Characteristics and Antitumor Activity of Doxorubicin-Loaded Multifunctional Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in MEC1 and RM1 Cell Lines.

The rapid progress in nanotechnology has introduced multifunctional iron oxide nanoparticles as promising agents in cancer treatment. This research focused on the synthesis and assessment of citric-acid-coated, folic-acid-conjugated nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin, evaluating their therapeutic potential in tumor models. An advanced automated continuous technology line (CTL) utilizing a controlled co-precipitation method was employed to produce highly dispersive, multifunctional nanofluids with a narrow size distribution.

An accelerator-based neutron source design with a thermal neutron port and an epithermal neutron port for boron neutron capture therapy.

This study presents a compact accelerator-driven neutron source design with a thermal neutron port and an epithermal neutron port for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), based on 10 mA 2.5 MeV protons bombarding on a 100 μm thick disc-shaped Li target with a diameter of 10 cm. The moderator consists of 2 parts, the epithermal neutron moderator and the thermal neutron moderator.

Particularities of deposition of two ICS-LABA fixed dose combination dry powder aerosol drugs in the airways of COPD patients.

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of breathing parameters, age, gender and disease status on the lung doses of the two ICS + LABA fixed combination dry powder drugs. Breathing parameters of 113 COPD patients were measured while inhaling through emptied NEXThaler® and Ellipta® inhalers and the corresponding lung doses were calculated. Lung dose of Foster® NEXThaler® was superior to the lung dose of Relvar® Ellipta® in around 85 % of the patients.

Advances, Challenges, and Applications of Graphene and Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Engineering Ceramics.

Engineering ceramics and their composites are widely used owing to their excellent properties, including high wear, corrosion and heat resistance, low friction coefficient, and low thermal conductivity; thus, the current paper presents a comprehensive review of the most common types of engineering ceramics, demonstrating their key properties, advantages, potential applications, and challenges. This paper also provides prevailing methods for tackling the engineering ceramic challenges and maximizing their applicability. This review paper focuses on alumina (AlO), silicon carbide (SiC), zirconia (ZrO), aluminum nitride (AlN), and silicon nitride (SiN), and explores their usability in automotive, aerospace, and tribological applications.

Indication of p + B reaction in Laser Induced Nanofusion experiment.

The NanoPlasmonic Laser Induced Fusion Energy (NAPLIFE) project proposed fusion by regulating the laser light absorption via resonant nanorod antennas implanted into hydrogen rich urethane acrylate methacrylate (UDMA) and triethylene glycol dimethylacrylate (TEGDMA) copolymer targets. In part of the tests, boron-nitride (BN) was added to the polymer. Our experiments with resonant nanoantennas accelerated protons up to 225 keV energy.

Determination of solid-liquid adhesion work on flat surfaces in a direct and absolute manner.

There is a long-standing need for a direct determination of solid-liquid work of adhesion due to its central role in several scientific and industrial fields. Here, a method is introduced to determine the value of adhesion work on flat surfaces directly, without the need of any model assumptions, and independently from uncertainties of contact angles. The presented method enables to determine the adhesion work separately both for advancing and receding situations.

Structure-Property Correlation in Ba/Sr-Ca-Mg-Zn-Si-Al-O Glass: Elucidation by Experimental and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study.

Broad band transmitting glasses from visible to mid-infrared with good mechanical strength, chemical durability, glass-forming ability, and thermal stability are preferred for optics and laser technology applications. Generally, low phonon energy glasses possess an extended transmission cutoff toward mid-infrared, but at the same time, retention of other desired properties is challenging for the researchers. In this work, we have shown that mixed alkaline earth (Ba/Sr) would have the potential to improve overall glass properties while retaining its low phonon energy when CaO is partially substituted by BaO/SrO in calcium magnesium zinc silica-aluminate (CMZSA) glass.

Comprehensive In Vitro and In Silico Aerodynamic Analysis of High-Dose Ibuprofen- and Mannitol-Containing Dry Powder Inhalers for the Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease, which causes the accumulation of dense mucus in the lungs accompanied by frequent local inflammation. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen (IBU) and the mucolytic mannitol (MAN) can treat these symptoms. Compared to per os administration, a lower dose of these drugs is sufficient to achieve the desired effect by delivering them in a pulmonary manner.

Symmetry breaking enhances the catalytic and electrocatalytic performance of core/shell tetrametallic porous nanoparticles.

The performance of functional nanocatalysts can be extended by integrating multiple types of metals into well-designed nanoparticles. A porous multimetallic shell grown around high-quality monometallic seeds significantly enhances the availability of active sites. Here, tetrametallic core/shell nanoparticles (Au@mPdPtIr) featuring micro- and mesoporous shells are synthesized with strict control over the overall particle morphology.

Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrogen to Ammonia Using Zinc Telluride.

Electrosynthesis of ammonia (NH), an important constituent molecule of various commercial fertilizers, is a promising and sustainable alternative strategy compared with the century-old Haber-Bosch process. Herein, zinc telluride (ZnTe) is demonstrated as an efficient electrocatalyst for reducing nitrogen (N) under ambient conditions to NH. In this simple chemical strategy, Zn preferentially binds N over hydrogen (H), and Te, by virtue of its superior electronic properties, enhances the electrocatalytic activity of ZnTe.

Event-based high-resolution neutron image formation analysis using intensified CMOS cameras.

