An integrated experimental and analytical approach to the chemical state imaging of iron in brain gliomas using X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy

X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy is used for human neoplastic tissues in order to investigate distributions and chemical states of iron. The specimens used in this study were obtained intraoperatively from brain gliomas of different types and various grades of malignancy and from a control subject. An integrated experimental and analytical approach toward topographic and quantitative analysis in thin freeze-dried cryo-sections is presented. The full XANES spectra at the Fe absorption K edge show the presence of both chemical forms of Fe in the analyzed points of the tissues. The main goal of the work is the chemical state imaging of Fe in tissue areas. Topographic analysis of Fe speciation in the tissues investigated with the use of the XANES technique indicates the presence of microstructures where Fe²⁺ is dominant as well as those with a high abundance of the oxidized form of Fe. The quantitative analysis shows that for all cases the content of the oxidized form of Fe is significantly higher in comparison with Fe²⁺. The highest level of Fe³⁺ is found in the control sample, and the lowest one for the glioma of the highest grade of malignancy. The content of either Fe²⁺ or Fe³⁺ is increased in low grade gliomas in comparison to high-grade malignant tumors.     

Calculation of X-ray absorption near edge structure of CeO2 using a model cluster

We report result of a first-principle molecular orbital calculation using discrete-variational (DV)-X method on a model of CeO₂ ([CeO₈]¹²⁻), and compare them with experimental date on X-ray absorption-near-edge structure. Even using a small cluster model, we can reproduce the two-peak structure near edge and explain the origin of the peaks. The two-peak structure is relially interpreted from the viewpoint of interactions between atomic orbitals. The theoretical spectra are obtained with the dipole approximation. In addition, we calculate the wave functions, which indicate that the low-energy peak in the two-peak structure originates from a quasi-bound state composed of localized Ce d and O component. The orgin of the high-energy peak is the phase shift between localized Ce d orbital and that of the delocalized standing wave of O atomic orbitals.     

EPR study of radiation damage to DNA irradiated with synchrotron soft X-rays around nitrogen and oxygen K-edge

In order to obtain detailed insights into the physicochemical mechanism of DNA damage induction, “in situ” measurement of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal from DNA constituent nucleobases, guanine and adenine, has been performed in a vacuum using monochromatic synchrotron soft X-rays. We found that short-lived unpaired electron species arise only during irradiation to the evaporated thin film on a surface. The EPR spectrum of the short-lived species significantly depends on the photon energy irradiated, and the spin concentration obtained from the EPR spectra shows a similar fine structure to the X-ray photoabsorption spectra (X-ray absorption near edge structure; XANES). For the adenine sample, the spin concentration alters strikingly by water absorption on the sample surface. Trapping of photo- or Auger electrons into a newly generated potential in the nucleobases as the consequence of photoelectric effect is suggested as mechanisms of the induction of the short-lived species.     

基于SRXRF和XANES研究Pb对玉米种子萌芽的影响及其分布和形态特征

以受不同浓度Pb胁迫下的玉米种子萌芽试验为基础,结合SRXRF研究Pb对玉米种子萌芽的影响和Pb在玉米种子的微区分布特征,利用X射线吸收近边结构技术(XANES)对萌芽玉米种子不同部位中Pb的化学形态进行分析,藉以了解种子对Pb的吸收和转化规律。结果表明,玉米种子的发芽率、根芽伸长量随培养溶液中Pb(NO3)2浓度增加而降低。种子发芽率、平均芽长、平均根长与暴露Pb浓度间的方差分析P-value分别为2.0×10!3,1.4×10!4和2.39×10!8,均小于0.01,为极显著差异,说明Pb胁迫对种子萌芽和根芽生长造成了极显著影响,且对根长抑制作用更大。SRXRF分析结果表明,种皮和胚结构是玉米种子富集Pb的主要部位,Pb富集在胚结构中将抑制种子萌芽。各种子样品的Pb-LⅢ(13035 eV)边XANES谱图相同,为同一种Pb形态,拟合结果显示其含74.3%的氯化磷酸铅和24.2%硬脂酸铅,说明Pb主要以氯化磷酸铅的形式沉积于玉米体内,并有少部分以与羧基结合的有机铅形式存在。     

Impact of finite-temperature and condensed-phase effects on theoretical X-ray absorption spectra of transition metal complexes

