Pressure dependence of intermediate-range order and elastic properties of glassy Baltic amber.

Amber is a unique example of a fragile glass that has been extensively aged below its glass transition temperature, thus reaching a state that is not accessible under normal experimental conditions. We studied the medium-range order of Baltic amber by x-ray diffraction (XRD) at high pressures. The pressure dependences of the low-angle XRD intensity between 0 and 5 Å^{-1} were measured from 0 to 7.

Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Micro-CT Visualization within Collagen Scaffolds in an Aqueous Environment.

Among all of the materials used in tissue engineering in order to develop bioequivalents, collagen shows to be the most promising due to its superb biocompatibility and biodegradability, thus becoming one of the most widely used materials for scaffold production. However, current imaging techniques of the cells within collagen scaffolds have several limitations, which lead to an urgent need for novel methods of visualization. In this work, we have obtained groups of collagen scaffolds and selected the contrasting agents in order to study pores and patterns of cell growth in a non-disruptive manner via X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT).

(MeN)[Pt(CO)(OH)]: The Isolated PtO Carbonato-Complex.

The first fully inorganic Pt(IV) carbonato-complex -[Pt(CO)(OH)] with a {PtO} coordination sphere was isolated as the (MeN)[Pt(CO)(OH)] () salt. The compound was characterized using single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were also performed to analyze the spectral features of the complex.

Acoustic properties, elasticity, and equation of state of glycerol under pressure.

We employed high-pressure Brillouin scattering to study the pressure dependencies of acoustic modes of glycerol up to 14 GPa at 300 K. We observed longitudinal acoustic velocities and transverse acoustic velocities for the first time from 5 to 14 GPa. The results allow the determination of a complete set of elastic properties and an accurate determination of the pressure-volume (P-V) equation of state (EOS).

Seven-Coordinated High-Pressure Phase of CrSb and Experimental Equation of State of Sb ( = Cr, Fe, Ru, Os).

The Sb compounds with = Cr, Fe, Ru, and Os have been investigated under high pressures by synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. All compounds, except CrSb, were found to retain the marcasite structure up to the highest pressures (more than 50 GPa). In contrast, we found that CrSb has a structural phase transition around 10 GPa to a metastable, MoP-type structure with Cr coordinated to seven Sb atoms.

Platinum(IV) Carbonato Complexes: Formation via the Addition of CO to the [Pt(OH)] Anion and Generation of Platinum(IV) Oxide Nanoparticles for the Preparation of Catalysts.

A combination of multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and theoretical calculation based on density functional theory was used for a speciation study of Pt in solutions prepared either by the interaction of [Pt(OH)] with gaseous CO in an alkaline solution of platinum(IV) hydroxide ([Pt(OH)(HO)]) or by the dissolution of [Pt(OH)(HO)] in an aqueous KHCO solution. The formed solutions contained coexisting Pt(IV) carbonato complexes with κ- and κ-coordination modes. The gradual condensation of mononuclear Pt species in such bicarbonate solutions resulted in the formation of PtO nanoparticles aggregating into a solid precipitate on prolonged aging.

Early crystallization of amorphous selenium under high pressure studied by synchrotron XRD method.

The amorphous selenium (a-Se) was studied via x-ray diffraction (XRD) under pressures ranging from ambient pressure up to 30 GPa at room temperature to study its high-pressure behavior. Two compressional experiments on a-Se samples, with and without heat treatment, respectively, were conducted. Contrary to the previous reports that a-Se crystallized abruptly at around 12 GPa, in this work we report an early partially crystallized state at 4.

New experimental model of kidney injury: Photothrombosis-induced kidney ischemia.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent pathology with a high mortality rate after even a single AKI episode and a great risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) development. To get insight into mechanisms of the AKI pathogenesis, there is a need to develop diverse experimental models of the disease. Photothrombosis is a widely used method for inducing ischemia in the brain.

