Cyto-mechanoresponsive polyelectrolyte multilayer films

Cell adhesion processes take place through mechanotransduction mechanisms where stretching of proteins results in biological responses. In this work, we present the first cyto-mechanoresponsive surface that mimics such behavior by becoming cell-adhesive through exhibition of arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) adhesion peptides under stretching. This mechanoresponsive surface is based on polyelectrolyte multilayer films built on a silicone sheet and where RGD-grafted polyelectrolytes are embedded under antifouling phosphorylcholine-grafted polyelectrolytes. The stretching of this film induces an increase in fibroblast cell viability and adhesion.     

Comparison of the site occupancies determined by combined Rietveld refinement and density functional theory calculations: example of the ternary Mo-Ni-Re σ phase

The site occupancies of the Mo-Ni-Re σ phase have been studied as a function of the composition in the ternary homogeneity domain by both experimental measurements and calculations. Because of the possible simultaneous occupancy of three elements on the five sites of the crystal structure, the experimental determination of the site occupancies was achieved by using combined Rietveld refinement of X-ray and neutron diffraction data, whereas calculation of the site occupancies was carried out by using the density functional theory results of every ordered (i.e., 3(5) = 243) configuration appearing in the ternary system. A comparison of the experimental and calculation results showed good agreement, which suggests that the topologically close-packed phases, such as the σ phase, could be described by the Bragg-Williams approximation (i.e., ignoring the short-range-order contributions). On the other hand, the atomic distribution on different crystallographic sites of the Mo-Ni-Re σ phase was found to be governed by the atomic sizes. Ni, having the smallest atomic size, showed a preference for low-coordination-number (CN) sites, whereas Mo, being the largest in atomic size, preferred occupying high-CN sites. However, the preference of Re, having intermediate atomic size, varied depending on the composition, and a clear reversal in the preference of Re as a function of the composition was evidenced in both the calculated and experimental site-occupancy results.     

Instrumental Dependent Dissociations of n-Propyl/Isopropyl Phosphonate Isomers: Evaluation of Resonant and Non-Resonant Vibrational Activations

Structural elucidation and distinction of isomeric neurotoxic agents remain a challenge. Tandem mass spectrometry can be used for this purpose in particular if a “diagnostic” product ion is observed. Different vibrational activation methods were investigated to enhance formation of diagnostic ions through consecutive processes from O,O-dialkyl alkylphosphonates. Resonant and non-resonant collisional activation and infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) were used with different mass spectrometers: a hybrid quadrupole Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (Qh-FTICR) and a hybrid linear ion trap-Orbitrap (LTQ/Orbitrap). Double resonance (DR) experiments, in ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) cell, were used for unambiguous determination of direct intermediate yielding diagnostic ions. From protonated n-propyl and isopropyl O-O-dialkyl-phosphonates, a diagnostic m/z 83 ion characterizes the isopropyl isomer. This ion is produced through consecutive dissociation processes. Conditions to favor its formation and observation using different activation methods were investigated. It was shown that with the LTQ, consecutive experimental steps of isolation/activation with modified trapping conditions limiting the low mass cut off (LMCO) effect were required, whereas with FT-ICR by CID and IRMPD the diagnostic ion detection was provided only by one activation step. Among the different investigated activation methods it was shown that by using low-pressure conditions or using non-resonant methods, efficient and fast differentiation of isomeric neurotoxic agents was obtained. This work constitutes a unique comparison of different activation modes for distinction of isomers showing the instrumental dependence characteristic of the consecutive processes. New insights in the dissociation pathways were obtained based on double-resonance IRMPD experiments using a FT-ICR instrument with limitation at low mass values.

FT-IR and FT-FIR studies of vanadium,molybdenum and tungsten oxides supported on different carriers

In the far IR region at low molybdenum loadings, Mo-SiO₂ catalysts present a pseudomolybdate or a polymolybdate species, while bulk-like MoO₃ appears at loadings close to the geometrical monolayer coverage. W-SiO₂ and V-SiO₂ spectra show bands close to those observed on the corresponding bulk oxides.In the case of TiO₂, Al₂O₃, ZrO₂ supported catalysts, a band is observed near 1000 cm^–1 which is assigned to the Mo=O stretching vibration of coordinatively unsaturated Mo ⁿ⁺ ions showing a stronger interaction with the support than one observed on silica.     

