Influence of Choline Chloride/Urea and Glycerol Plasticizers on the Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Starch Plastics.

Bio-based plastics made of food-safe compostable materials, such as thermoplastic starch (TPS), can be designed into films that have potential to replace many non-biodegradable single-use plastic (SUP) items. TPS film characteristics, such as elongation at break and tensile strength, are largely affected by the choice of the plasticizers used in formulation. Our work identifies the mechanical properties and the chemical structural differences between TPS films made with two different plasticizer mixtures that have not yet been compared alongside one another: deep eutectic solvent choline chloride/urea (1:2) (CC:U) and glycerol with an acetic acid catalyst (AA:G). Potato-based TPS samples were formed by mixing each plasticizer with a consistent amount of potato starch and distilled water with heat. After gelation formation, the viscous TPS mixture was centrifuged to degas and extruded. Films were dried at controlled room temperature. Characterization included the tensile testing of coupons according to ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) standard D638, attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), melting point (MP), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The AA:G films displayed significantly higher tensile strength (M = 2.04 ± 1.24 MPa) than the CC:U films (M = 0.18 ± 0.08 MPa); however, the CC:U films had higher elongation at break (M = 47.2 ± 3.6%) than the AA:G films (M = 31.1 ± 12.6%). This can be explained by the difference in functional groups, composition, and the degree of crystallinity evidenced by the FTIR, XRD, MP, and SEM results. Our findings suggest that potato-based TPS films with an AA:G plasticizer mixture hold promise for SUP applications that require more strength, while CC:U films may be more suited for wraps and bags that require flexibility. These innovations can aid to mitigate the environmental impact of harmful plastic waste.

Characterization of the ankle dynamic joint stiffness as a function of gait speed for overground and treadmill walking.

The ankle dynamic joint stiffness (DJS), defined as the slope of the joint angle-moment plot, measures the resistance of the ankle joint to movement when the foot is in contact with the ground. DJS helps to stabilize the ankle joint, and its characterization helps to identify gait pathology and assist foot prosthesis design. This study analyzes the available gait dynamics data to obtain ankle DJS parameters for population groups according to age, gender, and gait speed for overground and treadmill walking. This study classified the groups into five walking speeds normalized using the Froude number. Herein, 12 ankle DJS parameters were determined. These include four linear segments: controlled plantar flexion (CP), early response phase (ERP), large response phase (LRP), and descending phase (DP), their corresponding turning points, the net mechanical work, the absorbed work, and the loop direction. Ankle dynamics data for 92 individuals was collected from two gait data repositories. The analysis reveals a notable disparity in stiffness values between overground and treadmill gait. Specifically, the CP stiffness is significantly higher for overground gait. In contrast, the DP stiffness displays an opposing pattern, with higher values observed during treadmill walking. A negative stiffness for LRP was found at fast speeds for all groups. The sorted data, analysis tools, and findings of this study are meant to help practitioners design prosthetic and rehabilitation devices based on age, gender, and walking environment at different gait speeds.

Effect of Cationic (Na+) and Anionic (F-) Co-Doping on the Structural and Electrochemical Properties of LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Elemental doping for substituting lithium or oxygen sites has become a simple and effective technique to improve the electrochemical performance of layered cathode materials. Compared with single-element doping, this work presents an unprecedented contribution to the study of the effect of Na+/F- co-doping on the structure and electrochemical performance of LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2. The co-doped Li1-zNazNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2-zFz (z = 0.025) and pristine LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 materials were synthesized via the sol-gel method using EDTA as a chelating agent. Structural analyses, carried out by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, revealed that the Na+ and F- dopants were successfully incorporated into the Li and O sites, respectively. The co-doping resulted in larger Li-slab spacing, a lower degree of cation mixing, and the stabilization of the surface structure, which substantially enhanced the cycling stability and rate capability of the cathode material. The Na/F co-doped LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 electrode delivered an initial specific capacity of 142 mAh g-1 at a 1C rate (178 mAh g-1 at 0.1C), and it maintained 50% of its initial capacity after 1000 charge-discharge cycles at a 1C rate.

Nanostructured Molybdenum-Oxide Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries: An Outstanding Increase in Capacity.

This work aimed at synthesizing MoO3 and MoO2 by a facile and cost-effective method using extract of orange peel as a biological chelating and reducing agent for ammonium molybdate. Calcination of the precursor in air at 450 °C yielded the stochiometric MoO3 phase, while calcination in vacuum produced the reduced form MoO2 as evidenced by X-ray powder diffraction, Raman scattering spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy images showed different morphologies and sizes of MoOx particles. MoO3 formed platelet particles that were larger than those observed for MoO2. MoO3 showed stable thermal behavior until approximately 800 °C, whereas MoO2 showed weight gain at approximately 400 °C due to the fact of re-oxidation and oxygen uptake and, hence, conversion to stoichiometric MoO3. Electrochemically, traditional performance was observed for MoO3, which exhibited a high initial capacity with steady and continuous capacity fading upon cycling. On the contrary, MoO2 showed completely different electrochemical behavior with less initial capacity but an outstanding increase in capacity upon cycling, which reached 1600 mAh g-1 after 800 cycles. This outstanding electrochemical performance of MoO2 may be attributed to its higher surface area and better electrical conductivity as observed in surface area and impedance investigations.

Modeling Progressive Damage Accumulation in Bone Remodeling Explains the Thermodynamic Basis of Bone Resorption by Overloading.

