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Additively manufactured (AM) metallic sheet-based Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Structures (TPMSS) meet several requirements in both bio-medical and engineering fields: Tunable mechanical properties, low sensitivity to manufacturing defects, mechanical stability, and high energy absorption. However, they also present some challenges related to quality control, which can prevent their successful application. In fact, the optimization of the AM process is impossible without considering structural characteristics as manufacturing accuracy, internal defects, as well as surface topography and roughness. In this study, the quantitative non-destructive analysis of TPMSS manufactured from Ti-6Al-4V alloy by electron beam melting was performed by means of X-ray computed tomography (XCT). Several advanced image analysis workflows are presented to evaluate the effect of build orientation on wall thicknesses distribution, wall degradation, and surface roughness reduction due to the chemical etching of TPMSS. It is shown that the manufacturing accuracy differs for the structural elements printed parallel and orthogonal to the manufactured layers. Different strategies for chemical etching show different powder removal capabilities and both lead to the loss of material and hence the gradient of the wall thickness. This affects the mechanical performance under compression by reduction of the yield stress. The positive effect of the chemical etching is the reduction of the surface roughness, which can potentially improve the fatigue properties of the components. Finally, XCT was used to correlate the amount of retained powder with the pore size of the functionally graded TPMSS, which can further improve the manufacturing process.
A novel stationary phase for affinity separations is presented. This material is based on sintered borosilicate glass readily available as semi-finished filter plates with defined porosity and surface area. The material shows fast binding kinetics and excellent long-term stability under real application conditions due to lacking macropores and high mechanical rigidity. The glass surface can be easily modified with standard organosilane chemistry to immobilize selective binders or other molecules used for biointeraction. In this paper, the manufacturing of the columns and their respective column holders by 3D printing is shown in detail. The model system protein A/IgG was chosen as an example to examine the properties of such monolithic columns under realistic application conditions. Several specifications, such as (dynamic) IgG capacity, pressure stability, long-term performance, productivity, non-specific binding, and peak shape, are presented. It could be shown that due to the very high separation speed, 250 mg antibody per hour and column can be collected, which surpasses the productivity of most standard columns of the same size. The total IgG capacity of the shown columns is around 4 mg (5.5 mg/mL), which is sufficient for most tasks in research laboratories. The cycle time of an IgG separation can be less than 1 min. Due to the glass material’s excellent pressure resistance, these columns are compatible with standard HPLC systems. This is usually not the case with standard affinity columns, limited to manual use or application in low-pressure systems. The use of a standard HPLC system also improves the ability for automation, which enables the purification of hundreds of cell supernatants in one day. The sharp peak shape of the elution leads to an enrichment effect, which might increase the concentration of IgG by a factor of 3. The final concentration of IgG can be around 7.5 mg/mL without the need for an additional nano-filtration step. The purity of the IgG was > 95% in one step and nearly 99% with a second polishing run.
Biofilm formation and microbially influenced corrosion of the iron-reducing microorganism Shewanella putrefaciens were investigated on stainless steel surfaces preconditioned in the absence and presence of flavin molecules by means of XANES (X-ray absorption near-edge structure) analysis and electrochemical methods. The results indicate that biofilm formation was promoted on samples preconditioned in electrolytes containing minute amounts of flavins. On the basis of the XANES results, the corrosion processes are controlled by the iron-rich outer layer of the passive film. Biofilm formation resulted in a cathodic shift of the open circuit potential and a protective effect in terms of pitting corrosion. The samples preconditioned in the absence of flavins have shown delayed pitting and the samples preconditioned in the presence of flavins did not show any pitting in a window of −0.3- to +0.0-V overpotential in the bacterial medium. The results indicate that changes in the passive film chemistry induced by the presence of minute amounts of flavins during a mild anodic polarization can change the susceptibility of stainless steel surfaces to microbially influenced corrosion.
Objective: The utilization of fluorescein-guided biopsies and resection has been recently discussed as a suitable strategy to improve and expedite operative techniques for the resection of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. However, little is known about the optical properties of sodium fluorescein (NaFl) in human tumor tissue and their potential impact on ex vivo analyses involving fluorescence-based methods.
Methods: Tumor tissue was obtained from a study cohort of an observational study on the utilization of fluorescein-guided biopsy and resection (n=5). The optical properties of fluorescein-stained tissue were compared to the optical features of the dye in vitro and in control samples consisting of tumor tissue of high-grade glioma patients (n=3) without intravenous (i.v.) application of NaFl. The dye-exposed tumor tissues were used for optical measurements to confirm the detectability of NaFl emission ex vivo. The tissue samples were fixed in 4%PFA, immersed in 30% sucrose, embedded in Tissue-Tek OCT compound, and cut to 10 mm cryosections. Spatially resolved emission spectra from tumor samples were recorded on representative slides with a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope FV1000 (Olympus GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) upon excitation with lexc = 488 nm.
Results: Optical measurements of fluorescein in 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) under in vitro conditions showed an absorption maximum of lmax abs = 479 nm as detected with spectrophotometer Specord 200 and an emission peak at lmax em = 538 nm recorded with the emCCD detection system of a custom-made microscope-based single particle setup using a 500 nm long-pass filter. Further measurements revealed pH- and concentration-dependent emission spectra of NaFl. Under ex vivo conditions, confocal laser scanning microscopy of fluorescein tumor samples revealed a slight bathochromic shift and a broadening of the emission band.
Conclusion: Tumor uptake of NaFl leads to changes in the optical properties – a bathochromic shift and broadening of the emission band – possibly caused by the dye’s high pH sensitivity and concentration-dependent reabsorption acting as an innerfilter of the dye’s emission, particularly in the short wavelength region of the Emission spectrum where absorption and fluorescence overlap. Understanding the ex vivo optical properties of fluorescein is crucial for testing and validating its further applicability as an optical probe for intravital microscopy, immunofluorescence localization studies, and flow cytometry analysis.
The morphology of the antennal hearts in the head of Phasmatodea and Embioptera was investigated with particular reference to phylogenetically relevant key taxa. The antennal circulatory organs of all examined species have the same basic construction: they consist of antennal vessels that are connected to ampullae located in the head near the antenna base. The ampullae are pulsatile due to associated muscles, but the points of attachment differ between the species studied. All examined Phasmatodea species have a Musculus (M.) interampullaris which extends between the two ampullae plus a M. ampulloaorticus that runs from the ampullae to the anterior end of the aorta; upon contraction, all these muscles dilate the lumina of both ampullae at the same time. In Embioptera, only the australembiid Metoligotoma has an M. interampullaris. All other studied webspinners instead have a M. ampullofrontalis which extends between the ampullae and the frontal region of the head capsule; these species do not have M. ampulloaorticus. Outgroup comparison indicates that an antennal heart with a M. interampullaris is the plesiomorphic character state among Embioptera and the likely ground pattern of the taxon Eukinolabia. Antennal hearts with a M. ampullofrontalis represent a derived condition that occurs among insects only in some embiopterans. These findings help to further clarify the controversially discussed internal phylogeny of webspinners by supporting the view that Australembiidae are the sister group of the remaining Embioptera.
2D nanomaterials have garnered widespread attention in biomedicine and
bioengineering due to their unique physicochemical properties. However, poor functionality, low solubility, intrinsic toxicity, and nonspecific interactions at biointerfaces have hampered their application in vivo. Here, biocompatible polyglycerol units are crosslinked in two dimensions using a graphene-assisted strategy leading to highly functional and water-soluble polyglycerols nanosheets with 263 ± 53 nm and 2.7 ± 0.2 nm average lateral size and thickness, respectively.
A single-layer hyperbranched polyglycerol containing azide functional
groups is covalently conjugated to the surface of a functional graphene template through pH-sensitive linkers. Then, lateral crosslinking of polyglycerol units is carried out by loading tripropargylamine on the surface of graphene followed by lifting off this reagent for an on-face click reaction. Subsequently, the polyglycerol nanosheets are detached from the surface of graphene by slight acidification and centrifugation and is sulfated to mimic heparin sulfate proteoglycans. To highlight the impact of the two-dimensionality of the synthesized polyglycerol sulfate nanosheets at nanobiointerfaces, their efficiency with respect to herpes Simplex
virus type 1 and severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 inhibition is compared to their 3D nanogel analogs. Four times stronger in virus Inhibition suggests that 2D polyglycerols are superior to their current 3D counterparts.2D nanomaterials have garnered widespread attention in biomedicine and bioengineering due to their unique physicochemical properties. However, poor functionality, low solubility, intrinsic toxicity, and nonspecific interactions at biointerfaces have hampered their application in vivo. Here, biocompatible polyglycerol units are crosslinked in two dimensions using a graphene-assisted strategy leading to highly functional and water-soluble polyglycerols nanosheets with 263 ± 53 nm and 2.7 ± 0.2 nm average lateral size and thickness, respectively.
A single-layer hyperbranched polyglycerol containing azide functional groups is covalently conjugated to the surface of a functional graphene template through pH-sensitive linkers. Then, lateral crosslinking of polyglycerol units is carried out by loading tripropargylamine on the surface of graphene followed by lifting off this reagent for an on-face click reaction. Subsequently, the polyglycerol nanosheets are detached from the surface of graphene by slight acidification and centrifugation and is sulfated to mimic heparin sulfate proteoglycans. To highlight the impact of the two-dimensionality of the synthesized polyglycerol sulfate nanosheets at nanobiointerfaces, their efficiency with respect to herpes Simplex virus type 1 and severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 inhibition is compared to their 3D nanogel analogs. Four times stronger in virus Inhibition suggests that 2D polyglycerols are superior to their current 3D counterparts.
Ergot alkaloids are mycotoxins formed by fungi of the Claviceps genus, which are some of the most common contaminants of food and feed worldwide. These toxins are a structurally heterogeneous group of compounds, sharing an ergoline backbone. Six structures and their corresponding stereoisomers are typically quantified by either HPLC-FLD or HPLC-MS/MS and the values subsequently summed up to determine the total ergot alkaloid content. For the development of a screening method targeting all ergot alkaloids simultaneously, the alkaloids need to be transferred to one homogeneous structure: a lysergic acid derivative. In this study, two promising cleaving methods—acidic esterification and hydrazinolysis—are compared, using dihydroergocristine as a model compound. While the acidic esterification proved to be unsuitable, due to long reaction times and oxidation sensitivity, hydrazinolysis reached a quantitative yield in 40-60 min. Parallel workup of several samples is possible. An increasing effect on the reaction rate by the addition of ammonium iodide was demonstrated. Application of hydrazinolysis to a major ergot alkaloid mix solution showed that all ergopeptines were cleaved, but ergometrine/-inine was barely affected. Still, hydrazinolysis is a suitable tool for the development of a sum parameter screening method for ergot alkaloids in food and feed.
The community-driven initiative Quality Assessment and Reproducibility for Instruments & Images in Light Microscopy (QUAREP-LiMi) wants to improve reproducibility for light microscopy image data through Quality control (QC) management of instruments and images. It aims for a common set of QC guidelines for Hardware calibration and image acquisition, management and analysis.
Inhibition of respiratory viruses is one of the most urgent topics as underlined by different pandemics in the last two decades. This impels the development of new materials for binding and incapacitation of the viruses. In this work, we have demonstrated that an optimal deployment of influenza A virus (IAV) targeting ligand sialic acid (SA) on a flexible 2D platform enables its binding and wrapping around IAV particles. A series of 2D sialylated platforms consisting graphene and polyglycerol are prepared with different degrees of SA functionalization around 10%, 30%, and 90% named as G-PG-SAL, G-PG-SAM, and G-PG-SAH, respectively. The cryo-electron tomography (Cryo-ET) analysis has proved wrapping of IAV particles by G-PG-SAM.
A confocal-based colocalization assay established for these materials has offered the comparison of binding potential of sialylated and non-sialylated nanoplatforms for IAV. With this method, we have estimated the binding potential of the G-PG-SAM and G-PG-SAH sheets for IAV particles around 50 and 20 times higher than the control sheets, respectively, whereas the low functionalized G-PG-SAL have not shown any significant colocalization value.
Moreover, optimized G-PG-SAM exhibits high potency to block IAV from
binding with the MDCK cells.
A new software is presented for the determination of crystal lattice parameters from the positions and widths of Kikuchi bands in a diffraction pattern. Starting with a single wide-angle Kikuchi pattern of arbitrary resolution and unknown phase, the traces of all visibly diffracting lattice planes are manually derived from four initial Kikuchi band traces via an intuitive graphical user interface. A single Kikuchi bandwidth is then used as reference to scale all reciprocal lattice point distances. Kikuchi band detection, via a filtered Funk transformation, and simultaneous display of the band intensity profile helps users to select band positions and widths. Bandwidths are calculated using the first derivative of the band profiles as excess-deficiency effects have minimal influence. From the reciprocal lattice, the metrics of possible Bravais lattice types are derived for all crystal systems. The measured lattice parameters achieve a precision of <1%, even for good quality Kikuchi diffraction patterns of 400 x 300 pixels. This band-edge detection approach has been validated on several hundred experimental diffraction patterns from phases of different symmetries and random orientations. It produces a systematic lattice parameter offset of up to ±4%, which appears to scale with the mean atomic number or the backscatter coefficient.
