Light scalars coupled to photons and non-newtonian forces

A particle phi coupling to two photons couples also radiatively to charged particles, like protons. If the particle is a light scalar, this induced coupling leads to spin-independent non-Newtonian forces. We show that the experimental constraints on exotic, fifth-type forces lead to stringent constraints on the phigammagamma coupling. We discuss the impact on the recent PVLAS results and the role of paraphoton models introduced to solve the PVLAS-CAST puzzle.     

Electrochemical behavior of silver thin films interfaced with yttria-stabilized zirconia

Thin silver films (100–800 nm) were deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) on yttria-stabilized zirconia solid electrolyte. The electric percolation as a function of the film thickness was studied during deposition and annealing using a two-electrode in-situ resistance measurement technique. Electrical percolation was achieved in as-deposited films greater than 5.4?±?0.4 nm; however, thermal treatment (550 °C in air) resulted in film dewetting for Ag films as thick as 500 nm and formation of electronically isolated Ag nanoparticles, as was confirmed by SEM and XPS. In thermally treated samples, stable electronic conductivity associated with a continuous percolated network was only observed in samples greater than 600 nm in thickness. The effect of polarization on the electrochemical reactions at the three-phase (electrode-gas-electrolyte) and two-phase (electrode-electrolyte) boundaries of the electrode was investigated by solid electrolyte cyclic voltammetry (SECV) at 350 °C and P _O2?=?6 kPa. With the application of positive potential, silver oxide (Ag₂O) was found to form along the three-phase boundary and then extends within the bulk of the electrode with increasing anodic potentials. By changing the hold time at positive potential, passivating oxide layers are formed which results in a shift in favor of the oxygen evolution reaction at the working electrode. This oxide forms according to a logarithmic rate expression with thick oxides being associated with decrease in current efficiency for subsequent oxide formation.     

Harmonization and transferability of performance assessment: experience from four serum aluminum proficiency testing schemes

Proficiency testing schemes monitor laboratory performance and provide a stimulus for improvement in accuracy. Where several schemes operate in the same analytical sector, there are risks that assessments of performance may be in conflict. Performance assessment for the determination of trace elements such as aluminum in serum is particularly important due to the high risk of contamination and therefore erroneous results. The objectives of this work were (1) to compare several mathematical models to establish a predefined standard deviation for proficiency assessment and (2) to evaluate the influence of instrumental methods and proficiency testing scheme on the assessment of performance for serum aluminum measurements. For this purpose, three samples were sent to the participants of four proficiency testing schemes. Assigned values were calculated according to algorithm A according to ISO 13528 and standard deviation for proficiency assessment according to three methods based on individual variability, state of the art or previous proficiency testing results. The method based on individual variability produced a more stringent standard deviation compared to analytical imprecision based on the state of the art. The instrumental methods gave similar results, whereas significant differences were observed between the four proficiency testing schemes indicating that harmonization of the standard deviation for proficiency assessment fails to allow transferability from one proficiency testing scheme to another and that additional factor(s) contribute to variability in performance assessment.     

Antimicrobial nanocomposite films made of poly(lactic acid)-cellulose nanocrystals (PLA-CNC) in food applications: part A—effect of nisin release on the inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes in ham

New bioactive nanocomposite films were prepared by compression molding method for food applications. Film matrix was composed of poly(lactic acid) containing cellulose nanocrystals (PLA-CNC). Nanocomposite films were converted to bioactive films using nisin as an antimicrobial agent by an adsorption coating method. Resulting antimicrobial films were then introduced in packages containing sliced cooked ham as a food model and stored for 14 days at 4 °C to determine their inhibiting capacity against Listeria monocytogenes and their physicochemical and structural properties. The study also focused on the nisin release from the films by using an agar diffusion bioassay. It was observed that mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break and water vapor permeability values of the bioactive films were stable after 14 days of storage. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis allowed characterizing the adsorption of nisin onto PLA-CNC surface. Microbiological analysis of sliced cooked ham inoculated with L. monocytogenes (3 log CFU/g) allowed determining the potentiality of nisin as a strong antimicrobial agent in PLA-CNC-based films. Bioactive PLA-CNC-nisin films showed a significant reduction of L. monocytogenes in ham from day 1 and a total inhibition from day 3. The percentage of nisin release increased continuously from day 0 to day 14, up to 21 % at day 14. These results demonstrated the potential application of PLA-CNC-nisin films on controlling the growth of food pathogens in meat products.     

Optimization of microfluidization for the homogeneous distribution of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in biopolymeric matrix

Microfluidization, which is a high-pressure homogenization technique, was used to develop highly dispersed cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) reinforced chitosan based nanocomposite films. A three factor central composite design with five levels was designed to systematically optimize the microfluidization process. The three factors were the CNC content, the microfluidization pressure and the number of microfluidization cycles. Response surface methodology was used to obtain relationship between the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films and the factors. Polynomial equations were generated based on the regression analysis of the factors and the predicted properties of the nanocomposite films were in good agreement with the experimental results. Microfluidization effectively reduced the CNC–chitosan aggregates and improved the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films. Microscopic analysis of the microfluidized nanocomposite films revealed a 10–15 times reduction in the size of the aggregates compared to the non-microfluidized CNC/chitosan films and an increase in the root mean square surface roughness (Rq).     

