Distribution Of Chemical Components Research Articles

LMD and LC-MS-based chemical constituents and pharmacological effects assessment for two different processing methods of the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall.

The plant of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. belongs to Ranunculaceae, and its root can be divided into two categories according to different processing methods, which included that one was directly dried without peeling the root of the P. lactiflora (PR), and the other was peeled the root of the P. lactiflora (PPR) after boiled and dried. To evaluate the difference of chemical components, UPLC-ESI-Q-Exactive Focus-MS/MS and UPLC-QQQ-MS were applied. The distribution of chemical components in different tissues was located by laser microdissection (LMD), especially the different ingredients. A total of 86 compounds were identified from PR and PPR. Four kind of tissues were isolated from the fresh root of the P. lactiflora (FPR), and 54 compounds were identified. Especially the content of gallic acid, albiflorin, and paeoniflorin with high biological activities were the highest in the cork, but they were lower in PR than that in PPR, which probably related to the process. To illustrate the difference in pharmacological effects of PR and PPR, the tonifying blood and analgesic effects on mice were investigated, and it was found that the tonifying blood and analgesic effects of PPR was superior to that of PR, even though PR had more constituents. The material basis for tonifying blood and analgesic effect of the root of P. lactiflora is likely to be associated with an increase in constituents such as paeoniflorin and paeoniflorin lactone after boiled and peeled. The study was likely to provide some theoretical support for the standard and clinical application.

Diffusion zone evolution around growing crystals in combeite glass

AbstractThe precipitation of nonstoichiometric crystals (of different composition from the parent glass) motivated us to study the stoichiometric Na2O·2CaO·3SiO2 ( N2CS3) glass‐forming system comprehensively. The concentration profiles of Na and Ca in the diffusion zone around Na4+2xCa4−x[Si6O18], , crystals in an N2C3S glass were characterized by energy‐dispersive spectroscopy and were then theoretically described. We show that the diffusion zone is formed because of the rejection of part of calcium by the growing crystal. The radial variation of the Ca concentrations and the crystal nucleation rate through the diffusion zone were analyzed simultaneously. We found that the nucleation rate in the diffusion zone near the crystal–glass interface drastically decreases due to the increase in the work of critical cluster formation resulting from the composition change. In contrast, the diffusion activation barrier remains practically constant. Moreover, the Ca diffusion coefficients, DCa, in Na2O·2CaO·3SiO2 and CaO·SiO2 glasses show the same Arrhenius dependence, demonstrating that (surprisingly) DCa does not depend on the glass composition in the CaO·SiO2–Na2O·SiO2 metasilicate joint. This work provides the quantitative spatial distribution of chemical components in a partially crystallized glass, shedding light on solid solution crystallization in a glass‐forming liquid and its consequences.

Analysis of X-ray images and spectra (aXis2000): A toolkit for the analysis of X-ray spectromicroscopy data

Spectromicroscopy refers to analytical methods that combine imaging and spectroscopy to provide detailed, spatially resolved analytical information about a sample, such as the type and quantitative spatial distributions of chemical components, geometric or magnetic alignment information, crystal structure, etc. The analysis of X-ray images and spectra (aXis2000) software described in this work provides a set of routines within a single, integrated, graphical-oriented package to read, display, manipulate and analyze spectromicroscopy data, with particular focus on soft X-ray spectromicroscopy methods such as scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM), X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (XPEEM), scanning photoelectron X-ray microscopy (SPEM) and transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM). Here, this free software is described and compared to other software that can provide similar or complementary capabilities. Examples of spectromicroscopic analyses using advanced features of aXis2000 are provided.

High-Entropy Spinel Ferrites with Broadband Wave Absorption Synthesized by Simple Solid-Phase Reaction.

