Prediction of the structure and refractive index profile of fused fiber-optic components: A numerical and experimental study.

We report a generic theoretical framework for accurate simulation of the temporal and spatial evolution of fused fiber-optic components, fabricated by the "heat and pull" technique. The methodology is based on the solution of quasi-3D incompressible Navier-Stokes equations formulated for immiscible two-phase flow. The two-phase interface is resolved by employing an interface tracking approach combined with the immersed boundary method.

Restoring the biophysical properties of decellularized patches through recellularization.

Various extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds, isolated through decellularization, were suggested as ideal biomimetic materials for 'Functional tissue engineering' (FTE). The decellularization process comprises a compromise between damaging and preserving the ultrastructure and composition of ECM-previously shown to affect cell survival, proliferation, migration, organization, differentiation and maturation. Inversely, the effects of cells on the ECM constructs' biophysical properties, under physiological-like conditions, remain still largely unknown.