The effect of annealing temperatures on surface properties,hydroxyapatite growth and cell behaviors of TiO2 nanotubes

Well‐ordered TiO₂ nanotubes were prepared by the electrochemical anodization of titanium in an ethylene glycol electrolyte containing 1 wt% NH₄F and 10 wt% H₂O at 20 V for 20 min, followed by annealing. The surface morphology and crystal structure of the samples were examined as a function of the annealing temperature by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Crystallization of the nanotubes to the anatase phase occurred at 450 °C, while rutile formation was observed at 600 °C. Disintegration of the nanotubes was observed at 600 °C and the structure vanished completely at 750 °C. Electrochemical corrosion studies showed that the annealed nanotubes exhibited higher corrosion resistance than the as‐formed nanotubes. The growth of hydroxyapatite on the different TiO₂ nanotubes was also investigated by soaking them in simulated body fluid (SBF). The results indicated that the tubes annealed to a mixture of anatase and rutile was clearly more efficient than that in their amorphous or plain anatase state. The in vitro cell response in terms of cell morphology and proliferation was evaluated using osteoblast cells. The highest cell activity was observed on the TiO₂ nanotubes annealed at 600 °C. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metabolic profiling of meat: assessment of pork hygiene and contamination with Salmonella typhimurium

Spoilage in meat is the result of the action of microorganisms and results in changes of meat and microbial metabolism. This process may include pathogenic food poisoning bacteria such as Salmonella typhimurium, and it is important that these are differentiated from the natural spoilage process caused by non-pathogenic microorganisms. In this study we investigated the application of metabolic profiling using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, to assess the microbial contamination of pork. Metabolite profiles were generated from microorganisms, originating from the natural spoilage process and from the artificial contamination with S. typhimurium. In an initial experiment, we investigated changes in the metabolic profiles over a 72 hour time course at 25 °C and established time points indicative of the spoilage process. A further experiment was performed to provide in-depth analysis of the metabolites characteristic of contamination by S. typhimurium. We applied a three-way PARAllel FACtor analysis 2 (PARAFAC2) multivariate algorithm to model the metabolic profiles. In addition, two univariate statistical tests, two-sample Wilcoxon signed rank test and Friedman test, were employed to identify metabolites which showed significant difference between natural spoiled and S. typhimurium contaminated samples. Consistent results from the two independent experiments were obtained showing the discrimination of the metabolic profiles of the natural spoiled pork chops and those contaminated with S. typhimurium. The analysis identified 17 metabolites of significant interest (including various types of amino acid and fatty acid) in the discrimination of pork contaminated with the pathogenic microorganism.     

Inhibitors of an essential mycobacterial cell wall lipase (Rv3802c) as tuberculosis drug leads

The first targeted inhibitors of an essential M. tuberculosis cell wall lipase, Rv3802c, are described. Lead compounds exhibited nanomolar inhibition of the enzyme, and encouraging antibacterial activity against M. tuberculosis in vitro, supporting Rv3802c as a novel TB drug target.     

Polarisation interferometry flying height testing

The in-depth analyses of polarisation interferometry flying height testing are presented. The drawbacks of the oblique incidence polarisation interferometry method are discussed. The application of the dual-beam normal incidence polarisation interferometry method is illustrated. It is shown that with this normal incidence polarisation interferometer, not only the flying height can be measured down to contact without losing accuracy, but the optical parameters of the head-slider can also be determined.     

A review of methods for the determination of sulphate in urine

Summary All methods for determining sulphate in urine involve precipitation with barium or benzidine. The various direct and indirect procedures used are critically reviewed.

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Zusammenfassung Alle für die Bestimmung von Sulfat im Harn angegebenen Methoden bedienen sich der Fällung mit Barium oder Benzidin. Eine kritische Übersicht über die verschiedenen direkten und indirekten Verfahren wurde angegeben.

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Dedicated to Prof. Hans Lieb on the occasion of his 90th birthday.     

The determination of metallic iron,nickel and cobalt in reduced ores and oxides

A procedure is described for the determination of metallic iron, nickel and cobalt in reduced ores and oxides. The metallic phases are dissolved in brominemethanol solution, excess of bromine is destroyed by reaction with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and the analysis is completed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Solution of oxide phases is not observed if free or combined water is removed from the samples. Results are presented for an ore and standard alloys.     

The solubility product of cadmium sulphide

The solubility product of cadmium sulphide has been measured in three acidic media by precipitation and dissolution techniques. The values of log K(s0) after correction for complex formation are -27.3 +/- 0.6 in all the media examined. An X-ray and microscopic examination of the precipitates shows an increase in crystallinity on aging, although Ostwald ripening was not observed.