Mapping Tumor Spheroid Mechanics in Dependence of 3D Microenvironment Stiffness and Degradability by Brillouin Microscopy

Altered biophysical properties of cancer cells and of their microenvironment contribute to cancer progression. While the relationship between microenvironmental stiffness and cancer cell mechanical properties and responses has been previously studied using two-dimensional (2D) systems, much less is known about it in a physiologically more relevant 3D context and in particular for multicellular systems. To investigate the influence of microenvironment stiffness on tumor spheroid mechanics, we first generated MCF-7 tumor spheroids within matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-degradable 3D polyethylene glycol (PEG)-heparin hydrogels, where spheroids showed reduced growth in stiffer hydrogels. We then quantitatively mapped the mechanical properties of tumor spheroids in situ using Brillouin microscopy. Maps acquired for tumor spheroids grown within stiff hydrogels showed elevated Brillouin frequency shifts (hence increased longitudinal elastic moduli) with increasing hydrogel stiffness. Maps furthermore revealed spatial variations of the mechanical properties across the spheroids’ cross-sections. When hydrogel degradability was blocked, comparable Brillouin frequency shifts of the MCF-7 spheroids were found in both compliant and stiff hydrogels, along with similar levels of growth-induced compressive stress. Under low compressive stress, single cells or free multicellular aggregates showed consistently lower Brillouin frequency shifts compared to spheroids growing within hydrogels. Thus, the spheroids’ mechanical properties were modulated by matrix stiffness and degradability as well as multicellularity, and also to the associated level of compressive stress felt by tumor spheroids. Spheroids generated from a panel of invasive breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer cell lines within degradable stiff hydrogels, showed higher Brillouin frequency shifts and less cell invasion compared to those in compliant hydrogels. Taken together, our findings contribute to a better understanding of the interplay between cancer cells and microenvironment mechanics and degradability, which is relevant to better understand cancer progression

The effects of pesticide mixtures on degradation of pendimethalin in soils

Most agronomic situations involve a sequence of herbicide, fungicide, and insecticide application. On the other hand, use of pesticidal combinations has become a standard practice in the production of many agricultural crops. One of the most important processes influencing the behavior of a pesticide in the environment is its degradation in soil. It is known that due to several pesticide applications in one vegetation season, the pesticide may be present in mixtures with other pesticides or xenobiotics in soil. This study examines the role which a mixture of chemicals plays in pesticide degradation. The influence of other pesticides on the rate of pendimethalin (PDM) degradation in soil was measured in controlled conditions. Mixtures of PDM with mancozeb or mancozeb and thiamethoxam significantly influenced the degradation of pendimethalin under controlled conditions. The second type of mixtures, with metribuzin or thiamethoxam, did not affect the behavior of pendimethalin in soil. Also, we determined the influence of water content on the rate of pendimethalin degradation alone in two soils and compared it to the rate in three pesticide mixtures. We compared two equations to evaluate the predictors of the rate of herbicide dissipation in soil: the first-order kinetic and the non-linear empirical models. We used the non-linear empirical model assuming that the degradation rate of a herbicide in soil is proportional to the difference of the observed concentration of herbicide in soil at time and concentration of herbicide in the last day of measurement

Assessing fitness-to-practice of overseas-trained health practitioners by Australian registration & accreditation bodies

Assessment of fitness-to-practice of health professionals trained overseas and who wish to practice in Australia is undertaken by a range of organisations. These organisations conduct assessments using a range of methods. However there is very little published about how these organisations conduct their assessments. The purpose of the current paper is to investigate the methods of assessment used by these organisations and the issues associated with conducting these assessments

Samowzbudne drgania walcarek kwarto powstające w wyniku stochastycznego charakteru zaburzeń sił tarcia na powierzchni kontaktu walców roboczych i oporowych

In this paper an probabilistic model of the friction phenomena on the work- back up rolls contact surface has been presented. It has been shown that such character of the disturbance in distribution of zones with static and kinetic friction. can be regarded as one of the sources of self-excited vibrations appearing in the system consisting of a rolling mill and a strip.Przedmiotem pracy jest probabilistyczny model opisujący zaburzenia rozkładu sił tarcia na powierzchni kontaktu walców roboczych i oporowych walcarki kwarto. Analiza tego modelu wskazuje, iż taki charakter tarciowego sprzężenia obu walców może być przyczyną wzbudzania w układzie drgań o charakterze samowzbudnym

Application of finite element method in production of collar-head screw in suspension arm of motor car vehicle

The subject of analysis is the process of hex cap screws forming designed to fix suspension arm bushing in a motor car. Due to specified requirements set on elements of that type have to meet, both in the scope of size and shape accuracy as well as mechanic properties of material, cold forging closed-die process is applied. Analysis of such process including the application of Finite Element Method in the form of software package DEFORM-3D was conducted. Results of the analysis may help to choose the number and sequence of technological operations, their parameters and the proper shape of tools. The paper presents: suspension arm assembly, computer model presenting screw cold forging technology, work-hardening curve for AISI-1010 (ISO-C10) steel, boundary conditions of simulation, FEM model parameters in the subsequent phases of the process, analysis of accuracy of geometrical measures of screw obtained in simulations of particular phases of the process, discrete and actual model of obtained screw, the form of stained net of the hex cap screw with visible ZY central plane in its section, deformation distribution in screw head after second upsetting process, change in strain rate of the screw in time, filling of pass die, stress fields in screw determined in accordance with Huber's hypothesis, force of screw head upsetting in the function of the travel of the upper die

Application of GPS technology for control points position determination used for the ring road of Wyszków City

W pracy przedstawiono metodykę pomiaru i opracowania obserwacji GPS dla zastosowań inżynierskich przy budowie autostrad. Pomiar osnowy realizacyjnej na odcinku 13 km dla obwodnicy Wyszkowa wykonano przy użyciu 7 odbiorników GPS: Ashtech Z-XII, Z-Surveyor oraz Z-Xtreme. Punkty osnowy realizacyjnej były w większości stabilizowane na skraju lasu, co znacznie utrudnia wiarygodne wyznaczenie precyzyjnych współrzędnych. W takich przypadkach niezwykle ważne jest określenie właściwej metodyki pomiaru i opracowanie obserwacji GPS w celu uzyskania wysokiej i wiarygodnej dokładności wyznaczanych pozycji. Przedstawiona metodyka pomiaru oraz opracowania obserwacji GPS umożliwiła otrzymanie dokładności po wyrównaniu rzędu 2–3 mm przy 1.5–3 h sesjach obserwacyjnych.The paper presents methods of measurements and post-processing of GPS observations for engineering applications used for construction of highways. The measurements of geodetic control points on the distance of 13 km of the ring road of Wyszkow were done with the use of seven GPS receivers as Ashtech Z-XII, Ashtech Z-Surveyor and Ashtech Z-Xtreme. The control points of network were situated close to wooden area what makes more difficult accurate coordinates determination. In such situation it is extremely important to choose a proper methodology of GPS measurements and post-processing strategy in order to obtain high and reliable accuracy. The methodology of measurement and post-processing of GPS data presented in this paper allowed to obtain 2-3 mm accuracy after network adjustment having 1.5 – 3 hours GPS sessions

HiBSO Hip Exoskeleton: Toward a Wearable and Autonomous Design

HiBSO is an active orthosis designed to assist the hip flexion-extension of the elderly. A fully autonomous system with untethered power electronics and energy supply is now available. Going beyond the restricted walking conditions of a treadmill unveils many opportunities for the understanding of human-robot interaction. Previous works have presented the mechanical design optimized for high transparency and light weight, while dedicated kinematics allow high torque for sit-to-stand transition and high speed for level walking. The control strategies are currently in the evaluation process. In this document, the recent improvements to the device will be described, from the mechanical design to the control electronics. Some specific aspects such as the remote communication for the controller are emphasized. The assessment of the power autonomy is addressed with two sessions of walking in different conditions, and revealed a maximum operating time of more than 80 min. In this context, the controller is based on adaptive oscillators for the gait detection and is combined with a 40% torque assistance based on biomechanics from the literature