EuPtPb and SrPtPb-lead-based intermetallics with YRhSn/NdRhSn-type polyanionic platinum-lead 3D frameworks.

Two platinide plumbides, EuPtPb and SrPtPb, were discovered using high-temperature exploratory synthesis and flux-assisted crystal growth. Their crystal structures were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic system; EuPtPb belongs to the YRhSn structure type (2, = 4.

The Synthesis and Analysis of the Cytotoxicity of AlO-Supported Silver Nanoparticles Prepared by the Plasma Chemical Process Initiated by Pulsed MW Radiation in the AlO-Ag Powder Mixtures.

An original plasma chemical process initiated by microwave discharge in a mixture of metal and dielectric powders was applied to prepare specific materials, which consisted of microsized spherical particles of aluminum oxide covered with silver nanoparticles. The prepared materials are highly uniform in shape, size distribution, and composition. Their cytotoxicity was investigated using the human cell lines MCF7, HEK293T, A549, and VA-13 and the bacterial strains JW5503 (ΔtolC) and K12.

Laser-Synthesized Elemental Boron Nanoparticles for Efficient Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is one of the most appealing radiotherapy modalities, whose localization can be further improved by the employment of boron-containing nanoformulations, but the fabrication of biologically friendly, water-dispersible nanoparticles (NPs) with high boron content and favorable physicochemical characteristics still presents a great challenge. Here, we explore the use of elemental boron (B) NPs (BNPs) fabricated using the methods of pulsed laser ablation in liquids as sensitizers of BNCT. Depending on the conditions of laser-ablative synthesis, the used NPs were amorphous (a-BNPs) or partially crystallized (pc-BNPs) with a mean size of 20 nm or 50 nm, respectively.

Optical Properties of Carbon Dots Synthesized by the Hydrothermal Method.

In this study, the optical and structural properties of carbon dots (CDs) synthesized using a hydrothermal method were investigated. CDs were prepared from various precursors such as citric acid (CA), glucose, and birch bark soot. The SEM and AFM results show that the CDs are disc-shaped nanoparticles with dimensions of ~7 nm × 2 nm for CDs from CA, ~11 nm × 4 nm for CDs from glucose, and ~16 nm × 6 nm for CDs from soot.

Effect of Er, Si, Hf and Nb Additives on the Thermal Stability of Microstructure, Electrical Resistivity and Microhardness of Fine-Grained Aluminum Alloys of Al-0.25%Zr.

The conductor aluminum alloys of Al-0.25wt.%Zr alloyed additionally with X = Er, Si, Hf and Nb were the objects of our investigations.

(Na, Zr) and (Ca, Zr) Phosphate-Molybdates and Phosphate-Tungstates: I-Synthesis, Sintering and Characterization.

Submicron-grade powders of NaZr(PO)(XO) compounds (hereafter referred to as NZP) and CaZr(PO)(XO) compounds (hereafter, CZP), X = Mo, W (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) were obtained by sol-gel synthesis. The compounds obtained were studied by X-ray diffraction phase analysis and electron microscopy.

(Na, Zr) and (Ca, Zr) Phosphate-Molybdates and Phosphate-Tungstates: II-Radiation Test and Hydrolytic Stability.

This paper introduces the results of hydrolytic stability tests and radiation resistance tests of phosphate molybdates and phosphate tungstates NaZr(PO)(XO), X = Mo, W (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5). The ceramics characterized by relatively high density (more than 97.

Single-step extraction of small-diameter single-walled carbon nanotubes in the presence of riboflavin.

We propose a novel approach to disperse and extract small-diameter single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) using an aqueous solution of riboflavin and Sephacryl gel. The extraction of small-diameter semiconducting SWCNTs was observed, regardless of the initial diameter distribution of the SWCNTs. Dispersion of SWCNTs occurs due to the adsorption of π-conjugated isoalloxazine moieties on the surface of small-diameter nanotubes and interactions between hydroxy groups of ribityl chains with water.