We present a versatile optical setup for high-resolution neutron imaging with an adaptable field of view and magnification that can resolve individual neutron absorption events with an image intensifier and a CMOS camera. Its imaging performance is characterized by evaluating the resolution limits of the individual optical components and resulting design aspects are discussed. Neutron radiography measurements of a Siemens star pattern were performed in event mode acquisition comparing two common high-resolution neutron scintillators, crystalline Gadolinium Gallium Garnet (GGG) and powdered Gadolinium Oxysulfide (GOS).

Optimizing the composition of LaF:Yb,Tm upconverting nanoparticles synthesised by the co-precipitation method to improve the emission intensity.

LaF:1-6 mol%Yb,0.1 mol%Tm nanoparticles with upconversion properties were synthesised by the co-precipitation method. Particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis.

Novel application of SANS provides quantitative non-destructive identification of forming techniques in late Roman and early medieval pottery from Pannonia.

Within archaeological studies of ancient pottery, understanding the techniques used to form vessels from unfired clay provides significant information on the history of technology and economic systems, as well as wider cultural practices and social interactions. We introduce here a new analytical methodology, using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to investigate pottery forming techniques through the preferential orientation of nanoscale objects within pottery fabrics. Significantly, SANS is non-destructive, suitable for both coarse and fine-textured pottery fabrics, provides quantitative data, enables fast-throughput of samples, and is not significantly affected by surface modifications occurring after the primary forming stage.

Transparent (Ni,Au)/ZnO:Al-Based Ohmic Contacts to p-Type GaN as an Insight into the Role of Ni and Au in Standard p-Type GaN Contacts.

In this work, Ni/ZnO:Al and Au/ZnO:Al structures are proposed as efficient ohmic contacts to p-GaN. Through a careful selection of deposition parameters and annealing environment, we not only achieve the formation of high-quality ohmic contacts but also gain insights into the interfacial reactions, enhancing the understanding of conventional Ni/Au contact formation on p-GaN. In particular, the notion that the presence of NiO at the interface is enough for an ohmic contact to form is challenged by showing that in fact it has to be NiO formed at the interface from metallic Ni and additional oxygen.

Vertical Microfluidic Trapping System for Capturing and Simultaneous Electrochemical Detection of Cells.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a non-invasive and label-free method widely used for characterizing cell cultures and monitoring their structure, behavior, proliferation and viability. Microfluidic systems are often used in combination with EIS methods utilizing small dimensions, controllable physicochemical microenvironments and offering rapid real-time measurements. In this work, an electrode array capable of conducting EIS measurements was integrated into a multichannel microfluidic chip which is able to trap individual cells or cell populations in specially designed channels comparable to the size of cells.

Responses of the L. to Heavy Metals from Contaminated Soil.

Heavy metals can accumulate and migrate in soil environments and can negatively affect crops and consumers. Because an increased incidence of chronic diseases can be observed, food security has become a high-priority concern. In the present work, we evaluate the impact of heavy metals on bioactive compounds and elemental content from onions.

Switching dynamics in Al/InAs nanowire-based gate-controlled superconducting switch.

The observation of the gate-controlled supercurrent (GCS) effect in superconducting nanostructures increased the hopes for realizing a superconducting equivalent of semiconductor field-effect transistors. However, recent works attribute this effect to various leakage-based scenarios, giving rise to a debate on its origin. A proper understanding of the microscopic process underlying the GCS effect and the relevant time scales would be beneficial to evaluate the possible applications.

Effect of binary porogen mixtures on polymer monoliths prepared by gamma-radiation initiated polymerization.

Gamma-radiation initiated polymerization is an easy-to-use and simple technique for the preparation of porous polymer monoliths widely used as active materials in separation columns. Herein, binary porogen mixtures of ethyl acetate/acetone/acetonitrile with methanol were used to synthesize diethylene glycol dimethacrylate monoliths with this technique. Systematic studies have been performed to determine the effect of the composition of the solvent mixture on the morphology and the reaction kinetics, including the growth mechanism and the growth rate.

Classification of Electronic Waste Components through X-ray and Neutron-Based Imaging Techniques.

In modern society, the amount of e-waste is growing year by year. Waste electronic items are complex, highly heterogeneous systems, containing organic material as well as several exotic, valuable, toxic, mostly metallic elements. In this study, the potential of X-ray and neutron radiography to reveal the inner structure of various complex e-waste was investigated.

Bones or Stones: How Can We Apply Geophysical Techniques in Bone Research?

Some studies have used physical techniques for the assessment of bone structure and composition. However, very few studies applied multiple techniques, such as those described below, at the same time. The aim of our study was to determine the chemical and mineralogical/organic composition of bovine tibial bone samples using geophysical/geochemical reference techniques.

Structural and Dynamical Effects of the CaO/SrO Substitution in Bioactive Glasses.

Silicate glasses containing silicon, sodium, phosphorous, and calcium have the ability to promote bone regeneration and biodegrade as new tissue is generated. Recently, it has been suggested that adding SrO can benefit tissue growth and silicate glass dissolution. Motivated by these recent developments, the effect of SrO/CaO-CaO/SrO substitution on the local structure and dynamics of Si-Na-P-Ca-O oxide glasses has been studied in this work.

Assessment of radiological contamination due to gold mining in soil and food crops of Babban Tsauni, Gwagwalada, Nigeria.

This work assessed the activity concentrations of 238U(226Ra), 232Th, and 40K and their associated radiological risks due to exposure to soil and consumption of food crops in Babban Tsauni artisanal gold mine, Gwagwalada, Nigeria, using the gamma spectrometry technique. The mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the mine soil were 60.2 ± 9.