Background. Currently, there is no reliable nonsurgical treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This study, therefore, investigates if doxycycline reduces AAA growth and the number of rupture-related deaths in a murine ApoE−/− model of AAA and whether gadofosveset trisodium-based MRI differs between animals with and without doxycycline treatment. Methods. Nine ApoE−/− mice were implanted with osmotic minipumps continuously releasing angiotensin II and treated with doxycycline (30 mg/kg/d) in parallel. After four weeks, MRI was performed at 3T with a clinical dose of the albumin-binding probe gadofosveset (0.03 mmol/kg). Results were compared with previously published wild-type control animals and with previously studied ApoE−/− animals without doxycycline treatment. Differences in mortality were also investigated between these groups. Results. In a previous study, we found that approximately 25% of angiotensin II-infused ApoE−/− mice died, whereas in the present study, only one out of 9 angiotensin II-infused and doxycycline-treated ApoE−/− mice (11.1%) died within 4 weeks. Furthermore, doxycycline-treated ApoE−/− mice showed significantly lower contrast-to-noise (CNR) values in MRI compared to ApoE−/− mice without doxycycline treatment. In vivo measurements of relative signal enhancement (CNR) correlated significantly with ex vivo measurements of albumin staining (R2 = 0.58). In addition, a strong visual colocalization of albumin-positive areas in the fluorescence albumin staining with gadolinium distribution in LA-ICP-MS was shown. However, no significant difference in aneurysm size was observed after doxycycline treatment. Conclusion. The present experimental in vivo study suggests that doxycycline treatment may reduce rupture-related deaths in AAA by slowing endothelial damage without reversing aneurysm growth.
A new method combining isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) and standard addition has been developed to determine the mass fractions w of different elements in complex matrices: (a) silicon in aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), (b) sulfur in biodiesel fuel, and (c) iron bound to transferrin in human serum. All measurements were carried out using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). The method requires the gravimetric preparation of several blends (bi)—each consisting of roughly the same masses (mx,i) of the sample solution (x) and my,i of a spike solution (y) plus different masses (mz,i) of a reference solution (z).
Only these masses and the isotope ratios (Rb,i) in the blends and reference and spike solutions have to be measured. The derivation of the underlying equations based on linear regression is presented and compared to a related concept reported by Pagliano and Meija. The uncertainties achievable, e.g., in the case of the Si blank in extremely pure TMAH of urel (w(Si)) = 90% (linear regression method, this work) and urel (w(Si)) = 150% (the method reported by Pagliano and Meija) seem to suggest better applicability of the new method in practical use due to the higher robustness of regression analysis.
SnOct2 (Sn(II) 2-ethylhexanoate) catalyzed ROPs of L-lactide were performed in bulk with eight different alcohols as initiators. The time was varied between 1 h and 24 h for all initiators. For two initiators the temperature was also lowered to 115 ◦C. Even-numbered chains were predominantly formed in all polymerizations at short times, but the rate of transesterification (e.g. even/odd equilibration) and the molecular weight distribution were found to depend significantly on the nature of the initiator. Observed transesterification reactions also continued in solid poly (L-lactide), and with the most active initiator, almost total equilibration was achieved even at 130 ◦C. This means that all chains including those of the crystallites were involved in transesterification reactions proceeding across the flat surfaces of the crystallites. The more or less equilibrated crystalline polylactides were characterized by DSC and SAXS measurements with regard to their melting temperature (Tm), crystallinity and crystal thickness.
Poor air quality, particularly in urban areas, causes various diseases and degrades living standards. Air Quality could be affected by emissions of odor, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and other gases. Therefore, assessment and monitoring of odorous air quality using sensitive, simple, rapid, accurate and portable tools is very important for public health. This study aimed to characterize odor emissions to detect malfunctions in facilities and to prevent air pollution and olfactory nuisance in the environment. A gas chromatographic method, in conjunction with sensorial analysis were performed for odorous air samples analysis collected from neighborhood of Meknes city (Morocco). Advanced multivariate statistical approaches, such as Principal Components Analysis (PCA), Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA), Support Vector Machines (SVMs), and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), were used to describe samples similarities. The electronic nose (e-nose) data processing exhibits a satisfactory discrimination between the odorous air samples. Twenty-four VOCs with known molecular formulas were identified with Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). A validated Partial Least Square (PLS) model foresees good calibration between e-nose measurement and TD-GCMS analysis. The finding indicates that TD-GC–MS approach in conjunction with e-nose unit could be suitable tool for environmental measurement-based odor emissions.
Emission testing of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from materials and products is commonly based on emission test chamber measurements. To ensure the comparability of results from different testing laboratories, their measurement performance must be verified. For this purpose, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) organizes an international proficiency test (round robin test, RRT) every two years using well-characterized test materials (one sealant, one furniture board, and four times a lacquer) with defined VOC emissions. The materials fulfilled the requirements of homogeneity, reproducibility, and stability. Altogether, 36 VOCs were included of which 33 gave test chamber air concentrations between 13 and 83 µg/m3. This is the typical concentration range to be expected and to be quantified when performing chamber tests. Three compounds had higher concentrations between 326 and 1105 µg/m3. In this paper, the relative standard deviations (RSD) of BAM round robin tests since 2008 are compared and the improvement of the comparability of the emission chamber testing is shown by the decrease of the mean RSD down to 28 % in 2018. In contrast, the first large European interlaboratory comparison in 1999 showed a mean RSD of 51 %.
Influence of oxygen vacancies on core-shell formation in solid solutions of (Na,Bi)TiO3 and SrTiO3
(2021)
Solid solutions of (Na,Bi)TiO3 (NBT) and SrTiO3 (ST) are materials of interest for high-strain or high-energy density capacitor applications. Often, they exhibit chemical heterogeneity and develop core-shell structures during regular solid-state synthesis with an NBT-rich core. In this case, the NBT forms first so that the strontium needs to diffuse into the material to reach chemical homogeneity. Depending on the presence of core-shell structures, the electrical properties can vary drastically. In this work, we rationalize the effect of variations in oxygen vacancy concentration by Fe-acceptor and Nb-donor doping. It can be shown that a diffusion couple of strontium and oxygen is responsible for chemical homogenization and that the oxygen vacancy content can control the formation of a core-shell structure.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening vascular disease with an up to 80% mortality in case of rupture. Current biomarkers fail to account for size-independent risk of rupture. By combining the information of different molecular probes, multi-target molecular MRI holds the potential to enable individual characterization of AAA. In this experimental study, we aimed to examine the feasibility of simultaneous imaging of extracellular collagen and inflammation for size-independent prediction of risk of rupture in murine AAA. The study design consisted of: (1) A outcome-based longitudinal study with imaging performed once after one week with follow-up and death as the end-point for assessment of rupture risk. (2) A week-by-week study for the characterization of AAA development with imaging after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. For both studies, the animals were administered a type 1 collagen-targeted gadolinium-based probe (surrogate marker for extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling) and an iron oxide-based probe (surrogate marker for inflammatory activity), in one imaging session. In vivo measurements of collagen and iron oxide probes showed a significant correlation with ex vivo histology (p < 0.001) and also corresponded well to inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and laser-ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Combined evaluation of collagen-related ECM remodeling and inflammatory activity was the most accurate predictor for AAA rupture (sensitivity 80%, specificity 100%, area under the curve 0.85), being superior to information from the individual probes alone. Our study supports the feasibility of a simultaneous assessment of collagen-related extracellular matrix remodeling and inflammatory activity in a murine model of AAA.
The scientific and practical challenge of detecting microplastics (MPs) in the environment in a targeted and rapid manner is solved by innovative coupling of thermogravimetric analysis with mass spectrometric methods.
Fast identification and quantitative determination of most thermoplastic polymers and elastomers is possible by using thermal extraction Desorption gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TED-GC–MS).
Bacteria generally interact with the environment via processes involving their cell-envelope. Thus, techniques that may shed light on their surface chemistry are attractive tools for providing an understanding of bacterial interactions. One of these tools is Al Kα-excited photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with its estimated information depth of <10 nm. XPS-analyses of bacteria have been performed for several decades on freeze-dried specimens in order to be compatible with the vacuum in the analysis chamber of the spectrometer. A limitation of these studies has been that the freeze-drying method may collapse cell structure as well as introduce surface contaminants. However, recent developments in XPS allow for analysis of biological samples at near ambient pressure (NAP-XPS) or as frozen hydrated specimens (cryo-XPS) in vacuum. In this work, we have analyzed bacterial samples from a reference strain of the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens using both techniques. We compare the results obtained and, in general, observe good agreement between the two techniques. Furthermore, we discuss advantages and disadvantages with the two analysis approaches and the output data they provide. XPS reference data from the bacterial strain are provided, and we propose that planktonic cells of this strain (DSM 50090) are used as a reference material for surface chemical analysis of bacterial systems.
Lanthanides doped coordination polymers (CPs) with different binding motifs were synthesized to investigate the influence of the different fluorine positions in the structure on the decay time τ of the excited states. Fluorine can be integrated into the network mechanochemically via a fluorinated organic linker, here barium tetrafluoroterephthalate Ba(p-BDC-F4)2 or directly via a metal-fluorine bond (barium terephthalate fluoride BaF(p-BDC)0.5). The CP with a metal-fluorine bond shows the highest lifetime of the excited states of lanthanides (Eu3+, Tb3+ or Eu3+& Tb3+). The excitation of the lanthanides can be performed directly via the excitation wavelength typical for lanthanides and via the excitation wavelength of the linker. This enabled the simultaneous excitation of Eu3+ and Tb3+ in one CP. In the emission spectra (λem = 393 nm) of the mixed doped CPs (Eu3+ and Tb3+) the bands of both lanthanides can be observed. The integration into the crystal lattice and the homogeneous distribution of the lanthanides in the CPs is shown by X-ray diffraction, TEM, STEM-EDS measurements and the long decay times.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains a fatal disease. Its development encompasses a complex interplay between hemodynamic stimuli on and changes in the arterial wall. Currently available biomarkers fail to predict the risk of AAA rupture independent of aneurysm size. Therefore, novel biomarkers for AAA characterization are needed. In this study, we used a mouse model of AAA to investigate the potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with an albumin-binding probe to assess changes in vascular permeability at different stages of aneurysm growth. Two imaging studies were performed: a longitudinal study with follow-up and death as endpoint to predict rupture risk and a week-by-week study to characterize AAA development. AAAs, which eventually ruptured, demonstrated a significantly higher in vivo MR signal enhancement from the albumin-binding probe (p = 0.047) and a smaller non-enhancing thrombus area compared to intact AAAs (p = 0.001). The ratio of albumin-binding-probe enhancement of the aneurysm wall to size of non-enhancing-thrombus-area predicted AAA rupture with high sensitivity/specificity (100%/86%). More advanced aneurysms with higher vascular permeability demonstrated an increased uptake of the albumin-binding-probe. These results indicate that MRI with an albumin-binding probe may enable noninvasive assessment of vascular permeability in murine AAAs and prediction of rupture risk.
We combine three different approaches to greatly enhance the defect reconstruction ability of active thermographic testing. As experimental approach, laser-based structured illumination is performed in a step-wise manner. As an intermediate signal processing step, the virtual wave concept is used in order to effectively convert the notoriously difficult to solve diffusion-based inverse problem into a somewhat milder wavebased inverse problem. As a final step, a compressed-sensing based optimization procedure is applied which efficiently solves the inverse problem by making advantage of the joint sparsity of multiple blind measurements. To evaluate our proposed processing technique, we investigate an additively manufactured stainless steel sample with eight internal defects. The concerted super resolution approach is compared to conventional thermographic reconstruction techniques and shows an at least four times better spatial resolution.
In this work, we describe the synthesis, structural and photophysical characterization of four novel Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes bearing tetradentate luminophoric ligands with high photoluminescence quantum yields (FL) and long excited state lifetimes (s) at room temperature, where the results were interpreted by means of DFT calculations. Incorporation of fluorine atoms into the tetradentate ligand favors aggregation and thereby, a shortened average distance between the metal centers, which provides accessibility to metal–metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MMLCT) excimers acting as red-shifted Energy traps if compared with the monomeric entities. This supramolecular approach provides an elegant way to enable room-temperature phosphorescence from Pd(II) complexes, which are otherwise quenched by a thermal population of dissociative states due to a lower ligand field splitting. Encapsulation of These complexes in 100 nm-sized aminated polystyrene nanoparticles enables concentration-controlled aggregation-enhanced dual emission. This phenomenon facilitates the tunability of the absorption and emission colors while providing a rigidified environment supporting an enhanced FL up to about 80% and extended s exceeding 100 ms. Additionally, these nanoarrays constitute rare examples for selfreferenced oxygen reporters, since the phosphorescence of the aggregates is insensitive to external influences, whereas the monomeric species drop in luminescence lifetime and intensity with increasing triplet molecular dioxygen concentrations (diffusion-controlled quenching).
