SURFACE STRUCTURING STRATEGIES FOR MICRO-CANTILEVER SENSING PLATFORMS AND APPLICATIONS FOR HYDROGEN RELATED ISSUES

Recent developments in microelectro-mechanical systems have enabled the exploration of transduction modes that involve mechanical energy and are based primarily on mechanical phenomena. As a result an innovative family of chemical and biological sensors has emerged which utilize a transducer in the form of microcantilevers (MCs). MCs offer greater sensitivity than comparable mass-responding sensors due in large part to their small dimension. These low cost devices can be deployed for remote testing, providing real-time information for the analyst. An additional advantage is the ability to employ MCs in an arrayed fashion adding a unique selectivity not available to many sensing platforms. The goal of this research is to explore improvements and advances in surface modification strategies for MC design. A practical application has been demonstrated for H2 related detection. The initial research (Chapter 2) focused on a novel surface structuring technique for introducing a molecular recognition phase (MRP) onto a MC transducer. The MRP in this study was introduced via spontaneous galvanic displacement reaction (SGDR) and has been implemented for H2 detection. Combining the advantages of a MC sensing platform with a high active surface area of nano-porous (np-Pd) created by a SGDR, a fast, selective, and sensitive means to detect hydrogen gas has been achieved. A second study (Chapter 3) investigates the nature of np-Pd systems created by the SGDR process. Experimental evidence is provided to support a mechanistic model which allowed a better understanding of both processing and material properties related to this strategy to create np-Pd films. This study has provided information for H2 related issues including catalysis, storage, and sensing applications. A final study (Chapter 4) explores improvements in the properties of materials used for MC design. A nano-laminate composite (NLC) surface composed of alternating layers of SiNx/SiO2 has shown advantages for MC design in comparison to conventional materials used for MCs. The NLC-MCs fabricated using this method exhibit superior reflectivity for optical read-out. The NLC materials experience less thermal induced drift compared to MCs that use metalized surfaces. The asymmetric layering of the NLC material used for MC design show promise for flexible functionalization strategies

Spotlight on zebrafish:translational impact

In recent years, the zebrafish has emerged as an increasingly prominent model in biomedical research. To showcase the translational impact of the model across multiple disease areas, Disease Models & Mechanisms has compiled a Special Issue that includes thought-provoking reviews, original research reporting new and important insights into disease mechanisms, and novel resources that expand the zebrafish toolkit. This Editorial provides a summary of the issue’s contents, highlighting the diversity of zebrafish disease models and their clinical applications

University of Maine Connection to the vBNS

This award is made under the high performance connections portion of ANIR\u27s Connections to the Internet announcement, NSF 96-64. It provides partial support for two years for a DS-3 connection to the vBNS. Applications include projects in artificial intelligence and underwater vehicle research, wood science anf forest engineering, tribology, ceramic film characterization, insect population dynamics, digital libraries, conflict and violence, and oceanography. Collaborating institutions include the Naval Postgraduate School; Pennsylvania State University; University of New Hampshire; Brookhaven, Argonne and Oak Ridge National Labs; Naval Research Lab; University of Illinois; Naval Undersea Weapons Center; University of California - Santa Barbara; Woods Hole; Dartmouth; Bedford Institute of Oceanography; several European institutions; Oregon State University; University of Rhode Island; and Goddard Space Flight Center. For additional information: http://homeland.maine.edu

Investigation of Dimethyl Ether Combustion Instabilities in a Partially - Premixed Gas Turbine Model Combustor Using High-Speed Laser Diagnostics

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140412/1/6.2014-0660.pd

Thomomys bottae pocket gophers of the central Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico: local differentiation, gene flow, and historical biogeography

Representatives of two strongly differentiated geographic units within Thomomys bottae come in contact along the Rio Grande south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The two forms share an average genic similarity of only 69%, and differ in karyotype by as much as 17 pairs of uniarmed autosomes. This high level of genic and chromosomal differentiation might suggest extremely limited introgression, or perhaps none at all. However, diagnostic alleles at several strongly differentiated loci were detected in contact zone populations of the opposite group, indicating that some gene flow does oc\u3c;ur. Suitable habitat and available land area are limited in the zone of contact, and these factors, in combination with the structure of local breeding populations of pocket gophers, contribute to restriction of gene flow through the contact zone. The measured width of the contact zone corresponds reasonably well with predictions derived from a neutral diffusion cline model under current estimates of gene flow rates and time of secondary contact

Aseptic Revision Knee Arthroplasty With Total Stabilizer Prostheses Achieves Similar Functional Outcomes to Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty at 2 Years: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

BackgroundPatient function is poorly characterized following revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA), although is generally accepted to be inferior to that following primary procedures.MethodsFifty-three consecutive aseptic revisions to total stabilizer devices were prospectively evaluated, preoperatively and at 6, 26, 52, and 104 weeks postoperatively, using the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), range of motion, pain rating scale, and timed functional performance battery. Data were assessed longitudinally and in comparison to primary TKA data with identical outcome assessments at equivalent time points.ResultsMean outcome changes were: 13 point increase in the OKS (from 17.5 [standard deviation—SD 7.4]-32.4 [SD 7.9] points); 21 degree improvement in the knee flexion (80.6 [SD 20.5]-101.5 [SD 13.2] degrees); 60% reduction in the pain report (7.7 [SD 2.3]-1.3 [SD 0.4] points); and 15 second improvement in the timed performance assessment (47.2 [SD 19.1]-32.0 [SD 7.0] seconds; P < .001). No difference was seen between primary and revision cohorts in OKS or pain scores (analysis of variance, P = .2 and .19). Knee flexion and timed performance assessment were different between primary and revision groups (analysis of variance, P = .03 and P = .02); however, this was due to differing preoperative values. The revision cohort achieved the same postoperative scores as the primary cohort at all postoperative time points.ConclusionPatients undergoing revision TKA for aseptic failure with total stabilizer implants made substantial improvements in the initial 2 years following surgery in both patient-reported and directly assessed function, comparable with that achieved following primary knee arthroplasty

Robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty has a greater early functional outcome when compared to manual total knee arthroplasty for isolated medial compartment arthritis

AimsThe primary aim of the study was to compare the knee-specific functional outcome of robotic unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (rUKA) with manual total knee arthroplasty (mTKA) for the management of isolated medial compartment osteoarthritis. Secondary aims were to compare length of hospital stay, general health improvement, and satisfaction between rUKA and mTKA.MethodsA powered (1:3 ratio) cohort study was performed. A total of 30 patients undergoing rUKA were propensity score matched to 90 patients undergoing mTKA for isolated medial compartment arthritis. Patients were matched for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and preoperative function. The Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) were collected preoperatively and six months postoperatively. The Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) and patient satisfaction were collected six months postoperatively. Length of hospital stay was also recorded.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the preoperative demographics (p ? 0.150) or function (p ? 0.230) between the groups. The six-month OKS was significantly greater in the rUKA group when compared with the mTKA group (difference 7.7, p < 0.001). There was also a greater six-month postoperative EQ-5D (difference 0.148, p = 0.002) and FJS (difference 24.2, p < 0.001) for the rUKA when compared to the mTKA. No patient was dissatisfied in the rUKA group and five (6%) were dissatisfied in the mTKA, but this was not significant (p = 0.210). Length of stay was significantly (p < 0.001) shorter in the rUKA group (median two days, interquartile range (IQR) 1 to 3) compared to the mTKA (median four days, IQR 3 to 5).ConclusionPatients with isolated medial compartment arthritis had a greater knee-specific functional outcome and generic health with a shorter length of hospital stay after rUKA when compared to mTKA