Imaging with a twist: Three-dimensional insights of the chiral nematic phase of cellulose nanocrystals via SHG microscopy.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are bio-based nanoparticles that, under the right conditions, self-align into chiral nematic liquid crystals with a helical pitch. In this work, we exploit the inherent confocal effect of second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy to acquire highly resolved three-dimensional (3D) images of the chiral nematic phase of CNCs in a label-free manner. An in-depth analysis revealed a direct link between the observed variations in SHG intensity and the pitch.

Thermodynamics of interactions between cellulose nanocrystals and monovalent counterions.

Alkali and quaternary ammonium cations interact with negatively charged cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) bearing sulfated or carboxylated functional groups. As these are some of the most commonly occurring cations CNC encounter in applications, the thermodynamic parameters of these CNC-counterion interactions were evaluated with isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Whereas the adsorption of monovalent counterions onto CNCs was thermodynamically favourable at all evaluated conditions as indicated by a negative Gibbs free energy, the enthalpic and entropic contributions to the CNC-ion interactions were found to be strongly dependent on the hydration characteristics of the counterion and could be correlated with the potential barrier to water exchange of the respective ions.

Dimensions of Cellulose Nanocrystals from Cotton and Bacterial Cellulose: Comparison of Microscopy and Scattering Techniques.

Different microscopy and scattering methods used in the literature to determine the dimensions of cellulose nanocrystals derived from cotton and bacterial cellulose were compared to investigate potential bias and discrepancies. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), depolarized dynamic light scattering (DDLS), and static light scattering (SLS) were compared. The lengths, widths, and heights of the particles and their respective distributions were determined by AFM.

[Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in adolescent girls].

Objective: To analyze the premorbid features, clinical manifestations, dynamics and outcomes of ARFID in adolescent girls, as well as to clarify the relationship of ARFID with other eating disorders (EDs) and comorbid mental pathology.

Material And Methods: The study included 52 female adolescents, aged 10.2-16.

New Insight Into the Interspecies Shift of Anammox Bacteria "Brocadia" and "Jettenia" in Reactors Fed With Formate and Folate.

The sensitivity of anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria to environmental fluctuations is a frequent cause of reactor malfunctions. It was hypothesized that the addition of formate and folate would have a stimulating effect on anammox bacteria, which in turn would lead to the stability of the anammox process under conditions of a sharp increase in ammonium load, i.e.