Novel poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) composite films containing bioactive glass nanoparticles for wound healing applications

Bioactive glass is considered an ideal material for haemostasis as it releases Ca²⁺ ions upon hydration, which is required to support thrombosis. In this study the effects of the presence of nanoscaled bioactive glass (n‐BG) in poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) microsphere films on the structural properties, thermal properties and biocompatibility of the films were studied. The n‐BG with a high surface area was also tested for its in vitro haemostatic efficacy and was found to be able to successfully reduce clot detection time. In an effort to study the effect of the roughness induced by the formation of hydroxyapatite on cellular functions such as cell adhesion, cell mobility and cell differentiation, the composite films were immersed in simulated body fluid for periods of 1, 3 and 7 days. From scanning electron microscopy images, the surface of the P(3HB)/n‐BG composite microsphere films appeared fairly uniform and smooth on day 1; however on day 3 and day 7 a rough and uneven surface was observed. The presence of hydroxyapatite on the composite microsphere films on day 3 and day 7 influenced the surface roughness of the films. However, when the P(3HB)/n‐BG composite microsphere films with enhanced surface roughness were tested for biocompatibility, reduced amounts of protein adsorption and cell adhesion were observed. This study thus revealed that there is an optimal surface roughness for the P(3HB) microsphere films for increased cell adhesion, beyond which it could be deleterious for cell adhesion and differentiation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Genetic analysis of geraniol metabolism during fermentation

Geraniol produced by grape is the main precursor of terpenols which play a key role in the floral aroma of white wines. We investigated the fate of geraniol during wine fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The volatile compounds produced during fermentation of a medium enriched with geraniol were extracted by Stir-bar sorptive extraction and analysed by GC–MS. We were able to detect and quantify geranyl acetate but also citronellyl- and neryl-acetate. The presence of these compounds partly explains the disparition of geraniol. The amounts of terpenyl esters are strain dependant. We demonstrated both by gene overexpression and gene-deletion the involvement of ATF1 enzyme but not ATF2 in the acetylation of terpenols. The affinity of ATF1 enzyme for several terpenols and for isoamyl alcohol was compared. We also demonstrated that OYE2 is the enzyme involved in geraniol to citronellol reduction. Fermenting strain deleted from OYE2 gene produces far less citronellol than wild type strain. Moreover lab strain over-expressing OYE2 allows 87% geraniol to citronellol reduction in bioconversion experiment compared to about 50% conversion with control strain.     

Valley landscape management: the context of a ‘river contract’ in the Semois valley,Belgium

A trans‐boundary and multi‐disciplinary approach to the river contract project for the Semois valley in Wallonia (Belgium) is described that provided the opportunity for a landscape‐scale focus during actions to restore the watercourses and the associated valley area. A trans‐boundary landscape survey was carried out under the context of the Interreg III European programme. This resulted in the rediscovery of lost views and viewpoints within the landscape and in the implementation of actions leading to the opening up of the valley, which provided opportunities to re‐establish lost landscape features, such as hay meadows. The gathering of many partners in the negotiation process of this project can be seen as an example of ‘landscape democratization’ or participative management of landscapes in a trans‐boundary and trans‐disciplinary context and as such this project is a concrete realization of the aims of the European Landscape Convention (ELC).     

The script of viscosity: the phenomenal experience in Steven Holl's museum architecture

While some architects have adopted complex free-flowing forms as a response to the universalisation of modernism, the American architect Steven Holl has taken a different approach that concentrates on a phenomenology of architecture. His museum designs focus on constructing a phenomenal experience from multiple perspectives for visitors to engage in a body-subject experience. To explore the notion of spatial viscosity in Holl's architecture, the space syntax method of justified graphs (j-graphs) is used to examine three museums: the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art in Helsinki, the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City and the Knut Hamsun Centre in Hamarøy. The analysis discovers that despite the vast differences in scale and layout among the museums, they exhibit remarkable similarities in terms of spatial configuration and strategy in the formation of the continuously unfolding spatial sequence.     