Glycoproteins are abundant on the cell surface of mammals, providing structural support, modulating cell Membrane properties, and acting as signaling agents. Variation of glycosylation patterns has been found to indicate various disease states, including cell malignancy. Sialic acid (SA) is present as a terminating group on cell-surface glycans, and its overexpression has been linked to several types of cancer. Detection of SA on the cell surface is therefore critical for detection of cancer in its early stages. In this work, a fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymer layer targeting SA was synthesized on the surface of silica-coated polystyrene (PS) particles. Compared to previous works, a PS core supplies a lighter, lower-density support for improved suspension stability and scattering properties. Moreover, their smaller size provides a higher surface-area-to-volume ratio for binding. The incorporation of a fluorescent monomer in the MIP shell allowed for simple and rapid determination of binding specificity in polar media due to a deprotonation−reprotonation interaction mechanism between the fluorescent monomer and SA, which led to spectral changes.
Upon titration of the MIP particles with SA in suspension, an increase in fluorescence emission of the particles was observed, with the MIP particles binding SA more selectively compared to the nonimprinted polymer (NIP) control particles. In cell staining experiments performed by flow cytometry, the binding behavior of the MIP particles compared favorably with that of SA-binding lectins. NIPs prepared with a “dummy” template served as a better negative control in cell binding assays due to the favorable inward orientation of template-binding functional groups in the polymer shell, which reduced nonspecific binding. The results show that fluorescent MIPs targeting SA are a promising tool for in vitro fluorescence staining of cancerous cells and for future diagnosis of cancer at early stages.
A set of strained aromatic macrocycles based on [n]cyclo2,7-(4,5,9,10-tetrahydro)pyrenylenes is presented with size dependent photophysical properties. The K-region of pyrene was functionalized with ethylene glycol groups to decorate the outer rim and thereby confine the space inside the macrocycle. This confined space is especially pronounced for n = 5, which leads to an internal binding of up to 8.0×104 M–1 between the ether-decorated [5]cyclo-2,7-pyrenylene and shape complementary crown ether–cation complexes.
Both, the ether-decorated [n]cyclo-pyrenylenes as well as one of their host–guest complexes have been structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. In combination with computational methods the structural and thermodynamic reasons for the exceptionally strong binding have been elucidated. The presented rim confinement strategy makes cycloparaphenylenes an attractive supramolecular host family with a favorable, size-independent read-out signature and binding capabilities extending beyond fullerene guests.
Air-coupled ultrasonic testing is widely used in the industry for the non-destructive testing of compound materials. It provides a fast and efficient way to inspect large concrete civil infrastructures for damage that might lead to catastrophic failure. Due to the large penetration depths required for concrete structures, the use of traditional piezoelectric transducer requires high power electric systems. In this study, a novel fluidic transducer based on a bistable fluidic amplifier is investigated. Previous experiments have shown that the switching action of the device produces a high-power broadband ultrasonic signal. This study will provide further insight into the switching behaviour of the fluidic switch. Therefore, parametric CFD simulations based on compressible supersonic RANS simulations were performed, varying the inlet pressure and velocity profiles for the control flow. Switching times are analyzed with different methods, and it was found that These are mostly independent of the slope of the velocity profile at the control port. Furthermore, it was found that an inversely proportional relationship exists between flow velocity in the throat and the switching time. The results agree with the theoretical background established by experimental studies that can be found in the literature.
Ultra-SAXS can enhance the capabilities of existing synchrotron SAXS/WAXS beamlines. A compact ultra-SAXS module has been developed, which extends the measurable q-range with 0.0015 ≤ q (nm−1) ≤ 0.2, allowing structural dimensions in the range 30 ≤ D (nm) ≤ 4000 to be probed in addition to the range covered by a high-end SAXS/WAXS instrument. By shifting the module components in and out on their respective motor stages, SAXS/WAXS measurements can be easily and rapidly interleaved with USAXS measurements. The use of vertical crystal rotation axes (horizontal diffraction) greatly simplifies the construction, at minimal cost to efficiency. In this paper, the design considerations, realization and synchrotron findings are presented. Measurements of silica spheres, an alumina membrane, and a porous carbon catalyst are provided as application examples.
We report on rotationally resolved laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and vibrationally resolved resonanceenhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy of the chiral molecule 1-indanol. Spectra of the S1 ’ S0 electronic transition are recorded in a jet-cooled, pulsed molecular beam. Using two timedelayed pulsed lasers, the lifetimes of the S1 state of the two most stable conformers, referred to as eq1 and ax2, have been determined. The S1 ’ S0 origin bands of these conformers as well as the Transition to a vibrationally excited level in the S1 state of eq1 are recorded with full rotational resolution (25 MHz observed linewidth) by measuring the LIF intensity following excitation with a tuneable, narrowband cw laser. On selected rotationally resolved electronic transitions, Lamb-dips are measured to confirm the Lorentzian lifetime-contribution to the observed lineshapes. The rotationally resolved S1 ’ S0 origin band of a neon-complex of eq1 is measured via LIF as well. The fit of the rotationally resolved LIF spectra of the origin bands to those of an asymmetric rotor yields a standard deviation of about 6 MHz.
The resulting spectroscopic parameters are tabulated and compared to the outcome of ab initio calculations. For both conformers as well as for the Ne-eq1 complex, the geometric structures in the S0 and S1 states are discussed. For all systems, the transition dipole moment is mainly along the a-axis, the contributions along the b- and c-axes being about one order of magnitude smaller.
A combination of acoustic levitation, laser vaporization, and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) is presented in this study that enabled sensitive analysis of pharmaceutical drugs from an aqueous sample matrix. An unfocused pulsed infrared laser provided contactless sample desorption from the droplets trapped inside an acoustic levitator by activation of the OH stretching band of aqueous and alcoholic solvents. Subsequent atmospheric pressure chemical ionization was used between the levitated droplet and the mass spectrometer for postionization. In this setup, the unfocused laser gently desorbed the analytes by applying very mild repulsive forces. Detailed plume formation studies by temporally resolved schlieren experiments were used to characterize the liquid gas transition in this process. In addition, the role of different additives and solvent composition was examined during the ionization process. The analytical application of the technique and the proof-of-concept for quantitative analysis were demonstrated by the determination of selected pharmaceutical drugs in aqueous matrix with limits of quantification at the lower nanomolar level and a linear dynamic range of 3–4 orders of magnitude.
Concomitant species that appear at the same or very similar times in a mass-spectral analysis can clutter a spectrum because of the coexistence of many analyte-related ions (e.g., molecular ions, adducts, fragments). One method to extract ions stemming from the same origin is to exploit the chemical information encoded in the time domain, where the individual temporal appearances inside the complex structures of chronograms or chromatograms differ with respect to analytes. By grouping ions with very similar or identical time-domain structures, single-component mass spectra can be reconstructed, which are much easier to interpret and are library-searchable. While many other approaches address similar objectives through the Pearson’s correlation coefficient, we explore an alternative method based on a modified cross-correlation algorithm to compute a metric that describes the degree of similarity between features inside any two ion chronograms. Furthermore, an automatic workflow was devised to be capable of categorizing thousands of mass-spectral peaks into different groups within a few seconds. This approach was tested with direct mass-spectrometric analyses as well as with a simple, fast, and poorly resolved LC–MS analysis. Single-component mass spectra were extracted in both cases and were identified based on accurate mass and a mass-spectral library search.
The goal of this work is to identify the optimal operating input for a lithiation reaction that is performed in a highly innovative pilot scale continuous flow chemical plant in an industrial environment, taking into account the process and safety constraints. The main challenge is to identify the optimum operation in the absence of information about the reaction mechanism and the reaction kinetics. We employ an iterative real-time optimization scheme called modifier adaptation with quadratic approximation (MAWQA) to identify the plant optimum in the presence of plant-model mismatch and measurement noise. A novel NMR PAT-sensor is used to measure the concentration of the reactants and of the product at the reactor outlet. The experiment results demonstrate the capabilities of the iterative optimization using the MAWQA algorithm in driving a complex real plant to an economically optimal operating point in the presence of plant-model mismatch and of process and measurement uncertainties.
Stable isotope ratios and trace element concentrations of fossil bones and teeth are important geochemical proxies for the reconstruction of diet and past environment in archaeology and palaeontology. However, since diagenesis can significantly alter primary diet-related isotope signatures and elemental compositions, it is important to understand and quantify alteration processes. Here, we present the results of in-vitro Alteration experiments of dental tissues from a modern African elephant molar reacted in aqueous solutions at 30 °C and 90 °C for 4 to 63 days. Dental cubes with ≈ 3 mm edge length, comprising both enamel and dentin, were placed into 2 mL of acidic aqueous solution enriched in different isotopes (25Mg, 44Ca, 67Zn, 86Sr, initial pH 1). Element and isotope distribution profiles across the reacted cubes were measured with LA-(MC-)ICP-MS and EMPA, while potential effects on the bioapatite crystal structure were characterised by Raman spectroscopy. In all experiments isotope ratios measured by LA-(MC-)ICP-MS revealed an alteration of the enamel in the outer ≈ 200–300 μm. In contrast, dentin was fully altered (≈ 1.4 mm) after one week at 90 °C while the alteration did not exceed a depth of 150–200 μm during the 30 °C experiments. Then, the tracer solution started also to penetrate through the enamel-dentin junction into the innermost enamel, however, leaving the central part of the enamel unaltered, even after three months. The Raman spectra suggest an initial demineralisation in the acidic environment while organic matter (i.e. collagen) is still preserved. In the 90 °C experiment, Raman spectra of the v1 PO4) band of the dentin shift over time towards synthetic hydroxylapatite patterns and the Ca (and Sr) concentrations in the respective solutions decrease. This indicates precipitation of newly formed apatite. Isotope and element concentration profiles across the dental tissues reveal different exchange mechanisms for different isotope systems. Magnesium is leached from enamel and dentin, while Zn is incorporated into the apatite crystal structure. However, the distribution of both elements is not affected in the innermost enamel where their concentrations do not change over the whole duration of the experiments. We found no correlation of reaction depth in the cubes and experimental duration, which might be caused by natural variability of the dental material already at the beginning of the experiment. Our alteration experiments in a closed system at high temperatures ≤90 °C and low initial pH demonstrate that at least the central part of mm-thick mammalian enamel apatite seems to be resistant against alteration preserving its pristine bioapatite mineral structure as well as its in-vivo elemental and isotopic composition. The experiments assess diagenetic alteration in a novel multi-proxy approach using in-situ analyses in high spatial resolution. It is demonstrated that the isotopes of Ca, Sr, Zn and
Mg in the dentin are prone for diagenetic alteration, while enamel is more resistant against alteration and could be used for dietary and physiological reconstructions in fossil teeth.
The demonstration of competency and equivalence for the assessment of levels of contaminants and nutrients in primary foodstuffs is a priority within the 10-year strategy for the OAWG Track A core comparisons. The measurements are core challenges for reference material producers and providers of calibration Services. This key comparison related to low polarity analytes in a high fat, low protein, low carbohydrate food matrix and Benzo[a]pyrene in edible oil was the model System selected to align with this class within the OAWG strategy. Evidence of successful participation in formal, relevant international comparisons is needed to document measurement capability claims (CMCs) made by national metrology institutes (NMIs) and designated institutes (Dis). 16 National Metrology Institutions participated in the Track A Key Comparison CCQM-K146 Low-Polarity Analyte in high fat food: Benzo[a]pyrene in Olive Oil. Participants were requested to evaluate the mass fractions, expressed in µg/kg, of Benzo[a]pyrene in the olive oil material. The KCRV was determined from the results of all NMIs/DIs participating in the key comparison that used appropriately validated methods with demonstrated metrological traceability. Different methods such as liquid-liquid extraction, GPC and SPE were applied in the sample pretreatment and HPLC-FLD, HPLC-MS/MS, and GC-MS or GC-MS/MS were applied for detection by the participants. The mass fractions for BaP were in the range of (1.78 to 3.09) µg/kg with Standard uncertainties of (0.026 to 0.54) µg/kg, with corresponding relative Standard uncertainties from 0.9% to 21%. Five labs withdrew their result from the Statistical evaluation of the KCRV for technical reasons. One lab was excluded from the KCRV evaluation, as they did not meet the CIPM metrological traceability requirements. A Hierarchical Bayes option was selected for the KCRV value, which was determined as 2.74 µg/kg with a Standard uncertainty of 0.03 µg/kg. The 10 institutes those were included in the calculation of the consensus KCRV all agreed within their Standard uncertainties. Successful participation in CCQM-K146 demonstrates the measurement capabilities in determining mass fraction of organic compounds, with molecular mass of 100 g/mol to 500 g/mol, having low polarity pKow < -2, in mass fraction range from 0.1 µg/kg to 1000 µg/kg in a high fat, low protein, low carbohydrate food matrix.
