21,814 research outputs found
A master relation defines the nonlinear viscoelasticity of single fibroblasts
Cell mechanical functions like locomotion, contraction and division are
controlled by the cytoskeleton, a dynamic biopolymer network whose mechanical
properties remain poorly understood. We perform single-cell uniaxial stretching
experiments on 3T3 fibroblasts. By superimposing small amplitude oscillations
on a mechanically prestressed cell, we find a transition from linear
viscoelastic behavior to power-law stress stiffening. Data from different cells
over several stress decades can be uniquely scaled to obtain a master-relation
between the viscoelastic moduli and the average force. Remarkably, this
relation holds independently of deformation history, adhesion biochemistry, and
intensity of active contraction. In particular, it is irrelevant whether force
is actively generated by the cell or externally imposed by stretching. We
propose that the master-relation reflects the mechanical behavior of the force
bearing actin cytoskeleton, in agreement with stress stiffening known from
semiflexible filament networks.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figures. Accepted for publication in Biophysical
Journal, scheduled to appear in May 200
A perspective on the economics of natural gas decontrol
Natural gas ; Natural resources ; Energy policy
The emergence of coherence in complex networks of heterogeneous dynamical systems
We present a general theory for the onset of coherence in collections of
heterogeneous maps interacting via a complex connection network. Our method
allows the dynamics of the individual uncoupled systems to be either chaotic or
periodic, and applies generally to networks for which the number of connections
per node is large. We find that the critical coupling strength at which a
transition to synchrony takes place depends separately on the dynamics of the
individual uncoupled systems and on the largest eigenvalue of the adjacency
matrix of the coupling network. Our theory directly generalizes the Kuramoto
model of equal strength, all-to-all coupled phase oscillators to the case of
oscillators with more realistic dynamics coupled via a large heterogeneous
network.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. Published versio
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Fabrication of Bone Substitute Material by Rapid Prototyping
Bone tissue engineering has gained much attention in recent years. A key requirement in this
field is the development of scaffold structures, on which cells adhere. This can be done by
fabricating scaffolds by direct procedures like 3D-printing or by indirect procedures like casting.
With the 3D-printing process different structures were build up by using hydroxyapatite powder
(HA) and a special binder material. Afterwards the printed 3D structures were sintered.
For the casting process molds have been made of different resins by stereolithography and other
processes using polymers and waxes. These structures were filled by a suspension of HA. By
heating the resulting polymer/ceramic composite to a specific temperature it is possible to
combust the polymer or wax. By further heating the remaining body, the HA is sintered.
Compared to the 3D printing a better resolution can be obtained here. But there are restrictions
regarding the ratio of polymer and the HA ceramic during the heating process which means a
limitation for the level of porosity.Mechanical Engineerin
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