The influence of the pectin structure on the properties of hydrogel dressings doped with octenidine-containing antiseptic.

This article presents a method for producing hydrogel dressings using high methylated pectin from apples or citrus, doped with the antiseptic agent, octenidine dihydrochloride. Octenidine was incorporated in-situ during the polymer crosslinking. The pectins were characterized by their varying molecular weight characteristics, monosaccharide composition, and degree of esterification (DE).

Rubber-like PTFE Thin Coatings Deposited by Pulsed Electron Beam Deposition (PED) Method.

PTFE coatings were manufactured using the pulsed electron beam deposition (PED) technique and deposited on Si substrates. The deposition was carried out at constant parameters: temperature 24 °C, discharge voltages 12 kV, and 5000 electron pulses with a pulse frequency of 5 Hz. Nitrogen was used as the background gas.

Effect of Dual-Organic Cations on the Structure and Properties of 2D Hybrid Perovskites as Scintillators.

Two-dimensional (2D) hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite (HOIP) crystals show promise as scintillating materials for wide-energy radiation detection, outperforming their three-dimensional counterparts. In this study, we synthesized single crystals of (PEABZA)PbBr ( ranging from 0.1 to 2), utilizing phenethylammonium (CHCHCHNH) and benzylammonium (CHCHNH) cations.

High yield and wide lateral size growth of α-MoC: exploring the boundaries of CVD growth of bare MXene analogues.

Synthesis of MoC bare MXenes, without surface terminations groups, via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on metal foils is scientifically a very intriguing crystal growth process, and there are still challenges and limited fundamental understanding to overcome to obtain high yield and wide crystal size lateral growth. Achieving large area coverage via direct growth is scientifically vital to utilize the full potential of their unique properties in different applications. In this study, we sought to expand the boundaries of the current CVD growth approach for MoC MXenes and gain insights into the possibilities and limitations of large area growth, with a particular focus on controlling Mo concentration.

Lattice Expansion in Rb-Doped Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Perovskite Crystals Resulting in Smaller Band-Gap and Higher Light-Yield Scintillators.

Two-dimensional hybrid-organic-inorganic perovskite (2D-HOIP) lead bromide perovskite crystals have demonstrated great potential as scintillators with high light yields and fast decay times while also being low cost with solution-processable materials for wide energy radiation detection. Ion doping has been also shown to be a very promising avenue for improvements of the scintillation properties of 2D-HOIP crystals. In this paper, we discuss the effect of rubidium (Rb) doping on two previously reported 2D-HOIP single crystals, BAPbBr and PEAPbBr.

Gallic Acid Based Black Tea Extract as a Stabilizing Agent in ZnO Particles Green Synthesis.

In this work, zinc oxide particles (ZnO NPs) green synthesis with the application of black tea extract (BT) is presented. A thorough investigation of the properties of the extract and the obtained materials was conducted by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and quadrupole mass spectroscopy (QMS). The obtained results indicated that the amount of used BT strongly influenced the morphology, chemical, and crystalline structure of the obtained particles.

Pectin-organophilized ZnO nanoparticles as sustainable fillers for high-density polyethylene composites.

A series of nanocomposites made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and 10 wt% zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were produced by extrusion and injection molding. The nanoparticles were prepared via a green way using the pectin-based banana peel extract as the stabilizer and a proper dispersion-providing agent. The fillers were well-dispersed in the matrix and the composites exhibited improved functional characteristics such as increased thermal stability and mechanical properties.

Magnetic interactions in graphene decorated with iron oxide nanoparticles.

We present the studies of structural and magnetic properties of graphene composites prepared with several quantities of-FeOdopant of 5%, 25% and 50% made with either ethanol or acetone. Our studies showed the presence of a weak magnetic order up to room temperature and saturation magnetization close to 0.2 emu gin pure commercial graphene.

Pectin based banana peel extract as a stabilizing agent in zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesis.

Various amounts of banana peel extract were successfully used as a stabilizing agent in the co-precipitation of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The obtained materials were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), N physisorption, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and quadrupole mass spectroscopy (QMS). On account of using such a broad spectrum of analytic methods, a thorough description of the interactions between the organic ingredients of the extract and ZnO particles was presented.

XPS and FTIR Studies of Polytetrafluoroethylene Thin Films Obtained by Physical Methods.

Two methods-attenuated total reflection Fourier infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)-have been used to analyze the chemical structure of polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) thin coatings deposited by pulsed laser (PLD) and pulsed electron beam (PED) ablations. The volume of the analyzed materials is significantly different in these techniques which can be of great importance in the characterization of highly heterogeneous thin films. Optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been additionally used to examine the coating surface morphology.

Chemical Structure of EVA Films Obtained by Pulsed Electron Beam and Pulse Laser Ablation.

Poly(ethylene--vinyl acetate) (EVA) films were deposited for the first time using physical methods. The chemical structure of the films obtained using two techniques, pulsed electron beam deposition (PED) and pulsed laser deposition (PLD), was studied by attenuated total reflection Fourier infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Whilst significant molecular degradation of the EVA films was observed for the PLD method, the original macromolecular structure was only partially degraded when the PED technique was used, emphasizing the superiority of the PED method over PLD for structurally complex polymers such as EVA.

Sugar Alcohol-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents as Potato Starch Plasticizers.

The aim of this work was to prepare sugar alcohol-based deep eutectic solvents (DES) and test them as starch plasticizers. Thermoplastic starch (TPS) films were obtained via a simple and convenient thermocompression method. Influence of starch/DES premixtures conditioning (preheating, storage time) on TPS properties was investigated.

Deep eutectic solvents as simultaneous plasticizing and crosslinking agents for starch.

The aim of this work was to prepare deep eutectic solvents (DES) made with choline salts with α-hydroxylate anions and glycerol and apply them as starch plasticizers. Additionally, crosslinking potential of polyfunctional anions from the salts was investigated. Starch/DES premixtures were rheologically and thermally (DSC, TGA) analyzed.

Structure of Patt1 human proapoptotic histone acetyltransferase.

The results of modeling of a novel human histone acetyltransferase Patt1 are presented here. This protein belongs to the GNAT GCN5 family and shows proapoptotic activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Patt1 is an attractive therapeutic target.

Kinetics of the oxidation of iron carbide dispersed in a carbon matrix with water vapor.

The reaction of iron carbide embedded in a carbon matrix with water vapor was studied in the temperature range 300-500 degrees C and the partial pressure of water vapor p(H(2)O) = 0.63-3.26 kPa.

Megakaryocytic leukaemia. A case of unusual outcome.

In a 33-year-old woman with thrombocytosis, megakaryocytic hyperplasia in bone marrow, presence of megakaryocytes in peripheral blood and megakaryocyte-containing infiltrations in the liver, excellent result of Busulphan treatment (1 year full remission after Busulphan withdrawal) is reported. The authors suggest the diagnosis of megakaryocytic leukaemia.