Photoinitiating free‐radical polymerization electron‐transfer pairs applying amino acids and sulfur‐containing amino acids as electron donors

A series of free‐radical polymerization initiation systems, based on xanthene dyes as the absorbing chromophores [Rose bengal derivative, 3‐(3‐methylbutoxy)‐5,7‐diiodo‐6‐fluorone and 3‐acetoxy‐2,4,5,7‐tetraiodo‐6‐fluorone] and sulfur‐containing amino acids as the electron donors, were investigated. The photoredox pair xanthene dye/sulfur‐containing amino acid was effectively used for photoinitiation of free‐radical polymerization of the mixture composed of poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate–1% NH₄OH (3 : 1). The highest initiating efficiencies were observed for the system composed of methionine derivatives as the electron donor. The mechanism of photoinduced electron transfer between sulfur‐containing amino acids and triplet state of xanthene dye was investigated using laser‐flash and steady‐state photolysis techniques. Based on photochemistry of xanthene dyes, photochemistry of sulfur‐containing amino acids, and obtained results, the mechanism describing the major processes occurring during the photoinitiated polymerization by a photoinduced intermolecular electron‐transfer process was postulated. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 358–365, 2005     

Sewage sludge stabilisation with calcium hydroxide: effect on physicochemical properties and molecular composition

Raw primary sewage sludge (Wastewater Treatment Plant of Krotoszyn, SW Poland) and its mixtures with 3%d, 6%d, 9%d, 12%d and 24%d of calcium hydroxide were stabilised for 1 and 35 days. Changes of the sludge physicochemical properties and molecular composition, caused by alkaline agent in course of stabilisation process, are recognised. A basic physicochemical data on the sludge cake and filtrate after 1 and 35 days of stabilisation process are given. Soxhlet extracts from the sludge cakes stabilised for 35 days as well pyrolysis and pyrolysis in situ methylation (using tetramethylammonium hydroxide-TMAH) products of respective pre-extracted cake residues were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Increase of calcium hydroxide concentration in the sludge mixture causes enhanced ammonia release, preferential hydrolyses of fats and proteins from the sludge macromolecular network and transformation of free fatty acids contained in the sludge lipids, as well as these released hydrolytically, to their calcium salts. The sewage sludge stabilisation with calcium hydroxide has no effect on homological assemblage and content of unbound stanol and sterol compounds in the sludge lipids and these bound into macromolecular network. Biogenic n-alkanes and anthropogenic linear alkylbenzenes were detected as minor components in the lipids and pyrolytic products from the pre-extracted cake residue, respectively. The alkaline agent used for the sludge stabilisation accelerates equilibration of the process and reduces content of pathogenic microorganisms.     

Stability,sensory quality,texture properties and nutritional value of fish oil‐enriched spreadable fat. Wojciech Kolanowski,Franciszek Swiderski,Danuta Jaworska,Stanislaw Berger Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 84(15):2135–2141 (2004) DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.1770 (published online 3 August 2004)

The original article to which this Correction refers was published in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 84(15):2135–2141 (2004) DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.1770 (published online 3 August 2004)     

The influence of grinding process on forced vibration damping in headstock of grinding wheel of cylindrical grinder

The paper describes theoretical analysis of dynamics of system: machine–tool–workpiece for cylindrical plunge grinding. The functional as well as mathematical model of grinder equipped with hydrostatic bearing of grinding wheel spindle and hydrostatic slideways has been presented in the paper. Simulations based on that model allow qualitative investigation of grinding force characteristics and its influence on forced vibrations in grinder. Results of simulation supported the thesis, that grinding force significantly influences the forced vibration damping of headstock of grinding wheel.     

Study of the chemical and morphological evolution of InSb(001) surface under low energy ion bombardment

InSb(001) surfaces were subjected to 4 keV Ar⁺ bombardment at oblique angles of incidence with ion fluences in the range of 9.0 × 10¹³-6.2 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm². The evolution of bombardment induced surface structures and their chemical composition were studied with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) in UHV, and “ex situ” with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Various morphological features, such as small dots, wires and for very high ion fluence ripple-like structures were observed. It was found that both the initial surface crystallographic structure and the ion beam direction influence the developing anisotropic nanostructures on the irradiated surface. It was also found that the time evolution of the nanostructured surface in terms of surface roughness σ, follows a power law σ ∼ t^β. The surface nanostructures (dots and wires), at every stage of their development, are found to have different work functions in comparison to the surrounding InSb substrate. The results indicate that the nanostructures developed on the irradiated InSb surfaces consist of indium.     

New multiblock terpoly(ester-ether-amide) thermoplastic elastomers

A new block terpolymer of poly(tetramethylene terephthalate)-block-poly(oxytetramethylene)-block-polydodecanelactam with potential application as elastomers have been obtained by melt polycondensation of α,ω-dihydroxypoly(butylene terephthalate), α,ω-dihydroxypoly(oxytetramethylene) (M_n ≈ 1000) and α,ω-dicarboxyoligo(dodecanelactam) (M_n ≈ 2000). The synthesis and some physical and chemical properties of this block poly(ester-ether-amide) thermoplastic elastomer is presented. A variety of different methods was used to study the phase structure, thermal and relaxational properties.     

Non‐contact Atomic Force Microscopy of Starch Granules Surface. Part II. Selected Cereal Starches

Atomic Force Microscopy (non‐contact method) was used to examine the surface of starch granules of selected cereals. Depressions which might be typical surface pores or ends of penetrating channels were observed in case of all examined granules. The size and shape of these depressions depended on the botanical origin of the starch. Regions of relatively flat surface without visible structures, pores and protrusions could be detected on the granules studied.     

Metabolic Characteristics of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Patients and the Role of Microelements and Diet in the Disease Management—An Overview

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is the most common autoimmune disease and the leading cause of hypothyroidism, in which damage to the thyroid gland occurs due to the infiltration of lymphocytes. It is characterized by increased levels of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin. In this review, we present the metabolic profile, the effectiveness of micronutrient supplementation and the impact of dietary management in patients with HT. For this current literature review, the databases PubMed, Cochrane, Medline and Embase were reviewed from the last ten years until March 2022. This article provides a comprehensive overview of recent randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and clinical trials. Many patients with HT, even in the euthyroid state, have excess body weight, metabolic disorders, and reduced quality of life. Due to frequent concomitant nutritional deficiencies, the role of vitamin D, iodine, selenium, magnesium, iron and vitamin B12 is currently debated. Several studies have underlined the benefits of vitamin D and selenium supplementation. There is still no specific diet recommended for patients with HT, but a protective effect of an anti-inflammatory diet rich in vitamins and minerals and low in animal foods has been suggested. There is insufficient evidence to support a gluten-free diet for all HT patients. Pharmacotherapy, along with appropriate nutrition and supplementation, are important elements of medical care for patients with HT. The abovementioned factors may decrease autoantibody levels, improve thyroid function, slow down the inflammatory process, maintain proper body weight, relieve symptoms, and prevent nutritional deficiencies and the development of metabolic disorders in patients with HT.