Microstress in Reaction‐Bonded SiC from Crystallization Expansion of Silicon

Microstress in reaction‐bonded silicon carbide (RBSiC) has been measured using piezo‐Raman spectroscopy. Compressive microstresses as high as 2 GPa exist in the silicon phase and tensile microstresses as high as 2.3 GPa exist in the SiC phase of RBSiC. This is much larger than expected for thermoelastic microstress from coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch would provide. Instead the microstresses arise from the crystallization of liquid silicon. During the reaction bonding process, not all of the silicon reacts to form SiC and there is liquid free silicon. The phase transformation of the free silicon from liquid to solid has a large volume expansion, which results in large residual microstress within the silicon and SiC phases of RBSiC.     

Effect of Fe on Microstructure and Properties of 8xxx Aluminum Conductor Alloys

The effect of Fe contents (0.3-0.7 wt.%) on the microstructure, electrical conductivity, mechanical and creep properties of 8xxx aluminum conductor alloys was investigated. Results revealed that the as-cast microstructure of 8xxx alloys was consisted of equiaxed α-Al grains and secondary Fe-rich intermetallics distributed in the interdendritic region. The extruded microstructure showed partially recrystallized structure for 0.3% Fe alloy but only dynamically recovered structures for 0.5 and 0.7% Fe alloys. With increasing Fe contents, the ultimate tensile strength and yield strength were remarkably improved, while the electrical conductivity was slightly decreased. Moreover, the creep resistance was greatly improved, which is attributed to the larger volume fraction of fine intermetallic particles and smaller subgrain size in the higher Fe-containing alloys. The creep threshold stress was found to increase from 24.6 to 33.9 MPa with increasing Fe contents from 0.3 to 0.7%, respectively. The true stress exponent values were close to 3 for all three experimental alloys, indicating that the creep mechanism of 8xxx alloys was controlled by dislocation glide.     

蓝晶石和石英浮选行为的研究（待续）

通过表面张力测试、浮选试验和红外光谱的测定，研究了蓝晶石和石英在阴／阳离子混合表面活性剂系统中的浮选行为。研究结果说明了表面活性剂混合物引起的表面张力下降中的协同作用。在浮选系统中，由于这一协同作用的存在，油酸钠／十二胺的添加导致在很宽的ｐＨ范围内，浮选回收率提高。文中还分析了在阴／阳离子混合表面活性剂系统中捕收剂的吸附机理。     

Molecular Sensing Using Hyperpolarized Xenon NMR Spectroscopy

Molecular imaging is the determination of the spatial location and concentration of specific molecules in a sample of interest. Sophisticated modern magnetic resonance imaging machines can collect NMR spectra from small-volume elements within a sample, enabling local chemical analysis. However, abundant water and fat signals limit detection of metabolites to near mM concentrations. Alternatively, targeted relaxation contrast agents enhance the relaxation of the strong water signal where they bind. A comparison of images with and without a contrast agent shows the target distribution, but high µM concentrations are needed. We have developed an approach that exploits the strong signals of hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe (an inert reporter introduced for imaging). The imaging contrast agents are composed of a biological recognition motif to localize the agent (antibodies or aptamers) and covalently tethered cryptophane cages. Xenon binds to the cryptophane and though chemical exchange saturation transfer creates contrast in a xenon image. Imaging agents can deliver many cages per target, giving detection limits in the pM concentration range. The evolution and principles of this approach are described herein.     

Diporphyrin tweezer for multichannel spectroscopic analysis of enantiomeric excess

Chiral 1,1’-binaphthyl-linked diporphyrin ‘tweezers’ (R)-1/(S)-1 and the corresponding zinc(II) complexes (R)-2/(S)-2 were prepared as chiral host molecules, and their utility for chiral analyses (especially enantiomeric excess (ee) determinations) were evaluated. Tris(1-n-dodecyl)porphyrins were used for the first time as the interacting units. Host capabilities of the diporphyrin tweezers were investigated by titrations with (R,R)- and (S,S)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine (CHDA). The host molecules could be used as multichannel probes of ee by using UV-vis, circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence emission and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) methods. Chiral configurations could also be differentiated using CD or ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. All three optical techniques give good resolution of ee with reasonable sensitivity considering the low concentrations used (ca. 10⁻⁶ mol·L⁻¹). The ee determination of CHDA enantiomers using NMR spectroscopy is also possible because of the reasonably well separated resonances in the case of (R,R)- and (S,S)-CHDA. Non-metallated (R)-1/(S)-1 hosts could not be used to detect chiral information in a strongly acidic chiral guest. This work demonstrates the utility of 1,1’-binapthyl-linked chiral hosts for chiral analysis of ditopically interacting enantiomers.