Electrohydrodynamic printing as a method to micropattern large titanium implant surfaces with photocrosslinkable structures

Metallic implants are widely used in orthopaedic and orthodontic applications. However, generally surface treatment of the metallic surfaces is necessary to render them more biologically active. Herein, we describe a direct write printing method to modify metallic implant surfaces with biocompatible polymers with microscale precision. Application of polymeric micropatterns on metallic implant surfaces can (i) improve their interaction with the host tissue, (ii) enable the delivery of growth factors, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory cytokines etc from the implant surface and (iii) can control the immune responses to the implant via controlling the attachment of immune cells, such as macrophages. Surface patterns with a resolution of less than 50 μm can be created using an electro hydrodynamic (EHD) printing, a template-free and single-step process. We present a revised EHD printing method for the deposition of parallel strips of photocrosslinkable, cell adhesive polymeric composites with spacing of around 20 μm onto medical grade titanium substrates. Optimization of voltage, feeding rate and collection speed resulted in regular structures via very rapid movement of the grounded rotating collector driven to equivalent of the linear surface speed of above 100 cm s−1. In the experimental part a mixture of chemically modified PEG /gelatin was deposited onto a conductive titanium substrate with different surface pretreatments with an area of 400 mm2. Acid etched or UV treated titanium surfaces improved the stability of the printed structures. Polymeric lines induced temporary orientation of human monocytes (THP-1) and induced a thicker cell multilayer formation by 3T3 fibroblasts (p < 0.05). Staining of the monocytes for M1(CD80) and M2 (CD206) macrophage markers on the patterned surface showed mixed populations with higher anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion compared to tissue culture plastic control. The results demonstrate the suitability of this method for the preparation of biomaterials with structured surfaces on large areas and with desired chemical composition

Challenges of operational river forecasting

Skillful and timely streamflow forecasts are critically important to water managers and emergency protection services. To provide these forecasts, hydrologists must predict the behavior of complex coupled human–natural systems using incomplete and uncertain information and imperfect models. Moreover, operational predictions often integrate anecdotal information and unmodeled factors. Forecasting agencies face four key challenges: 1) making the most of available data, 2) making accurate predictions using models, 3) turning hydrometeorological forecasts into effective warnings, and 4) administering an operational service. Each challenge presents a variety of research opportunities, including the development of automated quality-control algorithms for the myriad of data used in operational streamflow forecasts, data assimilation, and ensemble forecasting techniques that allow for forecaster input, methods for using human-generated weather forecasts quantitatively, and quantification of human interference in the hydrologic cycle. Furthermore, much can be done to improve the communication of probabilistic forecasts and to design a forecasting paradigm that effectively combines increasingly sophisticated forecasting technology with subjective forecaster expertise. These areas are described in detail to share a real-world perspective and focus for ongoing research endeavors

An Electrostatic Spinning Technology with Improved Functionality for the Manufacture of Nanomaterials from Solutions

The last decade has seen an extensive development of the field of nanomaterials which are currently being used in their first commercial applications. This rapid develop‐ ment is necessarily connected with certain technological demands. This paper describes a technology for the manufacture of nanomaterials from solutions by electro‐ static spinning or spraying. Although this method has been well known since the last century, there are still only a few high-quality devices that can be used for the research of new nanomaterials. The main reason for this is that the process of nanomaterials manufacturing is influenced by numerous processing parameters which need to be properly regulated, and furthermore all device compo‐ nents must be resistant to interference from high voltage. The technological requirements are thus stringent. More‐ over, such a device must be multifunctional, compact and affordable. This paper describes the technical aspects of a unique laboratory device, i.e., device modules and central control, measured processing parameters, and their effect on the produced materials. The developed laboratory device meets the most demanding criteria for a nanotech‐ nological laboratory device and helps facilitate and speed up the research and development of new nanomaterials produced in high electrostatic field

Effect of different emitter types on the production of nanofibrous tubular structures: Thickness uniformity and productivity

This contribution focuses on the effects of electrospinning process on the homogeneity of nanofibrous tubular structures caused by different emitters. Six types of emitters were used for the production of nanofibrous tubes. For all, the electric potential and the electric field were simulated. The quality of the produced tubes was verified by scanning electron microscopy, contact measurement of thickness and by a new digital image processing method based on transillumination. The analysis of the spun samples proved that the quality and therefore the parameters of the prepared tubes are significantly influenced by the choice of an emitter and its configuration. The use of the five-needle and needleless emitters resulted in a tenfold increase in production, however, image analysis revealed major thickness inhomogeneities. The highest thickness homogeneity and a high repeatability of the spinning process were achieved by using a moving double-needle emitter. The results will find use especially in the research of small-diameter vascular replacements and other applications in the field of tissue engineering requiring highly uniform tubular grafts

Electrohydrodynamic printing as a method to micropattern large titanium implant surfaces with photocrosslinkable structures

Metallic implants are widely used in orthopaedic and orthodontic applications. However, generally surface treatment of the metallic surfaces is necessary to render them more biologically active. Herein, we describe a direct write printing method to modify metallic implant surfaces with biocompatible polymers with microscale precision. Application of polymeric micropatterns on metallic implant surfaces can (i) improve their interaction with the host tissue, (ii) enable the delivery of growth factors, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory cytokines etc from the implant surface and (iii) can control the immune responses to the implant via controlling the attachment of immune cells, such as macrophages. Surface patterns with a resolution of less than 50 ?m can be created using an electro hydrodynamic (EHD) printing, a template-free and single-step process. We present a revised EHD printing method for the deposition of parallel strips of photocrosslinkable, cell adhesive polymeric composites with spacing of around 20 ?m onto medical grade titanium substrates. Optimization of voltage, feeding rate and collection speed resulted in regular structures via very rapid movement of the grounded rotating collector driven to equivalent of the linear surface speed of above 100 cm s?1. In the experimental part a mixture of chemically modified PEG /gelatin was deposited onto a conductive titanium substrate with different surface pretreatments with an area of 400 mm2. Acid etched or UV treated titanium surfaces improved the stability of the printed structures. Polymeric lines induced temporary orientation of human monocytes (THP-1) and induced a thicker cell multilayer formation by 3T3 fibroblasts (p < 0.05). Staining of the monocytes for M1(CD80) and M2 (CD206) macrophage markers on the patterned surface showed mixed populations with higher anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion compared to tissue culture plastic control. The results demonstrate the suitability of this method for the preparation of biomaterials with structured surfaces on large areas and with desired chemical composition

Riparian soil temperature modification of the relationship between flow and dissolved organic carbon concentration in a boreal stream

Discharge is often strongly correlated to the temporal variability of dissolved organic carbon concentrations ([DOC]) in watercourses. One recently proposed way to model this is the riparian flow-concentration integration model (RIM) concept that accounts for the role of flow pathway control on [DOC] dynamics in streams. However, in boreal systems, there is also commonly a seasonal pattern, which cannot be explained by variability in discharge alone. The objectives with this study were to (1) demonstrate RIM as a tool for studying variability in stream water chemistry, (2) investigate factors related to stream water DOC variability, and (3) modify RIM to account for these factors. RIM was used with 14 years of daily discharge and almost 500 stream measurements of [DOC] from a forested boreal headwater stream. We used the calibrated RIM to account for discharge influences and then investigated variables that could be related to DOC variability (air and soil temperature, soil moisture, precipitation, antecedent flow and stream sulfate). Five alternative formulations of RIM, with temporally varying soil concentration profiles based on the variability in soil temperature and/or antecedent flow, were evaluated. The model where only the effects of riparian soil temperature on dynamics in DOC depth profiles were included performed best overall. This dynamic RIM improved the Nash-Sutcliffe to 0.58 compared to 0.42 for the flow-only formulation and reduced the median absolute error from 3.0 to 2.1 mg L−1. This study demonstrates that RIM is a simple way of modeling stream DOC and exploring controls on stream water chemistry