In this work, high-entropy (HE) spinel ferrites of (FeCoNiCrM)xOy (M = Zn, Cu, and Mn) (named as HEO-Zn, HEO-Cu, and HEO-Mn, respectively) were synthesized by a simple solid-phase reaction. The as-prepared ferrite powders possess a uniform distribution of chemical components and homogeneous three-dimensional (3D) porous structures, which have a pore size ranging from tens to hundreds of nanometers. All three HE spinel ferrites exhibited ultrahigh structural thermostability at high temperatures even up to 800 °C. What is more, these spinel ferrites showed considerable minimum reflection loss (RLmin) and significantly enhanced effective absorption bandwidth (EAB). The RLmin and EAB values of HEO-Zn and HEO-Mn are about -27.8 dB at 15.7 GHz, 6.8 GHz, and -25.5 dB at 12.9 GHz, 6.9 GHz, with the matched thickness of 8.6 and 9.8 mm, respectively. Especially, the RLmin of HEO-Cu is -27.3 dB at 13.3 GHz with a matched thickness of 9.1 mm, and the EAB reaches about 7.5 GHz (10.5-18.0 GHz), which covers almost the whole X-band range. The superior absorbing properties are mainly attributed to the dielectric energy loss involving interface polarization and dipolar polarization, the magnetic energy loss referring to eddy current and natural resonance loss, and the specific functions of 3D porous structure, indicating a potential application prospect of the HE spinel ferrites as EM absorbing materials.

Chip scale modelling of the kraft pulping process by considering the heterogeneous nature of the lignocellulosic feedstock

This article focuses on a multiscale modelling approach to describe the delignification of softwood during the kraft pulping process. A framework for modelling the lignocellulosic feedstock on a fibre scale which considered the fundamental chemical components of wood as a distributed variable is re-assessed and extended to include chip-level phenomena such as diffusion limitations and initial component distributions within a softwood chip mixture. A new description of the wood chip is presented using a finite volume discretisation along one spatial dimension by simultaneously considering the anisotropic structural differences of the wood. Additionally, based on literature data, a distinction between the softwood chips' early- and latewood regions with their differences in densities and chemical composition is suggested. The presented model framework uses published sub-models for kinetics, diffusion etc. The validation and estimation of the remaining parameters are conducted from experimental data that quantifies the kappa number distribution of individual softwood fibres after kraft pulping. The investigation hypothesises a Gaussian distribution for the initial chemical component distribution within wood chips from a well-defined region. In contrast, a Log-normal distribution is used to describe the initial chemical distribution within a softwood chip mixture. The established sub-models for the kraft pulping process's kinetics and mass transfer phenomena could not predict the experimental data satisfactorily. However, modifying the sub-models by including a change in lignin reactivity and a temperature dependency of the lignin reactivity decline during the delignification progress could predict the essence of the observed experimental kappa number distribution.

Association between short-term exposure to fine particulate matter components and cause-specific mortality in Korea: a multi-city time-series study

Background/Aim: Many studies have reported fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has various health effects. The effects of PM2.5 have been shown to vary in space and time. One of the underlying explanations was the variability in the distribution of chemical components in PM2.5. Therefore, identifying whether the health effects of each component of PM2.5 differ can provide evidence for the heterogeneous mortality risk of PM2.5. Our study aims to estimate the associations between short-term exposure to components and cause-specific mortality across six major cities in Korea. Methods: Daily mass concentration of PM2.5 and 25 components of PM2.5 were obtained from the National Institute of Environmental Research for 2012-2019. We used six intensive air monitoring stations in each of the six major cities: Seoul, Incheon, Daejeon, Gwangju, Ulsan, and Jeju. We employed a two-stage analysis. In the first stage, we conducted generalized additive model with quasi-Poisson regression to estimate city-specific associations of mortality with PM2.5 and its components on the same day. We excluded Asian dust days and adjusted the model for temperature, relative humidity, and time trend. In the second stage, we used fixed-effects meta-analysis to pool the city-specific estimates. Results: We could not find statistically significant association of PM2.5 and all components with all-cause mortality. Potassium was associated with 2.2% increment (95% CI:0.4%, 4.0%) in cardiovascular mortality per IQR increase (0.24μg/m3). Magnesium ion was associated with 0.7% increment (95% CI: 0.1%, 1.4%) in respiratory mortality per IQR increase (0.01μg/m3). Conclusion: This study suggests potential adverse health effects of particles produced by dust, salt, or traffic. In contrast to previous studies, our results showed no association of elemental carbon or nitrate with any mortality. Further study would be needed to account for the joint and lagged effect of components and meteorological variables. Keyword: fine particulate matter, components, multi-city analysis, epidemiology, health