A general method to carry out the fluorination of metal oxides with poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE, Teflon) waste by spark plasma sintering (SPS) on a minute scale with Teflon is reported. The potential of this new approach is highlighted by the following results. i) The tantalum oxyfluorides Ta3O7F and TaO2F are obtained from plastic scrap without using toxic or caustic chemicals for fluorination. ii) Short reaction times (minutes rather than days) reduce the process time the energy costs by almost three orders of magnitude. iii) The oxyfluorides Ta3O7F and TaO2F are produced in gram amounts of nanoparticles. Their synthesis can be upscaled to the kg range with industrial sintering equipment. iv) SPS processing changes the catalytic properties: while conventionally prepared Ta3O7F and TaO2F show little catalytic activity, SPS-prepared Ta3O7F and TaO2F exhibit high activity for photocatalytic oxygen evolution, reaching photoconversion efficiencies up to 24.7% and applied bias to photoconversion values of 0.86%. This study shows that the materials properties are dictated by the processing which poses new challenges to understand and predict the underlying factors.
Classification of Spot-Welded Joints in Laser Thermography Data Using Convolutional Neural Networks
(2021)
Spot welding is a crucial process step in various industries. However, classification of spot welding quality is still a tedious process due to the complexity and sensitivity of the test material, which drain conventional approaches to its limits. In this article, we propose an approach for quality inspection of spot weldings using images from laser thermography data. We propose data preparation approaches based on the underlying physics of spot-welded joints, heated with pulsed laser thermography by analyzing the intensity over time and derive dedicated data filters to generate training datasets. Subsequently, we utilize convolutional neural networks to classify weld quality and compare the performance of different models against each other. We achieve competitive results in terms of classifying the different welding quality classes compared to traditional approaches, reaching an accuracy of more than 95 percent. Finally, we explore the effect of different augmentation methods.
Single- and multi-layer complex networks have been proven as a powerful tool to study the dynamics within social, technological, or natural systems. An often observed common goal is to optimize these systems for specific purposes by minimizing certain costs while maximizing a desired output. Acknowledging that especially real-world systems from the coupled socio-ecological realm are highly intertwined this work exemplifies that in such systems the optimization of a certain subsystem, e.g. to increase the resilience against external pressure in an ecological network, may unexpectedly diminish the stability of the whole coupled system. For this purpose we utilize an adaptation of a previously proposed conceptual bi-layer network model composed of an ecological network of diffusively coupled resources co-evolving with a social network of interacting agents that harvest these resources and learn each other’s strategies depending on individual success. We derive an optimal coupling strength that prevents collapse in as many resources as possible if one assumes that the agents’ strategies remain constant over time.
We then show that if agents socially learn and adapt strategies according to their neighbors’ success, this optimal coupling strength is revealed to be a critical parameter above which the probability for a global collapse in terms of irreversibly depleted resources is high—an effect that we denote the tragedy of the optimizer. We thus find that measures which stabilize the Dynamics within a certain part of a larger co-evolutionary system may unexpectedly cause the emergence of novel undesired globally stable states. Our results therefore underline the importance of holistic approaches for managing socio-ecological systems because stabilizing effects which focus on single subsystems may be counter-beneficial for the system as a whole.
The applicability of three methods developed by finite element analysis (FEM) and proposed in the literature are studied on steel S355. Instrumented indentation tests using spherical indenters of radius 200 and 500 μ m are performed in the macro range at depths of more than 6 μ m. The results of the selected methods are compared with the tensile test. To evaluate the partially strongly varying results, the uncertainties of the calculated strain hardening exponent, n, and yield stress, Y, are estimated. Recommendations for an appropriated procedure of the indentation test are given. The machine compliance and the determination of the zero point of Depth play an essential role. If the certain conditions are considered, the instrumented indentation Tests can be used, in particular for investigations of specimens with inhomogeneous elastoplasticity.
The literature has shown that the application of laminography provides advantages as 3D radiographic imaging with depth information for in house and mobile testing. This permits to distinguish between overlapping indications, measure the extension along radiation direction and classify indications as surface open or subsurface
ones as required in critical engineering assessment. This work provides a comparative study and measurements of the three techniques Digital Radiography (DR) with Digital Detector Arrays (DDA), Coplanar Translational Laminography (CTL) and Computed Tomography (CT), applied for composite pipeline inspection. It is demonstrated that CTL and CT provide advantages for the evaluation of pipe-to-pipe connections and the evaluation of adhesive applications. They show indications of discontinuities with higher contrast sensitivity than radiography.
Beyond it, two specimen, namely Phantom 1 and Phantom 2, were developed and manufactured by additive manufacturing to analyze the preferential detection sensitivity and the direction of features and depth information for laminographic measurements. Another goal was to show the laminographic capabilities to distinguish between overlapping discontinuities. CTL is especially suitable for mobile inspection. Special glass fiber reinforced polymer samples (GRP) were manufactured for further analysis and comparisons between the abovementioned techniques. Finally, Phantoms 1 and 2 show the capability of laminography to detect overlapping indications and also show that discontinuities oriented perpendicular to the scan direction have the highest contrast sensitivity for laminographic measurements.
In order to understand the role of dipolar interactions vs. H-bonding, a series of hydrazones were synthesised from 4-alkoxy-, 3,4-dialkoxy- or 3,4,5-trialkoxybenzaldehydes and phenyl, bromo- or nitrophenylhydrazine, respectively. Their mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarising optical microscopy (POM), X-ray diffraction (WAXS, SAXS) and compared with known members. Only those hydrazones derived from 3,4,5-trisalkoxybenzaldehyde and either meta, meta-dinitro- or ortho, para-dinitrophenylhydrazine displayed hexagonal columnar mesophases. All other derivatives were non-mesomorphic, even when H-bonds were present. Dipole moments of the various nitro-substituted hydrazones were experimentally determined by dielectric measurements and supported by theoretical DFT calculations, which indicated that the mesophase formation is mostly governed by strong dipole moment and further enforced by intramolecular H-bonding.
Ionizing radiation damage to DNA plays a fundamental role in cancer therapy. X-ray photoelectron-spectroscopy (XPS) allows simultaneous irradiation and damage monitoring. Although water radiolysis is essential for radiation damage, all previous XPS studies were performed in vacuum. Here we present near-ambient-pressure XPS xperiments to directly measure DNA damage under water atmosphere. They permit in-situ monitoring of the effects of radicals on fully hydrated double-stranded DNA. The results allow us to distinguish direct damage, by photons and secondary low-energy electrons (LEE), from damage by hydroxyl radicals or hydration induced modifications of damage pathways. The exposure of dry DNA to x-rays leads to strand-breaks at the sugar-phosphate backbone, while deoxyribose and nucleobases are less affected. In contrast, a strong increase of DNA damage is observed in water, where OH-radicals are produced. In consequence, base damage and base release become predominant, even though the number of strand-breaks increases further.
The ISO 16000-6 standard describes a method for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor and test chamber air by sorbent-based active sampling, thermal desorption and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). It also gives directions to adapt this methodology to very volatile organic compounds (VVOCs). Indeed, toxicologically based guideline values are being implemented for these compounds and it becomes necessary to measure them. But a comprehensive and robust measurement method is lacking. This work highlights the points that still need to be explored towards the standardisation of a suitable procedure: investigations on sorbent combinations, the suitability of chromatography columns and the use of gaseous standards are required. The biggest challenge remains in the fact that strong sorbents adsorb water together with VVOCs. Water may impair the analysis and the optimal approach to eliminate it is still to be found and integrated into the sampling strategy.
Experimental analysis of the acoustic field of an ultrasonic pulse induced by a fluidic switch
(2021)
Ultrasonic inspection is a common tool for non-destructive testing in civil engineering (NDT-CE). Currently, transducers are coupled directly to the specimen surface, which makes the inspection time-consuming. Air-coupled ultrasound (ACU) transducers are more time-efficient but need a high pressure amplitude as the impedance mismatch between the air and the concrete is high and large penetration depth is needed for the inspection. Current approaches aim at eliminating the impedance mismatch between the transducer and the air to gain amplitude; however, they hardly fulfill the NDT-CE requirements. In this study, an alternative approach for ultrasound generation is presented: the signal is generated by a fluidic switch that rapidly injects a mass flow into the ambience. The acoustic field, the flow field, and their interaction are investigated. It is shown that the signal has dominant frequencies in the range of 35–60 kHz, and the amplitude is comparable to that of a commercial ACU transducer.
The lead authors failed to name two collaborators as co-authors. The authors listed should include:
Miss Claudia L. Compean-Gonzalez (ORCID:
0000-0002-2367-8450) and Dr. Giacomo Ceccone (ORCID:
0000-0003-4637-0771).
These co-authors participated in VAMAS project A27, provided data that were analyzed and presented in this publication (and supporting information), and reviewed the manuscript before submission.
In the transition from carbon to iron-gall inks, the two documents from the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection in Berlin with shelfmarks P 13500 and P 13501 discussed in this work present an important case. Their inks appear brownish, although they date back to the fourth and third century BCE, when carbon inks are believed to have been commonly if not exclusively used. Using imaging micro-X-ray fluorescence and infrared reflectography, we discovered that the inks in both documents contain a significant amount of copper in addition to carbon. Comparing the extant recipes for black writing inks and the experimental evidence, we suggest that these inks are a transition between the pure carbon and the iron-gall inks. Such inks may have been quite common before the production of iron-gall ink was clearly understood and established.
The definition of the term “conversion” is discussed for a variety of polymer syntheses. It is demonstrated that in contrast to organic and inorganic chemistry several different definitions are needed in polymer science. The influence of increasing conversion on structure and topology of homo- and Copolymers is illustrated. Chain-growth polymerizations, such as radical polymerization or living anionic polymerizations of vinyl monomers, condensative chain polymerization, two and three-dimensional step-growth polymerizations, ring–ring or chain–chain equilibration and chemical modification of polymers are considered.
Low-cost, high-efficient catalysts for water splitting can be potentially fulfilled by developing earthabundant metal oxides. In this work, surface galvanic formation of Co-OH on K0.45MnO2 (KMO) was achieved via the redox reaction of hydrated Co2+ with crystalline Mn4+. The synthesis method takes place at ambient temperature without using any surfactant agent or organic solvent, providing a clean, green route for the design of highly efficient catalysts. The redox reaction resulted in the formation of ultrathin Co-OH nanoflakes with high electrochemical surface area. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the changes in the oxidation state of the bulk and
surface species on the Co-OH nanoflakes supported on the KMO. The effect of the anions, such as chloride, nitrate and sulfate, on the preparation of the catalyst was evaluated by electrochemical and spectrochemical means. XPS and Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) analysis demonstrated that the layer of CoOxHy deposited on the KMO and its electronic structure strongly depend on the anion of the precursor used during the synthesis of the catalyst. In particular, it was found that Cl- favors the formation of Co-OH, changing the rate-determining step of the reaction, which enhances the catalytic activity towards the OER, producing the most active OER catalyst in alkaline media.
Dose enhancement by gold nanoparticles (AuNP) increases the biological effectiveness of Radiation damage in biomolecules and tissue. To apply them effectively during cancer therapy their influence on the locally delivered dose has to be determined. Hereby, the AuNP locations strongly influence the energy deposit in the nucleus, mitochondria, membrane and the cytosol of the targeted cells. To estimate these effects, particle scattering simulations are applied. In general, different approaches for modeling the AuNP and their distribution within the cell are possible. In this work, two newly developed continuous and discrete-geometric models for simulations of AuNP in cells are presented.
These models are applicable to simulations of internal emitters and external radiation sources. Most of the current studies on AuNP focus on external beam therapy. In contrast, we apply the presented models in Monte-Carlo particle scattering simulations to characterize the energy deposit in cell organelles by radioactive 198AuNP. They emit beta and gamma rays and are therefore considered for applications with solid tumors. Differences in local dose enhancement between randomly distributed and nucleus targeted nanoparticles are compared. Hereby nucleus targeted nanoparticels showed a strong local dose enhancement in the radio sensitive nucleus. These results are the foundation for future experimental work which aims to obtain a mechanistic understanding of cell death induced by radioactive 198Au.
