Homogeneous Shape Research Articles

Generating signals at converging liquid fronts to create line-format readouts of soluble assay products in three-dimensional paper-based devices.

The correct interpretation of the result from a point-of-care device is crucial for an accurate and rapid diagnosis to guide subsequent treatment. Lateral flow tests (LFTs) use a well-established format that was designed to simplify the user experience. However, the LFT device architecture is inherently limited to detecting analytes that can be captured by molecular recognition. Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs), like LFTs, have the potential to be used in diagnostic applications at the point of care. However, μPADs have not gained significant traction outside of academic laboratories, in part, because they have often demonstrated a lack of homogeneous shape or color in signal outputs, which consequently can lead to inaccurate interpretation of results by users. Here, we demonstrate a new class of μPADs that form colorimetric signals at the interfaces of converging liquid fronts (i.e., lines) to control where colorimetric signals are formed without relying on capture techniques. We demonstrate our approach by developing assays for three classes of analytes-an ion, an enzyme, and a small molecule-to measure using iron(III), acetylcholinesterase, and lactate, respectively. Additionally, we show these devices have the potential to support multiplexed assays by generating multiple lines in a common readout zone. These results highlight the ability of this new paper-based device architecture to aid the interpretation of assays that create soluble products by using flow to constrain those colorimetric products in a familiar, line-format output.

Controlling cellulose feedstock size allows for modification of cellulose-based carbon-based solid acid size

Carbon-based solid acids (CSA) have grown in popularity in recent years owing to their strong catalytic activity, thermal stability, and reusability. The size effect has a significant influence on the catalytic activity of carbon-based solid acids in heterogeneous catalysts. The impacts of raw material size on the shape, sulfonation degree, and catalytic activity of produced carbon-based solid acids were examined in this article. Various sizes of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), and cotton fiber pulp (CP) were used as carbon sources in a simple carbon-sulphonation method to synthesize carbon-based solid acids. The produced CSA has a high concentration of sulphonic acid groups, as well as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, and exhibits remarkable catalytic activity for the conversion of xylan to xylose. The solid acids generated from MCC have the most homogeneous shape, the greatest degree of sulphonation, and the highest catalytic activity. The conversion rate of xylan hydrolysis to xylose was up to 58.8% under ideal reaction conditions (150 °C, 4 h), and the catalyst retained almost its initial level of activity after five cycles with no appreciable deactivation.Graphical abstract

Tailoring Apixaban in Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Enhancing Its Oral Bioavailability and Anticoagulant Activity.

Apixaban (Apx), an oral anticoagulant drug, is a direct factor Xa inhibitor for the prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism. Apx has limited oral bioavailability and poor water solubility. The goal of this study was to improve the formulation of an Apx-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) to increase its bioavailability and effectiveness. As solid lipid, liquid lipid, hydrophilic, and lipophilic stabilizers, stearic acid, oleic acid, Tween 80, and lecithin were used, respectively. Utilizing Box-Behnken design, the effects of three factors on NLC particle size (Y1), zeta potential (Y2), and entrapment efficiency percent (Y3) were examined and optimized. The optimized formula was prepared, characterized, morphologically studied, and pharmacokinetically and pharmacodynamically assessed. The observed responses of the optimized Apx formula were 315.2 nm, -43.4 mV, and 89.84% for Y1, Y2, and Y3, respectively. Electron microscopy revealed the homogenous spherical shape of the NLC particles. The in vivo pharmacokinetic study conducted in male Wistar rats displayed an increase in AUC and Cmax by 8 and 2.67 folds, respectively, compared to oral Apx suspension. Moreover, the half-life was increased by 1.94 folds, and clearance was diminished by about 8 folds, which makes the NLC formula a promising sustained release system. Interestingly, the pharmacodynamic results displayed the superior effect of the optimized formula over the drug suspension with prolongation in the cuticle bleeding time. Moreover, both prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time are significantly increased. So, incorporating Apx in an NLC formula significantly enhanced its oral bioavailability and pharmacodynamic activity.

