Fouling Prevention in Polymeric Membranes by Radiation Induced Graft Copolymerization

The application of membrane processes in various fields has now undergone accelerated developments, despite the presence of some hurdles impacting the process efficiency. Fouling is arguably the main hindrance for a wider implementation of polymeric membranes, particularly in pressure-driven membrane processes, causing higher costs of energy, operation, and maintenance. Radiation induced graft copolymerization (RIGC) is a powerful versatile technique for covalently imparting selected chemical functionalities to membrane surfaces, providing a potential solution to fouling problems. This article aims to systematically review the progress in modifications of polymeric membranes by RIGC of polar monomers onto membranes using various low- and high-energy radiation sources (UV, plasma, γ-rays, and electron beam) for fouling prevention. The feasibility of the modification method with respect to physico-chemical and antifouling properties of the membrane is discussed. Furthermore, the major challenges to the modified membranes in terms of sustainability are outlined and the future research directions are also highlighted. It is expected that this review would attract the attention of membrane developers, users, researchers, and scientists to appreciate the merits of using RIGC for modifying polymeric membranes to mitigate the fouling issue, increase membrane lifespan, and enhance the membrane system efficiency.

Vertical Ridge Augmentation of Edentulous Posterior Inferior Jaw Using Lumina Bone Porous Large®: A Clinical Case Report

The use of guided bone regeneration (GBR) has been gaining more and more ground in the field of implant dentistry, due to higher confidence in the materials available. As this is a highly versatile technique, the same biological basis-cell exclusion–can be used to treat any type of defect. Vertical augmentation in the alveolar ridge is currently treated by the GBR principle, predictably and with high success rates, using a rigid framework associated with a mix of hydroxyapatite and autogenous bone. Lyophilized bovine bone is the hydroxyapatite of choice for this condition because it allows bone volume to be maintained over a long period of time, due to its slow resorption. Another important char-acteristic found in hydroxyapatite is its porosity since it allows – in addition to graft neo-vascularization–a greater ease of cell adhesion when compared to crystalline materials. Thus, this clinical case presents the use (for the first time in the literature) of a vertical augmentation of an atrophic ridge using Criteria Lumina Bone Porous® as the hydroxy-apatite of choice for association with autogenous bone particles.

Transcriptomic Analysis of 3D Vasculature-On-A-Chip Reveals Paracrine Factors Affecting Vasculature Growth and Maturation

In vitro models of vasculature are of great importance for modelling vascular physiology and pathology. However, there is usually a lack of proper spatial patterning of interacting heterotypic cells in conventional vasculature dish models, which might confound results between contact and non-contact interactions. We use a microfluidic platform with structurally defined separation between human microvasculature and fibroblasts to probe their dynamic, paracrine interactions. We also develop a novel, versatile technique to retrieve cells embedded in extracellular matrix from the microfluidic device for downstream transcriptomic analysis, and uncover growth factor and cytokine expression profiles associated with improved vasculature growth. Paired receptor-ligand analysis further reveals paracrine signaling molecules that could be supplemented into the medium for vasculatures models where fibroblast co-culture is undesirable or infeasible. These findings also provide deeper insights into the molecular cues for more physiologically relevant vascular mimicry and vascularized organoid model for clinical applications such as drug screening and disease modeling.

Winsorization for Robust Bayesian Neural Networks

With the advent of big data and the popularity of black-box deep learning methods, it is imperative to address the robustness of neural networks to noise and outliers. We propose the use of Winsorization to recover model performances when the data may have outliers and other aberrant observations. We provide a comparative analysis of several probabilistic artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques for supervised learning case studies. Broadly, Winsorization is a versatile technique for accounting for outliers in data. However, different probabilistic machine learning techniques have different levels of efficiency when used on outlier-prone data, with or without Winsorization. We notice that Gaussian processes are extremely vulnerable to outliers, while deep learning techniques in general are more robust.

