A finite strain thermo-mechanically coupled material model for semi-crystalline polymers

In this work, a thermo-mechanically coupled constitutive model for semicrystalline polymers is derived in a thermodynamically consistent manner. In general, the macroscopic material behaviour of this class of materials is dictated by the underlying microstructure, i.e. by the distribution and structure of crystalline regimes, which form up after cooling from the amorphous melt. In order to account for the latter, the total degree of crystallinity is incorporated as an internal variable and its evolution is prescribed by means of a non-isothermal crystallisation kinetics model. The numerically efficient and robust framework is characterised based on experimental data for Polyamide 6 and shows a promising potential to predict the hyperelastic, visco-plastic material behaviour at various temperature

A finite strain thermo-mechanically coupled material model for semi-crystalline polymers

In this work, a thermo-mechanically coupled constitutive model for semicrystalline polymers is derived in a thermodynamically consistent manner. In general, the macroscopic material behaviour of this class of materials is dictated by the underlying microstructure, i.e. by the distribution and structure of crystalline regimes, which form up after cooling from the amorphous melt. In order to account for the latter, the total degree of crystallinity is incorporated as an internal variable and its evolution is prescribed by means of a non-isothermal crystallisation kinetics model. The numerically efficient and robust framework is characterised based on experimental data for Polyamide 6 and shows a promising potential to predict the hyperelastic, visco-plastic material behaviour at various temperature

Ein gesundheitspolitisches Reformprogramm

Das Gesundheitswesen ist eine der bedeutendsten Branchen der deutschen Wirtschaft. Die demografische Entwicklung, der medizinisch-technische Fortschritt und ein gestiegener Wohlstand haben dazu geführt, dass die Ausgaben für Gesundheit in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten überproportional gestiegen sind. Es spricht vieles dafür, dass diese Entwicklung sich fortsetzt. Die Gesundheitswirtschaft könnte daher zu einem wichtigen Wachstumsmotor der deutschen Volkswirtschaft werden. Dafür müsste es der Politik jedoch gelingen, einerseits die absehbaren Engpässe der Finanzierung durch Reformen der Kranken- und Pflegeversicherung zu verhindern und andererseits die Effizienz der Leistungserbringung durch mehr Transparenz und die verstärkte Nutzung des Wettbewerbs zu steigern. Andernfalls würden wachsende Defizite auf der Finanzierungsseite und ineffizienter Ressourceneinsatz bei den Leistungserbringern ein produktives Wachstum des Gesundheitswesens und die damit verbundenen Wohlfahrtsgewinne eher früher als später beenden. In dieser rwi-Position wird ein umfassendes gesundheitspolitisches Reformprogramm vorgeschlagen, das sich an den Zielen der sozialen Gerechtigkeit und der ökonomischen Effizienz orientiert. Es nimmt dabei beide Seiten des Marktes in den Blick - sowohl die von der Finanzierung bestimmte Nachfrage, als auch das durch die einzelnen Leistungserbringer geprägte Angebot. Auf Seiten der Finanzierung plädieren wir langfristig für ein vereinheitlichtes System, in eine solidarisch finanzierte Grundsicherung mit einem klar definierten Leistungskatalog verpflichtend ist und darüber hinaus Zusatzversicherungen für Wahlleistungen abgeschlossen werden können. Wir präsentieren in einer modularen Konzeption konkrete Schritte für die kurze und mittlere Frist, die für sich genommen bereits eine Verbesserung gegenüber dem Status quo darstellen und zugleich eine Annäherung an dieses Ideal bewirken. Auf Seiten der Leistungserbringung sind die Stärkung des Wettbewerbs, die Verankerung von Kosten-Nutzen-Bewertungen sowie die Überwindung von Sektorengrenzen von besonderer Bedeutung

Porous PEDOT:PSS Particles and their Application as Tunable Cell Culture Substrate

