Preliminary study of the thermally stimulated blue luminescence of ulexite

In this paper, novel results on the blue thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) emission of ulexite (NaCaB₅O₆(OH)₆·5H₂O) have been studied. The four maxima appearing at 60, 110, 200 and 240°C on the TSL glow curves of this borate could be respectively associated to: (i) the first dehydration (NaCaB₅O₆(OH)₆·5H₂O→NaCaB₅O₆(OH)₆·3H₂O), (ii) the creation-annihilation of the three-hydrated phase, (iii) the Na-coordinated chains dehydroxylation and the starting point of the alkali self-diffusion through the lattice and (iv) the amorphisation of the lattice. These results are fairly well correlated with the differential thermal analyses (DTA), in situ thermal observations under environmental scanning electron microscope (TESEM) and thermal X-ray diffraction (TXRD) techniques.     

Evaluation of the morphological changes in the lungs of BALB/c mice after inhalation of spherical and rod-shaped titanium nanoparticles

Titanium nanoparticles are widely used by industry in consumer products such as sunscreens and some cosmetic products due to their specifically engineered properties. Some of these properties may, however, increase the toxicity of the nanoparticles which in turn may affect human and environmental health. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to study the possible effects of these particles through in vivo studies, which might produce different results than in vitro cell studies. The current study aimed to investigate the possible remodelling in the lungs of BALB/c mice by means of light and transmission electron microscopy after inhalation of spherical and rod-shaped titanium nanoparticles at two different concentrations. The focus of this paper was to demonstrate whether whole body exposure to different concentrations of the said nanoparticles could induce an inflammatory response in the lungs and no inter particle comparison was done or retention investigated. Animals were divided into five experimental groups: control, high and low concentration groups exposed to the spherical-shaped particles, as well as high and low concentration groups exposed to the rod-shaped particles. Histological and ultrastructural changes, typical of an inflammatory response, were noted in the lungs of the exposed animals. These changes were not observed in the lungs of the control animals. It can be concluded from this study that titanium nanoparticles may cause inflammatory reactions in the lungs of animals exposed through inhalation, as indicated by the presence of inflammatory cells and congestion of inter-alveolar areas. This has implications for individuals who may be potentially exposed during the production and use of titanium nanoparticles.     

The importance of peri-interactions in determining the half-chair conformation of the dihydropyran ring in 2-benzopyrans. Stereochemical consequences

peri-Interactions are important in determining both the conformation of the dihydropyran ring of 2-benzopyrans as well as the stereochemistry of its substituents.     

Determination of slopes of calibration lines in multi element XRF analysis of thin films using polychromatic excitation from Mo,Au, W,and Cr anodes and one standard

An algorithm is described for the theoretical calculation of the slopes of calibration lines for the elements of the K-series in multi element X-ray fluorescence analysis of thin films using polychromatic excitation with X-ray tubes producing widely differing primary radiation intensity profiles. The mathematical equations used to calculate slopes as a function of atomic number are based on the fundamental relationship between fluorescent intensity and atomic number, fluorescent yield, concentration and mass absorption coefficients of the analyte for primary radiation. A normalisation procedure based on a single known slope in the series ensured that the calculated slopes were correct for the particular measuring conditions.     

The preparation and some reactions of chloro(η4-cycloocta-1,5-diene)(η5-cyclopentadienyl)ruthenium(II): A versatile,new synthetic precursor for cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) chemistry

Facile substitution of the cyclooctadiene and/or chloro ligands in [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(C₈H₁₂Cl] (C₈H₁₂ = cycloocta-1,5-diene) under mild reaction conditions provides high yield synthetic routes to a range of new neutral and cationic cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) complexes.