Microscopy Photoelectron Research Articles

SOĞURMA SPEKTROSKOPİSİ ve GEÇİRİMLİ ELEKTRON MİKROSKOPİ ile KADMİYUM SELENÜR KUANTUM NOKTALARININ OPTİK TESPİTİ

Quantum dots are tiny semiconductor nanocrystals. Their dimensions are between about 2 and 10 nm. They have attracted much attention due to their unique electronic and optical properties. These particles can be synthesized in a variety of ways. Synthesis methods of quantum dots can be classified into top-down and bottom-up. Top-down approach is a fragmentation process of bulk material. In contrast to top-down, quantum dots are constructed from atoms and molecules of the material at bottom-up procedure. Ball milling, optical lithography, laser ablation and arc-discharge are some top-down methods. However, chemical reduction, thermal decomposition, sol-gel and ultrasonic spray pyrolysis are bottom-up methods. In this study, chemical hot-injection synthesis method of cadmium selenide quantum dots which is a kind of bottom-up procedure will be explained. Cadmium selenide quantum dots have been grown in hot solvent at 259oC. Concentration of cadmium selenide quantum dots dispersed in toluene has been adjusted by observing their first exciton peak. First excitonic absorbance peak of cadmium selenide quantum dots has been measured at around 2.18 eV. Transmission electron microscope photo of these growth quantum dots has been shown. The average diameter of cadmium selenide quantum dots has been found to be approximately 3.48 nm. Lattice fringe spacing of cadmium selenide quantum dots has been measured as ~0.35 nm.

Experimental Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Carbon/Basalt/SiC Nanoparticle/Polyester Hybrid Composite Materials

In recent years, many researchers have focused on the preparation of carbon and basalt fiber-reinforced composites. As a result, the composites have gained popularity as an alternative to traditional materials such as wood, steel, and aluminum. Carbon and basalt fibers were used in a bidirectional woven mat, with particulates varying from 0 to 15 wt% nanoparticle SiC. The hybrid laminates were fabricated through vacuum bag infusion methods. The novelty of the research work lies in studying the influence of nanoparticle SiC-combined carbon and basalt fibers arranged in six stacking sequences, with LY556 used as polyester matrix. Specimens were prepared and tested as per ASTM standards. Tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness tests were performed on the obtained specimens and average values were obtained. It was found that 15% SiC filler addition enhanced (20%) the mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscope photos revealed the bonding between the fiber mat and the matrix of thecrystal structure. The obtained tensile strength was 346 MPa and the flexural strength was 388 MPa. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed that mechanical properties were improved with the addition of 15% SiCnanoparticles. Hence, this method can be used to manufacture structural applications and automotive parts.

Synthesis of GdFeO3/α-Fe2O3 heterostructure with enhanced photo-Fenton-like performance for organic pollutant degradation

The synergistic effects of photo-Fenton-like oxidation and heterostructure photocatalysis are highly beneficial for wastewater treatment. In this work, photo-Fenton-like GdFeO3 (GFO)/α-Fe2O3 catalysts with Z-scheme heterostructures were successfully fabricated via a facile ultrasonic method and then characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution TEM, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron microscopy, photocurrent analysis, and electron impedance spectroscopy. The heterostructure with a GFO/Fe ratio of 3:7 showed the highest photocatalytic activity during degradation of organic pollutants, and adding small amounts of H2O2 increased its visible-light-driven catalytic activity by 9.5, 2.3, and 16.4 times that of rhodamine B, methylene blue, and tetracycline, respectively. The catalytic results were significantly improved due to the synergy of the Z-scheme heterostructure and photo-Fenton-like oxidation. The results indicate that an appropriate composition ratio can accelerate the conversion rate of surface ≡Fe3+ to ≡Fe2+ and promote the separation of electron–holes that can form more reaction active sites. Furthermore, a possible photocatalytic mechanism associated with the GFO/Fe composite was proposed using an electron spin resonance test and active-species trapping experiments. Overall, this work presents an important synthesis route for photo-Fenton-like catalysts that can degrade organic pollutants in wastewater.