Controlled Generation of 9-Boratriptycene by Lewis Adduct Dissociation: Accessing a Non-Planar Triarylborane

A highly bent triarylborane, 9-boratriptycene, was generated in solution by selective protodeboronation of the corresponding tetra-aryl boron ate complex with the strong Brønsted acid HNTf₂. The iptycene core confers enhanced Lewis acidity to 9-boratriptycene, making it unique in terms of structure and reactivity. We studied the stereoelectronic properties of 9-boratriptycene by quantifying its association with small N- and O-centered Lewis bases, as well as with sterically hindered phosphines. The resultant Lewis adducts exhibited unique structural, spectroscopic, and photophysical properties. Beyond the high pyramidalization of the 9-boratriptycene scaffold and its low reorganization energy upon Lewis base coordination, quantum chemical calculations revealed that the absence of π donation from the triptycene aryl rings to the boron vacant p_z orbital is one of the main reasons for its high Lewis acidity.     

Evolution of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 surfaces under water immersion monitored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ absorbers were immerged in deionized water for different times, and specific chemical evolutions were monitored thanks to X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ related dissolution products were studied in water through induced coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. From those analyses, specific surface network disorganization was observed, with Cu migration towards the surface, leading to different kinetics of oxidation and dissolution for each element that could be quantified.     

Engineering Iron–Nickel Nanoparticles for Magnetically Induced CO2 Methanation in Continuous Flow

Induction heating of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) is a method to activate heterogeneous catalytic reactions. It requires nano‐objects displaying high heating power and excellent catalytic activity. Here, using a surface engineering approach, bimetallic NPs are used for magnetically induced CO₂ methanation, acting both as heating agent and catalyst. The organometallic synthesis of Fe₃₀Ni₇₀ NPs displaying high heating powers at low magnetic field amplitudes is described. The NPs are active but only slightly selective for CH₄ after deposition on SiRAlOx owing to an iron‐rich shell (25 mL min^?1, 25 mT, 300 kHz, conversion 71 %, methane selectivity 65 %). Proper surface engineering consisting of depositing a thin Ni layer leads to Fe₃₀Ni₇₀@Ni NPs displaying a very high activity for CO₂ hydrogenation and a full selectivity. A quantitative yield in methane is obtained at low magnetic field and mild conditions (25 mL min^?1, 19 mT, 300 kHz, conversion 100 %, methane selectivity 100 %).     

Large Amplitude Torsions in Nitrotoluene Isomers Studied by Rotational Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemistry Calculations

Rotational spectra of ortho-nitrotoluene (2-NT) and para-nitrotoluene (4-NT) have been recorded at low and room temperatures using a supersonic jet Fourier Transform microwave (MW) spectrometer and a millimeter-wave frequency multiplier chain, respectively. Supported by quantum chemistry calculations, the spectral analysis of pure rotation lines in the vibrational ground state has allowed to characterise the rotational energy, the hyperfine structure due to the ¹⁴N nucleus and the internal rotation splittings arising from the methyl group. For 2-NT, an anisotropic internal rotation of coupled −CH₃ and −NO₂ torsional motions was identified by quantum chemistry calculations and discussed from the results of the MW analysis. The study of the internal rotation splittings in the spectra of three NT isomers allowed to characterise the internal rotation potentials of the methyl group and to compare them with other mono-substituted toluene derivatives in order to study the isomeric influence on the internal rotation barrier.     

Bipolar Electrochemiluminescence Imaging: A Way to Investigate the Passivation of Silicon Surfaces

This work depicts the original combination of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) and bipolar electrochemistry (BPE) to map in real-time the oxidation of silicon in microchannels. We fabricated model silicon-PDMS microfluidic chips, optionally containing a restriction, and monitored the evolution of the surface reactivity using ECL. BPE was used to remotely promote ECL at the silicon surface inside microfluidic channels. The effects of the fluidic design, the applied potential and the resistance of the channel (controlled by the fluidic configuration) on the silicon polarization and oxide formation were investigated. A potential difference down to 6 V was sufficient to induce ECL, which is two orders of magnitude less than in classical BPE configurations. Increasing the resistance of the channel led to an increase in the current passing through the silicon and boosted the intensity of ECL signals. Finally, the possibility of achieving electrochemical reactions at predetermined locations on the microfluidic chip was investigated using a patterning of the silicon oxide surface by etched micrometric squares. This ECL imaging approach opens exciting perspectives for the precise understanding and implementation of electrochemical functionalization on passivating materials. In addition, it may help the development and the design of fully integrated microfluidic biochips paving the way for development of original bioanalytical applications.