Spherical Silica Functionalized by 2-Naphthalene Methanol Luminophores as a Phosphorescence Sensor

Photoluminescence is known to have huge potential for applications in studying biological systems. In that respect, phosphorescent dye molecules open the possibility to study the local slow solvent dynamics close to hard and soft surfaces and interfaces using the triplet state (TSD: triplet state solvation dynamics). However, for that purpose, probe molecules with efficient phosphorescence features are required with a fixed location on the surface. In this article, a potential TSD probe is presented in the form of a nanocomposite: we synthesize spherical silica particles with 2-naphthalene methanol molecules attached to the surface with a predefined surface density. The synthesis procedure is described in detail, and the obtained materials are characterized employing transmission electron microscopy imaging, Raman, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Finally, TSD experiments are carried out in order to confirm the phosphorescence properties of the obtained materials and the route to develop phosphorescent sensors at silica surfaces based on the presented results is discussed.     

A New Mechanism of the Selective Photodegradation of Antibiotics in the Catalytic System Containing TiO2 and the Inorganic Cations

The mechanism of sulfisoxazole (SFF) selective removal by photocatalysis in the presence of titanium (IV) oxide (TiO₂) and iron (III) chloride (FeCl₃) was explained and the kinetics and degradation pathways of SFF and other antibiotics were compared. The effects of selected inorganic ions, oxygen conditions, pH, sorption processes and formation of coordination compounds on the photocatalytic process in the presence of TiO₂ were also determined. The Fe³⁺ compounds added to the irradiated sulfonamide (SN) solution underwent surface sorption on TiO₂ particles and act as acceptors of excited electrons. Most likely, the SFF degradation is also intensified by organic radicals or cation organic radicals. These radicals can be initially generated by reaction with electron holes, hydroxyl radicals and as a result of electron transfer mediated by iron ions and then participate in propagation processes. The high sensitivity of SFF to decomposition caused by organic radicals is associated with the steric effect and the high bond polarity of the amide substituent.     

Lecane tenuiseta rotifers improves activated sludge settleability in laboratory scale SBR system at 13°C and 20°C

Two experiments at different temperatures were conducted in five laboratory‐scale bioreactors with enhanced nutrient removal simulating the work of sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). The process was operated in three 8‐hour cycles. The oxygen concentration, pH and temperature were controlled and maintained at 1 mg of O₂/L, 7 and 13°C, respectively, throughout the first two weeks and at 20°C for the next 10 days. The introduction of Lecane tenuiseta improved the settling properties of the activated sludge dominated by Microthrix parvicella at both temperatures tested. L. tenuiseta rotifers led to a reduction in filamentous bacteria abundance and did not negatively affect the chemical parameters of the effluent. For each temperature, there were no differences in COD, N_tot, N‐NH₄ or P‐PO₄ values between the treatment and control bioreactors. The results have shown that the application of L. tenuiseta is a promising biological tool for bulking prevention especially in a cold season.     

Evaluation of AlGaN/GaN heterostructures properties by QMSA and AFM techniques

Atomic force microscopy and Quantitative Mobility Spectrum Analysis (QMSA) were applied for characterization and evaluation of the quality of AlGaN/GaN heterostructures. The structural uniformity, growth mode and electrical properties of the heterostructures were determined. The obtained results indicated that the time of growth of the low temperature GaN nucleation layer influenced the morphology and electrical properties of the AlGaN/GaN heterostructure.     

Effect of Cover Brine Type on the Quality of Meat from Herring Marinades

Effects of vinegar, oil, and sour cream brines on meat quality of 4 popular cold marinades from herring were investigated in the study. Cover brine type affected the composition and nutritive value of meat as well as the sensory and microbiological quality of marinated herring. Qualitative differences resulted from cover brine penetration into meat, and from diffusion of components from meat to vinegar brine. Compared to oil and sour cream, vinegar brine contributed to increased concentrations of salt and acetic acid, hardness, color brightness of marinades meat and to increased microbial contamination of meat. Furthermore, vinegar caused nitrogen losses to 15%, including valuable products of protein hydrolysis, enzymes, and total volatile bases. The rolling up of fillets reduced diffusion even by 50%. In turn, oil and sour cream were causing mainly a higher fat content and overall sensory evaluation of the marinades.     

