Practical factors affecting the performance of a thin-film phase plate for transmission electron microscopy

A number of practical issues must be addressed when using thin carbon films as quarter-wave plates for Zernike phase-contrast electron microscopy. We describe, for example, how we meet the more stringent requirements that must be satisfied for beam alignment in this imaging mode. In addition we address the concern that one might have regarding the loss of some of the scattered electrons as they pass through such a phase plate. We show that two easily measured parameters, (1) the low-resolution image contrast produced in cryo-EM images of tobacco mosaic virus particles and (2) the fall-off of the envelope function at high resolution, can be used to quantitatively compare the data quality for Zernike phase-contrast images and for defocused bright-field images. We describe how we prepare carbon-film phase plates that are initially free of charging or other effects that degrade image quality. We emphasize, however, that even though the buildup of hydrocarbon contamination can be avoided by heating the phase plates during use, their performance nevertheless deteriorates over the time scale of days to weeks, thus requiring their frequent replacement in order to maintain optimal performance.     

Modified silica gel with 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol for heavy metal ions removal

A two sorbents was to synthesize for heavy metals removal: silica gel modified with 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol (S5A) and pure silica gel. Modification of silica gel is achieved by tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) preliminary hydrolyzed at room temperature. 5-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol is added, with continuous stirring with a magnetic stirrer, to the hydrolyzed TEOS. Pure silica gel (sample SG) is obtained by the classical sol–gel method using the same conditions and initial component ratios. The sorbents have been characterized as to their surface area, pore volumes, content of the functional groups, IR spectra, sulfur and nitrogen content. Their sorption properties to heavy (Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Hg(II) metals are investigated. The investigations indicate that modified silica gel is characterized by a relatively higher sorption capacity than is the unmodified one. The highest sorption capacity belongs to Hg(II) in presence of unmodified silica gel due to which this sorbent can be used for selective extraction of mercury ions from aqueous solutions.     

Catalytic activity of Fe/AC, obtained by impregnation of activated carbon in aqueous and non-aqueous media, to neutralize NO

The influence of the nature of the impregnating solutions media (aqueous or non-aqueous) on the forming of active phases is investigated in case of preparing iron catalysts, supported on activated carbon with respect to their catalytic activity in the reaction of NO reduction by CO. The catalysts are characterized by chemical analysis (AAS), BET surface area, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetic susceptibility, and Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS). The catalytic investigations and TPD are carried out in a flow apparatus. Three peculiarities are observed with respect to this influence—the ratio between the separate iron species in different oxidation state of Fe species, which build up the catalytic active complexes (CAC), common participation of superficial groups of the carbon support and Fe components of the impregnating solutions as well as different dispersion of the active phase on the surface of the samples. As a result the highest catalytic activity was observed with the sample, obtained by impregnation with an aqueous solution, while with the other samples, obtained from organic solutions, the catalytic activity decreases in the order of: Methanol > Ethyl Ether > Acetone. It was assumed that the different catalytic activities are connected most probably with the process of forming of CAC during the process of preparation of the samples.     

Influence of the structure characteristics of ordered mesoporous silica materials on their properties as supports for Ni-modified hydrogenation catalysts

The structure characteristics of Ni-modified (7 wt% Ni) mesoporous materials with cubic (Ia3d and Fm3m space groups) structure have been compared to that of the hexagonal MCM-41 material with uni- dimentional channel arrangement by X-ray diffraction and N₂ adsorption–desorption measurements. Thermal gravimetric analysis and toluene hydrogenation have been used for characterization of the reducibility of the supported Ni phase and its catalytic activity in this test reaction, respectively. The results from N₂ physisorption suggest that substantially higher pore blockage with Ni occurs when it is deposited on the 1D channel structure of MCM-41 compared to the cage-like pores of Fm3m and the interconnected pores of Ia3d material. It is proposed that the pore architecture determines the distribution of the oxide metal phase and its reducibility and strongly influences the hydrogenation activity of the catalysts.     

