Silicene Nanoribbons on an Insulating Thin Film

Silicene, a new 2D material has attracted intense research because of the ubiquitous use of silicon in modern technology. However, producing free-standing silicene has proved to be a huge challenge. Until now, silicene could be synthesized only on metal surfaces where it naturally forms strong interactions with the metal substrate that modify its electronic properties. Here, the authors report the first experimental evidence of silicene nanoribbons on an insulating NaCl thin film. This work represents a major breakthrough, for the study of the intrinsic properties of silicene, and by extension to other 2D materials that have so far only been grown on metal surfaces.     

A fair method for centralized optimization of multi-TSO power systems

This paper addresses the problem of centralized optimization of an interconnected power system partitioned into several regions controlled by different transmission system operators (TSOs). It is assumed that those utilities have agreed to transferring some of their competencies to a centralized control center, which is in charge of setting the control variables in the entire system to satisfy every utility’s individual objective. This paper proposes an objective method for centralized optimization of such multi-TSO power systems, which relies on the assumption that each TSO has a real-valued optimization function focusing on its control area only. This method is illustrated on the IEEE 118 bus system partitioned into three TSOs. It is applied to the optimal reactive power dispatch problem, where the control variables are the voltage settings for generators and compensators. After showing that the method has some properties of fairness, namely freedom from envy, efficiency, accountability, and altruism, we emphasize its robustness with respect to certain biased behavior of the different TSOs.     

The fission yeast spindle orientation checkpoint: a model that generates tension?

In all eukaryotes, the alignment of the mitotic spindle with the axis of cell polarity is essential for accurate chromosome segregation as well as for the establishment of cell fate, and thus morphogenesis, during development. Studies in invertebrates, higher eukaryotes and yeast suggest that astral microtubules interact with the cell cortex to position the spindle. These microtubules are thought to impose pushing or pulling forces on the spindle poles to affect the rotation or movement of the spindle. In the fission yeast model, where cell division is symmetrical, spindle rotation is dependent on the interaction of astral microtubules with the cortical actin cytoskeleton. In these cells, a bub1-dependent mitotic checkpoint, the spindle orientation checkpoint (SOC), is activated when the spindles fail to align with the cell polarity axis. In this paper we review the mechanism that orientates the spindle during mitosis in fission yeast, and discuss the consequences of misorientation on metaphase progression.     

Failure mechanisms of H13 die on relation to the forging process – A case study of brass gas valves

In the hot forging industry, die life is an important process factor because of the cost involved in lost production, replacement of die blocks and operative handling of the dies. There is still no consensus, however, on the type of wear affecting dies or the dominant mechanisms for die failure, which varies from one situation to another. This metallographic study of a failed industrial hot forging die used to forge gas cylinder valves has indicated various failure modes. Although plastic deformation and thermal fatigue are usually quoted as the main causes of damage, oxidative and abrasive wear, fatigue cracking and chipping appeared to bet he most important in this study. Feedback coupling of fatigue and wear effects are detected. Detailed scanning electron microscopy observations and energy-dispersive X-ray and optical profilometry analysis suggest that these failures might very depending on their localisation on the die surfaces and show a complex mechanisms related to the variation of process parameters.     

Functionalized porous glass for the removal and the confinement of ruthenium from radioactive solutions

An original approach to immobilize ruthenium species and then transform them into RuO₂ nanoparticles is presented that uses hybrid-functionalized glasses. First, different chemical graftings of functional groups (acetylacetonate, amine, nitrile, pyridine and thiol) in porous glass were used to extract ruthenium-containing complexes ([Ru(CH₃N)₄Cl₂] and Ru(NO)(NO₃)₃) from solutions. The best functional groups to selectively coordinate Ru complexes and thus extract it from the solutions have been determined. Then, the obtained Ru-containing composite glass was heated under air to remove the organic species and to obtain RuO₂ nanoparticles inside a glass with centimetre scale geometric form. The as-obtained materials were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen physisorbtion measurements, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD).     

Calculation of collision frequency function for aerosol particles in free molecule regime in presence of force fields

The collision frequency function for aerosol particles has already been calculated for the free molecule regime and for the continuum range. The present work, taking into account the influence of internal force fields such as magnetic force, electric force and molecular forces, created by particles themselves, recalculated the collision frequency in the case of particles much smaller than the mean free path of the gas (free molecule regime). Attractive forces increase naturally the collision frequency, while repulsive forces decrease it. The calculation was performed for all types of central forces deriving from a potential, including Coulomb forces and Van der Waals forces.     