The impact of condensed-phase and finite-temperature effects on the theoretical X-ray absorption spectra of transition metal complexes is assessed. The former are included in terms of the all-electron Gaussian and augmented plane-wave approach, whereas the latter are taken into account by extensive ensemble averaging along second-generation Car–Parrinello ab initio molecular dynamics trajectories. We find that employing the periodic boundary conditions and including finite-temperature effects systematically improves the agreement between our simulated X-ray absorption spectra and experimental measurements. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

X-ray absorption fine structure study of amorphous metal oxide thin films prepared by photochemical metalorganic deposition

The oxidation state and local geometry of the metal centers in amorphous thin films of Fe₂O₃ (Fe³⁺ oxidation state), CoFe₂O₄ (Co²⁺/Fe³⁺ oxidation states), and Cr₂O₃ (Cr³⁺ oxidation state) are determined using K edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The metal oxide thin films were prepared by the solid-state photochemical decomposition of the relevant metal 2-ethylhexanoates, spin cast as thin films. No peaks are observed in the X-ray diffraction patterns, indicating the metal oxides are X-ray amorphous. The oxidation state of the metals is determined from the edge position of the K absorption edges, and in the case of iron-containing samples, an analysis of the pre-edge peaks. In all cases, the EXAFS analysis indicates the first coordination shell consists of oxygen atoms in an octahedral geometry, with a second shell consisting of metals. No higher shells are observed beyond 3.5 Å for all samples, indicating the metal oxides are truly amorphous, consistent with X-ray diffraction results.     

X-ray absorption near edge structure as a source of structural information

N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-β-alaninatonickel(II) was synthesized by the interaction of basic nickel carbonate with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-β-alanine. The structures of the chelating agent and its nickel complex were studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the synthesized compound, the nickel ion lies at the center of an octahedron of the N and 2O donor atoms of two tridentate ligands, each ligand having a meridional conformation. The ligands around the central atom are arranged in perpendicular planes. This coordination of two ligands yields two stereoisomers, whose cocrystallization affords a racemate.     

Synthesis,structure, and X-ray absorption spectra of LixNbO2 and NaxNbO2 (x ≤ 1)

The two series of compounds, Li_xNbO₂ and Na_xNbO₂, were synthesized from LiNbO₂ and NaNbO₂ with oxidizing agents. From neutron diffraction, it is concluded that the Li position is fully occupied for x = 1. Even though the long-range crystal symmetry does not seem to change for x < 1, as monitored by Guinier X-ray powder patterns, the Nb? L_III XANES spectra exhibit significant spectral variations with x which reflect changes in the unoccupied d-density of states.     

含酯基苯并噻唑衍生物的摩擦膜及热膜化学结构

制备了两种苯并噻唑衍生物2-苯并噻唑基-巯基硫代乙酸正辛酯(MBTT)和2-苯并噻唑基-巯基乙酸正辛酯(MBTA), 并用元素分析和核磁共振谱表征其分子结构. 用X光吸收近边结构谱(X-ray absorption near edge structure, XANES)全面地分析了杂环化合物在矿物油和菜籽油中所形成的摩擦膜和热膜的化学态. 分析结果表明, 在矿物油中, 添加剂MBTT和MBTA摩擦反应生成的摩擦膜主要由FeS2组成, 而菜籽油中, 两种添加剂摩擦反应生成的摩擦膜由FeSO4组成; 在两种基础油中, 两种添加剂生成的热膜都是由FeSO4组成的.     

Speciation of copper and zinc in size-fractionated atmospheric particulate matter using total reflection mode X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectrometry

The health effects of aerosol depend on the size distribution and the chemical composition of the particles. Heavy metals of anthropogenic origin are bound to the fine aerosol fraction (PM_2.5). The composition and speciation of aerosol particles can be variable in time, due to the time-dependence of anthropogenic sources as well as meteorological conditions. Synchrotron-radiation total reflection X-ray fluorescence (SR-TXRF) provides very high sensitivity for characterization of atmospheric particulate matter. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectrometry in conjunction with TXRF detection can deliver speciation information on heavy metals in aerosol particles collected directly on the reflector surface. The suitability of TXRF-XANES for copper and zinc speciation in size-fractionated atmospheric particulate matter from a short sampling period is presented. For high size resolution analysis, atmospheric aerosol particles were collected at different urban and rural locations using a 7-stage May cascade impactor having adapted for sampling on Si wafers. The thin stripe geometry formed by the particulate matter deposited on the May-impactor plates is ideally suited to SR-TXRF. Capabilities of the combination of the May-impactor sampling and TXRF-XANES measurements at HASYLAB Beamline L to Cu and Zn speciation in size-fractionated atmospheric particulate matter are demonstrated. Information on Cu and Zn speciation could be performed for elemental concentrations as low as 140 pg/m³. The Cu and Zn speciation in the different size fraction was found to be very distinctive for samples of different origin. Zn and Cu chemical state typical for soils was detected only in the largest particles studied (2–4 μm fraction). The fine particles, however, contained the metals of interest in the sulfate and nitrate forms.     

