Role of Shape in the Self-Assembly of Anisotropic Colloids.

Self-assembly is the process of spontaneous organization of a set of interacting components. We examine how particle shape drives the self-assembly of colloids in three different systems. When particles interact only via their shape, entropic crystallization can occur; we discuss a design strategy using the Voronoi tesslelation to create “Voronoi particles,” (VP) which are hard particles in the shape of Voronoi cells of their target structure. Although VP stabilize their target structure in the limit of infinite pressure, the self-assembly of the same structure at moderate pressure is not guaranteed. We find that more symmetric crystals are often preferred due to entropic contributions of several kBT from configurational degeneracies. We characterize the assembly of VP in terms of their symmetries and the complexities of the target structure and demonstrate how controlling the degeneracies through modifying shape and field-directed assembly can improve the assembly propensity. With the addition of non-adsorbing, polymers, hard colloids experience an attraction dependent on polymer concentration, the form of which is dictated by the colloid shape; we study a system of oblate, spheroidal colloids that self-assemble thread-like clusters. In both simulation and experiment the colloids condense into disordered droplets at low polymer concentrations; at higher concentrations we observe kinetic arrest into primarily linear clusters of aligned colloids. We show that the mechanical stabilty of these low-valence structures results from the anisotropic particle shape. Particle surfaces can be patterned with metal coatings, introducing enthalpic attraction between particles; we study a system of prolate spheroidal colloids, half-coated in gold. We show with experiments and computer simulations that Janus ellipsoids can self-assemble into self-limiting one-dimensional fibers with shape-memory properties, and that the fibrillar assemblies can be actuated on application of an external alternating-current electric field. Actuation of the fibers occurs through a sliding mechanism (allowed by the curved ellipsoidal surface) that permits the reversible elongation of the Janus-ellipsoid chains by ~36%. In each case, we find shape plays a critical role. By understanding and isolating its impact, we enhance shape's utility as a parameter for the design of self-assembling colloids.PhDPhysicsUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111630/1/baschult_1.pd

AN EX VIVO METHOD FOR THE EVALUATION OF BIOMATERIALS IN CONTACT WITH BLOOD *

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73650/1/j.1749-6632.1977.tb41793.x.pd

Recommendations for sepsis management in resource-limited settings

PURPOSE: To provide clinicians practicing in resource-limited settings with a framework to improve the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric and adult patients with sepsis. METHODS: The medical literature on sepsis management was reviewed. Specific attention was paid to identify clinical evidence on sepsis management from resource-limited settings. RESULTS: Recommendations are grouped into acute and post-acute interventions. Acute interventions include liberal fluid resuscitation to achieve adequate tissue perfusion, normal heart rate and arterial blood pressure, use of epinephrine or dopamine for inadequate tissue perfusion despite fluid resuscitation, frequent measurement of arterial blood pressure in hemodynamically unstable patients, administration of hydrocortisone or prednisolone to patients requiring catecholamines, oxygen administration to achieve an oxygen saturation >90%, semi-recumbent and/or lateral position, non-invasive ventilation for increased work of breathing or hypoxemia despite oxygen therapy, timely administration of adequate antimicrobials, thorough clinical investigation for infectious source identification, fluid/tissue sampling and microbiological work-up, removal, drainage or debridement of the infectious source. Post-acute interventions include regular re-assessment of antimicrobial therapy, administration of antimicrobials for an adequate but not prolonged duration, avoidance of hypoglycemia, pharmacological or mechanical deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, resumption of oral food intake after resuscitation and regaining of consciousness, careful use of opioids and sedatives, early mobilization, and active weaning of invasive support. Specific considerations for malaria, puerperal sepsis and HIV/AIDS patients with sepsis are included. CONCLUSION: Only scarce evidence exists for the management of pediatric and adult sepsis in resource-limited settings. The presented recommendations may help to improve sepsis management in middle- and low-income countries