OV14 POSTERIOR COMPONENT SEPARATION FOR A GIANT LUMBAR HERNIA IN A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT PATIENT

Aim Posterior component separation with transversus abdominis release (PCS-TAR) represents a good option for challenging complex ventral hernia repairs. We present a case of PCS-TAR for a giant lumbar hernia in a patient with a transplanted kidney. Material and Methods The patient is a 46 years old man with a Charlson Comorbidity Index of 2 and a BMI of 27.5 kg/m2 who underwent a kidney transplant in 2005 and a subsequent open repair with mesh implantation for an incisional hernia in 2007. Two years later, he experienced a hernia recurrence, but chose conservative management. In 2019, the patient complained of progressively worsening pain and bulky sensation. Due to the size and location of the defect and the massive relaxation of the muscle fibers, open repair with PCS-TAR was indicated. Results In 2019, the patient underwent right-sided PCS-TAR with retromuscular placement of one polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) mesh and one biosynthetic mesh. Duration of the procedure was 295 minutes. Two drains were placed, respectively in the subfascial and in the subcutaneous plane. Postoperative course required non-invasive ventilation for respiratory distress, but was otherwise uneventful and he was discharged on postoperative day 8. After 12 months, the patient showed no signs of recurrence. Conclusions PCS-TAR is a versatile technique for the repair of complex ventral hernias, with an acceptable rate of postoperative complications and good long-term outcomes.

Identification of photocrosslinking peptide ligands by mRNA display

Photoaffinity labelling is a promising method for studying protein-ligand interactions. However, obtaining a specific crosslinker can require significant optimisation. We report a novel mRNA display strategy, photocrosslinking-RaPID (XL-RaPID), and exploit its ability to accelerate the discovery of cyclic peptides that photocrosslink to a target of interest. As a proof of concept, we generated a benzophenone-containing library and applied XL-RaPID screening against a model target, the second bromodomain of BRD3. This crosslinking screening gave two optimal candidates that selectively labelled the target protein in cell lysate. Overall, this work introduces direct photocrosslinking screening as a versatile technique for identifying covalent peptide ligands from mRNA display libraries incorporating reactive warheads.

Factors determining the level of high qualification and sports achievements in long-term training of female tennis players (diagnostic aspect)

Table tennis is a complex analytical sport with versatile technique, various specific solutions, which has long outgrown a period of mass enthusiasm. For athletes to achieve sports results, general physical, special and psychological training is now necessary. Modern requirements to the level of special, technical, tactical and physical training of female athletes, to the entire system of their training are extremely high. In this regard, the importance of specialized factors in the sports training of female tennis players increases significantly. In the long-term training of the highly qualified female tennis players, a number of important stages is provided for, which in their structure have specific tasks and a meaningful orientation of their implementation. The task of implementing classification standards of the competitive activity of female tennis players is a complex training process that should be carried out not only taking into account general psychological and pedagogical laws, but also specific scientifically based methods and techniques of pedagogical influence, the organization of this type of activity and an individual approach.

Surface biofunctionalization with liquid-phase plasma treatment of collagen molecules

Surface functionalization is a key process in rendering various materials biocompatible. Whereas a number of techniques and technologies have been developed for the purpose of biofunctionalization, plasma treatment enables highly efficient surface modification. Extending plasma treatment to biomolecules in the liquid phase will control biofunctionalization via a simple process. However, interactions between plasma discharge and biomolecules or solvents are poorly understood, potentially leading to the technical limitation as to the utility of plasma treatment. In this study, we developed a technology for substrate biofunctionalization that does not require surface modification but involves direct treatment of a collagen molecules with liquid-phase plasma discharge. Biofunctionalization of collagen by plasma treatment comprises three processes that increase its reactivity with hydrophobic substrates: (1) charge-dependent changes in surface and interfacial properties of the collagen solution; (2) local conformational changes of the collagen molecules without their global structural alterations; and (3) induction of a micelle-like association formed by collagen molecules. We anticipate such plasma-induced functionalization of protein molecules to provide a versatile technique in the applications of biomaterials, including those related to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Graphene Functionalization towards Developing Superior Supercapacitors Performance

Graphene is known as the miracle material of the 21st century for the wide band of participating applications and epic properties. Unlike the CVD monolayer graphene, Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is a commercial form with mass production accessibility via numerous numbers of methods in preparation and reduction terms. Such RGO form showed exceptional combability in supercapacitors (SCs) where RGO is participated to promote flexibility, lifetime and performance. The chapter will illustrate 4 critical milestones of using graphene derivatives for achieving SC’s superior performance. The first is using oxidized graphene (GO) blind with polymer for super dielectric spacer. The other three types are dealing with electrolytic SCs based on RGO. Polyaniline (PANI) was grown on GO for exceptionally stable SCs of 100% retention. Silver decoration of RGO was used for all-solid-state printable device. The solid-state gel electrolyte was developed by adding GO to promote current rating. Finally, laser reduced graphene is presented as a one-step and versatile technique for micropatterning processing. The RGO reduction was demonstrated from a laser GO interaction perspective according to two selected key parameters; wavelength and pulse duration.