Determination of mercury in polluted soils surrounding a chlor-alkali plant: Direct speciation by X-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques and preliminary geochemical characterisation of the area

Soil samples collected in the surroundings of a chlor-alkali plant in the Netherlands were characterised by synchrotron-based techniques and conventional analytical procedures, in order to evaluate the environmental impact of Hg emissions and other heavy metals present in these locations. Analysis of total metal content by inductively coupled plasma-optical spectroscopy (ICP-OES) revealed a heterogeneous contamination of Hg, with concentrations ranging from 4.3 to 1150 μg g⁻¹. In addition, significant concentrations of Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn and principally Fe were also identified within the studied samples. Direct determination of mercury species by X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) showed inorganic Hg compounds to prevail in all soils, being Cinnabar (HgS_red) and Corderoite (Hg₃S₂Cl₂) the main species. Nevertheless, more soluble mercury compounds, such as HgO and HgSO₄, have been also identified in significant proportion (from 6 to 20% of total mercury content), indicating a potential risk of mercury mobilisation. On the other hand, the application of sequential extraction schemes (SES) revealed large portions of weakly available Hg extracted in the residual fraction, while Hg associated to the exchangeable phase amounts as much as 19% of total Hg, thus, supporting the results obtained by XANES.Finally, synchrotron-based micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) was applied to identify qualitative trends on elemental associations in sample particles through a systematic mapping of its surface. In this concern, results show a well-defined correlation between Hg and Cu/Ni in the analysed particles. On the other hand, an absence of correlation between Hg and several other elements (Fe, Ti, Ca, Zn, Mn and S) was also observed. These effects have been attributed to chemical and physical interactions of mercury species on both enriched particles and sample matrices.     

Spectroscopic Characterization of Dental Ceramics Composed of Yttrium-Stabilized Zirconium

Yttria–zirconia ceramics in various compositions of Y₂O₃ and SiO₂ were synthesized by a high temperature solid state reaction process in alumina crucibles at 1400°C for 2?h. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis. Combining all of the structural characterizations, we conclude that the addition of lower Y₂O₃ and SiO₂ contents induces structural changes in the host matrix without partially or/and fully stabilizing the lattice of the zirconia crystalline phase.     

Changes in the near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectra of long-chain diacetylene derivatives through photopolymerization in Langmuir–Blodgett films

Photopolymerization of cadmium 10,12-pentacosadiynoate (CdDA) in Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films, with the molecular packing well arranged by moderate preannealing, was investigated with near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. Greenish films of polydiacetylene with an absorption wavelength of 705 nm were obtained through the photopolymerization of preannealed monomer LB films, and this resulted in an extended π-conjugate system based on the well-ordered monomer in a two-dimensional arrangement. The electronic structures of the polydiacetylenes were found to be correlated to the variation of the molecular arrangements in the films from the changes in the NEXAFS spectra through photopolymerization in the LB films. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2329–2336, 2004     

The absorption coefficient spectrum of poly(methyl methacrylate) in the soft X-ray region

The total photoabsorption cross section for poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is measured experimentally, using synchrotron radiation, over the photon energy range 40 < E < 1000 eV. The experiments utilize nominally monochromatic radiation from a grazing incidence grating monochromator (the “Grasshopper” at the Canadian Synchrotron Radiation Facility) on the storage ring “Aladdin” at the University of Wisconsin. The raw experimental data are corrected for the spectral contamination of the incident radiation from the monochromator by utilizing a calculated photoabsorption spectrum for PMMA. The calculations are carried out using the “mixture” rule and reliable dipole oscillator strength distributions for smaller molecules related to PMMA.     

Local structure and oxidation state of uranium in some ternary oxides: X-ray absorption analysis

We investigated the local atomic and electronic structures of two related systematic sets of ternary uranium oxides, NaUO₃-KUO₃-RbUO₃ and BaUO₃-Ba₂U₂O₇-BaUO₄, by measuring the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES). The results are compared with calculations based on a self-consistent real space full multiple scattering analysis. We found a very good agreement between measured and calculated spectra, which indicates that the uranium ions are in a pure U⁵⁺ oxidation state in these compounds. The low energy shoulder observed in the U L₃ edge XANES is an intrinsic feature of the uranium unoccupied 6d electronic states of the U⁵⁺ ions within the studied materials. Specific double shoulder features in the higher energy range of the U L₃ edge XANES can be interpreted as indicative of the pure cubic perovskite structure.     

