Methods of monitoring of metro lining in Prague

There are several reasons for monitoring of underground structures and they have already been discussed many times, e.g. from the view of ageing or state after accidental event like flooding of Prague metro in 2002. Monitoring of Prague metro is realized in the framework of international research project sponsored by ESF-S3T. The monitoring methods used in Prague are either classical one or new or developing one. The reason for different monitoring methods is the different precision of each method and also for cross-checking between them and their evaluation. Namely we use convergence, tiltmetres, crackmetres, geophysical methods, laser scanning, computer vision and finally installation of MEMS monitoring devices. In the paper more details of each method and obtained results will be presented. The monitoring methods are complemented by wireless data collection and transfer for real-time monitoring. © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group.

Cell surface display of functionally active lipases from Yarrowia lipolytica in Pichia pastoris

The lipase genes of Yarrowia lipolytica, LIPY7 and LIPY8, fused with FLO-flocculation domain sequence from Saccharomyces cerevisiae at their N-termini, were expressed in Pichia pastoris KM71. Following the induction with methanol, the recombinant proteins were displayed on the cell surface of P. pastoris, as confirmed by the confocal laser scanning microscopy. The LipY7p and LipY8p were anchored on P. pastoris via the flocculation functional domain of Flo 1 p. The surface-displayed lipases were characterized for their application as the whole-cell biocatalyst. These lipases can also be cleaved off from their anchor by enterokinase treatment to yield functionally active proteins in the supernatant offering an alternative purification method for LipY7p and LipY8p. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Establishment and characterization of dual-species biofilms formed between a 3,5-dinitrobenzoic-degrading strain and bacteria with high biofilm-forming capabilities

In this study, the possibility of establishing a dual-species biofilm from a bacterium with a high biofilm-forming capability and a 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (3,5-DNBA)-degrading bacterium, Comamonas testosteroni A3, was investigated. Our results showed that the combinations of strain A3 with each of five strains with a high biofilm-forming capability (Pseudomonas sp. M8, Pseudomonas putida M9, Bacillus cereus M19, Pseudomonas plecoglossicida M21 and Aeromonas hydrophila M22) presented different levels of enhancement regarding biofilm-forming capability. Among these culture combinations, the 24-h dual-species biofilms established by C. testosteroni A3 with P. putida M9 and A. hydrophila M22 showed the strongest resistance to 3,5-DNBA shock loading, as demonstrated by six successive replacements with DMM2 synthetic wastewater. The degradation rates of 3,5-DNBA by these two culture combinations reached 63.3-91.6% and 70.7-89.4%, respectively, within 6 h of every replacement. Using the gfp-tagged strain M22 and confocal laser scanning microscopy, the immobilization of A3 cells in the dual-species biofilm was confirmed. We thus demonstrated that, during wastewater treatment processes, it is possible to immobilize degrader bacteria with bacteria with a high biofilm-forming capability and to enable them to develop into the mixed microbial flora. This may be a simple and economical method that represents a novel strategy for effective bioaugmentation.

Swelling behaviour of alginate-chitosan microcapsules prepared by external gelation or internal gelation technology

Swelling behaviour is one of the important properties for microcapsules made by hydrogels, which always affects the diffusion and release of drugs when the microcapsules are applied in drug delivery systems. In this paper, alginate-chitosan microcapsules were prepared by different technologies called external or internal gelation process respectively. With the volume swelling degree (S-w) as an index, the effect of properties of chitosan on the swelling behaviour of both microcapsules was investigated. It was demonstrated that the microcapsules with low molecular weight and high concentration of chitosan gave rise to low S-w. Considering the need of maintaining drug activity and drug loading, neutral pH and short gelation time were favorable. It was also noticed that S-w of internal gelation microcapsules was lower than that of external gelation microcapsules, which was interpreted by the structure analysis of internal or external gelation Ca-alginate beads with the aid of confocal laser scanning microscope. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Excellent antimicrobial properties of mesoporous anatase TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 composite films

Optically transparent, crack-free, mesoporous anatase TiO2 thin films were fabricated. The Ag/TiO2 composite films were prepared by incorporating Ag in the pores of TiO2 films with an impregnation method via photoreduction. The as-prepared composite films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectronic spectra (XPS) and N-2 adsorption. The release behavior of silver ions in the mesoporous composite film was also studied. Moreover, the antimicrobial behaviors of the mesoporous film were also investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Grafting BSA onto poly[(L-lactide)-co-carbonate] microspheres by click chemistry

Model protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) was covalently grafted onto poly[(L-lactide)co-carbonate] microsphere surfaces by "click chemistry." The grafting was confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The maximum amount of surface-grafted BSA was 45 mg.g(-1). The secondary structure of the grafted BSA was analyzed by FTIR and the results demonstrated that the grafting did not affect protein structure. This strategy can also be used on microspheres prepared from poly(L-lactide)/poly[(L-lactide)-co-carbonate] blend materials.

