Sorption of aurocyanide and tetrachloroaurate onto resin with guanidine ligand—an XPS approach

The guanidine ligand attached to vinylbenzyl chloride matrix as well as its sorption ability to tetrachloroaurate and dicyanoaurate ions were investigated upon using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The form of metallic gold, Au(0), was not observed on gold loaded resin surface when solutions of tetrachloroaurate or potassium dicyanoaurate were used. Complete elution of gold was achieved for both regeneration media: thiourea solution and mixture of sodium hydroxide and benzoate. The results demonstrate that XPS can also be a powerful technique for the analysis of the oxidation state of sorbed metal and can be a suitable method for the confirmation of functional groups incorporated in the polymer.     

The effect of methods of introducing acrylic emulsions grafted with acetoacetyl groups on the properties of particleboards

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of compounds, either spread on particles or added to the resin, which contain various numbers of acetoacetyl groups in terms of their effect on formaldehyde content and the physical and mechanical properties of particleboards glued with the urea‐formaldehyde (UF) resin. The produced particleboards were subjected to the following European Standards standard tests: internal bond, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, swelling in thickness after 24 h of soaking in water, and the content of formaldehyde. Results of the study make it possible to state that both the spreading of the acrylic emulsions containing acetoacetyl groups on the particles before gluing and the adding of them to the UF resin result in a decrease of formaldehyde content and improvement of physical and mechanical properties of particleboards. Boards with better properties were obtained in the case when emulsions containing acetoacetyl groups were spread directly on the surface of particles. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2256–2264, 2004     

Charge‐Separation Dynamics in Inorganic–Organic Ternary Blends for Efficient Infrared Photodiodes

Knowledge about the working mechanism of the PbS:P3HT:PCBM [P3HT=poly(3‐hexylthiophene), PCBM=[6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁ ‐butyric acid methyl ester] hybrid blend used for efficient near‐infrared photodiodes is obtained from time‐resolved photoluminescence (PL) studies. To understand the role of each component in the heterojunction, the PL dynamics of the ternary (PbS:P3HT:PCBM) blend and the binary (PbS:P3HT, PbS:PCBM and P3HT:PCBM) blends are compared with the PL of the pristine PbS nanocrystals (NCs) and P3HT. In the ternary blend the efficiency of the charge transfer is significantly enhanced compared to the one of PbS:P3HT and PbS:PCBM blends, indicating that both hole and electron transfer from excited NCs to the polymer and fullerene occur. The hole transfer towards the P3HT determines the equilibration of their population in the NCs after the electron transfer towards PCBM, allowing their re‐excitation and new charge transfer process.     

Analysis of neurophysiological reactions to advertising stimuli by means of EEG and galvanic skin response measures.

This article demonstrates how marketing may benefit from neurophysiology. The authors discuss a particular research case concerning the analysis of a skin care product advertisement. Pretests of 2 versions of this TV ad revealed that, although the versions were almost identical, each of them generated significantly different impact. Their influence was assessed using both cognitive measures (benefits and key benefits recall) and behavioral measures (shelf test). The only difference between these 2 versions of the ad was in a single scene that contained a particular gesture by a female model. Of note, the gesture appeared to enhance the effectiveness of the ad. The authors tested whether neurophysiological measures can capture differences in consumer reactions to slightly different marketing stimuli. Indeed, by using electroencephalography and electromyography and by monitoring skin conductance, the authors were able to register significant differences in neurophysiological reactions to an altered scene, even though the difference was not consciously seen. The authors believe that neurophysiological measures soon will be widely acknowledged and used as a complimentary method in classical marketing research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Antioxidative and reducing capacity,macroelements content and sensorial properties of buckwheat‐enhanced gluten‐free bread

Common buckwheat flour (BF) was used to substitute 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of corn starch, the main component of a gluten‐free bread formula, to make buckwheat‐enhanced gluten‐free breads. The 40% BF‐enhanced gluten‐free bread showed the highest antioxidant capacity against ABTS⁺˙ and DPPH˙ radicals (4.1 and 2.5 μmol Trolox g^?1 DM, respectively) and reducing capacity measured by cyclic voltammetry (1.5 μmol Trolox g^?1 DM). The antioxidant and reducing capacity of buckwheat‐enhanced gluten‐free breads were positively correlated with their total phenolic contents (r = 0.97). The 40% BF‐enhanced gluten‐free bread showed the highest overall sensory quality (7.1 units) when compared to control gluten‐free bread (1.8 units). The linear relationship between applied increasing BF doses in gluten‐free bread formula and magnesium, phosphorus and potassium content in breads was noted. It was concluded that 40% BF‐enhanced gluten‐free bread could be developed and dedicated to those people suffering from coeliac disease.     