Groundwater Salinization and Freshening Processes in the Luy River Coastal Aquifer, Vietnam

The Vietnamese Binh Thuan province located along the Southern Central part of the coast is one of the driest in the country. The population is relying largely on groundwater for irrigation, and the groundwater resources are threatened by climate change and saltwater intrusion in river estuaries. Recent studies, however, reveal that the extension of saltwater intrusions was larger than expected, raising some doubts on the actual origin of the intrusions. In this study, we use the geochemical characterization of groundwater samples collected in both the dry and rainy seasons in the Luy river coastal area to identify hydrochemical processes responsible for the salinization and variations taking place in the shallow aquifers. The distribution of chemical components of groundwater and the indicators presenting the freshening and salinization processes, such as cation exchange code and chloride conservative element, the ionic delta, the HFE-diagram, and geochemical modelling, were studied. The results show that 65% of the samples exceed the WHO limit for drinking water and 100% of them have a degree of restriction on use from slight–moderate to severe in potential irrigation problems according to FAO. In contrast to previous expectations, freshening is the dominant process in the aquifers, and it is more advanced in the rainy season. Due to a lack of recharge and aquifer exploitation, salinization is more severe in the deeper aquifer and during the dry season. Saltwater intrusion is not limited to the zone close to the river but extends further inland and at depth, and salinity can vary quickly over short distances. Based on these new insights, we develop a new conceptual model for the evolution of salinization in the Luy river catchment involving a natural freshening process of connate water combined with anthropic influence. The conceptual model will form the basis for the development of a groundwater model of the study area and eventually lead to sustainable management scenarios for this coastal region, preventing further deterioration of the groundwater resources.

Combining network pharmacology with chromatographic fingerprinting and multicomponent quantitative analysis for the quality evaluation of Moutan Cortex.

In this study, we combined network pharmacology, chromatographic fingerprinting and multicomponent quantitative analysis to evaluate the quality of Moutan Cortex (MC). Specifically, through network pharmacology, we obtained a comprehensive understanding of the active components and pharmacological activities of MC. In addition, the method of establishing fingerprint and multicomponent quantification by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography is convenient and comprehensive, and can more fully reflect the overall distribution of various chemical components. Principal component analysis and discriminant least square analysis were used. The results show that MC plays a synergistic role through multiple targets and pathways. The contents of chemical components in MC from different sources were significantly different. Combining network pharmacology and multicomponent quantitative results, gallic acid, benzoyl paeonol, paeonol, methyl gallate, benzoic acid and paeonol can be used as quality markers for MC quality control. This study provides a comprehensive and reliable strategy for the quality evaluation of MC and determines its quality indicators to ensure the quality of Chinese herbal medicine.

Geochemical features of the accumulation and migration of heavy metals in the peats of the Lviv region