Effect of Cu-Doped Carbon Quantum Dot Dispersion Liquid on the Lubrication Performance of Polyethylene Glycol

Energy saving and reduced consumption of key materials such as bearings in high-end equipment can be realized by synthesizing a new lubricating functional additive, copper-doped carbon quantum dot dispersion liquid (Cu-CQDs) via hydrothermal reaction with glycerol, cupric chloride dihydrate, and choline chloride as raw materials. The influence of the dispersion liquid containing Cu-CQDs nanoparticles on the lubricating properties of polyethylene glycol (PEG200) was investigated on a four-ball friction tester. The wear scars of steel balls after friction were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope accompanied by energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), photoelectron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The results revealed the friction and wear mechanism of Cu-CQDs. Cu-CQDs dispersion liquid can significantly enhance the lubrication performance of PEG. The average friction coefficient of PEG containing 2.0 wt% Cu-CQDs dispersion liquid was 40.99% lower than that of pure PEG. The friction and wear mechanism can be ascribed to friction, inducing Cu-CQDs to participate in the formation of boundary lubricating film, resulting in a low friction coefficient and wear scar diameter.

Glycyrrhizae radix et Rhizoma-Derived Carbon Dots and Their Effect on Menopause Syndrome in Ovariectomized Mice.

With the extension of the human life span and the increasing pressure of women's work and life, menopause syndrome (MPS) refers to a problem that puzzles almost all women worldwide. Hormone replacement treatment (HRT) can effectively mitigate the symptoms but can also exert adverse effects to a certain extent. Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizome (GRR) is commonly made into a charcoal processed product, termed GRR Carbonisatas (GRRC), for use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). GRRC is widely used to treat MPS and other gynecological diseases. In this study, GRRC was prepared through pyrolysis. Subsequently, GRR-derived carbon dots (GRR-CDs) were purified through dialysis and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared, ultraviolet, fluorescence, X-ray photoelectron microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The effects of GRR-CDs on MPS were examined and confirmed using ovariectomized female mice models. The GRR-CDs ranged from 1.0 to 3.0 nm in diameter and with multiple surface chemical groups, as indicated by the results. GRR-CDs can elevate the estradiol (E2) level of healthy female mice. Moreover, GRR-CDs can alleviate MPS using the typical ovariectomized mice model, as confirmed by elevating the estradiol (E2) level and reducing the degree of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and raising the degree of uterine atrophy. The results of this study suggested that GRR-CDs may be a potential clinical candidate for the treatment of MPS, which also provides a possibility for nanodrugs to treat hormonal diseases.

Bacterial inactivation on sputtered TiOMoN and TiOMoN-Ag thin films under solar simulated light

The bacterial inactivation kinetics of Escherichia coli (E. coli) by innovative sputtered TiMoON and TiMoON-Ag films under simulated solar light irradiation is accounted for in a detailed, comprehensive and systematic form. This study presents the evidence that normal E. coli degrades faster compared to genetically modified porinless E. coli due to Ag+-ions transfer occurring from the beginning of the bacterial inactivation process. The Ag-films were deposited by RF-reactive sputtering and presented a high hydrophobic character, which facilitated their contact/interaction with the bacteria cell wall. To reach homogeneous distribution of Ag in the films, annealing under vacuum at 400 °C was required. The films were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and contact angle (CA) measurements. TiMoON-Ag films led to the formation of highly reactive oxidative radicals (ROS) under solar irradiation. The nature of these species was specifically identified. The formation of TiN and TiO-sites on the film surface was detected by XPS. TiMoON-Ag films with 6.7 and 7.4 at. % Ag led to E. coli inactivation ∼ 90 min under solar simulated light (50 mW/cm2, 320–800 nm). The later films present a practical potential for the disinfection of medical surfaces and devices under solar light due to the narrow film ban-gap of 2.10 eV.

Attosecond imaging of photoinduced dynamics in molecules using time-resolved photoelectron momentum microscopy

We explore the novel capabilities offered by attosecond extreme ultraviolet and x-ray pulses that can be now generated by free-electron lasers and high-harmonics generation sources for probing photon-induced electron dynamics in molecules. We theoretically analyze how spatial and temporal dependence of charge migration in a pentacene molecule can be followed by means of time-resolved photoelectron microscopy on the attosecond time scale. Performing the analysis, we accurately take into account that an attosecond probe pulse leads to considerable spectral broadening. We demonstrate that the excited-state dynamics of a neutral pentacene molecule in the real space map onto unique features of photoelectron momentum maps.

