Controlled growth of rutile TiO2 by atomic layer deposition on oxidized ruthenium

Crystalline rutile TiO₂ films were grown by atomic layer deposition on oxidized Ru electrodes using a titanium methoxide as the metal precursor and O₃ as the oxidant. A protective layer of ～0.3 nm TiO₂ grown with H₂O as the oxidant was first deposited in order to avoid etching of the Ru bottom electrode by the O₃ used for the growth of the TiO₂ (bulk) layer. Electrical evaluation of the capacitor stacks with TiO₂ as dielectric, RuO₂/Ru and Pt as the bottom and top electrodes respectively, resulted in superior characteristics of the rutile phase as compared to the anatase. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Photophysical Properties of some 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Derivatives Containing Phenolphtalein,Fluorene and Bisphenol A Units

The photophysical properties of the three 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives containing fluorene (Ox-FL); fluorene and phenolphtaleine (Ox-FL-FF); or fluorene and bisphenol A (Ox-FL-BPA) moieties in the main chain were investigated by the fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy in different solvents and in the solid state. The electronic absorption spectra included a strong absorption band located in the 270–395 nm region, with a maxima around at 302 nm. The fluorescence excitation spectra were also characterized by one broad band, appearing in the wavelength range of 220–340 nm. All samples displayed the emission bands around 356–373 nm and exhibit high quantum yields ranged from 31.61 to 90.77%, in chloroform solution. The sensitivity of the emission spectra on medium characteristics (polarity, acidity and basicity) were evaluated by using the Catalan solvent scale and the fluorescence titration with a dilute acid solution.     

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 3 Activity as a Promising Biomarker of Bone Fragility in Postmenopausal Women

The dipeptidyl peptidase 3 (Dpp3) is a ubiquitous zinc-dependent aminopeptidase, participating in the activation or degradation of signaling peptides and in the Keap1–Nrf2 antioxidant pathway. The absence of Dpp3 in the Dpp3 knockout mouse model causes increased osteoclast activity, altered osteogenic function, sustained oxidative stress in the bone tissue, and bone loss. We aimed to assess the association of Dpp3 activity with bone fragility in postmenopausal osteoporosis and the impact of denosumab on enzymatic activity. We conducted a two-phase study including 69 postmenopausal women with severe osteoporosis and 36 postmenopausal women without osteometabolic conditions, as controls (cross-sectional phase). Subjects with severe osteoporosis were assessed at baseline and 14 days after the first denosumab administration (prospective phase). The results showed significant reduction in serum Dpp3 activity (expressed as nmoles of formed product/mg proteins/min) in patients vs. controls (0.791 ± 0.232 vs. 1.195 ± 0.338; p < 0.001), and significant association with bone mass at the femoral neck (r = 0.28, p = 0.02) in patients prior to treatment. We found a negative correlation between C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) or N-terminal pro-peptide of type 1 procollagen (P1NP) levels and Dpp3 activity (respectively, r = −0.29, p = 0.012; and r = −0.2572, p = 0.033). Dpp3 activity did not change after denosumab injection. Our findings support a critical role played by Dpp3 in bone homeostasis as a potential bone protective factor. Additional clinical studies in larger cohorts might explore the implementation of Dpp3 assessment as a biomarker of bone health status.     

Exploring the Research Progress about the Applications of Cyclodextrins and Nanomaterials in Electroanalysis

Cyclodextrins and nanomaterials are widely used in the achievement of powerful platforms in supramolecular chemistry and nanotechnology. The relatively hydrophobic internal cavity of the CDs selectively retains molecules having the proper geometry, while the hydrophilic exterior allows CDs to improve the dispersibility and molecular recognition. The nanomaterials provide higher surface area, good conductivity, and electrocatalytic effect. The use of nanomaterials and CDs in electrochemical sensors’ design allows the development of a large variety of devices, explaining the increasing number of papers in the last years that are discussed in this review.     

Mapping the Distribution of Melanin Concentration in Different Fitzpatrick Skin Types Using Hyperspectral Imaging Technique

Measuring skin melanin concentration in order to assess skin phototype according to Fitzpatrick's classification is a constant research goal. In this study, a new approach for assessing skin melanin concentration based on hyperspectral imaging combined with an appropriate analytical model that exploits specific spectral bands to generate maps of melanin content distribution on different Fitzpatrick skin phototypes is presented. Hyperspectral images from the proximal inner side of the forearms of 51 young volunteers covering the first four classes of Fitzpatrick's phototypes were acquired using a hyperspectral imaging system. The images were analyzed using a modified Beer–Lambert law that segregates the contribution of melanin from the other constituents to the skin absorption spectrum. The performance of the model was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (r-squared). The results revealed that the approach proposed in this study generated accurate melanin concentration distribution maps that allowed a correct classification of skin phototype. In conclusion, the proposed approach for assessing skin melanin concentration proved to be very reliable for classifying skin phototypes, and, as it provides maps that are easily read, it has the advantage of a possible extension of its applications to other research concerning skin pigmentation.     

Copper-mediated ATRP of methyl methacrylate in polar solvents using a bifunctional pyridinal diimine ligand

The bifunctional pyridinal diimine ligand, bis(2-pyridinal)ethylenediimine, was employed in copper-mediated ATRP of methylmethacrylate using solvents such as acetonitrile, N,N-dimethyl formamide and dimethylsulfoxide. Solvent polarity was found to play a crucial role in determining the extent of control in the ATRP process. Acetonitrile showed the best control when used at a level of 33 vol.-%.