Optimization and design of alkaline pulping of rapeseed (Brassica napus) stalks

Rapeseed (Brassica napus) stalks are agricultural wastes generated in important quantities as a result of rapeseed cultivation valued for edible vegetable oil or biodiesel production. This study examines the potential of using rapeseed stalks as raw material in pulp production. The obtained results pointed out to the suitability of these agricultural wastes for pulping to papermaking pulp. Chemical alkaline pulping methods such as kraft and sulphur-free soda-anthraquinone and their optimization were taken into consideration for the laboratory trials. Response surface modeling was employed for the study of process parameters impact on obtained pulps. As a result, optimal process conditions may be selected depending on the desired pulp characteristics.     

Impact of misfit dislocations on the polarization instability of epitaxial nanostructured ferroelectric perovskites

Defects exist in almost all materials and defect engineering at the atomic level is part of modern semiconductor technology. Defects and their long-range strain fields can have a negative impact on the host materials. In materials with confined dimensions, the influence of defects can be even more pronounced due to the enhanced relative volume of the 'defective' regions. Here we report the dislocation-induced polarization instability of (001)-oriented Pb(Zr(0.52)Ti(0.48))O(3) (PZT) nanoislands, with an average height of approximately 9 nm, grown on compressive perovskite substrates. Using quantitative high-resolution electron microscopy, we visualize the strain fields of edge-type misfit dislocations, extending predominantly into a PZT region with a height of approximately 4 nm and width of approximately 8 nm. The lattice within this region deviates from the regular crystal structure. Piezoresponse force microscopy indicates that such PZT nanoislands do not show ferroelectricity. Our results suggest that misfit engineering is indispensable for obtaining nanostructured ferroelectrics with stable polarization.     

Double cantilever beam fracture toughness measurement method for glass

A simple method of measuring Mode I fracture toughness, K_IC, of glass using the double cantilever beam (DCB) geometry is presented. An inert atmosphere is created at the crack tip to prevent subcritical crack growth and enable “pinning” the crack while the specimen is loaded to failure. This was achieved experimentally using liquid toluene or a glovebox with dry argon. K_IC values measured by this method showed good agreement with published literature values for selected glasses. Applicability of the analytical stress intensity factor solution based on crack length, crack front curvature, and the height of the crack guiding groove are confirmed through experimental data and finite element analysis. The experimentally observed crack front curvature, which leads near the edges for small groove heights and leads in the center for larger groove heights, is predicted from the geometry of the DCB specimen for a linear elastic solid through finite element modeling.     

Electrochemical behaviour of a new triiron-substituted polyoxomolybdate

A new complex of the Keggin trilacunary polyoxomolybdate (PMo₉) with Fe³⁺ ions, having the formula (PFe₃Mo₉), has been synthesized and characterized by chemical analysis, FT-IR, Raman, UV-VIS-NIR and EPR spectroscopy, as well as by magnetic susceptibility measurements. Cyclic voltammetry performed at different scan rates, pH and supporting electrolyte composition, was used to investigate the electrochemical behaviour of the PFe₃Mo₉ complex in acidic medium and its electrocatalytic effect on H₂O₂ reduction. The voltammetric waves were assigned, and the enhanced electrocatalytic efficiency of PFe₃Mo₉ relative to PMo₉ was attributed to the presence of Fe atoms.     

Photodegradation of Azathioprine in the Presence of Sodium Thiosulfate

The effect of sodium thiosulfate (ST) on the photodegradation of azathioprine (AZA) was analyzed by UV-VIS spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), FTIR spectroscopy, Raman scattering, X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG) and mass spectrometry (MS). The PL studies highlighted that as the ST concentration increased from 25 wt.% to 75 wt.% in the AZA:ST mixture, the emission band of AZA gradual downshifted to 553, 542 and 530 nm. The photodegradation process of AZA:ST induced: (i) the emergence of a new band in the 320–400 nm range in the UV-VIS spectra of AZA and (ii) a change in the intensity ratio of the photoluminescence excitation (PLE) bands in the 280–335 and 335–430 nm spectral ranges. These changes suggest the emergence of new compounds during the photo-oxidation reaction of AZA with ST. The invoked photodegradation compounds were confirmed by studies of the Raman scattering, the FTIR spectroscopy and XPS spectroscopy through: (i) the downshift of the IR band of AZA from 1336 cm⁻¹ to 1331 cm⁻¹, attributed to N-C-N deformation in the purine ring; (ii) the change in the intensity ratio of the Raman lines peaking at 1305 cm⁻¹ and 1330 cm⁻¹ from 3.45 to 4.57, as the weight of ST in the AZA:ST mixture mass increased; and (iii) the emergence of a new band in the XPS O1s spectrum peaking at 531 eV, which was associated with the C=O bond. Through correlated studies of TG-MS, the main key fragments of ST-reacted AZA are reported.     

