Growth Angle and Melt Meniscus of the RF-heated Floating Zone in Silicon Crystal Growth

This article presents a direct measurement of the growth angle during the growth of a cylindrical 2" silicon crystal using a radio-frequency heated floating zone process. From the high-resolution pictures taken during the process, this growth angle was evaluated to be 11{\deg}{\pm}2{\deg}. Furthermore, the free surface of the melt was modeled using the Laplace-Young equation. This model has to include the electromagnetic pressure calculated by the surface ring currents approximation. The results were compared to the experimental free surface derived from video frames. It could be shown that the calculated free surface will only fit the experimentally determined one if the right growth angle is considered

Distinct pharmacological properties of gaseous CO and CO-releasing molecule in human platelets

Carbon monoxide (CO)-gaseous or released by CO-RMs-both possess antiplatelet properties; however, it remains uncertain whether the mechanisms involved are the same. Here, we characterise the involvement of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) in the effects of CO-delivered by gaseous CO-saturated buffer (COG) and generated by CORM-A1-on platelet aggregation and energy metabolism, as well as on vasodilatation in aorta, using light transmission aggregometry, Seahorse XFe technique, and wire myography, respectively. ODQ completely prevented the inhibitory effect of COG on platelet aggregation, but did not modify antiplatelet effect of CORM-A1. In turn, COG did not affect, whereas CORM-A1 substantially inhibited energy metabolism in platelets. Even though activation of sGC by BAY 41-2272 or BAY 58-2667 inhibited significantly platelet aggregation, their effects on energy metabolism in platelets were absent or weak and could not contribute to antiplatelet effects of sGC activation. In contrast, vasodilatation of murine aortic rings, induced either by COG or CORM-A1, was dependent on sGC. We conclude that the source (COG vs. CORM-A1) and kinetics (rapid vs. slow) of CO delivery represent key determinants of the mechanism of antiplatelet action of CO, involving either impairment of energy metabolism or activation of sGG

The endothelial barrier and cancer metastasis : does the protective facet of platelet function matter?

Overwhelming evidence suggests that platelets have a detrimental role in promoting cancer spread via platelet-cancer cell interactions linked to thrombotic mechanisms. On the other hand, a beneficial role of platelets in the preservation of the endothelial barrier in inflammatory conditions has been recently described, a phenomenon that could also operate in cancer-related inflammation. It is tempting to speculate that some antiplatelet strategies to combat cancer metastasis may impair the endogenous platelet-dependent mechanisms preserving endothelial barrier function. If the protective function of platelets is impaired, it may lead to increased endothelial permeability and more efficient cancer cell intravasation in the primary tumor and cancer cell extravasation at metastatic sites. In this commentary, we discuss current evidence that could support this hypothesis

Analysis of macroplastic transport in a river regulated by groynes

The transport of buoyant macroplastic litter in the presence of concrete groynes and vegetation in a straight channel was investigated. Four variants of channel configuration were tested during laboratory measurements. Water velocity fields were measured using ADV current meter, while floating plastic particles' paths were registered using PTV (Particle Tracking Velocimetry) technique. Preliminary research using numerical model Delft3D was carried out to reproduce the observed physical phenomena