Adipose Collagen Fragment: A Novel Adipose-Derived Extracellular Matrix Concentrate for Skin Filling

Background Skin filler is an option for treatment of skin aging and wrinkle formation; however, currently used fillers are limited by poor biocompatibility, rapid degradation, and possible hypersensitivity reactions. However, autologous adipose tissue-derived products have been recognized as promising options for skin rejuvenation. Objectives This study aimed to develop a novel adipose-derived product for skin filling. Methods Adipose collagen fragment (ACF) was prepared through pulverization, filtration, and centrifugation. The macrography, structure, types of collagen, and cell viability of ACF were evaluated by immunostaining, Western blotting, and cell culture assays. ACF, nanofat and phosphate-buffered saline (9 spots/side, 0.01 ml/spot) were intradermally injected in the dorsal skin of 36 female BALB/c nude mice; then, the skin filling capacity and collagen remodeling process were investigated. Twenty-one female patients with fine rhytides in the infraorbital areas were enrolled and received ACF treatment as clinical applications. Therapeutic effects and patients’ satisfaction scores were recorded. Results The ACF yield from 50 ml of Coleman fat was 4.91 ± 0.25 ml. ACF contained nonviable cells and high levels of collagen I, collagen IV, and laminin. Fibroblasts and procollagen significantly increased in ACF and ACF-treated dermis (p < 0.05). 85.7% of patients were satisfied with the therapy results, and no infections, injection site nodules, or other unwanted side effects were observed. Conclusions ACF significantly improved dermal thickness and collagen synthesis and may serve as a potential autologous skin filler.

Development of statistical models to simulate and optimize self-consolidating concrete mixes incorporating high volumes of fly ash

Self-consolidating concrete (See), a latest version of high performance concrete, has created tremendous interest today as it can be easily placed in congested reinforced concrete structures with difficult casting conditions. It also reduces the construction time and cost of the labor. Normally see is being developed using a superplasticizer to generate desired flow and a viscosity modifying admixture (VMA) to prevent segregation in the concrete. In this research project, instead of VMA, high volumes of fly ash were used along with superplasticizer to develop see. The minimum use of superplasticizer and optimum use of fly ash were desired to achieve required properties of see. The fly ash is expected to be useful not only in generating the flow but as segregation resistance as well. The aim of the present research project was to develop see for sustainable construction by optimizing the use of high volumes of fly ash with some proposed statistical models. The rheological study for paste and mortar was carried out first, and Bingham model parameters such as plastic viscosity and yield stress were correlated with the marsh cone flow of paste and fresh concrete properties such as slump flow and filling capacity. The limits for plastic viscosity, yield stress, and specific marsh cone flow of paste and mortar were identified for concrete mixes to be qualified for see. Four independent variables such as total binder content (limit 350 to 450 kg/m3), percentage of fly ash replacing cement (limit 30 to 60 %), % of superplasticizer (limit 0.1 to 0.6 %), and W/B (limit 0.33 to 0.45) were considered for design of experiment and for development of statistical models for see. Statistically balanced twenry-one concrete mixes were chosen and fresh concrete tests such as slump and slump flow, V -funnel flow, filling capacity, L-box, bleeding, air content, segregation, and initial and final setting time tests were performed. Seven harden concrete tests (for mechanical characteristics and durability) such as compressive strength (1, 7, 28-day), freezing and thawing cycles resistance, surface scaling resistance, rapid chloride permeability, modulus of elasticity, flexural strength, and drying shrinkage were performed to evaluate the performance of see. Five statistical models for important properties of see such as slump flow, I-day strength, 28-day strength, rapid chloride permeability, and material cost were developed. The limits of rheological parameters of pastes and mortars can be useful to predict the flow behavior of see and the proposed models can be useful to design and optimize see mixes incorporating high volumes of fly ash.

Development of statistical models to simulate and optimize self-consolidating concrete mixes incorporating high volumes of fly ash

