Focusing of Fe3O4 nanoparticles using a rotating magnetic field in various environments

The paper shows the application of a new method – Magnetic Nanoparticles Focusing 3D, MNF-3D – for focusing of magnetic nanoparticles at any point in a three-dimensional space between the rotating magnet system. The results of focusing process of nanoparticles in water, human blood, human serum and polyurethane sponge are presented. Additionally, blood flow was also considered. The effectiveness of nanoparticle focusing was monitored optically and quantitatively by electron spin resonance method. The method enabled focusing of magnetic nanoparticles within a few minutes in different environments. A good efficiency of focusing process was observed for all the samples.     

Free Radicals, Salicylic Acid and Mycotoxins in Asparagus After Inoculation with Fusarium proliferatum and F. oxysporum

Electron paramagnetic resonance was used to monitor free radicals and paramagnetic species like Fe, Mn, Cu generation, stability and status in Asparagus officinalis infected by common pathogens Fusarium proliferatum and F. oxysporum. Occurrence of F. proliferatum and F. oxysporum, level of free radicals and other paramagnetic species, as well as salicylic acid and mycotoxins content in roots and stems of seedlings were estimated on the second and fourth week after inoculation. In the first term free and total salicylic acid contents were related to free radicals level in stem (P?=?0.010 and P?=?0.033, respectively). Concentration of Fe(3+) ions in porphyrin complexes (g?=?2.3, g?=?2.9) was related to the species of pathogen. There was no significant difference between Mn(2+) concentrations in stem samples; however, the level of free radicals in samples inoculated with F. proliferatum was significantly higher when compared to F. oxysporum.     

Antidepressant-like Effects of Combined Fluoxetine and Zinc Treatment in Mice Exposed to Chronic Restraint Stress Are Related to Modulation of Histone Deacetylase

Chronic stress is the key factor contributing to the development of depressive symptoms. Chronic restraint stress (CRS) is well validated and is one of the most commonly used models to induce depressive-like behavior in rodents. The present study aimed to evaluate whether fluoxetine (FLU 5 mg/kg) and zinc (Zn 10mg/kg) given simultaneously induce a more pronounced antidepressant-like effect in the CRS model than both those compounds given alone. Behavioral assessment was performed using the tail suspension and splash tests (TST and ST, respectively). Furthermore, the effects of CRS, FLU and Zn given alone and combined treatment with FLU + Zn on the expression of proteins involved in the apoptotic, inflammatory, and epigenetic processes were evaluated in selected brain structures (prefrontal cortex, PFC; and hippocampus, Hp) using Western blot analysis or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The results obtained indicated that three hours (per day) of immobilization for 4 weeks induced prominent depressive symptoms that manifested as increased immobility time in the TST, as well as decreased number and grooming time in the ST. Behavioral changes induced by CRS were reversed by both FLU (5 and 10 mg/kg) or Zn (10 mg/kg). Zinc supplementation (10 mg/kg) slightly increases the effectiveness of FLU (5 mg/kg) in the TST. However, it significantly increased the activity of FLU in the ST compared to the effect induced by FLU and Zn alone. Biochemical studies revealed that neither CRS nor FLU and Zn given alone or in combined treatment alter the expression of proteins involved in apoptotic or inflammatory processes. CRS induced major alterations in histone deacetylase (HDAC) levels by increasing the level of HADC1 and decreasing the level of HADC4 in the PFC and Hp, decreasing the level of HADC6 in the PFC but increasing it in Hp. Interestingly, FLU + Zn treatment reversed CRS-induced changes in HDAC levels in the Hp, indicating that HDAC modulation is linked to FLU + Zn treatment and this effect is structure-specific.     

Porosity and interior structure analysis of pellet-flocs

Pellet-flocs are the result of modified flocculation performance. They are spherically shaped and can reach several millimeters in size. Since pellet-floc aggregates are created from macroflocs and these from microflocs and these, in turn, from primary solid particles, it can be expected that the total porosity is composed of porosities resulting from spaces between all these sub-elements. Accordingly, micro- and macroporosity can be distinguished in the interior structure of pellet-flocs.

Although considerable attention has been given to total aggregate porosity measurement, no reports can be found about the full morphological characteristics of different types of pores. Moreover, there is no single reliable method that can accurately obtain values for the respective fractions of pore volume (microporosity, macroporosity) within a relatively big floc aggregate.

This work is an approach to probe the porosity within pellet-flocs at different size levels by combining the outcomes from different examination methods.

