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1 – 10 of 12Maryam Mogheiseh, Reza Hasanzadeh Ghasemi and Reza Soheilifard
The purpose of this paper is to compare the stability of the three nanocarriers created by DNA origami method with different positions and numbers of crossovers
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare the stability of the three nanocarriers created by DNA origami method with different positions and numbers of crossovers
Design/methodology/approach
Nanocarriers are attractive components among a variety of nanostructures created by DNA origami and can have numerous applications in mechanical and medical engineering. For this reason, the current study compares three nanotubes with different positions and numbers of crossovers created by DNA origami method that can be utilized as nanocarriers. To investigate the structures, the DNA nanocarriers are studied at the human body temperature 310 K. Molecular dynamics simulations are used for this study. For a quantitative analysis of DNA nanocarriers, the areas of three hexagons at three different sites in each of the nanotubes are investigated. The results indicate that the number and position of crossovers are among the significant factors in the structure stability of nanocarriers. The analyses also revealed that although adding crossovers in locations with fewer crossovers increase structural stability, the position of crossovers can have different effects on the stability. DNA origami-based nanocarriers can be implemented in drug delivery, allow the nanocargoes to pass various surfaces and act as filters for passing cargoes of different dimensions and chemical structures.
Findings
The results indicate that the number and position of crossovers are among the significant factors in the structure stability of nanocarriers
Originality/value
In this paper, the stability of DNA origami nanocarriers with different positions and numbers of crossovers was investigated.
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The paper aims to provide a technical review of recent developments in microrobots, together with a less detailed consideration of nanorobotics.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to provide a technical review of recent developments in microrobots, together with a less detailed consideration of nanorobotics.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a brief introduction, this paper describes a number of recently reported microrobot development activities. It then briefly considers the emerging field of nanorobotics.
Findings
Microrobots are the topic of a major research effort and many different technological approaches are under study. Critical issues are power and locomotion and magnetic methods are attracting much attention. Nanorobots are at a far earlier stage of development and most are based on DNA‐based molecular technology. Key applications for both classes of device are anticipated in microassembly, healthcare and nanotechnology.
Originality/value
This paper provides a timely review of recent microrobot and nanorobot development activities.
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Bushra Rafique, Mudassir Iqbal, Tahir Mehmood and Muhammad Ashraf Shaheen
This review aims to focus on recent reported research work on the construction and function of different electrochemical DNA biosensors. It also describes different sensing…
Abstract
Purpose
This review aims to focus on recent reported research work on the construction and function of different electrochemical DNA biosensors. It also describes different sensing materials, chemistries of immobilization probes, conditions of hybridization and principles of transducing and amplification strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
The human disease-related mutated genes or DNA sequence detection at low cost can be verified by the electrochemical-based biosensor. A range of different chemistries is used by the DNA-based electrochemical biosensors, out of which the interactions of nanoscale material with recognition layer and a solid electrode surface are most interesting. A diversity of advancements has been made in the field of electrochemical detection.
Findings
Some important aspects are also highlighted in this review, which can contribute in the creation of successful biosensing devices in the future.
Originality/value
This paper provides an updated review of construction and sensing technologies in the field of biosensing.
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Meredith Thompson, Cigdem Uz-Bilgin, M. Shane Tutwiler, Melat Anteneh, Josephine Camille Meija, Annie Wang, Philip Tan, Richard Eberhardt, Dan Roy, Judy Perry and Eric Klopfer
This study isolates the effect of immersion on players’ learning in a virtual reality (VR)-based game about cellular biology by comparing two versions of the game with the same…
Abstract
Purpose
This study isolates the effect of immersion on players’ learning in a virtual reality (VR)-based game about cellular biology by comparing two versions of the game with the same level of interactivityand different levels of immersion. The authors identify immersion and additional interactivity as two key affordances of VR as a learning tool. A number of research studies compare VR with two-dimensional or minimally interactive media; this study focuses on the effect of immersion as a result of the head mounted display (HMD).