New Red-Shade Ceramic Pigments Based on Y2Sn2−xCrxO7−δ Pyrochlore Solid Solutions

New high-stability red-shade ceramic pigments based on pyrochlore solid solutions Y₂Sn_{2− x} Cr _x O_7−δ ( x = 0–1, 0 < δ= 0–1/2 x ) were developed employing conventional solid-state reaction synthesis. The relationship between their optical properties and microstructure was analyzed by X-ray diffractometry and ultraviolet–visible-light spectroscopy. Decomposition of the structure with formation of the perovskite YCrO₃ observed for chromium substitutions x ≥ 5 was attributed mainly to high concentration of defects. The structural and optical parameters of the materials were found to correlate with the concentration of a species with higher oxidation state than Cr(III), such as Cr(IV) or Cr(V).     

Immunolocalization of multiple membrane proteins on a carbon replica with STEM and EDX

We present a method for immunolabeling of multiple species of membrane proteins with high spatial resolution. It allows differentiation of equally sized very small markers with different chemical compositions, which leads to high labeling efficiency and reduces steric hindrance of closely spaced immunolabeled biomolecules. Markers such as CdSe/ZnS semiconductor quantum dots and colloidal gold particles are distinguished by differential contrast in high-angle annular detector dark-field STEM mode or by EDX microanalysis of their elemental contents. This method was tested by observation of labeled AMPA- and NMDA-type glutamate receptors on sodium-dodecyl-sulfate-digested replica prepared from rat hippocampus. To improve particle visibility and detectability, the replica films were made exclusively with carbon to avoid the high background of conventional platinum/carbon replica. Extension of the method is suggested by detection of 1.4 nm nanogold particles and its potential application in the biological imaging research.     

Removal of ammonium ions from aqueous solutions with coal-based activated carbons modified by oxidation

The main purpose of this work is to study the possibilities for removal of ammonium ions from aqueous solutions by the two coal-based activated carbons (one obtained from Bulgarian lignite from the Chukurovo deposit, and the second, available as commercial product) and their oxidized modifications. The porous texture and surface chemistry of the adsorbents were characterized. Adsorption of ions was investigated using solutions with different concentrations in the range 35-280 mg l⁻¹ in a static mode. Equilibrium modeling data were fitted to linear Langmuir’s and Freundlich’s equations and maximum adsorption capacities were calculated.     

Electrophysiology of hiPSC-Cardiomyocytes Co-Cultured with HEK Cells Expressing the Inward Rectifier Channel

The immature electrophysiology of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiCMs) complicates their use for therapeutic and pharmacological purposes. An insufficient inward rectifying current (I_K1) and the presence of a funny current (if) cause spontaneous electrical activity. This study tests the hypothesis that the co-culturing of hiCMs with a human embryonic kidney (HEK) cell-line expressing the Kir2.1 channel (HEK-I_K1) can generate an electrical syncytium with an adult-like cardiac electrophysiology. The mechanical activity of co-cultures using different HEK-I_K1:hiCM ratios was compared with co-cultures using wildtype (HEK–WT:hiCM) or hiCM alone on days 3–8 after plating. Only ratios of 1:3 and 1:1 showed a significant reduction in spontaneous rate at days 4 and 6, suggesting that I_K1 was influencing the electrophysiology. Detailed analysis at day 4 revealed an increased incidence of quiescent wells or sub-areas. Electrical activity showed a decreased action potential duration (APD) at 20% and 50%, but not at 90%, alongside a reduced amplitude of the aggregate AP signal. A computational model of the 1:1 co-culture replicates the electrophysiological effects of HEK–WT. The addition of the I_K1 conductance reduced the spontaneous rate and APD20, 50 and 90, and minor variation in the intercellular conductance caused quiescence. In conclusion, a 1:1 co-culture HEK-I_K1:hiCM caused changes in electrophysiology and spontaneous activity consistent with the integration of I_K1 into the electrical syncytium. However, the additional electrical effects of the HEK cell at 1:1 increased the possibility of electrical quiescence before sufficient I_K1 was integrated into the syncytium.     

The effect of reactive oxygen intermediates,exometabolites of organotrophic bacteria,on initiation of zinc corrosion

The effect of reactive oxygen intermediates, such as superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide, on the initiation of biological zinc corrosion is demonstrated. A correlation between the amounts of formed hydrogen peroxide and the corrosive activity of the studied bacteria is revealed.