Design,Synthesis, and Evaluation of ω‐(Isothiocyanato)alkylphosphinates and Phosphine Oxides as Antiproliferative Agents

A series of 21 novel, structurally diverse ω‐(isothiocyanato)alkylphosphinates and phosphine oxides (ITCs) were designed and synthesized in moderate to good yields. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vitro antiproliferative activity using LoVo and LoVo/DX cancer cell lines. The biological activity of the synthesized compounds was higher than that of natural isothiocyanates such as benzyl isothiocyanate or sulforaphane. The antiproliferative activity of selected ITCs was also tested on selected cancer cell lines: A549, MESSA and MESSA/DX‐5, HL60 and HL60MX2, BALB/3T3, and 4T1. These compounds were assessed for their mechanism of action as inducers of cell‐cycle arrest and apoptosis. Ethyl (6‐isothiocyanatohexyl)(phenyl)phosphinate ( 71 ) was tested in vivo on the 4T1 cell line and demonstrated moderate antitumor activity, similar to that benzyl isothiocyanate and cyclophosphamide.     

Melt fracture and rheology of linear low density polyethylene ‐ calcium carbonate composites

Rheological behavior and melt fracture of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) composites were investigated. Two types of commercial inorganic fillers were used, unmodified and modified with stearic acid. Rheological capillary studies were conducted to assess the influence of inorganic filler incorporation as well as chemical treatment on the rheological properties and instability sequence of polyethylene‐based composites. Strong suppression of melt flow instabilities was observed for both types of composites. Mooney analysis was applied to examine the influence of mineral filler addition and stearic acid modification on the wall slip. Moreover, chemical treatment of calcium carbonate allows to obtain better dispersion of the inorganic filler in a polymeric matrix. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:998–1004, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Diagnosis of early-stage damage to polymer - glass fibre composites using non-contact measurement of vibration signals

Ensuring reliable operation of the means of transport requires the development of methods for early detection of damage to its components made of composite materials. For diagnostic testing of composite materials during normal operation of the means of transport, the authors propose to use non-contact vibration measurement methods and their subsequent processing and analysis. The paper presents the results of laboratory tests whose aim was to assess the ability to detect early symptoms of damage to composite materials using non-contact vibration measurement methods. The measurements included mechanical curves of the glass composite samples made in a conventional manner and simultaneously their vibrations were measured in a non-contact manner using a laser vibrometer. Continuous wavelet transform was used for processing vibration signals. Calculated time-frequency scale distributions of vibration signals enabled the designation of frequency scale bands in which early, low-energy symptoms of damage to glass composites are observed. The analysis results allow to draw conclusions that the use of non-contact measurements and processing of vibration signals extends the existing range of composites research and enables detection of early, low-energy symptoms of damage to glass fibre reinforced composites.     

Interferometric generation of parametrically shaped polarization pulses

We demonstrate the capabilities of the recently introduced interferometric parallel pulse shaper setup and present a method for fully tailoring the three-dimensional electrical field of femtosecond laser pulses. The possibility of producing parametric polarization pulses with arbitrary orientations and ellipticities in time is demonstrated with a selection of example pulses.     

Spherical Silica Functionalized by 2-Naphthalene Methanol Luminophores as a Phosphorescence Sensor

Photoluminescence is known to have huge potential for applications in studying biological systems. In that respect, phosphorescent dye molecules open the possibility to study the local slow solvent dynamics close to hard and soft surfaces and interfaces using the triplet state (TSD: triplet state solvation dynamics). However, for that purpose, probe molecules with efficient phosphorescence features are required with a fixed location on the surface. In this article, a potential TSD probe is presented in the form of a nanocomposite: we synthesize spherical silica particles with 2-naphthalene methanol molecules attached to the surface with a predefined surface density. The synthesis procedure is described in detail, and the obtained materials are characterized employing transmission electron microscopy imaging, Raman, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Finally, TSD experiments are carried out in order to confirm the phosphorescence properties of the obtained materials and the route to develop phosphorescent sensors at silica surfaces based on the presented results is discussed.     

A New Mechanism of the Selective Photodegradation of Antibiotics in the Catalytic System Containing TiO2 and the Inorganic Cations

The mechanism of sulfisoxazole (SFF) selective removal by photocatalysis in the presence of titanium (IV) oxide (TiO₂) and iron (III) chloride (FeCl₃) was explained and the kinetics and degradation pathways of SFF and other antibiotics were compared. The effects of selected inorganic ions, oxygen conditions, pH, sorption processes and formation of coordination compounds on the photocatalytic process in the presence of TiO₂ were also determined. The Fe³⁺ compounds added to the irradiated sulfonamide (SN) solution underwent surface sorption on TiO₂ particles and act as acceptors of excited electrons. Most likely, the SFF degradation is also intensified by organic radicals or cation organic radicals. These radicals can be initially generated by reaction with electron holes, hydroxyl radicals and as a result of electron transfer mediated by iron ions and then participate in propagation processes. The high sensitivity of SFF to decomposition caused by organic radicals is associated with the steric effect and the high bond polarity of the amide substituent.     

Lecane tenuiseta rotifers improves activated sludge settleability in laboratory scale SBR system at 13°C and 20°C

Two experiments at different temperatures were conducted in five laboratory‐scale bioreactors with enhanced nutrient removal simulating the work of sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). The process was operated in three 8‐hour cycles. The oxygen concentration, pH and temperature were controlled and maintained at 1 mg of O₂/L, 7 and 13°C, respectively, throughout the first two weeks and at 20°C for the next 10 days. The introduction of Lecane tenuiseta improved the settling properties of the activated sludge dominated by Microthrix parvicella at both temperatures tested. L. tenuiseta rotifers led to a reduction in filamentous bacteria abundance and did not negatively affect the chemical parameters of the effluent. For each temperature, there were no differences in COD, N_tot, N‐NH₄ or P‐PO₄ values between the treatment and control bioreactors. The results have shown that the application of L. tenuiseta is a promising biological tool for bulking prevention especially in a cold season.     

Evaluation of AlGaN/GaN heterostructures properties by QMSA and AFM techniques

Atomic force microscopy and Quantitative Mobility Spectrum Analysis (QMSA) were applied for characterization and evaluation of the quality of AlGaN/GaN heterostructures. The structural uniformity, growth mode and electrical properties of the heterostructures were determined. The obtained results indicated that the time of growth of the low temperature GaN nucleation layer influenced the morphology and electrical properties of the AlGaN/GaN heterostructure.