Design/methodology/approach
In the game, players diagnose a cell by exploring a virtual cell and search for clues that indicate one of five possible types of cystic fibrosis. Fifty-one adults completed all aspects of the study. Players took pre and post assessments and drew pictures of cells and translation before and after the game. Players were randomly assigned to play the game with the HMD (stereoscopic view) or without the headset (non-stereoscopic view). Players were interviewed about their drawings and experiences at the end of the session.
Findings
Players in both groups improved in their knowledge of the cell environment and the process of translation. Players who experienced the immersive stereoscopic view had a more positive learning effect in the content assessment, and stronger improvement in their mental models of the process of translation between pre- and post-drawings compared to players who played the two-dimensional game.
Originality/value
This study suggests that immersion alone has a positive effect on conceptual understanding, especially in helping learners understand spatial environments and processes. These findings set the stage for a new wave of research on learning in immersive environments; research that moves beyond determining whether immersive media correlate with more learning, toward a focus on the types of learning outcomes that are best supported by immersive media.
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WITH the Pompey doldrum in mind, many misgivings were expressed about the Rothesay conference as the delegated gravy trains raced north to Glasgow. (Incidentally Sir Brian…
Abstract
WITH the Pompey doldrum in mind, many misgivings were expressed about the Rothesay conference as the delegated gravy trains raced north to Glasgow. (Incidentally Sir Brian Robertson will find comfort in our belief that rail travel is the most satisfying way to attend conference with corridor exchanges and dining car badinage shortening the long haul).
With the Pompey doldrum in mind, many misgivings were expressed about the Rothesay conference as the delegated gravy trains raced north to Glasgow. (Incidentally Sir Brian…
Abstract
With the Pompey doldrum in mind, many misgivings were expressed about the Rothesay conference as the delegated gravy trains raced north to Glasgow. (Incidentally Sir Brian Robertson will find comfort in our belief that rail travel is the most satisfying way to attend conference with corridor exchanges and dining car badinage shortening the long haul).
Chander Prakash, Sunpreet Singh, Ilenia Farina, Fernando Fraternali and Luciano Feo
Porous implant surface is shown to facilitate bone in-growth and cell attachment, improving overall osteointegration, while providing adequate mechanical integrity. Recently…
Abstract
Purpose
Porous implant surface is shown to facilitate bone in-growth and cell attachment, improving overall osteointegration, while providing adequate mechanical integrity. Recently, biodegradable material possessing such superior properties has been the focus with an aim of revolutionizing implant’s design, material and performance. This paper aims to present a comprehensive investigation into the design and development of low elastic modulus porous biodegradable Mg-3Si-5HA composite by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering (MA-SPS) technique.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the design and development of low elastic modulus porous biodegradable Mg-3Si-5HA composite by MA-SPS technique. As the key alloying elements, HA powders with an appropriate proportion weight 5 and 10 are mixed with the base elemental magnesium (Mg) particles to form the composites of potentially variable porosity and mechanical property. The aim is to investigate the performance of the synthesized composites of Mg-3Si together with HA in terms of mechanical integrity hardness and Young’s moduli corrosion resistance and in-vitro bioactivity.
Findings
Mechanical and surface characterization results indicate that alloying of Si leads to the formation of fine Mg2 Si eutectic dense structure, hence increasing hardness while reducing the ductility of the composite. On the other hand, the allying of HA in Mg-3Si matrix leads to the formation of structural porosity (5-13 per cent), thus resulting in low Young’s moduli. It is hypothesized that biocompatible phases formed within the composite enhanced the corrosion performance and bio-mechanical integrity of the composite. The degradation rate of Mg-3Si composite was reduced from 2.05 mm/year to 1.19 mm/year by the alloying of HA elements. Moreover, the fabricated composites showed an excellent bioactivity and offered a channel/interface to MG-63 cells for attachment, proliferation and differentiation.
Originality/value
Overall, the findings suggest that the Mg-3Si-HA composite fabricated by MA and plasma sintering may be considered as a potential biodegradable material for orthopedic application.
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