Pellet-floc aggregates were investigated using the following techniques: free settling, light microscopy of resin-embedded microtome slices and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

The results confirmed that the biggest portion of porosity is composed of micropores in the size range of a few microns, which were first visible by SEM image analysis. Light microscopy of resin-embedded microtome slices is an accurate method to obtain so called macroporosity of a whole agglomerate with equivalent pore diameter above 50 μm. The study of free settling data revealed satisfactorily the total porosity of pellet-flocs. Finally, a multilevel porosity model of pellet-flocs could be obtained.     

Nondestructive evaluation of cylindrical parts using laser ultrasonics

We applied the laser ultrasonic technique for detecting surface breaking slots in steel cylinders (25 mm in diameter). The observation of the detected signal over a long time (500 micros), shows that the interaction of the two contra-propagating incident Rayleigh waves reinforce the echoes coming from the defect. These echoes are slowly growing with time whereas the main signals decrease. This energy transfer occurring at each revolution of the waves around the cylinder allows the detection of cracks having a depth (h approximately 80 microm), very small compared to the Rayleigh wavelength (lambda approximately 2 mm). The evaluation of the material was performed by processing the detected signal in a sliding time window. A cross-correlation is made either between a reference signal and the signal from the tested sample or between two signals probed for two different positions of the sample. In both cases, the slope of the cross-correlation coefficient versus the number of turns is proportional to the depth of the slot.     

Ruthenium nanoparticles inside porous [Zn4O(bdc)3] by hydrogenolysis of adsorbed [Ru(cod)(cot)]: a solid-state reference system for surfactant-stabilized ruthenium colloids

The gas-phase loading of [Zn4O(bdc)3] (MOF-5; bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate) with the volatile compound [Ru(cod)(cot)] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, cot = 1,3,5-cyclooctatriene) was followed by solid-state (13)C magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy. Subsequent hydrogenolysis of the adsorbed complex inside the porous structure of MOF-5 at 3 bar and 150 degrees C was performed, yielding ruthenium nanoparticles in a typical size range of 1.5-1.7 nm, embedded in the intact MOF-5 matrix, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The adsorption of CO molecules on the obtained Ru@MOF-5 nanocomposite was followed by IR spectroscopy. Solid-state (2)H NMR measurements indicated that MOF-5 was a stabilizing support with only weak interactions with the embedded particles, as deduced from the surprisingly high mobility of the surface Ru-D species in comparison to surfactant-stabilized colloidal Ru nanoparticles of similar sizes. Surprisingly, hydrogenolysis of the [Ru(cod)(cot)]3.5@MOF-5 inclusion compound at the milder condition of 25 degrees C does not lead to the quantitative formation of Ru nanoparticles. Instead, formation of a ruthenium-cyclooctadiene complex with the arene moiety of the bdc linkers of the framework takes place, as revealed by (13)C MAS NMR, PXRD, and TEM.     

ESR investigation of structure and dynamics of paramagnetic centres in lime mortars from Budinjak,Croatia

This study presents the preliminary results of investigation of the types and dynamics of paramagnetic centres in lime mortars from Sveta Petka church in Budinjak, Croatia, using Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The excavation in Budinjak discovered a very unique four lobed plan object Sveta Petka, with no additional finds or reliable historical records about the time of its construction. The lime mortars from the church were chosen for analysis in order to characterize the building material and to verify the site chronology by dating them. Lime mortar is valuable but problematic material for luminescence and radiocarbon dating. This type of material has not been dated before using ESR; therefore, careful studies are required to identify the useful paramagnetic centres. The ESR approach suggested in this work concentrates on a calcium carbonate signal. All samples were γ-irradiated in ⁶⁰C bomb with the doses of 1, 10, 20, 50, 80 and 100 kGy. In all spectra signals from Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions have been observed. Paramagnetic centres which give the ESR signals may be interpreted as CO₂^?, CO₃^?, CO₃^3?, HCO₃^2?, SO₂^?, SO₃^?, PO₂^? and PO₃^2? species. However, all spectra are complex and signals are interfering; therefore, computer resolution enhancement method will be needed in further research. The changes in ESR signals amplitude measured at magnetic field range about 3440–3450 G were analysed versus the dose of irradiation, using Mn²⁺ signals as a reference. Exponential growth of the curve and saturation for doses above 20 kGy were observed; therefore, irradiation with smaller doses is required. These preliminary studies will be helpful in future attempts of dating lime mortars by ESR method.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance as an effective method for a characterization of functionalized iron oxide

Iron(II, III) oxide magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) have been coated with (3-Chloropropyl) trimethoxysilane and subsequently functionalized with 4-Amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl and Amoxicillin. Finally, the functionalized iron oxide NPs have been coated with natural polymer, chitosan, in order to prevent NPs agglomeration in aqueous environment. The product was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was studied by the electron paramagnetic resonance method and the parameters describing the magnetic properties of the investigated nanoparticles, such as g-factor and line width, were calculated.