Due to its biocompatibility, electrical conductivity, and tissue-like elasticity, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) constitutes a highly promising material regarding the fabrication of smart cell culture substrates. However, until now, high-throughput synthesis of pure PEDOT:PSS geometries was restricted to flat sheets and fibers. In this publication, the first microfluidic process for the synthesis of spherical, highly porous, pure PEDOT:PSS particles of adjustable material properties is presented. The particles are synthesized by the generation of PEDOT:PSS emulsion droplets within a 1-octanol continuous phase and their subsequent coagulation and partial crystallization in an isopropanol (IPA)/sulfuric acid (SA) bath. The process allows to tailor central particle characteristics such as crystallinity, particle diameter, pore size as well as electrochemical and mechanical properties by simply adjusting the IPA:SA ratio during droplet coagulation. To demonstrate the applicability of PEDOT:PSS particles as potential cell culture substrate, cultivations of L929 mouse fibroblast cells and MRC-5 human fibroblast cells are conducted. Both cell lines present exponential growth on PEDOT:PSS particles and reach confluency with cell viabilities above 95 vol.% on culture day 9. Single cell analysis could moreover reveal that mechanotransduction and cell infiltration can be controlled by the adjustment of particle crystallinity

A thermo-coupled constitutive model for semi-crystalline polymers at finite strains: Application to varying degrees of crystallinity and temperatures

Thermoplastic materials are widely used for thermoforming and injection moulding processes, since their low density in combination with a high strength to mass ratio are interesting for various industrial applications. Semi-crystalline polymers make up a subcategory of thermoplastics, which partly crystallize after cool-down from the molten state. During the thermoforming process, residual stresses can arise, due to complex material behavior under different temperatures and strain rates. Therefore, computational models are needed to predict the material response and minimize production errors. This work presents a thermomechanically consistent phenomenological material formulation at finite strains, based on [1]. In order to account for the highly nonlinear material behavior, elasto-plastic and visco-elastic contributions are combined in the model formulation. To account for the crystalline regions, a hyperelastic-plastic framework is chosen, based on [2, 3]. Kinematic hardening of Arruda-Boyce form is incorporated in the formulation, as well as associated plastic flow. The material parameters depend on both, the temperature as well as the degree of crystallinity. A comparison to experiments with varying degrees of crystallinity and temperatures is presented, where a special blending technique ensures stable crystallinity conditions

Epigenetic dynamics of monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation

Background Monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation involves major biochemical and structural changes. In order to elucidate the role of gene regulatory changes during this process, we used high-throughput sequencing to analyze the complete transcriptome and epigenome of human monocytes that were differentiated in vitro by addition of colony-stimulating factor 1 in serum-free medium. Results Numerous mRNAs and miRNAs were significantly up- or down-regulated. More than 100 discrete DNA regions, most often far away from transcription start sites, were rapidly demethylated by the ten eleven translocation enzymes, became nucleosome-free and gained histone marks indicative of active enhancers. These regions were unique for macrophages and associated with genes involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, phagocytosis and innate immune response. Conclusions In summary, we have discovered a phagocytic gene network that is repressed by DNA methylation in monocytes and rapidly de-repressed after the onset of macrophage differentiation

Resource-aware Research on Universe and Matter: Call-to-Action in Digital Transformation

Given the urgency to reduce fossil fuel energy production to make climate tipping points less likely, we call for resource-aware knowledge gain in the research areas on Universe and Matter with emphasis on the digital transformation. A portfolio of measures is described in detail and then summarized according to the timescales required for their implementation. The measures will both contribute to sustainable research and accelerate scientific progress through increased awareness of resource usage. This work is based on a three-days workshop on sustainability in digital transformation held in May 2023.Comment: 20 pages, 2 figures, publication following workshop 'Sustainability in the Digital Transformation of Basic Research on Universe & Matter', 30 May to 2 June 2023, Meinerzhagen, Germany, https://indico.desy.de/event/3748

Construction of a map-based reference genome sequence for barley, Hordeum vulgare L.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a cereal grass mainly used as animal fodder and raw material for the malting industry. The map-based reference genome sequence of barley cv. `Morex' was constructed by the International Barley Genome Sequencing Consortium (IBSC) using hierarchical shotgun sequencing. Here, we report the experimental and computational procedures to (i) sequence and assemble more than 80,000 bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones along the minimum tiling path of a genome-wide physical map, (ii) find and validate overlaps between adjacent BACs, (iii) construct 4,265 non-redundant sequence scaffolds representing clusters of overlapping BACs, and (iv) order and orient these BAC clusters along the seven barley chromosomes using positional information provided by dense genetic maps, an optical map and chromosome conformation capture sequencing (Hi-C). Integrative access to these sequence and mapping resources is provided by the barley genome explorer (BARLEX).Peer reviewe

A chromosome conformation capture ordered sequence of the barley genome

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