Fabrication of CuMn2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposite heterojunctions for efficacious visible light-induced degradation of antibiotics

The synthesis and design of heterojunction nanocomposites with remarkable photocatalytic performance remains a challenge. In this work, the fabrication of CuMn2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposite heterojunctions has been addressed for efficacious visible-light-induced degradation of tetracycline (TC). A facile sol-gel strategy with soft template assistance was utilized to synthesize mesoporous Co3O4 frameworks and then CuMn2O4 NPs were impregnated to obtain mesoporous CuMn2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposites. TEM images of CuMn2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposite revealed a homogeneous shape with a particle size of 10 nm. The degradation efficiency of CuMn2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposites exhibited significant enhancement and achieved 100% within 75 min. The 9%CuMn2O4/Co3O4 photocatalyst exhibited the highest TC degradation ability, which was enhanced 1.6 times that of pure Co3O4 NPs, and its rate constant was up to 2.35-times compared with the pure Co3O4 NPs. The photocatalytic ability of CuMn2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposites was significantly promoted due to their construction of heterojunction, the synergistic effect between CuMn2O4 and Co3O4, the enlarged surface area, strengthened effective charge mobility and narrowed bandgap energy. The CuMn2O4/Co3O4 nanocomposite was reusable and quite stable during the TC photodegradation process, even after five times repeatedly. This work shows research ideas and technical approaches for the photodegradation of antibiotics during the construction of heterojunction nanocomposites.

Safe drilling zones for anteriorly, central, and posteriorly angulated syndesmotic stabilization devices

PurposeThe purposes of the study were to (1) analyze the shape of the distal fibula at the location of syndesmotic stabilization and to (2) define safe zones at the distal-lateral fibula for three different drilling tunnel orientations: anteriorly-, posteriorly angulated and center-center.MethodsPostoperative, bilateral CT images of adult patients that underwent syndesmotic stabilization (suture-button system) for an acute, unilateral ankle injury were analyzed. Manual axial CT reconstructions of the uninjured side were generated. First, the axial shape of the distal fibula was classified. The aspect ratio between the anterio-lateral and the posterior-lateral surfaces of the fibula was calculated to assess symmetry. Second, the same axial planes were used to define the safe zones. Each drilling-tunnel orientation (anterior, central, posterior) comprised a fixed medial tibial anchor point and a safe zone on the lateral fibula. For each of the three orientations, the most anteriorly and posteriorly drilling tunnel location was simulated. Next to a cumulative visual analysis, a quantitative analysis of the most anterior and posterior point on the anterio- and posterior-lateral surfaces was calculated.ResultsA total of 96 CT datasets were analyzed. (1) 81% of fibulae revealed a triangular convex-, 10% an irregular-, and 8% a quadrilateral shape. The lateral surface ratio was 1.0 ± 0.2 (range: 0.7–1.5), not differing between the fibula types (n.s.). (2) The safe corridor on the lateral surface of the fibula for an anteriorly angulated drilling tunnel was − 8% to − 41%, for a posteriorly angulated drilling tunnel was 0% to 46%, and for a center-center alignment − 7 ± 11% (range: − 28 to 18%).ConclusionThe meta-diaphyseal region of the distal fibula revealed a homogeneous crosssectional shape. The lateral apex of the fibula can serve as a landmark defining safe zones to place the drilling tunnels correctly. Applying these safe zones in clinical practice could help to avoid the misplacement of the syndesmotic fixation device.Level of evidenceLevel III, retrospective radiographic study.

Hydrogen Bonding Nanoarchitectonics of Organic Pigment-Based Janus Microrobots with Entering Capability into Cancer Cells.

Autonomous microrobots are at the forefront of biomedical research as they are expected to be applied for specific tasks at the intracellular level such as cargo delivery, sensing, molecular manipulation, among others. Here, we report on a preparation of microrobots based on quinacridone and indigo, which are members of the organic hydrogen-bonded pigment family. The microrobots were fabricated by asymmetric platinum deposition on corresponding quinacridone and indigo microparticles that possessed a homogeneous size and shape distribution. The microrobots exhibited autonomous locomotion in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, which was further supported by UV irradiation. The organic pigment-based microrobots were studied in the presence of mouse colorectal carcinoma cells, and it was observed that they were internalized into the cells. Internalization was visualized using confocal laser scanning microscopy. This study reveals the possibility of fabricating hydrogen-bonded organic pigment-based microrobots for biomedical applications by employing the principles of nanoarchitectonics.

