Modular process for the flexible synthesis of magnetic beads—Process and product validation

Here we present a modular process for the flexible production of magnetic beads with variable magnetic properties and anion or cation exchanger functionalities. Magnetic beads are used in bio‐separations and downstream processing to remove a valuable substance from e.g., a fermentation broth (Magnetic Fishing). The magnetic beads we are presenting here consist of a composite material, containing nanoscale magnetite and ion exchanger particles which are embedded into a polymer matrix. With this composite concept, anion and cation exchanger properties are available in magnetic beads with different matrix polymers (PVB, PVA, PMMA, and PVAc). The content of magnetite was varied in a range between 0 and 40 wt %, ion exchanger particles between 0 and 60 wt % and the matrix polymer between 20 and 60 wt %. The magnetic bead characteristics, which determine the application properties, are shown. Thermo gravimetrical analyses, FTIR spectra and measurements of the ion exchange capacity prove the different properties in respect to the magnetic beads composition. In an adsorption experiment, it was possible to achieve a maximum capacity of 270 mg/g for β‐galactosidase with PVB‐beads. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Separation of trace level hafnium from tungsten: a step toward solving an astronomical puzzle

182Hf (T(1/2) = 9 x 10(6) y) is believed to be formed by pure r-process during a supernova explosion, and therefore, the search for minute traces of 182Hf in the earth's crust is of great interest. Only accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is well suited for detecting such low levels of 182Hf. But any attempt to measure 182Hf by AMS must ensure that the sample is free from its naturally occurring stable isobar 182W. A simple method for separation of tungsten and hafnium has been developed using radiometric simulation followed by checking the decontamination of tungsten from Hf in a synthetic sample by AMS. The separation studies were performed by a liquid-liquid extraction technique using tri-n-octylamine (TOA) as the organic reagent. It has been found that a very high separation factor (1.6 x 10(6)) can be achieved when 0.3 M TOA diluted in cyclohexane is used as the organic phase and 6 M HCl (in the presence of small amount of H2O2) is used as the aqueous phase.     

Nanotechnologie im Bauwesen

Nanotechnology in Construction Engineering In general, nanotechnology comprises the development, production and application of materials yielding novel functionalities and performances. In the construction industry and materials research nanotechnology can be utilized for a variety of areas of application, such as the optimisation of material properties, the prevention of damages and the implementation of new functionalities. This article gives an overview of areas in the construction sector where nanotechnology gains prominently of significance, such as cementitious binders, façades, windows and glazing, fire protection, interior decoration and infrastructure buildings. Furthermore, actual scientific research activities in the field of building materials on a nano‐scale performed by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Berlin are being presented. The research activities relate to the modification of hydrate phases in ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) and to the enhancement of performance of anti‐graffiti‐systems.     

Determination of the botanical origin of honey by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy: an approach for routine analysis

Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy has been established for analysing most of the physical–chemical parameters of honey. Additionally this technique can be used for determination of the botanical origin of a honey sample by comparison of the mid-infrared spectra. In this study calibrations for authentification of the main regional honey types should be developed to be able to measure simultaneously physical–chemical properties and the botanical origin at a minimum of time and at low costs. Honey samples from local beekeepers were collected and characterized by standard methods. The most common honey types were used for calibration. We recorded the mid infrared spectrum from each honey sample. Classification models were achieved by PCA-calibration and validated with samples from various botanical origins. Honey of Brassica spp., Robinia pseudoacacia, Calluna vulgaris, Trifolium spp., Tilia spp., Helianthus annuus, Centaurea cyanus and honeydew honey was used for calibration. Afterwards the calibration models were improved during routine analysis. Most of the honey samples from rape, false acacia, heather and honeydew can be classified correctly by the FTIR in consideration of the physical–chemical and sensorial properties.     