Self-consolidating concrete (See), a latest version of high performance concrete, has created tremendous interest today as it can be easily placed in congested reinforced concrete structures with difficult casting conditions. It also reduces the construction time and cost of the labor. Normally see is being developed using a superplasticizer to generate desired flow and a viscosity modifying admixture (VMA) to prevent segregation in the concrete. In this research project, instead of VMA, high volumes of fly ash were used along with superplasticizer to develop see. The minimum use of superplasticizer and optimum use of fly ash were desired to achieve required properties of see. The fly ash is expected to be useful not only in generating the flow but as segregation resistance as well. The aim of the present research project was to develop see for sustainable construction by optimizing the use of high volumes of fly ash with some proposed statistical models. The rheological study for paste and mortar was carried out first, and Bingham model parameters such as plastic viscosity and yield stress were correlated with the marsh cone flow of paste and fresh concrete properties such as slump flow and filling capacity. The limits for plastic viscosity, yield stress, and specific marsh cone flow of paste and mortar were identified for concrete mixes to be qualified for see. Four independent variables such as total binder content (limit 350 to 450 kg/m3), percentage of fly ash replacing cement (limit 30 to 60 %), % of superplasticizer (limit 0.1 to 0.6 %), and W/B (limit 0.33 to 0.45) were considered for design of experiment and for development of statistical models for see. Statistically balanced twenry-one concrete mixes were chosen and fresh concrete tests such as slump and slump flow, V -funnel flow, filling capacity, L-box, bleeding, air content, segregation, and initial and final setting time tests were performed. Seven harden concrete tests (for mechanical characteristics and durability) such as compressive strength (1, 7, 28-day), freezing and thawing cycles resistance, surface scaling resistance, rapid chloride permeability, modulus of elasticity, flexural strength, and drying shrinkage were performed to evaluate the performance of see. Five statistical models for important properties of see such as slump flow, I-day strength, 28-day strength, rapid chloride permeability, and material cost were developed. The limits of rheological parameters of pastes and mortars can be useful to predict the flow behavior of see and the proposed models can be useful to design and optimize see mixes incorporating high volumes of fly ash.

Effect of Drupe size Grading on in Vivo and in Vitro Germination and its Dormancy Mechanism of Teak (Tectona grandis Linn. F)

The effect of drupe size on in vivo and in vitro germination and its dormancy mechanism in teak have been studied in this paper. Teak drupes were size graded to five categories namely very large with more than 15 mm, large with 13 to <15 mm, medium with 11 to <13 mm, small with 9 to <11 mm and very small with less than 9 mm of diameter. Under in vivo pot culture condition very low germination percent of drupes was observed. It was observed that very large size drupe had highest 100 drupe weight, 100 true seed weight and seed filling capacity, but it was negatively correlated with in vivo germination of teak drupes. When true seeds isolated from the drupes were grown under in vitro condition in half strength MS medium the germination percent was significantly increased up to 54.1. True seeds obtained from small size graded drupes recorded highest germination per cent in MS media. This showed that the drupe size did not play major role in the germination and early growth in teak. Very small size graded drupes have low seed filling capacity, and it leads to decrease the germination percent. Poor germination of drupes showed the presence of mechanical and physiological dormancy in drupes. Similarly, the presence of morphological and embryo dormancy in teak may limit the true seed germination potential to 54.1 per cent. In addition, in vitro germination of true seeds will be a promising approach to obtain large number of saplings in teak.

Technological sample for evaluation of filling capacity of thin-walled body aluminum castings

Prerequisites for development of technological sample design for assessment of filling capacity of thin-walled body parts of complex configuration with wall thickness of 3 mm are considered. The production process of the obtained sample, as well as the results of its application for aluminium alloys are presented.

Optimal Mix Design and Quality Properties of 50 MPa Self-Consolidating Lightweight Concrete

In this study, basic data were used to quantitatively determine the initial properties of self-consolidating lightweight concrete by analyzing various characteristics, such as air content, workability, segregation resistance, filling capacity, air/dry density, and strength according to the incorporating ratio of lightweight aggregate. With the exception of Mixture (LF75-LC100) that uses 100% lightweight coarse aggregate (LC) and 75% lightweight fine aggregate (LF), all the mixtures satisfied the performance criteria for workability, segregation resistance, and filling capacity, as suggested in the JSCE, and air/dry density, as suggested in the Concrete Standard Specification. The compressive strength of all the variables, except the LF75-LC100, was measured to be at least 50 MPa, but the strength decreased in a manner similar to that depicted in previous research when LC was incorporated. The results of the above experiments indicated that 100% of the LC and 50% of the LF was the optimal mix for self-consolidating lightweight concrete.

Micro-Ultrasonic Viscosity Model Based on Ultrasonic-Assisted Vibration Micro-Injection for High-Flow Length Ratio Parts

A micro-ultrasonic (MU) viscosity model based on ultrasonic-assisted vibration micro-injection for high- flow length ratio polymer parts was established. This model considered the effects of ultrasonic energy and the characteristic microdimension. Ultrasonic energy parameters (such as the ultrasonic amplitude, frequency, and ultrasound velocity), the characteristic microdimension, and the molecular chain length (MCL) were introduced into the MU viscosity model. An ultrasonic micro-injection experimental platform was built on an injection molding machine. Polypropylene (PP) filling experiments were carried out using microgrooves with different flow length ratios (depth-to-width ratios of 3:1, 5:1, and 10:1). The validity and accuracy of the MU viscosity model were examined through a filling experiment with polypropylene (PP) microgroove injection molding and by a flow pressure difference experiment with polystyrene (PS). The results showed that the MU viscosity model was in better agreement with the experimental results compared to other models. The maximum error of the MU model was 4.9%. Ultrasound-assisted vibration had great effects on the filling capacity for microgrooves with high flow length ratios (depth-to-width ratios greater than 5:1). The filling capacity increased as the ultrasonic amplitude increased.