This study reports the effects of a computationally informed and avocado-seed mediated Phyto engineered CuS nanoparticles as fertilizing agent on the ionome and amino acid metabolome of Pinto bean seeds using both bench top and ion beam analytical techniques. Physico-chemical analysis of the Phyto engineered nanoparticles with scanning-electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy confirmed the presence of CuS nanoparticles. Molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the interaction of some active phytocompounds in avocado seeds that act as reducing agents with the nano-digenite further showed that 4-hydroxybenzoic acid had a higher affinity for interacting with the nanoparticle's surface than other active compounds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFElemental surface topography information in microscopic material characterization contributes to a better understanding of surfaces, interfaces, substrates, and their applications. Here, a general approach based on microbeam proton-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) to reconstruct the three-dimensional (3D) elemental surface topography using the annular multisegment silicon drift detector has been demonstrated. The proposed method includes four main steps: acquiring four two-dimensional elemental concentration maps using the multichannel spectrometer, reconstructing the local inclination angle from the atomic model of ion-matter interaction, calculating the two independent topography gradient components, and numerical surface topography integration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOlive tree (Olea europaea L.) leaves have recently been recognised as a valuable source in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry as well as in preparation of health-supporting beverages. Little is known about the element composition of olive leaves and almost nothing about tissue-specific allocation of elements.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe discuss how different accelerator-based techniques can be employed synergistically as a powerful analytical tool for forensic studies of foodstuff. Brazilian and Jamaican coffees were chosen as a showcase due to its popularity and potential risk of adulteration and/or falsification. Comprehensive characterization of major and trace elements, age since production and compound contents were achieved using different techniques, including PIXE (Particle-Induced X-ray Emission), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared), and AMS-C (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry - Radiocarbon Analysis).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPorous tantalum has been extensively used in orthopaedic surgery, including uncemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Favourable results were reported with earlier monobloc tibial components and the design evolved to modular implants. We aimed to analyse possible causes for extensive medial tibia bone loss, resulting in modular porous tantalum tibia baseplate fracture after primary TKA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF