Dynamic visualization of DNA methylation in cell cycle genes during iPSC cardiac differentiation.

Background: Existing analyses with conventional assays have generated significant insights into static states of DNA methylation but were unable to visualize the dynamics of epigenetic regulation.

Materials & Results: We utilized a genomic DNA methylation reporter (GMR) system carrying Snrpn minimal promoter and CpG regions of (Cyclin-dependent kinase 1) or (SRY-Box Transcription Factor 2). Mouse Sox2 GMR iPSCs rapidly lost fluorescent reporter signal upon the induction of cardiac differentiation.

Full deflection profile calculation and Young's modulus optimisation for engineered high performance materials.

New engineered materials have critical applications in different fields in medicine, engineering and technology but their enhanced mechanical performances are significantly affected by the microstructural design and the sintering process used in their manufacture. This work introduces (i) a methodology for the calculation of the full deflection profile from video recordings of bending tests, (ii) an optimisation algorithm for the characterisation of Young's modulus, (iii) a quantification of the effects of optical distortions and (iv) a comparison with other standard tests. The results presented in this paper show the capabilities of this procedure to evaluate the Young's modulus of highly stiff materials with greater accuracy than previously possible with bending tests, by employing all the available information from the video recording of the tests.

PFG NMR and Bayesian analysis to characterise non-Newtonian fluids.

Many industrial flow processes are sensitive to changes in the rheological behaviour of process fluids, and there therefore exists a need for methods that provide online, or inline, rheological characterisation necessary for process control and optimisation over timescales of minutes or less. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) offers a non-invasive technique for this application, without limitation on optical opacity. We present a Bayesian analysis approach using pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR to enable estimation of the rheological parameters of Herschel-Bulkley fluids in a pipe flow geometry, characterised by a flow behaviour index n, yield stress τ, and consistency factor k, by analysis of the signal in q-space.

Investigating mixing and segregation using discrete element modelling (DEM) in the Freeman FT4 rheometer.

Mixing and segregation in a Freeman FT4 powder rheometer, using binary mixtures with varied particle size ratio and volume fraction, were studied using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). As the blade moves within the particle bed, size induced segregations can occur via a sifting mechanism. A larger particle size ratio and/or a larger volume fraction of large particles lead to a quicker segregation process.

Structure and dynamics of aqueous 2-propanol: a THz-TDS, NMR and neutron diffraction study.

Aqueous liquid mixtures, in particular, those involving amphiphilic species, play an important role in many physical, chemical and biological processes. Of particular interest are alcohol/water mixtures; however, the structural dynamics of such systems are still not fully understood. Herein, a combination of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and NMR relaxation time analysis has been applied to investigate 2-propanol/water mixtures across the entire composition range; while neutron diffraction studies have been carried out at two specific concentrations.