Exploring the potential of a setup for combined quantification of hydrogen in natural gas - Raman and NMR spectroscopy.

An accurate measurement of the amount fraction of hydrogen in gas mixtures is mandatory for practical applications, requiring methods that are fast, continuous, robust, and cost-effective. This study compares the performance of Raman and benchtop NMR process spectroscopy for determining the hydrogen amount fraction in gas mixtures. A setup was designed to integrate both techniques, enabling measurements of the same sample.

[Long-term health-related quality of life of patients after prolonged weaning depending on weaning status].

Introduction: Long-term outcome in patients with prolonged weaning is known to be impaired, particularly against the background of their weaning status; however, data on their health-related quality of life (HRQL) are sparse.

Methods: HRQL was measured in patients with prolonged weaning using the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency Questionnaire (SRI).

Results: Overall, 39 out of 83 patients with prolonged weaning filled in the SRI questionnaire.

Effect of a biomimetic pathogen adsorbing device on inflammatory biomarkers in COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: The Seraph 100 Microbind Affinity blood filter eliminate bacteria, viruses, fungi and toxins from blood stream.

Methods: This is a prospective multicenter observational biomarker trial in PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 patients with acute respiratory failure. Biomarkers were sequentially tested at three time points.

[Outcome in Prolonged Weaning - Results of a Regional Weaning Center].

Background:  The number of patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation is increasing. Weaning units (WU) in the German network "WeanNet" are specialized in the treatment of patients needing prolonged weaning. In this study we present outcome data on the patients in our WU from 2011 to 2015.

Iron phthalocyanine-sensitized magnetic catalysts for BPA photodegradation.

The catalytic behavior of iron phthalocyanine (FePc)-sensitized magnetic nanocatalysts was evaluated for their application in the oxidative treatment of Bisphenol A (BPA) under mild environmental conditions. Two types of FePc (Fe(II)Pc and Fe(III)Pc), which are highly photosensitive compounds, were immobilized on the surface of functionalized magnetite. The nanomaterials were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA).

Analysis and Classification of Liquid Samples Using Spatial Heterodyne Raman Spectroscopy.

Spatial heterodyne spectroscopy (SHS) is used for quantitative analysis and classification of liquid samples. SHS is a version of a Michelson interferometer with no moving parts and with diffraction gratings in place of mirrors. The instrument converts frequency-resolved information into a spatially resolved one and records it in the form of interferograms.

Unexpected polymorphism during a catalyzed mechanochemical Knoevenagel condensation.

The transformation of a base-catalyzed, mechano-assisted Knoevenagel condensation of mono-fluorinated benzaldehyde derivatives (-, -, -benzaldehyde) with malonodinitrile was investigated in situ and in real time. Upon milling, the -substituted product was found to crystallize initially into two different polymorphic forms, depending on the quantity of catalyst used. For low catalyst concentrations, a mechanically metastable phase (monoclinic) was initially formed, converting to the mechanically stable phase (triclinic) upon further grinding.

Flexible automation with compact NMR spectroscopy for continuous production of pharmaceuticals.

Modular plants using intensified continuous processes represent an appealing concept for the production of pharmaceuticals. It can improve quality, safety, sustainability, and profitability compared to batch processes; besides, it enables plug-and-produce reconfiguration for fast product changes. To facilitate this flexibility by real-time quality control, we developed a solution that can be adapted quickly to new processes and is based on a compact nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer.

Ontogeny of Defensive Chemistry in Longitarsus Flea Beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae): More Protection for the Vulnerable Stages?

Several species of the flea beetles genus Longitarsus sequester pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) from their host plants. Previous data demonstrated that PAs may be transferred from root-feeding larvae into the adult beetles. Here we compared the patterns and concentrations found in larvae and pupae of L.

Comparison of time-gated surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy (TG-SERS) and classical SERS based monitoring of Escherichia coli cultivation samples.

The application of Raman spectroscopy as a monitoring technique for bioprocesses is severely limited by a large background signal originating from fluorescing compounds in the culture media. Here, we compare time-gated Raman (TG-Raman)-, continuous wave NIR-process Raman (NIR-Raman), and continuous wave micro-Raman (micro-Raman) approaches in combination with surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for their potential to overcome this limit. For that purpose, we monitored metabolite concentrations of Escherichia coli bioreactor cultivations in cell-free supernatant samples.

