Regularized thin-fiber model for nanofiber formation by centrifugal spinning.

We propose a regularized thin-fiber (string) model that overcomes past numerical limitations and allows determination of the steady fiber velocity and diameter of a semi-infinite Newtonian viscous fiber emerging from a nozzle rotating about an axis in the presence of centrifugal, inertial, and viscous forces of arbitrary magnitudes. The results are controlled by two dimensionless groups, namely, the Rossby number Rb expressing the ratio of inertial to centrifugal forces and the Reynolds number Re, the ratio of inertial to viscous forces. We find that for Rb < 0.5 and Re < 1, regularization of the string-model equations is required to provide numerical stability, which we achieve. Solutions are thereby obtained in which viscosity reduces curvature in the fiber trajectory; these solutions asymptotically approach the inviscid solution at large distances along the spin line. Thus, long spin lines reach a diameter that is independent of viscosity, as long as the fiber is sufficiently long, a criterion that is made clear in the paper. At Rb > 0.5, regularization is not required, the curvature in fiber trajectory is increased by viscosity, and the solution at large distances along the spin line does not converge to the inviscid result. Regimes of behavior in the plane formed by Re and Rb are mapped out and example behavior is given for each regime.

Modeling the relaxation of polymer glasses under shear and elongational loads.

Glassy polymers show "strain hardening": at constant extensional load, their flow first accelerates, then arrests. Recent experiments under such loading have found this to be accompanied by a striking dip in the segmental relaxation time. This can be explained by a minimal nonfactorable model combining flow-induced melting of a glass with the buildup of stress carried by strained polymers. Within this model, liquefaction of segmental motion permits strong flow that creates polymer-borne stress, slowing the deformation enough for the segmental (or solvent) modes then to re-vitrify. Here, we present new results for the corresponding behavior under step-stress shear loading, to which very similar physics applies. To explain the unloading behavior in the extensional case requires introduction of a "crinkle factor" describing a rapid loss of segmental ordering. We discuss in more detail here the physics of this, which we argue involves non-entropic contributions to the polymer stress, and which might lead to some important differences between shear and elongation. We also discuss some fundamental and possibly testable issues concerning the physical meaning of entropic elasticity in vitrified polymers. Finally, we present new results for the startup of steady shear flow, addressing the possible role of transient shear banding.

Simple model for the deformation-induced relaxation of glassy polymers.

Glassy polymers show "strain hardening": at constant extensional load, their flow first accelerates, then arrests. Recent experiments have found this to be accompanied by a striking and unexplained dip in the segmental relaxation time. Here we explain such behavior by combining a minimal model of flow-induced liquefaction of a glass with a description of the stress carried by strained polymers, creating a nonfactorable interplay between aging and strain-induced rejuvenation. Under constant load, liquefaction of segmental motion permits strong flow that creates polymer-borne stress. This slows the deformation enough for the segmental modes to revitrify, causing strain hardening.

An integrated microfluidic device for influenza and other genetic analyses.

An integrated microfluidic device capable of performing a variety of genetic assays has been developed as a step towards building systems for widespread dissemination. The device integrates fluidic and thermal components such as heaters, temperature sensors, and addressable valves to control two nanoliter reactors in series followed by an electrophoretic separation. This combination of components is suitable for a variety of genetic analyses. As an example, we have successfully identified sequence-specific hemagglutinin A subtype for the A/LA/1/87 strain of influenza virus. The device uses a compact design and mass production technologies, making it an attractive platform for a variety of widely disseminated applications.

Deviations from dynamic dilution in the terminal relaxation of star polymers.

We present a "slip-link" model for relaxation of entangled star polymers that accounts for chain-end fluctuations and constraint release and that explains deviations from the "dynamic dilution" equation observed in recent dielectric and stress relaxation data. In the terminal regime where tube expansion fails to keep up with chain relaxation, relaxation is controlled by rare events in which newly created entanglements near the branch point draw the chain end towards the last remaining old entanglement, where a shallow fluctuation releases it.

