2013-2014 The Beauty and Antiquity of Music - Part 2

https://spiral.lynn.edu/conservatory_otherseasonalconcerts/1010/thumbnail.jp

Fluorinated Strategies Among All‐Solid‐State Lithium Metal Batteries from Microperspective

All‐solid‐state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs) are becoming the crucial energy‐storage candidate in achieving both theoretical capacity and safety guarantee. However, the inherent defects of solid electrolytes (SEs) (low ionic conductivity, lack of mechanical properties, weak antioxidant capacity, etc.) and the existence of interfacial issues between electrodes (cathode/electrolyte interface and anode/electrolyte interface) hinder further practical application. To overcome these problems, many approaches have been developed, such as composite solid electrolytes, interfacial coatings, electrolyte additives, etc. Among them, fluorides and its derivatives with good chemical stability are generally believed as one of the significant materials for stabilizing ASSLMBs. In this article, the progress of fluorinated strategies in ASSLMBs is summarized from the aspects of fluorinated SEs and fluorinated interfaces. Meanwhile, the enhanced mechanisms of fluorinated strategies are emphasized from the microscopic view of the nanostructures evolution based on the discussion of emerging analysis technologies such as cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The progress of future fluorinated strategies is prospected, and this review may thus instruct the rational design of high performance ASSLMBs

Synthesis and application of ultrabright porphyrin dendrimer oxygen sensors

Tissues deprived of oxygen can develop severe physiological disorders, such as pressure and diabetic ulcers, as well as tissue graft failure. A reliable method to dynamically map and quantify oxygenation would provide a means to detect and prevent these unwanted outcomes for improved patient care

Oxygen-Sensing Paint-On Bandage: Calibration of a Novel Approach in Tissue Perfusion Assessment

Background: Knowledge of tissue oxygenation status is fundamental in the prevention of postoperative flap failure. Recently, the authors introduced a novel oxygen-sensing paint-on bandage that incorporated an oxygen-sensing porphyrin with a commercially available liquid bandage matrix. In this study, the authors extend validation of their oxygen-sensing bandage by comparing it to the use of near-infrared tissue oximetry in addition to Clark electrode measurements. Methods: The oxygen-sensing paint-on bandage was applied to the left hind limb in a rodent model. Simultaneously, a near-infrared imaging device and Clark electrode were attached to the right and left hind limbs, respectively. Tissue oxygenation was measured under normal, ischemic (aortic ligation), and reperfused conditions. Results: On average, the oxygen-sensing paint-on bandage measured a decrease in transdermal oxygenation from 85.2 mmHg to 64.1 mmHg upon aortic ligation. The oxygen-sensing dye restored at 81.2 mmHg after unclamping. Responses in both control groups demonstrated a similar trend. Physiologic changes from normal to ischemic and reperfused conditions were statistically significantly different in all three techniques (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The authors' newly developed oxygen-sensing paint-on bandage exhibits a comparable trend in oxygenation recordings in a rat model similar to conventional oxygenation assessment techniques. This technique could potentially prove to be a valuable tool in the routine clinical management of flaps following free tissue transfer. Incorporating oxygen-sensing capabilities into a simple wound dressing material has the added benefit of providing both wound protection and constant wound oxygenation assessment

Surface Charge and Cellular Processing of Covalently Functionalized Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Determine Pulmonary Toxicity

Functionalized carbon nanotubes (<i>f</i>-CNTs) are being produced in increased volume because of the ease of dispersion and maintenance of the pristine material physicochemical properties when used in composite materials as well as for other commercial applications. However, the potential adverse effects of <i>f</i>-CNTs have not been quantitatively or systematically explored. In this study, we used a library of covalently functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (<i>f</i>-MWCNTs), established from the same starting material, to assess the impact of surface charge in a predictive toxicological model that relates the tubes’ pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic effects at cellular level to the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Carboxylate (COOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG), amine (NH₂), sidewall amine (sw-NH₂), and polyetherimide (PEI)-modified MWCNTs were successfully established from raw or as-prepared (AP-) MWCNTs and comprehensively characterized by TEM, XPS, FTIR, and DLS to obtain information about morphology, length, degree of functionalization, hydrodynamic size, and surface charge. Cellular screening in BEAS-2B and THP-1 cells showed that, compared to AP-MWCNTs, anionic functionalization (COOH and PEG) decreased the production of pro-fibrogenic cytokines and growth factors (including IL-1β, TGF-β1, and PDGF-AA), while neutral and weak cationic functionalization (NH₂ and sw-NH₂) showed intermediary effects. In contrast, the strongly cationic PEI-functionalized tubes induced robust biological effects. These differences could be attributed to differences in cellular uptake and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which depends on the propensity toward lysosomal damage and cathepsin B release in macrophages. Moreover, the <i>in vitro</i> hazard ranking was validated by the pro-fibrogenic potential of the tubes <i>in vivo</i>. Compared to pristine MWCNTs, strong cationic PEI-MWCNTs induced significant lung fibrosis, while carboxylation significantly decreased the extent of pulmonary fibrosis. These results demonstrate that surface charge plays an important role in the structure–activity relationships that determine the pro-fibrogenic potential of <i>f</i>-CNTs in the lung