The release behavior of doxorubicin hydrochloride from medicated fibers prepared by emulsion-electrospinning

The release behavior of a water-soluble small molecule drug from the drug-loaded nanofibers prepared by emulsion-electrospinning was investigated. Doxorubicin hydrochloride (Dox), a water-soluble anticancer agent, was used as the model drug. The laser scanning confocal microscopic images indicated that the drug was well incorporated into amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(L-lactic acid) (PEG-PLA) diblock copolymer nanofibers, forming "core-sheath" structured drug-loaded nanofibers.

Insulin nanoparticle preparation and encapsulation into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres by using an anhydrous system

Insulin has been encapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres by solid-in-oil-in-oil (S/O/O) emulsion technique using DMF/corn oil as new solvent pairs. To get better encapsulation efficiency, insulin nanoparticles were prepared by the modified isoelectric point precipitation method so that it had good dispersion in the inner oil phase. The resulting microspheres had drug loading of 10% (w/w), while the encapsulation efficiency could be up to 90-100%. And the insulin release from the microspheres could last for 60 days. Microspheres encapsulated original insulin with the same method had lower encapsulation efficiency, and shorter release period. Laser scanning confocal microscopy indicated the insulin nanoparticle and original insulin had different distribution in microspheres. The results suggested that using insulin nanoparticle was better than original insulin for microsphere preparation by S/O/O method.

Organic-inorganic hybrid material for the cells immobilization: Long-term viability mechanism and application in BOD sensors

In this paper, organic-inorganic hybrid material, which is composed of silica and the grafting copolymer of poly (vinyl alcohol) and 4-vinylpyridine (PVA-g-P(4-VP)), was employed to immobilize Trichosporon cutaneum strain 2.570 cells. Cells entrapped into the hybrid material were found to keep a long-term viability. The mechanism of such a long-term viability was investigated by using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Our studies revealed that arthroconidia produced in the extracellular material might play an important role in keeping the long-term viability of the immobilized microorganism. After the arthroconidia were activated, an electrochemical biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) sensor based on cell/hybrid material-modified supporting membrane was constructed for verifying the proposed mechanism.

Oxygen Carrier Based on Hemoglobin/Poly(L-lysine)-block-poly(L-phenylalanine) Vesicles

An oxygen carrier was prepared by encapsulating carbonylated hemoglobin (CO-Hb) molecules into polypeptide vesicles made from poly(L-lysine)-block-poly(L-phenylalanine) (PLL-b-PPA) diblock copolymers in aqueous medium at pH 5.8. The encapsulation was confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The morphology and size of the Vesicles were studied by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). They had a spherical shape with it mean diameter of about 4 to 5 mu m. The encapsulation efficiency of hemoglobin was 40 wt %, and the hemoglobin content in the vesicles was 32 wt %. The CO-Hb encapsulated in the PLL-b-PPA vesicles was more stable than free CO-Hb under ambient conditions, In the presence of a O-2 atmosphere, the CO-Hb in the vesicle could be converted into oxygen-binding hemoglobin (O-2-Hb) under irradiation of visible light for 2 h. Therefore, the CO-Hb/PLL-b-PPA vesicles are expected to be used its red blood cell substitutes.

A study on the antibacterial activity of one-dimensional ZnO nanowire arrays: effects of the orientation and plane surface

In this study, ZnO nanowire arrays with different orientations were prepared. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and field- emission scanning electron microscope (FE- SEM) technique were employed for understanding the disparities in antibacterial activity between different orientations of ZnO nanoarrays. The effects of the different planes of ZnO nanowire were also discussed for the first time.

Direct formation of giant vesicles from synthetic polypeptides

This report describes direct formation of giant vesicles from a series of poly(L-lysine)-block-poly(L-phenylalanine) (PLL-b-PPA) block copolymers from their water solution. These polymers are prepared by successive ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of the two alpha-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides and then removing the side chain protecting groups by acidolysis. The structures of the copolymers are confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and size exclusion chromatography ( SEC). The vesicles are studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Rhodamine B is used as a fluorescent probe to confirm the existence of the vesicle with an aqueous interior. The vesicle size is in the range 0.55-6 mu m, depending on the absolute and relative lengths of the two blocks, on initial polymer concentration, and on solution pH. The vesicles are still stable in water for 2 months after preparation. Addition of the copolymer to DNA solution results in complex formation with it. The complex assumes the morphology of irregular particles of less than 2 mu m. It is expected to be used in drug and gene delivery.

Effect of polymeric properties on the operation of gel-type audio transducers.

