Fabrication of Embedded Microvalve on PMMA Microfluidic Devices through Surface Functionalization

The integration of a PDMS membrane within orthogonally placed PMMA microfluidic channels enables the pneumatic actuation of valves within bonded PMMA-PDMS-PMMA multilayer devices. Here, surface functionalization of PMMA substrates via acid catalyzed hydrolysis and air plasma corona treatment were investigated as possible techniques to permanently bond PMMA microfluidic channels to PDMS surfaces. FTIR and water contact angle analysis of functionalized PMMA substrates showed that air plasma corona treatment was most effective in inducing PMMA hydrophilicity. Subsequent fluidic tests showed that air plasma modified and bonded PMMA multilayer devices could withstand fluid pressure at an operational flow rate of 9 mircoliters/min. The pneumatic actuation of the embedded PDMS membrane was observed through optical microscopy and an electrical resistance based technique. PDMS membrane actuation occurred at pneumatic pressures of as low as 10kPa and complete valving occurred at 14kPa for 100 micrometers x 100 micrometers channel cross-sections.Comment: Submitted on behalf of EDA Publishing Association (http://irevues.inist.fr/handle/2042/16838

Teaching writing to students from Asia: linking approach and motivation

This article is based on a study of the motivation and perceived outcomes of students from non-English speaking backgrounds enrolled in the English for Academic Study program at the Auckland University of Technology. It discusses the implications of the findings for tutors responsible for teaching writing. The findings indicate that that the motivation and immediate needs of those students are mainly instrumental, to write assignments and projects in a university environment, while the long-term goals are to use language in the workplace. For such students, we argue that a writing program will need to cater for generic forms acceptable to academic as well as real (often business) world readership. We also argue that while introducing an element of ideological critique is important when teaching writing, it does not seem to immediately help students with actual use or application of the genres relevant in real world situations. However, when considering long-term goals, the article looks at how the work of academic literacies thinkers can help alert students to power and ideological aspects of writing. The discussion in this article could also be generalized for the teaching of writing in ESL and EFL contexts

Histologic and histomorphometric evaluation of peri-implant bone subjected to immediate loading: An experimental study with Macaca fascicularis

Purpose: Immediately loaded splinted implants can become osseointegrated when they are placed in the anterior part of the mandible. The concept of immediate loading has not been well examined in the posterior mandible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hard tissue reactions around immediately loaded implants placed in the posterior mandible in the monkey model. Materials and Methods: Six adult M. fascicularis monkeys were used in this study. Thirty-six Ankylos implants (Degussa Dental, Hanau-Wolfgang, Germany) were placed after extraction of the second premolar, first, and second molar teeth and complete healing of the sockets. Control (C) group implants were placed and, after osseointegration, were loaded for 1 month using temporary acrylic resin prostheses and later for 2 months using splinted metal crowns. In the contralateral region of the mandible, test (T) group implants were placed and loaded immediately with the same sequence as carried out for the C implants. After sacrifice of the animals, specimens were examined histologically and evaluated histomorphometrically. Results: All implants were osseointegrated. Compact, cortical bone In contact with the implant surface without any gaps or connective tissue formation was demonstrated. Discussion: Histomorphometric findings of the bone-implant-contacts showed no significant differences between the T and C group implants. Peri-implant mineralized bone areas presented statistically significant differences and showed a higher density of bone between the threads of immediately loaded implants (P < .05). Conclusions: Immediately loaded splinted implants in the posterior mandible can become osseointegrated with a hard tissue peri-implant response similar to that of delayed loaded implants. Moreover, immediate loading seems to increase the ossification of the alveolar bone around endosseous implants. This record was migrated from the OpenDepot repository service in June, 2017 before shutting down

The experience of loneliness among people with a “personality disorder” diagnosis or traits: a qualitative meta-synthesis