The Capability of Cocoa Pulp Juice (Theobroma cacao L.) on Crown Dentin Smear Layer Removal

Introduction: smear layer is a thin layer formed from tooth structure instrumentation which can prevent the restoration material bonds the tooth structure. Partial smear layer should be removed using dentin conditioner. One of dentin conditioners that is often used is 10% polyacrylic acid. The natural ingredient that is thought to be an alternative to dentin conditioner is cocoa pulp juice because it contains many acidic compounds. Methods: This research is a laboratory experimental study to determine the ability of 100% cocoa pulp juice (Theobroma cacao L.) to remove the crown dentin smear layer and compare it to 10% polyacrylic acid. Eight dental elements were prepared for class I cavities on the middle 1/3 of buccal surface to reach 3 mm in diameter and 2 mm in depth, enamel was prepared until 1 mm in depth of cavity left. The samples were irrigated with sterile aquades and dried. Furthermore, 4 samples were applied 10% polyacrylic acid and 4 samples used cocoa pulp juice, left for 20 seconds, irrigated, dried, and put in the oven for 2x24 hours. The samples were examined for their cavity cleanliness score using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) photo with 2000x of magnification. Result: both groups have the same score and statistical test shows that there is no significant difference between them. Conclusion: the 100% cocoa pulp juice was able to clean the smear layer of crown dentin and its ability equal to 10% polyacrylic acid.

Incorporation of Zinc Hydroxide Sulphate (ZHS) Nanoplates into Epoxy Resin to Improve Its Corrosion Protection

Zinc hydroxide sulphate (ZHS) nanoplates were synthesized and then characterized by various methods, including field-emission electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) theory. Then, the synthesized ZHS nanoplates were incorporated into the epoxy coating on a ST 37 steel alloy. No change in the morphology of the epoxy coating was observed after incorporating 1 wt. % ZHS nanoplates. Uniform distribution of the incorporated ZHS nanoplates inside the epoxy coating was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed that the surface roughness (Sa) of the neat epoxy coating was about 1.1 µm, which was increased to about 2.1 µm by the incorporation of the ZHS nanoplates. The water contact angle on the coating was changed from 82.1 to 90.8° after incorporating the ZHS nanoplates, which may be attributed to the surface roughness. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments showed that the polarization resistance of the epoxy coating in a 3.5 wt. % NaCl solution after 28 days of immersion was about 2.03 MΩ cm2, and increased to about 9.47 MΩ cm2 after adding the ZHS nanoplates. In addition, the capacitance of the ZHS-containing epoxy coating after 28 days of immersion in the corrosive solution was about 0.07 nsnΩ−1cm−2. The obtained value was more than four times lower than the value obtained for the neat epoxy coating (0.32 nsnΩ−1cm−2). The results of the EIS measurements indicated a significant increase in the corrosion resistance of the epoxy coating after the addition of the ZHS nanoplates. The improvement in the corrosion was explained by the filling of the possible defects and trapping of the aggressive agents by the incorporated ZHS nanoplates. FESEM and EDS analyses at the end of the immersion period confirmed the results of the corrosion tests.

Spectromicroscopy Studies of Silicon Nanowires Array Covered by Tin Oxide Layers.

The composition and atomic and electronic structure of a silicon nanowire (SiNW) array coated with tin oxide are studied at the spectromicroscopic level. SiNWs are covered from top to down with a wide bandgap tin oxide layer using a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition technique. Results obtained via scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction showed that tin-oxide nanocrystals, 20nm in size, form a continuous and highly developed surface with a complex phase composition responsible for the observed electronic structure transformation. The "one spot" combination, containing a chemically sensitive morphology and spectroscopic data, is examined via photoemission electron microscopy in the X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) mode. The observed spectromicroscopy results showed that the entire SiNW surface is covered with a tin(IV) oxide layer and traces of tin(II) oxide and metallic tin phases. The deviation from stoichiometric SnO2 leads to the formation of the density of states sub-band in the atop tin oxide layer bandgap close to the bottom of the SnO2 conduction band. These observations open up the possibility of the precise surface electronic structures estimation using photo-electron microscopy in XANES mode.

L-Glu Hierarchical Structure Crystallization Using Inorganic Ions

Hierarchical organic structures have gained vast attention in the past decade owing to their great potential in chemical and medical applications in industries such as the food and pharmaceutical industries. In this paper, the crystallization of L-glu hierarchical spheres using inorganic ions, namely calcium, barium and strontium cations, is described. The anti-solvent precipitation method is used for the spherical crystallization. The L-glu microspheres are characterized using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photo-electron microscopy (XPS) and polarized microscopy (POM). It is shown that without additives, L-glu crystallizes as flower-like structures, very different from the hierarchical spheres crystallized with the charged additives. Based on our results, we suggest a mechanism for the hierarchical sphere formation based on the crystallization and self-assembly of L-glu in emulsion droplets using charged additives.

Composting of limed fleshings generated in a tannery: sustainable waste management.

In tanneries, limed fleshing is an unavoidable waste generated in beamhouse operation. Proper management of limed fleshing with protein, fat, lime, and sulfide will help to protect the natural environment and at least reduce the pollution that ends up in it. In this study, excluding any pretreatment, limed fleshing is used for compost production. Chopped and mixed limed fleshing with chicken manure, cow dung, and sawdust was heaped onto a horizontal bamboo frame. Three composting heaps were fabricated weighing 720, 700, and 760kg. The turning of composting materials in the heaps causes temperature changes in the thermophilic range. The thermophilic temperatures in these heaps were 69.07°C (heap 1), 69.9°C (heap 2), and 69.19°C (heap 3) which ensured the death of the pathogenic organism. The quality of compost was assessed based on the nutrients-nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) content. NPKS in the compost fulfils the requirements of the investigated materials as compost. The largest amounts of metals- zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) of the compost detected in the heaps were, respectively, 200.3, 37.4, 20.3, 12.0, and 3.9mg/kg. Cadmium (Cd) in the compost was below the detection limit. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs show the decomposing of composting materials. This study indicates that limed fleshing can be converted into nutrient-enriched compost without any pretreatment. Using an easy, simple, and adaptable technique could reduce the volume of solid waste generated in the tannery to reduce environmental pollution.

Characteristic of Polymeric Lightweight Aggregate with Coal Fly Ash and Epoxy Resin for Manufacturing the Lightweight Concrete

Concrete is an essential element and is widely used in various industrial construction works. However, concrete is weak in its specific gravity range of 2200 – 2500 kg/m³. Using lightweight aggregates is one way to reduce the weight of concrete. In Indonesia, the availability of coal fly-ash (CFA) is easy to obtain and abundant, while the utilization rate is still low. To overcome this problem, CFA mixed with epoxy resin (ER) is used as a binder to manufacture polymer lightweight aggregates (PLA). The manufacturing process uses a simple mixing method using three different compositions. The ratio composition of coal fly-ash and epoxy resin proposed in this study are 90:10 (PLA_90:10), 80:20 (PLA_80:20), and 70:30 (PLA_70:30). From the results of testing the compressive strength and specific gravity of the three aggregate compositions, it was found that PLA_70:30 had a compressive strength of 74.60 MPa and a specific gravity of 1668 kg/m³ at an aggregate age of 28 days. The aggregate microstructure is shown by scanning electron microscope (SEM) photo of each composition. The greater the composition of the epoxy resin on the lightweight polymer aggregate, the better the bond between the aggregate particles. The coal fly-ash is improperly bound and the aggregate becomes more fragile when there is less epoxy resin used. Furthermore, PLA_70:30 aggregate, which has become crushed aggregate, is inserted into a lightweight concrete mixture with a design quality of f'c = 17.5 MPa, following the requirements for lightweight concrete quality. The result is lightweight concrete with a compressive strength of 18.38 at 28 days, and specific gravity that varies between 1918.87 kg/m³ - 1928.93 kg/m³. According to the ASTM, the results of the compressive strength and specific gravity tests show that PLA_70:30 meets the standards specified as lightweight aggregates for lightweight structural concrete.

New contributions to the subfamily Polycerinae (Nudibranchia, Polyceridae): description of three new species and one new genus

Abstract The subfamily Polycerinae includes eight genera, from the monospecific Lamellana and Lecithophorus to the diverse Polycera and Gymnodoris, with 33 and 26 valid species, respectively. The monophyly of the subfamily has been tested by molecular data although not all genera were included. To date, relationships within the subfamily are not supported. In the present paper, three new species of polycerid nudibranchs are fully described based on specimens collected in Marshall Islands and Australia: one Palio species (Palio gaeli sp. nov.), one Polycera species (Polycera nimbsi sp. nov.) and a new genus (Paliota galactica gen. and sp. nov.). The new genus is described based on its peculiar radular teeth and genetic divergence. The internal anatomy was studied by dissections and scanning electron microscope photographs. Partial sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S) as well as nuclear histone H3 (H3) were also obtained. A phylogenetic framework for two of these three species is proposed, also including for the first time the species Paliolla templadoi and Polycera melanosticta.

Marginal integrity of composite resin restoration in class I cavities prepared by hydro-abrasion

Aim To evaluate and compare the marginal integrity of composite resin restorations made by two different preparation techniques: conventional drill and hydro-abrasion. Materials and methods Forty extracted human premolars with simple occlusal caries were used. The teeth were fixed with sticky wax to the base of plastic cylinder. The cylinder was filled with self-curing acrylic resin so that only root was embedded within the self-curing acrylic resin. The teeth were randomly divided into two main groups (n = 20) according to the preparation technique. Group I: class I cavity preparation was done by the conventional drill method using a #245 Carbide bur and contra angle high-speed hand piece with water coolant. Cavity design was restricted to remove caries with no undercuts, and no beveling. Group II: class I cavity preparation was done by Aquacut Quattro air hydro-abrasion unit which uses a gamma irradiated aluminum oxide particle as abrasives (29 μm), cutting fluid and a hand piece of 0.6 mm diameter tip. The preparation in both groups was restored by the same composite resin (Grandio) and adhesive systems (Futurabond U) following the manufacturer's instructions. All specimens were thermocycled. Impressions for each tooth was made using a polyvinyl Siloxane material. The impressions were then poured with epoxy resin. These replicas were examined under scanning electron microscope. Scanning electron microscope photographs of tested samples were used for the gap evaluation. Results It was found that, group I recorded higher mean value of marginal gap length (157.57 ± 35.15 μm) than group II that recorded (69.55 ± 20.02 μm). Also, group I recorded higher mean value of marginal gap length ratio (10.72 ± 2.47) than group II that recorded (7.44 ± 2.69). Conclusion Conventional drilling technique was faster than the hydro-abrasion technique for cavity preparation. Hydro-abrasion technique showed more marginal adaptation than conventional drilling technique.

Ovezanost koronarne ateroskleroze sa sojevima stutzerimonas stutzeri (HaSa 1, 2, 3 i 4) bakterijama koje formiraju biofilm

Objective. Coronary atherosclerosis, also known as coronary artery disease, is increasing in developing countries like Iraq. A recent study investigated the presence and potential impact of a bacterial strain called Stutzerimonas stutzeri on coronary atherosclerosis. This research aims to provide insights into this medical concern that has seen a significant surge in cases over the past two decades. Methods. Samples were collected from patients who underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) at the Mosul Center for Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery between 9/10/2022 and 1/3/2023. The samples were obtained from the fluid (blood) coming out from the guiding catheter of the balloon during angioplasty, and then the balloon samples were placed in transport media (Tryptone Soya Broth). Advanced scientific methods, including biochemical tests, the Vitek-2 system, a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Molecular methods based on the 16S rRNA gene, were utilized to identify the bacteria. The Nitrogen base sequences were located and compared to those in the NCBI database using BLAST software. Results. New strains of Stutzerimonas stutzeri bacteria were discovered in people with coronary atherosclerosis for the first time. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) named these new strains as follows: Stutzerimonas stutzeri strain HaSa1, S. stutzeri strain HaSa2, S. stutzeri strain HaSa3, and S. stutzeri strain HaSa4. They have the ability to form biofilms. This was diagnosed with direct smears of balloon samples, smears of isolated bacterial colonies stained with a gram stain, and scanning electron microscope photos of balloon samples. Conclusion. The newly found Stutzerimonas stutzeri strains most likely cause chronic inflammatory responses in people that have atherosclerosis in their coronary arteries by building biofilms.

A magnetically controlled chemical-mechanical polishing (MC-CMP) approach for fabricating channel-cut silicon crystal optics for the High Energy Photon Source.

Crystal monochromators are indispensable optical components for the majority of beamlines at synchrotron radiation facilities. Channel-cut monochromators are sometimes chosen to filter monochromatic X-ray beams by virtue of their ultrahigh angular stability. Nevertheless, high-accuracy polishing on the inner diffracting surfaces remains challenging, thus hampering their performance in preserving the coherence or wavefront of the photon beam. Herein, a magnetically controlled chemical-mechanical polishing (MC-CMP) approach has been successfully developed for fine polishing of the inner surfaces of channel-cut crystals. This MC-CMP process relieves the constraints of narrow working space dictated by small offset requirements and achieves near-perfect polishing on the surface of the crystals. Using this method, a high-quality surface with roughness of 0.614 nm (root mean square, r.m.s.) is obtained in a channel-cut crystal with 7 mm gap designed for beamlines at the High Energy Photon Source, a fourth-generation synchrotron radiation source under construction. On-line X-ray topography and rocking-curve measurements indicate that the stress residual layer on the crystal surface was removed. Firstly, the measured rocking-curve width is in good agreement with the theoretical value. Secondly, the peak reflectivity is very close to theoretical values. Thirdly, topographic images of the optics after polishing were uniform without any speckle or scratches. Only a nearly 2.5 nm-thick SiO2 layer was observed on the perfect crystalline matrix from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy photographs, indicating that the structure of the bulk material is defect- and dislocation-free. Future development of MC-CMP is promising for fabricating wavefront-preserving and ultra-stable channel-cut monochromators, which are crucial to exploit the merits of fourth-generation synchrotron radiation sources or hard X-ray free-electron lasers.

New perspectives on morphological and genetic variability of Corynosoma bullosum [Linstow, 1892] parasitizing southern elephant seals from the Antarctic Peninsula.

Previous descriptions of Corynosoma bullosum (Linstow, 1892) show that specimens vary greatly in the proportions of different body structures, measurements of females and males, number of rows of hooks, and egg measurements, among other features. We redescribe this species from specimens found in southern elephant seal faeces from King George Island. We also provide a molecular characterization, in addition to 5.8S and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) existing sequences. We examined 41 elephant seals, and 30 adult acanthocephalans were found in 15 of them. The specimens were identified as belonging to the genus Corynosoma due to each having a tubular body with an inflated anterior part forming a thorny disk and the posterior part bearing somatic spines on the ventral surface, and genital spines surrounding the genital pore. Individual morphology corresponded to C. bullosum: large size, marked sexual dimorphism, and proboscis with 16-18 rows of spines with 11-15 spines per row. The molecular profile of three specimens of C. bullosum was analysed using 18S rDNA. We inferred phylogenetic relationships of the family Polymorphidae using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. We provide an updated morphological redescription for C. bullosum including electron microscopy photographs and molecular data. The 18S gene sequences showed low genetic variation and supported that C. bullosum is a sister to Corynosoma australe.

Angle-Resolved Photoelectron Spectroscopy Microscopy: A Tool to Accelerate Nanomaterials Research

Researchers have published a practical guide on new uses of photoelectron microscopy combined with valence band dispersion analysis. They visualized several-micrometers-wide graphite facets and precisely characterized the band structure.

Delivery of rivaroxaban and chitosan rapamycin microparticle with dual antithrombosis and antiproliferation functions inhibits venous neointimal hyperplasia

Neointimal hyperplasia is a complex process after vascular interventions, acute platelet deposition and smooth muscle cell proliferation both contributed to this process. There are still no perfect solutions to solve this problem. Rivaroxaban is a novel anticoagulant that has been widely used in clinic, it has a good pharmacological effects both in vivo and in vitro. Chitosan microparticle rapamycin (MP-rapa) was fabricated, interspaces of polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffold were used as a reservoir of MP-rapa, and the scaffold was coated with hyaluronic acid rivaroxaban (MP-rapa-riva). Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) photographs were taken and water contact angles were measured, rat inferior vena cava (IVC) patch venoplasty model was used; patches were harvested at day 14 and examined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. SEM photographs showed the microparticles rapamycin were inside the interspace of the scaffold, hyaluronic acid rivaroxaban was also successfully coated onto the surface of the scaffold. There was a thinner neointima, fewer proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positive cells, fewer macrophages in the MP-rapa and MP-rapa-riva grafts compared to the control PGA graft. The result showed that this scaffold with dual anticoagulation and antiproliferation functions can effectively inhibit venous neointimal hyperplasia, although this is an animal experiment, it showed promising potential clinical application in the future.