The effects of washing a collagen sample prior to TEM examination

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is an important analysis technique to visualize (bio)macromolecules and their assemblies, including collagen fibers. Many protocols for TEM sample preparation of collagen involve one or more washing steps to remove excess salts from the dispersion that could hamper analysis when dried on a TEM grid. Such protocols are not standardized and washing times as well as washing solvents vary from procedure to procedure, with each research group typically having their own protocol. Here, we investigate the influence of washing with water, ethanol, but also methanol and 2-propanol, for both mineralized and unmineralized collagen samples via a protocol based on centrifugation. Washing with water maintains the hydrated collagen structure and the characteristic banding pattern can be clearly observed. Conversely, washing with ethanol results in dehydration of the fibrils, often leading to aggregation of the fibers and a less obvious banding pattern, already within 1 min of ethanol exposure. As we show, this process is fully reversible. Similar observations were made for methanol and propanol. Based on these results, a standardized washing protocol for collagenous samples is proposed.     

基质囊泡及其在骨矿化过程中的作用

基质囊泡(Matrix vesicles,MVs)是骨矿物初始形核生长的场所。骨矿化过程中,钙、磷酸根等离子经通道蛋白跨膜运输进入MVs内,当局部浓度达到一定值时,磷酸钙晶体开始沉积。磷酸钙的存在形态包括无定形磷酸钙、磷酸八钙及羟基磷灰石等。MVs可以调节细胞内外基质中的钙和磷酸根离子的稳态及无机磷酸盐/无机焦磷酸盐的比值,提供磷酸钙晶体成核位点,在骨矿化的初始启动过程中发挥重要作用。本文概述了MVs的生物来源、分子组分、提取方法,MVs介导的骨矿化过程,以及近年来利用囊泡作为体外矿化模型模拟MVs矿化过程的研究进展。     

Development of Core-Shell Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems Based on Biomimetic Mineralization

Among various drug-delivery systems, core-shell nanoparticles have many advantages. Inspired by nature, biomimetic synthesis has emerged as a new strategy for making core-shell nanoparticles in recent years. Biomimetic mineralization is the process by which living organisms produce minerals based on biomolecule templating that leads to the formation of hierarchically structured organic–inorganic materials. In this minireview, we mainly focus on the synthesis of core-shell nanoparticle drug-delivery systems by biomimetic mineralization. We review various biomimetic mineralization methods for fabricating core-shell nanoparticles including silica-based, calcium-based and other nanoparticles, and their applications in drug delivery. We also summarize strategies for drug loading in the biomolecule-mineralized core-shell NPs. Current challenges and future directions are also discussed.     

Effects of pyrochlore content on the phase,structure, and properties of uranium-rich glass ceramics

In this study, the effects of the pyrochlore content on the phase, structure, and properties of uranium-rich glass ceramics were studied by modifying the mass ratio of the uranium pyrochlore in the glass ceramics. The results indicate that U has a high occupancy rate of approximately 0.7 f.u. at the A position of pyrochlore, and the crystal pyrochlore phase in the glass matrix can increase or decrease according to the U amount in the waste. Specifically, at a high occupancy rate and crystallization amount, the U loads reach 20 wt% in the sample, which exceeds the reported 16 wt% maximal U loads of pyrochlore-based glass ceramics. Furthermore, all the samples have excellent mechanical properties and chemical stabilities. The bulk density of each sample is more than 90% the theoretical density, which is 10–20% higher than those of the glass ceramics prepared by pressure sintering. Moreover, the Vickers hardness values of all samples exceed 6 GPa, and the U leaching rate after 21 days is only 6.7 × 10⁻⁵ g m⁻² d⁻¹, which is an order of magnitude lower than those of brannerite glass ceramics under equal leaching conditions.     

贵州三穗地区钒矿地质特征及成矿规律研究

总结贵州省三穗地区钒矿矿区地层、区域构造和区域岩浆岩特征，探讨矿区钒矿成矿规律。研究表明：区内钒矿赋存在陡山沱组白云岩的上部以及老堡组和九门冲组的下部，含矿岩性为黑色炭质黏土岩；成矿来源主要是由于海底裂谷的热气流作用，携带深部钒等多金属元素向陆棚与台地运动、迁移，出现钒的横向分导现象；沉积下来的钒金属又在后期低温热液作用下，以水云母的形式存在，而炭质吸附的部分钒元素进入水云母晶格中，形成钒矿。     

Comparative evaluation of extraction of tetra- and hexa-valent neptunium ions by CMPO in a room temperature ionic liquid

ABSTRACT

Solvent extraction studies were performed to understand the extraction behavior of Np⁴⁺ and NpO₂ ²⁺ from acidic feeds with CMPO (octyl (phenyl)-N,N-diisobutyl carbamoyl methyl phosphine oxide) dissolved in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide, a water immiscible ionic liquid. Slope analyses on the distribution data revealed the extraction of ML₂ type species, where M = Np⁴⁺ or NpO₂ ²⁺, and L = CMPO. Studies were also carried out with Pu⁴⁺ and UO₂ ²⁺ under identical conditions. The nature of the extracted species was found to vary with the nature of the ionic species.     

Immobilization of uranium in cristobalite ceramic through adsorption on mesoporous SBA-15 and further sintering process

The development of an adsorbent which can be easily transformed into stable ceramic waste forms through a simple route is necessary for the treatment of the radioactive wastewater. Herein, we report on the immobilization of uranium in cristobalite ceramic through adsorption on mesoporous SBA-15 and further sintering process. The mesoporous SBA-15 with short pore length was synthesized and employed to remove uranium from aqueous solution. Subsequently, the SBA-15 with adsorbed U (U/SBA-15) was solidified by sintering. The effects of sintering temperature and U content on the structure, densification and aqueous durability of the obtained cristobalite ceramic waste forms were investigated. The results indicate that the U/SBA-15 can be transformed into stable cristobalite ceramic after sintering at 1100–1400 °C for 6 h. Furthermore, all the obtained cristobalite ceramic waste forms exhibit good aqueous durability (∼10⁻⁴ g m^-2 d^-1). This work demonstrates a potential route and adsorbent to dispose the radioactive wastewater.     

核燃料用γ-U合金的成分规律

铀合金作为一种重要核燃料,其体心立方结构的高温稳定的γ-U合金具有较好的综合性能,是合金设计所追求的目标。本文引入描述稳定固溶体结构的"团簇加连接原子"模型,用于建立γ-U固溶体合金的结构模型和相应成分式,指出其结构单元为体心立方第一近邻配位多面体团簇加3个连接原子构成。进而利用该结构单元对现有合金成分进行了解析,能够稳定形成体心立方bcc结构的合金均满足上述模型,如[Mo-U14]Mo3(U-10.7Mo),[Zr-U14]Nb3(U-7.5Nb-2.5Zr,即不锈铀)等,这些合金实际上均在各自体系中具有最优良的结构稳定性,显示出优异的耐蚀性。本文证实,基于团簇加连接原子模型的成分设计方法在预测γ-U合金成分与性能上具有重要指导价值。     

Experimental and numerical assessment of grain boundary energies in polycrystalline uranium dioxide

Uranium dioxide ceramics are widely used as nuclear fuels. Thus, it is important to understand the role of the grain boundaries (GBs) which decisively govern the properties of these polycrystalline materials and subsequently determine their performances. Here, we report a coupled numerical - experimental approach enabling to assess GB energies. Firstly, GB formation energies (γ_gb) were computed for 34 symmetric tilt GBs in UO₂ with molecular dynamics simulations at 1700 K. The surface energies (γ_S) relative to the respective planes of these GBs were calculated as well. The Herring relation was then used to assess the dihedral angles Ψ of the corresponding GB grooves. Secondly, a UO₂ ceramic sample was annealed at 1673 K to obtain GB grooves. The CSL GBs of interest were identified by EBSD and their Ψ angles determined by AFM. Computed and measured Ψ values were found to be very close.     

基于地球化学的水热还原矿化稳定砷的技术思路

砷作为有色金属矿物的共伴生元素,在有色金属冶炼过程中以含砷“三废”形式大量产出。由于砷具有强致癌性及毒性,导致砷的安全处置问题严重困扰着有色金属冶炼企业。本文通过阐述含砷废水中砷的两种稳定化工艺的研究进展,对比了现有稳定化工艺的优缺点,结合药剂稳定化和矿物稳定化的优点,借鉴砷元素在地球化学中的成矿规律,提出了硫化沉砷?水热还原矿化稳定砷的技术思路。首先采用硫化法脱除含砷废水中的砷,砷的沉淀率高达99.65%,硫化沉淀物在TCLP毒性检测中砷的浓度达到212.9 mg/L。然后采用As-S系一元水热还原矿化法和As-Fe-S系二元水热还原矿化方法稳定砷,稳定化产物分别为雌黄和雌黄?铁硫系(黄铁矿、硫化亚铁)混合物,在TCLP毒性检测中砷的浸出浓度分别为3.86 mg/L和2.65 mg/L。水热还原矿化工艺实现了含砷废水中砷的脱除及稳定化的目的,为水溶液中砷的脱除和稳定化提供了新的思路。