4101 research outputs found
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Epithelial–mesenchymal status influences how cells deposit fibrillin microfibrils
No full textHere, we show that epithelial–mesenchymal status influences how cells deposit extracellular matrix. Retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells that expressed high levels of E-cadherin and had cell–cell junctions rich in zona occludens (ZO)-1, b-catenin and heparan sulfate, required syndecan-4 but not fibronectin or protein kinase C a (PKCa) to assemble extracellular matrix (fibrillin microfibrils and perlecan). In contrast, RPE cells that strongly expressed mesenchymal smooth muscle a-actin but little ZO-1 or E-cadherin, required fibronectin (like fibroblasts) and PKCa, but not syndecan-4. Integrins a5b1 and/or a8b1 and actomyosin tension were common requirements for microfibril deposition, as was heparan sulfate biosynthesis. TGFb, which stimulates epithelial–mesenchymal transition, altered gene expression and overcame the dependency on syndecan-4 for microfibril deposition in epithelial RPE cells, whereas blocking cadherin interactions disrupted microfibril deposition. Renal podocytes had a transitional phenotype with pericellular b-catenin but little ZO-1; they required syndecan-4 and fibronectin for efficient microfibril deposition. Thus, epithelial–mesenchymal status modulates microfibril deposition
Diameter control of single wall carbon nanotubes synthesized using chemical vapor deposition
No full textLack of control on the chirality or diameter of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) during synthesis is a major impediment in the path of their widespread commercialization. We demonstrate that the humble technique of catalytic chemical vapor deposition of methane, without any sophisticated catalyst preparation, can provide significant control on the diameter of the synthesized SWCNTs. The catalyst used is a solid solution of the bimetals Fe-Mo or Co-Mo in MgO. The radial breathing modes (RBMs)in the Raman spectra of SWCNTs were used to find out the diameters. Kataura plot along with RBMs was used to study the chirality of the tubes. High concentration of the catalysts (Co:Mo:MgO = 1:0.5:15and Fe:Mo:MgO = 1:0.5:30) resulted in high yields. However, most of these carbonaceous materials were impurities. Reducing the concentration not only improved the purity and crystallinity (ID/IGratio ∼0.1),but most importantly reduced the diameter spread of the SWCNTs. Majority of the SWCNTs grown using the low concentration catalysts (Co:Mo:MgO = 1:0.5:300 and Fe:Mo:MgO = 1:0.5:200) were estimated to have diameters lying between 1.13 and 1.65 nm. This narrowing of diameter spread happened for both Fe and Co catalyst systems and depended only on the concentration of the catalyst
Easing transition into working in the NHS: piloting an enhanced shadowing programme for overseas doctors
No full textCarboxyl group enhanced CO tolerant GO supported Pt catalysts: DFT and electrochemical analysis
No full textThe effect of residual oxygen species in as-prepared Pt nanoparticle on partially reduced graphene oxide (Pt/PRGO) and partially reduced carboxylated-GO (Pt/PR(GO–COOH)) supports was investigated using electrochemical CO stripping and density functional theory (DFT) analysis. Pt/PRGO and Pt/PR(GO–COOH) revealed a clear negative shift in CO-stripping onset potential compared to commercial Pt/carbon black. DFT analysis confirmed that the presence of a −COOH group provides the most resistance for CO adsorption. This CO-Pt binding energy is significantly lower than that observed in the presence of an −OH group, which is the most abundant oxygen group in carbon supports. The Pt-CO dissociation energies (on a 42-atom graphene sheet) in the presence of various oxygen groups, in descending order, were OH > C═O ≈ C–O–C > COOH. Although single-bonded carbon–oxygen groups (−OH and C–O–C) are more abundant on the GO basal plane and play an important role in Pt nanoparticle nucleation and distribution on graphene sheets, the double-bonded carbon–oxygen (C═O and COOH) groups are more abundant residual species post Pt nanoparticle growth and play a vital role in enhancing CO tolerance
The effect of fibrous reinforcement on optical and impact performance of fibre-reinforced transparent glass composites
No full textFire resistant laminated glass composite containing intumescent silicate as an interlayer between two glass sheets is a widely used transparent building material. To improve the impact and other mechanical properties of this composite structure, a transparent silicate matrix has been reinforced with alkali and UV resistant synthetic (polypropylene, PP; polyamide, PA66; glass, Gl) and metallic (steel, St) fibres as of nonwoven webs or woven meshes. The refractive indices of the fibres and the matrices were measured and the transparency of the laminated composites depended upon fibre refractive index as well as reinforcement structure. All fibres were successful in significantly enhancing impact properties of laminated glass composites with alkali-resistant glass fibres showing the best performance
What service users with psychotic disorders want in a mental health crisis or relapse: thematic analysis of joint crisis plans
No full textPurpose:Recent legislation and guidance in England emphasises the importance of service user choice in care planning. However, it is not obvious how best to facilitate choices in care planning, and some clinicians are concerned that service users may make ‘unwise’ decisions. This study aimed to examine mental health service users’ preferences and priorities in the event of a future mental health crisis or relapse.Method:Thematic analysis of 221 joint crisis plans (JCP) developed by service users and their clinical team as part of the CRIMSON randomised controlled trial. Participants had a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, at least one psychiatric admission in the past 2 years, contact with a community mental health team, and complex care needs.Results:Two major categories of preferences were identified: first the manner in which crisis care would be delivered; and second, specific treatment interventions. Most service users requested full involvement in decisions about their care, clear and consistent treatment plans, access to familiar clinicians who knew them well, and to be treated with respect and compassion. Some service users requested hospitalisation, but the majority preferred alternatives. The most frequently preferred intervention was care by a home treatment team. Just under half made a treatment refusal, the majority being for specific medications, alternatives were offered.Conclusions:Joint crisis planning resulted in service users making choices that were clinically reasonable. The technique employed by JCPs appeared to empower service users by engaging them in a productive dialogue with their clinicians
The City & Guilds Textbook : Level 3 Award in Education and Training
No full textThis textbook from City & Guilds is the perfect accompaniment to the 6502 Level 3 Award in Educationand Training. With the content mapped directly to the qualification, this book is designed to help you to link the teaching theory to your assignments. It offers practical guidance and background knowledge to the key topic areas and provides further opportunities to develop your knowledge through detailed reading lists. This textbook includes learning features that will be useful every day, such as: example schemes of work; lesson plans; explanations of difficult terms; learner activities; handy hints; real life teaching scenarios. This fun, engaging book is a must-have for any learner looking for a guide to help them through their assignments for their Level 3 Award in Education and Training, as well as a reference point throughout their teaching caree
High Precision Active-Matrix Self-Capacitive Touch Panel Based on Fluorinated ZnO Thin-Film Transistor
No full textMatrix-addressed capacitive sensing is popularly employed in advanced multi-touch panels. While the number of simultaneous touch points of a passively addressed matrix is limited, the simultaneous touch points of an actively addressed matrix are constrained only by the size of the matrix and can be more densely packed. Since the touch panel is typically inserted between a display panel and the user, it would be the best if the transistors in an active-matrix touch panel are transparent. Reported presently is such a panel realized using a fluorinated zinc oxide transparent thin-film transistor technology. The technology can be applied to construct panels requiring high touch resolution, such as precision stylus pen-based writing, fingerprint sensing and sensing of the area of the touch, etc
