Engineered neural tissue for peripheral nerve repair

A new combination of tissue engineering techniques provides a simple and effective method for building aligned cellular biomaterials. Self-alignment of Schwann cells within a tethered type-1 collagen matrix, followed by removal of interstitial fluid produces a stable tissue-like biomaterial that recreates the aligned cellular and extracellular matrix architecture associated with nerve grafts. Sheets of this engineered neural tissue supported and directed neuronal growth in a co-culture model, and initial in vivo tests showed that a device containing rods of rolled-up sheets could support neuronal growth during rat sciatic nerve repair (5 mm gap). Further testing of this device for repair of a critical-sized 15 mm gap showed that, at 8 weeks, engineered neural tissue had supported robust neuronal regeneration across the gap. This is, therefore, a useful new approach for generating anisotropic engineered tissues, and it can be used with Schwann cells to fabricate artificial neural tissue for peripheral nerve repair

Technology-Supported Storytelling (TSST) Strategy in Virtual World for Multicultural Education

Learning culture through stories is an effective way for multicultural education, since stories are one of the most powerful and personal ways that we learn about the world. Storytelling, the process of telling stories, is a form of communication and a universal expression of culture. With the development of technology, storytelling emerges out of diverse ways. This study explores the storytelling in virtual worlds for multicultural education, and devises a Technology-Supported storytelling (TSST) strategy by examining and considering the characteristics of virtual worlds which could be incorporated into the storytelling, and then uses this strategy to teach Korean culture to students with different culture background. With this innovative TSST strategy in virtual world, this study expects to provide a guide to practice for teaching multicultural in digital era

Silver Halide Colloid Precursors for the Synthesis of Monolayer-Protected Clusters

A new method for the synthesis of monolayer-protected silver clusters (MPCs) based on the two-phase reduction of a stable negatively charged silver bromide sol is described. Phase transfer of the colloid to toluene is accomplished using tetra-n-octylammonium bromide as the phase transfer reagent. The advantage of this synthesis is to uncouple the formation of the silver halide colloid from its transfer and reduction in the organic phase, thus allowing control over each reaction step. The silver colloid in toluene was reduced with aqueous borohydride in the presence of 4-bromobenzenethiol as the passivating agent. The UV-visible absorption spectra indicate the intermediate formation of Ag coreAgBr shell clusters during reduction. The resulting MPCs have been characterized by optical and transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, thermogravimetry, and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The formation of spiral cracks in the nanoparticulate agglomerates on solvent evaporation was observed. The spectra of thin films obtained by solvent evaporation have been analyzed using an effective medium theory

A prelimanary survey of British literature on South-East Asia in the era of colonial decline and decolonisation

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