The occurrence of microplastic (MP) in food products, such as beverages in plastic bottles, is of high public concern. Existing analytical methods focus on the determination of particle numbers, requiring elaborate sampling tools, laboratory infrastructure and generally time-consuming imaging detection methods. A comprehensive routine analysis of MP in food products is still not possible. In the present work, we present the development of a smart filter crucible as sampling and detection tool. After filtration and drying of the filtered-off solids, a direct determination of the MP mass content from the crucible sample can be done by thermal extraction desorption gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (TED-GC/MS). The new filter crucible allows a filtration of MP down to particle sizes of 5 µm. We determined MP contents below 0.01 µg/L up to 2 µg/L, depending on beverages bottle type. This may be directly related to the bottle type, especially the quality of the plastic material of the screw cap. Dependent on the plastic material, particle formation increases due to opening and closing operations during the use phase. However, we have also found that some individual determinations of samples were subjected to high errors due to random events. A conclusive quantitative evaluation of the products is therefore not possible at present.
A detailed calorimetric study on an epoxy-based nanocomposite system was performed employing bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) cured with diethylenetriamine (DETA) as the polymer matrix and taurine-modified MgAL layered double hydroxide (T-LDH) as nanofiller. The -NH2 group of taurine can react with DGEBA improving the interaction of the polymer with the filler. The combined X-ray scattering, and electron microscopy data showed that the nanocomposite has a partially exfoliated morphology. Calorimetric studies were performed with conventional DSC, temperature modulated DSC (TMDSC) and fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) in the temperature modulated approach (TMFSC) to investigate the vitrification and molecular mobility in dependence of the filler concentration. First, TMDSC and NMR were used to estimate the amount of the rigid amorphous fraction which consists of immobilized polymer segments at the nanoparticle surface. It was found to be 40 wt% for the highest filler concentration, indicating that the interface dominates the overall macroscopic properties and behavior of the material to a great extent. Second, the relaxation rates of the α-relaxation obtained by TMDSC and TMFSC were compared with the thermal and dielectric relaxation rates measured by static FSC. The investigation revealed that the system shows two distinct α-relaxation processes. Furthermore, also two separate vitrification mechanisms were found for a bulk network-former without geometrical confinement as also confirmed by NMR. This was discussed in terms of the intrinsic spatial heterogeneity on a molecular scale, which becomes more pronounced with increasing nanofiller content.
Molecular mobility and conductivity of four bent shaped tetramethylated guanidinium based ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) with varying head group configuration (cyclic or acyclic) and alkyl chain length is investigated by a combination of broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and specific heat spectroscopy (SHS). Two dielectrically active processes observed in the plastic crystalline phase at low and high temperatures are denoted as γ and α1 relaxation. The former is assigned to localized fluctuations of methyl groups including nitrogen atoms in the guanidinium head groups. SHS investigations reveal one calorimetrically active process termed as α2 relaxation process. The temperature dependencies of the relaxation rates of α1 and α2 are similar for the cyclic ILC while for the acyclic counterpart they are different. Possible molecular assignments for the α1 and α2 relaxation are discussed in detail. Alongside relaxation processes, a significant conductivity contribution was observed for all ILCs, where the absolute value of DC conductivity increases by 4 orders of magnitude at the transition from the crystalline to the hexagonal columnar phase. The increase is traced to the change in the underlying conduction mechanism from the delocalized electrical conduction in the Cry phase to ionic conduction in the quasi 1D ion columns formed in the hexagonal columnar mesophase.
The minimum information requirements needed to guarantee high-quality surface Analysis data of nanomaterials are described with the aim to provide reliable and traceable Information about size, shape, elemental composition and surface chemistry for risk assessment approaches.
The widespread surface analysis methods electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) were considered. The complete analysis sequence from sample preparation, over measurements, to data analysis and data format for reporting and archiving is outlined. All selected methods are used in surface analysis since many years so that many aspects of the analysis (including (meta)data formats) are already standardized. As a practical analysis use case, two coated TiO2 reference nanoparticulate samples, which are available on the Joint Research Centre (JRC) repository, were selected. The added value of the complementary analysis is highlighted based on the minimum information requirements, which are well-defined for the analysis methods selected. The present paper is supposed to serve primarily as a source of understanding of the high standardization level already available for the high-quality data in surface analysis of nanomaterials as reliable input for the nanosafety community.
We present a workflow for obtaining fully trained artificial neural networks that can perform automatic particle segmentations of agglomerated, non-spherical nanoparticles from scanning electron microscopy images “from scratch”, without the need for large training data sets of manually annotated images. The whole process only requires about 15 minutes of hands-on time by a user and can typically be finished within less than 12 hours when training on a single graphics card (GPU). After training, SEM image analysis can be carried out by the artificial neural network within seconds. This is achieved by using unsupervised learning for most of the training dataset generation, making heavy use of generative adversarial networks and especially unpaired image-to-image translation via cycle-consistent adversarial networks. We compare the segmentation masks obtained with our suggested workflow qualitatively and quantitatively to state-of-the-art methods using various metrics. Finally, we used the segmentation masks for automatically extracting particle size distributions from the SEM images of TiO2 particles, which were in excellent agreement with particle size distributions obtained manually but could be obtained in a fraction of the time.
The fluorolytic sol–gel synthesis is applied with the intention to obtain two different types of core–shell nanoparticles, namely, SrF2–CaF2 and CaF2–SrF2. In two separate fluorination steps for core and shell formation, the corresponding metal lactates are reacted with anhydrous HF in ethylene glycol. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) confirm the formation of particles with mean dimensions between 6.4 and 11.5 nm. The overall chemical composition of the particles during the different reaction steps is monitored by quantitative Al Kα excitation X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Here, the formation of stoichiometric metal fluorides (MF2) is confirmed, both for the core and the final core–shell particles. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis by synchrotron radiation XPS (SR-XPS) with tunable excitation energy is performed to confirm the core–Shell character of the nanoparticles. Additionally, Ca2p/Sr3d XPS intensity ratio in-Depth profiles are simulated using the software Simulation of Electron Spectra for Surface Analysis (SESSA). In principle, core–shell like particle morphologies are formed but without a sharp interface between calcium and strontium containing phases.
Surprisingly, the in-depth chemical distribution of the two types of nanoparticles is equal within the error of the experiment. Both comprise a SrF2-rich core domain and CaF2-rich shell domain with an intermixing zone between them. Consequently, the internal morphology of the final nanoparticles seems to be independent from the synthesis chronology.
Adaptations of animal cells to growth in suspension culture concern in particular viral vaccine production, where very specific aspects of virus-host cell interaction need to be taken into account to achieve high cell specific yields and overall process productivity. So far, the complexity of alterations on the metabolism, enzyme, and proteome level required for adaptation is only poorly understood. In this study, for the first time, we combined several complex analytical approaches with the aim to track cellular changes on different levels and to unravel interconnections and correlations. Therefore, a Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) suspension cell line, adapted earlier to growth in suspension, was cultivated in a 1-L bioreactor. Cell concentrations and cell volumes, extracellular metabolite concentrations, and intracellular enzyme activities were determined. The experimental data set was used as the input for a segregated growth model that was already applied to describe the growth dynamics of the parental adherent cell line. In addition, the cellular proteome was analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry using a label-free protein quantification method to unravel altered cellular processes for the suspension and the adherent cell line. Four regulatory mechanisms were identified as a response of the adaptation of adherent MDCK cells to growth in suspension. These regulatory mechanisms were linked to the proteins caveolin, cadherin-1, and pirin. Combining cell, metabolite, enzyme, and protein measurements with mathematical modeling generated a more holistic view on cellular processes involved in the adaptation of an adherent cell line to suspension growth.
Research software has become a central asset in academic research. It optimizes existing and enables new research methods, implements and embeds research knowledge, and constitutes an essential research product in itself. Research software must be sustainable in order to understand, replicate, reproduce, and build upon existing research or conduct new research effectively. In other words, software must be available, discoverable, usable, and adaptable to new needs, both now and in the future. Research software therefore requires an environment that supports sustainability.
Hence, a change is needed in the way research software development and maintenance are currently motivated, incentivized, funded, structurally and infrastructurally supported, and legally treated. Failing to do so will threaten the quality and validity of research. In this paper, we identify challenges for research software sustainability in Germany and beyond, in terms of motivation, selection, research software engineering personnel, funding, infrastructure, and legal aspects. Besides researchers, we specifically address political and academic decision-makers to increase awareness of the importance and needs of sustainable research software practices. In particular, we recommend strategies and measures to create an environment for sustainable research software, with the ultimate goal to ensure that software-driven research is valid, reproducible and sustainable, and that software is recognized as a first class citizen in research. This paper is the outcome of two workshops run in Germany in 2019, at deRSE19 - the first International Conference of Research Software Engineers in Germany - and a dedicated DFG-supported follow-up workshop in Berlin.
This paper studies the dispersion of GPR wave’s phase velocity at different wideband frequencies in plywood and concrete with varying moisture content. This study makes use of two GPR antennas with 2 GHz centre frequency operating in wide angle reflection and refraction (WARR) mode and with computation of spectral analysis of the surface wave (SASW). Computation of phase velocities is based on the Acquisition of the cross-power spectrum and phase unwrap of two distorted ground waves at positions Closer to and farther away from the transmitting antenna. The velocities of the ground waves are found to experience greater dispersion in low frequency regimes within the effective frequency bandwidths determined and thresholded by time–frequency analysis (TFA) and coherence plotting of the ground waves.
This study validates not only the methodology, but also identifies the optimal distance between the first (Rx1) and second (Rx2) receivers as k/2, which is based on a fixed transmitter (Tx) minus the first Receiver (Rx1) distance. It serves as an indication of changeable separation distance when other lower frequency GPR is used because the distances of Tx-Rx1 and Rx1-Rx2 are wavelength dependent and thus also frequency dependent. Effects of moisture contents and chloride contamination in concrete were also characterized according to the dispersion plots . that wave traelling in lower frequencies in GPR wave is much decelerated than that in higher frequencies. This research also contributes to the building of the ‘‘GPRWARR machine” suggested in Annan and Jackson (2017) [1], within which the effects of wave Dispersion on phase velocity can be inversely modelled to characterize variations in the material properties of infrastructure as a means of detecting surface damage.
Certified reference material for the determination of hydrolytic resistance of borosilicate glass
(2021)
The preparation, analysis and certification of a new certified glass reference material (CRM) for the determination of hydrolytic resistance of borosilicate glass with the glass grains test is described. The CRM BAM-S053 is available in the form of glass rods (length: 185 mm, diameter: 9 mm, weight: 27·5 g). Certified properties are the acid consumption determined according to the procedures described in ISO 720, USP<660>, Ph.Eur. 3.2.1, data obtained following the procedure of ISO 719 was scattering too widely. The certified values are based on the results of 15 laboratories which participated in the certification interlaboratory comparison. The CRM is intended for the quality control when applying ISO 720, USP<660>, Ph.Eur. 3.2.1 and with limitations ISO 719.
The catalytic potential of tin(II)acetate, tin(IV)acetate, dibutyltin-bis-acetate and dioctyl tin-bis-acetate was compared based on polymerizations of L-lactide conducted in bulk at 160 or 130°C. With SnAc2 low-Lac/Cat ratios (15/1–50/1) were studied and linear chains having one acetate and one carboxyl end group almost free of cyclics were obtained. Higher monomer/catalyst ratios and lower temperatures favored formation of cycles that reached weight average molecular weights (Mw's) between 100,000 and 2,500,000. SnAc4 yielded mixtures of cycles and linear species under all reaction conditions. Dibutyltin- and dioctyl tin bis-acetate yielded cyclic polylactides under most reaction conditions with Mw's in the range of 20,000–80,000. Ring-opening polymerizations performed with ε-caprolactone showed similar trends, but the formation of COOH-terminated linear chains was significantly more favored compared to analogous experiments with lactide. The reactivity of the acetate catalysts decreased in the following order: SnAc2> SnAc4>Bu2SnAc2~Oct2SnAc2
Metformin is widely used as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, but central effects of metformin have received little attention. When metformin (200 mg/kg i.p.) was administered to C57Bl6 mice, metformin concentration in cerebrospinal fluid peaked at 29 μM after 30 min but dropped quickly and was low at 90 min. In mouse hypothalamus sampled by microdialysis, systemically administered metformin caused minor and transient increases of acetylcholine, glucose and lactate while choline levels decreased. When metformin (0.2−10 mM) was locally infused via retrodialysis, there was a short-lasting increase of acetylcholine in the hypothalamus. Extracellular lactate levels in hypothalamus showed a massive increase upon metformin infusion while glucose levels decreased. In isolated mitochondria of mouse brain, metformin inhibited oxygen consumption and the activity of complex I. Inhibition of mitochondrial respiration likely explains lactate formation in the brain during metformin infusion which may cause lactic acidosis during metformin intoxication. The changes of cholinergic activity in the hypothalamus may be associated with appetite suppression observed during metformin treatment.