Producing mixed-soy protein adsorption layers on alginate microgels to controlled-release β-carotene

In this study, the effects of soy protein isolate (SPI) on the morphology, encapsulation efficiency, storage stability, swelling behavior, and in vitro digestion behavior of calcium alginate (CA) microgels were investigated. CA and calcium alginate-SPI (CAS) microgels with encapsulated β-carotene were prepared by extruding a mixture of alginate and SPI using a co-extrusion technique, followed by cross-linking with Ca2+. All microgels exhibited homogeneous sizes and spherical shapes, and CAS microgels showed high levels of protein loading efficiency. The encapsulation efficiency and storage stability of β-carotene within CAS microgels were higher than those within CA microgels. The introduction of SPI into CAS microgels resulted in a higher degree of gel size shrinkage in gastric fluid and a lower degree of swelling in intestinal fluid compared to CA microgels. In vitro digestion was conducted to investigate the effects of the addition of SPI on the release behavior of CA and CAS microgels. Results obtained showed that CAS microgels were more resistant to simulated gastric fluid than CA microgels. Cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) observations indicated that the release behavior was dependent on the porosity of the CA and CAS microgels, and the porosity was influenced by the concentration of SPI. This study showed that the introduction of SPI to CA microgels can lead to the development of an effective controlled release delivery system.

Fabrication and assessment of potent anticancer nanoconjugates from chitosan nanoparticles, curcumin, and eugenol.

In cancer management and control, the most challenging difficulties are the complications resulting from customized therapies. The constitution of bioactive anticancer nanoconjugates from natural derivatives, e.g., chitosan (Ct), curcumin (Cur), and eugenol (Eug), was investigated for potential alternatives to cancer cells' treatment. Ct was extracted from Erugosquilla massavensis (mantis shrimp); then, Ct nanoparticles (NCt) was fabricated and loaded with Cur and/or Eug using crosslinking emulsion/ionic-gelation protocol and evaluated as anticancer composites against CaCo2 "colorectal adenocarcinoma" and MCF7 "breast adenocarcinoma" cells. Ct had 42.6kDa molecular weight and 90.7% deacetylation percentage. The conjugation of fabricated molecules/composites and their interactions were validated via infrared analysis. The generated nanoparticles (NCt, NCt/Cur, NCt/Eug, and NCt/Cur/Eug composites) had mean particle size diameters of 268.5, 314.9, 296.4, and 364.7nm, respectively; the entire nanoparticles carried positive charges nearby ≥30mV. The scanning imaging of synthesized nanoconjugates (NCt/Cur, NCt/Eug, and NCt/Cur/Eug) emphasized their homogenous distributions and spherical shapes. The cytotoxic assessments of composited nanoconjugates using the MTT assay, toward CaCo2 and MCF7 cells, revealed elevated anti-proliferative and dose-dependent activities of all nanocomposites against treated cells. The combined nanocomposites (NCt/Eug/Cur) emphasized the highest activity against CaCo2 cells (IC50 = 11.13μg/ml), followed by Cur/Eug then NCt/Cur. The exposure of CaCo2 cells to the nanocomposites exhibited serious DNA damages and fragmentation in exposed cancerous cells using the comet assay; the NCt/Eug/Cur nanocomposite was the most forceful with 9.54nm tail length and 77.94 tail moment. The anticancer effectuality of innovatively combined NCt/Cur/Eug nanocomposites is greatly recommended for such biosafe, natural, biocompatible, and powerful anticancer materials, especially for combating colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, with elevated applicability, efficiency, and biosafety.

Biomimetic Antidote Nanoparticles: a Novel Strategy for Chronic Heavy Metal Poisoning.