Coagulase-negative staphylococci species affect biofilm formation of other coagulase-negative and coagulase-positive staphylococci

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are considered to be commensal bacteria in humans and animals, but are now also recognized as etiological agents in several infections, including bovine mastitis. Biofilm formation appears to be an important factor in CNS pathogenicity. Furthermore, some researchers have proposed that CNS colonization of the intramammary environment has a protective effect against other pathogens. The mechanisms behind the protective effect of CNS have yet to be characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CNS isolates with a weak-biofilm phenotype on the biofilm formation of other staphylococcal isolates. We selected 10 CNS with a weak-biofilm phenotype and 30 staphylococcal isolates with a strong-biofilm phenotype for this study. We measured biofilm production by individual isolates using a standard polystyrene microtiter plate assay and compared the findings with biofilm produced in mixed cultures. We confirmed the results using confocal microscopy and a microfluidic system with low shear force. Four of the CNS isolates with a weak-biofilm phenotype (Staphylococcus chromogenes C and E and Staphylococcus simulans F and H) significantly reduced biofilm formation in approximately 80% of the staphylococcal species tested, including coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus. The 4 Staph. chromogenes and Staph. simulans isolates were also able to disperse pre-established biofilms, but to a lesser extent. We also performed a deferred antagonism assay and recorded the number of colony-forming units in the mixed-biofilm assays on differential or selective agar plates. Overall, CNS with a weak-biofilm phenotype did not inhibit the growth of isolates with a strong-biofilm phenotype. These results suggest that some CNS isolates can negatively affect the ability of other staphylococcal isolates and species to form biofilms via a mechanism that does not involve growth inhibition.     

Quantitative biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of multimodal gadolinium-based nanoparticles for lungs using ultrashort TE MRI

Objective

To study the biodistribution and lung pharmacokinetics of tracheally administered gadolinium-based contrast agents [gadoteric acid and multimodal ultra-small rigid platforms (USRPs)], to validate their pharmacokinetics against optical imaging of fluorescent USRPs, and to test their short-term toxicity.

Materials and methods

Ultrashort echo-time (UTE) lung proton magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at 4.7-Tesla (T) after the intratracheal instillation of different concentrations of contrast agent solutions in mice. Pharmacokinetic models were implemented on the absolute concentration calculated from the MRI signal enhancement measurements. Fluorescent USRPs were used to obtain optical images with the same protocol. Bronchoalveolar lavage inflammatory cell count and serum creatinine measurement were performed on four groups of instilled mice (sham, saline, USRPs, lipopolysaccharide).

Results

MR and optical imaging showed similar kinetics of the USRPs, passing from the airways to the lung tissue and to the kidneys, with negligible hepatic clearance. No significant increase of lung and renal inflammation markers were observed in USRP-instilled animals.

Conclusion

A T ₁-weighted radial UTE sequence was found to be valuable in quantitatively monitoring the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of nanoparticles in the lungs of mice. The observed favorable pharmacokinetics, which was validated by fluorescence imaging, ensures the negligible toxicity of the nanoprobes, making the USRPs and the developed protocol good candidates for applications on selected lung diseases.     

Mercury distribution in fish organs and food regimes: Significant relationships from twelve species collected in French Guiana (Amazonian basin)

Within a multidisciplinary research programme set up in French Guiana (Amazonian basin), twelve fish species from six food regimes were collected from the upper part of the Maroni River in order to analyze mercury (Hg) distribution in six organs (gills, liver, kidneys, skeletal muscle, stomach, and intestine) and to look for a relationship between Hg organotropism and food regimes. As many studies have shown, mercury biomagnification leads to extremely marked differences in muscle accumulation levels: the average ratio between extreme concentrations measured in piscivorous and herbivorous species was almost 500. A first principal component analysis on primary Hg concentration variables showed that biomagnification had a marked effect, masking differences between Hg distribution in the organs according to fish species and their food regimes. In order to avoid this, we determined ratios between Hg concentrations measured in the different organs and in the skeletal muscle, considered as the reference tissue for biomagnification effects. A new principal component analysis using these normalized values, in conjunction with a Ward's hierarchical clustering method, revealed that there is a link between Hg organotropism and the food regimes, with comparatively high [Hg]gills/[Hg]muscle ratios for the herbivorous species; high [Hg]intestine-liver-kidneys/[Hg]muscle ratios for the benthivorous and periphytophagous species, and, in contrast, ratios of less than 1 in the different organs for the piscivorous and omnivorous species. Our determinations of methylmercury (MMHg) percentages in the food consumed by the fish (aquatic macrophytes, terrestrial material from the river banks, biofilms, benthic invertebrates, fish muscle tissues), according to the different food regimes (herbivorous, periphytophagous, benthivorous, omnivorous, carnivorous, piscivorous), showed that this criterion can account for the differences in Hg distribution in the fish organs. For instance, the periphytophagous and benthivorous fish species ingest biofilms and small benthic invertebrates with quite low MMHg burdens (18% and 35 to 52% of Hgtotal, respectively). The highest [Hg]organs/[Hg]muscle ratios were observed for the liver and kidneys, the two principal target organs for inorganic Hg in fish. On the other hand, the piscivorous species ingest a large amount of fish of varying size, with high MMHg percentages in their muscle tissue (nearly 80%); Hg organotropism is characterized by high MMHg concentrations in the skeletal muscle and comparatively low [Hg]organs/[Hg]muscle ratios.