A novel design of a moving-coil transducer coupled with a low-hardness elastomer called “the gel surround” is presented in this thesis. This device is termed a “gel-type audio transducer”. The gel-type audio transducer has been developed to overcome the problems that conventional loudspeakers have suffered - that is, the problem with size of the audio device against the quality of sound at low frequency range. Therefore the research work presented herein aims to develop the “gel-type audio transducer” as a next-generation audio transducer for miniaturized woofers. The gel-type audio transducer consists of the magnetic and coil-drive plate assembly, and these parts are coupled by the gel surround. The transducer is driven by the electromagnetic conversion mechanism (a moving-coil transducer) and its output driving force can be greatly enhanced by applying the novel mechanism of the gel surround especially at low frequency range, resulting in the enhanced acoustic efficiency. The transducer can be attached to a stiff and light panel with both the optimized impedance matching and minimised wave collisions. The performance of the gel-type audio transducer is greatly influenced by the mass of the magnetic assembly and compliance of the “gel surround”. But as the size of the magnet and its weight have to be kept minimal for a miniaturisation of the device, the focus of the research is on the effect of the of the gel surround. As a result, the effect of the gel surround, made of the RTV (room-temperature vulcanising) silicone elastomer, TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), and the silicone foam, on generation of the output driving force, the energy transfer from the transducer to a panel to which the transducer is attached, and sound radiation from the vibrating panel, was investigated. This effect was studied by COMSOL multiphysics (FE analysis) and thereby, the simulated results were verified by experiments such as the laser scanning measurement, DMA (dynamic mechanical analyzer), and the acoustic test. Successful development of prototypes of the gel-type audio transducers, with an enhanced acoustic efficiency at reduced size and weight, was achieved. Implementation of the transducers into consumer applications was also demonstrated with their commercial values.

Synteza i charakterystyka wybranych nanocząstek o potencjalnych zastosowaniach w medycynie

Zakład Biofizyki Molekularnej, Centrum NanoBioMedyczne UAM

Novel smart modules for imaging, communications, and displays

This dissertation proposes and demonstrates novel smart modules to solve challenging problems in the areas of imaging, communications, and displays. The smartness of the modules is due to their ability to be able to adapt to changes in operating environment and application using programmable devices, specifically, electronically variable focus lenses (ECVFLs) and digital micromirror devices (DMD). The proposed modules include imagers for laser characterization and general purpose imaging which smartly adapt to changes in irradiance, optical wireless communication systems which can adapt to the number of users and to changes in link length, and a smart laser projection display that smartly adjust the pixel size to achieve a high resolution projected image at each screen distance. The first part of the dissertation starts with the proposal of using an ECVFL to create a novel multimode laser beam characterizer for coherent light. This laser beam characterizer uses the ECVFL and a DMD so that no mechanical motion of optical components along the optical axis is required. This reduces the mechanical motion overhead that traditional laser beam characterizers have, making this laser beam characterizer more accurate and reliable. The smart laser beam characterizer is able to account for irradiance fluctuations in the source. Using image processing, the important parameters that describe multimode laser beam propagation have been successfully extracted for a multi-mode laser test source. Specifically, the laser beam analysis parameters measured are the M2 parameter, w0 the minimum beam waist, and zR the Rayleigh range. Next a general purpose incoherent light imager that has a high dynamic range (>100 dB) and automatically adjusts for variations in irradiance in the scene is proposed. Then a data efficient image sensor is demonstrated. The idea of this smart image sensor is to reduce the bandwidth needed for transmitting data from the sensor by only sending the information which is required for the specific application while discarding the unnecessary data. In this case, the imager demonstrated sends only information regarding the boundaries of objects in the image so that after transmission to a remote image viewing location, these boundaries can be used to map out objects in the original image. The second part of the dissertation proposes and demonstrates smart optical communications systems using ECVFLs. This starts with the proposal and demonstration of a zero propagation loss optical wireless link using visible light with experiments covering a 1 to 4 m range. By adjusting the focal length of the ECVFLs for this directed line-of-sight link (LOS) the laser beam propagation parameters are adjusted such that the maximum amount of transmitted optical power is captured by the receiver for each link length. This power budget saving enables a longer achievable link range, a better SNR/BER, or higher power efficiency since more received power means the transmitted power can be reduced. Afterwards, a smart dual mode optical wireless link is proposed and demonstrated using a laser and LED coupled to the ECVFL to provide for the first time features of high bandwidths and wide beam coverage. This optical wireless link combines the capabilities of smart directed LOS link from the previous section with a diffuse optical wireless link, thus achieving high data rates and robustness to blocking. The proposed smart system can switch from LOS mode to Diffuse mode when blocking occurs or operate in both modes simultaneously to accommodate multiple users and operate a high speed link if one of the users requires extra bandwidth. The last part of this section presents the design of fibre optic and free-space optical switches which use ECVFLs to deflect the beams to achieve switching operation. These switching modules can be used in the proposed optical wireless indoor network. The final section of the thesis presents a novel smart laser scanning display. The ECVFL is used to create the smallest beam spot size possible for the system designed at the distance of the screen. The smart laser scanning display increases the spatial resoluti on of the display for any given distance. A basic smart display operation has been tested for red light and a 4X improvement in pixel resolution for the image has been demonstrated.