Computational modeling of skeletal tissue seeks to predict the structural adaptation of bone in response to mechanical loading. The theory of continuum damage-repair, a mathematical description of structural adaptation based on principles of damage mechanics, continues to be developed and utilized for the prediction of long-term peri-implant outcomes. Despite its technical soundness, CDR does not account for the accumulation of mechanical damage and irreversible deformation. In this work, a nonlinear mathematical model of independent damage accumulation and plastic deformation is developed in terms of the CDR formulation. The proposed model incorporates empirical correlations from uniaxial experiments. Supporting elements of the model are derived, including damage and yielding criteria, corresponding consistency conditions, and the basic, necessary forms for integration during loading. Positivity of mechanical dissipation due to damage is proved, while strain-based, associative plastic flow and linear hardening describe post-yield behavior. Calibration of model parameters to the empirical correlations from which the model was derived is then accomplished. Results of numerical experiments on a point-wise specimen show that damage and plasticity inhibit bone formation by dissipation of energy available to biological processes, leading to material failure that would otherwise be predicted to experience a net gain of bone.

Unification of aggregate growth models by emergence from cellular and intracellular mechanisms.

Multicellular aggregate growth is regulated by nutrient availability and removal of metabolites, but the specifics of growth dynamics are dependent on cell type and environment. Classical models of growth are based on differential equations. While in some cases these classical models match experimental observations, they can only predict growth of a limited number of cell types and so can only be selectively applied. Currently, no classical model provides a general mathematical representation of growth for any cell type and environment. This discrepancy limits their range of applications, which a general modelling framework can enhance. In this work, a hybrid cellular Potts model is used to explain the discrepancy between classical models as emergent behaviours from the same mathematical system. Intracellular processes are described using probability distributions of local chemical conditions for proliferation and death and simulated. By fitting simulation results to a generalization of the classical models, their emergence is demonstrated. Parameter variations elucidate how aggregate growth may behave like one classical growth model or another. Three classical growth model fits were tested, and emergence of the Gompertz equation was demonstrated. Effects of shape changes are demonstrated, which are significant for final aggregate size and growth rate, and occur stochastically.

Computational fluid dynamic analysis of bioprinted self-supporting perfused tissue models.

Natural tissues are incorporated with vasculature, which is further integrated with a cardiovascular system responsible for driving perfusion of nutrient-rich oxygenated blood through the vasculature to support cell metabolism within most cell-dense tissues. Since scaffold-free biofabricated tissues being developed into clinical implants, research models, and pharmaceutical testing platforms should similarly exhibit perfused tissue-like structures, we generated a generalizable biofabrication method resulting in self-supporting perfused (SSuPer) tissue constructs incorporated with perfusible microchannels and integrated with the modular FABRICA perfusion bioreactor. As proof of concept, we perfused an MLO-A5 osteoblast-based SSuPer tissue in the FABRICA. Although our resulting SSuPer tissue replicated vascularization and perfusion observed in situ, supported its own weight, and stained positively for mineral using Von Kossa staining, our in vitro results indicated that computational fluid dynamics (CFD) should be used to drive future construct design and flow application before further tissue biofabrication and perfusion. We built a CFD model of the SSuPer tissue integrated in the FABRICA and analyzed flow characteristics (net force, pressure distribution, shear stress, and oxygen distribution) through five SSuPer tissue microchannel patterns in two flow directions and at increasing flow rates. Important flow parameters include flow direction, fully developed flow, and tissue microchannel diameters matched and aligned with bioreactor flow channels. We observed that the SSuPer tissue platform is capable of providing direct perfusion to tissue constructs and proper culture conditions (oxygenation, with controllable shear and flow rates), indicating that our approach can be used to biofabricate tissue representing primary tissues and that we can model the system in silico.

Monitoreo de la calidad de los servicios de salud oral prestados por tres IPS privadas de Bogotá 2002 / Quality of oral health services in three private clinics in Bogotá evaluated during 2002

ANTECEDENTES: para garantizar la calidad de la atención en salud, el sistema colombiano de Seguridad Social en Salud creó condiciones de competencia entre Instituciones Prestadoras de Salud (IPS). La competencia se fundamenta en la calidad de la prestación de los servicios. Se ha observado que muchas IPS han fracasado en este objetivo y los usuarios y profesionales de la salud no se encuentran satisfechos. OBJETIVO: monitorear la calidad de los servicios de salud oral, prestados por tres IPS privadas de Bogotá, durante el año 2002, MÉTODOS: se seleccionaron tres IPS privadas de Bogotá, a las que se les aplicaron los Formatos de Inspección de Estructura, Proceso y Resultados del libro Auditoría en Salud. Para el análisis de la información de cada Formato de inspección se determinó: ponderación, calificación de los componentes o indicadores de cada área, columna de calificación ponderada y grado de adecuación, RESULTADOS: las tres IPS cumplen con la infraestructura y el recurso humano necesario para prestar un servicio adecudo. La IPS 3 no cuenta con la cantidad y optimas condiciones de recurso físico necesario para la prestación de los servicios de salud oral. Igualmente, esta IPS no presenta un organigrama y manual de funciones definido, como tampoco los protocolos adecuados de manejo, con lo cual es difícil dar cumplimiento a los mismos. Las tres IPS reportaron que el número de tratamientos terminados durante el 2002 es de aproximadamente del 70/100 y el número de tratamientos repetidos por las tres IPS es inferior al 0.02/100.