BACKGROUND: Loneliness is prevalent among people with a "personality disorder" diagnosis or who have related personality traits, but the experience of loneliness among people with "personality disorder" diagnoses/traits has not been well described. A qualitative approach has potential to help understand the experience of loneliness among people with "personality disorder" diagnoses/traits, and to develop interventions that promote recovery. We therefore aimed to synthesise the qualitative literature relevant to this topic. METHOD: We conducted a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies exploring the subjective experience of loneliness as reported by people with "personality disorder" diagnoses/traits. We searched four databases using pre-formulated search terms, selected eligible articles, appraised the quality of each, and analyzed data from eligible studies using thematic synthesis. RESULT: We identified 39 articles that described the experience of loneliness in people with "personality disorder" diagnoses/traits. From extracted data, we identified seven themes: (1) disconnection and emptiness: a "haunting alienation", (2) alienation arising from childhood experiences, (3) thwarted desire for closeness and connection, (4) paradox: for both closeness and distance, (5) experiences of existential loneliness, (6) recovery, embedded in a social world, and (7) group therapy: a setback. Our results suggest that for our sample early alienating and traumatic experiences may pave the way for experiences of loneliness, which further exacerbate "personality disorder" symptoms and distress. CONCLUSION: Despite describing a need to belong and efforts to cope with unmet social needs, people with "personality disorder" diagnoses/traits (particularly "emotionally unstable personality disorder") report experiencing an intense disconnection from other people. This seems rooted in early adversities, reinforced by later traumatic experiences. Given the apparent salience of loneliness to people with "personality disorder" diagnoses/traits, interventions focused on helping people connect with others, which may include both psychological and social components, have potential to be beneficial in reducing loneliness and promoting recovery

Magnetic local time dependence of geomagnetic disturbances contributing to the AU and AL indices

The Auroral Electrojet (AE) indices, which are composed of four indices (AU, AL, AE, and AO), are calculated from the geomagnetic field data obtained at 12 geomagnetic observatories that are located in geomagnetic latitude (GMLAT) of 61.7°-70°. The indices have been widely used to study magnetic activity in the auroral zone. In the present study, we examine magnetic local time (MLT) dependence of geomagnetic field variations contributing to the AU and AL indices. We use 1-min geomagnetic field data obtained in 2003. It is found that both AU and AL indices have two ranges of MLT (AU: 15:00-22:00MLT, ~06:00 MLT; and AL: ~02:00 MLT, 09:00-12:00 MLT) contributing to the index during quiet periods and one MLT range (AU: 15:00-20:00MLT, and AL: 00:00-06:00 MLT) during disturbed periods. These results are interpreted in terms of various ionospheric current systems, such as, Sqp, Sq, and DP2

Shell model description of Ge isotopes

A shell model study of the low energy region of the spectra in Ge isotopes for $38\leq N\leq 50$ is presented, analyzing the excitation energies, quadrupole moments, $B(E2)$ values and occupation numbers. The theoretical results have been compared with the available experimental data. The shell model calculations have been performed employing three different effective interactions and valence spaces.We have used two effective shell model interactions, JUN45 and jj44b, for the valence space $f_{5/2} \, p \,g_{9/2}$ without truncation. To include the proton subshell $f_{7/2}$ in valence space we have employed the $fpg$ effective interaction due to Sorlin {\it et al.}, with $^{48}$Ca as a core and a truncation in the number of excited particles.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures, Proc. of the XXXV Nuclear Physics Symposium, January 3-6 2012, Cocoyoc, Morelos, Mexico. IOP Journal of Physics: Conference Series (in press

The relation between body weight and wear in Total Hip Prosthesis: A finite element study

As the current obesity epidemic grows, an increased number of obese patients undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) can be expected in the coming years. The National Health Service of the UK (NHS) recommends that an obese patient should undergo weight loss before THA. It is understood that an increased body weight would increase the wear rates on the prostheses, however, the extent of increased wear and the impact on the longevity of the prosthesis is unclear. The NHS found that 45% of THA failures in 2019 were caused by wear which led to a multitude of failures such as infection, aseptic loosening and dislocation such that a revision surgery is then needed. In this study, a finite element model was created to model a walking cycle and a newly developed wear algorithm was used to perform a series of computational wear analyses to investigate the effect of different patient weights on the evolution of wear in THAs up to 5 million cycles. The wear rates shown in this study are closely comparable to previous literature. The XLPE volumetric wear rates were found to be between 15 – 35mm3/yr (range: 1.5 – 57.6mm3/yr) and femoral head taper surface volumetric wear rates were between 0.174 – 0.225mm3/yr (range: 0.01 – 3.15mm3/yr). The results also showed that an increased weight of 140kg can increase the metallic wear by 26% and polyethylene wear by 30% when compared to 100kg body weight. As increased wear can lead to a multitude of failure such as aseptic loosening, dislocation and metallosis, from this study, it is recommended that obese patients undergo recommended weight loss and maintain this lesser weight to reduce wear and prolong the life of the THA