Docetaxel Resistance in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Transcriptomic Determinants and the Effect of Inhibiting Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling by XAV939.

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a common form of prostate cancer in which docetaxel-based chemotherapy is used as the first line. The present study is devoted to the analysis of transcriptome profiles of tumor cells in the development of resistance to docetaxel as well as to the assessment of the combined effect with the XAV939 tankyrase inhibitor on maintaining the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy. RNA-Seq was performed for experimental PC3 cell lines as well as for plasma exosome samples from patients with CRPC.

Imaging Hallmarks of Sarcoma Progression Via X-ray Computed Tomography: Beholding the Flower of Evil.

Sarcomas are a leading cause of cancer death in individuals younger than 20 years of age and represent the largest group of rare solid tumors. To date, more than 100 morphological subtypes of sarcomas have been described, among which epidemiology, clinical features, management, and prognosis differ significantly. Delays and errors in the diagnosis of sarcomas limit the number of effective therapeutic modalities and catastrophically worsen the prognosis.

Accurate crystal structure of ice VI from X-ray diffraction with Hirshfeld atom refinement.

Water is an essential chemical compound for living organisms, and twenty of its different crystal solid forms (ices) are known. Still, there are many fundamental problems with these structures such as establishing the correct positions and thermal motions of hydrogen atoms. The list of ice structures is not yet complete as DFT calculations have suggested the existence of additional and - to date - unknown phases.

Hot dense silica glass with ultrahigh elastic moduli.

Silicate and oxide glasses are often chemically doped with a variety of cations to tune for desirable properties in technological applications, but their performances are often limited by relatively lower mechanical and elastic properties. Finding a new route to synthesize silica-based glasses with high elastic and mechanical properties needs to be explored. Here, we report a dense SiO-glass with ultra-high elastic moduli using sound velocity measurements by Brillouin scattering up to 72 GPa at 300 K.

Highly Active Visible Light-Promoted Ir/-CN Photocatalysts for the Water Oxidation Reaction Prepared from a Halogen-Free Iridium Precursor.

A combination of the exceptional stability of -[Ir(HO)(NO)] together with thermolability of nitro and aqua ligands and high solubility in various solvents makes it promising as a brand-new chlorine-free precursor of iridium for the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts. In the current work, a new technique of -[Ir(HO)(NO)] preparation based on hydrothermal treatment of (NH)[Ir(NO)] was developed. For this purpose, the influence of reaction parameters such as the reaction time, temperature, and pH of the solution on the process of hexanitroiridate salt hydrolysis was investigated.

Sulfuric Acid Solutions of [Pt(OH)(HO)]: A Platinum Speciation Survey and Hydrated Pt(IV) Oxide Formation for Practical Use.

The systematic study of the platinum speciation in sulfuric acid solutions of platinum (IV) hydroxide {[Pt(OH)(HO)], HHPA} was performed with the use of a combination of methods. Depending on the prevailing Pt form, the three regions of HSO concentration were marked: (1) up to 3 M HSO forms unstable solutions gradually generating the PtO·HO particles; (2) 4-12 M HSO, where the series of mononuclear aqua-sulfato complexes ([Pt(SO)(HO)], where = 0···4) dominate; and (3) 12 M and above, where, along with [Pt(SO)(HO)] species, the polynuclear Pt(IV) species and complexes with a bidentate coordination mode of the sulfato ligand are formed. For the first time, the salts of the aqua-hydroxo Pt(IV) cation [Pt(OH)(HO)]SO (triclinic and monoclinic phases) were isolated and studied with a combination of methods, including the single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Hydrolysis of [PtCl] in Concentrated NaOH Solutions.

The transformations of Pt complex species in concentrated NaOH solutions (1-12 M) of Na[PtCl] were studied with a combination of methods, including Pt nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet-visible, and Raman spectroscopy. The two-step process was observed under the following conditions: (1) formation of the [Pt(OH)Cl] anion that proceeds relatively fast even at room temperature and (2) further slow substitution of the last chlorido ligand with the formation of the [Pt(OH)] anion. Overall, it was determined that the [PtCl] to [Pt(OH)] transformation (especially the first stage) is greatly accelerated under blue light (455 nm) irradiation.

Negative linear compressibility in Se at ultra-high pressure above 120 GPa.

A series of synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were carried out, combined with first-principles calculations, to study structural phase transitions of selenium at high pressures and room temperature. Several phase transitions were observed, among which an isostructural phase transition was found at around 120 GPa for the first time. Evolved from the rhombohedral (space group 3 ) structure (Se-V), the new phase (Se-V') exhibited an interesting increase of lattice parameter at pressures from 120 to 148 GPa, known as negative linear compressibility (NLC).

Delimitation of the tick-borne flaviviruses. Resolving the tick-borne encephalitis virus and louping-ill virus paraphyletic taxa.

The tick-borne flavivirus (TBFV) group contains at least 12 members where five of them are important pathogens of humans inducing diseases with varying severity (from mild fever forms to acute encephalitis). The taxonomy structure of TBFV is not fully clarified at present. In particular, there is a number of paraphyletic issues of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and louping-ill virus (LIV).

High Pressure Brillouin Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction of Cerium Dioxide.

Simultaneous high-pressure Brillouin spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction of cerium dioxide powders are presented at room temperature to a pressure of 45 GPa. Micro- and nanocrystalline powders are studied and the density, acoustic velocities and elastic moduli determined. In contrast to recent reports of anomalous compressibility and strength in nanocrystalline cerium dioxide, the acoustic velocities are found to be insensitive to grain size and enhanced strength is not observed in nanocrystalline CeO2.

Genetic diversity of Anaplasma bacteria: Twenty years later.

The genus Anaplasma (family Anaplasmataceae, order Rickettsiales) includes obligate intracellular alphaproteobacteria that multiply within membrane-bound vacuoles and are transmitted by Ixodidae ticks to vertebrate hosts. Since the last reclassification of Anaplasmataceae twenty years ago, two new Anaplasma species have been identified. To date, the genus includes eight Anaplasma species (A.

Visualization of different anatomical parts of the enucleated human eye using X-ray micro-CT imaging.

Micro-CT visualization allows reconstruction of eye structures with the resolution of light microscopy and estimation of tissue densities. Moreover, this method excludes damaging procedures and allows further histological staining due to the similar steps in the beginning. We have shown the feasibility of the lab-based micro-CT machine usage for visualization of clinically important compartments of human eye such as trabecular outflow pathway, retina, iris and ciliary body after pre-treatment with iodine in ethanol.

An Externally-Heated Diamond Anvil Cell for Synthesis and Single-Crystal Elasticity Determination of Ice-VII at High Pressure-Temperature Conditions.

The externally-heated diamond anvil cell (EHDAC) can be used to generate simultaneously high-pressure and high-temperature conditions found in Earth's and planetary interiors. Here we describe the design and fabrication of the EHDAC assemblies and accessories, including ring resistive heaters, thermal and electrical insulating layers, thermocouple placement, as well as the experimental protocol for preparing the EHDAC using these parts. The EHDAC can be routinely used to generate megabar pressures and up to 900 K temperatures in open air, and potentially higher temperatures up to ~1200 K with a protective atmosphere (i.

Large HO solubility in dense silica and its implications for the interiors of water-rich planets.

Sub-Neptunes are common among the discovered exoplanets. However, lack of knowledge on the state of matter in [Formula: see text]O-rich setting at high pressures and temperatures ([Formula: see text]) places important limitations on our understanding of this planet type. We have conducted experiments for reactions between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]O as archetypal materials for rock and ice, respectively, at high [Formula: see text] We found anomalously expanded volumes of dense silica (up to 4%) recovered from hydrothermal synthesis above ∼24 GPa where the [Formula: see text]-type (Ct) structure appears at lower pressures than in the anhydrous system.