Assessing the Interfacial Dynamic Modulus of Biological Composites.

Biological composites (biocomposites) possess ultra-thin, irregular-shaped, energy dissipating interfacial regions that grant them crucial mechanical capabilities. Identifying the dynamic (viscoelastic) modulus of these interfacial regions is considered to be the key toward understanding the underlying structure-function relationships in various load-bearing biological materials including mollusk shells, arthropod cuticles, and plant parts. However, due to the submicron dimensions and the confined locations of these interfacial regions within the biocomposite, assessing their mechanical characteristics directly with experiments is nearly impossible.

Interfacial indentations in biological composites.

Biocomposites comprise highly stiff reinforcement elements connected by a compliant matrix material. While the interfacial elastic properties of these biocomposites play a key role in determining the mechanical properties of the entire biocomposite, these properties cannot be measured directly from standard nanomechanical experiments. Developing a method for extracting the interfacial elastic properties in biocomposites is, therefore, a major objective of cutting-edge biomaterials science.

Reinforcement of bio-apatite by zinc substitution in the incisor tooth of a prawn.

Various material-strengthening strategies have evolved in the cuticle and the feeding tools of arthropods. Of particular interest is the crustacean mandible, which is frequently reinforced with calcium phosphate, giving a minerology similar to that of human bones and teeth. We report here a biological strengthening method of apatite by Zn substitution, found in the incisor teeth of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

A Pilot Study to Reduce Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in Children From Extremely Low-Income Settings With Intestinal Failure-Meeting the Challenge.

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are major sources of morbidity, death, and healthcare costs in patients who receive home parenteral nutrition (HPN). The majority of HPN-dependent children in southern Israel reside in poor communities with substandard living conditions, which creates significant challenges for the safe provision of HPN. We developed a pilot intervention that aimed to reduce the rates of CLABSI and central venous catheter (CVC) replacements in this vulnerable population in our region.

Surface protection in bio-shields via a functional soft skin layer: Lessons from the turtle shell.

The turtle shell is a functional bio-shielding element, which has evolved naturally to provide protection against predator attacks that involve biting and clawing. The near-surface architecture of the turtle shell includes a soft bi-layer skin coating - rather than a hard exterior - which functions as a first line of defense against surface damage. This architecture represents a novel type of bio-shielding configuration, namely, an inverse structural-mechanical design, rather than the hard-coated bio-shielding elements identified so far.