A Glass–Ceramic Derived from High TiO2-Containing Slag: Microstructural Development and Mechanical Behavior

A novel glass–ceramic material was developed from the melt of a TiO₂-containing iron-making slag with additional waste glass. The high percentage (∼20 wt% TiO₂) of this network-modifying oxide has promoted a crystallization of the parent glass, resulting in a fine-grained, homogeneous polycrystalline material with high mechanical properties ( E =120 GPa, flexural strength=∼180 MPa, and Vickers hardness=7 GPa) after a heat treatment at 1100°C for 2 h. The room temperature and elevated temperature fracture toughness were also studied. The main crystalline phases of the glass–ceramic material were of the pyroxene series until heat-treatment temperature reached 1000°C, at which titanium-rich perovskite and armalcolite crystals became the dominant phases. The end material is high-strength, aesthetically acceptable (metallic gray or opaque brown colored), and suitable for structural and architectural applications.     

Radiosensitization of Human Leukemic HL-60 Cells by ATR Kinase Inhibitor (VE-821): Phosphoproteomic Analysis

DNA damaging agents such as ionizing radiation or chemotherapy are frequently used in oncology. DNA damage response (DDR)—triggered by radiation-induced double strand breaks—is orchestrated mainly by three Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinases (PIKKs): Ataxia teleangiectasia mutated (ATM), DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) and ATM and Rad3-related kinase (ATR). Their activation promotes cell-cycle arrest and facilitates DNA damage repair, resulting in radioresistance. Recently developed specific ATR inhibitor, VE-821 (3-amino-6-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-N-phenylpyrazine-2-carboxamide), has been reported to have a significant radio- and chemo-sensitizing effect delimited to cancer cells (largely p53-deficient) without affecting normal cells. In this study, we employed SILAC-based quantitative phosphoproteomics to describe the mechanism of the radiosensitizing effect of VE-821 in human promyelocytic leukemic cells HL-60 (p53-negative). Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC)-prefractionation with TiO₂-enrichment and nano-liquid chromatography—tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis revealed 9834 phosphorylation sites. Proteins with differentially up-/down-regulated phosphorylation were mostly localized in the nucleus and were involved in cellular processes such as DDR, all phases of the cell cycle, and cell division. Moreover, sequence motif analysis revealed significant changes in the activities of kinases involved in these processes. Taken together, our data indicates that ATR kinase has multiple roles in response to DNA damage throughout the cell cycle and that its inhibitor VE-821 is a potent radiosensitizing agent for p53-negative HL-60 cells.     

Components for high speed atomic force microscopy

Many applications in materials science, life science and process control would benefit from atomic force microscopes (AFM) with higher scan speeds. To achieve this, the performance of many of the AFM components has to be increased. In this work, we focus on the cantilever sensor, the scanning unit and the data acquisition. We manufactured 10 microm wide cantilevers which combine high resonance frequencies with low spring constants (160-360 kHz with spring constants of 1-5 pN/nm). For the scanning unit, we developed a new scanner principle, based on stack piezos, which allows the construction of a scanner with 15 microm scan range while retaining high resonance frequencies (>10 kHz). To drive the AFM at high scan speeds and record the height and error signal, we implemented a fast Data Acquisition (DAQ) system based on a commercial DAQ card and a LabView user interface capable of recording 30 frames per second at 150 x 150 pixels.     

An approach to torque and temperature thread by thread on tapping

During internal threading, small alterations in cutting parameters, tool geometry, or process characteristics produce considerable effects on torque and te     

Orthoamide. LI. Push-Pull-Butadiene und Heterocyclen aus CH2-aciden Verbindungen und Orthoamiden von Alkincarbonsäuren

