Dynamic stiffness matrix of a rectangular plate for the general case

The dynamic stiffness matrix of a rectangular plate for the most general case is developed by solving the biharmonic equation and finally casting the solution in terms of the force-displacement relationship of the freely vibrating plate. Essentially the frequency dependent dynamic stiffness matrix of the plate when all its sides are free is derived, making it possible to achieve exact solution for free vibration of plates or plate assemblies with any boundary conditions. Previous research on the dynamic stiffness formulation of a plate was restricted to the special case when the two opposite sides of the plate are simply supported. This restriction is quite severe and made the general purpose application of the dynamic stiffness method impossible. The theory developed in this paper overcomes this long-lasting restriction. The research carried out here is basically fundamental in that the bi-harmonic equation which governs the free vibratory motion of a plate in harmonic oscillation is solved in an exact sense, leading to the development of the dynamic stiffness method. It is significant that the ingeniously sought solution presented in this paper is completely general, covering all possible cases of elastic deformations of the plate. The Wittrick-Williams algorithm is applied to the ensuing dynamic stiffness matrix to provide solutions for some representative problems. A carefully selected sample of mode shapes is also presented

Magnetic liposome design for drug release systems responsive to super-low frequency alternating current magnetic field (AC MF)

HYPOTHESIS: Magnetic liposomes are shown to release the entrapped dye once modulated by low frequency AC MF. The mechanism and effectiveness of MF application should depend on lipid composition, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) properties, temperature and field parameters. EXPERIMENTS: The study was performed using liposomes of various lipid composition and embedded hydrophobic MNPs. The liposomes structural changes were studied by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and the leakage was monitored by the fluorescent dye release. FINDINGS: Magnetic liposomes exposure to the AC MF resulted in the clustering of the MNPs in the membranes and disruption of the lipid packaging. Addition of cholesterol diminished the dye release from the saturated lipid-based liposomes. Replacement of the saturated lipid for unsaturated one also decreased the dye release. The dye release depended on the strength, but not the frequency of the field. Thus, the oscillating motion of MNPs in AC MF ruptures the gel phase membranes of saturated lipids. As the temperature increases the disruption also increases. In the liquid crystalline membranes formed by unsaturated lipids the deformations and defects created by mechanical motion of the MNPs are more likely to heal and results in decreased release

Combination of polymeric micelle formulation of TGFβ receptor inhibitors and paclitaxel produces consistent response across different mouse models of Triple‐negative breast cancer

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is notoriously difficult to treat due to the lack of targetable receptors and sometimes poor response to chemotherapy. The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) family of proteins and their receptors (TGFRs) are highly expressed in TNBC and implicated in chemotherapy‐induced cancer stemness. Here, we evaluated combination treatments using experimental TGFR inhibitors (TGFβi), SB525334 (SB), and LY2109761 (LY) with paclitaxel (PTX) chemotherapy. These TGFβi target TGFR‐I (SB) or both TGFR‐I and TGFR‐II (LY). Due to the poor water solubility of these drugs, we incorporated each of them in poly(2‐oxazoline) (POx) high‐capacity polymeric micelles (SB‐POx and LY‐POx). We assessed their anticancer effect as single agents and in combination with micellar PTX (PTX‐POx) using multiple immunocompetent TNBC mouse models that mimic human subtypes (4T1, T11‐Apobec and T11‐UV). While either TGFβi or PTX showed a differential effect in each model as single agents, the combinations were consistently effective against all three models. Genetic profiling of the tumors revealed differences in the expression levels of genes associated with TGFβ, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), TLR‐4, and Bcl2 signaling, alluding to the susceptibility to specific gene signatures to the treatment. Taken together, our study suggests that TGFβi and PTX combination therapy using high‐capacity POx micelle delivery provides a robust antitumor response in multiple TNBC subtype mouse models

Amine functionalization of cholecyst-derived extracellular matrix with generation 1 PAMAM dendrimer

This document is the unedited author's version of a Submitted Work that was subsequently accepted for publication in Biomacromolecules, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review. To access the final edited and published work, see http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/bm701055k.A method to functionalize cholecyst-derived extracellular matrix (CEM) with free amine groups was established in an attempt to improve its potential for tethering of bioactive molecules. CEM was incorporated with Generation-1 polyamidoamine (G1 PAMAM) dendrimer by using N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide cross-linking system. The nature of incorporation of PAMAM dendrimer was evaluated using shrink temperature measurements, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) assessment, ninhydrin assay, and swellability. The effects of PAMAM incorporation on mechanical and degradation properties of CEM were evaluated using a uniaxial mechanical test and collagenase degradation assay, respectively. Ninhydrin assay and FTIR assessment confirmed the presence of increasing free amine groups with increasing quantity of PAMAM in dendrimer-incorporated CEM (DENCEM) scaffolds. The amount of dendrimer used was found to be critical in controlling scaffold degradation, shrink temperature, and free amine content. Cell culture studies showed that fibroblasts seeded on DENCEM maintained their metabolic activity and ability to proliferate in vitro. In addition, fluorescence cell staining and scanning electron microscopy analysis of cell-seeded DENCEM showed preservation of normal fibroblast morphology and phenotype