Chronic lead poisoning has become a major factor in global public health. Chelation therapy is usually used to manage lead poisoning. Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is a widely used heavy metal chelation agent. However, DMSA has the characteristics of poor water solubility, low oral bioavailability, and short half-life, which limit its clinical application. Herein, a long-cycle slow-release nanodrug delivery system was constructed. We successfully coated the red blood cell membrane (RBCM) onto the surface of dimercaptosuccinic acid polylactic acid glycolic acid copolymer (PLGA) nanoparticles (RBCM-DMSA-NPs), which have a long cycle and detoxification capabilities. The NPs were characterized and observed by particle size meters and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the particle size of RBCM-DMSA-NPs was approximately 146.66 ± 2.41nm, and the zeta potential was - 15.34 ± 1.60mV. The homogeneous spherical shape and clear core-shell structure of the bionic nanoparticles were observed by transmission electron microscopy. In the animal tests, the area under the administration time curve of RBCM-DMSA-NPs was 156.52 ± 2.63 (mg/L·h), which was 5.21-fold and 2.36-fold that of free DMSA and DMSA-NPs, respectively. Furthermore, the median survival of the RBCM-DMSA-NP treatment group (47days) was 3.61-fold, 1.32-fold, and 1.16-fold for the lead poisoning group, free DMSA, and DMSA-NP groups, respectively. The RBCM-DMSA-NP treatment significantly extended the cycle time of the drug in the body and improved the survival rate of mice with chronic lead poisoning. Histological analyses showed that RBCM-DMSA-NPs did not cause significant systemic toxicity. These results indicated that RBCM-DMSA-NPs could be a potential candidate for long-term chronic lead exposure treatment.

Impedance–based haptenation of skin sensitizers with self–assembled monolayer of gold nanoparticles and cysteine modified screen printed carbon electrode

Haptenation of skin sensitizer is indicated because of the covalent attachment of a skin sensitizer to a skin protein. The idea of this research is to explore the haptenation of skin sensitizer with a modified screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) and a self–assembled monolayer of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and cysteine (designated as ACC modified SPCE) using the impedance technique. The ACC modified SPCE was characterized using Fourier–Transform infrared spectroscopy–attenuated total reflectance (FTIR–ATR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Energy Dispersive X–Ray Spectroscopy (EDX). The presence of AuNPs and cysteine on the working electrode of the ACC modified electrode was detected by FTIR–ATR and EDX. AuNPs, possessing a homogeneous dot shape, and cysteine was randomly distributed on the carbon surface of SPCE shown by FESEM images. The AFM images indicated the possibility of a monolayer of adsorption of skin sensitizer onto ACC modified SPCE. The ACC modified SPCE has good reproducibility and stability with an RSD of 8.43 %. In addition, the interaction of extreme/strong skin sensitizer with the ACC modified SPCE was discovered with a high value of changes of charge transfer resistance of skin sensitizer (ΔRCTskinsensitizer) when compared to moderate and weak/non skin sensitizers. A total of 9 min was reported to be the optimum contact time of the skin sensitizer onto ACC modified SPCE. The adsorption isotherm studies of skin sensitizers with ACC modified SPCE showed Langmuir isotherm adsorption and spontaneous mechanism. Maleic anhydride (as a model of extreme/strong skin sensitizers) showed a fast–binding rate (18.2149 M−1) with the addition of a slow dissociation rate of 0.0549 M, while glycerol (as a model of weak/non skin sensitizer) showed a slow binding rate of 4.5977 M−1 as a result of a rapid dissociation rate of 0.2175 M. The change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG°) was calculated for ACC modified SPCE with glycerol and maleic anhydride to be at –3.78 × 10+03 kJ/mol and –7.19 × 10+03 kJ/mol, respectively. This study proved that the ACC modified SPCE could be used for routine screening during the early product development stage in qualitative skin sensitization measurements.

