Sinanodonta woodiana (mollusca: bivalvia: unionidae): isolation and characterization of the first microsatellite markers

Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) is a large Unionid species with a real invasion success. It colonized Europe, Central America, the Indonesian Islands and recently North America. The species life cycle involves a larval parasitic stage on freshwater fish species which contributes to the spread of the mussel. In this paper we describe, for the first time, eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for the species Sinanodonta woodiana. The genetic screening of individuals confirmed that all loci were highly polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 7 to 14 and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.650 to 0.950. These loci should prove useful to study the species population genetics which could help to infer important aspects of the invasion process.     

Metallo-functionalized first-generation salicylaldimine poly(propylenimine) tetraamine dendrimers: Electrochemical study and atomic force microscopy imaging

The adsorption and the redox processes of two first-generation salicylaldiamine dendritic ligands and their copper, cobalt and nickel metallo-functionalized complexes have been studied at two types of carbon electrode surface. Glassy carbon (GC) was used in an electrochemistry study and highly oriented pyrolitic graphite (HOPG) in ex situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging. All salicylaldimine ligands and their metallo-functionalized complexes adsorb on the surface of the HOPG electrode, resulting in the formation of nanoclusters and films, which vary between 0.9 and 6 nm in size, depending on the metallo-functionalized salicylaldimine dendrimer chemical composition and solution concentration. Differential pulse voltammetry of the surface-confined films has shown that the anodic reactions observed correspond to the oxidation of the hydroxyl groups present in the ligand structure of all compounds. However, by following the changes in peak currents, potentials and width at half height it has been shown that destabilization of the ligand internal structure occurred in the metallo-functionalized complexes depending on the metal involved. The electrochemical behaviour of the surface-confined films observed in buffer solution was related to the morphology, obtained by AFM, of the immobilised first-generation salicylaldiamine dendritic ligands and corresponding salicylaldimine metallo-functionalized complexes.     

Multi-element including rare earth content of lichens, bark, soils, and waste following industrial closure

The fate of rare earth and other rare elements entering the environment is largely unknown. The lichen Hypogymnia physodes was transplanted over a 40 km long transect centered on a major metallurgical waste dump close to the Zlatna town center two weeks after smelter closure. Lichens, bark, soil, and waste dump materials were analyzed for 56 elements (including REE). Lichen and bark multi-element compositions were alike, reflecting fixation of elements of environmental concern and the ability for tree canopies to concentrate substances leading to enhanced deposition to both lichens and bark. Higher REE enrichment in lichens than in soil confirm efficient fixation in lichens. The negative europium anomaly in lichens and soil, similar to that in upper crust, confirm a strong crustal influence on lichen signatures across the transect area. Multi-element analysis supports the view that epiphytic lichens, unlike trees, are not influenced by lower groundwater, and they are excellent indicators for REE and other rare elements entering the surface environment, difficult to detect by conventional means.     

Three-dimensional investigation and scoring of extracellular matrix remodeling during lung fibrosis using multiphoton microscopy

The organization of collagen during fibrotic processes is poorly characterized because of the lack of appropriate methodologies. Here we show that multimodal multiphoton microscopy provides novel insights into lung fibrosis. We characterize normal and fibrotic pulmonary tissue in the bleomycin model, and show that second-harmonic generation by fibrillar collagen reveals the micrometer-scale three-dimensional spatial distribution of the fibrosis. We find that combined two-photon excited fluorescence and second-harmonic imaging of unstained lung tissue allows separating the inflammatory and fibrotic steps in this pathology, underlining characteristic features of fibroblastic foci in human Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis samples. Finally, we propose phenomenological scores of lung fibrosis and we show that they unambiguously sort out control and treated mice, with a better sensitivity and reproducibility in the subpleural region. These results should be readily generalized to other organs, as an accurate method to assess extracellular matrix remodeling during fibrosis.     

Robocast zirconia-toughened alumina scaffolds: Processing,structural characterisation and interaction with human primary osteoblasts

Zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) is the gold-standard ceramic in hip arthroplasty, but still lacks direct osseointegration and a metal shell, often coated with a bioactive layer, is currently required. The latter could potentially be replaced by a thinner, architectured ZTA layer, thereby allowing for larger acetabular components, with larger range of motion and lower dislocation risk. Robocasting may be an adequate technique to fabricate the architectured layer. Therefore, as a first step, this study aimed to produce ZTA scaffolds (3D-ZTA) by robocasting and assess their in vitro response. Shape retention was achieved by using a stable, well-dispersed, high solid loading ink injected in acid pH waterbath. 3D-ZTA exhibit regularly spaced microporous, rough struts and fully interconnected macroporosity. Human primary osteoblasts were homogenously distributed inside 3D-ZTA and showed increased osteogenic marker expression compared to 2D-ZTA control. Further work will focus on optimizing scaffold design to improve cell retention and extracellular matrix maturation.     

