 Adipocytes by Activating AMPK Signaling.

Ginsenoside Rg3, one of the major components in Panax ginseng, has been reported to possess several therapeutic effects including anti-obesity properties. However, its effect on the browning of mature white adipocytes as well as the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we suggested a novel role of Rg3 in the browning of mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes by upregulating browning-related gene expression. The browning effects of Rg3 on differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were evaluated by analyzing browning-related markers using quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, and immunostaining. In addition, the size and sum area of lipid droplets in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were measured using Oil-Red-O staining. In mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes, Rg3 dose-dependently induced the expression of browning-related genes such as Ucp1, Prdm16, Pgc1α, Cidea, and Dio2. Moreover, Rg3 induced the expression of beige fat-specific genes (CD137 and TMEM26) and lipid metabolism-associated genes (FASN, SREBP1, and MCAD), which indicated the activation of lipid metabolism by Rg3. We also demonstrated that activation of 5’ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is required for Rg3-mediated up-regulation of browning gene expression. Moreover, Rg3 inhibited the accumulation of lipid droplets and reduced the droplet size in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Taken together, this study identifies a novel role of Rg3 in browning of white adipocytes, as well as suggesting a potential mechanism of an anti-obesity effect of Panax ginseng.

Development of Superhydrophilic 6061 Aluminum Alloy by Stepwise Anodization According to Pore-Widening Time

This study created alumina structures with the highest hydrophilic properties on 6061 aluminum alloy. The anodization process was applied to make various aluminum oxide structures. To create uniform alumina structures on top of a 6061 aluminum alloy surface, after conducting the first anodization in 0.3 M oxalic acid at 40 V at 0 <sup>o</sup>C, the alumina was removed using a mixture of chromic acid and phosphoric acid. Then, secondary and tertiary anodization was performed using the same electrolyte conditions as the primary anodization for 30 minutes at 40 V, respectively. Pore-widening (PW) of oxide film formed after the secondary anodic oxidation was performed for 20, 30, and 40 minutes in 0.1 M phosphoric acid solution. The PW time control allowed various oxide structures to be created, and reduced the area of the outermost surface in contact with water droplets. The smaller the initial area of water droplets, the better the hydrophilic phenomenon. The surface area can be represented as a solid fractional value. Surfaces with solid fraction values of less than or equal to 0.5 were superhydrophilic. This well-controlled anodization process with a pore-widening step can be used to create excellent superhydrophilicity on various metallic substrates, expanding their usefulness and efficacy.

200 Maturation method affects lipid accumulation in bovine oocytes

Invitro maturation is a key step in invitro embryo production, since its success will depend on the availability of good quality oocytes. Previous studies have shown that it is during this stage that the greatest accumulation of lipid droplets occurs, which is reflected in the amount of lipid present in embryos produced invitro. However, this is not observed when maturation is performed invivo. Therefore, we hypothesised that lipid accumulation would be avoided if oocyte maturation were carried out in ovarian follicles following intrafollicular transfer of immature oocytes (IFIOT). We compared lipid accumulation in oocytes matured invitro, invivo, and by IFIOT. A total of 90 Nellore heifers were distributed in 3 experimental groups: donors of immature oocytes (D-IMA), ovulators of IFIOT oocytes (D-OV), and superstimulated donors of invivo-matured oocytes (D-FSH). All animals rotated through all groups during the experiment. To obtain immature oocytes, the D-IMA were submitted to ovum pickup (OPU), in which aspiration medium was supplemented with 500μM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), and, after selection, part of the oocytes were cultured invitro for 22h (MatF) and part were used for IFIOT (MatT). To perform MatT, the D-OV had their ovulation synchronized by a progesterone and benzoate oestradiol protocol, in which 30h after the implant removal, the IFIOT was performed on the dominant follicle. The D-FSH oocytes were stimulated with 80mg of FSH (Folltropin; Vetoquinol) over 4 days, every 12h, in decreasing doses. At the same time that the immature oocytes were placed in MatF and IFIOT, ovulation was induced with the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue (50µg of lecirelin) in D-OV and D-FSH groups. After 22h, matured oocytes were either removed from culture (MatF) or recovered from follicles by OPU (MatT and MatS). From the recovered oocytes of all groups, only those with a polar body were used for lipid droplet evaluation. To quantify lipid accumulation, denuded oocytes were fixed and stained with boron-dipyrromethene (Bodipy) 493/503 (20 µgmL−1) and evaluated by confocal microscopy. Captured images were evaluated in the ImageJ program (National Institutes of Health), and lipid content was determined by calculating the ratio of the area of the lipid droplets to total oocyte area. Data were analysed by ANOVA with statistical significance set at P<0.05. A total of 95 oocytes were evaluated: 25 immature (CT), 24 invitro (MatF), 30 invivo (MatS), and 16 invivo (MatT). The mean area containing lipid droplets in immature oocytes (14%±0.9) was similar (P>0.05) to that observed in both invivo maturation systems (MatS=17.26%±0.8 and MatT=14.11%±0.9). However, in the MatF oocytes, lipid content (24.34%±1) increased during maturation and was higher than in the other groups (P<0.05). We showed for the first time that oocytes matured by IFIOT are similar to those invivo matured with regard to lipid content, which may imply their superior quality over those matured invitro. This new maturation method opens new possibilities for biotechnologies that need to use mature oocytes, such invitro embryo production, oocyte and embryo cryopreservation, cloning, and transgenesis. This study was supported by FAP-DF and Capes.

