XRF Analysis of Microsamples of Semiconductor Type Multielement Materials by the Thin Layer Method. Determination of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Se, Sb, Yb

 A simple and quick method of durable samples preparation by the thin layer method through direct digesting of the analysed material on the substrate has been presented. Four- and three-component mono- and polycrystals have been analysed. Standards have been used in calibration containing: Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Se, Sb, Yb. To improve the correlation between the concentration and the fluorescent radiation models of mathematical corrections have additionally been used: multiple linear regression, Lucas-Tooth-Pyne model (L. T. P.) and de Jongh model (d. J.). Statistical parameters: detection limits for 0.5 mg samples: Cr–0.041%, Co–0.034%, Ni–0.042%, Cu–0.053%, Zn–0.054%, Ga–0.057%, Se–0.057%, Sb–0.113%, Yb–0.077%. Correlation coefficients: simple regression 0.9946–0.9997, multiple regression 0.9974–1.0000, L. T. P. 0.9993–1.0000, d. J. 0.9995–1.0000. Received August, 1, 1998. Revision March 25, 1999.     

Orthorhombic Polymorph of ErP5O14, Crystal Structure and Characterization

Erbium pentaphosphate crystals have been characterized and the structure of the orthorhombic polymorph (type III) determined by X-rays. It has been found that the orthorhombic samples of ErP₅O₁₄, space group Pnma, crystallize mainly at higher temperatures and usually are much larger than monoclinic crystals, space group C2/c, obtained from lower-temperature crystallizations. Differences in fluorescence and upconversion properties between orthorhombic and monoclinic polymorphs have been detected.     

HPLC Analysis of the Urinary Iodine Concentration in Pregnant Women

Iodine is an essential component for fetal neurodevelopment and maternal thyroid function. Urine iodine is the most widely used indicator of iodine status. In this study, a novel validated ion-pair HPLC–UV method was developed to measure iodine concentration in clinical samples. A sodium thiosulfate solution was added to the urine sample to convert the total free iodine to iodide. Chromatographic separation was achieved in a Pursuit XRs C8 column. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and a water phase containing 18-crown-6-ether, octylamine and sodium dihydrogen phosphate. Validation parameters, such as accuracy, precision, limits of detection and quantification, linearity and stability, were determined. Urinary samples from pregnant women were used to complete the validation and confirm the method’s applicability. In the studied population of 93 pregnant women, the median UIC was lower in the group without iodine supplementation (117 µg/L, confidence interval (%CI): 95; 138) than in the supplement group (133 µg/L, %CI: 109; 157). In conclusion, the newly established ion-pair HPLC–UV method was adequately precise, accurate and fulfilled validation the criteria for analyzing compounds in biological fluids. The method is less complicated and expensive than other frequently used assays and permits the identification of the iodine-deficient subjects.     

Permanent magnet assembly producing a strong tilted homogeneous magnetic field: towards magic angle field spinning NMR and MRI

We introduce a cylindrical permanent magnet design that generates a homogeneous and strong magnetic field having an arbitrary inclination with respect to the axis of the cylinder. The analytical theory of 3 D magnetostatics has been applied to this problem, and a hybrid magnet structure has been designed. This structure contains two magnets producing a longitudinal and transverse component for the magnetic field, whose amplitudes and homogeneities can be fully controlled by design. A simple prototype has been constructed using inexpensive small cube magnets, and its magnetic field has been mapped using Hall and NMR probe sensors. This magnet can, in principle, be used for magic angle field spinning NMR and MRI experiments allowing for metabolic chemical shift profiling in small living animals.     

Biocompatibility of monoelementary carbon polymer prepared for the soft and hard tissue implantation

Abstract

Glassy-like carbon to be applicable in two amas of advanced technology:

1—as Source of sp³ organizad carbon orbitals in HP/HT diamond synthesis [1].

2—as chamically inert parts for implantation in surgery [2].

For first application the temporatwe of carbonization proam should be lower thau 1300 K, for the second one higher than 1300 K (the best ?1473 K). Usefafnercr of dense body for surgery prepared by us was analysed on: as heart valves and as parts for face-skull restoration. Biocompatibility was tested in soft tisrue of ratrr, pig8 and dogs. Positive results have shown that such a body may be applicable as biomaterial.     

Identification of a Sesquiterpene Lactone from Arctium lappa Leaves with Antioxidant Activity in Primary Human Muscle Cells

Many pathologies affecting muscles (muscular dystrophies, sarcopenia, cachexia, renal insufficiency, obesity, diabetes type 2, etc.) are now clearly linked to mechanisms involving oxidative stress. In this context, there is a growing interest in exploring plants to find new natural antioxidants to prevent the appearance and the development of these muscle disorders. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant properties of Arctium lappa leaves in a model of primary human muscle cells exposed to H₂O₂ oxidative stress. We identified using bioassay-guided purification, onopordopicrin, a sesquiterpene lactone as the main molecule responsible for the antioxidant activity of A. lappa leaf extract. According to our findings, onopordopicrin inhibited the H₂O₂-mediated loss of muscle cell viability, by limiting the production of free radicals and abolishing DNA cellular damages. Moreover, we showed that onopordopicrin promoted the expression of the nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) downstream target protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in muscle cells. By using siRNA, we demonstrated that the inhibition of the expression of Nrf2 reduced the protective effect of onopordopicrin, indicating that the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway mediates the antioxidant effect of onopordopicrin in primary human muscle cells. Therefore, our results suggest that onopordopicrin may be a potential therapeutic molecule to fight against oxidative stress in pathological specific muscle disorders.     

Simple procedure for the fabrication of flexible NMR shim coils

Photolithography allows simple fabrication of flexible NMR shim coils. Here we demonstrate this procedure by fabricating optimized first-order shim coils for a transverse field orientation “Halbach” permanent magnet cylinder.     

The Storage and Handling of Polymer Latices Used as Particle Standards

Latices of 2, 4 and 9 μm diameter intended for use a particle standard have been examined under a variety of storage and handling conditions. The effects of light exposure, temperature variation and storage in isotonic saline were studied as well as the handling conditions, such as multiple sampling, dispersion technique and effects of foaming. Particle sizes and particle number densities were remarkably constant, even under the most extreme conditions investigated.     

Magnetic susceptibility and valency state in Sm3S4

The lack of pronounced temperature dependence in the magnetic susceptibility of Sm₃S₄ rules out a magnetic ground state for Sm ions. Comparison with semiconducting and metallic phases of SmS suggest the presence of one Sm²⁺ ion for two non-integral valency Sm ions.