Internal doses of acrylamide and glycidamide in mice fed diets with low acrylamide contents

The formation of acrylamide during heating of certain foodstuffs constitutes a potential health hazard. The health risk assessment should be based on knowledge about the relation between dietary exposure to acrylamide and internal doses of acrylamide and its genotoxic metabolite glycidamide. The primary aim of this study in mice was to measure these relationships at low levels of acrylamide intake through the diet. A secondary aim was to clarify which extraction method should be used when analyzing acrylamide in food in order to obtain a correct measure of the acrylamide that is available for absorption. In the analysis procedure, alkaline extraction has earlier shown much higher measured acrylamide levels in certain foods compared to water extraction. In this subcronic study the administered diets were composed to give five levels of acrylamide intakes between 3 and 50 mug/kg body weight per day (calculated on figures obtained after water extraction). Internal doses of acrylamide and glycidamide were measured through hemoglobin (Hb)-adducts. The results showed linear relationships between the exposure of acrylamide and Hb-adduct levels from both acrylamide and glycidamide at these low exposure levels. The study also showed that the "extra" acrylamide measured with alkaline extraction does not correspond to bioavailable acrylamide.     

Macromolecular Crowding Tunes Protein Stability by Manipulating Solvent Accessibility

In all intracellular processes, protein structure and dynamics are subject to the influence of macromolecular crowding (MC). Here, the impact of MC agents of different types and sizes on the model protein Bacillus subtilis Cold shock protein B (BsCspB) during both thermal and chemical denaturation have been comprehensively investigated. We consistently reveal a distinct stabilization of BsCspB in a manner dependent on the MC concentration but not on viscosity, polarity, or size of the MC agent used. This general stabilization has been decoded by use of NMR spectroscopy, through monitoring of chemical shift (CS) perturbations and the intramolecular hydrogen-bonding networks, as well as local protection of amide protons against exchange with solvent protons. Whereas CSs and hydrogen-bonding networks are not systematically affected in the presence of MC, we detected a pronounced reduction in exchange in loop regions of BsCspB. We conclude that this reduced accessibility of solvent protons is a key parameter for the increases in protein stability seen under MC.     

Towards artificial intelligence at scale in the chemical industry

In the Industry 4.0 era, the chemical industry is embracing broad adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methods. This article provides a holistic view of how the industry is transforming digitally towards AI at scale. First, a historical perspective on how the industry used AI to aid humans in better decision-making is shown. Then state-of-the-art AI research addressing industrial needs on reliability and safety, process optimization, supply chain, material discovery, and reaction engineering is highlighted. Finally, a vision of the plant of the future is illustrated with critical components of AI-ready culture, model life cycle management, and renewed role of humans in chemical manufacturing.     

Isolate-Specific Effect of Entomopathogenic Endophytic Fungi on Population Growth of Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) and Levels of Steroidal Glycoalkaloids in Tomato

Journal of Chemical Ecology - Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) can be experimentally established in several plant species as endophytes. Ecological effects of EPF inoculations on plant growth and...     

Comparative Analysis of Platelet-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Using Flow Cytometry and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis

Growing interest in extracellular vesicles (EVs) has prompted the advancements of protocols for improved EV characterization. As a high-throughput, multi-parameter, and single particle technique, flow cytometry is widely used for EV characterization. The comparison of data on EV concentration, however, is hindered by the lack of standardization between different protocols and instruments. Here, we quantified EV counts of platelet-derived EVs, using two flow cytometers (Gallios and CytoFLEX LX) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Phosphatidylserine-exposing EVs were identified by labelling with lactadherin (LA). Calibration with silica-based fluorescent beads showed detection limits of 300 nm and 150 nm for Gallios and CytoFLEX LX, respectively. Accordingly, CytoFLEX LX yielded 40-fold higher EV counts and 13-fold higher counts of LA⁺CD41⁺ EVs compared to Gallios. NTA in fluorescence mode (F-NTA) demonstrated that only 9.5% of all vesicles detected in scatter mode exposed phosphatidylserine, resulting in good agreement of LA⁺ EVs for CytoFLEX LX and F-NTA. Since certain functional characteristics, such as the exposure of pro-coagulant phosphatidylserine, are not equally displayed across the entire EV size range, our study highlights the necessity of indicating the size range of EVs detected with a given approach along with the EV concentration to support the comparability between different studies.