Acoustofluidics 9: Modelling and applications of planar resonant devices for acoustic particle manipulation

This article introduces the design, construction and applications of planar resonant devices for particle and cell manipulation. These systems rely on the pistonic action of a piezoelectric layer to generate a one dimensional axial variation in acoustic pressure through a system of acoustically tuned layers. The resulting acoustic standing wave is dominated by planar variations in pressure causing particles to migrate to planar pressure nodes (or antinodes depending on particle and fluid properties). The consequences of lateral variations in the fields are discussed, and rules for designing resonators with high energy density within the appropriate layer for a given drive voltage presente

Mode-switching: a new technique for electronically varying the agglomeration position in an acoustic particle manipulator

Acoustic radiation forces offer a means of manipulating particles within a fluid. Much interest in recent years has focussed on the use of radiation forces in microfluidic (or “lab on a chip”) devices. Such devices are well matched to the use of ultrasonic standing waves in which the resonant dimensions of the chamber are smaller than the ultrasonic wavelength in use. However, such devices have typically been limited to moving particles to one or two predetermined planes, whose positions are determined by acoustic pressure nodes/anti-nodes set up in the ultrasonic standing wave. In most cases devices have been designed to move particles to either the centre or (more recently) the side of a flow channel using ultrasonic frequencies that produce a half or quarter wavelength over the channel, respectively.It is demonstrated here that by rapidly switching back and forth between half and quarter wavelength frequencies – mode-switching – a new agglomeration position is established that permits beads to be brought to any arbitrary point between the half and quarter-wave nodes. This new agglomeration position is effectively a position of stable equilibrium. This has many potential applications, particularly in cell sorting and manipulation. It should also enable precise control of agglomeration position to be maintained regardless of manufacturing tolerances, temperature variations, fluid medium characteristics and particle concentration

Ukrainian fortresses a study of a strongholds system from the early iron age in Podolia

The article deals with excavations in the central part of Severynivka hillfort. In the mentioned area there was found and studied a part of the large multi ‑layered complex, which is considered as the remains of probable public worship structure. in the complex filling there were revealed numerous finds of wares, including a number of complete ta ‑bleware and miniature forms, tools, jewelry and weapons. Also there were traced the tracks of rites administering that is recorded by the physical layout of objects in the complex and a female jaw find.The project was funded with measures National Science Center awarded by decision numer DEC-2012/07/ B/ HS3/01917

Из опыта внедрения кредитно-балльной системы в Белостокском техническом университете

The paper presents the experience of the Bialystock Technical University in the field of realization of two-level education pattern. Changes in the traditional educational system at the Polish institutions are caused by new conditions of their activity. The essence of these changes is new relations between a student and a higher educational institution that fully correspond to the market conditions. If an educational institution is striving for ensurance of sustainable development then the most important element of its strategy should be elasticity. This term presupposes the following significant elements for an educational institution and a student, namely: freedom in choosing educational form, type of Diploma, speciality and specialization, and also large-scale possibilities for elaboration of individual training programПредставлен опыт Белостокского технического университета по реализации модели двухуровневого образования.Изменения в традиционной системе обучения в польских вузах вытекают из новых условий их функционирования. Суть этих изменений - отношения между вузом и студентом, которые в полной мере соответствуют рыночным. Если учреждение образования стремится к стабильным условиям развития, то важным элементом стратегии должна быть эластичность, которая для учреждения образования и студентов означает свободу выбора формы обучения, вида диплома, специальности и специализации, а также широкие возможности индивидуальной программы обучения

Meniscus Motion Inside A DoD Inkjet Print-Head Nozzle

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the Society for Imaging Sciences and Technology via http://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/ist/nipdf/2016/00002016/00000001/art00087A new study of the jetting performance for drop-on-demand (DoD) inkjet print heads investigated meniscus motions inside the transparent nozzles of MicroFab inkjet print heads. A composite image representation of the observed meniscus motions, imaged at high resolution using a spark flash light source, was developed for our subsequent analyses of the influences of drive voltage and pulse dwell time and also the ink properties. At higher drive voltages a slow damped refill (following de-pinning of the meniscus from the very edge of the nozzle exit) was also clearly observed. This and many other interesting phenomena were observed with the composite images: internal bubbles that progressed through the nozzle region over relatively long timescales, internal break-off of the jet from the meniscus surface, satellite formation and merging, and the contact line de-pinning not previously observed before.This research was performed by CSR under the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) scheme, within the University of Cambridge Inkjet Research Centre, funded by Xaar Ltd. SDH supervised and held an EPSRC Impact Acceleration Knowledge Transfer Fellowship (grant no. EP/K5037574/1) for working with a Xaar R&D team during the initial part of this project

Performance characterisation of a new photo-microsensor based sensing head for displacement measurement

This paper presents a robust displacement sensor with nanometre-scale resolution over a micrometre range. It is composed of low cost commercially available slotted photo-microsensors (SPMs). The displacement sensor is designed with a particular arrangement of a compact array of SPMs with specially designed shutter assembly and signal processing to significantly reduce sensitivity to ambient light, input voltage variation, circuit electronics drift, etc. The sensor principle and the characterisation results are described in this paper. The proposed prototype sensor has a linear measurement range of 20 μm and resolution of 21 nm. This kind of sensor has several potential applications, including mechanical structural deformation monitoring system

Composition and stage dynamics of mitochondrial complexes in Plasmodium falciparum

Our current understanding of mitochondrial functioning is largely restricted to traditional model organisms, which only represent a fraction of eukaryotic diversity. The unusual mitochondrion of malaria parasites is a validated drug target but remains poorly understood. Here, we apply complexome profiling to map the inventory of protein complexes across the pathogenic asexual blood stages and the transmissible gametocyte stages of Plasmodium falciparum. We identify remarkably divergent composition and clade-specific additions of all respiratory chain complexes. Furthermore, we show that respiratory chain complex components and linked metabolic pathways are up to 40-fold more prevalent in gametocytes, while glycolytic enzymes are substantially reduced. Underlining this functional switch, we find that cristae are exclusively present in gametocytes. Leveraging these divergent properties and stage dynamics for drug development presents an attractive opportunity to discover novel classes of antimalarials and increase our repertoire of gametocytocidal drugs

Molecular confirmation of a Fasciola gigantica x Fasciola hepatica hybrid in a Chadian bovine

Fascioliasis is a zoonotic infection of humans and, more commonly, ruminants. It is caused by 2 liver fluke species, Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, which differ in size. The traditional morphological methods used to distinguish the 2 species can be unreliable, particularly in the presence of hybrids between the 2 species. The development of advanced molecular methods has allowed for more definitive identification of Fasciola species, including their hybrids. Hybrids are of concern, as it is thought that they could acquire advantageous traits such as increased pathogenicity and host range. In 2013, we collected flukes from Fasciola-positive cattle, sheep, and goats slaughtered in 4 Chadian abattoirs. DNA from 27 flukes was extracted, amplified, and analyzed to identify species using the ITS1+2 locus. Twenty-six of the 27 flukes were identified as F. gigantica, while the remaining fluke showed heterozygosity at all variable sites that distinguish F. hepatica and F. gigantica. Cloning and sequencing of both alleles confirmed the presence of 1 F. hepatica and 1 F. gigantica allele. To our knowledge, this is the first unambiguous, molecular demonstration of the presence of such a hybrid in a bovine in sub-Saharan Africa