Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to compositions comprising hydrogel-encapsulated/dispersed beta cells, compositions comprising hydrogel-encapsulated/dispersed beta-cell spheroids, processes for forming such compositions, and uses of the compositions. In an embodiment, a composition is provided that includes a first component comprising a hydrogel, the hydrogel comprising, in polymerized form, one or more photoreactive monomers and a thiol linker. The composition further comprises a second component comprising a plurality of beta cells dispersed or encapsulated within the hydrogel.

A device and a method for producing reaction plastics, including a first metering device with a first metering unit and a second metering unit, each of which is suitable for receiving and dispensing a first mixing component in a metered manner, a second metering device which is suitable for receiving and dispensing a second mixing component in a metered manner, and a mixing device which is suitable for receiving and mixing the first mixing component dispensed by the first metering unit and/or the second metering unit of the first metering device and the second mixing component dispensed by the second metering device. For this purpose the first metering unit and the second metering unit are connected to the mixing device such that prior to beginning the mixing process, the first mixing component can be brought to an operating state required for the mixing process, in particular an operating pressure, by guiding the first mixing component from the first metering unit to the second metering unit via the mixing device.

Use of a sizing agent having a heat weight loss B-1 of 65% or more as determined by a specific measurement method, or a sizing agent containing a surfactant and a compound represented by formula (1):

##STR00001##

A method for plasma treating a surface of a first substrate is disclosed. The method may comprise generating a plasma flume using a plasma treatment device having a nozzle. The plasma flume may emanate through a flume aperture of the nozzle at an emanation angle of about 5 degrees or less. The emanation angle may be defined as an angle between a central axis of the nozzle and a central axis of the flume aperture. The method may further comprise plasma treating the surface of the first substrate with the plasma flume by scanning the plasma flume over the surface of the first substrate. The first substrate may be one of a consolidated thermoplastic material and a cured thermoset material.

A lubrication method including lubricating a sliding member which contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a liquid crystal polymer and polyetheretherketone by using a lubricating oil composition which contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a mineral oil and alkyl benzene as a lubricating base oil.

Various aspects disclosed relate to hybrid nanoparticles embedded in non-magnetic microparticles. These materials can be used to directionally orient and impart an ordered structure to a variety of materials.

Implantable devices for orthopedic, including spine and other uses are formed of porous reinforced polymer scaffolds. Scaffolds include a thermoplastic polymer forming a porous matrix that has continuously interconnected pores. The porosity and the size of the pores within the scaffold are selectively formed during synthesis of the composite material, and the composite material includes a plurality of reinforcement particles integrally formed within and embedded in the matrix and exposed on the pore surfaces. The reinforcement particles provide one or more of reinforcement, bioactivity, or bioresorption.

A method for plasma treating a surface of a first substrate is disclosed. The method may comprise generating a plasma flume using a plasma treatment device having a nozzle. The plasma flume may emanate through a flume aperture of the nozzle at an emanation angle of about 5 degrees or less. The emanation angle may be defined as an angle between a central axis of the nozzle and a central axis of the flume aperture. The method may further comprise plasma treating the surface of the first substrate with the plasma flume by scanning the plasma flume over the surface of the first substrate. The first substrate may be one of a consolidated thermoplastic material and a cured thermoset material.

Provided is a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin prepreg which exhibits high interfacial adhesion between reinforcement fibers and a matrix resin, while having excellent interlaminar fracture resistance. The fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin prepreg of the present invention comprises: a matrix resin comprising a polyarylketone resin and a polyetherimide resin; and a carbon fiber, wherein the polyetherimide resin in the matrix resin comprises a polyetherimide resin having a structural unit represented by Formula (1), an amount of the polyetherimide resin in the matrix resin (100% by mass) is 3% by mass to 25% by mass, and an amount of the polyarylketone resin in the matrix resin (100% by mass) is 75% by mass or more.

##STR00001##

polymeric ion-conducting membrane with an enhanced stability against attacks of free radicals for exteding its service time, which comprises (a) a polymer matrix, and (b) a redox stabilizer, where the redox stabilizer is attached to the polymer matrix by chemical or ligand bonding, or the redox stabilizer is physically mixed with the polymer matrix.