Hydrogen distribution in Nb/Ta superlattices

The distribution of hydrogen in Nb/Ta superlattices has been investigated by combined neutron reflectivity and x-ray scattering. We provide evidence to support that strain modulations determined with x-ray diffraction can be interpreted as modulations in hydrogen content. We show that the hydrogen concentration is modulated and favors Nb, in agreement with previous studies. We measure the concentration directly using neutron reflectivity and demonstrate no detectable change in the distribution of hydrogen with temperature, in stark contrast to previous studies.     

Evaluating Feasibility of Human Tissue Engineered Respiratory Epithelium Construct as a Potential Model for Tracheal Mucosal Reconstruction

The normal function of the airway epithelium is vital for the host’s well-being. Conditions that might compromise the structure and functionality of the airway epithelium include congenital tracheal anomalies, infection, trauma and post-intubation injuries. Recently, the onset of COVID-19 and its complications in managing respiratory failure further intensified the need for tracheal tissue replacement. Thus far, plenty of naturally derived, synthetic or allogeneic materials have been studied for their applicability in tracheal tissue replacement. However, a reliable tracheal replacement material is missing. Therefore, this study used a tissue engineering approach for constructing tracheal tissue. Human respiratory epithelial cells (RECs) were isolated from nasal turbinate, and the cells were incorporated into a calcium chloride-polymerized human blood plasma to form a human tissue respiratory epithelial construct (HTREC). The quality of HTREC in vitro, focusing on the cellular proliferation, differentiation and distribution of the RECs, was examined using histological, gene expression and immunocytochemical analysis. Histological analysis showed a homogenous distribution of RECs within the HTREC, with increased proliferation of the residing RECs within 4 days of investigation. Gene expression analysis revealed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in gene expression level of proliferative and respiratory epithelial-specific markers Ki67 and MUC5B, respectively, within 4 days of investigation. Immunohistochemical analysis also confirmed the expression of Ki67 and MUC5AC markers in residing RECs within the HTREC. The findings show that calcium chloride-polymerized human blood plasma is a suitable material, which supports viability, proliferation and mucin secreting phenotype of RECs, and this suggests that HTREC can be a potential candidate for respiratory epithelial tissue reconstruction.     

Das erste Gadoliniumcarbidfluorid: Gd2CF2

The First Gadolinium Carbide Fluoride: Gd₂CF₂ Gd₂CF₂, the first gadolinium carbide fluoride is prepared by reaction of stoichiometric amounts of GdF₃, Gd, and C at 1250°C in sealed Ta-capsules. It is isotypic with Gd₂CBr₂ (space group P3 m1; a = 373.11(4) and c = 642.5(1) pm). The Gd atoms surround the C atoms octahedrally. Such Gd₆C octahedra are condensed via edges to form octahedral sheets, which are separated by double slabs of F^?? ions.     

Zum System Zn/Mo/O. I. Phasenbestand und Eigenschaften der ternären Zinkmolybdate; Struktur von Zn3Mo2O9

On the System Zn/Mo/O. I. Phases and Properties of Ternary Zinc Molybdates; Crystal Structure of Zn₃Mo₂O₉ Several ternary compounds are known in the Zn/Mo/O-system. The phases ZnMoO₄, Zn₂Mo₃O₈ and Zn₃Mo₂O₉ are stable at 900°C. The coexistence ranges are shown in the ternary phase diagram. The structure of Zn₃Mo₂O₉ has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/m (a = 7,757(1) Å, b = 7,132(1) Å, c = 8,370(2) Å, β = 117,40(1)º, Z = 2).     