Problem formulation. Study and interpretation of geochemical characteristic, component composition, content of macro- and microelements in peat has both a general scientific fundamental character and an applied one. Its results used for various purposes: quality assessment of peat, determination of the possibility of their use in industry etc. The article is devoted to study of the elements and microelements distribution in the peat of the Lviv region. The study of peatlands in western Ukraine and their component composition carried out only during geological exploration aimed at assessing the regions potential to produce own peat fertilizers or fuel. Article purpose. The aim of the work is to present an extended geochemical characteristic of Lviv’s region peats, to determine peats typical microelement composition and geochemical specialization, to establish regional regularities of distribution and accumulation of elements using methods of mathematical and statistical analysis, and to study the factors controlling the content, distribution and genesis of microelements in the region peatlands. Object, subject, factual material and research methods. The object of research is peat and its ash from peatlands of the Lviv region. The subject of research is geochemical characteristic of this peat, regional patterns of distribution and accumulation of chemical elements, components and geological and geochemical indicators in peats. The ashes of 248 peat samples taken in 110 representative areas were analyzed by spectral semi-quantitative analysis for the content of 21 chemical elements and other geochemical characteristics of peat (pH, ash content, etc.). Discussion. An integrated approach to the study of the geochemical characteristics of peat made it possible to identify the spatial geochemical features of peats in the territory of the Lviv region, to determine their typical microelements composition, to establish regional regularities of their distribution and accumulation (changes) - significant unevenness of the concentration of microelements by area of distribution, high indicators of the content of Mo, Yt, Sr, Co, Ag, Ba, Be, Pb in relation to the clarks of the lithosphere, soils, and plants. According to the results of correlation, factor and cluster analyzes, the following typomorphic geochemical associations of peats of the Lviv region can be distinguished: Ti-Ga-Cu-Y-Pb-Sc-V-Yb-Be is associated with the features of natural soil-forming processes of geochemical landscapes; Ni-Mo-Zn is possibly of technogenic origin and is associated with the accumulation of heavy metals in soils due to the development of mineral deposits. Conclusion. The analysis of the spatial distribution, mathematical and statistical processing of the geochemical characteristics and the composition and given varimax factor features and other integral and single-component parameters of peats described in the study indicates their satisfactory condition and can be to conclude that there is no regional pollution of peats in the Lviv region with heavy metals (except for Mo) or that the regional impact of such pollution is completely insignificant.

Nickel ion extracellular uptake by the phototrophic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides: new insights from Langmuir modelling and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis

The presence of anionic functional groups on the surface of microbial cells makes the bacterial biomass very attractive as metal cation removal tool for environmental bioremediation. To go insight to the heavy metal sorption abilities of Gram-negative bacteria, we characterized the extracellular uptake of Ni2+ ions by the phototrophic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides, whose ability to sequester toxic metal ions has been widely documented. The sorption process proved to be well described by the Langmuir model, suggesting that the cell envelope behaves as an ideal adsorbent surface, showing a layer of chemically equivalent binding sites with high affinity for Ni2+. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic data reveal that, at binding site saturation, Ni2+ ions fully displace alkali metal ions from the bacterial surface, while they are unable to displace Ca2+ and Mg2+ from their tight binding sites. The analysis of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen speciation, as arisen from high resolution spectra fitting, highlights that the Ni2+/K+ cation exchange affects the surface distribution of main chemical components, with increased contribution by peptides and phosphatidylcholines. A role of Ni2+ ions in favoring the stacking and/or packing of lipopolysaccharide sugar chains by interaction with carboxylate groups is proposed and discussed.

Comparison of Three Species of Rhubarb in Inhibiting Vascular Endothelial Injury via Regulation of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Background/Aim Rhubarb, a traditional Chinese medicine derived from three species, is commonly used in the prescriptions for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis based on its traditional effects of removing blood stasis and dredging the meridians. It has been reported that rhubarb can protect blood vessels by reducing inflammation and inhibiting vascular endothelial injury (VEI), but the effective components and mechanism of rhubarb inhibiting VEI are still unclear. This study aimed to compare the differences in chemical compositions of the three species of rhubarb and their inhibitory effect on VEI, so as to explain the material basis and select the dominant species to inhibit VEI, and to elucidate the mechanism of rhubarb's inhibitory effect on VEI. Methods Plant metabolomics was used to compare the chemical components of three species of rhubarb. The efficacy of three species of rhubarb in inhibiting VEI was compared through cell experiments in vitro. At the same time, combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking, the effective components and pathways of rhubarb involved in inhibiting VEI were screened. The mechanism of rhubarb inhibiting VEI was verified by molecular biology. Results There were significant differences in the distribution of chemical components among the three species of rhubarb. We identified 36 different chemical components in the positive ion mode and 38 different chemical components in the negative ion mode. Subsequently, the results showed significant differences in inhibiting VEI among the three species of rhubarb based on the contents of inflammatory factors (such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), ROS, and NO and confirmed that R. tanguticum had the best inhibitory effect on VEI in the light of the comprehensive efficacy, compared with R. palmatum and R. officinale. Three species of rhubarb alleviated the inflammatory response in LPS-induced EA.hy926 cells by reducing the contents of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α and decreasing expressions of PI3K, AKT, NF-κB p65, and STAT3 protein in the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway and the inhibition of proteins phosphorylation. In addition, three species of rhubarb could lessen the contents of ROS and NO in EA.hy926 cells induced by LPS. All results indicated that the process of inflammation-induced cellular oxidative stress, which resulted in VEI, was obviously improved by three species of rhubarb. Conclusion R. tanguticum was more effective among three species of rhubarb, and it had been proved that gallic acid, gallic-acid-O-galloyl-glucoside, procyanidin B-2,3,3′-di-O-gallatein, and other potential components could reduce the contents of inflammatory factors (such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), ROS, and NO by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway and protected the vascular endothelium and the blood vessels by improving the inflammation and oxidative stress reaction.