Stable Evaluation of 3D Zernike Moments for Surface Meshes

The 3D Zernike polynomials form an orthonormal basis of the unit ball. The associated 3D Zernike moments have been successfully applied for 3D shape recognition; they are popular in structural biology for comparing protein structures and properties. Many algorithms have been proposed for computing those moments, starting from a voxel-based representation or from a surface based geometric mesh of the shape. As the order of the 3D Zernike moments increases, however, those algorithms suffer from decrease in computational efficiency and more importantly from numerical accuracy. In this paper, new algorithms are proposed to compute the 3D Zernike moments of a homogeneous shape defined by an unstructured triangulation of its surface that remove those numerical inaccuracies. These algorithms rely on the analytical integration of the moments on tetrahedra defined by the surface triangles and a central point and on a set of novel recurrent relationships between the corresponding integrals. The mathematical basis and implementation details of the algorithms are presented and their numerical stability is evaluated.

Filament stretching during parallel dispensing – A way to reduce silver consumption in SHJ metallization

In the field of silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells, great successes on improving production processes have been achieved in the last years, however further improvements in the case of metallization are required to obtain higher market share. Therefore, lower Ag laydowns and higher process throughput are demanded. This study presents the impact of filament stretching on Ag-electrode shapes and laydown during temperature-controlled micro-extrusion, known as parallel dispensing. Dispensed metal grids ensure higher cell performances than screen-printed grids. It has been discovered that the maximum use of filament stretching benefits the solar cell efficiency due to narrower Ag-electrodes and less silver consumption. We have shown a low Ag laydown per 157.35 mm line of m Ag = 0.27 mg electrode -1 in average. An efficiency gain of Δη A = + 0.26% abs. has been demonstrated by the maximum usage of filament stretching. Further, a novel parameter that values the effectiveness of silver usage and enables the comparison between different printing processes has been introduced. We have demonstrated that silver is used more effectively by up to +74% rel. when the low-temperature curing paste is dispensed compared to screen printing because dispensed electrodes show an almost perfectly homogeneous shape. • Temperature-controlled filament stretching phenomenon during micro-extrusion obtains higher solar cell performances and higher throughput-rates. • Filament stretching phenomenon is process-specific and paste-specific. • Novel parameter is introduced to value the effectiveness of silver usage in printed structures. • Silver is used more effectively in dispensed lines than in screen-printed lines.

Effect of cerium-rich mischmetal content on the growth morphology and microstructure evolution of undercooled Al-70 wt%Si alloys

The Al-70 wt%Si alloys with various cerium-rich rare earth contents undercooled by electromagnetic levitation were investigated, and the nucleation and growth, growth mode, and morphology evolution of primary Si were observed and recorded using a high-speed camera and scanning electron microscope. When the undercooling is lower than ΔT1, primary Si is coarse long plates with specific edges and faces, showing a characteristic of the lateral growth mode. When undercooling approaches ΔT2, the recalescence interface becomes dendritic and massive, and dendritic primary Si covers the surface of the alloys. The growth mode of primary Si shows a mixed growth mode of lateral and non-lateral. When undercooling exceeds ΔT2, the recalescence interface takes on a parallel shape and the morphology of primary Si transforms to homogeneous and fine spherical shapes with smooth surfaces, indicating a characteristic of the non-lateral growth mode. With an increasing RE content, critical undercooling, ΔT1 and ΔT2, gradually decreases, with the lowest values of 78 and 180 K for an RE content of 1.5%.

The Critical Role of Hypoxia in the Re-Differentiation of Human Articular Chondrocytes.

The preservation of the chondrogenic phenotype and hypoxia-related physiological microenvironment are major challenges in the 2D culture of primary human chondrocytes. To address this problem, we develop a 3D culture system generating scaffold-free spheroids from human chondrocytes. Our results highlight the chondrogenic potential of cultured human articular chondrocytes in a 3D system combined with hypoxia independently of the cartilage source. After 14 days of culture, we developed spheroids with homogenous diameter and shape from hyaline cartilage donors. Spheroids generated in hypoxia showed a significantly increased glycosaminoglycans synthesis and up-regulated the expression of SOX9, ACAN, COL2A1, COMP, and SNAI1 compared to those obtained under normoxic conditions. Therefore, we conclude that spheroids developed under hypoxic conditions modulate the expression of chondrogenesis-related genes and native tissue features better than 2D cultures. Thus, this scaffold-free 3D culture system represents a novel in vitro model that can be used for cartilage biology research.

