A numerical study of natural convection flow structure and heat transfer has been undertaken for air around two horizontal, differentially heated cylinders confined to an adiabatic circular enclosure. Parametric simulations were performed to assess the effects of gap width between cylinders as well as the inclination angle of the enclosure with respect to gravity. Results clearly indicate that the fluid flow complexity and heat transfer characteristics of air amid the cylinders and enclosure wall are strongly affected by the Rayleigh number, the inclination angle, and the gap width between the cylinders. With the exception of the vertical orientation, heat exchange between the differentially heated cylinders is predominantly controlled by a counterclockwise recirculating flow enclosing them. In addition, flow visualization experiments were conducted for the physical configuration under consideration, and a generally good agreement for the flow pattern was observed between the predictions and the experiments, further validating the present numerical simulation.

Passivation treatments of titanium alloy alter not only its nanosurface characteristics of oxides and ion release but also surface roughness (Ra), and wettability as well, where nanosurface characteristics of oxides include chemistries of oxides, amphoteric-OH groups adsorbed on oxides, and oxide thickness. Consequently, the passivation treatment affects the alloy's cyto-comparability. In this study, we polish specimens to achieve nanometric scale roughness. In addition, treatment effects are evaluated for surface topology, roughness, wettability, and responses of fibroblasts consisting of MTT assay, initial adhesion strength, and morphology. The initial adhesion strength is measured using a cyto-detacher that achieves nano-Newton resolution. Results reveal that (1) the treatment effects on the percentage of Ti--OH basic groups and wettability are nearly collinear; (2) the Ra of passivated Ti-6Al-4V ranges from 1.9 to 7.4 nm; (3) the initial adhesion strength of fibroblast ranges from 58 to 143 nN, and it is negatively correlated to the Ra; (4) the passivation results in distinguishable morphologies, which further substantiate the negative correlation between cell initial adhesion force and Ra; and (5) our results fall short of confirming previous reports that found positively charged functional groups promoting fibroblast attachment and spread. Potential causes of the inconsistency are addressed.

Titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V), while subjected to high temperature surface treatment, experience altered nano-surface characteristics. The effects of such surface treatments are examined, including the initial adhesion force experienced by osteoblasts, the Ca/P adsorption capability, and the nano-surface properties, including the amounts of amphoteric Ti-OH groups, surface topography, and surface roughness. The initial adhesion force is considered a quantitative indicator of cyto-compatibility in vitro. Previously, a cyto-detacher was applied in a pioneer attempt measuring the initial adhesion force of fibroblasts on a metal surface. Presently, the cyto-detacher is further applied to evaluate the initial adhesion force of osteoblasts. Results reveal that (1) titanium alloys subjected to heat treatment could promote the adsorption capability of Ca and P; (2) titanium alloys subjected to heat treatment could have higher initial osteoblast adhesion forces; (3) the adhesion strength of osteoblasts, ranging from 38.5 to 58.9 nN (nanonewtons), appears stronger for rougher surfaces. It is concluded that the heat treatment could have impacted the biocompatibility in terms of the initial osteoblast adhesion force and Ca/P adsorption capability.

SUMMARYIn addition to the delayed-iype hypersensitivity (DTH). a unique type of hypcrscnsitivity could be induced at a late stage ol" the immune responses after hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) immunization. This antigen-specific ear swelling that develops within I h after antigen challenge has been referred to as the early-type hypersensitivity (ETH) in contrast to the 24-h DTH. Although expression of ETH was earlier than DTH. the induction ofthe former needed 3 days longer than that of the latter. In ETH. the plasma protein leaked into the tissue and ihe vasopcrmcabilily increased wiihin 15 min. causing the oedema of ETH. The observation that cyproheptadine. not dcxameihiisone, inhibited ETH suggests that it is mediated through the release of histamine and/or serotonin. Furthermore. ETH could be transferred by immune sera. Heat treatment (56 C for 4 h) did not destroy the transfer, suggesting that it was not mediated by IgE. The human anti-HBs sera from either hepatitis B virus infection or HBsAg vaccinee also contained the activity to transfer the ETH in mice