Preparation and photoactivity of nanostructured anatase, rutile and brookite TiO2 thin films

Photoactive films consisting of pure anatase, brookite or rutile TiO2 were prepared by dip coating from water dispersions obtained by using TiCl4 as the precursor under similar mild experimental conditions.     

Selective enzymatic reduction of aldehydes

Highly selective enzymatic reductions of aldehydes to the corresponding alcohols was performed using an E. coli JM109 whole cell biocatalyst. A selective enzymatic method for the reduction of aldehydes could provide an eco-compatible alternative to chemical methods. The simplicity, fairly wide scope and the very high observed chemoselectivity of this approach are its most unique features.     

Raster microdiffraction with synchrotron radiation of hydrated biopolymers with nanometre step-resolution: case study of starch granules

X-ray radiation damage propagation is explored for hydrated starch granules in order to reduce the step resolution in raster-microdiffraction experiments to the nanometre range. Radiation damage was induced by synchrotron radiation microbeams of 5, 1 and 0.3?μm size with ～0.1?nm wavelength in B-type potato, Canna edulis and Phajus grandifolius starch granules. A total loss of crystallinity of granules immersed in water was found at a dose of ～1.3?photons?nm(-3). The temperature dependence of radiation damage suggests that primary radiation damage prevails up to about 120?K while secondary radiation damage becomes effective at higher temperatures. Primary radiation damage remains confined to the beam track at 100?K. Propagation of radiation damage beyond the beam track at room temperature is assumed to be due to reactive species generated principally by water radiolysis induced by photoelectrons. By careful dose selection during data collection, raster scans with 500?nm step-resolution could be performed for granules immersed in water.     

A comparative study of DRL-lift and lift on integrated polyisobutylene polymer matrices

This paper presents a comparative study of polymer pixel on sensors obtained by Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) assisted by a triazene polymer as Dynamic Release Layer (DRL). Polyisobutylene (PIB) was selected as model for chemoselective polymers which could be used as hydrogen-bond acidic polymer for vapor sensors.     

Polymer pixel enhancement by laser-induced forward transfer for sensor applications

This paper presents polymer pixel printing for applications in chemoselective sensors where nanosecond laser direct transfer methods, with a triazene polymer (TP) acting as a Dynamic Release Layer (DRL), are used. A systematic study of laser fluence, donor film morphology and both single- and multiple-pixel deposition were optimized with the final goal to obtain continuous pixels of sensitive polymers, polyethylenimine (PEI) and polyisobutylene (PIB), on SAW surfaces. Morphology characterization after the laser transfer has been performed by Optical Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The responses of the coated transducers were measured after deposition with different laser fluences and it was found that a fluence under 625 mJ/cm² was required in order to prevent damage of the interdigital transducers (IDT) of the sensor devices. The sensitivity of the polymer coated devices to acetone concentrations gives an indication that LIFT can be used for printing sensitive polymer pixels onto transducer devices.     

A ketogenic diet increases succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and recovers age-related decrease in numeric density of SDH-positive mitochondria in cerebellar Purkinje cells of late-adult rats

Ketogenic diets (KDs) have been applied in the therapy of paediatric epilepsy for nearly a century. Recently, beneficial results have also been reported on metabolic disorders and neurodegeneration, designating aged individuals as possible recipients. However, KDs efficacy decrease after the suckling period, and very little is known about their impact on the aging brain. In the present study, the effect on the neuronal energetic supply of a KD containing 20% of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) was investigated in Purkinje cells of the cerebellar vermis of late-adult (19-month-old) rats. The animals were fed with the KD for 8 weeks, and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity was cytochemically determined. The following parameters of SDH-positive mitochondria were evaluated by the use of a computer-assisted image analysis system connected to a transmission electron microscope: numeric density (Nv), average volume (V), volume density (Vv), and cytochemical precipitate area/mitochondrial area (R). Young, age-matched, and old animals fed with a standard chow were used as controls. We found significantly higher Nv in MCT-KD-fed rats vs. all the control groups, in young vs. late-adult and old controls, and in late-adult vs. old controls. V and Vv showed no significant differences among the groups. R was significantly higher in MCT-KD-fed rats vs. all the control animals, and in old vs. young and late-adult controls. Present data indicate that the ketogenic treatment counteracted age-related decrease in numeric density of SDH-positive mitochondria, and enhanced their metabolic efficiency. Given the central role of mitochondrial impairment in age-related physio-pathological changes of the brain, these findings may represent a starting point to examine novel potentialities for KDs.     

Ti(SO_4)_2水解-水热法制备锐钛型纳米TiO_2及其光催化性能

以Ti(SO4)2水溶液为原料,在水热条件下直接水解合成了锐钛型纳米TiO2颗粒。利用透射电镜(TEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、BET低温吸附和紫外-可见光谱(UV-Vis)等方法对产物进行了表征,并研究了样品光催化降解甲基橙(MO)的性能。结果表明所制得纳米TiO2颗粒为锐钛矿型,晶型良好,平均粒径为24 nm,BET比表面积约为56.20 m2.g-1。光催化活性与商品纳米TiO2(P25)相近,具有良好的工业应用前景。     

无菌与带菌盐藻矿质元素含量的比较分析

采用火焰原子吸收光度法分别测定了对数初、中、末期无菌与带菌盐藻细胞及上清液中Mg,Fe,K,Ca,Na,Mn,Zn,Cu,Ni,Cd和Cr的含量。结果表明:(1)该盐藻Mg,Fe,K,Ca和Na的含量在1～10mg.g-1之间,Zn,Cu,Mn和Ni的含量基本在0.1～1 mg.g-1之间,有害金属Cd和Cr的含量极微。(2)无菌与带菌盐藻不同时期矿质元素的变化趋势大致相同,Mg,Fe,K,Ca,Na,Mn和Cu的含量随着培养时间的延长有所下降,Ca下降的最明显;Mg,Fe,K,Ca和Na的含量在上清液中保持稳定,无明显差异,而Cu和Mn含量在对数中后期的上清液中明显增加。(3)无菌与带菌盐藻Mg,K,Cu和Ni的含量差异不大;带菌盐藻的Fe,Ca,Na和Zn的含量在对数中期均显著下降,且低于无菌盐藻;而到对数末期又明显高于无菌盐藻。本实验结果为进一步利用盐藻资源以及深入研究藻菌相互作用机理提供了参考。