Supercapacitance from cellulose and carbon nanotube nanocomposite fibers

Copyright © 2013 American Chemical SocietyACS AuthorChoice open access articleMultiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/cellulose composite nanofibers have been prepared by electrospinning a MWNT/cellulose acetate blend solution followed by deacetylation. These composite nanofibers were then used as precursors for carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The effect of nanotubes on the stabilization of the precursor and microstructure of the resultant CNFs were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the incorporated MWNTs reduce the activation energy of the oxidative stabilization of cellulose nanofibers from 230 to 180 kJ mol–1. They also increase the crystallite size, structural order, and electrical conductivity of the activated CNFs (ACNFs). The surface area of the ACNFs increased upon addition of nanotubes which protrude from the fiber leading to a rougher surface. The ACNFs were used as the electrodes of a supercapacitor. The electrochemical capacitance of the ACNF derived from pure cellulose nanofibers is demonstrated to be 105 F g–1 at a current density of 10 A g–1, which increases to 145 F g–1 upon the addition of 6% of MWNTs.The authors would like to thank the [Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council] EPSRC (EP/F036914/1 and EP/I023879/1), Guangdong and Shenzhen Innovative Research Team Program (No. 2011D052,KYPT20121228160843692), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 21201175), R&D Funds for basic Research Program of Shenzhen (Grant No. JCYJ20120615140007998), and the Universities of Exeter and Manchester for funding this research

Carrageenan-based hydrogels for the controlled delivery of PDGF-BB in bone tissue engineering applications

One of the major drawbacks found in most bone tissue engineering approaches developed so far consists in the lack of strategies to promote vascularisation. Some studies have addressed different issues that may enhance vascularisation in tissue engineered constructs, most of them involving the use of growth factors (GFs) that are involved in the restitution of the vascularity in a damaged zone. The use of sustained delivery systems might also play an important role in the re-establishment of angiogenesis. In this study, !-carrageenan, a naturally occurring polymer, was used to develop hydrogel beads with the ability to incorporate GFs with the purpose of establishing an effective angiogenesis mechanism. Some processing parameters were studied and their influence on the final bead properties was evaluated. Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) was selected as the angiogenic factor to incorporate in the developed beads, and the results demonstrate the achievement of an efficient encapsulation and controlled release profile matching those usually required for the development of a fully functional vascular network. In general, the obtained results demonstrate the potential of these systems for bone tissue engineering applications.This work was supported by the European NoE EXPERTISSUES (NMP3-CT-2004-500283), the European STREP HIPPOCRATES (NMP3-CT-2003-505758), and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the project PTDC/FIS/68517/2006 and through the V. Espirito Santo's Ph.D. grant (SFRH/BD/39486/2007)

Designing Bioactive Delivery Systems for Tissue Regeneration

The direct infusion of macromolecules into defect sites generally does not impart adequate physiological responses. Without the protection of delivery systems, inductive molecules may likely redistribute away from their desired locale and are vulnerable to degradation. In order to achieve efficacy, large doses supplied at interval time periods are necessary, often at great expense and ensuing detrimental side effects. The selection of a delivery system plays an important role in the rate of re-growth and functionality of regenerating tissue: not only do the release kinetics of inductive molecules and their consequent bioactivities need to be considered, but also how the delivery system interacts and integrates with its surrounding host environment. In the current review, we describe the means of release of macromolecules from hydrogels, polymeric microspheres, and porous scaffolds along with the selection and utilization of bioactive delivery systems in a variety of tissue-engineering strategies

Modelling the generation of dusty marine aerosol by expeditionary data and remote sensing methods over the Black Sea region

During a long-range transport, Sahara dust is naturally mixed with other aerosols, including maritime. At present, the mixing of these types of marine and dust aerosols is of particular interest, since it is important to correctly estimate the ionic and mass balance of aerosol particles. This problem is caused by the need for a reliable determination of the aerosol source and for correct atmospheric correction of satellite data. An analysis was made of the correlation between the change in the AOT parameter and the dates of dust transport from the Sahara to the Black Sea region. The analysis results confirmed the fact that the presence of dust aerosol over the Black Sea water area has a strong effect on the AOT indicator at all wavelengths, increasing the parameter almost by 2 times. This fact is correspondent to the generation of a secondary type of aerosol, namely, dusty marine aerosol. Analysis of CALIPSO aerosol subtype maps also revealed the presence of dusty marine aerosol with corresponding depolarization coefficients

Polarized raman analysis of polymer chain orientation in ultrafine individual nanofibers with variable low crystallinity

Recent mechanical studies of ultrafine electrospun polymer nanofibers showed they can simultaneously possess high strength and toughness attributed to high degree of chain alignment coupled with low crystallinity. Quantitative analysis of macromolecular alignment in nanofibers is needed for better understanding of processing/structure/properties relationships and optimization. However, quantification of structural features in nanofibers with ultrafine diameters and low variable crystallinity is highly challenging. Here, we show that application of standard orientation analysis protocols developed for polarized Raman microscopy of bulk polymers and films can lead to severe errors in subwavelength diameter samples. A modified polarized Raman method is proposed and implemented for study of size-dependent orientation in individual nanofibers as small as 140 nm. Macromolecular alignment improved significantly with the reduction of nanofiber diameter, correlating with nanofiber modulus increase. Applicability of the proposed method for quantitative comparative studies of nanofiber systems fabricated from solutions with different solvents is demonstrated