Structure, Biodegradation, and In Vitro Bioactivity of Zn-1%Mg Alloy Strengthened by High-Pressure Torsion.

The effect of high-pressure torsion (HPT) on the microstructure, phase composition, mechanical characteristics, degradation rate, and bioactive properties of the Zn-1%Mg alloy is studied. An ultrafine-grained (UFG) structure with an average grain size of α-Zn equal to 890 ± 26 nm and grains and subgrains of the MgZn and MgZn phases with a size of 50-100 nm are formed after HPT. This UFG structure leads to an increase in the ultimate tensile strength of the alloy by ~3 times with an increase in elongation to 6.

Phosphorus nanoclusters and insight into the formation of phosphorus allotropes.

Elemental phosphorus has a striking variety of allotropes, which we analyze by looking at stable phosphorus clusters. We determine the ground-state structures of P clusters in a wide range of compositions ( = 2-50) using density functional calculations and global optimization techniques. We explain why the high-energy white phosphorus is so easily formed, compared to the much more stable allotropes - the tetrahedral P cluster is so much more stable than nearby compositions that only by increasing the size to P one can get a more stable non-P-based structure.

Optical Properties of Tricarboxylic Acid-Derived Carbon Dots.

Herein, we report the characterization of two types of luminescent carbon dots (CDs) synthesized by the hydrothermal treatment of citric acid and -aconitic acid by using ammonia solution as a nitrogen dopant. The lateral size range of nanoparticles for CDs lies in the range of 3-15 nm. The intense blue photoluminescence (PL) was emitted by the CDs at around 409-435 nm under the excitation of 320 nm.

Photoelectron Properties and Organic Molecules Photodegradation Activity of Titania Nanotubes with CuO Nanoparticles Heat Treated in Air and Argon.

Titania is very famous photocatalyst for decomposition of organic pollutants. Its photocatalytic properties significantly depend on the morphology and chemical composition of the samples. Herein, the TiO nanotubes/CuO nanoheterostructures have been synthesized and the effect of heat treatment performed in molecular atmospheres of air and argon on their photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties has been studied.

Bioresource-derived colloidal nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots as ultrasensitive and stable nanosensors for detection of cancer and neurotransmitter biomarkers.

Rapid and accurate detection of cancer and neurological diseases is a major issue that has received great attention recently to enable early therapy treatment. In this report, we utilize an atmospheric pressure microplasma system to convert a natural bioresource chitosan into nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) for photoluminescence (PL) based selective detection of cancer and neurotransmitter biomarkers. By adjusting the pH conditions during the detection, multiple biomolecules including uric acid (UA), folic acid (FA), epinephrine (EP), and dopamine (DA) can be simultaneously detected with high selectivity and sensitivity using a single material only.

Magnetic nanoribbons with embedded cobalt grown inside single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Molecular magnetism and specifically magnetic molecules have recently gained plenty of attention as key elements for quantum technologies, information processing, and spintronics. Transition to the nanoscale and implementation of ordered structures with defined parameters is crucial for advanced applications. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) provide natural one-dimensional confinement that can be implemented for encapsulation, nanosynthesis, and polymerization of molecules into nanoribbons.

Fast antibiotic susceptibility testing of urine microflora using a microbiological analyzer based on coherent fluctuation nephelometry.

Background: Traditional culture-based microbiological methods remain the most used for defining the etiology of urinary tract infections and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) of isolated uropathogens. They are time-consuming and lead to delays of several days when obtaining the final results of microbiological tests.

Objectives: In this study, we validate the possibility of using a microbiological CFN analyzer combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) for fast conclusive urine testing (1 day) without obtaining pure cultures.

Investigation of Thermal Stability of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Bimetallic Fine-Grained Wires from Al-0.25%Zr-(Sc,Hf) Alloys.