Three-dimensional nanoframes with dual rims as nanoprobes for biosensing

Three-dimensional (3D) nanoframe structures are very appealing because their inner voids and ridges interact efficiently with light and analytes, allowing for effective optical-based sensing. However, the realization of complex nanoframe architecture with high yield is challenging because the systematic design of such a complicated nanostructure lacks an appropriate synthesis protocol. Here, we show the synthesis method for complex 3D nanoframes wherein two-dimensional (2D) dual-rim nanostructures are engraved on each facet of octahedral nanoframes. The synthetic scheme proceeds through multiple executable on-demand steps. With Au octahedral nanoparticles as a sacrificial template, sequential processes of edge-selective Pt deposition and inner Au etching lead to Pt octahedral mono-rim nanoframes. Then, adlayers of Au are grown on Pt skeletons via the Frank-van der Merwe mode, forming sharp and well-developed edges. Next, Pt selective deposition on both the inner and outer boundaries leads to tunable geometric patterning on Au. Finally, after the selective etching of Au, Pt octahedral dual-rim nanoframes with highly homogeneous size and shape are achieved. In order to endow plasmonic features, Au is coated around Pt frames while retaining their geometric shape. The resultant plasmonic dual-rim engraved nanoframes possess strong light entrapping capability verified by single-particle surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and show the potential of nanoprobes for biosensing through SERS-based immunoassay.

Utilization of co-precipitation method on synthesis of Fe3O4/PEG with different concentrations of PEG for biosensor applications

The synthesis of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles with the addition of polyethylene glycol-4000 (PEG-4000) was successfully carried out using a two-step co-precipitation method for the possible biosensor applications. In this study, different concentrations of PEG on Fe3O4/PEG (1:0, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1 and 1:1) were used. The crystallite size of the Fe3O4 decreased (14.35 to 12.83 nm) with the increase of PEG concentrations. The presence of a new carbonyl group in the samples indicates the presence of PEG in the Fe3O4. The weight loss percentage of the Fe3O4 increased from 7.7 to 41.46% with the increase of PEG concentrations. With the addition of PEG, Fe3O4 have a well-defined and homogeneous shape due to the presence of PEG which acts as a dispersing and stabilizing agent characterized. The magnetic properties showed that all samples exhibited superparamagnetic behavior. The saturation magnetization values of Fe3O4 decreased with increasing PEG layer and reached values ​​of 65.34 emu/g with zero remanent magnetization and coercivity field while maintaining the behavior superparamagnetism and high saturation magnetization. To evaluate the magnetic properties of the samples to the sensitivity of biosensor, GMR-biosensor was used. Five types of Fe3O4/PEG-alcohol solutions with a concentration of 50 μg/mL were dropped on the surface of the sensor. It was found that there was a decrease in the |ΔV| value with the increase of PEG concentrations, undergoing a linear function |ΔV| = 97.31x+1880.97. Thus, the remarkable fact of saturation magnetization and controllable particle size in these Fe3O4/PEG can serve as promising biosensor applications.

Gastro-Resistant Microparticles Produced by Spray-Drying as Controlled Release Systems for Liposoluble Vitamins.

In the present study, gastro-resistant microparticles (MPs) were produced using the spray-drying technique as controlled-release systems for some model liposoluble vitamins, including retinyl-palmitate, retinyl-acetate, β-carotene, cholecalciferol and α-tocopherol. The gastroprotective action of three different gastro-resistant excipients, the anionic methacrylic copolymer (Eudraguard®® Biotic, E1207), the cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) and whey proteins (WPs), was compared. The latter was used to produce a novel delivery system manufactured with only food-derived components, such as milk, and showed several improvements over the two synthetic gastro-resistant agents. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed a quite homogeneous spherical shape of all microparticle batches, with an average diameter between 7 and 15 μm. FTIR analysis was used to evaluate the effective incorporation of vitamins within the microparticles and the absence of any degradation to the components of the formulation. The comparison graphs of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed that the spray drying technique generates a solid in which the physical interactions between the excipients and the vitamins are very strong. Release studies showed a prominent pH-controlled release and partially a delayed-release profile. Ex vivo permeation studies of retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate and α-tocopherol revealed greater transmucosal permeation capacity for microparticles produced with the WPs and milk.