High-throughput NIR spectroscopic (NIRS) detection of microplastics in soil.

The increasing pollution of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems with plastic debris leads to the accumulation of microscopic plastic particles of still unknown amount. To monitor the degree of contamination, analytical methods are urgently needed, which help to quantify microplastics (MP). Currently, time-costly purified materials enriched on filters are investigated both by micro-infrared spectroscopy and/or micro-Raman.

Online low-field NMR spectroscopy for process control of an industrial lithiation reaction-automated data analysis.

Monitoring specific chemical properties is the key to chemical process control. Today, mainly optical online methods are applied, which require time- and cost-intensive calibration effort. NMR spectroscopy, with its advantage being a direct comparison method without need for calibration, has a high potential for enabling closed-loop process control while exhibiting short set-up times.

Automated data evaluation and modelling of simultaneous (19) F-(1) H medium-resolution NMR spectra for online reaction monitoring.

Medium-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MR-NMR) currently develops to an important analytical tool for both quality control and process monitoring. In contrast to high-resolution online NMR (HR-NMR), MR-NMR can be operated under rough environmental conditions. A continuous re-circulating stream of reaction mixture from the reaction vessel to the NMR spectrometer enables a non-invasive, volume integrating online analysis of reactants and products.

Innovative cross-system and community approaches for the prevention of child maltreatment.

Because of the complexity and depth of problems facing children and families today, child protection can be best accomplished through a community effort--not simply through the efforts of the traditional child welfare system and other child- and family-serving agencies. Community-based initiatives supporting families and individuals are promising mechanisms through which to efficiently reach a wide range of community members consistent with a public health model. This conceptual paper describes the principles of community-based approaches for the prevention of child maltreatment and briefly describes four initiatives that are providing comprehensive, community-based prevention.

Chemical and morphological changes in hydrochars derived from microcrystalline cellulose and investigated by chromatographic, spectroscopic and adsorption techniques.

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) can be used for converting the biomass into a carbon-rich material, whose application as a fuel requires higher heating value, whereas soil amendment needs stable carbon. This work was focused on the characterization of hydrochars derived from microcrystalline cellulose. The chars were investigated using elemental analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller technique, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Raman, Fourier transform infrared, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy.

Multivariate classification of pigments and inks using combined Raman spectroscopy and LIBS.

The authenticity of objects and artifacts is often the focus of forensic analytic chemistry. In document fraud cases, the most important objective is to determine the origin of a particular ink. Here, we introduce a new approach which utilizes the combination of two analytical methods, namely Raman spectroscopy and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).

Arsenic redox changes by microbially and chemically formed semiquinone radicals and hydroquinones in a humic substance model quinone.

Arsenic is a redox-active metalloid whose toxicity and mobility strongly depends on its oxidation state, with arsenite (As(III)) being more toxic and mobile than arsenate (As(V)). Humic substances (HS) are also redox-active and can potentially react with arsenic and change its redox state. In this study we show that semiquinone radicals produced during microbial or chemical reduction of a HS model quinone (AQDS, 9,10-anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonic acid) are strong oxidants.

Reduction in vegetative growth of the water mold Saprolegnia parasitica (Coker) by humic substance of different qualities.

Humic substances (HS) account for 50-80% of the dissolved organic matter in non-eutrophicated freshwater ecosystems. HS are not inert, but are taken up by and may interact with aquatic organisms. However, at present no information is available on the interaction of HS with fungi, for instance, the fish-pathogenous species Saprolegnia parasitica.

Nature and abundance of organic radicals in natural organic matter: effect of pH and irradiation.

Dissolved natural organic matter (NOM) plays an essential role in freshwater geochemical and biochemical processes. A major property, its redox behavior, can be attributed to the chinone building blocks, which can form stable radicals. However, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data indicating free radicals on solid NOM are sparse.

Photogeneration of singlet oxygen by humic substances: comparison of humic substances of aquatic and terrestrial origin.

The singlet oxygen (1(O2)) luminescence of 27 isolated humic substances (HS), natural organic matter, ultrafiltrates, and the synthetic fulvic acid HS1500 has been investigated by time-resolved spectroscopy in buffered D(2)O. The samples include both reverse osmosis isolates from lakes in Scandinavia, Canada, and Germany, and IHSS fulvic and humic acids of aquatic and terrestrial origin. The quantum yields of 1(O2) formation (PhiDelta) obtained on laser excitation at 480 nm ranged between 0.