Thermal stability of composite bimetallic wires from five novel microalloyed aluminum alloys with different contents of alloying elements (Zr, Sc, and Hf) is investigated. The alloy workpieces were obtained by induction-casting in a vacuum, preliminary severe plastic deformation, and annealing providing the formation of a uniform microstructure and the nucleation of stabilizing intermetallide Al(Zr,Sc,Hf) nanoparticles. The wires of 0.

Investigation of Effect of Preliminary Annealing on Superplasticity of Ultrafine-Grained Conductor Aluminum Alloys Al-0.5%Mg-Sc.

Effect of preliminary precipitation of AlSc particles on the characteristics of superplastic conductor Al-0.5%Mg-X%Sc (X = 0.2, 0.

Diode Laser Spectrometer for Diagnostic Assessment of Exhaled Air Components.

The main requirements for a screening test are simplicity, non-invasiveness, safety of testing procedures, high processing speed, and ability to detect diseases at an early stage. A multichannel gas analyzer for assessment of exhaled air composition (diode laser spectrometer), non-invasive screening, and biomedical testing was developed on the basis of near-infrared diode lasers with fiber output. The device measures the following exhaled air components: CO, CO, CH, NH, HO, and HS.

Phyto-fabrication, purification, characterisation, optimisation, and biological competence of nano-silver.

Published studies indicate that virtually any kind of botanical material can be exploited to make biocompatible, safe, and cost-effective silver nanoparticles. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that plants possess active bio-ingredients that function as powerful reducing and coating agents for Ag+. In this respect, a phytomediation method provides favourable monodisperse, crystalline, and spherical particles that can be easily purified by ultra-centrifugation.

Boron-Doped Nanodiamonds as Anticancer Agents: En Route to Hyperthermia/Thermoablation Therapy.

Local targeted "inside-out" hyperthermia of tumors via nanoparticles is able to sensitize tumor cells to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy, or other effects, significantly reducing the duration and intensity of treatment. In this article, new nanomaterials are proposed to be used as anticancer agents: boron-doped nanodiamonds with sizes of about 10 nm synthesized for the first time by the high-temperature high-pressure (HTHP) method. The heating ability of boron-doped nanodiamonds was investigated under different heating conditions in different environments: water, chicken egg white, and MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Technofunctional quality assessment of soymilk fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei.

The current research work was carried out to evaluate the effect of three different varieties (NARC-II, Williams 82, Ajmeri) of soybean along with single and coculture impact of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei on fermented soymilk. The periodically microbial and antioxidative activities of fermented soymilk were analyzed during the storage of 24 days. Moreover, the effect of fermentation on rheological and structural changes was examined along with isoflavone contents in fermented soymilk.

Nutritional and health beneficial properties of saffron ( L): a comprehensive review.

Saffron ( L., family Iridaceae) is used traditionally for medicinal purpose in Chinese, Ayurvedic, Persian and Unani medicines. The bioactive constituents such as apocarotenoids, monoterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids and phytosterols are widely investigated in experimental and clinical studies for a wide range of therapeutic effects, especially on the nervous system.

Soluble Cyanobacterial Carotenoprotein as a Robust Antioxidant Nanocarrier and Delivery Module.

To counteract oxidative stress, antioxidants including carotenoids are highly promising, yet their exploitation is drastically limited by the poor bioavailability and fast photodestruction, whereas current delivery systems are far from being efficient. Here we demonstrate that the recently discovered nanometer-sized water-soluble carotenoprotein from sp. PCC 7120 (termed AnaCTDH) transiently interacts with liposomes to efficiently extract carotenoids via carotenoid-mediated homodimerization, yielding violet-purple protein samples.

WB : Synthesis, Properties, and Crystal Structure-New Insights into the Long-Debated Compound.

The recent theoretical prediction of a new compound, WB, has spurred the interest in tungsten borides and their possible implementation in industry. In this research, the experimental synthesis and structural description of a boron-rich tungsten boride and measurements of its mechanical properties are performed. The ab initio calculations of the structural energies corresponding to different local structures make it possible to formulate the rules determining the likely local motifs in the disordered versions of the WB structure, all of which involve boron deficit.