Modelling the kraft pulping process on a fibre scale by considering the intrinsic heterogeneous nature of the lignocellulosic feedstock

Renewable raw materials such as lignocellulose are inherently complex and demanding in chemical processing compared to petroleum-based feedstocks. This article addresses the challenge of developing a general model framework for modelling lignocellulosic feedstock on a fibre scale, considering its inherent heterogeneous nature in terms of the fundamental chemical component distribution in addition to its anisotropic structural properties. The presented model is tested and validated for the well-established kraft pulping process. Simulations and parameter estimation are carried out to investigate the kappa number distribution of softwood fibres during kraft pulping by using experimental data from the literature showing non-uniform delignification. A moving grid discretisation method for the distributed concentration variables is used to predict the reaction of the wood solids. The results suggest that an inherent fundamental chemical component distribution can be hypothesised as one source of the non-uniform delignification. The model indicates that a Gaussian distribution can be assumed for the initial lignin concentration within softwood. In addition, an investigation of the lignin kinetics suggests that the reactivity of lignin during kraft pulping decreases as the delignification progresses.

Assessment of macronutrients and alpha-galactosides of texturized vegetable proteins by near infrared hyperspectral imaging

Near infrared (950−1654 nm) hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) was applied for the first time for the prediction of proximate composition (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, ashes) and alpha-galactosides (verbascose, stachyose, raffinose) content of texturized vegetable proteins (TVP) obtained from different raw materials (four formulations) intended for plant-based meat analogues (PBMA) production. After exploration by Principal Component Analysis, the dataset was split into calibration and test sets and analyzed by Partial Least Squares Regression. In calibration and cross-validation, the R2 was between 0.92 and 0.98, with low error values. The figures of merit of the prediction confirm those results and the good performance of the models. Pixel-by-pixel prediction allowed the tracking of the non-uniform distribution of chemical components. Overall, NIR-HSI showed potentiality to be applied as a tool for rapid, accurate, and non-destructive quality control of TVP, which is fundamental as they strongly affect the nutritional and textural properties of PBMA.

Combining network pharmacology with chromatographic fingerprinting and multicomponent quantitative analysis for the quality evaluation of Astragali Radix.

Nowadays, cultivated variants and adulterants of Astragali Radix (AR) have flooded the market, causing the quality assurance of AR to be challenging. To address this issue, we combined network pharmacology with chromatographic fingerprinting and multicomponent quantitative analysis for the quality evaluation of AR. Specifically, through network pharmacology, a complete understanding of the active components and pharmacological activities of AR was established. In addition, establishing fingerprint profiles and multicomponent quantitation by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is convenient and comprehensive, and can more fully reflect the overall situation of the distribution of various chemical components. To evaluate and differentiate AR from different origins, hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis were performed. The result showed that AR acts synergistically through multiple targets and pathways. The content of chemical components in AR from different origins varied significantly. Combining network pharmacology and multicomponent quantification results, astragaloside II and IV and formononetin can be used as quality markers for the quality control of AR. This study provides a comprehensive and reliable strategy for the quality evaluation of AR and identifies its quality markers to ensure the quality of the herb.