180 Glucose versus fatty acids: Different energy supplies for the bovine oocyte

Studies show that optimal concentrations of fatty acids (FA) and glucose are crucial for proper oocyte development, maturation, and further embryo quality support (Sutton McDowall et al. 2010 Reproduction 139, 685-95, https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-09-0345; Sutton McDowall et al. 2014 Theriogenology 82, 95-103, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.03.011). A balance between metabolism of FA and glucose in oocytes needs to be maintained; however, it is not clear what the preferable pathway of energy production is and how it affects the oocyte. The aim of the experiment was to selectively block pathways of either glucose or FA metabolism during IVM of bovine oocytes to reveal changes within oocyte lipid droplets (LD) under crucial changes in energy metabolism. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured under standard conditions (Warzych et al. 2007Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74, 280-289; https://doi.org/10.1002/mrd.20610) without FA and glucose supplementation. The experimental groups were (1) control (IVM in basic medium), (2) group with inhibited glucose metabolism [supplementation with 1.5 µM iodoacetate (IO, inhibitor of glycolysis) and 150 µM dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, inhibitor of pentose phosphate pathway)], and (3) group with inhibited FA metabolism (150 µM etomoxir supplementation, ETO). Oocytes after 24h of IVM were stained with boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) 493/503 dye (lipid droplets) and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI; chromatin) and analysed using a confocal microscope (LSM 880 AiryScan FAST; Zeiss). Obtained data were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The MII rate decreased to 60.5% for IO+DHEA (P<0.05) and to 78% for the ETO group compared with the control (83.8%). The average LD area (% of total oocyte area) significantly decreased in both experimental groups (IO+DHEA 6.72±2.5, ETO 6.28±3.2; P<0.01) compared with control (8.7±3.6). Total lipid content (intensity of the fluorescence), was significantly lower in experimental groups (IO+DHEA: 1.17×106±3×105, ETO: 7.1×104±2×104 vs. control: 1.68×106±4.6×105; P<0.01). With regard to the total number of LD, only in the IO+DHEA group were significantly fewer LD noted (987±343; P<0.05), whereas the ETO group did not differ significantly (1146±414) compared with control (1148±357). The ETO group had significantly lower total lipid content (P<0.01) and higher total LD number (P<0.05) compared with IO+DHEA. The area of lipid droplets did not differ between the experimental groups. These results show that blocking glucose metabolism strongly affects the nuclear maturation process of the oocyte, limiting the number of oocytes that reach the MII stage. A significant decrease in total lipid content in the ETO group may suggest strong utilisation of lipids during the maturation process, when de novo synthesis of lipids is blocked. Accumulation of lipids in LD before maturation allows this process to be passed even under the applied FA metabolism inhibitory conditions. In contrast, inhibition of glucose metabolism negatively affects oocyte development strictly after inhibition conditions, indicating the greater significance of glucose for proper oocyte maturation. Further studies are being conducted to investigate the effect of inhibitory systems on lipids in bovine cumulus cells and further embryos. Funding for this study was provided by National Science Centre, Poland (project no 2017/27/B/NZ9/00904).

