The aim of this work is to obtain relevant information on the film forming process in order to control the development of mechanical properties of the latex film. As appropriate mechanical behavior cannot be reached if coalescence is not achieved, we first investigate the coalescence of the core-shell latex by performing weight loss measurements at different temperatures and humidities. After a brief survey of the literature, we propose a model of coalescence with a new description of the deformation of latex beads, based on the diffusion of structural units under the polymer / water interfacial forces. Calculations based on this model suggests that particle deformation and water evaporation may display different kinetics. Therefore, the end of coalescence may be related to the slowest process. At the end of coalescence stage, mechanical behavior of the film can be investigated. Then, we perform tensile tests for different time of annealing during the autohesion phenomenon. During this film forming stage, the behavior of the film changes drastically from brittle to ductile. We observe two distinct evolution for strain at break and stress at rupture. The former is attributed to the formation of entanglements through the particles boundaries whereas the latter might concern water diffusion throughout the film.The process consisting of driving a latex from its colloidal form to a continuous film needs a good understanding since it is of great importance for industry. Film formation is a critical aspect of all applications that involve coating a surface or forming a layer with good cohesive properties. Consequently, great efforts have been devoted to the study of this phenomenon.Several stages during film formation have been observed experimentally and a phenomenological description of the process, divided into three parts, is generally accepted (1) :
Single-domain antibody fragments, also known as VHHs or nanobodies, have opened promising avenues in therapeutics and in exploration of intracellular processes. Because of their unique structural properties, they can reach cryptic regions in their cognate antigen. Intracellular VHHs/antibodies primarily directed against cytosolic proteins or transcription factors have been described. In contrast, few of them target membrane proteins and even less recognize G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are major therapeutic targets, which reflects their involvement in a plethora of physiological responses. Hence, they elicit a tremendous interest in the scientific community and in the industry. Comprehension of their pharmacology has been obscured by their conformational complexity, that has precluded deciphering their structural properties until the early 2010’s. To that respect, intracellular VHHs have been instrumental in stabilizing G protein-coupled receptors in active conformations in order to solve their structure, possibly bound to their primary transducers, G proteins or β-arrestins. In contrast, the modulatory properties of VHHs recognizing the intracellular regions of G protein-coupled receptors on the induced signaling network have been poorly studied. In this review, we will present the advances that the intracellular VHHs have permitted in the field of GPCR signaling and trafficking. We will also discuss the methodological hurdles that linger the discovery of modulatory intracellular VHHs directed against GPCRs, as well as the opportunities they open in drug discovery.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.