Molecular Characterisation of Uterine Endometrial Proteins during Early Stages of Pregnancy in Pigs by MALDI TOF/TOF

The molecular mechanism underlying embryonic implantation is vital to understand the correct communications between endometrium and developing conceptus during early stages of pregnancy. This study’s objective was to determine molecular changes in the uterine endometrial proteome during the preimplantation and peri-implantation between 9 days (9D), 12 days (12D), and 16 days (16D) of pregnant Polish Large White (PLW) gilts. 2DE-MALDI-TOF/TOF and ClueGO^TM approaches were employed to analyse the biological networks and molecular changes in porcine endometrial proteome during maternal recognition of pregnancy. A total of sixteen differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified using 2-DE gels and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Comparison between 9D and 12D of pregnancy identified APOA1, CAPZB, LDHB, CCT5, ANXA4, CFB, TTR upregulated DEPs, and ANXA5, SMS downregulated DEPs. Comparison between 9D and 16D of pregnancy identified HP, APOA1, ACTB, CCT5, ANXA4, CFB upregulated DEPs and ANXA5, SMS, LDHB, ACTR3, HP, ENO3, OAT downregulated DEPs. However, a comparison between 12D and 16D of pregnancy identified HP, ACTB upregulated DEPs, and CRYM, ANXA4, ANXA5, CAPZB, LDHB, ACTR3, CCT5, ENO3, OAT, TTR down-regulated DEPs. Outcomes of this study revealed key proteins and their interactions with metabolic pathways involved in the recognition and establishment of early pregnancy in PLW gilts.     

Low‐Temperature Co‐Fired Ceramics System for Light Absorbance Measurement

The article describes technology of the low‐temperature co‐fired ceramics (LTCC) structure that enables light absorbance measurements of liquid sample. The manufactured ceramic structure contains buried microfluidic channels. The structure consists of two co‐fired glass windows that separate the light source and detector from the test solution. A construction of an electronic measurement system is described as well. The signal from three light‐emitting diodes (LED)s — red, green, and blue — can be used in the absorbance measurements. The light intensity is measured by the TCS 3414CS (TAOS, Plano, TX) color detector. Optical properties of the fabricated microfluidic LTCC system is investigated with several concentrations of potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) in water solution. The system can be applied in microbiology for constant monitoring of bacterial growth.     

Combustion Reactions of Poly(Carbon Monofluoride), (CF)n,with Different Reductants and Characterization of the Products

Mixtures of poly(carbon monofluoride) also known as graphite fluoride, (CF)_n, with different reductants, such as NaN₃, B, Ti, ZrTi, Si, CaSi₂, AlSi, TiSi, MoSi₂ and CrSi₂ were investigated. Reactions between these substrates are fast and exothermic enough to proceed in a high temperature, self‐sustaining regime. Heat effects accompanying the reactions were measured and the solid reaction products were analyzed. SEM observation revealed the presence of exfoliated graphite in each case. Nanostructures, like nanofibers, nanorods, nanospheres and nanosized crystals, were also present in most of the products. Phase (XRD) and elemental composition as well as porous structure (N₂ adsorption) of chosen reaction products were also determined.     

Influence of Yb3+ ion incorporation in the structure of Yttrium Divanadate(V) on the properties of a new ceramic solid solution Y8-yYbyV2O17

New substitutional, limited solid solution of the formula Y_8-yYb_yV₂O₁₇ where 0 < y ≤ 2.0 was synthesized by the high-temperature reaction in the air from mixtures of α-Y₈V₂O₁₇ with Yb₈V₂O₁₇. The new Y_8-yYb_yV₂O₁₇ were characterized by powder XRD, DTA–TGA, IR, UV–vis-DRS and SEM methods. The structure, thermal stability, unit cell volume, band gap energies as well as the position of the IR absorption bands in the spectrum of Y_8-yYb_yV₂O₁₇ were determined. The solid solution was established to have the same structure as β-Y₈V₂O₁₇ and it was found that with increasing concentration of Yb³⁺ ions in its crystal lattice the volume of its unit cell decreases along with its energy gap decreasing to 2.4 eV (for y = 2.0), while the IR absorption bands are shifted towards higher wavenumbers. The morphologies of the high temperature polymorph of Y₈V₂O₁₇ and solid solution were analyzed.