76 Extracellular vesicles from oviduct and uterus in sequential culture improve the quality of bovine embryos produced invitro

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by cells and transport cargo that affect functions of other cells. Oviductal fluid (OF) and uterine fluid (UF) have been shown to improve quality of embryos during invitro culture (Hamdi et al. 2017 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 30, 935-945) which may be due to their content of EV (Lopera-Vásquez et al. 2017 Reproduction 153, 461-470). Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of EVs from OF and UF on a sequential invitro culture system on the development and quality of bovine embryos. Zygotes were cultured in synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF) supplemented with 3mgmL−1 bovine serum albumin (BSA; n=1228) or 5% EV-depleted fetal calf serum (dFCS, n=1261) in the presence (BSAEV, n=1265 and dFCSEV, n=1253) or absence of 3×105 EVmL−1 from OF (Day 1 to Day 4) and UF (Day 4 to Day 9), mimicking invivo conditions. The EVs pooled from 5 oviducts (early luteal phase) and 5 uterine horns (middle luteal phase) from slaughtered heifers were isolated by a Size Exclusion Chromatography kit (Hansa BioMed). The EV size and concentration were assessed by the nanotracking analysis system and morphology by transmission electron microscopy. Embryo development was recorded on Days 7/9. Day 7/8 blastocysts were assessed for quality by staining with (a) Hoechst 33342 (10 µgmL−1, 30min) for total cell number, (b) Bodipy 493/503 (20 µgmL−1, 1h) for lipid content (lipid droplet area in µm2), and (c) for survival rate after vitrification/warming. Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test. The EV concentration was 2.97 and 7.98×1010 particlesmL−1, and mode size 137.2 and 151.2nm for OF and UF, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed EV presence and size, showing typical cup-shaped morphology. Blastocyst yield was lower (P<0.05) on Day 7 in the BSA groups (BSA: 15.7±1.9 and BSAEV: 15.2.4%) compared with serum groups (dFCS: 28.1±2.6 and dFCSEV: 30.1±2.9%) irrespective of EV supplementation; however, these differences were compensated at Days 8 and 9 (range: 30.0±3.2-40.8±3.9%). The EVs increased (P<0.05) blastocyst total cell number in dFCSEV (152.6±2.9) and BSAEV (140.5±1.5) compared with dFCS (117.9±2.0) and BSA groups (122.4±1.1). However, lipid content was decreased (P<0.05) in the presence of EVs only in dFCSEV (0.231±0.05µm2) compared with BSA (0.393±0.03µm2) and BSAEV (0.379±0.03µm2) groups. The dFCS did not differ from any group (0.371±0.05µm2; P>0.05). Blastocyst survival after vitrification/warming was high in all groups up to 72h (range: 80.0±3.8-100%; P>0.05). In conclusion, mimicking physiological conditions using EV from OF and UF during invitro culture does not affect development but improves embryo quality by increasing blastocyst total cell numbers and decreasing lipid contents. These results provide evidence of the association of the reproductive tract environment and developing embryo, confirming embryo-maternal communication. Funding was provided by MINECO-Spain AGL2015-70140-R; Y. N. Cajas, SENESCYT-Ecuador; C. L. V. Leal, FAPESP-Brazil 2017/20339-3.

The Role of Wettability on the Response of a Quartz Crystal Microbalance Loaded with a Sessile Droplet

In this work, the interaction between a sessile droplet’s contact angle and a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is elucidated. We differentiate the QCM’s frequency response to changes in the droplet contact area from variations in the dynamic contact angle. This is done by developing a computational model that couples the electrical and mechanical analysis of the quartz substrate with the visco-acoustic behavior of the sessile droplet. From our analysis, we conclude that changes in the contact angle have an effect on the frequency response of the QCM when the droplet height is on the order of the viscous decay length or smaller. On the other hand, changes in the interfacial contact area of the sessile droplets have a significant impact on the frequency response of the QCM regardless of the droplet size.

Enhancement of Sensitivity and Accuracy of Micro/Nano Water Droplets Detection Using Galvanic-Coupled Arrays.

A moisture sensor has been reported that detects invisibly small water droplets and distinguishes their particle size with high accuracy and high speed. This sensor uses narrow lines of dissimilar metals as electrodes, arranged with gaps of 0.5 to 10 μm. The working principle for this sensor is that it measures the galvanic current generated when a water droplet forms a bridge-like structure between the electrodes. In addition, the surface of the sensor was controlled by using hydrophilic polymer, GL, and hydrophobic polymer, PMMA. The study of the relationship between the contact angle, projected area of water droplets and current response from the sensor with a modified surface showed that in the case of GL, the contact angle was small (wettability increased) and the average value and distribution of the projected water droplet area and the sensor’s response increased. This enhanced the sensor’s sensitivity. On the other hand, in the case of PMMA, the contact angle was large (wettability decreased), the area of the water droplet and its distribution became small and the accuracy of discriminating the water droplet’s diameter by the sensor enhanced. Therefore, by rendering sensor’s surface hydrophilic and hydrophobic, the sensitivity and accuracy of the sensor could be enhanced.