Orthoamides. LI. Push-Pull-Butadienes and Heterocycles from Alkyne Carboxylic Acid Orthoamides and CH₂-acidic Compounds The acetylides 4b, 4f react with N,N,N′,N′,N″,N″-hexamethylguanidiniumchloride ( 5 ) to give the orthoamides 6b, 6f , resp. From CH₂-acidic compounds and the orthoamides 6a, c, e can be obtained the push-pull-substituted butadienes 8a–8aj . The 2,3,5-trimethyl-thiadiazolium salt 9 does not condense with 6e , as other CH₂-acidic compounds do, instead the vinylogous guanidinium salt 10a is produced. On heating, the ketenaminals 8d, aa cyclize to give the pyridone-carbonitriles 11a, b , resp. From 4-amino-coumarins 12 and the orthocarboxylic acid amideacetals 13a, b and the ketenaminal 16 resp., the amidines 14a–c and the heterocyclic compounds 15a–c resp., are formed. The enamines 17a–c, 19a, b react with the orthoamides 6a–f to give the pyridine derivatives 18a–1, 20a–h and 21a, b , resp. Analogously, from 6-aminouracil 22 and 6a, b, e, f are formed the pure 7-dimethylaminopyrido[2,3-d] pyrimidines 23a, b or mixtures of compounds 23c, d and the isomeric 4-dimethylamino-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines 24a, b resp., which can be separated via their salts 25a,b/26a,b . The heterocyclic compounds 30a–d, 32a,b can be prepared from the pyrazole derivatives 28, 31 resp. and the orthoamides 6a–f .     

Novel catalytic membranes for selective reactions

A survey is given of the potentials of a new kind of catalytic membranes consisting of a catalyst that is immobilised in a dense polymer matrix. When homogeneous, catalytically active complexes are occluded, these membranes constitute a new way of heterogenation. In the case of solid state catalysts, these composite membranes can improve the activity of the catalyst by changing sorption or by allowing experimental set-ups in which solvents become redundant. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Granulometry,cluster analysis and spatial distribution of manganese contaminated soils,Kgwakgwe, southeastern Botswana

The particle size distribution (PSD) of 400 Mn contaminated soil samples was established, and generated data were statistically analysed and spatially presented. The PSD for the 53 µm – 4 µm size fraction soil samples ranged from 11.05 to 100 wt %, whereas that for < 4 µm was from 0.3 to 30 wt %. Texturally, samples were dominantly silt loam, although silt and sandy loam were also present, as well as loam, loamy sand and clay classes. Six clusters were identified with cluster one being the most dominant occurring in sandy loam, silt loam and loamy sand. The < 53 µm fraction had three dominant areas, and the < 4 µm fraction had several unevenly presented populations as reflected in the maps. Because of its spatial distribution, the < 4 µm fraction may pose hazards to human health. Furthermore, predominance of Mn limits land use to subsistence agriculture with possibly low crop yield.     

Novel magnetically induced membrane vibration (MMV) for fouling control in membrane bioreactors

Conventional submerged membrane bioreactors (MBRs) rely on the coarse bubbles aeration to generate shear at the liquid-membrane interface to limit membrane fouling. Unfortunately, it is a very energy consuming method, still often resulting in a rapid decrease of membrane permeability and consequently in higher expenses. In this paper, the feasibility of a novel magnetically induced membrane vibration (MMV) system was studied in a lab-scale MBR treating synthetic wastewater. The effects on membrane fouling of applied electrical power of different operation strategies, of membrane flux and of the presence of multiple membranes on one vibrating engine on membrane fouling were investigated. The filtration performance was evaluated by determining the filtration resistance profiles and critical flux. The results showed clear advantages of the vibrating system over conventional MBR processes by ensuring higher fluxes at lower fouling rates. Intermittent vibration was found a promising strategy for both efficient fouling control and significant energy saving. The optimised MMV system is presumed to lead to significant energy and cost reduction in up-scaled MBR operations.     

A quantitative study of air-borne particulate matter collected on membrane filters by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The capability of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS or ESCA, in analysing oxidation states and measuring the concentration of elements present in air pollution particulates collected on membrane filters is evaluated. Semi-quantitative data are compared with those from XRF and wet chemical analysis. Differences of about a factor of 2.0–2.5 are found which are critically discussed in relation to particle size and the distribution of ionic species. The importance of intrinsic properties of matrix materials and instrumental factors is also discussed.