EFFECT OF PRETREATMENT ON KINETICS OF CONVECTION DRYING OF ONION

Onion of two varieties, i.e. Oporto and Blonska was dried by convection at 60°C and 2 m/s. Prior to drying sliced onion was subjected to following treatments: soaking in water, dipping in starch solution, dipping in starch solution supplemented either with ascorbic acid or CaCl₂, and dewatering by osmosis in sucrose solution. Drying of raw onion was taken as a reference.

It has been found that both variety and pretreatment affect the course and rate of drying. Soaking in water and dipping in starch solution either increase rate of drying or have no effect on the kinetics of the process. Supplementing the starch solution with ascorbic acid or CaCl₂ adversely affects the rate of drying. Unfavorable effect on the rate of drying has also osmotic dewatering preceding convective drying.     

The Role of NLRP1, NLRP3, and AIM2 Inflammasomes in Psoriasis: Review

Inflammasomes are high-molecular-weight protein complexes that may cleave the two main proinflammatory cytokines, pro-interleukin-1β and pro-interleukin-18, into active forms, and contribute to psoriasis. Despite recent advances made in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, mainly studied as an autoimmune condition, activation of immune response triggers of psoriasis is still not completely understood. Recently, focus was placed on the role of inflammasomes in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Multiple types of inhibitors and activators of various inflammasomes, inflammasome-related genes, and genetic susceptibility loci were recognized in psoriasis. In this systemic review, we collect recent and comprehensive evidence from the inflammasomes, NLRP1, NLRP3, and AIM2, in pathogenesis of psoriasis.     

Ion exchange kinetics in removal of small ions. Effect of salt concentration on inter- and intraparticle diffusion

Kinetics of ion removal from wastewaters by ion exchange on a commercial synthetic zeolite has been investigated. Dynamic breakthrough profiles have been registered and exploited to determine ion exchange equilibria and mass transport resistances.A simplified dynamic model based on the equation of solid-film driving force has been employed to determine coefficients of mass transport kinetics in the presence of different solutions of regenerating salt. Two diffusional resistances have been found to govern the mass transport kinetics: interparticle diffusion (external film diffusion) and the solid phase diffusion within micropores of the zeolite crystals. At low solution concentration interparticle mass transfer was dominant in the mass transport mechanism, whereas solid phase diffusion dominated at higher concentration. The influence of the salt concentration on mass transfer kinetics has been analyzed using the Nernst-Planck and the Maxwell-Stefan models.The kinetic and isotherm coefficients determined were used to simulate the cyclic process of ion removal: ion exchange and the column regeneration.To verify analysis a generalized dynamic model has been used accounting for directly all the diffusion resistances.     

Silver nanoparticles deposited on polysiloxane networks as active catalysts in dye degradation

The article proposes a new method of obtaining silver nanoparticles on polysiloxane networks using the reducing properties of Si–H groups. Three types of networks with different architecture and distribution of Si–H groups were studied as reducing agents for silver ions and as matrices for the obtained silver nanoparticles. As established by FTIR spectroscopic studies, the redox reaction between Ag⁺ ions from the silver heptafluorobutyrate solution in toluene and Si–H groups of the networks occurred, which resulted in the appearance of silver nanoparticles in the systems. The amount of metal introduced into individual polysiloxane networks is closely related to the consumption of Si–H groups in them. The type of polysiloxane networks used affects the size of Ag NPs obtained and their distribution on the carrier. Polysiloxane-Ag systems are observed to be an effective catalyst on reduction of hazardous dye like methyl red, which is confirmed by a decrease in absorbance maximum values.