The value of the analysis of the urinary stones for studying the features of urolithiasis pathogenesis

Introduction. Urolithiasis is a multifactorial recurrent disease, unevenly spread throughout the world and characterizedby the formation of urinary stones of various chemical compositions, depending on pathogenesis, etiological, and epidemiological risk factors. Understanding the composition of chemicals and their prevailing ratios can help make decisions about treatment tactics, preventive measures to reduce the risk of recurrence and the prevalence of urolithiasis.Purpose of the study. To assess the distribution of chemical components in urinary stones along with an analysis of their population significance.Materials and methods. The urinary stones were obtained from 2854 patients with urolithiasis. The composition of urinary stones was analyzed by using an infrared spectroscopy method.Results. The predominance of oxalate stones was determined in multicomponent kidney stones (83,7%) and the prevalence of urate stones (54,2%) was revealed in monocomponent kidney stones. Urinary stones with a predominance of oxalates contained significantly fewer impurities (12.4%) than urinary stones with a predominance of urates, phosphates and carbonates with an average amount of impurities >24.0%.Conclusion. The analysis of urinary stones distribution based on pathogenic factors showed that the calcium metabolism disturbances prevail in the population of the Russian Federation (88.0%).

How does ultrasound influence the thermal stability of wood?

This study elucidates the mechanism of the influence of ultrasonic treatment on wood pyrolysis and the details of the thermal stability changes of samples treated with ultrasonic alkali are explained. Four groups of samples were designed to clarify this scientific question, including the control group, the ultrasonic water-treated group, the alkali-treated group and the ultrasonic alkali-treated group. The extractives contents (organic extractives and hot water extractives) were determined, the crystal region, the functional groups of chemical components, the distribution of chemical components, and the thermal stability of wood were investigated using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, confocal Raman microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The results suggested that all the treatments reduced the extractives contents, increased the relative crystallinity, destroyed the structure of hemicellulose and lignin, and affected the thermal stability of wood, to different degrees. Ultrasonic time and alkali concentration were shown to be two important indexes. Ultrasound can enhance the treatment effects of low concentration alkali (0.1 %), but in a highly concentrated alkali environment, the auxiliary effect is not obvious. Ultrasonic treatment reduced the intensity of lignin in the whole cell wall region, while alkali treatment followed a more systematic process as the solvent permeated from the S layer to CCML. The initial degradation temperature T0 was not only related to the extractives content but also to the concentrations of hemicellulose and lignin in the sample. The hemicellulose degradation temperature T1 and cellulose degradation temperature T2 changed with changes in T0. A detailed understanding of the spatial and temporal variations of the major components in the rigid cell wall during the pretreatment process will help to develop more effective pretreatment strategies, which is crucial for the efficient optimization of the process.

Comparative analysis of chemical components in different parts of Epimedium Herb

Epimedium herb is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that is used for treating kidney-yang deficiency, impotence and rheumatism, and flavonoids are the main active ingredients. The leaves and rhizomes of Epimedium herb are two separate kinds of medicinal materials with different functional indications and clinical applications. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the chemical components of different parts of the herb from three Epimedium species (Epimedium sagittatum, E. pubescens and E. myrianthum) by using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photo-diode array and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-PDA-Q-TOF/MS) and multivariate statistical analysis to clarify the differences. Firstly, the workflow of UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS combined with UNIFI informatics was developed for characterizing the chemical compounds in different parts of Epimedium herb. Based on the exact mass information, the fragmentation characteristics and the retention times of compounds, all chromatographic peaks (74 chemical components) were identified. Secondly, 21 potential chemical markers for differentiating different parts of Epimedium herb were selected through PCA and PLS-DA analysis. The characteristic components in the leaves included flavonoids with Anhydroicaritin (type A, C-4′ linked methoxy) as the backbone, and the characteristic components in the stems and rhizomes were Magnoline and flavonoids with Demethylanhydroicaritin (type B, C-4′ linked hydroxyl) as the backbone. Thirdly, the UHPLC-PDA combined with heatmap visualization was employed to clarify the distribution of chemical components with high content in different parts of Epimedium herb. The results showed clear differences in the contents of chemical components in leaves, stems and rhizomes. The levels of flavonoids with Anhydroicaritin backbone were high in the leaves, and levels of flavonoids with Demethylanhydroicaritin backbone were high in the rhizomes. The levels of Magnoline in stems and rhizomes were higher than that in leaves. The contents of most of the compounds in stems remained low. The leaves and the other two parts (stems and rhizomes) can be distinguished by qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of Magnoline and Epimedoside A (type B backbone). These results indicated that the different plant parts of Epimedium herb can be quickly and accurately distinguished by this method, establishing a foundation for the application of Epimedium herb.

The Characteristics and Distribution of Chemical Components in Particulate Matter Emissions from Diesel Locomotives

The use of diesel locomotives in transport is gradually decreasing due to electrification and the introduction of high-speed electric rails. However, in Korea, up to 30% of passenger and cargo transport still relies on diesel locomotives and vehicles. Many studies have shown that the exhaust gas from diesel locomotives poses a threat to human health. This study examined the characteristics of particulate matter (PM) in diesel locomotive engine exhaust. In a previous study, PM emissions were found to increase as the throttle was moved to a higher notch. The use of a portable emission measurement system (PEMS) in this study did not detect the highest emissions at notch 5, as is commonly found in gravimetric analyses. When comparing the mass concentrations, the notch 1 and 5 results were similar. However, at notch 8, there was a large difference between the mass concentrations collected on the filters. Further, to reduce the fine PM emitted from diesel locomotives, the ionic components, which account for the largest proportion of the total materials in fine PM, should be clearly identified. Therefore, in this study, an analysis of the weight, ionic composition, and metal components of fine PM discharged from a diesel locomotive was performed. Based on the results, Na+ (31%), Ca2+ (27%), NO3− (24%), and SO42− (13%), were the main ionic components, and the most abundant metal components being Ca (45%) and S (20%). In this study, the chemical components generated in diesel engines of other sources were compared, and as a result, different results were shown depending on the engine load and material ingredients. For the first time, a PEMS was used to measure PM from diesel vehicles, and a comparison was made with the results obtained by a gravimetric method. This is the first report of measuring PM concentrations by connecting a PEMS to a diesel locomotive, and of the distribution and characteristics of ions and heavy metals contained in the particles collected in the filter analyzed. The results indicate the importance of identifying the characteristics of fine PM emitted from a diesel locomotive and establishing an effective reduction measurement.

Atomic layer deposition of palladium coated TiO2/Si nanopillars: ToF-SIMS, AES and XPS characterization study

Nanocomposite based on Palladium (Pd) Coated TiO2/Si nanopillars is an attractive candidate for photocatalytic applications because of its outstanding electrochemical and optical characteristics. In this research, Pd/TiO2/Si nanopillars were synthesized by combination of metal-assisted chemical etching and atomic layer deposition, and then the surface was investigated by means of Electron microscopy, Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass-Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and X-Ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The spatial distribution of different chemical components and contaminations on the surface of the produced nanocomposites was evaluated by ToF-SIMS mapping. Depth profiling by AES was carried out to determine the chemical composition and the conformality of Pd and TiO2 layer over the Si pillars. The elemental composition and stoichiometry were determined by XPS analysis. The XPS valence band analysis was performed in order to investigate the modification of TiO2/Si nanopillars electronic structure after Pd deposition. It was found that the Pd coating decreases the concentration of photoactive defects that can reduce the photoelectrochemical efficiency of TiO2.

Differences in surface chemistry of regenerated lignocellulose fibers determined by chemically sensitive scanning probe microscopy

Tuning the composition of regenerated lignocellulosic fibers in the production process enables targeting of specific material properties. In composite materials, such properties could be manipulated by controlled heterogeneous distribution of chemical components of regenerated fibers. This attribute requires a visualization method to show their inherent chemical characteristics. We compared complementary microscopic techniques to analyze the surface chemistry of four differently tuned regenerated lignocellulosic fibers. Adhesion properties were visualized with chemical force microscopy and showed contrasts towards hydrophilic and hydrophobic atomic force microscopy tips. Fibers containing xylan showed heterogeneous adhesion properties within the fiber structure towards hydrophilic tips. Additionally, peak force infrared microscopy mapped spectroscopic contrasts with nanometer resolution and provided point infrared spectra, which were consistent to classical infrared microscopy data. With this setup, infrared signals with a spatial resolution below 20 nm reveal chemical gradients in specific fiber types.