Potassium Channels Kv1.3 and Kir2.1 But Not Kv1.5 Contribute to BV2 Cell Line and Primary Microglial Migration

(1) Background: As membrane channels contribute to different cell functions, understanding the underlying mechanisms becomes extremely important. A large number of neuronal channels have been investigated, however, less studied are the channels expressed in the glia population, particularly in microglia. In the present study, we focused on the function of the Kv1.3, Kv1.5 and Kir2.1 potassium channels expressed in both BV2 cells and primary microglia cultures, which may impact the cellular migration process. (2) Methods: Using an immunocytochemical approach, we were able to show the presence of the investigated channels in BV2 microglial cells, record their currents using a patch clamp and their role in cell migration using the scratch assay. The migration of the primary microglial cells in culture was assessed using cell culture inserts. (3) Results: By blocking each potassium channel, we showed that Kv1.3 and Kir2.1 but not Kv1.5 are essential for BV2 cell migration. Further, primary microglial cultures were obtained from a line of transgenic CX3CR1-eGFP mice that express fluorescent labeled microglia. The mice were subjected to a spared nerve injury model of pain and we found that microglia motility in an 8 µm insert was reduced 2 days after spared nerve injury (SNI) compared with sham conditions. Additional investigations showed a further impact on cell motility by specifically blocking Kv1.3 and Kir2.1 but not Kv1.5; (4) Conclusions: Our study highlights the importance of the Kv1.3 and Kir2.1 but not Kv1.5 potassium channels on microglia migration both in BV2 and primary cell cultures.     

阴离子交换色谱法用于肝磷脂钠的纯度评价

介绍了一种用于对肝磷脂中过硫酸化软骨素硫酸盐（OSCS）分离和定量的高效液相色谱（HPLC）方法。该方法使用阴离子交换色谱实现了肝磷脂和OSCS的完全分离,并用紫外吸收法对肝磷脂和OSCS进行了定量。实验结果表明,该方法不但具有重现性好和分析速度快（10min）的优点,而且可以在OSCS浓度低于总浓度1%时也能够对其进行有效检测。这种HPLC方法突破了毛细管电泳分析肝磷脂方法固有的局限性。     

Electrochemical sensors based on platinum electrodes modified with hybrid inorganic-organic coatings for determination of 4-nitrophenol and dopamine

New electrochemical sensors for dopamine (DA) and phenol derivative, based on hybrid inorganic redox material-organic conducting polymers, were developed. Hybrid inorganic-organic coatings based on Prussian blue, polyazulene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and poly(3-[(E)-2-azulene-1-yl)vinyl]thiophene) have been prepared by electrochemical methods in various configurations onto Pt substrate. Dopamine and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) have been determined by square wave voltammetry using both mono and bilayer modified electrodes. The modified electrodes exhibited a linear response over wide range of 4-nitrophenol concentrations from 30 to 90 μM, with a detection limit of 8.23 μM (s/n = 3). A linear trend for the responses for dopamine concentrations ranging from 2 to 100 μM, with a sensitivity of 0.116 μA/μM, has been also obtained.     

Bovine serum albumin gel/polyelectrolyte complex of hyaluronic acid and chitosan based microcarriers for Sorafenib targeted delivery

The development of systems for targeted delivery of Sorafenib in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma to reduce the systemic toxicity is a challenge. In our article, we successfully prepared core-shell microcapsules based on bovine serum albumin gel with polyelectrolyte complex multilayer shell of polysaccharides with opposite charges, hyaluronic acid, and chitosan, encapsulating Sorafenib, as targeting delivery system for improved hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. A bovine serum albumin gel core was formed by a method based on a sacrificial CaCO₃ template, followed by the multilayer shell build-up of Ca²⁺ cross-linked hyaluronic acid hydrogel, and subsequently alternating multilayers of the polyelectrolyte complex formed between hyaluronic acid and chitosan. The following techniques: Fourier-transform infrared and UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, confocal laser scanning microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used for the physicochemical characterization. These tests revealed the spherical shape of core-shell type, the micro-size, as well as the composition of microcapsules after their synthesis and proved the successful encapsulation and release of the drug. The promising results regarding encapsulation efficiency, Sorafenib release profile and cytotoxicity on HepG2 and mesenchymal stem cells, recommend Sorafenib loaded microcapsules as suitable targeted drug carriers for further in vivo studies for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy.