Orientation-selective removal of upright Ag nanoplates from a TiO₂ film

Upright Ag nanoplates on a nanoparticulate TiO(2) film are oriented on the basis of plasmon-induced charge separation. Polarized visible light removes nanoplates oriented perpendicularly to polarization via excitation of in-plane transverse mode. Polarized near-infrared light removes nanoplates in parallel geometry via excitation of in-plane longitudinal mode.     

Separation of cobalt and zinc from concentrated nickel sulfate solutions with Cyanex 272

BACKGROUND: Removal of cobalt and zinc from concentrated nickel solutions separately using two Cyanex 272 circuits has been practised in the nickel industry. However, no detailed study has been conducted and data are scarce for further improvement. This study aims to optimise the operating conditions and to simplify the process flowsheet. RESULTS: With a synthetic solution containing 100 g L^?1 Ni, 1.4 g L^?1 Co and 0.8 g L^?1 Zn and the organic solution containing Cyanex 272 and TBP in Shellsol D70, the operating conditions of extraction, scrubbing and stripping were optimised. McCabe–Thiele diagrams were constructed to determine the theoretical extraction and stripping stages and a flowsheet to separate cobalt and zinc from nickel was proposed. With this flowsheet, more than 99% cobalt and zinc could be separated, resulting in a pure nickel solution with less than 10 mg L^?1 of cobalt and zinc. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows that Cyanex 272 can be used to separate cobalt and zinc in one Cyanex 272 circuit effectively from concentrated nickel solutions to obtain very pure nickel solutions suitable for nickel electrowinning or hydrogen reduction. The cobalt and zinc in the loaded strip liquor were concentrated over 10 times and can be separated readily in another much smaller solvent extraction circuit. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Higher coverage of carboxylic acid groups on oxidized single crystal diamond (001)

The effects of crystal orientation to the surface chemistry of single crystal diamond (001) and (111) were investigated after wet chemical oxidation. Direct carboxylation has been successfully achieved via wet chemical oxidation on native diamond (001) and (111) surface with distinguished portions of carboxylic acid groups (-COOH). High resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that various kinds of chemical groups including both single and double oxygen-related components were covalently functionalized onto the single crystal diamond. The percentages of -COOH are approximately 9.2% and 4.7% on (001) and (111) surface respectively, showing evidently that the density of -COOH groups on (001) surface is surprisingly higher than that of (111) surface. Comprehensive comparison revealed that oxygen-related groups is higher on (001) compared with that of (111) surface. The conversion mechanism was supposed to explain the evolution from hydrogenated to oxygenated functionalizations on diamond with differently oriented crystal facets, and the crystal orientation was the significant factor in controlling the surface reactivity and hence the oxidization process.     

Architecture of colloidal crystals constructed by silica hybrid nanoparticles

Silica (SiO₂)‐crosslinked polystyrene (PS) particles possessing photofunctional N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate (DC) groups on their surface were prepared by the free‐radical emulsion copolymerization of a mixture of SiO₂ (diameter D_n = 192 nm), styrene, divinyl benzene, 4‐vinylbenzyl N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate (VBDC), and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate with a radical initiator under UV irradiation. In this copolymerization, the inimer VBDC had the formation of a hyperbranched structure by a living radical mechanism. These particles had DC groups on their surface. Subsequently, poly(methyl methacrylate) brushes encapsulated SiO₂ particles were synthesized by the grafting from a photoinduced atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) approach of methyl methacrylate initiated by SiO₂‐crosslinked PS particles as a macroinitiator. We constructed the colloidal crystals using these photofunctional particles. Moreover, the SiO₂ particle array of colloidal crystals was locked by radical photopolymerization with vinyl monomer as a matrix. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Novel environmentally friendly synthesis of superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles using mechanochemical effect

A novel method for synthesizing superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles in water system via coprecipitation under an environmentally friendly condition has been developed. In this method, an almost neutral suspension containing ferrous hydroxide and goethite is used as the starting suspension and subjected to a ball-milling treatment. The product was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The mechanochemical effect generated by the ball-milling treatment promoted the reaction between ferrous hydroxide and goethite even at room temperature, resulting in the formation of homogeneous magnetite nanoparticles. Simultaneously, it also contributed to crystallize the formed magnetite nanoparticles while inhibiting the particle growth. This resulted in the formation of ultrafine magnetite nanoparticles of about 10 nm having a single crystal structure. This method could provide ferromagnetic magnetite nanoparticles with superparamagnetism under the moderate condition without neither heating nor any additives such as surfactant and organic solvent.     

Potential of the Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) Telmisartan,Irbesartan, and Candesartan for Inhibiting the HMGB1/RAGE Axis in Prevention and Acute Treatment of Stroke

Stroke is a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. The main cause of stroke is atherosclerosis, and the most common risk factor for atherosclerosis is hypertension. Therefore, antihypertensive treatments are recommended for the prevention of stroke. Three angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), telmisartan, irbesartan and candesartan, inhibit the expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), which is one of the pleiotropic effects of these drugs. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is the ligand of RAGE, and has been recently identified as a lethal mediator of severe sepsis. HMGB1 is an intracellular protein, which acts as an inflammatory cytokine when released into the extracellular milieu. Extracellular HMGB1 causes multiple organ failure and contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and stroke. This is the first review of the literature evaluating the potential of three ARBs for the HMGB1-RAGE axis on stroke therapy, including prevention and acute treatment. This review covers clinical and experimental studies conducted between 1976 and 2013. We propose that ARBs, which inhibit the HMGB1/RAGE axis, may offer a novel option for prevention and acute treatment of stroke. However, additional clinical studies are necessary to verify the efficacy of ARBs.     

Improvement of continuous‐wave terahertz imaging system for cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis

We have successfully achieved terahertz imaging of cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis of egg albumin using continuous‐wave imaging at 0.189 THz. A sample holder has been devised that can eliminate the membrane crook generated in the drying process after electrophoresis. A probe has been also fabricated, which was assembled with a Schottky barrier diode detector to detect the terahertz signal. A higher spatial resolution of 0.3 mm was achieved, which is 6.83 times the 2.05‐mm resolution without using the probe. Terahertz images of cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis of egg albumin of 2 µl was obtained, in which the positions of protein were perfectly in accordance with the stained images. The technology can be used instead of the staining method for cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Imaging the surface stress and vibration modes of a microcantilever by laser beam deflection microscopy

There is a need for noninvasive techniques for simultaneous imaging of the stress and vibration mode shapes of nanomechanical systems in the fields of scanning probe microscopy, nanomechanical biological and chemical sensors and the semiconductor industry. Here we show a novel technique that combines a scanning laser, the beam deflection method and digital multifrequency excitation and analysis for simultaneous imaging of the static out-of-plane displacement and the shape of five vibration modes of nanomechanical systems. The out-of-plane resolution is at least 100 pm Hz?1/2 and the lateral resolution, which is determined by the laser spot size, is 1-1.5 μm. The capability of the technique is demonstrated by imaging the residual surface stress of a microcantilever together with the shape of the first 22 vibration modes. The vibration behavior is compared with rigorous finite element simulations. The technique is suitable for major improvements in the imaging of liquids, such as higher bandwidth and enhanced spatial resolution.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in edible seafood by QuEChERS-based extraction and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A high-throughput analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in edible seafood using QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) based extraction and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was developed and validated in 4 seafood matrices--crab, finfish, oyster, and shrimp. The extraction employs QuEChERS with dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE) using cleanup sorbent that includes C18. The acetonitrile extract is partitioned into hexane and analyzed by GC-MS/MS. The procedure was validated by spike recovery experiments of 15 parent and 5 substituted PAHs at 5ppb and 25 ppb levels in the 4 matrices. Recoveries were 71%-130% with RSDs less than 14%. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for benzo[a]pyrene are 0.4-2.5 ppb depending on matrix. For all 15 parent PAHs the LOQs are less than 10% of the Levels of Concern established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Good recoveries were also achieved in aged spikes at 5 ppb level in oyster and shrimp. Method accuracy was further evaluated by analyzing NIST Standard Reference Material 1974b. Ten of 14 incurred PAHs corresponding to the parent compounds in the present study fell within the control limits established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Using the present method approximately 20 samples every 24 h can be analyzed with confirmation. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The presented analytical method could be used for seafood safety assessments to examine petroleum contaminant levels in edible seafood after an oil spill. The method is fast and sensitive.     

Mechanism of the combined anti-bacterial effect of green tea extract and NaCl against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7

The mechanism of the combined anti-bacterial effect of green tea extract (GTE) and NaCl against Staphylococcus aureus NBRC 13276 and Escherichia coli O157:H7 was investigated. After treatment for 1 h, GTE was more effective against S. aureus than E. coli O157:H7, and combined GTE/NaCl treatment caused greater cellular damage in S. aureus NBRC 13276, where it was bactericidal, than E. coli O157:H7. Compared to treatment with 1.0 mg/mL GTE, which had no effect on the survival rate of E. coli O157:H7 after 48 h, treatment with 4% NaCl alone caused greater cellular damage. Moreover, bacteria pretreated with NaCl showed delayed growth in the presence of GTE. It is therefore likely that susceptibility of E. coli O157:H7 to GTE was increased by exposure to NaCl. E. coli O157:H7 pretreated with GTE and NaCl did not multiply in the presence of GTE. Visualization of the catechin components of GTE-treated bacteria using an electron microscope and SDS-PAGE analysis of cell proteins showed that GTE attached to proteins on the surface of the bacteria to form high-molecular weight complexes, suggesting the possibility that GTE inhibits the uptake and secretion of substrates and inhibits enzyme activity. Notably, after the GTE treatment for 1 h, both bacterial strains suffered injury but recovered by cultivation in rich medium. The damage and aggregation of proteins caused by GTE treatment were repaired upon treatment with LP diluent.