Since nuclear magnetic resonance with focus on 1H protons is highly sensitive to pore filling fluids, it is nowadays often applied for the investigation of porous media. Mainly in materials research and especially in the field of non-destructive testing in civil engineering it is increasingly used. Scientific questions about and based on NMR meanwhile cover a broad spectrum. To give an overview, we have reviewed various studies dealing with the determination of moisture contents and parameters such as the pore-size distribution, surface relaxivity, porosity, etc. In some papers, the monitoring of moisture transport in connection with degradation processes or admixtures was the main objective. In other papers, NMR was used for pore space analysis or even applied on site to assess the state of conservation of cultural heritage. Building materials that have been investigated in the presented studies are for example cement, concrete, woods, sandstones etc. In this paper, short descriptions and the significant results of the reviewed articles are summarized and their measurement problems and discrepancies are pointed out. A special feature of this review article is the concise tabular compilation of determined 𝑇1 and 𝑇2 relaxation times, as well as of surface relaxivity values for various materials and components. Finally, relevant aspects are summed up and conclusions about the increasing potential of NMR relaxometry for investigations of porous building materials are drawn, followed by an outlook about future applications and the need for technical development.
The solubility is generally thought to be higher if the solvent effectively solvates solute molecules that are well-separated from each other. The present work suggests, however, that the formation of large solute aggregates does not necessarily imply less effective solvation and lower solubility. Measurements of the solubility of simvastatin (one of the most commonly prescribed antihyperlipidemic drugs) in three solvents with different polarities and protic characters, led to the solubility order acetone > ethyl acetate > ethanol, in the full temperature range covered by the experiments (283–308 K). An analysis of the structures of the different solutions on the basis of molecular dynamics simulation results indicated that this trend seems to be determined by a balance between the solute tendency toward aggregation and the ability of the solvent to efficiently solvate it, by integrating the cluster structures, regardless of their size, and effectively establishing solvent–solute interactions.
Accreditation is one of the pillars of a national Quality Infrastructure, as the competence of conformity assessment bodies is assured through accreditation performed by accreditation bodies. To compare the operation of accreditation bodies in Europe and to identify best practices, a management tool, the Process Maturity Benchmarking Tool, was developed and validated by applying it to European accreditation bodies. The benchmarking project comprised two major phases: In the first phase, the processes of accreditation bodies were systematically analyzed. A process map was developed, and processes of special relevance were identified and underpinned by indicators. In the second phase, the practical applicability of the theoretical model was demonstrated by analyzing the processes of eight European accreditation bodies. The results of this comparative assessment were subsequently discussed in a workshop with experts from those accreditation bodies, giving the opportunity to identify best practices.
This article has a twofold objective. First, to present a method to benchmark European accreditation bodies, based on the European Foundation for Quality Management excellence model. The successful application of the Process Maturity Benchmarking Tool gives evidence that it is a suitable and capable management tool to assess the processes of the European accreditation bodies and to benchmark them. Second, the article presents the results of the first adaption of the Process Maturity Benchmarking Tool. A general trend of process maturity was identified: While processes based on stakeholder involvement tend to have an overall lower maturity on average, internal processes are more mature.
An extensive set of information about the diffracting volume is carried by EBSD patterns: the crystal lattice, the reciprocal lattice, the crystal structure, the crystal symmetry, the mean periodic number of the diffracting phase, the source point from where it has been projected (projection centre), the crystal orientation, the sample topography (local tilt), the (preparation) quality of defect density of the crystal, and possible pattern overlaps. Some of this information is used regularly in conventional EBSD analyses software while others are still waiting for a more widespread application. Despite the wealth of information available, the accuracy and precision of the data that are presently extracted from conventional EBSD patterns are often well below the actual physical limits. Using a selection of example applications, we will demonstrate the gain in angular resolution possible using relatively low-resolution patterns of approximately 20k pixels in combination with pattern matching (PM) approaches. In this way, fine details in a microstructure can be revealed which would otherwise be hidden in the orientation noise.
Mycotoxigenic fungal pathogens Fusarium and Alternaria are a leading cause of loss in cereal production. On wheat-ears, they are confronted by bacterial antagonists such as pseudomonads.
Studies on these groups’ interactions often neglect the infection process’s temporal aspects and the associated priority effects. In the present study, the focus was on how the first colonizer affects the subsequent ones. In a climate chamber experiment, wheat-ears were successively inoculated with two different strains (Alternaria enuissima At625, Fusarium graminearum Fg23, or Pseudomonas simiae Ps9).
Over three weeks, microbial abundances and mycotoxin concentrations were analyzed and visualized via Self Organizing Maps with Sammon Mapping (SOM-SM). All three strains revealed different characteristics and strategies to deal with co-inoculation: Fg23, as the first colonizer, suppressed the establishment of At625 and Ps9. Nevertheless, primary inoculation of At625 reduced all of the Fusarium toxins and stopped Ps9 from establishing. Ps9 showed priority effects in delaying and blocking the production of the fungal mycotoxins. The SOM-SM analysis visualized the competitive strengths: Fg23 ranked first, At625 second, Ps9 third. Our findings of species-specific priority effects in a natural environment and the role of the mycotoxins involved are relevant for developing biocontrol strategies.
Frass (fine powdery refuse or fragile perforated wood produced by the activity of boring insects) of larvae of the European house borer (EHB) and of drywood termites was tested as a natural and novel feedstock for 3D-printing of wood-based materials. Small particles produced by the drywood termite Incisitermes marginipennis and the EHB Hylotrupes bajulus during feeding in construction timber, were used. Frass is a powdery material of particularly consistent quality that is essentially biologically processed wood mixed with debris of wood and faeces. The filigree-like particles flow easily permitting the build-up of woodbased structures in a layer wise fashion using the Binder Jetting printing process. The Quality of powders produced by different insect species was compared along with the processing steps and properties of the printed parts. Drywood termite frass with a Hausner Ratio HR = 1.1 with ρBulk = 0.67 g/cm3 and ρTap = 0.74 g/cm3 was perfectly suited to deposition of uniformly packed layers in 3D printing. We suggest that a variety of naturally available feedstocks could be used in environmentally responsible approaches to scientific material sciences/additive manufacturing.
The Protocol Gap
(2021)
Although peer review is considered one of the main pillars of modern science, experimental methods and protocols seem to be not a rigorous subject of this process in many papers. Commercial equipment, test kits, labeling kits, previously published concepts, and standard protocols are often considered to be not worth a detailed description or validation. Even more disturbing is the extremely biased citation behavior in this context, which sometimes leads to surrogate citations to avoid low-impact journals, preprints, or to indicate traditional practices. This article describes some of these surprising habits and suggests some measures to avoid the most unpleasant effects, which in the long term may undermine the credibility of science as a whole.
The discussion of the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of p-aminothiophenol (PATP) and of ist photocatalytic reaction product 4,4′-dimercaptoazobenzene (DMAB) is important for understanding plasmon-supported spectroscopy and catalysis. Here, SERS spectra indicate that DMAB forms also in a nonphotocatalytic reaction on silver nanoparticles. Spectra measured at low pH, in the presence of the acids HCl, H2SO4, HNO3, and H3PO4, show that DMAB is reduced to PATP when both protons and chloride ions are present. Moreover, the successful reduction of DMAB in the presence of other, halide and nonhalide, ligands suggests a central role of these species in the reduction. As discussed, the ligands increase the efficiency of hot-electron harvesting. The pH-associated reversibility of the SERS spectrum of PATP is established as an Observation of the DMAB dimer at high pH and of PATP as a product of its hot-electron reduction at low pH, in the presence of the appropriate ligand.
Theoretical calculations suggest a strong dependence of electrical conductivity and doping concentration in transition-metal doped titania. Herein, we present a combined theoretical and experimental approach for the prediction of relative phase stability and electrical conductivity in niobium-doped titania as model system.
Our method paves the way towards the development of materials with improved electrical properties.
High quality tubular products are essential to the oil and gas industry. Quality control during their production focuses on the non-destructive detection of surface defects. The structured light technique is a candidate for the challenge to detect, monitor and evaluate such defects in real-time.
In the present study the automatic processing of structured light measurements is performed and validated. The algorithm for the automatic Analysis of inspection data has an advantage over current data evaluation methods based on individual assessments of operators.
High spatially resolved quantitative bioimaging of CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots uptake in two kinds of cells is investigated combining laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and the spatially resolved analysis of dried pL-droplets from a solution with a known concentration of Quantum Dots. Single cells and dried pL-droplets are morphologically characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy. A number concentration of CdSe/ZnS QDs between 3.5 104 and 48 104 is estimated to be uptaken by several selected single cells, after being incubated in the presence of a QDs suspension added to a standard cell culture medium. Mono-elemental bioimaging at subcellular resolution seems to show a higher number concentration of the CdSe/ZnS QDs in the cytosol around the cell nucleus.
Surface-supported metal-organic frameworks HKUST-1 (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) were used as a model system for a development of a near ambient pressure (NAP) XPS based approach to investigate interaction with atmospheres of water, methanol or pyridine at pressures ranging from 1 to 4 mbar. The films were grown on a gold substrate functionalized with a COOH-terminated self-assembled monolayer using liquidphase epitaxy in a step-by-step fashion. Measurement protocols were developed and optimised for different gases in order to obtain spectra of similar quality in terms of signal intensity, noise and shape. Peak shapes were found to depend on the efficiency of charge compensation. Reference measurements in argon proved to be a useful strategy not only for the evaluation of the Cu(II)-fraction in pristine samples, but also to identify the contributions by the respective gas atmosphere to the C 1s and O 1s photoelectron spectra. Reduced copper was found during the exposition of HKUST-1 to water vapour and pyridine, but this effect was not observed in case of methanol. Additionally, it was established that there are no changes in relative Cu(II) percentage with increasing exposure time. This indicates that saturation was reached already at the lowest time of gas exposure. A detailed elucidation of the mechanism of Cu(II) reduction to Cu(I) in HKUST-1 mediated by water and pyridine is part of ongoing work and not in the scope of the present paper.
The absorption and emission properties of organic dyes are generally tuned by altering the substitution pattern. However, tuning the fluorescence lifetimes over a range of several 10 ns while barely affecting the spectral features and maintaining a moderate fluorescence quantum yield is challenging. Such properties are required for lifetime multiplexing and barcoding applications. Here, we show how this can be achieved for the class of fluoranthene dyes, which have substitution-dependent lifetimes between 6 and 33 ns for single wavelength excitation and emission. We explore the substitution-dependent emissive properties in the crystalline solid state that would prevent applications.
Furthermore, by analyzing dye mixtures and embedding the dyes in carboxyfunctionalized 8 μm-sized polystyrene particles, the unprecedented potential of these dyes as labels and encoding fluorophores for time-resolved fluorescence detection techniques is demonstrated.
Redox switches are applied in various fields of research, including molecular lifts, electronic devices and sensors. Switching the absorbance between UV and Vis/NIR by redox processes is of interest for applications in light harvesting or biomedicine.
Here, we present a series of push-pull benzothiadiazole derivatives with high fluorescence quantum yields in solution and in the crystalline solid state. Spectroelectrochemical analysis reveals the switching of UV-absorption in the neutral state to Vis/NIR absorption in the reduced state. We identify the partial irreversibility of the switching process, which appears to be reversible on the cyclic voltammetry timescale.
Search of new strategies for the inhibition of respiratory viruses is one of the urgent health challenges worldwide, as most of the current therapeutic agents and treatments are inefficient. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) has caused a pandemic and has taken lives of approximately two Million people to date. Even though various vaccines are currently under development, virus, and especially its spike glycoprotein can mutate, which highlights a Need for a broad-spectrum inhibitor. In this work, inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by graphene platforms with precise dual sulfate/alkyl functionalities is investigated. A series of graphene derivatives with different lengths of aliphatic chains is synthesized and is investigated for their ability to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and feline coronavirus.
Graphene derivatives with long alkyl chains (>C9) inhibit coronavirus replication by virtue of disrupting viral envelope. The ability of these graphene platforms to rupture viruses is visualized by atomic force microscopy and cryogenic electron microscopy. A large concentration window (10 to 100-fold) where graphene platforms display strongly antiviral activity against native SARS-CoV-2 without significant toxicity against human cells is found. In this concentration range, the synthesized graphene platforms inhibit the infection of enveloped viruses efficiently, opening new therapeutic and metaphylactic avenues against SARS-CoV-2.