Study of natural radionuclides and its radiation hazard index in Malaysian building materials

The main component of most building materials in Malaysia is rock. All rocks are known to contain natural radionuclides such as ²³⁸U and ²³²Th series as well as ⁴⁰K. In order to estimate the radiological impact to the dweller, the level of radionuclides present in various building materials available in Malaysia were analyzed using γ-spectrometry. The radiation hazard indexes were calculated based on the above results. The results showed that the activity concentration of natural radionculides ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K was between 19.0–42.2 Bq/kg, 16.5–28.8 Bq/kg and 243.3–614.2 Bq/kg, respectively. On the whole, the radionuclides concentration was still below the global average of 50 Bq/kg, 50 Bq/kg and 500 Bq/kg for ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K, respectively The radiation hazard indexes of the building materials were also lower than the maximum value suggested.     

Thermisches Verhalten und Kristallstruktur von YAl3Cl12

Thermal Behaviour and Crystal Structure of YAl₃Cl₁₂ We determined the thermodynamic data of YAl₃Cl₁₂ ΔH = ?739.9 ± 3 kcal/mol and S = 136.1 ± 4 cal/K · mol by total pressure measurements and ΔH = ?739.1 ± 1.6 kcal/mol by solution calorimetry. Using DTA-investigations we established the phase diagram in the system AlCl₃–YCl₃. The crystal structure was refined on the basis of single crystal data (P3₁ 12; Z = 3; a = 1 046.8(2); c = 1 562.3(3) pm).     

Preparation,spectroscopic characterization and X-ray crystal and molecular structures of nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of the Schiff base formed from isatin and S-methyldithiocarbazate (Hisa-sme)

Complexes of general formula, [M(isa-sme)₂] · n(solvate) [M = Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺; isa-sme = monoanionic form of the Schiff base formed by condensation of isatin with S-methyldithiocarbazate; n = 1 or 1.5; solvate = MeCN, DMSO, MeOH or H₂O] have been synthesized and characterized by a variety of physicochemical techniques. An X-ray crystallographic structure determination of the [Ni(isa-sme)₂] · MeCN complex reveals a six-coordinate, distorted octahedral geometry. The two uninegatively charged, tridentate, Schiff base ligands are coordinated to the nickel(II) ion meridionally via the amide O-atoms, the azomethine N-atoms and the thiolate S-atoms. By contrast, the crystal structure of [Zn(isa-sme)₂] · MeOH shows a four-coordinate distorted tetrahedral geometry. The two dithiocarbazate ligands are coordinated as N, S bidentate chelates with the amide O-atom not coordinated. The structure of the copper(II) complex [Cu(isa-sme)₂] · DMSO is complicated and comprises two different complexes in the asymmetric unit, one four- and the other five-coordinate. The four-coordinate copper(II) has a distorted (flattened) tetrahedral geometry as seen in the Zn(II) analogue whereas the five-coordinate copper(II) has a distorted square-pyramidal geometry with one ligand coordinated to the copper(II) ion as a tridentate (N, S, O) ligand and the other coordinated as a bidentate N, S chelate. EPR spectroscopy indicates that in solution only one form is present, that being a distorted tetrahedral complex.     

Synthesis,characterization, and metal uptake of multiple functionalized immobilized-polysiloxane diamine-thiol chelating ligand derivatives

Immobilized-polysiloxane (diamine-thiol) tetraethylacetate, P-(NN-S)-TEA (where P represents [Si–O]_n polysiloxane network), was synthesized using one-pot reaction of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) with 3-(ethylenediaminetriethylacetate)propyltrimethoxysilane and 3-thiolethylacetatepropyltrimethoxysilane in the presence of cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a surfactant. Its ethylenediamine and diethylenetriamine modified polysiloxane (diamine-thiol)-tetrakis(N-2-aminoethylacetamide), P-(NN-S)-TEA-NN, and polysiloxane (diamine-thiol)-tetrakis(N-diethylenediamineacetamide), P-(NN-S)-TEA-NNN chelating ligand systems were also obtained. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques have been used for establishing their structures. An elemental CHNX combustion analyzer was used to determine the mass fractions of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur of samples. The metal uptake capacities results showed that the modified polysiloxane ligand systems exhibited high capacities for the uptake of divalent metal ions in the following order: Cu²⁺> Pb²⁺> Ni²⁺> Co²⁺.