Screening analysis of RoHS directive hazardous substances (phthalate esters and bromodiphenyl ethers) by novel mass spectrometry using soft ionization.

In 2013, the European Union expanded the list of hazardous substances contained in the RoHS Directive. In addition, certain phthalate esters, such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), will be categorized as RoHS-prohibited substances starting from July 2019. Although pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) is a promising analytical method for the screening of phthalate esters, we have developed a novel soft-ionization MS method that is quantitative as well as faster and more convenient for this purpose.

Effects of Microstructure on Electrode Properties of Nanosheet-Derived H(NiCoMn)O₂ for Electrochemical Capacitors.

Nanosheet-derived H(NiCoMn)O₂ was prepared by restacking (NiCoMn)O₂ nanosheets with large or small lateral sizes and their electrochemical properties in a 1 M KOH aqueous solution; microstructural factors were compared with those of bulk H(NiCoMn)O₂ (HNCM). The electrodes composed of small nanosheets exhibited very large capacitances of 1241 F·g (395 mAh·g) at a current density of 50 mA·g, and 430 F·g (100 mAh·g) at a large current density of 1000 mA·g. These large capacitances resulted from a heterogeneous layer structure with a large surface area and pore volume.

Specific response of osteoblast-like cells on hydroxyapatite layer containing serum protein.

Accelerations of bone-like apatite deposition and cell growth on an electrically polarized ceramic hydroxyapatite have been reported. A relationship between these phenomena was investigated in a previous report, and then it was suggested that osteoblast-like cell's (MC3T3-E1) growth had relevance to the mineral growth. The effect of the formed apatite layer especially appeared to be on the cell adhesion.

Octacalcium phosphate-based cement as a pulp-capping agent in rats.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pulpal response to an octacalcium phosphate (OCP)-based cement used as a pulp-capping material.

Study Design: The pulps of 60 maxillary first molars of male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed and then capped directly by using either OCP-based cement or a calcium hydroxide slurry (control). Histologic examinations were performed at 1, 2, and 5 weeks after the surgical procedure, and the results were analyzed statistically by using the Mann-Whitney U test (P<.

Effect of bone-like layer growth from culture medium on adherence of osteoblast-like cells.

The electrical polarization of ceramic HAp had an effect on the acceleration of bone restoration. Cell behavior in the bone-like growth layer was investigated. The deposits on the ceramic HAp was grown and formed layers by soaking in alpha-minimum essential medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (alpha-MEM supplemented with 10% FBS).