Study of Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of odorant-binding protein/amphiphile for odorant biosensors

To make ultrathin films for the fabrication of artificial olfactory systems, odorant biosensors, we have investigated mixed Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of odorant-binding protein/amphiphile. Under optimized experimental conditions (phosphate buffer solution, pH 7.5, OBP-1F concentration of 4 mg L(-1), target pressure 35 mN m(-1)), the mixed monolayer at the air/water interface is very stable and has been efficiently transferred onto gold supports, which were previously functionalized by self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with 1-octadecanethiol (ODT). Atomic force microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize mixed Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films before and after contact with a specific odorant molecule, isoamyl acetate. AFM phase images show a higher contrast after contact with the odorant molecule due to the new structure of the OBP-1F/ODA LB film. Non-Faradaic electrochemical spectroscopy (EIS) is used to quantify the effect of the odorant based on the electrical properties of the OBP-1F/ODA LB film, as its resistance strongly decreases from 1.18 MOmega (before contact) to 25 kOmega (after contact).     

中温固体氧化物燃料电池阴极材料LaBiMn2O6的制备与性能研究

采用固相法合成了中温固体氧化物燃料电池(IT-SOFCs)阴极材料LaBiMn₂O₆,并利用X射线衍射(XRD)和电化学阻抗谱(EIS)进行表征.结果表明该材料与电解质Ce_0.7Bi_0.3O_1.85(CBO)在1 000 ℃烧结12 h不发生反应.交流阻抗和直流极化测试结果发现,阴极极化电阻随测试温度的增加而逐渐减小,700 ℃空气中的极化电阻为0.71 Ω·cm²;氧分压测试结果显示,在600~700 ℃范围内,电极反应的速率控制步骤为电极上发生的电荷转移反应.电极过电位为85 mV时,700 ℃的阴极电流密度达到 216 mA·cm^-2 ,表明LaBiMn₂O₆是一种潜在的中温固体氧化物燃料电池(IT-SOFCs)阴极材料.     

钴掺杂Sr1.5La0.5MnO4的合成及高温电化学性能研究

采用EDTA-柠檬酸法合成了中温固体氧化物燃料电池阴极材料Sr_1.5La_0.5Mn_1-xCo_xO₄（SLMCO_x）,并利用粉末X射线衍射（XRD）、X射线光电子能谱（XPS）以及电化学交流阻抗谱（EIS）进行表征。结果表明,该材料与Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95（CGO）在1 200℃烧结12 h不发生化学反应。随着Co掺入量的增加,氧化物中Mn³⁺和Co²⁺含量增多,晶格氧含量降低,晶格畸变率增大。交流阻抗谱（EIS）测试结果显示,钴的掺杂明显降低电极的极化电阻,其中Sr_1.5La_0.5Mn_0.7Co_0.3O₄阴极在700℃空气中的极化电阻为0.62 Ω·cm²,明显小于Sr_1.5La_0.5MnO₄阴极在750℃的极化电阻（1.5 Ω·cm²）,表明钴掺杂的Sr_1.5La_0.5Mn_1-xCo_xO₄是一种潜在的IT-SOFC阴极材料。     

Incompatible reaction evaluation and accident investigation of various acids in chemical industries

This article covers the incompatible properties of nitric acid (HNO₃) with formic acid (CH₂O₂), and more generally with various acids such as sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and acetic acid (C₂H₄O₂). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to determine the thermal hazard such as heat of decomposition (ΔH _d), exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), etc., in various acids. T ₀ of HNO₃ and CH₂O₂ were determined as 50 °C using DSC. Thus it has been observed that HNO₃ mixed with CH₂O₂ should be prohibited during transportation, storage, and use. And more generally, process safety engineers and operator must take care to handle tanker and storage tank of typical acids in the transportation, storage, and manufacturing process. It is clear that there exists a need to follow and enforce in the chemical industries safety data sheets, globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals of United Nations (UN), education of safety and health, emergency response system, and process safety management. It is the aim of the present study concerning HNO₃ with various acids.     

Préparation et Étude Physico-chimique de Quelques Copolyamides Aromatiques Séquencés. I. Synthèse des Copolycondensats Séquencés

A two-stage low-temperature solution polycondensation process is described for the synthesis of two kinds of block copolyamides: poly(p-biphenylene terephtalamide-co-adipamide) and poly(2,5-dimethyl trans-piperazine terephthalamide-co-adipamide). The reactivity of oligomeric end groups in various solvents is examined. This study ascertains the influence of the nature of the solvent on the extent of polycondensation. End groups seem to be more reactive in a medium in which the polyamide is soluble; this property is used for the synthesis of block copolycondensates.