Adsorption and detection of microparticles using silicon microcantilevers

This paper presents a droplet-based method for detecting the mass of fluid-based microparticles. The degree of wettability on silicon-based substrates is therefore investigated for enhanced adsorption of microparticles. Contact angles of 47.3° (pre-treatment) and below 9° (enhanced hydrophilicity upon oxygen plasma treatment) have been realized. Segments of mono-layered particles on the substrate and the possibility of homogenous distribution are also demonstrated. The volume and the surface-contact area of droplets on the substrate have been determined, hence empowering an envisaged optimized design of a particle-well cantilever. The determination of the mass of adsorbed microparticles on the cantilever has also been investigated.

Electrochemical detection of single attoliter aqueous droplets in electrolyte-free organic solvent via collision events

We report the electrochemical detection of single water droplets in an electrolyte-free organic solvent by collision events using a platinum ultramicroelectrode (Pt-UME). Water droplet emulsions were prepared by the ultrasonication of an organic solvent (e.g., dichloroethane) and an aqueous solution containing hydroquinone (H2Q) as the redox species and MgSO4 as an emulsion stabilizer as well as the supporting electrolyte. Under the appropriate potentials, we could observe single water droplet collision phenomena at the Pt-UME by amperometric current-time (I-t) measurements. Water droplets that established contact with the Pt-UME led to amperometric current spikes due to the instantaneous electrolysis of the constituent redox species. The concentration of H2Q in the emulsion was adjusted to confirm that the amperometric spike resulted from the electrochemical reaction in the water droplet. As the concentration of H2Q increased, the oxidation peak current increased. The size and contact area of the water droplets were also estimated. Based on these single droplet collision results, we could successfully establish a facile water droplet detection system in an organic solvent without the addition of a hydrophobic organic electrolyte.

Design, fabrication, and modeling of a low-cost droplet on demand device for lab-on-chip applications

In many recent biomedical and other microfluidic engineering applications, generation and processing of a drop for a specific application has gained importance. The droplet-on-demand (DOD) is the important component of the microfluidic systems. In this work, the efficient low-cost PCB based design and fabrication method along with the analysis of a flow focused DOD system is explored. Modeling such multiscale and multiphysics problem is a challenging task. As a numerical design tool for such simulations, an improved multiphase Shan-Chen model has been used with 2D-lattice Boltzmann method. The numerical technique is validated with the experimental results. The effect of orifice geometry on droplet characteristics such as jetting and time interval of droplets has been studied in detail. Results show that the decrease in the orifice width leads to the reduction in the jetting effect and the droplet area. With the obtained result, one can tune the droplet area and time by choosing the orifice width and length for a particular size of the drop.

Branched chain amino acids are associated with the heterogeneity of the area of lipid droplets in hepatocytes of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Macrovesicular steatosis around the central vein (zone 3) is one of the pathological features of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH). The aim of this study is to elucidate precisely the association between the area of lipid droplets (LDs) and the plasma metabolic parameters in patients with NAFLD/NASH. Eighty patients with NAFLD/NASH diagnosed by needle biopsy were enrolled. The LDs around zone 3 were counted automatically by image processing software, the total area of LDs (TLDs), the maximum area of LDs (MAXLDs), the average area of LDs (AVELDs) and the heterogeneity by the coefficient of variation (CV [%]) were quantified. The correlations between these values and plasma metabolic parameters were analyzed. We evaluated the association between branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) and the heterogeneity of LDs in hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo. The MAXLDs was significantly correlated with more metabolic parameters than AVELDs and TLDs. The level of BCAAs was independently associated with the CV among the metabolic parameters. In early stage NAFLD, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase were significantly higher in the high CV group than in the low CV group. The high concentration of BCAAs increased the CV of LDs in hepatocytes accompanied by the expression of phosphor-p70 S6 kinase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 in vitro. A high BCAA diet induced high heterogeneity of LDs around zone 3 in ob/ob mice. The levels of BCAAs were associated with the LD heterogeneity of hepatocytes around zone 3 in patients with NAFLD/NASH.