Real Time SPR Assessment of the Structural Changes of Adaptive Dynamic Constitutional Frameworks as a New Route for Sensing

Cross linked gold-dynamic constitutional frameworks (DCFs) are functional materials of potential relevance for biosensing applications, given their adaptivity and high responsivity against various external stimuli (such as pH, temperature) or specific interactions with biomolecules (enzymes or DNA) via internal constitutional dynamics. However, characterization and assessment of their dynamic conformational changes in response to external stimuli has never been reported. This study proves the capability of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) assays to analyse the adaptive structural modulation of a functional matrix encompassing 3D gold-dynamic constitutional frameworks (Au-DCFs) when exposed to pH variations, as external stimuli. We analyse Au-DCFs formed from Au nanoparticles, (AuNP) connected through constitutionally dynamic polymers, dynamers, with multiple functionalities. For increased generality of this proof-of-concept assay, Au-DCFs, involving DCFs designed from 1,3,5-benzene-tricarbaldehyde (BTA) connecting centres and polyethylene glycol (PEG) connectors, are covalently attached to standard SPR sensing chips (Au nanolayers, carboxyl terminated or with carboxymethyl dextran, CMD top-layer) and analysed using state-of-the art SPR instrumentation. The SPR effects of the distance from the Au-DCFs matrix to the Au nanolayer of the sensing chip, as well as of Au-DCFs thickness were investigated. This study reveals the SPR response, augmented by the AuNP, to the conformational change, i.e., shrinkage, of the dynamer and AuNP matrix when decreasing the pH, and provides an unexplored insight into the sensing applicability of SPR real-time analysis of adaptive functional materials.

Analysis of the engineering mathematical model of the physical properties of a three-layer hydroacoustic screen with anisotropic components

A numerical-analytical technique for analyzing the physical effects of the formation of fields of hydroacoustic waves in the area in front of a flat three-layer hydroacoustic screen and in the space behind the screen at normal incidence of a stationary hydroacoustic wave on it is presented. The engineering model of the screen uses the assumption that its components are made of anisotropic functional-gradient materials with exponential inhomogeneity in thickness, and thin, absolutely flexible, inextensible coatings can be applied to the outer and contact surfaces of the layers. The technique is based on the analytical integration of the equations of wave deformation of the screen components and obtaining complex amplitude characteristics for the reflected and generated hydroacoustic waves behind the screen when solving a system of algebraic equations with a functional matrix, which follows from the boundary conditions for the investigated problem. Parametric descriptions for the characteristics of the investigated physical fields are obtained and examples of numerical analysis of the considered engineering model are presented.

Application of a Hyperelastic 3D Printed Scaffold for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Fabrication of a Bizonal Tendon Enthesis-like Construct

After surgical tendon repair, the tendon-to-bone enthesis often does not regenerate, which leads to high numbers of rupture recurrences. To remedy this, tissue engineering techniques are being pursued to strengthen the interface and improve regeneration. In this study, we used hyperelastic biphasic 3D printed PLGA scaffolds with aligned pores at the tendon side and random pores at the bone side to mimic the native insertion side. In an attempt to recreate the enthesis, the scaffolds were seeded with adult human mesenchymal stem cells and then cultured in dual fluidic bioreactors, which allows the separate in-flow of tenogenic and chondrogenic differentiation media. MTS assay confirmed the ability of cells to proliferate in dual-flow bioreactors at similar levels to tissue culture plate. Hematoxylin-eosin staining confirmed a compact cell layer entrapped within newly deposited extracellular matrix attached to the scaffolds’ fibers and between the porous cavities, that increased with culture time. After 7, 14, and 21 days, samples were collected and analyzed by qRT-PCR and GAG production. Cultured constructs in dual fluidic bioreactors differentiate regionally toward a tenogenic or chondrogenic fate dependent on exposure to the corresponding differentiation medium. SOX9 gene expression was upregulated (up to 50-fold compared to control) in both compartments, with a more marked upregulation in the cartilaginous portion of the scaffold, By day 21, the cartilage matrix marker, collage II, and the tendon specific marker, tenomodulin, were found to be highly upregulated in the cartilaginous and tendinous portions of the construct, respectively. In addition, GAG production in the treated constructs (serum-free) matched that in control constructs exposed to 10% fetal bovine serum, confirming the support of functional matrix formation in this system. In summary, our findings have validated this dual fluidic system as a potential platform to form the tendon enthesis, and will be optimized in future studies to achieve the fabrication of distinctly biphasic constructs.

Preparation of Composite Metal-Organic Frameworks

In recent years, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-derived composites have emanated as a significant class of substantial materials with specific functional characteristics such as flexibility, high porosity, and diverse composition. Specific chemical modifications can also endow MOFs with specific functionality by offering the possibility of manufacturing all new generation of sensing devices. As on comparison with pure MOFs, the mix up of MOFs with matrix materials(e.g., metal nanoparticles, quantum dots, molecular species, enzymes, silica, and polymers) or functional species not only exhibits enhanced properties, but also widens its applications to modern field of heterogeneous catalysis, gas separation, potential hydrogen storage material and many others due to its high adsorption nature and excellent reversibility kinetics as in result reveals its various undefined attributes, such as reproducible syntheses, amenability to scale-up and chemical modification due to interactions of the functional matrix or species with the MOFs structures.

Functional matrix of administrative processes in medical organizations and expert assessment of their labor input

Aim. To assess the complexity of administrative-economic (auxiliary) business-processes in a medical organization based on functional work matrices. Methods. Using the process approach, the composition of auxiliary business-processes of a medical organization was determined and functional matrices were developed. These included the designation of the work (of the components of the process), the frequency, and the performers of the process. The assessment of the complexity of processes and the components (of the work) was carried out using expert methods and a method of functional-cost analysis. Questioning of the members of the working groups on the development of functional matrices of processes was carried out to assess the complexity of each process and its components. The final grade was based on the calculation of the arithmetic mean except for answers that lay outside three standard deviations from the originally calculated arithmetic mean. The work was carried out in the The Clinical Hospital of the Federal Public Health Institution The Medical Sanitary Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the city of Moscow, Moscow, Russia, in 20172019. Results. In the course of the research, 30 supporting business-processes were identified. For each auxiliary business-process, a functional matrix of the work was developed with an assessment of its labour intensiveness. This article provides a functional matrix for business-processes for the organization of internal meetings with an assessment of the labour-intensiveness of the work included in the business-processes, and the results of the assessment of the labour-intensiveness of all the identified business-processes (without working out the components of specific works in detail). Conclusion. A methodological processes approach using functional matrices of work and a functional-cost analysis expert method can be used to assess: the labour-intensiveness of a business-process; the appearance of the most labour-intensive areas of the work; the definition of the main directions for their optimisation. The main problem in studying methodological approaches in the daily practical work of medical organisations is their labour-intensiveness.

Societal-Level Cross-Functional Matrix Management

The challenges around adapting to social ecosystems with less work, in a time of a disruptive Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), may be partially mitigated with a macro societal-level matrix management approach, with artificial-intelligence support. This concept suggests that human workers may engage with various cross-functional teams on various projects, so they would have both a basic supervisor based on function, and various other project leads to whom they report in a dotted-line way. This work highlights how this structure aligns with contemporary work culture and technologies and explores some possible implications of this approach.