Corrosion protection properties of hydroxamic acid self-assembled monolayer on carbon steel

Self assembled monolayers (SAMs) of hydroxamic acids CH₃(CH₂)_nCONHOH with different alkyl length were formed on the carbon steel electrode surface. The corrosion protection properties of the monolayers were examined and characterized by electrochemical polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements. XPS results showed that the hydroxamic acid molecules adsorbed on the carbon steel surface, and the contact angle values on the modified surface supported the formation of hydrophobic hydroxamic acid SAMs. The results of electrochemical studies showed that the values of the corrosion potential shift towards the positive direction, and anodic currents of the carbon steel dissolution significantly decreases, indicating that hydroxamic acids are anodic inhibitors. However, the chain length and assembling time influence the protection efficiency.     

What We Want Is in That Room

Ilona Gaynor and Benedict Singleton , founding partners of design and research studio The Department of No, look beyond the specific technological possibilities of acute accuracy and explore the principle of zero tolerance as an aesthetic of precision. How is such an aesthetic at work when an architectural strategy places a heightened emphasis on the exact placement of objects in space and time? Could the precision in which a single spatial intervention is pursued have more fundamental and far-reaching consequences than we ever imagined?     

Impact of Porcine Pancreas Decellularization Conditions on the Quality of Obtained dECM

Due to the limited number of organ donors, 3D printing of organs is a promising technique. Tissue engineering is increasingly using xenogeneic material for this purpose. This study was aimed at assessing the safety of decellularized porcine pancreas, together with the analysis of the risk of an undesirable immune response. We tested eight variants of the decellularization process. We determined the following impacts: rinsing agents (PBS/NH₃·H₂O), temperature conditions (4 °C/24 °C), and the grinding method of native material (ground/cut). To assess the quality of the extracellular matrix after the completed decellularization process, analyses of the following were performed: DNA concentration, fat content, microscopic evaluation, proteolysis, material cytotoxicity, and most importantly, the Triton X-100 content. Our analyses showed that we obtained a product with an extremely low detergent content with negligible residual DNA content. The obtained results confirmed the performed histological and immuno-fluorescence staining. Moreover, the TEM microscopic analysis proved that the correct collagen structure was preserved after the decellularization process. Based on the obtained results, we chose the most favorable variant in terms of quality and biology. The method we chose is an effective and safe method that gives a chance for the development of transplant and regenerative medicine.     

Chrysin,Apigenin and Acacetin Inhibit Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis—Inducing Ligand Receptor-1 (TRAIL-R1) on Activated RAW264.7 Macrophages

Expression level of Tumor Necrosis Factor—related apoptosis—inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptors is one of the most important factors of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells. We here report for the first time data concerning TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2 receptor expression on RAW264.7 macrophages. Three substances belonging to flavones: chrysin, apigenin and acacetin which differ from their substituents at the 4'' position in the phenyl ring were used in assays because of the variety of biological activities (e.g., anticancer activity) of the polyphenol compounds. The expression of TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2 death receptors on non-stimulated and LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-stimulated macrophages was determined using flow cytometry. We demonstrate that RAW264.7 macrophages exhibit TRAIL-R1 surface expression and that the tested compounds: chrysin, apigenin and acacetin can inhibit TRAIL-R1 death receptor expression level on macrophages.     

Gas‐phase removal of indoor volatile organic compounds and airborne microorganisms over mono‐ and bimetal‐modified (Pt,Cu, Ag) titanium(IV) oxide nanocomposites

The photocatalytic deactivation of volatile organic compounds and mold fungi using TiO₂ modified with mono‐ and bimetallic (Pt, Cu, Ag) particles is reported in this study. The mono‐ and bimetal‐modified (Pt, Cu, Ag) titanium(IV) oxide photocatalysts were prepared by chemical reduction method and characterized using XRD, XPS, DR/UV‐Vis, BET, and TEM analysis. The effect of incident light, type and content of mono‐ and bimetallic nanoparticles deposited on titanium(IV) oxide was studied. Photocatalytic activity of as‐prepared nanocomposites was examined in the gas phase using LEDs array. High photocatalytic activity of Ag/Pt‐TiO₂ and Cu/Pt‐TiO₂ in the reaction of toluene degradation resulted from improved efficiency of interfacial charge transfer process, which was consistent with the fluorescence quenching effect revealed by photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra. The photocatalytic deactivation of Penicillium chrysogenum, a pathogenic fungi present in the indoor environment, especially in a damp or water‐damaged building using mono‐ and bimetal‐modified (Pt, Cu, Ag) titanium(IV) oxide was evaluated for the first time. TiO₂ modified with mono‐ and bimetallic NPs of Ag/Pt, Cu, and Ag deposited on TiO₂ exhibited improved fungicidal activity under LEDs illumination than pure TiO₂.     