A novel resistivity measurement method for a homogeneous cylinder shape based on the vdP configuration

The electrical resistivity method for a cylinder shape is an essential method for reflecting physical properties. However, the use of a nondestructive resistivity method with the circumferential cross-section arrangement for working components remains challenging. This paper provides a simple novel resistivity method for a cylinder shape based on the van der Pauw configuration, with four electrodes placed near the middle cross-section layer of shape. First, the theoretical solution formulae for the electrostatic potential function in the cylindrical coordinate system are derived. Then, the effect of the electrode and shape size is analysed. The results show that the electrode height is less than 1% of the cylinder height and the radian angle is less than 10°, where the electrode size effect on the correction factor (CF) can be ignored, and CF rarely depends on the cylinder shape. Finally, a prototype is designed, and the proposed method is verified in laboratory tests using geomaterials. The performance of the proposed method for fine soil at high moisture contents is found to be better than that at low moisture contents.

Morphological variations of an invasive cyprinid fish (Carassius gibelio) in lentic and lotic environments inferred from the body, otolith, and scale shapes

AbstractThis study investigated the morphological variation of gibel carp Carassius gibelio collected from various water bodies in Türkiye. The fish samples were obtained from three dams (Karacaören‐1, Karakaya, and Keban), two natural lakes (Beyşehir and Suğla), and a river (the Tigris River). The dimorphism in body shape was examined with geometric morphometrics, while elliptic Fourier analysis and shape indices were used to describe the variation in lapilli otoliths (hereafter “otoliths”) and scale shapes. The body of C. gibelio revealed higher variations, particularly in the body depth, snout length, caudal fin, and caudal peduncle, among different stations. Geometric morphometric analysis determined a streamlined body shape of C. gibelio in the Tigris River compared to other stations, while C. gibelio from the natural lakes had a deeper body shape. The body of C. gibelio exhibited a significant homogenous shape between the Beyşehir and Suğla lakes, providing the lowest Procrustes distance. The elliptic Fourier analysis revealed that the otolith shape varied significantly between all stations. However, the scale shape was remarkably similar among nearby areas such as Karacaören dam, Suğla, and Beyşehir lakes. These results evinced high degree of intra‐population morphological variation in C. gibelio in response to prevailing environmental conditions that probably facilitate their successful establishment in a novel environment.

Quaternary bioactive glass-derived powders presenting submicrometric particles and antimicrobial activity

The biomedical engineering advances in the last years have been rising demand for multifunctional biomaterials. Bioactive glass (BG) submicron particles are potential candidates for the formulation of composites with improved dispersion and homogeneity between the constituents. This work presents the preparation of SiO2–Na2O–CaO–P2O5 glass-derived powders composed of particles with homogenous shapes and sizes between 300 and 500 nm. Two types of synthesis were employed for the preparation of the BG powders, the melt-quenching method, and a citric acid-assisted sol-gel route at a low citric acid concentration (0.005 mol L−1). The morphology of the particles was achieved by a low-energy process using a ball mill. These powders were characterized for their structure and surface area and evaluated for in vitro mineralization and antibacterial behavior. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed different crystalline silicate phases in the sol-gel-derived powder and confirmed the amorphous structure of the melt-quenching-derived one. The surface of the particles was covered by hydroxycarbonate-apatite (HCA) after five days in simulated body fluid (SBF). The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was higher for the sol-gel-derived powder, showing inhibition >99% of the bacteria growth in 24 h for all concentrations studied. These BG-based powders present a set of characteristics useful for the formulation of multifunctional composites for orthopedic applications.