The catalytic potential of tin(II)acetate, tin(IV)acetate, dibutyltin-bis-acetate and dioctyl tin-bis-acetate was compared based on polymerizations of L-lactide conducted in bulk at 160 or 130C. With SnAc2 low-Lac/Cat ratios (15/1–50/1) were studied and linear chains having one acetate and one carboxyl end group almost free of cyclics were obtained. Higher monomer/catalyst ratios and lower temperatures favored formation of cycles that reached weight average molecular weights (Mw's) between 100,000 and 2,500,000. SnAc4 yielded mixtures of cycles and linear species under all reaction conditions. Dibutyltin- and dioctyl tin bis-acetate yielded cyclic polylactides under most reaction conditions with Mw's in the range of 20,000–80,000. Ring-opening polymerizations performed with ε-caprolactone showed similar trends, but the formation of COOH-terminated linear chains was significantly more favored compared to analogous experiments with lactide. The reactivity of the acetate catalysts decreased in the following order: SnAc2> SnAc4>Bu2SnAc2 Oct2SnAc2.
Background. Post-menopausal osteoporosis is a common health problem worldwide, most commonly caused by estrogen deficiency. Most of the information regarding the skeletal effects of this disease relates to trabecular bone, while cortical bone is less studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of estrogen deficiency on the structure and mechanical properties of cortical bone.
Methods. Eight ovariectomized (OVH) and eight intact (control) Sprague Dawley rats were used. Structural features of femoral cortical bone were studied by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and synchrotron-based microcomputer-tomography and their mechanical properties determined by nano-indentation.
Results. Cortical bone of both study groups contains two distinct regions: organized
circumferential lamellae and disordered bone with highly mineralized cartilaginous islands. Lacunar volume was lower in the OVH group both in the lamellar and disorganized regions (182 ± 75 µm3 vs 232 ± 106 µm3 , P < 0.001 and 195 ± 86 µm3 vs. 247 ± 106 µm3 , P < 0.001, respectively). Lacunar density was also lower in both bone regions of the OVH group (40 ± 18 ×103 lacunae/mm3 vs. 47 ± 9×103 lacunae/mm3
in the lamellar region, P = 0.003 and 63 ± 18×103 lacunae/mm3
vs. 75 ± 13×103 lacunae/mm3 in the disorganized region, P < 0.001). Vascular canal volume was lower in the disorganized region of the bone in the OVH group compared to the same Region in the control group (P < 0.001). Indentation moduli were not different between the study groups in both bone regions.
Discussion. Changes to cortical bone associated with estrogen deficiency in rats require high-resolution methods for detection. Caution is required in the application of These results to humans due to major structural differences between human and rat bone.
Rationale: (Eco-)toxicological effects are mostly derived empirically and are notcorrelated with metal uptake. Furthermore, if the metal content is determined,mostly bulk analysis of the whole organism population is conducted; thus, biologicalvariability is completely disregarded, and this may lead to misleading results. Toovercome this issue, we compared two different solid sampling techniques for theanalysis of single organisms.Methods: In this study, complementary electrothermal vaporization/inductivelycoupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV/ICP-MS) , laser ablation/inductivelycoupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA/ICP-MS)-based methods for the analysisof individual organisms were developed and the results obtained were comparedwith the concentrations obtained after digestion and measured using ICP-MS.For this purpose, a common (eco-)toxicological test organism, the mud shrimpCorophium volutator, was selected. As proof-of-concept application, these organismswere incubated with environmentally relevant metals from galvanic anodes, whichare often used for protection against metal corrosion in, for example, offshorewind farms.Results: The bulk analysis revealed that large quantities of the incubated elementswere detectable. Using the ETV/ICP-MS method, we could identify a highbiovariability within the population of organisms tested. Using the LA/ICP-MSmethod, it could be determined that the large quantities of the elements detectedwere due to adsorption of the metals and not due to uptake, which correlates wellwith the absence of (eco-)toxicological effects.Conclusions: The results obtained imply the efficiency of complementary methods toexplain the absence or presence of (eco-)toxicological effects. In particular, methodsthat allow for single-organism analysis or provide even a spatial resolution supportthe interpretation of ecotoxicological findings.
Mixed copper and titanium hydride powder was hot-pressed and characterized by Carrier Gas Hot Extraction, XRay Diffraction, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis coupled with Mass Spectrometry, and Scanning Electron Microscopy.
The hot-pressed and five conventional samples were applied for calibration of hydrogen in Glow Discharge Optical Emission and Mass Spectrometry. Up to the introduction of 15 ng/s hydrogen the Emission yield model is useful in Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectrometry. A correlation between saturation and even reversal of the emission yield of the spectral lines H121, H486 and H656 and low sputtering rates was found. Hydrogen effects exist for the spectral lines of Cu(II) 219 and Ti(I) 399. In Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry, a linear dependency of the 1H ion current on the sputtered mass per time exists over the total range of hydrogen content investigated. Hydrogen effects also exist for the sensitivity of 48Ti and 63Cu. The sputtering rate of two-phase materials depends linearly on the sputtered mass per time of one phase, which allows the sputtering rate of two-phase materials with known composition to be predicted.
With a goal to improve our understanding of the relationships between microstructural features and ultrasonic signal behavior, concrete specimens of varying water-to-cement ratio were imaged using X-ray computed tomography (CT), and subsequently subjected to ultrasonic testing. From the CT scans, measurements were made of cement paste density and number of interfaces. Ultrasonic signals produced using a through-transmission configuration were analyzed and fit to a diffusion model to separate absorption from scattering attenuation. The results showed that at the frequencies tested, ultrasonic dissipation rate correlated weakly with paste density, while diffusivity correlated well with number of interfaces, but only if entrained air is considered separately. Cement paste density was found to be very well predicted by diffusivity, leading to a clear power-law relationship between diffusivity and compressive strength.
When applying Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to assess the moisture content of building materials, different medium properties, dimensions, interfaces and other unknown influences may require specific strategies to achieve useful results. Hence, we present an overview of the various approaches to carry out moisture measurements with GPR in civil engineering (CE). We especially focus on the applied Signal features such as time, amplitude and frequency features and discuss their limitations. Since the majority of publications rely on one single feature when applying moisture measurements, we also hope to encourage the consideration of approaches that combine different signal features for further developments.
Reinforced concrete bridges are iconic parts of modern infrastructure. They are designed for a minimum service life of 100 years. However, environmental factors and/or inappropriate use might cause overload and accelerate the deterioration of bridges. In extreme cases, bridges could collapse when necessary maintenance lacks. Thus, the permanent monitoring for structure health assessment has been proposed, which is the aim of structural health monitoring (SHM). Studies in laboratories have shown that ultrasonic (US) coda wave interferometry (CWI) using diffuse waves has high sensitivity and reliability to detect subtle changes in concrete structures. The creation of micro-cracks might be recognized at an early stage. Moreover, large-volume structures can be monitored with a relatively small number of US transducers. However, it is still a challenge to implement the CWI method in real SHM practical applications in an outdoor environment because of the complex external factors, such as various noise sources that interfere with the recorded signals. In this paper, monitoring data from a 36-m long bridge girder in Gliwice, Poland, instrumented with embedded US transducers, thermistors, and vibrating wire strain gauges, is presented. Noise estimation and reductionmethods are discussed, and the influence of traffic, as well as temperature variation, are studied. As a result, the relative velocity variation of US waves following the temperature change with a very high precision of 10−4% is shown, and a good bridge health condition is inferred. The influence of lightweight real traffic is negligible. The study verified the feasibility of the implementation of the CWI method on real bridge structures.
The thermodynamic behavior of thin PVME films including the irreversible adsorbed layer on the substrate is investigated. In a first step, the growth kinetics of the adsorbed layer was studied combining a leaching technique and atomic force microscopy. Further, it was shown that there is a critical initial film thickness for the formation of a surface-filling adsorbed layer. Additionally, spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements were carried out to investigate the influence of the adsorbed layer on the glass transition temperature of the thin films. For 30 nm films and below, the influence of the adsorbed layer percolates strongly to the bulk-like layer of the film. Finally, the molecular dynamics of the adsorbed layer was studied by broadband dielectric spectroscopy, employing nanostructured-electrode systems. One process was revealed, which was assigned either to molecular fluctuations taking place in a loosely-bounded the part of the adsorbed layer, or to the desorption/adsorption of segments at the substrate.
1:1 Copolymerizations of glycolide (GL) and L-lactide (LA) is performed in bulk at 100°C and at 160°C with four cyclic tin catalysts. The resulting copolyesters are characterized by SEC measurements, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and by MALDI TOF mass spectrometry. At 160°C and longer reaction time (22 h) nearly complete conversion of both monomers is achieved, and cyclic copolymers with nearly random sequences are formed. At shorter times (0.5-3.0 h, depending on catalyst) the conversion of LA is incomplete, and only cyclics having even numbers of lactyl units are obtained. At 100°C at 22 h again cycles mainly consisting of even numbered lactyl units are formed, but with even and odd numbers of glycolyl units. Copolymerization of lactide at 160°C with small amounts of GL show that formation of high Tm crystallites (Tm > 190°C) is hindered even when only > 2% of GL is added. For polyglycolide containing a smaller amount of lactide complete solubility in hexafluoroisopropanol is only observed around and above 20 mol% of lactide.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by accumulation of tau and amyloid-beta in the brain, and recent evidence suggests a correlation between associated protein aggregates and trace elements, such as copper, iron and zinc. In AD, distorted brain redox homeostasis and complexation by amyloid-beta and hyperphosphorylated tau May alter the isotopic composition of essential mineral elements. Therefore, high-precision isotopic analysis may reveal changes in the homeostasis of these elements. We used inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)-based techniques to determine the total Cu, Fe and Zn contents in the brain, as well as their isotopic compositions in both mouse brain and serum.
Results for male transgenic tau (Line 66, L66) and amyloid/presenilin (5xFAD) mice were compared to those for the corresponding age- and gendermatched wild-type control mice (WT). Our data show that L66 brains showed significantly higher Fe levels than the corresponding WT. Significantly less Cu, but more Zn was found in 5xFAD brains. We observed significantly lighter isotopic compositions of Fe (enrichment in the lighter isotopes) in the brain, and in serum of L66 mice compared to WT. For 5xFAD mice, Zn exhibited a trend towards a lighter isotopic composition in brain and a heavier isotopic composition in serum compared to WT. Neither mouse model yielded differences in the isotopic composition of Cu. Our findings indicate significant pathology-specific alterations of Fe and Zn brain homeostasis in mouse models of AD. The associated changes in isotopic composition May serve as a marker for proteinopathies Underlying AD and other types of dementia.
In this investigation, two conventional peristaltic pumps are compared with a new pump based on the “easy click” principle using a simultaneous ICP-AES instrument with standard operating conditions. It is found that the figures of merit achieved are quite comparable for all three pumps. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) range between 0.2% and 1.8%, and limits of detection as low as 0.1 μg/L have been achieved , demonstrating that the easy click principle of the new pump does not compromise the analytical figures of merit.
Nanoparticles have gained increasing attention in recent years due to their potential and application in different fields including medicine, cosmetics, chemistry, and their potential to enable advanced materials. To effectively understand and regulate the physico-chemical properties and potential adverse effects of nanoparticles, validated measurement procedures for the various properties of nanoparticles need to be developed. While procedures for measuring nanoparticle size and size Distribution are already established, standardized methods for analysis of their surface chemistry are not yet in place, although the influence of the surface chemistry on nanoparticle properties is undisputed. In particular, storage and preparation of nanoparticles for surface analysis strongly influences the analytical results from various methods, and in order to obtain consistent results, sample preparation must be both optimized and standardized. In this contribution, we present, in detail, some standard procedures for preparing nanoparticles for surface analytics. In principle, nanoparticles can be deposited on a suitable substrate from suspension or as a powder. Silicon (Si) Wafers are commonly used as substrate, however, their cleaning is critical to the process. For sample preparation from suspension, we will discuss drop-casting and spin-coating, where not only the cleanliness of the substrate and purity of the suspension but also its concentration play important roles for the success of the preparation methodology.
For nanoparticles with sensitive ligand shells or coatings, deposition as powders is more suitable, although this method requires particular care in fixing the sample.
CCQM-K143 is a key comparison that assesses participants’ ability to prepare single element calibration solutions. Preparing calibration solutions properly is the cornerstone of establishing a traceability link to the International System of Units (SI), and therefore should be tested in order to confirm the validity of CCQM comparisons of more complex materials. CCQM-K143 consisted of participants each preparing a single copper calibration solution at 10 g/kg copper mass fraction and shipping 10 bottled aliquots of that solution to the coordinating laboratory, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The masses and mass fraction for the prepared solutions were documented with the submitted samples.