Self-doped N-propansulfonic acid polyaniline-polyethylene terephthalate film used as active sensor element for humidity or gas detection

In this work, we report the fabrication of sensors’ element for humidity or gases, prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline N-propansulfonic acid using ammonium persulfate in acidic medium. The polymer is being used in the form of powder or deposited in multiple layers onto the PET film. Various techniques including Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR), ultraviolet-–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to characterize the as-prepared sensing materials. The film has been tested for humidity influence, where the significant variations in electrical characteristics were observed, suggesting its usefulness for humidity sensors. Also, for different organic and inorganic gases, a relatively low operating temperature and important sensitivity were observed that indicate its applicability as an active element for general gases sensors. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47743.     

Synthesis and characterization of a titanium phosphate-tellurite glass for Faraday rotators

This work is focused on investigation of thermal, structural, optical, magnetic, and magneto-optical properties of novel titanium phosphate-tellurite glass applied as Faraday rotators. The glass belonging to the system 35Li₂O–10Al₂O₃–5TiO₂–45P₂O₅–5TeO₂ was prepared by a nonconventional wet route of raw materials processing, followed by melting-quenching-annealing steps. Some important physical properties of the investigated glass have been measured and calculated, providing knowledge related to glass compactness, electronic structure, glass forming capability, etc. XRD analysis evidenced an amorphous network structure of the investigated glass. The optical absorption in the Vis domain is mainly due to Ti³⁺ ions and Te₂ clusters formed during the glass melting process. A relatively low optical absorption is noticed over 600 nm that activates a significant Faraday magneto-optical effect. Photoluminescence bands in the blue, red, and infrared domains are observed, caused by Te₂ clusters formed during the glass melting process. The magnetization in dependency on applied magnetic field reveals a complex behavior of the glass, depending on temperature. Thus, it is found a ferromagnetic behavior up to 2000 Oe, a paramagnetic component up to 40 000 Oe, followed by a diamagnetic one over 40 000 Oe. Faraday rotation angle and Verdet constant values in the visible domain are correlated with the reduced TeO₂ content of the glass.     

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles in collagen gel improves their medical use in periodontitis treatment

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) suspensions were biosynthesized by silver ions reduction in the presence of collagen, a nontoxic, organic polymer, intending to improve their medical use in periodontitis treatment. Spectrophotometric measurements showed a time- and concentration-dependent increase of AgNP formation in each suspension variant. Transmission electron microscopy revealed spherical morphology of AgNP in collagen and their mean diameter size was around 30?nm. The particle size distribution and zeta potential values of AgNP in collagen were determined by dynamic light scattering measurements. The surface charge of AgNP in collagen was positive, while commercial AgNP stabilized in citrate had negative surface charge. In vitro cytotoxicity testing of AgNP in collagen showed that they were biocompatible with human gingival fibroblasts in a wider range of concentrations than commercial nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity of AgNP in collagen against two pathogenic strains present in the periodontal pocket was dose-dependent and higher than that of AgNP in citrate. All these results demonstrated that AgNP prepared in collagen gel had improved properties, like small diameter, positive surface charge, high biocompatibility in human gingival fibroblasts, efficiency against bacterial growth and, thus, better therapeutic potential in periodontal disease treatment.     

Hydrogen storage performance of methyl-substituted mesoporous silica with tailored textural characteristics

Journal of Porous Materials - The present study reports a systematic analysis of morphology and hydrogen sorption capacity of mesoporous organic-inorganic silica prepared by varying the silica...     

Assessment of calcium-based chemical looping options for gasification power plants

This paper evaluates various calcium-based chemical looping concepts to be applied in Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plants for decarbonised energy vectors poly-generation (with emphasis on power generation and hydrogen and power co-generation). Two calcium-based chemical looping configurations were analysed. The first concept is based on post-combustion capture using the flue gases resulted from the power block (combined cycle gas turbine). The second concept is based on pre-combustion capture, the calcium-based chemical looping systems being used simultaneous to capture carbon dioxide (by sorbent enhanced water gas shift) and to concentrate the syngas energy in the form of hydrogen-rich gas.