Manganese K-edge XANES studies of Mn speciation in Lac des Allemands as a function of depth

X-Ray absorbance near edge spectroscopy (XANES) was used to identify variations in oxidation states of Mn with depth in a core sample. The core sample was collected from a small lake (Lac des Allemands) located in southeastern Louisiana. Samples of core segments were split into subsamples, one dried prior to analysis and a second kept wet. Upper core segments in the wet subsample was found to have K-edge energies 1.5 eV below the lower core segments, suggesting the presence of Mn(II) and/or Mn(III). The dominant oxidation state in all core segments was Mn(IV), with the bottom core samples containing almost entirely Mn(IV). This change in oxidation state probably resulted from the depletion of water at depth and the presence of anaerobic conditions. Manganese oxidations states were also found to change in pre-treated (dried) samples. Significant concentrations of Mn(II)/Mn(III) were found in the wet core segments near the water/sediment interface but these states disappear after drying.     

Cl/GaAs(111)表面近边X射线吸收精细结构的多重散射研究

利用多重散射团簇方法（MSC）计算了Cl/GaAs(111)吸附表面的Cl原子k边X射线吸收精细结构谱（NEXAFS）.阐明了NEXAFS谱中各个弱结构的物理起源.根据模型计算的结果与实验比较,求得吸附在顶位的氯原子和最近邻的镓原子的键长为（0.213±0.005）nm.这个结果在0.005 nm的误差范围内将广延X射线吸收精细结构（EXFAS）实验谱的Fourier变换结果（0.217 nm）和Slab模型计算的结果（0.208 nm）合理地联系起来.此外,MSC计算求得衬底表面层Ga－As键长为（0.235±0.005）nm,证实Cl吸附引起GaAs(111)表面驰豫.     

Application of Synchrotron Radiation in Neuromicrobiology: Role of Iron in Parkinson's Disease

In order to understand the role of iron (Fe) in the oxidative stress underlying the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and parkinsonism–dementia complex (PDC), we investigate distributions and chemical states of Fe within a single neuron of the two disease cases, using synchrotron radiation (SR) micro beam. In the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopic study, an excessive accumulation of Fe can be seen in the melanized neurons and free-neuromelanin (MN) aggregates in the substantia nigra tissue of both PD and PDC midbrains. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) analyses of PD revealed that the chemical state of Fe in the melanized neurons and free-MN aggregates shifted toward Fe³⁺ with a pre-edge peak at Fe K-edge due to a 1s 3d transition, indicating a breaking of the inversion symmetry around the Fe site. In PDC, however, the melanized neurons and free-MN aggregates showed mixed states of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ without any pre-edge peak in the spectra. This tendency was also observed in the control case. These results suggest that the changes in distributions and chemical states of Fe may endogenously play a crucial role in the oxidative damage of the melanized neurons in PD, but through a different mechanism other than PDC.     

X-ray absorption fine structure of artificial antigens for cadmium

Immunoassay technology as a quick and large-scale screening method to detect metal ions in foods and environmental samples has rapidly been developed due to several advantages over conventional instrument-intensive methods. Unlike biomacromolecule, metal ions are haptens without immunogenicity, so successful preparation of artificial antigens is the first critical step for establishing immunoassay methods for them. In the current paper, cadmium ions were conjugated to BSA and OVA, respectively, using bifunctional chelator, p-SCN-Bn-DTPA. The ultraviolet analysis indicated that the maximum absorption peak of Cd–p-SCN-DTPA–BSA and Cd–p-SCN-DTPA–OVA had a small peak shift and an apparent absorbance increase compared to that of BSA and OVA, and the extents of substitution of ?-amino in both conjugates were 51.2% and 58.6%, respectively. In addition, the EXAFS of conjugates implied that Cd²⁺ coordinated with N and O atoms of DTPA in artificial antigens, the coordination type and number of Cd–DTPA, Cd–p-SCN-Bn-DTPA–BSA, Cd–p-SCN-Bn-DTPA–OVA were the same. XANES region and geometries of the three compounds were also same. These results implied that the three antigens had the similar local structure and atomic geometry.This was the first time that the XAFS was attempted for the identification of artificial heavy metal ion antigens.