Removal of Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Ag(I) and Cr(VI) present in aqueous solutions by aluminium electrocoagulation

The performance of an electrocoagulation system with aluminium electrodes for removing heavy metal ions (Zn2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Ag+, Cr2O7(2-)) on laboratory scale was studied systematically. Several parameters - such as initial metal concentration, numbers of metals present, charge loading and current density - and their influence on the electrocoagulation process were investigated. Initial concentrations from 50 to 5000 mg L(-1) Zn, Cu, Ni and Ag did not influence the removal rates, whereas higher initial concentrations caused higher removal rates of Cr. Increasing the current density accelerated the electrocoagulation process but made it less efficient. Zn, Cu and Ni showed similar removal rates indicating a uniform electrochemical behavior. The study gave indications on the removal mechanisms of the investigated metals. Zn, Cu, Ni and Ag ions are hydrolyzed and co-precipitated as hydroxides. Cr(VI) was proposed to be reduced first to Cr(III) at the cathode before precipitating as hydroxide.     

Inhibition of influenza virus infection by multivalent sialic-acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles

An efficient synthesis of sialic-acid-terminated glycerol dendron to chemically functionalize 2 nm and 14 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is described. These nanoparticles are highly stable and show high activity towards the inhibition of influenza virus infection. As the binding of the viral fusion protein hemagglutinin to the host cell surface is mediated by sialic acid receptors, a multivalent interaction with sialic-acid-functionalized AuNPs is expected to competitively inhibit viral infection. Electron microscopy techniques and biochemical analysis show a high binding affinity of the 14 nm AuNPs to hemagglutinin on the virus surface and, less efficiently, to isolated hemagglutinin. The functionalized AuNPs are nontoxic to the cells under the conditions studied. This approach allows a new type of molecular-imaging activity-correlation and is of particular relevance for further application in alternative antiviral therapy.     

Multipass cold drawing of magnesium alloy minitubes for biodegradable vascular stents

Magnesium alloys possess highly limited room-temperature formabilities. This presents a technological barrier to the fabrication of minitubes for biodegradable vascular stents. The research was aimed at developing precision forming technology to fabricate ZM21 magnesium alloy minitubes with a refined microstructure. A multipass cold drawing process with a moving mandrel was successfully developed to convert seamless hollow billets through five passes of cold drawing and an interpass annealing treatment into minitubes with an outside diameter of 2.9 mm and a wall thickness of 0.217 mm, ready for laser cutting into vascular stents. It was found that a cumulative reduction in cross-section area as much as 32% could be applied to the material without causing fracture. However, a further reduction in cross-section area required annealing at 300 °C for 1 h to change a twinned microstructure into a recrystallized grain structure and to regain formability. The interpass annealing treatment after the fourth pass led to a reduction in drawing force by 22%, in comparison with the drawing force at the fourth pass of drawing. The variations in the outside diameter and wall thickness of the minitubes could be kept within 5 and 12 μm, respectively. Further research is directed toward improvements in dimensional precisions.     

Structure,mechanical and corrosion properties of extruded Mg-Nd-Zn,Mg-Y-Zn and Mg-Y-Nd alloys

Rare earth elements are known to improve both mechanical and corrosion properties. However, it highly depends on the final microstructure conditions of prepared material. During extrusion, intermetallic phases may be redistributed, partially dissolved or on the contrary, precipitated. The knowledge of the impact of extrusion on the individual alloys is therefore essential for their application. In this work, three magnesium alloys (Mg-4Y-3RE, Mg-2Y-1Zn, Mg-3Nd-0.5Zn) were prepared by an extrusion process. Microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties were compared with extruded pure Mg. The advantages and disadvantages of individual alloys are discussed. Based on the obtained results, the Mg-4Y-3RE alloy seems to exert the best mechanical and corrosion properties. Other materials were characterised with anisotropy of mechanical properties and much higher corrosion rate.