Role of Interleukin 17 in arthritis chronicity through survival of synoviocytes via regulation of synoviolin expression

Background: The use of TNF inhibitors has been a major progress in the treatment of chronic inflammation. However, not all patients respond. In addition, response will be often lost when treatment is stopped. These clinical aspects indicate that other cytokines might be involved and we focus here on the role of IL-17. In addition, the chronic nature of joint inflammation may contribute to reduced response and enhanced chronicity. Therefore we studied the capacity of IL-17 to regulate synoviolin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase implicated in synovial hyperplasia in human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) FLS and in chronic reactivated streptococcal cell wall (SCW)-induced arthritis.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Methodology/Principal Findings: Chronic reactivated SCW-induced arthritis was examined in IL-17R deficient and wild-type mice. Synoviolin expression was analysed by real-time RT-PCR, Western Blot or immunostaining in RA FLS and tissue, and p53 assessed by Western Blot. Apoptosis was detected by annexin V/propidium iodide staining, SS DNA apoptosis ELISA kit or TUNEL staining and proliferation by PCNA staining. IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA), IL-17 receptor C (IL-17-RC) or synoviolin inhibition were achieved by small interfering RNA (siRNA) or neutralizing antibodies. IL-17 induced sustained synoviolin expression in RA FLS. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced RA FLS apoptosis was associated with reduced synoviolin expression and was rescued by IL-17 treatment with a corresponding increase in synoviolin expression. IL-17RC or IL-17RA RNA interference increased SNP-induced apoptosis, and decreased IL-17-induced synoviolin. IL-17 rescued RA FLS from apoptosis induced by synoviolin knockdown. IL-17 and TNF had additive effects on synoviolin expression and protection against apoptosis induced by synoviolin knowndown. In IL-17R deficient mice, a decrease in arthritis severity was characterized by increased synovial apoptosis, reduced proliferation and a marked reduction in synoviolin expression. A distinct absence of synoviolin expressing germinal centres in IL-17R deficient mice contrasted with synoviolin positive B cells and Th17 cells in synovial germinal centre-like structures.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Conclusion/Significance: IL-17 induction of synoviolin may contribute at least in part to RA chronicity by prolonging the survival of RA FLS and immune cells in germinal centre reactions. These results extend the role of IL-17 to synovial hyperplasia.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt

Stable two-dimensional solitary pulses in linearly coupled dissipative Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equations

A two-dimensional (2D) generalization of the stabilized Kuramoto - Sivashinsky (KS) system is presented. It is based on the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (KP) equation including dissipation of the generic (Newell -- Whitehead -- Segel, NWS) type and gain. The system directly applies to the description of gravity-capillary waves on the surface of a liquid layer flowing down an inclined plane, with a surfactant diffusing along the layer's surface. Actually, the model is quite general, offering a simple way to stabilize nonlinear waves in media combining the weakly-2D dispersion of the KP type with gain and NWS dissipation. Parallel to this, another model is introduced, whose dissipative terms are isotropic, rather than of the NWS type. Both models include an additional linear equation of the advection-diffusion type, linearly coupled to the main KP-NWS equation. The extra equation provides for stability of the zero background in the system, opening a way to the existence of stable localized pulses. The consideration is focused on the case when the dispersive part of the system of the KP-I type, admitting the existence of 2D localized pulses. Treating the dissipation and gain as small perturbations and making use of the balance equation for the field momentum, we find that the equilibrium between the gain and losses may select two 2D solitons, from their continuous family existing in the conservative counterpart of the model (the latter family is found in an exact analytical form). The selected soliton with the larger amplitude is expected to be stable. Direct simulations completely corroborate the analytical predictions.Comment: a latex text file and 16 eps files with figures; Physical Review E, in pres