Stenosis of the main artery supplying an organ: effect of end-organ vascular resistance on the poststenotic peak systolic velocity in an in vitro hydraulic model at Doppler US.

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that increased end-organ vascular resistance reduces blood flow to the kidney, thus reducing the mean velocity in the renal artery and secondarily lowering the peak systolic velocity (PSV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vitro hydraulic model with a pulsatile pump, blood-mimicking fluid, interchangeable stenoses, and variable compliance and resistance was used to investigate the relationship between end-organ vascular resistance and poststenotic PSV. RESULTS: Poststenotic PSV was mildly dependent on end-organ vascular resistance and decreased with increasing resistance. CONCLUSION: The results help explain some of the reported variability from using poststenotic PSV to detect hemodynamically significant renal arterial stenoses, but the effect is not great enough to completely explain the variability. Other factors not investigated in this study must be at work as well.

Prediction of impact forces for shock-cushioning elastomer-pad design.

We measure the impact forces and deflections resulting from drop tests of a mass with a flat impact surface onto flat pads of various elastomeric materials, and show that the forces can be predicted quantitatively with no adjustable parameters by using a theory whose only inputs are the linear viscoelastic characteristics of the material, measured in small-amplitude oscillatory deformations. The theory, which models the elastomer as a nonlinear neo-Hookean material, is accurate for several elastomeric solids including polyurethanes, polynorbornene, and poly-vinyl-chlorides (PVCs), over a wide range of impact velocities, masses, temperatures and pad thicknesses. The application in mind is the rational design of shock-cushioning pads and components in footwear and in portable equipment.

Variable number of pig MHC class I genes in different serologically defined haplotypes identified by a 3'-untranslated region probe.

To estimate the number of porcine class I major histocompatibility genes, a short class I cDNA probe from the 3'-untranslated region was developed to be used in restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Six clones isolated from a pig spleen cDNA library were sequenced from their 3'-untranslated region. Three different transcripts were identified, one probably derived from the class I PD7 locus and two showing highest homology to the PD1 and the PD14 genes, respectively. Class I typing was performed both by restriction fragment length polymorphism and serology. Segregation of class I haplotypes was followed in one three-generation family (European Wild Boar x Large White: Swedish Yorkshire) and in six two-generation families (Duroc, Yorkshire and Chester White), for a total of 266 pigs. Twenty different class I haplotypes were identified either with restriction fragment length polymorphism and/or serological typing. Furthermore, previously unpublished serological haplotypes H62, H67 and H68 were identified. Two to seven polymorphic and three monomorphic fragments were detected in different restriction fragment length polymorphism haplotypes indicating that the number of class I genes in the investigated haplotypes varies.

Stretching of a single tethered polymer in a uniform flow.

The stretching of single, tethered DNA molecules by a flow was directly visualized with fluorescence microscopy. Molecules ranging in length (L) from 22 to 84 micrometers were held stationary against the flow by the optical trapping of a latex microsphere attached to one end. The fractional extension x/L is a universal function of eta vL 0.54 +/- 0.05, where eta and v are the viscosity and velocity of the flow, respectively. This relation shows that the DNA is not "free-draining" (that is, hydrodynamic coupling within the chain is not negligible) even near full extension (approximately 80 percent). This function has the same form over a long range as the fractional extension versus force applied at the ends of a worm-like chain. For small deformations (< 30 percent of full extension), the extension increases with velocity as x approximately v0.70 +/- 0.08. The relative size of fluctuations in extension decreases as sigma x/x approximately equal to 0.42 exp (-4.9 x/L). Video images of the fluctuating chain have a cone-like envelope and show a sharp increase in intensity at the free end.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms at the heat shock protein HSP70 gene(s) in pigs.

Pigs from a population consisting of eight US breeds or strains and three Chinese breeds were examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the heat shock protein HSP70 gene(s). Limited polymorphisms with PstI and PvuII restriction enzymes were observed, but there were no polymorphisms with BamHI and BglI.