The solutions prepared by all participants were measured at NIST by high performance inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (HP-ICP-OES). The intensity measurements for copper were not mapped onto values of mass fraction via calibration. Instead, ratios were computed between the measurements for copper and simultaneous measurements for manganese, the internal standard, and all subsequent data reductions, including the computation of the KCRV and the degrees of equivalence, were based on these ratios. Other than for two participants whose measurement results appeared to suffer
from calculation or preparation errors, all unilateral degrees of equivalence showed that the measured values did not differ significantly from the KCRV. These results were confirmed by a second set of ICP-OES measurements performed by the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). CCQM-K143 showed that participants are capable of preparing calibration solutions starting from high purity, assayed copper metal.
Similar steps are involved when preparing solutions for other elements, so it seems safe to infer that similar capabilities should prevail when preparing many different, single-element solutions.
Lead(II) is a toxic pollutant often found in metalcontaminated soils and wastewaters. In acidic aqueous environments, Pb(II) is highly mobile. Chemical treatment strategies of such systems therefore often include neutralization agents and metal sorbents. Since metal solubility and the retention potential of sorbents depend on the redox state of the aqueous system, we tested the efficiency of the naturally occurring redox-sensitive ferrous iron carbonate mineral siderite to remove Pb(II) from acidic aqueous solutions in batch experiments under oxic and anoxic conditions over a total of 1008 h. Siderite dissolution led to an increase in reactive solution pH from 3 to 5.3 and 6.9, while 90 and 100% of the initial aqueous Pb(II) (0.48 × 10−3 mol kg−1) were removed from the oxic and anoxic systems, respectively.
Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, combined with X-ray absorption and photoelectron spectroscopy, indicated that under oxic conditions, Pb(II) was consumed by cerussite precipitation and inner-sphere surface complexation to secondary goethite.
Under anoxic conditions, Pb(II) was removed by the rapid precipitation of cerussite. This efficient siderite dissolution-coupled sequestration of Pb(II) into more stable solid phases demonstrates this potential method for contaminated water Treatment regardless of the redox environment.
Functional core/shell particles are highly sought after in analytical chemistry, especially in methods suitable for single-particle analysis such as flow cytometry because they allow for facile multiplexed detection of several analytes in a single run. Aiming to develop a powerful bead platform of which the core particle can be doped in a straightforward manner while the shell offers the highest possible sensitivity when functionalized with (bio)chemical binders, polystyrene particles were coated with different kinds of mesoporous silica shells in a convergent growth approach. Mesoporous shells allow us to obtain distinctly higher surface areas in comparison with conventional nonporous shells. While assessing the potential of narrow- as well as wide-pore silicas such as Mobil composition of matter no. 41 (MCM-41) and Santa Barbara amorphous material no. 15 (SBA-15), especially the synthesis of the latter shells that are much more suitable for biomolecule anchoring was optimized by altering the pH and both, the amount and type of the mediator salt. Our studies showed that the best performing material resulted from a synthesis using neutral conditions and MgSO4 as an ionic mediator. The analytical potential of the particles was investigated in flow cytometric DNA assays after their respective functionalization for individual and multiplexed detection of short oligonucleotide strands. These experiments revealed that a two-step modification of the silica surface with amino silane and succinic anhydride prior to coupling of an amino-terminated capture DNA (c-DNA) strand is superior to coupling carboxylic acid-terminated c-DNA to aminated core/shell particles, yielding limits of detection (LOD) down to 5 pM for a hybridization assay, using labeled complementary single-stranded target DNA (t-DNA) 15mers. The potential of the use of the particles in multiplexed analysis was shown with the aid of dye-doped core particles carrying a respective SBA-15 shell. Characteristic genomic sequences of human papillomaviruses (HPV) were chosen as the t-DNA analytes here, since their high relevance as carcinogens and the high number of different pathogens is a relevant model case. The title particles showed a promising performance and allowed us to unequivocally detect the different high- and low-risk HPV types in a single experimental run.
The catalytic potential of bismuth subsalicylate (BiSub), a commercial drug, for ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of L-lactide was explored by variation of co-catalyst and polymerization time. Various monofunctional phenols or carboxylic acids, aromatic ortho-hydroxy acids and diphenols were examined as potential co-catalysts. 2,2´-Dihydroxybiphenyl proved to be the most successful co-catalyst yielding weight average molecular weights (uncorrected Mw values up to 185 000) after optimization of reaction time and temperature. Prolonged heating (>1-2h) depending on catalyst concentration) caused thermal degradation. In polymerization experiments with various commercial Bi(III) salts a better alternative to BiSub was not found. By means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry a couple of unusual and unexpected transesterification reactions were discovered. Finally, the effectiveness of several antioxidants and potential catalyst poisons was explored, and triphenylphosphine was found to be an effective catalyst poison.
This review summarizes recent developments regarding molecular imaging markers for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of prostate cancer (PCa). Currently, the clinical standard includes MR imaging using unspecific gadolinium-based contrast agents. Specific molecular probes for the diagnosis of PCa could improve the molecular characterization of the tumor in a non-invasive examination. Furthermore, molecular probes could enable targeted therapies to suppress tumor growth or reduce the tumor size.
Alkali–silica reaction (ASR) is an ongoing problem that causes damage to concrete constructions and reduces their durability. Therefore, minimizing this undesired reaction is of great interest for both safety and economic reasons. Additives containing high aluminium content are very effective in reducing the release of silica and enhancing the durability of concrete; however, the mechanism for this effect is still under discussion. In this study, an enrichment of aluminium in the near‐surface region was observed for natural quartzite rock after storage in Al (OH)3 and metakaolin as aluminium sources, from which we conclude that the formation of aluminosilicate sheets of a few nanometres inhibits the silica release; this hypothesis is supported by high‐resolution spectra of Al 2p, Si 2p and O 1s.
Laser excited super resolution thermal imaging for nondestructive inspection of internal defects
(2020)
A photothermal super resolution technique is proposed for an improved inspection of internal defects. To evaluate the potential of the laser-based thermographic technique, an additively manufactured stainless steel specimen with closely spaced internal cavities is used. Four different experimental configurations in transmission, reflection, stepwise and continuous scanning are investigated. The applied image post-processing method is based on compressed sensing and makes use of the block sparsity from multiple measurement events. This concerted approach of experimental measurement strategy and numerical optimization enables the resolution of internal defects and outperforms conventional thermographic inspection techniques.
In this work, we describe the use of artificial neural networks for the quantification of X-ray fluorescence measurements. The training data were generated using Monte Carlo simulation, which avoided the use of adapted reference materials. The extension of the available data set by means of an ANN to generate additional data was demonstrated. Particular emphasis was put on the comparability of simulated and experimental data and how the influence of deviations can be reduced. The search for the optimal hyperparameter, manual and automatic, is also described. For the presented case, we were able to train a network with a mean absolute error of 0.1 weight percent for the synthetic data and 0.7 weight percent for a set of experimental data obtained with certified reference materials.
Tuning and controlling the solid-state photophysical properties of organic luminophore are very important to develop next-generation organic luminescent materials. With the aim of discovering new functional luminescent materials, new cocrystals of 9-anthracene carboxylic acid (ACA) were prepared with two different dipyridine coformers: 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane. The cocrystals were successfully obtained by both mechanochemical approaches and conventional solvent crystallization. The newly obtained crystalline solids were characterized thoroughly using a combination of single crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Structural analysis revealed that the cocrystals are isostructural, exhibiting two-fold interpenetrated hydrogen bonded networks. While the O–H···N hydrogen bonds adopts a primary role in the stabilization of the cocrystal phases, the C–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions appear to play a significant role in guiding the three-dimensional assembly. Both π···π and C–H···π interactions assist in stabilizing the interpenetrated structure. The photoluminescence properties of both the starting materials and cocrystals were examined in their solid states. All the cocrystals display tunable photophysical properties as compared to pure ACA. Density functional theory simulations suggest that the modified optical properties result from charge transfers between the ACA and coformer molecules in each case. This study demonstrates the potential of crystal engineering to design solid-state luminescence switching materials through cocrystallization.
Amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) is an important precursor in the biomineralization of crystalline CaCO3. In nature, it serves as a storage material or as a permanent structural element, whose lifetime is regulated by an organic matrix. The relevance of ACC in materials science is primarily related to our understanding of CaCO3 crystallization pathways and CaCO3/(bio)polymer nanocomposites. ACC can be synthesized by liquid–liquid phase separation, and it is typically stabilized with macromolecules. We have prepared ACC by milling calcite in a planetary ball mill. Phosphate “impurities” were added in the form of monetite (CaHPO4) to substitute the carbonate anions, thereby stabilizing ACC by substitutional disorder. The phosphate anions do not simply replace the carbonate anions. They undergo shear-driven acid/base and condensation reactions, where stoichiometric (10%) phosphate contents are required for the amorphization to be complete. The phosphate anions generate a strained network that hinders ACC recrystallization kinetically. The amorphization reaction and the structure of BM-ACC were studied by quantitative Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and solid state 31P, 13C, and 1H magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which are highly sensitive to symmetry changes of the local environment. In the first—and fast—reaction step, the CO32– anions are protonated by the HPO42– groups. The formation of unprecedented hydrogen carbonate (HCO3–) and orthophosphate anions appears to be the driving force of the reaction, because the phosphate group has a higher Coulomb energy and the tetrahedral PO43– unit can fill space more efficiently. In a competing second—and slow—reaction step, pyrophosphate anions are formed in a condensation reaction. No pyrophosphates are formed at higher carbonate contents. High strain leads to such a large energy barrier that any reaction is suppressed. Our findings aid in the understanding of the mechanochemical amorphization of calcium carbonate and emphasize the effect of impurities for the stabilization of the amorphous phases in general. Our approach allowed the synthesis of new amorphous alkaline earth defect variants containing the unique HCO3– anion. Our approach outlines a general strategy to obtain new amorphous solids for a variety of carbonate/phosphate systems that offer promise as biomaterials for bone regeneration.
n this work, three new pharmaceutical hydrated salts of ciprofloxacin with selected derivatives of benzoic acid, namely 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-aminobenzoic acid and gallic acid, were obtained and systematically investigated by several solid-state analytical techniques. In situ Raman spectroscopy was applied to elucidate the alternative pathways of the solid forms' formation under mechanochemical conditions. Crystal structure analysis and a CSD survey allowed us to establish a distinct supramolecular motif formed by infinite columnar stacks of ciprofloxacin dimers arranged in the “head-to-tail” manner. An alternative “head-to-head” packing arrangement was only observed in the crystal of the hydrated ciprofloxacin salt with 4-aminobenzoic acid. In addition, the pH-solubility behavior of the solid forms was thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, a distinct structure–property relationship between the specific features of the supramolecular organization of the hydrated salts and their solubility was observed and discussed.
Wood-based composites hold the promise of sustainable construction. Understanding the influence on wood cellular microstructure in the macroscopic mechanical behavior is key for engineering highperformance composites. In this work, we report a novel Individual Cell Tracking (ICT) approach for in-situ quantification of nanometer-scale deformations of individual wood cells during mechanical loading of macroscopic millimeter-scale wood samples. Softwood samples containing > 104 cells were subjected to controlled radial tensile and longitudinal compressive load in a synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography (SRμCT) setup. Tracheid and wood ray cells were automatically segmented, and their geometric variations were tracked during load. Finally, interactions between microstructure deformations (lumen geometry, cell wall thickness), cellular arrangement (annual growth rings, anisotropy, wood ray presence) with the macroscopic deformation response were investigated. The results provide cellular insight into macroscopic relations, such as anisotropic Poisson effects, and allow direct observation of previously suspected wood ray reinforcing effects.
The method is also appropriate for investigation of non-linear deformation effects, such as buckling and deformation recovery after failure, and gives insight into less studied aspects, such as changes in lumen diameter and cell wall thickness during uniaxial load. ICT provides an experimental tool for direct validation of hierarchical mechanical models on real biological composites.
Controlling thickness and tightness of surface passivation shells is crucial for many applications of core–shell nanoparticles (NP). Usually, to determine shell thickness, core and core/shell particle are measured individually requiring the availability of both nanoobjects. This is often not fulfilled for functional nanomaterials such as many photoluminescent semiconductor quantum dots (QD) used for bioimaging, solid state lighting, and display technologies as the core does not show the applicationrelevant functionality like a high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield, calling for a whole nanoobject approach. By combining high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), a novel whole nanoobject approach is developed representatively for an ultrabright oleic acid-stabilized, thick shell CdSe/CdS QD with a PL quantum yield close to unity. The size of this spectroscopically assessed QD, is in the range of the information depth of usual laboratory XPS. Information on particle size and monodispersity were validated with dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and compared to data derived from optical measurements. In addition to demonstrating the potential of this novel whole nanoobject approach for determining architectures of small nanoparticles, the presented results also highlight challenges faced by different sizing and structural analysis methods and method-inherent uncertainties.